UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

_______________________________

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

August 31, 2017

_______________________________

 

Simulations Plus, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California   001-32046   95-4595609
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

42505 10th Street West, Lancaster, California 93534-7059

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

661-723-7723

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In a press release dated August 31, 2017, the Company announced that, based on its recent acquisition of DILIsym Services Inc., and the expansion of responsibilities of the corporate president, the board felt it was optimal to change to a divisional presidential model. As such, effective September 1, 2017, the current corporate president, Dr. Thaddeus “Ted” Grasela, would no longer fill the role of Corporate President. Dr. Grasela will continue with Simulations Plus as the divisional president of the Buffalo, New York Cognigen division. The board plans to hold open the position of corporate president and will not be filling it at the present time. Dr. Grasela has entered into a new two-year employment agreement as divisional president at substantially the same terms as his prior agreement. A copy of the agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

The board, effective September 1, 2017, appointed Mr. John DiBella president of the Lancaster Division. Mr. DiBella has been with Simulations Plus for over 14 years, starting as a software development engineer after graduating with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. In 2009, he was promoted to manager of marketing and sales, and in 2012 became vice president of marketing and sales. Mr. DiBella has entered into a two-year employment agreement under which he will receive annual compensation of $230,000 and will be eligible to receive a performance bonus of up to 15% of compensation and options as determined by the Board of Directors. A copy of the agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Renewal of Chief Executive Officer Employment Agreement

 

On September 1, 2017, the Company renewed its Employment Agreement with Walter S. Woltosz to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The terms of the agreement were substantially the same as the 2016-2017 agreement. The new agreement has a one-year term that begins on September 1, 2017. Under the terms of the Woltosz Employment Agreement, Mr. Woltosz is required to devote a minimum of 60% of his productive time to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He will receive annual compensation of $180,000, be eligible to receive up to 12,000 Company stock options under the Company’s Stock Option Plan, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, and shall be paid an annual performance bonus of up to 5% of the Company’s net income before taxes not to exceed $36,000. A copy of the agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. The information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in this report on Current Report on Form 8-K that is required to be disclosed solely to satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD.

 

 

 

 

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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Forward-looking statements in this Report or hereafter, including in other publicly available documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), reports to the stockholders of Simulations Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company" or "us," "our" or "we") and other publicly available statements issued or released by us involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such future results are based upon management's best estimates based upon current conditions and the most recent results of operations. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth herein and in such other documents filed with the Commission, each of which could adversely affect our business and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits

 

10.1 Employment Agreement with Dr. Thaddeus “Ted” Grasela

10.2 Employment Agreement with Mr. John DiBella

10.3 Employment Agreement with Walter S. Woltosz

99.1 Press release issued on August 31, 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.

 

 

    SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
     
  By:  /s/ John R. Kneisel  
   

John R. Kneisel

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: September 6, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made as of this 2nd day of September, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by Simulations Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Company ”) and Thaddeus H. Grasela, Jr., an individual (the “ Employee ”) with reference to the following facts:

 

A.                 The Company desires to secure the services of the Employee as President of the Cognigen Division.

 

B.       The Employee agrees to perform such services for the Company under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the Company and the Employee as follows:

 

1.                   Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants that it is empowered under its Articles or Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into this Agreement. The Employee represents and warrants that he is under no employment contract, bond, confidentiality agreement, or any other obligation that would violate or be in conflict with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or encumber his performance of duties assigned to him by the Company. The Employee further represents and warrants that he has not signed or committed to any employment or consultant duties or other obligations that would divert his full attention from the duties assigned to him by this Agreement; provided, that the foregoing limitations shall not be construed as prohibiting Employee from making personal investments or participating in business activities or community affairs in such form or manner as will not prevent Employee from performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder or cause Employee to violate the terms of Section 6 hereof.

 

2.                   Employment and Duties . The Company hereby employs the Employee as President of the Cognigen Division and the Employee hereby accepts such employment during the Term.

As President, the Employee shall have such duties, authority and responsibility as shall be consistent with the Employee’s position and such other duties as assigned by the CEO of the Company and/or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”).

 

3.                   Term . Subject to the provisions of Section 5, the term of this Agreement shall commence on September 2, 2017 for a duration of two (2) years and end on September 1, 2019 (“ Term ”).

 

4.                   Compensation . In full and complete consideration for the employment of Employee hereunder, each and all of the services to be rendered to the Company by the Employee, and each and all of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and promises undertaken by the Employee pursuant to this Agreement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive compensation as follows:

 

4.1               Base Salary . The Employee shall receive from the Company a base salary of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per year, payable in equal, monthly installments. From each payment of Base Salary the Company will withhold and pay to the proper governmental authorities any and all amounts required by law to be withheld for federal income tax, state income tax, federal Social Security tax, state disability insurance premiums, and any and all other amounts required by law to be withheld from the Employee's salary.

 

4.2               Stock Options . The Employee shall be eligible to receive a grant of stock options under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as determined by the Board of Directors.

 

4.3               Performance Bonus . For each fiscal year during the Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive a performance bonus in an amount not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Employee’s salary, not to exceed $37,500 at the end of each calendar year. The specific amount of the performance bonus shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, based on the financial performance and achievements of the Company for the previous fiscal year. Employee must be employed by the Company on the last date of the calendar year to be eligible for the bonus related to the previous fiscal year.

 

 

 

 

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4.4               Benefits . The Company shall provide to the Employee at the sole cost to the Company, and the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Company, such health insurance and other benefits which are appropriate to the office and position of Employee, adequate to the performance of his duties and not inconsistent with that which the Company customarily provides at the time to their other management employees. The Employee's right to vacation and sick leave shall be determined in accordance with the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time and as are approved by the Board of Directors. Employee shall have the right to reimbursement of customary, ordinary and necessary business expenses, including travel, incurred in connection with the rendering of services and performance of the functions required hereunder in accordance with the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time and as are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Such expenses are reimbursable only upon presentation by Employee of appropriate documentation pursuant to the policies adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

5.                   Termination of Employment .

 

5.1               Expiration of the Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the expiration of the Term, or as sooner agreed to by both the Employee and the Company in writing in the event this Agreement is superseded by a new agreement. Upon such termination, the Company shall have no further liability to the Employee for any payment, compensation or benefit whatsoever under this Agreement except with respect to (a) the Employee's salary and benefits through the effective date of the Employee's termination, and (b) such other compensation or benefits (if any) which, by the terms of the applicable plan or policy, is payable to the Employee after termination of employment.

 

5.2               By Death . This Agreement shall be terminated upon the death of the Employee. The Company's total liability in such event shall be limited to payment of (a) the Employee's salary and benefits through the date of the Employee's death, and (b) such other compensation or benefits (if any) which, by the terms of the applicable plan or policy, is payable after the Employee's death.

 

5.3               By Permanent Disability . Employee’s employment may be terminated due to his permanent disability. A permanent disability will exist when the Company has determined that Employee suffers from a condition of mind or body that indefinitely prevents him from further performance of his essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation. The Company’s total liability in such event shall be limited to payment of the Employee’s salary and benefits through the effective date of termination upon permanent disability.

 

5.4               For Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement immediately, at any time, if, in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors: the Employee fails or refuses to faithfully and diligently perform the usual and customary duties of his employment which failure or refusal is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof is given to Employee; commits any material act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act of moral turpitude; is guilty of gross carelessness or misconduct; fails to obey the lawful direction of the Company’s Board of Directors; or acts in any way that has a direct, substantial and adverse effect on the Company’s reputation. The Company’s total liability to the Employee in the event of termination of the Employee's employment under this paragraph shall be limited to the payment of the Employee's salary and benefits through the effective date of termination.

