Exhibit 10.8
SEAHAWK DRILLING,
INC.
AMENDED AND
RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT/NON-COMPETITION/
CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENT
OSCAR GERMAN
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT/NON-COMPETITION/CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENT
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DATE:
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The date of
execution set forth below.
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COMPANY/EMPLOYER:
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Seahawk
Drilling, Inc.,
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a Delaware
corporation
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5847 San
Felipe, Floor 16
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Houston, Texas
77057
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EMPLOYEE:
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Oscar
German
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15502 Stallion
Point Circle
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Cypress, Texas
77429
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This Amended and Restated
Employment/Non-Competition/Confidentiality Agreement by and between
Seahawk Drilling, Inc. (the “Company”) and Oscar German
(“Employee”) (together the “Parties”),
effective as of August 26, 2009 (the “Agreement”),
is made on the terms as herein provided.
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, the Employee previously
entered into an employment, noncompetition, confidentiality
agreement with Pride International, Inc. dated November 1,
2008 (the “Prior Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Pride International, Inc.
distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of outstanding
shares of Pride International, Inc. common stock all of the
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
“Distribution”);
WHEREAS, under the terms of the
Prior Agreement, in advance of or upon consummation of the
Distribution, the Prior Agreement was assigned and novated to the
Company;
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to
secure the services of Employee and shall assume all of the
obligations of the Prior Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to hereby
supersede the Prior Agreement and amend and restate the rights and
obligations of the Parties with regard to Employee’s
employment with the Company in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Parties are willing to
enter into the Agreement upon the terms and conditions and for the
consideration set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in
consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and obligations
contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
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I.
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PRIOR
AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS
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As of the Effective Date, the Prior
Agreement is hereby amended, modified and superseded by this
Agreement insofar as future employment, compensation,
non-competition, confidentiality, accrual of payments or any form
of compensation or benefits from the Company are concerned. This
Agreement does not release or relieve the Company from its
liability or obligation with
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respect to any compensation,
payments or benefits already accrued to Employee for service prior
to the Effective Date, nor to any vesting of benefits or other
rights which are attributable to length of employment, seniority or
other such matters. This Agreement does not relieve Employee of any
prior non-competition or confidentiality obligations to and
agreements with the Company and the same are hereby modified and
amended as to future matters and future confidentiality even as to
matters accruing prior to the Effective Date hereof.
Words used in the Agreement in the
singular shall include the plural and in the plural the singular,
and the gender of words used shall be construed to include
whichever may be appropriate under any particular circumstances of
the masculine, feminine or neuter genders.
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2.01
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BOARD. The term
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the
Company.
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2.02
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CAUSE. The term
“Cause” means: (i) the willful and continued
failure of Employee substantially to perform his duties with the
Company (other than any failure due to physical or mental
incapacity) after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to him by the Board which specifically identifies the
manner in which the Board believes he has not substantially
performed his duties, (ii) willful misconduct materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company, (iii) intentional
action, materially and demonstrably injurious to Company, which
Employee knows would not comply with the laws of the United States
or any other jurisdiction applicable to Employee’s actions on
behalf of the Company, and/or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates, including specifically, without limitation, the United
States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, generally codified in 15 USC
78 (the “FCPA”), as the FCPA may hereafter be amended,
and/or its successor statutes, or (iv) material violation of
one or more of the covenants in Article V (except violation of the
covenant not to compete after termination of employment after
Change in Control as discussed herein). No act or failure to act by
Employee shall be considered “willful” unless done or
omitted to be done by him not in good faith and without reasonable
belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the
Company. The unwillingness of Employee to accept any or all of a
change in the nature or scope of his position, authorities or
duties, a reduction in his total compensation or benefits, or other
action by or at request of the Company in respect of his position,
authority, or responsibility that is contrary to this Agreement,
may not be considered by the Board to be a failure to perform or
misconduct by Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee
shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause for purposes
of the Agreement unless and until there shall have been delivered
to him a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by a vote of
three-fourths of the entire Board at a meeting of the Board called
and held (after a notice to Employee identifying in reasonable
detail the manner in which Company believes Cause exists and an
opportunity for Employee and his counsel to prepare for and to be
heard before the Board) for the purpose of considering whether
Employee has been guilty of such a willful failure to perform or
such willful misconduct as justifies termination for Cause
hereunder, finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board,
Employee has been guilty thereof, and specifying the particulars
thereof.
