Employment Agreement dated as of March 3, 2008



 Exhibit 10.1 
 Execution Copy 
 Employment Agreement 
 THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of March 3, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Embarq
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and THOMAS A. GERKE (“Executive”). 
 Recitals 

  

	1.	Executive has been, and now is, serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer. 

  

	2.	The Company desires to secure the continued long-term employment of Executive as the Chief Executive Officer. 

 Now, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which consideration is mutually acknowledged by the parties, the parties hereby agree as follows: 
  

	1.	Employment and Termination 

  

	1.01	Conditions of Employment 

 Subject to the terms of
this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to employ Executive as its Chief Executive Officer, with such authority, power, responsibilities, and duties customarily exercised by a person holding such positions in a company of the size and nature of
the Company and with reporting responsibility directly and exclusively to the Board. 
  

	1.02	Performance of Duties 

 Executive shall, during his
employment with the Company, owe an undivided duty of loyalty to the Company and agrees to use his best efforts to promote and develop the business of the Company. Executive agrees that, during his employment with the Company, he must devote his
full business time, energies, and talents to serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and that he shall perform his duties faithfully and efficiently subject to the directions of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may,
subject in all cases to the Company’s Principles of Business Conduct (or any successor code of conduct) (i) serve as a director, trustee, or officer or otherwise participate in not-for-profit educational, welfare, social, religious, and
civic organizations; (ii) serve as a director of any for-profit business listed on Exhibit A hereto or, with the prior consent of the Board, serve as a director of any for-profit business that is not a Competitor; and (iii) acquire
passive investment interests in one or more entities, to the extent that the other activities do not inhibit or interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement, or to the knowledge of Executive conflict in any material
way with the business or policies of the Company. Executive acknowledges that he is subject to the terms of the Company’s Compensation Recoupment Policy as set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. 
  

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	1.03	Term of Employment 

 The term of Executive’s
employment under this Agreement (the “Employment Term”) will begin on the Effective Date and ends on the date specified in a notice from one party to the other given at least ninety (90) days in advance of the proposed
termination date by either party. 
  

	1.04	Procedures for Termination 

  

	(a)	General Procedures 

 Except as set forth below, any
purported termination of this Agreement or of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive during the Employment Term, other than by Executive’s death, shall be communicated by a written notice of termination to the other party
hereto delivered in accordance with Section 13 below and the notice period described in Section 1.03 above, indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated. Any such termination will be effective on the Termination Date. 
  

	(b)	Cause Termination 

 The Company may not terminate
Executive’s employment for Cause during the Employment Term until it delivers to Executive a written notice stating that Executive is guilty of conduct constituting Cause by reference to one or more clauses of Section 6.05 and specifying
the particulars thereof in reasonable detail. 
  

	(c)	CIC Good Reason Termination 

 Executive may
terminate his employment for CIC Good Reason during the Employment Term only within the CIC Protected Period following written notice and an opportunity for the Company to cure; provided, however, that Executive may not give notice of termination
for CIC Good Reason during any Period in which Executive is unable to substantially perform his duties with the Company due to physical or mental illness. In order to effect a termination for CIC Good Reason, Executive must, within 60 days following
the event or circumstance giving rise to Executive’s claim, deliver a written notice to the Company that sets forth the specific event or circumstance giving rise to CIC Good Reason by reference to one or more clauses of the definition of CIC
Good Reason set forth in Section 6.08 of this Agreement. If, within 30 days following notice from Executive, the Company corrects, in all material respects, the events or circumstances giving rise to Executive’s claim for CIC Good Reason,
Executive shall not be entitled to terminate his employment for CIC Good Reason by reason of such event or circumstance. 
  

	(d)	Non-CIC Good Reason Termination 

 Executive may
terminate his employment for Non-CIC Good Reason any time during the Employment Term following written notice and an opportunity for the Company to cure. In order to effect a termination for Non-CIC Good Reason, Executive must deliver a 

  

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written notice to the Company within 60 days following the event or circumstance giving rise to Executive’s claim of Non-CIC Good Reason. The notice
must set forth the specific event or circumstance giving rise to Non-CIC Good Reason by reference to one or more clauses of the definition of Non-CIC Good Reason set forth in Section 6.20 of this Agreement. If, within 30 days following notice
from Executive, the Company corrects, in all material respects, the events or circumstances giving rise to Executive’s claim for Non-CIC Good Reason, Executive shall not be entitled to terminate his employment for Non-CIC Good Reason by reason
of such event or circumstance. 
  

	(e)	Payment of Compensation Earned Through Termination Date 

 Upon a termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, Executive or, in the event of his death, Executive’s estate, in addition to any other payments or benefits to which Executive may be entitled hereunder, is
entitled to 
  

	 	(i)	payment of any unpaid amount of Executive’s Base Salary prorated through the Termination Date, 

  

	 	(ii)	any payment under the Incentive Plan for Performance Periods ending before the Termination Date, unless eliminated or reduced, and then only to the extent that such payments are
eliminated or reduced, for all Senior Officers continuing employment with the Company, and 

  

	 	(iii)	any vacation pay for vacation accrued by Executive in the calendar year of termination but not taken at the Termination Date. 

 Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company must pay any other employee benefits to which Executive is entitled by reason of his employment to
Executive or his estate at the time or times required by the terms of the applicable Company plan or policy. 
  

	(f)	Effect of Termination on Other Positions 

 If, on
the Termination Date, Executive (i) is a member of the Board or any board of directors of one of the Company’s subsidiaries, (ii) serves on the board of directors of any other corporation by nomination, appointment, or designation by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (iii) holds any other position with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, Executive shall, unless otherwise agreed to by the Company, be deemed to have resigned from all such positions as of the
Termination Date. Executive agrees to execute such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect such resignations. 
  

	(g)	Condition to Certain Payments 

 Payments under
Section 4 are conditioned on Executive’s compliance with the requirements of Section 4.03(b). 
  

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	(h)	Exit Interview 

 At the Company’s request,
Executive shall participate in an exit interview prior to Executive’s last day worked as an employee of the Company to provide for the orderly transition of his duties, to arrange for the return of the Company’s property, to discuss his
intended new employment, and to discuss and complete such other matters as may be necessary to ensure full compliance with this Agreement. 
  

