Exhibit 10.27
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (the “Agreement”) is entered into
by and between Calumet GP, LLC, Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., and
its direct or indirect subsidiaries and other affiliates (collectively, the
“Company”) and D. West Griffin (“Employee”) (individually, “Party”; and jointly,
the “Parties”).

Recitals

A.Employee has been employed by the Company since January 5, 2017, and is
presently the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Vice President; and

B.The Parties wish to terminate the employment relationship between the Company
and Employee on amicable and certain terms as set forth in this Agreement.

Terms and Conditions

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and obligations contained in
this Agreement, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties
hereby agree as follows:

1.Separation Date. Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate
effective January 2, 2020 (“Separation Date”). Employee, however, will have
certain obligations beyond the Separation Date as set forth below.

2.Severance. In consideration for the promises made by Employee in this
Agreement, the Company shall provide Employee three installment payments
totaling a gross amount of One Million, Sixty-Five Thousand Six Hundred and One
Dollars and Zero Cents ($1,065,601.00), subject to all applicable employment
taxes and withholdings. The first installment of Five Hundred Seventy-Five
Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($575,000.00) gross will be paid on the next
regularly-scheduled payday following the Effective Date of the Subsequent
Release Agreement as described below in January 2020. The second installment of
Two Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Eight Dollars and Zero
Cents ($281,898.00) gross will be paid on the next regularly-scheduled payday
following March 31, 2020. The third installment of Two Hundred Eight Thousand
Seven Hundred Three Dollars and Zero Cents ($208,703.00) gross will be paid on
the next regularly-scheduled payday following June 30, 2020. The foregoing three
payments shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Severance Package.”
Company acknowledges that apart from the Severance Package, Employee will be
reimbursed for any expenses he incurs during his employment in accordance with
the travel and entertainment policy which have not otherwise been reimbursed by
the last date of his employment. Employee will also be receive reimbursement for
commuting costs of $25,000 grossed up for taxes for the period through December
31, 2019, which will be due at the same time as the first installment payment
described above (“Commuting Payment”).

Employee also understands and agrees that in further consideration for the
Severance Package and to be eligible for same, Employee must execute (and not
revoke) the “Subsequent Release and Waiver Agreement” in the form attached to
this Agreement (“Subsequent Release Agreement”) on or within seven (7) days of
the Separation Date.

3.LTIP. Employee’s LTIP units will be treated in accordance with the terms of
the applicable contract(s), letter agreement and amendments, or plan document.
Pursuant to the First

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Amendment to Phantom Unit Grant Agreement signed by Employee on December 21,
2017, the Parties agree that Employee has satisfied the obligation to purchase
the requisite number of units.

4.Transition and Future Assistance.  To be eligible for the Severance Package,
through December 31, 2019, Employee will perform his normal duties as CFO and
will assist Company in (1) supporting the remediation of the Company’s Material
Weaknesses, and (2) providing a smooth transition and handover to any newly
appointed Chief Financial Officer. It is understood that Employee will work from
home starting December 15, 2019 and that Employee will take November 27 and 29
as vacation. Employee will execute any necessary documentation effecting his
resignation from any corporate roles or offices relating to the Company.
Employee agrees to provide support to the new CFO after December 31, 2019 by
assisting the Company by answering any questions it may have to support the
filing of the Company’s Form 10-K for 2019. Employee agrees that after his
Separation Date and through June 30, 2020, he will cooperate and make himself
reasonably available to Company (including its agents and attorneys) in the
event Employee’s assistance is needed to answer questions or provide input on
Company-related matters. Employee agrees that the first 80 hours of support to
the Company, including up to a maximum of five in-person days in Indianapolis,
will be at no additional cost to the Company other than reimbursement of
reasonable expenses incurred by Employee to provide that support. If the Company
requires additional support from Employee, the Company will pay Employee an
hourly rate of $505/hr, plus reasonable expenses for that assistance. If the
Company requires Employee to be in Indianapolis to provide support after his
Separation Date, each day he is required to be physically present will counted
as eight hours for purposes of this Section, regardless of the amount of time
worked.

