Document:

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit

10.03

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This EMPLOYMENT

AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of April 16, 2002, is entered into

between American Spectrum Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”),

and Patricia A. Nooney (“Executive”).

 

Recitals

 

A.            The Company is a corporation

intended to be qualified and to operate as a real estate investment trust under

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

B.            The Company wishes to employ

Executive and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company, on the terms and

conditions set forth below.

 

THEREFORE, the

parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Employment Duties.

During the Term (as defined in paragraph 2 below), the Company will initially

employ Executive as its Senior Vice President Asset Management for the period

from November 1, 2001 to January 29, 2002 and thereafter as its Senior Vice

President Asset Management and Treasurer. Except as set forth on Schedule A to

this Agreement, Executive will devote substantially all of her business time

and attention to the performance of her duties under this Agreement. Executive

shall have the duties, rights and responsibilities normally associated with her

position with the Company, together with such other reasonable duties relating

to the operation of the business of the Company and its affiliates as may be

assigned to her from time to time by the President or Chief Executive Officer

of the Company or by the Board of Directors. 

Such duties are generally set forth in the By laws of the Company and by

memorandum to Executive of even date with this employment agreement.  If the Company shall so request, Executive

shall act as an officer and/or director of any of the subsidiaries of the

Company as they may now exist or may be established by the Company in the

future without any compensation other than that provided for in paragraph 3.

 

2.             Term. The term of

Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) began on

November 1, 2001, and will continue, subject to the termination provisions set

forth in paragraph 5 below, until the first anniversary of the date hereof,

provided that this Agreement will automatically renew each year for an

additional one year period unless either party gives written notice to the

other not to extend the Term not less than 90 days prior to the then next

upcoming expiration date.

 

3.             Salary and Bonus.

 

a.             Salary.  During each year of the Term, Executive will

receive a salary at the annual rate of $125,000 prorated through January 28,

2002 and thereafter at the annual rate of $175,000 (the “Base Salary”).

 

 

b.             Bonus. In addition to the

Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to an annual incentive bonus

payable within 120 days after the end of each year ended December 31 in an

amount which shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board of

Directors taking into account such factors concerning the performance of the

Company and Executive and the Executive’s overall compensation level, as shall

be determined by the Board of Directors. 

The amount of the incentive bonus shall be determined in the sole

discretion of the Board of Directors and Executive shall not be entitled to any

incentive bonus unless and until such incentive bonus is approved by the Board

of Directors.

 

4.             Fringe Benefits. In

addition to the other compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement, during

the Term:

 

a.             Standard Benefits. Executive

will be entitled to receive such fringe benefits and perquisites, including

medical and life insurance, as are generally made available from time to time

to senior management employees and Executives of the Company and to participate

in any pension, profit–sharing, stock option or similar plan or program

established from time to time by the Company for the benefit of its senior

management employees.

 

b.             Vacation and Sick Leave.

Executive will be entitled to such periods of paid vacation (not less than

three (3) weeks per year) and sick leave allowance each year that are

consistent with the Company’s vacation and sick leave policy for senior

management.

 

c.             Business Expenses. The

Company will pay or reimburse Executive for all business–related expenses

incurred by Executive in the course of her performance of duties under this

Agreement, subject to the procedures established by the Company from time to

time with respect to incurrence, substantiation, reasonableness and approval,

including without limitation dues, meeting expenses and travel costs for

professional organizations not to exceed  $10,000.00 per calendar year.

 

d.             Stock

Options. Executive shall be entitled to participate in employee stock plans

from time to time established for the benefit of employees of the Company in

accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans. Simultaneously with the

closing of the consolidation of the Company, Executive shall receive pursuant

to and subject to the Company’s Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), a

grant of 4,500 stock options for common stock of the Company. The options shall

be granted (i) 50% on the date of the closing of the consolidation described in

the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Consolidation”) with an

option exercise price of $15.00 per share and (ii) 50% on the six-month

anniversary of such closing with an option exercise price equal to the price at

which the common stock is trading at the close of business on that date, or if

there is no established market, at the fair market value of the common stock as

determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. The options shall

be 25% exercisable on the date of grant and the balance of which become

exercisable subject to Executive’s continuing to be employed by the Company in

three nearly equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of

the date of grant.

 

In addition, Executive

shall receive upon Board approval, pursuant to and subject to the Plan, a grant

of 10,000 shares of restricted stock of the Company which shares shall be

subject to repurchase by the Company on termination of Executive’s employment

for a price of  $.01 per share, which

repurchase option shall lapse 50% on the date of issuance and 50% on the sixth

month anniversary of 

 

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the date of grant.  Executive has previously received a grant of

2,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to the Plan which shares shall be

subject to repurchase by the Company on termination of Executive’s employment

for a price of $.01 per share, which repurchase option shall lapse 25% on the

date of issuance and 25% in three nearly equal installments on each of the first,

second, and third anniversary of the date of grant. Notwithstanding the

foregoing, stock options granted to Executive shall become fully exercisable

and repurchase restrictions on stock grants shall lapse in full upon (i) a

Change of Control of the Company (as defined herein) or (ii) Executive’s

termination of employment by Executive with Good Reason or by the Company

without Cause, and Executive shall have one (1) year from such termination, or

remaining term of the option, if earlier, to exercise such options.

 

5.             Termination of Employment.

 

a.             Death and Disability.

Executive’s employment under this Agreement will terminate immediately upon her

death and upon 30 days’ prior written notice given by the Company in the event

Executive is determined to be “permanently disabled” (as defined below).

