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Exhibit 4.1  

 
 

CONSULTING AGREEMENT    
  

        THIS AGREEMENT is made this 25th day of March, 2002 (the "Effective
Date"), between ABCI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the  "Company") and REALTY ADVISORS OF
AMERICA, LLC, 4100 Newport Place Drive, Suite 240 Newport Beach, CA
92660 (the "Consultant"). 

WI T N E S S E T H  

        WHEREAS, the Company desires to be assured of the association and services of the Consultant in order to avail
itself of the Consultant's experience, skills and abilities, and background and knowledge and is willing to engage the Consultant upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, and 

        WHEREAS, the Consultant agrees to be engaged and retained by the Company upon said terms and conditions. 

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals, promises and conditions in the Agreement, the Consultant and the Company agree as
follows: 

 
 

RECITALS    
  

        1.    Consulting Services.    

        The
Company hereby retains the Consultant, and the Consultant accepts such retention, to become a consultant to the Company and to render such advice, consultation and information to the
Board of Directors or the officers of the Company as requested and in particular Consultant shall upon the request of the Company perform consulting services in connection with developing business,
manufacturing and real estate operations for the Company. 

        2.    Term.    

        The
term of this Agreement shall be for a period of one (1) year commencing on the date hereof (the "Term). 

        3.    Compensation and Expenses.    As compensation for any and all services which Consultant may render, the Company
agrees to pay Consultant 500,000 shares of common stock which will be promptly registered in an S-8 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

        4.    Bonus.    The Company will pay Consultant a bonus in stock or options based on performance at the discretion of
the Board of Directors of the Company. 

        5.    Representations and Warranties/Acknowledgments.    

        The
parties hereto represent and warrant to each other party that each has taken all corporate actions necessary to consummate this Agreement and that when executed this Agreement
including the issuance of the Common Stock of the Company, will be a valid and binding obligation of the parties hereto. 

        6.    Independent Contractor.    This Agreement shall not constitute an employer-employee relationship. It is the
intention of the parties that the Consultant shall be at all times an independent contractor of the Company. The Consultant shall not have any authority to act as the agent of the Company and shall
not have the authority to, and shall not, bind the Company to any agreements or obligations with a third party except as otherwise authorized by the Company. Subject to the express provisions herein,
the manner and means utilized by the Consultant in the performance of its services hereunder shall be under the sole control of the Consultant. 

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        7.    Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.    The Consultant acknowledges that it is the policy of
the Company to maintain as secret and confidential all valuable information heretofore or hereafter acquired, developed or used by the Company in relation to its business, operations, employees and
customers which may give the Company a competitive advantage in its industry (all such information is hereinafter referred to as "Confidential Information"). The parties recognize that, by reason of
its duties, the Consultant may acquire Confidential Information. The Consultant recognizes that all such Confidential Information is the property of the Company. In consideration of the Company
entering into this Agreement, the Consultant agrees that: 

        (a)  it
shall not, directly or indirectly, publicly disseminate or otherwise disclose any Confidential Information obtained during its engagement by the Company without the
prior written consent of the Company, unless and until such information is otherwise known to the public generally or is not otherwise secret and confidential, it being understood that the obligation
created by this subparagraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement; and 

        (b)  during
the term of its engagement by the Company, the Consultant shall exercise precautions to protect the integrity of any of the Company's documents embodying
Confidential Information (which shall be marked "Confidential" by the Company prior to delivery to the Consultant and, if not so marked, shall not be deemed to embody Confidential Information), and
upon termination of its engagement, it shall return all such documents (and copies thereof) in its possession or control. 

