Document:

hes-ex103_593.htm

 

Exhibit 10(3)

 

 

HESS CORPORATION 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN Performance Award Agreement

 

 

	
 
	
Participant:
	
FIRST NAME – LAST NAME 
	
 

	
 
	
Grant Date:
	
DATE
	
 

	
 
	
Number of Performance Shares: 
	
# OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

* * * * *

 

This PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the Grant Date specified above, is entered into by and between HESS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and the Participant specified above, pursuant to the Shareholder Value Program under the Hess Corporation 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as in effect and as amended from time to time (the “Plan”).

 

WHEREAS, it has been determined under the Plan that it would be in the best interests of the Corporation to grant the Performance Award provided for herein to the Participant as an inducement to remain in the employment of the Corporation (and/or any Subsidiary), and as an incentive for improved performance toward corporate goals during such employment;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee has authorized the grant to the Participant of a Performance Award in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Participant and the Corporation desire to enter into this Agreement to evidence and confirm the grant of such Performance Award on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and premises hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows.

 

1.Incorporation By Reference; Document Receipt. This Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly not intended to apply to the grant of the Performance Award hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if each were expressly set forth mutatis mutandis herein. Any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto under the Plan.  The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a prospectus describing the Plan and the Awards thereunder and that he has read it carefully and fully understands its content.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

 

 

2.Grant of Performance Award.  Pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, the Corporation as of the date set forth above (the “Grant Date”) has granted to the Participant, and hereby evidences the grant to the Participant of, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan, a Performance Award consisting of the number of Performance Shares specified above.  A Performance Share is an unfunded and unsecured obligation to deliver up to two Shares (or a portion thereof) or the cash equivalent thereof (determined in accordance with Section 3), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and those of the Plan.  References herein to Performance Shares are to the Performance Shares comprising such Performance Award granted pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.Payment of Earned Performance Shares.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5 and Section 6, after the end of the Performance Cycle described in Section 4(a), the Committee shall certify in writing on the date (the “vesting date”) of its first regular meeting following the end of the Performance Cycle whether, and to what extent, the performance goal set forth in Section 4(b) has been achieved and determine and certify in writing the number of Performance Shares earned pursuant to Section 4.  The number of such Performance Shares so earned shall be paid by the Corporation as soon as administratively practicable after the vesting date; provided that in no event shall such payment be made later than March 15 of the calendar year that immediately follows the last day of the Performance Cycle.  To the extent that the Performance Shares are not earned pursuant to Section 4, such Performance Shares shall be forfeited.  Payments hereunder shall be made in Shares, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, affirmatively determines that such payments shall be made in cash, or a combination of Shares and cash.  If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering Shares, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the trading date immediately prior to the date of such payment, less applicable tax withholdings in accordance with Section 12.03 of the Plan.

 

4.Vesting Criteria Applicable to Performance Shares.

 

(a)Performance Cycle.  The Performance Cycle for the Performance Award granted pursuant to this Agreement shall commence on January 1, 2018, and shall end on December 31, 2020.

 

(b)Performance Goal.  The performance goal for the Performance Cycle is the total return per Share to the Corporation’s shareholders, inclusive of dividends paid, during the Performance Cycle in comparison to the total return per share of common stock, inclusive of dividends paid, during the Performance Cycle achieved by the companies that are listed in Exhibit A attached hereto (such companies, the “Comparison Companies”), as set forth in this Section 4(b).  For purposes of this Agreement, such total shareholder return (“Total Shareholder Return”) for the Corporation and each of the Comparison Companies shall be measured by dividing (A) the sum of (1) the dividends paid (regardless of whether paid in cash or property) on the common stock of such company during the Performance Cycle, assuming reinvestment of such dividends in such stock (based on the closing price of such stock on the date such dividend is paid), plus (2) the average closing price of a share of such stock on the principal United States exchange on which the stock trades for the 60 trading days

 

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immediately prior to and including the last day of the Performance Cycle (appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, merger or other similar corporate events)(the “Ending Average Value”) minus the average closing price of a share of such company's common stock on the principal United States exchange on which the stock trades for the 60  trading days occurring immediately prior to the first day of the Performance Cycle (the “Beginning Average Value”) , by (B) the Beginning Average Value.  For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that the foregoing calculation of Total Shareholder Return shall take into account not only the reinvestment of dividends in a share of common stock of the Corporation and any Comparison Company but also capital appreciation or depreciation in the shares deemed acquired by such reinvestment.  All determinations under this Section 4 shall be made by the Committee.

 

(c)Percentage of Performance Shares Earned.  Except as provided in Section 6, the Performance Shares shall be earned based on where the Corporation’s Total Shareholder Return during the Performance Cycle ranks in comparison to the Total Shareholder Returns of the Comparison Companies during the Performance Cycle.  As soon as practicable after the completion of the Performance Cycle, the Total Shareholder Returns of the Corporation and each of the Comparison Companies shall be calculated and ranked from first to last (the “TSR Ranking”).  The extent to which Performance Shares shall become earned on the vesting date described in Section 3 shall be based on the TSR Ranking attained by the Corporation.  The percentage of Performance Shares earned (the “Percentage of Performance Shares Earned”) shall be the percentage set forth in the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned column of the schedule set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto that corresponds to the TSR Ranking attained by the Corporation set forth in the TSR Ranking column of such schedule.  The number of Performance Shares earned shall be the product of the number of Performance Shares set forth in Section 2 multiplied by the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned.  If at any time during the Performance Cycle, a Comparison Company is acquired, ceases to exist, ceases to be a publicly-traded company, files for bankruptcy, spins off 50% or more of its assets (except as otherwise provided in Exhibit A), or sells all, or substantially all, of its assets, such Comparison Company shall be removed and treated as if it had never been a Comparison Company.  The Total Shareholder Returns of the Corporation and the remaining Comparison Companies shall be ranked from first to last, and the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned shall be determined as described in this Section 4(c) based on the Corporation's TSR Ranking among the remaining Comparison Companies:  (i) to the extent the number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is reduced to 12, 11, 10 or 9, in accordance with the percentage corresponding to Corporation’s TSR Ranking as set forth in Exhibit C-1, C-2, C-3, or C-4 attached hereto, respectively, and (ii) to the extent that the number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is reduced to fewer than 9, in accordance with the percentage corresponding to the Corporation’s TSR Ranking as set forth in Exhibit C-4, provided that (1) the Committee may use negative discretion to reduce the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned corresponding to such TSR Ranking of the Corporation such that the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned shall be as reasonably commensurate as possible with the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned that would have resulted if the number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation had been 9, using similar percentile hurdles

 

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as exist in C-4, with straight-line interpolation between points, and (2) if the Corporation ranks last among the remaining Comparison Companies, the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned shall be 0%.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c) to the contrary, if the Corporation’s Total Shareholder Return during the Performance Cycle is negative, the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned shall not exceed 100%.

