Document:

Exhibit 10.7

 

AMENDED
AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and
entered into by and between AGA MEDICAL CORPORATION, a Minnesota corporation
(the “Company”), and FRANCK L. GOUGEON residing at 4729 Annaway Drive,
Edina, Minnesota 55436 (the “Executive”), as of this 21st day of April,
2008.

 

WHEREAS,
the Executive is a founder of the Company and has served as a member of the
Company’s board of directors since the Company’s inception;

 

WHEREAS,
the Executive is currently employed by the Company and entered into that
certain Employment Agreement (the “Prior Agreement”) with the Company
effective as of July 28, 2005 (the “Effective Date”); and

 

WHEREAS,
the Executive desires to be continue to be employed by the Company, and the
Company desires to continue to employ the Executive pursuant to the terms, and
each of them desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety,
as set forth herein.

 

NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, terms, provisions and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree:

 

1.             Employment.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, the Company hereby offers and the Executive hereby accepts
continued employment.

 

2.             Term.      The Company hereby agrees to continue the employment of
Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive hereby agrees
to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, for
the period commencing on Effective Date and terminating on fourth (4th)
anniversary of the Effective Date (unless sooner terminated as hereinafter set
forth) (the “Term”); provided, however, that commencing on
such fourth (4th) anniversary date, and each anniversary thereafter, the Term
of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one additional year
unless at least ninety (90) calendar days prior to each such anniversary date,
the Company or Executive shall have given notice that it or he, as applicable,
does not wish to extend this Agreement. 
Following the date on which the Executive’s employment so terminates,
unless specifically otherwise agreed between Executive and the Company, the
Executive shall cease to hold any position (whether as an officer, director,
manager, employee, trustee, fiduciary or otherwise) with the Company, its
parent, AGA Medical Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, that notwithstanding any
termination of Executive’s employment, Executive may continue to serve as a
member of the board of directors of Holdings if and to the extent he is
designated a director in accordance with the Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Holdings, Executive and the other
stockholders of Holdings party thereto.

 

3.             Capacity and Performance.

 

(a)           During the term of Executive’s
employment hereunder, Executive shall serve the Company as its President and
Chief Executive Officer and shall report to the 

 

 

board of directors of Holdings (the “Board”).  In addition, and without further
compensation, Executive shall serve as a director and/or officer of Holdings
and/or one or more of the Company’s Subsidiaries if so elected or appointed
from time to time.

 

(b)           During the term of Executive’s
employment hereunder, the Executive shall be employed by the Company on a
full-time basis and shall perform such duties and responsibilities on behalf of
the Company, Holdings and the Company’s Subsidiaries as may be designated from
time to time by the Board.

 

(c)           During the term of Executive’s
employment hereunder, Executive shall devote his full business time to the
advancement of the business and interests of the Company, Holdings and the
Company’s Subsidiaries and to the discharge of his duties and responsibilities
hereunder.  Executive shall not engage in
any other business activity or serve in any industry, trade, professional,
governmental or academic position during the Term, except as may be expressly
approved in advance by the Board in writing. 
Notwithstanding the preceding, the Executive may, without being in
violation of the Executive’s obligations hereunder, (i) serve on
corporate, civic or charitable boards, or committees which are not engaged in
business competition with the Company, and (ii) invest the Executive’s
personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any material
services by the Executive in the operation of the entities in which such
investments are made, provided the Executive shall use the Executive’s best
efforts to pursue such activities in such a manner so that such activities
shall not prevent the Executive from fulfilling the Executive’s obligations to
the Company hereunder.

 

4.             Compensation and Benefits.  During the term of Executive’s employment
hereunder as compensation for all services performed by the Executive:

 

(a)           Base Salary.  The Company shall pay the Executive a base
salary at the rate of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) per year,
payable in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company for its
executives and subject to increase (but not subject to decrease without the
consent of Executive) from time to time by the Board, in its sole discretion
(such base salary, including any increase from time to time, is hereafter
referred to as the “Base Salary”).

 

(b)           Bonus.  The Company shall pay Executive a cash bonus
for each calendar year ending during the Term no later than the March 15th
following the close of each such calendar year, in an amount determined by the
Board’s compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) based upon
goals and criteria determined prior to the end of the first fiscal quarter of
each such calendar year by the Compensation Committee.  The amount of any bonus earned by the
Executive with respect to any subjective components of the bonus goals and
criteria shall be determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

(c)           Vacations.  Executive shall be entitled to no less than
twenty (20) paid vacation days per calendar year during the Term subject to the
reasonable business needs of the Company. 
Executive shall provide reasonable advance notice to the Board for paid
vacation periods scheduled to be taken by Executive in excess of three (3) consecutive

 

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business days. 
Vacation shall otherwise be governed by the policies of the Company, as
in effect from time to time.

