Document:

ex10-3.htm

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

PETER SHERLOCK

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 29, 2013, by and among Parabel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parabel US”), PA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“PA LLC”), Parabel Ltd., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (“Parabel Cayman”), and Peter Sherlock (“Executive”). Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company” shall include Parabel US, PA LLC and Parabel Cayman.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed as the Chief Operating Officer (the “COO”) of Parabel US and PA LLC pursuant to an employment agreement, dated as of July 6, 2011, by and among Parabel US, PA LLC and Executive (the “Prior Agreement”), which had an effective date of July 21, 2011 (the “Effective Date”);

 

WHEREAS, each of the parties to the Prior Agreement desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to update and revise the agreement in several respects, including to add Parabel Cayman as a party to this Agreement and to provide that Executive will also serve as the COO of Parabel Cayman;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive mutually desire to enter into this Agreement, which sets forth the amended and restated terms and conditions of Executive’s employment as the COO of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and agreements herein contained, together with other good and valuable consideration the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.  SERVICES AND DUTIES.

 

(a)  Services. Executive shall serve as COO of the Company and in such position shall have the duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with the status of an individual holding such position in a company similarly situated to the Company and as may be reasonably assigned to Executive from time to time by the Company. In all cases, Executive shall be subject to the supervision and authority of, and shall report to both the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) of the Company and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

 

(b)  Duties. While employed by the Company, Executive agrees to devote such of his working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to periods of vacation and sick leave to which he is entitled pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Company’s policies in effect at such time as is commensurable with the duties and responsibilities of the Executive. While employed by the Company, Executive shall use the Executive’s skills and render services to the best of the Executive’s abilities in performing his duties and responsibilities and shall not engage in any other business activities except with the prior written approval of the Board, or its duly authorized designee. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Executive shall be able to engage in personal investments and other business activities that do not detract from Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company or be in direct competition with the Company or are as otherwise approved in advance by the Board.

 

2.  EMPLOYMENT TERM.

 

(a)  Unless Executive’s employment shall sooner terminate pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the Company shall employ Executive under the terms of this Agreement for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); provided, however, that commencing on the expiration of the Initial Term and each anniversary thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be deemed to be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one (1) year each (each, an “Extended Term”).

 

  

  

  

 

(b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the term of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one (1) year each, if (A) Executive provides written notice of non-renewal to the Company at least thirty-one (31) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Extended Term or (B) the Company provides written notice of non-renewal to Executive of at least thirty-one (31) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Extended Term.

 

(c)  The period during which Executive is employed pursuant to this Agreement, including any Extended Term in accordance with the preceding sentence, shall be referred to as the “Term.”

 

3.  COMPENSATION.

 

(a)  Base Salary. As compensation for Executive’s services to the Company, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (as in effect from time to time, the “Base Salary”) at an initial rate of $220,000 per year (pro-rated for any partial year). The Base Salary shall be paid to Executive in accordance with (and at such times as provided by) the usual payroll practices of the Company in effect from time to time. The Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) in the sole discretion of the Board.

 

(b)  Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to receive a performance bonus (“Annual Bonus”) in respect of each calendar year in which Executive is employed hereunder based upon the achievement of targets established in the sole discretion of the Company. The exact amount of the Annual Bonus payable to Executive in respect of a calendar year, and whether to pay a bonus at all, shall be at the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(c)  Stock Options.  The Company shall reprice Executive’s existing Stock Options (“Stock Options”) on a base number of 200,000 shares of the Common Stock of the Company at a base grant price of $1.23 per share, as of the Effective Date, subject only to the Company’s and Executive’s execution of a separate stock option agreement. This Stock Option grant will be governed by the PetroAlgae Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).

 

(d)  Special Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to receive a special cash bonus at such times, in such amounts and upon the achievement of such milestones as are determined by the Board.

 

4.  BENEFITS AND EXPENSES.

 

(a)  Benefit Plan and Programs. While employed by the Company, Executive will be entitled to participate, to the extent eligible thereunder, in all benefit plans and programs maintained from time to time for the Company’s employees, in accordance with the terms thereof in effect from time to time. For purposes of clarification, nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or otherwise affect the ability of the Company or any of its Affiliates (if applicable) to amend, terminate or otherwise modify any such benefit plan or program now or hereafter in existence in accordance with its terms and applicable law.

 

(b)  Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for any expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by Executive during the Term in furtherance of Executive’s duties hereunder, including travel, meals and accommodations, upon submission by Executive of vouchers or receipts and in compliance with such rules and policies relating thereto as the Company may from time to time adopt.

 

(c)  Vacation. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation, and such paid holidays and personal or sick leave per calendar year, all as is in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures in effect from time to time for executive personnel. Such vacation may be taken at the Executive’s discretion at such time or times as are not inconsistent with the reasonable business needs of the Company and do not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties to the Company.

 

  

  

  

 

5.  TERMINATION. Executive’s employment shall be terminated at the earliest to occur of the following: (i) the end of the Term; (ii) the date on which the Board delivers written notice that Executive is being terminated for “Disability” (as defined below); or (iii) the date of Executive’s death. In addition, Executive’s employment may be earlier terminated (1) by the Company for “Cause” (as defined below), effective on the date on which a written notice to such effect is delivered to Executive; (2) by the Company at any time without Cause, effective on the date on which a written notice to such effect is delivered to Executive or such other date as is reasonably designated by the Company; (3) by Executive for “Good Reason” (as defined below), effective thirty-one (31) days following the date on which a written notice that Executive intends to terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason is delivered to the Company; provided, however, that the circumstances triggering termination for Good Reason have not been fully corrected by the Company within the first thirty (30) days following the date of delivery of such notice by Executive to the Company; or (4) by Executive without Good Reason at any time, effective thirty-one (31) days following the date on which a written notice to such effect is delivered to the Company.

 

(a)  Payments Upon Termination. In the event Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated for any reason (including by expiration of the Term), Executive shall be paid the Accrued Benefits (as defined in Section 5(b) hereof) through the date of termination.

 

(b)  For Cause Termination. If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause, Executive shall not be entitled to any further compensation or benefits other than: (i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary; (ii) reimbursement for any business expenses properly incurred by Executive prior to the date of termination in accordance with Section 4(b) hereof; and (iii) vested benefits, if any, to which Executive may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans or stock option plans as of the Termination Date (collectively, the “Accrued Benefits”). The Accrued Benefits shall in all events be payable on the Company’s first regularly scheduled payroll date which occurs at least ten (10) days after the date of termination (other than Base Salary, which shall be payable as provided in Section 3(a) hereof).

 

(c)  Without Cause Termination. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes the Company providing written notice of non-renewal of the Initial Term or any Extended Term pursuant to Section 2(b)(B)), then Executive shall be entitled to (A) the Accrued Benefits payable as provided in Section 5(a) hereof and (B) subject to the Conditions, a lump sum amount payable within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date equal to three hundred and sixty-five (365) days at the Base Salary rate.

 

(d)  Termination by Executive for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason (as defined below), then Executive shall be entitled to (A) the Accrued Benefits payable as provided in Section 5(a) hereof and (B) subject to the Conditions, a lump sum amount payable within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date equal to three hundred and sixty-five (365) days at the Base Salary rate.

 

(e)  Voluntary Resignation by Executive. Executive can voluntarily resign his employment at any time, effective thirty-one (31) days following the date on which a written notice to such effect is delivered to the Company. If Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Executive voluntarily resigning his employment and for no other reason, Executive shall be entitled to payment of the Accrued Benefits.

 

(f)  Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

“Affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.

