Document:

Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.4
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This Severance Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into, as of February 21, 2019, among Pioneer Natural Resources Company, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Employer”) and Scott D. Sheffield (“Employee”).  As used henceforth in this Agreement, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include Parent and its direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiaries.  
Recitals
Parent and Employer acknowledge that Employee possesses skills and knowledge instrumental to the successful conduct of the Company’s business.  Parent and Employer are willing to enter into this Agreement with Employee in order to better ensure themselves of access to the continued services of Employee.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:
1.    Term.  The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date indicated above (the “Effective Date”) and end on September 30, 2020.  Thereafter, on the date on which the term of this Agreement (as it may be extended from time to time under this paragraph 1) would otherwise expire, so long as Employee is still an employee of the Company on such date, such term will be automatically extended for 12 months, unless Parent shall have provided written notice to Employee at least 6 months before the date that the term would otherwise expire that it does not want the term to be extended.  Parent may deliver a conditional notice of non-renewal that will be effective only if Employee does not agree, within the time period specified by Parent, to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that Parent shall request be executed as a condition to allowing the term hereof to be extended.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as Employee is in the employ of the Company on the date on which a Potential Change in Control occurs, the term of this Agreement shall continue in effect following such Potential Change in Control until the date on which the term of any separate agreement between Parent and Employer and Employee relating to the provision of severance and other benefits after a Change in Control (the “Change in Control Agreement”) expires; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of such a Change in Control, this Agreement shall terminate and such Change in Control Agreement shall govern the rights of Employee to, or obligations of Parent and Employer to provide, severance and other benefits to Employee.
2.    Certain Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)“Accrued Obligations” shall mean any vested amounts or benefits owing to Employee under any of the Company’s employee benefit plans and programs in which Employee has participated, including any compensation previously deferred by Employee (together with any accrued earnings thereon) and not yet paid.
(b) “Base Salary” shall mean Employee’s annualized base salary at the rate in effect at the relevant date or event as reflected in Employer’s regular payroll records.
(c)"Change in Control" shall mean an event that constitutes a "change in control" as defined in Parent's LTIP.  Any modification to the definition of "change in control" in Parent's LTIP (including by virtue of the adoption by the Parent of a successor plan thereto setting forth a modified definition of "change in control") adopted after the Effective Date shall apply for purposes of this Agreement, except that any modification to such definition adopted on or after, or within 180 days prior to, a Change of Control or Potential Change of Control shall not apply in determining the definition of such term under this Agreement unless such amendment is favorable to Employee; and provided further that any change to the definition of a change in control in Parent's LTIP adopted in 2008 to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be favorable to Employee.
(d) “Date of Termination” shall mean

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(1)  In the case of a termination for which a Notice of Termination is required, the date of receipt of such Notice of Termination or, if later, the date specified therein; and
(2)  In all other cases, the actual date on which Employee's employment terminates; 
provided, however, that if Employee continues to provide or, in the 12 month period following such termination of employment, Employee is expected to provide, sufficient services that, under the Parent's written and generally applicable policies regarding what constitutes a "separation from service" for purpose of Section 409A of the Code, Employee does not incur a separation of service for purposes of such Section 409A on the date of termination, Employee's Date of Termination for purposes of this Agreement shall be the date on which such Employee incurs a separation from service under such policies. 
(e) “Disability” shall mean Employee’s physical or mental impairment or incapacity of sufficient severity such that
(1)  In the opinion of a qualified physician selected by Parent, after taking into account all reasonable accommodations that the Company has made or could make, Employee is unable to continue to perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company; or
(2)  Employee’s condition entitles Employee to long-term disability benefits under any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company in which Employee participates.
For purposes of subparagraph (e)(1), Employee agrees to provide such access to Employee’s medical records and to submit to such physical examinations or medical tests as, in the opinion of the physician selected by Parent, is reasonably necessary to make the determination required as to Employee’s ability to perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities.  If such physician is unable to render an opinion as to Employee’s ability to perform such duties and responsibilities due to Employee’s failure to provide such access to any of Employee’s medical records or to submit to any such examination or test (unless, in the opinion of such physician such failure is a direct result of Employee’s physical or mental impairment), any failure by Employee to perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities shall be deemed not to be on account of Employee’s physical or mental impairment or incapacity.
(f)“Earned Salary” shall mean the Base Salary earned by Employee, but unpaid, through Employee’s Date of Termination.
(g) “Normal Retirement Date” shall mean the date on which Employee attains age 60.
(h)“Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice given by the party effecting the termination of Employee’s employment which shall
(1)  Indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon;
(2)  Set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Employee’s employment under the provision so indicated; and
(3)  If the Date of Termination is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specify the Date of Termination (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice).  
The failure by Employee or Parent or Employer to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Termination for Good Reason or Termination for Cause shall not waive any right of such party hereunder or preclude such party from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing such party’s rights hereunder.  In the event that a Potential Change in Control has occurred, any Notice of Termination by Parent or Employer intended to effect a Termination for Cause must be given with 45 days of Parent or Employer’s having actual knowledge of the events giving rise to Termination for Cause.
(i)"Parent's LTIP” shall mean the Parent's 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.

