EXHIBIT 10.43

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made effective November 14,
2003 (“Effective Date”), by and between Wireless Facilities, Inc. (“Company”)
and Eric DeMarco (“Executive”).

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.    Employment. Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts
such employment, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

2.    Duties.

 

2.1    Position. Executive shall initially be employed as a non-officer regular,
full-time employee but will become Company’s President and Chief Operating
Officer (“COO”) within two (2) weeks of the Effective Date. Immediately upon the
announcement of Executive’s assumption of the President and COO roles, Company
shall announce a 3 to 6 month succession plan for Executive to transfer into
Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) role. Executive shall have the duties
and responsibilities assigned by Company’s Board of Directors (“Board of
Directors”) both upon initial hire and as may be reasonably assigned from time
to time. Executive will also be offered a seat on Company’s Board of Directors.

 

2.2    Best Efforts/Full-time. Executive will expend his best efforts on behalf
of Company, and will abide by all policies and decisions made by Company, as
well as all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Executive will act in the best interest of Company at all times. Executive shall
devote his full business time and efforts to the performance of his assigned
duties for Company, unless Executive notifies the Board of Directors in advance
of his intent to engage in other paid work and receives the Board of Directors’
express written consent to do so.

 

3.    At-will Employment Relationship. Executive’s employment with Company is
at-will and not for any specified period and may be terminated by either
Executive or Company at any time, with or without cause. In addition, Company
reserves the right to modify Executive’s position or duties to meet business
needs and to use discretion in deciding on appropriate discipline. No
representative of Company, other than the Board of Directors, has the authority
to alter the at-will employment relationship between Executive and Company. Any
change to the at-will employment relationship must be by specific, written
agreement signed by Executive and the Board of Directors. Nothing in this
Agreement is intended to or should be construed to contradict, modify or alter
this at-will relationship.

 

4.    Compensation.

 

4.1    Base Salary. As compensation for Executive’s performance of his duties
hereunder, Company shall pay to Executive an initial Base Salary of $275,000 per
year, payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of Company, less
required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and
all other employment taxes and payroll deductions. In the event Executive’s
employment under this Agreement is terminated by either party, for any reason,
Executive will earn the Base Salary prorated to the date of termination.

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4.2    Incentive Compensation. Executive will be eligible to earn an annual
performance bonus, up to a maximum amount of 100% of his Base Salary, based upon
the achievement of certain goals and objectives to be mutually determined by
Executive and Company.

 

4.3    Stock Options. Subject to the Board of Directors’ approval, Executive
will be granted a nonqualified stock option to purchase 1,250,000 shares of
Company’s Common Stock under Company’s 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)
at an exercise price equal to $12.80 (the “Option”). The Option will vest in
accordance with the following schedule: 20% of the Option will vest on the first
anniversary of the Effective Date and the remaining 80% will vest in equal
monthly increments over the following 48 months. The Option will be subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and the standard stock option agreement
provided pursuant to the Plan, which Executive will be required to sign as a
condition of receiving the Option. Executive will also be eligible to receive
additional stock options based upon his performance as determined by Company in
its sole and absolute discretion.

 

4.4    Performance and Salary Review. The Board of Directors will periodically
review Executive’s performance on no less than an annual basis. Adjustments to
salary or other compensation, if any, will be made by the Board of Directors in
its sole and absolute discretion.

 

5.    Customary Fringe Benefits. Executive will be eligible for all customary
and usual fringe benefits generally available to executives of Company subject
to the terms and conditions of Company’s benefit plan documents. Company
reserves the right to change or eliminate the fringe benefits on a prospective,
company-wide basis, at any time, effective upon notice to Executive.

 

6.    Business Expenses. Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable,
out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in the performance of his duties on
behalf of Company. To obtain reimbursement, expenses must be submitted promptly
with appropriate supporting documentation in accordance with Company’s policies.

