Document:

usak20150930_10q.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

July 7, 2015

 

Dear John:

 

This letter agreement (“Agreement”) sets forth the agreements and understandings among you (“you” or “Executive”) and USA Truck, Inc. (the “Company”) regarding the conclusion of your employment relationship with the Company. On behalf of the board of directors and all of your colleagues, I would like to express gratitude for your service to the Company and your desire to contribute to a smooth transition.

 

1.     Separation. Executive's position as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company, and all other positions with the Company (if any), will terminate as of the date hereof (the "Separation Date"). Executive's signature on this Agreement will function as his resignation from employment and all positions with the Company effective as of the Separation Date. Executive and the Company hereby agree that through the Separation Date, Executive's existing compensation and benefits will continue without modification except as set forth herein.

 

2.     Severance Benefits. 

 

(a)     Salary Continuation. The Company agrees to pay you, as severance pay, your current base salary ($460,000 per year) for a period of twelve months from the Separation Date. Such severance pay will be payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company, including tax withholding.

 

(b)     2015 Bonus. If and to the extent earned, the Company agrees to pay you any bonus you would have been entitled to receive under the Company’s 2015 Management Bonus Plan, payable at the time and on the same basis as paid to recipients still employed by the Company, pro-rated for the number of days you were employed by the Company through the Separation Date.

 

(c)     Health Care. If Executive timely elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will directly pay or reimburse Executive monthly for the actual amount of his COBRA continuation payments for a period of eighteen months following the Separation Date.

 

(d)     Accrued Vacation. The Company agrees to pay you for any vacation time and paid time off accrued but not used through the Separation Date.

 

(e)     Reimbursement of Certain Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse you for certain previously discussed expenses associated with the conclusion of your employment relationship with the Company, within 30 days of the Company’s receipt of written invoices therefor; provided that the aggregate for all of such expenses will not exceed $10,000.

 

3.     Waiver of Other Severance Benefits. Other than as provided for in this Agreement, Executive waives any right to severance or any other benefits in connection with or as a result of the cessation of his employment with the Company, for any reason, and agrees that he is only entitled to the payments and other separation benefits provided in this Agreement. Other than as provided for in this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that he is not entitled to any future continuing health or other benefits (except as may be required by applicable law) and waives any rights other than those required under applicable law.

 

 

 

 

 

4.     Equity Awards. 

 

(a)     The following outstanding equity awards held by Executive will vest as of the Separation Date: (i) the 18,750 shares of restricted stock of the Company scheduled to vest on February 18, 2016, held pursuant to that certain Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated February 18, 2013 (“Restricted Stock Award Agreement”), and (ii) the 10,727 nonqualified stock options of the Company scheduled to vest on February 18, 2016, held pursuant to that certain Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement dated February 18, 2013 (“NQSO Agreement”). In addition, and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2(ii) of the NQSO Agreement, the 10,727 nonqualified stock options of the Company vesting pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii) hereof shall be exercisable by Executive for a period commencing on the Separation Date and terminating one year after the Separation Date.

 

(b)     Except as otherwise set forth in Section 4(a) hereof, any outstanding equity awards held by Executive (including, without limitation, any restricted stock or any stock options) will be governed by the terms and conditions of the plans and agreements or award notices under which such equity awards were granted, and nothing in this Agreement will modify any terms or conditions of such plans and agreements or award notices. Executive acknowledges that, except as set forth in Section 4(a) hereof, the vesting, forfeiture, exercise, and other terms and conditions are not modified by this Agreement, and that Executive is responsible for taking any actions required to gain the benefits (if any) available under such awards. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall modify any terms or conditions of (i) the Award Notice with respect to the time-vested restricted shares of the Company dated January 22, 2015, (ii) the Award Notice with respect to performance-vested restricted shares of the Company dated January 22, 2015, (iii) the 18,750 shares of restricted stock of the Company scheduled to vest on February 18, 2017, held pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, or (iv) the 10,729 nonqualified stock options of the Company scheduled to vest on February 18, 2017, held pursuant to the NQSO Agreement.

 

(c)     In accordance with the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Article XIII of the underlying 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (“2004 Plan”), Executive hereby confirms that he is satisfying his obligation with respect to the Company’s required tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of the outstanding equity awards as provided in Section 4(a)(i) hereof as follows: delivery of existing shares held for at least six months.

 

(d)     In accordance with the NQSO Agreement and Article XIII of the 2004 Plan, Executive acknowledges his obligation to pay required tax withholding amounts to the Company, and the Company is not obligated to issue shares subject to the option until the withholding obligations have been satisfied by Executive.

 

(e)     Executive acknowledges that he may have tax consequences and obligations in addition to those relating to the amounts withheld, and that all taxes, interest, and penalities, if any, relating to Executive’s equity awards are solely the responsibility of Executive.

 

 

 

 

 

5.     Non-Solicit. Executive agrees that the following restrictions on his activities during and after his employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined), and other legitimate interests of the Company and any person or entity that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company (collectively, "Affiliates") and also acknowledges that Executive's agreement is supported by good and valuable consideration including, without limitation, additional amounts payable in accordance with this Agreement. Executive therefore agrees as follows:

 

(a)     From the Separation Date and for a period of one year thereafter (the "Non-Solicit Period"), Executive will not, directly or indirectly, and will not assist anyone else to (i) hire or solicit for hire any current employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or seek to persuade any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates to discontinue employment, or (ii) solicit or encourage any independent contractor providing services to the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them. 

