Document:

AmericanMidstream-EmploymentAgreementMatthewWRowlandFINAL82813

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of August 22, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) by and between American Midstream GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company”), and Matthew W. Rowland (“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Company to assure itself of the services of Executive as of the Effective Date and thereafter by entering into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company mutually desire that Executive provide services to the Company on the terms herein provided.  
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of foregoing and of the mutual promises, covenants and obligations contained herein, Company and Executive agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1:  EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES
1.1    Employment.  As of the Effective Date and for the period set forth in Article 2 of this Agreement, Executive’s employment by Company shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
1.2    Positions.  Company shall employ Executive in the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer reporting to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, or in such other positions as the parties mutually may agree.
1.3    Duties and Services.  Executive agrees to serve in the position referred to in paragraph 1.2 and to perform diligently and to the best of his abilities the duties and services appertaining to such office, as well as such additional duties and services appropriate to such office which the parties mutually may agree upon from time to time.  Executive’s employment shall also be subject to the policies maintained and established by Company that are of general applicability to Company’s executive employees, as such policies may be amended from time to time, provided that in the event of any inconsistency between such policies and any term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall control.
1.4    Other Interests.  Executive agrees, during the period of his employment by Company, to devote substantially all of his business time, energy and best efforts to the business and affairs of Company and its affiliates and, except with respect to the non-controlling equity interest in RBI Midstream Energy, LLC described in Schedule B attached hereto, not to engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business or businesses, whether or not similar to that of Company, except with the consent of the Board.
1.5    Duty of Loyalty.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act at all times in the best interests of Company.  In keeping with such duty, and without limiting Executive’s other duties and obligations under this Agreement or applicable law, and except with respect to business opportunities that Executive learns about pursuant to the passive activities set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, Executive shall make full disclosure to Company of all business opportunities pertaining to Company’s business and shall not appropriate for Executive’s own benefit business opportunities concerning Company’s business.
ARTICLE 2    :  TERM AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
2.1    Term.  Unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions hereof, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date, and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date.  The Term shall automatically renew for additional twelve (12) month periods unless no later than 60 days prior to the end of the applicable Term either party gives written notice of non-renewal (“Notice of Non-Renewal”) to the other, unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions hereof.    If either Company or Executive elects not to extend the then applicable Term of the Agreement in accordance with the foregoing, then, except as provided herein, each party’s rights under this Agreement shall terminate on the last day of the then-current Term and Executive shall then become an “at-will” employee and may be terminated at any time, subject only to the requirements of any applicable law; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement shall survive any termination or non-renewal of the Term and this Agreement and shall remain in effect in accordance with their terms for the durations set forth in such provisions, where applicable.
2.2    Company’s Right to Terminate.  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2.1, Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement for any of the following reasons:
(i)    upon Executive’s death (for the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon his death);
(ii)    upon Executive’s disability, which shall mean Executive’s becoming incapacitated by accident, sickness, or other circumstances which renders him mentally or physically incapable, with or without reasonable accommodation, of performing the duties and services required of him hereunder for 90 or more days (whether or not consecutive) out of any consecutive 180-day period, as determined by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative, with such agreement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and with any refusal by Executive to submit to a medical examination deemed to constitute conclusive evidence of disability;
(iii)    for “Cause,” which shall mean Executive has (A) engaged in gross negligence, gross incompetence or willful misconduct in the performance of the duties required of him hereunder; (B) refused without proper reason to perform the duties and responsibilities required of him hereunder; (C) failed in any material respect to carry out or comply with any lawful and reasonable directive of the Board; (D) unlawfully used (including being under the influence) or possessed illegal drugs on the Company (or any of its affiliate’s) premises or while performing his duties or responsibilities under this Agreement; (E) willfully engaged in conduct that is materially injurious to Company or its affiliates (monetarily or otherwise); (F) committed an act of fraud, embezzlement or willful breach of fiduciary duty to Company or an affiliate (including the unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary material information of Company or an affiliate); (G) been convicted of (or pleaded guilty or no contest to) a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude or any felony; or (H) materially breached or violated any material provision of this Agreement or any material Company written company policy that has been previously provided or made available to Executive; or
(iv)    at any time for any other reason, or for no reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion of the Board.
2.3    Executive’s Right to Terminate.  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2.1, Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment under this Agreement for any of the following reasons:
(i)    for “Good Reason,” which shall mean, in connection with or based upon a nonconsensual (A) material diminution in Executive’s responsibilities, duties or authority; (B) assignment of Executive to a principal office located beyond a 50-mile radius of Executive’s then current work place; or (C) material breach by Company of any material provision of this Agreement; or