 

b.             For Cause. The Company may

terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement for “Cause” (as defined

below) upon providing Executive 30 days’ prior written notice of termination,

which notice will describe in detail the basis of such termination and will

become effective immediately on the 30th day after Executive’s

receipt thereof unless Executive (i) cures to the reasonable satisfaction of

the Board of Directors the alleged violation or other circumstance which was

the basis of such termination within such notice period or (ii) sends, within

thirty (30) days, written notice to the Board disputing in good faith the

existence of Cause and requesting arbitration of such dispute pursuant to

paragraph 9 below. During the pendency of the arbitration, Executive will

continue to receive all compensation and benefits to which she is entitled

hereunder but shall have no duties or authority in connection with any

activities of the Company.  If the

Company is not successful in obtaining a determination by the arbitrators that

there was Cause for termination, the Company will pay Executive’s reasonable

expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and

disbursements, in connection with such dispute resolution and Executive may

elect to terminate her employment and shall receive the payments and benefits

set forth in paragraph 6(b) as if her employment were terminated without

Cause.  If the Company is successful in

obtaining a determination by the arbitrators that there was Cause for

termination, the Executive shall pay the Company’s expenses, including without

limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, in connection with

such dispute resolution.

 

c.             For Good Reason. Executive

may terminate her employment under this Agreement for “Good Reason” (as defined

below) upon providing the Company 30 days’ prior written notice of termination,

which notice will detail the basis of such termination and will become

effective on the 30th day after the Company’s receipt thereof, unless the

Company cures to the reasonable satisfaction of Executive the alleged violation

or other circumstance which was the basis of such termination within such 30

day notice period; provided that any termination pursuant to (d)(iii)(C) of the

definition of Good Reason shall be made by notice given not more than 120 days

after the effective date of the Change of Control (as defined below).

 

d.             Definitions. For purposes of

this Agreement:

 

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(i)

Executive will be deemed “permanently disabled” if she becomes unable to

discharge her normal duties as contemplated under this Agreement for more than

six consecutive months as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical

illness as determined by a physician acceptable to Executive and the Company

and paid by the Company, whose determination will be final and binding. If

Executive and the Company are unable to agree on a physician, Executive and the

Company will each choose one physician who will mutually choose the third

physician, whose determination will be final and binding.

 

(ii)           “Cause” means either (A) a breach by

Executive of any material provisions of this Agreement, but only if, after

notice provided in subparagraph (b) above, Executive fails to cure such breach;

(B) action by Executive constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence in

connection with performing her duties hereunder; (C) an act of fraud,

misappropriation of funds or embezzlement by Executive in connection with her

employment hereunder; or (D) Executive is convicted of/or pleads guilty to any

felony involving moral turpitude.

 

(iii)          “Good Reason” means the

occurrence of any of the following: (A) a breach by the Company of any of its

material obligations under this Agreement, but only if after expiration of the

30 day notice period provided in subparagraph (c) above, the Company fails to

cure such breach or (B) change of location of Company office where Executive is

to be employed to a location more than 30 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, but

Executive agrees that her duties will compel her to supervise activities in

various offices of the Company and the requirement to travel and conduct work

at such offices shall not be deemed a relocation, or (C) a Change of Control as

herein defined, or (D) the withdrawal without Executive’s prior written consent

of any substantive part of Executive’s responsibilities, duties or authority as

previously discharged or (E) the harassment of Executive intended, designed or

which would have the foreseeable effect of causing Executive to resign or

abandon Executive’s employment with Company.

 

(iv)          “Change of Control” means the

occurrence of:

 

(a)           An acquisition (other than directly

from the Company) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting

Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term person is used for purposes of

Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) immediately after which such Person

has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d–3 promulgated

under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting

power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however,

in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, Voting Securities

which are acquired in a “Non–Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter

defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a Change of

Control. A “Non–Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (a) an

employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (i) the

Company or (ii) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its

voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned,

directly or indirectly, by the Company (for purposes of this definition, a

“Subsidiary”), (b) the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iii) any corporation or

other Person the majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities

is owned, directly or indirectly, by William J. Carden or 

 

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John Galardi or

(iv) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter

defined); or

 

(b)           The individuals who, as of the date

of this Agreement , are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for

any reason to constitute at least two–thirds of the members of the Board;

provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the

Company’s common stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at

least two–thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes

of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided

further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the

Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of

either an actual or threatened “Election Contest” (as described in Rule 14a–

11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened

solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the

Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to

avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; or

 

(c)           Approval by stockholders of the

Company of:

 

(i)            A merger, consolidation or

reorganization involving the Company, unless such merger, consolidation or

reorganization is a “Non-Control Transaction”. 

A “Non–Control Transaction” shall mean a merger, consolidation or

reorganization of the Company where:

 

(A)          the stockholders of the Company,

immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization, would own,

directly or indirectly immediately following such merger, consolidation or

reorganization, at least fifty percent (50 %) of the combined voting power of

the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such merger

or consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving Corporation”) in

substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities

immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization,

 

(B)           the individuals who were members of

the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement

providing for such merger, consolidation or reorganization, constitute at least

two–thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving

Corporation, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a

majority of the Voting Securities of the Surviving Corporation, and

 

(C)           no Person other than (i) the Company,

(ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a

part thereof) maintained by the Company, the Surviving Corporation, or any

Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person who, immediately prior to such merger,

consolidation or reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of 

 

5

 

thirty percent

(30%) or more of the then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial

Ownership of thirty percent (30 %) or more of the combined voting power of the

Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities.

 

(ii)           A complete liquidation or dissolution

of the Company; or

 

(iii)          The sale or other disposition of all

or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a

transfer to a Subsidiary).

 

Notwithstanding

the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because

any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than

the permitted amount of the then outstanding Voting Securities as a result of

the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the

number of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportional number of

shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change of

Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the

acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company, and after such share

acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of

any additional Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then

outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a

Change of Control shall occur.  In no

event shall stock option ownership be considered in calculating Change of

Control.

