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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Employee Retention Agreement

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT | Document Parties: WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY You are currently viewing:
This Employee Retention Agreement involves

WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY

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Title: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Governing Law: New York     Date: 8/8/2008
Industry: Communications Services     Sector: Services

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, Parties: warwick valley telephone company
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Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of June 4, 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY (the “ Company ”) and KENNETH H. VOLZ (“ Executive ”).

1.

 

Employment .

The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2.

 

Term of Employment .

(a)

 

The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue until June 3, 2010 (the “ Initial Term ”), and shall be renewed automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter (each, a “ Renewal Period ”), unless Executive or the Company gives written notice of nonrenewal to the other at least sixty (60) days before the expiration of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Period.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company or by Executive at any time for any reason.

 

 

 

(c)

 

As used in this Agreement, the term “ Employment Term ” refers to Executive’s period of employment from the Effective Date until the date his employment terminates.

 

 

 

3.

 

Duties and Responsibilities .

 

 

 

(a)

 

The Company will employ Executive as its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. In such capacity, Executive shall perform the customary duties and have the customary responsibilities of such positions and such other duties as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the President and Chief Executive Officer (the “President”) of the Company. Executive will exercise his judgment in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Executive agrees to faithfully serve the Company, devote his full working time, attention and energies to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliated entities, and perform the duties under this Agreement to the best of his abilities.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Executive agrees (i) to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; (ii) to comply with the Company’s rules, procedures, policies, requirements, and directions; and (iii) not to engage in any other business or employment without the written consent of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided herein.

 

 

 

4.

 

Compensation and Benefits .

 

 

 

(a)

 

Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary at the annual rate of $250,000 per year or such higher rate as may be determined annually by the Company (“ Base Salary ”). Such Base Salary, less applicable withholdings, shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practice

 


 

 

 

for executives. The Base Salary set forth in this Agreement shall be retroactive to January 1, 2008; the difference between the base salary paid from January 1, 2008 and the Base Salary set forth in this Agreement will be paid, less applicable withholdings, in the first pay period following execution of this Agreement unless previously paid.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Annual Bonus. During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to receive an Annual Bonus each year, as determined in accordance with the Applicable Plan approved by the Company for executives for such year. The Company has the right to change or eliminate the Applicable Plan at any time. The Annual Bonus to be paid to Executive in 2009 shall be based on the Company’s financial performance in 2008, continuing in like progression with the Annual Bonus to be paid in any year based on the Company’s prior year’s performance. Such Annual Bonus, less applicable withholdings, shall be paid within 2.5 months of the end of the taxable fiscal year during which it was earned. Except as otherwise provided by Section 7, in order to be eligible to receive payment of any portion of an Incentive Bonus, Executive must be actively employed by the Company on the payment date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges that whether any Annual Bonus is to be paid for a given year and the amount of that Annual Bonus is completely at the discretion of the Company.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Incentive Compensation. Executive shall be eligible to participate in and receive incentive compensation under the Company’s incentive compensation plans generally made available to other executives at a level commensurate with his position and in accordance with and subject to the terms of such plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges that the grant of awards under the Company’s incentive compensation plans is completely at the discretion of the Company.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Benefit Plans, Fringe Benefits and Vacation. Executive shall be eligible to participate in any 401(k) savings plan generally made available by the Company to other executives in accordance with the eligibility requirements of such plans and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in such plans, except for any pension benefit. Executive shall be eligible to participate in any health and welfare plans made available to other executives, including, but not limited to, any medical and dental benefits plan, life insurance plan, short-term and long-term disability plans, or other executive benefit or fringe benefit plan. Executive will also be eligible to receive at least four (4) weeks of vacation per calendar year, accrued and earned on a daily basis, as well as other types of paid time-off (e.g., holidays, personal days, absence due to illness, etc.) according to the Company’s vacation and paid time-off policy.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Housing and Travel Allowance. The Company will provide Executive with a Housing and Travel Allowance of $4,800 per month (which includes a gross up to defray tax consequences) for the duration of his employment under this agreement. The Housing and Travel Allowance and tax-gross up benefit for a given month shall be paid to Executive on the first day of such month, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter, but in no event later than the end of that month.

 

 

 

(f)

 

Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for the ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of the duties under this Agreement in accordance with the Company’s customary practices

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applicable to executives, provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy. Reimbursement shall be made as soon as administratively practicable following Executive’s submission of the necessary documents and receipts required under the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, but in no event later than December 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.

 

 

 

(g)

 

Concession. Executive will be provided with paid PDA or mobile phone service for one electronic device, as well as concession Telephone and Toll Service, DSL Internet Service and in territory Digital TV service benefits consistent with those available to other executives.

