UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Form 8-K

 


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 25, 2007

 


QUEPASA Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Commission File Number: 001-33105

 

Nevada   86-0879433

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

7550 E. Redfield Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

480-348-2665

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ 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

Robert B. Stearns Resignation

On October 30, 2007, Quepasa Corporation (the “Company”) announced that Robert B. Stearns, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, resigned from such positions, effective October 25, 2007 (the “Resignation Date”).

In connection with his resignation, Mr. Stearns and the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release on the Resignation Date (the “Separation Agreement”). The Separation Agreement provides that Mr. Stearns will receive the following benefits: (i) a lump sum severance payment of $125,000; (ii) life, health, accident, and disability benefits for a period of six months following the Resignation Date or until Mr. Stearns is otherwise employed; and (iii) any unpaid salary as of the Resignation Date. The Separation Agreement also provides that Mr. Stearns will have 90 days from the Resignation Date to exercise those options to purchase the Company’s common stock in which he is fully vested in as of Resignation Date. As of the Resignation Date, Mr. Stearns is fully vested in: (i) 390,006 options with an exercise price of $3.55 per share; and (ii) 90,000 options with an exercise price of $10.00 per share. Finally, as previously disclosed, Mr. Stearns will have until March 21, 2016 to exercise a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.55 per share. Further, pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Stearns fully released the Company from future claims and Mr. Stearns’ remains bound by the confidentiality provisions in his Employment Agreement, dated March 21, 2006 and filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2006. A copy of the Separation Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

John C. Abbott Employment Agreement

On October 30, 2007, the Company also announced the appointment of John C. Abbott as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company on October 25, 2007, the effective date of Mr. Stearns’ resignation. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Abbott will serve on the Company’s Standards Committee. Mr. Abbott and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Abbott Employment Agreement”) effective as of October 25, 2007 and continuing in effect until otherwise terminated by either the Company or Mr. Abbott. A copy of the Abbott Employment Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Pursuant to the terms of the Abbott Employment Agreement, Mr. Abbott will receive an annual base salary of $80,000 and is awarded an option to purchase 1,897,492 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. One-third of the shares will vest after the first anniversary of Mr. Abbott’s employment and the remaining shares will vest in 24 equal monthly installments over the following two years at an exercise price of $3.05 per share, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on October 25, 2007. Mr. Abbott will also be entitled to be reimbursed for relocation expenses and will receive six weeks paid time off, in addition to holidays. Further, Mr. Abbott is eligible to participate in the management bonus program (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement) with an initial target bonus of 300% of base salary. Finally, as an employee of the Company, Mr. Abbott will not receive any additional compensation for his service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

If Mr. Abbott is terminated for Cause (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement) or Without Good Reason (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement), then: (i) the Company shall pay, in a lump sum, Mr. Abbott’s accrued but unpaid compensation, including unused vacation time and earned bonus, but any other benefits under the Abbott Employment Agreement shall terminate; and (ii) for a period of six months following the date of termination, Mr. Abbott will continue to be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Abbott Employment Agreement. If Mr. Abbott is terminated Without Cause (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement) or for Good Reason (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement), then: (i) the Company shall pay, in a lump sum, a cash amount equal to two times the amount of his base salary and two times his target bonus under the management bonus program or the amount of his bonus to which he is entitled but which is unpaid; (ii) all stock options shall vest immediately and Mr. Abbott will have the right to exercise all stock options for a period of two years after his termination; (iii) the


Company will maintain all life, health, accident, and disability plans for 12 months after the date of termination; (iv) any amounts awarded but not paid under any of the Company’s compensation plans shall vest immediately and be paid on the date of termination and included as compensation for the year; (v) Mr. Abbott may continue to participate in any savings or other plans until the last day of his employment and all rights and distributions will be governed by the terms of the plans; and (vi) he will continue to be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Abbott Employment Agreement for six months following the date of termination.

If Mr. Abbott’s employment is terminated within one year following a change of control (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement) by either the Company for any reason other than Cause or by Mr. Abbott for Good Reason, then he will be entitled to: (i) an amount equal to two times base salary; (ii) two times his target bonus amount under the management bonus program; (iii) all stock options that are vested, which will remain exercisable for a period of two years after his termination; (iv) all life, health, accident, and disability plans for 12 months after the date of termination; (v) any amounts awarded but not paid under any of the Company’s compensation plans, which will vest immediately and be paid on the date of termination and included as compensation for the year; and (vi) participate in any savings or other plans until the last day of his employment (all rights and distributions will be governed by the terms of the those plans). Additionally, Mr. Abbott will no longer be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Abbott Employment Agreement and, if applicable, he will be eligible for any gross-up payment (as defined in the Abbott Employment Agreement). Notwithstanding the above, all stock options held by Mr. Abbott as of the date of a Change in Control will be immediately exercisable regardless of whether Mr. Abbott is terminated following such Change in Control.

Mr. Abbott (37) has over 15 years of experience in strategic advisory and entrepreneurship. From 1992 to 2005, Mr. Abbott held several senior positions within JP Morgan Securities, Inc. Since 2005, Mr. Abbott has been an advisor to Altos Hornos de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. In addition, over the past two years, Mr. Abbott has led investor groups and has participated in the executive committees of two start-up efforts in Brazil, namely Click Filmes (www.clickfilmes.com), Brazil’s first hotel video on demand business and Industria de Entretenimento, an entertainment business that owns the rights to the Pacha brand in Brazil, among others. Mr. Abbott received his A.B. in History from Stanford University and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Charles B. Mathews

On October 30, 2007, the Company announced that Charles B. Mathews, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, resigned from such position, effective at the close of business on October 29, 2007, and will remain employed by the Company in its accounting department. Mr. Mathews’ annual compensation will remain as previously disclosed in the Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007 and Mr. Mathews’ biographical information is contained in Item 1 of the Form 10-KSB/A filed on October 30, 2007. Mr. Mathews does not have an employment agreement with the Company.

Michael D. Matte Employment Agreement

On October 30, 2007, the Company also announced the appointment of Michael D. Matte as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective at the close of business on October 29, 2007. In connection with Mr. Matte’s appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, he will resign from his positions as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Audit and Nominating Committees, effective at the close of business on October 29, 2007. Alonso Ancira, an independent member of the Board, has been appointed to the Audit Committee to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Matte’s resignation and will serve as the new Chairman of the Audit Committee. Malcolm Jozoff, also an independent member of the Board, has been appointed to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Matte’s resignation and will serve as the new chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

Mr. Matte and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Matte Employment Agreement”), effective at the close of business on October 29, 2007 and continuing in effect until otherwise terminated by either the Company or Mr. Matte. A copy of the Matte Employment Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated by reference herein.


Pursuant to the Matte Employment Agreement, Mr. Matte will receive an annual base salary of $100,000 per year and is awarded an option to purchase 1,475,827 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. One-third of the shares will vest after the first anniversary of Mr. Matte’s employment and the remaining shares will vest in 24 equal monthly installments over the following two years at an exercise price of $3.25 per share, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on October 29, 2007. Mr. Matte will also be entitled to be reimbursed for relocation expenses and will receive six weeks paid time off, in addition to holidays. Lastly, he is eligible to participate in the management bonus program (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement) with an initial target bonus of 300% of base salary.

If Mr. Matte is terminated for Cause (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement) or Without Good Reason (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement), then: (i) the Company shall pay, in a lump sum, Mr. Matte’s accrued but unpaid compensation, including unused vacation time and earned bonus, but any other benefits under the Matte Employment Agreement shall terminate; and (ii) for a period of six months following the date of termination, Mr. Matte will continue to be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Matte Employment Agreement. If Mr. Matte is terminated Without Cause (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement) or for Good Reason (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement), then: (i) the Company shall pay, in a lump sum, a cash amount equal to two times the amount of his base salary and two times his target bonus under the management bonus program; (ii) all stock options shall vest immediately and Mr. Matte will have the right to exercise all stock options for a period of two years after his termination; (iii) the Company will maintain all life, health, accident, and disability plans for 12 months after the date of termination; (iv) any amounts awarded but not paid under any of the Company’s compensation plans shall vest immediately and be paid on the date of termination and included as compensation for the year; (v) Mr. Matte may continue to participate in any savings or other plans until the last day of his employment and all rights and distributions will be governed by the terms of the plans; and (vi) he will continue to be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Matte Employment Agreement for six months following the date of termination.

