Document:

Employment Letter

 Exhibit 10.4 
  

					
	

	 	234 Ninth Avenue North	 	T 206-624-3357
	 	Seattle, WA	 	F 206-624-6857
	 	98109	 	www.jonessoda.com
	 		 	
	 		 	

 March 10, 2008 
 Tom O’Neill 
 27 Ironwood 
 Mission Viejo, CA 92692

 Re: Employment, Executive VP of Sales 
 Dear Tom:

 I am pleased to offer you the position of Executive Vice President of Sales, with an effective start date of March 31, 2008. This offer is
subject to a background check as per the company policy. 
 As a senior executive for the company, your success in the role of Executive Vice President of
Sales will be based on your ability to lead, inspire and develop your Jones Soda sales team through accountability, discipline and achieving great results. You will have responsibility for all three sales groups (CSD, DSD and DTR) the operating
expense budget and sales plan that coincides with each of those teams. 
 We will draft and agree to a set of goals together but they will include reference
to the following: Quality of our people; execution of business plan initiatives; structured planning for your team; in store execution and appropriate measurements; specific volume, revenue and profit targets; achievement of customer goals;
achievement of professional, world class respect from our customers, distributors and suppliers; and creating the world’s most creative, innovative performance oriented structure. The EVP of Sales position does not require you to move your
family to Seattle, however it is expected that you are in Seattle a minimum of 1 week per month as it is important that we develop a cross functional, team oriented approach to our business. 
 Your compensation will be as follows: 
  

					
		 	 Salary:
	  	$220,000.00 per annum
			
		 	 Review Period:
	  	There will be a review after the first three months of your employment with quarterly reviews thereafter.
			
		 	 Bonus:
	  	Bonuses are set annually and follow the corporate bonus plan. Annual bonus for your position is set at 50% of base salary with the achievement of 100% of plan. There is an opportunity to
achieve additional dollars based on incremental achievement of plan. The agreed bonus plan is subject to final approval by the compensation committee.
			
		 		  	Your bonus will be prorated for 2008 based on hire date.
			
		 	 Car Allowance:
	  	$750/month plus Gas Expense for Company Business
			
		 	 Cell Phone Allowance:
	  	$150/month
			
		 	 Benefits:
	  	Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx
		 		  	Jones Soda Co. offers a very competitive health care plan for you and your family. You will be eligible for the plan the 1st of the month following 90 days of employment. Jones Soda will pay for
your Cobra during the 90 day period leading up to your participation in the company health care plan.

					
		 	401(k)	  	Eligible for the Company’s 401(k) plan after 90 days of employment
			
		 	Vacation:	  	4 weeks per annum
			
		 	Stock Options:	  	40,000 stock options or a combination of stock grants (stock grants have a different valuation as determined by GAAP and such the amounts granted are lower) to be offered by the company in 30
days from the signing of the offer letter by both parties. All options are subject to the company stock option plan as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You will receive 40,000 stock options and or stock grants annually set with in
30 days of the anniversary date of your employment with the Company or in accordance with the setting of options as set by the company.
			
		 	Severance:	  	The Company realizes there may be issues out of your control related to company ownership. If during the time period of acceptance of offer and first official day of employment the company is
sold and there will be a long term change of control the company is prepared to offer you a six (6) month severance and payment of Cobra for you and your family for that period.
			
		 		  	The Company realizes that there may be issues that are out of your control regarding the reporting structure. Therefore the company is prepared to offer a six (6) month severance. The severance
requires a minimum of ninety (90) days of employment, and or a change in the current reporting structure. In addition the company is prepared to offer the following severance after 12 months of employment.
			
