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Change in Control Agreement

Change of Control Agreement

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This Change of Control Agreement involves

CMS Energy Corporation

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Title: Change in Control Agreement
Governing Law: Michigan     Date: 2/25/2009

Change in Control Agreement, Parties: cms energy corporation
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Exhibit (10)(s)

Change in Control Agreement

Tier IV

 


 

Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Article 1. Establishment, Term, and Purpose

 

 

1

 

 

Article 2. Definitions

 

 

2

 

 

Article 3. Change in Control Severance Benefits

 

 

9

 

 

Article 4. Notice of Termination; Resignation as Officer and Director

 

 

12

 

 

Article 5. Restrictive Covenants and Clawback

 

 

13

 

 

Article 6. Excise Tax Equalization Payment

 

 

16

 

 

Article 7. Dispute Resolution and Notice

 

 

17

 

 

Article 8. Successors and Assignment

 

 

18

 

 

Article 9. Miscellaneous

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A. General Release Agreement

 

 

23

 

 


 

Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

Change in Control Agreement

     THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as this “Agreement”) is made, entered into, and effective as of                      , 20        (hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Date”), by and between                      , a Michigan corporation, (hereinafter referred to as the “Employer”) and                      (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”).

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corporation, a Michigan corporation (hereinafter referred to as “CMS Energy Corporation”) has approved entering into change in control agreements with certain key executives as being necessary and advisable for the success of CMS Energy Corporation;

     WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed at                      , by the Employer in a key management position as                      ;

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corporation wants to provide the Executive with a measure of financial security in the event of a change in control of CMS Energy Corporation as defined in this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, both the Executive and the Employer seek to have any proposal involving a change in control of CMS Energy Corporation as defined in this Agreement be considered by the Executive objectively and with reference only to the business interests of CMS Energy Corporation and its shareholders.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements of the Executive and the Employer and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Executive and the Employer, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

Article 1. Establishment, Term, and Purpose

     This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue in effect until December 31, 2010. However, at December 31, 2010, and, if extended, at the end of each additional year thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be extended automatically for one (1) additional year, unless the Committee (as defined in Section 2.13 herein) delivers notice six (6) months prior to the end of such term, or extended term, to the Executive, stating that the Agreement will not be extended. In such case, the Agreement will terminate at the end of the term, or extended term, then in progress. However, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 2.10 herein) of CMS Energy Corporation, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended to the earlier of (i) the date that is two (2) years from the date of the Change in Control if the current term of this Agreement has less than two (2) full years

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

remaining until its expiration or (ii) the date the Executive attains age 65. If the term of this Agreement is not extended, the Employer is not obligated to pay any severance benefits under Section 3.2 herein for a Change in Control that happens after the expiration of the term of this Agreement. In addition, notwithstanding the above, any obligation of the Employer arising during the term of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement until paid in full, provided that the Executive has provided or received a Notice of Termination within the applicable time limitations under Section 2.26 herein. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the obligations of the Executive under Article 5 herein shall continue in effect and survive the expiration of the term of this Agreement.

Article 2. Definitions

     Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

2.1

 

“Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

 

 

2.2

 

“Agreement” means this agreement, including the “whereas” clauses and Exhibit A.

 

 

2.3

 

“Base Annual Salary” means the greater of the Executive’s full annual salary, whether or not any portion thereof is paid on a deferred basis, at: (i) the Effective Date of Termination, or (ii) at the date of the Change in Control. It does not include any incentive compensation in any form, bonuses of any type or any other form of monetary or nonmonetary compensation other than salary.

 

 

2.4

 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

 

2.5

 

“Beneficiary” means the persons or Entities designated by the Executive pursuant to Section 9.5 herein.

 

 

2.6

 

“Benefit plan clawback provision” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g) herein.

 

 

2.7

 

“Bonus-based payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g) herein.

 

 

2.8

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corporation.

