Exhibit 10.20

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

 

This Separation Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is made this 27th
day of November, 2018, by and among Summer Infant (USA), Inc. (“SI USA”), Summer
Infant, Inc. (“SII”, and together with SI USA the “Company”) and William E.
Mote, Jr. (“Mote”).

 

RECITALS

 

This Agreement is made in light of, and in consideration of, the following facts
and circumstances which form a material part of this Agreement:

 

A.            Since November 10, 2014, Mote has been employed by the Company in
various positions, including most recently as Chief Financial Officer.

 

B.            Mote is a party to a Non-Competition, Non-Disclosure and
Developments Agreement executed by Mote on October 7, 2014 (“Restrictive
Agreement”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

C.            The Company and Mote have mutually agreed upon Mote’s resignation
from employment and that Mote’s last day of employment shall be November 27,
2018.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.     Mote and the Company agree that the last date of Mote’s employment is
November 27, 2018 (the “Separation Date”) at which time Mote shall be removed
from all offices held in the Company and any subsidiaries of the Company.  Mote
will be paid all earned wages, accrued but unpaid vacation benefits, and
reimbursements through the Separation Date by the next regular pay date after
the Separation Date.

 

2.             In consideration of the execution, delivery and non-revocation of
this Agreement by Mote and in consideration of the covenants and promises of
Mote set forth herein, including, without limitation, the Release (as defined in
Paragraph 6) provided by Mote to the Company, the Company shall provide to Mote
the following separation consideration (“Release Consideration”):

 

(a)           For a period of twenty-six (26) weeks commencing on the next
regular pay day following the Effective Date as defined in Paragraph 7(c), the
Company shall pay to Mote an amount equal to his base salary, payable in
bi-weekly installments, on such dates as his base salary would otherwise be paid
by the Company in accordance with its regular payroll procedures, less
applicable deductions and withholdings;

 

(b)           The Company agrees to the immediate vesting of five-thousand,
two-hundred fifty (5,250) restricted shares of stock under the award originally
granted on February 22, 2017, and ten-thousand, two-hundred fifty (10,250) stock
options under the award originally granted February 22, 2017.  In addition, the
Company agrees that the exercise period for Mote’s vested and outstanding stock
options will be extended for an additional six (6)

 

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months from the expiration date set forth in the relevant equity plan covering
the options. The amended expiration date is August 26, 2019.  Mr. Mote’s ability
to sell such restricted stock and/or exercise such options and sell such shares
and/or engage in “cashless” transactions shall not be subject to any
company-imposed “blackout” or similar restrictions beginning on the third
trading day after public release of the Company’s results for the quarter ended
December 29, 2018; and

 

(c)           The Company will provide, at its expense, for Mote to receive
outplacement services with an outplacement provider used by the Company for a
period of up to twelve (12) months following the Effective Date.

 

(d)           Mote’s group health plan coverage, if any, will be terminated
effective on the last day of the termination month, on November 30, 2018.  The
Separation Date shall be the date of the “qualifying event” under the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and Company
will present Mote with information on COBRA under separate cover.  If elected,
the Company will reimburse Mote for the first month of COBRA coverage.  Benefits
such as life insurance, long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment,
tuition reimbursement, among others, terminate immediately, effective upon the
Separation Date.

 

3.             Mote understands, acknowledges and agrees that he is receiving
the Release Consideration set forth in Paragraph 2 in exchange for the Release
set forth in Paragraph 6 and his agreement to honor and abide by the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, and is otherwise not entitled to receive the
Release Consideration.

 

4.             Mote acknowledges and agrees that his participation in the
Company’s 401(k) plan and his rights to benefits under that plan following the
Separation Date will be governed by the terms of that plan.

 

5.             Except as set forth in this Agreement, Mote acknowledges that any
outstanding unvested awards under any plan(s) maintained by the Company shall be
treated in accordance with the rules of the relevant plan and the terms of the
relevant award.

 

6.             The release (“Release”) set forth in this Paragraph 6 is
effective as of the Effective Date of this Agreement.