 

6.             Benefits upon Termination.

 

a.             Termination with Cause or

Resignation. Upon termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for

Cause or a voluntary resignation by Executive (other than for Good Reason

pursuant to paragraph 5(c) above) during the Term, the Company will remain

obligated to pay Executive only the unpaid portion of her Base Salary and

benefits to the extent accrued through the effective date of termination (all

of which will for this purpose be deemed to accrue daily). Any amount due under

this subparagraph will be payable within 30 days after the date of termination.

In addition to whatever other rights or remedies the Company may have at law or

in equity, all stock options held by Executive, whether vested or unvested as

of the date of termination, shall immediately expire on the date of termination

and all unvested stock–based grants shall immediately expire.

 

b.             Termination without Cause or for

Good Reason. The Company shall also have the right to terminate Executive’s

employment without Cause. Upon termination of Executive’s employment (x) by the

Company without Cause or (y) by Executive for Good Reason, Executive will be

entitled to the benefits provided below, subject to signing by Executive of a

general release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and

Executive.

 

(i)            the Company will pay as severance

pay to Executive, in equal monthly installments over a twelve–month

period, an amount (the “Severance Amount”) equal to one times Executive’s Base

Salary and bonus for the immediately preceding calendar year or 

 

6

 

current year if

the termination is in the first calendar year of employment (which shall be

annualized if the applicable calendar year is less than a full year);

 

 (ii)          subject

to Executive making a valid election to continue medical coverage under the

Company’s group health plan, the Company will pay Executive’s COBRA premium for

the shorter of (x) 12 months following Executive’s termination of employment or

(y) the end of the COBRA continuation period.

 

c.             Termination Upon Death or

Permanent Disability. Upon termination of Executive’s employment upon

Executive’s death or permanent disability, Executive or Executive’s estate will

be entitled to the benefits provided below, subject to signing by Executive or

Executive’s estate of a general release of claims in a form reasonably

satisfactory to the Company and Executive:

 

(i)            the Company will pay as severance

pay to Executive or Executive’s estate, in equal monthly installments over a

twelve month period, an amount equal to the Executive’s Base Salary as in

effect on the date of termination of employment; and

 

(ii)           subject to Executive making a valid

election to continue medical coverage under the Company’s group health plan,

the Company will pay Executive’s COBRA premium for the shorter of (x) 12 months

following Executive’s termination of employment or (y) the end of the COBRA

continuation period.

 

d.             No Mitigation. Executive

will not be required to mitigate the amount of any

payment provided for in

this paragraph 6 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor will the amount

of any payment or benefit provided for in this paragraph 6 be reduced by any

compensation earned by her as the result of employment by another employer or

by retirement benefits after the date of termination.

 

e.             Expiration of this Agreement.

In the event the Term of this Agreement expires without having otherwise been

previously terminated pursuant to paragraph 5 above, Executive will not be

entitled to any severance compensation whatsoever.

 

7.             No Solicitation; Confidentiality;

Cooperation.

 

a.             For a period of 12 months after

employment, neither Executive nor any Executive–Controlled Person

(defined below) will, without the prior written consent of the Board, directly

or indirectly solicit for employment, employ in any capacity or make an

unsolicited recommendation to any other person that it employ or solicit for

employment any person who is or was, at any time during the 12-month period, a

senior officer or senior executive of the Company or of any of its affiliates.

As used in this Agreement, the term “Executive-Controlled Person” shall

mean any company, partnership, firm or other entity as to which Executive

possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction

of the management and policies of such entity, whether through the ownership of

voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

b.             Executive acknowledges that,

through her status as Senior Vice President Asset Management of the Company,

she has, and will have, possession of important, confidential information and

knowledge as to the business of the Company and its affiliates, including, but

not 

 

7

 

limited to, knowledge of

marketing and operating strategies, acquisition, leasing and other agreements,

financial results and projections, future plans, the provisions of other

important contracts entered into by the Company and its affiliates, possible

acquisitions and similar information. Executive agrees that all such knowledge

and information constitutes a vital part of the business of the Company and its

affiliates and is by its nature trade secrets and confidential information

proprietary to the Company and its affiliates (collectively, “Confidential

Information”). Executive agrees that she shall not for a period of 12

months after employment divulge, communicate, furnish or make accessible

(whether orally or in writing or in books, articles or any other medium) to any

individual, firm, partnership or corporation, any knowledge or information with

respect to Confidential Information directly or indirectly useful in any aspect

of the business of the Company or any of its affiliates. The obligations of

confidentiality set forth herein shall not apply to any Confidential

Information which is:

 

(i)            possessed by Executive prior to

receipt from the Company, other than through prior disclosure by the Company,

as evidenced by Executive’s records;

 

(ii)           published or available to the general

public otherwise than through a breach of this Agreement or other obligation of

confidentiality by Executive;

 

(iii)          obtained by Executive from a third

party with a valid right to disclose such Confidential Information, provided

that such third party is not under a confidentiality obligation to the Company;

 

(iv)          independently developed by employees

of Executive who had no knowledge of the Company’s Confidential Information as

evidenced by Executive’s records; or

 

(v)           required to be disclosed pursuant to

law, regulation, or court order provided, however, that Executive gives the

Company prompt, written notice prior to disclosure in order to allow that party

to take whatever action it deems necessary to protect its Confidential

Information.

 

c.             All memoranda, notes, notebooks,

lists, records and other documents or papers (and all copies thereof),

including such items stored in computer memories, portable computers and the

like, on microfiche, disk or by any other means, made or compiled by or on

behalf of Executive or made available to her relating to the Company are and

shall be the Company’s property and shall be delivered to the Company promptly

upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or at any other

time on request and such information shall be held confidential by Executive

after the termination of her employment with the Company.