 

5.5               Without Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement without cause for any reason whatsoever upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the Employee. Upon termination under this subsection, the Employee shall receive payment of an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the Employee's base salary or the Employee's base salary for the remaining term of this Agreement, whichever is greater, so long as he signs a release of all claims against the Company on a release form provided by the Company to him at that time. Other than payment of the amount as described in this paragraph, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay the Employee any other compensation or benefits whatsoever. The Employee hereby agrees that the Company may dismiss him under this Section 5.5 without regard (i) to any general or specific policies (whether written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of its employees, or (ii) to any statements made to the Employee, whether made orally or contained in any document, pertaining to the Employee's relationship with the Company.

 

5.6               Mutual Consent . This Agreement shall be terminated upon mutual written consent of the Company and the Employee. The Company’s total liability to the Employee in the event of termination of the Employee's employment under this Section 5.6 shall be limited to the payment of

 

(a)                The Employee's salary and benefits through the effective date of termination; and

 

(b)                such other compensation or benefits (if any) which, by the terms of the applicable plan or policy, is payable to the Employee after termination of employment, except as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing.

 

 

 

 

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5.7               Termination of Offices and Board . Upon termination of employment for any reason whatsoever, the Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, including the Board of Directors then held with the Company, if any.

 

6.                   Restrictions on Use or Disclosure of Confidential Matters, Proprietary Information and Trade Secrets .

 

6.1               During the Term, the Employee may be dealing with trade secrets of the Company, including without limitation, customer lists, client contacts, financial information, inventions and processes, all of a confidential nature that are the Company’s property and are used in the course of the Company’s business. The Employee will not disclose to anyone, directly or indirectly, any of such trade secrets or use them other than as necessary in the course of his duties with the Company. All documents that the Employee prepares, or confidential information that might be given to him or that Employee himself might create in the course of his employment by the Company, are the exclusive property of the Company. During the Term and at any time thereafter, the Employee shall not publish, communicate, divulge, disclose or use any of such information which has been reasonably designated by the Company as proprietary or confidential or which from the surrounding circumstances the Employee knows, or has good reason to know, or should reasonably know, ought to be treated by the Employee as proprietary or confidential without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld by the Company.

 

6.2               In the course of his employment for the Company, Employee will develop a personal relationship with the Company’s customers and knowledge of those customers’ affairs and requirements, which may constitute the Company’s only contact with such customers. The Employee consequently agrees that it is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the goodwill and business of the Company that the Employee make the covenants contained herein. Accordingly, the Employee agrees that while he is in the Company’s employ, he will not directly or indirectly:

 

(a)                attempt in any manner, to solicit from any customer (except on behalf of the Company’s) business of the type performed by the Company or to persuade any customer of the Company to cease to do business or reduce the amount of business which any such customer has customarily done or contemplates doing with the Company, whether or not the relationship with the Company and such customer was originally established in whole or in part through the Employee's efforts; or

 

(b)                engage in any business as, or own an interest in, directly or indirectly, any individual proprietorship, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust or any other form of business entity if such business form or entity is engaged in the business in which the Company is engaged;

 

(c)                render any services of the type rendered by the Company to or for any customer of the Company;

 

(d)                employ or attempt to employ or assist anyone else to employ any person who is then or at any time during the preceding year in the Company’s employ.

 

6.3               For a one (1) year period after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, ask or encourage any employee(s) of the Company to leave their employment with the Company or solicit any employee(s) of the Company for employment elsewhere. The Employee further agrees that he shall make any subsequent employer aware of this non-solicitation obligation.

 

6.4               This entire Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

7.                   The Company’s Property .

 

7.1               Any patents, inventions, discoveries, applications or processes, software and computer programs devised, planned, applied, created, discovered or invented by the Employee in the course of his employment by the Company and which pertain to any aspect of the business of the Company, or their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or customers, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee shall make prompt report thereof to the Company and promptly execute any and all documents reasonably requested to assure the Company the full and complete ownership thereof.

 

7.2               All records, files, lists, drawings, documents, equipment and similar items relating to the Company’s business which the Employee shall prepare or receive from the Company in the course of his employment by the Company shall remain the Company’s sole and exclusive property. Upon termination of this Agreement the Employee shall return promptly to the Company all property of the Company in his possession and the Employee represents and warrants that he will not copy, or cause to be copied, printed, summarized or compiled, any software, documents or other materials originating with and/or belonging to the Company, including, without limitation, documents or other materials created by the Employee for, or on behalf of, the Company. The Employee further represents and warrants that he will not retain in his possession any such software, documents or other materials in machine or human readable form.

 

 

 

 

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7.3               This Section 7 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

8.                    Outside Activities . During the Term, the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an officer, director, employee, representative, principal, partner, shareholder, employee, agent or in any other capacity, engage or assist any third party in engaging in any business competitive with the business of the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may be withheld by the Company in their sole and absolute discretion. Following his employment with the Company, the Employee shall not engage in unfair competition with the Company, aid others in any unfair competition with the Company, in any way breach the confidence that the Company has placed in the Employee or misappropriate any proprietary information of the Company.

 

9.                   Reports . The Employee, when directed, shall provide written reports to the Company with respect to the services provided hereunder.

 

10.                  Strict Loyalty . The Employee hereby covenants and agrees to avoid all circumstances and actions that reasonably would place the Employee in a position of divided loyalty with respect to his obligations under this Agreement.

 

11.                 Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned to another party by the Employee without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may be withheld by the Company, in their sole and absolute discretion.

 

12.                  Arbitration . In the event of any dispute between the Company and the Employee concerning any aspect of the employment relationship, including any disputes relating to its termination, all such disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration before a single neutral arbitrator pursuant to the following terms. This provision shall supersede any prior arbitration agreement, policy or understanding between the parties. The parties intend to revoke any prior arbitration agreement.

 

12.1           Claims Covered by the Agreement . The Employee and the Company mutually consent to the resolution by final and binding arbitration of all claims or controversies (“ claims ”) that the Company may have against the Employee or that the Employee may have against the Company or against its officers, directors, partners, employees, agents, pension or benefit plans, administrators, or fiduciaries, franchisors, or any parent, subsidiary or affiliated companies or corporation (collectively referred to for purposes of this Section 12 as “ Company’s Parties ”), relating to, resulting from, or in any way arising out of Employee’s employment relationship with Company and/or the termination of Employee’s employment relationship with Company, to the extent permitted by law. The claims covered by this Agreement include, but are not limited to, claims for wages or other compensation due; claims for breach of any contract or covenant (express or implied); tort claims; claims for discrimination and harassment (including, but not limited to, race, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status or medical condition, disability, or sexual orientation); claims for benefits (except where an employee benefit or pension plan specifies claims procedures different from the ones described in this Section 12); claims for breach of any duties or obligations; and claims for violation of any public policy, federal, state or other governmental law, statute, regulation or ordinance, except claims excluded in the following section.

 

12.2           Claims Not Covered by the Agreement . Claims the Employee may have for workers’ compensation (excluding discrimination claims under workers’ compensation statutes) or unemployment compensation benefits are not covered by this Arbitration section.

 

12.3           Required Notice of Claims and Statute of Limitations . Arbitration may be initiated by the Employee by serving or mailing a written notice to the Chairman of the Board of the Company. Arbitration may be initiated by the Company’s Parties by serving or mailing a written notice to the Employee at his last known address. The notice shall identify and describe the nature of all claims asserted and the facts upon which such claims are based. The written notice shall be served or mailed within the applicable statute of limitations period set forth by federal or state law.

 

12.4           Arbitration Procedures.

 

(a)                After demand for arbitration has been made by serving written notice under the terms of Section 12.3 of this Agreement, the party demanding arbitration shall file a demand for arbitration with the office of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (“ JAMS ”) located in Los Angeles, California. The arbitrator shall be selected from the JAMS panel and the arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to JAMS policies and procedures. All rules governing the arbitration shall be the rules as set forth by JAMS. If the dispute is employment-related, the dispute shall be governed by JAMS’ then-current version of the national rules for the resolution of employment disputes. JAMS’ then-applicable rules governing the arbitration may be obtained from JAMS’ website which currently is www.jamsadr.com.

