Document:

EXECUTION - Right of First Refusal Agreement  (00137617.DOC;6)

Execution Version

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT

THIS RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of December 9, 2010 by and between FlatWorld Acquisition Corp., a British Virgin Islands company organized with limited liability (the “Company”) and FlatWorld Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FlatWorld”) in connection with the Company’s proposed public offering of units consisting of ordinary shares, no par value (“Ordinary Shares”) and warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares, pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as amended, the “Registration Statement”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, FlatWorld is an affiliate of the Company’s sponsor; and

WHEREAS, each of the Company and FlatWorld will be attempting to consummate one or more acquisitions, share exchanges, share reconstructions and amalgamations or contractual control arrangements with, purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of, or any other similar business transactions with operating businesses or assets (a “Business Transaction”); and 

WHEREAS, the Company and FlatWorld may also be seeking investment opportunities which may be a part of, in connection with or deemed a Business Transaction; and

WHEREAS, the Company and FlatWorld each believe it is in their best interests to clarify any potential Business Transaction and investment opportunities for which each party shall have the right of first refusal.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. 

Right of First Refusal. 

For the term specified in Section 2 of this Agreement and subject to subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 1, FlatWorld hereby grants to the Company a right of first refusal as follows:

(a)

FlatWorld
shall not enter into any agreement to purchase or invest in a business having a
value in excess of $17.5 million (as computed in accordance with standard
valuation practices and procedures, such opportunity a “suitable opportunity”)
without first presenting such suitable opportunity to the Company’s directors,
and will not enter into any such agreement until the Company’s directors
determine, within the 

 

time frame and in the manner specified below, not to pursue such Business
Transaction opportunity.  

(b)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company agrees that any such business entity with respect to which FlatWorld has initiated any contacts or entered into any discussions or negotiations, formal or informal, regarding FlatWorld’s acquisition of, or investment in, such business prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering, as set forth in the Registration Statement, will not be a potential acquisition target for the Company, unless FlatWorld declines to pursue such business opportunity and notifies the Company of the same in writing. 

(c)

After review of any potential Business Transaction or investment opportunity, the Company may release the right of first refusal set forth in this Section 1(a) with respect to such Business Transaction or suitable opportunity.  Decisions by the Company to release FlatWorld to pursue such suitable opportunity will be made by a majority of the Company’s directors. 

(d)

FlatWorld shall provide written notice to the Company of any such suitable opportunity brought to its attention by its current partners, principals, directors, officers or employees within ten (10) business days of its identification of such suitable opportunity. Any right of first refusal granted shall expire ninety (90) days from the date of the written notice unless earlier released pursuant to Section 1(c), provided that, during such ninety (90)-day period, the Company has failed to commence discussions with any third party regarding the specified Business Transaction or suitable opportunity.  For the purposes of clarity, if such suitable opportunity is brought to the attention of any of FlatWorld’s current partners, principals, directors, officers or employees solely by an investor or limited partner of FlatWorld, then no such obligation shall exist with respect to this Agreement.

2. 

Term. This Agreement shall become effective on its execution and shall remain in effect for a period to expire upon the earlier of: (i) the consummation by the Company of a Business Transaction or (ii) 21 months from the date of the Registration Statement. 

3. 

Notices. All notices or communications hereunder shall be addressed as follows:

To the Company:

FlatWorld Acquisition Corp.

Palm Grove House, Palm Grove Park

Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands

Attn:  Raj K. Gupta

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Ellenoff, Grossman & Schole LLP

150 East 42nd Street, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10017

Attn: Douglas S. Ellenoff, Esq. 

  If to FlatWorld:

FlatWorld Capital LLC

220 East 42nd Street, 29th Floor

New York, NY  10017

Attn: Jeffrey A. Valenty

All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated by this Agreement shall be: (i) in writing and delivered personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party and (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party.  Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally, on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail.

4. 

Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the performance thereof shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement and this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

5.

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, contains the entire agreement among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement or understanding concerning the subject matter hereof between the Company and FlatWorld.

6.

Waiver.  The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement.  No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

 

7. 

Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by written agreement of the parties hereto.

8. 

Survival. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. The provisions of this Section 8 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of any other section of this Agreement.

9. 

Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

10.

Headings.  The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement. 

11.

Mutual Drafting.  This Agreement is the joint product of FlatWorld and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.

12. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.  The parties hereby (i) agree that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced first in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, then to such other federal or state courts located in the State of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction in New York, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.  THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT.

13. Trust Waiver. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, FlatWorld hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind, regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (“Claim”) in or to any distribution from the trust account in which the proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering will be deposited and held for the benefit of the public shareholders (the “Trust Account”) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. 

