Document:

exh10_1-8k080814.htm

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of July 15, 2014  (the “Effective Date”), by and between Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan Association of Irvington, a stock savings association (the “Association”) and Gerardina Mirtuono (“Executive”).  The Association and Executive are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “parties.”  Any reference to the “Company” shall mean Sunnyside Bancorp, Inc., the holding company of the Association.  The Company is a signatory to this Agreement for the purpose of guaranteeing the Association’s performance hereunder.

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Association and Executive previously entered into an employment agreement dated July 15, 2013 (the “Original Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties to the Agreement desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement in order to extend the term of the Original Agreement from two years to three years.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

 

During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Executive shall perform such executive services for the Association as may be consistent with her titles and from time to time assigned to her by the Association's Board of Directors or the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association.  Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer and director of any affiliate of the Association.

 

2. TERM AND DUTIES.

 

(a)           Three Year Contract; Annual Renewal.  The term of this Agreement will begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue thereafter for a period of three (3) years.  Beginning on the first annual anniversary date of this Agreement, and on each annual anniversary date thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be extended for a period of one year in addition to the then-remaining term; provided that (1) the Association has not given notice to the Executive in writing at least ninety (90) days prior to such renewal date that the term of this Agreement shall not be extended further; and (2) prior to such renewal date, the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Association (the “Board”) have explicitly reviewed and approved the extension and the results thereof shall be included in the minutes of the Board’s meeting.  On an annual basis prior to the deadline for the notice period referenced above, the Board shall conduct a performance review of the Executive for purposes of determining whether to provide notice of non-renewal.  Reference herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer to both such initial term and such extended terms. 

  

  

  

(b)           Termination of Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, either Executive or the Association may terminate Executive’s employment with the Association at any time during the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

(c)           Continued Employment Following Expiration of Term.  Nothing in this Agreement shall mandate or prohibit a continuation of Executive’s employment following the expiration of the term of this Agreement, upon such terms and conditions as the Association and Executive may mutually agree.

(d)           Duties; Membership on Other Boards.  During the term of this Agreement, except for periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and reasonable leaves of absence approved by the Board, Executive shall devote substantially all of her business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of her duties hereunder, including activities and services related to the organization, operation and management of the Association; provided, however, that, Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, and hold any other offices or positions in, business companies or business or civic organizations, which, in the Board’s judgment, will not present any conflict of interest with the Association, or materially affect the performance of Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement.  Executive shall provide the Board of Directors annually for its approval a list of organizations for which the Executive acts as a director or officer.

 

3. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT.

 

(a) Base Salary.  In consideration of Executive’s performance of the duties set forth in Section 2, the Association shall provide Executive the compensation specified in this Agreement.  The Association shall pay Executive a salary of $154,400 per year (“Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be payable biweekly, or with such other frequency as officers of the Association are generally paid. During the term of this Agreement, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board or by a committee designated by the Board, and the Association may increase, but not decrease (except for a decrease that is generally applicable to all employees) Executive’s Base Salary. Any increase in Base Salary shall become “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(b) Bonus and Incentive Compensation.  Executive shall be entitled to equitable participation in incentive compensation and bonuses in any plan or arrangement of the Association or the Company in which Executive is eligible to participate.  Nothing paid to Executive under any such plan or arrangement will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement.

 

(c) Employee Benefits.  The Association shall provide Executive with employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites substantially equivalent to those in which Executive was participating or from which he was deriving benefit immediately prior to the commencement of the term of this Agreement, and the Association shall not, without Executive’s prior written consent, make any changes in such plans, arrangements or perquisites that would adversely affect Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, except as to any changes that are applicable to all participating employees.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(c), Executive will be entitled to participate in and receive benefits under any employee benefit plans including, but not limited to, retirement plans, supplemental retirement plans, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, health-and-accident insurance plans, medical coverage or any other employee benefit plan or arrangement made available by the Association and/or the Company in the future to its senior executives, including any stock benefit plans, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements.

