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): October 13, 2009
GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-33607
(Commission file number)
76-0526032
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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10111 Richmond Avenue, Suite 340,
Houston, Texas
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77042
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(713) 963-9522
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
The following summaries are qualified by reference to the amendments and agreements that are filed
as exhibits to this Current Report on
Form 8-K.
Amendments to Benefit Plans and Policy.
On October 13, 2009, the Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee) of the Board of
Directors (the Board) of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (the Company) approved, and the Board
ratified, certain amendments to the following benefit plans, compensation arrangements and policy
(collectively, the Amended Benefit Plans and Policy):
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(i)
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GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 1997 Incentive Equity Plan (the 1997 Plan);
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(ii)
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GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (the Director
Plan); and
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(iii)
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GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance Benefits Policy.
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The Amended Benefit Plans and Policy were amended to include a uniform change in control
definition, which, with minor exceptions, is substantially consistent with the definition of change
in control that was previously included in the Director Plan. In addition, the 1997 Plan was
amended to specify that no awards may be granted under the 1997 Plan after March 20, 2017 and to
provide the Board with the authority, in its discretion, to cancel outstanding stock options and
stock appreciation rights (SARs) awarded under the 1997 Plan upon the occurrence of a change of
control, in exchange for a cash payment equal to the aggregate fair market value of the shares
subject to the stock options or SARs minus the aggregate exercise price under the option or SAR.
The cash-out feature mirrors the feature that is already included in the Director Plan. Finally,
the 1997 Plan and the Director Plan were amended to provide additional clarification relating to
compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
Additionally,
upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee and the Board, on
October 14, 2009, the Board of
Directors of GM Offshore, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), amended the GM Offshore,
Inc. Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan to clarify that a change of control is to be determined at
the Company level.
Amendment to Existing Employment Agreements and Entry into New Employment Agreement.
Upon
recommendation of the Compensation Committee and the Board, on
October 14, 2009, the Board of
Directors of GulfMark Americas, Inc. (GMA) (an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) approved,
and on October 16, 2009 GMA entered into, Amended and Restated Employment Agreements (the
Amended and Restated Employment Agreements) with each of Bruce A. Streeter and John E. Leech.
The prior employment agreements with Messrs. Streeter and Leech were amended to include the same
change in control definition that is now included in the Amended Benefit Plans and Policy, to
provide that any severance benefits payable to the executives are contingent upon execution of a
comprehensive waiver and release and to make other changes that provide additional clarification
relating to excise taxes and compliance with Section 409A of the Code. In addition, the Amended
and Restated Employment Agreements eliminated the right of the executive to receive change of
control severance benefits on a modified single trigger basis, and now provide that change of
control benefits will only accrue on a double trigger basis upon the occurrence of both (A) a
change of control (as defined in the Amended and Restated Employment Agreements) and (B)
termination of employment by the Company without cause (as defined in the Amended and Restated
Employment Agreements) or termination of employment by the executive for good reason (as defined in
the Amended and Restated Employment Agreements). In connection with the elimination of the
executives modified single-trigger severance benefits, the definitions of good reason in the
Amended and Restated Employment Agreements were expanded to provide, in general, that good
reason exists if, during the one-year period following a change of control, the executive receives
notice that the term of the agreement will not be extended or the executive experiences a material
change in his duties, responsibilities, title or office.
GMA also entered into an employment agreement with Quintin V. Kneen in connection with his previous
appointment as Executive Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The
following summarizes the material terms of the employment agreement with Mr. Kneen:
Term
. The agreement provides for an initial term through December 31, 2010, which will
automatically renew for additional one-year periods unless Mr. Kneen or GMA provide written notice
of their intent not to renew the agreement within 120 days prior to termination.
Compensation
. The agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $285,000. The
agreement also provides that Mr. Kneen shall be eligible to participate in GMAs bonus and other
benefit plans, and be reimbursed for a country club membership.
Severance Payments
. In the event Mr. Kneens employment is terminated without cause (as
defined in the agreement), or Mr. Kneen terminates employment for good reason, Mr. Kneen shall be
entitled to receive payment of the following amounts and benefits (so long as Mr. Kneen executes
and delivers a comprehensive waiver and release agreement to GMA):
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(i)
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accrued salary and vacation through the date of termination;
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(ii)
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a prorated bonus through the date of termination based upon the annual bonus
paid for the immediately preceding fiscal year;
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(iii)
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an amount equal to 2.0 times the sum of (x) Mr. Kneens annual salary in
effect as of the date of termination, and (y) the bonus paid or payable to Mr. Kneen
for the immediately preceding fiscal year, reduced by the present value of any
severance or bonus continuation payable to Mr. Kneen upon termination of employment
under any other severance plan, policy or arrangement with GMA;
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(iv)
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immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and restricted stock;
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(v)
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continuation of health and welfare benefits through the term of the agreement;
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(vi)
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a lump sum payment equal to two times the Company contributions that would have
been made to Mr. Kneens 401(k) and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan accounts had
Mr. Kneen remained employed by GMA for a period of two years after the termination of
employment; and
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(vii)
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reimbursement for outplacement services for a period of six months following
termination of employment.
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The agreement also provides for certain benefits in the event of Mr. Kneens death, disability or
retirement. Finally, in the event any severance or other benefits accruing to Mr. Kneen were paid
or received in connection with a change of control, Mr. Kneen would be eligible to receive an
excise tax gross up payment based upon excise taxes, if any, that would be owed by Mr. Kneen in
connection with such change of control.
ITEM 5.03. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.
On October 13, 2009, the Board approved an amendment (the Amendment) to the Companys Bylaws (the Bylaws) to (i)
create a set of mechanics for stockholder actions by written consent, including when the record
date will be set for such stockholder actions, (ii) require 90 to 120 days advance notice for
stockholder proposals at annual meetings (based on the anniversary of the prior years meeting and
subject to adjustment if the annual meeting date changes significantly) and to add information
requirements for stockholder proposals and/or nominations, including, among other things,
information regarding any persons nominated for election as directors; disclosure of a
stockholders material interests in any business so proposed; disclosure of such stockholders
identity and ownership of the Companys securities; and disclosure regarding whether such
stockholder is acting as part of a group that intends to solicit proxies, (iii) require each
director and nominee for election as a director to deliver to the Secretary of the Company a
written questionnaire with respect to the directors or nominees background and qualifications and
a representation and agreement requiring disclosure of certain types of voting commitments and
compensation arrangements and a representation that the director or nominee, if elected, would be
in compliance with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality,
securities ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company and (iv) allow the Board to
designate the Chairman of the Board as a non-executive officer of the Company.
The Amendment is effective as of October 13, 2009, and a copy is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1.
ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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3.1
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Amendment to the Bylaws of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., effective as of October 13, 2009.
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10.1
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Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Bruce A. Streeter,
effective as of October 14, 2009.
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10.2
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Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of John E. Leech,
effective as of October 14, 2009.
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10.3
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Form of Employment Agreement of Quintin V. Kneen, effective as of October
14, 2009.
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10.4
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Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore,
Inc. 1997 Incentive Equity Plan, effective as of October 13,
2009.
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10.5
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Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore,
Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan,
effective as of October 13, 2009.
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10.6
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GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance
Benefits Policy, effective as of August 1, 2001.
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10.7
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Amendment to GulfMark Offshore,
Inc. Severance Benefits Policy, effective as of October 13, 2009.
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10.8
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Form of Amendment to the GM
Offshore, Inc. Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan, effective as of October
14, 2009.
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
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GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
Registrant
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By:
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/s/ Quintin V. Kneen
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Quintin V. Kneen
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Executive Vice President & Chief
Financial Officer
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Date: October 16, 2009
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
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No.
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Description
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3.1
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Amendment to the Bylaws of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., effective as of October 13, 2009.
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10.1
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Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Bruce A. Streeter,
effective as of October 14, 2009.
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10.2
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Form of Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement of John E. Leech,
effective as of October 14, 2009.
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10.3
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Form of Employment Agreement of Quintin V. Kneen, effective as of October
14, 2009.
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10.4
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Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore,
Inc. 1997 Incentive Equity Plan, effective as of October 13,
2009.
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10.5
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Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore,
Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan,
effective as of October 13, 2009.
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10.6
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GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance
Benefits Policy, effective as of August 1, 2001.
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10.7
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Amendment to GulfMark Offshore,
Inc. Severance Benefits Policy, effective as of October 13, 2009.
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10.8
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Form of Amendment to the GM
Offshore, Inc. Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan, effective as of October
14, 2009.
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AMENDMENT
TO
BYLAWS
OF
GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
The Bylaws of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Corporation), effective
as of December 5, 1996, as amended as of September 13, 2007 (the Bylaws), are hereby amended as
of October 13, 2009, as follows:
FIRST: Article I is hereby amended to include the following provisions:
Section 8. Action by Written Consent.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action that may be
taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so
taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock having not less than
the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting
at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the
Corporation by delivery in a manner permitted by applicable law of the State of Delaware.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to take corporate
action by written consent without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which
the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of
record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent
shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date for
such purpose. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the
date on which such request is received by the Secretary, adopt a resolution fixing such record
date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within 10 days of the date on
which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to take
corporate action by written consent without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of
Directors is required by applicable law of the State of Delaware, shall be the first date on which
a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the
Corporation by delivery in a manner permitted by applicable law of the State of Delaware. If no
record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is
required by applicable law of the State of Delaware, the record date for determining stockholders
entitled to take corporate action by written consent without a meeting shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the
consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the
corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent
delivered in the manner required hereby to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient
number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery in a manner permitted
by applicable law of the State of Delaware.
(d) A facsimile, electronic mail message, telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission
(each an electronic transmission) consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a
stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or
proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes hereof if such
electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Corporation can
determine: (1) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder
or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (2) the date on
which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic
transmission. The date on which such electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be
the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by electronic transmission shall be
deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper
form shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery in a manner permitted by applicable law of
the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by
electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered to the principal place of business of the
Corporation or to the Secretary to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the Board
of Directors.
(e) Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be
substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original
writing could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete
reproduction of the entire original writing.
(f) In the event of the delivery to the Corporation of a written consent or consents
purporting to represent the requisite voting power to authorize or take corporate action and/or any
related revocations, the Secretary shall provide for the safekeeping of such consents and
revocations. The Secretary, or such other officer of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may
designate, shall, as promptly as practicable, conduct a ministerial review of the validity of the
consents and/or any related revocations deemed necessary and appropriate; provided, however, that
if the corporate action to which the written consent relates is the removal or replacement of one
or more members of the Board of Directors, the Secretary, or such other officer of the Corporation
as the Board of Directors may designate, shall promptly designate two persons, who may be employees
of the Corporation, but who shall not be members of the Board of Directors or officers of the
Corporation, to serve as inspectors with respect to such written consent and such inspectors shall
discharge the functions of the Secretary, or such other officer of the Corporation as the Board of
Directors may designate, under this Section 8 of this ARTICLE I.
(g) No action by written consent without a meeting shall be effective until such date as the
Secretary, such other officer of the Corporation as designated by the
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Board of Directors or inspectors as appointed in accordance with Section 8(f) of this ARTICLE
I, as applicable, completes their review, determines that the consents delivered to the Corporation
in accordance with this Section 8 of this ARTICLE I represent not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares
entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and certifies such determination to the Board of
Directors for entry in the records of the Corporation kept for the purpose of recording the
proceedings of meetings of stockholders.
(h) Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than
unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing
and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the
meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a
sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided
herein.
(i) Any stockholder giving a written consent, or the stockholders proxyholder, may revoke the
consent in any manner permitted by applicable law of the State of Delaware.
Section 9. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an
annual meeting of stockholders only (i) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (or any
supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof
or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record of the Corporation
at the time the notice provided for in this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I is delivered to the
Secretary, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I.
(2) For any nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I, the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and any such proposed
business (other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors) must
constitute a proper matter for stockholder action under applicable law of the State of Delaware.
To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than
the close of business on the 120th day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years
annual meeting (provided, however, that if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year or in
the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days
after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the
close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if the first public
announcement (as defined in this Section 9 of this
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ARTICLE I) of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such
annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of such
meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time
period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(3) (i) A stockholders notice to the Secretary for the conduct of business (other than
nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors) shall set forth as to each matter
the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting:
(A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the
reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and the text of the proposal (including
the complete text of any resolution(s) proposed for consideration and, in the event that such
business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment); and
(B) any interest of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined in this
Section 9 of this ARTICLE I) in such business.
