UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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): February 22, 2012

 

 

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

001-12173

  36-4094854

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

30 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3550

Chicago, Illinois

  60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(312) 573-5600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

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

 

¨ 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 Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Appointment of Julie M. Howard as Chief Executive Officer

On February 22, 2012, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Navigant Consulting, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Julie M. Howard as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2012. Ms. Howard, age 49, has served as the Company’s President since 2006 and the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since 2003. From 2001 to 2003, Ms. Howard was the Company’s Vice President and Human Capital Officer. Prior to 2001, Ms. Howard held a variety of consulting and operational positions with several professional services firms. Ms. Howard is currently a member of the board of directors of Kemper Corporation and a member of the Foundation Board for Children’s Memorial Hospital. Ms. Howard is a founding member of the Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Alliance (WLMA). Ms. Howard is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She has also completed several post-graduate courses within the Harvard Business School Executive Education program, focusing in Finance and Management.

In connection with her appointment, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Ms. Howard, effective as of March 1, 2012 (as amended and restated, the “employment agreement”), pursuant to which Ms. Howard has agreed to serve the Company as its Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Board and performing those duties as may be assigned to her by the Board. The employment agreement has a five-year term whereas Ms. Howard’s employment agreement prior to the amendment and restatement had provided for automatic annual renewals. Under the employment agreement Ms. Howard will receive an annual base salary in an amount determined by the compensation committee of the Board, and is eligible to receive an annual cash incentive bonus under the annual incentive plan for the Company’s executive officers based on the achievement of annual performance goals as determined by the compensation committee of the Board. On February 22, 2012, the compensation committee determined that Ms. Howard’s initial annual base salary under the employment agreement will be $700,000. The employment agreement binds Ms. Howard to certain non-solicitation and non-competition restrictions during the term of her employment and for a period of one year thereafter unless the Company decides not to continue Ms. Howard’s employment upon the expiration of the five-year term on terms (other than contract length) at least equivalent to the terms of the employment agreement.

The employment agreement provides, among other things, that if the Company terminates Ms. Howard other than for “cause” (as defined in the employment agreement) or if Ms. Howard terminates her employment for “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreement) or if Ms. Howard’s employment is terminated because of death or disability, the Company will pay to Ms. Howard (or her legal representatives) as a severance benefit an amount in cash equal to (i) two times the sum of her base salary and the average of her annual bonuses for the three most recently completed years, plus (ii) a pro rata portion of her annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurs based on an estimate of Company performance for the period before the date of termination, as determined by the compensation committee of the Board (subject to subsequent reconciliation based on the Company’s actual performance). In addition, if the Company terminates Ms. Howard other than for cause or disability or if Ms. Howard terminates her employment for good reason or if Ms. Howard’s employment is terminated because of death, the Company will pay Ms. Howard (or her family in the event of her death) after termination on a monthly basis an amount equal to COBRA premiums (less the amount of her portion of such premiums prior to the date of termination) for up to 24 months after the date of termination. If Ms. Howard’s employment is terminated because of disability, Ms. Howard would be entitled to continuation of her healthcare benefits for up to 24 months after the date of termination. However, if the Company terminates Ms. Howard for cause or if Ms. Howard terminates her employment other than for good reason, the Company would have no further obligation to Ms. Howard other than the obligation to pay her base salary through the date of termination and any other compensation and benefits then due.

As part of the amendment and restatement of Ms. Howard’s employment agreement, Ms. Howard agreed to modify the circumstances upon which she would be entitled to receive severance payments in the event of a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement) by replacing the modified single-trigger severance provision with a double-trigger severance provision, as described below. The employment agreement provides that if, during the one-year period following a change of control, the Company terminates Ms. Howard’s employment other than for cause, death or disability or if Ms. Howard terminates her employment for good reason or if, during the one-year

 

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period preceding a change of control, the Company terminates Ms. Howard’s employment other than for cause, death or disability in anticipation of a change of control transaction that the Board is actively considering and that is ultimately consummated, the Company will pay to Ms. Howard (or her legal representatives) as a severance payment an amount in cash equal to (i) three times the sum of her base salary and the average of her annual bonuses for the three most recently completed years, plus (ii) a pro rata portion of her annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurs based on an estimate of Company performance for the period before the date of termination, as determined by the compensation committee of the Board (subject to subsequent reconciliation based on the Company’s actual performance). In addition, the Company will pay Ms. Howard (or her family in the event of her death) after termination on a monthly basis an amount equal to COBRA premiums (less the amount of her portion of such premiums prior to the date of termination) for up to 24 months after the date of termination. The employment agreement also provides that the compensation paid or awarded to Ms. Howard thereunder will be subject to the Company’s compensation recoupment policy. Also as part of the amendment and restatement of Ms. Howard’s employment agreement, the tax gross-up provisions previously in Ms. Howard’s employment agreement were removed.

The foregoing description of the Company’s amended and restated employment agreement with Ms. Howard is qualified in its entirety by reference to the employment agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Appointment of Julie M. Howard as a Director

On February 22, 2012, the Board increased the size of the Board from eight directors to nine directors and appointed Ms. Howard to serve as a member of the Board effective as of March 1, 2012. The Board appointed Ms. Howard as a director of the Company for a three-year term expiring at the Company’s 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Howard will not serve on any committees of the Board.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Howard and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Howard was appointed as a director. There are no transactions in which Ms. Howard has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Resignation of William M. Goodyear as Chief Executive Officer

On February 22, 2012, the Board accepted the resignation of William M. Goodyear as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of March 1, 2012. Mr. Goodyear will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board and, in his capacity as a full-time executive officer of the Company, will focus his attention on key client and account development activities including assisting in the pursuit of large engagement opportunities, as well as deepening/strengthening long-standing relationships and expanding into new relationship networks, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time.

In connection with this transition, the Company entered into a first amendment to the amended and restated employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Goodyear, effective as of March 1, 2012 (as amended, the “amended employment agreement”). The amended employment agreement is for a term beginning on March 1, 2012 and ending on April 30, 2014. During the employment term, Mr. Goodyear will receive an annual base salary of $650,000 and will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus under the annual incentive plan for the Company’s executive officers based on the achievement of annual performance goals as determined by the compensation committee of the Board. Mr. Goodyear’s target bonus under the annual incentive plan is equal to 100% of his base salary. The amended employment agreement binds Mr. Goodyear to certain non-solicitation and non-competition restrictions during the term of his employment and for a period of one year thereafter.

In consideration for Mr. Goodyear’s waiver of certain rights under his existing employment agreement which was originally entered into in 2000 and last amended in 2009 (including, without limitation, his rights to (i) an indefinite employment term, (ii) severance payments upon resignation for “good reason,” (ii) severance payments upon a change of control, and (iv) a tax gross-up under specified circumstances), his amended employment agreement provides that the Company will pay a cash severance benefit to Mr. Goodyear upon the termination of his employment (except as set forth below) in an amount equal to two times the sum of his base salary that was in effect

 

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immediately prior to March 1, 2012 and the average of his 2009, 2010 and 2011 annual bonuses. This amount is equal to the severance benefits that Mr. Goodyear would have been entitled to receive under the terms of his employment agreement prior to amendment if he were to have experienced a qualifying termination thereunder. However, if the Company terminates Mr. Goodyear for “cause” (as defined in the amended employment agreement) or if Mr. Goodyear resigns prior to the end of the employment term, Mr. Goodyear would not be entitled to receive the foregoing severance benefits, and the Company would have no further obligation to Mr. Goodyear other than the obligation to pay his base salary through the date of termination and any other compensation and benefits then due. The amended employment agreement also provides that the compensation paid or awarded to Mr. Goodyear thereunder will be subject to the Company’s compensation recoupment policy.

The foregoing description of the first amendment to the Company’s amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Goodyear is qualified in its entirety by reference to the first amendment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with his continued service as Executive Chairman of the Board, the compensation committee of the Board approved two restricted stock unit grants to be made to Mr. Goodyear, the first on June 1, 2012 and the second on May 1, 2013, in each case subject to Mr. Goodyear’s continued employment through the respective grant dates and further subject to the approval of the Company’s 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 LTIP”) by the Company’s shareholders. Each grant will have an approximate grant date fair value equal to $1 million on June 1, 2012 and May 1, 2013, respectively. On February 22, 2012, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Goodyear effective as of March 1, 2012 setting forth the terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit grants. Each grant of restricted stock units will be evidenced by, and further subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, a restricted stock unit award agreement.

