Document:

ex_123296.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 28, 2018 by and Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., a California corporation (“Company”) and Patrick Ryan (“Executive”), whose address is 169 Pape Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4M 2W1, Canada with reference to the following:

 

A.     Second Sight Medical Products is a medical device company that is in the business of developing, manufacturing, and marketing implantable prosthetic devices to restore functional vision to blind patients.

 

B.     Executive is a professional manager with multiple years of senior experience in general management, manufacturing, quality assurance, research and development, and information technology (IT) at medical device companies.

 

C.     Company desires to employ and retain services of the Executive and Executive desires to render his services to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions provided herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the various covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for such other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

	
			1.

				
			At-Will Employment.

			

 

1.1     At-Will. Subject to the provisions of this Section 1.1,

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			Company hereby employs Executive and Executive accepts such employment on an at-will basis which means that either party can terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without cause. Executive’s start date shall commence as soon as possible, but no later than September 1, 2018 (the “Start Date”).

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Executive’s employment with Company is contingent upon a successful completion of a background screening and post-employment drug screen, along with Executive’s ability to meet the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (1996). In order to comply with this legal obligation, Executive must provide proof of his eligibility to work legally in the United States of America and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9) within three days of hire.

			

 

	
			2.

				
			Titles and Responsibilities; Exclusivity.

			

 

2.1     Title and Responsibilities.

 

(a)     Executive shall serve as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of Company and shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”).

 

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(b)     Subject to applicable law and except to the extent (if at all) as may be otherwise set forth herein in this Agreement, or in the “Articles” or “Bylaws” of the Company (such Articles and Bylaws hereinafter referred to as the “Company Governing Documents”) Executive shall have: (i) the executive powers and authority which are necessary to enable him to discharge his duties as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and (ii) all authority and discretion relating to such COO position with respect to the day to day management and operations of the Company.

 

(c)     Subject to applicable law and except to the extent (if at all) otherwise set forth in the Company Governing Documents, Executive shall interact with the CEO to understand strategic priorities and creatively identify and execute plans to lead the Company and have the authority, power and discretion to (i) manage and control of daily operations and provide day-to-day leadership to manufacturing, quality assurance, research and development, and IT departments in accordance with practices appropriate within the industry, (ii) set goals for performance and growth to drive the company to achieve and surpass sales, profitability, cash flow and business goals and objectives, (iii) contribute to building a strong and stable workforce and promote company culture and vision, (iv) develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, policies, processes, and staff, (v) recruit, retain and continuously train, coach and mentor managers and team members to increase productivity, (vi) make decisions regarding those matters, and perform any and all other acts or activities customary or incident to a public company’s chief operating officer duties relating to the management of the Company’s business and to cause all of the foregoing through appropriate officers, employees or agents of the Company.

 

2.2     Exclusivity. Executive shall in good faith and consistent with his ability, experience and talent perform his duties, and shall devote all of his business time and efforts to the performance of such duties; provided, however, that Executive may, so long as such activities do not interfere or conflict with Executive’s duties hereunder, (i) devote time to his personal investments; (ii) serve on the boards of, and otherwise render services to, non-profit, civic, charitable or political businesses or organizations; (iii) serve on the boards of for-profit businesses or organizations, so long as (A) such business or organization is not engaged in activities competitive with the Company’s business, (B) Executive notifies the CEO in writing of each such board on which Executive is serving and (C) such business or organization fully indemnifies Executive for his acts and omissions committed while serving as a director thereof; and (iv) continue to provide services to those entities set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Approved Entities”) to the extent and limit that Executive previously provided such services, but only to the extent the provision of such services is not in conflict with, in derogation of and does not materially interfere with, in any way, Executive’s duties and responsibility to the Company, as shall be determined by the CEO (all of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, the “Approved Activities”). Schedule B attached to this Agreement shall also contain: (x) holdings of at least 5% or more that Executive beneficially owns or controls directly or indirectly in any company whose shares are eligible to trade in any domestic or foreign securities market; and (y) any holding that Executive beneficially owns or controls directly or indirectly in any other company or enterprise that competes with the Company; and shall also set forth (v) all activities, work or consulting not set forth on Schedule A that Executive performs for others. Executive will promptly notify the CEO and the Board of the Company of any changes or modifications to the foregoing as they occur, but in any event not later than ten (10) days thereafter (the foregoing clauses (x) through (z) being, the “Noticed Holdings and Payments”).

 

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3.           Compensation and Benefits. Company shall pay and/or provide the following compensation and benefits to Executive during the term hereof, and Executive shall accept the same as payment in full for all services rendered by Executive, in his capacity as an officer of Company, to or for the benefit of Company:

 

3.1     Annual Salary. An annual base salary of at least $310,000 paid in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company for its executives, but no less frequently than in monthly installments and subject to such increase(s) as the Board may hereafter approve.

 

3.2     Options. Upon approval by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee of the Board, which shall occur as soon as practicable in connection with Executive’s start date, Executive will be issued an option to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock according to an option agreement in such form as customarily used in connection with the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The strike price of these options will be based on the closing price per share of the Company’s stock on the Nasdaq at the close of business on the Executive’s option grant date. The options will vest twenty five percent (25%) on the first anniversary of the grant date, and thereafter in twelve equal installments of six and one quarter percent (6.25%) on the next twelve quarterly anniversaries of the grant date. In the event of a Change in Control, as defined below, the vesting of all outstanding option awards shall fully accelerate automatically immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control and awards may either be assumed or substituted for or be cancelled in exchange for consideration. If options will be not assumed or substituted for, the Compensation Committee of the Board must provide written notice not less than 15 days prior to the effective date of the proposed Change in Control.

 

3.3     Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus each year, with the amount of such bonus to be determined in the Board’s sole discretion, subject to and as further noted below in Section 3.4.

 

3.4     Benefit Package and Bonus Details. Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

 

	 	●	Three weeks paid vacation annually, which shall be based on an accrual basis
	 	
			●

				
			Paid sick time per company policy

			

	 	
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			Paid holidays per company policy

			

	 	
			●

				
			Paid life insurance per company policy of not less than $350,000

			

	 	
			●

				
			Short and long-term disability insurance

			

	 	
			●

				
			401K tax-sheltered savings plan

			

	 	
			●

				
			Group health, dental and vision insurance for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents paid with employer and employee contributions

			

	 	
			●

				
			Voluntary Employee Stock Purchase Plan

			

	 	
			●

				
			Executive Medical Reimbursement Plan

			

	 	
			●

				
			A flexible spending account per Company policy.

			

 

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			●

				
			Signing bonus in the amount of $60,000 (the “Signing Bonus”) net of taxes to cover one-time expenses to include relocation to Southern California. In the event Executive, during the initial 24 months from the Start Date, (i) voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company (prior to a Change in Control or without Good Reason after a Change in Control) or (ii) is terminated for Cause, Executive shall promptly, within 10 calendar days from the last day of employment, repay the Signing Bonus to the Company (i) in full, if such termination occurs prior to midnight on August 31, 2019and repay (ii), 50% of the Signing Bonus if termination for Cause occurs after August 31, 2019 but no later than midnight on August 31, 2020.

			

	 	
			●

				
			Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable commuting costs (personal car mileage, train, hotel/apartment and rental car expenses). Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable airline flights between Toronto and Southern California for up to 90 days from the Start Date.

			

 

With respect to Executive’s annual bonus opportunity, Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus program. In this connection, Executive will be eligible for an annual cash bonus of up to 35% of his annual base Salary, or a portion thereof, depending on whether and to what extent specified Company goals are met at the end of the calendar year as well as such other criteria as the Board in its sole discretion shall determine. For 2018, the annual bonus, if any, will be pro-rated based on the number of months the Executive provided his professional services to the Company. The bonus incentive program is provided at the discretion of the Board and may be changed, eliminated or otherwise modified at any time.

 

All compensation payable to Executive hereunder shall be subject to such deductions for payments to be made to federal, state or local taxing authorities as Company is from time to time obligated to make pursuant to law, governmental regulations or order. All items covered in this Section 3.4 are subject to change on an annual basis, except that the bonus incentive program is made available at the discretion of the Board and may be changed, eliminated or modified at any time as noted above.

 

4.           Representations and Warranties. Executive represents and warrants to Company that (a) Executive is under no contractual or other restriction or obligation which is inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of his duties hereunder, or the other rights of Company or hereunder, (b) Executive is under no physical or mental disability that would hinder the performance of his duties under this Agreement, and (c) this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable by Company and against Executive in accordance with its terms (subject to laws in effect with respect to creditors’ rights generally and applicable principles relating to equitable remedies). The Company represents and warrants to Executive that (a) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by the Company and no further action on the Company’s part is necessary to authorize this Agreement and the performance of such obligations, and (b) this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable by Executive against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to laws in effect with respect to creditors’ rights generally and applicable principles relating to equitable remedies).

 

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			5.

				
			Insurance and Indemnification.

			

 

5.1     D&O Insurance. Company shall, at its cost, provide insurance coverage to Executive with respect to (i) director’s and officer’s liability, (ii) errors and omissions and (iii) general liability, which shall be no less favorable to Executive than that provided by the Company to any other officer or to any director.

 

5.2     Indemnification. Company shall indemnify Executive and hold him harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, claims, damages, obligations or liabilities (including actual attorney’s fees and expenses) arising out of or relating to any acts, or omissions to act, made by Executive on behalf of or in the course of performing services for the Company to the same extent provided by the Company to other officers and directors as in effect on the date of this Agreement, provided that the indemnity afforded by the Company shall never be greater than that permitted by applicable law. If any claim, action, suit or proceeding is brought, or claim relating thereto is made, against Executive with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to this section, Executive shall notify the Company in writing thereof, and the Company shall have the right to participate in, and to the extent that it shall wish, in its discretion, assume and control the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to Executive.

 

	
			6.

				
			Termination.