 

(b)                The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law (and the law of remedies, if applicable) of California, or federal law, or both, as applicable to the claim(s) asserted. The arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of this Agreement, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this Agreement is void or voidable.

 

 

 

 

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(c)                Either party may file a motion for summary judgment with the arbitrator. The arbitrator is entitled to resolve some or all of the asserted claims through such a motion. The standards to be applied by the arbitrator in ruling on a motion for summary judgment shall be the applicable laws as specified in Section 12.4(b) of this Agreement.

 

(d)                Discovery shall be allowed and conducted pursuant to the then-applicable arbitration rules of JAMS, provided that the parties shall be entitled to discovery sufficient to adequately arbitrate their claims and defenses. The arbitrator is authorized to rule on discovery motions brought under the applicable discovery rules.

 

12.5           Arbitration Decision . The arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding. The arbitrator shall issue a written arbitration decision revealing the essential findings and conclusions upon which the decision and/or award is based. A party’s right to appeal the decision is limited to grounds provided under applicable federal or California law.

 

12.6           Application for Emergency Injunctive and/or Other Equitable Relief. Claims by the Company or Employee for emergency injunctive and/or other equitable relief relating to unfair competition and/or the use and/or unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets or confidential information and/or a breach of the provisions of Sections 6, 7, and 8 of this Agreement shall be submitted to JAMS for emergency treatment. The parties agree that the JAMS administrator may select a neutral hearing officer (subject to conflicts) to hear the emergency request only. The hearing officer should be experienced in considering requests for emergency injunctive and/or other equitable relief. The hearing officer shall conform his or her consideration and ruling with the applicable legal standards as if this matter were heard in a court of law in the applicable jurisdiction for such a dispute.

 

12.7           Place of Arbitration . The arbitration will be at a mutually convenient location in Los Angeles, California. If the parties cannot agree upon a location, then the arbitration will be held at a JAMS’ office in Los Angeles.

 

12.8           Representation, Fees and Costs . Each party may be represented by an attorney or other representative selected by the party. Each party shall be responsible for its own attorneys’ or representative’s fees. However, if any party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party’s attorneys’ fees, or if there is a written agreement providing for fees, the arbitrator may award reasonable fees to the prevailing party. The Company shall be responsible for the arbitrator’s fees and costs to the extent they exceed any fee or cost that the Employee would be required to bear if the action were brought in court.

 

12.9           Waiver Of Jury Trial/Exclusive Remedy . The Employee and the Company knowingly and voluntarily waive any constitutional right to have any dispute between them decided by a court of law and/or by a jury in court.

 

13.               The Company’s Bylaws, Directions, Policies, Practices, Rules, Regulations and Procedures . The Employee agrees to become and remain thoroughly familiar with each and all of the Company’s bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures that relate to the employment and/or to any of Employee's duties and/or responsibilities as an employee of the Company and to abide fully and by each and all of such bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures. During the Term, the Employee shall be fully bound by and employed pursuant to each and all of the Company’s bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures as now in effect or as may be implemented, modified or otherwise put into effect by the Company during the term of employment, regardless of whether such bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures are oral or are set forth in any manual, handbook or other document, and it is solely the responsibility of Employee to become and remain fully aware of and familiar with each and all such directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and/or procedures. In the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of the Company’s directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and/or procedures, the provisions of this Agreement govern for any and all purposes whatsoever.

 

14.               Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless from any and all claims, demands, judgments, liens, subrogation or costs incurred by the Employee with respect to any shareholder derivative action or other claims or suits against the Company and/or their respective Boards of Directors by individuals, firms or entities not a party to this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted under California law.

 

 

 

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15.               General .

 

15.1           Further Documents . Each party shall execute and deliver all further instruments, documents and papers, and shall perform any and all acts necessary reasonably requested by the other party, to give full force and effect to all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

15.2           Successors and Assigns . Except where expressly provided to the contrary, this Agreement, and all provisions hereof, shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors in interest, assigns, administrators, executors, heirs and devises.

 

15.3           Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, shall be found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remainder of such provision and any such invalidity or unenforceability shall in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement, the application of any provision in any other circumstance or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

15.4           Notices . All notices or demands shall be in writing and shall be served personally, telegraphically or by express or certified mail. Service shall be deemed conclusively made at the time of service if personally served, 24 hours after deposit thereof in the United States mail properly addressed and postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if served by express Mail, and five days after deposit thereof in the United States mail, properly addressed and postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if served by certified mail. Any notice or demand to the Company shall be given to:

 

Simulations Plus, Inc.

42505 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534-7059

Attention: Compensation Committee

 

and any notice or demand to the Employee shall be given to:

 

Mr. Thaddeus H. Grasela, Jr.

150 Ruskin Road

Amherst, NY 14226

 

Any party may, by virtue of a written notice in compliance with this Section, alter or change the address or the identity of the person to whom any notice, or copy thereof, is to be sent.

 

15.5           Waiver . A waiver by any party of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement in any one instance shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of the term or condition for the future, or of any subsequent breach thereof or of any other term or condition thereof. Any party may waive any term, provision or condition included for the benefit of that party. Any and all waivers shall be in writing.

 

15.6           Construction . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts entered into and fully to be performed therein without regard to its principles of choice of law or conflicts of law. In all matters of interpretation, whenever necessary to give effect to any provision of this Agreement, each gender shall include the others, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular and the terms “and” and “or” may be used interchangeably as the context so requires or implies. The title of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the interpretation of any provision or condition of this Agreement. All remedies, rights, undertakings, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be cumulative and none of them shall be in limitation of any other remedy, right, undertaking, obligation or agreement of any party.

 

 

 

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15.7           Entire Understanding . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and collateral agreements, understandings, statements and negotiation of the parties. Each party acknowledges that no representations, inducements or promises, oral or written, with reference to the subject matter hereof have been made other than as expressly set forth herein. This Agreement cannot be changed, rescinded or terminated orally.

 

15.8           Third Party Rights . The parties hereto do not intend to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and those referred to in Section 15.2 hereof so long as any such assignment by Employee was approved by the Company as provided in Section 11 hereof.

 

15.9           Attorneys' Fees . In the event of any litigation between the parties respecting or arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees and costs, whether or not the litigation proceeds to final judgment or determination.

 

15.10       Place of Litigation . Any litigation between the parties shall occur in the County of Los Angeles, California.

 

15.11       Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which, taken together, shall constitute the whole of the agreement between the parties.

 

 

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

 

Company:

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

 

 



By: /s/ Walter S. Woltosz                           
Walter S. Woltosz, Chairman and CEO

 

Date: September 5, 2017

Employee:

Thaddeus H. Grasela, Jr

 

 

 


/s/ Thaddeius H. Grasela, Jr.                              
Thaddeus H. Grasela, Jr

 

Date: September 5, 2017

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  8  

Exhibit 10.2

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made as of this 1st day of September, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by Simulations Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Company ”) and John DiBella, an individual (the “ Employee ”) with reference to the following facts:

 

A.                 The Company desires to secure the services of the Employee as President of the Lancaster Division.

 

B.       The Employee agrees to perform such services for the Company under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the Company and the Employee as follows:

 

1.                   Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants that it is empowered under its Articles or Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into this Agreement. The Employee represents and warrants that he is under no employment contract, bond, confidentiality agreement, or any other obligation that would violate or be in conflict with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or encumber his performance of duties assigned to him by the Company. The Employee further represents and warrants that he has not signed or committed to any employment or consultant duties or other obligations that would divert his full attention from the duties assigned to him by this Agreement; provided, that the foregoing limitations shall not be construed as prohibiting Employee from making personal investments or participating in business activities or community affairs in such form or manner as will not prevent Employee from performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder or cause Employee to violate the terms of Section 6 hereof.

 

2.                   Employment and Duties . The Company hereby employs the Employee as President of the Lancaster Division and the Employee hereby accepts such employment during the Term.

