EXHIBIT 10.9

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), effective as of June 10, 2008, is by and between LTC Properties, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (“LTC” or the “Company”), and Caroline Wong (“Executive”).

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Appointment, Title and Duties.  LTC hereby employs Executive to serve as its Vice President, Controller and Treasurer.  In such capacity, Executive shall report to the Chief Financial Officer  of the Company, and shall have such duties, powers and responsibilities as are customarily assigned to a Vice President, Controller and Treasurer of a publicly held corporation, but shall also be responsible to the Board of Directors and to any committee thereof.  In addition, Executive shall have such other duties and responsibilities as the Chief Financial Officer may assign her, with her consent, including serving with the consent or at the request of the Chief Financial Officer as an officer or on the board of directors of affiliated corporations.

 

2.                                      Term of Agreement.  The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the date hereof and shall extend such that at each and every moment of time hereafter the remaining term shall be one year.

 

3.                                      Acceptance of Position.  Executive accepts the position of Vice President, Controller and Treasurer, and agrees that during the term of this Agreement she will faithfully perform her duties and, except as expressly approved by the Board of Directors of LTC, will devote substantially all of her business time to the business and affairs of LTC, and will not engage, for her own account or for the account of any other person or entity, in a business which competes with LTC.  It is acknowledged and agreed that Executive may serve as an officer and/or director of companies in which LTC owns voting or non-voting stock.  In addition, it is acknowledged and agreed that Executive may, from time to time, serve as a member of the board of directors of other companies, in which event the Board of Directors of LTC must expressly approve such service pursuant to a Board resolution maintained in the Company’s minute books.  Any compensation or remuneration which Executive receives in consideration of her service on the board of directors of other companies shall be the sole and exclusive property of Executive, and LTC shall have no right or entitlement at any time to any such compensation or remuneration.

 

4.                                      Salary and Benefits.  During the term of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 LTC shall pay to Executive a base salary at an annual rate of not less than One Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($115,000) per annum (“Base Salary”), paid in approximately equal installments at intervals based on any reasonable Company policy.  LTC agrees from time to time to consider increases in such base salary in the discretion of the Board of Directors.  Any increase, once granted, shall automatically amend this Agreement to provide that thereafter Executive’s base salary shall not be less than the annual amount to which such base salary has been increased.

 

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(b)                                 Executive shall participate in all health, retirement, Company-paid insurance, sick leave, disability, expense reimbursement and other benefit programs which LTC makes available to any of its senior executives, and shall be eligible for bonuses in the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

(c)                                  Executive shall be entitled to reasonable vacation time, not less than three (3) weeks per year, provided that not more than two (2) weeks of such vacation time may be taken consecutively without prior notice to and non-objection by the Chief Financial Officer.

 

5.                                      Certain Terms Defined.  For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 Executive shall be deemed to be “disabled” if a physical or mental condition shall occur and persist which, in the written opinion of a licensed physician selected by the Board of Directors in good faith, has rendered Executive unable to perform the duties set forth in Section 1 hereof for a period of sixty (60) days or more and, in the written opinion of such physician, the condition will continue for an indefinite period of time, rendering Executive unable to return to her duties;

 

(b)                                 A termination of Executive’s employment by LTC shall be deemed for “Cause” if, and only if, it is based upon (i) conviction of a felony; (ii) material disloyalty to the Company such as embezzlement, misappropriation of corporate assets or, except as permitted pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, breach of Executive’s agreement not to engage in business for another enterprise of the type engaged in by the Company; or (iii) the engaging in unethical or illegal behavior which is of a public nature, brings LTC into disrepute, and results in material damage to the Company.  The Company shall have the right to suspend Executive with pay, for a reasonable period to investigate allegations of conduct which, if proven, would establish a right to terminate this Agreement for Cause, or to permit a felony charge to be tried.  Immediately upon the conclusion of such temporary period, unless Cause to terminate this Agreement has been established, Executive shall be restored to all duties and responsibilities as if such suspension had never occurred;

