Document:

Sign-On Stock Options Agreement, effective October 28, 2010

 Exhibit 10.72 
 NALCO HOLDING COMPANY 
 AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 SIGN-ON STOCK OPTIONS AGREEMENT 
 Kathryn Mikells 
 THIS AGREEMENT, is made effective as of the commencement
date of your employment with Nalco Company, October 28, 2010 (the “Commencement Date”), between Nalco Holding Company (the “Company”) and Kathryn Mikells (the
“Participant”). 
 R E C I T A L S: 

WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Plan (as defined below), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of
this Agreement; and 
 WHEREAS, the Committee has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders to grant the Sign-On Options provided for herein to the Participant pursuant to the Plan and the terms set forth herein. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows: 
 1. Definitions. Whenever the following terms are used in this Agreement, they shall have the meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as
in the Plan. 
 Cause: “Cause” shall mean: 

(a) engaging in gross or willful misconduct (which includes insubordination) in the performance your duties or intentional
failure to comply with a specific, written directive of the Chief Executive Officer, a supervisor or the Company’s Board of Directors, as reasonably determined by the Company’s Board of Directors; 

(b) commission of a felony, perpetration of a fraud against the Company, or perpetration of a dishonest act, in the
reasonable judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors; 
 (c) material breach of your employment agreement
as reasonably determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, which is not cured with five (5) days of written notice to you; 
 (d) material violation of the Company’s policies and procedures, including, without limitation, the Nalco Holding Company Code of Ethical Business Conduct or Officers Ethics Code (copies of which
shall be provided to you); or 

 (e) your failure to cooperate in any audit or investigation of the Company’s financial
statements or reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the business practices of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries. 
 Change of Control: “Change of Control” shall mean: 
 (a) a sale of assets representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the net book value and of the fair market value of the Company’s consolidated assets (in a single transaction or in a series of
related transactions); 
 (b) a merger or consolidation involving the Company or Nalco Company after the
completion of which: (i) in the case of a merger (other than a triangular merger) or a consolidation involving the Company, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the completion of such merger or consolidation beneficially own
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or comparable successor rules), directly or indirectly, outstanding voting securities representing less than sixty
percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the surviving entity in such merger or consolidation, and (ii) in the case of a triangular merger involving the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, the shareholders of the Company
immediately prior to the completion of such merger beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rules), directly or indirectly, outstanding voting securities representing less than
sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the surviving entity in such merger and less than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger; 

c) an acquisition by any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Exchange Act or any comparable successor provisions), other than any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and other than in a merger or consolidation of the type referred to
in clause “(b)” above, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rules) of outstanding voting securities of the Company representing more than thirty percent
(30%) of the combined voting power of the Company (in a single transaction or series of related transactions); 
 (d) in the event that the individuals who, as of the Commencement Date, are members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least
fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s Board of Directors. (If the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of any new member of the Board of Directors is approved by a vote of at least fifty percent
(50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new member of the Board of Directors shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.); or 
 (e) any other transaction or series of transactions that would have substantially the same effect as the change of control events described in (a) through (d) above. 

Disability: “Disability” shall mean a long-term disability as then-defined under the Nalco Company long-term
disability plan. 

 Expiration Date: “Expiration Date” shall mean the tenth anniversary
of the Commencement Date. 
 Good Reason: “Good Reason” shall mean the following change in circumstances
relating to your employment: (a) move of principal place of employment to a location 50 miles or more from the previous principal place of employment, (b) a reduction in either Base Salary or aggregate total compensation by more than 10%,
(c) a material diminution in your authority, duties or responsibilities, or (d) a material breach by the Company or Nalco Company of this offer letter or any of the related agreements hereto, including your Severance Agreement (each being
a “Good Reason Event”). For purposes of claiming Good Reason, you must notify the Company within ninety (90) days of a claimed Good Reason Event that you intend to terminate your employment, and the Company or Nalco Company shall have
thirty (30) days from the time of such notice to cure the claimed Good Reason Event. You will be required to terminate employment within sixty (60) days following expiration of the cure period in order for your termination of employment to
be on account of a Good Reason Event. 
 Plan: “Plan” shall mean the Nalco Holding Company Amended and
Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as from time to time amended. 
 Vested Portion: “Vested Portion’
shall mean, at any time, the portion of the Sign-On Stock Options which have become vested, as described in Section 3 of this Agreement. 
 2. Grant of Sign-On Options. The Company hereby grants to the Participant the right and option to purchase (the “Sign-On Options”), on the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, 79,432 Shares, subject to adjustment as set forth in the Plan. The exercise price shall be $30.07 per Share (the “Option Price”). The Sign-On Options are intended to be nonqualified stock options, and are not
intended to be treated as ISOs that comply with Section 422 of the Code. 
 3. Vesting of the Sign-On Options.

 (a) Vesting of the Sign-On Options. Subject to the Participant’s continued Employment with the Company, Nalco
Company and its Affiliates, and except as provided in Sections 3(b), 3(c) or 3(d) below, the Sign-On Options shall vest and become exercisable with respect to one-half of the Shares subject to the Sign-On Options on the third anniversary of the
Commencement Date and shall vest and become exercisable with respect to the second one-half of the Shares subject to the Sign-On Options on the fifth anniversary of the Commencement Date. 