 

5.         Termination of Employment.  Except as provided in this Section 5, the Participant shall not have any right to any payment hereunder unless the Participant is employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary on the vesting date pursuant to Section 3.

 

(a)Death, Permanent Total Disability or Full Retirement. If (i) the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary terminates prior to the vesting date pursuant to Section 3 by reason of the Participant’s death, permanent total disability or “Full Retirement” (as defined below), the Participant shall be entitled to receive the same payment, if any (without pro-ration), in respect of the Performance Shares as would have been payable, and at the same time and subject to the same conditions, had the Participant’s employment continued until such vesting date.  The existence and date of permanent total disability shall be determined by the Committee and its determination shall be final and conclusive.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Full Retirement” shall mean voluntary retirement after attaining at least age 65 with at least five years of continuous service with the Corporation or any Subsidiary prior to the date of such retirement.

 

(b)Other than Death, Permanent Total Disability or Full Retirement.  If the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary terminates prior to the vesting date pursuant to Section 3 for any reason other than the Participant’s death, permanent total disability or Full Retirement, all of the Performance Shares and the Participant’s rights with respect thereto shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled without further action by the Corporation or the Participant as of the date of such termination of employment.

 

(c)Early Retirement/Termination other than Cause.  Notwithstanding Section 5(b), if (i) the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary terminates prior to the vesting date pursuant to Section 3 by reason of the Participant’s “Early Retirement” (as defined below) or on account of a termination by the Corporation or a Subsidiary other than for Cause, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the same payment, if any, in respect of the Performance Shares as would have been payable, and at the same time and subject to the same conditions, had the Participant’s employment continued until such vesting date, provided that such payment shall be pro-rated based on the number of calendar days of the Performance Cycle elapsed through the date of such Early Retirement or termination other than for Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Early Retirement” shall mean voluntary retirement after attaining at least age 55 with at least ten years of continuous service with the Corporation or any Subsidiary prior to the date of such retirement.

 

(d)Forfeiture Following Early Retirement or Termination other than Cause.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if, following termination of the Participant’s employment with the

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Corporation or any Subsidiary due to Early Retirement or a termination other than for Cause, as described in Section 5(c), the Committee determines in its good faith discretion that the Participant shall have engaged in any Prohibited Activity (as hereinafter defined) at any time during the time through the otherwise applicable vesting date with respect to the Performance Cycle, all of the Performance Shares and the Participant’s rights with respect thereto shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled without further action by the Corporation or the Participant as of the date on which the Participant shall have first entered into such Prohibited Activity.  This Section 5(d) shall not constitute the Corporation’s exclusive remedy for the Participant’s engagement in any Prohibited Activity, and the Corporation may seek any additional legal or equitable remedy, including injunctive relief, in any such circumstances.  If any provision contained in this Section 5(d) shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, void or invalid, the parties intend that such provision be modified to make it valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.  If any such provision cannot be modified to be valid and enforceable, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5(d) to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(d) shall automatically terminate and cease to apply with respect to any Performance Shares that are outstanding and have not previously been forfeited under this Section 5(d).  For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i)“Prohibited Activity” shall mean either Competitive Activity or Interference.

 

(ii)“Competitive Activity” shall mean that the Participant, directly or indirectly, in any manner or capacity, shall be employed by, serve as a director or manager of, act as a consultant to or maintain any material ownership interest in, any E&P Company or M&R Company that competes with the business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or affiliate thereof in geographical areas in which the Participant is aware that the Corporation or any Subsidiary or affiliate is engaged, or is considering engaging, unless the Committee agrees to such activity of the Participant in writing; provided, however, that the Participant’s ownership solely as an investor of less than 1% of the outstanding securities of any publicly-traded securities of any E&P Company or M&R Company shall not, by itself, be considered to be Competitive Activity.

 

(iii)“Interference” shall mean that the Participant shall, directly or indirectly, interfere with the relationship between the Corporation or any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation and any person (including, without limitation, any business or governmental entity) that to the Participant’s knowledge is, or was, a client, customer, supplier, licensee or partner of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or had any other business relationship with the Corporation or any Subsidiary.

 

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(iv)“E&P Company” shall mean any business which is engaged in the business of exploring for, or developing or producing, crude oil or natural gas.

(v)“M&R Company” shall mean any business which is engaged in the manufacture, generation, purchase, marketing or trading of refined petroleum products, natural gas or electricity.

 

6.Change of Control.  Notwithstanding anything in Section 3, 4, 5(a) or 5(c) to the contrary, in the event a Change of Control occurs during the Performance Cycle, the Corporation’s Total Shareholder Return, TSR Ranking and the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned shall be determined in accordance with Section 4 for the portion of the Performance Cycle that ends on the date immediately prior to the date of the Change of Control.  Provided that the Performance Shares have not been forfeited pursuant to Section 5 prior to the date of the Change of Control, the number of the Performance Shares earned shall be the sum of (a) the product of the number of Performance Shares set forth in Section 2, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days of the Performance Cycle that elapse through the date immediately prior to the date of the Change of Control and the denominator of which is the full number of calendar days during the Performance Cycle, multiplied by the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned, plus (b) the product of the number of Performance Shares set forth in Section 2, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days remaining in the Performance Cycle on and following the date of the Change of Control and the denominator of which is the full number of calendar days during the Performance Cycle.  The amount payable subject to the terms and conditions hereof in respect of such earned Performance Shares shall be equal to the product of such number of earned Performance Shares multiplied by the Change of Control Price, without interest or other additional earnings (such amount, the “CoC Earned Performance Share Amount”).  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6, the CoC Earned Performance Share Amount shall be paid in a cash lump-sum during, and no later than March 15 of, the calendar year that immediately follows the last day of the Performance Cycle.  If, following a Change of Control, the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary terminates prior to payment of the CoC Earned Performance Share Amount by reason of (w) termination by the Corporation or such Subsidiary without Cause, (x) resignation by the Participant for Good Reason, (y) the Participant’s death or permanent total disability (determined as described in Section 5(a)) or (z) the Participant’s Full Retirement, the Participant shall be entitled to receive payment of the CoC Earned Performance Share Amount in a cash lump-sum not later than 5 business days after the effective date of such termination of employment, provided that if such payment would result in accelerated or additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code then such payment shall be made at the time specified in the immediately preceding sentence as if the Participant’s employment had not so terminated.  If, following a Change of Control, the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary terminates under any circumstances other than those described in the immediately preceding sentence, then the Participant shall not have any right to any payment in respect of the Performance Shares, whether or not earned.

