UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE

SECURITITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 16, 2006

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   0-27512   47-0783182

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

7887 East Belleview, Suite 1000, Englewood, CO   80111
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 796-2850

Check the appropriated box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ 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))

 



Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Ron Cooper

On November 16, 2006, CSG Systems International, Inc. (“CSG”) elected Ronald Cooper as a new member of CSG’s Board of Directors. The Revised By-Laws of CSG Systems International, Inc. provide for its Board of Directors to be divided into three classes, each class having a three-year term. Mr. Cooper will be a member of the Class II directors, with a term of office to continue until the annual meeting of stockholders of CSG to be held in 2008. Mr. Cooper will also serve on the Compensation Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee.

In conjunction with Mr. Cooper’s election, the CSG Board of Directors approved a form of Indemnification Agreement between CSG and Mr. Cooper, effective November 16, 2006. Under the indemnification agreement, CSG would indemnify Mr. Cooper to the fullest extent permitted by law against all expenses incurred if he were to become party to civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other actions related to his services as a director of CSG. A copy of this indemnification agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.16 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Mr. Cooper does not have any family relationships with any executive officer or director of CSG or its affiliates. He is not a party to any transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of CSG’s press release announcing Mr. Cooper’s election, dated November 17, 2006, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Joseph T, Ruble

On November 16, 2006, CSG’s Board of Directors named Joseph T. Ruble, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, as an executive officer. Mr. Ruble has an Employment Agreement with CSG dated January 18, 2001 (the “Agreement”). A brief description of the material terms and conditions of the Agreement are as follows:

 

    The term of the Agreement currently extends through December 31, 2007. On December 31 of each year, the term of the Agreement automatically is extended by one year, unless one-year prior notice is given by either party.

 

    The Agreement provides that Mr. Ruble will receive a base salary of not less than $207,230 per year, with a minimum annual base salary adjustment based upon an increase in a CPI indicator (his 2006 base salary being $258,750). Mr. Ruble shall also have the opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus of not less than 40% of his annual base salary if the agreed upon objectives for the particular calendar year are fully achieved.

 

    Key termination benefits under the Agreement are summarized as follows:

 

    If the Agreement is terminated due to death or disability, Mr. Ruble (or his estate as the case may be) will be entitled to receive his base salary accrued through the date of his termination and a pro rata portion of his annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs.

 

    If the Agreement is terminated for cause (as defined), Mr. Ruble will be entitled to receive his base salary accrued through the effective date of such termination.

 

    If the Agreement is terminated without cause (as defined) prior to a change in control, Mr. Ruble will be entitled to receive his base salary through the date that is one year from the effective termination date (less compensation earned from another employer), his annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which such termination occurs, and 50% of his base salary on the effective date of such termination, paid one year after the effective date of such termination.

 

    If the Agreement is terminated without cause (as defined) after a change in control, Mr. Ruble will be entitled to the same benefits he would have if the termination without cause occurred prior to a change in control, except that he will be entitled to receive his base salary through the date that is two years from the effective termination date and 100% of his base salary on the effective date of such termination.


    Mr. Ruble will be precluded from soliciting CSG employees for employment outside of CSG, and from competing against CSG for a period of one year from the effective date of his termination of employment with CSG.

A copy of the Agreement, is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.49 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Mr. Ruble does not have any family relationships with any executive officer or director of CSG or its affiliates. He is not a party to any transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c) Exhibits

 

10.16    Indemnification Agreement between CSG Systems International, Inc. and Mr. Ronald Cooper, dated November 16, 2006
10.49    Employment Agreement with Joseph T. Ruble, dated January 18, 2001
99.1    Press release of CSG Systems International, Inc, dated November 17, 2006


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.

Date: November 17, 2006

 

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:   /s/ Randy Wiese
 

Randy Wiese,

Principal Financial Officer


CSG Systems International, Inc.

Form 8-K

Exhibit Index

 

10.16    Indemnification Agreement between CSG Systems International, Inc. and Mr. Ronald Cooper, dated November 16, 2006
10.49    Employment Agreement with Joseph T. Ruble, dated January 18, 2001
99.1    Press release of CSG Systems International, Inc, dated November 17, 2006

Exhibit 10.16

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 16th day of November, 2006, by and between CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CSG SYSTEMS, INC. (such two corporations being collectively referred to herein as the “Company”), and RONALD COOPER (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS:

A. The Company and Indemnitee recognize the continued difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for its directors, officers, employees, agents, and fiduciaries, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance.

B. The Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial increase in corporate litigation in general, subjecting directors, officers, employees, agents, and fiduciaries to extensive litigation risks at the same time as the availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely reduced.

C. Indemnitee does not regard the current protection available as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee and other directors, officers, employees, agents, and fiduciaries of the Company may not be willing to continue to serve in such capacities without additional protection.

D. The Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company and, in part, in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to the Company, wishes to provide for the indemnification and advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law.

E. In view of the considerations set forth above, the Company desires that Indemnitee be indemnified by the Company as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

1. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification of Expenses . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law if Indemnitee was or is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, proceeding, or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, or any hearing, inquiry, or investigation that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, proceeding, or alternative dispute resolution


mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other (hereinafter a “Claim”) by reason of (or arising in part out of) any event or occurrence related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee while serving in such capacity (hereinafter as “Indemnifiable Event”) against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees and all other costs, expenses, and obligations incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in, or participate in, any such action, suit, proceeding, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, hearing, inquiry, or investigation), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of such Claim and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement (collectively, hereinafter “Expenses”), including all interest, assessments, and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses. Such payment of Expenses shall be made by the Company as soon as practicable but in any event no later than five days after written demand by Indemnitee therefor is presented to the Company.

