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
December 10, 2007 (December 4, 2007)
____________________________________
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
_______________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
______________________________
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
333-131875 (Commission File Number) |
20-0065053
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6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75231
_____________________________________
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 214-221-4610
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 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
(i) On December 4, 2007, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. ("Zion" or the "Company") approved the entry by the Company into an Employment Agreement with Richard Rinberg, the Company's Chief Executive Officer (the "Rinberg Agreement"), effective as of November 1, 2007. The Rinberg Agreement replaces the prior Retention and Management Services Agreement between the Company and Mr. Rinberg that expired on October 31, 2007. The following summary of certain provisions of the Rinberg Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Rinberg Agreement has an initial term that extends through December 31, 2008; thereafter, the agreement provides that it is to be renewed automatically for successive two year terms unless either party shall advise the other 90 days before expiration of the initial or renewed term of its intention to not renew the agreement beyond its then scheduled expiration date. Under the agreement, Mr. Rinberg will be paid an annual salary of $275,000, payable monthly ( notwithstanding which , consistent with the current arrangement with the Company's senior officers where only up to 60% of their respective salaries are paid (up to $10,000 per month) with the remainder deferred until such time as the Company's cash position permits payment of salary in full without interfering with the Company's ability to pursue its plan of operations, Mr. Rinberg has agreed to be paid $10,000 per month with the remaining amounts due on account of his salary to be deferred as described). Mr. Rinberg will also be entitled to receive, in accordance with Israeli law and practice, a Company contribution into a managers' insurance fund to be established for the benefit of Mr. Rinberg on account of severance benefits at a rate equal to 13 1/3% of his monthly salary and a Company contribution to an advancement fund to be established for Mr. Rinberg's benefit in the amount of 7 1/2 % of his monthly salary. Mr. Rinberg can terminate the employment agreement and the relationship thereunder at any time upon 60 business days' notice. If during the initial term (or any renewal term) the Company were to terminate the agreement or if the Company were to elect to not renew the agreement at the end of the term, in either case for any reason other than "Just Cause" (as defined the Rinberg Agreement), then the Company is to pay to Mr. Rinberg the salary then payable under the agreement through the longer of (i) the scheduled expiration of the initial or a renewal term as if the agreement had not been so terminated or not renewed or (ii) six months, as well as all bonuses and benefits earned and accrued through such date. Mr. Rinberg may also terminate the agreement for "Good Reason" (as defined in the Rinberg Agreement), whereupon he will be entitled to the same benefits as if the Company had terminated the agreement for any reason other than Just Cause. The Rinberg Agreement provides for customary protections of the Company's confidential information and intellectual property. The Rinberg Agreement also provides that in connection with his services during the initial term of the Rinberg Agreement and subject to the entry into an Option Award Agreement under the Company's 2005 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), Mr. Rinberg be awarded options at a per share exercise price of $0.01 to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the Plan, which options would vest at the rate of 10,000 shares at the termination of each 90 day period beginning November 1, 2007 until such options are vested in full on October 31, 2008. In the event of an extension of the term of the Rinberg Agreement, the agreement provides that Mr. Rinberg be granted additional options to purchase common stock in the Company in amounts of not less than 40,000 shares per year on such terms to be agreed by the parties. On December 4, 2007, the Board of the Company authorized the entry by the Company into an Option Award Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Rinberg was granted options to purchase 40,000 shares (valued at $257,328) under the Plan on the terms set forth above.
