UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 10, 2022
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-36101 | 80-0937145 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
5075 South Syracuse Street
Denver, Colorado 80237
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip code)
(303) 770-5531
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
Class A Common Stock $0.0001 par value per share | RMAX | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.
Departure of Chief Executive Officer and Director
On January 10, 2022, Adam Contos, the Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), reached an understanding with the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company regarding his decision to leave the Company in order to spend more time with his family and to pursue new entrepreneurial endeavors. The Company and Mr. Contos entered into an Executive Separation and Release Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) in order to, among other things, provide for a transition period with the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Contos will cease serving as the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Company’s Board effective March 31, 2022. Mr. Contos’s resignation is not because of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices.
Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Contos will receive 24 months of his annual base salary, which shall be paid in the form of salary continuation beginning in April 2022, 24 months of continued employee benefits from the Company, a 2021 performance bonus based on the Company’s achievement of financial metrics and strategic goals in accordance with the Company’s short-term incentive plan for executive officers, and a pro-rated 2022 bonus at the target level. In addition, 30,893 of his unvested performance restricted stock units will vest on March 31, 2022, at which time his remaining performance and time-based restricted stock units will be forfeited. Mr. Contos will receive certain other benefits as set forth in the Separation Agreement.
The foregoing summary of the Separation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified it its entirety by reference to such agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Appointment of Chief Executive Officer on Interim Basis
The Company’s Board has appointed Board member Stephen Joyce to become Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis upon Mr. Contos’ departure and to serve as Co-Chief Executive Officer with Mr. Contos during an anticipated one-month time period from March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022, to allow for an orderly transition of responsibilities. The Company expects to form a Chief Executive Officer search committee of Board members to identify a permanent Chief Executive Officer replacement and plans to retain an executive search firm to assist with the process, which will include evaluating internal and external candidates for the Chief Executive Officer role.
The Board has determined that Mr. Joyce is no longer independent as a result of his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, and therefore, he has resigned from the Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board. As a result, the Board plans to commence a selection process to add one additional independent Board director who would fill the seat vacated by Mr. Contos. The Company is committed to a corporate governance program that ensures that its Board has the right people and practices to effectively create stockholder value while considering the interests of all of its stakeholders.
Mr. Joyce, 61, is a seasoned executive with proven experience successfully leading global franchise operations, including Dine Brands Global, the franchisor of IHOP and Applebee’s Grill + Bar, where he was previously Chief Executive Officer and Board member. Prior to Dine Brands Global, Mr. Joyce served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International, where he reinvigorated and grew its hotel brands, expanding them from nine to 13 brands, and grew Choice Hotels internationally to more than 6,700 hotels in over 45 countries. Earlier in his career, Mr. Joyce spent over 25 years with Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hotel company, where he created the first franchise program and helped build a network of more than 2,500 franchised hotels. Mr. Joyce also serves on the Board of Directors of Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc. and on the Board of Directors of Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE).
The Company has entered into an Interim Executive Agreement with Mr. Joyce which provides for a signing bonus of $100,000 in March 2022, and a monthly salary of $100,000 per month starting in March 2022 for the duration of his tenure as Co-Chief Executive Officer and after March 31, 2022, as Chief Executive Officer, with a six-month minimum. In addition, Mr. Joyce will receive a one-time option award with an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,000,000, vesting in 10 equal monthly installments beginning on March 31, 2022, subject to Mr. Joyce’s continued service as Chief Executive Officer, with a six-month minimum. The Company anticipates that Mr. Joyce will remain on the Board during the time that he serves as Chief Executive Officer; however, Mr. Joyce will not receive incremental compensation for his service on the Board during such time. Mr. Joyce will receive certain other benefits as set forth in the Interim Executive Agreement.
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The foregoing summary of the Interim Executive Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified it its entirety by reference to such agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
There are no related party transactions between Mr. Joyce and the Company as defined in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. There are no family relationships between Mr. Joyce and any other director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen to be a director or executive officer of the Company
Approval and Adoption of Named Executive Officers’ Reward and Retention Bonus Program
Also on January 10, 2022, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) approved and adopted Reward and Retention Bonus Agreements (the “Reward and Retention Agreements”), which provide for a special payment of cash awards to certain of the Company’s Named Executive Officers: Karri R. Callahan, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer; Nicholas R. Bailey, President and Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX; Serene M. Smith, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff; and Ward M. Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Motto Mortgage and wemlo. The Committee adopted the Reward and Retention Agreements to recognize these executives’ outsized contributions to the Company’s strategic goals in 2021, including the substantial effort dedicated to successfully completing the acquisition of RE/MAX INTEGRA’s North American business and the integration of the Gadberry Group and wemlo acquisitions which drove sustainable and meaningful revenue and earnings growth for the Company. In addition, the Reward and Retention Agreements are structured to encourage retention of the Company’s management team given the transition of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and amidst the highly competitive market for talent, both within the real estate and mortgage industries and, more generally, for seasoned top leadership with the specific expertise possessed by these Named Executive Officers. Additionally, the Reward and Retention Agreements are in recognition of excellent leadership throughout the pandemic, which laid the groundwork for 2021’s record results.
Under the Reward and Retention Agreements, certain of the Company’s Named Executive Officers were granted special cash bonus awards in the following amounts: $308,000 for Ms. Callahan; $312,000 for Mr. Bailey; $288,000 for Ms. Smith; and $280,000 for Mr. Morrison. An initial payment in the amount of 75% of these cash awards will be made to each executive on January 15, 2022. The remaining 25% of these cash awards will be payable on September 30, 2022. The awards also require the grantees to agree to certain restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, and confidentiality provisions. The awards are subject to repayment provisions in favor of the Company, at the discretion of the Committee, tied to continued service through September 30, 2022, and adherence with the restrictive covenants through December 31, 2022, as set forth in the Reward and Retention Agreements. The foregoing description of the Reward and Retention Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Reward and Retention Agreement, which is filed hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.
Executive Officer Title Changes
RE/MAX President Nick Bailey has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX and will continue to lead all aspects of the RE/MAX brand and business globally. Additionally, Motto President Ward Morrison has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer of Motto Mortgage and wemlo and will continue to lead all aspects of the Company’s mortgage operations. Both title changes were effective as of January 10, 2022.
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure. *
$100 Million Share Repurchase Program
On January 11, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program of up to $100 million and announcing the Chief Executive Officer transition discussed in Item 5.02 and the title changes for certain executive officers discussed in Item 5.02.
Share repurchases may be made from time to time through a variety of methods, including by means of open market or privately negotiated transactions, through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, or in reliance on indirect purchases of common stock such as by using derivatives. The timing of repurchases and the actual number of shares repurchased will be subject to the discretion of the Company and may be based upon market conditions as well as other opportunities that the Company may have for the allocation of capital from time to time. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular amount of common stock. The share repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
The full text of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Certain Operational Statistics
The Company is also providing the following update on its operational statistics as of December 31, 2021:
Operating Statistics as of December 31, 2021
(Compared to December 31, 2020)
§ | Total RE/MAX agent count increased 3.1% to 141,998 agents | |
§ | U.S. and Canada combined agent count increased 1.4% to 85,471 agents, led by 10.0% growth in Canada | |
§ | Total open Motto Mortgage franchises increased 32.6% to 187 offices1 |
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. *
Exhibit No. | Description |
10.1 | Executive Separation and General Release Agreement** |
10.2 | Interim Executive Agreement |
10.3 | Form of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. Reward and Retention Agreement |
99.1 | Press release issued on January 11, 2022 |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL). |
Footnotes:
* The information contained in Items 7.01 and 9.01 and Exhibit 99.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being “furnished” and shall not be deemed “filed” for purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be set forth by specific reference in such filing.
** Exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any omitted exhibits and schedules upon request by the SEC.
1Total open Motto Mortgage franchises includes only “bricks and mortar” offices with a unique physical address with rights granted by a full franchise agreement with Motto Franchising, LLC and excludes any “virtual” offices or “branchises”.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "believe," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," "project," "anticipate," "may," "will," "would" and other similar words and expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends that are not statements of historical matters.
Forward-looking statements include statements related to: the Company’s expectations related to its share repurchase program including any implications about the timing or amount of purchases to be made in connection with the program, statements regarding the Company’s capital allocation and return of capital to shareholders, expectations concerning the benefits of the acquisition of the North American operations of RE/MAX INTEGRA, statements regarding the integration of the Gadberry Group and wemlo acquisitions, the Company’s anticipated growth and its generation of free cash flow, statements related to the transition of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, including the appointment and service of a Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis and the time that Mr. Contos will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s search for a new Board member, the Company’s Reward and Retention Agreements and the benefits expected from such arrangements including with respect to providing retention and other incentives to the executives receiving the benefits of such arrangements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily accurately indicate the times at which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (1) the global COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to pose significant and widespread risks to the Company’s business, including the Company’s agents, loan originators, franchisees and employees, as well as home buyers and sellers, (2) changes in the real estate market or interest rates and availability of financing, (3) changes in business and economic activity in general, (4) the Company’s ability to attract and retain quality franchisees and the Company’s franchisees’ ability to recruit and retain real estate agents and mortgage loan originators, (5) changes in laws and regulations, (6) the Company’s ability to enhance, market, and protect its brands, including the RE/MAX and Motto Mortgage brands, (7) the Company’s ability to implement its technology initiatives, (8) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, (9) risks and uncertainties related to the share repurchase program including the timing, amount and the price at which any share repurchases might be made in connection with the program, (10) uncertainties concerning the Company’s ability to continue to generate free cash flow, (11) uncertainties regarding the returns to be achieved and benefits to shareholders from different allocations of capital and the Company’s decisions and expectations around expenditure of capital towards the share repurchase program versus other priorities, (12) the exact details and timing of events related to the Chief Executive Officer transition including the timing and duration of the Co-Chief Executive Officer period and (13) those risks and uncertainties described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and similar disclosures in subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the investor relations page of the Company’s website at www.remaxholdings.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.
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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.
RE/MAX HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
Date: January 11, 2022 | By: | /s/ Karri Callahan |
Karri Callahan | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTIVE SEPARATION AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT
This Executive Separation and General Release Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of January 10, 2022 by and between RE/MAX, LLC, having offices at 5075 S. Syracuse Street, Denver, Colorado 80237-2712 (“Company”), and Adam Michael Contos (“Executive”) and shall be effective on the date it is signed by Executive (the “Effective Date”).
Company and Executive intend by this Agreement to settle all legal rights and obligations arising out of or resulting from their employment relationship and its termination and part amicably.
Now, therefore, Company and Executive agree as follows:
1. Separation from Employment. Executive’s employment with Company will end no later than March 31, 2022 (the “Anticipated Separation Date”). However, Executive’s employment may end before the Anticipated Separation Date if Executive resigns or if Company terminates Executive’s employment. The actual date on which the employment relationship ends is the “Separation Date,” and the Separation Date will be no later than the Anticipated Separation Date. The period between the Effective Date and the Separation Date will be referred to as the “Transition Period.” On the Separation Date, the termination of Executive’s employment relationship with Company shall also constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Executive: (a) as an officer of Company and each of its divisions, subsidiaries, parent companies (including, but not limited, to RMCO, LLC and RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”)) (collectively with Company, the “Company Group”); (b) from the Board of Directors of Holdings (the “Board”); and (c) from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any member of the Company Group and from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which any member of the Company Group holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) Executive serves as such Company Group member’s designee or other representative.
2. Duties and Benefits During the Transition Period; Separation Benefits: Prior to the Effective Date, Executive was an “at-will” employee and did not have the right to continued employment for any period of time including through the Anticipated Separation Date.
