Document:

Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.23

ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC 
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

1.Grant of Option. ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC (the “Company”) hereby grants, as of __________________ (“Date of Grant”), to _________________ (the “Optionee”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase up to ______ shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”), at an exercise price per share equal to $____ (the “Exercise Price”).  The Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.  The Option is being granted pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), which is incorporated herein for all purposes.  The Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permissible by law.  The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and all applicable laws and regulations.
2.Definitions.  Unless otherwise provided herein, terms used herein that are defined in the Plan and not defined herein shall have the meanings attributed thereto in the Plan.
3.Exercise Schedule.  Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6 or 9 of this Agreement, or in the Plan, the Option is exercisable once vested in installments as provided below, which shall be cumulative. To the extent that the Option has become exercisable with respect to a percentage of Shares as provided below, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein. The following table indicates each date (the “Vesting Date”) upon which the Optionee shall be entitled to exercise the Option with respect to the percentage of Shares granted as indicated beside the date, provided that the Continuous Service of the Optionee continues through and on the applicable Vesting Date: 
Percentage of Shares            Vesting Date

33.34%            First Anniversary of Date of Grant
33.33%            Second Anniversary of Date of Grant
33.33%            Third Anniversary of Date of Grant

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, there shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each Vesting Date, and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate Vesting Date. Upon the termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service, including by virtue of the Optionee ceasing to be an Employee of the Company or a Related Entity that is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, any unvested portion of the Option shall terminate and be null and void.  For the avoidance of doubt, if Optionee is employed by a Related Entity that ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, Optionee’s Continuous Service shall terminate at the time such Related Entity ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.  
4.Method of Exercise.  The vested portion of this Option shall be exercisable in whole or in part in accordance with the exercise schedule set forth in Section 3 hereof by written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the holder’s investment intent with respect to such Shares as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company.  The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price.  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised after both (a) receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price and (b) arrangements that are satisfactory to the Committee in its sole discretion have been made for Optionee’s payment to the Company of the amount, if any, that is necessary to be withheld in accordance with applicable Federal or state withholding requirements.  No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the Option unless and until such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of applicable law, including the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares then may be traded.
5.Method of Payment.  Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:  (a) cash; (b) check; (c) to the extent permitted by the Committee, with Shares owned by the Optionee, or the withholding of Shares that otherwise would be delivered to the Optionee as a result of the exercise of the Option, or (d) pursuant to a “cashless exercise” procedure, by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation, and subject to such guidelines, as the Committee shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to 

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the Company by a licensed broker acceptable to the Company of proceeds from the sale of Shares sufficient to pay the Exercise Price and any applicable income or employment taxes.
		
	6.
	Termination of Option.  

(a)General.  Any unexercised portion of the Option shall automatically and without notice terminate and become null and void immediately upon the termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service by the Company or a Related Entity for Cause. In addition, unless exercised by the Optionee during the termination periods indicated below, any vested but unexercised portion of the Option shall automatically and without notice terminate and become null and void at the time of the earliest to occur of the following:
(i)three months after the date on which the Optionee’s Continuous Service as an employee is terminated other than by reason of (A) by the Company or a Related Entity for Cause, (B) a Disability of the Optionee as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee, or (C) the death of the Optionee; in each case, unless the Committee otherwise determines in writing in its sole discretion;
(ii)twelve months after the date on which the Optionee’s Continuous Service is terminated by reason of a Disability as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee;
(iii)twelve months after the date of termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service by reason of the death of the Optionee; or
(iv)the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant. 
(b)Cancellation.  To the extent not previously exercised, (i) the Option shall terminate immediately in the event of (A) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (B) any reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of corporate transaction in which the Company does not survive or the Shares are exchanged for or converted into securities issued by another entity, or an affiliate of such successor or acquiring entity, unless the successor or acquiring entity, or an affiliate thereof, assumes the Option or substitutes an equivalent option or right pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan, and (ii) the Committee in its sole discretion may by written notice (“cancellation notice”) cancel, effective upon the consummation of any transaction that constitutes a Change in Control, the Option (or portion thereof) that remains unexercised on such date.  The Committee shall give written notice of any proposed transaction referred to in this Section 6(b) a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date for such transaction (which notice may be given either before or after approval of such transaction), in order that the Optionee may have a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date of such transaction within which to exercise the Option if and to the extent that it then is exercisable (including any portion of the Option that may become exercisable upon the closing date of such transaction).  The Optionee may condition his exercise of the Option upon the consummation of a transaction referred to in this Section 6(b).
7.Transferability.  The Option granted hereby is not transferable otherwise than by will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of the Optionee the Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee, or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative. In addition, the Option shall not be assigned, negotiated, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise), and the Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, negotiate, pledge or hypothecate the Option, or in the event of any levy upon the Option by reason of any execution, attachment or similar process contrary to the provisions hereof, the Option shall immediately become null and void.  The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.  
8.No Rights of Stockholders.  Neither the Optionee nor any personal representative (or beneficiary) shall be, or shall have any of the rights and privileges of, a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares purchasable or issuable upon the exercise of the Option, in whole or in part, prior to the date on which the Shares are issued.
9.Acceleration of Exercisability of Option.  
(a)Acceleration Upon Certain Terminations or Cancellations of Option.  This Option shall become immediately fully exercisable in the event that, prior to the termination of the Option pursuant to Section 6 hereof, (i) the Option is terminated pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) hereof, or (ii) the Company exercises its discretion to provide a cancellation notice with respect to the Option pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof.  
(b)Acceleration Upon Change in Control.  Subject to Section 9(c) below, this Option shall become immediately fully exercisable in the event that, prior to the termination of the Option pursuant to Section 6 hereof, and during the Optionee's Continuous Service, there is a Change in Control, as defined in Section 9(b) of the Plan.
(c)Exception to Acceleration Upon Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the event of a Change in Control the successor company assumes or substitutes for the Option, the vesting of the Option shall not be accelerated as 

