exhibit 10.6





 


 


 


 


 


Exhibit 10.6


 


AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT


 


 


                THIS
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the
30th day of September, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between Southern First Bank (the “Bank“)
and Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” and together with the Bank
the “Employer”), having its principal office at 100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite
100, Greenville, South Carolina 29607, and F. Justin Strickland
(hereinafter called “Employee”), a resident of the State of South Carolina. 
This Agreement amends and restates that certain existing employment agreement
between the parties dated December 17, 2008.


 


                Employer
presently employs Employee as its President.  Employer desires to provide for
the continued employment of Employee and to make certain changes in Employee’s
employment arrangements which Employer has determined will reinforce and
encourage the continued dedication of Employee to Employer.  Employee is
willing to terminate Employee’s interests and rights under the existing
Employment Agreement with Employer and to continue to serve Employer on the
terms and conditions herein provided.


 


                In
consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


 


1.     
Employment.  Employer shall continue to employ
Employee, and Employee shall continue to serve Employer, as President and in
such capacity shall perform such duties as are consistent with that position,
and as Employer from time to time may direct.   Employee shall have such
authority and responsibilities consistent with Employee’s position as are set
forth in Employer’s Bylaws or assigned by Employer’s Board of Directors (the
“Board”) or Chief Executive Officer from time to time.  Employee shall devote
Employee’s full business time, attention, skill and efforts to the performance
of Employee’s duties hereunder, except during periods of illness or periods of
vacation and leaves of absence consistent with Employer’s policy.  Such duties
shall be performed at Employer’s principal corporate offices or subsidiary
offices as agreed upon by Employer and Employee.  Employer reserves the right
from time to time to extend, curtail or change the title and duties of
Employee.  Employee may devote reasonable periods to service as a director or
advisor to other organizations, to charitable and community activities, and to
managing Employee’s personal investments; provided that such activities
do not materially interfere with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder
and are not in conflict or competitive with, or adverse to, the interests of
Employer. Unless otherwise specified hereafter, any services performed by the
Employee shall be for the benefit of the Bank and, therefore, any payments or
benefits paid to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement shall be the sole
responsibility of the Bank; provided, however, the Bank’s
obligation to make any payments owed to the Employee under this Agreement shall
be discharged to the extent compensation payments are made by the Company.


 


2.     
Term.  Unless earlier terminated as
provided in section 13 below, Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall
commence on the Effective Date and be for a term ending January 31, 2015 (the
“Term”).  At the end of January 2014 and on the last day of January each year
thereafter, the Term shall be extended for an additional one (1) year so that
the remaining Term shall continue to be two (2) years; provided that
Employer or Employee may at any time, by written notice, fix the Term to a
finite term of two (2) years commencing with the year of the notice.  

 

 










 


 


 


3.     
Base Salary.  For all services rendered by
Employee under this Agreement, Employer shall pay Employee a rate of base
salary of $255,000 per year (the “Base Salary”).  The Base Salary shall be
reviewed annually by the Board, and may be increased by the Board or a duly
appointed committee thereof, in its sole discretion.  The Base Salary shall be
paid in accordance with Employer’s standard payroll procedures, but in any
case, no less frequently than monthly.   


 


4.     
Benefits.  


 


(a)          Employee
shall be entitled, to the extent that Employee’s position, title, tenure,
salary, age, health and other qualifications make Employee eligible, to
participate in such pension, profit sharing, bonus, life insurance,
hospitalization, major medical, and other employee benefit plans or programs of
Employer currently in existence on the date hereof or later established that
generally are provided to executive employees of Employer.  Employee’s
participation in any such plan or program shall be subject to the provisions,
rules and regulations applicable thereto.  Any Company stock options or similar
awards shall be issued to Employee at an exercise price per share of not less
than the fair market value per share of the corresponding shares as of the date
of grant and the number of shares subject to such grant shall be fixed on such
date.  Any and all bonus payments made to Employee shall be paid by the earlier
of: (i) seventy (70) days after the end of the year in which the bonus was
earned by Employee or (ii) with the first payroll cycle following the Company’s
press release announcing its previous year’s financial performance. 


 


(b)
         At Employer’s election, Employer shall provide Employee with an
automobile owned or leased by Employer of a make and model appropriate to
Employee’s status, paid in accordance with Employer’s standard payroll
procedures, but in any case, no less frequently than monthly.  If Employer
provides Employee with an automobile, Employer shall reimburse Employee for
reasonable expenses associated with the automobile, including, but not limited
to, insurance, taxes, mileage, maintenance, etc., to be paid within sixty (60)
days of Employee’s written notice to Employer of such expenses.  