As President, the Employee shall have such duties, authority and responsibility as shall be consistent with the Employee’s position and such other duties as assigned by the CEO of the Company and/or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”).

 

3.                   Term . Subject to the provisions of Section 5, the term of this Agreement shall commence on September 1, 2017 for a duration of two (2) years and end on August 31, 2019 (“ Term ”).

 

4.                   Compensation . In full and complete consideration for the employment of Employee hereunder, each and all of the services to be rendered to the Company by the Employee, and each and all of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and promises undertaken by the Employee pursuant to this Agreement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive compensation as follows:

 

4.1               Base Salary . The Employee shall receive from the Company a base salary of two hundred thirty thousand dollars ($230,000) per year, payable in equal, monthly installments. From each payment of Base Salary the Company will withhold and pay to the proper governmental authorities any and all amounts required by law to be withheld for federal income tax, state income tax, federal Social Security tax, state disability insurance premiums, and any and all other amounts required by law to be withheld from the Employee's salary.

 

4.2               Stock Options . The Employee shall be eligible to receive a grant of stock options under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as determined by the Board of Directors.

 

4.3               Performance Bonus . For each fiscal year during the Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive a performance bonus in an amount not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Employee’s salary, not to exceed $34,500 at the end of each calendar year. The specific amount of the performance bonus shall be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, based on the financial performance and achievements of the Company for the previous fiscal year. Employee must be employed by the Company on the last date of the calendar year to be eligible for the bonus related to the previous fiscal year.

 

 

 

 

 

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4.4               Benefits . The Company shall provide to the Employee at the sole cost to the Company, and the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Company, such health insurance and other benefits which are appropriate to the office and position of Employee, adequate to the performance of his duties and not inconsistent with that which the Company customarily provides at the time to their other management employees. The Employee's right to vacation and sick leave shall be determined in accordance with the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time and as are approved by the Board of Directors. Employee shall have the right to reimbursement of customary, ordinary and necessary business expenses, including travel, incurred in connection with the rendering of services and performance of the functions required hereunder in accordance with the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time and as are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Such expenses are reimbursable only upon presentation by Employee of appropriate documentation pursuant to the policies adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

5.                   Termination of Employment .

 

5.1               Expiration of the Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the expiration of the Term, or as sooner agreed to by both the Employee and the Company in writing in the event this Agreement is superseded by a new agreement. Upon such termination, the Company shall have no further liability to the Employee for any payment, compensation or benefit whatsoever under this Agreement except with respect to (a) the Employee's salary and benefits through the effective date of the Employee's termination, and (b) such other compensation or benefits (if any) which, by the terms of the applicable plan or policy, is payable to the Employee after termination of employment.

 

5.2               By Death . This Agreement shall be terminated upon the death of the Employee. The Company's total liability in such event shall be limited to payment of (a) the Employee's salary and benefits through the date of the Employee's death, and (b) such other compensation or benefits (if any) which, by the terms of the applicable plan or policy, is payable after the Employee's death.

 

5.3               By Permanent Disability . Employee’s employment may be terminated due to his permanent disability. A permanent disability will exist when the Company has determined that Employee suffers from a condition of mind or body that indefinitely prevents him from further performance of his essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation. The Company’s total liability in such event shall be limited to payment of the Employee’s salary and benefits through the effective date of termination upon permanent disability.

 

5.4               For Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement immediately, at any time, if, in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors: the Employee fails or refuses to faithfully and diligently perform the usual and customary duties of his employment which failure or refusal is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof is given to Employee; commits any material act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act of moral turpitude; is guilty of gross carelessness or misconduct; fails to obey the lawful direction of the Company’s Board of Directors; or acts in any way that has a direct, substantial and adverse effect on the Company’s reputation. The Company’s total liability to the Employee in the event of termination of the Employee's employment under this paragraph shall be limited to the payment of the Employee's salary and benefits through the effective date of termination.

 

5.5               Without Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement without cause for any reason whatsoever upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the Employee. Upon termination under this subsection, the Employee shall receive payment of an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the Employee's base salary or the Employee's base salary for the remaining term of this Agreement, whichever is greater, so long as he signs a release of all claims against the Company on a release form provided by the Company to him at that time. Other than payment of the amount as described in this paragraph, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay the Employee any other compensation or benefits whatsoever. The Employee hereby agrees that the Company may dismiss him under this Section 5.5 without regard (i) to any general or specific policies (whether written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of its employees, or (ii) to any statements made to the Employee, whether made orally or contained in any document, pertaining to the Employee's relationship with the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

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5.6               Mutual Consent . This Agreement shall be terminated upon mutual written consent of the Company and the Employee. The Company’s total liability to the Employee in the event of termination of the Employee's employment under this Section 5.6 shall be limited to the payment of

 

(a)                The Employee's salary and benefits through the effective date of termination; and

 

(b)                such other compensation or benefits (if any) which, by the terms of the applicable plan or policy, is payable to the Employee after termination of employment, except as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing.

 

5.7               Termination of Offices and Board . Upon termination of employment for any reason whatsoever, the Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, including the Board of Directors then held with the Company, if any.

 

6.                   Restrictions on Use or Disclosure of Confidential Matters, Proprietary Information and Trade Secrets .

 

6.1               During the Term, the Employee may be dealing with trade secrets of the Company, including without limitation, customer lists, client contacts, financial information, inventions and processes, all of a confidential nature that are the Company’s property and are used in the course of the Company’s business. The Employee will not disclose to anyone, directly or indirectly, any of such trade secrets or use them other than as necessary in the course of his duties with the Company. All documents that the Employee prepares, or confidential information that might be given to him or that Employee himself might create in the course of his employment by the Company, are the exclusive property of the Company. During the Term and at any time thereafter, the Employee shall not publish, communicate, divulge, disclose or use any of such information which has been reasonably designated by the Company as proprietary or confidential or which from the surrounding circumstances the Employee knows, or has good reason to know, or should reasonably know, ought to be treated by the Employee as proprietary or confidential without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld by the Company.

 

6.2               In the course of his employment for the Company, Employee will develop a personal relationship with the Company’s customers and knowledge of those customers’ affairs and requirements, which may constitute the Company’s only contact with such customers. The Employee consequently agrees that it is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the goodwill and business of the Company that the Employee make the covenants contained herein. Accordingly, the Employee agrees that while he is in the Company’s employ, he will not directly or indirectly:

 

(a)                attempt in any manner, to solicit from any customer (except on behalf of the Company’s) business of the type performed by the Company or to persuade any customer of the Company to cease to do business or reduce the amount of business which any such customer has customarily done or contemplates doing with the Company, whether or not the relationship with the Company and such customer was originally established in whole or in part through the Employee's efforts; or

 

(b)                engage in any business as, or own an interest in, directly or indirectly, any individual proprietorship, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust or any other form of business entity if such business form or entity is engaged in the business in which the Company is engaged;

 

(c)                render any services of the type rendered by the Company to or for any customer of the Company;

 

(d)                employ or attempt to employ or assist anyone else to employ any person who is then or at any time during the preceding year in the Company’s employ.

 

6.3               For a one (1) year period after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, ask or encourage any employee(s) of the Company to leave their employment with the Company or solicit any employee(s) of the Company for employment elsewhere. The Employee further agrees that he shall make any subsequent employer aware of this non-solicitation obligation.

 

6.4               This entire Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

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7.                   The Company’s Property .

 

7.1               Any patents, inventions, discoveries, applications or processes, software and computer programs devised, planned, applied, created, discovered or invented by the Employee in the course of his employment by the Company and which pertain to any aspect of the business of the Company, or their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or customers, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee shall make prompt report thereof to the Company and promptly execute any and all documents reasonably requested to assure the Company the full and complete ownership thereof.

