Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-SOLICITATION and

NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is made as of September 8, 2008 by and between Equitable Resources, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (Equitable Resources, Inc. and its subsidiary companies are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Company”), and Steven T. Schlotterbeck (the “Employee”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to a NonCompete Agreement dated as of June 1, 2000 (the “Existing Agreement”), which provides for the payment of certain benefits to the Employee if the Employee’s employment terminates in certain circumstances; and

 

WHEREAS, during the course of Employee’s employment with the Company, the Company has imparted and will continue to impart to Employee proprietary and/or confidential information and/or trade secrets of the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to protect the business and goodwill of the Company, the Company desires to obtain or continue to obtain certain confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants from the Employee and the Employee desires to provide for or continue to agree to such covenants in exchange for the Company’s agreement to pay certain severance benefits in the event that the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated in certain circumstances; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to accomplish the foregoing objectives, the Company and the Employee desire to terminate the Existing Agreement and to enter into this Agreement which, among other things, reflects the parties’ best efforts to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) to the benefit of the Employee; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employee is willing to enter into this Agreement, which contains, among other things, specific confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, in consideration of the foregoing and the simultaneous execution by the Company and the Employee of a Change of Control Agreement (the “Change of Control Agreement”); and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                    Restrictions on Competition and Solicitation.  While the Employee is employed by the Company and for a period of twelve (12) months after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason Employee will not, directly or indirectly, expressly or tacitly, for himself or on behalf of any entity conducting business anywhere in the Restricted Territory (as defined below): (i) act as an officer, manager, advisor, executive, shareholder, or consultant to any business in which his duties at or for such business include oversight of or actual involvement in providing services which are competitive with the services

 

 

or products being provided or which are being produced or developed by the Company, or were under investigation by the Company within the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company, (ii) recruit investors on behalf of an entity which engages in activities which are competitive with the services or products being provided or which are being produced or developed by the Company, or were under investigation by the Company within the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company, or (iii) become employed by such an entity in any capacity which would require Employee to carry out, in whole or in part, the duties Employee has performed for the Company which are competitive with the services or products being provided or which are being produced or developed by the Company, or were under active investigation by the Company within the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) 1% of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  This covenant shall apply to any services, products or businesses under investigation by the Company within the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company only to the extent that the Employee acquired or was privy to confidential information regarding such services, products or businesses.  Employee acknowledges that this restriction will prevent the Employee from acting in any of the foregoing capacities for any competing entity operating or conducting business within the Restricted Territory and that this scope is reasonable in light of the business of the Company.

 

Restricted Territory shall mean (i) any states in which the Company has a regulated-utility operation, which may change from time to time, but as of the effective date of this Agreement are Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky; or (ii) any states in which the Company owns, operates or has contractual rights to purchase natural gas-related assets (other than commodity trading rights), including but not limited to, storage facilities, interstate pipelines, intrastate pipelines, intrastate distribution facilities, liquefied natural gas facilities, propane-air facilities or other peaking facilities, and/or processing or fractionation facilities; or (iii) any state in which the Company owns proved, developed and/or undeveloped natural gas and/or oil reserves and/or conducts natural gas or oil exploration and production activities of any kind; or (iv) any state investigated by the Company as a possible jurisdiction in which to conduct any of the business activities described in subparagraphs (i) through (iii) above within the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

Employee agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company for any reason, including without limitation termination for cause or without cause, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit the business of, or do business with: (i) any customer that Employee approached, solicited or accepted business from on behalf of the Company, and/or was provided confidential or proprietary information about while employed by the Company within the one (1) year period preceding Employee’s separation from the Company; and (ii) any prospective customer of the Company who was identified to or by the Employee and/or who Employee was provided confidential or proprietary information about while employed by the Company within the one (1) year period preceding Employee’s separation from the Company, for purposes of marketing, selling and/or attempting to market or sell products and services which are the same as or similar

 

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to any product or service the Company offers within the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company, and/or, which are the same as or similar to any product or service the Company has in process over the last two (2) years prior to the end of Employee’s employment with the Company to be offered in the future.

 

While Employee is employed by the Company and for a period of twelve (12) months after the date of Employee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Employee shall not (directly or indirectly) on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity solicit or induce, or cause any other person or entity to solicit or induce, or attempt to solicit or induce, any employee or consultant to leave the employ of or engagement by the Company or its successors, assigns or affiliates, or to violate the terms of their contracts with the Company.

