Exhibit 10.38

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

 

This Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is entered into
as of January 30, 2009 by and between Building Materials Corporation of America
(“GAF”, as more fully defined in Paragraph 17 of this Agreement), and David A.
Harrison (“Harrison”), sometimes herein collectively referred to as “the
Parties”.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Harrison was employed at-will by GAF or its predecessors or
subsidiaries most recently as Senior Vice President – Chief Marketing Officer in
Wayne, New Jersey and was a member of the Board of Directors of GAF and its
subsidiaries; and

 

WHEREAS, Harrison wishes to voluntarily terminate his at–will employment with
GAF and resign from the Board of Directors of GAF and its subsidiaries effective
the date hereof; and

 

WHEREAS, GAF agrees to provide Harrison with certain consideration as set forth
herein including its agreement to enter into a Consulting Agreement with
Harrison attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part of this Agreement,
provided he agrees to execute this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, GAF has determined that Harrison has no days of earned but unused
vacation days; and

 

WHEREAS, Harrison has been advised of his right to consult an attorney before
signing this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants herein undertaken, and the
releases herein contained including the general release in Paragraph 5 of this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged by the parties, GAF and Harrison agree as follows:

 

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1.             Harrison voluntarily terminates his employment with GAF and
resigns from the Board of Directors of GAF and its subsidiaries effective the
date hereof (the “Separation Date”).  Harrison agrees to execute any paperwork
reasonably necessary to effectuate this separation.  After the Separation Date,
Harrison shall no longer serve as Senior Vice President – Chief Marketing
Officer or in any other position or capacity with GAF except as otherwise
specifically provided in the Consulting Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided
herein, Harrison shall return to GAF all GAF-owned or used property in his
possession as soon as practicable and he will not retain copies of any
confidential GAF information or material.

 

2.             GAF agrees to provide the following pay, benefits, and other
consideration to Harrison:

 

(a)           GAF shall enter into a Consulting Agreement in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A and made a part of this Agreement.

 

(b)           Beginning February 1, 2009, Harrison is eligible to elect the
continuation of his group medical and/or dental insurance coverage provided by
GAF as provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
(“COBRA”).  After January 31, 2009, Harrison shall no longer be eligible for any
other welfare benefit not included in COBRA continuation coverage or for
participation in any pension benefit including GAF’s 401k plan.

 

(c)           GAF agrees to sell to Harrison the Company-leased automobile
currently in his possession for a total of one dollar ($1.00).  Harrison
acknowledges and agrees that he shall be solely responsible for compliance with
any applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations with respect to any tax
consequences or obligations associated with the purchase of this automobile. 
The Parties acknowledge that the automobile is being sold “as is” without any
warranty, express or implied.  GAF makes no representations regarding the
automobile and upon execution of the sale, GAF has no further responsibilities
or liabilities associated with the automobile.

 

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(d)      GAF agrees to sell to Harrison the Company-owned laptop computer
currently in his possession for a total of one dollar ($1.00).  Harrison
acknowledges and agrees that he shall be solely responsible for compliance with
any applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations with respect to any tax
consequences or obligations associated with the purchase of this computer.  As a
condition to the sale, Harrison agrees to return the computer to GAF to allow
GAF to copy or remove all GAF proprietary information, data and applications and
any other information, data or applications as determined by GAF in its sole
discretion.  GAF agrees to remove all GAF-specific applications, network log-ins
and other applications so as to allow unrestricted use of the computer.  GAF
agrees to use reasonable efforts to return said computer to Harrison within one
(1) business day from the time it is returned to GAF.  The Parties acknowledge
that the laptop is being sold “as is” without any warranty, express or implied. 
GAF makes no representations regarding the computer and upon execution of the
sale, GAF has no further responsibilities, except as provided in this paragraph,
or liabilities associated with the computer.  Upon Harrison completing the
necessary transfer documentation as requested by GAF, GAF will transfer to
Harrison for his personal use the mobile phone number he currently uses and
Harrison shall be responsible thereafter for all costs and fees relating to that
number.