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2.03
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CHANGE IN
CONTROL. The term “Change in Control” of the Company
shall mean, and shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of the
first to occur of any of the following:
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a.
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any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is or becomes a
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total
voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
securities;
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b.
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during any
period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who, as of the date
hereof, constitute the members of the Board (the “Incumbent
Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death or
disability to constitute at least a majority of the members of the
Board, provided that any director who was nominated for election or
was elected with the approval of at least a majority of the members
of the Board who are at the time Incumbent Directors shall be
considered an Incumbent Director unless such individual’s
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal
of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the
Board;
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c.
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the
consummation of any transaction (including any merger,
amalgamation, consolidation or scheme of arrangement), the result
of which is that less than fifty percent (50%) of the total
voting power of the surviving corporation is represented by shares
held by former shareholders of the Company prior to such
transaction; or
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d.
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the Company
shall have sold, transferred or exchanged all, or substantially
all, of its assets to another corporation or other entity or
person.
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2.04
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CODE. The term
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
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2.05
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COMPANY. The
term “Company” means Seahawk Drilling, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, as the same presently exists, or any and all
successors, regardless of the nature of the entity or the state or
nation of organization, whether by assignment, reorganization,
merger, consolidation, absorption or dissolution. For the purpose
of Article V the term “Company” includes all
subsidiaries of the Company to the extent such subsidiary is
carrying on any portion of the business of the Company or a
business similar to that being conducted by the Company. With
regard to the determination of the amount or level of the
Employee’s compensation and benefits payable hereunder,
including annual bonuses and equity incentives, the term
“Company” means the Board and/or the Compensation
Committee of the Board.
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2.06
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CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION. The term “Constructive Termination” means
a Termination by reason of Employee’s resignation for any one
or more of the following events:
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a.
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Employee’s resignation or retirement is
requested by the Company other than for Cause;
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b.
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any material
reduction in Employee’s Annual Base Salary, Target Bonus or
benefits other than equity or long-term incentive awards or actual
bonus award payouts, in all cases as then in effect immediately
prior to such reduction;
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c.
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any
circumstance by which the actions of the Company either reduce or
change Employee’s title, position, duties, responsibilities
or authority to such an extent or in such a manner as to relegate
Employee to a position not substantially similar to that which he
held prior to such reduction or change and which would degrade,
embarrass or otherwise make it unreasonable for Employee to remain
in the employment of the Company;
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d.
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any requirement
of the Company that Employee relocate more than 50 miles from
downtown Houston, Texas, unless Employee recommended the
relocation; or
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e.
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the material
breach by the Company of any provision of the Agreement.
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Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary, in order for Employee’s resignation to be deemed a
Constructive Termination, (A) Employee must provide, within 60
days following the occurrence of the event that Employee claims
constitutes a Constructive Termination, a written notice to the
Company that Employee intends to terminate his employment with the
Company; (B) the written notice must describe the event
constituting the Constructive Termination in reasonable detail; and
(C) within 30 days after receiving such notice from Employee,
the Company must fail to reinstate Employee to the position he was
in, or otherwise cure the circumstances giving rise to the
Constructive Termination.
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2.07
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COVERED
TERMINATION. The term “Covered Termination” shall mean
the Employee’s Termination for any reason other than
(i) Cause, (ii) Voluntary Resignation or
(iii) death. Accordingly, a Covered Termination includes the
Employee’s Termination by reason of Constructive Termination
or Disability or Termination at the end of any “Employment
Period” due to non-renewal or failure to extend this
Agreement for any reason. Notwithstanding any provision hereof to
the contrary, the Company shall have the right to terminate
Employee’s employment at any time during the Employment
Period, as defined below (including any extended term), and the
Company has no obligation to deliver advance notice of
termination.
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2.08
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CUSTOMER. The
term “Customer” includes all persons, firms or entities
that are purchasers or end-users of services or products offered,
provided, developed, designed, sold or leased by the Company during
the relevant time periods, and all persons, firms or entities which
control, or which are controlled by, the same person, firm or
entity which controls such purchase.
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2.09
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DISABILITY. The
term “Disability” means physical or mental incapacity
qualifying Employee for a long-term disability under the
Company’s long-term disability plan. If no such plan exists
on the date on which a relevant determination is being made, the
term “Disability” means physical or mental incapacity
as determined by a doctor jointly selected by Employee and the
Board qualifying Employee for long-term disability under reasonable
employment standards.