The restricted stock units to be granted on June 1, 2012 will vest on a monthly basis, pro rata, on the last day of each month beginning June 2012 and ending April 2013. The restricted stock units to be granted on May 1, 2013 will vest on a monthly basis, pro rata, on the last day of each month beginning May 2013 and ending April 2014. Vesting of the restricted stock units is subject to Mr. Goodyear’s continued employment through such vesting dates, except that the restricted stock units will become fully vested upon a termination of employment if Mr. Goodyear’s employment is terminated because of death or disability or if the Company terminates Mr. Goodyear other than for cause (as defined in his amended employment agreement).

If the Company’s shareholders do not approve the 2012 LTIP prior to June 1, 2012 and Mr. Goodyear remains employed by the Company on such date, the Company will pay Mr. Goodyear an amount in cash equal to $1 million, payable in equal installments on the last day of each month beginning June 2012 and ending April 2013 unless the Company terminates Mr. Goodyear for cause or he resigns on or prior to any such payment date, in either of which cases Mr. Goodyear will not be entitled to receive any further payments. If the Company’s shareholders do not approve the 2012 LTIP or a similar plan prior to May 1, 2013 and Mr. Goodyear remains employed by the Company on such date, the Company will pay Mr. Goodyear an amount in cash equal to $1 million, payable in equal installments on the last day of each month beginning May 2013 and ending April 2014 unless the Company terminates Mr. Goodyear for cause or he resigns on or prior to any such payment date, in either of which cases Mr. Goodyear will not be entitled to receive any further payments.

The foregoing description of the restricted stock unit grants being made to Mr. Goodyear is qualified in its entirety by reference to the letter agreement between the Company and Mr. Goodyear, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference, and the form of restricted stock unit award agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 23, 2012, the Company issued a press release announcing Ms. Howard’s appointment as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective March 1, 2012. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

  10.1 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2012, between Navigant Consulting, Inc. and Julie M. Howard.

 

  10.2 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2012, between Navigant Consulting, Inc. and William M. Goodyear.

 

  10.3 Letter Agreement, dated February 22, 2012, between Navigant Consulting, Inc. and William M. Goodyear Regarding Grants of Restricted Stock Units.

 

  10.4 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

 

  99.1 Press Release dated February 23, 2012.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    NAVIGANT CONSULTING, INC.
Date: February 28, 2012     By:  

/s/ Monica M. Weed

    Name:   Monica M. Weed
    Title:   Vice President and General Counsel

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description of Exhibit

10.1    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2012, between Navigant Consulting, Inc. and Julie M. Howard.
10.2    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2012, between Navigant Consulting, Inc. and William M. Goodyear.
10.3    Letter Agreement, dated February 22, 2012, between Navigant Consulting, Inc. and William M. Goodyear Regarding Grants of Restricted Stock Units.
10.4    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
99.1    Press Release dated February 23, 2012.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), made effective as of March 1, 2012 (the “Effective Date”), is between Navigant Consulting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Julie M. Howard (the “Executive”).

RECITALS

A. The Company and the Executive entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of November 3, 2003, which Employment Agreement was amended and restated effective November 10, 2008 (the “Prior Agreement”).

B. The Company desires to continue to obtain the benefits of the Executive’s knowledge, skills, and experience by employing the Executive as its Chief Executive Officer upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

C. The Company desires to offer the Executive an amendment of the terms and conditions of the Prior Agreement, which is embodied in the terms and conditions of this Agreement as provided herein.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Company, for the period stated in Paragraph 2 hereof.

As of the Effective Date, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) shall appoint the Executive to the Board to serve in the class of directors whose three-year terms expire at the annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders in 2014.

2. Employment Term. The term of the Executive’s employment by the Company under this Agreement will begin on the Effective Date, and will continue, subject to earlier termination as provided in Paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof, until the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Employment Term”). If the Company does not give the Executive written notice at least twelve (12) months prior to the end of the Employment Term of the Company’s intent not to continue Executive’s employment after the expiration of this Agreement (on terms, other than contract length, at least equivalent to the terms of this Agreement), this Agreement shall automatically extend for an additional twelve (12) month period, If the Company does provide timely notice of its intent not to continue Executive’s employment as set forth above, this Agreement shall expire at the end of the Employment Term.

3. Position and Responsibilities. During the Employment Term, the Company shall employ, and the Executive shall serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall possess such powers and perform such duties


and functions as are generally consistent with the role of Chief Executive Officer. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from restructuring or reorganizing its senior management team or their accountabilities, provided that any such reorganization or restructuring that reduces the Executive’s accountabilities in more than a de minimis fashion shall be deemed a material diminution for purposes of Paragraph 7(c)(ii) of this Agreement.

During the Employment Term, the Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer and director of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company without additional compensation. Upon the Date of Termination (as defined below), the Executive shall be deemed to resign from any position with the Company or any subsidiary, including, but not limited to, as an officer or member of the Board and the board of directors of any subsidiary.

4. Performance of Duties; Commitment of Time. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall discharge the following obligations:

(a) Except for illness, reasonable vacation periods, and reasonable leaves of absence, the Executive shall, subject to Paragraph 4(c) hereof, devote her best efforts and full business time, attention and skills to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and divisions, as such business and affairs now exist and as they may be hereafter changed or added to. The Executive agrees to comply materially with all codes of conduct, personnel policies and procedures applicable to senior executives of the Company including, without limitation, policies regarding sexual harassment, conflicts of interest and insider trading.

(b) The Executive shall report directly to the Board and she shall perform all of her duties in accordance with such reasonable directions, requests, rules and regulations as are specified by the Board in connection with her employment.

(c) Nothing herein shall preclude the Executive from devoting such reasonable time as required to serve, or to continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, or to hold any other offices or positions in or with respect to, other companies, organizations or entities, provided that (i) the Executive gives prior notice to the Company of such other activities, (ii) such other activities do not violate Paragraph 6 hereof, and (iii) such other activities have no material effect on the time the Executive is required to spend in connection with the services required of her hereunder.

5. Compensation and Benefits.

(a) Base Salary . During the Employment Term, the Executive will receive an annual salary determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), payable in monthly or more frequent installments, subject to authorized withholding and other deductions. The annual salary will be reviewed annually by the Committee, in consultation with the Executive and, if appropriate, increased by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Such annual salary, as increased, is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary.” In no event shall the Executive’s Base Salary be reduced without Executive’s written consent unless such reduction is part of a comparable reduction for all members of senior management.

 

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(b) Annual Cash Incentive Bonus . During the Employment Term, the Executive will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive bonus determined by the Committee, as a percentage of the Executive’s Base Salary and based upon the Executive’s and/or the Company’s achievement of annual performance goals or objectives established by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Payment will be made on or before March 15th of each calendar year immediately following the year in which such compensation is earned.

(c) Employee Benefits and Perquisites . During the Employment Term, the Executive will be entitled to receive all benefits and perquisites of employment generally available to other members of the Company’s senior executive management, upon her satisfaction of the eligibility or participation criteria therefor. The Company reserves the right to modify employee benefits and perquisites at its discretion.

(d) Reimbursement of Business Expenses . The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive, in accordance with its normal policies and practices, for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of her obligations hereunder. The Executive shall produce accounts and vouchers or other reasonable evidence of expenses incurred or payments made by the Executive, all in accordance with the Company’s regular procedures in effect from time to time and in form suitable to establish the validity and deductibility of such expenses for tax purposes.

(e) Legal Fees . The Company shall pay, or reimburse the Executive for the legal fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Executive in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, up to a maximum of $15,000.00.

(f) Withholding Taxes . There shall be deducted and withheld from the Base Salary and all other compensation payable to the Executive during or for the Employment Term any and all amounts required to be deducted or withheld under the provisions of any statute, regulation, ordinance or order.

