Source: http://corpdocs.gmianalyst.com/contracts/ceo_104671.htm
Timestamp: 2017-08-24 10:47:12
Document Index: 395983159

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', '§1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1']

EX-10.29 13 anrexhibit1029.htm EXHIBIT 10.29
This Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement ("Agreement"), dated this 31st day of July, 2009, is entered into by and between Alpha Natural Resources Services, LLC, on behalf of itself and its parent entities, subsidiaries and affiliates as may employ Employee from time to time (collectively, the "Employer"), and Kevin S. Crutchfield ("Employee") and is effective as of March 22, 2006 (the "Effective Date").
WHEREAS, Employer employs Employee pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Employment Agreement dated as of March 22, 2006, as amended and restated on February 26, 2007 and November 17, 2008, between Employee and Employer (the "Second Amended and Restated Agreement") and Employer and Employee desire to amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and to continue the employment of Employee by Employer pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
1.1 Employer agrees to employ Employee, and Employee agrees to be employed by Employer, beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing through December 31, 2010 (the "Term"), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Term shall be automatically extended for successive 12-month periods unless either party provides written notice to the other at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current Term of such party's election not to extend the Term.
1.2 Beginning as of the Effective Date, Employee shall continue to be employed by Employer and, as of July 31, 2009, be Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., the indirect parent of Employer ("Alpha Natural Resources"), and shall be nominated for re-election to the Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") of Alpha Natural Resources. Employee shall report to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alpha Natural Resources. Employee shall serve in the assigned positions or in such other executive capacities as may be agreed to, from time to time, between Employee and the Employer, the Board of Directors, and/or the Employer Entities (as defined below). Employee agrees to perform diligently and to the best of Employee's abilities, and in a trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner, the duties and services pertaining to such positions as reasonably determined by the Employer and the Board of Directors, as well as such additional or different duties and services appropriate to such positions which Employee from time to time may be reasonably directed to perform by the Board of Directors and/or Employer.
1.3 Employee shall at all times comply with, and be subject to, such policies and procedures as Employer and/or the Employer Entities may establish from time to time, including, without limitation, Alpha Natural Resources' Code of Business Ethics (the "Code of Ethics").
1.4 Except as expressly approved by the Board of Directors, Employee shall, during the period of Employee's employment by Employer, devote Employee's full business time, energy, and best efforts to the business and affairs of Employer and the Employer Entities. Employee may not engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business, investment, or activity that interferes with Employee's performance of Employee's duties hereunder, is contrary to the interest of Employer or any of its parent entities, affiliated subsidiaries and divisions (each an "Employer Entity," or collectively, the "Employer Entities") or requires any significant portion of Employee's business time. The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties recognize and agree that Employee may engage in passive personal investments and other business activities which do not conflict with the business and affairs of the Employer Entities or interfere with Employee's performance of his duties hereunder. Employee may not serve on the board of directors of any entity (other than an Employer Entity, related industry trade association, public institution, government appointed public or quasi-public body, or not-for-profit charitable organization so long as such activities do not interfere with Employee’s performance of his duties hereunder) during the Term without prior approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld, by the Board of Directors. Employee shall be permitted to retain any compensation received for approved service on any unaffiliated corporation's board of directors.
1.6 Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to preclude the transfer of Employee's employment to another Employer Entity ("Subsequent Employer") as of, or at any time after, the Effective Date and no such transfer shall be deemed to be a termination of employment for purposes of Article 3 hereof; provided, however, that, effective with such transfer, all of Employer's obligations hereunder shall be assumed by and be binding upon, and all of Employer's rights hereunder shall be assigned to, such Subsequent Employer and the defined term "Employer" as used herein and any other terms referring and/or relating to Employer shall thereafter be deemed amended to mean and refer to such Subsequent Employer. Except as otherwise provided above, all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation, Employee's rights, compensation, benefits and obligations, shall remain in all material respects and taken as a whole, no less favorable to Employee following such transfer of employment.
2.1 Employee's base salary during the Term shall be $875,000 (Eight Hundred, Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars) per annum which shall be paid in accordance with the Employer's standard payroll practice. Employee's base salary shall be reviewed and approved annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") and then recommended by the Compensation Committee to the Board of Directors for its approval and may be increased, in the Board of Directors' sole discretion, from time to time. Such increased base salary shall become the minimum base salary under this Agreement and may not be decreased thereafter without the written consent of Employee unless otherwise permitted by this Agreement.
2.2 During the Term, Employee shall participate in a bonus plan pursuant to which an annual bonus shall be paid to Employee in an amount to be reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and then recommended by the Compensation Committee to the Board of Directors for its approval, which annual bonus shall have a threshold of 50% of Employee's then current Base Salary, a target of 100% of Employee's then current base salary (the "Target Bonus"), with a maximum bonus opportunity of 200% of Employee's then current base salary. Payment of the bonus shall be made at the same time as bonuses are paid to other senior executive officers in accordance with the applicable plan terms and shall be based on parameters, including, without limitation, performance goals applicable to Employee, and such parameters shall be approved by the Compensation Committee.
2.3 During the Term, Employee shall participate in Alpha Natural Resources' long-term incentive plans, including its equity incentive plans, on the terms established from time to time by the Compensation Committee; provided that, to the extent that the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors makes regular annual cycle grants of equity securities under such plans to senior executive officers who report directly to Employee (collectively, the "Direct Reports"), Employee shall receive an equity grant of the same type of security to be granted to such Direct Reports which shall be targeted at 150% of the highest number of such security granted to any Direct Report on a particular grant date and under the same terms and conditions of such award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 2.3 shall not apply to any award made in connection with the merger between Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc. and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., any retention equity award, or any inducement award which the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors determines to make to any potential new employee of Employer, Alpha Natural Resources, or any affiliate.
2.4 During the Term, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined below), Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to a pro rata Target Bonus for the year in which the Change in Control occurs, which shall be based on the portion of such year that Employee was employed by Employer prior to the effective date of the Change in Control. Such payment, if any, shall be made no later than 60 days after the effective date of the Change in Control.
2.5 The Employee shall be entitled to at least four (4) weeks paid vacation in each calendar year, or such greater amount of vacation as may be determined in accordance with Employer's vacation policy as in effect from time to time. The Employee shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by Employer to its executives.
2.6 During the Term, Employer shall pay or reimburse Employee for all actual, reasonable and customary expenses incurred by Employee in the course of his employment; provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with Employer's applicable policies and procedures.
2.7 While employed by Employer, Employee shall be allowed to participate, on the same basis generally as other employees of Employer, in all general employee benefit plans and programs, including improvements or modifications of the same, which on the Effective Date or thereafter are made available by Employer and/or the Employer Entities to all or substantially all of Employer's similarly situated employees. Such benefits, plans, and programs may include, without limitation, medical, health, and dental care, life insurance, disability protection, qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, retiree medical plans and stock option and stock grant programs, if any. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement is to be construed or interpreted to increase or alter in any way the rights, participation, coverage, or benefits under such benefit plans or programs than provided to similarly situated employees pursuant to the terms and conditions of such benefit plans and programs.
2.8 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is specifically understood and agreed that Employer and the Employer Entities shall not be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any incentive, employee benefit or stock or stock option program or plan, so long as such actions are similarly applicable to covered employees generally.
2.9 Employer shall withhold from any compensation, benefits, or amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city, or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
3.1 Employee's employment with Employer shall be terminated prior to the end of the Term: (i) upon the death of Employee, (ii) upon Employee's Retirement (as defined below), (iii) upon Employee's Permanent Disability (as defined below), (iv) at any time by Employer upon written notice to Employee, or (v) by Employee upon 90 days prior written notice to Employer.
(ii) Termination by Employer for Employer Cause. Termination of Employee's employment for "Employer Cause" shall mean termination of Employee's employment by Employer for any of the following: (a) Employee's gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the duties and services required of Employee pursuant to this Agreement, (b) Employee's final conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or Employee engaging in fraudulent or criminal activity relating to the scope of Employee's employment (whether or not prosecuted), (c) a material violation of Alpha Natural Resources' Code of Ethics, (d) Employee's material breach of any material provision of this Agreement, provided that Employee has received written notice from the Employer and been afforded a reasonable opportunity (not to exceed 30 days) to cure such breach, (e) any continuing or repeated failure to perform the duties as requested in writing by the Employee's supervisor(s) or the Board of Directors after Employee has been afforded a reasonable opportunity (not to exceed 30 days) to cure such breach, (f) the conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, or (g) conduct which brings Employer and/or the Employer Entities into public disgrace or disrepute in any material respect. Determination as to whether or not Employer Cause exists for termination of Employee's employment will be made by the Board of Directors.
(i) Except as provided in Section 3.3(iii) below, Employee shall be entitled to: (a) any base salary earned, accrued or owing to Employee through the effective date of termination of employment, (b) reimbursement for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by Employee in performing services for the Employer and/or Employer Entities prior to the effective date of termination of employment, (c) payment of vested amounts under the Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. and its Subsidiaries Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended, the "Deferred Compensation Plan"), (d) payment equal to the amount of any accrued, but unused, vacation time, and (e) any individual bonuses or individual incentive compensation not yet paid, but due and payable under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for years prior to the year of Employee's termination of employment; provided that, Employee shall not be entitled to: (1) any bonus or incentive compensation for the year in which he terminates employment unless specifically granted by the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors, or (2) any other payments or benefits by or on behalf of Employer and/or the Employer Entities except for those which may be payable pursuant to the terms of Employer's and/or Employer Entities' employee benefit plans, stock, option, or other equity plans or the applicable agreements underlying such plans. All payments shall be paid no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment, provided, however, that all payments under clause (c) shall be paid in accordance with such plan's terms and all payments under clause (e) shall be paid no later than the time that such amounts are paid to similarly situated employees in accordance with the applicable plan terms.