 

  

  

  

 

“Cause” means (i) Executive commits any act of fraud, intentional misrepresentation or serious misconduct in connection with the business of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of the Company (excluding the Company and its subsidiaries) that engages Executive as an employee or consultant (collectively, “Affiliated Engagers”), including, but not limited to, willfully falsifying any documents or agreements (regardless of form); (ii) Executive violates any rule or policy (A) for which violation an employee may be terminated pursuant to the written policies of the Company or any subsidiary reasonably applicable to such an employee and which, after written notice to do so, Executive fails to correct within a reasonable time, or (B) which violation results in material damage to the Company or any subsidiary; (iii) Executive violates any rule or policy of any Affiliated Engager applicable to Executive which violation results in material damage to such Affiliated Engager or which, after written notice to do so, Executive fails to correct within a reasonable time; (iv) other than solely due to Disability, Executive willfully breaches or habitually neglects any material aspect of Executive’s duties assigned to Executive by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Affiliated Engager, which assignment was reasonable in light of Executive’s position with the applicable entity (all of the foregoing duties, “Duties”); (v) Executive materially fails to comply with a direction from the Board with respect to a material matter, which direction was reasonable in light of Executive’s position; (vi) while employed by or providing services to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and without the written approval of the Board, Executive performs services for any other corporation or person which competes with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise violates Section 6 hereof, or, while performing services for any Affiliated Engager, without the written approval of such Affiliated Engager, Executive takes any action which violates any restrictive covenant contained in any agreement between Executive and such Affiliated Engager, (vii) Executive is convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony (other than a traffic or moving violation) or any crime involving dishonesty; or (viii) any willful breach by Executive of his fiduciary duties as a director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Affiliated Engager. In the event that there is a dispute between Executive and the Company as to whether “Cause” for termination exists: (1) such termination shall nonetheless be effective and (2) such dispute shall be subject to arbitration in Melbourne, Florida using the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

“Disability” means, as determined by the Board in good faith, Executive’s inability, due to disability or incapacity, to perform all of Executive’s duties hereunder on a full-time basis for (i) periods aggregating one hundred eighty (180) days, whether or not continuous, in any continuous period of three hundred and sixty-five (365) days or, (ii) where Executive’s absence is adversely affecting the performance of the Company in a significant manner, periods greater than ninety (90) days and Executive is unable to resume Executive’s duties on a full time basis within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice of the Board’s determination under this clause (ii).

 

“Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the express prior written consent of Executive, of any of the following circumstances, unless such circumstances are fully corrected by the Company within thirty (30) days following written notification by Executive (which written notice, other than with respect to clause (iii) below, must be delivered within thirty (30) days following the date Executive becomes aware of the occurrence of such circumstances) that Executive intends to terminate Executive’s employment for one of the reasons set forth below: (i) any material reduction in Executive’s title, duties, authorities, or responsibilities; (ii) any material breach by the Company of any agreement between the Company and Executive; (iii) any failure by the Company to pay Executive the Base Salary or Annual Bonus when required to be so paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (iv) any material reduction in the Base Salary (including, once Executive’s Base Salary is increased, any material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary below such increased amount); (v) during the one (1) year period following any “Change of Control” (as defined in the Plan), the failure of any successor to the Company (if any), whether direct or indirect and whether by merger, acquisition, consolidation or otherwise, to assume in a writing delivered to Executive, the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, provided that Executive was willing and able to execute a new contract providing for the same terms and conditions as those in this Agreement and to continue providing services to the successor upon such terms and conditions; or (vi) any relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than fifty (50) miles outside the Melbourne, Florida metropolitan area.

 

“Person” means any individual, bank, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, governmental authority or unincorporated organization.

 

“Termination Date” means the first day upon which Executive ceases to be employed by the Company.

 

(g)  Resignation as Officer or Director. Upon a termination of employment for any reason, Executive shall resign each position that Executive then holds as an officer or director of the Company or as an officer or director of any of the Company’s subsidiaries or Affiliates. Executive’s execution of this Agreement shall be deemed the grant by Executive to the officers of the Company of a limited power of attorney to sign in Executive’s name and on Executive’s behalf any such documentation as may be required to be executed solely for the limited purposes of effectuating such resignations.

 

  

  

  

 

(h)  Return of Company Property. Upon termination of employment for any reason, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all property belonging to the Company, including, without limitation, all information or data of the Company, whether or not constituting confidential information and trade secrets, then in Executive’s custody, control or possession, with the exception of any computer, mobile phone or blackberry provided by the Company for Executive’s use.

 

(i)  Release. In the event Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, then, as a condition to receiving the lump sum amount pursuant to Section 5(c) and Section 5(d) and hereof, Executive must comply with his post-employment obligations under Section 6 hereof and must execute and not revoke a mutual release (the “Release”) in the form attached hereto as Schedule A within 45 days (or such longer period as may be required by applicable law for the effectiveness of the Release) of Executive’s termination of employment (collectively, the “Conditions”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death, in lieu of any other payments or benefits, Executive’s beneficiary or estate, as applicable, shall be entitled to payment of the Accrued Benefits. Upon execution by Executive of the Release and delivery of the signed counterpart to the Company, the Company shall execute the Release and provide Executive with a fully signed copy of the Release.

 

6.  COVENANTS. By virtue of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive acknowledges that, during the period of his employment with the Company, he shall have access to trade secrets and other valuable confidential business and professional information, knowledge and data relating to the Company and its Affiliates and their respective businesses, and will meet and develop relationships with prospective and existing suppliers, financing sources, clients, customers and employees of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

(a)  Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation. Executive agrees that during the period of his employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries and for two years following his termination of employment at the Company (but only if such termination was made pursuant to Section 5(b) (For Cause Termination) or Section 5(e) (Voluntary Resignation by Executive)), Executive shall not:

 

(i)  directly or indirectly (whether as principal, agent, independent contractor, partner, member, manager, officer, director or otherwise) own, manage, operate, control, participate in, perform services for, make any investment in or otherwise carry on, any business engaged in growing for sale lemna for protein or renewable biomass, including, without limitation, those parties set forth on Schedule B attached hereto (collectively, the “Competitors”); or

 

(ii)  directly or indirectly engage in the recruiting, soliciting or inducing of any nonclerical employee or employees of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate their employment with, or otherwise cease their relationship with, the Company or an Affiliate, or in hiring or assisting another person or entity to hire any nonclerical employee of the Company or an Affiliate or any person who within six (6) months before had been a nonclerical employee of the Company or an Affiliate and were recruited or solicited for such employment or other retention while an employee of the Company (other than any of the foregoing activities engaged in with the prior written approval of the Company); or

 

(iii)  directly or indirectly solicit, induce or encourage or attempt to persuade any agent, supplier, client or customer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to terminate such agency or business relationship with the Company.

 

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or otherwise affect the ability of Executive to own not more than one percent (1.0%) of the outstanding capital stock of any entity that is engaged in a business competitive with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, provided, that such investment is a passive investment and Executive is not directly or indirectly involved in the management or operation of such business or otherwise providing consulting services to such business.

 

  

  

  

 

(b)  Nondisparagement. Executive agrees that during the period of his employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates and thereafter, Executive shall not make any disparaging or defamatory comments regarding the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or after termination of his employment relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, make any comments concerning any aspect of the termination of their relationship. The Company agrees that during the period of Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries and thereafter, members of the Company’s senior management shall be prohibited from making disparaging or defamatory comments regarding Executive or, after termination of Executive’s employment relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, and from making any comments concerning any aspect of the termination of their relationship. The obligations of the parties under this paragraph shall not apply to disclosures required by applicable law, regulation or order of any court or governmental agency or any legal proceeding. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall limit any common law or statutory obligation that Executive may have to the Company or its Affiliates. For purposes of this Section 6, “the Company” refers to the Company and any incorporated or unincorporated Affiliates, including any entity which becomes Executive’s employer as a result of any transaction, reorganization or restructuring of the Company for any reason.

 

(c)  Confidentiality. Executive agrees that during the period of his employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates and thereafter, Executive will hold and keep confidential all secret and confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company and its Affiliates, and their respective businesses, including any confidential information as to customers of the Company and its Affiliates (i) obtained by Executive during employment by the Company or its Affiliates and (ii) not otherwise public knowledge or known within the applicable industry; provided, however, that this duty of confidentiality shall not extend to information, knowledge or data that (A) Executive can establish was known by Executive prior to the Effective Date or (B) was rightfully acquired by Executive from a third party having the legal right to disclose such information, knowledge or data. Executive shall not, without prior written consent of the Company, unless compelled pursuant to the order of a court or other governmental or legal body having jurisdiction over such matter, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In the event Executive is compelled by order of a court or other governmental or legal body to communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the foregoing, Executive will promptly notify the Company of any such order and will cooperate fully with the Company in protecting such information to the extent possible unless Executive is advised by counsel that any such cooperation or notification of the Company by Executive would reasonably be expected to result in a breach of applicable law or otherwise subject Executive to be in contempt or other breach of the order of any applicable court. Upon termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates, or at any time as the Company may request, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company, as requested, all documents (whether prepared by the Company, its Affiliates, Executive or a third party) relating to the Company, its Affiliates or any of their businesses or property which Executive may possess or have under Executive’s direction or control other than documents provided to Executive as a participant in any employee benefit plan, policy or program of the Company or any agreement by and between Executive and the Company or any of its Affiliates with regard to Executive’s employment or severance.

