Exhibit 10.01
Intersil
Corporation
1001 Murphy Ranch Road
Milpitas, CA 95035
March 23, 2007
Mr. David Bell
<address redacted>
Employment
Agreement
Dear Dave:
Intersil Corporation (“
Intersil ” or the “Company” ) is
pleased to offer you the position of President and Chief Operating
Officer of Intersil on the terms set forth below effective as of
April 2, 2007 (the “ Effective Date
”).
You will be nominated by the
Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors as a
candidate for Board membership and you will be recommended to the
Board for election as a member of the Board of Directors. Also, you
will be designated an executive officer subject to the reporting
and swing trading provisions of Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
1. Position; Term
.
(a) You will be employed by Intersil
as its President and Chief Operating Officer until April 2,
2009, unless sooner terminated in accordance with Section 6
hereof (the “ Initial Term ”). The Initial Term
will be automatically extended for successive one year periods
beginning April 2, 2009 unless either party gives six
(6) months prior written notice of non-renewal to the other
party, or unless your employment is otherwise terminated (the
Initial Term and any such extensions being your “ Term of
Employment ”).
(b) During the Term of Employment,
you will report directly to Intersil’s Chief Executive
Officer (“ CEO “) and will have responsibility
for the management of the Company's product groups, corporate
marketing, worldwide sales, operations and technology, and such
other areas as the CEO may, from time to time, consider
appropriate. You will be expected to devote your full working time
and attention to the business of Intersil and its subsidiaries, and
you will not render services to any other business without the
prior written approval of the CEO or, directly or indirectly,
engage or participate in any business that is competitive in any
manner with the business of Intersil or its subsidiaries. You will
also be expected to comply with and be bound by Intersil’s
operating policies, procedures and practices that are from time to
time in effect during your Term of Employment. Your principal
location of employment will be at Intersil’s offices in
Milpitas, California.
2. Base Salary . During the
Term of Employment, your initial base salary will be $450,000 per
year, payable in accordance with Intersil’s normal payroll
practices with such payroll deductions and withholdings as are
required by law. During your Term of Employment, your base salary
will be reviewed on an annual basis beginning in April 2008 and may
be increased from time to time, in the sole discretion of the
Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors
(the “Compensation Committee”), but in no event shall
your base salary be reduced below the initial salary amount set
forth herein. Your base salary as adjusted shall be referred to
herein as your “ Base Salary .”
3. Bonus . You will be
eligible to receive a target annual bonus of up to $400,000,
payable on a semi-annual basis by and at the sole discretion of the
Compensation Committee (the “ Target Bonus ”)
provided that you are employed from the beginning through the end
of the fiscal period for which the semi-annual payment is payable.
Thus your semi-annual Target Bonus will be $200,000 which is
one-half of your annual Target Bonus. The actual semi-annual bonus
payout will be prorated based on the actual number of days employed
during the semi-annual bonus period, considering the terms and
conditions of the Executive Incentive Plan. Your target annual
bonus will be reviewed on an annual basis beginning in April 2008
and may be adjusted from time to time, at the sole discretion of
the Compensation Committee
4. Equity Compensation
.
(a) Stock Options. Pursuant
to a separate award agreement, and subject to the terms of
Intersil’s 1999 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and
restated May 10, 2006 (the “ Stock Plan ”)
except as specifically provided hereunder, the Compensation
Committee of the Board shall grant you on April 2, 2007 (the
“Grant Date ”) an option to purchase 350,000
shares of the Class A Common Stock of Intersil (“
Common Stock ”) at an exercise price equal to the
closing price of the Common Stock as quoted on the NASDAQ on the
Grant Date and cliff vest 25% at the first anniversary of the Grant
Date and 6.25% quarterly thereafter based upon continued employment
over a four year period. Options expire seven years after the Grant
Date. Provided you are employed by the Company on the relevant
grant date, in calendar year 2008, you will be eligible to be
granted options to purchase additional shares of Intersil
Class A Common Stock that may be issued in an amount
determined by the CEO and Compensation Committee.
(b) Performance Shares .