			

 

6.1     Termination by the Company without Cause. Company may terminate Executive’s employment with or without Cause (as defined in Section 6.2 below) at any time during the period of Executive’s employment. If Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, Company shall, immediately after the Termination Date (as defined in Section 6.6 below), pay to Executive (i) 12 months of his base Salary, (ii) annual target cash incentive bonus, in effect on the date of the Executive’s separation from the Company, (iii) an amount equal to a prorated portion of his target annual bonus for the portion of the calendar year completed prior to the Termination Date, and shall also pay Executive any amount equal to up to twelve (12) months on an after-tax basis, of the portion of the Executive’s applicable Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), premiums for such coverage that exceeds the amount that the Executive would have incurred in premiums for such coverage under the Company’s health plan if then employed by the Company; provided, however, the Company’s obligation shall only apply to the extent COBRA coverage is elected and in effect during such period for a period of 12 months in equal monthly installments following such termination (together the "Severance Payments"). Severance Payments made to Executive shall be in addition to any other benefits earned by Executive or to which Executive was entitled prior to such termination without Cause including, without limit, any vested stock options, any already earned but unpaid bonus for a prior completed year, any earned but unused vacation days, and the prompt reimbursement of any expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company prior to termination of employment, and any pro-rated bonus. A termination by the Executive for Good Reason shall be treated the same as a termination by the Company without Cause. “Good Reason” shall include, (a) Executive’s resignation from employment with the Company after the occurrence of any of the following events without Executive’s consent; (b) a material diminution in the Executive’s duties, title, or responsibilities from the duties, title, or responsibilities as of immediately prior to a Change in Control, provided, that a material diminution of the Executive’s duties, title, or responsibilities shall not be deemed to occur solely because the Company, through a Change in Control, has become a part of a larger organization; (c) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary from the Base Salary as of immediately prior to a Change in Control; (d) a relocation of the Executive’s primary place of employment to a geographic area that increases the commute of the Executive by more than thirty-five (35) miles from the primary place of employment immediately prior to a Change in Control; or (e) failure of any successor corporation (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place; provided, that the foregoing events shall not be deemed to constitute Good Reason unless (i) the Executive has notified the Company in writing of the occurrence of such event(s) within sixty (60) days of such occurrence, (ii) the Company has failed to have cure such event(s) within thirty (30) days of its receipt of such written notice, and (iii) the Executive terminates employment within thirty (30) days of such failure of the Company to cure.

 

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6.2     Termination for Cause. Termination for “Cause” shall mean termination because of Executive’s (a) willful misconduct or habitual neglect in the performance of his duties under this Agreement, (b) Executive’s conviction by, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in, a court of competent and final jurisdiction for any felony, (c) material breach of any material provision of this Agreement that remains uncured ten (10) days following written notice thereof from the Company to Executive , unless such breach is of a kind not susceptible to cure within such ten (10) day period, in which case Executive shall have used his commercially reasonable effort to commence cure of such breach within such ten (10) day period and shall have cured such breach no later than the thirtieth (30th) day following such written notice by the Company, (d) material violation of Company’s policies, the violation of which by other management employees would be grounds for termination of such other management employees, and that remains uncured ten (10) days following written notice thereof from the Company, unless such violation is of a kind not susceptible to cure within such ten (10) day period, in which case Executive shall have used his commercially reasonable effort to commence cure of such violation within such ten (10) day period and shall have cured such violation no later than the thirtieth (30th) day following such written notice from the Company, (e) Executive’s perpetration of an intentional and knowing fraud against or affecting the Company, or any customer, agent, or employee thereof, or (f) material dishonesty, moral turpitude, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to his material duties under this Agreement. For purposes hereof, no act or failure to act on Executive’s part shall be “willful” unless done or omitted not in good faith and without actual belief that the action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a notice of termination which shall include a written statement to the effect that Executive was guilty of conduct justifying termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for Cause which have not vested or been earned as of the Termination Date. Executive shall have the right to receive compensation or other benefits which have already vested or been earned as of the Termination Date for Cause, unless payment of such compensation or benefits is expressly prohibited by the terms of any plan, program or agreement governing such compensation or benefits.

 

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6.3     Termination by Executive. If Executive terminates his employment with the Company for any reason other than Good Reason set forth in Section 6.1 hereof or if Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of his death, the Company shall pay to Executive, or in the event of his death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries or his estate, as the case may be, the Salary and prorated annual bonus, less taxes required to be withheld and other applicable withholdings, earned but unpaid pursuant to Sections 3.1, 3.3 or 3.4 hereof through the Termination Date and the value of any earned but unused vacation time due to Executive at the Termination Date. Any such payments due Executive, under this Section 6.3 shall be paid within three business days following the Termination Date, unless the termination of Executive's employment was due to his death, in which case, such payment shall be made promptly but no later than thirty (30) days after the Termination Date. Executive, or, in the event of Executive's death, Executive's beneficiary or beneficiaries, shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after the Termination Date which have not vested or been earned as of the Termination Date. Executive, or, in the event of Executive's death, Executive's beneficiary or beneficiaries, shall have the right to receive compensation or other benefits which have already vested or been earned as of the Termination Date, unless payment of such compensation or benefits is expressly prohibited by the terms of any plan, program or agreement governing such compensation or benefits.

 

6.4     Termination for Disability. If Executive becomes subject to a mental or physical condition that, in the opinion of the Board, with or without reasonable accommodation, renders Executive unable or incompetent to carry out his work responsibilities or duties which Executive had at the time such condition was incurred, (i) which has existed for at least 45 days and (ii) which in the opinion of a physician selected by the Board may be expected to last for an indefinite duration or for a duration in excess of three (3) months (a “Disability”), Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder as of the Termination Date specified in a written notice of termination from Company to Executive. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to this Section 6.4, the Company promptly following the Termination Date shall pay to Executive, less taxes required to be withheld and other applicable withholdings, the Salary through the Termination Date and any earned but unused vacation time due to Executive at the Termination Date. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to receive benefits based on Company’s applicable disability plans then in effect. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after the Termination Date which have not vested or been earned as of the Termination Date. Executive shall have the right to receive compensation or other benefits which have already vested or been earned as of the Termination Date, unless payment of such compensation or benefits is expressly prohibited by the terms of any plan, program or agreement governing such compensation or benefits.

 

6.5     Termination on Change in Control.

 

In the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below) during period of Executive’s employment and termination without cause by buyer or a voluntary resignation for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in Section 6.1 above. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” of Company shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			The acquisition, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the beneficial ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding securities of the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not result upon such acquisition of beneficial ownership if such acquisition occurs as a result of a public offering of the Company’s securities or any financing transaction or series of financing transactions;

			

 

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			(b)

				
			The consummation of a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation hold as a result of holding Company securities prior to such transaction, in the aggregate, securities possessing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity (or its parent) immediately after such merger or consolidation;

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			A reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such merger hold, in the aggregate, securities possessing less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Company or of the acquiring entity immediately after such merger;

			

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			The sale, transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, except for a transaction in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction(s) receive as a distribution with respect to securities of the Company, in the aggregate, securities possessing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the acquiring entity (or its parent) immediately after such transaction(s); or

			

 

	 	
			(e)

				
			Individuals who, as of the Start Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) (together with any new directors whose election by such Incumbent Board or whose nomination by such Incumbent Board for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of such Incumbent Board then in office who either were members of such Incumbent Board or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved but excluding new directors elected in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board then in office.

			

 

6.6     Termination Date. Any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to this Article 6, other than a termination as a result of Executive’s death, shall be effected by written notice of termination. Any written notice of termination shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provisions so indicated. The effective date of any such termination (the “Termination Date”) shall be as follows: in the event of a termination due to Executive’s death, the date of such death. In the event of termination for any reason other than Executive’s death, the date specified in the written notice of termination which in no event shall be prior to the date of delivery of such notice.

 

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6.7     D&O Coverage Rights after Termination of Employment. In the event of the termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall continue to be covered by the insurance coverages referred to in Section 5.1 above with respect to any liability claims and defense expenses relating to actions or inactions that occurred while Executive was an employee of the Company, on a basis no less favorable to Executive than that provided by the Company to any other officer or any director. In addition, in the event of such a termination, Executive shall also be fully covered, to the maximum extent permitted by law, by any D&O indemnification coverages provided by the Company to its officers and directors for a term at least as long as that provided to the Company's Chief Executive Officer after termination of employment.

 

	
			7.

				
			Confidentiality.

			

 

7.1     Nondisclosure. Executive acknowledges that in the course of employment with the Company, Executive will have access to and will learn confidential information concerning the Company and its Affiliates. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: (a) information about the Company’s and its Affiliates' customers and suppliers, the terms and conditions under which the Company or its Affiliates deal with customers and suppliers, pricing information, financing arrangements, research materials, manuals, computer programs, techniques, data, marketing plans and tactics, technical information, lists of asset sources, the processes and practices of the Company and its Affiliates, all information contained in electronic or computer files, all financial information, salary and wage information, and any other information that is designated in writing by the Company or its Affiliates as confidential or that Executive knows or should know is confidential; (b) information provided by third parties that the Company or any of its Affiliates is obligated to keep confidential; and (c) all other proprietary information of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive acknowledges that all confidential information is and shall continue to be the exclusive property of the Company, whether or not prepared in whole or in part by Executive and whether or not disclosed to or entrusted to Executive in connection with employment by the Company. Executive agrees not to disclose confidential information, directly or indirectly, under any circumstances or by any means, to any third persons without the prior written consent of the Company except as required by law or in connection with the performance of his duties. Executive agrees that he will not copy, transmit, reproduce, summarize, quote, or make any commercial or other use whatsoever of confidential information, except as may be necessary to perform work done by Executive for the Company. Executive agrees to exercise the highest degree of care in safeguarding confidential information against loss, theft or other inadvertent disclosure and agrees generally to take all reasonable steps necessary or requested by the Company to ensure maintenance of the confidentiality of the confidential information. Executive agrees in addition to the specific covenants contained herein to comply with all of the Company’s policies and procedures for the protection of confidential information.

 

7.2     Exclusions. Section 7.1 shall not apply to the following information: (a) information previously, now or hereafter voluntarily disseminated by the Company or its Affiliates to the public or which otherwise becomes part of the public domain through lawful means; (b) information known to Executive prior to Executive’s employment with the Company; (c) information received by Executive from third parties not known by Executive to be subject to a confidentiality agreement with the Company or its Affiliates; or (d) information which is not principally derived from the business plans and activities of the Company or its Affiliates.

 

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7.3     Confidential Proprietary and Trade Secret Information of Others. Executive represents that he has disclosed to the Company any commitment to which Executive is or has been a party regarding the confidential information of others and Executive understands that Executive’s employment by the Company will not require Executive to breach any such agreement. Executive will not disclose such confidential information to the Company nor induce the Company to use any trade secret proprietary information received from another under an agreement or understanding prohibiting such use or disclosure.

 

7.4     No Unfair Competition. Executive hereby acknowledges that the sale or unauthorized use or disclosure of any of the Company’s or its Affiliates' confidential information (as described in Section 7.1 above and subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 7.2 above) obtained by Executive by any means whatsoever, at any time before, during, or after the Term shall constitute unfair competition. Executive shall not engage in any unfair competition with the Company or its Affiliates either during his employment at the Company or at any time thereafter.