(ii) Also on December 4, 2007, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors of Zion approved the entry by the Company into an Employment Agreement with William H. Avery, the Company's Corporate Executive Vice President (the "Avery Agreement"), effective as of December 1, 2007. The Avery Agreement replaces the prior retention and compensation arrangements between the Company and Mr. Avery. The following summary of certain provisions of the Avery Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Avery Agreement has an initial term that extends through December 31, 2008; thereafter, the employment agreement provides that it is to be renewed automatically for successive one year terms unless either party shall advise the other 90 days before expiration of the initial or renewed term of its intention to not renew the agreement beyond its then scheduled expiration date. Under the agreement, Mr. Avery will be paid an annual salary of $225,000, payable monthly( notwithstanding which , consistent with the current arrangement with the Company's senior officers where only up to 60% of their respective salaries are paid (up to $10,000 per month) with the remainder deferred until such time as the Company's cash position permits payment of salary in full without interfering with the Company's ability to pursue its plan of operations, Mr. Avery has agreed to be paid $10,000 per month with the remaining amounts due on account of his salary to be deferred as described). Mr. Avery can terminate the employment agreement and the relationship thereunder at any time upon 60 business days' notice. If during the initial term (or any renewal term) the Company were to terminate the agreement or if the Company were to elect to not renew the agreement at the end of the term, in either case for any reason other than "Just Cause" (as defined the employment agreement), then the Company is to pay to Mr. Avery the salary then payable under the agreement through the longer of (i) the scheduled expiration of the initial or a renewal term as if the agreement had not been so terminated or not renewed or (ii) six months, as well as all bonuses and benefits earned and accrued through such date. Mr. Avery may also terminate the employment agreement for "Good Reason" (as defined in the employment agreement), whereupon he will be entitled to the same benefits as if the Company had terminated the agreement for any reason other than Just Cause. The Avery Agreement provides for customary protections of the Company's confidential information and intellectual property. The Avery Agreement also provides that subject to the entry into an Option Award Agreement, Mr. Avery be awarded fully vested options at a per share exercise price of $0.01 to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the Plan. On December 4, 2007, the Board of the Company authorized the entry by the Company into an Option Award Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Avery was granted options to purchase 40,000 shares (valued at $257,328) under the Plan on the terms set forth above.
Item 5.05 Amendments to the Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.
On December 4, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors unanimously approved the replacement of the existing "Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees" with a new Code written in a "plain English" style. Although the prior Code of Conduct met all legal requirements, the Company believes that the new Code is easier to read and understand. As with the code it replaces, the purpose of the new Code is to encourage the highest standards of business and personal ethics in the discharge of assigned responsibilities among the directors, officers and employees. A copy of the amended Code is attached as Exhibit 14.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01(d): Exhibits
10.1 Personal Employment Agreement dated as of November 1, 2007 between Zion Oil & Gas Inc. and Richard Rinberg*
10.2 Personal Employment Agreement dated as of December 1, 2007 between Zion Oil & Gas Inc. and William H. Avery*
14.1 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees (effective as of December 4, 2007)
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 hereto duly authorized .
Date: December 10, 2007
Zion Oil and Gas, Inc.
By: /s/ Richard R. Rinberg
Richard R. Rinberg
Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 10-1
Employment Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of November 1, 2007
B E T W E E N:
ZION OIL AND GAS INC. , a Company incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
(the " Company ")
and -
RICHARD RINBERG
(the " Employee ")
CONTEXT OF THIS AGREEMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED , the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
" Agreement " means this agreement and all schedules attached hereto and all amendments made hereto and thereto in writing by the parties.
" Business Day " means a day other than a Friday, Saturday or statutory holiday in the State of Israel.
" Person " includes individuals, companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities.
3.1 Gross Salary . During the term hereof, and subject to the performance of the services required to be performed hereunder by Employee, the Company shall pay to the Employee for all services rendered hereunder, as salary, payable not less often than once per month and in accordance with the Company 's normal and reasonable payroll practices, a monthly gross amount equal to U.S. $22,917 (the "Gross Salary") payable in NIS. Translations to Israeli currency shall be calculated on the basis of the representative rate of exchange published by a daily newspaper in Israel on the date of payment. This salary shall be reviewed periodically and may be favorably adjusted along with other benefits accordingly.
Gross Salary shall be deferred in an amount equal to the percentage being paid by the Company to its other senior executive officers from time to time. Currently, the Company pays 60% of salaries up to the maximum amount of $10,000 monthly as gross salary to senior executive officers. The Gross Salary which is deferred shall be paid at such time and in accordance with the amount being paid to other Company senior executive officers. For the purposes of this Section 3.1 senior executive offices include the CEO , CFO and President.
The parties agree that the position of the Employee entails a special level of personal trust and that the terms of employment of the employee and circumstances therein are such that " they do not allow the employer supervision of the employee work hours as defined in the Hours of Work and Rest Law -1951 ( hereinafter" Work and Rest Law") therefore the provisions of the Work and Rest Law shall not apply to the employee and limitations set therein including payment for overtime.
