QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document
  



 
 

Exhibit (10)(vii)    
    


 
 

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT    
    


        This Change in Control Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into, effective as of December 2, 2004, by and between John J. Gallagher III ("Executive") and
Great Lakes Chemical Corporation ("Company"). 


Background  


        A.    The
Company considers the establishment and maintenance of a sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders. In this connection, the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in control exists and that such possibility, and the
uncertainty and questions that it may raise among management, could result in the departure or distraction of key management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.
Accordingly, the Company's Board of Directors has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company's
management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without distraction and disruption in the event of a threatened or actual change in control or other major corporate transaction. 


        B.    This
Agreement does not constitute an employment contract, nor does it alter the Executive's status as an at-will employee of the Company. This Agreement
merely sets out the severance benefits that the Company will provide if, but only if, the Executive's employment with the Company terminates or is deemed to terminate after the occurrence of an actual
or potential change in control or other major transaction under the circumstances described herein or as otherwise provided in Section 7 following a major transaction. 



        In
consideration of the premises and the Executive's employment by the Company, the Executive and the Company agree as follows: 


Agreement  


        1.    Defined Terms.    The following terms, when capitalized, shall have the meanings
specified below for purposes of this Agreement: 



        (a)   "Beneficial
Owner" means a "beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. 


        (b)   "Board"
means the Company's Board of Directors. 


        (c)   "Cause"
means, with respect to the Executive, the Executive's (i) act of fraud, embezzlement, theft, or other intentional material violation of the law in
connection with or in the course of his employment, (ii) willful gross misconduct that is likely to materially injure the reputation, business, or a business relationship of the Company;
(iii) violation of the Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, or (iv) willful and continued failure to perform his duties for the Company (other than a failure due to
Disability), after a demand for substantial performance to the Executive by the Board that specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not performed his
duties. For purposes of the preceding sentence, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed "willful," unless it was done or omitted by the Executive not in good faith and
without reasonable belief that his act or omission was in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive's employment shall not be deemed to have
been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly 



2







 




adopted
by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to the
Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, together with his counsel, to be heard by the Board), finding that in the Board's good faith opinion, the Executive was guilty of conduct described in
the first sentence of this Subsection and describing the specific acts or omissions constituting such conduct. 



        (d)   "Change
in Control" means, except as provided in Section 3, that the conditions set out in any one of the following paragraphs have been satisfied: 



          (i)  any
"person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than (A) the Company, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) a corporation owned,
directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company (any such person is hereinafter referred to as a "Person"),
is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 20% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities (not
including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company); 


         (ii)  there
is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the holders
of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities that represent, in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities
under an employee benefit plan of the Company, immediately after such merger or consolidation, more than 70% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of either the Company or the other
entity that survives such merger or consolidation or the parent of the entity that survives such merger or consolidation; 


        (iii)  the
stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution 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)  during
any period of two consecutive years (not including any period before the date of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the
Board and any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in paragraph (i), (ii) or
(iii) of this Subsection) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute
a majority thereof. 





        For
purposes of this Agreement, where a Change in Control results from a series of related transactions, the Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of the
consummation of the first such transaction. For purposes of paragraph (i), the stockholders of another corporation (other than the Company or a corporation described in clause (D) of
paragraph (i)) shall be deemed to constitute a Person. Further, it is understood by the parties that the sale, transfer, or other disposition of a subsidiary of the Company shall not constitute
a Change in Control. 


        Termination
of the Executive's Employment during or following a Potential Change in Control shall be considered to have occurred following a Change in Control to the extent provided in
Section 2(c). 


3







 



        (e)   "Code"
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. 


        (f)    "Company"
means Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and any successor, to the extent provided in Section 13. 


        (g)   "Confidentiality
and Non-Compete Agreement" means the confidentiality and non-compete agreement between the Company and the Executive. 



        (h)   "Date
of Termination" means, (i) if the Executive Terminates Employment for Good Reason, the date of termination specified in the Executive's resignation, and
(ii) if the Executive's Employment is Terminated for any other reason, the date on which a notice of termination is given. 


        (i)    "Exchange
Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on the date of this Agreement. 