6. Obligations of the Executive During and After Employment.

(a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that solely by virtue of her employment by, and relationship with, the Company, she will acquire “Confidential Information,” as defined in subparagraph (viii) below, as well as special knowledge of the Company’s business and its relationships with its clients and employees, and that, but for her association with the Company, the Executive will not have had access to said Confidential Information or knowledge of said relationships. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees (1) that the Company has long term relationships with its clients and employees, and that those relationships were developed at great expense and difficulty to the Company over several years of close and continuing involvement; (2) that the Company’s relationships with its clients and employees are and will continue to be valuable, special and unique assets of the Company and (3) that the Company has the following protectable interests that are critical to its competitive advantage in the industry and would be of demonstrable value in the hands of a competitor: Company-specific

 

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information concerning revenues, costs, margins, marketing strategies, employees, compensation systems, employee benefits, corporate development plans and opportunities, financial, accounting and corporate governance systems, and concepts, ideas, and other matters not generally known to the public. The Company acknowledges and agrees that such protectable interests do not include information properly in the public domain, or the generalized knowledge, skills and know-how possessed by the Executive, whether as a result of her employment or otherwise. In return for the consideration described in this Agreement, the Executive hereby represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

(i) The Executive has executed and delivered this Agreement as her free and voluntary act, after having determined that the provisions contained herein are of a material benefit to her, and that the duties and obligations imposed on her hereunder are fair and reasonable and will not prevent her from earning a comparable livelihood following the termination of her employment with the Company;

(ii) The Executive has read and fully understands the terms and conditions set forth herein, has had time to reflect on and consider the benefits and consequences of entering into this Agreement, and has had the opportunity to review the terms hereof with an attorney or other representative if she so chooses;

(iii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive does not conflict with, or result in a breach of or constitute a default under, any agreement or contract, whether oral or written, to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive may be bound;

(iv) The Executive agrees that, during the time of her employment with the Company and for a period of one year after termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason other than the expiration of the Agreement and the Employment Term as a result of the Company’s decision not to offer to continue to employ the Executive upon the expiration of this Agreement on terms, other than contract length, at least equivalent to the terms of this Agreement, the Executive will not, except on behalf of the Company, anywhere in North America or in any other place or venue where the Company or any affiliate, subsidiary or division thereof now conducts or operates, or may conduct or operate, its business prior to the date of the Executive’s termination of employment:

(A) directly or indirectly, contact, solicit or direct any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity to contact or solicit any of the Company’s clients or prospective clients (as they are hereinafter defined) for the purpose of selling or distributing or attempting to sell or distribute, any products and/or services in competition with the Company to its clients during the term hereof. In addition, the Executive will not disclose the identity of any such clients or prospective clients, or any part thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except to the extent (1) required by any law, regulation or order of any court or regulatory commission,

 

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department or agency, provided that the Executive gives prompt notice of such requirement to the Company to enable the Company to seek an appropriate protective order, or (2) such disclosure is necessary to perform properly the Executive’s duties under this Agreement;

(B) directly or indirectly, solicit on her own behalf or on behalf of any other person, the services of any person who is an employee of the Company, nor solicit any of the Company’s employees to terminate employment with the Company; and

(C) act as a consultant, advisor, officer, manager, agent, director, partner, independent contractor, owner, or employee for or on behalf of any of the Company’s competitors, as defined below.

(v) The scope described above is necessary and reasonable in order to protect the Company in the conduct of its business and that, if the Executive becomes employed by another employer, she shall be required to disclose the existence of this Paragraph 6 to such employer and the Executive hereby consents to and the Company is hereby given permission to disclose the existence of this Paragraph 6 to such employer;

(vi) For purposes of this Paragraph 6, “client” shall be defined as any person, firm, corporation, association, or entity that purchased any type of product and/or service from the Company, or is or was doing business with the Company within the 12-month period immediately preceding termination of the Executive’s employment. For purposes of this Paragraph 6, “prospective client” shall be defined as any person, firm, corporation, association, or entity contacted or solicited in writing by the Company or who contacted the Company within the 12-month period immediately preceding the termination of the Executive’s employment for the purpose of having such persons, firms, corporations, associations, or entities become a client of the Company. For purposes of this Paragraph 6, the Company’s “competitors” shall include any business that provides consulting services in actual and substantial competition with the Company, including but not limited to FTI Consulting, Inc. Charles River Associates, Inc., Huron Consulting Group Inc., Berkeley Research Group, Duff and Phelps Corporation, and any successors to these companies;

(viii) Both during her employment and thereafter she will not, for any reason whatsoever, use for herself or disclose to any person not employed by the Company any “Confidential Information” of the Company acquired by the Executive during her relationship with the Company, except to the extent that such Confidential Information (a) becomes a matter of public record or is published in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, or in other media, available to the general public, other than as a result of any act or omission of the Executive, (b) is required to be disclosed by law, regulation or order of any court or regulatory commission, department or agency, provided that the Executive gives prompt notice of such requirement to the Company to enable the Company to seek an appropriate protective order, or (c) is in the Executive’s reasonable

 

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judgment required to be disclosed in order to perform properly the Executive’s duties under this Agreement, including without limitation in connection with a sale or potential sale of the Company or of all or any portion of the assets of the Company under consideration by the Board. The Executive further agrees to use Confidential Information solely for the purpose of performing duties with the Company and further agrees not to use Confidential Information for her own private use or commercial purposes. The Executive agrees that “Confidential Information” includes but is not limited to: (1) any financial, engineering, business, planning, operations, services, potential services, products, potential products, technical information and/or know-how, organization charts, formulas, business plans, production, purchasing, marketing, pricing, sales, profit, personnel, customer, broker, supplier, or other lists or information of the Company; (2) any papers, data, records, processes, methods, techniques, systems, models, samples, devices, equipment, compilations, invoices, client lists, or documents of the Company; (3) any confidential information or trade secrets of any third party provided to the Company in confidence or subject to other use or disclosure restrictions or limitations; and (4) any other information, written, oral, or electronic, whether existing now or at some time in the future, and whether pertaining to current or future developments, which pertains to the Company’s affairs or interests or with whom or how the Company does business. The Company acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information does not include information properly in the public domain, or the generalized knowledge, skills and know-how possessed by the Executive, whether as a result of her employment or otherwise;

(ix) During the Employment Term and thereafter, the Executive will not remove from the Company’s premises any documents, records, files, notebooks, correspondence, reports, video or audio recordings, computer printouts, computer programs, computer software, price lists, microfilm, drawings, or other similar documents containing Confidential Information, including copies thereof, whether prepared by her or others, except as her duties under this Agreement shall require, and in such cases, will promptly return such items to the Company. Upon termination of her employment with the Company, all such items including summaries or copies thereof, then in the Executive’s possession, shall be returned to the Company immediately;

(x) All ideas, inventions, designs, processes, discoveries, enhancements, plans, writings, and other developments or improvements (the “Inventions”) conceived by the Executive, alone or with others, during the term of her employment, whether or not during working hours, that are within the scope of the Executive’s business operations or that relate to any of the Company’s work or projects (including any and all inventions based wholly or in part upon ideas conceived during the Executive’s employment with the Company), are the sole and exclusive property of the Company. The Executive further agrees that (1) she will promptly disclose all Inventions to the Company and hereby assigns to the Company all present and future rights she has or may have in those Inventions, including without limitation those relating to patent, copyright,

 

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trademark or trade secrets; and (2) all of the Inventions eligible under the copyright laws are “work made for hire.” At the request of and without charge to the Company and without cost to the Executive, the Executive will do all things deemed by the Company to be reasonably necessary to perfect title to the Inventions in the Company and to assist in obtaining for the Company such patents, copyrights or other protection as may be provided under law and desired by the Company, including but not limited to executing and signing any and all relevant applications, assignments or other instruments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the Employee Patent Act, Illinois Public Act 83-493, the Company hereby notifies the Executive that the provisions of this subparagraph (x) shall not apply to any Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the Company was used and which were developed entirely on the Executive’s own time, unless (1) the Invention relates (i) to the business of the Company, or (ii) to actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, or (2) the Invention results from any work performed by the Executive for the Company;

(xi) All client lists, supplier lists, and client and supplier information are and shall remain the exclusive property of the Company, regardless of whether such information was developed, purchased, acquired, or otherwise obtained by the Company or the Executive. The Executive also agrees to furnish to the Company on demand at any time during her employment, and upon the termination of her employment, any records, notes, computer printouts, computer programs, computer software, price lists, microfilm, or any other documents related to the Company’s business, including originals and copies thereof;

(xii) The Executive may become aware of “material” nonpublic information relating to clients whose stock is publicly traded. The Executive acknowledges that she is prohibited by law as well as by Company policy from trading in the shares of such clients while in possession of such information or directly or indirectly disclosing such information to any other persons so that they may trade in these shares. For purposes of this subparagraph (xii), “material” information may include any information, positive or negative, which might be of significance to an investor in determining whether to purchase, sell or hold the stock of publicly traded clients. Information may be significant for this purpose even if it would not alone determine the investor’s decision. Examples include a potential business acquisition, internal financial information that departs in any way from what the market would expect, the acquisition or loss of a major contract, or an important financing transaction.

(b) Remedy for Breach . The Executive agrees that in the event that a court of competent jurisdiction finds that a material breach or threatened material breach of any of the covenants contained in this Paragraph 6 has occurred, the Company will have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the other and severally enforceable, and all of which rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company under law or in equity:

 

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(i) Specific Performance . The right and remedy to have any of the covenants contained in this Paragraph 6 specifically enforced by any court having jurisdiction, all without the need to prove any amount of actual damage or that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy, it being acknowledged and agreed that any material breach of any of the covenants will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company; and

(ii) Cessation and Recovery of Payments . The right and remedy to cease all payments to the Executive under Paragraphs 7 and 8 and to recover any payments already made under Paragraphs 7 and 8, upon a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that a material breach of this Agreement has occurred.