 

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(d) Paid Time Off.  Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation time each year during the term of this Agreement (measured on a fiscal or calendar year basis, in accordance with the Association’s usual practices), as well as sick leave, holidays and other paid absences in accordance with the Association’s policies and procedures for senior executives.  Any unused paid time off during an annual period shall be treated in accordance with the Association’s personnel policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(e) Expense Reimbursements.  The Association shall also pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred by Executive during the course of performing her obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, fees for memberships in such clubs and organizations as Executive and the Board shall mutually agree are necessary and appropriate in connection with the performance of her duties under this Agreement, upon presentation to the Association of an itemized account of such expenses in such form as the Association may reasonably require, provided that such payment or reimbursement shall be made as soon as practicable but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the  year in which such right to such payment or reimbursement occurred.

 

4. PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein defined) during the term of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 4 shall apply; provided, however, that in the event the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than Cause within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (as defined in Section 5 hereof), Section 5 shall apply instead. As used in this Agreement, an “Event of Termination’’ shall mean and include any one or more of the following:

 

(i) the involuntary termination of Executive’s employment hereunder by the Association for any reason other than termination governed by Section 5 (in connection with or following a Change in Control), Section 6 (due to Disability or death), Section 7 (due to Retirement), or  Section 8 (for Cause), provided that such termination constitutes a “Separation from Service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”); or

 

(ii) Executive’s resignation from the Association’s employ upon any of the following, unless consented to by Executive:

 

(A)           a material change in Executive’s function, duties, or responsibilities, which change would cause Executive’s position to become one of lesser responsibility, importance, or scope from the position and responsibilities described in Section 1, to which Executive has not agreed in writing (and any such material change shall be deemed a continuing breach of this Agreement by the Association);

 

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(B)           a relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than fifteen miles from the location of the Association’s principal executive offices as of the date of this Agreement;

 

(C)           a material reduction in the benefits and perquisites, including Base Salary, to Executive from those being provided as of the Effective Date (except for any reduction that is part of a reduction in pay or benefits that is generally applicable to officers or employees of the Association);

 

(D)           a liquidation or dissolution of the Association; or

 

(E)           a material breach of this Agreement by the Association.

 

Upon the occurrence of any event described in clause (ii) above, Executive shall have the right to elect to terminate her employment under this Agreement by resignation for “Good Reason” upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice given within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed ninety (90) days) after the event giving rise to the right to elect, which termination by Executive shall be an Event of Termination.  The Association shall have thirty (30) days to cure the condition giving rise to the Event of Termination, provided that the Association may elect to waive said thirty (30) day period.

 

(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, the Association shall pay Executive, or, in the event of her subsequent death, her beneficiary or beneficiaries, or her estate, as the case may be, as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, the Base Salary that Executive would be entitled to for the remaining unexpired term of the Agreement.  Such payment shall be paid in a lump sum on the 30th day following the Executive’s Separation from Service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) and shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains other employment following the Event of Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits under this Section 4 unless and until (i) Executive executes a release of her claims against the Association, the Company and any affiliate, and their officers, directors, successors and assigns, releasing said persons from any and all claims, rights, demands, causes of action, suits, arbitrations or grievances relating to the employment relationship, including claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, but not including claims for benefits under tax-qualified plans or other benefit plans in which Executive is vested, claims for benefits required by applicable law or claims with respect to obligations set forth in this Agreement that survive the termination of this Agreement (the “Release”), and (ii) the payments and benefits shall begin on the 30th day following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, provided that before that date, the Executive has signed (and not revoked) the Release and the Release is irrevocable under the time period set forth under applicable law.

 

(c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, the Association shall provide for the remaining unexpired term of the Agreement, nontaxable medical and dental coverage substantially comparable, as reasonably available, to the coverage maintained by the Association for Executive prior to the Event of Termination with the Executive paying her share of the employee premiums, except to the extent such coverage may be changed in its application to all Association employees.