2.1. | During the Transition Period. Provided that Executive (i) has delivered to Company a fully executed original of this Agreement no later than January 102, 2022 (“Delivery Date”), and (ii) remains at all times in compliance with his promises and obligations under this Agreement: |
a) | During the Transition Period, Executive will continue to act as the Chief Executive Officer of Company and of Holdings, and shall continue to perform the duties of such offices, including attending and speaking at the 2022 RE/MAX R4 convention so long as Executive is still employed on that date. |
b) | Company will provide Executive the following payments and benefits (the “Transition Benefits”), in consideration of and in exchange for Executive’s execution of this Agreement: |
i. | During the Transition Period, Executive will be paid Executive’s current full base salary at the annual rate of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00), i.e., Thirty-one Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($31,250.00) semi-monthly, less applicable taxes and withholdings. |
ii. | During the Transition Period, Executive shall continue to be eligible to participate in Company’s employee benefit programs in accordance with the terms of such programs, and Executive’s coverage under any such program that provides for coverage through the last day of the calendar month in which termination of employment occurs will continue through the last day of the calendar month during which the Separation Date occurs. |
iii. | If Company pays a bonus to officers in Q1 2022 for the 2021 fiscal year, and so long as Executive does not resign and is not terminated for “Cause,” as defined below, before the Anticipated Separation Date and has complied with all terms of this Agreement, Executive will be paid a bonus for such fiscal year, subject to all federal, state, and local withholding requirements and deductions. The amount of the bonus will be calculated as follows: |
A. | The portion of Executive’s bonus based upon Company financial metrics will be paid at the bonus level approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), if any such bonus for 2021 is paid at all; and |
B. | The portion of Executive’s bonus based upon Executive’s strategic goals will be paid at the stretch (200% of target) level. |
One half of the resulting amount will be paid in a cash lump sum, and one half of the resulting amount will be paid to Executive in shares of Class A Common Stock of Holdings (with the number of such shares to be based on the fair market value of such a share as determined at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Compensation Committee). Both the cash and stock amounts will be paid at the time that 2021 officer bonuses are paid by Company.
Executive acknowledges that, although employed during the Transition Period at a time when Company would customarily issue new annual grants of restricted stock units to employees and officers, Executive will not be eligible to receive and will not receive a new annual grant of restricted stock units or other equity or incentive compensation for any portion of 2022. In addition, Executive acknowledges that, except as explicitly provided in paragraph 2.3.b) below, he will not be eligible for any annual bonus or other short-term incentive compensation for 2022.
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2.2. | Announcement of Separation. Within four (4) business days after the Delivery Date, Company will file the disclosure attached hereto as Exhibit A and the press release attached hereto as Exhibit B with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) announcing Executive’s entry into this Agreement, including Executive’s retention during the Transition Period and Executive’s subsequent separation from employment. Company may file this Agreement with the SEC at an appropriate time, as determined by Company and as required by law. Company will not file or make any other public written or verbal announcement concerning Executive’s separation of employment with Company that is inconsistent with Exhibits A or B without the advance written consent of Executive. If Company requests consent by Executive for statements concerning Executive’s separation from Company, Executive shall respond within three (3) business days and shall not withhold such consent unreasonably. Executive will not make any public statements about his separation of employment with Company that contain statements or information other than those contained in Exhibits A or B. |
2.3. | After the Separation Date. Provided that Executive (i) delivered to Company a fully executed original of this Agreement by the Delivery Date; (ii) did not resign and is not terminated for Cause before the Anticipated Separation Date; (iii) signs and does not revoke the Release Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Release Agreement”) on or after the Separation Date; and (iv) remains at all times in compliance with his promises and obligations under this Agreement, Company will provide Executive with the benefits described in paragraphs (a) - (h) below (the “Separation Benefits”). |
a) | Executive will be entitled to receive separation pay in the aggregate amount of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) (“Severance Pay”), less applicable tax and payroll withholding. Severance Pay shall be payable as salary continuation in substantially equal installments (prorated for any partial payroll period) payable on the Company’s regular payroll dates (each such payment, a “Separation Payment”) during the 24 months following the Separation Date (the “Severance Period”); provided, however, that the first such Separation Payment shall be made on the first payroll date following the expiration of the revocation period contained in the Release Agreement (such expiration date is referred to herein as the “Effective Release Date,” and such first payroll date is referred to herein as the “First Payment Date”)), and such Separation Payment shall include all other Separation Payments (or pro rata portion thereof), if any, that would have been paid on payroll dates occurring during the period beginning on the Separation Date and ending on the First Payment Date had the Separation Payments been paid on Company’s regularly scheduled payroll dates on or following the Separation Date. |
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b) | Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to $187,500 (which amount, Company and Executive agree is equivalent to one-quarter of the amount Executive would have been eligible to receive as an annual bonus for 2022, at the target level), less applicable tax and payroll withholding. One half of the resulting amount will be paid in a cash lump sum, and one half of the resulting amount will be paid to Executive in shares of Class A Common Stock of Holdings (with the number of such shares to be based on the fair market value of such a share as determined at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Compensation Committee). Both the cash and stock amounts shall be paid on the First Payment Date. |
c) | During the portion, if any, of the eighteen (18)-month period following the Separation Date (the “Reimbursement Period”) that Executive elects to continue coverage for Executive and Executive’s spouse and eligible dependents, if any, under Company’s group health plans pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), Company shall promptly reimburse Executive on a monthly basis for the difference between the amount Executive pays to effect and continue such coverage and the employee contribution amount that similarly situated employees of Company pay for the same or similar coverage under such group health plans (the “COBRA Benefit”). Each payment of the COBRA Benefit shall be paid to Executive on Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date in the calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which Executive submits to Company documentation of the applicable premium payment having been paid by Executive, which documentation shall be submitted by Executive to Company within thirty (30) days following the date on which the applicable premium payment is due to be paid. Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement payments until the earliest of: (x) the last day of the Reimbursement Period; (y) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (z) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive coverage under a group health plan sponsored by another employer (and any such eligibility shall be promptly reported to Company by Executive); provided, however, that the election of COBRA continuation coverage and the payment of any premiums due with respect to such COBRA continuation coverage shall remain Executive’s sole responsibility, and Company shall not assume any obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage. In addition, if Executive is still receiving the continuation coverage described in this paragraph on the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Separation Date (the “COBRA Payment Trigger Date”), then, within thirty (30) days after the COBRA Payment Trigger Date, Company shall pay to Executive a lump-sum cash payment equal to the lesser of (A) the applicable dollar amount under Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code for the year in which the Separation Date occurs or (B) six (6) times the reimbursement amount Company paid to Executive for such coverage for the last month of the eighteen (18)-month period during which Executive received the continuation coverage described in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the provision of the benefits described in this paragraph cannot be provided in the manner described above without penalty, tax or other adverse impact on Company or any other member of the Company Group, then Company and Executive shall negotiate in good faith to determine an alternative manner in which Company may provide substantially equivalent benefits to Executive without such adverse impact on Company or such other member of the Company Group. |
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d) | Effective on the Effective Release Date, Executive and Company will enter into the Assignment Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D. |
e) | Effective on the Effective Release Date, Executive and Company will enter into the Sponsorship Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E. |
f) | Effective on the Effective Release Date and provided that Executive and his spouse have executed and delivered to Company on or before such date the Real Estate Independent Contractor Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit F, then Company will execute and deliver to Executive and his Spouse such Real Estate Independent Contractor Agreement. |
g) | With respect to Award Number 2020-125 of performance-based restricted stock units granted to Executive as of March 1, 2020 (the “2020 pRSU Award”) under Holdings’ 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), all such restricted stock units shall be forfeited to Holdings on the Separation Date without any consideration to Executive; provided, however, that 12,607 of such restricted stock units that relate to a revenue performance metric shall be deemed vested as of the Separation Date and shall be settled (in accordance with the terms of the 2020 pRSU Award except as modified by this sentence) within 60 days after the Effective Release Date. With respect to Award Number 2021-REV-T1-001, 2021-REV-T2-001, 2021-REV-T3-001 of performance-based restricted stock units granted to Executive as of March 1, 2021 (the “2021 pRSU Award”) under the Plan, all such restricted stock units shall be forfeited to Holdings on the Separation Date without any consideration to Executive; provided, however, that 18,286 of such restricted stock units that relate to the First Performance Period (as defined in the 2021 pRSU Award, i.e., 2021-REV-T1-001 for calendar year 2021) shall be deemed vested as of the Separation Date and shall be settled (in accordance with the terms of the 2021 pRSU Award except as modified by this sentence) within 60 days after the Effective Release Date. |
h) | During the Severance Period, Company will provide Executive complementary registration for him to attend the annual RE/MAX R4 convention and annual RE/MAX BOC, and shall provide Executive complementary hotel accommodations consistent with that provided to then-current executive officers (other than the then-current chief executive officer of Company and Holdings) and Company’s Expense and Business Travel Reimbursement Policy and the Executive Addendum thereto. |
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Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that all 16,810 restricted stock units granted to Executive as of March 1, 2020 under the Plan that are not subject to a specific performance goal and all 20,135 restricted stock units granted to Executive as of March 1, 2021 under the Plan that are not subject to a specific performance goal shall be forfeited to Holdings on the Separation Date without any consideration to Executive.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall have a meaning similar to that provided in the 2020 and 2021 pRSU Awards, which shall be as follows: in the determination of the Compensation Committee, Executive’s: (i) performance of any act or failure to perform any act in bad faith and to the detriment of any member of the Company Group; (ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct or material breach of any agreement with any member of the Company Group; or (iii) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person.
Executive’s eligibility for the Separation Benefits is part of the consideration for his execution of this Agreement and such Separation Benefits are not something Executive was otherwise eligible to receive.
2.4. | Payment of Severance Pay upon Executive’s Death. If Executive dies after becoming eligible for Severance Pay and executing the Release Agreement but before receipt of all of the Severance Pay, any unpaid amount of Severance Pay will be paid to Executive’s estate in one lump sum. All payments will be net of amounts withheld with respect to taxes, offsets, or other obligations. |
2.5. | Offset. Company reserves the right and Executive hereby authorizes Company to reduce any amount of Severance Pay that is due and payable on or before March 15, 2023 by monies Executive owes to any member of the Company Group, in accordance with applicable law, including, without limitation, recovery of any overpayments by Company to Executive. |
2.6. | Representations. Executive represents and warrants by signing the Release Agreement that Executive was permitted by all Company Group Members to take all leave to which Executive was entitled; Executive has been properly paid for all time worked while employed by any Company Group Member, including without limitation, any overtime and bonuses; and Executive has received all benefits to which Executive was or is entitled, including without limitation, the vesting of any restricted stock units to which he is entitled as of the Separation Date. |
2.7. | Lockup Period. Executive hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Company’s Lead Independent Director, he will not, during the Transition Period and for a period of 90 days following the Separation Date, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock in Holdings beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), by Executive or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock in Holdings or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock in Holdings, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock in Holdings or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. |
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2.8. | Indemnity Obligations. The Indemnification Agreement dated January 15, 2016 between Holdings and Executive (the “Indemnification Agreement”) is hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement, shall remain in full force and legal effect and all of its provisions shall survive the terms of this Agreement and any releases or other language in contradiction to the terms of the Indemnification Agreement. |
3. Consideration: Executive acknowledges that the payments and/or benefits received under this Agreement and as a result of signing and not revoking the Release Agreement include payments and/or benefits which are in addition to those Executive normally would have received under any of Company’s programs, plans or policies but for the execution of this Agreement and signing and not revoking the Release Agreement. Executive also acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement or in the Release Agreement will require any member of the Company Group to continue any benefit or compensation program, plan or policy which it currently maintains for its employees, and each member of the Company Group may at any time modify, amend or discontinue any such program, plan or policy.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THESE SECTIONS INCLUDE A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
4. Definition of Claims. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Claim(s)” will include, but is not limited to, the following:
4.1. | any and all actions, causes of action, proceedings, demands, suits, grievances, debts, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, losses, damages and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and other costs actually incurred), of any nature whatsoever. |
4.2. | any action or claim under federal, state or local law, regulation or executive order, including, but not limited to, actions or claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended; the Equal Pay Act, as amended; the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended; the Americans With Disabilities Act, as amended; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act, as amended; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”); the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended; the National Labor Relations Act, as amended; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, as amended, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, all corresponding state anti-discrimination statutes, codes, laws or ordinances. |
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4.3. | any action or claim for compensation, benefits, backpay, frontpay, defamation, reinstatement, wrongful discharge or demotion, failure to hire, promote or transfer, promissory estoppel, breach of contract or of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, emotional distress, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and/or loss of seniority; and any action or claim based on or related to a service letter. |
5. Release. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of his heirs, assigns and successors, irrevocably and unconditionally releases Company and its divisions, subsidiaries, parent companies (including but not limited to RMCO, LLC, Holdings, and RIHI, Inc.), successors and affiliates and each of their former or current agents, stockholders, directors, officers, members, employees, members of the board of directors or managers or other governing body, customers, franchisees, regional owners of franchises, attorneys, third party investigators, third party accounting firms and all other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of them (the “Released Parties”) from any and all Claims, whether known or unknown, including, but not limited to, Claims made, to be made, or which might have been made from the beginning of time until the date on which Executive signed this Agreement.