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(j) “Potential Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1)  Any person or group shall have announced publicly an intention to effect a Change in Control, or commenced any action (such as the commencement of a tender offer for Parent’s common stock or the solicitation of proxies for the election of any of Parent’s directors) that, if successful, could reasonably be expected to result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;
(2)  Parent enters into an agreement the consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control; or
(3)  Any other event occurs which the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Board”) declares to be a Potential Change in Control.
(k)“Separation Payment” shall mean any lump sum payment in excess of Earned Salary and Accrued Obligations payable to Employee under this Agreement.  
(l)“Termination for Cause” shall mean a termination of Employee’s employment by the Company following the occurrence of any of the following:
(1)  Employee’s continued failure to substantially perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities (other than any such failure resulting from Employee’s physical or mental impairment or incapacity);
(2)  Employee’s engaging in fraud or other misconduct that is injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise;
(3)  Employee’s engaging in insubordination;
(4)  Employee’s violation of, or failure to comply with, any material written policy, guideline, rule or regulation of the Company;
(5)  Employee’s conviction of (or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge of) any felony, or any crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or financial misconduct;
(6)  Employee’s failure, following a written request from Parent,  reasonably to cooperate (including, without limitation, the refusal by Employee to be interviewed or deposed, or to give testimony) in connection with any investigation or proceeding, whether internal or external (including, without limitation, by any governmental or quasi-governmental agency) into the business practices or operations of the Company; or 
(7)  A material violation by Employee of the provisions of paragraphs 5 or 6 of this Agreement.
(m)“Termination for Good Reason” shall mean a termination of Employee’s employment by Employee due to the occurrence of any of the following, without the written consent of Employee:
(1)  The assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent in any material adverse respect with Employee’s position, authority or responsibilities as of the Effective Date (or as the same may be enhanced after the Effective Date);
(2)  Any other material adverse change in Employee’s position referenced in subclause (1), including titles, authority or responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to such change;
(3)   If Employee is serving as a member of the Board at any time during the term of this Agreement, any failure of the Company to nominate Employee for re-election, or any failure of the shareholders to re-elect Employee, as a member of the Board (other than due to Employee’s death, Disability, Termination for Cause or voluntary resignation from the Board), regardless of whether any such failure is susceptible of cure; or

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(4)  Any failure by the Company, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Employee, to provide Employee with Base Salary at the level payable to Employee on the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Employee, at the highest rate made available to Employee at any time thereafter.
3.    Termination of Employment, Relocation.
(a)Right to Terminate.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed in any way to limit the right of the Company to terminate Employee’s employment, with or without cause, or for Employee to terminate Employee’s employment with the Company, with or without reason; provided, however, that the Company and Employee must nonetheless comply with any duty or obligation such party has at law or under any agreement (including paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Agreement) between the parties.
(b)Termination due to Death or Disability.  Employee’s employment with the Company shall be terminated upon Employee’s death.  By written notice to the other party, either the Company or Employee may terminate Employee’s employment due to Disability.  
(c)Relocation.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed in any way to limit the right of the Company to require Employee to perform Employee’s services on behalf of the Company at a different location or locations than the one at which Employee was performing Employee’s services immediately prior to the date hereof, or to require the Company to pay or provide any benefits to Employee on account of such relocation, other than to the extent benefits would be payable to Employee under the Company’s applicable relocation policy as in effect at the relevant time. 
4.    Amounts Payable Upon Termination of Employment.  The following provisions shall apply to any termination of Employee’s employment:
(a)Death, Disability or Normal Retirement.  In the event that Employee’s employment terminates due to Employee’s death or Disability (regardless of whether such Disability termination is initiated by Employee or the Company), Parent or Employer shall pay Employee (or, if applicable, Employee’s beneficiaries or legal representative(s)) the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) below, and in the event that Employee’s employment terminates due to the voluntary retirement by Employee (which is not a Termination for Good Reason) at or after attaining Employee’s Normal Retirement Date, Parent or Employer shall pay Employee the amounts set forth in clauses (1) and (2) below:
(1)The Earned Salary, as soon as practicable (but not more than 10 days) following Employee’s Date of Termination; 
(2)The Accrued Obligations, in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of any applicable plan, program, policy or practice; and
(3)A Separation Payment in an amount equal to Employee's Base Salary, which shall be paid 10 days following Employee's Date of Termination, provided that, if, at the Date of Termination, Employee is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as determined in accordance with the procedures specified or established by the Parent in accordance with such Section 409A and the regulations thereunder (a "Specified Employee"), and the Separation Payment is payable due to Disability, the Separation Payment shall be made six months and one day after Employee's Date of Termination.  In the event that the Separation Payment is made six months and one day after the Date of Termination, it shall be paid with interest from the Date of Termination at a rate equal to Employer's cost of borrowing under its principal credit facility as in effect at the Date of Termination, as determined in good faith by the Parent's Chief Financial Officer (the "Employer's Borrowing Cost'').
(b)    Cause and Voluntary Termination.  If Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company in a Termination for Cause or voluntarily by Employee (other than in a Termination for Good Reason or at or after Normal Retirement Date), Parent or Employer shall pay Employee
(1)The Earned Salary, as soon as practicable (but not more than 10 days) following Employee’s Date of Termination; and