 

(b)     Executive further agrees that during the Non-Solicit Period, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or encourage any current customer of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, seek to persuade any current customer of the Company or any of its Affiliates to conduct with any person or entity any business or activity which such customer conducts or could conduct with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

(c)     Executive further agrees that during the Non-Solicit Period, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, acting alone or in concert with others: (i) engage in, or assist any other party in, any solicitation of proxies or written consents (provided, that nothing herein shall be interpreted to restrict Executive’s ability to vote his shares on any proposal duly brought before the Company’s stockholders as Executive determines in his sole discretion); (ii) seek, propose, or make any statement with respect to, or solicit, negotiate with, or provide any information to any person or entity with respect to, a merger, consolidation, acquisition of control or other business combination, tender or exchange offer, purchase, sale or transfer of assets or securities, or similar transaction involving the Company, its subsidiaries or its business, whether or not any such transaction involves a change of control of the Company; or (iii) form or join in a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

 

6.     Waiver and Release of Claims. In order to be eligible to receive amounts payable under Section 2 hereof, however, you must (a) comply with all of your obligations under this Agreement and (b) execute a timely and effective release of claims in the form attached hereto and marked Exhibit A (the "Release of Claims"). The Release of Claims creates legally binding obligations and the Company therefore advises you to consult an attorney before signing it. For and in consideration of the benefits provided the Company under this Agreement, effective simultaneously when the Release is executed by you and delivered to the Company and becomes irrevocable, the Company, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, hereby release and forever discharge Executive and his heirs, executors, administrators, beneficiaries, representatives and assigns from any and all causes of action, rights or claims of any type or description, known or unknown, which the Company has had in the past, now has, or might now have, through the date of this Agreement, in any way resulting from, arising out of or connected with Executive's employment by the Company or the termination of that employment or pursuant to federal, state or local law, regulation or requirement. 

 

7.     Nondisparagement. The parties agree that they will not in any way disparage each other to any other party, including current or former stockholders, officers, directors and employees of the Company or its Affiliates, nor will they make or solicit any comments, statements or the like to the media or to others, including any claims against each other or their agents or representatives, that may be considered to be derogatory or detrimental to the good name or business reputation of the other.

 

8.     No Admission of Wrongdoing. The parties agree that nothing in this Agreement is an admission by any party hereto of any wrongdoing, either in violation of an applicable law or otherwise, and that nothing in this Agreement is to be construed as such by any person.

 

 

 

 

 

9.     Voluntary Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that he understands this Agreement, the claims he is releasing, the promises and agreements he is making, and the effect of his signing this Agreement. Executive understands the payments to him under this Agreement are in excess of those to which he is legally entitled and agrees that he voluntarily accepts the payments described above as additional consideration for the non-solicit and other obligations referred to herein and for the purpose of making a full and final compromise, adjustment and settlement of all claims or potential claims against the Releasees (as defined in Exhibit A attached hereto) from any action or inaction taking place on or before the Separation Date.

 

10.     Ownership and Disclosure of Information.

 

(a)     Information. Executive agrees that all Confidential Information is solely and absolutely owned by the Company and is unique to the Company and its Affiliates; that Executive has no right, title or interest in and to the Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is material to the conduct of the Company’s and its Affiliates' business, and further agrees that he will not disclose any Confidential Information, or use to his benefit (or to the benefit of any third party), or use to the detriment of the Company or its Affiliates, any Confidential Information. As used herein, “Confidential Information” means all materials and information (whether written or not) about the Company’s or its Affiliates' services, processes, research, development, past, present, and identifiable prospective customers, personnel, purchasing, marketing, costs, improvements, discoveries, business methods, formulas, inventions, philosophies, and other business aspects of the Company or its Affiliates that are not generally known and accessible to the public.

 

(b)     Developments. Executive acknowledges that all copyrightable works that Executive may have created during the term of his employment with the Company or its Affiliates (collectively, “Developments”) are “work made for hire” and the Company is the sole owner of all the results and products of Executive’s prior employment with the Company or its Affiliates free and clear of any claims by Executive of any kind or character whatsoever.

 

11.     Return of Company Property. Executive agrees that, not later than the seventh day following the Separation Date, he will return to the Company all of its property in Executive’s possession, custody or control, including, without limitation, all Confidential Information, Developments, keys, access cards, credit cards, computer hardware (including but not limited to any hard drives, diskettes, laptop computers and personal data assistants and the contents thereof, as well as any passwords or codes needed to operate any such hardware), cellular telephones, computer software, data, materials, papers, books, files, documents, records, policies, client and customer information and lists, marketing information and lists, mailing lists, notes and any other property or information that Executive has or had relating to the Company or its Affiliates (whether those materials are in paper or electronic form), and including, but not limited to, any documents containing, summarizing or describing any Confidential Information.

 

12.     Indemnification. The Company hereby agrees that Executive will continue to be entitled to all of his respective statutory rights to indemnification, including, without limitation, indemnification pursuant to the Company's organizational documents, insurance policies or under applicable law to the same extent Executive would have had the right to be indemnified absent this Agreement and the Release. 

 

13.     IRC Section 409A. You received this Agreement in the current calendar year. If Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”) requires, you will get no pay or benefits in this Agreement until the next calendar year (even if you sign it sooner), if your maximum time period to sign it (plus any revocation period) ends in the next calendar year. The payments under this Agreement are intended, and must be interpreted, to comply with Section 409A of the IRC, to the maximum extent possible. Any salary continuation payment in this Agreement is a separate “payment” under Section 409A of the IRC. You are responsible for any tax penalties imposed on you, not the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

14.     Governing Law. The parties agree that the Agreement will be interpreted and governed by the laws of the state of Arkansas without regard to principles of comity or conflict of law provisions of any jurisdiction.