5.Complete Payment. The Severance Package, to which Employee would not otherwise
be entitled, shall constitute complete settlement and satisfaction of any and
all present or potential claims for loss of wages, including any and all forms
of compensation, commissions, bonuses, and benefits of employment,
reinstatement, severance pay (apart from the Severance Package and other
payments described in paragraphs 2 and 4), incentive plan payouts (save for the
Employee’s participation in the existing long-term incentive program that
provides for potential future vesting opportunities), compensatory damages,
punitive damages, declaratory relief, interest, attorney’s fees, costs, other
litigation fees, and any and all other forms of monetary or injunctive relief.
Employee hereby expressly acknowledges payment in full by the Company of any and
all earned and unpaid compensation and benefits (excluding any unpaid vested
vacation pay, expenses Employee has incurred that have not yet been reimbursed,
any Commuting Payment and any long-term incentive program payments) as of the
Effective Date of this Agreement. Apart from the Severance Package, the Company
shall have no continuing liability to Employee for any compensation,
commissions, bonuses, incentive payments, or benefits of employment save for the
Employee’s participation in the existing long-term incentive program that
provides for potential future vesting opportunities; provided, however, that
this provision shall have no effect on any unpaid vested vacation pay.

6.Unemployment Compensation Benefits. The Company shall not contest any claim
for unemployment compensation benefits Employee might file in connection with
Employee’s termination.

7.Release of Claims. In consideration of the promises made by the Company in
this Agreement, Employee hereby RELEASES AND FOREVER DISCHARGES the Company and
its owners, directors, principals, officers, agents, employees, subsidiaries,
affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from
any and all claims, demands, liabilities, actions, or causes of action which
Employee had, has, or may have on account of, arising out of, or related to: (a)
Employee’s employment with the Company and the termination of that employment,
including,

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without limitation, any and all claims, demands, liabilities, actions, or causes
of action arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil
Rights Act of 1991; Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States
Code; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Americans with
Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Family and
Medical Leave Act; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Lilly Ledbetter
Fair Pay Act; the Equal Pay Act; Indiana or Texas civil-rights statutes; Indiana
or Texas payment-of-wages statutes; The Texas Payday Law; any statute
administered by the Texas Workforce Commission or Indiana Department of
Workforce Development; and any and all other federal, state and local laws
governing terms and conditions of employment, wages, hours, compensation,
discrimination, and any and all other matters; and (b) any and all other matters
occurring prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement other than amounts due
pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 and any obligation of the Company to indemnify
Employee. Employee is hereby releasing each and every claim, known or unknown,
contingent or actual, which Employee has or may have against the Released
Parties, or any of them, as of the Effective Date, except the foregoing release
does not extend to any claim for unemployment compensation benefits or any claim
that may not lawfully be released by private agreement, nor does it restrict
Employee’s right to file a charge with any administrative or government agency
or participate in an administrative or government agency investigation or
proceeding; provided, however, that by signing this Agreement, Employee
understands and agrees that, in the event that Employee files any charge or
claim against the Released Parties or any of them, this Agreement may operate to
limit or preclude Employee’s entitlement to relief or recovery from such claim,
including any costs or attorneys’ fees. Further, this Agreement does not release
claims for monies owed (i.e., future hourly rates or expenses) as a result of
the terms provided in Paragraphs 2 and 4.

8.Covenant Not To Sue. Employee promises and agrees not to file a lawsuit
against the Released Parties or any of them with respect to any claim or cause
of action released herein. In the event that Employee violates this covenant,
Employee understands and agrees that any such claim will be subject to dismissal
with prejudice and further agrees to reimburse the Released Parties for their
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred to secure such dismissal.

9.Acknowledgement of Payment in Full. Employee acknowledges receipt of payment
in full for all compensation owed to Employee under federal and state law,
except for the Severance Package and any other potential or contingent future
payments as set forth herein. Employee further acknowledges that Employee is not
aware of any facts or circumstances constituting a violation by the Company of
the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other statute or law relating to Employee’s
payment of wages or hours of work. Employee further warrants that Employee has
made no allegations against the Company and is not aware of any facts or
circumstances that would give rise to any claims on Employee’s behalf for sexual
harassment or sexual abuse.