 

	
			8.

				
			Company’s Ownership in Employee’s Work. 

			

 

8.1     Company’s Ownership. Executive agrees that all inventions, discoveries, improvements, trade secrets, formulae, techniques, processes, and know-how, whether or not patentable, and whether or not reduced to practice, that are conceived or developed during and in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, either alone or jointly with others, that are conceived or developed on the Company’s time and using the Company’s facilities, and that relate to the Company and its business shall be owned exclusively by the Company, and Executive hereby assigns to the Company all Executive’s right, title, and interest in all such intellectual property. Executive agrees that the Company shall be the sole owner of all domestic and foreign patents and all rights pertaining thereto, and further agrees to execute all documents that the Company reasonably determines to be necessary or convenient for use in applying for, prosecuting, perfecting, or enforcing patents or other intellectual property rights referred to above, including, without limitation, the execution of any assignments, patent applications, or other documents that the Company may reasonably request relating thereto. This provision is intended to apply only to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

8.2     Return of Company’s Property and Materials. Upon termination of employment with the Company, Executive shall deliver to the Company all Company property and materials that are in Executive’s possession or control, including any information described as confidential information pursuant to this Agreement and including all other information relating to any inventions, discoveries, improvements, trade secrets, formulae, processes, or know-how of Company, subject, with respect to confidential information, to the exceptions stated in Section 7.2 above.

 

8.3     Ventures. If Executive, during employment with the Company, is engaged in or associated with the planning or implementation of any project, program, or venture involving the Company and any third parties, all rights in the project, program, or venture shall belong to the Company, and Executive shall not be entitled to any interest therein or to any commission, finder's fee, or other compensation in connection therewith other than the salary and other benefits to be paid or provided to Executive as provided in this Agreement unless otherwise expressly mutually agreed in writing by the Company and Executive.

 

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9.           General Relationship. Executive shall be considered an employee of the Company within the meaning of all federal, state and local laws and regulations including, but not limited to, laws and regulations governing unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, industrial accident, labor and taxes.

 

	
			10.

				
			Non-Solicitation.

			

 

10.1     Executive agrees, in consideration of the Company’s agreeing to obligate itself to make the Severance Payments on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, Executive, except as may be otherwise expressly set forth herein, will not during the Restricted Period (as defined below):

 

(a)     directly or indirectly knowingly solicit any person who is a current or prospective customer of the Company in respect of any Restricted Business (as defined below), except on behalf of the Company; or

 

(b)     knowingly induce or attempt to induce (other than in connection with a Board-approved reduction in force) any employee of the Company to terminate his or her association with the Company, or, except on behalf of the Company, knowingly solicit any such employee as an independent contractor, employee or other service provider, provided that a published general solicitation ad shall not be treated as a solicitation for this purpose.

 

For purposes hereof, “Restricted Business” means, collectively, the specific businesses engaged in by the Company as of the date hereof or during the period of Executive’s employment and, “Restricted Period” means the period starting with such date as Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated for any reason and ending 12 months from such termination.

 

	
			11.

				
			Miscellaneous.

			

 

11.1     Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all existing agreements between them concerning such subject matter.

 

11.2     No Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company or Executive without the prior written consent of the other party (which consent may be granted or withheld by such person in its sole and absolute discretion), and any attempt to assign rights and duties without such written consent shall be null and void and of no force and effect. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

11.3     Survival. The covenants, agreements, representations and warranties contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive Executive’s termination of employment, irrespective of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party.

 

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11.4     Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement does not create, and shall not be construed as creating, any rights enforceable by any person not a party to this Agreement.

 

11.5     Waiver. The failure of either party hereto at any time to enforce performance by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall in no way affect such party’s rights thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall the waiver by either party of any breach of any provision hereof be deemed to be a waiver by such party of any other breach of the same or any other provision hereof.

 

11.6     Section Headings. The headings of the several sections in this Agreement are inserted solely for the convenience of the parties and are not a part of and are not intended to govern, limit or aid in the construction of any term or provision hereof.

 

11.7     Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing, served personally on, telecopied, sent by courier or other express private mail service, by email, or mailed by certified, registered or express United States mail postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given upon receipt if delivered personally, telecopied, delivered by email, or sent by courier or other express private mail service, or if mailed when actually received as shown on the return receipt. Notices shall be addressed as follows:

 

	 	(a)     If to the Company, to:
	 	 
	 	
			Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

			12744 San Fernando Road

			Suite 400

			Sylmar, California 91342

			Telephone: (818) 833-5000

			Facsimile: (818) 833-5067

			
	 	 
	 	With a copy (not constituting notice) to:
	 	 
	 	
			Aaron A. Grunfeld

			Law Offices of Aaron A. Grunfeld & Associates

			11111 Santa Monica Boulevard,

			Suite 1840

			Los Angeles, California 90025

			Telephone: (310) 788-7577

			
	 	 
	 	(b)     If to Executive, to:
	 	 
	 	
			Patrick Ryan

			

 

 

Either party may change its address (and/or the above “copy to” information) for purposes of this Section by giving to each other, in the manner provided herein, a written notice of such change.

 

12

 

 

11.8     Severability. All sections, clauses and covenants contained in this Agreement are severable, and in the event any of them shall be held to be invalid by any court, this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such invalid sections, clauses or covenants were not contained herein.

 

11.9     Applicable Law. This Agreement is made with reference to the laws of the State of California, shall be governed by and construed in accordance therewith, without regard to conflict of law principles, and any court action brought under or arising out of this Agreement shall be brought in any competent court within the State of California, County of Los Angeles, or such other courts in the State of California wherein the principal place of business of Company is located.

 

11.10     Arbitration. The parties hereto agree that any and all disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement that are not resolved by mutual agreement shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration before JAMS/ENDISPUTE, or its successor, pursuant to the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq. Either party may commence the arbitration process called for in this Agreement by filing a written demand for arbitration with JAMS/ENDISPUTE, with a copy to the other party. The arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of JAMS/ENDISPUTE’s Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures in effect at the time the demand for arbitration is filed. The parties will cooperate with JAMS/ENDISPUTE and with one another in selecting an arbitrator from JAMS/ENDISPUTE’s panel of neutrals, and in scheduling the arbitration proceedings. The parties covenant that they shall participate in the arbitration in good faith. The provisions of this Section 11.10 may be enforced, consistent with Section 11.9, by any court of competent jurisdiction, and the party seeking enforcement shall be entitled to an award of all costs, fees and expenses, including attorney’s fees, to be paid by the party against whom enforcement is ordered. All arbitration proceedings shall be held in Los Angeles, California.

 

11.11     Attorneys’ Fees. If any legal action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of any alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs it incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.

 

11.12     Gender. Where the context so requires, the use of the masculine gender shall include the feminine and/or neuter genders and the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, and the word “person” shall include any corporation, firm, partnership or other form of association.

 

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

 

13

 

 

11.14     Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or changed, and any provision hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by (a) the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought, and (b) the Company. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any party hereto or the Company, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Person taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto and/or the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any party hereto and/or the Company to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such Person preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

 

11.15     Compliance with IRC Section 409A. All rights hereunder which Executive has with respect to separation pay compensation and benefits, including Severance Payments and any other benefit made to Executive with respect to Termination with Cause or Termination with Good Reason (collectively “Severance Package”), are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended to date (the “IRC”) and the regulations thereunder (“Section 409A”), and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with Section 409A.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, payments that are subject to Section 409A may only be made under this Agreement upon an event and in a manner permitted by Section 409A or an applicable exemption.

 

If and to the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A, such reimbursements or other in-kind benefits shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A including, where applicable, the requirement that (a) any reimbursement shall be for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (d) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits, are considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (together, the “Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

14

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s termination (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments that are payable within the first six months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six months and one day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but prior to the six month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.

 

Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the applicable Treasury Regulations.

 

Any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the applicable Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this provision.

 

Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the applicable Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this provision.

 

For this purpose, unless and until IRC Section 409A is amended, the “Section 409A Limit” shall mean two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based on the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Executive’s taxable year preceding the Executive’s taxable year of his separation from service as determined under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and any IRS guidance issued with respect thereto, or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to IRC Section 401(a)(17) for the year in which the Executive’s separation from service occurred.

 

The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply.

 

The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.

 

11.16     No Mitigation or Offset Obligations. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any severance or other payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any future earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce or otherwise offset any such severance or other payment payable under this Agreement.

 

15

 

 

11.17     Compliance with IRC Sections 280G and 4999. In the event that the cash severance, any accelerated equity vesting or payouts and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive following a Change in Control (together the “CIC Payments”) (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this provision, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then such severance benefits, accelerated equity vesting or payouts and/or other benefits will be either: (a) delivered in full, or (b) delivered as to such lesser extent as would result in no portion of such CIC payments being subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing (a) or (b) approaches, taking into account the applicable Federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of such severance benefits, accelerated equity award vesting or payouts and other benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits or such other items may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

If a reduction in the severance and other benefits and/or accelerated equity award vesting or payouts constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that no portion of such severance benefits and such payouts is subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (because that will maximize the amounts payable to Executive after such taxes), the reduction will occur in the following order: (a) reduction of the cash severance payments; (b) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards; and (c) reduction of continued employee benefits.

 

In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive’s equity awards.

 

A nationally recognized certified public accounting firm selected by the Company or such other person or entity on which the parties mutually agree (the “Certifying Firm”) will perform the foregoing calculations related to the Excise Tax. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by the Certifying Firm required to be made hereunder.

 

For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section, the Certifying Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Certifying Firm such information and documents as the Certifying Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this provision.

 

The Certifying Firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 20 calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to the severance benefits, accelerated equity award payouts or other payments is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the Certifying Firm made hereunder will be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Company and Executive

 

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11.18     Release. As a condition of receiving the Severance Package, (i) Executive must timely execute and deliver to the Company a general release and waiver of claims (in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company) within forty-five (45) days of the Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, (ii) the Executive must not revoke such release, and (iii) the Executive must comply with the terms and restrictive covenants set forth in the release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement any payment that would otherwise have been made but that is conditioned upon the execution and effectiveness of the release shall not be made or provided until the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of such qualifying termination. In the event the Executive breaches one or more of such restrictive covenants, the Executive will forfeit any such Severance Package that have not been paid or provided to the Executive and must repay to the Company the amount (or equivalent cash value) of any such Severance Package that have been paid to Executive.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first set forth.

