Offer Letter, between Srinivasan Krishnan and Tumbleweed Communications Corp.



Exhibit 10.16 
February 18, 2003 
 
Srinivasan (“Chini”) Krishnan 
811 Cameron Circle 
Milpitas, California 95035 
 
Dear Chini: 
 
I am pleased to confirm the offer
extended to you to join Tumbleweed Communications Corp. (the “Company”) in the position of Senior Advisor, reporting to the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, on the terms and conditions set forth below. 
 
Effectiveness of this Agreement.    This offer is
effective upon and subject to the Closing, as that term is defined in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger, dated February 18, 2003, between the Company, Valicert, Inc. and Velocity Acquisition Sub, Inc., (the “Merger
Agreement” and the transactions contemplated therein the “Merger”). This offer is further conditioned upon you and Valicert, Inc. not modifying, enhancing or altering in any way your current employment arrangement with Valicert, Inc.,
prior to the Closing, without the Company’s express, written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing restriction includes, but is not limited to, entering into any new agreements or arrangements, or modifying any
existing agreements, with respect to compensation, benefits, loans (including payment terms, interest and/or loan forgiveness), employment terms, stock options or grants, change in control contingencies and severance or termination payments.

 
Term and Duties.    You will begin
your employment with the Company upon the Closing and you will assist the Company with transition issues arising out of the Merger for a period of three (3) months from the date of the Closing (“Employment Term”). 
 
Salary and Benefits.    During the Employment Term,
your salary will be $165,000 on an annualized basis, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures (“Base Salary”) and subject to normal tax withholdings. You will also be eligible to participate in all health
benefits, insurance programs, retirement plans and other employee benefit programs and arrangements (collectively, the “Employee Benefits”) available to employees of the Company generally, subject to the terms and conditions of those
Employee Benefit plans and as may be amended from time to time. 
 
Termination.    So long as the Company does not terminate your employment for “Cause” (as defined below) during the Employment Term, once the Employment Term has expired, and provided you execute
a waiver and release agreement releasing any and all 







 
potential claims you may have
against the Company, you shall receive i) a continuation of your Base Pay for twelve (12) months, payable on the Company’s regular payroll schedule; ii) $27,000, which is equal to the last bonus you received from Valicert, payable on the
Company’s regular payroll schedule; and iii) twelve (12) months COBRA premiums for you and your family, paid in accordance with the Company’s normal reimbursement procedures (“Severance Payment”). 
 
Cause.    In the event that your
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause during the Employment Term then you shall not be eligible to receive any part of the Severance Payment and shall only be entitled to receive payment of any earned but unpaid Base Salary through the
date of termination, as well as any accrued but unused vacation and vested benefits to which you are entitled in accordance with the terms of any applicable Employee Benefit plan. For purposes of this agreement, “Cause” means your: (i)
willful or continued failure to substantially perform your duties as determined by the Company, provided you have received notice of the deficient performance and a period of not less than fifteen (15) calendar days to demonstrate that you have
cured the deficient performance, unless the Company reasonably determines that any such misconduct is incapable of cure; (ii) conviction of, guilty plea to, or entry of a nolo contendere plea to, a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude;
(iii) willful or negligent engagement in conduct that is materially injurious to the Company, financially or otherwise; or (iv) breach of any material term of this agreement. 
 
Proprietary Information and Duty of Loyalty.    As a condition of employment, you will be required
to sign the Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, a copy of which is being provided to you with this agreement. Please read and sign it and return it to Bernard J. Cassidy, the Company’s General Counsel. 
 
Federal Immigration Compliance: In accordance with federal law, you
will be required to demonstrate employment eligibility, which includes verification of your identity and of your authorization to work in the United States. The Company requests that you provide proper documentation on your first day at work and, in
any event, it must be provided to the Company no later than three (3) business days from your date of hire. 
 
Miscellaneous.    This agreement, together with the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement and any plan documents governing Employee Benefits, contain all the
understandings between you and the Company with respect to your employment with the Company and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or in writing. No provision of this agreement may be amended or waived unless
agreed to in writing, signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. 
 
 

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We hope you agree that you have a great contribution to make to the Company, and that you will find
working here a rewarding experience. To indicate your acceptance of this offer of employment on the terms and conditions set forth above, please sign and date this confirmation form and return it to the Company. 
 
This offer will terminate at midnight on February 18, 2003. 
 
 
/s/    DOUGLAS A. SABELLA 

Douglas A. Sabella 
President and Chief Operating Officer 
Tumbleweed Communications Corp. 
 
Please indicate acceptance of this offer by returning this form with your signature. 
 
I agree to and accept the enclosed offer of employment with Tumbleweed Communications Corp. effective upon and subject
to the Closing of the Transaction. 
 

	 	 	 	 	 
	
	 /s/    CHINI KRISHNAN

	 	 	 	 2/18/03


	 Chini Krishnan
	 	 	 	 Date


 

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