Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made effective as of February 17, 2011 (“Effective Date”), by and between DTS, Inc. (“Company”) and Jon Kirchner (“Executive”) with respect to the following facts:

 

A.            Executive and Company are parties to an Employment Agreement dated September 30, 2002, which was amended on December 17, 2008 (“2002 Employment Agreement”).  Employee and Company wish to enter into this Agreement, which shall amend, restate and supersede the 2002 Employment Agreement in its entirety.

 

THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the undersigned as follows:

 

1.             Employment.  Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

2.             Duties.

 

2.1           Position.  Executive is employed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and shall have the duties and responsibilities assigned by Company’s Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”) as may be reasonably assigned to him from time to time.  Executive shall also hold the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors and shall have the duties customarily associated with such position.  Executive shall perform faithfully and diligently all duties assigned to Executive.  Subject to Section 7.3, Company reserves the right to modify Executive’s duties at any time in its sole and absolute discretion provided that the duties assigned are consistent with the position of CEO and that Executive continues to report to Company’s Board of Directors.

 

2.2           Best Efforts/Full-time.  Executive will expend Executive’s best efforts on behalf of Company, and will abide by all policies and decisions made by Company, as well as all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations or ordinances.  Executive will act in the best interest of Company at all times.  Executive shall devote Executive’s full business time and efforts to the performance of Executive’s assigned duties for Company, unless Executive notifies Board of Directors in advance of Executive’s intent to engage in other paid work and receives the Board of Directors’ express written consent to do so.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will be permitted to serve as an outside director on the board of directors for nonprofit or charitable entities and/or up to two (2) additional companies, one (1) of which may be publicly traded, provided such entities are not competitive with Company and subject to the provisions of section 8 below.  Executive shall be permitted to serve as an outside director of more than one (1) publicly traded company with the advance written consent of the Board of Directors to do so.

 

2.3           Work Location.  Executive’s principal place of work shall be located in Los Angeles, California, or such other location as Company may direct from time to time, subject to Section 7.3.

 

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3.             Term.

 

3.1           Initial Term.  The Agreement shall be for an initial term commencing on the Effective Date set forth above and continuing for a period of four (4) years following such date (“Initial Term”).

 

3.2           Renewal.  On expiration of the Initial Term specified in subsection 3.1 above, this Agreement will automatically renew for subsequent one year terms (“Renewal Terms”) unless Company provides Executive with advance written notice of its intent not to renew at least 180 days prior to the scheduled expiration date.  In the event Company gives notice of nonrenewal pursuant to this subsection 3.2, this Agreement will expire at the end of the then current term.

 

3.3           Termination during Term.  Both the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Terms may be earlier terminated in accordance with section 7 below.

 

4.             Compensation.

 

4.1           Base Salary.  As compensation for Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, Company shall pay to Executive a Base Salary of five hundred thousand dollars per year ($500,000), payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of Company, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and all other employment taxes and payroll deductions.  In the event Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by either party, for any reason, Executive will earn the Base Salary prorated to the date of termination.

 

4.2           Incentive Compensation.  Executive will be eligible to participate in Company’s Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan and any other short-term incentive compensation plans established for senior executives by the Board of Directors and /or the Compensation Committee from time to time.  Executive will also be eligible to participate in any long-term incentive programs established for senior executives by the Board of Directors and/or Compensation Committee. The Company reserves the right to modify such incentive plans from time to time.

 

4.3           Performance and Salary Review.  Beginning in 2011, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee will periodically review Executive’s performance and salary on no less than an annual basis.  Adjustments to salary or other compensation, if any, will be made by the Company’s Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

5.             Customary Fringe Benefits.  Executive will be eligible for all customary and usual fringe benefits generally available to senior executives of Company subject to the terms and conditions of Company’s benefit plan documents.  Company reserves the right to change or eliminate the fringe benefits on a prospective basis, at any time, effective upon notice to Executive.  Executive will be eligible to accrue up to four (4) weeks of vacation per year, subject to Company’s vacation policy.

