Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(Scott D. Peters)
This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered
into and effective as of July 8, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), by and between
Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and
Scott D. Peters (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the parties had previously entered into that certain employment
agreement dated as of January 3, 2013, and amended as of December 3, 2014 (the
“Existing Agreement”) which set forth the employment arrangement of the
Executive with the Company.
WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to supersede and replace the Existing Agreement
and enter into the arrangements set forth herein with respect to the terms and
conditions of the Executive’s continued employment with the Company from and
after the Effective Date.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
SECTION 1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall supersede and replace the Existing Agreement as of the
Effective Date, which shall be of no further force and effect as of the
Effective Date. On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to be employed
by the Company, for the Employment Period set forth in Section 2 and in the
positions and with the duties set forth in Section 3. Terms used herein with
initial capitalization are defined in Section 11.
SECTION 2
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the term of this
Agreement and the Executive’s employment hereunder shall begin as of the
Effective Date and shall conclude on the fourth (4th) anniversary of the
Effective Date (the “Expiration Date”). The period of the Executive’s employment
under this Agreement is herein referred to as the “Employment Period.” For
purposes of clarity, as provided in Section 8.7 hereof, a termination of the
Executive’s employment upon or following the Expiration Date shall not
constitute either a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company
without “Cause” or grounds for a termination by the Executive for “Good Reason”
for purposes of this Agreement. If the Company intends to make an offer to renew
this Agreement for any period beyond the Expiration Date, the Company shall use
reasonable efforts to provide the Executive notice of such intention at least
ninety (90) days before the Expiration Date; provided, however, that in no event
shall the Company be legally obligated to provide such notice and neither the
provision of such notice nor any failure to provide such notice shall create any
implied obligation to renew this Agreement.
SECTION 3
POSITION AND DUTIES; BOARD SERVICE
3.1    Position and Duties. The Executive shall serve as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company during the Employment Period. As President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Executive shall render executive,
policy and other management services to the Company of the type customarily
performed by persons serving in a similar capacity and as reasonably determined
by the Board with regard to the Executive’s status

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and position within the Company. The Company shall provide the Executive with
all necessary authority and resources to discharge the Executive’s
responsibilities under laws and regulations applicable to the Company and the
Executive.
3.2    Nomination for Election to the Board. Provided that the Executive is in
compliance with the material terms of this Agreement, the Board shall nominate
the Executive to serve on the Board every year during the Employment Period, and
the Executive shall serve on the Board as the Chairman of the Board; provided,
however, that the Executive’s service on the Board shall be subject to election
by the Company’s stockholders.
3.3    Reporting. The Executive shall report directly to the Board. The
Executive shall not be required to take direction from or report to any other
person.
3.4    Commitment; Outside Interests. The Executive shall devote the Executive’s
good faith efforts and full business time to the performance of the Executive’s
duties hereunder and the advancement of the business and affairs of the Company
during the Employment Period. It is understood that the Executive may,
consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement, pursue other outside
interests, including, but not limited to, devoting time to (A) serving on
corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) delivering lectures,
fulfilling speaking engagements or teaching at educational institutions, and (C)
managing the Executive’s personal investments, so long as such activities do not
interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company in accordance with this Agreement.
SECTION 4
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
During the Employment Period, the Executive’s primary place of employment and
work location shall be Scottsdale, Arizona (except as the Executive and the
Board shall otherwise mutually agree in writing), except for reasonable travel
on Company business and as otherwise consented to by the Executive, in the
Executive’s sole discretion.
SECTION 5
COMPENSATION
5.1    Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to the
Executive an annual base salary (the “Base Salary”), which initially shall be
$900,000.00. The Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of
the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) no less frequently than annually and
may be increased (but not decreased) at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee. If the Executive’s Base Salary is increased, the increased amount
shall be the Base Salary for the remainder of the Employment Period. The Base
Salary shall be payable semi-monthly or in such other installments as shall be
consistent with the Company’s payroll procedures in effect from time to time.
5.2    Annual Bonus. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
eligible to earn an annual performance bonus in an amount determined in the sole
discretion of the Compensation Committee for each year, with a target of 200% of
the Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). It is the intention of the parties hereto
that the Company shall establish bonus parameters for the Executive with respect
to each fiscal year of the Employment Period. The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the Executive’s annual bonus is not guaranteed at any level but,
rather, it is to be determined solely by the Compensation Committee, in its sole
discretion. The Compensation Committee shall establish the performance goals and
objectives on which the Executive’s annual bonus shall be based.
5.3    Equity Compensation.
(a)    Prior Grants. The Executive has previously received equity incentive
awards from the Company that are outstanding as of the Effective Date (the
“Prior Grants”). The Prior Grants shall vest in the time and manner set forth in
the documents evidencing such Prior Grants. The Prior Grants were made pursuant
to, and shall remain subject to, the terms and conditions of the Company’s
Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as in effect on the dates
of such Prior Grants, and the applicable award agreement.

