Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.1
AMENDMENT
Amendment, dated as of October 30, 2019, to the Employment Agreement referred to below (this “Amendment”) is made by and among GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company fka GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC. (“Publishing”), GATEHOUSE MEDIA OPERATING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company fka GATEHOUSE MEDIA OPERATING, INC. (“Operating” and together with Publishing, the “Company”), and Kirk A. Davis (“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Operating, Publishing and Executive are parties to the Employment Agreement, dated as of January 9, 2009 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Employment Agreement”); 
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Employment Agreement in the manner provided for in this Amendment, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:  
SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. 
1.1    Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. 
SECTION 2.  AMENDMENTS. 
2.1    Effective as of the first to occur of (a) the successful closing of the proposed merger of Gannett Co., Inc. into New Media Investment Group Inc., (b) Executive’s termination by the Company other than for Cause and (c) July 21, 2020 (the earliest of such dates, the “Effective Date”) but subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Employment Agreement is amended as set forth below.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Amendment shall become null and void, and the Effective Date shall not occur, if Executive does not remain an active employee of the Company in good standing through the Effective Date: 
Section 5(b) is amended and restated in its entirety as of the Effective Date as follows:
 (b)    Termination by Company without Cause, Termination by Executive for Good Reason Unrelated to a “change of control”.  If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, in each case not within the Protection Period, prior to the end of the Term hereof, then, subject to Section 9, Executive shall be entitled to, upon Executive’s providing the Company with a signed release of claims in a form adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors from time to time and subject to Executive’s continued compliance with the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 hereof:  (i) the Accrued Benefits; (ii) 

One Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,400,000)  payable in twenty-six equal bi-weekly installments of $53,846.15 each on days coinciding with the Company’s scheduled pay days; (iii) any declared Bonus not yet paid, which shall be payable in the same manner as provided under Section 3(b); (iv) immediate vesting (to the extent not yet vested) of all Restricted Stock (as defined in the Plan) which had been granted to Executive under the New Media Investment Group Inc. Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) and payment of all dividends accrued but not yet paid to Executive with respect to such unvested Restricted Stock; (v) the sum of $25,000, to be utilized by the Executive in connection with obtaining employment; and (vi) continuation of Executive’s coverage under the Company’s medical plan at the same levels as such benefits that have been provided to Executive, and in connection therewith Executive shall periodically pay to the Company amounts equivalent to that which he paid as required employee contributions immediately prior to the date of termination, until the earlier of (A) the period of time it takes Executive to become eligible for the medical benefits program of a new employer (subject to Section 6(a) hereof) or (B) twelve (12) months from the date of such termination.  Executive acknowledges that executive’s termination of employment on the date of such termination shall constitute a “qualifying event” for the purposes of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“COBRA”).  Executive further acknowledges on behalf of himself and his dependents that any period with respect to which any of them would be eligible to elect COBRA shall be reduced by the period of post-termination medical benefit continuation provided under this subsection.  In the event of the Executive’s death following the termination of his employment, these payments and benefits shall be paid to his estate, except that the medical plan benefit shall be extended to his spouse.  Executive acknowledges that the Company may terminate Executive without Cause at any time, and that the Company shall have no obligations under such circumstances to Executive beyond the specific obligations set forth in this Section 5(b); 
SECTION 3.  MISCELLANEOUS.
3.1    Employee at Will.  This Amendment does not alter the status of Executive as an employee at will, nothing in this Amendment or the Agreement will reduce or eliminate the right of the Company and its subsidiaries to terminate Executive’s employment at any time for any reason or the right of Executive to resign at any time for any reason.  
3.2    Continuing Effect; No Other Waivers or Amendments.   This Amendment shall not constitute an amendment or waiver of or consent to any provision of the Employment Agreement not expressly referred to herein. Except as expressly amended hereby, the provisions of the Employment Agreement are and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.   In case of a conflict between this Amendment and the Employment Agreement or the Management Stockholder Agreement or the Plan, or any description or summary of any of them, this Amendment shall control.
3.3    Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of separate counterparts by the parties hereto (including by telecopy or via electronic mail), each of which counterparts when so executed shall be an original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

3.4    GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to the Employment Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

	
			
	GateHouse Media, LLC

	 
	 
	 

	By:
	/s/ Michael E. Reed

	 
	 
	 

	 
	Name:
	Michael E. Reed

	 
	 
	 

	 
	Title:
	Director

	
			
	GateHouse Media Operating, LLC

	 
	 
	 

	By:
	/s/ Michael E. Reed

	 
	 
	 

	 
	Name:
	Michael E. Reed

	 
	 
	 

	 
	Title:
	Director

	
		
	Executive

	 
	 

	/s/ Kirk A. Davis

	 
	 

	Name:
	Kirk A. DavisExhibit

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between E*TRADE Financial Corporation (the “Company”) and Michael A. Pizzi (“Executive”) as of August 15, 2019 (the “Effective Date”).