 

(a)           In exchange for the consideration set forth in Paragraph 2, Mote
for himself and his agents, attorneys, successors, and assigns, hereby releases
and forever discharges the Company and its present and/or former parents,
affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors and assigns as
well as its and/or their present and former officers, directors, shareholders,
agents, counsel, insurers, and employees (collectively the “Releasees”), to the
fullest extent permitted by law, of and from all actions, causes of action,
suits, debts, dues, sums of money, damages, judgments, executions, claims and
demands which may be legally waived by private agreement, in law or in equity,
known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, which he ever had, now has or which
his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (collectively with
Mote, the “Releasors”) hereafter shall, can or may have, upon or by reason of
any matter, cause or thing arising at any time up to the date of Mote’s
execution of this Agreement.

 

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(b)           The foregoing release by Releasors includes, but is not limited
to, any and all claims, individual or collective, arising on or before Mote’s
execution of this Agreement under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of 1871, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. § 1981 et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42
U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. §2601
et seq. and all other federal, state and local laws, including but not limited
to the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 28-5-1 et
seq., the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act of 1990, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 42-112-1 et
seq., the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §§
42-87-1 et seq., the Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act, R.I.
Gen. Laws §§ 28-48-1 et seq., Rhode Island wage payment laws, Rhode Island
Whistleblower Protection Act (R.I.G.L §28-50-1, et seq.), any Executive Orders
(governing employment practices) which may affect the Company, and all other
federal, state and local laws, as each of the foregoing have been or may be
amended, and any and all claims arising under any other federal, state or local
statute, law, rule, regulation, or decision, including claims for
discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of
emotional distress, negligence, defamation or slander, wrongful discharge in
violation of public policy, and any and all other common law claims, as well as
any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

(c)           Mote acknowledges and agrees that the Release Consideration he is
receiving under this Agreement is sufficient consideration to support the
release of all entities and persons identified in this Paragraph 7(a) of this
Agreement, and that said Release Consideration is in addition to anything of
value to which Mote is entitled.

 

(d)           Mote agrees that he will not sue on, or commence any proceedings
relating to, any claim which would be released by this Agreement, other than his
participation in a governmental or state agency investigation or proceeding as
described in Paragraph 9.  If he subsequently contests this Agreement for any
reason, Mote agrees to first tender back to the Company the payment being made
to him under Paragraph 3.  Mote agrees and represents that he has not filed, or
caused to be filed, any claim or charge with any court, adjudicative body,
regulatory body, or agency arising out of his employment or termination of
employment.

 

(e)           Mote agrees and represents that: (i) he has received all leave
(paid or unpaid), compensation, wages, overtime if applicable, bonuses,
commissions, and/or benefits to which he may be entitled and that no other
amounts and/or benefits are due except as expressly provided in this Agreement;
(ii) has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases that he has not
already reported to Company; (iii) has either been provided or not been denied
any leave requested under the Family and Medical Leave Act or state law; (iv) is
not eligible to receive payments or benefits under any other severance pay
policy, plan, practice or arrangement of the Company other than as set forth
herein; and (v) has not complained of and is not aware of any fraudulent
activity or any act(s) which would form the basis of a claim of fraudulent or
illegal activity by the Company.

 

(f)            Mote further waives and releases any right to become, and agrees
not to consent to become, a member of any class in a case in which claims are
asserted against the

 

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Company or the Releasees that are related in any way to Mote’s employment or the
termination of his employment with Company.  If, without his prior knowledge and
consent, Mote is made a member of a class in any proceeding, he agrees to opt
out of the class at the first opportunity.

 

7.             Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”).  Because Mote is
40 years of age or older, the Company is advising Mote of, and Mote
acknowledges, the following:

 

(a)           Twenty-One (21) Day Consideration Period.  Mote shall have
twenty-one (21) days to consider and accept the terms of this Agreement by fully
executing it below, and returning it to the Company to Mary Beth Schneider’s
attention at the address provided in Paragraph 11.  During this twenty-one (21)
day period and before signing this Agreement, Mote is encouraged to consult with
an attorney regarding the terms and provisions of this Agreement at his own
expense.  Mote may sign the Agreement of his own volition prior to the
conclusion of the twenty-one (21) day period.

 

(b)           Release of Age Discrimination in Employment Act Claims.  By
signing this Agreement, Mote waives any claims he has or might have against the
Company or the Releasees under the ADEA that accrued prior to the date of Mote’s
execution of the Agreement.