 

7.Dividend Equivalents.  With respect to the number of Performance 

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Shares set forth in Section 2, the Participant shall be credited with Dividend Equivalents with respect to each such Performance Share equal to the amount per Share of any ordinary cash dividends declared by the Board with record dates during the period beginning on the first day of the Performance Cycle and ending on the earliest to occur of:  (a) the last day of the Performance Cycle; (b) the date of a Change of Control and (c) the date such Performance Share terminates or is forfeited under Section 3 or Section 5. The Corporation shall pay in cash to the Participant an amount equal to the product of (i) sum of the aggregate amount of such Dividend Equivalents credited to the Participant, multiplied by (ii) the Percentage of Performance Shares Earned, such amount to be paid as and when the related Performance Shares are paid in accordance with Section 3 or Section 6, as applicable.  Any Dividend Equivalents shall be forfeited as and when the related Performance Shares are forfeited in accordance with Section 3, Section 5 or Section 6.

 

8.No Rights as a Shareholder.  Until shares of Common Stock are issued, if at all, in satisfaction of the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement, in the time and manner specified in Section 3 or 6, the Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder as to the Shares underlying the Performance Shares.

 

9.Beneficiary.  The Participant may designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any payments which may be made in respect of the Performance Shares after the Participant’s death.  Any such designation shall be made by the Participant in writing on a beneficiary designation form provided by or on behalf of the Corporation and (unless the Participant has waived such right) may be changed by the Participant from time to time by filing a new beneficiary designation form as provided therein.  If the Participant does not designate a beneficiary or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, the Participant’s beneficiary shall be the legal representative of his estate.

 

10.Tax Withholding.  No payment of Shares or cash in respect of the Performance Shares shall be made unless and until the Participant (or his or her beneficiary or legal representative) shall have made arrangements satisfactory to the Committee for the payment of any amounts required to be withheld with respect thereto under all present or future federal, state, local and non-United States tax laws and regulations and other laws and regulations in accordance with Section 12.03 of the Plan. The Corporation shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid to the Participant in cash in respect of Performance Shares any such amounts.  In the case of any payments of Performance Shares in the form of Shares, unless the Participant elects otherwise in advance in writing or is prohibited by law, upon payment of such Shares, such number of such Shares as shall be necessary to pay such amounts shall be sold by the Corporation or its designee on the Participant’s behalf, and the proceeds thereof shall be delivered to the Corporation for remittance to the appropriate governmental authorities.  In the event the Committee determines that any amounts are required to be withheld in respect of the Performance Shares prior to payment of such Performance Shares, the Participant shall thereupon pay to the Corporation in cash the full amount so required to be withheld.

 

11.Limitations; Governing Law.  Nothing herein or in the Plan shall be construed as conferring on the Participant or anyone else the right to continue in the

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employ of the Corporation or any Subsidiary.  The rights and obligations under this Agreement are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.

 

12.Non-transferability.  Except as otherwise provided by Section 8, the Performance Shares, and any rights and interests with respect thereto, may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Participant (or the Participant’s beneficiary), and may not be pledged or encumbered in any way by the Participant (or the Participant’s beneficiary), and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar legal process.

 

13.Entire Agreement; Amendment.  This Agreement (including the Plan which is incorporated herein by reference) contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto relating to such subject matter.  The Board has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, and the Committee has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate this Agreement from time to time in accordance with and as provided in the Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination of the Plan may materially impair the Participant’s previously accrued rights under this Agreement or the Plan without the Participant’s consent, except as otherwise provided in Section 11 of the Plan.  This Agreement may also be modified, amended or terminated by a writing signed by the Participant and the Corporation.

 

14.Notices.  Any notice which may be required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person, or via facsimile transmission, overnight courier service or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, properly addressed as follows:

 

(a)If the notice is to the Corporation, to the attention of the Secretary of Hess Corporation, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, or at such other address as the Corporation by notice to the Participant may designate in writing from time to time.

 

(b)If the notice is to the Participant, at the Participant’s address as shown on the Corporation's records, or at such other address as the Participant, by notice to the Corporation, may designate in writing from time to time.

 

15.Compliance with Laws.  The issuance of any Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to, and shall comply with, any applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), any applicable rules of any exchange on which the Common Stock is listed (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange), and any other law, rule or regulation applicable thereto.  The Corporation shall not be obligated to issue any of the Common

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Stock subject to this Agreement if such issuance would violate any such requirements and if issued shall be deemed void ab initio.

 

16.Binding Agreement; Further Assurances.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Corporation and its successors and assigns.  Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder.

 

17.Counterparts; Headings.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.  The titles and headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

18.Severability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

19.Terms of Employment. The Plan is a discretionary plan.  The Participant hereby acknowledges that neither the Plan nor this Agreement forms part of the Participant’s terms of employment and nothing in the Plan may be construed as imposing on the Corporation or any Subsidiary a contractual obligation to offer participation in the Plan to any employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary.  Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary is under any obligation to grant any further Awards to the Participant under the Plan.  If the Participant ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary for any reason, the Participant shall not be entitled by way of compensation for loss of office or otherwise howsoever to any sum or other benefit to compensate the Participant for the loss of any rights under this Agreement or the Plan.

The Participant also acknowledges that the Corporation has adopted a policy prohibiting recipients of equity awarded from the Corporation, including the Performance Shares, from trading in equity derivative instruments to hedge the economic risks of holding Corporation common stock or interests therein.  The Participant hereby acknowledges that he will abide by such policy in all respects.

 

20.Data Protection.  By signing this Agreement, the Participant hereby consents to the holding and processing of personal data provided by the Participant to the Corporation for all purposes necessary for the operation of the Plan. These include, but are not limited to:

(a)administering and maintaining the Participant’s records;

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 (b)providing information to any registrars, brokers or third party administrators of the Plan; and

 

(c)providing information to future purchasers of the Corporation or the business in which the Participant works.

 

21.Code Section 409A. Payment of the Performance Shares and this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and shall be administered and construed in accordance with such intent. Accordingly, the Corporation shall have the authority to take any action, or refrain from taking any action, with respect to this Agreement that it determines is necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with Code Section 409A (provided that the Corporation shall choose the action that best preserves the value of payments provided to the Participant under this Agreement that is consistent with Code Section 409A).  In furtherance, but not in limitation, of the foregoing, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary:

 

(a)in no event may the Participant designate, directly or indirectly, the calendar year of any payment to be made hereunder;

 

(b)if at the time of the Participant’s separation from service, the Corporation determines that the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, payments, if any, hereunder that constitute a “deferral of compensation” under Code Section 409A and that would otherwise become due on account of such separation from service shall be delayed and all such delayed payments shall be paid in full upon the earlier to occur of (i) a date during the thirty-day period commencing six months and one day following such separation from service and (ii) the date of the Participant’s death, provided that such delay shall not apply to any payment that is excepted from coverage by Code Section 409A, such as a payment covered by the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4); and

 

(c)notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, a termination or retirement of Participant's employment hereunder shall mean and be interpreted consistent with a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A with respect to any payments hereunder that constitute a “deferral of compensation” under Code Section 409A that become due on account of such separation from service.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant has also executed this Agreement and acknowledged receipt of other related materials including the Plan prospectus, all as of the Grant Date.

