Exhibit 10.5
RETIREMENT, RELEASE AND CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
     WHEREAS, Ronald W. Bopp (“Bopp”) is currently employed by CPNO Services,
L.P. (“CPNO”) as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development;
     WHEREAS, Bopp desires to retire and therefore resign as Senior Vice
President, Corporate Development of CPNO and Copano Energy, L.L.C. (“Copano”)
and certain of its subsidiaries and to terminate his employment with CPNO
effective May 31, 2008;
     WHEREAS, Copano and Bopp are parties to an offer letter dated April 15,
2005 (the “Offer Letter”) pusuant to which Bopp and Copano agreed to the terms
and conditions of Bopp’s employment with CPNO;
     WHEREAS, CPNO wishes to engage Bopp as a Senior Advisor to provide advisory
and consulting services to CPNO and its affiliates, including but not limited to
Copano and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Service Recipients”);
     WHEREAS, CPNO wishes to enter into this Agreement with Bopp as a Senior
Advisor to provide advisory and consulting services to CPNO and its affiliates,
including but not limited to Copano and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
“Service Recipients”) as consideration (along with other valuable consideration
identified below) for a release and waiver of all claims by Bopp, for Bopp’s
acknowledgment and agreement with respect to Confidential Information as set
forth herein, and for Bopp’s agreement not to compete with any Service Recipient
during the time that this Agreement is in effect or for a one-year period
following his resignation from employment, whichever is longer; and
     WHEREAS, Bopp acknowledges that as a Senior Advisor and consultant and a
former employee he will continue to be bound by certain of Copano’s employment
practices policies and to the terms of Copano’s Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics (the “Code”);
     NOW THEREFORE, CPNO and Bopp enter into this Retirement, Release and
Consulting Services Agreement (“Agreement”) and agree as follows:
1. Termination of Employment; Lump-Sum Payment. Bopp will resign as Senior Vice
President, Corporate Development and his employment with CPNO will terminate
effective May 31, 2008. In addition to any amounts owed to him by CPNO for
unpaid salary through the date of his resignation, CPNO will make to Bopp a
lump-sum payment in the amount of $25,000 (Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and No
Cents), minus applicable taxes and withholdings, which is an amount above and
beyond what he is entitled to receive upon his resignation. Bopp acknowledges
and agrees that this lump-sum payment is good and valuable consideration for all
the promises made by him in this Agreement.
2. Release and Waiver of Claims. CPNO is making the payments hereunder and
providing Bopp with the other valuable consideration identified in Paragraph 1
and acknowledged by Bopp hereby in consideration of Bopp’s acknowledgement and
agreement with respect to Confidential Information (defined below); Bopp’s
agreement

 

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not to compete with any Service Recipient during the time that this Agreement is
in effect or for a one-year period following his resignation from employment,
whichever is longer; and Bopp’s acknowledgement and agreement (on behalf of
himself, his affiliates, heirs, agents, and assigns) that he knowingly,
voluntarily and irrevocably releases CPNO and Copano and all of their affiliated
entities and personnel, including but not limited to their respective past,
present and future directors, managers, officers, agents and employees
(collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, rights, actions,
causes of action, demands, suits, agreements, obligations or liabilities of
whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, liquidated or non-liquidated,
contingent or absolute, arising out of federal, state, local or at common law,
which Bopp ever had, now has or may have against the Released Parties, arising
out of or relating in any way to Bopp’s employment with, previous work for, or
separation from, CPNO, or any of the Released Parties.
     Without limitation, this release and waiver of claims includes (i) all
claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of
1991; the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974; the Fair Labor Standards Act
of 1938, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Family and
Medical Leave Act; the Labor Management Relations Act; the Texas Commission on
Human Rights Act; the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act; the Texas Labor Code; any
other relevant state law; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; (ii) all other
federal, state or local constitutional, statutory or common law claims or
actions that are permitted to be waived in this context and that in any way
refer to or arise out of Bopp’s employment with, previous work for, or
separation from CPNO or any of the Released Parties; (iii) all claims of breach
of contract, sounding in tort, or of wrongful discharge; and (iv) all claims to
any compensation, including but not limited to any rights to any salary, bonus,
or severance payments.
     By signing this Agreement, Bopp expressly agrees and understands that he is
giving to the Released Parties a general release and waiver of any and all such
claims that Bopp may have against any of the Released Parties.
3. No Suits or Proceedings. Bopp agrees not to file any suit or institute any
other type of proceeding against the Released Parties in any local, state or
federal court or agency under these or any other laws or applicable regulations,
arising out of or relating in any way to Bopp’s employment with, previous work
for, or separation from CPNO or any of the Released Parties.
4. Representation Regarding Proceedings. Bopp represents and warrants that he
has not made, filed or lodged any complaints, charges, or lawsuits or otherwise
directly or indirectly commenced any proceeding against the Released Parties
with any governmental agency, department, or official, any regulatory authority,
or any court, other tribunal, or other dispute resolution body. Bopp further
represents and warrants that he has not previously assigned or transferred to
any other person or entity any claims or rights that are the subject of the
waivers and releases contained in this Agreement.
5. Time in Which to Consider Agreement; Revocation of Agreement. Bopp