(b) Reviewing Party . Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the obligations of the Company under Section 1(a) shall be subject to the condition that the Reviewing Party (as described in Section 10(e) hereof) shall not have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which the Independent Legal Counsel referred to in Section 1(c) hereof is involved) that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, and (ii) the obligation of the Company to make an advance payment of Expenses to Indemnitee pursuant to Section 2(a) (an “Expense Advance”) shall be subject to the condition that, if, when, and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). Indemnitee's obligation to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance shall be unsecured, and no interest shall be charged thereon. If there has not been a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10(c) hereof), then the Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board of Directors; and if there has been such a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control which has been approved by a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), then the Reviewing Party shall be the Independent Legal Counsel referred to in Section 1(c) hereof. If there has been no determination by the Reviewing Party or if the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law, then Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof,

 

2


including the legal or factual bases therefor, and the Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party otherwise shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

(c) Change in Control . The Company agrees that if there is a Change in Control of the Company (other than a Change in Control which has been approved by a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) then, with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to payments of Expenses and Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws as now or hereafter in effect, Independent Legal Counsel (as defined in Section 10(d) hereof) shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). Such counsel, among other things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, and the Company agrees to abide by such opinion. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(d) Mandatory Payment of Expenses . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement other than Section 9 hereof, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation referred to in Section 1(a) hereof or in the defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.

2. Expenses; Indemnification Procedure .

(a) Advancement of Expenses . The Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. The advances to be made hereunder shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee as soon as practicable but in any event no later than five days after written demand by Indemnitee therefor to the Company.

(b) Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee . Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to Indemnitee’s right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any Claim made against Indemnitee for which Indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as the Company shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee’s power.

(c) No Presumptions; Burden of Proof . For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval), or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere , or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any

 

3


particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law. In addition, neither the failure of the Reviewing Party to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee's claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In connection with any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

(d) Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of the receipt by the Company of a notice of a Claim pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof, the Company has liability insurance in effect which may cover such Claim, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Claim to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(e) Selection of Counsel . In the event the Company shall be obligated hereunder to pay the Expenses of any Claim, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Claim with counsel approved by Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Claim; provided that, (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee’s counsel in any such Claim at Indemnitee’s expense and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to defend such Claim, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee's counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.

3. Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity .

(a) Scope . The Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws, or by statute. In the event of any change after the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits afforded by such change. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute, or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its Board of Directors or an officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary, such change, to the extent not otherwise required by

 

4


such law, statute, or rule to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties' rights and obligations hereunder except as set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.

(b) Nonexclusivity . The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken by Indemnitee while serving in an indemnified capacity even though Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in such capacity.

4. No Duplication of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy maintained by the Company under Section 7 hereof, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaw, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

5. Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses incurred in connection with any Claim, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, then the Company nevertheless shall indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

6. Mutual Acknowledgment . Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances Federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors, officers, employees, agents, or fiduciaries under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company's right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

7. Liability Insurance . To the extent the Company maintains liability insurance applicable to directors, officers, employees, agents, or fiduciaries, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policies in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company's officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, agents, or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee, agent, or fiduciary. The Company shall promptly notify Indemnitee in advance of any proposed cancellation for breach of a policy or intent not to procure a reasonable amount of insurance that covers Indemnitee.

8. Exceptions . Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

(a) Excluded Action or Omissions . To indemnify Indemnitee for acts, omissions, or transactions from which Indemnitee may not be relieved of liability under applicable law;

 

5


(b) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee . To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except (i) with respect to actions or proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other agreement or insurance policy or under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events, (ii) in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such Claim, or (iii) as otherwise required under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment, or insurance recovery, as the case may be;

(c) Lack of Good Faith . To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous; or

(d) Claims Under Section 16(b) . To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.

9. Period of Limitations . No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s estate, spouse, heirs, executors, or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided , however , that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.

10. Construction of Certain Phrases .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, references to the "Company" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, agents, or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have stood with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on

 

6


Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, then Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

(c) For purposes of this Agreement a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, (A) who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities increases his beneficial ownership of such securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such person, or (B) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 20% of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

(d) For purposes of this Agreement, “Independent Legal Counsel” shall mean an attorney or firm of attorneys, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(c) hereof, who shall not have otherwise performed services for the Company or Indemnitee within the last three years (other than with respect to matters concerning the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnity agreements).

(e) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Reviewing Party” shall mean any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members of the Company's Board of Directors or any other person or body appointed by the Board of Directors who is not a party to

 

7


the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification, or Independent Legal Counsel.

(f) For purposes of this Agreement, “Voting Securities” shall mean any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.

11. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.

12. Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or of any other enterprise at the Company’s request.

13. Attorney’s Fees . In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement or under any liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof or thereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately successful in such action, and shall be entitled to the advancement of Expenses with respect to such action, unless, as a part of such action, a court of competent jurisdiction over such action determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action was not made in good faith or was frivolous. In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including costs and expenses incurred with respect to Indemnitee's counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action) and shall be entitled to the advancement of Expenses with respect to such action, unless, as a part of such action, a court having jurisdiction over such action determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action was made in bad faith or was frivolous.

14. Notice . All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective when given, and shall in any event be deemed to be given (a) five days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service or other applicable postal service, if delivered by first class mail postage prepaid, (b) upon delivery, if delivered by hand, (c) one business day after the business day of deposit with Federal Express or similar overnight courier, freight prepaid, or (d) one day after the business day of delivery by facsimile transmission, if delivered by facsimile transmission, with a copy by first class mail postage prepaid, and shall be addressed if to the Indemnitee at the Indemnitee's address as set forth beneath his signature to

 

8


this Agreement and if to the Company at the address of its principal corporate offices (attention: Secretary) or at such other address as such party may designate by ten days' advance written notice to the other party hereto.

15. Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted, and continued only in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, which shall be the exclusive and only proper forum adjudicating such a claim.

16. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph, or sentence) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitations, each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable that is not itself invalid, void, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

17. Choice of Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as applied to contracts between Delaware residents, entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

18. Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

19. Amendment and Termination . No amendment, modification, termination, or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by both the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

20. Integration and Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings, and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.