1. Position and Duties: 

(a)    Appointment; Efforts: As of the Effective Date, Executive will become the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive will devote all necessary time, energy and skill to Executive’s duties at the Company.

(b)    Duties and Responsibilities: Executive will have such duties, responsibilities and authorities as are determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), and consistent with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and corporate governance structure as in effect from time-to-time.

(c)    Indemnification: The Company shall provide Executive with the same indemnification and D&O insurance protection provided from time to time to its officers and directors generally. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights of Executive to indemnification and the D&O insurance coverage with respect to all matters, events or transactions occurring or effected during the Executive’s period of employment with the Company shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment.

2.    Term of Agreement: This Agreement shall remain in effect through December 31, 2022 (the “Term”), unless Executive’s employment is terminated earlier by either party, subject to payments under Section 5 hereof to the extent applicable; provided that in the event of a Change in Control during the Term of this Agreement, the Term shall be extended to the date that is 24 months following such Change in Control. Executive’s employment with the Company shall be “at-will”. Unless Executive terminates Executive’s employment prior to the end of the Term pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Executive’s continued employment following the end of the Term shall continue to be on an at-will basis and on such terms and conditions as the parties may agree.

3.    Compensation: During the Term, Executive shall be compensated by the Company for Executive’s services as follows:

(a)    Base Salary: Executive shall be paid an annualized base salary of $1,000,000 per year, subject to applicable withholding, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures. Executive’s base salary may be adjusted from time to time in the discretion of the Board, subject to the provisions of Section 5 (incorporating the definitions set forth in Section 8) (this is referred to as the “Base Salary”).

(b)    Performance Bonus: Executive shall have the opportunity to earn an annual performance bonus. The performance bonus shall be earned upon the Executive and the Company meeting pre-established performance targets. Executive’s cash bonus target amount is $2,000,000; provided that for 2019, the target amount shall be $1,750,000. The annual cash bonus, if earned, will be paid at the same time and in the same manner as payments to similarly situated executives of the Company and, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement or in the applicable bonus plan document, shall not be earned unless Executive remains employed with the Company on the date of payment.

(c)    Benefits: Executive shall have the right, on the same basis as other senior executives of the Company, to participate in and to receive benefits under any of the Company’s employee benefit plans, as such plans may be modified from time to time.

4.    Equity Compensation. 

(a)    Generally: Executive will be eligible to receive equity compensation awards from time to time if the Board or its designee, in its sole discretion, determines that such an award(s) is appropriate.

(b)    Annual Equity Grants: Executive's target equity bonus for performance during each calendar year of the Term, commencing with 2020, is $4,000,000, of which $2,000,000 shall be in the form of Performance Stock Units ("PSUs") and the remaining $2,000,000 shall be in the form of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs"), in each case subject to the Company's 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto (the "Equity Plan"), and the then current form of RSU and PSU agreement.

(c)    One-Time Grant: On or as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, Executive shall receive (i) a one-time grant of PSUs with a grant date value of 250,000, and (ii) a one-time grant of RSUs with a grant date value of$250,000, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity Plan and a PSU agreement and RSU agreement to be provided to Executive by the Company.

5.    Effect of Termination of Employment During the Term:

(a)    Involuntary Termination outside a Change in Control Period: If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated as a result of an Involuntary Termination outside of a Change in Control Period, then subject to Executive signing the Release and any revocation period with respect thereto expiring without revocation within 60 days following the date of termination, Executive shall receive the following benefits, in addition to any compensation and benefits earned and unpaid under Section 3 through the date of Executive’s termination of employment:

(i)    a lump sum cash severance payment equal to one times the sum of (x) Executive’s annual Base Salary and (y) Executive’s annual cash performance bonus at the target payment level, which payment shall be paid within 30 days following the effectiveness of the Release, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year in which such termination of employment occurs;

(ii)    a lump sum cash payment equal to the product of (x) the annual cash performance bonus that would have been paid to Executive had he remained employed through the date of payment in accordance with Section 3(b), based on the Company’s actual performance for the year in which such termination occurs, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the calendar year in which such termination occurs and the denominator of which is 365, which payment shall be paid no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which such termination of employment occurs;

(iii)    reimbursement for the cost of medical coverage at a level equivalent to that provided by the Company immediately prior to termination of employment, through the earlier of: (A) 24 months following Executive’s termination of employment, or (B) the date that Executive becomes eligible for medical coverage from a subsequent employer; provided that (x) it shall be the obligation of Executive to inform the Company that Executive has become eligible for such medical coverage and (y) such reimbursement shall be made by the Company subsidizing or reimbursing COBRA premiums or, if Executive is no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, by a lump sum payment based on the monthly premiums immediately prior to the expiration of COBRA coverage.

