Document:

ex10-29.htm

Exhibit 10.29

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of the 9th day of October, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) by and between TOWER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, an Indiana corporation, and WENDELL L. BONTRAGER (the “Executive”).

Recitals

	
  

	
1.

	
The Company is engaged in the business of operating a bank.

	
  

	
2.

	
The Executive has demonstrated his ability to serve as Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer.

	
  

	
3.

	
The parties desire to set forth in writing the terms and conditions upon which the Executive’s employment with the Company will continue.

Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Employment Term

Section 1.01.  Term.   The term of this Agreement (the “Employment Term”) shall be for a period of two (2) year(s), commencing on the Effective Date and terminating on October 9, 2014.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employment Term is subject to termination prior to the expiration thereof under the terms and conditions set forth in Article VIII.

Section 1.02.  Renewal.  The term of this Agreement shall automatically be renewed for successive terms of equal duration to the initial Employment Term (which period shall also be referred to as the “Employment Term”), unless either party provides the other written notice of its intent not to renew for a successive term at least sixty (60) days prior to the last day of the then current term.

ARTICLE II

Employment

During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be employed by the Company as its Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer or in such other capacity as shall be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.  In such capacity, the Executive shall have the duties, authority and powers granted to the Executive by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer/President from time to time.

 

  

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ARTICLE III

Devotion to Duties

During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote his full time, attention, skill and effort to the operations of the Company and shall not engage in any other business activity requiring any substantial amount of his time (whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit, or pecuniary advantage).  With prior written approval from the highest ranking officer of the Company, the Executive may engage in other business interests which materially prevent the Executive from performing his contemplated services hereunder on behalf of Company.

ARTICLE IV

Regular Compensation

The Company shall pay to the Executive as compensation for his services and for his covenants and other obligations hereunder an annual base salary (the “Salary”) in the amount of One hundred sixty seven thousand three hundred seventy five Dollars ($167,375.00), payable in accordance with the regular and customary payroll practices of the Company.  The Salary may be increased from time to time by action of the CEO/President or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

ARTICLE V

Bonus Compensation

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company may authorize the payment to the Executive of additional compensation by way of salary, bonus, or otherwise, as it deems appropriate, during the term of this Agreement or any extension hereof.  All compensation shall be subject to customary withholding and other employment taxes required with respect to compensation paid by a corporation to an employee.

ARTICLE VI

Stock Options

The Executive shall be eligible to participate in such stock option or incentive plans as may be adopted by the Company from time to time; provided, however, the Company reserves the right to determine the number of options, if any, and the terms of such grant.

ARTICLE VII

Expenses and Fringe Benefits

The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by him while carrying out his employment responsibilities under this Agreement.  The Executive shall be entitled to participate in such vacation policies, medical, dental, life and disability insurance programs; 401(k), profit sharing and any other retirement plans, and other fringe benefit plans or programs as the Company from time to time shall establish for its senior management and/or other full time employees, provided he is otherwise qualified to participate in such plans or programs.  The Company retains the right to establish limits on the types or amounts of business expenses that the Executive may incur and to abolish or alter the terms of any fringe benefit plan or program that it may establish.

 

  

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ARTICLE VIII

Termination

Section 8.01.  Reasons for Termination.  The Employment Term of the Executive shall be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a)           Immediately upon the death of the Executive.

(b)           At the Company’s option, upon the Executive’s (i) violation of a material company policy or failure to perform any of the material duties or obligations under this Agreement; or (ii) upon any dishonesty or any kind of willful misconduct of the Executive, including but not limited to, theft of or other unauthorized personal use of company funds (termination under (i) or (ii) shall mean “for Cause”).  The Executive may be terminated under paragraph 8.01(b)(i) only following thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Executive explaining the basis of the termination and his failure to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of the date of the Company’s notice.  The Executive may be terminated under paragraph 8.01(b)(ii) only following ten (10) days’ written notice to the executive of the basis for the termination and an opportunity to dispute the same.

