UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): November 5, 2008
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
|
|
|
|
|
Delaware
|
|
001-32504
|
|
20-2311383
|
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
|
|
(Commission
File Number)
|
|
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
|
|
|
|
Two Westbrook Corporate Center, Suite 1070
Westchester, IL
|
|
60154
(Zip Code)
|
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
|
|
|
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
708-483-1300
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)
Not applicable.
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K/A filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction
A.2. below):
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))
|
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Employment Agreement Amendments
On November 5, 2008, the Board of Directors of TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (the Company), authorized
First Amendments to the January 27, 2005 Employment Agreements between the Company and the
following senior officers: Sam K. Reed, Thomas E. ONeill, David B. Vermylen and Harry J. Walsh
(the First Amendments).
The First Amendments accomplish two things:
|
|
|
Comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code)
by: (A) providing that amounts payable upon a senior officers termination, pursuant to the
January 27, 2005 Employment Agreements, shall be delayed six months, and (B) establishing
compliant times and forms of payments for other compensation items subject to Code Section
409A (e.g., expense reimbursements, medical continuation, etc.); and
|
|
|
|
|
Fully documenting in writing the terms, Section 409A
compliant deferral rights, and conditions of the equity awards previously
granted pursuant to the January 27, 2005 Employment Agreements (including Basic Restricted
Stock, Supplemental Restricted Stock Units and Stock Options) and as subject to the
provisions of the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
For more
details, please refer to the executed First Amendments attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2,
10.3, and 10.4 respectively hereto, and incorporated herein by reference.
Employment Agreement
On November 7,
2008, Dennis F. Riordan entered into an employment agreement with the
Company to continue to serve as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The employment agreement
provides for a three-year term ending on the third anniversary of the commencement of employment,
but also includes automatic one-year extensions absent written notice from either party of its
intention not to extend the agreement.
Mr. Riordan is entitled to:
|
|
|
base salary;
|
|
|
|
|
an annual incentive award equal to not less than 60% of his base salary, payable, if at
all, upon his and/or the Companys achievement of the performance objectives, established
by the Companys Board of Directors;
|
|
|
|
|
participation in any benefit plan maintained by the Company for its senior officers,
including any life, medical, accident, or disability insurance plan, as well as any profit
sharing, retirement, or deferred compensation or savings plan;
|
|
|
|
|
reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred during the performance of his duties to
the Company; and
|
|
|
|
|
indemnification against any loss or liability suffered in connection with performance of
his duties.
|
The Company is entitled to terminate the employment agreement with or without cause. Mr. Riordan
2
is entitled to resign from his employment with or without good reason. However, his resignation
for good reason following: (A) a reduction in base salary, (B) a material alteration in duties and
responsibilities; or (C) for certain other specified reasons shall be considered an involuntary
termination rather than a voluntary resignation. The employment agreement may also be terminated
upon (I) death, (II) Disability (i.e., physical, mental or emotional incapacity resulting from
injury, sickness or disease for a period of more than 4 consecutive months or an aggregate of 6
months in any 12 month period), or (III) Retirement (i.e., sum of Mr. Riordans age and length of
service with the Company is at least 62 and he has completed at least 5 years of service with the
Company).
If the employment agreement is terminated either without cause by the Company or with good reason
by Mr. Riordan, Mr. Riordan will be entitled to a severance payment equal to two times his then
current annual base salary payable in a lump sum on the seventh-month anniversary of his
termination plus two times any annual incentive award he would have been entitled to receive for
the calendar year had he remained employed by the Company payable in a lump sum at the time all
other executives are paid their incentive compensation related to the calendar year in question
(the Basic Payment). If the employment agreement is terminated under the same circumstances as
the immediately preceding sentence and within 24 months of a change of control of the Company, Mr.
Riordan will be entitled, in lieu of the Basic Payment, to a severance payment equal to three times
the sum of (1) his then current annual base salary, plus (2) his Target Incentive Compensation for
such year of termination (assuming all targets have been met) with such amount being payable in a
lump sum on the seventh month anniversary of his termination (the Special Payment). Finally, in
the event of Mr. Riordans termination without cause, for good reason or due to Disability, he will
be entitled to continued participation in all medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance
coverage in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his employment until the
earlier of: (a) the third anniversary of his termination of employment, (b) his death, or (c) the
date, or dates, he receives equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a
subsequent employer.
Additionally, Mr. Riordan is subject to a covenant of confidentiality, a one-year covenant not to
compete, and a one-year covenant not to solicit employees.
For more details, please refer to the executed employment agreement attached as Exhibit 10.5
hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Benefit Plan Amendments
Additionally, on November 5, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company further authorized
amendments to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, the TreeHouse
Supplemental Retirement Plan, the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, the Bay Valley Foods,
2008 Incentive Plan, and the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan. On this date, the
Board of Directors also authorized the amendment and restatement of the TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
Executive Severance Plan.
The Board of Directors of the Company authorized the amendments and restatement in order to comply
with Code Section 409A by:
|
|
|
establishing compliant times and forms of payment for distributions under each of the
plans; and
|
|
|
|
|
with respect to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, reducing the small cash out
amount in accordance with the final 409A regulations and providing for accelerated
distributions for tax issues related to Code Section 409A.
|
For more details, please refer to the executed amendments attached as Exhibits 10.6, 10.7, 10.8,
10.9, 10.10 and 10.11 respectively hereto, and incorporated herein by reference.
3
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
First Amendment, executed
November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and Sam K. Reed.
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and Thomas E. ONeill.
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and David B. Vermylen.
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and Harry J. Walsh.
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Employment Agreement, executed November 7, 2008, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and
Dennis F. Riordan.
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Supplemental Retirement Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. 2008 Incentive
Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Bay Valley Foods, 2008 Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and
Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Amended and Restated TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Executive Severance Plan.
|
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
|
|
DATE: November 10, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Thomas E. ONeill
|
|
|
|
Thomas E. ONeill
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel, Chief Administrative
Office and officer duly
authorized to sign on behalf of
the Registrant
|
|
|
5
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and Sam K. Reed.
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and Thomas E. ONeill.
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and David B. Vermylen.
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Employment Agreement dated January
27, 2005, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and Harry J. Walsh.
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Employment Agreement, executed November 7, 2008, by and between TreeHouse Foods, Inc. and
Dennis F. Riordan.
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Supplemental Retirement Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. 2008 Incentive
Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the Bay Valley Foods, 2008 Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
First Amendment, executed November 7, 2008, to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and
Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Amended and Restated TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Executive Severance Plan
|
6
Exhibit 10.1
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN SAM K. REED AND TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
THIS
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this
Amendment) dated as of November 7,
2008, is between
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
, a Delaware corporation (the Company), and
SAM K. REED
(the Executive).
WHEREAS,
Executives original Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the Agreement)
with the Company provides certain benefits which constitute nonqualified deferred compensation
which is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code);
WHEREAS,
outside counsel has advised the Company that certain payments of benefits under the
Agreement are not currently in compliance with Code Section 409A and are required to be amended for
compliance;
WHEREAS
, Section 6(e) of the Agreement provides that Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under
Section 6(a) of the Agreement), Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the
Agreement) and Stock Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement) (collectively referred to as the
Awards) shall be subject to an award agreement and the Company acknowledges that Executives
Agreement has been operating as such award agreements;
WHEREAS
, the Company now desires to fully document the terms and conditions of the Awards and
have the Agreement combined with this Amendment dually serve as the respective award agreement for
the Awards; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section 10(k) of the Agreement, amendment can only be made to the
Agreement pursuant to written consent of the Company and Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
in consideration of the foregoing, it is mutually agreed that
the Agreement is amended effective January 1, 2008, in the following particulars:
1. By adding the following new sentence immediately at the end of paragraph (b) of Section 4
of the Agreement as a part thereof:
Such Incentive Compensation shall be paid at such time and in such manner as set forth in
the relevant annual incentive compensation plan document.
2. By deleting the last sentence of the last paragraph of paragraph (b) of Section 6 of the
Agreement and substituting the following new sentence as a part thereof:
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units,
if any, shall be distributed to Executive no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of grant, or (ii) the sixth month
anniversary of the date Executives employment with the Company terminates, unless the
Executive elects (in a manner consistent with the applicable requirements of Sections 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code)) to defer the date upon which the shares of Common
Stock corresponding to the vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units shall be
distributed by filing the attached Exhibit A with the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
3. By deleting paragraph (e) of Section 6 of the Agreement in its entirety and inserting the
following new paragraph (e) as a part thereof:
(e)
Terms and Conditions of Awards
.
(i)
Definitions
.
(A)
Awards
.
The term Awards shall collectively refer to the
Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under Section 6(a) of the Agreement),
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the Agreement) and Stock
Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement).
(B)
Plan
. The term Plan shall mean the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity
and Incentive Plan.
(C)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
. The term Qualifying
Termination of Employment shall mean a termination of the Executives employment
with the Company due to his death, a Termination due to Disability (as defined in
Section 8(b) of the Agreement) a Termination due to Retirement (as defined in
Section 8(d) of the Agreement), a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section
8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good Reason (as defined in Section 8(d)
of the Agreement).
(ii)
Vesting
.
The Awards shall generally vest in accordance with the
respective provisions of Section 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), as applicable. Notwithstanding the
foregoing:
(A)
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
.
(I)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
In the event of the Executives termination of employment that
is a Qualifying Termination of Employment, any unvested Basic Restricted
Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units on such date of termination
shall continue to vest, if at all, in accordance with their terms on the
same terms and conditions that would have applied if Executives employment
had not terminated (including eventual expiration if they never vest). The
shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that
become vested in accordance with this Subclause (I) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary)
no later than five (5) business days after the date such vesting occurs.
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that become vested after a Qualifying Termination shall be
distributed to Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to
Executives beneficiary) in accordance with his Distribution Election Form
for Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that is in effect on such
termination date.
2
(II)
Exceptions to Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment pursuant to Subclause (I) immediately above, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date
of termination shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled.
(III)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(viii) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b)
of the Plan, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date of such Change of Control
shall be immediately and fully vested. The shares of Common Stock
corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become vested in accordance
with this Subclause (III) shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the case
of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) no later than five (5)
business days after the date such vesting occurs. The shares of Common
3
Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that
become vested after a Change of Control shall be distributed to Executive
(or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in
accordance with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that is in effect on such termination date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may provide
that in connection with the Change in Control, each Basic Restricted Stock
and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, shall instead
be cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with
Section 9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the Change in Control Price (as
defined in the Plan)
multiplied by
the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by such Basic Restricted Stock Award and/or Supplemental Restricted
Stock Unit Award, as the case may be; provided, however, such cash amount,
if any, shall be paid at such time as the corresponding shares would have
been distributed pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(B)
Options
.
(I)
Fully Vested
.
As of the date of this Amendment, all
Options issued to the Executive have fully vested under Section 6(c) of the
Agreement.
(II)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
In the event the
Executives termination of employment is a Qualifying Termination of
Employment, all unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain
exercisable until the first to occur of:
(1) the second anniversary of the date of such termination
related to the Qualifying Termination of Employment; or
(2) June 27, 2015.
(II)
Any Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment
.
In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of Employment, all
unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain exercisable for
ninety (90) days following the date of such termination, at which time they
shall immediately expire.
(III)
Termination for Cause
.
In the event the Executives
employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 8(c) of the
Agreement), all unexercised Options shall expire immediately, be forfeited
and considered null and void.
(IV)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(vi) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b) of
the Plan, any unexercised Options on such date of such Change of Control
shall remain exercisable through June 27, 2015. Notwithstanding the
4
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may
provide that in connection with the Change in Control, each Option shall be
cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with
Section 9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the excess, if any, of:
(1) the Change in Control Price (as defined in Section 2(a) of
the Plan) for such Option,
over
(2) the exercise price for each such Option.
(iii)
Changes in Companys Capital Structure and Impact on Awards
.
The Awards
shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 6(f) of the Agreement and Section
10(b) of the Plan.
(iv)
Settlement and Exercise of Awards
.
(A)
Settlement of Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units
.
All Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which vest shall be settled by the Company in shares of Common
Stock.
(B)
Exercise of Stock Options
.
All Stock Options which vest may be
exercised through full payment of the exercise price:
(I) in cash or its equivalent;
(II) by exchanging (including by affirmation of ownership) shares of
Common Stock previously owned by the Executive (or by establishing such
ownership by affirmation), which for this purpose shall not include shares
pledged or otherwise subject to a security interest;
(III) through a Net Exercise (as defined in the Incentive Compensation
Plan) or a broker-assisted exercise arrangement with a broker approved by
the Company whereby payment of the exercise price is accomplished with the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock issued upon exercise; or
(IV) by a combination of any of Clauses (I), (II) or (III) immediately
above or such other method as the Committee may approve.
(v)
Tax Withholding on Awards
.
As a condition to receipt of shares of Common
Stock upon settlement of the Awards, the Executive must satisfy his/her withholding tax
obligations with respect to any such Award through either:
(A) having the Company retain those number of shares of Common Stock whose fair
market value equals such amount required to be withheld; or
5
(B) depositing with the Company an amount of funds equal to the estimated
withholding tax liability.
The Company will not deliver any of the shares of Common Stock until and unless the
Executive has made proper provision for all applicable tax and similar withholding
obligations.
(vi)
Effect of Award
.
The Executive, through this Amendment, acknowledges
receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he/she is familiar with the terms and
provisions thereof (and have had an opportunity to consult counsel regarding the Awards
terms), and agrees to be bound by its contractual terms as set forth in the Agreement, the
Amendment and in the Plan. The Executive hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and
final all decisions and interpretations of the Committee (as defined in Section 2(a) of the
Plan) regarding any questions relating to the Awards. In the event of a conflict between
the terms and provisions of the Plan and the terms and provisions of the Agreement and this
Amendment, the Plan terms and provisions shall prevail.
(vii)
Restriction on Transferability
.
Until settlement and/or exercise of the
respective Awards, the Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise
alienated at any time. Any attempt to do so contrary to the provisions hereof shall be null
and void. Notwithstanding the above, distribution can be made pursuant to will, the laws of
descent and distribution, intra-family transfer instruments or to an inter vivos trust.
(viii)
Voting Rights
.
The Executive has no voting or any other rights as a
shareholder of the Company with respect to the Awards prior to the date on which he/she is
issued the shares of Common Stock in settlement thereof. Upon settlement and/or exercise of
the Awards into shares of Common Stock, the Executive will obtain full voting and other
rights as a shareholder of the Company.
(ix)
Employment Matters
.
Except as otherwise provided in an employee benefit
plan in which Executive participates or is covered, the value of the Awards shall not and
are not included as remuneration for purposes of determining any benefits to which Executive
may be entitled under any such employee benefit plan. The Executives terms and conditions
of employment are not affected or changed in any way by these Awards or by the terms of the
Plan, the Agreement or the Amendment. No provision of the Agreement or the Amendment
hereunder shall give the Executive any right to continue in the employment of the Company,
create any inference as to the length of the Executives employment, affect the right of the
Company to terminate the Executives employment, with or without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement), or give the Executive any right to participate in any
employee welfare or benefit plan or other program (other than the Plan) of the Company.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees (by executing this Amendment) that the granting of the
Awards was made on a fully discretionary basis by the Company and that, except as expressly
provided in the Agreement or the Amendment, the Agreement and this Amendment do not lead to
a vested right to further awards in the future.
4. By deleting subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (ii) as a part thereof:
6
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8(e)(iii), in the event the Employment Period ends
by reason of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall
receive the Basic Payment in a lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the
six-month anniversary of the date of such termination event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required
six month delay in payment of the Basic Payment in the preceding
sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Basic Payment
multiplied by
the
relevant short-term semi-annual applicable federal rate issued by the
IRS for the month in which such Basic Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall
also be paid in a lump sum at the same time as the Basic Payment.
