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_____________________
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
ANDRE J. FERNANDEZ
AND
JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
_______________________________________________________
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
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1.
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Certain Definitions
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1
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2.
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Change in Control
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1
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3.
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Employment Period
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3
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4.
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Terms of Employment
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3
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(a) Position and
Duties
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3
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(b) Compensation
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4
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5.
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Termination of Employment
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6
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(a) Death or
Disability
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6
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(b) Cause
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6
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(c) Good
Reason
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7
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6.
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Obligations of the Company upon
Termination
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8
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(a) Termination
by Executive for Good Reason; Termination by the
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Company
Other Than for Cause or Disability
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8
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(b) Death or
Disability
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9
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(c) Cause; Other
than Good Reason
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10
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(d) Expiration
of Employment Period
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10
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7.
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Non-exclusivity of Rights
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10
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8.
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Full Settlement; No
Mitigation
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10
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9.
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Costs of Enforcement
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10
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10.
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Limitation of Benefits
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11
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11.
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Restrictions on Conduct of
Executive
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12
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12.
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Arbitration
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14
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13.
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Successors
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15
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14.
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Miscellaneous
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16
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(a) Governing
Law
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16
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(b) Captions
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16
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(c) Amendments
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16
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(d) Notices
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16
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(e) Severability
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16
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(f) Withholding
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16
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(g) Waivers
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17
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(h) Status
Before and After Effective Date
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17
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15.
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Code Section 409A
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17
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-ii-
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and
between Journal Communications, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the
"Company") and Andre J. Fernandez ("Executive"), dated as of the
9th day of December, 2008.
The Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined that it is in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change
in Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it
is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of Executive
by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a
pending or threatened Change in Control and to encourage
Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change in
Control, and to provide Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change in Control which ensure that the
compensation and benefits expectations of Executive will be
satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives,
the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE,
IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1.
Certain Definitions .
(a)
The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change in
Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change in
Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if Executive’s
employment with the Company is terminated, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by Executive that such termination of employment (i)
was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably
calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control, then for
all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the
date immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment.
(b)
The "Change in Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on
the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however , that commencing on the date one
year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such
date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously
terminated, the Change in Control Period shall be automatically
extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall
give notice to Executive that the Change in Control Period shall
not be so extended.
2.
Change in Control For the purposes of this Agreement, a
"Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(a)
individuals who, on the date of this Agreement, constitute the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Directors") cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such Board,
provided that any person becoming a director after the date of this
Agreement and whose election or nomination for election was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent
Directors then on the Board shall be an Incumbent Director;
provided, however , that no individual initially elected or
nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal
of directors ("Election Contest") or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any "Person"
(such term for purposes of this definition being as defined in
Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934
Act") and as used in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act)
other than the Board ("Proxy Contest"), including by reason of any
agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy
Contest, shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; or
(b)
any Person becomes a "Beneficial Owner" (such term for purposes of
this definition being as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s
then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of
directors (the "Company Voting Securities"); provided, however,
that for purposes of this subsection (b), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (v) an
acquisition directly from the Company, (w) an acquisition by the
Company or a subsidiary of the Company (a "Subsidiary"), (x) an
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, (y) an
acquisition by a Person who as of December 31, 2006 was a
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the
Company Voting Securities, or (z) an acquisition pursuant to a
Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in subsection (d) below);
or
(c)
any Person who as of December 31, 2006 was a Beneficial Owner,
directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the Company Voting
Securities becomes a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of
40% or more of the Company Voting Securities; provided, however,
that for purposes of this subsection (c), an acquisition directly
from the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control; or
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(d)
the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction
involving the Company or a Subsidiary (a "Reorganization"), or the
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
Company’s assets (a "Sale") or the acquisition of assets or
stock of another entity (an "Acquisition"), unless immediately
following such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition: (A) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company ("Company Common Stock") and
outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting
from such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (including, without
limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns
the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets or stock either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries, the "Surviving Entity") in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition, of the outstanding Company
Common Stock and the outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the
case may be, and (B) no Person (other than (w) any Person who as of
December 31, 2006 is a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of
15% or more of the Company Voting Securities, (x) the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company, (y) the Surviving Entity or its
ultimate parent, or (z) any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by any of the foregoing) is the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the
total common stock or 20% or more of the total voting power of the
outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the
Surviving Entity, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the Surviving Entity were Incumbent Directors
at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the
initial agreement providing for such Reorganization, Sale or
Acquisition (any Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition which
satisfies all of the criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above
shall be deemed to be a "Non-Qualifying Transaction");
or
(e)
approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3.
Employment Period . The Company hereby agrees to continue
Executive in its employ, and Executive hereby agrees to remain in
the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the second anniversary of such date (the "Employment
Period").
4.
Terms of Employment.
(a)
Position and Duties .
(i)
During the Employment Period, (A) Executive’s position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of
those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B)
Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where
Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or
any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.