(c) Blue-Penciling . The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions contained herein are reasonable and valid in geographic, temporal and subject matter scope and in all other respects, and do not impose limitations greater than are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information and other business interests of the Company. Nevertheless, if any court or arbitrator determines that any of said restrictive covenants and agreements, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or geographic scope of such provision, such court or arbitrator will have the power to reduce the duration, geographic scope or other scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

7. Termination of Employment.

(a) Termination as a Result of Death or Disability . The Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Term. If the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Term (pursuant to the definition of “Disability” set forth below), the Company may give to the Executive written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Board (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after receipt of notice, the Executive shall not have returned to substantial performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company for 120 consecutive days, or a total of 180 days in any 12-month period, as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician jointly selected by the Company and the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative, or, if the parties cannot agree on the selection of such physician then each shall choose a physician and the two physicians shall jointly select a physician to make such binding determination.

(b) Termination by the Company for Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment Term for Cause at any time upon written notice from the Board specifying such Cause and the expiration of the cure period specified below, and thereafter, the Company’s obligations hereunder (other than the obligation to pay any accrued salary or benefit) shall cease and terminate; provided,

 

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however, that such written notice shall not be delivered until after the Board shall have given the Executive written notice specifying the conduct alleged to have constituted such Cause. The Executive shall have 30 days to cure the matters specified in the notice delivered by the Board (to the extent that such matters are curable). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the Executive’s willful misconduct, dishonesty or other willful actions (or willful failures to act) which are materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, or a material breach by the Executive of one or more terms of this Agreement, which shall include the Executive’s habitual neglect of the material duties required of her under this Agreement. For purposes of this Paragraph, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. In addition, Executive’s employment shall be deemed to have terminated for Cause if, within six months after Executive’s Date of Termination, based on facts and circumstances discovered after the Executive’s employment has terminated, the Board determines in good faith after appropriate investigation that the Executive committed an act during the Employment Term that would have justified a termination for Cause.

(c) Termination by the Executive for Good Reason . The Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following actions, events or conditions that occur without the express written consent of the Executive:

(i) removal by the Company of the Executive’s title of Chief Executive Officer, or a change such that the Executive no longer reports to the Board;

(ii) any material changes by the Company in the Executive’s title, functions, duties, or responsibilities which changes would cause the Executive’s position with the Company to become of significantly less responsibility, importance or scope as compared to the position and attributes that applied to the Executive as of the Effective Date;

(iii) any material failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of the Agreement; or

(iv) the requirement made by the Company that the Executive relocate her residence;

provided that, the Executive must provide written notice to the Board of her intent to terminate employment for Good Reason due to the action, event or condition described in (i) through (iv) above within a period not to exceed ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the action, event or condition, and must provide the Company a period of at least thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the action, event or condition.

 

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(d) Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability or by the Executive Without Good Reason . In addition to the provisions of subparagraphs 7(a), (b) and (c), the Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated on written notice at any time during the Employment Term by the Company other than for Cause, Death or Disability, or by the Executive without Good Reason.

(e) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (1) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (3) if the Date of Termination (as defined in Paragraph 7(f) hereof) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 60 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

(f) Date of Termination . “Date of Termination” means (1) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the expiration of the cure period specified in Paragraph 7(b) hereof, (2) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, if as of the 30th day following the Company’s receipt of such notice, such events, actions or conditions have not been corrected in all material respects, (3) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be, and (4) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, death, or Disability, or by the Executive without Good Reason, 30 days after the date of receipt by the non-terminating party of a written notice of termination or such shorter time as the Board thereafter specifies in a written notice to the Executive, so long as Executive is compensated for said 30-day period in accordance with Paragraph 5.

(g) For avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that neither delivery of notice by Company to Executive of Company’s intent not to renew this Agreement nor the actual expiration of the Agreement and the Employment Term shall be considered an event of Good Reason or a termination by Company for Cause or without Cause; provided that; if the Executive’s employment terminates upon the expiration of the Agreement and the Company decides not to offer to continue to employ the Executive on terms, other than contract length, at least equivalent to the terms of this Agreement upon such expiration, the restrictive covenant obligations of Paragraph 6(a)(iv) will not apply to the Executive.

 

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  8. Obligations of the Company upon Termination of Employment.

(a) Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause, Disability or Death, or by the Executive for Good Reason . If during the Employment Term, (1) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability, (2) the Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason, or (3) the Executive’s employment terminated because of her death, then in any such case:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination an amount equal to two (2.0) times the sum of (A) the Executive’s then current Base Salary plus (B) the average of her annual bonuses for the three most recently completed years;

(ii) the Company shall pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) an annual bonus amount for the year in which termination occurs, payable in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or as soon thereafter as is practicable) based on an estimate of Company performance for the period before her Date of Termination, as determined by the Committee, and the terms and conditions of the Company’s annual bonus or incentive plan, and pro rated to reflect the number of days out of 365 during which the Executive was employed by Company during the year of her termination, including the Date of Termination; provided that the estimate of Company performance for the period before her Date of Termination shall be reconciled with actual performance after the year of her termination and the Committee shall make any necessary adjustment in the amount payable. In the event of an underpayment/overpayment based on such reconciliation, the Company shall promptly pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) the amount of any underpayment or the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) shall promptly pay to the Company the amount of any overpayment, as the case may be;

(iii) the Company shall pay to the Executive after employment termination (or to the Executive’s family in the event of her death) on a monthly basis an amount equal to the monthly amount of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) continuation coverage premium for such month, at the same level and cost to the Executive (or the Executive’s family in the event of her death) as immediately preceding the Date of Termination, under the Company group medical plan in which she participated immediately preceding the Date of Termination, less the amount of the Executive’s portion of such monthly premium as in effect immediately preceding the Date of Termination, until the earlier of (A) 24 months after the Date of Termination; or (B) the Executive and her family have obtained other substantially similar healthcare coverage;

 

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(iv) the provisions of Subparagraph 8(a) shall not affect any rights of the Executive or the Executive’s heirs, administrators, executors, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under the Company’s benefit plans or programs.

(b) Termination as a Result of the Executive’s Disability . If during the Employment Term, the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s Disability, then:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive or Executive’s legal representatives in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination an amount equal to two (2.0) times the sum of (1) the Executive’s then current Base Salary plus (2) the average of her annual bonuses for the three most recently completed years;

(ii) the Company shall pay to the Executive an annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, payable in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or as soon thereafter as is practicable) based on an estimate of Company performance for the period before her Date of Termination, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board, and the terms and conditions of the Company’s annual bonus or incentive plan, and pro rated to reflect the number of days out of 365 during which the Executive was employed by Company during the year of her termination, including the Disability Effective Date; provided that the estimate of Company performance for the period before her Date of Termination shall be reconciled with actual performance after the year of her termination and the Compensation Committee of the Board shall make any necessary adjustment in the amount payable. In the event of an underpayment/overpayment based on such reconciliation, the Company shall promptly pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) the amount of any underpayment or Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) shall promptly pay to the Company the amount of any overpayment, as the case may be;

(iii) the Executive shall be entitled to continuation of healthcare benefits at the same level and cost to the Executive as immediately preceding the Executive’s Date of Termination, until the earlier of (A) 24 months after her Date of Termination; or (B) Executive and her family have obtained other substantially similar healthcare coverage;

(iv) the provisions of this Subparagraph 8(b) shall not affect any rights of the Executive or the Executive’s heirs, administrators, executors, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under the Company’s benefit plans or programs.

(c) Termination by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason . If during the Employment Term (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or (ii) the Executive voluntarily terminates her employment not for Good Reason, then the Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (A) her Base Salary through the Date of Termination and (B) any other compensation and benefits due to the Executive in accordance with this Agreement, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.