(b) Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, and provided Participant continues to be employed by the Company,
Nalco Company and its Affiliates on the date which is ninety days before the date of the Change of Control, any portion of the Sign-On Options which have not vested at the date of Change of Control shall become immediately and fully vested on the
date of the Change of Control. 
 (c) Involuntary Termination. In the event that: (i) Participant’s employment
with the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates is terminated for reasons that do not constitute 

 
Cause or (ii) Participant terminates her employment with the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates that do not constitute Good Reason (either the “Involuntary Termination
Date”), any portion of the Sign-On Options which have not vested at that date of Involuntary Termination Date shall become immediately and fully vested on the Involuntary Termination Date. 

(d) Death or Disability. In the event of Participant’s death or Disability, a prorated portion of the Sign-On Options which
have not vested on the date of such death or Disability shall become immediately vested on date of such death or Disability, prorated to reflect the actual service through such date as against the remaining portion of the vesting period for the
subject invested Sign-On Options. 
 (e) Termination of Employment. If the Participant’s Employment with the
Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates terminates for any reason, except as provided in Sections 3(b), 3(c) or 3(d), the Sign-On Stock Options, to the extent not then vested and exercisable, shall be immediately canceled by the Company without
consideration. 
 4. Exercise of Options. 
 (a) Period of Exercise. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Participant may exercise all or any part of the Vested Portion of the Sign-On Option at any time prior to the
Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant’s Employment terminates prior to the Expiration Date, the Vested Portion of the Sign-On Options shall remain exercisable for the period set forth below: 

(i) Death or Disability. If the Participant’s Employment with the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates is
terminated due to the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise the Vested Portion of the Sign-On Options for a period ending on the earlier of (A) one year following the date of such termination and (B) the
Expiration Date; 
 (ii) Termination by the Company without Cause or Termination by the Participant. If
the Participant’s Employment with the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates is terminated (a) by the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates or (b) by the Participant, the Participant may exercise the Vested Portion of the
Sign-On Options for a period ending on the earlier of (A) 90 days following the date of such termination and (B) the Expiration Date; and 
 (iii) Termination by the Company for Cause. If the Participant’s Employment with the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates is terminated by the Company, Nalco Company and its Affiliates
for Cause, the Vested Portion of the Sign-On Options shall immediately terminate in full and cease to be exercisable. 
 (b)
Method of Exercise. 
 (i) Subject to Section 4(a) of this Agreement, the Vested Portion of the
Sign-On Options may be exercised by delivering to the Company at its principal office written notice of intent to so exercise; provided that the Sign-On Options may be 

 
exercised with respect to whole Shares only. Such notice shall specify the number of Shares for which the Sign-On Options is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the
aggregate Option Price. Payment of the aggregate Option Price may be made (A) in cash, or its equivalent, (B) to the extent permitted by the Committee, by transferring Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price
for the Shares being purchased to the Company and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided that such Shares have been held by the Participant for no less than six months (or such other period as
established from time to time by the Committee or generally accepted accounting principles), (C) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, subject to such rules as may be established by the Committee, through delivery of
irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Sign-On Options and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate Option Price for the shares being purchased or
(D) such other method as approved by the Committee. No Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder with respect to the Shares subject to the Sign-On Options until the Participant has given written notice of
exercise of the Sign-On Option, paid in full for such Shares and, if applicable, has satisfied any other conditions imposed by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. 

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, absent an available exemption to
registration or qualification, the Sign-On Options may not be exercised prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the Sign-On Options or the Shares under applicable state and federal securities or other laws, or under any
ruling or regulation of any governmental body or national securities exchange that the Committee shall in its sole reasonable discretion determine to be necessary or advisable. 

(iii) Upon the Company’s determination that a Sign-On Option has been validly exercised as to any of the Shares, the
Company shall issue certificates in the Participant’s name for such Shares (electronic or otherwise). However, the Company shall not be liable to the Participant for damages relating to any delays in issuing the certificates to the Participant,
any loss by the Participant of the certificates, or any mistakes or errors in the issuance of the certificates or in the certificates themselves. 
 (iv) In the event of the Participant’s death, the Vested Portion of the Sign-On Options shall remain vested and exercisable by the Participant’s executor or administrator, or the person or
persons to whom the Participant’s rights under this Agreement shall pass by will or by the laws of descent and distribution as the case may be, to the extent set forth in Section 4(a) of this Agreement. Any heir or legatee of the
Participant shall take rights herein granted subject to the terms and conditions hereof. 
 5. No Right to Continued
Employment. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or in any consulting relationship to, the Company, Nalco Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company,
Nalco Company or its Affiliate may at any time dismiss the Participant or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan or this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. 

 6. Legend on Certificates. The certificates representing the Shares purchased by
exercise of the Sign-On Options shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem reasonably advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares are listed, any applicable federal or state laws and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates
to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. 
 7. Transferability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
the Sign-On Options may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation,
pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate; provided that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale,
transfer or encumbrance. During the Participant’s lifetime, the Sign-On Options are exercisable only by the Participant. 