		 		  	In the event of a change of control during any period of your employment:
			
		 		  	i)12 months salary and a target bonus (paid promptly in a lump sum)
		 		  	 ii) Continuation of benefits for EVP and family for 12 months
 iii) 100% of your outstanding Stock options and Restricted stock grants will vest immediately

			
		 		  	No severance or vesting will be provided if you are terminated for cause. Cause is defined as;
			
		 		  	i) conviction of any felony or of a misdemeanor;
		 		  	 ii)Breach of Jones Soda’s Code of Ethics or Insider Trading Policy or Jones Regulation FD policies, as now in effect or as modified in the
future;
 iii) Attempt to obstruct or failure to cooperate with any investigation authorized by Jones Soda or any governmental or self-regulatory
entity.

 You will be required, as a condition of your employment with Jones Soda Co., to sign the company’s
Confidentiality Agreement. By signing this letter, you represent that you are under on contractual commitments inconsistent with your obligations to Jones Soda Co. You will also be required to sign, promote and enforce our Code of Conduct.

 You are expected to abide by the Jones Soda employee handbook and policies during your term of employment with Jones Soda. 

 I look forward to having you on board as my leader of the Sales Team and leading Jones Soda to remarkable success.

 If you have any questions please give me a call at your convenience. 
 If you are in agreement with the above, please confirm below. 
  

									
	Sincerely,	 		 	Confirmed and agreed:
	Jones Soda Co.	 		 	
	Per:	 		 	
	/s/ Joth Ricci	 		 	/s/ Tom O’Neill
				
	Joth Ricci	 		 	Per:	 	 
	Chief Operating Officer	 		 	Tom O’Neill

  

					
	Finance Approval	 		 	
	CFO:	 	Date:	 	
	/s/ Hassan N. Natha	 	4/7/08Employment Agreement

 Exhibit 10.1 
 Execution Copy 
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 7, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), and DAVID JOHNSON (“Employee”) to set forth the terms and conditions of the Company’s employment of Employee. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
 1. Employment. 
 (a) The Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby accepts employment by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 
 (b) Employee is engaged by the Company with such title and capacity as set forth in the Schedule of Responsibilities attached to this
Agreement as Schedule “A” (the “Schedule of Responsibilities”). Employee shall fully, faithfully, diligently and competently render the services and perform the duties described in the Schedule of Responsibilities and such
other duties not inconsistent therewith that may be assigned to Employee from time to time by the Company. Employee shall conform to and comply with the lawful and reasonable directions and instructions given to Employee by the Company. 

(c) Employee shall devote Employee’s full time, attention and energies to the business of the Company during Company working
hours. Employee shall use Employee’s best efforts to further enhance and develop the best interests and welfare of the Company. The Company shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits and other results arising from or incident to all
work, services and advice of Employee. 
 (d) Employee shall not be employed or engaged in any other business activity,
whether or not such activity is pursued for gain, profit, or other pecuniary advantage, without the prior written consent of the Company. 
 (e) The Company will advise Employee of its corporate rules, policies and procedures then in effect and as may be amended or adopted by the Company from time to time in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion
(the “Company Policies”). Employee shall comply with all Company Policies. If there are any inconsistencies between any term of this Agreement and any of the Company Policies, this Agreement shall govern and control. 
 2. Period of Employment. Employee’s employment by the Company shall be for a period of one (1) year, commencing on the Effective
Date and ending 

  

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not later than one (1) year after the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement (the “Employment
Period”). After the Employment Period, Employee shall be an “at will” employee of the Company. 
 3.
Compensation. For services rendered to and duties performed by Employee for the Company during the Employment Period pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company will offer to Employee such compensation and
benefits specifically set forth in the Compensation Schedule attached to this Agreement as Schedule “B” (collectively, the “Compensation”). 
 4. Business Expenses. The Company, pursuant to its Company Policies, will reimburse Employee for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred within the scope of Employee’s employment in carrying out
Employee’s services and duties under this Agreement, provided that such expenses are (a) deductible by the Company to the maximum extent permitted under the relevant rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code, (b) incurred and
submitted for reimbursement in accordance with the Company Policies, and (c) evidenced by itemized and documented accounting of such expenditures. 
 5. Withholdings. The Company shall deduct and withhold from all compensation payable to Employee hereunder, including, without limitation, the Compensation, all applicable federal, state and local income
and employment withholding taxes and any other amounts required to be deducted or withheld by the Company under applicable statutes, regulations, ordinances, or orders governing or requiring the withholding or deduction of amounts otherwise payable
as compensation or wages to Employee. 
 6. Termination. 
 (a) Termination for Cause. The Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment for “Cause” (as
defined below) at any time, without prior notice. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment for Cause, all rights of Employee (and Employee’s dependents and legal representatives) under Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Agreement
shall cease as of the date of such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, termination for “Cause” by the Company will include a determination made by the Company in its discretion that Employee: 
 (1) has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to (i) a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude that is likely
to impair Employee’s ability to perform under this Agreement or otherwise have a significant adverse effect upon the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of their businesses or reputations, or (ii) a felony or misdemeanor which results
in a term of incarceration in any correctional institution; 
  