 

9


21. No Construction as Employment Agreement . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to hold any other position as a representative or designee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation

By:

 

/s/ Edward C. Nafus

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Address:

 

9555 Maroon Circle

 

Englewood, CO 80112

 

CSG SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

By:

 

/s/ Edward C. Nafus

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Address:

 

9555 Maroon Circle

 

Englewood, CO 80112

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY :

INDEMNITEE

/s/ Ronald Cooper

(Signature)

Ronald Cooper

(Typed or Printed Name)

1700 East Tufts Avenue

Englewood, CO 80113

(Address)

 

10

Exhibit 10.49

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on the 18 th day of January, 2001, among CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (“CSGS”), a Delaware corporation, CSG SYSTEMS, INC. (“Systems”), a Delaware corporation, and JOSEPH T. RUBLE (the “Executive”). CSGS and Systems collectively are referred to in this Employment Agreement as the “Companies”.

* * *

WHEREAS, Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSGS; and

WHEREAS, the Executive currently is employed by Systems and serves as the Senior Vice President-Corporate Development, Secretary, and General Counsel of Systems and as Secretary and General Counsel of CSGS; and

WHEREAS, the Companies desire to provide for the continued employment of the Executive in such capacities; and

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept such continued employment upon the terms set forth in this agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the respective covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this document, the Companies and the Executive agree as follows:

1. Employment and Duties . Each of the Companies hereby employs the Executive as its Secretary and General Counsel, and Systems further employs the Executive as its Senior Vice President-Corporate Development, throughout the term of this agreement and agrees to cause the Executive from time to time to be elected or appointed to such corporate offices or positions. The duties and responsibilities of the Executive shall include the duties and responsibilities of the Executive’s corporate offices and positions referred to in the preceding sentence which are set forth in the respective bylaws of the Companies from time to time, general supervision of the legal affairs of the Companies, and such other duties and responsibilities consistent with the Executive’s corporate offices and positions referred to in the preceding sentence and this agreement which the Board of Directors of CSGS (the “Board”) or the Chief Executive Officer or President of CSGS from time to time may assign to the Executive. If the Executive is elected or appointed as a director of CSGS or Systems or as an officer or director of any of the respective subsidiaries of the Companies during the term of this agreement, then he also shall serve in such capacity or capacities but without additional compensation.

2. Term . The term of this agreement shall begin on January 1, 2001, and shall continue thereafter through December 31, 2001, unless the Executive’s employment under this agreement is sooner terminated in accordance with this agreement. On December 31 of each year during the term of this agreement, as extended from time to time pursuant to this sentence, beginning December 31, 2001, the term of this agreement automatically and without further action being required shall be extended by one (1) year unless, not later than one (1) year prior to a particular


December 31, either CSGS notifies the Executive and Systems in writing or the Executive notifies the Companies in writing that such extension shall not occur on such December 31, in which latter case this agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of its then current term, unless the Executive’s employment under this agreement is sooner terminated in accordance with this agreement. References in this agreement to the “current term” of this agreement shall include both the original term of this agreement and any automatic extensions of such term which actually have occurred pursuant to this Paragraph 2.

3. Place of Employment . Regardless of the location of the executive offices of the Companies during the term of this agreement, the Companies shall maintain a suitably staffed office for the Executive in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area during the term of this agreement; and the Executive will not be required without his consent to relocate or transfer his executive office or principal residence from the immediate vicinity of the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area.

4. Base Salary . For all services to be rendered by the Executive pursuant to this agreement, the Companies agree to pay the Executive during the term of this agreement a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at an annual rate of $180,200 through January 31, 2001, and at an annual rate of not less than $207,230 after January 31, 2001; provided, that the Base Salary as then in effect shall be increased as of February 1 of each calendar year after 2001 during the term of this agreement by at least the same percentage that the United States Department of Labor Consumer Price Index (All Items) for All Urban Consumers, 1982-84=100 (“CPI-U”) for the November immediately preceding such February 1 increased over the CPI-U for the November one year earlier. The Chief Executive Officer or President of CSGS shall review the Base Salary at least annually for the purpose of determining whether a Base Salary increase greater than such CPI-U increase should be granted to the Executive for a particular 12-month period. The Executive’s annual incentive bonus provided for in Paragraph 5 and all other compensation and benefits to which the Executive is or may become entitled pursuant to this agreement or under any plans or programs of the Companies shall be in addition to the Base Salary.

5. Annual Incentive Bonus . As soon as practicable after the execution of this agreement, the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS or his delegate shall establish an incentive bonus program for the Executive for 2001. Such incentive bonus program shall be reflected either in a written supplement to this agreement signed by the Companies and the Executive or in such other form as the Companies and the Executive may agree upon. The same procedure shall be followed for subsequent calendar years during the term of this agreement, so that an annual incentive bonus program for the Executive will be in effect throughout the term of this agreement. The Executive and the Companies understand and acknowledge that, among other things, such incentive bonus program will involve achievement by the Companies of various financial objectives, which may include but are not limited to revenues and earnings, and also may include achievement by the Companies or the Executive of various non-financial objectives. Such incentive bonus program for each calendar year shall provide the opportunity for the Executive to earn an incentive bonus of not less than forty percent (40%) of his Base Salary for such calendar year if the agreed upon objectives are fully achieved. The Board from time to time also may establish incentive compensation programs for the Executive covering periods of more than one (1) year, and any such programs shall be in addition to the annual incentive bonus program required by this Paragraph 5.

 

2


6. Expenses . During the term of this agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to prompt reimbursement by the Companies of all reasonable ordinary and necessary travel, entertainment, and other expenses incurred by the Executive (in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Companies for their respective senior executive officers) in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this agreement; provided, that the Executive shall properly account for such expenses in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Companies, which may include but are not limited to itemized accountings.

7. Other Benefits . During the term of this agreement, the Companies shall provide to the Executive and his eligible dependents at the expense of the Companies individual or group medical, hospital, dental, and long-term disability insurance coverages and group life insurance coverage, in each case at least as favorable as those coverages which are provided to other vice presidents of the Companies. During the term of this agreement, the Executive also shall be entitled to participate in such other benefit plans or programs which the Companies from time to time may make available to their employees generally (except, if applicable, any programs in which executive officers of CSGS are not eligible to participate because of securities law reasons).

8. Vacations and Holidays . During the term of this agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacations and holidays in accordance with the policies of the Companies in effect from time to time for their respective senior executive officers, but in no event shall the Executive be entitled to less than four (4) weeks of vacation during each calendar year.

