Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
Rare Element Resources, Inc. and Kelli C. Kast

 

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated effective as of July 2, 2012
(“Effective Date”), is by and between Rare Element Resources, Inc., a Wyoming
corporation (“the Company”) and Kelli C. Kast (“Kast”). The Company agrees to
employ Kast and Kast agrees to accept such employment upon the following terms
and conditions:

 

1.Position and Responsibilities. Kast shall devote Kast’s entire business time,
attention and energies to the Company’s (and any affiliate’s) business during
Kast’s employment with the Company. Kast shall hold the position of Vice
President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary
(the “GC”), and shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Rare
Element Resources Ltd. The job description and expectations for these positions
are those typical of persons holding similar positions in companies of similar
size and status within the Company’s industry. Kast shall perform all duties
that are reasonable and consistent with such position, as well as other duties
as may be assigned by the Company. Kast’s principal place of business shall be
the Company's office, which will be located in the Denver metropolitan area of
Colorado. Kast shall be expected to travel if it is advisable or necessary to
meet the obligations of Kast’s position.

 

2.Period of Employment. Kast shall be employed in the position set forth above
as of the Effective Date and shall continue in such position until terminated by
either the Company or Kast pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

3.Compensation. Kast’s compensation will be subject to annual review by the
Company's Board of Directors (or an assigned committee).

 

3.1.Salary. Kast shall be paid an annual base salary of US$200,000, commencing
on the Effective Date. The salary will be paid in equal installments pursuant to
the payroll procedures established by the Company. The Company reserves the
right to adjust Kast’s salary at its discretion as required by business
conditions.

 

3.2.Executive Bonus. Kast shall be eligible for an annual performance bonus (the
“Executive Bonus”). The Executive Bonus is a discretionary bonus that can be
modified and is subject to review and annual approval by the Board of Directors.
Kast must be employed by the Company on the last day of the fiscal year for
which the bonus is earned. The bonus will be paid to Kast no later than March
14th of the year following the year (“Payment Date”) in which the Executive
Bonus is earned.

 

3.3.Stock Options. Kast will be granted 150,000 stock options. Kast’s stock
options shall be governed by the established Company stock option policies.

 

4.Benefits. Kast shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s benefits
programs in accordance with the provisions of each program. The Company
anticipates establishing benefits programs in the near future and Kast will be
offered access to such benefits programs as they are established. The Company
reserves the right to amend the benefits programs from time to time at its
discretion. Benefit programs may include health insurance, dental insurance,
life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off

 

 

 

 

 

5.Business Related Expenses. All business travel, entertainment, meals, lodging,
and other directly related business expenses for which Kast submits receipts and
a detailed summary on approved expense report forms shall be reimbursed by the
Company. If the Company provides Kast with one or more Company credit cards,
Kast agrees to charge only those expenses that are directly related to the
Company’s business activities and for which Kast would otherwise be reimbursed.
Kast agrees to provide the Company with a timely and complete reporting of all
expenses charged to the company credit card, along with copies of all credit
card charge receipts. Further, Kast will be supplied with appropriate allowances
for cellular phone service, internet access, computer and other similar costs.

 

6.Company Policies. In addition to the obligations set forth in this Agreement,
Kast agrees to abide by all current and future policies of the Company.

 

7.Confidentiality. In the course of providing services to the Company, Kast will
have access to confidential information concerning the Company and its
affiliates. Kast agrees that she will not, either during the term of this
Agreement or thereafter, divulge or utilize to the detriment of the Company or
its affiliates any such confidential information. Kast in her position as the GC
will determine, in association with other senior executives of the Company and
in accordance with applicable law, if and when confidential information
beneficial to the Company will be released to the public. This requirement of
confidentiality will not apply to information that: is or becomes publicly
available other than as a result of a disclosure by Kast; is demonstrated to
have previously been properly in Kast’s possession or control at the time of
disclosure of that confidential information to Kast by the Company, its
affiliates or its representatives; or is required by law to be disclosed
provided that Kast shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such
requirement and shall limit the extent of disclosure to that which Kast’s legal
counsel advises in writing must be disclosed in order to comply. The provisions
of this Article 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

8.Proprietary Information. Kast shall not use or bring to the Company any
technical information, data, trade secrets, processes, formulae, inventions or
other intellectual property, which are proprietary to any person other than the
Company. The provisions of this Article 8 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.    

8.1.Obligations of Kast. Upon the termination of his position with the Company,
or upon the Company’s earlier request, Kast shall promptly deliver to the
Company all documents and other tangible items comprising or referring to any
confidential information of the Company or its affiliates, together with all
copies, summaries and records thereof. Kast shall forward to the Company all
electronic copies of documents comprising or referring to confidential
information of the Company or its affiliates held by or under the employee’s
control, and thereupon delete the same.