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described in Section 9(b).  For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change in Control the Option or substituted option confers the right to purchase, for each Share subject to the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control, on substantially the same vesting and other terms and conditions as were applicable to the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company, or its parent or subsidiary, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of the Option will be solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary substantially equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change in Control.  The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
10.No Right to Continued Employment.  Neither the Option nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continued employment or service with the Company.
11.Law Governing.  This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware.
12.Incentive Stock Option Treatment. The terms of this Option shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the intent of the Company and the Optionee that the Option qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. If any provision of the Plan or this Agreement shall be impermissible in order for the Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then the Option shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had never been included in the Plan or the Option. If and to the extent that the number of Options granted or first becoming exercisable in any year pursuant to this Agreement exceeds the limitations contained in Section 422 of the Code on the value of Shares with respect to which this Option may qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, this Option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
13.Interpretation / Provisions of Plan Control. This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan adopted by the Committee as may be in effect from time to time. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. The Optionee accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Agreement.  The undersigned Optionee hereby accepts as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan and this Agreement, unless shown to have been made in an arbitrary and capricious manner.
14.Notices.  Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally or when deposited in the United States mail, registered, postage prepaid, and addressed, in the case of the Company, to the Company’s General Counsel at 1450 Centrepark Blvd., Suite 300, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, or if the Company should move its principal office, to such principal office, and, in the case of the Optionee, to the Optionee’s last permanent address as shown on the Company’s records, subject to the right of either party to designate some other address at any time hereafter in a notice satisfying the requirements of this Section.
15.Non-Waiver of Breach.  The waiver by any party hereto of the other party's prompt and complete performance, or breach or violation, of any term or provision of this Agreement shall be effected solely in a writing signed by such party, and shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation, and the waiver by any party hereto to exercise any right or remedy which he or it may possess shall not operate nor be construed as the waiver of such right or remedy by such party, or as a bar to the exercise of such right or remedy by such party, upon the occurrence of any subsequent breach or violation.
16.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
17.Clawback of Benefits. The Company may (i) cause the cancellation of the Option, (ii) require reimbursement of any benefit conferred under the Option to the Optionee or any beneficiary, and (iii) effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan or otherwise in accordance with any Company policies that currently exist or that may from time to time be adopted or modified in the future by the Company and/or applicable law (each, a “Clawback Policy”).  In addition, the Optionee may be required to repay to the Company certain previously paid compensation, whether provided under the Plan or an award Agreement or otherwise, in accordance with any Clawback Policy.  By accepting this award, the Optionee 