(ii)    at any time for any other reason, or for no reason whatsoever, in the sole discretion of Executive.
2.4    Notice of Termination.  
(i)    If Company desires to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason other than in any event or circumstance described in paragraph 2.2(i), 2.2(ii), or 2.2(iii), and at any time prior to expiration of the then applicable Term as provided in paragraph 2.1, it shall do so by giving a 30-day written notice to Executive that it has elected to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder and stating the effective date and reason for such termination, provided that no such action shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder.  In the case of any notice by Company of its intent to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause pursuant to paragraphs 2.2(iii)(A), 2.2(iii)(B), 2.2(iii)(C), or 2.2(iii)(H), Company shall provide Executive with notice of the existence of the condition(s) constituting Cause and Executive shall have 30 days following Company’s provision of such notice to remedy such condition(s).  If Executive remedies all of the conditions constituting Cause within such 30 day period, then Cause shall not exist to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder and Executive’s employment hereunder shall continue until terminated by the Company or Executive.  If Executive does not remedy all of the conditions constituting Cause within such 30 day period,  Executive’s employment with Company shall terminate on the date that is 31 days following the date of Company’s notice of termination.  The notice, remedy rights and termination timing provisions applicable under this paragraph 2.4 in the case of Company’s election to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause are referred to collectively as the “Cause Termination Procedure.”
(ii)    If Executive desires to terminate his employment hereunder at any time prior to expiration of the then applicable Term as provided in paragraph 2.1, he shall do so by giving a 30-day written notice to Company that he has elected to terminate his employment hereunder and stating the effective date and reason for such termination; provided, however, that in the event that Executive delivers a notice of termination to the Company, the Company may, in its sole discretion, change the date of termination to any date that occurs following the date of Company’s receipt of such notice of termination and is prior to the date specified in such notice of termination and further provided that no such action shall alter or amend any other provisions hereof or rights arising hereunder.  In the case of any notice by Executive of his intent to terminate his employment hereunder for Good Reason, Executive shall provide Company with notice of the existence of the condition(s) constituting the Good Reason within 60 days after Executive has actual knowledge of the initial existence of such condition(s) and Company shall have 30 days following Executive’s provision of such notice to remedy such condition (s).  If Company remedies the condition(s) constituting the Good Reason within such 30 day period, then Executive’s employment hereunder shall continue and his notice of termination shall become void and of no further effect.  If Company does not remedy the condition(s) constituting the Good Reason within such 30 day period, Executive’s employment with Company shall terminate on the date that is 31 days following the date of Executive’s notice of termination and Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described in paragraph 4.3, if applicable and subject to all of the other provisions of this Agreement.  The notice, remedy rights and termination timing provisions applicable under this paragraph 2.4 in the case of Executive’s election to terminate his employment for Good Reason are referred to collectively as the “Good Reason Termination Procedure.”
2.5    Deemed Resignations.  Any termination of Executive’s employment shall constitute an automatic resignation of Executive as an officer of Company and each affiliate of Company, and an automatic resignation from the board of directors or similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability company or other entity in which Company or any affiliate holds an equity interest and with respect to which board or similar governing body Executive serves as Company’s or such affiliate’s designee or other representative.
ARTICLE 3    :  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
3.1    Base Salary.  During the period of this Agreement, Executive shall receive an annual base salary of $285,000, provided that Executive’s annual base salary shall be reviewed by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (“Compensation Committee”) on an annual basis, and, in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, such annual base salary may be adjusted upward (but not downward), effective as of any date determined by the Compensation Committee.  Executive’s annual base salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with Company’s standard policy regarding payment of compensation to executives, but no less frequently than monthly.
3.2    Bonus Opportunity.  Executive shall be eligible to earn and receive an annual incentive performance bonus under an annual incentive program established by the Board or the Compensation Committee (the “Bonus Program”).  The Bonus Program, which may be subject to revision from time to time, will provide the Executive with an opportunity to earn up to 75% of his annual base salary with the amount of any performance bonus payable under the Bonus Program based on the achievement of certain individual or Company performance metrics, or other criteria as determined and established by the Board or the Compensation Committee from time to time in its discretion.  The payment of any incentive performance bonus shall be subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the date of payment.  All determinations with respect to the Bonus Program shall be made by the Board or the Compensation Committee and their determinations shall be final and binding.
3.3    Incentive Compensation.  As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, Executive shall be granted 25,000 Restricted Units (the “Initial Equity Grant”) under the Amended and Restated American Midstream GP, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”).    The Initial Equity Grant will be evidenced by and will be subject to the terms and conditions of a separate award agreement and will vest in three equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive’s continued employment with the Company on each applicable vesting date.  In addition, during the period of this Agreement, the Executive will be eligible to receive annual or other periodic awards from time to time under the LTIP or any successor plan.  The timing, form and terms of such annual or other periodic awards will be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its discretion.  
3.4    Other Perquisites.  During his employment hereunder, Executive shall be afforded the following benefits as incidences of his employment:
(i)    Business and Entertainment Expenses.  Subject to Company’s standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its executive employees generally, Company shall reimburse Executive for, or pay on behalf of Executive, reasonable and appropriate expenses incurred by Executive for business related purposes, including dues and fees to industry and professional organizations approved by the Board and approved costs of entertainment and business development.
(ii)    Vacation.  During his employment hereunder, Executive shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation each calendar year in accordance with the Company’s policies in effect and to all holidays provided to executives of Company generally.
(iii)    Other Company Benefits.  Executive and, to the extent applicable, Executive’s spouse, dependents and beneficiaries, shall be allowed to participate in, and in accordance with the terms of, all benefits, plans and programs, including improvements or modifications of the same, which are now, or may hereafter be, available to other executive employees of Company.  Such benefits, plans and programs shall include, without limitation, any profit sharing plan, thrift plan, health insurance or health care plan, life insurance, disability insurance, pension plan, supplemental retirement plan, vacation and sick leave plan, and the like which may be maintained by Company.  Company shall not, however, by reason of this paragraph be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such benefit plan or program, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to executive employees generally.
ARTICLE 4    :  EFFECT OF TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION ON COMPENSATION
4.1    Payment of Accrued Obligations.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason and by any means, Executive shall be entitled to, and shall be paid, any annual base salary that is accrued and unpaid as of the date of such termination, which shall be paid on the next regularly scheduled pay day for the payment of Executive’s annual base salary, and any expense reimbursement payable in accordance with paragraph 3.4(i) for reimbursable expenses incurred by Executive prior to the date of such termination, which shall be paid at the time and in the manner provided by Company’s reimbursement policy and in accordance with this Agreement.  Other than the foregoing amounts and any Severance Payment pursuant to paragraph 4.3, all compensation and benefits to Executive hereunder shall terminate contemporaneously with the termination of Executive’s employment.  Any other benefits to which Executive shall be entitled shall be governed by the plan, policy or agreement providing for such benefits and applicable law.
4.2    Other Terminations or Expiration.  If Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate at any time (i) by Executive for Good Reason and in accordance with the Good Reason Termination Procedure, (ii) by Company other than in any event or circumstance described in paragraph 2.2(i), 2.2(ii), or 2.2(iii), then, subject to paragraph 4.4 and 4.5, Company shall (a) pay Executive an amount equal to one times the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect for the calendar year ending immediately prior to the date of such termination of Executive’s employment (the “Severance Amount”), which shall be paid as provided in paragraph 4.3, and (b) the Initial Equity Grant shall automatically vest.
4.3    Severance Payments.  Subject to paragraph 4.4 and 4.5 below, the Severance Amount, if any shall be due, shall be divided into amounts (each, a “Severance Payment”) to be paid in installments.  The amount of each Severance Payment shall be equal to the Severance Amount divided by the number of regular pay days scheduled (in accordance with Company’s regular payroll practices) to occur between the date of Executive’s termination of employment (“Termination Date”) and the first anniversary of the Termination Date (“Scheduled Paydays”).  If any Severance Amount would otherwise be owed under this Agreement, but the requirements of paragraph 4.4 are not satisfied, then no Severance Amount and no amount in lieu of the Severance Amount, shall be owed or paid.  If the requirements of paragraph 4.4 are satisfied, then, subject to paragraph 7.12(iv), a portion of the Severance Amount equal to the product of one Severance Payment and the number of Scheduled Paydays during the 60-day period beginning on the Termination Date shall be paid in a lump sum amount on the 60th day following the Termination Date, and the remainder of the Severance Amount shall be paid in regular installments, each one equal to the amount of one Severance Payment, with the first such payment being due on due on the Scheduled Payday immediately following the 60th day after the Termination Date, with like payments on each Scheduled Payday thereafter until the remaining Severance Amount is paid in full.
4.4    Release and Full Settlement.  Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, as a condition to the receipt of any portion of the Severance Amount, Executive shall execute a release, in the form established by the Board, releasing the Board, Company, and Company’s parent corporation, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective equityholders, partners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents from any and all claims and from any and all causes of action of any kind or character including, but not limited to, all claims or causes of action arising out of Executive’s employment with Company or its affiliates or the termination of such employment, but excluding all claims to vested benefits and payments Executive may have under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement, including this Agreement.  Executive shall provide such release to Company no later than 50 days after the Termination Date and, as a condition to Company’s obligation to pay all or any portion of the Severance Amount, Executive shall not revoke such release.  The performance of Company’s obligations hereunder shall constitute full settlement of all such claims and causes of action.
4.5    Waiver of Noncompete Provisions.  In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment other than in any event or circumstance described in paragraph 2.2(i), 2.2(ii), or 2.2(iii), the Board may, in its discretion, release the Executive from the covenants contained in paragraphs 5.6(i) and (ii) by providing notice of such release to Executive at the time of termination.  In such case, the Executive shall not receive the Severance Amount provided in paragraph 4.2 hereof.
4.6    No Duty to Mitigate Losses.  Executive shall have no duty to find new employment following the termination of his employment under circumstances which require Company to pay any amount to Executive pursuant to this Article 4.  Any salary or remuneration received by Executive from a third party for the providing of personal services (whether by employment or by functioning as an independent contractor) following the termination of his employment under circumstances pursuant to which this Article 4 apply shall not reduce Company’s obligation to make a payment to Executive (or the amount of such payment) pursuant to the terms of this Article 4.