9. Full-Time Efforts and Other Activities . During the term of this agreement, to the best of his ability and using all of his skills, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his working time and efforts during the normal business hours of the Companies to the business and affairs of the Companies and to the diligent and faithful performance of the duties and responsibilities assigned to him pursuant to this agreement, except for vacations, holidays, and sick days. However, the Executive may devote a reasonable amount of his time to civic, community, or charitable activities, to service on the governing bodies or committees of trade associations or similar organizations of which either or both of the Companies are members, and, with the prior approval of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President of CSGS, to service as a director of other corporations and to other types of activities not expressly mentioned in this paragraph, so long as the activities referred to in this sentence do not materially interfere with the proper performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this agreement. The Executive also shall be free to manage and invest his assets in such manner as will not require any substantial services by the Executive in the conduct of the businesses or affairs of the entities or in the management of the properties in which such investments are made, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the proper performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this agreement.

10. Termination of Employment .

(a) Termination Because of Death . The Executive’s employment by the Companies under this agreement shall terminate upon his death. If the Executive’s employment under this agreement terminates because of his death, then the Executive’s estate or his beneficiaries (as the

 

3


case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

 

  (i) The Base Salary through the date of the Executive’s death;

 

  (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive’s annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which his death occurs (computed as if the Executive were employed by the Companies throughout such calendar year), based upon the number of days in such calendar year elapsed through the date of the Executive’s death as a proportion of 365, to be paid at the same time that such incentive bonus would have been paid had the Executive’s death not occurred;

 

  (iii) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under this agreement but not paid as of the date of the Executive’s death; and

 

  (iv) Any other benefits payable by reason of the Executive’s death, or to which the Executive otherwise may be entitled, under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on the date of the Executive’s death.

(b) Termination Because of Disability . If the Executive becomes incapable by reason of physical injury, disease, or mental illness of substantially performing his duties and responsibilities under this agreement for a continuous period of six (6) months or more or for more than one hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate (whether or not consecutive) during any 12-month period, then at any time after the elapse of such six-month period or such 180 days, as the case may be, the Board may terminate the Executive’s employment by the Companies under this agreement. If the Executive’s employment under this agreement is terminated by the Board because of such disability on the part of the Executive, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

 

  (i) The Base Salary through the effective date of such termination;

 

  (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive’s annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which such termination occurs (computed as if the Executive were employed by the Companies throughout such calendar year), based upon the number of days in such calendar year elapsed through the effective date of such termination as a proportion of 365, to be paid at the same time that such incentive bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred;

 

4


  (iii) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under this agreement but not paid as of the effective date of such termination;

 

  (iv) Continued participation in the following benefit plans or programs of the Companies which may be in effect from time to time and in which the Executive was participating as of the effective date of such termination, to the extent that such continued participation by the Executive is permitted under the terms and conditions of such plans (unless such continued participation is restricted or prohibited by applicable governmental regulations governing such plans), until the first to occur of the cessation of such disability, the Executive’s death, the Executive’s attainment of age sixty-five (65), or (separately with respect to the termination of each benefit) the provision of a substantially equivalent benefit to the Executive by another employer of the Executive:

 

  (1) Group medical and hospital insurance,

 

  (2) Group dental insurance,

 

  (3) Group life insurance, and

 

  (4) Group long-term disability insurance;

and

 

  (v) Any other benefits payable by reason of the Executive’s disability, or to which the Executive otherwise may be entitled, under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on the effective date of such termination.

For purposes of this subparagraph (b), decisions with respect to the Executive’s disability shall be made by the Board, using its reasonable good faith judgment; and, in making any such decision, the Board shall be entitled to rely upon the opinion of a duly licensed and qualified physician selected by a majority of the members of the Board who are not employees of either of the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries.

(c) Termination for Cause . The Board may terminate the Executive’s employment by the Companies under this agreement for cause; however, for purposes of this agreement “cause” shall mean only (i) the Executive’s confession or conviction of theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other crime involving dishonesty, (ii) the Executive’s excessive absenteeism (other than by reason of physical injury, disease, or mental illness) without a reasonable justification, (iii) material violation by the Executive of the provisions of Paragraph 11, (iv) habitual and material negligence by the Executive in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under or pursuant to this agreement and failure on the part of the Executive to cure such negligence within twenty (20) days after his receipt of a written notice from the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such negligence, (v) material non-compliance by the Executive with his obligations under Paragraph 9 and failure to correct

 

5


such non-compliance within twenty (20) days after his receipt of a written notice from the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such non-compliance, (vi) material failure by the Executive to comply with a lawful directive of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS and failure to cure such non-compliance within twenty (20) days after his receipt of a written notice from the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such non-compliance, (vii) a material breach by the Executive of any of his fiduciary duties to the Companies and, if such breach is curable, the Executive’s failure to cure such breach within ten (10) days after his receipt of a written notice from the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such breach, or (viii) willful misconduct or fraud on the part of the Executive in the performance of his duties under this agreement. In no event shall the results of operations of the Companies or any business judgment made in good faith by the Executive constitute an independent basis for termination for cause of the Executive’s employment under this agreement. Any termination of the Executive’s employment for cause must be authorized by a majority vote of the Board taken not later than nine (9) months after a majority of the members of the Board (other than the Executive) have actual knowledge of the occurrence of the event or conduct constituting the cause for such termination. If the Executive’s employment under this agreement is terminated by the Board for cause, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

 

  (i) The Base Salary through the effective date of such termination;

 

  (ii) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under this agreement but not paid as of the effective date of such termination; and

 

  (iii) Any other benefits payable to the Executive upon his termination for cause, or to which the Executive otherwise may be entitled, under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on the effective date of such termination.

