AGREEMENT by and between MDU Resources Group,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Steven L. Bietz
(the "Executive"), dated as of the 16 th day of
February, 2006.
The Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it is
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the
Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of
a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board
believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of
the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks
created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to
encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the
Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending
Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation
and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure
that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive
will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives,
the Board has caused the Company to enter into this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS
FOLLOWS:
1.
Certain Definitions
. (a) The "Effective Date" shall
mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined
in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in
Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment
(i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii)
otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of
Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective
Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the
period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third
anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing
on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual
anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such
Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the
Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of
Control Period shall not be so extended.
2.
Change of Control
. For the purpose of this
Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or
group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"))
(a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either
(i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
"Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that
for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions
shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2;
or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof,
constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however,
that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date
hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered
as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in
each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior
to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction
owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case
may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from
such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation except to the extent that such
ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at
least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members
of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such
Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3.
Employment Period
. The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby
agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date
(the "Employment Period").
4.
Terms of Employment
. (a) Position and
Duties . (i) During the Employment Period, (A) the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities
shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the
most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location
where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the
Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from
such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any
periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is
entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and
time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of
the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the
responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and
efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it
shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A)
serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B)
deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at
educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so
long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of
the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities
have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date,
the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of
activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the
Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company.
(b)
Compensation
. (i) Base Salary . During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base
salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly
rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base
salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period
immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.
During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be
reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase
awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter
at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after
any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in
this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased.
As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall
include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
(ii)
Annual Bonus
. In addition to Annual Base Salary,
the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during
the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash
at least equal to the Executive's highest bonus under the Company's
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, or any comparable bonus
under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last three full
fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event
that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of
such fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual
Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual
Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the
receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement
Plans . During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate
in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies
and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such
plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with
incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans,
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any
time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv)
Welfare Benefit Plans
. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall
be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits
under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including,
without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability,
employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in
the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices,
policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at
any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(v)
Expenses . During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with
the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the
Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi)
Fringe Benefits
. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club
dues, and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of
related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(vii)
Office and Support
Staff . During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or
offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and
to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least
equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii)
Vacation . During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company
and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective
Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
5.
Termination of
Employment . (a) Death
or Disability . The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment
Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability
of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may
give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section
12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the
Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after
receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the
Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability"
shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business
days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness
which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b)
Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the
Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure
resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after
a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the
Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not
substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal
conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or
failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered
"willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the
Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the
instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of
the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company
shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done,
by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be
deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been
delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by
the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of
the
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