To the maximum extent allowed by law, Executive waives the right to sue or initiate or participate in any action against the Released Parties individually or as a member of a class, under any contract (express or implied), or any federal, state, or local law, statute or regulation pertaining in any manner to the Claims. Executive also agrees that he will not seek or accept any further compensation from any Released Party for any other claimed damages, injury, costs or attorneys’ fees. However, Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits his ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the SEC or any other federal, state or local government agency or commission (“Government Agencies”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit his ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s rights to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies from that agency, although it does prevent Executive from recovering any additional monies from the Released Parties.
This is intended to be a general release of all claims, so, to the extent Executive still possesses any viable claims or causes of action against the Released Parties, to the maximum extent allowed by law, Executive hereby assigns to Company all such claims.
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5.1. | Executive warrants and represents that he has not filed and hereby agrees that he will not file any charge, claim, or complaint of any kind against the Released Parties. Executive shall not file against the Released Parties any charge, claim or complaint arising from or related to any acts or omissions by the Released Parties occurring prior to the date on which Executive executes this Agreement and seeking personal recovery or relief (“Personal Claim”). Executive shall defend and indemnify the Released Parties and hold the Released Parties harmless from and against any Personal Claim Executive files (including attorneys’ fees and costs). Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or is intended to prevent: (1) the parties to this Agreement from bringing an action to enforce the terms of this Agreement; (2) Executive from filing any claim for unemployment compensation or workers’ compensation; (3) Executive from filing a claim for benefits under a Company sponsored benefit plan covered by ERISA or a claim for indemnification under a Company or Holdings D&O liability insurance policy or Company’s or Holdings’ Bylaws; (4) Executive from filing a charge with the EEOC or the NLRB or other federal or state governmental agency, but Executive acknowledges that Executive has waived and released, and will not recover, any damages or monetary relief, including back pay, for Executive in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding whether filed by Executive or on Executive’s behalf or for Executive’s benefit by any government agency, individual, or other party; or (5) Executive from participating in or cooperating with a governmental administrative investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive a whistleblower reward or bounty for providing information to the SEC. |
5.2. | Executive warrants and represents that he has not transferred or assigned any of the Claims being released herein. |
5.3. | Executive further acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the payments and/or benefits provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement represent full and complete satisfaction of any and all monetary and non-monetary Claims Executive has or might have against the Released Parties; and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement that refer to the Released Parties are for the benefit of each Released Party and may be enforced by each Released Party. |
6. Tax Liability. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Executive agrees that Executive will be exclusively liable for the payment of any taxes, including without limitation, federal, state or local income taxes, social security taxes, or any other taxes, arising out of or resulting from the consideration and/or other benefits paid to Executive hereunder, and Executive hereby represents that Executive will pay any such taxes which may be due at the time and in the amount required. The members of the Company Group will have the right to deduct from any compensation payable to Executive under this Agreement all federal, state and local income taxes, social security taxes and such other mandatory deductions as may now be in effect or may be enacted or required after the Effective Date. Executive agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Company Group harmless from payment of any taxes (excluding federal and state unemployment taxes and the Company Group’s share of social security taxes), which any government agency determines should have been deducted from any consideration paid to Executive by the Company Group and which were not in fact withheld.
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7. Executive Cooperation. Executive agrees to cooperate with each member of the Company Group regarding any pending or subsequently filed litigation, proceeding, claim or other disputed item involving any member of the Company Group that relates to matters within the knowledge or responsibility of Executive during Executive’s employment. Without limiting the foregoing, Executive agrees (i) to meet with Company’s designated representatives, its counsel or other designees at mutually convenient times and places with respect to any items within the scope of this paragraph; (ii) to provide truthful testimony to any court, agency or other adjudicatory body; (iii) to notify Company within three (3) business days if Executive is contacted by any adverse party or by any representative of an adverse party; and (iv) not to assist any adverse party or any adverse party’s representatives, except as may be required by law. This provision shall not prohibit Executive from participating in or cooperating with a governmental investigation. Company shall be responsible for expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in compliance with Company’s Expense and Business Travel Reimbursement Policy and the Executive Addendum thereto, in connection with the cooperation required in this paragraph.
8. Restrictive Covenants.
8.1. | Confidentiality. In the course of Executive’s employment by Company, Executive has had access to and will continue to have access to Confidential Information (as defined below) of the members of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, members, franchisees, agents, and sales associates. Executive agrees to maintain the strict confidentiality of all Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean all non-public information and materials of or pertaining to any member of the Company Group in any form or medium including all notes, analyses, compilations, copies, documents, recordings, summaries, reproductions, copies, translations, electronic copies or versions (in any medium including video, email, audio, video, MP3, or voicemail) regardless of where the same may have been lodged including on any personal devices of Executive, including information and materials: generated by Executive or third parties; received by a member of the Company Group from third parties; concerning or pertaining to the Company Group or its business in any respect including information as to any Company Group member’s business practices, operations, prospects, franchisees and franchisee agreements; or legal information and advice. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, information: protected by any and all non-disclosure agreements signed by Executive during employment; concerning claims against or by any member of the Company Group, legal issues and advice, or other information or communications acquired by Executive in Executive’s capacity as an employee of any member of the Company Group; regarding all education or training programs and materials developed by the Company Group or acquired from a third party (including but not limited to Momentum); contained in a Company Group member’s financial records; concerning regional, agent and franchise agreements, prospects, events, information technology techniques and arrangements, processes and procedures for creating IT related resources, contemplated products and services and agreement terms; concerning past acquisitions (closed or not closed) and acquisitions planned or considered as of the Separation Date, concerning data and issues related to public filings, and concerning purchasing information and other business, marketing, sales, strategic and operational data of the Company Group and its franchisees. Confidential Information includes all other information and materials which are of a propriety or confidential nature, even if they are not marked as such. This provision shall survive indefinitely including in the event of any termination of this Agreement. |
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8.2. | Notice Under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Company provides Executive with notice that 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)(1) states as follows: |
“An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that—(A) is made—(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.”
Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any confidentiality agreement Executive has signed with a member of the Company Group, Executive understands that he has the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. Executive further understands that he also has the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure. Executive understands and acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement or in any confidentiality agreement Executive signed with a member of the Company Group is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).
8.3. | Intellectual Property. Except as provided in the Assignment Agreement attached as Exhibit D, Executive recognizes and agrees that all copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property rights to works or marks arising in, from or in connection with Executive’s employment by any member of the Company Group, are the sole and exclusive property of the applicable member of the Company Group. Executive agrees not to assert any such rights against the Company Group or any third party. Executive agrees to assign, and hereby does assign, to Company all rights, if any, in or to such works or marks that may have accrued to Executive during Executive’s employment by any member of the Company Group. Following the Effective Date, upon Company’s reasonable request, and at Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall take such steps and actions, and provide such cooperation and assistance to the Company Group and their successors, assigns, and legal representatives, including the execution and delivery of any affidavits, declarations, oaths, exhibits, assignments, powers of attorney, or other documents, as may be reasonably necessary to effect, evidence, or perfect such assignment. |
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8.4. | Agreement Not to Compete. For the Severance Period, Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly, accept employment or perform services on behalf of himself or for any individual or entity that in the United States or internationally: (a) competes with the Company Group in the areas of franchising real estate brokerages, franchising mortgage brokerages, real estate brokerages, mortgage lending, or mortgage brokerages; (b) has as a primary part of its business a website or mobile application designed for the display of real estate listing data, or lead generation or business development for franchising real estate brokerages, franchising mortgage brokerages, real estate brokerages, or mortgage brokerages; or (c) competes with the Company Group in that it offers services or products offered by the Company Group as of the Separation Date (collectively, the “Company’s Business”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may perform coaching and/or consulting services on behalf of himself or for any individual or entity concerning general business advice and/or best practices but: (i) Executive shall not advise or consult in any way that is adverse to the Company Group or on the terms of any contract or relationship between such individual or entity and the Company Group, and (ii) coaching, advising or consulting for any individual or entity that in the United States or internationally engages in the Company Business is subject to the prior written approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In addition, during the Severance Period, Executive may be employed by or consult with RE/MAX or Motto Mortgage franchisees, agents, loan originators, and/or team leaders or RE/MAX master franchisees (collectively “Affiliates”) but shall not advise or consult with Affiliates, for the benefit of the Affiliates, in any way that is adverse to the Company Group or on the terms of any contract or relationship between the Affiliates and the Company Group. |
8.5. | Agreements Pertaining to Customers/Franchisees/Agents or Employees. For the Severance Period, Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others, solicit or recruit (or attempt to solicit or recruit) any prospect active as of the Separation Date, franchisee, agent, or regional owner of a franchise to end their franchise or contract with any member of the Company Group or to enter into any service to Executive or any other business, organization, program or activity that competes with any of Company Group’s businesses. During the Severance Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others, solicit or recruit (or attempt to solicit or recruit) any person employed by any member of the Company Group to end their employment with the Company Group or to provide services to Executive or any other business, organization, program or activity that directly competes with any business of the Company Group. |
8.6. | Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees not to defame or disparage any member of the Company Group, their parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliates, or any of their past, present or future partners, members, directors, accounting firms, third party investigators, attorneys, shareholders, officers, employees, franchisees or sales associates, agents, or family members of officers or directors. This provision shall not prohibit Executive from making any statements or taking any actions required by law, reporting any actions or inactions to a governmental agency that Executive believes to be unlawful, or participating in or cooperating with a governmental investigation. This provision shall not be interpreted to require or encourage Executive to make any misrepresentations. In response to requests for references from prospective employers, Company will provide the dates of Executive’s employment and positions held. |
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Company agrees that the members of the Board and its executive officers (the “Covered Individuals”) will not defame or disparage Executive. This provision shall not prohibit the Company and the Covered Individuals from making any statements or taking any actions required by law, reporting any actions or inactions to a governmental agency that Company or the Covered Individuals believe to be unlawful, or participating in or cooperating with a governmental investigation. This provision shall not be interpreted to require or encourage Company or the Covered Individuals to make any misrepresentations.