(d) Termination Without Cause Prior to a Change of Control . If, prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Companies terminate the Executive’s employment under this agreement for any reason other than cause or the Executive’s death or disability, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following compensation, benefits, and other payments from the Companies:

 

  (i)

The Base Salary through that date which is one (1) year after the effective date of such termination (the “Ending Date”), to be paid at the same times that the Base Salary would have been paid if such termination had not occurred; provided, that if the Executive commences employment with another employer, whether as an employee or as a consultant, prior to the Ending Date (for purposes of this Paragraph 10, the “Other Employment”), then such payments of the Base Salary shall be reduced from time to time by the aggregate amount of salary, cash bonus, and consulting fees received or receivable by the

 

6


 

Executive from the Other Employment for services performed by him during the period from the commencement of the Other Employment through the Ending Date;

 

  (ii) The Executive’s annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which such termination occurs (computed as if the Executive were employed by the Companies throughout such calendar year), to be paid at the same time that such incentive bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred and to be no less than the Executive’s annual incentive bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which such termination occurs;

 

  (iii) An amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Base Salary in effect on the effective date of such termination, such amount to be paid, without interest, one year after the effective date of such termination.

 

  (iv) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under this agreement but not paid as of the effective date of such termination;

 

  (v) Continued participation in the following benefit plans or programs of the Companies which may be in effect from time to time and in which the Executive was participating as of the effective date of such termination, to the extent that such continued participation by the Executive is permitted under the terms and conditions of such plans (unless such continued participation is restricted or prohibited by applicable governmental regulations governing such plans), until the first to occur of the Ending Date or (separately with respect to the termination of each benefit) the provision of a substantially equivalent benefit to the Executive by another employer of the Executive:

 

  (1) Group medical and hospital insurance,

 

  (2) Group dental insurance,

 

  (3) Group life insurance, and

 

  (4) Group long-term disability insurance;

and

 

  (vi) Any other benefits payable to the Executive upon his termination without cause, or to which the Executive otherwise may be entitled, under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on the effective date of such termination.

 

7


(e) Termination Without Cause After a Change of Control . If, after the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Companies or any Permitted Assignee terminates the Executive’s employment under this agreement for any reason other than cause or the Executive’s death or disability, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Companies and the Permitted Assignee, if any (all of whom shall be jointly and severally liable therefor), all of the compensation, benefits, and other payments from the Companies which are described and provided for in subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph 10 (as modified by this subparagraph (e)); provided, however, that (i) for purposes of this subparagraph (e) the Ending Date shall be two (2) years after the effective date of such termination, and the aggregate Base Salary payable under subparagraph (d)(i) (as modified by this subparagraph (e)) for all periods through the Ending Date shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum without regard to Other Employment not later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of such termination, (ii) the minimum annual incentive bonus payable under subparagraph (d)(ii) shall be paid to the Executive not later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of such termination (with any balance of such annual incentive bonus being payable as provided in such subparagraph (d)(ii)), and (iii) the amount payable under subparagraph (d)(iii) (as modified by this subparagraph (e)) shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the Base Salary in effect on the effective date of such termination and shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum not later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of such termination.

(f) Constructive Termination . If at any time during the term of this agreement the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS, the President of CSGS, or a Permitted Assignee materially alters the duties and responsibilities of the Executive provided for in Paragraph 1 or assigns to the Executive duties and responsibilities materially inappropriate to the chief legal officer of the Companies without the Executive’s written consent, then, at the election of the Executive (such election to be made by written notice from the Executive to the Board or the Permitted Assignee, as may be appropriate in the circumstances), (i) such action by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS, the President of CSGS, or such Permitted Assignee shall constitute a constructive termination of the Executive’s employment by the Companies for a reason other than cause (the “Constructive Termination”), (ii) the Executive thereupon may resign from his offices and positions with the Companies and shall not be obligated to perform any further services of any kind to or for the Companies, and (iii) the Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Companies (and the Permitted Assignee, if applicable) at the applicable times all of the compensation, benefits, and other payments described in subparagraph (d) or subparagraph (e) of this Paragraph 10 (whichever may be applicable), as if the effective date of the Executive’s resignation were the effective date of his termination of employment for purposes of determining such compensation, benefits, and other payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subparagraph (f), before exercising any of his rights pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Executive shall give written notice to the Chief Executive Officer of CSGS setting forth the Executive’s intent to exercise such rights and specifying the Constructive Termination which the Executive claims to be the basis for such intended exercise; and the Companies shall have twenty (20) days after the Chief Executive Officer has received such notice to take such actions, if any, as the Companies may deem appropriate to eliminate such claimed Constructive Termination (without thereby admitting that a Constructive Termination had occurred). If the Companies so act to eliminate such claimed Constructive Termination, then the Executive shall not have any rights under this subparagraph (f) with respect to such claimed Constructive Termination.

 

8


(g) Voluntary Resignation . If the Executive voluntarily resigns as an employee of the Companies and thereby voluntarily terminates his employment under this agreement and if none of subparagraphs (a) through (f) of this Paragraph 10 is applicable to such termination, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive only the following compensation, benefits, and other payments from the Companies:

 

  (i) The Base Salary through the effective date of such voluntary resignation;

 

  (ii) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under this agreement but not paid as of the effective date of such voluntary resignation;

 

  (iii) If (and only if) the Executive’s voluntary resignation is effective on December 31 of a particular calendar year, the Executive’s annual incentive bonus (if any) for such calendar year, to be paid in accordance with the regular schedule for its payment; and

 

  (iv) Any other benefits payable to the Executive upon his voluntary resignation, or to which the Executive otherwise may be entitled, under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on the effective date of such voluntary resignation.

The Executive understands and agrees that if this subparagraph (g) is applicable to the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Companies, then, unless his voluntary resignation is effective on December 31 of a particular calendar year, the Executive will not be entitled to any annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which his voluntary resignation becomes effective.

(h) Liquidated Damages . The Executive agrees to accept the compensation, benefits, and other payments provided for in subparagraph (d), subparagraph (e), or subparagraph (f) of this Paragraph 10, as the case may be, as full and complete liquidated damages for any breach of this agreement resulting from the actual or constructive termination of the Executive’s employment under this agreement for a reason other than cause or the Executive’s death or disability; and the Executive shall not have and hereby waives and relinquishes any other rights or claims in respect of such breach.