 

6.             Business Expenses.  Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable, out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf of

 

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Company.  To obtain reimbursement, expenses must be submitted promptly with appropriate supporting documentation and will be reimbursed in accordance with Company’s policies.  Any reimbursement Executive is entitled to receive shall (a) be paid no later than the last day of Executive’s tax year following the tax year in which the expense was incurred, (b) not be affected by any other expenses that are eligible for reimbursement in any tax year and (c) not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

7.             Termination of Executive’s Employment.

 

7.1           Termination for Cause by Company.  Although Company anticipates a mutually rewarding employment relationship with Executive, Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately at any time for Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as:  (a) acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of Executive with respect to Executive’s obligations or otherwise relating to the business of Company; (b) any acts or conduct by Executive that are materially adverse to Company’s interests; (c) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement; (d) Executive’s breach of Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement; (e) Executive’s conviction or entry of a plea of nolo contendere for fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, or any felony or crime of moral turpitude or that otherwise negatively impacts Executive’s ability to effectively perform Executive’s duties hereunder; (f) Executive’s willful neglect of duties as determined in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board of Directors; (g) Executive’s inability to perform the essential functions of Executive’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a mental or physical disability; or (h) Executive’s death.  In the event of termination based on (b), (c) or (f), Executive will have fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice from Company to cure the issue, if curable.  No act or failure to act will be considered “willful” for purposes of this Agreement unless done or failed to be done by Executive intentionally and in bad faith.  In the event Executive’s employment is terminated in accordance with this subsection 7.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive only Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, prorated to the date of termination and all benefits accrued through the date of termination (“Accrued Benefits”).  All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished.  In the event of Executive’s termination of employment by the Company for Cause, Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2 below.

 

7.2           Termination Without Cause by Company/Severance.  Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time on thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to Executive.  In the event of such termination, Executive will receive Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, prorated to the date of termination, and Accrued Benefits.  In addition, Executive will receive a “Severance Package” that shall include (a) a “Severance Payment” equivalent to twenty-four (24) months of Executive’s Base Salary then in effect on the date of termination, payable in a lump sum 60 days following the termination date; (b) payment by Company of the premiums required to continue Executive’s group health care coverage for a period of twenty-four (24) months following Executive’s termination, under the applicable provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), provided that Executive elects to continue and remains eligible for these benefits under COBRA, and does not become eligible for health coverage through another employer during this period; (c) full acceleration of vesting of Executive’s then outstanding equity compensation awards

 

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(excluding any awards with performance based vesting) and an extension of the exercise period of Executive’s stock option or stock appreciation right grants until the earlier of (i) five (5) years from the date of Executive’s termination, or (ii) the remaining life of the equity grants; and (d) eighteen (18) months of outplacement services provided by an outplacement vendor  selected by Company, provided, however, that no cash payment will be made to Executive in  lieu of such services.  Executive will only receive the Severance Package if Executive:  (x) complies with all surviving provisions of this Agreement as specified in subsection 12.8 below; (y) executes a full, unilateral, general release of all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against Company arising out of or any way related to Executive’s employment or termination of employment with Company (in a form substantially similar to that attached as Exhibit A), and such release has become effective in accordance with its terms prior to the 60th day following the termination date and (z) agrees as part of the release agreement to not make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputations, practices or conduct of Company ((x)-(z) are collectively referred to as “Severance Conditions”).  All other Company obligations to Executive will be automatically terminated and completely extinguished.

 

7.3           Voluntary Resignation by Executive for Good Reason/Severance.  Executive may voluntarily resign Executive’s position with Company for Good Reason, at any time on ninety (90) days’ advance written notice.  Executive shall provide notice to the Company of the condition giving rise to “Good Reason” within 90 days of the initial existence of such condition and the Company shall have 30 days following such notice to remedy such condition.  The Executive’s right to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness.  The Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good Reason hereunder.  In the event of Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, prorated to the date of termination, Accrued Benefits, and the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2 above, provided Executive complies with all of the Severance Conditions in subsection 7.2 above.  All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions, without the Executive’s express written consent (which consent may be denied, withheld or delayed for any reason): (a) a material reduction in the Executive’s duties, authority or responsibilities; (b) a material diminution in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom Executive is required to report, including a requirement that an employee report to a corporate officer or employee instead of directly to the Company’s board of directors; (c) a material diminution in the budget over which Executive retains authority; (d) a material reduction by the Company in the Executive’s annual base salary or annual bonus or incentive compensation opportunity as in effect as of the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time; (e) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than 30 miles from the Executive’s principal place of employment immediately prior to his termination or the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based anywhere other than such principal place of employment (or permitted relocation thereof) except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s present business travel obligations; (f ) any action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company

