Document:

exv10w4

 

Exhibit 10.4

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 5, 2006, by
and between BAKERS FOOTWEAR GROUP, INC., a Missouri corporation (the “Company”), and Joe Vander
Pluym (“Employee”).

WITNESSETH :

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of Employee as an Executive Vice President
of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms
and conditions of the employment relationship between the Company and Employee.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises contained in this Agreement, and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

     1. Term. Employee’s term of employment (the “Employment Term”) under this Agreement
shall be one (1) year, commencing on August 25, 2006, and shall continue for a period through and
including August 24, 2007, and shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms, unless
(a) either party notifies the other in writing of its or his intention not to extend Employee’s
Employment Term at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the end of the then Employment Term, or
(b) the Employment Term is earlier terminated pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement.

     2. Duties. Employee shall perform all duties incident to the position of EVP of
Store Operations as well as any other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his designee, and agrees to abide by all By-laws,
policies, practices, procedures or rules of the Company.

 

 

     3. Exclusive Services and Best Efforts. Employee agrees to devote his best efforts,
energies and skill to the discharge of the duties and responsibilities attributable to his
position, and to this end, he will devote his full time and attention exclusively to the business
and affairs of the Company. Employee also agrees that he shall not take personal advantage of any
business opportunities that arise during his employment and that may benefit the Company. All
material facts regarding such opportunities must be promptly reported to the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer for consideration by the Company.

     4. Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Employee a salary,
at a rate per annum to be determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors, but in no event less than the rate per annum payable by the Company to the Employee
on the Effective Date, payable in equal installments at such payment intervals as are the usual
custom of the Company, but not less often than monthly.

     5. Bonus. Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Company Executive Bonus
Plan (the “Plan”) on the same basis as other participants at his level and pursuant to the terms of
the Plan in effect on the date eligibility for a bonus is determined.

     6. Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term and as otherwise provided herein,
Employee shall be entitled to participate in any and all employee welfare and health benefit plans
(including, but not limited to, medical insurance, dental insurance, and disability insurance
plans) and other employee benefit plans, including, but not limited to, the Company 401(k) plan,
established by the Company from time to time for the benefit of all executives of the Company.
Employee shall be entitled to paid vacation from work in accordance with the terms of the Company’s
vacation policy. Employee shall be required to comply with the conditions attendant to coverage by
such plans and policies and shall comply with and be entitled to benefits only in accordance with
the terms and conditions of such plans and policies as they may be amended

2

 

from time to time. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring the Company to
establish or continue any particular benefit plan in discharge of its obligations under this
Employment Agreement.

     7. Deduction from Salary and Benefits. The Company may withhold from any salary or
benefits payable to Employee all federal, state, local and other taxes and other amounts as
permitted or required pursuant to law or legal compulsion.

     8. Reimbursement of Business Expenses. Employee shall be paid or reimbursed for all
reasonable, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his
responsibilities and the promotion of the Company’s businesses, including any air travel, lodging,
and automobile and related travel expenses. Employee shall submit to the Company periodic
statements of all expenses so incurred. Subject to such audits as the Company may deem necessary,
the Company shall reimburse Employee the full amount of any such expenses advanced by him in the
ordinary course of business.

     9. Change of Control. (a) In the event that (i) there is a Change of Control of the
Company, and (ii) such Change of Control results in (a) a material diminution of the nature and
status of Employee’s duties and responsibilities or (b) the termination of Employee’s employment
without cause, Employee shall receive an aggregate payment in one lump sum within thirty (30) days
of such termination, totaling an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the Employee’s Base Salary
in effect at the time of Employee’s termination.

          (b) For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean there has been: (i) A
sale by the stockholders of the Company of more than 50% of either the then outstanding shares of
common stock or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (ii) A sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company; or (iii) A reorganization, merger or

3

 

consolidation, resulting in the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, immediately thereafter owing, directly or indirectly, less
than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of
the reorganized, merged or consolidated company. Any transaction referred to in this paragraph
must be to a party not related to a shareholder for the same to constitute a Change of Control.

     10. Death. The Employment Term shall terminate on the date of Employee’s death, in
which event Employee’s salary and benefits owing to Employee through the date of Employee’s death
shall be paid to his estate. Employee’s estate will not be entitled to any other compensation
under this Agreement.