If Mr. Matte’s employment is terminated within one year following a Change of Control (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement) by either the Company for any reason other than Cause or by Mr. Matte for Good Reason, then he will be entitled to: (i) an amount equal to two times base salary; (ii) two times his target bonus amount under the management bonus program; (iii) all stock options that are vested, which will remain exercisable for a period of two years after his termination; (iv) all life, health, accident, and disability plans for 12 months after the date of termination; (v) any amounts awarded but not paid under any of the Company’s compensation plans, which will vest immediately, and be paid on the date of termination and included as compensation for the year; (vi) participate in any savings or other plans until the last day of his employment (all rights and distributions will be governed by the terms of those plans). Additionally, Mr. Matte will no longer be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Matte Employment Agreement and, if applicable, he will be eligible for any gross-up payment (as defined in the Matte Employment Agreement). Notwithstanding the above, all stock options held by Mr. Matte as of the date of a Change of Control will be immediately exercisable regardless of whether Mr. Abbott is terminated following such Change of Control.

Mr. Matte (48) continues to serve on the Board of Directors of Iris International, a medical diagnostic company, and has served on its Board since January 2004. Mr. Matte was the Chief Financial Officer of Cyberguard Corporation from February 2001 to April 2006 and, from 1998 to 2001, he served as Chief Financial Officer for AmeriJet International. From 1992 to 1998, he served as Chief Financial Officer for InTime Systems International. Prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer for InTime Systems International, he was a Senior Audit Manager from 1981 to 1992 for Price Waterhouse. Mr. Matte is a Certified Public Accountant and has a B.S. in Accounting from Florida State University.

The foregoing descriptions of the Separation Agreement, the Abbott Employment Agreement, and the Matte Employment Agreement do not purport to be complete. For an understanding of their terms and provisions, reference should be made to the Separation Agreement, the Abbott Employment Agreement, and the Matte Employment Agreement attached as Exhibits, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

10.1    Separation Agreement and General Release by and between the Company and Robert B. Stearns dated October 25, 2007.
10.2    Employment Agreement by and between the Company and John C. Abbott dated October 25, 2007.
10.3    Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Michael D. Matte dated October 29, 2007.
99.1    Press release dated October 30, 2007.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    QUEPASA Corporation
Date October 30, 2007     /s/ Michael D. Matte
   

Michael D. Matte

    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   

Document

10.1    Separation Agreement and General Release by and between the Company and Robert B. Stearns dated October 25, 2007.
10.2    Employment Agreement by and between the Company and John C. Abbott dated October 25, 2007.
10.3    Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Michael D. Matte dated October 29, 2007.
99.1    Press release dated October 30, 2007.

Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and General Release (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into on this 25th day of October, 2007, by and between Quepasa Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“ Company ”), and Robert B. Stearns (“ Executive ”).

RECITALS

A. Executive presently is employed by Company as its Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the terms of an Employment Agreement dated as of March 21, 2006 (the “ Employment Agreement ”), a copy of which is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A .

B. Company and Executive have decided to terminate their relationship.

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, Company and Executive agree as follows:

AGREEMENTS

1. Resignation. By the execution of this Agreement, Executive submits, and Company accepts, Executive’s resignation from his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Company and as the Chief Executive Officer of Company, effective as of October 25, 2007 (the “ Resignation Date ”). As of the Resignation Date, Executive also will be deemed to automatically resign, without any further action by Executive, from any other position or office he held with Company, as well as any position or office he held with any other entity or employee benefit plan by reason of his association with Company.

2. Continuing Responsibilities. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is responsible for all required CEO certifications related to public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as may be required by applicable law or regulations, with respect to the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and prior periods during the term of his employment by the Company. The Company will reimburse Executive for any and all time spent complying with Section 2 . The rate of pay used will be the last rate paid to the Executive (to be based upon an annual salary of $220,000) while he was employed with the Company.

3. Severance . If Executive executes this Agreement within the 21-day period referenced in Section 11 , and then does not revoke this Agreement within the 7-day Revocation Period referenced in Section 11 , Executive will be entitled to receive the following severance benefits from Company:

(a) Severance Payment . Executive shall receive a lump sum severance payment of $125,000.00, with such payment to be delivered to Executive’s counsel upon Executive’s signature hereto and to be delivered by Executive’s counsel to Executive within one (1) business day following the expiration of the Revocation Period set forth in Section 11 .


(b) Benefit Plans . For a period of six months from the Resignation Date, Company will maintain in full force and effect for Executive and his dependents all life, health, accident, and disability benefit plans in which Executive or his dependents were entitled to participate prior to the Resignation Date, in such amounts as were in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, provided that such continued participation is possible under the terms of such benefit plans and so long as Executive elects COBRA coverage. The continuation of coverage under any benefit plan subject to the continuation coverage requirements of COBRA should be by Company’s payment of its portion of the COBRA premium. In the event that participation in any benefit plan is barred, or any such benefit plan is discontinued or the benefits thereunder are materially reduced, Company shall provide Executive and his dependents with benefits substantially similar to those that they were entitled to receive under such benefit plans immediately prior to the Resignation Date. Notwithstanding the above, all benefits payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 3 will terminate on the date Executive becomes an employee of another employer and eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans of such other employer. To the extent that Executive was required to contribute amounts for any benefits described in this Section 3 prior to the Resignation Date, he shall continue to contribute such amounts for such time as these benefits continue in effect after termination.

4. Options and Warrants .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Executive’s applicable option award agreements, as of the Resignation Date, Executive will have ninety (90) days from the Resignation Date to exercise those options in which he is fully vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement. The parties agree that as of the Resignation Date, Executive is fully vested in a total of: (i) 390,006 options at an exercise price of $3.55 per share; and (ii) 90,000 options at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. This Section 4(a) supersedes any conflicting provision in the applicable option award agreements.

(b) As of the Resignation Date, Executive will have until March 21, 2016, to exercise his Warrant No. RBS-1 to purchase 200,000 shares of Company common stock at $3.55 per share.

(c) As permitted under applicable law, Company will cooperate fully with Executive’s broker or other representative with regard to the exercise of all options and warrants set forth in Sections 4(a) and (b)  above.

5. Release of Company . In consideration of the promises and payments set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby releases and forever discharges Company and/or any of its “Affiliates” from any and all claims, complaints, causes of action, and demands of any kind, whether known or unknown, which Executive has, ever has had, or may have arising out of or related to Executive’s employment or resignation from employment with Company, Executive’s service on Company’s Board of Directors or the termination or cessation thereof, or otherwise, excepting those arising out of this Agreement, Executive’s rights under all insurance policies providing benefits to Executive, including, but not limited to, any director and officer insurance policy (including indemnification policies), and Executive’s rights under any warrant, option or restricted stock agreement entered, or agreed to be entered, into between Company and Executive pursuant to the Quepasa Corporation’s 1998 Stock Option Plan, 2006 Stock Incentive Plan or any other plan or program pursuant to which Executive may have been granted warrants, options or restricted shares in the past.


This Release is a FULL WAIVER AND RELEASE and includes, without limitation, any right, claim, demand or cause of action arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”); the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Workers Adjustment & Retraining Notification Act (“ WARN ”); the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; and any applicable state civil rights act and/or any other federal, state, or local law or regulation. This Release also includes any contract or tort causes of action arising from or in any way related to Executive’s employment relationship with Company and/or any Affiliates, including any claims relating to Company’s right to terminate Executive’s employment, including, but not limited to, any claims for wrongful discharge, retaliatory discharge, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and/or prima facie tort, except as arising out of this Agreement.

This Release specifically includes any claims arising under Executive’s Employment Agreement as well as any written or oral amendments or supplements thereto. Executive acknowledges that he is not entitled to receive any cash or other bonus compensation for Company’s current fiscal year.

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Executive does not release any claims or rights Executive may have under any “employee benefit plan” (as that term is defined in regulations issued pursuant to ERISA) sponsored by Company or any Affiliate. In addition, Executive releases any claims or rights Executive may have to indemnification pursuant to Company’s bylaws.

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Affiliate” means and includes: (a) any subsidiary, brother-sister or other organization that is treated as a single employer with Company pursuant to Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and (b) any officer, owner, director, employee, representative, or insurer of Company or any organization referred to in clause (a); and (c) the successors and assigns of any organization or individual described in clauses (a) or (b).

6. Confidential Information and Non-Disclosure. Executive hereby acknowledges that he is subject to Section 14 in his Employment Agreement (governing confidentiality), which is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement, and that his obligations under such agreement survive the execution of this Agreement.

7. Mutual Non-Disparagement . The parties agree that they will not, at any time, make any comments about each other that are, or could be interpreted to be, disparaging or derogatory or that paint the other party in a negative light. Specifically, Executive agrees, among other things, that he will not make any disparaging, derogatory or negative comments about Company officers, directors, owners, employees, products, policies or practices. Company’s obligation pursuant to this Section 7 is limited to comments made by members of Company’s Board of Directors or Company’s officers. If either party breaches the commitments contained in this Section 7 , that party will be liable to the other for any resulting harm incurred.


8. Employee Benefit Plans . Executive acknowledges and agrees that, effective as of the Resignation Date, he no longer will be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plans offered by Company. Executive also specifically acknowledges that after the Resignation Date he will not be entitled to make any additional deferrals of compensation pursuant to the Company 401(k) Plan or any other Company benefit plan that permits or requires contributions by plan participants.

