Exhibit 10.4

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of November 12, 2012 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Boot Barn, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and James G. Conroy (“Executive”). (The Company and Executive are referred to herein as the “parties.”)

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and obligations set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties, the Company and Executive agree and intend to be legally bound, as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

1.            POSITION AND DUTIES.

 

(a)       Position.  The Company agrees to employ Executive during the Term as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting to the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”).  Executive shall have such responsibilities and duties consistent with such positions and as determined from time to time by the Board. During the Term, Executive shall serve as a member of the Board without additional compensation. If requested by the Board, Executive will serve as an officer of and/or provide services to Boot Barn Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Boot Barn Holding Corporation along with WW Top Investment Corporation (“TopCo”) shall be referred to herein as the “Parents”), and/or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company without additional compensation.

 

(b)       Location.  During the Term, Executive shall perform his duties at the Company’s corporate offices located in Orange County, California subject to customary travel as reasonably required.

 

2.               BEST EFFORTS.  During the Term, Executive shall devote his full business time and best efforts to the faithful and loyal performance of his duties to the Company (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity). Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, provide employment, consultant or other services to any other person or entity other than the Parents or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof if so requested by the Board. Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage or participate in any outside activity that would, or may be perceived to, conflict with the best interests of the Company or his duties to the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from: (i) serving, with the prior written consent of the Board, as a member of the board of directors or advisory board (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of a non-competing business or a non-competing entity engaged in charitable activities and community

 











 

affairs; (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs; or (iii) managing his personal investments and affairs; provided however, that the activities set out in clauses (i)-(iii) shall be limited by Executive so as not to interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Executive from owning, as a passive investment, less than 2% of capital stock of any corporation listed on the national securities exchange or publicly traded in the over-the-counter.

 

3.            TERM.  This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until the third anniversary of the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 6; provided, however, that commencing on the third anniversary of the Effective Date and on each anniversary date thereafter, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed for an additional one year period unless, not later than 90 calendar days prior to such date, the Board or Executive provide the other party written notice that such party does not wish to renew the term (the initial term and any renewed term shall be referred to herein as the “Term”). Executive’s post-termination obligations pursuant to Sections 7-10, 11(a) and 12(d) of this Agreement (“Continuing Obligations”) shall survive the non-renewal or termination of this Agreement and/or Executive’s employment, however caused.

 

4.            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

 

(a)           Base Salary.  During the Term, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary in the amount of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000.00) (the “Base Salary”), less applicable withholdings under state and federal law in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.

 

(b)           Incentive Bonus.  For the fiscal year ending March 30, 2013, Executive will receive a guaranteed bonus of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), less applicable deductions. For each subsequent fiscal year, Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus of 60% of the Base Salary if the Company achieves its budget (as established by the Board), with an opportunity to receive a maximum aggregate bonus of up to 120% of the Base Salary if the Company achieves additional performance targets established by the Board, in each case subject to the terms of the Company’s senior management bonus plan in force and as amended from time to time.  The Company shall pay the bonus, if any, to Executive following the end of the fiscal year to which the bonus relates but no later than 120 days following the end of such fiscal year, provided that, subject to Section 6, Executive is employed on the bonus payment date.  Subject to Section 6, no bonus or prorated bonus will be payable to Executive to the extent Executive is not employed on the bonus payment date.

 

(a)          Equity. On the Effective Date, Executive will be granted 11,776 options to purchase the common stock of TopCo, at a strike price of the fair market value as of the Effective Date (“FMV”), and 11,776 options at a strike price of 150% of the FMV. These options will vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.  In addition to the forgoing, Executive will receive an option to purchase for cash 5,000 shares of the common stock of TopCo FMV, which option shall expire on February 28, 2013.  All options provided hereunder will be subject to the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and form of option agreement as amended and in force from time to time.

 

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(b)           Vacation/Sick Leave/Holidays. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to accrue four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (prorated for partial years worked). Vacation may be carried over from one calendar year to the next for a maximum of six weeks of paid vacation (“Vacation Cap”).  Once Executive reaches the Vacation Cap, he will not be entitled to accrue any additional paid vacation days until he uses his vacation days so as to fall below the Vacation Cap.  Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the Company and Executive.  In addition, Executive will be provided the same sick leave and holiday benefits provided to other similarly-situated officers of the Company. The amount, eligibility and extent of these benefits shall be governed by the Company’s applicable policy in effect and as amended from time to time and in compliance with applicable law.