 

8.2.Work Product. Kast acknowledges and agrees that all proprietary interests
including all patent rights, trade secrets and confidential information in and
to any product of the Company’s business (the “Work Product”) shall be the sole
and exclusive property of the Company or such other party as the Company may
from time to time designate, and Kast hereby assigns to the Company or to such
other party as the Company may direct all such rights which it possesses or may
possess or is entitled to or which vests or may vest in connection with the Work
Product. Kast agrees to execute all such instruments, certificates or documents
required by the Company to confirm such ownership and implement such assignment.
The provisions of this section will survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

9.Termination of Employment. Either party to this Agreement may terminate Kast’s
employment with the Company for any reason whatsoever. If Kast elects to
terminate this Agreement, Kast agrees to provide the Company with at least sixty
(60) days’ written notice in advance of the planned termination date. If Kast
fails to provide the Company with a least sixty (60) days’ written notice, Kast
shall, at the Company’s option, forfeit any and all Executive Bonus payments
under Article 3.2 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
shall have the option, in its complete discretion, to make Kast’s termination
effective at any time prior to the end of such notice period, provided the
Company pays Kast all compensation due and owing through the end of the notice
period.

 

 

 

 

 

9.1.Financial Obligations for Termination with Cause. In the event the Company
elects to terminate Kast’s employment for cause during the course of this
Agreement, the Company shall pay Kast all compensation due and owing, which
includes (a) earned but unpaid salary, prorated to the date of termination; (b)
earned and accrued but unpaid paid time off benefits; and (c) incurred and
properly documented but unpaid business related expenses. In the event the
Company elects to terminate Kast’s employment for cause during the course of
this Agreement, Kast will be ineligible for any Executive Bonus payments. As
used herein, “cause” means the Company’s reasonable belief that any of the
following have occurred: (A) the continued failure by Kast to substantially
perform her duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from
Kast’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness pursuant to Section 9.3
below), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Kast,
and Kast fails to cure such failure within fifteen (15) days after receipt of
such demand, (B) the engaging by Kast in conduct which is demonstrably and
materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (other than such
conduct resulting from Employee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness
pursuant to Section 9.3 below), (C) action by Kast toward the Company involving
dishonesty, unethical practices or disloyalty, (D) any verbal, written, or other
statement by Kast that disparages the Company or any of its agents, owners,
directors, officers, employees, representatives, successors or assigns, or
impedes or damages the Company’s ability to do business, (E) the violation by
Kast of any statute, rule or regulation, any of which in the judgment of the
Company is harmful to the Company’s business or reputation, and (F) any reason
that would constitute cause under the laws of the State of Colorado. Kast may
appeal any determination of “cause” pursuant to this Agreement to the board of
directors of the Company within five (5) days of receipt of notice of
termination for cause by providing notice to the Company. Upon receipt of such
notice, the board of directors will meet to consider the appeal no later than
thirty (30) days following the receipt of such notice, and will notify Kast
within five (5) days of such meeting as to the board’s determination of the
appeal.

 

9.2.Financial Obligations for Termination for Reasons other than Cause. In the
event the Company elects to terminate Kast’s employment for reasons other than
cause during the course of this Agreement, the Company shall pay Kast all
compensation due and owing, which includes (a) earned but unpaid salary,
prorated to the date of termination; (b) earned and accrued but unpaid paid time
off benefits; (c) incurred and properly documented but unpaid business related
expenses; and (d) severance payment equal to six (6) months of salary if Kast
has been employed by the Company for less than one year or twelve (12) months of
salary if Kast has been employed by the Company for more than one year. The
monthly salary amount is to be that of the month prior to termination. Such
severance payment will be paid on the first of the month following Kast’s
termination in a lump sum payment. Further, if the Company terminates Kast’s
employment for reasons other than cause, or Kast terminates her employment by
giving proper notice in accordance with this Article 9, compensation shall
include a pro-rated bonus based on Kast’s Executive Bonus. Such pro-ration shall
be based on the Company’s good faith estimate of Kast’s achievement and on the
Company’s actual results through the date of termination for the calendar year
during which termination takes place. Executive Bonus payments, if any, shall be
paid in accordance with Section 3.2 of this Agreement.

 

9.3.Physical and/or Mental Impairment. In the event the Company terminates
Kast’s employment for physical and/or mental impairment, Kast agrees that the
Company’s financial obligation to Kast is limited to that which Kast would
otherwise receive if the Company terminated Kast’s employment for reasons other
than cause. It is Kast’s obligation to elect and maintain any Company or
personal disability and/or medical plans.

 

9.4.Return of Company Property. Kast shall return to Company all Company (or
affiliate) property, including, without limitation, all equipment, vehicles,
keys, credit cards, company product, tangible proprietary information,
documents, books, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, computer software
and hardware (and other computer-generated files and data), and copies thereof,
created on any medium and furnished to, obtained by, or prepared by Kast in the
course of or incident to Kast’s employment.

