0000798081
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0000798081
2020-12-30
2020-12-30
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): December 30,
2020
__________________________________________
Lakeland Industries, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
000-15535
|
13-3115216
|
(State
or other jurisdiction
|
(Commission
|
(IRS
Employer
|
of
incorporation)
|
File
Number)
|
Identification
No.)
|
202 Pride Lane SW, Decatur, Alabama 35603
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (256)
350-3873
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under
the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
Title
of each class
|
Trading
Symbol(s)
|
Name of
each exchange on which registered
|
Common
Stock, $0.01 Par Value
|
LAKE
|
NASDAQ
Market
|
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 growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act. ☐
Item
5.02
Departure
of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of
Certain Officers.
On
December 30, 2020, Lakeland Industries, Inc. (the
“Company”) entered into an Employment Agreement (the
“Employment Agreement”) with Steven L. Harvey, age 60,
pursuant to which Mr. Harvey became employed as Executive Vice
President, Sales and Marketing of the Company, effective January 4,
2021.
Mr.
Harvey has over 25 years of experience focused on international and
domestic sales growth, sales analytics, customer service, customer
retention and team building. From 2007
to 2018, Mr. Harvey was Vice-President of Global Sales and Service
of Digium, Inc., a company which focuses on the Unified
Communications sector (and was acquired by Sangoma Technologies
Corporation in September 2018). From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Harvey was
the Vice President of Sales, Enterprise and Competitive Service
Providers for Adtran, Inc. (“Adtran”), a leading global
provider of networking and communications equipment. From 1998 to
2002, Mr. Harvey was the Vice President of Sales, Competitive
Service Providers for Adtran, and from 1996 to 1998, Mr. Harvey was
the Vice President of Sales, Enterprise for Adtran. Prior to such
time Mr. Harvey was an Executive Vice President of, and held
various sales positions for, Data Processing Sciences, and began
his career at The Procter & Gamble Company. Mr. Harvey
graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from Indiana
University.
The Employment Agreement is for a term of
two (2) years commencing on January 4, 2021 through and including
January 3, 2023 (the “Term”), subject to early
termination as provided therein. The Term shall be
automatically extended for an
additional 12-month period unless either party provides written
notice 90 days prior to the termination of the applicable Term. The
Employment Agreement provides for a base salary of $240,000 per
year. The Employment Agreement also provides for the grant of a
stock option upon commencement of employment. Mr. Harvey is also
eligible to be awarded an annual bonus of up to 30% of his base
salary and
commission pay based
on a target commission rate determined by dividing an annual target
commission of $125,000 by a mutually agreed annual sales
target.
The
Employment Agreement contains certain provisions providing for
severance payments to Mr. Harvey in the event that he is terminated
by the Company without cause or by Mr. Harvey for Good Reason
(generally, for failure by the Company to pay Mr. Harvey’s
salary or annual bonus, if any, when due and earned, material
diminution in Mr. Harvey’s authority or material breach by
the Company of the Employment Agreement). The payment to Mr. Harvey
is greater in the event that such termination without cause or for
Good Reason is within 18 months after a change of control of the
Company. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Harvey is also subject
to non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the
Term and for a period of one year thereafter.
The
foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport
to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
text of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Harvey, a copy of which
is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by
reference.
On
January 5, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the
above-detailed changes. The press release issued by the Company in
connection with the announcement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1
and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item
9.01.
Financial
Statements and Exhibits.
|
Employment
Agreement, dated December 30, 2020, between Lakeland Industries,
Inc. and Steven L. Harvey.
|
|
|
|
Press
Release dated January 5, 2021.
|
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.
|
LAKELAND
INDUSTRIES, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
January 5, 2021
|
By:
|
/s/ Charles D. Roberson
|
|
|
|
Charles
D. Roberson
|
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
Employment
Agreement, dated December 30, 2020, between Lakeland Industries,
Inc. and Steven L. Harvey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Press
Release dated January 5, 2021.
|
'
December
30, 2020
Mr.
Steven L. Harvey
1015
Campo Ct.
