Document:

ryi-ex1034_672.htm

Exhibit 10.34 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), by and between Ryerson Tull, Inc. (the "Corporation") and Erich Schnaufer (the "Executive") effective as of September 8, 2005 (the "Effective Date").

 

The Corporation desires to appoint the Executive to the position of Ryerson Tull Director of Financial Reporting, and the Executive desires to accept such appointment.  In that employment the Executive will be entrusted with knowledge of the Corporation's business and operational methods.  The Corporation wishes to protect its business and operational methods through the restrictions and covenants specified herein.  The Executive recognizes that the Corporation's business and operational methods require protection, and the Executive is willing to protect the Corporation's business and operational methods through the restrictions and covenants specified herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Executive and the Corporation hereby agree as follows.

 

1.Position and Duties.  Effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive will serve as Ryerson Tull Director of Financial Reporting and in such capacity shall have such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Corporation.  The Executive shall have such authorities and powers as are inherent to the undertaking of this position and necessary to carry out these responsibilities and duties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions of this Agreement, the Executive and the Corporation understand and agree that the responsibilities and duties of the Executive, in the capacity of Ryerson Tull Director of Financial Reporting of the Corporation, may change from time to time due to changes in the nature, structure or needs of the Corporation's business and that any such changes in the Executive's duties and responsibilities that are consistent with such changes in the Corporation's business shall not constitute a reduction or increase in the Executive's duties and responsibilities for purposes of this Agreement.

 

The Executive shall devote his or her best efforts and full business time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Corporation and its affiliated companies.  The Executive shall perform all assigned duties to the best of his or her abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner.  

 

2.Compensation.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, while the Executive is employed by the Corporation under this Agreement, the Executive shall be compensated for services as follows:

 

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Exhibit 10.34 

	
 
	
(A)
	
Effective the later of September 26, 2005 or the date of the beginning of the payroll period after the Executive's signed Agreement is received by the Vice President of Human Resources, the Executive's annual base salary shall be $130,000 ("Annual Base Salary"), payable in bi-weekly installments under the Corporation's general payroll practices, subject to customary withholding.

 

	
 
	
(B)
	
The Executive will be eligible for an incentive bonus payment from the Corporation each calendar year or applicable performance period (the "Performance Bonus") in accordance with the Corporation’s Annual Incentive Plan (or successor plan) of the Corporation as in effect from time to time.  For 2005, the Executive will receive a pro-rated AIP award from the first day of employment through December 31, 2005.  For 2006 and thereafter, the Target Bonus Percentage shall be 25% of Annual Base Salary and the actual award will depend upon Ryerson Tull's actual performance against target for the year in question.  The Corporation reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate or modify the Annual Incentive Plan or to change the target bonus percentage.

 

	
 
	
(C)
	
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Executive shall be provided with health, welfare and other benefits to the same extent and on the same terms as those benefits are provided by the Corporation from time to time to other similarly situated executives of the Corporation.  Nothing in this Agreement precludes the Corporation from amending or terminating any plans or programs generally applicable to salaried employees or executives, as the case may be.

 

	
 
	
(D)
	
The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Corporation, on terms and conditions that are applicable to other similarly situated executives of the Corporation, for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for entertainment, travel, meals, lodging and similar items, consistent with the Corporation's expense reimbursement policy in effect at the time.  Nothing in this Agreement precludes the Corporation from amending or terminating its expense reimbursement policy.

 

	
 
	
(E)
	
The Executive will be eligible for three weeks of vacation beginning January 1, 2006 and each year thereafter.

 

3.Rights and Payments Upon Termination.  The Executive's right to benefits and payments, if any, for periods after the date the Executive's employment with the Corporation terminates for any reason (the "Termination Date") shall be determined in accordance with this Paragraph 3:

 

	
 
	
(A)
	
(Termination by the Corporation for Reasons Other Than Cause; Termination by the Executive for Good Reason.  If the Corporation terminates the Executive's 

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employment for reasons other than Cause or as a result of termination by the Executive for Good Reason, then for the period (the "Benefit Period") commencing on the Executive's Termination Date and ending on the earliest of:

 

	
 
	
(i)
	
the twelfth month after the Termination Date (less the period attributable to any pay in lieu of notice in accordance with the final sentence of Paragraph 4 of this Agreement);

	
 
	
(ii)
	
the date the Executive violates or initiates any legal challenge to the provisions of Paragraphs 4, 5 or 6 of this Agreement; or

	
 
	
(iii)
	
the date of the Executive's death or the date the Executive is determined to be eligible for benefits under the Corporation's Long Term Disability Plan;

 

	
 
	

	
The Executive shall continue to receive from the Corporation bi-weekly payments based on his or her Annual Base Salary, a Bonus (as defined below), and certain other benefits in effect as of the Termination Date.   Benefits provided under the terms of this Paragraph 3(A) are medical and dental coverage only [unless the Executive is eligible for retiree medical benefits on the Termination Date, in which case only dental coverage is offered under this Paragraph 3(A)].  All other benefits shall be terminated on the Termination Date.  To retain eligibility for medical and dental benefit coverage, the Executive must pay premiums equivalent to the amounts required of active employee participants in these benefit plans.

