EX-10.6



 




Exhibit 10.6



INTERCONTINENTALEXCHANGE, INC.




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




FOR




JOHNATHAN H. SHORT




     This is an Employment Agreement entered into between IntercontinentalExchange, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, or “INTCX”, and Johnathan H. Short, or “Executive”, the terms and conditions
of which are as follows:



§ 1. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT




     1.1. Initial Term. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Employment
Agreement, INTCX agrees to employ Executive and Executive agrees to be employed by INTCX for an
initial term of two (2) years, which initial term shall start on the date this Employment Agreement
is signed on behalf of INTCX and shall end on the second anniversary of such date. INTCX and
Executive further agree that such initial term shall be subject to extensions in accordance with
the rules set forth in § 1.2.



     1.2. Extensions.




     (a) General Rule. The initial term of this Employment Agreement as set forth
in § 1.1 shall be extended every six (6) months so that the remaining term of this
Employment Agreement is never more than two (2) years or less than one and one half (1 1/2)
years unless INTCX or Executive delivers written notice to the other before the effective
date of any such extension that there will be no such extension, in which event there will
be no extension and no further extensions of such initial term.




     (b) Effective Date for Extensions.




     (1) First Effective Date. The first effective date for an extension
described in § 1.2(a) shall be the last day of the six (6) month period which starts
on the date INTCX signs this Employment Agreement.




     (2) Second Effective Date. The second effective date for an extension
described in § 1.2(a) shall be the first anniversary of the date INTCX signs this
Employment Agreement.




     (3) Subsequent Effective Dates. Starting with the second effective
date for an extension described in § 1.2(a) there shall be two effective dates for
extensions in each year, one of which shall be the second effective date for
extensions or an anniversary of such date and the other of which shall be an
anniversary of the first effective date for extensions.













 






     (c) Extensions. If the initial term is extended on the effective date for an
extension under § 1.2(b), the extension shall be for period required to extend the remaining
term of this Employment Agreement to two (2) years.



     1.3. Term. The initial term described in § 1.1 plus any extension of such initial
term under § 1.2 shall be referred to in this Employment Agreement as the “Term”.



§ 2. TITLE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS AND WORK SITE




     2.1. Title. Executive’s title initially shall be Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary.



     2.2. Duties and Responsibilities and Powers. Executive’s duties and responsibilities
and powers shall be those commensurate with Executive’s position that are set from time to time by
INTCX’s Chief Executive, and Executive shall report exclusively to and shall be accountable
exclusively to INTCX’s Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall undertake to perform all
Executive’s duties and responsibilities and exercise all Executive’s powers in good faith and on a
full-time basis during INTCX’s normal work week for senior executives and shall at all times act in
the course of Executive’s employment under this Employment Agreement in the best interest of INTCX.



     2.3. Primary Work Site. Executive’s primary work site for the Term shall be at
INTCX’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. However, Executive shall undertake such travel away from
Executive’s primary work site and shall work from such temporary work sites as necessary or
appropriate to fulfill Executive’s duties and responsibilities and exercise Executive’s powers
under the terms of this Employment Agreement.



     2.4. Outside Activities. Executive shall have the right to continue to serve on the
board of directors of those business, civic and charitable organizations on which Executive is
serving on the date INTCX signs this Employment Agreement as long as doing so has no significant
and adverse affect on the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities or the exercise of
Executive’s powers under this Employment Agreement. Executive shall not serve on any other boards
of directors and shall not provide services (whether as an employee or independent contractor) to
any for-profit organization on or after the date INTCX signs this Employment Agreement absent the
written consent of INTCX’s Chief Executive Officer or his or her delegate.



§ 3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS




     3.1. Base Salary. Executive’s initial base salary shall be $325,000 per year, which
base salary shall be payable in accordance with INTCX’s standard payroll practices and policies for
senior executives and shall be subject to such withholdings as required by law or as otherwise
permissible under such practices or policies. Executive’s base salary shall be subject to annual
review and periodic increases as determined by the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board of
Directors or, at the discretion of such committee, INTCX’s Chief Executive Officer or his or her
delegate.



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     3.2. Annual Bonus. Executive during the Term shall be eligible to receive an annual
bonus each year, and such bonus, if any, shall be determined in accordance with a plan adopted and
approved by the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board of Directors or, at the direction of such
committee, INTCX’s Chief Executive Officer or his or her delegate. Each such bonus shall be
reasonable in light of the contribution made by Executive for such year in relation to the
contributions made and bonuses paid other senior INTCX executives for such year.



     3.3. Stock Options. Executive shall be eligible for grants of options to purchase
stock of INTCX when and as recommended by the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board of Directors
or, at the discretion of such Board of Directors, the Board of Directors as a whole. The number of
shares subject to each such stock option grant shall be reasonable in light of the contribution
made, or expected to be made, by Executive for the period for which such grant is made in relation
to the number of shares subject to the stock option grants made to other senior INTCX executives
based on the contributions made, or expected to made, by such to other senior INTCX executives for
such period.



     3.4. Employee Benefit Plans, Programs and Policies. Executive shall be eligible to
participate in the employee benefit plans, programs and policies maintained by INTCX for similarly
situated senior executives in accordance with the terms and conditions to participate in such
plans, programs and policies as in effect from time to time.



     3.5. Vacation and Other Similar Benefits. Executive shall accrue at least four (4)
weeks of vacation during each successive one year period in the Term, which vacation time shall be
taken subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in INTCX’s executive vacation policy as in
effect from time to time. Executive in addition shall have such paid holidays, sick leave and
personal and other time off as called for under INTCX’s standard policies and practices for
executives with respect to paid holidays, sick leave and personal and other time off.