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(b)    New Restricted Stock Grant. Subject to the approval of the Compensation
Committee and the conditions and restrictions herein, within thirty (30) days
after the Effective Date, the Company shall grant to the Executive an award of
150,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “New Grant”).  The
New Grant shall vest as to one-fourth of the shares subject to the New Grant on
January 1, 2017 (the “Initial Vesting Date”) and as to an additional one-fourth
of such shares on each of the next three (3) anniversaries of the Initial
Vesting Date.  The New Grant shall be made pursuant to, and, except as expressly
set forth herein, shall be subject to the terms and conditions of, the Plan and
the Company’s standard form of Restricted Stock Agreement.
(c)    Future Equity Grants. The Executive shall continue to be eligible for
equity incentive grants under the Plan, with the type, amount and terms of any
such grants to be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the Executive’s annual equity incentive
opportunity for each year during the Employment Period (subject to pro-ration
for any partial year during the Employment Period) shall have a target value of
300% of the Base Salary.
5.4    Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled
to all employee benefits and perquisites made available to senior executives of
the Company, including, without limitation, group medical, dental, vision, life
insurance, long-term disability insurance, retirement, pension, 401(k) savings
plans and/or prescription drug plan coverage, subject to the condition that the
Executive is eligible for participation in any such plans. The Company shall pay
100% of the premium cost of the Company’s health insurance coverage provided to
the Executive (and the Executive’s dependents, if applicable) by the Company
from time to time. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Company
from terminating plans, changing carriers or effecting modifications in employee
benefits coverage for the Executive as long as such modifications affect all
similarly situated senior executives of the Company.
5.5    Vacation; Holidays. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to all public holidays observed by the Company and vacation days in
accordance with the applicable vacation policies for senior executives of the
Company, which vacation days shall be taken at a reasonable time or times. The
Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks vacation per year in accordance
with the general policies of the Company and subject to applicable law;
provided, however, that accrual of vacation time is capped at a maximum of five
(5) weeks and no more than one (1) week of any unused vacation may carry over
from calendar year to calendar year.
5.6    Directors and Officers Insurance and Indemnification. The Company shall
maintain insurance to insure the Executive against claims arising out of an
alleged wrongful act by the Executive while acting as a director or officer of
the Company or one of its subsidiaries. The Company shall further indemnify and
exculpate the Executive from money damages incurred as a result of claims
arising out of an alleged wrongful act by the Executive while acting as an
officer, director or employee of the Company, or of its subsidiaries, to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable law, subject to the terms of the
Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement between the Company and Executive
dated as of December 20, 2010, as such agreement may be amended from time to
time.
5.7    Withholding Taxes and Other Deductions. To the extent required by law,
the Company shall withhold from any payments due to the Executive under this
Agreement any applicable federal, state or local taxes and such other deductions
as are prescribed by law or authorized by the Executive. The Executive may,
subject to prior approval by the Compensation Committee, elect that any
withholding required upon any taxable event in connection with an award granted
under the Plan be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from any shares
otherwise delivered or deliverable in respect of the award a number of shares
having a Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) on the date of withholding
equal to the minimum amount (and not any greater amount) required to be withheld
for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Compensation
Committee establishes. All such elections shall be subject to any restrictions
or limitations that the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, deems
appropriate.
5.8    Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company may, at the
discretion of the Board, establish a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for
the Executive. Under such plan, the Executive may defer payment of certain
portions of the Executive’s compensation (including, without limitation, Base
Salary and bonuses) specified by the Executive, which is otherwise payable to
the Executive, in accordance with the terms established by the Company and the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

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5.9     Relocation Allowance. In the event that the Executive and the Board
mutually agree in writing to any relocation of the Company during the Employment
Period, the Company shall pay the Executive a reasonable relocation allowance as
the Company and the Executive shall mutually determine.
SECTION 6
EXPENSES
During the Employment Period, the Executive is expected and is authorized,
subject to the business expense policies as determined by the Company, to incur
reasonable expenses in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder,
including the costs of entertainment, travel, and similar business expenses.
During the Employment Period, the Company shall promptly reimburse the Executive
for all such expenses upon periodic presentation by the Executive of an
accounting of such expenses on terms applicable to senior executives of the
Company.
SECTION 7
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
7.1    Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by
the Company or by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 11. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which
shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
if any, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Employment Period under the
provision so indicated. Termination of the Employment Period shall take effect
on the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 11.14 hereof). Prior to the
Expiration Date, the Employment Period may be terminated under the following
circumstances only:
7.2    Death. The Executive’s employment shall terminate immediately upon the
Executive’s death.
7.3    By the Company. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment:
(a) if the Executive shall have been unable to perform, in the opinion of a
competent physician selected by the Board (provided that Executive shall also be
able to select a physician and an independent review in the event there is a
dispute), any or all of the Executive’s material duties hereunder, either with
or without reasonable accommodation, by reason of illness, physical or mental
disability or other similar incapacity, which inability shall continue for more
than three consecutive months, or any six months in a twelve-month period (a
“Disability”); or
(b) with or without Cause (as defined in Section 11.14 hereof).
7.4    By the Executive. The Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment
at any time for Good Reason or without Good Reason (as defined in Section 11.14
hereof).
7.5    Return of Information. The Executive agrees to deliver to the Company at
the termination of the Executive’s employment, or at any other time so demanded
by the Company, all records, files, software, software code, memoranda, reports,
price lists, customer lists, drawings, plans, sketches, documents, technical
information, contracts, sales or marketing materials, personnel information,
financial information (including budgets), business and strategic plans, and the
like (together with all copies of such documents and things) relating to the
business of the Company and its Affiliates and their predecessors which the
Executive may then possess or have under the Executive’s control.
SECTION 8
COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION
The Executive’s employment must be terminated during the Employment Period in
order for the Executive to receive any payment or other benefit under this
Section 8.

