ALLEGHANY CORP /DE false 0000775368 0000775368 2019-10-22 2019-10-22

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO

SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):         October 22, 2019

                 ALLEGHANY CORPORATION                 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

1-9371

 

51-0283071             

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer      

Identification No.)

1411 Broadway, 34th Floor, New York, New York

 

10018            

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)        

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 752-1356

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

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

 

Y

 

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company        

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.              


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

As previously reported, effective July 1, 2019, John L. Sennott, Jr. transitioned from Senior Vice President and chief financial officer of Alleghany Corporation (the “Company”) to Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of CapSpecialty, Inc. (“CapSpecialty”), a subsidiary of the Company, and Capitol Indemnity Corporation (“Capitol Indemnity”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapSpecialty.

Employment Agreement with John L. Sennott, Jr.

In connection with Mr. Sennott’s transition, Capitol Indemnity entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”), effective October 22, 2019, with Mr. Sennott setting forth the terms of his employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of CapSpecialty and Capitol Indemnity. During his employment with Capitol Indemnity, Mr. Sennott will also serve as a member, and Chairman, of the board of directors of CapSpecialty (the “Board”), except that following an initial public offering of CapSpecialty’s shares (a “CapSpecialty IPO”), CapSpecialty’s obligation is only to nominate Mr. Sennott as a member of the Board at each annual meeting at which his seat is up for re-election.

The Employment Agreement provides for an initial term ending June 30, 2022 or, if a CapSpecialty IPO occurs on or prior to such date, the third anniversary of such CapSpecialty IPO, subject to automatic one year renewals thereafter unless terminated by either party in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement. Mr. Sennott will be eligible to earn a base salary of not less than $650,000, a target annual cash bonus equal to 100% of base salary (provided that the annual cash bonus opportunity for the 2019 calendar year will be up to $325,000) and to receive CapSpecialty equity awards as may be determined by the compensation committee of the board of directors of CapSpecialty in its sole discretion.

The Employment Agreement provides that upon a termination of Mr. Sennott’s employment by Capitol Indemnity without “cause” or by Mr. Sennott for “good reason” (each, as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Sennott would be entitled to (i) continued payment of his base salary for 12 months following termination, (ii) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the year immediately preceding the year in which such termination occurs, (iii) a pro-rated annual bonus for the year in which such termination occurs, and (iv) payment or reimbursement of his COBRA premiums for a period of 18 months following termination, grossed up for any taxes payable in respect of such payment based on the applicable minimum rate (the “COBRA Subsidy”). Upon a termination of Mr. Sennott’s employment due to his death or “disability” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Sennott would be entitled to (x) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the year immediately prior to the year in which such termination occurs, and (y) the COBRA Subsidy. Mr. Sennott’s receipt of any such severance payments would be conditioned on his execution of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, CapSpecialty and Capitol Indemnity and each of their subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “CapSpecialty Group”).

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The Employment Agreement includes a “Section 280G cutback provision” pursuant to which, in the event any payments or benefits provided would be considered “parachute payments” as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), Mr. Sennott would be entitled to the greater of, as determined on an after-tax basis, (i) such parachute payments or (ii) the greatest reduced amount of such parachute payments as would result in the parachute payments not being subject to an excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code.

In addition, the Employment Agreement subjects Mr. Sennott to general restrictions on the disclosure of confidential information, an inventions assignment covenant, a covenant not to engage in competitive activities for 12 months following a termination of his employment and a covenant not to solicit any officer or employee of the CapSpecialty Group for 12 months following a termination of his employment.

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Employment Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

CapSpecialty Restricted Share Plan

On October 22, 2019, the Board adopted the 2019 Restricted Share Plan (the “CapSpecialty Restricted Share Plan”), which will become effective immediately following the occurrence of the mandatory conversion of CapSpecialty’s preferred shares into common stock, as contemplated under CapSpecialty’s Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. The CapSpecialty Restricted Share Plan authorizes the grant of restricted shares of CapSpecialty’s common stock to eligible employees of CapSpecialty and its subsidiaries, including Mr. Sennott. A total of 156,250 shares of CapSpecialty’s common stock are reserved and available for issuance under the CapSpecialty Restricted Share Plan, subject to adjustment in accordance with its terms.

The foregoing descriptions of the CapSpecialty Restricted Share Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

                10.1

   

Employment Agreement, dated October 22, 2019, between Capitol Indemnity Corporation and John L. Sennott, Jr.

         
 

                10.2

   

CapSpecialty, Inc. 2019 Restricted Share Plan

         
 

                104

   

The cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

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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.

 

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

     

Date: October 28, 2019

 

By:  /s/ Kerry J. Jacobs                        

 

        Name: Kerry J. Jacobs

 

        Title:   Senior Vice President

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Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Employment Agreement”) is made as of October 22, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), to be effective as of the date hereof, by and between Capitol Indemnity Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), and John L. Sennott (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive and to enter into this Employment Agreement embodying the terms of such employment, and Executive desires to enter into this Employment Agreement to accept such employment, subject to the terms and provisions of this Employment Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and representations contained herein, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

1.             Employment Period.

The Company will employ Executive, and Executive will serve the Company, under the terms of this Employment Agreement for a period beginning as of July 1, 2019 and terminating on June 30, 2022 (the “Initial Term Expiration Date”), unless such period shall have been earlier terminated in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, however, that in the event that an IPO (as defined herein) has taken place on or prior to June 30, 2022, then the Initial Term Expiration Date shall automatically be extended until the date of the third (3rd) anniversary of the IPO (the “IPO Third Anniversary”) (for example, if an IPO took place on April 15, 2021, then the IPO Third Anniversary would be April 15, 2024). Beginning on the day following the Initial Term Expiration Date (either July 1, 2022 if no IPO has taken place on or prior to June 30, 2022, or the day following the IPO Third Anniversary, if an IPO has taken place on or prior to June 30, 2022), the term of Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically be renewed for renewal terms of one (1) year each (each additional one-year term, a “Renewal Term”), unless either the Company or Executive gives written notice of non-renewal of Executive’s employment at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then-current term. The period of Executive’s employment hereunder, including any Renewal Term, is referred to herein as the “Employment Period.

2.             Duties and Status.

(a)        The Company hereby engages Executive as a full-time executive employee for the Employment Period, and Executive accepts such employment, on the terms set forth in this Employment Agreement. Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and CapSpecialty, Inc. (“CapSpecialty”) and, prior to an IPO, as a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CapSpecialty (the “Board”) (such service on the Board to be performed without additional compensation). Following an IPO, CapSpecialty shall nominate Executive as a member of the Board at each annual meeting of the shareholders of CapSpecialty during the Employment Period at which Executive’s seat is up for re-election and, if re-elected, Executive shall continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board. During the Employment Period, Executive shall exercise such authority and perform such executive duties and functions, and discharge such responsibilities, as are reasonably associated with Executive’s position, commensurate with the authority vested in Executive pursuant to this Employment Agreement.