(c)           At the Company’s option, if the Executive shall suffer a permanent disability.  For purposes of this Agreement, “permanent disability” shall be defined to mean if Executive becomes eligible to receive benefits under company’s long term disability plan.  If there is no such long term disability plan, Executive will be deemed to be disabled if the Executive is disabled for purposes of the federal Social Security Act.

(d)           At the Company’s option, without Cause, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

(e)           At the Executive’s option, without cause, at any time.

(f)           At the Executive’s option, upon the Company’s breach of any of its material obligations under this Agreement or for Good Reason; provided that Executive has given the Company at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice of the nature of such breach and the Company has failed to cure such breach within a thirty (30) day period.  For purposes herein, “Good Reason” means without the Executive’s express written consent, the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities inconsistent with the Executive’s position, or a material change in the Executive’s reporting responsibilities, titles, or offices as described under Article II, or any removal of the Executive from, or any failure to re-elect the Executive to, and such positions, except in connection with the termination of the Executive for Cause, or his disability, retirement, or death.

 

  

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Section 8.02.  Compensation Upon Termination.

(a)           Should the employment of the Executive be terminated under subsection (a) or (c) of Section 8.01 of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his personal representative), a sum equal to the aggregate amount of Salary that was paid to the Executive under this Agreement for the one-month period preceding such date of termination, excluding any payments under Article V.

(b)           Should the employment of the Executive be terminated under subsection (b) or (e) of Section 8.01 of this Agreement, the Executive shall be paid his Salary up to the date of termination and any bonus compensation accrued but unpaid for any prior Employment Year, which amount should be paid in a single sum payment.

(c)           Should the employment of the Executive be terminated under subsection (d) or (f) of Section 8.01 of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Executive, a sum equal to two (2) years’ Salary at the then-effective rate paid to Executive.

(d)           Should the employment of the Executive be terminated under subsection (a), (c), (d), or (f) of Section 8.01 of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his personal representative) in addition to the Salary specified in subsection (a) or (c), as applicable, of this Section 8.02, any bonus compensation accrued but unpaid for any prior Employment Year.  Except for a termination as a result of Executive’s death, no pro-rated portion of any bonus compensation for the current Employment Year shall be payable.  In the event of death, Executive’s estate shall be eligible to receive a pro-rated bonus, subject to the terms of the bonus program.

(e)           If the Company provides notice under Section 1.02 of its intent not to renew without Cause, then the Executive shall receive one hundred percent (100%) of the amount determined under Section 8.02(c) provided, however, that the Executive must continue to work until the last day of the Employment Term, which amount should be paid in a single sum payment.

 

(f)           Payments to the Executive under this Section 8.02 shall be considered severance pay in consideration of the Executive’s past service and in consideration of his continued service from the date hereof.  The Company may, at its discretion, withhold from such payments any federal, state, city, county, or other taxes.  In the event of termination of the employment of the Executive for any reason described in Section 8.01 of this Agreement, the severance pay provided for by this Section 8.02 shall constitute the entire obligation of the Company to the Executive in full settlement of any claim under law or in equity that the Executive might otherwise assert against the Company or any of its employees, officers, or directors on account of such termination, except for any compensation or other payments to which the Executive may be entitled to under any termination benefits or similar agreement then in effect between the Company and the Executive.

(g)           In order to receive any benefit under this Section 8.02, Executive must execute a Release Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A.  Such release must be executed within twenty one (21) days after Executive’s termination of employment and Executive shall have seven (7) days after such execution to revoke such release.

 

  

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(h)           Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, upon termination, the Executive shall be entitled to any accrued but unused vacation days in accordance with Company policy.

(i)           Any payments due under this section 8.02 shall be payable in a single sum payment, and should be paid on the 30th day following the Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, with respect to the payment of any bonus for a prior Employment Year such bonus shall be payable on the later of the thirtieth (30th) day following the Executive’s termination of employment or the sixtieth (60th) day after the end of the prior Employment Year; provided, further, with respect to the payment of a bonus for the current Employment Year in the event of an Employee’s death, such bonus shall be payable on the sixtieth (60th) day after the end of the current Employment Year.

(j)           For purposes of this Agreement, the term Employment Year shall mean the same as the Company’s fiscal year which commences each January 1st and ends each December 31st.