(iv)    any options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and other equity awards at any particular time that are subject to vesting based solely on the Executive's continued employment (“Time-Based Equity Grants”) and that are unvested on the date of termination of employment (collectively, the “Post-Termination Awards”) shall not terminate, but will remain eligible to become vested (and, with respect to restricted stock units (“RSUs”), converted into shares) on their normal vesting dates as if Executive’s employment had not terminated (the “Scheduled Vesting Date”); provided that all of the Post-Termination Awards will be canceled immediately if any of the following events (the “Post-Termination Events”) occur at any time before the applicable Scheduled Vesting Date:

	
		
	•
	Executive acts in any manner that the Compensation Committee of the Board determines is contrary or materially harmful to the interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

	•
	Executive fails to comply with the covenants in Section 6 hereof; provided that such covenants shall be of no further force or effect as of the twelve (12) month anniversary of the termination of Executive’s employment;

	•
	;

	•
	Executive, directly or indirectly, encourages or solicits or attempts to encourage or solicit any customers, clients, partners or affiliates of the Company to terminate or diminish their relationship with the Company;

	•
	Executive disparages the Company or its officers, directors, employees, products or services;

	 

	 
	 

	•
	Executive misuses or discloses the Company’s confidential or Proprietary Information, breaches any proprietary information, confidentiality agreement or any other agreement between Executive and the Company (or any of its affiliates), or breaches the Release;

	•
	Executive fails or refuses to reasonably cooperate with or assist the Company in a timely manner in connection with any investigation, regulatory matter, lawsuit or arbitration in which the Company is a subject, target or party and as to which Executive may have pertinent information; or

	•
	the Company determines that Executive’s employment could have been terminated for Cause (regardless of any “cure” periods) or that Executive’s actions or omissions during employment caused a restatement of the Company’s financial statements or constituted a violation of the Company’s policies and standards

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Post-Termination Awards shall become fully vested and, if applicable, settled upon the death of Executive or upon a Change in Control that constitutes a “a change in ownership”, a “change in effective control”, or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company under Section 409A and the Section 409A Regulations (a “409A Change in Control”), so long as such death or 409A Change in Control occurs following the applicable termination date and prior to the earlier of the final Scheduled Vesting Date or the occurrence of a Post-Termination Event, and (ii) to the extent required to avoid acceleration taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A, the settlement of the tranche of RSUs that would first vest following the termination date if the Executive remained in employment shall occur on the latest of (1) the applicable Scheduled Vesting Date, (2) the date the Release becomes effective and (3) the 60th day following the date of termination, if the 60 day period referenced in this Section 5(a) in respect of the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another.

(b)    Involuntary Termination during a Change in Control Period: If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated as a result of an Involuntary Termination during a Change in Control Period, then subject to Executive signing the Release and any revocation period with respect thereto expiring without revocation within 60 days following the date of termination, Executive shall receive the following benefits, in addition to any compensation and benefits earned and unpaid under Section 3 through the date of Executive’s termination of employment:

(i)    a lump sum cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of (x) Executive’s annual Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination, or if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event constituting Change in Control Period Good Reason and (y) Executive’s annual cash performance bonus at the target payment level in effect for the year in which such termination occurs, or, if higher, in effect for the year preceding the first occurrence of an event constituting Change in Control Period Good Reason, which payment shall be paid within 30 days following the effectiveness of the Release, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year in which such termination of employment occurs;

(ii)    a lump sum cash payment equal to the product of (x) the annual cash performance bonus (which shall be no less than the annualized amount accrued by the Company) that would have been paid to Executive had he remained employed through the date of payment in accordance with Section 3(b), based on the Company’s actual performance for the year in which such termination occurs, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the calendar year in which such termination occurs and the denominator of which is 365, which payment shall be paid no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which such termination of employment occurs;