 

	
 
	

	
"Bonus" shall mean one payment of the average annual amount of the Performance Bonus paid to the Executive under the Annual Incentive Plan or successor plan for the three or fewer Bonus payments paid to the Executive immediately preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs.  If the Executive’s period of employment with the Corporation is less than one year, the Bonus payment shall be based on the Target bonus Percentage established for the Executive under the Corporation’s Annual Incentive Plan (or successor plan).  For purposes of calculating the average annual amount of the Performance Bonus, where no Performance Bonus is paid in any of the three or fewer years preceding the Termination Date used in the calculation described herein, any such year or years will be included in the average calculation as zero.  This bonus payment is payable in the first quarter of the year following the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs.

 

	
 
	

	
In addition to the Performance Bonus described above, provided that the Executive has not violated any of the provisions of Paragraphs 4, 5 or 6 of this Agreement, the Executive may be entitled to an additional Final Bonus (as defined below) for the year in 

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which the Termination Date occurs.  "Final Bonus" means an amount equal to the product of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary multiplied by (2) the most recent Target Bonus Percentage established for the Executive under the Corporation's Annual Incentive Plan (or successor plan); (3) multiplied by the percent attainment of the applicable performance measures, and multiplied by (4) a proration factor which is a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months determined under (a) and (b) below, and the denominator of which is the number of whole months in the applicable bonus performance period.  The valuation date for purposes of determining the proration factor is:

 

	
 
	
(a)
	
the last day of the month preceding the Termination Date if the Termination Date occurs from the 1st through the 15th of the month, and

	
 
	
(b)
	
the last day of the month in which the Termination Date occurs if the Termination Date occurs from the 16th through the last day of the month.

	
 
	

	
The percent attainment of the applicable performance measure is not prorated and is determined at the end of the bonus performance period as defined in accordance with the Corporation’s Annual Incentive Plan (or successor plan).  The final bonus payment is payable in the first quarter of the year following the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs.

 

	
 
	

	
Annual Base Salary payments to the Executive during the Benefit Period shall not preclude the Executive's eligibility for cash severance payments under the Corporation Severance Plan, provided, however, that any benefit continuation period under this Agreement shall run concurrently with the applicable benefit period under such Severance Plan and thus (i) the Executive shall not be eligible for noncash benefits under the Severance Plan during the Benefit Period, and (ii) cash payments due under the Severance Plan shall be reduced by the amount of cash payments made under this Agreement.

 

	
 
	
(B)
	
Termination By Corporation for Cause.  If the Corporation terminates the Executive's employment for Cause, then except as agreed in writing between the Executive and the Corporation, the Executive shall be entitled to receive only compensation and benefits earned up to the Date of Termination.  The Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this Agreement with respect to the period after the Executive's Termination Date and the Corporation shall have no obligation to make any additional payments or provide any other benefits with respect to the period after the Executive's Termination Date.

 

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(C)
	
Termination for Death or Disability.  If the Executive's termination is caused by the Executive's death or permanent disability (as that term is defined under the Corporation's Long Term Disability Plan), then the Executive (or in the event of his or her death, his or her estate) shall be entitled to continued payments of Annual Base Salary for the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month in which his or her Termination Date occurs; (ii) the date on which the Executive violates the provisions of Paragraphs  4, 5 or 6 of this Agreement; (iii) the date of the Executive's death; or (iv) the date of the Executive's permanent disability.

 

	
 
	
(D)
	
Termination for Voluntary Resignation, Mutual Agreement or Other Reasons.  If the Executive's termination occurs on account of his or her voluntary resignation, mutual agreement of the parties, or any reason other than those specified in Paragraphs (A), (B) or  (C) above, then, except as agreed in writing between the Executive and the Corporation, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this Agreement with respect to the period after the Executive's Termination Date and the Corporation shall have no obligation to make any additional payments or provide any additional benefits with respect to the period after the Executive's Termination Date.  The Executive's termination of employment for Good Reason shall not be treated as a voluntary resignation for purposes of this Agreement.