	2.	Compensation 

 Subject to the terms of
this Agreement, during the Employment Term, while Executive is employed by the Company, the Company will compensate him for his services as follows: 
  

	2.01	Base Salary 

 Executive shall receive an annual base
salary in an amount not less than $900,000, payable in monthly or more frequent installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies and practices (such annual base salary as adjusted pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall
hereinafter be referred to as the “Base Salary”). Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed, and may be increased but not decreased below the rate in effect on the Effective Date (other than across-the-board reductions
similarly affecting all Senior Officers), by the Board in a manner that is fair and pursuant to its normal performance review policies for Senior Officers. 
  

	2.02	Incentive Payments 

 Executive will continue to
participate in the Incentive Plan, subject to its terms and conditions as they may from time to time be established, amended, interpreted, or terminated in accordance with the Company’s plans or policies governing such benefits to the
Company’s Senior Officers generally. Executive’s Targeted Compensation under the Incentive Plan shall be equal to 100% of Base Salary, and may be increased but not decreased below his Targeted Compensation (other than across-the-board
reductions similarly affecting all Senior Officers), by the Board in a manner that is fair and pursuant to its normal performance review policies for Senior Officers. 
  

	2.03	Equity Incentive Plan Payments 

 Executive will
continue to participate in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTI Plan”), subject to its terms and conditions as they may from time to time be established, amended, interpreted, or terminated in accordance with the
Company’s plans or policies governing the Company’s Senior Officers generally. Executive’s 2008 target opportunity under the LTI Plan shall be equal to $2.7 million (awarded and valued in a manner that is consistent with the
Company’s 2007 grant practices). Executive shall remain eligible to continue to receive annual awards under the LTI Plan, or successor program for the payment of long-term equity incentive compensation, by the Board in a manner that is fair and
consistent with its normal grant policies for Senior Officers. 
  

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	2.04	Employee Benefits 

 The Company will provide Executive
with the employee benefits (including, without limitation, life, disability, medical and dental insurance coverage, participation in the Company’s savings and pension plans, and other benefits and perquisites generally provided to Senior
Officers) that are no less favorable in the aggregate to Executive than those provided to him as of the Effective Date, subject to amendment, modification, interpretation by the Company, or termination in accordance with the Company’s plans or
policies governing such benefits to Senior Officers generally. As provided in Section 15 below, all payments to be made under this Section will be made in a manner that comports with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). 
  

	2.05	Expense Reimbursement 

 The Company will reimburse
Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred and accounted for in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Company for Senior Officers generally, as they may from time to time be established, interpreted, amended, or
terminated. 
  

	3.	Executive Covenants 

  

	3.01	Principles of Business Conduct 

 Executive shall
adhere in all respects to the Company’s Principles of Business Conduct (or any successor code of conduct) as they may from time to time be established, interpreted, amended, or terminated. 
  

	3.02	Proprietary Information 

 Executive acknowledges that
during the course of his employment he has learned or will learn or develop Proprietary Information. Executive further acknowledges that unauthorized disclosure or use of such Proprietary Information, other than in discharge of Executive’s
duties, will cause the Company irreparable harm. Except in the course of his employment with the Company under this Agreement, in the pursuit of the business of the Company, or as otherwise required in employment with the Company, Executive shall
not, during the course of his employment or at any time following termination of his employment, directly or indirectly, disclose, publish, communicate, or use on his behalf or another’s behalf, any Proprietary Information. If during or after
his employment Executive has any questions about whether particular information is Proprietary Information he shall consult with the Company’s General Counsel or other representative designated by the Company. 
 Executive also agrees to promptly disclose to the Company any information, ideas, or inventions made or conceived by him that result from or are suggested by services
performed by him for the Company under this Agreement, and to assign to the Company all rights pertaining to such information, ideas, or inventions. Knowledge or information of any kind disclosed by Executive to the Company shall be deemed to have
been disclosed without obligation on the part of the Company to hold the same in confidence, and the Company shall have the full right to use and disclose such knowledge and information without compensation to Executive beyond that specifically
provided in this Agreement. 
  

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	3.03	Non-Competition 

 During Executive’s employment
with the Company and during the Non-Compete Period, Executive shall not engage in Competitive Employment, whether paid or unpaid and whether as a consultant, employee, or otherwise. Executive agrees that because of the scope of the Company’s
business, breach of this Agreement by accepting Competitive Employment would irreparably injure the Company and that, therefore, a limited geographic restriction is neither feasible nor appropriate to protect the Company’s interests.

  

	3.04	Inducement of Employees, Customers and Others 

 During
Executive’s employment with the Company and during the Non-Compete Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit, induce, or encourage any employee, consultant, agent, or customer of the Company, or vendor or other parties doing
business with the Company, to terminate their employment, agency, or other relationship with the Company or to render services for or transfer business to any Competitor, and Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such person for any such
purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking of any such actions by any other individual or entity on behalf of the Competitor. 
  

	3.05	No Adverse Actions 

 During the Non-Compete Period,
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, in any manner, solicit, request, advise, or assist any other person to (a) undertake any action that would be reasonably likely to, or is intended to, result in a Change in
Control, or (b) seek to control in any material manner the Board. 
  

	3.06	Return of Property 

 Executive shall, upon his
Termination Date, return to the Company all property of the Company in his possession, including all notes, reports, sketches, plans, published memoranda, or other documents, whether in hard copy or in electronic form, created, developed, generated,
received, or held by Executive during his employment, concerning or related to the Company’s business, whether containing or relating to Proprietary Information or not. Executive shall not remove, by e-mail, by removal of computer discs or hard
drives, or by other means, any of the above property containing Proprietary Information, or reproductions or copies thereof, or any apparatus from the Company’s premises without the Company’s written consent. 
  

	3.07	Mutual Non-disparagement 

 Executive agrees to refrain
from making any statements about the Company or its officers or directors that would disparage, or reflect unfavorably upon the image or reputation of the Company or any such officer or director. The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to
prevent its directors and officers from making any statements about Executive that would disparage, or reflect unfavorably upon the image or reputation of, Executive. 
  

