EXHIBIT 10.1

    

     

      

    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

    

    

    

    

    THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of May 21, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Cadiz
      Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Stanley E. Speer, an individual ("Speer").

    

    

    WHEREAS, the Company and Speer desire to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth all of the terms and conditions
      pursuant to which Speer shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

    

    

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable
      consideration, the receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and Speer (collectively, the “Parties”) agree as follows:

    

    

    1. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.  The terms and conditions of Speer's
        employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall continue until terminated in accordance with the termination provisions of Section 6 below.

    

    

    2. DUTIES.  Speer shall be employed as the Chief Financial Officer of
        the Company.  Speer's duties and responsibilities shall relate, generally, to those ordinarily performed by the chief financial officer of a publicly traded corporation and shall include, without limitation, direct responsibility for (i) the
        Company’s accounting systems, cash management and financial reporting; (ii) supervision and direction of the Company’s financial staff; (iii) preparation and coordination with outside professional advisors of all regulatory filings, including those
        required by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and by the NASDAQ; (iv) coordination of the Company’s compliance with all of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended; and (v) the
        administrative and financial management of the Company's real estate holdings.  In addition, as a member of the Company’s senior management group Speer shall be involved on a daily basis with discussion and analysis of the development of the
        Company’s water resource and other development programs.  Speer shall also perform such other duties as would reasonably be performed by a senior executive of the Company as the Board may from time to time direct.  Speer shall report to, and take
        direction from, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Speer further consents to serve in further capacities as an officer, manager and/or director of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company without any additional salary or
        compensation.  Speer's base of operations shall be at the corporate headquarters office of the Company in Los Angeles, California, unless changed by mutual agreement.  However, Speer shall also render services at such other sites as necessary from
        time to time to properly perform his duties.

    
      
        


    

    3. NECESSARY SERVICES.

    

    

    a. Performance of Duties.  Speer agrees that he will at all times
        faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability, experience and talents, perform to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company all of the duties that may be assigned to him hereunder and shall devote such time to the performance of these
        duties as may be necessary therefor.  Provided that Speer otherwise performs his duties in a satisfactory manner, nothing herein shall require Speer to provide such services on a full-time basis or  shall preclude Speer from spending a reasonable
        amount of time in the management of his personal investments or businesses or with any charitable or civic venture with which Speer may be involved as long as such activities do not result in any conflicts with respect to Speer’s duties to the
        Company hereunder, or violate any conflicts of interest policy which may be maintained from time to time by the Company.

    

    

    b. Exclusive Services.  Speer agrees that during the period of his
        employment hereunder, Speer shall, subject to subsection (a), above, provide services exclusively pursuant to this Agreement, and Speer will not, without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld),
        directly or indirectly:

    

    

    (i)  engage in the business of, or own or control any interest in (except as a passive investor owning less than 10% of the
      equity securities of a publicly held company), or act as director, officer of employee of, or consultant to, any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other business entity, directly or indirectly engaged anywhere in the United
      States, its possessions or territories, in any business competitive with the business then being carried on by the Company or any affiliate;

    

    

    (ii)  plan or organize any business activity competitive with the business or planned business of the Company or its
      affiliates, or combine, participate, or conspire with other employees of the Company or its affiliates or other persons or entities for the purpose of organizing any such competitive business activity; or

    

    

    (iii)  divert or take away, or attempt to divert or take away, any of the customers or potential customers of the Company or
      its affiliates, either for himself or for any other person, firm, partnership, corporation or other business entity.

    

    

    4. BASE COMPENSATION.  Subject to such deductions as the Company may
        from time to time be required to make pursuant to law, governmental regulation or order, the Company agrees to pay to Speer a base cash salary of $350,000 per annum.  Payments of base salary shall be made in accordance with the normal payroll
        practices of the Company.

    

    

    5. OTHER COMPENSATION. In addition to the base compensation set forth
        in Section 4 above, the Company agrees to provide additional compensation (“Other Compensation”) to Speer as follows:

    
      
        


    

    a. Discretionary Annual Bonus.  Following the conclusion of each fiscal year during the
        term of this Agreement, the Board shall make a good faith evaluation of the performance of Speer during such year, on the basis of which Speer shall receive a bonus in an amount and upon such other terms and conditions as shall be determined at the
        discretion of the Board.

