Document:

seas-ex101_8.htm

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February 4, 2019, by and between SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Gustavo Antorcha (the “Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive and to enter into this Agreement embodying the terms of such continued employment, and Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to be employed by the Company, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

Section 1.Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth on Appendix A, attached hereto.

Section 2.Acceptance and Term of Employment.

(a)The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to serve the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Term of Employment shall commence on February 18, 2019 (or such earlier date on which executive begins employment (the “Commencement Date”)) and continue until the third anniversary of the Commencement Date, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 6 hereof (the “Term of Employment”); provided that on the third anniversary of the Commencement Date and on each anniversary thereafter (each, an “Extension Date”) the Term of Employment shall be automatically extended for an additional one-year period unless at least 90 days prior to the next Extension Date, the Company or the Executive delivers a written notice to the other party that the Term of Employment shall not be so extended.

(b)Company Nonrenewal. The Company may terminate this Agreement (subject to the continued applicability of certain provisions of this Agreement as provided in Section 21) by delivering to the Executive the written notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof (such termination, a “Company Nonrenewal”). A Company Nonrenewal shall be deemed to constitute Good Reason as of the date of such notice. Section 6 of this Agreement governs any termination of employment by the Company following a Company Nonrenewal.

(c)Executive Nonrenewal. The Executive may terminate this Agreement (subject to the continued applicability of certain provisions of this Agreement as provided in Section 21) by the Executive’s delivery to the Company of the written notice of nonrenewal as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof (such termination, an “Executive Nonrenewal”). An Executive Nonrenewal may constitute a voluntary termination of employment by the Executive, if the Executive so specifies in the written notice of nonrenewal. If such voluntary termination by the Executive is for Good Reason, then the nonrenewal notice shall include the Notice of Termination.

 

(d)Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, if the Executive continues employment with the Company following the expiration of the Term of Employment (whether due to a Company Nonrenewal or an Executive Nonrenewal), such employment shall constitute “at will” employment and may be terminated at any time by either party upon written notice and, notwithstanding Section 21 hereof, the provisions of Section 6 shall not apply to such “at-will” employment and no longer be of further force or effect.

Section 3.Position, Duties, and Responsibilities; Place of Performance.

(a)Position, Duties, and Responsibilities. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be employed and serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (together with such other position or positions consistent with Executive’s title as the Board shall specify from time to time) and shall have such duties and responsibilities commensurate with such title and as the Board may designate from time to time. The Executive shall at all times be the highest ranking officer of the Company and shall report exclusively to the Board and/or such committees thereof as the Board may designate. In addition, the Executive shall be appointed to serve as a director on the Board and, at each annual stockholders meeting during the Term of Employment, shall be nominated for re-election to the Board. If requested by the Company, Executive also agrees to serve as the chief executive officer and/or director of any other member of the Company Group, in each case without additional compensation. The Executive shall be based at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The Executive shall relocate Executive’s full-time primary personal residence to the Orlando metropolitan area no later than the Commencement Date. The Executive is expected to, and agrees to, spend as much time at the Company’s headquarters in Orlando, at the Company’s facilities, or otherwise traveling in an official capacity for the Company as reasonably necessary to satisfy the Executive’s obligations under Section 3(b) below. For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that the position requires a seven day per week, 365 day per year, level of responsibility.

(b)Performance. Executive shall devote his full business time, attention, skill, and best efforts to the performance of his duties under this Agreement and shall not engage in any other business or occupation during the Term of Employment, including, without limitation, any activity that (x) conflicts with the interests of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (y) interferes with the proper and efficient performance of Executive’s duties for the Company, or (z) interferes with Executive’s exercise of judgment in the Company’s best interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) serving as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of charitable organizations or, with the prior written consent of the Board following a recommendation from the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, of non-competing businesses, (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and (iii) managing his personal investments and affairs; provided, however, that the activities set out in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) shall be limited by Executive so as not to materially interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder. 

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Section 4.Compensation.

During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation:

(a)Base Salary. Executive shall initially be paid an annualized Base Salary, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of $600,000. No less frequently than annually, the Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee who may (but is not obligated to) increase such Base Salary in its sole discretion; provided that the Compensation Committee may decrease such Base Salary with the consent of the Executive. Any such increased Base Salary shall be the Executive’s “Base Salary” for all purposes under this Agreement.

(b)Annual Bonus. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the annual bonus plan adopted by the Company from time to time (the “Annual Bonus Plan”), pursuant to which Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus award in respect of such fiscal year, and each subsequent year during the Term of Employment (the “Annual Bonus”), with the actual Annual Bonus payable under the Annual Bonus Plan being based upon the level of achievement of Company and/or individual performance objectives for such fiscal year, as established by the Compensation Committee and communicated to Executive. The target Annual Bonus (the “Target Annual Bonus”) shall be not less than 150% of Base Salary.  The Annual Bonus targets for 2019 will be established and approved by the Compensation Committee but generally consistent with the terms discussed with Executive prior to the date hereof (unless otherwise agreed to by the parties); provided that for fiscal year 2019, the Annual Bonus payable, if any, will be pro-rated based on the Commencement Date and portion of the fiscal year Executive is employed with the Company. The Annual Bonus shall otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus Plan, as established by the Compensation Committee and communicated to Executive, with 50% payable in stock and 50% in cash, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. Any earned Annual Bonus for a fiscal year shall be paid to the Executive at the same time as annual bonuses are generally payable to other senior executives of the Company, subject to Executive’s continuous employment through the applicable performance period, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the close of such fiscal year, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus pursuant to an arrangement that meets the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

(c)Sign-On Option Grant. As soon as practicable following the Commencement Date, Executive shall receive a one-time grant (the “Sign-On Option Grant”) of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant and calculated in accordance with 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The Sign-On Option Grant shall be in respect of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to $3,000,000 divided by the 30-day volume weighted average price on the Commencement Date. The Sign-On Option Grant shall fully vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, or, if earlier, (x) when the first vesting tranche of the Sign-On PSUs vest (as provided in Schedule A) or (y) upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan), provided, in each case, that the Executive remains employed by the Company through such date. Executive acknowledges that no annual equity awards are anticipated until the earlier of 2022 or when the Sign-On PSUs vest.    

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(d)Sign-On Restricted Stock Unit Grant. As soon as practicable following the Commencement Date, Executive shall receive a one-time grant (the “Sign-On Restricted Stock Unit Grant”) of restricted stock units (representing one share of Common Stock for each restricted stock unit granted), subject to and in accordance with the applicable terms of the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, with a value on the Commencement Date (using the 30-day volume-weighted average price) equal to:

(i)to $1,000,000 (the “Sign-On Time-Vesting RSUs”), which shall vest in three equal annual (33 1/3%) installments over the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, provided the Executive remains employed by the Company through each such date; and

(ii)$7,500,000 (the “Sign-On PSUs”), which shall vest subject to the achievement of performance metrics set forth in Schedule A, provided the Executive remains employed by the Company on the date of the applicable final determination. 

Section 5.Employee Benefits; Vacation; Reimbursement of Expenses.

(a)During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in health, insurance, retirement, annual leave and time-off, and other benefits provided generally to similarly situated executive officers of the Company. Executive shall also be entitled to the same number of holidays, vacation days, and sick days, as well as any other benefits, in each case as are generally allowed to similarly situated executive officers of the Company in accordance with the Company policy as in effect from time to time. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the Company’s ability to amend, suspend, or terminate any employee benefit plan or policy at any time without providing Executive notice, and the right to do so is expressly reserved.