 

(e)       Harrison acknowledges and agrees that he is waiving his right to, and
is not eligible for, a 2008 bonus under GAF’s Executive Incentive Compensation
Plan.  However, GAF agrees to pay him a discretionary bonus for 2008 performance
in the amount of One hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000.00), subject to
standard withholding and payroll deductions, payable no later than February 28,
2009.  This payment shall be transmitted to Harrison by direct deposit or wire
transfer to the account on record with GAF.

 

3.             Harrison agrees not to disclose the contents of this Agreement to
anyone except his attorney and/or financial consultant, if any, his immediate
family, and appropriate governmental agencies which require this information or
as required by law.  If disclosure is made to any of the foregoing, Harrison
shall advise each of the non-disclosure requirements of this Agreement.

 

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Harrison shall also keep confidential and not disclose to anyone the
circumstances leading to the execution of this Agreement, subject to the
exceptions specified herein and also subject to his right to discuss such
circumstances (but not the contents of this Agreement) with any bona fide
prospective employers of Harrison or as required by law.  GAF agrees not to
disclose the contents of this Agreement or the circumstances leading to its
execution except as required by law or to its attorneys or other advisers, all
of whom will be advised of the non-disclosure requirements of this Agreement.

 

4.               If Harrison discloses the contents of this Agreement or any
other information, the disclosure of which is prohibited by this Agreement,
except as allowed and under the conditions provided herein, or is otherwise in
material breach of this Agreement or the Agreement Regarding Confidentiality and
Competition dated as of July 10, 1998 by and between GAF and Harrison, as
amended by the Employment Security Agreement dated as of June 30, 2001 by and
between GAF and Harrison (the “Confidentiality and Competition Agreement”),
before all amounts, benefits or other consideration due under this Separation
Agreement and General Release are provided to him, GAF’s obligation to make any
remaining payments or to provide any benefit or other consideration to Harrison
under the instant Agreement shall cease.  The foregoing is in addition to and
without limiting GAF’s rights to any other remedy it may have by reason of such
a breach.

 

5.             In consideration for the benefits and other consideration
provided for in this Agreement, Harrison, on behalf of himself, his heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, hereby forever releases and
discharges GAF, its parent companies and its and their respective successors,
assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders,
representatives, attorneys, insurers, agents and employees (hereinafter “GAF
Releasees”) from any and all causes of action, claims, losses, damages, costs
and/or expenses (including attorney’s fees) and/or other liabilities
(collectively, “Liabilities”), known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, which
Harrison has or may have, from the beginning of time to the date of the
execution of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Liabilities arising
under any and all

 

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federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances prohibiting
discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, age,
religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, or any other form of
unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, Title VII of The Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967, as amended; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Family and
Medical Leave Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; any accrued benefit
under any other GAF Employee welfare benefit plan as that term is defined by
Section 3(1) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act; any provision of
the Constitution of the United States, the State of New Jersey, or any other
state; any provision of any other law, common or statutory, of the United
States, New Jersey or any other state, including New Jersey’s Law Against
Discrimination (“LAD”), New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act
(“CEPA”),  any contract of employment, expressed or implied; as well as any and
all claims alleging wrongful termination, or any other tortious or wrongful
conduct or omission, in any way relating to or arising out of Harrison’s hiring
by GAF, his employment with GAF, or his separation of employment.  Excepted from
this release is any claim or right which cannot be waived by law, including
workers’ compensation claims and claims arising after the date of this
Agreement.  The Parties intend Harrison’s release as set forth in this paragraph
to be general and comprehensive in nature and to release all claims and
potential claims by Harrison to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Harrison from filing
any future charge or complaint with the EEOC or participating in any
investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, nor shall any provision of
this Agreement adversely affect Harrison’s right to engage in such conduct. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Harrison waives the right to obtain any relief
from the EEOC or to recover any monies or compensation as a result of filing a
charge or complaint.