 

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(d) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Separation from Service” shall have occurred if the Association and Executive reasonably anticipate that either no further services will be performed by the Executive after the date of the Event of Termination (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) or the level of further services performed will not exceed 49% of the average level of bona fide services in the 12 months immediately preceding the Event of Termination.  For all purposes hereunder, the definition of Separation from Service shall be interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(ii).  If Executive is a Specified Employee, as defined in Code Section 409A and any payment to be made under sub-paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section 4 shall be determined to be subject to Code Section 409A, then if required by Code Section 409A, such payment or a portion of such payment (to the minimum extent possible) shall be delayed and shall be paid on the first day of the seventh month following Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

5. CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

(a) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Section 5 are in lieu of any payments that may otherwise be owed to Executive pursuant to this Agreement under Section 4, such that Executive shall either receive payments pursuant to Section 4 or pursuant to Section 5, but not pursuant to both Sections.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” shall mean:

 

(i) a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01(a) of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), were the Company’s equity shares registered under such Exchange Act; or

 

(ii) a change in control of the Association within the meaning of the Home Owner’s Loan Act, as amended (“HOLA”), and applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control; or

 

(iii) any of the following events, upon which a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred:

 

(A)           any “person” (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Association or the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of such outstanding securities, except for any securities purchased by any employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Association or the Company; or

 

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(B)           individuals who constitute the Board on the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by stockholders of the Association or the Company was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this subsection (B), considered as though they were members of the Incumbent Board; or

 

(C)           a sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Association or the Company, or a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, or similar transaction occurs in which the security holders of the Association or the Company immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction do not own at least 50.1% of the securities of the surviving entity to be outstanding upon consummation of the transaction; or

 

(D)           a proxy statement is issued soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Association or the Company by someone other than the current management of the Association or the Company of the Association, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Association or the Company, or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the plan are to be exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Association or the Company; or

 

(E)           a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the voting securities of the Association or the Company, and stockholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding securities of the Association or the Company have tendered or offered to sell their shares pursuant to such tender offer and such tendered shares have been accepted by the tender offeror.

 

(F)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with the initial reorganization and conversion of the Association to a stock Association as a subsidiary of the Company.

 

(c) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed within twelve (12) months of the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than Cause, Executive shall receive as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, a lump sum cash payment equal to the Base Salary that Executive would be entitled to for the remaining unexpired term of the Agreement, provided that the amount of the payment shall not be less than eighteen (18) months of Base Salary.  Such payment shall be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) days of the Executive’s Separation from Service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) and shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains other employment following the Event of Termination.

 

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(d) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed within twelve (12) months of the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason other than Cause, the Association (or its successor) shall provide nontaxable medical and dental coverage substantially comparable, as reasonably available, to the coverage maintained by the Association for Executive prior to her termination, with the Executive paying her share of the employee premiums, except to the extent such coverage may be changed in its application to all Association employees and then the coverage provided to Executive shall be commensurate with such changed coverage.  Such coverage shall cease eighteen (18) months following the termination of Executive’s employment.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs of this Section 5, in the event that the aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to Executive in the event of a Change in Control would be deemed to include an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor thereto, then such payments or benefits shall be reduced to an amount, the value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three (3) times Executive’s “base amount,” as determined in accordance with Section 280G of the Code.  In the event a reduction is necessary, then the cash severance payable by the Association pursuant to Section 5 shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable by the Association under Section 5 being non-deductible to the Association pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

6. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY OR DEATH.

 

(a) The provisions of Sections 6(b) and 6(c) shall apply upon the termination of the Executive’s employment based on Disability.  Section 6(d) shall apply in the event of the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement.

 

(b) Termination of Executive’s employment based on “Disability” shall be construed to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; (ii) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, Executive is receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Association or the Company; or (iii) Executive is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration. Upon the determination that Executive has suffered a Disability, disability payments hereunder shall commence within thirty (30) days.

 

(c) Upon the termination of the Executive’s employment due to Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive benefits under any short-term or long-term disability plan maintained by the Association.  To the extent such benefits are less than eighty percent (80%) of Executive’s Base Salary, the Association shall pay Executive an amount equal to the difference between such disability plan benefits and eighty percent (80%) of Executive’s Base Salary for one (1) year following the termination of her employment due to Disability, which shall be payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Association.