(ii) As to the stockholder giving such notice and, where noted below, each Stockholder
Associated Person, the stockholders notice shall set forth and include the following:
(A) the name and address, as they appear on the record books of the Corporation, of the
stockholder proposing such business and the name and address of any Stockholder Associated Person;
(B) (1) a description of each agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or
oral) with any Stockholder Associated Person, (2) the class or series and number of equity and
other securities of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, held of record or
beneficially owned (as determined under Regulation 13D (or any successor provision thereto) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (such act, and any successor statute thereto, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are collectively referred to herein as the
Exchange Act)) by such stockholder and by any Stockholder Associated Person and documentary
evidence of such record or beneficial ownership and (3) a list of all of the derivative securities
(as defined under Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act or any successor provision thereto) and other
derivatives or similar agreements or arrangements with an exercise or conversion privilege or a
periodic or settlement payment or payments or mechanism at a price or in an amount or amounts
related to any security of the Corporation or with a value derived or calculated in whole or in
part from the value of the Corporation or any security of the Corporation, in each case, directly
or indirectly owned of record or beneficially owned by such stockholder or any Stockholder
Associated Person and each other direct or indirect opportunity of such stockholder or any
Stockholder Associated Person to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or
decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation, in each case, regardless of whether (x)
such interest
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conveys any voting rights in such security to such stockholder or Stockholder Associated
Person, (y) such interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of
such security or (z) such person may have entered into other transactions that hedge the economic
effect of such interest (any such interest described in this clause (B)(3) being a Derivative
Interest);
(C) the name of each person with whom such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person has
any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) (1) for the purposes of
acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy given to such person in response
to a public proxy or consent solicitation made generally by such person to all holders of shares of
the Corporation) or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, (2) to cooperate
in obtaining, changing or influencing the control of the Corporation (except independent financial,
legal and other advisors acting in the ordinary course of their respective businesses), (3) with
the effect or intent of increasing or decreasing the voting power of, or that contemplates any
person voting together with, any such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person with respect to
any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation, any business proposed by the stockholder or (4)
otherwise in connection with any business proposed by a stockholder and a description of each such
agreement, arrangement or understanding (any agreement, arrangement or understanding described in
this clause (C) being a Voting Agreement);
(D) details of all other material interests of each stockholder or any Stockholder Associated
Person in such proposal or security of the Corporation (including without limitation any rights to
dividends or performance-related fees based on any increase or decrease in the value of such
security or Derivative Interests)(collectively, Other Interests);
(E) a description of all economic terms of all such Derivative Interests, Voting Agreements or
Other Interests and copies of all agreements and other documents (including without limitation
master agreements, confirmations and all ancillary documents and the names and details of
counterparties to, and brokers involved in, all such transactions) relating to each such Derivative
Interest, Voting Agreement or Other Interest;
(F) a list of all transactions by such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person
involving any securities of the Corporation or any Derivative Interests, Voting Agreements or Other
Interests within the six-month period prior to the date of the notice;
(G) any other information relating to such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person
that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in
connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal pursuant to Regulation 14A of the
Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto);
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(H) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
propose such business; and
(I) a representation as to whether the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person
intends, or is part of a group that intends, to (1) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy
to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to
approve or adopt the proposal or (2) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in
support of such proposal.
(4) A stockholders written notice to the Secretary for nominations of directors shall set
forth:
(i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as
a director:
(A) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations
of proxies for election of directors in a contested election (even if a contested election is not
involved), or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act
(or any successor provision thereto) (including such persons written consent to be named in the
proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected);
(B) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary
agreements, arrangements and understandings (whether written or oral) during the past three years,
and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder or Stockholder Associated
Person, if any, on the one hand, and such proposed nominee or his or her respective affiliates and
associates (each as defined under Regulation 12B of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision
thereto)), or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation,
all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under
Regulation S-K (or any successor provision thereto) if the stockholder making the nomination and
any Stockholder Associated Person on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, were the
registrant for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such
registrant;
(C) a completed and signed Director Questionnaire (as defined in Section 1(b) of ARTICLE II);
and
(D) a completed and signed Director Representation and Agreement (as defined in Section 1(b)
of ARTICLE II); and
(ii) as to the stockholder giving notice and, where referred to in Sections 9(a)(3)(ii)(A)-(G)
of this ARTICLE I or noted below, each Stockholder Associated Person, the written notice of the
stockholder shall set forth the following:
(A) the information that would have been required by Sections 9(a)(3)(ii)(A)-(G) of this
ARTICLE I if Section 9(a)(3)(ii) of this ARTICLE I were
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applicable to nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the references
therein to proposing such business, business proposed and such proposal were to proposing
such nomination, nominees for election to the Board of Directors proposed and such nomination,
respectively;
(B) any other information relating to such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person
that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in
connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election
(even if a contested election is not involved) pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (or
any successor provision thereto);
(C) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the
meeting to propose such nomination; and
(D) a representation as to whether the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person
intends or is part of a group that intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to
holders of at least the percentage of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation required to
elect the nominee or (2) to otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such
nomination.
(5) For purposes of this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(i) Stockholder Associated Person of any stockholder means (A) any beneficial owner of
shares of stock of the Corporation on whose behalf any proposal or nomination is made by such
stockholder; (B) any affiliates or associates of such stockholder or any beneficial owner described
in clause (A); and (C) each other person with whom any of the persons described in the foregoing
clauses (A) and (B) either is acting in concert with respect to the Corporation or has any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) for the purpose of acquiring,
holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy given to such person in response to a public
proxy solicitation made generally by such person to all stockholders entitled to vote at any
meeting) or disposing of any capital stock of the Corporation or to cooperate in obtaining,
changing or influencing the control of the Corporation (except independent financial, legal and
other advisors acting in the ordinary course of their respective businesses).
(ii) public announcement means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News
Service, Associated Press or other national news service or in a document publicly filed by the
Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (or any successor provisions thereto).
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected
pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (1) by or
7
at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the
Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any
stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for
in this Section 9(b) of this ARTICLE I is delivered to the Secretary, who is entitled to vote at
the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
Section 9(b) of this ARTICLE I. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of
stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such
stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the
case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting,
if (i) the stockholders notice required by this Section 9(b) of this ARTICLE I shall be delivered
to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close
of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business
on the 90th day prior to such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of
such special meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such special meeting, the 10th day
following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting and of the nominees
proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting is first made by the Corporation,
and (ii) such stockholders notice contains the information that would have been required by
Section 9(a)(4) of this ARTICLE I if Section 9(a)(4) of this ARTICLE I were applicable to
nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors made in connection with a special
meeting of the stockholders. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or
postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the
giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(c) General. (1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a
meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I. Except as otherwise provided by the
Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law of the State of Delaware and in
furtherance of Section 7 of this ARTICLE I, the person presiding over the meeting shall have the
power and duty (i) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before
the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any,
on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which
solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such
stockholders nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholders representation as required
by Section 9(a)(3)(ii)(I) and Section 9(a)(4)(ii)(D) of this ARTICLE I, as the case may be) and
(ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this
Section 9 of this ARTICLE I, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such
proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9 of this ARTICLE I, unless otherwise required by applicable law of the State of Delaware,
if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual
or special meeting of stockholders to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination
8
shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that
proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this
Section 9 of this ARTICLE I, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a
person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be
authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by
such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such
person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the
writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I, (i) a
stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to
the matters set forth in this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I and (ii) nothing in this Section 9 of
this ARTICLE I shall be deemed to affect any rights (A) of any stockholder to request inclusion of
proposals for business (other than nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors)
in the Corporations proxy statement if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or
its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting of stockholders in compliance with the
Exchange Act and in the event such stockholders proposal has been included in a proxy statement
that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting, such
stockholder shall be deemed to have satisfied the notice requirements of this Section 9 of this
ARTICLE I with respect to such proposal or (B) of any holder of any series of Preferred Stock to
elect directors pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.
SECOND: Section 1 of Article II is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following
provision is substituted in its place and stead:
Section 1. Number; Qualifications.
(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three or more than 15 members.
Subject to the previous sentence and to the special rights of the holders of any class or series of
capital stock of the Corporation to elect directors, the precise number of directors shall be
determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
(b) Directors need not be stockholders. Each director and person nominated for election to
the Board of Directors must deliver to the Secretary at the principal office of the Corporation:
(i) a written questionnaire, in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request (a
Director Questionnaire), with respect to the background and qualifications of such person and of
any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made and (ii) a written
representation and agreement, in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request (a
Director Representation and Agreement), that such person: (A) is not, if serving as a director
of the Corporation, and will not, while serving as a director of the Corporation, become a party to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any
commitment or assurance to, any person or entity (1) as to how such person will act or vote on any
issue or question to be considered by the Board of Directors that has not been
9
disclosed therein or (2) that could limit or interfere with such persons ability to comply
with such persons fiduciary duties as a director of the Corporation under applicable law of the
State of Delaware, while serving as such, that has not been disclosed therein; (B) is not and will
not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with
any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect
compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director
of the Corporation that has not been disclosed therein; and (C) is, if serving as a director of the
Corporation, or would be if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will be, while serving as
such, in compliance with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest,
confidentiality, securities ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation and
any other policies applicable to directors.
THIRD: Section 1 of Article III is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following
provision is substituted in its place and stead:
Section 1. Executive Officers.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors each year, the Board of Directors may elect
the following executive officers: Chairman (if the Board of Directors has not designated that
Chairman of the Board is a non-executive officer); one or more Vice Chairmen; President; one or
more Vice Presidents; Treasurer, Secretary; and Controller. The executive officers shall have the
duties, responsibilities and authorities as are reflected in these Bylaws or in resolutions of the
Board of Directors, but at all times the actions of the executive officers shall be subject to the
review, delegation, redetermination, direction and control of the Board of Directors. Any number
of executive offices may be held by the same person, but in any case where the action of more than
one officer is required, no one person shall act in more than one capacity. At any meeting the
Board of Directors may elect additional executive officers, fill vacancies and, by vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors, remove any executive officer.
FOURTH: Section 4 of Article III is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following
provision is substituted in its place and stead:
Section 4. Chairman of the Board.
The Chairman shall be a member of the Board of Directors and shall be elected by the Board of
Directors. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may designate that the Chairman of the Board shall be a
non-executive officer, in which case the Chairman shall not be an executive officer of the
Corporation. The Chairman shall have such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to
him by the Board of Directors. The Chairman may delegate to any qualified person the chairmanship
of any meeting of the stockholders, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
10
I, as the Secretary of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., by signing this document, certify that this
document contains a true and correct copy of an amendment dated October 13, 2009, to the Bylaws
effective as of December 5, 1996, as amended as of September 13, 2007, acting pursuant to Article
V, Section 4 of the Bylaws of the Corporation.
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By:
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/s/ Quintin V. Kneen
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Quintin V. Kneen, Secretary
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[
signature page to Amendment to GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Bylaws
]
Form of
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(the
Agreement
) is entered into
effective as of October 14, 2009 by and between GulfMark Americas, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the
Company
), and Bruce A. Streeter (the
Executive
).
W I T N E S S E T H
:
WHEREAS
, the Company and the Executive previously entered into the Employment Agreement (the
Employment Agreement
) effective as of December 31, 2006 (the
Effective Date
);
and
WHEREAS
, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the Employment Agreement as
set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS
, the Company wishes to assure itself of the continued services of the Executive for
the period provided in this Agreement, and the Executive wishes to serve in the employ of the
Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS
, it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued attention and dedication of the Executive to his assigned duties
without distraction in potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 1 below) of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (
Parent
), which is the sole shareholder of the Company; and
WHEREAS
, it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of
the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to
encourage the Executives full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event
of any threatened or pending Change of Control; and
WHEREAS
, it is imperative to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements
upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the
Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
NOW, THEREFORE
, in order to accomplish these objectives, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree
as follows:
1.
Certain Definitions
.
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated below:
Accrued Obligation shall mean the sum of (1) the Executives Annual Base Salary earned
through the Date of Termination for periods through but not following his Separation From Service
and (2) any accrued vacation pay earned by the Executive, in both cases, to the extent not
theretofore paid.
Benefit Obligation shall mean all vested benefits to which the Executive is entitled under
the terms of the Companys employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements in which the
Executive is a participant as of the Date of Termination.
Board shall mean the Board of Directors of Parent.
Change of Control shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following:
(a)
Change in Board Composition
. Individuals who constitute the members of the Board
as of the date hereof (the Incumbent Directors), cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of members of the Board; provided that any individual becoming a director of the Parent
subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such individuals
appointment, election or nomination was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the Incumbent
Directors; provided further that any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in
connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the
Board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a
person (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act)) other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to
avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an
Incumbent Director;
(b)
Business Combination
. Consummation of (i) a reorganization, merger,
consolidation, share exchange or other business combination involving the Parent or any of its
subsidiaries or the disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Parent, whether in
one or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the acquisition of assets or stock of another
entity by the Parent (either, a Business Combination), excluding, however, any Business
Combination pursuant to which: (A) individuals who were the beneficial owners (as such term is
defined in Rule
13d-3
under the Exchange Act), respectively, of the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the Parent (the Outstanding Stock) and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Parent (the
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities) immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially
own, upon consummation of such Business Combination, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
then outstanding shares of common stock (or similar securities or interests in the case of an
entity other than a corporation) and more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities (or interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or
in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a
corporation) of the Surviving Corporation (as defined below) in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership of the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, immediately
prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (that is, excluding any outstanding voting
securities of the Surviving Corporation that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the
consummation of the Business Combination as a result of their ownership prior to such consummation
of voting securities of any company or other entity involved in or forming part of such Business
Combination other than the Parent); (B) no person (other than the Parent, any subsidiary of the
Parent, any employee benefit plan of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Parent or any subsidiary of the
Parent) or group (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) becomes the
beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
similar securities or interests in the case of entity other than a corporation) of the
2
Surviving Corporation, or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities (or
interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or in the selection of any
other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation); and (C)
individuals who were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or
of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination constitute at least a majority
of the members of the board of directors (or of any similar governing body in the case of an entity
other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation; where for purposes of this subsection (b),
the term Surviving Corporation means the entity resulting from a Business Combination or, if such
entity is a direct or indirect subsidiary of another entity, the entity that is the ultimate parent
of the entity resulting from such Business Combination;
(c)
Stock Acquisition
. Any person (other than the Parent, any subsidiary of the
Parent, any employee benefit plan of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Parent or any subsidiary of the
Parent) or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or
(y) the Outstanding Parent Voting Securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (c), no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any
acquisition directly from the Parent; or
(d)
Liquidation
. Approval by the stockholders of the Parent of a complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Parent (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a
liquidation or dissolution).
