Exhibit 10.1
Execution
Copy
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this
“Agreement”), effective as of the Effective Date, is by
and among The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“NMG”), Newton Acquisition Merger
Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”),
Newton Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Parent”) and Burton M. Tansky (the
“Executive”).
1.
Definitions
. As used in this Agreement,
the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)
“Affiliate” means, with
respect to any entity, any other corporation, organization,
association, partnership, sole proprietorship or other type of
entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such entity.
(b)
“Board” means the Board
of Directors of NMG.
(c)
“Cause” shall have the
meaning set forth in the Change of Control Agreement.
(d)
“Change of Control”
shall have the meaning set forth in the Stockholders’
Plan. For purposes of clarification, the closing of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will not
constitute a “Change of Control” for any purpose under
this Agreement.
(e)
“Change of Control
Agreement” means the Change of Control Termination Protection
Agreement by and between NMG and Executive, dated as of
April 1, 2005.
(f)
“Change of Control
Resignation” means a resignation by the Executive for any
reason (other than Good Reason) during the thirty-day period
following the six-month anniversary of a Change of
Control.
(g)
“Competitor” means
(i) any person or entity (other than NMG or an Affiliate of
NMG) that owns or operates a luxury specialty retail store;
(ii) Saks Incorporated, Nordstrom, Inc., Barneys New
York, Inc., or, if those corporate names are not correct, the
businesses commonly referred to as “Saks,”
“Nordstrom’s,” and “Barneys”; and
(iii) the successors to and assigns of the persons or entities
described in (ii).
(h)
“Confidential
Information” means, without limitation, all documents or
information, in whatever form or medium, concerning or evidencing
sales; costs; pricing; strategies; forecasts and long range plans;
financial and tax information; personnel information; business,
marketing and operational projections, plans and opportunities; and
customer, vendor, and supplier information; but excluding any such
information that is or becomes generally available to the public
other than as a result of any breach of this Agreement or other
unauthorized disclosure by the Executive.
(i)
“Effective Date” means
the Closing Date, as such term is defined in the Merger
Agreement.
(j)
“Employment Termination
Date” means the effective date of termination of the
Executive’s employment as established under Paragraph
6(g).
(k)
“Good Reason” means any
of the following actions if taken without the Executive’s
prior consent: (i) any material failure by NMG to comply with
its obligations under Paragraph 5 (Compensation and Related
Matters); (ii) any material failure by NMG to comply with its
obligations under Paragraph 20 (Assumption by Successor);
(iii) a substantial reduction in the Executive’s
responsibilities or duties except in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement; (iv) any relocation of Executive’s
principal place of business of 50 miles or more, other than normal
travel consistent with past practice, or any requirement that
Executive engage in excessive business-related travel in a manner
inconsistent with past practice in any material respect;
(v) during the Subsequent Term, the assignment by NMG of
duties that are inconsistent with the Executive’s role as
Chairman under Paragraph 4(b); (vi) the reduction in title of
the Executive as Chief Executive Officer or his reporting
relationships, except in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement; or (vii) a material breach of this Agreement by
NMG; provided that (iii) and (vi) shall not apply after
the end of the CEO Term.
(l)
“Inability to Perform”
means and shall be deemed to have occurred if the Executive has
been determined under NMG’s long-term disability plan to be
eligible for long-term disability benefits. In the absence of
the Executive’s participation in such plan, “Inability
to Perform” means that, in the Board’s sole judgment,
the Executive is unable to perform any of the material duties of
his regular position because of an illness or injury for
(i) 80% or more of the normal working days during six
consecutive calendar months or (ii) 50% or more of the normal
working days during twelve consecutive calendar months.
(m)
“Initial Public
Offering” shall be deemed to occur on the effective date of
the first registration statement (other than a registration on
Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor form) filed to register at
least 20% of the total then-outstanding equity interests in Parent
or any other entity substantially all of whose assets directly or
indirectly consist of NMG common stock under the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
(n)
“Management Equity Incentive
Plan” means the NMG Management Equity Incentive Plan to be
adopted by NMG as soon as practicable after the Effective Date in a
form mutually acceptable to the parties.