 [Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Right of First Refusal and Corporate Opportunities Agreement as of the date first specified above.

 

FLATWORLD ACQUISITION CORP.

By:

/s/ Raj K. Gupta

Name:  Raj K. Gupta

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

FLATWORLD CAPITAL LLC

By:

/s/ Jeffrey A. Valenty

Name: Jeffrey A. Valenty

Title: Partnerex10-1_121610.htm

EXHIBIT 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 1st day of January, 2011, by and between First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (“the Company”), a corporation with its principal place of business located in Mattoon, Illinois, and William S. Rowland (“Executive”).

 

In consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

TERM AND NATURE OF AGREEMENT

 

1.01           Term of Agreement.  The term of this Agreement shall commence as of January 1, 2011 and shall continue until December 31, 2013.  Thereafter, unless Executive’s employment with the Company has been previously terminated, Executive shall continue his employment with the Company on an at will basis and, except as provided in Articles Five, Six and Seven, this Agreement shall terminate unless extended by mutual written agreement.

 

1.02           Employment as President and CEO.  The Company agrees to continue to employ Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer commencing January 1, 2011 and Executive accepts such employment by the Company on the terms and conditions herein set forth.  The duties of Executive shall be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and Executive shall adhere to the policies and procedures of the Company and shall follow the supervision and direction of the Board in the performance of such duties.  During the term of his employment, Executive agrees to devote his full working time, attention and energies to the diligent and satisfactory performance of his duties hereunder.  Executive shall not, while he is employed by the Company, engage in any activity which would (a) interfere with, or have an adverse effect on, the reputation, goodwill or any business relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (b) result in economic harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (c) result in a breach of Section Six of the Agreement.

 

1.03           Service as Chairman.  The Company shall use its best efforts to continue Executive’s position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company during the term of his employment, to which position he was elected effective as of June 1, 1999.

 

ARTICLE TWO

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

While Executive is employed with the Company during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall provide Executive with the following compensation and benefits:

 

2.01        Base Salary.  The Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary of $310,000 per fiscal year, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for executive employees.  The Board may review and adjust Executive’s base salary from year to year; provided, however, that during the term of Executive’s employment, the Company shall not decrease Executive’s base salary.

 

2.02    Incentive Compensation Plan.  Executive shall continue to participate in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plan.  Pursuant to the Plan, Executive shall have an opportunity to receive incentive compensation of up to a maximum of 50% of Executive’s annual base salary.  The incentive compensation payable for a particular fiscal year will be based upon the attainment of the performance goals in effect under the Plan for such year and will be paid in accordance with the terms of the Plan and at the sole discretion of the Board.

 

2.03   Deferred Compensation Plan.  Executive may continue to participate in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plan.

 

2.04        Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.  Executive shall continue to participate in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, including the Participation Agreement as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plan and Participation Agreement as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that the retirement benefit payable under the Plan upon Executive’s retirement shall be $50,000 per year.

 

2.05        Stock Option Plan.  Executive may participate in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

	
2.06

	
Vacation.  Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation each year during the term of this Agreement.

 

	
2.07

	
Fringe Benefits.  The Company shall provide the following additional fringe benefits to Executive:

 

	
(a)  

	
Use of a Company-owned or leased vehicle for professional and personal use.

 

	
(b)  

	
An amount equal to the annual dues for a Class “H” membership at the Mattoon Golf and Country Club.

2.08   Other Benefits. Executive shall be eligible (to the extent he qualifies) to participate in any other retirement, health, accident and disability insurance, or similar employee benefit plans as may be maintained from time to time by the Company for its other executives or employees subject to and on a consistent basis with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans.

 

2.09   Business Expenses. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for all reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him on its behalf in the course of his employment hereunder and in accordance with expense reimbursement plans and policies of the Company from time to time in effect for executive employees.

 

2.10   Withholding. Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding for federal, state or local taxes, amounts withheld under applicable employee benefit plans, policies or programs, and any other amounts that may be required to be withheld by law, judicial order or otherwise or by agreement with, or consent of, Executive.

 

ARTICLE THREE

DEATH OF EXECUTIVE

 

This Agreement shall terminate prior to the end of the term described in Section 1.01 upon Executive’s termination of employment with the Company due to his death.  Upon Executive’s termination due to death, the Company shall pay Executive’s estate the amount of Executive’s annual base salary and any accrued but unused vacation time earned through the date of such death and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid as of the date of such death.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

    Executive's employment with the Company may be terminated by Executive or by the Company at any time for any reason.  Upon Executive’s termination of employment prior to the end of the term of the Agreement, the Company shall pay Executive as follows:

 

4.01  Termination by the Company for Other than Cause.  If the Company terminates Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause, the Company shall pay Executive the following:

 

(a)  An amount equal to Executive’s monthly base salary in effect at the time of such termination of employment for a period of twelve months thereafter.  Such amount shall be paid to Executive periodically in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for executive employees.