 

7.2               All records, files, lists, drawings, documents, equipment and similar items relating to the Company’s business which the Employee shall prepare or receive from the Company in the course of his employment by the Company shall remain the Company’s sole and exclusive property. Upon termination of this Agreement the Employee shall return promptly to the Company all property of the Company in his possession and the Employee represents and warrants that he will not copy, or cause to be copied, printed, summarized or compiled, any software, documents or other materials originating with and/or belonging to the Company, including, without limitation, documents or other materials created by the Employee for, or on behalf of, the Company. The Employee further represents and warrants that he will not retain in his possession any such software, documents or other materials in machine or human readable form.

 

7.3               This Section 7 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

8.                   Outside Activities . During the Term, the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an officer, director, employee, representative, principal, partner, shareholder, employee, agent or in any other capacity, engage or assist any third party in engaging in any business competitive with the business of the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may be withheld by the Company in their sole and absolute discretion. Following his employment with the Company, the Employee shall not engage in unfair competition with the Company, aid others in any unfair competition with the Company, in any way breach the confidence that the Company has placed in the Employee or misappropriate any proprietary information of the Company.

 

9.                   Reports . The Employee, when directed, shall provide written reports to the Company with respect to the services provided hereunder.

 

10.               Strict Loyalty . The Employee hereby covenants and agrees to avoid all circumstances and actions that reasonably would place the Employee in a position of divided loyalty with respect to his obligations under this Agreement.

 

11.               Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned to another party by the Employee without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may be withheld by the Company, in their sole and absolute discretion.

 

12.               Arbitration . In the event of any dispute between the Company and the Employee concerning any aspect of the employment relationship, including any disputes relating to its termination, all such disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration before a single neutral arbitrator pursuant to the following terms. This provision shall supersede any prior arbitration agreement, policy or understanding between the parties. The parties intend to revoke any prior arbitration agreement.

 

12.1           Claims Covered by the Agreement . The Employee and the Company mutually consent to the resolution by final and binding arbitration of all claims or controversies (“ claims ”) that the Company may have against the Employee or that the Employee may have against the Company or against its officers, directors, partners, employees, agents, pension or benefit plans, administrators, or fiduciaries, franchisors, or any parent, subsidiary or affiliated companies or corporation (collectively referred to for purposes of this Section 12 as “ Company’s Parties ”), relating to, resulting from, or in any way arising out of Employee’s employment relationship with Company and/or the termination of Employee’s employment relationship with Company, to the extent permitted by law. The claims covered by this Agreement include, but are not limited to, claims for wages or other compensation due; claims for breach of any contract or covenant (express or implied); tort claims; claims for discrimination and harassment (including, but not limited to, race, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status or medical condition, disability, or sexual orientation); claims for benefits (except where an employee benefit or pension plan specifies claims procedures different from the ones described in this Section 12); claims for breach of any duties or obligations; and claims for violation of any public policy, federal, state or other governmental law, statute, regulation or ordinance, except claims excluded in the following section.

 

12.2           Claims Not Covered by the Agreement . Claims the Employee may have for workers’ compensation (excluding discrimination claims under workers’ compensation statutes) or unemployment compensation benefits are not covered by this Arbitration section.

 

 

 

 

 

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12.3           Required Notice of Claims and Statute of Limitations . Arbitration may be initiated by the Employee by serving or mailing a written notice to the Chairman of the Board of the Company. Arbitration may be initiated by the Company’s Parties by serving or mailing a written notice to the Employee at his last known address. The notice shall identify and describe the nature of all claims asserted and the facts upon which such claims are based. The written notice shall be served or mailed within the applicable statute of limitations period set forth by federal or state law.

 

12.4           Arbitration Procedures.

 

(a)                After demand for arbitration has been made by serving written notice under the terms of Section 12.3 of this Agreement, the party demanding arbitration shall file a demand for arbitration with the office of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (“ JAMS ”) located in Los Angeles, California. The arbitrator shall be selected from the JAMS panel and the arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to JAMS policies and procedures. All rules governing the arbitration shall be the rules as set forth by JAMS. If the dispute is employment-related, the dispute shall be governed by JAMS’ then-current version of the national rules for the resolution of employment disputes. JAMS’ then-applicable rules governing the arbitration may be obtained from JAMS’ website which currently is www.jamsadr.com.

 

(b)                The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law (and the law of remedies, if applicable) of California, or federal law, or both, as applicable to the claim(s) asserted. The arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of this Agreement, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this Agreement is void or voidable.

 

(c)                Either party may file a motion for summary judgment with the arbitrator. The arbitrator is entitled to resolve some or all of the asserted claims through such a motion. The standards to be applied by the arbitrator in ruling on a motion for summary judgment shall be the applicable laws as specified in Section 12.4(b) of this Agreement.

 

(d)                Discovery shall be allowed and conducted pursuant to the then-applicable arbitration rules of JAMS, provided that the parties shall be entitled to discovery sufficient to adequately arbitrate their claims and defenses. The arbitrator is authorized to rule on discovery motions brought under the applicable discovery rules.

 

12.5           Arbitration Decision . The arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding. The arbitrator shall issue a written arbitration decision revealing the essential findings and conclusions upon which the decision and/or award is based. A party’s right to appeal the decision is limited to grounds provided under applicable federal or California law.

 

12.6           Application for Emergency Injunctive and/or Other Equitable Relief. Claims by the Company or Employee for emergency injunctive and/or other equitable relief relating to unfair competition and/or the use and/or unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets or confidential information and/or a breach of the provisions of Sections 6, 7, and 8 of this Agreement shall be submitted to JAMS for emergency treatment. The parties agree that the JAMS administrator may select a neutral hearing officer (subject to conflicts) to hear the emergency request only. The hearing officer should be experienced in considering requests for emergency injunctive and/or other equitable relief. The hearing officer shall conform his or her consideration and ruling with the applicable legal standards as if this matter were heard in a court of law in the applicable jurisdiction for such a dispute.

 

12.7           Place of Arbitration . The arbitration will be at a mutually convenient location in Los Angeles, California. If the parties cannot agree upon a location, then the arbitration will be held at a JAMS’ office in Los Angeles.

 

12.8           Representation, Fees and Costs . Each party may be represented by an attorney or other representative selected by the party. Each party shall be responsible for its own attorneys’ or representative’s fees. However, if any party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party’s attorneys’ fees, or if there is a written agreement providing for fees, the arbitrator may award reasonable fees to the prevailing party. The Company shall be responsible for the arbitrator’s fees and costs to the extent they exceed any fee or cost that the Employee would be required to bear if the action were brought in court.

 

12.9           Waiver Of Jury Trial/Exclusive Remedy . The Employee and the Company knowingly and voluntarily waive any constitutional right to have any dispute between them decided by a court of law and/or by a jury in court.

 

 

 

 

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13.               The Company’s Bylaws, Directions, Policies, Practices, Rules, Regulations and Procedures . The Employee agrees to become and remain thoroughly familiar with each and all of the Company’s bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures that relate to the employment and/or to any of Employee's duties and/or responsibilities as an employee of the Company and to abide fully and by each and all of such bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures. During the Term, the Employee shall be fully bound by and employed pursuant to each and all of the Company’s bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures as now in effect or as may be implemented, modified or otherwise put into effect by the Company during the term of employment, regardless of whether such bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and procedures are oral or are set forth in any manual, handbook or other document, and it is solely the responsibility of Employee to become and remain fully aware of and familiar with each and all such directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and/or procedures. In the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of the Company’s directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations and/or procedures, the provisions of this Agreement govern for any and all purposes whatsoever.

 

14.               Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless from any and all claims, demands, judgments, liens, subrogation or costs incurred by the Employee with respect to any shareholder derivative action or other claims or suits against the Company and/or their respective Boards of Directors by individuals, firms or entities not a party to this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted under California law.

 

15.               General .

 

15.1           Further Documents . Each party shall execute and deliver all further instruments, documents and papers, and shall perform any and all acts necessary reasonably requested by the other party, to give full force and effect to all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

15.2           Successors and Assigns . Except where expressly provided to the contrary, this Agreement, and all provisions hereof, shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors in interest, assigns, administrators, executors, heirs and devises.

 

15.3           Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, shall be found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remainder of such provision and any such invalidity or unenforceability shall in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement, the application of any provision in any other circumstance or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

15.4           Notices . All notices or demands shall be in writing and shall be served personally, telegraphically or by express or certified mail. Service shall be deemed conclusively made at the time of service if personally served, 24 hours after deposit thereof in the United States mail properly addressed and postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if served by express Mail, and five days after deposit thereof in the United States mail, properly addressed and postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if served by certified mail. Any notice or demand to the Company shall be given to:

 

Simulations Plus, Inc.

42505 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534-7059

Attention: Compensation Committee

 

and any notice or demand to the Employee shall be given to:

 

John DiBella

17000 Westbury Drive

Granada Hills, CA 91344

 

Any party may, by virtue of a written notice in compliance with this Section, alter or change the address or the identity of the person to whom any notice, or copy thereof, is to be sent.

 

15.5           Waiver . A waiver by any party of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement in any one instance shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of the term or condition for the future, or of any subsequent breach thereof or of any other term or condition thereof. Any party may waive any term, provision or condition included for the benefit of that party. Any and all waivers shall be in writing.

 

 

 

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15.6           Construction . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts entered into and fully to be performed therein without regard to its principles of choice of law or conflicts of law. In all matters of interpretation, whenever necessary to give effect to any provision of this Agreement, each gender shall include the others, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular and the terms “and” and “or” may be used interchangeably as the context so requires or implies. The title of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the interpretation of any provision or condition of this Agreement. All remedies, rights, undertakings, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be cumulative and none of them shall be in limitation of any other remedy, right, undertaking, obligation or agreement of any party.

 

15.7           Entire Understanding . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and collateral agreements, understandings, statements and negotiation of the parties. Each party acknowledges that no representations, inducements or promises, oral or written, with reference to the subject matter hereof have been made other than as expressly set forth herein. This Agreement cannot be changed, rescinded or terminated orally.

 

15.8           Third Party Rights . The parties hereto do not intend to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and those referred to in Section 15.2 hereof so long as any such assignment by Employee was approved by the Company as provided in Section 11 hereof.

 

15.9           Attorneys' Fees . In the event of any litigation between the parties respecting or arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees and costs, whether or not the litigation proceeds to final judgment or determination.

 

15.10       Place of Litigation . Any litigation between the parties shall occur in the County of Los Angeles, California.

 

15.11       Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which, taken together, shall constitute the whole of the agreement between the parties.

 

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

 

Company:

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

 



By: /s/ Walter S Woltosz                      
Walter S. Woltosz, Chairman and CEO

 

Date: August 31, 2017

Employee:

John DiBella

 

 


/s/ John DiBella                                    
John DiBella

 

Date: August 31, 2017

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

  8  

Exhibit 10.3

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 1st day of September, 2017, by and between Simulations Plus, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”) and Walter S. Woltosz, an individual (the “Employee”) with reference to the following facts:

 

A.       The Company desires to secure the services of the Employee as Chief Executive Officer.

 

B.       The Employee agrees to perform such services for the Company under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and conditions set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the Company and the Employee as follows:

 

1.       Representations and Warranties.

 

The Company represents and warrants that it is empowered under its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into this Agreement. The Employee represents and warrants that he is under no employment contract, bond, confidentiality agreement, or any other obligation that would violate or be in conflict with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or encumber his performance of duties assigned to him by the Company. The Employee further represents and warrants that he has not signed or committed to any employment or consultant duties or other obligations that would divert his attention from the duties assigned to him by the Company by this Agreement at a minimum level of 60% of full-time employment.

 

2.       Employment and Duties.

 

The Company employs the Employee as Chief Executive Officer and the Employee hereby accepts such employment (the “Employment”). The Employee agrees that he shall devote a minimum of 60% of his productive time, ability, attention, energy, knowledge, and skill solely and exclusively to performing all duties as Chief Executive Officer of the Company as assigned or delegated to him by the directors and executive officers of the Company.

 

3.       Term.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 5, the term of this Agreement shall extend until August 31, 2018, commencing on September 1, 2017.

 

4. Compensation.

 

In full and complete consideration for the Employment, each and all of the services to be rendered to the Company by the Employee, and each and all of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, and promises undertaken by the Employee pursuant to this Agreement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive compensation as follows:

 

4.1.        Base Salary . The Employee shall receive from the Company a base salary of one hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000.00) per year, payable in equal monthly installments. From each said salary payment the Company will withhold and pay to the proper governmental authorities any and all amounts required by law to be withheld for federal income tax, state income tax, federal Social Security tax, state disability insurance premiums, and any and all other amounts required by law to be withheld from the Employee’s salary.

 

4.2.        Grant of Option . The Employee shall be granted an option under the 2007 Stock Option Plan, exercisable for five (5) years, to purchase six (6) shares of Common Stock for each one thousand dollars ($1,000) of net income before taxes that the Company earns at the end of each fiscal year (up to a maximum of twelve thousand [12,000] options over the term of this Agreement) at an exercise price 10% over the market value per share as of the date of grant. The maximum number of options under this grant shall be adjusted accordingly for any stock split or reverse split after the date of this agreement. Option grants under this agreement shall be issued within ten days after the filing of the annual report (10-K) for the fiscal year for which the option is granted.

 

 

 

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4.3        Performance Bonus . The Employee shall be paid a Performance Bonus in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Company’s net income before taxes of the previous fiscal year, not to exceed $36,000.

 

4.4.        Benefits . Employer shall provide to Employee at the cost to Employer of 60% of actual costs, and Employee shall be entitled to receive from Employer, such health insurance and other benefits which are appropriate to the office and position of Employee, adequate to the performance of his duties and not inconsistent with that which Employer customarily provides at the time to its other management employees. Employee’s right to paid time off (“PTO”) shall be determined in accordance with the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time and as are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Employee shall have the right to reimbursement of customary, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred in connection with the rendering of services and performance of the functions required hereunder in accordance with the policies of the Company as may be in effect from time to time and as are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Such expenses are reimbursable only upon presentation by Employee of appropriate documentation pursuant to the policies adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

5.       Termination of Employment.

 

5.1.        Expiration of the Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the expiration of the term of the agreement as described in paragraph 3 of this Agreement, or as sooner agreed by both Employee and Company in the event this Agreement is superseded by a new agreement. Upon such termination, the Company shall have no further liability to the Employee for any payment, compensation, or benefit whatsoever under this Agreement.

 

5.2.        By Death . This Agreement shall be terminated upon the death of the Employee. The Company’s total liability in such event shall be limited to payment of the Employee’s salary and benefits through the date of the Employee’s death.

 

5.3.        By Disability . If, in the sole opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Employee shall be prevented from properly performing his or her duties hereunder by reason of any physical or mental incapacity for a period of more than 90 days in the aggregate in any twelve-month period, then, to the extent permitted by law, his or her employment with the Company shall terminate. The Company’s total liability in such event shall be limited to payment of the Employee’s salary and benefits through the effective date of termination upon disability.

 

5.4.        For Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement immediately, at any time, if, in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors: the Employee breaches or neglects the duties which he or she is required to perform under the terms of this Agreement; commits any material act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act of moral turpitude; is guilty of gross carelessness or misconduct; fails to obey the lawful direction of the Company’s Board of Directors; or acts in any way that has a direct, substantial, and adverse effect on the Company’s reputation. The Company’s total liability to the Employee in the event of termination of the Employee’s employment under this paragraph shall be limited to the payment of the Employee’s salary and benefits through the effective date of termination.