(i) Notice of Other Employment and of Benefits . The Executive promptly shall notify the Companies in writing of (i) his acceptance of the Other Employment referred to in subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph 10, (ii) the effective date of such Other Employment, and (iii) the amount of salary, cash bonus, and consulting fees which the Executive receives or is entitled to receive from the Other Employment for services performed by him during the period from the commencement of the Other Employment through the Ending Date. Whenever relevant for purposes of this Paragraph 10, the Executive also promptly shall notify the Companies of his receipt from another employer of any benefits of the types referred to in subparagraphs (b)(iv)

 

9


and (d)(v) of this Paragraph 10. Such information shall be updated by the Executive whenever necessary to keep the Companies informed on a current basis.

(j) Modification of Benefit Plans or Programs . Nothing contained in this Paragraph 10 shall obligate the Companies to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any benefit plan or program referred to in subparagraph (b)(iv) or (d)(v) of this Paragraph 10 so long as such actions are similarly applicable to senior executives of the Companies generally.

(k) Ri ghts of Estate . If the Executive dies prior to his receipt of all of the cash payments to which he may be entitled pursuant to subparagraph (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this Paragraph 10 if any such subparagraph becomes applicable, then the unpaid portion of such cash payments shall be paid by the Companies to the personal representative of the Executive’s estate at the same time or times that the payments would have been made to the Executive if he still were living.

(l) Excess Parachute Payments . If any of the payments required to be made to the Executive pursuant to subparagraph (d), (e), or (f) of this Paragraph 10 constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations thereunder, and the Executive becomes liable for any excise tax on such “excess parachute payments” and any interest or penalties thereon (such excise tax, interest, and penalties, collectively, the “Tax Penalties”), then the Companies (and the Permitted Assignee, if applicable) promptly shall make a cash payment (the “Additional Payment”) to the Executive in an amount equal to the Tax Penalties. The Companies also promptly shall make an additional cash payment to the Executive in an amount rounded to the nearest $100.00 which is equal to any additional income, excise, and other taxes (using the individual tax rates applicable to the Executive for the year for which such Tax Penalties are owed) for which the Executive will be liable as a result of the Executive’s receipt of the Additional Payment (the additional cash payment provided for in this sentence being referred to as a “Gross-Up Payment”). In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to promptly receive from the Companies (and the Permitted Assignee, if applicable) a further Gross-Up Payment in respect of each prior Gross-Up Payment until the amount of the last Gross-Up Payment is less than $100.00.

11. Nondisclosure . During the term of this agreement and thereafter, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board or a person (other than the Executive) so authorized by the Board, disclose or use for any purpose (except in the course of his employment under this agreement and in furtherance of the business of the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries) any confidential information, trade secrets, or proprietary data of the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries (collectively, for purposes of this agreement, “Confidential Information”); provided, however, that Confidential Information shall not include any information then known generally to the public or ascertainable from public or published information (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive) or any information of a type not otherwise considered confidential by persons engaged in the same business or a business similar to that conducted by the Companies or their respective subsidiaries, as the case may be.

 

10


12. Successors and Assig ns. This agreement and all rights under this agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees, successors, and assigns. This agreement is personal in nature, and none of the parties to this agreement shall, without the written consent of the others, assign or transfer this agreement or any right or obligation under this agreement to any other person or entity, except as permitted by Paragraph 14.

13. Notices . For purposes of this agreement, notices and other communications provided for in this agreement shall be deemed to be properly given if delivered personally or sent either by next-business-day prepaid express delivery by a recognized national express delivery service or by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in either case addressed as follows:

 

If to the Executive:

  

Joseph T. Ruble

c/o CSG Systems, Inc.

7887 East Belleview Avenue, Suite 1000

Englewood, Colorado 80111

If to the Companies:

  

CSG Systems International, Inc.
and CSG Systems, Inc.

7887 East Belleview Avenue, Suite 1000

Englewood, Colorado 80111

Attn: Chief Executive Officer,

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance with this paragraph. Such notices or other communications shall be effective only upon receipt.

14. Merger, Consolidation, Sale of Assets . In the event of (a) a merger of Systems with another corporation (other than CSGS) in a transaction in which Systems is not the surviving corporation, (b) the consolidation of Systems into a new corporation resulting from such consolidation, (c) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Systems, the Companies may assign this agreement and all of the rights and obligations of the Companies under this agreement to the surviving, resulting, or acquiring entity (for purposes of this agreement, a “Permitted Assignee”); provided, that such surviving, resulting, or acquiring entity shall in writing assume and agree to perform all of the obligations of the Companies under this agreement; and provided further, that the Companies shall remain jointly and severally liable for the performance of the obligations of the Companies under this agreement in the event of a failure of the Permitted Assignee to perform its obligations under this agreement.

15. Change of Control . For purposes of this agreement, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any of the following events:

 

  (a)

CSGS is merged or consolidated into another corporation, and immediately after such merger or consolidation becomes effective the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of voting capital stock of

 

11


 

CSGS immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger or consolidation do not own (directly or indirectly) a majority of the outstanding shares of voting capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger or consolidation,

 

  (b) CSGS ceases to own (directly or indirectly) a majority of the outstanding shares of voting capital stock of Systems (unless such event results from the merger of Systems into CSGS, with no change in the ownership of the voting capital stock of CSGS, or from the dissolution of Systems and the continuation of its business by CSGS),

 

  (c) Systems is merged or consolidated into a corporation other than CSGS, and at any time after such merger or consolidation becomes effective CSGS does not own (directly or indirectly) a majority of the outstanding shares of voting capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger or consolidation,

 

  (d) the stockholders of Systems vote (or act by written consent) to dissolve Systems (unless the business of Systems will be continued by CSGS) or to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the property and assets of Systems (other than to an entity or group of entities which is then under common ownership (directly or indirectly) with Systems),

 

  (e) any person, entity, or group of persons within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and the rules promulgated thereunder becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of thirty percent (30%) or more of the outstanding voting capital stock of CSGS, or

 

  (f) during any period of two consecutive years or less, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of CSGS cease, for any reason, to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of CSGS, unless the election or nomination for election of each new director of CSGS who took office during such period was approved by a vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the directors of CSGS still in office at the time of such election or nomination for election who were directors of CSGS at the beginning of such period.

