Document:

EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

Execution Copy 
 EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT 
 THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into by Central Garden & Pet Company (the
“Company”) and Timothy P. Cofer (“Executive”) to become effective in accordance with the terms of Section 1 hereof. 
 WHEREAS, the
Company desires to employ Executive and Executive desires to become employed by the Company; 
 THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 

1.    Effective Date: This Agreement shall become effective on October 14, 2019, (“Effective Date”).

 2.    Term of Employment: Executive will be employed by the Company for an indefinite term, subject to
termination as set forth below. (the “Term of Employment”) 
 3.    Position: Executive shall serve as
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He shall perform those duties and responsibilities consistent with such position that are assigned to him by the Board of Directors of the Company. In addition, Executive shall be a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company during the Term of Employment. 
 4.    Full Time Performance of Duties: During the Term
of Employment, except for periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and reasonable leaves of absence, Executive agrees to devote substantially all his business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful and
loyal performance of his duties under this Agreement and shall not during his employment with the Company engage in any other business activities, duties or pursuits, render any services of a business, commercial, or professional nature to any other
person or organization, whether for compensation or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Company. However, the expenditure of reasonable amounts of time for educational, charitable, or professional activities for which Executive will not
receive additional compensation from the Company, shall not be considered a breach of this Agreement if those activities do not materially interfere with the services required of Executive under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything else herein
contained, Executive shall be permitted to be a member of the Board of one other company of his choosing not competitive with the Company. 

5.    Salary: The Company will pay Executive an annualized base salary of $975,000.00 in accordance with the
Company’s payroll practices for executives. Executive will be eligible for periodic salary reviews consistent with the Company’s salary review practices for executives. 

6.    Bonus: Executive will be eligible for a bonus each year during the Term of Employment with a target amount of
one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s base salary in effect at the beginning of the year in question, to be awarded upon attainment of the annual operating goals and the personal goals established by the Board of Directors of the Company.
The award and amount of any such bonus shall be in the discretion of the Company. 
 7.    Initial Grant of Options
and Signing Bonus: On the Effective Date, executive will be granted non-qualified stock options to purchase a number of shares of Company Common Stock (CENT A) with a Black Scholes value, as determined by
the Company 

 
in its sole discretion, equal to $1,100,000. The exercise price of such options will be equal to the “fair market value” upon the date of issue. These options shall vest over a four
(4) year period at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) per year with the first tranche vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Executive has previously received a signing bonus of $1,000,000. 

8.    Options, Restricted Stock and Performance Units: On the date of the Companywide stock option grant for fiscal
year 2020, Executive will be granted a combination of restricted stock, performance units and non-qualified stock options to purchase a number of shares of Company Common Stock (CENT A) the combination of
which, with a Black Scholes value equal to $2,300,000, shall be made at the sole discretion of the Company. The exercise price of such options will be equal to the “fair market value” upon the date of issue. These options shall vest over a
four (4) year period at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) per year with the first tranche vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The options shall expire on the sixth anniversary of date of grant. The restricted stock shall
vest over a four year period at the rate of 25% per year with the first tranche vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The performance units, if any, shall reflect performance criteria developed by the Compensation Committee of the
Company after consultation with Executive. The terms of the options and the restricted stock and the performance units, if any, shall be consistent with the terms of the Central Garden & Pet Company 2003 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. All
determinations as to fair market value, Black Scholes value or numbers of shares required by this Section 8 shall be made by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. At the time of the Companywide option grant for each subsequent fiscal
year during which Executive is employed hereunder, Executive will receive a similar grant. If Executive terminates his employment as set forth in Section 16 or the Company terminates Executive’s employment without cause as set forth in
Section 17, and in either case, Executive executes a general release as contemplated by such Section, all options, restricted stock and performance units not yet vested shall continue to vest in accordance with the terms of Section 16 or
Section 17; provided, however, that in the fiscal year of termination, only a prorated portion of the options, restricted stock and performance units granted with respect to that fiscal year – measured by the portion of the fiscal year
during which Executive is employed by the Company – will continue to vest. 
 9.    Retention Payments: The
Company shall make payments to Executive on October 14, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (the “Payment Dates”), but if and only if Executive has been continuously employed by the Company from the Effective Date to any such Payment Date or
has been terminated by the Company without cause. The amount of each of such of payments shall be $1,900,000 plus compound annual interest at the rate of 8% per year from the Effective Date. 

The first such payment shall be made in cash, and the payments to be made in 2022, 2023 and 2024 shall be made in Company stock or at the option of the
Company in cash or in a combination of cash and Company stock upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to Executive. The Company will make these payments to Executive on the dates agreed except in the case of termination of employment by
Executive or termination of employment of Executive by the Company with cause prior to the applicable payment deadline. The Fair Market Value of any shares to be delivered pursuant to this Section 9 shall be determined by the Board of Directors
or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. 
 10.    Benefits: Subject to all applicable eligibility
requirements Executive will participate in any and all 401(k), medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance and/or other benefit plan which, from time to time, may be established as generally applicable to other similarly situated
Company executives. Without limiting the generality of the 

  
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foregoing, such participation shall include access for Executive and his family to and coverage for Executive’s network of Blue Cross/Blue Shield doctors in Illinois and the ability for
Executive to participate in the Company’s 401(k)/WRAP program. Executive shall be reimbursed for a period of 18 months for rent not to exceed $8,000 per month for a 2-bedroom condominium in Walnut
Creek, California. Executive shall be entitled to full relocation benefits, in accordance with the Company’s relocation benefits policy. Executive shall be reimbursed for expenditures for tax preparation and financial counseling in an amount
not to exceed $20,000 in any calendar year. Executive shall be reimbursed for first class air travel in connection with business travel by Executive and commuting between his home in Illinois and the offices of the Company. 

11.    Company Stock: From October 14, 2021, until the expiration of this Agreement, Executive agrees to hold
capital stock of the Company with a value of not less than four times his annual salary. For purposes of this Section 11 restricted stock held by Executive shall be included in determining the value of the capital stock of the Company held by
Executive regardless of whether such restricted stock is vested or unvested. Executive will not be required to purchase additional stock to achieve this holding requirement; provided, however, that Executive agrees not to sell any stock unless and
until the holding requirement is met. 
 12.    Automobile: During the Term of Employment, the Company will
provide Executive with a monthly automobile allowance of $1,100. Executive is responsible for taxes, if any, associated with this allowance. 

13.    Reimbursement of Expenses: The Company will reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel, entertainment and
other expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with, or related to, the performance of his duties, responsibilities or services under this Agreement in accordance with the Company’s policies, upon presentation by Executive of
documentation, expense statements, vouchers and/or other supporting information as the Company may request. 