 

	
 
	
(E)
	
Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement:

 

	
 
	
(i)
	
The term "Cause" shall mean:

 

	
 
	
(a)
	
the continuous performance by the Executive of his or her duties under this Agreement in a manner that is inconsistent with past, acceptable performance or in a way that has a demonstrably negative impact on business results of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates, as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion; or

	
 
	
(b)
	
the willful engaging by the Executive in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Corporation or its affiliates, monetarily or otherwise, as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion; or

	
 
	
(c)
	
conduct by the Executive that involves a material and substantial violation of Corporation Policy, a violation of criminal law, illegal harassment of other employees, theft, fraud or dishonesty; or

	
 
	
(d)
	
the Executive's violation of the provisions of Paragraphs 4, 5 or 6 hereof.

 

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(ii)
	
The term "Good Reason" means (a) the assignment to the Executive of duties which are materially inconsistent with the Executive's position and duties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, a material diminution or reduction in title, office or responsibilities or a reduction in Annual Base Salary, if such assignment is not changed by the Corporation, after written notice by the Executive to the Corporation of such diminution or reduction giving the Corporation reasonable opportunity to cure, or (b) the involuntary relocation of the Executive to a location that is not within the Chicago metropolitan area. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall limit the ability of the Corporation to change the job duties of the Executive consistent with Paragraph 1 of this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive shall automatically cease to be an employee of the Corporation and its affiliates as of his or her Termination Date and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any and all monies that the Executive owes to the Corporation shall be repaid before any post-termination payments are made to the Executive under this Agreement.

 

4.Termination by Executive or Corporation with Notice.  Subject to the payment obligations and rights set forth in Paragraph 3 above, the Corporation and the Executive agree that either party may terminate the Executive's employment under this Agreement for any or no reason.  Each party is obligated to give the other thirty (30) days written notice (the "Notice Period") before terminating the Executive's employment relationship, except that no such notice shall be required in the case of the death of the Executive or the Corporation's termination of the Executive's employment for Cause or if the Corporation and the Executive otherwise agree in writing.

 

During the Notice Period, the Executive shall (i) meet with the Vice President, Controller and CAO or his or her designee to wind up any pending work and provide an orderly transfer to other employees of the duties, responsibilities, accounts, customers and clients for which the Executive has been responsible; (ii) work with the Corporation to identify key Confidential Information (as defined in Paragraph 5 below) likely to be in the Executive's possession and provide it to the Corporation as instructed; (iii) disclose and discuss the Executive's future employment plans in light of the Executive's obligations under this Agreement; (iv) deliver to the Corporation all property belonging to the Corporation, including any duplicates, copies or abstracts thereof; and (v) devote full time and attention to these obligations and the Executive's other responsibilities as directed by the Corporation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, terminate the duties of the Executive at any time during the Notice Period providing that the Corporation continues to pay the Executive any Base Salary that may be due to the Executive for any portion of such thirty (30) days Notice Period remaining after the Corporation terminates the duties of the Executive.

 

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Exhibit 10.34 

5.Confidentiality and Ownership.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information (as defined in Paragraph 5(A) below) is the property of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.  Accordingly, the Executive agrees as follows:

 

	
 
	
(A)
	
Confidential Information. Except as may be required by applicable law or the lawful order of a court or regulatory body, or except to the extent that the Executive has express authorization in writing from the Corporation to do otherwise, the Executive will keep secret and confidential, during the Executive's employment and at all times thereafter, all Confidential Information and not disclose such Confidential Information, either directly or indirectly, to any other person, firm or business entity, or to use it in any way.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all non-public information, observations or data relating to the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates, its customers and/or vendors and suppliers, which the Executive has learned or will learn during his or her employment with the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether or not a trade secret within the meaning of applicable law, including but not limited to:  (i) new products and new product development; (ii) marketing strategies and plans, market experience with products, and market research; (iii) manufacturing processes, technologies and production plans and methods; (iv) formulas, research in progress and unpublished manuals or know how, devices, methods, techniques, processes and inventions; (v) regulatory filings and communications; (vi) identity of and relationship with licensees, licensors or suppliers; (vi) finances, financial information, and financial management systems; (vii) technological and engineering data; (viii) identities of and information concerning customers, vendors and suppliers and prospective customers, vendors and suppliers; (ix) development, expansion and business strategies, pricing strategies, plans and techniques; (x) computer programs; (xi) research and development activities; (xii) litigation and pending litigation; (xiii) personnel information; and (xiv) any other information or documents which the Executive is told or reasonably ought to know the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates regard as proprietary or confidential.

 

	
 
	
(B)
	
Upon the Executive's Termination Date or at the Corporation's earlier request, the Executive will promptly return to the Corporation any and all records, documents, data, memoranda, reports, physical property, information, computer disks, tapes or software or other materials, and all copies thereof, relating to the business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates obtained by the Executive during his or her employment with the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates.  The Executive further agrees to grant reasonable access to the Corporation, at its request, any computer in the Executive's possession or control which has contained any Confidential Information for the purpose of ensuring that all Confidential Information stored on the computer has been delivered to the Corporation.