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company 401(k) Plan means the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 401(k) Plan or any successor plan
established by the Company.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan means the Nonqualified Excess Plan of GM Offshore, Inc.
or any successor plan established by the Company.
Section 409A shall mean section 409A of the Code and the final Department of Treasury
regulations issued thereunder.
Separation From Service shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 409A.
Specified Employee shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 409A taking into
account any elections made and procedures established in resolutions adopted by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.
Employment Period.
The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and
the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, in accordance with the terms
and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
December 31, 2007 (the
Term
); provided, however, that on such ending date and on each
anniversary thereafter, the Term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one
additional year unless either party shall have given notice at least 120 days prior thereto that
such party does not wish to extend the Term.
3.
Terms of Employment.
The following terms shall govern the Executives employment during
the Term:
3
(a)
Position and Duties
.
(i) During the Term, the Executive shall be employed as President of the Company with
corresponding authority, duties and responsibilities.
(ii) During the Term, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the
Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executives reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Term, it shall not
be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements, teach at educational
institutions, and manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executives responsibilities as an employee of the Company in
accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued
conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto)
subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance
of the Executives responsibilities to the Company.
(b)
Compensation
. During the Term, and prior to the termination of the Executives
employment as described in Section 4 or 5 hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to the following
items of compensation:
(i)
Base Salary
. During the Term, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary
(
Annual Base Salary
), which shall be paid in equal installments on a semi-monthly basis
(less applicable withholding and salary deductions), of $400,000.00. Any discretionary increase in
Annual Base Salary during the Term shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase,
and the term
Annual Base Salary
as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base
Salary as so increased.
(ii)
Annual Bonus
. During the Term, the Executive shall receive, for each fiscal year
of the Company ending during the Term, an annual bonus (the
Annual Bonus
), which shall be
paid in cash within 2-1/2 months after the end of each fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, in an amount to be determined in accordance with the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Incentive
Compensation Plan (or any applicable successor plan). Any discretionary increase in the Annual
Bonus during the Term shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement.
(iii)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans
. During the Term, the Executive shall
be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
As used in this Agreement, the term
affiliated companies
shall include any company
controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
(iv)
Welfare Benefit Plans
. During the Term, the Executive and/or the Executives
family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all
4
benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and welfare benefit programs
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
supplemental health, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group
life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) in accordance with such
welfare benefit plans and welfare benefit programs to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v)
Expenses
. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket employment expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. The
amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement during the Executives taxable year shall not
affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The
Executives right to such reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another
benefit.
(vi)
Vacation
. During the Term, and subject to the following provisions of this
paragraph, the Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks paid vacation at the beginning of each
fiscal year of the Company. Such vacations shall be taken at such times as are consistent with the
reasonable business needs of the Company. Up to 30 days of unused vacation time may be carried
forward and used by the Executive in succeeding years.
(vii)
Automobile
. During the Term, the Company will provide the Executive with an
automobile (the
Automobile
) for use by the Executive in connection with the performance
of his duties under this Agreement. The Executive may also use the Automobile for reasonable
personal use. The Executive agrees to pay all operating costs of the Automobile, and the Company
agrees to reimburse to the Executive, to cover operating costs of the Automobile related to
non-personal use, 87.5% of the actual operating costs of the Automobile upon the submission by the
Executive to the Company of receipts evidencing such operating costs. The amount of expenses
eligible for reimbursement under this Section 3(b)(vii), or in-kind benefits provided, during the
Executives taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind
benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to
reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 3(b)(vii) shall not be subject to
liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(viii)
Life Insurance
. The Company and the Executive previously entered into a split
dollar life insurance agreement (the
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement
). The
Executives benefits under the Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement will be determined in
accordance with the terms of the Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement.
(ix)
Club Membership
. During the Term, the Company will pay all reasonable periodic
dues for membership in Royal Oaks Country Club of Houston. The amount of club membership expenses
eligible for reimbursement under this Section 3(b)(ix), or to be paid directly to the Royal Oaks
Country Club of Houston, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect such expenses
eligible for reimbursement, or direct payments to the Royal Oaks Country Club of Houston to be
provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or
direct payments to the Royal Oaks Country Club of Houston pursuant to this Section 3(b)(ix) shall
not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
5
(x)
Office and Support Staff
. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to an
office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(xi)
Benefits Not in Lieu of Compensation
. No benefit or perquisite provided to the
Executive shall be deemed to be in lieu of the Executives Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus or
other compensation.
4.
Termination of Employment.
(a)
Death or Disability
. The Executives employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executives death during the Term. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 17(b)
hereof of its intention to terminate the Executives employment. In such event, the Executives
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice
by the Executive (the
Disability Date
), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executives duties.
For purposes of this Agreement,
Disability
shall mean the absence of the Executive from
the Executives duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive days as a result
of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executives legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld
unreasonably).
(b)
Termination by the Company for Cause
. The Company may terminate the Executives
employment during the Term for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
Cause
shall mean
(i) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his duties as an
employee of the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or
mental illness), which failure is not cured to the Boards satisfaction within a reasonable period
after written notice thereof to Executive, (ii) the Executive being convicted of or a plea of nolo
contendere to the charge of a felony (other than a felony involving a traffic violation or as a
result of vicarious liability), (iii) the commission by the Executive of a material act of
dishonesty or breach of trust resulting or intending to result in personal benefit or enrichment to
the Executive at the expense of the Company, or (iv) an unauthorized absence from employment that
is not cured to the Boards satisfaction within five (5) days after written notice thereof to
Executive. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executives part shall
be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good faith and without
reasonable belief that his action or omission was not in the best interest of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the entire authorized membership of the Board
at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice and an opportunity for the Executive, together
with counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the
Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the second
sentence of this paragraph and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
6
(c)
Voluntary Termination by Executive for Good Reason
. The Executives employment
may be terminated during the Term by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
Good Reason
shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any position, authority, duties or responsibilities
inconsistent in any respect with the Executives position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 3(a) or
any removal of the Executive from or failure to re-elect the Executive to any of such positions or
any other actions by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties
or responsibilities (except in connection with the termination of the Executives employment for
Cause, Disability or retirement or as a result of the Executives death or by the Executive other
than for Good Reason), excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action
not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company, provided the Executive gives the
Company written notice of the occurrence of the breach which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Executive believes that the breach has occurred and which is delivered to the Company
within a reasonable period (but in no event more than 30 days) after the Executive has knowledge of
the events asserted to give rise to the breach, and the Company fails to correct such breach within
a reasonable period (but in no event more than 30 days) after receipt of such notice;
(iii) relocation of the Executives primary work location, without the Executives consent, to
a location more than 75 miles from the Executives primary work location as of the Effective Date;
(iv) in connection with, as a result of, or within one year following, a Change of Control,
the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities which are substantially
diminished as compared to the Executives duties and responsibilities immediately prior to a Change
of Control or a material change in the Executives reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as
an executive and as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; or
(v) in connection with, as a result of, or within one year following, a Change of Control, the
giving of notice to the Executive that the Term shall not be extended.
For purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of
Good Reason
made
by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d)
Termination during a Change in Control Termination Period
. For purposes of this
Agreement, Change in Control Termination Period means the period beginning on the six (6) month
anniversary of a Change of Control and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of such Change
of Control. If the Executives employment terminates during a Change in Control Termination Period
due to death or Disability, such termination of employment shall be treated as a termination under
paragraph (a) next above.
(e)
Retirement
. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment for
Retirement. For purposes of this Agreement, Retirement means the Executives voluntary
termination of employment with the Company or any affiliated company, other than for Good Reason,
on or after the Executives attainment of age 62 and not becoming employed by any
7
person or entity that is engaged in the same or similar line of business as that of the
Company or an affiliated company as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
(f)
Notice of Termination
. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason or during a Change in Control Termination Period, shall be communicated
by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 17(b). For
purposes of this Agreement, a
Notice of Termination
means a written notice which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis
for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such notice).
The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such
fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executives or the Companys rights hereunder.
(g)
Date of Termination
.
Date of Termination
means (i) if the Executives
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, or for
Retirement, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein,
as the case may be, (ii) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company other than for
Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the Executives employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the
Disability Date, as the case may be.
5.
Obligations of the Company upon Termination
(a)
Termination by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company Other Than for Cause,
Death or Disability
. Subject to clause (x) of this Section 5(a), if, during the Term and/or
during a Change in Control Termination Period, the Company shall terminate the Executives
employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment
for Good Reason the Executive will be entitled to the payments and benefits identified in this
Section 5(a).
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, at the times specified in clause (ix), the
following amounts:
A. the Accrued Obligation;
B. the Executives Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination for a period
following his Separation From Service, to the extent not theretofore paid;
C. an amount equal to the product of (x) the Annual Bonus paid or payable to the Executive for
the immediately preceding year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of
8
which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and
the denominator of which is 365; and
D. an amount equal to 2.5 multiplied by the sum of (1) the Executives Annual Base Salary as
in effect immediately prior to such Date of Termination, and (2) the Annual Bonus paid or payable
to the Executive for the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided, however, that such amount
shall be reduced by the present value (determined as provided in section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of
any other amount of severance relating to salary or bonus continuation, if any, to be received by
the Executive upon termination of employment of the Executive under any severance plan, policy or
arrangement of the Company.
(ii) Any or all Stock Options and shares of restricted stock awarded to the Executive under
any plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested.
(iii) For the remainder of the Term, provided that the Executives continued participation is
possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, the Company shall
continue to provide benefits to the Executive and/or the Executives family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 3(b)(iv) if the Executives employment had not been terminated in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families;
provided
,
however
, that
if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or
other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable
period of eligibility. In the event that the Executives participation in any such plan or program
is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive with benefits substantially similar
to those which he is entitled to receive under such plans and programs. To the extent that the
medical or other welfare benefits provided hereunder are taxable to the Executive, the following
provisions of this Section 5(a)(iii) shall apply to such benefits. With the exception of any
lifetime maximums applicable to medical expenses or medical benefits described in section 105(b) of
the Code, the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section 5(a)(iii), or
in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect the expenses
eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of the
Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section
5(a)(iii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent that
the payments or reimbursements made pursuant to this Section 5(a)(iii) are taxable to the Executive
and are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, if the Executive is a Specified Employee, any
amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section 5(a)(iii) during the
first six months following the date of the Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated
and paid to the Executive on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation From
Service.
(iv) The Executive shall be entitled to use of the Automobile until the earliest to occur of
(x) the date the Executive is employed elsewhere, or (y) six (6) months from the Date of
Termination;
provided
,
however
, that during such time period, the Executive shall be solely
responsible for all expenses incurred in the use of the Automobile, including maintaining insurance
9
of the same types and at the same levels as previously maintained by the Company immediately
prior to the Date of Termination. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this
Section 5(a)(iv), or in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year shall not
affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other
taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant
to this Section 5(a)(iv) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(v) In addition to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under any retirement plans
or programs in which the Executive participates or any successor plans or programs in effect on the
Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive in one sum in cash at the time specified
in Section 5(a)(ix), an amount equal to the undiscounted value of the employer contributions or
credits the Company would have made to the Company 401(k) Plan and the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan (including but not limited to matching and base contributions, and not including
elective deferrals by the Executive) on behalf of the Executive had the Executive continued in the
employ of the Company for a period of two and one-half (2-1/2) years after the Employment
Termination Date, assuming for this purpose that (i) the Executives earned compensation per year
during that two and one-half (2-1/2) year period of time was the Executives Annual Base Salary in
effect on the Date of Termination; (ii) the Executive had, during such two and one-half (2-1/2)
year period, made the maximum elective deferrals permitted under the Company 401(k) Plan, and the
contribution, deferral, credit and accrual percentages made under the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan, by and on behalf of the Executive during the two and one-half (2-1/2) year
period, were the same percentages in effect on the date of the Change of Control or the Date of
Termination, whichever is more favorable for the Executive; and (iii) the amounts of any legal
limitations on benefits (such as section 401(a)(17) of the Code) are the same amounts as are in
effect under the Code on the Date of Termination.
(vi) For a period of six (6) months after the Date of Termination, the Company shall promptly
reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred for outplacement services and/or
counseling.
(vii) The Executive shall not be permitted to specify the taxable year in which a payment
described in this Section 5(a) shall be made to him.
(viii) Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to
the Executive and/or the Executives family the Benefit Obligation at the times specified in and in
accordance with the terms of the applicable employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements.