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agrees to be bound by any existing or future Clawback Policy adopted by the Company, or any amendments that may from time to time be made to the Clawback Policy in the future by the Company in its discretion (including without limitation any Clawback Policy adopted or amended to comply with applicable laws or stock exchange requirements) and further agrees that all of the Optionee’s award Agreements (and/or awards issued under the Prior Plan) may be unilaterally amended by the Company, without the Optionee’s consent, to the extent that the Company in its discretion determines to be necessary or appropriate to comply with any Clawback Policy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the _______ day of  _________________, 20__.
COMPANY:
ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC, a Delaware corporation
By: ____________________________________________
Name:
Title:
The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she has reviewed the provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, is familiar with and understands their terms and provisions, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the Option Agreement.  The Optionee further represents that he or she has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement.
Dated: _________________________            OPTIONEE:
By: ____________________________________________        
Name: 

4Exhibit

RELEASE AND SEPARATION AGREEMENT

This RELEASE AND SEPARATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by Mark R. Bruce (“Employee”) and Carriage Services, Inc., its past, present and future subsidiaries, parents, and affiliates and their respective past, present, and future employees, officers, directors, agents and insurers (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Company”).
WHEREAS, Employee and Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated January 4, 2011 and a subsequent letter amendment dated March 14, 2012 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Employment Agreement”); 
WHEREAS, Employee has advised Company of his intent to resign his employment effective as of November 1, 2018 (the “Separation Date”), and terminate the Employment Agreement concurrently; and
WHEREAS, both Employee and Company wish to settle any and all issues and potential issues which relate, or may relate to, Employee’s employment with, and departure from, the Company, including but not limited to, those arising under the Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, Company and Employee agree as follows, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, and intending to be legally held bound:
1.     EMPLOYEE’S RESIGNATION.  Employee hereby irrevocably resigns his employment and will cease to be employed by the Company effective as of the Separation Date.  In addition, Employee hereby resigns his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Carriage Services, Inc. and any Officer or Director position Employee may hold for the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates, in each case as of the Separation Date. As of the Separation Date, Employee specifically waives all rights to any additional bonus and/or awards, vesting or payment under the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the First Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan or any other current or past plan or policy of the Company, except as may otherwise be expressly set out in this Agreement.  As of the Separation Date, all of Employee’s rights under the Employment Agreement are terminated and Employee hereby waives any and all such rights he may have had under the Employment Agreement prior to the Separation Date.  
2.    CONSIDERATION.  In consideration for the releases and other covenants set forth in this Agreement, after this Agreement becomes effective, the Company agrees to provide Employee the following:
a.    Company will continue to pay Employee’s base salary at the biweekly rate of Fifteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty-Four Dollars and Sixty-Two Cents ($15,384.62) for eighteen (18) months following the Separation Date. The first payment will be paid on the first regular, bi-weekly Company payroll date after Employee has executed this Agreement.  The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment of compensation to the Employee hereunder any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments, and any other amounts specifically authorized to be withheld or deducted by the Employee.  
b.    If the Employee becomes eligible to elect continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) and properly elects such coverage, the Company shall reimburse the Employee, or pay on the Employee’s behalf, 100% of applicable medical continuation premiums for the benefit of the Employee (and his covered dependents as of the date of his Separation, if any) under the Employee’s then-current plan election, 

with such coverage to be provided under the closest comparable plan as offered by the Company from time to time, for so long during the 18-month period following the Separation Date as Employee remains eligible for, and elects, COBRA coverage.    
c.    Employee shall retain all vested equity awards.  All unvested equity awards will be cancelled as of the Separation Date and Employee shall have no rights or claims with respect to any unvested equity awards.
d.    If Employee dies at any time while the Company is paying consideration pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall continue making the remaining payments under Section 2 to the Employee’s estate.  Such payments to the Employee’s estate shall be made in the same manner and at the same times as they would have been paid to the Employee had he not died.
Employee acknowledges and agrees that the consideration outlined above constitutes fair and adequate compensation for the promises and covenants of Employee set forth in this Agreement. 
3.    EMPLOYEE’S RELEASE OF CLAIMS.  For and in consideration of the Consideration as described in Section 2 of this Agreement, Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, forever discharges, and covenants not to sue, or bring any other legal action against the Company with respect to any and all claims and causes of action of any nature, both past and present, known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, which Employee has, or which could be asserted on his behalf by any other person or entity, resulting from or relating to any act or omission of any kind occurring on or before the date of the execution of this Agreement.  Employee understands and agrees that this Release includes, but is not limited to, the following: 
a.    All claims and causes of action arising under contract, tort or other common law, including, without limitation, breach of contract, fraud, estoppel, misrepresentation, express or implied duties of good faith and fair dealing, wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, negligence, gross negligence, false imprisonment, assault and battery, conspiracy, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, slander, libel, defamation, refusal to perform an illegal act and invasion of privacy; 
b.    All claims and causes of action arising under any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance, including without limitation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and relevant state laws, as well as any claims for wages, employee benefits, vacation pay, severance pay, pension or profit sharing benefits, health or welfare benefits, bonus compensation, vesting of stock options, restricted stock, commissions, deferred compensation or other remuneration, or employment benefits or compensation;  
c.    All claims and causes of action for past or future loss of pay or benefits, expenses, damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish or emotional distress damages, liquidated damages, punitive damages, compensatory damages, attorney's fees, interest, court costs, physical or mental injury, damage to reputation, and any other injury, loss, damage or expense or any other legal or equitable remedy of any kind whatsoever; and
d.    All claims and causes of action arising out of or in any way connected with, directly or indirectly, Employee’s employment with the Company, or any incident thereof, including, without limitation, Employee’s treatment by the Company; the terms and conditions of the Employee’s employment; and the separation of Employee’s employment.    