 

2.                                    Confidentiality of Information and Nondisclosure.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that his/her employment by the Company necessarily involves his/her knowledge of and access to confidential and proprietary information pertaining to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.  Accordingly, the Employee agrees that at all times during the term of this Agreement and for as long as the information remains confidential after the termination of the Employee’s employment, he/she will not, directly or indirectly, without the express written authority of the Company, unless directed by applicable legal authority having jurisdiction over the Employee, disclose to or use, or knowingly permit to be so disclosed or used, for the benefit of himself/herself, any person, corporation or other entity other than the Company and its subsidiaries, (i) any information concerning any financial matters, customer relationships, competitive status, supplier matters, internal organizational matters, current or future plans, or other business affairs of or relating to the Company and its subsidiaries, (ii) any management, operational, trade, technical or other secrets or any other proprietary information or other data of the Company or its subsidiaries, or (iii) any other information related to the Company or its subsidiaries which has not been published and is not generally known outside of the Company.  The Employee acknowledges that all of the foregoing, constitutes confidential and proprietary information, which is the exclusive property of the Company.

 

3.                                    Severance Benefit.

 

(a)                               If the employment of the Employee with the Company is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined below) or if the Employee terminates his or her employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined below), the Company shall pay the Employee, from the date of termination, in addition to any payments to which the Employee is entitled under the Company’s severance pay plan, twelve (12) months of base salary at the Employee’s annual base salary level in effect at the time of such termination or immediately prior to the salary reduction that serves as the basis for termination for Good Reason.  Employee will also be entitled to payment of an amount of cash equal to $20,000.  The aggregate base salary and other cash amount payable shall be paid by the Company to the Employee in one lump sum on the first day following the six (6) month

 

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anniversary of the date of the Employee’s termination.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “termination” when used in the context of a condition to, or timing of, payment hereunder shall be interpreted to mean a “separation from service” as that term is used in Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)                              Employee will also be entitled to twelve (12) months of health benefits continuation if terminated under circumstances described in subpart (a) above.  To the extent any such benefits cannot be provided to the Employee on a non-taxable basis and the provision thereof would cause any part of the benefits to be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A of the Code, then the provision of such benefits shall be deferred to the earliest date upon which such benefits can be provided without being subject to such additional taxes and interest.

 

(c)                               Solely for purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall include:

 

i.                                        the conviction of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude or fraud or having committed fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder,

 

ii.                                    willful and repeated failures to substantially perform his assigned duties; or

 

iii.                                a violation of any provision of this Agreement or express significant policies of the Company.

 

(d)                             Solely for purposes of this Agreement, termination for “Good Reason” shall mean termination of employment by the Employee within ninety (90) days after:

 

i.                                        being demoted, or

 

ii.                                    being given notice of a reduction in his or her annual base salary (other than a reduction of not more than 10% applicable to all senior officers of the Company).

 

(e)                               The Company’s obligation to provide continuing salary and health insurance benefits under this Section 3 shall be contingent upon the following:

 

i.                                        Employee’s execution of a release in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, which releases any and all claims (other than amounts to be paid to Employee as expressly provided for under this Agreement) the Employee has or may have against the Company or its

 

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subsidiaries, agents, officers, directors, successors or assigns arising under any public policy, tort, contract or common law or any provision of state, federal or local law, including, but not limited to, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, all as amended; and

 

ii.                                    Employee’s compliance with his contractual obligations to the Company including, but not limited to, Employee’s obligations set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement.

 

4.                                    Authorization to Modify Restrictions.  The provisions of this Agreement are severable.  To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is deemed unenforceable in any court of law the parties intend that such provision be construed by such court in a manner to make it enforceable.

 

5.                                    Reasonable and Necessary Agreement.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that:  (i) this Agreement is necessary for the protection of the legitimate business interests of the Company; (ii) the restrictions contained in this Agreement are reasonable; (iii) the Employee has no intention of competing with the Company within the limitations set forth above; (iv) the Employee acknowledges and warrants that Employee believes that Employee will be fully able to earn an adequate livelihood for Employee and Employee’s dependents if the covenant not to compete contained in this Agreement is enforced against the Employee; and (v) the Employee has received adequate and valuable consideration for entering into this Agreement.

 

6.                                    Injunctive Relief and Attorneys’ Fees.  The Employee stipulates and agrees that any breach of Sections 1 or 2 of this Agreement by the Employee will result in immediate and irreparable harm to the Company, the amount of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain, and that the Company could not be reasonably or adequately compensated by damages in an action at law.  For these reasons, the Company shall have the right, without objection from the Employee, to obtain such preliminary, temporary or permanent mandatory or restraining injunctions, orders or decrees as may be necessary to protect the Company against, or on account of, any breach by the Employee of the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 hereof.  In the event the Company obtains any such injunction, order, decree or other relief, in law or in equity, (i) the duration of any violation of Section 1 shall be added to the twelve (12) month restricted period specified in Section 1, and (ii) the Employee shall be responsible for reimbursing the Company for all costs associated with obtaining the relief, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and costs of suit.  Such right to equitable relief is in addition to the remedies the Company may have to protect its rights at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

7.                                    Binding Agreement.  This Agreement (including the covenants contained in Sections 1 and 2) shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.