Pursuant to a separate award, and subject to the terms of the Stock
Plan and the applicable award agreement thereunder, you will be
granted 75,000 performance-based deferred stock units (“
DSUs ”) (the “ Performance Shares
”) on April 2, 2007 (the “ Grant Date
”), with the number of Performance Shares ultimately earned
being subject to upward adjustment (up to 150% of the total number
of Performance Shares initially granted) or downward adjustment
(down to no Performance Shares) in view of Intersil’s
financial performance relative to its peer group (as determined by
the Compensation Committee) over a three-year performance period
ending December 31, 2009. Intersil’s financial
performance relative to its peer group will be determined by the
Compensation Committee based upon Intersil’s revenue growth
and Intersil’s growth in operating income relative to its
peer group. The number of Performance Shares ultimately earned
shall be determined by the Compensation Committee at the end of the
three-year performance period, and the award, if any, shall become
vested at such time. No payment of Performance Shares will be made
to you in the event of a Voluntary Termination or Termination for
Cause before the end of the three-year performance period. Provided
that your employment has not terminated, you will be eligible to
receive another grant of performance-based DSUs in 2008.
5. Other Benefits . You will
be eligible for 4-weeks vacation per year, health insurance,
401(k), employee stock purchase plan, financial planning, executive
physical and other benefits offered to all Intersil senior
executives of similar rank and status.
6. Employment and Termination
. Your Term of Employment may be terminated by you or by Intersil
at any time for any reason as follows:
(a) You may terminate your
employment upon written notice to the CEO at any time in your
discretion without reason ( “Voluntary
Termination” ); provided that you give Intersil 45-days
written notice. The CEO, in the CEO’s sole discretion, may
waive the 45-day notice provision and in such event your Voluntary
Termination will be effective on an earlier date determined by the
CEO.
Page 2 of 23
(b) During the Term of Employment,
you may terminate your employment upon written notice to the CEO
and the Board at any time in your discretion because of the
occurrence of (i) any material and substantial diminution of
your duties and authorities, (ii) a demotion from the office
of President and/or Chief Operating Officer, or (iii) any
failure by Intersil to comply with the terms of this Employment
Agreement, which failure is not cured within 30 days from the date
you send written notice to Intersil of such non-compliance (“
Involuntary Termination ”).
(c) Intersil may terminate your
employment upon written notice to you at any time following a
finding by the Board of Directors that there is “Cause”
for such termination ( “Termination for Cause”
). “ Cause ” means (i) your conviction of a
felony which constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude and
results in material harm to Intersil or any of its affiliates;
(ii) a judicial determination that you have committed fraud,
misappropriation or embezzlement against Intersil or any affiliate
thereof; or (iii) your willful or gross and repeated
misconduct in the performance of your duties in each instance so as
to cause material harm to Intersil or any of its
affiliates.
(d) Intersil may terminate your
employment upon written notice to you at any time in
Intersil’s sole discretion without a determination that there
is Cause for such termination ( “Termination without
Cause” ); and
(e) Your employment will
automatically terminate upon your death or upon your disability as
determined by the Company ( “Termination for Death or
Disability” ); provided that “disability”
shall mean your complete inability to perform your job
responsibilities for a period of 180 consecutive days or 180 days
in the aggregate in any 12 month period.
(f) In the event you and Intersil
agree to a change in your position at Intersil during your Term of
Employment, this Agreement will be terminated and you and Intersil
will negotiate a new employment agreement relating to your new
position.
In no event shall the expiration of
the Term of Employment (giving effect to any extensions thereof),
by virtue of your having given notice of non-renewal to the Company
pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof, constitute Termination
without Cause, an Involuntary Termination or Termination for Death
or Disability. In the event an expiration of the Term of Employment
(giving effect to any extensions thereof) occurs by virtue of
Intersil’s having given notice of non-renewal to you pursuant
to Section 1(a) hereof, such expiration of the Term of
Employment shall constitute a Termination without Cause.
7. Separation Benefits . Upon
termination of your employment with Intersil for any reason during
the Term of Employment, you will receive payment for all unpaid
salary and vacation accrued to the date of your termination of
employment; and your benefits will be continued under
Intersil’s then existing benefit plans and policies for so
long as provided under the terms of such plans and policies and as
required by applicable law. Subject to your compliance with
Sections 10 and 11, under certain circumstances, you will also be
entitled to receive severance benefits as set forth below, but you
will not be entitled to any other compensation, award or damages
with respect to your employment or termination (except to the
extent you are entitled to benefits under your Executive Change in
Control Severance Benefits Agreement with Intersil (the “
Severance Benefits Agreement ”), in lieu of any
benefits provided below, in the event of a Covered Termination (as
defined in the Severance Benefits Agreement)).
(a) In the event of your Voluntary
Termination or Termination for Cause, or in the event you and
Intersil agree to change your position at Intersil, during the Term
of Employment, you will not be entitled to any cash severance
benefits, additional vesting of shares of restricted stock, DSUs,
options or other equity compensation or post-termination death or
medical benefits as described in this Section 7.