(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5(a), during the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to three (3) weeks of annual paid vacation days, which shall accrue and be usable in accordance with Company policy, as in effect from time to time; provided that for fiscal year 2019, Executive’s annual paid vacation shall be prorated based on the Commencement Date and portion of the fiscal year Executive is employed with the Company.

(c)The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business, entertainment, and travel expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies and procedures in effect from time to time.

(d)The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket relocation and moving expenses not to exceed $20,000 in the aggregate, subject to Company’s receipt of and satisfaction of supporting documentation.  The Company also shall reimburse Executive for reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in negotiating and drafting this Agreement, provided such reimbursement shall not exceed $20,000. 

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Section 6.Termination of Employment.

(a)General. The Term of Employment shall terminate earlier than as provided in Section 2 hereof upon the earliest to occur of (i) Executive’s death, (ii) a termination by reason of a Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company with or without Cause, and (iv) a termination by Executive with or without Good Reason. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, other than the requirements of Section 12 hereof, the payment (or commencement of a series of payments) hereunder of any nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) upon a termination of employment shall be delayed until such time as Executive has also undergone a “separation from service” as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h), at which time such nonqualified deferred compensation (calculated as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder) shall be paid (or commence to be paid) to Executive on the schedule set forth in this Section 6 as if Executive had undergone such termination of employment (under the same circumstances) on the date of his ultimate “separation from service.”

(b)Termination Due to Death or Disability. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon his death. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately upon the occurrence of a Disability, such termination to be effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. Upon Executive’s death or in the event that Executive’s employment is terminated due to his Disability, Executive or his estate or his beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to:

(i)The Accrued Obligations; and

(ii)Subject to satisfaction of the applicable performance objectives applicable under the Annual Bonus Plan for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs, an amount equal to (A) the Annual Bonus that Executive would otherwise have been entitled to receive under the Annual Bonus Plan (subject to and based on actual achievement of applicable performance objectives) had no such termination occurred, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from the commencement of such fiscal year through the date of such termination and the denominator of which is 365 (the “Pro Rata Bonus”), which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month months following the last day of the fiscal year in which such termination occurred.

Following Executive’s death or a termination of Executive’s employment by reason of a Disability, except as set forth in this Section 6(b), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

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(c)Termination by the Company for Cause.

(i)The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. 

(ii)In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. Following such termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, except as set forth in this Section 6(c)(ii), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(d)Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), Executive shall be entitled to:

(i)The Accrued Obligations;

(ii)An amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (x) Base Salary and (y) the greater of (A) the Annual Bonus earned in respect of the year prior to the fiscal year of termination (not to exceed Target Annual Bonus) and (B) the Threshold Bonus Amount, such amount to be paid in a lump sum within 15 days following the date of termination;

(iii)Full accelerated vesting and immediate lapse of restrictions on the Sign-On Time-Vesting RSUs; and 

(iv)Subject to Executive’s election of COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, payment, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of each month for two years, of an amount equal to the difference between the monthly COBRA premium cost and the monthly contribution paid by active employees for the same coverage; provided, that the payments described in this clause (iv) shall cease earlier in the event that Executive becomes eligible to receive any health benefits as a result of subsequent employment or service.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments and benefits described in clauses (ii) and (iv) above shall immediately terminate, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive with respect thereto, in the event that Executive breaches any provision of the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B attached hereto. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, except as set forth in this Section 6(d), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. 

(e)Termination by Executive with Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment with Good Reason by providing the Company fifteen (15) days’ written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which written notice, to be effective, must be provided to the Company within sixty (60) days of the Executive’s knowledge (whether actual or constructive, including, without limitation, knowledge that Executive would have reasonably obtained after making due and appropriate inquiry) of such event. During such fifteen (15) day notice period, the Company shall have a cure right (if curable), and if not cured within such period, Executive’s termination will be effective upon the expiration of such cure period, and Executive shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 6(d) hereof for a termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the same conditions on payment and benefits as described in Section 6(d) hereof. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive with Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 6(e), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. 

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(f)Termination by Executive without Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment without Good Reason by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of employment by Executive under this Section 6(f), Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment under this Section 6(f), the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written notice accelerate such date of termination without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by Executive without Good Reason. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive without Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 6(f), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(g)Release. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of this Section 6 (other than the Accrued Obligations) (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s execution, delivery to the Company, and non-revocation of the Release of Claims (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such Release of Claims) within sixty (60) days following the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder. If Executive fails to execute the Release of Claims in such a timely manner so as to permit any revocation period to expire prior to the end of such sixty (60) day period, or timely revokes his acceptance of such release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, but for the condition on executing the Release of Claims as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following such sixtieth (60th) day, after which any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein.

(h)Notice of Termination. Any written notice of termination given under Section 6 of this Agreement shall be provided to the other party in accordance with Section 18 of this Agreement. In addition, any written notice pertaining to a termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason shall meet the requirements of a Notice of Termination (as defined in this paragraph). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the Date of Termination (as defined below).

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(i)Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of expiration of the cure period specified in Section 6(e), (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination or such later date specified by the Company, (iv) if the Executive voluntarily resigns without Good Reason, the date at least thirty (30) days after the Executive notifies the Company, subject to the Company’s right to accelerate such date of termination without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by the Executive without Good Reason as provided in Section 6(f), (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death of the Executive, or (vi) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company due to Disability, the date specified by the Company.

Section 7.Certain Payments.

(a)In the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (“Payments”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and (ii) but for this section, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, any successor provisions, or any comparable federal, state, local or foreign excise tax (“Excise Tax”), then, subject to the provisions of this Section 7, such Payments shall be either (A) provided in full pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other applicable agreement, or (B) provided as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such Payments being subject to the Excise Tax (“Reduced Amount”), whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state, local and foreign income, employment and other taxes and the Excise Tax (including, without limitation, any interest or penalties on such taxes), results in the receipt by the Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of payments and benefits provided for hereunder or otherwise, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax.

(b)Unless the Company and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 7 shall be made by an independent advisor designated by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (“Independent Advisor”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required under this Section, Independent Advisor may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code; provided that Independent Advisor shall assume that the Executive pays all taxes at the highest marginal rate. The Company and the Executive shall furnish to Independent Advisor such information and documents as Independent Advisor may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs that Independent Advisor may incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section. The reduction of the Payments payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the cash payments under Section 6(d)(ii), second by reducing the Pro Rata Bonus, third by reducing COBRA reimbursement under Section 6(d)(iv) and lastly by reducing any other Payments in a manner determined by the Company, in consultation with the Executive.

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(c)If, notwithstanding any reduction described in Section 7 (or in the absence of any such reduction), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) determines that the Executive is liable for the Excise Tax as a result of the receipt of one or more Payments, then the Executive shall be obligated to surrender or pay back to the Company, within 120 days after a final IRS determination, an amount of such payments or benefits equal to the “Repayment Amount.” The Repayment Amount with respect to such Payments shall be the smallest such amount, if any, as shall be required to be surrendered or paid to the Company so that the Executive’s net proceeds with respect to such Payments (after taking into account the payment of the excise tax imposed on such Payments) shall be maximized. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Repayment Amount with respect to such Payments shall be zero if a Repayment Amount of more than zero would not eliminate the Excise Tax imposed on such Payments or if a Repayment Amount of more than zero would not maximize the net amount received by the Executive from the Payments. If the Excise Tax is not eliminated pursuant to this Section 7, the Executive shall pay the Excise Tax.

