STEPHEN K.
GRIESSEL
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this “ Agreement ”), dated May 14, 2009, is
entered into between American Rental Management Company, a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”) American Community
Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the
“ Parent ”), and Stephen K. Griessel (the
“ Executive ”). Certain capitalized
terms used herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
them in Section 6 and Section 11 hereof. This Agreement
amends and restates that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of
October 1, 2008, by and between the Parent and Executive (the
“ Old Agreement ”).
WHEREAS, the Parent and Executive previously
entered into the Old Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Company is a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Parent; and
WHEREAS, the Parent is a holding company that
does not itself have employees, and, when the Parent and Executive
entered into the Old Agreement, the Parent and Executive intended
that the Company also be a party to the Old Agreement, and serve as
the employer of Executive thereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Parent, Executive and the Company
now wish to amend and restate the Old Agreement to reflect the
actual intent of the parties regarding the Company’s capacity
as employer of Executive.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1.
Term . The Company hereby employs Executive, and
Executive hereby accepts such employment for an initial term
commencing on the date hereof and ending on October 1, 2011, unless
sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 or
Section 5 hereof (the period during which the Executive is employed
hereunder being hereinafter referred to as the “ Term
”). If either the Company or Executive does not
wish to renew this Agreement when it expires at the end of the
initial or any renewal Term hereof as hereinafter provided, or if
either the Company or Executive wishes to renew this Agreement on
different terms than those contained herein, it or he shall give
written notice in accordance with Section 9.4 below of such intent
to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the
then-current expiration date. In the absence of such
notice, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically on the same
terms and conditions contained herein for a term of one (1) year
following such expiration date. The parties expressly agree that
the designation of a Term and the renewal provisions in this
Agreement do not in any way limit the right of the parties to
terminate this Agreement at any time as hereinafter
provided.
2.
Duties . Executive shall faithfully perform for
the Company the duties of Chief Executive Officer and shall perform
such other duties consistent with his position of an executive,
managerial or administrative nature as shall be specified and
designated from time to time by the Parent’s Board of
Trustees (the “ Board ”) (including the
performance of services for, and serving on the Board of Directors
of, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Parent or the Company
without any additional compensation). In addition, for
so long as Executive remains Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, the Board shall appoint him to serve as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Parent and shall nominate him as a member
of the Board and shall use its best efforts to cause his election
as a member of the Board. Executive shall devote
substantially all of the Executive’s business time and effort
to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder,
provided that in no event shall this sentence prohibit Executive
from performing such personal, investment and charitable activities
as do not materially and adversely interfere with the
Executive’s performance of his duties for the Company and the
Parent. The Board may delegate its authority to take any
action under this Agreement to the Compensation Committee of the
Board (the “ Compensation Committee
”).
3.1
Salary . The Company shall pay the Executive
during the Term an Annual Salary at the rate of five hundred fifty
thousand dollars ($550,000) per annum (the “ Annual
Salary ”), payable semi-monthly and subject to regular
deductions and withholdings as required by law. The
Annual Salary may be increased by an amount as may be approved by
the Compensation Committee. Upon any increase, the
increased amount shall thereafter be deemed to be the Annual Salary
for purposes of this Agreement.
3.2
Annual Cash Incentive . Executive shall be
provided by the Company with an opportunity to earn an Annual Cash
Incentive, subject to regular deductions and withholdings as
required by law, based upon the achievement of individual and
objective annual performance criteria established by the
Compensation Committee, subject to approval by the
Board. The threshold amount of such Annual Cash
Incentive shall be twenty percent (20%) of the Executive’s
Annual Salary; the base amount of such Annual Cash Incentive shall
be forty percent (40%) of the Executive’s Annual Salary; and
the maximum amount of such Annual Cash Incentive shall be sixty
percent (60%) of the Executive’s Annual
Salary. The Annual Cash Incentive will be paid within
two and one-half (2½) months after the end of the calendar
year to which the Annual Cash Incentive relates.
3.3
Relocation Bonus . To the extent not already paid
under the Old Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive two
hundred forty four thousand dollars ($244,000), payable in monthly
installments through October 2009 and subject to regular deductions
and withholdings as required by law, with such monthly installments
to commence within thirty days of his execution of this
Agreement. If the Executive’s house located at 6
Montilla Place, Palm Coast, FL 32137 (the “ Property
”) has not been sold by October 1, 2009, the Company shall
pay the Executive fifteen thousand four hundred sixteen dollars and
sixty six cents ($15,416.66) each month thereafter, for a period
not to exceed twelve (12) months, if during such month the
Executive has not sold the Property, subject to regular
deductions and withholdings as required by law. The
Executive shall not be eligible for any Annual Cash Incentive for a
period as to which he receives a Relocation Bonus.