 

d.             Following Executive’s termination

of employment, Executive will cooperate with the Company, its executives,

counsel and other professional advisors (i) to the extent reasonably possible

with respect to the consummation of matters that were in progress at the time

of Executive’s termination of employment and (ii) with respect to any

litigation or regulatory matters arising out of or related to the business,

operations, or personnel of the Company (including participation in

depositions, hearings and trials, as and if deemed necessary or appropriate by

the Company, execution of appropriate affidavits and participation in

interviews with Company counsel).  The 

 

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Company shall compensate

Executive on a reasonable basis for any services provided by Executive pursuant

to this paragraph 7(d).

 

e.             Executive agrees that the

provisions of this paragraph 7 are reasonable and necessary for the protection

of the Company and that they may not be adequately enforced by an action for

damages and that, in the event of a breach thereof by Executive or any

Executive-Controlled Person, the Company shall be entitled to apply for and

obtain injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to restrain the

breach or threatened breach of such violation or otherwise to enforce specifically

such provisions against such violation, without the necessity of the posting of

any bond by the Company.  Executive

further covenants and agrees that if it is finally judicially determined by a

court of competent jurisdiction that she materially violated any of her

covenants under this paragraph 7, the Company shall not be obligated to make

any payments or provide any benefits provided in paragraph 6 and the Company

shall be entitled to recover any amounts previously paid pursuant to paragraph6.   Such a remedy shall, however,

not be exclusive and shall be in addition to any injunctive relief or other

legal or equitable remedy to which the Company is or may be entitled.

Accordingly, Executive agrees that she shall reimburse the Company for any reasonable

attorneys’ fees and expenses that the Company might incur in enforcing this

paragraph 7 if it is finally judicially determined that Executive has

materially breached this paragraph 7.

 

8.             Indemnification. To

the full extent permitted by applicable law, Executive shall be indemnified and

held harmless by the Company against any and all judgments, penalties, fines,

amounts paid in settlement, and other reasonable expenses (including, without

limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) as they are actually

incurred by Executive in connection with any threatened, pending or completed

action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative,

investigative or other) for any action or omission in her capacity as a

director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or

affiliates, but the Executive shall not be indemnified to the extent that is

finally judicially determined that such amounts resulted directly from her own

gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud. 

Indemnification under this paragraph 8 shall be in addition to, and not

in substitution of, any other indemnification by the Company of its officers

and directors.

 

9.             Arbitration. The parties hereto will

endeavor to resolve in good faith any controversy, disagreement or claim

arising between them, whether as to the interpretation, performance or

operation of this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.  If they are unable to do so, any such

controversy, disagreement or claim will be submitted to binding arbitration,

for final resolution without appeal, by either party giving written notice to

the other of the existence of a dispute which it desires to have arbitrated.

The arbitration will be conducted in St. Louis, Missouri by a single neutral

arbitrator and will be held in accordance with the rules of the American

Arbitration Association.  The decision

and award of the arbitrators must be in writing and will be final and binding

upon the parties hereto. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court

having jurisdiction thereof, or application may be made to such court for a

judicial acceptance of the award and an order of enforcement, as the case may

be. The expenses of arbitration will be borne in accordance with the

determination of the arbitrator with respect thereto, except as otherwise

specified in paragraph 5(b) above. Pending a decision by the arbitrator with

respect to the dispute or difference undergoing arbitration, all other

obligations of the parties will continue as stipulated herein, and all monies

not directly involved in such dispute or difference will be paid when due.

 

9

 

10.           Miscellaneous.

 

a.             Executive represents and warrants

that she is not a party to any agreement, contract or understanding, whether

employment or otherwise, which would restrict or prohibit her from undertaking

or performing employment in accordance with the terms and conditions of this

Agreement.

 

b.             The provisions of this Agreement

are severable and if any one or more provisions may be determined to be illegal

or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions and

any partially unenforceable provision to the extent enforceable in any

jurisdiction will remain binding and enforceable.

 

c.             The rights and obligations of the

Company under this Agreement inure to the benefit of, and will be binding on,

the Company and its successors and permitted assigns, and the rights and

obligations (other than obligations to perform services) of Executive under

this Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding upon,

Executive and her heirs, personal representatives and permitted assigns;

provided, however, Executive shall not be entitled to assign or delegate any of

her rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written

consent of the Company; provided, further, that the Company shall not have the

right to assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this

Agreement except to a corporation, partnership or other business entity that

is, directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company.

 

d.             Any notice to be given under this

Agreement will be personally delivered in writing or will have been deemed duly

given when received after it is posted in the United States mail, postage

prepaid, registered or certified, return receipt requested, and if mailed to

the Company, will be addressed to its principal place of business, attention:

Secretary, and if mailed to Executive, will be addressed to her at her home

address last known on the records of the Company or at such other address or

addresses as either the Company or Executive may hereafter designate in writing

to the other.

 

e.             The failure of either party to

enforce any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be

construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions as to any future

violations thereof, nor prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and

every other provision of this Agreement. The rights granted the parties herein

are cumulative and the waiver of any single remedy will not constitute a waiver

of such party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under

the circumstances.

 

f.              THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY

AND CONSTRUED ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT REGARD

TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

 

g.             Captions and paragraph headings

used herein are for convenience and are not a part of this Agreement and will

not be used in construing it.

 

h.                                      The parties agree that Schedule A

attached hereto is an integral part of this Agreement and is deemed

incorporated herein.

 

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i.              This Agreement is

intended to amend and restate the prior agreement between the parties that was

effective as of the date of the Consolidation. 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and

supercedes any previous agreements between them.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this

Agreement on the day and year first set forth above.

 

	

   

  	

  AMERICAN SPECTRUM REALTY, INC.

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  By:

  	

  /s/ William J. Carden

  
	

   

  	

  Name:  William J. Carden

  
	

   

  	

  Title:   

  President

  
	

   

  	

   

  
	

   

  	

  /s/ Patricia A.

