Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance





Exhibit 10.10




EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this
26th day of November, 2008 by and between Zoltek Companies, Inc. (“Company”), and Andrew
W. Whipple (“Executive”). In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained,
the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, Company and Executive hereby agree as follows.



I.  Employment




Company employs Executive, and Executive accepts employment by Company upon all of the terms
and conditions set out in this Agreement.



II.  Positions and Duties




2.1 Positions. Executive shall serve as Chief Accounting Officer of Company during
the term of this Agreement.



2.2 Duties, Responsibilities and Involvement. Executive will report to the Chief
Executive Officer and will perform those duties customarily performed by a Chief Accounting
Officer. Executive shall also have such other responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned to
him from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board.



2.3 Commitment to Company. Executive shall devote his full-time efforts to the
business of Company, and shall not, during the term of this Agreement, be engaged in any other
business activity which requires a significant portion of his personal time and attention whether
or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage. This shall
not be construed as preventing Executive from investing Executive’s assets in such form or manner
consistent with the restrictions in Section 10.1, below, which will not require any services on the
part of Executive in the operation or affairs of the entities in which such investments are made.



2.4 Compliance. Executive agrees to abide by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
of Company and such reasonable rules and regulations, as are adopted from time to time by the
Board. Executive also agrees to conduct himself so as to be in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations issued by local, state or federal authorities.



III.  Term of Employment




3.1 Initial Term. The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall
commence on November 26, 2008 and continue until November 26, 2011 or until sooner if terminated as
provided in this Agreement.



3.2 Renewal or Adjustment. At the end of the initial term, this Agreement may be
extended, renewed or adjusted upon the mutual agreement of Company and Executive.



3.3 Termination. Except for post-employment termination payments provided in this
Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of Executive’s employment with
Company.


 


 









 





IV.  Compensation




4.1 Regular Compensation. For all services rendered by Executive in any capacity,
Executive shall be entitled to receive regular compensation at the rate of $200,000 per annum.
Such compensation shall be payable in accordance with Company’s normal payroll procedures but not
less than monthly.



4.2 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Executive shall be entitled to participate in Company’s
Long-Term Incentive Plan on terms consistent with Executive’s position and other similarly situated
executives of Company.



4.3 Withholding. All payments of regular compensation shall be reduced by amounts
that are required to be withheld by federal, state or local law.



V.  Fringe Benefits




5.1 General. Executive shall be entitled to participate with other employees of
Company, so long as Executive meets the applicable eligibility requirements, in Company’s employee
benefit plans and subject to the terms of those plans, including 401(k) plans, health, dental and
disability insurance, and other similar employee fringe benefits as may be adopted from time to
time.



5.2 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation according to Company’s
standard vacation plan.



VI.  Expenses




6.1 General. Reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the conduct of his
employment by Company, including expenses for transportation, travel, telephone, and similar items,
shall be reimbursed by Company in accordance with Company’s normal and customary reimbursement
procedures. Such expenses shall be paid by Company or reimbursed to Executive upon Executive’s
presenting to Company an itemized expense statement with supporting receipts or vouchers with
respect thereto; provided that no such reimbursement will be made later than the end of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses are incurred.



VII.  Death or Disability of Executive




7.1 Death. In the event of Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement
(whether Executive is then actively engaged in the performance of services for Company or is being
compensated for Disability), this Agreement shall terminate immediately and Executive’s estate
shall be entitled to receive from Company an amount equal to the Base Salary then in effect which
had accrued to the date of Executive’s death along with accrued but unused vacation days and any
benefits receivable under the Long-Term Incentive Plan or pursuant to a bonus payable under Article
V hereof, and Executive’s heirs or estate shall be entitled to no further compensation or benefits
from Company.


 


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7.2 Disability. Upon Executive’s Disability Executive’s employment may be terminated.
If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Disability, Executive shall be entitled to
receive from Company only the unpaid portion of the Base Salary then in effect which has accrued to
the date of termination along with accrued but unused vacation days and any benefits receivable
under the Long-Term Incentive Plan or pursuant to a bonus payable under Article V, and Executive
will be entitled to no further compensation or benefits from Company.VIII. 



VIII.  Termination of Employment 




8.1 Termination of Employment. In the event of a termination of Executive by Company
for Cause, or if Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with Company for other than Good
Reason (other than voluntary termination following a Change of Control), Company shall pay
Executive the Base Salary then in effect which has accrued to the termination date, along with
accrued but unused vacation days, and Executive will be entitled to no further compensation or
benefits from Company.