3.2 Bituach Menahalim The Company and the Employee will obtain and maintain Manager's Insurance (Bituach Menahalim) and Professional Disability Insurance for the exclusive benefit of the Employee in the customary form. Each of the Company and the Employee shall contribute toward the premiums payable in respect of such insurance those amounts which would be recognized under applicable law, but in no event shall such contributed amounts be more than thirteen and one third percent (13 1/3%) of each monthly Gross Salary payment from the Company and five percent (5 %) of such amount from the Employee. It is hereby agreed that in the event that Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by the Company for any reason, Employee will be eligible to receive all amounts accrued to him in the fund .
3.3 Keren Heshtamlut The Company and the Employee shall maintain an advancement fund (keren Heshtamlut) for exclusive benefit of the Employee. The Company shall contribute to such fund an amount equal to 7-1/2% of each monthly Gross Salary payment and the employee shall contribute to such fund an amount equal to 2-1/2% of each monthly Gross Salary payment. The Employee hereby instructs the Company to transfer to such advancement fund the amount of the Employee's and the Company 's contribution from each monthly Gross Salary payment. Employee can elect to receive any part of the Company's contribution in cash should this be more efficient for tax purposes at the Employee's election. On termination, Employee will be eligible to receive all amounts accrued in the fund.
3.4 Cell Phone . Company shall provide the Employee with a cell phone and pay for its maintenance and use. The taxable benefits on these items will be grossed up in the monthly salary "gilum hatavah".
3.5 Benefits . The Employee shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company's benefit plans generally available to its senior level employees from time to time.
3.6 Expenses All expenses reasonably incurred by the Employee shall be reimbursed, together with any applicable sales and goods and services taxes, by the Company within 10 Business Days after presentation by the Employee of proper invoices and receipts in keeping with the policies of the Company as established from time to time.
3.7 Options . Subject to the Employee entering into the Company's standard Employee Stock Option agreement, for services required to be performed hereunder by Employee, the Employee shall be entitled to participate in an employee stock option plan of the Company. Company shall grant to Employee under Company's 2005 Stock Option Plan non qualified options for 40,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, which so long as Employee remains in the employ of the Company shall vest as follows and in accordance with the terms of the Company's standard Employee Stock Option agreement: 10,000 options shall vest at the end of each 90 day period. The vested options shall be exercisable until October 31, 2017. The per share exercise price of the options shall be $0.01. In the event that this Agreement continues after the Initial Term, the Company shall grant to the Employee additional stock options which in no event shall be less than the per year amount granted herein with such other terms to be agreed upon by the parties.
3.8 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accumulated for two (2) years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accumulation of vacation days in excess of forty six (46) days may be approved by the Board in its discretion.. Vacation days shall be prorated for any portion of a year to the date of termination. In addition, the Employee shall be entitled to unpaid vacation during Chol Hamoed Pessach and Sukkot.
3.9 Withholding Tax Company shall withhold, or charge Employee with, all taxes and other compulsory payments as required under applicable law with respect to all payments, benefits and/or other compensation paid to Employee in connection with his employment with Company.
4.2 Duties and Responsibilities . The Employee shall duly and diligently perform all the duties assigned to him while in the employ of the Company, and shall truly and faithfully account for and deliver to the Company all money, securities and things of value belonging to the Company which the Employee may from time to time receive for, from or on account of the Company.
4.3 Rules and Regulations . The Employee shall be bound by and shall faithfully observe and abide by all the rules and regulations of the Company from time to time in force which are brought to his notice including insider trading policies and underwriter lock ups, from time to time in force which are brought to his notice.
For greater certainty, discoveries, inventions, designs, works of authorship, improvements and ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable) of the Employee that do not relate to the business of the Company are not the subject matter of this Agreement.
The Employee confirms that all restrictions in Part 7 and 8 are reasonable and valid and all defences to the strict enforcement thereof by the Company are waived by the Employee. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, the Employee hereby consents to an injunction being granted by a court of competent jurisdiction in the event that the Employee is in any breach of any of the provisions stipulated in Part 7 and 8. The Employee hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that injunctive relief is an appropriate and fair remedy in the event of a breach of any of the said provisions.
