Document:

ex10cc.htm

Exhibit 10-cc

Transition Agreement by and between BellSouth Corporation and

Rafael de la Vega dated December 29, 2003

 TRANSITION AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 29 day of December, 2003, by and between BellSouth Corporation, a Georgia corporation ("Company"), and Rafael de la Vega ("Executive") (each, a "Party" and, collectively, the "Parties"):

         REASONS FOR THIS AGREEMENT. Executive has been employed by Company and its Affiliated Companies since 1974. During his tenure, Executive has served in a variety of senior capacities and currently serves as Company's President - Latin America Operations with overall responsibility for Company's operations in Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

         Executive's previous assignments include having served as Company's President of Broadband and Internet Services with overall responsibility for the deployment, marketing and operations of broadband services, internet services and data support. Prior to that assignment, Executive was responsible for BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.'s network operations in selected states.

         Company and SBC Communications Inc. combined their respective domestic mobile wireless voice and data services businesses in 2000 into the newly-formed entities Cingular Wireless LLC and Cingular Wireless Management Corp. (together with their subsidiary companies, collectively referred to herein as "Cingular").  Company now desires to have Executive join Cingular as its Chief Operating Officer, a move that will require termination of Executive's employment with Company. Through this Agreement, Company desires, in part, to provide certain transition benefits and severance protections to Executive. Executive has agreed to accept this assignment to Cingular and now intends to separate from employment with Company on December 30, 2003, and thereafter to join Cingular.

         Executive acknowledges that Company and Affiliated Companies have disclosed or made available and in the future will disclose and make available Confidential Information to Executive, which could be used by Executive to Company's or Affiliated Companies' detriment. Executive further acknowledges that the covenant not to compete and other restrictive covenants in this Agreement are fair and reasonable, that enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement will not cause him undue hardship, and that the provisions of this Agreement are reasonably necessary and commensurate with the need to protect Company and Affiliated Companies and their business interests and property from irreparable harm.

         1.       RESIGNATION FROM BELLSOUTH. Executive separates and resigns from employment with Company and any position Executive holds with any Affiliated Company effective December 30, 2003.

         2.       BELLSOUTH SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN.

                  (a)      Executive's transition to Cingular shall not be deemed to trigger a termination of employment with Company for purposes of the BellSouth Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP").  Furthermore, Executive shall not be deemed to have terminated employment for purposes of SERP until such time as Executive's employment with Cingular terminates (or, if Executive leaves Cingular to accept employment without a break in service with another Participating Company, Affiliate or Interchange Company (as such terms are defined in SERP), Executive's employment shall not be deemed to have terminated for purposes of SERP before the earliest date on which Executive is no longer employed by any such entity).

                  (b)      Executive shall continue to participate in SERP for purposes of all benefits provided by SERP and to accrue benefits under SERP for his full period of service with Cingular as if he remained employed by Company. Company shall calculate Executive's SERP benefits by reference to his combined period of service otherwise recognized under SERP plus his period of Cingular service; by reference to compensation paid to Executive by Cingular with respect to his period of service at Cingular; and, to the extent applicable, by reference to compensation paid to him by Company with respect to his period of service with Company and other Affiliated Companies. In addition to offsets provided in SERP, Executive's benefits under SERP shall also be reduced by any benefits payable to him under any one or more tax-qualified or non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, excess plans, make-up plans or supplemental executive retirement plans at Cingular. In determining Executive's SERP benefits accrued while at Cingular, Company shall make such additional adjustments in the administration of SERP and the calculation of Executive's benefits thereunder as shall be necessary and appropriate to take into account Cingular's compensation and employment practices.

         3.       TERMINATION ALLOWANCE.

                  (a)      In the event Executive's employment with Cingular is terminated under circumstances described in Section 3(b) below, Company shall pay to Executive (or, in the event of Executive's death, to his estate) a termination allowance. The termination allowance shall be an amount equal to the sum of (i) two hundred percent (200%) of Executive's Base Salary in effect on the date of Executive's termination of employment, plus (ii) two hundred percent (200%) of the standard award amount applicable to Executive under his employer's short term bonus plan for the year in which his date of termination occurs, less all applicable withholdings, payable in a single lump sum payment. Payment of the termination allowance shall be made as soon as practicable following Executive's termination of employment under circumstances entitling him to such payment, and satisfaction of all conditions described in this Agreement on Executive's entitlement to such payment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Base Salary" shall refer to the gross annual base salary payable to Executive including (A) the amounts of any before-tax contributions made by Executive from such salary to any tax-qualified cash or deferred arrangement sponsored by his employer, and (B) the amount of any other deferrals of such salary under any nonqualified deferred compensation plan(s) maintained by his employer.

                  (b)      Executive's employment shall be deemed to have been terminated under circumstances described in this Section 3(b) only if:

                           (i)      (A) Executive's employment is terminated either by Cingular other than for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason; (B) Executive shall within thirty (30) days following such termination of employment have notified Company of his desire to return to Company, and within thirty (30) days following such notification Company shall have failed to offer to Executive employment with Company or a subsidiary or affiliate of Company in a "comparable" position (as defined below); and (C) Executive executes a supplemental release, substantially in the form of the release agreement attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "A" (the "Release Agreement"), which is incorporated herein by this reference;

                           (ii)     Executive's employment is terminated by reason of Executive's Disability, and Executive executes a Release Agreement; or

                           (iii)    Executive's employment is terminated by reason of Executive's death.

         For purposes of clause (i) above, a "comparable" position shall mean a position (1) providing Base Salary and a standard or target short term bonus no less than those provided to Executive immediately prior to his termination of employment with Cingular (and disregarding any previous diminution in such amounts which did or would have constituted Good Reason under this Agreement); (2) reporting to Company's Chief Executive Officer; (3) providing types and amounts of other compensation and benefits comparable to those provided to other similarly situated Company officers; and (4) not requiring relocation outside the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area.