 

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(d)           In the event of Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, her estate, legal representatives or named beneficiaries (as directed by Executive in writing) shall receive any life insurance benefits that Executive’s beneficiaries may be entitled to receive under any employee benefit plan maintained by the Association for the benefit of the Executive.  To the extent such benefits are less than twelve (12) months of Executive’s Base Salary, the Association shall pay an amount equal to the difference between such life insurance benefits and twelve months of Executive’s Base Salary by lump sum within thirty (30) days of the date of death.

 

7. TERMINATION UPON RETIREMENT.

 

Termination of Executive’s employment based on “Retirement” shall mean termination of Executive’s employment at any time after Executive reaches age 65 or in accordance with any retirement policy established by the Board with Executive’s consent with respect to her.  Upon termination of Executive based on Retirement, no amounts or benefits shall be due Executive under this Agreement, and Executive shall be entitled to all benefits under any retirement plan of the Association and other plans to which Executive is a party.

 

8. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

 

(a)           The Association may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, but any termination other than termination for “Cause,” as defined herein, shall not prejudice Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement.  Executive shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for “Cause.”  The term “Cause” as used herein, shall exist when there has been a good faith determination by the Board that there shall have occurred one or more of the following events with respect to the Executive:

 

(1) personal dishonesty;

 

(2) incompetence;

 

(3) willful misconduct;

 

(4) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit;

 

(5) material breach of the Association’s Code of Ethics;

 

(6) material violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements for officers of public companies that in the reasonable opinion of the Board will likely cause substantial financial harm or substantial injury to the reputation of the Association;

 

(7) intentional failure to perform stated duties under this Agreement after written notice thereof from the Board;

 

(8) willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) that reflect adversely on the reputation of the Association, any felony conviction, any violation of law involving moral turpitude, or any violation of a final cease-and-desist order; or

 

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(9) material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement.

 

 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cause shall not be deemed to exist unless there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was guilty of conduct described above and specifying the particulars thereof.  Prior to holding a meeting at which the Board is to make a final determination whether Cause exists, if the Board determines in good faith at a meeting of the Board, by not less than a majority of its entire membership, that there is probable cause for it to find that the Executive was guilty of conduct constituting Cause as described above, the Board may suspend the Executive from her duties hereunder for a reasonable period of time not to exceed fourteen (14) days pending a further meeting  at which the Executive shall be given the opportunity to be heard before the Board.  Upon a finding of Cause, the Board shall deliver to the Executive a Notice of Termination, as more fully described in Section 10 below.

 

(b)           For purposes of this Section 8, no act or failure to act, on the part of Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Association.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon the direction of the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Association shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Association.

9. RESIGNATION FROM BOARDS OF DIRECTORS

 

In the event of Executive’s termination of employment due to an Event of Termination, Executive’s service as a director of the Association, the Company, and any affiliate of the Association or the Company shall immediately terminate.  This Section 9 shall constitute a resignation notice for such purposes.

10. NOTICE.

 

(a) Any purported termination by the Association for Cause shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to Executive.  If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination for Cause is given, Executive notifies the Association that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the parties shall promptly proceed to arbitration, as provided in Section 20.  Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Association shall discontinue paying Executive’s compensation until the dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this Agreement.  If it is determined that Executive is entitled to compensation and benefits under Section 4 or 5, the payment of such compensation and benefits by the Association shall commence immediately following the date of resolution by arbitration, with interest due Executive on the cash amount that would have been paid pending arbitration (at the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time).