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	3.08	Assistance with Claims 

 Executive agrees that,
consistent with Executive’s business and personal affairs, during and after his employment by the Company, he will assist the Company in the defense of any claims or potential claims that may be made or threatened to be made against it in any
action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (“Proceeding”) and will assist the Company in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company in any Proceeding, to the extent that
such claims may relate to Executive’s services provided under this Agreement; provided, however, in no event shall the term “assist” in the previous sentence be interpreted as requiring Executive to render legal services of any nature
to or on behalf of the Company in connection with any such defense or prosecution after Executive’s employment by the Company. 
 Executive agrees,
unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if Executive is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any Proceeding involving such claims or potential claims. 
 Executive also agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if Executive is asked to assist in any investigation (whether governmental or private) of the Company (or its actions), regardless of
whether a lawsuit has then been filed against the Company with respect to such investigation. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for all of Executive’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with such assistance, including travel
expenses and any attorneys’ fees and shall pay a reasonable per diem fee (equal to 1/250th of his Base Salary rate at his Termination Date) for Executive’s services. 
  

	3.09	Key Man Life Insurance 

 The Company may, at its
discretion, purchase for its own benefit and at its own expense, key man life insurance on the life of Executive. Neither Executive nor Executive’s spouse or dependents shall have any right, title, or interest in or to such insurance or the
proceeds thereof. Executive agrees to cooperate with the life insurance company and the Company in the insurance underwriting process, including submitting to a physical examination and other tests necessary to secure coverage, and signing all
appropriate applications and written forms as may be required by the insurance company. 
  

	4.	Payments On Certain Terminations 

  

	4.01	Payments on Certain Terminations Not in Connection with Change in Control 

 If, during the Employment Term but not within a CIC Protected Period, (a) the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than (x) Cause or (y) Executive’s
Total Disability or (b) Executive terminates his employment with the Company for Non-CIC Good Reason, then Executive shall, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Section 4, be entitled to the following payments and benefits
(the “Non-CIC Benefits”) in lieu of any other payments or benefits available under Section 4.02 below or under any and all Company separation plans or policies: 
  

	 	(i)	The Company will pay Executive his Base Salary, in equal installments in arrears and on the same schedule as paid before his Termination Date, for a period (the “Non-CIC
Severance Period”) commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date 18 months after the Termination Date, at the rate in effect on his Termination Date. 

  

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	 	(ii)	The Company will pay Executive, at the time and in the amounts set forth immediately below, Executive’s (x) incentive amount earned under the Incentive Plan for that
portion of the Termination Performance Period ending on Executive’s Termination Date and (y) the incentive amount under the Incentive Plan for the Non-CIC Severance Period. Such amounts shall be calculated and paid as follows:


  

	 	(A)	For the Termination Performance Period, the Company will pay Executive, at the time when payouts are made for that Performance Period, but no later than March 15 of the
following year, an amount equal to the Non-CIC Termination Period Incentive Payout. 

  

	 	(B)	The Company will pay Executive, at the later of (x) the time when payouts are made for the next Performance Period, but no later than March 15 of the year following that
Performance Period, or (y) the end of the Non-CIC Severance Period, an amount equal to 1.5 times the Capped Incentive Payout. 

 This Section 4.01(ii) assumes that Performance Periods under the Incentive Plan are 12 months in length. To the extent that Performance Periods are greater or lesser than 12 months, the above payout schedule shall be appropriately
adjusted by the Company, either by increasing or decreasing the number of Performance Periods in which severance payouts shall be made, such that (i) the final payment made to Executive under this Section 4.01(ii) shall be made at the time
payouts are made for the Performance Period in which the Non-CIC Severance Period ends, and (ii) Executive shall receive no less than nor no greater than the amount, using concepts and formulas consistent with those provided in this
Section 4.01(ii), that would have accrued and been payable to Executive under the Incentive Plan for the Non-CIC Severance Period had the Performance Periods remained 12 months in length. 
  

	 	(iii)	During the Non-CIC Severance Period, the Company will provide any employee benefit (including, but not limited to, executive medical, dental and life coverage, qualified or
nonqualified retirement benefits, and other benefits generally provided to Senior Officers other than country club membership dues and accrual of vacation) that Executive was receiving or was entitled to receive as of the Termination Date in
accordance with the terms of the relevant Company plan or policy, except that long term-disability and short-term disability benefits shall cease on Executive’s last day worked as an employee of the Company, but if Executive becomes employed
full-time during the Non-CIC Severance Period, Executive’s entitlement to continued participation in any medical, dental or other group health plan sponsored by the Company shall immediately cease, except that Executive shall retain any rights
to continue coverage under the COBRA continuation provisions of such Company’s group health care plans by paying the applicable premium therefor. 

  

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	 	(iv)	During the Non-CIC Severance Period, the Company will pay for outplacement counseling by a firm selected by the Company to continue until the earlier of such time as Executive
becomes re-employed or the end of the Non-CIC Severance Period. 

  

	 	(v)	Except as provided in a grant or award agreement made prior to the date of this Agreement, and unless the Board, or its Compensation Committee adopts a more favorable policy for
Senior Officers generally, the end of the Non-CIC Severance Period will be treated as Executive’s termination date for purposes of the Company’s stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit and other equity programs.


 In all events, Executive’s right to receive the Non-CIC Benefits shall cease immediately if Executive is re-employed by the Company or
an affiliate of the Company or if Executive breaches the Restrictive Covenants. In all cases, the Company’s rights under Section 5 shall continue. 
  