 

5.5.        Without Cause . The Company reserves the right to terminate this Agreement without cause for any reason whatsoever upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Employee. Upon termination under this subsection, the Employee shall receive payment of an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the Employee’s base salary or the Employee’s base salary for the remaining term of this Agreement, whichever is greater. Other than payment of the amount as described in this paragraph, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay the Employee any other compensation or benefits whatsoever. The Employee hereby agrees that the Company may dismiss him or her under this paragraph 5.5 without regard (i) to any general or specific policies (whether written or oral) of the Company relating to the employment or termination of its employees, or (ii) to any statements made to the Employee, whether made orally or contained in any document, pertaining to the Employee’s relationship with the Company.

 

5.6.        Mutual Consent . This Agreement shall be terminated upon mutual written consent of the Company and the Employee. The Company’s total liability to the Employee in the event of termination of the Employee’s employment under this paragraph shall be limited to the payment of the Employee’s compensation through the effective date of termination.

 

 

 

 

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5.7.        Termination of Obligations . Upon termination of employment for any reason whatsoever, the Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held with the Company. Termination of employment shall have no effect on the Employee’s position(s) on the Company’s board of directors. The board of directors and shareholders will determine the Employee’s eligibility to continue to serve as a member of the board.

 

6.       Restrictions on Use or Disclosure of Confidential Matters, Proprietary Information, and Trade Secrets.

 

6.1.       During the term of this Agreement, the Employee may be dealing with trade secrets of the Company, including without limitation, customer lists, client contacts, financial information, inventions, and processes, all of a confidential nature that are the Company’s property and are used in the course of the Company’s business. The Employee will not disclose to anyone, directly or indirectly, any of such trade secrets or use them other than as necessary in the course of his duties with the Company. All documents that the Employee prepares, or confidential information that might be given to him or that Employee himself might create in the course of his consultation with the Company, are the exclusive property of the Company. During the term of this Agreement and at any time thereafter, the Employee shall not publish, communicate, divulge, disclose, or use any of such information which has been reasonably designated by the Company as proprietary or confidential, or which from the surrounding circumstances the Employee knows, or has good reason to know, or should reasonably know, ought to be treated by the Employee as proprietary or confidential, without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld by the Company.

 

6.2.       In the course of his employment for the Company, Employee will develop a personal relationship with the Company’s customers and knowledge of those customers’ affairs and requirements, which may constitute the Company’s only contact with such customers. Employee consequently agrees that it is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the goodwill and business of the Company that Employee make the covenants contained herein. Accordingly, Employee agrees that while he is in the Company’s employ and for a one (1) year period after the termination of such employment for any reason whatsoever, he will not directly or indirectly:

 

(a)       attempt in any manner to solicit from any customer (except on behalf of the Company) business of the type performed by the Company or to persuade any customer of the Company to cease to do business or reduce the amount of business which any such customer has customarily done or contemplates doing with the Company, whether or not the relationship with the Company and such customer was originally established in whole or in part through Employee’s efforts; or

 

(b)       engage in any business as, or own an interest in, directly or indirectly, any individual proprietorship, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust, or any other form of business entity if such business form or entity is engaged in the business in which the Company is engaged;

 

(c)       render any services of the type rendered by the Company to or for any customer of the Company;

 

(d)       employ or attempt to employ or assist anyone else to employ any person who is then or at any time during the preceding year in the Company’s employ.

 

This entire Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

7.       Company Property.

 

7.1.       Any patents, inventions, discoveries, applications or processes, software, and computer programs devised, planned, applied, created, discovered, or invented by the Employee in the course of the engagement under this Agreement and which pertain to any aspect of the business of the Company, or its subsidiaries, affiliates, or customers, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee shall make prompt report thereof to the Company and promptly execute any and all documents reasonably requested to assure the Company the full and complete ownership thereof.

 

7.2.       All records, files, lists, drawings, documents, equipment, and similar items relating to the Company’s business which the Employee shall prepare or receive from the Company shall remain the Company’s sole and exclusive property. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Employee shall return promptly to the Company all property of the Company in his possession and the Employee represents and warrants that he will not copy, or cause to be copied, printed, summarized, or compiled, any software, documents, or other materials originating with and/or belonging to the Company, including, without limitation, documents or other materials created by the Employee for, or on behalf of, the Company. The Employee further represents and warrants that he will not retain in his possession any such software, documents, or other materials in machine or human-readable form.

 

 

 

 

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7.3.       This Section 7 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

8.        Outside Activities. During the term of this Agreement, the Employee shall devote sixty percent (60%) of his productive time, ability, and attention to the business of the Company. During the term of this Agreement, the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an officer, director, employee, representative, principal, partner, shareholder, employee, agent, or in any other capacity, engage or assist any third party in engaging in any business competitive with the business of the Company, without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may be withheld by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion. Following his employment with the Company, the Employee shall not engage in unfair competition with the Company, aid others in any unfair competition with the Company, in any way breach the confidence that the Company has placed in the Employee, or misappropriate any proprietary information of the Company.

 

9.        Reports . The Employee, when directed, shall provide written reports to the Company with respect to the services provided hereunder.

 

10.        Strict Loyalty . The Employee hereby covenants and agrees to avoid all circumstances and actions that reasonably would place the Employee in a position of divided loyalty with respect to his obligations under this Agreement.

 

11.        Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned to another party by the Employee without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent may be withheld by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

12.        Arbitration . Except as otherwise provided herein in Section 15.11, any controversy between the Company and Employee in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation, any dispute or claim arising from the voluntary or involuntary termination hereof, shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in Los Angeles, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment of such award may be entered in a court of competent jurisdiction. Employee and the Company shall each pay the fees of his or its own attorneys, the expenses of his or its witnesses, and all other fees and expenses connected with presenting his or its case at arbitration. All other costs of the arbitration, including, without limitation, the costs of any record or transcript of the arbitration proceedings, administrative fees, the fee for the arbitrator, and all other fees and costs shall be borne equally by the Company and Employee.

 

13.        Company Bylaws, Directions, Policies, Practices, Rules, Regulations, and Procedures . Employee agrees to become and remain thoroughly familiar with each and all of the Company’s bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations, and procedures that relate to the employment and/or to any of Employee’s duties and/or responsibilities as an employee of the Company, and to abide fully by each and all of such bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations, and procedures. During the term of employment, Employee shall be fully bound by and employed pursuant to each and all of the Company’s bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations, and procedures as now in effect or as may be implemented, modified, or otherwise put into effect by the Company during the term of employment, regardless of whether such bylaws, directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations, and procedures are oral or are set forth in any manual, handbook, or other document, and it is solely the responsibility of Employee to become and remain fully aware of and familiar with each and all such directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations, and/or procedures. In the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of the Company’s directions, policies, practices, rules, regulations, and/or procedures, the provisions of this Agreement govern for any and all purposes whatsoever.

 

14.        Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless from any and all claims, demands, judgments, liens, subrogation, or costs incurred by Employee with respect to any shareholder derivative action or other claims or suits against the Company and/or its Board of Directors by individuals, firms, or entities not a party to this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted under California law.

 

15. General.

 

15.1.        Further Documents . Each party shall execute and deliver all further instruments, documents, and papers, and shall perform any and all acts necessary reasonably requested by the other party, to give full force and effect to all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

 

 

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15.2.        Successors and Assigns . Except where expressly provided to the contrary, this Agreement, and all provisions hereof, shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors in interest, assigns, administrators, executors, heirs, and devises.

 

15.3.        Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, shall be found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remainder of such provision and any such invalidity or unenforceability shall in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement, the application of any provision in any other circumstance, or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

15.4.        Notices . All notices or demands shall be in writing and shall be served personally, telegraphically, or by express or certified mail. Service shall be deemed conclusively made at the time of service if personally served, at the time that the telegraphic agency confirms to the sender deliver thereof to the addressee if served telegraphically, 24 hours after deposit thereof in the United States mail properly addressed and postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if served by express Mail, and five days after deposit thereof in the United States mail, properly addressed and postage prepaid, return receipt requested, if served by certified mail. Any notice or demand to the Company shall be given to:

 

Simulations Plus, Inc.