4.    RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY.  Employee shall return, in good working order, any and all property of the Company that is in his possession, custody or control on or before November 1, 2018. Such property includes, but is not limited to, keys, cell phones, software, laptops, calculators, equipment, credit cards, forms, files, manuals, correspondence, business cards, personnel data, lists of or other information regarding customers, contacts and/or employees, contracts, contract information, agreements, leases, plans, brochures, catalogues, training materials, computer tapes and diskettes or other portable media. 
5.    TAX ISSUES.  The Company may withhold from any benefits and payments made pursuant to this Agreement all federal, state, city and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and all other normal employee deductions made with respect to the Company’s employees generally. All determinations required to be made under this Section 5 shall be made by the Company.
6.    NON-ADMISSION.  Employee and Company agree that this Agreement and the payment of money to Employee by the Company is not an admission by either party of any violation of the other party’s rights or of any violation of contract or statutory or common law. 
7.    NON-DISPARAGEMENT.  Employee specifically covenants and agrees not to, directly or indirectly, make, publish or communicate or cause to be made, published or communicated, to anyone any remark, statement or comment, orally or in writing, criticizing or disparaging the Company.  
8.    NON-COMPETITON AND NON-SOLICITATION.  Employee hereby agrees that for a period of two (2) years following the Separation Date, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, 
(a)    alone or for his own account, or as an officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, trustee, employee, consultant, advisor, agent or any other capacity of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other business organization or entity, encourage, support, finance, be engaged in, interested in, or concerned with, any business within the deathcare industry having a funeral home, cemetery, crematory or office within a radius of fifty (50) miles of any funeral home, cemetery or other deathcare business owned or operated by the Company or any of its affiliates;
(b)    induce or assist anyone in inducing in any way, any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates that he had contact with during his employment or knew of by virtue of his employment with the Company, to resign or sever his or her employment or to breach an employment contract with the Company or any affiliate; or
(c)     own, manage, advise, operate, join, control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation, or control of, or be connected in any manner with, any business which is or may be in the funeral, mortuary, crematory, cemetery or burial insurance business or in any business related thereto within a radius of fifty (50) miles of any funeral home, cemetery or other deathcare business owned or operated by the Company or any of its affiliates.
The foregoing covenants shall not be held invalid or unenforceable because of the scope of the territory or actions subject hereto or restricted hereby, or the period of time within which such covenants respectively are operative, but the maximum territory, the action subject to such covenants and the period of time they are enforceable are subject to any determination by a final judgment of any court which has jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter.  Employee acknowledges that these provisions were contained in his Employment Agreement and that the consideration for these provisions includes consideration provided in connection with his execution of the Employment Agreement and during his 