  Nooney

  
	

   

  	

  PATRICIA A. NOONEY

  

 

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Schedule

A

 

 

Notwithstanding anything

to the contrary in this Agreement, including without limitation paragraphs 1

and 7, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) Executive currently holds

and in the future may hold ownership interests in Clayton Realty Associates LLC

d/b/a Coldwell Banker Commercial and entities affiliated or related to the

foregoing collectively referred to as “CRA Group”; (ii) Executive

currently and in the future may serve as a director, officer, partner, member,

principal, consultant or in other capacities for the CRA Group; (iii) Executive

may while employed with the Company and at any time thereafter own interests

in, serve in various capacities for and otherwise undertake activities related

to the CRA Group without restriction or limitation under the Agreement.

 

In addition, Company acknowledges

and agrees that Executive is currently an officer of American Spectrum Midwest

and many of its affiliates. In addition, Company acknowledges and agrees that

Executive is currently an officer and director of Brooklyn Street Properties,

Inc. and several of its affiliates and subsidiaries. Company acknowledges and

agrees that Executive may while employed with the Company and at any time

thereafter serve in various capacities for and undertake activities related to

these companies and their subsidiaries and affiliates without restriction or

limitation under the Agreement.

 

Company and Executive

agree that the business of Company is furthered through Executive’s

participation in certain professional organizations and gatherings. It is,

therefore, agreed that attendance at meetings and gatherings of professional

organizations shall not constitute vacation for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Company acknowledges that

Executive currently serves as the Institute of Real Estate Management’s (IREM)

national President–Elect and will be National President in 2003. Company

agrees to allow Executive to fully participate in and carry out the duties

required of these positions.

 

 

12Prepared by Kilpatrick Stockton EDGAR Services

EXHIBIT 10.12

Prepared
7/8/99     

©1999 Bank Compensation
Strategies

This document is provided to assist your legal counsel in documenting
your specific arrangement. It is not a form to be signed, nor is it to be construed as legal advice. Failure to accurately document
your arrangement could result in significant losses, whether from claims of those participating in the arrangement, from the heirs
and beneficiaries of participants, or from regulatory agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor.
License is hereby granted to your legal counsel to use these materials in documenting solely your arrangement.

UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

EXECUTIVE REVENUE NEUTRAL RETIREMENT
AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made this 13th day of March, 2000, by and
between the UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC., located in Blairsville, Georgia (the “Corporation”), and JIMMY C. TALLENT
(the “Executive”). This agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 1999.

INTRODUCTION

To attract, retain and reward quality management, and to provide a
potentially higher level of retirement income, the Corporation is willing to provide the Executive with this Executive Revenue
Neutral Retirement Agreement. The Corporation will pay the benefits from its general assets.

AGREEMENT

The Executive and the Corporation agree as follows:

Article 1

Definitions

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have
the meanings specified:

1.1       
“Adjustment Rate” shall mean the figure equal to one minus the Corporation's highest marginal Federal and
State income tax rate for the current calendar year.

1.2       
“Change of Control” shall mean any of the following:

(A)       
any person (as such term is used in Sections 13d and 14d-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), other than the Corporation, a subsidiary of the Corporation, an employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Corporation or a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation, or affiliates of the Corporation (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act), becomes the beneficial owner (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing more than 25% of the combined voting power of the
Corporation's then outstanding securities (other than a person owning 10 % or more of the voting power of stock on the date 

 

   

 hereof)
or announces a tender offer or exchange offer for securities of the Corporation representing more than 25% of the combined voting
power of the Corporation's then outstanding securities; or 

(B)       
the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or the occurrence of, or execution of an agreement providing for a sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to an entity which is not a direct or indirect subsidiary of the
Corporation; or

(C)       
the occurrence of; or execution of an agreement providing for a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other similar
transaction or connected series of transactions of the Corporation as a result of which either (a) the Corporation does not survive
or (b) pursuant to which shares of the Corporation common stock (“Common Stock”) would be converted into cash,
securities or other property, unless, in case of either (a) or (b), the holders of the Corporation Common Stock immediately
prior to such transaction will, following the consummation of the transaction, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
of the corporation surviving, continuing or resulting from such transaction; or

(D)       
the occurrence of, or execution of an agreement providing for a reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction of
the Corporation, or before any connected series of such transactions, if upon consummation of such transaction or transactions, the
persons who are members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation immediately before such transaction or transactions cease or,
in the case of the execution of an agreement for such transaction or transactions, it is contemplated in such agreement that upon
consummation such persons would cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, in the case where
the Corporation does not survive in such transaction, of the corporation surviving, continuing or resulting from such transaction
or transactions; or

(E)       
any other event which is at any time designated as a “Change of Control” for purposes of this Agreement by a
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation with the affirmative vote of a majority of the non-employee
directors in office at the time the resolution is adopted; in the event any such resolution is adopted, the Change of Control event
specified thereby shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference and thereafter may not be amended, modified or revoked without
the written agreement of the Executive.

Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary set forth in this Agreement,
if (i) an agreement is executed by the Corporation providing for any of the transactions or events constituting a Change of Control
as defined herein, and the agreement subsequently expires or is terminated without the transaction or event being consummated, and
(ii) Executive's employment did not terminate during the period after the agreement and prior to such expiration or termination,
for purposes of this Agreement it shall be as though such agreement was never executed and no Change of Control event shall be
deemed to have occurred as a result of the execution of such agreement.

1.3       
“Corporation” means United Community Banks, Inc.

2

   

1.4       
“Employment Date” means the date which the Executive was first employed on a full-time basis by the
Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation.