 


5.     
Working Facilities.  Employee shall be furnished with
an office and such other facilities and services as may be necessary or
suitable to Employee’s position and adequate for the performance of Employee’s
duties.


 


6.     
Expenses.  Employee is authorized to incur
reasonable expenses for promoting the business of Employer, including expenses
for entertainment, travel and similar items, but only to the extent that such
expenses are allowable deductions to Employer on its Federal income tax
return.  Expenses for which there is a fifty percent (50%) tax deduction
limitation for entertainment, travel and similar items shall be considered
reimbursable expenses.  Employer shall reimburse Employee for all such expenses
within sixty (60) days of Employee’s written notice to Employer of such
expenses.  Employee shall repay to Employer the amounts of any expenses claimed
which, for lack of proper documentation or otherwise, are not allowed to
Employer as deductions for Federal income tax purposes.

 


7.     
Vacations.  Employee shall be entitled each
fiscal year to twenty (20) paid days off, which shall be granted on a
noncumulative basis from year-to-year, as granted by Employer to employees of similar
tenure and compensation rank, pursuant to Employer’s paid days off policy. 
Employer reserves the right to modify this and any other personnel policy from
time to time. Any payments made by the Employer to the Employee as compensation
for paid vacation leave shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s
standard payroll procedures.


 




	
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8.     
Ownership of Work
Product.


 


(a)               
Employee shall
diligently disclose to Employer as soon as it is created or conceived by
Employee, and Employer shall own, all Work Product (as defined below).  To the
extent permitted by law, all Work Product shall be considered work made for
hire by Employee and owned by Employer.


 


(b)                
If any of the Work
Product may not, by operation of law, be considered work made for hire by
Employee for Employer (or if ownership of all right, title and interest of the
intellectual property rights therein shall not otherwise vest exclusively in
Employer), Employee agrees to assign, and upon creation thereof automatically
assigns, without further consideration, the ownership of all Work Product to
Employer, its successors and assigns.


 


(c)                 
Employer, its
successors and assigns, shall have the right to obtain and hold in its or their
own name copyrights, registrations, and any other protection available in the
foregoing.


 


(d)                
Employee agrees to
perform upon the reasonable request of Employer, during or after Employee’s
employment, such further acts as may be necessary or desirable to transfer,
perfect and defend Employer’s ownership of the Work Product.  When requested,
Employee will:


 


(i)                
Execute, acknowledge
and deliver any requested affidavits and documents of assignment and
conveyance;


 


(ii)              
Obtain and aid in the
enforcement of copyrights (and, if applicable, patents) with respect to the
Work Product in any countries;


 


(iii)            
Provide testimony in
connection with any proceeding affecting the right, title or interest of
Employer in any Work Product; and


 


(iv)            
Perform any other acts
deemed necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.


 


(e)                 
Employer shall
reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Employee at
Employer’s request in connection with subsection 8(d) within sixty (60) days of
Employee’s written notice to Employer of such expenses.

 


                                (f)                 
For purposes hereof,
“Work Product” shall mean all intellectual property rights, including all Trade
Secrets (as defined below), U.S. and international copyrights, patentable
inventions, discoveries and improvements, and other intellectual property
rights, in any programming, documentation, technology or other work product that
relates to the business and interests of Employer and that Employee conceives,
develops, or delivers to Employer at any time during the Term of Employee’s
employment.  “Work Product” shall also include all intellectual property rights
in any programming, documentation, technology or other work product that is now
contained in any of the products or systems (including development and support
systems) of Employer to the extent Employee conceived, developed or delivered
such Work Product to Employer prior to the date of this Agreement while
Employee was engaged as an independent contractor or employee of Employer. 
Employee hereby irrevocably relinquishes for the benefit of Employer and its
assigns any moral rights in the Work Product recognized by applicable law.




 


	
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9.     
Protection of Trade
Secrets and Confidential Information. 



 


(a)                 
Through exercise of
Employee’s rights and performance of Employee’s obligations under this
Agreement, Employee will be exposed to “Trade Secrets” and “Confidential
Information” (as those terms are defined below).  “Trade Secrets” shall mean
information or data of or about Employer or any Affiliates (as defined in
subsection 26(a)), including, but not limited to, technical or non-technical
data, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques,
drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or lists
of actual or potential customers, clients, distributors, or licensees, that:
(i) derive economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known
to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who
can obtain economic value from their disclosure or use; and (ii) are the
subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain
their secrecy.  To the extent that the foregoing definition is inconsistent
with the definition of “trade secret” mandated under applicable law, the latter
definition shall govern for purposes of interpreting Employee’s obligations
under this Agreement.  Except as required to perform Employee’s obligations
under this Agreement, or except with Employer’s prior written permission,
Employee shall not use, redistribute, market, publish, disclose or divulge to
any other person or entity any Trade Secrets of Employer.  Employee’s obligations
under this provision shall remain in force (during and after the Term) for so
long as such information or data shall continue to constitute a Trade Secret
under applicable law.  Employee agrees to cooperate with any and all
confidentiality requirements of Employer, and Employee shall immediately notify
Employer of any unauthorized disclosure or use of any Trade Secrets of which
Employee becomes aware.