3.4
Benefits – In General . Executive shall be
permitted during the Term to participate in any group life,
hospitalization or disability insurance plans, health programs,
pension and profit sharing plans and similar benefits that may be
available to other senior executives of the Company and the Parent
generally, on the same terms as may be applicable to such other
executives, in each case to the extent that Executive is eligible
under the terms of such plans or programs. In addition
thereto, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all premiums
paid by him pursuant to life and disability insurance policies
maintained by Executive immediately prior to the effective date
hereof, maintained in substantially the same form as of the
effective date hereof, for so long as Executive maintains such
policies (the “Executive Specific Benefits”
).
3.5
Vacation . During the Term, Executive shall be
entitled to vacation of twenty five (25) working days per
year. Unused vacation will carry over from year-to-year
in accordance with the terms of any Company policy.
3.6
Membership Dues . The Company shall pay or
reimburse Executive for his dues to the Young Presidents
Organization.
3.7
Vehicle Allowance . The Company shall pay or
reimburse the Executive for an aggregate amount of one thousand
dollars ($1,000) per month for all reasonable expenses incurred in
the operation and maintenance of an automobile.
3.8
Legal Fees . To the extent not already paid under
the Old Agreement, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive
for an aggregate amount of up to fourteen thousand dollars
($14,000) for all attorney’s fees incurred by the Executive
in connection with the negotiation and execution of this
Agreement.
3.9
Expenses . The Company shall pay or reimburse the
Executive for all ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket business
expenses, determined in accordance with the policies applicable to
senior executives of the Company and the Parent generally, actually
incurred (and, in the case of reimbursement, paid) by the Executive
during the Term in the performance of the Executive’s
services under this Agreement, provided that the Executive submits
such expenses in accordance with the policies applicable to senior
executives of the Company and the Parent generally.
3.10
Equity Awards . To the extent not already granted
under the Old Agreement, the Parent to grant Executive an award of
three hundred sixty three thousand seven hundred forty three
(363,743) restricted common shares of beneficial
interest. Such shares shall be awarded pursuant to, and
shall vest in accordance with, an award agreement granted under the
Parent’s equity incentive plan and approved by the
Compensation Committee, subject to approval by the Board, with such
award remaining subject to approval by the Company’s
shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting; provided,
however, that fifty percent (50%) of any such award will be subject
to time vesting, vesting twenty percent (20%) on each anniversary
of the date of grant, and fifty percent (50%) of any such award
shall be subject to performance vesting over a period not to exceed
five years.
4.
Termination Due to Death or Disability .
4.1
Death . In the event of Executive’s death
which results in the termination of Executive’s employment,
the Term will terminate, all obligations of the Company, the Parent
and Executive under Sections 1 through 3 hereof will immediately
cease except for obligations which expressly continue after death,
and the Company will pay Executive’s beneficiary or estate,
and Executive’s beneficiary or estate will be entitled to
receive, the following:
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Executive’s Compensation Accrued at
Termination;
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All equity
awards that provide for the vesting of such awards solely on the
basis of time that are held by Executive at termination shall
become vested and all other terms of such awards shall be governed
by the plans and programs and the agreements and other documents
pursuant to which such awards were granted; and
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All other
rights under any other compensatory or benefit plan shall be
governed by such plan.
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4.2
Disability . The Company may terminate the
employment of Executive hereunder due to the Disability (as defined
in Section 6.4 hereof) of Executive. Upon termination of
employment, the Term will terminate, all obligations of the Company
and Executive under Sections 1 through 3 hereof will immediately
cease except for obligations which expressly continue after
termination of employment due to Disability, and the Company will
pay Executive, and Executive will be entitled to receive, the
following:
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Executive’s Compensation Accrued at
Termination;
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All equity
awards that provide for the vesting of such awards solely on the
basis of time that are held by Executive at termination shall
become vested and all other terms of such awards shall be governed
by the plans and programs and the agreements and other documents
pursuant to which such awards were granted;
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Disability
benefits shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s
plans, programs and policies; and
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All other
rights under any other compensatory or benefit plan shall be
governed by such plan.