Union,
KY 41091
Dear
Mr. Harvey:
The
purpose of this letter is to confirm your employment with Lakeland
Industries, Inc. on the following terms and
conditions:
This is
an Agreement, effective as of January 4, 2021 (the “Effective
Date”), between Steven L. Harvey, residing at 1015 Campo Ct.,
Union, Kentucky, 41091, (hereinafter referred to as
“you”), and Lakeland Industries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, with a principal place of business located at 202
Pride Lane SW, Decatur, Alabama 35603 (hereinafter the
“Company”).
The
term of the Agreement shall be for a 24 month period, from the
Effective Date through and including January 3, 2023 (the
“Initial Term”); provided, however, that the term of
this Agreement shall automatically be extended for an additional 12
month period (an “Additional Term”; each Additional
Term and the Initial Term shall be each referred to as a
“Term”) unless either party shall provide written
notice 90 days prior to the termination of the applicable
Term.
You
shall be employed in the capacity of Executive Vice President,
Sales and Marketing, of Lakeland Industries, Inc. (“Your
Position”) with such responsibilities and duties as may be
assigned to you from time to time by the Company. You acknowledge
and agree that these responsibilities and duties, together with the
proprietary information to which you will have access in this role,
makes you uniquely essential to the Company’s management,
organization, or services.
You
agree to devote your full time and attention and best efforts to
the faithful and diligent performance of your duties to the Company
and shall serve and further the best interests and enhance the
reputation of the Company to the best of your ability.
As full
compensation for your services, you shall receive the
following from the Company:
(a)
A base annual
salary of $240,000 payable bi-weekly (the “Base
Salary”); and
Lakeland Industries, Inc. 202 Pride Lane SW, Decatur, AL
35603
Phone: (256) 350-3873
(b)
Commission Pay
(“Commission Pay”) per Annex A; and
(c)
A stock option,
upon commencement of employment, to purchase 10,200 shares of
common stock of the Company. Such option will be for a term of 10
years, be exercisable at the fair market value of the common stock
on the date of grant, become exercisable as to 3,400 shares on each
of the one year, two year and three year anniversaries of the grant
date and be an “incentive” stock option to the extent
permissible under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”); and
(d)
Participation, when
eligible, in any of the Company’s pension plans, profit
sharing plans, medical and disability plans and 401(k) plans when
any such plans are or become effective; and
(e)
Such benefits as
are provided from time to time by the Company to its officers and
employees; provided however that your annual vacation shall be for
a period of 3 weeks; and
(f)
Reimbursement for
any dues and expenses incurred by you that are necessary and proper
in the conduct of the Company’s business; and
(g)
Participation, as
determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation
Committee”), in the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive
Plan and any other restrictive stock, stock appreciation rights,
stock option or other equity plans of the Company as may become
effective; in this connection, it is intended that you will receive
a grant of restricted stock, pursuant to the Company’s LTIP
program, at the time of next grant; and
(h)
In respect of the
fiscal year ending January 31, 2022, a bonus targeted at 30% of
Base Salary, based upon such parameters, as determined by the
Compensation Committee (an “Annual
Bonus”).
5.
NON-COMPETITION/SOLICITATION/CONFIDENTIALITY
During
your employment with the Company and for one year thereafter, you
shall not, either directly or indirectly, as an agent, employee,
partner, stockholder, director, investor or otherwise, engage in a
business that carries on a like business to the business conducted
by the Company, in the market areas in which the Company generates
sales. You shall also abide by the Code of Ethics and other
corporate governance rules of the Company. You shall disclose
prior to the execution of this Agreement (or later on as the case
may be) all business relationships you presently have or
contemplate entering into or enter into in the future that might
affect your responsibilities or loyalties to the
Company.
During
your employment with the Company and for one year thereafter, you
shall not, directly or indirectly, hire, offer to hire or otherwise
solicit the employment or services of, any employee of the Company
on behalf of yourself or any other person, firm or
entity.
Except
as may be required to perform your duties on behalf of the Company,
you agree that during your employment with the Company and for a
period of one year thereafter, you shall not, directly or
indirectly, solicit, service, or accept business from any customers
of the Company, on your own behalf or on behalf of any other
person, firm or entity that carries on a like business to the
business conducted by the Company.