(i) Employee's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere, to any felony or to a crime involving moral depravity or fraud; (ii) Employee's commission of an act of dishonesty or fraud or breach of fiduciary duty or act that has a material adverse effect on the name or public image of the Company, as determined by the Board provided the Board affords the Employee the opportunity to personally appear before the Board in order to state his case prior to the Board voting to so terminate the Employee; (iii) Employee's commission of an act of willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by the Board provided the Employee shall have the opportunity to state his case before the Board prior to the Board taking such decision to so terminate the Employee; (iv) the failure of Employee to perform his duties under this Agreement; (v) the material breach of any of Employee's material obligations under this Agreement; (vi) the failure of Employee to follow a directive of the Board; or (vii) excessive absenteeism, chronic alcoholism or any other form of addiction that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of his position with or without a reasonable accommodation; provided , however , that the Company may terminate Employee's employment for Just Cause, as to (iv) or (v) above, only after failure by Employee to correct or cure, or to commence or to continue to pursue the correction or curing of, such conduct or omission within ten (10) days after receipt by Employee of written notice by the Company of each specific claim of any such misconduct or failure.
In the event that the Employee terminates this Agreement for Good Reason, he shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 11.4 of this Agreement as if the Company had terminated this Agreement at the time that the Employee terminates this Agreement under this Section 11.5.
The Employee acknowledges that:
Any demand, notice or other communication (the " Notice ") to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be given in writing on a Business Day and may be given by personal delivery or by transmittal by facsimile addressed to the recipient as follows:
To the Company: |
Attention: Facsimile: |
To the Employee: |
Facsimile: |
or such other address or facsimile number as may be designated by notice by any party to the other. Any Notice given by personal delivery will be deemed to have been given on the day of actual delivery and if transmitted by facsimile before 3:00 pm on a Business Day, will be deemed to have been given on that Business Day and if transmitted by facsimile after 3:00 pm on a Business Day, will be deemed to have been given on the next Business Day after the date of transmission.
The parties shall from time to time execute and deliver all such further documents and do all acts and things as the other party may reasonably require to effectively carry out or better evidence or perfect the full intent and meaning of this Agreement.
This Agreement may be signed either by original signature or by facsimile signature.
This Agreement may be executed by the parties in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original and such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have duly executed this Agreement.
ZION OIL & GAS INC.
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/s/ Richard R. Rinberg RICHARD RINBERG |
EXHIBIT 10-2
Employment Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of December 1, 2007
B E T W E E N:
ZION OIL AND GAS INC. , a Company incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
(the " Company ")
and -
WILLIAM H. AVERY
(the "Employee")
CONTEXT OF THIS AGREEMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED , the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
" Agreement " means this agreement and all schedules attached hereto and all amendments made hereto and thereto in writing by the parties.
" Business Day " means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday in the United States.
" Person " includes individuals, companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities.
2.1 Appointment . The Company agrees to employ the Employee as its 'Corporate Executive Vice President' (including USA and Israel) upon the terms and conditions contained herein and the Employee accepts such appointment.
2.2 Term . The employment of the Employee hereunder shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2008 (the "Initial Term") unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be renewed for successive one year terms (each a "Renewal Term") unless the Company or Employee indicates in writing, more than 90 days prior to the termination of this Initial term or any Renewal term, that it does not intend to renew this Agreement.
2.3 Duties and Reporting . The Employee will report directly to the president of the Company and shall carry out all duties and responsibilities which are from time to time assigned to him by the president. Duties shall include legal, financial and administrative responsibilities in the United States and Israel as directed by the President.
3.1 Gross Salary . During the term hereof, and subject to the performance of the services required to be performed hereunder by Employee, the Company shall pay to the Employee for all services rendered hereunder, as salary, payable not less often than once per month and in accordance with the Company 's normal and reasonable payroll practices, a monthly gross amount equal to U.S. $18,750 (the "Gross Salary").
Gross Salary shall be deferred in an amount equal to the percentage being paid by the Company to its other senior executive officers from time to time. Currently, the Company pays 60% of salaries up to the maximum amount of $10,000 monthly as gross salary to senior executive officers. The Gross Salary which is deferred shall be paid at such time and in accordance with the amount being paid to other Company senior executive officers. For the purposes of this Section 3.1 senior executive offices include the CEO , CFO and President.