5. By deleting subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (iii) as a part thereof:
(iii) In the event the Employment Period ends by reason
of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason within the 24 month period
immediately following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive the Special Payment in a
lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the six-month anniversary of the
date of such termination event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required
six month delay in payment of the Special Payment in the preceding
sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Special Payment
multiplied by
the
relevant short-term semi-annual applicable federal rate issued by the
IRS for the month in which such Special Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall
also be paid in a lump sum at the same time as the Special Payment.
6. By
deleting subparagraph (v) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (v) as a part thereof:
(v) In the event of a Termination due to Disability, a Termination Without Cause or
a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to continued participation in all
medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage in which he was participating
on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier of (A) the third
anniversary of his termination of employment, or (B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit
basis). If the Executives coverage terminates due to something other than Clauses (A) or
(B) above, the Company shall provide Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to
the number of remaining months of coverage to which he is entitled times the then applicable
premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive participated. Such lump sum amount
will be paid during the second month following the month in which such coverage expires.
7. By deleting paragraph (g) of Section 8 of the Agreement and substituting the following new
paragraph (g) as a part thereof:
(g)
Timing of Payments
. Earned Compensation shall be paid in a single lump sum
no later than 15 days following the end of the Employment Period. Vested Benefits shall be
payable in accordance with the terms of the plan, policy, practice, program, contract or
agreement under which such benefits have accrued. Any expense or tax reimbursement or other
payment to or for the benefit of Executive under Section 7(c), 7(d), 8(h) or 10(e) of the
Agreement shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable following the taxable year
in which the expense or tax was incurred by or for the Executive and no such reimbursement
or amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year shall affect the expenses
eligible for reimbursement in any other year.
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this First
Amendment as of this 7 day
of November, 2008.
Sam K. Reed
Chairman & CEO
/s/
Terdema L. Ussery, II
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
Chairman of Compensation Committee
8
EXHIBIT A
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(Made Pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Employment Agreement
Between Sam K. Reed and TreeHouse Foods, Inc.)
WHEREAS,
a Supplemental Restricted Stock Unit grant was made to Sam K. Reed (the Executive)
under Section 6(b) of his Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the Agreement) with
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (the Company);
WHEREAS,
the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units which vest are not immediately paid and
settled but instead are deferred and distributed no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (1) June 27, 2010, or (2) the sixth month anniversary of the date the
Executives employment with the Company terminates;
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Agreement, the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
were granted to Executive pursuant to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan (the
Plan);
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Plan, Executive has available a number of timing of
distribution options from which to choose relative to payment of his vested Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units; and
WHEREAS
, IRS Notice 2007-86 provides that the transition relief provided in Section XI(C) of
the Preamble to the Proposed Regulations [relating to changes in payment elections] generally
continues to apply through December 31, 2008. Accordingly, with respect to amounts subject to
Section 409A, a plan may provide, or be amended to provide, for new payment elections on or before
December 31, 2008 with respect to both the time and form of payment of such amounts and the
election or amendment will not be treated as a change in the time and form of payment under Section
409A(a)(4) or an acceleration of payment under Section 409A(a)(3), provided that the plan is so
amended and elections are made on or before December 31, 2008 (the Transition Guidance).
NOW, THEREFORE
, the Company and Executive wish to utilize the Transition Guidance and provide
the Executive an opportunity to make a final revision to his timing of distribution election
related to his Supplemental Restricted Stock Units.
9
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
In accordance with the transition guidance provided under IRS Notice 2007-86, with respect to
any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units in which I may vest, if any, and which have been deferred
pursuant to Section 6(b) of my Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005, I hereby elect to
receive my Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, if any,
on the first to occur of (see Note
below) of Category (1), Category (2) or Category (3)
:
*** YOU MUST ELECT ONE OPTION UNDER EACH CATEGORY BELOW ***
Category (1) A fixed date:
|
o
|
|
Option A
: June 27, 2010;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option B
: June 27, 2011;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option C
: June 27, 2012;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option D
: June 27, 2013;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option E
: June 27, 2014;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option F
: June 27, 2015;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option G
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (2) and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern. I do not elect
any of the above specified dates as my distribution date.
|
Category (2) Following my termination of employment:
|
o
|
|
Option H
: the six month anniversary following my termination of employment
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option I
: on the ___(enter 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) anniversary of my
termination of employment with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option J
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (1) immediately above and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern.
I elect a specified payment date for my distribution date with the exception of an
acceleration upon a Change of Control.
|
Category (3) Upon a Change of Control:
|
o
|
|
Option K
: Within 10 days after the date of a Change of Control (as defined
in Section 8(e)(vii) of the Agreement) so long as it qualifies as a change in control
event for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option L
: Even following a Change of Control (as defined in Section
8(e)(vii) of the Agreement), I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections
under Category (1) and
|
10
Category (2) immediately above shall always govern. I do not elect any acceleration
of my distribution upon a Change of Control.
[Note: You MUST check an Option under each Category above. Your Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units will be paid upon the
first
to occur of such dates elected under each Category. So,
for example, if you elect Option E, Option H and Option K, and a qualifying Change of Control
occurs before July 27, 2014 AND before your employment terminates, you will be paid for your
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units within 10 days of the Change of Control.]
IMPORTANT NOTE TO EXECUTIVE
:
Limited Ability to Change this Distribution Election
. This
particular Distribution Election Form may be superseded by a later dated form filed with the
Company on or before 5:00 p.m., CST on December 31, 2008, at which time the election which is on
file with the Company shall then be irrevocable and subject to change only as further described
below.
Pursuant to Section 11(d) of the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan, the Executive may
elect to further defer the relevant distribution date selected above by filing an election form
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. that specifies the later fixed date on which the Executive would like to
get paid. This election to further extend the relevant distribution date must be made at least one
year before the expiration of the above designated distribution date. This subsequent distribution
election will not be effective until at least one year after the date on which the subsequent
distribution election has been made. Under the subsequent distribution election, any distribution
of Supplemental Restricted Stock Units subsequently rescheduled must occur at least five years from
the above designated distribution date.
11
Exhibit 10.2
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THOMAS E. ONEILL AND TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
THIS
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this Amendment) dated as of November 7,
2008, is between
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
, a Delaware corporation (the Company), and
THOMAS E.
ONEILL
(the Executive).
WHEREAS,
Executives original Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the Agreement)
with the Company provides certain benefits which constitute nonqualified deferred compensation
which is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code);
WHEREAS,
outside counsel has advised the Company that certain payments of benefits under the
Agreement are not currently in compliance with Code Section 409A and are required to be amended for
compliance;
WHEREAS
, Section 6(e) of the Agreement provides that Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under
Section 6(a) of the Agreement), Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the
Agreement) and Stock Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement) (collectively referred to as the
Awards) shall be subject to an award agreement and the Company acknowledges that Executives
Agreement has been operating as such award agreements;
WHEREAS
, the Company now desires to fully document the terms and conditions of the Awards and
have the Agreement combined with this Amendment dually serve as the respective award agreement for
the Awards; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section 10(k) of the Agreement, amendment can only be made to the
Agreement pursuant to written consent of the Company and Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
in consideration of the foregoing, it is mutually agreed that
the Agreement is amended effective January 1, 2008, in the following particulars:
1. By adding the following new sentence immediately at the end of paragraph (b) of Section 4
of the Agreement as a part thereof:
Such Incentive Compensation shall be paid at such time and in such manner as set forth in
the relevant annual incentive compensation plan document.
2. By deleting the last sentence of the last paragraph of paragraph (b) of Section 6 of the
Agreement and substituting the following new sentence as a part thereof:
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units,
if any, shall be distributed to Executive no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of grant, or (ii) the sixth month
anniversary of the date Executives employment with the Company terminates, unless the
Executive elects (in a manner consistent with the applicable requirements of Sections 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code)) to defer the date upon which the shares of Common
Stock corresponding to the vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units shall be
distributed by filing the attached Exhibit A with the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
3. By deleting paragraph (e) of Section 6 of the Agreement in its entirety and inserting the
following new paragraph (e) as a part thereof:
(e)
Terms and Conditions of Awards
.
(i)
Definitions
.
(A)
Awards
.
The term Awards shall collectively refer to the
Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under Section 6(a) of the Agreement),
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the Agreement) and Stock
Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement).
(B)
Plan
. The term Plan shall mean the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity
and Incentive Plan.
(C)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
. The term Qualifying
Termination of Employment shall mean a termination of the Executives employment
with the Company due to his death, a Termination due to Disability (as defined in
Section 8(b) of the Agreement) a Termination due to Retirement (as defined in
Section 8(d) of the Agreement), a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section
8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good Reason (as defined in Section 8(d)
of the Agreement).
(ii)
Vesting
.
The Awards shall generally vest in accordance with the
respective provisions of Section 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), as applicable. Notwithstanding the
foregoing:
(A)
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
.
(I)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
Subject to Subclause
(II) below, in the event of the Executives termination of employment that
is a Qualifying Termination of Employment, any unvested Basic Restricted
Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units on such date of termination
shall continue to vest, if at all, in accordance with their terms on the
same terms and conditions that would have applied if Executives employment
had not terminated (including eventual expiration if they never vest). The
shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that
become vested in accordance with this Subclause (I) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary)
no later than five (5) business days after the date such vesting occurs.
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that become vested after a Qualifying Termination shall be
distributed to Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to
Executives beneficiary) in accordance with his Distribution Election Form
for Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that is in effect on such
termination date.
2
(II)
Exceptions to Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
(1) In the event the Executives termination of employment:
(a) is a Termination Without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good
Reason (as defined in Section 8(d) of the Agreement); and
(b) Sam Reed is then acting as the Companys Chief
Executive Officer,
then any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units on such date of termination shall vest, if at all, on the
next and second following anniversaries of the date of grant which
immediately follow the Executives date of termination, in such
proportions as outlined and provided in accordance with Section
8(e)(vi) of this Agreement. The remaining portion of the unvested
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which cannot be vested pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled. The shares of
Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become
vested in accordance with this Subclause (II) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives
beneficiary) no later than five (5) business days after the date such
vesting occurs. The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that become vested after a
Qualifying Termination shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the
case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in accordance
with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units that is in effect on such termination date.
(2) In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment pursuant to Subclause (I) or pursuant to Item (1)
immediately above, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date
of termination shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled.
(III)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(viii) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b)
of the Plan, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date of such Change of Control
shall be immediately and fully vested. The shares of Common Stock
corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become vested in accordance
with this Subclause (III) shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the case
of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) no later than five (5)
business days after the date such vesting occurs. The shares of Common
3
Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that
become vested after a Change of Control shall be distributed to Executive
(or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in
accordance with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that is in effect on such termination date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may provide
that in connection with the Change in Control, each Basic Restricted Stock
and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, shall instead
be cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with
Section 9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the Change in Control Price (as
defined in the Plan)
multiplied by
the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by such Basic Restricted Stock Award and/or Supplemental Restricted
Stock Unit Award, as the case may be; provided, however, such cash amount,
if any, shall be paid at such time as the corresponding shares would have
been distributed pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(B)
Options
.
(I)
Fully Vested
.
As of the date of this Amendment, all
Options issued to the Executive have fully vested under Section 6(c) of the
Agreement.
(II)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
In the event the
Executives termination of employment is a Qualifying Termination of
Employment, all unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain
exercisable until the first to occur of:
(1) the second anniversary of the date of such termination
related to the Qualifying Termination of Employment; or
(2) June 27, 2015.
(II)
Any Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment
.
In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of Employment, all
unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain exercisable for
ninety (90) days following the date of such termination, at which time they
shall immediately expire.
(III)
Termination for Cause
.
In the event the Executives
employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 8(c) of the
Agreement), all unexercised Options shall expire immediately, be forfeited
and considered null and void.
(IV)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(vi) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b) of
the Plan, any unexercised Options on such date of such Change of Control
shall remain exercisable through June 27, 2015. Notwithstanding the
4
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may
provide that in connection with the Change in Control, each Option shall be
cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with
Section 9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the excess, if any, of:
(1) the Change in Control Price (as defined in Section 2(a) of
the Plan) for such Option,
over
(2) the exercise price for each such Option.
(iii)
Changes in Companys Capital Structure and Impact on Awards
.
The Awards
shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 6(f) of the Agreement and Section
10(b) of the Plan.
(iv)
Settlement and Exercise of Awards
.
(A)
Settlement of Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units
.
All Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which vest shall be settled by the Company in shares of Common
Stock.
(B)
Exercise of Stock Options
.
All Stock Options which vest may be
exercised through full payment of the exercise price:
(I) in cash or its equivalent;
(II) by exchanging (including by affirmation of ownership) shares of
Common Stock previously owned by the Executive (or by establishing such
ownership by affirmation), which for this purpose shall not include shares
pledged or otherwise subject to a security interest;
(III) through a Net Exercise (as defined in the Incentive Compensation
Plan) or a broker-assisted exercise arrangement with a broker approved by
the Company whereby payment of the exercise price is accomplished with the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock issued upon exercise; or
(IV) by a combination of any of Clauses (I), (II) or (III) immediately
above or such other method as the Committee may approve.
(v)
Tax Withholding on Awards
.
As a condition to receipt of shares of Common
Stock upon settlement of the Awards, the Executive must satisfy his/her withholding tax
obligations with respect to any such Award through either:
(A) having the Company retain those number of shares of Common Stock whose fair
market value equals such amount required to be withheld; or
5
(B) depositing with the Company an amount of funds equal to the estimated
withholding tax liability.
The Company will not deliver any of the shares of Common Stock until and unless the
Executive has made proper provision for all applicable tax and similar withholding
obligations.
(vi)
Effect of Award
.
The Executive, through this Amendment, acknowledges
receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he/she is familiar with the terms and
provisions thereof (and have had an opportunity to consult counsel regarding the Awards
terms), and agrees to be bound by its contractual terms as set forth in the Agreement, the
Amendment and in the Plan. The Executive hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and
final all decisions and interpretations of the Committee (as defined in Section 2(a) of the
Plan) regarding any questions relating to the Awards. In the event of a conflict between
the terms and provisions of the Plan and the terms and provisions of the Agreement and this
Amendment, the Plan terms and provisions shall prevail.
(vii)
Restriction on Transferability
.
Until settlement and/or exercise of the
respective Awards, the Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise
alienated at any time. Any attempt to do so contrary to the provisions hereof shall be null
and void. Notwithstanding the above, distribution can be made pursuant to will, the laws of
descent and distribution, intra-family transfer instruments or to an inter vivos trust.
(viii)
Voting Rights
.
The Executive has no voting or any other rights as a
shareholder of the Company with respect to the Awards prior to the date on which he/she is
issued the shares of Common Stock in settlement thereof. Upon settlement and/or exercise of
the Awards into shares of Common Stock, the Executive will obtain full voting and other
rights as a shareholder of the Company.
(ix)
Employment Matters
.
Except as otherwise provided in an employee benefit
plan in which Executive participates or is covered, the value of the Awards shall not and
are not included as remuneration for purposes of determining any benefits to which Executive
may be entitled under any such employee benefit plan. The Executives terms and conditions
of employment are not affected or changed in any way by these Awards or by the terms of the
Plan, the Agreement or the Amendment. No provision of the Agreement or the Amendment
hereunder shall give the Executive any right to continue in the employment of the Company,
create any inference as to the length of the Executives employment, affect the right of the
Company to terminate the Executives employment, with or without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement), or give the Executive any right to participate in any
employee welfare or benefit plan or other program (other than the Plan) of the Company.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees (by executing this Amendment) that the granting of the
Awards was made on a fully discretionary basis by the Company and that, except as expressly
provided in the Agreement or the Amendment, the Agreement and this Amendment do not lead to
a vested right to further awards in the future.
4. By deleting subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (ii) as a part thereof:
6
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8(e)(iii), in the event the Employment Period ends
by reason of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall
receive the Basic Payment in a lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the
six-month anniversary of the date of such termination event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required
six month delay in payment of the Basic Payment in the preceding
sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Basic Payment
multiplied by
the
relevant short-term semi-annual applicable federal rate issued by the
IRS for the month in which such Basic Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall
also be paid in a lump sum at the same time as the Basic Payment.