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 (2) has committed or conspired to commit an act of dishonesty, theft, gross carelessness,
or other misconduct against the Company or any of its affiliates; 
 (3) has engaged in the use of alcohol or any illegal drug
or intoxicant, or distributed or conspired to distribute any such substance, during working hours or at any facilities of the Company or any of its affiliates; 
 (4) has committed or conspired to commit any act or series of acts that constitute harassment or discrimination based on an unlawful
classification; 
 (5) has committed or conspired to commit any act or series of acts without approval by the Company’s
Board of Directors which would likely have a significant adverse effect on the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of their businesses or reputations; 
 (6) has engaged in a willful or negligent failure to perform duties or services for the Company; 
 (7) has improperly used or disclosed, or conspired to improperly use or disclose, confidential or proprietary information of the Company or any of its affiliates; or 
 (8) has committed any act or omission that constitutes a material breach by Employee of any of Employee’s obligations or agreements
under this Agreement, but only after the Company has provided notice of such breach to Employee and Employee fails or refuses to correct such breach within ten (10) days of such notice; provided, however, that no prior notice is required for
any event set forth in conditions (1) through (7), inclusive, of this Section 6(a). 
 (b) Termination Due to
Death or Disability. If Employee, due to physical or mental disability or incapacity as determined by the Company in its discretion, is unable to perform Employee’s duties under this Agreement, the Company shall have the right to terminate
Employee’s employment on thirty (30) days’ prior written notice. If Employee is able to and recommences rendering services and performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement within such thirty (30)-day notice period, such
notice shall be vitiated. In addition, in the event of Employee’s death or disability, Employee or Employee’s personal representatives, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive all earned but unpaid compensation through the date of
termination on a pro rated basis. 
 (c) Termination Without Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the
Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment without Cause or for any or no reason, at any time, effective immediately upon notice to Employee. If the Company exercises its rights under this Section 6(c) 

  

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during the Employment Period and provided that Employee sign a release and waiver acceptable to the Company in its discretion, the Company will pay to
Employee as severance, an amount equal to the Employee’s annual base salary. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to this Section 6(c), all rights of Employee (and Employee’s dependents and legal
representatives) under Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Agreement shall cease as of the date of such termination. Further, if the Company exercises its rights under this Section 6(c) during the second full year of employment and provided that
Employee signs a release and waiver acceptable to the Company in its discretion, the Company will pay to Employee as severance an amount equal to the Employee’s annual base salary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing,
severance payment(s) made under this paragraph 6(c) are intended to be in lieu of, and not in addition to any severance payment made under the Change-in-Control Severance Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit E. Thus, if Employee qualifies for a
severance payment under the Change-in-Control Severance Agreement, then he shall not be entitled to payment for severance under this paragraph. 
 7. Disclosures and Assignment of Rights. 
 (a) Employee hereby agrees promptly to disclose to the
Company and Employee hereby, without further compensation, assigns and agrees to assign to the Company or its designees, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all designs, trademarks, logos, business plans, business models,
business names, economic projections, product innovations, discoveries, formulae, processes, manufacturing techniques, trade secrets, customer lists, supplier lists, inventions, research, improvements, ideas, know-how, patents, service marks, and
copyrightable works (collectively, “Inventions”), including, without limitation, all rights to obtain, register, perfect and enforce all Inventions, which relate to Employee’s work for the Company, whether or not during normal working
hours, or which are aided by the use of Company experience, time, material, equipment, or facilities; it being understood, however, that no rights are hereby conveyed in Inventions, if any, made by Employee prior to Employee’s employment with
the Company and disclosed pursuant to Section 7(c) of this Agreement. 
 (b) Employee agrees to perform, during and after
the Employment Period, all acts deemed necessary or desirable by the Company to permit and assist it, at its reasonable expense, including execution of documents and assistance and cooperation in legal proceedings, in obtaining and enforcing the
full benefits, enjoyments, rights and title in the items assigned to the Company as set forth in Section 7(a) of this Agreement. 
 (c) Except as specifically set forth in the Disclosure of Inventions attached to this Agreement as Schedule “C” (or if nothing is listed therein), there are no Inventions that Employee wishes to exclude
from the operation of Section 7(a) or 7(b) of this Agreement. 
  