    

    

    b. Equity Based Compensation.  Speer shall be eligible to receive
        awards under the Cadiz Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), with the form and amount of any such awards to be determined from time to time in the sole discretion of the Committee (as defined in the 2019 Plan). In addition, in the
        event that the Company, following the execution of this Agreement, adopts a new compensation plan or program for senior management, then Speer shall be invited to participate in such plan, with Speer’s participation in such plan to be negotiated
        between Speer and the Company in good faith at a level consistent with that of a member of senior management with comparable duties and responsibilities.

    

    

    c. Fringe Benefits.  In addition to the compensation set forth above,
        Speer shall be entitled to the following benefits:

    

    

    i. Four (4) weeks paid annual vacation, provided that no more than two weeks are to be taken consecutively;

    

    

    ii. Sick leave and personal leave with pay in accordance with the prevailing policies of the Company;

    

    

    iii. Medical coverage under the group medical insurance plan of the Company (or COBRA coverage, at the election of Speer);

    

    

    iv. Participation in any pension, profit-sharing, 401(k), or deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company for the general benefit of its
        employees;

    

    

    v. An automobile allowance of $700 per month;

    

    

    vi. Participation in any other benefit plan maintained by the Company for the general benefit of its employees; and

    

    

    vii. Any other benefits not specifically set forth herein as may be granted by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.

    

    

    d. Deduction and Reimbursement.  Speer hereby agrees that the Company
        may deduct and withhold from the compensation payable to Speer hereunder any amounts of money required to be deducted or withheld by the Company under the provisions of any and all applicable local, state or federal statutes or regulations or any
        amendments thereto hereafter enacted requiring the withholding or deducting of compensation.

    
      
        


    

    6. TERMINATION.  This Agreement continue in full force and effect
        unless and until terminated as provided in this Section.

    

    

    a. Termination Events.  This Agreement shall terminate:

    

    

    i. Upon the death or Disability of Speer, "Disability" having the definition set forth in the 2019 Plan.

    

    

    ii. At the election of the Company, upon a Change in Control  (as defined in the 2019 Plan) or at such time, if any, as the Company ceases to conduct
        business for any reason whatsoever.

    

    

    iii. At the election of the Company, upon the dismissal of Speer by the Company for Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean any of the
        following that has a material adverse effect upon the Company or any Subsidiary:

    

    

    (1) Speer’s material failure to perform his duties which remains uncured for more than ten (10) days after a written warning (except in the case of a deliberate and bad
        faith failure to perform his duties, which shall require no warning),

    

    

    (2) Speer’s breach of his fiduciary duty to the Company,

    

    

    (3) Speer’s indictment (or equivalent) for a felony or other serious crime, or

    

    

    (4) Speer’s commission of a wrongful act that would make the continuance of his employment by the Company detrimental to the Company.

    

    

    iv. At the election of Speer, upon a material breach by the Company of any term or condition of this Agreement or upon a material change in Speer’s job
        title or a material reduction in Speer’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

    

    

    v. At the election of either party, without Cause.

    

    

    b. Payments Following Termination.  Following termination of this
        Agreement, whether for any of the reasons specifically set forth above or for any other reason, the Company shall have no obligation to make payments to or bestow benefits upon Speer after the date of termination except as may be required by law,
        as described in this subsection (b), and under the 2019 Plan (to the extent not otherwise provided for in this Agreement).  References under this Agreement to Speer’s termination of employment or the termination of this Agreement shall be deemed to
        refer to the date upon which Speer has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as defined below:

    
      
        


    

    i. In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 6(a)(i) as the result of Speer’s death or Disability, Speer or his
        estate shall be entitled to receive base compensation as set forth in Section 4 above for a period of 180 days following Speer’s death or Disability as though Speer were continuing to provide services to the Company under this Agreement.  Any such
        payment shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any payments made pursuant to any Company provided death or disability benefit plans.

    

    

    ii. In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company concurrently with or following a Change in Control pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii) above,
        Speer shall be entitled to receive (i) base compensation as set forth in Section 4 above for a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of termination, as though Speer were continuing to provide services to the Company under this
        Agreement, and (ii) for a period of twelve (12) months following the effective date of termination, all Other Compensation as described in Section 5(c) above to the extent that such benefits can then lawfully be made available by the Company (or
        the Company’s successor in interest) to Speer; provided, however, that in order to receive continuing compensation during the time period set forth in this subparagraph Speer shall make himself available to the Company (or the Company’s successor
        in interest) during such time period as reasonably needed to assist in the transition of his duties and responsibilities.

