UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2008
Gaming Partners International Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada |
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000-23588 |
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88-0310433 |
(State or other jurisdiction |
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(Commission |
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(IRS Employer |
of incorporation) |
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File Number) |
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Identification No.) |
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1700 South Industrial Road, Las Vegas, Nevada |
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89102 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (702) 384-2425
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (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))
SEC873(6-04) |
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Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
(c)
On October 28, 2008, Gaming Partners International Corporation (the Company) announced the appointment of Gregory Gronau as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective today. Mr. Gronau will supervise the day-to-day operations of the Companys North American operations conducted through its subsidiaries, GPI USA and GPI Mexicana. The appointment of Mr. Gronau is part of a succession plan necessitated by the planned retirement of the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Charlier, in September 2009. While it is the current intention of the Board of Directors to appoint Mr. Gronau to the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer upon the retirement of Mr. Charlier, no assurance can be given that Mr. Gronau will be appointed to such positions.
The term of Mr. Gronaus employment agreement with the Company is for three years commencing on October 28, 2008, and will be automatically extend for successive one-year periods, unless either the Company or Mr. Gronau gives notice that it shall not be so extended. Under the terms of the employment agreement, in connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Gronau is entitled to:
· an annual salary of $250,000;
· a bonus up to 25% of his annual salary as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion based on Mr. Gronaus achieving annual objectives specified by the Board of Directors after consultation with Mr. Gronau. For the year ending December 31, 2008, Mr. Gronau will be guaranteed a bonus equal to 25% of the salary paid to him during that year and Mr. Gronau has agreed to use such amount (net of withholding taxes) to purchase shares of the Companys common stock;
· a stock option to purchase 150,000 shares of the Companys common stock at an exercise price equal to the last sale price of the Companys common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date of grant, subject to approval by the Companys stockholders of the option or of a new stock option plan to which the stock option would be subject. The stock option shall vest over a five-year period;
· an automobile allowance of $600 per month to cover acquisition cost, insurance and maintenance; and
· participate in all medical, retirement, pension or other benefit plans or arrangements made available by the Company to its employees.
If and when Mr. Gronau is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gronau would then be entitled to:
· an increase in annual salary to $300,000;
· commencing in the year ending December 31, 2010, a bonus up to 50% of his annual salary as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion based on Mr. Gronaus achieving annual objectives specified by the Board of Directors after consultation with Mr. Gronau;
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If during the initial three-year term of his employment agreement, Mr. Gronaus employment with the Company is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Incapacity (each as defined therein), Mr. Gronau will be entitled to severance pay equal to (i) six months of his annual salary if Mr. Gronau is then serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, or (ii) twelve months if Mr. Gronau is then serving as President and Chief Executive Officer.
The above disclosure is subject in its entirety to the full text of the employment agreement which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this filing.
From 2006 to March 2008, Mr. Gronau, age 49, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cadillac Jack (Duluth, Georgia), a supplier of innovative games and systems to the gaming industry. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Vice President of Operations of Shuffle Master, Inc. (Las Vegas, Nevada), a publicly-traded supplier of automatic card shufflers and proprietary table games. At Shuffle Master, Mr. Gronau oversaw software and hardware research for two product lines and directed manufacturing operations for all products. Between 1996 and 2002, Mr. Gregory served as Director of Operations and Business Planning and then as Vice President of Distribution Services of WMS Industries, Inc. (Chicago, Illinois), a publicly-traded manufacturer of lottery terminals and slot machines.
Mr. Gronau has no family relationships with any director or other executive officer of the Company.
On October 28, 2008, we issued a press release with respect to the foregoing which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Number |
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Description |
99.1 |
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Employment Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2008, between Gaming Partners International Corporation and Gregory Gronau |
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99.2 |
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Press release dated October 28, 2008 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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GAMING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
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(Registrant) |
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Date: October 28, 2008 |
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By: |
/s/ David Grimes |
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David Grimes |
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Its: |
Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 99.1
CONFIDENTIAL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 28, 2008 between Gaming Partners International Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and Gregory Gronau (Executive).