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 (d) Employee understands, and hereby acknowledges having received notice, that Sections
7(a) and (b) of this Agreement do not apply to an invention which qualifies fully under the provisions of California Labor Code Section 2780, which is substantially set forth in Schedule “D” attached to this Agreement.

 8. Conflicts of Interest. Employee recognizes that Employee owes a primary and fiduciary duty to the Company and that
Employee shall not have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction of any nature, which is in conflict with the proper and faithful discharge of Employee’s duties and services as an
employee of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Employee shall not, while employed by the Company, directly or indirectly: 
 (a) be employed by or receive any compensation from a customer, supplier or competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates; 
 (b) have any ownership or financial interest of any nature in a customer, supplier or competitor of the Company or an of its affiliates,
except where such ownership is stock in a corporation and consists of less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding capital stock of the corporation and where such stock is publicly traded and listed on a recognized stock exchange or actively
traded in the over-the-counter market; 
 (c) have or participate in any dealings on behalf of the Company with a customer,
supplier or competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates that employs, or more than five percent (5%) of whose ownership interest is beneficially held by, Employee’s spouse or any brother, sister, parent, child or grandchild of
Employee or Employee’s spouse, or any person living in Employee’s household or the spouse of any of the foregoing persons; 
 (d) engage or participate in any activity, business enterprise, business opportunity, employment, occupation, consulting, or other business activity which the Company shall reasonably determine to be, or reasonably planned to be, in
competition with the Company or any of its affiliates, or to interfere with Employee’s duties as an employee of the Company; or 
 (e) solicit, accept or receive any gift having a value of Fifty Dollars ($50) or more, whether in the form of money, service, loan, hospitality (except for ordinary business meals), thing or promise, or in any other form, under
circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence Employee, in the performance of Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company or was intended as a reward for any action on Employee’s part on
behalf of the Company, unless such fact or activity is first fully disclosed in writing to the Company and the Company first approves in writing of such fact or activity. 
  

