Document:

Exhibit 10.29

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered as of the 15th day of December, 2014, by and among AMERIS
BANCORP, a Georgia corporation (the “Bancorp”), AMERIS BANK, a Georgia state-chartered bank and wholly
owned subsidiary of the Bancorp (the “Bank”; the Bancorp and the Bank are collectively referred to herein as
the “Employer”), and Lawton Bassett, III (“Executive”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

WHEREAS, the
expertise and experience of Executive in the financial institutions industry are valuable to the Employer;

 

WHEREAS, it
is in the best interests of the Employer to maintain an experienced and sound executive management team to manage the Employer,
further the Employer’s overall strategies and protect and enhance shareholder value; and

 

WHEREAS, the
Employer and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to establish the scope, terms and conditions of Executive’s continued
employment by the Employer;

 

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

 

1.           Effective
Date. The effective time and date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be 12:00:01 a.m. on the date of its making first set
forth above (the “Effective Date”).

 

 

 

2.           Employment.
Executive is employed as the Regional President of the Bank. Executive’s responsibilities, duties, prerogatives and authority
in such office shall be those customary for persons holding such office of institutions in the financial institutions industry,
as well as such other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature, which are consistent with such office, as shall
be specified and designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Bancorp (the “Bancorp Board”).

 

3.           Employment
Period. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 6 hereof, Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall
begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue until the first anniversary thereof (the “Initial Term”);
provided, however, that on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary thereafter, Executive’s
term of employment hereunder shall be extended by one year, unless either Executive or the Employer provides written notice to
the other at least 90 days prior to the applicable extension date that Executive’s employment period shall not be further
extended (the Initial Term, as so extended, the “Employment Period”). For purposes of this Agreement, “terminate”
(and variations and derivatives thereof) shall mean, when used in connection with a cessation of employment, that Executive has
incurred a separation from service as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
and guidance and regulations issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”).

 

    	 	 	 

     

    

 

4.           Extent of
Service. During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation, sick or other leave to which Executive is entitled
under this Agreement, Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s business time and efforts to serving the business and
affairs of the Employer commensurate with Executive’s offices. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation
of this Agreement for Executive, subject to the requirements of Section 11, to (i) serve on civic or charitable boards or
committees or (ii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance
of Executive’s responsibilities to the Employer or violate the Employer’s conflicts of interest or other applicable
policies.

 

5.           Compensation
and Benefits.

 

(a)           Base Salary.
During the Employment Period, the Employer will pay to Executive a base salary at the rate of at least $195,000 per year (“Base
Salary”), less normal withholdings, payable in equal monthly or more frequent installments as are customary under the
Employer’s payroll procedures from time to time. In accordance with the policies and procedures of the Compensation Committee
(the “Committee”) of the Bancorp Board, the Employer shall review Executive’s total compensation at least
annually and in its sole discretion may adjust Executive’s total compensation from year to year, but during the Employment
Period the Employer may not decrease Executive’s Base Salary below $195,000; provided, however, that periodic
increases in Base Salary, once granted, shall not be subject to revocation. The annual review of Executive’s total compensation
will consider, among other things, changes in the cost of living, Executive’s own performance and the Bancorp’s consolidated
performance.

 

(b)           Incentive Plans.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate, as determined by the Committee, in all incentive plans
of the Employer applicable to senior executives of the Employer generally, including, without limitation, short-term and long-term
incentive plans and equity compensation plans.

 

(c)           Benefit Plans.
During the Employment Period, Executive or Executive’s dependents, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation
in all employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Employer applicable to senior executives of the
Employer generally (the “Benefit Plans”); provided, however, that Executive shall not be eligible
for severance pay under any arrangement of the Employer other than this Agreement.

 

(d)           Expenses.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement, in accordance with the policies, practices
and procedures of the Employer applicable to senior executives of the Employer generally, for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement. The expenses eligible for reimbursement
under this Section 5(d) in any year shall not affect any expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits in any other year.
Executive’s rights under this Section 5(d) are not subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

(e)           Vacation, Sick
and Other Leave. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled annually to a minimum of 20 business days of paid
vacation and shall be entitled to those number of business days of paid disability, sick and other leave specified in the employment
policies of the Employer.

 

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6.           Termination
of Employment.

