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 10, 2017 (October 6, 2017)
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE | 001-34822 | 58-2394628 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
5 Musick
Irvine, Ca. 92618
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)
(949) 900-6833
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging 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. |
(b) | Departure of Executive Officer and Director. |
On October 6, 2017, Francis (Frank) P. Grillo entered into a Separation, Transition and Consulting Agreement (the “ Separation Agreement ”) with MRI Interventions, Inc. (the “ Company ”), under which Mr. Grillo is voluntarily resigning from his position as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) and separating from the Company, effective as of November 7, 2017 (the “ Transition Date ”). Mr. Grillo’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with management, the Company or its operations, policies or practices.
(c) | Appointment of Executive Officer. |
In conjunction with Mr. Grillo’s resignation as an officer of the Company, on October 6, 2017, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “ Employment Agreement ”) with Joseph Michael Burnett, whereby Mr. Burnett will serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, effective as of the Transition Date.
Mr. Burnett has served as Vice President and General Manager of Neuro Diagnostics and Therapy at Royal Philips, a publicly-traded global health technology company, since March 2016. Prior to serving in such role, Mr. Burnett was the Senior Vice President and Business Leader of Image Guided Therapy Devices at Royal Philips and General Manager of Volcano Corporation (a Royal Philips company) from February 2015 to March 2016. Before joining Royal Philips, Mr. Burnett worked for Volcano Corporation, where he served in various positions from November 2004 to February 2015, most recently as Executive Vice President and General Manager of its Coronary & Systems Business Unit. Prior to joining Volcano Corporation, Mr. Burnett served as an R&D Engineer and Product Manager at Guidant Corporation from August 1999 to November 2004 and worked as a Bio-Medical Engineering Researcher at Duke University from May 1998 to May 1999. Mr. Burnett holds an MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a B.S.E. degree in Bio-Medical Engineering from Duke University. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Burnett and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed or elected to serve an executive officer or director of the Company. There are no family relationships between Mr. Burnett and any director, executive officer, or any person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. There are no related person transactions (within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission) between Mr. Burnett and the Company.
(d) | Election of Director. |
In conjunction with Mr. Grillo’s resignation as of the Transition Date as a director of the Company, the Board expects to elect Mr. Burnett, the Company’s successor Chief Executive Officer and President, to serve as a director of the Company, effective as the Transition Date, until the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.
(e) | Compensatory Arrangements. |
Separation Agreement with Mr. Grillo
The principal terms of the Separation Agreement with Mr. Grillo are summarized below.
Separation . Mr. Grillo’s employment and his employment agreement with the Company will terminate effective as of the Transition Date. Mr. Grillo will continue to be subject to the provisions and restrictive covenants in the confidentiality agreement and the non-compete agreement Mr. Grillo entered into with the Company in connection with his employment agreement.
Transition and Consulting Services . Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Grillo will provide transition and consulting services on a full-time basis for the first two months following his separation from the Company, which will include, without limitation, working with the new Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives of the Company and providing assistance to transition his job functions and responsibilities at the Company. After such two-month period, Mr. Grillo will continue to provide consulting services and assistance to the Company as may be requested by the Company from time to time.
Payments and Other Benefits . Mr. Grillo will receive the following payments and other benefits, subject to certain conditions, pursuant to the Separation Agreement: (i) his annual bonus, based on his and the Company’s performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, determined in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures set forth in his employment agreement; (ii) 87,500 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock; (iii) a lump sum payment of $15,000; and (iv) $30,000 per month for the first two months following his separation from the Company. Mr. Grillo will also be compensated on an hourly basis to the extent he renders any consulting services after first two months following his separation under the Separation Agreement.
Further, in recognition of the contributions made by Mr. Grillo as an officer and director of the Company, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) has approved the extension of the option exercise period of all stock options previously granted to Mr. Grillo such that the option exercise period is coterminous with the term of the option award.
Release . In exchange for and as a condition to Mr. Grillo’s receipt of the payments and other benefits provided under the Separation Agreement, Mr. Grillo will execute a general release of all claims upon the effectiveness of his separation from the Company.
The foregoing description of the terms of the Separation Agreement is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Separation Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Burnett
The principal terms of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Burnett are summarized below.
Term . The term of Mr. Burnett’s employment begins on the Transition Date. Mr. Burnett’s employment may be terminated by the Company or Mr. Burnett upon written notice to the other party.
Compensation . Mr. Burnett’s base salary is $360,000, which is subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, subject to certain limitations. Starting with the fiscal year commencing on January 1, 2018 and for each year thereafter, the Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Burnett is eligible to receive an annual target incentive bonus of 40% of his annual base salary, subject to certain performance goals to be established by the Compensation Committee. The amount of the incentive bonus payable to Mr. Burnett may be more or less than the target amount, depending on whether, and to what extent, applicable performance goals for such year have been achieved. In addition, the Employment Agreement provides that the Company will pay Mr. Burnett up to $50,000 in reasonable relocation expenses during the first two years of his employment, subject to Mr. Burnett’s continued employment through such two-year period.
As an inducement to his employment with the Company, Mr. Burnett is entitled to receive an initial signing bonus in the aggregate amount of $100,000 under the Employment Agreement, to be paid in two equal installments on the Transition Date and the 6-month anniversary of the Transition Date, conditioned upon Mr. Burnett’s continued employment. The Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Burnett will be granted: (i) a non-qualified stock option to purchase up to 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock; and (ii) 200,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. The exercise price of such stock option will be equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The stock option and restricted shares will vest as follows: (i) one-third (1/3 rd ) of on the first anniversary of the date of grant; and (ii) the remainder in equal quarterly installments during each of the second and third year following the date of grant.
In addition, under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Burnett is: (i) eligible for additional equity compensation from time to time in amounts and based upon criteria determined by the Compensation Committee; and (ii) entitled to participate in any benefit plan from time to time in effect for the Company’s executives and/or employees generally, subject to the eligibility provisions of that plan.
If the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Burnett without cause or if Mr. Burnett terminates his employment for good reason, as those terms are defined in the Employment Agreement, then Mr. Burnett will receive: (i) any portion of base salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the termination date; (ii) an amount equal to his annual base salary in effect on the termination date; (iii) an amount equal to his average bonus for the previous two years, if any; (iv) $18,000; and (v) reimbursement of business expenses he incurred as of the termination date. In addition, under the Employment Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Burnett’s employment without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason, any unvested stock options and restricted stock previously granted to him will become fully vested on the termination date and, in the case of stock options, will be exercisable until the earlier of three years after the termination date or the final expiration date provided for in the applicable award agreement.
If the Company terminates Mr. Burnett’s employment with cause or if he terminates his employment voluntarily, as those terms are defined in the Employment Agreement, then Mr. Burnett will receive: (i) any portion of base salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the termination date; (ii) accrued vacation and other vested benefits under the Company’s equity compensation and benefit plans; and (iii) reimbursement of business expenses he incurred as of the termination date.
Change of Control Payments . Upon a change of control, as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement, any unvested stock options and restricted stock previously granted to Mr. Burnett will become fully vested. In addition, if the Company terminates Mr. Burnett’s employment without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason, in either case within two months prior to or within 12 months following the change of control, then Mr. Burnett will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of: (i) any portion of base salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the termination date; (ii) two times his annual base salary in effect on the termination date; (iii) two times the average of his two highest bonuses paid in the previous three years; (iv) $18,000; and (v) reimbursement of business expenses he incurred as of the termination date.
Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Confidentiality; Assignment of Inventions . In connection with the Employment Agreement, Mr. Burnett also entered into a confidentiality agreement and non-compete agreement, which agreements impose on him customary restrictive covenants prohibiting the disclosure of the Company’s confidential information, requiring Mr. Burnett to assign inventions discovered in the scope of his employment to the Company, prohibiting him from competing with the Company during the term of his employment and for one year following the termination of his employment (subject to applicable law), and prohibiting him from soliciting Company employees, consultants and contractors for two years following the termination of his employment.
The foregoing description of the terms of the Employment Agreement is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
The Company will also enter into its standard form of indemnification agreement with Mr. Burnett (the “ Indemnification Agreement ”) upon the effectiveness of his appointment and election as an officer and director of the Company. The Indemnification Agreement provides, among other things, that the Company will indemnify Mr. Burnett, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by him in any action or proceeding arising out of his service as an officer and/or director of the Company, any of subsidiary of the Company or any other company or enterprise to which the he provides services at the Company’s request. The foregoing description of the terms and conditions of the Indemnification Agreement is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Indemnification Agreement, the form of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10, as originally filed on December 28, 2011, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On October 9, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Grillo’s separation from the Company and Mr. Burnett’s employment with the Company. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits. |
The following exhibits are filed and/or furnished herewith.
Exhibit No. | Description | |
10.1 | Separation, Transition and Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2017, by and between the Company and Francis P. Grillo | |
10.2 | Employment Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2017, by and between the Company and Joseph Michael Burnett | |
99.1 | Press Release of the Company dated October 9, 2017 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 10, 2017 |
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. | |
By: | /s/ Harold A. Hurwitz | |
Harold A. Hurwitz | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 10.1
SEPARATION, TRANSITION AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS SEPARATION, TRANSITION AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into on this 6 th day of October, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between MRI Interventions, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and FRANCIS P. GRILLO (“ Grillo ”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS , Grillo has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President since January 1, 2015 and as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since April 1, 2015;
WHEREAS , Grillo now desires to voluntarily resign as an officer and director and separate from the Company and provide for the orderly transition of responsibilities;
WHEREAS , in connection with Grillo’s separation from the Company, the Company has agreed to make certain payments, in cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, to Grillo in consideration of the terms set forth herein; and
WHEREAS , the Company also desires to engage Grillo, as an independent contractor, to render consulting services to the Company, and Grillo desires to provide such consulting services to the Company, following Grillo’s separation from the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Resignation and Separation from the Company . Grillo hereby resigns as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), effective as of the first day of employment of the Company’s successor Chief Executive Officer (the “ Separation Date ”), which as of the Effective Date is expected to be Joseph Burnett in November 2017. Grillo and the Company agree that Grillo’s employment with the Company and that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2014, by and between Grillo and the Company (the “ Employment Agreemen t”), shall terminate on the Separation Date, and that the provisions included in this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement existing between Grillo and the Company and that this Agreement shall supersede all prior agreements between Grillo and the Company concerning the subject matter hereof as of the Separation Date. Grillo understands and agrees that he will not receive, nor be entitled to, any additional salary or other pay subsequent to the Separation Date, except as set forth specifically in the Agreement terms described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision to the contrary contained herein, that certain Non-Competition Agreement and that certain Non-Disclosure and Proprietary Rights Agreement, each dated as of September 9, 2014, by and between Grillo and the Company (collectively, the “ Restrictive Agreements ”), and all terms, conditions and provisions contained therein, shall remain in full force and effect and continue to apply to Grillo in accordance with their terms. Upon any such breach, all payments pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement in connection with Grillo’s separation from the Company shall immediately cease, or if already paid, shall be recoverable in full by the Company.
2. Consulting Services . Following the Separation Date, and provided that Grillo execute and not revoke the Release described in Section 4 of this Agreement, Grillo will provide certain transition and consulting services to the Company, as more specifically described and pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth below (the “ Consulting Services ”). Grillo shall devote such time, energy and skill as
may be necessary to diligently perform the Consulting Services, and Grillo shall timely prepare and forward to the Company all reports, accountings or other deliverables related to the Consulting Services as may be reasonably requested by the Company.
(a) For the period commencing on the Separation Date and ending sixty (60) days after the Separation Date (the “ Initial Transition Period ”), Grillo shall provide full-time Consulting Services to the Company, which shall include, without limitation, (i) working with the new Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives of the Company and providing assistance to transition Grillo’s job functions and responsibilities and, in connection therewith, to execute and deliver any documents, certificates, agreements, or instruments which are necessary to effect such transition, and (ii) providing any other assistance as may reasonably be requested by the Company during the Initial Transition Period.
(b) Following the Initial Transition Period, Grillo shall continue to provide Consulting Services to the Company as reasonably requested by the Company and otherwise agreed to by the parties from time to time, unless and until either party elects to terminate the consulting relationship between the parties as provided herein by providing five (5) days’ written notice of termination to the other party.