WITNESSETH :
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of Executive as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, upon termination of the employment of the Companys current President and Chief Executive Officer it is the intent of the Companys Board of Directors to appoint Executive to the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer; and
WHEREAS, although there can be no assurance that Executive will be appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, the parties desire to set forth the terms and conditions of Executives employment not only as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer but as President and Chief Executive Officer, if and when he is appointed to those positions; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to serve in such capacities upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment - Duties .
The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment by the Company, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive shall supervise the day-to-day operations of the Companys North American operations, i.e. , its subsidiary, Gaming Partners International USA, Inc., a Nevada corporation (GPI USA), and GPI USAs subsidiary GPI Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican corporation, and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the President and Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of
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the Company. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive shall report to and be under the direction and control of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. If and when Executive is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, he shall report to and be under the direction and control of the Board of Directors of the Company, and shall have supervision and control over, and responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, and such other powers or duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Company. Executive shall devote his best efforts and all his business time and attention to the business of the Company and to the best interests of the Company, and during the Term (as hereinafter defined) of this Agreement, Executive shall not engage in any other business activity without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2. Term .
(a) Unless sooner terminated as provided in this Agreement, the term of this Agreement (the Term) shall be for three (3) years commencing on October 28, 2008 and continuing through October 31, 2011 (the Initial Term). The Term will then be automatically extended for additional successive one-year periods (each an Extension Term) unless either party notifies the other in writing not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Extension Term that the Agreement will not be extended.
(b) The termination of this Agreement, however arising, shall not affect any of the provisions hereof as are expressed to operate or have effect after the termination of this Agreement.
3. Compensation; Expenses .
(a) As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive shall be paid an annual salary (the Salary) in the amount of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), in accordance with the executive payroll schedule in effect at the Companys principal office from time to time. If and when Executive is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, the Salary will increase to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00).
(b) Subject to the provisions of this Section 3(b), for each calendar year ending during the Term, Executive, while serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, may receive a bonus of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Salary. If and when Executive is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive may receive a bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of the Salary. Any bonus payable hereunder shall be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion based on Executives achieving objectives for that year to be specified by the Board of Directors prior to the start of each calendar year after consultation with Executive. Payment of the bonus, if any, shall be made on March 31 following the end of each such calendar year; provided that if the Companys audited financial statements for that calendar year are not yet final on that date, then the payment shall be made within ten (10) days of the date such audited financial statements become final. Executive shall only be entitled to a bonus pursuant to this Section 3(b) if Executive remains in the Companys employ on the last day of the calendar year in question; provided that if Executives employment with the Company terminates for any reason other than Cause or Voluntary Termination (each as hereinafter defined), Executive or Executives estate
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shall be entitled to receive a prorated portion of the bonus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the year ending December 31, 2008 only, Executive shall be guaranteed a bonus equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Salary paid to Executive during the year ending December 31, 2008, provided Executive remains in the Companys employ on December 31, 2008, subject to the proviso in the preceding sentence. Executive agrees that within ten (10) days of receipt of such bonus, Executive will use the full amount thereof received by Executive (i.e. net of withholding taxes) to purchase shares of the Companys Common Stock in the open market. Further, for the year ending December 31, 2009 only, Executive shall be guaranteed a bonus in the amount of Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($62,500.00), provided Executive remains in the Companys employ on December 31, 2009, subject to the proviso in the fourth sentence of this Section 3(b). For the year ending December 31, 2009, the amount of the bonus shall not increase, even if Executive is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer during that year. Starting with the calendar year ending December 31, 2010, if Executive is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer the bonus amount, if any, shall be prorated based on the number of days Executive serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and as President and Chief Executive Officer. Amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3(b) shall be subject to appropriate tax withholding, at the rate applicable to payments of more than two weeks of Salary.