(iii) If Employee terminates employment with Employer pursuant to Section 3.2(iii), the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of Article 5 herein shall only apply if the Employer, at its sole option, invokes such provisions by written notice to Employee and pays the Employee the following: (a) two and one-half (2 1/2) times Employee's base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination of employment plus (b) two and one-half (2 1/2) times Employee's Target Bonus for the year in which the effective date of termination of employment occurs, which shall be paid to Employee in accordance with the following payment schedule: (1) one-half of such compensation shall be paid to Employee on the six (6) month anniversary of the effective date of termination of employment ("Six Month Payment Date") and (2) the remaining balance of such compensation shall be paid to Employee in equal installments in accordance with Employer's customary payroll practices commencing the first pay period after the Six Month Payment Date and ending on the earlier to occur of (A) the 12-month anniversary of the effective date of such termination of employment or (B) the date Employee violates any of the covenants set forth in Article 4 and Article 5 hereof.
Termination by Employee for Good Reason (Other Than A Termination In Connection With A Change in Control). "Good Reason" shall mean a termination of Employee's employment by Employee with the Employer and any Employer Entity as a result of the occurrence, without Employee's written consent, of one of the following events: (a) a material reduction in Employee's (1) annual base salary or (2) Target Bonus opportunity (unless such reduction in (1) and/or (2) relates to an across-the-board reduction similarly affecting Employee and all or substantially all other executives of Employer and the Employee Entities); (b) a failure to provide Employee with the opportunity to materially participate in any material equity-based plans of Employer and/or the Employer Entities on a similar basis to those of other similarly situated executives of Employer and/or the Employer Entities; (c) Employer makes or causes to be made a material adverse change in Employee's position, authority, duties or responsibilities which results in a significant diminution in Employee's position, authority, duties or responsibilities, including, without limitation, Employee being required to report to any person other than the Board of Directors, except in connection with a termination of Employee's employment with Employer for Permanent Disability, Employer Cause, death, or temporarily as a result of Employee's incapacity or other absence for an extended period; (d) a relocation of Employer's principal place of business, or of Employee's own office as assigned to Employee by Employer, to a location that increases Employee's normal work commute by more than 50 miles; or (e) Employer or the Board of Directors engages in any illegal activity or material violation of governmental laws, rules or regulations in connection with the Employer and/or the Employer Entities; provided, that such illegal activity or material violation has a material adverse effect on Employer and the Employer Entities, taken as a whole, thereby causing a material adverse change in the conditions under which Employee services are to be performed. In order for Employee to terminate for Good Reason, (a) Employer must be notified by Employee in writing within 90 days of the event constituting Good Reason, (b) the event must remain uncorrected by Employer for 30 days following such notice (the "Notice Period"), and (c) such termination must occur within 60 days after the expiration of the Notice Period.
Employer Termination Without Employer Cause (Other Than A Termination In Connection With A Change in Control). Termination of Employee's employment by Employer for any reason other than for Employer Cause including, without limitation, termination due to Employer's election not to renew the Term pursuant to Section 1.1, but not including a Termination In Connection With A Change in Control by Employer described in Section 3.7.
Death. Termination due to the death of Employee.
Termination due to Employee's Permanent Disability. "Permanent Disability" shall mean Employee's physical or mental incapacity to perform his usual duties with such condition likely to remain continuously and permanently as determined by Employer.
(i) Employer shall pay to Employee an amount equal to the sum of: (a) two (2) times Employee's base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination of employment plus (b) two (2) times Employee's Target Bonus for the year in which the effective date of termination of employment occurs. Except as otherwise provided herein, such compensation shall be paid to Employee in accordance with the following payment schedule: (a) an amount equal to the maximum amount eligible to be paid under Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) shall be paid to Employee no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment; and (b) the remaining balance of such compensation shall be paid to Employee in equal installments in accordance with Employer's customary payroll practices commencing the first pay period after the Six Month Payment Date and ending on the earlier to occur of (1) the 12-month anniversary of the effective date of such termination of employment, or (2) the date Employee violates any of the covenants set forth in Article 4 or Article 5 hereof.
(ii) Employee shall be entitled to a pro rata share of any individual annual cash incentive bonuses or individual annual cash incentive compensation under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for the year of Employee's termination of employment based on the portion of such year that Employee was employed by Employer; provided, however, that the payment of individual annual cash incentive bonuses or individual annual cash incentive compensation will continue to be subject to the attainment of performance goals as specified in the applicable plan which amounts, if any, would be paid no later than the time such amounts are paid to similarly situated employees in accordance with the applicable plan's terms.
(iii) Employee shall be entitled to: (a) any base salary earned, accrued or owing to him under this Agreement through the effective date of termination of employment, (b) any individual bonuses or individual incentive compensation not yet paid, but due and payable under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for years prior to the year of Employee's termination of employment, (c) reimbursement for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by Employee in performing services for the Employer and/or the Employer Entities prior to the effective date of termination of employment, (d) payment of vested amounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan, and (e) payment equal to the amount of accrued, but unused, vacation time. All payments shall be paid no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment; provided, however, that all payments under clause (b) of this Section 3.5(iii) shall be paid no later than the time that such amounts are paid to similarly situated employees in accordance with the applicable plan terms and all payments under clause (d) of this Section 3.5(iii) shall be paid in accordance with such plan's terms.
(iv) To the extent permitted by applicable law and the insurance and benefits policies to which Employee is entitled to participate (collectively, "Benefit Plans"), Employer shall maintain Employee's paid coverage for health and dental insurance (through the payment of Employee's COBRA premiums) and life insurance benefits (through the reimbursement of Employee's premiums upon conversion to individual policy) for the earliest to occur of: (a) Employee obtaining the age of 65, (b) the date Employee is provided by another employer benefits substantially comparable to the benefits provided by the above-referenced Benefit Plans (which Employee must provide prompt notice with respect thereto to the Employer), or (c) the expiration of the COBRA Continuation Period (as defined below). During the applicable period of coverage described in the foregoing sentence, Employee shall be entitled to benefits, on substantially the same basis as would have otherwise been provided had Employee not been terminated and Employer will have no obligation to pay any benefits to, or premiums on behalf of, Employee after such period ends. To the extent that such benefits are available under the above-referenced Benefit Plans and Employee had such coverage immediately prior to termination of employment, such continuation of benefits for Employee shall also cover Employee's dependents for so long as Employee is receiving benefits under this paragraph (iv). The COBRA Continuation Period for medical and dental insurance under this paragraph (iv) shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) "COBRA" means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and (b) "COBRA Continuation Period" shall mean the continuation period for medical and dental insurance to be provided under the terms of this Agreement which shall commence on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the date of termination falls and generally shall continue for an 18 month period. Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement of life insurance premiums as provided in this Section 3.5(iv) to the extent such expense is actually incurred for such calendar year and reasonably substantiated. Any such reimbursement shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such expense is incurred by Employee; provided, however, that any life insurance premiums incurred prior to the Six Month Payment Date shall not be reimbursed prior to such Six Month Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no reimbursement provided for any expense incurred in one taxable year will affect the amount available in another taxable year, and the right to this reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
3.6 If Employee's employment is terminated by reason of Section 3.4(iii) or (iv), Employee's estate, in the case of death, or Employee (or his legal guardian), in the case of Permanent Disability, shall be entitled to payment of: (a) any base salary earned, accrued or owing to Employee's estate or Employee (or his legal guardian), as applicable, through the effective date of termination of employment, (b) any individual bonuses or individual incentive compensation not yet paid but due and payable under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for years prior to the year of Employee's termination of employment, (c) a pro rata share of any individual bonuses or individual incentive compensation, based on the target levels set for such bonuses, under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for the year of Employee's termination of employment based on the portion of such year that Employee was employed by Employer, (d) all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by Employee in performing services for the Employer and/or Employer Entities prior to the effective date of termination of employment, (e) vested amounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan, (f) the amount of accrued, but unused, vacation time, and (g) participation in the Retiree Medical Benefit Plan, if applicable, and in the event of Employee's death, Employee's spouse shall be entitled to any benefits which she is eligible to receive under such plan. All payments shall be paid no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment; provided, however, that all payments under clause (b) shall be paid no later than the time that such amounts are paid to similarly situated employees in accordance with the applicable plan terms and all payments under clause (e) shall be paid in accordance with such plan's terms.
3.7 Involuntary Termination In Connection with a Change in Control. In the event the Employee's employment is terminated during the 90-day period immediately preceding a Change in Control, or on or within the one-year period immediately following a Change in Control (a "Termination In Connection With A Change In Control") by: (i) the Employee for Good Reason or (ii) the Employer other than (a) for Employer Cause, (b) due to the Employee's death or (c) due to Permanent Disability, the Employee shall be entitled to receive the benefits set forth in Section 3.8. For purposes of this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the date of this Agreement: (a) any merger, consolidation or business combination in which the stockholders of Alpha Natural Resources immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or business combination do not own at least a majority of the outstanding equity interests of the surviving parent entity, (b) the sale of all or substantially all of Alpha Natural Resources' assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (c) the acquisition of beneficial ownership or control of (including, without limitation, power to vote) a majority of the outstanding common stock of Alpha Natural Resources by any person or entity (including a "group" as defined by or under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), (d) the stockholders of Alpha Natural Resources approve any plan for the dissolution or liquidation of Alpha Natural Resources, or (e) a contested election of directors, as a result of which or in connection with which the persons who were directors of Alpha Natural Resources before such election or their nominees cease to constitute a majority of Alpha Natural Resources' Board of Directors.