        (j)    "Good
Reason" means any of the following: 



          (i)  without
the Executive's express written consent, a material reduction in the Executive's duties, responsibilities, or status with the Company as in effect immediately
before the Change in Control or Major Transaction, or a change in the Executive's titles or offices (to a lesser title or office) as in effect immediately before a Change in Control or Major
Transaction, or any removal of the Executive from or any failure to reelect or reappoint the Executive to any of his positions, except in connection with the Executive's Termination of Employment by
the Company for Cause or by the Executive for other than Good Reason; 


         (ii)  a
reduction by the Company in the Executive's base salary or perquisites as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time; 


        (iii)  a
material reduction by the Company of the benefits provided to the Executive under any thrift, incentive, or compensation plan, or any pension, life insurance, health
and accident, or disability plan in which the Executive is participating at the time of a Change in Control or Major Transaction (or plans providing the Executive with substantially similar benefits),
or the taking of any action by the Company that would adversely affect the Executive's participation in or materially reduce the Executive's benefits under any of such plans or deprive the Executive
of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by the Executive at the time of the Change in Control or Major Transaction, unless such reduction or action is generally applicable to all employees of the
Company or relevant subsidiary; or 


        (iv)  the
Company requires the Executive (without his consent) to perform the duties of his employment beyond the 50 mile radius from the location of the Executive's
employment immediately before the Change in Control or Major Transaction; 




provided,
however, that (i) any Termination of Employment by the Executive shall not be considered a termination for Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement if such termination occurs after
the Executive has been absent from his work for a continuous period of at least six months as a result of his incapacity due to physical or mental illness ("Disability Period") and occurs while the
Executive is receiving benefits under the Company's (or any subsidiary's) long-term disability plan(s) in effect immediately before the Change in Control or Major Transaction; and
(ii) if the Executive returns to work following a Disability Period, clause (i) of this paragraph shall not apply in determining whether Good Reason exists following such return. 




        To
Terminate Employment for Good Reason, the Executive must provide his written resignation to the Company within 90 days from the event (or from the last in a series of events)
relied upon the Executive as a basis for termination for Good Reason, and such notice must specify such event(s). 


4







 

        (k)   "Major
Transaction" means, on or before December 31, 2006, the sale or disposition to a third party or parties of all or substantially all of any two of the
following groups of businesses (whether simultaneously or in series): 



          (i)  FR-BPP
(not including the phosphorus flame retardant or fluids businesses) and Fluorine; 


         (ii)  Polymer
Stabilizers; or 


        (iii)  Phosphorus
flame retardants and fluids and Biolab Water Additives. 




If
a Major Transaction results from a series of transactions, the Major Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of the consummation of the last such transaction. For avoidance of
doubt, "sale or disposition" means that, upon the completion of a transaction of any legal form (including but not limited to a sale of assets, sale of stock, merger or consolidation, or formation of
joint venture), the Company no longer owns equity representing a controlling interest in the business. A sale or disposition described above shall not be considered a Major Transaction, if it is also
a Change in Control and payments are made pursuant to Section 5. 


        (l)    "Person"
means a "person" within the meaning of Subsection (d)(i). 


        (m)  "Potential
Change in Control" means, except as provided in Section 3, the occurrence and continuation of any of the following conditions: 



          (i)  any
Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company, unless such Person has reported or
is required to report such ownership on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report) or on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or
successor report), which Schedule 13D does not state any intention to or reserve the right to control or influence the management or policies of the Company or engage in any of the actions
specified in Item 4 of such Schedule (other than the disposition of the common stock) so long as such Person neither reports nor is required to report such ownership other than as described in this
paragraph; or 


         (ii)  the
Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; or 


        (iii)  any
Person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute or result in a Change in Control; or 


        (iv)  any
Person commences a solicitation (as defined in Rule 14a-1 of the Exchange Act) of proxies or consents that has the purpose of effecting or would
(if successful) result in a Change in Control; or 


         (v)  a
tender or exchange offer for at least 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, made by a Person, is first published or sent or given (within the
meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the Exchange Act). 




Termination
of the Executive's Employment during or following a Potential Change in Control shall be considered to have occurred following a Change in Control to the extent provided in
Section 2(c). 


        (n)   "Term"
means the term of this Agreement, as determined pursuant to Section 2. 



        (o)   "Terminates
Employment", "Terminate(s) the Executive's Employment", and "Termination of Employment" all refer to a complete termination of the employment relationship
between the Company and all employers required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to Code Section 414(b) or (c). 