8.7. | Reasonableness of Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants in this Section 8 are necessary to protect the Company Group’s trade secrets. Executive acknowledges that the Company Group conducts their businesses throughout the United States and internationally, that the above restrictive covenants cannot be meaningfully restricted geographically, and that the covenants only reasonably restrict Executive from competing in any market – domestic or foreign – in which the Company Group conducts their business. Without altering the meaning of the foregoing covenants, both Company and Executive acknowledge that the above restrictive covenants do not prevent Executive from becoming employed in a similar position in a business that is not competitive with the Company Group’s businesses. |
8.8. | Injunctive/Tolling/Other Relief/Enforceability by the Company Group. Any violation of any provision of this Section 8 shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement likely to cause irreparable harm to the Company Group. Therefore, any such breach or threatened breach by Executive shall give the Company Group the right to: (i) obtain specific performance through injunctive relief requiring Executive to comply with Executive’s obligations under this Agreement; (ii) suspend any Transition Benefits or Separation Benefits (except as would result in a violation of Section 409A (as defined below)) during the pendency of litigation brought to enforce this Agreement; (iii) recover any Separation Payments paid under this Agreement; and/or (iv) obtain any other relief or damages allowed by law. Any recovery of Separation Payments shall not void Executive’s release of claims or other obligations under this Agreement or the Release Agreement. If Executive is found to have breached the non-competition or non-solicitation provisions in this Agreement, the restricted period of that provision shall be tolled and start again upon the finding by a court that the provision was breached. Each member of the Company Group that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Executive’s obligations under this Section 8 and all other provisions in this Agreement that refer to the Company Group and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations and provisions as if a party hereto. |
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9. Return of the Company Group’s Property. No later than the Separation Date, Executive shall return (and shall not retain any copies in any form) all Company Group documents, audio or video recordings, photographs, and information (including, without limitation, all Confidential Information, as defined in Section 8.1 above (collectively, “Company Group Information”), and any other information stored on personally owned or used computer hard drives, disks, thumb drives or other storage methods, such as cloud storage services, audio files, or video files or in any other form, and any vehicles, badges, Company Group credit cards, pagers, cell phones, laptops, iPads, computers, software, equipment or other property belonging to any member of the Company Group. On or before the Separation Date, Executive shall provide all passwords or other codes used while working for the Company Group. By signing the Release Agreement, Executive certifies that Executive has returned, by the date on which he signs the Release Agreement, to Company any and all Company Group intellectual property, financial information, and any other Company Group Information in Executive’s possession, and that Executive has returned and not retained any copies in any form of any Company Group intellectual property or financial information or other Company Group Information on Executive’s home computer or iPad, in a cloud storage service, on a personal e-mail account (“Personal Devices”), or in the possession of any person to whom Executive transmitted such information without a legitimate business purpose for doing so, or in any other form. Executive hereby agrees to work and cooperate with Company in good faith to ensure that all information of the Company Group is removed from the Personal Devices.
10. Cessation of Employment Status. Executive agrees that, following the Separation Date, Executive will no longer represent or otherwise hold himself out to be a present employee of any member of the Company Group, either orally, in writing, or electronically, to any individual or entity, publicly via the internet or social media, or otherwise in any forum of any kind. Executive shall not use any of the Company Group’s trademarks in the promotion of his business endeavors. The Company Group will not provide office space to Executive after the Separation Date, and Executive will not, after the Separation Date, represent or otherwise hold out his place of business to be any of the Company Group’s office locations.
11. Non-Admission. Executive agrees that this Agreement shall not be construed as an admission by Company or by any of the Released Parties of any liability or acts of wrongdoing or unlawful discrimination nor shall it be considered to be evidence of such liability, wrongdoing or unlawful discrimination.
12. Entire Agreement. Except with respect to the Indemnification Agreement and the other exhibits attached hereto, both parties agree that this Agreement and its exhibits supersede any prior agreements, understandings, obligations or representations between the parties, oral or otherwise, pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement, and that all such prior agreements, understandings, obligations or representations are null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement will not in any way supersede nor terminate Executive’s agreements, understandings, obligations or representations pursuant to any prior confidentiality and/or proprietary information agreements in effect at the start of or during the employment relationship and all such agreements will remain in full force and effect. No representations, obligations, understandings, or agreements, oral or otherwise, exist between the parties except as expressly stated in this Agreement and its exhibits. This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer on behalf of Company.
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13. Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Right to a Jury Trial and Class Action. This Agreement has been negotiated within the State of Colorado, and this Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the internal laws of the State of Colorado. In the event of any dispute between Executive and any Released Party, including any dispute concerning, arising out of, or otherwise in connection with this Agreement or the exhibits attached hereto, the exclusive venue in which such dispute shall be resolved will be the appropriate state or federal court located in the City and County of Denver, in the State of Colorado, to which all parties hereby consent to personal jurisdiction. WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH DISPUTE, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY AGREES TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL AND FURTHER AGREES THAT ALL SUCH DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY A JUDGE. BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, EXECUTIVE AND COMPANY ARE EACH GIVING UP HIS/ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. EXECUTIVE AND COMPANY AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN HIS/ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
14. Consultation with Attorney. Executive is advised to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choice prior to executing this Agreement.
15. Notices. Any notices or other written documents to be given to Company by Executive will be sent to Company (Attention: General Counsel) at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement with copies by e-mail to ascoville@remax.com and legal@remax.com. Any notices or other written documents to be given to Executive by Company will be sent to Executive at Executive’s address, and with a copy by e-mail, both as specified in Exhibit G.
16. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision of this Agreement or its application is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Agreement that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application. The parties acknowledge and agree that, if any court determines that any covenant or obligation of this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope, unreasonable, or unenforceable, the court may modify or amend that covenant or obligation to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted under the law.
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17. Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the rules thereunder (“Section 409A”) or an exemption under Section 409A and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment and other payment or benefit provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Executive’s employment shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A. To the extent that the Compensation Committee determines that this Agreement or any Separation Benefit or other payment or benefit provided under this Agreement may not be exempt from Section 409A, then, if Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Compensation Committee, at a time when Executive becomes eligible for payment upon Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A, such payment will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following Executive’s separation from service and (b) Executive’s death. To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by Company no later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided, that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Internal Revenue Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with Section 409A and in no event shall any member of the Company Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
18. Section Headings. The section headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for ease of reference only, and are not to be used in interpreting this Agreement or in determining any of the rights or obligations of either Company or Executive.
EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES (1) THAT HE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND THAT HE FULLY UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS AND CONSEQUENCES, (2) THAT HE HAS HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT, (3) THAT HE HAS BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH ANY PERSON OF EXECUTIVE’S OWN CHOICE, (4) THAT HE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE MEANING AND CONSEQUENCES OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND (5) THAT HE SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, WITHOUT ANY COERCION, AND WITH THE FULL INTENT OF RELEASING THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE CLAIMS AND THEIR EFFECTS.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO BY EXECUTIVE:
Executed January 10, 2022
Date
/s/ Adam Michael Contos | |
Adam Michael Contos |
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO BY COMPANY:
Executed January 10, 2022
Date
RE/MAX, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Roger Dow | |
Name: | Roger Dow | |
Title: |
Lead Independent Director, RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. as authorized by the Board of Directors |
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Exhibit 10.2
EXECUTION VERSION
INTERIM EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT
This Interim Executive Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the date of the last signature below (the “Execution Date”) by and between RE/MAX, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Stephen P. Joyce (“Employee”).
1. Employment. Beginning on March 1, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), the Company shall employ Employee, and Employee shall serve, as interim Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company and RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) and, beginning on April 1, 2022 through the remainder of the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4), the Company shall employ Employee, and Employee shall serve, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Holdings on an interim basis until a new Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Holdings is appointed. In addition, Employee shall (a) continue to serve as a member of the board of directors of Holdings (the “Board”) for which, during the Employment Period, he will receive no additional consideration except as provided in this Agreement and (b) to the extent requested by Holdings, serve on the Finance Committee of the Board for no additional consideration. Further, upon the Execution Date, Employee shall be deemed to have automatically resigned from the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.
2. Duties and Responsibilities of Employee.
(a) During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote all necessary business time, ability and attention to the businesses of the Company, Holdings and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the Company, Holdings and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to as the “Company Group”), as may be requested by the Company or Holdings from time to time. Employee’s duties and responsibilities shall include those normally incidental to the position(s) identified in Section 1, as well as such additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Company Group from time to time and consistent with his role a Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Holdings. Employee may, without violating this Section 2(a), (i) own as a passive investment, publicly traded securities in such form or manner as will not require any services by Employee in the operation of the entities in which such securities are owned; (ii) engage in charitable and civic activities; (iii) may serve on any boards of directors or boards of advisors identified to the Company and listed in Exhibit B, or approved in advance by the Board (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (iv) with the prior written consent of the Board, engage in other personal and passive investment activities, in each case, so long as such ownership, interests or activities do not interfere with Employee’s ability to fulfill Employee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and are not inconsistent with Employee’s obligations to any member of the Company Group or competitive with the business of any member of the Company Group.
(b) Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee is not the subject of, or a party to, any employment agreement, non-competition, non-solicitation, restrictive covenant, non-disclosure agreement, or any other agreement, obligation, restriction or understanding that would prohibit Employee from executing this Agreement or fully performing each of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect any of the duties and responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Employee hereunder. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee is strictly prohibited from using or disclosing any confidential information belonging to any prior employer in the course of performing services for any member of the Company Group, and Employee promises that Employee shall not do so. Employee shall not introduce documents or other materials containing confidential information of any such prior employer to the premises or property (including computers and computer systems) of any member of the Company Group.
(c) Employee owes each member of the Company Group fiduciary duties (including (i) duties of loyalty and disclosure and (ii) such fiduciary duties applicable to officers of Holdings), and the obligations described in this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligations Employee owes each member of the Company Group under statutory and common law.
3. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Employee a base salary of $100,000 per month (the “Base Salary”) in consideration for Employee’s services under this Agreement, payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for similarly situated employees as may exist from time to time, but no less frequently than semi-monthly.
(b) Signing Bonus. In consideration of Employee entering into this Agreement, the Company shall pay Employee a one-time signing bonus in the amount of $100,000, which shall be paid in a lump sum no later than 15 days after the Effective Date.
(c) Option Award. In consideration of Employee entering into this Agreement, on or as soon as practicable following the Execution Date, Employee shall be granted a stock option award with respect to a number of shares of Class A common stock of Holdings having an aggregate fair market value, as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) on the applicable date of grant, of $1,000,000 (the “Option Award”) under the RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) pursuant to the award agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Option Agreement”). The Option Award shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement.
(d) Administrative Support. During the Employment Period, Employee shall be entitled to reasonable use of the Company’s administrative support staff for purposes related to the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder. In addition, the Company shall reimburse Employee for use of Employee’s administrative assistant, Victoria Antico, in order to support Employee in the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, in an amount of up to $3,000 per month.
(e) Jet Travel. During the Employment Period, the Company shall provide, and bear the full cost of, Employee with round-trip private jet travel for Employee and Employee’s spouse, as follows:
(i) Up to two round-trip flights per month on a private jet from an airport located near Employee’s residence in Florida (or other U.S. based location) to Denver, Colorado;
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(ii) Round-trip flights on a private jet from an airport located near Employee’s residence in Florida (or other U.S. based location) to meetings or events that the Lead Independent Director of the Board reasonably requests for Employee to attend, including but not limited to:
(A) the RE/MAX R4 convention, the RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference, the Motto MILE meeting, the RE/MAX Premier Broker Summit/Catalyst meeting, and any other event sponsored by a member of the Company Group; and
(B) any non-deal road shows, investor days, or similar events.
(iii) If any of the benefits received or to be received by Employee in connection with this Section 3(e) are determined to result in federal, state or local income or employment taxes being owed by Employee (any such taxes, the “Additional Taxes”), the Company shall pay to Employee an additional amount (the “Additional Payment”) such that the net amount retained by Employee, after giving effect to any federal, state and local income and employment taxes on the Additional Payment, equals the Additional Taxes. The Additional Payment shall be paid to Employee as soon as practicable following the determination of the Additional Taxes (but in any event not later than the close of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the Additional Taxes are incurred by Employee).
(f) Employee is not eligible to participate in Company’s or Holdings’ annual short-term incentive bonus program and is not otherwise eligible to receive an annual or short-term incentive bonus from any member of the Company Group for the 2022 year.
4. Term of Employment. The initial term of Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2022 (the “Expiration Date”). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 7. The period from the Effective Date through the Expiration Date or, if sooner, the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “Employment Period.” For the avoidance of doubt, except as explicitly provided herein, this Agreement shall not govern Employee’s service as a member of the Board and so long as Employee does not otherwise cease to serve as a member of the Board on or prior to the Expiration Date, Employee shall continue to serve as a member of the Board following the Expiration Date.
5. Business Expenses. Subject to Section 22 and with the exception of paragraph 3(e) above, the Company shall reimburse Employee for Employee’s reasonable out-of-pocket business-related expenses actually incurred in the performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement in accordance with the Company’s Expense and Business Travel Reimbursement Policy and the Executive Addendum thereto (but in any event not later than the close of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense is incurred by Employee). In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Employee for any expenses incurred after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company, except to the extent reasonable in connection with Employee’s continued service as a member of the Board.