 

6.             Harrison acknowledges that the only consideration for signing
this Agreement and all that he is ever to receive from Releasees are expressed
in the terms stated in this Agreement and that no other promises or agreements
of any kind have been made to Harrison by any person or entity whatsoever to
cause him to sign this Agreement, and that Harrison has signed this Agreement

 

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as a free and voluntary act.  Harrison further acknowledges that pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, he is and will be receiving pay, benefits, and other
consideration from GAF which are substantially above and beyond the pay,
benefits, or other consideration to which he, in the absence of this Agreement,
would be entitled.  Harrison further acknowledges that GAF is providing the
payments, benefits, and other consideration set forth in this Agreement by
Harrison’s promises, including the full and comprehensive release provided in
Paragraph 5.  Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, Harrison shall not
receive any other pay, benefits, or consideration from GAF including any
severance pay under GAF’s Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees.
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Harrison’s rights and obligations with respect
to any Long Term Incentive Units shall be governed by the applicable Long Term
Incentive Unit Plan based on his Separation Date.   Any future vesting of
previously granted but unvested units shall cease on the Separation Date, and
Harrison shall have ninety (90) days to exercise any units vested as of that
date.

 

7.             Harrison hereby waives any and all rights or claims that he may
have to reinstatement, employment or reemployment with GAF.

 

8.             Harrison agrees that this Agreement shall not be offered, used or
considered as evidence in any proceeding against GAF except to the extent
necessary to enforce the terms of this Agreement.  GAF agrees that this
Agreement shall not be offered, used or considered as evidence in any proceeding
against Harrison except to the extent necessary to enforce the terms of this
Agreement.

 

9.             This Agreement is not, and shall not, be construed as an
admission by GAF or Harrison of any acts or omissions that could or might be
alleged with respect to any matter concerning Harrison’s employment or
separation of employment with GAF.  Without limiting the foregoing, this
Agreement is not, and shall not be, construed as an admission by GAF of (i) any
violation of any law, regulation, or ordinance; or (ii) any wrongful act toward
Harrison; or (iii) any

 

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liability whatsoever for any damages or injuries that are or could be claimed by
him with respect to his hiring by GAF, his employment, or the separation of his
employment.

 

10.           Harrison represents and warrants that he has not filed or
otherwise initiated any proceeding, complaint, charge, or lawsuit with any
court, government agency, or other entity relating to any claims being released
by him under this Agreement.  In addition to agreeing herein not to bring suit
against GAF, Harrison agrees to not file a claim or charge with any state or
governmental agency wherein he seeks damages from GAF.

 

11.  After the Separation Date, upon reasonable notice and without any
additional consideration except for reimbursement of authorized expenses,
Harrison agrees to cooperate with GAF and to meet with GAF representatives in
connection with any legal matter in which Harrison may potentially be called as
a witness for GAF.  The foregoing does not create any employment relationship
between him and GAF.  GAF agrees that it will reimburse Harrison for his time in
this regard at One thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per day and for any
expenses incurred by him at GAF’s request in connection with his cooperation as
provided herein, provided Harrison submits appropriate and supporting
documentation to GAF in a reasonable and timely manner.  GAF agrees to cooperate
with Harrison to minimize any disruption to Harrison caused by his cooperation
with GAF in such matters as provided herein.

 

12.           Harrison agrees not to make any defamatory or derogatory
statement, written or verbal, to any third parties regarding the facts or
circumstances surrounding this Agreement or any other defamatory or derogatory
statement that may be harmful to GAF or may be injurious to the goodwill,
reputation or business standing of GAF.   GAF agrees not to make any defamatory
or derogatory statement, written or verbal, to any third parties regarding the
facts or circumstances surrounding this Agreement or any other defamatory or
derogatory statement that may be harmful to Harrison or may be injurious to the
goodwill, reputation or business standing of Harrison.  GAF agrees, in response
to any and all inquiries regarding Harrson’s work under the Consulting

 

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Agreement and/or his previous employment with GAF, to provide Harrison’s dates
of employment and work under the Consulting Agreement, his job title as an
employee of GAF, and a statement that only this information is provided
regarding all GAF employees pursuant to corporate practice.

 

13.           If any one or more of the provisions contained herein shall for
any reason be held to be unenforceable in any respect under the law of any state
or of the United States of America, such unenforceability shall not affect any
other provision of this Agreement, and said provision shall be ineffective, to
the extent of such unenforceability, with respect only to that jurisdiction
holding the provision to be unenforceable.