5







 





        2.    Term.    



        (a)   This
Agreement shall commence as of December 2, 2004, and shall continue in effect through December 31, 2006; provided, however, that beginning
January 1, 2007, and each January 1 thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for an additional year unless, not later than March 31 of the preceding
year, the Company shall have given the Executive notice that it does not wish to extend this Agreement or a Change in Control shall have occurred before such January 1; provided, however,
(i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred during the term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall continue for a period of not less than 36 months after the month in which the
Change in Control occurs, and (ii) this Agreement shall continue in effect during the pendency of a Potential Change in Control and for nine months thereafter. 


        (b)   This
Agreement shall be immediately terminated, and the Executive shall have no right to payment of any compensation or benefits hereunder, if he incurs a Termination of
Employment before the occurrence of a Change in Control or Major Transaction; provided, however, if the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment without Cause, or the Executive Terminates
Employment for Good Reason, before a Major Transaction that occurs on or before December 31, 2006, and the Executive is not entitled to any payment pursuant to Section 5 or 6, the
Executive's Termination of Employment shall be disregarded in determining whether he is entitled to a payment pursuant to Section 7. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on the Executive any
right to continue in the employ of the Company or interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company, which are expressly reserved, to discharge the Executive at any time before a Change
in Control or Major Transaction for any reason. 


        (c)   Notwithstanding
Subsection (b), if the Executive incurs a Termination of Employment during a Potential Change in Control or within nine months following the conclusion
of a Potential Change in
Control, such termination shall be deemed to be a termination after a Change in Control entitling the Executive to the severance and other benefits set out herein as if the Executive had Terminated
Employment after a Change in Control. 




        3.    Exception for Certain Spin-Off Transactions.    Notwithstanding the
definitions in Section 1, neither a "Change in Control" nor a "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the Company entering into any agreement with respect
to, the public announcement of, the approval by the Company's stockholders or directors of, or the consummation of, any transaction or series of integrated transactions (including any merger or other
business combination transaction) entered into in connection with, or expressly conditioned upon the occurrence of, a spin-off (such transaction or series of integrated transactions, the
"Spin-Off Transaction") immediately following which the recordholders of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to the Spin-Off Transaction continue to have
substantially the same proportionate ownership in the spun-off entity as they had in the Company immediately prior to the Spin-Off Transaction; provided that such
Spin-Off Transaction (including any related merger of other business combination transaction) has been approved by a vote of a majority of the Company's Continuing Directors (as defined
below) then in office. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Continuing Director" shall mean any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is a member of the Board of Directors as of the date
of this Agreement and any person who subsequently becomes a member of the Board of Directors, if such person's nomination for election or election to the Board of Directors is recommended or approved
by a majority of the Continuing Directors. 


        4.    Relationship of Sections 5, 6, and 7.    Except as provided in this Section, the payment
of benefits pursuant to Section 5, 6, or 7 shall make the Executive ineligible for benefits under any other Section of this Agreement or under the same Section of this Agreement as a result of
a later Change in Control or Major Transaction. If the Executive receives benefits pursuant to Section 7, and a Change 


6







 



in
Control occurs at least 18 months thereafter, the prior payment of benefits under Section 7 shall not make the Executive ineligible for benefits under Section 5. 


        5.    Benefits Upon Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control.    



        (a)   The
Executive shall be entitled to benefits under this Section, rather than under any other severance program of the Company, if he incurs a Termination of Employment
under the circumstances described in this Section following a Change in Control. 


        (b)   If
the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment for Cause, the Company shall be obliged to pay the Executive his full base salary through his termination date at
the rate in effect at the time the
notice of termination is given, and the Company shall have no further obligations under this Agreement. 



        (c)   If
the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment for other than Cause, or if the Executive Terminates Employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay to the
Executive as severance pay (and without regard to the provisions of any benefit plan) in one or more payments within 30 days following the Executive's Date of Termination, the sum of the
following amounts: 



          (i)  any
accrued and owing portion of the Executive's full base salary through the Date of Termination at a rate equal to the greater of the rate in effect immediately
before the occurrence of the event(s) giving rise to the termination or the rate in effect immediately before the Change in Control; plus an amount equal to unpaid salary with respect to any vacation
days accrued but not taken as of the Date of Termination; 


         (ii)  a
pro-rata bonus determined by multiplying the greater of (A) the Executive's target annual bonus (assuming 100% fulfillment of all elements of the
formula under which such bonus would have been calculated) for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, or (B) the average of the annual bonuses paid or payable to the Executive for
the three calendar years immediately before the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the year of termination up to
and including the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365; 