 

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8.                                    Governing Law/Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  For the purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Employee irrevocably consents and submits to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Employee agrees that service of the summons and complaint and all other process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding may be effected by mailing by registered mail a copy of such process to Employee at the address set forth below (or such other address as Employee shall provide to Company in writing).  Employee irrevocably waives any objection which he may now or hereafter has to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court and any claim that such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and agrees that service of process in accordance with this Section will be deemed in every respect effective and valid personal service of process upon Employee.  Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to prohibit service of process by any other method permitted by law.  The provisions of this Section will not limit or otherwise affect the right of the Company to institute and conduct an action in any other appropriate manner, jurisdiction or court.  The Employee agrees that final judgment in such suit, action or proceeding will be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

9.                                    Termination.  The Company may terminate this Agreement by giving twelve (12) months’ prior written notice to the Employee; provided that all provisions of this Agreement shall apply if any event specified in Section 3 occurs prior to the expiration of such twelve (12) month period.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as such term is defined in the Change of Control Agreement, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and may not thereafter be terminated by the Company (even if notice of termination has been given in the previous twelve (12) months under the first sentence of this Section).

 

10.                            Employment at Will.  Employee shall be employed at-will and for no definite term.  This means that either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any or no reason.

 

11.                            Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Status.  As an executive officer of Equitable, Employee also has the opportunity to elect now to participate in the newly-created status of “Executive Alternative Work Arrangement” upon discontinuing full-time status.  The terms and conditions of Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Status are described in the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Agreement attached as Exhibit A.  Set forth below is an election form to elect to participate in this new classification.  If Employee so elects to participate by signing the election form below, the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement classification will be automatically assigned to Employee if and when Employee gives Equitable (delivered to the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer) at least 90 days’ advance written notice of Employee’s intention to discontinue full-time status.  By signing the election below, Employee thereby agrees to execute the attached Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Agreement, which will become effective automatically on the day following Employee’s relinquishment of full-time status, provided however that Employee has retained executive officer status and is otherwise in good standing

 

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with Equitable (i.e., has not been terminated for Cause nor left the Company for “Good Reason”).

 

12.                            Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements (including the Existing Agreement) and understandings, oral or written (other than the Change of Control Agreement dated September 8, 2008).  This Agreement may not be changed, amended, or modified, except by a written instrument signed by the parties; provided, however, that the Company may amend this Agreement from time to time without Employee’s consent to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion, to effect compliance with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations and interpretations thereunder, which amendments may result in a reduction of benefits provided hereunder and/or other unfavorable changes to Employee.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, if Employee is entitled to receive payment of benefits under the Change of Control Agreement, or any successor agreement, he or she shall not receive benefits under this Agreement and, in lieu thereof, shall receive payment of benefits under the Change of Control Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its officers thereunto duly authorized, and the Employee has hereunto set his hand, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
ATTEST:
    	
 
    	
EQUITABLE RESOURCES,   INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 /s/ Kimberly L.   Sachse
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
  /s/   Charlene Petrelli
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
  September   23, 2008
    	
 
    	
  September   23, 2008
    
	
Date
    	
 
    	
Date
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
WITNESS
    	
 
    	
EMPLOYEE
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
  /s/ Janet   Bradish-Klein
    	
 
    	
  /s/ Steven   T. Schlotterbeck
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Steven T. Schlotterbeck
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
  September   12, 2008
    	
 
    	
  September   12, 2008
    
	
Date
    	
 
    	
Date
    

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

EXECUTIVE ALTERNATIVE WORK ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This is an Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) entered into between EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC. (“Equitable” or the “Company”) and Steven T. Schlotterbeck (“Employee”).

 

WHEREAS, Employee is an executive officer of Equitable who desires to relinquish that status and discontinue full-time employment with Equitable but continue employment with Equitable on a part-time basis; and

 

WHEREAS, Equitable is interested in continuing to retain the services of Employee on a part-time basis for at least 100 (but no more than 1000) hours per year; and

 

WHEREAS, Employee has elected to modify his/her employment status to Executive Alternative Work Arrangement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective representations, acknowledgements, and agreements of the parties set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                    The term of this Agreement is for the one-year period commencing on the day after Employee’s full-time status with Equitable ceases.  During that period, Employee will hold the position of an EAW employee of Equitable.  Employee’s status as Executive Alternative Work Arrangement (and this one-year Agreement) will automatically renew annually unless either party terminates this Agreement by written notice to the other not less than 30 days prior to the renewal date.  The automatic annual renewals of this Agreement will cease, however, at the end of five years of Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status.