(iii)    each Time-Based Equity Grant shall become fully vested (and, with respect to RSUs, converted into shares) in full as of the date on which the Release becomes effective; provided that, to the extent necessary to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A, (x) if such termination occurs during a Change in Control Period but prior to a 409A Change in Control, then to the extent necessary to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A, any RSUs will be settled on the same dates on which such settlement would have occurred if the Executive remained employed and (y) if the 60 day period referenced in this Section 5(b) in respect of the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another, then the RSUs will be settled in the second calendar year;

(iv) reimbursement for the cost of medical coverage at a level equivalent to that provided by the Company immediately prior to termination of employment, through the earlier of: (A) 24 months following Executive’s termination of employment, or (B) the date that Executive becomes eligible for medical coverage from a subsequent employer; provided that (x) it shall be the obligation of Executive to inform the Company that Executive has become eligible for such medical coverage and (y) such reimbursement shall be made by the Company subsidizing or reimbursing COBRA premiums or, if Executive is no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, by a lump sum payment based on the monthly premiums immediately prior to the expiration of COBRA coverage.

(c)    Death or Permanent Disability.

(i)    In the event of Executive’s death or termination as a result of Permanent Disability, all Time-Based Equity Grants held by Executive, to the extent then outstanding, shall become fully vested (and, with respect to RSUs, converted into shares) as of the date of such termination.

(ii)    In the event the Executive’s employment terminates as a result of Executive’s death or Permanent Disability, Executive (or Executive’s estate, as applicable) shall be entitled to a pro rata share of the Executive’s cash or other performance bonus to the date of death or Permanent Disability, based on target performance.

(d)    Retirement and Retirement Eligibility.

(i)    Retirement outside a Change in Control Period: If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated as a result of Executive’s Retirement outside of a Change in Control Period, then subject to Executive signing the Release and any revocation period with respect thereto expiring without revocation within 60 days following the date of termination, any Post-Termination Awards shall not terminate, but will remain eligible to become vested (and, with respect to RSUs, converted into shares) on the applicable Scheduled Vesting Dates; provided that (1) to the extent required to avoid acceleration taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A, the settlement of the tranche of RSUs that would first vest following the termination date if the Executive remained in employment shall occur on the latest of (x) the applicable Scheduled Vesting Date, (y) the date the Release becomes effective and (z) the 60th day following the date of termination, if the 60 day period referenced in this Section 5(d) in respect of the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another, (2) all of the Post-Termination Awards will be canceled immediately if any of the Post-Termination Events occur at any time before the applicable Scheduled Vesting Date and (3) notwithstanding anything set forth in this paragraph to the contrary, the Post-Termination Awards shall become fully vested and settled upon the death of the Participant or upon a 409A Change in Control.

(ii)    Retirement-Eligibility during a Change in Control Period: If Executive is or becomes Retirement-Eligible during a Change in Control Period, then subject to Executive signing the Release and any revocation period with respect thereto expiring without revocation within 60 days following the date thereof, each Time-Based Equity Grant shall become fully vested (and, with respect to RSUs, converted into shares) in full as of the date on which the Release becomes effective; provided that, to the extent necessary to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A, (x) if such Retirement-Eligibility occurs during a Change in Control Period but prior to a 409A Change in Control, then to the extent necessary to avoid accelerated taxation or tax penalties under Section 409A, any RSUs will be settled on the same dates on which such settlement would have occurred if the Executive remained employed and (y) if the 60 day period referenced in this Section in respect of the Release begins in one calendar year and ends in another, then the RSUs will be settled in the second calendar year.

(e)    Other Termination: In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment not specified under Section 5(a), Section 5(b), Section 5(c) or Section 5(d) above, including, without limitation, a termination for Cause, Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation or benefits from the Company, other than those earned and unpaid under Section 3 through the date of Executive’s termination and, in the case of each stock option, restricted stock award or other Company stock-based award granted to Executive, the extent to which such awards are vested through the date of Executive’s termination or as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement.

6.    Agreement Not to Compete:

(a)    During Executive’s employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive shall not hold any position, or engage in any activities as an employee, agent, contractor, or otherwise, with

(i)    Capital One Corporation, Charles Schwab Corporation, Fidelity Investments, TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation or You Invest (“Competitors”), or

(ii)    any of Competitors’ affiliates, subsidiaries, successors or assigns;

provided that the Company shall have the right to revise the list of Competitors on one occasion during the Term upon written notice to Executive, but in no event shall such revision take place after Executive has given the Company notice that Executive’s employment with the Company will terminate, and only so long as the list of Competitors is comprised of no more than five (5) entities

(b)    Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 6, in view of the nature of the business in which the Company is engaged, are reasonable and necessary in order to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, and that any violation thereof would result in irreparable injuries to the Company, and the Executive therefore acknowledges that, in the event of Executive’s violation of any of these restrictions, the Company shall be entitled to obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction preliminary and permanent injunctive relief (without the posting of any bond) as well as damages and an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from such a violation, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Company may be entitled.