 

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(d) Termination Following Change of Control . If, (1) during the one year period following a Change of Control, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive terminates employment for Good Reason, or (2) during the one-year period preceding a Change of Control, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Disability, in anticipation of a Change of Control transaction that the Board is actively considering and that is ultimately consummated, then:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, an amount equal to three (3.0) times the sum of (1) the Executive’s Base Salary, plus (2) the average of her annual bonuses for the three most recently completed years; provided that, if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment, other than for Cause, death or Disability, in anticipation of a Change of Control transaction that the Board is actively considering, payments shall be made under Paragraph 8(a) above within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination and the additional one (1.0) times payment under this Paragraph 8(d)(i) shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date the Change of Control is ultimately consummated;

(ii) the Company shall pay to the Executive an annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, payable in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, based on an estimate of Company performance for the period before her Date of Termination, as determined by the Committee, and the terms and conditions of the Company’s annual bonus or incentive plan, and pro rated to reflect the number of days out of 365 during which the Executive was employed by Company during the year of her termination, including the Date of Termination; provided that the estimate of Company performance for the period before her Date of Termination shall be reconciled with actual performance after the year of her termination and the Committee shall make any necessary adjustment in the amount payable. In the event of an underpayment/overpayment based on such reconciliation, the Company shall promptly pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) the amount of any underpayment or the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representatives in the event of her death) shall promptly pay to the Company the amount of any overpayment, as the case may be;

(iii) the Company shall pay to the Executive after employment termination (or to the Executive’s family in the event of her death) on a monthly basis an amount equal to the monthly amount of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) continuation coverage premium for such month, at the same level and cost to the Executive (or the Executive’s family in the event of her death) as immediately preceding the Date of

 

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Termination, under the Company group medical plan in which she participated immediately preceding the Date of Termination, less the amount of the Executive’s portion of such monthly premium as in effect immediately preceding the Date of Termination, until the earlier of (A) 24 months after the Date of Termination; or (B) the Executive and her family have obtained other substantially similar healthcare coverage;

(iv) the provisions of this Subparagraph 8(d) shall not affect any rights of the Executive or the Executive’s heirs, administrators, executors, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under the Company’s benefit plans or programs;

(v) the payments and benefits under this Paragraph 8(d) shall be in lieu of or offset by any payments and benefits under Paragraphs 8(a), (b) or (c) above, and if the Executive has already received any such payments or benefits, the payments and benefits under this Paragraph 8(d) shall be reduced, but not below zero, by the amount of such other payments and benefits;

(vi) for the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall have been deemed to have occurred if at any time during the Employment Term:

(A) the Company sells or otherwise disposes in an arms length transaction assets of the Company having a fair market value of at least 60% of the fair market value of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, or the Company sells or otherwise disposes of a majority of the equity ownership or voting control of any member of any corporation or other entity holding substantially all of the assets of the Company, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, or

(B) acquisition by (1) any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) or (2) two or more Persons of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of either (I) the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such acquisition (the “Company Common Stock”) or (II) the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors outstanding immediately after such acquisition (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subparagraph (B) the following acquisitions of securities shall not constitute or be included when determining whether there has been a Change of Control: (x) any acquisition by the Company, or (y) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or

(C) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of the assets of another corporation by the

 

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Company (in each case, a “Business Combination”), unless, following any such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Company Common Stock and Company Voting Securities outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, 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 such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Company Common Stock and Company Voting Securities outstanding, as the case may be, (2) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Company or any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination.

(e) No Mitigation or Offset . Payments and benefits under Paragraphs 7 and 8 shall not be subject to mitigation or offset for compensation or benefits received due to future employment obtained by the Executive.

(f) Release . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payments and benefits under Paragraphs 7 and 8 shall only be payable if the Executive executes and delivers to the Company, and does not revoke, a form of General Release and Waiver Agreement, which releases the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, benefit plans, fiduciaries and their insurers, successors, and assigns of any and all claims of the Executive under this Agreement or related to or arising out of the Executive’s employment hereunder, occurring up to the release date, which the Company shall present to the Executive within twenty-one (21) calendar days after the Executive’s Date of Termination. This General Release and Waiver Agreement also shall include the Company’s release of all known claims against Executive, other than claims as to matters that would constitute Cause; provided, however, that any such claim is made within one year of the Executive’s delivery of the executed General Release and Waiver Agreement. Payment of the amounts described in Paragraphs 7 and 8 shall commence no earlier than eight (8) days following the date on which the Executive delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) an executed and enforceable General

 

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Release and Waiver Agreement as described herein. If the Executive’s Date of Termination occurs in one taxable year and the thirty (30) days payment period of Paragraphs 8(a) and (c) above ends in a second taxable year, the Company shall make payments in the second taxable year, subject to this Paragraph 8(f).

(f) Executive’s Death Following Date of Termination . If the Executive should die after becoming entitled to payments and/or benefits under Paragraph 8, but before payments and benefits have been made or completed, the Company shall pay all such amounts and provide all such benefits to the Executive’s estate or legal representative.

9. Golden Parachute Provisions; No Tax Gross-Up.

(a) Excess Parachute Payments .

(a) In the event that any amount or benefits made or provided to the Executive under Paragraph 8 above and any other plans and programs of the Company and its affiliates (collectively, the “Covered Payments”), are determined to constitute a parachute payment, as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code and would subject the Executive to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), the Covered Payments shall be reduced so that the maximum amount of the Covered Payments (after reduction) shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount that would cause the Covered Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that the Covered Payments shall only be reduced to the extent that the after-tax value of amounts received by the Executive after application of the above reduction would exceed the after-tax value of the amounts received without application of such reduction. For this purpose, the after-tax value of an amount shall be determined taking into account all federal, state, and local income, employment and excise taxes applicable to such amount. In making any determination as to whether the Covered Payments would be subject to an Excise Tax, consideration shall be given to whether any portion of the Covered Payments could reasonably be considered, based on the relevant facts and circumstances, to be reasonable compensation for services rendered (whether before or after the consummation of applicable Change of Control).

(b) Procedure for Determinations . All determinations required to be made under this Paragraph 9 and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by the independent public accountants then regularly retained by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or the Executive that there have been Covered Payments, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Company shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder) in consultation with counsel acceptable to the Executive. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm and such counsel shall be borne solely by the Company.

 

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(c) Internal Revenue Service Claims . In the event that upon any audit by the Internal Revenue Service, or by a state or local taxing authority, of the Covered Payments, a change is formally determined to be required in the amount of taxes paid by the Executive, appropriate adjustments will be made under this Agreement such that the net amount that is payable to the Executive after taking into account the provisions of Code Section 4999 will reflect the intent of the parties as expressed in this Paragraph. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require payment of an Excise Tax or an additional Excise Tax on the Covered Payments (a “Claim”). Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such Claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such Claim and the date on which such Claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such Claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30)-day period following the date on which she gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such Claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such Claim, the Executive shall:

(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such Claim,

(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such Claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such Claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such Claim, and

(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such Claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax, additional Excise Tax, or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this subparagraph (c), the Company, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such Claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the Claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one (1) or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine, provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such Claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive on an interest-free basis or, if such an advance is not permissible thereunder, pay the amount of such payment to the Executive as additional compensation,

 

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and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax, additional Excise Tax, or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or additional compensation; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. The Company shall reimburse any fees and expenses provided for under this Paragraph 9 on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the fee or expense was incurred, and in accordance with the other requirements of Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(1)(v) (or any similar or successor provisions).

(d) Refund . If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced or paid by the Company pursuant to Subparagraph (c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such Claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of subparagraph (c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Subparagraph (c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such Claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid.

10. Governing Law; Mediation; Arbitration; Jurisdiction; Attorneys’ Fees. This Agreement is made and entered into and will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of and before the courts of the State of Illinois. The Company and the Executive agree that any dispute regarding this Agreement that cannot be resolved amicably by the parties initially will be submitted to non-binding mediation. The Company and Executive shall jointly select the mediator and in any such mediation, the Company shall pay costs, other than attorneys fees, of said mediation. Each of the parties shall pay their own legal fees and expenses in connection with any such mediation. Any dispute regarding this Agreement that cannot be resolved through mediation shall be submitted to arbitration within 60 days of the mediation and will be resolved in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association for expedited cases then in effect. The arbitrator shall be bound by controlling law, and shall have no authority to ignore or vary terms of this Agreement or to award any exemplary, indirect, consequential or punitive damages. The arbitrator will be mutually selected by the parties or in the event the parties cannot mutually agree, then appointed by the American Arbitration Association. Any arbitration will be held in Chicago, Illinois and the arbitrator will apply Illinois law. Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator will be final and binding and may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Company will have the absolute right to seek equitable remedies in any state court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Illinois, County of Cook, or in a United States District Court in the State of Illinois pursuant to Paragraph 6(b) hereof. The parties shall be responsible for their own costs and expenses under this Paragraph 10; provided, however, all costs, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees associated with such arbitration and court action to enforce judgment upon any award made by an arbitrator) shall be borne by the Company if the Executive prevails.

 

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11. Miscellaneous.

(a) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all previous agreements, written or oral, regarding the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto. This Agreement shall not be modified or amended, except by a written agreement signed by the parties hereto.