 

(c)           Benefits.  During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in any Company-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans or programs in effect from time to time and available to other similarly-situated officers of the Company. The amount, eligibility and extent of the benefits shall be governed by the applicable benefit plan or program of the Company as in force from time to time.

 

5.            EXPENSES.

 

(a)          General.  During the Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses of types authorized by the Company and reasonably and necessarily incurred or paid for by Executive in the performance of his duties, responsibilities, and authorities hereunder. Executive shall provide the Company with reasonable documentation and receipts establishing the amount and nature of such expenses. Executive shall comply with such reasonable budget limitations and approval and reporting requirements with respect to expenses as the Company or the Board may establish from time to time.

 

(b)          Relocation.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by him in connection with Executive’s relocation from Chicago, Illinois to Orange County, California, which shall include the following: weekly round-trip coach tickets for Executive to/from Chicago, Illinois until his family is fully relocated to California, up to a maximum of 12 trips; rent for temporary corporate housing up to a maximum of six months; the actual sales commission paid by Executive to a real estate broker, up to maximum of 5.25%, in connection with the sale of Executive’s current residence; and the actual moving costs incurred by Executive.  In addition, the Company will reimburse Executive for 50% of the actual loss incurred by him (if any) in connection with the sale of Executive’s current residence provided that, such reimbursement shall not exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00). Executive shall provide the Company with reasonable documentation and receipts establishing the amount and nature of such expenses in accordance with the Company’s standard reimbursement procedures.  Any expenses paid or reimbursed pursuant to this Section 5(b) shall be grossed up to the extent taxable as determined by the Company’s independent accountants.

 

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(c)           Attorneys’ Fees. The Company shall reimburse Executive for attorneys’ fees actually incurred by him in connection with the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), provided Executive submits to the Company reasonable documentation establishing the amount of said fees.  Any such expenses pursuant to this Section 5(c) shall be grossed up to the extent taxable as determined by the Company’s independent accountants.

 

(d)           Taxable Reimbursements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any taxable reimbursement of business or other expenses provided for under this Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions: (i) the expenses eligible for reimbursement in one taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made no later than the end of the year after the year in which such expense was incurred; and (iii) the right to reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

6.            TERMINATION. Upon termination of Executive’s employment or non- renewal of this Agreement, Executive is entitled to no other payments, compensation, severance or benefits upon termination except as expressly stated in this Section 6.

 

(a)          Termination Without Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause (other than as a result of Executive’s death or disability or due to non-renewal of this Agreement) at any time during the Term by providing Executive 30 days’ written notice (the “Notice Period”) (which termination date can be accelerated in the Company’s discretion provided the Company pays Executive his Base Salary during the Notice Period.) If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to a Change of Control (defined in Section 6(h)(iii)), the Company shall pay Executive: (i) the Accrued Obligations (defined in Section 6(h)(i)) and (ii) the Severance Payment (defined in Section 6(h)(vi)).  If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause within one year following a Change of Control, in addition to the foregoing payments, the Company shall pay Executive the Bonus Payment (defined in Section 6(h)(ii)).  Executive will only be entitled to the Severance Payment and the Bonus Payment (if applicable), if he executes, delivers and does not revoke a general waiver and release of all claims in favor of the Company, its Parents, subsidiaries and affiliates in a form provided to Executive by the Company (the “Release”) within 60 days after his termination date, and he complies with his Continuing Obligations.

 

If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 6(a), then except as set forth in this Section 6(a), the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive or liability under this Agreement by way of compensation or otherwise.

 

(b)          Death or Disability. Executive’s employment during the Term shall terminate upon the death of Executive or, in the Company’s discretion, in the event of Executive’s disability, upon 30 days’ written notice to Executive. Executive shall be deemed disabled if an independent medical doctor (selected by the Company’s health insurer and reasonably acceptable to Executive or his legal representative) certifies that Executive, for 90 consecutive days or 120 non-consecutive days in any 12-month period, has been unable to perform the essential functions of his job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

 

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Executive agrees to cooperate in submitting to a reasonable medical examination for the purpose of certifying disability under this Section 6(b) if requested by the Company.  If Executive’s employment is terminated for death or disability, Executive (or his legal heirs) shall not be entitled to receive any severance, bonus or other payments, except the Accrued Obligations, and the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive (or his legal heirs) or liability under this Agreement by way of compensation or otherwise.  If Executive’s employment is terminated due to his disability, Executive shall continue to be fully bound by his Continuing Obligations.