	4.02	Payments on Certain Terminations in Connection with a Change in Control 

 If, during the Employment Term and within a CIC Protected Period, (a) the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than (x) Cause or (y) Executive’s
Total Disability, or (b) Executive terminates his employment with the Company for CIC Good Reason, then Executive shall, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Section 4, be entitled to the following payments and benefits (the
“CIC Benefits”) in lieu of any other payments or benefits available under Section 4.01 above or under any and all Company separation plans or policies: 
  

	 	(i)	In lieu of any further salary payments to Executive for periods after the Termination Date, the Company will pay Executive an aggregate amount equal to two times Executive’s
Base Salary (without regard to any deferred amounts); provided, however, to the extent that Executive terminates his employment because of CIC Good Reason and a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary has occurred which constitutes CIC Good Reason
under Section 6.08(ii) of this Agreement, Executive’s Base Salary for the purpose of this Section 4.02(i) shall be Executive’s Base Salary immediately prior to such Base Salary reduction. The payment made pursuant to this
Section 4.02(i) shall be paid to Executive in equal installments in arrears and on the same schedule as Executive’s Base Salary was being paid to Executive before the Termination Date for a period (the “CIC Severance
Period”) beginning on the Termination Date and ending the date 24 months after the Termination Date. 

  

	 	(ii)	 In lieu of any payments under, and notwithstanding any provisions of the Incentive Plan, the Company will pay Executive, at the time and in the amounts set forth
immediately below, Executive’s (x) incentive amount earned under the 



  

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Incentive Plan for that portion of the Termination Performance Period ending on Executive’s Termination Date and (y) the incentive amount equal to
the amount Executive could have received under the Incentive Plan for the CIC Severance Period. Such amounts shall be calculated and paid as follows: 


  

	 	(A)	For the Termination Performance Period, the Company will pay Executive, at the time when payouts are made for that Performance Period, but no later than March 15 of the
following year, an amount equal to the CIC Termination Period Incentive Payout. 

  

	 	(B)	The Company will pay Executive, at (x) the time when payouts are made for that Performance Period, but no later than March 15 of the year following that Performance
Period, or (y) the end of the CIC Severance Period, an amount equal to 2 times the Capped Incentive Payout. 

 Notwithstanding the above and for the purpose of determining the payout amounts under Sections 4.02(ii)(B), to the extent that Executive terminates his employment because of CIC Good Reason and a reduction in Executive’s Targeted
Compensation has occurred which constitutes CIC Good Reason under Section 6.08(vi) of this Agreement, Executive’s Targeted Compensation for purposes of Sections 4.02(ii)(B) shall be Executive’s Targeted Compensation immediately prior
to such Targeted Compensation reduction. 
 This Section 4.02(ii) assumes that Performance Periods under the Incentive Plan are 12 months
in length. To the extent that Performance Periods are greater or lesser than 12 months, the above payout schedule shall be appropriately adjusted by the Company, either by increasing or decreasing the number of Performance Periods in which severance
payouts shall be made, such that (i) the final payment made to Executive under this Section 4.02(ii) shall be made at the time payouts are made for the Performance Period in which the CIC Severance Period ends, and (ii) Executive
shall receive no less than nor no greater than the amount, using concepts and formulas consistent with those provided in this Section 4.02(ii), that would have accrued and been payable to Executive under the Incentive Plan for the CIC Severance
Period had the Performance Periods remained 12 months in length. 
  

	 	(iii)	 During the CIC Severance Period, the Company will, in such manner as is selected by the Company in its sole discretion, provide, arrange to provide, or reimburse
Executive for any employee benefit (including, but not limited to, executive medical, dental and life coverage, qualified or nonqualified retirement benefits, and other benefits generally provided to Senior Officers other than country club
membership dues and accrual of vacation) that Executive was receiving or was entitled to receive as of the Termination Date in accordance with the terms of the relevant Company plan or policy, except that long-term disability and short-term
disability benefits shall cease on Executive’s last day worked as an employee of the Company, but if Executive becomes employed full-time during the CIC Severance Period, Executive’s entitlement to continued participation in 



  

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any medical, dental or other group health plan sponsored by the Company shall immediately cease, except that Executive shall retain any rights to continue
coverage under the COBRA continuation provisions of the Company’s group health care plans by paying the applicable premium therefor. As provided in Section 15 below, all payments to be made under this Section will be made in a manner that
comports with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. 


  

	 	(iv)	During the CIC Severance Period, the Company will pay for outplacement counseling by a firm selected by the Company to continue until the earlier of such time as Executive becomes
re-employed or the end of the CIC Severance Period. As provided in Section 15 below, all payments to be made under this Section will be made in a manner that comports with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.


  

	 	(v)	Except as provided in a grant or award agreement made prior to the date of this Agreement and unless the Board, or its Compensation Committee adopts a more favorable policy for
Senior Officers generally, the end of the CIC Severance Period will be treated as Executive’s termination date for purposes of the Company’s stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit and other equity programs but any such
stock option, restricted stock, restricted stock unit or other equity not otherwise vested at the end of the CIC Severance Period will immediately vest on that date. 

 In all events, Executive’s right to receive the CIC Benefits shall cease immediately if Executive is re-employed by the Company or an affiliate of
the Company or if Executive breaches any of the Restrictive Covenants. In all cases, the Company’s rights under Section 5 shall continue. 
  

	4.03	280G Provision 

 (a) Notwithstanding anything set
forth in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit, including the payments under Section 4.02, Executive would receive from the Company by reason of a Change in Control or otherwise (“ Payment “) would
(i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax “), then such
Payment shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “ Reduced Amount “ shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the
largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal
rate), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits (or a
cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of stock options or equity awards) constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, such reduction and/or cancellation of acceleration shall occur in
the order that provides the maximum economic benefit to Executive. In the event that acceleration of vesting of a stock option or equity award is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting also shall be canceled in the order that provides the
maximum economic benefit to Executive. 
  

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 (b) The Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm with appropriate subject matter expertise to make
the determinations required under this Section. 
 (c) The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the making of the determinations by such
accounting firm required to be made under this Section. The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations under this Section shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive as
soon as practicable after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. If the accounting firm determines
that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to
such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made under this Section shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
  

	4.04	Other Provisions Regarding Payments and Benefits 

  

	(a)	No Mitigation; No Offset 

 In the event of any
termination of employment resulting in payments under this Section 4, Executive need not seek other employment and, except as expressly provided herein, there shall be no offset against amounts due to Executive under this Agreement on account
of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that he may obtain. 
  