 


(b)                
Employee agrees to
maintain in strict confidence and, except as necessary to perform Employee’s duties
for Employer, not to use or disclose any Confidential Information at any time,
either during the Term of Employee’s employment or for a period of one (1) year
after Employee’s last date of employment, so long as the pertinent data or
information remains Confidential Information.  “Confidential Information” shall
mean any non-public information of a competitively sensitive or personal
nature, other than Trade Secrets, acquired by Employee during Employee’s
employment, relating to Employer or Employer’s business, operations, customers,
suppliers, products, employees, financial affairs or industrial practices. 
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no obligation or liability
shall accrue hereunder with respect to any information that is or becomes
publicly available without the fault of Employee.


 


(c)                 
Employee will abide by
Employer’s policies and regulations, as established from time to time, for the
protection of its Confidential Information.  Employee acknowledges that all
records, files, data, documents, and the like relating to suppliers, customers,
costs, prices, systems, methods, personnel, technology and other materials
relating to Employer or its Affiliated entities shall be and remain the sole
property of Employer and/or such Affiliated entity.  Employee agrees, upon the
request of Employer, and in any event upon termination of Employee’s
employment, to turn over all copies of all media, records, documentation, etc.,
pertaining to Employer (together with a written statement certifying as to Employee’s
compliance with the foregoing).


 




	
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10.    Non-Solicitation of Customers. 
During the Employee’s employment with the Employer and for a period of one (1)
year following termination or expiration of this Agreement, Employee shall not
(except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Employer)
directly or indirectly solicit any individual or entity which was a customer or
client of Employer or any of its Affiliates for the purpose of providing a
service or product to such customer or client which is the same type of service
or product offered or provided by Employer or any of its Affiliates; provided,
however, that this restriction shall apply only to those customers or
clients with whom Employee had contact in connection with services or products
provided by Employer or any of its Affiliates within two (2) years prior to the
date of termination of such employment.


 


11.    Non-Solicitation of Employees. 
During the Employee’s employment with the Employer and for a period of one (1)
year following termination or expiration of this Agreement, Employee shall not,
directly or indirectly, on the Employee’s own behalf or in the service of or on
behalf of others, induce or solicit, or attempt to induce or solicit, for
employment purposes or for any type of consulting purposes any employee of or
consultant to the Employer or any of its Affiliates for the purpose of
providing services that are the same or similar to the types of services
offered or engaged in by any employee of or consultant to the Employer or any
of its Affiliates at the time of termination of Employee’s employment with
Employer.  


 


12.    Non-Competition Agreement. 
During Employee’s employment with the Employer and for a period of one (1) year
following termination or expiration of this Agreement, Employee shall not
(without the prior written consent of Employer) compete with Employer or any of
its Affiliates, directly or indirectly, engage in forming, serving as an
organizer, director, officer of, employee or agent, or consultant to, or
acquiring or maintaining more than a one percent (1%) passive investment in, a
depository financial institution or holding company thereof if such depository
institution or holding company has, or upon formation will have, one or more
offices or branches located within thirty (30) miles of any office or branch of
Employer or any of its Affiliates in existence at the time Employee’s
employment with Employer is terminated (the “Territory”).  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Employee may serve as an officer of or consultant to a depository
institution or holding company thereof even though such institution operates
one or more offices or branches in the Territory, if Employee’s employment does
not directly involve, in whole or in part, the depository financial
institution’s or holding company’s operations in the Territory.  


 


13.    Termination and Severance
Payments.


 


(a)                 
Employee’s employment
under this Agreement may be terminated prior to the end of the Term only as
follows:


 


(i)                
upon the death of
Employee;


 


(ii)              
by Employer upon the Disability
(as defined in subsection 26(d)) of Employee for a period of one hundred and
eighty (180) days;


 


(iii)            
by Employer for Cause
(as defined in subsection 26(b)) upon delivery of a Notice of Termination (as
defined in subsection 26(g)) to Employee;


 


(iv)            
by Employer without
Cause upon delivery of a Notice of Termination to Employee;




	
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(v)              
by Employee for Good
Reason (as defined in subsection 26(e)) upon delivery of a Notice of
Termination to the Employer within a ninety (90) day period beginning on the
thirtieth (30th) day after the occurrence of a Change in Control (as
defined in subsection 26(c)) or within a ninety (90) day period beginning on
the one (1) year anniversary of the occurrence of a Change in Control; or


 


(vi)            
by Employee upon
delivery of a Notice of Termination to Employer.