    

    

    iii. In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii) above, or in the event of termination of this
        Agreement by Speer without Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(v) above, the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to Speer under this Agreement other than the Company's obligation to pay base compensation as set forth in Section 4 above
        and fringe benefits as described in Section 5(c) above, all to the extent that such base compensation or fringe benefits are accrued but unpaid or unissued as of the effective date of termination.

    

    

    iv. In the event of termination of this Agreement by Speer pursuant to Section 6(a)(iv) above or by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section (a)(v)
        above, or in the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company for any reason not specifically set forth above, Speer shall be entitled to receive (i) base compensation as set forth in Section 4 above for a period of one hundred eighty
        (180) days following the effective date of termination, as though Speer were continuing to provide services to the Company under this Agreement, and (ii) for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of termination, all
        Other Compensation as described in Section 5(c) above to the extent that such benefits can then lawfully be made available by the Company (or the Company’s successor in interest) to Speer; provided, however, that in order to receive continuing
        compensation during the time period set forth in this subparagraph Speer shall make himself available to the Company during such time period as reasonably needed to assist in the transition of his duties and responsibilities.

    
      
        


    

    v. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the right of Speer to exercise any stock option, to purchase securities of the Company, or to
        receive payments or equity securities under any incentive plans in which Speer participates, which rights may have vested under the terms of the applicable equity grant or incentive plan prior to the date of termination.

    

    

    c. Return of Company's Property.  If this Agreement is terminated for
        any reason, the Company may, at its option, require Speer to vacate his offices prior to the effective date of a termination and to cease all activities on the Company’s behalf.  Speer agrees that on the termination of this Agreement in any manner,
        he will immediately deliver to the Company all notebooks, brochures, documents, memoranda, reports, files, books, correspondence, customer lists, or other written or graphical records, and the like, relating to the business or work of the Company,
        which are or have been in his possession or under his control and which have not been returned to the Company.  Speer hereby expressly acknowledges that all such materials referenced above are the property of the Company.

    

    

    d. Public Identification.  If this Agreement is terminated for any
        reason, Speer shall immediately and forever thereafter cease to hold himself out to any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity as an employee, agent, independent contractor or representative of the Company or of any entity owned by,
        or affiliated with, the Company.

    

    

    e. Timing of Payments Under Certain Circumstances.  With respect to any amount that becomes payable to or for the benefit of Speer under this Agreement upon Speer’s Separation from Service (as defined below) for any reason, the
          provisions of this subsection (e) will apply, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary.  If the Company determines in good faith that Speer is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the
        Internal Revenue Code, any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and any guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service relating thereto (collectively, “Code Section 409A”), then to the extent required under Code Section 409A, payment of any
        amount of deferred compensation that becomes payable to or for the benefit of Speer upon Separation from Service (other than by reason of the death of Speer) and that otherwise would be payable during the six-month period following Speer’s
        Separation from Service shall be suspended until the lapse of such six-month period (or, if earlier, the date of Speer’s death).  A “Separation from Service” of Speer means Speer’s separation from service, as defined in Code Section 409A, with the
        Company and all other entities with which the Company would be considered a single employer under Internal Revenue Code Section 414(b) or (c), applying the 80% threshold used in such Internal Revenue Code Sections or any Treasury regulations
        promulgated thereunder.  Any payment suspended as provided in this subsection (e), unadjusted for interest on such suspended payment, shall be paid to Speer in a single payment on the first business day following the end of such six-month period or
        within 30 days following the death of Speer, as applicable, provided that the death of Speer during such six-month period shall not cause the acceleration of any amount that otherwise would be payable on any date during such six-month period
        following the date of Speer’s death.

    
      
        


    

    7. EXPENSES.  The Company shall reimburse Speer for all out‐of‐pocket
        expenses incurred by Speer in the performance of his duties hereunder, including, but not limited to, telephone, travel, and office expenses, all subject to such written guidelines and/or requirements for verification as the Company may, in its
        sole and absolute discretion, establish.

    

    

    8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND TRADE SECRETS.  For purposes of this Section
        8, the term "Company" shall collectively refer to the Company and any affiliate thereof.