14.    Incapacity or Death: In the event that Executive becomes physically or mentally disabled or incapacitated
such that it is the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company that Executive is unable to perform the services required under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation, then after four (4) months of continuous physical or
mental disability, this Agreement will terminate; provided, however, that during this four (4) month period, Executive shall be entitled to the continuation of his compensation as provided by this Agreement; however such continued
payments by the Company shall be integrated with any disability, workers’ compensation, or other insurance payments received, such that the total amount does not exceed the compensation as provided by this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, physical or mental disability does not include any disability arising from current use of alcohol, drugs or related issues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company terminates Executive’s employment due to incapacity or death,
all previously granted stock options and restricted stock shall continue to vest in accordance with their terms for a period of one year after termination of employment notwithstanding such termination of employment (after which further vesting
shall cease), and with respect to stock options, shall remain exercisable until the expiration date of each such stock option set forth in Section 8 hereof. 

15.    Termination by the Company For Cause: The Company may terminate Executive for cause. If Executive is
terminated for cause, he will receive only his compensation earned pro rata to the date of his termination. All other benefits will cease on the date of Executive’s termination. Cause shall be defined as: 

(a)    An act or omission constituting negligence or misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company; 

  
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 (b)    Failure to comply with the lawful directives of the Board of
Directors; 
 (c)    A material breach of this Agreement by Executive, which is not cured within thirty (30) days
after written notice thereof; 
 (d)    Failure to perform the lawful and reasonable job duties assigned to the
Executive at a satisfactory level following written notice by the Company to the Executive of the specific failures and a 30 day period to cure any such failure; 

(e)    The abuse of alcohol or drugs which impacts Executive’s ability to satisfactorily perform Executive’s job
duties; 
 (f)    Fraud, theft or embezzlement of Company assets, criminal conduct or any other act of moral turpitude
by which is materially injurious to the Company; 
 (g)    A material violation of any securities law, regulation or
compliance policy of the Company; 
 (h)    Executive’s death or incapacity exceeding four (4) months as
provided in Section 14 above. 
 16.    Termination By Executive For Cause Or Upon Retirement: Executive may
terminate this Agreement (a) at any time in the event of a material breach by the Company which is not cured by the Company after delivery by Executive of thirty (30) days written notice to the Company’s Vice President of Human
Resources; or (b) in the event of Executive’s decision to retire from active employment at any time after Executive reaches age 65 by giving one hundred eighty (180) days’ written notice to the Company’s Vice President of
Human Resources. If Executive terminates his employment under this section, within ten (10) days after a general release signed by Executive and the Company substantially in the form of the general release attached hereto as Exhibit C becomes
irrevocable, Executive will be entitled to continued vesting of previously granted stock options and restricted stock and performance units (subject to compliance with any applicable performance conditions) to the extent provided in Section 8
hereof and subject to his compliance with the terms of the Post Employment Consulting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. Such continued vesting shall be Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a termination of this
Agreement by Executive pursuant to this Section 16. 
 17.    Termination By The Company Without Cause: The
Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement at any time without cause by giving Executive ninety (90) days’ written notice of termination. If the Company terminates Executive under this section, within ten
(10) days after a general release signed by Executive and the Company substantially in the form of the general release attached hereto as Exhibit C becomes irrevocable, Executive will be entitled to continued vesting of previously granted
stock options and restricted stock and performance units (subject to compliance with any applicable performance conditions) to the extent provided in Section 8 hereof and subject to his compliance with the terms of the Post Employment
Consulting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. Such continued vesting, together with 12 months current base salary shall be Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a termination of this Agreement by the Company
pursuant to this Section 17. 

  
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 18.    Section 409A Delay: Each payment hereunder subject to
Section 409A will be considered a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. To the extent that it is determined by the Company in good faith that all or a portion of any payments hereunder subject to Section 409A made in
connection with Executive’s separation from service are not exempt from Section 409A and that Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A) at the time of his separation from service, then payment
of such non-exempt payments shall not be made until the date that is six (6) months and one day after his separation from service (or, if earlier, his death), with any payments that are required to be
delayed being accumulated during the six-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one day following his separation from service and any subsequent payments, if any, being
paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein. 
 19.    Termination by Executive Without Cause:
Executive may terminate his employment without cause by giving the Company ninety (90) days written notice of termination. If Executive terminates his employment without cause under this section, he will receive only his salary and benefits
earned pro rata to the date of his termination. All other salary and benefits will cease on the date of Executive’s termination. At its option, the Company may pay Executive his salary and benefits provided in this Agreement through the
effective date of his written notice of termination and immediately accept his termination. 
 20.    Confidential
Business Information: The Company has and will continue to spend significant time, effort and money to develop proprietary information which is vital to the Company’s business. During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive
has and will have access to the Company’s confidential, proprietary and trade secret information including but not limited to information and strategy relating to the Company’s products and services including customer lists and files,
product description and pricing, information and strategy regarding profits, costs, marketing, purchasing, sales, customers, suppliers, contract terms, employees, salaries; product development plans; business, acquisition and financial plans and
forecasts and marketing and sales plans and forecasts (collectively called “Company Confidential Information”). Executive will not, during his employment with the Company or thereafter, directly or indirectly disclose to any other person
or entity, or use for Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of others besides the Company, any Company Confidential Information. Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive agrees to promptly return all Company Confidential Information.

 21.    Non-Solicitation of Employees: While Executive is employed by
the Company and for twelve (12) months after such employment terminates, Executive will not (acting either directly or indirectly, or through any other person, firm, or corporation) induce or attempt to induce or influence any employee of the
Company to terminate employment with the Company when the Company desires to retain that person’s services. 

22.    Duty of Loyalty: During term of this Agreement, Executive agrees that he will not, nor will he permit any
entity or other person under his control, to hold, manage operate or control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or render executive, managerial, market research, advice or consulting services, either directly or
indirectly, to any business engaged in or about to be engaged in developing, producing, marketing, distributing or selling lawn, garden, animal health, nutrition or pet related products. 

23.    Separability: Each provision of this Agreement is separable and independent of the other provisions. If any
part of this Agreement is found to be invalid, the remainder shall be given full force and effect as permitted by law. 

  
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 24.    Complete Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between Executive and the Company regarding the subjects covered by this Agreement. No other agreement, understanding, statement or promise other than those contained in this Agreement is part of their employment agreement or will be
effective. Any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 

25.    Notice: All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given (except as may otherwise be specifically provided herein to the contrary) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or mailed by certified
or registered mail with postage prepaid: 
 If to the Company to: 

Central Garden & Pet Company      

1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600 

Walnut Creek, CA 94597 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer 

with a copy to: 

Central Garden & Pet Company      

1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600 

Walnut Creek, CA 94597 

Attention: General Counsel 

If to the Executive to: 

Timothy P. Cofer      

900 S. Ridge Road 

Lake Forest, IL 60045 

26.    Related Agreements: As an inducement to Executive and to the Company to enter into this Agreement, Executive
has executed Exhibit A Post Employment Consulting Agreement and Exhibit B Agreement to Protect Confidential Information, Intellectual Property and Business Relationships, and will execute, if appropriate Exhibit C, the General Release of All Claims,
all attached and incorporated by reference. Exhibits A, B and C, to the extent executed by both Executive and the Company, and sections 20, 21 and 22 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Employment Agreement. 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of September 16, 2019. 