 

 

 

	
 
	
 
	
Hess Corporation

 

 

 

	
By
	
 
	
/s/ John B. Hess 

	
 
	
 
	
JOHN B. HESS

	
 
	
 
	
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to:

 

 

___________________________

Your Signature

 

 

___________________________

 

 

11

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Comparison Companies

 

	
•
	
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

	
•
	
Apache Corporation

	
•
	
Chesapeake Energy Corporation

	
•
	
ConocoPhillips Company 

	
•
	
Continental Resources, Inc.

	
•
	
Devon Energy Corporation

	
•
	
EOG Resources, Inc.

	
•
	
Marathon Oil Corporation

	
•
	
Murphy Oil Corporation

	
•
	
Noble Energy, Inc.

	
•
	
Occidental Petroleum Corporation

	
•
	
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

 

 

 

 

 

12

 
 

 

Exhibit B

 

 

Percentage of Performance Shares Earned Schedule

 

Use this schedule if number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is 13:

 

		
	
TSR Ranking

 

1st
	
Percentage of Performance Shares Earned

 

200%

	
2nd
	
200%

	
3rd
	
175%

	
4th
	
150%

	
5th
	
125%

	
6th
	
100%

	
7th
	
88%

	
8th
	
75%

	
9th
	
63%

	
10th
	
50%

	
11th
	
0%

	
12th
	
0%

	
13th
	
0%

 

13

 
 

 

Exhibit C-1

Percentage of Performance Shares Earned Schedule

 

Use this schedule if number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is 12:

 

		
	
TSR Ranking

 

1st
	
Percentage of Performance Shares Earned

 

200%

	
2nd
	
200%

	
3rd
	
175%

	
4th
	
150%

	
5th
	
125%

	
6th
	
100%

	
7th
	
83%

	
8th
	
66%

	
9th
	
50%

	
10th
	
0%

	
11th
	
0%

	
12th
	
0%

 

14

 
 

 

Exhibit C-2

 

 

 

Percentage of Performance Shares Earned Schedule

 

Use this schedule if number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is 11:

 

		
	
TSR Ranking

 

1st
	
Percentage of Performance Shares Earned

 

200%

	
2nd
	
200%

	
3rd
	
175%

	
4th
	
150%

	
5th
	
100%

	
6th
	
83%

	
7th
	
67%

	
8th
	
50%

	
9th
	
0%

	
10th
	
0%

	
11th
	
0%

 

15

 
 

 

Exhibit C-3

 

 

 

Percentage of Performance Shares Earned Schedule

 

Use this schedule if number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is 10:

 

		
	
TSR Ranking

 

1st
	
Percentage of Performance Shares Earned

 

200%

	
2nd
	
175%

	
3rd
	
150%

	
4th
	
125%

	
5th
	
100%

	
6th
	
75%

	
7th
	
50%

	
8th
	
0%

	
9th
	
0%

	
10th
	
0%

 

16

 
 

 

Exhibit C-4

 

 

 

Percentage of Performance Shares Earned Schedule

 

Use this schedule if number of Comparison Companies plus the Corporation is 9:

 

		
	
TSR Ranking

 

1st
	
Percentage of Performance Shares Earned

 

200%

	
2nd
	
167%

	
3rd
	
133%

	
4th
	
100%

	
5th
	
83%

	
6th
	
67%

	
7th
	
50%

	
8th
	
0%

	
9th
	
0%

 

17Exhibit

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is effective as of March 5, 2018 (the "Effective Date") between Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), Glacier Bank (the "Bank"), and Randall M. Chesler ("Executive").

RECITALS

		
	A.
	Executive presently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank.

		
	B.
	The Company and the Bank desire Executive to continue his employment with the Company and the Bank on and after the Effective Date and Executive desires to be so employed by the Company and the Bank, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

		
	1.
	Employment.  The Company and the Bank agree to employ Executive, and Executive accepts employment by the Company and the Bank, subject to the terms of this Agreement.  Executive's title will be "President and Chief Executive Officer" of the Company and the Bank.

		
	2.
	Term.  The term of this Agreement will begin on March 5, 2018 and continue until March 4, 2020, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement (the "Term").  If the Company and the Bank expect not to renew Executive's employment following the expiration of the Term, the Company and the Bank will provide Executive with a courtesy notice that Executive's employment will not be renewed at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the Term. 

		
	3.
	Duties.  The Company and the Bank will employ Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank.  Executive will faithfully and diligently perform his assigned duties, which include but are not limited to the following:

		
	(a)
	Performance.  Executive will be responsible for all aspects of the Company's and the Bank's performance, including without limitation, directing that daily operational and managerial matters are performed in a manner consistent with the Company's and the Bank's policies.

		
	(b)
	Development and Preservation of Business.  Executive will be responsible for the development and preservation of banking relationships, investor relationships, and other business development efforts (including appropriate civic and community activities) of the Company and the Bank.

		
	(c)
	Reporting.  Executive will report directly to the Company's board of directors and the Bank's board of directors.  The Company's board of directors and/or the 

1

Bank's board of directors may, from time to time, modify Executive's title or add, delete, or modify Executive's performance responsibilities to accommodate management succession, as well as any other management objectives of the Company or the Bank.  Executive agrees to assume any additional positions, duties, and responsibilities as may reasonably be requested of him with or without additional compensation, as appropriate and consistent with Sections 3(a) and 3(b).

		
	(d)
	Serving as a Director.  During the Term of this Agreement, Executive will serve as a director on the Bank's board of directors.  In addition, the Company will use its best efforts to nominate and recommend Executive for election to the Company's board of directors.  If elected by the Company's shareholders, Executive will serve as a director on the Company's board of directors.

		
	4.
	Extent of Services.  Executive will devote all of his working time, attention, and skill to the duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 3. To the extent that such activities do not interfere with his duties under Section 3, Executive may participate in other businesses as a passive investor, but (a) Executive may not actively participate in the operation or management of those businesses, and (b) Executive may not, without the Company's or the Bank's prior written consent, make or maintain any investment in a business with which the Bank or the Company (or any of their subsidiaries or divisions) has an existing competitive or commercial relationship.  In addition, to the extent that such activities do not interfere with Executive's duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 3, Executive may serve on the board of directors of one or more non-profit organizations or for-profit organizations; provided, however, that Executive shall not serve on the board of directors of any financial institution, bank, bank hold company, or company with which the Company or the Bank (or any of their subsidiaries or divisions) has an existing competitive or commercial relationship.

		
	5.
	Salary.  Executive will receive an annualized base salary of $721,350.00 for each calendar year during the Term, except any calendar year during the Term in which Executive works less than the entire twelve (12) months will be prorated accordingly.  Executive's salary will be paid in accordance with the Company's regular payroll schedule and practices (including as to withholding).  Executive's annual base salary may be adjusted, in the sole discretion of the Company's board of directors and/or the Bank's board of directors, based on performance and additional duties and responsibilities, if any.