 

(b)  The base salary and accrued but unused paid vacation time earned through the date of termination and any incentive compensation earned for the proceeding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

 

(c)  Continued coverage for executive and/or Executive’s family under the Company’s health plan pursuant to Title I, Part 6 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“COBRA”) and for such purpose the date of Executive’s termination of employment shall be considered the date of the “qualifying event” as such term is defined by COBRA.  During the twelve month period beginning on the date of such termination, the Executive shall be charged for such coverage in the amount that he would have paid for such coverage had he remained employed by the Company, and for the duration of the COBRA period, the Executive shall be charged for such coverage in accordance with the provisions of COBRA.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s (i) conviction in a court of law of (or entering a plea of guilty or no contest to) any crime or offense involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust or involving a felony; (ii) performance of any act which, if known to the customers, clients, stockholders or regulators of the Company, would materially and adversely impact the business of the Company; (iii) act or omission that causes a regulatory body with jurisdiction over the Company to demand, request, or recommend that Executive be suspended or removed from any position in which Executive serves with the Company; (iv) substantial nonperformance of any of his obligations under this Agreement; (v) misappropriation of or intentional material damage to the property or business of the Company or any affiliate; or (vi) breach of Article Five or Six of this Agreement.

 

4.02   Termination Following a Change in Control.  Notwithstanding Section 4.01, if following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (or any successor thereto) for any reason other than Cause, or if Executive terminates his employment because of a decrease in his then current base salary or a substantial diminution in his position and responsibilities, the Company (or any successor thereto) shall pay Executive the following:

 

(a) Two times Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of such termination.  Such amount shall be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s or successor’s customary payroll practices for executive employees.

 

(b) An amount equal to the incentive compensation earned by or paid to Executive for the fiscal year immediately preceding the year in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs.  Such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum as soon as practicable after the date of his termination.

 

(c) The base salary and accrued but unused paid vacation time earned through the date of termination and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

 

(d) Continued coverage for Executive and/or Executive’s family under the Company’s health plan pursuant to Title I, Part 6 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“COBRA”) and for such purpose the date of Executive’s termination of employment shall be considered the date of the “qualifying event” as such term is defined by COBRA.  During the twelve month period beginning on the date of such termination, the Executive shall be charged for such coverage in the amount that he would have paid for such coverage had he remained employed by the Company, and for the duration of the COBRA period, the Executive shall be charged for such coverage in accordance with the provisions of COBRA.

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall have the meaning as set forth in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (or successor stock incentive plan maintained by the Company).

 

4.03        Other Termination of Employment.  If, prior to the end of the term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, or if Executive terminates his employment for any reason other than as described in Section 4.02 above, the Company shall pay Executive the base salary and accrued but unused paid vacation time earned through the date of such termination and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

 

4.04        Key Employee Status.  If at the time of such termination of employment Executive is a “Key Employee” as defined in Section 416(i) of the Internal Revenue Code (without reference to paragraph thereof), and the amounts payable to Executive pursuant to Article Four are subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, payment of such amounts shall not commence until six months following Manager’s termination of employment, with the first payment to include the payments that otherwise would have been made during such six-month period.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

5.01        Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.   During his employment with Company, and after his termination of such employment, for any reason, with the Company, Executive shall not, in any form or manner, directly or indirectly, use, divulge, disclose or communicate to any person, entity, firm, corporation or any other third party, any Confidential Information, except as required in the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, as required by law or as necessary in conjunction with legal proceedings.

 

5.02        Definition of Confidential Information.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all information either developed by Executive during his employment with the Company and used by the Company or its affiliates or developed by or for the Company or its affiliates of which Executive gained knowledge by reason of his employment with the Company that is not readily available in or known to the general public or the industry in which the Company or any affiliate is or becomes engaged.  Such Confidential Information shall include, but shall not be limited to, any technical or non-technical data, formulae, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, procedures, manuals, financial data, business plans, lists of actual or potential customers, lists of employees and any information regarding the Company’s or any affiliate’s products, marketing or database.  The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that such Confidential Information is extremely valuable to the Company and may constitute trade secret information under applicable law.  In the event that any part of the Confidential Information becomes generally known to the public through legitimate origins (other than by the breach of this Agreement by Executive or by other misappropriation of the Confidential Information), that part of the Confidential Information shall no longer be deemed Confidential Information for the purposes of this Agreement, but Executive shall continue to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as to all other Confidential Information.

 

5.03        Delivery upon Termination.    Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, files, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, and any other documents or data concerning the Company’s or any affiliate’s customers, database, business plan, marketing strategies, processes or other materials which contain Confidential Information, together with all other property of the Company or any affiliate in Executive’s possession, custody or control.