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8.1    Death. If the Executive’s employment terminates during the Employment
Period as a result of the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay to the
Executive’s estate, or as may be directed by the legal representatives of such
estate, within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, any accrued
but unpaid Base Salary through the Date of Termination. All other unpaid
amounts, if any, which the Executive has accrued and is entitled to as of the
Date of Termination in connection with any fringe benefits or under any bonus or
incentive compensation plan or program of the Company pursuant to
Section 5 shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such arrangements. In
addition, if the Employment Period terminates as a result of the Executive’s
death, then all equity-based awards granted by the Company that are outstanding
and unvested on the Date of Termination shall become fully vested on the Date of
Termination. The Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive
under this Agreement or otherwise (other than pursuant to any employee benefit
plan and any life insurance, death in service or other equivalent policy for the
benefit of the Executive).
8.2    Disability. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment during
the Employment Period because of the Executive’s Disability, the Company shall
pay to the Executive within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination
any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Date of Termination. All other
unpaid amounts, if any, which the Executive has accrued and is entitled to as of
the Date of Termination in connection with any fringe benefits or under any
bonus or incentive compensation plan or program of the Company pursuant to
Section 5 shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such arrangements. In
addition, if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment during the
Employment Period because of the Executive’s Disability, then all equity-based
awards granted by the Company that are outstanding and unvested on the Date of
Termination shall become fully vested on the Date of Termination, and the
Executive shall be entitled to the COBRA payments provided under Section 8.6(b).
Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Company shall have no further
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise (other than
pursuant to any employee benefit plan and any disability or other medical
insurance policy for the benefit of the Executive).
8.3    By the Company for Cause; By the Executive Without Good Reason. If the
Company terminates the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for
Cause or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment during the
Employment Period without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Executive
within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination any accrued but unpaid
Base Salary through the Date of Termination. All other unpaid amounts, if any,
which the Executive has accrued and is entitled to as of the Date of Termination
in connection with any fringe benefits or under any bonus or incentive
compensation plan or program of the Company pursuant to Section 5 shall be paid
in accordance with the terms of such arrangements. Other than as set forth in
this Section 8.3 or otherwise set forth herein, the Company shall have no
further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise (other
than pursuant to any employee benefit plan).
8.4    By the Company Without Cause; By the Executive for Good Reason. If the
Company terminates the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period other
than for Cause, Disability or death, or the Executive terminates the Executive’s
employment during the Employment Period for Good Reason, the Company shall pay
to the Executive within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination any
accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Date of Termination. All other unpaid
amounts, if any, which the Executive has accrued and is entitled to as of the
Date of Termination in connection with any fringe benefits or under any bonus or
incentive compensation plan or program of the Company pursuant to
Section 5 shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such arrangements. In
addition, if such termination of the Executive’s employment occurs prior to the
Expiration Date, the Executive shall be entitled to the Separation Benefits as
defined in Section 8.6, upon the conditions set forth therein. The Company shall
have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise
(other than pursuant to any employee benefit plan).
8.5    General Release. The Executive shall execute a customary general release
in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company in furtherance of this
Agreement and as a condition to the receipt of any Separation Benefits (the
“Release”). Nothing in this Section 8 shall be deemed to operate or shall
operate as a release, settlement or discharge of any liability of the Executive
to the Company or others for any action or omission by the Executive, including,
without limitation, any actions which formed, or could have formed, the basis
for termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause.

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8.6    Separation Benefits. For purposes of this Agreement, “Separation
Benefits” shall mean:
(a)     payment by the Company to the Executive of:
(1)
the product of (x) the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which the Date
of Termination occurs, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365; and

(2)
a severance benefit, in the amount equal to three (3) times the sum of (i) the
Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination and
(ii) the Executive’s Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of
Termination occurs.