 

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of the Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and the Executive, or any material breach by the Company of a policy relating to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled; or (g) any material reduction in the value of any of the benefits provided to the Executive as of the date hereof or as increased from time to time.

 

7.4           Voluntary Resignation by Executive Without Good Reason.  Executive may voluntarily resign Executive’s position with Company without Good Reason, at any time on thirty (30) days’ advance written notice.  In the event of Executive’s resignation without Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to receive only Executive’s Base Salary and Accrued Benefits through the thirty-day notice period and no other amount.  All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished.  In addition, Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Package described in subsection 7.1 above.

 

7.5           Pay in Lieu of Notice Period.  Should Company terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive resign Executive’s employment with or without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice, Company reserves the right to immediately relieve Executive of all job duties, positions and responsibilities and provide Executive with payment of Executive’s then current  Base Salary in lieu of any portion of the notice period.

 

7.6           Resignation of Board or Other Positions.  Should Executive’s employment terminate for any reason, Executive agrees to immediately resign all other positions (including board membership) Executive may hold on behalf of Company.

 

7.7           Termination Upon a Change of Control

 

(a)           Severance.  If within the period that is three (3) months prior to or twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control (as that term is defined below), Executive’s employment is terminated by Company other than for Cause (as defined in subsection 7.1 above) or if within twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control Executive resigns for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive a “CoC Severance Package” that shall include the following: (i) a payment equivalent to two (2) times the sum of (A) Executive’s then current annualized base salary plus (B) the greater of (x) Executive’s most recently received annual bonus or (y) the average of Executive’s annual bonus of the prior three years immediately preceding the termination date, which shall be payable in a lump sum 60 days following the termination date; (ii) payment by Company of the premiums required to continue Executive’s group health care coverage for a period of twenty-four (24) months following Executive’s termination, under the applicable provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), provided that Executive elects to continue and remains eligible for these benefits under COBRA, and does not become eligible for health coverage through another employer during this period; (iii) full acceleration of vesting of Executive’s then outstanding equity compensation awards (excluding any awards with performance based vesting, except to the extent such acceleration is specifically provided for pursuant to the grant documents) and an extension of the exercise period of Executive’s stock options or stock appreciation right grants until the earlier of (A) five (5) years from the date of Executive’s termination, or (B) the remaining life of the equity grants; and (iv) eighteen (18) months of

 

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outplacement services provided by an outplacement vendor  selected by Company, provided, however, that no cash payment will be made to Executive in  lieu of such services.  Executive will only receive the CoC Severance Package if Executive complies with Severance Obligations described in paragraph 7.2 above and, to the extent Executive sells all of his ownership interest in the Company as part of the transaction, Executive agrees to enter into a mutually agreeable agreement with the purchaser not to compete or solicit Company customers for a period of 2 years following the Change of Control.

 

(b)           280G.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), and the severance benefits provided for in this Section 7.7, together with any other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from Company and other person or entity (the “Aggregate Severance”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, including any interest and penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax (the “Excise Tax”), then the severance benefits provided thereunder shall be either (1) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of the Aggregate Severance equals the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below) and so that no portion of the Aggregate Severance shall be subject to the Excise Tax, or (2) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to the Executive (taking into account the Excise Tax and any other applicable taxes).