(i) Employer shall pay to Employee a lump sum cash payment equal to (a) three (3) times Employee's base salary in effect as of the effective date of termination, plus (b) three (3) times Employee's Target Bonus for the year in which the effective date of the termination occurs. Except as otherwise provided herein, such compensation shall be paid to Employee in accordance with the following payment schedule: (a) an amount equal to the maximum amount eligible to be paid under Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) shall be paid to Employee no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment; and (b) the remaining balance of such compensation shall be paid to Employee in equal installments in accordance with Employer's customary payroll practices commencing the first pay period after the Six Month Payment Date and ending on the earlier to occur of (1) the 12-month anniversary of the effective date of such termination of employment, or (2) the date Employee violates any of the covenants set forth in Article 4 or Article 5 hereof.
(ii) Employee shall be entitled to a pro rata share of any individual annual cash incentive bonuses or individual annual cash incentive compensation, based on the target levels set for such bonuses, under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for the year of Employee's termination of employment based on the portion of such year that Employee was employed by Employer. Payment shall be made, in lump sum, no later than 60 days after effective date of termination of employment.
(iii) Employee shall be entitled to: (a) any base salary earned, accrued or owing to him under this Agreement through the effective date of termination of employment, (b) any individual bonuses or individual incentive compensation not yet paid, but due and payable under Employer's and/or Employer Entities' plans for years prior to the year of Employee's termination of employment, (c) reimbursement for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by Employee in performing services for the Employer and/or the Employer Entities prior to the effective date of termination of employment, (d) payment of vested amounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan, and (e) payment equal to the amount of accrued, but unused, vacation time. All payments shall be paid no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment; provided, however, that all payments under clause (b) shall be paid no later than the time that such amounts are paid to similarly situated employees in accordance with the applicable plan terms and all payments under clause (d) shall be paid in accordance with such plan's terms.
(iv) To the extent permitted by applicable law and the Benefit Plans, Employer shall maintain Employee's paid coverage for health insurance (through the payment of Employee's COBRA premiums) and other dental and life insurance benefits (through the reimbursement of Employee's premiums upon conversion to individual policy) until the earlier to occur of: (a) Employee obtaining the age of 65, (b) the date Employee is provided by another employer benefits substantially comparable to the benefits provided by the above-referenced Benefit Plans (which Employee must provide prompt notice with respect thereto to the Employer), or (c) the expiration of the COBRA Continuation Period. During the applicable period of coverage described in the foregoing sentence, Employee shall be entitled to benefits on substantially the same basis as would have otherwise been provided had Employee not been terminated and Employer will have no obligation to pay any benefits to, or premiums on behalf of, Employee after such period ends. To the extent that such benefits are available under the above-referenced Benefit Plans and Employee had such coverage immediately prior to termination of employment, such continuation of benefits for Employee shall also cover Employee's dependents for so long as Employee is receiving benefits under this paragraph (iv). The COBRA Continuation Period for medical and dental insurance under this paragraph (iv) shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan. Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement of life insurance premiums as provided in this Section 3.8(iv) to the extent such expense is actually incurred for such calendar year and reasonably substantiated. Any such reimbursement shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such expense is incurred by Employee; provided, however, that any life insurance premiums incurred prior to the Six Month Payment Date shall not be reimbursed prior to such Six Month Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no reimbursement provided for any expense incurred in one taxable year will affect the amount available in another taxable year, and the right to this reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(v) If applicable, Employer shall pay to Employee a lump sum cash payment equal to the difference between the present value of the Employee's accrued pension benefits on the effective date of Employee's termination under any qualified defined benefit plan and (if eligible) any related supplemental retirement plan (together, the "pension plans") sponsored by Employer or any Employer Entity and the present value of the accrued pension benefits to which the Employee would have been entitled under the pension plans if Employee had continued participation in those plans for the 24-month period after the effective date of Employee's termination. Such amount shall be determined based on an average of the amount contributed by Employee in the two (2) years prior to the effective date of Employee's termination. Payment shall be made, in lump sum, no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment.
(vi) Employer shall pay to Employee a lump sum cash payment of $15,000 in order to cover the cost of outplacement assistance services for Employee and other expenses associated with seeking another employment position. Payment shall me made, in lump sum, no later than 60 days after the effective date of termination of employment.
3.9 The severance benefit paid and provided to Employee pursuant to Section 3.3, Section 3.5, 3.8 and/or Section 3.10 shall be in consideration of Employee's continuing obligations hereunder after such termination of employment, including, without limitation, Employee's obligations under Article 4 and Article 5. Further, as a condition to the receipt of such severance benefit, Employer shall require Employee to first execute a release, in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A, releasing Employer and all other Employer Entities, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents, from any and all claims and from any and all causes of action of any kind or character, including, but not limited to, all claims and causes of action arising out of Employee's employment with Employer and any other Employer Entities or the termination of such employment. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the release must be executed by the Employee within thirty (30) days of the date of termination of employment. If the Employee fails or otherwise refuses to execute a release within the time specified herein, or revokes the release, the Employee will not be entitled to any such severance benefits and the Employer shall have no further obligations with respect to the payment of the severance benefits. The performance of Employer's obligations under Section 3.3, Section 3.5, Section 3.8 and/or Section 3.10 and the receipt of the severance benefit provided thereunder by Employee shall constitute full settlement of all such claims and causes of action. Employee shall not be under any duty or obligation to seek or accept other employment following a termination of employment pursuant to which a severance benefit payment or benefit under Section 3.3, Section 3.5, Section 3.8 and/or Section 3.10 is owing and the amounts and benefits due Employee pursuant to Section 3.3, Section 3.5, Section 3.8 and/or Section 3.10 shall not be reduced or suspended, except as otherwise provided, if Employee accepts subsequent employment or earns any amounts as a self-employed individual, provided, however that in the event Employee breaches any of Employee's obligations under Articles 4 or 5 of this Agreement, then, in addition to Employer's right to specific performance pursuant to Section 5.5 or any other rights that Employer or each Employer Entity may have under this Agreement or otherwise, Employer and each Employer Entity shall have the right to terminate payment of any amounts or benefits to which Employee would otherwise be entitled pursuant to this Article 3. Employee's rights under Section 3.3, Section 3.5, Section 3.8 and/or Section 3.10 are Employee's sole and exclusive rights against the Employer, or any affiliate of Employer, and the Employer's and the Employer Entities' sole and exclusive liability to Employee under this Agreement, whether such claim is based in contract, tort or otherwise, for the termination of his employment relationship with Employer. Employee agrees that all disputes relating to Employee's employment or termination of employment shall be resolved through Employer's Dispute Resolution Plan as provided in Section 7.7 hereof; provided, however, that decisions as to whether there is "Employer Cause" for termination of the employment relationship with Employee and whether and as of what date Employee has become Permanently Disabled shall be limited to whether such decision was reached in good faith. Nothing contained in this Article 3 shall be construed to be a waiver by Employee of any benefits accrued for or due Employee under any employee benefit plan (as such term is defined in the Employees' Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) maintained by Employer except that Employee shall not be entitled to any severance benefits pursuant to any severance plan or program of the Employer and/or the Employer Entities except as outlined in this Agreement.
3.10 Vesting of Equity. With respect to any equity awards or grants made by Employer and/or any Employer Entity after the date of this Agreement and notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any applicable plan, program or agreement, upon a termination of Employee's employment with Employer pursuant to any of the subparagraphs of Section 3.4 or Section 3.7, all stock options, performance share, restricted stock, restricted stock unit and other equity rights held by the Employee will become fully vested and/or exercisable, as the case may be, on the date on which such termination of employment occurs, and all stock options held by the Employee shall remain exercisable until the earlier to occur of: (i) the expiration date of the applicable option term or (ii) the two (2) year anniversary of Employee's termination date; provided, however, that the payment of performance-based awards will continue to be subject to the attainment of the performance goals as specified in the applicable plan or award agreement.
ARTICLE 4: OWNERSHIP AND PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:
4.1 All information, ideas, concepts, improvements, innovations, developments, methods, processes, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, discoveries, and inventions, whether patentable or not or reduced to practice, which are conceived, made, developed or acquired by Employee, individually or in conjunction with others, during Employee's employment by Employer or any of the Employer Entities, both before and after the date hereof (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on Employer's premises or otherwise) which relate to the business, products or services of Employer or the Employer Entities (including, without limitation, all such information relating to corporate opportunities, research, financial and sales data, pricing and trading terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within the customer's organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names, marks, and any copyrightable work, trade mark, trade secret or other intellectual property rights (whether or not composing confidential information, and all writings or materials of any type embodying any of such items (collectively, "Work Product")), shall be the sole and exclusive property of Employer or an Employer Entity, as the case may be, and shall be treated as "work for hire." It is recognized that Employee is an experienced executive in the business of the Employer Entities and through several decades of prior work in the industry acquired and retains knowledge, contacts, and information which are not bound by this Article 4.