5. By deleting subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (iii) as a part thereof:
(iii) In lieu of the Basic Payment, in the event the Employment Period ends by reason
of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason within the 24 month period
immediately following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive the Special Payment in a
lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the six-month anniversary of the
date of such termination event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required
six month delay in payment of the Special Payment in the preceding
sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Special Payment
multiplied by
the
relevant short-term semi-annual applicable federal rate issued by the
IRS for the month in which such Special Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall
also be paid in a lump sum at the same time as the Special Payment.
6. By deleting subparagraph (vii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (vii) as a part thereof:
(vii) In the event of a Termination due to Disability, a Termination Without Cause or
a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to continued participation in all
medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage in which he was participating
on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier of (A) the second
anniversary (or, in the event Executive receives the Special Payment, then the third
anniversary) of his termination of employment, or (B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit
basis). If the Executives coverage terminates due to something other than Clauses (A) or
(B) above, the Company shall provide Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to
the number of remaining months of coverage to which he is entitled times the then applicable
premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive participated. Such lump sum amount
will be paid during the second month following the month in which such coverage expires.
7. By deleting paragraph (g) of Section 8 of the Agreement and substituting the following new
paragraph (g) as a part thereof:
(g)
Timing of Payments
. Earned Compensation shall be paid in a single lump sum
no later than 15 days following the end of the Employment Period. Vested Benefits shall be
payable in accordance with the terms of the plan, policy, practice, program, contract or
agreement under which such benefits have accrued. Any expense or tax reimbursement or other
payment to or for the benefit of Executive under Section 7(c), 7(d), 8(h) or 10(e) of the
Agreement shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable following the taxable year
in which the expense or tax was incurred by or for the Executive and no such reimbursement
or amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year shall affect the expenses
eligible for reimbursement in any other year.
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this First
Amendment as of this 7 day
of November, 2008.
|
|
|
Executive :
|
|
/s/ Thomas E. ONeill
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas E. ONeill
|
|
|
|
Company:
|
|
/s/ Sam K. Reed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
|
8
EXHIBIT A
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(Made Pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Employment Agreement
Between Thomas E. ONeill and TreeHouse Foods, Inc.)
WHEREAS,
a Supplemental Restricted Stock Unit grant was made to Thomas E. ONeill (the
Executive) under Section 6(b) of his Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the
Agreement) with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (the Company);
WHEREAS,
the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units which vest are not immediately paid and
settled but instead are deferred and distributed no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (1) June 27, 2010, or (2) the sixth month anniversary of the date the
Executives employment with the Company terminates;
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Agreement, the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
were granted to Executive pursuant to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan (the
Plan);
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Plan, Executive has available a number of timing of
distribution options from which to choose relative to payment of his vested Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units; and
WHEREAS
, IRS Notice 2007-86 provides that the transition relief provided in Section XI(C) of
the Preamble to the Proposed Regulations [relating to changes in payment elections] generally
continues to apply through December 31, 2008. Accordingly, with respect to amounts subject to
Section 409A, a plan may provide, or be amended to provide, for new payment elections on or before
December 31, 2008 with respect to both the time and form of payment of such amounts and the
election or amendment will not be treated as a change in the time and form of payment under Section
409A(a)(4) or an acceleration of payment under Section 409A(a)(3), provided that the plan is so
amended and elections are made on or before December 31, 2008 (the Transition Guidance).
NOW, THEREFORE
, the Company and Executive wish to utilize the Transition Guidance and provide
the Executive an opportunity to make a final revision to his timing of distribution election
related to his Supplemental Restricted Stock Units.
9
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
In accordance with the transition guidance provided under IRS Notice 2007-86, with respect to
any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units in which I may vest, if any, and which have been deferred
pursuant to Section 6(b) of my Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005, I hereby elect to
receive my Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, if any,
on the first to occur of (see Note
below) of Category (1), Category (2) or Category (3)
:
*** YOU MUST ELECT ONE OPTION UNDER EACH CATEGORY BELOW ***
Category (1) A fixed date:
|
o
|
|
Option A
: June 27, 2010;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option B
: June 27, 2011;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option C
: June 27, 2012;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option D
: June 27, 2013;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option E
: June 27, 2014;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option F
: June 27, 2015;
or
|
|
o
|
|
Option G
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (2) and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern. I do not elect
any of the above specified dates as my distribution date.
|
Category (2) Following my termination of employment:
|
o
|
|
Option H
: the six month anniversary following my termination of employment
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option I
: on the ___(enter 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) anniversary of my
termination of employment with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option J
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (1) immediately above and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern.
I elect a specified payment date for my distribution date with the exception of an
acceleration upon a Change of Control.
|
Category (3) Upon a Change of Control:
|
o
|
|
Option K
: Within 10 days after the date of a Change of Control (as defined
in Section 8(e)(vii) of the Agreement) so long as it qualifies as a change in control
event for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option L
: Even following a Change of Control (as defined in Section
8(e)(vii) of the Agreement), I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections
under Category (1) and
|
10
|
|
|
Category (2) immediately above shall always govern. I do not elect any acceleration
of my distribution upon a Change of Control.
|
[Note: You MUST check an Option under each Category above. Your Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units will be paid upon the
first
to occur of such dates elected under each Category. So,
for example, if you elect Option E, Option H and Option K, and a qualifying Change of Control
occurs before July 27, 2014 AND before your employment terminates, you will be paid for your
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units within 10 days of the Change of Control.]
IMPORTANT NOTE TO EXECUTIVE
:
Limited Ability to Change this Distribution Election
. This
particular Distribution Election Form may be superseded by a later dated form filed with the
Company on or before 5:00 p.m., CST on December 31, 2008, at which time the election which is on
file with the Company shall then be irrevocable and subject to change only as further described
below.
Pursuant
to Section 11(d) of the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan, the Executive may
elect to further defer the relevant distribution date selected above by filing an election form
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. that specifies the later fixed date on which the Executive would like to
get paid. This election to further extend the relevant distribution date must be made at least one
year before the expiration of the above designated distribution date. This subsequent distribution
election will not be effective until at least one year after the date on which the subsequent
distribution election has been made. Under the subsequent distribution election, any distribution
of Supplemental Restricted Stock Units subsequently rescheduled must occur at least five years from
the above designated distribution date.
11
Exhibit 10.3
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN DAVID B. VERMYLEN AND TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
THIS
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this Amendment) dated as of November 7,
2008, is between
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
, a Delaware corporation (the Company), and
DAVID B.
VERMYLEN
(the Executive).
WHEREAS,
Executives original Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the Agreement)
with the Company provides certain benefits which constitute nonqualified deferred compensation
which is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code);
WHEREAS,
outside counsel has advised the Company that certain payments of benefits under the
Agreement are not currently in compliance with Code Section 409A and are required to be amended for
compliance;
WHEREAS
, Section 6(e) of the Agreement provides that Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under
Section 6(a) of the Agreement), Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the
Agreement) and Stock Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement) (collectively referred to as the
Awards) shall be subject to an award agreement and the Company acknowledges that Executives
Agreement has been operating as such award agreements;
WHEREAS
, the Company now desires to fully document the terms and conditions of the Awards and
have the Agreement combined with this Amendment dually serve as the respective award agreement for
the Awards; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section 10(k) of the Agreement, amendment can only be made to the
Agreement pursuant to written consent of the Company and Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
in consideration of the foregoing, it is mutually agreed that
the Agreement is amended effective January 1, 2008, in the following particulars:
1. By adding the following new sentence immediately at the end of paragraph (b) of Section 4
of the Agreement as a part thereof:
Such Incentive Compensation shall be paid at such time and in such manner as set forth in
the relevant annual incentive compensation plan document.
2. By deleting the last sentence of the last paragraph of paragraph (b) of Section 6 of the
Agreement and substituting the following new sentence as a part thereof:
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units,
if any, shall be distributed to Executive no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of grant, or (ii) the sixth month
anniversary of the date Executives employment with the Company terminates, unless the
Executive elects (in a manner consistent with the applicable requirements of Sections 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code)) to defer the date upon which the shares of Common
Stock corresponding to the vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units shall be
distributed by filing the attached Exhibit A with the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
3. By deleting paragraph (e) of Section 6 of the Agreement in its entirety and inserting the
following new paragraph (e) as a part thereof:
(e)
Terms and Conditions of Awards
.
(i)
Definitions
.
(A)
Awards
.
The term Awards shall collectively refer to the
Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under Section 6(a) of the Agreement),
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the Agreement) and Stock
Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement).
(B)
Plan
. The term Plan shall mean the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity
and Incentive Plan.
(C)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
. The term Qualifying
Termination of Employment shall mean a termination of the Executives employment
with the Company due to his death, a Termination due to Disability (as defined in
Section 8(b) of the Agreement) a Termination due to Retirement (as defined in
Section 8(d) of the Agreement), a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section
8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good Reason (as defined in Section 8(d)
of the Agreement).
(ii)
Vesting
.
The Awards shall generally vest in accordance with the
respective provisions of Section 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), as applicable. Notwithstanding the
foregoing:
(A)
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
.
(I)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
Subject to Subclause
(II) below, in the event of the Executives termination of employment that
is a Qualifying Termination of Employment, any unvested Basic Restricted
Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units on such date of termination
shall continue to vest, if at all, in accordance with their terms on the
same terms and conditions that would have applied if Executives employment
had not terminated (including eventual expiration if they never vest). The
shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that
become vested in accordance with this Subclause (I) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary)
no later than five (5) business days after the date such vesting occurs.
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that become vested after a Qualifying Termination shall be
distributed to Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to
Executives beneficiary) in accordance with his Distribution Election Form
for Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that is in effect on such
termination date.
2
(II)
Exceptions to Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
(1) In the event the Executives termination of employment:
(a) is a Termination Without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good
Reason (as defined in Section 8(d) of the Agreement); and
(b) Sam Reed is then acting as the Companys Chief
Executive Officer,
then any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units on such date of termination shall vest, if at all, on the
next and second following anniversaries of the date of grant which
immediately follow the Executives date of termination, in such
proportions as outlined and provided in accordance with Section
8(e)(vi) of this Agreement. The remaining portion of the unvested
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which cannot be vested pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled. The shares of
Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become
vested in accordance with this Subclause (II) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives
beneficiary) no later than five (5) business days after the date such
vesting occurs. The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that become vested after a
Qualifying Termination shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the
case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in accordance
with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units that is in effect on such termination date.
(2) In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment pursuant to Subclause (I) or pursuant to Item (1)
immediately above, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date
of termination shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled.
(III)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(viii) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b)
of the Plan, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date of such Change of Control
shall be immediately and fully vested. The shares of Common Stock
corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become vested in accordance
with this Subclause (III) shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the case
of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) no later than five (5)
business days after the date such vesting occurs. The shares of Common
3
Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that
become vested after a Change of Control shall be distributed to Executive
(or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in
accordance with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that is in effect on such termination date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may provide
that in connection with the Change in Control, each Basic Restricted Stock
and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, shall instead
be cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with
Section 9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the Change in Control Price (as
defined in the Plan)
multiplied by
the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by such Basic Restricted Stock Award and/or Supplemental Restricted
Stock Unit Award, as the case may be; provided, however, such cash amount,
if any, shall be paid at such time as the corresponding shares would have
been distributed pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(B)
Options
.
(I)
Fully Vested
.
As of the date of this Amendment, all
Options issued to the Executive have fully vested under Section 6(c) of the
Agreement.
(II)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
In the event the
Executives termination of employment is a Qualifying Termination of
Employment, all unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain
exercisable until the first to occur of:
(1) the second anniversary of the date of such termination
related to the Qualifying Termination of Employment; or
(2) June 27, 2015.
(II)
Any Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment
.
In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of Employment, all
unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain exercisable for
ninety (90) days following the date of such termination, at which time they
shall immediately expire.
(III)
Termination for Cause
.
In the event the Executives
employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 8(c) of the
Agreement), all unexercised Options shall expire immediately, be forfeited
and considered null and void.
(IV)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(vi) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b) of
the Plan, any unexercised Options on such date of such Change of Control
shall remain exercisable through June 27, 2015. Notwithstanding the
4
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may
provide that in connection with the Change in Control, each Option shall be
cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with
Section 9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the excess, if any, of:
(1) the Change in Control Price (as defined in Section 2(a) of
the Plan) for such Option,
over
(2) the exercise price for each such Option.
(iii)
Changes in Companys Capital Structure and Impact on Awards
.
The Awards
shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 6(f) of the Agreement and Section
10(b) of the Plan.
(iv)
Settlement and Exercise of Awards
.
(A)
Settlement of Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units
.
All Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which vest shall be settled by the Company in shares of Common
Stock.
(B)
Exercise of Stock Options
.
All Stock Options which vest may be
exercised through full payment of the exercise price:
(I) in cash or its equivalent;
(II) by exchanging (including by affirmation of ownership) shares of
Common Stock previously owned by the Executive (or by establishing such
ownership by affirmation), which for this purpose shall not include shares
pledged or otherwise subject to a security interest;
(III) through a Net Exercise (as defined in the Incentive Compensation
Plan) or a broker-assisted exercise arrangement with a broker approved by
the Company whereby payment of the exercise price is accomplished with the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock issued upon exercise; or
(IV) by a combination of any of Clauses (I), (II) or (III) immediately
above or such other method as the Committee may approve.
(v)
Tax Withholding on Awards
.
As a condition to receipt of shares of Common
Stock upon settlement of the Awards, the Executive must satisfy his/her withholding tax
obligations with respect to any such Award through either:
(A) having the Company retain those number of shares of Common Stock whose fair
market value equals such amount required to be withheld; or
5
(B) depositing with the Company an amount of funds equal to the estimated
withholding tax liability.
The Company will not deliver any of the shares of Common Stock until and unless the
Executive has made proper provision for all applicable tax and similar withholding
obligations.
(vi)
Effect of Award
.
The Executive, through this Amendment, acknowledges
receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he/she is familiar with the terms and
provisions thereof (and have had an opportunity to consult counsel regarding the Awards
terms), and agrees to be bound by its contractual terms as set forth in the Agreement, the
Amendment and in the Plan. The Executive hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and
final all decisions and interpretations of the Committee (as defined in Section 2(a) of the
Plan) regarding any questions relating to the Awards. In the event of a conflict between
the terms and provisions of the Plan and the terms and provisions of the Agreement and this
Amendment, the Plan terms and provisions shall prevail.
(vii)
Restriction on Transferability
.
Until settlement and/or exercise of the
respective Awards, the Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise
alienated at any time. Any attempt to do so contrary to the provisions hereof shall be null
and void. Notwithstanding the above, distribution can be made pursuant to will, the laws of
descent and distribution, intra-family transfer instruments or to an inter vivos trust.
(viii)
Voting Rights
.
The Executive has no voting or any other rights as a
shareholder of the Company with respect to the Awards prior to the date on which he/she is
issued the shares of Common Stock in settlement thereof. Upon settlement and/or exercise of
the Awards into shares of Common Stock, the Executive will obtain full voting and other
rights as a shareholder of the Company.
(ix)
Employment Matters
.
Except as otherwise provided in an employee benefit
plan in which Executive participates or is covered, the value of the Awards shall not and
are not included as remuneration for purposes of determining any benefits to which Executive
may be entitled under any such employee benefit plan. The Executives terms and conditions
of employment are not affected or changed in any way by these Awards or by the terms of the
Plan, the Agreement or the Amendment. No provision of the Agreement or the Amendment
hereunder shall give the Executive any right to continue in the employment of the Company,
create any inference as to the length of the Executives employment, affect the right of the
Company to terminate the Executives employment, with or without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement), or give the Executive any right to participate in any
employee welfare or benefit plan or other program (other than the Plan) of the Company.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees (by executing this Amendment) that the granting of the
Awards was made on a fully discretionary basis by the Company and that, except as expressly
provided in the Agreement or the Amendment, the Agreement and this Amendment do not lead to
a vested right to further awards in the future.
