Exhibit 10.12

 

Tangram Enterprise Solutions

11000 Regency Parkway

Suite 401

Cary, NC 27511-8504

 

December 16, 2002

 

Norman L. Phelps

P.O. Box 51427

Durham, NC 27717

 

Dear Norm:

 

This letter will constitute our understanding and agreement on certain matters
regarding your Severance Agreement dated as of November 8, 2000 (“Severance
Agreement”) and the 2003 revenue goal of Tangram Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
(“Company”) of $12 million as presented to, and approved by, the Board of
Directors of the Company on October 30, 2002.

 

1. If the Company has not achieved revenues, as set forth in the Company’s
financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, of at least $3,625,000
(70% of Q1 plus Q2 revenues) by June 30, 2003, the Board of Directors of the
Company may elect to terminate your employment with the Company. The Company’s
election to terminate shall be received by you in writing no later than July 31,
2003. In the event of such termination the Company shall pay you severance in
the amount of six months of salary based upon your base salary then in effect,
less statutory deductions and withholdings (hereinafter the “Severance
Payment”). The Severance Payment may be paid in installments according to the
Company’s regular payroll practices or in a lump sum, at the discretion of the
Company. The Severance Payment represents the entire amount that you are
entitled to receive under this Agreement. Upon such termination, you hereby
agree that any and all rights or claims that you have or may have relating to
the severance obligations set forth in Section 2 of the Severance Agreement have
been satisfied and discharged in full.

 

2. If the Company has not achieved revenues of at least $12 million by December
31, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Company may elect to either (i)
terminate your employment with the Company or (ii) cause you to accept a
voluntary reduction of not more than 20% in your base salary. The Company’s
election shall be received by you in writing no later than January 31, 2004.

 

  (i)   In the event of such termination you shall not be entitled to receive
payment of, and the Company shall have no obligation to pay, any severance,
benefits or similar compensation attributable to such termination, as set forth
in Section 2 of the Severance Agreement, other than your base salary earned but
unpaid, accrued but unused vacation to the extent allowed by the Company’s
policies, vested benefits under any employee benefit plan, and any unreimbursed
expenses

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Norman L. Phelps

December 16, 2002

 

incurred by you as of the termination date. Upon such termination, you hereby
agree that any and all rights or claims that you have or may have relating to
the severance obligations set forth in Section 2 of the Severance Agreement have
been satisfied and discharged in full.

 

  (ii)   In the event of such reduction in your base salary, you agree to accept
such reduction in your base salary and to waive your right to resign within 6
months of such reduction as set forth in Section 1(c)(ii)(3). The Company shall
have no obligation to pay, any severance, benefits or similar compensation
attributable to such reduction in base salary. In addition, you hereby agree
that any and all rights or claims that you have or may have relating to the
severance obligations set forth in Section 2 of the Severance Agreement are
waived only to the extent attributable to such reduction in base salary.

 

Except as expressly written above, this letter agreement neither amends or
alters in any way the Severance Agreement, which continues to remain in full
force and effect. If the Company fails to make its written election in the time
periods indicated above, this agreement shall be considered null and void and of
no further force and effect.

 

Please call me if you have any questions or want to discuss any of these issues
further. Otherwise, if you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign this
letter and return a copy to me.

 

Yours very truly,

 

TANGRAM ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

By:

 

/s/ Carl Wilson        

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Name

 

Carl Wilson

Title

 

Chairman, Compensation Committee

 

Agreed & Accepted as of

the date first written above:

 

/s/ Norman L. Phelps

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Norman L. Phelps