        (iii)  an
amount equal to the greater of (I) the product of (A) the sum of his salary for the twelve months immediately prior to the occurrence of the event(s)
giving rise to the notice of termination, plus the greater of (i) his target bonus of 85% of the salary set forth in the preceding clause (assuming, for purposes of this agreement there were
100% fulfillment of all elements of the formula under which such bonus would have been calculated), or (ii) the average of the annual bonuses paid or payable to him for the three
(3) calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, multiplied by (B) three; or (II) $3 million; and 


        (iv)  in
lieu of any further payments not otherwise addressed by this Agreement under any long term incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any subsidiary thereof or
any successor plan, an amount equal to all awards thereunder earned or accrued, but not yet paid, for periods up to and including the Date of Termination. 




        (d)   If
the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment for other than Cause, or if the Executive Terminates Employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall, in addition
to paying the amounts owed to the Executive pursuant to Subsection (c): 



          (i)  maintain
in full force and effect, for the three years following the Executive's Termination of Employment, for the continued benefit of the Executive (and his spouse
and dependents, if applicable), all life insurance, health and accident, and disability plans and programs in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately before the occurrence 




7







 


of
the event(s) giving rise to the notice of termination, provided that the Executive's continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs. If the
Executive's continued participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive upon comparable terms with benefits substantially similar to the benefits
to which the Executive would otherwise have been entitled under such plans and programs. At the end of the three year period of continued coverage, the Executive shall have the option to have assigned
to him, at no cost and with no apportionment of pre-paid premiums, any assignable insurance policy owned by the Company or any subsidiary thereof and relating specifically to the
Executive. The Executive's receipt, from a new employer, of any of the benefits described in this Subsection shall not eliminate the Company's obligations to provide the Executive with such benefits
(or their equivalent), but shall act as an offset to the Company's obligations hereunder; 


         (ii)  in
addition to the retirement benefits to which the Executive is entitled under each defined benefit pension plan of the Company ("Pension Plan") or any successor plan
thereto, including, but not limited to the Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Plan, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in cash within 30 days following his Date of
Termination, a lump sum amount equal to the excess of (A) the actuarial equivalent of the retirement pension payable as a level single life annuity beginning as of the first day of the month
following the Executive's 65th birthday or earlier date after the Executive's Termination of Employment (taking into account any early retirement subsidies associated therewith) that the
Executive would have accrued under the terms of each such Pension Plan (without regard to any amendment to such Pension Plan made after a Change in Control that adversely affects in any manner the
computation of retirement benefits thereunder), determined as if the Executive were fully vested thereunder and had accumulated service for three years following his Termination of Employment and had
been credited under each such Pension Plan during such period with compensation equal to the higher of the Executive's annual base salary in effect immediately before the occurrence of the event(s)
giving rise to the notice of termination or the Executive's annual base salary at the rate in effect immediately before the Change in Control, plus the greater of the Executive's target annual bonus
(assuming 100% fulfillment of all elements of the formula under which such bonus would have been calculated) for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or the average of the Executive's
annual bonuses for the three years immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs over (B) the actuarial equivalent of the retirement pension payable as a level single
life annuity beginning as of the first day of the month following the Executive's 65th birthday or earlier date after the Executive's Termination of Employment (taking into account any
early retirement subsidies associated therewith) that the Executive had accrued pursuant to the provisions of each such Pension Plan as of the Date of Termination. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the annuity starting date providing the largest payment to the Executive shall be used. For purposes of this paragraph, "actuarial equivalent" shall be determined using the same methods and
assumptions utilized under each of the Pension Plans, as applicable, immediately before occurrence of the event(s) giving rise to the notice of termination (without regard to any amendment of such
methods and assumptions made after a Change in Control that results in a lower payment under this paragraph); 


        (iii)  all
awards to the Executive under any Company stock plan shall vest upon the Change in Control. This paragraph supersedes any inconsistent provisions in any stock plan
or award issued thereunder, and constitutes an amendment to any such award that has been approved by the Committee as provided under any stock plan (provided, however, that notwithstanding any
agreement elsewhere to the contrary, the period of time in which the Executive may exercise vested stock awards shall end on the earlier of the date on which the right to exercise such award would
have expired if the Executive had remained an employee of the Company or two years from the Date of Termination); 




8













  