 

	 	COMPANY	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	SECOND SIGHT MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Will McGuire	 
	 	Will McGuire, Chief Executive Officer	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	Patrick Ryan 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	/s/ Patrick Ryan	 

 

17

 

 

Schedule A

 

Approved Entities

 

 

NONE

 

18

 

 

Schedule B

 

Approved Activities 

 

 

NONE

 

19Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.1

Execution Versions
CALPINE CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is hereby entered into as of August 29, 2018, by and between Calpine Corporation (the “Company”) and John B. Hill (“Executive”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the parties”). From and after March 8, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), this Agreement shall replace and supersede that certain Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Executive effective immediately following the Company’s 2014 annual meeting and as amended by that Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated May 16, 2017 (the “Prior Agreement”).
In consideration of the respective agreements of the parties contained herein, it is agreed as follows:
1.Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending, subject to earlier termination as set forth in Section 6, on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Employment Term”); provided that, on such fifth anniversary of the Effective Date and each annual anniversary thereafter (such date and each annual anniversary thereof, a “Renewal Date”), the Agreement shall be deemed to be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one year, unless either party provides written notice of its intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least ninety (90) days’ prior to the applicable Renewal Date.
2.    Employment. During the Employment Term:
(a)    Executive shall be employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition, as of the Effective Date, Executive shall serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”). At the time of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the date of such termination, the “Termination Date”), Executive shall resign from the Board of Directors if requested to do so by the Company. Executive shall not receive any additional compensation for serving as a director of the Company or as a director or officer of any of the Company’s subsidiaries.
(b)    Executive shall report directly to the Board of Directors. Executive shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar executive capacity. Unless otherwise consented to by Executive, Executive’s principal place of employment shall be at the Company’s headquarters in Houston, Texas.
(c)    Executive shall devote substantially full‐time attention to the business and affairs of the Company. Executive may serve on the boards of directors of other companies, subject 

to the approval of the Board of Directors (which approval shall be deemed given in respect of service on boards on which Executive serves as of the Effective Date that are known to the Board of Directors), and may serve on civil or charitable boards or committees. Executive may manage personal and family investments, participate in industry or charitable organizations and otherwise engage in charitable activities and deliver lectures at educational institutions, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities hereunder.
3.    Annual Compensation.
(a)    Base Salary. The Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to Executive during the Employment Term a base salary at the rate of $1,230,000 per annum or such increased amount as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine (hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary”). Such Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary practices applicable to its senior executives. Such Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), and may be increased in the sole discretion of the Board or, if applicable, the Committee, but not decreased (any increased amount thereupon being the Base Salary hereunder).
(b)    Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. For each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Employment Term, beginning with the 2018 fiscal year, Executive shall be eligible to receive a target annual cash bonus of at least 110% of the Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) with the opportunity to receive a maximum annual cash bonus of at least two times Executive’s Target Bonus or such lesser amount determined by the Board of Directors in connection with a reduction in the maximum bonus amount applicable to all senior executives of the Company (the “Maximum Bonus”), as recommended and approved by the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the Committee, if the Company and Executive, as applicable, achieve reasonable performance targets set by the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the Committee in consultation with Executive in a manner substantially consistent with current practice (“Incentive Compensation”). Incentive Compensation shall be paid in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the taxable year (of the Company or Executive, whichever is later) in which the performance targets have been achieved.
4.    Class B Interests. On, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, CPN Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), shall grant to Executive an award of Class B Interests (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CPN Management, LP, dated and effective as of March 8, 2018 (as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “LP Agreement”)), which, except as provided in Section 7(c)(iv), shall be governed by the terms and conditions of an award agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Agreement”).

5.    Other Benefits.
(a)    Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices and programs maintained by the Company and made available to executives and employees generally, including, without limitation, all pension, retirement, profit sharing, savings, medical, hospitalization, disability, dental, life or travel accident insurance benefit plans, to the extent Executive is eligible under the terms of such plans, practices and programs. Executive’s participation in such plans, practices and programs shall be on the same basis and terms as are applicable to senior executives of the Company generally.
(b)    Executive Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all executive benefit and incentive compensation plans now maintained or hereafter established by the Company for the purpose of providing compensation and/or benefits to senior executives of the Company including, but not limited to, the Company’s deferred compensation plans and any supplemental retirement, deferred compensation, supplemental medical or life insurance or other bonus or incentive compensation plans. No additional compensation provided under any of such plans shall be deemed to modify or otherwise affect the terms of this Agreement or any of Executive’s entitlements hereunder.
(c)    Business Expenses. Upon submission of proper invoices in accordance with the Company’s normal procedures, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement of all reasonable out‐of‐pocket business, entertainment and travel expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.
(d)    Office and Facilities. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be provided with an appropriate office at the Company’s headquarters, with such secretarial and other support facilities as are commensurate with Executive’s status with the Company, which facilities shall be adequate for the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.
(e)    Vacation and Sick Leave. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to vacation and sick leave (without loss of pay) in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to senior executives as in effect from time to time.
6.    Termination of Employment. Subject to payment of any compensation due pursuant to Section 7, Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated by either party during or after the Employment Term upon notice as set forth in Section 8 and this Agreement shall not be construed to alter the at‐will status of Executive’s employment with the Company.
7.    Compensation Upon Termination. Upon termination of Executive’s employment during the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits, if any, described in this Section 7.

(a)    Termination by Executive for Good Reason, by the Company without Cause or a Non‐Renewal of the Agreement Following March 8, 2020 Other than in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated (I) by Executive for Good Reason, (II) by the Company without Cause during the Employment Term or (III) on account of a non‐renewal of the Agreement by the Company in accordance with Section 1, in each case following March 8, 2020 and other than in the circumstances described in Section 7(e), then, Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall be obligated to pay to Executive:
(i)    a lump sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date in an amount equal to 2.0 times the sum of (A) Executive’s highest Base Salary in the three years preceding the Termination Date plus (B) Executive’s highest Target Bonus for the year of termination;
(ii)    a lump sum payment equal to (A) all unused vacation time accrued by Executive as of the Termination Date under the Company’s vacation policy; plus (B) all accrued but unpaid compensation earned by Executive as of the Termination Date; plus (C) payment of any Incentive Compensation earned but unpaid in respect of any completed fiscal year preceding the Termination Date (assuming that continued employment by Executive through the payment date is not required pursuant to the terms of the plan or program governing the Incentive Compensation); plus (D) reimbursement for any and all monies advanced or expenses incurred in connection with Executive’s employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive on behalf of the Company in compliance with applicable Company policy for the period ending on the Termination Date; in each case to be paid by the Company as soon as practicable following the Termination Date but no later than sixty (60) days after the Termination Date ((A), (B) (C) and (D), together referred to herein as the “Accrued Obligations”);
(iii)    an amount equal to the annual cash Incentive Compensation Executive would have been entitled to receive in respect of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs had Executive continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year, which amount shall be determined based on actual performance for such year relative to the performance goals applicable to Executive, with the amount of such bonus being multiplied by a fraction (A) the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year through the Termination Date and (B) the denominator of which is 365 (the “Pro‐rata Bonus”), which shall be payable at such time as the Company pays annual bonuses for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the taxable year (of the Company or Executive, whichever is later) in which the performance targets have been achieved;
(iv)    prompt reimbursement by the Company for outplacement benefits actually paid for by Executive after the Termination Date and before the twenty four (24) month anniversary of the Termination Date after timely presentation of appropriate documentation of such 

expense by Executive to the Company, such reimbursement to be paid in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement; and
(v)    a monthly payment for a period of twenty‐four (24) months following the Termination Date, paid pursuant to the Company’s payroll practices in effect at such time, equal to (a) the full monthly premium paid by other former employees of the Company for continuation coverage under the Company’s health plans in which the Executive and his dependents participated immediately prior to his Termination Date, plus (b) such additional amounts as are necessary to ensure receipt by the Executive of the full amount described in (a) after application of all federal income (assuming the maximum federal income tax rate) and employment taxes imposed upon the amount described in (a) (each monthly payment that is the sum of (a) and (b), an “Additional Payment”).
For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the following, in each case only if it occurs when Executive is employed by the Company and then only if not consented to by Executive in writing: (A) assignment of a position that is of a lesser rank than that held by Executive prior to the assignment and that results in Executive ceasing to be President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (B) a material diminution of Executive’s duties or responsibilities; (C) the assignment of duties inconsistent with Executive’s title or responsibilities; (D) failure by the Company to nominate Executive for election as a member of the Board of Directors and use its best efforts to have him elected and re‐elected; (E) failure to cause a successor to the Company’s business or substantially all of the Company’s assets to assume this Agreement; (F) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus (including a material adverse change in performance criteria or a material decrease in ultimate Target Bonus opportunity); or (G) any change of more than thirty (30) miles in the location of the principal place of employment of Executive immediately prior to the effective date of such change. For purposes of this definition, none of the actions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above shall constitute “Good Reason” with respect to Executive if it was an isolated and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith by the Company and if it is remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive (or, if the matter is not capable of remedy within thirty (30) days, then within a reasonable period of time following such thirty (30) day period, provided that the Company has commenced such remedy within said thirty (30) day period); provided that “Good Reason” shall cease to exist for any action described in clauses (A) through (F) above on the sixtieth (60th) day following the later of the occurrence of such action or Executive’s knowledge thereof, unless such Executive has given the Company written notice thereof prior to such date.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:(A) Executive’s act of fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation, or embezzlement with respect to the Company; (B) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, any felony; (C) Executive’s violation of the Company’s drug policy or anti‐harassment policy; (D) Executive’s admission of liability of, or finding by a court or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or a similar agency of any applicable state) of liability for, the violation of any Federal or state law, rule or regulation governing the issuance or exchange of securities, including without limitation the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Laws”) (excluding any technical violations of the Securities Laws which are not criminal in nature); (E) Executive’s failure after reasonable prior written notice from the Company to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board of Directors that is not remedied within thirty (30) days of Executive being provided written notice thereof from the Company or Executive’s gross negligence in performance, or willful nonperformance, of any of Executive’s duties and responsibilities with respect to the Company that is not remedied within thirty (30) days of Executive being provided written notice thereof from the Company; or (F) other than as provided in clauses (A) through (C) above, Executive’s material breach of any material provision of this Agreement that is not remedied within thirty (30) days of Executive being provided written notice thereof. Executive shall not have acted in a “willful” manner if Executive acted, or failed to act, in a manner that he believed in good faith to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.
(b)    Disability or Death. If Executive experiences a Disability (as defined below) or death during the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive:
(i)    payment of the Accrued Obligations as soon as practicable following the date that the Board of Directors determines that Executive has a Disability or the date of Executive’s death (each a “DD Event Date”) but no later than sixty (60) days thereafter;
(ii)    payment of an amount equal to the Incentive Compensation that Executive would have been entitled to receive in respect of the fiscal year in which the DD Event Date occurs, had Executive continued in employment until the end of such fiscal year, which amount shall be determined based on the Company’s actual performance for such year relative to the target performance goals applicable to Executive and shall be paid at such time as the Company pays annual bonuses for the year in which the DD Event Date occurs, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the taxable year (of the Company or Executive, whichever is later) in which the performance targets have been achieved; and
(iii)    payment of the Additional Payment on a monthly basis for a period of eighteen (18) months following the DD Event Date, paid pursuant to the Company’s payroll practices in effect at such time.
For purposes of this Agreement, Executive will be deemed to have a “Disability” if, as a result of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or is reasonably expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, Executive is unable to perform the core functions of Executive’s position (with or without reasonable accommodation) for a period of six (6) consecutive months or more, or is receiving income replacement benefits, for a period of six (6) consecutive months or more under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company. As a general matter, Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for any period prior to the DD 