    

    

    a. Confidential Information.  Speer shall keep in strictest
        confidence all information relating to the business, affairs, products, customers and suppliers of the Company (collectively hereinafter referred to as "Trade Secrets"), which Speer has obtained or may acquire in the course of his employment by the
        Company and which is not otherwise generally known to the public.  Speer acknowledges that such Trade Secrets are of great value, and have been developed and/or acquired at great expense to the Company, and the Company would not enter into this
        contract of employment and such information would not be made available to Speer in Speer's fiduciary capacity unless the Company were assured that all such information will be used for the exclusive benefit of the Company.  Accordingly, during the
        term of this Agreement, and at all times thereafter, Speer shall not publish, communicate, divulge, disclose or use, whether or not for his own benefit, any such information without the prior written consent of the Company.

    

    

    b. Non-Competition.  Speer agrees that during the period of his
        employment, Speer will not, directly or indirectly, engage in the business of, or own or control any interest in (except as a passive investor owning less than 10% of the equity securities of a publicly held company), or act as a director, officer
        of employee of, or consultant to, any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other business entity, directly or indirectly engaged in any country in which the Company conducts business (including, without limitation, the United
        States, its possessions and territories), in any business competitive with the business then being carried on by the Company.

    

    

    c. Client Information.  Speer hereby specifically agrees that he will
        not utilize any information concerning the customers, licensees or other clients, partners or affiliates of the Company which Speer acquires during the term of this Agreement, whether or not the same originated through Speer's efforts, for any
        purpose detrimental to the business of the Company.  Without limitation of the foregoing, Speer agrees that he shall not at any time interfere with any existing contracts of the Company, and further agrees that he shall not engage in business
        discussions with any person or entity with whom he or the Company are in negotiations at the time he ceases to be an employee of the Company until after such negotiations have been concluded.

    
      
        


    

    d. Solicitation of Employees.  Speer acknowledges that important
        factors in the Company's business and operations are the loyalty and good will of its employees and its customers.  Accordingly, Speer agrees that both during the term of this Agreement and after the expiration or termination of this Agreement he
        will not enter into, and will not participate in, any plan or arrangement to cause any of the Company's employees to terminate his employment with the Company or hire any of such employees in connection with business initiated by Speer or any other
        person, firm or corporation.  Speer further agrees that information as to the capabilities of the Company's employees, their salaries and benefits, and the other terms of their employment is confidential and proprietary to the Company and
        constitutes its valuable trade secrets.

    

    

    e. Ongoing Obligation.  The provisions in this Section 8 shall be
        binding during Speer's employment and at all times thereafter, regardless of the circumstances or reasons for termination of this Agreement.  In the event the provisions in this Section 8 are more restrictive than permitted by the laws of the
        jurisdiction in which enforcement of this provision is sought, such provisions shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time, range of activities or geographic area as to which it may be enforceable.

    

    

    9. REMEDY FOR BREACH.  Speer acknowledges that the services to be
        rendered by him hereunder are of a special, unique and extraordinary character, which gives this Agreement a peculiar value to the Company, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law, and a
        breach by Speer of the provisions of this Agreement will cause the Company irreparable injury.  It is, therefore, expressly acknowledged that this Agreement may be enforced by injunction and other equitable remedies, without bond.  Such relief
        shall not be exclusive, but shall be in addition to any other rights or remedies Company may have for such breach, and Company shall be entitled to recover all costs and expenses, including reasonably attorneys' fees, incurred by reason of any
        breach of the covenants of this Agreement.  Similarly, the provisions of this Section 9 shall not it any way limit any rights or remedies to which Speer may be entitled in the event of a breach by the Company of any obligations of the Company
        arising under this Agreement.

    

    

    10. LITIGATION AND ATTORNEYS FEES.  In the event of any litigation
        or arbitration between the parties hereto in connection with this Agreement or to enforce any provision or right hereunder, each party to such litigation or arbitration shall pay its own costs and expenses.

    

    

    11. BOARD ACTIONS.  Any actions required to be taken or
        determinations to be made by the Board under this Agreement may, at the discretion of the Board, be taken or made by the Compensation Committee or any other duly authorized committee of the Board.