3. Payments and Other Benefits .
(a) In exchange for and in consideration of all of the promises and covenants contained in this Agreement (including, without limitation and contingent upon Grillo’s execution and delivery on the Separation Date of the Release as more specifically described and defined in Section 4 of this Agreement, and further provided that Grillo not revoke such Release), the Company agrees to provide Grillo with the following:
(i) Grillo’s annual bonus, based on his and the Company’s performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, determined in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures set forth in Grillo’s Employment Agreement and based on the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee of the Board, which shall be paid to Grillo, in cash, on or prior to March 15, 2018;
(ii) 87,500 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued by the Company to Grillo as of the Separation Date;
(iii) A lump sum payment of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) within ten (10) business days following the Separation Date;
(iv) Extension of the option exercise period of all stock options previously granted to Grillo such that the option exercise period is coterminous with the term of the option award; and
(v) The Company agrees that Grillo may keep his laptop computer.
(b) For the Consulting Services provided to the Company during the Initial Transition Period pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Grillo at a rate of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) per month, in arrears.
(c) For the Consulting Services requested by and provided to the Company following the Initial Transition Period pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement (and prior to the any termination of the consulting relationship by Grillo or the Company), the Company shall pay Grillo at the rate of One Hundred Seventy Five Dollars ($175.00) per hour worked with a maximum daily rate of One Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($1,400.00). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for travel time, the Company shall pay Grillo at the rate of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per hour, with a maximum daily travel rate of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00). For days that include both consulting and travel hours, the aggregate daily rate will be capped at One Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($1,400.00). Grillo will submit an invoice to the Company no later than the tenth (10th) day of each month that sets forth, in reasonable detail, a description of the Consulting Services performed by Grillo during the previous month and the amount of time Grillo spent providing such Consulting Services.
The Company’s obligations to provide any payments or other benefits pursuant to this Section 3 are expressly conditioned on Grillo’s continued compliance with all of the provisions of this Agreement.
4. Release . In exchange for and in consideration of the separation payments and other benefits set forth in Section 3 , Grillo hereby agrees to execute and deliver a general release and waiver, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Release ”), to the Company on the Separation Date. Grillo understands that he shall not be entitled to receive, and the Company shall not be obligated to provide, any payments or other benefits set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement unless and until Grillo’s execution and delivery of the Release as contemplated hereby has been accomplished. Grillo also acknowledges that he is being provided with at least twenty-one (21) days to consider executing the Release.
5. Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Grillo for reasonable travel and lodging expenses incurred by Grillo in providing the Consulting Services described in Section 2 , provided that any travel must be approved by the Company in advance. The Company will not be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Grillo in connection with the performance of Consulting Services under this Agreement unless such expenses are agreed to in advance by the Company in writing. In any event, (a) the Company’s obligation to reimburse expenses pursuant to this Section 5 is subject to Grillo’s presentation to the Company of a voucher or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company indicating the amount and purpose of the expenses incurred by Grillo, and (b) all expenses for which Grillo requests reimbursement must be consistent with all applicable laws, rules and regulations as well as applicable the Company policies.
6. Section 409(a) . Pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(n) promulgated thereunder, the parties agree that as of the Separation Date, Grillo’s termination of employment is within the meaning set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(n) and all payments under this Agreement are intended to satisfy the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treas. Reg. §1.409- 1(b)(4) and/or the “separation pay” exemption under Treas. Reg. §1.409-1(b)(9) such that no payment hereunder shall be deemed “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
7. Company Property; Confidential Information .
(a) Grillo shall deliver to the Company all documents, records, or other property of any nature belonging to the Company in his custody or control on or promptly following the Separation Date, except as permitted by the Company in connection with Consulting Services to be provided by Grillo after the Separation Date.
(b) In connection with the performance of Consulting Services, Grillo may receive information, analyses, compilations, plans, designs, concepts, devices, research, studies and other materials relating to the Company’s existing or potential business that are not generally available to the public (“ Confidential Information ”). Without the Company’s prior written consent (which consent may be
withheld in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion), Grillo will not (a) in any way disclose any of the Confidential Information to any third party, or (b) in any way use any of the Confidential Information other than in the performance of the Consulting Services for the Company’s exclusive benefit. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event may Grillo include any Confidential Information in any application for patent or other proprietary protection filed by or on behalf of Grillo in any country or jurisdiction. Grillo will take all reasonable steps to safeguard the Confidential Information in order to prevent unauthorized disclosure or use thereof. All Confidential Information coming into Grillo’s possession, regardless of the form, will remain the Company’s exclusive property. Grillo will return to the Company all the Company property obtained upon any termination of such consulting relationship in accordance with Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement or this Section 7 shall prohibit Grillo from cooperating with a government investigation or court order or from making a good-faith, truthful report, or from providing documents or other information, to a government agency with oversight responsibility of the Company.
8. Developed Works .
(a) Grillo will promptly disclose to the Company, in confidence and (if requested by the Company) in writing, any discoveries, inventions, data, information, procedures, conclusions and other results conceived, created, developed, made or prepared by Grillo in connection with or as a result of the performance of his Consulting Services or otherwise based on any Confidential Information received by Grillo (“ Developed Works ”). The Company will be the sole owner of all Developed Works and all intellectual property rights with respect thereto throughout the world. Grillo hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company all right, title and interest of Grillo in and to any and all Developed Works and all intellectual property rights with respect thereto, whether or not patentable, copyrightable or protectable as trade secrets. Grillo acknowledges that any Developed Work which is an original work of authorship and which is copyrightable is a “work made for hire,” as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act. In addition to the foregoing assignment of Developed Works (and all intellectual property rights with respect thereto) to the Company, Grillo hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company any and all “moral rights” that Grillo may have in or with respect to any Developed Work, and Grillo forever waives and agrees not to assert any and all “moral rights” he may have in or with respect to any Developed Work. All Developed Works will constitute Confidential Information subject to the provisions of Section 7(b) above.
(b) Grillo agrees to assist the Company in obtaining and, from time to time, enforcing United States and foreign intellectual property rights relating to Developed Works assigned hereunder to the Company. To that end, Grillo will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such intellectual property rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Grillo will execute, verify and deliver assignments of such intellectual property rights to the Company or its designee.
9. Grillo Representations and Covenants . As of the Effective Date, Grillo represents, warrants and, until the consulting relationship between Grillo and Company has been terminated in accordance with Section 2(b) of this Agreement, covenants to the Company the following:
(a) Grillo is hereby advised, and Grillo acknowledges that he has been so advised, to consult with an attorney of Grillo’s choice before signing this Agreement and the Release required to be executed on the Separation Date, and Grillo acknowledges that he is signing this Agreement after having the opportunity to consult with an attorney and to consider the terms of this Agreement (as well as the
Release required to be executed in connection herewith as of the Separation Date); that Grillo has carefully read this Agreement in its entirety; that Grillo has had an adequate opportunity to consider it; that Grillo understands its terms; that Grillo voluntarily assents to all the terms and conditions contained herein; that Grillo is signing it voluntarily and of Grillo’s own free will, and that Grillo is not suffering from any disability or condition that would render Grillo unable to enter into this Agreement;
(b) Grillo will not make any statements, written or verbal, that are derogatory or disparaging concerning the Company, or concerning any current or former directors, officers, or employees of the Company and will pay for any reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the Company in recovering any sum due from Grillo as a consequence of his breach of this Agreement shall be paid by Grillo;
(c) Grillo’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, and Grillo’s performance under this Agreement, do not and will not (i) breach or otherwise conflict with any obligations binding on Grillo or to which Grillo is or becomes subject, or (ii) require the consent of any third party that has not already been obtained as of the Effective Date.
(d) Grillo has not entered into, and will not enter into, any agreement, either written or oral, in conflict with this Agreement.
(e) Grillo does not have any relationship with a third party, including a competitor of the Company, which would present a conflict of interest with Grillo’s performance of the Consulting Services, or which would prevent Grillo from carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, and Grillo will not enter into any such relationship prior to the termination of the consulting relationship between Grillo and the Company pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement;
(f) Grillo will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in connection with his performance of the Consulting Services hereunder and will comply with all the Company policies otherwise applicable to employee conduct, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Interactions with Healthcare Professionals Policy (which Grillo acknowledges having received);
(g) Grillo will not publish, nor submit for publication, any confidential or proprietary work resulting from the Consulting Services provided hereunder without the Company’s prior written consent;
(h) Grillo will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, take any action that reasonably could result in any person other than the Company having a claim to an ownership interest in any Developed Works;
(i) Grillo will not include any confidential, trade secret or other proprietary information of any third party in any information disclosed to the Company;
(j) Grillo is not currently, and has never been, (i) a person who has been debarred, excluded or suspended from (A) participating in any federal health care program, (B) participating in any federal contracting by the U.S. General Services Administration or (C) submitting or assisting in the submission of any abbreviated drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (in either case, “ Debarment ” or “ Debarred ”, as applicable), or (ii) an employee, partner, stockholder or member of a Debarred person;
(k) Grillo has never been criminally convicted or found civilly liable for violating any federal, state or local law, including, without limitation, the federal health care program anti-kickback statute (42 U.S.C §1320a-7b), but excluding any minor traffic offenses or other traffic misdemeanor citations; and
(l) Grillo is not currently, and has never been, designated as a “Specially Designated National” or “Blocked Person” by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
10. Required Notices . Grillo will immediately provide written notice to the Company if:
(a) Grillo becomes a Debarred person or receives notice of action or threat of action with respect to his Debarment;
(b) Grillo is criminally convicted or found civilly liable for violating any federal, state or local law, including, without limitation, the federal health care program anti-kickback statute (42 U.S.C §1320a-7b) ), but excluding any minor traffic offenses or other traffic misdemeanor citations; or
(c) Grillo becomes designated as a “Specially Designated National” or “Blocked Person” by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
11. Independent Contractor . With respect to the performance of the Consulting Services as contemplated by this Agreement, Grillo will be an independent contractor of the Company. Grillo will not be an agent, employee or representative of the Company and nothing herein should be construed to constitute Grillo as such. Grillo will not, under any circumstances, look to the Company as his employer, or as a partner, agent or principal, and Grillo will have no right, power or authority to create any obligation, express or implied, on behalf of the Company.
(a) As an independent contractor, Grillo will not be entitled to any benefits accorded to the Company’s employees (including, without limitation, workers’ compensation, health insurance, disability insurance, vacation or sick pay), and the Company will not be responsible for withholding from the compensation payable to Grillo any amounts for federal, state or local income taxes, social security or state disability or unemployment insurance.
(b) Grillo will have the entire responsibility to discharge any and all of his obligations relating to taxes, unemployment compensation or insurance, social security, workers’ compensation, disability pensions and tax withholdings (the “ Tax Obligations ”). Grillo hereby agrees to indemnify the Company and hold the Company harmless for any and all Losses incurred or suffered by the Company which arise out of Grillo’s failure to properly discharge his Tax Obligations.
12. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and will supersede all previous negotiations, commitments, and writings with respect to such subject matter, other than the Restrictive Agreements.
13. Amendment . No amendment, modification or supplement of any provision of this Agreement will be valid or effective unless made in writing and signed by each party.
14. Assignment . This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Company and Grillo and their respective successors and assigns; provided , however , that Grillo may not assign this Agreement or delegate any duties and obligations hereunder.
15. Notices . Any notice required under this Agreement must be in writing, must be addressed as provided below and will be deemed delivered (a) three business days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid and registered or certified, return receipt requested, (b) one business day after sent by nationally recognized overnight receipted courier service with next day delivery specified, or (c) when actually received by the party to whom such notice is required to be given, if such notice is delivered via electronic mail or any other method not identified in the preceding clauses (a) and (b):
If to the Company, the Company’s address as set forth on the signature page of this Agreement;
If to Grillo, Grillo’s address as set forth on the signature page of this Agreement;
and in any case at such other address as a party may specify by written notice in accordance with this section. All periods of notice will be measured from the date of deemed delivery as provided in this section.
16. Governing Law; Severability . This Agreement will be governed, construed, and interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to provisions regarding the conflict of laws. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in a manner to be effective, valid and enforceable. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, then such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or affecting in any manner whatsoever the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and still have such similar provision be construed and enforced as legal, valid, and enforceable.
17. Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are for convenience only and will be of no force or effect in construing or interpreting any of the provisions of this Agreement.
18. Waiver of Compliance . The failure of either party to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition under this Agreement may be waived by the party entitled to the benefit thereof only by a written instrument signed by the party on granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition will not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
19. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which need not contain the signature of more than one party but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature will create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page was an original thereof.