10.Return of the Company Property and Confidentiality.

(a)Within five (5) days of the Separation Date, or upon a date of the Company’s
choosing (but no later than July 5, 2020) if in the Company’s opinion Employee
will need any particular equipment to fill his obligations in 2020, Employee
shall return to the Company any Company-provided id cards, iPad, laptop, tablet,
cell phone, credit card, keys (including desk, office, and building keys),
Company identification card or badge, passwords, access codes, documentation,
information, reports, files, memoranda, records, identification, hardware, and
software, and any physical or personal property of any nature that Employee
received, prepared or helped prepare in connection with Employee’s employment
with the Company (“Company Information/Property”). Employee

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expressly agrees that Employee will not retain any copies, duplicates,
reproductions, or excerpts of any such Company Information/Property in any
(including electronic) form.

(b)If Employee is in possession of a Company-owned vehicle (“Vehicle”), the
payment of the Severance Package is contingent upon the return of the Vehicle
(along with the keys to same), unless (1) there is an agreed-upon written
purchase plan for the Vehicle between Employee and Company, or (2) the Employee
has express, written authorization from the Company to keep and receive title to
the Vehicle.

(c)Employee hereby acknowledges that, in connection with the performance of
Employee’s duties, Employee has been given access to certain confidential and
proprietary information relating to and used in the Company’s business, which
may include, without limitation, confidential personnel information, including
compensation, benefits, medical, performance, and disciplinary information;
systems, procedures, manuals, and financial information; general compensation
data; marketing strategies and information; pending projects and proposals;
business plans and forecasts; trade information or secrets; costs and pricing
information; trademarks and trade names; or records and copies of records
pertaining to the operations, customers, or business of the Company, as well as
other confidential information, documents, and records regarding the Company’s
business which the Company has acquired and/or developed through substantial
amounts of time, money and effort, all of which is collectively and individually
defined as “Confidential Information.” Employee hereby agrees that all
Confidential Information is and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of
the Company. Employee further agrees that Employee shall not at any time
following the Separation Date use, reveal, report, publish, transfer or
otherwise disclose to any person, corporation or other entity, any of the
Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the CEO of the
Company, except for such information which is or becomes generally available to
the public other than as a result of an act or omission on the part of Employee.
Employee shall return to the Company all Confidential Information in Employee’s
possession, custody or control on or before the Effective Date of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall
prohibit Employee from reporting possible violations of federal law or
regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or making other disclosures that are
protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation.
Employee does not need prior authorization of the Company to make any such
reports or disclosures and is not required to notify Company that he/she has
made such reports or disclosures.

11.Compliance Certification. Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that
Employee is fully familiar with certain areas of the Released Parties’
operations, business practices, financial dealings, compliance measures and
controls, personnel practices and policies, and other functions and personnel
activities, over which Employee had direct and indirect authority or control
during Employee’s employment with the Released Parties; and that the only
present or potential violations of the Released Parties’ rules, regulations,
controls, or policies, or any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, statute,
or regulation, or any other breach of duty or responsibility by the Released
Parties or any of its managers, supervisors, owners, members, officers, or other
employees, of which Employee is aware, if any, are fully set forth in the
“Certification of Compliance” appended hereto.

12.Intellectual Property. In the event that Employee has generated or possesses
intellectual property generated during or arising out of Employee’s employment
with the Company (“Works”), the ownership of such intellectual property shall
reside with the Company regardless of whether such Works are capable of
copyright protection. Employee agrees to execute any documents which the Company
deems reasonably necessary in connection with the assignment of such Works

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and copyright therein to the Company. Employee will take whatever steps and do
whatever acts the Company requests, including, but not limited to, placement of
the Company’s proper copyright notice on such Works to secure or aid in securing
and maintaining copyright protection in such Works, and will assist the Company
or its nominees in filing applications to register claims of copyright in such
Works.

13.Waiver of Breach. No act or omission by the Company shall be deemed a waiver
by the Company of any of its rights under this Agreement. Employee acknowledges
that every situation is unique and the Company may need to respond differently
to the actions by one employee or the facts of one situation than to the actions
of another employee or the facts of another situation. Therefore, the failure of
the Company to enforce the same, similar, or different restrictions against
Employee or another employee or to seek a different remedy shall not be
construed as a waiver or estoppel to the enforcement of the Agreement’s
restrictions against Employee.    