     3.6. Business Expenses. Executive shall have a right to be reimbursed for Executive’s
reasonable and appropriate business expenses which Executive actually incurs in connection with the
performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Employment Agreement in
accordance with INTCX’s expense reimbursement policies and procedures for its senior executives.



§ 4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT




     4.1. General. INTCX shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any
time, and Executive shall have the right to resign at any time. However, any notice to the effect
that there will be no extension of this Employment Agreement pursuant to § 1.2 shall not constitute
a termination of Executive’s employment or a resignation by Executive under § 4 of this Employment
Agreement.



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     4.2. Termination By INTCX Other Than For Cause Or Disability Or By Executive For Good
Reason.




     (a) Before a Change in Control. If INTCX terminates Executive’s employment
other than for Cause (as defined in § 4.2(c)) or a Disability (as defined in § 4.2(d))
before the Effective Date (as defined in § 4.2(e)(1)) of a Change in Control (as defined in
§ 4.2(e)(2)) or Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined in § 4.2(f)) before such an
Effective Date, INTCX (in lieu of any severance pay under any severance pay plans, programs
or policies) shall (subject to applicable withholdings)




     (1) continue to pay Executive’s base salary as in effect on the date
Executive’s employment terminates for the remainder of the Term in accordance with §
3.1,




     (2) pay Executive an annual bonus in cash as if Executive had remained employed
until the end of the Term in accordance with INTCX’s annual bonus payment practices
in effect before Executive’s termination of employment, which annual bonus shall
equal Executive’s target bonus for the year in which Executive’s employment
terminates or the last annual bonus paid to Executive by INTCX, whichever is
greater,




     (3) with respect to options to purchase INTCX stock which are granted to
Executive after the date INTCX signs this Employment Agreement, (a) accelerate
Executive’s right to exercise 100% of such options so that Executive has the right
to exercise 100% of such options on the date Executive’s employment terminates and
(b) treat Executive as if Executive had remained employed by INTCX until the end of
the Term so that the time period over which Executive has the right to exercise such
options shall be the same as if there had been no termination of Executive’s
employment until the end of the Term,




     (4) (a) continue to make available coverage under the plans, programs and
policies described in § 3.4 which provide healthcare, life insurance and accidental
death and dismemberment benefits under which Executive was covered immediately
before Executive’s employment terminated as if Executive had remained employed by
INTCX for the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period (as defined in § 4.2(a)(4)(c)) or,
if INTCX determines that continuing such coverage would be impracticable or
undesirable, reimburse Executive for purchasing comparable coverage or, at
Executive’s election, pay Executive an allowance for the remainder of the Welfare
Benefit Continuation Period in lieu of reimbursing Executive for purchasing
comparable coverage if Executive determines that purchasing comparable coverage
would be impracticable or undesirable, and




          (b) (1) make available to Executive at the end of the Welfare Benefit
Continuation Period whatever health care continuation coverage INTCX would have been
required under applicable law to make available to Executive



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with respect to such plans, programs and policies for the period which would
have been required under applicable law if Executive actually had remained employed
by INTCX until the end of the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period or (2) either (A)
reimburse Executive for Executive’s cost to purchase comparable health care coverage
for such period to the extent that such cost exceeds the premium then charged by
INTCX for the health care continuation coverage described in § 4.2(a)(4)(b)(1) if
INTCX determines that making such continuation coverage available for such period
would be impracticable or undesirable or, at Executive’s election, (B) pay Executive
an allowance for such period in lieu of reimbursing Executive for purchasing
comparable coverage for such period if Executive determines that purchasing
comparable coverage would be impracticable or undesirable, where




          (c) the term “Welfare Benefit Continuation Period” means the one and one half
(1 1/2) year period which starts on the date Executive’s employment terminates under
this Employment Agreement or the period which starts on the date Executive’s
employment terminates under this Employment Agreement and ends on the last day of
the Term, whichever period is shorter, and




     (5) make one, or if necessary, more than one Gross Up Payment (as described in
and paid in accordance with § 4.2(g) to Executive.




     (b) After a Change of Control. If Executive resigns for Good Reason after the
Effective Date of a Change in Control or INTCX terminates Executive’s employment (other than
for Cause or a Disability) after the Effective Date of a Change of Control, INTCX (in lieu
of any severance pay under any severance pay plans, programs or policies) shall (subject to
applicable withholdings)




     (1) make a lump sum cash payment to Executive equal to two (2) times
Executive’s base salary as in effect on the date Executive’s employment terminates,




     (2) make a lump sum cash payment to Executive equal to two (2) times the target
bonus set for Executive for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates or,
if greater, the last annual bonus paid to Executive by INTCX,




     (3) (a) accelerate Executive’s right to exercise 100% of the options granted to
Executive at any time after the date INTCX signs this Employment Agreement so that
Executive has the right to exercise 100% of such options on the date Executive’s
employment terminates, and




          (b) treat Executive as if Executive had remained employed by INTCX until the
end of the two (2) year period which starts on the date Executive’s employment
terminates so that the time period over which Executive



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has the right to exercise such options shall be the same as if there had been
no termination of Executive’s employment until the end of such two (2) year period,




     (4) (a) continue to make available coverage under the plans, programs and
policies described in § 3.4 which provide healthcare, life insurance and accidental
death and dismemberment benefits under which Executive was covered immediately
before Executive’s employment terminated as if Executive had remained employed by
INTCX until the end of the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period (as defined in §
4.2(a)(4)(c)) or, if INTCX determines that continuing such coverage would be
impracticable or undesirable, reimburse Executive for purchasing comparable coverage
or, at Executive’s election, pay Executive an allowance for the remainder of the
Welfare Benefit Continuation Period in lieu of reimbursing Executive for purchasing
comparable coverage if Executive determines that purchasing comparable coverage
would be impracticable or undesirable, and