		
	6.
	Short Term Incentive Plan.  Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company's Short Term Incentive Plan ("STIP").  Executive will be eligible for cash incentives pursuant to the Company's STIP based on the Company meeting certain financial goals (i.e., acceptable, target, and max) set by the Company's board of directors at the following levels for 2018:

2

	
			
	Cash Incentive Opportunity as a Percentage of Salary

	Acceptable
	Target
	Max

	0%
	60%
	90%

The Company's board of directors may adjust the incentive opportunities set forth above on an annual basis in its sole discretion.  All STIP cash awards will be made in accordance with and shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Company's STIP documents, as adopted and amended from time to time by the Company's board of directors.  Executive acknowledges having been provided a copy of the Company's STIP documents prior to entering into this Agreement.

		
	7.
	Long Term Incentive Plan.  Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company's Stock Incentive Plan (the "LTIP").  Executive will be eligible for equity awards pursuant to the LTIP based on the Company meeting certain financial goals (i.e., acceptable, target, and max) set by the Company's board of directors at the following levels for 2018:

	
			
	Equity Opportunity as a Percentage of Salary

	Acceptable
	Target
	Max

	0%
	60%
	90%

The Company's board of directors may adjust the equity opportunities set forth above on an annual basis in its sole discretion.  All LTIP equity awards will be made in accordance with and shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Company's LTIP plan documents, as adopted and amended from time to time by the Company's board of directors.  Executive acknowledges having been provided a copy of the Company's LTIP plan documents prior to entering into this Agreement. 

		
	8.
	Income Deferral.  Executive will be eligible to participate in any program available to the Company's and/or the Bank's senior management for income deferral, for the purpose of deferring receipt of any or all of the compensation Executive may become entitled to under this Agreement.  Any such deferrals will be subject to the terms and conditions of the deferral program, as adopted and amended from time to time.

		
	9.
	Paid Time Off ("PTO") and Benefits.

		
	(a)
	PTO and Holidays.  Executive will accrue up to one hundred sixty (160) hours of PTO each year, which accrual shall occur ratably over the Company's payroll periods, in addition to all holidays observed by the Company.  Accrual of PTO shall be in accordance with the Company's Employee Manual.  Executive may carry over, in the aggregate, up to one hundred sixty (160) hours of unused PTO to a subsequent year; provided, however, Executive may not accumulate in excess of one hundred sixty (160) hours of PTO at any given time (the "Cap").  Should Executive's accumulation of PTO reach the Cap of 

3

one hundred sixty (160) hours, Executive will no longer accrue additional PTO until Executive uses some of Executive's accumulated PTO and Executive's accumulated PTO balance drops below the Cap.  For purposes of PTO usage, Executive shall be considered to work eight (8) hours a day.  Each calendar year Executive shall take at least five (5) consecutive days of PTO.

		
	(b)
	Benefits.  Executive will be entitled to participate in any group life insurance, disability, medical, dental, vision, health and accident insurance plans, profit sharing and pension plans, and in other employee fringe benefit programs the Bank or the Company may have in effect from time to time for its similarly situated employees, in accordance with and subject to any policies adopted by the Bank's board of directors or the Company's board of directors with respect to the plans or programs, including without limitation, any incentive or employee stock option plan, deferred compensation plan, 401(k) plan, and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).  Neither the Bank nor the Company, through this Agreement, obligates itself to make any particular benefits available to its employees.  The Bank's or the Company's change, modification, or termination of any of its benefits during the Term shall not be a breach of this Agreement. 

 
		
	(c)
	Business Expenses.  Subject to any applicable Company policies or the rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service, the Company will reimburse Executive for ordinary and necessary expenses which are consistent with past practice at the Company and the Bank (including, without limitation, travel, entertainment, and similar expenses) and which are incurred in performing and promoting the Company's and/or the Bank's business.  Executive will present from time to time itemized accounts of these expenses.  Reimbursement will be made as soon as practicable but no later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses were incurred.  The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one calendar year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year.

		
	(d)
	Directors and Officers Insurance; Indemnification.  Executive will be covered by the Company's and/or the Bank's Directors and Officers liability insurance policy in effect from time to time.  To the extent permitted by the Company's Bylaws and the Montana Business Corporation Act, the Company will indemnify Executive in the event Executive is a party (or is threatened to be made a party) to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that Executive is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Company or the Bank. 

		
	10.
	Termination of Employment.

		
	(a)
	Termination for Cause or without Good Reason.  If the Company and the Bank terminate Executive's employment for Cause (defined below) during the Term, or Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason (defined below) 

4

during the Term, the Company will pay Executive the annualized base salary earned and expenses reimbursable under this Agreement incurred through the date of his termination.  Executive will have no right to receive any other compensation or benefits for any period before or after termination under this Section 10(a).

		
	(b)
	Termination without Cause or with Good Reason.  If the Company and the Bank terminate Executive's employment without Cause during the Term, or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason during the Term, then contingent upon (1) Executive's signing and not subsequently revoking a release of any and all claims which Executive could assert against the Company and the Bank relating to Executive's employment or the termination of Executive's employment in a form acceptable to the Company and the Bank within thirty (30) days following the termination of Executive's employment, and (2) Executive's compliance with Section 12, the Company will pay Executive an amount equal to the greater of (i) the amount of base salary remaining to be paid during the Term or (ii) the amount Executive would be entitled to receive under the Bank's Severance Plan, in equal monthly installments over a period of three (3) years ("Severance Payments"), beginning within thirty (30) days after Executive's separation from service as defined by Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) ("Separation from Service").  If the 30-day period spans two (2) calendar years, Severance Payments will not begin until the second calendar year.  If Executive fails to comply with or violates the terms of Section 12, Executive agrees that he forfeits the right to retain the Severance Payments previously received and/or to receive any remaining Severance Payments that may be otherwise payable under this Section 10(b).  For purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, each installment shall be treated as a separate payment.

		
	(c)
	Termination Related to Death or Disability.  This Agreement terminates (i) if Executive dies or (ii) if Executive is unable to perform his duties and obligations under this Agreement (as determined by the Company's and/or the Bank's board of directors in its sole discretion) for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days as a result of a physical or mental disability arising at any time during the Term, unless with reasonable accommodation Executive could continue to perform the essential functions of his position under this Agreement and making these accommodations would not pose an undue hardship on the Company or the Bank.  If termination occurs under this Section 10(c), Executive or his estate will be entitled to receive all compensation and benefits earned and expenses reimbursable through the date Executive's employment is terminated.  Neither Executive nor his estate will have any right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination under this Section 10(c).

		
	(d)
	Termination Related to a Change in Control.  The following provisions shall survive the expiration of the Term and the termination of Executive's employment.