Except
as required in your duties to the Company, you shall not at any
time during or after your employment, directly or indirectly, use
or disclose any confidential or proprietary information relating to
the Company or its business or customers which is disclosed to you
or known by you as a consequence of or through your employment by
the Company and which is not otherwise generally obtainable by the
public at large. Confidential or proprietary information includes,
but is not limited to, commercial relationships or contacts with
specific or existing vendors, contractors, suppliers or clients;
pricing information and methodology; compensation; customer lists;
customer data and information; mailing lists and prospective
customer information; financial and investment information;
management and marketing plans; business strategy, technique and
methodology; business models and data; processes and procedures;
and Company provided files, software, code, reports, documents,
manuals and forms used in the business which are treated as
confidential to the business entity, in whatever medium provided or
preserved, such as in writing or stored
electronically.
In the
event that any of the provisions in this Section 5 shall ever be adjudicated to
exceed limitations permitted by applicable law, you agree that such
provisions shall be modified and enforced to the maximum extent
permitted under applicable law.
You
understand and agree that the Company may not be adequately
compensated by damages for a breach by you of any of the covenants
and agreement contained in this Section 5, and that the Company shall,
in addition to all other remedies, be entitled to injunctive relief
and specific performance. You hereby affirmatively waive the
requirement that the Company post any bond.
Nothing
herein contained will be construed as prohibiting the Company from
pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or
threatened breach, including the recovery of money damages, and if
the Company prevails, it shall also be entitled to the payment of
any and all reasonable fees, disbursements, and other charges of
the attorneys and collection agents, court costs, and all others
costs of enforcement. Likewise, if you prevail, you shall also be
entitled to the payment of any and all reasonable fees
disbursements and other charges of the attorneys and collections
agents, court costs, and all other costs of defense.
For
purposes of this Section 5,
the term the “Company” shall include all direct and
indirectly owned subsidiaries of the Company.
You
represent that you have carefully considered the terms of
Section 5. You acknowledge
and agree that these restrictions are reasonable and necessary to
protect the Company’s business and good will, as Your
Position is uniquely essential to the Company’s management,
organization, or services.
You or
the Company may terminate your employment prior to the end of the
Term upon written notice to the other party in accordance with the
following provisions:
(a)
Voluntary Termination. You may terminate
your employment voluntarily at any time during the Term by
providing the Company with 60 days prior written notice. If you do
so, except for Good Reason (as defined below), you shall be
entitled to receive from the Company your (i) accrued and unpaid
Base Salary through the date of termination, (ii) earned, accrued,
and unpaid Commission Pay through the date of termination, (iii)
any Annual Bonus earned for the year completed prior to the year of
termination but not yet paid, and (iv) any other employee benefits
generally paid by the Company up to the date of termination
(collectively (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv), the “Accrued
Obligations”).
(b)
Death. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate on the date of your death without further
obligation to you other than for payment by the Company to your
estate or designated beneficiaries, as designated in writing to the
Company, of (i) the Accrued Obligations through the last day of the
month in which your death occurs, and (ii) a pro-rata portion of
the Annual Bonus, if any, for the year of termination up to and
including the date of death which shall be determined in good faith
by the Compensation Committee. Your estate or beneficiaries, as
applicable, shall also be entitled to all other benefits generally
paid by the Company on an employee’s death.
(c)
Disability. This Agreement and
your employment shall terminate without any further obligation to
you if you become “totally disabled” (as defined below)
other than for payment by the Company of (i) the Accrued
Obligations though the last day of the month in which you are
deemed to be totally disabled and (ii) a pro-rata portion of the
Annual Bonus, if any, for the year of termination up to and
including the date you are deemed to be totally disabled as
determined in good faith by the Compensation
Committee.
You
shall be deemed to be “totally disabled” if you are
unable, for any reason, to perform any of your duties and
obligations to the Company, with or without a reasonable
accommodation, for a period of 90 consecutive days or for periods
aggregating 120 days in any period of 180 consecutive
days.