          (b) (1) make available to Executive at the end of the Welfare Benefit
Continuation Period whatever health care continuation coverage INTCX would have been
required under applicable law to make available to Executive with respect to such
plans, programs and policies for the period which would have been required under
applicable law if Executive actually had remained employed by INTCX until the end of
the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period or (2) either (A) reimburse Executive for
Executive’s cost to purchase comparable health care coverage for such period to the
extent that such cost exceeds the premium then charged by INTCX for the health care
continuation coverage described in § 4.2(b)(4)(b)(1) if INTCX determines that making
such continuation coverage available for such period would be impracticable or
undesirable or, at Executive’s election, (B) pay Executive an allowance for such
period in lieu of reimbursing Executive for purchasing comparable coverage for such
period if Executive determines that purchasing comparable coverage would be
impracticable or undesirable, and




     (5) make one or, if necessary, more than one, Gross Up Payment (as described in
and paid in accordance with § 4.2(g)) to Executive; provided, however




     (6) Executive shall have a right (in lieu of any payments and benefits called
for under § 4.2(a)) to all the payments and benefits called for under this § 4.2(b)
if Executive resigns for Good Reason or INTCX terminates Executive’s employment
(other than for Cause or a Disability) during the ninety (90) day period ending on
the Effective Date of a Change of Control.



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     (c) Cause. The term “Cause” as used in this Employment Agreement shall
(subject to § 4.2(c)(5)) mean:




     (1) Executive is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or confesses or otherwise
admits to any felony or any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement;




     (2) Executive knowingly engages in any act or course of conduct or knowingly
fails to engage in any act or course of conduct (a) which is reasonably likely to
adversely affect INTCX’s right or qualification under applicable laws, rules or
regulations to serve as an exchange or other form of a marketplace for trading
commodities or (b) which violates the rules of any exchange or market on which INTCX
effects trades (or at such time is actively contemplating effecting trades) and
which is reasonably likely to lead to a denial of INTCX’s right or qualification to
effect trades on such exchange or market;




     (3) There is any act or omission by Executive involving malfeasance or gross
negligence in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under § 2
or the exercise of Executive’s powers under § 2 to the material detriment of INTCX;
or




     (4) (a) Executive breaches any of the provisions of § 5 or (b) Executive
violates any provision of any code of conduct adopted by INTCX which applies to
Executive and any other INTCX employees if the consequence to such violation for any
employee subject to such code of conduct ordinarily would be a termination of his or
her employment by INTCX; provided, however,




     (5) No such act or omission or event shall be treated as “Cause” under this
Employment Agreement unless (a) Executive has been provided a detailed, written
statement of the basis for INTCX’s belief such act or omission or event constitutes
“Cause” and an opportunity to meet with the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board
of Directors (together with Executive’s counsel if Executive chooses to have
Executive’s counsel present at such meeting) after Executive has had a reasonable
period in which to review such statement and, if the act or omission or event is one
which can be cured by Executive, Executive has had at least a thirty (30) day period
to take corrective action and (b) a majority of the Compensation Committee of
INTCX’s Board of Directors after such meeting (if Executive exercises Executive’s
right to have a meeting) and after the end of such thirty (30) day correction period
(if applicable) determines reasonably and in good faith that “Cause” does exist
under this Employment Agreement.




     (d) Disability. The term “Disability” as used in this Employment Agreement
means any physical or mental condition which renders Executive unable even with reasonable
accommodation by INTCX to perform the essential functions of Executive’s job for at least a
one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive day period and which makes



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Executive eligible to receive benefits under INTCX’s long term disability plan as of
the date that Executive’s employment terminates.




(e) Effective Date and Change in Control.




     (1) The term “Effective Date” as used in this Employment Agreement means either
the date which includes the “closing” (as such term is commonly understood in the
United States) of the transaction which makes a Change in Control effective if the
Change in Control is made effective through a transaction which has such a “closing”
or the earliest date a Change in Control is reported in accordance with any
applicable law, regulation, rule or common practice as effective to any government
or any agency of any government or to any exchange or market in which INTCX effects
any trades if the Change in Control is made effective other than through a
transaction which has such a “closing”.




     (2) The term “Change in Control” as used in this Employment Agreement means the
occurrence of any of the following events:




          (A) any “person” (as that term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the
1934 Act), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities representing 30% or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of INTCX eligible to vote
for the election of the members of INTCX’s Board of Directors unless (1) such person
is INTCX or any subsidiary of INTCX, (2) such person is an employee benefit plan (or
a trust which is a part of such a plan) which provides benefits exclusively to, or
on behalf of, employees or former employees of INTCX or a subsidiary of INTCX, (3)
such person is an underwriter temporarily holding such securities pursuant to an
offering of such securities, (4) such person is Executive, an entity controlled by
Executive or a group which includes Executive or (5) such person acquired such
securities in a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in § 4.2(e)(2)(D));




          (B) during any period of two consecutive years or less beginning after the
closing date of the initial public offering of the common stock of INTCX,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of
INTCX cease, for any reason, to constitute at least a majority of such Board of
Directors, unless the election or nomination for election of each new director was
approved by at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were
directors at the beginning of the period (either by a specific vote of such
directors or by the approval of the INTCX proxy statement in which each such
individual is named as a nominee for a director without written objection to such
nomination by such directors); provided, however, that no individual
initially elected or nominated as a director of INTCX as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other
actual or



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threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other
than the Board of Directors of INTCX shall be deemed to be approved;