9. Unpaid Salary and Expenses . Except as modified by this Agreement:

(a) Any unpaid salary earned by Executive prior to the Resignation Date, including any accrued but unused vacation or Paid Time Off applicable to 2007 or any prior periods, but only to the extent required by Company policy, as well as any claims for expenses incurred by Executive on behalf of Company, will be paid to Executive promptly following the Resignation Date;

(b) Executive acknowledges that he has received all amounts, and all benefits or other entitlements, to which he was or may have been or may become entitled pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement; and

(c) Executive acknowledges that following the execution of this Agreement he will not have any claim to any amounts, benefits, or other entitlements pursuant to his Employment Agreement.

10. Cooperation . If Executive has knowledge or is alleged to have knowledge of any matters which are the subject of any pending, threatened or future litigation or administrative proceeding involving Company, Executive will make himself available to testify if and as necessary. Executive also will make himself reasonably available to the attorneys representing Company in connection with any such litigation or administrative proceeding for such purposes as they may deem necessary, including but not limited to the review of documents, discussion of the case and preparation for the trial or administrative proceeding. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed so as to in any way limit or affect the testimony which Executive gives in any such litigation; it is understood and agreed that Executive will at all times testify fully, truthfully and accurately, whether in deposition, trial or otherwise. The Company will reimburse Executive for any and all time spent complying with Section 10 . The rate of pay used will be the last rate paid to the Executive (to be based upon an annual salary of $220,000) while he was employed with the Company.

11. Period to Consider and Revocation Period . By his signature below, Executive affirms that he has been given at least 21 days during which to consider and request information or materials from the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement. Executive may revoke this Agreement at any time within 7 days following his execution of this Agreement (the “ Revocation Period ”) by executing the Revocation form attached hereto as Exhibit B . To be effective, the signed Revocation form must be received by Travis J. Leach Esq. Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. One Arizona Center, Phoenix, AZ 85004, within the 7-day revocation period (the “ Revocation Period ”). This Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the Revocation Period has expired.


12. Independent Counsel . Executive acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney of his choosing before executing this Agreement and that he has done so.

13. Payroll Taxes . Any amounts due pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to all applicable federal, social security and state payroll withholding taxes.

14. Governing Law . This Agreement is to be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona, except as those laws may be preempted by federal law.

15. Severability . If any part or parts of this Agreement are found to be unenforceable, the remaining portions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

16. Compliance with Section 409A .

(a) Compliance Strategy . Company has concluded that the severance payment provided by Section 3(a) qualifies for the short-term deferral exception to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “ Code ”), as such exception is described in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4). Company further has concluded that the insurance benefits provided by Section 3(b) either do not constitute deferral compensation or comply with the requirements of Section 409A pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).

(b) Payment Provisions . If Company fails to make a payment, either intentionally or unintentionally, within the period required by Section 3 , but the payment is made within the same calendar year, it will be treated as made within the period required by Section 3 pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(d). In addition, if a payment is not made due to a dispute between Company and Executive, payments may be delayed in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(g).

(c) Ban on Acceleration or Deferral . Under no circumstances may the time or schedule of any payment made or benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement be accelerated or subject to a further deferral except as otherwise permitted or required pursuant to regulations and other guidance issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

(d) No Elections . Executive does not have any right to make any election regarding the time or form of any payment due under this Agreement.

(e) Compliant Operation and Interpretation . If Company determines, in the exercise of its discretion, that no exception to the requirements of Section 409A is available, this Agreement (or the portions thereof that do not qualify for any exception) shall be operated in compliance with Section 409A and each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted, to the extent possible, to comply with Section 409A.


17. Entire Agreement . Executive represents that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement, which sets forth the entire agreement between Company and Executive with regard to Executive’s employment with Company and the termination of the relationship between Executive and Company. Executive acknowledges that he has not relied upon any representation made by Company or any representative of Company (including Company’s counsel), except as set forth in this Agreement.

18. Impact on Other Agreements . Following the execution of this Agreement, all agreements, including but not limited to the Employment Agreement (except for Section 14 thereof, which shall survive), previously entered into between Executive and Company relating to Executive’s employment by and services to Company are terminated other than the following: (a) this Agreement; (b) Executive’s rights under insurance policies providing Executive benefits; (c) any warrant or option agreement entered, or agreed to be entered, into between Company and Executive pursuant to the 1998 Stock Option Plan and 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, or any other plan or program pursuant to which Executive may have been granted options or warrants in the past.

[Signature page to follow]


In witness whereof, Executive has executed this Agreement and Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, on this 25th day of October, 2007.

 

ROBERT B. STEARNS     QUEPASA CORPORATION
/s/ Robert B. Stearns     /s/ Charles B. Mathews
Robert B. Stearns     Charles B. Mathews
    Chief Financial Officer
Date October 25, 2007     Date October 25, 2007


EXHIBIT A

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

[See Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2006]


EXHIBIT B

REVOCATION

I hereby revoke my acceptance of the foregoing Agreement within seven (7) days of my initial execution of the Agreement. I acknowledge that by revoking this Agreement it is no longer effective or enforceable and I will not receive any benefits described in the Agreement.

 

   
Employee
 
Date

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of October 25, 2007 by and between Quepasa Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and John C. Abbott (“Employee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, through its Board of Directors (the “Board”), desires to retain the services of Employee, and Employee desires to be retained by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Employee, and Employee hereby accepts employment, as Chief Executive Officer upon the terms of and subject to this Agreement. Employee shall also serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2. TERM. The term (the “Term”) of this Agreement shall commence on October 25, 2007, and shall continue until otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

3. DUTIES. During the Term, Employee will serve in such capacity and with such duties as shall be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company. Employee shall diligently perform his duties as Chief Executive Officer and shall devote the substantial portion of his business time and effort to his employment with the Company and his duties hereunder. During the Term, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of a partnership, or as an officer, director, employee or agent of any other person, firm or business organization engage in any other business activities or pursuits requiring his personal service that materially conflict with his duties hereunder or the diligent performance of such duties.

4. COMPENSATION.

a. BASE SALARY. During the Term, Employee shall be paid a salary of $80,000 per year, payable in equal installments no less frequently than monthly (“Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or any Committee of the Board delegated the authority to review executive compensation.

b. OPTION AND BONUS. In addition to Base Salary, Employee is awarded as of the date hereof an option to purchase 9% of the fully diluted shares of common stock of the Company as of the date hereof, or 1,897,492 shares, with a per-share exercise price equal to the greater of (i) $3.00, or (ii) the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock as of the date hereof, and subject to the conditions contained in a separate stock option agreement between Employee and the Company, and the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”). This option shall vest as to one-third of the shares


on the

first anniversary of the date hereof, and thereafter in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments over the succeeding two years. In addition, Employee shall participate in the management bonus program established by the Company (the “Management Bonus Program”) with an initial annual targeted bonus equal to 300% of Employee’s Base Salary, to be paid in the equivalent value of fully-vested options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and/or shares of the Company’s common stock.

c. INSURANCE. During the Term, Employee shall be entitled to participate in all health, life, disability and other insurance programs, if any, that the Company may offer to other key executive employees of the Company from time to time.

d. RELOCATION; OTHER BENEFITS. Employee shall, upon submission of appropriate supporting documentation and in accordance with policies established by the Company, be entitled to all actual and reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with his relocation to the location of the Company’s principal corporate offices, including all such expenses incurred by him for while he secures suitable permanent accommodations in such location. In addition, during the Term, Employee shall be entitled to all other benefits, if any, that the Company may offer to other key executive employees of the Company from time to time.

e. PAID TIME OFF. Employee shall be entitled to six (6) weeks’ paid time off (in addition to holidays) in each calendar year during the Term; provided, that Employee may take only two (2) weeks’ paid time off within any calendar month. Except with respect to paid time off unused as the result of a request by the Company to postpone scheduled paid time off, any unused paid time off from one calendar year shall not carryover to any subsequent calendar year.

f. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. Employee shall, upon submission of appropriate supporting documentation, be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with policies established by the Company. Such expenses shall include, without limitation, reasonable entertainment expenses, gasoline and toll expenses and cellular phone use charges, if such charges are directly related to the business of the Company.

5. GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION. The Board of Directors of the Company may terminate this Agreement for Cause. As used herein, “Cause” shall mean any of the following: (i) an act of willful misconduct or gross negligence by Employee in the performance of his material duties or obligations to the Company; provided, that if such act is capable of cure, Employee shall be given written notice and such act shall not be deemed a basis for Cause if cured within sixty (60) days after written notice is received by Employee specifying the alleged failure in reasonable detail (and during such sixty (60) day period, Employee shall continue to be employed by the Company at full pay); (ii) conviction of Employee of a felony involving moral turpitude; or (iii) a material act of dishonesty or breach of trust on the part of Employee resulting or intended to result directly or indirectly in personal gain or enrichment at the expense of the Company.