(d)
Cause. The Company may terminate
your employment at any time for “Cause” (as defined
below) and this Agreement shall terminate immediately with no
further obligations to you other than the Company shall pay you,
within thirty days of such termination, the Accrued Obligations up
to the date of such termination for Cause.
(e)
Termination by the Company Without Cause or by
you for Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Company
terminates your employment without Cause or you terminate your
employment for Good Reason (as defined below), in either case,
other than within 18 months of a Change in Control (which is
covered by Subsection (f) below), you shall be entitled to receive
from the Company, conditioned on your continued compliance with the
restrictive covenants contained in Section 5 hereof and your execution and
non-revocation of a release of claims substantially in the form
attached hereto as Annex
B, (i) the Accrued Obligations payable within 15 days after
the date of termination (or, in the case of the prior year’s
Annual Bonus, if any, at such time such bonus is payable pursuant
hereto), (ii) an additional 12 months of your then current Base
Salary, payable in equal monthly installments beginning with the
first payroll date after the date on which the release of claims
becomes effective and can no longer be revoked, and (iii) a pro
rata portion of the Annual Bonus, if any, for the year of
termination up to and including the date of termination which shall
be determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee and paid
at such time as such bonus is payable pursuant hereto.
(f)
Termination by the Company Without Cause or by
you for Good Reason within 18 Months After a Change in
Control. If, during the Term, the Company terminates your
employment without Cause or you terminate your employment for Good
Reason, in either such case, within 18 months of a Change in
Control (as defined below), you shall be entitled to receive from
the Company, subject to your continued compliance with the
restrictive covenants contained in Section 5 hereof and your execution and
non-revocation of a release of claims substantially in the form
attached hereto as Annex
B, (i) the Accrued Obligations payable within fifteen days
after termination (or, in the case of the prior year’s Annual
Bonus, if any, at such time such bonus is payable), (ii) a lump sum
amount equal to 24 months of Base Salary in effect as of the date
of termination of employment or the year immediately prior to the
Change in Control, whichever is higher, and (iii) two times a
target bonus amount, if any, in effect as of the date of
termination of employment. The severance payments under
sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii) hereof shall be paid with the first
payroll date after the date on which the release of claims becomes
effective and can no longer be revoked. Any payment by the Company
under this or any other section of this Agreement is subject to
applicable tax withholdings.
(g)
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if your severance payments payable hereunder constitute
nonqualified deferred compensation subject to 409A of the Code and
the period in which you must execute the release begins in one
calendar year and ends in another, the severance payments will be
made in the later calendar year.
(h)
For purposes of
this Agreement:
(i)
“Cause”
shall mean termination based upon: (A) your failure to
substantially perform your material duties and responsibilities of
Your Position after a written demand regarding such performance is
delivered to you by the Company, which identifies the manner in
which you have not performed your duties or responsibilities and a
cure period of 60 days, (B) your commission of an act of fraud,
theft, misappropriation, dishonesty or embezzlement, (C) your
conviction for a felony or pleading nolo contendere to a felony, (D) your
willful and continuing failure or refusal to carry out, or comply
with, in any material respect any reasonable directive of the Chief
Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company
consistent with the terms of this Agreement, or (E) your material
breach of any provision of this Agreement.
(ii)
“Good
Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following
events without your prior written consent:
(A)
the failure of the
Company to pay your Base Salary or Annual Bonus, if any, when due
and if earned, other than an inadvertent administrative error or
failure, within 10 days of receipt of notice by you,
(B)
a material
diminution in your authority or responsibilities from those
described herein,
(C)
any material breach
of this Agreement by the Company, or
(D)
a failure of the
Company to have any successor assume in writing the obligations
under this Agreement.