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(2)The Accrued Obligations, in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of any applicable plan, program, policy or practice.
(c)    Termination for Good Reason or Not for Cause.  If Employee terminates Employee’s employment in a Termination for Good Reason, or the Company terminates Employee’s employment for any reason other than those described in paragraphs 4(a) and (b) above, Parent or Employer shall pay or shall provide to Employee the following benefits and compensation:
(1)The Earned Salary, as soon as practicable (but not more than 10 days) following Employee’s Date of Termination;
(2)The Accrued Obligations, in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of any applicable plan, program, policy or practice; 
(3)A Separation Payment, in an amount equal to the sum of
(i)3 times Employee’s Base Salary;
(ii)The product of (A) the monthly amount that, on the Date of Termination, Employee would be required to pay to continue  coverage under the Employer’s group health plan(s) (as defined by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents, if any, covered thereunder immediately prior to the Date of Termination and (B) 36; provided, however, that, if Employee is covered under group health plan(s) not subject to COBRA, instead of including this amount as part of the Separation Payment, the Company shall either, at its election, provide Employee and Employee’s covered dependents continued coverage under such medical plan, at its expense, for a number of months equal to the number specified in this subparagraph (c)(3)(ii)(B) or include in the Separation Payment an amount equal to the value of such continued coverage.  For the avoidance of doubt, such payment shall not in any way alter, modify or affect Employee’s right to (and the conditions upon which, and the period during which, Employee may elect to) continue coverage for Employee and Employee’s eligible dependents under COBRA ; and
(iii)If the termination of employment is by the Company and if the Date of Termination is less than 30 days after the date Notice of Termination is given, an amount equal to 1/12 (one twelfth) of Employee’s Base Salary; and
Payment of such Separation Payment shall be made 10 days following Employee's Date of Termination, provided that, if, at the Date of Termination, Employee is a Specified Employee, the Separation Payment shall be made six months and one day after Employee's Date of Termination.  In the event that the Separation Payment is made six months and one day after the Date of Termination, it shall be paid with interest from the Date of Termination at a rate equal to Employer's Borrowing Cost.
(4)Full vesting, as of the Date of Termination, of all of the grants (other than stock options granted on or before the date hereof which would not have become vested upon such a termination under the terms thereof in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement) made to Employee under Parent’s LTIP and under the Parent's Long Term Incentive Plan adopted in 1997 that are outstanding on the Date of Termination; provided, however, that in the case of any award that vests upon the attainment of specified performance conditions, the extent to which such award becomes vested and payable will be contingent (to the extent specified in the applicable award agreement) upon the achievement of such criteria.  
(d)    Separation Payment Contingent on Release.  Any Separation Payment payable to Employee under subparagraph 4(c) shall be subject to, and contingent upon, Employee’s execution and delivery within 60 days of Employee's Date of Termination and non-revocation of a General Release Agreement in favor of the Company in substantially the form and substance as the one attached hereto as Schedule A. 