          (C) any dissolution or liquidation of INTCX or any sale or the disposition of
50% or more of the assets or business of INTCX, or




          (D) the consummation of any reorganization, merger, consolidation or share
exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving INTCX unless (1) the
persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding securities eligible to
vote for the election of the members of INTCX’s Board of Directors immediately
before the consummation of such transaction hold more than 60% of the voting power
of the securities eligible to vote for the members of the board of directors of the
successor or survivor corporation in such transaction immediately following the
consummation of such transaction and (2) the number of the securities of such
successor or survivor corporation representing the voting power described in §
4.2(e)(2)(D)(1) held by the persons described in § 4.2(e)(2)(D)(1) immediately
following the consummation of such transaction is beneficially owned by each such
person in substantially the same proportion that each such person had beneficially
owned the outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the members of
INTCX’s Board of Directors immediately before the consummation of such transaction,
provided (3) the percentage described in § 4.2(e)(2)(D)(1) of the securities of the
successor or survivor corporation and the number described in § 4.2(e)(2)(D)(2) of
the securities of the successor or survivor corporation shall be determined
exclusively by reference to the securities of the successor or survivor corporation
which result from the beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of INTCX by the
persons described in § 4.2(e)(2)(D)(1) immediately before the consummation of such
transaction (any transaction which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (1),
(2) and (3) above shall be deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction”);




Notwithstanding the foregoing, the initial public offering of the common stock of INTCX
shall in no event constitute a Change in Control under this Employment Agreement.




     (f) Good Reason. The term “Good Reason” as used in this Employment Agreement
shall (subject to § 4.2(f)(6)) mean:




     (1) there is a material reduction or, after the Effective Date of a Change in
Control, any reduction in Executive’s base salary under § 3.1 or there is a material
reduction or, after the Effective Date of a Change in Control, any reduction in
Executive’s opportunity to receive any annual bonus and stock option grants without
Executive’s express written consent;




     (2) there is a material reduction or, after the Effective Date of a Change in
Control, any reduction in the scope, importance or prestige of Executive’s duties,
responsibilities or powers at INTCX or Executive’s reporting



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relationships with respect to who reports to Executive and whom Executive
reports to at INTCX without Executive’s express written consent;




     (3) INTCX transfers Executive’s primary work site from Executive’s primary work
site on the date INTCX signs this Employment Agreement or, if Executive subsequently
consents in writing to such a transfer under this Employment Agreement, from the
primary work site which was the subject of such consent, to a new primary work site
which is more than 30 miles (measured along a straight line) from Executive’s then
current primary work site unless such new primary work site is closer (measured
along a straight line) to Executive’s primary residence than Executive’s then
current primary work site;




     (4) INTCX after the Effective Date of a Change in Control changes Executive’s
job title or fails to continue to make available to Executive the same or equivalent
plans, programs and policies pursuant to § 3.4 as made available before such
Effective Date absent Executive’s express written consent;




     (5) there is a material breach or, after the Effective Date of a Change in
Control, any breach of this Employment Agreement by INTCX;




     (6) after the Effective Date of a Change in Control and following disclosure by
Executive to the Audit Committee of INTCX’s Board of Directors, INTCX fails to
correct any alleged material violation of law (other than a failure resulting from
Executive’s own actions or omissions in connection with any proposed remedial
action); provided, however,




     (7) No such act or omission shall be treated as “Good Reason” under this
Agreement unless




          (a) (1) Executive delivers to the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of
INTCX’s Board of Directors a detailed, written statement of the basis for
Executive’s belief that such act or omission constitutes Good Reason, (2) Executive
delivers such statement before the later of (A) the end of the ninety (90) day
period which starts on the date there is an act or omission which forms the basis
for Executive’s belief that Good Reason exists or (B) the end of the period mutually
agreed upon for purposes of this § 4.2(f)(7)(a)(2)(B) in writing by Executive and
the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board of Directors, (3)
Executive gives the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board of Directors a thirty
(30) day period after the delivery of such statement to cure the basis for such
belief and (4) Executive actually submits Executive’s written resignation to the
Chairman of the Compensation Committee of INTCX’s Board of Directors during the
sixty (60) day period which begins immediately after the end of such thirty (30) day
period if Executive reasonably and in good faith determines that Good Reason
continues to exist after the end of such thirty (30) day period, or



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          (b) INTCX states in writing to Executive that Executive has the right to treat
any such act or omission as Good Reason under this Employment Agreement and
Executive resigns during the sixty (60) day period which starts on the date such
statement is actually delivered to Executive; and




     (8) if Executive consents in writing to any reduction described in § 4.2(f)(1)
or § 4.2(f)(2), to any transfer described in § 4.2(f)(3) or to any change or failure
described in § 4.2(f)(4) in lieu of exercising Executive’s right to resign for Good
Reason and delivers such consent to the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of
INTCX’s Board of Directors, the date such consent is so delivered thereafter shall
be treated under this definition as the Effective Date of a Change in Control for
purposes of determining whether Executive subsequently has Good Reason under this
Employment Agreement to resign as a result of any such subsequent reduction,
transfer or change or failure.