(o)
“Merger” means the
merger of Newton Acquisition Merger Sub, Inc. with and into
NMG, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
(p)
“Merger Agreement” means
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Parent, MergerSub
Inc., a Delaware corporation, and NMG, dated as of May 1,
2005.
(q)
“Stockholders’
Agreement” means the Management Stockholders’
Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2005, by and among Newton
Acquisition, the Majority Stockholder (as defined therein) and the
Management Stockholders (as defined therein), including the
Executive.
(r)
“Target Bonus” means 85%
of Base Salary, payable if targeted level of performance is
achieved as established under NMG’s annual incentive
programs.
2
(s)
“Work Product” means all
ideas, works of authorship, inventions and other creations, whether
or not patentable, copyrightable, or subject to other
intellectual-property protection, that are made, conceived,
developed or worked on in whole or in part by the Executive while
employed by NMG and/or any of its Affiliates, that relate in any
manner whatsoever to the business, existing or proposed, of NMG
and/or any of its Affiliates, or any other business or research or
development effort in which NMG and/or any of its Affiliates
engages during the Executive’s employment. Work Product
includes any material previously conceived, made, developed or
worked on during the Executive’s employment with NMG prior to
the Effective Date.
2.
Employment; Prior
Agreements . NMG
agrees to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive
agrees to continue to be employed, for the period set forth in
Paragraph 3, in the position and with the duties and
responsibilities set forth in Paragraph 4, and upon the other terms
and conditions set out in this Agreement. The employment
agreement entered into between the Executive and NMG, dated
August 3, 2003, is hereby terminated and replaced in its
entirety by this Agreement without further right or obligation
thereunder on the part of either party thereto (other than to pay
or provide the Executive any unpaid compensation thereunder).
The Change of Control Agreement is expressly assumed hereby as
contemplated in Paragraph 10 and the “Good Reason”
definition in Schedule A thereof, and shall remain in effect
until the second anniversary of the Effective Date, provided,
however, that Executive and NMG hereby agree that the Change of
Control Agreement is hereby amended to (a) delete Paragraph
3(g) thereof in its entirety, (b) provide that Paragraph
16 of this Agreement replaces Paragraph 5 of the Change of Control
Agreement in its entirety with respect to any Payments (as defined
in Paragraph 16) made in connection with a Change of Control that
occurs after the Effective Date and (c) the release attached
hereto as Exhibit B shall replace the release required under
the Change of Control Agreement and such release shall be governed
by Paragraph 7(j) herein.
The Executive hereby acknowledges
and agrees that the foregoing assumption by NMG of the Change of
Control Agreement, and the entrance by NMG into this Agreement, is
in full satisfaction of NMG’s obligations under Paragraph 10
of the Change of Control agreement to expressly, absolutely and
unconditionally assume and agree to perform the Change of Control
Agreement and any other employment agreements to which the
Executive and NMG are parties, and that the Executive will not have
the right to terminate his employment for “Good Reason”
as defined in the Change of Control Agreement under item 5 of such
definition.
3.
Term . The term of the Agreement shall
commence on the Effective Date and extend until the end of the day
immediately preceding the fifth anniversary thereof (the
“Employment Term”), unless sooner terminated as
provided in this Agreement. The Employment Term is divided
into two periods, the “CEO Term” and the
“Subsequent Term,” as defined in Paragraph 4. The
Executive’s employment will end upon the expiration of the
Employment Term, but the end of the Executive’s employment in
that circumstance shall not constitute a termination of employment
by either party under this Agreement or give rise to any of the
obligations of NMG that arise under this Agreement as a result of a
termination of employment.
3
4.
Position and Duties
.