Section 8.Restrictive Covenants.

Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company Group and accordingly agrees, as a condition of Executive’s continued employment with the Company, to be bound by and comply with the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 1 of Appendix B (or a material breach or material threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 2 of Appendix B of this Agreement) would be inadequate and the Company would suffer irreparable damages as a result of such breach or threatened breach. In recognition of this fact, Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law and in addition to cessation of payments described in the last paragraph of Section 6(d), the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. For the avoidance of doubt, the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other similar restrictive covenants contained in any other agreement between Executive and any member of the Company Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Appendix B will survive a termination of this Agreement due to a non-renewal.

Section 9.Representations and Warranties of Executive. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

(a)Executive has had the opportunity to consult with, and is represented by, his own tax and legal advisor(s) in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement;

(b)Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that his employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will not conflict with or result in the breach by him of any agreement to which he is a party or by which he may be bound;

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(c)Executive has not violated, and in connection with his employment with the Company will not violate, any non-solicitation, non-competition, or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer by which he is or may be bound; and

(d)in connection with his employment with the Company, Executive will not use any confidential or proprietary information he may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer.

Section 10.Taxes.

The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to him in connection with this Agreement and that he has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from his own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to him pursuant to this Agreement, including specifically, the application of the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to such payments.

Section 11.Set Off; Mitigation.

The Company’s obligation to pay Executive the amounts provided and to make the arrangements provided hereunder shall not be subject to set-off, counterclaim, or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to the Company or its affiliates. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and except as provided in Section 6(b)(iii) and Section 6(d)(iv) hereof, the amount of any payment provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned as a result of Executive’s other employment or otherwise.

Section 12.Additional Section 409A Provisions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary:

(a)Any payment otherwise required to be made hereunder to Executive at any date as a result of the termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed for such period of time as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the “Delay Period”). On the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule set forth herein.

(b)Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

(c)To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided, that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.

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(d)While the payments and benefits provided hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the implication of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall any member of the Company Group be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code). If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall, after consulting with and receiving the approval of Executive, reform such provision in a manner intended to avoid the incurrence by Executive of any such additional tax or interest.

Section 13.Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.

(a)The Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, obligations, or interests arising hereunder may be assigned by the Company to a Person (other than another member of the Company Group, or its or their respective successors) without Executive’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned); provided, however, that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any direct or indirect division or subsidiary thereof to which Executive’s employment primarily relates, the Company may provide that this Agreement will be assigned to, and assumed by, the acquiror of such assets, division or subsidiary, as applicable, without Executive’s consent.

(b)Executive. Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

(c)No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 6(b) or Section 13(b) hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the other members of the Company Group, and Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.

Section 14.Disputes; Legal Fees.

Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively in the courts of the State of Florida. The parties hereto irrevocably agree to submit to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Florida in any action or proceeding brought with respect to or in connection with this Agreement. In the event of any material contest or dispute relating to this Agreement or the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, each of the parties shall bear its own costs and expenses.

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Section 15.Waiver and Amendments.

Any waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that any such waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification must be consented to on the Company’s behalf by the Compensation Committee and the Board. No waiver by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a continuing waiver.

Section 16.Severability.

If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof.

Section 17.Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND IS TO BE CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ALSO HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 18.Notices.

(a)Place of Delivery. Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom or which it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided; provided, that unless and until some other address be so designated, all notices and communications by Executive to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal executive office to the attention of the General Counsel, and all notices and communications by the Company to Executive may be given to Executive personally or may be mailed to Executive at Executive’s last known address, as reflected in the Company’s records.

(b)Date of Delivery. Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given (i) if delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if mailed by courier or by overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing, and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.

-12-

 

 

Section 19.Section Headings.

The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof.

Section 20.Entire Agreement.

This Agreement, together with any exhibits and appendices attached hereto and any equity award grants referenced herein to be made by the Company to the Executive, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto regarding the employment of Executive. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 21.Survival of Operative Sections.

Upon any termination of Executive’s employment, the provisions of Section 6 through Section 21 of this Agreement (together with any related definitions set forth in Section 1 hereof) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof. 

Section 22.Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be by actual or facsimile signature.

***

[Signatures to appear on the following page.]

 

-13-

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

/s/ G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor

By: G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor

Title: Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

/s/ Gustavo Antorcha

GUSTAVO ANTORCHA

 

 

 

APPENDIX A

Definitions

(a)“Accrued Obligations” shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Salary and unused vacation through the date of termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus that is required to be paid in accordance with the terms of the Annual Bonus Plan in respect of any prior fiscal year, (iii) any benefits provided under the Company’s employee benefit plans or any incentive plans upon a termination of employment, including rights with respect to Company equity (or equity derivatives), in accordance with the terms contained therein and (iv) reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses incurred by Executive.  The amounts provided under clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) shall be paid to Executive within fourteen (14) business days following the Executive’s Date of Termination.

(b)“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(c)“Annual Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

(d)“Base Salary” shall mean the salary provided for in Section 4(a).

(e)“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(f)“Cause” shall mean (i) Executive’s act(s) of gross negligence or misconduct in the course of Executive’s employment hereunder, (ii) failure or refusal by Executive (or Executive’s inability, as a result of circumstances described in clause (v) of this definition) to perform in any material respect his duties or responsibilities or any lawful instructions by the Board that is incurable or not cured to the Board’s satisfaction within three (3) days after written notice thereof to Executive, (iii) misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) by Executive of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (iv) embezzlement, dishonesty or fraud committed (or attempted) by Executive, or at his direction, (v)  Executive’s commission of, indictment for, or pleading “guilty” or “no contest” to, (x) a felony or (y) any other criminal charge involving moral turpitude, (vi)  any violation by Executive of the policies of the Company, including but not limited to those relating to sexual harassment or business conduct, and those otherwise set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Company, (vii) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement that is incurable or not cured to the Board’s satisfaction within three (3) days after written notice thereof to Executive or (viii) Executive’s material breach of the Restrictive Covenants contained in Appendix B or any other similar restrictive covenants contained in any other agreement between Executive and any member of the Company Group.

(g)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(h)“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

 

(i)“Company Group” shall mean the Company together with any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

(j)“Compensation Committee” shall mean the committee of the Board designated to make compensation decisions relating to senior executive officers of the Company Group.

(k)“Delay Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12 hereof.

(l)“Disability” shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that prevents, with reasonable accommodation to the extent required by applicable law, the performance of Executive’s duties for a period of (i) one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred eighty (180) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period. Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician selected by the Company and approved by Executive (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

(m)“Executive” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(n)“Excise Tax” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereto.

(o)“Good Reason” shall mean, without Executive’s consent, (i) a material diminution in Executive’s title, duties, or responsibilities as set forth in Section 3 hereof, (ii) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary (other than an across the board reduction, applicable to other senior executives of the Company), (iii) a material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement, (iv) the relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida or (v) a Company Nonrenewal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Term of Employment, in the event that the Board reasonably believes that Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder or may be experiencing a Disability, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, upon reasonable written notice to Executive, suspend Executive from performing his duties hereunder, and in no event shall any such suspension constitute an event pursuant to which Executive may terminate employment with Good Reason or otherwise constitute a breach hereunder; provided, that no such suspension shall alter the Company’s obligations under this Agreement during such period of suspension.

(p)“Independent Advisor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereto.

(q)“IRS” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereto.

(r)“Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(h) hereto.

(s)“Payments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereto.

-2-

 

 

(t)“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

(u)“Pro Rata Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b) hereof.