 

7.    Termination of Executive’s Employment.

 

7.1    Termination for Cause by Company. Although Company anticipates a mutually
rewarding employment relationship with Executive, Company may terminate
Executive’s employment immediately at any time for Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Cause” is defined as: (a) acts or omissions constituting gross
negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of Executive with
respect to Executive’s obligations or otherwise relating to the business of
Company; (b) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement or Company’s standard
form of confidentiality agreement; (c) Executive’s conviction or entry of a plea
of nolo contendere for fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, or any felony or
crime of moral turpitude; or (d) Executive’s willful neglect of duties or poor
performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination under subsection
7.1(d) above shall not constitute a termination for “Cause” unless Company has
first given Executive written notice of the offending conduct (such notice shall
include a description of remedial actions that the Company reasonably deems
appropriate to cure such offending conduct) and a thirty (30) opportunity to
cure such offending conduct. In the event Company terminates Executive’s
employment under subsection 7.1(d) above, Company agrees to participate in
binding arbitration, if requested by Executive, to determine whether the cause
for termination was willful neglect of duties or poor performance as opposed to
some other reason that does not constitute Cause under this Agreement. In the

 

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event Executive’s employment is terminated in accordance with this subsection
7.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Base Salary then in effect,
prorated to the date of termination and any accrued but unpaid vacation (the
“Standard Entitlements”). All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to
this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished.
In addition, Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Packages
described in subsections 7.2 or 7.3 below.

 

7.2    Termination Without Cause by Company/Severance. Company may terminate
Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time on thirty
(30) days’ advance written notice to Executive. In the event of such
termination, Executive will receive the Standard Entitlements and the “Severance
Package” described in subsection 7.2(a) below, provided that Executive agrees to
comply with all of the conditions set forth in subsection 7.2(b) below. All
other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be
automatically terminated and completely extinguished.

 

(a)    Severance Package. The Severance Package will consist of the following:

 

(i)    a “Severance Payment” equivalent to the sum of three (3) years of
Executive’s Base Salary then in effect on the date of termination plus three (3)
times Executive’s bonus potential for the year in which Executive was
terminated, less any bonus amounts already received and applicable taxes and
withholdings, payable immediately in a lump sum;

 

(ii)    accelerated vesting of any and all of Executive’s stock options that
remain unvested as of the date of termination; and

 

(iii)    continuation of Executive’s group health insurance benefits on the same
terms as during his employment until the sooner of one (1) year following the
Separation Date or Executive’s procurement of health care coverage through
another employer (the “Benefits Continuation Period”), provided Company’s
insurance carrier allows for such benefits continuation. In the event Company’s
insurance carrier does not allow for such coverage continuation, Company agrees
to pay the premiums required to continue Executive’s group health care coverage
during the Benefits Continuation Period, under the applicable provisions of the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), provided that
Executive elects to continue and remains eligible for these benefits under COBRA

 

(b)    Conditions to Receive Severance Package. Executive will receive the
Severance Package described above only if he meets all of the following
conditions:

 

(i)    complies with all surviving provisions of this Agreement as specified in
subsection 13.8 below; and

 

(ii)    executes a full general release, in a form acceptable to Company,
releasing all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against Company,
and any parent, subsidiary or related entity, their officers, directors,
employees and agents, arising out of or any way related to Employee’s employment
or termination of employment with Company.

 

7.3    Resignation by Executive for Good Reason/Severance. In the event Company
fails to promote Executive to the position of Chief Executive Officer within six
(6)

 

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months of the Effective Date of this Agreement, Executive may resign for “Good
Reason” upon giving thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to Company. In the
event of Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to
receive the Standard Entitlements and the Severance Package described in
subsection 7.2(a) above, provided that Executive complies with all of the
conditions set forth in subsection 7.2(b) above. All other Company obligations
to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and
completely extinguished.

 

7.4    Resignation by Executive Without Good Reason. Executive may resign
Executive’s position with Company without Good Reason, at any time on thirty
(30) days’ advance written notice. In the event of Executive’s resignation
without Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to receive only the Standard
Entitlements and no other amount. All other Company obligations to Executive
pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely
extinguished. In addition, Executive will not be entitled to receive the
Severance Packages described in subsections 7.2 or 7.3 above.

 

7.5    Termination Upon A Change Of Control.

 

(a)    Accelerated Vesting Upon A Change Of Control. Upon the close of a
transaction that constitutes a Change of Control (as that term is defined
below), Company shall immediately accelerate vesting of 50% of any portion of
the Option that remains unvested. On the one (1)-year anniversary of such Change
of Control or upon a “Triggering Event” (as defined below), whichever occurs
sooner, the remaining unvested portion of the Option shall immediately vest. For
purposes of this subsection 7.5(a), a “Triggering Event” shall mean: (i)
Executive’s termination from employment; (ii) a material change in the nature of
Executive’s role or job responsibilities so that Executive’s job duties and
responsibilities after the Change of Control, when considered in their totality
as a whole, are substantially different in nature from the job duties Executive
performed immediately prior to the Change of Control; or (iii) the relocation of
Executive’ s principal place of work to a location more than thirty (30) miles
from the location Executive was assigned to immediately prior to the Change of
Control.