In the event Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement is terminated by Company for
any reason other than Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or following a Change of Control,
Company shall continue to pay Executive the Base Salary then in effect for the remaining term of
this Agreement following such termination and Executive will continue to receive such other
compensation and benefits from Company as Executive would have received as if Executive’s
employment had not been terminated, including Long-Term Incentive Plan benefits, through the end of
the term of this Agreement. In lieu of providing any benefits due Executive under this paragraph,
the Company may, in its discretion and subject to the limitations described below, substitute cash
payments for the current value of such benefits to Executive (determined without regard to the tax
consequences), which cash payments shall made in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
procedures.



In all cases, a termination of employment shall only occur upon separation from service from
Company and all of its affiliates, as defined in Treasury regulations under Section 409A of the
Code (generally, separation from the 50% controlled group that includes Company, including a
decrease in the performance of services to no more than 20% of the average for the preceding
36-month period, and disregarding leaves of absence up to six months where there is a reasonable
expectation Executive will return).



Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “Specified
Employee” on the date of termination, Executive may not receive a payment of “nonqualified deferred
compensation” for which the “payment event” is “separation from service,” as defined in Code
Section 409A and the regulations thereunder, until at least 6 months after a date of termination.
Any payment of nonqualified deferred compensation otherwise due in such 6 month period shall be
suspended and shall be paid immediately following the end of such 6 month period. A “Specified
Employee” means a specified employee as defined in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(i) (generally, officers
earning more than $145,000 per year, as indexed for inflation, who are among the 50 highest paid
employees).


 


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IX.  Files and Records




9.1 Company Property. All files, records, documents, reports and other written
instruments concerning finances or customers of Company, including, without limitation, clients and
customers consulted, interviewed or served by Executive during the term of this Agreement shall
belong to and remain the property of Company.



X.  Limitation on Competition




10.1 Non-Competition Agreement. As long as Executive is an employee of Company
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and during the two year period following the termination
of this Agreement by Company for Cause or voluntarily by Executive without Good Reason, Executive
shall not, as an owner, employee, consultant or otherwise, individually or collectively, acquire an
interest in (other than Executive’s ownership of not more than 2.0% of the outstanding equity
securities of a publicly-traded company), become an employee of or consultant to a person or entity
engaged in a business which is directly competitive with Company. This section only applies to
persons or entities which are in direct competition with Company or are seeking business, which
will be in direct competition with Company.



10.2 Non-solicitation Agreement. As long as Executive is an employee of Company
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and during the two-year period following the termination
of this Agreement by Company for Cause or voluntarily by Executive without Good Reason, Executive
will not take any action or perform any services which call upon, compete for, solicit, divert, or
take away any of the customers of Company.



10.3 Termination of Provisions. Notwithstanding the provisions hereof regarding
termination of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall remain in full force and effect
provided for hereunder.



XI.  Arbitration Procedure




11.1 Submittal of Claim. The parties hereto agree that any controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to the termination of Executive’s employment must be submitted for final
and binding resolution by a jointly selected private and impartial arbitrator.



11.2 Binding Arbitration. Either party may submit an unresolved dispute for
resolution by final binding arbitration under this Procedure. The arbitration will be conducted
under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration
Association (“AAA”), as amended, which are incorporated by reference into this Procedure, except as
described below.




a. Any conflict between the rules and procedures set forth in the AAA rules and those
set forth in this Agreement shall be resolved in favor of those in this Agreement.




b. The burden of proof at arbitration shall at all times be on the party seeking
relief.




c. In reaching a decision, the arbitrator shall apply the governing substantive law
applicable to the claims, causes of action, and defenses asserted by the parties. The
arbitrator shall have the power to award all remedies that could be awarded by a court
or administrative agency in accordance with the governing and applicable substantive law.



 


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A copy of the complete AAA rules may be obtained at www.adr.org.



11.3 Time Limits and Procedures. The aggrieved party must give written notice of any
claim to the other party within 3 months of the date the aggrieved first knew or should have known
of the facts giving rise to the claim; otherwise, the claim shall be void and deemed waived. The
written notice shall describe the nature of all claims asserted and the facts upon which those
claims are based and shall be mailed to the other party by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested.




a. Any arbitration conducted under this Agreement shall take place in St. Louis,
Missouri, unless an alternative location is chosen by the mutual agreement of the parties.
The arbitrator shall render a decision and award within 30 days after the close of the
arbitration hearing or at any later time on which the parties may agree. The award shall be
in writing and signed and dated by the arbitrator and shall contain express findings of fact
and the basis for the award.




b. The parties agree to share equally the AAA’s administrative fees and the
arbitrator’s fees and expenses. All other costs and expenses associated with the
arbitration, including, without limitation, each party’s respective attorneys’ fees, shall
be borne by the party incurring the expense.




c. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction. The award may be vacated or modified only on the grounds specified in
the Federal Arbitration Act or other applicable law.



11.4 Effect of Signature/Waiver of Right to Proceed in Court. Both parties understand
that by agreeing to the terms in this procedure, both are giving up any constitutional or statutory
right they may possess to have covered claims decided in a court of law before a judge or a jury.