 

2.                                    During each one-year period in Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status, Employee is required to provide no less than 100 hours of service to Equitable.  Additionally during each one-year period, Employee will make himself/herself available for up to 300 more hours of service upon request from the Company.  With respect to the first 400 hours of service annually, those hours will occur during the Company’s regularly scheduled business hours (unless otherwise agreed by the parties), and no more than fifty hours will be scheduled per month (unless otherwise agreed by the parties).

 

3.                                    Employee shall be paid an hourly rate for Employee’s actual services provided under this Agreement.  The hourly rate shall be Employee’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to Employee’s change in employee classification to Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status divided by 2080, provided however that if Employee works in excess of 400 hours in a one-year period, the hourly rate payable for hours worked in excess of 400 per year will be a rate which is mutually agreed to by Employee and the Company.  Employee shall submit monthly time sheets in a form agreed upon by the parties, and Employee will be paid on regularly scheduled payroll dates in accordance with the Company’s standard

 

 

payroll practices following submission of his/her time sheets.  If either party terminates the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement prior to the fifth anniversary hereof, no additional cash compensation will be paid to Employee.

 

4.                                    Employee shall be eligible to continue to participate in the group medical, prescription drug, dental and vision programs in which Employee participated immediately before the classification change to Executive Alternative Work Arrangement (as such plans might be modified by the Company from time-to-time), but Employee will be required to pay 100% of the Company’s premium rates to the carriers (the active employee premium rates as adjusted year-to-year) for participation in such group insurance programs.  If Employee completes five years of Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status or if the Company terminates the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement prior to the fifth anniversary hereof other than pursuant to paragraph 17 hereof, Employee will be allowed to participate in such group insurance programs at 100% of the then-applicable active employee premium rates until Employee reaches age 65 even though Employee is no longer employed by Equitable.

 

5.                                    During the term of this Agreement, Employee will continue to receive service credit for purposes of calculating the value of the Medical Spending Account.

 

6.                                    Employee shall not be eligible to participate in the Company’s life insurance and disability insurance programs, 401(k) Plan, ESPP, or any other retirement or welfare benefit programs or perquisites of the Company.  Likewise, Employee shall not receive any paid vacation, paid holidays or car allowance.

 

7.                                    Employee is not eligible to receive bonus payments under any short-term incentive plans of Equitable, and is not eligible to receive any awards under Equitable’s long-term incentive plans, programs or arrangements.

 

8.                                    Effective not later than the commencement of this Executive Alternative Work Arrangement, Employee shall be deemed to have retired for purposes of measuring vesting and/or post-termination exercise periods of all forms of long term incentive awards, however, the timing of any payments for such awards will be as provided in the underlying plans, programs or arrangements and is subject to any required six-month delay in payment if Employee is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) at the time of Employee’s separation from service, with respect to payments made by reason of Employee’s separation from service.

 

9.                                    Employee shall receive reimbursement for monthly dues for one country club and one dining club (such clubs to be approved by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) during the term of this Agreement or, if the Company terminates the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement prior to the fifth anniversary hereof other than pursuant to paragraph 17 hereof, through the fifth anniversary hereof in accordance with and on the dates specified in the Company’s policies; provided, however, that no such payments or reimbursements shall be made until the first day following the six-month anniversary of Employee’s separation from service if Employee is a specified employee at the time of separation from service, all within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code; provided, further, that to the extent reimbursed or paid, all reimbursements and payments with respect to expenses incurred within a particular year shall be

 

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made no later than the end of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred.  The amount of payments or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year of Employee shall not affect the amount of reimbursable expenses in a different taxable year, and such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

10.                            Employee shall continue to have Blackberry (or its equivalent) service and reasonable access to the Company’s Help Desk during the term of this Agreement or, if the Company terminates the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement prior to the fifth anniversary hereof other than pursuant to paragraph 17 hereof, through the fifth anniversary hereof; provided, however, if the provision of such service will result in taxable income to Employee, then no such taxable service shall be provided until the first day following the six-month anniversary of Employee’s separation from service if Employee is a specified employee at the time of separation from service, all within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