(c) Executive shall also receive an option to purchase one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares of Common Stock of the Company with a per share exercise price equal to the last sale price of the Companys Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date of the grant (the Option), subject to approval by the Companys stockholders of the Option or of a new Stock Option Plan to which the Option would be subject. The Option shall have a term of ten (10) years and shall vest as follows: twenty thousand (20,000) shares on the first anniversary of the date of the grant, thirty thousand (30,000) shares on the second anniversary of the date of the grant, thirty thousand (30,000) shares on the third anniversary of the date of the grant, thirty thousand (30,000) shares on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant, and forty thousand (40,000) on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. Except as otherwise provided in any Stock Option Plan approved by the Companys stockholders, if Executives employment with the Company terminates for any reason other than Cause (as hereinafter defined), the portion of the Option that is vested on the Date of Termination (as hereinafter defined) shall remain exercisable until the date ninety (90) days after the Date of Termination (one year in the case of termination by reason of Incapacity), on which date it shall expire. The unvested portion of the Option shall expire on the Date of Termination. In the event of termination of Executives employment for Cause, the Option shall expire on the Date of Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of its ten-year term.
(d) During the Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in connection with performing services hereunder in accordance with the Companys policy at the time and provided that such expenses are necessary and appropriate to Executives employment hereunder. Executive shall submit to the Company written, itemized expense accounts and such additional substantiation and justification as the Company may reasonably request.
(e) In addition, the Company shall reimburse the following expenses to the extent reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with Executives relocation to Las Vegas, Nevada:
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(i) moving expenses from Georgia to Las Vegas (based on two quotes by nationally-recognized moving companies) and (ii) closing costs relating to the sale of Executives existing primary residence in Georgia.
4. Benefit Plans, Vacations, etc.
(a) During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all medical, retirement, pension or other benefit plans or arrangements made available by the Company to its employees, subject to compliance with, and eligibility under, any applicable medical requirements.
(b) Executive shall be entitled to receive four (4) weeks of paid vacation during each year of this Agreement at such times as are mutually agreed upon by Executive and the Board of Directors. Vacation may not be carried forward to the following year.
(c) Executive shall receive an automobile allowance of Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) per month to cover acquisition cost, insurance and maintenance. The Company will not make any other payment with respect to Executives automobile, except that it will reimburse Executives fuel expenses for business use of the automobile (not including Executives daily commute), subject to Executives compliance with Section 3(d).
5. Termination .
(a) Death . Executives employment hereunder shall terminate upon Executives death.
(b) Incapacity . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement and Executives employment with the Company in the event of Executives physical or mental disability or infirmity which renders Executive unable to perform Executives duties under this Agreement for a period or periods aggregating ninety (90) working days (whether continuous or in the aggregate) during any consecutive twelve (12) month period (Incapacity).
(c) Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement and Executives employment with the Company upon the occurrence of any of the following events (Cause):
(i) Executives conduct which is considered an offense involving moral turpitude under federal, state or local laws, or which might bring Executive to public disrepute, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably upon any of Companys businesses or those who conduct business with the Company;
(ii) Executives conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony;
(iii) Executives conduct constituting a violation of any law or regulation relating to gaming;
(iv) Executives misconduct or negligence which has resulted or is likely to result in material damage to the Company;
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(v) Executives act of dishonesty, theft or fraud with respect to the Company;
(vi) A material violation by Executive of the Companys ethics policies or codes of conduct;
(vii) Executives failure to be found suitable by any gaming regulatory authority or Executives involvement in any activities that might endanger, or impose materially adverse restrictions on, any gaming license held by the Company or any of its affiliates;
(viii) Executive willful failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation or investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities or the destruction or failure to preserve documents or other material reasonably likely to be relevant to such an investigation, or the inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to destroy or fail to produce documents or other material;
(ix) Executives failure (other than by reason of physical or mental incapacity) or refusal to perform any of Executives duties hereunder or to carry out the lawful instructions of the President and Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors; or
(x) Executives breach of any of the provisions or covenants of this Employment Agreement.
