Document:

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - R. BROOKS SHERMAN

 Exhibit 10.20 
  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
  
 THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is
entered into this 11th day of September, 2002, by and between Inergy GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and R. Brooks Sherman Jr., an individual (the “Employee”). 
  
 The parties agree as follows: 
  
 1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Employee and the Employee agrees to be employed by the Company as the Senior Vice President—Chief Financial Officer of the Company upon the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, commencing on the date hereof and continuing until terminated as provided in Section 12 below. The Employee shall report to the President of the Company. The Employee shall be appointed to the Company’s senior
management team which sets the strategic direction of the Company. 
  
 2. Compensation. For all services rendered by
the Employee to the Company, the Company shall pay the Employee a salary at the annual rate of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) (the “Salary”), payable in arrears in accordance with the Company’s general payroll
practices. Effective October 1, 2002, the Salary shall be One Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($170,000) per annum. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any applicable withholding or other taxes. 

 
 3. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Employee for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred and paid by the Employee
in the course of the performance of the Employee’s duties pursuant to this Agreement and consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, and subject to
the Company’s requirements with respect to the manner of approval and reporting of such expenses. 
  
 4.
Additional Benefits: 
  
 (a) The Employee shall be eligible for such fringe benefits, if any, by way
of insurance, hospitalization and vacations normally provided to other members of the executive management of the Company generally and such additional benefits as may be from time to time agreed upon in writing between the Employee and the Company.

  
 (b) Commencing the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, the Company agrees to pay the Employee
certain performance bonuses based on targeted Distributable Cash Flow (“DCF”) (as defined below) of Inergy, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and an affiliate of the Company, and for each subsequent fiscal year during the term of this
Agreement. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, the Company shall establish a targeted DCF, and the Employee will receive a cash bonus to be paid by December 31, 2002 in the amount of: (i) $50,000, if Inergy, L.P. has actual DCF equal to
or greater than targeted DCF for such fiscal year but less than 110% of targeted DCF for 

 

 such fiscal year; (ii) $75,000, if Inergy, L.P. has actual DCF equal to or greater than 110% of targeted DCF but less
than 120% of targeted DCF during such fiscal year; or (iii) $100,000, if Inergy, L.P. has actual DCF equal to or greater than 120% of targeted DCF during such fiscal year. For each fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002
as to which there is to be a bonus under this Section 4(b), the Company shall establish a targeted DCF, and the Employee will receive a cash bonus to be paid within three months after the end of such fiscal year in the amount of: (i) $100,000, if
Inergy, L.P. has actual DCF equal to or greater than targeted DCF for such fiscal year but less than 110% of targeted DCF for such fiscal year; (ii) $125,000, if Inergy, L.P. has actual DCF equal to or greater than 110% of targeted DCF but less than
120% of targeted DCF during such fiscal year; or (iii) $150,000, if Inergy, L.P. has actual DCF equal to or greater than 120% of targeted DCF during such fiscal year. For purposes of this Section 4(b), DCF shall mean, for the relevant fiscal year,
EBITDA of Inergy, L.P. and its subsidiaries minus cash interest expense and minus maintenance capital expenditures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to receive a bonus pursuant to this Section 4(b), the Employee must have been continuously
employed by the Company from the date hereof until the end of the relevant fiscal year. 
  
 (c) As
part of the initial public offering on July 31, 2001 by Inergy, L.P. of common units representing limited partner interests of Inergy, L.P.: 
  
 (i) Inergy, L.P. issued senior and junior subordinated units (collectively, the “Subordinated Units”) that have a yield equal to (but subordinated to) the yield on the publicly-traded common
units; 
  
 (ii) The subordination period on the Subordinated Units will end once Inergy, L.P. meets
the financial tests set forth in its partnership agreement, but it generally cannot end before June 30, 2006 with respect to the senior subordinated units and June 30, 2008 with respect to the junior subordinated units. When the applicable
subordination period ends, all remaining Subordinated Units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis and will receive distributions pro rata with all other common units; and 
  
 (iii) As set forth in Inergy, L.P.’s partnership agreement, the Subordinated Units may convert to common units in whole or in part. 