 

			
	 /s/ Timothy P. Cofer

	
	 Executive

	
	 Central Garden & Pet Company

		
	 By
	 	 /s/ William E. Brown

  
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 EXHIBIT A 

POST EMPLOYMENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT 

This Agreement is made as of September 16, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Central Garden & Pet Company and/or any of its
wholly owned subsidiaries, successors and assigns (collectively called “the Company”) and Timothy P. Cofer (“Executive”). 
 WHEREAS,
Executive recognizes that in his capacity as a key executive with the Company he will provide unique services that will be exceedingly difficult to replace after termination of his employment; 

WHEREAS, Executive recognizes that the Company desires continued access to Executive’s unique services, knowledge and a reasonable transition after the
termination of Executive’s employment; 
 WHEREAS, Executive recognizes that he has been provided adequate consideration for entering into this
Consulting Agreement (“Agreement”); 
 THEREFORE, in consideration of the employment of Executive and other good and adequate consideration,
Executive and the Company agree to the following: 
 1.    Right to Receive Consulting Services. Executive hereby grants
the Company the right to receive continuing Consulting Services on the terms provided herein following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company. 

2.    Consulting Services. Executive will provide continuing strategic advice and counsel related to the business issues and
projects Executive was involved in while employed by the Company (“Consulting Services”). Consulting Services shall perform at such times and in a manner as are mutually agreed and shall, on average, consist of 20 hours per month.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may reduce his monthly commitment to the extent required by his employer; provided that in the event of such reduction, the compensation provided under Section 4 hereof shall be reduced proportionately.

 3.    Term of Agreement. Executive will provide Consulting Services effective upon termination of Executive’s
employment with the Company and continuing thereafter for a period of forty-eight (48) months (“Term of Agreement”). 

4.    Compensation. Executive shall be paid ten percent (10%) of his base salary at the time of termination of
Executive’s employment with the Company for each year during the Term of Agreement. This amount shall be paid one-twelfth (1/12) at the end of each month. 

5.    Expenses. During the Term of Agreement, Executive will be reimbursed by the Company for all expenses necessarily
incurred in the performance of this Agreement. 
 6.    Termination. Notwithstanding the Term of Agreement specified
above, this Agreement shall terminate under any of the following circumstances: (a) in the event Executive dies, this Agreement shall terminate immediately; (b) if due to physical or mental disability, Executive is unable to perform the
services called for under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation, either the Company or Executive may terminate this Agreement by providing thirty (30) days’ written notice; provided, however, that in the event of
termination of Executive by the Company under this clause (b) the Company shall accelerate the vesting of any employee stock options previously granted to Executive which 

  
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would otherwise cease to vest as a result of such termination; (c) Executive materially breaches the terms of this Agreement; (d) the Company terminates Executive’s employment for
cause pursuant to Section 15 of the Employment Agreement which became effective on October 14, 2019 between the Company and Executive; and (e) the parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual written agreement. 

7.    Unique Services. Duty of Loyalty. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the services he performs under this Agreement
are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, or intellectual character, which have a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that
during his employment and, provided the Company exercises its option to engage Executive to provide Consulting Services and compensate him under the terms of this Agreement, then during the Term of Agreement he will have a continuing fiduciary duty
and duty of loyalty to the Company. He agrees that during the Term of Agreement, he will not render executive, managerial, market research, advice or consulting services, either directly or indirectly, to any business engaged in or about to be
engaged in developing, producing, marketing, distributing or selling lawn, garden, animal health, animal nutrition or pet related products or which would otherwise conflict with his obligations to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Section 7 shall prevent Executive from serving on the Board of Directors of one or more companies or other entities which are not principally engaged in developing, producing, marketing, distributing or selling lawn, garden,
animal health, animal nutrition or pet-related products during the Term of Agreement. 

8.    Confidential Information or Materials. During the Term of Agreement, Executive will have access to the Company’s
confidential, proprietary and trade secret information including but not limited to information and strategy regarding the Company’s products and services including customer lists and files, product description and pricing, information and
strategy regarding profits, costs, marketing, purchasing, sales, customers, suppliers, contract terms, employees, salaries; product development plans; business, acquisition and financial plans and forecasts and marketing and sales plans and
forecasts (collectively called “Company Confidential Information”). Executive will not, during the Term of Agreement or thereafter, directly or indirectly disclose to any other person or entity, or use for Executive’s own benefit or
for the benefit of others besides Company, Company Confidential Information. Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive agrees to promptly return all Company Confidential Information. 

9.    Remedies. Executive understands and acknowledges that Company’s remedies at law for any material breach of this
Agreement by Executive are inadequate and that any such breach will cause the Company substantial and irrevocable damage and therefore, in the event of any such breach, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, including the return
of consideration paid for this Agreement, Executive agrees that the Company shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive relief. It is also expressly agreed that, in the event of such a breach, Company shall also be entitled to
recover all of its costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in enforcing its rights hereunder. 

10.    Independent Contractor Status. For all purposes, during the Term of Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to be an
independent contractor, and not an employee or agent of the Company. Accordingly, Executive shall not be entitled to any rights or benefits to which any employee of Company may be entitled. 

11.    Other Employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Executive from performing services for other employers or
business entities, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, during the Term of Agreement. 

  
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 12.    Intellectual Property Rights. Company shall have sole ownership of
and all right, title and interest, to all data, drawings, designs, analyses, graphs, reports, products, tooling, physical property, computer programs, software code, trade secrets and all inventions, discoveries and improvements or other items or
concepts, whether patentable or not, (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) which are conceived or reduced to practice during the Term of Agreement and arising out of or relating to the services performed hereunder or using the equipment
or resources of the Company. To the extent any such Intellectual Property qualifies as a “work for hire” under the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Sec. 101), Executive agrees that the Company is the author for copyright purposes. To
the extent that any Intellectual Property is not a work for hire, Executive agrees to assign, and hereby does assign, its entire right, title and interest in such Intellectual Property, including the right to sue for past infringements. 

13.    No Authority to Bind Company. During the Term of Agreement, Executive will not have any authority to commit or bind
Company to any contractual or financial obligations without the Company’s prior written consent. 