     11. Disability. If, during the Employment Term, in the opinion of the Company,
Employee, because of physical or mental illness or incapacity, shall become unable to perform
substantially all of the duties and services required of him under this Agreement for a period of
sixty (60) days in the aggregate during any twelve-month period, the Company may, upon at least ten
(10) days’ prior written notice given at any time after the expiration of such sixty (60) day
period, notify Employee of its intention to terminate the Employment Term under this Agreement as
of the date set forth in the notice. In case of such termination, Employee shall be entitled to
receive salary, benefits and reimbursable expenses owing to Employee through the date of
termination. The Company shall have no further obligation or liability to Employee.

     12. Termination For Cause. (a) The Company may immediately terminate the Employment
Term under this Agreement for cause. Upon such termination, the Company shall be released from any
and all further obligations under this Agreement, except for accrued salary and benefits owing to
Employee through the effective date of the termination of the Employment Term. Employee’s other
obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to those

4

 

under Paragraph 14 (Non-Competition and Confidential Information) and Paragraph 16 (Other
Post-Employment Obligations), shall continue pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.

          (b) For the purposes of this Agreement, “cause” shall include, without limitation, the
following:

	 	(1)	 	failure or neglect by Employee to perform the duties of the
Employee’s position or meet the Company’s performance expectations;
	 
	 	(2)	 	failure of Employee to obey orders given by the Company or
supervisors;
	 
	 	(3)	 	misconduct in connection with the performance of any of
Employee’s duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or
property of the Company, securing or attempting to secure personally any profit
in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company,
misrepresentation to the Company, or any violation of law or regulations on
Company premises or while in the Company’s employ or to which the Company is
subject;
	 
	 	(4)	 	commission by Employee of an act involving moral turpitude,
dishonesty, theft or unethical business conduct, or conduct that impairs or
injures the reputation of, or harms, the Company;
	 
	 	(5)	 	disloyalty by Employee, including, without limitation, aiding a
competitor;
	 
	 	(6)	 	failure by Employee to devote his full time and best efforts to
the Company’s business and affairs;
	 
	 	(7)	 	failure by Employee to work exclusively for the Company;
	 
	 	(8)	 	failure to fully cooperate in any investigation by the Company;
	 
	 	(9)	 	any breach of this Agreement or Company rules;
	 
	 	(10)	 	any other act of misconduct by Employee; or
	 
	 	(11)	 	the elimination of Employee’s position.

          (c) If the Company terminates the Employment Term under this Agreement for cause as provided
in Paragraph 12(b)(11) above, Employee shall receive the equivalent of twelve (12) months of
Employee’s annual salary, less deductions required by law, payable in

5

 

one lump sum, if, and only if, Employee signs a valid general release of all claims against
the Company in a form provided by the Company.

     13. Expiration of Employment Agreement. If pursuant to Paragraph 1(a), the
Company notifies the Employee of its intention not to extend the Employee’s Employment Term, at the
expiration of the Employee Employment term, the employee shall receive the equivalent of six (6)
months of employee’s annual salary, less deductions required by law, payable in one lump sum, if,
and only if, Employee signs a valid general release of all claims against the Company in a form
provided by the Company.

     14. Termination Without Cause. In the event of a Change of Control, as that term is
defined in Paragraph 9, Employee’s Employment Term maybe terminated without cause upon thirty (30)
days written notice. Upon such termination, the Company shall be released from any and all further
obligations under this Agreement, except that the Company shall be obligated to pay Employee (i)
his salary and benefits owing to Employee through the day on which Employee’s employment is
terminated, and (ii) the amount described in Paragraph 9. Employee’s obligations under this
Agreement, including but not limited to those under Paragraphs 15 and 17, shall continue pursuant
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     15. Non-Competition and Confidential Information.

          (a) Non-Competition. The Company does business throughout the United
States. The entities listed on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference,
are competitors of the Company that also do business throughout the United States. During the
Employment Term and for a period of twelve (12) months after the termination for any reason of
Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee will not, without the prior written consent of the
Chairman and CEO of the Company or Board, if Employee is then the Chairman and CEO, in any manner,
directly or indirectly, either as an employee, owner,

6

 

partner, consultant, shareholder, director or officer, for himself or in behalf of any person,
firm, partnership, entity or corporation, work for, become employed by or interested directly or
indirectly in, or in any other way become employed by or interested directly or indirectly in, or
in any other way become associated with, any of the entities listed in Exhibit A or any of their
subsidiaries or affiliated or related entities, or any of their successors. The Board shall have
the right to modify, add to, or delete from the list set forth in Exhibit A, and may do so from
time to time until thirty (30) days after the end of the initial or any succeeding Employment Term,
by written notice pursuant to Paragraph 23 of this Agreement. The aforementioned twelve (12) month
time period shall be extended for a time period equal to the time period during which a violation
of Paragraph 15(a) exists.