4. By deleting subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (ii) as a part thereof:
6
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8(e)(iii), in the event the Employment Period ends
by reason of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall
receive the Basic Payment in a lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the
six-month anniversary of the date of such termination event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required six month delay in payment of
the Basic Payment in the preceding sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Basic Payment
multiplied by
the relevant short-term semi-annual applicable
federal rate issued by the IRS for the month in which such Basic Payment is scheduled to be paid to
the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall also be paid in a lump sum at the
same time as the Basic Payment.
5. By deleting subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (iii) as a part thereof:
(iii) In lieu of the Basic Payment, in the event the Employment Period ends by reason
of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason within the 24 month period
immediately following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive the Special Payment in a
lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the six-month anniversary of the
date of such termination event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required six month delay in payment of
the Special Payment in the preceding sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Special Payment
multiplied by
the relevant short-term semi-annual applicable
federal rate issued by the IRS for the month in which such Special Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall also be paid in a lump sum at
the same time as the Special Payment.
6. By deleting subparagraph (vii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (vii) as a part thereof:
(vii) In the event of a Termination due to Disability, a Termination Without Cause or
a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to continued participation in all
medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage in which he was participating
on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier of (A) the second
anniversary (or, in the event Executive receives the Special Payment, then the third
anniversary) of his termination of employment, or (B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit
basis). If the Executives coverage terminates due to something other than Clauses (A) or
(B) above, the Company shall provide Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to
the number of remaining months of coverage to which he is entitled times the then applicable
premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive participated. Such lump sum amount
will be paid during the second month following the month in which such coverage expires.
7. By deleting paragraph (g) of Section 8 of the Agreement and substituting the following new
paragraph (g) as a part thereof:
(g)
Timing of Payments
. Earned Compensation shall be paid in a single lump sum
no later than 15 days following the end of the Employment Period. Vested Benefits shall be
payable in accordance with the terms of the plan, policy, practice, program, contract or
agreement under which such benefits have accrued. Any expense or tax reimbursement or other
payment to or for the benefit of Executive under Section 7(c), 7(d), 8(h) or 10(e) of the
Agreement shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable following the taxable year
in which the expense or tax was incurred by or for the Executive and no such reimbursement
or amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year shall affect the expenses
eligible for reimbursement in any other year.
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this First
Amendment as of this 7th day
of November, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive :
|
/s/ David B. Vermylen
|
|
|
|
|
|
David B. Vermylen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company:
|
/s/ Sam K. Reed
|
|
|
|
|
|
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
|
|
|
8
EXHIBIT A
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(Made Pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Employment Agreement
Between David B. Vermylen and TreeHouse Foods, Inc.)
WHEREAS,
a Supplemental Restricted Stock Unit grant was made to David B. Vermylen (the
Executive) under Section 6(b) of his Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the
Agreement) with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (the Company);
WHEREAS,
the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units which vest are not immediately paid and
settled but instead are deferred and distributed no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (1) June 27, 2010, or (2) the sixth month anniversary of the date the
Executives employment with the Company terminates;
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Agreement, the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
were granted to Executive pursuant to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan (the
Plan);
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Plan, Executive has available a number of timing of
distribution options from which to choose relative to payment of his vested Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units; and
WHEREAS
, IRS Notice 2007-86 provides that the transition relief provided in Section XI(C) of
the Preamble to the Proposed Regulations [relating to changes in payment elections] generally
continues to apply through December 31, 2008. Accordingly, with respect to amounts subject to
Section 409A, a plan may provide, or be amended to provide, for new payment elections on or before
December 31, 2008 with respect to both the time and form of payment of such amounts and the
election or amendment will not be treated as a change in the time and form of payment under Section
409A(a)(4) or an acceleration of payment under Section 409A(a)(3), provided that the plan is so
amended and elections are made on or before December 31, 2008 (the Transition Guidance).
NOW, THEREFORE
, the Company and Executive wish to utilize the Transition Guidance and provide
the Executive an opportunity to make a final revision to his timing of distribution election
related to his Supplemental Restricted Stock Units.
9
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
In accordance with the transition guidance provided under IRS Notice 2007-86, with respect to
any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units in which I may vest, if any, and which have been deferred
pursuant to Section 6(b) of my Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005, I hereby elect to
receive my Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, if any,
on the first to occur of (see Note
below) of Category (1), Category (2) or Category (3)
:
*** YOU MUST ELECT ONE OPTION UNDER EACH CATEGORY BELOW ***
Category (1) A fixed date:
|
o
|
|
Option A
: June 27, 2010;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option B
: June 27, 2011;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option C
: June 27, 2012;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option D
: June 27, 2013;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option E
: June 27, 2014;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option F
: June 27, 2015;
or
|
|
o
|
|
Option G
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (2) and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern. I do not elect
any of the above specified dates as my distribution date.
|
Category (2) Following my termination of employment:
|
o
|
|
Option H
: the six month anniversary following my termination of employment
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option I
: on the ___(enter 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) anniversary of my
termination of employment with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option J
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (1) immediately above and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern.
I elect a specified payment date for my distribution date with the exception of an
acceleration upon a Change of Control.
|
Category (3) Upon a Change of Control:
|
o
|
|
Option K
: Within 10 days after the date of a Change of Control (as defined
in Section 8(e)(vii) of the Agreement) so long as it qualifies as a change in control
event for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option L
: Even following a Change of Control (as defined in Section
8(e)(vii) of the Agreement), I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections
under Category (1) and
|
10
|
|
|
Category (2) immediately above shall always govern. I do not elect any acceleration
of my distribution upon a Change of Control.
|
|
|
[Note: You MUST check an Option under each Category above. Your Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units will be paid upon the
first
to occur of such dates elected under each Category. So,
for example, if you elect Option E, Option H and Option K, and a qualifying Change of Control
occurs before July 27, 2014 AND before your employment terminates, you will be paid for your
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units within 10 days of the Change of Control.]
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTE TO EXECUTIVE
:
Limited Ability to Change this Distribution Election
. This
particular Distribution Election Form may be superseded by a later dated form filed with the
Company on or before 5:00 p.m., CST on December 31, 2008, at which time the election which is on
file with the Company shall then be irrevocable and subject to change only as further described
below.
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to Section 11(d) of the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan, the Executive may
elect to further defer the relevant distribution date selected above by filing an election form
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. that specifies the later fixed date on which the Executive would like to
get paid. This election to further extend the relevant distribution date must be made at least one
year before the expiration of the above designated distribution date. This subsequent distribution
election will not be effective until at least one year after the date on which the subsequent
distribution election has been made. Under the subsequent distribution election, any distribution
of Supplemental Restricted Stock Units subsequently rescheduled must occur at least five years from
the above designated distribution date.
|
11
Exhibit 10.4
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN HARRY J. WALSH AND TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
THIS
FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this Amendment) dated as of November 7,
2008, is between
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
, a Delaware corporation (the Company), and
HARRY J. WALSH
(the Executive).
WHEREAS,
Executives original Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the Agreement)
with the Company provides certain benefits which constitute nonqualified deferred compensation
which is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code);
WHEREAS,
outside counsel has advised the Company that certain payments of benefits under the
Agreement are not currently in compliance with Code Section 409A and are required to be amended for
compliance;
WHEREAS
, Section 6(e) of the Agreement provides that Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under
Section 6(a) of the Agreement), Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the
Agreement) and Stock Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement) (collectively referred to as the
Awards) shall be subject to an award agreement and the Company acknowledges that Executives
Agreement has been operating as such award agreements;
WHEREAS
, the Company now desires to fully document the terms and conditions of the Awards and
have the Agreement combined with this Amendment dually serve as the respective award agreement for
the Awards; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section 10(k) of the Agreement, amendment can only be made to the
Agreement pursuant to written consent of the Company and Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
in consideration of the foregoing, it is mutually agreed that
the Agreement is amended effective January 1, 2008, in the following particulars:
1. By adding the following new sentence immediately at the end of paragraph (b) of Section 4
of the Agreement as a part thereof:
Such Incentive Compensation shall be paid at such time and in such manner as set forth in
the relevant annual incentive compensation plan document.
2. By deleting the last sentence of the last paragraph of paragraph (b) of Section 6 of the
Agreement and substituting the following new sentence as a part thereof:
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units,
if any, shall be distributed to Executive no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of grant, or (ii) the sixth month
anniversary of the date Executives employment with the Company terminates, unless the
Executive elects (in a manner consistent with the applicable requirements of Sections 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code)) to defer the date upon which the shares of Common
Stock corresponding to the vested Supplemental Restricted Share Units shall be
distributed by filing the attached Exhibit A with the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
3. By deleting paragraph (e) of Section 6 of the Agreement in its entirety and inserting the
following new paragraph (e) as a part thereof:
(e)
Terms and Conditions of Awards
.
(i)
Definitions
.
(A)
Awards
.
The term Awards shall collectively refer to the
Executives Basic Restricted Stock (under Section 6(a) of the Agreement),
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units (under Section 6(b) of the Agreement) and Stock
Options (under Section 6(c) of the Agreement).
(B)
Plan
. The term Plan shall mean the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity
and Incentive Plan.
(C)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
. The term Qualifying
Termination of Employment shall mean a termination of the Executives employment
with the Company due to his death, a Termination due to Disability (as defined in
Section 8(b) of the Agreement) a Termination due to Retirement (as defined in
Section 8(d) of the Agreement), a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section
8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good Reason (as defined in Section 8(d)
of the Agreement).
(ii)
Vesting
.
The Awards shall generally vest in accordance with the
respective provisions of Section 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), as applicable. Notwithstanding the
foregoing:
(A)
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
.
(I)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
Subject to Subclause
(II) below, in the event of the Executives termination of employment that
is a Qualifying Termination of Employment, any unvested Basic Restricted
Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units on such date of termination
shall continue to vest, if at all, in accordance with their terms on the
same terms and conditions that would have applied if Executives employment
had not terminated (including eventual expiration if they never vest). The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that
become vested in accordance with this Subclause (I) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary)
no later than five (5) business days after the date such vesting occurs.
The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that become vested after a Qualifying Termination shall be
distributed to Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to
Executives beneficiary) in accordance with his Distribution Election Form
for Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that is in effect on such
termination date.
2
(II)
Exceptions to Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
(1) In the event the Executives termination of employment:
(a) is a Termination Without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement) or a Termination for Good
Reason (as defined in Section 8(d) of the Agreement); and
(b) Sam Reed is then acting as the Companys Chief
Executive Officer,
then any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units on such date of termination shall vest, if at all, on the
next and second following anniversaries of the date of grant which
immediately follow the Executives date of termination, in such
proportions as outlined and provided in accordance with Section
8(e)(vi) of this Agreement. The remaining portion of the unvested
Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which cannot be vested pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled. The shares of
Common Stock corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become
vested in accordance with this Subclause (II) shall be distributed to
Executive (or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives
beneficiary) no later than five (5) business days after the date such
vesting occurs. The shares of Common Stock corresponding to any
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that become vested after a
Qualifying Termination shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the
case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in accordance
with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units that is in effect on such termination date.
(2) In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment pursuant to Subclause (I) or pursuant to Item (1)
immediately above, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date
of termination shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled.
(III)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(viii) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b)
of the Plan, any unvested Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units, as the case may be, on such date of such Change of Control
shall be immediately and fully vested. The shares of Common Stock
corresponding to any Basic Restricted Stock that become vested in accordance
with this Subclause (III) shall be distributed to Executive (or, in the case
of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) no later than five (5)
business days after the date such vesting occurs. The shares of Common
3
Stock corresponding to any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units that
become vested after a Change of Control shall be distributed to Executive
(or, in the case of Executives death, to Executives beneficiary) in
accordance with his Distribution Election Form for Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units that is in effect on such termination date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may provide
that in connection with the Change in Control, each Basic Restricted Stock
and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as the case may be, shall instead
be cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with Section
9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the Change in Control Price (as defined in
the Plan)
multiplied by
the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such
Basic Restricted Stock Award and/or Supplemental Restricted Stock Unit
Award, as the case may be; provided, however, such cash amount, if any,
shall be paid at such time as the corresponding shares would have been
distributed pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(B)
Options
.
(I)
Fully Vested
.
As of the date of this Amendment, all
Options issued to the Executive have fully vested under Section 6(c) of the
Agreement.
(II)
Qualifying Termination of Employment
.
In the event the
Executives termination of employment is a Qualifying Termination of
Employment, all unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain
exercisable until the first to occur of:
(1) the second anniversary of the date of such termination
related to the Qualifying Termination of Employment; or
(2) June 27, 2015.
(II)
Any Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination of
Employment
.
In the event the Executives termination of employment
occurs for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination of Employment, all
unexercised Options on such date of termination shall remain exercisable for
ninety (90) days following the date of such termination, at which time they
shall immediately expire.
(III)
Termination for Cause
.
In the event the Executives
employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 8(c) of the
Agreement), all unexercised Options shall expire immediately, be forfeited
and considered null and void.
(IV)
Change of Control
.
In the event a Change of Control (as
defined in Section 8(e)(vi) of the Agreement) and subject to Section 9(b) of
the Plan, any unexercised Options on such date of such Change of Control
shall remain exercisable through June 27, 2015. Notwithstanding the
4
foregoing, the Company (or any committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company acting as its delegate on equity compensation matters) may
provide that in connection with the Change in Control, each Option shall be
cancelled in exchange for an amount (payable in accordance with Section
9(a)(iii) of the Plan) equal to the excess, if any, of:
(1) the Change in Control Price (as defined in Section 2(a) of
the Plan) for such Option,
over
(2) the exercise price for each such Option.
(iii)
Changes in Companys Capital Structure and Impact on Awards
.
The Awards
shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 6(f) of the Agreement and Section
10(b) of the Plan.
(iv)
Settlement and Exercise of Awards
.
(A)
Settlement of Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units
.
All Basic Restricted Stock and Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, as
the case may be, which vest shall be settled by the Company in shares of Common
Stock.
(B)
Exercise of Stock Options
.
All Stock Options which vest may be
exercised through full payment of the exercise price:
(I) in cash or its equivalent;
(II) by exchanging (including by affirmation of ownership) shares of
Common Stock previously owned by the Executive (or by establishing such
ownership by affirmation), which for this purpose shall not include shares
pledged or otherwise subject to a security interest;
(III) through a Net Exercise (as defined in the Incentive Compensation
Plan) or a broker-assisted exercise arrangement with a broker approved by
the Company whereby payment of the exercise price is accomplished with the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock issued upon exercise; or
(IV) by a combination of any of Clauses (I), (II) or (III) immediately
above or such other method as the Committee may approve.
(v)
Tax Withholding on Awards
.
As a condition to receipt of shares of Common
Stock upon settlement of the Awards, the Executive must satisfy his/her withholding tax
obligations with respect to any such Award through either:
(A) having the Company retain those number of shares of Common Stock whose fair
market value equals such amount required to be withheld; or
5
(B) depositing with the Company an amount of funds equal to the estimated
withholding tax liability.
The Company will not deliver any of the shares of Common Stock until and unless the
Executive has made proper provision for all applicable tax and similar withholding
obligations.
(vi)
Effect of Award
.
The Executive, through this Amendment, acknowledges
receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he/she is familiar with the terms and
provisions thereof (and have had an opportunity to consult counsel regarding the Awards
terms), and agrees to be bound by its contractual terms as set forth in the Agreement, the
Amendment and in the Plan. The Executive hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and
final all decisions and interpretations of the Committee (as defined in Section 2(a) of the
Plan) regarding any questions relating to the Awards. In the event of a conflict between
the terms and provisions of the Plan and the terms and provisions of the Agreement and this
Amendment, the Plan terms and provisions shall prevail.
(vii)
Restriction on Transferability
.
Until settlement and/or exercise of the
respective Awards, the Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise
alienated at any time. Any attempt to do so contrary to the provisions hereof shall be null
and void. Notwithstanding the above, distribution can be made pursuant to will, the laws of
descent and distribution, intra-family transfer instruments or to an inter vivos trust.
(viii)
Voting Rights
.
The Executive has no voting or any other rights as a
shareholder of the Company with respect to the Awards prior to the date on which he/she is
issued the shares of Common Stock in settlement thereof. Upon settlement and/or exercise of
the Awards into shares of Common Stock, the Executive will obtain full voting and other
rights as a shareholder of the Company.