14.    Assignment. This is a personal services agreement and Executive may not assign this Agreement, or any interest
herein, without the prior written consent of the Company. 
 15.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the
entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. It cannot be modified or waived except in a writing signed by both parties. 

16.    Agreement Enforceable to Full Extent Possible. If any restriction set forth in this Agreement is found by a court to
be unenforceable for any reason, the court is empowered and directed to interpret the restriction to extend only so broadly as to be enforceable in that jurisdiction. Additionally, should any of the provisions of this Agreement be determined to be
invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, it is agreed that such determination shall not affect the enforceability of the other provisions herein. 

17.    The parties agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth above. 

 

									
	Dated:	 	  
	 		 	     

		 		 		 	(Timothy P. Cofer)
				
	Dated:	 	  
	 		 	Central Garden & Pet Company
					
		 		 		 	By:	 	  

  
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 EXHIBIT B 

AGREEMENT TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS 

This Agreement is made as of September 16, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Central Garden & Pet Company and/or any of its
wholly owned subsidiaries, successors and assigns (collectively called “the Company”) and Timothy P. Cofer (“Executive,” “I” or “Me”). 

I RECOGNIZE that during my employment as a key executive with Central Garden & Pet Company and/or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, successors
and assigns (collectively called “the Company”), I have had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information (as defined below) and valuable business relationships; 

I RECOGNIZE that my employment in certain capacities with a competitor could involve the use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information; 

I RECOGNIZE that the Company’s Confidential Information and business relationships are critical to its success in the marketplace. The Company operates
on a nationwide-basis, and therefore, the Company’s commitment to protecting its Confidential Information and business relationships is nationwide; 

I RECOGNIZE that the law regarding restrictive covenants varies from state to state and the law that will apply to this Agreement after I terminate will
depend on factors such as where I live, where I work, the location of my employer, the location of my former employer and other factors, many which are unknown at this time; 

THEREFORE, in consideration for the compensation provided to me, to prevent the use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information, and to protect the
valuable business relationships of the Company, I agree to the following: 
 1.    Definitions. 

(a)    Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall
mean any information, including third-party information, provided to the Company in confidence, regarding the Company, its business, its plans, its customers, its contracts, its suppliers, or its strategies, that is not generally known and provides
the Company with an actual or potential competitive advantage over those who do not know it. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, all such information I learned or developed during any previous employment with the Company or its
predecessors in interest and all of the Company’s confidential, proprietary and trade secret information, which may include information and strategies relating to the Company’s products, processes and services, including customer lists and
files, product description and pricing, information and strategy regarding profits, costs, marketing, purchasing, sales, customers, suppliers, contract terms, employees, salaries, product development plans, business, acquisition and financial plans
and forecasts, and marketing and sales plans and forecasts. I acknowledge that requiring me to enter into this Agreement is one of the measures that the Company uses to maintain the secrecy of its Confidential Information. 

(b)    Relevant Territory. For purposes of this Agreement, “Relevant Territory” shall mean any
territory or region in which I performed services on behalf of the Company or about which I learned Confidential Information regarding the Company during the two (2) years prior to my separation from the Company for any reason. 

  
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 (c)    Services. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Services” shall mean the same or similar activities in which I engaged during the two (2) years prior to my separation from the Company for any reason. 

2.    Confidentiality. I agree that I will not, during my employment with the Company (except in furtherance of the
Company’s interests), or at any time after employment terminates, without the prior written consent of the Company Vice President of Human Resources, disclose any Confidential Information to or use any Confidential Information for, any third
party or entity. This restriction prohibits me from, among other activities, engaging in or preparing to engage in developing, producing, marketing, distributing or selling lawn, garden, animal health, animal nutrition or pet related products for
any business entity if that activity in any way involves the use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information and diverting or attempting to divert any business or customers from the Company using Confidential Information. To the extent that
any Confidential Information is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be confidential information rather than a trade secret under applicable law, the prohibition on use and disclosure of that specific information shall be in effect for
a period of three years after the termination of my employment with the Company; otherwise the prohibition shall last until the information ceases to be a trade secret (other than through any breach of secrecy by me or other third parties under a
duty of secrecy to the Company). In the event that after my employment with the Company ceases, if I have any doubt about whether particular information may be used or disclosed, I will contact the Company Vice President of Human Resources. 

3.    Post-Employment Activities 

(a)    Non-Competition. For twelve (12) months after the
termination of my employment with the Company and/or any post-employment consulting agreement with the Company, I will not render executive, managerial, market research, advice or consulting services, either directly or indirectly, to any business
principally engaged in or about to be principally engaged in developing, producing, marketing, distributing or selling lawn, garden, animal health, animal nutrition or pet related products or which would otherwise conflict with my obligations to the
Company. 
 (b)    Non-Solicitation of Customers. For twelve
(12) months after the termination of my employment with the Company and/or any post-employment consulting agreement with the Company, I will not solicit directly or indirectly, on behalf of any business entity described in paragraph (a) of
this section or which otherwise competes with the Company, any customer I solicited or serviced, or any customer about whom I learned Confidential Information, while in the employ or service of the Company. This paragraph shall apply in those
jurisdictions where restrictions such as contained in this paragraph are enforceable. 
 (c)    Non-Solicitation of Employees. For twelve (12) months after the termination of my employment with the Company and/or any post-employment consulting agreement with the Company, I will not recruit, solicit or
induce, or attempt to recruit, solicit or induce, any employee of the Company to terminate their employment with the Company or otherwise cease their relationship with the Company. 

(d)    Duty to Present Contract. For twelve (12) months after the termination of my employment with the
Company and/or any post-employment consulting agreement with the Company, before I accept employment with any person or organization that is engage in or about to be engaged in developing, producing, marketing, distributing or selling lawn, garden,
animal health, animal nutrition or pet related products, I agree (1) to advise that 

  
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prospective employer about the existence of this Agreement; (2) to provide that potential employer a copy of this Agreement; and (3) to advise the Company’s Vice President of Human
Resources in writing, within five (5) business days, to whom I have provided a copy of this Agreement. 

4.    Reformation/Severability. If any restriction set forth in this Agreement is found by a court to be unenforceable for
any reason, the court is empowered and directed to interpret the restriction to extend only so broadly as to be enforceable in that jurisdiction. Additionally, should any of the provisions of this Agreement be determined to be invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction, it is agreed that such determination shall not affect the enforceability of the other provisions herein. 