14.Non-Disparagement. Employee specifically understands and agrees that Employee
shall not disparage, demean, or otherwise communicate through any means,
including social media, any information damaging or potentially damaging to the
business or reputation of Released Parties or any of them to any third party,
including, but not limited to, the media and business community and any past or
present employees of the Company, without the express written consent of the
Company. The CEO, in turn, will not disparage, demean, or otherwise communicate
through any means, including social media, any information damaging or
potentially damaging to the reputation of Employee to any third party,
including, but not limited to, the media and business community, without the
express written consent of Employee. It is understood and agreed by the Parties
that this provision shall not apply to any information, complaint, or other
communication that Employee or Company may in good faith file with or
communicate to any judicial or other governmental entity or agency concerning
any of the Released Parties or Employee.

15.Neutral Reference. The Company understands and agrees that any prospective
employer of Employee who contacts the Company’s Vice President of Human
Resources, General Counsel, or CEO for reference information about Employee
shall be informed only of Employee’s dates of employment and Employee’s last job
title.

16.Breach by Employee. Employee understands and agrees that a material breach by
Employee of this Agreement nullifies any obligation of the Company to provide
the Severance Package and obligates Employee to return to the Company all monies
already paid to Employee pursuant to this Agreement at the time of the breach
except for the Carve Out Items (as defined below) and permits the Company to
pursue any other legal or equitable relief to which it is otherwise entitled as
the result of such breach. The Carve Out Items are $1,000 (One Thousand
Dollars), Employee’s LTIP units (vested or unvested), reasonable travel and
expenses incurred and reimbursable in accordance with Company policy and the
Commuting Payment.

17.No Admission of Liability by the Released Parties. Employee agrees that
neither this Agreement nor the furnishing of the consideration for this
Agreement shall be deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an
admission by the Released Parties or any of them of any liability or unlawful
conduct of any kind.

18.Changes Must Be in Writing. This Agreement may not be modified, altered, or
changed except upon the express written consent of both Parties in which
specific reference is made to this Agreement.

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19.Entire Agreement and Statement on Restrictive Covenants. This Agreement sets
forth the entire agreement between Employee and the Company with regard to
Employee’s separation and fully supersedes any prior agreements or
understandings between the Parties with regard to the same subject; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall have no effect on any restrictive covenants
that would otherwise survive the termination of Employee’s employment contained
in any non-competition, non-solicitation, non-poaching, intellectual property,
or non-disclosure obligations or commitments that are presently in place by
virtue of existing contract (e.g., the non-competition, non-solicitation and
non-poaching covenants contained in Employee’s January 5, 2017 At-Will
Employment Agreement) or policy restrictions on Employee arising out of or in
connection with Employee’s employment with the Company. For the avoidance of
doubt, Employee reaffirms his obligations set forth in Employee’s continuing
covenants in his At-Will Employment Agreement, and regardless of same, Employee
specifically agrees to refrain from directly or indirectly inducing,
encouraging, or soliciting for employment any Calumet employee for 12 months
following the Effective Date of the Subsequent Release Agreement. Employee
acknowledges that Employee has not relied on any representations, promises, or
agreements of any kind made to Employee in connection with Employee’s decision
to sign this Agreement, except for those set forth in this Agreement.

20.Severability. Each provision and individual covenant of this Agreement and
the At-Will Agreement is severable. If any court or other governmental body of
competent jurisdiction shall conclude that any provision or individual covenant
of this Agreement or the At-Will Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such
provision or individual covenant shall be deemed ineffective to the extent of
such unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions and
covenants, which shall remain in full force and effect. Further, with regard to
the At-Will Agreement, if any provision, term, or covenant of same is found to
be unenforceable, the court shall limit the application of such term, provision,
or covenant, or modify any such term, provision, or covenant and proceed to
enforce the remainder of the surviving terms of the At-Will Agreement as so
limited or modified. The parties further agree that if any provision of this
Agreement or the At-Will Agreement is susceptible of two or more constructions,
one of which would render the provision unenforceable, then the provision shall
be construed to have the meaning that renders it enforceable.
    