(b) Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given or made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered by hand, sent by generally recognized overnight courier service, telex or telecopy with confirmation of receipt, or mail:

 

  (i) to the Company:

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Attn: General Counsel

30 S. Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

  (ii) to the Executive:

Julie M. Howard

                                  

                                  

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications will be effective when actually received by the addressee.

(c) Indemnification . The Company agrees that if the Executive is made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that she is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is the Executive’s alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or agent, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent legally permitted or authorized by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or. bylaws or resolutions of the Board or, if greater, by the laws of the State of Delaware, against all cost, expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA Excise Taxes or other liabilities or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to the Executive even if she has ceased to be a director, member, employee or agent of the Company or other entity, with respect to acts or omissions which occurred prior to her cessation of employment with the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of the Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall advance to the

 

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Executive all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by her in connection with a Proceeding within 20 calendar days after receipt by the Company of a written request, for such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by the Executive to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that she is not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses.

Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by the Executive under Paragraph 11(c) above that indemnification of the Executive is proper because he has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor a determination by the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel or stockholders) that the Executive has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Executive has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

The Company agrees to maintain during the Employment Term and thereafter one or more directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies covering the Executive with the same terms and aggregate limits of liability as apply to the Company’s other senior executive officers.

(d) Assignment . This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company it shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable against the Executive’s legal representatives. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Company” means the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

(e) Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, either in its entirety or by virtue of its scope or application to given circumstances, such provision will thereupon be deemed modified only to the extent necessary to render such provision valid, or not applicable to given circumstances, or excised from this Agreement, as the situation may require, and this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such provision had been included herein as so modified in scope or application, or had not been included herein, as the case may be. Should this Agreement, or any one or more of the provisions hereof, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable within any governmental jurisdiction or subdivision thereof, the Agreement or any such provision or provisions will not as a consequence thereof be deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other governmental jurisdiction or subdivision thereof.

 

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(f) Waiver . The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, will not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

(g) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and both of which taken together will constitute a single instrument.

(h) Application of Code Section 409A . To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, so as to prevent inclusion in gross income of any amounts payable or benefits provided hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts or benefits would otherwise actually be distributed, provided or otherwise made available to the Executive. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent and the following provisions of this Paragraph shall control over any contrary provisions of this Agreement.

(i) In the event the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and delayed payment of any amount or commencement of any benefit under this Agreement is required to avoid a prohibited distribution under Code Section 409A(a)(2), then amounts payable in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment will be delayed and paid, with interest at the short term applicable federal rate as in effect as of the Date of Termination, in a single lump sum six months thereafter (or if earlier, the date of Executive’s death), subject to any exceptions for earlier payment that may apply.

(ii) Payments and benefits hereunder upon Executive’s termination or severance of employment with the Company that constitute deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable shall be paid or provided only at the time of a termination of Executive’s employment that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (subject to a possible six-month delay pursuant to the subparagraph (i) above).

(iii) For purposes of Code Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.

(iv) All reimbursements and in kind benefits provided under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, payments under Paragraphs 5, 9 and 11(c), shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (A) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (C) the reimbursement of an eligible expense

 

21


will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (D) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(v) If any compensation or benefits provided by this Agreement result in the application of Code Section 409A, the Company shall modify this Agreement in the least restrictive manner necessary in order to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and, in each case, without any material diminution in the value of the payments or benefits to the Executive. If the Executive or the Company believes, at any time, that any such compensation or benefit is subject to tax under Code Section 409A, it shall advise the other and the Company and the Executive shall reasonably cooperate in good faith to take such steps as necessary, including amending (and, as required, consenting to the amendment of) this Agreement, to avoid the imposition of tax under Code Section 409A, in each case, without any material diminution in the value of the payments or benefits to the Executive.

(v) References in this Agreement to Code Section 409A include both that section of the Code itself and any guidance promulgated thereunder.

(i) Compensation Recoupment Policy . Compensation paid or awarded under this Agreement shall be subject to any compensation recoupment policy adopted by the Company from time to time that applies to the Company’s executive officers generally.

(j) Prior Agreement . The parties hereto agree to terminate the Prior Agreement as of the Effective Date, and agree that, following termination of the Prior Agreement, there shall be no liability on the part of either party hereto with respect to the Prior Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

Navigant Consulting, Inc.    
By     /s/ Stephan A. James       /s/ Julie M. Howard
 

Stephan A. James

Chairman of the Compensation

Committee of the Board of Directors

Dated: February 22, 2012

     

Julie M. Howard

Dated February 22, 2012

 

22

EXHIBIT 10.2

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Amendment”), made effective as of March 1, 2012 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Navigant Consulting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and William M. Goodyear (the “Executive”). The Company and the Executive are referred to jointly below as the “Parties.”

WHEREAS , the Company and the Executive previously entered into that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2009 (the “Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed that the Executive will transition his position to that of the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors;

WHEREAS , the Parties now consider it desirable to amend the Employment Agreement to reflect the change in the Executive’s position and certain other changes to the Employment Agreement agreed by the Parties;

NOW THEREFORE , in accordance with Paragraph 14(a) of the Employment Agreement and in consideration of the mutual promises herein made, the sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, the Parties agree to amend the Employment Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date, as follows:

1. By substituting the following for Paragraph B of the Recitals to the Agreement:

 

  “B. The Company desires to continue to employ the Executive as its Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.”

2. By substituting the following for Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Agreement:

 

  “2. Employment Term . The term of the Executive’s employment by the Company under this Agreement will begin as of March 1, 2012 (the ‘Amendment Effective Date’) and will continue until April 30, 2014 (the ‘Employment Term’).

 

  3. Position and Responsibilities . During the period of his employment hereunder, the Executive agrees to serve the Company, and the Company shall employ the Executive, as its Executive Chairman. As a senior Company executive, the Executive shall be responsible to carry out the duties and responsibilities directed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors (the ‘Board’), and as Chairman, the Executive shall be responsible for Board activities. The Executive will be available full-time, subject to Paragraph 4(c) below.”


3. By striking Paragraph 4(b) of the Agreement in its entirety and inserting in its place the phrase “Intentionally Omitted”.

4. By substituting the figure “$650,000” for the figure “$850,000” in the first sentence of Paragraph 5(a) of the Agreement.

5. By adding the following sentence to Paragraph 5(b) of the Agreement as the third sentence thereof:

“The Executive’s target bonus shall be set at one hundred percent (100%) of the Executive’s Base Salary during the Employment Term.”

6. By substituting the following for Paragraphs 7(c) and (d) of the Agreement:

 

  “(c) Intentionally Omitted

 

  (d) Any termination shall be communicated by Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (1) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (3) specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice).”

7. By substituting the following for Paragraph 8(a) of the Agreement:

 

  “(a) In consideration for the Executive’s waiver of certain rights he had under this Agreement prior to the Amendment Effective Date, the Company has agreed that, except as set forth in Paragraphs 8(b) and (c) below, upon the Executive’s Separation from Service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (a ‘Separation from Service’), the Company will pay the Executive an amount equal to two times the sum of (1) the Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date plus (2) the average of his annual bonuses for the three most recent years prior to the Amendment Effective Date, within ten days after the Executive’s Separation from Service. This payment would be in lieu of and not in addition to any other payment under this Paragraph 8.”

8. By substituting the following for clauses (1) and (2) of Paragraph 8(b) of the Agreement:

“(1) the Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date plus (2) the average of his annual bonuses for the three most recent years prior to the Amendment Effective Date.”

 

2


9. By substituting the following for Paragraph 8(c) of the Agreement:

 

  “(c) If, during the Employment Term, the Executive incurs a Separation from Service by reason of the Company’s termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive’s resignation, then the Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (A) his Base Salary through the date of Separation from Service and (B) any other compensation and benefits due to the Executive in accordance with this Agreement, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.”

10. By striking Paragraph 9 of the Agreement, “ Change of Control Benefits” in its entirety and inserting in its place the phrase “Intentionally Omitted”.

11. By substituting the following for Paragraph 10 of the Agreement:

“10. No Gross Up; Cut Back of Employment Termination Payments.

 

  (a) This Agreement does not provide payments or benefits to the Executive upon a change in control. However, in the event that the employment termination payments provided to the Executive under Paragraph 8 above, or any payment or benefit payable or provided to the Executive under any other plans and programs of the Company and its affiliates (collectively, the ‘Employment Termination Payments’), are determined to constitute a parachute payment, as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code and would subject the Executive to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the ‘Excise Tax’), the Employment Termination Payments shall be reduced so that the maximum amount of the Employment Termination Payments (after reduction) shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount that would cause the Employment Termination Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that the Employment Termination Payments shall only be reduced to the extent that the after-tax value of amounts received by the Executive after application of the above reduction would exceed the after-tax value of the amounts received without application of such reduction. For this purpose, the after-tax value of an amount shall be determined taking into account all federal, state, and local income, employment and excise taxes applicable to such amount. In making any determination as to whether the Employment Termination Payments would be subject to an Excise Tax, consideration shall be given to whether any portion of the Employment Termination Payments could reasonably be considered, based on the relevant facts and circumstances, to be reasonable compensation for services rendered (whether before or after the consummation of applicable change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company (the ‘change in control transaction’).