Section 8.03.  Reimbursement for Certain Litigation Expenses.  In the event of litigation to determine whether the Executive’s employment was properly terminated under subsection (b) or (f) of Section 8.01, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with such litigation.

Section 8.04.  Clawback.  Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(a)           In the event that, following the Executive’s termination (other than for Cause), within six (6) months following the date of termination, it is later discovered that Cause to terminate the Executive existed, the Executive shall forfeit any right to payments or benefits under this Agreement and, at the discretion of the Board, shall repay any payments made by the Company to the Executive pursuant to this agreement within 30 days following the determination by the Board that Cause existed, upon receipt of written notice of the same.

(b)           If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material non-compliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct by the Executive, with any financial reporting requirement under any applicable laws, the Executive shall reimburse the Company for all amounts received under any incentive compensation plans, programs or arrangement from Company during the 12 month period preceding the date of such restatement.

(c)           The Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to recovery of its reasonable costs in enforcing any right described in this Section 8.04.

 

  

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ARTICLE IX

Confidential Business Information

The Executive agrees and covenants that all confidential information regarding the practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliates, their methods of marketing, know-how, trade information, trade secrets, customer or client lists, licensing arrangements, accounts and requirements, and other information regarding the affairs of the Company and its affiliates (collectively, the “Confidential Business Information”) shall be received and held in the strictest confidence.  The Executive agrees not to divulge any such Confidential Business Information to any person or entity except as authorized in the normal execution of assigned duties on behalf of the Company, without the prior consent of the Company.  The Executive further agrees to surrender to the Company any and all documents and records in whatever form that may be in his possession or control containing Confidential Business Information upon the expiration or termination of the Employment Term.  The provisions of this Article IX shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

ARTICLE X

Non-Competition

Section 10.01.  Non-Competition.

(a)           During the Employment Term and for a period of two (2) year(s) immediately following any termination of the Employment Term pursuant to Section 8.01 of this Agreement (except subsection (a) or (c) of Section 8.01), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, anywhere within the following counties: Indiana counties (Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Wells, Whitley) or Ohio counties (Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert), have any material (defined for purposes of this Section to include any investment representing one percent (1%) or more of the equity interest of any entity described in this Section) investment in, or engage, directly or indirectly, whether as an individual or sole proprietor or as owner, partner, principal, shareholder, officer, director, manager, agent, consultant, formal or informal advisor, or by or though the lending of any form of assistance, in any business offering products or services the same as or competitive with the products or services that, during the Employment Term, are (or are planned to be) offered or supplied by the Company or its subsidiaries.

(b)           An Executive may request in writing that the Company allow Executive to accept a position with another employer if his duties or responsibilities with such employer are materially different than any of those duties performed for the Company during the Employment Term.  The Company shall respond to any written request within ten (10) business days of its receipt; provided such request is sent by U.S. certified mail.  The Company must use its reasonable discretion to determine whether such duties are materially different.  The Company may, from time to time, request that the Executive certify in writing that his duties for the new employer have not changed.  If the Company fails to respond, the request, as submitted, shall be deemed approved.

(c)           During the Employment Term for a period of two (2) years immediately following any termination of the Employment Term pursuant to Section 8.01 of this Agreement (except subsection (a) or (c) of Section 8.01), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, anywhere within the following counties: Indiana counties (Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Wells, Whitley) or Ohio counties (Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert), be employed in any capacity that is similar to or the same as any capacity Executive held with Company during Executive’s last five (5) years of employment with Company.

 

  

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(d)           During the Employment Term and for a period of two (2) years immediately following any termination of the Employment Term pursuant to Section 8.01 of this Agreement (except subsection (a) or (c) of Section 8.01), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, anywhere within the following counties: Indiana counties (Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Wells, Whitley) or Ohio counties (Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert) as an employee, consultant, or in any other relationship engage in assisting any business or any entity offering products or services the same as or competitive with the products and services that, during the Employment Term, are, or plan to be, offered or supplied by the Company or its subsidiaries, in any capacity wherein Executive is capable of utilizing the trade secrets, confidential information, or other proprietary information of the Company in competition with the Company.