11.                            Employee shall receive tax and financial planning services from the respective teams of Metz Lewis and Hawthorn (or equivalent tax preparers and financial planners approved by the Company) during the term of this Agreement or, if the Company terminates the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement prior to the fifth anniversary hereof other than pursuant to paragraph 17 hereof, through the fifth anniversary hereof, in amount not to exceed $15,000 per calendar year, to be paid directly by the Company in accordance with and on the dates specified in the Company’s policies; provided, however, that no such payments or reimbursements shall be made until the first day following the six-month anniversary of Employee’s separation from service if Employee is a specified employee at the time of separation from service, all within the meaning of Section 409A of Code; provided, further, that to the extent reimbursed or paid, all reimbursements and payments with respect to expenses incurred within a particular year shall be made no later than the end of Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred.  The amount of payments or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year of Employee shall not affect the amount of payments or reimbursable expenses in a different taxable year, and such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

12.                            During the term of this Agreement, Employee shall maintain an ownership level of Company stock equal to not less than one-half of the value last required as a full-time Employee.  In the event that at any time during the term of this Agreement Employee does not maintain the required ownership level, Employee shall promptly notify the Company and increase his or her ownership to at least the required level.  Any failure of Employee to maintain at least the required ownership level for more than three months during the term of this Agreement shall constitute and be deemed to be an immediate termination by Employee of his or her Executive Alternative Work Arrangement.

 

13.                            This Agreement sets forth all of the payments, benefits, perquisites and entitlements to which Employee shall be entitled upon assuming Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status.  Employee shall not be entitled to receive any gross-up payments for any taxes or other amounts with respect to amounts payable under this Agreement.

 

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14.                            Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or prohibit the Company from modifying any of its employee benefits plans, programs, or policies.

 

15.                            Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.  The covenants as to non-competition and non-solicitation contained in Section 1 of the Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement between Equitable and Employee dated September 8, 2008 (hereinafter the “Non-Competition Agreement”) and in paragraph 8 of the Change of Control Agreement dated September 8, 2008 (“Change of Control Agreement) shall remain in effect throughout Employee’s employment with Equitable in Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status and for a period of no less than twelve (12) months after the termination of Employee’s employment as an Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employee.  It is understood and agreed that if Employee’s employment as an Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employee terminates in the midst of any one-year Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Agreement for any reason, the covenants as to non-competition and non-solicitation contained in the Non-Competition Agreement and in the Change of Control Agreement shall remain in effect throughout the full one-year term of said Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter.

 

16.                            Confidential Information and Non-Disclosure.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee’s employment by Equitable necessarily involves Employee’s knowledge of and access to confidential and proprietary information pertaining to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.  Accordingly, Employee agrees that at all times during the term of this Agreement and for as long as the information remains confidential after the termination of Employee’s employment, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, without the express written authority of the Company (unless directed by applicable legal authority having jurisdiction over Employee) disclose to or use, or knowingly permit to be so disclosed or used, for the benefit of Employee, any person, corporation or other entity other than the Company and its subsidiaries (i) any information concerning any financial matters, customer relationships, competitive status, supplier matters, internal organizational matters, current or future plans, or other business affairs of or relating to the Company and its subsidiaries; (ii) any management, operational, trade, technical or other secrets or any other proprietary information or other data of the Company or its subsidiaries; or (iii) any other information related to the Company or its subsidiaries which has not been published and is not generally known outside of the Company.  Employee acknowledges that all of the foregoing constitutes confidential and proprietary information, which is the exclusive property of the Company.

 

17.                            Equitable may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment at any time for Cause.  Solely for purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:

 

i.                                        commission of an act of moral turpitude, fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties;

 

ii.                                    failure to substantially and/or satisfactorily perform assigned duties; or

 

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iii.                                a violation of any provision of this Agreement or express significant policies of the Company.

 

18.                            It is understood and agreed that upon Employee’s discontinuation of full-time employment and transition to Executive Alternative Work Arrangement employment status hereunder, Employee has no continuing rights under the Change of Control Agreement or under Section 3 of the Non-Competition Agreement, and that otherwise the Change of Control Agreement (except for Section 8) and Section 3 of the Non-Competition Agreement shall have no further force or effect.

 

19.                            The provisions of this Agreement are severable.  To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is deemed unenforceable in any court of law, the parties intend that such provision be construed by such court in a manner to make it enforceable.

 

20.                            This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.

 

21.                            This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

22.                            This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between Equitable and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof (oral or written), including but not limited to the Change of Control Agreement and Section 3 of the Non-Competition Agreement.  It is understood and agreed, however, that the covenants as to non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality contained in Sections 1-2 of the Non-Competition Agreement and in Section 8 of the Change of Control Agreement remain in effect as modified herein, along with the provisions in Sections 4-8 of the Non-Competition Agreement.

 

23.                            This Agreement may not be changed, amended, or modified except by a written instrument signed by both parties, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement from time to time without Executive’s consent to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion, to effect compliance with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations and interpretations thereunder, which amendments may result in a reduction of benefits provided hereunder and/or other unfavorable changes to Executive.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the dates set forth below.