 

(b) Any other purported termination by the Association or by Executive shall be communicated by a “Notice of Termination” (as defined in Section 10(c)) to the other party.  If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the parties shall promptly proceed to arbitration as provided in Section 20.  Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Association shall continue to pay Executive her Base Salary, and other compensation and benefits in effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (except as to termination of Executive for Cause); provided, however, that such payments and benefits shall not continue beyond the date that is 18 months from the date the Notice of Termination is given.  In the event the voluntary termination by Executive of her employment is disputed by the Association, and if it is determined in arbitration that Executive is not entitled to termination benefits pursuant to this Agreement, he shall return all cash payments made to her pending resolution by arbitration, with interest thereon at the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time, if it is determined in arbitration that Executive’s voluntary termination of employment was not taken in good faith and not in the reasonable belief that grounds existed for her voluntary termination.  If it is determined that Executive is entitled to receive severance benefits under this Agreement, then any continuation of Base Salary and other compensation and benefits made to Executive under this Section 10 shall offset the amount of any severance benefits that are due to Executive under this Agreement.

 

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(c) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice that shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.

 

11. POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.

 

(a)           Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, for a period of one year following her termination of employment with the Association, he shall not, without the written consent of the Association, either directly or indirectly:

(i)           solicit, offer employment to, or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any officer or employee of the Association or the Company, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, to terminate her or her employment and accept employment or become affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity whatsoever to, any business whatsoever that competes with the business of the Association or the Company, or any of their direct or indirect subsidiaries or affiliates or has headquarters or offices within fifteen (15) miles of the locations in which the Association or the Company has business operations or has filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an office;

(ii)           become an officer, employee, consultant, director, independent contractor, agent, sole proprietor, joint venturer, greater than 5% equity owner or stockholder, partner or trustee of any savings association, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company, credit union, bank or bank holding company, insurance company or agency, any mortgage or loan broker or any other financial services entity or business that competes with the business of the Association or its affiliates or has headquarters or offices within fifteen (15) miles of the locations in which the Association or the Company has business operations or has filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an office; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply if Executive’s employment is terminated following a Change in Control or if Executive does not have any right to or waives (or returns to the Association) any payments under Section 4 hereof; or

 

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(b)             As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Association which is of value to the Association in the course of conducting its business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to the Association. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been discussed or considered by the management of the Association. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment by the Association, as well as other information to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive’s employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Association has a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information in the public domain.  The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust between the Executive and the Association with respect to all Confidential Information. At all times, both during the Executive’s employment with the Association and after its termination, the Executive will keep in confidence and trust all such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such Confidential Information without the written consent of the Association, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Executive’s duties to the Association.

(c)           Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Association as may reasonably be required by the Association, in connection with any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party; provided, however, that Executive shall not be required to provide information or assistance with respect to any litigation between the Executive and the Association or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

(d)           All payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to Executive’s compliance with this Section 11.  The parties hereto, recognizing that irreparable injury will result to the Association, its business and property in the event of Executive’s breach of this Section 11, agree that, in the event of any such breach by Executive, the Association will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by Executive and all persons acting for or with Executive. Executive represents and admits that Executive’s experience and capabilities are such that Executive can obtain employment in a business engaged in other lines and/or of a different nature than the Association, and that the enforcement of a remedy by way of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood.  Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Association or the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to them for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Executive.

 

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12. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

 

All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in cash or check from the general funds of the Association. The Company may accede to this Agreement but only for the purposed of guaranteeing payment and provision of all amounts and benefits due hereunder to Executive.

 

13. EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Association or any predecessor of the Association and Executive, including the Original Agreement, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Executive of a kind elsewhere provided.  No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to her without reference to this Agreement.

 

14. NO ATTACHMENT; BINDING ON SUCCESSORS.

 

(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.

 

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Executive and the Association and their respective successors and assigns.

 

15. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.

 

(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

 

(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel.  No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically waived.

 

16. REQUIRED PROVISIONS.

 

(a)           The Association may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, but any termination by the Board other than termination for Cause shall not prejudice Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement.  Executive shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for Cause.

 

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(b)           If Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Association’s affairs by a notice served under Section 8(e)(3) [12 USC §1818(e)(3)] or 8(g)(1) [12 USC §1818(g)(1)] of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the Association’s obligations under this contract shall be suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings.  If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Association may in its discretion (i) pay Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while its contract obligations were suspended and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

(c)           If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Association’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) [12 USC §1818(e)(4)] or 8(g)(1) [12 USC §1818(g)(1)] of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, all obligations of the Association under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the contracting parties shall not be affected.