employment with the Company, in addition to the additional consideration provided for in this Agreement.  Employee agrees not to challenge the enforceability of these restrictions for any reason, including that they are overly broad or that he received insufficient consideration.  Employee acknowledges the enforceability of these restrictions and agrees to comply with them. 
9.    CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS.  Employee acknowledges that in the course of his employment with the Company he has obtained confidential and proprietary information including, but not limited to, financial, accounting, business, product, customer and marketing information, plans, lists, agreements, forecasts, trade secrets, management methods, operating techniques, strategies, prospective acquisitions, reports, studies, analyses and other confidential information and knowledge concerning the business of the Company (collectively “Confidential Information”).  Employee acknowledges and agrees that he has a continuing obligation to maintain the confidentiality of all such non-public information, even after the Separation Date.  Employee understands and acknowledges that the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement regarding Confidential Information begin immediately and shall continue until the Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of the Employee’s breach of this Agreement or a breach by those acting in concert with the Employee or on the Employee’s behalf.
10.    COOPERATION.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that from and after the Separation Date, he will cooperate fully with the Company, its officers, employees, agents, affiliates and attorneys in the defense or prosecution of, or in preparation for the defense or prosecution of any lawsuit, dispute, investigation or other legal proceedings (“Proceedings”).  Employee further acknowledges and agrees that he will cooperate fully with the Company, its officers, employees, agents, affiliates and attorneys on any matter related to Company business (“Matters”) during the period of Employee’s employment.
Such cooperation shall include providing true and accurate information or documents concerning, or affidavits or testimony about, all or any matters at issue in any Proceedings/Matters as shall from time to time be requested by the Company, and shall be with the knowledge of Employee.  Such cooperation shall be provided by Employee without remuneration, but Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and appropriate out of pocket expenses incurred by him in so cooperating, including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, airplane fares, hotel accommodations, meal charges and other similar expenses to attend Proceedings/Matters outside of the city of Employee’s residence.  The reasonable fees and expenses of Employee shall be reimbursed by the Company on a regular, periodic basis upon presentation by Employee of a statement and receipts in accordance with the Company’s customary practices and policies; provided, however, that such reimbursement will be paid no later than December 31st of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Employee incurred the expense.  In the event Employee is asked by a third party to provide information regarding the Company, or is called other than by the Company to testify in any Proceeding/Matter related to the Company, he will notify the Company as soon as possible in order to give the Company a reasonable opportunity to respond and/or participate in such Proceeding/Matter.
11.    REMEDIES.    In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Employee of any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Employee hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to all other available remedies, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy.  Any equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages, or other available relief.
If Employee fails to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement or post-employment obligations contained in it, the Company may, in addition to any other remedies it may have, 

reclaim any amounts paid to the Employee under the provisions of this Agreement or terminate any benefits or payments that are later due under this Agreement, without waiving the releases provided herein.
Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that the prevailing party shall be entitled to payment of its attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this provision of the Agreement and/or in prosecuting any counterclaim or cross-claim based on this provision of the Agreement. 
12.    FEES AND COSTS.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the parties shall bear their own attorneys’ fees and costs. 
13.    CHOICE OF LAW/VENUE.  This Agreement and any action, cause of action, claim, controversy or dispute of any kind (whether at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the rights, duties and relationship of the parties hereto, shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with, and subject to, the laws of the State of Texas or federal law, where applicable, without regard to the conflict of law principles of any jurisdiction.  In the event there shall be any dispute arising out of the terms and conditions of, or in connection with, this Agreement, the party seeking relief shall submit such dispute to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas or, if federal jurisdiction is lacking or the court declines or abstains from taking jurisdiction, the District Courts of Harris County, Texas. 
14.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  It is expressly understood and agreed that this Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Parties relating to Employee’s employment by the Company and all other matters arising between Company and Employee prior to the date and time of execution hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements, including the Employment Agreement, arrangements, or understandings between and among the Parties.
No oral understandings, statements, promises, terms, conditions, obligations, or agreements contrary or in addition to the terms of this Agreement exist. This Agreement may not be changed by oral representations, and may only be amended by written instrument executed by a duly authorized representative of each of the Parties, or their respective successors or assigns.  If any part of this Agreement is found to be illegal or unenforceable by any agency or court, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. 
15.    COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. 
16.    OTHER REPRESENTATIONS:  EMPLOYEE HEREBY REPRESENTS AND CERTIFIES THAT HE:  (1) HAS CAREFULLY READ ALL OF THIS AGREEMENT; (2) HAS BEEN GIVEN A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT; (3) UNDERSTANDS ITS PROVISIONS; (4) HAS BEEN  ADVISED  IN WRITING AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK ADVICE AND CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEYS REGARDING THIS AGREEMENT; (5) HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS IN HIS BEST INTERESTS TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT; (6) HAS NOT BEEN INFLUENCED TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT BY ANY STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION BY THE COMPANY NOT CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT; AND (7) ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.
[Signature Page Follows]
[Signature Page to Release and Separation Agreement]

We the undersigned do hereby sign and agree to the terms set forth in the Release and Separation Agreement, on the dates set forth below:

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