Subject to direction (i) prior to an IPO, by the Board and by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), and (ii) subsequent to an IPO, by the Board, Executive shall be primarily responsible for establishing the Company’s business and for the overall management of its business activities.

(b)        Subject to Section 2(d) below, during the Employment Period, Executive shall devote his full business time and efforts to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and accept such additional office or offices to which he may be elected by the Board, provided that the performance of the duties of such office or offices shall be consistent with the scope of the duties provided for in Section 2(a) hereof.

(c)        If requested by the Board (or, prior to an IPO, by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee), Executive shall also serve, without additional compensation, as an officer and/or director of any or all of the Subsidiaries of the Company. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group (as defined below) and hereby agrees to execute any documents that the Company (or any member of the Company Group) determines necessary to effectuate such resignations.

(d)        Nothing in this Employment Agreement shall preclude Executive from devoting reasonable periods of time required for engaging in charitable, religious, civic, community and other activities including, but not limited to, those previously disclosed by Executive by way of conflict of interest disclosures and the like, provided that such activities (x) do not individually or in the aggregate interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder, and (y) are not competitive with the Company, Alleghany or any of their respective Affiliates.

3.             Compensation.

(a)        Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company will pay to Executive, as compensation for the performance of his duties and obligations hereunder, a base salary at the rate of six hundred fifty thousand dollars ($650,000) per annum, subject to normal withholding and other taxes, payable in arrears not less frequently than monthly in accordance with the normal payroll schedule of the Company. Such base salary will be subject to review prior to March 1st of each year for possible increase by the Compensation Committee, but shall in no event be decreased from its then existing level during the Employment Period. Executive’s base salary as in effect from time to time shall be referred to herein as “Base Salary.”

(b)        Annual Bonus. Executive shall be eligible for an annual incentive bonus award determined by the Compensation Committee in respect of each fiscal year during the Employment Period (the “Annual Bonus”). The target Annual Bonus for the 2020 calendar year and each calendar year thereafter shall be one hundred percent (100%) of Base Salary, with the actual Annual Bonus payable being based upon the level of achievement of annual CapSpecialty (and its Subsidiaries) and individual performance objectives for such fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee and communicated to Executive. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive shall be eligible to earn an Annual Bonus in respect of the 2019 calendar

 

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year of up to three hundred twenty five thousand dollars ($325,000), with the actual amount of any such Annual Bonus determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. The Annual Bonus shall be paid to Executive at the same time as annual bonuses are generally payable to other senior executives of the Company subject to Executive’s continuous employment through the payment date except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement.

(c)        CapSpecialty Option Awards. To the extent that CapSpecialty establishes a stock option or other stock incentive plan during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to receive stock options or other equity awards as may be determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time in its sole discretion in accordance with any such plan.

4.              Employee Benefits.

During the Employment Period, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs of the Company that are generally made available to the other senior executives of the Company to the extent that his position, tenure, salary, age, health, location, and other qualifications make him eligible to participate. Such plans and programs shall include all life, accident, disability and health insurance plans of the Company, all pension plans of the Company, and any other similar plans and programs of the Company that are generally made available to the other senior executives of the Company, as in existence at any time during the Employment Period. Executive will be entitled to four (4) weeks of vacation time during each calendar year in which he is employed hereunder in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy then in effect. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the Company’s ability to amend, suspend, or terminate any employee benefit plan or policy at any time without providing Executive notice, and the right to do so is expressly reserved.

5.              Termination of Employment.

(a)        At Will Employment. At all times the nature of Executive’ employment with the Company is and will continue to be “at will,” as defined by applicable law, meaning that either Executive or the Company shall have the unqualified right to terminate the employment relationship as described herein at any time for any reason or no reason. This “at-will” relationship can only be modified by a written agreement signed by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee expressly stating that it is modifying this at-will relationship. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Employment Agreement except as explicitly provided for in this Section 5.

(b)        Termination for Cause. Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated at any time for “Cause,” which is defined to mean the following:

(i)        the commission by Executive of gross misconduct in connection with the performance of any of Executive’s duties;

(ii)        Executive engaged in or attempted to engage in acts or omissions constituting fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, intentional wrongdoing or dishonesty (but excluding expense reimbursement disputes as to which Executive had a reasonable good faith belief that his conduct was within the policies of the Company);

 

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(iii)        willful failure by Executive to implement reasonable directives (x) prior to an IPO, of the Board or of the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and (y) subsequent to an IPO, of the Board, after written notice of such failure to Executive, which failure is not corrected within ten (10) business days following delivery of such written notice;

(iv)        Executive materially breached the Company’s or Alleghany’s policies or procedures governing business ethics applicable to executives similarly situated to Executive (as may be amended from time to time by Alleghany, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as applicable);

(v)         Executive’s conviction of, or Executive pleading no contest to, a felony; or

(vi)        Executive’s material breach in the performance of his obligations under this Employment Agreement, after which written notice of such breach to Executive, which breach is not corrected within ten (10) business days following delivery of such written notice.

In the case of any termination by the Company for Cause, the Company shall provide written notice to Executive setting forth the acts, circumstances and bases that constitute Cause for termination; provided, however, that the failure to set forth an act, circumstance or basis for Cause in such notice shall not limit the acts, circumstances or bases for Cause in any dispute between the Company and Executive regarding whether there was Cause for termination of Executive’s employment. It is agreed to by the parties that the Company’s below par or below average financial performance, in and of itself (i.e., absent any of the acts, circumstances or bases set forth in subsections (i) through (vi) of this Section 5(b) shall not constitute Cause for employment termination under this Employment Agreement.