8. Withholding. The Participant may be required to pay to the Company or its Affiliate and the Company or its Affiliate shall have
the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any payment due or transfer made under the Sign-On Options or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of the Sign-On Options, their exercise, or any payment or transfer under the Sign-On Options or under the Plan and to take such action as may be necessary in the option of the
Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. 
 9. Securities Laws. Upon the acquisition of any
Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Sign-On Options, the Participant will make or enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements as the Committee may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities laws or
with this Agreement. 
 10. Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company in care of its
Chief Financial Officer and a copy to the Chief Executive Officer, each copy addressed to the principal executive office of the Company and to the Participant at the address appearing in the personnel records of the Company for the Participant or to
either party at such other address as either party hereto may hereafter designate in writing to the other. Any such notice shall be deemed effective upon receipt thereof by the addressee. 

11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
regard to conflicts of laws. 
 12. Signature in Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

  

			
	Nalco Holding Company
		
	By	 	 
	    Its	 	 
		
		 	 
		 	ParticipantEmployment Letter Agreement dated as of September 29, 2010

 Exhibit 10.73 

 

 

			
	  	  	 Nalco Company
 1601 West
Diehl Road
 Naperville, IL 60563-1198

phone 630.305.2801
 fax 630.305.1890

www.nalco.com

September 29, 2010 

CONFIDENTIAL 
 Dear Kathryn:

 We are pleased to confirm to you an offer of employment with Nalco Company and Nalco Holding Company (“Nalco Holding”, together
with Nalco Company, the “Company”) according to the terms set forth in this letter: 
  

			
	Position Title:	  	You are being offered the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for both Nalco
Company and Nalco Holding, and certain of their
subsidiaries.
		
	Commencement Date:	  	We expect you to commence your employment on a mutually agreed date (the “Commencement Date”) after the completion of the merger for your current employer, but no later
than December 31, 2010.
		
	Base Salary:	  	Your base salary will be $600,000 per annum, to be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Nalco Holding (the “Compensation
Committee”), in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, and subject to periodic adjustment in accordance with the Company’s policy.
		
	Annual Incentive Plan:	  	 You will participate with other executive officers in the Management Incentive Plan of Nalco Company and any successor plan
(collectively the “MIP”) administered by the Compensation Committee. The amounts awarded each year will be determined by the Compensation Committee typically, targeting a percentage of a participating employee’s base salary and
dependent upon the level of achievement of various personal and/or Company performance objective(s) established by the Compensation Committee early in the fiscal year.
  

If the Commencement Date is in FY 2010, your target payout under the MIP will be 75% of your base salary pro-rated for the portion of the year during
which you are employed, with a range of award to be earned of 0% to 200% of target based on performance. The performance goals for FY 2010 under the MIP are adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, and adjusted EPS.

 
 For 2011, your target payout under the MIP will be 75% of your base salary, with a
range of award to be earned of 0% to 200% of target based on performance. The Compensation Committee will determine the

			
	 	  	performance goals for FY 2011 under the MIP in the 4th quarter of 2010.
		
	Annual Stock Awards:	  	 You will participate with other executive officers in annual equity grants (“Stock Awards”) under the Nalco Holding Company
Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and any successor plan (collectively the “Stock Plan”). The amounts, terms, timing, and mix of the Stock Awards will be determined annually by the Compensation Committee. These awards will be
subject to the terms and conditions of the Stock Plan.
  
 For FY 2011, you
will receive Stock Awards with an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of approximately 150% of your annual base salary. The valuation will be based on application of the stock-based compensation pricing model as then adopted by the Company.
The performance goals for FY 2011 under the LTIP will be determined in the 4th quarter of 2010. The Compensation Committee will approve proposed grants for the annual Stock Awards typically in mid-February.

 
 Contemporaneously with this Letter, we will enter into a Change of Control Agreement
with you relating to the Stock Awards in the form attached hereto. Your Stock Awards will be evidenced by separate Award Agreements under the Stock Plan, which Award Agreements shall not be inconsistent with the foregoing terms and
conditions.

		
	Sign-On Awards:	  	 You will receive the following equity grant:
  

Stock Options: You will be granted and receive stock options (the “Sign-On Stock Options”) having a fair value of approximately $750,000.
Such options will have a 10-year term from the date of this grant and will vest 50% on the third year anniversary and 50% fifth year anniversary of the Commencement Date. 

 
 Restricted Shares: You will be granted and receive restricted shares (the
“Sign-On Restricted Shares”) having a fair value of approximately $1,750,000. Such shares will vest 50% on the third year anniversary 50% on the fifth year anniversary of the Commencement Date.

 
 Per Company policy, the strike price for the Sign-On Stock Options and the number of
Sign-On Restricted Shares will be determined at the closing stock price on the fifth business day of the month following the Commencement Date. Your Sign-On Stock Options and your Sign-On Restricted Shares are collectively referred to herein as your
“Sign-On Awards”.
  
 In the event of a Change in Control (as
defined below) any unvested Sign-On Restricted Shares and Sign-On Stock Options will immediately accelerate and become vested. In the event of your death or long-term disability (as defined under the Company’s long-term disability plans) prior
to a Change in Control, a prorated portion of the Sign-On Restricted Shares and Sign-On Stock Options shall vest reflecting the period of service. If, prior to a Change in Control, your employment is terminated by the Company for reasons other than
for Cause (as defined below) or if you terminate your employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined below), your unvested Sign-On Awards will immediately accelerate and become vested upon your termination date.