 
 The Employee shall receive cash bonuses totaling $200,000 as the subordination period of the Subordinated Units terminates, such bonuses to be paid
within sixty (60) days after the date of such termination on a proportional basis, so that by way of example, if the subordination period terminates with respect to 25% of the Subordinated Units on December 31, 2004, the Employee will receive a cash
bonus in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) on or before March 2, 2005. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to receive a bonus with respect to the termination of the subordination period for any Subordinated Units, the Employee must
have been continuously employed by the Company from the date hereof until the date of such termination. 

 
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 5. Duties. The Employee agrees that so long as he is employed under this
Agreement he will (i) to the satisfaction of the Company devote his best efforts and his entire business time to further properly the interests of the Company, (ii) at all times be subject to the Company’s direction and control with respect to
his activities on behalf of the Company, (iii) comply with all rules, orders and regulations of the Company, (iv) truthfully and accurately maintain and preserve such records and make all reports as the Company may require, and (v) fully account for
all monies and other property of the Company of which he may from time to time have custody and deliver the same to the Company whenever and however directed to do so. 
  
 6. Disclosure and Assignment of Inventions: 
  
 (a) The Employee agrees that any Inventions (as hereinafter defined) that he, alone or with others, may conceive, develop, make or perfect, in whole or in part, during his employment by the Company that relate or pertain in
any way to the existing or reasonably anticipated scope of the Company’s or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company’s business, or that he, alone or with others, may conceive, make or perfect in whole or in part, in the
performance of the duties of his employment by the Company, shall be promptly and fully disclosed in writing immediately by the Employee to the Company (but to no other person or persons prior to procuring patents therefor). All of the right, title
and interest in and to any Invention shall be and hereby is assigned exclusively to the Company or its nominee regardless of whether or not the conception, development, making or perfection of such Inventions involved the use of the Company’s
time, facilities or materials and regardless of where such Inventions may be conceived, made or perfected and shall become the sole property of the Company or its nominee. For purposes hereof, the term “Inventions” shall mean inventions,
discoveries, ideas, concepts, systems, works, trade secrets, know-how, intellectual property, products, processes or improvements or modifications of current products, processes or designs, or methods of manufacture, distribution, management or
otherwise (whether or not covered by or able to be covered by a patent or copyright). 
  
 (b) The
Employee agrees to execute and deliver all documents and do all acts which the Company shall deem necessary or desirable to secure to the Company or its nominee the entire right, title and interest in and to said Inventions, including, without
limitation, applications for any United States and/or Foreign Letters Patent or Certificates of Copyright Registration in the name of or for the benefit of the Company or, in the discretion of the Company, in the Employee’s name, which patents
and copyrights shall then be assigned by the Employee to the Company. Any document described above prepared and filed pursuant to this subsection shall be so prepared and filed at the Company’s expense. The Employee hereby irrevocably appoints
the President of the Company as his attorney-in-fact with authority to execute for him and on his behalf any and all assignments, patent or copyright applications, or other instruments and documents required to be executed by the Employee pursuant
to this subsection, if the Employee is unwilling or unable to execute same. 
  
 (c) The Company shall
have no obligation to use, attempt to protect by application for Letters Patent or Certificates of Copyright Registration or promote any of 

 
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 said Inventions; provided, however, that the Company, in its sole discretion, may reward the Employee for any especially
meritorious contributions in any manner it deems appropriate or may provide the Employee with full or partial releases as to any subject matter contributed by the Employee in which the Company is not interested. 
  