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5.    Nonpublic Information.
(a)Acknowledgement of Access.  Employee hereby acknowledges that, in connection with Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee has received, and will continue to receive, various information regarding the Company and its business, operations and affairs.  All such information, to the extent not publicly available other than as a result of a disclosure by Employee in violation of this Agreement, is referred to herein as the “Nonpublic Information.”
(b)Agreement to Keep Confidential.  Employee hereby agrees that, from and after the Effective Date and continuing until 3 years following the Employee’s Date of Termination, Employee will keep all Nonpublic Information confidential and will not, without the prior written consent of the Board or the President of Parent, disclose any Nonpublic Information in any manner whatsoever or use any Nonpublic Information other than in connection with the performance of Employee’s services to the Company; provided, however, that the provisions of this subparagraph shall not prevent Employee from
(1)Disclosing any Nonpublic Information to any other employee of the Company or to any representative or agent of the Company (such as an independent accountant, engineer, attorney or financial advisor) when such disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate (in Employee’s judgment) in connection with the performance by Employee of Employee’s duties and responsibilities;
(2)Disclosing any Nonpublic Information as required by applicable law, rule, regulation or legal process (but only after compliance with the provisions of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph); and
(3)Disclosing any information about this Agreement and Employee’s other compensation arrangement to Employee’s spouse, financial advisors or attorneys, or to enforce any of Employee’s rights under this Agreement.
(c)    Commitment to Seek Protective Order.  If Employee is requested pursuant to, or required by, applicable law, rule, regulation or legal process to disclose any Nonpublic Information, Employee will notify Parent promptly so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or, in Parent’s sole discretion, waive compliance with the terms of this subparagraph, and Employee will fully cooperate in any attempt by the Company to obtain any such protective order or other remedy.  If no such protective order or other remedy is obtained, or if Parent waives compliance with the terms of this subparagraph, Employee will furnish or disclose only that portion of the Nonpublic Information as is legally required and will exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Nonpublic Information that is so disclosed.
(d)    Protective Provisions. Nothing in this paragraph 5, paragraph 6 or any other provision of this Agreement shall prevent or restrict in any way (1) Employee from exercising any rights that cannot be lawfully waived or restricted, (2) Employee from testifying at a hearing, deposition, or in court in response to a lawful subpoena or (3) Employee’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Department of Justice, Congress, any agency Inspector General or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”). Further, nothing in paragraph 6 or any other provision of this Agreement shall prevent or restrict in any way (i) Employee’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company or the Company, or (ii) the right of Employee to receive an award from a Government Agency for information provided to any Government Agencies.
6.    Non-Solicitation and Non-Interference.
(a)Non-Solicitation of Employees.  During the period of Employee’s employment with the Company (the “Employment Period”) and during the 2 year period following Employee’s Date of Termination (the “Restriction Period”), Employee shall not directly or indirectly induce any employee of the Company to terminate employment with such entity, and shall not directly or indirectly, either individually or as owner, agent, employee, consultant or otherwise, employ or offer employment to any person who 

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is or was employed by the Company unless such person shall have ceased to be employed by the Company for a period of at least 6 months.
(b)Non-Interference with Business Relationships.  During the Employment Period and the Restriction Period, Employee shall not directly or indirectly take any actions which can reasonably be expected to, or are intended to, disrupt or interfere with in any significant way any existing relationship that the Company has with any third party.
(c)No Disparaging Comments.  Except to the extent otherwise required or compelled at law or under subpoena, during the Employment Period and the Restriction Period, Employee shall refrain from making any public derogatory or disparaging comment concerning the Company or any of the current or former officers, directors or employees of the Company.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, nothing herein shall be construed to preclude Employee from enforcing any rights or claims Employee may have against the Company (or to defend against any claims by the Company) arising under this Agreement.
(d)Company Property.  Promptly following Employee’s Date of Termination, Employee shall return to the Company all property of the Company, and all copies thereof in Employee’s possession or under Employee’s control.
7.    Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a)No Mitigation, No Offset.  Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by Employee as the result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise.  Except as provided in subparagraph 4(d), Parent’s or Employer’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against Employee or others whether by reason of the subsequent employment of Employee or otherwise.
(b)Arbitration.  Except to the extent provided in paragraph 7(d), any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration.  The arbitration shall be held in Dallas, Texas and except to the extent inconsistent with this Agreement, shall be conducted in accordance with the Expedited Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect at the time of the arbitration, and otherwise in accordance with principles which would be applied by a court of law or equity.  The arbitrator shall be acceptable to both Parent and Employee.  If the parties cannot agree on an acceptable arbitrator, the dispute shall be heard by a panel of three arbitrators, one appointed by each of the parties and the third appointed by the other two arbitrators.  The arbitrator may award pre-judgment interest on any amount found to be due under this Agreement at a rate not in excess of the rate that would be payable with respect to judgments rendered in a Texas state court.
(c)Attorney Fees.  All legal fees and other costs incurred by Employee in connection with the resolution of any dispute or controversy under or in connection with this Agreement shall be reimbursed by the Company to Employee if such dispute or controversy is resolved in favor of Employee.  Reimbursement of such fees shall be made not later than 75 days following final resolution of the matter.  The Company shall be responsible for, and shall pay, all legal fees and other costs incurred by the Company in connection with the resolution of any dispute or controversy under or in connection with this Agreement, regardless of whether such dispute or controversy is resolved in favor of the Company or Employee.
(d)Equitable Relief Available.  Employee acknowledges that remedies at law may be inadequate to protect the Company against any actual or threatened breach by Employee of the provisions of paragraphs 5 or 6. Accordingly, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies otherwise available to the Company, Employee agrees that the Company shall have the right to equitable and injunctive relief (without requirement to post any bond) to prevent any breach of the provisions of paragraphs 5 or 6 (without any requirement to post any bond), as well as to such damages or other relief as may be available to the Company by reason of any such breach that does occur.