(v)“Reduced Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereto.

(w)“Release of Claims” shall mean the Release of Claims in substantially the same form attached hereto as Exhibit A (as the same may be revised from time to time by the Company upon the advice of counsel).

(x)“Repayment Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereto.

(y)“Restrictive Covenants” shall mean the restrictive covenants contained in Appendix B attached hereto.

(z)“Severance Benefits” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(g) hereof.

(aa)“Target Annual Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.

(bb)“Term of Employment” shall mean the period specified in Section 2 hereof.

(cc)“Threshold Bonus Amount” shall mean the threshold Annual Bonus Executive was eligible to receive in respect of the year prior to the fiscal year of termination if threshold performance targets were achieved.

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APPENDIX B

Restrictive Covenants

	
1.
	
Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.

	
(a)
	
Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company and its affiliates and accordingly agrees as follows:

	
(i)
	
During Executive’s employment with the Company or its subsidiaries (the “Employment Term”) and for a period of two years following the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Company or its subsidiaries (the “Restricted Period”), Executive will not, whether on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise whatsoever (“Person”), directly or indirectly solicit or assist in soliciting in competition with the Restricted Group in the Business, the business of any then current or prospective client or customer with whom Executive (or his direct reports) had personal contact or dealings on behalf of the Company during the one-year period preceding Executive’s termination of employment.

	
(ii)
	
During the Restricted Period, Executive will not directly or indirectly:

	
 
	
(A)
	
engage in the Business in any geographical area that is within 300 miles of any geographical area where the Restricted Group engages in the Business, including the greater metropolitan areas of Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, San Diego, California, Chula Vista, California, San Antonio, Texas, Williamsburg, Virginia and Philadelphia/Langhorne, Pennsylvania;

	
 
	
(B)
	
enter the employ of, or render any services to, a Core Competitor, except where such employment or services do not relate in any manner to the Business;

	
 
	
(C)
	
acquire a financial interest in, or otherwise become actively involved with, any Person engaged in the Business, directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; or  

	
 
	
(D)
	
intentionally and adversely interfere with, or attempt to adversely interfere with, business relationships between the members of the Restricted Group and any of their clients, customers, suppliers, partners, members or investors.

	
(iii)
	
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Appendix B, Executive may, directly or indirectly own, solely as an investment, securities of any Person engaged in a Business (including, without limitation, a Core Competitor) which are publicly traded on a national or regional stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market if Executive (i) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such person and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own 2% or more of any class of securities of such Person.

 

 

	
(iv)
	
During the Restricted Period, Executive will not, whether on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any Person, directly or indirectly:

	
 
	
(A)
	
solicit or encourage any employee of the Restricted Group to leave the employment of the Restricted Group;

	
 
	
(B)
	
hire any executive-level employee who was employed by the Restricted Group as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company or who left the employment of the Restricted Group coincident with, or within one year prior to or after, the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company; or

	
 
	
(C)
	
encourage any material consultant of the Restricted Group to cease working with the Restricted Group.

	
(ii)
	
For purposes of this Appendix B:

	
 
	
(A)
	
“Restricted Group” shall mean, collectively, the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the extent engaged in the Business, their respective affiliates.

	
 
	
(B)
	
“Business” shall mean, collectively, the location-based entertainment business and the entertainment and theme park business.

	
 
	
(C)
	
“Core Competitor” shall mean Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Universal Parks and Resorts, Six Flags, Inc., Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd., Herschend Family Entertainment, Parques Reunidos and each of their respective affiliates.

	
(c)
	
Non-Disparagement. Executive will not at any time (whether during or after Executive’s Employment Term) make public or private statements or public or private comments intended to be (or having the effect of being) of defamatory or disparaging nature regarding (including, without limitation, any statements or comments, whether in person, radio, television, film, social media or otherwise, that are (i) likely to be harmful to the business, business reputation or personal reputation of and (ii) for, on behalf of or in association with any trade, industry, activist or other advocacy group that has, at any time, made adverse or critical statements in relation to) the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any of their respective businesses, shareholders, members, partners, employees, agents, officers, directors or contractors (it being understood that comments made in Executive’s good faith performance of his duties hereunder shall not be deemed disparaging or defamatory for purposes of this paragraph). Notwithstanding anything in this section 1(c), the Executive shall be permitted to (x) provide a reasonable and truthful response to or statement to defend Executive against any public statement made by the Company that is incorrect or disparages such person, to the extent necessary to correct or refute such public statement and (y) provide truthful testimony in any legal proceeding or process. 

-2-

 

 

	
(d)
	
It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 1 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained in this Appendix B is an unenforceable restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Appendix B shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Appendix B is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

	
(e)
	
The period of time during which the provisions of this Section 1 shall be in effect shall be extended by the length of time during which Executive is in breach of the terms hereof as determined by any court of competent jurisdiction on the Company’s application for injunctive relief.

	
(f)
	
The provisions of Section 1 hereof shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, including but not limited to, any termination other than for Cause (except as otherwise set forth in Section 1 hereof).

	
2.
	
Confidentiality; Intellectual Property.

	
(a)
	
Confidentiality.

	
(i)
	
Executive will not at any time (whether during or after Executive’s Employment Term) (x) retain or use for the benefit, purposes or account of Executive or any other Person; or (y) disclose, divulge, reveal, communicate, share, transfer or provide access to any Person outside the Company (other than its professional advisers who are bound by confidentiality obligations or otherwise in performance of Executive’s duties under Executive’s employment and pursuant to customary industry practice), any non-public, proprietary or confidential information —including without limitation trade secrets, know-how, research and development, software, databases, inventions, processes, formulae, technology, designs and other intellectual property, information concerning finances, investments, profits, pricing, costs, products, services, vendors, customers, clients, partners, investors, personnel, compensation, recruiting, training, advertising, sales, marketing, promotions, government and regulatory activities and approvals, safety, zoological and/or animal training or care practices, protocols, policies or procedures — concerning the past, current or future business, activities and operations of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates and/or any third party that has disclosed or provided any of same to the Company on a confidential basis (“Confidential Information”) without the prior written authorization of the Board.

	
(ii)
	
“Confidential Information” shall not include any information that is (a) generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result of Executive’s breach of this covenant; (b) made legitimately available to Executive by a third party without breach of any confidentiality obligation of which Executive has knowledge; or (c) required by law to be disclosed; provided that with respect to subsection (c) Executive shall give prompt written notice to the Company of such requirement, disclose no more information than is so required, and reasonably cooperate with any attempts by the Company to obtain a protective order or similar treatment.

-3-

 

 

	
(iii)
	
Except as required by law, Executive will not disclose to anyone, other than Executive’s family (it being understood that, in this Agreement, the term “family” refers to Executive, Executive’s spouse, children, parents and spouse’s parents) and advisors, the existence or contents of this Agreement; provided that Executive may disclose to any prospective future employer the provisions of this Appendix B. This Section 2(a)(iii) shall terminate if the Company publicly discloses a copy of this Agreement (or, if the Company publicly discloses summaries or excerpts of this Agreement, to the extent so disclosed).

	
(iv)
	
Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall (x) cease and not thereafter commence use of any Confidential Information or intellectual property (including without limitation, any patent, invention, copyright, trade secret, trademark, trade name, logo, domain name or other source indicator) owned or used by the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates; and (y) immediately destroy, delete, or return to the Company, at the Company’s option, all originals and copies in any form or medium (including memoranda, books, papers, plans, computer files, letters and other data) in Executive’s possession or control (including any of the foregoing stored or located in Executive’s office, home, laptop or other computer, whether or not Company property) that contain Confidential Information, except that Executive may retain only those portions of any personal notes, notebooks and diaries that do not contain any Confidential Information. 