4.7    Liquidated Damages.  In light of the difficulties in estimating the damages for an early termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, Company and Executive hereby agree that the payments and benefits, if any, to be received by Executive pursuant to this Article 4 shall be received by Executive as liquidated damages.
4.8    Other Benefits.  This Agreement governs the rights and obligations of Executive and Company with respect to Executive’s base salary, bonus and certain perquisites of employment.  Except as expressly provided herein, Executive’s rights and obligations both during the term of his employment and thereafter with respect to his ownership rights, if any, in Company and American Midstream LP, and other benefits under the plans and programs maintained by Company shall be governed by the terms (which are not, and are not required to be, affected, altered or amended) of the separate agreements, plans and the other documents and instruments governing such matters.
ARTICLE 5    :  PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
5.1    Disclosure to and Property of Company.  All information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed or acquired by Executive, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period of Executive’s employment by Company (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to Company’s (or any of its affiliates’) business, trade secrets, products or services (including, without limitation, all such information relating to corporate opportunities, product specification, compositions, manufacturing and distribution methods and processes, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisitions prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within the customer’s organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, marketing and merchandising techniques, business plans, computer software or programs, computer software and database technologies, prospective names and marks) (collectively, “Confidential Information”) shall be disclosed to Company and are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of Company (or its affiliates); provided, however, that the definition of Confidential Information and Executive’s obligations pursuant to this paragraph 5.1 and paragraph 5.3 shall not include information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries and inventions that are acquired by Executive solely by virtue of his passive involvement in the activities set forth on Schedule B attached hereto.  Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, E-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type embodying any of such Confidential Information (collectively, “Work Product”) are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of Company (or its affiliates).  Upon Executive’s termination of employment with Company, for any reason, Executive promptly shall deliver such Confidential Information and Work Product, and all copies thereof, to Company.
5.2    Disclosure to Executive.  In reliance upon Executive’s representations and agreements in this Agreement, Company has and will disclose to Executive, and will place Executive in a position to have access to and to develop, Confidential Information and Work Product of Company (or its affiliates); and/or has and will entrust Executive with business opportunities of Company (or its affiliates); and/or has and will place Executive in a position to develop business good will on behalf of Company (or its affiliates).  Executive agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of all Confidential Information or Work Product of Company (or its affiliates) in perpetuity.
5.3    No Unauthorized Use or Disclosure.  
(i)    Executive agrees that he will not, at any time during or after Executive’s employment by Company, make any unauthorized disclosure of, and will prevent the removal from Company premises of, Confidential Information or Work Product of Company (or its affiliates), or make any use thereof, except in the carrying out of Executive’s responsibilities during the course of Executive’s employment with Company.  Executive shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all persons or entities to whom any Confidential Information shall be disclosed by him hereunder to observe the terms and conditions set forth herein as though each such person or entity was bound hereby.  
(ii)    Executive shall have no obligation hereunder to keep confidential any Confidential Information (A) which has become known to the public through no fault of Employee or which can be derived from public sources; and (B) if and to the extent disclosure thereof is specifically required by law, subpoena or court order; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by applicable law, Executive shall provide Company with prompt notice of such requirement prior to making any such disclosure, make available to the Company and its counsel the documents and other information sought and shall assist such counsel at Company’s expense in resisting or otherwise responding to such process, in each case to the extent permitted by applicable laws or rules.  
(iii)    At the request of Company at any time, Executive agrees to deliver to Company all Confidential Information that he may possess or control. Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents or property concerning the Company’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products, property or processes.
(iv)    Executive agrees that all Confidential Information of Company (whether now or hereafter existing) conceived, discovered or made by him during the period of Executive’s employment by Company exclusively belongs to Company (and not to Executive), and Executive will promptly disclose such Confidential Information to Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by Company to establish and confirm such exclusive ownership.  
(v)    Affiliates of Company shall be third party beneficiaries of Executive’s obligations under this Article 5.  As a result of Executive’s employment by Company, Executive may also from time to time have access to, or knowledge of, Confidential Information or Work Product of third parties, such as customers, suppliers, partners, joint venturers, and the like, of Company and its affiliates.  Executive also agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of such third party Confidential Information and Work Product to the same extent, and on the same basis, as Company’s Confidential Information and Work Product.