 7. Covenant Not to Disclose Confidential Information. The Employee acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company
he has or will have access to and knowledge of certain information and data that the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company considers confidential and that the release of such information or data to unauthorized persons or
entities would be extremely detrimental to the Company. As a consequence, the Employee hereby agrees and acknowledges that he owes a duty to the Company not to disclose, and agrees that, during or after the term of his employment, without the prior
written consent of the Company, he will not communicate, publish or disclose, to any person or entity anywhere or use (for the his own benefit or the benefit of others) any Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) for any purpose other than
carrying out his duties as contemplated by this Agreement. The Employee will use his best efforts at all times to hold in confidence and to safeguard any Confidential Information to ensure that any unauthorized persons or entities do not gain
possession of any Confidential Information and, in particular, will not permit any Confidential Information to be read, duplicated or copied. The Employee will return to the Company all originals and copies of documents and other materials, whether
in printed or electric format or otherwise, containing or derived from Confidential Information in the Employee’s possession or under the Employee’s control when the duties of the Employee no longer require the Employee’s possession
thereof, or whenever the Company shall so request, and in any event will return all such Confidential Information within ten (10) days if the employment relationship with the Company is terminated for any or no reason and will not retain any copies
thereof. The Employee acknowledges that the Employee is obligated to protect the Confidential Information from disclosure or use even after termination of such employment relationship. For purposes hereof, the term “Confidential
Information” shall mean any information or data used by or belonging or relating to the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company, or any party to whom the Company owes a duty of confidentiality that is not known generally
to the industry in which the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company, or any party to whom the Company owes a duty of confidentiality is or may be engaged, including without limitation, any and all trade secrets, proprietary
data and information relating to the Company’s or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company’s, or any party to whom the Company owes a duty of confidentiality past, present or future business and products, price lists, customer
lists, processes, procedures or standards, know-how, manuals, hardware, software, source code, business strategies, records, marketing plans, drawings, technical information, specifications, designs, patent information, financial information,
whether or not reduced to writing, or information or data that the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company or any party to whom the Company owes a duty of confidentiality advises the Employee should be treated as confidential
information. Confidential Information does not include any information that: (i) is rightfully known to Employee prior to Employee’s employment, and independent of any disclosure or access to the information via the Company as evidenced by
Employee’s written records; or (ii) is or later becomes part of the public domain and known within the relevant industry through no fault of Employee. 

 
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 8. Covenant Not to Compete. The Employee acknowledges that during his employment
with the Company he, at the expense of the Company, has been and will be specially trained in the business of the Company, has established and will continue to establish favorable relations with the customers, clients, accounts and lenders of the
Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company and will have access to Inventions, trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company. Therefore, in consideration of such
training and relations, his employment with the Company, and to further protect the Inventions, trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company, the Employee agrees that for a period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the later of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date hereof, or (ii) the date of termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall have the option to
extend such period of time by an additional one year period by electing to continue to pay the Employee’s salary at the time of termination (including, without limitation, a termination due to the fulfillment of the term of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof), payable bi-monthly in arrears, he will not, directly or indirectly, without the express written consent of the Company, except when and as requested to do in and about the performing of his duties under this
Agreement: 
  
 (a) own, manage, operate, control or participate in the ownership, management,
operation or control of, or have any interest, financial or otherwise, in or act as an officer, director, partner, member, principal, employee, agent, representative, consultant or independent contractor of, or in any way assist, any individual or
entity in the conduct of any business that is engaged or may become engaged in any business competitive to any business now or at any time during the period hereof engaged in by the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company (if
the Company is then engaged in such business), including, but not limited to, any business that trades, markets or distributes propane gas (at retail, wholesale or otherwise), gathers, processes, stores, transports, trades, markets or distributes
natural gas or liquefied by-products of natural gas or petroleum (at retail, wholesale or otherwise) or sells, services and installs parts, appliances or supplies related thereto; 
  
 (b) divert or attempt to divert clients or customers (whether or not such persons have done business with the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate
of the Company once or more than once) or accounts of the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company; or 
  
 (c) entice or induce or in any manner influence any person who is or shall be in the employ or service of the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company to leave such employ or
service for the purpose of engaging in a business that may be in competition with any business now or at any time during the period hereof engaged in by the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company. 
  
 Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Employee may own not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding equity securities in any corporation or entity
(including, but not limited to, units in a master limited partnership) that is listed upon a national stock exchange or actively traded in the over-the-counter market. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Employee shall not, directly or
indirectly, without the express written consent of the Company, except 

 
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 when and as requested to do in and about the performing of his duties under this Agreement, engage in
any actions under subsections (a), (b) or (c) above, at any time the Company is making payments to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement. 
  