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4.3
Other Terms of Payment Following Death or Disability
. Nothing in this Section 4 shall limit the benefits
payable or provided in the event Executive’s employment
terminates due to death or Disability under the terms of plans or
programs of the Company more favorable to Executive (or his
beneficiaries) than the benefits payable or provided under this
Section 4, including plans and programs adopted after the date of
this Agreement. Subject to Section 5.6 hereof, amounts
payable under this Section 4 following Executive’s
termination of employment will be paid as promptly as practicable
after such termination of employment, and, in any event, within 2
½ months after the end of the year in which employment
terminates.
5.
Termination of Employment For Reasons Other Than Death or
Disability .
5.1
Termination by the Company for Cause . The
Company may terminate the employment of Executive hereunder for
Cause (as defined in Section 6.1 hereof) at any time. At
the time Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the
Term will terminate, all obligations of the Company and Executive
under Sections 1 through 3 hereof will immediately cease, and the
Company will pay Executive, and Executive will be entitled to
receive, the following:
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Executive’s Compensation Accrued at
Termination; and
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All other
rights under any other compensatory or benefit plan shall be
governed by such plan.
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5.2
Termination by Executive Other Than For Good Reason
. Executive may terminate his employment hereunder
voluntarily for reasons other than Good Reason (as defined in
Section 6.5 hereof) at any time upon at least 30 days written
notice to the Company. An election by Executive not to
extend the Term pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall be deemed to be
a termination of employment by Executive for reasons other than
Good Reason at the date of expiration of the Term. At
the time Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive
other than for Good Reason, the Term will terminate, all
obligations of the Company and Executive under Sections 1 through 3
hereof will immediately cease, and the Company will pay Executive,
and Executive will be entitled to the same compensation and rights
specified in Section 5.1 hereof.
5.3
Termination by the Company Without Cause . The
Company may terminate the employment of Executive hereunder without
Cause upon at least 30 days written notice to
Executive. An election by the Company not to extend the
Term pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall be deemed to be a
termination of employment by the Company without Cause at the
expiration of the then-current Term. At the time
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (i.e., at
the expiration of such notice period), the Term will terminate, all
remaining obligations of the Company, the Parent and Executive
under Sections 1 through 3 hereof will immediately cease (except as
expressly provided below), and the Company will pay Executive, and
Executive will be entitled to receive, the following:
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Executive’s Compensation Accrued at
Termination;
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Continuation of
(a) the Executive’s Annual Salary, determined as of the date
of the Executive’s termination, and (b) reimbursements to the
Executive for the Executive Specific Benefits for a period of
twelve (12) months, commencing as of the date of the
Executive’s termination;
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For a period of
twelve (12) months, commencing as of the date of the
Executive’s termination, the Company will provide for the
Executive’s continued participation in the Company group
life, hospitalization, medical and disability benefit plans in
which the Executive was enrolled immediately prior to his
termination. Continued participation in such plans will
be on the same terms as applicable to other executives of the
Company and will be in accordance with the terms of such
plans. The continuation of benefits provided for herein
will be concurrent with the Executive’s COBRA continuation
rights; and
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All other
rights under any other compensatory or benefit plan shall be
governed by such plan.
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Payments and
benefits under this Section 5.3 are subject to Section 5.6
hereof.
5.4
Termination by Executive for Good Reason
. Executive may terminate his employment hereunder for
Good Reason upon 30 days written notice to the Company which notice
must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the condition
that is the basis for such Good Reason; provided, however, that, if
the basis for such Good Reason is correctible and the Company has
corrected the basis for such Good Reason within 30 days after
receipt of such notice, Executive may not then terminate his
employment for Good Reason with respect to the matters addressed in
the written notice, and therefore Executive’s notice of
termination will automatically become null and void. At
the time Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive
for Good Reason (i.e., at the expiration of such notice period),
the Term will terminate, all obligations of the Company and
Executive under Sections 1 through 3 will immediately cease (except
as expressly provided below), and the Company will pay Executive,
and Executive will be entitled to receive, the
following:
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Executive’s Compensation Accrued at
Termination;
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Continuation of
(a) the Executive’s Annual Salary, determined as of the date
of the Executive’s termination, and (b) reimbursements to the
Executive for the Executive Specific Benefits for a period of
twelve months, commencing as of the date of the Executive’s
termination;
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For a period of
twelve (12) months, commencing as of the date of the
Executive’s termination, the Company will provide for the
Executive’s continued participation in the Company group
life, hospitalization, medical and disability benefit plans in
which the Executive was enrolled immediately prior to his
termination. Continued participation in such plans will
be on the same terms as applicable to other executives of the
Company and will be in accordance with the terms of such
plans. The continuation of benefits provided for herein
will be concurrent with the Executive’s COBRA continuation
rights;
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All equity
awards held by Executive at termination shall become vested and all
other terms of such awards shall be governed by the plans and
programs and the agreements and other documents pursuant to which
such awards were granted; and
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All other
rights under any other compensatory or benefit plan shall be
governed by such plan.