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6. Benefits. During the Employment Period, Employee shall be eligible to participate in the same benefit plans and programs in which other similarly situated Company employees are eligible to participate, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and programs in effect from time to time. The Company shall not, however, by reason of this Section 6, be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to similarly situated Company employees generally. The Indemnification Agreement dated April 17, 2020 between Holdings and Employee is hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
7. Termination of Employment.
(a) Company’s Right to Terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause or Without Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause or without Cause, in each case, upon written notice to Employee.
(i) If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Company for Cause, then Employee shall be: (A) paid any previously earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, if any, which shall be paid in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practice, (B) reimbursed for any business expenses incurred by but not yet paid to the Employee, pursuant to Section 5 above, (C) entitled to any vested benefits under any benefit plans and programs described in Section 6, above, and (D) paid or provided with any other amounts or benefits, as required by applicable law, which shall be paid in the time period required by applicable law (the “Accrued Obligations”).
(ii) If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Company without Cause (and not under the circumstances described in Section 7(b)), then Employee shall be paid an amount equal to the total remaining Base Salary, if any, that would have been payable through the Expiration Date had Employee’s employment hereunder not been terminated, which shall be paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following the date of termination. In addition, Employee shall be paid the Accrued Obligations.
(iii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(A) Employee’s willful or grossly negligent performance of any act or willful or grossly negligent failure to perform any act in bad faith and to the detriment of any member of the Company Group;
(B) Employee’s intentional dishonesty, intentional misconduct or willful or grossly negligent and material breach of this Agreement or any other agreement with any member of the Company Group to the detriment of any member of the Company Group; or
(C) Employee’s conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to a crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person.
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For purposes of this subsection (iii), no act, or failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be deemed “willful” or “intentional” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Employee not in good faith and without the reasonable belief that the Employee’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the independent members of the Board at a meeting of such members (after reasonable notice to Employee and an opportunity for Employee together with Employee’s counsel, to be heard before such members of the Board), finding that Employee has engaged in the conduct set forth above in this subsection (iii) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Finally, to the extent curable, the Employee shall have a period of ten (10) days to cure any such conduct, and in the event that such conduct is cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board, Cause shall not exist for purposes of this Agreement; provided however, that, if the Company reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of ten (10) days, the Company may give Employee notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances, which may include the termination of the Employee’s employment without notice and with immediate effect.
(b) Company’s Right to Terminate for Convenience. If the Company hires a replacement Chief Executive Officer, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder for convenience upon written notice to Employee.
(i) If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated on or before August 31, 2022 by the Company for convenience following the hiring of a replacement Chief Executive Officer as described in this Section 7(b), then Employee shall be paid an amount equal to the total remaining Base Salary, if any, that would have been payable through August 31, 2022 had Employee’s employment hereunder not been terminated, which shall be paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following the date of termination. In addition, Employee shall be paid the Accrued Obligations.
(ii) If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated on or after September 1, 2022 by the Company for convenience following the hiring of a replacement Chief Executive Officer as described in this Section 7(b), then Employee shall be paid an amount equal to the total remaining Base Salary, if any, that would have been payable through the end of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the date of termination occurs had Employee’s employment hereunder not been terminated, which shall be paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following the date of termination. In addition, Employee shall be paid the Accrued Obligations.
(c) Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, Employee’s employment with the Company shall automatically (and without any further action by any person or entity) terminate. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Disability” shall exist if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position (after an interactive process that accounts for reasonable accommodation) and such inability is expected to last permanently or has existed for a period of thirty (30) days. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made in good faith by the Board. If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated due to the death or Disability of Employee, then Employee shall be paid (i) an amount equal to the total remaining Base Salary, if any, that would have been payable through the Expiration Date had Employee’s employment hereunder not been terminated, which shall be paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following the date of termination, and (ii) the Accrued Obligations.
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(d) Employee’s Right to Resign. Employee shall have the right to resign Employee’s employment with the Company at any time and for any reason, or no reason at all, upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided, however, that if Employee has provided notice to the Company of Employee’s resignation of employment, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, that such resignation shall be effective on any date prior to the effective date of resignation provided in such notice (and, if such earlier date is so required, then it shall not change the basis for Employee’s termination of employment nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(a)). If Employee resigns voluntarily as described in this Section 7(d), then Employee shall be paid only the Accrued Obligations.
(e) Expiration. If Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated upon the Expiration Date because the parties hereto do not otherwise take action to extend the Employment Period hereunder, then Employee shall be paid only the Accrued Obligations.
(f) Release of Claims. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in order for Employee to receive any payment described in this Section 7 other than the Accrued Obligations, Employee shall be required to first execute and return to the Company, by the Release Expiration Date (and not exercise any revocation right in any time provided to do so), a customary release of claims in a form acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), which Release shall release any and all claims against the Company Group, and each of their respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, predecessors, successors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents, and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans). As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is 21 days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee, which shall occur no later than seven days after the date that Employee’s employment hereunder is terminated.
8. Disclosures. Promptly (and in any event, within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of (a) any actual or potential Conflict of Interest or (b) any lawsuit, claim or arbitration filed against or involving Employee or any trust or entity owned or controlled by Employee, in each case, Employee shall disclose such actual or potential Conflict of Interest or such lawsuit, claim or arbitration to the Board. A “Conflict of Interest” shall exist when Employee engages in, or plans to engage in, any activities, associations, or interests that Employee reasonably believes will conflict with Employee’s duties, responsibilities, authorities, or obligations for and to the Company Group as required in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. As used herein, the term “Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Denver, Colorado, are authorized or required by law to be closed.
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9. Confidentiality. In the course of Employee’s employment with the Company and the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company Group hereunder, Employee will be provided with, and will have access to, Confidential Information (as defined below). In consideration of Employee’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information and in exchange for other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and as a condition of Employee’s employment, Employee shall comply with this Section 9.
(a) Both during the Employment Period and thereafter, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or by directive of the Board, Employee shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any person or entity and shall not use any Confidential Information obtained in connection with Employee’s employment pursuant to this Agreement or affiliation with the Company Group as a Board member except for the benefit of the Company Group. Employee shall follow all Company policies and protocols regarding the security of all documents and other materials containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which Confidential Information is stored). The covenants of this Section 9(a) shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or later to become known to Employee during the period that Employee is employed by the Company or any other member of the Company Group.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 9(a) to the contrary, Employee during the Employment Period may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:
(i) disclosures to other employees of the Company Group who have a need to know the information in connection with the businesses of the Company Group;
(ii) disclosures to customers and suppliers when, in the reasonable and good faith belief of Employee, such disclosure is in connection with Employee’s performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Company Group;
(iii) disclosures and uses that are approved in writing by the Board; or
(iv) disclosures to a person or entity that has (x) been retained by a member of the Company Group to provide services to one or more members of the Company Group and (y) agreed in writing to abide by the terms of a confidentiality agreement or has a similar obligation of confidentiality to the Company Group.
(c) Following the expiration of the Employment Period, at any time upon request of the Company, Employee shall promptly surrender and deliver to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and all copies thereof and all other materials of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information and any other Company Group property (including any Company Group-issued computer, mobile device or other equipment) in Employee’s possession, custody or control and Employee shall not retain any such documents or other materials or property of the Company Group following such request. Within five (5) days of any such request, Employee shall certify to the Company in writing (including by e-mail) that all such documents, materials and property have been returned to the Company and deleted from any electronic devices in his possession or control.
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(d) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean all non-public information and materials of or pertaining to any member of the Company Group in any form or medium including all notes, analyses, compilations, copies, documents, recordings, summaries, reproductions, copies, translations, electronic copies or versions (in any medium including video, email, audio, video, MP3, or voicemail) regardless of where the same may have been lodged including on any personal devices of Employee, including information and materials: generated by Employee or third parties; received by a member of the Company Group from third parties; concerning or pertaining to the Company Group or its business in any respect including information as to any Company Group member’s business practices, operations, prospects, franchisees and franchisee agreements; or legal information and advice. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, information: protected by any and all non-disclosure agreements signed by Employee during employment; concerning claims against or by any member of the Company Group, legal issues and advice, or other information or communications acquired by Employee in Employee’s capacity as an employee of any member of the Company Group; regarding all education or training programs and materials developed by the Company Group or acquired from a third party (including but not limited to Momentum); contained in a Company Group member’s financial records; concerning regional, agent and franchise agreements, prospects, events, information technology techniques and arrangements, processes and procedures for creating IT related resources, contemplated products and services and agreement terms; concerning past acquisitions (closed or not closed) and acquisitions being planned or considered, concerning data and issues related to public filings, and concerning purchasing information and other business, marketing, sales, strategic and operational data of the Company Group and its franchisees. Confidential Information includes all other information and materials which are of a propriety or confidential nature, even if they are not marked as such. Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company Group and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or wrongful act of Employee or any of Employee’s agents; (ii) was available to Employee on a non-confidential basis before its disclosure by a member of the Company Group; or (iii) becomes available to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a member of the Company Group; provided, however, that, to the knowledge of Employee, such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation with respect to confidentiality to, a member of the Company Group.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Employee from lawfully (i) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by, any governmental authority regarding a possible violation of any law; (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to Employee from any such governmental authority; (iii) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in any action or proceeding by any such governmental authority relating to a possible violation of law, or (iv) making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law. Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (A) is made (1) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (2) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made to the individual’s attorney in relation to a law suit for retaliation against the individual for reporting a suspected violation of law or (C) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a law suit or proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nothing in this Agreement requires Employee to obtain prior authorization before engaging in any conduct described in this paragraph, or to notify the Company that Employee has engaged in any such conduct.
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10. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.
(a) The Company Group shall provide Employee access to trade secrets, as defined in C.R.S. § 7-74-101, et seq., for use during the Employment Period, and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group will be entrusting Employee, based on Employee’s unique and special capacity as a senior executive, with trade secrets, and in consideration of the Company providing Employee with access to such trade secrets and as an express incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement and employ Employee, Employee has voluntarily agreed to the covenants set forth in this Section 10. Employee agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects, will not cause Employee undue hardship, and are material and substantial parts of this Agreement intended and necessary to protect the Company Group’s trade secrets and legitimate business interests.
(b) During the Prohibited Period, Employee shall not, without the prior written approval of the Board, directly or indirectly, for Employee or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or entity of any nature:
(i) engage in or participate within the Market Area in competition with any member of the Company Group in any aspect of the Business by directly or indirectly (A) owning, managing, operating or being an officer or director of any business that competes with any member of the Company Group in the Market Area, or (B) joining, becoming an employee or consultant of, or otherwise being affiliated with, any person or entity engaged in, or planning to engage in, the Business in the Market Area in competition with any member of the Company Group in any capacity (with respect to this clause (B)) in which Employee’s duties or responsibilities are the same as or similar to the duties or responsibilities that Employee had on behalf of any member of the Company Group;
(ii) appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating to, any member of the Company Group located in the Market Area;
(iii) solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any customer, franchisee, real estate sales associate, loan originator, or regional owner of a franchise (A) to end their franchise or contract (or reduce their business) with any member of the Company Group or (B) to enter into any service to Employee or any other business, organization, program or activity, in each case (with respect to this clause (B)) that competes with the Business; or
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(iv) solicit, canvass, approach, encourage, entice or induce any employee or contractor of any member of the Company Group to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with any member of the Company Group.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 10 shall restrict Employee from engaging or participating in any activity permitted pursuant to Section 2(a).
(c) Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company Group as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in this Section 10, and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to the members of the Company Group for which they would have no other adequate remedy, the Company and each other member of the Company Group shall be entitled to enforce the foregoing covenants, in the event of a breach or threatened breach, by injunctions and restraining orders from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall not be the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and each other member of the Company Group at law and equity.
(d) The covenants in this Section 10, and each provision and portion hereof, are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or portion thereof). Moreover, in the event any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the scope, time or territorial restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which such court deems reasonable, and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.
(e) The following terms shall have the following meanings:
(i) “Business” shall mean the business, operations, products and services that are the same or similar to those performed by the Company and any other member of the Company Group for which Employee provides services or about which Employee obtains trade secret information during the Employment Period, which business and operations include but are not limited to: (A) franchising real estate brokerages, franchising mortgage brokerages, real estate brokerages, mortgage lending, or mortgage brokerages; or (B) website or mobile applications designed for the display of real estate listing data, or lead generation or business development for franchising real estate brokerages, franchising mortgage brokerages, real estate brokerages, or mortgage brokerages.