	
(v)
	
Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or impede Executive from communicating, cooperating, or filing a complaint with any U.S. federal, state, or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency, or entity (collectively, a “Governmental Entity”) with respect to possible violations of any U.S. federal, state, or local law or regulation, or otherwise making disclosures to any Governmental Entity, in each case, that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any such law or regulation, provided that in each case such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law.  Executive understands and acknowledges that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  Executive understands and acknowledges further that an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.  Moreover, Executive is not required to give prior notice to (or get prior authorization from) the Company regarding any such communication or disclosure.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, under no circumstance will Executive be authorized to disclose any information covered by attorney-client privilege or attorney work product of any member of the Company Group without prior written consent of Company’s General Counsel or other officer designated by the Company. 

-4-

 

 

	
(b)
	
Intellectual Property.

	
(i)
	
If Executive has created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to or improved any works of authorship, inventions, intellectual property, materials, documents or other work product (including without limitation, research, reports, software, databases, systems, applications, presentations, textual works, content, or audiovisual materials) (“Works”), either alone or with third parties, prior to Executive’s employment by the Company, that are relevant to or implicated by such employment (“Prior Works”), Executive hereby grants the Company a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, assignable, sublicensable license under all rights and intellectual property rights (including rights under patent, industrial property, copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and related laws) therein for all purposes in connection with the Company’s current and future business.

	
(ii)
	
If Executive creates, invents, designs, develops, contributes to or improves any Works, either alone or with third parties, at any time during Executive’s employment by the Company and within the scope of such employment and with the use of any the Company resources (“Company Works”), Executive shall promptly and fully disclose same to the Company and hereby irrevocably assigns, transfers and conveys, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, all rights and intellectual property rights therein (including rights under patent, industrial property, copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and related laws) to the Company to the extent ownership of any such rights does not vest originally in the Company.

	
(iii)
	
Executive shall take all reasonably requested actions and execute all reasonably requested documents (including any licenses or assignments required by a government contract) at the Company’s expense (but without further remuneration) to assist the Company in validating, maintaining, protecting, enforcing, perfecting, recording, patenting or registering any of the Company’s rights in the Prior Works and Company Works. If the Company is unable for any other reason, after reasonable attempt, to secure Executive’s signature on any document for this purpose, then Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in Executive’s behalf and stead to execute any documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts required in connection with the foregoing.

	
(iv)
	
Executive shall not improperly use for the benefit of, bring to any premises of, divulge, disclose, communicate, reveal, transfer or provide access to, or share with the Company any confidential, proprietary or non-public information or intellectual property relating to a former employer or other third party without the prior written permission of such third party. Executive shall comply with all relevant policies and guidelines of the Company that are from time to time previously disclosed to Executive, including regarding the protection of Confidential Information and intellectual property and potential conflicts of interest. Executive acknowledges that the Company may amend any such policies and guidelines from time to time, and that Executive remains at all times bound by their most current version from time to time previously disclosed to Executive.

-5-

 

 

 

	
(v)
	
The provisions of Section 2 hereof shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason (except as otherwise set forth in Section 2(a)(iii) hereof).

 

-6-

 

 

Exhibit A

RELEASE OF CLAIMS

As used in this Release of Claims (this “Release”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise.

For and in consideration of the Severance Benefits (as defined in my Employment Agreement, dated February 4, 2019, with SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Employment Agreement”)), and other good and valuable consideration, I, Gustavo Antorcha, for and on behalf of myself and my heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns, effective the date on which this release becomes effective pursuant to its terms, do fully and forever release, remise, and discharge each of the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates, together with their respective officers, directors, partners, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Group”) from any and all claims whatsoever up to the date hereof that I had, may have had, or now have against the Group, for or by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever, including any claim arising out of or attributable to my employment or the termination of my employment with the Company, whether for tort, breach of express or implied employment contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, unjust dismissal, defamation, libel, or slander, or under any federal, state, or local law dealing with discrimination based on age, race, sex, national origin, handicap, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. This release of claims includes, but is not limited to, all claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Equal Pay Act, each as may be amended from time to time, and all other federal, state, and local laws, the common law, and any other purported restriction on an employer’s right to terminate the employment of employees. The release contained herein is intended to be a general release of any and all claims to the fullest extent permissible by law.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws listed in the preceding paragraph.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a United States federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Release to the contrary, by executing this Release, I am not releasing (i) any claims relating to my rights under Section 6 of the Employment Agreement, (ii) any claims that cannot be waived by law, (iii) my right of indemnification as provided by, and in accordance with the terms of, the Company’s by-laws or a Company insurance policy providing such coverage, as any of such may be amended from time to time; (iv) my accrued and vested benefits, rights or payments under any employee benefit, incentive or equity plan or program of the Company; or (v) my rights under Section 14 of the Employment Agreement.

 

 

I expressly acknowledge and agree that I –

	
 
	
•
	
Am able to read the language, and understand the meaning and effect, of this Release;

	
 
	
•
	
Have no physical or mental impairment of any kind that has interfered with my ability to read and understand the meaning of this Release or its terms, and that I am not acting under the influence of any medication, drug, or chemical of any type in entering into this Release;

	
 
	
•
	
Am specifically agreeing to the terms of the release contained in this Release because the Company has agreed to pay me the Severance Benefits in consideration for my agreement to accept it in full settlement of all possible claims I might have or ever had, and because of my execution of this Release;

	
 
	
•
	
Acknowledge that, but for my execution of this Release, I would not be entitled to the Severance Benefits;

	
 
	
•
	
Understand that, by entering into this Release, I do not waive rights or claims under ADEA that may arise after the date I execute this Release;

	
 
	
•
	
Had or could have [twenty-one (21)][forty-five (45)]1 days from the date of my termination of employment (the “Release Expiration Date”) in which to review and consider this Release, and that if I execute this Release prior to the Release Expiration Date, I have voluntarily and knowingly waived the remainder of the review period;

	
 
	
•
	
Have not relied upon any representation or statement not set forth in this Release or my Employment Agreement made by the Company or any of its representatives;

	
 
	
•
	
Was advised to consult with my attorney regarding the terms and effect of this Release; and

	
 
	
•
	
Have signed this Release knowingly and voluntarily.

I represent and warrant that I have not previously filed, and to the maximum extent permitted by law agree that I will not file, a complaint, charge, or lawsuit against any member of the Group regarding any of the claims released herein. If, notwithstanding this representation and warranty, I have filed or file such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit, I agree that I shall cause such complaint, charge, or lawsuit to be dismissed with prejudice and shall pay any and all costs required in obtaining dismissal of such complaint, charge, or lawsuit, including without limitation the attorneys’ fees of any member of the Group against whom I have filed such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit. This paragraph shall not apply, however, to a claim of age discrimination under ADEA or to any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”); provided, however, that if the EEOC were to pursue any claims relating to my employment with Company, I agree that I shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or any other remedies or benefits as a result and that this Release and the Severance Benefits will control as the exclusive remedy and full settlement of all such claims by me.