 

- 2 -


6. TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE. Employee may terminate this Agreement for Good Reason. As used herein, “Good Reason” means:

a. The Company materially breaches the provisions of this Agreement (except those set forth in Paragraph 4(a) of this Agreement) and Employee provides at least fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Company of the existence of such breach and his intention to terminate this Agreement (no such termination shall be effective if such breach is cured during such period); or

b. The Company fails to comply with the provisions of Paragraph 4(a) herein or to pay any amounts due under the Management Bonus Program pursuant to Paragraph 4(b) herein for an uninterrupted ten (10) day period;

c. The Company requires Employee to work in a non-supervisory or non-management position;

d. The Company decreases Employee’s compensation (Base Salary or percentage of bonus opportunity);

e. The Company materially reduces Employee’s welfare benefits, including, without limitation, paid vacation, paid sick time, paid legal and float holidays, medical, dental and cancer insurance, hospital indemnity, Flexible Spending, Short- and Long-term Disability insurance, Basic Group Term Life/AD&D insurance, Supplemental Life/AD&D insurance, Spouse Life/Spouse AD&D insurance, Dependent Life insurance, Vision Plan, 401(k) plan, Employee Assistance Program, or education reimbursement program (collectively, the “Benefits”); provided, however, that any change in the Benefits that is made by the Company and that applies to its employees generally shall not be considered “Good Reason;” or

f. The Employee is required, without his prior written consent, to relocate his office more than seventy-five (75) miles from the office where Employee currently reports.

7. PAYMENTS AND OTHER PROVISIONS UPON TERMINATION.

a. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company (including its subsidiaries) is terminated by the Company for Cause or by Employee without Good Reason, then, on or before Employee’s last day of employment with the Company, the provisions of this Paragraph 7(a) shall apply.

(i) Accrued Obligations. The Company shall pay in a lump sum to Employee at the time of Employee’s termination the amount of compensation payable to Employee for services rendered to the Company, as well as compensation for unused vacation time and earned bonus, that is accrued but unpaid. Any and all other rights granted to Employee under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of such termination.

 

- 3 -


(ii) Non-competition; Non-solicitation. The provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall, at the option of the Company in its sole discretion, continue to apply with respect to Employee for a period of up to six (6) months following the date of such termination, so long as the Company: (A) provides a written notice to Employee within five (5) business days after Employee’s termination that the Company wishes to exercise its right to require the Employee to comply with Paragraphs 13 and 14 hereof; and (B) the Company thereafter pays to Employee in periodic installments, without interest, in accordance with the regular salary payment practices of the Company an amount equal to (1) the amount of Employee’s Base Salary and target bonus as in effect immediately prior to Employee’s date of termination, multiplied by (2) the number of months that the Company is requiring the non-competition and non-solicitation covenants to remain in place, divided by (3) 12. The first such installment of Base Salary and target bonus shall be paid on or before the delivery of the notice described in the prior sentence of this Paragraph 7(a)(ii). Paragraphs 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall no longer apply to Employee if the Company fails to pay the amounts required under this Section 7(a)(ii) for an uninterrupted ten (10) day period and such failure is not cured within five (5) days after written notice of such failure is delivered to the Company.

b. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company (including its subsidiaries) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause, other than as a consequence of Employee’s death, Disability (as defined below) or normal retirement under the Company’s retirement plans and practices, or by Employee for Good Reason, the provisions of this Paragraph 7(b) shall apply. In addition to the amounts stated below, Employee shall be paid any other amounts by the Company which are due and payable to him but which remain unpaid as of the date of such termination.

(i) Salary, Performance Award, and Bonus Payments. On or before Employee’s last day of employment with the Company, the Company shall pay in a lump sum to Employee, as compensation for services rendered to the Company, a cash amount equal to two (2) times the amount of Employee’s Base Salary and two times his target bonus amount under the Management Bonus Program as in effect immediately prior to his date of termination or (B) the amount of the bonus under the Management Bonus Program to which he is entitled but which remains unpaid.

(ii) Vesting of Options and Rights. Notwithstanding the vesting period set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan and any related stock option agreements between the Company and Employee for stock options granted Employee by the Company, all stock options shall be vested and immediately exercisable upon termination of Employee’s employment by the Company without Cause, by Employee for Good Reason, or by reason of death or Disability. In addition, Employee will have the right to exercise all such options for a period of two (2) years following such termination.

(iii) Benefit Plan Coverage. The Company shall maintain in full force and effect for Employee and his dependents, for twelve (12) months after the date of termination, all life, health, accident, and disability benefit plans and other similar employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which Employee or his dependents were entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination, in such amounts as were in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, provided that such continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such benefit plans,

 

- 4 -


programs and arrangements. In the event that participation in any benefit plan, program or arrangement described above is barred, or any such benefit plan, program or arrangement is discontinued or the benefits there under materially reduced, the Company shall arrange to provide Employee and his dependents, for six (6) months after the date of termination, with benefits substantially similar to those that they were entitled to receive under such benefit plans, programs and arrangements immediately prior to the date of termination. Notwithstanding any time period for continued benefits stated in this Paragraph 7(b)(iii), all benefits in this Paragraph 7(b)(iii) will terminate on the date that Employee becomes an employee of another employer and eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans of such other employer. To the extent that Employee was required to contribute amounts for the benefits described in this Paragraph 7(b)(iii) prior to his termination, he shall continue to contribute such amounts for such time as these benefits continue in effect after termination.

(iv) Other Compensation. Any awards previously made to Employee under any of the Company’s compensation plans or programs and not previously paid shall immediately vest on the date of his termination and shall be paid on that date and included as compensation in the year paid.

(v) Savings and Other Plans. Except as otherwise provided herein or under the terms of the applicable plans relating to termination of employment, Employee’s active participation in any savings, retirement, profit sharing or supplemental employee retirement plans or any deferred compensation or similar plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall continue only through the last day of his employment. All other provisions, including any distribution and/or vested rights under such plans, shall be governed by the terms of those plans.

(vi) Non-competition; Non-solicitation. The provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall apply to Employee for six (6) months following the date of termination. Paragraphs 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall no longer apply to Employee if the Company fails to pay the amounts required under the provisions of Paragraph 7(b)(i) for an uninterrupted ten (10) day period and such failure is not cured within five (5) days after written notice of such failure is delivered to the Company.

c. The provisions of this Paragraph 7 shall apply if Employee’s employment is terminated prior to or more than one (1) year after the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below). Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, until the first anniversary of such Change of Control, the provisions of Paragraph 8 shall apply in place of this Paragraph 7; provided, however, that in the event that Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee after a Change of Control without Good Reason, then the provisions of Paragraph 8 shall not apply and the provisions of Paragraph 7(a) shall instead apply.

8. PAYMENT AND OTHER PROVISIONS AFTER CHANGE OF CONTROL.

a. SALARY, PERFORMANCE AWARD, AND BONUS PAYMENTS. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated within one (1) year following the occurrence of a Change of Control (other than as a consequence of his

 

- 5 -


death or Disability (as defined below), or of his normal retirement under the Company’s retirement plans and practices) either (i) by the Company for any reason other than Cause or (ii) by Employee for Good Reason, Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Company, the following:

(i) Base Salary. An amount equal to two (2) times Employee’s Base Salary as in effect at the date of termination shall be paid on the date of termination;

(ii) Target Bonus. An amount equal to two (2) times Employee’s target bonus amount under the Management Bonus Program for the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs, to be paid on the date of termination; and

(iii) Other Benefits. All benefits under Paragraphs 7(b)(ii), 7(b)(iii), 7(b)(iv), and 7(b)(v) shall be extended to Employee as described in such Paragraphs; provided, however, that all stock options held by Employee as of the date of a Change in Control shall be immediately exercisable in full, regardless of whether Employee is terminated following such Change in Control. In the event that Employee is terminated following a Change in Control, all stock options held by Employee which are vested as of the date of such termination shall remain exercisable for a period of two (2) years following such termination.

b. NON-COMPETITION/NON-SOLICITATION PERIOD. In the event of a termination under the circumstances described in Paragraph 8(a), the provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall be without force and effect and shall not apply to Employee.

c. GROSS-UP PAYMENT. In the event that any amount payable to Employee pursuant to this Agreement (collectively, the “Payments”) is determined to constitute a “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), and that any Payments result in the imposition on Employee of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code or any successor statute or regulation (an “Excise Tax”), the Company shall pay to Employee an additional amount (a “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by Employee with respect to the Payments, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Payments and any Federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax on the Gross-Up Payment (and any interest and penalties thereon), but before deduction for any Federal, state or local income or employment tax withholding on such Payments, shall be equal to the amount of the Payments. The Gross-Up Payment shall be paid to Employee within five (5) days of a determination that such Excise Tax is due, but in no event later than the end of Employee’s taxable year following Employee’s taxable year in which such Excise Tax owed by Employee that is subject to Gross-Up Payment is remitted to the applicable taxing authority.

d. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change of Control” shall mean:

(i) The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any Person (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Capital Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting

 

- 6 -


securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”); provided, however, that any acquisition by (x) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (y) any Person that is eligible, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) under the Exchange Act, to file a statement on Schedule 13G with respect to its beneficial ownership of Voting Securities, whether or not such Person has filed a statement on Schedule 13G, unless such Person has filed a statement on Schedule 13D with respect to beneficial ownership of 30% or more of the Voting Securities, or (z) any corporation with respect to which, following such acquisition, more than 60% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities, as applicable, immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such acquisition, of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities, as the case may be, shall not constitute a Change of Control;

(ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the Company (as such term is used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A, or any successor section, promulgated under the Exchange Act);

(iii) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation (a “Business Combination”), in each case, with respect to which all or substantially all holders of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination do not, following such Business Combination, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from Business Combination; or

(iv) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to a corporation with respect to which, following such sale or disposition, more than 60% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Capital Stock or Voting Securities, as applicable, immediately prior to such sale or disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities, as the case may be, immediately prior to such sale or disposition.

 

- 7 -


9. TERMINATION BY REASON OF DEATH. If Employee shall die while employed by the Company, both prior to termination of employment and during the Term of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein, all of Employee’s rights under this Agreement shall terminate following the payment of such amounts of Base Salary that have accrued but remain unpaid, the payment of a pro rata portion of his target bonus amount under the Management Bonus Program through the month in which his death occurs, plus three (3) additional months of such salary and bonus payments. All benefits under Paragraphs 7(b)(ii), 7(b)(iv) and 7(b)(v) herein shall be extended to Employee’s estate as described in such Paragraphs. In addition, Employee’s eligible dependents shall receive continued benefit plan coverage under Paragraph 7(b)(iii) for three (3) months from the date of Employee’s death.

10. TERMINATION BY DISABILITY. Employee’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company for Disability. In such event, except as otherwise provided herein, all of Employee’s rights under this Agreement shall terminate with the payment of such amounts of Base Salary that have accrued but remain unpaid as of thirtieth (30th) day after such notice is given. All benefits under Paragraphs 7(b)(ii), 7(b)(iii), 7(b)(iv) and 7(b)(v) shall be extended to Employee as described in such Paragraphs. In addition, Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall continue to apply to Employee for a period of one (1) year from the date of such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means, as a result of Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness:

a. Employee shall have been absent from his duties as an officer of the Company on a substantially full-time basis for six (6) consecutive months; and

b. Within thirty (30) days after the Company notifies Employee in writing that it intends to replace him, Employee shall not have returned to the performance of his duties as an officer of the Company on a full-time basis.

11. RETIREMENT. If during the Term or any extension thereof, the Company adopts a retirement plan with respect to executive officers of the Company, Employee shall have the right to participate in such policy and the provisions of such policy shall supersede the provisions of the preceding sentence.

12. INDEMNIFICATION. If litigation shall be brought, in the event of breach or to enforce or interpret any provision contained herein, the non-prevailing party shall indemnify the prevailing party for reasonable attorney’s fees (including those for negotiations, trial and appeals) and disbursements incurred by the prevailing party in such litigation, and hereby agrees to pay prejudgment interest on any money judgment obtained by the prevailing party calculated at the generally prevailing NationsBank of Florida, N.A. base rate of interest charged to its commercial customers in effect from time to time from the date that payment(s) to him should have been made under this Agreement.

 

- 8 -


13. NON-COMPETITION.

a. At all times during the Term, and for such additional periods as may otherwise be set forth in this Agreement in reference to this Paragraph 13, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business, enterprise or employment, whether as owner, operator, shareholder, director, partner, creditor, consultant, agent or any capacity whatsoever that manufactures products designed to compete directly with products of the Company or markets such products anywhere in the world where the Company (i) is engaged in business or (ii) has evidenced an intention of engaging in business. Employee acknowledges that he has read the foregoing and agrees that the nature of the geographical restrictions is reasonable given the international nature of the Company’s business. In the event that these geographical or temporal restrictions are judicially determined to be unreasonable, the parties agree that these restrictions shall be judicially reformed to the maximum restrictions which are reasonable.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Paragraph 13(a), Employee may accept employment with a company that would be deemed to be a competitor of the Company as described in the previous sentence (a “Competitor”), so long as (i) the Competitor has had annual revenues of at least $1 billion in each of the prior two (2) fiscal years, (ii) the Competitor’s revenues for products and maintenance in direct competition with the Company do not exceed 50% of its total revenues, and (iii) Employee’s responsibilities are solely for divisions or subsidiaries of the Competitor that do not compete with the Company.

14. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS. At all times during the Term, or for such additional periods as may otherwise be set forth in this Agreement in reference to this Paragraph 14, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or for any other person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity, (i) attempt to employ, employ or enter into any contractual arrangement with any employee or former employee of the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or predecessors in interest, unless such employee or former employee has not been employed by the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or predecessors in interest during the twelve (12) months prior to Employee’s attempt to employ him, or (ii) call on or solicit any of the actual or targeted prospective customers of the Company or its affiliates, subsidiaries or predecessors in interest with respect to any matters related to or competitive with the business of the Company.

15. CONFIDENTIALITY.

a. NONDISCLOSURE. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information (as defined below) is a valuable, special and unique asset of the Company’s business. Accordingly, except in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, Employee shall not at any time during or subsequent to the term of his employment hereunder disclose, directly or indirectly, to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity any proprietary or confidential information relating to the Company or any information concerning the Company’s financial condition or prospects, the Company’s customers, the design, development, manufacture, marketing or sale of the Company’s products or the Company’s methods of operating its business (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). The Confidential Information shall not include information which, at the time of disclosure, is known or available to the general public by publication or otherwise through no act or failure to act on the part of Employee.

 

- 9 -


b. RETURN OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Upon termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, or at any time at the request of the Company, Employee shall promptly return all Confidential Information in the possession or under the control of Employee to the Company and shall not retain any copies or other reproductions or extracts thereof. Employee shall at any time at the request of the Company destroy or have destroyed all memoranda, notes, reports, and documents, whether in “hard copy” form or as stored on magnetic or other media, and all copies and other reproductions and extracts thereof, prepared by Employee and shall provide the Company with a certificate that the foregoing materials have in fact been returned or destroyed.

c. BOOKS AND RECORDS. All books, records and accounts whether prepared by Employee or otherwise coming into Employee’s possession, shall be the exclusive property of the Company and shall be returned immediately to the Company upon termination of Employee’s employment hereunder or upon the Company’s request at any time.

16. INJUNCTION/SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE SETOFF. Employee acknowledges that a breach of any of the provisions of Paragraphs 13, 14 or 15 hereof would result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company which cannot be adequately or reasonably compensated at law. Therefore, Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled, if any such breach shall occur or be threatened or attempted, to a decree of specific performance and to a temporary and permanent injunction, without the posting of a bond, enjoining and restraining such breach by Employee or his agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative to whatever other remedies for actual damages to which the Company is entitled. Employee further agrees that the Company may set off against or recoup from any amounts due under this Agreement to the extent of any losses incurred by the Company as a result of any breach by Employee of the provisions of Paragraphs 13, 14 or 15 hereof.

17. Any provision in this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

18. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee and inure to his and his estate’s benefit, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any permitted successor of the Company. Neither this Agreement nor any rights arising hereunder may be assigned or pledged by Employee or anyone claiming through Employee, or by the Company, except to any corporation which is the successor in interest to the Company by reason of a merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company. The foregoing sentence shall not be deemed to have any effect upon the rights of Employee upon a Change of Control.

 

- 10 -


19. CONTROLLING LAW. This Agreement shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida.

20. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be written and sent by registered or certified mail, telecommunicated or hand delivered at the address set forth herein or to any other address of which notice is given:

 

To the Company:

   Quepasa Corporation
   7550 E. Redfield Rd.
   Scottsdale, AZ 85260
   Attention: Michael Matte

To Employee:

   John C. Abbott
   7550 E. Redfield Rd.
   Scottsdale, AZ 85260

21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto on the subject matter hereof and may not be modified without the written agreement of both parties hereto.

22. WAIVER. A waiver by any party of any of the terms and conditions hereof shall not be construed as a general waiver by such party.

23. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute a single agreement.

24. INTERPRETATION. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any other agreement or document defining rights and duties of Employee or the Company upon Employee’s termination, the rights and duties set forth in this Agreement shall control.

25. CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON REMEDIES. Paragraph 7(b) provides that certain payments and other benefits shall be received by Employee upon the termination of Employee by the Company other than for Cause and states that these same provisions shall apply if Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason. It is the intention of this Agreement that if the Company terminates Employee other than for Cause (and other than as a consequence of Employee’s death, Disability or normal retirement) or if Employee terminates his employment with Good Reason, then the payments and other benefits set forth in Paragraph 7(b) shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedies of Employee.

26. SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 2, the provisions of Paragraphs 13, 14, and 15 shall survive the expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

27. CERTAIN FEES . The Company shall promptly reimburse Employee for reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred by him in connection with the preparation and execution of this Agreement. In the event of any dispute under this Agreement as to which Employee is the prevailing party, the Company shall promptly reimburse Employee for reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred by him in connection with such dispute.

 

- 11 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Employment Agreement has been executed by the parties as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY:
Quepasa CORPORATION
/s/ Charles B. Mathews
By:   Charles B. Mathews
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ John C. Abbott
John C. Abbott

 

- 12 -

Exhibit 10.3

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of October 29, 2007 by and between Quepasa Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Michael D. Matte (“Employee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, through its Board of Directors (the “Board”), desires to retain the services of Employee, and Employee desires to be retained by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Employee, and Employee hereby accepts employment, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer upon the terms of and subject to this Agreement.

2. TERM. The term (the “Term”) of this Agreement shall commence on October 29, 2007, and shall continue until otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

3. DUTIES. During the Term, Employee will serve in such capacity and with such duties as shall be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer. Employee shall diligently perform his duties as Chief Financial Officer and shall devote the substantial portion of his business time and effort to his employment with the Company and his duties hereunder. During the Term, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of a partnership, or as an officer, director, employee or agent of any other person, firm or business organization engage in any other business activities or pursuits requiring his personal service that materially conflict with his duties hereunder or the diligent performance of such duties.

4. COMPENSATION.

a. BASE SALARY. During the Term, Employee shall be paid a salary of $100,000 per year, payable in equal installments no less frequently than monthly (“Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or any Committee of the Board delegated the authority to review executive compensation.

b. OPTION AND BONUS. In addition to Base Salary, Employee is awarded as of the date hereof an option to purchase 7% of the fully diluted shares of common stock of the Company as of the date hereof, or 1,475,827 shares, with a per-share exercise price equal to the greater of (i) $3.00, or (ii) the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock as of the date hereof, and subject to the conditions contained in a separate stock option agreement between Employee and the Company, and the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”). This option shall vest as to one-third of the shares


on the first anniversary of the date hereof, and thereafter in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments over the succeeding two years. In addition, Employee shall participate in the management bonus program established by the Company (the “Management Bonus Program”) with an initial annual targeted bonus equal to 300% of Employee’s Base Salary, to be paid in the cash based on achieving cost reductions.

c. INSURANCE. During the Term, Employee shall be entitled to participate in all health, life, disability and other insurance programs, if any, that the Company may offer to other key executive employees of the Company from time to time.

d. RELOCATION; OTHER BENEFITS. Employee shall, upon submission of appropriate supporting documentation and in accordance with policies established by the Company, be entitled to all actual and reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with his relocation to the location of the Company’s principal corporate offices, including all such expenses incurred by him for while he secures suitable permanent accommodations in such location. In addition, during the Term, Employee shall be entitled to all other benefits, if any, that the Company may offer to other key executive employees of the Company from time to time.

e. PAID TIME OFF. Employee shall be entitled to six (6) weeks’ paid time off (in addition to holidays) in each calendar year during the Term; provided, that Employee may take only two (2) weeks’ paid time off within any calendar month. Except with respect to paid time off unused as the result of a request by the Company to postpone scheduled paid time off, any unused paid time off from one calendar year shall not carryover to any subsequent calendar year.

f. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. Employee shall, upon submission of appropriate supporting documentation, be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with policies established by the Company. Such expenses shall include, without limitation, reasonable entertainment expenses, gasoline and toll expenses and cellular phone use charges, if such charges are directly related to the business of the Company.

5. GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION. The Board of Directors of the Company may terminate this Agreement for Cause. As used herein, “Cause” shall mean any of the following: (i) an act of willful misconduct or gross negligence by Employee in the performance of his material duties or obligations to the Company; provided, that if such act is capable of cure, Employee shall be given written notice and such act shall not be deemed a basis for Cause if cured within sixty (60) days after written notice is received by Employee specifying the alleged failure in reasonable detail (and during such sixty (60) day period, Employee shall continue to be employed by the Company at full pay); (ii) conviction of Employee of a felony involving moral turpitude; or (iii) a material act of dishonesty or breach of trust on the part of Employee resulting or intended to result directly or indirectly in personal gain or enrichment at the expense of the Company.

 

- 2 -


6. TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE. Employee may terminate this Agreement for Good Reason. As used herein, “Good Reason” means:

a. The Company materially breaches the provisions of this Agreement (except those set forth in Paragraph 4(a) of this Agreement) and Employee provides at least fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Company of the existence of such breach and his intention to terminate this Agreement (no such termination shall be effective if such breach is cured during such period); or

b. The Company fails to comply with the provisions of Paragraph 4(a) herein or to pay any amounts due under the Management Bonus Program pursuant to Paragraph 4(b) herein for an uninterrupted ten (10) day period;

c. The Company requires Employee to work in a non-supervisory or non-management position;

d. The Company decreases Employee’s compensation (Base Salary or percentage of bonus opportunity);

e. The Company materially reduces Employee’s welfare benefits, including, without limitation, paid vacation, paid sick time, paid legal and float holidays, medical, dental and cancer insurance, hospital indemnity, Flexible Spending, Short- and Long-term Disability insurance, Basic Group Term Life/AD&D insurance, Supplemental Life/AD&D insurance, Spouse Life/Spouse AD&D insurance, Dependent Life insurance, Vision Plan, 401(k) plan, Employee Assistance Program, or education reimbursement program (collectively, the “Benefits”); provided, however, that any change in the Benefits that is made by the Company and that applies to its employees generally shall not be considered “Good Reason;” or

f. The Employee is required, without his prior written consent, to relocate his office more than seventy-five (75) miles from the office where Employee currently reports.

7. PAYMENTS AND OTHER PROVISIONS UPON TERMINATION.

a. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company (including its subsidiaries) is terminated by the Company for Cause or by Employee without Good Reason, then, on or before Employee’s last day of employment with the Company, the provisions of this Paragraph 7(a) shall apply.

(i) Accrued Obligations. The Company shall pay in a lump sum to Employee at the time of Employee’s termination the amount of compensation payable to Employee for services rendered to the Company, as well as compensation for unused vacation time and earned bonus, that is accrued but unpaid. Any and all other rights granted to Employee under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of such termination.

 

- 3 -


(ii) Non-competition; Non-solicitation. The provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall, at the option of the Company in its sole discretion, continue to apply with respect to Employee for a period of up to six (6) months following the date of such termination, so long as the Company: (A) provides a written notice to Employee within five (5) business days after Employee’s termination that the Company wishes to exercise its right to require the Employee to comply with Paragraphs 13 and 14 hereof; and (B) the Company thereafter pays to Employee in periodic installments, without interest, in accordance with the regular salary payment practices of the Company an amount equal to (1) the amount of Employee’s Base Salary and target bonus as in effect immediately prior to Employee’s date of termination, multiplied by (2) the number of months that the Company is requiring the non-competition and non-solicitation covenants to remain in place, divided by (3) 12. The first such installment of Base Salary and target bonus shall be paid on or before the delivery of the notice described in the prior sentence of this Paragraph 7(a)(ii). Paragraphs 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall no longer apply to Employee if the Company fails to pay the amounts required under this Section 7(a)(ii) for an uninterrupted ten (10) day period and such failure is not cured within five (5) days after written notice of such failure is delivered to the Company.

b. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company (including its subsidiaries) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause, other than as a consequence of Employee’s death, Disability (as defined below) or normal retirement under the Company’s retirement plans and practices, or by Employee for Good Reason, the provisions of this Paragraph 7(b) shall apply. In addition to the amounts stated below, Employee shall be paid any other amounts by the Company which are due and payable to him but which remain unpaid as of the date of such termination.

(i) Salary, Performance Award, and Bonus Payments. On or before Employee’s last day of employment with the Company, the Company shall pay in a lump sum to Employee, as compensation for services rendered to the Company, a cash amount equal to two (2) times the amount of Employee’s Base Salary and 2 times of his target bonus amount under the Management Bonus Program as in effect immediately prior to his date of termination.