 


(b)                
If Employee’s
employment is terminated because of the Employee’s death, Employer shall pay
Employee’s estate: 


                                


(i)            any sums due Employee
as Base Salary and/or reimbursement of expenses through the end of the month
during which death occurred, paid in accordance with Employer’s standard
payroll procedures, but in any case, no less frequently than monthly; and 


 


(ii)           any bonus earned or
accrued through the date of death.  Any bonus for previous years which was not
yet paid will be paid pursuant to the terms as set forth in section 4(a).  Any
bonus that is earned in the year of death will be paid on the earlier of: (i)
seventy (70) days after the end of the year in which the Employee died or (ii)
with the first payroll cycle following the Company’s press release announcing
its financial performance for the year in which the Employee died.  To the
extent that the bonus is performance-based, the amount of the bonus will be
calculated by taking into account the performance of the Employer for the
entire year and prorating this through the date of Employee’s death.  


                


(c)                 
During the period of
any Disability leading up to the termination of Employee’s employment as a
result of the Disability, Employer shall:


 


(i)            continue to pay the
Employee’s full Base Salary at the rate then in effect and all perquisites and
other benefits (other than any bonus) in accordance with Employer’s standard
payroll procedures, but in any case, no less frequently than monthly, until
Employee becomes eligible for benefits under any long-term disability plan or
insurance program maintained by Employer; provided that the amount of
any such payments to Employee shall be reduced by the sum of the amounts, if
any, payable to Employee for the same period under any disability benefit or
pension plan covering the Employee; and


 


(ii)           pay Employee any
bonus earned or accrued through the date of Disability.  Any bonus for previous
years which was not yet paid will be paid pursuant to the terms as set forth in
section 4(a).  Any bonus that is earned in the year of Disability will be paid
on the earlier of: (i) seventy (70) days after the end of the year in which
Employee became Disabled or (ii) with the first payroll cycle following the
Company’s press release announcing its financial performance for the year in
which the Employee became Disabled.  


 




	
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(d)          If
Employee’s employment is terminated for Cause, Employee shall receive only any
sums due Employee as Base Salary and/or reimbursement of expenses through the
date of termination, paid in accordance with Employer’s standard payroll
procedures, but in any case, no less frequently than monthly. 


 


(e)          If
Employee’s employment is terminated by Employer without Cause, conditioned upon
the effectiveness of the release described in Section 13(i) below and subject
to the possibility of a six-month delay described below in Section 29(a),
beginning on the first day of the month following the date of the Employee’s
termination, and continuing on the first day of the month for the next eleven (11)
months, the Employer shall pay to the Employee monthly severance compensation
in cash in an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the Employee’s annual
rate of Base Salary at the date of termination.  Employer shall also pay
Employee any bonus earned or accrued through the date of termination.  Any
bonus for previous years, which was not yet paid, will be paid as stated in
Section 4(a) of this Agreement.  The restrictive covenants contained in
sections 10, 11 and 12 shall not apply to Employee.


 


(f)           If
Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee for Good Reason, in addition to
other rights and remedies available in law or equity, Employee shall be
entitled to the following:


 


(i)            Subject to the
possibility of a six-month delay described below in Section 29(a), beginning on
the date following the date of the Employee’s termination, the Employer shall
provide Employee with the same severance compensation and accrued bonus set
forth in Section 13(e).  


 


(ii)           Employee may continue
participation, in accordance with the terms of the applicable benefits plans,
in the Company’s group health plan pursuant to plan continuation rules under
the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”).  In accordance
with COBRA, assuming Employee is covered under the Company’s group health plan
as of his date of termination, Employee will be entitled to elect COBRA
continuation coverage for the legally required COBRA period (the “Continuation
Period”).  If Employee elects COBRA coverage for group health coverage, he will
be obligated to pay the portion of the full COBRA cost of the coverage equal to
an active employee’s share of premiums for coverage for the respective plan
year and the Company’s share of such premiums shall be treated as taxable
income to Employee.  Notwithstanding the above, the Employer’s obligations
hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits provided in this subsection
(ii) shall be limited to the extent that if Employee obtains any coverage
pursuant to a subsequent employer’s benefit plans which duplicates the
Employer’s coverage, the duplicative coverage may be terminated by Employer. 
This subsection (ii) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to
which Employee or his dependents or beneficiaries may be entitled under any of Employer’s
employee benefit plans, programs, or practices following the Employee’s
Termination of Employment, including, without limitation, retiree medical and
life insurance benefits; 


 


(iii)          the restrictive
covenants contained in sections 10, 11 and 12 shall not apply to Employee.


