Table of Contents

 
 
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.)
     
10111 Richmond Avenue, Suite 340,
Houston, Texas
  77042
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(713) 963-9522
(Registrant’s 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:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM 5.03. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-3.1
EX-10.1
EX-10.2
EX-10.3
EX-10.4
EX-10.5
EX-10.6
EX-10.7
EX-10.8


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”):
  (i)   GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 1997 Incentive Equity Plan (the “1997 Plan”);
 
  (ii)   GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (the “Director Plan”); and
 
  (iii)   GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance Benefits Policy.
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 executive’s 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

 


Table of Contents

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 GMA’s bonus and other benefit plans, and be reimbursed for a country club membership.
      Severance Payments . In the event Mr. Kneen’s 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):
  (i)   accrued salary and vacation through the date of termination;
 
  (ii)   a prorated bonus through the date of termination based upon the annual bonus paid for the immediately preceding fiscal year;
 
  (iii)   an amount equal to 2.0 times the sum of (x) Mr. Kneen’s 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;
 
  (iv)   immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and restricted stock;
 
  (v)   continuation of health and welfare benefits through the term of the agreement;
 
  (vi)   a lump sum payment equal to two times the Company contributions that would have been made to Mr. Kneen’s 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
 
  (vii)   reimbursement for outplacement services for a period of six months following termination of employment.
The agreement also provides for certain benefits in the event of Mr. Kneen’s 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.

 


Table of Contents

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 Company’s 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 year’s 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 stockholder’s material interests in any business so proposed; disclosure of such stockholder’s identity and ownership of the Company’s 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 director’s or nominee’s 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
    3.1   Amendment to the Bylaws of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., effective as of October 13, 2009.
     
10.1
  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Bruce A. Streeter, effective as of October 14, 2009.
 
   
10.2
  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of John E. Leech, effective as of October 14, 2009.
 
   
10.3
  Form of Employment Agreement of Quintin V. Kneen, effective as of October 14, 2009.
 
   
10.4
  Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 1997 Incentive Equity Plan, effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.5
  Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan, effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.6
  GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance Benefits Policy, effective as of August 1, 2001.
 
   
10.7
  Amendment to GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance Benefits Policy, effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.8
  Form of Amendment to the GM Offshore, Inc. Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan, effective as of October 14, 2009.

 


Table of Contents

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.
         
  GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
Registrant
 
 
  By:   /s/ Quintin V. Kneen    
    Quintin V. Kneen   
    Executive Vice President & Chief
Financial Officer 
 
 
Date: October 16, 2009

 


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
No.   Description
3.1
  Amendment to the Bylaws of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.1
  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Bruce A. Streeter, effective as of October 14, 2009.
 
   
10.2
  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of John E. Leech, effective as of October 14, 2009.
 
   
10.3
  Form of Employment Agreement of Quintin V. Kneen, effective as of October 14, 2009.
 
   
10.4
  Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 1997 Incentive Equity Plan, effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.5
  Amendment to the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan, effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.6
  GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance Benefits Policy, effective as of August 1, 2001.
 
   
10.7
  Amendment to GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Severance Benefits Policy, effective as of October 13, 2009.
 
   
10.8
  Form of Amendment to the GM Offshore, Inc. Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan, effective as of October 14, 2009.

 

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

2


 

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 stockholder’s 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 Corporation’s 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 stockholder’s 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 year’s 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

3


 

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 stockholder’s notice as described above.
          (3) (i) A stockholder’s 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 stockholder’s 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

4


 

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);

5


 

          (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 Corporation’s 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 stockholder’s 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 person’s 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

6


 

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 Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s notice of meeting, if (i) the stockholder’s 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 stockholder’s 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 stockholder’s 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 stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s 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 Corporation’s 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 stockholder’s 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 person’s ability to comply with such person’s 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.
         
     
  By:   /s/ Quintin V. Kneen    
    Quintin V. Kneen, Secretary   
       
 
[ 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 individual’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
     (b)  Compensation . During the Term, and prior to the termination of the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s taxable year shall not affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus or other compensation.
      4.  Termination of Employment.
     (a)  Death or Disability . The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s 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 Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Disability ” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s 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 Executive’s legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
     (b)  Termination by the Company for Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s 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 Board’s 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 Board’s satisfaction within five (5) days after written notice thereof to Executive. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability or retirement or as a result of the Executive’s 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 Executive’s primary work location, without the Executive’s consent, to a location more than 75 miles from the Executive’s 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 Executive’s duties and responsibilities immediately prior to a Change of Control or a material change in the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s voluntary termination of employment with the Company or any affiliated company, other than for Good Reason, on or after the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
     (g)  Date of Termination . “ Date of Termination ” means (i) if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s earned compensation per year during that two and one-half (2-1/2) year period of time was the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Company’s medical plans and programs, the Company shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Firm’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s payment of the initial taxes on such amounts, by the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Executive’s taxable year following the Executive’s 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 Company’s 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

16


 

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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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.