 

(d)           Other Benefits.  Subject to any contribution therefor
generally required of executives of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to
participate in, or benefit under, any and all employee benefit plans, policies
or perquisites from time to time in effect for executives of the Company
generally, except to the extent such plans are in a category of benefit
specifically otherwise provided to Executive under this Agreement (e.g., severance pay). 
Such participation shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan
documents and generally applicable Company policies.  The Board may alter, modify, add to or delete
employee benefit plans at any time as it, in its sole judgment, determines to
be appropriate, unless otherwise provided under any employee benefit plan.

 

(e)           Business Expenses.  The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive
for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred or paid by Executive
in the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder, subject to any
maximum annual limit or other restrictions on such expenses set by the Board
and to such reasonable substantiation and documentation as may be specified by
the Company from time to time.

 

5.                                       Termination
of Employment.  The Executive’s
employment hereunder shall terminate under the following circumstances (the
date of each event of termination set forth below, by whatever cause, is
referred to as the “Termination Date”):

 

(a)           Expiration.  Executive’s employment shall terminate upon
the expiration of this Agreement, without renewal, pursuant to Section 2
hereof.

 

(b)           Death.  In the event of Executive’s death during the
term of Executive’s employment hereunder, Executive’s employment shall
immediately and automatically terminate.

 

(c)           Disability.  The Company may terminate Executive’s
employment hereunder, upon notice to Executive, in the event that Executive
becomes disabled during his employment hereunder through any illness, injury,
accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature and, as a
result, is unable to satisfactorily perform his duties and responsibilities
hereunder on a full-time basis, with reasonable accommodation, for one hundred
and twenty (120) days during any period of three hundred and sixty-five (365)
consecutive calendar days.  If any
question shall arise as to whether during any period Executive is disabled
through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or
psychological nature so as to be unable to perform substantially all of his
duties and responsibilities hereunder, Executive, at the request of the
Company, shall submit to a medical examination by a physician selected by the
Company (“Company Physician”) to determine whether Executive is so
disabled.  If such question shall arise
and Executive shall fail to submit to such medical examination by the Company
Physician, the Company’s determination of the issue shall be binding on
Executive.  In the event Executive
disagrees with the findings of the Company Physician, Executive shall have the
right to submit to a second medical examination by a physician selected by the
Executive (the “Executive Physician”). 
If the Company Physician’s and 

 

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the Executive Physician’s findings agree with respect
to Executive’s disability status, such determination shall be binding on the
Company and Executive.  If the Company
Physician and the Executive Physician do not agree with respect to Executive’s
disability status, the Company Physician and the Executive Physician shall
together designate a third physician to make the determination with respect to
Executive’s disability status and such determination shall be binding on the
Company and Executive.

 

(d)           By the Company for Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s
employment hereunder for Cause at any time upon notice to Executive setting
forth the nature of such Cause.  The
following shall constitute “Cause” for termination:  (i) Executive’s conviction of or plea of
nolo contendere to a felony or other
crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) Executive’s fraud, theft or
embezzlement committed with respect to the Company, Holdings or the Company’s
Subsidiaries; (iii) breach by Executive of any of the provisions of
Sections 7, 8 and/or 9 hereof that causes material harm to the Company,
Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; (iv) Executive’s willful
and continued failure to perform his material duties to the Company and its
Subsidiaries; or (v) Executive’s willful failure to comply with or follow
the directions or orders of the Board; provided, however, that
the Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for “Cause” within
the meaning of this clauses (iv) or (v) only after the Company has
provided written notice to Executive of the failure and Executive shall have
not have remedied such failure within fifteen (15) business days following the
effectiveness of such notice.

 

(e)           By the Company Other than for
Cause.  In the event that a majority
of the independent members of the Board conclude in good faith that Executive
shall no longer remain President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
the Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder upon notice to Executive.

 

(f)            By Executive for Good Reason.
The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder by written notice of his
resignation (“Notice of Resignation”) delivered within sixty (60) days
after the occurrence of any of the following events (each of which shall
constitute “Good Reason” for resignation):  (i) the removal of Executive from or the
failure to elect or re-elect Executive to his current position with the
Company, (ii) a change in Executive’s reporting responsibilities such that
Executive no longer directly reports to the Board, (iii) the reduction or
attempted reduction of the Executive’s Base Salary or bonus opportunity without
his consent; (iv) any action by the Company that is specific to Executive
(and not instituted on a company-wide basis applicable to all participants in
such plan, program or arrangement) that would or does adversely affect
Executive’s participation in, or that would materially reduce Executive’s
benefits under, any pension, life insurance, health, dental, accident, disability,
dependent care, vacation, paid-time off, or any other employee benefit plan,
program or arrangement in which Executive was participating at the time of the
change; (v) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement, which
breach remains uncured for a period of ten (10) business days after
receipt by the Company of written notice from Executive; or (vi) the
relocation of the principal place of business of the Company or the location in
which Executive principally performs his job duties to a location greater than
fifty (50) miles from such location as of the Effective Date.  Upon delivering any Notice of Resignation 

 

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pursuant to this Section 5(f), the Termination
Date shall be the date upon which the notice period ends notwithstanding any
Company waiver of the notice period.