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Exhibit 10.34 

 

	
 
	
(C)
	
The Executive agrees that all inventions, innovations, discoveries, improvements, developments, trade secrets, processes, procedures, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, and all similar or related information which relates to the Corporation's or any of its subsidiaries' or affiliates' actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by the Executive while employed by the Corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Work Product") belong to the Corporation or such subsidiary or affiliate.  The Executive shall promptly inform the Corporation of such Work Product, and shall execute such assignments as may be necessary to transfer to the Corporation or its affiliates the benefits of the Work Product, in whole or in part, or conceived by the Executive either alone or with others, which result from any work which the Executive may do for or at the request of the Corporation, whether or not conceived by the Executive while the Executive’s non-work time or off the premises of the Corporation, including such of the foregoing items conceived during the course of employment which are developed or perfected after the Executive's Termination Date.  The Executive shall assist the Corporation or its nominee, to obtain patents, trademarks and service marks and the Executive agrees to execute all documents and to take all other actions which are necessary or appropriate to secure to the Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates the benefits thereof.  Such patents, trademarks and service marks shall become the property of the Corporation and its affiliates.  The Executive shall deliver to the Corporation all sketches, drawings, models, figures, plans, outlines, descriptions or other information with respect thereto.

 

	
 
	
(D)
	
To the extent that any court or agency seeks to have the Executive disclose Confidential Information, the Executive shall immediately inform the Corporation, and the Executive shall take such reasonable steps to prevent disclosure of Confidential Information until the Corporation has been informed of such requested disclosure.  To the extent that the Executive obtains information on behalf of the Corporation or any of its affiliates that may be subject to attorney-client privilege as to the Corporation's attorneys, the Executive shall take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to preserve such privilege.  The Corporation shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable attorney's fees in order to maintain the confidentiality of such information.

 

	
 
	
(E)
	
Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 5 shall be construed so as to prevent the Executive from using, after the Executive’s termination of employment with the Corporation, in connection with his or her employment for himself or an employer other than the Corporation or any of its affiliates, knowledge which was acquired by him or her during the course of his or her employment with the Corporation and its affiliates, 

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Exhibit 10.34 

	
 
		
and which is generally known to persons of his or her experience in other companies in the same industry.

 

6.Noncompetition/Nonsolicitation.  The Executive acknowledges that the industry in which the Corporation is engaged is an international business which is highly competitive and that the Executive is a key executive of the Corporation.  The Executive further acknowledges that as a result of his or her senior position within the Corporation, he or she has acquired and will acquire extensive Confidential Information and knowledge of the Corporation's business and the industry in which it operates and will develop relationships with and knowledge of customers, employees, vendors and suppliers of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates.  Accordingly, the Executive agrees that during the time the Executive is employed by the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates (the "Employment Period") and for a period of 12 (twelve) months after the Termination Date (the "Restricted Period"):

 

	
 
	
(A)
	
The Executive will not directly or indirectly, own, operate, manage, control, participate, consult with, advise, or have any financial interest in  (whether for himself or for any other person and whether as proprietor, principal, stockholder, partner, agent, director, officer, employee, consultant, independent contractor or in any other capacity), any Competitor of the Corporation, or in any manner engage in the start-up of a business (including by himself or in association with any person, firm, corporate or other business organization through any other entity) in competition with the Corporation’s , business provided that this shall not prevent the Executive from ownership of 1% or less of the outstanding stock of any corporation listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange or included in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or ownership of securities in any entity affiliated with the Corporation.  "Competitor" refers to a person or entity, including metals-related Internet marketplaces, engaged in the metal service center processing and/or metals distribution business. 

 

	
 
	
(B)
	
The Executive will not directly or indirectly contact, call upon, solicit business from, or sell any products sold or distributed by the Corporation to any customer or prospective customer of the Corporation with whom employees of the Corporation had contact during the Employment Period.

 

	
 
	
(C)
	
The Executive will not directly or indirectly either alone or in cooperation with others, encourage any employees of the Corporation to seek or accept an employment or business relationship with a person or entity other than the Corporation, or in any way interfere with the relationship of the Corporation and any subsidiary or affiliate and any employee thereof, including without limitation, to hire, solicit for hire, or discuss or encourage the employment of, any of the employees of the Corporation who were 

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employed by the Corporation during the Employment Period; provided however, this shall not apply to an employee whose employment was terminated by the Corporation before the Termination Date, if such termination was not caused by any direct or indirect involvement of the Executive or a subsequent employer of the Executive.  

 

	
 
	
(D)
	
The Executive will not directly or indirectly either alone or in cooperation with others, encourage any supplier, distributor, franchisee, licensee, or other business relation of the Corporation, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation to cease or curtail doing business with the Corporation, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, distributor, franchisee, licensee or business relation and the Corporation or subsidiary or affiliate.

