Exhibit
10.18
INDEPENDENT CONSULTING
AGREEMENT
This Independent Consulting Agreement
(“Agreement”), effective as of the 1 st day
of November, 2008 (“Effective Date”) is entered into by
and between Capital Growth Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation
(herein referred to as the “Company”), and Salzwedel
Financial Communications, Inc., an Oregon corporation (herein
referred to as the “Consultant”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Company is a publicly-held
corporation with its common stock traded on the OTCBB;
WHEREAS, Company desires to engage the services
of Consultant to represent the Company in investors' communications
and public relations with existing shareholders, brokers, dealers
and other investment professionals as to the Company's current and
proposed activities, and to consult with management concerning such
Company activities;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises
and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
1. Term of Consultancy . Company hereby agrees to retain the
Consultant to act in a consulting capacity to the Company, and the
Consultant hereby agrees to provide services to the Company
commencing immediately and ending on October 30th, 2009 unless
otherwise terminated earlier as provided herein.
2. Duties of Consultant . The Consultant agrees that it will generally
provide the following specified consulting services through its
officers and employees during the term specified in Section 1,
above.
(a) Consult with and assist the Company in
developing and implementing appropriate plans and means for
presenting the Company and its business plans, strategy and
personnel to the financial community, establishing an image for the
Company in the financial community, and creating the foundation for
subsequent financial public relations efforts;
(b) Introduce the Company to the financial
community, including, but not limited to, retail brokers, buy side
and sell side institutional managers, portfolio managers, analysts
and financial public relations professionals;
(c) With the cooperation of the Company, maintain
an awareness during the term of this Agreement of the Company's
plans, strategy and personnel, as they may evolve during such
period, and consult and assist the Company in communicating
appropriate information regarding such plans, strategy and
personnel to the financial community;
(d) Assist and consult the Company with respect to
its (i) relations with stockholders, (ii) relations with brokers,
dealers, analysts and other investment professionals, and (iii)
financial public relations generally;
(e) Perform the functions generally assigned to
stockholder relations and public relations departments in major
corporations, including responding to telephone and written
inquiries (which may be referred to the Consultant by the Company);
reviewing press releases before they are released by the Company as
well as reports and other communications with or to shareholders,
the investment community and the general public; consulting with
respect to the timing, form, distribution and other matters related
to such releases, reports and communications; and, at the
Company’s request and subject to the Company’s securing
its own rights to the use of its names, marks and logos, consulting
with respect to corporate symbols, logos, names, the presentation
of such symbols, logos and names, and other matters relating to
corporate image;
(f) Upon and with the Company's direction and
written approval, disseminate information regarding the Company to
shareholders, brokers, dealers, other investment community
professionals and the general investing public;
(g) Upon and with the Company's direction, conduct
meetings, in person or by telephone, with brokers, dealers,
analysts and other investment professionals to communicate with
them regarding the Company's plans, goals and activities, and
assist the Company in preparing for press conferences and other
forums involving the media, investment professionals and the
general investment public;
(h) At the Company's request, review business
plans, strategies, mission statements budgets, proposed
transactions and other plans for the purpose of advising the
Company of the public relations implications thereof;
and
(i) Otherwise perform as the Company's consultant
for public relations and relations with financial
professionals.
3. Allocation of Time and Energies
. The Consultant hereby promises to
perform and discharge faithfully the responsibilities which may be
assigned to the Consultant from time to time by the officers and
duly authorized representatives of the Company in connection with
the conduct of its financial and public relations and
communications activities, so long as such activities are in
compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations.
Consultant and staff shall diligently and thoroughly provide the
consulting services required hereunder. Although no specific
hours-per-day requirement will be required, Consultant and the
Company agree that Consultant will perform the duties set forth
herein above in a diligent and professional manner. The parties
acknowledge and agree that a disproportionately large amount of the
effort to be expended and the costs to be incurred by the
Consultant and the benefits to be received by the Company are
expected to occur within or shortly after the first two months of
the effectiveness of this Agreement. It is explicitly understood
that neither the price of the Company’s common stock, nor the
trading volume of the Company’s common stock hereunder
measure Consultant’s performance of its duties. It is also
understood that the Company is entering into this Agreement with
Consultant, a corporation and not any individual member or employee
thereof, and, as such, Consultant will not be deemed to have
breached this Agreement if any member, officer or director of the
Consultant leaves the firm or dies or becomes physically unable to
perform any meaningful activities during the term of the Agreement,
provided the Consultant otherwise performs its obligations under
this Agreement.
4.1 (a) For undertaking this engagement, for previous
services rendered, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the Company agrees to issue, or have issued, to the Consultant a
“Commencement Bonus” of:
(i) two million (2,000,000) shares of the
Company’s Common Stock (“Common Stock” and such
shares, collectively, the “Shares”); and
(ii) a 5-year warrant to purchase fifteen million
(15,000,000)shares of Common Stock at $0.24 per share, in the form
attached as Exhibit A .