(a)
From the Effective Date and until
the third anniversary thereof (the “CEO Term”), the
Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of NMG and
Parent. In such capacity, the Executive, subject to the
ultimate control and direction of the Board and the Board of
Directors of Parent (“Parent Board”), shall have and
exercise direct charge of and general supervision over the business
and affairs of NMG. In addition, the Executive shall have
such other duties, functions, responsibilities, and authority as
are from time to time delegated to the Executive by the Board;
provided, however, that such duties, functions, responsibilities,
and authority are reasonable and customary for a person serving in
the same or similar capacity of an enterprise comparable to
NMG. The Executive shall report and be accountable to the
Board and the Parent Board. The Executive and NMG acknowledge
that one purpose of this Agreement is to provide for a smooth and
orderly transition to a new chief executive officer in the
future. Accordingly, during the CEO Term the Executive agrees
to work with reasonable diligence to identify a successor to the
position of Chief Executive Officer of NMG and Parent.
Nothing in this Agreement, however, prohibits the Board from
undertaking its own search for a successor to the positions.
During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as a member
of the Board and shall be appointed to the Parent Board and any
other entity substantially all of whose assets consist of NMG
capital stock.
(b)
From the third anniversary of the
Effective Date until the end of the Employment Term (the
“Subsequent Term”), the Executive shall serve as the
Chairman of the Board and shall have such duties as are assigned by
the Board and customary for such position. During the
Subsequent Term, the Executive shall be treated as an
“executive officer” of NMG solely for purposes of the
Executive’s participation in employee benefit plans, programs
or arrangements of NMG and not in connection with his duties as
Chairman.
(c)
During the CEO Term, the Executive
shall devote his full time (and, during the Subsequent Term, the
time necessary), skill, and attention and his best efforts to the
business and affairs of NMG to the extent necessary to discharge
fully, faithfully, and efficiently the duties and responsibilities
delegated and assigned to the Executive in or pursuant to this
Agreement, except for usual, ordinary, and customary periods of
vacation and absence due to illness or other disability.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may (i) subject
to the approval of the Board, serve as a director or as a member of
an advisory board of a noncompeting company, (ii) serve as an
officer or director or otherwise participate in non-profit
educational, welfare, social, religious and civil organizations,
including, without limitation, all such positions and participation
in effect as of the Effective Date, and (iii) manage personal
and family investments; provided, however, that any such activities
as described in (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding
provisions of this paragraph do not significantly interfere with
the performance and fulfillment of the Executive’s duties and
responsibilities as an executive, or, if applicable, Chairman of
the Board, of NMG in accordance with this Agreement.
(d)
In connection with the
Executive’s employment by NMG under this Agreement, the
Executive shall be based at the principal executive offices of NMG
in Dallas, Texas, except for such reasonable travel as the
performance of the Executive’s duties in the business of NMG
may require.
4
(e)
All services that the Executive may
render to NMG or any of its Affiliates in any capacity during the
Employment Term shall be deemed to be services required by this
Agreement and the consideration for such services is that provided
for in this Agreement.
5.
Compensation and Related
Matters .
(a)
Base Salary. During the
Employment Term, NMG shall pay to the Executive for his services
under this Agreement an annual base salary (“Base
Salary”).
(i)
At the commencement of the CEO Term,
the Base Salary shall be $1,300,000.00. During the CEO Term,
the Base Salary will be reviewed annually and is subject to
adjustment at the discretion of the Board, but in no event shall
NMG pay the Executive a Base Salary less than that set forth above
during the CEO Term. The Base Salary shall be payable in
installments in accordance with the general payroll practices of
NMG, or as otherwise mutually agreed upon.
(ii)
At the commencement of the
Subsequent Term, the Base Salary shall be equal to 75% of the Base
Salary payable to the Executive immediately preceding the
commencement of the Subsequent Term. During the Subsequent
Term, the Base Salary will be reviewed annually and is subject to
adjustment at the discretion of the Board, but in no event shall
NMG pay the Executive a Base Salary less than that established at
the commencement of the Subsequent Term. The Base Salary
shall be payable in installments in accordance with the general
payroll practices of NMG, or as otherwise mutually agreed
upon.