4.3 Employee acknowledges that the businesses of Employer and the Employer Entities are highly competitive and that their strategies, methods, books, records, and documents, their technical information concerning their products, equipment, services, and processes, procurement procedures and pricing techniques, the names of and other information (such as credit and financial data) concerning their former, present or prospective customers and business affiliates, all comprise confidential business information and trade secrets which are valuable, special, and unique assets which Employer and/or the Employer Entities use in their business to obtain a competitive advantage over their competitors. Employee further acknowledges that protection of such confidential business information and trade secrets against unauthorized disclosure and use is of critical importance to Employer and the Employer Entities in maintaining their competitive position. Employee acknowledges that by reason of Employee's duties to, and association with, Employer and the Employer Entities, Employee has had and will have access to, and has and will become informed of, confidential business information which is a competitive asset of Employer and the Employer Entities. Employee hereby agrees that Employee will not, at any time during or after his employment by Employer, make any unauthorized disclosure of any confidential business information or trade secrets of Employer or the Employer Entities, or make any use thereof, except in the carrying out of his employment responsibilities hereunder. Employee shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard confidential business information and protect it against disclosure, misappropriation, misuse, loss and theft. Confidential business information shall not include information in the public domain (but only if the same becomes part of the public domain through a means other than a disclosure prohibited hereunder). The above notwithstanding, a disclosure shall not be unauthorized if (i) it is required by law or by a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) it is in connection with any judicial, arbitration, dispute resolution or other legal proceeding in which Employee's legal rights and obligations as an employee or under this Agreement are at issue; provided, however, that Employee shall, to the extent practicable and lawful in any such events, give prior notice to Employer of his intent to disclose any such confidential business information in such context so as to allow Employer or an Employer Entity an opportunity (which Employee will not oppose) to obtain such protective orders or similar relief with respect thereto as may be deemed appropriate. Any information not specifically related to the Employer Entities would not be considered confidential to the Employer.
5.1 In consideration of the compensation to be paid to Employee under this Agreement, Employee acknowledges that in the course of Employee's employment with certain Employer Entities, he has prior to the date of this Agreement, and will during the Term of employment, become familiar with Employer's and the Employer Entities' trade secrets, business plans and business strategies and with other confidential business information concerning Employer and the Employer Entities and that Employee's services have been and shall be of special, unique and extraordinary value to Employer and the Employer Entities. Employee also acknowledges that in the course of his employment he will have access to Employer's and the Employer Entities' relationships and goodwill with their customers, distributors, suppliers and employees. In light of Employee's value to, and knowledge of, Employer, the Employer Entities, and the Business (as defined below) and Employee's compensation pursuant to this Agreement, Employee agrees that, during the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter (the "Non-Compete Period"), he will not, in association with or as an officer, principal, manager, member, advisor, agent, partner, director, material stockholder, employee or consultant of any corporation (or sub-unit, in the case of a diversified business) or other enterprise, entity or association, work on the acquisition or development of, or engage in any line of business, property or project which is, directly or indirectly, competitive with any business that Employer or any Employer Entity engages in during the Term of employment, including but not limited to, the mining, processing, transportation, distribution, trading and sale of synfuel, coal and coal byproducts (the "Business"). Such restriction shall cover Employee's activities anywhere in the states in which Employer conducts operations during the Term of this Agreement.
5.3 During the applicable Non-Compete Period, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, influence or attempt to influence any customers, distributors or suppliers of any of the Employer Entities to divert their business to any competitor of Employer or any Employer Entity or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, distributor or supplier and Employer and/or any Employer Entity (including, without limitation, making any negative statements or communications about Employer and the Employer Entities). During the applicable Non-Compete Period, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, acquire or attempt to acquire any business in the states in which Employer conducts operations during the Term of this Agreement; prior to the termination of the Term of employment, has made an acquisition proposal relating to the possible acquisition of such business by Employer or any Employer Entity, (such business, an "Acquisition Target"); or take any action to induce or attempt to induce any Acquisition Target to consummate any acquisition, investment or other similar transaction with any person other than Employer or any Employer Entity.
5.4 Employee understands that the provisions of Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 hereof may limit his ability to earn a livelihood in a business in which he is involved, but as a member of the management group of Employer and the Employer Entities he nevertheless agrees and hereby acknowledges that: (i) such provisions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of Employer and any of the Employer Entities; (ii) such provisions contain reasonable limitations as to time, scope of activity, and geographical area to be restrained; and (iii) the consideration provided hereunder, including without limitation, any amounts or benefits provided under Article 3 hereof, is sufficient to compensate Employee for the restrictions contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 hereof. Subject to the final sentence of Section 5.1, in consideration of the foregoing and in light of Employee's education, skills and abilities, Employee agrees that he will not assert that, and it should not be considered that, any provisions of Sections 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 otherwise are void, voidable or unenforceable or should be voided or held unenforceable.
5.8 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 5, the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of this Article 5 shall not apply in the event that this Agreement (a) shall be terminated by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.4 or (b) Employee or Employer, as the case may be, elects not to renew the Term of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.2(iv) or Section 3.4(ii), respectively, or (iii) Employee resigns from the Employer pursuant to Section 3.2(iii) and Employer elects not to exercise its option, in its sole discretion, to subject Employee to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of this Article 5 in accordance with Section 3.3(iii) herein; provided that Employee does not receive, or does not elect to receive, any of the benefits or payments under Sections 3.5, 3.8 and/or 3.10 of this Agreement (if applicable).
5.9 If Employee breaches any obligation under Article 4 and/or Article 5 hereof, Employer shall provide notice of such breach to Employee. The Employee agrees that, within 30 days after Employer provides such notice, Employee shall pay to Employer, in cash, an amount equal to any and all payments paid to or on behalf of Employee under Article 3 of this Agreement including, without limitation, to the extent Employee has sold any equity which vested pursuant to Section 3.10 hereof, any cash proceeds received from such sale. Employee agrees that failure to make such timely payment to Employer constitutes an independent and material breach of this Agreement by Employee, for which Employer may seek recovery of the unpaid amount as liquidated damages, in addition to all other rights and remedies Employer may have resulting from Employee's breach of the obligations set forth in Article 4 and/or Article 5 hereof. Employee agrees that timely payment to Employer as set forth herein is reasonable and necessary because the damages that will result from a breach of Article 4 and/or Article 5 hereof cannot readily be ascertained. Further, Employee agrees that timely payment to Employer as set forth herein is not a penalty, and it does not preclude Employer from seeking all other remedies that may be available to Employer, including, without limitation, those set forth in this Article 5.
6.1 The provisions of this Article 6 shall apply notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary. Subject to Section 6.2 below, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by Employer to, or for the benefit of, the Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment"), would constitute an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, Employer shall pay the Employee an additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Employee after deduction of any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, and any federal, state and local income tax, employment tax, excise tax and other tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the Payment.
7.1 For purposes of this Agreement, the terms "affiliate" or "affiliates" mean an entity or entities in which Employer, Alpha Natural Resources, or any parent entity of Alpha Natural Resources has a 20% or more direct or indirect equity interest.
(ii) For purposes of Section 409A, each payment hereunder, including each salary continuation installment payment, shall be treated as a separate payment. For purposes of this Agreement, each payment is intended to be excepted from Section 409A to the maximum extent provided under Section 409A as follows: (i) each payment that is scheduled to be made following Employee's termination date and within the applicable 2½ month period specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4) is intended to be excepted under the short-term deferral exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4); (ii) post-termination medical benefits are intended to be excepted under the medical benefits exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B), and (iii) each payment that is not otherwise excepted under the short-term deferral exception or medical benefits exception is intended to be excepted under the involuntary separation pay exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). The Employee shall have no right to designate the date of any payment hereunder.
(iv) For purposes of the Agreement, the Employee shall be considered to have experienced a termination of employment only if the Employee has terminated employment with the Company and all of its controlled group members within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes hereof, the determination of controlled group members shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code; provided that the language "at least 50 percent" shall be used instead of "at least 80 percent" in each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1),(2) and (3) of the Code and Treas. Reg. § 1.414(c)-2. Whether the Employee has terminated employment will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with the guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code.
7.7 It is the mutual intention of the parties to have any dispute concerning this Agreement resolved out of court. Accordingly, the parties agree that any such dispute shall, as the sole and exclusive remedy, be submitted for resolution, then pursuant to binding arbitration to be held in Abingdon, Virginia, in accordance with the employment arbitration rules (except as modified below) of the American Arbitration Association and with the Expedited Procedures thereof (collectively, the "Rules"); provided, however, that the Employer, on its own behalf and on behalf of any of the Employer Entities, and the Employers Entities shall be entitled to seek a restraining order or injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any breach or the continuation of any breach of the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 and Employee hereby consents that such restraining order or injunction may be granted without the necessity of the Employer or any Employer Entity posting any bond. Each of the parties hereto agrees that such arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator selected in accordance with the Rules; provided that such arbitrator shall be experienced in deciding cases concerning the matter which is the subject of the dispute. Each of the parties agrees that in any such arbitration that pre-arbitration discovery shall be limited to the greatest extent provided by the Rules, that the award shall be made in writing no more than 30 days following the end of the proceeding, that the arbitration shall not be conducted as a class action, that the arbitration award shall not include factual findings or conclusions of law. Any award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and binding and judgment may be entered on it in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto agrees to treat as confidential the results of any arbitration (including, without limitation, any findings of fact and/or law made by the arbitrator) and not to disclose such results to any unauthorized person.
7.9 This Agreement replaces and merges any previous agreements and discussions pertaining to the subject matter covered herein, including, without limitation, the Second Amended and Restated Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the terms of Employee's employment, termination of employment and severance benefits, and contains all of the covenants, promises, representations, warranties, and agreements between the parties with respect to such matters. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representation, inducement, promise, or agreement, oral or written, has been made by either party with respect to the foregoing matters which is not embodied herein, and that no agreement, statement, or promise relating to the employment of Employee by Employer that is not contained in this Agreement shall be valid or binding. This Agreement may not be amended orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties to this Agreement; provided, however, the Employer may, solely to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, modify the terms of this Agreement if it is determined that such terms would subject any payments or benefits hereunder to the additional tax and/or interest assessed under Section 409A of the Code.