17


 

      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 Executive’s 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:
     
If to the Executive:
  Bruce A. Streeter
11640 Noblewood Crest Lane
Houston, TX 77082
 
   
If to the Company:
  GM Offshore, Inc.
10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340
Houston, Texas 77042
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.

18


 

     (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 Executive’s or the Company’s 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.

19


 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
             
    Executive:    
 
           
       
         
    Bruce A. Streeter    
 
           
    Company:    
 
           
    GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   
     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.
             
    GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:  
 
Chairman of the Board
   

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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 individual’s 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

- 2 -


 

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 Executive’s employment during the Term:

- 3 -


 

     (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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
     (b)  Compensation . During the Term, and prior to the termination of the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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

- 4 -


 

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 Executive’s taxable year shall not affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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.

- 5 -


 

          (xi) Benefits Not in Lieu of Compensation . No benefit or perquisite provided to the Executive shall be deemed to be in lieu of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus or other compensation.
      4.  Termination of Employment.
     (a)  Death or Disability . The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s 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 Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Disability ” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s 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 Executive’s legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
     (b)  Termination by the Company for Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s 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 Board’s 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 Board’s satisfaction within five (5) days after written notice thereof to Executive. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s position (including status, offices,

- 6 -


 

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 Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability or retirement or as a result of the Executive’s 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 Executive’s primary work location, without the Executive’s consent, to a location more than 75 miles from the Executive’s 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 Executive’s duties and responsibilities immediately prior to a Change of Control or a material change in the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s voluntary termination of employment with the Company or any affiliated company, other than for Good Reason, on or after the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
     (g)  Date of Termination . “ Date of Termination ” means (i) if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s earned compensation per year during that two year period of time was the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Company’s medical plans and programs, the Company shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Firm’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s payment of the initial taxes on such amounts, by the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Executive’s taxable year following the Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s legal representatives.

- 17 -


 

     (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:
     
If to the Executive:
  John E. Leech
 
  13722 Pristine Lake Lane
 
  Cypress, Texas 77429
 
   
If to the Company:
  GM Offshore, Inc.
 
  10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340
 
  Houston, Texas 77042
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 Executive’s or the Company’s 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

- 18 -


 

and (b) the Executive shall be of no further force or effect and this Agreement shall supersede all such prior agreements, if any.

- 19 -


 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
             
    Executive:    
 
           
                  
         
    John E. Leech    
 
           
    Company:    
 
           
    GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   
     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.
         
  GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
 
 
  By:      
    Chairman of the Board   
       
 

- 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 individual’s 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

-2-


 

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 Executive’s employment during the Term:
     (a) Position and Duties.

-3-


 

          (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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
     (b) Compensation. During the Term, and prior to the termination of the Executive’s 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 / 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 Executive’s 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

-4-


 

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 Executive’s taxable year shall not affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year of the Executive. The Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus or other compensation.
     4.  Termination of Employment .
     (a)  Death or Disability . The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s 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 Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the

-5-


 

Executive’s 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 Executive’s legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
     (b)  Termination by the Company for Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s 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 Board’s 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 Board’s satisfaction within five (5) days after written notice thereof to Executive. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability or retirement or as a result of the Executive’s 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

-6-


 

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 Executive’s primary work location, without the Executive’s consent, to a location more than 75 miles from the Executive’s 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 Executive’s duties and responsibilities immediately prior to a Change of Control or a material change in the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s voluntary termination of employment with the Company or any affiliated company, other than for Good Reason, on or after the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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

-7-


 

Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
     (g)  Date of Termination . “ Date of Termination ” means (i) if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs, the

-8-


 

Company shall continue to provide benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s earned compensation per year during that two year period of time was the Executive’s 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.

-9-


 

          (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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligation (which shall be paid to the Executive’s 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 Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s 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.