(b) Subject to your compliance with
Sections 10 and 11, in the event of your Involuntary Termination or
Termination without Cause during the Term of Employment, you will
be: (i) entitled to continuance of your Base Salary for a
period of one year (less applicable deductions and withholdings)
payable in accordance with
Page 3 of 23
Intersil’s normal payroll practices;
(ii) entitled to the payment of a pro rata portion (based on
the number of days you were employed by Intersil during the
calendar year of termination divided by 365) of your Target Bonus
(without regard to satisfaction of any target performance
objectives) payable at the same time such bonus is payable to other
senior executives of Intersil; (iii) your unvested employee
stock options and DSUs (other than Performance Shares) will become
vested to the extent they would have become vested had your
employment continued for a period of twelve (12) months
immediately following the date of your Involuntary Termination or
Termination without Cause (iv) a pro rata portion (based on
the number of days you were employed by Intersil since the grant
date of the Performance Shares divided by 1095) of your unvested
Performance Shares shall become vested and the number of
Performance Shares payable to you will be determined by the
Compensation Committee based on Intersil’s financial
performance relative to its peer group as of the date of your
Involuntary Termination or Termination without Cause; and
(v) you will have twelve (12) months (or the remaining
term of the applicable option grant if shorter than 12 months) from
the date of your Involuntary Termination or Termination without
Cause to exercise any outstanding vested and exercisable
options.
(c) In addition to the benefits set
forth in subsection (b) above, in the event of your
Involuntary Termination or Termination without Cause (as defined in
this subsection (c) below) on or before the date twelve
(12) months following the Effective Date, you will be eligible
to continue, at Intersil’s expense, your medical benefits
providing for coverage or payment in the event of your (or your
covered dependents’) illness or injury that were provided to
you, whether taxable or non-taxable and whether funded through
insurance or otherwise under any benefits plan or program
maintained by Intersil on the same terms and conditions as in
effect immediately prior to your termination for a period of one
(1) year following your termination. You will be eligible to
continue, at Intersil’s expense, your life insurance benefits
providing for coverage or payment in the event of your (or your
covered dependents’) death that were provided to you, whether
taxable or non-taxable and whether funded through insurance or
otherwise under any benefits plan or program maintained by Intersil
on the same terms and conditions as in effect immediately prior to
your termination until the earlier of (i) the date on which
your Employment Term ends and (ii) the one year anniversary of
your termination date. With respect to any of such benefits for
which you will be eligible to continue that are provided through an
insurance policy, Intersil’s obligation to provide such
benefits following your termination shall be limited by the terms
of such policy.
Solely for purposes of this
Section 7(c), “Termination without Cause” shall
mean Intersil’s termination of your employment for any reason
other than a finding by the Board of Directors that you were guilty
of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement which resulted in
material loss, damage or injury to Intersil as determined by the
CEO and legal counsel that you were guilty of such conduct and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail. In the event that the
Board of Directors so determines that your termination is not a
Termination without Cause under this Section 7(c), then you
will be treated as being terminated for Cause and subject to
Section 7(a).
(d) In the event of your Termination
for Death or Disability during your Term of Employment, you will
be: (i) entitled to a single lump sum severance payment equal
to 12 months of your Base Salary then in effect (less applicable
deductions and withholdings) payable within 30 days after the
effective date of your termination; (ii) entitled to a single
lump sum payment equal to a pro-rata portion (based on the number
of days you were employed by Intersil during the calendar year of
termination divided by 365) of your Target Bonus for the year of
termination, without regard to satisfaction of any target
performance objectives, payable within 30 days following your
termination; (iii) your unvested employee stock options will
become vested to the extent they would have become vested had your
employment continued for a period of six (6) months
immediately following the date of your Termination for Death or
Disability; and (iv) your unvested Performance Shares will
become vested pro rata (based on the number of days you were
employed by Intersil during the relevant three-year performance
period divided by 1095) to the extent applicable performance levels
have been achieved as of the date of your Termination for Death or
Disability.
(e) If any payments due under this
Section 7 or otherwise would subject you to any penalty tax
imposed under Section 409A of the Code if such payments were
made as required above, then the payments that cause the imposition
of such penalty tax shall be payable in one lump sum on the first
day which is at least six months after the date of your separation
of service as set forth in Section 409A of the Code and the
regulations and other official guidance thereunder.
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(f) No payments due you hereunder
shall be subject to mitigation or offset.
