Document:

gss_ex10-8.htm

GLOBAL SMOOTHIE SUPPLY, INC.

Employment Agreement

This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into by and between John W. Gohsman  ("GOHSMAN") and The Global Smoothie Supply, Inc. ("GSS"), collectively "the parties."  The effective date of this Agreement is upon receipt of funding by GSS in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 in the aggregate (the "Effective Date").

l.           Position: During the term of this Agreement, GOHSMAN shall be employed by GSS as its President and shall be elected a director of GSS's Board of Directors (the "Board").

2.           Term:

(a)           GSS's Commitment to GOHSMAN: The initial term shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until October 30, 2014.

(b)           GOHSMAN's Commitment to GSS: GOHSMAN commits to work for GSS during the initial term (i.e., from the Effective Date through October 15, 2014).

3.           Annual Salary: GOHSMAN' annual salary shall be Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000.00), paid prorata in approximately equal amounts on the first and fifteenth days of each calendar month, commencing on the Effective Date.  Such salary may be increased in the discretion of the Board, but cannot be reduced.

4.           Bonuses:

(a)           Commencing with the bonus period that ends on December 31, 2009, GOHSMAN shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus. The Board shall have discretion to award such bonus to GOHSMAN, as it may deem appropriate.

5.           Termination By Executive: Executive shall have no personal liability for damages to GSS for voluntarily terminating his employment at any time, with or Without Good Reason, so long as he gives at least thirty (30) days prior written notice.

6.           Non-Competition: If GOHSMAN's employment with GSS is terminated for any reason that entitles him to receive severance benefits, they shall be at least equal to GOHSMAN’s then current salary for one year.  In consideration therefore GOHSMAN, for a period of one year immediately following his last day of active service, shall abide by the following covenants and restrictions:

  

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(a)           Non-Competition: He shall not Participate in the management of a business entity that deals in Covered Products, unless that entity is merely a retailer or consumer of Covered Products, who does not compete against GSS in any way.

(b)           Raiding Employees: He shall not directly or indirectly solicit or encourage any Existing GSS Employee to leave GSS or to accept any position with any other company.

(c)           Non-Disclosure: He shall not use or disclose to anyone any Confidential Information regarding GSS.

(d)           Definitions: The following definitions shall apply to the italicized terms used in subsections 6(a) and 6(c) above:

(i)           "Covered Products" means any product which falls into one or more of the following categories, so long as GSS is producing, marketing, distributing, selling or licensing such product anywhere in the world: fruit puree smoothies, health and sports drinks and beverages marketed as thirst quenchers or as healthy; and items GSS produces for the food service market.

(ii)           "Participate" shall be construed broadly to include, without limitation:

(A)  holding a position in which GOHSMAN directly manages such a business entity;

(B)           holding a position in which anyone else who directly manages such a business entity is in GOHSMAN's reporting chain or chain-of command, regardless of the number of reporting levels between them;

(C)           providing input, advice, guidance, or suggestions regarding the management of such a business entity to anyone responsible therefor;

(D)           providing a testimonial on behalf of such an operation or the product it produces; or

(E)           doing anything else which falls within a common sense definition of the term "participate" as used in the present context.

(iii) "Existing GSS Employee" means someone: (A) who became employed by GSS before GOHSMAN's active service terminates; and (B) who is still employed by GSS as of the date when the facilitating act or solicitation takes place; and (C) who holds a manager, director or officer level position at GSS (or an equivalent position based on job duties, regardless of the employee's title).

  

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(iv) "Confidential Information" shall be construed as broadly as Texas law permits and shall include all non-public information GOHSMAN acquires by virtue of his positions with GSS which might be of any value to a competitor or which might cause any economic loss (directly or via loss of an opportunity) or substantial embarrassment to GSS or its customers, distributors or suppliers if disclosed. Examples of such confidential information include, without limitation, non-public information about GSS's strategic or marketing plans; its customers, suppliers, and distributors; its potential acquisition targets; its business operations and structure; its product lines, formulas and pricing; its processes, machines and inventions; its research and know-how; or its financial data.

(e)           Remedies: In the event of a breach or threatened breach of any term of subsections 6(a) or 6(d), GSS shall be entitled to injunctive relief and/or damages. The parties agree that breach of these provisions would cause irreparable injury to GSS for which there would be no adequate remedy at law, due among other reasons to the inherent difficulty of determining the precise causation for loss of customers/consumers or measuring the exact impact of losing key employees or having Confidential Information disclosed.

(f)           Recitals: GOHSMAN acknowledges that by virtue of the positions he will hold, he will acquire Confidential Information, including without limitation knowledge of operational plans, strategic long range plans, new product development, marketing plans, sales plans, and distribution plans. GOHSMAN also acknowledges that by virtue of his positions, he will learn which Existing GSS Employees are critical to GSS's success and will develop relationships he otherwise would not have had with such employees.

7.           Choice Of Law And Forum:

(a)           This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Texas, without regard to choice of law principles.