 

 

 

(h)

 

Indemnification. Executive will be covered by the Company’s standard Director’s and Officer’s Indemnification Agreement, providing for indemnification consistent with the New York Business Corporation Law and the Company’s by-laws.

 

 

 

5.

 

Termination of Employment .

Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company or by Executive at any time for any reason. Upon termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits described in Section 7. Executive’s employment will terminate under the following conditions:

(a)

 

Death. Executive’s employment shall terminate upon Executive’s death.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Total Disability. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment upon his becoming Totally Disabled. For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be “ Totally Disabled ” if Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated so as to render Executive incapable of performing his usual and customary duties under this Agreement without reasonable accommodation. Executive’s receipt of disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, if any, or receipt of Social Security disability benefits shall be deemed conclusive evidence of Total Disability for purpose of this Agreement; provided, however, that in the absence of Executive’s receipt of such long-term disability benefits or Social Security benefits, the Company may, in its reasonable discretion (but based upon appropriate medical evidence), determine that Executive is Totally Disabled.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Termination by the Company for Cause.

 

(i)

 

The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause at any time after providing written notice to Executive.

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Cause ” shall mean any of the following: (A) conviction of a crime or a nolo contendere plea involving the alleged commission by Executive of a felony or of a criminal act involving, in the good faith judgment and sole discretion of the Board, fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude; (B) deliberate and continual refusal to perform employment duties reasonably requested by the Board after fifteen (15) days’ written notice by certified mail of such failure to perform, specifying that the failure constitutes

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cause (other than as a result of vacation, sickness, illness or injury); (C) fraud or embezzlement as determined by the Board; (D) gross misconduct or gross negligence in connection with the business of the Company or an affiliate which has a substantial adverse effect on the Company or the affiliate; or (E) breach of the terms of the confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions of Section 9.

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

 

Regardless of whether Executive’s employment initially was considered to be terminated for any reason other than Cause, Executive’s employment will be considered to have been terminated for Cause for purposes of this Agreement if the Board subsequently determines that Executive engaged in an act constituting Cause during the Employment Period or Executive breached the terms of the terms of the confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions of Section 9 after his termination.

(d)

 

Termination by the Company Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time under this Agreement without Cause after providing written notice to Executive.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate his employment under this Agreement after providing thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Company.

 

 

 

(f)

 

Expiration of Initial Term or Renewal Period. In the event that either party gives written notice of non-renewal of the Initial Term or a Renewal Period, as applicable, pursuant to Section 2, Executive’s employment shall terminate upon the expiration of the Initial Term or Renewal Period.

 

 

 

6.

 

Return of Property and Information.

Executive agrees that when his employment with the Company ends, he will immediately return to the Company all property, data, information and knowledge which are in his possession or under his control, including without limitation all documents, forms, correspondence, financial records and forecasts, operation manuals, notebooks, reports, proposals, computer programs, software, software documentation, employee handbooks, supervisor’s manuals, lists of clients and referral sources, client data, and all copies thereof, relating in any way to the business of the Company, whether relating to the Company directly or to a client of the Company, made or obtained by Executive during his employment with the Company, whether or not such data, information, or knowledge constitute confidential or trade secret information.

7.

 

Compensation Following Termination of Employment .

 

 

 

(a)

 

Termination for Any Reason. Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason under this Agreement, Executive (or his designated beneficiary or estate, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following compensation:

 

(i)

 

Earned but Unpaid Compensation. The Company shall pay Executive any accrued but unpaid Base Salary for services rendered through the date of termination, any appropriately documented and accrued but unpaid expenses

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required to be reimbursed under this Agreement, and any unused vacation accrued to the date of termination.

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

 

Other Compensation and Benefits. Except as may be provided under this Agreement, any benefits to which Executive may be entitled through the date of Executive’s termination pursuant to the plans, policies and arrangements referred to in Section 4(d) shall be determined and paid in accordance with the terms of such plans, policies and arrangements, and except as otherwise provided by this Agreement, Executive shall have no right to receive any other compensation, or to participate in any other plan, arrangement or benefit, with respect to future periods after such termination or resignation.

(b)

 

Termination by the Company Without Cause not in Connection With a Change in Control. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause before a Change in Control (as defined by Section 7(c)(iii)) or more than twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control, if Executive executes the Release and Waiver required by Section 8 and such Release and Waiver is not revoked on or before the expiration of the revocation period thereof, and Executive has complied with the return of property and information provision set forth in Section 6, then in addition to the payments to be made pursuant to Section 7(a), the Company shall also:

 

 

(i)

 

Severance Pay. Pay to Executive severance pay in an amount equal to 100% of his Base Salary in effect as of the date of his termination of employment. Payment of such Severance Pay shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s termination (or if required by Section 409A, on the six (6) month anniversary of his termination), but no later than ninety (90) days thereafter, and not before the expiration of the revocation period for the Release and Waiver.