(b)
Annual Incentives. The
Executive will participate in NMG’s annual incentive bonus
program(s) applicable to the Executive’s position, in
accordance with the terms of such program(s), and shall have the
opportunity to earn an annual bonus thereunder based on the
achievement of performance objectives determined by the Board after
consultation with the Executive. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the performance objectives applicable to the
Executive’s annual bonus opportunity and the corresponding
bonus percentages (including the level of achievement required for
the Executive to earn the Target Bonus) for the fiscal year in
which the Effective Date occurs and for the first fiscal year
commencing after the Effective Date occurs will be mutually agreed
by the Board and the Executive. During each fiscal year, the
minimum bonus payable to the Executive if the bonus targets for
such year are achieved will be 50% of the Executive’s Base
Salary for such fiscal year, the Target Bonus will be 85% of Base
Salary and the maximum bonus payable to the Executive will be 170%
of Base Salary. The actual amount of any annual incentive
bonus paid to the Executive will be determined according to the
terms of the annual incentive bonus program(s), including any such
terms that place the amount of any annual incentive bonus within
the discretion of the Board. In determining whether the bonus
targets for any fiscal year of NMG have been achieved, the Board
will disregard any fees paid to the Sponsors (as defined in the
Management Equity Incentive Plan) other than director fees paid to
the Sponsors’ representatives for their service on the
Board.
5
(c)
Long-term Incentives and
SERP.
(i)
As soon as practicable after the
Effective Date, Parent shall grant the Executive an option to
purchase 16,349.1797 shares of common stock of Parent (the
“Shares”). As to 7,269.3852 Shares, the option
will have a fixed exercise price per Share equal to $1,445.00, and
will vest and become exercisable as to 459.5392 Shares on the first
anniversary of the Effective Date, and as to 2269.9487 Shares on
each of the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the Effective
Date. As to 9,079.7946 Shares, the option (the
“Performance Option”) will have an exercise price per
Share that is initially equal to $1,445.00 increasing at a 10.00%
compound rate on each anniversary of the Effective Date until the
earlier to occur of (i) exercise of such Option, (ii) the
fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, or (iii) the
occurrence of a Change of Control, and will vest and become
exercisable as to 2269.9487 Shares on each of the first through
fourth anniversaries of the Effective Date. In the event the
Majority Stockholder (as defined in the Stockholders’
Agreement) redeems or disposes of a portion of its direct or
indirect equity interests in Parent prior to the fifth anniversary
of the Effective Date in a transaction that does not constitute a
Change of Control, the compounding interest rate shall cease as to
a proportionate share of the Performance Option that bears the same
ratio as the equity interests redeemed or disposed of by the
Majority Stockholder bears to the total equity interest held by the
Majority Stockholder. Vesting of the entire option will
accelerate immediately prior to a Change of Control or upon
termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to
Paragraph 6(a) or 6(b). In addition, upon a termination
of employment by NMG pursuant to Paragraph 6(e) or by the
Executive pursuant to Paragraph 6(d), the option will vest as to
(i) the number of Shares that would have become vested on the
next anniversary of the Effective Date, plus (ii) if the
Employment Termination Date occurs prior to the third anniversary
of the Effective Date, the number of Shares that would have become
vested on the next anniversary of the Effective Date, multiplied by
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the
preceding anniversary of the Effective Date (or the Effective date
if such termination occurs prior to the first anniversary thereof)
and the denominator of which is 365. The Executive
shall be permitted to exercise the vested portion of the option
through net-physical settlement (i.e., by delivery of Shares net of
the number of Shares having a value equal to the applicable
exercise price and applicable withholding taxes at the minimum
statutory rate) if such exercise occurs after termination of the
Executive’s employment pursuant to Paragraph 6(a) or
6(b), by NMG pursuant to Paragraph 6(e), by the Executive pursuant
to Paragraph 6(d), or by the Executive pursuant to Paragraph
6(e) on or after the fifth anniversary of the Effective
Date. The option shall be granted pursuant to and subject to
the terms of the Management Equity Incentive Plan, which shall
contain rights to dividend equivalents in a manner intended to
comply with Section 409A of the Code. The numbers of
Shares and exercise price per Share set forth above are based on
the capitalization table attached as Exhibit A
hereto.