(c)    The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Section 6 shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions of this Section 6, which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Section 6 is held to be invalid, void or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, any court or arbitrator so holding shall substitute a valid, enforceable provision that preserves, to the maximum lawful extent, the terms and intent of this Agreement.

7.    Certain Tax Considerations:

(a)   Section 409A:

(i)    The payments under Section 5 are intended to qualify for the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) described in the regulations promulgated under Section 409A (the “Section 409A Regulations”) to the maximum extent possible, and to the extent they do not so qualify, they are intended to qualify for the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A described in the Section 409A Regulations to the maximum extent possible. To the extent Section 409A is applicable to this Agreement, this Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and construed and shall be performed by the parties consistent with such intent, and the Company shall have no right, without Executive’s consent, to accelerate any payment or the provision of any benefits under this Agreement if such payment or provision of such benefits would, as a result, be subject to tax under Section 409A. To the extent any payment hereunder is determined to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and the timing of such payment is conditioned on the Release becoming effective, then to the extent required to avoid penalty under Section 409A, any such payment hereunder that could be paid in either of two taxable years shall be made in the second taxable year.

(ii)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined under the Company’s established methodology for determining specified employees, on the date of termination of employment, then to the extent required in order to comply with Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable under this Agreement during the six-month period immediately following such termination date shall instead be paid (together with interest at the then current six-month LIBOR rate) on the first business day after the first to occur of (i) the date that is six months following Executive’s termination of employment and (ii) the date of Executive’s death.

(iii)    Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, no reimbursement payable to Executive pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or pursuant to any plan or arrangement of the Company covered by this Agreement shall be paid later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expense was incurred, and no such reimbursement during any calendar year shall affect the amounts eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, except, in each case, to the extent that the right to reimbursement does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

(iv)    For purposes of this Agreement, the terms “terminate,” “terminated” and “termination” mean a termination of Executive’s employment that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of the default rules of Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that, in the event of the Executive’s Permanent Disability, “separation from service” means the date that is six months after the first day of disability.

(b)   280G Limitation:

(i)    If the payments and benefits provided to Executive under this Agreement, either alone or together with other payments and benefits provided to Executive from the Company (including, without limitation, any accelerated vesting thereof) (the “Total Payments”), would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) and be subject to the excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, the Total Payments shall be reduced if and to the extent that a reduction in the Total Payments would result in Executive retaining a larger amount than if Executive received all of the Total Payments, in each case measured on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local income taxes and, if applicable, the Excise Tax). The determination of any reduction in the Total Payments shall be made at the Company’s cost by the Company’s independent public accountants or another firm designated by the Company and reasonably approved by Executive, and may be determined using reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company shall pay Executive’s costs incurred for tax, accounting and other professional advice in the event of a challenge of any such reasonable, good faith interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service.

(ii)    In the case of a reduction in the Total Payments pursuant to Section 7(b)(i), the Total Payments will be reduced in the following order: (a) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (b) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (c) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced first, will next be reduced; (d) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (e) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (b) or (d) will be next reduced pro-rata.

(iii)     In the event that the Executive receives any of the Total Payments prior to a Change in Control, then the calculation of the amount of Total Payments that shall be reduced shall be made as provided in Section 7(b)(ii) however, such reductions will be first offset against any Total Payments not yet made at the time of the Change in Control. If Executive does not have sufficient Total Payments remaining unpaid at the time of the Change in Control which may be reduced as required by Section 7(b)(i), then the Executive agrees to repay to the Company in cash the amount by which his Total Payments should have been reduced under Section 7(b)(i).

8.    Certain Definitions: For the purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any of the following defined terms conflict with any corresponding defined term in any other agreement applicable to Executive, the following defined terms shall prevail:

(a)    “Cause” shall mean any of the following: 

(i)    Executive’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any material employment or Company records;

(ii)    Executive’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties with the Company;

(iii)    Executive’s intentional and repeated failure to perform stated duties after notice from the Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure;

(iv)    Executive’s improper disclosure of the Company’s confidential or Proprietary Information;

(v)    any material breach by Executive of the Company’s Code of Professional Conduct, which breach shall be deemed “material” if it results from an intentional act by Executive and has a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; or

(vi)    any material breach by Executive of this Agreement or of any agreement regarding proprietary information and inventions, which breach, if curable, is not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from the Company.