	(b)	Settlement and Release 

 The payments and benefits
provided for hereunder shall be in full settlement and satisfaction of all of Executive’s claims and demands relating to or arising out of Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination thereof; provided, however, such
settlement and release does not apply to (i) any rights or benefits as set forth in this Agreement and (ii) any rights to indemnification to which Executive is entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws,
Delaware common or statutory law, or any other applicable indemnification agreements entered into between Executive and the Company. The Company’s obligation to provide payments and benefits under this Agreement is expressly made subject to and
conditioned upon (i) Executive’s execution, within forty-five (45) days after the Termination Date, of a release of such claims and demands in such form as the Company may reasonably determine and (ii) Executive’s
non-revocation of such release in accordance with the terms thereof. 
  

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	(c)	Nature of Payments 

 Any amounts due under this
Section 4 are in the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the parties and are not in the nature of a penalty. 
  

	(d)	Benefit Plans 

 If, for any period during which
Executive is entitled to continued benefits under this Section 4, the Company reasonably determines that Executive cannot participate in any benefit plan because he is not actively performing services for the Company, then, in lieu of providing
benefits under any such plan, the Company shall provide comparable benefits (after taking into account incremental payroll and income tax consequences thereof to Executive and Executive’s dependents as the case may be) to Executive and, if
applicable, Executive’s dependents through other arrangements. 
  

	(e)	Other Severance Arrangements 

 Except as may be
otherwise specifically provided in an amendment of this Section 4.03(e) adopted in accordance with this Agreement, Executive’s rights under Section 4 shall be in lieu of any benefits that may be otherwise payable to or on behalf of
Executive pursuant to the terms of any other Company separation plans or policies or any other similar arrangement of the Company providing benefits upon termination of employment. 
  

	(f)	Time of Payments 

 If the amount of any payment
provided for in Section 4.01 or 4.02 cannot reasonably be calculated on or before the date on which such payment is due, the Company shall pay to Executive on such date an estimate, as calculated in good faith by the Company, of the minimum
amount of such payment and shall pay the remainder of such payments when reasonably calculable. 
  

	5.	Enforcement and Equitable Remedies 

 Executive consents to
jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts in and for Johnson County, Kansas, for all disputes arising under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may seek injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin
any violation of Sections 3.02 through 3.07 (the “Restrictive Covenants”). Executive acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably injured by a violation of the Restrictive Covenants, and he agrees that the Company, in addition
to any other remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach, shall be entitled to a preliminary or permanent injunction, temporary restraining order, or other equitable relief, restraining Executive from any actual or threatened breach
of the Restrictive Covenants. If a bond is required to be posted in order for the Company to secure an injunction or other equitable remedy, the parties agree that the bond need not be more than a nominal sum. THE COMPANY AND EXECUTIVE
VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AND CONSENT TO A BENCH TRIAL OF ALL DISPUTES ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. 
 If Executive materially
breaches any of the Restrictive Covenants or if, as part of the Company’s efforts to enforce the Restrictive Covenants in this Agreement, any of those provisions are held to be unenforceable against Executive, Executive shall return any
compensation or benefits paid 

  

 13 








 
pursuant to Section 4. This remedy is a return of consideration and shall be in addition to any other remedies. During Executive’s employment with
the Company, the Committee shall determine whether Executive has materially breached the Restrictive Covenants, and the Committee’s determination shall be final. 
  

	6.	Definitions 

 As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings set forth below. 
  

	6.01	Affiliate 

 “Affiliate” means, with respect
to any person, a person, other than a Subsidiary of such person, (i) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person and (ii) any other person with whom such person reports consolidated financial information for
financial reporting purposes. “Control” for this purpose means direct or indirect possession by one person of voting or management rights of at least 20% with respect to another person. 
  

	6.02	Base Salary 

 “Base Salary” shall have the
meaning as defined in Section 2.01 of this Agreement. 
  

	6.03	Board 

 “Board” shall mean the Board of
Directors of the Company. 
  

	6.04	Capped Incentive Payout 

 “Capped Incentive
Payout” means the product of 80% and Executive’s Targeted Compensation. 
  

	6.05	Cause 

 Termination by the Company of Executive’s
employment for “Cause” means termination upon 
  

	 	(i)	the willful and continued failure by Executive to substantially perform his duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to
physical or mental illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Company, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has not substantially performed his
duties, or 

  

	 	(ii)	the willful engaging by Executive in conduct that is a violation of the Company’s Principles of Business Conduct (or any successor code of conduct), or


  

	 	(iii)	the willful act, or failure to act, by Executive that is injurious to the Company, or 

  

	 	(iv)	the willful violation by Executive of any of the Restrictive Covenants. 

  

 14 








 For purposes of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on Executive’s part shall be deemed
“willful” (x) unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company, or (y) unless done, or omitted to be
done, by Executive with reckless disregard for Executive’s duties. Failure to meet performance expectations, unless willful, continuing, and substantial, shall not be considered “Cause.” 
  

	6.06	Change in Control 

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

	 	(i)	the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any “person” or “group” (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d), and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules thereunder, including, without limitation, Rule 13d-5(b)) of “beneficial ownership” (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (“voting securities”) of the Company that represent 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than 

  

	 	(A)	an acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Sprint or any person controlled by
the Company or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company, or 

  

	 	(B)	an acquisition of voting securities by the Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of the stock of the Company, or 

  

	 	(C)	an acquisition of voting securities pursuant to a transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a Change in Control under clause (iii);


  

	 	(ii)	a change in the composition of the Board that causes less than a majority of the directors of the Company to be directors that meet one or more of the following descriptions:


  

	 	(A)	a director who has been a director of the Company for a continuous period of at least 24 months, or 

  

	 	(B)	 a director whose election or nomination as director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the then directors described in clauses (ii)(A), (B), or
(C) by prior nomination or election, but excluding, for the purpose of this subclause (B), any director whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened (y) election contest with 



  

 15 









	 	 
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person or group other
than the Board or (z) tender offer, merger, sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination that would be a Change in Control under clause (iii) on consummation thereof, or



  

	 	(C)	who were serving on the Board as a result of the consummation of a transaction described in clause (iii) that would not be a Change in Control under clause (iii);


  

	 	(iii)	the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation,
reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than in a transaction


  

	 	(A)	that results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to
the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the
transaction, and 

  

	 	(B)	after which more than 50% of the members of the board of directors of the Successor Entity were members of the Board at the time of the Board’s approval of the agreement
providing for the transaction or other action of the Board approving the transaction (or whose election or nomination was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members who were members of the Board at that time), and


  

	 	(C)	after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, no person or
group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (C) as beneficially owning 30% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction;
or 

  

	 	(iv)	a liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 

  

 16 









	6.07	CIC Benefits 

 “CIC Benefits” shall have the
meaning as defined in Section 4.02 of this Agreement. 
  