(b)           In any litigation over this Agreement, both parties consent to submit to the personal jurisdiction of any court, state or federal, in the State of Texas. Such courts in Texas shall be the exclusive jurisdiction for any litigation over this Agreement or an alleged breach thereof.

8.           Attorney Fees And Other Expenses:

(a)           GSS will pay all reasonable legal, accounting and other professional fees and related expenses GOHSMAN incurred in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement.

  

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(b)           If GOHSMAN and GSS become involved in litigation regarding the terms of his employment with GSS or the termination thereof, the party which prevails shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable litigation costs and expenses, including attorney fees. If each party prevails on one or more litigated issues, the court shall exercise its equitable judgment to determine which, if either, should be considered the prevailing party and the percentage of that party's expenses which should be reimbursed, taking into account such factors as the significance of the issue(s) on which each party prevailed, the reasonableness of each party's position(s), and ability to pay.

9.           Indemnification: To the fullest extent permitted by law and GSS's by-laws, GSS shall indemnify GOHSMAN (including the advancement of expenses) for any judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by GOHSMAN in connection with the defense of any lawsuit or other claim to which he is made a party by reason of being an officer, director or employee of GSS or any of its subsidiaries.

10.           Binding Effect: This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the heirs and representatives of GOHSMAN and the successors and assigns of GSS. GSS shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, reorganization, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, liquidation or otherwise) to all or a substantial portion of its assets to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that GSS would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place; provided, GOHSMAN shall have the same obligations to the successor as he would have had to GSS. Regardless of whether such an agreement is executed, this Agreement shall be binding on any successor of GSS in accordance with the operation of law, and such successor shall be deemed "GSS" for all purposes under this Agreement.

11.           Notices: All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered anywhere by hand to the applicable party, or if delivered by recognized commercial delivery service or if mailed within the continental United States by first class certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

(a)           If to the Board or GSS, addressed to:  GSS, 4428 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75205, Attention: Chief Executive Officer.

(b)           If to GOHSMAN, addressed to: John W. Gohsman, 6108 Park Meadow Lane, Plano, Texas 75093.

Such addresses may be changed by written notice sent to the other party at the last recorded address of that party. Failure to send a copy to the applicable attorney shall not render a Notice ineffective, so long as it is actually received by GSS or GOHSMAN, as applicable.

  

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12.           Scope of Agreement:

(a)           This Agreement supersedes any other document or oral agreement that conflicts with it regarding any of the matters set forth herein, however, it is not intended to pre-empt or supersede other documents, including plan documents, that provide additional, non-conflicting rules or terms. Without limitation, nothing in this Agreement shall eliminate or reduce GOHSMAN's obligation to comply with the Code Of Ethics, to the extent that certain of its provisions (such as rules regarding disclosure of confidential information) remain applicable to employees after termination.

(b)           No promises or inducements have been made other than those reflected herein. This Agreement cannot be amended except by a written agreement signed by the parties, and only the Board has authority to authorize such an amendment on behalf of GSS.

13.           Severability: Each term of this Agreement is deemed severable, in whole or in part, and if any provision of this Agreement or its application in any circumstance is found to be unlawful or invalid, the remaining terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. In addition, a court may re-write the invalid provision(s) so as to be consistent with applicable law and still, to the extent possible, achieve the intended effect of this Agreement.

14.           Execution In Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument, and all signatures need not appear on any one counterpart.

GLOBAL SMOOTHIE SUPPLY, INC.

BY: /s/ David C. Tiller

David C. Tiller, Chief Executive Officer

Date: As of October 15, 2009

BY: /s/ John W. Gohsman

John W. Gohsman

Date: As of October 15, 2009

 

 

 

 

  

5gss_ex10-9.htm

 

 

COOPER GLOBAL VENTURES, LLC CONSULTING AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made this 2nd day of August 2007, by and between Global Smoothie Supply, Inc. a Texas Corporation whose principal office is located at 4428 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75205 (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") and Cooper Global Ventures, LLC a Texas Corporation whose principal office address is 14001 North Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75240 (hereinafter referred to as "Consultant").

WHEREAS, Company is a manufacturer of lines of consumer food and beverage products capable of sale in the convenience store class of trade;

WHEREAS, Consultant is in the business of representing manufacturers such as the Company as an independent sales representative in the convenience store class of trade within an assigned territory; and

WHEREAS, Company desires to appoint Consultant as its independent sales representative and Consultant desires to accept such appointment on the terms and conditions described herein below.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained, including the recitals set forth hereinabove, Company and Consultant mutually agree as follows:

	
  

	
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The Company hereby appoints Consultant as its non-exclusive independent sales representative to solicit orders for the sale of Company's products to customers and potential. customers operating within the convenience store class of trade and located within the territory described in Exhibit "Au attached hereto and incorporated herein (the "Territory") for all purposes and Consultant hereby accepts such appointment.

	
  

	
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The Consultant agrees to actively promote the sale of the Company's products and the solicitation of orders to the convenience store class of trade customers and potential customers located within the assigned Territory.