Section 10.02.  Non-Solicitation.  During the Employment Term and for a period of two (2) year(s) immediately following any termination of the Employment Term pursuant to Section 8.01 of this Agreement (except subsection (a) or (c) of Section 8.01), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, take away, hire, employ, or endeavor to employ any person employed by the Company, or (ii) solicit, take away, or attempt to take away any of the existing or prospective customers or clients, vendors, or licensors of the Company or any of its affiliates as of the date of termination for the purpose of conducting any business which directly or indirectly provides financial services similar in nature to the financial services provided by Tower Bank & Trust Company.  As used herein, the term “prospective customers or clients” shall mean individuals or entities whom the Company or its affiliates have contacted within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the termination of the Employment Term for the purpose of conducting business with the Company or such affiliate.

Section 10.03.  Specific Enforcement.  The Executive acknowledges that any violation of any provision of this Article X by him will cause irreparable damage to the Company, that such damage will be incapable of precise measurement, and that, as a result, the Company will not have an adequate remedy at law to redress the harm which such violation will cause.  Therefore, in the event of any violation of any provision of this Article by the Executive, he agrees that in addition to all other remedies that the Company may have at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, including, without limitation, temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions to restrain any violation of the Article.  If a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the Executive has violated any of the restrictions set forth in this Article, then the period of all restrictions set forth in this Article automatically shall be extended by the number of days that the court determines the Executive to have been in violation of such restriction.  In addition to other relief to which it shall be entitled, the Company shall be entitled to recover from the Executive the reasonable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Company in seeking enforcement of this Article.  In addition, if the Executive should breach section 10.01 or 10.02, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, Executive shall repay any and all benefits paid under Section 8.02 or Section 12.01(b).

 

  

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ARTICLE XI

General

Section 11.01.  Severability.  Should any clause, portion or section of this Agreement be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, such unenforceability or invalidity shall not affect the enforceability or validity of the remainder of this Agreement.  Should any particular covenant in this Agreement be held unreasonable or unenforceable for any reason, including, without limitation, the time period, geographical area, and scope of activity covered by such covenant, then such covenant shall be given effect and enforced to whatever extent would be reasonable and enforceable.

Section 11.02.  Assignment; Successors in Interest.                                                                                     This Agreement, being personal to the Executive, may not be assigned by him.  The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company, and the heirs, executors, and personal representatives of the Executive.

Section 11.03.  Successors of the Company.  The Company will require any successor (whether director or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled hereunder if the Executive terminated the Executive’s employment for Good Reason, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed as the Date of Termination.  As used in this Agreement, “Company” as hereinbefore and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Article 11.03 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

Section 11.04.  Governing Law.  This Agreement and the performance of the parties under this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Indiana, and any action or proceeding that may be brought, arising out of, in connection with, or by reason of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Indiana, to the exclusion of the law of any other forum, and regardless of the jurisdiction in which the action or proceeding may be instituted.

Section 11.05.  Waiver.  Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.

Section 11.06.  Modification and Entire Agreement.  No modification, amendments, extension or alleged waiver of this Agreement or any provision thereof will be binding upon the Executive or the Company unless in writing and signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company.  From and after the Effective Date, this Agreement and any termination benefits agreement or similar agreement between the Company and the Executive shall constitute the entire employment arrangement between the Executive and the Company and shall supersede and replace any and all prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, relative to such employment.

 

  

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Section 11.07.  Notices.  All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if delivered by hand, sent by telecopy, or mailed, certified or registered mail with postage and fees prepaid:

If to the Company, to:                        Tower Bank & Trust Company

116 East Berry Street, Suite 100

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46802

If to the Executive, to:                        Mr. Wendell Bontrager

10519 Willow Creek Drive

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46845

or to such other person or address as the party to whom such notice or communication is to be given shall have notified the other party in accordance with Section 11.06.  Any mailed communication shall be deemed to have been given on the third “business day” (such term excluding, for purposes of this Agreement, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the mailing.  Any communication sent by telecopy shall be deemed to have been given on the date receipt of the telecopy transmission is confirmed.