			
	 	  	 Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, you must be employed on the date of the vesting for the
Sign-On Restricted Shares
and Sign-On Stock Options to vest.
 The following definitions shall apply for purposes of your Sign-On Awards and for such other
purposes
stated herein:
  
 “Change in
Control” shall mean:
  
 (a) a sale of assets
representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the net book value and of the fair
market value of Nalco Holding’s consolidated assets (in a single transaction or in a series of related
transactions);

 
 (b) a merger or consolidation involving Nalco Holding or Nalco
Company after the completion of
which: (i) in the case of a merger (other than a triangular merger) or a consolidation involving Nalco
Holding, the shareholders of the Nalco Holding immediately prior to the completion of such merger
or
consolidation beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3) promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or comparable successor rules), directly or
indirectly, outstanding
voting securities representing less than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting
power of the surviving entity in such merger or consolidation, and (ii) in the case of a triangular merger
involving Nalco Holding or a subsidiary of Nalco
Holding, the shareholders of Nalco Holding immediately
prior to the completion of such merger beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rules), directly or indirectly,
outstanding voting
securities representing less than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the surviving entity
in such merger and less than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the parent of the
surviving
entity in such merger;
  
 (c) an acquisition by any
person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of
the Exchange Act or any comparable successor provisions), other than any employee benefit plan, or
related trust, sponsored or maintained by Nalco Holding or
an affiliate of Nalco Holding and other than in
a merger or consolidation of the type referred to in clause “(b)” above , of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable
successor rules) of
outstanding voting securities of Nalco Holding representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the
combined voting power of Nalco Holding (in a single transaction or series of related transactions);

 
 (d) in the event that the individuals who, as of the
Commencement Date, are members of Nalco
Holding’s Board of Directors (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty
percent (50%) of Nalco Holding’s Board of Directors. (If the election, or
nomination for election by the
Nalco Holding’s shareholders, of any new member of the Board of Directors is approved by a vote of at
least fifty percent (50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new member of the Board of Directors shall
be
considered as a member

			
	 	  	of the Incumbent Board.); or
		
	 	  	 (e) any other transaction or series of transactions that would have substantially the same effect as
the
change of control events described in (a) through (d) above.
  
 “Cause” shall mean any of the following:
  
 (a) your engaging in gross or willful misconduct (which includes insubordination) in the
performance your duties or intentional failure to comply with a specific, written directive of the
Chief
Executive Officer, a supervisor or Nalco Holding’s Board of Directors, as reasonably determined by the
Nalco Holding’s Board of Directors;
  

(b) your commission of a felony, perpetration of a fraud against the Company, or perpetration of a
dishonest act, in the reasonable
judgment of the Nalco Holding’s Board of Directors;
  
 (c) your material breach of your employment agreement as reasonably determined by Nalco
Holding’s Board of Directors , which is not cured with five (5) days of written notice to you;

 
 (d) your material violation of the Company’s policies and
procedures, including, without limitation,
the Nalco Holding Company Code of Ethical Business Conduct or Officers Ethics Code (copies of which
shall be provided to you); or

 
 (e) your failure to cooperate in any audit or investigation of
the Company’s financial statements or
reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the business practices of the
Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

 
 “Good Reason” shall mean the following change
in circumstances relating to your employment: (a)
move of principal place of employment to a location 50 miles or more from the previous principal place of
employment, (b) a reduction in either Base Salary or aggregate total compensation by
more than 10%, (c) a
material diminution in your authority, duties or responsibilities, or (d) a material breach by the Company
of this offer letter or any of the related agreements hereto, including your Severance Agreement (each
being a
“Good Reason Event”). For purposes of claiming Good Reason, you must notify the Company
within ninety (90) days of a claimed Good Reason Event that you intend to terminate your employment,
and the Company shall have thirty (30) days
from the time of such notice to cure the claimed Good Reason
Event. You will be required to terminate employment within sixty (60) days following expiration of the
cure period in order for your termination of employment to be on account of a
Good Reason Event.
  
 Your Sign-On Awards will be evidenced by separate
Award Agreements under the Stock Plan, which
Award Agreements shall not be inconsistent with the foregoing terms and conditions.

		
	Equity Ownership	  	The Company maintains equity ownership requirements for its executive

			
	Policy:	  	officers. You are expected to own Nalco Holding stock worth three times (3x) your annual base salary.
You will have five (5) years in which to meet this equity ownership
requirement. The Company will
provide you with additional details on the policy and how it is applied.
		
	Severance
Agreement and
Representations:	  	 Contemporaneously with this Letter we will enter into a Severance Agreement with you in the form
attached hereto.

 
 You represent and warrant that: (i) there are no contractual or legal impediments
that restrict your
acceptance of employment with the Company or would in any way restrict your performance of your job
and (ii) you will not bring or use any confidential or proprietary information or property of any
prior
employer.

		
	Transition
Assistance:	  	You will be covered by reimbursement of up to $10,000 of legal fees related to the initiation of your
employment with the Company and negotiation of this offer letter and
related agreements.
		