        (iv)  the
Company shall reimburse the Executive for individual outplacement services to be provided by a firm of the Executive's choice or, at the Executive's election,
provide the Executive with the use of office space, office supplies, and secretarial assistance satisfactory to the Executive. The aggregate expenditures of the Company pursuant to this paragraph
shall not exceed $20,000; 


         (v)  the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive any car allowance in effect as of the Date of Termination for the three year period thereafter, 


        (vi)  the
Company shall cause title to the laptop or notebook computer (and the associated docking station, if any) provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for the
Executive's principal use to be transferred to the Executive, and shall permit the Executive's use of any "shrink wrap" or other standard software generally installed with a new computer (such as the
operating system, office programs, etc.) under the Company's licenses for the three year period following the Date of Termination, provided that appropriate measures are taken by the Company's
Information Services Department to insure that all proprietary information and software, as well as any software solely related to use of the Company's networks is removed; and 


       (vii)  the
Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable legal fees and legal expenses, incurred by the Executive in
connection with any judicial or other proceeding, including any arbitration proceeding, to enforce this Agreement or to construe, determine, or defend the validity of this Agreement. 




        (e)   This
Agreement and all payments pursuant hereto are intended to comply with Code Section 409A and the guidance thereunder, and this Agreement shall be construed
accordingly. To the extent that compliance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) would require any payment otherwise provided for by this Agreement to be delayed, such payment shall be made as
soon as administratively feasible after the period of delay required by Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i). 




        6.    Benefits Upon Termination of Employment Following a Major Transaction.    



        (a)   The
Executive shall be entitled to benefits under this Section, rather than under any other severance program of the Company, if he incurs a Termination of Employment
under the circumstances described in this Section following a Major Transaction. 


        (b)   If
the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment for Cause, the Company shall be obliged to pay the Executive his full base salary through his termination date at
the rate in effect at the time the notice of termination is given, and the Company shall have no further obligations under this Agreement. 


        (c)   If
the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment for other than Cause, or if the Executive Terminates Employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay to the
Executive as severance pay (and without regard to the provisions of any benefit plan) in one or more payments within 30 days following the Executive's Date of Termination, the sum of the
following amounts: 



          (i)  any
accrued and owing portion of the Executive's full base salary through the Date of Termination at a rate equal to the greater of the rate in effect immediately
before the occurrence of the event(s) giving rise to the notice of termination or the rate in effect immediately before the Major Transaction; plus an amount equal to unpaid salary with respect to any
vacation days accrued but not taken as of the Date of Termination; 


         (ii)  a
pro-rata bonus determined by multiplying the greater of (A) the Executive's target annual bonus (assuming 100% fulfillment of all elements of the
formula under which such bonus would have been calculated) for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, or 




9







 





(B) the
average of the annual bonuses paid or payable to the Executive for the three calendar years immediately before the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the year of termination up to and including the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365; 


        (iii)  an
amount equal to the greater of (I) the product of (A) the sum of his salary for the twelve months immediately prior to the occurrence of the event(s)
giving rise to the notice of termination, plus the greater of (i) his target bonus of 85% of the salary set forth in the preceding clause (assuming, for purposes of this agreement there were
100% fulfillment of all elements of the formula under which such bonus would have been calculated), or (ii) the average of the annual bonuses paid or payable to him for the three
(3) calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, multiplied by (B) three; or (II) $3 million; and 



        (iv)  in
lieu of any further payments not otherwise addressed by this Agreement under any long term incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any subsidiary thereof or
any successor plan, an amount equal to all awards thereunder earned or accrued, but not yet paid, for periods up to and including the Date of Termination. 




        (d)   If
the Company Terminates the Executive's Employment for other than Cause, or if the Executive Terminates Employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall, in addition
to paying the amounts owed to the Executive pursuant to Subsection (c): 



          (i)  maintain
in full force and effect, for the three years following the Executive's Termination of Employment, for the continued benefit of the Executive (and his spouse
and dependents, if applicable), all life insurance, health and accident, and disability plans and programs in which the Executive was entitled to participate immediately before the occurrence of the
event(s) giving rise to the notice of termination, provided that the Executive's continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs. If the
Executive's continued participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive upon comparable terms with benefits substantially similar to the benefits
to which the Executive would otherwise have been entitled under such plans and programs. At the end of the three year period of continued coverage, the Executive shall have the option to have assigned
to him, at no cost and with no apportionment of pre-paid premiums, any assignable insurance policy owned by the Company or any subsidiary thereof and relating specifically to the
Executive. The Executive's receipt, from a new employer, of any of the benefits described in this Subsection shall not eliminate the Company's obligations to provide the Executive with such benefits
(or their equivalent), but shall act as an offset to the Company's obligations hereunder; 