         4.       DISCHARGE AND WAIVER. Executive fully releases and forever discharges Company and Affiliated Companies, and any employee, officer, director, representative, agent, successor or assign of Company and Affiliated Companies (both in their personal and official capacities), and all persons acting by, through and under or in concert with any of them, from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, remedies, obligations, costs and expenses of whatever nature, whether under the common law, state law, federal law (including but not limited to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967) or otherwise, through the date of this Agreement, including those arising from or in connection with the terms and conditions of employment with Company (and Affiliated Companies). This paragraph is not intended to and shall not affect benefits to which Executive may be entitled under any pension, savings, health, welfare, or other benefit plan in which Executive is a participant.

         5.       COVENANT NOT TO SUE. Executive covenants and agrees not to make or file any claim, demand or cause of action or seek any remedy of whatever nature, whether under the common law, state law, federal law or otherwise, arising from or in connection with the matters discharged and waived in Section 4, above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive files a charge or lawsuit under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and thereby challenges the validity of the release described in Section 4, such charge or lawsuit will not be considered a breach of this Section 5.

         6.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive agrees to protect Confidential Information from misuse or unauthorized disclosure. In addition to complying with all applicable laws governing trade secret and confidential information disclosure, Executive will not (i) use, except in connection with work for Company or Affiliated Companies, or threaten to use, or (ii) disclose, communicate or give others access to (orally, in writing, electronically or digitally) or threaten to disclose, communicate or give other access to any Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall mean information, whether generated internally or externally, whether in written, oral, digital, electronic or any other form or format, relating to Company's or Affiliated Companies' businesses that derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to other Persons and is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy or confidentiality, including, but not limited to, studies and analyses, technical or nontechnical data, programs, patterns, compilations, devices, methods, models (including cost and /or pricing models and operating models), techniques, drawings, processes, employee compensation data, and financial data (including marketing information and strategies and personnel data). For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information does not include information that is not a trade secret three (3) years after termination of Executive's employment with Company, but shall continue to include trade secrets as long as information remains a trade secret under applicable law. Executive acknowledges that any use of, reliance upon, disclosure or other misappropriation of Confidential Information inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation acceptance by Executive of a position in which the inevitability of such use, reliance, disclosure or misappropriation is reasonably anticipated) would result in material and irreparable damage and injury to Company or Affiliated Companies.

         7.       LIMITATION ON COMPETITION. In consideration of the additional payments, benefits and other rights that are being provided to Executive under this Agreement, during the one (1) year period following the Effective Date, Executive agrees not to provide any "Services" (as defined in the third paragraph of this Section 7) to any Person that competes directly with Company or any Affiliated Companies, whether Executive provides the Services as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, advisor or director. After the termination of Executive's employment, the foregoing covenant shall restrict

Executive's actions only with respect to competition in the Territory.

         For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Territory" shall mean the geographical territory consisting of (i) those territories in the countries of Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala described in Exhibit "B" attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein and (ii) those counties and parishes in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee listed on Exhibit "B", which the Parties acknowledge represents geographical territories in which Executive, as of the Effective Date, has (or has had) responsibility for providing Services to Company or Affiliated Companies. The Parties also acknowledge that the entire Territory consists of geographical territories in which Company and Affiliated Companies, directly or indirectly, are conducting business on the Effective Date. In an effort to impose reasonable limitations on the scope of the Territory, Company has not required that Executive comply with the covenant in this Section 7 in all geographical areas where Company and Affiliated Companies are licensed to conduct business and are conducting business, even though the Parties acknowledge that Executive is performing Services throughout that entire area. Executive agrees that because of the widespread nature of Company's business, Executive's engaging in competitive activity anywhere in the Territory would irreparably injure Company or Affiliated Companies and that, therefore, a more limited geographic restriction is neither feasible nor appropriate.

         For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Services" shall mean services which Executive as of the Effective Date is responsible for providing to Company and Affiliated Companies, which Executive acknowledges consists of providing management, administrative and advisory services related to business planning and operations with respect to the communications services business, consisting of wireline (local exchange, exchange access and intraLATA toll) telecommunications services, systems and products, wireless (cellular, personal communications service, and mobile data) communications services, systems and products, electronic commerce or communications (internet and web based applications), data transmission and networking, entertainment services, systems and products, paging services, systems and products, and telecommunications directory advertising and publishing.

         Executive represents and warrants that Executive's education, training and experience are such that this Section 7 will not jeopardize or significantly interfere with Executive's ability to secure other gainful employment.

         8.       INTERPRETATION; SEVERABILITY OF INVALID PROVISIONS. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the limitations described in this Agreement, including specifically the limitations upon his activities, are reasonable in scope, are necessary for the protection of Company's and Affiliated Companies' business, and form an essential part of the consideration for which this Agreement has been entered into. It is the intention of the Parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under applicable laws and public policies. Nonetheless, the rights and restrictions contained in this Agreement may be exercised and shall be applicable and binding only to the extent they do not violate any applicable laws and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this Agreement illegal, invalid or unenforceable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The provisions of this Agreement do not in any way limit or abridge Company's or Affiliated Companies' rights under the laws of unfair competition, trade secret, copyright, patent, trademark or any other applicable law(s), all of which are in addition to and cumulative of Company's or Affiliated Companies' rights under this Agreement. Executive agrees that the existence of any claim by Executive against Company or any Affiliated Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to enforcement by Company or any Affiliated Company of any or all of such provisions or covenants.

         9.       CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH OF AGREEMENT BY EXECUTIVE. Executive agrees that he will reimburse Company and Affiliated Companies for any and all attorneys' fees incurred by Company and Affiliated Companies arising out of Executive's breach or threatened breach of any provision of this Agreement.  Executive also understands that his entitlement to and retention of the benefits provided to Executive under this Agreement are expressly conditioned upon his fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and Executive agrees, to the extent permitted or required by law, immediately to return or repay the amounts he has received under this Agreement from Company in excess of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) upon Executive's breach of any provision of this Agreement. Although, as provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, the filing of a charge or a lawsuit under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) to challenge the validity of the Agreement will not be considered a breach, the severance and other benefits paid to Executive under this Agreement may serve as restitution, recoupment, and/or setoff in the event Executive prevails on the merits of such claim.