     (g) Gross Up Payment. The term “Gross Up Payment” as used in this Employment
Agreement shall mean a payment to or on behalf of Executive which shall be sufficient to pay
(1) 100% of any excise tax described in this § 4.2(g), (2) 100% of any federal, state and
local income tax and social security and other employment tax on the payment made to pay
such excise tax as well as any additional taxes on such payment and (3) 100% of any interest
or penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service on Executive which are related to the
timely payment of such excise tax (unless such interest or penalties are attributable to
Executive’s willful misconduct or gross negligence with respect to such timely payment). A
Gross Up Payment shall be made by INTCX promptly after either INTCX or INTCX’s independent
accountants determine that any payments and benefits called for under this Employment
Agreement together with any other payments and benefits made available to Executive by INTCX
and any other person will result in Executive’s being subject to an excise tax under § 4999
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (which shall be referred to in this §
4.2(g) as the “Code”) or such an excise tax is assessed against Executive as a result of any
such payments and other benefits if Executive takes such action (other than waiving
Executive’s right to any payments or benefits in excess of the payments or benefits which
Executive has expressly agreed to waive under this § 4.2(g)) as INTCX reasonably requests
under the circumstances to mitigate or challenge such excise tax; provided, however, if
INTCX or INTCX’s independent accountants make the determination described in this § 4.2(g)
and, further, determine that Executive will not be subject to any such excise tax if
Executive waives Executive’s right to receive a part of such payments or benefits and such
part does not exceed $15,000, Executive shall irrevocably waive Executive’s right to receive
such part if an independent accountant or lawyer retained by Executive and paid by INTCX
agrees with the determination made by INTCX or INTCX’s independent accountants with respect
to the effect of such reduction in payments or benefits. Any determinations under this §
4.2(g) shall be made in accordance with § 280G of the Code and any applicable related
regulations (whether proposed, temporary or final) and any related Internal Revenue Service
rulings and any related case law and, if INTCX reasonably requests that Executive take
action to mitigate



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or challenge, or to mitigate and challenge, any such tax or assessment (other than
waiving Executive’s right to any payments or benefits in excess of the payments or benefits
which Executive has expressly agreed to waive under this § 4.2(g)) and Executive complies
with such request, INTCX shall provide Executive with such information and such expert
advice and assistance from INTCX’s independent accountants, lawyers and other advisors as
Executive may reasonably request and shall pay for all expenses incurred in effecting such
compliance and any related fines, penalties, interest and other assessments.



     4.3. Termination By INTCX For Cause or By Executive Other Than For Good Reason. If
INTCX terminates Executive’s employment for Cause or Executive resigns other than for Good Reason,
INTCX’s only obligation to Executive under this Employment Agreement shall (subject to applicable
withholdings) be to pay Executive’s base salary and annual bonus, if any, which were due and
payable on the date Executive’s employment terminated and to reimburse Executive for expenses
Executive had already incurred and which would have otherwise been reimbursed but for such
termination of employment.



     4.4. Termination for Disability or Death.




     (a) General. INTCX shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment on
or after the date Executive has a Disability, and Executive’s employment shall terminate at
Executive’s death.




     (b) Base Salary and Bonus. If Executive’s employment terminates under this §
4.4, INTCX’s only obligation under this Employment Agreement shall (subject to applicable
withholdings) be (1) to pay Executive or, if Executive dies, Executive’s estate the base
salary and annual bonus, if any, which were due and payable on the date Executive’s
employment terminated and (2) to reimburse Executive or, if Executive dies, Executive’s
estate for any expenses which Executive had already incurred and which would have otherwise
been reimbursed but for such termination of employment.



     4.5. Benefits at Termination of Employment. Executive upon Executive’s termination of
employment shall have the right to receive any benefits payable under INTCX’s employee benefit
plans, programs and policies which Executive otherwise has a nonforfeitable right to receive under
the terms of such plans, programs and policies independent of Executive’s rights under this
Employment Agreement; however, if a payment is made to Executive under § 4.2(a) or § 4.2(b), such
payment shall be in lieu of any severance pay under any severance pay plan, program or policy.



§ 5. COVENANTS BY EXECUTIVE




     5.1. INTCX Property.



     (a) General. Executive upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any
reason or, if earlier, upon INTCX’s request shall promptly return all Property (as defined
in § 5.1(b)) which had been entrusted or made available to Executive by INTCX



12









 






and, if any copy of any such Property was made by, or for, Executive, each and every
copy of such Property.




     (b) Property. The term “Property” means records, files, memoranda, tapes,
computer disks, reports, price lists, customer lists, drawings, plans, sketches, keys,
computer hardware and software, cellular telephones, credit cards, access cards,
identification cards, personal data assistants and the like, company cars and other tangible
personal property of any kind or description.



     5.2. Trade Secrets.




     (a) General. Executive agrees that Executive will hold in a fiduciary capacity
for the benefit of INTCX and each of its affiliates, and will not directly or indirectly use
or disclose to any person not authorized by INTCX, any Trade Secret (as defined in § 5.2(b))
of INTCX or its affiliates that Executive may have acquired (whether or not developed or
compiled by Executive and whether or not Executive is authorized to have access to such
information) during the term of, and in the course of, or as a result of Executive’s
employment by INTCX or its affiliates for so long as such information remains a Trade
Secret.




     (b) Trade Secret. The term “Trade Secret” for purposes of this Employment
Agreement means information, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data,
a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing,
a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or a list of actual or potential
customers or suppliers that (a) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being
generally known to, and not being generally readily ascertainable by proper means by, other
persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use and (b) is the subject of
reasonable efforts by INTCX and its affiliates to maintain its secrecy.




     (c) Additional Rights. This § 5.2 is intended to provide rights to INTCX and
its affiliates which are in addition to, not in lieu of, those rights INTCX and its
affiliates have under the common law or applicable statutes for the protection of trade
secrets.




5.3. Confidential Information.




          (a) General. Executive while employed under this Employment Agreement and
thereafter during the Restricted Period (as defined in § 5.4) shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of INTCX and its affiliates, and shall not directly or indirectly
use or disclose to any person not authorized by INTCX, any Confidential Information (as
defined in § 5.3(b)) of INTCX or its affiliates that Executive may have acquired (whether or
not developed or compiled by Executive and whether or not Executive is authorized to have
access to such information) during the term of, and in the course of, or as a result of
Executive’s employment by INTCX or its affiliates.