-10-


 

     (d)  Termination for Retirement . Subject to clause (iv) of this Section 5(d), if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Company’s medical plans and programs, the Company shall continue to provide medical benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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

-11-


 

time and the form specified in the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s 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

-12-


 

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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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

-13-


 

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 Company’s 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 Firm’s 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 Executive’s 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 Company’s payment of the initial taxes on such amounts, by the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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

-14-


 

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 Company’s 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

-15-


 

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 Executive’s taxable year following the Executive’s 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 Company’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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.

-16-


 

     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 Executive’s 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 Executive’s 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 .

-17-


 

     (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:
         
 
  If to the Executive:   Quintin V. Kneen
402 Cherry Springs Lane
Spring, Texas 77373
 
       
 
  If to the Company   GulfMark Americas, Inc.
10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340
Houston, Texas 77042
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 Executive’s or the Company’s 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-


 

*      *      *
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
             
    Executive:    
 
           
       
         
    Quintin V. Kneen    
 
           
    Company:

GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.
   
 
           
 
  By:        
 
           
 
  Title:        
 
           
     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.
         
  GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
 
 
  By:      
       Chairman of the Board   
       
 

-19-

AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO THE
GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
1997 INCENTIVE EQUITY PLAN
      THIS AGREEMENT by GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”),
W I T N E S S E T H:
      WHEREAS , the Company previously adopted the 1997 Incentive Equity Plan (the “ Plan ”);
      WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 6 of the Plan, the Company has the right to amend the Plan; and
      WHEREAS , the Company desires to amend the Plan;
      NOW, THEREFORE , the Board of Directors agrees that effective October 13, 2009, the Plan is amended as follows:
     1. The references in Sections 2.3 and 3.2 of the Plan to “change in control of the Company” are deleted and the words “Change of Control” are inserted in their stead.
     2. Section 4.7 of the Plan is hereby amended by deleting therefrom the third sentence.
     3. Section 7.1 of the Plan is amended by adding the following new Section 7.1(k) to the Plan to provide as follows:
     (k) “ Change of Control ” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
     (i) 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 Company subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such individual’s 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

- 1 -


 

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;
     (ii) Business Combination . Consummation of (i) a reorganization, merger, consolidation, share exchange or other business combination involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, whether in one or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company (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 Company (the “Outstanding Stock”) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (the “Outstanding Company 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 Company 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 Company); (B) no person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) 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 Corporation; where for purposes of this

- 2 -


 

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;
     (iii) Stock Acquisition . Any person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or (y) the Outstanding Company 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 Company; or
     (iv) Liquidation . Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a liquidation or dissolution).
     4. Article 7 of the Plan is hereby amended by adding thereto the following new Section 7.2:
7.2 Change of Control . The effect, if any, of a Change of Control upon any Award granted under the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award agreement and any related terms and conditions issued by the Committee that are applicable to the Award.
     5. Article 7 of the Plan is hereby amended by adding thereto the following new Section 7.3:
7.3 The Board, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company, each Option and SAR outstanding hereunder shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the holder, and such holder shall receive, with respect to each share of Stock subject to such Option or SAR, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such share of Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control over the exercise price per share of such Option or SAR; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction constituting the Change of Control) or in a combination thereof, as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine. The provisions contained in the preceding sentence shall be inapplicable to an Option or SAR granted within six (6) months before the occurrence of a Change of Control if the holder of such Option or SAR is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and no exception from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act is otherwise available to such holder.

- 3 -


 

     6. Article 7 of the Plan is hereby amended by adding thereto the following new Section 7.4:
7.4 Compliance with Section 409A . Awards shall be designed, granted and administered in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”). If the Committee determines that an Award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction, or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken or implemented, cause a holder to become subject to additional taxes under Section 409A, then unless the Committee specifically provides otherwise, such Award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be given effect to the extent it causes such result and the related provisions of the Plan and/or Award agreement will be deemed modified, or, if necessary, suspended in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case without the consent of or notice to the holder. The exercisability of an Option shall not be extended to the extent that such extension would subject the holder to additional taxes under Section 409A. This Section 7.4 is effective for Awards granted under the Plan that are earned and vested on or after January 1, 2005.
     7. Article 7 of the Plan is hereby amended by adding thereto the following new Section 7.5:
7.5 Duration . The Plan shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article 6, until all shares of Stock subject to it shall have been purchased or acquired according to the Plan’s provisions. However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Plan after March 20, 2017.
Adopted by the Board of Directors
on October 13, 2009