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2.10
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EFFECTIVE DATE.
The term “Effective Date” means the date that the
Agreement becomes effective and binding.
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2.11
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MAXIMUM BONUS. The term
“Maximum Bonus” shall mean (i) Employee’s
maximum bonus under the Company’s annual bonus incentive plan
for the fiscal year in which a Covered Termination occurs as
determined in accordance with
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Section 3.04b or (ii) if
the Company has not specified a maximum bonus for such year,
Employee’s maximum bonus under the Company’s annual
bonus incentive plan for the last year in which the Company had
specified such a maximum bonus, or (iii) if the Company has
not specified a maximum bonus in the year of the Covered
Termination or in a previous year, the maximum bonus identified in
Section 3.04b.
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2.12
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SECTION 409A.
The term “Section 409A” refers to Section 409A of
the Code and applicable Treasury authorities promulgated
thereunder.
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2.13
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TARGET BONUS.
The term “Target Bonus” shall mean
(i) Employee’s target bonus under the Company’s
annual bonus incentive plan for the fiscal year in which a Covered
Termination occurs as determined in accordance with
Section 3.04b or (ii) if the Company has not specified a
target bonus for such year, Employee’s target bonus under the
Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the last year in
which the Company had specified such a target bonus, or
(iii) if the Company has not specified a target bonus in the
year of the Covered Termination or in a previous year, the minimum
target bonus identified in Section 3.04b.
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2.14
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TERMINATION.
The term “Termination” means Employee’s
“separation from service” with the Company and all of
its affiliates as that phrase is defined for purposes of
Section 409A.
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2.15
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VOLUNTARY
RESIGNATION. The term “Voluntary Resignation” means any
Termination by Employee for any reason other than a Constructive
Termination.
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3.01
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EMPLOYMENT.
Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, the Company hereby
agrees to continue to employ Employee, and Employee hereby agrees
to remain in the employ of the Company, for the Employment Period.
During the Employment Period, Employee shall exercise such position
and authority and perform such responsibilities as are commensurate
with the position to which he is assigned and as directed by his
supervisor. The office, position and title for which Employee is
initially employed is that of Senior Vice President Human Resources
and Administration. Employee and the Company agree that the Company
may re-assign Employee to another office, position and/or title,
subject to Employee’s rights under
Section 2.06.
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3.02
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BEST EFFORTS
AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYEE; BUSINESS EXPENSES;
AND OFFICE AND OTHER SERVICES.
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a.
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During the
Employment Period, Employee agrees that he will at all times
faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability,
experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may be
required of and from him pursuant to the express and implicit terms
hereof.
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b.
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During the Employment Period,
Employee shall devote his normal and regular business time,
attention and skill to the business and interests of the Company,
and the Company shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits
or other issue arising from or incident to all work, services and
advice of Employee performed for the Company. Such employment shall
be considered “full time” employment. Employee shall
also have the right to devote
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such incidental and immaterial
amounts of his time which are not required for the full and
faithful performance of his duties hereunder to any outside
activities and businesses which are not being engaged in by the
Company and which shall not otherwise interfere with the
performance of his duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
it shall not be a violation of the Agreement for Employee to
(i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or
committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions and
(iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities
do not significantly interfere with the performance of
Employee’s responsibilities hereunder. Employee shall have
the right to make investments in any business provided such
investment does not result in a violation of Article V of the
Agreement or other applicable Company policies.
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c.
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Employee
acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with his employment
relationship with the Company, Employee owes a fiduciary duty to
the Company. In keeping with these duties, Employee shall make full
disclosure to the Company of all business opportunities pertaining
to the Company’s business and shall not appropriate for
Employee’s own benefit business opportunities concerning the
subject matter of the fiduciary relationship.
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d.
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Employee shall
not intentionally take any action which he knows would not comply
with the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction
applicable to Employee’s actions on behalf of the Company,
and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including
specifically, without limitation, the FCPA, as the FCPA may
hereafter be amended, and/or its successor statutes.
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e.