	Benefits and
Perquisites:	  	 You will be eligible for the Company’s standard retirement programs and other health and welfare benefit
programs under the
same terms and conditions as other executive officers.
  
 Additionally, you
will be eligible to participate in the Executive Death Benefit program, the form of the
Agreement is attached as Attachment A.
  

You will be eligible for 5 weeks of vacation time annually, in addition to all paid Company holidays.

You will be eligible to participate under at least the same terms and conditions as other executive officers
in any new or modified benefits plans,
severance plans, stock plans, and other benefits, plans and
perquisites. In the event of a Change in Control and to the extent not already provided under this offer
letter, you will be able to receive severance, accelerated stock option
vesting, and any other benefits under
at least the same terms as are offered to other executive officers in similar positions. As you are aware, any
Change in Control payments or benefits that are in addition to what is set forth herein will
require approval
by the Nalco Holding’s Board of Directors. The terms of this offer letter cannot be modified without your
and the Company’s written approval.

 
 In the event that any term or provision of this offer letter is inconsistent with or
contrary to the term of any
other agreement, then unless the other agreement expressly provides that its terms are intended to modify
this offer letter, the terms of this offer letter will govern. The Company’s standard employment terms
and
conditions are set forth in its standard Employment Agreement, included as Attachment B, and such terms
and conditions will not eliminate or reduce in any way your severance, compensation. or any other benefit
or term as outlined in
this offer letter.

 This offer letter, including the various separate agreements referred to herein, embodies the full
contents of your employment offer. This offer is conditioned upon execution of the standard Employment Agreement, a 

 
satisfactory background check and passing the pre-employment substance abuse screening test. We would like and expect a response to this offer letter by
                , at which time this offer expires. 

Kathryn, we are very excited about the prospect of your joining Nalco. We look forward to welcoming you to the Company. 

 

	
	Sincerely yours,
	
	NALCO COMPANY
	
	  
	J. Erik Fyrwald
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
	

  

							
	Accepted:	 		 		 	
				
	  	 		 	 	 	  
	Kathryn A. Mikells	 		 		 	Date:

 ATTACHMENT A 
 DEATH BENEFIT AGREEMENT FORM 
 Kathryn A. Mikells 

THIS AGREEMENT, effective              between Nalco Company
(hereinafter “Nalco”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and Kathryn Mikells (hereinafter “Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by Nalco as a corporate officer; and 

WHEREAS, in consideration of Executive’s future services to Nalco, Nalco will agree to pay to the Executive or the
Executive’s designees certain benefits in accordance with the provisions and conditions hereinafter set forth; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, for value received and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties covenant and agree
as follows: 
 ARTICLE I 
 DEATH BENEFIT 
 If the termination of the Executive’s employment is on account of the
Executive’s death during employment with Nalco while eligible under this Agreement, Nalco will pay a benefit under this Agreement, in an amount equal to Two Hundred Percent (200%) of the Executive’s base annual salary as of the date
of the Executive’s last day of work, to such beneficiary or beneficiaries as the Executive may have designated by filing with Nalco a notice in writing in a form attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

If the Executive dies at any time after the Executive has a qualified retirement (meaning the Executive has retired from her employment and she qualifies
for retiree health and welfare benefits i.e. - has ten or more years of service with Nalco after age 45) with this Agreement having been in effect at the time of such qualification, Nalco will pay a benefit under this Agreement in an amount equal to
one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the Executive’s base annual salary as of the date of the Executive’s last day of work, to such beneficiary or beneficiaries as the Executive may have designated by filing with Nalco a notice in
writing in a form attached hereto as Exhibit A. 
 This benefit shall not be payable if the Executive was terminated from his Nalco employment
for cause or if he has violated any Nalco agreements (as determined by Nalco in its reasonable discretion). 

  
 1 

 In the absence of any such designation of beneficiaries, such benefit which is payable will be paid to the
Executive’s estate. Such benefit which is payable will be paid by Nalco in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the date of Executive’s death, or within thirty (30) days following the settlement date with the insurance
company if a policy is taken out by Nalco, whichever is later. If the termination of the Executive’s employment is on account of any occurrence or circumstances other than the Executive’s death or retirement after qualifying for retiree
health and welfare benefits, no benefit will be payable under this Agreement. 
 ARTICLE II 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 

2.1 Satisfaction of Claim 
 The Executive
agrees that the Executive’s rights and interests under this Agreement, and rights and interests under this Agreement of any persons taking under or through the Executive, will be completely satisfied upon compliance by Nalco with the provisions
of this Agreement. 
 2.2 Amendments/Entire Agreement 
 This Agreement may be altered, amended or revoked only by a written instrument signed by Nalco and the Executive. This Agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof. 
 2.3 Governing Law 
 This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. 
 2.4 Non-Assignable
Rights 
 It is agreed that neither the Executive nor the Executive’s spouse, nor other beneficiary, will have any right to commute,
sell, assign, transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments hereunder without having the written consent of Nalco to do so. Such payments and the right thereto are expressly declared to be non-assignable and non-transferable.