/s/ Kevin S. Crutchfield
THIS SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (the “Agreement”) is made as of this _____ day of ___________, _____, by and between Alpha Natural Resources Services, LLC (the “Company”) and Kevin S. Crutchfield (“Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Company employs Executive pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Employment Agreement dated as of March 22, 2006 between Executive and the Company, that was amended and restated as of February 26, 2007, November 17, 2008 and July 31, 2009, (as amended from time to time, the “Employment Agreement”) which provides for certain payments and benefits in the event that the Executive's employment is terminated under certain circumstances; and
1. (a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Executive, for and in consideration of the commitments of the Company as set forth in paragraph 5 of this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound, does hereby REMISE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Company, its affiliates, predecessors, subsidiaries and parents, and their present or former officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents, and its and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators and the current and former trustees or administrators of any pension or other benefit plan applicable to the employees or former employees of the Company (collectively, “Releasees”) from all causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands whatsoever in law or in equity, which the Executive ever had, now has, or hereafter may have, whether known or unknown, or which the Executive's heirs, executors, or administrators may have, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from any time prior to the date of this Agreement, and particularly, but without limitation of the foregoing general terms, any claims arising from or relating in any way to the Executive's employment relationship with the Company and/or its affiliates, the terms and conditions of that employment relationship, and the termination of that employment relationship, including, but not limited to, any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Virginians with Disabilities Act, the Virginia Human Rights Act, the Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act, and any other claims under any federal, state or local common law, statutory, or regulatory provision, now or hereafter recognized, and any claims for attorneys' fees and costs. This Agreement is effective without regard to the legal nature of the claims raised and without regard to whether any such claims are based upon tort, equity, implied or express contract or discrimination of any sort. This release is intended to be a general release, and excludes only those claims that Executive cannot release as a matter of law under any statute or common law. Executive is advised to seek independent legal counsel if Executive seeks clarification on the scope of this release.
3. The Executive further agrees and recognizes that the Executive has permanently and irrevocably severed the Executive's employment relationship with the Company, that the Executive shall not seek employment with the Company or any affiliated entity at any time in the future, and that the Company has no obligation to employ him in the future. Effective as of the Date of Termination, Executive is removed from all boards and committees of the Company and its affiliates on which Executive may have previously served. The Company shall deliver to Executive a copy of the documents delivered to the Office of Mine Safety which are necessary for that office to establish an ending date of your positions as an officer and director of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., the Company and their respective subsidiaries.
6. The Executive understands and agrees that the payments, benefits and agreements provided in this Agreement are being provided to him in consideration for the Executive's acceptance and execution of, and in reliance upon the Executive's representations in, this Agreement. The Executive agrees that absent execution without revocation of this Agreement containing a release of all claims against the Releasees, the Executive is not entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in the Employment Agreement.
8. The Executive agrees not to disclose the terms of this Agreement or the Employment Agreement to anyone, except the Executive's spouse, attorney and, as necessary, tax/financial advisor. It is expressly understood that any violation of the confidentiality obligation imposed hereunder constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.
12. The Executive agrees and recognizes that should the Executive breach any of the obligations or covenants set forth in this Agreement, the Company will have no further obligation to provide the Executive with the consideration set forth herein, and will have the right to seek repayment of all consideration paid up to the time of any such breach. Further, the Executive acknowledges in the event of a breach of this Agreement, Releasees may seek any and all appropriate relief for any such breach, including equitable relief and/or money damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company fails to perform any material obligation under the Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, the failure of the Company to make timely payments of monies due to Executive under Article 3 of the Employment Agreement, this Release shall be null and void and Executive shall have the right to pursue any and all appropriate relief for any such failure, including monetary damages, attorneys' fees and costs; provided, that (i) Executive has notified the Company in writing within 30 days of the date of the failure of the Company to perform such material obligation and (ii) such failure remains uncorrected and/or uncontested by the Company for 15 days following the date of such notice.
_____________________ Witness:__________________
By:______________________ Witness:_________________
EX-10.4 3 anrexhibit104.htm EXHIBIT 10.4
1.1 Purpose. The purposes of this Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. Key Employee Separation Plan is to assist the Company to retain the services of key employees by providing eligible employees of the Company and its Affiliates with certain severance and welfare benefits in the event their employment is involuntarily terminated (or constructively terminated).
1.2 Term of the Plan. The Plan shall generally be effective as of the Effective Date, but subject to amendment from time to time in accordance with Article 7. The Plan shall continue until terminated pursuant to Article 7 hereof.
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any parent entities, affiliated Subsidiaries and/or divisions of the Company.
(b) "Alpha" shall mean Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(c) "Base Pay" shall mean the Participant's annual base salary rate, exclusive of bonuses, commissions and other incentive pay, as in effect immediately preceding the Participant's Date of Termination.
(d) "Benefit Factor" shall mean the multiple (either 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0) which has been assigned to each Participant for purposes of determining the Participant's benefit under Section 4.2(a)(ii) and Section 4.3(a)(ii), as the case may be, and which Benefit Factor may be different for each of Section 4.2(a)(ii) and Section 4.3(a)(ii).
(e) "Benefit Plans" shall mean the insurance and health and welfare benefits plans and policies to which Participant is entitled to participate.
(f) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of Alpha.
(g) "Cause" shall mean:
(i) Participant's gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the duties and services required of Participant;
(ii) Participant's final conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or Participant engaging in fraudulent or criminal activity relating to the scope of Participant's employment (whether or not prosecuted);
(iii) a material violation of Alpha's Code of Business Ethics;
(iv) any continuing or repeated failure to perform the duties as requested in writing by the Participant's supervisor(s) or the Board after Participant has been afforded a reasonable opportunity (not to exceed 30 days) to cure such breach;
(v) the commission of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; or
(vi) conduct which brings the Company and/or its Affiliates into public disgrace or disrepute in any material respect.
(h) "Change in Control" shall mean the first to occur, after the Effective Date, of any of the following:
(i) any merger, consolidation or business combination in which the stockholders of Alpha immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or business combination do not own at least a majority of the outstanding equity interests of the surviving parent entity;
(ii) the sale of all or substantially all of Alpha's assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;
(iii) the acquisition of beneficial ownership or control of (including, without limitation, power to vote) a majority of the outstanding common stock of Alpha by any person or entity (including a "group" as defined by or under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act);
(iv) the stockholders of Alpha approve any plan for the dissolution or liquidation of Alpha; or
(v) a contested election of directors, as a result of which or in connection with which the persons who were directors of Alpha before such election or their nominees cease to constitute a majority of Alpha's Board.
(i) "COBRA" means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.
(j) "COBRA Continuation Period" shall mean the continuation period for medical and dental insurance to be provided under the terms of this Plan which shall commence on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the Date of Termination falls.
(k) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(l) "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(m) "Company" shall mean Alpha Natural Resources Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its parent entities, Subsidiaries and Affiliates as may employ Participant from time to time; provided that a Subsidiary which ceases to be, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or under common control with Alpha prior to a Change in Control (other than in connection with and as an integral part of a series of transactions resulting in a Change in Control) shall, automatically and without any further action, cease to be (or be a part of) the Company and its Affiliates for purposes hereof.
(n) "Covered Change in Control Termination" shall mean, with respect to a Participant, if, during the 90-day period immediately preceding a Change in Control, or on or within the one-year period immediately following a Change in Control, the occurrence of an Involuntary Termination Associated with a Change in Control.
(o) "Covered Termination Prior to Change in Control" shall mean, at any time prior to the 90-day period immediately preceding a Change in Control, the Participant's involuntary (or constructive) Separation from Service with the Company: (i) by the Company and any Affiliate for any reason other than (A) Cause, (B) the Participant's death, or the Participant's Disability or (ii) on account of a Good Reason termination of employment by the Participant.
(p) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date on which a Covered Change in Control Termination or Covered Termination Prior to a Change in Control occurs, as the case may be.
(q) "Disability" shall mean the Participant's physical or mental incapacity to perform his or her usual duties with such condition likely to remain continuously and permanently as determined by the Company.
(r) "Effective Date" shall mean March 22, 2006.
(s) "Good Reason" shall mean the Participant's Separation from Service by the Participant as a result of the occurrence, without the Participant's written consent, of one of the following events:
(v) The Company or the Board engages in any illegal activity or material violation of governmental laws, rules or regulations in connection with the Company and/or its Affiliates; provided, that such illegal activity or material violation has a material adverse effect on the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole, thereby causing a material adverse change in the conditions under which Participant's services are to be performed.
(t) "Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control" means the Participant's Separation from Service related to a Change in Control: (i) by the Company and any Affiliate for any reason other than (A) Cause, (B) the Participant's death, or (C) the Participant's Disability; or (ii) on account of a Good Reason termination of employment by the Participant.
(u) "New Job Position" shall mean a change in the Participant's position, authority, duties or responsibilities with the Company or any Affiliate due to the Participant's demonstrated inadequate or unsatisfactory performance, provided the Participant had been notified of such inadequate performance and had been given at least 30 days to cure such inadequate performance.
(v) "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice given by the Company or Participant, as applicable, which shall indicate the specific termination provision in the Plan relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Participant's employment under the provisions so indicated.
(w) "Participant" shall have the meaning ascribed by Article 3.
(x) "Plan" shall mean this Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. Key Employee Separation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with Article 7.
(y) "Plan Administrator" shall have the meaning ascribed by Article 12.
(z) "Release" shall have the meaning ascribed by Section 4.5.
(aa) "Securities Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(bb) "Separation from Service" shall mean a Participant's termination of employment with the Company and all of its controlled group members within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. The determination of controlled group members shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code; provided that the language "at least 50 percent" shall be used instead of "at least 80 percent" in each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1),(2) and (3) of the Code and Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.414(c)-2; provided, further, where legitimate business reasons exist (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(h)(3)), the language "at least 20 percent" shall be used instead of "at least 80 percent" in each place it appears. Whether a Participant has Separated from Service will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with the guidance issued under Section 409A. A Participant will be presumed to have experienced a Separation from Service when the level of bona fide services performed permanently decreases to a level less than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed during the immediately preceding thirty-six (36)-month period or such other period as provided by regulation.