          (b) Confidential Information. The term “Confidential Information” for purposes
of this Employment Agreement means any secret, confidential or proprietary



13









 






information possessed by INTCX or its affiliates relating to their businesses,
including, without limitation, customer lists, details of client or consultant contracts,
current and anticipated customer requirements, pricing policies, price lists, market
studies, business plans, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product
development techniques or flaws, computer software programs (including object codes and
source codes), data and documentation, data, base technologies, systems, structures and
architectures, inventions and ideas, past, current and planned research and development,
compilations, devices, methods, techniques, processes, future business plans, licensing
strategies, advertising campaigns, financial information and data, business acquisition
plans and new personnel acquisition plans (not otherwise included in the definition of a
Trade Secret under this Employment Agreement) that has not become generally available to the
public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating
any right of INTCX or its affiliates.




     (c) Additional Rights. This § 5.3 is intended to provide rights to INTCX and
its affiliates which are in addition to, not in lieu of, those rights INTCX and its
affiliates have under the common law or applicable statutes for the protection of
confidential information.



     5.4. Restricted Period. The term “Restricted Period” for purposes of this Employment
Agreement shall mean the remainder of the Term without regard to the reason for Executive’s
termination of employment.



     5.5. Nonsolicitation of Customers or Employees.




     (a) Customers. Executive, while employed under this Employment Agreement and
thereafter during the Restricted Period, shall not, on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf
of any person, firm partnership, association, corporation or business organization, entity
or enterprise, call on or solicit for the purpose of competing with INTCX or its affiliates
any customers of INTCX or its affiliates with whom Executive had contact, knowledge, or
association at any time during Executive’s employment with INTCX or its affiliates, or with
respect to the Restricted Period, at any time during the twenty-four (24) month period
immediately preceding the beginning of the Restricted Period.




     (b) Employees. Executive, while employed under this Employment Agreement and
thereafter during the Restricted Period, shall not, either directly or indirectly, call on,
solicit or attempt to induce any other officer, employee or independent contractor of INTCX
or its affiliates with whom Executive had contact, knowledge of, or association at any time
during Executive’s employment with INTCX or its affiliates, or with respect to the
Restricted Period, at any time during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the
beginning of the Restricted Period, to terminate his or her employment or business
relationship with INTCX or its or its affiliates and shall not assist any other person or
entity in such a solicitation.



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     5.6. Intellectual Property Rights. Executive hereby unconditionally and irrevocably
assigns to INTCX all of Executive’s right, title and interest in any ideas, inventions, trademarks,
copyrights, developments and improvements that Executive conceives, alone or with others, during
the Term, whether or not conceived during working hours, which are within the scope of INTCX’s
business operations or relate to any of INTCX’s work, projects or research activities, all of which
shall be referred to as “Intellectual Property”, and Executive shall assist INTCX, at INTCX’s
expense, in obtaining patents, copyright and trademark registrations for Intellectual Property,
execute and deliver all documents and do any and all things necessary and proper on Executive’s
part to obtain such patents and copyright and trademark registrations and execute specific
assignments and other documents for such Intellectual Property as may be considered necessary or
appropriate by INTCX at any time during Executive’s employment. This § 5.6 shall not apply to any
invention that Executive develops entirely on Executive’s own time without using INTCX’s equipment,
supplies, facilities, or trade secret information. Executive agrees not to place Intellectual
Property in the public domain or disclose any inventions to third parties without the prior written
consent of INTCX.



     5.7. Non-Compete. Executive and INTCX agree that (a) INTCX is engaged in a
business-to-business electronic exchange for trading commodities, which shall be referred to as the
“Business”, (b) the Business can be and is conducted anywhere there is access to the internet, (c)
the Business can be and is available to any person or entity who or which has access to the
internet and desires to trade, or to monitor the trading of, commodities, (d) the Business
consequently has no geographic boundary or limitation and will have none during the Term, (e)
Executive is, and is expected to continue to be during the Term, intimately involved in the
Business wherever it operates, (f) any covenant by Executive not to compete with INTCX which is
restricted to a specific area or territory, including an area in which INTCX has offices or
equipment or from which trades have been initiated, would thus provide no meaningful protection to
INTCX and (g) this § 5.7 is intended to provide fair and reasonable protection to INTCX in light of
the unique circumstances of the Business. Executive therefore agrees that Executive shall not
during the Term or, if less, for the one (1) year period which starts on the date Executive’s
employment terminates under this Employment Agreement assume or perform, directly or indirectly,
whether as an owner, partner, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, contractor, salesman,
stockholder, investor, officer or director, any managerial or supervisory responsibilities and
duties that are substantially the same as those Executive performs for INTCX on the date Executive
executes this Employment Agreement for or on behalf of any other corporation, partnership, venture,
or other business entity that engages in any business-to-business electronic exchange for trading
commodities if any site of any of the offices or equipment of such competitive business is in the
United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America or in any country which is a member
of the European Union; provided, however, Executive may own up to five percent (5%) of the stock of
a publicly traded company that engages in such competitive business so long as Executive is only a
passive investor and is not actively involved in such company in any way.



     5.8. Reasonable and Continuing Obligations. Executive agrees that Executive’s
obligations under this § 5 are obligations which will continue beyond the date Executive’s
employment terminates and that such obligations are reasonable and necessary to protect



15









 





INTCX’s legitimate business interests. INTCX in addition shall have the right to take such
other action as INTCX deems necessary or appropriate to compel compliance with the provisions of
this § 5.