          (b) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that he will have access to certain
proprietary and confidential information and trade secrets (“Confidential Information”) of the
Company, including, but not limited to, Company store volume data, sales projections, profit data,
lease terms, marketing and advertising strategies and plans, product information, cost information,
and financial information of the Company. Employee will not use or disclose any Confidential
Information during the Employment Term or thereafter other than in connection with performing
Employee’s services for the Company in accordance with this Agreement.

          (c) Enforcement. (1) Employee agrees that the restrictions set forth in this
Paragraph are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate
business interests. If any of the covenants set forth herein are deemed to be overbroad or
unenforceable the parties contemplate that such provisions shall be modified to make them
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

               (2) In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee of any of the provisions of this
Paragraph, (i) Employee acknowledges that the Company will be irreparably harmed and that money
damages may be an insufficient remedy to the Company;

7

 

and (ii) Employee shall pay all of the Company’s costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this
Agreement, whether or not litigation is commenced. Employee acknowledges that enforcement of the
provisions of this Paragraph by way of injunctive relief would not prevent Employee from earning a
livelihood.

          (d) The provisions of this Paragraph shall survive the termination of Employee’s employment,
regardless of the reason for the termination. The provisions of this Paragraph shall be deemed
independent of the other provisions of this Agreement and shall be enforceable in all events,
notwithstanding the termination of Employee’s employment or even a breach by the Company of any
provision of this Agreement.

     16. Representations and Warranties of Employee. Employee hereby represents and
warrants to the Company as follows: (a) Employee’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the performance of his obligations hereunder will not violate or be in conflict with any fiduciary
or other duty, instrument, agreement, document, arrangement or other understanding to which
Employee is a party or by which he is or may be bound or subject; and (b) Employee is not a party
to any instrument, agreement, document, arrangement or other understanding with any person (other
than the Company) requiring or restricting the use or disclosure of any confidential information or
the provision of any employment, consulting or other services.

     17. Other Post-Employment Obligations.

          (a) Company Property. All records, files, lists, including computer generated lists,
documents, computers, computer software programs, equipment, telephones, telephone numbers, and
similar items relating to the Company’s business that Employee shall prepare or receive from the
Company shall remain the Company’s sole and exclusive property. Upon termination of this
Agreement, Employee shall promptly return to the Company all property of the Company in his
possession. Employee further represents that he will not copy or cause to

8

 

be copied, print out or cause to be printed out any software, documents or other materials
originating with or belonging to the Company. Employee additionally represents that, upon
termination of his employment with the Company, he will not retain in his possession any such
software, documents or other materials.

          (b) Cooperation. Employee agrees that both during and after his employment he shall,
at the request of the Company, render all assistance and perform all lawful acts that the Company
considers necessary or advisable in connection with any litigation involving the Company or any
director, officer, employee, shareholder, agent, representative, consultant, customer or vendor of
the Company.

          (c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall survive the termination of Employee’s employment,
regardless of the reason for the termination. The provisions of this Paragraph shall be deemed
independent of the other provisions of this Agreement and shall be enforceable in all events,
notwithstanding the termination of Employee’s employment or even a breach by the Company of any
provision of this Agreement.

     18. Arbitration. Any and all disputes arising under or relating to the
interpretation or application of this Agreement or concerning Employee’s employment with the
Company or termination thereof, including, but not limited to, claims under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Missouri Human Rights Act,
the Missouri Service Letter Law, and any other federal, state, or local law, and the common law of
contract or tort, shall be subject to arbitration in St. Louis County, Missouri, under the then
existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award rendered may be
entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this Paragraph shall limit
the right of the Company to enforce by court injunction or other equitable relief the

9

 

Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to those under
Paragraphs 15 and 17 of this Agreement.

     18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to the conflicts of law rules
thereof.