(d) Voluntary Termination . The Executive reserves the right to terminate this Agreement and the Executives employment with the Company by Voluntary Termination. As used herein, Voluntary Termination shall mean termination by the Executive on the Executives own initiative. The Executive shall give the Company at least ninety (90) days prior written notice of any Voluntary Termination. If the Executive gives a Notice of Termination pursuant to this Section 5(d), the Company may, at its option, terminate this Agreement and the Executives employment with the Company at any time during the notice period by written notice to the Executive, subject to Section 6(a)(ii).
(e) Without Cause. The Company reserves the right to terminate this Employment Agreement and the Executives employment with the Company other than for Cause or Disability.
(f) Notice of Termination . Any termination of Executives employment by the Company shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to Executive. Any Voluntary Termination of Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination shall mean a notice that shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executives employment under the provision so indicated.
(g) Date of Termination . Date of Termination shall mean (i) if Executives employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; or (ii) if Executives employment is terminated pursuant to Sections 5(b), 5(c), 5(d) or 5(e), the date specified in the Notice of Termination.
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6. Compensation Upon Termination or During Incapacity .
(a) Termination
(i) If Executives employment is terminated by reason of death, the Company shall pay to Executives estate the Salary payable to Executive to the date of his death.
(ii) If Executive is terminated pursuant to Sections 5(b), 5(c) or 5(d), the Company shall pay Executives Salary to the Date of Termination.
(b) During absence from work by reason of incapacity through ill health or injury, the Company shall pay Executives Salary for each day of absence until the Date of Termination. Thereafter, Executive will be compensated pursuant to such disability insurance plan as the Company may then have in effect and applicable law.
(c) If Executives employment with the Company is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 5(e), the Company shall pay to the Executive the Salary through the Date of Termination. In addition, if termination pursuant to Section 5(e) occurs during the Initial Term, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the Salary at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination for a period equal to (i) six (6) months, if Executive is serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on the Date of Termination, or (ii) twelve (12) months if Executive is serving as President and Chief Executive Officer. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6(c) are subject to execution and delivery by the Executive of a severance agreement and release in form and substance satisfactory to the Company.
(d) The provisions of this Section 6 constitute the Companys sole obligation and Executives sole remedy in the event of termination of this Agreement and Executives employment with the Company.
7. Confidentiality and Restrictions .
(a) Executive hereby recognizes that the value of the Confidential Information of the Company and its Affiliates, as defined below, is attributable substantially to the fact that such Confidential Information is maintained by the Company and its Affiliates in the strictest confidentiality and secrecy and unavailable to others without the expenditure of substantial time, effort or money. Executive, therefore, covenants and agrees to keep strictly secret and confidential the Confidential Information of the Company, its Affiliates, licensors, suppliers and customers in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 7(a). Executive covenants and agrees that, during the Term, and at any time thereafter, Executive shall safeguard the Confidential Information of the Company, its Affiliates, licensors, suppliers and customers and Executive shall not disclose any such Confidential Information, directly or by use of such Confidential Information in developing, manufacturing, marketing or distributing products or services for, or advising, others. In implementation of the foregoing, Executive shall not disclose any of the Confidential Information of the Company to any employee or consultant except those for whom disclosure is necessary for the effective performance of their responsibilities as employees or consultants. The obligations undertaken by Executive pursuant to this Section 7(a) shall not apply to any Confidential Information
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which hereafter shall become published or otherwise generally available to the public, except in consequence of a willful act or omission by Executive in contravention of the obligations hereinabove set forth in this Section 7(a), or which is lawfully disclosed by a third party, and such obligations shall, as so limited, survive expiration or termination of this Agreement. As used herein, Affiliate means any person, corporation or other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person or entity; and Confidential Information means all information not in the public domain relating to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, and information relating to their respective customers, licensors and suppliers and the services, data, products and programs developed and/or commercialized by any of the forgoing, including, without limitation, inventions, ideas, product and service concepts, know how, research, data, software, and other trade secrets.
(b) On the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Executive will be required to deliver to the Company all correspondence, documents, papers and other media containing information about the Confidential Information of the Company, its Affiliates, licensors and suppliers together with all copies in Executives possession or control.
(c) During the Term and for a period of two (2) years after the termination of this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment, offer employment to, or employ for Executives own account or for the account of another, any employee or agent of the Company and/or its Affiliates.
