Exhibit 10.30

     
(NUVASIVE LOGO) [a58563a5856302.gif]
  7475 LUSK BLVD. • SAN DIEGO, CA 92121
858.909.1800 | toll free: 800.455.1476 | fax: 858.909.2000
 
   
Alexis V. Lukianov
   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   

August 3, 2009
Dear Mr. Craig Hunsaker,
     This letter agreement confirms the material compensation terms of your
employment with NuVasive. This letter agreement supersedes all prior agreements
relating to your compensation arrangements and is in addition to any and all
benefits that are made generally available to NuVasive employees. It is also in
addition to benefits available to you as an executive of NuVasive. Defined terms
used herein have the meanings set forth in the attached Appendix of Defined
Terms.
     This letter agreement has no impact on other types of agreements or
arrangements between you and NuVasive, including agreements related to
confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, non-solicitation or
non-competition obligations, etc. You agree to continue abiding by all such
arrangements, as well as all NuVasive policies and procedures.
     Your current annual base salary is $230,000, payable in installments in
accordance with NuVasive’s regular payroll practices. Your base salary is
subject to change and is reviewed at least annually. You are eligible to receive
a performance bonus on an annual basis. The performance bonus is determined at
the discretion of the Board of Directors and is based on a combination of
company performance and your individual performance. For 2009, you will receive
bonuses as set forth in your offer letter dated as of August 3, 2009. For future
years, your current target annual bonus is 25% — 50% of your base salary (with
ability to over-perform), with the actual amount being determined at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. The performance bonus, if any, that is
payable to you shall be paid no later than March 15th of the year following the
calendar year in which it is earned. Additionally, you are eligible to receive,
in the discretion of the Board of Directors, an annual grant of NuVasive equity
securities pursuant to the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.
     You also have certain severance benefits related to an Involuntary
Termination of your employment or a Change of Control of NuVasive. In the event
of an Involuntary Termination of your employment, you shall be entitled to the
Severance Benefit. In the event of a Change of Control of NuVasive, you shall be
entitled to the Change of Control Benefit. In addition, the Section 409A Terms
shall be applicable to the Severance Benefit.
     We look forward to your continued success with NuVasive.

            Truly Yours,

NUVASIVE, INC.
      /s/ Alexis V. Lukianov       Alexis V. Lukianov         

 

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Page 2 — Compensation Letter
I have read and accept the terms of this letter.

              /s/ Craig Hunsaker     Craig Hunsaker         

 

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Defined Terms:
“Change of Control Benefit” shall mean the: Company Acceleration Plan.
“Severance Benefit” upon an Involuntary Termination at any time, severance is
equal to 12 months of your then current base salary. Such amount shall be due
and payable immediately upon any such termination and upon the condition that
you execute NuVasive’s standard form of release of claims and that such release
of claims becomes effective in accordance with its terms on or prior to the 45th
day following such termination.
“Change of Control” is defined as either a Change in Control or Fundamental
Transaction as defined in the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.
“Company Acceleration Plan” is defined as the Company’s policy pursuant to which
50% of all unvested equity awards under any of the Company’s equity compensation
plans (including the 1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan and 2004 Equity
Incentive Plan) immediately accelerate upon a Change of Control of the Company,
and all remaining equity awards immediately accelerate upon an involuntary
termination (except for death, disability or Cause) of service within 18 months
following such an event.
“Involuntary Termination” is defined as an involuntary Termination (as defined
in the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan) for reasons other than death, disability or
Cause. “Cause” is defined as any of the following: (i) the Executive’s repeated
failure to satisfactorily perform the Executive’s job duties; (ii) the
Executive’s refusal or failure to follow lawful directions of the Board;
(iii) the Executive’s conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) the
Executive engaging or in any manner participating in any activity which is
directly competitive with or injurious to the Company.
“Section 409A Terms” — the following terms shall be applicable to the Severance
Benefit: Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no
Severance Benefit payable pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes a
“deferral of compensation” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations issued
pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the “Section 409A Regulations”) shall be
paid until Executive has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning
of the Section 409A Regulations. Furthermore, to the extent that Executive is a
“specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations no
Severance Benefit that constitutes a deferral of compensation shall paid to
Executive before the date (the “Delayed Payment Date”) which is first day of the
seventh month after the date of Executive’s separation from service or, if
earlier, the date of Executive’s death following such separation from service.
All such amounts that would, but for these defined terms, become payable prior
to the Delayed Payment Date will be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment
Date. The Company intends that the Severance Benefit will not be subject to
taxation under Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of this Letter Agreement
shall be interpreted and construed in favor of satisfying any applicable
requirements of Section 409A of the Code. However, the Company does not
guarantee any particular tax effect for income provided to Executive pursuant to
this Agreement. In any event, except for the Company’s responsibility to
withhold applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or
provided to Executive, the Company shall not be responsible for the

 

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payment of any applicable taxes on compensation paid or provided to Executive
pursuant to this Agreement.