 

(g)           By the Executive Other Than for
Good Reason.  The Executive may
terminate his employment hereunder at any time upon the provision of sixty (60)
days prior written notice to the Company. Upon delivering any Notice of
Resignation pursuant to this Section 5(g), the Termination Date shall be
the date upon which the notice period ends notwithstanding any Company waiver
of the notice period.

 

6.             Compensation Upon Termination.

 

(a)           Expiration.
In the event of Executive’s termination hereunder upon the expiration of any
Term as contemplated by Section 2, the Company shall pay Executive any
amounts due and payable in accordance with Section 4(b), plus one lump
cash payment equal to nine (9) months of the Base Salary at the rate that
was in effect during the Term prior to his Termination Date, within the 30 day
period following his Termination Date.

 

(b)           Death.  At all times during Executive’s employment
hereunder, the Company shall maintain insurance for Executive’s life at an
annual cost to the Company of not more than $10,000 per year, which coverage
shall be for the maximum amount of coverage available at such cost with respect
to the Executive’s life from the Company’s insurance carriers (the “Life
Insurance Policy”). In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment
hereunder by reason of death as contemplated by Section 5(b), the Company
shall pay  Executive’s designated
beneficiary or, if no beneficiary has been designated by the Executive, to his
estate, the following amounts: (i) the sum of the Base Salary earned but
not paid through the Termination Date plus the balance of the Executive’s
earned but unused vacation days as of the Termination Date for the calendar
year in which the Termination Date occurs, and (ii) any amounts to be
received by the Company pursuant to the Life Insurance Policy; provided,
that the amounts to be paid pursuant to the Life Insurance Policy shall not be
more than $5,000,000 (with any excess amount to remain with the Company).

 

(c)           Disability.  In the event of a termination of Executive’s
employment hereunder by reason of disability as contemplated by Section 5(c),
the Company shall pay (i) the Base Salary at the rate in effect on the
Termination Date for another twelve (12)  months
(commencing within 60 days following the Termination Date) and (ii) a
one-time lump sum payment equal to the balance of Executive’s earned but unused
vacation days as of the Termination Date, and the Company shall continue to
provide Executive and his dependents with continued coverage under all Company
provided medical and dental benefit 
plans and policies for the time period commencing on his Termination
Date for another twenty-four (24) months (but only if the Executive does not
have access at reasonable cost to substantially equivalent benefits through
another employer). Any participation in such benefit plans and policies may be
pursuant to the continuation coverage rights of Executive pursuant to Part 6
of Title I of ERISA (“COBRA”) or the Company may provide such benefits
directly through the purchase of insurance or otherwise.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the
Company so elects, the period for 

 

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participation in any medical or dental plan pursuant
to this Section 6(c) shall not exceed the maximum period of
continuation coverage provided under COBRA; provided, that (unless such
participation period continues at the election of the Company) at the end of such
period of COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will pay the Executive the
additional dollar amount monthly through the end of such 24-month period that
the Company would have contributed if the Executive were to have remained a
participant through the end of such 24-month period.

 

(d)           By the Company for Cause,
or By Executive Other Than For Good Reason. 
In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment hereunder by the
Company for Cause as contemplated by Section 5(d), or by Executive other
than for Good Reason as contemplated by Section 5(g), the Company shall
pay in a lump sum within 30 days of the Termination Date, to the Executive the
sum of the Base Salary earned but not paid through the Termination Date plus
the balance of Executive’s earned but unused vacation days as of the
Termination Date for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.

 

(e)           By the Company Other than
for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason. 
In the event of any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder by
the Company other than for Cause as contemplated by Section 5(e), or by
Executive with Good Reason as contemplated by Section 5(f), the Company
shall pay Executive (i) the Base Salary at the rate in effect on the
Termination Date for another eighteen (18)  months, and (ii) a
one-time lump sum payment equal to the balance of Executive’s earned but unused
vacation days as of the Termination Date. 
Any obligation of the Company to the
Executive pursuant to this Section 6(e) is conditioned upon (i) the
Executive signing a release of claims in the form appended hereto as Attachment
A (the “Employee Release”) within twenty-one (21) days (or such
greater period as the Company may specify) following the date notice of
termination of employment is given under either Section 5(e) or Section 5(f) and
upon the Executive’s not revoking the Employee Release in a timely manner
thereafter and (ii) the Executive’s continued full performance of
his continuing obligations under Sections 7, 8 and/or 9  hereof.  Base
Salary to which the Executive is entitled under this Section 6(e) shall
be payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company and
will begin within 60 days following the Termination Date, but shall be
retroactive to the next business day following the Termination Date. The
lump-sum payment in respect of accrued vacation required by this Section 6(e) shall
be due and payable five business days following the effective date of the
Employee Release.