 

(a)           Cause.
The Employer may terminate Executive’s employment with the Employer for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause”
shall mean:

 

(i)           the
willful and continued failure of Executive to perform Executive’s duties with the Employer, other than any such failure resulting
from Disability (as defined below), or to follow the directives of the Bancorp Board or a more senior executive of the Employer,
following written notice from the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer specifying such failure;

 

(ii)           Executive’s
willful misconduct or gross negligence (including, but not limited to, a material willful violation of the Employer’s written
corporate governance and ethics guidelines and codes of conduct) in connection with the Employer’s business or relating to
Executive’s duties hereunder;

 

(iii)           Executive’s
habitual substance abuse;

 

(iv)           Executive’s
being convicted of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

 

(v)           Executive’s
willful theft, embezzlement or act of comparable dishonesty against the Employer;

 

(vi)           a willful
act by Executive which constitutes a material breach of Executive’s fiduciary duty to the Employer;

 

(vii)           a
material breach by Executive of this Agreement, which breach is not cured (if curable) by Executive within 30 days following Executive’s
receipt of written notice thereof; or

 

(viii)           conduct
by Executive that results in the permanent removal of Executive from Executive’s position as an officer or employee of the
Bancorp or the Bank pursuant to a written order by any banking regulatory agency with authority or jurisdiction over the Bancorp
or the Bank, as the case may be. 

 

For purposes of this Section 6(a), no act
or failure to act on the part of Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done,
by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the
Employer.

 

(b)           Good Reason.
Executive may terminate Executive’s employment with the Employer for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” shall mean: (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material
change in the geographic location at which Executive must regularly perform the services to be performed by Executive pursuant
to this Agreement (other than a change in such geographic location to an office or other location closer to Executive’s home
residence); and (iii) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Employer of this Agreement; provided,
however, that Executive must provide notice to the Employer of the condition Executive contends is Good Reason within 90
days after the initial existence of the condition, and the Employer must have a period of 30 days to remedy the condition. If the
condition is not remedied within such 30-day period, then Executive must provide a Notice of Termination as set forth in Section
6(f) within 30 days after the end of the Employer’s remedy period.

 

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(c)           Without Cause.
The Employer may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause (a “Termination Without Cause”).

 

(d)           Voluntary Termination.
Executive may voluntarily terminate Executive’s employment without Good Reason (a “Voluntary Termination”).

 

(e)           Death or Disability.
Executive’s employment with the Employer shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Employment
Period. If the Employer determines in good faith that the Disability of Executive has occurred during the Employment Period, it
may give to Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 6(f) and 14(i) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate
Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Employer shall terminate effective on the 45th
day after receipt of such written notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within
the 30 days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes
of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the inability of Executive to perform Executive’s duties with
the Employer on a full-time basis for 180 days in any one-year period as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness
or injury.

 

(f)           Notice of Termination.
Any termination (other than for death) shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section 14(i)
of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision
so indicated and (iii) if the Termination Date (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
Termination Date (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice, except as otherwise provided in Section
6(e)). The failure to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Disability,
Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of Executive or the Employer hereunder or preclude Executive or the Employer from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Employer’s rights hereunder.

 

(g)           Termination
Date. “Termination Date” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for Cause
or without Cause, the date of Executive’s receipt of the Notice of Termination or a later date specified therein, as the
case may be, (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, the date of the Employer’s
receipt of the Notice of Termination, (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive as a Voluntary Termination,
the date of the Employer’s receipt of the Notice of Termination or a later date specified therein, as the case may be, and
(iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Termination Date shall be the date of
death of Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

 

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7.           Obligations
of the Employer Upon Termination.

 

(a)           Cause; Voluntary
Termination. If, during the Employment Period, the Employer shall terminate Executive’s employment for Cause or Executive
shall terminate Executive’s employment by a Voluntary Termination, then Executive shall be entitled to receive the following
(collectively, the “Accrued Amounts”):

 

(i)           any
accrued but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation, sick or other leave pay, which shall be paid on the pay date immediately
following the Termination Date in accordance with the Employer’s customary payroll procedures;

 

(ii)           any
earned but unpaid cash bonus with respect to any completed fiscal year immediately preceding the Termination Date, which shall
be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date; provided, however, that if Executive’s employment is terminated
by the Employer for Cause, then any such accrued but unpaid cash bonus shall be forfeited;

 

(iii)           reimbursement
for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Employer’s
expense reimbursement policies, practices and procedures; and

 

(iv)           such
employee benefits, if any, as to which Executive may be entitled under the Benefit Plans as of the Termination Date.