 




	
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                                (g)          If
Employee’s employment is terminated by Employee without Good Reason, Employee
shall receive only any sums due Employee as Base Salary and/or reimbursement of
expenses through the date of termination, paid in accordance with Employer’s
standard payroll procedures, but in any case, no less frequently than monthly. 


 


(h)
         With the exceptions of the provisions of this Section 13, and the
express terms of any benefit plan under which Employee is a participant, it is
agreed that, upon termination of Employee’s employment, Employer shall have no
obligation to Employee for, and Employee waives and relinquishes, any further
compensation or benefits (exclusive of COBRA benefits).  Unless otherwise
stated in this Section 13, the effect of termination on any outstanding
incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units,
or other incentives shall be governed by the terms of the applicable benefit or
incentive plan and/or the agreements governing such incentives. Within sixty
(60) days of termination of Employee’s employment, and as a condition to the
Employer’s obligation to pay any severance hereunder, the Employee shall
execute, and not timely revoke during any revocation period provided pursuant
to such release, a mutually satisfactory form of release acknowledging such
remaining obligations and discharging both parties, as well as Employer’s
officers, directors and employees with respect to their actions for or on
behalf of Employer, from any other claims or obligations arising out of or in
connection with Employee’s employment by Employer, including the circumstances
of such termination.  In most instances,
payment will be made, or in the case of installment payments, will begin as
soon as practicable after such release is effective. However, if the 60-day
period spans two calendar years, such severance payment will be made as soon as
possible in the subsequent taxable year.

 


                                (i)            The
parties intend that the severance payments and other compensation provided for
herein are reasonable compensation for Employee’s services to the Employer and
shall not constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and any
regulations thereunder.  If the Employer’s independent accountants acting as
auditors for the Employer determine that any or the aggregate value (as
determined pursuant to Section 280G of the Code) of all payments,
distributions, accelerations of vesting, awards and provisions of benefits by
the Employer to or for the benefit of Employee (whether paid or payable,
distributed or distributable, accelerated, awarded or provided pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement or otherwise), (a “Payment”) would constitute an excess
parachute payment and be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code (the “Excise Tax”), such Payment shall be reduced to the least extent
necessary so that no portion of the Payment shall be subject to the Excise Tax,
but only if, by reason of such reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by
the Employee as a result of such reduction will exceed the net after-tax
benefit that would have been received by the Employee if no such reduction were
made.  The Payment shall be reduced, if applicable, by the Employer in the
following order of priority: (A) reduction of any cash payments otherwise
payable to the Employee pursuant to a supplemental executive retirement plan
including, without limitation, any salary continuation agreement between the
Employee and the Employer; (B) reduction of any cash severance payments
otherwise payable to the Employee that are exempt from Section 409A of the
Code; (C) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to
the Employee that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any
payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect
to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; (D)
reduction of any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or
payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of
the Code, in each case beginning with payments that would otherwise be made
last in time; and (E) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise
payable to the Employee on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies
with Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payments attributable to any
acceleration of vesting and payments with respect to any equity award that are
exempt from Section 409A of the Code.  If, however, such Payment is not reduced
as described above, then such Payment shall be paid in full to the Employee and
the Employee shall be responsible for payment of any Excise Taxes relating to
the Payment.

 




	
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14.    Oral Modification Not Binding.
 This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the
parties and may not be changed or terminated orally, and no change or attempted
waiver of the provisions hereof shall be binding unless in writing and signed
by the party against whom the same is sought to be enforced; provided, however,
that Employee’s compensation may be increased at any time by Employer without
in any way affecting any of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement,
which in all other respects shall remain in full force and effect.  


 


15.    Governing Law.  This
Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State
of South Carolina, except to the extent governed by the laws of the United
States of America in which case federal laws shall govern.  Any action brought
by any party to this Agreement shall be brought and maintained in a court of
competent jurisdiction in the State of South Carolina.


 


16.    Remedies for Breach; Non-Waiver. 
Employee recognizes and agrees that a breach by Employee of any covenant
contained in this Agreement would cause immeasurable and irreparable harm to
Employer.  In the event of a breach or threatened breach of any covenant
contained herein, Employer shall be entitled to temporary and permanent
injunctive relief, restraining Employee from violating or threatening to
violate any covenant contained herein, as well as all costs and fees incurred
by Employer, including attorneys’ fees, as a result of Employee’s breach or
threatened breach of the covenant.  Employer and Employee agree that the relief
described herein is in addition to such other and further relief as may be
available to Employer at equity or by law.  Nothing herein shall be construed
as prohibiting Employer from pursuing any other remedies available to it for
such breach of threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from
Employee.  Failure of the Employer to enforce any of the provisions of this
Agreement or any rights with respect thereto shall in no way be considered a
waiver of such provisions or rights or in any way otherwise affect the validity
of this Agreement.