 

If any restriction set forth in this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable or unenforceable with respect to scope, time, geographical, customer or other coverage under circumstances then existing, the parties agree that (a) the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope or area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law, so as to provide the maximum legally enforceable protection of the Corporation's interests as described in this Agreement, without negating or impairing any other restrictions or agreements set forth herein, and (b) the Benefit Period shall be reduced so as not to exceed any revised Restricted Period.

 

7.No Conflict.  The Executive represents that the Executive is not a party to any agreement with any third party containing a non-competition provision, non-solicitation provision, confidentiality provision or any other restriction that would prohibit or restrict the Executive's employment with the Corporation or any part of the services which the Executive provides to the Corporation or its clients.  Moreover, the Executive represents that the Executive is not limited by any court order or other legal obligation from performing any assigned duties for the Corporation and that the Executive has no rights which may conflict with the interests of the Corporation or with the Executive's obligations hereunder.  The Executive represents that the Executive does not possess any documents or material containing confidential information from any prior employer and, to the extent the Executive knows or possesses any such confidential information, the Executive agrees not to disclose it to the Corporation.  Finally, the Executive states that he/she has disclosed to the Corporation all prior confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-compete agreements which he has entered into with his prior employers.

 

8.Change of Title, Duties.  The Executive agrees that if, at any time, the Executive's title or duties is changed by the Corporation consistent with Paragraph 1 of this Agreement, the Executive nevertheless will continue to be bound in all particulars to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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9.Validity.  If any one or more of the provisions contained in the Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be constructed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.  

 

10.Reasonableness of Restrictions/Injunctive Relief.  

 

	
 
	
(A)
	
The Executive acknowledges that his or her rights to compete and disclose Confidential Information and trade secrets are limited hereby only to the extent necessary to protect the Corporation against unfair competition and that, in the event the Executive's employment with the Corporation terminates for any reason, the Executive will be able to earn a livelihood without violating the foregoing restrictions. The Executive acknowledges that the restrictions cited herein are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Corporation's legitimate business interests.  

 

	
 
	
(B)
	
The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive as the Ryerson Tull Director of Financial Reporting are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such services, the Executive will, by virtue of his/her senior position with the Corporation, have access to confidential information vital to the Corporation's business.  The Executive consents and agrees that if the Executive violates any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Corporation would sustain irreparable harm and, therefore, in addition to any other remedies which the Corporation may have under this Agreement or otherwise, the Corporation shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the Executive from committing or continuing any such violation of this Agreement, including, without limitation, restraining the Executive from disclosing, using for any purpose, selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of, in whole or in part, any trade secrets, Confidential Information, proprietary information, client or customer lists or other information pertaining to the financial condition, business, manner of operation, affairs, plans or prospects of the Corporation.  The Executive acknowledges that damages at law would not be an adequate remedy for violation of this Agreement, and the Executive therefore agrees that the provisions may be specifically enforced against the Executive in any court of competent jurisdiction.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Corporation from pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages.

 

	
 
	
(C)
	
The parties agree that money damages would be inadequate for any breaches of Paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement.  Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of Paragraphs 4, 5 or 6, the Corporation, or its successors or assigns 

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may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief, to enforce, or prevent any violation of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security).

 

	
 
	
(D)
	
The Executive agrees that:  (i) the covenants set forth in Paragraph 6 are reasonable, (ii) the Corporation would not have entered into this Agreement but for the covenants of the Executive contained in Paragraph 6, and (iii) the covenants contained in Paragraph 6 have been made in order to induce the Corporation to enter into this Agreement.

 

11.Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and any person acquiring, whether by merger, reorganization, consolidation, or by purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation. The Executive agrees that the Corporation may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Executive, without regard to the duration of his employment by the Corporation or reasons for the cessation of such employment, and inure to the benefit of his administrators, executors, and heirs, although the obligations of the Executive are personal and may be performed only by the Executive.  The interests of the Executive under this Agreement may not be voluntarily assigned, alienated or encumbered by the Executive or his successors in interest, and any attempt to do so shall be void and of no effect.

 

12.Notification.  The Executive shall notify all future employers of the existence of Paragraphs 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 17 and 18 of this Agreement and the terms thereof.  The Executive will also provide the Corporation with information the Corporation may from time to time request to determine the Executive's compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Executive hereby authorizes the Corporation to contact the Executive's future employers and other parties with whom the Executive has engaged or may engage in any business relationship to determine the Executive's compliance with this Agreement and to communicate the contents of this Agreement to such employers and parties.

