Exhibit 10.17

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT by and between Freshpet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Richard Kassar (the “Executive”), is dated as of October __, 2014, but shall be effective only upon the earlier to occur of January 1, 2015 and the effective date of the initial public offering of equity securities of the Company pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (such earlier date, the “Effective Date”).

In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and of the mutual benefits herein provided, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

| 1. | Representations and Warranties.  The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive is not bound by any restrictive covenants and has no prior or other obligations or commitments of any kind that would in any way prevent, restrict, hinder or interfere with Executive’s acceptance of continued employment or the performance of all duties and services hereunder to the fullest extent of the Executive’s ability and knowledge.  The Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company for any liability the Company may incur as the result of the existence of any such covenants, obligations or commitments. |
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| 2. | Term of Employment.  The Company will continue to employ the Executive and the Executive accepts continued employment by the Company on the terms and conditions herein contained for a period (the “Employment Period”) provided in Section 5. |
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| 3. | Duties and Functions. |
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|  | (a)(1)The Executive shall be employed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  The Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. |
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|  | (2)The Executive agrees to undertake the duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position of Chief Financial Officer, which may encompass different or additional duties as may, from time to time, be reasonably assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken by the Executive may be reasonably altered or modified from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer, so long as that Executive’s responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer are not materially reduced, and Executive’s reporting relationship is not materially altered or modified in an adverse way. |
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|  | (b)During the Employment Period, the Executive will devote the Executive’s full time and efforts to the business of the Company.  The Executive may engage in non-competitive business or charitable activities for reasonable periods of time each month so long as such activities do not interfere with the Executive’s responsibilities under this Employment Agreement. |
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| 4. | Compensation. |
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|  | (a)Base Salary:  As compensation for the Executive’s services hereunder, during the Executive’s employment as Chief Financial Officer, the Company agrees to pay the Executive a base salary at the rate of $275,000 per annum, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule (which will be no less frequently than one-twelfth of the annual salary amount during each calendar month, which normal payroll schedule shall be the “Normal Payment Schedule”).  The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.  In no event shall the Executive’s salary be reduced below the Executive’s current salary (or, subsequent to any increases, below the Executive’s then current salary). |
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The Executive’s salary shall be subject to annual review, based on corporate policy and contributions made by Executive to the Company. 

(b)Participation in Stock Option Program:  The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s equity incentive programs, as such programs may exist on the date hereof or from time to time hereafter. 

(c)Other Expenses:  In addition to the compensation provided for above, the Company agrees to pay or to reimburse the Executive during the Executive’s employment for all reasonable, ordinary, and necessary, properly vouchered, client-related business or entertainment expenses incurred in the performance of the Executive’s services hereunder in accordance with Company policy in effect from time to time.  The Executive shall submit vouchers and receipts for all expenses for which reimbursement is sought.  

Any reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided pursuant to this Agreement that are taxable to the Executive shall be subject to the following restrictions:  (a) each reimbursement must be paid no later than the last day of the calendar year following the Executive’s tax year during which the expense was incurred; (b) the amount of expenses or in-kind benefits provided during a tax year of the Executive may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other tax year of the Executive; and (c) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(d)Vacation:  During each calendar year, the Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of vacation to be accrued and taken in accordance with Company policy as in effect from time to time. 

(e)Fringe Benefits:  In addition to the Executive’s compensation provided by the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits available generally to Company employees pursuant to, and subject to the terms of, Company programs, including, by way of illustration, personal leave, paid holidays, sick leave, profit-sharing, retirement, disability, dental, vision, group sickness, accident or health insurance programs of the Company which may now or, if not terminated, shall hereafter be in effect, or in any other or additional such programs 

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which may be established by the Company, as and to the extent any such programs are or may from time to time be in effect, as determined by the Company. 