 

3


  (b) If a reduction is required under Paragraph 10(a), the Employment Termination Payments shall first be reduced by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of stock options or similar awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of restricted stock or similar awards, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Employment Termination Payments with any reduction in non-cash Employment Termination Payments being reduced before any cash Employment Termination Payments; provided, that no such reduction or elimination shall apply to any non-qualified deferred compensation amounts (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) to the extent such reduction or elimination would accelerate or defer the timing of such payment in manner that does not comply with Code Section 409A. Vesting or payments shall be reduced or eliminated starting with the vesting or payment, as applicable, which is to occur the furthest in the future.

 

  (c) An initial determination as to whether (i) any of the Employment Termination Payments and the amount thereof would be subject to the Excise Tax, and (ii) the amount of the reduction, if any, that may be required pursuant to Paragraph 10(a), shall be made by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (the ‘Accounting Firm’) prior to the consummation of applicable change in control transaction. The Executive shall be furnished with notice of all determinations made as to the Excise Tax payable with respect to the Employment Termination Payments, together with the related calculations of the Accounting Firm, promptly after such determinations and calculations have been received by the Company.”

12. By adding the following new Paragraph 14(g) to the Agreement, immediately after Paragraph 14(f) thereof:

 

  “(g) Compensation Recoupment Policy . Compensation paid or awarded under this Agreement shall be subject to any compensation recoupment policy adopted by the Company from time to time that applies to the Company’s executive officers generally.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement this 22 day of February 2012.

 

/s/ William M. Goodyear

    Navigant Consulting, Inc.
William M. Goodyear      
    By:   /s/ Stephan A. James
      Its:   Chairman, Compensation Committee

 

 

4

EXHIBIT 10.3

[Navigant Consulting Letterhead]

February 22, 2012

Mr. William M. Goodyear

       
       

Dear Bill:

It is with pleasure that we extend to you an offer to continue your employment with Navigant Consulting, Inc. (the “Company”) as Executive Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, for the period beginning on March 1, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) and ending April 30, 2014, in accordance with your amended and restated Employment Agreement, as further amended by the First Amendment thereof (“Employment Agreement”). The provisions of this letter agreement apply without regard to Section 14(a) of the Employment Agreement.

On June 1, 2012, subject to your continued employment, you will be awarded Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) with an approximate value of $1,000,000, under the Navigant Consulting, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 LTIP”), subject to shareholder approval of the 2012 LTIP, and under the terms and conditions of the 2012 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto (the “2012 Award Agreement”). As set forth in the 2012 Award Agreement, the RSUs granted on June 1, 2012 will vest on a monthly basis, pro rata, on the last day of each calendar month beginning June 2012 and ending April 2013.

On May 1, 2013, subject to your continued employment, you will be awarded additional RSUs with an approximate value of $1,000,000, under the 2012 LTIP and the terms and conditions of the 2013 Award Agreement attached hereto (the “2013 Award Agreement”). As set forth in the 2013 Award Agreement, the RSUs granted on May 1, 2013 will vest on a monthly basis, pro rata, on the last day of each calendar month beginning May 2013 and ending April 2014.

Shares of Company stock attributable to the vested RSUs will be distributed after your Separation from Service, at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably anticipates that the deduction of the payment amount will not be limited by application of Section 162(m) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or by the end of the calendar year in which you terminate employment.

Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(a) If the Company’s shareholders do not approve the 2012 LTIP prior to June 1, 2012, and you remain employed by the Company on that date, the Company will provide you with a cash payment equal to $1,000,000, which will be payable in equal installments, on the last day of each calendar month beginning June 2012 and ending April 2013 unless, on or prior to the date of any such monthly payment, the Company has terminated your employment for Cause (as defined in your Employment Agreement) or you have resigned from employment with the Company, in either of which cases no further payments under this paragraph (a) shall be due to you.


Mr. William M. Goodyear

February 22, 2012

Page 2

(b) If the Company’s shareholders do not approve the 2012 LTIP or a similar plan prior to May 1, 2013, and you remain employed by the Company on that date, the Company will provide you with a cash payment equal to $1,000,000, which will be payable in equal installments, on the last day of each calendar month beginning May 2013 and ending April 2014 unless, on or prior to the date of any such monthly payment, the Company has terminated your employment for Cause or you have resigned from employment with the Company, in either of which cases no further payments under this paragraph (b) shall be due to you.

The payments in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, to the extent applicable, are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other amounts to which you may be entitled under the Employment Agreement or any other plan, program, policy or arrangement of the Company (as described in Paragraph 8(d) of the Employment Agreement).

 

Sincerely,
/s/ Stephan James

Stephan James

Chairman of the Compensation Committee

of the Board of Directors

 

Accepted:   /s/ William M. Goodyear
  William M. Goodyear
Date: February 22, 2012
Enclosures  

 

EXHIBIT 10.4

N AVIGANT CONSULTING , I NC .

2012 L ONG -T ERM I NCENTIVE P LAN

R ESTRICTED S TOCK U NIT A WARD A GREEMENT

Navigant Consulting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby grants to [              ] (the “ Holder ”) as of [              ] (the “ Grant Date ”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Navigant Consulting, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), a restricted stock unit award (the “ Award ”) with respect to [              ] shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ Stock ”), upon and subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this agreement (the “ Agreement ”).

1. Award Subject to Acceptance of Agreement . The Award shall be null and void unless the Holder accepts this Agreement by executing it in the space provided below and returning such original execution copy to the Company.

2. Rights as a Shareholder . The Holder shall not be entitled to any privileges of ownership with respect to the shares of Stock subject to the Award unless and until, and only to the extent, such shares become vested pursuant to Section 3 hereof and the Holder becomes a shareholder of record with respect to such shares.

3. Service-Based Vesting Condition . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3 , the Award shall vest [              ], provided the Holder remains continuously employed by the Company or one of its Affiliates through such date. The period of time prior to the vesting shall be referred to herein as the “ Restriction Period .”

3.1. Termination of Employment .

3.3.1. Termination as a Result of Holder’s Death or Disability or by the Company other than for Cause . If the Holder’s employment with the Company terminates prior to the end of the Restriction Period by reason of (i) the Holder’s death or Disability or (ii) the Company’s termination of the Holder’s employment other than for Cause, then in any such case, the portion of the Award that was not vested immediately prior to such termination of employment shall be 100% vested upon such termination of employment.

3.3.2. Termination by the Company for Cause or by the Holder . If the Holder’s employment with the Company terminates prior to the end of the Restriction Period by reason of (i) the Company’s termination of the Holder’s employment for Cause or (ii) the Holder’s resignation from employment, then the portion of the Award that was not vested immediately prior to such termination of employment shall be immediately forfeited by the Holder and cancelled by the Company.

3.3.4. Definitions . For purposes of this Award, “Cause” and “Disability” shall have the meanings set forth in the Holder’s employment agreement with the Company, dated [              ].

4. Delivery of Certificates . Subject to Section 6 , as soon as practicable (but not later than 30 days) after the vesting of the Award, in whole or in part, the Company shall deliver or


cause to be delivered one or more certificates issued in the Holder’s name (or such other name as is acceptable to the Company and designated in writing by the Holder) representing the number of vested shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (i) the Holder is a “covered employee” as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to the taxable year in which the shares subject to the Award would otherwise be delivered, and (ii) the sum of the value of the shares of Stock deliverable to the Holder under the Award and other compensation payable by the Company exceeds the deduction limits under Section 162(m) of the Code, then the portion of the shares subject to the Award that when added to such other compensation would result in the Holder receiving compensation in excess of the deduction limits under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be distributed to the Holder upon the earlier to occur of (A) the earliest date at which the Company reasonably anticipates that the deduction of the shares of Stock subject to the Award will not be limited by application of Section 162(m) the Code and (B) by the end of the calendar year in which the Holder terminates employment. The Company shall pay all original issue or transfer taxes and all fees and expenses incident to such delivery, except as otherwise provided in Section 6 . Prior to the issuance to the Holder of the shares of Stock subject to the Award, the Holder shall have no direct or secured claim in any specific assets of the Company or in such shares of Stock, and will have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

5. Transfer Restrictions and Investment Representation .

5.1. Nontransferability of Award . The Award may not be transferred by the Holder other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to the designation of one or more beneficiaries on the form prescribed by the Company. Except to the extent permitted by the foregoing sentence, the Award may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Award, the Award and all rights hereunder shall immediately become null and void.

