exv10w1






Exhibit 10.1




SEVERANCE AGREEMENT




     THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into effective May 8, 2008 by and
between XATA Corporation (“XATA”, or the “Company”) and Mark E. Ties (“Employee”). This Agreement
establishes certain payment provisions in the event that Employee is separated from employment with
XATA under the identified circumstances. This Agreement does not create a contract of employment,
and Employee continues as an employee at will.



     1. Definitions.



     “Change of Control” means any of the following events:




	 	(a)	 	   A sale, consolidation, merger, acquisition or affiliation which results in
the stockholders of the Company (determined immediately prior to the consummation of
the transaction) holding immediately after consummation of such transaction less than
45% of the total outstanding capital stock of the surviving or successor corporation
in the transaction (the “Surviving Corporation”); or
	 
	 	(b)	 	   A sale, consolidation, merger, or acquisition in which the Company becomes
accountable to, or a part of, a newly created company or controlling organization
where at least 51% of the members of the Board of the newly created Company or
controlling organization were not members of the Company’s Board immediately prior to
such sale, consolidation, merger, or acquisition; or
	 
	 	(c)	 	A sale or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company.





     “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following events:




	 	(a)	 	   Assignment to Employee by XATA of duties which are
inconsistent with Employee’s position, duties,
responsibilities, and status with XATA, except in connection
with the termination of his employment for Disability (as
defined below) or Cause, or
	 
	 	(b)	 	   Any failure to XATA to continue in effect Employees then
current compensation, unless such compensation is reduced as
part of a Company wide reduction for similar executives.





     2. Termination and Severance



     If (a) XATA terminates Employee’s employment for any reason other than a Cause, or (b)
Employee is terminated within six-months following a Change of Control, or (c) Employee terminates
his employment for Good Cause, XATA, or its successor entity shall:



 









 






	 	(i)	 	   pay Employee as severance pay each month for twelve (12) consecutive months
following his termination or resignation his monthly base salary in effect at the time
of separation, less customary withholdings, beginning one (1) month after termination,
and;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	   reimbursement for outplacement services for a period of six (6) months not to
exceed $10,000.00, and;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	   if Employee timely elects to continue his group health and dental
insurance coverage pursuant to applicable COBRA/continuation law and the terms of the
respective benefit plans, pay on Employee’s behalf the premiums for such coverage for
the lesser of twelve (12) months or such time as Employee’s COBRA/continuation rights
expire.





        Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, XATA may terminate Employee’s
employment without notice if the termination is based on any of the following events that
constitute Cause:




	 	(a)	 	Any conviction or nolo contendere plea by Employee to a felony or gross
misdemeanor, or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or any public conduct by
Employee that has or can reasonably be expected to have a detrimental effect on XATA;
or
	 
	 	(b)	 	Any fraud, misappropriations or embezzlement, breach of confidentiality,
noncompetition, fiduciary duty or other obligation to Company, by Employee or
intentional material damage to the property or business of XATA.




In the event of a termination for Cause, and not withstanding any contrary provision otherwise
stated, Employee shall receive only his base salary earned through the date of termination.




     XATA may, subject to applicable law, terminate this Agreement by giving Employee two (2)
months notice if Employee, due to sickness or injury, is prevented from carrying out his essential
job functions for a period of six (6) months or longer. In the event of such termination, Employee
shall receive only that compensation earned through the date of termination; provided, however,
that Employee shall be entitled to all or a portion of any bonus due Employee pursuant to any bonus
plan or arrangement established prior to termination, to the extent earned or performed based upon
the requirements or criteria of such plan or arrangement, as the Board shall in good faith
determine.



     Employee’s employment and this Agreement will be deemed terminated upon the death of the
Employee. In the event of such termination, Employee shall receive only compensation earned
through the date of termination provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled to all or a
portion of any bonus due Employee pursuant to any bonus plan or arrangement established prior to
termination, to the extent earned or performed based upon the requirements or criteria of such plan
or arrangement, as the Board shall in good faith determine.



     3. Miscellaneous



     Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed according to the laws
of the State of Minnesota.



 









 





     Insurance. For the period from the date hereof through at least the second
anniversary of Employee’s termination of employment from Company or XATA, Company and XATA agree to
maintain Employee as an insured party on all directors’ and officers’ insurance maintained by the
Company and XATA for the benefit of its directors and officers on at least the same basis as all
other covered individuals and provide Employee with at least the same corporate indemnification as
its officers.



     Successors. This Agreement is personal to Employee and Employee may not assign or
transfer any part of his rights or duties hereunder, or any compensation due to him hereunder, to
any other person or entity. This Agreement may be assigned by XATA and XATA shall require any
successors or assigns to expressly assume and agree to perform XATA’s obligations under this
Agreement.



     Modification. This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all prior oral or
written understandings, if any, between the parties relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement, which are hereby revoked. The parties agree that this Agreement (a) is the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties and (b) is the complete and exclusive statement of
the terms and conditions thereof, and there are no other written or oral agreements in regard to
the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be changed or modified except by a
written document signed by the parties hereto.



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF the following parties have executed the above instrument the day and year
first above written.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	XATA Corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 


	 	 
	 

	 	 

Its: CEO
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Mark E. Ties