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 9. Information of Others. Employee certifies and acknowledges that Employee will not
disclose or utilize in Employee’s work with the Company any secret or confidential information of others (including any prior employers), or any inventions or innovations of Employee’s own which are not included within the scope of this
Agreement. 
 10. Confidential Information. The Company and/or one or more of its affiliates may, from time to time, provide
Employee with confidential information, proprietary information, or trade secrets regarding the Company and/or one or more of its affiliates, including, without limitation, information regarding business methods, plan, products, pricing, customer
lists, and other confidential customer information, including, but not limited to, contact names, purchasing authority(ies), product, know-how and/or customer service requirements, buying patterns and other proprietary information (collectively,
“Confidential Information”). Except in furtherance of the Company’s business and without the Company’s prior written consent, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose, use, communicate, appropriate, or exploit any
Confidential Information during the Employment Period and thereafter. 
 11. Non-Solicitation. Upon termination of
Employee’s employment with the Company, for any reason whatsoever, and regardless of whether the Company or Employee initiated the separation, Employee shall not, for a period of two (2) years from the date of termination, directly or
indirectly, solicit or in any other manner contact or deal with any customer or client of the Company whom Employee serviced or had contacts with as an employee of the Company during the Employment Period for the purpose of offering or attempting to
offer to said customer or client any product or service similar to or competitive with any product or service manufactured, sold, distributed, or provided by the Company as of the date of Employee’s termination, either as a principal,
consultant, representative, employee, or more than five percent (5%) stockholder. Employee represents and warrants that Employee’s experience and abilities are such that compliance with the covenants contained in this Section 11 will
not cause any undue hardship or unreasonable restriction on Employee’s ability to earn a livelihood. 
 12. Non-Raiding.
Employee will not, either during the Employment Period or for a period of two (2) years thereafter, either directly or indirectly, hire, solicit, induce or attempt to induce or encourage any of the Company’ employees, agents, or
contractors to cease or limit providing services to the Company. Employee represents and warrants that Employee’s experience and abilities are such that compliance with the covenants contained in this Section 12 will not cause any undue
hardship or unreasonable restriction on Employee’s ability to earn a livelihood. 
 13. Return of Property. Employee
agrees that upon request by the Company, and in any event upon termination of employment, Employee shall turn over to the Company all Confidential Information, Inventions, documents, notes, papers, and other material in whatever media relating to
the Company in 

  

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Employee’s possession or control, together with all material, documents, notes, pagers, and other work product in whatever media which is connected with
or derived from Employee’s services to the Company whether or not such material is in Employee’s possession or control. 
 14.
Remedies. Employee recognizes and acknowledges that a breach of any provision under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and/or 13 of this Agreement could not reasonably be compensated in damages in an action at law and that the Company and/or
any of its affiliates shall be entitled to injunctive relief obtainable in a court of competent jurisdiction, which may include, but shall not be limited to, restraining Employee from rendering any service which would breach this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no remedy conferred by any of the specific provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 14, is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every remedy shall be
cumulative and in addition to every other remedy given under this Agreement now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise. The election of any one or more remedies by the Company and/or any of its affiliates shall not
constitute a waiver of the right to pursue other available remedies. These obligations shall survive the termination of Employee’s employment. 
 15. Arbitration. Except as provided in this Section 15, any and all claims between Employee and the Company, any of its affiliates and/or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents that arise out of
Employee’s employment, including, without limitation, disputes involving the terms of this Agreement, Employee’s employment by the Company or the termination thereof, claims for breach of contract or breach of the covenant of good faith
and fair dealing, and any claims of discrimination or other claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, or any
other federal, state or local law or regulation now in existence or hereinafter enacted and as amended from time to time concerning in any way the subject of Employee’s employment with the Company or Employee’s termination, shall be
resolved through final and binding arbitration. The only claims not covered by this Section 15 are claims for equitable relief for violation of any provision under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and/or 13 of this Agreement and claims
for benefits under the workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance laws, which will be resolved pursuant to those laws. Notices of requests to arbitrate a covered claim must be made within the applicable statute of limitations. Binding
arbitration will be conducted in Orange County, California in accordance with the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). Discovery may be carried out under the supervision of the arbitrator appointed
pursuant to the rules of the AAA. Employee will be responsible for paying the same fee to initiate the arbitration that Employee would pay to file a civil lawsuit. The Company will pay any remaining cost of the arbitration filing and hearing fees,
including the cost of the arbitrator; each side will bear its own attorneys’ fees, that is, the arbitrator will not have authority to award attorneys’ fees unless a statutory section at issue in the dispute authorizes the award of
attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party, in which 

  