Subject to Section 11.13 hereof, the cash payments provided in Section 8.6(a)
above shall be made by the Company in a lump sum on the sixtieth (60th) day
following the Date of Termination.
(b)     if the Executive elects to continue participation in any group medical,
dental, vision and/or prescription drug plan benefits to which the Executive
and/or the Executive’s eligible dependents would be entitled under Section 4980B
(“COBRA”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then
the Company shall pay or reimburse any applicable premium under COBRA for
participation in such plans for a period of eighteen (18) months beginning on
the Date of Termination, subject to the condition that the Executive remains
eligible for participation in such plans; and
(c)     all equity-based awards granted by the Company that are outstanding and
unvested on the Date of Termination shall become fully vested on the Date of
Termination.
Notwithstanding any other provisions herein to the contrary, the Executive’s
receipt of the Separation Benefits shall be subject to and conditioned upon
Executive’s compliance with the terms and conditions of Section 9 of this
Agreement and the Executive having executed, within forty-five (45) days after
the Date of Termination, the Release and such Release having not been revoked
within any revocation period provided by applicable law.
8.7    Termination Upon Expiration of the Employment Period. If the Executive’s
employment terminates upon or following the Expiration Date, the Company shall
pay to the Executive within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination
any accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and all
other unpaid amounts, if any, which the Executive has accrued and is entitled to
as of the Date of Termination in connection with any fringe benefits or under
any bonus or incentive compensation plan or program of the Company pursuant to
Section 5 shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such arrangements.
Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Company shall have no further
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise (other than
pursuant to any employee benefit plan).
8.8    Non-Compete Payment for Time Period. Upon the termination of the
Executive’s employment for any reason other than the Executive’s death or a
termination by the Company for Cause (whether such termination is by the Company
or the Executive and whether such termination occurs before or after the
Expiration Date), if the Company elects that the Executive shall be subject to
the non-competition covenant following the Date of Termination as provided in
Section 9.2, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in consideration for such
covenant, an amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of the sum of (i) the
Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination and
(ii) the annual incentive bonus paid by the Company to the Executive for the
fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Date of
Termination occurs (the “Non-Compete Payment”); provided, however, that in the
case of a termination of the Executive’s employment that occurs on or after the
Expiration Date, the Company shall be required to provide the Executive written
notice not less than twelve (12) months before the Expiration Date that it will
require the Executive to comply with such non-competition covenant (and, if the
Company does not timely provide such notice to the Executive prior to such a
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive will not
be subject to the non-competition covenant in Section 9.2). The Non-Compete
Payment shall be paid to the Executive in a series of monthly installments over
the applicable period in which the non-competition covenant applies. In the
event the Executive breaches the non-competition covenant provided in Section
9.2 or any

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other provision of Section 9, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any
portion of the Non-Compete Payment (and the Executive shall be required to repay
to the Company in full any portion of the Non-Compete Payment paid to the
Executive prior to such breach). For purposes of clarity, the Company may elect
that the Executive will not be subject to the non-competition covenant set forth
in Section 9.2, in which case the Executive will not be entitled to any portion
of the Non-Compete Payment provided in Section 8.8; provided, however, that the
Company must make such election and notify the Executive no later than ten (10)
days after the Date of Termination. If the Company elects that the Executive
will be subject to this non-competition covenant, such covenant will apply for
the entire Time Period following the Date of Termination.
8.9    Supplemental Non-Compete. In addition to the non-competition covenant
provided in Section 9.2, the Executive agrees that if the Executive’s employment
with the Company terminates for any reason (other than termination by the
Company for Cause or as a result of the Executive’s death), whether such
termination is by the Company or the Executive and whether such termination
occurs before or after the Expiration Date, the Executive shall not be employed
by or provide services to any Non-Compete Entity (as defined in Section 9.2) at
any time during the period commencing on the date of such termination of the
Executive’s employment and continuing through the date that is two (2) years
after such termination date; provided, however, that the Company may at any time
in the Company’s sole discretion provide for a shorter (but not a longer) period
(such period, the “Supplemental Non-Compete Period”). During the Supplemental
Non-Compete Period, all equity-based awards granted by the Company that are
outstanding and unvested on the date of such termination of the Executive’s
employment shall remain outstanding and continue to vest on their scheduled
vesting dates during the Supplemental Non-Compete Period, with vesting subject
in each case to the Executive’s continued compliance with the Executive’s
obligations under this Section 8.9 and the Executive’s other obligations under
Section 9 through the applicable vesting date and, to the extent such awards are
outstanding and unvested on the last day of the Supplemental Non-Compete Period,
shall become fully vested at the end of such period (or, if for any reason the
Executive’s obligations under this Section 8.9 do not apply following the date
of such termination of the Executive’s employment, such awards shall become
fully vested on the date of such termination). For avoidance of doubt, if the
Executive breaches the Executive’s obligations under this Section 8.9, the
Executive shall not be entitled to any further vesting of the Executive’s
equity-based awards under this Section 8.9, and any then-unvested awards shall
be forfeited to the Company without payment. Upon any vesting of the awards
during or at the conclusion of the Supplemental Non-Compete Period pursuant to
this Section 8.9, the Executive may elect to have any tax withholding
obligations arising in connection with such vesting event be satisfied by a
withholding of shares by the Company as contemplated by Section 5.7, and in the
event it is determined that any such shares that may vest pursuant to this
Section 8.9 shall be treated as taxable income to the Executive before their
scheduled vesting date, the Company shall cancel the required amount of
remaining unvested shares (applied on a pro-rata basis across the applicable
vesting installments) in order to satisfy any withholding tax obligations for
the Executive, and such shares shall no longer be held by or subject to
forfeiture by the Executive. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Company
shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement or
otherwise (other than pursuant to any employee benefit plan).