(c)        Termination for Good Reason. Executive shall have the right at any time to terminate his employment with the Company for any reason. The termination of Executive’s employment shall be deemed to be for “Good Reason” if and only if such termination shall be the result of, in each case, without Executive’s written consent:

(i)         a material reduction of Executive’s responsibilities, or the assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with his position;

(ii)        (x) requiring Executive to report to anyone other than (A) prior to an IPO, the Board and/or the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and (B) subsequent to an IPO, the Board, or (y) subsequent to a Change of Control, requiring Executive to report to anyone other than the board of directors (or similar governing body) and/or the chief executive officer of the Company’s ultimate parent;

(iii)        at any time during the Employment Period (A) prior to an IPO, Executive either not being nominated to serve as a member of the Board, provided that Executive’s seat is then up for re-election, or being removed by the Company from the Board (other than in connection with a termination of his employment), or (B) on or after an IPO, Executive not being nominated to serve as a member of the Board, provided Executive’s seat is then up for re-election;

(iv)        any requirement that Executive move his primary residence from Simsbury, Connecticut in order to perform his duties under this Employment Agreement;

 

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(v)         a material breach by the Company in the performance of any of its obligations under this Employment Agreement (including its obligation to cause any successor to assume the obligations of the Company hereunder as provided in Section 13(a) hereof), after written notice of such breach to the Board, which breach is not corrected within ten (10) days following delivery of such written notice;

(vi)        the Company’s delivery to Executive of written notice of non-renewal of the then-current term (provided, that unless otherwise agreed by the Company, termination by Executive of his employment following the Company’s delivery of such notice of non-renewal shall be deemed to be for Good Reason pursuant to this clause (vi) only if Executive remains in the employment of the Company until the expiration of the then-current term; or

(vii)       the failure of CapSpecialty to complete an IPO for any reason on or prior to the third (3rd) anniversary of an Alleghany Change in Control (as defined below).

(d)        Consequences of Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment during the Employment Period (x) by the Company, which termination is not a termination for Cause or (y) by Executive for Good Reason, and provided that such termination is not by reason of death, or Disability (as defined in Section 5(e) hereof), then (i) Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations, (ii) Executive shall be entitled to continued payment of Base Salary for a period of 12 months following the Date of Termination, in accordance with the normal payroll schedule of the Company, (iii) Executive shall be entitled to be paid any unpaid Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 3(b) above earned based on performance with respect to the calendar year immediately prior to the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, if any, (iv) subject to achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the calendar year in which such termination occurs, as determined by the Compensation Committee, payment of the Annual Bonus that would otherwise have been earned in respect of the calendar year in which such termination occurred, pro-rated to reflect the number of days Executive was employed during such calendar year, such amount to be paid at the same time it would otherwise be paid to Executive had no termination occurred, but in no event later than the date that is two and one-half (212) months following the last day of the calendar year in which such termination occurs, and (v) a lump sum payment within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination in an amount that, after the applicable income and employment taxes calculated at the applicable minimum rate, is equal to 100% of the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage in effect on the date of Executive’s termination of employment (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage) for a period of eighteen (18) months following Executive’s termination of employment (the “COBRA Subsidy”).

(e)        Termination Upon Death or Disability. The Employment Period shall be terminated by the death of Executive. The Employment Period may be terminated by the Board at any time if Executive is medically deemed unable to discharge his duties hereunder due to physical or mental illness for one or more periods totaling six (6) months during any consecutive twelve (12) month period (“Disability”). Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician selected by the Company and approved by Executive (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Employment Agreement.

 

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(f)        Consequences of Termination Upon Death or Disability. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment during the Employment Period by reason of Executive’s death or Disability (as defined above), then (i) Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations, (ii) Executive shall not be entitled to any payment of Annual Bonus provided for in Section 3(b) above in respect of the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, but shall be entitled to be paid any unpaid Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 3(b) above earned based on performance with respect to the calendar year immediately prior to the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, if any, and (iii) the COBRA Subsidy.

(g)        Other Terminations of Employment. In the event that Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive other than for Good Reason, and provided that such termination is not as a result of death or Disability, then (i) Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations, and (ii) Executive shall not be entitled to any payment of an Annual Bonus provided for in Section 3(b) above in respect of the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or any prior year.

(h)        Severance Benefits. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to subsection (d) or (f) of this Section 5 (other than Accrued Obligations) (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”) shall be conditioned on Executive’s execution, delivery to the Company, and non-revocation of a release of claims (the “Release of Claims”), in a form substantially as attached hereto as Exhibit A to the Company in favor of the Company, Alleghany and each of their Subsidiaries and Affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”) (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such release of claims) within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination. If Executive fails to execute the Release of Claims in such timely manner so as to permit any revocation period to expire prior to the end of such sixty (60) day period, or timely revokes Executive’s acceptance of such release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, (i) to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision or benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s Date of Termination hereunder, but for the condition on executing the Release of Claims as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following such sixtieth (60th) day and (ii) to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits do not constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur following Executive’s Date of Termination hereunder, but for the condition on executing the Release of Claims as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following the date the Release of Claims is timely executed and the applicable revocation period has ended, after which, in each case, any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a termination due to Executive’s death or Disability, Executive’s obligations herein to execute and not revoke the Release of Claims may be satisfied on Executive’s behalf by Executive’s estate or a Person having legal power of attorney over Executive’s affairs. Executive acknowledges and agrees that all Severance Benefits shall immediately cease should Executive materially breach his obligations under Section 8 of this Employment Agreement or the Release of Claims.

 

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(i)        No Mitigation. Following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek re-employment and there shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Employment Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that he may obtain.

(j)        Nature of Payments. Any amounts due under this Section 5 are in the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the Company and are not in the nature of a penalty.

6.             Certain Definitions.

(a)        “Accrued Obligations” means (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (ii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred through the Date of Termination in accordance with Section 9 hereof and (ii) any benefits provided under the Company’s employee benefit plans (excluding any employee benefit plan providing for severance or similar benefits) upon a termination of employment, in accordance with the terms contained therein.

(b)        “Affiliate,” when used with reference to any Person, shall mean another Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the ability, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Person in question.

(c)        “Alleghany” means Alleghany Corporation.

(d)        “Alleghany Change in Control” means the occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 8(b) of the Alleghany Corporation 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as in effect as of the date hereof).

(e)        “Change of Control” means (i) a consolidation or merger of CapSpecialty resulting in Alleghany’s failure to own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of CapSpecialty’s then outstanding voting securities generally entitled to vote in the election of CapSpecialty’s directors, (ii) a sale of stock resulting in Alleghany’s failure to own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of CapSpecialty’s then outstanding voting securities generally entitled to vote in the election of directors of CapSpecialty’s directors, or (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of CapSpecialty and its Subsidiaries existing at the time of such sale, taken as a whole, to a Third Party.

(f)        “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Treasury Department, as amended from time to time.

(g)        “Date of Termination” means the date Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason.

 

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(h)        “IPO” means the initial public offering of any class of CapSpecialty’s equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with which equity securities become listed on a U.S. national securities exchange.

(i)        “Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, firm, association, trust, unincorporated organization, government or governmental agency or any other entity.