 

13.Cooperation in Certain Matters.  The Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and after the Termination Date, the Executive will cooperate with the Corporation in any current or future or potential legal, business, or other matters in any reasonable manner as the Corporation may request, including but not limited to meeting with and fully answering the questions of the Corporation or its representatives or agents, and in any legal matter testifying and preparing to testify at any deposition or trial.  The Corporation agrees to compensate the Executive for any reasonable expenses incurred as a result of such cooperation.

 

14.Captions.  The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

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15.No Mitigation.  In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as specifically provided in Paragraph 3(A) hereof, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation or benefits earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer.

 

16. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

17.Governing Law.  In the event of any dispute arising under this Agreement, it is agreed that the law of the State of Illinois shall govern the interpretation, validity, and effect of this Agreement without regard to the place of performance or execution thereof.  

 

18.Enforcement.  The Corporation and the Executive hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located within Cook County, Illinois for resolution of any and all claims, causes of action or disputes arising out of, related to or concerning this Agreement and agree that services by registered mail to the addresses set forth below shall constitute sufficient service of process for any such action.  The parties further agree that venue for all disputes between them, including those related to this Agreement, shall be with a state or federal court located within Cook County, Illinois.  If either party is required to seek enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement, such party will be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorneys' fees plus costs and expenses as to any issues on which it prevails.

 

19.Notices.  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received when delivered in person or sent by facsimile transmission, on the first business day after it is sent by air express courier service or on the third business day following deposit in the United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed, in the case of the Corporation to the following address:

 

Ryerson Tull, Inc.

2621 W. 15th Place

Chicago, IL  60608

Attention:  William Korda

 

or to the Executive:

 

Erich Schnaufer

	
 
	

	
 

	
 
	

	
 

 

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Exhibit 10.34 

or such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that a notice of change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt.

 

20.Waiver of Breach.  The waiver by either the Corporation or the Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach by either the Corporation or the Executive.  Continuation of payments hereunder by the Corporation following a breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement shall not preclude the Corporation from thereafter terminating said payments based upon the same violation.

 

21.Survival of Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties to this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Executive's employment with the Corporation.

 

22.Acknowledgment by Executive.  The Executive represents to the Corporation that he is knowledgeable and sophisticated as to business matters, including the subject matter of this Agreement, that he has read this Agreement and that he understands its terms.  The Executive acknowledges that, before assenting to the terms of this Agreement, the Executive has been given a reasonable time to review it, to consult with counsel of choice, and to negotiate at arm's-length with the Corporation as to the contents.

 

23.Other Agreements and Modification. This Agreement may be amended or cancelled only by written mutual Agreement executed by the parties.  This Agreement constitutes the sole and complete Agreement between the Corporation and the Executive and supersedes all other agreements, both oral and written, between the Corporation and the Executive with respect to the matters contained herein; provided, however, that this Agreement does not supersede any Change in Control Agreement or Severance Plan, except as specifically addressed in this Agreement.  The parties acknowledge that other than what is contained in this Agreement, no verbal or other statements, inducements, or representations have been made to or relied upon by the Executive.  The parties each represent to the other that they have read and understand this Agreement.

 

24.Ambiguities.  This Agreement has been negotiated at arms-length between persons knowledgeable in the matters dealt with herein.  In addition, each party has been represented by experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel.  Accordingly, the parties agree that neither the Corporation nor the Executive is the drafting party and that any rule of law or any other statutes, legal decisions or common law principles of similar effect that require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against the party that has drafted it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a reasonable manner to give effect to the intentions of the parties hereto.

 

-14-

 

Exhibit 10.34 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his or her hand, and the Corporation has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, as of the date above first written.

 

 

RYERSON TULL, INC.

 

 

Dated: 9/20/05/s/ William Korda

William Korda

Vice President -- Human Resources

 

 

Dated: 9/14/05/s/ Erich Schnaufer

Erich Schnaufer

Ryerson Tull Director of Financial Reporting

 

 

-15-

 

 

AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment to the Employment Agreement ("Employment Agreement") by and between Ryerson Inc., formerly known as Ryerson Tull, Inc. ("Corporation") and Erich Schnaufer (the "Executive") (collectively, the "Parties").

 

WHEREAS, the Parties agree that this Amendment to the Employment Agreement is necessary in order to address the deteriorating financial status of the Corporation caused by the current deep economic recession, and the Parties also agree that it is in the mutual interest of the Corporation and the Executive to enhance the financial stability of the Corporation;

 

ACCORDINGLY, the Parties agree to the following change in the Employment Agreement:

 

Effective May 4, 2009, the Annual Base Salary stated in Paragraph 2 of the Employment Agreement is adjusted for an indeterminate time to $154,796.40. In the event that the Executive's position is eliminated by the Corporation for "Reasons Other Than Cause" or the Executive resigns for "Go Reason" as defined by Paragraph 3 of the Employment Agreement, and the Executive’s Annual Base Salary has not yet returned to an amount equal to or higher than the Annual Base Salary in effect immediately prior to May 4, 2009, then the bi-weekly payments provided by Paragraph 3(A) of the Employment Agreement will be based upon the pre-amendment salary.