         10.      RELIEF. The Parties acknowledge that a breach or threatened breach by Executive of any of the terms of this Agreement would result in material and irreparable damage and injury to Company or Affiliated Companies, and that it would be difficult or impossible to establish the full monetary value of such damage. Therefore, Company and Affiliated Companies shall be entitled to injunctive relief in the event of Executive's breach or threatened breach of any of the terms contained in this Agreement.

         11.      ARBITRATION. Except for the right to seek temporary restraint or interim injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction (as provided in Section 10, any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity of any provision hereof (collectively, a "Claim") shall be settled by arbitration pursuant to the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. Any such arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator, with experience in the matters covered by this Agreement, mutually acceptable to the Parties. If the Parties are unable to agree on the arbitrator within thirty (30) days of one party giving the other party written notice of intent to arbitrate a Claim, the American Arbitration Association shall appoint an arbitrator with such qualifications to conduct such arbitration. The decision of the arbitrator in any such arbitration shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties. Any such arbitration shall be conducted in Atlanta, Georgia.

         The Parties indicate their acceptance of the foregoing arbitration requirement by initialing below:

                RDS                                             RDV

                Company                                    Executive

         12.      AGREEMENT BINDING. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Company and Affiliated Companies, and their successors, assignees, and designees, and Executive and Executive's heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives and assigns.

         13.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; PREVIOUS AGREEMENT. This Agreement and all exhibits to this Agreement (which are incorporated into the Agreement by reference) contain the entire agreement between the Parties and no statements, promises or inducements made by either Party, or agent of either Party, which are not contained in this Agreement shall be valid or binding; provided, however, that the matters dealt with herein supersede the terms of Company benefit plans and agreements between the Parties entered into pursuant to such plans only to the extent the provisions of such plans and related agreements are inconsistent with this Agreement and other provisions of such plans and related agreements not inconsistent with this Agreement are not affected. This Agreement may not be enlarged, modified or altered except in writing signed by the Parties.

         14.      NONWAIVER. The failure of Company or any Affiliated Companies to insist upon strict performance of the terms of this Agreement, or to exercise any option herein, shall not be construed as a waiver or a relinquishment for the future of such term or option, but rather the same shall continue in full force and effect.

         15.      NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted by this Agreement or by any statute relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered or mailed, first-class, certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Company or Executive at the address reflected on Exhibit "C" attached hereto and incorporated by herein by this reference.

         16.      NONDISCLOSURE. Executive shall not disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement to any third party (excluding Executive's spouse and children), except to receive advice of legal counsel, financial advisors or tax advisors (who shall also be required to maintain its confidentiality) or to comply with any statutory or common law duty; provided that these restrictions on disclosure shall not apply to the extent that the existence of this Agreement are disclosed by Company or any Affiliated Company as part of its periodic public filings and disclosures or otherwise.

         17.      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement.

         18.      GOVERNING LAW; CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL. This Agreement shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the State of Georgia. Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney, acknowledges having had ample opportunity to do so and fully understands the binding effect of this Agreement. In this regard, Executive acknowledges that a copy of this Agreement was provided to Executive for review and consideration for up to twenty-two (22) days. Further, Executive understands that this Agreement may be revoked by Executive within seven (7) days from the date of execution of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that he is a sophisticated businessperson and that given his opportunity to review, negotiate and reject this Agreement, has bargaining power equal to that of Company. Therefore, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed against Company.

         19.      DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning specified below:

                  (a)      "AFFILIATED COMPANIES" shall mean those subsidiaries and affiliates of Company listed on Exhibit "D" attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference and any direct successors to those companies through acquisition or merger or by way of name change.

                  (b)      "BASE SALARY" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3 of this Agreement.

                  (c)      "CAUSE" shall mean Executive's (i) engaging in an act (or acts) of willful dishonesty involving Cingular, Company or other Affiliated Companies or their business(es) that is demonstrably injurious to Cingular, Company or other Affiliated Companies; or (ii) conviction of a crime classified as a felony.

                  (d)      "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6 of this Agreement.

                  (e)      "DISABILITY" shall mean an illness, injury or other incapacity which qualifies Executive for long-term disability benefits under the principal management long-term disability plan of Company.

                  (f)      "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean the date on which this Agreement is executed by the Parties as set forth on page 1 hereinabove.

                  (g)      "GOOD REASON" shall mean, without Executive's express written consent, any of the following circumstances: (i) a material diminution in the status or responsibilities of Executive's position from those which existed immediately prior to such diminution; (ii) a reduction in Executive's Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or the failure to pay a bonus award to which Executive is otherwise entitled under any of the short term or long term incentive plans in which Executive participates (or any successor incentive compensation plans) at the time such awards are usually paid; (iii) Executive becoming entitled to types or amounts of other compensation and benefits which are materially less (or materially less valuable) than the types or amounts of such compensation and benefits provided to other similarly situated officers; or (iv) a change in the principal place of Executive's employment requiring relocation outside the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area.

                  (h)      "PERSON" shall mean any individual, corporation, limited liability entity, bank, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, governmental or other legal or business entity.

                  (i)      "SERP" shall mean the BellSouth Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended from time to time.

                  (j)      "SERVICES" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 7 of this Agreement.

                  (k)      "TERRITORY" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 7 of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative, and Executive has executed this Agreement, as of the date written above.