 2.5 No Contract of Employment Created 
 This Agreement will not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto, nor will any provision hereof restrict the right of Nalco to discharge the Executive, or restrict the
right of the Executive to terminate the Executive’s employment. 
 2.6 Non-Secured Promise 

  
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 2.6.1 The rights of the Executive under this Agreement and of any beneficiary of the Executive will be
solely those of an unsecured creditor of the Corporation. Any insurance policy or any other asset acquired or held by Nalco in connection with the liabilities assumed by it hereunder, will not be deemed to be held under any trust for the benefit of
the Executive or the Executive’s beneficiaries or to be security for the performance of the obligations of Nalco, but will be, and remain, a general, unpledged, unrestricted asset of Nalco. 

2.6.2 The benefits under this Agreement will be paid by Nalco from its general assets. To cover all or part of its potential liabilities under the plan,
Nalco may, but need not, purchase life insurance policies on the life of the Executive, but the Executive will not have any preferred claim against the policies or any beneficial ownership in the policies under this Agreement. Nalco makes no
representation that it will use any life insurance policies acquired by it and insuring the life of the Executive only to provide benefits under this Agreement or that any such policies will, in any way, represent security for the payment of the
benefits provided for in this Agreement. An Executive’s right to a benefit under this Agreement will not, except as may be provided for in paragraph 2.7, be limited or governed in any way by the amount of insurance proceeds received by Nalco.
Executive shall take any actions reasonably requested by Nalco in implementing this benefit, including, without limitation, a physical examination or other procedures necessary to secure an insurance policy. 

2.7 Limitations on Benefits 
 2.7.1 If
Nalco does deem it appropriate to insure all or any part of its obligation, in accordance with Section 2.6.2 Nalco will so notify the Executive. The Executive agrees to take whatever actions may be necessary to enable Nalco to timely apply for
and acquire such insurance and to fulfill the requirements of the insurance company relative to the insurance thereof. 
 2.7.2 If the Executive
is required by this Agreement to submit information to the insurance company and if the Executive has made a material misrepresentation in an application for any insurance that is used to insure its obligations under this Agreement, and if as a
result of that material misrepresentation the insurance company is not required to pay all or any part of the benefit provided under that insurance, the Executive’s right to a benefit under this Agreement will be reduced by the amount of the
benefit that is not paid by the insurance company because of such material misrepresentation. 
 2.7.3 No benefit will be payable under this
Agreement if the Executive dies by suicide within two years after the effective date of this Agreement. No increase in the amount of any benefit provided in this Agreement as a result in an increase in salary after the date of this Agreement will be
payable under this Agreement if the Executive dies by suicide within two years after the effective date of such increase. 
 2.8
Administrator 
 Nalco’s Employee Benefit Plan Administration Committee (EBPAC) will be the Administrator under this Agreement. EBPAC
may authorize or designate a person or group of persons to fulfill 

  
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the responsibilities of EBPAC as Administrator. The Administrator (or designee(s)) may employ others to render advice with regard to its responsibilities under this Agreement. 

2.9 Claims Procedure 
 2.9.1 Filing
Claims. Any insured, beneficiary or other individual (hereinafter “Claimant”) entitled to benefits under the Agreement will file a claim request with the Administrator. The Administrator will, upon written request of a Claimant, make
available copies of any claim forms or instructions or advise the Claimant where such forms or instructions may be obtained. The Administrator shall notify Claimant in writing of its decision within thirty (30) days of its receipt of
Claimant’s claim request. If the Administrator fails to notify Claimant of its decision with such thirty (30) day period, the claim shall be deemed denied upon the expiration of the thirty (30) day period. 

2.9.2 Review Procedure. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of a denial of a claim (or within thirty (30) days after date of deemed
denial) a Claimant may file a written request for review with the Administrator. The Administrator will then make available copies of any pertinent forms or instructions or advise Claimant where such forms or instructions may be obtained.

 EBPAC (or its designee(s)) will have the sole responsibility for the review of any denied claim and will take all steps appropriate in the
light of its findings. EBPAC shall notify Claimant, in writing, of its decision on appeal within thirty (30) days following receipt of Claimant’s written request for review of the denied claim. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, Nalco by its duly authorized officer, on the day and year first written
above. 
  

	
	Executive
	
	  
	Kathryn Mikells

  

	
	Nalco Company
	
	  

  
 4 

 EXHIBIT A 

DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY 
 DEATH BENEFIT AGREEMENT 
 Nalco Company 

 

			
		
	Name	  	 
		
	I hereby designate	  	 
		
	of	  	 
		  	Address
		
	Who is my	  	 
		
		  	Relationship

 as the beneficiary(ies) under the Death
Benefit Agreement between Nalco and me, to whom benefits that are payable shall be paid at the time of my death. (Unless otherwise stated if more than one beneficiary is designated, it is understood that distribution shall be made in equal shares to
the designated beneficiaries but only to such of them as shall survive me.) I reserve the right to change my beneficiary(ies). 
  

					
	Witness:	 		 	Executive:
			
	  	 		 	  
	Witness should not be a beneficiary	 		 	

  

			
	Dated:	 	 

 ATTACHMENT B 
 NALCO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FORM 
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

NALCO COMPANY 
 THIS
AGREEMENT made and entered into by and between 
  

	
	
	Kathryn A. Mikells
	(“You” or “you”) and Nalco Company, a Delaware corporation with its principal office in Illinois, (“Nalco”).