6
(ii)
Upon the occurrence of the earlier
of a Change in Control or an Initial Public Offering, the Executive
will be entitled to a cash bonus equal to $3,080,911, provided that
no such bonus will be paid unless (A) the Executive remains
employed with NMG through the earlier of (x) the date of the Change
in Control, (y) the Initial Public Offering or (z) the fourth
anniversary of the Effective Date, and (B) the internal rate
of return to the Majority Stockholder (as defined in the
Stockholders’ Agreement) in respect of their direct and
indirect investment in Parent is positive. The Majority
Stockholder’s internal rate of return shall be calculated in
the case of an Initial Public Offering as if the Majority
Stockholder sold all of its direct and indirect equity interests in
Parent at a per share price equal to the Initial Public Offering
price or, in the case of a Change in Control, based on the value of
its equity interests implied by the transaction giving rise to the
Change of Control, and in each case, taking into account all
investments made directly or indirectly in Parent, all management
and transaction fees paid by Parent or its subsidiaries to the
Majority Stockholder and all expenses incurred by the Majority
Stockholder in connection with the investment. If the
Executive’s employment hereunder terminates for other than
Cause prior to the bonus payment becoming due as described above
and, subsequent to such termination, a Change in Control or Initial
Public Offering occurs in which the Majority Stockholder recognizes
a positive internal rate of return determined in accordance with
the foregoing provisions, the Executive will be entitled to a
payment equal to the product of $3,080,911 and the percentage
determined as follows: (1) if the termination of employment is
pursuant to Paragraph 6(a) or 6(b), 100%; (2) if the
termination of employment is by the Executive pursuant to Paragraph
6(e), 25% multiplied by the number of full years (and not fractions
thereof) from the Effective Date to the Employment Termination
Date; and (3) if the termination is by the Executive pursuant
to Paragraph 6(d) or by NMG pursuant to Paragraph 6(e), the
sum (not to exceed 100%) of 25% multiplied by the number of full
years and fractions thereof from the Effective Date to the
Employment Termination Date and 25%.
(iii)
In the event Parent declares and
pays an extraordinary dividend while the Executive’s Newco
Options (as defined in that certain Letter Agreement, dated
October 4, 2005, by and among NMG, Parent and Executive, the
“Letter Agreement”) are outstanding, the Parent shall
pay Executive a cash bonus equal to the amount that he would have
received if he owned the shares underlying the then-outstanding
Newco Options (other than any Newco Options for which the Company
has an effective and exercisable call right pursuant to the Letter
Agreement) pursuant to such dividend payment, provided such bonus
payment complies with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 and does not result in any adverse tax treatment in
respect of the Newco Options. In the event it is determined
that such payment does not comply with Section 409A or it
adversely effects the Newco Options, the parties hereto shall use
their reasonable efforts and take reasonable actions necessary to
put the Executive in the same position he would have been in if the
payment was permitted under Section 409A to the extent
reasonably practicable.
7
(iv)
SERP Enhancement. At the time
of the Executive’s termination of employment with NMG and all
of its Affiliates, the Executive’s years of service for
purposes of calculating his benefit under The Neiman Marcus
Group, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the
“SERP”) shall be determined by multiplying his actual
service for purposes of the SERP by 2, subject to the 25-year
maximum set forth in the SERP, and by then providing the Executive
with an additional credit for each year of service by the Executive
to NMG following his attainment of age sixty-five (65)
(disregarding the 25-year maximum set forth in the SERP).
