EX-10.17





 Exhibit 10.17 

ICOSAVAX, INC. 

May 25, 2021 
 Thomas J. Russo 

Re: Employment Letter Agreement 
 Dear
Thomas: 
 Icosavax, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to offer you (the “Employee”) a
position on the terms set forth in this letter (this “Agreement”). In consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the parties agree as follows: 

1. Commencement of Employment. Employee’s employment with the Company will commence on June 7, 2021 (the “Effective
Date”). 
 2. Position. Employee will serve in the position of Chief Financial Officer. Employee will report to the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and shall be responsible for the duties customarily associated with this position and such other duties assigned by the Company. Employee will perform the majority of such services remotely from his home
office in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, but will periodically travel to the Company’s facility in Seattle, Washington as reasonably required in connection with his services. Of course, the Company may change Employee’s position,
duties, and work location from time to time in its discretion. Employee will be employed on a full-time basis. This is an exempt position. 

3. Base Salary and Employee Benefits. 

(a) Salary. Employee’s base salary will be $390,000.00 per year (the “Base Salary”), less payroll
deductions and withholdings, paid on the Company’s normal payroll schedule. 
 (b) Benefits. During his employment, Employee
will be eligible to participate in the standard benefits plans offered to similarly situated employees by the Company from time to time, subject to plan terms and generally applicable Company policies. A full description of these benefits will be
available upon request. Employee will be eligible to accrue vacation or paid time off in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. The Company may change compensation and benefits from time to time in its
discretion. 
 (c) Expenses. All reasonable business expenses that are documented by Employee and incurred in the ordinary course of
business will be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s standard policies and procedures. 
 4. Annual Bonus. Commencing
with the calendar year in which the Effective Date occurs, Employee will be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus of up to thirty-five percent (35%) of Employee’s Base Salary rate (the “Annual Bonus”) for
performance at “targeted” levels. The Annual Bonus will be based upon an assessment by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) of Employee’s performance and the Company’s attainment of written
targeted goals as set by the Board in its sole discretion. Bonus payments, if any, will be subject to applicable payroll deductions and withholdings. Following the close of each calendar year, the Board will determine whether Employee has earned an













 
Annual Bonus, and the amount of any such bonus, based on the achievement of such goals. No amount of the Annual Bonus is guaranteed, and Employee must be an employee on the Annual Bonus payment
date to be eligible to receive an Annual Bonus; except as provided in Section 7 below, no partial or prorated bonuses will be provided. The Annual Bonus, if earned, will be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year after the
applicable bonus year. Employee’s Annual Bonus for 2021 will be prorated to reflect the portion of the year during which he is employed by the Company. 

5. Stock Option Award. Subject to approval by the Board, Employee will be granted a stock option to purchase 1,565,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Initial Stock Option”). The Initial Stock Option will be
granted pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan (the “Plan”). The Initial Stock Option will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and Employee’s stock option agreement. 25% of the shares
underlying the Initial Stock Option shall vest on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and 1/48th of the original number of shares subject to the Initial Stock Option shall vest on the
monthly anniversary of the grant date thereafter, so that all of the shares subject to the Initial Stock Option shall be vested on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. 

6. At-Will Employment Relationship. Employee may terminate his employment with the Company at
any time and for any reason whatsoever simply by notifying the Company. Likewise, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. Employee’s employment
at-will status can only be modified in a written agreement signed by Employee and by an officer of the Company. 

7. Severance Benefits. If, at any time, the Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause (as defined below) or Employee
resigns for Good Reason (as defined below) (either such termination referred to as a “Qualifying Termination”), provided such termination or resignation also constitutes a Separation from Service (as defined below), then
subject to Sections 9 and 10 below, Employee’s continued compliance with the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation Section 12 below) and Employee’s resignation from any and all positions Employee may hold with the
Company, to be effective no later than Employee’s Separation from Service date (or such other date requested or permitted by the Board), the Company will provide Employee with the following severance benefits (the “Severance
Benefits”): 
 (a) Cash Severance. Upon a Qualifying Termination, the Company will pay Employee, as cash severance
(i) six (6) months of Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of Employee’s Separation from Service date, less applicable payroll deductions and withholdings; provided, however, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs
within eighteen (18) months following the closing of a Change in Control (as defined below), the Company will instead pay Employee twelve (12) months of Employee’s Base Salary in effect as of Employee’s Separation from Service
date (either such amount, the “Base Severance”), plus (ii) in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs within eighteen (18) months following the closing of a Change in Control, a pro rata portion of
Employee’s “target” Annual Bonus for the year in which Employee’s Qualifying Termination occurs based upon the amount of time Employee was employed by the Company during the year in which Employee’s Qualifying Termination
occurs (the “Bonus Severance,” and with the “Base Severance,” the “Severance”). 