 

The determination as to whether any such reduction in the Aggregate Severance is necessary shall be made initially by Company in good faith.  If applicable, the reduction of the amounts payable hereunder in accordance with clause (1) of the first sentence of the preceding paragraph shall be made in the following order and in such a manner as to maximize the value of the Aggregate Severance paid to the Executive (i) cash severance pay that is exempt from Section 409A, (ii) any payments intended to pay for continued medical benefits under COBRA, (iii) any other cash severance pay, (iv) any other cash payable that is a severance benefit, (v) any restricted stock or restricted stock units, and (vi) stock options.  If the Aggregate Severance is reduced in accordance with the preceding sentence and through error or otherwise the Aggregate Severance exceeds the Safe Harbor Amount, the Executive shall immediately repay such excess to the Employer upon notification that an overpayment has been made.

 

For purposes of this Section 7.7(b), “Safe Harbor Amount” means an amount equal to one dollar ($1.00) less than three (3) times the Executive’s “base amount” for the “base period,” as those terms are defined under Section 280G of the Code.

 

(c)           Change of Control.  A Change of Control is defined as any one of the following occurrences: (i) any person or entity, including a “group” as contemplated by Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, acquires securities holding 30% or more of the total combined voting power or value of the Company, (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is no substantial change in the stockholders of the Company or their relative stock holdings, or (iii) as a result of or in connection with a contested election of Company Directors, the persons who were Company Directors immediately before the election cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

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7.8           Termination of Employment Upon Nonrenewal.  In the event Company decides not to renew this Agreement for a subsequent one year term in accordance with subsection 3.2 above, this Agreement will expire, Executive’s employment with Company will terminate and Executive will only be entitled to Executive’s Base Salary and Accrued Benefits through the last day of the current term.  All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will become automatically terminated and completely extinguished.  Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2 above.

 

7.9           Application of Section 409A.

 

(a)           Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, no amount payable pursuant to this Agreement which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (the “Section 409A Regulations”) shall be paid unless and until Executive has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations.  Furthermore, to the extent that Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A Regulations as of the date of Executive’s separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of Executive’s separation from service shall be paid to Executive before the date (the “Delayed Payment Date”) which is first day of the seventh month after the date of Executive’s separation from service or, if earlier, the date of Executive’s death following such separation from service.  All such amounts that would, but for this Section, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date will be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.

 

(b)           Company intends that income provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will not be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in favor of satisfying any applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  However, Company does not guarantee any particular tax effect for income provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.  In any event, except for Company’s responsibility to withhold applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or provided to Executive, Company shall not be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes on compensation paid or provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits in one taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits in any other taxable year; (2) the reimbursement of eligible expenses or in-kind benefits shall be made promptly, subject to Company’s applicable policies, but in no event later than the end of the year after the year in which such expense was incurred; and (3) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

(d)           For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the 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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8.             No Conflict of Interest.  During the term of Executive’s employment with Company, Executive must not engage in any work, paid or unpaid, or other activities that create a conflict of interest which materially and substantially disrupt the operations of Company.  Such work and/or activities shall include, but is not limited to, directly or indirectly competing with Company in any way, or acting as an officer, director, employee, consultant, stockholder, volunteer, lender, or agent of any business enterprise of the same nature as, or which is in direct competition with, the business in which Company is now engaged or in which Company becomes engaged during the term of Executive’s employment with Company, as may be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  If the Board of Directors believes such a conflict exists during the term of this Agreement, the Board of Directors may ask Executive to choose to discontinue the other work and/or activities or resign employment with Company.

 

9.             Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights.  As a condition of continuing employment, Executive agrees to read, sign and abide by Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, which is provided with this Agreement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.       Nonsolicitation of Company’s Employees.  Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement, Executive will not, either directly or indirectly, separately or in association with others, interfere with, impair, disrupt or damage Company’s business by soliciting, encouraging or recruiting any of Company’s employees or causing others to solicit or encourage any of Company’s employees to discontinue their employment with Company.

 

11.           Injunctive Relief.  Executive acknowledges that Executive’s breach of the covenants contained in sections 8-10 (collectively “Covenants”) would cause irreparable injury to Company and agrees that in the event of any such breach, Company shall be entitled to seek temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting any bond or other security.

 

12.           General Provisions.

 

12.1         Successors and Assigns.  The rights and obligations of Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of Company.  Executive shall not be entitled to assign any of Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

12.2         Waiver.  Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.

 

12.3         Attorneys’ Fees.  Each side will bear its own attorneys’ fees in any dispute unless a statutory section at issue, if any, authorizes the award of attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.