Event Date during which Executive is unable to work due to a physical or mental infirmity in accordance with the Company’s policies for similarly‐situated executives. If any question shall arise as to whether, during any period Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the core functions of Executive’s then existing position with or without reasonable accommodation, Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall, submit to the Company a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Company, to whom Executive or Executive’s guardian has no reasonable objection, as to whether Executive is so disabled and how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Company’s determination of such issue shall be binding on Executive. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to waive Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1933, 29 U.S.C. ss.2601 et seq. and the Americans With Disabilities Act, 424 S.C. ss.12101 et seq.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of an award or element of compensation that provides for a deferral of compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder, to the extent the impact of a Disability on such compensation would subject Executive to additional taxes under Code Section 409A, a Disability for purposes of such compensation will mean both a Disability and a “disability” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A‐3(i)(4).
(c)    Retirement. If Executive’s employment terminates for any reason following the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits, without duplication of any other amounts payable pursuant to this Section 7:
(i)    payment of the Accrued Obligations;
(ii)    payment of the Pro‐Rata Bonus, which shall be payable at such time as the Company pays annual bonuses for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the taxable year (of the Company or Executive, whichever is later) in which the performance targets have been achieved;
(iii)    payment of the Additional Payment on a monthly basis for a period of for twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date, paid pursuant to the Company’s payroll practices in effect at such time;
(iv)    upon Executive’s election, the Partnership and/or the Company’s exercise of the Partnership Redemption Right (as defined in the LP Agreement) and/or the Calpine Repurchase Right (as defined in the LP Agreement), respectively, and/or any other applicable call right in favor of the Partnership and/or the Company that may be applicable to vested Class B Interests under the plans, documents and agreements governing such interests shall be subject to the Executive’s consent, which may be withheld in Executive’s absolute discretion.

(d)    Termination by Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause On or Prior to March 8, 2020 Other Than in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that during the Employment Term and on or prior to March 8, 2020, Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated (A) by Executive for Good Reason or (B) by the Company without Cause, in each case other than in the circumstances described in Section 7(e), then Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall be obligated to pay to Executive:
(i)    a lump sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date in an amount equal to 3.0 times the sum of (A) Executive’s highest Base Salary in the three years preceding the Termination Date plus (B) Executive’s highest Target Bonus for the year of termination or for 2018, whichever is larger; and
(ii)    payment of all Accrued Obligations as soon as practicable following the Termination Date but no later than sixty (60) days after the Termination Date; and
(iii)    the Pro‐rata Bonus, which shall be payable at such time as the Company pays annual bonuses for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the taxable year (of the Company or Executive, whichever is later) in which the performance targets have been achieved; and
(iv)    prompt reimbursement by the Company for outplacement benefits actually paid for by Executive after the Termination Date and before the twenty four (24) month anniversary of the Termination Date after timely presentation of appropriate documentation of such expense by Executive to the Company, such reimbursement to be paid in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement; and
(v)    payment of the Additional Payment on a monthly basis for a period of thirty‐six (36) months following the Termination Date, paid pursuant to the Company’s payroll practices in effect at such time.
(e)    Termination by Executive for Good Reason, by the Company without Cause or a Non‐Renewal of the Agreement in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated (I) by Executive for Good Reason, (II) by the Company without Cause during the Employment Term or (III) on account of a non‐renewal of the Agreement by the Company in accordance with Section 1, in each case within twenty‐four (24) months following a Change in Control that occurs following the date of this Agreement or within nine (9) months prior to a Change in Control that occurs following the date of this Agreement, then in lieu of the amounts due under Section 7(a) or Section 7(d) above, Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall be obligated to pay to Executive:
(i)    a lump sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date in an amount equal to 3.0 times the sum of (A) Executive’s highest Base Salary 

in the three years preceding the Termination Date plus (B) Executive’s highest Target Bonus for the year of termination or for the year in which the Change in Control occurred, whichever is larger (the amount of such lump sum payment, the “CIC Severance”); provided that if Executive is terminated within nine (9) months prior to a Change in Control under the circumstances described in this Section 7(e), the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day following such Change in Control in an amount equal to the excess of (y) the CIC Severance over (z) the amount the Company previously paid to Executive pursuant to Section 7(a) or Section 7(d), as applicable;
(ii)    payment of all Accrued Obligations as soon as practicable following the Termination Date but no later than sixty (60) days after the Termination Date;
(iii)    the Pro‐rata Bonus, which shall be payable at such time as the Company pays annual bonuses for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the taxable year (of the Company or Executive, whichever is later) in which the performance targets have been achieved;
(iv)    prompt reimbursement by the Company for outplacement benefits actually paid for by Executive after the Termination Date and before the twenty four (24) month anniversary of the Termination Date after timely presentation of appropriate documentation of such expense by Executive to the Company, such reimbursement to be paid in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement; and
(v)    payment of the Additional Payment on a monthly basis for a period of thirty‐six (36) months following the Termination Date, paid pursuant to the Company’s payroll practices in effect at such time.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall be defined as in the Award Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of an award or element of compensation that provides for a deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder, to the extent the impact of a Change in Control on such compensation would subject Executive to additional taxes under Code Section 409A, a Change in Control for purposes of such compensation will mean both a Change in Control and a “change in the ownership of a corporation,” “change in the effective control of a corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as applied to the Company.
(f)    Other Terminations. If Executive’s employment is terminated in a manner other than would give rise to the payment of compensation or benefits pursuant to Section 7(a), Section 7(b), Section 7(c), Section 7(d) or Section 7(e) Executive shall only be entitled under this Agreement to receive the Accrued Obligations, which shall be payable as soon as practicable following the Termination Date but no later than sixty (60) days after the Termination Date.

(g)    No Other Severance or change in control Payments. This Section 7 outlines the only payment or benefit obligations of the Company to the Executive in the event of a termination of employment or change in control. Any amounts payable under this Agreement shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any other severance, termination, or change in control payments under any other agreement or plan with the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive will not be entitled to any payment or benefit under the Calpine Corporation Change in Control and Severance Benefits Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Severance Plan”).
(h)    No Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for under this Section 7 by seeking other employment or otherwise and, except as provided in Section 7(a)(v), Section 7(d)(v) or Section 7(e)(v) above, no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to Executive in any subsequent employment.
8.    Termination Notice.
(a)    Any purported termination by the Company or by Executive shall be communicated by written Termination Notice to the other party hereto, which shall be delivered in the period proscribed above in Section 7 with respect to such form of termination or, if no such period is proscribed in Section 7, at least thirty (30) days prior to the Termination Date, except in the case of a termination by the Company for Cause, which shall require no advanced notice. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Termination Notice” shall mean a notice that indicates a Termination Date and otherwise meets the requirements set forth with respect to a Termination Notice in Section 7, above, and Section 8(b) and Section 8(c), below. For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination of Executive’s employment hereunder shall be effective without such Termination Notice (unless waived by the party entitled to receive such notice).
(b)    For purposes of this Agreement, in order for Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason, he must give a Termination Notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by Executive, shall be dated the date it is given to the Company, shall specify the Termination Date and shall state that the termination is for Good Reason and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such Good Reason. Any Termination Notice given by Executive that does not comply in all material respects with the foregoing requirements as well as the “Good Reason” definition provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be invalid and ineffective for purposes of this Agreement. If the Company receives from Executive a Termination Notice that it believes is invalid and ineffective as aforesaid, it shall promptly notify Executive of such belief and the reasons therefor. Any termination of employment by Executive that either does not constitute Good Reason or fails to meet the Termination Notice requirements set forth above shall be deemed a termination by Executive without Good Reason.

(c)    For purposes of this Agreement, in order for the Company to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company must give a Termination Notice to Executive, which notice shall be dated the date it is given to Executive, shall specify the Termination Date and shall state that the termination is for Cause and shall set forth in reasonable detail the particulars thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, in order for the Company to terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, the Company must give a Termination Notice to Executive, which notice shall be dated the date it is given to Executive, shall specify the Termination Date and shall state that the termination is without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, in order for the Company to terminate Executive’s employment for Disability, the Company must give a Termination Notice to Executive, which notice shall be dated the date it is given to Executive, shall specify the Termination Date and shall state that the termination is for Disability and shall set forth in reasonable detail the particulars thereof. Any Termination Notice given by the Company that does not comply, in all material respects, with the foregoing requirements shall be invalid and ineffective for purposes of this Agreement. No Termination Notice must be provided in the event of a termination of Executive’s employment by reason of death. Any Termination Notice purported to be given by the Company to Executive after the death or retirement of Executive shall be invalid and ineffective.
9.    Affirmation of Restrictive Covenants. In entering into this Agreement, Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that he is bound by those restrictions set forth in that certain Restrictive Covenant Agreement (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”) dated as of September 1, 2008, by and between Executive and the Company, which such restrictions Executive acknowledges and agrees are reasonable and enforceable in all respects. Employee expressly covenants to abide by the covenants set forth in the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, which such provisions are herein incorporated by reference; provided that the last sentences of each of Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement (providing that the provisions of such Sections shall not apply following a termination of Executive’s employment that occurs on or after a Change in Control (as defined in the Restrictive Covenant Agreement)), are hereby deleted and shall have no further force or effect.
10.    Clawback. To the extent required by applicable law, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Dodd‐Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any Securities Exchange Commission rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, amounts paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to clawback to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s), which clawback may include forfeiture, repurchase and/or recoupment of amounts paid or payable hereunder.
11.    Section 409A. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and this Agreement will be administered and interpreted in a manner consistent with this intent. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall not be deemed to have had a termination of employment unless Executive has incurred a separation from service from the Company within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Code Section 409A, payments under this Agreement that would otherwise be payable 