20. Construction . All plural nouns and pronouns will be deemed to include the singular case thereof where the context requires, and vice versa. All pronouns will be gender neutral unless the context otherwise requires. Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law will be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires. The word “including” will mean including without limitation.
[Signature page and Exhibit to Follow.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
COMPANY: | |
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. | |
By: | /s/ Harold A. Hurwitz |
Name: | Harold A. Hurwitz |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
Address for Notice : | |
MRI Interventions, Inc. | |
5 Musick | |
Irvine, CA 92618 | |
Attention: Chief Financial Officer | |
Email: hhurwitz@mriinterventions.com | |
GRILLO: | |
/s/ Francis P. Grillo | |
Francis P. Grillo | |
Address for Notice : | |
Francis P. Grillo | |
1181 Lammy Place | |
Los Altos, CA 94024 | |
Email: grillo_f@comcast.net |
EXHIBIT A
RELEASE
See attached.
GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
THIS GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS (this “ Release ”) is made and entered into by and between FRANCIS P. GRILLO (“ Grillo ”) and MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Company and Grillo are parties to that certain Separation, Transition and Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2017 (the “ Separation Agreement ”);
WHEREAS , in consideration of the agreements and covenants made by the Company in the Separation Agreement and as a condition to Grillo’s receipt of the payments and other benefits provided in Section 3 of the Separation Agreement (the “ Separation Benefits ”), Grillo has agreed to execute and deliver this Release in accordance with Section 4 of the Separation Agreement; and
WHEREAS , in consideration of the agreements and covenants made by Grillo in the Separation Agreement and the execution and delivery of this Release by Grillo, the Company has agreed to execute and deliver this Release.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing Recitals, the mutual covenants and agreements and the terms and conditions set forth herein and other valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Compensation Through Separation Date . On the Separation Date, Grillo was paid all unpaid base salary, accrued vacation and unpaid bonuses earned (if any), less state and federal taxes and other required withholding, for the period from the last regular pay day through the Separation Date (the “ Final Wages Payment ”). Grillo also acknowledges he has been paid for all business expenses in accordance with the Company’s procedures for business expense reimbursement. Grillo acknowledges receipt of the Final Wages Payment and the expense reimbursement payment, and agrees that the Company has paid to him all salary, accrued vacation, bonuses, benefits, expense reimbursement, and any other consideration owed to him at any time and for any reason through the Separation Date. Grillo represents and agrees that the Company owes no further sums to Grillo, other than the Separation Benefits the Company has agreed to provide pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement.
2. Effective Date . The Effective Date of this Release shall be the eighth (8 th ) day after Grillo’s dated execution of this Release, provided that Grillo has not revoked this Release pursuant to Paragraph 11 . However, this Release shall not apply to any claims that might arise after the date Grillo executes the Release.
3. Return of Company Property . Grillo understands that, except as otherwise provided by this Paragraph 3 , as of the Separation Date, he was required to return to the Company, and Grillo represents that he has returned to the Company, all tangible and intangible property and information belonging to the Company that is within his possession or subject to his control, including but not limited to any equipment, supplies, business cards, credit cards, and office machines, and also including any electronic or tangible documents or files relating to the Company, except for such personnel and compensation records provided to Grillo during the course of his employment and as otherwise permitted by the Company in connection with transition and consulting services contemplated to be provided by Grillo under the Separation Agreement after the Separation Date.
4. Complete Release of Claims by Grillo and Company .
A. In consideration for this Release, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, Grillo, for himself, and his heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, agents and successors (collectively, “ Grillo’s Affiliates ”) hereby fully releases and forever discharges the Company and each of its predecessors, successors, assigns, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, attorneys, subsidiaries, parent companies, divisions or affiliated corporations or organizations, whether previously or hereafter affiliated in any manner (collectively, “ Released Parties ”), from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, obligations, damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses, and liabilities of any nature whatsoever, whether or not now known, suspected or claimed (the “ Claims ”) that in anyway arise from, grow out of, or are related to Grillo’s employment with the Company, Grillo’s termination of employment with the Company, or events that occurred before the date Grillo executes this Agreement. In giving this release, Grillo waives and releases any and all rights to employment or re-employment with the Company or its subsidiaries.
B. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Grillo understands and agrees that the release provisions of this Paragraph 4 apply to any Claims that Grillo or the Grillo’s Affiliates now have, or may ever have had, against the Company or any of the other Released Parties by reason of any act or omission concerning any matter, cause or thing occurring on or before the date Grillo signs this Release that arise out of or are in any manner related to Grillo’s employment with the Company, its subsidiaries or with any of the other Released Parties, as well as the separation of that employment, including without limitation any Claims Grillo or Grillo’s Affiliates may have under any federal or state employment discrimination laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the California Family Rights Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; as well as all Claims arising out of or related to violations of the California Government Code; the California Business & Professions Code, including Business & Professions Code Section 17200, et seq.; breach of contract; fraud; misrepresentation; common counts; unfair competition; unfair business practices; negligence; defamation; infliction of emotional distress; invasion of privacy; assault; battery; false imprisonment; wrongful termination; and any other state or federal law, rule, or regulation.
C. Grillo acknowledges and represents that he did not suffer any work-related injuries while working for the Company. Grillo represents that he has no intention of filing any claim for workers’ compensation benefits of any type against the Company.
5. Older Workers Benefit Protection Act . This Release is subject to the terms of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (the “ OWBPA ”). The OWBPA provides that an individual cannot waive a right or claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ ADEA ”) unless the waiver is knowing and voluntary. Pursuant to the terms of the OWBPA, Grillo acknowledges and agrees that he has executed this Release voluntarily, and with full knowledge of its consequences. In addition, Grillo hereby acknowledges and agrees that: (a) this Release has been written in a manner that is calculated to be understood, and is understood, by Grillo; (b) the provision of this Release apply to rights and claims that Grillo may have under the ADEA, including the right to file a lawsuit against the Released Parties for age discrimination; (c) the provisions of this Release do not apply to any rights or claims that Grillo may have under the ADEA that arise after the date Grillo executes this Release; (d) the
Company does not have a preexisting duty to pay compensation identified in the Separation Agreement and this Release; and (e) Grillo has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney regarding the terms and conditions of this Release. Upon consultation with Grillo’s attorney, or Grillo’s decision not to consult with an attorney, Grillo agrees, covenants and represents that the termination of Grillo’s employment shall not for any purpose be deemed to have resulted from an “exit incentive program” or “any other termination program offered to a group or class of employees,” as those phrases are used in the OWBPA and its implementing regulations.
6. General Nature of Release; Claims Not Released . The release by Grillo set forth above in Paragraph 4 of this Release is a general release of all claims, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages, and liabilities of any nature whatsoever that are described in the Release and is intended to encompass all known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen claims that Grillo may have against the Released Parties, or any of them, except for (a) any claims that may arise from the terms of this Release, (b) any claims which may not be released as a matter of law, (c) any claims under the Indemnification Agreement entered into by Grillo and the Company in connection with Grillo’s service as a director and officer of the Company, (d) any claims for indemnification and/or reimbursement of expenses by the Company with respect to which Grillo may be eligible by reason of Grillo’s indemnification rights under any applicable statute or provision of the Company’s charter documents, (e) any claims for coverage under any D&O or other similar insurance policy or (f) any claims that may arise after the date this Release is executed by Grillo. It is further understood by the parties that nothing in this Release shall affect any rights Grillo may have under any Pension Plan and/or Savings Plan (i.e., 401(k) plan) provided by the Company as of the Separation Date, such items to be governed exclusively by the terms of the applicable plan documents.
7. Covenant Not to Sue. Grillo covenants and agrees never to commence, aid in any way, prosecute or cause to be commenced or prosecuted any action or other proceeding based upon any Claims which are the subject of this Release; provided however, that Grillo does not relinquish any protected rights to file a charge, testify, assist or participate in any manner in an investigation, hearing or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or any similar state human rights agency. However, Grillo agrees that should Grill obtain damages, or should the EEOC or any other third party obtain damages or other relief on Grillo’s behalf arising out of a claim concerning Grillo’s employment with the Company, Grillo will completely waive and forego the receipt of all such damages or other relief. Notwithstanding anything in this Paragraph 7 to the contrary, this covenant not to sue shall not prohibit Grillo from filing, pursuant to 29 CFR § 1625.23, a lawsuit to challenge the enforceability of the Release with respect to a claim under the ADEA.
8. Release of Section 1542 Rights . Grillo expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits he may have under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code. Section 1542 is intended to protect against an inadvertent release of unknown or unsuspected claims that would be material to this Release. This Paragraph 8 provides that Grillo also is releasing any such unknown or unsuspected claims. Section 1542 reads as follows:
“Section 1542. [General Release; extent.] A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”
9. Non-Admission of Liability . Grillo and the Company acknowledge and agree that this Release shall not in any way be construed as an admission by any of the Released Parties of any wrongful act against, or any liability to, Grillo or any other person.
10. Protection of Trade Secrets . Grillo agrees to keep in strict confidence at all times, and that he will not at any time, either directly or indirectly, make known, reveal, make available or use, any Trade Secrets as defined herein, which Grillo obtained during or by virtue of his employment with the Company. The parties agree that “Trade Secrets” as used herein means all confidential information which (i) has been the subject of reasonable efforts by the Company to maintain as secret and confidential, (ii) pertains in any manner to the business of the Company, including proprietary information entrusted to the Company in confidence by its customers or suppliers (except to the extent such information is generally known or made available to the public or to the Company’s competitors through lawful means), and (iii) has independent economic value by virtue of not being generally known to other persons who could obtain economic value from its disclosure or use. Grillo acknowledges that all Trade Secrets, as well as all other confidential information or data of the Company, are and remain the exclusive property of the Company (or, in the case of proprietary information belonging to a customer or supplier who has entrusted it to the Company, the exclusive property of that person or entity). Grillo and the Company further agree that the following information constitutes a non-exclusive listing of Trade Secrets coming within the terms of this Release: the customer contacts and business requirements of the Company’s current customers with respect to the Company’s products; the supplier contacts and business requirements of the Company’s suppliers with respect to the Company’s products; the specific nature and amount of business conducted by the Company with its customers and suppliers; the product specifications required by the Company’s customers or required by the Company of its suppliers; customer and supplier pricing information and discount schedules with respect to the Company’s products or supplies; and the Company’s business plans and strategies for acquiring new products, customers, or manufacturing sources or otherwise expanding or improving its product offerings to customers. Grillo further agrees that he shall not directly or indirectly solicit business from or with respect to any customers or suppliers of the Company through the use of any Trade Secrets.
11. Twenty-One Day Consideration Period . This Release was given to Grillo on October 6, 2017 (the “ Delivery Date ”). Accordingly, Grillo acknowledges that, commencing on the Delivery Date, he is entitled to take up to twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider whether to accept this Release, and that if he signs this Release before expiration of the 21-day period, he has done so voluntarily.
12. Seven-Day Revocation Period . After signing this Release, Grillo shall have a period of seven (7) calendar days to revoke the Agreement by providing the Company with written notice of his revocation. To be effective, such revocation must be in writing, must specifically revoke this Release, and must be received by the Company prior to the eighth calendar day following Grillo’s execution of this Release. This Release shall become effective, enforceable, and irrevocable on the eighth (8 th ) calendar day following Grillo’s execution of this Release. Any revocation of this Release, however, shall not affect the finality of the separation of Grillo’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries on the Separation Date (as defined in the Separation Agreement).
13. Acknowledgment of Being Advised to Consult Legal Counsel . This Release is an important legal document. Grillo acknowledges that the Company has advised him in writing to consult with an attorney of his choice prior to signing this Release, and that he has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney to the extent he so desires.
14. Confidentiality . As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Release, Grillo promises and agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding this Release to the extent permitted by applicable law, except to the extent the Company publicly discloses its terms in accordance with public company disclosure requirements. Therefore, except to the extent of any public disclosure by the Company, Grillo promises and covenants not to disclose, publicize, or cause to be publicized any of the terms and conditions of this Release except to his immediate family, and to his attorney or accountant to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain professional advice with respect to the parties’ rights and obligations as stated herein, to the extent necessary to enforce this Release, or otherwise as permitted by law. Grillo further promises and covenants to use his best efforts to prevent any further disclosure of this Release by any such persons to whom he does make disclosure.