	
  

	
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In the solicitation of orders the Consultant shall adhere to the prices, terms and conditions as specified in writing by the Company from time to time. The Company, at all limes, reserves the right to establish, maintain, and approve any and all lines of credit and payment terms extended to Customers. Therefore, Consultant assumes no liability for bad debts of customers solicited by Consultant.

	
  

	
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The Consultant shall promptly communicate to the Company all orders that it solicits for the Company. The Company shall be responsible for billing all customers located within the Territory. The Company shall promptly provide Consultant with a copy of all billing invoices submitted by the Company to customers in the convenience store line of trade and located within the assigned Territory. Consultant shall have no responsibility for billing or collections from customers.

 

 

  

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The Company and Consultant agree that Consultant shall not be the exclusive sales representative appointed for the assigned Territory by the Company.

	
  

	
6.

	
As compensation for Consultant's services hereunder the Company agrees to pay a retainer fee of $6000.00 per month for 12 months from the beginning date fifty (50) self-serve smoothie blenders designated by the Company are shipped to one or more convenience retail chains of at least 50 stores by the Company to customers operating within the convenience store line of trade and located within the assigned Territory or upon receipt by the Company of funding in the amount of not less than $1,600,000, whichever first occurs. As additional compensation for Consultant's services hereunder Company agrees to pay Consultant an initial performance bonus in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit "B" attached hereon incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

In addition to the foregoing, Company agrees to reimburse Consultant's reasonable travel and other expenses related to his efforts on behalf of the Company and approved in writing in advance.

	
  

	
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The parties intend that Consultant, in performing the sales representative services described herein, shall act as an independent contractor. As such, Consultant, subject to the limitations and requirements imposed by this Agreement and by law, is free to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the conduct of its business as independent sales representative for the Company and is free to devote whatever time and resources it deems necessary to fulfill its obligations hereunder. Therefore, the individuals employed by the Consultant shall not be deemed employees of the Company and nothing contained herein shall be interpreted as creating a partnership or joint venture relationship between Company and Consultant.

       The authority of the Consultant shall extend no further than as stated in this Agreement. The Consultant hereby agrees that it will not represent itself as having any authority to bind or contract for the Company for any purpose in excess of that specifically stated herein. Recipient agrees that, for a period of one year from the termination date hereof, it will not separately contact, negotiate or attempt to negotiate with, on a direct or indirect basis, or otherwise circumvent Company with respect to the sale of its services or products similar to Company's to Customers, nor cause the Customers to change contractual or commercial negotiations, proposals or commercial arrangements which it may have with Company or which Company may have or propose to have with Customers, including any contractual add-ons, third party assigns, renewals, renegotiations, extensions, overages or parallel contracts, without first obtaining Company's prior written consent.

	
  

	
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If any claim or action be made or filed against Consultant, claiming loss or injury of any nature whatsoever, as a result of defect in any merchandise, purchase, or use of any product manufactured, produced or distributed by Company, Company will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Consultant, its subsidiary and affiliated corporations, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, injuries, demands, actions, causes of action, suits proceeding, judgments and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees, court costs and other legal expenses for damage or injury arising out of or resulting from such claim of defective merchandise.

 

 

  

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This Agreement shall be effective as of the 2nd day of, August, 2007 and monthly fee payments shall begin as described above. Thereafter this Agreement shall continue until terminated by either party as provided hereinafter. Either party to this Agreement shall have the right to terminate this Agreement as of the end of any month by providing the other party with written notice not less than sixty (60) days prior to the proposed termination date. In the event that the Company or Consultant provides notice of termination pursuant to this paragraph, the Company agrees to pay the retainer fee pro-rated as of the date of termination within 60 days of such notice.

	
  

	
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The terms of this Consultant Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Texas.

	
  

	
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The Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties hereto and cancels and supersedes any and all prior agreements, oral or written, made between the parties hereto, and can only by modified by an agreement in writing, signed by all applicable parties.

	
  

	
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Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be sufficient if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or facsimile transmission addressed as follows:

IF TO COMPANY

David C Tiller, Chairman & CEO

Global Smoothie Supply, Inc.

4428 University Blvd., Dallas TX 75205

 

Telephone: (214) 769-0836

Facsimile: (214) 521-4749

 

 

  

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IF TO CONSULTANT:

Kevin Cooper

President

Cooper Global Ventures, LLC

14001 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 1200

Dallas, TX 75240

 

Telephone: (972) 934-6510

Facsimile: (866) 461-3050

or to such other address as shall be furnished in writing be either party to the other, and any notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date so mailed or transmitted.

IT WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement to be effective on the day and year first above written.

Cooper Global Ventures, LLC

By: /s/ Kevin Cooper

Its: President

Global Smoothie Supply, Inc.

By: /s/ David C. Tiller

Its: Chairman & CEO

 

 

 

  

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EXHIBIT “A”

ASSIGNED TERRITORY

Convenience Store Class of Trade - United States of America, Canada

  

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