EXHIBIT 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Amended and
Restated Consulting Agreement (“Restated Agreement”) is
entered into as of this 26th day of April, 2007, but effective as
of the 1 st
day of
February, 2007, between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
(“FHLBA”) and PEAC Ventures, Inc. (“PEAC”).
It amends and restates in its entirety that certain Consulting
Agreement dated December 1, 2006 between FHLBA and PEAC
(“Original Agreement”). For good and valuable
consideration, FHLBA and PEAC hereby agree as follows:
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1.
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Engagement as Consultant
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Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Restated Agreement, FHLBA hereby engages PEAC as a
consultant to the Board of Directors to perform the services set
forth herein, and PEAC hereby accepts such engagement. PEAC’s
relationship with FHLBA will be strictly that of an independent
contractor. Nothing in this Restated Agreement should be construed
to create a partnership, joint venture, employer-employee
relationship, or promise of any future employment by FHLBA or any
affiliate thereof, including as to William H. Ott, Jr., a PEAC
employee. PEAC is not the agent of FHLBA and is not authorized to
make any representation, contract, or commitment on behalf of FHLBA
except as specifically authorized by this Restated Agreement. PEAC
and its affiliates, including Mr. Ott, will not be entitled to
any of the benefits or forms of compensation which FHLBA may make
available to its employees, including but not limited to
compensation, bonuses, insurance, profit-sharing or retirement
benefits, vacation benefits, sick leave, or social security or
worker’s compensation benefits.
FHLBA hereby retains PEAC’s
services as a special consultant to the Board of Directors of FHLBA
(the “Board”). Effective as of February 1, 2007,
William H. Ott, Jr., as president of PEAC, shall serve and advise
the Board by performing such of the usual and customary duties of
president and chief executive officer of FHLBA as may be requested
by the Board while the Board conducts a search to identify a
permanent president and chief executive officer, and until such
permanent president and chief executive officer is serving in such
capacity (the “Services”). After a permanent president
and chief executive officer is serving in such capacity,
Mr. Ott will continue to serve and advise the Board, in its
discretion, during any appropriate transition period to be mutually
agreed upon by the parties. Mr. Ott will report directly to
the Chairman of the Board. During the term of this Restated
Agreement, Mr. Ott shall devote as much of his productive
time, energy and abilities to the performance of the required
services hereunder as is necessary, and agreeable to FHLBA, to
perform the required services in a timely and productive manner.
The parties further expect that Mr. Ott will conduct most of
the Services onsite at the principal office of FHLBA, although some
work will be conducted at PEAC’s offices or offsite. Subject
to Section 6 of this Restated Agreement and the Non-Disclosure
and Confidentiality Agreement dated December 1, 2006 between
FHLBA and PEAC (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), PEAC
is free to perform services for other parties while performing
services for FHLBA. PEAC and Mr. Ott agree to behave in a
responsible and professional manner at all times while performing
services under this Restated Agreement.
FHLBA shall pay PEAC an hourly
consulting fee in the amount of $625.00 for time actually spent on
FHLBA business. Commuting time to FHLBA offices will not be
compensated. Travel time to other locations reasonably necessary
for the conduct of the Services will be paid at a rate of
$312.50
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per hour. PEAC will
send FHLBA an invoice twice a month covering periods from the
1 st
to the
15 th
and from
the 16 th
to the
last days of the month for review and approval which shall set
forth in reasonable detail the services performed and the hours
spent. FHLBA shall pay the invoice within two weeks after receipt.
PEAC understands and agrees that, as an independent contractor, it
is solely responsible for all taxes and other costs and expenses
attributable to the compensation payable to and Services provided
by PEAC under this Restated Agreement. PEAC understands and agrees
that it is obligated to pay federal, state and local income tax, if
any, due on any monies paid to PEAC pursuant to this Restated
Agreement, and PEAC represents that it has taken and will take any
and all actions required to comply with all applicable federal,
state and local laws pertaining to the same.
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4.
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Equipment
and Expenses
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FHLBA shall reimburse PEAC for
reasonable expenses incurred by PEAC in the performance of its
duties hereunder within 30 days of receipt of reasonably documented
invoices therefore; provided, however, that any such expense
exceeding $1,000.00 must be approved by the Chairman of the Board
in advance.
FHLBA agrees to supply PEAC with the
equipment and support reasonably necessary to function in its
capacity under this Restated Agreement, including office space at
FHLBA’s principal office and access to facsimile, telephone,
computer and internet services at such location.
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5.
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Representations of PEAC
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PEAC represents that it operates its
own business enterprise and has control over the means of providing
the services identified herein. PEAC agrees to accept exclusive
liability for complying with all applicable state and federal laws
governing self-employed individuals and employers, including but
not limited to obligations such as payment and withholding of
taxes, social security, disability, workers’ compensation
insurance, and other contributions based on fees paid to PEAC, its
agents or employees under this Restated Agreement. PEAC agrees to
provide to FHLBA a certificate of workers’ compensation
insurance or a certificate of exemption. FHLBA shall not be
responsible for PEAC’s acts or the acts of any employees of
PEAC while performing the services whether on FHLBA premises or
elsewhere.
PEAC commits to perform the Services
in a competent and efficient manner using its best efforts to
accomplish the objectives of FHLBA. PEAC agrees to perform all
Services described in the Restated Agreement in strict compliance
with any and all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
regulations and guidelines and in accordance with any other
relevant professional or other standards. When on FHLBA
premises, PEAC shall comply with FHLBA policies with respect to
conduct of visitors.