(ix) The Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5(a)(i)(A) within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay or provide to the Executive
the amounts or benefits specified in Section 5(a)(i)(B), Section 5(a)(i)(C), Section 5(a)(i)(D),
and Section 5(a)(v) 30 days following the date of the Executives Separation From Service if he is
not a Specified Employee or on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation
From Service if he is a Specified Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the
Executive elected under the Nonqualified Excess Plan of GM Offshore, Inc. or any successor plan
(the Deferred Compensation Plan) to defer the payment of all or a portion of the amounts
specified in Sections 5(a)(i)(A) and/or 5(a)(i)(B), such applicable amount shall be
10
paid at the time and the form specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executives
deferral election.
(x) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for the payments and
benefits provided for in Sections 5(a)(i)(A) and 5(a)(i)(B), no payments or benefits identified in
this Section 5(a) will be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive executes and
delivers to the Company a comprehensive release and waiver agreement in substantially the same form
as that attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
Release
) by the deadline established by the
Company and the Executive does not revoke the Release.
(b)
Termination upon Death
. If the Executives employment is terminated by reason of
the Executives death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executives legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the
Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executives estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in
a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and (ii) the timely payment or
provision of any and all Benefit Obligation, which under their terms are available in the event of
death.
(c)
Termination upon Disability
. If the Executives employment is terminated by
reason of the Executives Disability during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligation (which
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and
(ii) the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit Obligation, which under their terms are
available in the event of a Disability.
(d)
Termination for Retirement
. Subject to clause (v) of this Section 5(d), if the
Executives employment is terminated by reason of Retirement during the Term, the Executive shall
be entitled to the payments and benefits identified in this Section 5(d).
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, at the times specified in clause (iv), the
following amounts:
A. the Accrued Obligation;
B. the Executives Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination for a period
following his Separation From Service, to the extent not theretofore paid.
(ii) The Executive shall be entitled to use of the Automobile for a period of six (6) months
from the Date of Termination; provided, however, that during such time period, the Executive shall
be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the use of the Automobile, including maintaining
insurance of the same types and at the same levels as previously maintained by the Company
immediately prior to the Date of Termination. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement
under this Section 5(d)(ii), or in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year
shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in
any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind
benefits pursuant to this Section 5(d)(ii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for
another benefit.
11
(iii) Until the Executive becomes eligible for Medicare, provided that the Executives
continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Companys medical
plans and programs, the Company shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive and/or
the Executives family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the
Executives employment had not terminated; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical benefits under another
employer-provided plan, the medical benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided
under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. In the event that the
Executives participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to
provide the Executive with benefits substantially similar to those which he is entitled to receive
under such plans and programs. To the extent that the medical or other welfare benefits provided
hereunder are taxable to the Executive, the following provisions of this Section 5(d)(iii) shall
apply to such benefits. With the exception of any lifetime maximums applicable to medical expenses
or medical benefits described in section 105(b) of the Code, the amount of expenses eligible for
reimbursement under this Section 5(d)(iii), or in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives
taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be
provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or
in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 5(d)(iii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange
for another benefit. To the extent that the payments or reimbursements made pursuant to this
Section 5(d)(iii) are taxable to the Executive and are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, if
the Executive is a Specified Employee, any amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be
entitled under this Section 5(d)(iii) during the first six months following the date of the
Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date that
is six months following the date of his Separation From Service.
(iv) The Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5(d)(i)(A) within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay or provide to the Executive
the amounts or benefits specified in Section 5(d)(i)(B) 30 days following the date of the
Executives Separation From Service if he is not a Specified Employee or on the date that is six
months following the date of his Separation From Service if he is a Specified Employee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Executive elected under the Deferred
Compensation Plan to defer the payment of all or a portion of the amounts specified in Sections
5(d)(i)(A) and/or 5(d)(i)(B), such applicable amount shall be paid at the time and the form
specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executives deferral election.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for the payments and
benefits provided for in Sections 5(d)(i)(A) and 5(d)(i)(B), no payments or benefits identified in
this Section 5(d) shall be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive executes
and delivers to the Company the Release by the deadline established by the Company and the
Executive does not revoke the Release.
(e)
Termination by Company for Cause or by Executive Other than for Good Reason
. If
the Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause during the Term, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than for (i) payment
of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination and (ii) the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit
Obligation, which under their terms are available in the event of death. If the Executive
12
terminates employment during the Term, excluding a termination for Good Reason, or Retirement,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment
of the Accrued Obligation and the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit Obligation.
In such case, the Accrued Obligation shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination.
6.
Waiver of Rights For Other Severance.
The Executive hereby agrees any and all benefits or
payments arising out of or relating to any plan, program, policy or practice of or contract or
agreement with the Company and its affiliated companies relating to the severance of employment,
shall be fully offset against any benefits or payments due and owing hereunder.
7.
Non-Exclusivity of Rights.
Nothing herein shall limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the
Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except
as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8.
Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes.
(a) The Companys obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise
to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take
any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and, except as specifically provided in Section 5, such amounts shall
not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay
promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by
the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement). The legal
fees or expenses that are subject to reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall not be
limited as a result of when the fees or expenses are incurred. The amount of legal fees or
expenses that is eligible for reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) during a given taxable
year of the Executive shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any
other taxable year of the Executive. The right to reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) is
not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any amount to which the Executive is
entitled to reimbursement under this Section 8(a) during the first six months following the date of
the Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date
that is six months following the date of his Separation From Service. All reimbursements by the
Company under this Section 8(a) shall be paid no later than the earlier of (i) the time periods
described above and (ii) the last day of the Executives taxable year next following the taxable
year in which the expense was incurred.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive (i) in the event of
any termination of the Executives employment by the Company, whether such
13
termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of any termination of employment by the
Executive, whether Good Reason existed, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or that
the determination by the Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, as
the case may be, the Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive
and/or the Executives family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company would be
required to pay or provide pursuant to Section 5 as though such termination were by the Company
without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason;
provided, however
, that the Company shall not
be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive and/or the Executives family or other beneficiaries,
as the case may be, to repay all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such
court not to be entitled.
9.
Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution (i) by the Company or any of its affiliates, (ii) by
the purchaser in a Change of Control transaction or any of its affiliates, or (iii) under any
benefit program or compensation arrangement maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, or
by the purchaser in a Change of Control transaction or any of its affiliates, to or for the benefit
of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 9) (a
Payment
) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by section
4999 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
Excise Tax
), then the
Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
Gross-Up Payment
) in an
amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed
upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under
this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by the Companys independent certified public accountants (the Accounting Firm) which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business
days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant
or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder
(which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five
days of the receipt of the Accounting Firms determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that
no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion
that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executives applicable
14
federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of section 4999 of the Code at the
time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
(
Underpayment
), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the
event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter
is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of
the Underpayment that has occurred, and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive. The parties intend and agree that the payment deadlines
specified above in this Section 9 are not to be extended as a result of the following sentence
which is included solely for the purpose of complying with Section 409A. The Company shall make a
payment to reimburse the Executive in an amount equal to all federal, state and local taxes imposed
upon the Executive that are described in this Section 9, including the amount of additional taxes
imposed upon the Executive due to the Companys payment of the initial taxes on such amounts, by
the end of the Executives taxable year next following the Executives taxable year in which the
Executive remits the related taxes to the taxing authority. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a Specified Employee, any amounts to which the
Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section 9 during the first six months following
the date of the Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive
on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation From Service.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice
to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of
such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation
with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however
, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including
additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment
15
of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the
Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute and contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as
the Company shall determine;
provided, however
, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount
is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Companys control
of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. The Company shall not
direct the Executive to pay such a claim and sue for a refund if, due to the prohibitions of
section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company may not advance the Executive the amount
necessary to pay such claim. The costs and expenses that are subject to be paid pursuant to this
Section 9(c) shall not be limited as a result of when the costs or expenses are incurred. The
amounts of costs or expenses that are eligible for payment pursuant to this Section 9(c) during a
given taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the amount of costs or expenses eligible for
payment in any other taxable year of the Executive. The right to payment of costs and expenses
pursuant to this Section 9(c) is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any
payment due under this Section 9(c) to reimburse the Executive for any taxes shall be made to the
Executive by the Company by the end of the Executives taxable year following the Executives
taxable year in which the Executive remits the related taxes to the applicable taxing authorities.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c) hereof, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such
claim, the Executive shall, subject to the Companys complying with the requirements of Section
9(c), promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, a determination is made that the
Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not
notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the
expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not
be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the
amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10.
Disputed Payments And Failures To Pay
. If the Company fails to make a payment under this
Agreement in whole or in part as of the payment date specified in this Agreement, either
intentionally or unintentionally, other than with the consent of the Executive, the Company shall
owe the Executive interest on the delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
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section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code if the Executive (i) accepts the portion (if any) of the
payment that the Company is willing to make (unless such acceptance will result in a relinquishment
of the claim to all or part of the remaining amount) and (ii) makes prompt and reasonable good
faith efforts to collect the remaining portion of the payment. Any such interest payments shall
become due and payable effective as of the applicable payment date(s) specified in Section 5 with
respect to the delinquent payment(s) due under Section 5.
11.
Funding.
The Executive shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any
assets of the Company or any investments which the Company may make to aid it in meeting its
obligations under this Agreement. The Executives right to receive payments under this Agreement
shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
12.
Confidential Information.
The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit
of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or
any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by
the Executive during the Executives employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the
Executives employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In
no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this section constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
13.
Nonsolicitation; No Tampering.
During the Term and, unless the Agreement terminates
pursuant to Section 5(a), through the first anniversary of the expiration thereof, the Executive
shall not (a) solicit, attempt to solicit, request, induce or attempt to influence any distributor
or supplier of goods or services to the Company or its affiliated companies to curtail or cancel
any business they may transact with the Company or its affiliated companies; (b) solicit, attempt
to sell to, request, induce or attempt to influence any customers of the Company or its affiliated
companies or potential customers which have been in contact with the Company or its affiliated
companies to curtail or cancel any business they may transact with any member of the Company or its
affiliated companies; or (c) solicit, attempt to solicit, request, induce or attempt to influence
any employee of the Company or its affiliated companies to terminate his or her employment with the
Company or its affiliated companies.
14.
Remedies.
The Executive acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted
breach of the Executives obligations under Sections 12 and 13 may be inadequate, agrees that the
Company may be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable remedies in case
of any such breach or attempted breach, and further agrees to waive any requirement for the
securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other
equitable relief. The Company shall have the right to offset against amounts paid to the Executive
pursuant to the terms hereof any amounts from time to time owing by the Executive to the Company.
The termination of the Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the Company of any breach by the
Executive of this Agreement or any other obligation owed the Company, and notwithstanding such a
termination the Executive shall be liable for all damages attributable to such a breach.
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15.
Compliance With Section 409A.
It is intended that this Agreement shall comply with
Section 409A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner
that complies with Section 409A.
16.
Successors and Assigns.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company to expressly 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. As
used in this Agreement, Company shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor
to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
17.
Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Texas, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by
hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to the Executive:
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Bruce A. Streeter
11640 Noblewood Crest Lane
Houston, TX 77082
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If to the Company:
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GM Offshore, Inc.
10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340
Houston, Texas 77042
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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
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(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state
or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executives or the Companys failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment
for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(c)(i)-(iii) hereof, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of
such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
18.
Prior Employment Agreements Superseded.
Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, any
and all prior employment agreements, if any, between (a) the Company, GulfMark Offshore, Inc.,
GulfMark International, Inc. and its and their affiliates and subsidiaries and (b) the Executive
shall be of no further force or effect and this Agreement shall supersede all such prior
agreements, if any.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
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Executive:
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Bruce A. Streeter
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Company:
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GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.
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By:
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Title:
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The undersigned executes this Agreement to evidence its agreement to guarantee to the
Executive the prompt payment and the prompt performance when due of all obligations and liabilities
of the Company to the Executive arising out of or pursuant to this Agreement, in which event the
undersigned shall have all of the rights of the Company described in this Agreement.
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GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
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By:
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Chairman of the Board
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20
Form
of
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(the
Agreement
) is entered into
effective as of October 14, 2009 by and between GulfMark Americas, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the
Company
), and John E. Leech (the
Executive
).
W I T N E S S E T H
:
WHEREAS
, the Company and the Executive previously entered into the Employment Agreement (the
Employment Agreement
) effective as of December 31, 2006 (the
Effective Date
);
and
WHEREAS
, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the Employment Agreement as
set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS
, the Company wishes to assure itself of the continued services of the Executive for
the period provided in this Agreement, and the Executive wishes to serve in the employ of the
Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS
, it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued attention and dedication of the Executive to his assigned duties
without distraction in potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 1 below) of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (
Parent
), which is the sole shareholder of the Company; and
WHEREAS
, it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of
the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to
encourage the Executives full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event
of any threatened or pending Change of Control; and
WHEREAS
, it is imperative to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements
upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the
Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
NOW, THEREFORE
, in order to accomplish these objectives, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree
as follows:
1.
Certain Definitions
.
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated below:
Accrued Obligation shall mean the sum of (1) the Executives Annual Base Salary earned
through the Date of Termination for periods through but not following his Separation From Service
and (2) any accrued vacation pay earned by the Executive, in both cases, to the extent not
theretofore paid.
Benefit Obligation shall mean all vested benefits to which the Executive is entitled under
the terms of the Companys employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements in which the
Executive is a participant as of the Date of Termination.