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(e)Not A Contract of Employment.  Employee acknowledges that that this Agreement is not an “employment agreement” or “employment contract” (written or otherwise), as either term is used or defined in, or contemplated by or under
(5)  Parent’s LTIP;
(6)  Any other plan or agreement to which the Company is a party; or
(7)  Applicable statutory, common or case law.
(f)    Notices.  Any Notice of Termination or other communication called for by the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and either delivered personally or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) and shall be deemed given when received at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(1)If to Parent, Employer or the Company, 5205 North O’Connor Boulevard, Suite 900, Irving, Texas 75039, Attention: General Counsel;
(2)If to Employee, the address of Employee set forth below Employee’s signature on the signature page of this Agreement.
(g)    Assignment.  Employer may assign its duties and obligations hereunder to any other direct or indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Parent, but shall remain secondarily liable for the performance of this Agreement by Parent and/or any such assignee.  Except pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence or an assumption by a successor described in subparagraph (h) of this paragraph, the rights and obligations of Parent and Employer pursuant to this Agreement may not be assigned, in whole or in part, by Parent or Employer to any other person or entity without the express written consent of Employee.  The rights and obligations of Employee pursuant to this Agreement may not be assigned, in whole or in part, by Employee to any other person or entity without the express written consent of the Board.
(h)    Successors.  Parent shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of Parent (whether by purchase of securities, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise), to expressly assume and agree to perform the obligations to be performed by the Company under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.  This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of, Parent, Employer, the Company, Employee and their respective successors, permitted assigns, personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees, as applicable.
(i)    Amendments and Waivers.  No provision of this Agreement may be amended or otherwise modified, and no right of any party to this Agreement may be waived, unless such amendment, modification or waiver is agreed to in a written instrument signed by Employee and Company.  No waiver by either party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
(j)    Complete Agreement.  This Agreement replaces and supersedes all prior agreements, if any, among the parties with respect to payments to be made to Employee upon the termination of Employee’s employment prior to a Change in Control, and the provisions of this Agreement constitute the complete understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to such subject matter.  Nothing in this subparagraph (j) is intended to, or shall be construed to (1) supersede the Change in Control Agreement or (2) limit Employee’s rights under the Parent’s LTIP or any other Company plan, program, policy or practice (other than any plan, program, policy or practice primarily providing severance or other termination benefits) generally applicable to similarly situated employees.
(k)    Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT IS BEING MADE AND EXECUTED IN, AND IS INTENDED TO BE PERFORMED IN, THE STATE OF TEXAS AND SHALL BE GOVERNED, CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

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(l)    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
(m)    Construction.  The captions of the paragraphs, subparagraphs and sections of this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.  Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to a “paragraph,” “subparagraph,” “section,” “subsection” or “schedule” shall be considered to be references to the appropriate paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection or schedule, respectively, of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term “including” shall mean “including, but not limited to.”
(n)Validity and Severability.  If any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under the present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, (1) such term or provision shall be fully severable, (2) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such term or provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement and (3) the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable term or provision or by its severance from this Agreement.  Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable term or provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a term or provision as similar to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable term or provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.
(o)Survival.  Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, paragraphs 5, 6 and 7, and, to the extent that any of Parent’s and Employer’s obligations thereunder have not theretofore been satisfied, paragraph 4 of this Agreement shall survive the termination hereof.
(p)Joint and Several Liability.  Parent and Employer (or any assignee of Employer pursuant to paragraph 7(g)) shall each be jointly and severally liable to Employee hereunder with regard to any obligation imposed by the terms hereof on Parent or Employer.  
(SIGNATURE PAGE ATTACHED)

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In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.  

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                        	
		
	By:
	/s/ Mark H. Kleinman

	Name:
	Mark H. Kleinman

	Title:
	Senior Vice President and General Counsel

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES USA, INC.
                        	
		
	By:
	/s/ Mark H. Kleinman

	Name:
	Mark H. Kleinman

	Title:
	Senior Vice President and General Counsel

EMPLOYEE

/s/ Scott D. Sheffield
Scott D. Sheffield

Address:

________________________________________

________________________________________

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Schedule A
GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT
NOTICE: You should thoroughly review and understand the effect of this General Release Agreement (“Release”) before signing it, and the Company hereby advises you to discuss this document with your attorney.  In accordance with the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (“OWBPA”),  you are allowed at least twenty-one days from the date of your receipt of this document to consider the offer made to you and to return an executed copy of this Release to the Chief Human Resources Officer.  Additionally, after you have executed this Release, you have seven (7) days to reconsider and revoke your agreement.  In signing below, you represent that you have carefully read this Release, that you fully understand its final and binding effect, and that you are signing this Release voluntarily and of your own free will.  You are also representing that, in entering into this Release, you are receiving consideration that you are not otherwise entitled to but for your entry into this Release.  
GENERAL RELEASE:  In consideration of my acceptance of the payments and benefits offered to me under the Pioneer Natural Resources Company Severance Agreement effective [date][, as amended,] (the “Agreement”), I hereby release and discharge Pioneer Natural Resources Company (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, agents, predecessors, successors, and assigns of such entities, and employee benefits plan (including plan administrators, trustees and fiduciaries) (collectively the “Released Parties) from any claims, demands and/or causes of action whatsoever, presently known or unknown, that are based upon facts occurring on or prior to my execution (signing) of this Release, including, but not limited to, the following: any matter or action related to my employment with, separation from, and/or affiliation with the Company, including any tort, contract, negligence, or other common law claims, all claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, all claims for compensatory, punitive or any other damages, all claims for attorneys' fees and costs, and all claims under any federal, state, or local statute, regulation, or ordinance, including but not limited to, those under the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 1871, 1964, and 1991; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Executive Order 11246; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Employee Retirement Security Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; any tort, contract, constitutional, or other statutory claims; and all claims for past or future employment benefits, including but not limited to wages, bonuses, vacation pay, severance and medical or dental coverage (any and all “Potential Claims”).
I understand that this Release is final and binding.
I acknowledge and agree that the Company has no legal obligation to provide the payments and/or benefits offered to me under the Agreement, except in exchange for this Release, and my acceptance of such payments and benefits constitutes my agreement to all terms and conditions set forth in this Release.
I acknowledge and agree that, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Agreement or prohibited by law, this Release constitutes a waiver of any and all Potential Claims that I have or may have against the Released Parties.  I further acknowledge and agree that this Release has no effect on any obligations I have assumed under the Agreement with respect to confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-interference and other such matters and that any such obligations shall survive my execution of this Release in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.  
I acknowledge that I have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release before executing it, although I may execute it any time during this twenty-one (21) day period (but not before my last day of employment), that I may revoke this Release within 7 days after I execute it by written notice to the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer and that this Release will not become effective or enforceable, and the payments and benefits offered under the Agreement will not be made or provided, until expiration of this 7 day period without my revocation.
I have carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of this Release.  I further acknowledge that entering into this Release is knowing and voluntary on my part, that I have had a reasonable time to deliberate regarding its terms, and that I have had the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release if I so desired.
	
		
	_________________________________________
Date signed: 
	__________________________________________________________
Signature of [employee]

	 
	 

	_________________________________________
Date signed: 
	__________________________________________________________
Witness

1gec-ex102_296.htm

Exhibit 10.2

 

800 South Street, Suite 230

Waltham, MA 02453

+1 617 375-3006

greatelmcap.com

 

 

 

May 9, 2019

 

 

Mr. Brent J. Pearson

0 Cronin Way

Woburn, MA 01801

 

 

Dear Mr. Pearson:

 

This offer letter (the “Offer Letter”) sets forth the terms of your employment as of the date hereof (the “Effective Date”) as interim Chief Financial Officer of Great Elm Capital Group, Inc. (the “Company”).  Upon your acceptance of this Offer Letter, this Offer Letter amends and restates in its entirety as of the Effective Date your offer letter with the Company dated October 3, 2018.

 

	
1.
	
Title. You will serve as interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.

 

	
2.
	
Employment Location.   You are expected to work at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Waltham, MA.

 

	
3.
	
Employment Start Date.  Subject to completion of a satisfactory background screening, your employment with the Company will began on October 29, 2018.

 

	
4.
	
Base Salary.  From and after March 1, 2019, your annual base salary rate will be $225,000, less applicable withholding and deductions, and paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time; provided, that if you are appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (i.e., not interim), your annual base salary rate will be $250,000 from and after the date of such appointment. There is no guarantee that you will be appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

	
5.
	
Bonus.  You will be eligible for a bonus in the discretion of the Company’s management.  From and after March 1, 2019, your targeted annual bonus will be $50,000; provided that if you are appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (i.e., not interim), your targeted annual bonus will be $75,000 from and after the date of such appointment.  There is no guarantee that you will be awarded any bonus in any period or that you will be appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

	
6.
	