ARTICLE SIX

NON-COMPETE AND NON-SOLICITATION COVENANTS

 

6.01      Covenant Not to Compete.  During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two years following the later of the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall not, on behalf of himself or on behalf of another person, corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, within a one hundred mile radius of any location where the Company or any affiliate conducts business.

 

(a)  Directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, control, participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, be connected with or have any financial interest in, or serve as an officer, employee, advisor, consultant, agent or otherwise to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity which owns or operates a business similar to that of the Company or its affiliates.

 

(b)  Solicit for sale, represent, and/or sell Competing Products to any person or entity who or which was the Company’s customer or client during the last two years of Executive’s employment.  “Competing Products,” for purposes of this Agreement, means products or services which are similar to, compete with, or can be used for the same purposes as products or services sold or offered for sale by the Company or any affiliate or which were in development by the Company or any affiliate within the last two years of Executive’s employment.

 

6.02        Covenant Not to Solicit.  For a period of two years following the later of the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason or the last day of the term of this Agreement, Executive shall not:

 

(a)  Attempt in any manner to solicit from any client or customer business of the type performed by the Company or any affiliate or persuade any client or customer of the Company or any affiliate to cease to do such business or to reduce the amount of such business which any such client or customer has customarily done or contemplates doing with the Company or any affiliate, whether or not the relationship between the Company or affiliate and such client or customer was originally established in whole or in part through Executive’s efforts.

 

(b)  Render any services of the type rendered by the Company or any affiliate for any client or customer of the Company.

 

(c)  Solicit or encourage, or assist any other person to solicit or encourage, any employees, agents or representatives of the Company or an affiliate to terminate or alter their relationship with the Company or any affiliate.

 

(d)  Do not cause to be done, directly or indirectly, any acts which may impair the relationship between the Company or any affiliate with their respective clients, customers or employees.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

REMEDIES

 

Executive acknowledges that compliance with the provisions of Articles Five and Six herein is necessary to protect the business, goodwill and proprietary information of the Company and that a breach of these covenants will irreparably and continually damage the Company for which money damages may be inadequate.  Consequently, Executive agrees that, in the event that he breaches or threatens to breach any of these provisions, the Company shall be entitled to both (a) a temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction in order to prevent the continuation of such harm; and (b) money damages insofar as they can be determined.  In addition, the Company will cease payment of all compensation and benefits under Articles Three and Four hereof.  In the event that any of the provisions, covenants, warranties or agreements in this Agreement are held to be in any respect an unreasonable restriction upon the Executive or are otherwise invalid, for whatsoever cause, then the court so holding shall reduce, and is so authorized to reduce, the territory to which it pertains and/or the period of time in which it operates, or the scope of activity to which it pertains or effect any other change to the extent necessary to render any of the restrictions of this Agreement enforceable.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.01       Successors and Assignability.

       (a)  No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except that the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

       (b)  No rights or obligations of Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by Executive other than his rights to payments or benefits hereunder which may be transferred only by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

8.02        Entire Agreement.    This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified except in writing by the parties hereto.  Furthermore, the parties hereto specifically agree that all prior agreements, whether written or oral, relating to Executive’s employment by the Company shall be or no further force or effect from and after the date of hereof.

 

8.03        Severability.  If any phrase, clause or provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, such phrase, clause or provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement, but will not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.  If any restriction or limitation in this Agreement is deemed to be unreasonable, onerous or unduly restrictive, it shall not be stricken in its entirety and held totally void and unenforceable, but shall be deemed rewritten and shall remain effective to the maximum extent permissible within reasonable bounds.

 

8.04        Controlling Law and Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and construed according to the laws of the State of Illinois.  The parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Illinois in the event that any disputes arise under this Agreement.

 

8.05   Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given; (b) on the day after delivery to an overnight courier service; (c) on the day of transmission if sent via facsimile to the facsimile number given below; or (d) on the third day after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given, by first class mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid and properly addressed, to the party as follows:

	
  

	
If to Executive:

	
William S. Rowland

1 Prairie Sun Lane

Mattoon, IL  61938

	
  

	
If to the Company:

	
First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.

1515 Charleston Avenue

Mattoon IL 61938

Facsimile: 217-258-0485

Attention: Chairman of Compensation Committee

Any party may change its address for the purpose of this Section by giving the other party written notice of its new address in the manner set forth above.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

FIRST MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES, INC.

By: /s/ Kenneth R. Diepholz

	
  

	
Title: Compensation Committee Chairman

EXECUTIVE:

	
  

	
/s/ William S. Rowland

	
  

	
William S. Rowland

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