5

		
	(i)
	Termination by Company.  If the Company, or a successor in interest by merger, or a transferee in the event of a purchase in an assumption transaction (for reasons other than Executive's death, disability, or for Cause), terminates Executive's employment without Cause: (A) within two (2) years following a Change in Control (as defined below); or (B) before a Change in Control but on or after the date that any party either announces or is required by law to announce any prospective Change in Control transaction and a Change in Control occurs within six (6) months after the termination, then the Company will provide Executive with the payment described in Section 10(d)(iii), provided that Executive executes and does not revoke a release of any and all claims which Executive could assert against the Company and the Bank relating to Executive's employment or the termination of Executive's employment in a form acceptable to the Company and the Bank within thirty (30) days following the termination of Executive's employment.

		
	(ii)
	Termination by Executive.  If Executive terminates Executive's employment for Good Reason within two (2) years following a Change in Control, the Company will provide Executive with the payment described in Section 10(d)(iii), provided that Executive executes and does not revoke a release of any and all claims which Executive could assert against the Company and the Bank relating to Executive's employment or the termination of Executive's employment in a form acceptable to the Company and the Bank within thirty (30) days following the termination of Executive's employment.

		
	(iii)
	Payments.  If Section 10(d)(i)(A) or Section 10(d)(ii) is triggered in accordance with its terms, the Company will: (A) subject to Sections 10(e) and 10(i) below, beginning within thirty (30) days after Executive's Separation from Service, pay Executive in thirty-six (36) substantially equal monthly installments in an overall amount equal to 2.99 times Executive's compensation (as reportable on Executive's IRS W-2 Form) received by Executive from the Company for the most recent calendar year; and (B) subject to Sections 10(e) and 10(i) below, if Section 10(d)(i)(B) is triggered in accordance with its terms, 

beginning within thirty (30) days after a Change in Control, the Company will pay Executive in thirty-six (36) substantially equal monthly installments in an overall amount equal to 2.99 times Executive's compensation (as reportable on Executive's IRS W-2 Form) received by Executive from the Company for the most recent calendar year.  In either case, if the 30-day period spans two (2) calendar years, payments will not begin until the second calendar year.  For purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, each installment shall be treated as a separate payment.

6

		
	(e)
	Limitations on Payments Related to Change in Control.  The following apply notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:

		
	(i)
	Any payments that would otherwise be made pursuant to Section 10(d)(iii) will be reduced by any base salary, cash bonus (including STIP pursuant to Section 6), or Severance Payments (as defined in Section 10(b)) received by Executive from the Bank or its successor after the first to occur of a Change in Control or Executive's termination of employment.

		
	(ii)
	Executive's right to receive the payments described in Section 10(d)(iii) terminates (A) immediately if before the Change in Control transaction closes, Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason, or the Company and the Bank terminate Executive's employment for Cause, or (B) two (2) years after a Change of Control occurs.

		
	(iii)
	Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other agreement or plan, to the extent that any payment or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of Executive by the Company (or by any affiliate of the Company, any person or entity who acquires ownership or effective control of the Company or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's assets within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, and the regulations thereunder, or any affiliate of such person or entity), whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Excise Tax"), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) only if and to the extent that a reduction in the Total Payments would result in Executive retaining a larger amount, on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state, and local income taxes and the Excise Tax), than if Executive received the entire amount of such Total Payments. Unless Executive shall have given prior written notice specifying a different order to the Company to effectuate the foregoing, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Total Payments by first reducing or eliminating the portion of the Total  Payments that are cash payments, and then by reducing or eliminating the portion of the Total Payments that are not payable in cash, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid the farthest in time from the Determination (as defined below); provided, however, that in all events, such reductions shall be done in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, to the extent applicable.  Any notice given by Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement, or agreement governing Executive's rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation.

7

The determination of whether the Total Payments shall be reduced as provided in this Section 10(e)(iii) and the amount of such reduction shall be made at the Company's expense by the Company's independent auditors (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide its determination (the "Determination"), together with detailed supporting calculations and documentation to the Company and Executive within twenty (20) days of the last day of Executive's employment (or within twenty [20] days of the date of the Change in Control, if later).  The Company shall provide Executive with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Accounting Firm's calculations prior to it finalizing the Determination.  The Determination shall be binding, final, and conclusive upon the Company and Executive absent manifest error.

		
	(f)
	Return of Property.  If and when Executive ceases, for any reason, to be employed by the Company and the Bank, Executive must return to the Company and the Bank all keys, pass cards, identification cards, cell phones, other smart phones, tablets, electronic storage devices, Bank and Company credit cards, and any other property of the Company or the Bank.  At the same time, Executive also must return to the Company and the Bank all originals and copies (whether in hard copy, electronic, or other form) of any documents, drawings, notes, memoranda, designs, devices, electronic storage devices, tapes, manuals, and specifications which constitute proprietary or confidential information or material of the Bank or the Company (or their subsidiaries or divisions).  The obligations in this Section 10(f) include, without limitation, the return of documents and other materials which may be in Executive's desk at work, his car, his place of residence, personal electronic or digital devices or cloud-type storage, or in any other location under Executive's control.

		
	(g)
	Cause.  "Cause" means any one or more of the following:

		
	(i)
	Willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of Executive's duties;

		
	(ii)
	Conviction of a crime in connection with Executive's duties, conviction of a felony, or conviction of a crime of fraud, theft, conversion, or dishonesty; 

		
	(iii)
	Willful material breach of Section 11 of this Agreement or a confidentiality policy of the Company or the Bank;

		
	(iv)
	Conduct demonstrably and significantly harmful to the Company or the Bank, as reasonably determined on the advice of legal counsel of the Company's or the Bank's board of directors;

8

		
	(v)
	Upon entry of an administrative action by a regulator prohibiting Executive from performing any of his duties or responsibilities.

		
	(h)
	Good Reason.  Executive terminates his employment for "Good Reason" if all four (4) of the following criteria are satisfied: 

		
	(i)
	Any one or more of the following conditions (each a "Condition") arises without Executive's consent:

		
	A.
	A material reduction of Executive's base salary, unless the reduction or elimination is generally applicable to substantially all similarly situated Company or Bank employees (or employees of a successor or controlling entity of the Company or the Bank) formerly benefited or is otherwise offset economically by increases in other compensation or replacement plans or programs;

		
	B.
	A material diminution in Executive's authority, duties, or responsibilities as set forth in this Agreement from and after the Effective Date; 

		
	C.
	A material breach of this Agreement by the Company; or

		
	D.
	A material relocation or transfer of Executive's principal place of employment to a location outside of Flathead County, Montana; and

		
	(ii)
	Executive gives notice to the Company and the Bank of the Condition within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the Condition;

		
	(iii)
	The Company and the Bank fail to reasonably remedy the Condition within thirty (30) days following receipt of the notice described in paragraph (ii) above; and

		
	(iv)
	Executive terminates his employment within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial existence of the Condition.