 

(b)           Termination
Without Cause or for Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, the Employer shall terminate Executive’s employment
without Cause or Executive shall terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, then Executive shall be entitled to receive
the Accrued Amounts and, subject to Executive’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Employer, its subsidiaries
and affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form to be provided by the Employer (the “Release”)
and such Release becoming effective within 45 days following the Termination Date (such 45-day period, for purposes of this Section
7(b), the “Release Execution Period”), Executive shall also be entitled
to receive the following:

 

(i)           a lump
sum amount equal to the sum of (A) Executive’s Base Salary and (B) Executive’s highest cash bonus earned with respect
to any fiscal year within the three most recently completed fiscal years immediately preceding the Termination Date, which amount
shall be paid in cash on or before the 60th day after the Termination Date; provided, however, that if the Release
Execution Period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, then payment shall not be made until the beginning
of the second taxable year;

 

(ii)           a lump
sum amount equal to the product of (A) the cash bonus, if any, that Executive would have earned for the fiscal year in which the
Termination Date occurs based on the achievement of applicable performance goals for such year and (B) a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of days Executive was employed by the Employer during the year of termination and the denominator of which
is the number of days in such year (the “Pro-Rata Bonus”), which amount
shall be paid in cash on the date that annual bonuses are paid to senior executives of the Employer generally, but in no event
later than two-and-one-half months following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs; and

 

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(iii)           if
Executive timely and properly elects continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”),
then the Employer shall reimburse Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by Executive for Executive and Executive’s
dependents until the earliest of: (A) the 18-month anniversary of the Termination Date; (B) the date Executive is no longer eligible
to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (C) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage
from another employer. Such reimbursement shall be paid to Executive on the 15th day of the month immediately following the month
in which Executive timely remits the premium payment.

 

(c)           Death or Disability.
If Executive’s employment is terminated during the Employment Period on account of Executive’s death or Disability,
Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) the
Accrued Amounts; and (ii) a lump sum amount equal to the Pro-Rata Bonus, if any, that Executive would have earned for the fiscal
year in which the Termination Date occurs based on the achievement of applicable performance goals for such year, which amount
shall be paid in cash on the date that annual bonuses are paid to senior executives of the Employer generally, but in no event
later than two-and-one-half months following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs. Notwithstanding any
other provision contained herein, all payments made in connection with Executive’s Disability shall be provided in a manner
that is consistent with federal and state law.

 

8.           Non-Exclusivity
of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Employer and for which Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise
affect such rights as Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Employer, except as expressly provided otherwise
in this Agreement. Amounts which are vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Employer at or subsequent to the Termination Date shall be payable
in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or such contract or agreement, except as expressly modified by this Agreement.

 

9.           No Mitigation.
In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to Executive under Section 7 of this Agreement.

 

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10.           Code Section
280G.

 

(a)           Certain Reductions
in Agreement Payments. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event a nationally recognized independent
accounting firm designated by the Employer and reasonably acceptable to Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) shall
determine that receipt of all payments or distributions by the Employer and its affiliates in the nature of compensation to or
for Executive’s benefit, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”),
would subject Executive to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine as required below
in this Section 10(a) whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement (the “Agreement
Payments”) to the Reduced Amount (as defined below). The Agreement Payments shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount only
if the Accounting Firm determines that Executive would have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments
if Executive’s Agreement Payments were so reduced. If the Accounting Firm determines that Executive would not have a greater
Net After-Tax Receipt of aggregate Payments if Executive’s Agreement Payments were so reduced, then Executive shall receive
all Agreement Payments to which Executive is entitled.

 

(b)           Accounting
Firm Determinations. If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Agreement Payments should be reduced to the Reduced Amount,
then the Employer shall promptly give Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof. All determinations
made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 10 shall be binding upon the Employer and Executive and shall be made as soon as
reasonably practicable and in no event later than 20 days following the Termination Date. For purposes of reducing the Agreement
Payments to the Reduced Amount, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. The reduction
of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing the payments and benefits under the following sections
in the following order: first from Section 7(b)(iii), then from Section 7(b)(ii) and lastly from Section 7(b)(i). All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Employer.

 

(c)           Overpayments;
Underpayments. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed by the Employer to or for the
benefit of Executive pursuant to this Agreement which should not have been so paid or distributed (an “Overpayment”)
or that additional amounts which will have not been paid or distributed by the Employer to or for the benefit of Executive pursuant
to this Agreement which should have been so paid or distributed (an “Underpayment”), in each case consistent
with the calculation of the Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency
by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Employer or Executive which the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability
of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, Executive shall pay any such Overpayment to the Employer together with
interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that no
amount shall be payable by Executive to the Employer if and to the extent such payment would not either reduce the amount on which
Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of such taxes. In the event
that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has
occurred, any such Underpayment shall be paid promptly (and in no event later than 60 days following the date on which the Underpayment
is determined) by the Employer to or for the benefit of Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided
for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.

 

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(d)           Definitions.
The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Section 10:

 

(i)           “Reduced
Amount” shall mean the greatest amount of Agreement Payments that can be paid that would not result in the imposition
of the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code if the Accounting Firm determines to reduce Agreement Payments pursuant to Section
10(a).