 9. Legal Proceedings to Compel Disclosure. In the event that the Employee is requested, pursuant to, or required by applicable law or regulation, or by legal process, to disclose any Confidential
Information or Inventions, the Employee shall use the Employee’s best efforts to promptly notify the Company of such request and enable the Company or any subsidiary, parent or affiliate of the Company to seek an appropriate protective order.
In the event that such a protective order or other protective remedy is not obtained, Employee shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information or Inventions that is legally required, in the opinion of the Employee’s counsel, and
will exercise the Employee’s best efforts to obtain reliable assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information or Inventions. 
  
 10. Specific Performance. Recognizing that irreparable damage will result to the Company in the event of the breach or threatened breach of any of the foregoing covenants
and assurances by the Employee contained in Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9 hereof, and that the Company’s remedies at law for any such breach or threatened breach will be inadequate, the Company and its successors and assigns, in addition to such other
remedies which may be available to them, shall be entitled to an injunction, including a mandatory injunction, to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction ordering compliance with this Agreement or enjoining and restraining the Employee, and
each and every person, firm or company acting in concert or participation with him, from the continuation of such breach and, in addition thereto, he shall pay to the Company all ascertainable damages, including costs and reasonable attorneys’
fees sustained by the Company by reason of the breach or threatened breach of said covenants and assurances. The covenants and obligations of the Employee set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 hereof are in addition to and not in lieu of or exclusive
of any other obligations and duties of the Employee to the Company, whether express or implied in fact or in law. 
  
 11. Potential Unenforceability of Any Provision. If a final judicial determination is made that any provision of this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against the Employee, the provisions hereof shall be rendered void only
to the extent that such judicial determination finds such provisions unenforceable, and such unenforceable provisions shall automatically be reconstituted and become a part of this Agreement, effective as of the date first written above, to the
maximum extent in favor of the Company that is lawfully enforceable. A judicial determination that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable shall in no instance render the entire Agreement unenforceable, but rather the Agreement will
continue in full force and effect absent any unenforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by law. 
  
 12.
Term and Termination: 
  
 (a) Subject to Sections 12(b) and 12(c) below, the term of the
Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be five (5) years from the date hereof. 

 
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 (b) Notwithstanding Section 12(a) above, the Employee’s
employment with the Company shall terminate immediately upon the death, disability or adjudication of legal incompetence of the Employee, or upon the Company’s ceasing to carry on its business without assigning this Agreement pursuant to
Section 20 or becoming bankrupt. For purposes of this Agreement, the Employee shall be deemed to be disabled when the Employee has become unable, by reason of physical or mental disability, to satisfactorily perform his essential job duties and
there is no reasonable accommodation that can be provided to enable him to be a qualified individual with a disability under applicable law. Such matters shall be determined by, or to the reasonable satisfaction of, the Company. 

 
 (c) Notwithstanding Section 12(a) above, the Company may terminate the Employee’s employment at any time
for Cause or without Cause. “Cause” means (i) the Employee has failed to perform the duties assigned to him and such failure has continued for thirty (30) days following delivery by the Company of written notice to the Employee of such
failure, (ii) the Employee has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, (iii) the Employee has engaged in acts or omissions against the Company constituting dishonesty, breach of fiduciary obligation, or intentional
wrongdoing or misfeasance, (iv) the Employee has acted intentionally or in bad faith in a manner that results in a material detriment to the assets, business or prospects of the Company, or (v) the Employee has breached any obligation under this
Agreement. 
  
 (d) In the event (x) the Company elects to terminate the Employee’s employment
with the Company for Cause or as a result of the death, disability, adjudication of legal incompetence of the Employee or the Company’s ceasing to carry on its business without assigning this Agreement pursuant to Section 20 or becoming
bankrupt, or (y) the Employee terminates his employment with the Company for any reason or no reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Employee: 
  
 (i) such Salary as the Employee shall have earned up to the date of his termination; 
  
 (ii) such earned but unpaid performance bonus, if any, pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; 
  
 (iii) such earned but unpaid subordination bonus, if any, pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof; and 
  
 (iv) such other fringe benefits (other than any bonus, severance pay benefit or participation in the Company’s 401(k) employee benefit plan) normally
provided to employees of the Company as the Employee shall have earned up to the date of his termination. 
  
