a6618560ex10_45.htm



Exhibit 10.45




 



EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of January 5, 2011, by and between BE Aerospace, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Sean Cromie (the “Executive”).


 


RECITALS


 


WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive and the Executive wishes to accept such employment on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth; and


 


WHEREAS, the Company wishes to secure for itself the experience, abilities and services of the Executive and to prevent the loss of such experience, services and abilities subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and


 


WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement the Executive and the Company are entering into the 2011 Proprietary Rights Agreement which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "2011 Proprietary Rights Agreement"); and


 


WHEREAS, the Executive has successfully completed drug/substance abuse testing, and the Company has received the results of such testing; and


 


NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:


 


1.           Employment.  Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall perform services for and continue in the employment of the Company for an initial period of two (2) years commencing on January 5, 2011 and ending on January 4, 2013; provided, however, that the Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically be extended from year to year for additional one (1) year periods on and after January 5, 2013, until either the Company or the Executive gives the other party at least thirty (30) days written notice prior to the then-applicable Expiration Date of its or his desire to terminate this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement (i) the term “Employment Term” shall mean the initial two (2) year period and all automatic one (1) year extensions thereof, and (ii) the term “Expiration Date” shall mean January 4 of either calendar year 2013 or any subsequent calendar year if the Employment Term is extended on and after January 4, 2013.  At no point during the Employment Term shall the Executive compete or take any preparations to compete with the Company.


 


2.           Position and Duties.  The Executive shall serve the Company in the capacity of Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Aircraft Products Segment, and shall be accountable to, and shall have such other powers, duties and responsibilities, consistent with such capacity, as may from time to time be prescribed by the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, or his designee, in his sole discretion.  The Executive shall perform and discharge, faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability, such powers, duties and responsibilities and shall comply with all of the Company’s policies and procedures.  The Executive shall devote substantially all of his working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.




  





  











  






3.           Compensation.


 


(a)           Salary.  During the Employment Term, the Executive shall receive a salary (the “Salary”) payable at the rate of $375,000 per annum.  Such rate shall be subject to adjustment from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”); provided, however, that it shall at no time be adjusted below the Salary then in effect.  The Salary shall be payable biweekly or in accordance with the Company’s current payroll practices, less all required deductions.  The Salary shall be pro-rated for any period of service less than a full year.


 


(b)           Incentive Bonus.  During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an incentive performance bonus of up to 80% of the Salary (the “Bonus”) in accordance with the Company’s executive bonus plan then in effect, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the end of the applicable fiscal year in its sole discretion.  The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with Company policy, but in no event later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Executive earned such Bonus.


 


(c)           Expenses.  During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by him on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures in effect from time to time.


 


(d)           Benefits.  During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any life or disability insurance, health, pension, retirement, accident, and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements made generally available by the Company to its executives, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements in effect from time to time.  In accordance with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time applicable to the Executive, the Executive shall also be entitled to paid vacation in any fiscal year during the Employment Term as well as all paid holidays given by the Company to its employees.


 


(e)           Automobile.  During the Employment Term, the Executive shall receive an automobile allowance (the “Automobile Allowance”) of $1,100 per month less applicable taxes, payable in accordance with Company policy, but in no event later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Automobile Allowance will accrue.


 


(f)           Equity Awards.


 


(i)           During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s equity incentive plan as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.  The grant timing, form and amount of the equity awards shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.  The equity awards shall be granted pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Company’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (or any successor plan) and an award agreement to be entered into between the Company and the Executive.




  





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(ii)           Notwithstanding any provision in the applicable award documents, and as additional consideration for the Executive’s restrictive non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for the benefit of the Company set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement, the Executive’s time-vested equity awards shall, subject to applicable law, accelerate and become immediately vested and unrestricted and, as applicable, become immediately exercisable and remain exercisable through the remainder of their term following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the termination of the Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Section 4(e), (ii) the Executive’s termination due to Incapacity pursuant to Section  4(c),  (iii) the Executive’s death or (iv) upon a Change of Control (as defined in Section 4(f)).  Nothing in this Section 3(f)(ii) shall alter the terms of any equity awards subject to performance-based vesting.