ARTICLE XII

Change in Control

Section 12.01.  Termination after Change in Control Benefit.  If within four (4) months before or twenty four (24) months and one (1) day after a Change of Control of the Company as defined in Section 12.01(a), the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than pursuant to Section 8.01(a), (b) or (c) hereof, or give notice under Section 1.02 of its intent not to renew without Cause, or if the Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason, then in any of such events, the Company shall pay to the Executive a benefit as defined in subsection 12.01(b).

(a)           Change of Control.  The term Change of Control shall have the following meaning:

(i)           A reorganization, merger, consolidation, or other form of corporate transaction or series of transactions, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, directly or indirectly, own less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged, or consolidated entity’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

  

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(ii)           A liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(iii)          The acquisition by any person, entity or “group” within the meaning of Section 13 (d) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (excluding any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries which acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or

(iv)           As the result of, or in connection with, any tender or exchange offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination, sale, or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing transactions (a “Transaction”), the persons who were the directors of the Company immediately before the Transaction shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company or any successor of the Company.

(b)           Amount.  Upon termination of the Executive’s employment under the circumstances described in this section 12.01, the Executive will receive the amount payable under Section 8.02(c), plus an amount equal to two (2) times his Average Bonus.  For purposes herein, “Average Bonus” shall be determined by adding the Executive’s bonuses awarded by the Company under its incentive plan for the three (3) complete calendar years prior to his termination (or such fewer complete years if he has been employed less than three (3) complete calendar years) and dividing by three (or such fewer complete years if he has been employed less than three (3) complete calendar years).

No other benefits or amounts shall be payable under Section 8.02.

(c)           Time of Payment.  Any amount owed under this article XII shall be paid in a single sum payment, which payment shall be made on the 30th day following the Executive’s termination of employment.

(d)           Limitation of Benefit.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if there are payments to the Executive which constitute “parachute payments,” as defined in Section 280G of the Code, then the payments made to the Executive shall be limited to the greater of (x) One Dollar ($1.00) less than the amount which would cause the payments to the Executive (including payments to the Executive which are not included in this Agreement) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, and (y) the payments to the Executive (including payments to the Executive which are not included in this Agreement) after taking into account the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code.  The calculations shall be done by an outside party directed by the Company.

 

  

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(e)           Release.  Such release must be executed within twenty one (21) days after Executive’s termination of employment and Executive shall have seven (7) days after such execution to revoke such release.

(f)           Attorney’s Fees.  To the extent that the Executive prevails in a court of competent jurisdiction regarding such dispute, the Company shall reimburse Executive his reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in such action.  Any amounts to be reimbursed hereunder will be paid to the Executive within fifteen (15) days of a written consent for the same.

ARTICLE XIII

409A

Section 13.01.  Special Provision Regarding Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  This Agreement is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of IRC Section 409A and shall be limited, construed, and interpreted in accordance with such intent (including final regulations or any other guidance).  Notwithstanding anything hereunder to the contrary, any provision to the Agreement that is inconsistent with said Section 409A shall be deemed to be amended to comply with IRC Section 409A and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply with IRC Section 409A, such provision shall be null and void.

Section 13.02.  Definition of Separation of Service.  The terms “termination of employment” or words to that affect mean the same as a complete “separation from service” within the meaning of IRC 409A.

Section 13.03.  Compliance with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) if at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service, Employee is a “specified employee” as defined in §409A of the Code and the deferral of the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a result of such Separation from Service is necessary in order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under §409A of the Code, then Tower will defer the commencement of the payment of any such amounts or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to Employee) until the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day after Employee’s Separation from Service (or the earliest date as is permitted under §409A of the Code) and (ii) if any other payments of money or other benefits due to Employee hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under §409A of the Code such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment or other benefits compliant under §409A of the Code, or otherwise such payment or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by Tower, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax. The Employee will be considered to have terminated employment hereunder for purposes of receiving payments subject to §409A of the Code only if such termination of employment constitutes a “Separation from Service” within the meaning of §409A of the Code.  “Specified Employee” means a key employee as defined in IRC §416(i) without regard to Paragraph 5 thereof. For purposes of determining whether an Employee is a Specified Employee hereunder, such determination shall be made as of the December 31st preceding the date an Employee is due a payment hereunder.