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Payments and
benefits under this Section 5.4 are subject to Section 5.6
hereof.
If any payment
or benefit under this Section 5.4 is based on Annual Salary or
other level of compensation or benefits at the time of
Executive’s termination and if a reduction in such Annual
Salary or other level of compensation or benefit was the basis for
Executive’s termination for Good Reason, then the Annual
Salary or other level of compensation in effect before such
reduction shall be used to calculate payments or benefits under
this Section 5.4.
5.5
Other Terms Relating to Certain Terminations of Employment
. In the event Executive’s employment terminates
for any reason set forth in Section 5.2 through 5.4 hereof,
Executive will be entitled to the benefit of any terms of plans or
agreements applicable to Executive which are more favorable than
those specified in this Section 5 (except without duplication of
payments or benefits, including in the case of the Annual Cash
Incentive in lieu of which amounts are paid
hereunder). Except as otherwise provided under Section
5.6 hereof, amounts payable under this Section 5 following
Executive’s termination of employment will be paid in a
single lump sum as promptly as practicable after the
Executive’s execution of the release provided in accordance
with Section 7.6 hereof and the lapse of the any revocation period
of such release and, in any event, within 2 ½ months after
the end of the year in which employment terminates.
5.6
Limitations Under Code Section 409A . Anything in
this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (i) on the date
of termination of Executive's employment with the Company or a
Subsidiary, any of the Company’s shares of beneficial
interest are publicly traded on an established securities market or
otherwise (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “ Code
”)), (ii) if Executive is determined to be a “specified
employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the
Code, (iii) the payments exceed the amounts permitted to be paid
pursuant to Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and
(iv) such delay is required to avoid the imposition of the tax set
forth in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, as a result of such
termination, the Executive would receive any payment that, absent
the application of this Section 5.6, would be subject to interest
and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code
as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Code, then no such payment shall be payable prior to the date that
is the earliest of (1) six (6) months and one day after the
Executive's termination date, (2) the Executive's death or (3) such
other date as will cause such payment not to be subject to such
interest and additional tax (with a catch-up payment equal to the
sum of all amounts that have been delayed to be made as of the date
of the initial payment). Each continuation payment of
the Executive’s Annual Salary, as described in Sections 5.3
and 5.4, shall constitute a separate, individual payment for
purposes of Code Section 409A.
It is the
intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under
this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed
pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. To the extent such
potential payments or benefits could become subject to such
Section, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with
the goal of giving the Executive the economic benefits described
herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being
imposed.
6.
Definitions Relating to Termination Events .
6.1 “
Cause ”. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” shall mean Executive’s:
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commission of a
felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;
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commission of
any act of theft, fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against
the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates;
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continued
failure to substantially perform Executive’s duties hereunder
(other than such failure resulting from Executive’s
incapacity due to physical or mental illness) or any material
violation of Company policy, which failure is not remedied within
30 calendar days after written demand for substantial performance
is delivered by the Company which specifically identifies the
manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not
substantially performed Executive’s duties or violated
Company policy; or
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a material
breach of this Agreement.
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Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until (i) Executive shall have been
given notice within 90 days of the occurrence of the condition that
is the basis for such Cause and (ii) there shall have been
delivered to Executive a copy of the resolution duly adopted by a
majority vote of the independent members of the Board at a meeting
of the Board (after reasonable notice to Executive and an
opportunity for Executive, together with Executive’s counsel,
to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith
opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct set forth
above in this definition and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.
6.2 “
Company policy ” means any written policy of the
Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to the
Parent.
6.3 “
Compensation Accrued at Termination ”. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Compensation Accrued at
Termination” means the following:
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The unpaid
portion of Annual Salary at the rate payable, in accordance with
Section 3.1 hereof, at the date of Executive’s termination of
employment, pro rated through such date of termination, payable in
accordance with the Company’s regular pay
schedule;
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Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all earned and unpaid and/or
vested, nonforfeitable amounts owing or accrued at the date of
Executive’s termination of employment under any compensation
and benefit plans, programs, and arrangements (including any earned
and vested Annual Cash Incentive and accrued but unused vacation)
in which Executive theretofore participated, payable in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the plans, programs, and
arrangements (and agreements and documents thereunder) pursuant to
which such compensation and benefits were granted or accrued;
and
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Reasonable
business expenses and disbursements incurred by Executive prior to
Executive’s
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