EXECUTIVE:                                           BELLSOUTH CORPORATION

Rafael de la Vega                                      By: Richard D. Sibbernsen

Rafael de la Vega                                      Title: Vice President - Human Resources

  

  

  

 

EXHIBIT "A"

RELEASE AGREEMENT

                  For and in consideration of the mutual promises contained in the Agreement entered into on the __ day of __________, 2003, between Rafael de la Vega ("Executive") and BellSouth Corporation ("Company"), Executive does hereby, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, release and forever discharge Company, its subsidiary, affiliated and associated companies, and any employee, officer, director, representative, agent, successor or assign of any such entity, and all persons acting by, through and under or in concert with any of them (both in their personal and official capacities), from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, remedies, suits, obligations, damages, losses, costs and expenses, of whatever kind or nature, whether under common law, state law, federal law or otherwise, including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, through the  date of this Release Agreement, including without limitation those arising from or in connection with the terms and conditions of Executive's employment with Company and any subsidiary, affiliated and associated companies, or the termination of Executive's employment. This Release is not intended to affect benefits to which Executive may be entitled under any pension, savings, health, welfare or other benefit plan in which Executive is a participant.

                  Executive covenants and agrees not to make or file any claim, demand or cause of action or seek any remedy of whatever nature, whether under common law, state law, federal law or otherwise arising from or in connection with the matters discharged and waived above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive files a charge or lawsuit under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA") and thereby challenges the validity of the release described herein, such charge or lawsuit will not be considered a breach of this provision.

                  Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney, acknowledges having had ample opportunity to do so, and fully understands the binding effect of this Release Agreement. Executive acknowledges that a copy of this Release Agreement was provided to him on __________, 20__, for review and consideration for up to twenty-two (22) days. Executive understands that this Release may be revoked by him within seven (7) days from the date of execution of this Release Agreement.

                  Executive agrees that this Agreement shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.

                  Executive now states that the only consideration for his signing this Release Agreement is the mutual promises and payment of the sum described above; that no other promises or agreements of any kind or nature have been made to, or with, him by Company or its agents to cause him to sign this Release Agreement, and that Executive fully understands the meaning and intent of this instrument.

                  WITNESS my hand and seal this ____ day of __________, 20___.

                                                ________________________________

                                                         RAFAEL DE LA VEGA

 

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT "B"

                              GEOGRAPHIC TERRITORY

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina (Nationwide)

Chile (Nationwide)

Colombia (Nationwide)

Ecuador (Nationwide)

Guatemala (Nationwide)

Nicaragua (Managua and the Pacific Coast)

Panama (Nationwide)

Peru (Nationwide)

Uruguay (Abiatar - Coastal Corridor)

Venezuela (Nationwide)

UNITED STATES

Alabama:          Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Birmingham)

                          Mobile County (Mobile)

Florida:          Broward and Dade Counties (Miami-Ft. Lauderdale)

                      Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)

Georgia:          Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett Counties (Atlanta)

Kentucky:         Jefferson County (Louisville)

Louisiana:        Jefferson and Orleans Parishes (New Orleans)

                        East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston Parishes

                       (Baton Rouge)

Mississippi:      Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties (Jackson)

North Carolina:   Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)

                           Wake County (Raleigh)

South Carolina:   Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg Counties (Greenville)

                            Richland and Lexington Counties (Columbia)

Tennessee:        Davidson County (Nashville)

                          Shelby County (Memphis)

  

  

  

EXHIBIT "C"

 

                                     NOTICES

To Company:       Charles R. Morgan

                  Executive Vice President and

                  General Counsel

                  BellSouth Corporation

                  Suite 2002

                  1155 Peachtree Street, N.E.

                  Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3610

To Executive:     Rafael de la Vega

                  8965 Old Southwick Pass

                  Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

  

  

  

 

EXHIBIT "D"

                                    Domestic

                       BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.

                           BellSouth Enterprises, Inc.

                              Cingular Wireless LLC

                          BellSouth Long Distance, Inc.

                 BellSouth Advertising & Publishing Corporation

                L.M. Berry and Company (d/b/a The Berry Company)

                                  International

                          Abiatar S.A.

                          BellSouth Chile S.A.

                          BellSouth Colombia S.A.

                          BellSouth Comunicaciones S.A.

                          BellSouth Guatemala y Compania, S.C.A.

                          BellSouth International, Inc.

                          BellSouth Inversiones S.A.

                          BellSouth Panama S.A.

                          BellSouth Peru, S.A.

                          BellSouth Shanghai Centre, Ltd.

                          CellCom Israel Ltd.

                          Compania de Radiocomunicaciones Moviles S.A.

                          Compania de Telefonos del Plata S.A.

                          Otecel S.A.

                          SONOFON A/S

                          StarMedia Network, Inc.

                          Telcel C.A.

                          Telefonia Celular de Nicaragua, S.A.ex10dd.htm

Exhibit 10-dd

 

 

AGREEMENT AND RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS

 

This Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein are made and entered into in Dallas, Texas, by and between AT&T Management Services, L.P. (hereinafter "Company") and Mr. Forrest Miller (hereinafter "Mr. Miller") for and in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements set forth below and are conditional on performance of such promises and agreements.

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Miller will retire from Company on March 30, 2012; and as a consequence, Mr. Miller will be entitled to receive appropriate, usual and customary benefits and certain other benefits described herein; and

 

WHEREAS, both parties agree that in connection with Mr. Miller’s retirement on March 30, 2012, in addition to the before referenced appropriate, usual and customary benefits, Mr. Miller should receive additional benefits and consideration as set forth herein, and that Mr. Miller, among other things, should release and forever discharge Company, AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), any and all other subsidiaries (which term when used throughout this document shall include entities, corporate or otherwise, in which the company referred to owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent or more of the outstanding equity interests) of Company and of AT&T, their officers, directors, agents, employees, successors and assigns and any and all employee benefit plans maintained by AT&T or any subsidiary thereof and/or any and all fiduciaries of any such plan, from any and all common law and/or statutory claims, causes of action or suits of any kind whatsoever, arising from or in connection with Mr. Miller’s employment by Company or any affiliate of AT&T and/or Mr. Miller’s separation from Company, all as set forth in more detail in the Release and Waiver contained herein.