 

(d)  Acknowledgement. Executive agrees and acknowledges that each restrictive covenant in this Section 6 is reasonable as to duration, terms and geographical area and that the same protects the legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates, imposes no undue hardship on Executive, is not injurious to the public, and that, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, any violation of this restrictive covenant shall be specifically enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. Executive agrees and acknowledges that a portion of the compensation paid to Executive under this Agreement will be paid in consideration of the covenants contained in this Section 6, the sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged. If any provision of this Section 6 as applied to Executive or to any circumstance is adjudged by a court with competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall in no way affect any other circumstance or the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Section 6. If the scope of any such provision, or any part thereof, is too broad to permit enforcement of such provision to its full extent, Executive agrees that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration and/or area of such provision, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the breach of this Section 6 will cause irreparable injury to the Company and upon breach of any provision of this Section 6, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by any court with competent jurisdiction without the need to prove the inadequacy of monetary damages or post a bond; provided, however, that this shall in no way limit any other remedies which the Company may have (including, without limitation, the right to seek monetary damages and the right to seek to have Executive forfeit any and all securities in the Company or any of its Affiliates then owned by Executive (other than such securities for which Executive provided cash consideration), and the right to seek to recover any payments pursuant to Section 5(c)(B) or Section 5(d)(B) that may have already been made) which are to be pursued exclusively through arbitration (as provided in Section 9(k) hereof). Each of the covenants in this Section 6 shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other provisions in this Agreement.

 

  

  

  

 

7.  TAXES.

 

(a)  Section 280G. If all or any portion of the amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement, either alone or together with other payments to which the Executive is or may become entitled, constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), that are subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or similar tax and/or assessment), then the Executive shall be responsible for the payment of such excise taxes and the Company (and its successor) shall be responsible for any loss of deductibility thereto; provided, however, that the Company and the Executive shall cooperate with each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize, to the greatest extent possible (but subject to applicable law, including Section 409A of the Code), the amount of excise taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the Code by virtue of Section 280G of the Code. The determination of the amount of any such excise taxes shall be made by an independent accounting firm or other advisor as may be mutually acceptable to the Company and the Executive, such costs to be borne equally by the Company and Executive.

 

(b)  Withholding. All taxable compensation payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any applicable withholdings, including taxes as are required under Federal law or the law of any state or governmental body to be collected with respect to compensation paid by the Company to Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, Executive is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of any federal, state, province or local taxes that may arise with respect to this Agreement (including any taxes arising under Sections 280G and 409A of the Code). Neither the Company nor any of its employees, officers, directors, or service providers shall have any obligation whatsoever to pay such taxes, to prevent Executive from incurring them, or to mitigate or protect Executive from any such tax liabilities.

 

8.  SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.

 

(a)  Successors. This Agreement is not assignable by the Company except to a successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise); provided that such successor expressly assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

 

(b)  Binding Agreement. This Agreement is a personal contract and the rights and interests of Executive under this Agreement may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated by Executive, except as otherwise expressly permitted by the provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive’s employment shall terminate due to Executive’s death, any amounts payable to Executive under this Agreement, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee or other designee or, if there is no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

 

  

  

  

 

9.  GENERAL.

 

(a)  Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (with confirmation of transmission by telecopy), or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested). All such notices or communications shall be delivered to the recipient at the addresses indicated below:

 

To the Company:

 

Parabel Inc.

1901 S. Harbor City Blvd.

Suite 300

Melbourne, FL 32901

Attention: Company Secretary

Facsimile: 321-723-7047

 

To Executive:

 

at the address as it appears in the Company’s books and records or at such other place as Executive shall have designated by notice as herein provided to the Company.

 

(b)  Severability. Any provision in this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereby waive any provision of law which may render any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

 

(c)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the schedules hereto) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (except for the stock option agreement between Executive and the Company) and may not be modified or amended except by a written agreement signed by the Company and Executive. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (except for the stock option agreement between Executive and the Company) and any amendments thereto. Executive represents that he is free to enter into this Agreement without violating any agreement or covenant with, or obligation to, any other entity or individual.

 

(d)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same agreement, and all signatures need not appear on any one counterpart.

 

(e)  Amendments. No amendments or other modifications to this Agreement may be made except by a writing signed by all parties. No amendment or waiver of this Agreement requires the consent of any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity not a party to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any third person any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(f)  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice-of-law rules thereof which might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

(g)  Survivorship. The provisions of this Agreement necessary to carry out the intention of the parties as expressed herein shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

  

  

  

 

(h)  Waiver. The waiver by either party of the other party’s prompt and complete performance, or breach or violation, of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation, and the failure by any party hereto to exercise any right or remedy which it may possess hereunder shall not operate nor be construed as a bar to the exercise of such right or remedy by such party upon the occurrence of any subsequent breach or violation. No waiver shall be deemed to have occurred unless set forth in a writing executed by or on behalf of the waiving party. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived.

 

(i)  Section Headings. The Section headings contained herein are for the purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the contents of said sections.

 

(j)  Construction. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement is the result of arm’s-length negotiations between sophisticated parties, each afforded representation by legal counsel. Each and every provision of this Agreement shall be construed as though both parties participated equally in the drafting of the same, and any rule of construction that a document shall be construed against the drafting party shall not be applicable to this Agreement.

 

(k)  Arbitration. In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of this Agreement (other than a claim for injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief regarding a dispute over the covenants contained in Section 6 hereof), such dispute shall be fully, finally and exclusively resolved by a panel of three neutral arbitrators to be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Such arbitration will be decided under the employment dispute resolution rules of the American Arbitration Association and will be held in Melbourne, Florida. If the parties cannot agree upon such arbitrators within twenty (20) days after submission of a party’s request for arbitration in writing, the arbitrators will be selected in accordance with the procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The fees and expenses of the arbitrators shall be borne equally by the Company and Executive unless otherwise allocated by the arbitrators. Each party to the arbitration shall bear the entire cost of such party’s own counsel unless otherwise directed by the arbitrators. The arbitrators shall have no power or authority to award punitive or special damages. The parties agree that the existence, content and result of any arbitration proceeding shall be confidential, except to the extent that the Company determines it is required to disclose such matters in accordance with applicable laws.

 

(l)  Indemnification. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation against any liability, loss or expense (including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in defense of such claims) incurred in connection with Executive’s services as an officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, the Company shall advance or cause its subsidiaries to advance all expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by Executive in defending any such claim, action or proceeding, whether civil, administrative, criminal or otherwise. To the extent of any inconsistency between this Section 9(l) and the terms and provisions of any indemnification agreement that the Company and Executive may hereafter enter into, the terms and provisions of such indemnification agreement shall govern. The Company represents that, as of the Effective Date, Executive is covered by the Company’s director and officer liability insurance policy. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering the Executive during the Term and for at least four years thereafter to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms.

 

(m)  Cooperation. Executive agrees that, subsequent to any termination of his employment, he will continue to cooperate with the Company in the prosecution and/or defense of any claim in which the Company may have an interest (with the right of reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred) which may include, without limitation, being available to participate in any proceeding involving the Company, permitting interviews with representatives of the Company, appearing for depositions and trial testimony, and producing and/or providing any documents or names of other persons with relevant information in Executive’s possession or control arising out of his employment in a reasonable time, place and manner.

 

  

  

  

 

(n)  Joint Preparation. All parties to this Agreement have negotiated it at length, and have had the opportunity to consult with and be represented by their own competent counsel. This Agreement is therefore deemed to have been jointly prepared by the parties, and any uncertainty or ambiguity existing in it shall not be interpreted against any party, but rather shall be interpreted according to the rules generally governing the interpretation of contracts.

 

(o)  Section 409A. This Section 9(o) shall apply to all relevant provisions of this Agreement.  It is intended that (i) each installment of the payments provided under this Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and (ii) the payments satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), and 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v). Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of this Agreement and no payments shall be due to Executive under Section 5 hereof until Executive would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(h)) with the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Company determines (1) that on the date Executive’s employment with the Company terminates or at such other time that the Company determines to be relevant, Executive is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(i)(1)) of the Company and (2) that any payments to be provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement are a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and such payments are or may become subject to the additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code or any other taxes or penalties imposed under Section 409A of the Code, if provided at the time otherwise required under this Agreement, then such payments shall be delayed until the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(h)) with the Company, or, if earlier, the date of Executive’s death. Any payments delayed pursuant to this Section 9(o) shall be made in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh (7th) month following Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(h)), or, if earlier, the date of Executive’s death. In addition, to the extent that any reimbursement, fringe benefit or other, similar plan or arrangement in which Executive participates during his employment with the Company or thereafter provides for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (x) the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment under such plan or arrangement in one (1) calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), and (y) subject to any shorter time periods provided herein or the applicable plans or arrangements, any reimbursement or payment of an expense under such plan or arrangement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.  In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement or otherwise which constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A.  In addition, to the extent payments under this Agreement that are contingent on his execution of the Release described in Section 5(i) constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A and the Release’s execution period shall commence in one tax year and end in the subsequent tax year, the payments under this Agreement shall be made solely in the subsequent tax year.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

  

  

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the first date written above.