(j)        “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) a corporation of which shares of stock having ordinary voting power (other than stock having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by such Person, or (ii) in the case of unincorporated entities, any such entity with respect to which such Person has the power, directly or indirectly, to designate more than fifty percent (50%) of the individuals exercising functions similar to a board of directors.

(k)        “Third Party” means a person other than Alleghany or a Subsidiary of Alleghany.

7.             Representations.

(a)        Executive represents and warrants to the Company that he is not subject to or bound by any agreement that would affect his ability to enter into this Employment Agreement, to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to serve as a member and Chairman of the Board, to serve as an officer or director of any Subsidiary of the Company, or to solicit executives for employment by the Company, and that this Employment Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Executive.

(b)        The Company represents and warrants to Executive that this Employment Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it.

8.              Noncompetition; Nondisclosure; Nonsolicitation.

(a)        The Company and Executive agree that the services rendered by Executive hereunder are unique and irreplaceable. Executive hereby agrees that he will not, during the Employment Period, and for a period of twelve (12) months following the Date of Termination (for any reason):

(i)        engage or participate, directly or indirectly, as an officer, director, employee, partner or consultant with primary responsibility for activities in the fields of specialty insurance and reinsurance in the areas of commercial property and casualty markets, fidelity surety and professional lines in the United States of America (a “Competing Activity”), or in any business which is, or as a result of Executive’s engagement or participation would become, a Competing Activity; or

(ii)        solicit or recruit any officer or employee of the Company Group to join any other company to engage in a Competing Activity, or solicit or recruit a substantial number of employees of the Company Group to work with any company with whom Executive is associated.

 

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(b)        Executive further agrees that, during the Employment Period and at all times thereafter:

(i)        he shall keep secret and retain in strictest confidence, and will not use for his benefit or the benefit of others, any and all confidential information relating to the Company Group disclosed to him in the course of his employment hereunder, including, without limitation, trade secrets, customer lists and other secret or confidential aspects of any of their businesses (“Confidential Information”), and Executive further agrees that he shall not disclose such Confidential Information to anyone outside the Company Group nor shall he remove from the premises of any member of the Company Group any document or other object containing or reflecting Confidential Information, in each case, except (i) in the performance by him of the services provided for hereunder, (ii) as required by applicable law in connection with any judicial or administrative proceeding or inquiry (provided prior written notice thereof is promptly given by Executive to the Company and to Alleghany prior to making any such disclosure, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order) or (iii) with the prior written consent of the Company, unless such information is known generally to the public or the trade through sources other than Executive’s unauthorized disclosure; and

(ii)        he shall not engage in or participate in, directly or indirectly, any business conducted under a name that shall be the same as or similar to the name of, or any trade name used by, Alleghany, the Company or any of their Affiliates.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions regarding Confidential Information shall not apply to information that (1) Executive already knew before commencing employment with Alleghany or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, including but not limited to Executive’s skills and knowledge of the industry, (2) is or becomes publicly known without breach of this Agreement, or (3) is received from a third-party authorized to disclose it without restriction. Executive shall not have any obligation hereunder to keep Confidential Information if and to the extent disclosure of any thereof is specifically required by law; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by applicable law, Executive shall provide the Company with prompt notice of such requirement, prior to making any disclosure, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order.

(c)        Executive further and agrees that all documents and objects containing Confidential Information, whether developed by him or by someone else, will be the sole exclusive property of the Company Group and that upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder (including by reason of death or Disability), Executive (or in the event of death or Disability, his estate or personal representative as the case may be) shall forthwith deliver to the Company Group all Confidential Information, including, without limitation, all lists of customers, correspondence, accounts, records, and any other documents or property made or held by him or under his control in relation to the business or affairs of the Company Group, and no copy of any such Confidential Information shall be retained by him.

 

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(d)        Whistleblower; Defend Trade Secrets Act Disclosure.

(i)        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this Employment Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Executive from (A) filing a charge or complaint with, participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by, or reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any Federal, state or local government agency, (B) truthfully responding to or complying with a subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or (C) exercising any rights Executive may have under applicable labor laws to engage in concerted activity with other employees; provided however, that Executive hereby agrees to forgo any monetary benefit from the filing of a charge or complaint with a government agency except pursuant to a whistleblower program or where his right to receive such a monetary benefit is otherwise not waivable by law.

(ii)        Executive understands that the Defend Trade Secrets Act provides that he may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. In the event that Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by any member of the Company Group for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if he files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

(e)        If any court of competent jurisdiction shall at any time deem the duration or the geographic scope of any of the provisions of this Section 8 unenforceable, the other provisions of this Section 8 shall nevertheless stand, and the duration and/or geographic scope set forth herein shall be deemed to be the longest period and/or greatest size permissible by the law under the circumstances, and the parties hereto agree that such court shall reduce the time period and/or geographic scope to permissible duration or size.

(f)        Executive acknowledges that irreparable damage would result to the Company if the provisions of this Section 8 are not specifically enforced, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to any appropriate legal, equitable or other remedy, including injunctive relief, in respect of any failure to comply with the provisions of this Section.

9.             Business Expenses.

The Company shall promptly pay or reimburse Executive for all appropriately documented, reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties under this Employment Agreement, including, but not limited to, his travel to Subsidiaries and Affiliates located outside of New York City or Connecticut in accordance with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, subject to the Company’s requirements to reporting such expenses. Any payments or reimbursements will be made within thirty (30) days after submission of written documentation substantiating such expenses, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.

10.           Office.

During the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive with a suitable workplace appropriate for his responsibilities, secretarial and other business services at the Company’s principal executive offices and other locations at Subsidiaries and Affiliates where he regularly provides services.

 

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11.            Insurance; Indemnification.

(a)        Key Man Insurance. The Company shall have the right at its own cost and expense to apply for and to secure in its own name, or otherwise, life, health or accident insurance, or any or all of them, covering Executive, and Executive agrees to submit to the usual and customary medical examination and otherwise to cooperate with the Company in connection with the procurement of any such insurance, and any claims thereunder.

(b)        Indemnification. The Company agrees that if 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 (each, a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or is or was serving at the request of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates 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 Executive’s alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or agent, in each case, whether on, prior to, or following the Effective Date, Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted or authorized by applicable law, against all cost, expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to Executive even if he has ceased to be a director, member, employee or agent of the Company or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, that such right to be indemnified and held harmless shall not apply to a Proceeding instituted by any entity that is a member of the Company Group against Executive. The Company agrees to maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering Executive to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other directors or executive officers.

12.            Waiver of Breach.

Any waiver of any breach of this Employment Agreement shall not be construed to be a continuing waiver or consent to any subsequent breach on the part either of Executive or of the Company.