during the six‐month period after the Termination Date shall instead be paid on the first business day after the expiration of such six‐month period. In addition, for purposes of this Agreement, each amount to be paid and each installment payment shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. With respect to expenses eligible for reimbursement under the terms of this Agreement, (a) the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in another taxable year, (b) any reimbursements of such expenses shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expenses were incurred, and (c) the right to reimbursement or in‐kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, except, in each case, to the extent that the right to reimbursement does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
12.    Section 280G.
(a)    The Company shall pay to or for the benefit of Executive, at the time specified in this Section 12(a), an additional amount (the “Gross‐up Payment”) such that the net after‐tax amount of the Gross‐Up Payment retained by Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax (as defined below) and any federal and state and local taxes imposed on the Gross‐Up Payment itself, shall be equal to the Excise Tax imposed on the 280G Payments (as defined below) if:
(i)    there is a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in the effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company (in each case, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder);
(ii)    immediately before the change described in Section 12(a)(i), the stock in the Company was readily tradeable on an established securities market or otherwise (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder); and
(iii)    it is determined that any payments, rights or benefits, or the lapse or termination of any restriction, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement of Executive with the Company or with any person affiliated with the Company, or with any person who acquires ownership or effective control or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder) or with any affiliate of such person, and whether or not Executive’s employment has then terminated (collectively, the “280G Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”).
The Gross‐Up Payment shall be paid to or for the benefit of Executive no later than fifteen (15) business days prior to the date by which Executive is required to pay the Excise Tax or 

any portion thereof to any federal, state or local taxing authority, without regard to extensions, subject to the terms of this Section 12.
(b)    For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross‐Up Payment, Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross‐Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of Executive’s residence in the calendar year in which the Gross‐Up Payment is made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes, if any, which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. For the avoidance of doubt, the intent of the Gross‐Up Payment is solely to make the imposition of the Excise Tax tax‐neutral for Executive.
(c)    Subject to any determinations made by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), all determinations required to be made under this Section 12 relating to the Gross‐Up Payment, including whether and when a Gross‐Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross‐Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm or a consulting firm as may be designated by the Company and that is not serving as accountant or auditor for the Company or the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control (the “Accountants”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive. All fees and expenses of the Accountants will be borne by the Company. Subject to any determinations made by the IRS, determinations of the Accountants under this Agreement with respect to (i) the initial amount of any Gross‐Up Payment and (ii) any subsequent adjustment of such payment shall be binding on the Company and Executive.
(d)    In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder, Executive shall repay to the Company at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the Gross‐Up Payment attributable to such reduction, with the amount of such repayment determined by the Accountants; provided, however, that if the Company determines that such repayment obligation would be or result in an unlawful extension of credit under Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act, repayment shall not be required. In the event that the Excise Tax is determined by the Accountants to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross‐Up Payment), the Company shall make an additional Gross‐Up Payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest and penalties payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
(e)    Executive shall notify the Company of any audit or review by the IRS of Executive’s federal income tax return for the year in which a payment under this Agreement is made within ten (10) days of Executive’s receipt of notification of such audit or review. Executive shall not pay any IRS claim resulting from any such audit or review prior to the expiration of the thirty 

(30)‐day period following the date on which he gives notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive shall:
(i)    give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim;
(ii)    take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company;
(iii)    cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and
(iv)    permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after‐tax basis, for any Excise Tax or federal, state and local income and employment tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or to contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to Executive, on an after‐tax basis, and shall hold Executive harmless from any Excise Tax or federal, state or local income or employment tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Executive with respect to with such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. The Company’s control of the contest, however, shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross‐Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the IRS or any other taxing authority. If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 12(e), Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with 

the requirements of this Section 12(e)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto); provided, however, that if the Company determines that such repayment obligation would be or result in an unlawful extension of credit under Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act, repayment shall not be required. If, after receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 12(e), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to any such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross‐Up Payment required to be paid.
(f)    If, other than in the circumstances described in Section 12(a), it is determined that any of the 280G Payments would be subject to the Excise Tax, then, to the extent necessary to make such portion of the 280G Payments not subject to the Excise Tax (and after taking into account any reduction in the 280G Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code under any other plan, arrangement or agreement), the portion of the 280G Payments that do not constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A shall first be reduced (if necessary, to zero), and all other 280G Payments shall thereafter be reduced (if necessary, to zero) with cash payments being reduced before noncash payments, and payments to be paid last being reduced first, but only if (i) the net amount of such 280G Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced 280G Payments and after taking into account any phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced 280G Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such 280G Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such 280G Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced 280G Payments and after taking into account any phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced 280G Payments).
13.    Miscellaneous. 
(a)    Successors and Assigns.
(i)    This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and permitted assigns and the Company shall require any successor or assign to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place. The Company may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder except to a successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company. The term “the Company” as used herein shall include a corporation or other entity acquiring all or substantially all the assets and business of the Company (including this Agreement) whether by operation of law or otherwise.

(ii)    Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be assignable or transferable by Executive, Executive’s beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal personal representatives.
(b)    Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement (including the Notice of Termination) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by Certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses last given by each party to the other, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Chief Legal Officer of the Company. All notices to Executive shall be delivered to him at the address on record with the Company with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Arthur Kohn, Esq., Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, One Liberty Plaza, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10006. All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the third business day after the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(c)    Indemnification, D&O Coverage. The Company shall indemnify Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against all costs, charges and expenses incurred or sustained by Executive, including the cost and expenses of legal counsel, in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which Executive may be made a party by reason of Executive being or having been an officer, director, or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (“Proceeding”). Such indemnification shall continue as to Executive even if he has ceased to be a director, officer, member, employee, agent, manager, trustee, consultant or representative of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators. Executive shall be entitled to prompt advancement of any and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ and other professional fees and charges) reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such Proceeding, any such advancement to be made within 15 days after Executive gives written notice, supported by reasonable documentation, requesting such advancement. Such notice shall include an undertaking by Executive to repay the amounts advanced to the extent that he is ultimately determined not to be entitled to indemnification against such costs and expenses. Nothing in this Agreement or elsewhere shall operate to limit or extinguish any right to indemnification, advancement of expenses, or contribution that Executive would otherwise have (including, without limitation, by agreement or under applicable law). Executive shall be covered during the Employment Term and thereafter for as long as any executive is covered (but in no event for less than six (6) years) by officer and director liability insurance, in amounts and on terms no less favorable than those in effect on the Effective Date, which insurance shall be paid by the Company.
(d)    Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold the amount, if any, of all taxes of any applicable jurisdiction required to be withheld by an employer with respect to 

any amount paid to Executive hereunder. The Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall make all determinations as to whether it is obligated to withhold any taxes hereunder and the amount hereof.
(e)    Timing of Payments; Release of Claims. Any payments or benefits due pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, except for payments made pursuant to Section 7(e) and the Accrued Obligations, shall be subject to Executive (or, if applicable, Executive’s estate) having delivered to the Company and not revoked a signed release of claims in the form of Exhibit B and any applicable revocation period shall have expired within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date; provided further, that Executive shall not be required to release any rights Executive may have to be indemnified by the Company under Section 13(c) of this Agreement. If the release described in the immediately preceding sentence has not become effective and irrevocable on or prior to the 60th day following the Termination Date, Executive (or, if applicable, Executive’s estate) shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, except for payments made pursuant to Section 7(e) and the Accrued Obligations (and, in the case of any payments which may begin prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, such payments shall cease to be provided at such time).
(f)    Representations and Warranties by Executive. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and delivery by Executive of this Agreement do not, and the performance by Executive of Executive’s obligations hereunder will not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both: (i) violate any judgment, writ, injunction, or order of any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency applicable to Executive; or (ii) conflict with, result in the breach of any provisions of or the termination of, or constitute a default under, any agreement to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is or may be bound.
(g)    Attorneys’ Fees and Professional Fees. The Company shall pay all reasonable legal and consulting fees and related expenses, up to a maximum amount of $65,000, incurred by Executive in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of his choice in connection with the drafting, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and related employment arrangements.
(h)    Modification. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

(i)    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely within such State, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.
(j)    Dispute Resolution; Venue. The exclusive venue for any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be the state or federal courts located in Harris County in the State of Texas, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto also agrees that any final and unappealable judgment against a party hereto in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such award or judgment. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION THEREOF.
(k)    No Conflicts. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive is not a party to or otherwise bound by any agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, any license, covenant, or commitment of any nature), or subject to any judgment, decree, or order of any court or administrative agency, that would conflict with or will be in conflict with or in any way preclude, limit or inhibit Executive’s ability to execute this Agreement or to carry out Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(l)    Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
(m)    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements (including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement and the Severance Plan), if any, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is a conflict between this Agreement and the terms and provisions of the agreements pursuant to which the Class B Interests were granted, this Agreement shall control.
(n)    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer and Executive has executed this Agreement as of August 29, 2018, and this Agreement shall be effective from and after the Effective Date.
	
		
	CALPINE CORPORATION

	 
	 

	 
	 

	By:
	/s/ W. THADDEUS MILLER

	Name:
	W. Thaddeus Miller

	Title:
	Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary

	 
	 

	 
	 

	EXECUTIVE

	 
	 

	 
	 

	By:
	/s/ JOHN B. HILL

	Name:
	John B. Hill

	 
	 

AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:
	
		
	CPN MANAGEMENT, LP

	 
	 

	By:
	Volt Parent GP, LLC,

	 
	its general partner

	 
	 

	By:
	Energy Capital Partners III, LLC,

	 
	its managing member

	 
	 

	By:
	ECP ControlCo, LLC,

	 
	its managing member

	 
	 

	 
	 

	By:
	/s/ TYLER REEDER

	Name:
	Tyler Reeder

	Title:
	Managing Member

	 
	 

[Signature Page to Hill Employment Agreement]

EXHIBIT A
[CLASS B INTEREST AWARD AGREEMENT]

Execution Version
	
		
	CPN MANAGEMENT, LP
717 TEXAS AVENUE 
SUITE 100 
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002

	 

[Date]

[Employee address]
 

		
	Re:
	Award of Class B Interest in CPN Management, LP

Dear Sir/Madam:
Reference is made to that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CPN Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CPN Management”), dated and effective as of August 29, 2018 (as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “CPN Management LP Agreement”), a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto.   Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this letter agreement (this “Award Agreement”) shall have the meanings set forth in the CPN Management LP Agreement (unless otherwise stated herein).
This Award Agreement sets forth the understanding between CPN Management and [______] (the “Employee”), an employee of Calpine Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CPN Management (“Calpine”), or one of its subsidiaries, regarding the terms and conditions under which CPN Management shall grant the Employee an award of a Class B Interest.   Such Class B Interest shall entitle the Employee to share in the profits, losses and distributions of CPN Management to the extent set forth in the CPN Management LP Agreement.  The Employee shall be entitled to such other rights, and shall be subject to such obligations, associated with such Class B Interest as are provided in the CPN Management LP Agreement.
1.Award of Class B Interest to the Employee.
(a)As of [_____________] (the “Date of Grant”), CPN Management hereby awards a Class B Interest to the Employee as set forth in the following table with a Benchmark Component of $5,452,861,009 (the “Class B Interest”).  The Award shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the CPN Management LP Agreement and this Award Agreement.  Subject to the Employee’s continuous provision of services to Calpine or any of its subsidiaries through each applicable vesting date, the Award shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the following table.
	