 

(b)    Continued Validity of Severance Package After A Change Of Control. In the
event of a Change of Control, the termination provisions described in section 7
above shall remain in full force and effect and Executive shall continue to be
entitled to receive the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2(a) above,
provided Executive complies with all of the conditions described in subsection
7.2(b) above.

 

(c)    Change of Control. A “Change of Control” is defined as any one of the
following occurrences: (i) the acquisition by an individual person or entity or
a group of individuals or entities acting in concert, directly or indirectly,
through one transaction or a series of related transaction, of more than 50% of
the outstanding voting securities of Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation of
Company with or into another entity after which the stockholders of Company
immediately prior to such transaction hold less than 50% of the voting
securities of the surviving entity; (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of Company; or (iv) the change in the majority of the Board of
Directors pursuant to a successful hostile proxy contest.

 

7.6    Termination Due to Death or Disability. This Agreement will immediately
terminate upon Executive’s death or Disability (as defined below). In the event
of Executive’s death or Disability, Executive, or Executive’s heirs, personal
representatives or estate, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive only
the Standard Entitlements and those benefits available under any applicable
Company plan or insurance policy, subject to such plan or policy

 

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requirements. All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this
Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished. In
addition, neither Executive nor Executive’s heirs, personal representatives or
estate will be entitled to receive the Severance Packages described in
subsections 7.2 or 7.3 above. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall
be defined as Executive’s inability to perform the essential functions of his
job, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a mental or physical
impairment.

 

8.    No Conflict of Interest. During Executive’s employment with Company and
during any period Executive is receiving payments from Company pursuant to this
Agreement, Executive must not engage in any work, paid or unpaid, that creates
an actual conflict of interest with Company. Such work shall include, but is not
limited to, directly or indirectly competing with Company in any way, or acting
as an officer, director, employee, consultant, stockholder, volunteer, lender,
or agent of any business enterprise of the same nature as, or which is in direct
competition with, the business in which Company is now engaged or in which
Company becomes engaged during Executive’s employment with Company, as may be
determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. If the Board of
Directors believes such a conflict exists during Executive’s employment, the
Board of Directors may ask Executive to choose to discontinue the other work or
resign employment with Company. If the Board of Directors believes such a
conflict exists during any period in which Executive is receiving payments
pursuant to this Agreement, the Board of Directors may ask Executive to choose
to discontinue the other work or forfeit the remaining severance payments. In
addition, Executive agrees not to refer any client or potential client of
Company to competitors of Company, without obtaining Company’s prior written
consent, during Executive’s employment and during any period in which Executive
is receiving payments from Company pursuant to this Agreement.

 

9.    Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights. Executive agrees to read, sign and
abide by Company’s standard form of confidentiality agreement, which is provided
with this Agreement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.    Nonsolicitation. Executive understands and agrees that Company’s
employees and customers and any information regarding Company employees and/or
customers is confidential and constitutes trade secrets. Accordingly, Executive
agrees that during his employment and for a period of one (1) year after the
termination of his employment, Executive will not, either directly or
indirectly, separately or in association with others: (a) interfere with,
impair, disrupt or damage Company’s relationship with any of its customers or
customer prospects by soliciting or encouraging others to solicit any of them
for the purpose of diverting or taking away business from Company; or (b)
directly or indirectly, separately or in association with others, interfere
with, impair, disrupt or damage Company’s business by soliciting, encouraging or
attempting to hire any of Company’s employees or causing others to solicit or
encourage any of Company’s employees to discontinue their employment with
Company.

 

11.    Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that his breach of the
covenants contained in sections 8-10 would cause irreparable injury to Company
and agrees that in the event of any such breach, Company shall be entitled to
seek temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, to the extent
allowed under the California Arbitration Act, without the necessity of proving
actual damages or posting any bond or other security.