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Miller has been employed by Company and/or AT&T’s subsidiaries for over twenty-seven (27) years and worked in significant positions and assignments that required access to and involvement with confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets and matters of strategic importance to Company, AT&T and/or AT&T’s subsidiaries that will continue beyond Mr. Miller’s employment and consulting arrangement with Company.  During the term of his longstanding employment in various capacities with Company or an AT&T subsidiary and during the period that he will perform consulting services, Mr. Miller has acquired, and will continue to acquire during the period he provides consulting services, knowledge of its business, on a national and regional level, including but not limited to operations, sales, marketing, advertising, technology, networks, network technology, network development and strategy, distribution and distribution channels, operations, strategic planning initiatives, new product and services development, strategic planning, rate information and growth strategies and initiatives.  Mr. Miller has acquired and possesses unique skills as a result of employment with Company (and/or AT&T subsidiaries) and will continue to acquire unique skills as a result of his consulting services to be provided to Company.  The trade secrets with which Mr. Miller has been involved and will be involved are critical to Company’s, AT&T’s, and AT&T’s subsidiaries’ success.  Disclosure of this information in the performance of services for a subsequent employer engaged in similar businesses would be inevitable and inherent as part of Mr. Miller’s performance of services for such an employer.  For all of these reasons and due to the confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets Mr. Miller learned in his employment with Company or an AT&T subsidiary and will learn during his period of providing consulting services, Mr. Miller acknowledges that it is reasonable for Company to seek the restrictions contained in the subsequent provisions of this Agreement and that more limited restrictions are neither feasible nor appropriate.  Mr. Miller understands and agrees that the consideration provided herein requires Mr. Miller to comply strictly with all terms of this Agreement including, but not limited to, confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicitation of employees and non-solicitation of customers as set forth below.

 

NOW, therefore, the parties further agree as follows:

 

1. Mr. Miller will retire from Company effective at the close of business on March 30, 2012, and Mr. Miller herewith resigns all officer and director positions that he may hold in AT&T and in any subsidiary of AT&T effective at the close of business on March 30, 2012.

 

2. Mr. Miller shall execute this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein and Company shall, within thirty (30) days after the Release and Waiver contained herein can no longer be revoked, (A) pay Mr. Miller a lump sum payment amount equal to his annual target cash compensation plus an amount to compensate for applicable discounts due to early retirement of $2,935,000, less regular and customary withholdings for any applicable federal, state and local income or other taxes or withholdings and less any amounts owed by Mr. Miller to Company, AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary, and (B) propose to the Human Resources Committee of the AT&T Inc. Board of Directors that the AT&T 2006 Incentive Plan provisions requiring automatic proration of Mr. Miller’s 2011 Performance Share Grant is eliminated and Mr. Miller shall be eligible for full distribution of such grant after the applicable three (3) year performance period, subject to adjustment based on achievement of the applicable performance goals and approval of the Human Resources Committee of the AT&T.

 

3. The consideration described herein shall be in lieu of, and Mr. Miller hereby specifically waives any right to any and all other termination pay allowance resulting from his termination of employment.

 

4. Commencing on his retirement and continuing for twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Mr. Miller shall provide consulting services to or on behalf of AT&T with respect to an AT&T equity investment or other matters as requested by Company and, at Company's request, at any time during the eighteen (18) months immediately following his retirement, Mr. Miller will provide services and cooperate with Company, AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary with respect to any claims or lawsuits involving any of them where Mr. Miller has knowledge of the underlying facts (collectively, "Services").  Mr. Miller shall provide such Services according to a schedule as agreed upon by Company and Mr. Miller; provided, however, Company and Mr. Miller agree that the amount of time Mr. Miller devotes to the performance of Services shall not be more than twenty percent (20%) of the average amount of time spent by Mr. Miller performing services for Company during the thirty-six (36) month period immediately preceding March 30, 2012. 

 

In exchange for providing Services, Company shall pay Mr. Miller a consulting fee of $1,350,000 for the period commencing on March 31, 2012 and continuing through March 31, 2013 and a consulting fee of $1,000,000 for the period commencing on April 1, 2013 and continuing through March 31, 2014.  In each case, the consulting fee shall be paid in quarterly installments on the last business day of each quarter, commencing on June 30, 2012 and ending on March 31, 2014.  Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Mr. Miller in the provision of Services shall be eligible for reimbursement only in accordance with the AT&T employee expense reimbursement guidelines and only after prior consultation with and preliminary approval by Company.  Reimbursement of such expenses shall be made by Company within forty-five (45) days of receipt by Company of appropriate documentation for such expenses.

 

In performing Services, Mr. Miller shall act as an independent contractor and not as an agent, partner or employee of AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary.  Mr. Miller shall not be eligible to participate in or receive benefits under any AT&T or AT&T subsidiary sponsored employee benefit plan, program or policy for the period of time he is providing Services as an independent contractor.  This Agreement does not establish an agency or partnership relationship between Mr. Miller and AT&T.  Mr. Miller cannot obligate AT&T, enter into contracts on behalf of AT&T, incur debts for AT&T, or in any other way bind AT&T to any third party.  Although the Services will have to be completed to the satisfaction of Company and in accordance with this Agreement, the actual details of the Services shall be under Mr. Miller's control.  Mr. Miller shall comply, at his expense, with all applicable provisions of workers' compensation laws, unemployment compensation laws, federal social security law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and all other applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes relating to terms and conditions of employment required to be fulfilled by employers.  In the performance of this Agreement, Mr. Miller also agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes and with such requirements or restrictions as may be lawfully imposed by governmental authorities, including the procurement of required permits and licenses.

 

Subject to the provisions of Sections 7, 8, and 9 of this Agreement, Company acknowledges that Mr. Miller may undertake services for others during the time that he performs Services under this Agreement.