In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company shall provide written notice to Executive of that fact prior to, or concurrently with, the termination of employment. Failure to provide written notice that the Company contends that the termination is for Cause shall constitute a waiver of any contention that the termination was for Cause, and the termination shall be irrebuttably presumed to be an involuntary termination without Cause. However, if, within thirty (30) days following the termination, the Company first discovers facts that would have established “Cause” for termination, and those facts were not known by the Company at the time of the termination, then the Company shall provide Executive with written notice, including the facts establishing that the purported “Cause” was not known at the time of the termination, and the Company will pay no severance.

(b)    “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the Equity Plan. 

(c)    “Change in Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the earlier of: (i) 60 days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control; (ii) the date of the first public announcement of a definitive agreement that would result in a Change in Control (even though still subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders and other conditions and contingencies); or (iii) the date of the public announcement of a tender offer that is not approved by the Incumbent Directors and ending on the two year anniversary date of the consummation of the Change in Control.

(d)  “Change in Control Period Good Reason” shall mean any of the following conditions:

(i)    a material decrease in Executive’s Base Salary other than as part of any across-the-board reduction applying to all senior executives of an acquiror;

(ii)    a material, adverse change in Executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties, as measured against Executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties immediately prior to such change; provided that for purposes of this subsection (ii), in addition to any other material, adverse change in title, authority, responsibilities or duties, if Executive is required to report to any person other than the Board at any time during the Change in Control Period, a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities such person shall constitute an event of “Change in Control Period Good Reason”;

(iii)    any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement, which breach is not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from Executive, or Non-Renewal;

(iv)    any failure of the Company to obtain the assumption (by operation of law or by contract) of this Agreement by any successor or assign of the Company; or

(v)    any purported termination of Executive’s employment for “material breach of contract” which is purportedly effected without providing the “cure” period, if applicable, described in Section 8(a)(vi), above;

provided that Executive shall have provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the condition constituting Good Reason within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition.

(e)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f)    “Incumbent Directors” shall mean members of the Board who either (i) are members of the Board as of the date hereof, or (ii) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of members of the Board).

(g)    “Involuntary Termination” shall mean the occurrence of one of the following:

(i)    termination by the Company of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than Cause at any time;

(ii)    Executive’s resignation from employment for Non Change in Control Period Good Reason within six months following the occurrence of the event constituting Non Change in Control Period Good Reason; or

(iii)    during a Change in Control Period, Executive’s resignation from employment for Change in Control Period Good Reason within six months following the occurrence of the event constituting Change in Control Period Good Reason.

(h)    “Non Change in Control Period Good Reason” shall mean any of the following conditions first occurring outside of a Change in Control Period and occurring without Executive’s written consent:

(i)    a decrease in Executive’s Base Salary of greater than 15% during the Term, in the aggregate;

(ii)    a material, adverse change in Executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties, as measured against Executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties immediately prior to such change; provided that for purposes of this subsection, a material, adverse change shall not occur merely by a change in reporting relationship; or

(iii)    any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement, which breach is not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from Executive, or Non-Renewal;

provided that Executive shall have provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the condition constituting Good Reason within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition.

(i)   "Non-Renewal" shall mean at least 90 days' prior to the end of the Term that the Company, other than with Cause has either: (A) delivered Executive in writing notice of its intention not to either extend this Agreement or to enter into a new employment agreement with Executive; or (B) has failed to deliver to Executive a new employment agreement on terms and conditions substantially comparable to or better than those under this Agreement, that the Company is prepared to execute. For the avoidance of doubt, a decrease in Executive's Base Salary of up to 15% shall be considered substantially comparable with respect to such term.

(j)    “Permanent Disability” shall mean Executive’s permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(k)    “Proprietary Information” is information that was developed, created, or discovered by or on behalf of the Company, or which became or will become known by, or was or is conveyed to the Company, which has commercial value in the Company’s business. “Proprietary Information” includes, but is not limited to, software programs and subroutines, source and object code, algorithms, trade secrets, designs, technology, know-how, processes, data, ideas, techniques, inventions (whether patentable or not), works of authorship, formulas, business and product development plans, vendor lists, customer lists, terms of compensation and performance levels of Company employees, and other information concerning the Company’s actual or anticipated business, research or development, or which is received in confidence by or for the Company from another person or entity.

(l)    “Release” shall mean a general release of claims substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

(m)    “Retirement” means termination of the Executive’s employment at or following the Executive becoming Retirement-Eligible.