 

(ii)           “Net
After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4)
of the Code) of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and
under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state
and local laws which applied to Executive’s taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s)
as the Accounting Firm determined to be likely to apply to Executive in the relevant taxable year(s).

 

11.           Restrictive
Covenants.

 

(a)           Executive Acknowledgements.
Executive acknowledges that (i) the Employer has separately bargained and paid additional consideration for the restrictive covenants
in this Section 11 and (ii) the Employer will provide certain benefits to Executive hereunder in reliance on such covenants in
view of the unique and essential nature of the services Executive will perform on behalf of the Employer and the irreparable injury
that would befall the Employer should Executive breach such covenants. Executive further acknowledges that Executive’s services
are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that Executive’s position with the Employer will place Executive
in a position of confidence and trust with customers and employees of the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates and with
the Employer’s other constituencies and will allow Executive access to Trade Secrets and Confidential Information (each as
defined below) concerning the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Executive further acknowledges that the types and periods
of restrictions imposed by the covenants in this Section 11 are fair and reasonable and that such restrictions will not prevent
Executive from earning a livelihood.

 

(b)           Covenants.
Having acknowledged the foregoing, Executive covenants and agrees with the Employer as follows:

 

(i)           While
Executive is employed by the Employer and continuing thereafter, Executive shall not disclose or use any Confidential Information
or Trade Secret for so long as such information remains Confidential Information or a Trade Secret, as applicable, for any purpose
other than as may be necessary and appropriate in the ordinary course of performing Executive’s duties to the Employer during
the Employment Period.

 

(ii)           While
Executive is employed by the Employer and for a period of one year thereafter, Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with
the prior written consent of the Employer), on Executive’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit or
attempt to solicit any customer of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation, actively sought
prospective customers, with whom Executive had Material Contact (as defined below) during Executive’s employment, for the
purpose of providing products or services that are Competitive (as defined below) with those offered or provided by the Employer
or its subsidiaries or affiliates or, in the event of Executive’s termination, Competitive with those offered or provided
by the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates within the two years immediately preceding the termination of Executive’s
employment.

 

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(iii)           While
Executive is employed by the Employer and for a period of one year thereafter, Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with
the prior written consent of the Employer), either directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or in the service or
on behalf of others, perform duties and responsibilities that are the same as or substantially similar to those Executive performs
for the Employer or, in the event of Executive’s termination, performed for the Employer within two years prior to the termination
of Executive’s employment, for any business which is the same as or essentially the same as the business conducted by the
Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates, within the Restricted Territory (as defined below).

 

(iv)           While
Executive is employed by the Employer and for a period of one year thereafter, Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with
the prior written consent of the Employer), on Executive’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit or
recruit or attempt to solicit or recruit, directly or by assisting others, any employee of the Employer or its subsidiaries or
affiliates, whether or not such employee is a full-time employee or a temporary employee of the Employer or its subsidiaries or
affiliates, whether or not such employment is pursuant to a written agreement and whether or not such employment is for a determined
period or is at will, to cease working for the Employer.

 

(v)           Upon
the expiration of the Employment Period, or Executive’s earlier termination or resignation, Executive will turn over promptly
thereafter to the Employer all physical items and other property belonging to the Employer, including, without limitation, all
business correspondence, letters, papers, reports, customer lists, financial statements, credit reports or other Confidential Information,
data or documents of the Employer, in the possession or control of Executive, all of which are and will continue to be the sole
and exclusive property of the Employer.

 

(c)           Definitions.
For purposes of this Section 11, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

(i)           “Competitive,”
with respect to particular products or services, shall mean products or services that are the same as or similar to the products
or services of the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

(ii)           “Confidential
Information” shall mean data and information: (A) relating to the business of the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates,
regardless of whether the data or information constitutes a Trade Secret; (B) disclosed to Executive or of which Executive becomes
aware as a consequence of Executive’s relationship with the Employer; (C) having value to the Employer; and (D) not generally
known to competitors of the Employer. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, Trade Secrets, methods of operation,
names of customers, price lists, financial information and projections, personnel data and similar information; provided,
however, that such term shall not mean data or information that (x) has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the
Employer, except where such public disclosure has been made by Executive without authorization from the Employer, (y) has been
independently developed and disclosed by others or (z) has otherwise entered the public domain through lawful means.