     5.9. Remedy for Breach. Executive agrees that the remedies at law of INTCX for any
actual or threatened breach by Executive of the covenants in this § 5 would be inadequate and that
INTCX shall be entitled to specific performance of the covenants in this § 5, including entry of an
ex parte, temporary restraining order in state or federal court, preliminary and permanent
injunctive relief against activities in violation of this § 5, or both, or other appropriate
judicial remedy, writ or order, in addition to any damages and legal expenses which INTCX may be
legally entitled to recover. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants in this § 5 shall
be construed as agreements independent of any other provision of this or any other agreement
between INTCX and Executive, and that the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive
against INTCX, whether predicated upon this Employment Agreement or any other agreement, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by INTCX of such covenants.



§ 6. MISCELLANEOUS




     6.1. Notices. Notices and all other communications shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States registered
or certified mail. Notices to INTCX shall be sent to 2100 RiverEdge Parkway, Fifth Floor, Atlanta,
Georgia 30328, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Notices and communications to Executive shall be
sent to the address Executive most recently provided to INTCX.



     6.2. No Waiver. Except for the notice described in § 6.1, no failure by either INTCX
or Executive at any time to give notice of any breach by the other of, or to require compliance
with, any condition or provision of this Employment Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any
provisions or conditions of this Employment Agreement.



     6.3. Choice of Law and Courts. This Employment Agreement shall be governed by Georgia
law (except to the extent that its choice of law provisions would call for the application of the
law of another jurisdiction), and (subject to § 6.8) any action that may be brought by either INTCX
or Executive involving the enforcement of this Employment Agreement or any rights, duties, or
obligations under this Employment Agreement, shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal
courts sitting in Atlanta, Georgia, and Executive consents and waives any objection to personal
jurisdiction and venue in these courts for any such action.



     6.4. Assignment and Binding Effect. This Employment Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of INTCX and any successor to all or substantially all of the business or
assets of INTCX. INTCX may assign this Employment Agreement to any affiliate or successor, and no
such assignment shall be treated as a termination of Executive’s employment under this Employment
Agreement. Executive’s rights and obligations under this Employment Agreement are personal and
shall not be assigned or transferred. Any such assignment or attempted assignment by Executive
shall be null, void, and of no legal effect.



16









 





     6.5. Other Agreements. This Employment Agreement replaces and merges any and all
previous agreements and understandings regarding all the terms and conditions of Executive’s
employment relationship with INTCX, and this Employment Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
of INTCX and Executive with respect to such terms and conditions.



     6.6. Amendment. Except as provided in § 6.7, no amendment or modification to this
Employment Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by INTCX and by
Executive.



     6.7. Severability. If any provision of this Employment Agreement shall be found
invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, then such provision shall be deemed to be modified
or restricted to the extent and in the manner necessary to render such provision valid and
enforceable, or shall be deemed excised from this Employment Agreement, as may be required under
applicable law, and this Employment Agreement shall be construed and enforced to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, as if such provision had been originally incorporated in this
Employment Agreement as so modified or restricted, or as if such provision had not been originally
incorporated in this Employment Agreement, as the case may be.



     6.8. Arbitration. INTCX shall have the right to obtain an injunction or other
equitable relief arising out of the Executive’s breach of the provisions of § 5 of this Employment
Agreement. However, any other controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Employment
Agreement or any alleged breach of this Employment Agreement shall be settled by binding
arbitration in Atlanta, Georgia in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then applicable to employment-related disputes and any judgment upon any award, which
may include an award of damages, may be entered in the highest state or federal court having
jurisdiction over such award. In the event of the termination of Executive’s employment,
Executive’s sole remedy shall be arbitration under this § 6.8 and any award of damages shall be
limited to recovery of lost compensation and benefits provided for in this Employment Agreement.
No punitive damages may be awarded to Executive. INTCX shall be responsible for paying all
reasonable fees of the arbitrator.



     6.9. Executive’s Legal Fees and Expenses.




     (a) Negotiation of this Employment Agreement. INTCX shall reimburse Executive
for Executive’s reasonable legal fees and expenses which Executive incurs in connection with
the review and negotiation of this Employment Agreement subject to a cap of $2,000. Any
such reimbursement shall be made subject to applicable withholdings.




     (b) Claims Unrelated to a Change in Control. INTCX shall have no obligation
under the terms of this Employment Agreement to reimburse Executive for any of Executive’s
legal fees and expenses for any claims under this Employment Agreement except (i) with
respect to his rights under § 4.2(a)(5) to one or, if necessary, more than one Gross Up
Payment (as described in and paid in accordance with § 4.2(g)), or (ii) as provided in §
6.9(c).



17









 






     (c) Claims Related to a Change in Control. INTCX shall reimburse Executive for
all Executive’s reasonable legal fees and expenses which Executive incurs in connection with
any claim made with respect to Executive’s rights under § 4.2(b), including his rights under
§ 4.2(b)(5) to one or, if necessary, more than one, Gross Up Payment (as described in and
paid in accordance with § 4.2(g)). Any such reimbursement shall be made subject to
applicable withholdings.



     6.10. Release. As a condition to INTCX’s making any payments to Executive after
Executive’s termination of employment under this Employment Agreement (other than the compensation
earned before such termination and the benefits due under INTCX’s employee benefit plans without
regard to the terms of this Employment Agreement), Executive or, if Executive is deceased,
Executive’s estate shall execute a release in the form of the release attached to this Employment
Agreement as Exhibit A, or in such other form as is acceptable to INTCX and Executive.



     6.11. Counterparts. This Employment Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
Employment Agreement.



     6.12. Headings; References. The headings and captions used in this Employment
Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting
this Employment Agreement. Any reference to a section (§) shall be to a section (§) of this
Employment Agreement absent an express statement to the contrary in this Employment Agreement.