 (e) In the event the Company elects to terminate the Employee’s employment with the Company during the five (5)-year period referred to in Section 12(a) above and such termination is without Cause, the Company shall pay to the
Employee: 

 
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 (i) the unpaid amount of the Employee’s Salary for the
remainder of the term of this Agreement, with such amount to be paid bi-monthly in arrears; 
  
 (ii)
such earned but unpaid performance bonus, if any, pursuant to Section 4(b); 
  
 (iii) such earned but
unpaid subordination bonus, if any, pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof; and 
  
 (iv) such other fringe
benefits (other than any bonus, severance pay benefit or participation in the Company’s 401(k) employee benefit plan) normally provided to employees of the Company as the Employee shall have earned up to the date of his termination.

  
 13. Waiver of Breach. Failure of the Company to demand strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants or
conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of the term, covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment by the Company of any right or power hereunder at any one time or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of the right
or power at any other time or times. 
  
 14. No Breach. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that
neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement, nor the performance of the Employee’s obligations hereunder will conflict with, or result in a breach of, any term, condition, or provision of, or constitute a default under, any obligation,
contract, agreement, covenant or instrument to which the Employee is a party or under which the Employee is bound, including without limitation, the breach by the Employee of a fiduciary duty to any former employers. 
  
 15. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement cancels and supersedes all previous agreements relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement, written or oral, between the Company or its affiliates and the Employee (including that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2000, between Inergy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the Employee, as
amended by that certain First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 19, 2001, between Inergy Partners, LLC and the Employee, both of which were subsequently assigned by Inergy Partners, LLC to the Company) and contains the entire
understanding of the parties hereto and shall not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner whatsoever except as otherwise provided herein or in writing signed by each of the parties hereto. 
  
 16. Harassment Policy. The Employee acknowledges that the Employee has been provided a copy of the Company’s policy against
discrimination and harassment in the workplace, which includes complaint reporting procedures, and agrees to comply with such policy and affirmatively support the Company’s commitment to an equal opportunity work environment free from illegal
harassment or discrimination. 
  
 17. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall in no way restrict or otherwise modify any of the terms or provisions hereof. 

 
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 18. Governing Law. This Agreement and all rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Missouri applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within the State, including all matters of enforcement, validity and
performance. 
  
 19. Notice. Any notice, request, consent or communication under this Agreement shall be effective
only if it is in writing and personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, with delivery confirmed, addressed as follows: 
  
 If to the Company: 
  
 
	 Name:
 	 	 With Copy To:
 
	 
	 Inergy GP, LLC
 	 	 Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP
 
	 2 Brush Creek Blvd., Suite 200
 	 	 1201 Walnut Street, Suite 2800
 
	 Kansas City, Missouri 64112
 	 	 Kansas City, Missouri 64106-2150
 
	 Attn: John J. Sherman
 	 	 Attn: Paul E. McLaughlin
 

 
  
 If to the Employee: 
  
 
	 R. Brooks Sherman Jr.
 
	 2 Brush Creek Blvd., Suite 200
 
	 Kansas City, Missouri 64112
 

 
  
 or such other persons and/or addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any party to
the other party, and shall be deemed to have been given only upon its delivery in accordance with this Section 19. 
  
 20. Assignment. This Agreement is personal and not assignable by the Employee but it may be assigned by the Company without notice to or consent of the Employee to, and shall thereafter be binding upon and enforceable by, any
affiliate of the Company, and any person that shall acquire or succeed to substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (and such person shall be deemed included in the definition of the “Company” for all purposes of this
Agreement) but is not otherwise assignable by the Company. 
  