         (ii)  in
addition to the retirement benefits to which the Executive is entitled under each defined benefit pension plan of the Company ("Pension Plan") or any successor plan
thereto, including, but not limited to the Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Retirement Plan, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in cash within 30 days following his Date of
Termination, a lump sum amount equal to the excess of (A) the actuarial equivalent of the retirement pension payable as a level single life annuity beginning as of the first day of the month
following the Executive's 65th birthday or earlier date after the Executive's Termination of Employment (taking into account any early retirement subsidies associated therewith) that the
Executive would have accrued under the terms of each such Pension Plan (without regard to any amendment to such Pension Plan made after a Major Transaction that adversely affects in any manner the
computation of retirement benefits thereunder), determined as if the Executive were fully vested thereunder and had accumulated service for three years following his Date of Termination and had been
credited under each such Pension Plan during such 




10







 





period
with compensation equal to the higher of the Executive's annual base salary in effect immediately before the occurrence of the event(s) giving rise to the Executive's notice of termination or
the Executive's annual base salary at the rate in effect immediately before the Major Transaction, plus the greater of the Executive's target annual bonus (assuming 100% fulfillment of all elements of
the formula under which such bonus would have been calculated) for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or the average of the Executive's annual bonuses for the three years immediately
preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs over (B) the actuarial equivalent of the retirement pension payable as a level single life annuity beginning as of the first day of
the month following the Executive's 65th birthday or earlier date after the Executive's Termination of Employment (taking into account any early retirement subsidies associated
therewith) that the Executive had accrued pursuant to the provisions of each such Pension Plan as of the Date of Termination. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the annuity starting date
providing the largest payment to the Executive shall be used. For purposes of this paragraph, "actuarial equivalent" shall be determined using the same methods and assumptions utilized under each of
the Pension Plans, as applicable, immediately before occurrence of the event(s) giving rise to the notice of termination (without regard to any amendment of such methods and assumptions made after a
Major Transaction that results in a lower payment under this paragraph); 


        (iii)  all
awards to the Executive under any Company stock plan shall vest upon the Major Transaction. This paragraph supersedes any inconsistent provisions in any stock plan
or award issued thereunder, and constitutes an amendment to any such award that has been approved by the Committee as provided under any stock plan (provided, however, that notwithstanding any
agreement elsewhere to the contrary, the period of time in which the Executive may exercise vested stock awards shall end on the earlier of the date on which the right to exercise such award would
have expired if the Executive had remained an employee of the Company or two years from the Date of Termination); 


        (iv)  the
Company shall reimburse the Executive for individual outplacement services to be provided by a firm of the Executive's choice or, at the Executive's election,
provide the Executive with the use of office space, office supplies, and secretarial assistance satisfactory to the Executive. The aggregate expenditures of the Company pursuant to this paragraph
shall not exceed $20,000; 


         (v)  the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive any car allowance in effect as of the Date of Termination for the three year period thereafter, 


        (vi)  the
Company shall cause title to the laptop or notebook computer (and the associated docking station, if any) provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for the
Executive's principal use to be transferred to the Executive, and shall permit the Executive's use of any "shrink wrap" or other standard software generally installed with a new computer (such as the
operating system, office programs, etc.) under the Company's licenses for the three year period following the Executive's Date of Termination, provided that appropriate measures are taken by the
Company's Information Services Department to insure that all proprietary information and software, as well as any software solely related to use of the Company's networks is removed; and 


       (vii)  the
Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable legal fees and legal expenses, incurred by the Executive in
connection with any judicial or other proceeding, including any arbitration proceeding, to enforce this Agreement or to construe, determine, or defend the validity of this Agreement. 




        (e)   This
Agreement and all payments pursuant hereto are intended to comply with Code Section 409A and the guidance thereunder, and this Agreement shall be construed
accordingly. To 



11







 

the
extent that compliance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) would require any payment otherwise provided for by this Agreement to be delayed, such payment shall be made as soon as
administratively feasible after the period of delay required by Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i). 