(iii)
“Change in
Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following
events during the Term:
(A)
any Person (which
for purposes of this Section
6(h)(iii) shall include natural persons, partnerships,
corporations and any other entities), or more than one Person
acting as a group (as the term “group” is contemplated
for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”))
(“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 fair market value and total voting power
of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes
of this subsection (A), the following acquisitions shall not be
deemed to result in a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company
or an affiliate of the Company, or (3) any acquisition by
(x) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) intended to
be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code or
(y) any trust established in connection with any broad-based
employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained, in each case, by the
Company or any corporation controlled by the Company (collectively
(1), (2) and (3), the “Exempt
Acquisitions”);
(B)
any Person, or more
than one Person acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during
the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent
acquisition) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or
more of the total voting power of the Company’s stock;
provided, however, that none of the Exempt Acquisitions shall
constitute a Change in Control.
(C)
individuals who, as
of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent
Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s
stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered
as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, as a member of the Incumbent Board, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an
actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person or
group other than the Board; or
(D)
a Person, or more
than one Person acting as a Group (other than a subsidiary or an
affiliate of the Company), acquires (or has acquired during the
12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition)
assets of the Company that have a total gross fair market value
equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of
all assets of the Company immediately before such
acquisition(s).
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a Change in Control shall not include any event,
circumstance or transaction that results from an action of any
Person or group which includes, is affiliated with or is wholly or
partly controlled by one or more executive officers of the Company
and in which you participate directly or actively (other than a
renegotiation of your employment arrangements or in your capacity
as an employee of the Company or any successor entity thereto or to
the business of the Company).
Any
notices required to be given under this Agreement shall, unless
otherwise agreed to by you and the Company, be in writing and by
certified mail, return receipt requested and mailed to the Company
at its offices at 202 Pride Lane SW, Decatur, Alabama 35603, or to
you at your home address at 1015 Campo Ct., Union, Kentucky, 41091,
or at such other address as may be provided by the Company or
you.
8.
ASSIGNMENT AND SUCCESSORS
The
rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors of
the Company. This Agreement may not be assigned by the
Company unless the assignee or successor (as the case may be)
expressly assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in
writing. In the event of a successor to the Company or the
assignment of the Agreement, the term “Company” as used
herein shall include any such successor or assignee.
9.
WAIVER OR MODIFICATION
No
waiver or modification in whole or in part of this Agreement or any
term or condition hereof shall be effective against any party
unless in writing and duly signed by the party sought to be
bound. Any waiver of any breach of any provision hereof or
right or power by any party on one occasion shall not be construed
as a waiver of or a bar to the exercise of such right or power on
any other occasion or as a waiver of any subsequent
breach.
Any
provision of this Agreement which is unenforceable or invalid in
any respect in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective in such
jurisdiction to the extent that it is unenforceable or invalid
without effecting the remaining provisions hereof, which shall
continue in full force and effect. The unenforceability or
invalidity of any provision of the Agreement in one jurisdiction
shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any
other jurisdiction.
11.
GOVERNING LAW AND CHOICE OF FORUM
This
Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its choice of law
principles. Any dispute, controversy or claim of any kind
arising under, in connection with, or relating to this Agreement or
yo ur employment with the Company shall be resolved exclusively by
binding arbitration. Such arbitration shall be conducted in
Decatur, Alabama, in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then in effect.
The costs of the arbitration (fees to the AAA and for the
arbitrator(s)) shall be shared equally by the parties, subject to
apportionment or shifting in the arbitration award. In
addition, the prevailing party in arbitration shall be entitled to
reimbursement by the other party for its reasonable
attorney’s fees incurred. Judgment may be entered on
the arbitration award in any court of competent jurisdiction. You
also agree that the forum for any lawsuit arising in whole or part
from this Agreement is a court of competent jurisdiction sitting in
Morgan County, Alabama.
This
Agreement and the Annex hereto constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the matters referred to
herein, and supersedes any other agreement or promise relating to
these matters.
The
headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and
shall not effect, restrict or modify the interpretation of this
Agreement.
----------SIGNATURES
ON NEXT PAGE----------
AGREED
AND ACCEPTED:
Steven
L. Harvey
Lakeland
Industries, Inc.