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SECTION 9
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
9.1    Protection of Confidential Information. The Executive hereby agrees that,
during the Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive
shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose or make available to any person,
firm, corporation, association or other entity for any reason or purpose
whatsoever, any Confidential Information (as defined below). The Executive
further agrees that, upon the Date of Termination, all Confidential Information
in the Executive’s possession that is in written or other tangible form shall be
returned to the Company and shall not be retained by the Executive or furnished
to any third party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 9 shall not
apply to Confidential Information that (i) was publicly known at the time of
disclosure to the Executive, (ii) becomes publicly known or available thereafter
other than by any means in violation of this Agreement or any other duty owed to
the Company by the Executive, (iii) is lawfully disclosed to the Executive by a
third party, or (iv) is required to be disclosed by law or by any court,
arbitrator or administrative or legislative body with actual or apparent
jurisdiction to order the Executive to disclose or make accessible any
information.
As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means, without limitation,
any non-public confidential or proprietary information disclosed to Executive or
known by the Executive as a consequence of or through the Executive's
relationship with the Company, in any form, including electronic media.
Confidential Information also includes, but is not limited to, the Company's
business plans and financial information, marketing plans, and business
opportunities. Nothing herein shall limit in any way any obligation the
Executive may have relating to Confidential Information under any other
agreement with the Company.
The Executive recognizes that because the Executive’s work for the Company will
bring the Executive into contact with confidential and proprietary information
of the Company, the restrictions of this Section 9 are required for the
reasonable protection of the Company and its investments and for the Company’s
reliance on and confidence in the Executive.
9.2    Non-Competition. If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason
other than a termination by the Company for Cause or due to the Executive’s
death, the Executive agrees that, for the duration of the Time Limit and within
the Geographical Limit (each as defined below) and, in the event of a
termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, subject
to the notice requirement set forth in Section 8.8 in the case of a termination
on or after the Expiration Date, the Executive shall not, either directly or
indirectly, or in any individual or representative capacity, be employed by or
otherwise provide services to any publicly traded or non-traded REIT in the
medical office building sector, including, without limitation (a) Physicians
Realty Trust Inc. Northstar Securities, LLC, HCP Inc., Healthcare Realty Trust
Incorporated, Welltower, Inc., Ventas Inc., Duke Realty Corp., Griffin-American
Healthcare REIT, or American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, (b) any Affiliates
of any of the foregoing entities, or (c) any successors or assigns of any of the
foregoing entities (a “Non-Compete Entity”).
The term “Geographical Limit” herein shall mean the United States. In the event
a court of competent jurisdiction determines the geographic area as set forth
herein is too broad, the parties agree to narrow such restriction to the
geographic areas of the United States wherein the Company owns assets at the
time of such determination. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction
determines the geographic area as set forth herein is too broad, the parties
hereto agree to narrow such restriction to the state in which the Executive’s
primary resident office is situated. In the event a court of competent
jurisdiction determines the geographic area as set forth herein is too broad,
the parties hereto agree to narrow such restriction to the County in the state
in which the Executive’s primary resident office is situated.
9.3    Non-Solicitation of Customers, Vendors and Others. The Executive agrees,
for the duration of the Time Limit that the Executive, either directly or
indirectly, or in any individual or representative capacity, shall not request
or solicit any of the Company’s investors, prospective investors, shareholders,
health care institution relationships, tenants, targeted prospective tenants,
brokers, dealers, agents or vendors to withdraw, curtail, cancel, or decrease
the level of their business with and/or referrals to the Company or request that
they do business with or provide referrals to any third party in competition
with the Company.