15. Ambiguities . Grillo and the Company agree that the general rule that ambiguities shall be construed against the drafting party shall not apply to any interpretation of this Release.
16. Interpretation . Whenever possible, each provision of this Release shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be valid and effective under applicable law. If any provision of this Release shall be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, it shall be deemed separable from, and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of, the remaining provisions of this Release, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be enforced to the fullest extent possible. All captions are for convenience of reference only and shall be disregarded in interpreting this Release.
17. Entire Agreement . Grillo acknowledges that he is not relying, and has not relied, on any representation or statement by the Company with regard to the subject matter or terms of this Release, except to the extent set forth fully in this Release. This Release constitutes the entire agreement between Grillo and the Company with respect to the subject matter of this Release, and supersedes any and all other agreements, understandings or discussions between Grillo and the Company with respect to the subject matter of this Release, other than the Separation Agreement.
18. Risk of New or Different Facts . Grillo acknowledges that he may discover new information different from or inconsistent with facts he presently believes to be true, and expressly agrees to assume the risk of such new or different information.
19. Modification . This Release cannot be modified or terminated, except by a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or termination is sought.
20. Voluntary Agreement . This Release in all respects has been voluntarily and knowingly executed by the parties hereto. Grillo specifically represents that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Release, and that he is voluntarily entering into this Release.
21. Execution in Counterparts . This Release may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
22. Governing Law . The validity and effect of this Release shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this General Release of All Claims and have initialed each page hereof (other than this signature page), on the dates set forth below.
Dated: __________________________ , 2017 | ||
Francis P. Grillo | ||
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. | ||
Dated: __________________________ , 2017 | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
EXHIBIT 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of this 6 th day of October 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and JOSEPH MICHAEL BURNETT (the “ Executive ”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS , the Company desires to employ the Executive to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS , the Company and the Executive each deem it necessary and desirable to execute a written document setting forth the terms and conditions of said relationship; and
WHEREAS , to the extent this Agreement provides for any “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the Agreement will be administered in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and mutual obligations hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:
“ Accounting Firm ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Agreement.
“ Affiliate ” has the same meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
“ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble above.
“ Annual Bonus ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) of this Agreement.
“ Award Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) of this Agreement.
“ Award Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(d) of this Agreement.
“ Base Salary ” means the annual salary to be paid to the Executive as set forth in Section 4(a) of this Agreement.
“ Benefit Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) of this Agreement.
“ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“ Change of Control ” means the occurrence with respect to the Company of any of the following events: (i) a change in the ownership of the Company; (ii) a change in the effective control of the Company; or (iii) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company.
For purposes of this definition, a change in the ownership of the Company occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total
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fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. A change in the effective control of the Company occurs on the date on which either (i) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, taking into account all such stock acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, or (ii) a majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of such Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, other than a person or group of persons that is related to the Company, acquires assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, taking into account all such assets acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition.
The determination as to the occurrence of a Change of Control shall be based on objective facts and in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
“ Change of Control Termination ” means (i) a Termination Without Cause or (ii) a Termination for Good Reason, in either case within two (2) months prior to, on, or within one (1) year after, a Change of Control.
“ Code ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“ Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble above.
“ Company Incentive Plan ” means, collectively, the Company’s current equity incentive plan, as such may be amended from time to time, and any other equity incentive plan adopted by the Company from time to time.
“ Company Shares ” means shares of common stock of the Company or any securities of a successor company which shall have replaced such common stock.
“ Compensation Committee ” means the compensation committee of the Board.
“ Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain Non-Disclosure and Proprietary Rights Agreement between the Company and the Executive in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .
“ Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble above.
“ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“ Excise Tax ” means the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code with respect to the Total Payments, together with any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax.
“ Executive ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble above.
“ Initial Signing Bonus ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) of this Agreement.
“ Net After-Tax Benefit ” means (i) the Total Payments, less (ii) the amount of all United States federal, state and local income and employment taxes payable with respect to the Total Payments
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(calculated at the maximum applicable marginal income tax rate for the Executive under the Code), and less (iii) the amount of the Excise Tax imposed (based upon the rate for such year as set forth in the Code at the time of the first payment of the foregoing).
“ Non-Compete Agreement ” means that certain Non-Compete Agreement between the Company and the Executive in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .
“ Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement ” means that certain Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Executive in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .
“ Option(s) ” means (i) any option issued to the Executive pursuant to a Company Incentive Plan, (ii) other than options described in the preceding clause (i), any option issued to the Executive by the Company to purchase Company Shares, or (iii) any option granted under the plan of any successor company that replaces or assumes the Company’s options.
“ Permanent Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Company. Medical determination of Permanent Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of an accident or health plan covering employees or directors of the Company provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such disability insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Company, the Executive must submit proof to the Company of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.
“ Relocation Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b) of this Agreement.
“ Restricted Share Award Agreement ” means that certain Restricted Share Award Agreement between the Company and the Executive in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D .
“ Restricted Stock ” means (i) any restricted Company Shares issued to the Executive pursuant to a Company Incentive Plan, (ii) other than restricted Company Shares described in the preceding clause (i), any restricted Company Shares issued to the Executive by the Company, or (iii) any restricted stock granted under the plan of any successor company that replaces or assumes the Company’s restricted stock awards.
“ Section 4999 Limit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) of this Agreement.
“ Specified Employee ” means a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to paragraph 5 thereof) of the Company if any stock of the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise.
“ Start Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement.
“ Term ” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3(a) of this Agreement.
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“ Termination Date ” means the date on which the employment of the Executive is terminated, which date shall be (i) in the case of the Executive’s death, the date of death, (ii) in the case of the Executive’s Permanent Disability, thirty (30) days after a Termination Notice is given, provided the Executive does not return to the full-time performance of his duties within such thirty (30) day period, (iii) in the case of a Termination Upon Expiration, the date upon which the Term expires, (iv) in the case of a Termination With Cause, the date specified in the Termination Notice, or (v) in all other instances, the date specified as the Termination Date in the Termination Notice, which date shall not be less than ten (10) days from the date the Termination Notice is given.
“ Termination for Good Reason ” means the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company by the Executive based on any of the following circumstances, if, within the six (6) month period preceding the Executive’s termination, the Executive notified the Company in writing of such circumstances within ninety (90) days of occurrence and the Company did not remedy such circumstances within thirty (30) days thereafter:
(i) a material demotion or diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities without the Executive’s consent; or
(ii) a relocation of the company such that the Executive’s commute is extended by more than an additional 50 miles;
(iii) any action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
“ Termination Notice ” means a written notice of termination of employment by the Executive or the Company.
“ Termination of Employment ” means the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for reasons other than death or Permanent Disability. Whether a Termination of Employment takes place is determined based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the termination of the Executive’s employment and whether the Company and the Executive intended for the Executive to provide significant services for the Company following such termination. A change in the Executive’s employment status will not be considered a Termination of Employment if the Executive continues to provide services as an employee of the Company or in any other capacity at an annual rate that is twenty percent (20%) or more of the services rendered, on average, during the immediately preceding three full calendar years of employment (or, if employed less than three years, such lesser period).
“ Termination Upon Expiration ” means the termination of the Executive’s employment upon the full expiration of the Term, including the full expiration of any extension thereof, following: (i) the Company’s notice to the Executive of the Company’s election to not extend the Term; or (ii) the Executive’s notice to the Company of the Executive’s election to not extend the Term, in each case as provided in Section 3(a) of this Agreement.
“ Termination With Cause ” means the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for any of the following reasons: (i) the Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the Executive’s duties where such gross negligence or willful misconduct has resulted or is likely to result in substantial and material damage to the Company; (ii) the material violation by the Executive of any federal or state law or regulation or the Company’s compliance program in the performance of the Executive’s duties; (iii) the Executive’s breach of the Non-Compete Agreement; (iv) the Executive’s material breach of the Confidentiality Agreement; (v) the Executive’s commission of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; (vi) the Executive’s conviction of, or the Executive’s entry of a
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guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere with respect to, a felony; or (vii) the Executive’s material failure to perform duties consistent with this Agreement or the Executive’s position or to follow or comply with the reasonable directives of the Board or the Executive’s supervisor(s) (to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement), provided that (A) the Executive shall have received written notice within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of such failure that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has engaged in such failure and (B) the Executive shall not have cured such failure within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, provided further that such opportunity to cure a failure shall not apply if the Executive has received more than one notice with respect to the same or similar conduct pursuant to this clause (vii) during any twelve (12) consecutive month period.
“ Termination Without Cause ” means the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for any reason other than (i) Termination With Cause, (ii) termination by the Company due to the Executive’s death or Permanent Disability, or (iii) Termination Upon Expiration.
“ Total Payments ” means the total payments or other benefits that the Executive becomes entitled to receive from the Company or an Affiliate thereof in connection with a Change of Control that would constitute a “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), whether payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company or an Affiliate thereof.
“ Voluntary Termination ” means the Executive’s voluntary termination of his employment hereunder for any reason, other than a Termination for Good Reason. If the Executive gives a Termination Notice of Voluntary Termination and, prior to the Termination Date, the Executive voluntarily refuses or fails to provide substantially all the services described in Section 2 hereof, the Voluntary Termination shall be deemed to be effective as of the date on which the Executive so ceases to carry out his duties. Voluntary refusal to perform services shall not include (i) taking vacation otherwise permitted in accordance with Section 4(g) hereof, (ii) the Executive’s failure to perform services on account of his illness or the illness of a member of the Executive’s immediate family, provided such illness is adequately substantiated at the reasonable request of the Company, or (iii) any other absence from service permitted by applicable State or Federal law or with the written consent of the Board.
2. Employment; Services . The Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to be so employed, in the capacity of the Chief Executive Officer and President as of the Start Date and through the Term as provided in Section 3(a) of this Agreement. The Executive shall assume and discharge such duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with the Executive’s position. The Executive shall be a full-time employee of the Company and shall exert his best efforts and devote substantially all of his business time and attention to the Company’s affairs and the performance of his duties hereunder.
3. Term; Termination .
(a) The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “ Term ”) shall be for three (3) years and shall commence as of November 7, 2017 (the “ Start Date ”). On the third anniversary of the Start Date and each successive anniversary of the Start Date, the Term shall be extended for an additional one (1) year period, unless one party gives notice to the other of such party’s election to not extend the Term, which notice must be given no later than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then-current Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, employment during the Term shall be subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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(b) Any purported termination of employment by the Executive or the Company, other than by reason of the Executive’s death, shall be communicated by a Termination Notice. The Termination Notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and, in the event of a Termination With Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, set forth the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination.
4. Compensation .
(a) Base Salary . During the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive for his services a “ Base Salary ” of Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($360,000) per year, to be paid in accordance with customary Company policies. The Base Salary shall be subject to increase or decrease according to policies and practices adopted by the Compensation Committee or the Board, as the case may be; provided, however, that in no event (i) shall the Base Salary for any year be decreased by more than ten percent (10%) from the immediately preceding year’s Base Salary, and (ii) shall the Base Salary be less than Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($360,000).
(b) Annual Bonus . Starting with the Company’s fiscal year commencing on January 1, 2018, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus in an amount not to exceed forty percent (40%) of the Executive’s Base Salary (an “ Annual Bonus ”), subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee in consultation with the Executive. The Compensation Committee shall determine in good faith the Executive’s entitlement to an Annual Bonus based on the achievement or satisfaction of such terms, conditions and goals as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each calendar year. The Company shall pay the Annual Bonus, if any, to the Executive within ten (10) days after the Compensation Committee makes such determination and in any event not later than March 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the services upon which the Annual Bonus is based were performed; provided , however , that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to pay, and the Executive shall not be entitled to receive, any such Annual Bonus unless the Executive remains employed by the Company on the date of payment.
(c) Initial Signing Bonus . To induce the Executive to commence employment with the Company as of the Start Date, the Company shall pay to the Executive an initial signing bonus of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (the “ Initial Signing Bonus ”), which shall consist of two payments of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) each. The first $50,000 payment shall be made within ten (10) business days of the Start Date. The second $50,000 payment shall be made within ten (10) business days of the six-month anniversary of the Start Date; provided , however , that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to pay, and the Executive shall not be entitled to receive, the second payment of the Initial Signing Bonus unless the Executive remains employed by the Company on the date of such payment.
(d) Inducement Grants . To induce the Executive to commence employment with the Company as of the Start Date, the Company shall grant the Executive, effective as of the Start Date: (i) an Option on the terms and conditions set forth in the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement; and (ii) Restricted Stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the Restricted Share Award Agreement.