(n)    “Retirement-Eligible” means the Executive is at least age 60 and has at least 5 years of service with the Company and its affiliates.

9.    Insider Trading Policy: Executive agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, as it may be amended from time to time.

10.    Dispute Resolution: In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, any claims of breach of contract, wrongful termination or age, sex, race or other discrimination), Executive and the Company agree that all such disputes shall be fully and finally resolved by binding arbitration conducted by the American Arbitration Association in New York, New York in accordance with its National Employment Dispute Resolution rules. Executive acknowledges that by accepting this arbitration provision Executive is waiving any right to a jury trial in the event of such dispute. In connection with any such arbitration, the Company shall bear all costs not otherwise borne by a plaintiff in a court proceeding.

11.    Attorneys’ Fees: The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the losing party its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in any action brought to enforce any right arising out of this Agreement. The Company shall pay Executive’s reasonable legal fees in connection with the review and negotiation of this Agreement and any ancillary services related thereto.

12.    General.

(a)    Successors and Assigns: The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company, Executive and each and all of their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. The duties, responsibilities and obligations of Executive under this Agreement shall be personal and not assignable or delegable by Executive in any manner whatsoever to any person, corporation, partnership, firm, company, joint venture or other entity. Executive may not assign, transfer, convey, mortgage, pledge or in any other manner encumber the compensation or other benefits to be received by Executive or any rights which Executive may have pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, except to the extent permitted by the applicable plan for financial or estate planning purposes.

(b)    Amendments; Waiver: No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

(c)    Notices: Any notices to be given pursuant to this Agreement by either party to the other party may be effected by personal delivery or by overnight delivery with receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses stated below, but each party may change its or Executive’s address by written notice to the other in accordance with this Paragraph:

Mailed notices to Executive shall be addressed to the last known address provided by Executive to the Company,

Mailed notices to the Company shall be addressed as follows:

E*TRADE Financial Corporation 
671 North Glebe Road
15th Floor
Arlington, VA 22203
Attention: General Counsel

(d)    Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire employment agreement between Executive and the Company regarding the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment and any amounts due on termination of such employment, with the exception of (i) the Agreement Regarding Employment and Proprietary Information
and Inventions between the Company and Executive, (ii) any stock option, restricted stock, restricted stock unit award or other Company stock-based award agreements between Executive and the Company to the extent not modified by this Agreement, (iii) any indemnification agreement referenced in Section 1 and (iv) the Company’s employee benefit plans referenced in Section 3(c). This Agreement (including the documents described in (i) through (iv) herein) supersedes all prior negotiations, representations or agreements between Executive and the Company, whether written or oral, concerning Executive’s employment by or service to the Company, including without limitation, the Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Executive, dated as of December 3, 2018, which is of no further force or effect as of the Effective Date.

(e)    Withholding Taxes: All payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to reduction to reflect taxes required to be withheld by law.

(f)    Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed by the Company and Executive in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and which together shall constitute one instrument.

(g)    Headings: Each and all of the headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any manner whatsoever affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or be deemed a part of this Agreement for any purpose whatsoever.

(h)    Savings Provision: To the extent that any provision of this Agreement or any paragraph, term, provision, sentence, phrase, clause or word of this Agreement shall be found to be illegal or unenforceable for any reason, such paragraph, term, provision, sentence, phrase, clause or word shall be modified or deleted in such a manner as to make this Agreement, as so modified, legal and enforceable under applicable laws. The remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

(i)    Construction: The language of this Agreement and of each and every paragraph, term and provision of this Agreement shall, in all cases, for any and all purposes, and in any and all circumstances whatsoever be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, not strictly for or against Executive or the Company, and with no regard whatsoever to the identity or status of any person or persons who drafted all or any portion of this Agreement.

(j)    Further Assurances: From time to time, at the Company’s request and without further consideration, Executive shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as reasonably requested by the Company to be necessary or desirable to make effective, in the most expeditious manner possible, the terms of this Agreement and to provide adequate assurance of Executive’s due performance hereunder.

(k)    Governing Law: Executive and the Company agree that this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

(l)     Permitted Disclosures: Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Executive’s attorney and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.  If Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive (I) files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and (II) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.  Further, nothing in any agreement Executive has with the Company shall prohibit or restrict Executive from making any disclosure of information or documents to any governmental agency or legislative body, or any self-regulatory organization, in each case, without advance notice to the Company.