(cc) "Service Period" shall mean the number of months of additional service credit (24, 18 or 12) which has been assigned to each Participant for purposes of determining the Participant's benefit under Section 4.2(a)(v) and Section 4.3(a)(v), as the case may be, and which Service Period may be different for each of Section 4.2(a)(v) and Section 4.3(a)(v).
(dd) "Six Month Payment Date" means the six (6) month anniversary of the Date of Termination.
(ee) "Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Alpha.
(ff) "Subsidiary" shall mean any Company controlled entity.
(gg) "Target Bonus" shall mean 100% of the annual bonus which is established by the Committee or the Board, as applicable.
4.1 Change in Control Bonus Payment. During Participant's employment with the Company, in the event of a Change in Control, Participant shall be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to a pro rata Target Bonus for the year in which the Change in Control occurs, which shall be based on the portion of such year that Participant was employed by the Company and any Affiliate prior to the effective date of the Change in Control. Such payment, if any, shall be made contemporaneous with the Change in Control, or as soon as administratively feasible thereafter (but in no event later than 60 days following the effective date of the Change in Control).
4.2 If a Covered Change in Control Termination occurs with respect to a Participant, then such Participant shall be entitled hereunder to the following:
(a) Compensation and Benefits Upon Covered Change in Control Termination. Subject to Participant's execution of the Release as provided in Section 4.5, in the event of a Covered Change in Control Termination, the Company shall pay and provide to the Participant:
(iv) To the extent permitted by applicable law and the Benefit Plans, the Company shall maintain Participant's paid coverage for health insurance (through the payment of Participant's COBRA premiums) and other dental and life insurance benefits (through the reimbursement of Participant's premiums upon conversion to an individual policy) until the earlier to occur of: (a) Participant obtaining the age of 65, (b) the date Participant is provided by another employer benefits substantially comparable to the benefits provided by the Benefit Plans (which Participant must provide prompt notice with respect thereto to the Company), or (c) the expiration of the COBRA Continuation Period. During the applicable period of coverage described in the foregoing sentence, Participant shall be entitled to benefits, on substantially the same basis as would have otherwise been provided had Participant not been terminated and the Company will have no obligation to pay any benefits to, or premiums on behalf of, Participant after such period ends. To the extent that such benefits are available under the Benefit Plans and Participant had such coverage immediately prior to termination of employment, such continuation of benefits for Participant shall also cover Participant's dependents for so long as Participant is receiving such benefits under this Section 4.2(a)(iv). The COBRA Continuation Period for medical and dental insurance under this Section 4.2(a)(iv) shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan. Participant shall be entitled to reimbursement of life insurance premiums as provided in this Section 4.2(a)(iv) in accordance with and subject to the following limitations and provisions: (1) reimbursement will be available only to the extent such expense is actually incurred for any particular calendar year and reasonably substantiated; (2) reimbursement shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which such expense is incurred by Participant; (3) no reimbursement will be provided for any expense which relates to insurance coverage after the applicable period of coverage provided in this Section 4.2(a)(iv); and (4) any life insurance premiums incurred prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the Date of Termination shall not be reimbursed prior to the six (6) month anniversary of such Date of Termination.
(vii) All payments to be made pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be made, in lump sum, no later than 60 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that all payments due under Section 4.2(a)(iv) shall be made as provided thereunder, and all payments due under Section 4.2(a)(i)(B) shall be paid no later than the time provided for under the applicable plan or arrangement in accordance with the applicable plan or arrangement terms.
4.3 If a Covered Termination Prior to a Change in Control occurs with respect to a Participant, then such Participant shall be entitled hereunder to the following:
(a) Compensation and Benefits Upon Covered Termination Prior to a Change in Control. Subject to Participant's execution of the Release described in Section 4.5, in the event of a Covered Termination Prior to a Change in Control, the Company shall pay and provide to the Participant after his or her Date of Termination:
(iii) A pro rata share of any individual annual cash incentive bonuses or individual annual cash incentive compensation under the Company's and its Affiliates' applicable plans for the year of Participant's termination of employment based on the portion of such year that Participant was employed by the Company and any Affiliate; provided, however, that the payment of individual annual cash incentive bonuses or individual annual cash incentive compensation will continue to be subject to the attainment of performance goals as specified in the applicable plan.
(iv) To the extent permitted by applicable law and the Benefit Plans, the Company shall maintain Participant's paid coverage for health insurance (through the payment of Participant's COBRA premiums) and other dental and life insurance benefits (through the reimbursement of Participant's premiums upon conversion to an individual policy) until the earlier to occur of: (a) Participant obtaining the age of 65, (b) the date Participant is provided by another employer benefits substantially comparable to the benefits provided by the Benefit Plans (which Participant must provide prompt notice with respect thereto to the Company), or (c) the expiration of the COBRA Continuation Period. During the applicable period of coverage described in the foregoing sentence, Participant shall be entitled to benefits, on substantially the same basis as would have otherwise been provided had Participant not been terminated and the Company will have no obligation to pay any benefits to, or premiums on behalf of, Participant after such period ends. To the extent that such benefits are available under the Benefit Plans and Participant had such coverage immediately prior to termination of employment, such continuation of benefits for Participant shall also cover Participant's dependents for so long as Participant is receiving such benefits under this Section 4.3(a)(iv). The COBRA Continuation Period for medical and dental insurance under this Section 4.3(a)(iv) shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan. Participant shall be entitled to reimbursement of life insurance premiums as provided in this Section 4.3(a)(iv) in accordance with and subject to the following limitations and provisions: (1) reimbursement will be available only to the extent such expense is actually incurred for any particular calendar year and reasonably substantiated; (2) reimbursement shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which such expense is incurred by Participant; (3) no reimbursement will be provided for any expense which relates to insurance coverage after applicable period of coverage provided in this Section 4.3(a)(iv); and (4) any life insurance premiums incurred prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the Date of Termination shall not be reimbursed prior to the six (6) month anniversary of such Date of Termination.
(v) If applicable, the Company shall pay to Participant a lump sum cash payment equal to the difference between the present value of the Participant's accrued pension benefits on the Date of Termination under any pension plans and the present value of the accrued pension benefits to which the Participant would have been entitled under the pension plans if Participant had continued participation in those plans for the applicable Service Period after the Date of Termination. Such amount shall be determined based on an average of the amount contributed by, or on behalf of, Participant in the two years prior to the Date of Termination.
(vii) All payments to be made pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be made, in lump sum, no later than 60 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that all payments due under Section 4.3(a)(iv) shall be made as provided thereunder, and all payments due under Section 4.3(a)(i)(B) and Section 4.3(a)(iii) shall be paid no later than the time provided for under the applicable plan or arrangement in accordance with the applicable plan or arrangement terms.
4.4 Vesting of Equity. With respect to any equity awards or grants made by the Company or any Affiliate after the Effective Date of this Plan and notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any applicable plan, program or agreement, upon a termination of Participant's employment with the Company and any Affiliate pursuant to Section 4.2 or Section 4.3, as the case may be, all stock options, restricted stock and other equity rights held by Participant will become fully vested and/or exercisable, as the case may be, on the Date of Termination, and all stock options held by Participant shall remain exercisable until the earlier to occur of: (a) the expiration date of the applicable option term or (b) the one (1) year anniversary of Participant's Date of Termination; provided, however, that the payment of performance-based awards will continue to be subject to the attainment of the performance goals as specified in the applicable plan or award agreement.
4.5 Release. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no payment or benefit otherwise provided for under or by virtue of Section 4.2, Section 4.3 and/or Section 4.4 of the Plan shall be paid or otherwise made available unless and until the Participant executes and does not revoke a general release, non-disparagement and non-competition agreement, in a form provided by the Company and substantially as attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Release"). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Release must be executed by the Participant within 45 days of the Date of Termination. If the Company determines that the Participant has not fully complied with any of the terms of the Release, the Company and any Affiliate may withhold benefits described in Sections 4.2, 4.3 and/or 4.4 not yet in pay status or discontinue the payment of such benefits and may require the Participant, by providing written notice of such repayment obligation to the Participant, to repay any portion or such benefits already received under the Plan. If the Company notifies a Participant that repayment of all or any portion of the benefits received under the Plan is required, such amounts shall be repaid within 30 calendar days of the date written notice is sent. Any remedy under this Section 4.5 shall be in addition to, and not in place of, any other remedy, including injunctive relief, that the Company and any Affiliate may have.
4.6 WARN. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent permitted by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN"), any benefit payable hereunder to a Participant as a consequence of the Participant's Covered Change in Control Termination or Covered Termination Prior to a Change in Control, as the case may be, shall be reduced by any amounts required to be paid under Section 2104 of WARN to such Participant in connection with such termination.
4.7 Termination of Employment on Account of Disability, Cause or Death. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if the Participant's employment with the Company and any Affiliate terminates on account of Disability, Cause or because of his or her death, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment under Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 of this Plan and shall not receive benefits pursuant to Section 4.2, Section 4.3 and/or Section 4.4 hereof. Notwithstanding, the Participant shall be entitled to receive disability benefits under any disability program then maintained by the Company or any Affiliate that covers the Participant as provided under the terms of such disability program.
5.1 The Plan shall be administered by the Committee appointed by the Board.
5.3 The Committee may delegate any and all of its powers and responsibilities hereunder to other persons by formal resolution filed with, and accepted by, the Board. Any such delegation may be rescinded at any time by written notice from the Committee to the person to whom delegation is made.