(e) Award Plans . During the Term, the Executive shall generally be eligible to participate in Company Incentive Plans and any other incentive compensation, profit participation or extra compensation plan that is adopted by the Company and in which the Company’s executive officers generally participate (collectively, “ Award Plans ”), according to the policies and practices adopted by the Compensation Committee or the Board, as the case may be.
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(f) Benefit Plans . During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in, and to all rights and benefits provided by, the health, life, medical, dental, disability, insurance and welfare plans that are maintained from time to time by the Company for the benefit of the Executive, the executives of the Company generally or for the Company’s employees generally, provided that the Executive is eligible to participate in such plan under the eligibility provisions thereof that are generally applicable to the participants thereof (collectively, “ Benefit Plans ”).
(g) Vacation . The Executive shall be entitled each year to vacation time, during which time his compensation shall be paid in full. The time allotted for such vacation shall be four (4) weeks, to be taken at such time or times as shall be mutually convenient and consistent with his duties and obligations to the Company. Vacation accrues based on the Executive’s anniversary date. Any unused vacation shall be subject to the Company’s policies regarding same, as such may be amended from time to time.
(h) Overall Qualification . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as preventing the Company from modifying, suspending, discontinuing or terminating any of the Benefit Plans or Award Plans without notice or liability to the Executive so long as (i) the modification, suspension, discontinuation or termination of any such plan is authorized by and performed in accordance with the specific provisions of such plan and (ii) such modification, suspension, discontinuation or termination is taken generally with respect to all similarly situated employees of the Company and does not single out or discriminate against the Executive.
5. Expenses .
(a) General . The Company recognizes that the Executive will have to incur certain out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to travel expenses, related to his services and the Company’s business and the Company agrees, to reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses necessarily incurred by him in the performance of his duties upon presentation of documentation indicating the amount and business purposes of any such expenses; provided, that the Executive complies with the Company’s policies and procedures regarding business expenses.
(b) Relocation . During the period commencing on the Start Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Start Date (the “ Relocation Period ”), the Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), in the aggregate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Executive ceases to be an employee of the Company (i) within 12 months of being reimbursed for relocation expenses per above, the Company shall have the right to claw back (including, without limitation, retaining any payments owed to the Executive hereunder for such purpose) and the Executive agrees to repay one hundred percent (100%) of the relocation expenses paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 5(b); or (ii) in the event the Executive ceases to be an employee of the Company between 12 - 24 months of being reimbursed for relocation expenses per above, the Company shall have the right to claw back (including, without limitation, retaining any payments owed to the Executive hereunder for such purpose) and the Executive agrees to repay fifty percent (50%) of the relocation expenses paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 5(b), as applicable, within ten (10) business days of the Executive’s Termination Date.
6. Voluntary Termination; Termination With Cause . If the Executive shall cease being an employee of the Company on account of the Executive’s Voluntary Termination or a Termination With Cause, the Executive shall have no further rights against the Company hereunder after the Termination Date, except for the right to receive (i) any Base Salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date, (ii) accrued vacation and other vested benefits under the Company’s Award and
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Benefit Plans; and (iii) reimbursement of business expenses to which the Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date pursuant to Section 5(a) . In the event of a Voluntary Termination or a Termination With Cause, the Executive shall continue to be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement and the Non-Compete Agreement.
7. Termination Upon Death or Permanent Disability .
(a) Death . The Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death. Upon termination of employment due to the Executive’s death, the Executive’s estate shall have no further rights against the Company hereunder after the Termination Date, except for the right to receive (i) any Base Salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date, plus (ii) any unreimbursed business expenses to which the Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date pursuant to Section 5(a) , plus (iii) the lump sum amount of Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000). In addition, the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to any vested benefits under the Company’s Award Plans and Benefit Plans as of the Termination Date, in accordance with the terms of such plans.
(b) Permanent Disability . In the event of the Executive’s Permanent Disability, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company if the Executive does not return to the full-time performance of his duties within thirty (30) days after a Termination Notice is given. Upon termination of employment due to the Executive’s Permanent Disability, the Executive shall have no further rights against the Company hereunder after the Termination Date, except for the right to receive (i) any Base Salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date, plus (ii) any unreimbursed business expenses to which the Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date pursuant to Section 5(a) , plus (iii) the lump sum amount of Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000). In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to any vested benefits under the Company’s Award Plans and Benefit Plans as of the Termination Date, in accordance with the terms of such plans. In the event of a termination of employment upon the Executive’s Permanent Disability, the Executive shall continue to be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement and the Non-Compete Agreement.
(c) Life Insurance . Upon the Company’s request, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in obtaining “key man” life insurance on the life of the Executive with death benefits payable to the Company.
8. Termination Without Cause; Termination for Good Reason . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for any reason, or no reason at all, at any time, and the Executive may effect a Termination for Good Reason at any time; provided, that upon a Termination for Good Reason or a Termination Without Cause, except as otherwise provided in Section 10 of this Agreement, the Company shall provide the compensation and benefits set forth in this Section 8 . The Executive may effect a Termination for Good Reason notwithstanding any incapacity due to physical or mental illness. In the event of a Termination Without Cause or a Termination for Good Reason, the Executive shall continue to be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement and the Non-Compete Agreement.
(a) Base Salary, Annual Bonus, Benefit Plans and Award Plans . The Company shall pay to the Executive, on the Termination Date, a lump sum amount which is equal to the sum of: (i) an amount equal to the Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the Termination Date; plus (ii) an amount equal to the average annual cash bonus, if any, paid to the Executive for the two (2) years preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs; plus (iii) Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000); plus (iv) any Base Salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date; plus (v) any unreimbursed business expenses to which the Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date pursuant to Section 5(a) .
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The Company shall also pay the Executive any amounts due to the Executive pursuant to the terms of any Award Plans and/or Benefit Plans in which the Executive was a participant, in accordance with the terms of such plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a Specified Employee and the total of the payments under this Section 8(a) exceeds the limit set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A) (related to separation pay), then the amount in excess of such limit shall be delayed for six (6) months following the Termination Date. The delayed amount shall be paid in a lump sum after the end of the six-month delay.
(b) Options; Restricted Stock . Notwithstanding the terms of any award agreement heretofore or hereafter granted to the Executive under any Award Plan, or any other agreement granting the Executive Options or Restricted Stock (in each case, an “ Award Agreement ”), upon a Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason, (i) all Options and Restricted Stock granted to the Executive which do not constitute deferred compensation for Code Section 409A purposes granted to the Executive shall become fully vested on the Termination Date and immediately prior to the time of termination, and (ii) the Executive shall continue to have the right to exercise any such Options until the earlier to occur of (A) the three (3) year anniversary of the Termination Date or (B) the final expiration date for such Options as provided for in the applicable Award Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 8(b) and the terms of any Award Agreement heretofore or hereafter granted to the Executive, the terms of this Section 8(b) shall control and govern.
9. Termination Upon Expiration . If the Executive shall cease being an employee of the Company on account of a Termination Upon Expiration, the Executive shall have no further rights against the Company hereunder after the Termination Date, except for the right to receive (i) any Base Salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date, (ii) accrued vacation and other vested benefits; and (iii) reimbursement of business expenses to which the Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date under Section 5(a) . In the event of any Termination Upon Expiration, the Executive shall continue to be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement. In the event of a Termination Upon Expiration caused by the Company (i.e., the Company gave notice to the Executive of the Company’s election to not extend the Term pursuant to Section 3(a) ), then (a) solely for purposes of any Award Agreement granted to the Executive, the Termination Upon Expiration shall not constitute a voluntary termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive, and (b) the Executive shall not be subject to the Non-Compete Agreement following the Termination Date. In the event of a Termination Upon Expiration caused by the Executive (i.e., the Executive gave notice to the Company of the Executive’s election to not extend the Term pursuant to Section 3(a) ), then (x) solely for purposes of any Award Agreement granted to the Executive, the Termination Upon Expiration shall constitute a voluntary termination of employment by the Executive, and (y) the Executive shall continue to be subject to the Non-Compete Agreement following the Termination Date.
10. Change of Control .
(a) Accelerated Vesting . Notwithstanding the terms of any Award Agreement heretofore or hereafter granted to the Executive, in the event of a Change of Control, all Options and Restricted Stock granted to the Executive which do not constitute deferred compensation for Code Section 409A purposes shall become fully vested on the date of the Change of Control and immediately prior to the time of the Change of Control. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 10(a) and the terms of any Award Agreement heretofore or hereafter granted to the Executive, the terms of this Section 10(a) shall control and govern.
(b) Change of Control Termination . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a Change of Control Termination, the Company shall, on the
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Termination Date, pay the Executive a lump sum amount which is equal to the sum of: (i) the product of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary in effect as of the Termination Date multiplied by (B) two (2), plus (ii) the product of (A) the average of the two highest annual cash bonuses paid to the Executive for the three years preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs, if any, multiplied by (B) two (2); plus (iii) Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000); plus (iv) any Base Salary and bonus compensation earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date, plus (v) any unreimbursed business expenses to which the Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date under Section 5(a) . The Company shall also pay the Executive any amounts due to the Executive pursuant to the terms of any Award Plans and/or Benefit Plans in which the Executive was a participant, in accordance with the terms of such plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a Specified Employee and the total of the payments under this Section 10(b) exceeds the limit set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A) (related to separation pay), then the amount in excess of such limit shall be delayed for six (6) months following the Executive’s Termination Date, and such delayed amount shall be paid in a lump sum after the end of the six-month delay. In the event of a Change of Control Termination, the Executive shall continue to be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement and the Non-Compete Agreement.
(c) Options . Notwithstanding the terms of any Award Agreement heretofore or hereafter granted to the Executive, in the event of a Change of Control Termination, the Executive shall continue to have the right to exercise any Options granted to the Executive prior to the Change of Control until the earlier to occur of (A) the three (3) year anniversary of the Termination Date or (B) the final expiration date for such Options as provided for in the applicable Award Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 10(c) and the terms of any Award Agreement heretofore or hereafter granted to the Executive, the terms of this Section 10(c) shall control and govern.
11. Maximum Net After-Tax Benefit .
(a) Potential Reduction in Total Payments . It is the parties’ objective to maximize the Executive’s Net After-Tax Benefit if any payments or benefits provided hereunder would be subject to the Excise Tax. Accordingly, in the event the Company or the Executive believes that the Total Payments to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable or otherwise, including, by example and not by way of limitation, acceleration of the date of vesting or payment under any agreement, arrangement, plan or program, would be subject to the Excise Tax, calculations shall be made to determine (i) the maximum amount of payments and benefits that may be provided to the Executive so that no portion thereof will be subject to the Excise Tax (the “ Section 4999 Limit ”), (ii) the Executive’s Net After-Tax Benefit assuming application of the Section 4999 Limit, and (iii) the Executive’s Net After-Tax Benefit without the application of the Section 4999 Limit. Based on such calculations or otherwise, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Executive may elect to reduce the amount of the Total Payments up to the Section 4999 Limit so that no portion of the Total Payments received by the Executive will be subject to the Excise Tax. Alternatively, the Executive may elect to receive all Total Payments, in which case the Executive shall be solely liable for any and all Excise Tax related thereto.
(b) Manner of Determination . Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Executive, all calculations required to be made under this Section 11 shall be made, at the Company’s expense, by the accounting firm which is the Company’s accounting firm immediately prior to the Change of Control or another nationally recognized accounting firm designated by the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) prior to the Change of Control (the “ Accounting Firm ”). The Accounting Firm shall provide its calculations, together with supporting documentation, both to the Company and to the Executive at such time as reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive.
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(c) Order of Reduction . If the Executive elects to reduce the Total Payments as contemplated in Section 11(a) , the Executive may select the order of reduction; provided, however, that none of the selected payments may be “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code. In the event the Executive fails to select an order in which Total Payments are to be reduced, or does not select such an order without selecting payments that would be “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall (to the extent feasible) reduce the Total Payments in the following order: (i) reduction of any cash severance payments otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to any Options or other equity or equity-type awards that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Executive on a pro rata basis or in such other manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting and payments with respect to any Options or other equity or equity-type awards that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; and (iv) reduction of any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to any Options or other equity or equity-type awards that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; in each case beginning with payments that would otherwise be made last in time.