1.5       
“Excess Benefit Payment” means the additional annual payment amount as a result of crediting interest to the
Retirement Account as determined under Section 2.3during the post retirement years. Interest shall be credited at the rate
of 7 % per annum compounded monthly. This rate may be changed prospectively upon approval by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. For example, the annual payment on a $100,000 Retirement Account, paid over 10 years without interest, would be
$10,000. The annual payment with interest credited at 7 percent would equal $13,933, resulting in an Excess Benefit Payment
of $3,933.

1.6       
“Normal Retirement Benefit” means the benefit described in Article 3.

1.7       
“Normal Retirement Age” means the Executive's 50th
birthday.

1.8       
“Normal Retirement Date”   means the later of the Normal Retirement Age or Termination of
Employment.

1.9       
“Plan Year” means each calendar year from January 1 through December 31. In the year of
implementation, it shall commence with the effective date of this Agreement and end on December 31,
1999.

1.10      
“Retirement Account” means the account maintained on the books of the Corporation as described in Section
2.3.

1.11      
“Simulated Investments” mean investments specified by the Corporation for use in measuring the Retirement
Benefit. Subject to Article 2, the Corporation can change the Simulated Investments only with the Executive's written agreement.
The Simulated Investments shall be of equal initial amounts.

1.12       
“Termination of Employment” means the Executive ceases to be employed by the Corporation or any subsidiary
of the Corporation or their successor for any reason other than death.

Article 2

Retirement Account

2.1       
Simulated Investments. The Corporation shall establish two simulated investments as of January 1, 1999as
follows:

2.1.1       
Simulated Investment Number One shall track the cash surrender value of a portfolio of life insurance policies with an
aggregate single premium investment of $8,060,000 as detailed in Appendix A. After tax earnings shall be based on the annual growth
in the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of these policies.  The annual growth in such CSV is calculated as
follows:

3

   

 

Total portfolio CSV at the end of the Plan Year

minus

Total portfolio CSV at the beginning of the Plan
Year

The following example will illustrate this calculation:

 

  
  	

Portfolio CSV -
12/31/99

      	

 $1,050,000

      
	

Portfolio CSV -
12/31/98

      	

 $1,000,000

      
	     Simulated Investment Number One

             growth in CSV for
1999

      	 $50,000

      

  

For purposes of this calculation, if an individual covered by a simulated
life insurance policy as described in Appendix A dies during a Plan Year, the policy cash surrender value will be excluded from the
calculation of both the beginning of year and end of year portfolio cash surrender values.

2.1.2       
Simulated Investment Number Two shall track the value of a simulated investment account comprised of both principal and
accumulated net after-tax interest earnings. Principal contributions to this account will be equal to premium contributions made to
Simulated Investment Number One and credited at the same time as premium contributions. Pre-tax interest earnings shall be based on
the Federal Funds Rate. This rate shall be adjusted quarterly. Simulated Investment Number Two assumes the income tax rate to be
the Corporation's highest marginal tax rate for the current calendar year, and assumes that interest (net of tax) shall be
compounded on an annual basis at the end of each Plan Year. The annual growth is calculated as follows:

Total account value at the end of the Plan Year

minus

Total account value at the beginning of the Plan
Year

           
The
following example will illustrate this calculation:

  
  	

Account value -
12/31/99*

      	

 $1,027,000

      
	

Account value -
12/31/98

      	

 $1,000,000

      
	     Simulated Investment Number

             Two growth for
1999

      	 $27,000

    

*Assumes 4.5 percent Federal Funds Rate and 40 percent tax
bracket.

For
purposes of this calculation, if an individual covered by a simulated
life insurance policy as described in Appendix A dies during a Plan Year, the principal and

4

   

 

cumulative interest earnings associated
with the premium contributions from that policy will be excluded from the calculation of both the beginning of year and end of year
account values.

2.2       
Allocated Earnings.  The earnings allocated to the Executive's Retirement Account shall equal the growth for the
applicable Plan Year of Simulated Investment Number One under Section 2.1.1 minus the growth for the applicable Plan Year of
Simulated Investment Number Two under Section 2.1.2. This amount shall then be divided by the Adjustment Rate as defined in Section
1.1 and then multiplied by the allocation percentage from Appendix B. If the growth of Simulated Investment Number Two exceeds the
growth of Simulated Investment Number One (earnings deficit) for any Plan Year, no amount is allocated to the Executive's
Retirement Account for that year. In addition, subsequent Allocated Earnings must first be reduced by the Executive's allocated
portion of the cumulative remaining earnings deficit from prior years before allocation to the Executive's Retirement Account.

2.3       
Retirement Account.  The Corporation shall establish a Retirement Account on its books for the Executive,
which shall be equal to the cumulative Allocated Earnings (as determined under Section 2.2) as of the end of the applicable Plan
Year.

2.4       
Statement of Accounts.  The Corporation or its successor shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty
(120) days after each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the Retirement Account balance, as well as copies of all supporting
documentation requested by the Executive showing the manner in which such Retirement Account balance is calculated.

2.5       
Accounting Device Only.  he Retirement Account and Simulated Investments are solely devices for measuring amounts
to be paid under this Agreement. They are not a trust fund of any kind. The Executive is a general unsecured creditor of the
Corporation for the payment of benefits. The benefits represent the mere Corporation promise to pay such benefits. The Executive's
rights are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or
garnishment by the Executive's creditors.

Article 3

Normal Retirement

3.1       
Normal Retirement Benefit.  Subject to the general limitations of Article 9, upon reaching the Normal Retirement
Age while in full-time employment with the Corporation, the Executive shall be entitled to both the primary and secondary
retirement benefits described in Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.

3.1.1       
Primary Normal. Retirement Benefit.  Commencing within one hundred twenty (120)days after the end of the
Plan Year following the Executive's Normal Retirement Date, the Corporation shall pay the Primary Normal Retirement Benefit to the
Executive which is equal to the Executive's Retirement Account balance as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding the
Executive's Normal Retirement Date. The Primary Normal Retirement Benefit shall be paid over a fifteen (15) year period in equal
annual installments.