13.            Assignment.

(a)        This Employment Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and any person or other entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of the business, assets or property of the Company. Except as specifically provided otherwise herein or as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business, assets or property of the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform the obligations of the Company under this Employment Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company is required to perform hereunder. As used in this Employment Agreement, the “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinabove defined and

 

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any successor to its business, assets or property as aforesaid which executes and delivers an agreement provided for in this Section 13 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Employment Agreement by operation of law. Except as provided by the foregoing provisions of this Section 13 and other than assignment to another member of the Company Group (or their successors) this Employment Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company without the prior written consent of Executive.

(b)        This Employment Agreement is personal in nature and the obligations of Executive hereunder are not assignable to any person. Except as specifically provided in this Section 13, none of Executive’s rights pursuant to this Employment Agreement may be assigned to any Person without the prior written consent of the Board. If Executive should die while any cash amounts are due and payable to Executive hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid to Executive’s designated beneficiary or, if there is no such designated beneficiary, to the legal representatives of Executive’s estate.

14.            Severability.

To the extent any provision of this Employment Agreement or portion thereof shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted therefrom and the remainder of such provision and of this Employment Agreement shall be unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, should the duration or geographical extent of, or business activities covered by, any provision of this Employment Agreement be in excess of that which is valid and enforceable under applicable law, then such provision shall be construed to cover only that duration, extent or activities which may be validly covered and enforced.

15.            Section 409A.

(a)        To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, all references to “termination of employment” and correlative phrases for purposes of this Agreement shall be construed to require a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury regulations after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein).

(b)        To the extent that (i) any payments or benefits to which Executive becomes entitled under this Agreement, or under any other plan, program or agreement maintained by a member of the Company Group, in connection with Executive’s termination of employment with the Company constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and (b) Executive is deemed at the time of such termination of employment to be a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, then such payments or benefits shall not be made or commence until the earliest of (A) the expiration of the six (6) month and one day period measured from the date of Executive’s separation from service (as defined in Section 15(a) above) from the Company; or (B) the date of Executive’s death following such separation from service; provided, however, that such deferral shall only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to Executive, including (without limitation) the additional twenty-percent (20% tax for which Executive would otherwise be liable under Section 409A(a)(1)(b) of the Code in absence of such deferral. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period (whether in a single sum or in installments) in the

 

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absence of this paragraph shall be paid to Executive or Executive’s beneficiary in one lump sum. For purposes of this Section 15, the term “specified employee” means an individual determined by a member of the Company Group to be a specified employee under Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) in accordance with the policies of Company Group.

(c)        It is intended that each installment of any benefits or payments provided hereunder constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). It is further intended that payments hereunder satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code (and any state law of similar effect) provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (as a “short-term deferral”) and Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) (as “separation pay due to involuntary separation”). The parties intend that all the benefits and payments provided under this Agreement shall be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in no event whatsoever shall any member of the Company Group be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code).

(d)        Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit under this Agreement is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses), in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you incurred such expenses, and in no event shall any right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

16.            Parachute Payments.

(a)        Executive shall bear all expense of, and be solely responsible for, any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”); provided, however, that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (whether payable under the terms of the Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with a member of the Company Group) (collectively, the “Payments”) that would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, shall be reduced to one dollar less than the amount necessary so that no portion thereof shall be subject to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Amount”) but only if, by reason of such reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by Executive shall exceed the net after-tax benefit that would be received by Executive if no such reduction was made. For purposes of this Section 16, the “net after-tax benefit” shall mean (i) the Payments which Executive receives or is then entitled to receive from a member of the Company Group that would constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, less (ii) the amount of all federal, state and local income and employment taxes payable by Executive with respect to the foregoing calculated at the highest marginal income tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to Executive (based on the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the foregoing), less (iii) the amount of Excise Tax imposed with respect to the payments and benefits described in (i) above.

 

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(b)        All determinations under this Section 16, including whether and to what extent any reductions are required pursuant to this Section 16 and any assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, will be made by an accounting firm or law firm (the “280G Firm”) selected by the Company, after consultation with Executive, prior to a change in ownership or control of a corporation (within the meaning of Treasury regulations under Section 280G of the Code) that would cause any Payment to constitute a “parachute payment.” Unless otherwise agreed to by Executive in writing, the 280G Firm shall be required to assess and quantify the reasonableness of Executive’s compensation for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, with respect to periods both before or after any such change in control either directly or with the assistance of a separate valuation firm. All fees and expenses of the 280G Firm shall be paid solely by the Company. The Company will direct the 280G Firm to submit any determination it makes under this Section 16 and detailed supporting calculations to both Executive and the Company as soon as reasonably practicable. Any determination by the 280G Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.

(c)        If a reduction in the Payments is necessary so that the Payments equal the Safe Harbor Amount and none of the Payments constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), then the reduction shall occur in the manner Executive elects in writing prior to the date of payment. If any Payment constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation or if Executive fails to elect an order, then the Payments to be reduced will be determined in a manner which has the least economic cost to Executive and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, will be reduced in the inverse order of when payment would have been made to Executive, until the reduction is achieved.

(d)        As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G at the time that the 280G Firm makes its determinations under this Section 16, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed to Executive that should not have been paid or distributed (collectively, the “Overpayments”), or that additional amounts should be paid or distributed to Executive (collectively, the “Underpayments”). If the 280G Firm determines, based on either the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or Executive, which assertion the 280G Firm believes has a high probability of success or is otherwise based on controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Overpayment has been made, Executive must repay the Overpayment to the Company, without interest; provided, however, that no loan will be deemed to have been made and no amount will be payable by Executive to the Company unless, and then only to the extent that, the deemed loan and payment would either reduce the amount on which Executive is subject to tax under Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code. If the 280G Firm determines, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Underpayment has occurred, the 280G Firm will notify Executive and the Company of that determination, and the Company will promptly pay the amount of that Underpayment to Executive without interest.

(e)        The parties will provide the 280G Firm access to and copies of any books, records, and documents in their possession as reasonably requested by the 280G Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the 280G Firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the

 

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determinations and calculations contemplated by this Section 16 for purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 16, the 280G Firm may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.

17.            Taxes.

The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to him in connection with this Agreement and that he has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from his own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to him pursuant to this Agreement, including specifically, the application of the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to such payments.

18.            Third-Party Beneficiaries.

This Employment Agreement is for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder.

19.            Survival.

This Employment Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of the Employment Period, except the provisions of Sections 5 through 25 shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provision thereof.