 

15.     Modification. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed except by a written agreement signed by the parties hereto.

 

16.     Entire Agreement. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between them regarding Executive’s separation, superseding all prior written and oral agreements regarding such topic, including, without limitation, that certain letter agreement between you and the Company dated February 11, 2013, and that certain Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2013 (including, without limitation, the termination and notice provisions contained in Section 5 thereof); provided, however, that this Agreement will not constitute a waiver by the Company of any right they now have or may now have under any agreement imposing obligations on you with respect to confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation of employees, customers, vendors or independent contractors or like obligations.

 

17.     Invalidity of Provisions/Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, will not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement will be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. 

 

18.     No Reliance; Taxes. The parties have not relied on any representations, promises or agreements of any kind made to them in connection with this Agreement, except for those set forth in this Agreement. Any payments made to Executive under this Agreement will be reduced by the full amount legally required to be withheld for federal, state or local tax purposes by the Company.

 

19.     Notices. Any notices to be given hereunder by either party hereto to the other may be effected either by (a) personal delivery in writing, (b) facsimile or (c) mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested.  Mailed or faxed notices will be addressed or faxed as follows:

 

	  	
If to the Company:
	
USA Truck, Inc.

	  	  	
3200 Industrial Park Road

	  	  	
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956

	  	  	
Attn: Chief Financial Officer

	  	  	
Facsimile: (479) 471-2526

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
If to Executive:
	
Mr. John M. Simone

	  	  	
______________________

	  	  	
______________________

	  	  	
Email: _________________

	  	  	  

  

 

 

 

 

20.     Execution; Binding Effect. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which will together constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic format (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its Affiliates, and their successors and assigns and will be binding upon Executive and your heirs and personal representatives.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Robert A. Peiser

 

Robert A. Peiser

Chairman of the Board

USA Truck, Inc.

 

 

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED effective the 7th day of July, 2015.

 

 

/s/ John M. Simone

John M. Simone

 

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT A

 

RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

In exchange for the payments and benefits described in this Agreement, Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, assigns and successors, does hereby covenant not to sue and acknowledges full and complete satisfaction of and hereby releases, absolves and discharges the Company and its Affiliates and their successors and assigns, parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, past and present, as well as their trustees, directors, officers, agents, attorneys, insurers, stockholders and employees, past and present, and each of them (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Releasees”), with respect to and from any and all claims, demands, liens, agreements, contracts, covenants, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, wages, vacation pay, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, judgments, orders and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, and whether or not concealed or hidden, which Executive now owns or holds or has at any time heretofore owned or held as against said Releasees, or any of them, arising out of or in any way connected with his employment or other relationships with the Company or its Affiliates, or his separation from any such employment or other relationships (collectively, “Released Claims”), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act (“ADEA”), the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or any other employment related federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance; provided, however, that the foregoing release will not include or affect (and the following are expressly excluded from any Released Claims): (i) Executive’s rights under this Agreement; (ii) Executive’s rights to file claims for workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance benefits, (iii) Executive’s regular and usual salary accrued prior to the Separation Date, accrued but unused vacation through the Separation Date, COBRA continuation coverage and life insurance conversion rights, if any, and (iv) Executive’s rights to provide information, assist or participate in any investigation, proceedings, or litigation concerning any administrative claim with any government agency under any applicable law that protects such rights, or to file such a claim; provided, that Executive agrees that he hereby forfeits his rights under any such claim to any monetary or other personal benefit that would be received directly from the Company, unless prohibited by applicable law. Executive acknowledges that the non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained in this Agreement infringe on Executive’s rights described in the foregoing sentence, and Executive agrees that he is aware of and has consented to such infringement. Finally, Executive agrees that, if any Released Claim is brought on Executive’s behalf or for Executive’s benefit in a court or administrative agency, Executive will take all necessary actions to waive and agree not to accept any award of money or other damages as a result of such claim. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing release, Executive will continue to be entitled to all of his respective statutory rights to indemnification, including, without limitation, indemnification pursuant to the Company’s organizational documents, insurance policies or under applicable law to the same extent Executive would have had the right to be indemnified absent this release.

 

Executive acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the ADEA and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive and the Company agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined) of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which he was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that:

 

(a)     He should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement;

 

 

Exhibit A

 

 

(b)     He has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement, but if he wishes to sign this Agreement earlier, he may do so by signing the Acknowledgment and Waiver of the 21-day consideration period in the form attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement;

 

(c)     He has seven (7) days following his execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement;

 

(d)     This Agreement will not be effective until the eighth day after Executive executes and does not revoke this Agreement (the “Effective Date”); and

 

(e)     Nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs from doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. Any revocation must be in writing and hand delivered to the Company by close of business on or before the seventh day from the date that Executive signs this Agreement. In the event that Executive exercises his right of revocation, neither Executive nor any member of the Company or its Affiliates will have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

Executive represents and warrants that he has no present knowledge of any injury, illness or disease to him that is or might be compensable as a workers’ compensation claim or similar claim for workplace injuries, illnesses or diseases.

 

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined will have the meanings set forth in the Agreement to which this Release was attached. 

 

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED effective the 7th day of July, 2015.

 

 

/s/ John M. Simone

John M. Simone 

 

 

Exhibit A 

 

  

EXHIBIT B

 

Acknowledgment and Waiver

 

I, John M. Simone, hereby acknowledge that I was given 21 days to consider the foregoing Agreement and voluntarily chose to sign the Agreement prior to the expiration of the 21-day period.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct.