        7.    Benefits Payable Following Major Transaction.    If the Executive has not incurred a
Termination of Employment on or before the 366th day following a Major Transaction ("Pay Out Date"), the Company shall pay to the Executive as a bonus (and without regard to the
provisions of any benefit plan) in a lump sum payment, an amount equal to the product of (i) the sum of (A) the Executive's annual base salary at the rate in effect immediately before
the Major Transaction, plus (B) the greater of (I) the Executive's target annual bonus (assuming 100% fulfillment of all elements of the formula under which such bonus would have been
calculated) in the year in which the Pay-Out Date occurs, and (II) the average of the annual bonuses paid or payable to the Executive for the three calendar years immediately before
the year in which the Pay-Out Date occurs, multiplied by (ii) three. Upon such payment, all of the Company's obligations with respect to the Major Transaction shall have been
fulfilled. Under no circumstances shall the Executive be entitled to a payment pursuant to this Section and Section 6 as a result of a Major Transaction. 


        8.    No Obligation to Mitigate.    The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment or benefits provided for in Section 5 or 6 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor (except as provided in paragraph 5(d)(i) or 6(d)(i)) shall the amount of
any payment or benefits provided for in
Section 5 or 6 be reduced by any payments or benefits received by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination, or otherwise; provided, however,
that the amount payable under Section 5 or 6 shall be reduced by the amount of any severance, termination, or notice pay (or any other similar amounts) required by law to be paid to the
Executive by the Company or its subsidiaries and by any salary or other amounts paid to the Executive during any notice period that the Company or its subsidiaries is required by law to provide. 



        9.    Gross-Up for Excise Taxes.    If any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or or the termination of the Executive's employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement, or
agreement with the Company) (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter called "Total Payments") would be subject (in whole or part) to the excise tax imposed under Code Section 4999
("Excise Tax"), the Company shall pay the Executive an additional amount ("Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the
Total Payments and any federal, state, and local income tax and Excise Tax upon the payment provided for by this Subsection, shall be equal to the Total Payments. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (i) the Executive's Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of
Code Section 280G(b)(2); and all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(1) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of tax
counsel selected by the accounting firm that was, immediately before the actual or deemed Change in Control, the Company's independent auditor ("Auditor") and reasonably acceptable to the Executive,
such other payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, including by reason of Code Section 280G(b)(4)(A), or such excess parachute payments (in whole or in
part) represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(4)(B), in excess of the base amount allocable to such reasonable compensation,
or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, (ii) the amount of the Total Payments that shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (1) the total
amount of the Total Payments or (2) the amount of excess parachute payments within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(1) (after applying clause (i) above) and (iii) the
value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of Code Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4). For purposes of
determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the 


12







 



highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation
in the state and locality of the Executive's residence (or, if higher, in the state and locality of the Executive's principal place of business) on the Date of Termination, net of the maximum
reduction in federal income taxes that could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. In the event that the Excise Tax is later determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder at the time of Termination of Employment, the Executive shall repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of
the Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state, and local income tax imposed
on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the Executive to the extent that such repayment results in a reduction in Excise Tax and/or a federal, state, or local income tax deduction) plus
interest on the amount of such repayment at 120% of the rate provided in Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B). If the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the
time of Termination of Employment (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Gross-Up Payment to the Executive with respect to such excess (plus any interest, penalties, or additions payable by the Executive with respect to such excess) at the time that
the amount of such excess is finally determined. The Executive and the Company shall each reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning
the existence or amount of liability for Excise Tax with respect to the Severance Payments. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the Company shall pay the amounts required by this Section within
30 days of the Date of Termination. For purposes of this Section, a
Major Transaction shall be deemed a Change in Control. 


        10.    Default in Payment.    Any payment not made within ten days after it is due in
accordance with this Agreement shall thereafter bear interest, compounded quarterly, at the prime rate from time to time in effect at the Chase Manhattan Bank of New York. 


        11.    Rights and Waivers.    All rights and remedies of the parties hereto are separate and
cumulative, and no one of them, whether exercised or not, shall be deemed to exclude, limit, or prejudice any other right or remedy that either of the parties hereto may have. No party to this
Agreement shall be deemed to waive any right or remedy under this Agreement, unless such waiver is in writing and signed by such party. No delay or omission on the part of either party in exercising
any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver of such right or remedy or any other right or remedy. A waiver on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or a waiver of any right or remedy
on any future occasion. 