(ix)
Employment Matters
.
Except as otherwise provided in an employee benefit
plan in which Executive participates or is covered, the value of the Awards shall not and
are not included as remuneration for purposes of determining any benefits to which Executive
may be entitled under any such employee benefit plan. The Executives terms and conditions
of employment are not affected or changed in any way by these Awards or by the terms of the
Plan, the Agreement or the Amendment. No provision of the Agreement or the Amendment
hereunder shall give the Executive any right to continue in the employment of the Company,
create any inference as to the length of the Executives employment, affect the right of the
Company to terminate the Executives employment, with or without Cause (as defined in
Section 8(c) of the Agreement), or give the Executive any right to participate in any
employee welfare or benefit plan or other program (other than the Plan) of the Company.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees (by executing this Amendment) that the granting of the
Awards was made on a fully discretionary basis by the Company and that, except as expressly
provided in the Agreement or the Amendment, the Agreement and this Amendment do not lead to
a vested right to further awards in the future.
4. By deleting subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (ii) as a part thereof:
6
(ii) Except as provided in Section 8(e)(iii), in the event the Employment Period ends
by reason of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall
receive the Basic Payment in a lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the
six-month anniversary of the date of such termination event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required
six month delay in payment of the Basic Payment in the preceding
sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Basic Payment
multiplied by
the
relevant short-term semi-annual applicable federal rate issued by the
IRS for the month in which such Basic Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall
also be paid in a lump sum at the same time as the Basic Payment.
5. By deleting subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (iii) as a part thereof:
(iii) In lieu of the Basic Payment, in the event the Employment Period ends by reason
of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason within the 24 month period
immediately following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive the Special Payment in a
lump sum payment no later than ten (10) days following the six-month anniversary of the
date of such termination event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect
to the legally required six month delay in payment of the Special
Payment in the preceding sentence, the Executive shall also be
entitled to an earnings component equal to the Special Payment
multiplied by
the relevant short-term semi-annual applicable
federal rate issued by the IRS for the month in which such Special
Payment is scheduled to be paid to the Executive; provided, however,
such earnings component shall also be paid in a lump sum at the same
time as the Special Payment.
6. By deleting subparagraph (vii) of paragraph (e) of Section 8 of the Agreement and
substituting the following subparagraph (vii) as a part thereof:
(vii) In the event of a Termination due to Disability, a Termination Without Cause or
a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to continued participation in all
medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage in which he was participating
on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier of (A) the second
anniversary (or, in the event Executive receives the Special Payment, then the third
anniversary) of his termination of employment, or (B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit
basis). If the Executives coverage terminates due to something other than Clauses (A) or
(B) above, the Company shall provide Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to
the number of remaining months of coverage to which he is entitled times the then applicable
premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive participated. Such lump sum amount
will be paid during the second month following the month in which such coverage expires.
7. By deleting paragraph (g) of Section 8 of the Agreement and substituting the following new
paragraph (g) as a part thereof:
(g)
Timing of Payments
. Earned Compensation shall be paid in a single lump sum
no later than 15 days following the end of the Employment Period. Vested Benefits shall be
payable in accordance with the terms of the plan, policy, practice, program, contract or
agreement under which such benefits have accrued. Any expense or tax reimbursement or other
payment to or for the benefit of Executive under Section 7(c), 7(d), 8(h) or 10(e) of the
Agreement shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable following the taxable year
in which the expense or tax was incurred by or for the Executive and no such reimbursement
or amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year shall affect the expenses
eligible for reimbursement in any other year.
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this First
Amendment as of this 7 day
of November, 2008.
|
|
|
Executive :
|
|
/s/ Harry J. Walsh
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harry J. Walsh
|
|
|
|
Company:
|
|
/s/ Sam K. Reed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
|
8
EXHIBIT A
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(Made Pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Employment Agreement
Between Harry J. Walsh and TreeHouse Foods, Inc.)
WHEREAS,
a Supplemental Restricted Stock Unit grant was made to Harry J. Walsh (the
Executive) under Section 6(b) of his Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005 (the
Agreement) with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (the Company);
WHEREAS,
the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units which vest are not immediately paid and
settled but instead are deferred and distributed no later than five (5) business days following the
earlier to occur of (1) June 27, 2010, or (2) the sixth month anniversary of the date the
Executives employment with the Company terminates;
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Agreement, the Supplemental Restricted Stock Units
were granted to Executive pursuant to the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan (the
Plan);
WHEREAS
, pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Plan, Executive has available a number of timing of
distribution options from which to choose relative to payment of his vested Supplemental Restricted
Stock Units; and
WHEREAS
, IRS Notice 2007-86 provides that the transition relief provided in Section XI(C) of
the Preamble to the Proposed Regulations [relating to changes in payment elections] generally
continues to apply through December 31, 2008. Accordingly, with respect to amounts subject to
Section 409A, a plan may provide, or be amended to provide, for new payment elections on or before
December 31, 2008 with respect to both the time and form of payment of such amounts and the
election or amendment will not be treated as a change in the time and form of payment under Section
409A(a)(4) or an acceleration of payment under Section 409A(a)(3), provided that the plan is so
amended and elections are made on or before December 31, 2008 (the Transition Guidance).
NOW, THEREFORE
, the Company and Executive wish to utilize the Transition Guidance and provide
the Executive an opportunity to make a final revision to his timing of distribution election
related to his Supplemental Restricted Stock Units.
9
DISTRIBUTION ELECTION FORM
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
In accordance with the transition guidance provided under IRS Notice 2007-86, with respect to
any Supplemental Restricted Stock Units in which I may vest, if any, and which have been deferred
pursuant to Section 6(b) of my Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2005, I hereby elect to
receive my Supplemental Restricted Stock Units, if any,
on the first to occur of (see Note
below) of Category (1), Category (2) or Category (3)
:
*** YOU MUST ELECT ONE OPTION UNDER EACH CATEGORY BELOW ***
Category (1) A fixed date:
|
o
|
|
Option A
: June 27, 2010;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option B
: June 27, 2011;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option C
: June 27, 2012;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option D
: June 27, 2013;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option E
: June 27, 2014;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option F
: June 27, 2015;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option G
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (2) and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern. I do not elect
any of the above specified dates as my distribution date.
|
Category (2) Following my termination of employment:
|
o
|
|
Option H
: the six month anniversary following my termination of employment
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option I
: on the ___(enter 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) anniversary of my
termination of employment with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. for any reason;
or
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option J
: I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections under
Category (1) immediately above and Category (3) immediately below shall always govern.
I elect a specified payment date for my distribution date with the exception of an
acceleration upon a Change of Control.
|
Category (3) Upon a Change of Control:
|
o
|
|
Option K
: Within 10 days after the date of a Change of Control (as defined
in Section 8(e)(vii) of the Agreement) so long as it qualifies as a change in control
event for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.
|
|
|
o
|
|
Option L
: Even following a Change of Control (as defined in Section
8(e)(vii) of the Agreement), I hereby elect that the first to occur of my elections
under Category (1) and
|
10
|
|
|
Category (2) immediately above shall always govern. I do not elect any acceleration
of my distribution upon a Change of Control.
|
[Note: You MUST check an Option under each Category above. Your Supplemental Restricted Stock
Units will be paid upon the
first
to occur of such dates elected under each Category. So,
for example, if you elect Option E, Option H and Option K, and a qualifying Change of Control
occurs before July 27, 2014 AND before your employment terminates, you will be paid for your
Supplemental Restricted Stock Units within 10 days of the Change of Control.]
IMPORTANT NOTE TO EXECUTIVE
:
Limited Ability to Change this Distribution Election
. This
particular Distribution Election Form may be superseded by a later dated form filed with the
Company on or before 5:00 p.m., CST on December 31, 2008, at which time the election which is on
file with the Company shall then be irrevocable and subject to change only as further described
below.
Pursuant to Section 11(d) of the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan, the Executive may
elect to further defer the relevant distribution date selected above by filing an election form
with TreeHouse Foods, Inc. that specifies the later fixed date on which the Executive would like to
get paid. This election to further extend the relevant distribution date must be made at least one
year before the expiration of the above designated distribution date. This subsequent distribution
election will not be effective until at least one year after the date on which the subsequent
distribution election has been made. Under the subsequent distribution election, any distribution
of Supplemental Restricted Stock Units subsequently rescheduled must occur at least five years from
the above designated distribution date.
11
Exhibit 10.5
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this
Agreement
),
dated as of November 7, 2008, is by
and between TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
Company
and
DENNIS F.
RIORDAN
(the
Executive
) and is, effective as of [DATE], 2008.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS
, Executive possesses the skills and experience necessary to serve as the Companys
Chief Financial Officer and a member of its management team; and
WHEREAS
, in light of these skills and experience, the Company desires to secure the services
of Executive, and is willing to enter into this Agreement embodying the terms of the employment of
Executive by the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE
, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and
Executive hereby agree as follows:
1.
Employment
. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and,
unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 6, the Company hereby employs Executive and
Executive hereby accepts employment by the Company for the period commencing on the date hereof
(the
Commencement Date
) and ending on the third anniversary of the Commencement Date;
provided, however that the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one
additional year on the third anniversary of the Commencement Date and each subsequent anniversary
thereof unless not less than 90 days prior to such anniversary date either party shall give the
other written notice that he or it does not want the term to extend as of such anniversary date.
The period during which Executive is employed pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to
herein as the
Employment Period
.
2.
Position and Duties
.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and in such other position or
positions with the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries consistent with the foregoing
position as the Board of Directors of the Company (the
Board
) may specify or the Company
and Executive may mutually agree upon from time to time. During the Employment Period, Executive
shall have the duties, responsibilities and obligations customarily assigned to individuals at
comparable publicly traded companies serving in the position or positions in which Executive serves
hereunder. Executive shall devote substantially all his business time to the services required of
him hereunder, except for vacation time and reasonable periods of absence due to sickness, personal
injury or other disability, and shall perform such services to the best of his abilities. Subject
to the provisions of Section 7, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) engaging in
charitable activities and community affairs, (ii) managing his personal investments and affairs or
(iii) serving on the board of directors or other governing body of any corporate or other business
entity, so long as such service is not in violation of the covenants contained in Section 7 or the
governance principles established for the Company by the Board, as in effect from time to time,
provided that in no event may such activities, either individually or in the aggregate, materially
interfere with the proper performance of Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
3.
Place of Performance
.
The Company has its headquarters office in the Chicago,
Illinois metropolitan area (currently, Westchester, Illinois) at which Executive shall have his
principal office.
4.
Compensation
.
(a)
Base Salary
.
As of the Commencement Date, the Company shall pay Executive a base
salary at the annual rate of $388,500
.
The Board shall review Executives base salary no less
frequently than annually and may increase such base salary in its discretion. The amount of annual
base salary payable under this Section 4(a) shall be reduced, however, to the extent Executive
elects to defer such salary under the terms of any deferred compensation or savings plan or
arrangement maintained or established by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Executives
annual base salary payable hereunder, including any increased annual base salary, without reduction
for any amounts deferred as described above, is referred to herein as
Base Salary
. The
Company shall pay Executive the portion of his Base Salary not deferred in accordance with its
standard payroll practices, but no less frequently than in equal monthly installments.
(b)
Incentive Compensation
.
For each full calendar year during the Employment Period,
Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus from the Company, with a target
bonus opportunity of not less than 60% of his Base Salary which will be payable, if at all, upon
the achievement by Executive and/or the Company of performance objectives to be established by the
Board in consultation with the Companys Chief Executive Officer and communicated to Executive
during the first quarter of such year (the
Incentive Compensation
). Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the actual amount payable to Executive in respect of the Incentive
Compensation may be more or less than the targeted opportunity (including zero) based on the actual
results against the pre-established performance objectives. Such Incentive Compensation shall be
paid at such time and in such manner as set forth in the relevant underlying annual incentive
compensation plan document, as in effect from time to time.
5.
Benefits, Perquisites and Expenses
.
(a)
Benefits
.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to
participate in:
(i) each welfare benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company for its senior
executive officers, including, without limitation, each group life, hospitalization,
medical, dental, health, accident or disability insurance or similar plan or program of the
Company; and
(ii) each pension, profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation or savings plan
sponsored or maintained by the Company for its senior executive officers,
in each case, whether now existing or established hereafter, in accordance with the generally
applicable provisions thereof, as the same may be amended from time to time.
(b)
Perquisites
.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive
such perquisites as are generally provided to other senior executive officers of the Company in
accordance with the then current policies, practices and underlying program of the Company.
2
(c)
Business Expenses
.
During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay or
reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred or paid by Executive in the performance of
Executives duties hereunder, upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers and such other
information as the Company may require and payable or reimbursable in accordance with the generally
applicable policies and procedures of the Company.
(d)
Indemnification
.
The Company agrees that if Executive is made a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (a
Proceeding
), by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer or employee of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or is or was
serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including, in each case,
service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is
Executives alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member,
employee or agent, Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest
extent legally permitted or authorized by the Companys certificate of incorporation or by-laws or
resolutions of the Board or, if greater, by the laws of the State of Delaware, against all cost,
expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys fees, judgments, fines or
penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to Executive even if
he has ceased to be a director, officer, member, employee or agent of the Company or other entity
and shall inure to the benefit of Executives heirs, executors and administrators. If Executive
serves as a director, officer, member, partner, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise (including, in
each case, service with respect to employee benefit plans) which is a subsidiary or affiliate of
the Company, it shall be presumed for purposes of this Section 6(d) that Executive serves or served
in such capacity at the request of the Company. The Company shall advance to Executive all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding within 30 days after
receipt by the Company of a written request for such advance. Such request shall include an
undertaking by Executive to repay the amount of such advance, if it shall ultimately be determined
that he is not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses. The Company agrees to
continue and maintain a directors and officers liability insurance policy covering Executive to
the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers or directors.
6.
Termination of Employment
.
(a)
Early Termination of the Employment Period
.
Notwithstanding Section 1, the
Employment Period shall end upon the earliest to occur of:
(i) a termination of Executives employment on account of Executives death;
(ii) a Termination due to Disability;
(iii) a Termination for Cause;
(iv) a Termination Without Cause;
(v) a Termination for Good Reason;,
3
(vi) a Termination due to Retirement; or
(vii) a Voluntary Termination.
(b)
Termination Due to Death or Disability
.
In the event that Executives employment
hereunder terminates due to his death or as a result of a Termination due to Disability (as defined
below), no termination benefits shall be payable to or in respect of Executive except as provided
in Section 6(e). For purposes of this Agreement,
Termination due to Disability
means a
termination of Executives employment upon written notice from the Company because Executive has
been incapable, regardless of any reasonable accommodation by the Company, of substantially
fulfilling the positions, duties, responsibilities and obligations set forth in this Agreement
because of physical, mental or emotional incapacity resulting from injury, sickness or disease for
a period of more than:
(i) four consecutive months; or
(ii) an aggregate of six months in any twelve month period.
Any question as to the existence or extent of Executives disability upon which Executive and the
Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician jointly selected by
the Company and Executive. If the Company and Executive cannot agree on the physician to make the
determination, then the Company and Executive shall each select a physician and those physicians
shall jointly select a third physician, who shall make the determination. The determination of any
such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement. Executive or his
legal representative or any adult member of his immediate family shall have the right to present to
such physician such information and arguments as to Executives disability as he, she or they deem
appropriate, including the opinion of Executives personal physician.
(c)
Termination by the Company
.
The Company may terminate Executives employment with
the Company with or without Cause.
Termination for Cause
means a termination of
Executives employment by the Company due to Cause.