		
	(i)
	Change in Control.  "Change in Control" means a change "in the ownership or effective control" or "in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets" of the Company, within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

		
	(j)
	Section 409A Compliance.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any amounts that become due under this Agreement on account of the termination of Executive's employment constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not commence until Executive incurs a Separation from Service (as defined in Section 10(b)).  If, at the time of 

9

Executive's Separation from Service under this Agreement, Executive is a "specified employee" (under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A), any amount that constitutes "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A that becomes payable to Executive on account of Executive's Separation from Service (including any amounts payable pursuant to the preceding sentence) will not be paid until after the end of the sixth (6th) calendar month beginning after Executive's Separation from Service (the "409A Suspension Period"). Within fourteen (14) calendar days after the end of the 409A Suspension Period, Executive shall be paid a lump sum payment in cash equal to any payments delayed because of the preceding sentence, together with interest on them for the period of delay at a rate not less than the average prime interest rate published in the Wall Street Journal on any day chosen by the Company during that period. Thereafter, Executive shall receive any remaining payments as if there had not been an earlier delay.

		
	11.
	Confidentiality. 

		
	(a)
	Confidential Information.  The parties agree that, in the course of Executive's employment with the Company and the Bank, Executive will be provided with, or be provided access to, certain Confidential Information.  "Confidential Information" means proprietary nonpublic information that includes but is not limited to marketing, sales, acquisition, and recruiting objectives and strategies, loan files, customer lists, proprietary technology, information regarding existing customer preferences, habits and needs, proprietary information regarding prospective customers, details of past, pending, and contemplated transactions, pricing structure, investment management practices, sales data, accounts, training materials, information developed about the Bank or the Company, competitors, systems, strategies, designs, processes, procedures, forecasting data, recruiting data, market data, know-how, compilations of technical and non-technical data, advertising and promotional plans and strategies, and financial and other projections relating to financial industry, which are not generally known to or readily ascertainable through legitimate means by the public or by the Bank's or the Company's competitors.  Executive further recognizes, acknowledges, and agrees that the Confidential Information remains the property of the Bank and the Company and, in sharing that Confidential Information with Executive, the Bank and the Company do not grant Executive any license or other interest in the Bank's and the Company's Confidential Information.

		
	(b)
	Non-Disclosure.  Executive shall at all times take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information, and shall hold the Bank's and the Company's Confidential Information in secret.  Executive agrees that he will not, after the date this Agreement was signed, including during and after its Term, use for his own purposes or directly or indirectly communicate, disseminate, distribute, or disclose to any other person or entity any Confidential Information concerning the Bank or the Company to any person 

10

or entity other than the Bank or the Company or their agents or employees in the course and scope of employment, unless (i) the Bank or the Company consents in writing to the use or disclosure of their respective Confidential Information; (ii) the use or disclosure is consistent with Executive's duties under this Agreement; (iii) disclosure is required by law or court order; or (iv) the information is made or otherwise becomes public other than as a result of a disclosure by Executive in violation of this Agreement or other obligation of confidentiality.  In the event disclosure of Confidential Information is required by law or court order and Executive is making such disclosure, Executive shall provide the Company and the Bank with prompt notice of such required disclosure and shall give adequate notice prior to making any such disclosure to allow the Company and the Bank to seek a protective order or other appropriate relief.  Executive shall not use the Bank's or the Company's Confidential Information for any purpose, other than a dispute between the Executive and the Company or the Bank in a court of law or arbitration, at any time after Executive's termination from the Company or the Bank.  In the event that Executive uses Confidential Information during a dispute between the Executive and the Company or the Bank in a court of law or arbitration, Executive must takes steps to maintain the confidentiality of such information in any public filings (e.g., by filing matters under seal) and may not disclose Confidential Information to any third party without the Company's and the Bank's written waiver unless an appropriate protective order is in place.

		
	(c)
	Defend Trade Secrets Act.  Executive will be immune from criminal or civil liability for disclosure of a trade secret under these limited circumstances:  (i) the disclosure is made in confidence to a government official or an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) the disclosure is made to Executive’s attorney or in a sealed court filing in connection with a lawsuit or other proceeding, including if filed under seal in a lawsuit or proceeding involving the Company or the Bank, or if made pursuant to a court order.

		
	12.
	Restrictive Covenants. 

		
	(a)
	Competitive Activities.  During the Term and for the applicable Post-Termination Period (defined below), Executive will not as a founder, shareholder, director, officer, employee, partner, agent, consultant, or in any other capacity, directly or indirectly provide management, supervisory, business development, marketing, or strategic planning services to a bank or a financial services company involved in commercial or consumer lending in any county in which the Company or the Bank (or any of their subsidiaries or divisions) has a branch or office ("Applicable Counties").  This restriction shall not limit the activities of the Executive at a permanent location outside of the Applicable Counties as long as Executive's efforts are not primarily directed to customers in the Applicable Counties, and Executive at all time maintains compliance with Sections 12(b) and 12(c) below.  "Post-Termination Period" means the greater of the remaining Term or three (3) 

11

years after Executive's employment with the Company and the Bank has terminated for any reason.

		
	(b)
	Non-solicitation of Employees or Vendors.  During the Term and for three (3) years after Executive's employment with the Company and the Bank has ended for any reason, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit, or entice, or attempt to solicit, recruit, or entice (i) any employee of the Bank or the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Bank or the Company, or (ii) any person or entity to terminate, cancel, rescind, or revoke its business or contractual relationships with the Bank or the Company.  To indirectly solicit or recruit an employee includes, without limitation, to divulge information about an employee to another person that would assist or help that person to solicit or recruit the employee.

		
	(c)
	Non-solicitation of Customers.  During the Term and for three (3) years after Executive's employment with the Company and the Bank has ended for any reason, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, divert, or take away, or attempt to solicit, divert, or take away from the Bank or the Company any person or entity who within the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding termination of the Executive’s employment was both (i) a customer of the Bank or the Company and (ii) to whom Executive, directly or indirectly, provided services, contracted with, or solicited business on behalf of the Bank or the Company.

		
	(d)
	Effect of Breach.  If Executive breaches any provision of this Section 12 during the Post-Termination Period, Executive agrees that he forfeits any right to retain any Severance Payments previously received and will no longer be entitled to and forfeits any remaining Severance Payments.  Executive agrees that this Section 12(d) shall not be construed to limit or exclude any remedies otherwise available to the Bank and/or the Company for any such breach.

		
	13.
	Enforcement.

		
	(a)
	Reasonableness of Restrictions.  Executive, the Company, and the Bank stipulate that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances of the relationship between Executive, the Company, and the Bank, the agreements referred to in Section 11 and Section 12 (including without limitation their scope, duration, and geographic extent) are fair and reasonably necessary for the protection of the Bank's and the Company's Confidential Information, goodwill, and other protectable interests.  If a court of competent jurisdiction should decline to enforce any of those covenants and agreements, Executive, the Company, and the Bank request the court to reform these provisions to restrict Executive's use of Confidential Information and Executive's ability to compete with the Bank and the Company in time, scope of activities, and geography to the maximum extent the court finds enforceable.