12. Exclusive Remedy . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the payments contemplated by Section 7 , Section 8, Section 9 and Section 10 shall constitute the exclusive and sole remedy for any termination of the Executive’s employment due to death or Permanent Disability, any Termination Without Cause, any Termination for Good Reason or any Termination Upon Expiration. The Executive agrees, for himself and any administrator, beneficiary, devisee, executor, heir, legatee or personal representative, (i) to not assert or pursue any remedies, other than an action to enforce the payments due to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate) under this Agreement, at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Executive’s employment under Section 7 , Section 8 , Section 9 or Section 10 , as applicable, and (ii) to execute a release and waiver on such terms and conditions as the Company may reasonably require as a condition of entitlement to such payments.
13. Confidentiality and Noncompetition . The Executive shall enter into the Confidentiality Agreement and Non-Compete Agreement. The Executive’s execution of those agreements is a material inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement. Therefore, this Agreement will be null and void unless the Executive enters into the Confidentiality Agreement and the Non-Compete Agreement.
14. Employment Status . The parties acknowledge and agree that the Executive is an employee of the Company, not an independent contractor. Any payments made to the Executive by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated for federal and state payroll tax purposes as payments made to a Company employee, irrespective whether such payments are made subsequent to the Termination Date.
15. Notices . All notices or deliveries authorized or required pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when in writing and personally delivered or when deposited in the U.S. mail, certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the parties at the following addresses or to such other addresses as either may designate in writing to the other party:
To the Company: |
MRI Interventions, Inc. 5 Musick Irvine, CA 92618
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To the Executive: |
Joseph Michael Burnett 1968 Manchester Ave. Cardiff, CA 92007 |
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16. Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall not be modified in any manner except by instrument in writing signed, by or on behalf of, the parties hereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto. In the event of any inconsistencies between the terms of this Agreement and any Award Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.
17. Certain 409A Matters . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, for purposes of identifying Specified Employees or determining when a Termination of Employment has occurred or for any other purpose where Section 409A of the Code applies, references to the Company shall be deemed to include Affiliates of the Company which are required to be aggregated with the Company under Section 409A of the Code.
18. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof.
19. Assignment . The Executive acknowledges that his services are unique and personal. Accordingly, the Executive may not assign his rights or delegate his duties or obligations under this Agreement.
20. Headings . Headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret or construe its provisions.
21. Successors; Binding Agreement . The Company will require any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as Executive would be entitled to hereunder upon a Change of Control Termination. The Company’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company’s successors and assigns.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first above written.
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. | |
By: | /s/ Harold A. Hurwitz |
Name: | Harold A. Hurwitz |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
EXECUTIVE: | |
/s/ Joseph Michael Burnett | |
Joseph Michael Burnett | |
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Exhibit A
NON-DISCLOSURE AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AGREEMENT
See Attached
mri interventions, INC.
Non-Disclosure AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS Agreement
In consideration and as a condition of my employment (or my continued employment) with MRI Interventions, Inc., or any of its current or future subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or assigns (collectively, the “ Company ”), and in consideration of my receipt of Confidential Information (as defined in Section 2 below) and of the compensation now and hereafter paid to me by the Company, the undersigned (hereinafter referred to as “ Employee ”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following:
1. Purpose of Agreement . Employee understands that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research, development, production and marketing in connection with its business and that it is critical for the Company to preserve and protect its Confidential Information (as defined in Section 2 below), its rights in Inventions (as defined in Section 7 below) and in all related intellectual property rights. Accordingly, Employee is entering into this Non-Disclosure and Proprietary Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) as a condition of his or her employment (or continued employment) with the Company, regardless of whether Employee is expected to create Inventions of value for the Company.
2. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information . At all times during his or her employment with the Company and thereafter, Employee will hold the Confidential Information in strictest confidence and Employee will not disclose, communicate, reproduce, copy, publish, license, distribute, modify, adapt, transmit, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble or use any Confidential Information, except (a) as may be necessary for Employee to perform his or her duties as an employee of the Company for the exclusive benefit of the Company or (b) to the extent an officer of the Company expressly authorizes such in writing. Employee will take all appropriate action, whether by instruction, agreement or otherwise, to ensure the protection, confidentiality and security of the Confidential Information and to satisfy Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Employee will notify the Company immediately upon discovery of any loss, misuse, misappropriation or disclosure of Confidential Information or any other breach of this Agreement by Employee, and Employee will cooperate with the Company in every reasonable way to help the Company regain possession of the Confidential Information and prevent its further unauthorized use or disclosure.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Confidential Information ” means, but is not limited to, all information that is possessed by or developed for the Company and which relates to the Company’s existing or potential business, which information is not reasonably knowable by the Company’s competitors or by the general public through lawful means. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Confidential Information also includes, but is not limited to, all Proprietary Rights (as defined in Section 3 below), all Third Party Information (as defined in Section 4 below) and all information regarding the Company’s operations, research and development efforts, plans for products or services, methods of doing business, business strategies, customers, suppliers, service providers, manufacturers, business relations, product prices and costs, markets, marketing plans, budgets and forecasts, financial information and/or Inventions, as well as information regarding the skills, know how and compensation of other employees of the Company. Confidential Information may be expressly designated as confidential or proprietary on its face (whether verbally, in writing or otherwise) or be of such a nature that a reasonable person under the circumstances should understand or believe it to be confidential or proprietary. Confidential Information may be oral, written, recorded magnetically or electronically or otherwise stored, and may be that which Employee originates as well as that which otherwise comes into the possession or knowledge of Employee.
3. Recognition of Company’s Rights . Employee acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information will be the sole property of the Company and that the Company will be the sole
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owner of all patents, patent applications, design patents or registration, design patent applications, copyrights, mask works, trademarks, trade secrets and all other intellectual property rights throughout the world (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) in connection therewith. Accordingly, Employee hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company any rights Employee may have or acquire in any Confidential Information and Proprietary Rights.
4. Non-Disclosure of Third Party Information . Employee understands that the Company may from time to time receive from third parties confidential information (“ Third Party Information ”), subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times during Employee’s employment with the Company and thereafter, Employee will hold the Third Party Information in strictest confidence and Employee will not disclose, communicate, reproduce, copy, publish, license, distribute, modify, adapt, transmit, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble or use any Third Party Information, except (a) as may be necessary for Employee to perform his or her duties as an employee of the Company for the exclusive benefit of the Company or (b) to the extent an officer of the Company expressly authorizes such in writing. Employee will take all appropriate action, whether by instruction, agreement or otherwise, to ensure the protection, confidentiality and security of the Third Party Information and to satisfy Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Employee will notify the Company immediately upon discovery of any loss, misuse, misappropriation or disclosure of Third Party Information or any other breach of this Agreement by Employee, and Employee will cooperate with the Company in every reasonable way to help the Company prevent its further unauthorized use or disclosure.
5. Return of Information; Inspections . Employee will, at the Company’s request and/or upon termination of the employment relationship for any reason, return all originals, copies, reproductions and summaries of any Confidential Information and all other tangible materials and devices provided to Employee as Confidential Information or containing Confidential Information, and/or, at the Company’s option, certify destruction of the same. In addition, Employee will, at the Company’s request and/or upon termination of the employment relationship for any reason, return all originals, copies, reproductions and summaries of any Third Party Information and all other tangible materials and devices provided to Employee as Third Party Information or containing Third Party Information, and/or, at the Company’s option, certify destruction of the same. Upon termination of his or her employment with the Company, Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all property in Employee’s possession, custody or control that is owned by the Company. Employee agrees that any property situated on the Company’s premises and owned by the Company, including, but not limited to, computers, disks and other storage media, is subject to inspection by Company personnel at any time without notice.
6. No Improper Use of Materials . During his or her employment with the Company, Employee will not improperly use or disclose any Confidential Information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any other person to whom Employee has an obligation of confidentiality, and Employee will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom Employee has an obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former employer or person.
7. Assignment of Inventions . Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company all right, title and interest of Employee in and to any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto), whether or not patentable, copyrightable or protectable as trade secrets, made, conceived, reduced to practice or created by Employee, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of his or her employment with the Company. Employee acknowledges that all original works of authorship which are made by Employee (alone or jointly with others) within the scope of his or her employment and which are copyrightable are "works made for hire," as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act. In addition to the foregoing assignment of Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) to
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the Company, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company any and all Moral Rights (as defined below) that Employee may have in or with respect to any Invention, and Employee forever waives and agrees not to assert any and all Moral Rights he or she may have in or with respect to any Invention, even after termination of employment with the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Inventions ” means inventions, discoveries, improvements, designs, techniques, ideas, processes, compositions of matter, formulas, data, software programs, databases, mask works, works of authorship, know-how and trade secrets.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Moral Rights ” means any right to claim authorship of an Invention, to object to or prevent the modification of any Invention, or to withdraw from circulation or control the publication or distribution of any Invention, and any similar right, existing under judicial or statutory law of any country or under any treaty, regardless of whether such right is denominated or generally referred to as a “moral right.”
8. Disclosure of Inventions . Employee will promptly disclose to the Company all Inventions that Employee makes, conceives, reduces to practice or creates, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of his or her employment with the Company. In addition, Employee will disclose to the Company all patent applications filed by Employee within three (3) years after termination of employment with the Company.
9. Assistance . Employee agrees to assist the Company in every proper way to obtain and, from time to time, enforce United States and foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions assigned hereunder to the Company in any and all countries. To that end, Employee will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Employee will execute, verify and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designee. Employee’s obligation to assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries will continue beyond the termination of Employee’s employment, but the Company agrees to compensate Employee at a reasonable rate after Employee’s termination for the time actually spent by Employee at the Company's request on such assistance. Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact to act for and on behalf of Employee (a) to execute, verify and file any document needed in connection with the actions specified in this section and (b) to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of this section, in each case with the same legal force and effect as if executed or performed by Employee. Employee hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which Employee now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.
10. Prior Inventions . Inventions, if any, which Employee made prior to the commencement of his or her employment with the Company are excluded from the scope of this Agreement. To preclude any possible uncertainty, Employee has set forth on Exhibit A hereto a complete list of all Inventions that Employee, whether alone or jointly with others, has conceived, developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to commencement of his or her employment with the Company, that Employee considers to be his or her property or the property of third parties and that Employee wishes to have expressly excluded from the scope of this Agreement.
11. Efforts; Non-Competition . Employee acknowledges that his or her employment with the Company requires his or her full attention and effort during normal business hours, and Employee will give his or her best effort, skill and inventive ability to the business interests of the Company. During the
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term of his or her employment with the Company, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, participate in the management, operation, financing or control of, or be employed by or consult for or otherwise render services to, any person or entity that competes anywhere in the world with the Company in the conduct of the business of the Company as conducted or as proposed to be conducted (a “ Competing Business ”), nor will Employee engage in any other activities that conflict with his or her obligations to the Company.
12. Non-Solicitation . During the term of his or her employment by the Company and for a period of two (2) years after the date his or her employment with the Company ends for any reason, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, (a) hire, engage or solicit to hire or engage any individual who is engaged as a contractor or consultant or employed by the Company or who was engaged as a contractor or consultant or employed by the Company within six months of the proposed solicitation, hire or engagement, (b) otherwise induce or attempt to induce any individual who is engaged as a contractor or consultant or employed by the Company to terminate such engagement or employment, (c) in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any individual who is engaged as a contractor or consultant or employed by the Company; (d) contact, solicit, divert, appropriate or call upon with the intent of doing business with (other than for the exclusive benefit of the Company) any customer of the Company if the purpose of such activity is to solicit such customer or prospective customer for a Competing Business, to encourage such customer to discontinue, reduce or adversely alter the amount of such customer’s business with the Company or to otherwise interfere with the Company’s relationship with such customer, or (e) in any way interfere with the Company’s relationship with any supplier, manufacturer, service provider or other business relation of the Company.
13. No Conflicting Obligation . Employee represents and agrees that his or her performance of the provisions of this Agreement does not, and will not, breach any agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by Employee in confidence or in trust prior to his or her employment by the Company. Employee agrees not to enter into any agreement, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.
14. Reasonableness of Restrictions . Employee agrees that the restrictions on Employee’s activities outlined in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, that the consideration provided by the Company is fair and reasonable, and that given the importance to the Company of its Confidential Information, the post-employment restrictions on Employee’s activities are likewise fair and reasonable.