 

(d)           If the Association is in default as defined in Section 3(x)(1) [12 USC §1813(x)(1)] of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, all obligations of the Association under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but this paragraph shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

 

(e)           All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary for the continued operation of the Association, (i) by either the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the “Regulator”) or her or her designee, at the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Association under the authority contained in Section 13(c) [12 USC §1823(c)] of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; or (ii) by the Regulator or her or her designee at the time the Regulator or her or her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Association or when the Association is determined by the Regulator to be in an unsafe or unsound condition.  Any rights of the parties that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such action.

 

(f)           Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, any payments to Executive by the Association or the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), and the regulations promulgated thereunder in 12 C.F.R. Part 359.

 

17. SEVERABILITY.

 

If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with law continue in full force and effect.

 

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18. HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

 

The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

19. GOVERNING LAW.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York except to the extent superseded by federal law.

 

20. ARBITRATION.

 

Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by binding arbitration, as an alternative to civil litigation and without any trial by jury to resolve such claims, conducted by a panel of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty (50) miles from the main office of the Association, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association’s National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes (“National Rules”) then in effect.  One arbitrator shall be selected by Executive, one arbitrator shall be selected by the Association and the third arbitrator shall be selected by the arbitrators selected by the parties.  If the arbitrators are unable to agree within fifteen (15) days upon a third arbitrator, the arbitrator shall be appointed for them from a panel of arbitrators selected in accordance with the National Rules.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

 

21. INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a) Executive shall be provided with coverage under a standard directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, and shall be indemnified for the term of this Agreement and for a period of six years thereafter to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by her in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of her having been a director or officer of the Association or any affiliate (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys’ fees and the cost of reasonable settlements (such settlements must be approved by the Board), provided, however, Executive shall not be indemnified or reimbursed for legal expenses or liabilities incurred in connection with an action, suit or proceeding arising from any illegal or fraudulent act committed by Executive.  Any such indemnification shall be made consistent with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1828(k), and the regulations issued thereunder in 12 C.F.R. Part 359.

 

(b)           Any indemnification by the Association shall be subject to compliance with any applicable regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

22. NOTICE.  

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

-14-

 

  

  

  

 

	
To the Association:

	
Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan Association of Irvington

56 Main Street

Irvington, New York 10533

 

	
To Executive:

 

	
Gerardina Mirtuono

At the address last appearing on

the personnel records of the Association

 

	  	  

-15-

 

  

  

  

SIGNATURES

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Association and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives, and Executive has signed this Agreement, on the date first above written.

 

	  	
SUNNYSIDE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	
By:  /s/ Timothy D. Sullivan                                                              

	  	       Chairman of the Board
	 	 
	  	
SUNNYSIDE BANCORP, INC.

	  	  
	  	  
	  	
By: /s/ Timothy D. Sullivan                                                               

	  	       Chairman of the Board
	  	  
	  	  
	  	
EXECUTIVE:

	  	  
	  	 /s/ Gerardina Mirtuono
	  	
Gerardina Mirtuono

-16-ddoo_ex1027.htm

EXHIBIT 10.27

 

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.  NO SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT OR AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OR RECEIPT OF A NO-ACTION LETTER FROM THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

 

AMENDED AND CONSOLIDATED CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

	 
$1,345,000

	 
May 28, 2014

 
Dallas, TX

 

For value received, Cerebain Biotech Corp., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay to Brad Vroom, an individual, or his assigns (the “Holder”) the principal sum of One Million Three Hundred Forty Five Thousand Dollars ($1,345,000).  The principal hereof and any unpaid accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable on or before 5:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, on May 28, 2016 (the “Maturity Date”) (unless such payment date is accelerated as provided in Section 5 hereof).  Payment of all amounts due hereunder shall be made at the address of the Holder provided for in Section 6 hereof.  Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal amount beginning on June 1, 2014, at the rate of seven and on-half percent (7.5%) per annum, compounded annually based on a 365-day year and shall continue on the outstanding principal until paid in full.