12

		
	(b)
	Injunctive Relief.  Executive acknowledges the Bank and the Company will suffer immediate and irreparable harm that will not be compensable by monetary damages alone if Executive repudiates or breaches any of the provisions of Section 11 or Section 12 or threatens or attempts to do so.  For this reason, the Company and/or the Bank, in addition to and without limitation of any other rights, remedies, or damages available to it at law or in equity, will be entitled to obtain temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctions to prevent or restrain the breach, and neither the Company nor the Bank will be required to post a bond as a condition for the granting of this relief.

		
	(c)
	Tolling.  The restrictive time periods referred to in Section 12 shall be tolled and extended for any time during which Executive is in violation of the restrictions.  If the Bank or the Company initiates legal action to enforce the restrictions and obtains an injunction against Executive, then the appropriate restrictive time period(s) will begin to run on the date that the injunction is entered.  Executive agrees that such extension under the circumstances described is necessary and appropriate to provide the Bank and the Company with the bargained-for protection of their legitimate business interests.

		
	14.
	Effect of Covenants.  Executive specifically acknowledges the receipt of adequate consideration for the covenants contained in Sections 11 and 12 and that the Bank and the Company are entitled to require Executive to comply with such Sections.  Sections 11 through 18 will survive termination of this Agreement.  Executive represents that if Executive's employment is terminated, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Executive has experience and capabilities sufficient to enable Executive to obtain employment in areas which do not violate this Agreement and that the Bank's or the Company's enforcement of a remedy by way of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood.

		
	15.
	Arbitration.

		
	(a)
	Arbitration.  At a party's request, the parties must submit any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with, or relating to, Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the Company and the Bank, this Agreement, or any breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, to arbitration under the American Arbitration Association's rules then in effect (or under any other form of arbitration mutually acceptable to the parties).  A single arbitrator agreed on by the parties will conduct the arbitration.  If the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator, each party must select one arbitrator and those two arbitrators will select a third arbitrator.  This third arbitrator will hear the dispute.  The arbitrator's decision is final (except as otherwise specifically provided by law) and binds the parties, and a party may request any court having jurisdiction under Section 18(h) to enter a judgment and to enforce the arbitrator's decision.  The arbitrator will provide the parties with a written decision naming the substantially prevailing party in the action.  This prevailing party is entitled to reimbursement from the other party for its costs 

13

and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

		
	(b)
	Governing Law.  All arbitration proceedings under this Section 15 will be held at a place designated by the arbitrator in Kalispell, Montana.  The arbitrator, in rendering a decision as to any state law claims, will apply Montana law.

		
	(c)
	Exception to Arbitration.  Notwithstanding the above, for disputes involving alleged violations of Section 11 or Section 12, or for any disputes involving a request for injunctive relief, the parties will have the right to initiate the court proceedings described in Section 13(b), in lieu of an arbitration proceeding under this Section 15, and may do so in the courts specified in Section 18(h).

		
	16.
	Regulatory Limitations; Clawbacks.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, no payment shall be required to be made to or for the benefit of the Executive under this Agreement to the extent such payment is prohibited by applicable law, regulation, or order issued by a bank regulatory agency or a court of competent jurisdiction.  Further, any compensation paid to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise is subject to limitation, recoupment, or clawback under any applicable clawback or recoupment policy that is generally applicable to the Company's and/or the Bank's executives, as may be in effect from time to time, or as required by law, regulation, or regulatory action.

		
	17.
	Jury Waiver.  THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENT (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN), OR ACTION OF EITHER PARTY OR ANY EXERCISE BY ANY PARTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY ACTION TO RESCIND OR CANCEL THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR ANY CLAIM OR DEFENSE ASSERTING THAT THIS AGREEMENT WAS FRAUDULENTLY INDUCED OR IS OTHERWISE VOID OR VOIDABLE). 

		
	18.
	Miscellaneous Provisions.

		
	(a)
	Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties concerning its subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements, correspondence, representations, or understandings between the parties relating to its subject matter.

		
	(b)
	Binding Effect.  This Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Bank and their successors and assigns.  Subject to the limitation on assignment set forth in Section 18(e), this Agreement will bind 

14

and inure to the benefit of Executive and Executive's heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

		
	(c)
	Litigation Expenses.  In the event of any dispute or legal or equitable action arising from this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to all of its out-of-pocket expenses and costs including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

		
	(d)
	Waiver.  The failure of any party to insist upon strict performance of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such terms or conditions or of any other term or condition and the same shall be and remain in full force and effect.  Any waiver by a party of its rights under this Agreement must be written and signed by the party waiving its rights.  A party's waiver of the other party's breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate as a waiver of any other breach by the breaching party.

		
	(e)
	Assignment.  The services to be rendered by Executive under this Agreement are unique and personal.  Accordingly, Executive may not assign any of his rights or duties under this Agreement.  Any such assignment or attempted assignment shall be void.

		
	(f)
	Amendment.  This Agreement may be modified only through a written instrument signed by all parties to this Agreement.

		
	(g)
	Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable.  The invalidity of any provision will not affect the validity of other provisions of this Agreement.

		
	(h)
	Governing Law and Venue.  This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana, except to the extent certain matters may be governed by federal law.  Subject to the arbitration terms set forth in Section 15, the parties must bring any legal proceeding arising out of this Agreement in the state courts situated in Kalispell, Montana or the federal district courts of the Missoula Division for the State of Montana.  Each party consents to and submits to the jurisdiction of any such court.

		
	(i)
	Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.  The parties agree that facsimile or electronic signatures shall have the same force and effect as original signatures.

		
	(j)
	Attorney Representation.  Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel with respect to the negotiation, preparation, and execution of this Agreement.

15

- Signatures Follow on the Next Page

16

The parties have executed this Employment Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.

	
				
	EXECUTIVE:
	 
	THE BANK:

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	Glacier Bank

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	/s/ Randall M. Chesler
	 
	/s/ Dallas I. Herron

	Randall M. Chesler
	 
	By:
	Dallas I. Herron

	 
	 
	Its:
	Chairman of the Board of Directors

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	Attested to:

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	/s/ Ron J. Copher

	 
	 
	By:
	Ron J. Copher

	 
	 
	Its:
	Secretary

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	THE COMPANY:

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	/s/ Dallas I. Herron

	 
	 
	By:
	Dallas I. Herron

	 
	 
	Its:
	Chairman of the Board of Directors

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	Attested to:

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	/s/ Ron J. Copher

	 
	 
	By:
	Ron J. Copher

	 
	 
	Its:
	Secretary

 [Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

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