 

Mr. Miller agrees that the obligations to perform the Services required of him hereunder are personal and may not be assigned or delegated by him in any manner whatsoever, nor are such obligations subject to involuntary alienation, assignment or transfer.

 

Mr. Miller shall maintain accurate and complete records specifically relating to the Services provided.  To the extent that such records may be relevant in determining whether Mr. Miller is complying with his obligations, Company, upon giving reasonable prior notice, may audit such records.  Mr. Miller shall retain such records for a period of three years from March 31, 2014.

 

Mr. Miller's Services may be terminated at any time by the mutual agreement of Mr. Miller and Company, and may be terminated by Company as described in Section 9 hereof or for cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, a termination for cause shall mean termination due to an act of dishonesty, fraud or willful misconduct.

 

For purposes of this Section, AT&T’s Senior Vice President – Corporate Development, or his delegate, is authorized to represent AT&T.

 

5. This Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein do not abrogate any of the usual entitlements that Mr. Miller has or will have, first, while a regular employee and subsequently, upon his retirement.  These may include, among others:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Customary and regular health care, disability and life insurance and survivor benefits for which Mr. Miller may qualify subject to and in accordance with the terms of applicable AT&T or AT&T subsidiary sponsored plans; and

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
The distribution of benefits, if any, under the AT&T Pension Benefit Plan, AT&T Savings Plan, AT&T 2006 Incentive Plan, AT&T Supplemental Retirement Income Plan, AT&T 2005 Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, AT&T Stock Savings Plan, AT&T Stock Purchase and Deferral Plan, AT&T Cash Deferral Plan, AT&T Salary and Incentive Award Deferral Plan, AT&T Supplemental Life Insurance Plan, AT&T Health Plan, the AT&T Administrative Plan, the PTG Executive Supplemental Cash Balance Plan, and the PTG 1996 Executive Deferral Plans.

 

All of said benefits will be subject to and provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the respective benefit plans as applicable to Mr. Miller.  Further, AT&T and its subsidiaries have reserved the right to end or amend any or all of the plans that it sponsors.  Each participating subsidiary, which includes Company, has reserved the right to end its participation in these plans and to discontinue providing any and all such benefits.  If any of the plans should be terminated or changed or Company ends its participation or ceases to provide such benefits, to the extent that such action may apply to Mr. Miller, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the specific plan and applicable law.  This means, for example, that Mr. Miller will not acquire a lifetime right to any health care plan benefit or to the continuation of any health care plan merely by reason of the fact that such benefit or plan is in existence at the time of Mr. Miller's retirement or because of this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein.  Thus, Mr. Miller’s rights/entitlements to any benefit under any of the plans are no different as a result of entering into this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein than they would have been in the absence of this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein.

 

6. Mr. Miller agrees not to voluntarily aid, assist, or cooperate with any claimants or plaintiffs or their attorneys or agents in any claims or lawsuits commenced in the future against Company, AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Mr. Miller from exercising his right to file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC, or that would limit his right to testify, assist, or participate in an investigation, hearing, or proceeding conducted by the EEOC; provided, further, however, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to prevent Mr. Miller from testifying at an administrative hearing, a deposition, or in court in response to a lawful subpoena in any litigation or proceedings involving Company, AT&T or any of their respective subsidiaries.

 

Company agrees to indemnify Mr. Miller if he is a defendant or is threatened to be made a defendant to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative that is brought by a third party by reason of the fact that he was a director, officer, employee or agent of Company, or was serving at the request of Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, but in each case only if and to the extent permitted under applicable state or federal law.

 

7. Mr. Miller acknowledges that, as a result of his employment with Company and/or AT&T’s subsidiaries, he has, and, as additional consideration for the commitments made in Paragraphs 7 and 8, Company will continue to provide through the end of the period he performs Services, access to certain Trade Secrets and Confidential Information (as these terms are defined below).  Mr. Miller acknowledges that AT&T and its subsidiaries must protect its Trade Secrets and Confidential Information from disclosure or misappropriation, and Mr. Miller further acknowledges that the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information are unique and confidential and are the proprietary property of AT&T and its subsidiaries.  Mr. Miller acknowledges that the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information derive independent, actual and potential commercial value from not being generally known, or readily ascertainable through independent development.  Mr. Miller agrees to hold Trade Secrets or Confidential Information in trust and confidence and to not directly or indirectly disclose or transmit Trade Secrets or Confidential Information to any third party without prior written consent of AT&T.  Mr. Miller further agrees not to use any such Trade Secrets or Confidential Information for his personal benefit or for the benefit of any third party.  This restriction shall apply indefinitely as long as the document or information exists as a Trade Secret or Confidential Information.

 

On or before termination of the provision of Services, Mr. Miller shall return to AT&T or an AT&T subsidiary all of AT&T’s (and its subsidiaries’) documents (and all copies thereof), and other property of AT&T and its subsidiaries that are in Mr. Miller’s possession, including, but not limited to, AT&T’s (and its subsidiaries’) files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specifications, all product specifications, customer identity information, product development information, source code information, object code information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), intellectual property, credit cards, entry cards, and keys; and, any materials of any kind which contain or embody Trade Secrets or Confidential Information (and all reproductions thereof), including, without limitation, any such documents and other property in electronic form, or any computer or data storage device.  Mr. Miller shall not retain or provide to anyone else any copies, summaries, abstracts, descriptions, compilation, or other representations of such information or things or their contents.