(ii) Vesting of Options and Rights. Notwithstanding the vesting period set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan and any related stock option agreements between the Company and Employee for stock options granted Employee by the Company, all stock options shall be vested and immediately exercisable upon termination of Employee’s employment by the Company without Cause, by Employee for Good Reason, or by reason of death or Disability. In addition, Employee will have the right to exercise all such options for a period of two (2) years following such termination.

(iii) Benefit Plan Coverage. The Company shall maintain in full force and effect for Employee and his dependents, for twelve (12) months after the date of termination, all life, health, accident, and disability benefit plans and other similar employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which Employee or his dependents were entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination, in such amounts as were in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, provided that such continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such benefit plans,

 

- 4 -


programs and arrangements. In the event that participation in any benefit plan, program or arrangement described above is barred, or any such benefit plan, program or arrangement is discontinued or the benefits there under materially reduced, the Company shall arrange to provide Employee and his dependents, for six (6) months after the date of termination, with benefits substantially similar to those that they were entitled to receive under such benefit plans, programs and arrangements immediately prior to the date of termination. Notwithstanding any time period for continued benefits stated in this Paragraph 7(b)(iii), all benefits in this Paragraph 7(b)(iii) will terminate on the date that Employee becomes an employee of another employer and eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans of such other employer. To the extent that Employee was required to contribute amounts for the benefits described in this Paragraph 7(b)(iii) prior to his termination, he shall continue to contribute such amounts for such time as these benefits continue in effect after termination.

(iv) Other Compensation. Any awards previously made to Employee under any of the Company’s compensation plans or programs and not previously paid shall immediately vest on the date of his termination and shall be paid on that date and included as compensation in the year paid.

(v) Savings and Other Plans. Except as otherwise provided herein or under the terms of the applicable plans relating to termination of employment, Employee’s active participation in any savings, retirement, profit sharing or supplemental employee retirement plans or any deferred compensation or similar plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall continue only through the last day of his employment. All other provisions, including any distribution and/or vested rights under such plans, shall be governed by the terms of those plans.

(vi) Non-competition; Non-solicitation. The provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall apply to Employee for six (6) months following the date of termination. Paragraphs 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall no longer apply to Employee if the Company fails to pay the amounts required under the provisions of Paragraph 7(b)(i) for an uninterrupted ten (10) day period and such failure is not cured within five (5) days after written notice of such failure is delivered to the Company.

c. The provisions of this Paragraph 7 shall apply if Employee’s employment is terminated prior to or more than one (1) year after the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below). Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, until the first anniversary of such Change of Control, the provisions of Paragraph 8 shall apply in place of this Paragraph 7; provided, however, that in the event that Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee after a Change of Control without Good Reason, then the provisions of Paragraph 8 shall not apply and the provisions of Paragraph 7(a) shall instead apply.

 

- 5 -


8. PAYMENT AND OTHER PROVISIONS AFTER CHANGE OF CONTROL.

a. SALARY, PERFORMANCE AWARD, AND BONUS PAYMENTS. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated within one (1) year following the occurrence of a Change of Control (other than as a consequence of his death or Disability (as defined below), or of his normal retirement under the Company’s retirement plans and practices) either (i) by the Company for any reason other than Cause or (ii) by Employee for Good Reason, Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Company, the following:

(i) Base Salary. An amount equal to two (2) times Employee’s Base Salary as in effect at the date of termination shall be paid on the date of termination;

(ii) Target Bonus. An amount equal to two (2) times Employee’s target bonus amount under the Management Bonus Program for the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs, to be paid on the date of termination; and

(iii) Other Benefits. All benefits under Paragraphs 7(b)(ii), 7(b)(iii), 7(b)(iv), and 7(b)(v) shall be extended to Employee as described in such Paragraphs; provided, however, that all stock options held by Employee as of the date of a Change in Control shall be immediately exercisable in full, regardless of whether Employee is terminated following such Change in Control. In the event that Employee is terminated following a Change in Control, all stock options held by Employee which are vested as of the date of such termination shall remain exercisable for a period of two (2) years following such termination.

b. NON-COMPETITION/NON-SOLICITATION PERIOD. In the event of a termination under the circumstances described in Paragraph 8(a), the provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall be without force and effect and shall not apply to Employee.

c. GROSS-UP PAYMENT. In the event that any amount payable to Employee pursuant to this Agreement (collectively, the “Payments”) is determined to constitute a “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), and that any Payments result in the imposition on Employee of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code or any successor statute or regulation (an “Excise Tax”), the Company shall pay to Employee an additional amount (a “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by Employee with respect to the Payments, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Payments and any Federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax on the Gross-Up Payment (and any interest and penalties thereon), but before deduction for any Federal, state or local income or employment tax withholding on such Payments, shall be equal to the amount of the Payments. The Gross-Up Payment shall be paid to Employee within five (5) days of a determination that such Excise Tax is due, but in no event later than the end of Employee’s taxable year following Employee’s taxable year in which such Excise Tax owed by Employee that is subject to Gross-Up Payment is remitted to the applicable taxing authority.

 

- 6 -


d. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change of Control” shall mean:

(i) The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any Person (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Capital Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”); provided, however, that any acquisition by (x) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (y) any Person that is eligible, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) under the Exchange Act, to file a statement on Schedule 13G with respect to its beneficial ownership of Voting Securities, whether or not such Person has filed a statement on Schedule 13G, unless such Person has filed a statement on Schedule 13D with respect to beneficial ownership of 30% or more of the Voting Securities, or (z) any corporation with respect to which, following such acquisition, more than 60% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities, as applicable, immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such acquisition, of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities, as the case may be, shall not constitute a Change of Control;

(ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the Company (as such term is used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A, or any successor section, promulgated under the Exchange Act);

(iii) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation (a “Business Combination”), in each case, with respect to which all or substantially all holders of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination do not, following such Business Combination, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from Business Combination; or

(iv) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to a corporation with respect to which, following such sale or disposition, more than 60% of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting

 

- 7 -


securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Capital Stock or Voting Securities, as applicable, immediately prior to such sale or disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Outstanding Capital Stock and Voting Securities, as the case may be, immediately prior to such sale or disposition.

9. TERMINATION BY REASON OF DEATH. If Employee shall die while employed by the Company, both prior to termination of employment and during the Term of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein, all of Employee’s rights under this Agreement shall terminate following the payment of such amounts of Base Salary that have accrued but remain unpaid, the payment of a pro rata portion of his target bonus amount under the Management Bonus Program through the month in which his death occurs, plus three (3) additional months of such salary and bonus payments. All benefits under Paragraphs 7(b)(ii), 7(b)(iv) and 7(b)(v) herein shall be extended to Employee’s estate as described in such Paragraphs. In addition, Employee’s eligible dependents shall receive continued benefit plan coverage under Paragraph 7(b)(iii) for three (3) months from the date of Employee’s death.

10. TERMINATION BY DISABILITY. Employee’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company for Disability. In such event, except as otherwise provided herein, all of Employee’s rights under this Agreement shall terminate with the payment of such amounts of Base Salary that have accrued but remain unpaid as of thirtieth (30th) day after such notice is given. All benefits under Paragraphs 7(b)(ii), 7(b)(iii), 7(b)(iv) and 7(b)(v) shall be extended to Employee as described in such Paragraphs. In addition, Paragraphs 13 and 14 shall continue to apply to Employee for a period of one (1) year from the date of such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means, as a result of Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness:

a. Employee shall have been absent from his duties as an officer of the Company on a substantially full-time basis for six (6) consecutive months; and

b. Within thirty (30) days after the Company notifies Employee in writing that it intends to replace him, Employee shall not have returned to the performance of his duties as an officer of the Company on a full-time basis.

11. RETIREMENT. If during the Term or any extension thereof, the Company adopts a retirement plan with respect to executive officers of the Company, Employee shall have the right to participate in such policy and the provisions of such policy shall supersede the provisions of the preceding sentence.

12. INDEMNIFICATION. If litigation shall be brought, in the event of breach or to enforce or interpret any provision contained herein, the non-prevailing party shall indemnify the prevailing party for reasonable attorney’s fees (including those for negotiations, trial and appeals) and disbursements incurred by the prevailing party in such litigation, and hereby agrees to pay prejudgment interest on any money judgment obtained by the prevailing party calculated at the generally prevailing NationsBank of Florida, N.A. base rate of interest charged to its commercial customers in effect from time to time from the date that payment(s) to him should have been made under this Agreement.