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This
Commencement Bonus shall be fully paid and non-assessable and stock
certificates representing the Commencement Bonus shall be issued
and delivered to Consultant as promptly as the Company increases
its authorized common stock to permit the issuance of the Shares
after giving effect to reserved shares underlying existing options,
warrants and conversion rights (which in all events shall be within
180 days following the date first set forth above), it being
understood and agreed that as of the date of this Agreement the
Company has an obligation to reserve from its authorized but
unissued common stock all remaining outstanding shares to meet its
obligations to its secured lenders and others for whom options,
warrants or convertible debt is outstanding. Additionally the
Company agrees to pay Consultant the sum of $8000.00 cash per month
due and payable on the 1st of each month of this Agreement. The
issuance of the Shares and Warrant is further contingent upon the
approval of the holders of subordinated debentures issued by the
Company in March, 2008. Should such approval not be obtained by
November 30, 2008, Consultant shall have no obligation to
perform the Services called for hereunder.
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(b) Consultant agrees that the Company may, in its
sole discretion, cause one or more shareholders of the Company to
deliver any of or all of the Shares to be issued and delivered to
Consultant hereunder.
4.2 The Company understands and agrees that
Consultant has foregone significant opportunities to accept this
engagement and that the Company derives substantial benefit from
the execution of this Agreement and the ability to announce its
relationship with Consultant. The Commencement Bonus, therefore,
constitutes payment for Consultant’s agreement to consult to
the Company and is a nonrefundable, non-apportionable, and
non-ratable retainer and is not a prepayment for future services.
If the Company decides to terminate this Agreement prior to October
30, 2009, for any reason whatsoever, it is agreed and understood
that Consultant will not be requested or demanded by the Company to
return any of the Shares paid to it as Commencement Bonus referred
to in paragraph 4.1(a) hereunder. Further, if and in the event the
Company is acquired during the term of this Agreement, it is agreed
and understood Consultant will not be requested or demanded by the
Company to return any of the Shares paid to it hereunder.
Consultant agrees and understands that if during the term of this
Agreement, Consultant performs substantial services for any direct
competitor of the Company, then the Shares issued to Consultant
hereunder will be forfeited.
4.3 [Intentionally Deleted].
4.4 Company warrants that the Shares issued to
Consultant under this Agreement by the Company shall be or have
been validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and that the
Company’s board of directors has or shall have duly
authorized the issuance and any transfer of them to
Consultant.
4.5 Consultant acknowledges that the Shares to be
issued pursuant to this Agreement have not been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”) and accordingly are “restricted securities”
within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Act. As such, the Shares may
not be resold or transferred unless the Company has received an
opinion of counsel and in form reasonably satisfactory to the
Company that such resale or transfer is exempt from the
registration requirements of that Securities Act. Consultant agrees
that during the term of this Agreement, that it will not sell or
transfer any of the Shares issued to it hereunder, except to the
Company; nor will it pledge or assign such Shares as collateral or
as security for the performance of any obligation, or for any other
purpose.
4.6 In connection with the acquisition of the
Shares, Consultant represents and warrants to Company, to the best
of its/his knowledge, as follows:
(a) Consultant has been afforded the opportunity to
ask questions of and receive answers from duly authorized officers
or other representatives of the Company concerning an investment in
the Shares, and any additional information that the Consultant has
requested.
(b) Consultant’s investment in restricted
securities is reasonable in relation to the Consultant’s net
worth. Consultant has had experience in investments in restricted
and publicly traded securities, and Consultant has had experience
in investments in speculative securities and other investments that
involve the risk of loss of investment. Consultant acknowledges
that an investment in the Shares is speculative and involves the
risk of loss. Consultant has the requisite knowledge to assess the
relative merits and risks of this investment without the necessity
of relying upon other advisors, and Consultant can afford the risk
of loss of his entire investment in the Shares. Consultant is an
accredited investor, as that term is defined in Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act.
(c) Consultant is acquiring the Shares for the
Consultant’s own account for long-term investment and not
with a view toward resale or distribution thereof except in
accordance with applicable securities laws.
5. [Intentionally Deleted]
6. [Intentionally Deleted]
7. Non-Assignability of Services
. Consultant’s services under
this contract are offered to the Company only and may not be
assigned by the Company to any entity with which the Company merges
or which acquires the Company or substantially all of its assets
wherein the Company becomes a minority constituent of the combined
Company. In the event of such merger or acquisition, all
compensation to Consultant herein under the schedules set forth
herein shall remain due and payable, and any compensation received
by the Consultant may be retained in the entirety by Consultant,
all without any reduction or pro-rating and shall be considered and
remain fully paid and non-assessable. Notwithstanding the
non-assignability of Consultant’s services, the Company shall
assure that in the event of any merger, acquisition, or similar
change of form of entity, that its successor entity shall agree to
complete all obligations to Consultant, including the provision and
transfer of all compensation herein, and the preservation of the
value thereof consistent with the rights granted to Consultant by
the Company herein. Consultant shall not assign its rights or
delegate its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of
the Company.