 

(c)                                  A resignation by Executive shall not be deemed to be voluntary and shall be deemed to be a resignation with “Good Reason” if it is based upon (i) a diminution in Executive’s title, duties, or salary; (ii) a reduction in benefits which is not part of an across-the-board reduction in benefits of all executive personnel; (iii) a direction by the Board of Directors that Executive report to any person or group other than the Chief Financial Officer or the Board of Directors, or (iv) a geographic relocation of Executive’s place of work a distance for more than seventy-five (75) miles from LTC’s offices located at 31365 Oak Crest Drive, Suite 200, Westlake Village, CA  91361;

 

(d)                                 “Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, a Person who, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control, with the Person specified;

 

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(e)                                  “Base Salary” means, as of any date of termination of employment, the highest base salary of Executive in the then current fiscal year or in any of the last four fiscal years immediately preceding such date of termination of employment;

 

(f)                                   “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act;

 

(g)                                  A “Change in Control” occurs if:

 

(i)                                     Any Person or related group of Persons (other than Executive and her Related Persons, the Company or a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

 

(ii)                                  The stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation (or other entity), other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person acquires 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control; or

 

(iii)                               The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

 

(iv)                              A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company cease to be Continuing Directors;

 

(h)                                 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(i)                                     “Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors who (i) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the Agreement or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

 

(j)                                    “Exchange Act” means the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(k)                                 “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, association or other entity.

 

(l)                                     “Related Person” means any immediate family member (spouse, partner, parent, sibling or child whether by birth or adoption) of the Executive and any trust, estate or foundation, the beneficiary of which is the Executive and/or an immediate family member of the Executive.

 

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6.                                      Certain Benefits Upon Termination.  Executive’s employment shall be terminated upon the earlier of (i) the voluntary resignation of Executive with or without Good Reason; (ii) Executive’s death or permanent disability; or (iii) upon the termination of Executive’s employment by LTC for any reason at any time.  In the event of such termination, the below provisions of this Section 6 shall apply, and in the event of a Change in Control and Executive’s employment is terminated thereby or within a year after a Change in Control, Employee voluntarily resigns with Good Reason, Section 6(b) shall apply.

 

(a)                                 If Executive’s employment by LTC terminates for any reason other than as a result of (i) a termination for Cause, or (ii) a voluntary resignation by Executive without a Good Reason, or (iii) a Change in Control of the Company, then LTC shall pay Executive a lump sum severance payment equal to her Base Salary; provided that if employment terminates by reason of Executive’s death or disability, then such salary shall be paid only to the extent the Company has available “key man” life, disability or similar insurance relating to the death or disability of Executive;

 

(b)                                 Upon a Change in Control of the Company whether or not Executive’s employment is terminated thereby, in lieu of the severance payment described in Section 6(a) above, LTC shall pay Executive a lump sum severance payment in cash equal to two times her Base Salary, and all stock options and/or restricted stock shall automatically vest concurrently upon a Change in Control, notwithstanding any prior existing vesting schedule;

 

(c)                                  If Executive’s employment by LTC terminates for any reason, except for LTC’s termination of Executive’s employment for Cause or a voluntary resignation by Executive without a Good Reason, LTC shall offer to Executive the opportunity to participate in all Company-provided medical and dental plans to the extent Executive elects and remains eligible for coverage under COBRA and for a maximum period of eighteen (18) months at Company expense; provided, however, in the event Executive’s employment by LTC terminated upon a Change in Control of the Company, then Executive shall not be given the opportunity to participate in any of such medical and dental plans, except to the extent required by law;

 

(d)                                 In the event that Executive’s employment terminates by reason of her death, all benefits provided in this Section 6 shall be paid to her estate or as her executor shall direct, but payment may be deferred until Executive’s executor or personal representative has been appointed and qualified pursuant to the laws in effect in Executive’s jurisdiction of residence at the time of her death;