 

(c)           Termination For Cause.  During the Term, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately for Cause (as defined in Section 6(h)(iv)) upon written notice.

 

If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 6(c), Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance, bonus or other payments, except the Accrued Obligations, and the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive or liability under this Agreement by way of compensation or otherwise. If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 6(c), Executive shall continue to be fully bound by his Continuing Obligations.

 

(d)          Resignation By Executive without Good Reason. Executive may resign his employment at any time during the Term without Good Reason (defined in Section 6(h)(v)) by providing the Company 30 days’ written notice. If Executive resigns his employment without Good Reason, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance, bonus or other payments, except the Accrued Obligations, and the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive or liability under this Agreement by way of compensation or otherwise. If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 6(d), Executive shall continue to be fully bound by his Continuing Obligations.

 

(e)           Resignation by Executive For Good Reason. Executive may resign his employment during the Term for Good Reason but only if the condition giving rise to the existing Good Reason is disclosed in writing by Executive to the Company within 60 days after the occurrence of such condition and then is not cured by the Company within 60 days after the Company receives such written notice. If Executive resigns his employment for Good Reason pursuant to this Section 6(e), Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations and the Severance Payment, provided that, Executive shall only be entitled to the Severance Payment if signs, delivers and does not revoke the Release within 60 days after his termination date, and he complies with his Continuing Obligations. If Executive resigns his employment for Good Reason pursuant to this Section 6(e), then except as set forth in this Section 6(e), the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive or liability under this Agreement by way of compensation or otherwise.

 

(f)           Non-Renewal of Term.  Executive’s employment shall terminate upon the non-renewal of the Term as set forth in Section 3.  If Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to this Section 6(f) due to the Company providing Executive notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 3, then Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations and the Severance Payment, provided that, Executive shall only be entitled to the Severance Payment if signs, delivers and does not revoke the Release within 60 days after his

 

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termination date, and he complies with his Continuing Obligations.  If Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to this Section 6(f) due to Executive providing the Company notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 3, then Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance, bonus or other payments, except the Accrued Obligations, and the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive or liability under this Agreement by way of compensation or otherwise and Executive shall continue to be fully bound by his Continuing Obligations.

 

(g)       Board Resignation. Upon termination or resignation of Executive’s employment for any reason, whether initiated by the Company or Executive, or upon non-renewal of this Agreement, Executive agrees to resign as of the date of such termination from the Board and/or any committees thereof and any service he is providing to the Parents or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company shall terminate as of the date of such termination.

 

(h)       Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i)           “Accrued Obligations” shall mean: (A) the amount of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary, less applicable withholdings and deductions, due and owing to Executive as of the date of termination; (B) any accrued and unused vacation, less applicable withholdings and deductions, through the date of termination; and (C) reimbursement of expenses incurred by Executive in accordance with Section 5 of this Agreement and not previously reimbursed through the date of termination.

 

(ii)          “Bonus Payment” shall mean an amount equivalent to 60% of Executive’s Base Salary, less applicable deductions, payable to Executive following the end of the fiscal year to which the bonus relates but no later than 120 days following the end of such fiscal year, provided that, Executive has executed and delivered the Release and the Release is irrevocable as of such date.

 

(iii)         “Change of Control” shall mean: (A) any sale or exchange of stock of the Company or TopCo for cash, securities or other property in a single or series of related transactions if as a result securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the survivor’s or acquirer’s outstanding securities (or the securities of any parent thereof) cease to be held by a person or persons who held securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company or TopCo’s outstanding securities immediately prior to that transaction, or (B) any sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s or TopCo’s assets to one or more unaffiliated other persons in a single transaction or series of related transactions. For avoidance of doubt, a public offering of stock by TopCo or its stockholders shall not constitute a Change of Control.