 

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(iii)           “Material
Contact” shall mean contact between Executive and a customer or prospective customer: (A) with whom or which Executive
dealt on behalf of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (B) whose dealings with the Employer were coordinated or supervised
by Executive; (C) about whom Executive obtained Confidential Information in the ordinary course of business as a result of Executive’s
association with the Employer; or (D) who receives products or services as authorized by the Employer, the sale or provision of
which results or resulted in compensation, commissions or earnings for Executive within the two years immediately preceding the
Termination Date.

 

(iv)           “Restricted
Territory” shall mean the geographic territory within a 50-mile radius of each of the Employer’s corporate offices
located at 310 First Street, S.E., Moultrie, Georgia 31768 and 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256; provided,
however, that if the physical location of either or both of such offices shall change during the Term, then the Restricted
Territory shall mean the geographic territory within a 50-mile radius of the physical locations of such offices at such time and,
in the event of the termination of Executive’s employment, the Restricted Territory shall mean the geographic territory within
a 50-mile radius of the physical locations of such offices on the Termination Date.

 

(v)           “Trade
Secret” shall mean information, without regard to form, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data,
a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process, financial data, financial
plans, product plans or a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers, that is not commonly known by or available to the
public and which information (A) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being
readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use and (B) is the
subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

 

(d)           Equitable Remedies.
Executive acknowledges that irreparable loss and injury would result to the Employer upon the breach of any of the covenants contained
in this Section 11 and that damages arising out of such breach would be difficult to ascertain. Executive hereby agrees that, in
addition to all other remedies provided at law or in equity, the Employer may petition and obtain from a court of law or equity,
without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting any bond or other security, both temporary and permanent injunctive
relief to prevent a breach by Executive of any covenant contained in this Section 11.

 

(e)           Modification
of Covenants. In the event that the provisions of this Section 11 should ever be determined to exceed the time, geographic
or other limitations permitted by applicable law, then such provisions shall be modified so as to be enforceable to the maximum
extent permitted by law. If such provision(s) cannot be modified to be enforceable, the provision(s) shall be severed from this
Agreement to the extent unenforceable. The remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provisions shall remain in full force
and effect.

 

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12.           Executive’s
Representations. Executive hereby represents to the Employer that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive
and the Employer and the performance by Executive of Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise
contravene, the terms of any employment agreement or other agreement or policy to which Executive is a party or otherwise bound.
Executive represents and warrants that Executive is not subject to any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, common law
nondisclosure obligation, fiduciary duty, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant or any other obligation to any former
employer or to any other person or entity that conflicts in any way with Executive’s ability to be employed by or perform
services for the Employer.

 

 

 

13.           Assignment
and Successors.

 

(a)           Executive.
This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Employer shall not be assignable by Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by Executive’s legal representatives.

 

(b)           The Employer.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Employer and its successors and assigns. The Bancorp and the
Bank will each require any successor to it (whether direct or indirect, by stock or asset purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise)
or to all or substantially all of its business or assets to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent it would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

 

14.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Waiver.
Failure of either party to insist, in one or more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted in this Agreement or of the future
performance of any such term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is contained
in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

 

(b)           Severability.
If any provision or covenant, or any part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
either in whole or in part, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality enforceability
of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(c)           Entire Agreement.
Except as provided herein, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Employer and Executive with respect to the
subject matter hereof and from and after the Effective Date supersedes and invalidates all previous employment and severance agreements
with Executive, including that certain Severance Protection and Non-Competition Agreement between the Bancorp and Executive dated
as of November 24, 2003. No representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, which are not embodied herein
shall be of any force or effect.

 

    	 	11	 

     

    

 

(d)           Withholdings.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Employer shall withhold from any amounts payable or benefits provided
under this Agreement any federal, state and local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(e)           Compliance
with Section 409A.

 

(i)           It is
intended that this Agreement shall conform with all applicable Section 409A requirements to the extent Section 409A applies to
any provisions of the Agreement. Accordingly, in interpreting, construing or applying any provisions of the Agreement, the same
shall be construed in such manner as shall meet and comply with Section 409A, and in the event of any inconsistency with Section
409A, the same shall be reformed so as to meet the requirements of Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment made
under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement
is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event shall Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the
calendar year of payment. Executive acknowledges that the Employer has not made, and does not make, any representation or warranty
regarding the treatment of this Agreement or the benefits payable under this Agreement under federal, state or local income tax
laws, including, but not limited to, Section 409A or compliance with the requirements thereof.