 21. Expenses. If any action at law or in equity is
necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

  
 22. Survival of Obligations. All obligations of the Employee that by their nature involve performance, in any
particular, after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, or that cannot be ascertained to have been fully performed until after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Employment Agreement to be duly
executed, and the Employee has hereunto set his hand, as of the day and year first above written. 
  
 
	  	  	 INERGY GP, LLC
 
	 
	 By:
 	  	 /s/    John J. Sherman
 

	  	  	 John J. Sherman, President
 
	  	  	  
	  	  	 /s/    R. Brooks Sherman, Jr.
 

	  	  	 R. Brooks Sherman Jr.
 

 

	

  

 
 10OPTION AGREEMENT - R. BROOKS SHERMAN/ INERGY

 Exhibit 10.21 
  
 OPTION CONTRACT 
  
 THIS OPTION CONTRACT (this “Option Contract”), is made
and entered into this 11th day of September, 2002 (the “Granting Date”), by and between INERGY HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and R. BROOKS SHERMAN JR. (the “Optionee”).

  
 WITNESSETH: 
  
 WHEREAS, the Company has in place an Amended and Restated Employee Option Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Option Plan”); and 
  
 WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Optionee the option to purchase a 3.5% Percentage Interest pursuant to the Option Plan;

  
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
  
 1. Grant of Option. 
  
 Subject to the terms, conditions and provisions contained in the Option Plan
and in this Option Contract, the Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and option (the “Option”) to invest in the Company, at the times and on the terms and conditions set forth herein, an aggregate of $3,211,498, subject to
adjustment as provided in the Option Plan (the “Option Price”), a Percentage Interest in the Company equal to 3.5%, subject to adjustment as provided in the Option Plan (the “Optioned Percentage”). 
  
 2. Exercise of Option. 
  
 The Option shall be exercisable in whole or in part (but the Option may not be exercisable in an amount less than a 0.5% Percentage Interest in the Company at any one time) by the Optionee by the giving of written notice of
exercise to the Company and by payment in cash within 180 days of such notice of an amount equal to the pro rata Option Price plus any applicable federal, state or local taxes for which the Company has a withholding obligation in connection with
such purchase, subject, however, to the following restrictions: 
  
 (a) The Option shall expire on,
and shall not be exercisable after, the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date hereof. 
  
 (b) The
Option shall not be exercisable before December 31, 2006; provided, however, if the Optionee ceases to be employed by Inergy GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Inergy GP”) or one of its affiliates by reason of his death or
disability or by reason of Inergy GP or one of its affiliates terminating his employment without Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between the Optionee and Inergy GP (the “Employment
Agreement”)), he or his legal representative shall have the 

 

  
 right to exercise that portion of the Option (up to the full amount of the
Option) that is equal to the number of full years he was continuously employed since the date hereof divided by five, so that by way of example, if the Optionee was continuously employed by Inergy GP or one of its affiliates for two and one-half
years before being terminated without Cause, he would have the right to exercise 40% of the Option. The Option may be exercised under this subsection 2(b) no later than 180 days following the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date hereof.

  
 (c) Except as provided in subsection 2(b) above, immediately upon the Optionee ceasing to be an
employee of Inergy GP or one of its affiliates, the Option, if not previously exercised, shall be null and void and the Optionee shall have no further rights and the Company shall have no further obligations hereunder; provided, however that in the
event that the Optionee ceases to be an employee of Inergy GP or one of its affiliates subsequent to December 31, 2006 and prior to the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date hereof other than because of Inergy GP’s or one of its affiliates’
termination of his employment for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement), this subsection 2(c) shall be of no force or effect and the Optionee shall have 180 days from the date of the Optionee’s termination to exercise the Option in
full in accordance with this Option Contract. 
  
 3. Incorporation of Option Plan. 
  
 The Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference into this Option Contract and made a part hereof. In the event of an inconsistency
between this Option Contract and the Option Plan, the specific terms of this Option Contract shall govern. 
  