 

	
PARABEL INC.

	  
	  	  
	
By:

	  	
/s/ Sayan Navaratnam                                               

	  
	  	  	
Name: Sayan Navaratnam

	  	  
	  	  	
Title:   Director

	  	  
	  	  
	
PA LLC

	  
	  	  	  
	
By:

	  	
/s/ Isaac Szpilzinger                                                    

	  
	  	  	
Name: Isaac Szpilzinger

	  	  
	  	  	
Title:   Director

	  	  
	  	  
	
PARABEL LTD.

	  
	  	  	  
	
By:

	  	
/s/ Anthony Tiarks                                                     

	  
	  	  	
Name: Anthony Tiarks

	  	  
	  	  	
Title:   Director

	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  

	
EXECUTIVE

	  
	
 

/s/ Peter Sherlock                                                               

	
Peter Sherlock

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

  

  

  

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Form of Mutual Release

 

MUTUAL RELEASE

 

THIS MUTUAL RELEASE (this “Release”) is by and among Parabel Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parabel US”), PA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“PA LLC”), Parabel Ltd., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (“Parabel Cayman”), and Peter Sherlock (the “Executive”) (each, a “Party,” and, together, the “Parties”) and shall be effective on the day that Executive signs it; provided that such day is after Executive’s last day of employment with the Company (“Effective Date”). Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company” shall include Parabel US, PA LLC and Parabel Cayman. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement (as defined below).

 

Recitals

 

A. Executive and the Company are parties to an amended and restated employment agreement to which a form of this Release is attached as Schedule A (the “Agreement”).

 

B. Executive and the Company wish to resolve, except as specifically set forth herein, all claims between them arising from or relating to any act or omission predating the Effective Date.

 

C. Executive acknowledges receipt from the Company of information, in the form of Appendix A to this Release, that is provided in accordance with the ADEA (as defined below).

 

Agreement

 

The Parties agree as follows:

 

1.  Confirmation of Severance Pay Obligation. The Company shall pay or provide to Executive the amounts set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement as, when and on the terms and conditions specified in the Agreement, including but not limited to continued compliance with Executive’s obligations under Section 6 of the Agreement.

 

2.  Legal Releases.

 

(a)  Executive, on behalf of Executive and Executive’s heirs, personal representatives and assigns, and any other person or entity that could or might act on behalf of Executive (collectively, the “Executive Releasers”), hereby fully and forever releases and discharges the Company, its past, present and future subsidiaries, and each of their respective officers, directors, independent contractors, attorneys and insurers (collectively, the “Executive Releasees”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, of every kind and nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, whether now known or unknown, that the Executive Releasers, or any person acting under any of them, may now have, or claim at any future time to have, based in whole or in part upon any act or omission arising out of Executive’s employment relationship with, and/or service as a member of the Board (if any) for, the Company or its subsidiaries occurring on or before the Effective Date, without regard to present actual knowledge of such acts or omissions, including specifically, but not by way of limitation, matters which may arise at common law, such as breach of contract, express or implied, promissory estoppel, wrongful discharge, tortious interference with contractual rights, infliction of emotional distress, defamation, or under federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, any rights or claims based upon any discrimination proscribed by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the “ADEA”), the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act (“OWBPA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1967, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Delaware Employment Discrimination Law, the Florida Civil Rights Act, or any other federal, state or local employment-related and/or anti-discrimination law, rule or regulation in any jurisdiction and all claims relating to equity incentives of any kind, except as specifically set forth in the Agreement; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained in the Agreement or this Release, the release set forth in this paragraph shall not extend to the rights of Executive pursuant to: (i) Section 3(c) (Stock Options) and Section 3(e) (Special Bonus) and of the Agreement, which sections shall survive the signing of this Release; (ii) any vested, unpaid rights under any pension, retirement, profit sharing or similar plan; or (iii) Executive’s rights, if any, to indemnification, and/or defense under any Company certificate of incorporation, bylaw and/or policy or procedure, or under any insurance contract, in connection with Executive’s acts or omissions within the course and scope of Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive hereby warrants that Executive has not assigned or transferred to any person any portion of any claim which is released, waived and discharged above. Executive further states and agrees that Executive has not experienced any illness, injury, or disability that is compensable or recoverable under the worker’s compensation laws of any state that was not reported to the Company by Executive before the Effective Date, and Executive agrees not to file a worker’s compensation claim asserting the existence of any such previously undisclosed illness, injury, or disability. Executive understands and agrees that by signing this Release, Executive is giving up any right to bring any legal claim against the Company concerning, directly or indirectly, Executive’s employment relationship with the Company, including Executive’s separation from employment. Executive agrees that this Release is intended to be interpreted in the broadest possible manner in favor of the Company to include all actual or potential legal claims that Executive may have against the Company, except as specifically provided otherwise in this Release.

 

  

  

  

 

(b)  Executive represents that he has not filed any lawsuits or arbitration demands against the Company. Executive further agrees and acknowledges that Executive: (i) understands the language used in this Release and its legal effect; (ii) understands that by signing this Release Executive is giving up the right to sue the Company for discrimination under any Federal, State or local law or regulation, including, but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; (iii) will receive compensation and/or benefits under the Agreement to which Executive would not have been entitled without signing this Release; (iv) has been advised by the Company to consult with an attorney before signing the Agreement and this Release; and (v) has been given no less than forty-five days to consider whether to sign this Release. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with Executive’s right to file a charge or participate in an investigation with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”).

 

Executive, however, understands and agrees that Executive is expressly waiving any right to seek, or to share in, any individual relief, monetary or otherwise, involving claims released in paragraph (a) of this Agreement, whether raised by Executive or others.

 

(c)  For a period of seven days after the Effective Date, Executive may, in Executive’s sole discretion, rescind this Release, by delivering a written notice of rescission to [insert contact] at the Company. If Executive rescinds this Release within seven calendar days after the Effective Date, this Release shall be void, all actions taken pursuant to this Release shall be reversed, and neither this Release nor the fact of or circumstances surrounding its execution shall be admissible for any purpose whatsoever in any proceeding between the parties, except in connection with a claim or defense involving the validity or effective rescission of this Release. If Executive does not rescind this Release within seven calendar days after the Effective Date, this Release shall become final and binding and shall be irrevocable.

 

(d)  The Company, on behalf of itself and its past, present and future subsidiaries, and each officer, director, independent contractor, attorney and insurer of the Company and any of the Company’s subsidiaries (past, present and future) (collectively, the “Company Releasers”), hereby fully and forever releases and discharges Executive and Executive’s heirs, personal representatives and assigns and any other person or entity that could or might act on behalf of Executive (collectively, the “Company Releasees”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, of every kind and nature whatsoever, in law or in equity, whether now known or unknown, that the Company Releasers, or any person acting under any of them, may now have, or claim at any future time to have, based in whole or in part upon any act or omission arising out of Executive’s employment relationship with, and/or service as a member of the Board (if any) for, the Company or its subsidiaries occurring on or before the Effective Date, without regard to present actual knowledge of such acts or omissions, including specifically, but not by way of limitation, matters which may arise at common law, such as breach of contract, express or implied, promissory estoppel, wrongful discharge, tortious interference with contractual rights, infliction of emotional distress, defamation, or under federal, state or local laws; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained in the Agreement or this Release, the release set forth in this paragraph shall not extend to the rights of the Company pursuant to: (i) Section 6(a) (Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation), Section 6(b) (Nondisparagement), Section 6(c) (Confidentiality) and Section 6(d) (Acknowledgement) of the Agreement, which sections shall survive the signing of this Release; (ii) any act or omission of Executive that was actively concealed from the Company by Executive or at Executive’s direction; or (iii) any acts of fraud, intentional misrepresentation (that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the business of the Company), embezzlement, or other misappropriation of Company funds, assets or property. The Company hereby warrants that the Company has not assigned or transferred to any person any portion of any claim which is released, waived and discharged above. The Company understands and agrees that by signing this Release the Company is giving up any right to bring any legal claim against Executive concerning, directly or indirectly, Executive’s employment relationship with the Company, including Executive’s separation from employment. The Company agrees that this Release is intended to be interpreted in the broadest possible manner in favor of Executive, to include all actual or potential legal claims that the Company may have against Executive, except as specifically provided otherwise in this Release or the Agreement.