5.    Further Acknowledgments. I understand that the restrictions contained in this Agreement are necessary and reasonable
for the protection of the Company’s business, goodwill and its Confidential Information. I understand that any breach of this Agreement will cause the Company substantial and irrevocable damage and therefore, in the event of any such breach, in
addition to such other remedies which may be available, including the return of consideration paid for this Agreement, I agree that the Company shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive relief. Any business entity that employs
me in a capacity in which I violate this Agreement shall be liable for damages and injunctive relief. Further, I understand that the Company intends to install the full measure of protections permitted by the law to protect its Confidential
Information and business relationships, but does not intend to impose any greater protections on me than those permitted by law. I acknowledge that the law that governs restrictive covenants such as this, is important, rapidly changing and varies
from state to state. I also understand that the law that will apply to this Agreement after I terminate will depend on factors such as where I live, where I work, the location of my employer, the location of my former employer and other factors,
many which are unknown at the time I enter this Agreement. I understand that I have been advised to consult with an attorney of my choice to discuss this agreement and my legal obligations under this agreement after my termination of employment.
I understand that Paragraphs 3(a) and 3(b) do not apply and will not be enforced in California or other states where restrictions such as contained in those paragraphs are not permitted. 

6.    Separability. Courts should treat each numbered paragraph as a separate and severable contractual obligation intended
to protect the legitimate interests of the Company and to which I intend to be bound. 
 7.    Non Waiver. I agree that
the Company’s determination not to enforce this or similar agreements as to specific violations shall not operate as a waiver or release of my obligations under this Agreement. 

8.    Fiduciary Duty. This Agreement is in addition to any fiduciary duty and obligation that may exist under statutory or
common law. 
 9.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects
covered. It cannot be modified or waived except in a writing signed by me and a duly authorized officer of the Company. I enter into this Agreement voluntarily. 

  
 B-3 

			
	 AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY:

	
	  

	 (Timothy P. Cofer)

	
	 For Central Garden & Pet
Company

			
		
	 By:
	 	  

  
 B-4 

 Exhibit C 

General Release of All Claims 
 This
Release of All Claims is entered into by Timothy P. Cofer (“Executive”) and Central Garden & Pet Company and/or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, successors and assigns (collectively called “the Company”). 

WHEREAS, the parties entered into an Employment Agreement (“Employment Agreement”) which became effective as of October 14, 2019 that provides
for certain severance and other benefits in the event of Executive’s termination; and 
 WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement,
Executive’s entitlement to such severance and other benefits in the event of termination is conditioned upon Executive signing a general release of all claims (“Agreement”); and 

WHEREAS, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective
                     (“Termination Date”); 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the severance and other benefits provided in the Employment Agreement, and other good and sufficient consideration, the
parties agree as follows: 
 1.    Executive, his successors and assigns, completely release the Company, its agents, employees, former
employees, members of the board of directors, officers, insurers, successors and assigns (the “Released Parties”) from all claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, and causes of action of every kind, known or unknown, which Executive
may now have, or has ever had, arising from or in any way connected with the employment relationship between the parties, any actions during the relationship, or the termination thereof, including but not limited to all claims for harassment,
discrimination, or wrongful discharge; all claims relating to any contracts, express or implied; any covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied; any breach of fiduciary responsibility; any tort of any nature; any claims under
federal, state, or municipal common law, statutes or ordinances, including but not limited to claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967,
42 U.S.C. Section 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the California Family Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the state and federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification
Acts, the California Worker’s Compensation Act and any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination, as well as any and all claims for attorney’s fees and costs. The only claims not released by this
Agreement are claims that cannot be released as a matter of law. 
 2.    Executive is aware that Section 1542 of the Civil Code of
the State of California and similar provisions in other states provide: 
 A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR
DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. 

Executive understands that this type of provision gives him the right not to release existing claims of which he is not now aware, unless he voluntarily
chooses to waive this right. Executive nevertheless voluntarily waives these rights from the subject of this Agreement, and waive all claims that now exist in his favor, known or unknown. 

  
 C-1 

 3.    Executive affirms that he has not filed or caused to be filed any lawsuit,
complaint, or charge with respect to any claim this Agreement purports to waive, and promises never to file or prosecute a lawsuit or complaint based on such claims. Executive further promises never to seek any damages, remedies, or other relief for
himself personally by filing or prosecuting a charge with any administrative agency with respect to any such claim. He promises to request that any government agency or other body assuming jurisdiction over any such lawsuit, complaint, or charge
withdraw from the matter or dismiss the matter with prejudice. However, the two preceding sentences shall not preclude Executive from filing or prosecuting a charge with any administrative agency with respect to any such claim as long as he does not
seek or accept any damages, remedies, or other relief for himself personally, which he promises not to do. Executive shall not be prevented from enforcing any rights he may have under the terms of this Agreement. 

4.    Executive agrees that he will cooperate with and assist the Company with regard to any arbitration, litigation, agency investigation
or proceeding regarding any matters which Executive dealt with, was involved in or had knowledge of while employed with the Company, provided the Company shall pay all reasonable and related expenses and attorneys fees necessarily incurred by
Executive (consistent with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies) to provide such cooperation and assistance. 

5.    Executive agrees that he will return to the Company all electronic equipment (including cell phone, computer, FDA, etc.) files,
memoranda, documents, records, electronic records, software, copies of the foregoing, credit cards, keys, and any other Company property in his possession prior to his Termination Date. 

6.    Executive agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are strictly confidential and have not been and shall not be
disclosed to any persons except his counsel, immediate family, financial advisors and, even as to such a person, only if the person agrees to honor this confidentiality requirement. Such a person’s violation of this confidentiality requirement
will be treated as a violation of this Agreement by Executive. This subsection does not prohibit Executive’s disclosure of the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to the extent necessary legally to enforce this Agreement, nor does it
prohibit disclosures to the extent otherwise legally required. Executive understands that any violation of this provision would cause irreparable harm to the Company and would justify injunctive relief. 

7.    Executive agrees not to disparage or defame the Company or any of its employees, former employees, members of the boards of
directors or officers. 
 8.    No other monies or benefits except those specifically described in the Employment Agreement are owed or
will be paid to Executive by the Company. 
 9.    Executive will cease to be eligible to participate in any Company employee benefit
plans including any medical, dental, life insurance, retirement, and other compensation or benefit plans of the Company on his Termination Date and will have no rights under those plans, except that he will retain any vested benefits under all
applicable benefit plans with the Company, and all rights associated with such benefits, as determined under the official terms of those plans. 

  
 C-2 

 10.    Executive acknowledges that sections 20, 21 and 22 of the Employment Agreement
together with Exhibits A, B and C and shall survive the termination of the Employment Agreement and Executive reaffirms his obligations thereunder. 

11.    Executive acknowledges and agrees that it is the Company’s policy, communicated to him and other employees, that employees are
requested to bring to the Company’s attention any incidents of misconduct or wrongdoing in the area of regulatory compliance, both governmental and industry. Executive hereby affirms that he has acted in accordance with such policy and that he
has, at this time, no knowledge of any such incident that he has not brought to the attention to the Company in writing. 