5

   

3.1.2       
Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit.  Commencing within one hundred twenty (120)days following the end of
the Plan Year following the Executive's Normal Retirement Date, and continuing until the Executive's death, the Corporation shall
pay the Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit to the Executive. The Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit shall be paid annually in an
amount calculated as follows:

(After-tax earnings for the Plan Year on Simulated Investment
Number One

minus

After-tax earnings for the Plan Year on Simulated Investment Number
Two)

divided

by the Adjustment Rate

multiplied

by the Allocation Percentage as determined by Appendix
B

minus

Excess Benefit Payment as defined in section 1.5

If the after-tax earnings on Simulated Investment Number Two exceed the
after-tax earnings on Simulated Investment Number One (earnings deficit) for any Plan Year following the Executive's Normal
Retirement Date, no payment will be made under this section. In addition, subsequent payment under this section must first be
reduced by the cumulative remaining earnings deficit from prior years. Earnings shall be determined pursuant to the method set
forth in Section 2.1 hereof.

Article 4

Early Termination of Employment

If the Executive's Termination of Employment occurs prior to Normal
Retirement Age, the Corporation shall pay to the Executive the Primary Normal Retirement Benefit as described in Section 3.1.1 and
Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit as described in Section 3.1.2, subject to the following vesting
schedule:

	
Plan Years

	
Vested Percentage

	
0-4 years

	
0%

	
5 or more years

	
100%

Payment of the Primary Normal Retirement Benefit shall be based on the
Executive's Retirement Account balance as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding the Executive's Normal Retirement Age,
including any Allocated Earnings after the Executive's Termination of Employment. Payments shall be made in 15 equal annual
installments commencing within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the Plan Year following the Executive's Normal
Retirement Age. The Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit shall be paid annually as described in Section 3.1.2 commencing within one
hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the Plan Year following the Executive's Normal Retirement Age.

6

   

Article 5

Competition After Termination of Employment

The Executive shall forfeit his right to any further Primary Normal
Retirement Benefit or Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit under this Agreement if the Executive, after termination of employment,
without the prior written consent of the Corporation, engages in, becomes interested in, directly or indirectly, as a sole
proprietor, as a partner in a partnership, or as a substantial shareholder in a corporation, or becomes associated with, in the
capacity of an employee, director, officer, principal, agent, trustee or in any other capacity whatsoever with any business
enterprise providing services similar to those the Executive provides to the Corporation or its affiliates, or with any business
enterprise providing or offering goods or services identical to or reasonably substitutable for the corporation conducted in the
trading area (a 50 mile radius) of the Corporation.

Article 6

Change of Control

6.1       
If the Executive is in full-time employment with the Corporation at the date of a Change of Control, the Bank shall pay the
Primary Normal Retirement Benefit and the Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit described in Section 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 calculated as if
the Executive has reached the Executive's Normal Retirement Age with the Corporation. Payments of the Executive's Primary Normal
Retirement Benefit shall be made in 15 equal annual installments commencing with the Executive's Normal Retirement Date. Payments
of the Executive's Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit shall be made in annual installments payable over the number of years from
the Executive's Normal Retirement Date until the Executive's expected mortality age of 85. Upon a Change of Control, no additional
participants shall be added to the plan and no further changes shall be made to the allocations set forth on Appendix B, except
upon the death of an existing participant.

6.2       
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1, the Corporation shall have the option to elect to pay to the Executive, in lieu
of any of the benefits under this Agreement, a lump sum cash benefit equal to 110% of the sum of (a) the Retirement Account Balance
at the date of the Change of Control, and (b) the present value of the Secondary Normal Retirement Benefit from the date of the
Change of Control through the Executive's age 85. This benefit will be calculated using (1) the policy crediting rates and
mortality rates in effect for Simulated Investment Number One at the date of the Change of Control, (2) the Federal Funds Rate in
effect for Simulated Investment Number Two at the date of the Change of Control, and (3) the Corporation's highest marginal tax
rate for the calendar year preceding the date of the Change of Control. The discount rate for purposes of calculating this present
value shall be the bank's prime rate of interest.

Article 7

Death Benefits

Upon the Executive's death, the Corporation shall pay to the Executive's
beneficiary the Executive's Retirement Account balance as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding the

7

   

 Executive's death.
The Corporation shall pay the death benefit as calculated above to the beneficiary in a lump sum within one hundred twenty (120)
days following the Executive's death.

Article 8

Beneficiaries

8.1       
Beneficiary Designations.  The Executive shall designate a beneficiary by filing a written designation with the
Corporation. The Executive may revoke or modify the designation at any time by filing a new designation. However, designations will
only be effective if signed by the Executive and accepted by the Corporation during the Executive's lifetime. The Executive's
beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the beneficiary predeceases the Executive, or if the Executive
names a spouse as beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary
designation, all payments shall be made to the Executive's estate.

8.2       
Facility of Payment.  If a benefit is payable to a minor, to a person declared incompetent, or to a person
incapable of handling the disposition of his or her property the Corporation may pay such benefit to the guardian, legal
representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Corporation may
require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Such
distribution shall completely discharge the Corporation from all liability with respect to such
benefit.

Article 9

General Limitations

9.1       
Termination for Cause.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Corporation shall not
pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Corporation terminates the Executive's employment
for:

(a)            Gross
negligence or gross neglect of duties;

(b)           
Conviction for a felony or a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or

(c) Fraud, disloyalty, dishonesty or willful violation of any law or
significant Corporation policy committed in connection with the Executive's employment and resulting in an adverse material effect
on the Corporation.

With respect to clauses (a) and (c) above, the Executive shall not be
considered Terminated for Cause until the Corporation has delivered notice to the Executive specifying the conduct deemed to
constitute cause and allowed a reasonable time (not less than 30 days) within which the Executive may take corrective
action.