 

(iv)         “Cause” shall mean:

 

(A)         Executive’s intentional refusal or intentional failure to perform his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or to follow any reasonable instruction issued by the Company or the Board; provided however, that prior to any termination pursuant to Section 6(c), the Company must give written notice to Executive within 60 days of any event triggering this Section 6(i)(iv)(A) and Executive shall thereafter have the right to

 

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remedy the condition, if such condition can be remedied, within 30 days of the date Executive received the written notice from the Company. If Executive does not remedy the condition within the 30-day cure period to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board, then the Board may deliver a notice of termination for Cause at any time within 30 days following the expiration of such cure period, in which case termination will be effective upon delivery of such notice;

 

(B)          Executive’s failure to comply in any material respect with any written policies or procedures of the Company or the Board (including, but not limited to, the Company’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies and the Company’s drug and alcohol policy);

 

(C)          Executive’s engagement in any act or omission involving willful misfeasance or nonfeasance by Executive of his assigned duties, which includes, without limitation, the intentional refusal by Executive to follow the directions of the Board or any committee thereof or the intentional refusal by Executive to perform his assigned duties in any material respect;

 

(D)          Executive’s engagement in any act of theft, fraud, embezzlement, falsification of Company documents, misappropriation of funds or other assets of the Company or in any misconduct which is materially damaging to the goodwill, business or reputation of the Company;

 

(E)          Executive’s conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of, or his pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or crime involving moral turpitude that is damaging to the reputation of the Company; or

 

(F)           Executive’s material breach of any of his obligations contained in this Agreement, including Sections 7-10.

 

(v)          “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without Executive’s consent: (A) any material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary; (B) any material and continuing diminution in Executive’s authority or responsibilities; (C) changing the geographic location at which Executive provides services to the Company to a location more than 35 miles from that location; or (D) requiring Executive to report to someone other than the Board.

 

(vi)         “Severance Payment” shall mean Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the termination date for a period of 12 months from the termination date, payable as salary continuation payments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, the first installment of which shall be made on the 60th day following the termination date (and will include any Severance Payment installment that would have otherwise been paid during the period following the termination date thorough the date of the first Severance Payment installment); provided that, Executive has executed and delivered the Release and the Release is irrevocable as of such date. Any Severance Payment shall be subject to Section 6(i).

 

(i)        Mitigation.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 6, if Executive becomes employed or retained by another employer or entity as an employee or a consultant (including self-employment or engaging in an enterprise as a sole proprietor or

 

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partner) during the period in which Executive is receiving any Severance Payment pursuant to Section 6, the amount of such Severance Payment to which Executive would otherwise be entitled shall be reduced by the amount of compensation and benefits earned and/or received by Executive due to such other employment or consulting arrangement. Executive shall have an obligation to promptly and completely report such employment, compensation and/or benefits to the Company.

 

7.             CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

 

(a)          Company Information. Executive recognizes that the services to be performed by him hereunder are special, unique and extraordinary in that, by reason of his employment hereunder, he will acquire and have access to, or has acquired and has had access to, the Company’s Confidential Information (defined in this Section 7(a)) concerning the operations of the Company and the Parents, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, the use or disclosure of which could cause the Company substantial loss and damages which could not be readily calculated and for which no remedy at law would be adequate. Executive agrees that at all times during the Term and at all times thereafter, Executive will hold in strictest confidence and safeguard, and will not destroy, use or disclose to any person or entity except as absolutely necessary to perform his job duties hereunder, any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information of or belonging to the Company, the Parents, subsidiaries or affiliates. “Confidential Information” shall include, but is not limited to: (i) confidential and proprietary matters relating to actual or prospective customers and the sales operations of the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, including, but not limited to, sales methods; pricing information; merchandising and marketing plans and strategies; proprietary information relating to services, products, processes and know-how; descriptions and information concerning prospective and actual customers, suppliers or vendors; lists of actual or potential customers, suppliers or vendors and any information about or provided by such customer, supplier or vendor; and product specifications; (ii) confidential and proprietary matters relating to the business and operations of the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, including, but not limited to, financial data and plans; budgets and financial statements; business plans and strategies; research and development plans; product or service plans; training materials developed by the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof; techniques and materials; methods of distribution; assets and liabilities; past, present or proposed business operations, mergers or acquisitions or projects; business opportunities for new or developing business; recruiting methodology; and personnel information concerning Company employees other than Executive; (iii) confidential and proprietary data, information and materials related to the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, including, but not limited to, products; services; concepts; ideas; proposals; Inventions (defined in Section 10(a)); formulas; know-how; technology; improvements; discoveries; developments; modifications; processes; data; techniques; software programs; and proposed trademarks and trade names; and (iv) any trade secret of the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof. Executive understands and agrees that the rights and obligations set forth in this Section 7(a) are perpetual and shall extend beyond Executive’s employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions of this Agreement on the use and disclosure of Confidential Information shall not apply (w) to information that becomes publicly known through no fault of Executive subsequent

 

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to the time of the Company’s communication thereof to Executive; (x) if the information is rightfully obtained by Executive from a third party authorized to make such disclosure without restriction; (y) if the information is identified by the Board in writing as no longer proprietary or confidential; or (z) if the information is required in response to a legal summons, subpoena or other lawful court order, provided that, Executive shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any such legal requirement and assist the Company or its designee in seeking a protective order or in objecting to such request, provided further, that any such assistance will be at the sole cost and expense of the Company. If Executive produces any Confidential Information pursuant to clause (z), Executive shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that he is legally compelled to disclose and provide a copy of same to the Company.