20.            Notices.

All notices, requests and other communications pursuant to this Employment Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, if delivered in person or by courier, or sent by express, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company:

Capitol Indemnity Corporation

1600 Aspen Commons, Suite 300

Middleton, WI 53562

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Alleghany Corporation

1411 Broadway, 34th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Attention: General Counsel

 

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If to Executive:

John L. Sennott

To the address last on file at the Company’s principal executive offices.

Any party may, by written notice to the other party hereto, change the address to which notices to such party are to be delivered or mailed.

21.            Amendment.

This Employment Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and Executive.

22.            Entire Agreement.

This Employment Agreement, together with any exhibits hereto, which form a part hereof, contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

23.            Governing Law.

This Employment Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof. Any suit brought hereon shall be brought in the state or Federal courts sitting in New York City, New York, the parties hereto hereby waiving any claim or defense that such forum is not convenient or proper. Each party hereby agrees that any such court shall have in personal jurisdiction over it and consents to service of process in any manner authorized by New York law.

24.            Section Headings.

The headings of the sections and subsections of this Employment Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any term or provision thereof.

25.            Counterparts.

This Employment Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

*           *           *

[Signatures to appear on the following page(s)]

 

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

 

 

  CAPITOL INDEMNITY CORPORATION
  By: /s/ Daniel M. McGinnis                                
  Name: Daniel M. McGinnis
 

Title:   Chief Operating Officer and

            Chief Underwriting Officer

  JOHN L. SENNOTT
  /s/ John L. Sennott                                               
  John L. Sennott

[Signature page to J. Sennott Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

RELEASE OF CLAIMS

As used in this Release of Claims (this “Release”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise.

For and in consideration of the Severance Benefits (as defined in my Employment Agreement, dated October 22, 2019 with Capitol Indemnity Corporation (such corporation, the “Company” and such agreement, my “Employment Agreement”)), and other good and valuable consideration, I, John L. Sennott, for and on behalf of myself and my heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns, effective as of the date on which this release becomes effective pursuant to its terms, do fully and forever release, remise, and discharge each of the Company, and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates (including, without limitation, Alleghany Corporation and its subsidiaries), and their respective successors and assigns, together with their respective current and former officers, directors, partners, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Group”), from any and all claims whatsoever up to the date hereof that I had, may have had, or now have against the Group, whether known or unknown, for or by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever, including any claim arising out of or attributable to my employment or the termination of my employment with the Company, whether for tort, breach of express or implied employment contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, unjust dismissal, defamation, libel, or slander, or under any federal, state, or local law dealing with discrimination based on age, race, sex, national origin, handicap, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. The release of claims in this Release includes, but is not limited to, all claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, each as may be amended from time to time, and all other federal, state, and local laws, the common law, and any other purported restriction on an employer’s right to terminate the employment of employees. The release contained herein is intended to be a general release of any and all claims to the fullest extent permissible by law.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws listed in the preceding paragraph.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a United States federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Release to the contrary, by executing this Release, I am not releasing (i) any claims relating to my rights under Sections 5 and 16 of my Employment Agreement, (ii) any rights in respect of currently outstanding CapSpecialty and Alleghany equity or long-term incentive awards in accordance with their terms, (iii) any claims that cannot be waived by law, or (iv) my rights of indemnification as provided by, and in accordance with the terms of,

 

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the Employment Agreement, the Company’s by-laws, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or a Company insurance policy providing such coverage, as any of such may be amended from time to time.

I expressly acknowledge and agree that I –

Am able to read the language, and understand the meaning and effect, of this Release;

Have no physical or mental impairment of any kind that has interfered with my ability to read and understand the meaning of this Release or its terms, and that I am not acting under the influence of any medication, drug, or chemical of any type in entering into this Release;

Am specifically agreeing to the terms of the release contained in this Release because the Company has agreed to pay me the Severance Benefits in consideration for my agreement to accept it in full settlement of all possible claims I might have or ever have had, and because of my execution of this Release;

Acknowledge that, but for my execution of this Release, I would not be entitled to the Severance Benefits;

Understand that, by entering into this Release, I do not waive rights or claims under ADEA that may arise after the date I execute this Release;

Had or could have had [twenty-one (21)][forty-five (45)]1 calendar days from the date of my termination of employment (the “Release Expiration Date”) in which to review and consider this Release, and that if I execute this Release prior to the Release Expiration Date, I have voluntarily and knowingly waived the remainder of the review period;

Have not relied upon any representation or statement not set forth in this Release or my Employment Agreement made by the Company or any of its representatives;

Was advised to consult with my attorney regarding the terms and effect of this Release; and

Have signed this Release knowingly and voluntarily.

I represent and warrant that I have not previously filed, and to the maximum extent permitted by law agree that I will not file, a complaint, charge, or lawsuit against any member of the Group regarding any of the claims released herein. If, notwithstanding this representation and warranty, I have filed or file such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit, I agree that I shall cause such complaint, charge, or lawsuit to be dismissed with prejudice and shall pay any and all costs

 

 

1 

To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

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required in obtaining dismissal of such complaint, charge, or lawsuit, including without limitation the attorneys’ fees of any member of the Group against whom I have filed such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit. This paragraph shall not apply, however, to a claim of age discrimination under ADEA or to any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”); provided, however, that if the EEOC were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with Company, I agree that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or any other remedies or benefits as a result and that this Release and Section 5 of my Employment Agreement will control as the exclusive remedy and full settlement of all such claims by me.

I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any other member of the Group and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any other member of the Group.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Release will not become effective or enforceable prior to the expiration of the period of seven (7) calendar days immediately following the date of its execution by me (the “Revocation Period”), during which time I may revoke my acceptance of this Release by notifying the Company and the Board of Directors of the Company, in writing, delivered to the Company at its principal executive office, marked for the attention of its General Counsel. To be effective, such revocation must be received by the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. on the seventh (7th) calendar day following the execution of this Release. Provided that the Release is executed and I do not revoke it during the Revocation Period, the eighth (8th) calendar day following the date on which this Release is executed shall be its effective date. I acknowledge and agree that if I revoke this Release during the Revocation Period, this Release will be null and void and of no effect, and neither the Company nor any other member of the Group will have any obligations to pay me the Severance Benefits.

The provisions of this Release shall be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal personal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, shall have no effect upon and shall not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

EXCEPT WHERE PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW, THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION, AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS RELEASE IS GOVERNED BY AND IS TO BE CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THAT STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES. ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS RELEASE OR CLAIM OF BREACH HEREOF SHALL BE BROUGHT EXCLUSIVELY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, TO THE EXTENT FEDERAL JURISDICTION EXISTS, AND IN ANY COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, BUT ONLY IN THE EVENT FEDERAL JURISDICTION DOES NOT EXIST, AND ANY APPLICABLE APPELLATE COURTS. BY EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE, I CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS, AND WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO CHALLENGE JURISDICTION OR VENUE IN SUCH COURT WITH REGARD TO ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RELEASE.