Purpose 
 You are being
employed by Nalco and will occupy a trusted position and be enabled to obtain confidential information about Nalco’s business, the business of Nalco’s parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, prospective customers, customers, consultants,
licensors, licensees and other business associates (hereafter collectively “Third Parties”); 
 You may make or
acquire interests in inventions during your employment, or by using Nalco information; 
 Nalco invests substantial sums on the
training and development of its employees, and the development of technology, and the obligations and post employment restrictions imposed on you are necessary to protect Nalco’s goodwill and customer relationships. 

Requirements 
 In consideration
of your employment and payment of compensation and benefits by Nalco, and in view of your trusted position with Nalco, Nalco and you agree: 
  

	1.	Exclusive Loyalty to Nalco. While employed by Nalco, you shall devote all your time and attention and give your best efforts and skill exclusively to the
interests of Nalco during reasonable business hours and shall perform such services for Nalco as may from time to time be assigned to you. You will not engage in other employment without Nalco’s prior written consent. You will be loyal to Nalco
and will disclose to Nalco all corporate opportunities known to you. You will promptly disclose to Nalco any conflict of interest or employment matter which may be adverse to Nalco’s interest. 

 

	2.	Confidential Information. You shall not, by yourself or through another, person or through another entity, during or after your employment by Nalco,
disclose to others, or use, except for Nalco’s benefit, any Confidential Information. Confidential Information means, but is not limited to, any inventions, trade secrets, discoveries, improvements, machines, devices, processes, products,
formulae, designs, projects, mixtures and/or compounds, whether patentable or not, that may have been, are now, or may hereafter be made, used, devised, considered or investigated by or for Nalco or Third Parties. Confidential Information also
includes, but is not limited to, customer and prospective customer lists, sales and service data, strategic planning, marketing information, research plans, training materials, service techniques, information which gives Nalco a competitive
advantage, financial information, product formulations, computer software owned by Nalco or licensed by Nalco from Third Parties, computer access codes, computer data, computer hardware, and other information concerning the processes, products and
activities of Nalco and Third Parties. You will at all times keep secret and hold inviolate Confidential Information. The obligations of this section shall not apply if and to the extent any Confidential Information is or becomes generally known and
is available for use by the public except by an act or omission of you or another employee with a duty to keep it confidential. You shall not disclose any identity or correlation between matters publicly known and Nalco’s Confidential
Information. 

  

	3.	Nalco’s Property To Be Used Exclusively For Nalco’s Benefit. Nalco Property includes, but is not limited to, identification cards, cars,
computer hardware and software, keys, office equipment, books, laboratory notebooks, credit cards, customer lists, sales and service manuals and data and all other writings, source and object codes, telephone codes and security measures to protect
Nalco’s e-mail and phone systems, training manuals, treatment and technology manuals, customer product needs and pricing information, and records and documents made by or coming into your possession while working for Nalco. All Nalco property
shall be returned to Nalco upon termination of your employment or on request of Nalco at any other time. Except in the proper exercise of your employment duties, you, either during or after your employment, will not duplicate, remove from
Nalco’s custody, or knowingly allow any other person to duplicate or remove from Nalco’s custody, any Nalco information, Confidential Information, Nalco property, or any information which has not been publicly disclosed, including, but not
limited to, marketing plans, business strategies, product announcements, service manuals, and research and technology developments and customer information. 

 

	4.	Employment and Post-Employment Restrictions  

 During and for eighteen (18) months immediately following termination of 

your employment, you will not, by yourself or through another person or 

through another entity: 
  

	 	(i)	Solicit, offer to sell, or sell any products or provide any services that compete with or displace Nalco’s products or services to those customers which you called
on, contacted, or performed services for during the last eighteen (18) months of your employment with Nalco or its affiliates; and 

  

	 	(ii)	If you had supervisory responsibility over sales or marketing employees, you will not, by yourself or through another person or through another entity, for eighteen
(18) months after termination of your employment, solicit, offer to sell, or sell any products or provide any services which compete with or displace Nalco’s products or services to those customers who were provided Nalco products or
services by the sales or marketing employees over whom you had supervisory responsibility at any time during your last eighteen (18) months at Nalco or its affiliates; and 

 

	 	(iii)	Employ, solicit, or endeavor to entice away from Nalco (whether for your own benefit or on behalf of another person or entity) any employees of Nalco to leave the
employ of Nalco, or to work for any competitor of Nalco, nor will you otherwise attempt to interfere (to Nalco’s detriment) in the relationship between Nalco and any such employees. 

 

	    	 If any part of this Agreement is deemed by a court or other tribunal to be unenforceable or unreasonable as to scope, activity, territory, duration, or
in any other respect, then (i) such finding shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect, and (ii) such court or other tribunal

	 	 
may either (a) modify the scope, activity, territory, duration or other aspect of it to such extent as the court or tribunal shall deem necessary to render it reasonable and enforceable, or
(b) enforce it partially, to effect a lesser restriction as the court or tribunal shall deem reasonable. 