	
	 

	
1  
	
To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

-2-

 

 

I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group (as defined in my Employment Agreement) affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Release will not become effective or enforceable prior to the expiration of the period of seven (7) calendar days following the date of its execution by me (the “Revocation Period”), during which time I may revoke my acceptance of this Release by notifying the Company and the Board of Directors of the Company, in writing, delivered to the Company at its principal executive office, marked for the attention of its Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel. To be effective, such revocation must be received by the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. on the seventh (7th) calendar day following the execution of this Release. Provided that the Release is executed and I do not revoke it during the Revocation Period, the eighth (8th) day following the date on which this Release is executed shall be its effective date. I acknowledge and agree that if I revoke this Release during the Revocation Period, this Release will be null and void and of no effect, and neither the Company nor any other member of the Company will have any obligations to pay me the Severance Benefits.

The provisions of this Release shall be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal personal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, shall have no effect upon and shall not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

EXCEPT WHERE PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW, THIS RELEASE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THAT STATE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. I HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RELEASE.

Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in my Employment Agreement.

__________________________________

GUSTAVO ANTORCHA

Date:

-3-Exhibit

Exhibit 10.12

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of April 2, 2012, between Lear Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Thomas A. DiDonato ("Executive").

WHEREAS, Executive has been appointed to the position of Senior Vice President - Human Resources of the Company, effective April 2, 2012 (the "Effective Date");

WHEREAS, the Company desires to have the benefit of Executive's service and the restrictive covenants contained herein; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of Executive's appointment to the position of Senior Vice President - Human Resources of the Company, the parties desire to enter into an employment agreement reflecting the terms of Executive's employment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence on and as of the Effective Date and continue until Executive's employment has terminated and the obligations of the parties hereunder have terminated or expired or have been satisfied in accordance with their terms, or if earlier, upon the execution of a new employment agreement by the parties hereto (the "Term").

2.Terms of Employment. During the Term, Executive agrees to be a full-time employee of the Company serving in the position of Senior Vice President - Human Resources of the Company. Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his working time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company, to discharge the responsibilities associated with his position with the Company, and to use his best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from devoting his time to civic and community activities, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of other corporations that do not compete with the Company, or managing personal investments, as long as the foregoing do not interfere with the performance of Executive's duties hereunder or violate the terms of the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, or other policies applicable to the Company's executives generally, as those policies may be amended from time to time by the Company.

		
	3.
	Compensation.

As compensation for Executive's services under this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled during the Term to receive an initial base salary the annualized amount of which shall be $542,000, to be paid in accordance with existing payroll practices forexecutives of the Company. Increases in Executive's base salary, if any, shall be as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company. In addition, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive compensation bonus ("Bonus") and awards under the Company's 2009 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan or successor plan (the "LTSIP"), each to be approved from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board.

(a)During the Term, Executive shall be eligible for participation in the welfare, retirement and other benefit plans, practices, policies and programs, as may be in effect from time to time, for senior executives 

of the Company generally.

(b)During the Term, Executive shall be eligible for prompt reimbursement for business expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in accordance with the Company's policies, as may be in effect from time to time, for its senior executives generally.

		
	4.
	Termination of Employment.

(a)Notice. The employment relationship may be terminated by the Company with or without Cause or for Incapacity, or by Executive with or without Good Reason, all as defined below, by giving a Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if any, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so indicated. All notices under this Section 4(a) shall be
given in accordance with the requirements of Section 8.
(b)Incapacity. If the Company reasonably determines that Executive is unable at any time to perform the duties of Executive's position because of a serious illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition and Executive is not eligible for or has exhausted all leave to which Executive may be entitled under the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") or, if more generous, other applicable state or local law, the Company may terminate Executive's employment for "Incapacity". In addition, at any time that Executive is on a leave of absence, the Company may temporarily reassign the duties of Executive's position to one or more other executives without creating a basis for Executive's Good Reason resignation, provided that the Company restores such duties to Executive upon Executive's return to work.

(c)Cause. Termination of Executive's employment for "Cause" shall mean termination upon:

(i)an act of fraud, embezzlement or theft by Executive in connection with Executive's duties or in the course of Executive's employment with the Company;
(ii)Executive's material breach of any provision of this Agreement, provided that in those instances in which Executive's material breach is capable of being cured, Executive has failed to cure within a thirty (30) day period after notice from the Company;

(iii)an act or omission, which is (x) willful or grossly negligent, (y) contrary to established policies or practices of the Company, and (z) materially harmful to the business or reputation of the Company, or to the business of the Company's customers or suppliers as such relate to the Company; or

		
	(iv)
	a plea of nolo contendere to, or conviction for, a felony.

		
	(d)
	Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following circumstances or events:

(i)any reduction by the Company in Executive's base salary or adverse change in the manner of computing Executive's incentive compensation opportunity, as in effect from time to time;

(ii)the failure by the Company to pay or provide to Executive any amounts of base salary or earned incentive compensation or any benefits which are due, owing and payable to Executive, or to pay to Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation due under any deferred compensation program of the Company;

		
	(iii)
	the failure by the Company to continue to provide Executive with benefits substantially similar in the aggregate to the Company's life insurance, medical, dental, health, accident or disability plans in which Executive is participating at the date of this Agreement;

(iv)except on a temporary basis as described in Section 4(b), a material adverse change in 

Executive's responsibilities, position, reporting relationships, authority or duties. For purposes of clarification, Executive agrees that it will not be a material adverse change for the Company to reassign Executive to a position with at least substantially similar responsibilities and authority;

(v)the transfer of Executive's principal place of employment to a location fifty (50) or more miles from its location immediately preceding the transfer; or

(vi)without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, any material breach of this Agreement by the Company.

Notwithstanding anything else herein, Good Reason shall not exist if, with regard to the circumstances or events relied upon in Executive's Notice of Termination: (x) Executive

failed to provide a Notice of Termination to the Company within sixty (60) days of the date Executive knew or should have known of such circumstances or events, (y) the circumstances or events are fully corrected by the Company prior to the Date of Termination, or (z) Executive gives Executive's express written consent to the circumstances or events.

		
	(e)
	Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean:

(i)if Executive's employment is terminated by reason of Executive's death, the date of Executive's death;

(ii)if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than because of Executive's death, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which shall not be prior to the date of the notice);

(iii)if Executive's employment is terminated by Executive for any reason, the Date of Termination shall be not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given, or such earlier date after the date such Notice of Termination is given as may be identified by the Company.

Unless the Company instructs Executive not to do so, Executive shall continue to perform services as provided in this Agreement through the Date of Termination.

(f)     Employee Benefits. A termination by the Company pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof or by Executive pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof shall not affect any rights which Executive may have pursuant to any other agreement, policy, plan, program. or arrangement of the Company providing employee benefits, which rights shall be governed by the terms thereof and by Section 5; provided, however, that if Executive shall have received or shall be receiving benefits under Section 5(b) hereof, Executive shall not be entitled to receive benefits under any other policy, plan, program or arrangement of the Company providing severance compensation to which Executive would otherwise he entitled.

5.Compensation Upon Termination.    Upon Executive's termination of employment, Executive shall receive:

(a)If Executive's employment shall be terminated by the Company for Incapacity or for Cause, by Executive without Good Reason, or upon Executive's death, the Company shall pay to Executive (or, in the event of Executive's death, to Executive's beneficiary or estate), when the same would otherwise have been due, the base salary and any other accrued amounts then payable through the Date of Termination and shall have no further obligations under this Agreement, other than as set forth in Section 5(c) hereof, as applicable.