 

12.4         Severability.  In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed

 

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modified to the extent necessary to allow enforceability of the provision as so limited, it being intended that the parties shall receive the benefit contemplated herein to the fullest extent permitted by law.  If a deemed modification is not satisfactory in the judgment of such arbitrator or court, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

12.5         Interpretation; Construction.  The headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement.  This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing Company, but Executive has participated in the negotiation of its terms.  Furthermore, Executive acknowledges that Executive has had an opportunity to review and revise the Agreement and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

12.6         Governing Law.  This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of California.  Each party consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in Los Angeles, California, if applicable, in any action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

12.7         Notices.  Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered as follows with notice deemed given as indicated:  (a) by personal delivery when delivered personally; (b) by overnight courier upon written verification of receipt; (c) by telecopy or facsimile transmission upon acknowledgment of receipt of electronic transmission; or (d) by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, upon verification of receipt.  Notice shall be sent to the addresses set forth below, or such other address as either party may specify in writing.

 

12.8         Survival.  Sections 8 (“No Conflict of Interest”), 9 (“Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights”), 10 (“Nonsolicitation”), 11 (“Injunctive Relief”), 12 (“General Provisions”) and 14 (“Entire Agreement”) of this Agreement shall survive Executive’s employment by Company.

 

13.           Payment of Attorneys Fees for Review/Negotiation of Agreement.  Company agrees to pay up to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for the attorneys’ fees incurred by Executive for the review and negotiations of this Agreement.

 

14.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement incorporated herein by reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to this subject matter and supersedes all prior or simultaneous representations, discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral.  This agreement may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Executive and the Board of Directors of Company.  No oral waiver, amendment or modification will be effective under any circumstances whatsoever.

 

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THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW.

 

 

	
Dated: February 17, 2011
    	
/s/   Jon Kirchner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Jon Kirchner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
DTS, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated: February 17, 2011
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Mel Flanigan
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Mel Flanigan
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
DTS, Inc.
    


 

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Exhibit A

 

1.             General Release by Employee.  Employee unconditionally, irrevocably and absolutely releases and discharges Company, and any parent and subsidiary corporations, divisions and affiliated corporations, partnerships or other affiliated entities of Company, past and present, as well as Company’s employees, officers, directors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, “Released Parties”), from all claims related in any way to the transactions or occurrences between them to date, to the fullest extent permitted by law, including, but not limited to, Employee’s employment with Company, the termination of Employee’s employment, and all other losses, liabilities, claims, charges, demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, arising directly or indirectly out of or in any way connected with Employee’s employment with Company.  This release is intended to have the broadest possible application and includes, but is not limited to, any tort, contract, common law, constitutional or other statutory claims arising under local state or federal law, including, but not limited to alleged violations of the California Labor Code, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and all claims for attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.  Employee expressly waives Employee’s right to recovery of any type, including damages or reinstatement, in any administrative or court action, whether state or federal, and whether brought by Employee or on Employee’s behalf, related in any way to the matters released herein.  However, this general release is not intended to bar any claims that, by statute, may not be waived, such as claims for workers’ compensation benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, statutory indemnity, and any challenge to the validity of Employee’s release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, as set forth in this Separation Agreement; any claims for payment or benefits under the Separation Agreement; any claim or cause of action for indemnification pursuant to any applicable indemnification agreement, any D&O insurance policy applicable to Executive and/or Company’s certificates of incorporation, charter and by-laws or any claim for contribution or any rights Executive may have to vested benefits under any health and welfare plans or other employee benefit plans or programs sponsored by the Company.

 

Employee acknowledges that Employee may discover facts or law different from, or in addition to, the facts or law that Employee knows or believes to be true with respect to the claims released in this Separation Agreement and agrees, nonetheless, that this Separation Agreement and the release contained in it shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding such different or additional facts or the discovery of them.