EXECUTED this 7th day of July, 2015, at Nassau County, Florida. 

 

 

/s/ John M. Simone

John M. Simone

 

 

Exhibit Busak20150930_10q.htm

Exhibit 10.2

 

July 29, 2015

 

 

Dear Michael,

 

We are pleased to have you serve in the position of Chief Financial Officer of USA Truck, Inc. (the "Company"). The following outlines the terms of employment, but does not constitute a contract of employment or a guarantee of employment.

 

Compensation

 

	 	
•
	
Your current annual base salary will be $225,000.00, which will be paid in monthly installments on the last business day of each month in the amount of $18,750.00.

 

	 	
•
	
You will participate in the established Company Management Bonus Plan - Executive Group. The Plan entitles you to annual cash bonuses ranging from 20% to 100% of your base salary and annual equity bonuses ranging from 10% to 30% of your base salary depending on the performance relative to goals predetermined by the Executive Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.

 

	 	
•
	
You will be provided a laptop and smart phone at the Company's expense.

 

	 	
•
	
All payments provided for hereunder will be subject to required withholding of federal, state and local income, excise, and employment-related taxes. 

 

Benefits

 

	 	
•
	
You will receive three weeks paid vacation per year.

 

	 	
•
	
You are eligible for, and may participate in, the Company's 401(k) Plan subject to Company policies and the terms of that plan as in effect from time to time.

 

	 	
•
	
You are eligible for, and may participate in, the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan subject to Company policies and the terms of that plan as in effect from time to time.

 

	 	
•
	
The Company is currently a sponsor of the Arkansas Best Federal Credit Union and you may be eligible to participate in programs made available to the Company's employees. 

 

	 	
•
	
You are eligible for, and may participate in, the Company's Medical, Dental and Vision and Prescription Drug plans subject to Company policies and the terms of those plans as in effect from time to time.

 

	 	
•
	
You will receive $1,000.00 premium per year to be applied towards supplemental term life insurance or you may choose to receive it as wages in your monthly payroll check (at the rate of $83.33 per month). 

  

 

 

 

  

Confidential Information or Trade Secrets

 

	 	
•
	
You will observe all rules, regulations, and security requirements of the Company concerning the safety of persons and property. You agree that you will comply with the Company's employee handbook, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy, the Open Door Policy, the Whistleblower Policy, and any other policies of the Company as they relate to employees of the Company.

 

Severance and Change in Control Agreement

 

	 	
•
	
You and the Company will enter into an agreement providing severance and change in control benefits on the date hereof in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

 

This letter does not create an express or implied contract of employment or any other contractual commitment. This letter contains the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of the understanding between you and the Company regarding the terms of your employment and supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement or understanding, written or oral, between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter of this letter. Your employment relationship with the Company is on an at-will basis, which means that either you or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any or no reason, consistent with applicable law. Notwithstanding the terms of this letter, the Company shall have the right change its compensation, welfare, benefit, incentive, and employment plans, policies, and terms from time to time. 

 

We ask that you acknowledge your acceptance of the terms of this written letter by signing below and faxing the signed letter to Fax (479) 471-2526. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Thomas M. Glaser

 

Thomas M. Glaser 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

USA Truck, Inc.

3200 Industrial Park Road

Van Buren, AR 72956

Phone: 479-471-2546

Fax: 479-471-2526

 

Agreed and Accepted

 

By:      /s/ Michael K. Borrows

Date:     8/4/2015 

 

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT A

 

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Severance and Change in Control Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 29, 2015, is made by and between USA Truck, Inc., a Delaware corporation (as hereinafter defined, the “Company”), and Michael K. Borrows, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (as hereinafter defined, the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have entered into that Employment Letter Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated July 29, 2015 (the "Employment Letter Agreement");

 

WHEREAS, in recognition that the services of the Executive are integral to the success of the operations of the Company, the Executive should remain focused on execution of his responsibilities without fear of unwarranted termination of his employment or the possibility of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) of the Company, and that either of such circumstances, and the uncertainty it may cause, may result in the departure or distraction of key management employees of the Company to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders; 

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is a key management employee of the Company, and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) through its Executive Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) has determined that the Company should encourage the continued employment of the Executive by the Company and the continued dedication of the Executive to his assigned duties without distraction as a result of the circumstances set forth above; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to set forth the circumstances under which the Executive may receive payments under this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.             Defined Terms.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

(A)     “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

  

 

 

 

 

(B)     “Cause” for termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment shall mean (i) the willful violation of Company policy or willful failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company, other than any failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, that continues for at least 30 days after the Board delivers to the Executive a written demand for performance that identifies in reasonable detail the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive willfully has failed substantially to perform the Executive’s duties; or (ii) the willful violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company’s business operations; (iii) the willful engaging by the Executive in misconduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, from a monetary or reputational standpoint; (iv) a material violation by the Executive of the corporate governance guidelines, code of ethics, insider trading policy, or other governance policy of the Company; (v) a material violation by the Executive of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or other federal or state securities law, rule, or regulation; (vi) a material breach by the Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections 14, 15, and 16 of this Agreement; or (vii) the repeated use of alcohol by the Executive that materially interferes with the Executive's duties, the use of illegal drugs by the Executive, or a violation by the Executive of the drug and/or alcohol policies of the Company. For purposes of this definition following a Change in Control, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive without reasonable belief that the Executive’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company.