15. Injunctive Relief . Employee acknowledges and agrees that failure to adhere to the terms of this Agreement will cause the Company irreparable damage for which monetary damages alone would be inadequate compensation. Therefore, Employee agrees that, in addition to monetary damages, the Company will be entitled to an injunction and other equitable relief, including ex parte injunctive relief, in the event of any breach or threatened breach (such threatened breach being determined in the sole judgment of the Company) of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee waives the making of a bond or showing actual damages as a condition for obtaining injunctive relief. Such remedy shall not be deemed the exclusive remedy for the breach of this Agreement by Employee, but will be in addition to all other remedies available to the Company whether at law or in equity. Additionally, if Employee breaches this Agreement, the Company will be entitled to its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs associated with enforcing this Agreement. Notwithstanding any judicial determination that any provision of this Agreement is not specifically enforceable, the Company will nonetheless be entitled to recover monetary damages as a result of any breach by Employee.
16. Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the state of Delaware, without giving any effect to that state’s conflict of laws principles.
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17. Employment . Employee acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement does not create an employment contract with the Company for any term, nor does it in any way limit the Company’s right to otherwise terminate Employee’s employment. Any change or changes in Employee’s duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.
18. Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in a manner to be effective, valid and enforceable. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, then such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or affecting in any manner whatsoever the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and still have such similar provision be construed and enforced as legal, valid, and enforceable.
19. Amendments; Waivers . No modification or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in writing signed by the party to be charged. No waiver by the Company of any breach of this Agreement will be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach.
20. Assignment . The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement, and the duties and obligations of Employee hereunder, may not be assigned or delegated by Employee.
21. Survival . The terms of this Agreement, and Employee’s duties and obligations hereunder, will survive any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company for any reason.
22. Headings . Headings in this Agreement are for informational purposes only and will not be used to construe the intent of this Agreement.
23. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the matters addressed herein.
24. Further Assurances . Employee will cooperate reasonably with the Company in connection with any steps required to be taken as part of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, and Employee will (a) execute and deliver to the Company such other documents, and (b) do such other acts and things, in each case as the Company may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement.
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25. Acknowledgment . Employee acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of this Agreement, which he or she has read and understood, and Employee voluntarily agrees to abide by its terms. Employee authorizes the Company to notify any future employer(s) of Employee of the terms of this Agreement and Employee’s obligations hereunder.
*****
/s/ Joseph Michael Burnett | 10/6/2017 | |
Employee Signature | Date | |
Joseph Michael Burnett | ||
Employee Name | ||
Accepted by: | ||
MRI Interventions, Inc. |
By: | /s/ Harold A. Hurwitz |
Name: | Harold A. Hurwitz |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit A
The following is a complete list of all inventions or improvements relevant to the subject matter of my employment with the Company that have been made, conceived, first reduced to practice or created by me, alone or jointly with others, prior to my employment with the Company that I desire to remove from the operation of the Company's Non-Disclosure and Proprietary Rights Agreement:
☒ No inventions or improvements
☐ See below:
☐ Additional sheets attached.
I propose to bring to my employment the following materials and documents of a former employer:
☒ No materials or documents
☐ See below:
☐ Additional sheets attached.
/s/ Joseph Michael Burnett | 10/6/2017 | |
Employee Signature | Date | |
Joseph Michael Burnett | ||
Employee Name |
Exhibit B
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
See Attached
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC.
Non-COMPETITION Agreement
In consideration and as a condition of my employment (or my continued employment) with MRI Interventions, Inc., or any of its current or future subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or assigns (collectively, the “ Company ”), and in consideration of my receipt of the compensation now and hereafter paid to me by the Company, the undersigned (hereinafter referred to as “ Employee ”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following:
1. Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1 :
(a) “ Conflicting Organization ” means any individual or entity that, directly or indirectly, engages in, or is about to become engaged in, Conflicting Research or the development, design, production, manufacture, promotion, marketing, sale, support or service of a Conflicting Product.
(b) “ Conflicting Product ” means medical devices, goods, products, product lines or services, and each and every component thereof, developed, designed, produced, manufactured, marketed, promoted, sold, supported or serviced, or that are in development or the subject of research, by anyone other than the Company that are the same or similar to, perform any of the same or similar functions as, may be substituted for, or are intended or used for any of the same purposes as, a Company Product.
(c) “ Conflicting Research ” means any research or development of any kind or nature conducted by anyone other than the Company, which is intended for, or may be useful in, any aspect of the development, design, production, manufacture, marketing, promotion, sale, support or service of a Conflicting Product.
(d) “ Company Product ” means any medical device, goods, products, product lines or services (i) that during the last one (1) year in which Employee was employed by the Company, Employee, or persons under Employee’s management, direction or supervision, performed research regarding, designed, developed, produced, manufactured, marketed, promoted, sold, solicited sales of, supported or serviced on behalf of the Company, or (ii) with respect to which Employee at any time received or otherwise obtained or learned Confidential Information.
(e) “ Restricted Area ” means the United States of America or in any other country in which the Company has received or applied for regulatory clearances or approvals for Company Products.
2. Efforts; Non-Competition . Employee acknowledges that his or her employment with the Company requires his or her full attention and effort during normal business hours, and Employee will give his or her best effort, skill and inventive ability to the business interests of the Company. During the term of his or her employment with the Company, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, participate in the management, operation, financing or control of, or be employed by or consult for or otherwise render services to, any individual or entity that competes with the Company in the Restricted Area in the conduct of the business of the Company as conducted or as proposed to be conducted, nor will Employee engage in any other activities that conflict with his or her obligations to the Company.
In addition, for a period of one (1) year after the date his or her employment with the Company ends for any reason, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, participate in the management, operation, financing or control of, or be employed by or consult for or otherwise render services to, any Conflicting Organization in the Restricted Area in connection with or relating to a Conflicting Product or Conflicting Research.
3. No Conflicting Obligation . Employee represents and agrees that his or her performance of the provisions of this Agreement does not, and will not, breach any agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by Employee in confidence or in trust prior to his or her employment by the Company. Employee agrees not to enter into any agreement, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.
4. Reasonableness of Restrictions . Employee agrees that the restrictions on Employee’s activities outlined in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, that the consideration provided by the Company is fair and reasonable, and that the post-employment restrictions on Employee’s activities are fair and reasonable.
5. Injunctive Relief . Employee acknowledges and agrees that failure to adhere to the terms of this Agreement will cause the Company irreparable damage for which monetary damages alone would be inadequate compensation. Therefore, Employee agrees that in addition to monetary damages, the Company will be entitled to an injunction and other equitable relief, including ex parte injunctive relief, in the event of any breach or threatened breach (such threatened breach being determined in the sole judgment of the Company) of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee waives the making of a bond or showing actual damages as a condition for obtaining injunctive relief. Such remedy shall not be deemed the exclusive remedy for the breach of this Agreement by Employee, but will be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity to the Company. Additionally, if Employee breaches this Agreement, the Company will be entitled to its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs associated with enforcing this Agreement. Notwithstanding any judicial determination that any provision of this Agreement is not specifically enforceable, the Company will nonetheless be entitled to recover monetary damages as a result of any breach by Employee.
6. Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the state of Delaware, without giving any effect to that state’s conflict of laws principles.
7. Employment . Employee acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement does not create an employment contract with the Company for any term, nor does it in any way limit the Company’s right to otherwise terminate Employee’s employment. Any change or changes in Employee’s duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.
8. Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in a manner to be effective, valid and enforceable. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, then such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or affecting in any manner whatsoever the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and still have such similar provision be construed and enforced as legal, valid, and enforceable.
9. Amendments; Waivers . No modification or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in writing signed by the party to be charged. No waiver by the Company of any breach of this Agreement will be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach.
10. Assignment . The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement, and the duties and obligations of Employee hereunder, may not be assigned or delegated by Employee.
11. Survival . The terms of this Agreement, and Employee’s duties and obligations hereunder, will survive any termination of Employee’s employment with the Company for any reason.
12. Headings . Headings in this Agreement are for informational purposes only and will not be used to construe the intent of this Agreement.
13. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the matters addressed herein.
14. Further Assurances . Employee will cooperate reasonably with the Company in connection with any steps required to be taken as part of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, and Employee will (a) execute and deliver to the Company such other documents, and (b) do such other acts and things, in each case as the Company may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement.
15. Acknowledgment . Employee acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of this Agreement, which he or she has read and understood, and Employee voluntarily agrees to abide by its terms. Employee authorizes the Company to notify any future employer(s) of Employee of the terms of this Agreement and Employee’s obligations hereunder.
/s/ Joseph Michael Burnett | 10/6/2017 | |
Employee Signature | Date | |
Joseph Michael Burnett | ||
Employee Name | ||
Accepted by: | ||
MRI Interventions, Inc. |
By: | /s/ Harold A. Hurwitz |
Name: | Harold A. Hurwitz |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit C
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
See Attached
THIS OPTION AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS OPTION, AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF, MAY NOT BE SOLD, MORTGAGED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR THE AVAILABILITY OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC.
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made effective as of the 7th day of November 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and JOSEPH MICHAEL BURNETT (the “ Optionee ”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to afford the Optionee an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “ Shares ”), subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option .
(a) The Company grants, as of the Effective Date, the right and option (the “ Stock Option ”) to purchase three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) Shares, in whole or in part (the “ Option Shares ”), at an exercise price of $_____ per Share (the “ Option Exercise Price Per Share ”), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
(b) The Stock Option shall be a non-qualified stock option. The Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). In order to comply with all applicable federal or state tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to insure that, if necessary, all applicable federal, state or other taxes are withheld or collected from the Optionee. This Agreement is not subject to, and the Stock Option is not granted under, the Company’s 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (the “ 2013 Plan ”).
2. Exercisability Schedule . No portion of the Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof (in either case, the “ Board ”) to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, the Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated:
Incremental Number of Option Shares Exercisable |
Exercisability Date |
|
116,666 | On the first anniversary of the Effective Date | |
29,166 | Every three (3) months thereafter up to but not including the Final Vesting Date | |
29,172 | On the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Final Vesting Date ”) | |
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of a Change of Control, the Stock Option shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning given to that term in the 2013 Plan.
3. Manner of Exercise .
(a) The Optionee may exercise the Stock Option only in the following manner:
The Optionee may give written notice to the Company of his election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.
Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by personal check) at the time the Stock Option is exercised; (ii) in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Board; provided, that such Shares have been held by the Optionee for no less than six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Board in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles); (iii) partly in cash and partly in Shares (as described in the preceding clause (ii)); (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Shares obtained upon the exercise of the Stock Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the Option Exercise Price Per Share as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Board shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or (v) through “net settlement” in Shares. In the case of a “net settlement” of the Stock Option, the Company will not require a cash payment of the Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased, but will reduce the number of Shares issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole Shares that have a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares set forth in this Agreement. With respect to any remaining balance of the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares, the Company shall accept a cash payment. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.
The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for such Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in any other applicable agreement or applicable laws and regulations, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Stock Option and any subsequent resale of such Shares will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(b) The Shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Board with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof. The determination of the Board as to such compliance shall be final and binding on
the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any Shares subject to the Stock Option unless and until the Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the Shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company.
(c) The minimum number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 100 Shares, unless the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of Shares subject to exercise under the Stock Option at the time.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no portion of the Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.
4. Termination of Employment . If the Optionee’s employment by the Company (or any affiliate of the Company) is terminated, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below or as set forth in that certain Employment Agreement dated as of November 7, 2017 by and between the Company and the Optionee (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “ Employment Agreement ”).
(a) Termination Due to Death . If the Optionee’s employment terminates by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Optionee’s death, by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.
(b) Termination Due to Disability . If the Optionee’s employment terminates by reason of the Optionee’s Disability, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Disability, by the Optionee, or the Optionee’s legal representative or guardian, as applicable, for a period of 12 months from the date of Disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of Disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.
(c) Termination for Cause; Voluntary Termination . If the Optionee’s employment with the Company (or any affiliate thereof) terminates for Cause or if the Optionee voluntarily terminates his employment, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
(d) Other Termination . If the Optionee’s employment terminates for any reason other than the Optionee’s voluntary termination, the Optionee’s death, the Optionee’s Disability or for Cause, unless otherwise provided in the Employment Agreement, (i) any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier, and (ii) any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 4(d) and the terms of the Employment Agreement, the terms of the Employment Agreement shall control and govern.
The Board’s determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee’s employment shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his representatives or legatees.