 


17.    Consideration.  Employee
acknowledges and agrees that valid consideration has been given to Employee by
Employer in return for the promises of Employee set forth herein.


 


18.    Covenants are Independent. 
The covenants on the part of Employee contained herein shall each be construed
as agreements independent of each other and of any other provisions in this
Agreement and the unenforceability of one shall not affect the enforceability
of the remaining covenants.


 


19.    Severability and Substitution
of Valid Provisions.  To the extent that any provision or language of this
Agreement is deemed unenforceable, by virtue of the scope of the business
activity prohibited or the length of time the activity is prohibited, Employer
and Employee agree that this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent
permissible under the laws and public policies of the State of South Carolina.


 


20.    Extension of Periods.  Each
of the time periods described in Sections 9-12 of this Agreement shall be
automatically extended by any length of time during which Employee is in breach
of the corresponding covenant contained herein.  Such provisions of this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect throughout the duration of
the extended periods.

 




	
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21.    Reasonable Restraint.  It
is agreed by the parties that the foregoing covenants in this Agreement are
necessary for the legitimate business interests of Employer and impose a
reasonable restraint on Employee in light of the activities and business of
Employer on the date of the execution of this Agreement.


 


22.    Withholding of Taxes. 
Employer may withhold from any amounts payable to Employee under this Agreement
all federal, state, city or other taxes and withholdings as shall be required
pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation.


 


23.    Notices.  Any notice
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if
given in writing and either personally delivered or sent by registered or
certified mail to Employee’s residence in the case of Employee or to its
principal office in the case of Employer.


 


24.    Assignment.  The rights and
obligations of the parties to this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of Employer.  This Agreement
shall not be terminated by any merger or consolidation whether or not the
Employer or the Company is the consolidated or surviving corporation or by
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Employer or the
Company to another corporation if there is a surviving or resulting corporation
in such transfer.


 


25.    Severability. It is not the
intent of any party hereto to violate any public policy of any jurisdiction in
which this Agreement may be enforced.  If any provision of this Agreement or
the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstances is held
invalid, unenforceable or otherwise unlawful, the remainder of this Agreement
and the application of such provision to any other person or circumstances
shall not be affected.  In addition, the applicable provision shall be reformed
to the extent (and only to the extent) necessary to make it valid, enforceable
and legal.


 


26.    Certain Definitions. 


 


(a)          “Affiliate”
shall mean any business entity controlled by the Employer or the Company,
controlling or under common control with the Employer or the Company.


                                


(b)          “Cause” shall
consist of any of: 


 


(i)            the commission by
Employee of a willful act (including, without limitation, a dishonest or
fraudulent act) or a grossly negligent act, or the willful or grossly negligent
omission to act by Employee, which is intended to cause, causes or is
reasonably likely to cause material harm to Employer (including harm to its
business reputation); 


 


(ii)           the indictment of
Employee for the commission or perpetration by Employee of any felony or any
crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or fraud; 


 


(iii)          the material
breach by Employee of this Agreement that, if susceptible of cure, remains
uncured thirty (30) days following written notice to Employee of such breach; 


 




	
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(iv)         the receipt of any
form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having
jurisdiction over Employer intends to institute any form of formal or informal
(e.g., a memorandum of understanding which relates to Employee’s
performance) regulatory action against Employee or Employer (provided
that the Board determines in good faith, with Employee abstaining from
participating in the consideration of and vote on the matter, that the subject
matter of such action involves acts or omissions by or under the supervision of
Employee or that termination of Employee would materially advance Employer’s
compliance with the purpose of the action or would materially assist Employer
in avoiding or reducing the restrictions or adverse effects to Employer related
to the regulatory action); 


 


(v)          the exhibition by
Employee of a standard of behavior within the scope of Employee’s employment
that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of Employer’s business
operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual
misconduct) to a level which, in the Board’s good faith and reasonable
judgment, with Employee abstaining from participating in the consideration of
and vote on the matter, is materially detrimental to Employer’s best interest,
that, if susceptible of cure remains uncured ten (10) days following written
notice to Employee of such specific inappropriate behavior; or 


 


(vi)         the failure of Employee
to devote Employee’s full business time and attention to Employee’s employment
as provided under this Agreement that, if susceptible of cure, remains uncured
thirty (30) days following written notice to Employee of such failure.