 

(ii)           To
the extent Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, notwithstanding the timing of payment provided
in any other Section of this Agreement, no payment, distribution or benefit under this Agreement that constitutes a distribution
of deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) upon separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A),
after taking into account all available exemptions, that would otherwise be payable, distributable or settled during the six-month
period after separation from service, will be made during such six-month period, and any such payment, distribution or benefit
will instead be paid, distributed or settled on the first business day after such six-month period; provided, however,
that if Executive dies following the Termination Date and prior to the payment, distribution, settlement or provision of any payments,
distributions or benefits delayed on account of Section 409A, then such payments, distributions or benefits shall be paid or provided
to the personal representative of Executive’s estate within 30 days after the date of Executive’s death.

 

(f)           Clawback Provisions.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any bonus, incentive-based, equity-based or other similar
compensation paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Employer which is subject
to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback
as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy
adopted by the Employer pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

 

    	 	12	 

     

    

 

(g)           Governing Law.
Except to the extent preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of Georgia shall govern this Agreement in all respects, whether
as to its validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise.

 

(h)           Arbitration.
Except for any claim for injunctive relief hereunder or as provided in Section 11 hereof, any controversy or claim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules and
procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The place of arbitration shall be selected by the Employer. The decision of
the arbitration panel shall be final and binding upon the parties, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitration panel
may be entered by any court having jurisdiction. The parties agree that Executive and the Employer shall each bear one-half of
the administrative expenses (filing and arbitrator costs) associated with the arbitration, and the prevailing party shall be entitled
to reimbursement for the additional costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred
by such party in connection with any such dispute.

 

(i)           Notices.
Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by nationally
recognized overnight courier service or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be
deemed given when so delivered personally, when delivered by nationally recognized overnight courier service or, if mailed, five
days after the date of deposit in the United States mail, as follows:

 

	 	To the Employer:
	 	 	 
	 	 	Ameris Bancorp
	 	 	310 First Street, S.E.
	 	 	Moultrie, Georgia  31768
	 	 	Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 
	 	To Executive:
	 	 
	 	 	At the most recent address on file for Executive with the Employer.

 

Any party may change the address to which
notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the other party in
the same manner provided herein.

 

(j)           Survival.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,  the provisions of Sections
7, 10, 11 and 14(e)-(j), the definitions of defined terms used therein and the remaining provisions of this Section 14 (to
the extent necessary to effectuate the survival of the foregoing provisions) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and
any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

    	 	13	 

     

    

 

(k)           Amendments
and Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a writing signed by all parties hereto that makes specific
reference to this Agreement.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

    	 	14	 

     

    

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Executive Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

	 	AMERIS BANCORP	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.	 
	 	Name:	Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.	 
	 	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	AMERIS BANK	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.	 
	 	Name:	Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.	 
	 	Title:	Chief Executive Officer	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	/s/ Lawton Bassett, III	 
	 	Lawton Bassett, III	 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    	 	15Exhibit

Exhibit 10.73
January 4, 2016
John Greene
c/o 51 Lime Street
London EC3M 7DQ 
United Kingdom
Re:  Transition Agreement 
Dear John,
This agreement (“Transition Agreement”) confirms our agreement relating to the expected transition of your position and ultimate separation of your employment with Willis Group Holdings plc, its affiliates and successors (together, “Willis”).  This Transition Agreement is contingent upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 29, 2015 and as amended on November 19, 2015, by and among Willis, Citadel Merger Sub, Inc., and Towers Watson & Co. (the “Merger Agreement”).  This Transition Agreement constitutes an amendment of your Employment Agreement with Willis, dated as of March 19, 2014, as amended on June 29, 2015 (the “Employment Agreement”).  Defined terms used in this Transition Agreement that are not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement.  
1.Transition Period.  Effective as of and contingent upon the “Closing Date” under the Merger Agreement (the “Transition Date”), you will be deemed to resign from your position of Chief Financial Officer of Willis and all other offices and positions that you hold with Willis.  Beginning on the Transition Date, your full-time employment with Willis will be continued without interruption, with the title of Transition Advisor, until your employment is terminated.  As Transition Advisor, you will not be an officer of the Company. 
Your employment as Transition Advisor will terminate on May 15, 2016 unless (i) the parties mutually agree to an earlier or later termination date (but not later than December 31, 2016), or (ii) either party unilaterally terminates your employment under the terms provided herein. In the event that you wish to resign from employment with Willis effective prior to May 15, 2016, you are required to provide Willis with 60 days’ prior written notice thereof (the “Notice Requirement”).  The actual date that your employment is terminated is referred to herein as the “Termination Date,” and the period from the Transition Date to the Termination Date is referred to as the “Transition Period”.   
It is acknowledged and agreed that (i) your employment will not be terminated by the Company without “Good Cause” or by you for “Good Reason” under your Employment Agreement upon the Transition Date, and (ii) you shall not exercise any right to “Good Reason” termination under your Employment Agreement by virtue of this Transition Agreement.  Your employment will be terminated without “Good Cause” in accordance with Section 3 of your Employment Agreement effective on the Termination Date, and this Transition Agreement constitutes formal notice to that effect. 
2.Transition Services.  During the Transition Period, you agree that as Transition Advisor, your primary role shall be to provide services relating to advising and supporting the successor Chief Financial Officer.  You shall also assist in post-merger integration efforts generally and perform such other services as may be requested by the Chief Executive Officer or Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Willis.  Furthermore, during the Transition Period, you will remain a full-time employee of Willis, subject to all company policies, and you will perform the transition services at Willis’ offices in London, England, or such other location as agreed upon by the parties.  
3.Compensation and Benefits.   
(a)Base Salary.  You shall continue to receive your current base salary at the rate of $750,000 per annum from the Transition Date through the end of the Transition Period.  