        8.    Indemnification and Liability.    In the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of
Consultant or Consultant's breach of any representation, warranty or covenant or any other provision of this Agreement ("Breach"), Consultant shall not be liable to the Company or to any officer,
director, employee, stockholder or creditor of the Company, for any act or omission in the course of or in connection with the provision of advice or assistance hereunder. Except in those cases where
the gross negligence, misconduct or Breach of or by Consultant is alleged and proven, the Company agrees to and shall indemnify Consultant from and against any and all damages which may result from
services provided by Consultant pursuant to or in any connection with this Agreement. The foregoing notwithstanding, any acts, statements and representations made by the Consultant without the prior
written approval of the Company to investors (including prospective investors) are the sole responsibility of the Consultant and the Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from
any liability, claims, losses and expenses, including legal costs and expenses incurred by the Company that result of such statements or representations made by the Consultant made without the
approval of the Company. The Consultant represents that all materials provided to the Company regarding the services to be performed as contemplated herein are, or will be, truthful and accurate. 

        9.    Taxes.    All taxes, duties and other governmental fees or charges arising from the Consultant's receipt of
remuneration shall be borne by the Consultant. 

        10.    Notices.    Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be deemed
to be properly given when personally served in writing or when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address provided by each party. Either party
may change its address by written notice made in accordance with this section. 

        11.    Authority.    The parties hereto represent that each has the authority to enter into this Agreement. 

        12.    Benefit of Agreement.    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective legal representatives, administrators, executors, successors, subsidiaries and affiliates. 

        13.    Governing Law.    This Agreement is made and shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of California. 

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        14.    Assignment.    Any attempt by either party to assign any rights, duties or obligations that arise under this
Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party shall be void and shall constitute a breach of the terms of this Agreement provided however that Consultant may assign its rights and
duties under this Agreement to a corporation controlled by Consultant. 

        15.    Entire Agreement; Modification.    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the
Consultant. No promises, guarantees, inducements or agreements, oral or written, express or implied, have been made regarding the provision of investment banking consulting services, other than as
contained in this Agreement. This Agreement can be modified only in writing signed by both parties hereto. 

        16.    Severability.    In the event of the invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement, such illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof, and such other provisions shall be deemed to remain in full force
and effect. 

        17.    Arbitration.    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the substantive laws of California, without reference or regard to principles of conflicts of law, except as to questions regarding securities laws in which case federal securities laws shall control.
Any and all claims, controversies or disputes arising out of relating to this Agreement, including any claim for declaratory relief or any claim whatsoever whether sounding in Agreement or tort,
regardless of whether such claim, controversy or dispute is against, the Company or any of its officers, employees, agents, attorneys or accountants, shall be resolved by binding arbitration under the
Commercial Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association. There shall be no rights of pretrial discovery. Venue for any such arbitration or any application disputing anything whatsoever concerning this Agreement
shall be in the City of San Diego, California. The prevailing party in any arbitration or judicial application of any nature whatsoever, including any all claims regardless of whether said claim is
framed in Agreement or tort, shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs of suit. Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in a court of competent jurisdiction. The undersigned
understands and agrees that execution of this Agreement will result in a waiver of the undersigned's right to a jury trial and other procedures inherent in civil litigation in the event of a
dispute.

        18.    Execution in Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 

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

	 	 	ABCI HOLDINGS, INC.
	

 	
 	
By:	
 	

/s/  THOMAS N. CARTER      
 Thomas N. Carter, Director
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	REALTY ADVISORS OF AMERICA, LLC
	

 	
 	
By:	
 	

/s/  MARK FERRARO      
 Mark Ferraro

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CONSULTING AGREEMENT

RECITALS<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.4

                              IVC INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN

       1. PURPOSE. The purpose of the IVC Industries, Inc. 1995 Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan") is to provide an incentive to certain employees of IVC
Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and its
subsidiaries in order to encourage them to remain in the employ of the
Company and contribute to the Company's success by granting them stock
options ("Options").

       2. ADMINISTRATION. (a) The Plan shall be administered by either the Board
of Directors or the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Board") of the Company, or such other committee as may be
appointed by the Board (the "Committee"). The Committee shall consist of at
least three directors of the Company appointed by the Board, who shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board. Each member of the Committee shall be (i) a
"disinterested person," as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and (ii) an
"outside director," as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Board or the Committee are hereinafter
referred to as the "Committee."