 

(e)  Executive acknowledges that the Company paid Executive for all earned, unpaid wages and all accrued, unused vacation, less applicable withholdings, through his last day of employment, and that Executive is entitled to no further payments for wages, compensation, benefits, bonuses, equity, or any other type of compensation or benefit, except for those payments Executive will receive in accordance with the terms of the Agreement if he signs and does not revoke this Release.

 

(f)  Executive acknowledges that because of Executive’s position with the Company, Executive may possess information that may be relevant to or discoverable in connection with claims, litigation or judicial, arbitral or investigative proceedings initiated by a private party or by a regulator, governmental entity, or self-regulatory organization, that relates to or arises from matters with which Executive was involved during Executive’s employment with the Company, or that concern matters of which Executive has information or knowledge (collectively, a “Proceeding”). Executive agrees that Executive shall testify truthfully in connection with any such Proceeding, shall cooperate with the Company in connection with every such Proceeding, and that Executive’s duty of cooperation shall include an obligation to meet with the Company representatives and/or counsel concerning all such Proceedings for such purposes, and at such times and places, as the Company reasonably requests, and to appear for deposition and/or testimony upon the Company’s reasonable request and without a subpoena. The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that Executive incurs in honoring Executive’s obligation of cooperation under this paragraph; provided, however, if Executive’s duty of cooperation under this paragraph involves an expenditure of time and efforts by Executive on more than three (3) business days in any calendar month, then the Parties shall agree appropriate terms of reimbursement in addition to reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of Executive under this paragraph shall expire on the second anniversary of the Effective Date; after which date the Executive will only be required to cooperate at Executive’s option and pursuant to a reimbursement schedule to be agreed with the Company.

 

  

  

  

 

3.  Counterparts. This Release may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same agreement, and all signatures need not appear on any one counterpart.

 

4.  Governing Law. This Release shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice-of-law rules thereof which might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

  

  

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Release as of the Effective Date.

 

	
PARABEL INC.

	 
	  	 
	
By:

	  	 
	  	
Name:

	 
	  	
Title:

	 
	  	 
	
PA LLC

	 
	  	  	 
	
By:

	  	 
	  	
Name:

	 
	  	
Title:

	 
	  	 
	
PARABEL LTD.

	 
	  	  	 
	
By:

	  	 
	  	
Name:

	 
	  	
Title:

	 
	  	  	 

	
EXECUTIVE

	 
	  	 
	 	 
	  	 
	
Name: Peter Sherlock

	 
	
Date:

	 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Release]

 

  

  

  

 

APPENDIX A

The following information is provided in accordance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the “ADEA”):

 

	  	
1.

	
The decisional unit is executive officers of the Company.

	  	
2.

	
The executive officers who are being offered consideration under a mutual release and asked to waive claims under the ADEA must sign the Release and return it to the Company within forty-five (45) calendar days after receiving the Release.

	  	
3.

	
Once the Release is signed by the executive officer and returned to the Company, the executive officer has seven (7) calendar days to rescind the Release.

	  	
4.

	
The following is a list of the ages and job titles of executive officers who were selected for termination and offered consideration for signing the Release and those who were not selected.

 

	
Job Classification

	  	
Age

	  	
Selected

	  	
Not Selected

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

 

[Appendix A to Release]

 

  

  

  

 

SCHEDULE B

 

Competitors

 

Algenol Biofuels, Inc.

Cellana (a partnership between Shell Oil and HR Biopetroleum)

Joule Biotechnologies, Inc.

Origin Oil, Inc.

Sapphire Energy, Inc.

Seambiotic (a subsidiary of Ashkelon)

Solazyme, Inc.

Solix Biofuels, Inc.

Synthetic Genomics, Inc.ex10-1.htm

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

PRIMESOURCE MORTGAGE, INC.

PRODUCING SALES MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION AGREEMENT

This Agreement hereinafter referred to as “Agreement” made and entered into on this 1st

day of January, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) by and among PRIMESOURCE MORTGAGE, INC., a Delaware Corporation, with its Main Office located at 1112 North Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201 (the “Corporate Office”), hereinafter referred to as “PSMI,” and James D. Pulsipher, hereinafter referred to as “Manager,” with his/her principal office located at 700 Belford Avenue, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, hereinafter referred to as the “Branch Office.”

WHEREAS, PSMI desires to expand its lending territory throughout the States in which it is duly licensed and/or in process of securing licensing in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Manager has knowledge, skills and experience in originating, processing, closing, funding and selling mortgage loans, and is available for employment by PSMI to open and manage a mortgage loan origination branch office pursuant to the terms, conditions, provisions and limitations of this Agreement and in accordance with all Applicable Requirements (as defined below);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency being mutually acknowledged, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

1.             Employment.    PSMI hereby employs Manager and Manager hereby accepts employment upon the terms and conditions outlined in this Agreement.

2.             Representations and Warranties.   Both PSMI and Manager warrant, promise and covenant that each has the complete authority, right and ability to enter into this Agreement.  Manager understands and agrees that this Agreement does not imply any ownership interest in PSMI.  Without limiting any obligations of Manager, Manager hereby represents and warrants to PSMI at all times during employment as follows:

a.           Manager’s employment with PSMI will not violate or conflict with any obligations Manager owes to any individual or entity, including without limitation, obligations arising out of or relating to (i) any non-compete, non-disclosure, non-solicitation or confidentiality agreements or provisions, and (ii) any prior employer or employment.

b.           Manager knows of no reason why Manager could not or should not accept an offer of employment from PSMI, or otherwise be employed by PSMI.  Manager has not been subject to any investigation or sanction of any type, or denied any license or approval, by any federal, state or local government, quasi-government and private industry authority, including but not limited to any licensing authority.

c.           Manager currently possesses, and at all relevant times has maintained in good standing, any and all licenses required to conduct business as a loan officer for each state in which such business will be conducted.

 

  

Page 1 of 10

  

 

3.             Employment at Will.

a.           PSMI and Manager agree that this employment shall be “at will” and is subject to termination by either PSMI or Manager upon sixty (60) days written notice in accordance with Section 11; provided, however, that PSMI may, at its sole discretion, limit or restrict Manager’s access to Confidential Materials (as defined below) or PSMI property, locations (including the Branch Office), systems or equipment immediately upon such written notice.  If Manager resigns and will become employed by any company involved in mortgage lending or brokering, loan processing or underwriting services, loan modification services, real estate sales or acquisition, closing, settlement or title-related services, credit repair, credit counseling, borrower assistance or other business or service of the same or similar nature, PSMI may, at its sole discretion, waive or shorten the notice period required under this Section 3(a).

b.           Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, if PSMI determines, in its sole discretion, that Manager has violated any Applicable Requirement, has committed any act as defined below as Termination for Cause, or has violated any terms of this Agreement, PSMI may terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to Manager.  If Manager, in his sole discretion, determines that PSMI has violated any applicable federal, state or local law or any terms of this Agreement, Manager may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to PSMI.

c.           Termination for Cause includes, but is not limited to, the following:

	
i.

	 	
Possession or use of illegal drugs on or at any PSMI location;

	

ii.

	 	
Use of alcohol and/or intoxication on or at any PSMI location;

	

iii.

	 	
Dishonesty or theft;

	

iv.

	 	
Participation in physical violence on or at any PSMI location;

	

v.

	 	
Conviction of a serious criminal offense;

	

vi.

	 	
Harassment or abuse of any PSMI employee or supervisor;

	

vii.

	 	
Insubordination;

	
viii.

	 	
Unauthorized carrying or discharge of any firearms on or at any PSMI location;

	

ix.

	 	
Willful destruction of any PSMI property;

	

x.

	 	
Violation of this Agreement or any Company Policy (as defined below); or

	

xi.

	 	
Manager’s failure to meet satisfactory production standards, as set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement, within a reasonable time after formal written warning to improve production.

	
4.

	
Managerial Duties and Responsibilities.

a.           Under the supervision and direction of PSMI, and operating under PSMI’s approval, Manager’s primary duty shall be overseeing the sales operations of Branch offices as assigned by PSMI, and Manager shall at all times devote substantially more than fifty percent (50%) of his or her working hours to managerial functions.  In this regard, Manager’s managerial functions shall include without limitation:

	

i.

	 	
Supervision over at least two (2) full time employees;

 

  

Page 2 of 10

  

	

ii.

	 	
Preparation and forwarding of all reports, memoranda and documents to the Corporate Office as directed from time to time;

	

iii.

	 	
Developing and maintaining an attitude of teamwork, establishing a culture consistent with PSMI’s corporate mission statements, and ensuring employees abide by the Company Policies;

	

iv.

	 	
Recruiting staff for the Branch Office, reviewing payroll information and communicating with PSMI’s Human Resources Department on personnel changes, including recommendations for new hires and terminations;

	

v.