  

	5.	Inventions. You will communicate and disclose in writing to your manager at Nalco or to such person as may be designated by Nalco both during your
employment and thereafter, all inventions, discoveries, improvements, machines, devices, designs, processes, products, software, treatments, formulae, mixtures and/or compounds whether patentable or not as well as patents and patent applications
(all collectively called “Inventions”) made, conceived, developed or acquired by you or under which you acquired the right to grant licenses or become licensed, whether alone or jointly with others, during your employment by Nalco. All
your right, title and interest in, to and under such Inventions, including licenses and right to grant licenses shall be the sole property of Nalco and you hereby assign the same to Nalco. Any Invention disclosed by you to anyone within one
(1) year after termination of your employment with Nalco, which relates to any matters pertaining to, applicable to, or useful in connection with, the business of Nalco shall be deemed to have been made or conceived or developed by you during
your employment by Nalco, unless proved by you to have been made and conceived and developed after termination of your employment with Nalco. 

  

	6.	Assignment and Maintenance of Inventions. For all your Inventions, you will, upon request of Nalco, during your employment and thereafter:

  

	 	(a)	execute and deliver all documents which Nalco shall deem necessary or appropriate to assign, transfer and convey to Nalco, all your right, title, interest in and to
your Inventions, and enable Nalco to file and prosecute applications for Letters Patent of the United States and any foreign countries on Inventions as to which Nalco wishes to file patent applications, and 

 

	 	(b)	do all other things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other proceedings) which Nalco shall deem necessary or appropriate to obtain, maintain, and assert
patents for any and all such inventions and to assert its rights in any inventions not patented. 

  

	7.	Inventions Developed on Your Time. Your obligation under Sections 5-6 does not apply to Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facility or
Confidential Information of Nalco was used, and which were developed entirely on your own time unless: 

  

	 	(a)	the inventions relate: 

  

	 	(i)	to the business of Nalco or, 

  

	 	(ii)	to Nalco’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; or, 

 

	 	(b)	the inventions result from any work performed by you for 

 Nalco. 
  

	8.	Copyrights. You hereby assign to Nalco the copyright in all works prepared by you which are either: 

 

	 	(a)	within the scope of your employment; or, 

  

	 	(b)	based upon information acquired from Nalco not normally made available to the public; or, 

 

	 	(c)	commissioned by Nalco but not within your scope of employment. 

 You agree to submit all such works to your Nalco supervisor for approval prior to publication or oral dissemination. You also agree to do all things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other
proceedings) which Nalco shall deem necessary or appropriate to obtain, maintain, and enable Nalco to protect its rights in and to such works. 
  

	9.	Audio and Video Release. You hereby release and allow Nalco to use, for any lawful purpose, any voice reproduction, photograph, or other video likeness of
you made in the scope of your employment. 

  

	10.	Intellectual Property Actions and Payments. All expenses incident to any action required by Nalco to assign Inventions or copyrights to Nalco or so taken
in its behalf pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be borne by Nalco, including a reasonable payment for your time and expenses involved. 

  

	11.	Survival of Obligations. The covenants, agreements and restrictions undertaken by or imposed on you in this Agreement, which are stated to exist or
continue after termination of your employment with Nalco shall exist and continue irrespective of the method or circumstances of such termination. 

  

	12.	Award of Fees Against You. If Nalco files suit against you to enforce any provision of the Agreement and a court of competent jurisdiction finds or holds
in favor of Nalco on any matter, you shall reimburse Nalco its court costs, litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys fees incurred in prosecuting and maintaining such suit. 

 

	13.	Notice of Post-Employment Restrictions. Employment with Nalco is contingent upon the signing of this Employment Agreement. You acknowledge you were
informed you would be required to sign this Employment Agreement containing post termination restrictions, such as the nonsolicitation of customers restriction, before you were offered or accepted employment by Nalco. 

 

	14.	Employment-At-Will. This Agreement and its terms are applicable from the date your employment with Nalco began. This Agreement does not create or provide
for any period of employment of you by Nalco. Your employment shall be at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time by you or Nalco. 

 

	15.	Benefit Plans. You agree that, (except for benefits in which you have become vested under the terms of a benefit plan or as required by law) Nalco, in its
sole discretion, may modify or eliminate any or all employment benefits or benefit plans which now or hereafter may exist. 

  

	16.	Affiliates. References to affiliates mean corporations, domestic or foreign, more than twenty-five per cent (25%) of whose voting stock is owned
directly or indirectly by Nalco. 

  

	17.	Assignment by Nalco. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of Nalco. Insofar as the same may be applied thereto the
terms and provisions hereof shall apply to and bind your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. This Agreement may be assigned by Nalco without your consent or knowledge. If you are employed by Nalco affiliate, subsidiary, joint venture, or
partnership entity (collectively hereafter “Successor”), Nalco may assign this Agreement to the Successor and this Agreement shall be binding on you and Successor as if they had entered into a separate Employment Agreement when you were
hired by such Successor. The Successor shall succeed to all rights in this Agreement, including this right of assignment. You cannot assign your rights in this Employment Agreement. 

*    *    * 

  
 2 

 I have read, and hereby state that I understand, and do voluntarily sign this Agreement. 

 

	
	Name: Kathryn A. Mikells
	
	  
	Signature
	
	  
	Place of Signature (City and State)
	
	  
	Date of Signature

  

			
	NALCO COMPANY
		
	By:	 	J. Erik Fyrwald
	
	 
	Signature
	
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Title

  
 3

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