 

	
EQUITABLE   RESOURCES, INC.
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Employee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title
    	
 
    	
Date
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

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ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN
    
	
EXECUTIVE ALTERNATIVE WORK ARRANGEMENT   CLASSIFICATION
    
	
 
    
	
o
    	
I hereby elect to   participate in the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Classification as   described in paragraph 11 of the above Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and   Non-Competition Agreement (“Non-Competition Agreement”) and to execute the   Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Agreement attached as   Exhibit A upon my discontinuation of full-time status as an Executive   Officer in good standing with Equitable.    I understand that if my full-time employment with Equitable is   terminated for Cause or if I terminate my employment for Good Reason (as those   terms are defined in the Non-Competition Agreement), I will no longer be   eligible for Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Employment Status.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
x
    	
I hereby decline to   participate in the Executive Alternative Work Arrangement Classification as   described in paragraph 11 of the above Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and   Non-Competition Agreement.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
  Steven T.   Schlotterbeck
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Employee Name Printed
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
  /s/ Steven   T. Schlotterbeck
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Employee Signature
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
  September   12, 2008
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
DateExhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SEPARATION AND  NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT AND FULL AND FINAL
 RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

This Separation and Non-Competition Agreement and Full and Final Release of Claims (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Patrick J. Sullivan (“you”) and Berkshire Bank (the “Bank”) on July 24, 2013 (the “Effective Date”).  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Bank” shall also include the Bank’s successors, and all of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents.

 

WHEREAS, Patrick J. Sullivan, the Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, and Insurance of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and the Bank, informed the Bank of his intention to resign his employment on July 24, 2013 and that he is willing to remain employed with the Bank through July 26, 2013; and

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Sullivan wishes to receive the consideration and benefits described in Section 2 of this Agreement, to which he would not be otherwise entitled, and in exchange for that consideration and benefits he has chosen to sign this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Sullivan acknowledges that the execution of this Agreement is knowing and voluntary and that he has had a reasonable period of time in which to consider whether to sign this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Bank to obtain Mr. Sullivan’s agreement to not compete with the Bank and to not solicit the Bank’s employees or clients and to not disparage the Bank, or the employees and directors of the Bank; and

 

WHEREAS, to avoid potential litigation, it is also in the best interest of the Bank to enter into this Agreement in order to receive Mr. Sullivan’s release of any and all claims against the Bank.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration described herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Consulting Services.  You agree to make yourself available to provide consulting services as are reasonably requested by the Bank.  Such consulting services shall not exceed twenty (20) hours per month and may be provided by telephone or by e-mail.  You agree to devote such time and attention to your duties hereunder in a professional and competent manner and to use your best efforts to perform the consulting services to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement.  You are not hereby granted nor will you have any authority, apparent or otherwise, to bind or commit the Bank.

 

2.             Cash Separation Payments and Benefits in Exchange for the Consulting, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Non-Disparagement and Release Provisions in this Agreement.  Upon your timely execution of this Agreement and in exchange for your full compliance with this Agreement and in honoring the commitments undertaken herein, and after the expiration of the 7-day revocation period explained in Section 11 of this Agreement, the Bank agrees to:

 

 

(a) Pay you $750,000, with $400,000 payable in August 2013, and $20,588 payable in monthly installments with the first payment commencing in August 2013 and the last payment occurring in December 2014; and

 

(b) Provide you with group health and dental insurance coverage, at no expense to you, substantially comparable, as reasonably available, to the coverage maintained by Berkshire Bank for you prior to your termination, except to the extent such coverage may be changed in its application to all Berkshire Bank employees and then the coverage provided to you shall be commensurate with such changed coverage.  Such coverage shall commence on July 27, 2013 and end on July 31, 2016.  This insurance coverage will run concurrently with the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable law (including, but not limited to, laws prohibiting discrimination in favor of highly compensated employees), or, if participation by you is not permitted under the terms of the applicable health plans, or if providing such benefits would subject the Bank to penalties, then the Bank shall pay you a cash lump sum payment reasonably estimated to be equal to the value of such health and dental benefits, with such payment to be made by lump sum within thirty (30) business days after the date that the Company determines that such insurance coverage (or the remainder of such insurance coverage) cannot be provided for the foregoing reasons.

 

You acknowledge and agree that you will not be eligible for any additional compensation after the Effective Date, including but not limited to compensation under the Bank’s (i) Executive’s Incentive Plan, (ii) Long-Term Incentive Plan, (iii) unused vacation time, and (iv) all non-vested equity awards will be forfeited.  You understand that, in order to be eligible for the payments described in this Section 2, you must be in full compliance with the terms of this Agreement, including but not limited to the obligations in Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement.