 

1. HISTORY OF THE NOTE.  This Note is an amendment and consolidation of the following (collectively, the “Original Notes”);

 

a.  The Amended and Consolidated Promissory Note entered into by and between the Company and the Holder on or about February 25, 2014, for $1,245,000;

 

With the execution of this Note the Company and the Holder acknowledge and agree that the Original Notes are void and unenforceable.  With the execution of this Note, the Holder is loaning the Company an additional $100,000, which brings the total principal due under this Note to $1,345,000 when combined with the principal amounts due under the Original Notes.  The Company and Holder hereby acknowledge that as of April 30, 2014, One Hundred Six Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Nine Dollars ($106,269) interest has accrued on the Original Notes and is and owing to the Holder.

 

2. PREPAYMENT.  The Company may at any time, upon thirty (30) days written notice (each a “Prepayment Notice”), prepay all or any part of the principal balance of this Note, provided that concurrently with each such prepayment the Company shall pay accrued interest on the principal, if any, prepaid to the date of such prepayment.  Any Prepayment Notice must contain the amount of principal and interest to be prepaid by the Company.  The end of the thirty-day period following a Prepayment Notice shall be referred to as a “Prepayment Date.”  In the event that the Company sends a Prepayment Notice to Holder, Holder may elect prior to the Prepayment Date to convert into common stock of the Company pursuant to Section 3 hereof, all or part of the amount of principal and interest to be repaid under the Prepayment Notice instead of receiving such prepayment.

 

  

1

  

 

3. CONVERSION.  The Holder of this Note is en­titled, at its option and subject to the other terms set forth herein, at any time beginning on the date hereof, and in whole or in part, to convert the outstanding principal amount of this Note, or any portion of the principal amount hereof, ­­and any accrued interest, into shares of the com­mon stock of the Company.  Any amounts the Holder elects to convert will be converted into common stock at a rate of $0.15 per share.  Any conversion shall be effectuated by giving a written notice (“Notice of Conversion”) to the Company on the date of conversion, stating therein the amount of principal and accrued interest due to Holder under this Note being converted. 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder may not convert any outstanding amounts due under this Note if at the time of such conversion the amount of common stock issued for the conversion, when added to other shares of Company common stock owned by the Holder or which can be acquired by Holder upon exercise or conversion of any other instrument, would cause the Holder to own more than nine and nine-tenths percent (9.9%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  The restriction described in this paragraph may be revoked upon sixty-one (61) days prior notice from Holder to the Company.

4. CONVERSION PRICE ADJUSTMENTS. In the event the Company should at any time after the date hereof do either of the following: i) fix a record date for the effectuation of a split or subdivision of the outstanding common stock of the Company, or ii) grant the holders of the Company’s common stock a dividend or other distribution payable in additional shares of common stock or other securities or rights convertible into additional shares of common stock without the payment of any consideration by such holder for the additional shares of common stock (a “Stock Adjustment”), then, as of the record date (or the date of the Stock Adjustment if no record date is fixed), the conversion price of this Note shall be appropriately adjusted so that the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of this Note is adjusted in proportion to such change in the number of outstanding shares in order to insure such Stock Adjustment does not decrease the conversion value of this Note.

 

5. DEFAULT.  The occurrence of any one of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) The non-payment, when due, of any principal or interest pursuant to this Note;

 

(b) The material breach of any representation or warranty in this Note. In the event the Holder becomes aware of a breach of this Section 5(b), then provided such breach is capable of being cured by Company, the Holder shall notify the Company in writing of such breach and the Company shall have thirty (30) business days after notice to cure such breach;

 

(c) The breach of any covenant or undertaking, not otherwise provided for in this Section 5;

 

(d) The commencement by the Company of any voluntary proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, receivership, dissolution, or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; or the adjudication of the Company as insolvent or bankrupt by a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; or the petition or application by the Company for, acquiescence in, or consent by the Company to, the appointment of any receiver or trustee for the Company or for all or a substantial part of the property of the Company; or the assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors; or the written admission of the Company of its inability to pay its debts as they mature; or