Cause
means:
(i) Executives conviction of a felony or the entering by Executive of a plea of nolo
contendere to a felony charge;
(ii) Executives gross neglect or willful and intentional gross misconduct in the
performance of, or willful, substantial and continual refusal by Executive in breach of this
Agreement to perform, the duties, responsibilities or obligations assigned to Executive
pursuant to the terms hereof;
(iii) any material breach by Executive of Section 7 of this Agreement; or
(iv) a material breach by Executive of the Code of Ethics applicable to the Companys
employees, as in effect from time to time;
provided, however, that no act or omission shall constitute Cause for purposes of this Agreement
unless the Board provides Executive, within 90 days of the Board learning of such act or acts or
failure or failures to act:
4
(A) written notice of the intention to terminate him for Cause, which notice
states in detail clearly and fully the particular act or acts or failure or failures
to act that constitute the grounds on which the Board reasonably believes in good
faith constitutes Cause; and
(B) an opportunity, within thirty (30) days following Executives receipt of
such notice, to meet in person with the Board to explain or defend the alleged act
or acts or failure or failures to act relied upon by the Board and, to the extent
such cure is possible, to cure such act or acts or failure or failures to act.
If such conduct is cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board, such notice of termination
shall be revoked. Further, no act or acts or failure or failures to act shall be considered
willful or intentional if taken in good faith and Executive reasonably believed such act or
acts or failure or failures to act were in the best interests of the Company.
(d)
Termination by Executive
.
Executive may terminate his employment with the Company
for Good Reason, for Retirement or in a Voluntary Termination. A
Termination for Good
Reason
by Executive means a termination of Executives employment by Executive within 90 days
following:
(i) a reduction in Executives annual Base Salary or target Incentive Compensation
opportunity;
(ii) the failure to elect or reelect Executive to any of the positions described in
Section 2 above or the removal of him from any such position;
(iii) a material reduction in Executives duties and responsibilities or the assignment
to Executive of duties and responsibilities which are materially inconsistent with his
duties or which materially impair Executives ability to function in the position specified
in Section 2;
(iv) a material breach of any material provision of this Agreement by the Company; or
(v) the failure by the Company to obtain the assumption agreement referred to in
Section 8(b) of this Agreement prior to the effectiveness of any succession referred to
therein, unless the purchaser, successor or assignee referred to therein is bound to perform
this Agreement by operation of law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination shall not be treated as a Termination for Good Reason:
(A) if Executive shall have consented in writing to the occurrence of the event
giving rise to the claim of Termination for Good Reason; or
(B) unless Executive shall have delivered a written notice to the Board within
60 days of his having actual knowledge of the occurrence of one of such events
stating that he intends to terminate his employment for Good Reason and specifying
the factual basis for such termination, and such event, if capable of being cured,
shall not have been cured within 10 days of the receipt of such notice.
5
A
Termination due to Retirement
means Executives voluntary termination of employment
after having:
(I) completed at least five (5) years of service with the Company; and
(II) the sum of the Executives attained age and length of service with
the Company is at least 62 (or such lower number as the Board shall permit).
A
Voluntary Termination
shall mean a termination of employment by Executive that is not a
Termination for Good Reason, a Termination due to Retirement or a Termination due to Disability,
and which occurs on the 90th day after Executive shall have given the Company written notice of his
intent to terminate his employment (or as of such later date as Executive shall specify in such
notice).
(e)
Payments and Benefits Upon Certain Terminations
.
(i) In the event of the termination of Executives employment for any reason (including
a Voluntary Termination), Executive shall be entitled to any Earned Compensation (as defined
in subparagraph (v)(D) of this paragraph (e) immediately below) owed to Executive but not
yet paid and the Vested Benefits (as defined in subparagraph (v)(H) of this paragraph (e)
immediately below).
(ii) In the event the Employment Period ends by reason of a Termination Without Cause
or a Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall receive the Basic Payment (as defined in
subparagraph (v)(A) of this paragraph (e) immediately below).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the legally required
six month delay in payment of the Basic Payment in the preceding
sentence, the Executive shall also be entitled to an earnings
component equal to the Basic Payment
multiplied by
the
relevant short-term semi-annual applicable federal rate issued by the
IRS for the month in which such Basic Payment is scheduled to be paid
to the Executive; provided, however, such earnings component shall
also be paid in a lump sum at the same time as the Basic Payment.
(iii) In lieu of the Basic Payment, in the event the Employment Period ends by reason
of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason within the 24 month period
immediately following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive the Special Payment (as
defined in subparagraph (v)(F) of this paragraph (e) immediately below) in a lump sum
payment no later than ten (10) days following the seventh-month anniversary of the date of
such termination event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect
to the legally required six month delay in payment of the Special
Payment in the preceding sentence, the Executive shall also be
entitled to an earnings component equal to the Special Payment
multiplied by
the relevant short-term semi-annual applicable
federal rate issued by the IRS for the month in which such Special
Payment is scheduled to be paid to the Executive; provided, however,
such earning component shall also be paid in a lump sum at the same
time as the Special Payment.
(iv) In the event of a Termination due to Disability, a Termination Without Cause or a
Termination for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to continued participation in all
medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage in which he was participating
on the date of the termination of his employment until the earlier of:
(A) the third anniversary of his termination of employment;
(B) Executives death (provided that benefits provided to Executives spouse
and dependents shall not terminate upon Executives death); or
(C) the date, or dates, he receives equivalent coverage and benefits under the
plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such coverages and benefits to be
determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit basis).
If the Executives coverage terminates due to something other than Clauses (A), (B) or (C)
above, the Company shall provide Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to
6
the number of remaining months of coverage to which he is entitled times the then applicable
premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive participated. Such lump sum amount
will be paid during the second month following the month in which such coverage expires.
(v)
Certain Definitions
.
For purposes of this Section 6, capitalized terms
have the following meanings.
(A)
Basic Payment
means an amount equal to:
(I) two (2) times the annual Base Salary that is currently payable to
Executive immediately prior to the end of the Employment Period (or in the
event a reduction in Base Salary is the basis for a Termination for Good
Reason, then the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction)
with such amount being paid in a lump sum payment no later than ten (10)
days following the seventh-month anniversary of the date of the Executives
termination event; and
(II) two (2) times the Target Incentive Compensation (as defined in
subparagraph (v)(G) of this paragraph (e) immediately below) for the
calendar year in which the Employment Period ends pursuant to Section 6(a),
with such Target Incentive Compensation being paid when all other executives
are paid their incentive compensation related to such calendar year, at such
time and in such manner as set forth in the relevant underlying annual
incentive compensation plan document, as in effect from time to time.
(B)
Change of Control
means the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(I) any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act, but specifically excluding the Company, any wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company and/or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or
any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) becomes the beneficial owner
(as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%)
or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding
securities; or
(II) individuals who currently serve on the Board, or whose election to
the Board or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of
at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who either currently serve on the
Board, or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; or
(III) the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall merge with or
consolidate into any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation
which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto holding immediately
7
thereafter securities representing more than sixty percent (60%) of the
combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such
surviving entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(IV) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by
the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets, or such a
plan is commenced.
(C)
Date of Termination
means:
(I) if Executives employment is terminated by his death, the date of
his death; and
(II) if Executives employment is terminated for any other reason, the
date specified in a notice of termination delivered to Executive by the
Company (or if no such date is specified, the date such notice is
delivered).
(D)
Earned Compensation
means the sum of:
(I) any Base Salary earned, but unpaid, for services rendered to the
Company on or prior to the date on which the Employment Period ends pursuant
to Section 6(a) paid in a lump sum no later than fifteen (15) days following
the end of the Employment Period;
(II) any annual Incentive Compensation payable for services rendered in
the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the Employment Period
ends that has not been paid on or prior to the date the Employment Period
ends (other than (1) Base Salary and (2) Incentive Compensation deferred
pursuant to Executives election) and paid at the time all other executives
are paid with respect to the preceding calendar year in accordance with the
underlying incentive plan terms and conditions;
(III) any accrued but unused vacation days paid in accordance with the
underlying program terms and conditions; and
(IV) any business expenses incurred on or prior to the date of the
Executives termination that are eligible for reimbursement in accordance
with the Companys expense reimbursement policies as then in effect.
(E)
Pro-Ration Fraction
means a fraction of which the numerator is
the number of days Executive was employed since the last anniversary of such Grant
Date through (and including) the termination date and the denominator of which is
365.
(F)
Special Payment
means an amount equal to:
8
(I) three (3) times the annual Base Salary currently payable to
Executive immediately prior to the end of the Employment Period (or in the
event a reduction in Base Salary is the basis for a Termination for Good
Reason, then the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction)
with such amount being paid in a lump sum payment no later than ten (10)
days following the seventh-month anniversary of the date of the Executives
termination event; and
(II) three (3) times the Target Incentive Compensation for the calendar
year in which the Employment Period ends pursuant to Section 6(a), with such
Target Incentive Compensation being paid in a lump sum payment no later than
ten (10) days following the seventh-month anniversary of the date of the
Executives termination event.
(G)
Target Incentive Compensation
means:
(I) with respect to the Basic Payment, with respect to any calendar
year, the annual actual Incentive Compensation Executive would have been
entitled to receive under Section 4(b) for such calendar year based on
actual performance results, if any, had he remained employed by the Company
for the entire calendar year, but then pro-rated based on the actual number
of days that the Executive was employed by the Company during such calendar
year with respect to which such Incentive Compensation relates; and
(II) with respect to the Special Payment, with respect to any calendar
year, the annual Incentive Compensation Executive would have been entitled
to receive under Section 4(b) for such calendar year had he remained
employed by the Company for the entire calendar year and assuming that all
targets for such calendar year had been met.
(H)
Vested Benefits
means amounts which are vested or which Executive
is otherwise entitled to receive under the terms of or in accordance with any plan,
policy, practice or program of, or any contract or agreement with, the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, at or subsequent to the date of his termination without
regard to the performance by Executive of further services or the resolution of a
contingency and payable in accordance with the terms of the plan, policy, practice,
program, contract or agreement under which such benefits have accrued.
(f)
Resignation upon Termination
.
Effective as of any Date of Termination under this
Section 6, Executive shall resign, in writing, from all positions then held by him with the Company
and its affiliates.
(g)
Payment Following a Change of Control
.
If the aggregate of all payments or
benefits made or provided to Executive under Section 6(e)(iii)(A), if applicable, and under all
other plans and programs of the Company (the
Aggregate Payment
) is determined to
constitute a Parachute Payment, as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, the
Company shall pay to Executive, prior to the time any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code (the
Excise Tax
) is payable with respect to such Aggregate Payment, an additional
amount which, after the
9
imposition of all income, employment and excise taxes thereon, is equal to the Excise Tax on
the Aggregate Payment. The determination of whether the Aggregate Payment constitutes a Parachute
Payment and, if so, the amount to be paid to Executive and the time of payment pursuant to this
Section 6(g) shall be made by the Companys independent auditor or, if such independent auditor is
unwilling or unable to serve in this capacity, such other nationally recognized accounting firm
selected by the Company with the consent of the person serving as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld (the
Auditor
). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Aggregate Payment
pursuant to this Section 6(g) shall be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the
year in which the Executive pays the applicable Excise Tax, and no earlier than the first day of
the seventh month following such Executives termination date.
(h)
Full Discharge of Company Obligations
.
The amounts payable to Executive pursuant
to this Section 6 following termination of his employment (including amounts payable with respect
to Vested Benefits) shall be in full and complete satisfaction of Executives rights under this
Agreement and any other claims he may have in respect of his employment by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries other than claims for common law torts or under other contracts between Executive
and the Company or its subsidiaries. Such amounts shall constitute liquidated damages with respect
to any and all such rights and claims and, upon Executives receipt of such amounts, the Company
shall be released and discharged from any and all liability to Executive in connection with this
Agreement or otherwise in connection with Executives employment with the Company and its
subsidiaries and, as a condition to payment of any such amounts that are in excess of the Earned
Compensation and the Vested Benefits, following the Date of Termination and if requested by the
Company, Executive shall execute a release in favor of the Company in the form approved by the
Company.
(i)
No Mitigation; No Offset
.
In the event of any termination of employment under
this Section 6, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment and there shall be
no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration
attributable to any subsequent employment that he may obtain except as specifically provided with
regard to the continuation of benefits in Section 6(e)(vi).
7.
Noncompetition and Confidentiality
.
(a)
Noncompetition
.
During the Employment Period and, in the event that Executives
employment is terminated for any reason other than death, a Termination Without Cause or a
Termination for Good Reason, for a period of 12 months following the Date of Termination (the
Post-Termination Period
), Executive shall not become associated with any entity, whether
as a principal, partner, employee, consultant or shareholder (other than as a holder of not in
excess of 1% of the outstanding voting shares of any publicly traded company), that is actively
engaged in any geographic area in any business which is in competition with a business conducted by
the Company at the time of the alleged competition and, in the case of the Post-Termination Period,
at the Date of Termination.
(b)
Confidentiality
.
Without the prior written consent of the Company, except:
(i) in the course of carrying out his duties hereunder; or
10
(ii) to the extent required by an order of a court having competent jurisdiction or
under subpoena from an appropriate government agency,
Executive shall not disclose any trade secrets, customer lists, drawings, designs, information
regarding product development, marketing plans, sales plans, manufacturing plans, management
organization information (including data and other information relating to members of the Board and
management), operating policies or manuals, business plans, financial records, packaging design or
other financial, commercial, business or technical information relating to the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or information designated as confidential or proprietary that the Company or any
of its subsidiaries may receive belonging to suppliers, customers or others who do business with
the Company or any of its subsidiaries (collectively,
Confidential Information
) to any
third person unless such Confidential Information has been previously disclosed to the public by
the Company or has otherwise become available to the public (other than by reason of Executives
breach of this Section 7(b)).
(c)
Company Property
.
Promptly following termination of Executives employment,
Executive shall return to the Company all property of the Company, and all copies thereof in
Executives possession or under his/her control, except that Executive may retain his personal
notes, diaries, Rolodexes, calendars and correspondence.
(d)
Non-Solicitation of Employees
.
During the Employment Period and during the one
year period following any termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall
not, except in the course of carrying out his duties hereunder, directly or indirectly induce any
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate employment with such entity, and
shall not directly or indirectly, either individually or as owner, agent, employee, consultant or
otherwise, knowingly employ or offer employment to any person who is or was employed by the Company
or a subsidiary thereof unless such person shall have ceased to be employed by such entity for a
period of at least 6 months.
(e)
Injunctive Relief with Respect to Covenants
.
Executive acknowledges and agrees
that the covenants and obligations of Executive with respect to noncompetition, nonsolicitation,
confidentiality and Company property relate to special, unique and extraordinary matters and that a
violation of any of the terms of such covenants and obligations may cause the Company irreparable
injury for which adequate remedies are not available at law. Therefore, Executive agrees that the
Company shall be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or such other equitable relief
restraining Executive from committing any violation of the covenants and obligations contained in
this Section 7. These injunctive remedies are cumulative and are in addition to any other rights
and remedies the Company may have at law or in equity.
8.
Miscellaneous
.
(a)
Survival
.
Sections 5(d) (relating to the Companys obligation to indemnify
Executive), 6 (relating to early termination), 7 (relating to noncompetition, nonsolicitation and
confidentiality) and 8(o) (relating to governing law) shall survive the termination hereof, whether
such termination shall be by expiration of the Employment Period or an early termination pursuant
to Section 6 hereof.
(b)
Binding Effect
.
This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the
benefit of, the Company and any person or entity that succeeds to the interest of the Company
11
(regardless of whether such succession does or does not occur by operation of law) by reason
of a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company or a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the
successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee
assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement,
either contractually or as a matter of law. The Company further agrees that, in the event of a
sale of assets as described in the preceding sentence, it shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities, obligations and duties of
the Company hereunder. This Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of Executives heirs,
executors, administrators and legal representatives and beneficiaries as provided in Section 8(d).
(c)
Assignment
.
Except as provided under Section 8(b), neither this Agreement nor any
of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or delegated by any party hereto without
the prior written consent of the other party.
(d)
Beneficiaries/References
.
Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted
under any applicable law and the terms of any applicable plan, to select and change a beneficiary
or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following Executives
death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executives death or a
judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be
deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.
(e)
Resolution of Disputes
.
