Exhibit 10(u)


 





 


May 11, 2007


 


To: Sean Ryan


From: Luis Rivera


 


Dear
Sean,


 


Thank you for meeting with us!  Everyone here has enjoyed speaking with you,
and we’d like you to join Lyris! I am pleased to confirm the offer made to you
for the position of Vice President of Engineering. Your start date will be
May 21, 2007 working in our Emeryville office, reporting to Robb Wilson, Vice
President of Technology.


 


The terms of this offer include:


 


•                  An annual base
salary of $210,000, paid to you
semi-monthly


•                  Your position is
exempt, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay


•                  An annual merit
bonus of up to $20,000 paid out quarterly


•                  10 days paid
vacation per year


•                  10 days paid
sick leave per year


•                  Partially-subsidized
medical, dental and vision plans


•                  Flexible
spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care


•                  401(k) plan
after one month of employment


•                  A stock option
grant of 400,000 shares (pending board approval)


•                  6 months’ severance for termination without
cause after initial trial period of 6 months


•                  Temporary
housing costs for up to 3 weeks.


•                  Roundtrip
airfare for yourself or your spouse to commute from the Bay Area to South
Carolina 3 weeks out of every 8 for up to 12 months.


•                  A relocation allowance of up to $20,000
reimbursed to you 50% after your first year of employment and 50% after your
second year of employment. This allowance must be used within the first 12
months of employment.


 


Your responsibilities in this role will include, but not be limited to,
the following:


 


•                  Participating in
formulating and administering company policies and developing long-range goals
and objectives.


•                  Leading and
contributing to the formulation, execution and communication of company
technology strategy and platform direction


•                  Regularly
review, analyzes and reports on activities, costs, operations, and forecast
data to determine department progress toward stated financial goals and
objectives.


•                  Determines role,
responsibilities, organizational model and staffing needs for their respective
area to best support company goals and objectives.


•                  Recruits, hires,
coaches and develops a high performing team.


•                  Establishes
effective practices, tools and standards for communicating information to the
rest of the Executive team regarding activities and progress.


•                  Actively
participates in sales and business development processes as necessary.


•                  Sets realistic
expectations and then closely monitors, aligns and communicates progress.


 





 

















 


•                  Constantly seeks
ways to improve the performance of the organization by increasing efficiency,
lowering costs and improving quality.


•                  Additional
duties as assigned.


 


Sean, this covers the main points of our
employment offer to you. Kindly indicate your acceptance of our offer by
signing one copy of this letter and returning Amanda Griffith, HR Manager
(private fax: 510-225-2330). This offer is contingent upon completion of
satisfactory references.


 


Best regards,


 


 


Luis Rivera


Chief Executive Officer


 


 


	
  Accepted:

  	
  /s/ Sean
  Ryan

  	
   

  	
  Date:

  	
  May 16, 2007