[Signature Page Follows]

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

	
				
	Dated: August 12, 2019
	 
	 
	E*TRADE Financial Corporation

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	/s/ Rodger A. Lawson

	 
	 
	By:
	Rodger A. Lawson

	 
	 
	 
	Chairman of the Board of Directors

	
					
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Dated: August 12, 2019
	 
	 
	 
	/s/ Michael A. Pizzi

	 
	 
	 
	 
	Michael A. Pizzi

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

Exhibit A

This Release (this “Release Agreement”) is between Michael A. Pizzi (“Executive”) and E*TRADE Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (the “Parties”).

1. Release: 

(a)    In exchange for the benefits described in Section_ of the Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Executive, dated August 15, 2019 (the “Employment Agreement”), Executive, on behalf of himself and his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, releases and absolutely discharges the Company (including its subsidiaries and other affiliated entities, and each of their respective shareholders, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, and each of their legal successors and assigns) (the “Company Parties”) from any and all claims, actions and causes of action, whether now known or unknown, which Executive now has, or at any other time had, or shall or may have, against the Company Parties arising out of or relating to any matter, cause, fact, thing, act or omission whatsoever occurring or existing at any time to and including the date of execution of this Release Agreement by Executive, including, but not limited to, claims relating to the Employment Agreement or any other offer letter or written or oral, express or implied, agreement or understanding between Executive and the Company and/or any awards, policies, plans, programs or practices of the Company that may apply to Executive or in which Executive may participate, including, but not limited to, any rights under bonus plans or programs of the Company and/or any other short-term or long-term equity-based or cash-based incentive plans or programs of the Company, the parties’ employment relationship, the termination of that relationship, the Executive’s purchase or right to purchase shares of the Company's stock, and any claims of breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, fraud, defamation, personal injury, wrongful discharge or age, sex, race, national origin, industrial injury, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation or other discrimination, harassment or retaliation, claims under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay Act, the Immigration and Reform Control Act, the Uniform Services Employment and Re­ Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, any “whistleblower” or retaliation claims (to the extent permitted by applicable law); Executive Order 11246 or any other federal, state or local law, all as they have been or may be amended, and all claims for attorneys' fees and/or costs, to the full extent that such claims may be released (the “Release”).

(b)    The Release does not apply to claims which cannot be released as a matter of law or indemnification of Executive provided by the Company's bylaws, charter, other corporate or organizational documents or other agreement concerning indemnification (including the Company's insurance policies). The rights of Executive to indemnification and D&O insurance coverage with respect to all matters, events or transactions occurring or effected during Executive's period of employment with the Company shall survive the termination of   Executive's employment. Executive acknowledges and agrees that, but for providing this waiver and release, Executive would not be receiving the economic benefits being provided under the terms of the Employment Agreement.

(c)    Executive understands that Executive is releasing claims that Executive may not know about and that it is Executive’s knowing and voluntary intent even though Executive recognizes that someday Executive may regret having signed this Release. Nevertheless, Executive is assuming that risk and agrees that this Release shall remain effective in all respects in any such case. Executive expressly waives all rights Executive might have under any law that is intended to protect Executive from waiving unknown claims.

(d)    Executive represents that Executive has no complaints, charges or lawsuits currently pending against any of the Company Parties arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment. Executive further covenants and agrees that neither Executive nor Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns will be entitled to any personal recovery in any proceeding of any nature whatsoever against any of the Company Parties arising out of any of the matters released in Section 1(a).

2. Older Workers Benefit Protection Act: In accordance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Executive understands and acknowledges that Executive has been advised of Executive’s opportunity to consult an attorney before executing this Release. Executive further understands and acknowledges that Executive has up to 21 days following the date of Executive’s termination of employment to execute this Release by dating and signing a copy of this Release and returning it to the Company, although it may be executed at any time within such period. Executive further understands that, once having executed this Release, Executive will have seven (7) days within which to revoke Executive’s consent, by sending written notice of revocation of the Release to the [TITLE] of the Company at [FAX] or [E-MAIL ADDRESS], which must be received by the Company within such seven (7) day period. If Executive revokes this Release during the seven-day period, Executive will not be eligible for and will be required to return all consideration received under Section_ of the Employment Agreement.

EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT EXECUTIVE IS ENTITLED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS RELEASE AND THAT EXECUTIVE IS GIVING UP ANY LEGAL CLAIMS EXECUTIVE HAS AGAINST THE PARTIES RELEASED ABOVE BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE. EXECUTIVE HAS CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS RELEASE. EXECUTIVE IS SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY IN EXCHANGE FOR THE BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN SECTION     OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.

Executive:

	
				
	 
	 
	Date:
	 

	Michael A. Pizzi
	 

1

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00301-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00301-of-00352.parquet"}]]