Exhibit 10.3

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

 

This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by
and between Ryan Hanks (“Hanks”) and Trade Street Residential, Inc., a Maryland
corporation, including its affiliates, parent entities and subsidiaries
(“Company”). For purposes hereof, Hanks and the Company shall be collectively
referred to herein as the “Parties,” and individually, as a “Party.”

 

WHEREAS, Company has employed Hanks as the Chief Investment Officer and interim
Chief Operating Officer of the Company in accordance with that certain
Employment Agreement dated April 7, 2014, by and between the Company and Hanks
(“Employment Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, Hanks and the Company have reached the agreement set forth herein
regarding the terms of Hanks’s termination of his employment with the Company
and the termination of his Employment Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, Hanks and Company, hereby intending to be legally bound,
agree as follows:

 

1.          Recitals. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are
incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.          Termination of Employment. Hanks’s termination of employment with
the Company shall be effective at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 3,
2014 (the “Separation Date”). Effective on the Separation Date, Hanks will be
deemed to have (i) resigned his position as Chief Investment Officer of the
Company, (ii) resigned his position as interim Chief Operating Officer of the
Company, (iii) resigned from any other position as an officer, director or
fiduciary of the Company and any Company-related entity, and (iv) terminated all
other employee, agency, lessor, sublessor, licensor, sublicensor and other
vendor relationships with the Company. Hanks warrants and represents that he has
returned, or will promptly hereafter return, to Company all property of Company
in his possession, custody, or control, including, but not limited to, files
(paper and electronic) and other documents, client records, working papers,
reports, computers and other hardware or software, access cards, office keys,
and all other Company property (tangible or intangible) of any nature.

 

3.          Cooperation.

 

a.After the Separation Date, Hanks agrees to make himself available, upon
reasonable request and at no cost to the Company (other than expense
reimbursement), to the Company, its external and internal auditors, and
representatives to a reasonable extent for the purpose of providing information
and cooperating with respect to pending or future investigations, audits, and
inquiries on matters in which Hanks was involved during his tenure as Chief
Investment Officer and/or interim Chief Operating Officer of the Company and/or
about which Hanks has knowledge.

 

 

 

 

b.For the period ending on the earlier of (i) November 3, 2015 and (ii) the
occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined Company’s 2013 Equity Incentive
Plan, as amended (the “Plan”)), Hanks agrees to make himself available, upon
reasonable request and at no cost to the Company (other than expense
reimbursement), to the Company and any affiliates to a reasonable extent
(provided it does not interfere with Hank’s employment or other service
obligations to third parties) for the purpose of providing transitional advisory
and consultancy services and cooperating with the Company on an as-needed basis.
Any such services will be provided as an independent contractor, and not as an
employee of the Company.

 

4.          Payments & Benefits to Hanks. In consideration of Hanks’s
obligations and undertakings under this Agreement, the Company agrees as
follows:

 

a.Vesting of Restricted Stock. Effective at the Separation Date, 44,150 shares
of restricted common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common
Stock”) awarded to and in the name of Ryan Hanks on May 16, 2013, and 30,992
shares of restricted Common Stock awarded to and in the name of Ryan Hanks on
May 16, 2014 (together, the “Restricted Shares”) shall vest in full; provided,
however, that this number of shares of Common Stock otherwise to be issued and
delivered to Mr. Hanks shall be reduced, in accordance with Section 14.4 of the
Plan, to cover any tax withholding obligations applicable to the vesting of the
Restricted Shares. The Company shall, upon request of Hanks, issue and deliver
one or more certificates evidencing the 75,142 shares of Common Stock, without
any restrictive legend thereon referencing any vesting of such shares. All other
shares of restricted Common Stock and any other equity-based awards shall be
forfeited effective at the Separation Date.

 

b.Indemnification. That certain Indemnification Agreement between the Company
and Hanks dated as of August 10, 2012 shall remain in full force and effect for
acts and conduct by Hanks up to and including the Separation Date.