       (b) It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general
administration of the Plan in accordance with its terms and provisions. Subject
to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and
authority to interpret the Plan, the Options, and the Option Agreements (as
defined herein), to adopt such rules and regulations for the administration,
interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and to
interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.

       (c) The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in attendance at
a meeting at which a quorum is present (in person or by telephone) or by a
memorandum or other written instrument signed by all members of the Committee.

       (d) Members of the Committee may receive such compensation for their
services as may be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities
incurred by members of the Committee in connection with the administration of
the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of
the Board, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or
other persons. The Committee, the Board, the Company and its officers and
directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of
any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations
made by the Committee in good faith shall be final and binding upon all persons
including the Optionees. No member of the Board or Committee, or officer of the
Company or a subsidiary, shall be personally liable for any action,
determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or
the Options, and all members of the Committee shall be fully protected by the
Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.

       3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The stock to be made the subject of any
Option granted hereunder shall be shares of the common stock of the Company, par
value $.08

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<PAGE>

per share (the "Stock"), whether authorized and unissued or treasury stock, and
the total number of shares of Stock for which Options may be granted under the
Plan shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 500,000 shares, subject to adjustment
in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 hereof. To the extent consistent
with Section 162(m) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, any
shares which were the subject of unexercised portions of any terminated or
expired Options may again be subject to Options under the Plan.

       4. GRANT OF OPTIONS. (a) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may
authorize the granting of Options to employees, officers or key employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries and any other person who, in the opinion of the
Committee, is rendering valuable services to the Company or its subsidiaries,
including, without limitation, as an independent contractor, outside consultant
or advisor to the Company (each, an "Optionee"). Each Option so granted shall be
designated by the Committee as either a nonqualified stock option ("NQSO") or an
incentive stock option ("ISO") within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
Awards shall be in such amounts as the Committee shall determine, subject to the
provisions of this Section and other applicable Sections hereof, and provided,
that no Optionee shall be entitled to grants of Options, whether or not
exercised, with respect to more than 500,000 shares of Stock over the term of
the Plan. No member of the Committee or non-employee member of the Board shall
be eligible to participate in the Plan. Members of the Board who are not members
of the Committee and who are employees of the Company shall be eligible to
participate in the Plan.

       (b) Each Option granted to any Optionee shall be evidenced by a written
agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the
Plan as the Committee shall from time to time approve (the "Option Agreement")
and which need not be identical in respect of each Optionee.

       5. EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price ("Exercise Price") of a Stock
Option shall be the Fair Market Value (as defined below) per share of Stock
covered by the Option at the time that the Option is granted, except that in the
case of an ISO granted to an Optionee who is more than a 10% shareholder of the
Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code ("10% Shareholder"),
the Exercise Price may not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the
Stock on the date the ISO is granted. For purposes of this Section 5, "Fair
Market Value" per share of Stock as of a particular date shall mean, unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, the closing price per share of Stock as
reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
Small-Cap System, for the last preceding date on which a sale was reported.

       6. OPTION PERIOD. Each Option shall expire on such date as shall be
determined by the Committee, but not later than ten years from the date such
Option was granted (or five years in the case of a 10% Shareholder).

       7. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. (a) Options granted pursuant to the Plan will be
exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Optionee's Option Agreement, as
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, provided that in no event
will Options granted hereunder be exercisable within six months of the date of
grant.

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<PAGE>

       (b) Options, to the extent vested, may be exercised in whole or in part
at any time prior to their expiration or termination, by written notice of such
exercise to the Secretary of the Company, which notice shall specify the number
of Shares as to which such Option is being exercised. Not less than 13 shares
of Stock may be purchased at one time unless the number purchased is the total
number at the time available for exercise under the terms of the Option.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option may be exercised prior to the date the
Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

       8. PAYMENT FOR STOCK. (a) The aggregate purchase price of Stock issued
upon the exercise of any Options granted hereunder shall be paid in full on the
date of exercise. Payment shall be made either in cash or in such other
consideration as the Committee deems appropriate, including, but not limited to,
Stock already owned by the Optionee or Stock to be acquired by the Optionee upon
exercise of Options having a total Fair Market Value, as determined by the
Committee, equal to the aggregate purchase price, or a combination of cash and
Stock having a total Fair Market Value, as so determined, equal to the aggregate
purchase price.