12.    Should any of the provisions of this Agreement be determined to be invalid by a court, or government agency of competent
jurisdiction, it is agreed that such determination shall not affect the enforceability of the other provisions herein. 
 13.    Should
Executive ever attempt to challenge the existence of this Agreement, attempt to obtain an order declaring this Agreement to be null and void, or institute litigation against the Company or any other Released Party based upon a released claim, he
will, as a condition precedent to such action, repay all amounts paid to him under the terms of the Employment Agreement. 
 14.    This
Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It shall not be construed strictly for or against any party to the Agreement. 

15.    This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. Executive expressly warrants that he
has read and fully understands this Agreement; that he has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of his own choosing and to have the terms of the Agreement fully explained to him; that he is not executing this Agreement in reliance on
any promises, representations or inducements other than those contained herein; and that he is executing this Agreement voluntarily, free of any duress or coercion. This Agreement shall not in any way be considered an admission of any liability by
the Company. 
 16.    Executive understands that he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement; he
has twenty-one (21) days in which to consider whether he should sign this Agreement; and that if he signs this Agreement, he has seven (7) days following the date in which he signs the Agreement to
revoke it because the Agreement is not effective until the end of this seven-day period (“Effective Date”) 

17.    Each party to this Agreement shall execute all further and/or additional instruments and documents and take all actions necessary
as may be reasonably required to effectuate this Agreement. 
 18.    This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts.
Electronic signatures will be considered valid. 
  

							
	Dated:	 	  
	 		  	  

		 		 		  	(Timothy P. Cofer)
				
	Dated:	 	  
	 		  	  

		 		 		  	Central Garden & Pet Company

  
 C-3Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is effective as of September 17, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), between IZEA Worldwide, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the Executive identified on Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of the Executive and to that end desires to enter into a contract of employment with him, upon the terms and conditions herein set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company upon such terms and conditions;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual benefits and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be bound, hereby agree as follows:
1.    APPOINTMENT AND TERM
Subject to the terms hereof, the Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, for a period commencing on the date hereof (the “Commencement Date”) and ending on the expiration date (the “Expiration Date”) set forth in Exhibit A (the Initial Term), which date shall be automatically renewed for successive one (1) year periods thereafter unless the parties mutually agree in writing upon a later date or either party provides the other party with written notice of their intention not to renew this Agreement at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any renewal term of this Agreement.  Employment Period shall mean the Initial Term plus renewals, if any.

2.    DUTIES
(a)    During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be employed in the position set forth in Exhibit A and shall, unless prevented by incapacity, devote all of his business time, attention and ability during normal corporate office business hours to the discharge of his duties hereunder and to the faithful and diligent performance of such duties and the exercise of such powers as may be assigned to or vested in him by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), such duties to be consistent with his position.  The Executive shall obey the lawful directions of the Board, and shall use his diligent efforts to promote the interests of the Company and to maintain and promote the reputation thereof.
(b)    With the exception of existing investments and ownership positions listed in Exhibit A, the Executive shall not during his term of employment (except as a representative of the Company or with the consent in writing of the Board) be directly engaged as an employee, board member or general partner of any business. The Executive may purchase an investment interest of up to 20% in entities that do not directly compete with the company, provided it does not impair the ability of the Executive to discharge fully and faithfully his duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may hold an ownership interest (as a member or shareholder) in whole or in any part in a closely held limited liability company or corporation solely for purposes of passive investment (such as, for instance, a 100% interest in an entity that holds a brokerage account, or a marital interest in investment real estate).
(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Executive shall be entitled to serve in various leadership capacities in civic, charitable and professional organizations.  The Executive recognizes that his primary and paramount responsibility is to the Company.
(d)    The Executive shall be based in Winter Park, Florida, except for required travel on the Company’s business.

3.    REMUNERATION
(a)    As compensation for his services pursuant hereto, the Executive shall be paid a base salary during the first year of his employment hereunder at the annual rate set forth in Exhibit A.  This amount shall be payable in equal periodic installments in accordance with the usual payroll practices of the Company.
(b)    Except as provided above, in Exhibit A and in Sections 4 and 6 hereof, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any additional compensation, remuneration or other payments from the Company.
4.    HEALTH INSURANCE AND OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS
The Executive shall be entitled to participate in regular employee fringe benefit programs to the extent such programs are offered by the Company to its executive employees, including, but not limited to, medical, hospitalization and disability insurance and life insurance that are substantially consistent with the programs of the Company in effect prior to the Commencement Date.  
5.    VACATION
The Executive shall be entitled to the number of weeks of vacation set forth in Exhibit A (in addition to the usual national holidays) during each contract year during which he serves hereunder.  Such vacation shall be taken at such time or times as will be mutually agreed between the Executive and the Company.  Vacation not taken during a calendar year may not be carried forward.
6.    REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES
The Executive shall be reimbursed for reasonable documented business expenses incurred in connection with the business of the Company in accordance with practices and policies established by the Company.

7.    TERMINATION
(a)    This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with the terms of Section 7(b) hereof; provided, however, that such termination shall not affect the obligations of the Executive pursuant to the terms of Sections 8 and 9.
(b)    This Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Employment Period; or as follows:
(i)    Upon the written notice to the Executive by the Company at any time for reasons other than those described in sections 7(b)(ii) and 7(b)(iii); 
(ii)    Upon the written notice to the Executive by the Company at any time, because of (w) the willful and material malfeasance, dishonesty or habitual drug or alcohol abuse by the Executive related to or affecting the performance of his duties, (x) the Executive’s continuing and intentional breach, non-performance or non-observance of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, but only after notice by the Company of such breach, nonperformance or nonobservance and the failure of the Executive to cure such default as soon as practicable (but in any event within ten (10) days following written notice from the Company), (y) the conduct by the Executive which the Board in good faith determines could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, properties, results of operations, financial condition, personnel or prospects of the Company (within each category, taken as a whole), but only after notice by the Company of such conduct and the failure of the Executive to cure same as soon as practicable (but in any event within ten (10) days following written notice from the Company), or (z) upon the Executive’s conviction of a felony, any crime involving moral turpitude (including, without limitation, sexual harassment) related to or affecting the performance of his duties or any act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or willful breach of fiduciary duty against the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and solely to the extent applicable to subsections (x) and (y), in the event of the 