 

(f)            Termination by the Company
Following a Change of Control. 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Executive will not
be entitled to any compensation under this Agreement in the event that his
employment is terminated by the Company or any successor thereto for any reason
following a Change of Control (as defined below).

 

(g)           Director Fees.  In the event of Executive’s termination of
employment for any reason other than death, by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive other than for Good Reason, he shall become eligible to receive payment
for the performance of his duties as a member of the Board following any such
termination of employment, in a 

 

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manner consistent with the Company’s policy covering
the remuneration payable to the independent members of the Board for as long as
he shall serve as a member of the Board.

 

7.             Restricted Activities.  The Executive agrees that some restrictions
on his activities during and after his employment are necessary to protect the
goodwill, Confidential Information and other legitimate interests of the
Company and its Subsidiaries:

 

(a)           While Executive is employed by the
Company and for eighteen (18) months after his employment terminates (in the
aggregate, the “Non-Competition Period”), Executive shall not, directly
or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor, consultant, agent,
employee, co-venturer or otherwise (other than through ownership of  publicly-traded capital stock of a
corporation which represents less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding
capital stock of such corporation), (i) compete with the Company, Holdings
or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries in any business related to developing,
selling, licensing or otherwise providing Products and related services to
physicians, hospitals or other medical establishments in the United States or
such other business activities which the Company, Holdings or any of the
Company’s Subsidiaries shall conduct or intend to conduct as of the Termination
Date, or (ii) undertake any planning for any business competitive with the
Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.  Specifically, but without limiting the
foregoing, Executive agrees not to engage in any manner in any activity that is
directly or indirectly competitive or potentially competitive with the business
of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries as conducted or
under consideration at any time during Executive’s employment with the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries (including prior to the Effective Date).

 

(b)           Executive agrees that, during his
employment with the Company, he will not undertake any outside activity,
whether or not competitive with the business of the Company, Holdings or the
Company’s Subsidiaries, that could reasonably give rise to a conflict of
interest or otherwise interfere with his duties and obligations to the Company,
Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

 

(c)           Executive further agrees that while
he is employed by the Company and during the Non-Competition Period, Executive
will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or attempt to hire any employee
of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or anyone who was
such an employee within the six (6) months preceding such hire or attempt
to hire, (ii) hire or attempt to hire any independent contractor providing
services to the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or
anyone who was such an independent contractor within six (6) months
preceding such hire or attempt to hire, (iii) assist in hiring or any
attempt to hire of anyone identified in clauses (i) or (ii) of this
sentence by any other Person, (iv) encourage any employee or independent
contractor of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to
terminate his or her relationship with the Company, Holdings or any of the
Company’s Subsidiaries, or (v) solicit or encourage any customer or vendor
of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to terminate or
diminish its relationship with any of them, or, in the case of a customer, to
conduct with any Person any business 

 

7

 

or activity which such customer conducts or could
conduct with the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

 

8.                                       Confidential
Information.

 

(a)           Executive acknowledges that the
Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries continually develop
Confidential Information, that Executive has in the past and may in the future
develop Confidential Information for the Company, Holdings or any of the
Company’s Subsidiaries and that Executive has in the past and may in the future
learn of Confidential Information during the course of employment.   Executive will comply with the policies and
procedures of the Company and its Subsidiaries for protecting Confidential
Information and shall never use or disclose to any Person (except as required
by applicable law or for the proper performance of his duties and
responsibilities to the Company and its Subsidiaries), any Confidential
Information obtained by Executive incident to his employment or other
association with the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s
Subsidiaries.  Executive understands that
this restriction shall continue to apply after his employment terminates,
regardless of the reason for such termination.

 

(b)           All documents, records, tapes and
other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or
otherwise, of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries and
any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “Documents”), whether or
not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the
Company, Holdings and the Company’s Subsidiaries.  Executive shall safeguard all Documents and
shall surrender to the Company at the time his employment terminates, or at
such earlier time or times as the Board or its designee may specify, all
Documents then in Executive’s possession or control; provided, that
Executive shall be permitted to retain any Documents provided to Executive in
his capacity as a director the Holdings if and to the extent Executive shall
continue to serve as a director following such termination; provided, further
that Executive acknowledges that such Documents remain the sole and exclusive
property of the Company, Holdings and the Company’s Subsidiaries and that upon
Executive’s retirement or other removal as a director, such Documents shall be
promptly surrendered to the Company.

 

9.             Assignment of Rights to
Intellectual Property.  Executive
shall promptly and fully disclose all Intellectual Property to the Company, and
he hereby acknowledges that all such Intellectual Property is the property of
the Company.  Executive hereby assigns
and agrees to assign to the Company (or as otherwise directed by the Company)
Executive’s full right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual
Property.  Executive agrees to execute
any and all applications for domestic and foreign patents, copyrights or other
proprietary rights and to do such other acts (including without limitation the
execution and delivery of instruments of further assurance or confirmation)
requested by the Company to assign the Intellectual Property to the Company and
to permit the Company to enforce any patents, copyrights or other proprietary
rights to the Intellectual Property. 
Executive will not charge the Company for time spent in complying with
these obligations.  All copyrightable
works that Executive creates shall be considered “work made for hire”.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 9
shall not apply to any Intellectual Property which no equipment, supplies,
facility or trade secret information of the Company, 

 

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Holdings or any of the
Company’s Subsidiaries was used and which was developed entirely on Executive’s
own time, and (i) which does not relate (A) directly to the business
of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or (B) such
entities’ actual or demonstrably anticipated research development, or (ii) which
does not result from any work performed by the Executive for the Company,
Holdings or any the Company’s Subsidiaries.

 

10.           Enforcement of Covenants.  Executive acknowledges that he has carefully
read and considered all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including
the restraints imposed upon him pursuant to Sections 7, 8 and/or 9 hereof.  Executive agrees that said restraints are
necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company, Holdings and
the Company’s Subsidiaries and that each and every one of the restraints is
reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic
area.  Executive further acknowledges
that, were he to breach any of the covenants contained in Sections 7, 8 and/or
9 hereof, the damage to the Company would be irreparable.  Executive therefore agrees that the Company,
in addition to any other remedies available to it, shall be entitled to
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against any breach or threatened
breach by Executive of any of said covenants. 
The parties further agree that, in the event that any provision of
Sections 7, 8 and/or 9  hereof shall
be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by
reason of its being extended over too great a time, too large a geographic area
or too great a range of activities, such provision shall be deemed to be
modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

11.           Conflicting Agreements.
Executive hereby represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement
and the performance of his obligations hereunder will not breach or be in
conflict with any other agreement to which Executive is a party or is bound and
that Executive is not now subject to any covenants against competition or
similar covenants or any court order or other legal obligation that would
affect the performance of his obligations hereunder.  Executive will not disclose to or use on
behalf of the Company any proprietary information of a third party without such
party’s consent.

 

12.           Definitions.  Words or phrases which are initially
capitalized or are within quotation marks shall have the meanings provided in
this Section 12 and as provided elsewhere herein.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following
definitions apply:

 

(a)           “Affiliate” means, with
respect to the Company or any other specified Person, any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the
Company or such other specified Person, where control may be by management
authority, equity interest or other means.

 

(b)           “Change of Control” means (i) a
consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation
(other than a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation and
which will not result in more than 50% of the capital stock of the Company
being owned of record or beneficially by persons other than the holders of such
capital stock immediately prior to such merger), (ii) a sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the
Company as an entirety to any other person or persons in a single transaction
or series of related transactions, (iii) an acquisition of beneficial
ownership by any person or group of voting stock of the 

 

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Company representing more than 50% of the voting power
of all outstanding shares of such voting stock, whether by way of merger or
consolidation or otherwise, or (iv) any other transaction which results in
the disposition of 50% or more of the voting power of all classes of capital
stock of the Company on a combined basis. 
For the avoidance of doubt, the acquisition of beneficial ownership by
any person or group of voting stock of the Company representing less than 50%
of the voting power of all outstanding shares of such voting stock, in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions, shall not be deemed a “Change
of Control,” whether or not such person or group beneficially owns voting stock
of the Company representing more than 50% of the voting power of all outstanding
shares of such voting stock following such transaction.

 

(c)           “Code” means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(d)           “Confidential Information”
means any and all information of the Company, Holdings and the Company’s
Subsidiaries that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do
business, or with whom they plan to compete or do business and any and all
information which, if disclosed by the Company, Holdings or the Company’s
Subsidiaries, would assist in competition against them.  Confidential Information includes without
limitation such information relating to (i) the development, research,
testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company,
Holdings or the Company’s Subsidiaries, (ii) the Products, (iii) the
costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the
Company, Holdings or the Company’s Subsidiaries, (iv) the identity and
special needs of the customers of the Company, Holdings or the Company’s
Subsidiaries and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company,
Holdings or the Company’s Subsidiaries have business relationships and those
relationships.  Confidential Information
also includes any information that the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s
Subsidiaries have received, or may receive hereafter, from others which was
received by the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries with any
understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

 

(e)           “Intellectual Property” means
inventions, discoveries, developments, methods, processes, compositions, works,
concepts and ideas (whether or not patentable or copyrightable or constituting
trade secrets) conceived, made, created, developed or reduced to practice by
Executive (whether alone or with others and whether or not during normal
business hours or on or off the premises of the Company, Holdings or any of the
Company’s Subsidiaries) during the Term of Executive’s employment with the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including prior to the Effective Date) that
relate to either the Products or any prospective activity of the Company,
Holdings or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or that make use of  Confidential Information or any of the
equipment or facilities of the Company, Holdings or any of the Company’s
Subsidiaries.

 

(f)            “Person” means an individual,
a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an
estate, a trust and any other entity or organization, including an Affiliate or
a Subsidiary.

 

10

 

(g)           “Products” mean all products
planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or
otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, during Executive’s employment with the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries (including prior to the Effective Date).

 

(h)           “Subsidiary” shall mean any
Person of which the Company (or other specified Person) shall, directly or
indirectly, own beneficially or control the voting of at least a majority of
the outstanding capital stock (or other shares of beneficial interest) entitled
to vote generally or at least a majority of the partnership, membership, joint
venture or similar interests, or in which the Company (or other specified
Person) or a Subsidiary thereof shall be a general partner or joint venturer
without limited liability.

 

13.           Survival.  The provisions of this Agreement shall survive
following the Termination Date if so provided herein or desirable to accomplish
the purposes of other surviving provisions, including without limitation the
provisions of Section 6, 7, 8 and 9 hereof.

 

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

 

15.           Assignment.  Neither the Company nor Executive may make
any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or
otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however,
that the Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement
without the consent of Executive in the event that the Company shall hereafter
effect a reorganization, consolidation or merger or to whom the Company
transfers all or substantially all of its properties or assets.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the Company and Executive, their respective successors,
executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.

 

16.           Severability.  If any portion or provision of this Agreement
shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application
of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it
is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and
each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to
the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

17.           Waiver.  No waiver of any provision hereof shall be
effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party.  The failure of either party to require the
performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by
either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent
enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent
breach.

 

18.           Notices.  Any and all notices, requests, demands and
other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be effective when delivered in person, when delivered by courier at
Executive’s last known address on the books of the Company, or five (5) business
days following deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, 

 

11

 

registered or certified,
and addressed to Executive at his last known address on the books of the
Company or, in the case of the Company, at its principal place of business,
attention of the Chairman of the Board, or to such other address as either
party may specify by notice to the other actually received.

 

19.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the other plans and
documents specifically referred to herein constitute the entire agreement
between the parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement and such
other plans and documents and supersede all prior communications, agreements
(including the Prior Agreement) and understandings, written or oral, with
respect to such subject matter, including any prior employment or similar
agreements between Executive and the Company.

 

20.           Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended or modified
only by a written instrument signed by Executive and by an expressly authorized
representative of the Company.

 

21.           Headings.  The headings and captions in this Agreement
are for convenience only and in no way define or describe the scope or content
of any provision of this Agreement.

 

22.           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

23.           Compliance with Laws.  If the Company and Executive reasonably
determine that the terms of this Agreement are not in compliance with
applicable laws or regulations, including without limitation as would result in
the imposition of extraordinary current taxation, the Company and Executive
agree to undertake commercially reasonable efforts to amend this Agreement to
cure such noncompliance.

 

24.           Section 409A.  References under the Agreement to Executive’s
termination of employment shall be deemed to refer to the date upon which
Executive has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Code.  Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, (i) if at the time of Executive’s termination of
employment Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A
of the Code (and any related regulations or other pronouncements thereunder)
and the deferral of the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise
payable hereunder as a result of such termination of employment is necessary in
order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of
the Code, then the Company shall defer the commencement of the payment of any
such payments or benefits hereunder until the date that is six months following
Executive’s termination of employment (or the earliest date as is permitted
under Section 409A of the Code), at which point all payments deferred
pursuant to this Section 24 shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum and (ii) if
any other payments due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an
accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such
payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment
compliant under Section 409A of the Code, or otherwise such payment shall
be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the
Company, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax.  To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind
benefits due to Executive under this Agreement constitute “deferred
compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursements or
in-kind benefits 

 

12

 

shall be paid to
Executive in a manner consistent with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).  Each payment made under this Agreement shall
be designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Code.  The Company shall implement
the provisions of this Section 24 in good faith; provided that
neither the Company nor any of the Company’s or its Affiliates’ employees or
representatives shall have any liability to Executive with respect to this Section 24.

 

25.           Governing Law.  This contract and shall be construed and
enforced under and be governed in all respects by the laws of Minnesota,
without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

13

 

IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed instrument by the
Company, by its duly authorized representative, and by Executive, as of the
date first above written.

 

 

	
   

  	
  The Company:

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  AGA MEDICAL CORPORATION

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
  /s/ Brigid A. Makes

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Name: Brigid A. Makes

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Title: Senior Vice President and Chief 

  Financial Officer

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  The Executive:

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  /s/ Franck L. Gougeon

  
	
   

  	
  Franck L. Gougeon

  
				

 

[Signature Page to
Amended and Restated AGA/Gougeon Employment Agreement]

 

14Exhibit 10.8

 

June 20, 2008

 

Franck Gougeon

4729 Annaway Drive

Edina, MN 55436

 

Re:  AGA Medical Holdings, Inc.
Board of Directors

 

Dear Mr. Gougeon,

 

On behalf of AGA Medical Holdings, Inc. (“AGA”), we are pleased to
confirm the terms on which you will continue your service as a member of the
Board of Directors.  Your membership on
the Board of Directors is as a Gougeon Designee pursuant and subject to the
terms of this engagement letter and that certain Amended and Restated
Stockholders Agreement dated April 21, 2008 by and among AGA and its
stockholders, as amended from time to time.

 

Board Seat and Term.  You will fill the seat which you currently
occupy.  The initial term of your
appointment and election shall be for the three year period ending on the later
of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the filing of the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AGA which is attached as Exhibit B
to the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement or the third anniversary of
this engagement letter.  You will serve
as a concurrent director of AGA Medical Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary
of AGA Medical Holdings, Inc., and of Amplatzer Medical Sales Corporation,
a wholly owned subsidiary of AGA Medical Corporation, and serve on various
committees of each such Boards of Directors as appointed or elected.

 

Commitment.  You will devote reasonable and sufficient
time and attention to your service hereunder and to the advancement of the
business and interests of AGA Medical Holdings, Inc., its subsidiaries and
affiliated entities, and make yourself available for in-person and telephonic
communications as reasonably requested. 
During your service, you will not undertake any outside activity that
could reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere
with your duties and obligations hereunder.

 

Compensation.  You will receive the same compensation and
stock options as received from time to time by the independent directors.  Presently, the compensation and stock options
are as follows:

 

A.           an annual retainer of
$12,500, payable in full upon being appointed to the Board of Directors and
each anniversary thereafter during your term of service;

 

B.             a fee of $2,500,
payable for each meeting of the full Board of Directors (but not for any
committee of the Board) attended by you in person (as opposed to
telephonically) as a director;

 

 

C.             a fee of $500,
payable for each meeting of the full Board of Directors (but not for any
committee of the Board) attended by you telephonically as a director;

 

D.            an annual grant of
options to purchase 15,000 (subject to proportionally adjustment for stock
splits, combinations and the like) shares of common stock of AGA Medical Holdings, Inc.,
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the existing AGA Medical Holdings, Inc.
stock option plan and subject to the terms and conditions of your individual
option agreement, such options to be issued as of the date you are appointed to
the AGA Medical Holdings, Inc. Board of Directors and on each anniversary
thereafter, up to a maximum of 45,000 total option shares for the initial three
(3) year term; and

 

E.              reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by you in connection with attending meetings of
the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) in person as a director.

 

Options. 
Stock options granted to you will (i) have a strike price equal to
the fair market value of the common stock of AGA Medical Holdings, Inc. on
the date of grant, (ii) vest immediately when granted, and (iii) will
have a ten (10) year term.  If your
service is terminated by you with thirty (30) days’ written notice, or by your
death, you or your estate shall retain vested options and option shares;
provided, however, that options not exercised within ninety (90) days of such
termination will be forfeited.  If your
service is terminated by you without thirty (30) days’ written notice or by the
shareholders of AGA for Cause, all vested and unvested options and option
shares shall be forfeited.

 

Confidential Information.  “Confidential Information” means any and all
information of AGA Medical Holdings, Inc, AGA Medical Corporation, Amplatzer
Medical Sales Corporation, and any other related or affiliated entities
(individually and collectively “AGA”), that is not generally known by others
with whom AGA competes or does business, or with whom AGA plans to compete or
do business, and any and all information which if disclosed by AGA would assist
others in competition against AGA. 
Confidential Information includes without limitation such information
relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing,
marketing and financial activities of AGA, (ii) all products planned,
researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licenses, leased or
otherwise distributed or put into use by AGA together with all services
provided or planned by AGA during the term of service (collectively “Products”),
(iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance, business plans
and strategic plans of AGA, (iv)  the identity and special needs of
customers of AGA, (v) the people and organizations with whom AGA has
business relationships and those relationships, (vi) any information that
AGA has received or may receive hereafter from others with any understanding,
express or implied, that the information not be disclosed, and (vii) any
and all information previously disclosed to you by AGA which otherwise would
constitute Confidential Information hereunder.

 

 

You acknowledge that AGA continually develops Confidential Information,
that you may develop Confidential Information for AGA, and that you have in the
past and may in the future learn of Confidential Information during your
service.  You will comply with the
policies and procedures of AGA for protecting Confidential Information and you
will never use or disclose to any person or entity (except as required by
applicable law or for the proper performance of your duties and
responsibilities to AGA) any Confidential Information obtained by you incident
to your service.  You understand that this
restriction shall continue to apply after your service to AGA terminates,
regardless of the reason for such termination. 
You acknowledge that all documents, records, tapes and other media or
every kind obtained by you containing Confidential Information are the
exclusive property of AGA and shall be returned to AGA immediately upon the
termination of your service to AGA, regardless of the reason for such
termination.

 

Restricted Activities.  You agree that some restrictions on your
activities during and after your service to AGA are necessary to protect the
goodwill, Confidential Information and other legitimate interests of AGA.

 

During your service to AGA and for twelve (12) months after your
service to AGA terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination, you
will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, board member,
investor, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise (other than
through ownership of publicly-traded capital stock of a corporation which
represents less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding capital stock of such
corporation), (i) compete with AGA in any business related to the
developing, selling, licensing or otherwise providing products similar in
purpose, design or function to the Products and related services to physicians,
hospitals or other medical establishments in the United States or such other
business activities which AGA shall conduct or intend to conduct as of the
termination date, or (ii) undertake any planning for any business
competitive with AGA.

 

During your service to AGA and for twelve (12) months after your
service to AGA terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination, you
will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire, attempt to hire, or assist any
other person to hire or attempt to hire, any employee or independent contractor
of AGA or who was an employee or independent contractor of AGA within six (6) months
preceding such hire or attempt to hire, (ii) solicit or encourage any
employee, independent contractor, customer or vendor of AGA to terminate or
diminish his, her or its business relationship with AGA, or, in the case of a
customer, to conduct with any person or entity any business or activity which
such customer conducts or could conduct with AGA.

 

Termination.  You may terminate your service to AGA without
cause upon thirty (30) days’ written notice. 
Subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of AGA, as amended from time to time, your service may be
terminated  by the vote of the shareholders
of AGA for Cause.  The following shall
constitute “Cause” for termination of your services to AGA to the extent
relating to acts or omissions discovered or arising after the date hereof: (i) your
conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or other crime involving
moral turpitude; (ii) your 

 

 

substantiated fraud, theft or embezzlement committed with respect to
AGA or in your fiduciary capacity for any other entity; (iii) breach of
your obligations under the Confidential Information and Restricted Activities
sections herein that causes material harm to AGA; and (iv) your willful
and continued failure to perform your material duties to AGA pursuant to
applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards and this engagement letter.

 

Indemnification.  You will have all of the same rights to
indemnification as provided to the other members of the Board, whether pursuant
to applicable law, AGA’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, each as
amended, or otherwise, but with your choice of counsel in the event that you assert
that there is a conflict of interest between your representation and the
representation of other board members; provided, however, that you will select
from the insurance carrier approved panel counsel for indemnifiable claims
covered by AGA’s directors and officers insurance unless there is an actual
conflict of interest or where otherwise reasonably justifiable

 

Enforcement of Covenants.  You acknowledge that the covenants of the
Confidential Information and Restricted Activities sections herein are
necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of AGA with respect to
subject matter, length of time, and geographic area.  You further acknowledge that, were you to
breach the covenants of the Confidential Information and Restricted Activities
sections herein, the damage to AGA would be irreparable.  You therefore agree that AGA, in addition to
any other remedies available to it, shall be entitled to injunctive relief
against any breach or threatened breach of any of said covenants.  You agree that all of said covenants shall
survive the termination of this engagement letter for any reason.  You further agree that, in the event, any of
said covenants shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
unenforceable by reason of its being extended over too great a time, too large
a geographic area or too great a range of activities, such covenant shall be
deemed to be modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted
by law.

 

Assignment.  Neither you nor AGA may make any assignment
of this engagement letter or any interest herein, by operation of law or
otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other.  This engagement letter shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon you and AGA, our respective successors,
executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.

 

Waiver and Modification.  No waiver of any provision hereof shall be
effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party.  The failure of either party to require the performance
of any term or obligation hereof, or the waiver by either party of any breach
hereof, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation
or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach. 
This letter agreement may be amended or modified only by a written
instrument signed by you and an expressly authorized representative of AGA.

 

 

If the above terms are acceptable to you, please execute where provided
below and return the original to me at your earliest convenience.  On behalf of AGA, I look forward to working
with you to serve AGA and its patients.

 

	
  Sincerely,

  	
  Agreed and Accepted:

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  /s/ Ronald E. Lund

  	
   

  	
  By: 

  	
  /s/ Franck L. Gougeon

  
	
  Ronald Lund

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  General Counsel and Secretary

  	
  Dated: 

  	
  6-20-08

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