18









 





     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, INTCX and Executive have executed this Employment Agreement in multiple
originals to be effective on the date this Employment Agreement is signed by INTCX.


	 	 	 	 	 
	 	INTERCONTINENTALEXCHANGE, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Judith A. Sprieser
 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	Title:  Compensation
Committee Chairperson


This 24th day of May, 2004 	 
	 



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE

 	 
	 	/s/   Johnathan H. Short
 	 
	 	 	 
	 	This 24th day of May, 2004 	 
	 





19









 








EXHIBIT A




FULL AND COMPLETE GENERAL RELEASE




I, Johnathan H. Short, in consideration of the payment of the benefits described in § 4 of my
Employment Agreement with respect to which this Full and Complete Release of Employment-Related
Claims is attached as Exhibit A (my “Employment Agreement”), for myself and my spouse, heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns, do hereby knowingly and voluntarily release and forever
discharge IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. and its subsidiaries, affiliates, and benefit plans
(collectively the “Company”), and their respective current and former directors, officers,
administrators, trustees, employees, agents, and other representatives, from all debts, claims,
actions, causes of action (including without limitation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938,
as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act of 1988, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq.; and those federal, state,
local, and foreign laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on age, sex, race, color,
national origin, religion, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, or any other
protected trait or characteristic, or retaliation for engaging in any protected activity, including
without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et
seq., as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, P.L. 101-433; the Equal Pay
Act of 1963, 9 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.; Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981;
the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. § 1981a; the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §
12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 791 et
seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2601 and 2611 et
seq.; and comparable state, local, and foreign causes of action, whether statutory or
common law), suits, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, covenants, contracts, claims for
costs or attorneys’ fees, controversies, agreements, promises, and all liabilities arising out of
or related to my employment, my separation from employment with the Company and my Employment
Agreement, at law, in equity, or otherwise, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, fixed or contingent, which I ever
had, now have, or may have, or which I, my spouse, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns
hereafter can, shall or may have, from the beginning of time through the date on which I sign this
Full and Complete Release of Employment-Related Claims (this “Release”) (collectively the “Released
Claims”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Release shall not apply with respect to (1) any
indemnification and hold harmless rights or rights to the advancement of expenses which I may have
(independent of my Employment Agreement) as an employee, officer or director of the Company under
applicable law or in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, any
contractual arrangements concerning such indemnification or rights, or claims covered by the
Company’s insurance policies or applicable law, or (2) my rights under the Employment Agreement to
the benefits described in § 4 of my Employment Agreement or under any other contractual obligation
of the Company to me, which is independent of any obligations under my Employment Agreement.




 









 










          I warrant and represent that I have made no sale, assignment, or other transfer, or attempted
sale, assignment, or other transfer, of any of the Released Claims.



       I fully understand and agree that:





	 	1.  	this Release is in exchange for payment of the benefits described in § 4 of my
Employment Agreement with respect to which this Release is attached as Exhibit A and
with respect to which I would otherwise not be entitled;
	 
	 	2.  	no rights or claims are released or waived that may arise after the date this
Release is signed by me;
	 
	 	3.  	I am here advised to consult with an attorney before signing this Release;
	 
	 	4.  	I have 21 days from the date my employment terminates under my Employment
Agreement within which to consider whether or not to sign this Release;
	 
	 	5.  	If I timely sign this Release, I have 7 days following the date I sign this
Release to revoke this Release;
	 
	 	6.  	If I want to revoke this Release, I will need to do so pursuant to the
procedure set forth in this Release within such 7 day revocation period; and
	 
	 	7.  	This Release shall not become effective or enforceable until the end of such 7
day revocation period unless I revoke this Release pursuant to the procedure set forth
in this Release before the end of such 7 day revocation period.




2









 











     If I choose to revoke this Release, I must do so before the time this Release becomes
effective and enforceable by notifying the Company in writing. This written notice of revocation
must be mailed by U.S. first class mail, U.S. certified mail, or internal Company mail within the 7
day revocation period described in this Release and addressed as follows:



	 
	IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.

	Attention: Corporate Secretary

	2100 RiverEdge Parkway

	Fifth Floor

	Atlanta, GA 30328







     I further covenant and agree that I shall cooperate with the Company in any pending or future
matters, including without limitation any litigation, investigation, or other dispute, in which I,
by virtue of my prior employment with the Company, have relevant knowledge or information, all
subject to the Company’s being willing to reimburse me for any reasonable expenses which I incur in
undertaking to cooperate with the Company.



     I additionally understand and agree that this Release is not and shall not be construed to be
an admission of liability of any kind on the part of the Company or any of the other persons or
entities hereby released.



     This Release is the complete understanding between me and the Company in respect of the
subject matter of this Release and supersedes all prior agreements relating to the same subject
matter. I have not relied upon any representations, promises or agreements of any kind except
those set forth herein in signing this Release.



     In the event that any provision of this Release should be held to be invalid or unenforceable,
each and all of the other provisions of this Release shall remain in full force and effect. If any
provision of this Release is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such



3









 







provision shall be modified as necessary to permit this Release to be upheld and enforced to
the maximum extent permitted by law.



     This Release is to be governed and enforced under the laws of the State of Georgia (except to
the extent that Georgia conflicts of law rules would call for the application of the law of another
jurisdiction).



     This Release inures to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.



     I have carefully read this Release, fully understand each of its terms and conditions, and
intend to abide by this Release in every respect. As such, I knowingly and voluntarily sign this
Release.



	 	 	 
	 

	 	Johnathan
H. Short
	 
	 	 
	Date:
	 	 
	

	 	 







4