Company giving notice of an alleged breach, non-performance, default, or other action giving rise to the Executive’s opportunity to ìcureî, if such cure cannot be completed within 10 days, then Company may determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not the action is ìcurableî and whether or not it is sufficient that Executive take affirmative action to commence to cure and pursue such action diligently with the intent to fully cure within reasonable time.
(iii)    In the event the Executive, by reason of physical or mental disability, shall be unable to perform the services required of his hereunder for a period of more than 60 consecutive days, or for more than a total of 90 non-consecutive days in the aggregate during any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months, on the 61st consecutive day, or the 91st day, as the case may be.  The Executive agrees, in the event of any dispute under this Section 7(b)(iii), and after written notice by the Board, to submit to a physical examination by a licensed physician practicing in the Orlando, Florida area selected by the Board, and reasonably acceptable to the Executive.
(iv)    In the event the Executive dies while employed pursuant hereto, on the day in which his death occurs.
(v)    At any time during the term of this Agreement, subject to the conditions set forth below, the Executive may terminate this Agreement and the Executive’s employment with the Company for “Good Reason.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (A) the assignment, without the Executive’s consent, to the Executive of duties that are significantly different from, and that result in a substantial diminution of, the duties that he assumed on the Effective Date; (B) the assignment, without the Executive’s consent, to the Executive of a title that is different from and subordinate to the title Chief Financial Officer of the Company or any subsidiary, provided, however, for the absence of doubt following a Change of Control, should the Executive cease to retain either the title or 

responsibilities assumed on the Effective Date, or Executive is required to serve in a diminished capacity or lesser title in a division or unit of another entity (including the acquiring entity), such event shall constitute Good Reason regardless of the title of Executive in such acquiring company, division or unit; or (C) material breach by the Company of this Agreement.  Executive shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason unless and until he shall have delivered written notice to the Company within sixty (60) days of the date upon which the facts giving rise to Good Reason occurred of his intention to terminate this Agreement and his employment with the Company for Good Reason, which notice specifies in reasonable detail the circumstances claimed to provide the basis for such termination for Good Reason, and the Company shall not have eliminated the circumstances constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days of its receipt from the Executive of such written notice.

(c)    If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7(b), the Company will have no further liability to the Executive after the date of termination including, without limitation, the compensation and benefits described herein except for the obligation to pay the Executive any earned but unpaid Base Salary, reimbursement of any and all reasonable expenses paid or incurred by the Executive in connection with and related to the performance of his duties and responsibilities for the Company during the period ending on the termination date and any accrued but unused vacation time through the termination date in accordance with Company policy; provided that, in the case of termination pursuant to Section 7(b)(i) and Section 7(b)(v), the Executive will receive his then current salary for the Severance Period set forth in Exhibit A; or in the case of termination pursuant to Section 7(b)(iii), the Executive will receive his then current salary until such time (but not more than 120 days after such disability) as payments begin under any disability insurance plan of the Executive.

(d)    In the event the Company chooses not to enter into any agreement or amendment extending the Executive’s employment beyond the Employment Period, the Company agrees to provide Executive at least 60 days prior written notice of such determination. If notice is given any later than 60 days prior to but before the end of the Employment Period, then the term of this Agreement shall be extended until the date which is 60 days after the date such notice is given, during which time the Executive may seek alternative employment while still being employed by the Company.
(e)    If there is a Change of Control (as defined below), and subsequent thereto the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates at any time within six months after such Change of Control for reasons other than as provided in Section 7(b)(ii)(iii),(iv) or Section 7(b)(v), then the Executive shall be paid for the greater period of (i) the Severance Period set forth in Exhibit A or (ii) the period remaining between the date of such termination and the six-month anniversary of the Change of Control at the Executive’s then current compensation (pursuant to Section 3(a)) at the date of termination (unless the Executive is otherwise paid for such period pursuant to Section 15(b) hereof, or otherwise).  A Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as any person, other than the Company, its existing shareholders or any of its or their affiliates on the date hereof, purchases the “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13(d)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of voting securities then ordinarily having the right to vote for directors of the Company.
8.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
(a)    The Executive covenants and agrees that he will not at any time during the continuance of this Agreement or at any time thereafter (i) print, publish, divulge or communicate to any person, firm, corporation or other business organization (except in connection with the Executive’s employment hereunder) or use for his own account any secret or confidential 

information relating to the business of the Company (including, without limitation, information relating to any customers, suppliers, employees, products, services, formulae, technology, know-how, trade secrets or the like, financial information or plans) or any secret or confidential information relating to the affairs, dealings, projects and concerns of the Company, both past and planned (the “Confidential Information”), which the Executive has received or obtained or may receive or obtain during the course of his employment with the Company (whether or not developed, devised or otherwise created in whole or in part by the efforts of the Executive), or (ii) take with him, upon termination of his employment hereunder, any information in paper or document form or on any computer-readable media relating to the foregoing.  The term “Confidential Information” does not include information which is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by the Executive or which is generally known in the social media sponsorship industry.  The Executive further covenants and agrees that he shall retain the Confidential Information received or obtained during such service in trust for the sole benefit of the Company or its successors and assigns.
(b)    The term Confidential Information as defined in Section 8(a) hereof shall include information obtained by the Company from any third party under an agreement including restrictions on disclosure known to the Executive.
(c)    In the event that the Executive is requested pursuant to subpoena or other legal process to disclose any of the Confidential Information, the Executive will provide the Company with prompt notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with Section 8 of this Agreement.  In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement, the Executive will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information which is legally required.

9.    RESTRICTIONS DURING EMPLOYMENT AND FOLLOWING TERMINATION
(a)    The Executive shall not, anywhere within the United States, during his full term of employment under Section 1 hereof and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, notwithstanding any earlier termination pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, and whether as principal, agent, officer, director, partner, employee, consultant, broker, dealer or otherwise, alone or in association with any other person, firm, corporation or other business organization, carry on, or be engaged, have an interest in or take part in, or render services to any person, firm, corporation or other business organization (other than the Company) engaged in a business which is competitive with all or part of the Business of the Company.  The term “Business of the Company” shall mean operating platforms that facilitate social media sponsorships.
(b)    The Executive shall not, for a period of one (1) year after termination of his employment hereunder, either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other business organization, endeavor to entice away from the Company any person who, at any time during the continuance of this Agreement, was an employee of the Company.
(c)    The Executive shall not, for a period of one (1) year after termination of his employment hereunder, either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other business organization, solicit or direct others to solicit, any of the Company’s customers or prospective customers (including, but not limited to, those customers with whom the Executive had a business relationship during his term of employment) for any purpose or for any activity which is competitive with all or part of the Business of the Company.
(d)    It is understood by and between the parties hereto that the foregoing covenants by the Executive set forth in this Section 9 are essential elements of this Agreement and that, but for the agreement of the Executive to comply with such covenants, the Company would not have 