5.5 Payments to be made under this Plan are intended to be excepted from coverage under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be construed accordingly. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if any benefit provided under this Plan is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder (and not excepted therefrom), the provisions of the Plan shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A, the regulations issued thereunder (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed). Accordingly, if a Participant is a "specified employee for purposes of Section 409A " (as such term is defined in Section 409A of the Code, and determined in accordance with the procedures established by the Company) and a payment subject to Section 409A to the Participant is due upon Separation from Service, such payment shall be delayed for a period of six (6) months after the date the Participant Separates from Service (or, if earlier, the death of the Participant). The Company reserves the right to accelerate, delay or modify distributions to the extent permitted under Section 409A, the regulations and other binding guidance promulgated thereunder.
ARTICLE 6. PARACHUTE TAX PROVISIONS
6.1 The provisions of this Article 6 shall apply notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary. In the event that it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company or its Affiliates to, or for the benefit of, the Participant, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise (a "Payment"), would constitute an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the Company and its Affiliates will apply a limitation on the Payment amount as specified in Section 6.2 unless it is determined that the "Net After Tax Benefits" to the Participant would be greater if the limitations of Section 6.2 were not imposed. For purposes of this Article 6, "Net After Tax Benefits" shall mean the present value of the Payments net of all taxes imposed on the Participant with respect thereto, including but not limited to excise taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, determined by applying the highest marginal income tax rate applicable to the Participant for such year.
6.2 The aggregate present value of the Payments under Article 4 of this Plan ("Plan Payments") shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Reduced Amount. The "Reduced Amount" shall be an amount expressed in present value which maximizes the aggregate present value of Plan Payments without causing any Payment to be subject to the limitation of deduction under Section 280G of the Code. For purposes of this Article 6, "present value" shall be determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. The total reduction to Plan Payments required under this Article 6 necessary to achieve the Reduced Amount shall be made against Plan Payments that are exempt from Section 409A.
6.3 Except as set forth in the next sentence, all determinations to be made under this Article 6 shall be made by the nationally recognized independent public accounting firm used by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control ("Accounting Firm"), which Accounting Firm shall provide its determinations and any supporting calculations to the Company and the Participant within ten (10) days of the Participant's Date of Termination; provided, however, that, in the event the Accounting Firm will not or cannot make such a determination, the Company and its Affiliates shall select Deloitte & Touche or such other appropriate firm to make such determination. The value of the Participant's non-competition covenant under Section 4 of the Release shall be determined by independent appraisal by a nationally-recognized business valuation firm, and a portion of the Plan Payments shall, to the extent of that appraised value, be specifically allocated as reasonable compensation for such non-competition covenant and shall not be treated as a parachute payment.
6.4 All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing the determinations referred to in this Article 6 shall be borne solely by the Company and its Affiliates.
7.1 Subject to Section 7.2, the Committee shall have the right in its discretion at any time to amend the Plan in any respect or to terminate the Plan prior to a Change in Control.
7.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Plan (including, without limitation, this Section 7.2) as applied to any particular Participant may not be amended or terminated at any time within the 90 day period immediately prior to, on or within one (1) year after the occurrence of a Change in Control in any manner adverse to the interests of such Participant, without the express written consent of such Participant, except in the event (a) of a termination of Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates under the circumstances described in Section 4.7 and/or (b) the Committee determines to amend the Plan in order to conform the provisions of the Plan with Section 409A of the Code, the regulations issued thereunder or an exception thereto, regardless of whether such modification, amendment, or termination of the Plan shall adversely affect the rights of a Participant under the Plan
9.1 (a) The Company and its Affiliates shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company and its Affiliates (taken as a whole) expressly to assume and agree to perform under the terms of the Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company and its Affiliates would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place (provided that such a requirement to perform which arises by operation of law shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for such an express assumption and agreement), and in such event the Company and its Affiliates (as constituted prior to such succession) shall have no further obligation under or with respect to the Plan. Failure of the Company and its Affiliates to obtain such assumption and agreement with respect to any particular Participant prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of the terms of the Plan with respect to such Participant and shall constitute Good Reason for purposes of this Plan. Effective upon a transfer or assignment of this Plan, the term "Company" shall mean any successor to the Company's business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees (or is otherwise required) to perform the Plan. Nothing in this Section 9.1(a) shall be deemed to cause any event or condition which would otherwise constitute a Change in Control not to constitute a Change in Control.
9.2 Except as expressly provided in Section 4.2 and Section 4.3, Participants shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment or benefit provided for under the Plan by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor will any payments or benefits hereunder be subject to offset in the event a Participant does mitigate.
9.3 Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Company shall not be liable for, and nothing provided or contained in this Plan will be construed to obligate or cause the Company to be liable for, any tax, interest or penalties imposed on a Participant related to or arising with respect to any violation of Section 409A.
9.4 All notices under the Plan shall be in writing, and if to the Company or the Committee, shall be delivered to the General Counsel of Alpha, or mailed to Alpha's principal office, addressed to the attention of the General Counsel of Alpha; and if to a Participant (or the estate or beneficiary thereof), shall be delivered personally or mailed to the Participant at the address appearing in the records of the Company and its Affiliates.
9.5 Unless otherwise determined by the Company in an applicable plan or arrangement, no amounts payable hereunder upon a Covered Termination Prior to a Change in Control or a Covered Change in Control Termination, as the case may be, shall be deemed salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any employee benefit plan or other arrangement of the Company and/or any Affiliate for the benefit of employees unless the Company shall determine otherwise.
9.6 Participation in the Plan shall not limit any right of a Participant to receive any payments or benefits under any employee benefit or executive compensation plan of the Company and/or its Affiliates; provided that in no event shall any Participant be entitled to any payment or benefit under the Plan which duplicates a payment or benefit received or receivable by the Participant under any severance or similar plan, agreement or policy of the Company and/or its Affiliates. The total reduction to Plan payments or benefits as required by this Section 9.6 shall be made against payments and/or benefits under the Plan that are exempt from Section 409A.
9.7 Any payments hereunder shall be made out of the general assets of the Company. Each Participant shall have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Company, and the Plan constitutes a mere promise by the Company to make payments under the Plan in the future as and to the extent provided herein.
9.8 The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding required by law.
9.9 The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan which shall remain in full force and effect.
9.10 The use of captions in the Plan is for convenience. The captions are not intended to and do not provide substantive rights.
9.11 Except as otherwise preempted by the laws of the United States, the Plan shall be construed, administered and enforced according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to principles of conflicts of law, and any action relating to this Plan must be brought in state and federal courts located in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
ARTICLE 10. CLAIMS PROCEDURE
specific reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
a description of any additional material or information which must be submitted to perfect the claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
an explanation of the Plan's review procedure.
If a Participant's claim for benefits is denied in whole or in part, such Participant may file suit in a state or federal court. Notwithstanding, before such Participant may file suit in a state or federal court, Participant must exhaust the Plan's administrative claims procedure. If any such judicial or administrative proceeding is undertaken, the evidence presented will be strictly limited to the evidence timely presented to the Plan Administrator. In addition, any such judicial or administrative proceeding must be filed within six (6) months after the Plan Administrator's final decision.
ARTICLE 11. STATEMENT OF ERISA RIGHTS
ARTICLE 12. SUMMARY INFORMATION
Name of Plan: The name of the plan under which benefits are provided is the Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. Key Employee Separation Plan.
Employer Identification Number and Plan Number: The Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned to the Plan Sponsor by the Internal Revenue Service is 02-0733940.
Plan Year: The Plan's fiscal records are kept on a calendar year basis (January 1 to December 31).
1. (a) The Employee, for and in consideration of the commitments of the Company as set forth in paragraph 7 of this Agreement and the Plan, and intending to be legally bound, does hereby REMISE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Company, its affiliates, predecessors, subsidiaries and parents, and their present or former officers, directors, managers, stockholders, employees, members and agents, and its and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators and the current and former trustees or administrators of any pension or other benefit plan applicable to the employees or former employees of the Company (collectively, "Releasees") from all causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands whatsoever in law or in equity, which the Employee ever had, now has, or hereafter may have, whether known or unknown, or which the Employee's heirs, executors, or administrators may have, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from any time prior to the date of this Agreement, and particularly, but without limitation of the foregoing general terms, any claims arising from or relating in any way to the Employee's employment relationship with the Company, the terms and conditions of that employment relationship, and the termination of that employment relationship, including, but not limited to, any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and any other claims under any federal, state or local common law, statutory, or regulatory provision, now or hereafter recognized, and any claims for attorneys' fees and costs. This Agreement is effective without regard to the legal nature of the claims raised and without regard to whether any such claims are based upon tort, equity, implied or express contract or discrimination of any sort.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to the provisions of paragraph 12 and paragraph 14 below, the Employee represents and affirms that the Employee has not filed or caused to be filed on the Employee's behalf any charge, complaint or claim for relief against the Company or any Releasee and, to the best of the Employee's knowledge and belief, no outstanding charges, complaints or claims for relief have been filed or asserted against the Company or any Releasee on the Employee's behalf; and the Employee has not reported any improper, unethical or illegal conduct or activities to any supervisor, manager, department head, human resources representative, agent or other representative of the Company or any Releasee, to any member of the Company's or any Releasee's legal or compliance departments, or to the ethics hotline, and has no knowledge of any such improper, unethical or illegal conduct or activities. In the event that there is outstanding any such charge, complaint or claim for relief, Employee agrees to seek its immediate withdrawal and dismissal with prejudice. In the event that for any reason said charge, complaint or claim for relief cannot be immediately withdrawn with prejudice, Employee shall execute such other papers or documents as the Company's counsel determines may be necessary from time to time to have said charge, complaint or claim for relief dismissed with prejudice at the earliest appropriate time. Nothing herein shall prevent Employee from testifying in any cause of action when required to do so by process of law. Employee shall promptly inform the Company if called upon to testify on matters relating to the Company.
(c) Employee does not waive any right to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, but explicitly waives any right to file a personal lawsuit or receive monetary damages that the EEOC might recover if said charge results in an EEOC lawsuit against the Company or Releasees.
2. In consideration of the Company's agreements as set forth in paragraph 7 herein, the Employee agrees to comply with the limitations set forth in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Agreement.
(a) All information, ideas, concepts, improvements, innovations, developments, methods, processes, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, discoveries, and inventions, whether patentable or not or reduced to practice, which are conceived, made, developed or acquired by Employee, individually or in conjunction with others, during Employee's employment by the Company or any of its affiliates, both before and after the date hereof (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company's premises or otherwise) which relate to the business, products or services of the Company or its affiliates (including, without limitation, all such information relating to corporate opportunities, research, financial and sales data, pricing and trading terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within the customer's organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names, marks, and any copyrightable work, trade mark, trade secret or other intellectual property rights (whether or not composing confidential information, and all writings or materials of any type embodying any of such items (collectively, "Work Product"), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company or a Company affiliate, as the case may be, and shall be treated as "work for hire." It is recognized that Employee is an experienced executive in the business of the Company and its affiliates and through several decades of prior work in the industry acquired and retains knowledge, contacts, and information which are not bound by this Section 3.
(b) Employee shall promptly and fully disclose all Work Product to the Company and shall cooperate and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the term of employment) to establish, confirm and protect the Company's and/or its affiliates' right, title and interest in such Work Product. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Employee agrees to assist the Company, at the Company's expense, to secure the Company's and its affiliates' rights in the Work Product in any and all countries, including the execution by Employee of all applications and all other instruments and documents which the Company and/or its affiliates shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain rights in such Work Product and in order to assign and convey to the Company and/or its affiliates the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such Work Product. If the Company is unable because of Employee's mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason (including Employee's refusal to do so after request therefor is made by the Company) to secure Employee's signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Work Product belonging to or assigned to the Company and/or its affiliates pursuant to Section 3(a) above, then Employee by this Agreement irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee's agent and attorney-in-fact to act for and in Employee's behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents or copyright registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee. Employee agrees not to apply for or pursue any application for any United States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering any Work Product other than pursuant to this paragraph in circumstances where such patents or copyright registrations are or have been or are required to be assigned to the Company or any of its affiliates.
(c) Employee acknowledges that the businesses of the Company and its affiliates are highly competitive and that their strategies, methods, books, records, and documents, their technical information concerning their products, equipment, services, and processes, procurement procedures and pricing techniques, the names of and other information (such as credit and financial data) concerning their former, present or prospective customers and business affiliates, all comprise confidential business information and trade secrets which are valuable, special, and unique assets which the Company and/or its affiliates use in their business to obtain a competitive advantage over their competitors. Employee further acknowledges that protection of such confidential business information and trade secrets against unauthorized disclosure and use is of critical importance to the Company and its affiliates in maintaining their competitive position. Employee acknowledges that by reason of Employee's duties to, and association with, the Company and its affiliates, Employee has had and will have access to, and has and will become informed of, confidential business information which is a competitive asset of the Company and its affiliates. Employee hereby agrees that Employee will not, at any time during or after his or her employment by the Company, make any unauthorized disclosure of any confidential business information or trade secrets of the Company or its affiliates, or make any use thereof, except in the carrying out of his employment responsibilities hereunder. Employee shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard confidential business information and protect it against disclosure, misappropriation, misuse, loss and theft. Confidential business information shall not include information in the public domain (but only if the same becomes part of the public domain through a means other than a disclosure prohibited hereunder). The above notwithstanding, a disclosure shall not be unauthorized if (i) it is required by law or by a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) it is in connection with any judicial, arbitration, dispute resolution or other legal proceeding in which Employee's legal rights and obligations as an employee or under this Agreement are at issue; provided, however, that Employee shall, to the extent practicable and lawful in any such events, give prior notice to the Company of his or her intent to disclose any such confidential business information in such context so as to allow the Company or its affiliates an opportunity (which Employee will not oppose) to obtain such protective orders or similar relief with respect thereto as may be deemed appropriate. Any information not specifically related to the Company and its affiliates would not be considered confidential to the Company and its affiliates.
(d) All written materials, records, and other documents made by, or coming into the possession of, Employee during the period of Employee's employment by the Company which contain or disclose confidential business information or trade secrets of the Company or its affiliates, or which relate to Employee's Work Product described in paragraph 3(a) above, shall be and remain the property of the Company, or its affiliates, as the case may be. Upon termination of Employee's employment, for any reason, Employee promptly shall deliver the same, and all copies thereof, to the Company.
(a) If the Employee is receiving payment and benefits under Sections 4.2 or 4.3 of the Plan, Employee agrees that, for a period of one year following Employee's Date of Termination (the "Non-Compete Period"), he or she will not, in association with or as an officer, principal, manager, member, advisor, agent, partner, director, material stockholder, employee or consultant of any corporation (or sub-unit, in the case of a diversified business) or other enterprise, entity or association, work on the acquisition or development of, or engage in any line of business, property or project which is, directly or indirectly, competitive with any business that the Company or any of its affiliates engages in or is planning to engage in during the term of Employee's employment with the Company or any affiliate of the Company, including but not limited to, the mining, processing, transportation, distribution, trading and sale of synfuel, coal and coal byproducts (the "Business"). Such restriction shall cover Employee's activities anywhere in the contiguous United States.
(b) If the Employee is receiving payments and benefits under Sections 4.2 or 4.3 of the Plan, during the Non-Compete Period, Employee will not solicit or induce any person who is or was employed by any of the Company or its affiliates at any time during such term or period (i) to interfere with the activities or businesses of the Company or any of its affiliates or (ii) to discontinue his or her employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.
(c) If the Employee is receiving payments and benefits under Section 4.2 or Section 4.3, as the case may be, of the Plan, during the Non-Compete Period, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, influence or attempt to influence any customers, distributors or suppliers of the Company or any of its affiliates to divert their business to any competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, distributor or supplier and the Company and/or any of its affiliates (including, without limitation, making any negative statements or communications about the Company and its affiliates). During such Non-Compete Period, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, acquire or attempt to acquire any business in the contiguous United States to which the Company or any of its affiliates, prior to the Employee's Date of Termination, has made an acquisition proposal relating to the possible acquisition of such business by the Company or any of its affiliates, or has planned, discussed or contemplated making such an acquisition proposal (such business, an "Acquisition Target"), or take any action to induce or attempt to induce any Acquisition Target to consummate any acquisition, investment or other similar transaction with any person other than the Company or any of its affiliates.
(d) Employee understands that the provisions of paragraphs 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) hereof may limit his ability to earn a livelihood in a business in which he or she is involved, but as a member of the management group of the Company and its affiliates he or she nevertheless agrees and hereby acknowledges that: (i) such provisions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of the Company and any its affiliates; (ii) such provisions contain reasonable limitations as to time, scope of activity, and geographical area to be restrained; and (iii) the consideration provided hereunder, including without limitation, any amounts or benefits provided under Section 4.2 and Section 4.3, as the case may be, of the Plan, is sufficient to compensate Employee for the restrictions contained in paragraphs 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) hereof. In consideration of the foregoing and in light of Employee's education, skills and abilities, Employee agrees that he will not assert that, and it should not be considered that, any provisions of paragraphs 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) otherwise are void, voidable or unenforceable or should be voided or held unenforceable.
(e) If, at the time of enforcement of paragraphs 3 or 4 of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area and that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law. Employee acknowledges that he or she is a member of the Company's and its affiliates' management group with access to the Company's and its affiliates' confidential business information and his services are unique to the Company and its affiliates. Employee therefore agrees that the remedy at law for any breach by him of any of the covenants and agreements set forth in paragraphs 3 and 4 will be inadequate and that in the event of any such breach, the Company and its affiliates may, in addition to the other remedies which may be available to them at law, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain specific performance and/or injunctive relief prohibiting Employee (together with all those persons associated with him or her) from the breach of such covenants and agreements and to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in the event of a breach or violation by Employee of this paragraph 4, the Non-Compete Period set forth in this paragraph shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been cured.
(f) Each of the covenants of paragraphs 3 and 4 are given by Employee as part of the consideration for the benefits to be received by Employee under the Plan and as an inducement to the Company to grant such benefits under the Plan and accept the obligations thereunder.
(g) Provisions of paragraph 4 shall not be binding on Employee if the Company fails to perform any material obligation under the Plan, including, without limitation, the failure of the Company to make timely payments of monies due to Employee under Section 4.2 or Section 4.3, as the case may be, of the Plan; provided, that (i) Employee has notified the Company in writing within 30 days of the date of the failure of the Company to perform such material obligation and (ii) such failure remains uncorrected and/or uncontested by the Company for 15 days following the date of such notice.
(a) That the Employee has read the terms of this Agreement, and that the Employee understands its terms and effects, including the fact that the Employee has agreed to RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Releasees from any legal action arising out of the Employee's employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that employment relationship; and
(e) That the Company has provided Employee with a period of forty-five (45) days within which to consider this Agreement, and that the Employee has signed on the date indicated below after concluding that this General Release, Non-Disparagement and Non-Competition Agreement is satisfactory to Employee; and
By: ___________________________ Witness:_____________________________