 

 

2.9

 

“Cause” is determined solely by the Committee in the exercise of good faith and reasonable judgment, and means the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

 

(a)

 

The continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his or her duties of employment (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s Disability), after a demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive that identifies the manner in which the Committee believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his or her duties,

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

 

 

and the Executive has failed to remedy the situation within a reasonable period of time specified by the Committee which shall not be less than 30 days; or

 

 

(b)

 

The Executive’s (i) indictment for a felony or (ii) a conviction for a misdemeanor involving fraud, embezzlement, theft, misappropriation, or failure to be truthful; or

 

 

(c)

 

The Executive’s (i) gross negligence, (ii) failure or refusal, on request or demand by the Employer or any governmental authority, to provide testimony to or to cooperate with any governmental regulatory authority, or any other similar non-cooperation by the Executive, (iii) willful engaging in misconduct materially or demonstrably injurious to the business or reputation (by adverse publicity or otherwise) of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates, monetarily or otherwise, or (iv) violation of a material provision of the Employer’s code of conduct and code of ethics, including but not limited to violations of the Employer’s policies relating to substance abuse and discrimination; or

 

 

(d)

 

The Executive’s breach of the terms of Article 5 herein.

 

 

 

However, for purposes of clause (c), no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” if done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive (i) in good faith and (ii) with reasonable belief that his or her action or omission was in the best interest of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates.

 

 

2.10

 

“Change in Control” means a change in control of CMS Energy Corporation, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first to occur of any of the following events:

 

 

(a)

 

Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of CMS Energy Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates) representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power for the election of directors of CMS Energy Corporation’s then outstanding equity securities with the power under ordinary circumstances to vote for the election of directors, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of Section 2.10 (c) below; or

 

 

(b)

 

The following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of directors then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of CMS Energy Corporation) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by CMS Energy Corporation’s stockholders was

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

 

 

approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

 

 

(c)

 

The consummation of a merger or consolidation of CMS Energy Corporation or any direct or indirect subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation with any other corporation or other entity, other than: (i) any such merger or consolidation which involves either CMS Energy Corporation or any such subsidiary and would result in the voting securities of CMS Energy Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of CMS Energy Corporation or the surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of CMS Energy Corporation, the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if CMS Energy Corporation or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of CMS Energy Corporation (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of CMS Energy Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates) representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of CMS Energy Corporation’s then outstanding securities; or

 

 

(d)

 

Either (1) the stockholders of CMS Energy Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of CMS Energy Corporation and such plan is consummated, or (2) there is consummated an agreement for the sale, transfer or disposition by CMS Energy Corporation of all or substantially all of CMS Energy Corporation’s assets (or any transaction having a similar effect). For purposes of clause (d)(2), (i) the sale, transfer or disposition of a majority of the shares of common stock of Consumers Energy Company shall constitute a sale, transfer or disposition of substantially all of the assets of CMS Energy Corporation and (ii) the sale, transfer or disposition of subsidiaries or affiliates of CMS Energy Corporation, singly or in combinations, or their assets, only qualifies as a Change in Control if it satisfies the substantiality test contained in that clause and the Board of CMS Energy Corporation’s determination in that regard is final. In addition, for purposes of clause (d)(2), the sale, transfer or disposition of assets has to be in a transaction or series of transactions closing within six (6) months after the

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

 

 

closing of the first transaction in the series, other than with an entity in which at least fifty-one (51%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities is owned by stockholders of CMS Energy Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of CMS Energy Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or transactions and immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold, transferred or disposed or, if such entity is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof.

 

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a), (c) and (d), a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions closing within six (6) months after the closing of the first transaction in the series immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of CMS Energy Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of CMS Energy Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

 

 

2.11

 

“Change in Control Severance Benefits” has the meaning ascribed to the same in Article 3 herein.

 

 

2.12

 

“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successors thereto.

 

 

2.13

 

“Committee” means the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board or any other committee appointed by the Board to perform the functions of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee. The Committee is responsible for the administration of this Agreement and shall interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may obtain and rely upon advice from consultants, attorneys and advisors of its choice in making determinations concerning this Agreement.

 

 

2.14

 

“Direct Competitor” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a) herein.

 

 

2.15

 

“Disability” means a determination by the insurer or third-party administrator under an individual and/or group disability policy covering the Executive that the Executive is totally and permanently disabled as defined in the policy, or if there is no such coverage, then a disability that satisfies the requirements of total and permanent disability under Section 22(e) of the Code.