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During and
after the Employment Period, Employee agrees to refrain from any
disparaging comments about the Company, any affiliates, or any
current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or
any affiliate, and Employee agrees not to take any action, or
assist any person in taking any other action, in each case, that is
materially adverse to the interests of the Company or any affiliate
or inconsistent with fostering the goodwill of the Company and its
affiliates; provided, however , that nothing in the
Agreement shall apply to or restrict in any way the communication
of information by Employee to any state or federal law enforcement
agency or require notice to the Company thereof, and Employee will
not be in breach of the covenant contained above solely by reason
of his testimony which is compelled by process of law. During and
after the Employment Period, the Company and its affiliates,
officers, directors, and authorized representatives and agents
agree to refrain from any disparaging comments about Employee;
provided, however , that nothing in the Agreement shall
apply to or restrict in any way the communication of information by
the Company and its affiliates, officers, directors, and authorized
representatives and agents to any state or federal law enforcement
agency or require notice to Employee thereof, and the Company and
its affiliates, officers, directors, and authorized representatives
and agents will not be in breach of the covenant contained above
solely by reason of testimony which is compelled by process of
law.
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f.
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During the Employment Period,
Employee shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in accordance with the
most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the
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Company as in effect from time to
time. Such reimbursement shall be made subject to the terms and
conditions of the Company’s policy on the earlier of
(i) the date specified in the Company’s policy or
(ii) to the extent the reimbursement is taxable and subject to
Section 409A, no later than December 31 of the calendar
year next following the calendar year in which the expense was
incurred.
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g.
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During the
Employment Period, the Company shall furnish Employee with office
space, secretarial assistance and such other facilities and
services as shall be suitable to Employee’s position and
adequate for the performance of Employee’s duties
hereunder.
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3.03
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TERM AND
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The period of Employee’s employment with
the Company (the “Employment Period”) that commenced in
accordance with the terms of the Prior Agreement will end on the
date of Employee’s Termination. The term of this Agreement
shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the second
anniversary of the Effective Date. On the second anniversary of the
Effective Date, and each anniversary thereafter, the Employment
Period will be automatically extended for one (1) year such
that the Employment Period on the date of each such extension shall
be one (1) year; provided, however , that the Company
or Employee may give written notice to the other that the Agreement
will not be renewed or continued after the next scheduled
expiration date which is not less than ninety (90) days after
the date that the notice of non-renewal was given. Notwithstanding
the above, the Employment Period will expire upon Employee’s
Termination for any reason including Covered Termination,
Constructive Termination, Disability, death, Cause or Voluntary
Resignation. Employee agrees to provide thirty (30) days
written notice of any Voluntary Resignation. Immediately upon
Termination, Employee agrees to resign from all officer and
director positions held with the Company and its
affiliates.
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3.04
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COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS. During the Employment Period Employee shall receive
the following compensation and benefits:
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a.
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The Company
will pay or cause to be paid to Employee an annual base salary of
not less than $240,000.00, with the opportunity for increases, from
time to time thereafter, which are in accordance with the
Company’s regular executive compensation practices (such
salary, as in effect from time to time, the “Annual Base
Salary”). The Board will review the Annual Base Salary at
least annually.
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b.
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Employee will
be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan at a target
bonus award level of no less than 50% of Annual Base Salary and at
a maximum bonus award level of 100% of Annual Base Salary (such
annual bonus, as in effect from time to time, the “Annual
Bonus”), it being understood that the performance criteria
and actual bonus awards are determined by the Company in its
discretion and bonus amounts are not guaranteed.
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c.
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Employee will
be eligible to participate on a reasonable basis, subject to the
Company’s discretion as to the level of actual awards, in
stock option, equity and incentive compensation plans which provide
opportunities to receive compensation in addition to
Employee’s Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus.
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d.
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Employee will
be entitled to participate in employee welfare and qualified plans
(including, but not limited to, 401(k), life, health, accident and
disability insurance and disability benefits), and to receive
perquisites, to the extent offered by the Company generally to its
senior executives.
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e.
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Employee will
receive paid vacation days each year to the same extent as provided
to employees with comparable duties, in accordance with Company
policy and practices, but in no event will this vacation benefit be
less than four (4) weeks per year.
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3.05
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TERMINATION
PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Company shall have the right to terminate
Employee’s employment at any time during the Employment
Period (including any extended term). In the event of any Covered
Termination that does not entitle Employee to payments and benefits
under Article IV, the Company shall, sixty (60) days following
such Covered Termination, or at such other time(s) specified in
this Section 3.05 or Section 6.03, and in exchange for a
full and complete release of claims against the Company, its
affiliates, officers and directors (“Release”), pay or
provide (or cause to be paid or provided) to Employee (or his
designee or estate, as determined under Section 6.10, in the
event of death after Covered Termination and prior to satisfaction
of the Company’s obligations in this
Section 3.05):
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a.