3.2 Cell Phone . Company shall provide the Employee with a cell phone and pay for its maintenance and use.
3.3 Benefits . The Employee shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company's benefit plans generally available to its senior level employees from time to time established for Company employees who are located in the United States.
3.4 Expenses All expenses reasonably incurred by the Employee shall be reimbursed, together with any applicable sales and goods and services taxes, by the Company within 10 Business Days after presentation by the Employee of proper invoices and receipts in keeping with the policies of the Company as established from time to time.
3.5 Options . Subject to the Employee entering into the Company's standard Employee Stock Option agreement, the Employee shall be entitled to participate in an employee stock option plan of the Company. Company shall grant to Employee under Company's 2005 Stock Option Plan non qualified fully vested penny options for 40,000 shares of Common Stock of the CompanyThe vested options shall be exercisable until October 31, 2017 subject to the terms of the Company's Employee Stock Option Agreement.
3.6 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accumulated for two (2) years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accumulation of vacation days in excess of forty six (46) days may be approved by the Board in its discretion.
3.7 Withholding Tax Company shall withhold, or charge Employee with, all taxes and other compulsory payments as required under applicable law with respect to all payments, benefits and/or other compensation paid to Employee in connection with his employment with Company.
4.2 Duties and Responsibilities . The Employee shall duly and diligently perform all the duties assigned to him while in the employ of the Company, and shall truly and faithfully account for and deliver to the Company all money, securities and things of value belonging to the Company which the Employee may from time to time receive for, from or on account of the Company.
4.3 Rules and Regulations . The Employee shall be bound by and shall faithfully observe and abide by all the rules and regulations of the Company from time to time in force which are brought to his notice including insider trading policies and underwriter lock ups, from time to time in force which are brought to his notice.
For greater certainty, discoveries, inventions, designs, works of authorship, improvements and ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable) of the Employee that do not relate to the business of the Company are not the subject matter of this Agreement.
The Employee confirms that all restrictions in Part 7 and 8 are reasonable and valid and all defences to the strict enforcement thereof by the Company are waived by the Employee. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, the Employee hereby consents to an injunction being granted by a court of competent jurisdiction in the event that the Employee is in any breach of any of the provisions stipulated in Part 7 and 8. The Employee hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that injunctive relief is an appropriate and fair remedy in the event of a breach of any of the said provisions.
(i) Employee's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere, to any felony or to a crime involving moral depravity or fraud; (ii) Employee's commission of an act of dishonesty or fraud or breach of fiduciary duty or act that has a material adverse effect on the name or public image of the Company, as determined by the Board provided the Board affords the Employee the opportunity to personally appear before the Board in order to state his case prior to the Board voting to so terminate the Employee; (iii) Employee's commission of an act of willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by the Board provided the Employee shall have the opportunity to state his case before the Board prior to the Board taking such decision to so terminate the Employee; (iv) the failure of Employee to perform his duties under this Agreement; (v) the material breach of any of Employee's material obligations under this Agreement; (vi) the failure of Employee to follow a directive of the CEO; or (vii) excessive absenteeism, chronic alcoholism or any other form of addiction that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of his position with or without a reasonable accommodation; provided , however , that the Company may terminate Employee's employment for Just Cause, as to (iv) or (v) above, only after failure by Employee to correct or cure, or to commence or to continue to pursue the correction or curing of, such conduct or omission within ten (10) days after receipt by Employee of written notice by the Company of each specific claim of any such misconduct or failure.
In the event that the Employee terminates this Agreement for Good Reason, he shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 11.4 of this Agreement as if the Company had terminated this Agreement at the time that the Employee terminates this Agreement under this Section 11.5.
11.6 Death . Your employment terminates on the date of your death and the Company will pay your Gross Salary to the end of the month during which you died and other bonuses, vacation and other benefits, if any, earned or accrued up to the date of termination.