XII.  Definitions 




The following terms, for purposes of this Agreement have these meanings:



12.1 “Base Salary” means the regular, annual compensation of Executive, at the time specified
in this Agreement, as determined under Section 4.1.




12.2 “Board” means the Board of Directors of Company.




12.3 “Cause” means:




a. Executive’s embezzlement or misappropriation of money or other property of Company
or conviction of a felony.




b. Executive’s willful refusal to execute his duties under this Agreement.


 


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c. Executive’s breach of the terms of this Agreement.




d. Executive’s willful negligence in the performance or non-performance of Executive’s
duties under this Agreement.




e. Executive’s violation of Company’s ethics rules.




f. Executive’s violation or non-compliance with the public company rules and
regulations.



None of the acts set forth above shall constitute Cause unless Executive has first received written
notice containing a reasonably detailed description of such occurrence and is given a period of 30
business days from receipt of such notice to cure such occurrence and an opportunity, and together
with his counsel or other representatives, to be heard with respect to such matter before the
Board.



12.4 “Change of Control” means a change in the ownership or effective control of Company or a
change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Company within the meaning of
Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of Proposed Treasury Regulations or successor Treasury Regulations.




12.5 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.



12.6 “Disability” means, in the determination of an independent, licensed physician mutually
selected by the Board and Executive, the inability, because of the physical or mental illness or
incapacity of Executive, to perform his duties under this Agreement for a period of three
consecutive calendar months or for a period of four calendar months in any twelve consecutive month
period.




12.7 “Good Reason” means, without Executive’s express written consent:




a. The failure to pay or a reduction by Company of Executive’s Base Salary.




b. Any refusal by Company to provide Executive the benefits set forth in this
Agreement.




c. The assignment to Executive of duties inconsistent with those described in Article
III, which assignment is not cured by Company within 30 business days after written
notifications thereby by Executive.




d. A change in Executive’s title of Chief Accounting Officer.




e. A breach of this Agreement by Company which is not cured by Company within a period
of 30 business days after receipt of written notice by Executive of such breach.




f. The failure of a successor business to Company to accept the terms of this
Agreement.



 


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12.8 “Long-Term Incentive Plan” means the long-term incentive plan, as described in Section
4.2.



12.9 “Procedure” means the arbitration procedure, as described in Section XI.



XIII.  General Provisions




13.1 Waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach or violation of any provision of
this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach hereof.



13.2 Severability. Should any one or more sections of this Agreement be found to be
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining sections contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. In
addition, if any section hereof is found to be partially enforceable, then it shall be enforced to
that extent.



13.3 Notices. Any and all notices required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if furnished in writing and personally delivered or sent by
registered or certified mail to the last known residence address of Executive or to Company, or
such other place as it may subsequently designated in writing.



13.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and governed
according to the laws of the State of Missouri.



13.5 Venue. In the event of litigation arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement, the parties hereto agree to submit to the jurisdiction of Federal and state courts
located in the State of Missouri.



13.6 Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall in no manner be construed to limit or define the terms of this
Agreement.



13.7 Counterparts. This Agreement shall be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original and together they shall constitute one and the same Agreement,
with at least one counterpart being delivered to each party hereto.



13.8 Assignability. Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to a third
party which purchases substantially all of the then assets of the business formerly operated by
Company. The Agreement may not be assigned by Executive.



13.9 Successors and Assigns Bound. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns.



13.10 Entire Agreement. This is the entire and only Agreement between the parties
respecting the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be modified only by a written instrument
executed by all parties hereto.


 


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13.11 Indemnification. In the event Executive is made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was performing services under this Agreement,
then Company shall indemnify Executive against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and
disbursements), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, as actually and reasonably
incurred by Executive in connection therewith to the fullest extent provided by Missouri law unless
it is finally judicially determined that such expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement arose primarily out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Executive.



13.12 Remedies. In addition to whatever other remedies the non-breaching party and/or
its successors or assigns may have at law or in equity, each party specifically covenants and
agrees that, in the event of default under or breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party
and/or its successors and assigns shall be entitled to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction
to enjoin any breach, threatened or actual, by the breaching party, and/or to sue to obtain damages
for default under or any breach of this Agreement. In the event of default under or breach of this
Agreement by Executive, Executive hereby agrees to pay all costs of enforcement and collection of
any and all remedies and damages under this Agreement incurred, including reasonable attorneys’
fees as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized
officers, and Executive has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.



	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 
	 	ZOLTEK COMPANIES, INC.

 	 
	 
	 	By  	/s/
Zsolt Rumy	 
	 	 	Zsolt Rumy 	 
	 	 	Chairman, CEO and President 	 
	 
	 
	 	/s/
Andrew W. Whipple	 
	 	Andrew W. Whipple	 






 


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