 


4.           Termination and Compensation Thereon.


 


(a)           Termination.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated either by the Executive or the Company at any time and for any reason.  The term “Termination Date” shall mean if the Executive’s employment is terminated (i) by his death, the date of his death or (ii) for any other reason, the date on which the Executive incurs a Separation from Service.


 


(b)           Death.  The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.  In such event, the Company shall, within thirty (30) days following the date of death, pay to such person as the Executive shall have designated in a notice filed with the Company, or, if no such person shall have been designated, to his estate, a lump sum amount equal to the Salary and Automobile Allowance (at the rate in effect as of the Termination Date) payable during the period from the Termination Date through the Expiration Date.


 


(c)           Incapacity.  If, in the reasonable judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been absent from his full-time duties as described hereunder for the entire period of six (6) consecutive months (“Incapacity”), the Executive’s employment shall terminate at the end of the six (6)-month period.  In such event, upon the Termination Date, the Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum payment equal to the Salary and Automobile Allowance (at the rate in effect as of the Termination Date) payable during the period from the Termination Date through the Expiration Date.  The lump sum payment shall be made within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date, provided that prior to the payment date the Executive or his designated appointee signs a waiver and release of claims agreement in the form provided by the Company in its discretion and such waiver and release becomes effective and irrevocable in its entirety prior to such date.  If the waiver and release does not become effective and irrevocable on or prior to the payment date set forth in the preceding sentence, the Company shall have no further obligations pursuant to Sections 4(c) or 4(g).  The Company’s obligation to pay the Employee his Salary and benefits (but to the extent not previously paid) shall terminate if the Employee subsequently takes other employment to the extent of the Employee’s salary and benefits from such subsequent employment.  Any dispute between the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive with respect to the Executive’s Incapacity shall be settled by reference to a competent medical authority mutually agreed to by the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive, whose decision shall be binding on all parties.




  





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(d)           Termination by the Company for Cause; Resignation by the Executive.


 


(i)           If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive resigns his employment for any reason (other than pursuant to Section 4(f)), the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive hereunder after the Termination Date, except for unpaid Salary and benefits accrued through the Termination Date.


 


(ii)           For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause”  shall mean (i) the Executive’s material failure, refusal or neglect to perform and discharge his powers, duties, obligations or responsibilities hereunder (including duties prescribed by the President and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Section 2 above), violation of Company policies, other material breach of the terms hereof, or breach of any fiduciary duties or duties of loyalty, the Executive may have because of any position the Executive holds with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof; or (ii) a felony  conviction, a conviction for any crime involving the Executive’s personal dishonesty or moral turpitude, or any indictment by a grand jury for acts detrimental to the Company’s best interests.


 


(e)           Termination without Cause.  The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause.  In such event, the Company shall pay to the Executive (i) the Salary payable during the period from the Termination date through the Expiration Date, and (ii) a lump sum payment equal to one (1) times the Salary in effect as of the Termination Date.  These payments shall be made within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date provided that, prior to the payment date, the Executive signs a waiver and release agreement in the form provided by the Company in its sole discretion and such waiver and release becomes effective and irrevocable in its entirety prior to such date.  If the waiver and release does not become effective and irrevocable on or prior to the payment date set forth in the preceding sentence, the Company shall have no further obligations pursuant to Sections 4(e)(ii) or 4(g).


 


(f)            Change of Control.


 


(i)           If a “Change of Control” occurs during the Employment Term and the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason (other than Cause), or the Executive resigns his employment because any of the Executive’s position, location, powers, duties or responsibilities under Section 2 above are materially reduced or changed without his agreement, or any compensation or material benefit payable or otherwise extended to the Executive hereunder is eliminated or materially reduced, the Company or its successor in interest shall (x) give prompt notice to the Executive of any such elimination or reduction and (y) pay to the Executive a lump sum payment equal to:


 


(A)           the Salary payable during the period from the Termination Date through the Expiration Date; and


 


(B)           one (1) times the Salary in effect as of the Termination Date.




  





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The lump sum payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date.


 


(ii)           For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of the default rules under Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (the “Code”).  The obligations of the Company pursuant to this Section 4(f) shall survive any termination of this Agreement or the Executive’s employment or any resignation of such employment by the Executive pursuant to this Section 4(f).