11.7 Full and Final Release . In order to be eligible for the payments as set forth in this Section 11 the Employee must (i) execute and deliver to the Company a general release, in a form satisfactory to the Company and Employee , and (ii) be and remain in full compliance with his obligations under this Agreement
11.8 Fair and Reasonable . The parties confirm that the provisions contained in Sections 11.4 and 11.5 are fair and reasonable and that all such payments shall be in full satisfaction of all claims which the Employee may otherwise have at law against the Company including, or in equity by virtue of such termination of employment.
11.9 Return of Property . Upon the termination of the Employee's employment for any reason whatsoever, the Employee shall at once deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company all books, documents, effects, money, computer equipment, computer storage media, securities or other property belonging to the Company or for which the Company is liable to others, which are in the possession, charge, control or custody of the Employee.
11.10 Provisions Which Operate Following Termination . Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, provisions of this Agreement necessary to give efficacy thereto shall continue in full force and effect.
11.11 Board . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of Employee's employment hereunder for any reason shall automatically be deemed as Employee's resignation (to extent Employee serves in such capacity) from the Board of Directors of the Company and any affiliates without any further action, except when the Board shall, in writing, request a continuation of duty as a Director in its sole discretion.
The Employee acknowledges that:
Any demand, notice or other communication (the " Notice ") to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be given in writing on a Business Day and may be given by personal delivery or by transmittal by facsimile addressed to the recipient as follows:
To the Company: |
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75231
Attention: CEO Facsimile: |
To the Employee: |
Facsimile: |
or such other address or facsimile number as may be designated by notice by any party to the other. Any Notice given by personal delivery will be deemed to have been given on the day of actual delivery and if transmitted by facsimile before 3:00 pm on a Business Day, will be deemed to have been given on that Business Day and if transmitted by facsimile after 3:00 pm on a Business Day, will be deemed to have been given on the next Business Day after the date of transmission.
The parties shall from time to time execute and deliver all such further documents and do all acts and things as the other party may reasonably require to effectively carry out or better evidence or perfect the full intent and meaning of this Agreement.
This Agreement may be signed either by original signature or by facsimile signature.
This Agreement may be executed by the parties in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original and such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have duly executed this Agreement.
ZION OIL & GAS INC.
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/s/ William H.Avery
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EXHIBIT 14-1
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
FOR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Effective as of December 4, 2007
I. Introduction
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the "Company") has adopted this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") to set forth the Company's standards and practices relating to the business ethics of its directors, officers and employees. The Code is in addition to, and not in replacement of, other policies the Company may have including, without limitation, its insider trading policy.
The Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, nor is it a complete list of every legal or ethical question that directors, officers and employees may face in the course of the Company's business. The Code is intended to serve only as a guide, and it must be applied using common sense and good judgment.
The Company requires its directors, officers and employees to observe the highest standards of business and personal ethics in the discharge of their assigned responsibilities. They must behave honestly and with integrity at all times, including in dealings with co-workers, the public, the business community, stockholders, customers, suppliers and governmental and regulatory authorities. They must comply with all applicable legal requirements, avoid any questionable relationships with persons or firms with whom the Company transacts or is likely to transact business, avoid disclosure to others of confidential information obtained in the course of their employment by the Company, and avoid situations which may place them in a conflict of interest situation to the possible detriment of themselves and/or the Company.
The following sections of the Code describe these standards in greater detail.
II. Administration of the Code
The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code and for serving as a resource to directors, officers and employees by providing information and guidance regarding issues of compliance and ethical conduct. The Chairman of the Audit Committee is the Code Administrator and is the appropriate person for the reporting of violations of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Directors, officers and employees should feel free to discuss questions and issues arising under the Code or otherwise raising ethical or legal compliance concerns with the Audit Committee.
III. Conflicts of Interest
Directors, officers and employees must conduct the Company's business on an arm's length basis. They are required to avoid any business, financial activity or other activity that may cause their personal interests to conflict with those of the Company unless, after disclosure to the Code Administrator, it is determined that the activity is not harmful to the Company or otherwise improper. They are obligated to disclose to the Company all the facts in any situation where a conflict of interest may arise. Further, they may not engage in any outside activity that would prevent them from performing their duties to the Company.
Directors, officers and employees must avoid any activity which even appears to present a conflict unless, after disclosure to the Code Administrator, it is determined that the activity is not harmful to the Company or otherwise improper.