     19. Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents and submits
to the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, and of the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in connection with any suit, action or other
proceeding concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement, Employee’s employment
with the Company or termination thereof, or enforcement of Paragraphs 15 or 17 of this Agreement.
Employee waives and agrees not to assert any defense that the court lacks jurisdiction, that venue
is improper, that the forum is inconvenient, or otherwise.

     20. Successors and Assigns. Neither this Agreement, nor any of Employee’s rights,
powers, duties or obligations hereunder, may be assigned by Employee. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee and his heirs and legal representatives and the
Company and its successor and assigns.

     21. Waiver. Any waiver or consent from the Company with respect to any term or
provision of this Agreement or any other aspect of Employee’s conduct or employment shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given and shall not
be deemed, regardless of frequency given, to be a further or continuing waiver or consent. The
failure or delay of the Company at any time or times to require performance of, or to exercise any
of its powers, rights or remedies with respect to, any term or provision of this Agreement or any
other aspect of Employee’s conduct or employment shall not in any manner (except as

10

 

otherwise expressly provided herein) affect the Company’s right at a later time to enforce any such
term or provision.

     22. Notices. All notices under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given if delivered by hand or mailed by first class mail, registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage and registry fees prepaid, to the applicable party and addressed as
follows:

	 	(a)	 	The Company:

Bakers Footwear Group, Inc.

2815 Scott Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

	 	(b)	 	Employee:

Joe Vander Pluym

131 Woodbourne Court

O’Fallon, IL 62269

Addresses may be changed by notice in writing signed by the addressee.

     23. Amendment. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or
effective, unless in writing and signed by the parties to this Agreement.

     24. Entire Agreement. (a) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to its subject matter and merges with and supersedes all prior
discussions, agreements, commitments or understandings or every kind and nature relating thereto,
whether oral or written, between Employee and the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this
Agreement supersedes the Company’s Option Agreements and Awards or Performance Share Agreements.
Neither party shall be bound by any term or condition other than as is expressly set forth herein.

11

 

          (b) Employee represents and agrees that he fully understands his right to discuss all aspects
of this agreement with his private attorney, that to the extent he desired, he availed himself of
this right, that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of the
Agreement, that his decision to execute this Agreement has not been obtained by any duress and that
he has read this document in its entirety and fully understands the meaning, intent and
consequences of this Agreement.

     25. This agreement restates and replaces, in its entirety, any previous employment agreements
signed prior to August 25, 2006 by and between the Company and the Employee.

(The rest of this page left intentionally blank)

12

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first
hereinabove set forth.

     THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION, WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	COMPANY:

	 	 	 	EMPLOYEE:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	BAKERS FOOTWEAR GROUP, INC.	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:
	 	/s/ Peter Edison	 	 	 	/s/ Joe Vander Pluym	 	 
	 

	 	 

Peter Edison
	 	 	 	 

Joe Vander Pluym
	 	 
	 

	 	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 	EVP — Store Operations	 	 

[Exhibit A—List of Competitors has been omitted. The registrant undertakes to furnish
supplementally a copy of such exhibit upon request.]

13EX-10(F)(ii) Amendment No.1 to Retirement Plan

 

Exhibit 10(f)(ii)

AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE

TO THE

HARRIS CORPORATION RETIREMENT PLAN

     WHEREAS, Harris Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), heretofore has
adopted and maintains the Harris Corporation Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective
October 1, 2005 (the “Plan”);

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 17.1 of the Plan, the Management Development and Compensation
Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) has the authority
to amend the Plan;

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 13.3 of the Plan, the Compensation Committee has delegated to the
Employee Benefits Committee of the Corporation (the “Employee Benefits Committee”) the authority to
adopt non-material amendments to the Plan; and

     WHEREAS, the Employee Benefits Committee desires to amend the Plan to exclude from
participation therein any employee who is eligible to participate in, or will be eligible to
participate in after satisfaction of applicable age, service or entry date requirements, any other
United States tax-qualified defined contribution plan sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or
any of its subsidiaries.

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that clause (e) within the definition of “Eligible Employee”
in Article 2 of the Plan hereby is amended in its entirety to read as follows, effective as of June
1, 2006:

(e) who is eligible to participate in, or will be eligible to participate in
after satisfaction of applicable age, service or entry date requirements,
any other United States tax-qualified defined contribution plan sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

     APPROVED by the HARRIS CORPORATION EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE on this 13th day of
June, 2006.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	     /s/ John D. Gronda
 	 
	 	Secretary

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00109-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00109-of-00352.parquet"}]]