 


(g)           Benefit Continuation.  If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Sections 4(b), 4(c), 4(e) or 4(f), then the Company shall provide the Executive and, as applicable, his eligible spouse and eligible dependents with continued participation in the medical, dental and health benefit plans (except for the executive medical reimbursement plan) then generally available to the Company’s executive officers on similar terms and conditions as active executives, from the Termination Date until the earlier of (i) the first (1st) anniversary of the Termination Date and (ii) the date the Executive becomes eligible for comparable benefits provided by a third party; provided, however, that the continuation of such benefits shall be subject to the continued availability of and respective terms of the applicable plan, as in effect from time to time, and the timely payment by the Executive of his allocable share of the applicable premiums in effect from time to time.  The Executive shall be solely responsible for all taxes related to the receipt of post employment medical, dental and health benefits.


 


5.           Covenants of the Executive.  In consideration of the receipt and execution of this Agreement, including all of the benefits set forth herein that are beyond or in addition to the benefits the Executive was previously entitled or eligible to receive (each benefit separately and cumulatively being sufficient consideration for the Executive’s covenants contained in this Section 5), and the Executive’s commencement of employment as the Vice President and General manager, Commercial Aircraft Products Segment with the Company (also separately being sufficient consideration for the Executive’s covenants contained in this Section 5), the Executive agrees as follows:


 


(a)           Non-Competition.


 


(i)           The Executive shall not during the Executive’s employment with the Company and for two (2) years after the Termination Date or Expiration Date, whichever occurs first (the “Non-Compete Restrictive Period”), directly or indirectly:


 


(A)           compete in the United States or on the internet with respect to any “Competing Product or Service,” which is defined to mean those products or services offered and/or under development by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates during the Executive’s employment with the Company of which the Executive has knowledge, or any product or service competitive with or intended to compete with such products or services, or any product or service of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates which the Executive acquired knowledge of as a result of, arising out of, or from his employment with the Company; and




  





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(B)           own, invest in, make loans to, operate, manage, control, participate in, consult with, or advise, any entity or person that provides a Competing Product or Service with the Company in the United States or on the internet.  This covenant shall not prevent the Executive from having passive investments of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding equity securities of any entity listed for trading on a national stock exchange (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or any recognized automatic quotation system.


 


(ii)           If the Executive breaches any covenant contained in this Section 5(a), the Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Non-Compete Restrictive Period shall be extended during the time of such breach.  The Executive further agrees and acknowledges that, in the event of the Executive’s breach of any covenants contained in this Section 5(a), the Non-Compete Restrictive Period may be extended for up to two (2) years, which shall commence upon either (x) a determination by the Company that the Executive has stopped breaching such covenants, or (y) the date of a court’s or arbitrator’s final determination that the Executive breached a covenant contained in Section 5(a).


 


(b)           Non-Solicitation.


 


(i)           As a separate and independent covenant, the Executive agrees that he shall not during his employment with the Company and for two (2) years after the Termination Date or the Expiration Date, whichever occurs first (the “Non-Solicitation Restrictive Period”), directly or indirectly:


 


(A)           contact, solicit, perform services for, or accept work or business (in any capacity other than as a Company employee) from any clients or customers of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, with whom the Executive has worked or had contact during the Executive’s employment with the Company, or of whom the Executive had knowledge of due to his employment or access to the Company’s confidential information and/or trade secrets;


 


(B)           contact, solicit or accept contact from any clients, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, suppliers or independent contractors of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, for the purpose of interfering with, causing, inviting, or encouraging any such persons or entities from altering or terminating their business relationship or association with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.  This applies to any clients, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, suppliers or independent contractors with whom the Executive has worked or had contact during his employment with the Company, or of whom the Executive had knowledge due to his employment or access to the Company’s confidential information and/or trade secrets; or


 


(C)           contact, solicit or accept contact from any employee of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates for the purpose of interfering with their employment with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or inviting or encouraging them to terminate their employment with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates or which has the effect of altering or terminating their employment with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.




  





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(ii)           If the Executive breaches any covenant contained in this Section 5(b), the Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Non-Solicitation Restrictive Period shall be extended during the time of such breach.  The Executive further agrees and acknowledges that, in the event of the Executive’s breach of any covenants contained in this Section 5(b), the Non-Solicitation Restrictive Period may be extended for up to two (2) years, which shall commence upon either (x) a determination by the Company that the Executive has stopped breaching such covenants, or (y) the date of a court’s or arbitrator’s final determination that the Executive breached a covenant contained in Section 5(b).