5.4    Ownership by Company.  All rights to discoveries, inventions, improvements and innovations (including all data and records pertaining thereto) related to the business of the Company, whether or not patentable, copyrightable, registrable as a trademark, or reduced to writing, that Executive may discover, invent or originate during the Term, either alone or with others and whether or not during working hours or by the use of the facilities of the Company (“Inventions”), shall be the exclusive property of the Company; provided, however, that the definition of Inventions shall not include discoveries, inventions, improvements and innovations that RBI (as defined on Schedule B) may discover, invent or originate through no active involvement by Executive in the activities set forth on Schedule B attached hereto.  Executive shall promptly disclose all Inventions to the Company, shall execute at the request of the Company any assignments or other documents the Company may deem reasonably necessary to protect or perfect its rights therein, and shall assist the Company, upon reasonable request and at the Company’s expense, in obtaining, defending and enforcing the Company’s rights therein. Executive hereby appoints the Company as Executive’s attorney-in fact to execute on Executive’s behalf any assignments or other documents reasonably deemed necessary by the Company to protect or perfect its rights to any Inventions.  
5.5    Assistance by Executive.  During the period of Executive’s employment by Company and thereafter, Executive shall assist Company and its nominee, at any time, in the protection of Company’s (or its affiliates’) worldwide right, title and interest in and to Work Product and the execution of all formal assignment documents requested by Company or its nominee and the execution of all lawful oaths and applications for patents and registration of copyright in the United States and foreign countries.
5.6    Non-Competition Obligations.  Both as part of the consideration for the compensation and benefits to be paid to Executive hereunder; and to protect the trade secrets and Confidential Information of Company and its affiliates that have been or will in the future be disclosed or entrusted to Executive, the business good will of Company and its affiliates that has been and will in the future be developed in Executive, and the business opportunities that have been and will in the future be disclosed or entrusted to Executive by Company and its affiliates; Executive agrees that during the period that Executive is employed by Company and for 12 months after the date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason (the “Non-Competition Period”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly for Executive or for others, in the geographic areas and markets identified on Schedule A attached hereto:
(i)    except with respect to Executive’s passive investment in RBI, engage in the business of acquiring, developing, improving, managing, providing services with respect to, operating and disposing of mid-stream energy projects, including pipelines, treatment and processing facilities and gas storage fields or any other business that is competitive with the business conducted by Company;
(ii)    except with respect to Executive’s passive investment in RBI, render any advice or services to, or otherwise assist, any other person, association, or entity who is engaged, directly or indirectly, with any business that is competitive with the business conducted by Company;
(iii)    induce any employee of Company or its affiliates to terminate his employment with Company or its affiliates, or hire or assist in the hiring of any such employee by any person, association, or entity not affiliated with Company; or
(iv)    request or cause any customer of Company or its affiliates identified on Schedule A attached hereto to terminate any business relationship with Company or its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company at the end of any then applicable Term pursuant to a Notice of Non-Renewal provided by the Company, the final day of the Non-Competition Period for subparagraphs 5.6(i) and (ii) shall be the Termination Date unless in connection with such termination the Company agrees to pay to Executive all or a portion of the Severance Amount set forth in paragraph 4.2, in which event the final day of the Non-Competition Period applicable to subparagraphs 5.6(i) and (ii) shall be the last day of the Severance Period (as defined below).  Such Severance Amount, which may be less than twelve months of Executive’s annual base salary, but more than one month of Executive’s annual base salary, shall be subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph 4.4 and payable in accordance with paragraph 4.3, except that the Scheduled Paydays shall be equal to the portion of the Severance Amount that the Company agrees to pay divided by the number of regular pay days scheduled (in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices) to occur between the Termination Date and the last date that such portion of the annual base salary would have been paid to Executive if Executive had not incurred a termination of employment (the “Severance Period”).  Executive understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit Executive’s ability to engage in certain businesses anywhere in the world during the period provided for above, but acknowledges and represents that the restrictions are both reasonable and necessary to protect Company’s legitimate business interests, and that Executive will receive sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits under this Agreement to compensate for and to justify such restrictions.  
5.7    Enforcement and Remedies.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that money damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of this Article 5 by Executive, and Company or its affiliates shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this Article 5 by terminating payments then owing to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise, by specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach.  Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Article 5, but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Executive and Executive’s agents involved in such breach and remedies available to Company pursuant to other agreements with Executive.
5.8    Reformation.  It is expressly understood and agreed that Company and Executive consider the restrictions contained in this Article 5 to be reasonable and necessary to protect the proprietary information of Company and its affiliates.  Nevertheless, if any of the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, or overly broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, the parties intend for the restrictions therein set forth to be modified by such courts so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, to be fully enforced.
ARTICLE 6    :  NONDISPARAGEMENT
Each party (which, in the case of the Company, shall mean its officers and the members of the Board) agrees, during the Term and following the termination of the Agreement, to refrain from Disparaging (as defined below) the other party and its affiliates, including, in the case of the Company, any of its services, technologies or practices, or any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives or stockholders, either orally or in writing.  Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude any party from making truthful statements that are reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation or legal process, or to defend or enforce a party’s rights under this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disparaging” means remarks, comments or statements, whether written or oral, that impugn the character, integrity, reputation or abilities of the person being disparaged.