       (b) Upon the disposition by an Optionee or other person of shares of
Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO prior to satisfaction of the
holding period requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or upon the exercise of
an NQSO, the Company shall have the right to require such Optionee or other
person to pay by cash, or certified or cashier's check payable to the Company,
the amount of any taxes which the Company may be required to withhold with
respect to such transactions, provided that, in the case of the exercise of an
NQSO, the Committee may permit an Optionee to elect, pursuant to such rules as
the Committee may establish, to have the Company reduce the number of such
shares that otherwise would be issued upon such exercise by the appropriate
number of shares to accomplish such withholding; and provided, further that, the
Committee may impose such restrictions and conditions on the payment of any
withholding obligation as may be required to satisfy applicable regulatory
requirements.

       9. LIMITATIONS ON GRANT OF ISOS. (a) The aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the date of grant) of the Stock for which ISOs may first
become exercisable by any Optionee during any calendar year under this Plan,
together with that of common stock subject to incentive stock options first
exercisable by such Optionee under any other plan of the Company or any
subsidiary, shall not exceed $100,000; to the extent such limitation is exceeded
as a result of acceleration, Options shall be treated as NQSOs.

       (b) There shall be imposed in the Option Agreement relating to ISOs such
terms and conditions as are required in order that the Option be an "incentive
stock option" as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

       (c) No ISO may be granted to any person who is not an employee of the
Company.

       10. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Except as otherwise determined by the
Committee at the time of grant:

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<PAGE>

       (a) In the event (i) of a termination by the Company or a subsidiary of
an Optionee's employment other than for Cause (as defined below), (ii) an
Optionee voluntarily leaves the employ of the Company or a subsidiary or (iii)
an Optionee shall die or become disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3)
of the Code) while the Optionee is employed by the Company or a subsidiary, such
Optionee, his estate or his legal guardian, as the case may be, will be entitled
to exercise such Optionee's Options, to the extent exercisable or vested, for a
period of 90 days following such event. For purposes of this Plan, "for Cause"
shall mean, with respect to the termination by the Company or a subsidiary of an
Optionee's employment, (i) the continued failure by such Optionee to
substantially perform his or her duties with the Company or a subsidiary (other
than any such failure resulting from his or her incapacity due to physical or
material illness) or (ii) the engaging by such Optionee in conduct which is
materially injurious to the Company or a subsidiary, monetarily or otherwise, in
either case as determined by the Company.

       (b) In the event that an Optionee's employment with the Company or a
subsidiary is terminated by the Company for Cause, such Optionee's right to
exercise his Options shall thereupon terminate and all of such Optionee's
Options, whether or not vested, shall be rendered null and void and shall become
unexercisable.

       (c) In the event that the Optionee is not an employee of the Company or a
subsidiary and such Optionee's relationship with the Company ceases, the
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether (i) such Optionee
will have the right to exercise his Options, to the extent then vested, or (ii)
such Options shall terminate and be rendered null and void.

       (d) Upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in subparagraph
(a) or (b) above, an Optionee's non-vested Options shall terminate and be
rendered null and void.

       11. NONTRANSFERABILITY. (a) No Option shall be transferable other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution; PROVIDED, however, that the
Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Option Agreement that the
Optionee may transfer, without consideration, all or a portion of his NQSOs to
members of his immediate family (i.e., children, grandchildren or spouse), to
trusts for the benefit of immediate family members and to partnerships in which
such family members are the only parties and (b) during the lifetime of an
Optionee the Option shall be exercisable only by such Optionee or, in the case
of disability, by such Optionee's personal representative. No permitted transfer
so effected shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company has been
furnished with written notice thereof and such evidence as the Committee may
deem reasonably necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the
acceptance by the transferee or transferees of the terms and conditions of the
Plan.

