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EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Employment Agreement

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT | Document Parties: CharterMac Capital LLC You are currently viewing:
This Employment Agreement involves

CharterMac Capital LLC

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Title: EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Governing Law: New York     Date: 2/7/2007
Industry: Misc. Financial Services    

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, Parties: chartermac capital llc
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Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into effective as of January 1, 2007 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between CharterMac Capital LLC (the “ Company ”), and Marc D. Schnitzer (“ Executive ”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are used with the definitions ascribed to them on the attached Exhibit A , which is incorporated into this Agreement by this reference.

 

WHEREAS , the parties desire to enter into an employment relationship on the terms and conditions set forth below:

 

 

THEREFORE , the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.      Employment . The Company will employ Executive, and Executive will be employed by the Company, during the Employment Period (as defined below) on and subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 4 hereof, the Employment Period shall begin upon the date hereof (“Effective Date”) and shall continue for a period of three (3) years from such date, until December 31, 2009, (“ Initial Period ”); provided that such period shall automatically be extended for additional periods of one year commencing on the third anniversary of the Effective Date, January 1, 2010 and each anniversary thereof (such additional period the “ Additional Period ”) unless either party has given written notice to the other that such party does not want to extend the term of this Agreement, such notice to be given at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Initial Period or the Additional Period(s), as applicable (the Initial Period and the Additional Period(s), if applicable, collectively, the “ Employment Period ”).

 

2.      Duties . During the Employment Period, Executive will serve as, and have the title of, Chief Executive Officer and President of CharterMac (“ CEO ”) and will have the title of Executive Managing Director of the Company. Executive will also serve as the Chairman of the board of trustees of American Mortgage Acceptance Company. During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the Board of Trustees of CharterMac. Executive shall have all the authority and job duties and responsibilities customarily associated with the position of CEO. In addition, Executive will perform such related and other duties as shall be reasonably assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board of Trustees. Executive will devote substantially all of his business time, best efforts and ability to the business of the Company and its affiliates, will faithfully and diligently perform Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement, will comply with the overall policies established by the Company and/or CharterMac and will do all things reasonably in Executive’s power to promote, develop and extend the Company’s business. Executive shall be based in the Company’s New York City office. It is further understood that nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from managing his passive personal investments and from participating in charitable and civic endeavors, so long as such activities do not interfere in any significant manner with the Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder. Upon request, the Executive shall also serve as an officer, director or trustee of any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the

 

 


 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) with, the Company (an “ Affiliate ”) for no additional compensation. Any compensation paid to the Executive by any Affiliate shall reduce the Company’s obligations hereunder by the amount of such compensation (but shall be deemed to have been paid by the Company for purposes of calculating any benefit or severance obligations to the Executive under this Agreement).

 

3.      Compensation and Benefits . During the Employment Period, the Company will pay and provide Executive as compensation for Executive's services pursuant to this Agreement the consideration specified and determined in accordance with this Section 3 , in each case subject to all withholdings required by applicable law.

 

 

a.

Salary . As compensation for services hereunder, during the Employment Period the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary, payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s procedures, at an annual rate (the “ Salary ”) of $625,000 during the first year of the Initial Period, $675,000 during the second year of the Initial Period, and $725,000 during the third year of the Initial Period, in each case less such deductions or amounts to be withheld as required by applicable law and regulations and deductions authorized by the Executive in writing. Executive’s Salary shall be subject to increase in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees of CharterMac (the “ Compensation Committee ”) and Executive’s Salary for any Additional Periods shall be subject to negotiation between the parties but in no event shall the Salary for any Additional Period be less than the Salary for the final year of the Initial Period. Company acknowledges that Executive’s Salary was increased to $625,000 effective November 17, 2006, and on or before January 31, 2007, the Company shall deliver to the Executive the sum of $6,994, representing the effective salary increase for the balance of 2006.

 

 

b.

Discretionary Bonus . Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary cash bonus (“ Discretionary Bonus ”) of such amount (if any) as the Compensation Committee may determine. Executive’s target Discretionary Bonus shall be 200-400% of his Salary, which may be adjusted up or down depending on Executive’s performance as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Such Discretionary Bonus, if any, will be payable at the end of February of the year following the year for which the bonus is awarded or at such earlier or later time as the Compensation Committee shall determine. If Executive is awarded a Discretionary Bonus that is equal to or less than 200% of his then Salary, the Discretionary Bonus will be paid in cash. If Executive is awarded a Discretionary Bonus that is greater than 200% of his then Salary, it shall be paid as follows: (i) the Discretionary Bonus up to 200% of Executive’s Salary shall be paid in cash, and (ii) for the amount of the Discretionary Bonus greater than 200% of the Salary, 50% will be paid in cash and 50% will be paid in restricted stock of CharterMac issued under and pursuant to the CharterMac Amended and Restated Incentive Share Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), which shall vest ratably (and thus become non-forfeitable) in equal increments of 1/3, 1/3 and 1/3 on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date that the Discretionary

 

 


 

Bonus is granted provided, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement, that Executive is still employed by the Company on such vesting date.