(b)Annual Bonus.  You will be eligible to receive your 2015 annual incentive bonus payment in accordance with the terms of the Willis Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) and your Employment Agreement, which shall be payable at the same time as payments are made under the AIP generally.  For your services during 2016, you will receive a fixed AIP cash payment, representing the amount of your 150% target AIP opportunity, prorated through the Termination Date, with such amount payable on the first business day on or after the 30th day following the Termination Date.  
(c)LTI Awards.  You will continue to have all rights under your existing long-term equity incentive awards, subject to the terms and conditions of such awards under the Willis 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and the applicable equity award agreements. For your services during 2016 and subject to your continued employment through at least May 15, 2016 (except as provided in Section 4 below), you shall receive, in lieu of your annual equity incentive award under your Employment Agreement, a fixed cash payment representing the amount of your $900,000 target annual long-term incentive award prorated through the Termination Date, with such amount payable on the first business day on or after the 30th day following the Termination Date.  
(d)Employee Benefits.  During the Transition Period, you shall continue to participate in the employee benefits programs consistent with those generally made available to you as of immediately prior to the Transition Start Date, in accordance with and subject to the normal terms and conditions of such programs. 
(e)Relocation. Pursuant to Section 1(j) of your Employment Agreement, you will remain entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable costs incurred in relocating yourself and your family and possessions from London, England to a location designated by you in the United States, including, but not limited to, reasonable moving and relocation expenses and costs, so long as such costs are incurred by six months following the Termination Date.  
4.Early Termination.   In the event that, prior to May 15, 2016: 
(a)Willis terminates your employment involuntarily without Good Cause or you terminate your employment voluntarily in satisfaction of the Notice Requirement, you shall continue to be entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in Section 3(a), (b), (d) and (e) above, payable in accordance with the terms thereof, subject in the case of Section 3(d) above (employee benefits) to any limitations under the terms of the applicable benefit plans; provided, however, that if Willis terminates your employment involuntarily without Good Cause, you will also be entitled to the prorated LTI award set forth in Section 3(c) above as though you had remained employed through May 15, 2016; and
(b)your employment is terminated for any reason other than as provided in (A) above, including your voluntary termination not in satisfaction of the Notice Requirement, you shall only be entitled to (i) base salary through the date of such termination, (ii) an AIP award in respect of the 2015 year, (iii) employee benefits in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans and the (iv) the relocation benefits set forth in Section 3(e) above. 
5.Severance.  Upon your termination of employment on the Termination Date for any reason, including without limitation upon your death or Disability or any termination under Section 4 hereof, you shall be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits, subject to your execution of the attached Release Agreement within 30 days thereafter:
(a)a lump sum cash payment equal to $3,750,000, which represents two times the sum of (x) your annual base salary and (y) your target annual incentive award opportunity, payable on the first business day on or after the 60th day following the Termination Date.
(b)all of your then unvested equity incentive awards will become vested on the Termination Date; 
(c)each share option granted to you which is vested (or becomes vested in accordance with subsection (c) above) will remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) one year following the Termination Date (or, if later, the post-termination expiration date specified in the applicable share option agreement) and (y) the normal expiration date of such share option that would have applied if your employment with Willis had continued; and