A conflict or the appearance of a conflict may arise in many ways. For example, depending upon the circumstances, the following may constitute a conflict of interest:
- Ownership of an interest, or other financial interests, in a supplier, contractor, subcontractor, customer, licensee, collaborator or other entity with which the Company does business or competes (excluding ownership of securities that represent less than a 2 percent interest in publicly traded companies);
- Acting in any capacity (including as a director, officer, partner, consultant, employee or agent) for a supplier, contractor, subcontractor, customer, licensee, collaborator or other entity with which the Company does business or competes;
- Accepting payments, services or loans from a supplier, contractor, subcontractor, customer, licensee, collaborator or other entity with which the Company does business or competes (except for obtaining bank loans, purchasing insurance and retaining services of lawyers, accountants, financial advisers and brokers, who also provide services to the Company, where such loans, insurance and services are received or purchased at rates customary for similarly situated customers);
- Accepting discounts or other preferential treatment that has been offered to an individual personally (and not all Company personnel) because of his or her position with the Company;
- Using or disclosing information to which an individual has access by reason of his or her position with the Company for personal benefit or in a manner detrimental to the Company (e.g., use of technology or data developed by the Company for personal benefit);
- Owning property the value of which has been or is likely to be materially affected by an action of the Company (other than equity or debt securities of the Company or options to acquire stock of the Company);
- Receiving loans or guarantees of obligations from the Company;
- Appropriating a business opportunity in which it is known or could reasonably be anticipated that the Company would be interested (e.g., the opportunity to purchase or lease land); and
- Selling property to or purchasing property from the Company.
It is not possible to list every situation that may involve a conflict of interest, and the determination as to whether an activity constitutes a conflict of interest is not always clear-cut. An individual who has a question should consult with the Code Administrator.
A director, officer or employee who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict of interest should bring it to the attention of the Code Administrator immediately. Discussions with the Code Administrator may well result in the approval of certain relationships or transactions that, despite appearances, are not harmful to the Company.
IV. Accuracy of Records and Public Disclosures
The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions and to meet its obligations to make full, fair, timely, accurate and understandable disclosure in the reports that it files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and in other public communications.
This means, without limitation, that:
- All financial books, records and accounts clearly and accurately reflect transactions and events;
- No false or artificial entries are made in the Company's books and records (e.g., only the true and actual number of hours worked should be reported, and the use of business expense accounts must be documented and recorded accurately);
- No undisclosed or unrecorded funds or assets of the Company are established for any purpose unless permitted by applicable law or regulation;
- No payment on behalf of the Company is approved without adequate supporting documentation and when a payment is made it is used only for the purpose specified in the supporting documentation;
- There is full compliance with the Company's accounting rules and procedures and internal controls;
- No payroll related expenditures, bonuses, awards or non-cash gifts are given to or by directors, officers or employees without the proper approval and adequate documentation;
- No payments are made in cash or checks drawn to cash, except petty cash;
- No invoices are made higher or lower than normal prices at a customer's request;
- All Company funds, assets and liabilities are recorded in accordance with appropriate Company accounting procedures;
- Records are retained and destroyed according to the Company's record retention policies; and
- No individual shall take any direct or indirect action fraudulently to influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead any internal accountant or auditor or the Company's independent public accountants in the performance of an internal or independent audit of the Company's financial statements or accounting books and records.
It is the Company's policy that the reports it files with the SEC and all other public communications will be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. The Company expects all personnel to take this responsibility very seriously, to provide prompt and accurate answers to inquiries related to the Company's public disclosure requirements, and to bring to the attention of their supervisors (a) any material information of which they become aware that affects the disclosures made by the Company and (b) any information they may have concerning significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Company's internal controls which could adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data.
Depending upon their positions with the Company, certain individuals may be called upon to assure that the Company's filings are complete, fair and understandable. To this end, such individuals shall:
- Comply, and, to the extent applicable, cause those under their supervision to comply, fully at all times with the Company's disclosure controls and procedures; and
- Ensure that all reports and disclosures they prepare or review, in whole or in part, are true and correct in all material respects and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
V. Compliance with Law
Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is paramount to the conduct of the
Company's business. Directors, officers and employees must comply, and, to the extent applicable, ensure that employees under their supervision comply, with the laws, rules and regulations of each city, state and country in which the Company does business.