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An amount equal
to one (1) full year of his Annual Base Salary in effect on
the date of Covered Termination, which Annual Base Salary for these
purposes is defined as 12 times the gross monthly salary in effect
for Employee immediately preceding his date of Covered
Termination.
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b.
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The Company
shall provide to Employee, Employee’s spouse and
Employee’s eligible dependents who were covered under the
Company’s welfare plans immediately prior to the date of
Employee’s Covered Termination for a period of one
(1) full year following the date of Employee’s Covered
Termination, health insurance coverage which is comparable to that
provided to similarly situated active senior executives at a cost
to Employee as if he had remained a full time employee. If Employee
dies during such term, health insurance coverage being provided
under this Section will continue to be provided to Employee’s
spouse and eligible dependents until the date that is one
(1) year after the date of Employee’s Covered
Termination.
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c.
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An amount equal to the sum of
(i) one (1) times the Target Bonus, plus (ii) if
Employee experiences a Covered Termination on or after
January 1st, but before the date on which awards are paid, if
any, pursuant to achievement of performance goals set under the
Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the year
immediately preceding the year in which Employee’s Covered
Termination occurs, an amount, subject to the Company’s
discretion as set forth under the Company’s annual bonus
incentive plan and paid at the same time the Company pays bonuses
to similarly situated employees under such plan, equal to the
amount Employee would have earned if Employee had remained employed
with the Company until the date such awards would otherwise have
been paid, plus (iii) a pro-rata portion of the award for the
year in which the Covered Termination occurs, if any, earned by the
achievement of performance goals set under the Company’s
annual bonus incentive plan and paid at the same time the Company
pays bonuses to similarly situated employees under
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such plan; provided, however
, that if Employee has timely deferred his applicable award under a
Company plan, such payment due Employee under this subparagraph
shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the
deferral.
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d.
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All equity awards that are
outstanding as of the date of Covered Termination shall immediately
vest in full and any option award that is outstanding as of the
date of Covered Termination shall be amended to the extent
necessary to provide that any options outstanding under such option
award shall remain exercisable until the earliest of the third
anniversary of the date of the Covered Termination, the latest date
upon which the option would have expired under any circumstances
under its original terms or the 10 th anniversary of the original date of grant of the
option.
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e.
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The
“Compensation and Benefits” Section hereof shall be
applicable in determining the payments and benefits due Employee
under this Section and if Covered Termination occurs after a
reduction in all or part of Employee’s total compensation or
benefits, the lump sum severance allowance and other compensation
and benefits payable to him pursuant to this Section shall be based
upon his compensation and benefits before the reduction.
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f.
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If any
provision of this Section cannot, in whole or in part, be
implemented and carried out under the terms of the applicable
compensation, benefit or other plan or arrangement of the Company
because Employee has ceased to be an actual employee of the
Company, due to insufficient or reduced credited service based upon
his actual employment by the Company or because the plan or
arrangement has been terminated or amended after the Effective
Date, or for any other reason, the Company itself shall pay or
otherwise provide the equivalent of such rights, benefits and
credits for such benefits to Employee, his dependents,
beneficiaries and estate as if Employee’s employment had not
been terminated.
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g.
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The
Company’s obligation under this Section to pay or provide
health insurance coverage to Employee, Employee’s spouse and
Employee’s dependents shall be reduced when and to the extent
any such benefits are paid or provided to Employee by another
employer; provided, however , that Employee shall have all
rights, if any, afforded to retirees to convert group life
insurance coverage to the individual life insurance coverage as, to
the extent of, and whenever his group life insurance coverage under
this Section is reduced or expires. Apart from this subparagraph,
Employee shall have and be subject to no obligation to
mitigate.
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Notwithstanding any provision herein
to the contrary, if Employee has not delivered to the Company an
executed Release on or before the fiftieth (50th) day after
the date of Covered Termination, Employee shall forfeit all of the
payments and benefits described in this Section 3.05;
provided however , that Employee shall not forfeit such
amounts if the Company has not delivered to Employee the required
form of Release on or bef
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