Board shall mean the Board of Directors of Parent.
Change of Control shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following:
(a)
Change in Board Composition
. Individuals who constitute the members of the Board
as of the date hereof (the Incumbent Directors), cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of members of the Board; provided that any individual becoming a director of the Parent
subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such individuals
appointment, election or nomination was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the Incumbent
Directors; provided further that any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in
connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the
Board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a
person (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act)) other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to
avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an
Incumbent Director;
(b)
Business Combination
. Consummation of (i) a reorganization, merger,
consolidation, share exchange or other business combination involving the Parent or any of its
subsidiaries or the disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Parent, whether in
one or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the acquisition of assets or stock of another
entity by the Parent (either, a Business Combination), excluding, however, any Business
Combination pursuant to which: (A) individuals who were the beneficial owners (as such term is
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), respectively, of the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the Parent (the Outstanding Stock) and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Parent (the
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities) immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially
own, upon consummation of such Business Combination, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
then outstanding shares of common stock (or similar securities or interests in the case of an
entity other than a corporation) and more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities (or interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or
in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a
corporation) of the Surviving Corporation (as defined below) in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership of the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, immediately
prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (that is, excluding any outstanding voting
securities of the Surviving Corporation that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the
consummation of the Business Combination as a result of their ownership prior to such consummation
of voting securities of any company or other entity involved in or forming part of such Business
Combination other than the Parent); (B) no person (other than the Parent, any subsidiary of the
Parent, any employee benefit plan of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Parent or any subsidiary of the
Parent) or group (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) becomes the
beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
similar securities or interests in the case of entity
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other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation, or (y) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding securities (or interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(or in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a
corporation); and (C) individuals who were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the
initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination constitute
at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or of any similar governing body in
the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation; where for purposes of
this subsection (b), the term Surviving Corporation means the entity resulting from a Business
Combination or, if such entity is a direct or indirect subsidiary of another entity, the entity
that is the ultimate parent of the entity resulting from such Business Combination;
(c)
Stock Acquisitio
n. Any person (other than the Parent, any subsidiary of the
Parent, any employee benefit plan of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Parent or any subsidiary of the
Parent) or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or
(y) the Outstanding Parent Voting Securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (c), no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any
acquisition directly from the Parent; or
(d)
Liquidation
. Approval by the stockholders of the Parent of a complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Parent (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a
liquidation or dissolution).
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company 401(k) Plan means the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 401(k) Plan or any successor plan
established by the Company.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan means the Nonqualified Excess Plan of GM Offshore, Inc.
or any successor plan established by the Company.
Section 409A shall mean section 409A of the Code and the final Department of Treasury
regulations issued thereunder.
Separation From Service shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 409A.
Specified Employee shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 409A taking into
account any elections made and procedures established in resolutions adopted by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.
Employment Period.
The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and
the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, in accordance with the terms
and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
December 31, 2007 (the
Term
); provided, however, that on such ending date and on each
anniversary thereafter, the Term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one
additional year unless either party shall have given notice at least 120 days prior thereto that
such party does not wish to extend the Term.
3.
Terms of Employment.
The following terms shall govern the Executives employment during
the Term:
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(a)
Position and Duties
.
(i) During the Term, the Executive shall be employed as Executive Vice President-Operations of
the Company with corresponding authority, duties and responsibilities.
(ii) During the Term, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the
Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executives reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Term, it shall not
be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements, teach at educational
institutions, and manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executives responsibilities as an employee of the Company in
accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued
conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto)
subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance
of the Executives responsibilities to the Company.
(b)
Compensation
. During the Term, and prior to the termination of the Executives
employment as described in Section 4 or 5 hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to the following
items of compensation:
(i)
Base Salary
. During the Term, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary
(
Annual Base Salary
), which shall be paid in equal installments on a semi-monthly basis
(less applicable withholding and salary deductions), of $275,000.00. Any discretionary increase in
Annual Base Salary during the Term shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase,
and the term
Annual Base Salary
as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base
Salary as so increased.
(ii)
Annual Bonus
. During the Term, the Executive shall receive, for each fiscal year
of the Company ending during the Term, an annual bonus (the
Annual Bonus
), which shall be
paid in cash within 2-1/2 months after the end of each fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, in an amount to be determined in accordance with the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Incentive
Compensation Plan (or any applicable successor plan). Any discretionary increase in the Annual
Bonus during the Term shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement.
(iii)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans
. During the Term, the Executive shall
be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
As used in this Agreement, the term affiliated companies shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(iv)
Welfare Benefit Plans
. During the Term, the Executive and/or the Executives
family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits
under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and welfare benefit programs provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, supplemental health,
prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental
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death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) in accordance with such welfare
benefit plans and welfare benefit programs to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v)
Expenses
. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket employment expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. The
amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement during the Executives taxable year shall not
affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The
Executives right to such reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another
benefit.
(vi)
Vacation
. During the Term, and subject to the following provisions of this
paragraph, the Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks paid vacation at the beginning of each
fiscal year of the Company. Such vacations shall be taken at such times as are consistent with the
reasonable business needs of the Company. Up to thirty (30) days of unused vacation time may be
carried forward and used by the Executive in succeeding years.
(vii)
Automobile
. During the Term, the Company will provide the Executive with an
automobile (the
Automobile
) for use by the Executive in connection with the performance
of his duties under this Agreement. The Executive may also use the Automobile for reasonable
personal use. The Executive agrees to pay all operating costs of the Automobile, and the Company
agrees to reimburse to the Executive, to cover operating costs of the Automobile related to
non-personal use, 87.5% of the actual operating costs of the Automobile upon the submission by the
Executive to the Company of receipts evidencing such operating costs. The amount of expenses
eligible for reimbursement under this Section 3(b)(vii), or in-kind benefits provided, during the
Executives taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind
benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to
reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 3(b)(vii) shall not be subject to
liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(viii)
Life Insurance
. The Company and the Executive previously entered into a split
dollar life insurance agreement (the
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement
). The
Executives benefits under the Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement will be determined in
accordance with the terms of the Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement.
(ix)
Club Membership
. During the Term, the Company will pay all reasonable periodic
dues for membership in one country club or similar club to be selected by the Executive. The
amount of club membership expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section 3(b)(ix), or to be
paid directly to the club, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect such expenses
eligible for reimbursement, or direct payments to the club to be provided, in any other taxable
year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or direct payments to the club
pursuant to this Section 3(b)(ix) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another
benefit.
(x)
Office and Support Staff
. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to an
office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
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(xi)
Benefits Not in Lieu of Compensation
. No benefit or perquisite provided to the
Executive shall be deemed to be in lieu of the Executives Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus or
other compensation.
4.
Termination of Employment.
(a)
Death or Disability
. The Executives employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executives death during the Term. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 17(b)
hereof of its intention to terminate the Executives employment. In such event, the Executives
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice
by the Executive (the
Disability Date
), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executives duties.
For purposes of this Agreement,
Disability
shall mean the absence of the Executive from
the Executives duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive days as a result
of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executives legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld
unreasonably).
(b)
Termination by the Company for Cause
. The Company may terminate the Executives
employment during the Term for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
Cause
shall mean
(i) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his duties as an
employee of the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or
mental illness), which failure is not cured to the Boards satisfaction within a reasonable period
after written notice thereof to Executive, (ii) the Executive being convicted of or a plea of nolo
contendere to the charge of a felony (other than a felony involving a traffic violation or as a
result of vicarious liability), (iii) the commission by the Executive of a material act of
dishonesty or breach of trust resulting or intending to result in personal benefit or enrichment to
the Executive at the expense of the Company, or (iv) an unauthorized absence from employment that
is not cured to the Boards satisfaction within five (5) days after written notice thereof to
Executive. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executives part shall
be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good faith and without
reasonable belief that his action or omission was not in the best interest of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the entire authorized membership of the Board
at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice and an opportunity for the Executive, together
with counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the
Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the second
sentence of this paragraph and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c)
Voluntary Termination by Executive for Good Reason
. The Executives employment
may be terminated during the Term by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
Good Reason
shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any position, authority, duties or responsibilities
inconsistent in any respect with the Executives position (including status, offices,
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titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by
Section 3(a) or any removal of the Executive from or failure to re-elect the Executive to any of
such positions or any other actions by the Company which results in a diminution in such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities (except in connection with the termination of the Executives
employment for Cause, Disability or retirement or as a result of the Executives death or by the
Executive other than for Good Reason), excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company, provided the Executive gives the
Company written notice of the occurrence of the breach which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Executive believes that the breach has occurred and which is delivered to the Company
within a reasonable period (but in no event more than 30 days) after the Executive has knowledge of
the events asserted to give rise to the breach, and the Company fails to correct such breach within
a reasonable period (but in no event more than 30 days) after receipt of such notice;
(iii) relocation of the Executives primary work location, without the Executives consent, to
a location more than 75 miles from the Executives primary work location as of the Effective Date;
(iv) in connection with, as a result of, or within one year following, a Change of Control,
the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities which are substantially
diminished as compared to the Executives duties and responsibilities immediately prior to a Change
of Control or a material change in the Executives reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as
an executive and as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; or
(v) in connection with, as a result of, or within one year following, a Change of Control, the
giving of notice to the Executive that the Term shall not be extended.
For purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of
Good Reason
made
by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d)
Termination during a Change in Control Termination Period
. For purposes of this
Agreement, Change in Control Termination Period means the period beginning on the six (6) month
anniversary of a Change of Control and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of such Change
of Control. If the Executives employment terminates during a Change in Control Termination Period
due to death or Disability, such termination of employment shall be treated as a termination under
paragraph (a) next above.
(e)
Retirement
. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment for
Retirement. For purposes of this Agreement, Retirement means the Executives voluntary
termination of employment with the Company or any affiliated company, other than for Good Reason,
on or after the Executives attainment of age 62 and not becoming employed by any person or entity
that is engaged in the same or similar line of business as that of the Company or an affiliated
company as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f)
Notice of Termination
. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason or during a Change in Control Termination Period, shall be
- 7 -
communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with
Section 17(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a
Notice of Termination
means a written
notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii)
to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated, and
(iii) if the Date of Termination(as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving
of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of
Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall
not waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the
Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executives or the Companys
rights hereunder.
(g)
Date of Termination
.
Date of Termination
means (i) if the Executives
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, or for
Retirement, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein,
as the case may be, (ii) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company other than for
Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the Executives employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the
Disability Date, as the case may be.
5.
Obligations of the Company upon Termination
(a)
Termination by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company Other Than for Cause,
Death or Disability
. Subject to clause (x) of this Section 5(a), if, during the Term and/or
during a Change in Control Termination Period, the Company shall terminate the Executives
employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment
for Good Reason the Executive will be entitled to the payments and benefits identified in this
Section 5(a).
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, at the times specified in clause (ix), the
following amounts:
A. the Accrued Obligation;
B. the Executives Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination for a period
following his Separation From Service, to the extent not theretofore paid;
C. an amount equal to the product of (x) the Annual Bonus paid or payable to the Executive for
the immediately preceding year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in
the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365; and
D. an amount equal to 2.0 multiplied by the sum of (1) the Executives Annual Base Salary as
in effect immediately prior to such Date of Termination, and (2) the Annual Bonus paid or payable
to the Executive for the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided, however, that such amount
shall be reduced by the present value (determined as
- 8 -
provided in section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of any other amount of severance relating to
salary or bonus continuation, if any, to be received by the Executive upon termination of
employment of the Executive under any severance plan, policy or arrangement of the Company.
(ii) Any or all Stock Options and shares of restricted stock awarded to the Executive under
any plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested.
(iii) For the remainder of the Term, provided that the Executives continued participation is
possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, the Company shall
continue to provide benefits to the Executive and/or the Executives family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 3(b)(iv) if the Executives employment had not been terminated in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families;
provided
,
however
, that
if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or
other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable
period of eligibility. In the event that the Executives participation in any such plan or program
is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive with benefits substantially similar
to those which he is entitled to receive under such plans and programs. To the extent that the
medical or other welfare benefits provided hereunder are taxable to the Executive, the following
provisions of this Section 5(a)(iii) shall apply to such benefits. With the exception of any
lifetime maximums applicable to medical expenses or medical benefits described in section 105(b) of
the Code, the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section 5(a)(iii), or
in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect the expenses
eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of the
Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section
5(a)(iii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent that
the payments or reimbursements made pursuant to this Section 5(a)(iii) are taxable to the Executive
and are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, if the Executive is a Specified Employee, any
amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section 5(a)(iii) during the
first six months following the date of the Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated
and paid to the Executive on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation From
Service.