- 4 -

AMENDMENT No. 2
TO THE
GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
      THIS AGREEMENT is made by GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”),
WITNESSETH:
      WHEREAS , the Company previously adopted the GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”);
      WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Company has the right to amend the Plan; and
      WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan;
    NOW, THEREFORE , the Board of Directors agrees that effective October 13, 2009, the Plan is amended as follows:
     1. Section 8 of the Plan is completely amended and restated to provide as follows:
     8. ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS – CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) If there shall be any change in the Common Stock, through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, dividend in kind or other like change in capital structure or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to stockholders of the Company, an adjustment shall be made to each outstanding Stock Option and Stock Award (including any Unvested Stock Award) such that each such Stock Option and Stock Award shall thereafter be exercisable or vested and deliverable for such property as would have been received in respect of the Common Stock subject to such Stock Option and Stock Award had such Stock Option and Stock Award been exercised or vested and delivered in full immediately prior to such change or distribution, and such an adjustment shall be made successively each time any such change shall occur. In addition, in the event of any such change or distribution, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of a Non-Employee Director’s rights under the Plan, the Board will have authority to adjust, in an equitable manner, the number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Stock Options and Stock Awards (including Unvested Stock Awards), and the exercise price applicable to outstanding Stock Options.

- 1 -


 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if there is a Change in Control of the Company all then outstanding Stock Options shall immediately become exercisable and all Unvested Stock Awards shall immediately become vested and deliverable, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 8(b), a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following events:
     (i) 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 Company subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such individual’s 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;
     (ii) Business Combination . Consummation of (i) a reorganization, merger, consolidation, share exchange or other business combination involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, whether in one or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company (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 Company (the “Outstanding Stock”) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (the “Outstanding Company 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 Company Voting Securities, immediately prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (that is, excluding any outstanding voting securities of the

- 2 -


 

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 Company); (B) no person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) 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 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;
     (iii) Stock Acquisition . Any person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or (y) the Outstanding Company Voting Securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (c), no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any acquisition directly from the Company; or
     (iv) Liquidation . Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a liquidation or dissolution).
(c) The Board, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, each Stock Option outstanding hereunder shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the holder, and such holder shall receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Stock Option; such

- 3 -


 

amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction constituting the Change in Control) or in a combination thereof, as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine. The provisions contained in the preceding sentence shall be inapplicable to a Stock Option granted within six (6) months before the occurrence of a Change in Control if the holder of such Stock Option is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and no exception from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act is otherwise available to such holder.
2. The Plan is amended by adding the following new Section 18 to the Plan:

- 4 -


 

18. SECTION 409A. Awards shall be designed, granted and administered in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”). If the Board determines that an award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction, or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken or implemented, cause a holder to become subject to additional taxes under Section 409A, then unless the Board specifically provides otherwise, such award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be given effect to the extent it causes such result and the related provisions of the Plan and/or award agreement will be deemed modified, or, if necessary, suspended in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent determined appropriate by the Board, in each case without the consent of or notice to the holder. The exercisability of a Stock Option shall not be extended to the extent that such extension would subject the holder to additional taxes under Section 409A. This Section 7.4 is effective for awards granted under the Plan that are earned and vested on or after January 1, 2005.
Adopted by the Board of Directors
On October 13, 2009

- 5 -

             
(GULFMARK LOGO)
      Number   S-04
  POLICY AND PROCEDURE   Effective Date   08-01-01 
  MANUAL    
Superseded Date
 
   
Title:
  Severance Benefits   Page   1 of 6 
 
      Exhibit Number    
         
TABLE OF CONTENTS   Page Number
A. SCOPE
    2  
B. POLICY
    2  
C. ELIGIBILITY
    2  
D. SEVERANCE PAY
    3  
E. OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES
    6  
F. VACATION PAY
    6  
G. METHOD OF PAYMENT
    6  
H. BENEFIT CONTINUATION
    6  
I. RESPONSIBILITIES
    6  
             
 
  Approved:   /s/ Edward G. Guthrie   August 1, 2001
 
           
 
      Executive Vice President — Finance   Date
 
           
 
  Approved:   /s/ Bruce A. Streeter   August 1, 2001
 
           
 
      President & COO   Date

 


 

             
(GULFMARK LOGO)
      Number   S-04
  POLICY AND PROCEDURE   Effective Date   08-01-01 
  MANUAL    
Superseded Date
 
   
Title:
  Severance Benefits   Page   2 of 6 
 
      Exhibit Number    
A.   SCOPE
 
    This policy shall apply to all departments, divisions and operating subsidiaries of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., hereinafter referred to as (“the Company”).
 