(d) During the Term and for a period of two (2) year after the termination of this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, raid, entice or otherwise induce any customer and/or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or to do business with a competitor with respect to products and/or services that are competitive with the products and/or services of the Company and its Affiliates.
(e) During the Term and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Executive shall not engage in any competition with, or, directly or indirectly, perform services (as employee, manager, consultant, independent contractor, advisor or otherwise) for any business that engages in competition with the Company or any of its Affiliates anywhere in the United States.
(f) During the Term and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own any equity interest in any enterprise (other than an aggregate of not more than one percent (1%) of the stock of an enterprise listed on a national stock exchange), or make any loan or advance to any enterprise, that engages in competition with the Company or any of its Affiliates anywhere in the United States.
(g) Executive agrees that the restrictions in this Section 7 are reasonable and necessary to protect the Confidential Information and acknowledges that the Company would not employ Executive absent Executives agreement to this Section 7. Executive expressly agrees that, in addition to any other rights or remedies which the Company may have, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent a breach of this Section 7 by Executive including a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining any threatened or actual violation, and Executive consents to the entry of such an order
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and injunction relief and waive the making of a bond as a condition for obtaining such relief.
8. Intellectual Property .
Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be and remain the sole owner of all the fruits and proceeds of Executives services hereunder, including, but not limited to, all ideas, inventions, concepts, developments, discoveries, whether or not protectable, and other properties which Executive may create or conceive in connection with, and during the term of, Executives employment hereunder, including, without limitation, product concepts, formulations and names, and all marketing concepts and materials, free and clear of any claims by Executive (or any successor or assignee of Executive) of any kind or character whatsoever other than Executives right to compensation hereunder. Executive hereby assigns any and all rights he may have in any of the forgoing, including copyrights, to the Company. Executive agrees that he shall, at the request of the Board of Directors of the Company, execute such assignments, certificates or other instruments as the Board from time to time deems necessary or desirable to evidence, establish, maintain, perfect, protect, enforce or defend the Companys right, title and interest in or to any such properties.
9. Executives Representation .
Executive represents that Executives performance of this Agreement does not breach any agreement not to compete, to assign inventions, or to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by Executive, and Executive will not disclose to the Company, or induce the Company to use, any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or others.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements of the parties with respect to said subject matter are hereby merged into and superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed, modified or amended other than by a further written agreement signed by both parties hereto.
(b) Mutual Agreement . This Agreement embodies the arms-length negotiation and mutual agreement between the parties hereto and shall not be construed against either party as having been drafted by such party.
(c) No Waiver . The failure or omission of either party hereto to insist, in any instance, upon strict performance by the other party of any term or provision of this Agreement or to exercise any of its rights hereunder shall not be deemed to be a modification of any term hereof or a waiver or relinquishment of the future performance of any such term or provision by such party, nor shall such failure or omission constitute a waiver of the right of such party to insist upon future performance by the other party of any such term or provision.
(d) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and shall be construed and
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interpreted in accordance with the laws of Nevada, without giving effect to any choice of law doctrine.
(e) Settlement of Disputes, Arbitration . Subject to the provisions of Section 7, any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Clark County, Nevada in accordance with the rules for the resolution of employment law disputes of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators award in any court having jurisdiction. Both Executive and Company agree to submit to jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts in Clark County, Nevada, as applicable, with respect to any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
(f) Notice . Any notice or document required or permitted by this Agreement to be given to a party hereto shall be in writing and is sufficiently given if delivered personally, or if sent by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested or sent by telecopier provided a copy of such telecopied notice shall be sent by overnight courier, to such party addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Gaming Partners International Corporation
1700 Industrial Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
Attn.: Chairman
Fax: 702.384.1965
if to Executive:
Gregory Gronau
712 Proud eagle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89144
Notice mailed by certified mail shall be deemed to have been given on the fifth business day next following the date of the returned receipt. Notice sent by fax shall be deemed to have been given on the next business day. Any notice delivered to the party to whom it is addressed shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day it is delivered. Any party may from time to time notify the others in the manner provided herein of any change of address which thereafter, until changed by like notice, shall be the address of such party for all purposes hereof.