Equity Incentive.  We will recommend to the compensation committee of the board of directors (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Company that you be awarded options to purchase an additional 20,000 shares of Company common stock.  The terms of the options will be as set forth in a separate award agreement (the “Award Agreement”), including, but not limited to, that (i) the exercise price of the options will be fair market value on the date of award and (ii) the options will vest 20% on the first anniversary of the grant date of such options and 5.00% per quarter thereafter 

 

 

Mr. Brent Pearson

May 9, 2019

Page 2

 

		
such that the options are fully vested on the fifth anniversary of the grant date for such options. If there is a conflict or ambiguity between the Award Agreement and this Offer Letter, the Award Agreement will control.  If you are appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (i.e., not interim), we will recommend to the Compensation Committee that you be awarded options to purchase an additional 20,000 shares of Company common stock.  The terms of the options will be as set forth in a separate award agreement substantially similar to the Award Agreement.  You will be eligible for periodic refresh option grants in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and there is no assurance that any such award will be made or that you will be appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

	
7.
	
Employee Health & Welfare Benefits.  You will be offered benefits, including participation in the Company’s health and dental plans and 401(k) plan, consistent with those offered to similarly situated employees of the Company.  

 

	
8.
	
Business Expenses. The Company will reimburse your out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with your service to the Company, subject to the Company’s policies in effect from time to time and applicable IRS guidelines.

 

	
9.
	
At-Will Employment.  Your employment is “at-will” and may be terminated by you or the Company at any time for any reason or no reason.

 

	
10.
	
Non-Solicitation.

 

	
(a)
	
During the term of your employment and for a period of one year thereafter, you will not, directly or indirectly, on your own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or organization induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to leave employment of the Company or its affiliates (whether or not leaving employment would be a breach of contract by such other employee).

 

	
(b)
	
During the term of your employment and for a period of one year thereafter, you will not, directly or indirectly, on your own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or organization solicit any investor, borrower or other investee in/of the Company or any managed/advised investment vehicle of the Company or its affiliates with whom you either (i) had business-related contact with such investor, borrower or other investee during your employment with the Company or (ii) learned non-public information about such investor, borrower or other investee during your employment with the Company.

 

	
(c)
	
The restrictions in this Article 10 are necessary for the protection of the trade secrets, confidential information and goodwill of the Company and you consider them to be reasonable for such purpose.  You stipulate that irrevocable harm will result from breach of your obligations under this Article 10. Therefore, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, you agree that the Company, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, shall have the right to obtain an injunction from a court restraining such breach or threatened breach and the right to specific performance of your obligations under this Article 10 (moreover, you hereby waive the adequacy of a remedy at law as a defense to such relief).  In addition, you agree that if you violate this Article 10, you will pay all of the Company’s reasonable costs of enforcement, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs.

 

 

 

Mr. Brent Pearson

May 9, 2019

Page 3

 

	
(d)
	
You stipulate that remedies at law are inadequate to compensate the Company for breach of your obligations under this Article 10 and the CIAA (as defined below) and that enforcement of each of the provisions of this Article 10 and the CIAA is in the public interest of the market for talent in the investment management industry and of investors in the Company and the investment vehicles managed/advised by the Company and its affiliates.

 

	
(e)
	
If the Company terminates your employment without Cause or you terminate your employment for Good Reason (each as defined below), subject to receipt by the Company of a release by you of all known and unknown claims against the Company and its affiliates, the Company will pay you an amount equal to 50% of your annual base salary within 30 days of termination of your employment and expiration of any applicable rescission periods; provided, that if the Company terminates your employment without Cause or you terminate your employment for Good Reason (each as defined below), subject to receipt by the Company of a release by you of all known and unknown claims against the Company and its affiliates at any time after you are appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (i.e., not interim), the Company will pay you an amount equal to 100% of your annual base salary within 30 days of termination of your employment and expiration of any applicable rescission periods. There is no guarantee that you will be appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

	
(f)
	
For purposes of this Offer Letter, “Cause” shall mean: (a) your theft, dishonesty, misconduct, or falsification of any of the Company’s or its affiliates’ records; (b) any action by you outside of the scope of your employment agreement with the Company that has a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business as reasonably determined by the Company’s board of directors; (c) your substantial failure or inability to perform any reasonably assigned duties within the scope of your employment agreement with the Company that has not been cured within thirty business days of written notice from the Company to you, in each case, as determined by the Company’s board of directors in its sole discretion; (d) your material violation of any Company policy; (e) your conviction (including any plea of guilty or no contest) of any criminal act (other than traffic violations); or (f) your material breach of any written agreement with the Company or its affiliates which has not been cured within ten business days’ of written notice from the Company to you thereof.