 

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FURTHER, I HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RELEASE.

Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in my Employment Agreement.

*             *              *

I, John L. Sennott, have executed this Release of Claims on the respective date set forth below:

 

                                                             

John L. Sennott
Date: [To be executed following a termination of employment only]

 

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Exhibit 10.2

CAPSPECIALTY, INC.

2019 RESTRICTED SHARE PLAN

This CapSpecialty, Inc. 2019 Restricted Share Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted by the Board on October 22, 2019 and shall be effective immediately following the occurrence of the mandatory conversion contemplated by Section 5.1(b) of the Third Amended and Restated of Incorporation of the Company (the “Effective Time”). The Plan shall be applicable to all awards made under the Plan.

1.        Purposes. The purposes of the Plan are to advance the interests of CapSpecialty, Inc. (the “Company”) and its stockholders by providing a means to attract, retain, motivate and reward certain key employees, officers and directors of the Company Group upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the continued success, growth and development of the Company Group is dependent.

2.        Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

Alleghany” means Alleghany Corporation.

Award” means an award of Restricted Shares granted to a Participant under the Plan.

Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Change in Control” means (i) a consolidation or merger of the Company resulting in Alleghany’s failure to own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities generally entitled to vote in the election of the Company’s directors, (ii) a sale of stock resulting in Alleghany’s failure to own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities generally entitled to vote in the election of the Company’s directors, or (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries existing at the time of such sale, taken as a whole, to a Third Party.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. References to any provision of the Code shall be deemed to include successor provisions thereto and regulations thereunder.

Committee” means the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board.

Company” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1 above.

Company Group” means the Company, together with each direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company.


Corporate Event” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(d) hereof.

Eligible Person” means (1) each employee of any member of the Company Group, including each such person who may also be a director of any member of the Company Group and (2) any natural person who has been offered employment by any member of the Company Group; provided, that such prospective employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such person has commenced employment with any member of the Company Group. An employee on an approved leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of a member of the Company Group for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date when the Shares are listed on one or more national securities exchanges, the closing price reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed and traded on the date immediately prior to the date of determination, or, if the closing price is not reported on such date, the closing price on the most recent date on which such closing price is reported. If the Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall mean the amount determined by the Committee in good faith.

IPO” means an initial public offering of the Company’s equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with which equity securities of the Company become listed on a U.S. national securities exchange.

Participant” means each Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under the Plan, or if applicable, such other person or entity who holds an Award.

Plan” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereto.

Restricted Shares” means an Award of Shares granted to a Participant under Section 5(b) that may be subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture, as set forth herein and in any Participant’s Award Agreement.

Shares” means the common stock of the Company, $1.00 par value per share, and such other securities as may be substituted for such common stock pursuant to Section 4(c) below.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, (i) a corporation of which shares of stock having ordinary voting power (other than stock having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by such person, or (ii) in the case of unincorporated entities, any such entity with respect to which such person has the power, directly or indirectly, to designate more than fifty percent (50%) of the individuals exercising functions similar to a board of directors.

Third Party” means a person other than Alleghany or a Subsidiary of Alleghany.

 

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3.        Administration.

(a)        Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, and the Committee shall have full and final authority to take the following actions, in each case in good faith and subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan:

(i)      to select Eligible Persons to become Participants;

(ii)     to determine the number of Awards to be granted, the number of Shares to which an Award may relate, the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, any purchase price, and any bases for adjusting such purchase price, any restriction or condition, any schedule for lapse of restrictions or conditions relating to transferability or forfeiture of an Award, and waiver or accelerations thereof, and waivers of performance conditions relating to an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee shall determine), and all other matters to be determined in connection with an Award;

(iii)    to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered;

(iv)    to prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

(v)     to adopt, amend, suspend, waive, and rescind such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

(vi)    to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan and to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award, rules and regulations, Award Agreement, or other instrument hereunder;

(vii)   to accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Award; and

(viii)  to make all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of the Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

(b)        Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. The Committee shall have sole discretion in exercising its authority under the Plan. Any action of the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, including each member of the Company Group, Participants, any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participants, and shareholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. The Committee may delegate to officers or managers of any member of the Company Group the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform administrative functions and such other functions as the Committee may determine, to the extent permitted under applicable law. Notwithstanding any provision of this

 

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Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant Awards which are subject to the approval of the Board; provided that an Award shall be subject to Board approval only if the Committee expressly so states.

(c)        Limitation of Liability. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or other employee of any member of the Company Group, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. No member of the Committee, nor any officer or employee of any member of the Company Group acting on behalf of the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Committee and any officer or employee of any member of the Company Group acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation.

(d)        Section 409A. The Committee shall take into account compliance with Section 409A of the Code in connection with any grant of an Award under the Plan, to the extent applicable. While the Awards granted hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the implication of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall the Company Group be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Participants as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code).

4.        Shares Subject to the Plan.

(a)        Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the total number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be 156,250. No Award may be granted if the number of Shares to which such Award relates, when added to the number of Shares previously issued under the Plan, exceeds the number of Shares reserved under the preceding sentence. The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards), and make adjustments if the number of Shares differs from the number of Shares previously counted in connection with an Award. If any Awards are forfeited, cancelled, terminated, exchanged or surrendered, including in connection with satisfying tax withholding requirements, or such Award terminates without a distribution of Shares to the Participant, any Shares counted against the number of Shares reserved and available under the Plan with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, cancellation, exchange or surrender, again be available for Awards under the Plan.

(b)        Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares including Shares acquired by the Company by purchase.

(c)        In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend in Shares, recapitalization, Share split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event,

 

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affects the Shares such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants under the Plan, then the Committee shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems appropriate and, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares which may thereafter be issued under the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of shares, other securities, or other consideration (including cash) issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards, and (iii) the purchase price relating to any Award. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria and performance objectives included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.