 

 

 

  

5.          Release.

 

a.In consideration of the payments and other benefits to be provided by the
Company to Hanks after the Separation Date, Hanks, for himself and his heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, and assigns, hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally forever releases and discharges Company, its
past and present shareholders, officers, directors, partners, managers, members,
attorneys, consultants, agents, employees, subsidiaries, parent corporations,
affiliated or related entities and its or their past and present shareholders,
officers, directors, agents, employees and all of the successors, assigns, and
legal representatives of the foregoing (collectively, “Releasees”) of and from,
any matter or thing occurring in whole or in part through the date hereof, any
and all rights, claims, grievances, arbitrations, liabilities or causes of
action (“Claims”) which Hanks has asserted, could assert or which could be
asserted on his behalf (1) arising from Hanks’s relationship to, employment with
or service as an employee, officer, director, or manager of the Company or its
subsidiaries and affiliates prior to the date of execution and delivery of this
Agreement, including his separation from such employment; provided, however,
that Hanks does not release or discharge any claim that Hanks may have for or in
respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to any
indemnification agreement between Hanks and the Company or pursuant to the
Company’s organizational documents or applicable state law or (2) arising under
the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Equal Pay Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
of 2009, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Florida Human Rights Act of 1977,
the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Section 760.50 of the Florida Statutes,
the Miami-Dade County Code, and the wage and discrimination laws of the United
States or any State of the United States or any other country and their
subdivisions, including any state or local law, ordinance, regulation or rule,
all of the foregoing as heretofore or hereafter amended, or any court decree,
heretofore or hereafter promulgated. To the extent permitted by law, Hanks also
waives any and all rights under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United
States that would limit the foregoing release and waiver of which he had
knowledge as of the date hereof. Hanks recognizes that, among other things, he
is releasing Releasees of and from any and all claims he might have against
Releasees for retaliation of any kind, pain and suffering, emotional distress,
defamation, libel, slander and for discrimination based on age, gender, national
origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this
Agreement does not encompass, and Hanks does not release, waive or discharge,
the obligations of the Company, or the rights of Hanks, under (i) any
indemnification or similar agreement with Hanks or (ii) under this Agreement.

 

b.The Company, on behalf of itself and its affiliates and each of their
respective officers, directors, partners, shareholders, employees, and agents,
hereby releases and forever discharges Hanks from any and all claims whatsoever
up to the date hereof that it had, may have had, now have or may have for or by
reason of any claim arising out of or attributable to Hank’s employment or the
termination of your employment with the Company, or pursuant to any, United
States federal, state, or local law or regulation. Company agrees to indemnify
and hold Hank harmless from and against any claim, grievance, loss, damage,
liability, cost or expense, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’
fees by reason of Company’s breach of this Agreement, representations,
warranties, and covenants made under this Agreement.

 

 

 

  

c.Hanks warrants and represents that he has not heretofore assigned or
transferred to any person or entity any of the Claims released hereunder, nor
has he filed any grievance, charge or complaints against Company with any
governmental or administrative agency or court. Hanks agrees to indemnify and
hold the Releasees harmless from and against any Claims, including without
limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees by reason of Hanks's breach of this
Agreement, including representations, warranties, and covenants made under this
Agreement.

 

d.The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is an important legal document and
that each of them has been requested to sign this document in connection with
Hanks’ separation from Company. The Parties acknowledge that each of them: (i)
has read this Agreement in its entirety, (ii) is competent to execute this
Agreement, (iii) Hanks has executed this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and
without reliance upon any statement or representation of any Releasee or its
representatives, (iv) has been advised to, and has had ample opportunity if so
desired, to discuss this Agreement with his own attorney for assistance and
advice concerning this Agreement, (v) the terms of this Agreement have been
negotiated, (vi) understands the terms of this Agreement and their legal
effects, and (vii) understands that the terms of this Agreement are enforceable.
Hanks further covenants, warrants, and represents that he or it, as applicable,
has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily.

 

e.The Parties further agree without any reservation whatsoever that neither of
them (i) shall sue the other Party or become a party to a lawsuit on the basis
of any and all claims of any type lawfully and validly released herein or (ii)
become a party to a lawsuit on the basis of any and all claims of any type
lawfully and validly released herein.