  

11ex10-19.htm

 

Exhibit 10.19

AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Amendment") is entered into this 8th day of October 2012 by and between First Trinity Financial Corporation an Oklahoma corporation (the "Company"), and Gregg Zahn ("Employee").

The Corporation and Employee entered into an Employment Agreement dated October 30, 2007 (the "Employment Agreement") and an Amendment to the Employment Agreement dated December 8, 2011 (retroactive to August 1, 2011) (the “Amendment to Employment Agreement”) which contains the terms and conditions of the Company's employment of the Employee.  The Company and Employee now desire to amend and correct certain provisions of the Employment Agreement and the Amendment to Employment Agreement.

The Employment Agreement may be amended by the Company and Employee in accordance with section 11(a) of the Employment Agreement upon the mutual consent of the Company and Employee.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following promises and mutual covenants, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as follows:

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Amendment, the capitalized terms used in this Amendment and defined in the Employment Agreement shall have the same meanings as provided in the Employment Agreement.

1.         Amendment to Definitions

The definition of “Cause” in the Employment Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of cause in its entirety and substituting the following in its place, reading in the entirety as follows:

“Cause” The term "Cause" in the event of termination of the Employee's employment by the Company for cause means (i) intentional neglect that jeopardizes the life or property of another, (ii) intentional wrongdoing or malfeasance: or (iii) intentional violation of a business- related law.  Any of the three cause's must have been committed by the Employee and have a material adverse effect and demonstrably injurious to the Company and which is not or cannot be cured within sixty (60) days after notice from the Board of Directors of the Company thereof.

 

In the event of termination of the Employee's employment by the Employee for cause other than due to a “change in control” means (i) the change in job responsibilities of the Employee resulting in the demotion of the Employee from the position of President, CEO or Chairman of the Board of Directors, which demotion is caused by something other than would be cause for termination of the Employee's employment by the Company for cause and other than the non-performance of the Employee as defined later herein; or (ii) the removal of the Employee from the Board of Directors of the Company or its majority owned subsidiaries or the failure of the Employee to be re-elected to the Board of Directors or Chairman of the Board of Directors, as the case may be.

 

  

  

  

 

The definition of “Termination Date” is amended and changed to have the following meaning:

 

“Termination Date” means the later of three years from the effective date of the Employment Agreement or three years from the date of the last automatic extension of the Employment Agreement.

2.         Amendment of Section 2, Time

Section 2, Time of the Employment Agreement is amended and corrected by deleting the terms of Section 2, Time of the Employment Agreement in its entirety and substituting the following in its place, reading in the entirety as follows:

Employee shall faithfully perform for the Company the duties incident to the office of Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and shall perform such other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature as shall be specified and designated from time to time by the Board.  The Employee shall devote substantially all of the Employee’s business time and effort to the performance of the Employee’s duties hereunder. Employee may serve on the board of directors of, and hold any other offices or positions in any company in which the Company or its subsidiaries have a financial interest and/or any company that does not compete with the Company in the life or accident and health insurance or premium finance business.  Employee will notify the board of any board positions held either before or after accepting such position.  Employee may participate in, invest in and acquire interests in other entities including insurance and premium finance companies and provide advice and consulting services for a fee to any company in which the Company or its subsidiaries have a financial interest; provided, however, that nothing shall prohibit Employee from retaining any non-controlling interests acquired in a company that begins to compete with the Company after the interest is acquired by Employee.

3.         Amendment of Section 3(a), Compensation of the Employment Agreement and the Amendment to Employment Agreement.

Section 3A, Compensation of the Employment Agreement and the Amendment to Employment Agreement are amended and corrected by deleting the terms of Section 3(a) Compensation of the Employment Agreement in its entirety and the Amendment to Employment Agreement in its entirety and substituting the following in their place, reading in the entirety as follows:

 (a) Base Salary.  As compensation for all services rendered by the employee under this agreement, Company will pay Employee a base salary of $25,000 per month,  payable periodically, in substantially equal amounts, but no less often than semi-monthly in accordance with company's payroll practices from time to time in effect.  In addition to the monthly compensation above, Employee shall receive an $1,100.00 per month vehicle allowance on the first day of each month during the term of this agreement.