 

(C)     A “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following occurring after the date of this Agreement:

 

(i)     Any “Person” as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, and as used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (but excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company (including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee)), directly or indirectly, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (other than indirectly as a result of the Company’s redemption of its own securities); or 

 

(ii)     The consummation of any merger or other business combination of the Company, a sale of more than 50% of the Company’s assets, the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any combination of one or more of the foregoing transactions (the “Transactions”) other than a Transaction immediately following which either (x) the stockholders of the Company and any trustee or fiduciary of any Company employee benefit plan immediately prior to the Transaction own more than 50% of the voting power, directly or indirectly, of (A) the surviving corporation in any such merger or other business combination; (B) the purchaser of or successor to the Company’s assets; (C) both the surviving corporation and the purchaser in the event of any combination of Transactions; or (D) the parent company owning 100% of such surviving corporation, purchaser or both the surviving corporation and the purchaser, as the case may be ((A), (B), (C) or (D), as applicable, the “Surviving Entity”) or (y) the Incumbent Directors, as defined below, shall continue to serve as a majority of the board of directors of the Surviving Entity without an agreement or understanding that such Incumbent Directors will later surrender such majority; or

 

(iii)     Within any twenty-four (24)-month period, the individuals who were directors immediately before the beginning of such period (the “Incumbent Directors”) shall cease (for any reason other than death) to constitute at least a majority of the Board or the board of directors of any successor to the Company, including any Surviving Entity. For this purpose, any director who was not a director at the beginning of such period shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director if such director was elected to the Board by, or on the recommendation of, or with the approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent Directors (so long as such director was not nominated by a Person who commenced or threatened to commence an election contest or proxy solicitation by or on behalf of a Person (other than the Board) or who has entered into an agreement to effect a Change in Control or expressed an intention to cause such a Change in Control).

 

 

 

 

 

(D)     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

(E)     “Company” shall mean USA Truck, Inc. and any successor to its business or assets, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

(F)     “Constructive Termination” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, without the Executive’s express written consent, at any time within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control:

 

(i)     material diminution in the overall scope of the Executive’s duties, authorities and responsibilities from those held by the Executive immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control;

 

(ii)     geographic relocation of the Executive’s assigned principal business location to a location greater than forty (40) miles from the place of the Executive’s principal business location immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control; or

 

(iii)     diminution by ten percent (10%) or more of the Executive’s base salary or target bonus in effect immediately prior to the time of a Change in Control;

 

(G)     “Date of Termination” shall have the meaning stated in Paragraph (B) of Section 5 hereof.

 

(H)     “Disability” shall mean a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such impairment causes the Executive to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment.

 

(I)     “Executive” shall mean the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

(J)     “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who were directors of the Company as of the date hereof or who are appointed, elected or nominated to the Board in accordance with the following sentence. It is understood that any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the date hereof whose appointment was approved by a vote of at least a two-thirds majority of the Continuing Directors remaining in office at the time of appointment or whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a two-thirds majority of the Continuing Directors remaining in office at the time of election or nomination shall be considered, for purposes of this Agreement, as though such individual were a Continuing Director on the date hereof. 

 

 

 

 

 

(K)     “Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning stated in Paragraph (A) of Section 5 hereof.

 

(L)     “Payment Trigger” shall mean any of the following that occurs during the term of this Agreement:

 

(i)     termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, at any time other than within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, and other than as a result of the Executive’s Disability; or 

 

(ii)     Constructive Termination of the Executive while the Executive remains employed by the Company or its successor, or termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control occurring during the term of this Agreement.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a termination of the Executive by the Company for Disability shall not be deemed a termination of the Executive without Cause. 

 

(M)     “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof; except that, a Person shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities.

 

2.             Term of Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall be effective as of the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement and shall continue in effect until the earliest of (i) a Date of Termination in accordance with Section 5 or the death of the Executive, or (ii) if a Payment Trigger occurs during the term of this Agreement under subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of Paragraph (L) of Section 1, the performance by the Company of all its obligations and the satisfaction by the Company of all its liabilities under this Agreement.

 

3.             General Provisions.

 

(A)     The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Executive that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by the Company of the actions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. This Agreement is a legal, valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(B)     No amount or benefit shall be payable under this Agreement unless there shall have occurred a Payment Trigger during the term of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

(C)     This Agreement and the Employment Letter Agreement shall not be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment and, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Executive and the Company, the Executive shall not have any right to be retained in the employ of the Company. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence or any other provision of this Agreement, any purported termination of the Executive’s employment that is not effected in accordance with a Notice of Termination satisfying Paragraph (A) of Section 5 shall not be effective for purposes of this Agreement. The Executive’s continued employment for any period of time after a Payment Trigger, up to the maximum time specified in Paragraph (B) of Section 5, shall not constitute a waiver of the Executive’s rights with respect to any payment obligations of the Company under this Agreement. The waiver by the Executive of any particular event meeting the definition of or constituting a Constructive Termination shall not operate as a waiver by the Executive of any benefits or rights under this Agreement should any subsequent event or circumstance occur that constitutes a Constructive Termination under this Agreement.

 

4.             Payments Due Upon a Payment Trigger.

 

(A)     The Company shall pay to the Executive the payments described in this Section 4 upon the occurrence of a Payment Trigger during the term of this Agreement.