8. Employee Agreement and Release
Prior to Receipt of Benefits . Upon the occurrence of a
termination under Section 7(b) or 7(c) of this Agreement
(“ Covered Termination ”), and prior to the
receipt of any benefits under this Agreement on account of the
occurrence of a Covered Termination, you will, as of the date of a
Covered Termination, execute an Employee Agreement and Release in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Such employee
agreement and release shall specifically relate to all of your
rights and claims in existence at the time of such execution and
shall confirm your obligations under any proprietary information
agreement with Intersil or Intersil affiliates. It is understood
that such employee release and agreement shall comply with
applicable law. In the event you do not execute such release and
agreement within the period required by applicable law, or if you
revoke such employee agreement and release within the period
permitted by applicable law, no benefits shall be payable under
this Agreement.
9. Indemnification Agreement
. Upon your commencement of employment with Intersil, Intersil will
enter into its standard form of indemnification agreement for
officers and directors, a copy of which is attached to this letter
as Exhibit B, to indemnify you against certain liabilities you may
incur as an officer or director of Intersil.
10. Proprietary Information
Agreements . Upon your commencement of employment with
Intersil, you will be required to sign its standard form of
Employee Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this letter as
Exhibit C, to protect Intersil’s confidential information and
intellectual property.
11.
Non-compete/Non-solicitation .
(a) During your Term of Employment
and for one (1) year thereafter and as a condition of
Intersil’s obligation to pay you any amounts or benefits
under Section 7, you will not engage in any activity which is
directly competitive with the business of Intersil or its
subsidiaries. During your Term of Employment and for two
(2) years thereafter, you will not, on behalf of yourself or
any third party, solicit or attempt to induce any employee of
Intersil or its subsidiaries to terminate his or her employment
with Intersil or its subsidiaries. The non-compete covenant above
shall apply in the geographic areas of: (i) the counties of
Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Diego, Orange and San Francisco
counties of California; (ii) California; (iii) the United
States of America; and (iv) the world.
(b) If the provisions of this
Section 11 should ever be adjudicated to exceed any maximum
time, geographic, service or other limitations permitted by
applicable law in any jurisdiction, then such provisions shall be
deemed reformed in such jurisdiction to the maximum limitations
permitted by applicable law. You acknowledge that the provisions of
this Section 11 are, in view of the nature of the business of
Intersil and its subsidiaries, reasonable and necessary to protect
the legitimate interests of Intersil and its subsidiaries and that
any violation of this Section 11 may result in irreparable
injury to Intersil or its subsidiaries entitling Intersil to
temporary or permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of
proving actual damages, which rights shall be cumulative with and
in addition to any other rights or remedies to which Intersil may
be entitled hereunder or at law or in equity.
12. Arbitration . The parties
agree that any dispute regarding the interpretation or enforcement
of this Employment Agreement shall be decided by confidential,
final and binding arbitration conducted by Judicial Arbitration and
Mediation Services (“ JAMS ”) under the then
existing JAMS rules rather than by litigation in court, trial by
jury, administrative proceeding or in any other forum.
13. Miscellaneous
.
(a) Authority to Enter into
Agreement . Intersil represents that it is has duly authorized
the execution and delivery of this Employment Agreement on behalf
of Intersil.
Page 5 of 23
(b) Absence of Conflicts;
Termination of Prior Agreement . You represent that upon the
Effective Date, your performance of your duties under this
Employment Agreement will not breach any other agreement as to
which you are a party. You confirm that any employment agreement
that you may have entered into with Linear Technology Corporation
have terminated and are of no further force or effect without any
liabilities of the parties thereto or Intersil or its affiliates.
You agree that upon the Effective Date, the Prior Agreement shall
terminate and be of no further force or effect.
(c) Attorneys’ Fees .
If a legal action or other proceeding is brought for enforcement of
this Employment Agreement because of an alleged dispute, breach,
default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the
provisions of this Employment Agreement, the successful or
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred, both before and after
judgment, in addition to any other relief to which they may be
entitled.
(d) Taxes . Intersil may
withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
federal, state or local income taxes to the extent the same
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation. You acknowledge that you are responsible for the
payment of any income taxes due to payments hereunder or otherwise
from Intersil.
(e) Successors . This
Employment Agreement is binding on and may be enforced by Intersil
and its successors and assigns and is binding on and may be
enforced by you and your heirs and legal representatives. Any
successor to Intersil or substantially all of its business (whether
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) will in advance
assume in writing and be bound by all of Intersil’s
obligations under this Employment Agreement.