entered into this Agreement.  It is recognized by the Executive that the Company currently operates in, and may continue to expand its operations throughout, the geographical territories referred to in Section 9(a) above.  The Company and the Executive have independently consulted with their respective counsel and have been advised in all respects concerning the reasonableness and propriety of such covenants.
10.    REMEDIES
(a)    Without intending to limit the remedies available to the Company, it is mutually understood and agreed that the Executive’s services are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary and intellectual character giving them a peculiar value, the loss of which may not be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law, and, therefore, in the event of any material breach by the Executive that continues after any applicable cure period, the Company shall be entitled to equitable relief by way of injunction or otherwise.
(b)    The covenants of Section 8 shall be construed as independent of any other provisions contained in this Agreement and shall be enforceable as aforesaid notwithstanding the existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether based on this Agreement or otherwise.  In the event that any of the provisions of Sections 8 or 9 hereof should ever be adjudicated to exceed the time, geographic, product/service or other limitations permitted by applicable law in any jurisdiction, then such provisions shall be deemed reformed in any such jurisdiction to the maximum time, geographic, product/service or other limitations permitted by applicable law.
11.    COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER AGREEMENTS
The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the execution of this Agreement by him and his performance of his obligations hereunder will not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, conflict with, result in the breach of any provision 

of or the termination of, or constitute a default under, any agreement to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is or may be bound.
12.    WAIVERS
The waiver by the Company or the Executive of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.
13.    BINDING EFFECT; BENEFITS
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives, including any corporation or other business organization with which the Company may merge or consolidate or sell all or substantially all of its assets.  Insofar as the Executive is concerned, this contract, being personal, cannot be assigned.
14.    NOTICES
All notices and other communications which are required or may be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered to the person to whom such notice is to be given at his address set forth below, or such other address for the party as shall be specified by notice given pursuant hereto:
		
	(a)
	If to the Executive, to him at the address set forth in Exhibit A.

and
(b)    If to the Company, to it at:
IZEA Worldwide, Inc.
480 N Orlando Ave, Suite 200
Winter Park, FL 32789
Attention: Chairman of the Board

15.    MISCELLANEOUS
(a)    This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may not be changed, modified, extended or terminated except upon written amendment approved by the Board and executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.
 (b)    The Company shall have no obligation actually to utilize the Executive’s services; if the Company elects not to use the Executive’s services at any time, the Company’s obligations to the Executive shall be satisfied, in all respects, by the payment to the Executive for a period equal to the severance period set forth in Exhibit A, the compensation provided in Section 3, plus any other amounts payable to the Executive and the continuation of benefits under Section 4, as described below.  During such remaining term of employment, the Executive shall be entitled to seek other employment provided that such employment would not violate the terms of this Agreement, including Sections 8 and 9 hereof; and the seeking of such employment shall not be deemed a violation of this Agreement.  
(c)    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d)    All questions pertaining to the validity, construction, execution and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
(e)    Any controversy or claim arising from, out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach hereof (other than controversies or claims arising from, out of or relating to the provisions in Sections 8, 9 and 10), shall be determined by final and binding arbitration in Orlando, Florida, in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration 

Association, by a panel of not less than three (3) arbitrators appointed by the American Arbitration Association.  The decision of the arbitrators may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction by either the Company or the Executive.
The parties indicate their acceptance of the foregoing arbitration requirement by initialing below:

        
	
			
	/s/ Edward H. Murphy
	 
	/s/ Justin Andrews

	For the Company
	 
	Executive

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
IZEA WORLDWIDE, INC.
     	
		
	By: 
	/s/ Edward H. Murphy 

	 
	Edward H. Murphy
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

    

EXECUTIVE
	
		
	By: 
	/s/ Justin Andrews

	 
	Justin Andrews

EXHIBIT A TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT,
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2019, BETWEEN
IZEA WORLDWIDE, INC. AND JUSTIN ANDREWS 
A.    For Section 1:
The Expiration Date referred to in Section 1 shall be September 17, 2020.
B.    For Section 2(a):
The position of the Executive referred to in Section 2 shall be Chief Financial Officer.
C.    For Section 2(b):
None
		
	D.
	For Section 3(a):

The annual rate referred to in Section 3(a) shall be two hundred and twenty-five thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($225,000). 
E.    For Section 3(b):
KPI Bonus Plan
In addition to the compensation referred to in Section 3(a) and at the Board’s discretion, the Company shall also pay to the Executive, in respect of each fiscal year, a bonus in the amount of up to $100,000, based on the Executive meeting and exceeding mutually agreed upon key performance indicators/goals (KPIs) for the Company as determined by the Company and the Board. The bonus will be split in five equal parts, issued once per quarter for quarterly KPIs and once per year for annual KPIs. The bonus will be issued within 15 days of the filing of each quarterly or annual report with timing commensurate to that of the other members of the executive team.
		
	•
	30% of the bonus will be paid in cash.

		
	•
	60% of the bonus will be paid in stock options in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan as of the date of this agreement. The amount issued will be based on a Black-Scholes model. KPI Bonus stock options will vest monthly over a twelve month period from issuance. Stock options will fully vest upon a Change of Control as defined in Section 7(e) or upon termination in accordance with Section 7(b)(i). In the event that the Company cannot or chooses not to issue stock options for any reason, the Board may elect to pay this portion of the bonus in cash or restricted stock with the same vesting schedule.

		
	•
	10% of the bonus will be paid in restricted stock units. Restricted stock units will vest quarterly over a twelve month period from issuance. Restricted stock units will fully vest upon a Change of Control as defined in Section 7(e) or upon termination in accordance with Section 7(b)(i), but will be subject to any trading restrictions indicated in a stock legend or as applicable by law. In the event that the Company cannot or chooses not to issue restricted stock units for any reason, the Board may elect to pay this portion of the bonus in cash.

Initial Stock Option Issuance
The Executive will be issued 20,000 stock options in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan as of the date of this agreement. Stock options will vest as to 25% one year from issuance and the remaining 75% in equal monthly installments thereafter for three years. Stock options will fully vest upon a Change of Control as defined in Section 7(e) or upon termination in accordance with Section 7(b)(i). 
Annual Stock Option Issuance
The Executive will be issued $25,000 worth of stock options calculated using a Black-Scholes model in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan each year, starting on the one year anniversary of the date of this agreement. Stock options will vest as to 25% one year from issuance and to the remaining 75% in equal monthly installments thereafter for three years. Stock options will fully vest upon a Change of Control as defined in Section 7(e) or upon termination in accordance with Section 7(b)(i). In the event that the Company cannot or chooses not to issue stock options for any reason, the Board may elect to pay this issuance in any combination of options, restricted stock with the same vesting schedule, or cash.
F.    For Section 5:
The length of vacation referred to in Section 5 shall be twenty (20) days.
G.    For Sections 7(c) and 15(c):

The length of Severance Period is four (4) months. 
		
	H.
	For Section 14:

The address of the Executive referred to in Section 14 shall be as supplied by Executive from time to time.

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