EXHIBIT 10.18

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

 

1. Agreement. This Separation Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is
entered into by and between Iomega Corporation, a Delaware corporation, on
behalf of itself and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Iomega” or the
“Company”), and Mahmoud Mostafa (“Employee”) for the purpose of amicably
concluding their employment relationship. By entering into this agreement
neither party admits any deficiency, wrongdoing or liability, expressly or by
implication.

 

2. Last Working Day. Employee’s last regular working day at Iomega will be
October 17, 2003 (“Last Working Day”). The effective date of Employee’s
termination of employment with Iomega will be October 17, 2003 (the “Termination
Date”).

 

3. Consideration.

 

(a) Iomega shall make a total special severance payment to Employee in the
amount of twelve months of $577,500.00, less necessary federal, state and other
withholdings to be paid in bi-weekly increments over approximately twelve
months, beginning on the next regularly scheduled payroll, after receipt of this
fully executed Agreement, provided Employee performs satisfactorily through the
Last Working Day, answers any Iomega questions and assists the Company through
the fourth quarter of calendar year 2004 (providing up to 24 hours per quarter
of assistance if requested), complies with the Iomega Employee Information Guide
through Employee’s Termination Date, and does not perform services for any
competing company during that twelve-month period.

 

During the time he receives this special severance payment, Employee shall not
in any way compete with the Company or provide services to any entity engaged in
competition with the Company. If Employee competes with, or begins to provide
services to any company, partnership, person, or enterprise competing with, the
Company during the time period while severance is being paid, the remaining
portion of the special severance payment shall cease (and any portion paid after
the performance of services to a competing company began shall be returned to
Iomega), EXCEPT that Employee shall not receive less than a total special
severance payment over four months, if Employee answers any Iomega questions and
assists the Company through the fourth quarter of calendar year 2004 (providing
up to 24 hours per quarter of assistance if requested), and complies with the
Iomega Employee Information Guide through Employee’s Termination Date.

 

(b) Iomega shall pay to Employee $11,378.76, less necessary federal, state and
other withholdings to be paid in a lump sum payment, which is equivalent to the
cost of COBRA for a 12 month period, based on Employee’s current health
insurance benefits through Iomega.

 

(c) Iomega will provide executive outplacement services to Employee as
determined by Iomega.

 

(d) As provided in your offer letter (and adjusted based on the subsequent
reverse stock split), 75,000 options for Iomega stock will vest in your name in
connection with this termination.

 

(e) The amounts and provisions set forth in Section 3 (a) through (d) above will
be paid or implemented after receipt of a fully executed and unchanged copy of
this Agreement and the expiration of the Age Release Period described in this
Agreement. These payments shall be in full satisfaction of any and all claims
Employee may have arising directly or indirectly from his/her employment and
separation from Iomega and shall also be consideration for the other promises
contained herein. Employee acknowledges and understands that, except as
described in Section 3 of this Agreement, Employee will not be entitled to
receive from Iomega any other severance or termination allowance or any other
compensation or payment. Employee acknowledges that the foregoing is not
required to be provided by Iomega pursuant to any policy or practice and that
Employee is not otherwise entitled to payment.

 

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4. Participation in Benefit and Other Programs. Employee will be entitled to
participate through the Termination Date in all employee benefit programs and
policies generally available to Iomega employees, in which Employee is eligible
to participate, including stock option vesting, health insurance, and Iomega’s
401(k) plan (if applicable), as allowed by law.

 

Employee acknowledges and agrees that, under the terms of any outstanding stock
option agreement(s) between Employee and Iomega, the vesting of any options to
purchase company stock granted to employee will cease as of the Termination
Date, and Employee has a period of three months following the Termination Date
within which to exercise any vested options. Any vested options not exercised
within the three month period shall expire and thereafter not be exercisable.
All unvested options will be canceled on Employee’s Termination Date. No
unearned bonuses or other incentive compensation will be due Employee.

 

5. Re-Employment by Iomega. Employee agrees that if employee becomes re-employed
with Iomega or is assigned to Iomega as a temporary or contract Employee while
Employee is receiving payments pursuant to this Agreement, Employee shall waive
any remaining payments which shall be discontinued without affecting any other
terms of the Agreement.

 

6. Release of Claims.

 

(a) General Release. In consideration of the payments and other valuable
consideration under the terms of this Agreement, Employee hereby knowingly,
voluntarily, and irrevocably agrees to fully, unconditionally, completely and
forever release Iomega, and all of Iomega’s predecessors and successors, and
their officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees and representatives,
and all parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, together with their
employees, officers, directors and shareholders (the “Released Parties”), from
any and all rights and claims, including, without limitation, demands, causes of
action, charges, complaints, promises, grievances, losses, damages, liabilities,
debts, or injuries, whether known or unknown, contingent or matured, at law or
in equity or in arbitration, which Employee holds or has ever held against
Iomega resulting from any act, obligation, or omission occurring on or prior to
the date Employee signs this Agreement (“Released Claims”), including, but not
limited to, any Released Claims connected with or arising out of Employee’s
employment, or separation therefrom, or terms of such employment or employment
separation by Iomega; employee benefit plans whether or not arising under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; any claims whether
or not arising under any local, state or federal law or regulation, public
policy or common law (including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical
Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California
Labor Code, Title 34 and 34A of the Utah Code Annotated) or any state, federal
or local statute, regulation, public policy, contract or tort principle in any
way governing or regulating Employee’s employment, or termination, or terms of
employment or termination by Iomega. It is expressly agreed and understood that
this Agreement is a general release. Nothing contained in this Agreement is a
waiver of any rights or claims that may arise after the date of execution by
Employee or which, as a matter of law, cannot be released or waived. This
release does not include a release of claims for unemployment or worker’s
compensation benefits.

 

(b) Age Discrimination Release. In addition to the waivers and releases
contained in the preceding paragraph, and in consideration of the payments
provided above, Employee also specifically releases Iomega from any and all
liabilities, claims, causes of action, demand for damages or remedies of any
kind, including claims for attorneys’ fees and legal costs, arising under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, related to or arising
out of his/her employment or termination from employment with Iomega up to and
including the date of this Agreement. Employee is advised to consult with an
attorney regarding this

 

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Agreement. Employee also acknowledges that prior to signing this Agreement
Employee has 45 days from the date of his receipt of the Agreement within which
to consider it and to consult with an attorney of his/her choice regarding it.
Should Employee nevertheless elect to execute this Agreement sooner than 45 days
after she/he has received it, Employee specifically and voluntarily waives the
right to claim or allege that she/he has not been allowed by Iomega or by any
circumstances beyond his/her control to consider the Agreement for a full 45
days. Employee also acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement will not become
effective or enforceable until after seven (7) days from the date it is signed
by Employee (“Age Release Period”). During the Age Release Period Employee
understands and agrees that she/he may revoke the provisions of this Section by
delivering written notice of this revocation to Sheree Lupton, Director of Human
Resources, Iomega Corporation, 1821 West Iomega Way, Roy, UT 84067. This
provision is not intended to change or affect current law regarding the knowing
and voluntary nature of releases, including but not limited to the law regarding
the knowing and voluntary nature of releases under the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act.

 

Employee also acknowledges that he/she has received information regarding the
ages and job titles of other employees within his/her department who have also
been affected by this reduction in force, as well as the ages and job titles of
the employees within his/her department who were not selected for reduction.
This information is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.

 

7. Section 1542 Waiver. Employee does expressly waive all benefits and rights
granted to her/ him pursuant to California Civil Code section 1542, which reads
as follows:

 

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know of
or suspect to exist in his/ her favor at the time of executing the release,
which if known by him/ her must have materially affected his/ her settlement
with the debtor.

 

Employee does certify that she/ he has read all of this Agreement, including the
Agreement provisions contained herein and the quoted California Civil Code
section, and that she/ he fully understands all of the same. Employee hereby
expressly agrees that this Agreement shall extend and apply to all unknown,
unsuspected, and unanticipated injuries and damages, as well as those that are
now disclosed.

 

8. No Further Action. Employee irrevocably and absolutely agrees that she/ he
will not prosecute or allow to be prosecuted on her/ his behalf, in any
administrative agency, whether federal or state, or any court, whether federal
or state, any claim or demand of any type related to the matters released above
in Section 6a, it being the intention of the parties that with the execution by
Employee of this Agreement, Iomega, and all of Iomega’s predecessors and
successors, and their officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees and
representatives, and all parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, together
with their employees, officers, directors and shareholders will be absolutely,
unconditionally and forever discharged of and from any obligations to or on
behalf of Employee related in any way to the matters discharged therein.

 

9. No Admission of Fault. Iomega and Employee agree that this Agreement in whole
or in part shall not be admissible in any legal or quasi-legal proceeding as
evidence of or admission by Company of any violation of its policies or
procedures or local, state or federal law or regulation. Further, Company
expressly denies any violation of any of its policies, procedures, local, state
or federal laws or regulations.

 

10. Return of Documents. Employee will immediately return to Iomega all
documents, records and materials, relating to Iomega’s business, to the extent
that any such documents have not yet been returned to Iomega, whether stored
electronically or in written or printed form, or otherwise, including but not
limited to records, notes, memoranda, computer storage media, drawings, reports,
files, software materials, notebooks, rolodex files, telephone lists, computer
or data processing disks and tapes, marketing plans, financial plans and
studies, customer lists, names of business contacts, policies and procedures,
and any materials prepared, compiled or acquired by Employee relating to any
aspect of Iomega or its business, products, plans or proposals and all copies
thereof, in Employee’s or related party’s possession, custody or control,
whether prepared by Employee or others. Employee also agrees to participate in
an exit interview upon the termination of Employee’s employment with Iomega.

 

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11. Non-Disclosure. Employee acknowledges his or her obligations under a written
agreement regarding employee use of corporate information executed by Employee
at the beginning of her/his employment, which is still in effect.

 

12. Employee Inventions. Employee acknowledges that any and all innovations,
products and processes invented or discovered by Employee during Employee’s
employment with Iomega are the property of Iomega and have been assigned to
Iomega under a written agreement regarding employee use of corporate information
executed by Employee at the beginning of her/his employment, which is still in
effect.

 

13. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees not to disparage, orally or in writing,
Iomega, its officers, employees, management, operations, products, designs, or
any other aspects of Iomega’s affairs to any third person or entity.

 

14. Non-Solicitation of Employees. Employee agrees that for one year following
Employee’s Termination Date, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, in any
capacity (including but not limited to, as an individual, a sole proprietor, a
member of a partnership, a stockholder, investor, officer, or director of a
corporation, an employee, agent, associate, or consultant of any person, firm or
corporation or other entity) hire any person from, attempt to hire any person
from, or solicit, induce, persuade, or otherwise cause any person to leave his
or her employment with Iomega.

 

15. Remedies. The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute
arising out of or relating to this Agreement by negotiation. The parties
recognize that irreparable injury to Iomega will result from a material breach
of this Agreement, and that monetary damages will be inadequate to rectify such
injury. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Iomega shall be
entitled to one or more preliminary or permanent orders: (i) restraining or
enjoining any act which would constitute a material breach of Sections 8, 10,
12, 14, and 17 of this Agreement, and (ii) compelling the performance of any
obligation which, if not performed, would constitute a material breach of this
Agreement. Employee expressly acknowledges that Iomega is prepared to vigorously
enforce this Agreement, and that violation of this Agreement could result in the
assessment of damages and other legal remedies against Employee and any of
Employee’s subsequent employers. Any breach by Employee of this Agreement shall,
in addition to other remedies which may be available Iomega, result in the
immediate release of Iomega from any obligations it may have to provide further
payments under this Agreement, except as may be required by applicable law.

 

16. Party’s Bear Own Costs. Each party shall bear the cost of, and shall be
responsible for, its own attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and costs, if any, in
connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement.

 

17. Agreement is Confidential. Employee further agrees that the terms and
conditions of this Agreement are strictly confidential and shall not be
discussed with, disclosed or revealed to any other persons, whether within or
outside Iomega, except professional advisors with whom Employee may consult
regarding this Agreement and Employee’s immediate family members, unless
disclosure is compelled by subpoena or other legal process.

 

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and any exhibits hereto constitute the
entire understanding of the parties, except for the agreement regarding employee
use of corporate information executed by Employee at the beginning of her/his
employment, which is still in effect. Employee warrants that he or she: (a) has
read and fully understands this Agreement and any exhibits hereto; (b) has had
the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of his or her own choosing and
have the terms of this Agreement fully explained; (c) is not executing this
Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations or inducements other than
those contained herein; and (d) is executing this Agreement voluntarily, free of
any duress or coercion.

 

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19. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or
provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

20. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and governed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to
the choice of law rules thereof. Any litigation arising from this Agreement
shall only be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction located within the
County of San Diego, California. Employee hereby consents to this exclusive
venue and personal jurisdiction.

 

21. Nonassignment. Employee warrants that no person other than Employee is
entitled to assert any claim based on or arising out of any alleged wrong
suffered by Employee in or as a consequence with or severance of employment from
Company and that employee has not assigned or transferred or purported to assign
or transfer to any person or entity any claim Employee now has or may have
against Company or any portion thereof or interest therein.

 

22. Acknowledgement by Employee. Employee acknowledges and understands the terms
and conditions of this document and has been given ample opportunity to consult
with legal counsel and/or advisors before signing it. By Employee’s signature,
Employee agrees to the terms set forth above.

 

Employee has 45 Days following receipt of this Agreement, to sign below, thereby
indicating acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee
must not sign prior to Termination Date. If Employee does not accept such terms
and conditions by such date, this offer shall expire at that time. After
signing, the Agreement must be promptly returned by hand-delivery, mail, or
shipped by overnight delivery to Sheree Lupton, Director, Human Resources, 1821
West Iomega Way, Roy, Utah before any payment shall be made.

 

          EMPLOYEE

Dated:

  

    10/18/2003

  

/S/ Mahmoud Mostafa

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          Mahmoud Mostafa           IOMEGA CORPORATION

Dated:

  

    10/17/2003

  

/S/ Anna Aguirre

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          Anna Aguirre           VP Human Resources

 

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RECEIPT OF AGREEMENT

 

I, Mahmoud Mostafa hereby acknowledge that I have received a Separation
Agreement and General Release from Iomega Corporation on the date indicated
below.

 

EMPLOYEE

 

Dated:  

10/18/2003

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/s/ Mahmoud Mostafa

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Mahmoud Mostafa

 

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