 

The Parties agree that this Amendment complies with the requirements for amending the Employment Agreement by written mutual agreement, as contained in the Employment Agreement. Executive agrees that full and adequate consideration for the Executive's Agreement to this Amendment, if any is necessary, is provided by the continued employment and maintenance of other Compensation provided under the terms of the Employment Agreement.

 

Unless expressly amended by this Amendment, all provisions of the Employment

Agreement remains as stated in the Employment Agreement.

 

 

EXECUTIVERYERSON INC.

 

Date:  April 7, 2009Date:  4/7/09

 

/s/ Erich Schnaufer/s/ Andrew M. Bruns

Print Name:  Erich SchnauferBy: Andrew M. Bruns

Position: Vice President Human ResourcesExhibit 10.1

 

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) between Edge Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Corporation” or the “Company”) and the individual specified on the Notice of Grant (the “Optionee”) is made as of the date of grant specified on the Notice of Grant to which this Agreement is attached (the “Grant Notice”).  The date of grant specified on the Grant Notice is referred to herein as the “Grant Date.”

RECITALS

In consideration of these premises and the agreements set forth herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

1.           Award of Option.  The Corporation hereby grants to the Optionee, as of the Grant Date, the option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of Shares specified on the Grant Notice (the “Option Shares”).  Although the Option is being granted as an inducement grant and not under any plan maintained by the Corporation, for all purposes of the Grant Notice and this Agreement, the Option shall be treated as if it was granted under the Edge Therapeutics, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  Accordingly, the Corporation and Optionee agree that the Option is subject to the terms of the Plan as if it was granted thereunder, and the Option is also subject to the terms set forth herein.  The terms of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference.  Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.

2.           Type of Option.  The Option shall not be an Incentive Stock Option.

3.           Term of Option.

(a)           Term.  The term of the Option shall commence on the Grant Date and end on the Expiration Date specified on the Grant Notice, or on such earlier date as provided in the Plan and Section 3(b) below (the “Term”).

(b)           Termination of Employment. Upon the Optionee’s termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries, the unvested portion of the Option shall cease to vest and shall be forfeited and the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable by the Optionee or the Optionee’s beneficiary or legal representative, as the case may be, for a period of (i) 30 days in the event of a termination by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause, (ii) 180 days in the event of a termination due to death or Disability and (iii) 30 days in the event of the Optionee’s resignation; provided, however, that no part of the Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date.  The entire unexercised portion of the Option, whether or not vested, shall be forfeited immediately upon the Optionee’s termination by the Company or a Subsidiary for Cause.

4.           Exercise Price.  The cost to the Optionee to purchase, pursuant to this Agreement, one Option Share is the Exercise Price specified on the Grant Notice (subject to adjustment as set forth in the Plan).

5.           Exercise of Option.  The Option will be exercisable during the Term only to the extent that it is then vested and then only in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Agreement.

(a)           Vesting.  The Option will vest and become exercisable in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth on the Grant Notice.  Upon the Optionee’s termination of employment with the Corporation and its Subsidiaries for any reason, the unvested portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited with no consideration due to the Optionee.

(b)           Method of Exercise.  The Optionee may exercise the Option by providing written notice to the Corporation stating the election to exercise the Option.  Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Corporation or such other Person as may be designated by the Corporation.  The written notice shall be accompanied by (i) payment of the Exercise Price and (ii) payment of, or arrangement of payment of, all applicable withholding taxes as provided in Section 9 below.  Payment of the purchase price shall be by cash, or certified or bank check or such other consideration and method of payment as may be authorized by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.  Following exercise, any certificate(s) for Option Shares shall be registered in the name of the Optionee (or his or her heirs or beneficiary, as applicable).

(c)           Partial Exercise. The Option, to the extent vested, may be exercised in whole or in part; provided, however, that any exercise may apply only with respect to whole numbers of Option Shares.

(d)           Restrictions on Exercise.  Upon a Change in Control, the right to exercise the Option shall be subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Plan.  The Option shall not be exercised if the issuance of the Option Shares upon such exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations.  As a further condition to the exercise of the Option, and in addition to any other requirements set forth in this Agreement, the Corporation may require the Optionee to make any other representation or warranty to the Corporation as may be required by or advisable under any applicable law or regulation.

(e)           Termination of Option.  Upon the end of the Term, any portion of the Option that remains unexercised shall be forfeited and cancelled with no consideration due to the Optionee.