Except in the case of a Qualifying Termination that occurs within eighteen (18) months following the closing of a Change in Control, the
Base Severance will be paid in installments in the form of continuation of Employee’s Base Salary payments, paid on the Company’s ordinary payroll dates, commencing on the Company’s first regular payroll date that is more than sixty
(60) days following Employee’s Separation from Service date. The first such installment shall be for any accrued Base Salary for the sixty (60)-day period plus the period from the sixtieth (60th) day until the regular payroll date, if applicable. All salary continuation payments thereafter, if any, shall be made on the Company’s regular payroll dates. 

  
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 In the case of a Qualifying Termination that occurs within eighteen (18) months
following the closing of a Change in Control, the Base Severance will be paid in a lump sum on the Company’s first regular payroll date that is more than sixty (60) days following Employee’s Separation from Service date. 

Any Bonus Severance will be paid in a lump sum on the Company’s first regular payroll date that is more than sixty (60) days
following Employee’s Separation from Service date, but in any event no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which Employee’s Separation from Service date occurs. 

(b) COBRA Severance. As additional severance, in the event of Employee’s Qualifying Termination, the Company will continue
to pay the cost of Employee’s health care coverage in effect at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service for the equivalent number of months as the Base Severance is paid (the “COBRA Coverage Period”), either
under the Company’s regular health plan (if permitted) or by paying Employee’s COBRA premiums (the “COBRA Severance”). The Company’s obligation to pay the COBRA Severance on Employee’s behalf will cease if
Employee obtains health care coverage from another source (e.g., a new employer or spouse’s benefit plan), unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law. Employee must notify the Company within two (2) weeks if Employee obtains coverage
from a new source. This payment of COBRA Severance by the Company would not expand or extend the maximum period of COBRA coverage to which Employee would otherwise be entitled under applicable law. Notwithstanding the above, if the Company
determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing COBRA Severance without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), or if the Company otherwise
elects, in its sole discretion, the Company shall in lieu thereof provide to Employee a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Employee would be required to pay to continue Employee’s group health coverage
in effect on the date of Employee’s termination (which amount shall be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments shall be made on the last day of each month regardless of whether Employee elects COBRA
continuation coverage and shall end on the earlier of (i) the date upon which Employee obtains other coverage or (ii) the last day of applicable COBRA Coverage Period. 

(c) Accelerated Vesting. In the event of Employee’s Qualifying Termination before the closing of a Change in Control, such number
of Employee’s then-unvested Stock Awards (as defined below) shall be deemed vested effective immediately prior to such termination as would have vested by their terms during the six (6) months following Employee’s date of termination
had Employee remained employed by the Company during such period. In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs within eighteen (18) months following the closing of a Change in Control, the Initial Stock Option shall be deemed vested
effective immediately prior to such termination. Any other Stock Award granted after the Effective Date may be subject to additional accelerated vesting provisions in connection with a Change in Control, pursuant to the terms and conditions set
forth in such Stock Award’s applicable award agreement 
 8. Resignation Without Good Reason; Termination for Cause; Death or
Disability. If, at any time, Employee resigns his employment with the Company without Good Reason, or the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause, or Employee’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason not
entitling Employee to the Severance Benefits pursuant to Section 7 above, including as a result of Employee’s death or disability, then Employee will receive his Base Salary accrued through his last day of employment. Under these
circumstances, Employee will not be entitled to any other form of compensation from the Company, including any Severance Benefits, other than Employee’s rights to the vested portion of Employee’s Stock Awards and any other rights to which
Employee is entitled under the Company’s benefit programs or applicable law. In addition, Employee shall resign from any and all positions Employee holds with the Company, with such resignations to be effective no later than the date of
Employee’s employment termination (or such other date requested or permitted by the Board). 

  
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 9. Conditions to Receipt of Severance Benefits. Prior to and as a condition to
Employee’s receipt of the Severance Benefits described above, Employee shall timely execute and deliver to the Company a release of claims in favor of and in a form acceptable to the Company (the “Release”) and allow the
Release to become effective according to its terms (by not invoking any legal right to revoke it) within sixty (60) days following Employee’s Separation from Service date. 