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

 

Annual Bonus. Pay to Executive the target amount of the Annual Bonus under the Applicable Plan for the year in which the termination of Executive’s employment occurs. Payment of such Annual Bonus shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s termination (or if required by Section 409A, on the six (6) month anniversary of his termination), but no later than ninety (90) days thereafter, and not before the expiration of the revocation period for the Release and Waiver.

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

 

Benefits Continuation. Continue to provide Executive and his family for the one-year period following Executive’s termination with the health and welfare benefits, including, but not limited to, benefits under any medical and dental benefits plan, life insurance plan, short-term and long-term disability plans, or other executive benefit or fringe benefit plan, which Executive and his family were receiving as of the date of Executive’s termination. The Company shall provide such benefits at the same cost to Executive as the cost, if any, charged to Executive for those benefits at the time of his termination. To the extent that the provision of such benefits at the Company’s expense during the six (6) month period following Executive’s termination would violate the requirements of Section 409A, then Executive shall be required to pay to the Company the

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Company portion of the cost of such benefits during such six (6) month period, and the Company shall reimburse Executive for the amounts so paid by Executive on the six (6) month anniversary of his termination, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter, but no later than ninety (90) days thereafter.

(c)

 

Termination by the Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason in Connection With a Change in Control.

 

 

(i)

 

In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, within the twenty-four (24) month period following a Change in Control, if Executive executes the Release and Waiver required by Section 8 and such Release and Waiver is not revoked on or before the expiration of the revocation period thereof, and Executive has complied with the return of property and information provision set forth in Section 6, then in addition to the payments to be made pursuant to Section 7(a), but subject to Section 7(c)(iv), the Company shall also:

 

(A)

 

Severance Pay. Pay to Executive severance pay in an amount equal to 150% of his Base Salary at its highest level in effect from the date of the Change in Control through his termination of employment. Payment of such Severance Pay shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s termination (or if required by Section 409A, on the six (6) month anniversary of his termination), but no later than ninety (90) days thereafter, and not before the expiration of the revocation period for the Release and Waiver.

 

 

 

 

 

(B)

 

Annual Bonus. Pay to Executive 150% of the target amount of the Annual Bonus under the Applicable Plan for the year in which the termination of Executive’s employment occurs. Payment of such Annual Bonus shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s termination (or if required by Section 409A, on the six (6) month anniversary of his termination), but no later than ninety (90) days thereafter, and not before the expiration of the revocation period for the Release and Waiver.

 

 

 

 

 

(C)

 

Equity Vesting Acceleration. Accelerate the vesting of and the lapsing of restrictions on any unvested or restricted equity compensation (e.g., stock options, restricted stock, etc.).

 

 

 

 

 

(D)

 

Benefits Continuation. Continue to provide Executive and his family for the one-year period following Executive’s termination with the health and welfare benefits, including, but not limited to, benefits under any medical and dental benefits plan, life insurance plan, short-term and long-term disability plans, or other executive benefit or fringe benefit plan, which Executive and his family were receiving as of the date of Executive’s termination. The Company shall provide such benefits at the same cost to Executive as the cost, if any, charged to Executive for those benefits at the time of his termination. To the extent that the provision of such benefits at

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the Company’s expense during the six (6) month period following Executive’s termination would violate the requirements of Section 409A, then Executive shall be required to pay to the Company the Company portion of the cost of such benefits during such six (6) month period, and the Company shall reimburse Executive for the amounts so paid by Executive on the six (6) month anniversary of his termination, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter, but no later than ninety (90) days thereafter.

 

(ii)

 

“Good Reason.” For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Good Reason ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following in connection with a Change in Control, without Executive’s express written consent: (A) the assignment of duties to Executive materially inconsistent with Executive’s current authorities, duties, responsibilities and status; (B) any reduction in Executive’s title, position, or reporting lines; (C) the relocation of Executive to an office or location more than seventy-five (75) miles from the office or location of Executive’s work as of the date of the Change in Control; (D) requiring Executive to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than required as of the date of the Change in Control; or (E) the reduction in Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of the Change in Control.

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

 

“Change in Control.” For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Change in Control ” shall mean the happening of any of the following:

 

 

(A)

 

Any individual, entity or gr


 
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