(iv) The Executive shall be entitled to use of the Automobile until the earliest to occur of
(x) the date the Executive is employed elsewhere, or (y) six (6) months from the Date of
Termination;
provided
,
however
, that during such time period, the Executive shall be solely
responsible for all expenses incurred in the use of the Automobile, including maintaining insurance
of the same types and at the same levels as previously maintained by the Company immediately prior
to the Date of Termination. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section
5(a)(iv), or in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect the
expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year
of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this
Section 5(a)(iv) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
- 9 -
(v) In addition to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under any retirement plans
or programs in which the Executive participates or any successor plans or programs in effect on the
Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive in one sum in cash at the time specified
in Section 5(a)(ix), an amount equal to the undiscounted value of the employer contributions or
credits the Company would have made to the Company 401(k) Plan and the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan (including but not limited to matching and base contributions, and not including
elective deferrals by the Executive) on behalf of the Executive had the Executive continued in the
employ of the Company for a period of two years after the Employment Termination Date, assuming for
this purpose that (i) the Executives earned compensation per year during that two year period of
time was the Executives Annual Base Salary in effect on the Date of Termination; (ii) the
Executive had, during such two year period, made the maximum elective deferrals permitted under the
Company 401(k) Plan, and the contribution, deferral, credit and accrual percentages made under the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, by and on behalf of the Executive during the two year period,
were the same percentages in effect on the date of the Change of Control or the Date of
Termination, whichever is more favorable for the Executive; and (iii) the amounts of any legal
limitations on benefits (such as section 401(a)(17) of the Code) are the same amounts as are in
effect under the Code on the Date of Termination.
(vi) For a period of six (6) months after the Date of Termination, the Company shall promptly
reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred for outplacement services and/or
counseling.
(vii) The Executive shall not be permitted to specify the taxable year in which a payment
described in this Section 5(a) shall be made to him.
(viii) Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to
the Executive and/or the Executives family the Benefit Obligation at the times specified in and in
accordance with the terms of the applicable employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements.
(ix) The Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5(a)(i)(A) within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay or provide to the Executive
the amounts or benefits specified in Section 5(a)(i)(B), Section 5(a)(i)(C), Section 5(a)(i)(D),
and Section 5(a)(v) 30 days following the date of the Executives Separation From Service if he is
not a Specified Employee or on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation
From Service if he is a Specified Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the
Executive elected under the Nonqualified Excess Plan of GM Offshore, Inc. or any successor plan
(the Deferred Compensation Plan) to defer the payment of all or a portion of the amounts
specified in Sections 5(a)(i)(A) and/or 5(a)(i)(B), such applicable amount shall be paid at the
time and the form specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executives deferral
election.
(x) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for the payments and
benefits provided for in Sections 5(a)(i)(A) and 5(a)(i)(B), no payments or benefits identified in
this Section 5(a) will be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive executes and
delivers to the Company a comprehensive release and waiver agreement in substantially the same form
as that attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
Release
) by the deadline established by the
Company and the Executive does not revoke the Release.
- 10 -
(b)
Termination upon Death
. If the Executives employment is terminated by reason of
the Executives death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executives legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the
Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executives estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in
a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and (ii) the timely payment or
provision of any and all Benefit Obligation, which under their terms are available in the event of
death.
(c)
Termination upon Disability
. If the Executives employment is terminated by
reason of the Executives Disability during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligation (which
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and
(ii) the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit Obligation, which under their terms are
available in the event of a Disability.
(d)
Termination for Retirement
. Subject to clause (v) of this Section 5(d), if the
Executives employment is terminated by reason of Retirement during the Term, the Executive shall
be entitled to the payments and benefits identified in this Section 5(d).
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, at the times specified in clause (iv), the
following amounts:
A. the Accrued Obligation;
B. the Executives Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination for a period
following his Separation From Service, to the extent not theretofore paid.
(ii) The Executive shall be entitled to use of the Automobile for a period of six (6) months
from the Date of Termination; provided, however, that during such time period, the Executive shall
be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the use of the Automobile, including maintaining
insurance of the same types and at the same levels as previously maintained by the Company
immediately prior to the Date of Termination. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement
under this Section 5(d)(ii), or in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year
shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in
any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind
benefits pursuant to this Section 5(d)(ii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for
another benefit.
(iii) Until the Executive becomes eligible for Medicare, provided that the Executives
continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Companys medical
plans and programs, the Company shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive and/or
the Executives family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the
Executives employment had not terminated; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical benefits under another
employer-provided plan, the medical benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided
under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. In the event that the
Executives participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to
provide the Executive with benefits substantially similar to those which he is entitled to receive
under such plans and programs. To the extent that the medical or other welfare
- 11 -
benefits provided hereunder are taxable to the Executive, the following provisions of this
Section 5(d)(iii) shall apply to such benefits. With the exception of any lifetime maximums
applicable to medical expenses or medical benefits described in section 105(b) of the Code, the
amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section 5(d)(iii), or in-kind benefits
provided, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for
reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The
Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 5(d)(iii) shall not
be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent that the payments or
reimbursements made pursuant to this Section 5(d)(iii) are taxable to the Executive and are not
otherwise exempt from Section 409A, if the Executive is a Specified Employee, any amounts to which
the Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section 5(d)(iii) during the first six months
following the date of the Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated and paid to the
Executive on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation From Service.
(iv) The Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5(d)(i)(A) within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay or provide to the Executive
the amounts or benefits specified in Section 5(d)(i)(B) 30 days following the date of the
Executives Separation From Service if he is not a Specified Employee or on the date that is six
months following the date of his Separation From Service if he is a Specified Employee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Executive elected under the Deferred
Compensation Plan to defer the payment of all or a portion of the amounts specified in Sections
5(d)(i)(A) and/or 5(d)(i)(B), such applicable amount shall be paid at the time and the form
specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executives deferral election.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for the payments and
benefits provided for in Sections 5(d)(i)(A) and 5(d)(i)(B), no payments or benefits identified in
this Section 5(d) shall be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive executes
and delivers to the Company the Release by the deadline established by the Company and the
Executive does not revoke the Release.
(e)
Termination by Company for Cause or by Executive Other than for Good Reason
. If
the Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause during the Term, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than for (i) payment
of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination and (ii) the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit
Obligation, which under their terms are available in the event of death. If the Executive
terminates employment during the Term, excluding a termination for Good Reason or Retirement, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of
the Accrued Obligation and the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit Obligation. In
such case, the Accrued Obligation shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination.
6.
Waiver of Rights For Other Severance.
The Executive hereby agrees any and all benefits or
payments arising out of or relating to any plan, program, policy or practice of or contract or
agreement with the Company and its affiliated companies relating to the severance of employment,
shall be fully offset against any benefits or payments due and owing hereunder.
7.
Non-Exclusivity of Rights.
Nothing herein shall limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
- 12 -
affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement
with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination
shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement
except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8.
Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes.
(a) The Companys obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise
to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take
any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and, except as specifically provided in Section 5, such amounts shall
not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay
promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by
the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement). The legal
fees or expenses that are subject to reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall not be
limited as a result of when the fees or expenses are incurred. The amount of legal fees or
expenses that is eligible for reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) during a given taxable
year of the Executive shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any
other taxable year of the Executive. The right to reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) is
not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any amount to which the Executive is
entitled to reimbursement under this Section 8(a) during the first six months following the date of
the Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date
that is six months following the date of his Separation From Service. All reimbursements by the
Company under this Section 8(a) shall be paid no later than the earlier of (i) the time periods
described above and (ii) the last day of the Executives taxable year next following the taxable
year in which the expense was incurred.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive (i) in the event of
any termination of the Executives employment by the Company, whether such termination was for
Cause, or (ii) in the event of any termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason
existed, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or that the determination by the
Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, as the case may be, the
Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive and/or the Executives
family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company would be required to pay or
provide pursuant to Section 5 as though such termination were by the Company without Cause or by
the Executive with Good Reason;
provided
,
however
, that the Company shall not be required to pay
any disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the Executive and/or the Executives family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be,
to repay all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such court not to be
entitled.
- 13 -
9.
Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution (i) by the Company or any of its affiliates, (ii) by
the purchaser in a Change of Control transaction or any of its affiliates, or (iii) under any
benefit program or compensation arrangement maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, or
by the purchaser in a Change of Control transaction or any of its affiliates, to or for the benefit
of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 9) (a
Payment
) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by section
4999 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
Excise Tax
), then the
Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
Gross-Up Payment
) in an
amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed
upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under
this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by the Companys independent certified public accountants (the Accounting Firm) which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business
days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant
or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder
(which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five
days of the receipt of the Accounting Firms determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that
no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion
that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executives applicable federal income tax return would
not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty
in the application of section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by
the Company should have been made (
Underpayment
), consistent with the calculations
required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred, and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. The
parties intend and agree that the payment deadlines specified above in this Section 9 are not to be
extended as a result of the following sentence which is included solely for the purpose of
complying with
- 14 -
Section 409A. The Company shall make a payment to reimburse the Executive in an amount equal
to all federal, state and local taxes imposed upon the Executive that are described in this Section
9, including the amount of additional taxes imposed upon the Executive due to the Companys payment
of the initial taxes on such amounts, by the end of the Executives taxable year next following the
Executives taxable year in which the Executive remits the related taxes to the taxing authority.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a Specified
Employee, any amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section 9
during the first six months following the date of the Executives Separation From Service shall be
accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date that is six months following the date of his
Separation From Service.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice
to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of
such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation
with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including
additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment
of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the
Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute and contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as
the Company shall determine;
provided, however
, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
- 15 -
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount
is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Companys control
of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. The Company shall not
direct the Executive to pay such a claim and sue for a refund if, due to the prohibitions of
section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company may not advance the Executive the amount
necessary to pay such claim. The costs and expenses that are subject to be paid pursuant to this
Section 9(c) shall not be limited as a result of when the costs or expenses are incurred. The
amounts of costs or expenses that are eligible for payment pursuant to this Section 9(c) during a
given taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the amount of costs or expenses eligible for
payment in any other taxable year of the Executive. The right to payment of costs and expenses
pursuant to this Section 9(c) is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any
payment due under this Section 9(c) to reimburse the Executive for any taxes shall be made to the
Executive by the Company by the end of the Executives taxable year following the Executives
taxable year in which the Executive remits the related taxes to the applicable taxing authorities.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c) hereof, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such
claim, the Executive shall, subject to the Companys complying with the requirements of Section
9(c), promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, a determination is made that the
Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not
notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the
expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not
be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the
amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10.
Disputed Payments And Failures To Pay
. If the Company fails to make a payment under this
Agreement in whole or in part as of the payment date specified in this Agreement, either
intentionally or unintentionally, other than with the consent of the Executive, the Company shall
owe the Executive interest on the delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code if the Executive (i) accepts the portion (if any) of the payment
that the Company is willing to make (unless such acceptance will result in a relinquishment of the
claim to all or part of the remaining amount) and (ii) makes prompt and reasonable good faith
efforts to collect the remaining portion of the payment. Any such interest payments shall become
due and payable effective as of the applicable payment date(s) specified in Section 5 with respect
to the delinquent payment(s) due under Section 5.
11.
Funding.
The Executive shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any
assets of the Company or any investments which the Company may make to aid it in meeting its
obligations under this Agreement. The Executives right to receive payments under this Agreement
shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
- 16 -
12.
Confidential Information.
The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executives employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the
Executives employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In
no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this section constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
13.
Nonsolicitation; No Tampering.
During the Term and, unless the Agreement terminates
pursuant to Section 5(a), through the first anniversary of the expiration thereof, the Executive
shall not (a) solicit, attempt to solicit, request, induce or attempt to influence any distributor
or supplier of goods or services to the Company or its affiliated companies to curtail or cancel
any business they may transact with the Company or its affiliated companies; (b) solicit, attempt
to sell to, request, induce or attempt to influence any customers of the Company or its affiliated
companies or potential customers which have been in contact with the Company or its affiliated
companies to curtail or cancel any business they may transact with any member of the Company or its
affiliated companies; or (c) solicit, attempt to solicit, request, induce or attempt to influence
any employee of the Company or its affiliated companies to terminate his or her employment with the
Company or its affiliated companies.
14.
Remedies.
The Executive acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted
breach of the Executives obligations under Sections 12 and 13 may be inadequate, agrees that the
Company may be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable remedies in case
of any such breach or attempted breach, and further agrees to waive any requirement for the
securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other
equitable relief. The Company shall have the right to offset against amounts paid to the Executive
pursuant to the terms hereof any amounts from time to time owing by the Executive to the Company.
The termination of the Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the Company of any breach by the
Executive of this Agreement or any other obligation owed the Company, and notwithstanding such a
termination the Executive shall be liable for all damages attributable to such a breach.
15.
Compliance With Section 409A.
It is intended that this Agreement shall comply with
Section 409A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner
that complies with Section 409A.
16.
Successors and Assigns.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives
legal representatives.
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(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company to expressly 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. As
used in this Agreement, Company shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor
to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
17.
Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Texas, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by
hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to the Executive:
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John E. Leech
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13722 Pristine Lake Lane
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Cypress, Texas 77429
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If to the Company:
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GM Offshore, Inc.
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10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340
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Houston, Texas 77042
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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state
or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executives or the Companys failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment
for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(c)(i)-(iii) hereof, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of
such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
18.
Prior Employment Agreements Superseded.
Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement,
any and all prior employment agreements, if any, between (a) the Company, GulfMark Offshore, Inc.,
GulfMark International, Inc. and its and their affiliates and subsidiaries
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and (b) the Executive shall be of no further force or effect and this Agreement shall
supersede all such prior agreements, if any.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
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Executive:
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John E. Leech
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Company:
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GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.