10. Compliance with Section 409A. It is intended that the Severance Benefits set forth in this Agreement satisfy, to
the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code (Section 409A, together with any state law of similar effect, “Section 409A”) provided under
Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9). For purposes of Section 409A (including, without
limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulations 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise)
shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this
Agreement, if the Company (or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the Severance Benefits constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and Employee is, on the date of Employee’s Separation from
Service, a “specified employee” of the Company or any successor entity thereto, as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of adverse personal tax
consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Severance Benefits shall be delayed until the earliest of: (a) the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day after Employee’s Separation from Service date, (c) the
date of Employee’s death, or (c) such earlier date as permitted under Section 409A without the imposition of adverse taxation. Upon the first business day following the expiration of such applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)
period, all payments or benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 10 shall be paid in a lump sum or provided in full by the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable), and any remaining payments due shall be paid as otherwise
provided herein. No interest shall be due on any amounts so deferred. The Severance Benefits are intended to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 409A or comply with its requirements to the extent necessary to avoid adverse
personal tax consequences under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits payable under this Agreement shall be made in
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) and shall be paid on or before the last day of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which Employee incurred the
expenses. The amount of expenses reimbursed or in-kind benefits payable in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits payable in
any other taxable year of Employee, and Employee’s right to reimbursement for such amounts shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. 

11. Withholding Taxes. All amounts payable to Employee will be subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll
taxes. 
 12. Compliance with Confidential Information and Inventions Agreement and Company Policies. In the performance of services
for the Company, Employee will be expected to abide by Company rules and policies. Employee acknowledges that he will be required, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as a condition of his employment, to execute the Company’s
Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement (the “Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement”), attached hereto as Exhibit A, which prohibits unauthorized use or disclosure of the
Company’s proprietary information, among other obligations. Employee agrees to perform each and every obligation of Employee therein contained. Notwithstanding the foregoing or in the Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment
Agreement, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1833(b), Employee shall not be held 

  
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criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government
official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such
filing is made under seal. 
 13. Protection of Third Party Information. In Employee’s work for the Company, Employee will be
expected not to use or disclose any confidential information, including trade secrets, of any former employer or other person to whom Employee has an obligation of confidentiality. Rather, Employee will be expected to use only that information which
is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to his own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the Company. Employee
agrees that Employee will not bring onto Company premises any unpublished documents or property belonging to any former employer or other person to whom Employee has an obligation of confidentiality. Employee hereby represents that he has disclosed
to the Company any contract he has signed that may restrict his activities on behalf of the Company. 
 14. Return of Company
Property. Upon the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company for any reason, Employee will return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property within their possession, custody or
control, including but not limited to Company files, notes, financial and operational information, customer lists and contact information, investor and finance source lists and contract information, product information, research and development
information, drawings, records, plans, forecasts, reports, payroll information, spreadsheets, studies, analyses, compilations of data, proposals, agreements, sales and marketing information, personnel information, specifications, code, software,
databases, computer-recorded information, tangible property and equipment (including but not limited to computers, facsimile machines, mobile telephones, tablets, handheld devices and servers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and
keys, and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof in whole or in part and in any medium). Employee shall deliver to the Company, upon request, a
signed statement certifying compliance with this Section 14. 
 15. Exclusive Services. Employee shall at all times faithfully,
industriously and to the best of Employee’s ability, experience and talent perform to the satisfaction of the Board all of the duties that may be assigned to Employee hereunder and shall devote substantially all of his productive time and
efforts to the performance of such duties. Subject to the terms of the Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement, this shall not preclude Employee from devoting time to (a) personal and family investments, (b) serving on
community and civic boards, or (c) participating in industry associations, provided such activities do not interfere with the duties to the Company, as determined in good faith by the Board. Employee agrees that he will not join any boards,
other than community and civic boards (which do not interfere with Employee’s duties to the Company), without the prior approval of the Board. The Board may require termination of Employee’s participation in other business or public
activities if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that such activities compromise or threaten to compromise the Company’s business interests or conflict with Employee’s duties to the Company. During Employee’s
employment by the Company, except on behalf of the Company, Employee will not directly or indirectly serve as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, proprietor, investor, joint venturer, associate, representative or consultant of any
other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever known by Employee to compete with the Company (or is planning or preparing to compete with the Company), anywhere in the world; provided, however, that Employee
may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional
securities exchange. 