8. Expenses . Consultant agrees to pay for all its expenses
(phone, labor, etc.), other than extraordinary items (travel and
entertainment required by/or specifically requested by the Company,
luncheons or dinners to large groups of investment professionals,
mass faxing to a sizable percentage of the Company's constituents,
investor conference calls, print advertisements in publications,
etc.) approved by the Company prior to its incurring an obligation
for reimbursement. The Company agrees and understands that
Consultant will not be responsible for preparing or mailing due
diligence and/or investor packages on the Company, and that the
Company will have some means to prepare and mail out investor
packages at the Company’s expense.
9. Indemnification . The Company warrants and represents that all
oral communications, written documents or materials furnished to
Consultant or the public by the Company with respect to financial
affairs, operations, profitability and strategic planning of the
Company are accurate in all material respects and Consultant may
rely upon the accuracy thereof without independent investigation.
The Company will protect, indemnify and hold harmless Consultant
against any claims or litigation including any damages, liability,
cost and reasonable attorney's fees as incurred with respect
thereto resulting from Consultant's communication or dissemination
of any said information, documents or materials excluding any such
claims or litigation resulting from Consultant's communication or
dissemination of information not provided or authorized by the
Company.
10. Representations . Consultant represents that it is not required
to maintain any licenses and registrations under federal or any
state regulations necessary to perform the services set forth
herein. Consultant acknowledges that, to the best of its knowledge,
the performance of the services set forth under this Agreement will
not violate any rule or provision of any regulatory agency having
jurisdiction over Consultant. Consultant acknowledges that, to the
best of its knowledge, Consultant and its officers and directors
are not the subject of any investigation, claim, decree or judgment
involving any violation of the SEC or securities laws. Consultant
further acknowledges that it is not a security Broker Dealer or a
registered investment advisor. Company acknowledges that, to the
best of its knowledge, that it has not violated any rule or
provision of any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the
Company. Company acknowledges that, to the best of its knowledge,
Company is not the subject of any investigation, claim, decree or
judgment involving any violation of the SEC or securities
laws.
11. Legal Representation . Each of Company and Consultant represents
that they have consulted with independent legal counsel and/or tax,
financial and business advisors, to the extent that they deemed
necessary.
12. Status as Independent Contractor
. Consultant's engagement pursuant
to this Agreement shall be as independent contractor, and not as an
employee, officer or other agent of the Company. Neither party to
this Agreement shall represent or hold itself out to be the
employer or employee of the other. Consultant further acknowledges
the consideration provided hereinabove is a gross amount of
consideration and that the Company will not withhold from such
consideration any amounts as to income taxes, social security
payments or any other payroll taxes. All such income taxes and
other such payment shall be made or provided for by Consultant and
the Company shall have no responsibility or duties regarding such
matters. Neither the Company nor the Consultant possesses the
authority to bind each other in any agreements without the express
written consent of the entity to be bound.
13. Attorney's Fee . If any legal action or any arbitration or
other proceeding is brought for the enforcement or interpretation
of this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach,
default or misrepresentation in connection with or related to this
Agreement, the successful or prevailing party shall be entitled to
recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs in connection
with that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to
which it or they may be entitled.
14. Waiver . The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or
be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other
party.
15. Notices . All notices, requests, and other
communications hereunder shall be deemed to be duly given if sent
by U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party at the
address as set forth herein below:
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To the
Company:
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Capital Growth
Systems, Inc.
Attention: Patrick C. Shutt,
CEO
500 West
Madison Street - Suite 2060
Chicago, IL
60661
Facsimile: (312)
673-2422
E-Mail:
PShutt@globalcapacity.com
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To the
Consultant:
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Salzwedel
Financial Communications, Inc.
Attention: Jeffrey L. Salzwedel,
President
1800 SW
Blankenship Road - Suite 275
West Linn, OR
97068
Facsimile: (503)
722-7311
E-Mail:
Jeff@sfcinc.com
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It is
understood that either party may change the address to which
notices for it shall be addressed by providing notice of such
change to the other party in the manner set forth in this
paragraph.
16. Choice of Law, Jurisdiction and Venue
. This Agreement shall be governed
by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Oregon. The parties agree that the state or federal courts
located closest to West Linn, Oregon, will be the venue of any
dispute and will have jurisdiction over all parties.
17. Arbitration . Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or the alleged breach thereof, or
relating to Consultant's activities or remuneration under this
Agreement, shall be settled by binding arbitration in Cook County,
Illinois in accordance with the applicable rules of the American
Arbitration Association, Commercial Dispute Resolution Procedures,
and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall be
binding on the parties and may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction.
18. Complete Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire agreement
of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement and its terms may not be changed orally but only by an
agreement in writing signed by the party against whom
enforcement
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