CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTEmployment Agreement |
|
|
You are currently viewing: This Employment Agreement involves
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORP. RealDealDocs™ contains millions of easily searchable legal documents and clauses from top law firms. Search for free - click here. |
|
|
|
Search Employment Agreement by:
Exhibit 10.2
CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Jeffrey N. Wagner (the “Executive”), dated as of the 1st day of February, 2005.
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 (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 during the Change of Control Period 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 first anniversary of the date hereof.
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
1
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 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 by the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of
another entity (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 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
2
(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 to the Executive 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 25 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
3
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 target bonus under the Company’s annual incentive plans
for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (or; if no target bonus
has been set for such fiscal year, the Executive’s target bonus for the
immediately preceding fiscal year (the “Target 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, salary continuance, 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
4
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
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 entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
6
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