 4.
Rights of Optionee. 
  
 The Optionee shall not be, nor shall he have any of the rights or privileges of, a Member of
the Company unless and until the Option has been exercised or the Optionee has otherwise become a Member of the Company. Upon becoming a Member of the Company, the Employee shall execute such agreements and documents as may be necessary or
appropriate, including Employee’s agreement to be bound by the Operating Agreement. 
  
 5. Securities Laws.

  
 The Percentage Interest subject to the option granted hereunder is an unlisted, unregistered security.
Accordingly, the Percentage Interest granted hereunder shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the Percentage Interest subject to such
grant upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or that the consent or approval of any government regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with such grant or the issue or purchase of
Percentage Interests, such grant shall be subject to the condition that such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the sole Voting Member of the
Company. 

 
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 6. Purchase Entirely for Own Account. 
  
 This Option Contract is made with the Optionee in reliance upon the Optionee’s representation to the Company, which by the
Optionee’s execution of this Option Contract the Optionee hereby confirms, that the Percentage Interests to be received by the Optionee will be acquired for investment for the Optionee’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with
a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Optionee has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Option Contract, the Optionee further
represents that he does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Percentage Interests. 

 
 7. Not an Employment Contract. 
  
 Nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring the Company (or any affiliate of the Company, including, but not limited to, Inergy GP) to employ the Optionee for any specific period.

  
 8. Nonassignability. 
  
 Except as otherwise herein provided, the Option herein granted and the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by
operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of the Option herein granted, or of any right or privilege conferred
hereby, or upon the levy of any attachment or similar process upon the rights and privileges conferred hereby, contrary to the provisions hereof, the Option and the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall immediately become null and void.

  
 9. Notice. 
  
 Any notice, request, consent or communication under this Option Contract shall be effective only if it is in writing and personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, with delivery confirmed, addressed as follows: 
  
 If to the Company: 
  
 
	 Name:
 	 	 With Copy To:
 
	 
	 Inergy Holdings, LLC
 	 	 Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP
 
	 2 Brush Creek Blvd., Suite 200
 	 	 1201 Walnut, Suite 2800
 
	 Kansas City, Missouri 64112
 	 	 Kansas City, Missouri 64106-2150
 
	 Attn: John J. Sherman
 	 	 Attn: Paul E. McLaughlin
 

 

 
 3 

  
 If to the Optionee: 
  
 R. Brooks Sherman Jr. 
 2 Brush Creek Blvd.,
Suite 200 
 Kansas City, Missouri 64112 
  
 or such other persons and/or addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any party to the other party, and shall be deemed to have been given only upon its delivery in accordance with this Section 9. 
  
 10. Binding Effect. 
  
 This Option Contract shall bind, and, except as specifically provided herein, shall inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, as applicable, of the parties hereto.

  
 11. Governing Law. 
  
 This Option Contract and the rights of all persons claiming hereunder shall be construed and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to its choice of law
provisions. 
  
 12. Entire Agreement. 
  
 This Option Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. 
  
 13. Counterparts. 
  
 This Option Contract may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 
  
 14. Successors and Assigns. 
  
 Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Option Contract shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Option Contract,
express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Option Contract, except as expressly
provided in this Option Contract. 
  
 15. Headings. The headings used in this Option Contract are used for
convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Option Contract. 

 
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Option Contract to be executed by
a duly authorized officer, and the Optionee has hereunto set his hand on the day and year first above written. 
  
 
	  	  	 INERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
 
	 
	  
 By:
 	  	 /s/    John J. Sherman
 

	  	  	 John J. Sherman, President
 
	  	  	  
	  	  	 /s/   R. Brooks Sherman, Jr.
 

	  	  	 R. Brooks Sherman Jr.
 

 

 
 5 

  
 EXHIBIT A 
  
 INERGY HOLDINGS, LLC 
  
 Amended and Restated
Employee Option Plan 
  
 (August 26, 2002) 
  
 (a) Options Granted. Upon the approval of a Voting Member Majority, the Company may from time to time grant options (“Employee Options”) to acquire Interests in
the Company to persons employed by the Company or by corporations, limited liability companies or other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest (“Affiliates”). Such Employee Options will be granted to acquire a specified
Percentage Interest (the “Optioned Percentage Interest”) for a specified dollar amount (the “Option Price”). Each such Employee Option shall be evidenced by an option contract in such form as a Voting Member Majority may approve.

