Exhibit
10.1
CONSULTING SERVICES
AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
(Agreement) is made as of May 15,
2008 by and between Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (“Company”), and William E. Joor III, having an
address at 2230 Albans Road, Houston, Texas 77005
(hereinafter called “Consultant”).
RECITALS
As the former chief legal and administrative
officer of the Company, Consultant will provide management
consulting and advisory services with respect to the business and
affairs of the Company.
Company has requested Consultant to perform
these services on an as needed basis, subject to the terms and
conditions in this Agreement.
Consultant agrees he shall perform such
consulting and advisory services as an independent contractor (and
not as an employee) on and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual
covenants herein set forth and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
NATURE OF WORK
1.1 Consultant shall
perform any and all such management consulting and advisory
services for the Company and any one or more of its subsidiaries
(“Consulting Services”), as may from time to time be
designated by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Chief
Legal Officer of the Company, being the Company’s authorized
representative in this regard. The Consulting Services
shall be provided under the direction of the Company’s
authorized representative. Consultant shall perform the
Consulting Services with due diligence at all times acting in the
best interests of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Consultant shall use his best professional
judgment and discretion in determining the manner in which services
are performed for the Company.
1.2 Consultant shall
not have the authority to hire outside contractors for work under
this Agreement without the prior written approval of the
Company.
1.3 Company agrees to
provide Consultant with such information, materials and supplies as
are necessary to perform Consultant’s duties at
Company’s expense.
1.4 Consultant shall
perform the duties required hereunder in compliance with the
Company’s Code of Business Conduct, a copy of which has been
provided to Consultant.
ARTICLE 2
PAYMENT TO
CONSULTANT
2.1 In full and
complete consideration for Consultant (i) making available the
Consulting Services to the Company, whether or not requested by the
Company, and (ii) the release and waiver provided for in Section
4.1, the Company shall pay to Consultant the consulting fees
specified in Section 2.3.
2.2 Consultant and the
Company agree that the Company shall have the right to call upon up
to 16 hours of Consultant’s time each week, exclusive of
Saturdays, Sundays and Company holidays, during the Term of this
Agreement. Company may not require any Consulting
Services to be performed that require more than 16 hours in any
week without the consent of Consultant.
2.3 Subject to Section
4.1, the Company shall pay Consultant for the Consulting Services,
whether or not requested by the Company, at a rate of $17,900.00
per calendar month (prorated for any partial month), commencing on
May 15, 2008. Any time expended by Consultant in excess
of 16 hours in any week shall be authorized in writing
by Company’s authorized representative and shall be
compensated at the rate of $200.00 per hour. Any excess
time accrued during the Term hereof shall be billed by Consultant
with supporting documentation on a monthly basis.
2.4 The Company shall
reimburse Consultant for all reasonable business expenses that are
incurred in accordance with the Company’s general policies
and are approved by the Company in advance. Invoices for
expenses chargeable to the Company hereunder shall be supported by
appropriate receipts. Any expenses not submitted to the
Company within sixty (60) days after incurrence shall not be
reimbursed by the Company unless specifically authorized by the
Company’s authorized representative.
2.5 If Consultant
shall timely elect COBRA continuation coverage, the monthly premium
for such COBRA continuation coverage during the Term of this
Agreement shall be the monthly premium charged to an active
employee for similar coverage based on Consultant’s elected
coverage tier status.
2.6 Consultant shall
submit invoices not more often than monthly, and, subject to
Section 4.1, the Company shall pay the amount owed within thirty
(30) days from the Company’s receipt of the
invoice. All invoices and billings under this Agreement
shall be submitted to:
Regency GP LLC
1700 Pacific Ave., Suite
2900
Dallas,
Texas 75201
Attention: Dan A.
Fleckman, Chief Legal Officer
Phone: 214-750-1771
Fax: 214-750-1749
All payments under this Agreement shall be made
to Consultant at the account currently designated in writing by
Consultant for direct payment.
2.7 The Company shall
have the right at its sole discretion and upon ten (10) days
written notice to Consultant to audit all charges made by
Consultant pursuant to this Agreement.
2.8 It is intended
that the consulting fees paid hereunder shall constitute earnings
from self-employment income. The Company will not
withhold any amounts therefrom as US federal income tax
withholdings from wages or as employee contributions under the US
Federal Insurance Contributions Act or make employer contributions
thereunder with respect thereto. Consultant shall be
solely responsible for the reporting, estimation and payment of all
taxes, fees and other contributions on or attributable to the fees
and business expense reimbursements paid
hereunder. Consultant hereby fully indemnifies the
Company against all such taxes and fees and any penalties or
interest thereon. Attached as Attachment A is a Notice
and Verification of Independent Contractor Status.
2.9 It is understood
and agreed by Consultant that this Agreement is not intended to and
does not create the relationship of employer and employee between
the Company and Consultant. Consultant is an independent
contractor with the responsibility for, and control over, the
details and means of performing the Consulting
Services. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
construed as constituting Consultant as an agent, representative or
employee of the Company, and Consultant shall not represent to the
contrary to any person, unless expressly authorized by the
Company’s authorized agent. Consultant agrees and
acknowledges that he shall not be entitled to any benefits,
perquisites or compensation afforded to employees of the Company or
any partner of the Company, even if it is subsequently held or
determined that Consultant is an employee of the Company rather
than an independent contractor.
ARTICLE 3
TERM
3.1 Subject to Section
4.1, the term (“Term”) of this Agreement is May 15,
2008 through November 15, 2008, subject to its earlier termination
pursuant to Section 3.2.
3.2 Consultant’s
engagement shall terminate on the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(ii) written notice
given by the Company of a material violation by Consultant of any
provisions of this Agreement; or
(iii) on November 15,
2008