(ii) “Business Opportunity” shall mean any commercial, investment or other business opportunity relating to the Business.
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(iii) “Market Area” shall mean any geographic area in the United States or internationally in which any member of the Company Group conducts Business during the Prohibited Period.
(iv) “Prohibited Period” shall mean the period during which Employee is employed by any member of the Company Group pursuant to this Agreement and continuing for a period of twelve (12) months following the date that Employee is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group pursuant to this Agreement.
11. Ownership of Intellectual Property. Employee agrees that the Company shall own, and Employee shall (and hereby does) assign, all right, title and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designs, know-how, ideas and information authored, created, contributed to, made or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee during the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group that either (a) relate, at the time of conception, reduction to practice, creation, derivation or development, to any member of the Company Group’s businesses or actual or anticipated research or development, or (b) were developed on any amount of the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s time or with the use of any member of the Company Group’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as “Company Intellectual Property”), and Employee shall promptly disclose all Company Intellectual Property to the Company. All of Employee’s works of authorship and associated copyrights created during the period in which Employee is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group and in the scope of Employee’s employment or engagement shall be deemed to be “works made for hire” within the meaning of the Copyright Act. Employee shall perform, during and after the period in which Employee is or has been employed by or affiliated with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, all reasonable acts deemed necessary by the Company to assist each member of the Company Group, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining and enforcing its rights throughout the world in the Company Intellectual Property. Such acts may include execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of assignment of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company Intellectual Property.
12. Defense of Claims. During the Employment Period and thereafter, upon request from the Company, Employee shall cooperate with the Company Group in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against any member of the Company Group that relate to Employee’s actual or prior areas of responsibility.
13. Withholdings; Deductions. The Company may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) any deductions consented to by Employee.
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14. Title and Headings; Construction. Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits or Attachments referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and instruments refer to such laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and instruments as they may be amended from time to time, and references to particular provisions of laws or regulations include a reference to the corresponding provisions of any succeeding law or regulation. All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement, including all Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision hereof. Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely. All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.” Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.
15. Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Right to a Jury Trial and Class Action. This Agreement has been negotiated within the State of Colorado, and this Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the internal laws of the State of Colorado. In the event of any dispute between Employee and the Company, including any dispute concerning, arising out of, or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, the exclusive venue in which such dispute shall be resolved will be the appropriate state or federal court located in Denver, in the State of Colorado, to which all parties hereby consent to personal jurisdiction. WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH DISPUTE, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY AGREES TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL AND FURTHER AGREES THAT ALL SUCH DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY A JUDGE. BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, EMPLOYEE AND COMPANY ARE EACH GIVING UP HIS/ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. EMPLOYEE AND COMPANY AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN HIS/ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
16. Entire Agreement and Amendment. This Agreement together with the Option Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and, except with respect to the Indemnification Agreement dated April 17, 2020 between Holdings and Employee, supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.
17. Waiver of Breach. Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver. No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time. The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time.
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18. Assignment. This Agreement is personal to Employee, and neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferred by Employee. The Company may assign this Agreement without Employee’s consent, including to any member of the Company Group and to any successor to or acquirer of (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) all or substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company.
19. Notices. Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first Business Day after such notice is sent by express overnight courier service, or (c) on the second Business Day following deposit with an internationally-recognized second-day courier service with proof of receipt maintained, in each case, to the following address, as applicable:
If to the Company, addressed to:
RE/MAX, LLC
5075 South Syracuse Street
Denver, Colorado 80237-2712
Attn: General Counsel
With a copy by e-mail, which shall not constitute notice, to: legal@remax.com
If to Employee, at Employee’s last known address on file with the Company.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by electronic mail, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.
21. Deemed Resignations. Except as otherwise determined by the Board or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Employee and any member of the Company Group prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company or any member of the Company Group, any termination of Employee’s employment shall constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Employee: (a) as an officer of the Company and each member of the Company Group; and (b) other than the Board, from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any member of the Company Group and of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which any member of the Company Group holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) Employee serves as such Company Group member’s designee or other representative.
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22. Section 409A.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) or an exemption therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and are payable upon a termination of Employee’s employment, or for which a termination of Employee’s employment is intended to be treated as a “substantial risk of forfeiture” for purposes of Section 409A, shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A.
(b) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Employee, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided, that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Employee’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Employee’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the date of Employee’s separation from service (such date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Employee (or Employee’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall any member of the Company Group be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
23. Clawback. To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, or as otherwise determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), amounts paid or payable under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the Company, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture and/or recoupment of amounts paid or payable under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the right, without the consent of Employee, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures, including such policies and procedures applicable to this Agreement with retroactive effect.
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24. Effect of Termination. The provisions of Sections 7, 9-13 and 21 and those provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of the employment relationship between Employee and the Company.
25. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement, up to a maximum of $20,000, which reimbursement shall be provided as soon as practicable following the receipt by the Company of documentation from Employee detailing the amount of such fees (but in any event not later than the close of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which such fees are incurred by Employee).
26. Third-Party Beneficiaries. Each member of the Company Group that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s obligations under Sections 8, 9, 10 and 11 and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.
27. Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or portion thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The parties acknowledge and agree that, if any court determines that any covenant or obligation of this Agreement is excessive in duration or scope, unreasonable, or unenforceable, the court may modify or amend that covenant or obligation to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted under the law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed on the Execution Date, effective for all purposes as provided above on the Effective Date.
EMPLOYEE | |||
/s/ Stephen P. Joyce | |||
STEPHEN P. JOYCE | |||
Date: | January 10, 2022 |
COMPANY | |||
By: | /s/ Roger Dow | ||
Name: | Roger Dow | ||
Title: | Lead Independent Director, RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., as authorized by the Board of Directors | ||
Date: | January 10, 2022 |
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Exhibit A
Option Agreement
[See attached.]
Exhibit A |
RE/MAX HOLDINGS, INC.
2013 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the right and option to purchase all or any part of the number of shares of Common Stock set forth below (this “Option”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.
Type of Option: | Non-Qualified Stock Option (This Option is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.) |
Participant: | Stephen P. Joyce |
Date of Grant: | January 10, 2022 (“Date of Grant”) |
Total Number of Shares Subject to this Option: | 91,827 (Non-Qualified Stock Option) |
Exercise Price: | $29.91 per share |
Expiration Date: | The date that is 10 years following the Date of Grant |
Vesting Schedule: |
Subject to the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, so long as you remain in the employment of the Company or a Related Entity ("Employment") from the Date of Grant through the applicable vesting date, this Option shall be vested and exercisable according to the following schedule: |
Vesting Date |
Percentage of this
Option that Vests and becomes Exercisable |
||||
The last day of each calendar month beginning with March, 2022 and ending with December, 2022 | 10 | % |
For the avoidance of doubt, this Option shall become fully vested and exercisable on December 31, 2022 so long as you remain in Employment from the Date of Grant through such date. |
By your signature below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Stock Option Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”). You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations that arise under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Participant has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above.
RE/MAX HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Roger Dow | |
Title: | Lead Independent Director, RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., as authorized by the Board of Directors | |
PARTICIPANT | ||
Name: | Stephen P. Joyce |
EXHIBIT A
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Stock Option Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Stock Option Agreement is attached, this “Agreement”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached by and between RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Stephen P. Joyce (the “Participant”).
1. Award. In consideration of the Participant’s past and/or continued service and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”), the Company hereby irrevocably grants to the Participant the right and option (“Option”) to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan, which Plan is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.
2. Exercise Price. The exercise price of each share of Common Stock subject to this Option shall be the exercise price set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Exercise Price”), which has been determined to be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the Date of Grant. For all purposes of this Agreement, the Fair Market Value of Common Stock shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
3. Exercise of Option.
(a) Manner of Exercise. Subject to the earlier expiration of this Option as provided herein, this Option may be exercised, by (i) providing written notice to the Company in the form prescribed by the Committee from time to time at any time and from time to time after the Date of Grant, which notice shall be delivered to the Company in the form, and in the manner, designated by the Committee from time to time, and (ii) paying the Exercise Price in full in a manner permitted by Section 3(e); provided, however, that this Option shall not be exercisable for more than the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Option with respect to which this Option has become vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice or as provided in this Section 3.
(b) Certain Involuntary Terminations without Cause.
(i) Upon a termination of the Participant’s Employment without Cause (as defined in the Participant’s Interim Executive Agreement with RE/MAX, LLC) that is in connection with the Company’s engagement of a permanent chief executive officer, and subject to the Participant’s timely execution and non-revocation of the Release (as defined and provided in such Interim Executive Agreement):
(A) if such termination occurs at any time on or before August 31, 2022, then any unvested portion of this Option that would have become vested had the Participant remained in Employment through August 31, 2022 shall become vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination; and
(B) if such termination occurs at any time on or after September 1, 2022, then any unvested portion of this Option that would have become vested had the Participant remained in Employment through the end of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which the date of termination occurs shall become vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination;
and, in either such event, the vested portion of this Option may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or the person who later acquires this Option by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise by reason of the death of the Participant) at any time during the period ending on the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is nine months following the date of the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service or (B) the Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Expiration Date”). Any portion of this Option that is unvested after the application of this subparagraph (b)(i) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited upon the date of the termination of the Participant’s Employment.
(ii) Upon a termination of the Participant’s Employment without Cause (and not by reason of death or disability) at any time prior to December 31, 2022 that is not in connection with the Company’s engagement of a new chief executive officer on or before such date, and subject to the Participant’s timely execution and non-revocation of the Release, then any unvested portion of this Option shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination and this Option may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or the person who later acquires this Option by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise by reason of the death of the Participant) at any time during the period ending on the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is nine months following the date of the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service or (B) the Expiration Date.
(c) Other Terminations. If the Participant’s Employment is terminated for Cause, or if the Participant is not in Employment as of March 1, 2022, then both the vested and unvested portions of this Option shall immediately terminate and be forfeited upon the date of such termination, or March 1, 2022, as applicable. Upon a termination of the Participant’s Employment due to any reason other than as described in the preceding sentence or Section 3(b), then (i) the portion of this Option that is unvested shall immediately terminate and be forfeited upon the date of such termination and (ii) the portion of this Option that is vested and exercisable may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or the person who acquires this Option by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise by reason of the death of the Participant) at any time during the period ending on the earlier to occur of (A) the date that is nine months following the date of the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service or (B) the Expiration Date.
(d) No Exercise after Expiration Date. This Option shall not be exercisable in any event after the Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice.
(e) Payment of Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock as to which this Option is exercised shall be paid in full at the time of exercise (i) in cash, by personal, certified or official bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds (including cash obtained through a broker assisted exercise), (ii) by delivery to the Company of a number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, (iii) by “net issuance exercise” pursuant to which the Company reduces the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of this Option by a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price at the time of exercise or (iv) any combination of the foregoing. No fraction of a share of Common Stock shall be issued by the Company upon exercise of an Option or accepted by the Company in payment of the exercise price thereof; rather, the Participant shall provide a cash payment for such amount as is necessary to effect the issuance and acceptance of only whole shares of Common Stock.
4. Non-Transferability. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 6(j) of the Plan, this Option shall not be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and this Option shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Any attempted transfer of this Option shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such transfer is permitted by the preceding sentence.
5. Compliance with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the grant of this Option and the issuance of Common Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed. This Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, this Option may not be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), is at the time of exercise of this Option in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of this Option or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of this Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED THAT THIS OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THIS OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THIS OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to this Option will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company.
6. Tax Consequences. The Participant acknowledges there may be adverse tax consequences on the receipt, vesting, exercise or settlement of this Award or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised, and is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences. The Participant further agrees to indemnify and hold the Company and its Affiliates harmless for any damages, costs, expenses, taxes, judgments or other actions or amounts resulting from any actions or inactions of the Participant regarding the tax consequences of this Award or the underlying shares.