(f)Annual Bonus:  The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any annual cash bonus plan as established by the Board of the Directors (the “Board”) (or a committee thereof) in its sole discretion with an annual target bonus opportunity of at least50%of Executive’s base salary based on the achievement of preestablished performance goals established by the Board (or a committee thereof) in its sole discretion.  Any annual bonus payable hereunder shall be paid in the calendar year following the calendar year to which such bonus relates at the same time annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company, subject to the Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the date of payment (except as otherwise provided in Section 5 hereof). 

| 5. | Employment Period; Termination. |
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|  | (a)The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall continue unabated until terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. |
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(b)The Employment Period shall continue until terminated upon the earlier to occur of the following events:  (i) the close of business on the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the initial one (1) year term of this Agreement shall be referred to herein as the “Initial Term”) or (ii) the death or Permanent Disability (as defined in Section 5(f)) of the Executive or other termination event described in this Section 5, provided, however, that, on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and on every subsequent annual anniversary, and unless either party has given the other party written notice at least ninety (90) days prior to the such anniversary date, the term of this Agreement and the Employment Period shall be renewed for a term ending one (1) year subsequent to such date (each such one-year term shall be referred to herein as a “Renewal Term”), unless sooner terminated as provided herein.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the Initial Term and each Renewal Term shall collectively be referred to as the “Employment Period.”

(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5(a) and (b) above, the Executive may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason by giving the Company written notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of termination.  Unless otherwise provided by this Section, all compensation and benefits paid by the Company to the Executive shall cease upon the Executive’s last day of employment; provided, however, that if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for “Good Reason” pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth below, (i) the Company will continue to pay the Executive’s base salary pursuant to the Normal Payment Schedule for a period of twelve (12) months from the effective date of termination (the “Severance Period”), (ii) in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated after June 30th, the Company shall pay the Executive the bonus described in Section 4(c), notwithstanding that the Executive will not be employed with the Company through the date of payment, in the amount determined based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance goals pursuant to Section 4(f) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator is the number of days through the effective date of termination of the Executive’s employment in the year of such termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and (iii)  and the Company 

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will pay the premiums for the Executive’s continuation of group health coverage under the Company’s plans under COBRA at the active employee rates and subject to the Executive’s timely election of COBRA beginning on the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 409A) for the Severance Period.  The Company may include the premiums for continued health insurance coverage during the Severance Period in the Executive’s taxable income.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that providing the foregoing coverage would result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company for failure to comply with the nondiscrimination requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended (to the extent applicable), the parties hereby agree to negotiate in good faith to modify the foregoing provision in such manner as to avoid the imposition of such excise taxes while also maintaining, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, the original intent and economic benefits to the Executive and the Company under this Section 5(c).  The Executive shall also be entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid salary and bonuses, and to be reimbursed for any reimbursable expenses that have not been reimbursed prior to such termination.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in Section 7 of this Employment Agreement will remain in full force and effect for the twelve (12) month period after the termination of the Executive’s employment under this section, and the confidentiality and rights to inventions obligations established in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this section.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” is defined as any one of the following: (i) Company’s material breach of any provision of this Agreement; (ii) any material adverse change in the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities, or any other action by the Company made without the Executive’s permission (other than a change due to the Executive’s Permanent Disability or as an accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act) which results in: (A) a diminution in any material respect in Executive’s position, authority, duties, responsibilities  or compensation, which diminution continues in time over at least thirty (30) days, such that it constitutes an effective demotion (provided, however, that no diminution of title, position, duties or responsibilities shall be deemed to occur solely because the Company becomes a subsidiary of another corporation or entity); or (B) a material diversion from Executive’s performance of the functions of Executive’s position (including but not necessarily limited to Executive’s authority to hire, direct, and/or fire employees, Executive’s authority to oversee the general direction and focus of the Company), excluding for this purpose material adverse changes made with Executive’s written consent or due to Executive’s termination For Cause or termination by Executive without Good Reason; or (iii) relocation of the Company’s headquarters to a location which requires Executive to travel more than thirty (30) additional miles from Executive’s residence than Executive must already travel to arrive at the Company’s headquarters without Executive’s written consent; provided, however, that it shall not constitute Good Reason unless Executive shall have provided the Company with written notice of its alleged actions constituting Good Reason (which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the particulars of such Good Reason) within ninety (90) days following the first occurrence of such event and Company has not cured any such alleged Good Reason within thirty (30) days of Company’s receipt of such written notice.  The Executive must actually terminate employment within thirty (30) days 

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following the expiration of the Company’s cure period set forth above.  For the avoidance of doubt, a termination of the Executive’s employment as a result of a non-renewal of this Agreement by the Executive pursuant to Section 5(b)) shall be deemed a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for all purposes hereunder. 