 

(e) The commencement against the Company of any proceeding relating to the Company under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, adjustment of debt, receivership, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, provided, however, that the commencement of such a proceeding shall not constitute an Event of Default unless the Company consents to the same or admits in writing the material allegations of same, or said proceeding shall remain undismissed for 20 days; or the issuance of any order, judgment or decree for the appointment of a receiver or trustee for the Company or for all or a substantial part of the property of the Company, which order, judgment or decree remains undismissed for 20 days; or a warrant of attachment, execution, or similar process shall be issued against any substantial part of the property of the Company.

  

2

  

 

Upon the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, the Holder, may, by written notice to the Company, declare all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount due to Holder, together with all accrued interest thereon, immediately due and payable, in which event it shall immediately be and become due and payable, provided that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default as set forth in paragraph (d) or paragraph (e) hereof, all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount due to Holder, together with all accrued interest thereon, shall immediately become due and payable without any such notice.  In addition, in the event of default, the company shall convey and assign to the Holder U.S. Patent Applications No. 12/361,808, No. 13/309,468 and No. 13/849,014 and its foreign counterparts in Europe and Japan, as described in the Patent License Agreement entered into by the Company on June 10, 2010.

 

6. NOTICES.  All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the Party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day, or (c) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.  All communications shall be sent as follows:

 

	If to the Company:    	 	Cerebain Biotech Corp.	 
	 	 	13455 Noel Road, Suite 1000	 
	 	 	Dallas, TX  75240  	 
	 	 	Attn:  Eric Clemons, President	 
	 	 	Facsimile No.:	 
	 	 	 	 
	with a copy to:  	 	Law Offices of Craig V. Butler	 
	 	 	9900 Research Dr.	 
	 	 	Irvine, CA  92618	 
	 	 	Attn:  Craig V. Butler, Esq.	 
	 	 	Facsimile No.:  (949) 209-2545	 
	 	 	 	 
	If to Holder:	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Facsimile No.: ____________	 

 

or at such other address as the Company or Holder may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other Party hereto.

 

7. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE.  The terms of this Note shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, as applied to contracts entered into by California residents within the State of California, and to be performed entirely within the State of California.  The parties agree that any action brought to enforce the terms of this Note will be brought in the appropriate federal or state court having jurisdiction over Orange County, California.

 

8. ATTORNEY’S FEES.  In the event the Holder hereof shall refer this Note to an attorney to enforce the terms hereof, the Company agrees to pay all the costs and expenses incurred in attempting or effecting the enforcement of the Holder’s rights, including reasonable attorney’s fees, whether or not suit is instituted.

 

9. CONFORMITY WITH LAW.  It is the intention of the Company and of the Holder to conform strictly to applicable usury and similar laws.  Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Note, it is agreed that the aggregate of all charges which constitute interest under applicable usury and similar laws that are contracted for, chargeable or receivable under or in respect of this Note, shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount of interest permitted by such laws, and any excess, whether occasioned by acceleration or maturity of this Note or otherwise, shall be canceled automatically, and if theretofore paid, shall be either refunded to the Company or credited on the principal amount of this Note.

 

10. MODIFICATION; WAIVER.  No modification or waiver of any provision of this Note or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective unless in writing and approved by the Company and the Holder.

  

3

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has executed this Amended and Consolidated Convertible Promissory Note as of the date first written above.

 

	  	 	
“Company”

	 
	  	 	  	 
	  	 	
Cerebain Biotech Corp.,

	 
	  	 	
a Nevada corporation

	 
	  	 	  	 
	  	By: 	
/s/ Eric Clemons

	 
	  	 	
Eric Clemons

	 
	  	Its:  	
President

	 

 

	
Acknowledged:

	 	  	 
	  	 	  	 
	
/s/ Brad Vroom

	 	  	 
	
Brad Vroom

	 	  	 

 

 

4

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