7. Legends. If a stock certificate is issued with respect to shares of Common Stock issued hereunder, such certificate shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and to ensure compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any applicable laws or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed. If the shares of Common Stock issued hereunder are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
8. Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Common Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.
9. No Right to Continued Service or Awards. Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the grant of the Option under the Grant Notice and this Agreement, will confer on the Participant the right to a continued service relationship with the Company or affect the right of the Company to terminate such service relationship. The grant of the Option is a one-time benefit and creates no contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future. Any future Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of the Company.
10. Furnish Information. The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.
11. Execution of Receipts and Releases. Any issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock or other property to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such person hereunder. As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute (and not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate.
12. No Guarantee of Interests. The Board, the Committee and the Company do not guarantee the Common Stock of the Company from loss or depreciation.
13. Company Records. Records of the Company regarding the Participant’s service and other matters shall be conclusive for all purposes hereunder, unless determined by the Company to be incorrect.
14. Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to the Company, unless otherwise designated by the Company in a written notice to the Participant (or other holder):
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
5075 South Syracuse Street
Denver, Colorado 80237-2712
Attn: General Counsel
With a copy by email to: legal@remax.com
If to the Participant, at the Participant’s last known address on file with the Company.
Any notice that is delivered personally or by overnight courier in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have been duly given to the Participant when it is mailed by the Company or, if such notice is not mailed to the Participant, upon receipt by the Participant. Any notice that is addressed and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been given to the party to whom it is addressed at the close of business, local time of the recipient, on the fourth day after the day it is so placed in the mail.
15. Consent to Electronic Delivery; Electronic Signature. In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, the Participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including, but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, grant or award notifications and agreements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this and any other Award made or offered by the Company. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which the Participant has access. The Participant hereby consents to any and all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents that the Company may be required to deliver, and agrees that his or her electronic signature is the same as, and shall have the same force and effect as, his or her manual signature.
16. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant's beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom this Option may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.
17. Severability and Waiver. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement or failure to exercise any right hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach or right. The failure of any party to take action by reason of such breach or to exercise any such right shall not deprive the party of the right to take action at any time while or after such breach or condition giving rise to such rights continues.
18. Interpretation. The titles and headings of paragraphs are included for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construction of the provisions hereof. Words used in the masculine shall apply to the feminine where applicable, and wherever the context of this Agreement dictates, the plural shall be read as the singular and the singular as the plural.
19. Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Right to a Jury Trial and Class Action. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein, exclusive of the conflict of laws provisions of Delaware law. In the event of any claim or dispute between the Participant and the Company related to or arising out of, or otherwise in connection with, this Agreement, the exclusive venue in which such dispute shall be resolved will be the appropriate state or federal court located in Denver in the State of Colorado, to which all parties hereby consent to personal jurisdiction. WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH DISPUTE, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY AGREES TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL AND FURTHER AGREES THAT ALL SUCH DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY A JUDGE. BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY ARE EACH GIVING UP HIS/ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. THE PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN HIS/ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
20. Company Recoupment of Awards. The Participant’s rights with respect to this Option shall in all events be subject to (a) any right that the Company may have under any Company clawback or recoupment policy or other agreement or arrangement with the Participant and (b) any right or obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the SEC.
21. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to this Option; provided¸ however, that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment that materially reduces the rights of the Participant shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both the Participant and an authorized officer of the Company.
22. Acknowledgements Regarding Section 409A of the Code. The Participant understands that if the Exercise Price of the Common Stock under this Option is less than the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the date of grant of this Option, then the Participant may incur adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, as amended from time to time, including the guidance and regulations provided thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that (a) the Participant is not relying upon any determination by the Company, any Affiliate or any of their respective employees, directors, managers, officers, attorneys or agents (collectively, the “Company Parties”) of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of this Option, (b) the Participant is not relying upon any written or oral statement or representation of any of the Company Parties regarding the tax effects associated with the Participant’s execution of this Agreement and the Participant’s receipt, holding and exercise of this Option, and (c) in deciding to enter into this Agreement, the Participant is relying on the Participant’s own judgment and the judgment of the professionals of the Participant’s choice with whom the Participant has consulted. The Participant hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company Parties from all actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, obligations, liabilities, claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, on account of, arising out of, or in any way related to the tax effects associated with the Participant’s execution of this Agreement and his receipt, holding and exercise of this Option.
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Exhibit B
Boards of Directors or Boards of Advisors
Employee serves on the following Boards of Directors:
· | Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc. |
· | Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE) |
Exhibit B |
Exhibit 10.3
To: | [Executive Officers] |
From: | Roger Dow, Lead Independent Director and Compensation Committee Chair |
Re: | Reward and Retention Bonus Agreement (the “Agreement”) |
The Board of Directors of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) wishes to recognize your outsized contributions to the Company’s strategic goals in 2021, including substantial effort dedicated to successfully completing the acquisition of RE/MAX INTEGRA’s North American business and the integration of Gadberry Group and wemlo, which drove sustainable and meaningful revenue and earnings growth for the Company.
In addition, the knowledge, expertise and experience of key leaders will be critical in helping the Company execute on its enterprise strategy in 2022, especially in light of the recently announced transition of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. As a result, this Agreement is structured to encourage retention of the Company’s executive management team given that transition and amidst the highly competitive market for talent, within the real estate, mortgage and technology industries and, more generally, for seasoned top leadership with the specific expertise possessed by the Company’s Executive Officers. Additionally, the bonus recognizes your excellent leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which laid the groundwork for 2021’s record results. Therefore, we are pleased to provide this Agreement and the bonus opportunity provided herein.
Reward and Retention Bonuses
Given your contributions to the Company’s strategic goals in 2021 and your criticality to the Company’s future strategy, we are offering you an opportunity to earn two bonuses (the “Reward and Retention Bonuses”), which together equal [$ ] (your “Reward and Retention Bonus Opportunity”), as described below.
If you remain employed with the Company or its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Employer”) and satisfy the Employment Conditions described below from the date of this Agreement through January 15, 2022 (the “First Bonus Date”), then, subject to the “Clawback” provisions set forth below, the Company will pay you a cash lump sum payment equal to [$ ] (the “First Bonus Amount”), less applicable tax withholdings, on the First Bonus Date.
If you remain employed with the Employer and satisfy the Employment Conditions described below from the date of this Agreement through September 30, 2022, or if, before such date, your employment is terminated by the Employer without Cause (as defined below), by you for Good Reason (as defined below), or by reason of your death or Disability (as defined below) (the first to occur of such dates or events, the “Second Bonus Date”), then the Company will pay you a cash lump sum payment equal to [$ ] (the “Second Bonus Amount”), less applicable tax withholdings, within 15 days after the Second Bonus Date. If your employment with the Employer terminates for any other reason prior to September 30, 2022, or if you otherwise fail to satisfy the Employment Conditions described below, then you will not be paid the Second Bonus Amount and the opportunity to receive such amount will be forfeited without consideration.
Employment Conditions
You must remain continuously employed by the Employer for the periods provided in this Agreement with respect to each Reward and Retention Bonus, with the exception of authorized FMLA leave in accordance with federal law. The Employment Conditions for receipt of each Reward and Retention Bonus also include compliance with the Restrictive Covenants contained herein through the date of payment of such Reward and Retention Bonus, and, in the event of noncompliance with any Restrictive Covenant, any unpaid Reward and Retention Bonus will not be paid and the opportunity to receive such amount will be forfeited without consideration. In addition, any act or omission that constitutes Cause may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
The offer of a Reward and Retention Bonus does not change the at-will nature of our employment relationship, which means that both you and the Employer have the right to terminate your employment at any time, with or without advance notice and with or without cause.
Clawback
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, you agree that you will repay to the Company all or a portion of the First and Second Bonus Amounts as determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee if: a) prior to September 30, 2022, you terminate your employment with the Employer without Good Reason or your employment is terminated by the Employer for Cause; or b) at any time through December 31, 2022 you violate any of the Restrictive Covenants contained herein. Any such required repayment must be made within five days after your receipt of a written notice from the Company requiring the same and setting forth the amount of the required repayment as determined by the Compensation Committee. In exercising its discretion under this paragraph, the Compensation Committee may consider such factors as it deems appropriate, including but not limited to (i) whether seeking repayment is in the best interests of the Employer, (ii) the facts and circumstances relating to your termination of employment, if applicable, including but not limited to the timing of, and reasons for, such termination, (iii) your anticipated employment and other business activities following your termination of employment with the Employer, if applicable, (iv) your individual performance and the Company’s performance during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date of your termination of employment or violation of a Restrictive Covenant contained herein, as applicable, and (v) the nature and circumstances relating to any violation of the Restrictive Covenants contained herein, if applicable. If your employment with the Employer is terminated by the Employer without Cause, by you for Good Reason, or due to your death or Disability, then you will not be required to repay to the Company any portion of the First and Second Bonus Amounts unless you have violated or subsequently violate any of the Restrictive Covenants contained herein at any time through December 31, 2022.
Restrictive Covenants
(a) Confidentiality. In the course of Employee’s employment by the Employer, Employee has had access to Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company and its affiliates, subsidiaries, members, franchisees, agents, and sales associates (collectively, the “Company Group”). Employee agrees to maintain the strict confidentiality of all Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall mean all non-public information and materials of or pertaining to the Company Group in any form or medium including all notes, analyses, compilations, copies, documents, recordings, summaries, reproductions, copies, translations, electronic copies or versions (in any medium including video, email, audio, video, or voicemail) regardless of where the same may have been lodged including on any personal devices of Employee, including information and materials: generated by Employee or third parties; received by the Company Group from third parties; concerning or pertaining to the Company Group or its business in any respect including information as to the Company Group’s business practices, operations, prospects, franchisees and franchisee agreements; or legal information and advice. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, information: protected by any and all non-disclosure agreements signed by Employee during employment; concerning claims against or by the Company Group, legal issues and advice, or other information or communications acquired by Employee in your capacity as an employee of the Employer; contained in the Company Group’s financial records; concerning regional, agent and franchise agreements, prospects, information technology techniques and arrangements, processes and procedures for creating IT related resources, contemplated products and services and agreement terms; concerning past acquisitions (closed or not closed) and acquisitions planned or considered, concerning data and issues related to public filings, and concerning purchasing information and other business, marketing, sales, strategic and operational data of the Company Group. Confidential Information includes all other information and materials which are of a propriety or confidential nature, even if they are not marked as such. This provision shall survive indefinitely including in the event of any termination of your employment or this Agreement.
(b) Confidentiality of Agreement. Except to the extent that this Agreement or its terms have been publicly disclosed by the Company, Employee shall keep the fact of and payment terms of this Agreement strictly confidential and shall not disclose them to anyone other than Employee’s spouse, legal or tax advisors, or as may be required by law. Prior to disclosing the terms of this agreement to any spouse, or any legal or tax advisor, Employee shall obtain such individual(s) agreement to be bound by this confidentiality provision.
(c) Notice Under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. The Company provides Employee with notice that 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b)(1) states as follows:
An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that—(A) is made—(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any confidentiality agreement Employee has signed with the Employer, Employee understands that he has the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. Employee further understands that he also has the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure. Employee understands and acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement or in any confidentiality agreement Employee signed with the Employer is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).
(d) Intellectual Property. Employee recognizes and agrees that all copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property rights to works or marks arising in, from or in connection with Employee’s employment by the Employer, are the sole and exclusive property of the Employer. Employee agrees not to assert any such rights against the Employer or any third party. Employee agrees to assign, and hereby does assign, to the Company all rights, if any, in or to such works or marks that may have accrued to Employee during Employee’s employment.
(e) Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees not to defame or disparage the Employer, their subsidiaries, or affiliates, or any of their past, present or future partners, members, directors, accounting firms, third party investigators, attorneys, shareholders, officers, employees, franchisees or sales associates, agents, or family members of officers or directors. This provision shall not prohibit Employee from making any statements or taking any actions required by law, reporting any actions or inactions to a governmental agency that Employee believes to be unlawful, or participating in or cooperating with a governmental investigation. This provision shall not be interpreted to require or encourage Employee to make any misrepresentations. In response to requests for references from prospective employers, the Company will provide the dates of Employee’s employment and positions held.