PEAC represents that it has advised
FHLBA in writing prior to the date of signing this Restated
Agreement of any relationship with any third parties, including
members and competitors of FHLBA, or other legal obstacles that
would present a conflict of interest with the Services or which
would prevent PEAC from carrying out the terms of this Restated
Agreement. PEAC affirms that it shall advise FHLBA of any such
relationships or legal obstacles that might be proposed during the
term of this Restated Agreement. In such event, FHLBA shall have
the option to terminate this Restated Agreement without further
liability to PEAC other than the obligation to pay for Services
actually rendered as of the date of such termination. PEAC further
agrees to refrain from making any recommendations or taking any
actions that would elevate its interests, or the interests of any
affiliate or client, over the interests of FHLBA.
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FHLBA acknowledges that Mr. Ott
is a member of the Board of Directors of E*Trade Bank, an
institution that is a member of FHLBA, and owns, or may own,
securities in the parent corporation of such institution. FHLBA
agrees that Mr. Ott may remain a director of E*Trade Bank, may
continue to receive compensation for such services and may continue
to own securities in the parent corporation of such
institution.
(a) The term of this Restated
Agreement will begin on the date hereof, and will continue until
November 30, 2007, unless earlier terminated as provided for
herein (the “Term”). Upon the written, mutual agreement
of the parties hereto, the Term may be extended an additional six
months. On or before May 30, 2007, and every three months
thereafter, the parties will review and mutually agree upon an
appropriate time commitment for PEAC and the expected Services to
be provided during the remainder of the Term.
(b) FHLBA may terminate this
Restated Agreement at any time prior to the end of the Term with or
without “Cause” by giving written notice to PEAC. If
this Restated Agreement is terminated by FHLBA for
“Cause,” FHLBA shall have no continuing financial
obligation to PEAC other than (i) to pay for Services actually
performed by PEAC as of the date of notice; and (ii) to
reimburse PEAC for any reasonable expenses incurred by PEAC in
accordance with the provisions of this Restated Agreement governing
such expenses, as of the date of such notice (collectively, the
“Accrued Obligations”). For purposes of this Restated
Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) a termination
directed, ordered or otherwise required by the Federal Housing
Finance Board; (ii) PEAC or Mr. Ott engaging in conduct
that would preclude it or him from participating in the affairs of
any insured financial institution or a Federal Home Loan Bank under
provisions of applicable law; (iii) PEAC or
Mr. Ott’s engaging in conduct that constitutes a breach
of fiduciary duty, a felony or other criminal misconduct that would
constitute a felony under applicable law; and (iv) PEAC or
Mr. Ott’s breach of this Restated Agreement or the
Confidentiality Agreement.
(c) If this Restated Agreement is
terminated by FHLBA other than for Cause, FHLBA will pay to PEAC,
in addition to the Accrued Obligations, an amount equal to two
times the compensation due and owing for the thirty days
immediately preceding the date of termination, but not less than
$120,000. For the purposes of clarity, if PEAC is owed $25,000 for
services rendered during the thirty days immediately prior to the
date of termination, FHLBA shall pay (i) the $25,000 due and
owing, and (ii) $120,000 as a termination fee.
(d) PEAC may terminate this Restated
Agreement at any time prior to the end of the Term for any reason
by giving written notice to FHLBA. If PEAC terminates this Restated
Agreement, or if the Restated Agreement is not renewed at the end
of the Term, FHLBA shall have no continuing financial obligation to
PEAC other than to pay the Accrued Obligations.
During the term of this Restated
Agreement and for a period of one year after its expiration or
termination, FHLBA and/or its representatives at reasonable times,
and upon reasonable notice to PEAC, shall have the right to review
all contracts, correspondence, books, accounts, files, and records
of PEAC which pertain in any manner to performance of this Restated
Agreement and services rendered hereunder and the charges
therefore.
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(a) Subject to the limitations in
paragraph (b) below, PEAC shall defend, indemnify, and hold
harmless FHLBA from and against all liabilities, claims, losses,
costs, fines, expenses, penalties and damages of any type
(including attorneys’ fees and costs) arising out of or in
any way related to actions taken (or failed to be taken) by PEAC
that are determined to be grossly negligent or intentionally
reckless or with willful disregard to the consequences to FHLBA or
other parties, including, but not limited to, PEAC’s
provision of services to FHLBA under this Restated Agreement. PEAC
also agrees that FHLBA may select counsel of its choice in the
event of any claim or action, any threatened claim or threatened
action, or lawsuit or threatened lawsuit against it, its directors,
officers or its employees in connection with any matter for which
indemnification is provided by PEAC hereunder. To the extent that
the claim or action, or threatened claim or action, or lawsuit or
threatened lawsuit is subject to the provisions of this paragraph
(a), PEAC further agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
such counsel for FHLB within 30 days of the date FHLB or its
counsel submits any request for reimbursement of fees and/or
expenses.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions
of paragraph (a) above, in the event that it is determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction that the actions PEAC has taken
or failed to take were as a result of a breach of the obligations
of FHLBA to PEAC under this Restated Agreement, no indemnification
shall be provided hereunder, and to the extent PEAC has advanced or
made payments hereunder, FHLBA shall reimburse them on
request.
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(c)
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(i) FHLBA
shall likewise defend, indemnify, and hold harmless PEAC and
Mr. Ott from and against all liabilities, claims, losses,
costs, fines, expenses, penalties and damages of any type
(including attorneys’ fees and costs) arising out of or in
any way related to actions FHLBA has taken (or has failed to take),
or PEAC or Mr. Ott has taken (or has failed to take) on
FHLBA’s behalf, including but not limited to (subject to the
limitation in paragraph (d) below) as to matters about which
PEAC and its employees have advised the FHLBA and specifically
including any and all claims of negligence, third party
i
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