 

(b)           Former Employer Information.  Executive agrees that he will not improperly use or disclose any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information of or belonging to any former employer, person or entity, and that he will not bring onto the premises of the Company or use on behalf of the Company, the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, any unpublished document or confidential or proprietary information belonging to any such former employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such person or entity.

 

(c)           Third Party Information.  Executive recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive confidential and/or proprietary information from third parties, including the Company’s customers, vendors or suppliers, subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of and safeguard such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes. Executive agrees to hold all such confidential and proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person or entity, destroy it, or use it except as necessary in carrying out his duties for the Company and consistent with the Company’s agreement with such third party.

 

(d)           Exclusive Property. Executive agrees that the Confidential Information belongs exclusively to the Company or the Parents or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.  Executive agrees that, at the time of Executive’s separation from the Company for any reason, whether initiated by Executive or the Company, he will return to the Company all Confidential Information and any other property, equipment, materials or information belonging to the Company, and he will not keep in his possession, recreate, duplicate, destroy, or deliver to any person or entity, any Confidential Information.

 

8.            NON-SOLICITATION. During the Term and for a period of 12 months immediately following Executive’s separation from the Company, however caused, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either for or on behalf of himself or any other person or entity, solicit or induce or attempt to solicit or induce any employee, consultant, independent contractor, agent or representative of the Company, the Parents or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, to discontinue employment or engagement with the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof; or otherwise interfere or attempt to interfere with the relationship between the Company, the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, and their employees, consultants, independent contractors, agents or representatives.

 

9.            NON-DISPARAGEMENT. During the Term and thereafter, Executive shall not make to any person or entity, including but not limited to competitors, customers or

 

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vendors of the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, any statement that disparages the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or which reflects negatively upon the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, including but not limited to disparaging statements regarding the Company’s financial condition, the Board or the officers or employees of the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from making truthful statements required by applicable law, regulation or legal process, or in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

 

10.             INVENTIONS.

 

(a)          Assignment.  Executive agrees to assign and hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, without further consideration, all right, title, and interest that he may presently have or acquire (throughout the United States and in all foreign countries), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, in and to each Invention (as defined herein), which Invention shall be the sole property of the Company, whether or not patentable.  “Invention” as used herein shall mean all ideas, processes, trademarks, service marks, inventions, technology, computer programs, original works of authorship, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, moral rights (including but not limited to rights to attribution or integrity) and all improvements, rights, and claims related to the foregoing that are conceived, created, developed, or reduced to practice by Executive alone or with others during the course of employment with the Company. In addition, to the extent not assigned, Executive hereby irrevocably waives any moral rights (including rights of attribution and integrity) that he may have with respect to the Inventions. Executive acknowledges that all original works of authorship which are made by him (solely or jointly with others) during the term of and which are protectable by copyright are “Works Made For Hire” Agreement as defined in the United States Copyright Act (17 USCA, § 101) and are included in the definition of Inventions.

 

(b)          Prior Inventions.  Executive has attached hereto on Exhibit A, a list describing all Inventions made or developed by Executive prior to the date of this Agreement which relate to the Company’s business or proposed business, products, services or research and development, and which are not assigned to the Company hereunder (collectively referred to as “Prior Inventions”).  If no such list is attached, Executive represents that no such Prior Inventions exist or that any such Prior Invention has already been assigned to the Company by Executive.  If, during the course of employment with the Company, Executive incorporates into a Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by Executive, or in which Executive has an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to make, have made, reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, display, perform, use, import, offer to sell and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or machine.