 

(d)If the Executive’s employment is terminated for “Cause,” the Executive shall not be entitled to receive severance pay.  As used in this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall include a termination for (i) fraud (including but not limited to any acts of embezzlement or misappropriation of funds); (ii) breach of fiduciary obligation; (iii) conviction of a felony, plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony charge or any criminal act involving moral turpitude (which, through lapse of time or otherwise, is not subject to appeal); (iv) repeatedly being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (other than prescription medicine or other medically-related drugs to the extent that they are taken in accordance with their directions) during the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement, or, while under the influence of such drugs or alcohol, engaging in grossly inappropriate conduct during the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement; (v) a refusal to substantially perform the Executive’s duties hereunder, (vi) willful misconduct or gross negligence, or (vii) material breach of this Agreement, except in the event of the Executive’s Permanent Disability as set forth in Section 5(f).  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall give the Executive written notice prior to terminating this Agreement of the Executive’s employment based upon a serious dereliction of fiduciary obligation or refusal to perform ((ii) or (v) above), setting forth the exact nature of any such alleged serious dereliction of duty or refusal to perform and the conduct required to cure such breach.  The Executive shall have thirty (30) days from the giving of such notice within which to cure.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in Section 7 of this Employment Agreement will remain in full force and effect for the twelve (12) month period after the termination of Executive’s employment under this section, and the confidentiality and rights to inventions obligations established in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this section.

 

(e)Upon sixty (60) days written notice, the Company shall retain the right to terminate the Executive without Cause (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include a non-renewal of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 5(b)).  If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, (i) the Executive shall continue to receive Executive’s base salary pursuant to the Normal Payment Schedule for the Severance Period, (ii) in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated after June 30th, the Company shall pay the Executive the bonus described in Section 4(c), notwithstanding that the Executive will not be employed with the Company through the date of payment, in the amount determined based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance goals pursuant to Section 4(f) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator is the number of days through the effective date of termination of the Executive’s employment in the year of such termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and (iii) the Company will pay the premiums for the Executive’s continuation of group health coverage under the Company’s plans under COBRA at the active employee rates and subject to the Executive’s timely election of COBRA beginning on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service (as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 

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409A) for the Severance Period.  The Company may include the premiums for continued health insurance coverage during the Severance Period in the Executive’s taxable income.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that providing the foregoing coverage would result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company for failure to comply with the nondiscrimination requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended (to the extent applicable), the parties hereby agree to negotiate in good faith to modify the foregoing provision in such manner as to avoid the imposition of such excise taxes while also maintaining, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, the original intent and economic benefits to the Executive and the Company under this Section 5(e).  The non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in Section 7 of this Employment Agreement will remain in full force and effect for the twelve (12) month period after the termination of Executive’s employment under this section.  The confidentiality and rights to inventions obligations established in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this section.  

 