9.2       
Suicide or Misstatement.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Corporation shall
not pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive commits suicide within two years after the date of this Agreement, or if
the Executive has made any material misstatement of fact on any application for life insurance purchased by the Corporation or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

8

   

Article 10

Claims and Review Procedures

10.1       
Claims Procedure.  The Corporation shall notify any person or entity that makes a claim against the Agreement (the
“Claimant”) in writing, within ninety (90)days of Claimant's written application for benefits, of his or her
eligibility or non-eligibility for benefits under the Agreement. If the Corporation determines that the Claimant is not eligible
for benefits or full benefits, the notice shall set forth (1) the specific reasons for such denial, (2) a specific reference to the
provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based, (3) a description of any additional information or material necessary for
the Claimant to perfect his or her claim, and a description of why it is needed, and (4) an explanation of the Agreement's claims
review procedure and other appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to have the claim reviewed.
If the Corporation determines that there are special circumstances requiring additional time to make a decision, the Corporation
shall notify the Claimant of the special circumstances and the date by which a decision is expected to be made, and may extend the
time for up to an additional ninety (90) days.

10.2       
Review Procedure.  If the Claimant is determined by the Corporation not to be eligible for benefits, or
if the Claimant believes that he or she is entitled to greater or different benefits, the Claimant shall have the opportunity
to have such claim reviewed by the Corporation by filing a petition for review with the Corporation within sixty (60) days after
receipt of the notice issued by the Corporation. Said petition shall state the specific reasons which the Claimant believes
entitles him or her to benefits or to greater or different benefits. Within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Corporation of the
petition, the Corporation shall afford the Claimant (and counsel, if any) an opportunity to present his or her position to the
Corporation verbally or in writing, and the Claimant (or counsel) shall have the right to review the pertinent documents. The
Corporation shall notify the Claimant of its decision in writing within the 60-day period, stating specifically the basis of its
decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant and the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the
decision is based.  If, because of the need for a hearing, the 60-day period is not sufficient, the decision may be deferred
for up to another sixty (60) days at the election of the Corporation, but notice of this deferral shall be given to the
Claimant.

Article 11

Amendments and Termination

This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreement
signed by the Corporation and the Executive.

Article 12

Administration

12.1       
Administration.  Unless otherwise determined by the Corporation's Board of Directors (“Board”), the
Board or its designee shall be the named fiduciary and shall act for the Corporation under this
Agreement.

9

   

12.2       
Powers of the Corporation.  The Corporation shall have all powers necessary to administer this Agreement,
including, without limitation, powers:

(a) to interpret the provisions of the Agreement; and

(b) to establish rules for the administration of the Agreement and to
prescribe any forms required to administer the Agreement.

12.3       
Actions of the Corporation.  All determinations, interpretations, rules, and decisions of the Corporation shall be
conclusive and binding upon all persons having or claiming to have any interest or right under this
Agreement.

Article 13

Miscellaneous

13.1       
Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Corporation, and their beneficiaries, survivors,
executors, administrators and transferees.

13.2       
Non-Transferability.  Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or
encumbered in any manner.

13.3       
Tax Withholding.  The Corporation shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld from the benefits
provided under this Agreement.

13.4       
Applicable Law.  The Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia,
except to the extent preempted by the laws of the United States of America.

13.5       
Unfunded Arrangement.  The Executive is a general unsecured creditor of the Corporation for the payment of benefits
under this Agreement.  The benefits represent the mere promise by the Corporation to pay such benefits. The rights to benefits
are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or
garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive's life or any other asset held in connection with this Agreement is a
general asset of the Corporation to which the Executive has no preferred or secured
claim.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized Corporation officer
have signed this Agreement.

                       
                       
           
            CORPORATION:

                       
                       
           
            UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.

                       
                       
           
            By:             /s/ Christopher
J. Bledsoe                    

                       
                       
           
            Title:    
           
SVP/CFO                         
           

 

10

   

                       
                       
           
            EXECUTIVE:

 

                       
                       
                       
            /s/ Jimmy C.
Tallent             
           

                       
                       
           
            Jimmy C. Tallent

 

 

11

   

Appendix A

Simulated Policy Data

 

	
Insured

	
Insurer

	
Policy No.

	
Product Type

	
Issue

Date

	
Classification

	
Tallent, Jimmy C.

	
AH

	
AH5052195

	
ESPIVNO

	
12/31/98

	
Standard S

	
Tallent, Jimmy C.

	
AH

	
AH5052196

	
ESPIVNO

	
12/31/98

	
Standard S

AH = Alexander Hamilton Life Insurance Company

12

   

Appendix B

	
Executives

	
Initial Points

	
Initial Allocation Percent*

	
  
	
  
	
  

	
Jimmy C. Tallent

	
18.33

	
18.33%

	
Other Participants

	
81.67

	
81.67%

	
  
	
  
	
  

	
Total

	
100.00

	
100.00%

*If an Executive included above dies during a Plan Year, the Points
allocated to that person above shall be eliminated and the allocated percentages shall be recalculated for that Plan Year and all
subsequent Plan Years.

For example, assume the following Executives are in the plan with the
following Points and Initial Allocation Percent:

	
Executives

	
Points

	
Initial Allocation Percent

	
Executive A

	
50

	
50%

	
Executive B

	
30

	
30%

	
Executive C

	
20

	
20%

			
	
Total

	
100

	
100%

Executive A dies, the Points remain the same, but the Allocation Percent
changes, as follows:

	
Executives

	
Points

	
Revised Allocation Percent

	
Executive B

	
30

	
60% (30 ÷ 50)

	
Executive C

	
20

	
40% (20 ÷ 50)

	
  
	
  
	
  

	
Total

	
50

	
100%

 

 

13

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