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9.4    Non-Solicitation of the Company’s Employees. The Executive agrees, for
the duration of the Time Limit that the Executive, either directly or
indirectly, or in any individual or representative capacity, shall not request
or solicit, or assist any third party in requesting or soliciting, any of the
Company’s employees to terminate his/her employment with the Company or to
accept employment with any third party in competition with the Company. Nothing
herein shall prevent the Executive, directly or indirectly through the use of
agents, employees or other representatives, from placing general advertisements
in any widely-distributed media (such as newspapers and Internet postings) for
employment directed at the public at large (as opposed to directed specifically
at the Company’s employees) that have the effect of inducing or influencing any
of the Company’s employees to terminate his/her employment with the Company.
9.5.    Time Limit. The term “Time Limit” shall mean during the Executive’s
employment with the Company and continuing for one (1) year after the date of
termination of any such employment for any reason (regardless whether such
termination occurs before or after the Expiration Date). In the event of a
violation of any of the covenants contained in this Section 9, the Time Limit
shall be extended by a period of time equal to that period beginning when the
activities constituting the violation commenced, and ending when those
activities terminated.
9.6.    Reasonableness of Limitations; Severability. The Executive hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations made and undertaken
in this Section 9 are fair and reasonable in all respects, including, without
limitation, with respect to duration, geographic area and scope of activity, and
do not (and shall not) prevent the Executive from earning a livelihood. In the
event that one or more of the provisions of the covenants made and undertaken in
this Section 9 is held invalid, void or unenforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity, voidness or unenforceability shall not render
invalid, void or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement.
Further, if any of the provisions of the covenants made and undertaken in this
Section 9 are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court or competent
jurisdiction, such provisions shall be severed, modified or redefined by
consideration of the reasonable concerns and needs of the Company such that the
intent of the parties in agreeing to the provisions of this Agreement shall not
be impaired and the provision in question shall be enforceable to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable laws.
9.7.    Enforcement of Agreement. The parties hereto agree that a violation by
the Executive of any part of this Section 9 shall cause irreparable damage to
the Company which cannot be easily and fairly quantified. For that reason, the
Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled, as a matter of right, to
seek an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the
necessity of posting bond, restraining any further violation of this Section 9.
This remedy shall be in addition to any other rights and remedies the Company
may have pursuant to this Agreement, or law, including, specifically, the
recovery of monetary damages, whether compensatory or punitive.
9.8    Survival. This Section 9 shall survive termination of this Agreement for
any reason.
SECTION 10
SECTION 4999 OF THE CODE
10.1    Payments; Excise Tax. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid
or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then, prior to the making of any
Payment to the Executive, a calculation shall be made comparing (i) the net
benefit to the Executive of the Payment after payment of the Excise Tax, to (ii)
the net benefit to the Executive if the Payment had been limited to the extent
necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. If the amount calculated
under (i) above is less than the amount calculated under (ii) above, then the
Payment shall be limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the
Excise Tax (the “Reduced Amount”). The reduction of the Payments due hereunder,
if applicable, shall be made by first reducing cash Payments and then, to the
extent necessary, reducing those Payments having the next highest ratio of
Parachute Value to actual present value of such Payments as of the date of the
change of control, as determined by the Determination Firm (as defined in
Section 10(b) below). For purposes of this Section 10, present value shall be
determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. For purposes of
this Section 10, the “Parachute Value” of a Payment means the present value as
of the date of the change of control of the portion of such Payment

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that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as
determined by the Determination Firm for purposes of determining whether and to
what extent the Excise Tax shall apply to such Payment.
10.2    Determination Firm; Underpayment. The determination of whether an Excise
Tax would be imposed, the amount of such Excise Tax, and the calculation of the
amounts referred to Section 10(a)(i) and (ii) above shall be made by an
independent, nationally recognized accounting firm or compensation consulting
firm mutually acceptable to the Company and the Executive (the “Determination
Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations. Any determination
by the Determination Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at
the time of the initial determination by the Determination Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Payments which the Executive was entitled to, but did not receive
pursuant to Section 10(a), could have been made without the imposition of the
Excise Tax (“Underpayment”). In such event, the Determination Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive but no later than March 15 of the year after the year in which the
Underpayment is determined to exist, which is when the legally binding right to
such Underpayment arises.
10.3    Repeal. In the event that the provisions of Code Section 280G and 4999
or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 10
shall be of no further force or effect.
SECTION 11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1    Notices. All notices, demands, requests or other communications required
or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
delivered by overnight courier, telecopied or mailed by first class registered
or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
(a)     If to the Company:
Healthcare Trust of America, Inc.
The Promenade, Suite 320
16435 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Fax: (480) 991-0755
Attention: Board of Directors
With a copy to:
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Two Embarcadero Center
28th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111-3823
Fax: (415) 984-8701
Attention: Peter T. Healy, Esq.
(b)    If to the Executive:
Scott D. Peters
c/o The Promenade, Suite 320
16435 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Fax: (480) 991-0755
or at the address on the books and records of the Company at the time of such
notice, or to such other address as may be designated by either party in a
notice to the other. Each notice, demand, request or other communication that
shall