 

3.             Tax Liability:  You understand that the Bank shall issue an IRS Form 1099-Misc. for the payment specified in Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

4.             Release of Claims.

 

(a)           In exchange for the payments and benefits described above in Section 2, you hereby release, waive, and forever discharge the Bank from any and all claims of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown at this time, arising out of or connected with, your employment with the Bank and the termination of your employment, including, but not limited to, the Severance Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2010, entered into by and among the Company, Berkshire Bank and you, the Three Year Change in Control Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2010, entered into by and among the Company, Berkshire Bank and you, the Settlement Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2010, entered into by and among the Company, Legacy Bancorp, Inc., Legacy Banks and you, all matters in law, in equity, in contract (oral or written, express or implied) or in tort, or arising under any employee benefit plan, or pursuant to statute, including but not limited to any claim of any types of discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and any other federal, state, or local law, rule,

 

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regulation, executive order or guideline from the beginning of time through the date of this Agreement, excepting only:

 

(i)            This Agreement shall not apply to rights or claims that may arise after the date of this Agreement; nor shall any provision of this Agreement be interpreted to waive, release, or extinguish any rights that — by express and unequivocal terms of law — may not under any circumstances be waived, released, or extinguished.

 

(ii)           This Agreement shall not apply to your (i) vested benefits under any tax-qualified plan (e.g., 401(k) Plan), (ii) vested stock options granted under any equity incentive plan of the Bank, (iii) claims for benefits under any retirement or other similar employee pension plan within the meaning of ERISA.

 

(iii)          This Agreement shall not apply to any indemnification rights you may have under applicable corporate law, the articles of incorporation, charter or bylaws of the Bank, or as an insured under any director’s and officer’s liability insurance policy now or previously in force.

 

5.             Affirmations:

 

(a)           You understand that you do not have any right or claim to any continued or future employment with the Bank.

 

(b)           You represent and warrant that there are no pending claims, lawsuits, charges, grievances, or causes of action of any kind that you have brought against the Bank and that, to the best of your knowledge, you possess no such claims or, to the extent that you have any claims or disputes, you agree that they are released as part of this Agreement.  This Agreement does not prohibit you from filing a charge with or participating in an investigation conducted by the EEOC or any other governmental body, however, in view of the consideration provided under this Agreement, you hereby waive any and all rights to recover damages under, or by virtue of, any such investigation or proceeding.

 

6.             Return of Materials.  You will promptly return to the Bank all equipment, documents and other materials in your possession that are the property of the Bank, whether created by you or by others, and including the originals and all copies thereof, whether electronic, paper or any other form.

 

7.             Confidentiality.  You acknowledge that you have had access to trade secrets and other confidential information regarding the Bank and their businesses that are unique and irreplaceable and that the use of such trade secrets and other confidential information by a competitor, or certain other persons, would cause irreparable harm to the Bank.  Accordingly, you will not disclose or use to the detriment of the Bank any such trade secrets or other confidential information.  Confidential information includes any information, whether or not reduced to written or other tangible form, which (i) is not generally known to the public or within the industry; (ii) has been treated by the Bank as confidential or proprietary; and (iii) is of competitive advantage to the Bank.

 

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8.             Non-Disparagement.  You covenant that, except to the extent required by law, you will not make to any person or entity any statement, whether written or oral, that directly or indirectly impugns the integrity of, or reflects negatively on the Bank or any of its employees, officers or directors, or that denigrates, disparages or results in detriment to the Bank.  The Bank’s executive management covenants that, except to the extent required by law, the executive management will not make to any person or entity any statement, whether written or oral, that directly or indirectly impugns the integrity of, or reflects negatively on you.  This section does not prohibit any truthful statement made to any government agency in the context of an official investigation.

 

9.             Non-Solicitation/Non-Compete.  You hereby covenant and agree that, from July 26, 2013 through December 31, 2014, you shall not, without the written consent of the Bank, either directly or indirectly:

 

(a)           solicit, offer employment to, or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any officer or employee of the Bank, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, to terminate his or her employment and accept employment or become affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity whatsoever to, any firm, corporation, entity or enterprise that competes with the business of the Bank, or any of their direct or indirect subsidiaries or affiliates; or

 

(b)           solicit, provide any information, advice or recommendation or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any customer of the Bank or its affiliates to terminate an existing business or commercial relationship with the Bank or its affiliates or transfer some or all of such customer’s business or relationships with the Bank or its affiliates; provided further, that it is expressly understood and acknowledged that this paragraph shall not prevent any customer of the Bank or its affiliates to voluntarily elect to transfer its business or relationships to you so long as you have not in any way solicited, provided any information, advised, recommended or taken any action to encourage such customer to take such action; or

 