(f)In the event of the Executive’s Permanent Disability during employment with the Company, the Company may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days notice to the Executive of its intent to terminate, and unless the Executive resumes performance of the duties set forth in Section 3 within five (5) days of the date of the notice and continues performance for the remainder of the notice period, this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the thirty (30) day period.  If the Executive is terminated pursuant to this Section 5(f), the Executive shall be entitled to receive severance pay in an amount equal to the salary that the Executive would have received for a period equal to the Severance Period, less all applicable withholding and deductions.  The Company will pay the premiums for the Executive’s continuation of group health coverage under the Company’s plans under COBRA at the active employee rates and subject to the Executive’s timely election of COBRA for a period equal to the Severance Period.  The Company may include the premiums for continued health insurance coverage in the Executive’s taxable income.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that providing the foregoing coverage would result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company for failure to comply with the nondiscrimination requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended (to the extent applicable), the parties hereby agree to negotiate in good faith to modify the foregoing provision in such manner as to avoid the imposition of such excise taxes while also maintaining, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, the original intent and economic benefits to the Executive and the Company under this Section 5(f).  The severance pay shall be payable beginning on the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 409A) in accordance with the Company’s Normal Payroll Schedule, as if Executive’s employment had continued during the applicable severance period.  “Permanent Disability” for the purposes of this Agreement means the inability, due to physical or mental ill health, to perform the Executive’s duties for one hundred twenty (120) days during any one employment year, irrespective of whether such days are consecutive.  In the event of any dispute under this Section, the Executive shall submit to a physical examination by a licensed physician mutually satisfactory to the Company and the Executive, the cost of such examination to be paid by the Company, and the determination of such physician shall be determinative.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions set 

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forth in Section 7 of this Employment Agreement will remain in full force and effect for the twelve (12) month period after the termination of Executive’s employment under this section, and the confidentiality and rights to inventions obligations established in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this section.

 

(g)This Agreement will terminate immediately upon the Executive’s death and the Company shall not have any further liability or obligation to the Executive, the Executive’s executors, heirs, assigns or any other person claiming under or through the Executive’s estate, except that Executive’s estate shall receive any accrued but unpaid salary or bonuses.

 

(h)The severance benefits under Section 5(c), 5(e) and 5(f) shall only be payable if the Executive delivers to the Company and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, except if the Executive is incapable of signing a release due to a Permanent Disability, in which case the Executive shall not be required to deliver such a general release of claims.  Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(c), 5(e) and 5(f), to the extent that the payment of any severance amount subject to the release requirement under this Section 5(h) constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of 409A (as defined in Section 17(d)), any such payment scheduled to occur during the first sixty (60) days following termination of employment shall not be paid until the sixtieth (60th) day following such termination and shall include payment of any amount that was otherwise scheduled to be paid prior thereto.

 

(i)If it is determined that any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 280G(b)(2)) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “Parachute Payment”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, then the Company shall pay to the Executive whichever of the following gives the Executive the highest net after-tax amount (after taking into account all applicable federal, state, local and social security taxes):  (i) the Parachute Payment, or (ii) the amount that would not result in the imposition of excise tax on the Executive under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999.  Any required reduction in the Parachute Payment pursuant to the foregoing shall be accomplished solely by reducing the amount of severance payment payable pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement.  All determinations to be made under this Section 5(i) shall be made by an independent public accounting firm selected by the Company immediately prior to an event giving rise to a potential Parachute Payment (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide its determinations and any supporting calculations to both the Company and the Executive within thirty (30) days after such event.  Any such determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.  All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing the determinations referred to in this paragraph 5(i) shall be borne solely by the Company.

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6.Company Property.  All correspondence, records, documents, software, promotional materials, and other Company property, including all copies, which come into the Executive’s possession by, through or in the course of Executive’s employment, regardless of the source and whether created by the Executive, are the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and immediately upon the termination of the Executive’s employment, or any time at the Company’s request, the Executive shall return to the Company all such property of the Company.

 

7.Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.

(a)The Executive agrees that, in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, during Executive’s employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months after termination thereof, the Executive will not either on the Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any third party, except on behalf of the Company, directly or indirectly (other than through Executive’s ownership of equity interest in the Company), as an individual proprietor, partner, stockholder, officer, employee, director, joint venturer, investor, lender, or in any other capacity whatsoever (other than as the holder of not more than five percent (5%) of the total outstanding stock of a publicly-held company), (i) engage in the manufacture, sale or distribution of either (A) fresh, refrigerated, frozen or raw pet food; or (B) dry pet food with more than 30% meat content; (ii) divert, take away, or attempt to divert or take away, the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished or sold by the Company) of any of the Company’s clients, customers, vendors, business or strategic partners, or accounts, or prospective clients, customers, vendors, business or strategic partners, or accounts, that were contacted, solicited, or served by the Executive while employed by the Company, or (iii) persuade any client, customer, vendor, strategic or business partner, or account of the Company to cease to do business, invest in, participate with, or otherwise work with the Company, or to reduce the amount of business, investment, participation or work that any such client, customer, vendor, or strategic or business partner has customarily done or actively contemplates doing with the Company.