 

“Trade Secret” means information proprietary to AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary including, but not limited to, technical or non-technical 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, marketing plans, pricing plans, advertising and sponsorship plans, product development analyses or plans, any plans involving the combination of AT&T’s or its subsidiaries’ products and/or services (or pricing of products and/or services) offered or to be offered by or in conjunction with AT&T or any subsidiary of AT&T, or lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers, which:  (1) 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 (2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

 

“Confidential Information” means any data or information, other than Trade Secrets, that is competitively sensitive to AT&T or an AT&T subsidiary and not generally known by the public.  To the extent consistent with the foregoing definition, Confidential Information includes, without limitation:  (1) the sales records, profit and performance records, pricing manuals, sales manuals, training manuals, selling and pricing procedures, and financing methods of AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary, (2) customer lists, the special demands of particular customers, and the current and anticipated requirements of customers for the products and services of AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary, (3) the specifications of any new products or services under development by AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary, (4) the sources of supply for integrated components and materials used for production, assembly, and packaging by AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary, and the quality, prices, and usage of those components and materials, and (5) the business plans, marketing strategies, promotional and advertising strategies, branding strategies, and internal financial statements and projections of AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the definitions of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information set forth above, Trade Secrets and Confidential Information shall not include any information: (1) that is or becomes generally known to the public, (2) that is developed by Mr. Miller after the termination of his consulting relationship through his entirely independent efforts without use of any Trade Secret or Confidential Information, (3) that Mr. Miller obtains from an independent source having a bona fide right to use and disclose such information, (4) that is required to be disclosed by subpoena, law, or similar legislative, judicial, or administrative requirement; provided, however, Mr. Miller will notify Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or similar request and give Company a reasonable opportunity to contest or otherwise oppose the subpoena or similar request, or (5) that AT&T approves for unrestricted release by express authorization of a duly authorized officer.

 

It is hereby agreed that Mr. Miller may represent himself as a former employee or retiree of Company or AT&T; but otherwise he agrees that he will not make, nor cause to be made any public statements, disclosures or publications which relate in any way, directly or indirectly to his cessation of employment with Company without prior written approval by Company.  Mr. Miller also agrees that he will not make, nor cause to be made any public statements, disclosures or publications which portray unfavorably, reflect adversely on, or are derogatory or inimical to the best interests of AT&T, its subsidiaries, or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, past, present or future.

 

8. Mr. Miller agrees that he shall not, during the twenty-four (24) months immediately following his retirement, without obtaining the written consent of Company in advance, participate in activities that constitute Engaging in Competition with AT&T or Engaging in Conduct Disloyal to AT&T, as those terms are defined below.

 

	 	
a.  

	
“Engaging in Competition with AT&T” means engaging in any business or activity in all or any portion of the same geographical market where the same or substantially similar business or activity is being carried on by an Employer Business.  “Engaging in Competition with AT&T” shall not include owning a nonsubstantial publicly traded interest as a shareholder in a business that competes with an Employer Business.  “Engaging in Competition with AT&T” shall include representing or providing consulting services to, or being an employee or director of, any person or entity that is engaged in competition with any Employer Business or that takes a position adverse to any Employer Business.

 

	 	
b.  

	
“Engaging in Conduct Disloyal to AT&T” means (i) soliciting for employment or hire, whether as an employee or as an independent contractor, any person employed by AT&T or its subsidiaries during the one (1) year prior to Mr. Miller’s retirement, whether or not acceptance of such position would constitute a breach of such person’s contractual obligations to AT&T or its subsidiaries; (ii) soliciting, encouraging, or inducing any vendor or supplier with which Mr. Miller had business contact on behalf of any Employer Business during the two (2) years prior to Mr. Miller’s retirement, to terminate, discontinue, renegotiate, reduce, or otherwise cease or modify its relationship with AT&T or any AT&T subsidiary; or (iii) soliciting, encouraging, or inducing any AT&T or AT&T subsidiary customer or active prospective customer with whom Mr. Miller had business contact, whether in person or by other media (“Customer”), on behalf of any Employer Business during the two (2) years prior to Mr. Miller’s retirement, to terminate, discontinue, renegotiate, reduce, or otherwise cease or modify its relationship with any Employer Business, or to purchase competing goods or services from a business competing with any Employer Business, or accepting or servicing business from such Customer on behalf of himself or any other business.

 

	 	
c.  

	
“Employer Business” shall mean AT&T, any subsidiary of AT&T, or any business in which AT&T or an AT&T subsidiary has a substantial ownership or joint venture interest;

 

Mr. Miller acknowledges that the business of AT&T and its subsidiaries is global in scope and that the geographic and temporal limitations set forth in this Section are therefore reasonable.

 

Mr. Miller may submit a description of any proposed activity in writing to Company (attn:  Vice President – Executive Compensation), and Company shall advise Mr. Miller, in writing, within (15) fifteen business days whether such proposed activity would constitute a breach of the provisions of this Section.

 

9. Mr. Miller acknowledges and agrees that Company would be unwilling to provide the consideration provided pursuant to this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein, including, but not limited to continued access to Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, but for the confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-compete conditions and covenants set forth in Sections 7 and 8, and that these conditions and covenants are a material inducement to AT&T’s willingness to enter into this Agreement.  Accordingly, Mr. Miller shall return to Company any consideration received pursuant to this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein, and agrees that Company may, in its sole discretion, terminate his Services, for any breach by Mr. Miller of the provisions of Section 7 or 8 hereof, or of the Release and Waiver contained herein.  Further, Mr. Miller recognizes that any breach by him of the provisions in Sections 7 or 8 would cause irreparable injury to Company such that monetary damages would not provide an adequate or complete remedy.  Accordingly, in the event of Mr. Miller’s actual or threatened breach of the provisions of Section 7 or 8, Company, in addition to all other rights under law or this Agreement, shall be entitled to an injunction restraining Mr. Miller from breaching these provisions and to recover from Mr. Miller its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in obtaining such remedies.

 

10. Mr. Miller declares that his decision to execute this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein has not been influenced by any declarations or representations by Company, AT&T, or any AT&T subsidiary, other than the contractual agreements and consideration expressly stated herein.

 

Company has expressly advised Mr. Miller to seek personal legal advice prior to executing this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein, and Mr. Miller, by his signature below, hereby expressly acknowledges that he was given at least twenty one (21) days in which to seek such advice and decide whether or not to enter into and execute the Release and Waiver contained herein.  The parties agree that any changes to this Agreement or to the Release and Waiver contained herein made after the initial draft of this Agreement and Release and Waiver of Claims is presented to Mr. Miller, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of said twenty-one (21) day period.