 

(c)           Patent and Copyright Registrations.  Executive agrees to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in securing the Company’s rights in and to the Inventions and any copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and all countries. Such assistance shall include the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other

 

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instruments which the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns and nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto.  Executive further agrees that his obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in his power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the termination of his employment, however caused.  If the Company is unable, for any reason, to secure Executive’s signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or foreign intellectual property rights including patents or copyright registrations covering Inventions or original works of authorship assigned to the Company as provided herein, then Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney in fact, to act for and on Executive’s behalf to execute and file any such applications, and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of such intellectual property rights, including letters patent or copyright registrations thereon, with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive.  Executive hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company any and all claims of any nature that Executive now or hereafter has for past, present or future infringement of all proprietary or intellectual property rights assigned to the Company.

 

(d)          Records.  Executive agrees to maintain adequate and current written records on the development of all Inventions and to disclose promptly to the Company all Inventions and relevant records, which records will remain the sole property of the Company. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, and any other format that may be specified by the Company.  Executive further agrees that all information and records pertaining to any idea, process, trademark, service mark, invention, discovery, improvement, technology, computer program, original work of authorship, design formula, discovery, patent, or copyright that Executive does not believe to be an Invention, but is conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by Executive (alone or with others) during the course of his employment with the Company shall be promptly disclosed to the Company (such disclosure to be received in confidence).

 

(e)           Exclusions.  Executive knows of no existing agreement to which he is a party that would conflict with this Section 10.  Executive understands and acknowledges that he has been advised, pursuant to Section 2872 of the California Labor Code, that the provisions of this Agreement requiring the assignment of inventions do not apply to any invention that qualifies fully under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, which provides:

 

“(a)                           Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

 

(1)                                  Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or

 

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(2)                                  Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.”

 

11.          ENFORCEMENT/REMEDIES.

 

(a)       Arbitration.  In consideration of the Company employing Executive, and the salary and benefits provided under this Agreement, Executive and the Company agree that all claims arising out of or relating to his employment, including its termination shall be resolved by binding arbitration.  This Agreement expressly does not prohibit either party from filing an application for a provisional remedy to prevent actual or threatened irreparable harm in accordance with California law. The dispute will be arbitrated in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its existing Employment Arbitration Rules which may be found at http://www.adr.org/sp.asp?id=32904. Executive acknowledges that he has been provided a copy of the AAA rules contemporaneously herewith. The Company shall pay the arbitration administrative costs and the arbitrator’s fees in accordance with California law and the AAA rules.  Each party in the arbitration shall bear his/its own attorneys’ fees and legal costs.  The parties agree to file any demand for arbitration within the time limit established by the applicable statute of limitations for the asserted claims.  Failure to demand arbitration within the prescribed time period shall result in waiver of said claims.  The parties agree that the arbitration will be held in Orange County, California. EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT HE IS WAIVING HIS RIGHTS TO BRING SUCH CLAIMS TO COURT, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(b)       Rights Cumulative.  Each party recognizes that nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit any remedy available to it/him under state and federal laws in the event of actual or threatened irreparable harm.  The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative, and the exercise of any right or remedy, whether pursuant hereto, to any other agreement, or to law, shall not preclude or waive the right to exercise any or all other rights and remedies.

 

12.          GENERAL.

 

(a)       Severability.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any part, clause, or condition of this Agreement is held to be partially or wholly invalid, unenforceable, or inoperative for any reason whatsoever, such invalid provision shall not affect any other provision or portion hereof, which shall continue to be effective as though such invalid, unenforceable or inoperative part, clause or condition had not been made.

 

(b)       Representations and Warranties.  Executive represents and warrants that: (i) his employment with the Company does not and will not breach any agreements with or duties to any third party; (ii) he has no obligations or commitments inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or with undertaking an employment relationship

 

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with the Company; and (iii) he will not enter into any agreement or engage in any activity which would conflict with this Agreement or which would otherwise materially interfere with his duties hereunder and/or the best interests of the Company or the Parents, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

 

(c)           Survival of Obligations. Termination of Executive’s employment, however caused, or non-renewal of this Agreement shall not affect Executive’s Continuing Obligations.  Executive agrees that after leaving the employ of the Company for any reason, whether initiated by Executive or the Company, the Company may notify Executive’s new employer about his Continuing Obligations.

 

(d)          Cooperation. Following Executive’s termination of employment and subject to the Company reimbursing Executive for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, Executive agrees to cooperate in good faith with the Company in connection with any defense, prosecution or investigation by the Company including regarding any internal investigation, actual or potential litigation, administrative or regulatory proceeding, or other such like proceeding, in which the Company may be involved as a party or non-party from time to time, including without limitation, Executive being available to the Company upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations, Executive appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process, and Executive providing the Company all pertinent information and documents, at reasonable times and pursuant to reasonable schedules.