	6.08	CIC Good Reason 

 “CIC Good Reason” means
the occurrence, within a CIC Protected Period, of any one or more of the following events or circumstances without Executive’s prior written consent unless one or more of the events or circumstances are corrected, in all material respects, in
accordance with Section 1.04(c) of this Agreement: 
  

	 	(i)	a substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of Executive’s duties from those in effect immediately before the Change in Control, Executive’s removal from the
position of Chief Executive Officer or from membership on the Board; 

  

	 	(ii)	a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be increased from time to time, except for across-the-board salary
reductions similarly affecting all officers of the Company and all officers of any person in control of the Company; 

  

	 	(iii)	the failure by the Company, without Executive’s consent, to pay to Executive any portion of Executive’s current compensation within seven days of the date it is due,
except pursuant to an across-the-board compensation deferral similarly affecting all officers of the Company and all officers of any person in control of the Company; 

  

	 	(iv)	(A) the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices to a location outside the metropolitan area in which such offices are located immediately before the Change in
Control; or (B) the Company’s requiring Executive to be based anywhere other than the Company’s principal executive offices except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with
Executive’s present business travel obligations; or (C) the Company’s requiring Executive to travel to an extent substantially inconsistent with Executive’s business travel obligations as in effect immediately before the Change
in Control; 

  

	 	(v)	a substantial and involuntary adverse alteration in the physical conditions under or in which Executive is expected to perform Executive’s duties, other than an alteration
similarly affecting all officers of the Company and all officers of any person in control of the Company; 

  

	 	(vi)	 the Company’s failure to continue in effect any compensation plan in which Executive participated immediately before the Change in Control and that is material
to Executive’s total compensation, including but not limited to the Incentive Plan or any substitute plans adopted before the Change in Control, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been
made with respect to the plan, or the Company’s failure to continue Executive’s participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in terms of the amount of 



  

 17 









	 	 
benefits provided and the level of Executive’s participation relative to other Senior Officers, as existed at the time of the Change in Control;



  

	 	(vii)	the Company’s failure to continue to provide Executive with benefits substantially similar in the aggregate to those he enjoyed under any of the Company’s benefit plans in
which Executive was participating at the time of the Change in Control; the taking of any action by the Company that would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by
Executive at the time of the Change in Control; or the failure by the Company to provide Executive with the number of paid vacation days to which Executive is entitled on the basis of years of service with the Company in accordance with the
Company’s normal vacation policy in effect at the time of the Change in Control; unless, in any of the foregoing events, an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such
benefits; 

  

	 	(viii)	the Company’s failure to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 7 hereof; or


  

	 	(ix)	the Company’s attempt to terminate Executive’s employment without complying with the procedures set forth in Section 1.04; any such attempt shall not be effective.


 Where the word “Company” is used in this Section 6.08, it shall be construed to include successor or ultimate
parent entities, as the context requires. 
  

	6.09	CIC Protected Period 

 “CIC Protected
Period” means a period commencing on the date of a Change in Control and ending on the two year anniversary of the date of the Change in Control. 
  

	6.10	CIC Severance Period 

 “CIC Severance
Period” shall have the meaning as defined in Section 4.02(i) of this Agreement. 
  

	6.11	CIC Termination Period Incentive Payout 

 “CIC
Termination Period Incentive Payout” means an amount equal to the actual amount that would have been earned under the Incentive Plan for the portion of the Termination Performance Period through the Termination Date. 
  

	6.12	Committee 

 “Committee” means the
Compensation Committee of the Board or any successor committee primarily responsible for executive compensation. 
  

 18 








 6.13 Competitive Employment 
 “Competitive Employment” means the performance of duties or responsibilities, or the supervision of individuals performing such duties or responsibilities, for a Competitor 
  

	 	(i)  (A)	that are of a similar nature or employ similar professional or technical skills (for example, executive, managerial, marketing, engineering, legal, etc.) to those employed by
Executive in his performance of services for the Company at any time during the two years before the Termination Date, and 

  

	 	      (B)	that relate to products or services that are competitive with any of the Company’s products or services with respect to which Executive performed services for the Company at
any time during the two years before the Termination Date, 

  

	 	(ii)	in the performance of which, Proprietary Information to which Executive had access at any time during the two-year period before the Termination Date could be of substantial
economic value to the Competitor. 

  

	6.14	Competitor 

 Because of the highly competitive,
evolving nature of the Company’s industry, the identities of companies in competition with the Company are likely to change over time. The following tests, while not exclusive indications of what employment may be competitive, are designed to
assist the parties and any court in evaluating whether particular employment is prohibited under this Agreement. 
 “Competitor” means any one or
more of the following 
  

	 	(i)	any person doing business in the United States or any of its Divisions employing Executive if the person or its Division receives at least 15% of its gross operating revenues from
providing communications services of any type (for example, voice, data, including Internet, and video), employing any transmission medium (for example, wireline, wireless, or any other technology), over any distance (for example, local,
long-distance, and distance insensitive services), using any protocol (for example, circuit-switched, or packet-based, such as Internet Protocol), or services or capabilities ancillary to such communications services (for example, network security
services); 

  

	 	(ii)	any person doing business in the United States or any of its Divisions employing Executive if the person or its Division receives at least 15% of its gross operating revenue from a
line of business in which the Company receives at least 3% of its gross operating revenues; 

  

	 	(iii)	 any person doing business in the United States, or any of its Divisions employing Executive, operating for less than 5 years a line of business from which the
Company derives at least 3% of its gross operating revenues, notwithstanding 



  

 19 









	 	 
such person’s or Division’s lack of substantial revenues in such line of business; or 


  

	 	(iv)	any person doing business in the United States, or any of its Divisions employing Executive, if the person or its Division receives at least 15% of its gross operating revenue from
a line of business in which the Company has operated for less than 5 years, notwithstanding the Company’s lack of substantial revenues in such line of business. 