-3-
(ii)
During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which Executive is entitled, Executive shall
devote substantially all of his business time, attention and effort
to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates and,
to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned
to Executive under this Agreement, use Executive’s reasonable
best efforts to carry out such responsibilities faithfully and
efficiently. It shall not be considered a violation of the
foregoing for Executive to serve on corporate, industry, civic or
charitable boards or committees, so long as such activities do not
significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s
responsibilities as an employee of the Company and its affiliates
in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and
agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued
conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in
nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall
not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of
Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i)
Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall
receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary") at a rate at
least equal to the rate of base salary in effect on the date of
this Agreement or, if greater, on the Effective Date, paid or
payable (including any base salary which has been earned but
deferred) to Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies.
The Annual Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the
Company’s regular payroll practice for its senior executives,
as in effect from time to time. During the Employment Period, the
Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed for possible increase no more
than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to Executive
prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any
increase in the Annual Base Salary shall not limit or reduce any
other obligation of the Company under this Agreement. The Annual
Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase, and the
term "Annual Base Salary" shall thereafter refer to the Annual Base
Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii)
Annual Bonus . In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive
shall be provided, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus opportunity at least equal to
Executive’s highest bonus opportunity under the
Company’s Annual Management Incentive Plan, or any comparable
bonus opportunity under any predecessor or successor plans, for the
last full fiscal year prior to the Effective Date (annualized in
the event that Executive was not employed by the Company for the
whole of such fiscal year).
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(iii)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans . Without limiting
the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all applicable incentive, savings and
retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other senior executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies ("Peer Executives"), but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide Executive with
incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies for Executive under such plans,
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if
more favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time
after the Effective Date to Peer Executives.
(iv)
Welfare Benefit Plans . During the Employment Period,
Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents, as the case
may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive
all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
(including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to Peer Executives, but in no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide Executive with benefits
which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable
of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive,
those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
Peer Executives.
(v)
Expenses . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
expenses incurred by Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to Peer Executives.
(vi)
Fringe Benefits and Perquisites . During the Employment
Period, Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and
perquisites in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to Peer Executives.
(vii)
Vacation . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable
plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for Executive at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to Peer Executives.
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5.
Termination of Employment .
(a)
Death or Disability . Executive’s employment shall
terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of Executive has occurred during the Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may
give to Executive written notice of its intention to terminate
Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such written notice by Executive (the
"Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days
after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the inability of Executive, as
determined by the Board, to perform the essential functions of his
regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable
accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental
illness which has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to last)
for a period of six consecutive months. At the request of Executive
or his personal representative, the Board’s determination
that the Disability of Executive has occurred shall be certified by
two physicians mutually agreed upon by Executive, or his personal
representative, and the Company. If Executive requests such
independent certification of the Board’s determination and
either (i) the Company does not seek such independent
certification, or (ii) the two physicians do not certify the
Board’s determination of Executive’s Disability, then,
Executive’s termination shall be deemed a termination by the
Company without Cause and not a termination by reason of his
Disability.
(b)
Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s
employment during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause.
For purposes of this Agreement, a termination shall be considered
to be for "Cause" if it occurs in conjunction with a determination
by the Board that Executive has committed or engaged in either (i)
any act that constitutes, on the part of Executive, fraud,
dishonesty, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation,
embezzlement or gross misfeasance of duty; (ii) willful disregard
of published Company policies and procedures or codes of ethics; or
(iii) conduct by Executive in his office with the Company that is
grossly inappropriate and demonstrably likely to lead to material
injury to the Company, as determined by the Board acting reasonably
and in good faith; provided, that in the case of (ii) or (iii)
above, such conduct shall not constitute "Cause" unless the Board
shall have delivered to Executive notice setting forth with
specificity (A) the conduct deemed to qualify as "Cause", (B)
reasonable action that would remedy such objection, and (C) a
reasonable time (not less than 30 days) within which Executive may
take such remedial action, and Executive shall not have taken such
specified remedial action within the specified time.
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(c)
Good Reason . Executive’s employment may be terminated
by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason. For purposes
of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i)
the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
material respect with Executive’s position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement,
or any other action by the Company that results in a material
diminution in Executive’s position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied
by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof from
Executive;
(ii)
any material breach by the Company to comply with any provision of
Section 4(b)(i) or (ii) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure that is not taken in bad
faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
notice thereof from Executive;
(iii)
any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 13(c)
of this Agreement; or
(iv)
any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company that
either is not taken in good faith or is not remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof from Executive.
A termination of
employment by Executive for Good Reason shall be effectuated by
giving the Company written notice ("Notice of Termination for Good
Reason") of the termination within 90 days after the event
constituting Good Reason, setting forth in reasonable detail the
specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason and
the specific provisions of this Agreement on which Executive
relies. The Company sh
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