(c)           become an officer, employee, consultant, director, independent contractor, agent, sole proprietor, joint venturer, greater than 5% equity owner or stockholder, partner or trustee of any savings association, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company, credit union, bank or bank holding company, insurance company or agency, any mortgage or loan broker or any other financial services entity or business that (i) competes with the business of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., the Bank or its affiliates; and (ii) has headquarters or offices within sixty (60) miles of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

 

10.          Acceptance of Agreement.

 

(a)           You acknowledge that you have been advised by the Bank that you have at least 45 calendar days from the date you receive this Agreement (the “Acceptance Period”) to consider whether or not to accept this Agreement and seek counsel to advise you about signing this Agreement.  Any modifications or changes to this Agreement agreed upon by you, the Bank will not restart or affect your 45 day review period.  This Agreement will not

 

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become effective or enforceable until the cancellation period described in Section 11 below has expired without you cancelling this Agreement.

 

(b)           You acknowledge that, before signing this Agreement, you were advised by the Bank to consult with an attorney.  You agree that you had an adequate opportunity to review this Agreement with persons of your choice, including your attorney, that you fully understand the terms of this Agreement, and that you have signed it knowingly and voluntarily.

 

(c)           You acknowledge that, by signing this Agreement and not cancelling it, you waive any claim that you have or might have accrued, prior to the date of your signing this Agreement, against the Bank under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

 

11.          Cancellation of Agreement.   You have the right to cancel this Agreement at any time within the seven (7) day period immediately following your acceptance of the Agreement.  If you decide to cancel this Agreement, you must do so by mailing notice of cancellation, by certified mail, return receipt requested, postmarked within the seven (7) day cancellation period to Linda Johnston, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Berkshire Bank, P.O. Box 1308, Pittsfield, MA 01202-1308. This Agreement will not be effective until the 8th day after you sign and do not cancel this Agreement.

 

12.          No Admission of Liability.  This Agreement is not an admission by the Bank of any liability to you.

 

13.          Governing Law and Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed and conformed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to its conflict of laws provision.

 

14.          Savings Clause.  If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.

 

15.          Entire Agreement.  This Agreement represents the entire understanding of both you and the Bank with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, written, or oral.

 

16.          Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, and all of the counterpart copies shall be treated as a single agreement.

 

17.          Assignment; Modification of Agreement.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Bank and any successors and assigns.  You may not assign your rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement.  None of the terms of this Agreement may be changed or modified except in a writing signed by both you and the Bank. Any such agreed upon change or modification to this Agreement will not restart or otherwise affect the original 45 calendar day consideration period referred to in Section 11 above.

 

18.          Required Regulatory Provision.  This agreement and any separation payment or insurance benefit hereunder shall be subject to the requirements of Section 18(k) of

 

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the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the FDIC’s Golden Parachute Regulation, 12 C.F.R. Part 359.

 

19.          Clawback Policy.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Bank or its successors shall retain the legal right to demand the return of any payments made hereunder as required by the Bank’s federal or state regulator.  You further agree that the non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement obligations set forth in this Agreement are material terms of the Agreement, and that the Bank would not have entered into this Agreement without your agreement to them, and that breach of any of these obligations would cause the Bank irreparable injury.  If the Bank establishes a breach of any of these obligations, you agree that the Bank shall be entitled to recover from you, at the Bank’s option, the full amount paid to you under this Agreement, including amounts paid prior to such breach, as liquidated damages or actual damages, but not both types of damages, as well as reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred to enforce this Agreement.

 

20.          Cooperation.  You agree that, upon reasonable request, you will cooperate with the Bank and any of its officers, directors, agents, employees, attorneys and advisors in the Bank’s investigation of, preparation for, and prosecution or defense of any matter(s) brought by or against the Bank or any of its officers or directors, including without limitation litigation concerning: (a) facts or circumstances about which you have any actual or alleged knowledge or expertise that was obtained during your employment with the Bank or (b) any of your acts or omissions, real or alleged, of your employment with the Bank.  You agree that, upon reasonable notice, you will appear and provide full and truthful testimony in proceedings associated with the above referenced matters, provided that the Bank shall reimburse you for all reasonable travel expenses associated with the giving of testimony and shall work with you as reasonably practicable to schedule the activities contemplated by this Section 20 so as not to unreasonably interfere with your other commitments.

 

21.          Successors and Assigns.

 

The Bank shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank’s obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

 

PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT BY SIGNING THE FOLLOWING PAGE.

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

	
 
    	
EMPLOYEE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Patrick J. Sullivan
    
	
 
    	
Patrick   J. Sullivan
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
BERKSHIRE   BANK
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Linda Johnston
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Duly   Authorized Officer
    

 

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