ARTICLE 7    :  MISCELLANEOUS
7.1    Notices.  For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
(vi)    If to Company to:    
American Midstream GP, LLC 
1614 15th Street 
Suite 300 
Denver, CO 80202 
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
with a copy to:    
High Point Infrastructure Partners, LLC
c/o ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC
200 Clarendon Street, 55th Floor 
Boston, MA 02117 
Attention: Jake Erhard and Christine Miller

(vii)    If to Executive, at the last address that the Company has in its personnel records for Executive, or 
(viii)    to such other address as either party may furnish to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices or changes of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
7.2    Applicable Law.  This Agreement is entered into under, and shall be governed for all purposes by, the laws of the State of Delaware.
7.3    No Waiver.  No failure by either party hereto at any time to give notice of any breach by the other party of, or to require compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
7.4    Severability.  If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
7.5    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
7.6    Withholding of Taxes and Other Employee Deductions.  Company may withhold from any benefits and payments made pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise all federal, state, city and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and all other normal employee deductions made with respect to Company’s employees generally.
7.7    Headings.  The paragraph headings have been inserted for purposes of convenience and shall not be used for interpretive purposes.
7.8    Gender and Plurals.  Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely.
7.9    Affiliate.  As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliate” shall mean any entity which owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, Company.
7.10    Entire Agreement.  Except as provided in (i) the written benefit plans and programs referenced in paragraph 3.4(iii) (and any agreements between Company and Executive that have been executed under such plans and programs) and paragraph 4.8 and (ii) any signed written agreement contemporaneously or hereafter executed by Company and Executive, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to employment of Executive by Company.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, all understandings and agreements preceding the date of execution of this Agreement and relating to the subject matter hereof (other than (A) under the agreements described in clause (i) of the preceding sentence; (B) as provided herein or (C) under the agreements forming and/or operating Company and American Midstream, LP or any investor rights agreement related thereto) are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect.  Any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the party to be charged.
7.11    Liability Insurance.  Company shall maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance liability policy throughout the Term and shall provide Executive with coverage under such policy on terms not less favorable than provided to other Company directors and officers.
7.12    Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(i)    All references in this Agreement to the termination of Executive’s employment with Company shall mean and shall be deemed to occur if and when a termination of employment that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and applicable administrative guidance issued thereunder has occurred.
(ii)    To the extent that any reimbursement or benefit in kind hereunder constituted deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, such reimbursement or benefit shall be administered consistently with the following additional requirements as set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv): (1) Executive’s eligibility for or receipt of benefits or reimbursements in one calendar year will not affect Executive’s eligibility for or the amount of benefits or reimbursements in any other calendar year, (2) any reimbursement of eligible expenses will be made on or before the last day of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (3) Executive’s right to benefits or reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (4) the right to reimbursement of expenses incurred or to the provision of benefits in kind shall terminate ten (10) years from Executive’s termination of employment, if not before.
(iii)    Executive’s right to installment payments, if any, hereunder, shall be treated as the right to receive a series of separate and distinct individual payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(iv)    Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and applicable administrative guidance thereunder and determined in accordance with any method selected by Company that is permitted under the regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code), and any amount paid or benefit provided under this Agreement to or on behalf of Executive would be subject to additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code because the timing of such payment is not delayed as provided in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, then any such payment or benefit that Executive would otherwise be entitled to during the first six months following the date of Executive’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and applicable administrative guidance thereunder) shall be accumulated and paid or provided, as applicable, on the date that is six months plus one day after Executive’s separation from service (or if such date does not fall on a business day of Company, the next following business day of Company), or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid or provided under Section 409A of the Code without being subject to such additional taxes and interest; provided, however, that Executive shall be entitled to receive the maximum amount permissible under Section 409A of the Code and the applicable administrative guidance thereunder during the six-month period following his separation from service that will not result in the imposition of any additional tax or penalties on such amount.
(v)    To the extent that Section 409A of the Code is applicable to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted as necessary to comply with such section and the applicable administrative guidance issued thereunder.
7.13    Arbitration.
(i)    Company and Executive agree to submit to final and binding arbitration any and all disputes or disagreements concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement, the termination of this Agreement, or any other aspect of Executive’s employment relationship with Company.  Any such dispute or disagreement will be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA Rules”) before a single arbitrator.  Arbitration will take place within 50 miles of Executive’s principal place of employment with the Company, or, if Executive is no longer employed by the Company, Executive’s last principal place of employment with the Company, unless the parties mutually agree to a different location.  Company and Executive agree that the decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding on both parties.  Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator.  Each side shall share equally the cost of the arbitration and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless the Arbitrator determines that compelling reasons exist for allocating all or a portion of such costs and fees to the other side; provided, however, that, if required by applicable law for the arbitration provisions of this paragraph 7.13 to be enforceable, the Company shall pay all costs and fees that Executive would not otherwise have been subject to paying if the claim had been resolved in a court of law.
(ii)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 7.13(i), (a) Company may, if it so chooses, bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief to enforce Executive’s obligations under Articles 5 or 6 hereof, pending a decision by the arbitrator in accordance with paragraph 7.13(i), and (b) Executive may, if he so chooses, bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief to enforce Company’s obligations under Article 6 hereof, pending a decision by the arbitrator in accordance with paragraph 7.13(i).