Following the Effective Date, NMG shall take any necessary steps to
amend the SERP or create a supplemental SERP for the Executive in
order to effectuate the crediting provisions set forth in this
Paragraph 5. During the Employment Term, the SERP shall not
be terminated or amended in any way that adversely affects the
Executive.
(d)
Employee Benefits and
Perquisites. During the Employment Term, the Executive will
be entitled to (i) participate in all employee benefit plans,
programs, and arrangements that are generally made available by NMG
to its senior executives, including without limitation NMG’s
life insurance, long-term disability, and health plans and
(ii) the perquisites and other fringe benefits that are made
available by NMG to its senior executives generally and to such
perquisites and fringe benefits that are made available by NMG to
the Executive in particular, subject to any applicable terms and
conditions of any specific perquisite or other fringe
benefit. NMG agrees that the employee benefit plans, programs
and arrangements and perquisites and other fringe benefits that are
made available to the Executive during the Employment Term will not
be materially diminished in the aggregate from those benefit plans,
programs and arrangements and perquisites and fringe benefits made
available immediately prior to the Effective Date (subject to any
diminution during the Subsequent Term that results from the
diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary from the CEO Term
to the Subsequent Term). The Executive agrees to cooperate
and participate in any medical or physical examinations as may be
required by any insurance company in connection with the
applications for such life and/or disability insurance
policies.
(e)
Support during Subsequent
Term. During the Subsequent Term, NMG will provide the
Executive with a full-time administrative assistant and an
executive office space and furnishings appropriate to his position
and status.
(f)
Expenses. The Executive shall
be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable expenses
incurred by the Executive in performing his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement, consistent with NMG’s
policies or practices for reimbursement of expenses incurred by
other NMG senior executives.
(g)
Vacations. The Executive shall
be eligible for vacation, sick pay, and other paid and unpaid time
off in accordance with the policies and practices of NMG. The
Executive agrees to use his vacation and other paid time off at
such times that are (i) consistent with the proper performance
of his duties and responsibilities and (ii) mutually
convenient for NMG and the Executive.
8
(h)
Indemnification. The Executive
will be entitled to indemnification on the same terms as
indemnification is made available by NMG to its other senior
executives, whether through NMG’s bylaws, the Merger
Agreement or otherwise.
6.
Termination of
Employment .
(a)
Death. The Executive’s
employment shall terminate automatically upon his death.
(b)
Inability to Perform. In the
event of the Executive’s Inability to Perform during the
Employment Term, NMG may notify the Executive of NMG’s
termination of the Executive’s employment.
(c)
Termination by NMG for Cause.
NMG may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause.
To exercise its right to terminate the Executive pursuant to
provision (iii) or provision (v) of the definition of
Cause, however, NMG must first provide the Executive with a
reasonable period of time to correct the circumstances or events,
to the extent that they may reasonably be corrected, that NMG
contends give rise to the existence of Cause under such
provision. Prior to terminating the Executive’s
employment for Cause under this Paragraph 6(c), NMG must provide
the Executive with a written notice of its intent to terminate his
employment for Cause. Such written notice must specify the
particular act or acts or failure(s) to act that form(s) the basis
for the decision to so terminate the Executive’s employment
for Cause. The Executive will be given the opportunity within
30 calendar days of his receipt of such notice to meet with the
Board to defend himself with regard to the alleged act or acts or
failure(s) to act. If at the conclusion of or following such
a meeting, the Board decides to proceed with the termination of the
Executive’s employment for Cause, such a termination will be
effected by providing the Executive with a Notice of Termination
under Paragraph 6(f). Upon or after NMG’s issuance of
the notice of intent to terminate the Executive’s employment
for Cause, NMG may suspend the Executive with pay pending the
Board’s decision whether to proceed with the
termination.