Any disputes arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall, at the election of Executive or the Company, be resolved by binding arbitration,
to be held in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American
Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction thereof. Costs of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company.
Unless the arbitrator determines that Executive did not have a reasonable basis for asserting his
position with respect to the dispute in question, the Company shall also reimburse Executive for
his reasonable attorneys fees incurred with respect to any arbitration. Pending the resolution of
any arbitration or court proceeding, the Company shall continue payment of all amounts due
Executive under this Agreement and all benefits to which Executive is entitled at the time the
dispute arises (other than the amounts which are the subject of such dispute).
(f)
Entire Agreement
.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto with respect to the matters referred to herein. No amendment to this Agreement
shall be binding between the parties unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom
enforcement is sought. There are no promises, representations, inducements or statements between
the parties other than those that are expressly contained herein. Executive acknowledges that he
is entering into this Agreement of his own free will and accord, and with no duress, that he has
been represented and fully advised by competent counsel in entering into this Agreement, that he
has read this Agreement and that he understands it and its legal consequences.
(g)
Representations
.
Executive represents that his employment hereunder and
compliance by him with the terms and conditions of this Agreement will not conflict with or result
in the breach of any agreement to which he is a party or by which he may be bound. The Company is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. The Company has the full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement. The Company has taken all action required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, its
12
By-Laws or otherwise required to be taken by it to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance by it of this Agreement. This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
(h)
Severability; Reformation
.
In the event that one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement shall become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected
thereby. In the event any of Section 7(a), (b) or (d) is not enforceable in accordance with its
terms, Executive and the Company agree that such Section shall be reformed to make such Section
enforceable in a manner which provides the Company the maximum rights permitted at law.
(i)
Waiver
.
Waiver by any party hereto of any breach or default by the other party of
any of the terms of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any other breach or default,
whether similar to or different from the breach or default waived. No waiver of any provision of
this Agreement shall be implied from any course of dealing between the parties hereto or from any
failure by either party hereto to assert its or his rights hereunder on any occasion or series of
occasions.
(j)
Notices
.
Any notice required or desired to be delivered under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by courier service, by registered mail,
return receipt requested, or by telecopy and shall be effective upon actual receipt when delivered
or sent by telecopy and upon mailing when sent by registered mail, and shall be addressed as
follows (or to such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in
accordance with the terms hereof):
If to the Company:
Two Westbrook Corporate Center- Suite 1070
Westchester, IL 60154
Attention: General Counsel
Fax No.: (708) 409-1162
If to Executive:
1833 Morgan Circle
Naperville, IL 60565
(k)
Amendments
.
This Agreement may not be altered, modified or amended except by a
written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.
(l)
Headings
.
Headings to Sections in this Agreement are for the convenience of the
parties only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation hereof.
(m)
Counterparts
.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
13
(n)
Withholding
.
Any payments provided for herein shall be reduced by any amounts
required to be withheld by the Company from time to time under applicable federal, state or local
income or employment tax laws or similar statutes or other provisions of law then in effect.
(o)
Governing Law
.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware, without reference to principles of conflicts or choice of law under which the law of any
other jurisdiction would apply.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly
authorized officer and Executive has hereunto set his hand as of the day and year first above
written.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Sam K. Reed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: Sam K. Reed
|
|
|
|
|
Title: Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXECUTIVE:
|
|
|
/s/ Dennis F. Riordan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis F. Riordan
|
14
Exhibit 10.11
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN
(As Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2008)
WHEREAS,
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (the Company) originally established the Treehouse Foods, Inc.
Executive Severance Plan, effective May 1, 2006 (the Plan);
WHEREAS
, the Plan contains severance provisions for involuntary terminations by the Company without
Cause or for voluntary terminations by the executive for Good Reason;
WHEREAS
, the Plan provides severance benefits to certain employees of the Company and subsidiaries
thereof, as identified in Appendix A (the Executive or Executives);
WHEREAS
, the Plan shall not be applicable to employees of the Company (or any subsidiary thereof)
whose employment is subject to an employment agreement, unless such agreement expressly states that
such employee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan;
WHEREAS,
generally, severance provisions, by their terms, constitute nonqualified deferred
compensation arrangements under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code);
WHEREAS,
the new Code Section 409A rules contain restrictive requirements on the timing of
distributions specifically with respect to executives who constitute specified employees for
purposes of Code Section 409A and failure to comply with the new Code Section 409A rules could
subject executives to a 20% penalty tax, in addition to regular income taxes and an enhanced
interest rate for underpayment of tax; and
WHEREAS,
the Company has determined that it is desirable to make certain written amendments to
the Plan in order to be compliant with Code Section 409A and that such written amendments, pursuant
to IRS Notice 2007-86, are permitted to be made at any time on or before December 31, 2008.
NOW, THEREFORE,
the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety effective as of
January 1, 2008 and it supersedes all prior plans, policies and practices of the Company (or any
subsidiary thereof); for the Executives listed on Appendix A, the Plan is the only severance
program for such Executives.
1.
Definitions
.
(a)
Base Salary
means the regular annual rate of base salary in effect on the
Executives date of termination (or on the date of a Change of Control, if such amount is
greater).
(b)
Cause
means:
(i) Executives conviction of a felony or the entering by Executive of a plea
of nolo contendere to a felony charge;
(ii) Executives gross neglect or willful and intentional gross misconduct in
the performance of, or willful, substantial and continual refusal by Executive to
perform, the duties, responsibilities or obligations assigned to Executive; or
(iii) a material breach by Executive of the Code of Ethics applicable to
employees of the Company (or any subsidiary), as in effect from time to time.
(c)
Change of Control
means the occurrence of any of the following events
following the Effective Date:
(i) any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act,
but specifically excluding the Company, any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
and/or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company) becomes the beneficial owner (as determined pursuant to
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of
the Companys then outstanding securities; or
(ii) individuals who currently serve on the Board, or whose election to the
Board or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who either currently serve on the Board, or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason
to constitute a majority of the Board; or
(iii) the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall merge with or
consolidate into any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding
immediately prior thereto holding immediately thereafter securities representing
more than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities
of the Company or such surviving entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable)
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of
the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Companys assets, or such a plan is commenced.
(d)
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e)
Earned Compensation
means the sum of:
(i) any Base Salary earned, but unpaid, for services rendered to the Company
(or a subsidiary) on or prior to the Executives date of termination, which shall be
payable in a lump sum no later than the Companys next regularly scheduled payroll
date following the Executives date of termination;
2
(ii) any annual Incentive Compensation payable for services rendered in the
calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the Executives date of
termination occurs that has not been paid on or prior to the Executives date of
termination (other than Base Salary and Incentive Compensation that has been
deferred, if any, pursuant to Executives election), and which is paid at the time
all other executives are paid with respect to such calendar year and payable under
the terms of the applicable underlying incentive plan; provided, however, in the
event of a termination of the Executive without Cause and which entitles the
Executive to payment under Section 4(a) hereof (
i.e.
, following a Change of
Control), Earned Compensation shall include any annual Incentive Compensation
payable for services rendered in the calendar year preceding the calendar year in
which the Executives date of termination occurs, notwithstanding any requirement
that the Executive be in active employment on the date such Incentive Compensation
is paid or any other terms of the applicable incentive plan to the contrary;
(iii) any accrued but unused vacation days paid in accordance with the
underlying program terms and conditions; and
(iv) any business expenses incurred on or prior to the date of the Executives
termination that are eligible for reimbursement in accordance with the Companys (or
the subsidiarys, as applicable) expense reimbursement policies as then in effect.
(f)
Good Reason
means a termination of Executives employment by Executive
within ninety (90) days following:
(i) a material reduction in Executives annual Base Salary or Target Incentive
Compensation opportunity; or
(ii) a material reduction in Executives duties and responsibilities or the
assignment to Executive of duties and responsibilities which are materially
inconsistent with Executives duties or which materially impair Executives ability
to function in his/her current position.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination shall not be treated as a termination for Good
Reason:
(A) if Executive shall have consented in writing to the occurrence of
the event giving rise to the claim of termination for Good Reason; or
(B) unless Executive shall have delivered a written notice to
(I) the Chief Executive Officer with respect any Executive with
a title of Senior Vice President or higher; or
(II) any officer with the title of Senior Vice President or
higher with respect to an Executive not covered by Subclause (I)
immediately above,
3
within sixty (60) days of his/her having actual knowledge of the occurrence
of one of these such events stating that he intends to terminate his/her
employment for Good Reason and specifying the factual basis for such
termination, and such event, if capable of being cured, shall not have been
cured within ten (10) days of the receipt of such notice.
(g)
Incentive Compensation
means with respect to any calendar year, the
annual incentive bonus paid or payable under any applicable plan or program of the Company
(or a subsidiary) providing for incentive compensation.
(h)
Key Employee
means a specified employee as such term is defined under
Code Section 409A and the regulations issued thereunder.
(i)
Severance Period
means the period of time over which payments are made
pursuant to Sections 3(b) or 4(a) hereof, as identified in Appendix A with respect to each
eligible Executive.
(j)
Target Incentive Compensation
means with respect to any calendar year,
the annual incentive bonus the Executive would have been entitled to receive under any
applicable plan or program of the Company (or of a subsidiary) providing for incentive
compensation had he remained employed by the Company (or a subsidiary) and assuming that
performance at the level designated as target for such calendar year had been met.
(k)
Vested Benefits
means amounts which are vested or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under the terms of or in accordance with any plan, policy,
practice or program of, or any contract or agreement with, the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the
Benefit Plans
), at or subsequent to
the date of his/her termination without regard to the performance by Executive of further
services or the resolution of a contingency and payable in accordance with applicable law
and the terms of the plan, policy, practice, program, contract or agreement under which such
benefits have accrued.
2.
Eligibility
.
The Plan is available to those Executives identified in Appendix A, as such
may be amended from time to time by the Compensation Committee, or its duly authorized designee, in
its sole discretion.
3.
Benefits upon Certain Terminations
.
(a)
Termination for Any Reason
.
In the event of the termination of Executives
employment for any reason, Executive shall be entitled to:
(i) any Earned Compensation as of the date of termination; and
(ii) Vested Benefits, if any.
Nothing in this Plan shall amend or modify the terms of any Benefit Plan(s). No additional
termination benefits shall be paid or payable to or in respect of the Executive pursuant to
this Plan unless such Executive qualifies for payment under Section 3(b) or 4(a) hereof.
4
(b)
Involuntary or Constructive Termination
.
If the Executives employment
with the Company (or a subsidiary, as applicable) is terminated by the Company (or the
subsidiary, as applicable) without Cause, or the Executive has Good Reason to terminate
employment, the Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and other
benefits (in addition to the payments under Section 3(a) hereof):
(i)
Salary Continuation
. Executives shall receive salary continuation
payments in an amount equal to one (1) times (or such other multiple as may be
specifically identified with respect to a particular Executive in Appendix A) the
Executives Base Salary (the
Salary Continuation
). As permitted pursuant
to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), such Salary Continuation amount
shall be payable as follows:
(A) an amount equal to
the lesser of:
(I) fifty percent (50%) of Executives annual Base Salary as of
his/her date of termination; or
(II) two (2) times the compensation limit of Code Section
401(a)(17) (
i.e.,
$460,000 for 2008)
shall be paid to Executive equally (or approximately equally) over the
number of pay periods between his/her date of termination and the seventh
month anniversary of Executives date of termination in accordance with the
Companys (or the subsidiarys, as applicable) standard payroll practices;
and
(B) an amount equal to the Executives Salary Continuation
reduced by
the
amount paid to Executive under Clause (A) immediately above shall be paid to
Executive equally (or approximately equally) over the number of pay periods
between his/her seventh month anniversary of his/her date of termination and
the final month anniversary of his/her date of termination through which
Salary Continuation is available (
e.g.
, one times Base Salary is available
for twelve (12) months, two times Base Salary is available for twenty-four
(24) months, etc.) in accordance with the Companys (or the subsidiarys, as
applicable) standard payroll practices; and
(ii)
Target Incentive Pay
. Executives shall receive Target Incentive
Compensation in an amount equal to one (1) times (or such other multiple as may be
specifically identified with respect to a particular Executive in Appendix A) the
Executives Incentive Compensation for the calendar year which includes his/her date
of termination. Target Incentive Compensation (prorated, as applicable) shall be
paid in a single lump sum payment paid at the time all other executives are paid
with respect to the respective calendar year in accordance with the underlying
incentive plan terms and conditions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
Tier III Executives shall not be eligible to receive Target Incentive Compensation.
(iii)
Medical Benefits
.
The Company will provide comparable medical
(including prescription drug), dental, hospitalization and life insurance benefits,
as applicable, to the Executive and his/her eligible dependents for the Severance
Period,
5
provided the Executive continues to pay the applicable employee rate for
such coverage. Executives coverage shall continue until the earlier of:
(A) the last day of the Severance Period;
(B) Executives death (provided that benefits provided to Executives
spouse and dependents shall not terminate upon Executives death); or
(C) the date, or dates, he/she receives equivalent coverage and
benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or
benefit-by-benefit basis).
If the Executives coverage under this subparagraph (iii) terminates due to any
event or occurrence other than Clauses (A), (B) or (C) above, the Company shall
provide Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the number of
remaining months of coverage to which he/she is entitled times the then applicable
Company portion of the premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive
participated. Such lump sum amount will be paid during the second month following
the month in which such coverage expires. Any such coverage provided by the Company
shall be provided under the benefit plan(s) applicable to employees of the Company
(or the subsidiary, as applicable) in general and shall be subject to the terms of
such plan(s), as such terms may be amended by the Company in its sole discretion
from time to time. In the case of any coverage or plan to which the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) would apply, any
continuation of such coverage shall run concurrently with any period of continuation
coverage required under COBRA and shall otherwise be provided in accordance with
COBRA and the regulations issued thereunder. Nothing in this Agreement shall amend
or modify the terms of any plan, contract or program providing for medical,
prescription drug, dental, hospitalization and/or life insurance benefits.
4.
Benefits upon Change of Control and Termination
.
(a)
Payments Following a Change of Control
.
In lieu of the payments due under
Section 3(b) hereof, in the event the Executives employment with the Company is terminated
by reason of a termination without Cause or termination for Good Reason within the
twenty-four (24) month period immediately following a Change of Control, the Executive shall
be entitled to the following payments and other benefits (in addition to the payments under
Section 3(a) hereof):
(i)
Severance Payment
. Executives shall receive an amount equal to
one (1) times (or such other multiple as may be specifically identified with respect
to a particular Executive in Appendix A relating to a Change of Control)
the sum of
:
(A) the Executives Base Salary, plus
(B) the Executives Target Incentive Compensation
6
(collectively, the
Severance Payment
). As permitted pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), such Severance Payment amount shall be
payable as follows:
(I) an amount equal to
the lesser of:
(1) fifty percent (50%) of Executives annual Base
Salary as of his/her date of termination; or
(II) two (2) times the compensation limit of Code
Section 401(a)(17) (
i.e.,
$460,000 for 2008)
shall be paid to Executive equally (or approximately equally) over
the number of pay periods between his/her date of termination and the
seventh month anniversary of Executives date of termination in
accordance with the Companys (or the subsidiarys, as applicable)
standard payroll practices; and
(II) an amount equal to the Executives Salary Continuation (which
but for the Change of Control would have been paid pursuant to
Section 3(b) hereof)
reduced by
the amount paid to Executive under
Subclause (I) immediately above shall be paid to Executive equally
(or approximately equally) over the number of pay periods between
his/her seventh month anniversary of his/her date of termination and
the final month anniversary of his/her date of termination through
which Salary Continuation would have been available to Executive
pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof but for the Change of Control (
e.g.
,
one times Base Salary is available for twelve (12) months, two times
Base Salary is available for twenty-four (24) months, etc.) in
accordance with the Companys (or the subsidiarys, as applicable)
standard payroll practices; and
(III) the remainder, which is an amount equal to the Severance
Payment
reduced by
the amount paid to Executive under Subclauses (I)
and (II) immediately above, shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum
no later than the seventh month anniversary of his/her date of
termination;
(ii)
Medical Benefits
.