 

(B)     (i)     Upon the occurrence of a Payment Trigger during the term of this Agreement arising by reason of the circumstances described in subparagraph (i) of Paragraph (L) of Section 1:

 

(a)     the Company shall pay the Executive monthly payments, in cash, equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Payment Trigger, on or as near as practicable to the same date in each month as monthly installments of the annual base salary were made to the Executive prior to the occurrence of the Payment Trigger, for a period of eighteen (18) months following the occurrence of the Payment Trigger;

 

(b)     the Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the target amount of any short term cash incentive compensation that would have been awarded to and earned by the Executive under any incentive compensation plan for the fiscal year of the Payment Trigger, assuming all performance and other vesting criteria were satisfied for such year; and

 

(c)     the Company shall pay the Executive any other amounts (other than any unearned, pro-rated, or other payment of short term cash incentive compensation) that may be due Executive under any employee welfare, benefit, equity, or long term incentive plan then in effect to the extent the Executive is an eligible participant, subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in any such plan. 

 

(ii)     Upon the occurrence of a Payment Trigger during the term of this Agreement arising by reason of the circumstances described in subparagraph (ii) of Paragraph (L) of Section 1:

 

(a)     the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment, in cash, equal to the sum of one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Payment Trigger, 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)     the Company shall pay the Executive the amount, if any, set forth on the signature page of this Agreement and identified as relocation services benefit, to defray the Executive’s costs of relocation services; 

 

(c)     the Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the target amount of any short term incentive cash compensation that would have been paid to the Executive for the fiscal year of the Payment Trigger, assuming all performance and other vesting criteria were satisfied for such year; 

 

(d)     the Company shall pay or provide for continuation of the Executive’s health care benefits under the health care plans of the Company as they exist on the Date of Termination or as in effect immediately prior to the Payment Trigger, whichever provides the greater economic benefit to the Executive, for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Date of Termination; and 

 

(e)     the Company shall pay the Executive any other amounts (other than any unearned, pro-rated, or other payment of short term cash incentive compensation) that may be due Executive under any employee welfare, benefit, equity, or long term incentive plan then in effect to the extent the Executive is an eligible participant, subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in any such plan.

 

(C)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments set forth above shall not exceed two times: (i) the sum of the annualized compensation paid to the Executive by the Company for the taxable year preceding the taxable year of the Executive’s Date of Termination; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17) for the year of the Executive’s Date of Termination. It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement shall either be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code (including the Treasury regulations and other published guidance relating thereto) (“Code Section 409A”) so as not to subject the Executive to payment of any additional tax, penalty or interest imposed under Code Section 409A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted to avoid the imputation of any such additional tax, penalty or interest under Code Section 409A yet preserve (to the nearest extent reasonably possible) the intended benefit payable to the Executive. 

 

(D)     Notwithstanding any provision of any incentive compensation plan, and in addition to any payments under Paragraph (B) hereof, the Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the amount of any incentive compensation that has been awarded to and earned by the Executive under any incentive compensation plan for a completed fiscal year preceding the occurrence of a Payment Trigger but that has not yet been paid to the Executive.

 

(E)     The payments provided for in subparagraph (ii)(a) of Paragraph (B) and, if applicable, Paragraph (D) of this Section 4 shall be made within two (2) business days following the Date of Termination, or such later required date as may be prescribed, allowing for applicable waiting periods, under the terms of the General Release (hereafter defined), unless the amounts of such payments cannot be finally determined on or before that date, in which case, the Company shall pay to the Executive on that date an estimate, as reasonably determined in good faith by the Company, of the minimum amount of the payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and shall pay the remainder of the payments within five (5) business days following the final determination of such amounts due to the Executive under this Agreement. 

 

 

 

 

 

(F)     As a condition to the receipt of the severance and other payment benefits described in this Agreement, the Executive shall execute and comply with the terms of a general release of all claims (the “General Release”) against the Company, its affiliates and representatives, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, as updated by the Company for any change in laws.

 

5.             Termination Procedures.

 

(A)     During the term of this Agreement, any purported termination of the Executive’s employment (other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 11 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice that indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, and, if applicable, the notice shall set 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. Further, a Notice of Termination for Cause shall include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board that was called and held for the purpose of considering the termination finding that, in the informed, reasonable, good faith judgment of the Board, the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in the definition of Cause in Paragraph (B) of Section 1, and specifying the particulars thereof in reasonable detail. A Notice of Termination by the Employee in the case of a Constructive Termination shall specify in reasonable detail the event or circumstance constituting the Constructive Termination under Paragraph (F) of Section 1 of this Agreement. Such notice of Constructive Termination must be provided by the Executive to the Company within sixty (60) days of the initial existence of the condition giving rise to the Constructive Termination.

 

(B)     “Date of Termination” with respect to any purported termination of the Executive’s employment during the term of this Agreement (other than by reason of death) shall mean:

 

(i)     if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties during that thirty (30) day period);

 

(ii)     if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for any other reason except in the case of a termination for Cause, up to thirty (30) days, at the Company's discretion, after Notice of Termination is given;

 

(iii)     if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Notice of Termination; and

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)     in the case of termination by the Executive (including a Constructive Termination following a Change in Control), thirty (30) days after the date such Notice of Termination is given; provided, in the case of a Constructive Termination, the Notice of Termination contemplated by Paragraph (A) of this Section 5 shall be deemed cancelled, void and of no further force and effect, and no payment obligation of the Company shall arise therefrom, if the Company rescinds or otherwise eliminates or reverses the action or event that would otherwise constitute grounds for Constructive Termination, and so notifies the Executive in writing within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the notice of Constructive Termination. The rescission, elimination or reversal of any such action or event constituting a Constructive Termination shall not operate to release or discharge the Company from any other liability or obligation under this Agreement, including any liability or obligation arising from any subsequent action or event that constitutes a Constructive Termination.