By:
/s/ Charles D. Roberson
Charles
D. Roberson, CEO and President
ANNEX A
Commission Plan
Commission pay will
be calculated based on a target commission rate determined by
dividing Annual Target commission of $125,000 by the mutually
agreed Annual Sales Target (which shall be based on the Annual
Operating Plan prepared by Lakeland management and approved by the
Board of Directors). For creditable sales in excess of the Annual
Sales Target up to 120% of the Annual Sales Target, the commission
rate will be 112% of the target commission rate. For creditable
sales in excess of 120% of the Annual Sales Target, the commission
rate will be 120% of the target commission rate. Upon achievement
of the Annual Sales Target, you will also be paid a one-time
commission bonus of $40,000 in the immediately following commission
payment
ANNEX B
General Release
IN
CONSIDERATION OF good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the terms and
conditions contained in the Employment Agreement, effective as of
January 4, 2021 (the “Agreement”), by and between
Steven L. Harvey (the
“Executive”) and Lakeland Industries, Inc. (the
“Company”), the Executive on behalf of himself and his
heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, attorneys, successors,
and assigns, knowingly and voluntarily, hereby waives, remits,
releases and forever discharges the Company and its past, present
and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and parents, and all
of their respective current and former officers, directors,
stockholders, employees, agents, attorneys, lenders, and/or owners,
and their respective successors, and assigns and any other person
or entity claimed to be jointly or severally liable with the
Company or any of the aforementioned persons or entities, both
individually and in their business capacities, and their employee
benefit plans and programs and their administrators and fiduciaries
(the “Released Parties”) of and from any and all manner
of actions and causes of action, suits, debts, dues, accounts,
bonds, covenants, contracts, agreements, judgments, charges,
claims, complaints, damages, demands, and obligations of any other
nature whatsoever, past or present, known or unknown
(“Losses”) which the Executive and his heirs,
executors, administrators, and assigns have, had, or may hereafter
have, against the Released Parties or any of them arising out of or
by reason of any cause, matter, or thing whatsoever from the
beginning of the world to the date hereof.
This
release includes, but is not limited to, Losses arising out of or
relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company and the
cessation thereof, and any and all matters arising under any
federal, state, or local statute, rule, or regulation, or principle
of contract law or common law relating to the Executive’s
employment by the Company and the cessation thereof, including,
but not limited to,
the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, 29 U.S.C.
§§ 2601 et seq., Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000 et
seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended,
29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq. (the “ADEA”),
the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (“OWBPA”), the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
§§ 12101 et seq., the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, 29 U.S.C.
§§2101 et
seq., the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C.
§§ 1001 et
seq., any applicable state or local law or regulation
relating to employment, and any claim for or obligation to pay for
attorneys’ fees, costs, fees, or other expenses. It is
understood that nothing in this general release is to be construed
as an admission on behalf of the Released Parties of any wrongdoing
with respect to the Executive, any such wrongdoing being expressly
denied.
The
Executive does not release or discharge the Released Parties from
(i) any rights to any payments, benefits or reimbursements due
to the Executive under the Agreement; or (ii) any rights to
any vested benefits due to the Executive under any employee benefit
plans sponsored or maintained by the Company.
This
release also bars any and all claims for future damages allegedly
arising from the alleged continuation of the effect of any past
action, omission or event, except nothing herein waives
Executive’s rights to enforce this Agreement.
The
Executive and the Company acknowledge that nothing in this
Agreement limits or affects either party’s right, where
applicable, to file or participate in an investigative proceeding
conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(“EEOC”), or any federal, state or local government
agency. However, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the
Executive agrees that if such an administrative claim is made, the
Executive agrees to release, waive, relinquish and forego all legal
relief, equitable relief, statutory relief, reinstatement, back
pay, front pay and any other damages, benefits, remedies, or relief
that Executive may be entitled to as a result of any prosecution of
any administrative agency claim or commission charge, and the
Executive shall not be entitled to recover any individual monetary
award or relief or other individual remedies. Rights not waivable
by law are not waived by this Agreement.
The
Executive represents and warrants that he fully understands the
terms of this General Release, that he has been encouraged to seek,
and has sought, the benefit of advice of legal counsel, and that he
knowingly and voluntarily, of his own free will, without any
duress, being fully informed, and after due deliberation, accepts
its terms and signs below as his own free act. Except as otherwise
provided herein, the Executive understands that as a result of
executing this General Release, he will not have the right to
assert that the Company or any other of the Released Parties
unlawfully terminated his employment or violated any of his rights
in connection with his employment or otherwise.