The Company will provide comparable medical
(including prescription drug), dental, hospitalization and life insurance benefits,
as applicable, to the Executive and his/her eligible dependents for the Severance
Period, provided the Executive continues to pay the applicable employee rate for
such coverage. Executives coverage shall continue until the earlier of:
(A) the last day of the Severance Period;
(B) Executives death (provided that benefits provided to Executives
spouse and dependents shall not terminate upon Executives death); or
7
(C) the date, or dates, he/she receives equivalent coverage and
benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such
coverages and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or
benefit-by-benefit basis).
If the Executives coverage under this subparagraph (ii) terminates due to something
other than Clauses (A), (B) or (C) immediately above, the Company shall provide
Executive with a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the number of remaining
months of coverage to which he/she is entitled times the then applicable Company
portion of the premium for the relevant benefit plan in which Executive
participated. Such lump sum amount will be paid during the second month following
the month in which such coverage expires. Any such coverage provided by the Company
shall be provided under the benefit plan(s) applicable to employees of the Company
(or the subsidiary, as applicable) in general and shall be subject to the terms of
such plan(s), as such terms may be amended by the Company in its sole discretion
from time to time. In the case of any coverage or plan to which the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) would apply, any
continuation of such coverage shall run concurrently with any period of continuation
coverage required under COBRA and shall otherwise be provided in accordance with
COBRA and the regulations issued thereunder. Nothing in this Agreement shall amend
or modify the terms of any plan, contract or program providing for medical,
prescription drug, dental, hospitalization and/or life insurance benefits.
(b)
Parachute Excise Tax.
(i)
Gross-Up for Tax Liability under Section 4999 of the Code
.
If the
aggregate of all payments or benefits made or provided to Executive with respect to
payment under Section 4(a) hereof, if applicable, and under all other plans and
programs of the Company (the
Aggregate Payment
) is determined to
constitute a Parachute Payment, as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code, and exceeds an amount which is equal to three (3) times the Executives base
amount (as such term is defined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(3)) by more than
10%, then the Company shall pay to Executive, prior to the time any excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the
Excise Tax
) is payable with
respect to such Aggregate Payment, an additional amount which, after the imposition
of all income, employment and excise taxes thereon, is equal to the Excise Tax on
the Aggregate Payment.
(ii)
Limitation on the Amount of Payment.
If Aggregate Payment is
determined to constitute a Parachute Payment, as such term is defined in Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code, and equals three (3) times the Executives base amount (as
such term is defined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(3)) or exceeds such amount
by 10% or less, then the Company shall reduce the amount payable under Section 4(a)
to an amount, the value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount which is
equal to three (3) times the Executives base amount and no payment shall be
required or made pursuant to Section 4(b)(i) hereof.
(iii)
Determination by Independent Auditor
.
The determination of
whether the Aggregate Payment constitutes a Parachute Payment and, if so, whether
8
such amount shall be subject to an excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code, as well as the determination of the amount to be paid to Executive and the
time
of payment pursuant to this Section 4 shall be made by the Companys
independent auditor or, if such independent auditor is unwilling or unable to serve
in this capacity, such other nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the
Company with the consent of the person serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company immediately prior to the Change of Control, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. For purposes of this calculation, the Executive shall be
deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation for the applicable tax year.
(iv)
Payment
.
The estimated amount of the payment due the Executive
pursuant to paragraphs (4)(b)(i) or (ii), as applicable, shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum not later than thirty (30) business days following the
delivery of such estimate to the Executive and the Company. In the event that the
amount of the estimated payment is less than the amount actually due to the
Executive under this Section 4(b), the amount of any shortfall shall be paid to the
Executive within ten (10) business days after the existence of the shortfall is
determined.
5.
Conditions and Limitations on Severance Payments
.
The following conditions and limitations
shall apply to all severance benefits payable under this Plan and all severance payments under the
Plan shall be specifically conditioned upon the Executives satisfaction of the conditions noted:
(a)
Full Discharge of Company Obligations
.
The amounts payable to Executive
under this Plan following termination of his/her employment (including amounts payable with
respect to Vested Benefits) shall be in full and complete satisfaction of Executives rights
under this Plan and any other claims he/she may have in respect of his/her employment by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries other than claims for common law torts or under other
contracts between Executive and the Company or its subsidiaries. Such amounts shall
constitute liquidated damages with respect to any and all such rights and claims and, upon
Executives receipt of such amounts, the Company and all its subsidiaries shall be released
and discharged from any and all liability to Executive in connection with this Plan or
otherwise in connection with Executives employment with the Company and its subsidiaries
and, as a condition to payment of any such amounts that are in excess of the Earned
Compensation and the Vested Benefits following the date of termination, Executive and the
Company shall execute (and not revoke) a valid mutual release to be prepared by the Company
pursuant to which the Executive and the Company (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) shall
each mutually agree to release the other, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable
law, from any and all claims either party may have against the other that relate to or arise
out of the employment or termination of employment of the Executive, except any claims or
rights which cannot be waived by law.
(b)
No Mitigation; No Offset
.
In the event of any termination of employment
that entitles the Executive to a payment or payments under this Plan, Executive shall be
under no obligation to seek other employment and there shall be no offset against amounts
due Executive under this Plan on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent
employment that he/she obtain, except as may be applied pursuant to COBRA or other
applicable law respecting the continuation of benefits.
9
(c)
Company Property
.
Promptly following termination of Executives
employment, Executive shall return to the Company all property of the Company or any
subsidiary, and all copies thereof in Executives possession or under his/her control,
except that Executive may retain his/her personal notes, diaries, Rolodexes, calendars and
correspondence.
(d)
Confidentiality
.
Without the prior written consent of the Company, except:
(i) in the course of carrying out his or her duties hereunder; or
(ii) to the extent required by an order of a court having competent
jurisdiction or under subpoena from an appropriate government agency,
Executive shall not disclose any trade secrets, customer lists, drawings, designs,
information regarding product development, marketing plans, sales plans, manufacturing
plans, management organization information (including data and other information relating to
members of the Board and management), operating policies or manuals, business plans,
financial records, packaging design or other financial, commercial, business or technical
information relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or information designated as
confidential or proprietary that the Company or any of its subsidiaries may receive
belonging to suppliers, customers or others who do business with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (collectively, Confidential Information) to any third person unless such
Confidential Information has been previously disclosed to the public by the Company or has
otherwise become available to the public (other than by reason of Executives breach of this
Section 6(d)).
(e)
Non-Solicitation of Employees
.
During Executives employment with the
Company, and any subsidiary thereof, and during the twelve (12) month period following any
termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall not, except in the
course of carrying out his/her duties hereunder, directly or indirectly induce any employee
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate employment with such entity, and
shall not directly or indirectly, either individually or as owner, agent, employee,
consultant or otherwise, knowingly employ or offer employment to any person who is or was
employed by the Company or a subsidiary thereof unless such person shall have ceased to be
employed by such entity for a period of at least six (6) months.
(f)
Non-Disparagement
.
Executive shall not disparage, slander or injure the
business reputation or goodwill of the Company (or any subsidiary) in any material way,
including, by way of illustration, through any contact with vendors, suppliers, employees or
agents of the Company (or any subsidiary) which could harm the business reputation or
goodwill of the Company (or any subsidiary).
(g)
Confidentiality of Payments under the Plan
.
Executive shall keep all
aspects of this Plan not otherwise currently publicly available strictly confidential,
including but not limited to the fact, amount and/or duration of any payment under this Plan
strictly confidential, except that Executive may make necessary disclosures to his/her
attorney(s) or tax advisor(s) that are retained to advise Executive in connection with
amounts paid under this Plan.
10
(h)
Remedies
.
To the extent permitted by law, if the Company determines that
the Executive has engaged in any of the restricted activities referenced in this Section 5,
the Company will immediately cease any unpaid severance payments and will have the right to
seek repayment of any such payments that have already been made. In addition, the covenants
and obligations of Executive with respect to confidentiality, Company property,
non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement relate to special, unique and
extraordinary matters and that a violation of any of the terms of such covenants and
obligations may cause the Company irreparable injury for which adequate remedies are not
available at law. Therefore, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction, restraining
order or such other equitable relief restraining Executive from committing any violation of
the covenants and obligations under the Plan. These injunctive remedies shall be cumulative
and in addition to any other rights and remedies the Company has at law or in equity.
6.
Miscellaneous
.
(a)
Survival
.
Sections 5(d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) (relating to
confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement) and 6(p) (relating
to governing law) shall survive the termination of this Plan.
(b)
Binding Effect
.
This Plan shall be binding on, and shall inure to the
benefit of, the Company and any person or entity that succeeds to the interest of the
Company (regardless of whether such succession does or does not occur by operation of law)
by reason of a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company or a sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or
transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and
such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company,
as contained in this Plan, either contractually or as a matter of law. In the event of a
sale of assets as described in the preceding sentence, the Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities,
obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. This Plan shall also inure to the benefit
of Executives heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives and beneficiaries.
(c)
Inalienability; Assignment
.
Except as provided under Section 6(b), in no
event may any Executive sell, transfer, anticipate, assign or otherwise dispose of any right
or interest under the Plan. At no time will any such right or interest be subject to the
claims of creditors nor liable to attachment, execution or other legal process..
(d)
Entire Plan
.
This Plan document constitutes the entire understanding of
the Company and the Executive with respect to the matters referred to herein. With respect
to Executives identified in Appendix A, this Plan supersedes all prior plans, policies and
practices of the Company, including provisions of a prior employment agreement, if any,
between the Executive and the Company (or a subsidiary) with respect to severance or
separation pay for the Executive. The Plan is the only severance program for such
Executives.
(e)
Severability; Reformation
.
In the event that one or more of the provisions
of this Plan shall become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be
affected thereby. In the event any of Sections 5 (d), (e), (f), (g) or (h) is not
enforceable in accordance with its
11
terms, such Section(s) shall be interpreted or reformed to make such Section
enforceable in a manner which provides the Company the maximum rights permitted at law.
(f)
Waiver
.
Waiver by any party hereto of any breach or default by the other
party of any of the terms of this Plan shall not operate as a waiver of any other breach or
default, whether similar to or different from the breach or default waived. No waiver of any
provision of this Plan shall be implied from any course of dealing between the parties
hereto or from any failure by either party hereto to assert its or his rights hereunder on
any occasion or series of occasions.
(g)
Administration
.
(i)
Powers of Administrator
.
The Plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of TreeHouse Foods, Inc. The Plan
Administrator has the power, in its sole discretion, to approve and interpret the
Plan, to decide all matters under the Plan, including eligibility to participate and
benefit entitlement, and to adopt rules and procedures it deems appropriate for the
administration and implementation of the Plan. The Plan Administrators
determinations and interpretations shall be conclusive and binding on all
individuals. In administering the Plan, the Plan Administrator may, at its option,
employ compensation consultants, accountants, counsel and other persons to assist or
render advice and other services, all at the expense of the Company.
(ii)
Authority to Delegate
.
The Plan Administrator may delegate all or
part of its authority to such other person or persons as the Plan Administrator
designates from time to time. The Plan Administrator has delegated to the Senior
Vice President (SVP), Administration, of the Company authority to determine
eligibility under the Plan and authority over all aspects of day-to-day
administration of the Plan (including but not limited review of claims for
benefits). The actions of the SVP, Administration shall be final and binding on all
employees and Participants.
(iii)
Indemnification
.
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
each of the members of the Compensation Committee and any employee to whom any of
the duties of the Compensation Committee may be delegated, from and against any and
all claims, losses, costs, damages expenses or liabilities arising from any action
or failure to act with respect to this Plan, except in the case of willful
misconduct by such member or such employee. This indemnification shall be in
addition to, and not in limitation of, any other indemnification of any such member
or employee.
(h)
Claims
.
Any person that believes he/she is entitled to any payment under
the Plan may submit a claim in writing to the Company. Any such claim should be sent to
TreeHouse Foods, Inc., Attention: Senior Vice President of Administration, 2 Westbrook
Corporate Center, Suite 1070, Westchester, Illinois 60154. If the claim is denied (either
in full or in part), the claimant will be provided with written notice explaining the
specific reasons for the denial and referring to the provisions of the Plan on which the
denial is based. The notice will describe any additional information needed to support the
claim. The denial notice will be provided within 90 days after the claim is received. If
special circumstances
12
require an extension of time (up to 90 days), written notice of the extension will be
given within the initial 90-day period.
(i)
Appeal Procedure
.
If a claimants claim is denied, the claim may apply in
writing to the Compensation Committee for a review of the decision denying the claim. The
claimant then has the right to review pertinent documents and to submit issues and comments
in writing. The Compensation Committee will provide written notice of its decision on
review within 60 days after it receives a review request. If additional time (up to 60
days) is needed to review the request, the claimant will be given written notice of the
reason for the delay.
(j)
Source of Payments
.
All payments under the Plan will be paid in cash
(except with respect to the payment of Vested Benefits which will be paid in accordance with
the terms of the applicable Benefit Plans) from the general funds of the Company; no
separate fund will be established under the Plan and no assets will be segregated or set
aside for the sole purpose of making payments under the Plan. Any right of any person to
receive any payment under the Plan will be no greater than the right of any other unsecured
creditor of the Company.
(k)
No Expansion of Employment Rights
.
Neither the establishment or
maintenance of the Plan, the payment of any amount under the Plan, nor any action of the
Company, or any subsidiary thereof, shall confer upon any individual any right to be
continued as an employee nor any right or interest in the Plan other than as provided in the
Plan.
(l)
Amendment and Termination
.
The Company reserves the right, in its sole and
absolute discretion, to amend or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part, for any reason or
no reason, at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that no amendment or
termination of the Plan shall take effect until the expiration of a six (6) month period
from the date such amendment is adopted or such decision to terminate is made by the Board
of Directors of the Company, or its duly authorized designee. Any such amendment or
termination may affect the benefits payable to an Executive.
(m)
Headings
.
Headings to Sections in this Plan are for convenience only and
are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation hereof.
(n)
Withholding
.
Any payments provided for herein shall be reduced by any
amounts required to be withheld by the Company from time to time under applicable federal,
state or local income or employment tax laws or similar statutes or other provisions of law
then in effect.
(o)
Governing Law
.
This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Illinois without reference to principles of conflicts or choice of law under which the law
of any other jurisdiction would apply.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, TreeHouse Foods, Inc., by its duly authorized officer, has executed this Plan
on the date indicated below.
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TREEHOUSE FOODS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Thomas E. ONeill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Its:
|
|
General Counsel and Chief
Administrative Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
|
November 7, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
APPENDIX A
Tier I Executives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance Period
|
|
Change in Control
|
Title
|
|
Company
|
|
Regular Severance
|
|
For Regular Severance
|
|
Severance
|
Senior Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
TreeHouse Foods,
Inc.
|
|
2x Base Salary
2x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
|
24 months
|
|
3x Base Salary
3x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
Tier II Executives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance Period
|
|
Change in Control
|
Title
|
|
Company
|
|
Regular Severance
|
|
For Regular Severance
|
|
Severance
|
Senior Vice
PresidentHR
|
|
TreeHouse Foods,
Inc.
|
|
1x Base Salary
1x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
|
12 months
|
|
2x Base Salary
2x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
Tier III Executives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance Period
|
|
Change in Control
|
Title
|
|
Company
|
|
Regular Severance
|
|
For Regular Severance
|
|
Severance
|
Vice President &
Assistant General
Counsel
|
|
TreeHouse Foods,
Inc.
|
|
1x Base Salary
|
|
12 months
|
|
1x Base Salary
1x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice
Presidents
|
|
Bay Valley Foods LLC
|
|
1x Base Salary
|
|
12 months
|
|
1x Base Salary
1x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice Presidents
|
|
Bay Valley Foods LLC
|
|
1x Base Salary
|
|
12 months
|
|
1x Base Salary
1x Target Incentive
Compensation
|
15