	 	
Reviewing monthly commission calculation worksheets, remaining cognizant of their contents, modifying branch efforts to keep results in line with expectations, and preparing and submitting periodic production projections in accordance with Company Policies and PSMI’s expectations;

	

vi.

	 	
Developing and maintaining a network of relationships with existing and prospective clients, promoting the image and reputation of PSMI as creative, dynamic and competitive, expanding PSMI’s market share through the promotion of PSMI’s business and sales, and actively holding, and ensuring attendance by branch members, sales meetings, training seminars, and other events; and

	

vii.

	 	
Assisting PSMI’s management in the development and management of all employees of PSMI who are assigned to work at the Branch Office (the “Branch Employees”), including the origination, processing and closing of mortgage loans originated through the Branch Office; and

	
viii.

	 	
Performing such other duties set forth in this Agreement or otherwise assigned by PSMI from time to time.

b.           Manager further agrees to comply with all manuals, guides, memoranda, e-mails and other materials that set forth PSMI’s policies and procedures (“Company Policies”), existing now or in the future, so long as they do not violate any federal, state or local laws.  Manager is familiar with and shall comply, and cause the Branch Employees to comply, with the Company Policies and all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, guidelines and other requirements pertaining to the mortgage banking industry, to the business of PSMI, and to the origination, processing, underwriting, closing, or funding of mortgages, or other activities of the PSMI, including but not limited to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, USA PATRIOT Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Housing Act, Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (the “SAFE Act”), Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all related regulations to the foregoing Acts, and all similar federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and requirements, federal and state telemarketing and do-not-call laws, rules and regulations, and all applicable guidelines and requirements of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA” or “Fannie Mae”), Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA” or “Ginnie Mae”), United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and all other applicable agencies, investors and insurers (altogether, the Company Policies and all such applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and other requirements are referred to herein as the “Applicable Requirements”), in each case as amended from time to time.  Manager agrees to develop and maintain his/her knowledge and understanding of all such Applicable Requirements.

 

  

Page 3 of 10

  

c.           Manager shall make recommendations to PSMI regarding the location to be leased by PSMI as the Branch Office, and the furniture, fixtures and equipment to be purchased.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, all final decisions in this regard shall be made by PSMI.  Manager shall also recommend staff to be employed by PSMI to operate from the Branch Office and the compensation to be paid, and PSMI may hire such employees in its sole discretion.  While PSMI will consider Manager recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and termination, all decisions to hire, terminate and discipline employees shall be made by PSMI and are within PSMI’s discretion.  Manager shall, and shall cause all Branch Employees to, participate in training sessions as required by PSMI from time to time.

 

d.    Manager will maintain and supervise PSMI systems for the processing of mortgage loans in accordance with the policies and procedures of PSMI and any lender who may be purchasing such mortgage loans.  Manager may only lock in interest rates for applicants with the approval of designated officers of PSMI and pursuant to the policies and procedures established by PSMI.  Any and all complaints, whether written or verbal, made to Manager or any employee at the Branch Office by any customer or third party shall be immediately reported, in writing, to PSMI even if such complaint appears groundless to Manager.

	
  

	
e.

	
Manager will forward or cause to be forwarded all fees derived from the closing of

mortgage loans to the Corporate Office as directed by PSMI. Such fees shall be maintained in an account to be established by PSMI. PSMI agrees to provide accounting to Manager with respect to all aspects of business concerning the Branch and the account established by PSMI for the Branch Office. Manager also agrees to provide accounting to PSMI with respect to all aspects of the business conducted at the Branch Office.

5.                 Loan Originator Duties and Responsibilities.

a.           In addition to the managerial duties and responsibilities set forth above in Section 4, Manager, as a licensed loan originator, agrees to solicit mortgage loans solely on behalf of PSMI in those states where Manager is licensed as a loan originator and PSMI is permitted to act as a mortgage lender.  For the purposes of this Agreement, “mortgage loan” means a loan secured by residential real property that will be made by PSMI in connection with sales and refinancings of one- to four-family dwellings, condominium apartments and cooperative apartments.  Manager also agrees to solicit such other types of loans as may be authorized from time to time by PSMI in writing.  All of the loans submitted by the Manager are subject to the review and approval of PSMI.

b.           The mortgage loans solicited by Manager shall meet the PSMI’s criteria, including the terms, conditions, policies, procedures and directives established by PSMI.  All loans solicited shall also be in conformance with PSMI’s prevailing rates and fees.  PSMI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, and without prior notice to the Manager, to change or discontinue any of its pricing, terms, conditions, policies, procedures, directives, rates, terms, and fees, and to discontinue offering any one or more types of products or services.

 

  

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c.           Manager shall be responsible for completing all forms, booklets, estimates, disclosures and documents that are required to be provided to applicants by any state or federal law or regulation, by investor guidelines or by PSMI (collectively, the “Documents”), and for providing these Documents to applicants at application or as otherwise required.  In addition to the solicitation of mortgage loans, Manager shall perform all other duties assigned by PSMI, including, without limitation, the following:

	
i.

	 	
take information from each applicant or prospective applicant and complete an applicant’s worksheet;

	
ii.

	 	
collect necessary financial information;

	
iii.

	 	
maintain regular contact with an applicant and PSMI between the time of and application and closing;

	
iv.

	 	
transmit a completed application to PSMI;

	
v.

	 	
maintain and submit adequate records, as required by PSMI, of all loan solicitations made by Manager;

	
vi.

	 	
service all accounts, including regularly contacting the applicant and any party referring mortgage loans to PSMI or Manager; and

	
vii.

	 	
perform such other duties related to the origination of mortgage loans as PSMI may assign.

6.             General Duties and Responsibilities.

a.           Manager will devote his/her full time and energy to the business of PSMI and will not represent, originate loans for, or solicit loans for any other company; in addition, Manager shall not receive compensation for any individual, corporation, partnership, or entity other than PSMI for the performance of any job duties or activities in accordance with this Agreement.  Manager shall not engage in any in any mortgage lending or brokering, loan processing or underwriting services, loan modification services, real estate sales or acquisition, closing, settlement or title-related services, credit repair, credit counseling, borrower assistance or other business or service of the same or similar nature, any other activities in connection with the mortgage finance industry, or any other activities as set forth in this Agreement, for any individual, corporation, partnership, or entity other than PSMI.  Additionally, Manager may not own an interest in any entity engaging in any such activities, other than a passive investment of less than one percent (1%), without the prior written consent of PSMI.

            b.           During the term of his or her employment pursuant to this Agreement, Manager shall serve PSMI faithfully and to the best of his or her ability and shall devote his or her time, energy and diligence to the performance of the duties assigned by PSMI.  Manager shall adhere to and comply with all Company Policies established by PSMI.  Manager shall use the trade name and trademark of PSMI in conformity with the standards developed by PSMI from time to time in PSMI’s sole discretion.

 

c.           Manager shall protect all PSMI property being used in the performance of his or her employment and shall immediately return all such property upon request by PSMI.

 

  

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d.           PSMI’s exercise of its right to terminate under this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any other remedy which PSMI may be entitled to at law, in equity or under any other provision of this Agreement or any addendum hereto.

e.           Upon cessation of employment, Manager will return to PSMI all manuals, pricing lists or rate sheets, customer information and lists, all mortgage loan applications and other documents relating to mortgage loan transactions which had not yet been closed prior to cessation of employment and all other PSMI property and Confidential Material in accordance with Section 6.  Upon violation of this Section 6 or upon any breach of this Agreement, Manager, in addition to any other remedies which may be available by law, shall forfeit all commissions which are due or which may become due.

 

f.            Manager is prohibited from entering into or executing any contracts, agreements, commitments or other similar obligations in the name of PSMI.  Only authorized corporate officers are permitted to bind PSMI to any contract, agreement, commitment or other similar obligation.

g.           Manager is prohibited from incurring any expenses or obligations on behalf of PSMI unless permitted in the Company Policies or unless PSMI provides its prior written approval.  Manager shall promptly submit invoices and other supporting documentation for reimbursement of permitted expenses in accordance with the Company Policies.

7.             Representations Regarding Past Agreements

Manager hereby represents and warrants to PSMI that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Manager does not and will not conflict with, or result in breach or default under, or require the consent of, any other party under any agreement to which the Employee is a party.