 

6.             No Mitigation; No Setoff.

 

The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits the Company becomes obligated to provide to the Executive in connection with this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise. The benefits to be provided to the Executive in connection with this Agreement may not be reduced, setoff or subject to recovery by the Company by any benefits the Executive may receive from other employment, from retirement benefits or otherwise. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement shall not be setoff against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise, except for a violation of Section 14, 15, or 16.

 

7.             Disputes.

 

(A)     If a dispute or controversy arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, the parties shall first attempt in good faith to settle the dispute or controversy by mediation under the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association before resorting to arbitration or litigation. Thereafter, any remaining unresolved dispute or controversy arising out of or in connection with this Agreement may be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association in a city located within Crawford or Sebastian County, Arkansas. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Executive shall, however, be entitled to seek specific performance of the Company’s obligations hereunder during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

(B)     Any legal action concerning this Agreement, other than a mediation or an arbitration described in Paragraph (A) of this Section 7, whether instituted by the Company or the Executive, shall be brought and resolved only in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in Crawford County, Arkansas or the Fort Smith Division of the Western District of Arkansas. The parties hereby irrevocably consent and submit to and shall take any action necessary to subject themselves to the personal jurisdiction of any such court and hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of the action shall be instituted, heard, and determined in such court. The parties agree that such court is a convenient forum, and hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of the action. Any final judgment in the action may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

 

 

 

 

(C)     The Company shall pay all costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, of the Company and the Executive in connection with any legal proceeding (including arbitration), whether or not instituted by the Company or the Executive, relating to the interpretation or enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, that is resolved in favor of the Executive pursuant to a final, unappealable judgment. The Executive shall pay all costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, of the Company and the Executive in connection with any legal proceeding (including arbitration), whether or not instituted by the Company or the Executive, relating to the interpretation or enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, that is resolved in favor of the Company pursuant to a final, unappealable judgment. The non-prevailing party, as set forth above, shall pay prejudgment interest on any money judgment obtained by the prevailing party as a result of such proceeding, calculated at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code.

 

8.             Successors; Binding Agreement.

 

(A)     In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, and whether or not such a transaction constitutes a Change in Control) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to 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. Failure of the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any succession shall be a breach of this Agreement for which the Executive shall have any and all of the remedies available to him under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 8 shall continue to apply to each subsequent employer of the Executive bound by this Agreement in the event of any merger, consolidation, or transfer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of that subsequent employer, whether or not that transaction constitutes a Change in Control.

 

(B)     This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive shall die while any amount would be payable to the Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive) if the Executive had continued to live, the amount, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives, or administrators of the Executive’s estate.

 

9.             Effect on Prior Agreements.

 

This Agreement contains the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of the agreement and understanding among the parties hereto regarding severance, change in control, or similar payments to the Executive and supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement or understanding, written or oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Change in Control Severance Agreements, the Employment Letter Agreement, employment agreements or company policies, or other agreements or arrangements with respect to severance, change in control, or similar payments.

 

 

 

 

 

10.          Exclusive Remedy.

 

In the event of a Payment Trigger, the provisions of Section 4 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled (including any contrary provisions in any written or oral employment agreement or arrangement Executive may have with the Company), whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement. Executive shall not be entitled to any severance or Change in Control benefits or rights upon a Payment Trigger other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 4.

 

11.          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 or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt:

 

	To the Company:  	USA Truck, Inc.
	
 
	
3201 Industrial Park Road

	
 
	
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956

	
 
	
Attention: Chairman of the Board 

	
 
	
 

	
To the Executive:
	
Michael K. Borrows

	
 
	
___________________

	
 
	
___________________

 

12.          Miscellaneous.

 

No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged unless such waiver, modification, or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an officer of the Company specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements 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. All references to sections of the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions to such sections.

 

 

 

 

 

13.          Governing Law.

 

The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal, substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the law or principles of conflict of laws of any jurisdiction. 

 

14.          Obligation Not to Solicit. 

 

Executive hereby agrees that during his employment with the Company and, upon the occurrence of a Payment Trigger during the term of this Agreement arising by reason of the circumstances described in subparagraph (i) of Paragraph (L) of Section 1, for a period of eighteen (18) months thereafter, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, in any manner attempt to induce or assist others to attempt to induce any officer, employee, driver, independent contractor, customer, or vendor of the Company or its affiliates to terminate its association with or reduce or terminate business with the Company or its affiliates, nor do anything directly or indirectly to interfere with the relationship between the Company or its affiliates and any such persons or concerns, unless part of a management directive. 

 

15.          Confidentiality.

 

Executive acknowledges that during his employment with the Company, he may acquire confidential proprietary information of the Company or its affiliates ("Confidential Information") that is, and remains, the sole property of the Company. Such Confidential Information is a valuable asset of the Company and substantially contributes to the effective and successful conduct of the Company's business. Confidential Information is intended to remain secret and misappropriation by any means is strictly prohibited. Executive agrees to comply with the policies and procedures of the Company for protecting Confidential Information and agrees not to disclose to any person or use any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to Executive's employment or other association with the Company or its affiliates, other than as required for the proper performance of Executive's duties and responsibilities to the Company or as required by applicable law after notice to the Company and a reasonable opportunity for it to protect Confidential Information. This restriction will continue to apply after Executive's employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination, for so long as such Confidential Information remains confidential or, if sooner, until the expiration of eighteen (18) months following the date Executive's employment with the Company terminates. The obligations of confidentiality imposed by this Section 15 will not apply to Confidential Information that becomes generally known to the public hereafter through no act of Executive's in breach of this Agreement and no act of any other person in breach of an obligation of confidentiality to the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Executive acknowledges that the requirements for confidentiality as set forth in the Company handbook continue to apply to Executive while Executive is receiving compensation and benefits under this Agreement and for a term of eighteen (18) months thereafter.