		
	Total Class B Interest subject to vesting 
(as of the Date of Grant)
	Incremental Vesting of 
Award
(as of annual vesting dates)

	[      ], 2018:  [    ]%
	March 8, 2019: 20% 
March 8, 2020: 20% 
March 8, 2021: 20%
March 8, 2022: 20%
March 8, 2023: 20%

(b)As a condition to receiving the Award, the Employee must duly execute and deliver this Award Agreement and a joinder to the CPN Management LP Agreement (a form of which is attached as Exhibit B hereto).
		
	2.
	Change in Control; Termination of Employment.

(a)In the event of a Change in Control, the Award shall vest in full, to the extent not already then vested.
(b)On a Date of Termination that occurs due to the Employee’s death or Disability, the Award shall vest in full, to the extent not already then vested.
(c)On a Date of Termination that occurs for any reason other than as described in Section 2(b) above, the Employee shall forfeit any then unvested portion of the Award without payment therefor.
(d)Following a Change in Control, a Drag-Along Sale, a Tag-Along Sale or a Date of Termination that occurs for any reason, any portion of the Award that is not forfeited in accordance with the terms hereof shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the CPN Management LP Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 6.05 (Repurchase Rights) and all other provisions of Article VI of the CPN Management LP Agreement.
3.Award Agreement Definitions.
For purposes of this Award Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)“Cause” shall, if the Employee is party to an Employment Agreement that includes such term, have the meaning ascribed to such term in such Employment Agreement.  If the Employee is not a party to such an Employment Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i) the Employee’s willful failure to substantially perform the Employee’s duties (other than any such failure resulting from the Employee’s Disability); (ii) the Employee’s willful failure to carry out, or comply with, in any material respect any lawful directive of Calpine; (iii) the Employee’s commission at any time of any act or omission that results in, or may reasonably be expected to result in, a conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated probation for any felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) the Employee’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs on Calpine’s premises or while performing the Employee’s duties and responsibilities; (v) the Employee’s commission at any time of any act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, material misconduct, conversion of assets of Calpine, or breach of fiduciary duty against Calpine; or (vi) the Employee’s material breach of this Award Agreement, the CPN Management LP Agreement or any Employment Agreement or other agreement with Calpine or CPN Management or any of their respective Affiliates (including, without limitation, any breach of the restrictive covenants of any such agreement); and which, in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (vi), continues beyond thirty (30) days after Calpine or CPN Management, as applicable, has provided the Employee written notice of such failure or breach (to the extent that, in the reasonable judgment of Calpine or CPN Management, as applicable, such failure or breach can be cured by the Employee).
(b)“Change in Control” shall mean (i) a change in beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of Calpine, CPN Management or Volt Parent LP, a 

Delaware limited partnership (“Volt Parent”), effected through a transaction or series of transactions (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation or other business combination, or sale of assets or equity interests) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) Calpine, CPN Management, Volt Parent or any of their respective Affiliates, (B) any limited partner of Volt Parent as of March 8, 2018 or any Affiliate of any such limited partner, or (C) any employee benefit plan maintained by Calpine or any of its subsidiaries (x) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of securities of Calpine possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the securities of Calpine outstanding immediately after such acquisition or (y) acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Calpine, CPN Management or Volt Parent, whether by liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation or sale, or (ii) any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than (1) ECP, Calpine, CPN Management, Volt Parent or any of their respective Affiliates or (2) any employee benefit plan maintained by Calpine or any of its subsidiaries directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership from ECP of (I) more than 75% of ECP’s aggregate interest in Volt Parent as of March 8, 2018 or (II) interests in Volt Parent such that, following such acquisition, ECP (directly or indirectly) is no longer the largest holder of interests in Volt Parent; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, an offering of securities of Calpine or any successor entity to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act shall not, on its own, constitute a Change in Control.
(c)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d)“Date of Termination” shall mean the date on which the Employee’s employment with Calpine or any of its subsidiaries terminates for any reason.
(e)“Disability” shall, if the Employee is party to an Employment Agreement that includes such term, have the meaning ascribed to such term in such Employment Agreement, and if the Employee is not a party to such an Employment Agreement that includes such term, mean the Employee’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as determined by an accredited physician jointly selected by the Employee and Calpine.
(f)“Employment Agreement” shall mean a written employment agreement with Calpine or any of its subsidiaries.
(g)“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(h)“Noncompete Agreement” shall mean any written agreement with Calpine or any of its subsidiaries, other than the agreement in Section 6.10(a) (“Non-Competition”) of the CPN Management LP Agreement, that restricts or prohibits the Employee from competing with the business of Calpine or any of its subsidiaries.
(i) “Noncompete Option” shall mean the option of Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary, in its sole discretion, if the Employee is not a party to a Noncompete Agreement as of the Date of Termination, to extend the Restricted Period (as defined below) for purposes of Section 6.10(a) (“Non-Competition”) of the CPN Management LP Agreement to a date on or prior to (i) in the case of an Employee who is a Vice President or below at the Date of Termination, three (3) months following the Date of Termination, and (ii) in the case of an Employee who is a Senior Vice 

President or above at the Date of Termination, six (6) months following the Date of Termination, in each case upon written notice to the Employee no later than thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination and subject to Section 5.
(j)“Noncompete Option Payment” shall mean an amount equal to (a) the Employee’s annual base salary as of the Date of Termination, multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of days from the Date of Termination through the expiration date of the Restricted Period (as elected by Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary pursuant to its Noncompete Option), and the denominator of which is 365.
(k)“Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof.
4.CPN Management LP Agreement Definitions.  For purposes of the CPN Management LP Agreement (solely with respect to the Award being awarded hereunder), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Repurchase Price” shall mean (i) in the event of a Date of Termination that occurs due to termination by Calpine for Cause or the Employee’s purported “Transfer” in violation of the provisions of Article VI of the CPN Management LP Agreement, $0.00, and (ii) in the event of a Date of Termination that occurs for any other reason, an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Class B Interest subject to the Award.
(b)“Restricted Period”, for purposes of Section 6.10(b) (“Non-Solicitation”) of the CPN Management LP Agreement, shall mean the period from the Date of Grant through the first anniversary of the Date of Termination.  For purposes of Section 6.10(a) (“Non-Competition”) of the CPN Management LP Agreement, “Restricted Period” shall mean (i) if the Employee is a party to a Noncompete Agreement as of the Date of Termination, the period from the Date of Grant through the date as may be set forth as the expiration date of any applicable non-competition covenant provided for in such Noncompete Agreement and (ii) if the Employee is not a party to a Noncompete Agreement as of the Date of Termination, the period from the Date of Grant through (A) in the event that Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary does not exercise its Noncompete Option, the Date of Termination or (B) in the event that Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary exercises its Noncompete Option, the date elected by such entity thereunder.
5.Noncompete Option Payment.  If Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary exercises its Noncompete Option, then the Employee will be entitled to a payment equal the excess of (y) the amount of the Noncompete Option Payment over (z) the amount of cash severance, if any, to which the Employee is entitled under any severance agreement with or plan or policy of Calpine or any of its subsidiaries as a result of the Employee’s termination of employment.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) no portion of the Noncompete Option Payment shall be paid unless, on or prior to the 30th day following the Date of Termination, the Employee timely executes a general waiver and release of claims agreement acceptable to Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary, and such release shall not have been revoked by the Employee prior to the expiration of the period (if any) during which any portion of such release is revocable under applicable law, and (ii) as of the first date on which the Employee violates any covenant contained in Section 6.10 (“Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Non-Disparagement”) of the CPN Management LP Agreement, any remaining unpaid portion of the Noncompete Option Payment shall thereupon be forfeited.  The Noncompete Option Payment shall be paid in equal installments during the period 

beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the expiration date of the Restricted Period (as elected by Calpine or the applicable employing subsidiary pursuant to its Noncompete Option), in accordance with the normal payroll policies of the applicable employer as in effect on the Date of Termination; provided that any installment that would otherwise have been paid prior to the first normal payroll payment date that occurs on or after the 30th day following the Date of Termination (such payroll date, the “First Payment Date”) shall instead be paid on the First Payment Date.
6.Section 409A.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Award Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) to the extent that the Noncompete Option Payment is deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, for purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) of the Department of Treasury regulations), the Employee’s right to receive the Noncompete Option Payment in the form of installment payments (the “Installment Payments”) shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each Installment Payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment; (b) the Noncompete Option Payment shall not be payable unless the Employee’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury regulations; (c) if the Employee is deemed at the time of the Employee’s separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the Noncompete Option Payment (after taking into account all applicable exclusions under Section 409A) is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Noncompete Option Payment shall not be provided to the Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s “separation from service” and (ii) the date of the Employee’s death; provided that, upon the earlier of such dates, any portion of the Noncompete Option Payment deferred pursuant to this Section 6 shall be paid in a lump sum to the Employee, and any remaining portion shall be provided as otherwise specified herein; and (d) the determination of whether the Employee is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of the Employee’s separation from service shall be made by Calpine in accordance with the terms of Section 409A (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Department of Treasury regulations and any successor provision thereto).
7.Tax Consequences.
(a)Calpine and CPN Management have encouraged the Employee to review the tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement and the CPN Management LP Agreement with the Employee’s own personal tax or financial advisor.  The Employee understands that, subject to Section 4.07(c) of the CPN Management LP Agreement, he or she, and not Calpine, CPN Management or any of their respective Affiliates, will be responsible for the Employee’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement and the CPN Management LP Agreement.
(b)The Employee acknowledges that nothing in this Award Agreement or CPN Management LP Agreement constitutes tax advice. 
8.Profits Interest.  The Class B Interest awarded pursuant to this Award Agreement is intended to be treated as a “profits interest” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