  
 (b) Anti-Dilution Adjustments to Options: 
  
 (1) In the event that, subsequent to the granting of an Employee Option, capital contributions are made to the Company by Members or others and the holder
of such Employee Option does not contribute a percentage of such new capital equal to such holder’s Optioned Percentage Interest, then such Optioned Percentage Interest shall be reduced to a percentage equal to the previous Optioned Percentage
Interest times the ratio of John Sherman’s percentage interest in the Company after such capital contributions are made divided by John Sherman’s percentage interest in the Company before such capital contribution. 
  
 (2) In the event capital contributions are made to the Company by the Members or others and the holder of an Employee
Option contributes a percentage of such new capital equal to the Optioned Percentage Interest under such Employee Option, then the Optioned Percentage Interest (when combined with the interest acquired pursuant to this paragraph) and the Option
Price under such Employee Option shall remain unchanged. In such event, the holder of the Employee Option shall become a Nonvoting Member of the Company with a capital account equal to the amount so contributed and shall have a Percentage Interest
determined pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Limited Liability Company Agreement. If such holder subsequently exercises the Employee Option, (i) the holder’s Capital Account will be increased to an amount equal to the Optioned Percentage Interest
under such Employee Option times the Fair Value of the Company’s assets as determined under Section 3.5(b) of the Limited Liability Agreement of the Company, and (ii) all other Members’ Capital Accounts shall be adjusted to reflect the
disproportionate capital contribution being made in connection with such exercise as provided in Section 3.5(b) of the Limited Liability Company Agreement. 
  
 (3) In the event that, subsequent to the granting of an Employee Option, the percentage interest of a member of the Company is reduced by reason of a
distribution of property or otherwise (but not including a reduction resulting from capital contributions made by others), then the Optioned Percentage Interest in such Employee Option shall be increased to a percentage equal to the previous
Optioned Percentage Interest times the 

 

  
 ratio of John Sherman’s percentage interest in the Company after such
reduction in a member’s percentage interest divided by John Sherman’s percentage interest before such reduction. 
  
 (4) In the event of any Distributions in excess of the Company’s net income (on an aggregate basis and excluding any Section 754 adjustments) by the Company prior to the exercise of an Employee Option, the Option Price
of such Employee Option shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Optioned Percentage Interest times the amount of such Distribution, but the Option Price shall not be reduced below One Dollar ($1.00). 
  
 (c) Sale of Control. Upon any Sale of Control (as herein defined), each holder of an Employee Option shall be required to take such action
as may be requested by the Members participating in such Sale of Control to require such holder to exercise such Employee Option and participate in such Sale of Control upon the same terms and conditions as the Members participating in such Sale of
Control. Upon any Sale of Control, each holder of an Employee Option shall have the right to exercise such Employee Option whether or not it is then exercisable and shall further have the right to participate in such Sale of Control upon the same
terms and conditions as the Members participating in such Sale of Control. As used herein, a “Sale of Control” means a transfer (or a group of related transfers) for value of more than 50% of the Percentage Interests held by all Members.

  
 (d) Termination of Options. Options granted under this Plan shall terminate as provided in the Option Contract
and shall terminate upon the holder of the Employee Option ceasing to be an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates for any reason whatsoever, including termination by such holder, termination by the employer, death or disability of the
holder, or any other reason. 
  
 (e) Employee Options Holders Not Members. No holder of an Employee Option shall have
any rights as a Member of the Company by reason of the holding of such Employee Option. 
  
 (f) Amendments. This
Employee Option Plan may be amended, modified or terminated at any time by a Voting Member Majority; provided, however, no such amendment shall be effective as to any outstanding Option Contract to the extent it adversely affects the holder of the
Employee Option thereunder. 
  
 (g) Definitions. All initial capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein
shall have the meaning given them in the Limited Liability Agreement of the Company. 

 
 2

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