 

f.Hanks hereby waives any right to monetary recovery or individual relief should
any federal, state, or local agency (including the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission) pursue any claim on Hanks’s behalf arising out of or related to
Hanks’s employment with and/or separation from employment with the Company.

 

6.          No Admission. The Parties agree that this Agreement does not
constitute an admission by the Company or Hanks of any: (a) violation of any
statute, law, regulation, order or other applicable authority; (b) breach of
contract, actual or implied; or (c) commission of any tort.

 

 

 

  

7.          Non-Solicitation; Non-Disparagement. Hanks hereby covenants and
agrees that for a period of one (1) year following the Separation Date, he shall
not directly or indirectly induce or encourage any employee of the Company or
affiliated entities to leave the employ of the Company or affiliated entities.
Each of the Parties hereto agrees not to disparage the other or the other’s
officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents, consultants or
representatives (or, in the case of the Company, any of its products or
services); provided, that the foregoing shall not prohibit Hanks or the Company
from making any general competitive statements or communications about the other
or their respective businesses in the ordinary course of competition. Further,
Hanks agrees and understands that any violation of this provision will void this
Agreement and Hanks will be required to return or repay to the Company any and
all consideration received under this Agreement.

 

8.          Standstill. For a period of four (4) years from and after the
Separation Date, Hanks shall not:

 

a.make any shareholder proposal, or “solicit” any “proxy” (as such terms are
defined under Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, disregarding clause (iv) of
Rule 14a-1(1)(2), or in any way participate in, any such “solicitation” of
“proxies” to vote, or seek to advise or influence any person or entity with
respect to the election of any director of the Company;

 

b.make any unsolicited offer, submit any unsolicited letter to the Company or
the Board or any member or committee thereof or any officer of the Company, or
otherwise make or participate in the making of any proposal, in each case to
acquire, whether by merger, share exchange or otherwise, substantially all of
the stock or assets of the Company;

 

c.seek representation on the Board or a change in the composition of the Board
or otherwise submit any nominee to serve on the Board; or

 

d.bring, or participate in the bringing, of any action by or in the right of the
Company against any then-sitting current or former director of the Company, or
bring, or participate in the bringing, of any action or otherwise act to contest
the validity of this Section 8.

 

 

 

  

9.          Confidentiality. The Parties hereto agree to keep the existence and
terms of this Agreement and the circumstances of Hanks’s separation from the
Company confidential, except as required to be disclosed by the regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission or the listing rules of the NASDAQ Global
Market. Hanks specifically agrees not to discuss the existence or terms of this
Agreement with any third party except for his spouse, legal counsel and
financial and legal advisors. Hanks acknowledges that during the course of
Hanks’s employment and/or service on the Board he has had access to and/or the
Company has disclosed to him information relating to the nature and operation of
the Company’s business, the Company’s manner of operation, its financial
condition, its business operations, it business and marketing plans and pricing
methods (hereinafter “Confidential Information”). Hanks agrees that he will
retain in confidence such Confidential Information and that Hanks will not,
either directly or indirectly, use, reveal, disclose, publish, communicate or
divulge any such Confidential Information to any other person or entity for any
purpose whatsoever except as required by law. Hanks expressly agrees that he
shall keep secret and confidential all such Confidential Information, except:
(i) as authorized by the Company in writing or as required by law; (ii) as
required to comply with a court order, subpoena, or demand of a governmental
entity; (iii) to the extent that such information has become available to the
public through no fault of Hanks nor by any breach by Hanks of the provisions of
this Agreement.

 

10.         Access to Office; Conduct. Up to and including November 3, 2014,
Hanks shall be allowed access to the Company’s offices between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. During any period that Hanks
shall be present in the Company’s offices, he shall conduct himself in a
professional manner and with a demeanor that fosters a collegial work
environment. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the generality of
the foregoing sentence, during any period that Hanks is present in the Company’s
offices, Hanks shall not discuss any business with any Company employee, engage
in any verbal communication with any Company employee except friendly
pleasantries or physically touch, physically or mentally intimidate or otherwise
threaten any Company employee. If Hanks shall violate this provision, the
Company shall have the right to expel him from the Company’s office, and he
shall not be readmitted at any time for any reason without the consent of the
Company’s chairman.