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be given or made in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently
given or made for all purposes three days after it is deposited in the U.S.
mail, postage prepaid, or at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with
the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the answer back or the affidavit of
messenger being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery) or at such time as
delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.
11.2    Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more
provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
11.3    Survival. It is the express intention and agreement of the parties
hereto that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 shall survive the termination of
employment of the Executive. In addition, all obligations of the Company to make
payments hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement on the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
11.4    Assignment. The rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall not
be assignable or delegable, except that (i) in the event of the Executive’s
death, the personal representative or legatees or distributees of the
Executive’s estate, as the case may be, shall have the right to receive any
amount owing and unpaid to the Executive hereunder, and (ii) the rights and
obligations of the Company hereunder shall be assignable and delegable in
connection with any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company and any similar event with respect to any successor
corporation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the rights and
obligations of the Company hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be
binding upon, any successor to the Company or its business by merger or
otherwise, whether or not there is an express assignment, delegation or
assumption of such rights and obligations.
11.5    Dispute Resolution. In the event that any dispute or disagreement arises
between the parties in connection with any provision of this Agreement, the
parties shall first submit such disagreements to mediation, which mediation
shall occur in the County in the state in which the Executive’s primary resident
office is situated. Either party may commence mediation by providing to Judicial
Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) and the other party hereto a
written request for mediation, setting forth the subject of the dispute and the
relief requested. The parties hereto shall cooperate with JAMS and with one
another in selecting a mediator from JAMS panel of neutrals, within thirty (30)
days after the commencement of the mediation, and in scheduling the mediation
proceedings. The parties hereto shall share equally in the costs of mediation.
All offers, promises, conduct and statements, whether oral or written, made in
the course of the mediation by any of the parties, their agents, employees,
experts and attorneys, and by the mediator or any JAMS employees, are
confidential, privileged and inadmissible for any purpose, including
impeachment, in any proceeding involving the parties, provided that evidence
that is otherwise admissible or discoverable shall not be rendered inadmissible
or non-discoverable as a result of its use in the mediation. Either party may
commence a legal action with respect to the matters submitted to mediation at
any time following the initial mediation session or forty-five (45) days after
the date of filing the written request for mediation, whichever occurs first.
11.6    Binding Effect. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment,
this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, devisees, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
11.7    Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement shall not be amended, altered or
modified except by an instrument in writing duly executed by the parties hereto.
No waiver by either of the parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any
of the provisions of this Agreement shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature. The failure of either of
the parties hereto, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions
of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall not be
construed as a waiver of any such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder, or
a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature.
11.8    Headings. Section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement
are inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part
of this Agreement for any purpose, and shall not in any way define or affect the
meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.  

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11.9    Governing Law. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties
hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Executive’s
primary resident office is situated (but not including the choice of law rules
thereof). The parties hereto further agree that the sole and exclusive forum for
litigating any disputes arising under the terms of this Agreement shall be a
court of competent jurisdiction in the state in which the Executive’s primary
resident office is situated (but not including the choice of law rules thereof).
11.10    Integrated Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There have been
no offers or inducements regarding the making of this Agreement except as set
forth herein.
11.11    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
11.12    Legal Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive during
the Employment Period for reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Executive
in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement. Any such reimbursement
shall be made no later than thirty (30) days after the Executive delivers the
applicable invoice to the Company.
11.13    Provisions Regarding Code Section 409A.
(a)    This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that
any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner
that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements Section 409A of
the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury
Regulations issued thereunder (and any applicable transition relief under
Section 409A of the Code).
(b)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent
that any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred
compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (“Non-Exempt Deferred
Compensation”) would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason
of the Executive’s termination of employment, such Non-Exempt Deferred
Compensation shall not be payable or distributable to the Executive by reason of
such circumstance unless the circumstances giving rise to such termination of
employment meet any description or definition of “separation from service” in
Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations (without giving effect to
any elective provisions that may be available under such definitions). If this
provision prevents the payment or distribution of any Non-Exempt Deferred
Compensation, such payment or distribution shall be made on the date, if any, on
which an event occurs that constitutes a Section 409A-compliant “separation from
service,” or such later date as may be required by Section 11.13(c) below.
(c)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any amount
or benefit that would constitute Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation would
otherwise be payable or distributable under this Agreement by reason of the
Executive’s separation from service during a period in which the Executive is a
“specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code and applicable
regulations), then payment or commencement of such Non-Exempt Deferred
Compensation shall be delayed until the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days
following the Executive’s death, or (ii) the first day of the seventh month
following the Executive’s separation from service.
(d)    Whenever in this Agreement a payment or benefit is conditioned on the
Executive’s execution of a release of claims, such release must be executed and
all revocation periods shall have expired within 60 days after the Date of
Termination; failing which such payment or benefit shall be forfeited.
(e)    If the Executive (or the Executive’s spouse or eligible dependents) is
entitled to be paid or reimbursed for any taxable expenses under this Agreement,
including, but not limited to, those expenses provided in Sections 5, 6 and 11,
and such payments or reimbursements are includible in the Executive’s federal
gross taxable income, the amount of such expenses reimbursable in any one
calendar year shall not affect the amount reimbursable in any other calendar
year, and the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made no later than
December 31 of the year after the year in which the expense was incurred. No
right of the Executive to reimbursement of expenses under this Agreement,