(b)If Executive's employment shall be terminated (a) by the Company, except for a termination by the Company for Cause or Incapacity (or due to Executive's death), or (b) by Executive for Good Reason, then 

Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided below, in addition to the benefits provided in Section 5(c) hereof, as applicable:

(i)The Company shall pay Executive Executive's full base salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given (or, if greater, at the rate in effect at any time within 90 days prior to the time Notice of Termination is given), plus all other amounts to which Executive is entitled under any compensation or benefit plans of the Company, including, without limitation, any accrued amounts under any retention or incentive plan, and including incentive compensation prorated for any applicable measurement period occurring prior to the Date of Termination, at the time such payments are due, except as otherwise provided below.

		
	(ii)
	an amount (the "Severance Payment") equal to two (2) times the sum of:

(A)the greater of (I) Executive's annual base salary rate in effect as of the Effective Date or (II) Executive's annual base salary rate in effect as of the Date of Termination; and

(B)the greater of (I) Executive's annual incentive Bonus target amount in effect as of the Effective Date or (II) Executive's annual incentive Bonus target amount in effect as of the Date of Termination.

The Severance Payment will be paid over the two-year period beginning on the Date of Termination (the "Severance Period'') in twenty-four (24) equal semi­ monthly installments.

(iii)The Company shall arrange to provide to Executive, Executive's dependents, and beneficiaries, for the Severance Period, benefits provided under any "welfare benefit plan" of the Company (as the term "welfare benefit plan" is defined in Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) ("Welfare Benefits"). If and to the extent that any such Welfare Benefits shall not or cannot be paid or provided under any policy, plan, program or arrangement of the Company (A) solely due to the fact that Executive is no longer an officer or employee of the Company or (B) as a result of the amendment or termination of any plan providing for Welfare Benefits, the Company shall then itself pay or provide for the payment of such Welfare Benefits to Executive, Executive's dependents and beneficiaries. Without otherwise limiting the purposes or effect of the no mitigation obligation in Section 5(f) hereof, Welfare Benefits payable to Executive (including Executive's dependents and beneficiaries) pursuant to this Section 5(b)(iii) shall be reduced to the extent
comparable welfare benefits are actually received by Executive (including Executive's dependents and beneficiaries) from another employer during such period, and any such benefits actually received by Executive shall be reported by Executive to the Company.

Executive's right to receive the Severance Payment and Welfare Benefits under this Section 5(b) (collectively, the "Severance Benefits") is conditioned upon the Executive's execution of a general release agreement (a "Release") in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company in connection with Executive's termination of employment. Such Severance Benefits shall be payable only if Executive executes and delivers a Release (and any revocation period expires) no later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the Executive's termination of employment. Such amounts shall not become payable until forty-five (45) calendar days after the termination of employment, regardless of when the Release is returned to the Company.

(c)If Executive's employment shall be terminated by the Company for Incapacity or for any reason other than Cause, by Executive for Good Reason, or upon Executive's death, (i) any unvested awards under the LTSIP held by Executive that vest based on the passage of time shall immediately vest in their entirety upon such termination, and (ii) with respect to unvested awards under the LTSIP held by Executive that vest based on the achievement of performance criteria, Executive shall be entitled to receive a pro rata portion (based on the number of full calendar months in the performance period prior to such termination) of the amount Executive would have been entitled to receive under such awards (and at the same time) had he remained employed until 

the last day of the applicable performance period.

(d)The Company may not set-off or counterclaim losses, fines or damages in respect of any claim, debt or obligation against any payment to or benefit for Executive provided for in this Agreement.

(e)Without limiting Executive's rights at law or in equity, if the Company fails to make any payment or provide any benefit required to be made or provided hereunder within thirty (30) days of the date it is due, the Company will pay interest on the amount or value thereof at an annualized rate of interest equal to the "prime rate" as quoted from time to time during the relevant period in The Wall Street Journal, plus three percent. Such interest will be payable as it accrues on demand. Any change in such prime rate will be effective on and as of the date of such change.

(f)The Company acknowledges that its severance pay plans and policies applicable in general to its salaried employees do not provide for mitigation, offset or reduction of any severance payment received thereunder. Accordingly, the parties hereto expressly agree that the payment of the severance compensation by the Company to Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be liquidated damages and that Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in
this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall any profits, income, earnings or other benefits from any source whatsoever create any mitigation, offset, reduction or any other obligation on the part of Executive hereunder or otherwise, except as expressly provided in this Section 5.

		
	6.
	Travel. Executive shall be required to travel to the extent reasonably necessary for the performance of Executive's responsibilities under this Agreement.

7.Successors; Binding Agreement. The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place, and will assign its rights and obligations hereunder to such successor. Failure of the Company to make such an assignment and to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession, unless Executive agrees otherwise in writing with the Company or the successor, shall entitle Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as Executive would be entitled to hereunder if Executive terminates Executive's employment for Good Reason and the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed Executive's Date of Termination. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and/or legatees. This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in this Section 7. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by Executive's will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 7, the Company shall have no liability to pay to the purported assignee or transferee any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred. The Company and Executive recognize that each party will have no adequate remedy at law for any material breach by the other of any of the agreements contained herein and, in the event of any such breach, the Company and Executive hereby agree and consent that the other shall be entitled to a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce performance of this Agreement.

8.Notices. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, or mailed by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or sent by Federal Express or similar overnight courier service, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, or sent by facsimile with confirmation of receipt to the respective facsimile numbers set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the

Secretary of the Company (or, if Executive is the Secretary at the time such notice is to be given, to the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors), or to such other address or facsimile number as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address or facsimile number shall be effective only upon receipt.

		
	9.
	Noncompetition.

(a)From the Effective Date until the Date of Termination, Executive agrees not to engage in any Competitive Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Competitive Activity" shall mean Executive's participation as an employee or consultant, without the written consent of the Board or any authorized committee thereof, in the management of any business enterprise anywhere in the world if such enterprise is a "Significant Customer" of any product or service of the Company or engages in competition with any product or service of the Company (including without limitation any enterprise that is a supplier to an original equipment automotive vehicle manufacturer) or is planning to engage in such competition. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Significant Customer" shall mean any customer who represents in excess of 5% of the Company's sales in any of the three calendar years prior to the date of determination. "Competitive Activity" shall not include the mere ownership of, and exercise of rights appurtenant to, securities of a publicly-traded company representing 5% or less of the total voting power and 5% or less of the total value of such an enterprise. Executive agrees that the Company is a global business and that it is appropriate for this Section 9 to apply to Competitive Activity conducted anywhere in the world.

		
	(b)
	Executive agrees not to engage directly or indirectly in any Competitive Activity

(i) until one (1) year after the Date of Termination if Executive is terminated by the Company for Cause, or Executive terminates Executive's employment for other than Good Reason, or (ii) until two (2) years after the Date of Termination in all other circumstances.

(c)Executive shall not directly or indirectly, either on Executive's own account or with or for anyone else, solicit or attempt to solicit any of the Company's customers, solicit or attempt to solicit for any business endeavor or hire or attempt to hire any employee of the Company, or otherwise divert or attempt to divert from the Company any business whatsoever or interfere with any business relationship between the Company and any other person, (i) until one (1) year after the Date of Termination if Executive is terminated by the Company for Cause, or Executive terminates Executive's employment for other than Good Reason, or (ii) until two (2) years after the Date of Termination in all other circumstances.