 

 

 

 

 

9.5.Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” of
the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if the business or businesses of
the Company for which Kast’s services are principally performed are disposed of
by the Company pursuant to a partial or complete liquidation, dissolution,
consolidation or merger of the Company, a sale or transfer of all or a
significant portion of the Company’s assets; provided, however, the Company is
not the majority shareholder of the surviving entity. Either Company or Kast may
terminate this Agreement if there is a Change in Control of the Company. In the
event of a Change in Control subsequent to the Effective Date of this Agreement
and either (i) termination of Kast’s employment by the Company or (ii) a
reduction in Kast’s annual base salary of greater than 10% or a material
demotion in Kast’s title and position in the Company, in either case within 12
months of the Change in Control, Kast shall receive compensation equal to two
years of Kast’s annual salary to be paid in a lump sum. Kast shall not be
entitled to payment under this section if she is terminated by the Company for
cause.

 

10.Arbitration. Any dispute between the parties that cannot be resolved without
seeking legal remedy shall be finally settled by arbitration held in Jefferson
County, Colorado by one arbitrator in accordance with the rules of commercial
arbitration then followed by the American Arbitration Association. The
arbitration shall apply Colorado law in the resolution of all controversies,
claims and disputes and shall have the right and authority to determine how his
or her decision or determination as to each issue or matter in dispute may be
implemented or enforced. The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the
arbitrator and waive any objection to the jurisdiction of such arbitrator. The
ruling of the arbitrator shall be binding on the parties and the non-prevailing
party shall pay the cost of the arbitration proceeding, including reasonable
attorney’s fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section,
nothing contained in this provision shall be deemed to preclude any party from
bringing an action for injunctive relief in any court having jurisdiction.

 

11.Governing Law and Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado.
If in any jurisdiction any provision of this Agreement or its application to any
party or circumstance is restricted, prohibited, or unenforceable, that
provision shall be deemed ineffective only to the extent of such restriction,
prohibition, or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
of this Agreement and without affecting the validity or enforceability of such
provision in any other jurisdiction or its application to other parties or
circumstances.

 

12.Tax Considerations. The personal tax consequences of any compensation or
benefits paid or accruing to Kast under this Agreement are Kast’s obligation.
The Company will conform to all applicable tax law, codes, and regulations,
including withholding and/or reporting of taxable compensation in respect to
payments made to Kast or made on Kast’s behalf.

 

13.Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder must be in
writing and shall be effective upon delivery by hand, upon verified facsimile
transmission, or three (3) business days after deposit in the United States
mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered, and addressed to the Company, to
the attention of the then current CFO or COO of the Company or to Kast at the
address or fax number provided in this Agreement. Both parties have a mutual
obligation to notify the other party in writing of any change of address or
facsimile number.

 

14.Attorney’s Fees. In the event of any default under this Agreement, all costs
of enforcement shall be paid by whichever party does not substantially prevail.

 

15.Assignment. This is an Agreement for the performance of personal services by
Kast and may not be assigned by either party, except that the Company may assign
this Agreement to any affiliated company of, or any successor in interest to,
the Company.

 

16.Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the
parties superseding any other prior agreement, written or oral, relating to the
terms of employment contained herein. This Agreement can be changed or modified
only by a writing signed by both parties.

 

 

 

 

 

17.          Compliance with Section 409A.   Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this agreement, to the extent that any payment due hereunder is (i)
deferred compensation subject to Internal Revenue Code section 409A (“IRC
409A”), and (ii) is payable to a specified employee (as that term is defined in
IRC 409A), and (iii) is payable on account of the specified employee’s
separation from service as that term is defined in IRC 409A), payment of any
part of such amount that would have been made during the six (6) months
following the separation from service shall not then be paid but shall rather be
paid on the first day of the seventh (7th) month following the separation from
service.

 

(i)For this purpose, specified employees shall be identified by the Employer on
a basis consistent with regulations issued under IRC 409A, and consistently
applied to all plans, programs, contracts, etc. maintained by the Employer that
are subject to IRC 409A.

 

(ii)For this purpose “termination of employment” or “termination” shall be
defined as “separation from service” as that term is defined under IRC 409A.

 

(iii)To the extent that IRC 409A is applicable to this Agreement, this Agreement
shall be construed and administered to comply with the rules of IRC 409A.
Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors, agents or affiliates
shall be obligated, directly or indirectly, to Kast or any other person for any
taxes, penalties, interest or like amounts that may be imposed on Kast or other
person on account of any amounts under this Agreement or on account of any
failure to comply with any Internal Revenue Code section.

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement
as of the date first above written.

 

Rare Element Resources, Inc. a Wyoming Corporation

 

 

 

By: /s/ Randall J. Scott   By: /s/ Kelli C. Kast   Randall J. Scott     Kelli C.
Kast   Chief Executive Officer     VP, General Counsel, CAO, CS