If
Executive is 40 years of age or older, be advised that Executive
has or may have specific rights and/or claims under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and
Executive agrees that in consideration for the Severance Payment,
he specifically and voluntarily waives such rights and/or claims
under the ADEA which he might have against the Releasees to the
extent such rights and/or claims arose prior to the date this
Agreement was executed. Executive understands that rights and/or
claims under the ADEA which may arise after the date this Agreement
is executed are not waived by him.
By
signing this General Release, the Executive does not release: (i)
any right he may have to challenge the validity of this General
Release under the ADEA or the OWBPA; or (ii) his right to enforce
this General Release.
Executive
hereby affirms and acknowledges the following:
a.
He has not filed,
caused to be filed, or presently is a party to any claim, lawsuit,
charge, arbitration, complaint, action, or proceeding against any
of the Released Parties herein in any forum or form.
b.
He has been granted
any leave to which he was entitled under the Family and Medical
Leave Act or related state or local leave or disability
accommodation laws.
c.
He has not given,
sold, assigned or transferred to anyone else, any claim, or a
portion of a claim referred to in this Agreement.
d.
He has no known
workplace injury or occupational disease and has been provided with
and/or has not been denied any leave requested under the Family and
Medical Leave Act. He acknowledges and represents that he has no
intention of filing any claim for workers’ compensation
benefits of any type against the Company or any of the Released
Parties, and that he will not file or attempt to file any claims
for workers’ compensation benefits of any type against the
Company or any related Released Parties. He acknowledges that the
Company has relied upon these representations, and that the Company
would not have entered into this Agreement but for these
representations. As a result, he agrees, covenants, and represents
that the Company may, but is not obligated to, submit this
Agreement to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board for
approval as a compromise and release as to any workers compensation
claim that he files at any time against the Company or any of the
Released Parties.
e.
He further affirms
that he has not been retaliated against for reporting any
allegations of wrongdoing by any of the Released Parties or their
officers and directors, including any allegations of corporate
fraud or bribery. He and the Company acknowledge that this
Agreement does not limit either party’s right, where
applicable, to file or participate in an investigative proceeding
of any federal, state or local government agency. Except as to the
extent permitted by law, he agrees that if such an administrative
claim is made, he shall not be entitled to recover any individual
monetary award or relief or other individual remedies.
The
Executive may take 21 days to consider whether to execute this
General Release. Upon the Executive’s execution of this
general release, the Executive will have 7 days after such
execution in which he may revoke such execution. For such a
revocation to be effective, it must be delivered so that the
undersigned person receives it in-hand or via fax on or before the
expiration of the 7 day revocation period. This Agreement shall
become effective on the first day following the expiration of the 7
day revocation period.
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS
INTENDING
TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, I hereby set my hand below:
|
/s/
Steven L. Harvey
|
|
Steven
L. Harvey
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated:
|
December
30, 2020
|
)
s/s:
On the
___ day of ___________, 20___, before me personally came Steven L.
Harvey, to me known, and known to me to be the individual described
in, and who executed the foregoing General Release, and duly
acknowledged to me that he executed the same.
____________________________
Notary
Public
|
202 Pride Lane SW
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 350-3873 - www.lakeland.com
|
Lakeland
Industries Bolsters Executive Management Team with Creation of New
Position for EVP Global Sales and Marketing
Steven L. Harvey, a Data-driven Multinational Sales Veteran,
Appointed as Company’s First Executive to Lead Coordinated
Global Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Strategy
DECATUR,
AL -- December 30, 2020 -- Lakeland Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAKE)
(the “Company” or “Lakeland”), a leading
global manufacturer of protective clothing for industry, healthcare
and to first responders on the federal, state and local levels,
today announced the appointment of Steven L. Harvey to the newly
created position of Executive Vice President for Global Sales and
Marketing, effective January 4, 2021. Mr. Harvey is a proven sales
leader with over 25 years of progressive executive responsibility
focused on managing sales organizations and utilizing analytics to
drive revenue growth from large multinational corporate accounts
and national and municipal government agencies. The EVP Global
Sales and Marketing position will report to Charles D. Roberson,
President and CEO of Lakeland Industries.