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By:
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Title:
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The undersigned executes this Agreement to evidence its agreement to guarantee to the
Executive the prompt payment and the prompt performance when due of all obligations and liabilities
of the Company to the Executive arising out of or pursuant to this Agreement, in which event the
undersigned shall have all of the rights of the Company described in this Agreement.
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GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
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By:
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Chairman of the Board
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- 20 -
Form
of
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(the Agreement) is entered into effective as of the 14th day of
October, 2009 (the Effective Date) by and between GulfMark Americas, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the Company), and Quintin V. Kneen (the Executive).
W I T N E S S E T H
:
WHEREAS
, the Company wishes to assure itself of the continued services of the Executive for
the period provided in this Agreement, and the Executive wishes to serve in the employ of the
Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS,
it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued attention and dedication of the Executive to his assigned duties
without distraction in potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 1 below) of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (Parent), which is the sole shareholder of the Company; and
WHEREAS,
it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of
the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to
encourage the Executives full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event
of any threatened or pending Change of Control; and
WHEREAS,
it is imperative to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements
upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the
Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
NOW, THEREFORE,
in order to accomplish these objectives, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree
as follows:
1.
Certain Definitions
.
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated below:
Accrued Obligation shall mean the sum of (1) the Executives Annual Base Salary earned
through the Date of Termination for periods through but not following his Separation From Service
and (2) any accrued vacation pay earned by the Executive, in both cases, to the extent not
theretofore paid.
Benefit Obligation shall mean all vested benefits to which the Executive is entitled under
the terms of the Companys employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements in which the
Executive is a participant as of the Date of Termination.
Board shall mean the Board of Directors of Parent.
Change of Control shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following:
(a)
Change in Board Composition
. Individuals who constitute the members of the Board
as of the date hereof (the Incumbent Directors), cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of members of the Board; provided that any individual becoming a director of the Parent
subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such individuals
appointment, election or nomination was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the Incumbent
Directors; provided further that any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in
connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the
Board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a
person (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act)) other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to
avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an
Incumbent Director;
(b)
Business Combination
. Consummation of (i) a reorganization, merger,
consolidation, share exchange or other business combination involving the Parent or any of its
subsidiaries or the disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Parent, whether in
one or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the acquisition of assets or stock of another
entity by the Parent (either, a Business Combination), excluding, however, any Business
Combination pursuant to which: (A) individuals who were the beneficial owners (as such term is
defined in Rule
13d-3
under the Exchange Act), respectively, of the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the Parent (the Outstanding Stock) and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Parent (the
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities) immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially
own, upon consummation of such Business Combination, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
then outstanding shares of common stock (or similar securities or interests in the case of an
entity other than a corporation) and more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities (or interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or
in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a
corporation) of the Surviving Corporation (as defined below) in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership of the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, immediately
prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (that is, excluding any outstanding voting
securities of the Surviving Corporation that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the
consummation of the Business Combination as a result of their ownership prior to such consummation
of voting securities of any company or other entity involved in or forming part of such Business
Combination other than the Parent); (B) no person (other than the Parent, any subsidiary of the
Parent, any employee benefit plan of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Parent or any subsidiary of the
Parent) or group (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) becomes the
beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
similar securities or interests in the case of entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving
Corporation, or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities (or interests)
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or in the selection of any other similar
governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation); and (C) individuals who were
Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the
Board providing for such Business Combination constitute at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors (or of any similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a
corporation) of the Surviving
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Corporation; where for purposes of this subsection (b), the term Surviving Corporation means the
entity resulting from a Business Combination or, if such entity is a direct or indirect subsidiary
of another entity, the entity that is the ultimate parent of the entity resulting from such
Business Combination;
(c)
Stock Acquisition
. Any person (other than the Parent, any subsidiary of the
Parent, any employee benefit plan of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Parent or any subsidiary of the
Parent) or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or
(y) the Outstanding Parent Voting Securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (c), no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any
acquisition directly from the Parent; or
(d)
Liquidation
. Approval by the stockholders of the Parent of a complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Parent (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a
liquidation or dissolution).
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company 401(k) Plan means the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 401(k) Plan or any successor plan
established by the Company.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan means the Nonqualified Excess Plan of GM Offshore, Inc.
or any successor plan established by the Company.
Section 409A shall mean section 409A of the Code and the final Department of Treasury
regulations issued thereunder.
Separation From Service shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 409A.
Specified Employee shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 409A taking into
account any elections made and procedures established in resolutions adopted by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.
Employment Period
. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its
employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, in accordance with
the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on December 31, 2010 (the Term); provided, however, that on such ending date and on each
anniversary thereafter, the Term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one
additional year unless either party shall have given notice at least 120 days prior thereto that
such party does not wish to extend the Term.
3.
Terms of Employment
. The following terms shall govern the Executives employment
during the Term:
(a) Position and Duties.
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(i) During the Term, the Executive shall be employed as the Executive Vice President-Finance
and Chief Financial Officer of the Company with corresponding authority, duties and
responsibilities.
(ii) During the Term, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the
Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executives reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Term, it shall not
be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements, teach at educational
institutions, and manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executives responsibilities as an employee of the Company in
accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued
conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto)
subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance
of the Executives responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation. During the Term, and prior to the termination of the Executives employment
as described in Section 4 or 5 hereof, the Executive shall be entitled to the following items of
compensation:
(i) Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary (Annual
Base Salary), which shall be paid in equal installments on a semi-monthly basis (less applicable
withholding and salary deductions), of $285,000.00. Any discretionary increase in Annual Base
Salary during the Term shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase, and the term
Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so
increased.
(ii) Annual Bonus. During the Term, the Executive shall receive, for each fiscal year of the
Company ending during the Term, an annual bonus (the Annual Bonus), which shall be paid in cash
within 2
1
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2
months after the end of each fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, in an
amount to be determined in accordance with the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan
(or any applicable successor plan). Any discretionary increase in the Annual Bonus during the Term
shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
As used in this Agreement, the term affiliated companies shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Term, the Executive and/or the Executives family, as
the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and welfare benefit programs provided
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by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, supplemental
health, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental
death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) in accordance with such welfare benefit
plans and welfare benefit programs to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket employment expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. The
amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement during the Executives taxable year shall not
affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The
Executives right to such reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another
benefit.
(vi) Vacation. During the Term, and subject to the following provisions of this paragraph,
the Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation at the beginning of each fiscal
year of the Company. Such vacations shall be taken at such times as are consistent with the
reasonable business needs of the Company.
(vii) Club Membership. During the Term, the Company will pay all reasonable periodic dues for
membership in a club to be selected by the Executive. The amount of club membership expenses
eligible for reimbursement under this Section 3(b)(vii), or to be paid directly to the club, during
the Executives taxable year shall not affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or direct
payments to the club to be provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives
right to reimbursement or direct payments to the club pursuant to this Section 3(b)(vii) shall not
be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(viii) Office and Support Staff. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to an
office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(ix) Benefits Not in Lieu of Compensation. No benefit or perquisite provided to the Executive
shall be deemed to be in lieu of the Executives Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus or other
compensation.
4.
Termination of Employment
.
(a)
Death or Disability
. The Executives employment shall terminate automatically
upon the Executives death during the Term. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 17(b)
hereof of its intention to terminate the Executives employment. In such event, the Executives
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice
by the Executive (the Disability Date), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executives duties. For purposes
of this Agreement, Disability shall mean the absence of the Executive from the
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Executives duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive days as a result of
incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executives legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld
unreasonably).
(b)
Termination by the Company for Cause
. The Company may terminate the Executives
employment during the Term for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean (i) the
willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his duties as an employee
of the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), which failure is not cured to the Boards satisfaction within a reasonable period after
written notice thereof to Executive, (ii) the Executive being convicted of or a plea of nolo
contendere to the charge of a felony (other than a felony involving a traffic violation or as a
result of vicarious liability), (iii) the commission by the Executive of a material act of
dishonesty or breach of trust resulting or intending to result in personal benefit or enrichment to
the Executive at the expense of the Company, or (iv) an unauthorized absence from employment that
is not cured to the Boards satisfaction within five (5) days after written notice thereof to
Executive. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executives part shall
be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good faith and without
reasonable belief that his action or omission was not in the best interest of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the entire authorized membership of the Board
at a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice and an opportunity for the Executive, together
with counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the
Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the second
sentence of this paragraph and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c)
Voluntary Termination by Executive for Good Reason
. The Executives employment may
be terminated during the Term by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
Good Reason shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any position, authority, duties or responsibilities
inconsistent in any respect with the Executives position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 3(a) or
any removal of the Executive from or failure to re-elect the Executive to any of such positions or
any other actions by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties
or responsibilities (except in connection with the termination of the Executives employment for
Cause, Disability or retirement or as a result of the Executives death or by the Executive other
than for Good Reason), excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action
not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company, provided the Executive gives the
Company written notice of the occurrence of the breach which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Executive believes that the breach has occurred and which is delivered to the Company
within a reasonable period (but in no event more than 30 days) after
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the Executive has knowledge of the events asserted to give rise to the breach, and the Company
fails to correct such breach within a reasonable period (but in no event more than 30 days) after
receipt of such notice;
(iii) relocation of the Executives primary work location, without the Executives consent, to
a location more than 75 miles from the Executives primary work location as of the Effective Date;
(iv) in connection with, as a result of, or within one year following, a Change of Control,
the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities which are substantially
diminished as compared to the Executives duties and responsibilities immediately prior to a Change
of Control or a material change in the Executives reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as
an executive and as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; or
(v) in connection with, as a result of, or within one year following, a Change of Control, the
giving of notice to the Executive that the Term shall not be extended.
For purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of Good Reason made by the
Executive shall be conclusive.
(d)
Termination during a Change in Control Termination Period
. For purposes of this
Agreement, Change in Control Termination Period means the period beginning on the six (6) month
anniversary of a Change of Control and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of such Change
of Control. If the Executives employment terminates during a Change in Control Termination Period
due to death or Disability, such termination of employment shall be treated as a termination under
paragraph (a) next above.
(e)
Retirement
. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment for
Retirement. For purposes of this Agreement, Retirement means the Executives voluntary
termination of employment with the Company or any affiliated company, other than for Good Reason,
on or after the Executives attainment of age 62 and not becoming employed by any person or entity
that is engaged in the same or similar line of business as that of the Company or an affiliated
company as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f)
Notice of Termination
. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason or during a Change in Control Termination Period, shall be communicated
by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 17(b). For
purposes of this Agreement, a
Notice of Termination
means a written notice which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis
for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the
Date of Termination(as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such notice).
The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the
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Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executives or the Companys
rights hereunder.
(g)
Date of Termination
.
Date of Termination
means (i) if the Executives
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, or for
Retirement, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein,
as the case may be, (ii) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company other than for
Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the Executives employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the
Disability Date, as the case may be.
5.
Obligations of the Company upon Termination
.
(a)
Termination by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company Other Than for Cause,
Death or Disability
. Subject to clause (ix) of this Section 5(a), if, during the Term and/or
during a Change in Control Termination Period, the Company shall terminate the Executives
employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment
for Good Reason the Executive will be entitled to the payments and benefits identified in this
Section 5(a).
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, at the times specified in clause (viii), the
following amounts:
(A) the Accrued Obligation;
(B) the Executives Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination for a period
following his Separation From Service, to the extent not theretofore paid;
(C) an amount equal to the product of (x) the Annual Bonus paid or payable to the Executive
for the immediately preceding year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365;
and
(D) an amount equal to 2.0 multiplied by the sum of (1) the Executives Annual Base Salary as
in effect immediately prior to such Date of Termination, and (2) the Annual Bonus paid or payable
to the Executive for the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided, however, that such amount
shall be reduced by the present value (determined as provided in section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of
any other amount of severance relating to salary or bonus continuation, if any, to be received by
the Executive upon termination of employment of the Executive under any severance plan, policy or
arrangement of the Company.
(ii) Any or all Stock Options and shares of restricted stock awarded to the Executive under
any plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested.
(iii) For the remainder of the Term, provided that the Executives continued participation is
possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, the
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Company shall continue to provide benefits to the Executive and/or the Executives family at least
equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 3(b)(iv) if the Executives employment had not been
terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the
Company and its affiliated companies as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families; provided,
however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive
medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other
welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during
such applicable period of eligibility. In the event that the Executives participation in any such
plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive with benefits
substantially similar to those which he is entitled to receive under such plans and programs. To
the extent that the medical or other welfare benefits provided hereunder are taxable to the
Executive, the following provisions of this Section 5(a)(iii) shall apply to such benefits. With
the exception of any lifetime maximums applicable to medical expenses or medical benefits described
in section 105(b) of the Code, the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section
5(a)(iii), or
in-kind
benefits provided, during the Executives taxable year shall not affect the
expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year
of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits pursuant to this
Section 5(a)(iii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the
extent that the payments or reimbursements made pursuant to this Section 5(a)(iii) are taxable to
the Executive and are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, if the Executive is a Specified
Employee, any amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section
5(a)(iii) during the first six months following the date of the Executives Separation From Service
shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date that is six months following the date of
his Separation From Service.