  
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 16. Dispute Resolution. To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes
that may arise in connection with Employee’s service or employment with the Company, Employee and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising
from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, Employee’s service or employment with the Company, or the termination of such service or employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration in the city of the Company’s then principal place of business in the United States conducted by JAMS or its successor, under the then applicable JAMS Arbitration Rules and
Procedures for Employment Disputes (available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/). Employee acknowledges that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, he waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury
or judge or administrative proceeding. Employee will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the
dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the
award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Employee or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. The Company shall pay
all JAMS arbitration fees in excess of the administrative fees that Employee would be required to pay if the dispute were decided in a court of law. The parties agree this arbitration agreement does not extend to claims for workers’
compensation or unemployment benefits, or any other claims, that Employee cannot, as a matter of applicable law, be required to arbitrate, nor does it preclude Employee from initiating a complaint before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
or any other governmental agency, but if any such complaint is not resolved before the agency any action for money damages shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent any party from
obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. 
 17.
Miscellaneous. This Agreement, together with the Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement governing Employee’s employment with the Company. It supersedes any other
agreements or promises made to Employee by anyone, whether oral or written. Changes in the terms of Employee’s employment, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Company’s or the Board’s discretion in this Agreement,
require a written modification approved by the Company and signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of Employee and the Company, and inure to the benefit
of Employee and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the
provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of
the State of California without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against any party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement, or rights hereunder, shall be in writing and
shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach or rights hereunder. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which shall be deemed to be part of one original, and facsimile and electronic signatures shall be equivalent to original
signatures. 
 18. Conditions to Employment. As a condition to Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee is required to
(a) sign and return a satisfactory I-9 Immigration form providing sufficient documentation establishing Employee’s employment eligibility in the United States, and (b) provide satisfactory proof
of Employee’s identity as required by United States law. In the event these conditions are not satisfied on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the event Employee fails to sign and return the Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment
Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date, this offer of employment shall be revoked and this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. 

  
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 19. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following meanings: 
 (a) “Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, in each
instance that has a material adverse impact on the Company or any successor or affiliate thereof as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion: (i) Employee’s conviction of, or plea of “guilty” or “no contest”
to, any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) Employee’s commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty or other illegal act
against the Company; (ii) Employee’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between Employee and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) Employee’s unauthorized use or disclosure of
the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) gross misconduct; provided, that, with respect to (iii) and (iv) above, “Cause” will be triggered after Employee has received written notification
of such failure from the Board, which, if curable, remains uncured after thirty (30) days written notice from the Board. 
 (b)
“Change in Control” shall mean (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series
of related transactions of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or (iii) any other transaction, including the sale by the Company of new shares of its capital stock or a transfer of existing shares of capital stock of the
Company, the result of which is that a third party that is not an affiliate of the Company or its stockholders (or a group of third parties not affiliated with the Company or its stockholders) immediately prior to such transaction acquires or holds
capital stock of the Company representing a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately following such transaction; provided that the following events shall not constitute a “Change in Control”: (i) a transaction
(other than a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) in which the holders of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the merger or consolidation hold, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the
voting securities in the successor corporation or its parent immediately after the merger or consolidation; (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or other transaction in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of
the Company’s assets to an affiliate of the Company; (iii) an initial public offering of any of the Company’s securities or any other transaction or series of related transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes;
(iv) a reincorporation of the Company solely to change its jurisdiction; or (v) a transaction undertaken for the primary purpose of creating a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportion by the persons who held
the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control would give rise to a payment or settlement event with respect to any payment or benefit that constitutes “nonqualified
deferred compensation,” the transaction or event constituting the Change in Control must also constitute a “change in control event” (as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)) in
order to give rise to the payment or settlement event for such Award, to the extent required by Section 409A. 
 (c) “Good
Reason” shall mean any of the following actions taken without Cause by the Company or a successor corporation or entity without Employee’s consent: (i) material reduction of Employee’s base compensation, other than a
reduction that applies generally to all similarly-situated personnel; or (ii) material reduction in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities, provided, however, that a change in job position (including a change in title) shall not
be deemed a “material reduction” unless Employee’s new authority, duties or responsibilities are materially reduced from the prior authority, duties or responsibilities. In order to resign for Good Reason, Employee must provide
written notice of the event giving rise to Good Reason to the Company within ninety (90) days after the condition arises, allow the Company thirty (30) days to cure such condition, and if the Company fails to cure the condition within such
period, then Employee’s resignation from all positions Employee then holds with the Company must be effective not later than ninety (90) days after the end of the Company’s cure period. 

  
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 (d) “Separation from Service” shall mean a “separation from
service” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). 
 (e)
“Stock Awards” shall mean means all stock options, restricted stock and such other awards granted pursuant to the Company’s stock option and equity incentive award plans or agreements and any shares of stock issued upon
exercise thereof, including the Initial Stock Option. 
 (Signature Page Follows) 

  
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 Sincerely, 
  

			
	ICOSAVAX, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Adam K. Simpson
		 	Adam K. Simpson, Chief Executive Officer

  

	
	ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:
	
	/s/ Thomas J. Russo
	Thomas J. Russo


  
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