(b)During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months after termination thereof, the Executive agrees that the Executive shall not, except in the furtherance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent.  An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 7(b) while so employed or retained and for a period of six (6) months thereafter.

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(c)If any restriction set forth in Section 7 is found by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or over too great a range of activities or geographic area, it shall be interpreted to extend over the maximum period of time, range of activities or geographic areas as to which it may be enforceable.

(d)The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 7 or Section 8 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages.  In the event of a violation by the Executive of Section 7 or Section 8, any severance being paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease.

(e)The provisions of Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

8.Protection of Confidential Information.  The Executive agrees that all information, whether or not in writing, relating to the business, technical, or financial affairs of the Company and that is generally understood in the pet food industry (and any other related or relevant industry) as being confidential and/or proprietary information, is the exclusive property of the Company.  The Executive agrees to hold in a fiduciary capacity for the sole benefit of the Company all secret, confidential or proprietary information, knowledge, data, or trade secret (“Confidential Information”) relating to the Company or any of its affiliates or their respective clients, which Confidential Information shall have been obtained during Executive’s employment with the Company.  By way of illustration, but not limitation, Confidential Information includes information regarding the Company’s projects, methodologies, business or vendor relationships, relationships with strategic or business partners,  and all information and know-how (whether or not patentable, copyrightable or otherwise able to be registered or protected under laws governing intellectual property) owned, possessed, or used by the Company, including, without limitation, any invention, existing or future product, formula, method, manufacturing techniques and procedures, composition, compound, project, development, plan, market research, vendor information, supplier information, customer lists or information, apparatus, equipment, trade secret, process, research, reports, clinical data, financial data, technical data, test data, know-how, computer program, software, software documentation, source code, hardware design, technology, marketing or business plan, forecast, unpublished financial statement, budget, license, patent applications, contracts, joint ventures, price, cost and personnel data, any trade names, trademarks or slogans,but shall not include information that (i) is or becomes public knowledge through legal means without fault by the Executive, (ii) is already public knowledge prior to the signing of this Agreement, (iii) was available to the Executive on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure by the Company, (iv) was disclosed by the Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, or (v) must be disclosed pursuant to applicable law or court order.  

 

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The Executive agrees that the Executive will not at any time, either during the Term of this Agreement or after its termination, except as reasonably necessary in the scope and course of Executive’s duties, disclose to anyone any Confidential Information, or utilize such Confidential Information for Executive’s own benefit, or for the benefit of third parties without written approval by an officer of the Company.  Executive further agrees that all memoranda, notes, records, data, schematics, sketches, computer programs, prototypes, or written, photographic, magnetic or other documents or tangible objects compiled by Executive or made available to Executive during the Term of Executive’s employment concerning the business of the Company and/or its clients, including any copies of such materials, shall be the property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company on the termination of the Executive’s employment, or at any other time upon request of the Company.

 

9.Publicity.  Neither party shall issue, without consent of the other party, any press release or make any public announcement with respect to this Agreement or the employment relationship between them.  Following the Effective Date and regardless of any dispute that may arise in the future, the Executive and the Company jointly and mutually agree that they will not disparage, criticize or make statements which are negative, detrimental or injurious to the other to any individual, company or client, including within the Company.

 

| 10. | Binding Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.  In the event the Company is acquired, is a non surviving party in a merger, or transfers substantially all of its assets, this Agreement shall not be terminated and the transferee or surviving company shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.  The parties understand that the obligations of the Executive are personal and may not be assigned by the Executive. |
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| 11. | Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Executive and the Company with respect to employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all prior understandings, written or oral.  This Agreement may not be amended, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing, specifically identified as an amendment to this Agreement, and signed by all parties.  By entering into this Agreement, the Executive certifies and acknowledges that the Executive has carefully read all of the provisions of this Agreement and that the Executive voluntarily and knowingly enters into said Agreement.   |
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| 12. | Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions contained in this Agreement shall be construed to preserve to the maximum permissible extent the intent and purposes of this Agreement.  Any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. |
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| 13. | Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. |
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14.Notices.  Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be provided in writing.  Notices shall be effective from the date of service, if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given, or on the second day after mailing, if mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid.  Notices shall be properly addressed to the parties at their respective addresses or to such other address as either party may later specify by notice to the other.