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case the arbitrator has authority to make such award as permitted by the statute in question. 
 16. Miscellaneous. 
 (a) Survival. Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Agreement, inclusive, shall terminate upon termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, and all other provisions of this Agreement shall survive such termination and be
enforceable in accordance with their terms. 
 (b) Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that an action or proceeding is
brought to enforce any provision under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and/or 13 of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the non-prevailing party. 
 (c) Waiver of Breach. The waiver by the Company of any breach of any provision herein shall not be binding upon the Company unless
in writing signed by the Company, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or a waiver of any subsequent breach by Employee. 
 (d) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned by a party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto; provided, however, that the Company may
assign any or all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to (i) an affiliate of the Company, or (ii) a surviving entity in connection with a merger or consolidation involving the Company or a purchase or sale of all or
substantially all of the Company’s assets, so long as such surviving entity assumes the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. 
 (e) Entire Agreement; Oral Statement Not Binding. This Agreement taken together with the offer letter dated as of the date hereof contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof and may not be waived, changed, modified, extended or discharged orally, but only by agreement specifically referencing this Agreement that is signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such waiver, change, modification, extension or
discharge is sought. Employee acknowledges that the Company is not bound by any oral or other unauthorized statements or promises regarding salary, benefits, length of employment or any other conditions of Employee’s employment. All previous
agreements or arrangements between the Company and Employee are hereby terminated. Each party acknowledges and agrees that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by either party, or anyone acting
on behalf of either party, that are not expressly set forth in this Agreement, and that no other agreement, statement or promise shall be valid or binding unless modified or amended pursuant to this Section 16(e). This Agreement may not be
modified or amended unless in writing and signed by both Employee and the Company, acting through its Chief Executive Officer or President. 
  

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 (f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement as applied to any party or to
any circumstance should be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, as the case may be, to be void or unenforceable for any reason, the invalidity of that provision shall in no way affect (to the maximum extent permissible by
law) the application of such provision under circumstances different from those adjudicated by the court or arbitrator, the application of any other provision of this Agreement, or the enforceability or invalidity of this Agreement as a whole.
Should any provision of this Agreement become or be deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by reason of the scope, extent or duration of its coverage, then such provision shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to
conform to applicable law so as to be valid and enforceable or, if such provision cannot be so amended without materially altering the intention of the parties, then such provision will be stricken and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue
in full force and effect. 
 (g) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the domestic laws of the State of California without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the State of California. 
 (h) Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed duly given and delivered if delivered by messenger, or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or at such other addresses for a party as
shall be specified by like notice) and shall be deemed given on the date on which so delivered by messenger or three (3) days following the date on which so mailed. 
  

			
	 If to the Company:
	  	4695 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 1250
		  	Newport Beach, California 92660
		  	Attn: Chief Executive Officer or
		  	          President
		
	 With copy to:
	  	Attn: General Counsel
		
	 If to Employee:
	  	[            ]
		  	[                    ], or
		  	at such other last known address on record
		  	with the Company.

 (i) Enforceability. This Agreement does not in any way restrict
Employee’s right or the right of the Company to terminate Employee’s employment. This Agreement inures to the benefit of the permitted successors and permitted assigns of the Company, and is binding upon Employee’s heirs and legal
representatives. No course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing any 

  

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provision of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement. 
 (j) Headings. The headings of the sections or subsections in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not control or
affect the meaning or construction or limit the scope or intent of any of the provisions of this Agreement. 
 (k)
Construction. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event any ambiguity or question of intent arises, this Agreement shall be construed as having been drafted jointly by the parties
and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions hereof. Any act or series of act required to be performed by the Company under this Agreement shall be performed
on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, President, or other officer duly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors. 
 (l) Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed by a party’s signature transmitted by facsimile, and copies of this Agreement executed and delivered by means of facsimile signatures shall have the
same force and effect as copies hereof executed and delivered with original signatures. The parties may rely upon facsimile signatures as if such signatures were originals. A party executing and delivering this Agreement by facsimile shall promptly
thereafter deliver a counterpart signature page of this Agreement containing said party’s original signature. 
 (m)
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be an original and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Confirmation of execution by
electronic transmission of a facsimile signature page shall be binding upon any party so confirming. 
 * * * * 
 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signatures follow] 
  

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 Execution Copy 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement effective as of the date first written above. 
  