Signature page follows.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the __ day of August, 2013, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

American Midstream GP, LLC

By:  _/s/ Stephen W Bergstrom_________
Stephen W. Bergstrom
Executive Chairman

EXECUTIVE

By: __/s/ Matthew W. Rowland________________
 
Matthew W. Rowland

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
NONCOMPETITION GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND SCOPE

Every State of the United States in which the Company does business on the Executive’s date of termination.
All customers of the Company on the Executive’s date of termination.

SCHEDULE B
OUTSIDE INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive holds and will continue to hold a non-controlling membership interest in RBI Midstream Energy, LLC (“RBI”), which in turn holds interests in entities engaged in the business of owning and operating gathering systems, pipeline systems and processing facilities for oil, natural gas, liquids and related materials.  Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that Executive shall be permitted to maintain his ownership interest in RBI and, indirectly, any businesses or entities in which RBI has or may in the future have an interest; provided that during any period to which Executive is subject to the non-competition provisions of Section 5.6 of this Agreement, Executive will not be actively involved in any such businesses.

 HN\1006749.9SUMMARY OF TERMS OF PROPOSED AQUISTION

EXHIBIT 10.1

——————————————————————

SUMMARY OF TERMS OF 

PROPOSED AQUISTION OF 

WALLSTREET.COM, LLC

BY

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN HOLDINGS, INC.

——————————————————————

The purpose of this summary of terms is to set forth the basis for the negotiation of a possible acquisition of all of the membership interests of Wall-Street.com, LLC, a Florida limited liability company by Bright Mountain Holdings, Inc. (“BMHI”) In the event the parties wish to proceed with the transaction, the terms thereof will be embodied in a definitive merger agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”). This summary of terms is intended only to provide an outline for the negotiations related to the proposed transaction and the material terms that may be contained in the Definitive Agreement, and is not intended to be legally binding on either party, except for the provisions related to Disclosure, SEC Filings and Exclusivity, which are legally binding on the parties.