 


(c)           “Change in Control”
shall mean the occurrence during the Term of any of the following events,
unless such event is a result of a Non-Control Transaction:


 


 (i)            the individuals who,
as of the date of this Agreement, are members of the Board of Directors of the
Company (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least
fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however,
that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders,
of any new director was approved in advance by a vote of at least fifty percent
(50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this
Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided, further,
that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such
individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or
threatened election contest, or other actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board of
Directors of the Company, including by reason of any agreement intended to
avoid or settle any election contest or proxy contest;


 




	
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(ii)           an acquisition (other
than directly from the Company) of any voting securities of the Company (the
“Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term “person” is used for purposes
of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange
Act”)) immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent
(20%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
Voting Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether
a Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in a
Non-Control Transaction shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a
Change in Control;  


 


(iii)          consummation of: (a)
a merger, consolidation, or reorganization involving the Company; (b) a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (c) the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any
Person (other than a transfer to a subsidiary); or


 


(iv)         a notice of an
application is filed with the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions,
the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) or the Federal Reserve
Board or any other bank or thrift regulatory approval (or notice of no
disapproval) is granted by the Federal Reserve, South Carolina Board of
Financial Institutions, the OCC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or
any other regulatory authority for permission to acquire control of the Company
or any of its banking subsidiaries; provided, however, that if
the application is filed in connection with a transaction which has been
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, then the Change in Control
shall not be deemed to occur until consummation of the transaction.


 


(d)            “Disability”
or “Disabled” shall mean as defined by Treasury Regulation       §
1.409A-3(i)(4).                        


 


(e)            “Good Reason”
shall mean the occurrence after a Change in Control of any of the events or
conditions described in subsections (i) through (vii) hereof:


 


(i)                 
a change in the
Employee’s status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting
responsibilities) which, in the Employee’s reasonable judgment, represents an
adverse change from Employee’s status, title, position or responsibilities as
in effect at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change in
Control or at any time thereafter; the assignment to the Employee of any duties
or responsibilities which, in the Employee’s reasonable judgment, are
inconsistent with Employee’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in
effect at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change in
Control or at any time thereafter; any removal of the Employee from or failure
to reappoint or reelect Employee to any of such offices or positions, except in
connection with the termination of Employee’s employment for Disability or
Cause, as a result of Employee’s death, or by the Employee other than for Good
Reason, or any other change in condition or circumstances that in the
Employee’s reasonable judgment makes it materially more difficult for the
Employee to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Employee’s office
than existed at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of Change
in Control or at any time thereafter;


 


(ii)               
a reduction in
the Employee’s Base Salary or any failure to pay the Employee any compensation
or benefits to which Employee is entitled within five (5) days of the date due;


 




	
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(iii)              
 the Employer’s
requiring the Employee to be based at any place outside a thirty (30) - mile
radius from the executive offices occupied by the Employee immediately prior to
the Change in Control, except for reasonably required travel on the Employer’s
business which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to
the Change in Control;


 


(iv)             
 the failure by
the Employer to (A) continue in effect (without reduction in benefit level
and/or reward opportunities) any material compensation or employee benefit plan
in which the Employee was participating at any time within ninety (90) days
preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter, unless
such plan is replaced with a plan that provides substantially equivalent
compensation or benefits to the Employee, or (B) provide the Employee with
compensation and benefits, in the aggregate, at least equal (in terms of
benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under each
other employee benefit plan, program and practice in which the Employee was
participating at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a
Change in Control or at any time thereafter;


 


(v)               
 any material
breach by the Employer of any material provision of this Agreement; or


 


(vi)             
any purported
termination of the Employee’s employment for Cause by the Employer which does
not comply with the terms of this Agreement.


 


Employee’s right to terminate
Employee’s employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by Employee’s
incapacity due to physical or mental illness.


 


(f)           “Non-Control
Transaction” shall mean a transaction described below:


 


                (i)            the
shareholders of the Company, immediately before such merger, consolidation or
reorganization own, directly or indirectly, immediately following such merger,
consolidation or reorganization, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined
voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting
from such merger, consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving Corporation”)
in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting
Securities immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization; and



 


                (ii)           immediately
following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, the number of directors
on the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation who were members of the
Incumbent Board shall at least equal the number of directors who were
affiliated with or appointed by the other party to the merger, consolidation or
reorganization.


 


(g)          “Notice of
Termination” shall mean a written notice of termination from one party to
the other which specifies an effective date of termination, indicates the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, and, in the case
of (i) a termination for Cause, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s
employment under the provision so indicated, or (ii) in the case of a
termination for Good Reason, sets forth the Good Reason event which occurred no
more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the notice and provides the
Employer not less than thirty (30) days to remedy this condition;


 




	
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(h)          “Terminate”, “terminated”,
“termination”, or “Termination of Employment” shall mean
separation from service as defined by Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h). 