 For purposes of the foregoing, gross operating revenues of the Company and such other person shall be those of the Company or such person, together with
their Consolidated Affiliates, but those of any Division employing or proposing to employ Executive shall be on a stand-alone basis, all measured by the most recent available financial information of both the Company and such other person or
Division at the time Executive accepts, or proposes to accept, employment with or to otherwise perform services for such person. If financial information is not publicly available or is inadequate for purposes of applying this definition, the burden
shall be on Executive to demonstrate that such person is not a Competitor. 
  

	6.15	Consolidated Affiliate 

 “Consolidated
Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, all Affiliates and Subsidiaries of such person, if any, with whom the financial statements of such person are required, under generally accepted accounting principles, to be reported on a
consolidated basis. 
  

	6.16	Division 

 “Division” means any distinct
group or unit organized as a segment or portion of a person that is devoted to the production, provision, or management of a common product or service or group of related products or services, regardless of whether the group is organized as a
legally distinct entity. 
  

	6.17	Employment Term 

 “Employment Term” shall
have the meaning as defined in Section 1.03 of this Agreement. 
  

	6.18	Incentive Plan 

 “Incentive Plan” means the Company’s Short Term Incentive program, together with other incentive compensation plans specifically approved for this purpose by the Committee. 
  

	6.19	Non-CIC Benefits 

 “Non-CIC Benefits” shall
have the meaning as defined in Section 4.01 of this Agreement. 
  

 20 









	6.20	Non-CIC Good Reason 

 “Non-CIC Good Reason”
means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events or circumstances without Executive’s prior written consent unless one or more of the events or circumstances are corrected, in all material respects, in accordance with
Section 1.04(d) of this Agreement: 
  

	 	(i)	Executive’s removal from the position of Chief Executive Officer or from membership on the Board; 

  

	 	(ii)	a reduction within any 24-month period (other than an across-the-board reduction similarly affecting all Senior Officers) of Executive’s Targeted Total Compensation to an
amount that is less than 90% of Executive’s highest Targeted Total Compensation during the 24-month period; or 

  

	 	(iii)	the Company’s requiring that Executive be based anywhere other than the Kansas City metropolitan area. 

  

	6.21	Non-CIC Severance Period 

 “Non-CIC Severance
Period” shall have the meaning as defined in Section 4.01(i) of this Agreement. 
  

	6.22	Non-CIC Termination Period Incentive Payout 

 “Non-CIC Termination Period Incentive Payout” means an amount equal to the actual amount that would have been earned under the Incentive Plan for the portion of the Termination Performance Period through the Termination Date.

  

	6.23	Non-Compete Period 

 “Non-Compete Period”
means the 18-month period (24-month period if the Termination Date occurs within a CIC Protected Period) beginning on the Termination Date. If Executive breaches or violates any of the covenants or provisions of this Agreement, the running of the
Non-Compete Period shall be extended for an additional period equal to the period the breach or violation continues. 
  

	6.24	Performance Measure 

 “Performance Measure”
means, with respect to any Performance Period, a measure, expressed as a percentage, of the extent to which the performance goals were achieved, as determined by the Committee, during the Performance Period. 
  

	6.25	Performance Period 

 “Performance Period”
means a period of time under the Incentive Plan for which the Committee establishes performance goals for the Company’s business units and authorizes payment of incentive compensation based on a measure of the extent to which those goals were
achieved during the period. 
  

 21 









	6.26	Proceeding 

 “Proceeding” shall have the
meaning as defined in Section 3.08 of this Agreement. 
  

	6.27	Proprietary Information 

 “Proprietary
Information” means trade secrets (such as customer information, technical and non-technical data, a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, drawing, or process) and other confidential and proprietary information
concerning the products, processes, or services of the Company or the Company’s affiliates, including but not limited to: computer programs, unpatented or unpatentable inventions, discoveries or improvements; marketing, manufacturing,
organizational, or research and development results and plans; business and strategic plans; sales forecasts and plans; personnel information, including the identity of other employees of the Company, their responsibilities, competence, abilities,
and compensation; pricing and financial information; current and prospective customer lists and information on customers or their employees; information concerning purchases of major equipment or property; and information about potential mergers,
acquisitions or other transactions which information: (i) has not been made known generally to the public, and (ii) is useful or of value to the current or anticipated business, or research or development activities of the Company or of
any customer or supplier of the Company, or (iii) has been identified to Executive as confidential by the Company, either orally or in writing. 
  

	6.28	Restrictive Covenants 

 “Restrictive
Covenants” means those covenants applicable to Executive set forth in Section 3.02 through 3.07 of this Agreement. 
  

	6.29	Senior Officer 

 “Senior Officer” means a
person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor statute or statutes thereto), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
  

	6.30	Subsidiary 

 “Subsidiary” means, with
respect to any person (the “Controlling Person”), all other persons (the “Controlled Persons”) in whom the Controlling Person, alone or in combination with one or more of its Subsidiaries, owns or controls more than 50% of
the management or voting rights, together with all Subsidiaries of such Controlled Persons. 
  

	6.31	Targeted Compensation 

 “Targeted
Compensation” means the amount established by the Committee that would be the payout under the Incentive Plan, if the Performance Measure for the Performance Period were 100%. 
  

 22 









	6.32	Targeted Total Compensation 

 “Targeted Total
Compensation” means, as of any time, the sum of Executive’s (1) Base Salary, (2) Targeted Compensation, and (3) targeted value of his annual stock option award, annual restricted stock or restricted stock unit award
(ignoring the value of the options, restricted stock or restricted stock units granted before the Effective Date) as adopted by the Committee. 
  

	6.33	Termination Date 

 “Termination Date” means
(i) in the case of a termination of Executive’s employment by reason of Executive’s death, Executive’s date of death, and (ii) in all other cases, the date of any notice of termination or the date, if any, on which the
notice declares itself to be effective (but in no event other than in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 1.04). 
  