		
	Parties:

	·

Bright Mountain Holdings, Inc., a Nevada  corporation (“Bright Mountain” or “BMHI”)

·

Wall-Street.com, LLC, a Florida limited liability company

 

	Transaction Overview:

	BMHI will acquire 100% of the ownership interests and all other rights to acquire ownership interests in Wall-Street.com, LLC in exchange for $3.2 million (U.S. currency) of BMHI common stock at $ .55 per share, equal to 5,818,181 shares of BMHI stock. This amount may change as during the due diligence by both respective companies.

	 
	 

	Tax  Treatment:

	All shares to be issued, will be issued, free and clear of any and all claims, liens, encumbrances and /or adverse interests of any kind.

	 
	 

	Securities Law Matters:

	BMHI shall cause to be filed an 8K to disclose the purposed Acquisition of 100% of the ownership interests in Wall-Street LLC, and all of it’s respective assets including the Trademarks, Copyrights,  Domain names and the web site of wall-street.com, with all improvements and current revenues.

	 
	 

	Board of Directors and Officers:

	Following the closing of the Definitive Agreement, Jerrold Burden shall remain President, Director, and Secretary of BMHI, and Wall-Street.com, LLC 

	 
	 

	Representations, Warranties and Other Provisions:

	The Definitive Agreement will contain representations, warranties, pre-closing covenants, closing conditions and other provisions customary for a transaction of this nature, including, but not limited to:

a) Representations that no options or other contracts are in effect with respect to BMHI common shares that have not been previously disclosed; and

b) Representations that there are no liabilities of any kind, except for those listed in the current filings of BMHI  fixed or contingent, except as provided for in this LOI.

1

		
	 
	 

	Conditions to Signing:

	Execution of the Definitive Agreement will be conditional upon: (a) the satisfactory completion of legal and accounting due diligence by BMHI and Wall-Street.com LLC and (b) the approval of the Definitive Agreement by the Boards of Directors of both Bright Mountain and Wall-Street.com and by all of the members of Wall-Street.com

	 
	 

	Conditions to Closing:

	The obligations of BMHI and Wall-Street.com LLC to consummate the Definitive Agreement and acquisition of Wall-Street LLC will be subject, among other things, to the following items:

·

The Definitive Agreement shall have been approved by the requisite vote of BMHI and Wall-Street.com.

·

This LOI shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of both companies.

·

No material adverse event will have occurred with respect to the other party from the date of signing of the Definitive Agreement.

	 
	 

	Timing:

	Once the parties reach agreement upon this non-binding term sheet,  BMHI and Wall-Street.com LLC will commence immediate due diligence and the parties will commence negotiation of a Definitive Agreement. The targeted date for completion of due diligence and execution of a Definitive Agreement is January 4th 2014. The parties agree to strive for the closing of the Acquisition to occur as soon as possible thereafter.

	 
	 

	Termination:

	Either party may terminate negotiations at any time.

	 
	 

	Expenses:

	Either party agrees that it shall bear its own expenses in the negotiation and execution of this term sheet and/or a Definitive Agreement and subsequent acquisition unless expressly provided otherwise in writing, whether or not the transaction is consummated.

	 
	 

	Disclosure:

	The parties agree that this non-binding term sheet shall be disclosed promptly upon (and in no event later than 5 business days following) the execution hereof, pursuant to a Form 8-K to be filed by BMHI. The disclosure contained in such Form 8-K shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.

	 
	 

	Governing Law:

	This LOI shall be deemed to be made and executed in Broward County Florida and all disputes arising under or relating to this LOI shall be decided pursuant to Florida law and venue for any proceedings shall be heard in Broward County, Florida.

2

Signature Page

SUMMARY OF TERMS OF PROPOSED ACQUISITION 

					
	BRIGHT MOUNTAIN HOLDINGS, INC.

	WALL-STREET.COM LLC

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	By:

	/s/  Jerrold D. Burden

	 
	By:

	/s/ Jerrold D. Burden

	Name:

	Jerrold D. Burden

	 
	Name:

	Jerrold Burden

	Title:

	President and CEO

	 
	Title:

	Principal

	Date:

	August 27, 2013

	 
	Date:

	August 27, 2013

3

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00221-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00221-of-00352.parquet"}]]