 

 

2.16

 

“Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

 

2.17

 

“Effective Date of Termination” means the first day of any month following the date on which a Qualifying Termination occurs, as provided under Section 2.28

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

 

 

herein, which triggers the payment of Change in Control Severance Benefits hereunder. Such first day of such month shall be specified in the Notice of Termination. If Executive is otherwise eligible for retirement, he or she may elect to retire on the Effective Date of Termination without waiving any Change in Control Severance Benefits to which he or she may be entitled pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

2.18

 

“Employer” means the corporation named in the first paragraph of this Agreement as the Employer.

 

 

2.19

 

“Entity” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, sole proprietorship or firm.

 

 

2.20

 

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

2.21

 

“Excise Tax” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 herein.

 

 

2.22

 

“Executive” means the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

 

2.23

 

“Exempt Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b) herein.

 

 

2.24

 

“Good Reason” exists only on the date of a Change in Control or during the twenty-four (24) months which follow a Change in Control and means, without the Executive’s express prior consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

 

(a)

 

The assignment to the Executive of duties materially inconsistent with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles, and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect on the Effective Date, or any action by the Employer which results in a material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority, duties, or responsibilities as constituted as of the Effective Date (excluding an isolated, insubstantial, and inadvertent action which is remedied by the Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive), provided, however that a Change in Control which results in the Employer becoming controlled by another Entity, after which the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities do not, taken as a whole, change (except in respect of the Persons or Entities to which he or she reports or the duties he or she performs due to becoming controlled by such other Entity), shall not constitute a material change in the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities; or

 

 

(b)

 

Materially reducing the Executive’s Base Salary; or

 

 

(c)

 

Materially reducing the Executive’s targeted annual incentive opportunity; or

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

(d)

 

Materially reducing the Executive’s targeted long-term incentive opportunity; or

 

 

(e)

 

A material failure to maintain the Executive’s aggregate amount of benefits under, or relative level of participation in, employee benefit or retirement plans, policies, practices, or arrangements of a material nature available to employees of CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates and in which the Executive participates as of the date of a Change in Control; or

 

 

(f)

 

A material breach of this Agreement by the Employer which is not remedied by the Employer after receipt of notice of such breach delivered by the Executive to the Committee; or

 

 

(g)

 

Any successor company fails or refuses to assume the obligations owed to Executive under this Agreement in their entirety, as required by Section 8.1 herein; or

 

 

(h)

 

The Executive is required to be based at a location in excess of thirty-five (35) miles from both (i) the Executive’s primary residence and (ii) the location of the Executive’s principal job location or office, both immediately prior to a Change in Control, except for required travel on the Employer’s or CMS Energy Corporation’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s prior business travel obligations.

 

 

 

Notwithstanding the above, (i) no amendment of, or termination and replacement of, any annual or long term incentive plan, or benefit or retirement plan, policy, practice or arrangement referred to in (c) (d) or (e) above, shall be deemed to constitute Good Reason so long as the opportunities or amounts referred to therein remain unchanged after such amendment or such termination and replacement; and (ii) the Executive must provide notice to the Employer of the existence of Good Reason not more than ninety (90) days after the initial existence of the circumstance that constitutes Good Reason as set forth above and provide a period of thirty (30) days for the Employer to remedy the circumstance giving rise to the Good Reason and thus not have to pay the Change in Control Severance Benefits as provided for under Section 3.2 herein; provided, however, that the failure by the Executive to give such notice within such ninety (90) days shall constitute a waiver of such Good Reason by the Executive in that instance. The remedying of any circumstances by Employer or the failure of the Executive to give such notice as aforesaid, shall not impair Executive’s right to claim Good Reason based upon a recurrence of such circumstances or the occurrence of different circumstances within the time period (twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control) specified in the first sentence of this section. All provisions and interpretations relating to Good Reason are to be applied consistent with Section 409A of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations at Section 1.409A-1(n)(2), and their successors (“Section 409A”).

 

 

2.25

 

“Gross-Up Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 herein.