Commenting
on the executive appointment, Mr. Roberson stated, “We are
very pleased to expand the depth and strength of our executive
management team with the addition of Steven Harvey at a time when
we have been rapidly growing our top line and global customer base.
The newly created position is consistent with our continued
vertical alignment of our operational functions which is intended
to provide agility within business disciplines to capitalize on
market opportunities while yielding productivity efficiencies. As
Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Steve will
leverage more than two decades of experience in technology and data
driven sales systems for publicly traded and private companies
larger than Lakeland.
“Under
Steve’s leadership, we will for the first time globally
coordinate and unify all sales, marketing and customer service
strategies. This effort follows similar steps we have recently
taken, including the company’s appointment of our first
Global Supply Chain Manager, to develop and implement strategies to
further enhance our manufacturing resiliency and flexibility which
we expect to attain from capacity expansions at our production
facilities in multiple international locations. These expansions
will be fungible across our primary product lines for disposable,
chemical and Critical Environment. Each of these developments
complements the others and collectively, when combined with the
continued investments in our ERP system, Salesforce CRM rollout,
and data-centric planning processes, is expected to serve as a
catalyst for continued growth while providing greater productivity
and efficiencies.”
Throughout
his career of more than 25 years, Steven L. Harvey has focused on
international and domestic sales growth, sales analytics, customer
service, customer retention and team building. Prior to joining
Lakeland, Steve spent over ten years leading global sales and
service for a multinational corporation and was heavily engaged in
strategic business development with municipal and other government
agencies. Earlier, he held sales and leadership roles of increasing
responsibility for two companies, the latter was publicly traded
with a $600 million market capitalization. He began his career with
Procter and Gamble after graduating from Indiana
University.
About Lakeland Industries, Inc.
We
manufacture and sell a comprehensive line of industrial protective
clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective
clothing market. Our products are sold globally by our in-house
sales teams, our customer service group, and authorized independent
sales representatives to a network of over 1,600 global safety and
industrial supply distributors. Our authorized distributors supply
end users, such as integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical,
automobile, steel, glass, construction, smelting, cleanroom,
janitorial, pharmaceutical, and high technology electronics
manufacturers, as well as scientific, medical laboratories and the
utilities industry. In addition, we supply federal, state and local
governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law
enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense,
the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease
Control. Internationally, we sell to a mixture of end users
directly, and to industrial distributors depending on the
particular country and market. Sales are made to more than 50
countries, the majority of which were into the United States,
China, the European Economic Community ("EEC"), Canada, Chile,
Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, India,
Uruguay and Southeast Asia.
For
more information concerning Lakeland, please visit the Company
online at www.lakeland.com.
Contacts:
|
|
Lakeland
Industries, Inc.
|
Darrow
Associates
|
256-445-4000
|
512-551-9296
|
Allen
Dillard
|
Jordan
Darrow
|
aedillard@lakeland.com
|
jdarrow@darrowir.com
|
“Safe
Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Forward-looking statements involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions as described from time to time in
Press Releases and Forms 8-K, registration statements, quarterly
and annual reports and other reports and filings filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or made by management, as well
as the uncertain impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. All statements,
other than statements of historical facts, which address
Lakeland’s expectations of sources or uses for capital or
which express the Company’s expectation for the future with
respect to financial performance or operating strategies can be
identified as forward-looking statements. As a result, there can be
no assurance that Lakeland’s future results will not be
materially different from those described herein as
“believed,” “projected,”
“planned,” “intended,”
“anticipated,” “estimated” or
“expected,” or other words which reflect the current
view of the Company with respect to future events. We caution
readers that these forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date hereof. The Company hereby expressly disclaims any obligation
or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
such statements to reflect any change in the Company’s
expectations or any change in events conditions or circumstances on
which such statement is based.