    
      
        


    

    12. ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

    

    

    a. Speer understands that the terms of this Agreement may be required to be disclosed in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Company’s annual proxy
        statement or other reports filed publicly with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    

    

    b. Speer acknowledges and agrees that he has fully read and understands this Agreement, has been advised to and has been given the opportunity to
        consult with his attorney concerning this Agreement, has been advised that the Company's attorney as not acted as his attorney concerning this Agreement, has had any questions regarding its effect or the meaning of its terms answered to his
        satisfaction and, intending to be legally bound hereby, has freely and voluntarily executed this Agreement.

    

    

    13. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    

    

    a. The failure of the Company at any time to enforce performance by Speer of any provisions of this Agreement shall in no way affect the Company's
        rights thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall the waiver by the Company of any breach of any provision hereof be held to be a waiver of any other breach of the same or any other provision.

    

    

    b. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of the Company; provided,
        however, it is understood and agreed that the services to be rendered and the duties to be performed by Speer hereunder are of a special, unique and personal nature and that it would be difficult or impossible to replace such services; by reason
        thereof, Speer may not assign either the benefits or the obligations of this Agreement.

    

    

    c. Speer shall be considered an employee of the Company within the meaning of all federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing unemployment
        insurance, workers' compensation, industrial accident, labor and taxes.

    

    

    d. This Agreement is the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and
        written agreements and negotiations between the parties with respect to services to be provided by Speer to the Company, including, without limitation, any consulting agreement with the Company to which Speer may be a party as of the Effective
        Date, and any compensation heretofore received or which may be receivable by Speer pursuant to any such prior agreement shall be adjusted as necessary to reflect the termination of such agreement and the effectiveness of this Agreement as of the
        Effective Date.

    

    

    e. The headings of the several paragraphs in this Agreement are inserted solely for the convenience of the parties and are not a part of and are not
        intended to govern, limit or aid in the construction of any term or provision hereof.

    
      
        


    

    f. This Agreement may not be modified except by a written instrument signed by all parties hereto.

    

    

    g. All clauses and covenants contained in this Agreement are severable, and in the event any of them shall be held to be invalid by any court, such
        clauses or covenants shall be limited as permitted under applicable law, or, if the same are not susceptible to such limitation, this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such invalid clauses or covenants were not contained herein.

    

    

    h. This Agreement is made with reference to the laws of the State of California and shall be governed by and construed in accordance therewith.  Any
        litigation concerning or to enforce the provisions of this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of the State of California.

    

    

    i. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, may, with the prior consent of both the Company and Speer,
        be settled by binding arbitration in Los Angeles, California in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

    

    

    14. SECTION 409A.

    

    

    a. It is the intention of Company and Speer that this Agreement shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. All payments under this Agreement are intended to
        be excluded from the requirements of Code Section 409A or be payable on a fixed date or schedule under Code Section 409A. All payments made under this Agreement shall be strictly paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding
        any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Company or Speer determines that any compensation or benefit payable under this Agreement may be subject to Code Section 409A(a)(1), Company and Speer, at the request of either but with the
        written consent of the other, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, shall adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take
        any other actions necessary or appropriate to cause the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement not to be subject to Code Section 409A(a)(1) and to preserve the intended tax treatment of such compensation and benefits. Each payment
        of compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A.

    

    

    b. Any reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that are subject to Code Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements
        of Code Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (A) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the period of time specified in the Agreement, (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits
        provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (C) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made no later than the last day of the
        calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (D) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

    
      
        


    

    c. Company shall not make any deductions for money or property that Speer owes to Company, or offset or otherwise reduce any sums that may be due or become payable to or
        for the account of Speer, from amounts that constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A.

    

    

    d. Speer’s right to any deferred compensation, as defined under Code Section 409A, shall not be subject to borrowing, anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment,
        pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors, to the extent necessary to avoid tax, penalties and/or interest under Code Section 409A or otherwise.

    
      
        


    

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

     

    

    
      	
               

            	
              SPEER

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
               

            
	
               

            	
              /s/ Stanley E. Speer  

              

            
	
               

            	Stanley E. Speer

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
               

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
               

            
	
               

            	THE COMPANY

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
               

            
	
               

            	
              Cadiz Inc.  

              

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
               

            
	
               

            	
              By: 

              

            	
              /s/ Keith Brackpool 

              

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
              Keith Brackpool

              

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
              Chairman of the Board 

              

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
               

            
	
               

            	
              By: 

              

            	
              /s/ Murray Hutchison 

              

            
	
               

            	
               

            	
              Murray Hutchison 

              

            
	 	 	Chair, Compensation Committee