			
	“Company”
	
	American Vanguard Corporation, a Delaware corporation
		
	By:	 	 
	Name:	 	 
	Title:	 	 

  

	
	
	“Employee”
	
	  
	DAVID JOHNSON

  

 S-1 

 Execution Copy 
 SCHEDULE “A” 
 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 SCHEDULE OF RESPONSIBILITIES 
  

	Title:	Chief Financial Officer. 

  

	Location:	Employee shall perform the services and duties principally at the Company’s facility located at 2110 Davie Avenue, Commerce, California 90040, or at such other location
or locations as may be designated by the Company from time to time. 

 Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not
limited to the following: 
  

	 	•	 	 Serve as key member of the Executive Management team. 

  

	 	•	 	 Become conversant in the preparation and review of all disclosures to be submitted to the SEC.including, without limitation: 

  

	 	•	 	 Annual Report on Form 10-K; Annual Report to Stockholders; 

  

	 	•	 	 Proxy Statement and related materials; Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; Current reports on Form 8-K; Other reports as needed. 

  

	 	•	 	 Coordinate, design, implement and monitor compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404. 

  

	 	•	 	 Participate in the development of the Company’s plans and programs as a strategic partner. Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning,
introduction of new programs, and strategies and regulatory action. 

  

	 	•	 	 Provide strategic guidance and financial input on issues affecting the organization; e.g., , evaluating potential alliances, acquisitions, and/or mergers and
investments. 

  

	 	•	 	 Act as financial advisor for any contracts into which the Company may enter. 

  

	 	•	 	 After gaining a thorough understanding of the Company’s costs and implementing improved costing metrics, to forecast, plan, develop, and organize fiscal
budgets, and identify trends, market conditions, and competitive intelligence for comparative purposes. Implement, direct, and evaluate the Company’s fiscal performance while looking for continual improvement of the budgeting process.

  

	 	•	 	 Participate in financial disclosure controls committee. 

  

	 	•	 	 Participate, in formulating and administering company policies and developing long-range goals and objectives; confer with other executive and senior officers and
administrative personnel to review achievements and discuss required changes in goals or objectives resulting from current status and conditions. 

  

 A-1 

 Additional oversight and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: 
  

	 	•	 	 Coordinate, design, implement and monitor internal financial reporting systems, financial controls, and management information systems in coordination with
automated financial reporting systems. 

  

	 	•	 	 Prepare/write monthly, quarterly financial reporting to management and Audit Committee/Board of Directors. 

  

	 	•	 	 Plan and manage audits and reviews performed by the Company’s independent auditors. 

  

	 	•	 	 Responsible for federal, state and foreign taxes, including planning opportunities. Direct and coordinate activities of employees, outside tax specialists and
accountants involved with tax preparation. 

  

	 	•	 	 Develop cost accounting system to provide reliable cost data for management’s decision making. 

  

	 	•	 	 Interpret current policies and practices and plans implement new operating procedures to improve efficiency and reduce costs. 

  

	 	•	 	 Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. 

 Other Key Responsibilities 
  

	 	•	 	 Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash and debt position. 

  

	 	•	 	 Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs and forecasted financial
position, business activities, and reports required by regulatory agencies. 

  

	 	•	 	 Interpret current policies, practices, and plans, and implement new operating procedures to improve efficiency and reduce costs. 

  

	 	•	 	 Ensure that institution reserves and/or financial condition meet legal requirements (such as Financial Assurance: Title: 22 - DTSC). 

 

	 	•	 	 Overall responsibilities for providing the Company’s management and employees with top quality, consistently available computer service, support, training, and
maintenance of all computer systems used throughout the Company. 

  

	 	•	 	 Create, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures regarding all computer operations in the IT Department. 

  

	 	•	 	 Evaluate new equipment, software, and processes. Recommend changes as appropriate, and supervise the overall installation and implementation.