 

(e)           Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally or if mailed by overnight courier with receipt signature or sent by facsimile (with “answerback” confirmation of transmission), to the relevant address set forth below, or to such other address as the recipient of such notice or communication shall have specified to the other party hereto in accordance with this Section 12(e):

 

If to the Company:

 

Boot Barn, Inc.

c/o WW Top Investment Corporation

11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1900

Los Angeles, CA 90025

Fax: 310.444.1870

 

Attention: Brad Brutocao

 

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

 

Bingham McCutchen LLP

355 South Grand Avenue

Suite 4400

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Fax: 213.680.6499

 

Attention Cynthia Dunnett, Esq.

 

If to Executive:

 

James G. Conroy

1655 Pheasant Trail

Inverness, IL 60067

 

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Any such notice shall be deemed effective: (i) if delivered personally, when received; (ii) if sent by overnight courier, when receipted for; or (iii) if sent by facsimile during normal business hours on any business day, pending generation of a transmission report by the machine from which the facsimile was sent indicating the date and time that the facsimile was sent and “answerback” confirmation of transmission.

 

(f)           Waivers/Construction.  Unless otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no delay or omission by either party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall impair such right, power or privilege, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

(g)           Withholding.  All compensation (including bonuses and severance, if applicable) payable by the Company to Executive hereunder shall be reduced prior to the delivery of such payment to Executive by an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable federal, state, local or other tax withholding requirements, and in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.

 

(h)           Successors and Assigns; Assignment.  Executive shall not assign this Agreement and any attempt by him to do so will be deemed null and void; provided that, Executive’s rights to payments hereunder shall, upon his death or incapacity, inure to the benefit of his personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, devisees and legatees.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns.  This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to the Parents or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or to a person or entity which is a successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations or assets of the Company.

 

(i)            Entire Agreement; No Oral Modification.  This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment with the Company, and supersedes any and all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings relating to Executive’s employment with the Company. This Agreement cannot be amended or modified except pursuant to a written instrument signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

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(j)            Governing Law.  This Agreement and the performance hereof shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without giving effect to its conflicts or choice of law principles.  The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and not strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

(k)           Executive Acknowledgment/No Inducements. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to consult legal counsel and a tax advisor of his own choosing in regard to his employment with the Company and this Agreement, and that he has read and understands this Agreement.  Executive has entered into this Agreement with the Company knowingly and voluntarily, based on his own judgment and not on any representations, inducements or promises other than those contained in this Agreement.

 

(l)            Section Headings.  The section and subsection heading of this Agreement are included for purposes of convenience only, and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any of its provisions.

 

(m)         Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or pdf signature and in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

13.          409A.

 

(a)          Compliance.  It is intended that compensation paid or delivered to Executive pursuant to this Agreement is either paid in compliance with, or is exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder (together, “Section 409A”), and this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered accordingly.  However, the Company does not warrant to Executive that all amounts paid or delivered to him will be exempt from, or paid in compliance with, Section 409A.  Executive understands and agrees that he bears the entire risk of any adverse federal, state or local tax consequences and penalty taxes which may result from payment on a basis contrary to the provisions of Section 409A or comparable provisions of any applicable state or local income tax laws.  Executive acknowledges that he has been advised to seek the advice of a tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of all payments pursuant to this Agreement, including any adverse tax consequence under Section 409A and applicable state tax law.

 

(b)          Amounts Payable On Account of Termination.  If and to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, for the purposes of determining when amounts otherwise payable on account of Executive’s termination of employment under this Agreement will be paid, “terminate”, “terminated” or “termination” or words of similar import relating to Executive’s employment with the Company, as used in this Agreement, shall be construed as the date that Executive first incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A from the Company.

 

(c)           Interpretative Rules.  In applying Section 409A to amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement, any right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto have caused this Employment Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year written below.

 

 

	
 
    	
BOOT   BARN, INC.
    
	
 
    	
a   Delaware corporation
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:   11/1/12
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Brad Brutocao
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Brad Brutocao
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Director
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EXECUTIVE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:   11/1/12
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James G. Conroy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
James   G. Conroy
    


 











 

Exhibit A

 

PRIOR INVENTIONS

 

[No items are listed on this Exhibit.]