	6.34	Termination Performance Period 

 “Termination
Performance Period” means the Performance Period in which Executive’s Termination Date occurs. 
  

	6.35	Total Disability 

 “Total Disability” shall
have the same meaning as in the Company’s Long-Term Disability Plan, as amended from time to time or any successor plan. 
  

	7.	Assignability, Binding Nature 

 This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of Executive), and assigns. No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company except that they may
be assigned or transferred to any subsidiary of the Company or pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, but only if
the assignee or transferee becomes the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and assumes the liabilities, obligations, and duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of
law. The Company further agrees that, in the event of a sale of assets or liquidation as described in the preceding sentence, it will take whatever action it legally can in order to cause the assignee or transferee to expressly assume the
liabilities, obligations, and duties of the Company hereunder. 
 No rights or obligations of Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred
by Executive other than his rights to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred only in connection with Executive’s estate planning objectives or by will or operation of law. If Executive should die or become disabled while any amount
is owed but unpaid to Executive hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid to Executive’s legal guardian or to his devisee, legatee or other designee, as the case may be, or if there is no such designee, to
Executive’s estate. 
  

 23 









	8.	Amendment 

 This Agreement may be amended, modified, or canceled
only by mutual agreement of the parties in writing. 
  

	9.	Applicable Law 

 The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Kansas, without regard to the conflict of law provisions of any state. 
  

	10.	Tax Withholding 

 All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall
be subject to applicable federal, state and local income and other withholding taxes, and to other applicable withholdings or deductions elected by Executive or otherwise required by law or judicial process. 
  

	11.	Severability 

 The parties intend the various provisions of this
Agreement to be severable and to constitute independent and distinct binding obligations. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, in whole or in part, it shall not affect or impair the
validity of any other provision or part of this Agreement, and the provision or part shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent required to permit enforcement. Upon such a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or
incapable of being enforced, the court or arbitrator, as applicable, shall have the authority to so modify the provision or term. If the provision or term is not modified by the court or arbitrator, the parties must negotiate in good faith to modify
this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the provisions of this Agreement are preserved to the greatest extent possible. 
  

	12.	Waiver of Breach. 

 No waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by any other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the other party of any
similar or dissimilar provisions and conditions at the same or any prior or subsequent time. The failure of either party to take any action by reason of such breach will not deprive the party of the right to take action at any time while the breach
continues. 
  

	13.	Notices 

 Notices and all other communications provided for in this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or prepaid overnight courier to the parties at the addresses set forth below or at such other
addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice: 
  

 24 









			
	If to Executive:	  	If to the Company:
		
	 Thomas A. Gerke
 at the latest address furnished
by
 Executive to the Company for
 purposes of general
communications
	  	 Embarq Corporation
 Attn: General Counsel

5454 W. 110th Street
 Overland Park, KS 66211

		
	with a copy to:	  	with copy to:
		
	 Shearman & Sterling LLP
 Attn: Doreen E.
Lilienfeld
 599 Lexington Avenue
 New York, New York
10022
	  	 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
 Attn: Marlee Myers

 One Oxford Centre
 Pittsburgh, PA 15219


 or to the latest address furnished by Executive to the Company for purposes of general communications. 

Each party, by written notice furnished to the other party, may modify the applicable delivery address, but any notice of change of address shall be effective only
upon receipt. Such notices, demands, claims and other communications shall be deemed given in the case of delivery by overnight service with guaranteed next day delivery, the next day or the day designated for delivery; or in the case of certified
or registered U.S. mail, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail, but in no event will any such communications be deemed to be given later than the date they are actually received. 
  

	14.	Survivorship 

 Upon the expiration or other termination of this
Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the parties shall survive the expiration or other termination to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement. In particular, without limiting the generality
of the preceding sentence, any obligation of the Company to make payments or provide services under Section 4 shall continue beyond the end of the Employment Term and the obligations and covenants of Executive set forth in Section 3, and
the rights and remedies of the Company with respect thereto, shall continue beyond the Employment Term to the extent contemplated therein. 
  

	15.	Compliance with Section 409A of the Code 

 The
Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption, and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary,
distributions upon termination of employment may only be made under the Agreement upon a “separation from service” as determined under Section 409A. Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes
of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement. All reimbursements, club memberships, financial planning expenses, legal fees, outplacement benefits
and other payments shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year 

  

 25 








 
following the calendar year in which the relevant expense is incurred or payment becomes due, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or other payments becoming due during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or other payments due in any other calendar year.

 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if at the time of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company,
the Executive is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) and it is necessary to postpone the commencement of any payments under this Agreement in order to prevent taxation under Section 409A, then the
Company shall postpone commencement of such payments hereunder (without any reduction in such payments ultimately paid or provided to Executive) until the first payroll date that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following
Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (within the meaning of such term under Section 409A). If any payments are postponed, the postponed amounts will be paid in a lump sum to Executive on the first payroll date
that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of the postponed amount, the amounts
withheld on account of Section 409A shall be paid to the personal representative of Executive’s estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Executive’s death. 
  

	16.	Legal Fees 

 The Company shall promptly pay the reasonable legal
fees of Executive actually incurred in connection with the review and negotiation of this Agreement, upon submission of written documentation thereof; provided, however, that in no event shall the amount payable by the Company
hereunder exceed $20,000.00. 
  

	17.	Entire Agreement 

 Except as otherwise noted herein, this Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter specifically addressed herein and, except for the terms and provisions of any other employee benefit or other compensation plans (or any agreements or awards
thereunder) referred to herein or contemplated hereby, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter specifically addressed herein. 
  

	18.	Headings 

 The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and will not affect the construction of any of its provisions. 
  

	19.	Counterparts 

 This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. 
 [The
remainder of this page has intentionally been left blank.] 
  

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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date set forth above.

  

			
	EMBARQ CORPORATION
		
	By:	 	 /s/ E.J. Holland, Jr.

	Name:	 	E.J. Holland, Jr.
	Title:	 	Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Communications
		
		 	 /s/ Thomas A. Gerke

		 	Thomas A. Gerke, “Executive”


  

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 Exhibit A 
 Boards of Directors of For-Profit Businesses 
 NONE 
  

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