 

 

c.

Share Grant . Executive will be granted, effective as of the Effective Date, restricted common shares of CharterMac valued (as of the Effective Date) at $3,000,000 (collectively, the “ Share Grant ”) under and subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan. The Share Grant shall vest over the course of three years in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date, provided, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement, that Executive is continuously employed by the Company on each such vesting date. Once vested, the Share Grant shall be non-forfeitable. Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Share Grant shall be subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement(s) from CharterMac evidencing the Share Grant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the documents governing the Share Grant, upon (x) a Change of Control (as defined in Exhibit A ) or (y) Executive’s termination of employment with the Company and its affiliates, any unvested portion of the Share Grant (and, any unvested restricted stock issued to the Executive under Section 3.b .) shall immediately vest in full, unless such termination is by the Company or any of its affiliates for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, in which event any unvested portion of the Share Grant shall be forfeited. The award agreement(s) will be in the form generally used for similarly situated employees.

 

 

d.

Transportation Allowance . During the Employment Period, the Company will provide Executive with a pre-tax transportation allowance of $25,000 per year, payable in monthly installments on the first payroll of each month.

 

 

e.

Life Insurance . At its expense, the Company will provide life insurance coverage to Executive of not less then Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) and Executive or his designee shall be the owner of such policy and shall be entitled to name the beneficiary of any insurance proceeds payable thereunder.

 

 

f.

Long Term Disability. The Company shall also provide Executive with supplemental long term disability insurance which will provide Executive with full disability benefits to age 65 of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) per month after an exclusion period of ninety (90) days (the “ Disability Coverage ”). During the ninety (90) day exclusion period, the Company will pay Executive his full Salary.

 

 

g.

Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) days vacation per year for each year this Agreement is in effect. Executive shall have the right to carry over up to ten (10) vacation days from one calendar year to the next. In addition to the twenty (20) vacation days, Executive shall be entitled to take additional vacation days for religious observances and Company holidays.

 

 

 


 

 

h.

Benefits . Executive will be entitled to participate in any fringe benefit and other employee benefit plans and programs generally available to senior executives of the Company as in effect from time to time, including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, to the extent that Executive may be eligible to do so under the applicable provisions of the plans and programs providing such benefits. The Company anticipates establishing new equity compensatory plans for senior management in the first quarter of 2007 (“New Plans”) and the Executive shall participate in such New Plans.

 

 

i.

Expenses . Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of amounts incurred by him in connection with the performance by him of his duties and obligations hereunder in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy applicable generally to similarly situated executives of the Company (“ Reimbursable Amounts ”). Executive shall apply for all reimbursements for a particular calendar year not later than forty-five (45) days after it ends, and payment shall occur not later than two and one-half months after the end of the calendar year to which the Reimbursable Amounts relate.

 

 

j.

Tax Preparation . Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual expenses he incurs for preparation of his federal, state, and local income tax returns as well as any entity returns for entities in which the Executive has an interest, in each case upon presentation of valid proof of expenses.

 

4.      Termination; Severance Benefits . The Employment Period and Executive’s employment with the Company will terminate upon the first to occur of the following and the Company shall make the following payments and no other payments upon the occurrence of such event, subject in all cases to the terms and conditions of Section 11(e) hereof:

 

 

a.

Death . If Executive dies during the Employment Period, the Termination Date will be the date of Executive’s death. In such event, the Company shall pay Executive’s estate within thirty (30) days of the date of Executive’s death, a death benefit equal to: (i) Executive’s earned but unpaid Salary, any unpaid transportation allowance for the year in question, any Reimbursement Amounts for the period prior to termination, any accrued but unused vacation, and any declared but unpaid Discretionary Bonus (collectively “ Entitlements ”); (ii) any rights to which Executive is entitled in accordance with plan provisions under any employee benefit plan, fringe benefit or incentive plan (“ Benefit Rights ”); (iii) additional benefits (if any) in accordance with the applicable terms of applicable Company plans, programs and arrangements (“ Company Arrangements ”); and (iv) severance compensation equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s then current Salary and 100% of the amount of the Executive’s most recently declared and paid Discretionary Bonus (“ Severance Pay ”). In addition, any unvested restricted stock awarded to the Executive under the Incentive Plan and other unvested equity or options, including any issued under any New Plan, shall fully vest upon the Termination Date of the Executive.

 

 

 


 

 

b.

Total Disability . If Executive incurs a Total Disability (as defined below), the Termination Date will be the date Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or representative) is determined to have incurred a Total Disability (the " Disability Payment Date "). In such event the Company shall pay Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or representative) within thirty (30) days of the Disability Payment Date, a disability benefit equal to: (i) the Entitlements; (ii) Benefit Rights; (iii) Company Arrangements; and (iv) Severance Pay. In addition, any unvested restricted stock awarded to the Executive under the Incentive Plan and other unvested equity or options, including any issued under any New Plan, shall fully vest upon the Termination Date of the Executive. Further, all medical and dental, disability and life insurance then provided to senior executives of the Company shall be continued following the Termination Date for a period of twelve (12) months, or at the discretion of the Company, a cash payment shall be made in lieu of such benefits. For these purposes, a “ Total Disability ” shall be deemed to have occurred if in the judgment of a physician jointly selected by the Company and the Executive, the Executive shall become physically or mentally disabled, whether totally or partially, as a result of which the Executive is unable to perform the Executive’s principal services hereunder for (A) a period of six consecutive months or (B) for shorter periods aggregating six months during any twelve-month period.

 

 

c.

Termination for Cause; Resignation without Good Reason . Executive's employment may be terminated by the Company for Cause at any time upon written notice from the Company to Executive. The Company’s notice must set forth the facts or circumstances constituting Cause and specify the Termination Date. Executive may resign without the existence of Good Reason at any time upon not less than thirty (30) days written notice to the Company. The Company may accept Executive’s resignation effective as of the date specified by Executive in his notice to the Company or it may accelerate Executive’s resignation date to be effective as of any earlier date following receipt of such notice. Upon the occurrence of either such event, the Company shall only be obligated: (i) to pay Executive the Entitlements; and (ii) to provide Executive with the Benefits Rights and the Company Arrangements. All of Executive’s vested restricted stock and other options, including any issued under any New Plan, shall remain exercisable to the extent required by the terms of the Incentive Plan and/or other applicable plans. All of Executive’s unvested options shall be forfeited.

 

 

d.

Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason . Executive may be terminated by the Company without Cause upon not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice to Executive. The Company’s notice must specify the Termination Date. Executive may resign if Good Reason exists upon not less than ten (10) days’ written notice to the Company. Executive’s notice must set forth the facts and circumstances constituting Good Reason and specify the Termination Date.

 

If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or Executive terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason,

 

 


 

Executive shall have no further rights or claims hereunder or with regard hereto except that, subject to his execution (within 30 days after delivery to Executive) of a release running to the Company and its related entities and their respective partners, shareholders, officers, directors and employees of all claims relating to his employment and termination substantially in the form of Exhibit B (with only such reasonable changes therein as may be deemed by counsel to the Company to be required to comply with applicable law at the time of delivery of such release) (the “ Release ”): (i) the Company will pay Executive a separation payment equal to the Entitlements and Severance Pay; (ii) Executive will be entitled to the Benefits Rights and the Company Arrangements; and (iii) all medical and dental, disability and life insurance then provided to senior executives of the Company shall be continued following the Termination Date for a period of twelve (12) months, or at the discretion of the Company, a cash payment shall be made in lieu of such benefits. If Executive elects not to sign and deliver the Release, then the Company shall have no obligation to pay Executive the monies and benefits described in the prior sentence. Further, any unvested restricted stock awarded to the Executive under the Incentive Plan and other unvested equity or options, including any issued under any New Plan, shall fully vest upon the Termination Date of the Executive.

 

 

e.

Expiration of the Employment Period . In the event that the Company does not-renew this Agreement and as a result Executive’s employment terminates, Executive shall have no further rights or claims hereunder or with regard hereto except that, subject to his execution (within 30 days after delivery to Executive) of the Release: (i) the Company will pay Executive a separation payment equal to the Entitlements and Severance Pay; and (ii) Executive will be entitled to the Benefits Rights and the Company Arrangements. Further, all medical and dental, disability and life insurance then provided to senior executives of the Company shall be continued following the Termination Date for a period of twelve (12) months, or at the discretion of the Company, a cash payment shall be made in lieu of such benefits. If Executive elects not to sign and deliver the Release, then the Company shall have no obligation to pay Executive the monies and benefits described in the prior sentence. Further, if the Executive executes the Release any unvested restricted stock awarded to the Executive under the Incentive Plan and other unvested equity or options, including any issued under any New Plan, shall fully vest upon the Termination Date of the Executive.

 

 

f.

Change in Control . If, during the Employment Term, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company within 6 months prior to, or within one year after, a Change in Control (other than as a result of Cause, death or Disability), or by the Executive for Good Reason within one year after a Change in Control, the Company shall have no liability or further obligation to the Executive and the Executive shall have no further rights or claims hereunder or with regard hereto except that, subject to his execution (within 30 days after delivery to Executive) of the Release: (i) the Company will pay Executive the Entitlements and a separation payment equal to twenty-four months of

 

 


 

Executive’s then current Salary and 200% of the amount of the Executive’s most recently declared and paid Discretionary Bonus; (ii) Executive will be entitled to the Benefits Rights and the Company Arrangements; and (iii) all medical and dental, disability and life insurance then provided to senior executives of the Company shall be continued following the Termination Date for a period of twenty-four (24) months, or at the discretion of the Company, a cash payment shall be made in lieu of such benefits. If Executive elects not to sign and deliver the Release, then the Company shall have no obligation to pay Executive the monies and benefits described in the prior sentence. Further, any unvested restricted stock awarded to the Executive under the Incentive Plan and other unvested equity or options, including any issued under any New Plan, shall fully vest upon the Termination Date of the Executive. For purposes of this Section 4(f) , the Termination Date shall be Executive’s last day of employment with the Company.

 

 

g.

Immediate Cessation of Employment . If the Company gives notice to Executive pursuant to subsection (c) above, or Executive gives notice to the Company pursuant to subsection (c) above, the Company may further direct Executive to immediately cease Executive’s activities on behalf of the Company, to remove Executive’s personal belongings from the premises of the Company and/or to discontinue using any of the Company’s facilities.

 

 

h.

Cooperation. The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, during the Employment Period and thereafter (including following the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason), by making himself reasonably available to testify on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, or any Affiliate, in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with: (i) the Board or its representatives or counsel, (ii) representatives or counsel to the Company, and/or (iii) any Affiliate as reasonably requested; provided, however that the same does not materially interfere with Executive’s then current professional activities or important personal activities and is not contrary to the best interests of the Executive. The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive, for all reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.

 

 

i.

409A Tax Liability . Notwithstanding anything elsewhere to the contrary in this Section 4 , the Company will be not be required to (and will not) extend the period of Executive’s exercisable options if doing so trigger any liability for additional tax and/or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.

 

 


 

5.

Non-Competition Agreement .

 

 

a.

Executive absolutely and unconditionally covenants and agrees with the Company that, during his employment with the Company or its Affiliates and for a period of twelve (12) months following Executive’s termination for any reason whatsoever (the “ Noncompete Period ”) and provided the Company has not waived any material breach of his post-termination obligations, Executive will not, either directly or indirectly, solely or jointly with any other person or persons, as an employee, consultant, or advisor (whether or not engaged in business for profit), or as an individual proprietor, partner, shareholder, director, officer, joint venturer, investor, lender, or in any other capacity, engage in a Competitive Business (as defined in Exhibit A ) (i) as conducted as of the date of execution of this Agreement; (ii) as conducted during the term of this Agreement; or (iii) as proposed to be conducted by the Company Group as of the Termination Date (collectively, “ Competition ”), provided, however, that in the event the Company breaches any of its post-termination obligations owed to the Executive, the Noncompete Period shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.

 

 

b.

If a court or arbitration panel concludes through appropriate proceedings that the Executive has breached the covenant set forth in this Section 5 , the term of the covenant shall be extended for a term equal to the period for which the Executive is determined to have breached the covenant.

 

6.      Covenant Not to Disclose . Executive agrees that, by virtue of the performance of the normal duties of his position with the Company and by virtue of the relationship of trust and confidence between the Executive and the Company, he possesses certain data and knowledge of operations of the Company Group which are proprietary in nature and confidential. The Executive covenants and agrees that he will not, at any time, whether during the term of this Agreement or otherwise, reveal, divulge or make known to any person (other than the Company Group) or use for his own account, any confidential or proprietary record, data, model, trade secret, pricing policy, bid amount, bid strategy, rate structure, personnel policy, method or practice of obtaining or doing business by the Company Group, or any other confidential or proprietary information whatsoever (the “ Confidential Information ”), whether or not obtained with the knowledge and permission of the Company and whether or not developed, devised or otherwise created in whole or in part by the efforts of the Executive, provided, however, that Confidential Information shall not be deemed to include any information that (A) is or hereafter becomes generally available to the public other than through disclosure by the Executive, (B) is rightfully received by the Executive following the Employment Period from a third party or (C) was brought by the Executive to his employment relationship with the Company. The Executive further covenants and agrees that he shall retain all such knowledge and information which he shall acquire or develop respecting such Confidential Information in trust for the sole benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, unless compelled pursuant to the order of a court or other governmental

 

 


 

or legal body having jurisdiction over such matter, communicate or divulge any such Confidential Information to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In the event Executive is compelled by order of a court or other governmental or legal body to communicate or divulge any Confidential Information to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it, Executive shall promptly notify the Company of any such order and shall cooperate fully with the Company (and the owner of such Confidential Information) in protecting such information to the extent possible under applicable law, provided such information may be disclosed if Executive is advised by counsel that failure to disclose would subject Executive to risk of penalty or fine. Nothing in this Section 6 is intended to, or shall, prohibit Executive from discuss any matters with his attorney for the purposes of seeking legal advice, provided that Executive notifies his attorney of Executive’s obligations under this section.

 

7.              Non-Interference Covenant . Executive covenants and agrees that he will not, at any time, whether during the Employment Period and the Noncompete Period, directly or indirectly, for whatever reason, whether for his own account or for the account of any other person, firm, company or other organization: (i) solicit for employment, employ, or otherwise deal with in a manner which interferes with the Company Group’s relationship with any person or entity who is an employee, officer, director or independent contractor of the Company Group at any time or who constitutes a bona fide prospective employee, officer, trustee, director or independent contractor of the Company Group, unless such person or entity shall no longer be actively employed, or engaged by the Company Group and shall no longer constitute a bona fide prospective employee, officer, director or independent contractor of the Company Group; provided, however, Executive will not be deemed to be in violation of this clause (i) if (x) an employee of the Company Group is hired by Executive’s future employer provided that Executive did not otherwise violate this provision or (y) solicitations are made by means of a general newspaper advertisement or “headhunter” search provided such solicited person is not thereafter hired; (ii) interfere in any manner with any of the Company Group's contracts or relationships with any investor, customer, client or supplier (of services or tangible or intangible property) of the Company Group, or any person or entity who is a bona fide prospective, investor customer, client or supplier of the Company Group if such interference would have a material adverse effect on the Company; (iii) solicit or otherwise interfere with any existing or proposed contract or relationship between the Company Group and any other party if such solicitation or interference would have a material adverse effect on the Company or (iv) speak or write in any manner which is disparaging of the Company Group, its business practices, employees, officers, trustees or directors, provided nothing shall preclude the Executive from making truthful statements or any disclosures required by applicable law, regulation or legal process. Similarly, no member of the Company Group shall speak or write in any manner which is disparaging of the Executive.

 

8.      Business Materials and Property Disclosure . All written materials, records and documents made by the Executive or coming into his possession concerning the business or affairs of the Company Group shall be the sole property of the Company Group and, upon termination of his employment with the Company, upon request of the Company, the Executive shall deliver the same to the Company and shall retain no copies. The Executive shall also return to the Company all other property in his possession owned by the Company upon termination of his employment.

 

 


 

9.      Breach by Executive . It is expressly understood, acknowledged and agreed by the Executive that (i) the restrictions contained in Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement represent a reasonable and necessary protection of the legitimate interests of the Company and that his failure to observe and comply with his covenants and agreements in those Sections will cause irreparable harm to the Company; (ii) it is and will continue to be difficult to ascertain the nature, scope and extent of the harm; and (iii) a remedy at law for such failure by Executive will be inadequate. Accordingly, it is the intention of the parties that, in addition to any other rights and remedies which the Company may have in the event of any breach of said Sections, the Company shall be entitled, and is expressly and irrevocably authorized by Executive, to demand and obtain specific performance, including without limitation temporary and permanent injunctive relief, and all other appropriate equitable relief against Executive in order to enforce against Executive, or in order to prevent any breach or any threatened breach by Executive, of the covenants and agreements contained in those Sections in any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or undertaking. If any restriction with regard to


 
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