 

16.          Non-disparagement.

 

Executive agrees that he will not make to any person or entity any false, disparaging, or derogatory comments about the Company or its affiliates, or their business affairs, directors, officers, employees, drivers, independent contractors, customers, or vendors.

 

 

 

 

 
17.          Remedies 

 

Upon breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 14, 15, or 16 of this Agreement, (a) the Company can and may take any and all actions available at law and in equity, including obtaining a restraining order or injunctive relief, (b) all compensation and benefits described in this Agreement will immediately cease, (c) the Executive will remain obligated to comply with the covenants in this Agreement, and (d) the periods set forth above in Sections 14 and 15 will be tolled during any period in which the Executive is in violation of such Section(s) so that the Company is provided with the full benefit of the restricted period.

 

18.          Withholding.

 

All payments provided for hereunder will be subject to required withholding of federal, state and local income, excise, and employment-related taxes. If any such excise taxes would otherwise be imposed, the Company shall determine in good faith whether the Executive will either receive all of the benefits to which he is entitled under this Agreement, subject to the excise tax, or have his benefits under this Agreement reduced to a level at which the excise tax will not apply, depending upon which approach will provide the Executive with the greater net after-tax benefit.

 

19.          Severability.

 

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

20.          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.

 

21.          Payment; Assignment.

 

Benefits payable under this Agreement will be paid only from the general assets of the Company. No person has any right to or interest in any specific assets of the Company by reason of this Agreement or the Employment Letter Agreement. To the extent benefits under this Agreement are not paid when due to any individual, he or she is a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to any amounts due. Benefits payable pursuant to this Agreement and the right to receive future benefits may not be anticipated, alienated, sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered, or subject to any charge.

 

22.          Further Assurances. 

 

The parties to this Agreement agree to perform, or cause to be performed, such further acts and deeds and to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional or supplemental documents or instruments as may be reasonably required by the other party to carry into effect the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

23.          Code Section 409A.

 

It is the intention of the Company that payments and benefits under this Agreement be exempt from or comply with Code Section 409A and the Company shall have complete discretion to interpret and construe this Agreement and any related plan or agreement in any manner that establishes an exemption from or compliance with the requirements of Code Section 409A. If for any reason any provision of this Agreement does not accurately reflect its intended establishment of an exemption from or compliance with Code Section 409A, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, such provision shall be considered ambiguous as to its exemption from or compliance with Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted by the Company in a manner consistent with such intent, as determined in the discretion of the Company.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

	
 
	
USA TRUCK, INC.
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
By:                                                                                                
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
Name:                                                                                            
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
Title:                                                                                             
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
____________________________________________
	 
	
 
	
Michael K. Borrows
	 
	
 
	
 
	 
	
 
	
____________________________________________
	 
	 	Signature	 
	 	 	 
	 	$50,000.00                                                                                    	 
	 	Amount of Relocation Services Benefit	 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

General Release

 

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the compensation pursuant to a Payment Trigger to be provided me in connection with the termination of my engagement with USA Truck, Inc. (“Company”), as that term is defined in that certain Executive Severance and Change in Control Agreement between Company and me, dated as of July 29, 2015 (the “Agreement”), which are conditioned on my signing this General Release and to which I am not otherwise entitled, I, on my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators, beneficiaries, representatives, and assigns, and all others connected with or claiming through me, hereby release and forever discharge Company, each of its affiliates, and all of their respective past, present, and future officers, directors, trustees, shareholders, employees, agents, general and limited partners, members, managers, joint venturers, representatives, successors, and assigns, and all others connected with any of them, both individually and in their official capacities, from any and all causes of action, rights, or claims of any type or description, known or unknown, which I have had in the past, now have, or might now have, through the date of my signing of this General Release, in any way resulting from, arising out of, or connected with my engagement with Company or the termination of that engagement or pursuant to any federal, state or local law, regulation, or other requirement, including if deemed to be an employee of Company (including without limitation Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the fair employment practices laws of the state or states in which I have been employed by Company, each as amended from time to time). 

 

In signing this General Release, I acknowledge my understanding that I may not sign it prior to the termination of my engagement with Company, but that I may consider the terms of this General Release for up to thirty (30) days (or such longer period as Company may specify) from the date my engagement with Company terminates. I also acknowledge that I have been advised by Company to seek the advice of an attorney prior to signing this General Release; that I have had a full and sufficient time to consider this General Release and to consult with an attorney, if I wished to do so, or to consult with any other person of my choosing before signing; and that I am signing this General Release voluntarily and with a full understanding of its terms. I understand that I have seven (7) days following my execution of this General Release to revoke this General Release and that this General Release will not be effective until the eighth day after I execute and do not revoke this General Release. 

 

I hereby acknowledge and reaffirm my continuing obligations to the Company under the Agreement, in particular as the Agreement relates to certain restrictive covenants, which was signed in connection with my employment. 

 

I further acknowledge that, in signing this General Release, I have not relied on any promises or representations, expressed or implied, that are not set forth expressly in the Agreement. 

 

[Signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

 

Intending to be legally bound, I have signed this General Release as of the date written below.

 

 

Signature: _____________________________________________

Michael K. Borrows 

 

Date Signed: ___________________________________________

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