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including, but not limited to, those provided in Sections 5 and 6, shall be
subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
11.14    Definitions.
“Affiliate” means any entity from time to time designated by the Board and any
other entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common
control with the Company. For purposes of this definition: “control” means the
power to direct the management and policies of such entity, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
“controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.  
“Asset Sale” means the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the Company’s assets for cash or other consideration, unless such Asset Sale is
a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined herein).
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause” means: (i) the Executive’s conviction of or entering into a plea of
guilty or no contest to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, (ii) the
intentional commission of any other act or omission involving dishonesty or
fraud that is materially injurious to the Company or any of its Affiliates, as
reasonably determined by the Board, or (iii) the Executive’s substantial and
repeated failure to perform duties of the office(s) held by the Executive, as
reasonably directed by the Board, if such failure is not cured within thirty
(30) days after the Executive receives written notice thereof from the Board.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Corporate Transaction” means the consummation of a merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange, stock purchase or similar form of corporate
transaction involving the Company that provides the Company’s stockholders with
a combination of cash and/or securities of a company that are traded on a
National Securities Exchange, unless such Corporate Transaction is a
Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined herein).
“Date of Termination” means: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by
the Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s death; (ii) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated because of the Executive’s Disability,
thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination, provided that the Executive shall
not have returned to the performance of the Executive’s duties on a full-time
basis during such thirty (30) day period; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Notice of
Termination; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated during the
Employment Period, either by the Company or the Executive, for any other reason,
the date specified in the Notice of Termination; or (v) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated by reason of expiration of the Employment Period by its
terms, the date on which the Employment Period expires by its terms.
“Good Reason” means, in the absence of the written consent of the Executive:
(i) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or
responsibilities, as contemplated by Section 3 of this Agreement (including
removal from the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of the
Company or, in the event of a Corporate Transaction or an Asset Sale, not being
appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of the entity that,
as a result of such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale, owns the Company or all
or substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock directly or through one or
more subsidiaries); (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary;
(iii) a material change in the geographic location at which Executive must
perform services, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the Company’s
requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location more than
thirty-five (35) miles from that identified in Section 4 of this Agreement; (iv)
a requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee
instead of reporting directly to the Board; (v) in connection with or following
a Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale, the failure of the entity that, as a
result of such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale, owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock directly or through one or
more subsidiaries, to maintain an equity incentive plan that provides
substantially comparable equity incentives to participants (including, without
limitation, the Executive) as the Company’s equity incentive plan in effect
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale; or (vi) any other
action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this
Agreement, including, without limitation, any failure by the Company to comply
with and satisfy Section 11.4 of this

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Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Executive shall notify the
Company in writing of any event or condition claimed to constitute Good Reason
under this paragraph within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of such
event or condition, (B) the Company shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of
such notice from the Executive to cure such initial event or condition, and
(C) the Executive must separate from service with the Company within six (6)
months following the initial existence of such event or condition.
“National Securities Exchange” means (i) the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex
Equities, or the Global Market or the Global Select Market of the NASDAQ Stock
Market (or any successor to such entities), or (ii) a national securities
exchange (or tier or segment thereof) that has listing standards that the
Securities and Exchange Commission has determined by rule are substantially
similar to the listing standards applicable to securities described in Section
18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act.
“Non-Qualifying Transaction” means, with respect to a Corporate Transaction or
an Asset Sale, immediately following such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale:
(A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
“beneficial owners” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), respectively, of the
outstanding Company Common Stock and the Company’s then outstanding securities
eligible to vote for the election of directors (the “Company Voting Securities”)
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale, beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as
the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Corporate Transaction or
Asset Sale (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets
or stock either directly or through one or more subsidiaries, the “Surviving
Entity”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale, of the outstanding Company
Common Stock and the outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
and (B) no person (other than (x) the Company or any subsidiary, (y) the
Surviving Entity or its ultimate parent entity, or (z) any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) sponsored or maintained by any of the foregoing) is the
“beneficial owner,” directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total common
stock or 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting
securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Entity, and (C) at least
a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Entity were
Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the
initial agreement providing for such Corporate Transaction or Asset Sale. For
purposes of this definition, “Incumbent Directors” means, during any consecutive
12-month period, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute
the Board.
[Signatures on Following Page]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement, or have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf, as of the Effective
Date.

“COMPANY”

HEALTHCARE TRUST OF AMERICA, INC.,
a Maryland corporation

By:
/s/ Robert A. Milligan
 
 
Name:
Robert A. Milligan
Title:
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

“EXECUTIVE”

/s/ Scott D. Peters
 
Scott D. Peters