 

(e)                                  LTC shall make all payments pursuant to the foregoing subsections (a) through (d) within seven (7) days following the date of termination of Executive’s employment or consummation of a Change in Control of the Company, as applicable;

 

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(f)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTC shall have no liability under this Section if Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement is terminated by LTC for Cause or by Executive without a Good Reason; provided, however, that if Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement is terminated by LTC for Cause or by Executive without a Good Reason at any time after a Change of Control which did not result in Executive’s employment being terminated, such post-Change of Control termination by LTC for Cause or by Executive without a Good Reason shall not affect in any way Executive’s entitlement to the lump sum severance payment described in Section 6(b) above or any other rights, benefits or entitlements to which Executive may be entitled as a result of such Change of Control;

 

7.                                      Indemnification.  LTC shall indemnify Executive and hold her harmless from and against all claims, actions, losses, damages, expense or liabilities (including expenses of defense and settlement) (“Claim”) based upon or in any way arising from or connected with her employment by LTC, to the maximum extent permitted by law.  To the extent permitted by law, LTC shall advance to Executive any expenses necessary in connection with the defense of any Claim which is brought if indemnification cannot be determined to be available prior to the conclusion of, or the investigation of, such Claim.  The parties hereto agree that each understands and has understood that notwithstanding the above-stated provisions, nothing herein shall require LTC to hold harmless or indemnify Executive with respect to any Claim which is brought or asserted against Executive by LTC.  LTC shall investigate in good faith the availability and cost of directors’ and officers’ insurance and shall include Executive as an insured in any directors and officers insurance policy of such insurance it maintains.

 

8.                                      Attorney Fees.  In the event that any action or proceeding is brought to enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees.

 

9.                                      Notices.  All notices and other communications provided to either party hereto under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by certified or registered mail to such party at its/his address set forth below its/his signature hereto, or at such other address as may be designated with postage prepaid, shall be deemed given when received.

 

10.                               Construction.  In constructing this Agreement, if any portion of this Agreement shall be found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be given effect to the maximum extent permitted without considering the void, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  In construing this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural, the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter genders as appropriate, and no meaning in effect shall be given to the captions of the sections in this Agreement, which are inserted for convenience of reference only.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, to the extent that (i) any amount paid pursuant to the Agreement is treated as nonqualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and (ii) the Executive is a “specified employee” pursuant to Section 409A(2)(B) of the Code, then such payments shall be made on the date which is six (6) months after the date of the Executive’s separation from service.  In connection with the payment of any obligation that is delayed pursuant to this Rider, the Company shall establish an irrevocable trust to hold funds to be used for payment of such obligations.  Upon the date that such amount would otherwise be payable, the Company shall deposit into such 

 

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irrevocable trust an amount equal to the obligation.  However, notwithstanding the establishment of the irrevocable trust, the Company’s obligations under the Agreement upon the Executive’s termination of employment shall constitute a general, unsecured obligation of the Company and any amount payable to the Executive shall be paid solely out of the Company’s general assets, and the Executive shall have no right to any specific assets of the Company.  The funds, if any, contained or contributed to the irrevocable trust shall remain available for the claims of the Company’s general creditors.

 

11.                               Headings.  The section headings hereof have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Agreement.

 

12.                               Governing Law.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California as at the time in effect.

 

13.                               Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among Executive and the Company, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement shall be effective as of the date specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
LTC   PROPERTIES, INC.,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
a   Maryland corporation
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
31365   Oak Crest Drive,
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Suite 200
    	
 
    	
/s/   Wendy Simpson
    
	
 
    	
Westlake   Village, CA 91361
    	
 
    	
Wendy   L. Simpson
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief   Executive Officer and President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Timothy J. Triche
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Compensation   Committee Representative
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
 
    	
/s/   Caroline Wong
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Caroline Wong
    


 

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