        12.    Effect on Other Plans, Agreements, and Benefits.    Except to the extent expressly set
forth herein, any benefit or compensation to which the Executive is entitled under any agreement between the Executive and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or under any plan maintained by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries in which the Executive participates or participated shall not be modified or lessened in any way, but shall be payable according to the terms of the applicable plan
or agreement. The terms of this Agreement shall supersede and terminate any prior change in control severance agreement, or the provisions of any other agreement providing benefits following a change
in control, entered into between the Executive and the Company or any subsidiary thereof. Notwithstanding the above, any benefits received by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be in lieu
of any severance benefits to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under any general severance policy maintained by the Company or the relevant subsidiary for its management personnel or
under any employment contract between the Executive and the Company or any subsidiary thereof. 


        13.    Unsecured Obligation.    All rights of the Executive or any beneficiary of the
Executive who succeeds to the Executive's rights to payments or benefits under this Agreement shall at all times be entirely unfunded and no provision shall at any time be made with respect to
segregating any assets of 


13







 



the
Company or payment of any amounts due hereunder. Neither the Executive nor any such beneficiary shall have any interest in or rights against any specific assets of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, and the Executive and any such beneficiary shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. 



        14.    Successors.    



        (a)   The
Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement before the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this
Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled hereunder if he Terminated Employment for Good
Reason after a Change in Control, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in
this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined, and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this
Subsection or otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law. 


        (b)   The
Company shall require any successor to a business acquired in a Major Transaction, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place, if the Executive's
employment with the Company is to be terminated as a result of the transaction but the Executive is offered employment with such successor on substantially the same terms and conditions as existed
immediately before the Major Transaction. Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement before the effectiveness of any such Major Transaction shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle
the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled hereunder if he Terminated Employment for Good Reason after a Major
Transaction, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in this Agreement,
"Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined, and party to a Major Transaction that executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Subsection or otherwise becomes bound by all
the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law. 


        (c)   This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amounts would still be payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided
herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive's devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Executive's estate. 




        15.    Burden of Proof.    In any judicial or other proceedings in which the Executive's right
to, or the amount of, benefits hereunder is disputed, the ultimate burden of proof shall be on the Company. 


        16.    Arbitration.    Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Indianapolis, Indiana by three arbitrators, one of whom shall be appointed by the Company, one of whom shall be appointed by the Executive, and
the third of whom shall be appointed by the first two arbitrators. If either the Company or the Executive fails to appoint an arbitrator within 20 days of a request in writing by the other to
do so, or if the first two arbitrators cannot agree on the appointment of a third arbitrator within 20 days after the second 


14







 



arbitrator
is designated, then such arbitrator shall be appointed by the Chief Judge of the United States District Court located in the city of Indianapolis, or upon his failure to act, by the
American Arbitration Association so as to enable the arbitrators to render an award within 90 days after the three arbitrators have been appointed. Following the selection of arbitrators as set
forth above, the arbitration shall be conducted promptly and expeditiously and in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Pending the resolution of such dispute or
controversy, the Company will continue to pay the Executive without interruption his full base salary at the rate in effect immediately before the notice giving rise to the dispute was given and
continue the Executive as a participant in all thrift, incentive, compensation, pension, life insurance, health and accident or disability plans in which the Executive was participating when the
notice giving rise to the dispute was given at the level in effect immediately before such notice. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided,
however, that the Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
The Company shall bear all of the expenses relating to any arbitration under this Agreement. 


        17.    Amendment.    No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived, except by
written agreement signed by both the Company and the Executive. 


        18.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of
the parties regarding the transaction contemplated herein and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements, or understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof,
including, without limitation, any letters, agreements, or understandings between the Executive and the Company or any subsidiary thereof before the date hereof. Execution of this Agreement shall
supersede and terminate any prior change in control severance agreement, or the provisions of any other agreement providing benefits following a change in control, entered into between the Executive
and the Company or any subsidiary thereof. 


        19.    Severability.    If any provision of the Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to conflict with any federal, state, or
local law, such provision is hereby declared to be of such force and effect as is permissible in such jurisdiction. 


        20.    Governing Law.    The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Indiana without regard to principles of conflict of laws. 


        21.    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 instrument. 



	

 	

 	
 	

GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL CORPORATION
	

/s/  JOHN J. GALLAGHER III      
 John J. Gallagher III	
 	

By:	

Nigel T. Andrews

	

Date:	

February 8, 2005
	
 	

Date:	

February 8, 2005

	 	 	 	 	 





15
















QuickLinks



Exhibit (10)(vii)


CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT