Document:

ex_347572.htm

Exhibit 10.9

 

 

 

June 4, 2021

 

 

Serge De Bock

Palo Alto, California

Serge.v.debock@gmail.com

 

Dear Serge,

 

Congratulations! HyreCar Inc. (“HyreCar” or the “Company”) is pleased to present to you a conditional offer of employment as Chief Financial Officer starting June 28, 2021 (“Start Date”) if you accept our employment offer and satisfy all conditions outlined below.

 

You will head of the Finance and Accounting Department reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). HyreCar’s general expectations and requirements for your position are outlined in the attached Job Description, however, your specific job duties may change at the discretion of the CEO. The terms and conditions of your employment will be governed by this letter, and established HyreCar policies and procedures, including those contained in HyreCar’s Employee Handbook. On the date of hire, you will be asked to review and comply with established HyreCar policies and procedures.

 

COMPENSATION AND HOURS.

 

Base Salary: For all services rendered by you to the Company, the Company will pay you an annual base salary of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) (“Base Salary”), which will accrue and be payable in arrears in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices and shall be subject to annual review by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and adjusted in the discretion of the Board based upon the Company’s performance and/or marketplace rates.

 

Equity Grant: In connection with entering into this offer letter, following the commencement of your employment with the Company, the Company will recommend to the Board of Directors that it grant you a restricted stock unit for 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “RSUs”), provided that you are employed by the Company on the date of grant. The RSU will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a restricted stock unit agreement to be entered into between you and the Company and shall vest as follows: 25% of the RSUs shall vest on the twelve month anniversary of your Start Date, then the remaining RSUs shall vest in twelve (12) equal quarterly installments.

 

Annual Bonus: While you are employed, you will be eligible to receive a fiscal year-end bonus (the “Bonus”), less applicable taxes and withholding, as set forth on Exhibit A hereto. The Board will, in its good faith discretion, establish the performance goals for the annual Bonus. The Bonus shall be paid to you within thirty (30) days following the final determination by the Board of the amount thereof based upon the audited financial statements of the Company for the applicable year.

 

	355 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1650	Los Angeles, CA 90071	www.hyrecar.com

 

 

 

 

Generally, you will be expected to work 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, however, your work schedule will fluctuate based on the HyreCar’s business needs. Your job duties may require that you work outside of these hours, including before and after the expected hours as set forth above. You acknowledge and agree that given your status as an “exempt” employee, as such term is defined under California and federal labor law, you will not be eligible for overtime pay.

 

BENEFITS. You are eligible for HyreCar’s benefits package which currently includes medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) retirement plan, a detailed explanation of the benefits offered is provided in HyreCar handbook. In addition, you are eligible for HyreCar-paid benefits such as life insurance, and short and long-term disability, in accordance with eligibility as set forth by these policies. You will be eligible to start receiving these benefits on the first day of the month following your employment start date. More information regarding these benefits will be provided upon the start of your employment. Your eligibility for paid time off, paid holidays, and paid sick leave benefits is set forth in the HyreCar handbook. Currently, the Company observes 10 paid holidays per year and has an unlimited paid time off policy however, all such benefits are subject to change as set forth in HyreCar’s handbook.

 

AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. By accepting this offer, you acknowledge that your employment with HyreCar will be “at-will,” which means that it may be terminated by you or by HyreCar at any time, with or without notice, with or without cause. In addition, the terms of your employment, compensation, benefits, or privileges (excluding this at-will policy) may change at any time, without advance notice or consent at the sole discretion of HyreCar, to the extent permissible by law. Nothing in this Offer Letter is intended to change the at-will nature of employment or HyreCar’s right to modify the terms and conditions of your employment in its sole discretion, as allowed by law.

 

You also acknowledge that you are not resigning employment elsewhere, or relocating your residence, in reliance on any promise or representation by HyreCar regarding the kind, character or existence of work you will be assigned, or any expected length of your employment with HyreCar, other than the promises or representations expressly contained in this letter, the attached Job Description, and those contained in HyreCar’s handbook. The at-will nature of your employment may only be modified in writing signed by you and HyreCar’s CEO.

 

	355 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1650	Los Angeles, CA 90071	www.hyrecar.com

 

 

 

 

CONDITIONS TO OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. This offer of employment is subject to satisfaction of the conditions stated in the paragraphs below, and you should not give notice of resignation to your current employer until you have been notified by HyreCar that these conditions have been satisfied.

 

(1)    Background Check. All new employees of HyreCar must undergo a routine background check. Our offer is conditioned upon a satisfactory result from your background check, regardless of whether or not it is entirely completed before you start work with us. Prior to any background check being performed you will receive a detailed disclosure regarding the background check being procured by HyreCar, in conformity with all state and federal requirements. No background check will be procured until and unless you provide HyreCar your informed signed consent. As a reminder, however, a background check is required in order for you to commence your employment with HyreCar. Therefore, should you decline authorization for HyreCar to run a background check, HyreCar will not be able to continue with your hiring process.

 

(2)    Verification of References. In addition to the background check, HyreCar also requires satisfactory confirmation of your employment history, as listed in your Application for Employment. HyreCar may also perform a verification check of the personal references you listed. As with your background check, you will receive a detailed disclosure regarding the consumer report or investigative consumer report being procured by HyreCar, in conformity with all state and federal requirements. Verification of references will not be undertaken until and unless you provide HyreCar your informed signed consent.

 

(3)    Arbitration of Employment Disputes. HyreCar has a policy requiring arbitration of employment disputes. An Arbitration Agreement is attached to this letter for you to sign and return with your endorsed copy of this letter.

 

(4)    Proprietary Information and Invention Assignment Agreement. It is important for HyreCar to protect its proprietary information and intellectual property. For these reasons, you must sign and return the attached Proprietary Information and Invention Assignment Agreement with your endorsed copy of this letter.

 

(5)    Immigration Law Compliance. Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, HyreCar is required to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new hires. Under the law, employers are required to ask all new employees, including United States Citizens, to present certain documents that show their identity and authorization to work in the United States. You will need to present those documents on your first day or work. Should you wish to see the complete list of acceptable documents, or you anticipate having difficulty completing the I-9 or producing the required documents.

 

 

 

 

[remainder of page left intentionally blank]

 

	355 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1650	Los Angeles, CA 90071	www.hyrecar.com

 

 

 

 

If you accept our offer, please sign in the space indicated below and return it no later than June 7, 2021 to Joseph Furnari at joe@hyrecar.com.

 

On behalf of HyreCar, I want to thank you for your consideration of our offer of employment. We are looking forward to hearing from you in the very near future, and look forward to having you join our team!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Joe Furnari, CEO

HyreCar Inc.

 

Agreed and accepted on this date: __________

 

 

 

By: ______________________________________

 

	355 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1650	Los Angeles, CA 90071	www.hyrecar.com

 

 

 

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

 

As the Chief Financial Officer you will be directly responsible for managing the preparation of our SEC filings, including the 10-Qs and 10-K, and coordination with our legal team with respect to the Proxy Statement and miscellaneous filings. Oversee and direct budgeting, audit, tax, accounting, purchasing, acquisition, real estate and insurance activities for the company.  Work closely with the board and executives on long-range planning, cash management and funds allocation. Maintain relationships with financial institutions on matters of lines of credit and funds management. Direct the Controller and Business Managers in providing and managing the procedures and systems necessary to maintain proper records and to afford adequate accounting controls and services. Maintain close working relationships with auditors to ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Maintain close working relationship with legal counsel to ensure that all company financial activities are properly conducted, documented, and reported. Assist the business managers in preparing financial projections and budgets for each department. Negotiate relationships with insurers to provide insurance coverage and other benefits. Other tasks as assigned.

 

	355 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1650	Los Angeles, CA 90071	www.hyrecar.com

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

	2021 Base Salary	$ 350,000
	2021 Variable Comp	N/A
	2021 Cash Bonus	$ 100,000
	2021 LTI RSU Target	$ 250,000
	Initial Equity Grant	100,000 RSU

 

 

 

2021 Target Cash Bonus, Variable Comp and LTI grant will be based on reaching performance milestones agreed in Company Strategy Presentation Goals per executive and agreed by the Board. The vesting of grants will be agreed after year-end in early 2022 after review of company and performance targets. Target LTI grant will be calculated on grant date going forward and taxes will be deducted at grant date and shares minus minimum tax obligation will be granted into your Employee Share Account held at Carta. All shares subject to Company Share Plan and Trading Policy for which you must annually affirm you have read and understood.

 

	355 S. Grand Ave. Suite 1650	Los Angeles, CA 90071	www.hyrecar.comDocument

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
UNDER THE EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Award Agreement”) effective as of [●] (the “Date of Grant”), is made by and between Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., a Republic of the Marshall Islands company (the “Company”), and [●] (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Where the context permits, references to the Company shall include any successor to the Company.
1.Grant of Restricted Stock Unit. The Company hereby grants to the Participant [●] restricted stock units (the “Restricted Stock Units”), subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and the Plan.
2.Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Units. Subject to Section 5, [●] of the Restricted Stock Units (the “Time-Vested RSUs”) shall vest, and have the forfeiture restrictions applicable thereto lapse, in three (3) substantially equal installments on each of the following dates (each, a “Time Vesting Date”): January 2, 2023, January 2, 2024, and January 2, 2025, subject to the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates on the applicable Time Vesting Date; provided, however, that in the event that the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, as defined below (a “Qualifying Termination”) prior to the applicable Time Vesting Date, then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Participant shall become vested in the number of Time-Vested RSUs that would otherwise have become vested on the next applicable Time Vesting Date, if any, following such Qualifying Termination, as set forth below:
						
	Date of Termination	Vested Restricted Shares (%)
	Prior to January 2, 2023	33%
	On or after January 2, 2023 but prior to January 2, 2024	66%
	On or after January 2, 2024	100%

For purposes of this Award Agreement, “Good Reason” shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s Employment Agreement by and among the Company, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC and the Participant, dated [●], as may be amended from time to time.
3.Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Units.
(a)Subject to Section 5, [●] of the Restricted Stock Units (the “EPS Performance-Vested RSUs”) shall vest and have the forfeiture restrictions applicable thereto lapse, in three (3) substantially equal installments with the first installment vesting on certification by the Administrator of the EPS Performance (as defined below), and the second and third installments vesting on each of January 2, 2024, and January 2, 2025 (each, an “EPS Vesting Date”), subject to the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates on each EPS Vesting Date; provided that the actual number of EPS Performance-Vested RSUs that may become vested under the foregoing schedule shall be equal the product, rounded down to the nearest whole number, of (i) the target number of EPS Performance-Vested RSUs multiplied by (ii) the EPS Percentage determined as follows:

									
	Performance Level	EPS Performance ($)	EPS Percentage1
	Threshold	[●]	0.0%
	Target	[●]	100.0%
	Maximum	[●] or greater	200.0%
			

For purposes of this Section 3(a), “EPS Performance” means the Company’s diluted earnings per share (net income/(loss) per share as reported in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2022 (such fiscal period, the “EPS Performance Period”), but excluding the impact of shares that may be issued upon conversion of the Company’s outstanding convertible bonds, and as shall or may be further adjusted by the Administrator in accordance with the Plan.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if prior to the first EPS Vesting Date the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated in a Qualifying Termination or there occurs a Change in Control, then:
(i)In the case of a Qualifying Termination, the Participant shall become vested on the first EPS Vesting Date in the number of EPS Performance-Vested RSUs that otherwise would thereon become vested based on actual EPS Performance through the end of the EPS Performance Period; or
(ii)In the case of a Change in Control (prior to the first EPS Vesting Date), the Participant shall be eligible to continue to vest upon the Change in Control in EPS Performance-Vested RSUs that would be eligible to vest based on actual EPS Performance as of the date of the Change in Control, if determinable; provided that if actual EPS Performance as of the date of the Change in Control is not determinable, the Participant shall be eligible to vest in the number of EPS Performance-Vested RSUs that otherwise would have been earned assuming Target Performance Level was achieved. Earned EPS Performance-Vested RSUs would continue to vest per their normal vesting schedule (i.e., the anniversary of grant date).
If the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated in a Qualifying Termination after the first EPS Vesting Date, then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Participant shall become vested in the number of EPS-Vested RSUs that would otherwise have become vested on the next applicable EPS Vesting Date, if any, following such Qualifying Termination.
(b)Subject to Section 5, [●] of the Restricted Stock Units (the “TSR Performance-Vested RSUs”) shall vest, and have the forfeiture restrictions applicable thereto lapse, in three (3) substantially equal installments with the first installment vesting on certification by the Administrator of the Relative TSR Performance (as defined below), and the second and third installments vesting on each of January 2, 2024, and January 2, 2025 (each, a “TSR Vesting Date”), subject to the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates on each TSR Vesting Date; provided that the actual number of TSR Performance-Vested RSUs that may become vested under the foregoing schedule shall be equal to the product, rounded down to the nearest whole number, of (i) the target number of TSR Performance-Vested RSUs multiplied by (ii) the TSR Percentage determined as follows:

1 The EPS Percentage shall be 0% for EPS Performance at or below the Threshold Performance Level. For EPS Performance between two Performance Levels as set forth above, the EPS Percentage shall be determined by straight line interpolation between the percentages set forth for such Performance Levels.
2

												
	Relative TSR2		TSR Percentage
	7th vs. Competitors
	0%
	6th vs. Competitors
	33%
	5th vs. Competitors
	67%
	4th vs. Competitors (Target)
	100%
	3rd vs. Competitors
	133%
	2nd vs. Competitors
	167%
	1st vs. Competitors (Max)
	200%

Where the TSR Percentage is determined by interpolating the Company’s performance between peers ranked immediately above and below the Company’s performance level; provided, however, that the TSR Percentage shall be capped at 100% if the Company’s absolute TSR over the performance period is negative.
For purposes of this Section 3(b), “TSR” means the appreciation (depreciation) between the per share beginning price and ending price of a relevant company’s common stock for the period commencing on January 1, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2022 (the “TSR Performance Period”) on an applicable securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, plus dividends paid during the TSR Performance Period; provided that the per share beginning price shall be determined using the 20-trading-day average for the averaging period of 20 trading days beginning on the first day of the TSR Performance Period, and the per share ending price shall be determined using the 20-trading-day average for the averaging period of 20 trading days ending on the final day of the TSR Performance Period; provided further, that if for any reason a company’s common stock ceases during the TSR Performance Period to be publicly traded and is no longer listed or quoted on any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the averaging period for determining the per share ending price for such company’s common stock shall be the 20 trading days ending on the final trading date for that company’s common stock.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if prior to the first TSR Vesting Date the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated in a Qualifying Termination or there occurs a Change in Control, then:
(i)In the case of a Qualifying Termination, the Participant shall become vested on the first TSR Vesting Date in the number of TSR Performance-Vested RSUs that otherwise would thereon become vested based on actual Relative TSR for the TSR Performance Period; or
(ii)In the case of a Change in Control (prior to the first TSR Vesting Date), the Participant shall be eligible to continue to vest upon the Change in Control in TSR Performance-Vested RSUs that would be eligible to vest based on actual TSR Performance through of the date of the Change in Control, if determinable; provided that if actual TSR Performance as of the date of the Change in Control is not determinable, the Participant shall be eligible to vest in the number of TSR Performance-Vested RSUs that otherwise would have been earned assuming TSR Percentage of 100% (i.e., Target Level achievement). Earned TSR Performance-Vested RSUs would continue to vest per their normal vesting schedule (i.e., the anniversary of grant date).
If the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated in a Qualifying Termination after the first TSR Vesting Date, then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Participant shall 

2 Relative TSR reflects relative performance compared to the following seven direct competitors: Genco Shipping, Pacific Basin Shipping, Star Bulk Carriers, Diana Shipping, Golden Ocean Group, Safe Bulkers, and Pangaea Logistics Solutions.
3

become vested in the number of TSR-Vested RSUs that would otherwise have become vested on the next applicable TSR Vesting Date, if any, following such Qualifying Termination.
4.Restrictions. The Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered, and shall be subject to a risk of forfeiture as described in Sections 2 and 3 and until any additional requirements or restrictions contained in this Award Agreement have been otherwise satisfied, terminated or expressly waived by the Company in writing.
5.Holding Period for Common Shares Issued in Respect of TSR Performance-Vested RSUs. If and when any TSR Performance-Vested RSUs become vested under Section 3(b), each such share of Common Stock that issued on settlement of such Restricted Stock Units and not withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 11 shall be subject to a mandatory holding period of one year starting on the applicable TSR Vesting Date for such share, and may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered until the first anniversary of the applicable TSR Vesting Date.
6.Termination of Employment. Except as provided above in Sections 2 and 3, upon the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, any portion of the Restricted Stock Units which has not vested as of the date of such termination shall be forfeited.
7.Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Any Restricted Stock Unit granted hereunder that has vested pursuant to Section 2, 3(a) or 3(b) of this Award Agreement shall be settled in accordance with Section 2.7(a) of the Plan as soon as practicable following the applicable date of vesting, and in any event no later than the last day of the calendar year in which such vesting occurs; provided that any EPS Performance-Vested RSUs that vest on the first EPS Vesting Date shall be settled no later than December 31 next following the last day of the EPS Performance Period, and any TSR Performance-Vested RSUs that vest on the first TSR Vesting Date shall be settled no later than December 31 next following the last day of the TSR Performance Period. Upon settlement, the vested Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in one share of Common Stock for each such Restricted Stock Unit or, if determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, in a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock for each such Restricted Stock Unit.
8.Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Participant shall be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalents upon the payment by the Company of ordinary dividends on shares of Common Stock equal to the amount of such dividend paid per share of Common Stock multiplied by the number of Restricted Stock Units that have not vested or been forfeited as of the date of such payment; provided, that any such dividend equivalent shall be deemed reinvested in shares of restricted common stock immediately upon the related dividend’s payment date, based on the then-current Fair Market Value, and shall be subject to the same vesting, forfeiture, settlement and other conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units on which such dividend is paid. Any fractional shares shall be held and paid in cash upon the vesting of such portion of the Restricted Stock Units on which such dividend is paid.
9.Award Agreement Subject to Plan. This Award Agreement is made pursuant to all of the provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by this reference, and is intended, and shall be interpreted in a manner, to comply therewith. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Award Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of this Award Agreement shall govern.
10.No Rights to Continuation of Employment. Nothing in the Plan or this Award Agreement shall confer upon Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or shall interfere with or restrict the right of the Company or its shareholders (or of a Subsidiary or its shareholders, as the case may be) to terminate Participant’s employment at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause.
4

11.Tax Withholding. The Company shall withhold the amount of applicable withholding taxes by having the Company deduct from any shares delivered upon settlement of the Restricted Stock Units such shares having a value equal to the statutory withholding liability with respect to the Restricted Stock Units. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash.
12.Code Section 409A. It is intended that this Award Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of this Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. The Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of the Participant in connection with this Award Agreement, including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code, and neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Participant or any beneficiary harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. 
13.Governing Law. This Award Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws, and not the laws pertaining to conflicts or choices of laws, of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed wholly within the State of New York.
14.Award Agreement Binding on Successors. The terms of this Award Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and upon Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, transferees, assignees and successors in interest, and upon the Company and its successors and assignees, subject to the terms of the Plan.
15.No Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Award Agreement, neither this Award Agreement nor any rights granted herein shall be assignable by Participant.
16.Necessary Acts. Participant hereby agrees to perform all acts, and to execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Award Agreement, including but not limited to all acts and documents related to compliance with federal and/or state securities and/or tax laws.
17.Entire Award Agreement. This Award Agreement and the Plan contain the entire agreement and understanding among the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements with respect to the subject matter thereof. 
18.Headings. Headings are used solely for the convenience of the parties and shall not be deemed to be a limitation upon or descriptive of the contents of any such Section.
19.Counterparts. This Award Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
20.Amendment. No amendment or modification hereof shall be valid unless it shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto.
[Signature page follows]
5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement as of the date set forth above.

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.

By:        
Name:
Title:
The undersigned hereby accepts and agrees to all the terms and provisions of the foregoing Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
PARTICIPANT

By:        
Name: 

Signature page to Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

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