 

Employee declares and represents that Employee intends this Separation Agreement to be complete and not subject to any claim of mistake, and that the release herein expresses a full and complete release and Employee intends the release herein to be final and complete.  Employee executes this release with the full knowledge that this release covers all possible claims against the Released Parties, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

2.             California Civil Code Section 1542 Waiver.  Employee expressly acknowledges

 

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and agrees that all rights under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code are expressly waived.  That section provides:

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

3.             Representation Concerning Filing of Legal Actions.  Employee represents that, as of the date of this Separation Agreement, Employee has not filed any lawsuits, charges, complaints, petitions, claims or other accusatory pleadings against Company or any of the other Released Parties in any court or with any governmental agency.

 

4.             Nondisparagement.  Employee agrees that Employee will not make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputations, practices or conduct of Company or any of the other Released Parties.  Company agrees that Company, will direct its officers and directors not to make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputation, practices or conduct of Executive.

 

5.             Confidentiality and Return of Company Property.  Employee understands and agrees that as a condition of receiving the Severance Package, all Company property must be returned to Company on or before the Separation Date.  By signing this Separation Agreement, Employee represents and warrants that Employee has returned to Company on or before the Separation Date, all Company property, data and information belonging to Company and agrees that Employee will not use or disclose to others any confidential or proprietary information of Company or the Released Parties.  In addition, Employee agrees to keep the terms of this Separation Agreement confidential between Employee and Company, except that Employee may tell Employee’s immediate family and attorney or accountant, if any, as needed, but in no event should Employee discuss this Separation Agreement or its terms with any current or prospective employee of Company.

 

6.             Continuing Obligations.  Employee further agrees to comply with the continuing obligations regarding confidentiality set forth in the surviving provisions of Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement previously signed by Employee.

 

7.             No Admissions.  By entering into this Separation Agreement, the Released Parties make no admission that they have engaged, or are now engaging, in any unlawful conduct.  The parties understand and acknowledge that this Separation Agreement is not an admission of liability and shall not be used or construed as such in any legal or administrative proceeding.

 

8.             Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act.  This Separation Agreement is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. sec. 626(f).  Employee is advised to consult with an attorney before executing this Separation Agreement.

 

8.1           Acknowledgments/Time to Consider.  Employee acknowledges and agrees

 

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that (a) Employee has read and understands the terms of this Separation Agreement; (b) Employee has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney before executing this Separation Agreement; (c) Employee has obtained and considered such legal counsel as Employee deems necessary; (d) Employee has been given twenty-one (21) days to consider whether or not to enter into this Separation Agreement (although Employee may elect not to use the full 21-day period at Employee’s option); and (e) by signing this Separation Agreement, Employee acknowledges that Employee does so freely, knowingly, and voluntarily.

 

8.2           Revocation/Effective Date.  This Separation Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the eighth day after Employee signs this Separation Agreement.  In other words, Employee may revoke Employee’s acceptance of this Separation Agreement within seven (7) days after the date Employee signs it.  Employee’s revocation must be in writing and received by DTS, Inc. on or before the seventh day in order to be effective.  If Employee does not revoke acceptance within the seven (7) day period, Employee’s acceptance of this Separation Agreement shall become binding and enforceable on the eighth day (“Effective Date”).  The Severance Package will become due and payable after the Effective Date, provided Employee does not revoke.

 

8.3           Preserved Rights of Employee.  This Separation Agreement does not waive or release any rights or claims that Employee may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act that arise after the execution of this Separation Agreement.  In addition, this Agreement does not prohibit Employee from challenging the validity of this Separation Agreement’s waiver and release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended.

 

9.             Severability.  In the event any provision of this Separation Agreement shall be found unenforceable, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

10.           Full Defense.  This Separation Agreement may be pled as a full and complete defense to, and may be used as a basis for an injunction against, any action, suit or other proceeding that may be prosecuted, instituted or attempted by Employee in breach hereof.

 

11.           Applicable Law.  The validity, interpretation and performance of this Separation Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the United States of America and the State of California.

 

12.           Entire Agreement; Modification.  This Separation Agreement, including the surviving provisions of Company’s Employee Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement previously executed by Employee, is intended to be the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and cancels any and all other and prior agreements, written or oral, between the parties regarding this subject matter.  This Separation Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

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