 

	
(g)
	
For purposes of this Offer Letter, “Good Reason” shall mean your resignation from the Company within six months after the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) without your express prior written consent, the significant reduction of your duties, authority, responsibilities, job title, or reporting relationships relative to your duties, authority, responsibilities, job title, or reporting relationships as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or the assignment to you of such reduced duties, authority, responsibilities, job title, or reporting relationships; (b) without your express prior written consent, a reduction by the Company of your base salary or bonus target as in effect immediately prior to such reduction or the Company’s failure to pay such amounts when due; (c) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits, excluding salary and bonuses, to which you were entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that your overall benefits package is significantly reduced (unless such reduction is part of a program generally applicable to other similar level employees of the Company); or (d) the relocation of your principal place of work to a facility or a location more than twenty five miles from your then present location, without your express prior written consent; provided, however, that in each case, your resignation shall not constitute Good Reason under this provision unless (i) you provide the Company with written notice of the applicable event or circumstance within thirty 

 

 

Mr. Brent Pearson

May 9, 2019

Page 4

 

		
days after you first have knowledge of it, which notice reasonably identifies the event or circumstance that you believe constitutes grounds for Good Reason, and (ii) the Company fails to correct the event or circumstance so identified within thirty days after receipt of such notice.

 

 

 

	
(h)
	
If you materially violate any provision of this Article 10 after the end of your employment, you agree that you will continue to be bound by the restrictions in this Article 10 until a period of one year has expired without any material violation of any of such provisions.

 

 

	
11.
	
General Provisions.

 

	
(a)
	
You understand, acknowledge and agree that your obligations under this Offer Letter will continue in accordance with the express terms of this Offer Letter regardless of any changes in your title, position, duties, salary or other compensation or other terms and conditions of employment, and that no change in any of the foregoing shall be considered to end your employment for purposes of this Offer Letter.

 

	
(b)
	
You will enter into the Company’s standard employee confidentiality and invention assignment agreement (“CIAA”) before beginning employment.

 

	
(c)
	
You are required to certify that you are a United States citizen, a non-citizen national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident or an alien authorized to work in the United States before beginning employment.

 

	
(d)
	
Amounts payable hereunder (net of taxes) shall be subject to the Company’s claw back policies if its financial statements are restated (a “Restatement”) or as otherwise required by applicable law or listing requirement; provided that, except as mandated by applicable law or listing rule, in the event of a claw-back because of a Restatement, (a) the Company may only claw-back payments earned in the period to which the Restatement applies and (b) in no event may the Company claw back any payments earned in periods occurring more than three years prior to such Restatement.  Claw backs by the Company required under applicable law shall not constitute a breach of the Company’s obligations hereunder nor constitute Good Reason.

 

	
(e)
	
You will devote substantially all your business efforts to service of the Company under this Offer Letter.  Subject to the Company’s code of ethics and compliance manual, each as in effect from time to time, you may participate in charitable, religious or civic organizations that do not materially interfere with your work for the Company.

 

	
(f)
	
This Offer Letter and the matters contemplated hereby will governed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

	
(g)
	
Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Offer Letter or breach hereof or otherwise arising out of your employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination or any other claims based on any statute) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration before a single arbitrator in Boston pursuant to the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures as then in effect, subject to a 

 

 

Mr. Brent Pearson

May 9, 2019

Page 5

 

		
direction to the arbitrator to apply such rules in a manner to minimize the cost and maximize the efficiency and speed of resolution to the maximum reasonable extent permitted under such rules consistent with obtaining a fully enforceable resolution of such dispute. The arbitrator must only choose between the position, in total, that you advance or the position, in total, that the Company advances as the closest to the correct resolution of all matters being arbitrated based on the law and the facts. This paragraph shall be specifically enforceable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purposes of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injection in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this paragraph.

 

	
(h)
	
This Offer Letter, the Award Agreement and the CIAA together with all of the Company’s policies and procedures relating to employees, as in effect from time to time (collectively, “Employment Documents”), constitute our entire agreement with respect to your employment with the Company and no prior negotiations, drafts, arrangements or understandings with respect thereto shall be of any effect.

 

	
(i)
	
The Company’s benefits, payroll and other human resource management service may be provided through one or more of the Company’s affiliates or a professional employer organization.  As a result of such arrangement, the affiliate or professional employment organization will be considered your employer of record for such purposes; however, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer will be responsible for the directing your work, reviewing your performance, setting your schedule and otherwise directing your work at the Company.

 

	
(j)
	
If any provision of this Offer Letter is held by an arbitrator or court of competent authority to be unenforceable, the parties intend that (i) the remaining provisions of this Offer Letter shall be enforced in accordance with their terms and (ii) the arbitrator or court shall substitute a replacement provisions that is enforceable that, as closely as possible, accomplishes the purposes intend by such original provision.

 

	
(k)
	
Any amendment or modification to this Offer Letter may only be made pursuant to a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

If this Offer Letter correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement, please sign and return one copy whereupon it shall become our binding agreement.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Adam Kleinman

 

Adam Kleinman

President

Great Elm Capital Group, Inc.

 

Accepted and agreed to as of the date first written above:

 

 

/s/ Brent Pearson

 

 

Mr. Brent Pearson

May 9, 2019

Page 6

 

_________________________

Brent Pearson

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