 

14.           Any controversy or claim arising from or related to this Agreement
or the breach thereof shall be settled by final and binding arbitration by a
single arbitrator in an arbitration administered by the American Arbitration
Association in Passaic County, New Jersey, in accordance with the Expedited
Procedures of its Commercial Arbitration Rules, and judgment on the award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.

 

15.           Harrison and GAF hereby consent and submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts located in the State of New Jersey
with regard to any and all disputes arising from or related to Sections 3 or 4
of this Agreement.  Harrison and GAF waive any objection to personal
jurisdiction in New Jersey and any objection that those courts are inconvenient
forums to hear such disputes. Each of Harrison and GAF hereby consent and agree
that service of process by the other party shall be deemed validly and properly
affected against

 

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them upon the mailing of a copy of such process by certified mail, postage
prepaid, to them at their addresses as provided below or as hereafter provided
to the other party in writing.

 

If to Harrison:

Mr. David A. Harrison

14 Elm Street

Denville, NJ 07834

 

If to GAF:

 

GAF Building Materials Corporation

Chief Executive Officer

1361 Alps Road

Wayne, NJ 07470

 

With a copy to:

GAF Building Materials Corporation

Office of the General Counsel

1361 Alps Road

Wayne, NJ 07470

 

16.           This Agreement contains the entire agreement between Harrison and
GAF and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements, with the exception of the
Confidentiality and Competition Agreement, which shall continue in full force
and effect under its terms, or understandings pertaining to the subject matter
hereof.  Harrison represents and acknowledges that in executing this Agreement
he has not relied upon any representation or statement not set forth herein,
made by any of the Releasees or by any of the Releasees’ agents,
representatives, or attorneys with regard to the

 

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subject matter of this Agreement.  No other promise or agreement shall be
binding unless in writing and signed by the Parties hereto.

 

17.           All references to GAF in this Agreement include: (a) any
affiliated, related, subsidiaries, or parent companies of Building Materials
Corporation of America; (b) any past or present officers, directors,
shareholders, attorneys, insurers, agents, representatives, and/or employees of
GAF and or its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and related companies; and
(c) any and all respective predecessors, successors and assigns, and any and all
benefit plans, of GAF and/or its affiliated companies (as well as the past or
present officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, and
employees of such entity).

 

18.           Harrison acknowledges that he has been advised by GAF of his right
to consult an attorney before signing this Agreement, and that he has been
provided at least twenty-one (21) days after the date he received this document
to consider the Agreement.  Harrison also understands that he may sign the
Agreement prior to that date.  Harrison further understands that he may revoke
and repudiate this Agreement within seven (7) days after signing it by
delivering written notification to Scott C. Carroll, Vice President Employment &
Labor Law, GAF Materials Corporation, 1361 Alps Road, Building 8/2, Wayne, New
Jersey 07470 and Harrison understands that this Agreement shall not become
effective or enforceable until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired. 
Should Harrison revoke and repudiate this Agreement during the foregoing seven
(7) day period, he shall be required to return or repay the value of any
consideration under this Agreement he already received, except if he challenges
the validity of the waiver and release agreement under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act.

 

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19.           BY SIGNING THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, HARRISON
STATES THAT:

 

(a)        HE HAS READ IT;

(b)        HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS THAT HE IS GIVING UP CERTAIN RIGHTS;

(c)        HE AGREES WITH EVERYTHING IN IT;

(d)        HE IS AWARE OF HIS RIGHT TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING IT;
AND

(e)        HE HAS SIGNED IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed.

 

 

 

 

Building Materials Corporation of America

 

 

 

WITNESSED:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Scott Carroll

 

By:

/s/ Robert B. Tafaro

 

 

 Robert B. Tafaro

 

 

 President and CEO

 

 

 

Date:

1/30/09

 

Date:

1/30/09

 

 

 

 

WITNESSED:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Victoria Gormley

 

By:

/s/ David A. Harrison

 

 

 David A. Harrison

 

 

 

 

Date:

1/30/09

 

Date:

1/30/09

 

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CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

[See Exhibit 10.39 to this Form 10-K]

 

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