(iv) In addition to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under any retirement plans
or programs in which the Executive participates or any successor plans or programs in effect on the
Date of Termination, the Company shall pay the Executive in one sum in cash at the time specified
in Section 5(a)(viii), an amount equal to the undiscounted value of the employer contributions or
credits the Company would have made to the Company 401(k) Plan and the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan (including but not limited to matching and base contributions, and not including
elective deferrals by the Executive) on behalf of the Executive had the Executive continued in the
employ of the Company for a period of two years after the Employment Termination Date, assuming for
this purpose that (i) the Executives earned compensation per year during that two year period of
time was the Executives Annual Base Salary in effect on the Date of Termination; (ii) the
Executive had, during such two year period, made the maximum elective deferrals permitted under the
Company 401(k) Plan, and the contribution, deferral, credit and accrual percentages made under the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, by and on behalf of the Executive during the two year period,
were the same percentages in effect on the date of the Change of Control or the Date of
Termination, whichever is more favorable for the Executive; and (iii) the amounts of any legal
limitations on benefits (such as section 401(a)(17) of the Code) are the same amounts as are in
effect under the Code on the Date of Termination.
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(v) For a period of six (6) months after the Date of Termination, the Company shall promptly
reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred for outplacement services and/or
counseling.
(vi) The Executive shall not be permitted to specify the taxable year in which a payment
described in this Section 5(a) shall be made to him.
(vii) Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the
Executive and/or the Executives family the Benefit Obligation at the times specified in and in
accordance with the terms of the applicable employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements.
(viii) The Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5(a)(i)(A) within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay or provide to the Executive
the amounts or benefits specified in Section 5(a)(i)(B), Section 5(a)(i)(C), Section 5(a)(i)(D) and
Section 5(a)(iv) 30 days following the date of the Executives Separation From Service if he is not
a Specified Employee or on the date that is six months following the date of his Separation From
Service if he is a Specified Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the
Executive elected under the Nonqualified Excess Plan of GM Offshore, Inc. or any successor plan
(the Deferred Compensation Plan) to defer the payment of all or a portion of the amounts
specified in Sections 5(a)(i)(A) and/or 5(a)(i)(B), such applicable amount shall be paid at the
time and the form specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executives deferral
election.
(ix) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for the payments and
benefits provided for in Sections 5(a)(i)(A) and 5(a)(i)(B), no payments or benefits identified in
this Section 5(a) will be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive executes and
delivers to the Company a comprehensive release and waiver agreement in substantially the same form
as that attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
Release
) by the deadline established by the
Company and the Executive does not revoke the Release.
(b)
Termination upon Death
. If the Executives employment is terminated by reason of
the Executives death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executives legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the
Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executives estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in
a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and (ii) the timely payment or
provision of any and all Benefit Obligation, which under their terms are available in the event of
death.
(c)
Termination upon Disability
. If the Executives employment is terminated by reason
of the Executives Disability during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and (ii) the
timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit Obligation, which under their terms are
available in the event of a Disability.
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(d)
Termination for Retirement
. Subject to clause (iv) of this Section 5(d), if the
Executives employment is terminated by reason of Retirement during the Term, the Executive shall
be entitled to the payments and benefits identified in this Section 5(d).
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, at the times specified in clause (iii), the
following amounts:
(A) the Accrued Obligation;
(B) the Executives Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination for a period
following his Separation From Service, to the extent not theretofore paid.
(ii) Until the Executive becomes eligible for Medicare, provided that the Executives
continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Companys medical
plans and programs, the Company shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive and/or
the Executives family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the
Executives employment had not terminated; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes
reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical benefits under another
employer-provided plan, the medical benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided
under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. In the event that the
Executives participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to
provide the Executive with benefits substantially similar to those which he is entitled to receive
under such plans and programs. To the extent that the medical or other welfare benefits provided
hereunder are taxable to the Executive, the following provisions of this Section 5(d)(iii) shall
apply to such benefits. With the exception of any lifetime maximums applicable to medical expenses
or medical benefits described in section 105(b) of the Code, the amount of expenses eligible for
reimbursement under this Section 5(d)(iii), or in-kind benefits provided, during the Executives
taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be
provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executives right to reimbursement or
in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 5(d)(iii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange
for another benefit. To the extent that the payments or reimbursements made pursuant to this
Section 5(d)(iii) are taxable to the Executive and are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, if
the Executive is a Specified Employee, any amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be
entitled under this Section 5(d)(iii) during the first six months following the date of the
Executives Separation From Service shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date that
is six months following the date of his Separation From Service.
(iii) The Company shall pay the Executive the amounts specified in Section 5(d)(i)(A) within
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay or provide to the Executive
the amounts or benefits specified in Section 5(d)(i)(B) 30 days following the date of the
Executives Separation From Service if he is not a Specified Employee or on the date that is six
months following the date of his Separation From Service if he is a Specified Employee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Executive elected under the Deferred
Compensation Plan to defer the payment of all or a portion of the amounts specified in Sections
5(d)(i)(A) and/or 5(d)(i)(B), such applicable amount shall be paid at the
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time and the form specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executives deferral
election.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for the payments and
benefits provided for in Sections 5(d)(i)(A) and 5(d)(i)(B), no payments or benefits identified in
this Section 5(d) shall be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive executes
and delivers to the Company the Release by the deadline established by the Company and the
Executive does not revoke the Release.
(e)
Termination by Company for Cause or by Executive Other than for Good Reason
. If
the Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause during the Term, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than for (i) payment
of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination and (ii) the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit
Obligation, which under their terms are available in the event of death. If the Executive
terminates employment during the Term, excluding a termination for Good Reason or Retirement, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of
the Accrued Obligation and the timely payment or provision of any and all Benefit Obligation. In
such case, the Accrued Obligation shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days of the Date of Termination.
6.
Waiver of Rights For Other Severance
. The Executive hereby agrees any and all
benefits or payments arising out of or relating to any plan, program, policy or practice of or
contract or agreement with the Company and its affiliated companies relating to the severance of
employment, shall be fully offset against any benefits or payments due and owing hereunder.
7.
Non-Exclusivity of Rights
. Nothing herein shall limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement
with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination
shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement
except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8.
Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes
.
(a) The Companys obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise
to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take
any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and, except as specifically provided in Section 5, such amounts shall
not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay
promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by
the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any
provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
contest by the Executive about the amount of
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any payment pursuant to this Agreement). The legal fees or expenses that are subject to
reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall not be limited as a result of when the fees or
expenses are incurred. The amount of legal fees or expenses that is eligible for reimbursement
pursuant to this Section 8(a) during a given taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the
amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The
right to reimbursement pursuant to this Section 8(a) is not subject to liquidation or exchange for
another benefit. Any amount to which the Executive is entitled to reimbursement under this Section
8(a) during the first six months following the date of the Executives Separation From Service
shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date that is six months following the date of
his Separation From Service. All reimbursements by the Company under this Section 8(a) shall be
paid no later than the earlier of (i) the time periods described above and (ii) the last day of the
Executives taxable year next following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive (i) in the event of
any termination of the Executives employment by the Company, whether such termination was for
Cause, or (ii) in the event of any termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason
existed, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or that the determination by the
Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, as the case may be, the
Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive and/or the Executives
family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company would be required to pay or
provide pursuant to Section 5 as though such termination were by the Company without Cause or by
the Executive with Good Reason; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay
any disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the Executive and/or the Executives family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be,
to repay all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such court not to be
entitled.
9.
Certain Additional Payments by the Company
.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution (i) by the Company or any of its affiliates, (ii) by
the purchaser in a Change of Control transaction or any of its affiliates, or (iii) under any
benefit program or compensation arrangement maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, or
by the purchaser in a Change of Control transaction or any of its affiliates, to or for the benefit
of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 9) (a Payment) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of
the Code, or any successor provision thereto, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Excise Tax), then the Executive shall
be entitled to receive an additional payment (a Gross-Up Payment) in an amount such that after
payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to
such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
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Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under
this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by the Companys independent certified public accountants (the Accounting Firm) which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business
days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant
or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder
(which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five
days of the receipt of the Accounting Firms determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that
no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion
that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executives applicable federal income tax return would
not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty
in the application of section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by
the Company should have been made (Underpayment), consistent with the calculations required to be
made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and
the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred, and any such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. The parties intend and agree
that the payment deadlines specified above in this Section 9 are not to be extended as a result of
the following sentence which is included solely for the purpose of complying with Section 409A.
The Company shall make a payment to reimburse the Executive in an amount equal to all federal,
state and local taxes imposed upon the Executive that are described in this Section 9, including
the amount of additional taxes imposed upon the Executive due to the Companys payment of the
initial taxes on such amounts, by the end of the Executives taxable year next following the
Executives taxable year in which the Executive remits the related taxes to the taxing authority.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a Specified
Employee, any amounts to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Section 9
during the first six months following the date of the Executives Separation From Service shall be
accumulated and paid to the Executive on the date that is six months following the date of his
Separation From Service.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which
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it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to
the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation
with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including
additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment
of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the
Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute and contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as
the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount
is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Companys control
of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. The Company shall not
direct the Executive to pay such a claim and sue for a refund if, due to the prohibitions of
section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company may not advance the Executive the amount
necessary to pay such claim. The costs and expenses that are subject to be paid pursuant to this
Section 9(c) shall not be limited as a result of when the costs or expenses are incurred. The
amounts of costs or expenses that are eligible for payment pursuant to this Section 9(c) during a
given taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the amount of costs or expenses eligible for
payment in any other taxable year of the Executive. The right to payment of costs and expenses
pursuant to this Section 9(c) is not
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subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any payment due under this Section 9(c) to
reimburse the Executive for any taxes shall be made to the Executive by the Company by the end of
the Executives taxable year following the Executives taxable year in which the Executive remits
the related taxes to the applicable taxing authorities.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c) hereof, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such
claim, the Executive shall, subject to the Companys complying with the requirements of Section
9(c), promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, a determination is made that the
Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not
notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the
expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not
be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the
amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10.
Disputed Payments And Failures To Pay.
If the Company fails to make a payment
under this Agreement in whole or in part as of the payment date specified in this Agreement, either
intentionally or unintentionally, other than with the consent of the Executive, the Company shall
owe the Executive interest on the delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code if the Executive (i) accepts the portion (if any) of the payment
that the Company is willing to make (unless such acceptance will result in a relinquishment of the
claim to all or part of the remaining amount) and (ii) makes prompt and reasonable good faith
efforts to collect the remaining portion of the payment. Any such interest payments shall become
due and payable effective as of the applicable payment date(s) specified in Section 5 with respect
to the delinquent payment(s) due under Section 5.
11.
Funding.
The Executive shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or
to any assets of the Company or any investments which the Company may make to aid it in meeting its
obligations under this Agreement. The Executives right to receive payments under this Agreement
shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
12.
Confidential Information
. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executives employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or
representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the
Executives employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In
no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this section constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
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13.
Nonsolicitation; No Tampering
. During the Term and, unless the Agreement
terminates pursuant to Section 5(a), through the first anniversary of the expiration thereof, the
Executive shall not (a) solicit, attempt to solicit, request, induce or attempt to influence any
distributor or supplier of goods or services to the Company or its affiliated companies to curtail
or cancel any business they may transact with the Company or its affiliated companies; (b) solicit,
attempt to sell to, request, induce or attempt to influence any customers of the Company or its
affiliated companies or potential customers which have been in contact with the Company or its
affiliated companies to curtail or cancel any business they may transact with any member of the
Company or its affiliated companies; or (c) solicit, attempt to solicit, request, induce or attempt
to influence any employee of the Company or its affiliated companies to terminate his or her
employment with the Company or its affiliated companies.
14.
Remedies
. The Executive acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or
attempted breach of the Executives obligations under Sections 12 and 13 may be inadequate, agrees
that the Company may be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable
remedies in case of any such breach or attempted breach, and further agrees to waive any
requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such
injunctive or other equitable relief. The Company shall have the right to offset against amounts
paid to the Executive pursuant to the terms hereof any amounts from time to time owing by the
Executive to the Company. The termination of the Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the
Company of any breach by the Executive of this Agreement or any other obligation owed the Company,
and notwithstanding such a termination the Executive shall be liable for all damages attributable
to such a breach.
15.
Compliance With Section 409A
. It is intended that this Agreement shall comply
with Section 409A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a
manner that complies with Section 409A.
16.
Successors and Assigns
.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company to expressly 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. As
used in this Agreement, Company shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor
to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
17.
Miscellaneous
.
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(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Texas, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by
hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to the Executive:
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Quintin V. Kneen
402 Cherry Springs Lane
Spring, Texas 77373
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If to the Company
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GulfMark Americas, Inc.
10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340
Houston, Texas 77042
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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state
or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executives or the Companys failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment
for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(c)(i)-(iii) hereof, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of
such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
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* * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
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Executive:
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Quintin V. Kneen
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Company:
GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.
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By:
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Title:
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The undersigned executes this Agreement to evidence
its agreement to guarantee to the Executive the prompt payment and the prompt performance when due
of all obligations and liabilities of the Company to the Executive arising out of or pursuant to
this Agreement, in which event the undersigned shall have all of the rights of the Company
described in this Agreement.
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GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
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By:
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Chairman of the Board
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