(d)
Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment for
Good Reason. To exercise his right to terminate for Good
Reason, the Executive must provide written notice to NMG of his
belief that Good Reason exists, and that notice shall describe the
circumstance believed to constitute Good Reason. If that
circumstance may reasonably be remedied, NMG shall have 30 days to
effect that remedy. If not remedied within that 30-day
period, the Executive may submit a Notice of Termination; provided,
however, that the Notice of Termination invoking the
Executive’s right to terminate his employment for Good Reason
must be given no later than 6 months after the later of
(i) the first date the Executive knew that Good Reason
existed, and (ii) the end of NMG’s 30-day cure period,
if applicable; otherwise, the Executive is deemed to have accepted
the circumstance(s) that may have given rise to the existence of
Good Reason.
(e)
Termination by Either Party Without
Cause or Without Good Reason. Either NMG or the Executive may
terminate the Executive’s employment without Cause or Good
Reason upon at least three months’ prior written notice to
the other party.
9
(f)
Notice of Termination. Any
termination of the Executive’s employment by NMG or by the
Executive (other than a termination pursuant to Paragraph 6(a))
shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination. A
“Notice of Termination” is a written notice that must
(i) indicate the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon; (ii) in the case of a termination for
Inability to Perform, Cause, or Good Reason, set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the
provision invoked, including the particular act or acts or
failure(s) to act that is or are the basis of any termination for
Cause or Good Reason; and (iii) if the termination is by the
Executive under Paragraph 6(e), or by NMG for any reason, specify
the Employment Termination Date. The failure by NMG to set
forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that
contributes to a showing of Cause shall not waive any right of NMG
or preclude NMG from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing NMG’s rights.
(g)
Employment Termination Date.
The Employment Termination Date shall be as follows: (i) if
the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the
date of his death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated by NMG because of his Inability to Perform or for Cause,
the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which date shall
be no earlier than the date such notice is given; (iii) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given;
or (iv) if the termination is under Paragraph 6(e), the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, which date shall be no
earlier than three months after the date such notice is given if
such Notice of Termination is given by the
Executive.
(h)
Resignation. In the event of
termination of the Executive’s employment (for any reason
other than the death of the Executive), the Executive agrees that
if at such time he is a member of the Board or is an officer of NMG
or a director or officer of any of its Affiliates, he shall be
deemed to have resigned from such position(s) effective on the
Employment Termination Date.
7.
Compensation Upon Termination of
Employment .
(a)
Death. If the
Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s death, NMG shall pay to the Executive’s
estate (i) any unpaid portion of the Executive’s Base
Salary through the Employment Termination Date and any bonus
payable for preceding fiscal year that has otherwise not already
been paid (together, the “Compensation Payment”),
(ii) any accrued but unused vacation days (the “Vacation
Payment”), (iii) any reimbursement for business travel
and other expenses to which the Executive is entitled (the
“Reimbursement”), and (iv) 85% of the Base Salary
in effect immediately prior to the Employment Termination Date,
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days during the fiscal year up to and including the Employment
Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365 (the
“Prorated Bonus”). This Paragraph 7(a) does
not limit the entitlement of the Executive’s estate or
beneficiaries to any death or other vested benefits to which the
Executive may be entitled under any life insurance, stock
ownership, stock options, or other benefit plan or policy that is
maintained by NMG for the Executive’s benefit, including any
amounts Executive is entitled to pursuant to Paragraph
5(c).
10
(b)
Inability to Perform. If the
Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive’s Inability to Perform, NMG shall pay to the
Executive (i) the Compensation Payment, (ii) the Vacation
Payment, (iii) the Reimbursement, and (iv) the Prorated
Bonus. This Paragraph 7(b) does not limit the
entitlement of the Executive to any amounts payable pursuant to the
terms of any applicable disability insurance plan, policy, or
similar arrangement that is maintained by NMG for the
Executive’s benefit. This Paragraph 7(b) does not
limit the entitlement of the Executive’s estate or
beneficiaries to any death or other vested benefits to which the
Executive may be entitled under any life insurance, stock
ownership, stock options, or other benefit plan or policy that is
maintai