 

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acknowledges and understands that he has twenty-one (21) calendar days to
consider this Agreement prior to signing it. Bopp further acknowledges that he
has seven (7) calendar days following delivery of the fully signed Agreement to
revoke or rescind the Agreement, and further acknowledges and understands that
the Agreement will not be effective or enforceable until such seven (7) day
period has expired and Bopp has not revoked the Agreement during such period.
6. Confidential Information. Bopp acknowledges that during the course of his
employment and during the term of the Agreement, Bopp has had and will have
access to highly confidential information about the Released Parties’ business,
including but not limited to (i) information and records about customers,
partners, business methods or practices, (ii) finances, (iii) accounting,
(iv) pricing or pricing strategies, (v) contracts, (vi) vendors, (vii) computer
hardware, software, and operating systems, (viii) training programs and
(ix) potential acquisition opportunities of the Released Parties (collectively
“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall also include the
terms and existence of this Agreement. Bopp further acknowledges his obligation
of confidentiality under the Code with respect to the Confidential Information
of Copano and its subsidiaries.
     Bopp acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information is and shall
at all times remain the property of the Released Parties. Bopp agrees that he
will immediately return all Confidential Information in his possession or
control, and will retain no copies thereof (including electronic copies). Bopp
further agrees that he will not, at any time, directly, indirectly, or
otherwise, use, disseminate or disclose any Confidential Information without
prior written consent from CPNO. Bopp also agrees to immediately return to CPNO,
in good order and condition, all other CPNO property of any sort that is in his
possession or under his control including, without limitation, all computers and
related hardware and software, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants,
documents (regardless of formats), records, manuals, and any and all property
belonging to CPNO.
7. Covenant not to Compete. In consideration of the various promises made by
CPNO, Copano and the Service Recipients to continue to provide Confidential
Information to Bopp in order to perform his Services (as defined below), Bopp
agrees that during the time that this Agreement is in effect or for a one-year
period following his resignation from employment, whichever is longer, he shall
not, directly or indirectly, jointly or individually, through other entities or
persons or either on his own behalf or in the service of others, practice or
attempt to compete with any Service Recipient or work with or for any person or
entity that engages in the midstream natural gas business or that otherwise
provides the same services or engages in the same business as any Service
Recipient or any of their subsidiaries in any county or adjacent county in
Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado or Wyoming in which any Service Recipient does or has
done business during the term of Bopp’s employment or during the time that this
Agreement is in effect. Bopp agrees that the provisions of this paragraph are
reasonable in time, area, and scope, and that in the event of Bopp’s breach of
this covenant not to compete, CPNO, Copano and the Service Recipients shall
suffer irreparable harm and shall be entitled to injunctive relief and any other
appropriate damages.

 

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     Acknowledgements. Bopp acknowledges that he was advised to consult an
attorney about the contents and meaning of this Agreement and that Bopp’s
decision whether or not to consult an attorney was made independently by Bopp.
Bopp also acknowledges that he has carefully read and understands all of the
provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the waiver and
release provisions contained herein, that this Agreement is made with Bopp’s
full knowledge and consent, that it was not procured by fraud, duress or mistake
and that Bopp is not relying upon any statement or representation of any of the
Released Parties except as expressly contained in this Agreement. Bopp also
acknowledges that he is not relying upon any oral or written representations of
the Released Parties in signing this Agreement.
     Bopp acknowledges and agrees that the releases, waivers and covenants
contained in this Agreement shall be and remain in effect even if Bopp later
discovers facts relating to the Released Parties, his employment, or separation
from employment that are in addition to or different from what Bopp knows now.
Bopp acknowledges and agrees that the releases and covenants provided in this
Agreement shall be binding, unconditional and final upon the effectiveness of
this Agreement.
8. Non-disparagement. Bopp shall at all times conduct himself in a manner that
will not in any way impair, harm or prejudice the name, reputation or business
interests of the Service Recipients and their respective owners, officers,
directors, employees, and agents. CPNO and Copano shall at all times conduct
themselves in a manner that will not in any way impair, harm or prejudice the
name, reputation or business interests of Bopp. The parties’ non-disparagement
obligations shall survive the expiration or any termination of this Agreement.
9. Services to be Provided by Bopp. Bopp agrees to provide such advisory and
consulting services and cooperation with respect to services needed from Bopp
during the Term (as defined below) by any Service Recipient (1) to facilitate
business continuity from a corporate development perspective and (2) assist in
transferring responsibilities relating to the acquisition process of the Service
Recipients (“Services”). Bopp shall make himself reasonably available to perform
Services requested by the Service Recipients during the Term of the Agreement in
an amount no greater than 20 hours per month. Services will be provided by
telephone and electronic mail and, if necessary, at in-person meetings at a
location mutually agreeable and convenient to Bopp and Service Recipients.
Service Recipients will provide Bopp with such access and equipment necessary to
perform the Services hereunder.
10. Compensation for Services. CPNO agrees to compensate Bopp at a rate of
$20,333.34 per month for the Term of this Agreement. The compensation shall be
paid to Bopp semi-monthly in accordance with CPNO’s regular accounts payable
practices.
11. Reimbursement for Expenses. CPNO agrees to reimburse Bopp for expenses
incurred while performing the Services, provided that such expenses are incurred
at the request of, and are pre-approved by a Service Recipient. In accordance
with Copano’s policy regarding business expenses, all expenses greater than
$50.00 (Fifty Dollars and No Cents) shall be supported by receipts.