6.           Non-Transferability of Option.  The Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, gifted, transferred or disposed of in any manner either voluntarily or involuntarily by operation of law, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  During the Optionee’s lifetime, the Option is exercisable only by the Optionee.  If the Optionee dies during the Term, the terms of this Agreement and the Plan will be binding upon the executors, administrators, legal guardians, representatives, estate and heirs of the Optionee, whether testamentary heirs or heirs by intestacy.

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7.           Conditions on All Transfers of Option Shares.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7, no Transfer of an Option Share shall be made, or, if attempted or purported to be made, shall be effective, unless and until the Corporation is satisfied that the Transfer will not violate any federal or state securities law or any other law or agreement (including this Agreement).  If the Transfer would violate any such law or agreement and the Optionee nevertheless attempts or purports to engage in a Transfer of Option Shares, then the Corporation shall not recognize such Transfer on the books and records of the Corporation and such Transfer will be null and void ab initio.  In addition, the Optionee will be liable to the Corporation for damages, if any, which may result from such attempted or purported Transfer.

8.           No Promise of Employment.  Neither the Plan nor the Option nor the holding of Option Shares will confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or limit, in any respect, the right of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to discharge the Optionee at any time, with or without Cause and with or without notice.

9.           Withholding.  The Optionee shall be responsible for making appropriate provision for all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the Option or the exercise thereof.  Such responsibility shall extend to all applicable federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes.  The Corporation or its Subsidiaries, in their sole discretion, shall have the right to retain the number of shares whose Fair Market Value equals the amount to be withheld in satisfaction of the applicable withholding taxes (or to withhold from any payroll or other amounts otherwise due to the Optionee the amount of withholding taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Option).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act at the time of exercise of the Option, then the Company shall permit the Optionee to pay the Exercise Price and the withholding taxes relating to the exercise of the Option through a broker-assisted exercise of the Option whereby the broker will sell a number of shares sufficient to pay such Exercise Price and withholding taxes and shall remit the proceeds of the sale to the Company, and with any remaining shares to be credited to the account of the Optionee.

10.           The Plan.  The Optionee has received a copy of the Plan (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A), has read the Plan and is familiar with its terms, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan, as amended from time to time, and this Agreement.  Pursuant to the Plan, the Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan and to adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with the Plan as it deems appropriate.  The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee with respect to the Plan, this Agreement, the Option Shares or any agreement relating to the Option or the Option Shares.

11.           Governing Law.  This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws of Delaware or any other jurisdiction.

12.           Severability.  All provisions of this Agreement are distinct and severable and if any clause shall be held to be invalid, illegal or against public policy, the validity or the legality of the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted to give maximum effect to the original intention of the parties hereto.

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13.           Amendment.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, this Agreement may only be amended by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

14.           Employment Agreement Override.  If the Optionee is a party to an employment agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that provides for any special vesting or exercise benefits that conflict with those set forth in this Agreement or the Plan, the provisions of such employment agreement shall control.

15.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Grant Notice and the Plan, and the other exhibits attached thereto or hereto, represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the award of the Option to Optionee by the Corporation.

4

EXHIBIT A

Edge Therapeutics Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

5

NOTICE OF GRANT AND OPTION AGREEMENT

	
Company Information:

	
Optionee:

	
Edge Therapeutics, Inc.

	
[NAME]

	 	 
	
200 Connell Drive, Suite 1600

	
[ADDRESS]

	 	
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

	 	
United States

	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

	 
	
United States

	 
	 	 
	
Phone: 800-208-EDGE

	
Phone: [_________]

	 	 
	
Fax: 800-208-3433

	
Email: [__________]

	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 
	
Plan Name:

	
None – Inducement Grant

	
Date of Grant:

	
[_____]

	 	 	 	 
	
Grant Type:

	
NQSO

	
Date of Expiration:

	
[_____]

	 	 	 	 
	
Option Number:

	
[___]

	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	
Number Granted:

	
[_____]

	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	
Vesting Type:

	
Other

	
Exercise Price:

	
$[_____]

	 	 	 	 
	
Vesting Start Date:

	
[_____]

	
Total Option Price:

	
$[_____]

	 	 	 	 
	
Vesting Schedule:

	 	 	 
	 	
Date Vested

	
Shares Vested

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
[_____]

	
[_____]

	 
	 	
Total:

	
[_____]

	 
	
By your signature and the Company’s signature below, you and the Company agree that although the Option specified in this Grant Notice was not granted under the Edge Therapeutics, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Option shall be treated as if it was granted under the Plan and therefore shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of, and shall be governed by, the Plan, as amended from time to time.  The Option also shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement.  The terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement are attached hereof and are made a part of this Grant Notice.

	 	 
	
OPTIONEE:

	
EDGE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

	 	 
	 	 
	
Name: [_________]

	
By: [_________]

	 	 
	
Date: ___________________________________

	
Date: ___________________________________

 

 

6

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