8.             Territory

Manager shall manage the offices assigned by PSMI located in the States of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho (the “Territory”); provided, however, that any PSMI branch offices existing in the Territory as of the Effective Date of this Agreement shall be excluded from the terms of this Agreement and no compensation shall be paid to the Manager for such branches.  The Manager shall use his best efforts to add additional branch offices in the Territory as soon as possible.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, based upon an annual review of regional operations of the Employer conducted within 30 days of each fiscal year end, the Employer reserves the right to oversee and adjust the Territory, including, but not limited to, realigning the area covered by the Territory, if it determines to do so would be in the best interests of the Parent overall.  The Employer shall not open or acquire branch offices in the Territory, unless Manager is designated as the manager of such offices.  All compensation payable to Manager for acting as regional manager shall be included in and paid solely in accordance with Section 5 of this Agreement and the Manager shall receive no additional compensation for serving as regional manager. The termination of this Agreement by the Employer shall terminate the Manager as regional manager.  The Manager shall have such duties and responsibilities as regional manager as the Employer and the Manager shall reasonably determine from time to time.

 

  

Page 6 of 10

  

 

 

9.      Title

In addition to the position of Sales Manager, Sales Manager shall have the title of Regional Vice President and shall have a position as a member of the Board of Directors of PSMI and a position as a member of the Board of Directors of its parent, PSM Holdings, Inc.

10.           Compensation.

a.           Manager’s compensation for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement is controlled and limited by the terms and conditions of Exhibit A to this Agreement which is incorporated herein by reference.

b.           Manager shall be paid as a W-2 Manager on a semi-monthly basis, or as otherwise agreed.  PSMI shall make deductions for federal, state and local taxes, Social Security, state unemployment insurance and other deductions as required by state or federal law, or as agreed by the parties.

c.     There are no benefits to which Manager is entitled other than those specifically referred to in this Agreement or otherwise authorized in writing by PSMI.  In the event Manager resigns or is terminated for any reason other than Termination for Cause (pursuant to Section 3(b)) and the Branch Office remains open, he or she shall receive his or her regular commission on all mortgage loans that close within thirty (30) days from the date the Manager resigns or is terminated.  No commissions will be paid on mortgage loans closed after thirty (30) days have elapsed.  In the event Manager resigns or is terminated for any reason other than Termination for Cause and the Branch Office is simultaneously closed, Manager shall receive his or her regular compensation as described in Exhibit A after all of the business and obligations of the Branch Office have been fully satisfied, as set forth in the Company Policies in effect at the time of termination, subject to applicable federal, state or local law.

11.           Confidential Information.

a.           Manager hereby acknowledges, understands and agrees that all “Confidential Material,” as defined below, is the exclusive and confidential property of PSMI which shall at all times be regarded, treated and protected as such in accordance with this Section 8.  Manager acknowledges that all such Confidential Material is in the nature of a trade secret.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Material” means information, which is available to or used in the business of Manager and (i) is proprietary to, about or created by PSMI, (ii) gives PSMI a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage or the disclosure of which would be detrimental to the interests of PSMI, or (iii) is designated as Confidential Material by PSMI, is known by Manager to be considered confidential by PSMI, or from all the relevant circumstances should reasonably be assumed by Manager to be confidential and proprietary to PSMI.

 

  

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b.           Such Confidential Material includes, without limitation, the following types of information and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced to writing or designated as confidential):

	

i.

	 	
Internal personnel and financial information of PSMI, purchasing and internal cost and revenue information, internal service and operational manuals, computer software and systems and the manner and methods of conducting the business of PSMI;

	

ii.

	 	
PSMI personnel names and contact information;

	

iii.

	 	
Manager’s compensation arrangements with PSMI;

	

iv.

	 	
Training and educational materials provided by PSMI to Manager;

	

v.

	 	
Marketing materials and/or marketing plans provided by PSMI to Manager; and

	

vi.

	 	
Confidential and proprietary information provided to PSMI by any actual or potential customer, or other third party (including businesses, consultants and other entities and individuals), and shall include, without limitation, all of the customer’s “non-public personal information,” as that term is defined under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and any amendments thereto.

c.           As a consequence of Manager’s acquisition or anticipated acquisition of Confidential Material, Manager shall occupy a position of trust and confidence with respect to the affairs and business of PSMI.  In view of the foregoing and of the consideration to be provided to Manager, Manager agrees that it is reasonable and necessary that Manager make each of the following covenants:

	

i.

	 	
At any time during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, except as required by law, Manager shall not disclose Confidential Material to any person or entity, either inside or outside of PSMI, other than as necessary in carrying out the business of Manager, without first obtaining PSMI’s prior written consent (unless such disclosure is compelled pursuant to court orders or subpoena, and at which time Manager shall give immediate notice of such proceedings to PSMI).

	

ii.

	 	
At any time during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Manager shall not use, copy or transfer Confidential Material other than as necessary in carrying out the business of Manager, without first obtaining PSMI’s prior written consent.

	

iii.

	 	
Upon termination of this Agreement, Manager shall promptly deliver to PSMI (or its designee) all written materials, records, software and documents made by Manager or which came into his/her possession prior to or during the term of this Agreement, concerning the business and affairs of PSMI, including, without limitation, all materials containing Confidential Material.

 

  

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12.           Mediation/Governing Law.  In the event any dispute or disagreement arises in connection with any interpretation of this Agreement, or the employment of Manager, which cannot be resolved by the parties, each party agrees that before any litigation or legal administrative proceeding is initiated, such dispute or disagreement shall be submitted to non-binding mediation in accordance with the employment mediation procedures of the American Arbitration Association in Roswell, New Mexico except that if PSMI seeks emergency, injunctive or other equitable relief against Manager, PSMI shall not be required to mediate the underlying or any related dispute or disagreement.  If the parties have not mutually agreed to resolve the dispute or disagreement within sixty (60) days after mediation is requested, then either party may pursue its remedies otherwise.  The laws of the State of New Mexico shall govern the interpretation of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties to it.  The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the non-prevailing party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction hearing the underlying dispute.  Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prevent a party from seeking emergency injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect its rights, provided that once that party’s application for such relief has either been granted or denied, mediation shall commence pursuant to this Section.

13.           Severability.  A court shall consider the terms and conditions of this Agreement to be severable so that the invalidity or unenforceability of any of its terms, conditions or clauses shall not invalidate or render unenforceable the any of the remaining terms or provisions contained in this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

14.           Notices.  Any notice given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall only be deemed proper notice if served personally, by overnight courier, or by registered or certified first class mail with return receipt requested, and addressed to the to the other party hereto at its address set forth below, or such other address as such party may from time-to-time designate by written notice, given in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.

If to PSMI:             Compliance Officer

PRIMESOURCE MORTGAGE, INC.

1112 North Main Street

Roswell, NM 88201

If to Manager, to the last address of record on file with PSMI.

15.           Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of any successor(s) or assign(s) of PSMI and shall terminate on the death or disability of Manager.  Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, Manager shall not assign, transfer or share his or her responsibilities under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity without the express prior written consent of PSMI, nor shall he or she delegate any of his or her duties or responsibilities under this Agreement.

16.           Waiver.  PSMI’s failure to exercise any rights or privileges granted to it pursuant to this Agreement is not and shall not be construed as a waiver any such rights or privileges.  Any waiver must be in writing in order to be enforceable against PSMI.

 

  

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17.           Headings.  Section and Paragraph headings are used herein for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret any provision of this Agreement.

18.           Cooperation.  At all times during and after separation of employment, the parties hereto shall cooperate in effecting an orderly transition of the business contemplated by this Agreement to avoid any interruption in the handling of the business contemplated by this Agreement.

19.           Survival.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Sections 4(d), 4(e), 6(c) - (e), 7(c), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 shall survive termination of this Agreement and/or termination or resignation of Manager’s employment with PSMI.

20.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire understanding between Manager and PSMI and supersedes any prior agreements, written or oral, respecting the subject matter of this Agreement.  This Agreement may not be modified or altered in any way except by a written addendum signed by the parties specifically referring to this Agreement and incorporating this Agreement by reference.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed the foregoing Agreement effective the 1st day of January, 2013.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AND

	
SALES MANAGER

	
PRIMESOURCE MORTGAGE, INC.

	
/s/ James D. Pulsipher                              

	
By:  Jeffrey R. Smith                                   

	 	

JEFFREY R. SMITH

	
Print Name:       JAMES D. PULSIPHER                                          

	
Title:           PRESIDENT & CEO

	
Dated:  12/21/12                                         

	
 Dated:  12/21/12                                         

 

  

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EXHIBIT A

Sales Manager/Loan Originator/Regional Vice President (“LO/RVP”) Compensation Plan

	
A.

	
Compensation

LO/RVP’s compensation shall be determined and calculated in accordance with this Exhibit A.  In no case will the LO/RVP’s compensation vary based on the terms or conditions of a loan other than the amount of the loan extended to the consumer.  For each pay period, LO/RVP shall earn compensation equal to the greater of (1) a Guaranteed Minimum or (2) Commission.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:  (1) the timing of payments of compensation shall at all times be subject to PSMI’s regular payroll practices in effect from time to time; and (2) at all times LO/RVP shall receive no less than the applicable minimum wage, plus applicable overtime premiums, if any, for any hours worked in each workweek.