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

2.26

 

“Notice of Termination” shall be provided for a Qualifying Termination and shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for a Qualifying Termination. The notice shall provide a specific date (i) on which a Qualifying Termination has occurred and (ii) designated as the Effective Date of Termination. Such Notice of Termination when provided by the Executive for Good Reason as set forth in Section 2.24 herein (prior to the expiration of the ninety (90) day notice and after the thirty (30) day cure period described in Section 2.24 herein) shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

 

2.27

 

“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as provided in Section 13(d).

 

 

2.28

 

“Qualifying Termination” means:

 

(a)

 

A termination of the Executive’s employment by the Employer on the date of a Change in Control or during the twenty-four (24) months which follow a Change in Control for reasons other than death, Disability, or Cause pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Executive by the Employer; or

 

 

(b)

 

A termination by the Executive for Good Reason on the date of a Change in Control or during the twenty-four (24) months which follow a Change in Control pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Employer by the Executive.

 

 

2.29

 

“Release” means the signed release of claims and resignation of all positions as an officer or director of the Employer and any company affiliated with the Employer, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

 

2.30

 

“Section 409A” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24 herein.

 

 

2.31

 

“SERP” means the retirement plan applicable to the Executive and entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for the Employees of CMS Energy/Consumers Energy Company,” dated December 1, 2007, as amended, or under the successor or replacement of such retirement plan if it is then no longer in effect. [For the Executives covered under the defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan, the following definition shall be used: “means the retirement plan applicable to the Executive and entitled “Defined Contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan” dated December 1, 2007, as amended, or under the successor or replacement of such retirement plan if it is then no longer in effect.]

 

 

2.32

 

“Total Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 herein.

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

Article 3. Change in Control Severance Benefits

 

3.1

 

Right to Change in Control Severance Benefits.

 

(a)

 

Change in Control Severance Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Employer Change in Control Severance Benefits, as described in Section 3.2 herein, if a Qualifying Termination of the Executive’s employment satisfying the definitions contained in Section 2.28(a) or (b) herein has occurred on the date of a Change in Control or within twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control. Benefits received by the Executive under the pension plan and SERP (or any replacement or successor plans thereto) shall not be used as an offset to the level of Change in Control Severance Benefits owed to Executive. The Effective Date of Termination will be the date the Executive experiences a separation from service with the service recipient, as those terms are defined under Section 409A.

 

 

(b)

 

No Change in Control Severance Benefits. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive Change in Control Severance Benefits under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Employer ends for reasons other than a Qualifying Termination.

 

 

(c)

 

Waiver and Release. The Executive shall sign and return to the Employer a Release to be eligible for payment of Change in Control Severance Benefits under Section 3.2 herein. Attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference in this Agreement is the form of release Executive shall sign and return to qualify for Change in Control Severance Benefits under this Agreement. No payment will be made until the seven (7) day right to revocation of the Release has elapsed.

 

 

(d)

 

No Duplication of Severance Benefits . If the Executive receives Change in Control Severance Benefits, any other severance benefits received by employees not covered by this Agreement, if any, to which the Executive is entitled shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis with respect to Change in Control Severance Benefits paid pursuant to this Agreement so that there is no duplication of severance benefits.

 

 

3.2

 

Description of Change in Control Severance Benefits. In the event the Executive becomes entitled to receive Change in Control Severance Benefits, as provided in Section 3.1(a) herein, the Employer (subject to Section 3.1(c)) shall provide the Executive with the following:

 

(a)

 

A lump-sum amount paid within thirty (30) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination equal to the sum of the Executive’s unpaid salary, unreimbursed business expenses, and unreimbursed allowances owed to

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Tier IV Change in Control as of August, 2008

 

 

 

the Executive through and including the Effective Date of Termination. In the event the Executive is terminated following a performance year under the Officer Incentive Compensation Plan but prior to payment of a bonus for such year, the Executive will not forfeit such bonus but shall receive any payment when the same is paid to active employees. To the extent, if any, the Executive has elected to defer any bonus, any payments due under this provision corresponding to the amount of the deferral shall be paid or deferred in accordance with the terms elected by the Executive with respect to said plan under which the bonus is deferred.

 

 

(b)

 

A lump-sum amount, paid within thirty (30) calendar days following return of the signed Release (bu


 
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