 

Mr. Miller may revoke this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein within seven (7) days of his execution of the Release and Waiver contained herein by giving notice, in writing, by certified mail, return receipt requested to Company at the address specified below.  Proof of such mailing within said seven (7) day period shall suffice to establish revocation pursuant to this Section.  In the event of any such revocation, this entire Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein shall be null and void, and unenforceable by either party.

 

11. Any notice required hereunder to be given by either party must be in writing and will be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, or five (5) days after deposit with the United States Post Office by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the other party at the addresses noted in the signature block of this Agreement.

 

12. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. To achieve certainty regarding the appropriate forum in which to prosecute and defend actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement, which the parties agree is a material condition of entering into this Agreement, the parties agree and acknowledge that (a) the sole and exclusive venue for any such action shall be an appropriate federal or state court in Dallas County, Texas, and no other, (b) all claims with respect to any such action shall be heard and determined exclusively in such Dallas County, Texas court, and no other, (c) such Dallas County, Texas court shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the person of such parties and over the subject matter of any dispute relating hereto, and (d) that the parties waive any and all objections and defenses to bringing any such action before such Dallas County, Texas court, including but not limited to those relating to lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue or forum non conveniens.

 

13. The terms and conditions contained in this Agreement that by their sense and context are intended to survive the termination or completion of performance of obligations by either or both parties under this Agreement shall so survive.

 

14. This Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein shall not be modified or amended except pursuant to an instrument in writing executed and delivered on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

 

15. This Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein constitute the entire agreement and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, except that this Agreement shall not be deemed to supersede or cancel any obligations applicable to Mr. Miller under any AT&T or AT&T subsidiary sponsored deferred compensation plan, equity award plan, fringe benefit program, or any other AT&T or AT&T subsidiary sponsored benefit plan as to which Mr. Miller is a participant immediately preceding his retirement.

 

16. In the event any provision of this Agreement or the Release and Waiver contained herein is held invalid, void, or unenforceable, the same shall not affect in any respect whatsoever the validity of any other provision of this Agreement or said Release and Waiver, except that should said Release and Waiver be held to be invalid as applicable to and as asserted by Mr. Miller with regard to any claim or dispute covered thereunder, or should any part of the provisions of Sections 7, 8, or 9 of this Agreement be held invalid, void, or unenforceable as applicable to and as asserted by Mr. Miller, this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein, at Company's option, may be declared by Company null and void.  If this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein are declared null and void by Company pursuant to the provisions of this Section, Mr. Miller shall return to Company all consideration previously received pursuant to this Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein.

 

17. This Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon, Company, its successors and assigns, and Mr. Miller and his beneficiaries, whether under the various employee benefit programs or otherwise.

 

 

 

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18. This Agreement and the Release and Waiver contained herein shall be and hereby are declared to be null and void in the event that Mr. Miller does not retire from Company on or before the close of business on March 30, 2012. All payments and other consideration to be provided to Mr. Miller by Company are contingent upon Mr. Miller’s retirement actually becoming effective on or before the close of business on March 30, 2012, and are further contingent upon Mr. Miller’s execution of this Agreement no later than March 30, 2012 and the Release and Waiver contained herein on March 30, 2012, and not revoking either this Agreement or the Release and Waiver contained herein.

 

 

	AT&T Management Services, L.P.	Forrest Miller 
	208 South Akard Street	3505 Turtle Creek Blvd, # 7B 
	Room 3703	Dallas, TX 75219 
	Dallas, TX  75202	 
	 	 
	
 

 

___________________________ 

	
 

 

__________________________

	By:   William A. Blase, Jr. 	Forrest Miller 
	Title:    Senior Executive Vice President- Human Resources 	 
	
 

 

Date: ______________________

	
 

 

Date:  _____________________

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

RELEASE AND WAIVER

I, Forrest Miller, hereby fully waive and forever release and discharge Company, AT&T, any and all other subsidiaries of Company and of AT&T, their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, successors and assigns and any and all employee benefit plans maintained by AT&T or any subsidiary thereof and/or any and all fiduciaries of any such plan from any and all common law and/or statutory claims, causes of action or suits of any kind whatsoever arising from or in connection with my past employment by Company (and any AT&T subsidiary to the extent applicable) and/or my separation therefrom, including but not limited to claims, actions, causes of action or suits of any kind allegedly arising under any federal, state, or local law, regulation, ordinance, or ruling, including, without limitation, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as amended, 29 USC §§ 1001 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 USC §§ 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1870, as amended, 42 USC §§ 1981, 1982 and 1988; the Civil Rights Act of 1871, as amended, 42 USC §§ 1983 and 1985; the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 USC § 2000d et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Equal Pay Act; the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Ac; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 USC §§ 12101 et seq., and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29 USC §§ 621 et seq., known and unknown.  In addition, I, Forrest Miller, agree not to file any lawsuit or other claim seeking monetary damage or other relief in any state or federal court or with any administrative agency (except as provided in the Agreement delivered by Company contemporaneously with this Release and Waiver (the “Agreement”)) against any of the aforementioned parties in connection with or relating to any of the aforementioned matters.  Provided, however, by executing this Release and Waiver, I, Forrest Miller, do not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date of execution; provided further, however, this Release and Waiver shall not affect my right to receive or enforce through litigation, any indemnification rights to which I am entitled as a result of my past employment by Company and, if applicable, any subsidiary of AT&T, or contract rights pursuant to the Agreement entered into substantially contemporaneously herewith; and, provided further, this Release and Waiver shall not affect the ordinary distribution of benefits/entitlements, if any, to which I am entitled upon retirement from Company; it being understood by me that said benefits/entitlements, if any, will be subject to and provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the respective governing plan document and to the extent applicable, this Agreement.

_________________________

Forrest Miller

Dated:  March 30, 2012

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