21.Successors Are Bound. Each of the agreements and promises contained in this
Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the heirs,
executors, assignees, administrators, agents, and successors in interest to each
of the Parties.
    
22.Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are inserted solely
as a matter of convenience and for reference and, in the event of any conflict,
the text of this Agreement, rather than the headings, will control.

23.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which (including a facsimile or pdf attachment to e-mail thereof) shall
be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. The facsimile or pdf shall be admissible in any legal proceedings as
if it were a manually signed original.

24.Choice of Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of Indiana. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue over any
and all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be in
Marion County, Indiana, or in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of Indiana.

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25.Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF
ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
AT-WILL AGREEMENT. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING
OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE AT-WILL AGREEMENT,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, FRAUD CLAIMS, AND
ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS.     

26.Right to Revoke for Seven (7) Days After Signing and Effective Date. Employee
may revoke this Agreement by giving written notice of such revocation to the
Company at any time within seven (7) days following the date this Agreement is
signed by Employee, and this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable
until the end of such revocation period (“Effective Date”).

    
27.Review Period and Acknowledgment of Rights and Understandings. Employee
expressly agrees and acknowledges the following: (a) that Employee was given
this Agreement on October 3, 2019; (b) that Employee understands the terms and
conditions of this Agreement; (c) that Employee has knowingly and voluntarily
entered into this Agreement; (d) that Employee has hereby been advised in
writing to consult an attorney in connection with reviewing and entering into
this Agreement; (e) that Employee has been given at least twenty-one (21) days
to review and consider the original draft of this Agreement before signing this
Agreement; and (f) that this Agreement, when signed by the Company and Employee
(without revocation), is legally binding upon both the Company and Employee, as
well as their heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, agents, successors in
interest, even if Employee decides not to consult with an attorney in connection
with reviewing and entering into this Agreement or if Employee fails to utilize
the full twenty-one (21) days given Employee for this purpose.

28.Twenty-One (21) Day Review Period Not Increased by Changes.  Employee agrees
that any modifications, material or otherwise, made to this Agreement do not
restart or affect in any manner the original twenty-one (21) day consideration
period set forth in the previous Section.

WHEREFORE, intending to be legally bound to each and all of the terms of this
Agreement, the Parties hereby execute this Agreement this _2nd___ day of
January_ 2020.

D. West Griffin
CALUMET GP, LLC (for itself and on behalf of the Company)

    

_/s/ D. West Griffin          ____/s/ Pete Andrich ______
Signature:                        Signature:

_ D. West_Griffin___________      ______Pete Andrich_______    
Printed Signature:                    Printed Signature:
                        
“Employee”                    ________HR VP__________
Title:
“Company”

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Certification of Compliance

I, D. West Griffin, hereby confirm that I am fully familiar with certain areas
of the Company’s operations, business practices, financial dealings, compliance
measures and controls, personnel practices and policies, and other functions and
personnel activities, over which I had direct and indirect authority or control
during my employment with the Company; and that the only present or potential
violations of the Company’s rules, regulations, controls, or policies, or any
federal, state, or local law, ordinance, statute, or regulation, or any other
breach of duty or responsibility by the Company or any of its managers,
supervisors, owners, members, officers, or other employees, of which I am aware,
if any, are fully set forth in this Certification of Compliance as indicated
below (and on additional attached pages, if necessary):

X     I am not aware of any present or potential violations of the Company’s
rules, regulations, controls, or policies, or any federal, state, or local law,
ordinance, statute, or regulation, or any other breach of duty or responsibility
by the Company or any of its managers, supervisors, owners, members, officers,
or other employees, as of the date below.

    The only potential or real violation(s) of the Company’s rules, regulations,
controls, or policies, or any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, statute,
or regulation, or any other breach of duty or responsibility by the Company or
any of its managers, supervisors, owners, members, officers, or other employees,
of which I am aware as of the date below is (are) as follows:

__/s/ D. West Griffin _____ ___1/02/2020_________