5.2. Investment Representation . The Holder hereby represents and covenants that (a) any share of Stock acquired upon the vesting of the Award will be acquired for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), unless such acquisition has been registered under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws; (b) any subsequent sale of any such shares shall be made either pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and such state securities laws; and (c) if requested by the Company, the Holder shall submit a written statement, in form satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such representation (x) is true and correct as of the date of vesting of any shares of Stock hereunder or (y) is true and correct as of the date of any sale of any such share, as applicable. As a further condition precedent to the delivery to the Holder of any shares of Stock subject to the Award, the Holder shall comply with all regulations and requirements of any regulatory authority having control of or supervision over the issuance or delivery of the shares and, in connection therewith, shall execute any documents which the Board shall in its sole discretion deem necessary or advisable.

6. Additional Terms and Conditions of Award .

6.1. Withholding Taxes . (a) As a condition precedent to the delivery of the shares of Stock upon the vesting of the Award, the Holder shall, upon request by the Company,

 

2


pay to the Company such amount as the Company may be required, under all applicable federal, state, local or other laws or regulations, to withhold and pay over as income or other withholding taxes (the “ Required Tax Payments ”) with respect to the Award. If the Holder shall fail to advance the Required Tax Payments after request by the Company, the Company may, in its discretion, deduct any Required Tax Payments from any amount then or thereafter payable by the Company to the Holder.

(b) The Holder may elect to satisfy his or her obligation to advance the Required Tax Payments by any of the following means: (1) a cash payment to the Company, (2) delivery to the Company (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) of previously owned whole shares of Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date on which such withholding obligation arises (the “ Tax Date ”), equal to the Required Tax Payments, (3) authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Stock which would otherwise be delivered to the Holder having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the Required Tax Payments or (4) any combination of (1), (2) and (3). Shares of Stock to be delivered or withheld may not have a Fair Market Value in excess of the minimum amount of the Required Tax Payments. Any fraction of a share of Stock which would be required to satisfy any such obligation shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the Holder. No certificate representing a share of Stock shall be delivered until the Required Tax Payments have been satisfied in full.

6.2. Adjustment . In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation) that causes the per share value of shares of Stock to change, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering or recapitalization through an extraordinary dividend, the terms of this Award, including the number and class of securities subject hereto, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, including a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such equitable adjustments described in the foregoing sentence may be made as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights of the Holder. The decision of the Board regarding any such adjustment shall be final, binding and conclusive.

6.3. Compliance with Applicable Law . The Award is subject to the condition that if the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Stock subject to the Award upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the delivery of shares hereunder, the shares of Stock subject to the Award shall not be delivered, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to effect or obtain any such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action.

6.4. Award Confers No Rights to Continued Employment . In no event shall the granting of the Award or its acceptance by the Holder, or any provision of the Agreement, give or be deemed to give the Holder any right to continued employment by the Company or prevent or be deemed to prevent the Company from terminating the Holder’s employment at any time, with or without Cause.

 

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6.5. Interpretation . Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Holder or by the Company forthwith to the Committee for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

6.6. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Holder and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

6.7. Notices . All notices, requests or other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be made, if to the Company, to Navigant Consulting, Inc., Attn. General Counsel, 30 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 3550, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and if to the Holder, to the last known mailing address of the Holder contained in the records of the Company. All notices, requests or other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be made in writing either (a) by personal delivery, (b) by facsimile or electronic mail with confirmation of receipt, (c) by mailing in the United States mails or (d) by express courier service. The notice, request or other communication shall be deemed to be received upon personal delivery, upon confirmation of receipt of facsimile or electronic mail transmission or upon receipt by the party entitled thereto if by United States mail or express courier service; provided , however , that if a notice, request or other communication sent to the Company is not received during regular business hours, it shall be deemed to be received on the next succeeding business day of the Company.

6.8. Governing Law . This Agreement, the Award and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto and thereto, to the extent not governed by the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and construed in accordance therewith without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

6.9. Entire Agreement . The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Holder’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Holder.

6.10. Partial Invalidity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision was omitted.

6.11. Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only by the written agreement of the Company and the Holder, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement.

6.12. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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6.13. Compliance With Section 409A of the Code . This Award is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and shall be interpreted and construed accordingly. To the extent this Agreement provides for the Award to become vested and be settled upon the Holder’s termination of employment, the applicable shares of Stock shall be transferred to the Holder or his or her beneficiary upon the Holder’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code; provided that if the Holder is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, on the date of the Holder’s separation from service, then to the extent this Award (i) constitutes the payment of nonqualified deferred compensation and (ii) will be settled upon the Holder’s separation from service, then the shares to be delivered upon the Holder’s separation from service shall be transferred to the Holder or his or her beneficiary upon the earlier to occur of (i) the six-month anniversary of such separation from service or (ii) the date of the Holder’s death.

 

NAVIGANT CONSULTING, INC.
By:    
 

 

Accepted this          day of                      
   
[HOLDER]

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

 

Andrew J. Bosman    Jennifer Moreno Reddick

Chief Marketing Officer

   Executive Director, Investor Relations
312.573.5631    312.573.5634

NAVIGANT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF JULIE M. HOWARD TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND TO THE NAVIGANT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHICAGO – February 23, 2012 – Navigant (NYSE: NCI) today announced the appointment of current President and Chief Operating Officer Julie M. Howard to Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2012. Howard succeeds current CEO William M. Goodyear, who will remain with the Company as Executive Chairman of the Board.

The transition is part of a succession plan that former Gov. James R. Thompson—Lead Director of the Navigant Board—said positions Navigant for continued growth. Thompson credited Goodyear for driving Navigant forward in recent years, and emphasized the Board’s confidence in Howard to build upon that momentum.

“Julie has been a critical architect and a key leader in developing and implementing the Company’s strategic plans, and she is well-prepared to lead the Company into the future,” Thompson said. “With the Company performing at a high level, the Board believes now is an excellent time to promote Julie to Chief Executive Officer. The Board is pleased to have someone of Julie’s caliber and performance track record in place and ready to succeed Bill.”

Thompson continued, “The Board is appreciative of Bill’s leadership and the contributions he has made to the success of Navigant over the past 12 years. He assumed leadership of the firm during a difficult time, and implemented both a company restructuring and a strategic growth plan that has put the organization on a steady path to long-term success. We are pleased that Bill will remain as Executive Chairman for the next two years focusing on client and key account development activities.”

In addition to being appointed CEO, Howard was also appointed to the Navigant Board of Directors. Howard has spent the greater part of her 20+ year career with Navigant, including holding leadership roles overseeing the firm’s consulting businesses as well as key administrative functions. Howard has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since 2003 and President since 2006.


“I’m honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead Navigant, and am confident in our ability to continue our recent growth trajectory,” said Howard. “My enthusiasm for Navigant is driven by the talent and abilities of our 2,500 employees – all of whom have a critical hand in successfully executing our strategy and delivering results for our clients, our shareholders and each other every day. I want to thank Bill for his leadership, which has positioned Navigant for ongoing success.”

Goodyear commented, “The Company is in excellent shape, has a seasoned practice and corporate leadership team in place, and is well positioned opposite exciting market opportunities. I look forward to supporting Julie as she leads the Company in the future execution of our strategy.”

Conference Call Details

Goodyear and Howard will host a conference call to discuss the transition of their roles at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time today, Thursday, February 23, 2012. The conference call may be accessed via the Navigant website ( www.navigant.com/investor_relations ) or by dialing 800.857.9646 (312.470.7062 for international callers) and referencing pass code “NCI.” A replay of the web cast will be available for approximately 60 days.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

Statements included in this press release which are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including “outlook,” “plans,” “goals,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon management’s current expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company cautions readers that there may be events in the future that the Company is not able to accurately predict or control and the information contained in the forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements including, without limitation: the success and timing of the Company’s implementation of its strategic business assessment; the success of the Company’s organizational changes and cost reduction actions; risks


inherent in international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; ability to make acquisitions; pace, timing and integration of acquisitions; impairment charges; management of professional staff, including dependence on key personnel, recruiting, attrition and the ability to successfully integrate new consultants into the Company’s practices; utilization rates; conflicts of interest; potential loss of clients; clients’ financial condition and their ability to make payments to the Company; risks inherent with litigation; higher risk client assignments; professional liability; potential legislative and regulatory changes; continued access to capital; and general economic conditions. Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results are included under the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available on the SEC’s website or at www.navigant.com/investor_relations. The Company cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement and undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements.

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