9.Securities Laws.  The Employee and CPN Management acknowledge that the Class B Interest has been awarded and issued in reliance on applicable exemptions from registration, including without limitation Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or the provisions of Regulation D and/or Rule 701 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and upon an exemption from registration under any applicable state “blue sky” laws.
10.Conflicts.  Except to the extent explicitly provided herein, if this Award Agreement contains any provision that conflicts with the CPN Management LP Agreement, the applicable provision of the CPN Management LP shall prevail and control and the conflicting provision of this Award Agreement (and only such provision) shall be of no force or effect.
*  *  *  *  *

CPN MANAGEMENT, LP

By:       Volt Parent GP, LLC, its general partner

By:__________________________
Name:  
Title:  

[2018 Award Agreement between CPN Management, LP and the Employee]

THE EMPLOYEE

__________________________________________
 

[2018 Award Agreement between CPN Management, LP and the Employee]

Exhibit A
CPN Management, LP Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement

A-1

Exhibit B
Form of Joinder to the CPN Management, LP Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement
[See Attached]

B-1

EXHIBIT B
FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT
THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT (the “Release”) is made as of this ____ day of , ____, by and between (“Executive”) and Calpine Corporation (the “Company”).
1.    FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the payments and benefits provided in Section 7 of that certain Employment Agreement dated as of August 29, 2018, by and among Executive and the Company (the “Employment Agreement”), Executive, for himself and his successors and assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, now and forever hereby releases and discharges the Company, together with all of its past and present parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, together with each of their officers, directors, stockholders, owners, subscribers, partners, employees, agents, representatives, insurers and attorneys, and each of their subsidiaries, affiliates, estates, predecessors, successors, and assigns, as well as all employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates and all fiduciaries and administrators of any such plans in their personal and representative capacities (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Releasees”) from any and all rights, claims, charges, actions, causes of action, complaints, sums of money, suits, debts, covenants, contracts, agreements, promises, obligations, damages, demands, costs, or liabilities of every kind whatsoever, in law or in equity, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (collectively, “Claims”) which Executive or Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns ever had, now has or may hereafter claim to have by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising from the beginning of time up to the date of the Release including, but not limited to any such Claims arising out of or relating in any way to i. Executive’s employment relationship with the Company or any of the Releasees, and ii. any federal, local or state statute or regulation, including, without limitation, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and/or any other federal or state law against discrimination or retaliation, each as amended, iii. the termination of Executive’s employment relationship with the Company or any of the Releasees; iv. the Employment Agreement; v. wrongful employment termination; or vi. any policy, agreement, understanding or promise, written or oral, formal or informal, between the Company or any of the Releasees and Executive; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in the Release shall in any way diminish or impair: 1. any rights Executive may have that arise from and after the date the Release is executed; 2. any rights Executive may have to indemnification or advancement that may exist from time to time under the express provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or state law or under the express provisions of any policy or agreement, in each case as amended from time to time (and, without limiting the foregoing, any and all rights under Section 2(c) of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement and Section 13(c) of the Employment Agreement); 3. any rights Executive may have to vested benefits under employee benefit plans or incentive compensation plans of the Company in accordance with their terms in effect from time to time; 4. Executive’s ability to bring appropriate proceedings to enforce the Release; or 5. any rights under the provisions of Section 7 of the Employment Agreement (collectively, the “Excluded Claims”). Further, notwithstanding the release of liability contained herein, nothing in this Release prevents Executive from filing any 

Exhibit B‐1

non‐legally waivable claim (including a challenge to the validity of this Release) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or comparable state or local agency or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC or comparable state or local agency; however, Executive understands and agrees that Executive is waiving any and all rights to recover any monetary or personal relief or recovery as a result of such EEOC or comparable state or local agency proceeding or subsequent legal actions. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that, except with respect to Excluded Claims, Executive has received all leaves (paid and unpaid) to which Executive was entitled and the Company and the Releasees have fully satisfied any and all obligations whatsoever owed to Executive arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment with the Company or any of the Releasees or the termination of such employment, and that no further payments or benefits are owed to Executive by the Company or any of the Releasees. Further, notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement with or policy of the Company to which Executive was or is subject, nothing herein or therein shall (A) prohibit Executive from making reports of possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Section 806 of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002, or of any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation, or (B) require Executive to comply with any notification or prior approval requirement with respect to any reporting described in clause (A); provided, however, that Executive is not authorized to disclose communications with counsel that were made for the purpose of receiving legal advice or that contain legal advice or that are protected by the attorney work product or similar privilege. Furthermore, Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (1) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, in each case, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (2) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or proceeding, if such filings are made under seal.
2.    Executive understands and agrees that, except for the Excluded Claims, Executive has knowingly relinquished, waived and forever released any and all rights to any personal recovery in any action or proceeding that may be commenced on Executive’s behalf arising out of the aforesaid employment relationship or the termination thereof, including, without limitation, claims for back pay, front pay, liquidated damages, compensatory damages, general damages, special damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees. Executive agrees never, individually or with any person or in any way, to commence, prosecute or cause or permit to be commenced or prosecuted against the Company or any Releasees, any legal action or other proceeding based upon any Excluded Claims. If such action or proceeding is filed on Executive’s behalf, Executive agrees to immediately cause the dismissal of such action with prejudice and without any further right of appeal. Executive represents that no such action or proceedings or any other charge or claim is pending in any court or before any governmental agency as of the date of this Release.
3.    Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choosing prior to signing the Release. Executive understands and agrees that Executive has carefully read this Release and has the right and has been given an adequate opportunity to review the Release with an attorney of Executive’s choice should Executive so desire. 

Exhibit B‐2

Executive also agrees that Executive has entered into the Release freely and voluntarily. Executive fully understands the final and binding effect of this Release and that Executive understands and agrees to each of the terms of this Release. Executive acknowledges that Executive is receiving, pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, consideration in addition to anything of value to which Executive is entitled but for Executive’s execution of this Release. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive has had at least [twenty‐one (21)] [forty‐five (45)] calendar days to consider the Release, although Executive may sign it sooner if Executive wishes. [Add if 45 days applies: Executive acknowledges that attached to this Release are (1) a list of the positions and ages of those employees selected for termination (or participation in the exit incentive or other employment termination program); (2) a list of the ages of those employees not selected for termination (or participation in such program); and (3) information about the unit affected by the employment termination program of which his termination was a part, including any eligibility factors for such program and any time limits applicable to such program.] In addition, once Executive has signed the Release, Executive shall have seven (7) additional days from the date of execution to revoke Executive’s consent and may do so by writing to:      . The Release shall not be effective until the eighth (8th) day after Executive shall have executed the Release and returned it to the Company, assuming that Executive had not revoked Executive’s consent to the Release prior to such date. No payments shall be made to Executive under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement if Executive revokes this Release within the time provided to do so.
4.    It is understood and agreed by Executive that any payment made to Executive is not to be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever on the part of the Company or any of the other Releasees, by whom liability is expressly denied.
5.    The Release is executed by Executive voluntarily and is not based upon any representations or statements of any kind made by the Company or any of the other Releasees. Executive further acknowledges that Executive has had a full and reasonable opportunity to consider the Release and that Executive has not been pressured or in any way coerced into executing the Release.
6.    Executive represents that Executive has returned to Executive’s manager or human resources representative all property or data of any type, including computer and e‐mail passwords, relating to the Company or any of the Releasees that are in Executive’s possession or control, without retaining any copies, notes or extracts thereof.
7.    By signing below, Executive acknowledges that as a result of Executive’s employment with the Company Executive has had access to Confidential Information of the Company and its affiliates (for the purposes of this Release, “Confidential Information” includes but is not limited to trade secrets, inventions, marketing plans, product plans, business strategies, financial information, forecasts, personnel information, customer lists, customer information, and any other information which gives the Company and its affiliates an opportunity to obtain advantage over competitors who do not know or use it) and that Executive will hold all such Confidential Information in strictest confidence and will not disclose to any person or entity or make use, directly or indirectly, of such Confidential Information. Executive represents that Executive has delivered 

Exhibit B‐3

to Executive’s manager or human resources representative all diskettes, documents and data of any nature pertaining to any such Confidential Information and that Executive has not taken or retained any such diskettes, documents or data or any reproductions. Nor shall Executive directly or indirectly use Confidential Information of the Company or any of its affiliates to compete with the Company or any of its affiliates, or disclose Confidential Information to a competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates or to any other person or entity.
8.    Executive agrees to keep the contents, terms and conditions of this Release confidential. Executive may disclose this information to Executive’s spouse, immediate family, accountants, or attorneys, provided that they first agree not to disclose any information concerning the contents, terms and conditions of this Release to anyone. Executive also may disclose the contents, terms and conditions of this Release to the IRS or other taxing authorities or as required by subpoena or court order. Any breach of this confidentiality provision, or of any other obligation by Executive set forth in this Release, will be deemed a material breach of this Release.
9.    Unless required by law, Executive agrees to refrain from making any public statements (or authorizing any statements to be reported as being attributed to him) that are critical, disparaging or derogatory about, or which injure the reputation of, any Releasee. The Company agrees that, unless required by law, Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause its employees who report directly to Executive and the directors and officers of the Company to refrain from making any public statements (or authorizing any statements to be reported as being attributable to them) that are critical, disparaging, or derogatory about, or which injure the reputation of, Executive.
10.    The exclusive venue for any disputes arising hereunder shall be the state or federal courts located in Harris County in the State of Texas, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto also agrees that any final and unappealable judgment against a party hereto in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such award or judgment. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE RELEASE, THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OR EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION THEREOF.
11.    The Release and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. If any provision hereof is unenforceable or is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable, and this document and its terms shall be construed and enforced as if such unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect, and the court construing the provisions shall add as a part hereof a provision as similar in terms and effect to such unenforceable provision as may be enforceable, in lieu of the unenforceable provision.

Exhibit B‐4

12.    The Release shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns and each of the Releasees shall be entitled to rely upon and enforce the provisions of Section 1 of this Release as if parties to this Release.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

Exhibit B‐5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed the Release as of the date and year first written above.
	
			
	 
	 
	 

	CALPINE CORPORATION
	 
	EXECUTIVE

	 
	 
	 

    

Exhibit B‐6

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