(d)        Corporate Events. Except as provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in connection with (1) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (2) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of Shares receive securities of another corporation or other property or cash, (3) a Change in Control, or (4) the reorganization or liquidation of the Company (each, a “Corporate Event”), the Committee may, in its discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

(i)        The assumption or substitution of any or all Awards in connection with such Corporate Event, in which case the Awards shall be subject to the adjustment set forth in Section 4(c) above, and to the extent that such Awards vest subject to the achievement of performance objectives or criteria, such objectives or criteria shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect the Corporate Event;

(ii)      The acceleration of vesting of any or all Awards, subject to the consummation of such Corporate Event;

(iii)     The cancellation of any or all Awards (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event, together with the payment to the Participants holding vested Awards (including any Awards that would vest upon the Corporate Event but for such cancellation) so canceled of an amount in respect of cancellation based upon the per-share consideration being paid for the Shares in connection with such Corporate Event; and

(iv)    The replacement of any or all Awards (other than Awards that are intended to qualify as “stock rights” that do not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) with a cash incentive program that preserves the value of the Awards so replaced (determined as of the consummation of the Corporate Event), with subsequent payment of cash incentives subject to the same vesting conditions as applicable to the Awards so replaced and payment to be made within thirty (30) days of the applicable vesting date.

 

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Payments to holders pursuant to Section 4(d)(iii) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or a combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of Shares covered by the Award at such time. In addition, in connection with any Corporate Event, prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 4(d), the Committee may require a Participant to (A) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to his Awards, (B) bear such Participant’s pro-rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Shares, and (C) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

5.        Specific Terms of Awards.

(a)        General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 8(d)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms regarding forfeiture in the event of termination of employment by the Participant.

(b)        Restricted Shares. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Shares to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

(i)        Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions, if any, may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including, without limitation, upon achievement of performance criteria if deemed appropriate by the Committee), in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Shares and the restrictions set forth in Section 5(b)(iv) hereof, a Participant granted Restricted Shares shall have all of the rights of a shareholder including, without limitation, the right to vote Restricted Shares and the right to receive dividends thereon.

(ii)      Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, at the date of grant or thereafter, upon a Participant’s termination of employment for any reason prior to the time that such Restricted Shares have vested, the Restricted Shares and any accrued but unpaid dividends that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited to the Company for no consideration as of the date of termination; provided, however, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.

(iii)    Certificates for Shares. Restricted Shares granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine (including in book entry form). If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the Participant, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms,

 

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conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and, if the Committee so determines, the Company shall retain physical possession of the certificate representing such Restricted Shares (whether or not vested).

(iv)      Dividends. Unless otherwise provided for in an Award Agreement, cash or share dividends and shares distributed in connection with a Share split or dividend in Shares, and other property distributed as a dividend, in each case with respect to the Restricted Shares, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Shares with respect to which such Shares or other property has been distributed.

6.        Terms of Awards. The term of each Award granted to a Participant shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.

7.        Nontransferability.

(a)        Except as set forth below, Awards shall not be transferable by a Participant except to the Company and by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Committee expressly so provides in the applicable Award agreement (at the time of grant or at any time thereafter), an Award granted hereunder may be transferred by a Participant to members of his or her “immediate family” or to a trust or other entity established for the exclusive benefit of solely one or more members of the Participant’s “immediate family,” and any such transfer by a Participant must be for no consideration. As a condition to any such transfer, such transferee will be required to agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement as though no transfer has taken place and any Award held by the transferee will continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the transfer, except that the Award will be transferable by the transferee only by will or the laws of descent and distribution. For purposes hereof, “immediate family” means the Participant’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouse, siblings (including half brothers and sisters), in-laws, and relationships arising because of legal adoption. A Participant’s rights under the Plan may not be pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered, and shall not be subject to claims of the Participant’s creditors.

(b)        Except (i) as otherwise approved by the Committee, (ii) pursuant to Section 8(a) below, or (iii) pursuant to Section 7(a) above, Shares acquired by a Participant pursuant to the vesting of any Award granted hereunder may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of prior to the one hundred eightieth (180th) day following an IPO. If requested by the underwriters managing an IPO, the Participant shall execute a separate agreement to the foregoing effect.

8.        General Provisions.

(a)      Compliance with Legal and Trading Requirements. The Plan, the granting of Awards thereunder, and the other obligations of the Company under the Plan and any Award Agreement, shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required. The

 

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Company, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance or delivery of Shares under any Award until completion of any stock exchange or market system listing or registration or qualification of such Shares or other required action under any state or federal law, rule or regulation as the Company may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations and furnish such information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Shares in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. No provisions of the Plan shall be interpreted or construed to obligate the Company to register any Shares under federal or state law. If the Shares offered for sale or sold under the Plan are offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares and may legend the Share certificates representing such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption

(b)      No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan nor any action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any employee the right to be retained in the employ or service of any member of the Company Group, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of any member of the Company Group to terminate any employee’s employment at any time.

(c)      Taxes. The Company is authorized to withhold, from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Shares or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations.

(d)      Changes to the Plan and Awards. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of either shareholders of the Company or Participants; provided, however, that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination of the Plan may impair the rights or, in any other manner, adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Award theretofore granted to him or her. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall be effective without stockholder approval to the extent that such approval is required pursuant to applicable law or the applicable rules of each national securities exchange on which a Share is listed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, and without an affected Participant’s consent, the Board or the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan or any one or more Awards from time to time as necessary to bring such Awards into compliance with applicable law, including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code.

(e)      No Rights to Awards; No Shareholder Rights. No Participant or employee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. No Award shall confer on any Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until Shares are duly issued or transferred to the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Award.

 

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(f)      Clawback/Recoupment Policy. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all Awards granted under the Plan shall be and remain subject to any incentive compensation clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Board and, in each case, as may be amended from time to time. No such policy, adoption, or amendment shall in any event require the prior consent of any Participant.

(g)      Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. No provision of the Plan shall require the Company to create any trusts or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan to deliver Shares, Awards, or other property pursuant to any Award.

(h)      Not Compensation for Benefit Plans. No Award payable under this Plan shall be deemed salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any benefit plan or other arrangement of the Company for the benefit of its employees unless the Company shall determine otherwise.

(i)      No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. In the case of Awards to Participants, the Committee shall determine whether cash or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

(j)      Participants Outside of the United States. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then a resident or primarily employed outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then a resident or primarily employed, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by non-United States tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence or employment abroad, shall be comparable to the value of such Award to a Participant who is a resident or primarily employed in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 8(k) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation. Additionally, the Committee may adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Eligible Persons who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States

(k)      Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of State of New York without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.

 

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(l)      Effective Date; Plan Termination. The Plan shall become effective at the Effective Time. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate as to future awards on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Time. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated; provided, however, that following any suspension or termination of the Plan, the Plan shall remain in effect for the purpose of governing all Awards then outstanding hereunder until such time as all Awards under the Plan have been terminated, forfeited, or otherwise canceled, or earned, settled, or otherwise paid out in accordance with their terms.

(m)     Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only. In the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

*        *         *

 

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