 

11.         No Other Compensation. Hanks acknowledges and agrees that the
payments and benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement are in compromise and
full discharge of any and all liabilities and obligations of the Company to
Hanks as of Separation Date, monetarily or with respect to employee benefits or
otherwise, including, but not limited to, any and all obligations of the Company
arising under the Employment Agreement or any other alleged written or oral
employment agreement, policy, plan or procedure of the Company and/or any
alleged understanding or arrangement between Hanks and the Company.

 

12.         Binding Effect. All terms and provisions of this Agreement, whether
so expressed or not, shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by the Parties and their respective administrators, executors, other
legal representatives, heirs, successors and permitted assigns.

 

13.         Enforcement Costs. If any legal action or other proceeding is
brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute,
breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any provisions of this
Agreement, the successful or prevailing Party or Parties shall be entitled to
recover reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, court costs and all expenses
even if not taxable as court costs (including, but not limited to, all
attorneys' fees and expenses incident to any appeals), incurred in that action
or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which such Party or Parties
may be entitled.

 

14.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the agreements and
documents expressly referenced herein) represents the entire understanding and
agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter discussed in
this Agreement, and supersedes all other negotiations, understandings and
representations (if any) made by and between such Parties with respect to such
subject matter, including the Employment Agreement, which shall be terminated as
of the Separation Date. In the event that any provision in this Agreement is
determined to be legally invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction and cannot be modified to be enforceable, the affected provision
shall be stricken from the Agreement, and the remaining terms of the Agreement
and its enforceability shall remain unaffected thereby.

 

 

 

  

15.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and counterparts may be exchanged by electronic transmission
(including by email), each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

16.         Opportunity for Independent Representation. Hanks hereby
acknowledges and agrees that he has been given the opportunity, if so desired,
to seek independent counsel for review and advice in connection with his rights,
remedies and obligations under this Agreement.

 

17.         Section 409A. To the extent that any reimbursement of expenses
provided pursuant to Section 3 hereof constitutes a “deferral of compensation”
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, such reimbursement shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation
1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv), which requires that (a) the amount eligible for
reimbursement or payment under such plan or arrangement in one calendar year may
not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment in any other
calendar year, (b) any reimbursement or payment of an expense must be made on or
before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which
the expense was incurred, and (c) the right to any reimbursement or in-kind
benefit is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

18.         Governing Venue and Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall
be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Any suit, action or other
legal proceeding arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement shall be brought
in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Baltimore, Maryland having
subject matter jurisdiction thereof and both Parties agree to submit to the
jurisdiction of such forum.

 

19.         Notices. All notices, demands, requests and replies required or
permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when
delivered in person or on the third (3rd) business day following the date of
mailing if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
addressed as follows:

 

  (a) if to the Company: Trade Street Residential, Inc.       Attention: Chief
Executive Officer       19950 W. Country Club Drive       Suite 800      
Aventura, FL 33180           (b) if to Hanks: Ryan Hanks      

2720 Bridle Brook Way

Charlotte, NC 28270

 

 

 

  

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS DOCUMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN
CLAIMS.

 

The undersigned, Ryan Hanks, hereby represents that he has executed this
Agreement for the purposes and the consideration expressed herein, and that he
has carefully read this Agreement, has had adequate time and opportunity to
consider and understand its meaning and effect, and, if he so desired, discussed
it with any person of his choice, including his attorney, and that he has
voluntarily executed it as such.

 

The undersigned Parties, intending to be legally bound, have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

EMPLOYEE   TRADE STREET RESIDENTIAL, INC.       By: /s/ Ryan Hanks   By: /s/
Richard Ross   Ryan Hanks    

 

    Print Name:  Richard Ross             Title: Chief Executive Officer       
  Date:  October 23, 2014   Date:  November 3, 2014

 

[Signature Page to Separation Agreement and Release]