16. Miscellaneous . No provision of this agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged unless such waiver, modification, or discharge is agreed to in writing and is signed by the Executive and an officer of CSGS (other than the Executive) so authorized by the Board. No waiver by any party to this agreement at any time of any breach by any other party of, or compliance by any other party with, any condition or provision of this agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed to be a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this agreement have been made by any party that are not expressly set forth in this agreement.

 

12


17. Representations of Companies . The Companies severally represent and warrant to the Executive that they have full legal power and authority to enter into this agreement, that the execution and delivery of this agreement by the Companies have been duly authorized by their respective boards of directors, and that the performance of their respective obligations under this agreement will not violate any agreement between the Companies, or either of them, and any other person, firm, or organization.

18. Non-Solicitation of Employees . For a period of one (1) year after the effective date of the termination of the Executive’s employment under this agreement for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily and with or without cause, without the prior written consent of CSGS the Executive agrees (i) not to directly or indirectly employ, solicit for employment, assist any other person in employing or soliciting for employment, or advise or recommend to any other person that such other person employ or solicit for employment any person who then is an employee of the Companies (or either of them) or any of the respective subsidiaries of the Companies and (ii) not to recommend to any then employee of the Companies (or either of them) or any of the respective subsidiaries of the Companies that such employee leave the employ of such employer.

19. Post-Termination Noncompetition . Because the Confidential Information known to or developed by the Executive during his employment by the Companies encompasses at the highest level information concerning the plans, strategies, products, operations, and existing and prospective customers of the Companies and could not practically be disregarded by the Executive, the Executive acknowledges that his provision of executive services to a competitor of the Companies or either of them soon after the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Companies would inevitably result in the use of the Confidential Information by the Executive in his performance of such executive services, even if the Executive were to use his best efforts to avoid such use of the Confidential Information. To prevent such use of the Confidential Information and the resulting unfair competition and wrongful appropriation of the goodwill and other valuable proprietary interests of the Companies, the Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year after the termination of his employment by the Companies for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily and with or without cause, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly:

 

  (a) engage, whether as an employee, agent, consultant, independent contractor, owner, partner, member, or otherwise, in a business activity which then competes in a material way with a business activity then being actively engaged in by the Companies or either of them;

 

  (b) solicit or recommend to any other person that such period solicit any then customer of the Companies or either or them, which customer also was a customer of the Companies or either of them at any time during the one (1) year period prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Companies, for the purpose of obtaining the business of such customer in competition with the Companies or either of them; or

 

13


  (c) induce or attempt to induce any then customer or prospective customer of the Companies or either of them to terminate or not commence a business relationship with the Companies or either of them.

The Companies and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the restrictions contained in this Paragraph 19 are both reasonable and necessary in view of the Executive’s positions with the Companies and that the Executive’s compensation and benefits under this agreement are sufficient consideration for the Executive’s acceptance of such restrictions. Nevertheless, if any of the restrictions contained in this Paragraph 19 are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, or excessively broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, then the parties intend that the restrictions contained in this Paragraph 19 be modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, be fully enforced. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to preclude the investment by the Executive of any of his assets in any publicly owned entity so long as the Executive has no direct or indirect involvement in the business of such entity and owns less than 2% of the voting equity securities of such entity. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to preclude the Executive from becoming employed by or serving as a consultant to or having dealings with a publicly owned entity one of whose businesses is a competitor of the Companies or either of them so long as such employment, consultation, or dealings do not directly or indirectly involve or relate to the business of such entity which is a competitor of the Companies or either of them.

20. Joint and Several Obligations . All of the obligations of the Companies under this agreement are joint and several; and neither the bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution, merger, consolidation, or reorganization nor the cessation of business or corporate existence of one of the Companies shall affect, impair, or diminish the obligations under this agreement of the other of the Companies. The compensation and benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this agreement are aggregate compensation and benefits, and the payment of such compensation or the provision of such benefits by one of the Companies shall to the extent of such payment or provision satisfy the obligations of the other of the Companies. The Companies may agree between themselves as to which of them will be responsible for some or all of the Executive’s compensation and benefits under this agreement, but any such agreement between the Companies shall not diminish to any extent the joint and several liability of the Companies to the Executive for all of such compensation and benefits.

21. Injunctive Relief . The Executive acknowledges that his violation of the provisions and restrictions contained in Paragraphs 11, 18, and 19 could cause significant injury to the Companies for which the Companies would have no adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the Companies will be entitled, in addition to any other rights and remedies that then may be available to the Companies, to seek and obtain injunctive relief to prevent any breach or potential breach of any of the provisions and restrictions contained in Paragraph 11, 18, or 19.

22. Dispute Resolution . Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 21, any claim by the Executive or the Companies arising from or in connection with this agreement, whether based on contract, tort, common law, equity, statute, regulation, order, or otherwise (a “Dispute”), shall be resolved as follows:

 

  (a) Such Dispute shall be submitted to mandatory and binding arbitration at the election of either the Executive or the particular Company involved (the “Disputing Party”). Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 22, the arbitration shall be pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”).

 

14


  (b) To initiate the arbitration, the Disputing Party shall notify the other party in writing within 30 days after the occurrence of the event or events which give rise to the Dispute (the “Arbitration Demand”), which notice shall (i) describe in reasonable detail the nature of the Dispute, (ii) state the amount of any claim, (iii) specify the requested relief, and (iv) name an arbitrator who (A) has been licensed to practice law in the U.S. for at least ten years, (B) has no past or present relationship with either the Executive or the Companies, and (C) is experienced in representing clients in connection with employment related disputes (the “Basic Qualifications”). Within fifteen (15) days after the other party’s receipt of the Arbitration Demand, such other party shall serve on the Disputing Party a written statement (i) answering the claims set forth in the Arbitration Demand and including any affirmative defenses of such party, (ii) asserting any counterclaim, which statement shall (A) describe in reasonable detail the nature of the Dispute relating to the counterclaim, (B) state the amount of the counterclaim, and (C) specify the requested relief, and (iii) naming a second arbitrator satisfying the Basic Qualifications. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) days thereafter, the two arbitrators so named shall select a third neutral arbitrator from a list provided by the AAA of potential arbitrators who satisfy the Basic Qualifications and who have no past or present relationship with the parties’ counsel, except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and approved by the parties. The arbitration will be heard by a panel of the three arbitrators so chosen (the “Arbitration Panel”), with the third arbitrator so chosen serving as the chairperson of the Arbitration Panel. Decisions of a majority of the members of the Arbitration Panel shall be determinative.