(f) Notices . Notices under
this Employment Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to
have been given when personally delivered or two days after mailed
by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and
postage prepaid. Mailed notices to you will be addressed to you at
the home address which you have most recently communicated to
Intersil in writing. Notices to Intersil will be addressed to its
General Counsel at Intersil’s corporate
headquarters.
(g) Waiver . No provision of
this Employment Agreement will be modified or waived except in
writing signed by you and an officer of Intersil duly authorized by
the Board. No waiver by either party of any breach of this
Employment Agreement by the other party will be considered a waiver
of any other breach of this Employment Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement . This
Employment Agreement and your Executive Change of Control Severance
Benefits Agreement, represent the entire agreement between us
concerning the subject matter of your employment by Intersil, and
expressly supersede all other promises or understandings, oral or
written, including without limitation the Prior
Agreement.
(i) Governing Law . This
Employment Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
California without reference to conflict of laws
provisions.
(j) Severability . If any
portion of this Employment Agreement shall be determined to be
unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Employment
Agreement shall remain in force.
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Dave, we very much look forward to
you joining Intersil as President and Chief Operating Officer
performing the duties described in this Agreement. Please indicate
your acceptance of the terms of this Employment Agreement by
signing in the place indicated below.
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Sincerely,
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INTERSIL
CORPORATION
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Richard M.
Beyer
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Chief Executive
Officer
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Acknowledged and Agreed:
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David Bell
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Exhibit A
Intersil
Corporation
Employee Agreement and
Release
I understand and agree completely to
the terms set forth in the foregoing agreement.
I hereby confirm my obligations
under all agreements regarding proprietary information and
inventions which I executed in favor of Intersil Corporation shall
inure to the benefit of the Company and be fully enforceable by,
and apply in all respects with respect to, the Company.
I acknowledge that I have read and
understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which
reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to
claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his
favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him
must have materially affected this settlement with the
debtor.” I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights
and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of
similar effect with respect to my release of any claims I may have
against the Company.
Except as otherwise set forth in
this Agreement, I hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the
Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and their officers,
directors, agents, servants, employees, shareholders, successors,
assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims,
liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys
fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and
nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected
and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed (other than any claim
for indemnification I may have as a result of any third party
action against me based on my employment with the Company), arising
out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct
at any time prior to and including the Effective Date of this
Agreement, including but not limited to: all such claims and
demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way
connected with my employment with the Company or the termination of
that employment, including but not limited to, claims of
intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, any and
all tort claims for personal injury, claims or demands related to
salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other
ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits,
expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of
compensation; claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or
cause of action including, but not limited to, the federal Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the federal Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ADEA”); the
federal American with Disabilities Act of 1990; the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, as amended; tort law; contract law;
wrongful discharge; discrimination; fraud; defamation; emotional
distress; and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed in any way to release the Company from its obligation to
indemnify you pursuant to the Company’s Indemnification
Agreement and to provide you with continued coverage under the
Company’s directors and officers liability insurance policy
to the same extent that it has provided such coverage to previously
departed officers and directors of the Company.
I acknowledge that I am knowingly
and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights I may have under
ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given for the
waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition
to anything of value which I was already entitled. I further
acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required
by the ADEA, that: (a) my waiver and release do not apply to
any rights or claims that may arise after the Effective Date of
this Agreement; (b) I have the right to consult with an
attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) I have
twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement (although I
may choose to voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier);
(d) I have seven (7) days following the execution of this
Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; and (e) this
Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the
revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after
this Agreement is executed by me, provided that the Company has
also executed this Agreement by that date.
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DAVID
BELL
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INTERSIL
CORPORATION
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By:
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Dated:
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Title:
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Dated:
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Page 8 of 23
Exhibit B
Intersil
Corporation
INDEMNITY
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of
, 2007, by and between Intersil Corporation., a Delaware
corporation ("Company"), and David Bell ("Indemnitee"), an officer
or director of the Company.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, highly competent persons
have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as
directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided
with adequate protection through insurance or adequate
indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions
against them arising out of their service to and activities on
behalf of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Board") has determined that, in order to attract
and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to
maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability
insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its
subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of
such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among
United States-based corporations and other business enterprises,
the Company believes that, given current market conditions and
trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at
higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time,
directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations
or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to
expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other
things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only
against the Company or business enterprise itself. The By-laws of
the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors
of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification
pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). The
By-laws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification
provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby
contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company
and members of the board of directors and officers with respect to
indemnification of directors and officers.
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating
to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the
difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined
that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such
persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company's
stockholders and that the