 


6.           Amendments.  No amendment to this Agreement or any schedule hereto shall be effective unless it shall be in writing and signed by each party hereto.


 


7.           Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or sent by telecopy or three (3) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):


 


If to the Company, to it at:







BE Aerospace, Inc.


1400 Corporate Center Way


Wellington, FL 33414


Attention: Chief Financial Officer







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







BE Aerospace, Inc.


1400 Corporate Center Way


Wellington, FL 33414


Attention: General Counsel







If to the Executive, to him at:







Sean Cromie


C/O BE Aerospace, Inc.


1455 Fairchild Road


Winston Salem, NC 27105







8.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the 2011 Proprietary Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties.  The non-solicitation and non-competition provisions in this Agreement and in the 2011 Proprietary Rights Agreement shall be deemed separate and distinct provisions and each applicable time period shall run concurrently in accordance with its terms for the benefit of the Company




  





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9.           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not alter or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.


 


10.         Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts which together shall constitute one instrument.


 


11.         Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws (other than the conflict of laws rules) of the State of Florida.


 


12.         Withholding.  All payments made by the Company under this Agreement shall be reduced by any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.


 


13.         Section 409A.


 


(a)           If any amounts that become due under Section 4 of this Agreement constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not commence until the Executive incurs a Separation from Service if and only if necessary to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties in respect of such amounts.


 


(b)           Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is a “Specified Employee” (as defined below) he shall not be entitled to any payments upon a Separation from Service until the earlier of (i) the date which is the first (1st) business day following the date that is six (6) months after the Executive’s Separation from Service for any reason other than death or (ii) the Executive’s date of death.  The provisions of this Section 13(b) shall only apply if required to comply with Section 409A.


 


(c)           For purposes of this Agreement, “Separation from Service” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and determined in accordance with the default rules under Section 409A.  “Specified  Employee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), as determined in accordance with the uniform methodology and procedures adopted by the Company and then in effect.


 


(d)           It is intended that the terms and conditions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A.  If any provision of this Agreement contravenes any regulations or United States Treasury guidance promulgated under Section 409A, or could cause any amounts or benefits hereunder to be subject to taxes, interest and penalties under Section 409A, the Company may, in its sole discretion and without the Executive’s consent, modify the Agreement to: (i) comply with, or avoid being subject to, Section 409A, (ii) avoid the imposition of taxes, interest and penalties under Section 409A, and/or (iii) maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without contravening the provisions of Section 409A.  This Section 13(d) does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement and does not guarantee that the amounts or benefits owed under this Agreement will not be subject to interest and penalties under Section 409A.




  





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(e)           Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no reimbursement payable to the Executive pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or pursuant to any plan or arrangement of the Company group covered by this Agreement shall be paid later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expense was incurred, except to the extent that the right to reimbursement does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A.  No amount reimbursed during any calendar year shall affect the amounts eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year.


 


14.         Enforceability; Waiver.  If any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall have no effect on the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect, and such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be construed, blue-penciled or reformed by the court or arbitrator in a manner so as to give the maximum valid and enforceable effect to the intent of the parties expressed in such provision.  The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right that the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.  Similarly, the waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach by such other party.


 


15.         Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.  This Agreement may be assigned by the Company.  The Executive may not assign or delegate his duties under this Agreement without the Company’s prior written approval.


 


16.         Survival.  The obligations of the Executive pursuant to the 2011 Proprietary Rights Agreement, the respective obligations of the parties pursuant to Sections 3(f) and 5 of this Agreement, and the entitlements of the Executive and obligations of the Company pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement, shall each survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement, or any termination or resignation of the Executive’s employment, as the case may be.


 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement effective as of the date first written above.


 




	  	
EXECUTIVE:


	  	  
	  	
/s/ Sean Cromie


	  	
Sean Cromie


	  	  
	
­­

	
Date: February 23, 2011


	  	  
	  	
COMPANY:


	 	 
	  	
BE AEROSPACE, INC.


	  	  
	  	
By: /s/ Thomas P. McCaffrey


	  	
Name: Thomas P. McCaffrey


	  	
Title:   Senior Vice President &


	  	
            Chief Financial Officer









 


 




  





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Exhibit A







2011 Proprietary Rights Agreement