While the Company does not expect that all personnel will know the details of all of these laws, it requires that they have a general understanding of the laws applicable to their specific job responsibilities so as to enable them to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate individuals.
To ensure that the Company's operations are conducted in compliance with all applicable governmental regulations, directors, officers and employees must avoid activities that could involve or lead to involvement of the Company or its personnel in any unlawful practice.
For example, among other things, they must not, and, to the extent applicable, must not permit the employees under their supervision to:
- Take any unlawful or improper actions on the Company's behalf (e.g., engage in conduct that is intended to mislead, manipulate or take unfair advantage of a collaborator or agree with representatives of competing companies to engage in price fixing or other illegal activities);
- Use the assets of the Company for any unlawful or improper purpose; or
- Directly or indirectly promise, offer or make payment in money or anything of value to anyone, including a government official, agent or employee of a government, political party, labor organization or business entity or a candidate of a political party, with the intent to induce favorable business treatment or to improperly affect business or government decisions.
VI. Confidential and Proprietary Information
Directors, officers and employees must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers, licensees, collaborators or other parties with whom it does business unless disclosure is authorized and approved by the Chief Executive Officer, or the Chief Operating Officer.
Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be useful to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed. It also includes information that third parties such as suppliers, customers, licensees and collaborators have provided to the Company. The obligation to preserve confidentiality continues even after employment by the Company ends.
Directors, officers and employees must also protect the Company's proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as confidential business and scientific information. In addition, directors, officers and employees must respect the trade secrets and proprietary information of
others, including the Company's licensees and collaborators. While information obtained from the public domain is a legitimate source of competitive information, a trade secret or other proprietary information obtained through improper means is not, and no individual should obtain such
information improperly or use any such information that was obtained improperly.
VII. Waivers of the Code
Any waivers of this Code for directors or executive officers may be granted only by the Company's Board of Directors or a committee thereof and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange or market regulation.
The Code Administrator may grant waivers for other officers or employees.
VIII. Violations of the Code
Compliance with the Code is a condition of employment. No one has the authority to make another person violate the Code, and any attempt to direct or otherwise influence someone else to commit a violation is unacceptable.
Failure to comply with the Code may result in a range of disciplinary actions, including dismissal. Any illegal activity will be dealt with swiftly and the violators will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Directors, officers and employees are required to report promptly any violations of the Code by others to the Code Administrator, regardless of whether such persons are their superiors, peers or subordinates. The Code Administrator, working with such advisers, including counsel to the Company, as he or she deems necessary or appropriate, will direct the investigation of any suspected violations. Failure to report, or to disclose relevant information concerning, a violation of the Code or the laws and regulations applicable to the Company and its business to the Code Administrator may be grounds for disciplinary action. Similarly, if an individual deliberately provides false information concerning a violation of the Code or the laws and regulations
applicable to the Company and its business, he or she may be subject to disciplinary action.
No individual should discuss instances of actual or suspected violations of the Code or criminal activity with anyone other than the Code Administrator and those persons authorized by the Code Administrator to investigate such conduct. Directors, officers and employees must not promise to refrain from reporting conduct to the Code Administrator or law enforcement authorities and must not attempt to dissuade others from reporting actual or suspected Code violations or criminal activity. An individual who is contacted by any law enforcement or other governmental agency about actual or suspected illegal activity of any kind must immediately report such contact to the Code Administrator. Directors, officers and employees are expected to cooperate in any investigation of an alleged Code violation or criminal conduct.
The Company will maintain confidentiality regarding those who make compliance reports and those potentially involved to the extent possible during a compliance investigation.
The Company does not permit or tolerate retribution, retaliation or adverse personnel action against any individual for lawfully (i) reporting a possible violation of the Code, law or regulation; (ii) assisting in an investigation of such violation; or (ii) filing or participating in a proceeding to address such a violation. Potential code violations and related information may be reported anonymously by submission in writing to the Code Administrator
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
REGARDING CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
The undersigned hereby certifies that he or she has read, understands and agrees to comply with the Company's Policy Statement Regarding Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Signature:
Name:
Date: