Employment agreement dated January 1, 2002



 EXHIBIT 10.1 
  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
  
 (David N. Keys) 
  
 This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”), entered into effective January 1, 2002, is between American Pacific Corporation., a Delaware corporation
having its principal place of business at 3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300, Las Vegas Nevada 89109 (the ”Company”), and David N. Keys, an individual residing in Clark County, Nevada (the ”Executive”) (collectively, “the
parties”). 
  
 RECITALS 
  
 1.    The Company, through its subsidiary corporations, is engaged in the manufacture of specialty chemicals, including perchlorate chemicals, sodium azide and HalotronTM fire suppression agents, the design and manufacture of environmental protection products
and other products as may be acquired or developed over time, and real estate development. 
  
 2.    Executive has been employed by the Company since July 1, 1989, and is currently serving as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. 

 
 3.    The Company desires to continue to employ Executive and to assure itself of the continued services of
Executive for the term of this Agreement, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company for such period, upon the following terms and conditions. 
  
 AGREEMENT 
  
 ACCORDINGLY, the parties agree as follows: 
  
 1.    Period of Employment 
  
 a.    Basic Term.    The Company shall continue to employ Executive to render services to the Company in the
position and with the duties and responsibilities described in Section 2 from the date of this Agreement through December 31, 2004 (the “Term Date”), unless Executive’s employment is terminated sooner in accordance with Section 4
below. 
  
 b.    Annual Renewal.    Each year the term
and provisions of this Agreement shall automatically extend for a total three-year period, to and including the year in which the Executive attains age sixty-five (65), and unless either party notifies the other in writing to the contrary at least
30 days prior to the applicable December 31 date that it, or he, does not want the term to so extend. If the Company provides such notice, the severance benefits and arrangements described in Section 4c shall apply at the end of the existing term of
the Agreement. Regardless of the Term Date, this Agreement shall end on December 31 of the year in which the Executive attains age sixty-five (65). 
  
 2.    Position, Duties, Responsibilities 
  
 a.    Position:    Executive is employed by the Company to render services to the Company in the positions of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer, and shall perform all services appropriate to those positions, as well as such other services as may reasonably be assigned by the Company. The duties assigned to the Executive may be, but need not be, the same duties that are presently
assigned to the Executive, and may be changed from time to time. Initially, the Executive shall act as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and shall have all of the responsibilities and duties, including fiduciary duties, associated with such
position. In addition, during such periods of time as the Executive serves as the Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or other officer of the Company, the Executive’s service as an officer shall additionally be governed by the
Company’s Bylaws from time to time in effect, and by the laws of the state of the Company’s incorporation. Executive shall at all times perform his duties and discharge his responsibilities under this Agreement and under applicable law
diligently and conscientiously, and to the best of his ability, and 

 
 1 








  
 shall direct his best efforts to further and maximize the business and interests of the Company and its
shareholders, in accordance with sound business practices and applicable laws and regulations. Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 
  
 b.    Other Activities.    Except upon the prior written consent of the Company, Executive will not (i)
accept any other employment, or (ii) engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage) that is or may be in conflict with, or that might place Executive in a conflicting position to that
of, the Company. Without limitation, the Executive shall not act in any advisory or other capacity for any individual, firm, association or corporation other than the Company and its subsidiary corporations in matters in any way pertaining to any
business or undertaking in any way similar to or competitive with the business or activities of the Company and its subsidiary corporations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, while the Company does not request Executive’s service on the boards of
directors of other corporations, the Company does not, in principle, object to such service where Executive would have no conflict of interest with duties owed to the Company. 
  
 c.    Proprietary Information.    “Proprietary Information” is all information and any idea in
whatever form, tangible or intangible, pertaining in any manner to the business of the Company and its subsidiary corporations, or its employees, clients, consultants, or business associates, which was produced by any employee of the Company or its
subsidiary corporations, in the course of his or her employment or otherwise produced or acquired by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiary corporations. All Proprietary Information not generally known outside of the Company’s
organization, and all Proprietary Information so known only through improper means, shall be deemed “Confidential Information.” Without limiting the foregoing definition, Proprietary and Confidential Information shall include, but not be
limited to: (i) formulas, teaching and development techniques, processes, trade secrets, computer programs, electronic codes, inventions, improvements, and research projects; (ii) information about costs, profits, markets, sales, and lists of
customers or clients; (iii) business, marketing, and strategic plans; and (iv) employee personnel files and compensation information. Executive should consult any Company procedures instituted to identify and protect certain types of Confidential
Information, which are considered by the Company to be safeguards in addition to the protection provided by this Agreement. Nothing contained in those procedures or in this Agreement is intended to limit the effect of the other. 

 
 d.    General Restrictions on Use.    During the Period of
Employment, Executive shall use Proprietary Information, and shall disclose Confidential Information, only for the benefit of the Company and as is necessary to carry out his responsibilities under this Agreement. Following termination, Executive
shall neither, directly or indirectly, use any Proprietary Information nor disclose any Confidential Information, except as expressly and specifically authorized in writing by the Company. The publication of any Proprietary Information through
literature or speeches must be approved in advance in writing by the Company. 
  
 3.    Compensation. 
  
 In consideration of the services to be rendered
under this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the following: 
  
 a.    The
Company shall continue to pay Executive as compensation for services a base salary at the annual rate of $301,800, or at such higher rate as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Such salary shall be
payable in accordance with the standard payroll procedures of the Corporation. Once the Corporation’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has increased such salary, it thereafter shall not be reduced. The annual compensation
specified in this Section 3, together with any increases in such compensation that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may grant from time to time, is referred to in this Agreement as “Base Compensation.” 

 
 2 








  
 b.    The Company (or the employing
subsidiary corporation) shall review the above Base Compensation on or about June 1 of each calendar year, and may make any increase it deems appropriate. Any such increase shall be made effective as soon as may be practicable following each review.

  
 c.    Executive shall be eligible to participate in all the Company’s
(or the employing subsidiary corporation’s) benefit plans, and to receive perquisites of employment, as established by the Company, and as may be amended from time to time in the Company’s sole discretion at least equal to those provided
to other Company officers. 
  
 4.    Termination of Employment 
  
 a.    Termination By Death.    Executive’s employment shall terminate
automatically upon the death of Executive. Company shall pay to Executive’s beneficiaries or estate, as appropriate, any compensation then due and owing, and shall continue to pay Executive’s salary and benefits, through the second full
month after Executive’s death. As of the date of death, all stock options available to Executive through the Term Date shall be deemed accelerated and vested, and may be exercised by the appropriate representative beneficiary of
Executive’s estate. Thereafter, all obligations of Company under this Agreement shall cease. Nothing in this Section shall affect any entitlement of Executive’s heirs to the benefits of any life insurance plan or other applicable benefits.

  
 b.    Termination By Disability.    If, in the
sole opinion of the Company, Executive shall be prevented from properly performing his duties hereunder by reason of any physical or mental incapacity for a period of more than ninety (90) days in the aggregate in any twelve-month period, then, to
the extent permitted by law, Company may terminate Executive’s employment. Company shall pay to Executive all compensation to which Executive is entitled up through the last day of the month in which the 90th day of incapacity occurs, and
thereafter, all of Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall cease. Nothing in this Section shall affect Executive’s rights under any disability plan in which he is a participant. 
  
 c.    Termination By Company Not For Cause.    At any time, Employer may
terminate the Period of Employment Not For Cause for any reason by providing Executive thirty (30) days’ advance written notice, provided that Executive shall, in addition to all compensation due and owing through the last day actually worked,
receive the following: 
  
 (i)  The Company shall pay Executive a severance payment equal
to three years of the Executive’s then current Base Compensation. The severance payment will be made in the form of salary continuation for three years (the “Severance Period”), payable on the Company’s normal payroll schedule.

  
 (ii)  During the Severance Period, Executive will continue to receive other perquisites
of employment that he would have received had he remained employed as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. 
  
 (iii)  The Company shall provide Executive and his covered dependants, if any, with continuing health insurance coverage throughout the Severance
Period. Upon conclusion of Severance Period, Executive is eligible to elect to convert his health insurance benefits under COBRA for a period of up to eighteen (18) months. 
  
 (iv)  All shares of stock granted to Executive and all unexercised options to purchase Company stock that are unvested at the time of the
termination of employment shall become fully vested and exercisable. 
  
 (v)  The amount of
any payment provided for in this Section 4.c shall not be reduced, offset or subject to recovery by the Company by reason of any compensation earned by Executive as the result 

 
 3 








  
 of employment by another employer during the Severance Period so long as
Executive does not violate the provisions of Section 6.d below. 
  
 (vi)  The severance
benefits described in this Section 4.c shall be conditioned upon Executive’s continued observance of the obligations described in Section 6.d throughout the Severance Period. Should Executive engage in or pursue any of the activities described
in Section 6.d at any time during the Severance Period, all severance benefits described in this Section 4.c shall cease. In addition, receipt of the benefits described in this Section 4.c are contingent upon Executive executing a release of claims
against the Company. 
  
 d.    Termination By Company For
Cause.    At any time, and without prior notice, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment For Cause (as defined below). The Company shall pay Executive all compensation then due and owing; thereafter, all of the
Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall cease. Termination for “Cause” shall mean termination of Executive’s employment because of Executive’s (i) involvement in fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement related to
the business or property of the company; (ii) conviction for, or guilty plea to, a felony; (iii) willful material breach of this Agreement; (iv) willful and continued failure to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement, provided,
however, that if such Cause is reasonably curable, the company shall not terminate Executive’s employment hereunder unless the Company first gives notice of its intention to terminate and the grounds of such termination, and the Executive has
not, within thirty (30) days following receipt of this notice, cured such Cause. 
  
 e.    By Executive Not for Good Reason.    At any time, Executive may terminate the Period of Employment for any reason, with or without cause, by providing Employer thirty (30)
days’ advance written notice. Employer shall have the option, in its complete discretion, to make termination of the Period of Employment effective at any time prior to the end of such notice period, provided Employer pays Executive all
compensation due and owing through the last day actually worked, plus an amount equal to the base salary Executive would have earned through the balance of the above notice period, thereafter, all of Employer’s obligations under this Agreement
shall cease. 
  
 f.    By Executive for Good
Reason.    Executive may terminate, without liability, the Period of Employment for Good Reason (as defined below), provided Executive gives Employer ninety (90) days’ advance written notice of the reason for termination
and his intent to terminate this Agreement. During this period, Employer shall have an opportunity to correct the condition constituting Good Reason. If the condition is remedied within this period, Executive’s notice to terminate shall be
rescinded automatically; if not remedied, termination of the Period of Employment shall become effective upon expiration of the above notice period. In this event, Employer shall pay Executive all compensation due and owing through the last day
actually worked including any accrued but unused vacation. Employer shall also have the option, in its complete discretion, to make termination effective at any time prior to the end of the notice period, provided that Employer pays Executive all
compensation due and owing through the balance of the notice period (not to exceed ninety (90) days). Executive shall be entitled to exercise his right to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason only if he gives the required notice not more than
sixty (60) days after the occurrence of the event that is the basis for the Good Reason. If Executive terminates the Period of Employment for Good Reason pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.f, Executive shall receive the severance benefits
described in and pursuant to the terms of subparagraph 4.c above. 
  
 The following shall constitute a termination by Executive for
“Good Reason”: (A) without Executive’s express written consent there is an assignment to the Executive of any duties or the reduction of the Executive’s duties, either of which is materially inconsistent with Executive’s
position or responsibilities with the Company in effect immediately prior to such assignment, except in connection with the termination of employment For Cause (as defined in Section 4.d above), or due to disability or death; (B) there is a
reduction by the Company in the Executive’s annual salary then in effect; (C) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of benefits provided to Executive under any benefit plan of the Company in which the Executive is
participating with the result 

 
 4 








  
 that Executive’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (D) any
material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement; or (E) a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by
the Employer without Executive’s consent. 
  
 g.    Good
Faith Commitment to Negotiate Transition Agreement.    Company and Executive mutually agree to negotiate in good faith with regard to a Transition Agreement, which would be offered to Executive in the event that he is
replaced as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and/or Treasurer of the Company. For his part, Executive agrees that he will utilize his best efforts to assist in a smooth transition to any successor Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and/or Treasurer. 
  
 h.    Corporate Transaction.  
  
 (i)  Corporate Transaction Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Corporate Transaction” shall include any of the following transactions to which the Company is a party: (A) a merger or consolidation in which
the Company is not the surviving entity and securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to holder different from those who held such securities
immediately prior to such merger; (B) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (C) any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity
but in which securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to holder different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such
merge; or (D) any cash dividend paid by the Company that, in the aggregate with all other dividends paid in any twelve month period, is greater than the combined earnings of the Company for the Company’s two fiscal years prior to such dividend
payment date. In addition, a Corporate Transaction shall also include a “Change of Control” as such term is defined in the Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan, a “Capital Change of the Company” as such term is defined in the
Company’s 1997 Stock Option Plan, a “Corporate Capital Transaction” as such term is defined in the Company’s 1991 Stock Option Plan, a “Change in Control” as such term is defined in the Indenture of the Company’s
Senior Notes or a “Change in Control” as such term is defined in the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. 
  
 (ii)  Acceleration of vesting at time of Corporate Transaction. Should a Corporate Transaction take place, all shares of stock granted to Executive and all unexercised options to purchase
Company stock granted to the Executive that are unvested at the time of the Corporate Transaction shall become fully vested and exercisable. 
  
 (iii)  Benefits Upon Occurrence of Corporate Transaction. Upon a the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction and subject to the obligations in Section 6.d-.e below, Executive shall be entitled
to the benefits described in Section 4.c above regardless of whether the Executive’s employment is terminated in connection with such Corporate Transaction. In the event the event the Executive collects benefits pursuant to this Section
4.h(iii) the Executive shall lose the right to terminate the Agreement for Good Reason. 
  
 5.    SECTION 280G PAYMENTS 
  
 a.    Gross-Up Payment.    In the event it is determined that any payment or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of the employee, pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, by
the Corporation, any Person who acquires ownership or effective control of the Corporation, or ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation (within the meaning of section 280G of the Code and the regulations, including
proposed regulations, thereunder) or any affiliate of such Person (the “Total Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment
by the Employee of all taxes, (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect 

 
 5 








  
 to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total Payments. 
  
 b.    Determination by Accountant.    All mathematical determinations and determinations as to whether any of the Total Payments are “parachute payments” (within the meaning of
section 280G of the Code and the regulations, including proposed regulations, thereunder), in each case which determinations are required to be made under Section 5, including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up
Payment, shall be made by an independent accounting firm selected by the Employee from among the largest four accounting firms in the United States (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide to the Corporation and to the
Employee its determination (the “Determination”), together with detailed supporting calculations regarding the amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any other relevant matter, within ten days after the occurrence of an event which would
trigger a parachute payment, or at such earlier time following such an event as is requested by the Employee (if the Employee reasonably believes that any of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax). If the Accounting Firm determines
that no Excise Tax is payable by the Employee, it shall furnish the Employee with a written statement that such Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable (including the reasons therefore) and that the Employee has substantial
authority not to report any Excise Tax on the Employee’s federal income tax return. If a Gross-Up Payment is determined to be payable, it shall be paid to the Employee within ten days after the Determination is delivered to the Corporation or
the Employee. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Employee, absent manifest error. 
  
 As a result of uncertainty in the application of section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments not made by the Corporation and
members of the Corporation should have been made (“Underpayment”), or that Gross-Up Payments will have been made by the Corporation and members of the Corporation that should not have been made (“Overpayments”). In either such
event, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred. In the case of an Underpayment, the Corporation promptly shall pay, or cause to be paid, the amount of such Underpayment to or for the
benefit of the Employee. In the case of an Overpayment, the Employee shall, at the direction and expense of the Corporation, take such steps as are reasonably necessary (including the filing of returns and claims for refund), follow reasonable
instructions from, and procedures established by, the Corporation, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Corporation to correct such Overpayment; provided, however that (1) Employee shall not in any event be obligated to return to the
Corporation an amount greater than the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment that he has retained or recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing authorities and (2) this provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the intent
of Section 5(a), which is to make the Employee whole, on an after-tax basis, from the application of the Excise Tax, it being understood that the correction of an Overpayment may result in the Employee repaying to the Corporation an amount that is
less than the Overpayment. 
  
 6.    Termination Obligations 
  
 a.    Return of Company’s Property.    Executive hereby acknowledges
and agrees that all personal property, including, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents, or materials, or copies thereof, and equipment furnished to or prepared by
Executive in the course of or incident to Executive’s employment, belong to Company and shall be promptly returned to Company upon termination of Executive’s employment. 
  
 b.    Representations and Warranties Survive Termination of Employment.    The representations and warranties
contained herein, except Executive’s obligations under Section 2.b, shall survive termination of Executive’s employment and expiration of this Agreement. 

 
 6 








  
 c.    Cooperation in Pending
Work.    Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall fully cooperate with Company in all matters relating to the winding up of pending work on behalf of Company and the orderly transfer of work
to other employees of Company. Executive shall also cooperate in the defense of any action brought by any third party against Company that relates in any way to Executive’s acts or omissions while employed by Company. If Executive’s
cooperation in the defense of any such action requires more than ten (10) hours of Executive’s time, the Executive and Company shall agree on appropriate remuneration for Executive’s time and expenses. 
  
 d.    Noncompetition.    Executive acknowledges and agrees that during his
employment with the Company, he has had access to confidential information and the activities forbidden by this subsection would necessarily involve the improper use and disclosure of this confidential information. To forestall this use or
disclosure, Executive agrees that during the Severance Period described in Section 4.c, or for two years after the termination of Executive for reasons other than by Company Not for Cause, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) divert or
attempt to divert from the Company (or any Affiliate) any business of any kind in which it is engaged; (ii) employ or recommend for employment any person employed by the Company (or any Affiliate); or (iii) engage in any business activity that is
competitive with the Company (or any Affiliate) in any state where the Company conducts its business, unless Executive can prove that any of the above actions was done without the use of confidential information. In addition to the above
restrictions on noncompetitive activity, and regardless of whether any use of confidential information is involved, Executive agrees that during the Severance Period Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit any customer of the
Company (or any Affiliate) known to Executive (while he was employed by the Company) to have been a customer with respect to products or services competitive with products or services offered by the Company; or (ii) solicit for employment any person
employed by the Company (or any Affiliate). 
  
 e.    Confidential
Information. 
  
 (i)  The Executive shall never, either during the Term of the
Executive’s Employment by the Company or thereafter, use or employ for any purpose or disclose to any other individual or entity any Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information is
proprietary to the Company, is extremely important to the Company’s business, and that the use by or disclosure of such Confidential Information to a Competitor could materially and adversely affect the Company, its business and its customers.

  
 (ii)  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Company” shall refer to the
Company and each of its subsidiary corporations, and any other corporation or entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or that is under common ownership or control with the Company. 
  
 (iii)  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall mean information in
any form that is not generally known to the public that relates to the Company’s past, present or future operations, processes, products or services, or to any research, development, manufacture, purchasing, accounting, engineering, marketing,
merchandising, advertising, selling, leasing, financing or business methods or techniques (including without limitation customer lists, records of customer services, usages and requirements, sketches and diagrams of Company or customer facilities
and like and similar information relating to actual or prospective customers) that is or may be related thereto. All information disclosed to the Executive or to which the Executive obtains access during any Term of the Executive’s Employment
with the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, or to which the Executive obtains access by reason of his employment by the Company, that the Executive has a reasonable basis to believe is or may be Confidential Information, shall
be presumed for purposes of this Agreement to be Confidential Information. 

 
 7 








  
 7.    Notices 
  
 All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or
mailed, postage prepaid, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the Company: 
  
 American Pacific Corporation 
 3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300 
 Las Vegas, NV 89109 
  
 and to Executive at: 
  
 The Executive’s address as set forth on the signature page to this Agreement. 
  
 Executive and the Company shall be obligated to notify the other party of any change in address. Notice of change of address shall be effective only when made in accordance with this Section. 
  
 8.    Entire Agreement 
  
 This Agreement is intended to be the final, complete, and exclusive statement of the terms of Executive’s employment by The Company. Except for any stock option agreements and any other agreements evidencing a loan or
trust from the Company to Executive (including but not limited to the Trust Agreement for American Pacific Corporation, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated November 23, 1999, and the American Pacific Corporation Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan dated January 1, 1999), this Agreement supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and statements pertaining in any manner to the employment of Executive and it may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or
contemporaneous statements or agreements. To the extent that the practices, policies, or procedures of Company, now or in the future, apply to Executive and are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall
control. 
  
 9.    Amendments, Waivers 
  
 This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Executive and by a duly authorized representative of
Company other than Executive. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, or power under this
Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity. 
  
 10.    Assignment; Successors and Assigns 
  
 Executive agrees
that he will not assign, sell, transfer, delegate or otherwise dispose of, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, or by operation of law, any rights or obligations under this Agreement, nor shall Executive’s rights be subject to encumbrance or
the claims of creditors. Any purported assignment, transfer, or delegation shall be null and void. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the consolidation of the Company with, or its merger into, any other corporation, or the sale by the Company
of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, or the assignment by the Company of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder to any successor in interest. In the event of a change in ownership or control of the
Company, the terms of this Agreement will remain in effect and shall be binding upon any successor in interest. Notwithstanding and subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and
their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns, and shall not benefit any person or entity other than those enumerated above. 

 
 8 








  
 11.    Severability; Enforcement 

 
 If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person, place, or circumstance, shall be held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, the remainder of this Agreement and such provisions as applied to other persons, places, and circumstances shall remain in full force and effect. 
  
 12.    Governing Law 
  
 The validity, interpretation, enforceability, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Nevada. 
  
 13.    Arbitration 
  
 Any claim or
controversy between Executive and Company or its successor arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the then current Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration
Association and shall be the exclusive remedy for all Arbitrable Claims. Company and Executive agree that arbitration shall be held in or near Clark County, Nevada, before an arbitrator licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada. The arbitrator
shall have authority to award or grant both legal, equitable, and declaratory relief. Such arbitration shall be final and binding on the parties. The Federal Arbitration Act shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of this section pertaining
to Arbitration. 
  
 This Agreement to arbitrate survives termination of Executive’s employment. 
  
 In any dispute arising under or in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs and reasonable attorney’s
fees. 
  
 14.    Acknowledgment of Parties 
  
 The parties acknowledge (a) that they have consulted with or have had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of their own choice concerning this
Agreement, and (b) that they have read and understand the Agreement, are fully aware of its legal effect, and have entered into it freely based on their own judgment and not on any representations or promises other than those contained in this
Agreement. 

 
 9 








  
 15.    Date of Agreement 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. 
  
 
	 “COMPANY”
 AMERICAN
PACIFIC CORPORATION
 
	 
	 By:
 	 	 /s/    LINDA G.
FERGUSON        
 

	 Title:
 	 	 Vice President-Administration
 

 
  
 
	 “EXECUTIVE”
 
	 
	 /s/    DAVID N.
KEYS        
 

	 David N. Keys
 
	 
	 Address:
 
	 
	 1824 Glenview Drive
 
	 Las Vegas, Nevada 89134
 

 
  
 CONCUR:    Dated, 27 July 2002, Full
Management & Compensation Committee met and unanimously approved. 
  
 
	 MANAGEMENT & COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, 
 AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION
 
	 
	 By:
 	 	 /s/    BERLYN D.
MILLER        
 

	  	 	 Berlyn D. Miller, Committee Chairman
 

 

 
 10