 

  

  

  

4.         Amendment of Section 7 (b), CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR FOR NON-PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEE.

Section 7 (b) is amended and corrected by deleting the terms of that Section of the Employment Agreement in its entirety and substituting the following in its place, reading in the entirety as follows:

 

7 (b)         CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR FOR NON-PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEE.

(1)         If the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company prior to the Termination Date, for any reason other than for Change of Control, Cause or non-performance of Employee; (i) subject to Section 7(g) hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of employment, but had not yet been received; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, within sixty (60) days of such termination, a lump sum severance payment equal to 2.99 times the Employee’s current annual compensation; (iv) the Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after termination.

(2)         Any payment pursuant to clause (b) (1) (iii) above:

(a). will be subject to offset for any advances, amounts receivable, and loans, including accrued interest, outstanding on the date of the employment termination; and (b) will not be subject to offset on account of any remuneration paid or payable to the Employee for any subsequent employment the Employee may obtain, whether during or after the period during which the payment is made, and the Employee shall have no obligation whatever to seek any subsequent employment.

5.         Amendment of Section 7 (e), CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE FOR CAUSE.

Section 7 (e) is amended and corrected by deleting the terms of that Section of the Employment Agreement in its entirety and substituting the following in its place, reading in the entirety as follows:

(e) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE FOR CAUSE.

 

  

  

  

(1) If, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Company by the Employee, the Employee's employment is terminated by the Employee prior to the termination date, for cause; (i) subject to Section 7(g) hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of employment, but had not yet been received; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, within sixty (60) days of such termination, a lump sum severance payment equal to 2.99 times the current annual base salary and (iv) the Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after termination.

(3)         Any payment pursuant to clause (e) (1) (iii) above:

a) will be subject to offset for any advances, amounts receivable, and loans, including accrued interest, outstanding on the date of the employment termination; and (b) will not be subject to offset on account of any remuneration paid or payable to the Employee for any subsequent employment the Employee may obtain, whether during or after the period during which the payment is made, and the Employee shall have no obligation whatever to seek any subsequent employment.

6.         ADDITION OF SECTION 7(h), CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY CHANGE IN CONTROL

Section 7(h) is a new addition to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.  Section 7 is hereby changed by adding Section 7(h), reading in its entirety as follows:

 

7(h)         CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION FOR CHANGE IN CONTROL

(1)         If the Employee's employment is terminated during the Employment Period due to Change of Control as defined above, (i) subject to Section 7(g) hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of employment, but had not yet been received; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, within sixty (60) days of such termination, a lump sum severance payment equal to 2.99 times the Employee’s W-2 compensation averaged over the previous five years; (iv) the Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after termination.

(2)         Any payment pursuant to clause (h) (1) (iii) above:

 

  

  

  

 

(a). will be subject to offset for any advances, amounts receivable, and loans, including accrued interest, outstanding on the date of the employment termination; and (b) will not be subject to offset on account of any remuneration paid or payable to the Employee for any subsequent employment the Employee may obtain, whether during or after the period during which the payment is made, and the Employee shall have no obligation whatever to seek any subsequent employment.

6.         EFFECT OF AMENDMENT ON EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.

All provisions of this Amendment shall be deemed to be incorporated in, and made part of, the Employment Agreement, and the Employment Agreement, as amended and supplemented by this Amendment, shall be read, taken, and construed as one and the same agreement.  Other than as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not constitute a consent or waiver to or modification of any term or condition of the Employment Agreement.  Subject to the express modifications made by this Amendment, all terms, provisions, covenants, representations, warranties, agreements, and conditions contained in the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amendment to be signed by the Chairman of the Company’s Compensation Committee and Employee has executed this Amendment, both as of the day and year first written above.

First Trinity Financial Corporation

By: /s/ George E. Peintner

George E. Peintner

Chairman of Compensation Committee

By: /s/ Gregg Zahn

Gregg E. Zahn

Employee

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