(d)Executive acknowledges and agrees that damages in the event of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants in this Section 9 will be difficult to determine and will not afford a full and adequate remedy, and therefore agrees that the Company, in addition to seeking actual damages pursuant to Section 9 hereof, may seek specific enforcement of
the covenant not to compete in any court of competent jurisdiction, including, without limitation, by the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction, without the necessity of a bond. Executive and the Company agree that the provisions of this covenant not to compete are reasonable. However, should any court or arbitrator determine that any provision of this covenant not to compete is unreasonable, either in period of time, geographical area, or otherwise, the parties agree that this covenant not to compete should be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent which such court or arbitrator deems reasonable.    ·

		
	10.
	Confidentiality and Cooperation.

(a)Executive shall not knowingly use, disclose or reveal to any unauthorized person, at any time after the Effective Date, any trade secret or other confidential information relating to the Company or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective businesses or principals, such as, without limitation, dealers' or distributor's lists, information regarding personnel and manufacturing processes, marketing and sales plans, pricing or cost information, and all other such information; and Executive confirms that such information is the exclusive property of the Company and its affiliates. Upon termination of Executive's employment, 

Executive agrees to return to the Company on demand by the Company all memoranda, books, papers, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of the Company and its affiliates, whether made by Executive or otherwise in Executive's possession.

(b)Any design, engineering methods, techniques, discoveries, inventions (whether patentable or not), formulae, formulations, technical and product specifications, bill of materials, equipment descriptions, plans, layouts, drawings, computer programs, assembly, quality control, installation and operating procedures, operating manuals, strategic, technical or marketing information, designs, data, secret knowledge, know-how and all other information of a confidential nature prepared or produced during the period of Executive's employment and which. ideas, processes, and other materials or information relate to any of the businesses of the Company, shall be owned by the Company and its affiliates whether or not Executive should in fact execute an assignment thereof or other instrument or document which may be reasonably necessary to protect and secure such rights to the Company.

(c)Following the termination of Executive's employment, Executive agrees to make himself reasonably available to the Company to respond to periodic requests for information relating to the Company or Executive's employment which may be within Executive's knowledge. Executive further agrees to cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any and all existing or future depositions, litigation, or investigations brought by or against the Company, any entity related to the Company, or any of its (their) agents, officers, directors or employees, whether administrative, civil or criminal in nature, in which and to the extent the Company deems Executive's cooperation necessary. In the event that Executive is subpoenaed in connection with any litigation or

investigation, Executive will immediately notify the Company. Executive shall not receive any additional compensation, other than reimbursement for reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Executive, in complying with the terms of this Section 10(c).

		
	11.
	Arbitration.

(a)Except as contemplated by Section 9(d) or Section 11(c) hereof, any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement that cannot be mutually resolved by the parties to this Agreement and their respective advisors and representatives shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Southfield, Michigan, before one arbitrator of exemplary qualifications and stature, who shall be selected jointly by an individual to be designated by the Company and an individual to be selected by Executive, or if such two individuals cannot agree on the selection of the arbitrator, who shall be selected pursuant to the procedures of the American Arbitration Association, and such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.

(b)The parties agree to use their best efforts to cause (i) the two individuals set forth in the preceding Section 1l(a), or, if applicable, the American Arbitration Association, to appoint the arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the date that a party hereto notifies the other party that a dispute or controversy exists that necessitates the appointment of an arbitrator, and (ii) any arbitration hearing to be held within thirty (30) days of the date of selection of the arbitrator, and, as a condition to his or her selection, such arbitrator must consent to be available for a hearing, at such time.

(c)Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction, provided that Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of Executive's right to be paid and to participate in benefit programs during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement. The Company and Executive hereby agree that the arbitrator shall be empowered to enter an equitable decree mandating specific performance of the terms of this Agreement. If any dispute under this Section 11 shall be pending, Executive shall continue to receive at a minimum the base salary which Executive was receiving immediately prior to the act or omission which forms the basis for the dispute. At the close of the arbitration, such continued base salary payments may be offset against any damages awarded to Executive or may be recovered from Executive if it is determined that Executive was not entitled to the 

continued payment of base salary under the other provisions of this Agreement.

12.Modifications. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, amended, waived or discharged unless such modification, amendment, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by both Executive and such officer of the Company as may be specifically designated by the Board.

13.No Implied Waivers. Failure of either party at any time to require performance by the other party of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the full right to require such performance at any time thereafter. Waiver by either party of a breach of any obligation hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of any succeeding breach of the same obligation. Failure of either party to exercise any of its rights provided herein shall not constitute a waiver of such right.

14.Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan without giving effect to any conflicts of laws rules.

15.Payments Net of Taxes. Any payments provided for herein which are subject to Federal, State, local or other governmental tax or other withholding requirements or obligations, shall have such amounts withheld prior to payment, and the Company shall be considered to have fully satisfied its obligation hereunder by making such payments to Executive net of and after deduction for all applicable withholding obligations.

16.Capacity of Parties. The parties hereto warrant that they have the capacity and authority to execute this Agreement.

17.Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not, at the option of the party for whose benefit such provision was intended, affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

18.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 instrument.

		
	19.
	Entire Agreement. On and after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall contain the entire agreement by the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and supersedes any prior agreement, condition, practice, custom, usage and obligation with respect to such matters insofar as any such prior agreement, condition, practice, custom, usage or obligation might have given rise to any enforceable right. No agreements, understandings or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

20.Legal Fees and Expenses. It is the intent of the Company that Executive not be required to incur the expenses associated with the enforcement of Executive's rights under this Agreement by litigation or other legal action because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Executive hereunder. Accordingly, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid and be solely responsible for any and all reasonable attorneys' and related fees and expenses incurred by Executive (i) as a result of the Company's failure to perform this Agreement or any provision hereof or (ii) as a result of the
Company unreasonably or maliciously contesting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof as aforesaid.

21.Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5 hereof, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner that all payments of Severance Benefits to Executive under this Agreement are either exempt from, or comply with, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code'), and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (collectively, "Section 409A"), including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. For purposes of Section 409A, the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be. treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

The "Lear Corporation Code Section 409A Policies and Procedures" as in effect on the Effective Date are hereby incorporated by reference in this Agreement as if set forth herein, and shall supersede any conflicting provisions of this Agreement.

		
	22.
	No Excise Tax Gross-Up; Possible Reduction of Payments.

(a)If it is determined that any amount or benefit to be paid or payable to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise in conjunction with his employment (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise in conjunction with his employment) would give rise to liability of Executive for the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision (the "Excise Tax"), then the amount or benefits payable to Executive (the total value of such amounts or benefits, the "Payments") shall be reduced by the Company to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Payments to Executive is subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, such reduction shall be made only if it results in the Executive retaining a greater amount of Payments on an after-tax basis (taking into account the Excise Tax and applicable federal, state, and local income and payroll taxes). In the event Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 22(a), they shall be reduced in the following order of priority in a manner consistent with Section 409A: (i) first from cash compensation, (ii) next from equity compensation, then
(iii) pro-rata among all remaining Payments and benefits.

(b)The independent public accounting firm serving as the Company's auditing firm, or such other accounting firm, law firm or professional consulting services provider of national reputation and experience reasonably acceptable to the Company and Executive (the "Accountants") shall make in writing in good faith all calculations and determinations under this Section 22, including the assumptions to be used in arriving at any calculations. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations under this Section 22, the Accountants and each other party may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants and each other such
information and documents as the Accountants and each other may reasonably request to make the calculations and determinations under this Section 22. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants incur in connection with any calculations contemplated hereby.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and year fast above written.

LEAR CORPORATION

By: /s/ Matthew Simoncini    
Name: Matthew Simoncini    
Title: President and CEO    

EXECUTIVE

/s/ Thomas A DiDonato        
Thomas A. DiDonato

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