15.ARBITRATION.  THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY CONTROVERSY, CLAIM OR DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE BREACH THEREOF, EXCEPT AS DISCUSSED HEREIN OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE, OR THE TERMINATION THEREOF, INCLUDING ANY STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW CLAIMS UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAW, INCLUDING ALL LAWS PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE, SHALL BE RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION IN NEW JERSEY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION RULES OF JAMS/ENDISPUTE.  THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING, AND THAT JUDGMENT UPON THE AWARD MAY BE ENTERED IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION THEREOF.  THE PARTIES FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT, DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, TRADE SECRETS, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE COMPANY TO WHICH THE EXECUTIVE HAS OR WILL BE GIVEN ACCESS, AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF SIGNIFICANT HARM THAT THE COMPANY WOULD SUFFER IN THE EVENT THAT SUCH INFORMATION WAS DISCLOSED TO THIRD PARTIES, NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PRECLUDE THE COMPANY FROM GOING TO COURT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO PREVENT THE EXECUTIVE FROM VIOLATING THE OBLIGATIONS ESTABLISHED IN SECTIONS 7 THROUGH 9 OF THIS AGREEMENT.

16.Indemnification.  In the Executive’s capacity as a director, manager, officer, or employee of the Company or serving or having served any other entity as a director, manager, officer, or the Executive at the Company’s request, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent allowed by law, the Company’s charter and by-laws, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which the Executive may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise by reason of the Executive’s status, which relate to or arise out of the Company, their assets, business or affairs, unless in each of the foregoing cases, a court of competent jurisdiction has finally determined that (i) the Executive did not act in good faith and in a manner the Executive believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had  reasonable cause to believe the Executive’s conduct was unlawful, and (ii) the Executive’s conduct constituted gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct (and the Company shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, provided the Executive provides an undertaking to repay advances if it is 

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ultimately determined that the Executive is not entitled to indemnification). The Company shall advance all expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of any civil or criminal action or proceeding referenced in this Section, including but not necessarily limited to legal counsel, expert witnesses or other litigation-related expenses.  The Executive shall be entitled to coverage under the Company’s directors and officers liability insurance policy in effect at any time in the future to no lesser extent than any other officers or directors of the Company.  After the Executive is no longer employed by the Company, the Company shall keep in effect the provisions of this Section 16, which provision shall not be amended except as required by applicable law or except to make changes permitted by law that would enlarge the right of indemnification of the Executive.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Employment Period for any reason.

17.Miscellaneous.

(a)No delay or omission by either party in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right.  A waiver or consent given by one party on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar or waiver of any right on any other occasion.

(b)The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement.

| (c) | Any rights of the Executive hereunder shall be in addition to any rights the Executive may otherwise have under written benefit plans or agreements of the Company to which the Executive is a party or in which the Executive is a participant, including, but not limited to, any Company sponsored written employee benefit plans, stock option plans, grants and agreements. |
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18.Tax Matters.

(a)Section 409A Compliance:

|  | (1)The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith.  To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Executive and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.  In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A. |
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|  | (2)A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of the Executive, and (B) the date of the Executive’s death, to the extent required under Code Section 409A.  Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 18(a)(2) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. |
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|  | (3)For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. |
|--|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|  | (4)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered under seal, by its authorized officers or individually, on the date first identified above.

 

FRESHPET, INC.:

 

 

 

/s/ Richard Thompson

 

By:Richard Thompson

 

Title:CEO

 

 

RICHARD KASSAR:

 

 

 

/s/ Richard Kassar

 

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