(f) Agreement Not to Compete. From the date of this agreement until December 31, 2022 (the “Restricted Period”), Employee shall not, either directly or indirectly, accept employment or perform services on behalf of Employee or any individual or entity that in the United States or internationally competes with the Employer in that it offers services or products offered by the Employer. For purposes of clarity, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting Employee from working as a real estate sales associate. In addition, during the Restricted Period, Employee shall not advise or consult with any RE/MAX Master Franchisee or RE/MAX or Motto Mortgage Franchisee, for the benefit of such master franchisee or franchisee in any way that is adverse to the Employer or on the terms of any contract or relationship between such master franchisee or franchisee and the Employer.
(g) Agreements Pertaining to Customers/Franchisees/Agents or Employees. During the Restricted Period, Employee shall not, either directly or indirectly, on Employee’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others, solicit or recruit (or attempt to solicit or recruit) any prospect active during the Restricted Period, franchisee, agent, or regional owner of a franchise to end their franchise or contract with the Employer or to enter into any service to Employee or any other business, organization, program or activity that competes with any of the Employer’s businesses. During the Restricted Period, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, on Employee’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others, solicit or recruit (or attempt to solicit or recruit) any person employed by the Employer to end their employment with the Employer or to provide services to Employee or any other business, organization, program or activity that directly competes with the Employer’s business.
(h) Reasonableness of Restrictive Covenants. Employee acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants in this section are necessary to protect the Employer’s trade secrets, business relationships, goodwill and shareholder value. Employee acknowledges that the Employer conducts the Employer’s business throughout the United States and internationally, that the above restrictive covenants cannot be meaningfully restricted geographically, and that the covenants only reasonably restrict Employee from competing in any market – domestic or foreign – in which the Employer conducts the Employer’s business. Without altering the meaning of the foregoing covenants, both the Company and Employee acknowledge that the above restrictive covenants do not prevent Employee from becoming employed in a similar position in a business that is not competitive with the Employer’s business.
Other Details
This Agreement is independent of the Employer’s other compensation programs and Employer policies, including its Severance Policy and Corporate Bonus Program. All payments under this Agreement are subject to applicable tax withholding.
Section 409A
This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the rules thereunder (“Section 409A”) or an exemption under Section 409A and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A. To the extent that the Compensation Committee determines that this Agreement or a Reward and Retention Bonus may not be exempt from Section 409A, then, if Employee is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Compensation Committee, at a time when Employee becomes eligible for payment of a Reward and Retention Bonus upon Employee’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A, such payment will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following Employee’s separation from service and (b) Employee’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with Section 409A and in no event shall the Employer be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
Definitions
For the purpose of this Agreement:
“Cause” means Employee’s (i) willful dishonesty, theft, disclosure of trade secrets, and/or embezzlement from the Employer or an affiliate determined by the Compensation Committee in good faith to be materially injurious to the business or reputation of the Employer or an affiliate, (ii) commission of a willful felonious act while in the employment of the Employer, or (iii) willful engagement in other activities determined by the Compensation Committee in good faith to be materially injurious to the business or reputation of the Employer or an affiliate; provided that for these purposes, no act, or failure to act, on the part of Employee shall be deemed “willful” unless the Compensation Committee finds that the act or failure to act was done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in other than good faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the best interest of the Employer.
“You” and “Employee” refer to you, the undersigned employee.
“Disability” has the meaning given to it in the RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
“Good Reason” means, in each case without Employee’s consent, (i) a diminution in the combined value of Employee’s base salary, annual bonus opportunity, and annual long-term incentive opportunity (based on the grant date fair value if in the form of equity-based incentives and based on the “target” cash potential if in the form of cash-based incentives) or a diminution of more than 10% in any such component of compensation, (ii) a material diminution in Employee’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, (iii) a change of more than 30 miles in the geographic location at which Employee must perform Employee’s services for the Employer (other than a change to require that Employee work at the Company’s principal place of business, 5075 S Syracuse St, Denver, Colorado if Employee was previously allowed to work from home), or (iv) a material breach by the Company of any material written agreement between Employee and the Company. Employee’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good Reason hereunder; provided, however, none of these events or conditions shall constitute Good Reason unless: (x) Employee provides the Company with written objection to the event or condition within 60 days following the date Employee becomes first becomes aware of such event or condition; (y) the Company does not reverse or otherwise cure the event or condition within 30 days of receiving that written objection; and (z) Employee terminates Employee’s employment within 30 days following the expiration of such 30-day cure period.
Agreement
By signing below, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The offer of this Reward and Retention Bonus Agreement will expire unless signed by [ , , 2021].
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO BY EMPLOYEE:
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Exhibit 99.1
RE/MAX HOLDINGS, INC. ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
CEO Adam Contos to Leave the Company Effective March 31, 2022;
Board Member Stephen Joyce to be Appointed CEO on an Interim Basis
Company Authorizes Up to $100 Million Share Repurchase Program
DENVER — January 11, 2022 — RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: RMAX), parent company of RE/MAX, one of the world's leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and of Motto Mortgage, the first national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the U.S., today announced that Adam Contos, who has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2018, has informed the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) of his decision to leave the Company effective March 31, 2022, to spend more time with his family and pursue new entrepreneurial endeavors. He will also step down from the Company’s Board effective March 31, 2022.
The Board has appointed Board member Stephen Joyce to become Chief Executive Officer upon Mr. Contos’ departure. Mr. Joyce will serve as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis. The timing of Mr. Contos’ departure allows time for an orderly transition of responsibilities working in cooperation with Mr. Joyce. To facilitate the transition, Mr. Contos and Mr. Joyce will serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers beginning March 1, 2022.
The Company’s Board expects to form a CEO search committee to identify a permanent CEO replacement and to retain an executive search firm to assist with the process, which will include evaluating internal and external candidates for the CEO role. Additionally, the Board expects to conduct a formal selection process to add one additional independent Board director who would then maintain the current size of the Board. The Company is committed to a corporate governance program that ensures that its Board has the right people and practices to effectively create stockholder value while considering the interests of all of its stakeholders.
The Company also announced that Nick Bailey has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX effective immediately and will continue to lead all aspects of the RE/MAX brand and business globally. Additionally, Ward Morrison has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Motto Mortgage and wemlo effective immediately and will continue to lead all aspects of the Company’s mortgage operations.
RE/MAX Holdings Chairman of the Board and RE/MAX Co-Founder Dave Liniger said, “The Company posted record results for the third quarter, which we believe is a strong affirmation of our strategy and the recent investments we have made to diversify and expand our business. This performance and the growth opportunities we see ahead give us confidence in our future.”
Mr. Liniger continued, “Adam is an outstanding leader, and on behalf of the entire Board, we thank him for his nearly two decades of service to our Company. His leadership and commitment to the Company, working alongside our deep and talented senior management team, have driven our success and established a strong foundation for our continued growth.
“We are delighted that Steve has agreed to transition to the CEO role while we take the requisite amount of time to conduct our search for a permanent CEO. We asked Steve to join our Board nearly two years ago because we were drawn to his extensive track record of success and growth as CEO of publicly traded, global franchisors. His contributions to our Board and Company have been significant. He is a highly engaged executive and during his time in the CEO chair we expect the Company and our shareholders will benefit as he leads the evolution of our strategy to drive enhanced value for all stakeholders.”
Mr. Contos said, “Serving as CEO of RE/MAX Holdings has been the high point of my nearly 20 years with the Company. I am proud of everything we accomplished, especially given the dynamic changes in our industry and society. It has been my sincere pleasure to work with our excellent leadership team and employees, as well as some of the most dedicated, productive and entrepreneurial professionals in the real estate and mortgage industries. I thank them for their friendship, support and contributions. I am confident that the future is bright for the Company and for our two incredible networks.”
Mr. Joyce commented, “I am honored to work alongside the RE/MAX Holdings management team and Board as we build on our strengths and advance our industry leadership positions. The real estate and mortgage sectors continue to experience tremendous change, but what remains constant is the unique and strong value proposition our Company presents for productive agents, loan originators and franchisees to grow their businesses. We are proud to play such a critical role in their success.”
Mr. Joyce is a seasoned executive with proven success leading global franchise operations, including Dine Brands Global, the franchisor of IHOP and Applebee’s Grill + Bar, where he was previously Chief Executive Officer and Board member. Prior to Dine Brands Global, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International, where he reinvigorated and grew its hotel brands, expanding them from nine to 13 brands, and grew Choice Hotels internationally to more than 6,700 hotels in over 45 countries. Earlier in his career, Mr. Joyce spent over 25 years with Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hotel company, where he created its first franchise program and helped build a network of more than 2,500 franchised hotels. Mr. Joyce also serves on the Board of Directors of Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc. and CARE International.
Share Repurchase Program
RE/MAX Holdings also announced that its Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program of up to $100 million, reflecting confidence in the Company’s performance and the strength of its balance sheet.
“The investments we have made over the past few years, including our recent acquisition of RE/MAX INTEGRA’s North American regions, position us well to continue to grow and generate substantial amounts of free cash flow over the long term,” said Mr. Liniger. “Since our initial public offering over eight years ago, the Company has balanced returning capital to shareholders with strategic investments in the business to create shareholder value, and that is how we will continue to prioritize our capital allocation accordingly.”
Share repurchases may be made from time to time through a variety of methods, including by means of open market or privately negotiated transactions, through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or in reliance on indirect purchases of common stock such as by using derivatives. The timing of repurchases and the actual number of shares repurchased will be subject to the discretion of the Company and may be based upon market conditions as well as other opportunities that the Company may have for the allocation of capital from time to time. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular amount of common stock. The share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued in whole or in part at any time without further notice.
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About RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX) is one of the world’s leading franchisors in the real estate industry, franchising real estate brokerages globally under the RE/MAX® brand, and mortgage brokerages within the U.S. under the Motto® Mortgage brand. RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. Now with more than 140,000 agents in over 8,600 offices across more than 110 countries and territories, nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX, as measured by total residential transaction sides. Dedicated to innovation and change in the real estate industry, RE/MAX launched Motto Franchising, LLC, a ground-breaking mortgage brokerage franchisor, in 2016. Motto Mortgage has grown to over 175 offices across almost 40 states.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "believe," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," "project," "anticipate," "may," "will," "would" and other similar words and expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements related to: the Company’s expectations related to its share repurchase program including any implications about the timing or amount of purchases to be made in connection with the program, statements regarding the Company’s capital allocation and return of capital to shareholders, expectations concerning the benefits of the acquisition of the North American operations of RE/MAX INTEGRA, the Company’s anticipated growth and its generation of free cash flow, and
statements related to the transition of the Company’s CEO, including the appointment of an interim CEO and the search for a new CEO and Board member. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily accurately indicate the times at which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (1) the global COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to pose significant and widespread risks to the Company’s business, including the Company’s agents, loan originators, franchisees and employees, as well as home buyers and sellers, (2) changes in the real estate market or interest rates and availability of financing, (3) changes in business and economic activity in general, (4) the Company’s ability to attract and retain quality franchisees, and the Company’s franchisees’ ability to recruit and retain real estate agents and mortgage loan originators, (5) changes in laws and regulations, (6) the Company’s ability to enhance, market, and protect its brands, including the RE/MAX and Motto Mortgage brands, (7) the Company’s ability to implement its technology initiatives, (8) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, (9) risks and uncertainties related to the share repurchase program including the timing, amount and the price at which any share repurchases might be made in connection with the program, (10) uncertainties concerning the Company’s ability to continue to generate free cash flow, (11) uncertainties regarding the returns to be achieved and benefits to shareholders from different allocations of capital and the Company’s decisions and expectations around expenditure of capital towards the share repurchase program versus other priorities, (12) the exact details and timing of events related to the CEO transition, including the timing and duration of the Co-CEO period and (13) those risks and uncertainties described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and similar disclosures in subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the investor relations page of the Company’s website at www.remaxholdings.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.
Investor Contact: | Media Contact: |
Andy Schulz | Samantha Rotbart |
303-796-3287 | 303-796-3303 |
aschulz@remax.com | srotbart@remax.com |