 

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12. Indemnity. CPNO agrees to indemnify Bopp for any claims, including
associated legal fees and expenses, that may be asserted against Bopp on account
of his good-faith execution of the Services provided pursuant to this Agreement,
but only to the extent that such claims do not arise, directly or indirectly,
out of Bopp’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Bopp agrees to cooperate
fully with CPNO in the defense of any claims for which CPNO is obligated to
indemnify Bopp.
13. Term; Termination. This Agreement shall be effective as of May 31, 2008 and
shall continue until May 30, 2009 unless terminated by either party as the
result of a breach of this Agreement by the other party (the “Term”). In case of
such termination, CPNO shall compensate Bopp for the Services provided before
termination of the Agreement.
14. Independent Contractor. Bopp will act as an independent contractor in the
performance of the duties set forth in this Agreement, and shall have no
authority to incur any obligations or liabilities on behalf of the Service
Recipients, and shall not be deemed to be an agent of the Service Recipients.
Bopp shall be solely responsible for determining the means and methods for
performing the Services. Neither CPNO nor any other Service Recipient shall have
any obligation to Bopp with respect to retirement benefits, health insurance,
life insurance or any other similar benefits, and Bopp fully waives and releases
any claim to benefits from any Service Recipient on account of the Services.
Bopp understands and acknowledges that he is not an employee of CPNO or any
other Service Recipient and that there shall be no employer-employee
relationship between CPNO or any other Service Recipient and Bopp.
15. Standard of Performance. Bopp agrees to perform the Services with that
standard of care, skill and diligence normally provided by a professional person
in the performance of similar services. Any work prepared by Bopp for a Service
Recipient shall become the property of the Service Recipient and shall be
provided to such Service Recipient upon termination of this Agreement. Bopp
shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations in performing the
Services, as well as with Copano’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other
applicable policies.
16. Taxes. Bopp shall be responsible for any and all taxes that may be imposed
upon Bopp as a result of providing Services hereunder.
17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, interpreted
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without
reference to principles of conflicts of law, as applied to such contracts
entered into and wholly performed within such State of Texas. The parties agree
to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Harris County, Texas.
18. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement does not create a joint venture, partnership, or other type
of business entity between any Service Recipient and Bopp.

 

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(b) Bopp may not assign his rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of CPNO. This Agreement may be assigned by any Service Recipient
to its affiliate or successor.
(c) Bopp shall not represent himself as acting as the agent or representative of
any Service Recipient.
(d) This Agreement represents the entire Agreement between the parties with
respect to the Services, and supersedes all previous agreements between the
parties, whether oral or written, with respect to employment, termination of
employment or the Services, including, without limitation, the Offer Letter.
This Agreement may not be modified except by the written agreement of the
parties.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in one or more counterparts, attested by the hands of their proper
officers duly authorized in that behalf as of the date first written above.

                  CPNO SERVICES, L.P.    
 
           
 
  By:   CPNO Services GP, L.L.C., general partner    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ John R. Eckel, Jr.    
 
           
 
  Name:   John R. Eckel, Jr.    
 
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer    
 
                COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ John R. Eckel, Jr.    
 
           
 
  Name:   John R. Eckel, Jr.    
 
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer    

Accepted and Delivered this 15th day of May, 2008
RONALD W. BOPP

     
/s/ Ronald W. Bopp