  

 A-2 

	 	•	 	 Determine risks to which the Company is subject, particularly in connection with financial controls and strategic financial planning, implement internal changes to
reduce risks, and work with the Sr. VP of Administration and Corporate Finance to ensure that such risks are suitable insured, where practicable. 

  

					
			
	Dated:                        	 		 	  
		 		 	Company
			
	Dated:                        	 		 	  
		 		 	Employee

  

 A-3 

 Execution Copy 
 SCHEDULE “B” 
 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 COMPENSATION SCHEDULE 
 Annual Base Salary: Pursuant to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Company will pay to Employee an annual base salary of Two Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($240,000), payable in accordance with the Company’s then-existing payroll schedule, policies and procedures. The Company, in its
sole discretion, may otherwise from time to time increase Employee’s salary as it deems appropriate, but such increases shall have no effect on or alter the obligations of the Company or other rights of the Employee as provided under this
Agreement. 
 Stock Options: Subject to terms and conditions of the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, of American Vanguard Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (“American Vanguard”), and the execution of a Stock Option Agreement containing terms and conditions by and between Employee and American Vanguard, Employee will be granted options in a number of shares of the
Company’s Common Stock equal to the quotient (rounded to the nearest whole number) of $100,000.00 divided by the fair market value of such stock (as expressed in dollars per share) as of the date of the option award. Such options which will
vest in three equal tranches on the first, second and third anniversary of the award . 
 Car Allowance: Employee shall be provided a car allowance of
One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1150) per month which amount will be paid to Employee monthly in full. 
 Relocation Assistance: Employee
shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses arising from Employee’s relocation from the UK to California not to exceed Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and including, without limitation, expenses related to
packing, moving, storage, and transport of personal goods and travel of family members. The Company shall promptly make such reimbursement upon presentation of written receipts for such expenses. 
 Vacation: During the term of the Employment Period, Employee shall be entitled to a maximum of four (4) weeks of vacation time each calendar year (or a
prorated portion thereof). In the event that Employee is unable or fails to take the total amount of vacation time authorized herein during any calendar year, such unused vacation shall not roll over or be credited to the subsequent year(s), but
will be paid out in cash, and the balance of accrued vacation reduced to zero at the end of such calendar year. 
 General Benefits: Pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee may participate in benefit plans (subject to the provisions of such plans) and other perquisites which are made generally available to the Company’s other 

  

 B-1 

 
employees and for which Employee qualifies, including, without limitation: group health, dental, life, accident and disability insurance; the Company’s
401k plan; flexible spending accounts; and the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan . 
 Bonus. Employee may receive a bonus; the eligibility,
amount, payment terms and other conditions of such bonus shall be subject to determination by the Company’s Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, but which, on an annual basis, may amount to up to fifty percent ( 50%) of
Employee’s annual base salary. 
 Change-in-Control Severance. In lieu of the severance provisions set forth in paragraph 6(c) hereof, Employee
shall be entitled to participate in the severance arrangement for Company executives in the event of a change-in-control, the terms of which are set forth in Schedule “E” hereto. 
  

					
			
	Dated:                        	 		 	  
		 		 	Company
			
	Dated:                        	 		 	  
		 		 	Employee

  

 B-2 

 Execution Copy 
 SCHEDULE “C” 
 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 DISCLOSURE OF INVENTIONS 
 Except as set forth below, there are no Inventions that I wish
to exclude from the operation of Section 7(a) or 7(b) of this Agreement: 
  

					
			
	Dated:                        	 		 	  
		 		 	Employee

  

 C-1 

 Execution Copy 
 SCHEDULE “D” 
 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2780 
 California Labor Code Section 2870
substantially provides: 
 (a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any
of his rights in an invention to his employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those
inventions that either: 
 (1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the
employer’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or 
 (2) Result from
any work performed by the employee for the employer. 
 (b) To the extent that a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an
employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable. 
  

 D-1 

 SCHEDULE “E” 
 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 FORM OF CHANGE-IN- CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

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