 

12.    Agreement to Arbitrate.

 

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12.1    Scope. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Executive and Company
agree to arbitrate any controversy, claim or dispute between them arising out of
or in any way related to this Agreement, the employment relationship between
Company and Executive and any disputes upon termination of employment, including
but not limited to breach of contract, tort, discrimination, harassment,
wrongful termination, demotion, discipline, failure to accommodate, family and
medical leave, compensation or benefits claims, constitutional claims; and any
claims for violation of any local, state or federal law, statute, regulation or
ordinance or common law. For the purpose of this agreement to arbitrate,
references to “Company” include all parent, subsidiary or related entities and
their employees, supervisors, officers, directors, agents, pension or benefit
plans, pension or benefit plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators, affiliates
and all successors and assigns of any of them, and this agreement to arbitrate
shall apply to them to the extent Executive’s claims arise out of or relate to
their actions on behalf of Company.

 

12.2    Arbitration Procedure. Either party may exercise the right to arbitrate
by providing the other party with written notice of any and all claims forming
the basis of such right in sufficient detail to inform the other party of the
substance of such claims. In no event shall the request for arbitration be made
after the date when institution of legal or equitable proceedings based on such
claims would be barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The arbitration
will be conducted in San Diego, California by a single neutral arbitrator and in
accordance with the then current rules for resolution of employment disputes of
the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The parties are entitled to
representation by an attorney or other representative of their choosing. The
arbitrator shall have the power to enter any award that could be entered by a
judge of the trial court of the State of California, and only such power, and
shall follow the law. The parties agree to abide by and perform any award
rendered by the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall issue the award in writing and
therein state the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is
based. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. Company shall bear the costs of the arbitration filing and hearing fees
and the cost of the arbitrator.

 

13.    General Provisions.

 

13.1    Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of Company under this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors
and assigns of Company. Executive shall not be entitled to assign any of
Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

13.2    Waiver. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this
Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision,
or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision
of this Agreement.

 

13.3    Attorneys’ Fees. Each side will bear its own attorneys’ fees in any
dispute unless a statutory section at issue, if any, authorizes the award of
attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.

 

13.4    Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to
be unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, such
provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to allow
enforceability of the provision as so limited, it being intended that the
parties shall receive the benefit contemplated herein to the fullest extent
permitted by law. If a deemed modification is not satisfactory in the judgment
of such arbitrator

 

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or court, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted, and the validity
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

13.5    Interpretation; Construction. The headings set forth in this Agreement
are for convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement.
This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing Company, but
Executive has participated in the negotiation of its terms. Furthermore,
Executive acknowledges that Executive has had an opportunity to review and
revise the Agreement and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and,
therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities
are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the
interpretation of this Agreement.

 

13.6    Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of California. Each
party consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in
San Diego, California, if applicable, in any action, suit, or proceeding arising
out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

13.7    Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be delivered as follows with notice deemed given as indicated:
(a) by personal delivery when delivered personally; (b) by overnight courier
upon written verification of receipt; (c) by telecopy or facsimile transmission
upon acknowledgment of receipt of electronic transmission; or (d) by certified
or registered mail, return receipt requested, upon verification of receipt.
Notice shall be sent to the addresses set forth below, or such other address as
either party may specify in writing.

 

13.8    Survival. Sections 8 (“No Conflict of Interest”), 9 (“Confidentiality
and Proprietary Rights”), 10 (“Nonsolicitation”), 11 (“Injunctive Relief”), 12
(“Agreement to Arbitrate”), 13 (“General Provisions”) and 14 (“Entire
Agreement”) of this Agreement shall survive Executive’s employment by Company.

 

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THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

14.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Company’s standard form
of confidentiality agreement incorporated herein by reference and Company’s 1999
Equity Incentive Plan and related option documents described in subsection 4.3
of this Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating
to this subject matter and supersedes all prior or simultaneous representations,
discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral. This
Agreement may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Executive
and the Board of Directors of Company. No oral waiver, amendment or modification
will be effective under any circumstances whatsoever.

 

THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY
UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES
HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW.

 

           

Eric DeMarco

Dated:   11/14/03            

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Wireless Facilities, Inc.

Dated:   11/14/03       By:        

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Masood Tayebi

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

4810 Eastgate Mall

San Diego, CA 92121

 

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