 

- 8 -


13. NON-COMPETITION.

a. At all times during the Term, and for such additional periods as may otherwise be set forth in this Agreement in reference to this Paragraph 13, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business, enterprise or employment, whether as owner, operator, shareholder, director, partner, creditor, consultant, agent or any capacity whatsoever that manufactures products designed to compete directly with products of the Company or markets such products anywhere in the world where the Company (i) is engaged in business or (ii) has evidenced an intention of engaging in business. Employee acknowledges that he has read the foregoing and agrees that the nature of the geographical restrictions is reasonable given the international nature of the Company’s business. In the event that these geographical or temporal restrictions are judicially determined to be unreasonable, the parties agree that these restrictions shall be judicially reformed to the maximum restrictions which are reasonable.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Paragraph 13(a), Employee may accept employment with a company that would be deemed to be a competitor of the Company as described in the previous sentence (a “Competitor”), so long as (i) the Competitor has had annual revenues of at least $1 billion in each of the prior two (2) fiscal years, (ii) the Competitor’s revenues for products and maintenance in direct competition with the Company do not exceed 50% of its total revenues, and (iii) Employee’s responsibilities are solely for divisions or subsidiaries of the Competitor that do not compete with the Company.

14. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS. At all times during the Term, or for such additional periods as may otherwise be set forth in this Agreement in reference to this Paragraph 14, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or for any other person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity, (i) attempt to employ, employ or enter into any contractual arrangement with any employee or former employee of the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or predecessors in interest, unless such employee or former employee has not been employed by the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or predecessors in interest during the twelve (12) months prior to Employee’s attempt to employ him, or (ii) call on or solicit any of the actual or targeted prospective customers of the Company or its affiliates, subsidiaries or predecessors in interest with respect to any matters related to or competitive with the business of the Company.

15. CONFIDENTIALITY.

a. NONDISCLOSURE. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information (as defined below) is a valuable, special and unique asset of the Company’s business. Accordingly, except in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, Employee shall not at any time during or subsequent to the term of his employment hereunder disclose, directly or indirectly, to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity any proprietary or confidential information relating to the Company or any information concerning the Company’s financial condition or prospects, the Company’s

 

- 9 -


customers, the design, development, manufacture, marketing or sale of the Company’s products or the Company’s methods of operating its business (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). The Confidential Information shall not include information which, at the time of disclosure, is known or available to the general public by publication or otherwise through no act or failure to act on the part of Employee.

b. RETURN OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Upon termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, or at any time at the request of the Company, Employee shall promptly return all Confidential Information in the possession or under the control of Employee to the Company and shall not retain any copies or other reproductions or extracts thereof. Employee shall at any time at the request of the Company destroy or have destroyed all memoranda, notes, reports, and documents, whether in “hard copy” form or as stored on magnetic or other media, and all copies and other reproductions and extracts thereof, prepared by Employee and shall provide the Company with a certificate that the foregoing materials have in fact been returned or destroyed.

c. BOOKS AND RECORDS. All books, records and accounts whether prepared by Employee or otherwise coming into Employee’s possession, shall be the exclusive property of the Company and shall be returned immediately to the Company upon termination of Employee’s employment hereunder or upon the Company’s request at any time.

16. INJUNCTION/SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE SETOFF. Employee acknowledges that a breach of any of the provisions of Paragraphs 13, 14 or 15 hereof would result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company which cannot be adequately or reasonably compensated at law. Therefore, Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled, if any such breach shall occur or be threatened or attempted, to a decree of specific performance and to a temporary and permanent injunction, without the posting of a bond, enjoining and restraining such breach by Employee or his agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative to whatever other remedies for actual damages to which the Company is entitled. Employee further agrees that the Company may set off against or recoup from any amounts due under this Agreement to the extent of any losses incurred by the Company as a result of any breach by Employee of the provisions of Paragraphs 13, 14 or 15 hereof.

17. Any provision in this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

18. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee and inure to his and his estate’s benefit, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any permitted successor of the Company. Neither this Agreement nor any rights arising hereunder may be assigned or pledged by Employee or anyone claiming through Employee, or by the Company, except to any corporation which is the successor in interest to the Company by reason of a merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company. The foregoing sentence shall not be deemed to have any effect upon the rights of Employee upon a Change of Control.

 

- 10 -


19. CONTROLLING LAW. This Agreement shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida.

20. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be written and sent by registered or certified mail, telecommunicated or hand delivered at the address set forth herein or to any other address of which notice is given:

 

To the Company:    Quepasa Corporation
   7550 E. Redfield Rd.
   Scottsdale, AZ 85260
   Attention: Michael Matte
To Employee:    Michael Matte
   7550 E. Redfield Rd.
   Scottsdale, AZ 85260

21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto on the subject matter hereof and may not be modified without the written agreement of both parties hereto.

22. WAIVER. A waiver by any party of any of the terms and conditions hereof shall not be construed as a general waiver by such party.

23. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute a single agreement.

24. INTERPRETATION. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any other agreement or document defining rights and duties of Employee or the Company upon Employee’s termination, the rights and duties set forth in this Agreement shall control.

25. CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON REMEDIES. Paragraph 7(b) provides that certain payments and other benefits shall be received by Employee upon the termination of Employee by the Company other than for Cause and states that these same provisions shall apply if Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason. It is the intention of this Agreement that if the Company terminates Employee other than for Cause (and other than as a consequence of Employee’s death, Disability or normal retirement) or if Employee terminates his employment with Good Reason, then the payments and other benefits set forth in Paragraph 7(b) shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedies of Employee.

26. SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 2, the provisions of Paragraphs 13, 14, and 15 shall survive the expiration or early termination of this Agreement.

 

- 11 -


27. CERTAIN FEES . The Company shall promptly reimburse Employee for reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred by him in connection with the preparation and execution of this Agreement. In the event of any dispute under this Agreement as to which Employee is the prevailing party, the Company shall promptly reimburse Employee for reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred by him in connection with such dispute.

 

- 12 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Employment Agreement has been executed by the parties as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY:
Quepasa CORPORATION
/s/ John C. Abbott
By:   John C. Abbott
Title:   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Michael D. Matte
Michael D. Matte

 

- 13 -

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

QUEPASA CORPORATION MAKES BOLD MOVES TO ACCELERATE

LEADERSHIP POSITION

Scottsdale, Arizona – (October 30, 2007) - QuePasa Corporation (NASDAQ: QPSA) announces the appointment of a new executive team charged with improving the technology and growing the brand recognition of Quepasa.com, one of the largest, bicultural, Latino online communities. John C. Abbott, a seasoned entrepreneur and business professional will serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Board member Michael D. Matte will become the Chief Financial Officer.

John Abbott joins QuePasa following a career in investment banking and entrepreneurship, most recently serving as strategic and financial advisor to Altos Hornos de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V ., Mexico’s leading integrated steel producer. In addition to his activities in Mexico, Abbott launched two ventures in Brazil, namely Click Filmes, a Sao Paulo-based hotel video on demand business and Industria de Entretenimento, one of Brazil’s largest entertainment groups with rights to such brands as Pacha. Previously, Abbott spent 11 years in JP Morgan’s Latin America Mergers & Acquisitions group. Abbott earned an AB from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

“QuePasa maintains very strong brand equity which we will enhance via greater investment in technology,” said John Abbott, CEO.

Mike Matte is a senior financial officer with extensive experience with both public and private companies and served on the Company’s board and was the Audit committee chairman until his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. His areas of expertise include IPOs , SEC reporting, raising equity capital and debt restructuring. He has provided financial leadership for companies such as Cyberguard Corporation, the leading provider of enterprise gateway security and Intime systems, a public software developer and systems integrator. Matte began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and holds an accounting degree from Florida State University.

“We have a strong combination of talent and resources to make a big difference in the marketplace,” said Mike Matte, CFO of QuePasa. “We are bullish on the growth potential and value of the Hispanic market,” he continued.

Robert Stearns resigned as CEO on Thursday , October 25th to pursue other opportunities. “We graciously thank Rob for his commitment to QuePasa and wish him the best in all future endeavors,” said Abbott.

 

-MORE-


QuePasa Corporation (NASDAQ: QPSA) , headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona (with offices in New York, Miami and Mexico), owns QuePasa.com, one of the world’s largest, bicultural, Latino, online communities committed to providing entertaining, enriching, and empowering products and services. The website serves its users in the U.S. and Latin America in both Spanish and English.

Contacts:

 

Gisela Girard    Rachel Ferry
Creative Civilization,    Creative Civilization
(210) 227-1999    (210) 227-1999
ggirard@creativecivilization.com    (210) 896-0238, Cell
   rferry@creativecivilization.com

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements of QuePasa Corporation

Statements in this press release that refer to plans and expectations for the future are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, or from results or outcomes currently expected or sought by the Company. In addition to the Risk Factors described in Item 1 of the Company’s Form 10-KSB, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, these factors include, but are not limited to, the possibility of liability for information displayed or accessed via the Company’s website and for other commerce-related activities; competition in the operation of websites and in the provision of information retrieval services; changing laws, rules, and regulations; potential liability for breaches of security on the Internet; dependence on third party databases and computer systems; competition from traditional media companies; new technologies that could block the Company’s ability to advertise; and, with respect to the matters described in this press release, the success of the Company’s new senior management team .