42505 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534-7059

(661) 723-7723 Telephone

(661) 723-5524 Facsimile

Attention: Compensation Committee

 

and any notice or demand to the Employee shall be given to:

 

Mr. Walter S. Woltosz

42505 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534-7059

(661) 723-7723 Telephone

(661) 723-5524 Facsimile

 

and

 

2045 Winding Way

Auburn, AL 36830

 

Any party may, by virtue of a written notice in compliance with this paragraph, alter or change the address or the identity of the person to whom any notice, or copy thereof, is to be sent.

 

15.5.        Waiver . A waiver by any party of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement in any one instance shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of the term or condition for the future, or of any subsequent breach thereof, or of any other term or condition thereof. Any party may waive any term, provision, or condition included for the benefit of that party. Any and all waivers shall be in writing.

 

15.6.        Construction . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts entered into and fully to be performed therein without regard to its principles of choice of law or conflicts of law. In all matters of interpretation, whenever necessary to give effect to any provision of this Agreement, each gender shall include the others, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the terms “and” and “or” may be used interchangeably as the context so requires or implies. The title of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the interpretation of any provision or condition of this Agreement. All remedies, rights, undertakings, obligations, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be cumulative and none of them shall be in limitation of any other remedy, right, undertaking, obligation, or agreement of any party.

 

 

 

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15.7.        Entire Understanding . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and collateral agreements, understandings, statements, and negotiation of the parties. Each party acknowledges that no representations, inducements, or promises, oral or written, with reference to the subject matter hereof have been made other than as expressly set forth herein. This Agreement cannot be changed, rescinded, or terminated orally.

 

15.8.        Third Party Rights . The parties hereto do not intend to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and those referred to in Section 15.2 hereof so long as any such assignment by Employee was approved by the Company as provided in Section 11 hereof.

 

15.9.        Attorneys’ Fees . In the event of any litigation between the parties respecting or arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees and costs, whether or not the litigation proceeds to final judgment or determination.

 

15.10.        Place of Litigation . Any litigation between the parties shall occur in the County of Los Angeles, California.

 

15.11.        Injunctive Relief . Since a breach of the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8, and 10 of this Agreement cannot adequately be compensated by monetary damages, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to any other right and remedy set forth in this Agreement or available to it at law, in equity or otherwise, to seek and obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction immediate temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief restraining such breach or threatened breach, without the posting of any bond or other security therefor, against the Employee and against each and every other person, firm, company, joint venture, and/or other entity concerned with and/or acting in concert with the Employee. Any such requirement of bond or other security is hereby expressly waived by the Employee, and the Employee expressly acknowledges that in the absence of such waiver, a bond or other security may be required by the court. The Employee hereby consents to the issuance of such injunction and expressly and knowingly waives any claim or defense that any adequate remedy at law might exist for any such breach or threatened breach. The Employee agrees that the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8, and 10 of this Agreement are necessary and reasonable to protect the Company in the conduct of the business of the Company.

 

15.12.        Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which, taken together, shall constitute the whole of the agreement between the parties.

 

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

 

“Company”                  SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.,

a California corporation

 

By: /s/ John Kneisel                            

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Date: September 1, 2017

 

“Employee”              WALTER S. WOLTOSZ

 

By: /s/ Walter S. Woltosz                                   

Walter S. Woltosz

Date: 01 September, 2017                                     

 

Compensation Committee:

 

By: /s/ Daniel L. Weiner                                      

Dr. Daniel L. Weiner

Date: 01 September, 2017                                    

 

By: /s/ David L. Ralph                                         

Dr. David L. Ralph

Date: 01 September, 2017                                    

 

By: /s/ John Paglia                                               

Dr. John K. Paglia

Date: 01 September, 2017                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

For Further Information:

Simulations Plus, Inc.

42505 10 th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534-7059

 

CONTACT :    
Simulations Plus Investor Relations   Hayden IR
Ms. Renee Bouche   Mr. Cameron Donahue
661-723-7723   651-653-1854
renee@simulations-plus.com   cameron@haydenir.com
     

For Immediate Release:

August 31, 2017

 

Simulations Plus Announces Senior Management Changes

 

LANCASTER, CA, August 31, 2017 – Simulations Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLP), a leading provider of simulation and modeling software for pharmaceutical discovery and development, today announced changes in its senior management structure.

 

Walt Woltosz, chairman and chief executive officer of Simulations Plus, Inc., said, “The board of directors has appointed Mr. John DiBella president of the Lancaster, California division, known as Simulations Plus. Dr. Ted Grasela will remain as president of the Buffalo, New York Cognigen division, and Dr. Brett Howell will remain as president of the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina DILIsym Services, Inc. division. I will remain as chairman and chief executive officer and continue working at the 60% level as I have for the past three years.”

 

Dr. David Ralph, a member of the board of directors, added, “With the acquisition of DILIsym Services, Inc., which expanded the responsibilities of the corporate president over all divisions, and recognizing the already considerable demands on Dr. Grasela’s time with the continued growth of Cognigen, including the five-year, nearly $5 million contract with a major research foundation, the board felt it was optimal to have three division presidents, each responsible for the operation of their division alone, reporting to Mr. Woltosz as CEO. We are holding open the position of president of the overall corporation, but not filling it at this time.”

 

Walt Woltosz further added, “John DiBella was the clear choice to become the president of the Lancaster division, and we’re delighted that he has accepted the position. John has been with Simulations Plus for over 14 years, starting as a software development engineer after graduating with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, then moving into marketing and sales as a salesperson. Since 2009 when he was promoted to manager of marketing and sales, and 2012 when he was promoted to vice president for marketing and sales, the company’s revenue growth under his leadership has been obvious, going from about $6.3 million for FY2009 (not including the former Words+ subsidiary) to $20 million in FY2016, and further growth in 2017, which will be boosted further by our fourth quarter ending today with additional revenues and earnings from our newly acquired DILIsym division.”

 

“Dr. Grasela continues to do an outstanding job with the Cognigen division, maintaining growth, providing great customer satisfaction, and continually improving efficiencies under his leadership,” continued Mr. Woltosz. “The acquisition of DILIsym Services, Inc. in June added another geographic location and new technology to our offerings. Each division provides a mostly unique set of products and services, so we believe having a president of each division with P&L responsibility is the best way to manage our operations. Of course, we will continue to foster cooperation among the divisions to take advantage of the synergies among them. This has worked very well for Simulations Plus and Cognigen for three years, and we are already seeing the benefits from integrating our GastroPlus™ capabilities in Lancaster with the DILIsym software in Research Triangle Park. We expect further synergies between Cognigen and DILIsym going forward.”

 

 

 

 

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About Simulations Plus, Inc.

 

Simulations Plus, Inc. is a premier developer of drug discovery and development software as well as a leading provider of both preclinical and clinical pharmacometric consulting services for regulatory submissions and quantitative systems pharmacology models for drug-induced liver injury and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The company is a global leader focused on improving the ways scientists use knowledge and data to predict the properties and outcomes of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemical agents. Our software is licensed to and used in the conduct of drug research by major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, and consumer goods companies and regulatory agencies worldwide. Our innovations in integrating new and existing science in medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmaceutical science, biology, and physiology into our software have made us the leading software provider for physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation. For more information, visit our website at www.simulations-plus.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words like “believe,” “expect” and “anticipate” mean that these are our best estimates as of this writing, but that there can be no assurances that expected or anticipated results or events will actually take place, so our actual future results could differ significantly from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: our ability to maintain our competitive advantages, acceptance of new software and improved versions of our existing software by our customers, the general economics of the pharmaceutical industry, our ability to finance growth, our ability to continue to attract and retain highly qualified technical staff, our ability to properly manage the new combined company, and a sustainable market. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our quarterly and annual reports as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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