 

  (c) The arbitration hearing shall be held in Denver, Colorado. The Arbitration Panel is specifically authorized to render partial or full summary judgment as provided for in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Arbitration Panel will have no power or authority, under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA or otherwise, to relieve the parties from their agreement hereunder to arbitrate or otherwise to amend or disregard any provision of this agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of this Paragraph 22.

 

  (d)

If an arbitrator refuses or is unable to proceed with arbitration proceedings as called for by this Paragraph 22, such arbitrator shall be replaced by the party who selected such arbitrator or, if such arbitrator was selected by the two party-appointed arbitrators, by such two party-appointed arbitrators’ selecting a new third arbitrator in accordance with Paragraph 22(b), in either case within five (5) days after such declining or withdrawing arbitrator’s giving notice of refusal or inability to proceed. Each such replacement arbitrator

 

15


 

shall satisfy the Basic Qualifications. If an arbitrator is replaced pursuant to this Paragraph 22(d) after the arbitration hearing has commenced, then a rehearing shall take place in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph 22(d) and the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA.

 

  (e) Within ten (10) days after the closing of the arbitration hearing, the Arbitration Panel shall prepare and distribute to the parties a writing setting forth the Arbitration Panel’s finding of facts and conclusions of law relating to the Dispute, including the reason for the giving or denial of any award. The findings and conclusions and the award, if any, shall be deemed to be confidential information.

 

  (f) The Arbitration Panel is instructed to schedule promptly all discovery and other procedural steps and otherwise to assume case management initiative and control to effect an efficient and expeditious resolution of the Dispute. The Arbitration Panel is authorized to issue monetary sanctions against either party if, upon a showing of good cause, such party is unreasonably delaying the proceeding.

 

  (g) Any award rendered by the Arbitration Panel will be final, conclusive, and binding upon the parties, and any judgment on such award may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

  (h) Each party will bear a pro rata share of all fees, costs, and expenses of the arbitrators; and, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, each party will bear all of the fees, costs, and expenses of his or its own attorneys, experts, and witnesses. However, in connection with any judicial proceeding to compel arbitration pursuant to this agreement or to enforce any award rendered by the Arbitration Panel, the prevailing party in such a proceeding will be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection with such proceedings, in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

 

  (i) Nothing contained in the preceding provisions of this Paragraph 22 shall be construed to prevent either party from seeking from a court a temporary restraining order or other injunctive relief pending final resolution of a Dispute pursuant to this Paragraph 22.

23. No Duty to Seek Employment . The Executive shall not be under any duty or obligation to seek or accept other employment following the termination of his employment by the Companies; and, except as expressly provided in subparagraphs (b)(iv), (d)(i), and (d)(v) of Paragraph 10, no amount, payment, or benefit due the Executive under this agreement shall be reduced, suspended, or discontinued if the Executive accepts such other employment.

24. Withholding of Taxes . The Companies may withhold from any amounts payable to the Executive under this agreement all federal, state, and local taxes which are required to be so withheld by any applicable law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

16


25. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this agreement, which other provision shall remain in full force and effect; nor shall the invalidity or unenforceability of a portion of any provision of this agreement affect the validity or enforceability of the balance of such provision.

26. Counterparts . This document may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute a single agreement.

27. Headings . The headings of the paragraphs contained in this document are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this agreement.

28. Applicable Law . This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws, and not the choice of law rules, of the State of Colorado.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Companies and the Executive have executed this agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

/s/ Neal C. Hansen

  Neal C. Hansen, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

CSG SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

By:  

/s/ Neal C. Hansen

  Neal C. Hansen, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Joseph T. Ruble

Joseph T. Ruble

 

17

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

CABLE INDUSTRY VETERAN RON COOPER JOINS

CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL BOARD

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (November 17, 2006) — Leading billing and customer care solutions provider CSG Systems International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that Ron Cooper has joined the company’s Board of Directors as a Class II director (term expiring in 2008). Mr. Cooper will become a member of the Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees. With Mr. Cooper joining the board, the composition of the board is now eight members, seven of which are independent.

Mr. Cooper has spent nearly 25 years in the cable and telecommunications industry, most recently at Adelphia Communications where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2003 to 2006. He joined Adelphia following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, and led all operational aspects of the successful restructuring and eventual sale of the company to Comcast and Time Warner.

Prior to Adelphia, Mr. Cooper held a series of executive positions at AT&T Broadband, RELERA Data Centers & Solutions, and MediaOne and its predecessor Continental Cablevision, Inc.

“We are elated to have such a well-known, highly-respected veteran of the cable industry on our board,” Bernie Reznicek CSG’s chairman of the board said. “Ron has been a key leader through some of the most exciting, as well as challenging times in the cable industry. CSG will benefit greatly from his insight and perspective as we continue to help our clients evolve and expand their product offerings.”

Mr. Cooper has been very active throughout his career in numerous cable and telecommunications organizations, holding various board and committee seats with the National Cable Television Association, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, Cable Television Association for Marketing and the New England Cable Television Association. In addition, he is either a director or trustee at the Denver Art Museum, Colorado Public Radio and the Cable Center at the University of Denver. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

 

-more-


About CSG Systems

Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CSG Systems International (NASDAQ: CSGS) is a leading provider of outsourced billing, customer care and print and mail solutions and services supporting the North American communications market. CSG’s solutions support some of the world’s largest and most innovative providers of bundled multi-channel video, Internet, and IP-based services. CSG’s unique combination of solutions, services and expertise ensures that communications providers can continue to rapidly launch new service offerings, improve operational efficiencies and deliver a high-quality customer experience in a competitive and ever-changing marketplace. For more information, visit our website at www.csgsystems.com .

###

For more information, contact:

Elise Brassell

CSG Systems

Phone: (303) 804-4962

E-mail: elise_brassell@csgsystems.com

Roger Metz

CSG Systems

Phone: 303-804-4082

E-mail: roger_metz@csgsystems.com