B.   POLICY
 
    It is the policy of the Company to grant severance pay to terminated or laid off employees under certain circumstances in order to provide them with an income for a specified period of time while seeking other employment.
 
C.   ELIGIBILITY
  1.   An employee will be eligible for severance payment if permanently laid-off or terminated because of:
  a.   A reduction in the Company’s work force.
 
  b.   Elimination of the job or position.
 
  c.   An insufficient aptitude for continued employment not attributable to any willful cause.
 
  d.   A sale (or merger) of all or part of the Company, or in connection with a change in control of the Company.
  2.   An employee will not be eligible for severance payment if he or she:
  a.   Leaves the Company voluntarily.
 
  b.   Is terminated for cause.
 
  c.   Retires from the Company.

 


 

             
(GULFMARK LOGO)
      Number   S-04
  POLICY AND PROCEDURE   Effective Date   08-01-01 
  MANUAL    
Superseded Date
 
   
Title:
  Severance Benefits   Page   3 of 6 
 
      Exhibit Number    
D.   SEVERANCE PAY
  1.   General
 
      All salaried employees without employment contracts who are laid off will receive severance pay based on years of continuous service.
 
      Note: Years of continuous service, for the purposes of this policy will be rounded to the nearest whole year. Examples: 2 years and 5 months of service = 2 years; 2 years and 6 completed months of service = 3 years.
 
  2.   Reduction in Force
 
      When an employee is laid off due to a reduction in work force, severance pay benefits will be paid as follows:
a. Notification pay: If advance notification is not possible, two weeks of pay in lieu of notice will be paid in addition to severance pay outlined below.
b. Severance pay. Employees receive two weeks of pay per year of service, with a minimum of four weeks up to a maximum of 26 weeks. The maximum amount of severance payment for any employee may not exceed two times an employee’s annual compensation during the year immediately preceding employment termination.
  3.   Sale, Merger, or Change of Control
    If, in connection with a sale (or merger) of all of part of the Company, an employee accepts an offer of (or continues) employment with the purchasing (or surviving) entity that is substantially equivalent to his/her current position with the Company immediately prior to the sale (or merger), he/she will not be eligible

 


 

             
(GULFMARK LOGO)
      Number   S-04
  POLICY AND PROCEDURE   Effective Date   08-01-01 
  MANUAL    
Superseded Date
 
   
Title:
  Severance Benefits   Page   4 of 6 
 
      Exhibit Number    
    for severance pay. However, if within nine months following any such sale (or merger) or a change of control of the Company, an employee is terminated for any reason other than resignation or for cause, the employee will be entitled to benefits defined herein and severance pay as follows:
a. Notification pay: If an advance notification is not possible, four weeks of pay in lieu of notice will be paid in addition to severance pay as outlined below.
b. Severance pay: Employees receive three weeks of pay per year of service, with a minimum number of weeks commensurate with their employment category and a maximum of fifty-two weeks. The amount of severance pay is reduced by payments, if any, mandated by employment laws of the employee’s country of residence or assignment as applicable. The following categories apply for purposes of this policy:
Category 1: (Minimum of 36 weeks)
Manager — Singapore / Liverpool / Norway
Technical Manager
Operations Manager
Accounts Manager
Chartering Manager
Human Resources Manager
Corporate Controller
Category II: (Minimum of 24 weeks)
Operations Superintendent
Assistant Corporate Controller
Division Controller
Office Manager — Singapore
Purchasing Manager
Category III: (Minimum of 8 weeks)
All other salaried personnel

 


 

             
(GULFMARK LOGO)
      Number   S-04
  POLICY AND PROCEDURE   Effective Date   08-01-01 
  MANUAL    
Superseded Date
 
   
Title:
  Severance Benefits   Page   5 of 6 
 
      Exhibit Number    
    Change of Control: means the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person or group of related Persons for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a “Group”) together with any Affiliates thereof (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture), other than Permitted Holders unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in compliance with the Indenture such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by the company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (whether or not Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the company (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture); (iii) the acquisition in one or more transactions, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Voting Securities of the Company by any Person or Group, other than Permitted Holders, that either (A) beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote on a regular basis for the board of directors of the Company, or (b) otherwise has the ability to elect, directly or indirectly, a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors, including, without limitation, by the acquisition of revocable proxies for the election of directors; (iv) the first day on which a majority of the members of the company’s board of directors are not Continuing Directors.

 


 

             
(GULFMARK LOGO)
      Number   S-04
  POLICY AND PROCEDURE   Effective Date   08-01-01 
  MANUAL    
Superseded Date
 
   
Title:
  Severance Benefits   Page   6 of 6 
 
      Exhibit Number    
E.   OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES
 
    Outplacement services will be provided by the Company for employees who have been laid off at the discretion of the President or the Executive Vice President — Finance, as appropriate,
 
F.   VACATION PAY
 
    Employees who have been laid off will receive pay for vacation earned but not taken, explained in the Vacation Policy (V-01).
 
G.   METHOD OF PAYMENT
 
    Employees who have been laid off will receive severance and vacation pay in a lump sum on the last day worked. Payments will be subject to regular withholding taxes. Payments are not contingent directly or indirectly on an employees’ retirement.
 
H.   BENEFIT CONTINUATION
 
    Medical and Basic Life coverage will continue for 90 days after the date of termination.
 
    Dental, Supplemental Life, AD&D and LTD coverages, if any, will cease on the date of termination. Service credit for Savings Plans will cease on the date of termination.
 
    The Corporate Office — Payroll will contact employees who are vested in applicable pension benefits, if any. Participants in the Savings Plan will receive instructions for final distributions.
 
I.   RESPONSIBILITIES
 
    The Corporate Office — Payroll is responsible for conducting a layoff and documenting all layoff transactions.

 

AMENDMENT
TO THE
SEVERANCE BENEFITS POLICY
      THIS AGREEMENT is made by GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”),
WITNESSETH:
      WHEREAS , the Company previously adopted the Severance Benefits Policy (the “ Policy ”);
      WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Policy;
      NOW, THEREFORE , the Board of Directors agrees that effective October 13, 2009, Section D.3 of the Policy is completely amended and restated to provide as follows:
     3.  Change of Control
If, in connection with a Change of Control, an employee accepts an offer of (or continues) employment with the purchasing (or surviving) entity that is substantially equivalent to his/her current position with the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control, he/she will not be eligible for severance pay. However, if within nine months following any such Change of Control, an employee is terminated for any reason other than resignation or for cause, the employee will be entitled to benefits defined herein and severance pay as follows:
a. Notification pay: If an advance notification is not possible, four weeks of pay in lieu of notice will be paid in addition to severance pay as outlined below.
b. Severance pay: Employees receive three weeks of pay per year of service, with a minimum number of weeks commensurate with their employment category and a maximum of fifty-two weeks. The amount of severance pay is reduced by payments, if any, mandated by employment laws of the employee’s country of residence or assignment as applicable. The following categories apply for purposes of this policy:
Category I: (Minimum of 36 weeks)
Manager – Singapore / Liverpool / Norway
Technical Manager
Operations Manager
Account Manager
Chartering Manager
Human Resources Manager
Corporate Controller

 


 

Category II: (Minimum of 24 weeks)
Operations Superintendent
Assistant Corporate Controller
Division Controller
Office Manager – Singapore
Purchasing Manager
Category III: (Minimum of 8 weeks)
All other salaried personnel
“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following:
     (i) Change in Board Composition . Individuals who constitute the members of the Board of Directors of the Company (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 Company subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such individual’s 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;
     (ii) Business Combination . Consummation of (i) a reorganization, merger, consolidation, share exchange or other business combination involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, whether in one or a series of related transactions, or (ii) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company (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 Company (the “Outstanding Stock”) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (the “Outstanding Company 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

-2-


 

corporation) of the Surviving Corporation (as defined below) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Company 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 Company); (B) no person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) 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 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;
     (iii) Stock Acquisition. Any person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or (y) the Outstanding Company 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 Company; or
     (iv) Liquidation . Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a liquidation or dissolution).
Adopted by the Board of Directors
On October 13, 2009

-3-

Form of
AMENDMENT
TO THE
GM OFFSHORE, INC.
EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLAN
      THIS AGREEMENT by GM Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”),
W I T N E S S E T H:
      WHEREAS , the Company previously adopted the Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan (the “ Plan ”);
      WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan, the Company has the right to amend the Plan; and
      WHEREAS , the Company desires to amend the Plan;
      NOW, THEREFORE , effective October 14, 2009, Section 2.5 of the Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan Plan Document is completely amended and restated to provide as follows:
2.5 “ Change in Control Event ” means the occurrence of a “Change in Control Event” within the meaning of section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Department of Treasury regulations with respect to GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its successor by merger.

 


 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this Agreement effective as of October 14, 2009.
             
    GM OFFSHORE, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
  Date:  
 
   
 
     
 
   

- 2 -