(g) Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and bind, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, provided , however , that Executive shall not assign or transfer any of his rights under this Agreement nor delegate any of his duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company.
(h) Severability . If, in any jurisdiction, any provision of this Agreement or its application to any party or circumstance is restricted, prohibited or unenforceable, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such restriction, prohibition or unenforceability
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without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof and without affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or its application to other parties or circumstances. In addition, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason in any jurisdiction be held to be excessively broad as to time, duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed, by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the application law of such jurisdiction as it shall then appear.
(i) Headings and Counterparts . Headings are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the interpretation or meaning of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which, together, will constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer or representative, and Executive has signed this Agreement, as of the day and year first written above.
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GAMING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL |
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CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Gregory Gronau |
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Exhibit 99.2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GAMING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
NEW CORPORATE OFFICER FOR NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
(LAS VEGAS) Gaming Partners International Corporation (NASDAQ: GPIC), announced today the appointment of Gregory Gronau as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the company effective immediately. Gronau will assume duties that include management of the companys U.S. and Mexico operations conducted through its subsidiary, Gaming Partners International USA, Inc. The hiring is part of a succession plan necessitated by the planned retirement of longtime President and Chief Executive Officer Gerard Charlier. Charlier is due to retire in September 2009.
Gronau has enjoyed a successful career in the gaming industry with extensive experience in both manufacturing operations and the emerging technologies that are becoming critically important for this business sector. Commenting on Mr. Gronaus selection, GPIC Chairperson of the Board, Elisabeth Carrette said, Weve been searching for a person with the right mix of skills and expertise to manage our operations in the United States and Mexico and be able to help lead the company to greater achievements and market dominance. Mr. Gronaus wealth of experience will be instrumental in the strategic direction of the company for years to come.
Gronau joins GPIC after serving as President and CEO of Cadillac Jack. He previously served as Vice President of Operations for Shuffle Master, Inc. and Vice President of Distribution Services for WMS Industries. His areas of responsibilities with GPIC will include manufacturing, sales, and marketing operations for North America. Greg brings a level of expertise that will be very important to the future of this company and his skills are well-suited to Gaming Partners International, said Gerard Charlier, President and Chief Executive Officer of GPIC. Speaking about his new position, Gronau said, I am very excited about the opportunity to join this phenomenal organization. GPIC has enjoyed a stellar reputation in the gaming industry and has long been recognized as the dominant player in the table game equipment and casino currency arena. Gronau continued, With the market set to grow into new areas and the expansion of RFID in the industry, GPIC is well positioned to be able to capitalize on its strengths.
A native of Illinois, Gronau attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and has been active in numerous community and civic organizations throughout his career.
Gaming Partners International Corporation, or GPIC, manufactures and supplies (under the brand names of Paulson ® , Bourgogne et Grasset ® and Bud Jones ® ) gaming chips including 125 KHz and 13.56 MHz RFID chips, jetons and plaques, RFID readers, wheels, tables, layouts, playing cards,
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dice and other products that are used with casino table games. GPIC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with offices in Beaune, France; San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Gulfport, Mississippi. GPIC sells its casino products directly to licensed casinos throughout the world. For additional information about GPIC, visit our web site at www.gpigaming.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations but involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as the expected growth potential and success of the RFID-embedded casino currency market and the ability of GPIC to capitalize on any such growth opportunities . Actual results or achievements may be materially different from those expressed or implied. GPICs plans and objectives are based on assumptions involving judgments with respect to future economic, competitive and market conditions, its ability to consummate, and the timing of, acquisitions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond its control. Therefore, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate.
Additional information concerning factors and risks that could affect these forward-looking statements and GPICs financial condition and results of operations are included in GPICs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as well as subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. .
For more Information please contact:
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GPIC Contact: |
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David W. Grimes, CFO |
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702-598-2400 |
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dgrimes@gpigaming.com |
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