5. Termination of Option . The Option will expire as of 5:00 pm (Central time) on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Expiration Date ”) with respect to any then unexercised portion thereof, unless terminated earlier as set forth herein or the Employment Agreement.
6. Certain Legal Restrictions . The Company shall have no obligation to the Optionee, express or implied, to list, register or otherwise qualify the Stock Option or any of the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option. Upon exercise, the certificate evidencing the purchased Shares shall be legended as follows:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED OR PLEDGED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION.
As a condition to any transfer of Shares acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option, the Company may require an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer will not be in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other applicable securities laws or that such transfer has been registered under federal and all applicable state securities laws.
7. Adjustments . In the event that any unusual or non-recurring transactions, including an unusual or non-recurring dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of an extraordinary cash dividend, dividend of Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares, then the Company shall, depending on the particular circumstances, in an equitable and proportionate manner (and, as applicable, in such equitable and proportionate manner as is consistent with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder) either: (a) adjust any or all of (i) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to the Stock Option, provided that the number of Shares subject to the Stock Option shall always be a whole number; and (ii) the Option Exercise Price Per Share with respect to the Stock Option; (b) provide for an equivalent award in respect of securities of the surviving entity of any merger, consolidation or other transaction or event having a similar effect; or (c) make provision for a cash payment to the Optionee in lieu of the Stock Option.
8. No Obligation to Continue Employment . Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates is obligated by or as a result of this Agreement to continue the Optionee in employment and this Agreement shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate the employment of the Optionee at any time, subject to the terms of the Employment Agreement.
9. Amendments to Stock Option . The Board may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, the Stock Option, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of the Optionee or any holder or beneficiary of the Option shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Optionee, holder or beneficiary affected.
10. Limited Transferability . Unless otherwise approved by the Board, this Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as provided in Section 4(b) of
this Agreement, the Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.
11. Reservation of Shares . At all times during the term of the Stock Option, the Company shall use its best efforts to reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.
12. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is, or becomes, or is deemed to be, invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or to either party, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of this Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or party, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
13. Tax Withholding . The Optionee shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of the Stock Option becomes a taxable event for federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Board for payment of any federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The minimum required tax withholding obligation may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from the Option Shares to be issued a number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due.
14. Notices . Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.
15. Certain Defined Terms . Although the Stock Option is not granted under the 2013 Plan, for purposes of this Agreement, the terms “Change of Control,” “Disability” and “Fair Market Value” shall have the same meanings given to those terms in the 2013 Plan.
16. Governing Law . The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.
17. Successors in Interest . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Optionee’s administrators, executors, heirs and legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Optionee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Optionee’s administrators, executors, heirs and legal representatives.
18. Section 409A Compliance . This grant (or modification hereof) shall not provide for deferral of compensation that fails to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if one or more of the payments or benefits received or to be received by the Grantee pursuant to this Agreement would cause the Grantee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code, the Board may reform such provision to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
19. No Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and the Board shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
20. Clawback . Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, this grant is subject to any deductions and/or clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to any applicable law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
[The next page is the signature page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
Joseph Michael Burnett | |
Exhibit D
RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT
See Attached
THE SECURITIES GRANTED HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, MORTGAGED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR THE AVAILABILITY OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC.
RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT
THIS RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made effective as of the 7th day of November, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and JOSEPH MICHAEL BURNETT (the “ Grantee ”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (“ Restricted Shares ”) to the Grantee, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. Grant of Restricted Shares; Grantee’s Rights .
(a) The Company grants, as of the Effective Date, two hundred thousand (200,000) Restricted Shares to the Grantee, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement is not subject to, and the Restricted Shares are not granted under, the Company’s 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (the “ 2013 Plan ”).
(b) The Grantee shall have no rights with respect to this Agreement unless he shall have accepted this Agreement by (i) signing and delivering to the Company a copy of this Agreement, and (ii) delivering to the Company a stock power endorsed in blank. Upon execution of this Agreement by the Grantee, the Restricted Shares shall be issued and held by the Company’s transfer agent in book entry form, and the Grantee’s name shall be entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Grantee shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including voting and dividend rights, subject, however, to the restrictions and conditions specified in Section 2 below.
2. Restrictions and Conditions .
(a) Any book entries for Restricted Shares granted herein shall bear an appropriate legend, as determined by Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof (in either case, the “ Board ”), in its sole discretion, to the effect that such shares are subject to restrictions as set forth herein.
(b) Restricted Shares granted herein may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee prior to vesting.
(c) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company (or any affiliate of the Company) is terminated prior to the vesting of the Restricted Shares granted herein, all unvested Restricted Shares shall immediately and automatically be forfeited and returned to the Company, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Employment Agreement dated as of November 7, 2017 by and between the Company and the Grantee (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “ Employment Agreement ”).
3. Vesting of Restricted Shares . The restrictions and conditions in Section 2 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Dates specified in the following schedule so long as the Grantee remains in the employment of the Company (or any affiliate of the Company) on such dates. The restrictions and conditions in Section 2 shall lapse only with respect to the number of Restricted Shares specified as vested on such date.
Incremental Number of Restricted Shares Vested |
Vesting Date |
|
66,666 | On the first anniversary of the Effective Date | |
16,166 | Every three (3) months thereafter up to but not including the Final Vesting Date | |
16,172 | On the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Final Vesting Date ”) |
Subsequent to such Vesting Dates, the Restricted Shares on which all restrictions and conditions have lapsed shall no longer be deemed Restricted Shares. Once the restrictions and conditions have lapsed, the Company shall instruct its transfer agent to issue a stock certificate representing the vested portion of the Restricted Shares. The Board may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Section 3 . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of a Change of Control, the Restricted Shares shall become fully vested as of the effective time of the Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning given to that term in the 2013 Plan.
4. Dividends . Dividends on the Restricted Shares, to the extent declared and paid, shall be paid currently to the Grantee.
5. Tax Withholding . The Grantee shall, not later than the date as of which the receipt of this Agreement becomes a taxable event for federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Board for payment of any federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. Except in the case where an election is made pursuant to Section 6 below, the required minimum tax withholding obligations of the Company may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from the Restricted Shares to be issued a number of Restricted Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due.
6. Election Under Section 83(b) . The Grantee and the Company hereby agree that the Grantee may, within thirty (30) days following the acceptance of this Agreement as provided in Section 1 of this Agreement, file with the Internal Revenue Service and the Company an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”). In the event the Grantee makes such an election, he agrees to provide a copy of the election to the Company. The Grantee acknowledges that he is responsible for obtaining the advice of his tax advisors with regard to the Section 83(b) election and that he is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents with regard to such election.
7. Section 409A Compliance . This grant (or modification hereof) shall not provide for deferral of compensation that fails to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if one or more of the payments or benefits received or to be received by the Grantee pursuant to this Agreement would cause the Grantee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code, the Board may reform such provision to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
8. Adjustments . In the event that any unusual or non-recurring transactions, including an unusual or non-recurring dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of an extraordinary cash dividend, share dividend, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Restricted Shares granted herein, then the Company shall, depending on the particular circumstances, in an equitable and proportionate manner (and, as applicable, in such equitable and proportionate manner as is consistent with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder) either: (a) adjust the number of Restricted Shares, provided that the number of Restricted Shares shall always be a whole number; (b) provide for an equivalent award in respect of securities of the surviving entity of any merger, consolidation or other transaction or event having a similar effect; or (c) make provision for a cash payment to the Grantee in lieu of the Restricted Shares.
9. Certain Defined Terms . Although the Stock Option is not granted under the 2013 Plan, for purposes of this Agreement, the terms “Change of Control,” “Disability” and “Fair Market Value” shall have the same meanings given to those terms in the 2013 Plan .
10. Transferability . Unless otherwise approved by the Board, this Agreement is personal to the Grantee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
11. No Obligation to Continue Employment . Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates is obligated by or as a result of this Agreement to continue the Grantee in employment, and this Agreement shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate the employment of the Grantee at any time, subject to the terms of the Employment Agreement.
12. Notices . Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.
13. Amendment . The Board may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, the Restricted Shares granted herein, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of the Grantee or any holder or beneficiary of the Restricted Shares granted herein shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Grantee, holder or beneficiary affected.
14. Governing Law . The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.
15. No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of the Company’s common stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and the Board shall determine whether cash, other
securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
16. Clawback . Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, this grant is subject to any deductions and/or clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to any applicable law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
[The next page is the signature page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Restricted Share Award Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.
MRI INTERVENTIONS, INC. | |
By: | |
Name: | |
Title: | |
Joseph Michael Burnett | |
EXHIBIT 99.1
For Immediate Release
MRI Interventions Announces Joseph Burnett As New President and CEO
Leadership Transition Intended to Accelerate Next Phase of Growth
IRVINE, CA, October 9, 2017 – MRI Interventions, Inc. (OTCQB: MRIC) today announced the appointment of Joseph Burnett as President and CEO, effective November 7. The company’s current President and CEO, Frank Grillo, will continue in the role until November 6, and will serve as an executive advisor to the Company for a period of time thereafter.
“We are excited to announce Joe Burnett as the new Chief Executive Officer of MRI Interventions. Joe is a strong leader with unique and highly relevant qualifications in the medical device industry and neurology,” said Kimble Jenkins, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “With his experience and expertise, Joe is ideally suited to lead the company’s next phase of growth, building on the strong foundation established over the last three years under Frank’s leadership.”
Mr. Burnett has spent his entire career in medical devices, starting in cardiovascular at Guidant and Volcano, and most recently in Neurology and Neurosurgery at Philips, where he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Neuro Diagnostics and Therapy Business. Prior to that role, Mr. Burnett was Sr. Vice President and General Manager of the Volcano business after the acquisition of Volcano by Philips, and Executive Vice President of the Cardiology division for Volcano. He has held significant operational responsibilities throughout his career in R&D, Clinical Research, Sales and Marketing. Mr. Burnett holds a B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University and an MBA from the Fuqua Business School also at Duke.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we thank Frank Grillo for his leadership, and in particular, for his invaluable contributions to building out our commercialization capabilities and guiding MRI Interventions through the difficult initial phases of market adoption,” said Mr. Jenkins. “As Frank transitions, he leaves our company stronger and well positioned for the future. We appreciate his significant efforts over the last three years, and his dedication to the company’s success.”
“I am very pleased with the progress we have made over the last three years as a company and a team,” said Frank Grillo, departing President and CEO. “We focused on the neuro navigation opportunity, and made great progress driving the adoption of our ClearPoint System which has resulted in the tripling of product revenue in three years. We have strengthened our balance sheet, which enables further investment in commercialization and the continued development of new therapeutic applications for our intra-operative MRI capabilities. Our foundation and opportunities are stronger than ever before, and I am confident we have found the right person in Joe Burnett to accelerate our growth opportunities.”
“I am thrilled to join the MRI team and help lead this next chapter which will focus on clinical development, market adoption and continued procedure growth,” commented Mr. Burnett. “The stakes are high in neurosurgical procedures and precision is paramount. Our team is well positioned by having a real-time navigation solution which we believe will enable the transition to more minimally invasive procedures and ultimately benefit both the patient and the hospital. We have seen that trend in every field in medical devices and each time navigation has been an essential part of the solution. Frank has done an incredible job setting the stage both financially and strategically by building a strong balance sheet and cash position, and by developing a product suitable across a range of growing procedure types. I look forward to continuing that work and ensuring that more patients benefit from these life-altering therapies.”
About MRI Interventions, Inc.
Building on the imaging power of magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), MRI Interventions is creating innovative platforms for performing the next generation of minimally invasive surgical procedures in the brain. The ClearPoint Neuro Navigation System, which has received 510(k) clearances and is CE marked, utilizes a hospital’s existing diagnostic or intraoperative MRI suite to enable a range of minimally invasive procedures in the brain. For more information, please visit www.mriinterventions.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements herein concerning the Company’s plans, growth and strategies may include forward-looking statements within the context of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding the Company's future events, developments and future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. Uncertainties and risks may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements. Particular uncertainties and risks include those relating to: future revenues from sales of the Company’s ClearPoint Neuro Navigation System products; the Company’s ability to market, commercialize and achieve broader market acceptance for the Company’s ClearPoint Neuro Navigation System products; and estimates regarding the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect the Company’s actual results are described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: |
Harold A. Hurwitz, Chief
Financial Officer
(949) 900-6833 Matt Kreps, Darrow Associates Investor Relations (512) 696-6401; mkreps@darrowir.com |