(d)continued participation for you, your spouse and covered dependents in the applicable group medical plan of the Willis in which you participate, if any, as of the Termination Date in accordance with the terms of such plan in effect from time to time for executive officers generally and so long as such continued participation is permissible under applicable law and does not result in any penalty or additional tax (other than taxes applicable to the payment of wages) upon you or the Willis or, in lieu of such continued coverage and solely in order to avoid any such penalty or additional tax, monthly payments equal to the excess of the COBRA rate (or equivalent rate) under such group medical plan over the amount payable generally by executive officers of Willis, in each case, until the earlier of (A) 12 months following the Termination Date or (B) the date that you (or your spouse or covered dependent but only as to the eligibility of such spouse or dependent) obtains new employment that offers group medical coverage.
6.Restrictive Covenants.  You acknowledge that the confidential information, work for hire, non-competition, non-solicitation and other restrictive covenants and related provisions in Sections 5 and 6 of your Employment Agreement and your obligations under any other restrictive covenant agreements that you have entered into with Willis or its affiliates in connection with the issuance of equity awards or otherwise, will continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.  For the avoidance of doubt, your termination of employment will occur upon the Termination Date for purposes of all such restrictive covenants and this Section 6 will in no way limit the scope of any non-solicitation covenants (including non-solicitation of clients, customers and employees) to which you are bound.  In addition, for a period of two (2) years following the Termination Date, neither party will, directly or indirectly, make any public statement (orally, in writing or through any medium including, but not limited to, the press or other media, computer networks or bulletin boards, or any other form of public communication) disparage the other party Willis, its affiliates or their respective employees, directors or business relations; provided, that neither you nor Willis will be precluded from (i) the provision of truthful testimony or information required pursuant to subpoena, court order or other similar legal or regulatory process or (ii) making statements intended to correct disparaging statements made by the other party. 
7.Return of Property.  You agree to return to Willis on the Termination Date, or such earlier date that Willis may indicate, all property and documents in your possession, custody or control, including, without limitation, credit cards, computers and telecommunication equipment, keys, instructional and policy manuals, mailing lists, computer software, financial and accounting records, reports and files, and any other physical or personal property of Willis which you obtained in the course of your employment with Willis, and you further agree not to retain copies of any such documents, excluding publicly available documents and documents relating directly to your own compensation and employee benefits.
8.Legal Fees.  Willis will reimburse you for your reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into this Transition Agreement as well as for your reasonable expenses incurred for tax and accounting services  2015 and 2016 taxable years, up to a maximum of $25,000.
9.Indemnification.  Willis hereby agrees that it will continue to indemnify and hold you harmless from any and all claims which arose from or related to your duties as an officer of Willis to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the same extent as immediately prior to the Transition Date under Willis’ Articles of Association, bylaws (or applicable equivalent governing documents) and errors and omissions insurance coverage for directors and officers, in each case subject to and in accordance with the terms thereof.
10.Miscellaneous.  This Transition Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and Willis with regard to the subject matter hereof and supersedes Sections 1, 2 and 3 of your Employment Agreement, and all other provisions of your Employment Agreement remain in full force and effect.  
11.Dispute Resolution.  Any dispute under this letter agreement is subject to binding arbitration, as provided in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement; provided, however that notwithstanding Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, the location of any arbitration shall be New York, New York.
Please acknowledge your acceptance of the terms of this letter agreement by signing and dating this letter agreement as indicated below.

Sincerely,
_/s/ Matthew Furman__________________
Name:  Matthew Furman
Title:  General Counsel of Willis
Accepted and agreed:
_/s/ John Greene_______________
John Greene
Date: January 5, 2016

General Release
I, John Greene, in consideration of and subject to the performance by Willis Group Public Limited Company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of March 19, 2014, as amended on June 29, 2015 (the “Agreement”), as reaffirmed in Transition Agreement dated as of January 4, 2016 (the “Transition Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and its respective affiliates and all present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and its affiliates and direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below (this “General Release”). The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement. 
1.I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section 3 of the Agreement (as reaffirmed in Section 5 of the Transition Agreement) represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive certain of the payments and benefits specified in Section 3 of the Agreement (as reaffirmed in Section 5 of the Transaction Agreement) unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter. Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.
2.Except as provided in paragraphs 4 and 5 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement which expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date that this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”). 
3.I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above. 
4.I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967). 

5.I agree that I hereby waive all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever in respect of any Claim, including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and any form of injunctive relief. Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided, however, that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding. Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to any accrued benefits or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents or otherwise, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its affiliates. 
6.In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release. 
7.I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct. 
8.I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. 
9.I hereby acknowledge that Sections 3 through 7 and 9 through 11 of the Agreement shall survive my execution of this General Release. 
10.I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release. I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in paragraph 2 above and which, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it. 
11.Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof. 
12.Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT: 
		
	1.
	I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY; 

		
	2.
	I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED; 

		
	3.
	I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT; 

		
	4.
	I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION; 

		
	5.
	I HAVE HAD AT LEAST [21][45] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED [21][45]-DAY PERIOD; 

		
	6.
	I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED; 

		
	7.
	I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND 

		
	8.
	I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME. 

 
SIGNED: ____________________________________

DATE: ______________________________________

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