       12. STOCK ADJUSTMENTS. (a) If the outstanding shares of Stock are
increased, decreased or changed into, or exchanged for, a different number or
kind of shares or securities of the Company through a reorganization or merger
in which the Company is the surviving entity, or through a combination,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, stock
consolidation or otherwise, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the
number and kind of shares that may be issued pursuant to Options. Any such
adjustment, however, shall be made

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<PAGE>

without change in the total payment, if any, applicable to the portion of the
Options not exercised but with a corresponding adjustment in the price for each
share.

       (b) Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or upon a
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more
corporations as a result of which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, each Option theretofore granted to any Optionee which shall not
have theretofore expired or otherwise been cancelled or become unexercisable
shall become immediately exercisable in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing
and provided that the rights of any Optionee shall not be adversely affected,
the Committee may provide in writing in connection with, or in contemplation
of, any such transaction for (i) the assumption by the successor corporation
of the Options theretofore granted or the substitution by such corporation
for such Options of awards covering the stock of the successor corporation,
or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the
number and kind of shares and prices; or (ii) for the  payment in cash in
lieu of and in complete satisfaction of such Options, in an amount equal to
the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares subject to such Options less
the Exercise Price of the shares subject to such Options.

       (c) In adjusting Options to reflect the changes described in this Section
12, or in determining that no such adjustment is necessary, the Committee may
rely upon the advice of independent counsel and accountants of the Company, and
the determination of the Committee shall be conclusive. No fractional shares of
stock shall be issued under this Plan on account of any such adjustment.

       13. NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. An Optionee or a permitted transferee of
a Option shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Stock covered
by his, her or its Option until such Optionee or a permitted transferee shall
have become the holder of record of such Stock.

       14. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. (a) The Board may at any time terminate or
suspend the Plan (or any part hereof) and the Board and the Committee may amend
or modify the Plan (or any part hereof); provided, however, if an amendment
would (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to Optionees within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3(a) under the Exchange Act, (ii) increase the aggregate
number of shares which may be issued under the Plan or to any individual or
(iii) modify the requirements of eligibility for participation in the Plan, the
amendment shall be approved by a majority of the Company's stockholders.

       (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, suspension or
termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the holder of the Option,
alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Option theretofore granted
or awarded.

       15. INVESTMENT PURPOSE. At the time of exercise of any Option, the
Company may, if it shall deem it necessary or desirable for any reason, require
the Optionee to represent in writing to the Company that it is such Optionee's
then intention to acquire the Stock for investment and not with a view to the
distribution thereof.

       16. RIGHT TO TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT. Nothing contained herein or in any
Option Agreement shall restrict the right of the Company to terminate the
employment of any Optionee at any time, with or without Cause.

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<PAGE>

       17. FINALITY OF DETERMINATIONS. Each determination, interpretation, or
other action made or taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan by the
Committee shall, unless otherwise determined by the Board, be final and shall be
binding and conclusive for all purposes.

       18. GOVERNING LAW. The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.

       19. EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan shall be effective upon approval of the
stockholders of the Company by the vote of the holders of a majority of the
Stock of the Company voting at a meeting of such holders in person or by proxy;
except that this Plan was adopted and approved by the Board effective July 27,
1995 to permit the grant of Options prior to the approval of the Plan by the
Company's stockholders. In the event that the Plan is not approved by the
stockholders of the Company in the manner set forth above prior to the first
anniversary of its approval by the Board, the Plan and the Options granted
hereunder shall be void and of no force or effect.

       20. TERM OF THE PLAN. Unless previously terminated by the Board or the
Committee, the Plan shall terminate on March 15, 2005, and no Options shall be
granted thereafter (except that in the case of ISOs, no Options may be granted
after July 27, 2005). Such termination shall not affect any Option previously
granted.

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