 

(c)           Revocation Period.  Mote shall have seven (7) days from the date
he signs this Agreement to change his mind and revoke the agreement to waive
claims of discrimination under the ADEA.  This seven-day right of revocation
does not apply to any other type of claim covered by the release in Paragraph 6
above.  Any revocation within this period must state “I hereby revoke my
acceptance of our Agreement and General Release related to claims under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act.”  The written revocation must be delivered to
provide written notice of revocation of this Agreement to Mary Beth Schneider’s
attention, at the address provided in Paragraph 11 and must be postmarked within
seven (7) calendar days of Mote’s execution of this Agreement.  If Mote does not
revoke this Agreement prior to the expiration of this seven (7) day period, this
Agreement shall take effect at that time as a legally binding agreement between
Mote and the Company on the basis set forth herein (the “Effective Date”).

 

MOTE IS HEREBY ADVISED THAT HE HAS UP TO TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAYS TO REVIEW
AND CONSIDER THIS AGREEMENT AND IS HEREBY ADVISED IN WRITING TO CONSULT WITH AN
ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

MOTE AGREES THAT ANY MODIFICATIONS, MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE, MADE TO THIS
AGREEMENT DO NOT RESTART OR AFFECT IN ANY MANNER THE ORIGINAL TWENTY-ONE (21)
CALENDAR DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD.

 

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HAVING ELECTED TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT, TO FULFILL THE PROMISES AND TO RECEIVE
THE SUMS AND BENEFITS IN PARAGRAPH 2 ABOVE, MOTE FREELY AND KNOWINGLY, AND AFTER
DUE CONSIDERATION, ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT INTENDING TO WAIVE, SETTLE AND
RELEASE ALL CLAIMS MOTE HAS OR MIGHT HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.

 

8.             Nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the
release of claims, proprietary information, confidentiality, cooperation, and
non-disparagement provisions, (a) limits or affects Mote’s right to challenge
the validity of this Release under the ADEA or the OWBPA or (b) prevents Mote
from filing a charge or complaint with or from participating in an investigation
or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local agency
charged with the enforcement of any laws, including providing documents or other
information,  or (c) prevents Mote from exercising his rights under Section 7 of
the NLRA to engage in protected, concerted activity with other employees,
although by signing this Release he is waiving his right to recover any
individual relief (including  backpay, frontpay, reinstatement or other legal or
equitable relief) in any charge, complaint, or lawsuit or other proceeding
brought by him or on his behalf by any third party, except for any right he may
have to receive a payment from a government agency (and not the Company) for
information provided to the government agency. Mote understands and agrees that
nothing in this Agreement, including the Release, prohibits or restricts him
from providing truthful information, or cooperating with, or otherwise assisting
in an investigation by any testimony in any legal proceeding or from cooperating
with, or making truthful disclosures to, any governmental agency.

 

Even though Mote intends to release all claims that he may have existing at the
time of, or that Mote had prior to, the execution of this Agreement, this
Agreement does not release Mote’s right to (i) any vested 401(k) or other
retirement benefits to which he is or will be entitled, or (ii) any wages Mote
has earned on or before the date he executes this Agreement.  This release does
not extend to any claims Mote has made or may make for workers’ compensation or
unemployment compensation.  Also, this Agreement does not release claims that
cannot be released as a matter of law.  For example, this Agreement does not
release claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Finally, this
Agreement does not release any claims which Mr. Mote may have resulting from any
breach of this Agreement by the Company.

 

9.             From and after the Separation Date, Mote shall not represent
himself as an employee, officer, director or representative of the Company or
attempt to conduct business in the name or on behalf of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries.  Upon the Separation Date, Mote agrees to promptly return all
items of Company property he has or over which he has control, including but not
limited to all keys, records, lap top computer, cell phone, designs, business
plans, financial statements, manuals, memoranda, lists, and other property
delivered to or compiled by Mote by or on behalf of the Company (or its
subsidiaries) or its representatives, vendors, or customers that pertain to the
business of the Company (or its subsidiaries), all equipment belonging to the
Company, all code and computer programs and

 

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information of whatever nature, tools, manuals, and any and all other materials,
documents or information, including but not limited to confidential information
in his possession or control, and that he will retain no copies thereof. 
Likewise, all correspondence, reports, records, charts, advertising materials,
and other similar data pertaining to the business, activities or future plans of
the Company (or its subsidiaries) that has been collected by Mote shall be
delivered promptly to the Company upon the Separation Date.

 

10.                  Mote and the Company (together referred to as the
“Parties”) mutually agree to maintain in strict confidence, and not to disclose,
the terms, conditions, amount, fact of, and circumstances leading to the making
of this Agreement, and any and all actions taken in accordance with this
Agreement, provided however, that : (a) Mote may disclose this Agreement to his
immediate family; (b) the Parties may disclose this Agreement in confidence to
their respective attorneys, accountants, auditors, tax preparers, and financial
advisors; (c) the Company may disclose this Agreement as necessary to the Board
of Directors and Company employees for business-related reasons, or to others to
fulfill standard or legally required corporate reporting or disclosure
requirements; (d) Mote may disclose this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 8,and
(e) the Parties may disclose this Agreement insofar as such disclosure may be
necessary to enforce its terms or as otherwise required by law.  Further, the
Parties represent that they have not disclosed the fact of, or the terms of this
Agreement and receipt of the payment described in Paragraph 2 to anyone, other
than the permitted disclosures referenced above, at any time prior to execution
of this Agreement.  Mote specifically acknowledges and agrees that he shall not
disclose the terms or existence of this Agreement to any current or former
Company employee in any manner, whether in writing or orally, directly or
indirectly, or by or through an agent, representative, attorney or any other
such person.

 

11.          All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder
that are required to be provided, or that the sender elects to provide, in
writing, will be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth below or
to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and will be
either (i) delivered by hand, (ii) sent by overnight courier, or (iii) sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid.

 

If to the Company:

 

If to Mote:

 

 

 

Summer Infant (USA), Inc.

 

William E. Mote, Jr.

Summer Infant, Inc.

 

12 Gloucester Street, #1

1275 Park East Drive

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895

 

 

Attn: Mary Beth Schneider, VP/General Counsel

 

 

 

12.          Mote acknowledges, represents and warrants that he enters into this
Agreement knowingly, voluntarily, free of duress or coercion, and with a full
understanding of all terms and conditions contained herein.

 

13.          Should any provision in this Agreement be declared or determined to
be illegal or invalid the validity of the remaining parts, terms, or provisions
shall not be affected

 

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and the illegal or invalid part, term, or provisions shall be deemed not to be
part of this Agreement.

 

14.          This Agreement and the agreements referenced herein, including the
Restrictive Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and
supersede all oral negotiations and any prior and other writings with respect to
the subject matter of this Agreement, and are intended by the parties as the
final, complete and exclusive statement of the terms agreed to by them.

 

15.          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Rhode Island.

 

16.          This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and may not be
amended, supplemented, changed, or modified in any manner, orally or otherwise,
except by an instrument in writing of concurrent or subsequent date signed by
the Company and Mote.

 

17.          Mote agrees that he may not assign any of his rights or delegate
any of his duties under this Agreement.  The rights and obligations of the
Company shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successors and assigns.

 

18.          This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by
either the Company or Mote that it or he has acted wrongfully with respect to
the other and both the Company and Mote specifically deny the commission of any
wrongful acts against the other.

 

19.          Mote agrees that he will not make any written or oral statement or
take any action which he knows or reasonably should know constitutes an untrue,
disparaging, or negative comment concerning the Company.

 

20.          This Agreement does not void or nullify the provisions of the
Non-Competition, Non-Disclosure and Developments Agreement signed by you, a copy
of which is attached as Exhibit A, which remains in full force and effect.

 

21.          This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together constitute one
and the same instrument.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties execute this Agreement as of the date indicated
below.

 

I have read this Agreement and understand that if I sign it I will be giving up
important rights.  I have been given ample opportunity to consult with and
review this Agreement with an attorney of my choice.  By signing below, I
acknowledge that I willingly, voluntarily, and knowingly accept and agree to all
the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

/s/ William E. Mote, Jr.

 

12/05/2018

William E. Mote, Jr.

 

Date

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE ID:

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Infant (USA), Inc. and

 

 

Summer Infant, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Mark Messner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Mark Messner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

President & CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 27, 2018

 

 

 

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Exhibit A

Non-Competition, Non-Disclosure and Developments Agreement

Dated October 7, 2014

 

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