 


27.          Compliance with
Regulatory Restrictions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
and in addition to any restrictions stated in Section 13 hereof, any
compensation or other benefits paid to the Employee shall be limited to the
extent required by any federal or state regulatory agency having authority over
the Company or the Employer.  The Employee agrees that compliance by the
Company or the Employer with such regulatory restrictions, even to the extent that
compensation or other benefits paid to the Employee are limited, shall not be a
breach of this Agreement by the Company or the Employer.


 


28.          Compliance with
Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, any incentive payments to the Employee shall
be limited to the extent required under the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”), including, but not limited to, clawbacks
for such incentive payments as required by the Act.  The Employee agrees to
such amendments, agreements, or waivers that are required by the Act or
requested by the Company to comply with the terms of the Act.  


 


29.          Compliance with
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.  All payments that may be made and
benefits that may be provided pursuant to this Agreement are intended to
qualify for an exclusion from Section 409A of the Code and any related
regulations or other pronouncements thereunder and, to the extent not excluded,
to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  Any payments made under
Section 13 of this Agreement which are paid on or before the last day of the
applicable period for the short-term deferral exclusion under Treasury
Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(4) are intended to be excluded under such short-term
deferral exclusion.  Any remaining payments under Section 13 are intended to
qualify for the exclusion for separation pay plans under Treasury Regulation §
1.409A-1(b)(9). Each payment made under Section 13 shall be treated as a
“separate payment”, as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-2(b)(2), for
purposes of Code Section 409A.  Further, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary, all severance payments payable under the provisions of Section 13 shall
be paid to the Employee no later than the last day of the second calendar year
following the calendar year in which occurs the date of Employee’s termination
of employment. None of the payments under this Agreement are intended to result
in the inclusion in Employee’s federal gross income on account of a failure
under Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.  The parties intend to administer and
interpret this Agreement to carry out such intentions.  However, Company does
not represent, warrant or guarantee that any payments that may be made pursuant
to this Agreement will not result in inclusion in Employee’s gross income, or
any penalty, pursuant to Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code or any similar state
statute or regulation.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
to the extent that the right to any payment (including the provision of
benefits) hereunder provides for the “deferral of compensation” within the
meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code, the payment shall be paid (or
provided) in accordance with the following:


 




	
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                (a)          If the
Employee is a “Specified Employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)
of the Code on the date of the Employee’s termination (the “Separation   Date”),
and if an exemption from the six month delay requirement of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)
is not available, then no such payment shall be made or commence during the period
beginning on the Separation Date and ending on the date that is six months
following the Separation Date or, if earlier, on the date of the
Employee’s death.  The amount of any payment that would
otherwise be paid to the Employee during this period shall instead be paid to
the Employee on the first day of the first calendar month following the end of
the period.  


 


(b)      Payments with respect to
reimbursements of expenses or benefits or provision of fringe or other in-kind
benefits shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following
the calendar year in which the relevant expense or benefit is incurred.  The
amount of expenses or benefits eligible for reimbursement, payment or provision
during a calendar year shall not affect the expenses or benefits eligible for
reimbursement, payment or provision in any other calendar year


 


                30. 
Entire Agreement.  This Agreement supersedes any other agreements, oral
or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
contains all of the agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to the employment of Employee by Employer.  Any waiver or modification
of any term of this Agreement shall be effective only if it is set forth in
writing signed by all parties hereto.


 


31.  Counterparts.  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 will constitute one and the
same agreement.



[Signatures appear on the following page.]

 




 

 

 

 


	
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                IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.


 


                                                                                                                                                                                                    EMPLOYER:


 


                                                                                                                                                                                                    SOUTHERN
FIRST BANK


 


 


[CORPORATE
SEAL]                                                                                                                                                             By:    /s/R.
Arthur Seaver, Jr.                


                                                                                                                                                                                                     Name: R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.


Attest:                                                                                                                                                                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer


 


 


/s/Julie
A. Fairchild                                          


Secretary


 


                                                                                                                                                                                                      SOUTHERN
FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.


 


 


 


[CORPORATE
SEAL]                                                                                                                                                                 By:    /s/R.
Arthur Seaver, Jr.                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Name:
R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.


Attest:                                                                                                                                                                                            Title:
Chief Executive Officer


 


 


 


/s/Julie
A. Fairchild                                          


Secretary


                


                                                                                                                                                                                                        EMPLOYEE:


 


 


 


                                                                                                                                                                                                       
    /s/F.
Justin Strickland                            


                                                                                                                                                                                                             F.
Justin Strickland


 


 


 




	
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