Guaranteed Minimum

LO/RVP shall be paid either the federal minimum wage or the minimum wage required by the laws of the state in which the PSMI branch office where LO/RVP is assigned and employed is located, whichever is higher, for all hours worked up to forty (40) hours per week, plus overtime premiums at the applicable regular rate for each hour of overtime worked, if any, in that workweek (“Guaranteed Minimum”).  Payment of this Guaranteed Minimum shall be calculated based on timecards submitted and signed by LO/RVP, recording and certifying the hours worked by LO/RVP for the pay period in question.  Each timecard shall be signed by LO/RVP’s Branch Manager and submitted to PSMI’s corporate office in accordance with PSMI procedures.

 For all hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week in a given pay period, LO/RVP shall be entitled to overtime compensation, in the amount of one and one half times the LO/RVP’s regular pay rate for that pay period.

LO/RVP hereby agrees to adhere to the work schedule approved by his or her immediate supervisor (i.e., the Branch Manager of the PSMI branch office where LO/RVP is employed) and may not work overtime in any pay period without the prior express written permission of LO/RVP’s immediate supervisor.

Commission Rate

PSMI shall pay LO/RVP a “Commission” which is defined as a semi-monthly payment of the Basis Points (bps) corresponding to the aggregate volume of Closed Loans originated by LO/RVP during the month, as set forth in the tiers below (the “Commission Rate”).

 

  

A - 1

  

Monthly Closed Loan Volume Commission Rate

(Specified in Basis Points (bps))

	 	
In-House Loans

	
Brokered Loans

	
$0 - $500,000.00

	
120 bps

	
80 bps

	
$500,001 - $1,500,000*

	
125 bps

	
80 bps

	
$1,500,001 and above

	
135 bps

	
80 bps

* More than one (1) loan must be included in the total volume to reach the next volume tier (e.g., the Commission Rate for originating one $550,000 loan will be the Basis Points corresponding to the lowest volume tier, not the second tier, even though the total volume for the month exceeds the dollar amount required to reach the second tier).

From time to time, upon departure of a LO/RVP from employment with PSMI, PSMI may assign to LO/RVP an active loan application file that was initiated but was not closed by such previously employed PSMI LO/RVP.  In such cases, LO/RVP shall be paid a Commission Rate equal to 25 Basis Points for each such assigned file that results in a Closed Loan. 

 

 

Monthly Sales Manager Bonus

In addition to the compensation described herein, LO/RVP may be eligible for a monthly dollar volume bonus (“Bonus”) based on the aggregate dollar volume of Closed Loans in the Grand Junction Office. To be eligible for a Bonus, LO/RVP must meet all of the following performance standards:

	
  

	
1.

	
Achieve Minimum monthly Office Closed Loan dollar volume in excess of $3 million;

	
  

	
2.

	
Loan quality measured by the accuracy and completeness of loan application and supporting documentation when given to underwriting;

	
  

	
3.

	
Achieve a minimum pull through ratio of 70%.

	
  

	
4.

	
Branch Office efficiency.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, PSMI’s evaluation of LO/RVP’s performance standards will not take into consideration the terms or conditions of the loans originated by LO/RVP.

If LO/RVP is eligible to receive a Bonus as set forth above, PSMI will pay LO/RVP an amount equal to twelve and one-half (12.5) Basis Points of the principal amount of the credit extended on all Closed Loans for such payment period in cash or a stock equivalent.  The stock is comprised of PSM Holdings, Inc. common stock and is conditioned upon a six (6) month vesting period, which begins at the time of receipt by LO/RVP.  Bonuses will only be paid to a LO/RVP actively employed by PSMI at the end of the month for which the Bonus is calculated.

Quarterly Loan Originator Bonus

In addition to the compensation described herein, LO/RVP may be eligible for a quarterly dollar volume bonus (“Bonus”) based on the aggregate dollar volume of Closed Loans during a calendar quarter, beginning on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year.  To be eligible for a Bonus, LO/RVP must meet all of the following performance standards:

	
  

	
5.

	
Originate an aggregate Closed Loan dollar volume in excess of $3 million for the quarterly period;

	
  

	
6.

	
Loan quality measured by the accuracy and completeness of loan application and supporting documentation when given to underwriting;

	 	
7.

	
Achieve a minimum pull through ratio of 70%.

 

  

A - 2

  

Notwithstanding the foregoing, PSMI’s evaluation of LO/RVP’s performance standards will not take into consideration the terms or conditions of the loans originated by LO/RVP.  If LO/RVP is eligible to receive a Bonus as set forth above, PSMI will pay LO/RVP, at the sole discretion of PSMI, an amount equal to five (5) Basis Points of the principal amount of the credit extended on all Closed Loans for such payment period in cash or a stock equivalent.  The stock is comprised of PSM Holdings, Inc. common stock and is conditioned upon a six (6) month vesting period, which begins at the time of receipt by LO/RVP.  Bonuses will only be paid to a Loan Originator actively employed by PSMI at the end of the quarter for which the Bonus is calculated.

Override

 

In addition to the Commission and Bonus payments described above, PSMI will pay an “Override” to LO/RVP which is defined as a monthly payment equal to twelve and one-half (12.5) Basis Points (bps) of the of the principal amount of the credit extended for all Closed Loans originated by PSMI LO/RVPs located in branch offices assigned to LO/RVP and designated by Corporate Management in writing wherein LO/RVP oversees and monitors the work of said assigned PSMI LO/RVPs and while said assigned PSMI LO/RVPs are under LO/RVP’s supervision and direction.  Override will only be paid to a LO/RVP actively employed by PSMI at the end of the month for which the Override is calculated.

Recruiting Compensation

In addition to compensation described above, LO/RVP will receive production overrides on monthly closed loan volume of additional branch offices for which the LO/RVP is directly responsible for introducing to the PSMI, which become and continue as a PSMI branch office and which achieve a monthly minimum closed loan volume of $3,000,000.00 (“New Branch”).  During the first year of the New Branch operations, LO/RVP will receive 7.5 basis points of said monthly closed loan volume; 5 basis points during the second year; and 2.5 basis points during the third year after which no basis points will be paid. Recruiting Compensation will only be paid to a LO/RVP actively employed by PSMI at the end of the month for which the Compensation is calculated.

Calculation

PSMI will pay a Commission to LO/RVP for every Closed Loan the LO/RVP originates.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement including this Exhibit A, LO/RVP’s “Commission” for a payment period equals:

(1)           a fixed percentage (i.e., the Commission Rate) of the principal amount of the credit extended on all Closed Loans for such period less

(2)           any amounts previously paid to LO/RVP for the Guaranteed Minimum not already taken into account by a prior calculation less

(3)           any amounts for Expenses generated by LO/RVP.

Definitions

For purposes of this Exhibit A:

“Basis Point” means an amount equal to one hundredth of one percentage point (0.01%) of the gross loan amount stated in the note at settlement.

 

  

A - 3

  

“Closed Loan” means a consumer-purpose, closed-end residential mortgage loan (a) that is closed and funded in accordance with Applicable Requirements, in the period in which the Commission is calculated; and (b) that is not unfunded, cancelled or rescinded for any reason within five (5) days after settlement.

“Expenses” include marketing expenses, personal expenses (e.g., personal copies, faxes and phone calls made with PSMI equipment) and certain other expenses, as provided in the Company Policies and as permissible under applicable local, state and federal laws.

An “In-House Loan” is a Closed Loan in which PSMI is named the lender on the note and in which the funds provided for settlement of the transaction were either from PSMI’s own resources or from PSMI having drawn upon a bona fide warehouse line of credit.

A “Brokered Loan” is a Closed Loan in which the funds provided for settlement of the transaction were neither from PSMI’s own resources, nor from PSMI having drawn upon a bona fide warehouse line of credit.

	
B.

	
Company Referral

LO/RVP will receive a fee in the amount of $350.00 (“Company Referral Fee”) for

every Closed Loan that LO/RVP refers to another LO/RVP employed by PSMI via the Licensed Branch Manager and where LO/RVP does not originate, or participate in the origination of, the referred Closed Loan.  LO/RVP shall promptly refer all applications for loans secured by property in states in which LO/RVP is not licensed as a LO/RVP to a PSMI Branch Manager and shall not perform any origination activities in connection with the loan.  The referred to Branch Manager will register the referral within Encompass at the time of origination.  The Company Referral Fee shall be paid after the loan is closed and funded in accordance with Applicable Requirements in the period in which the Company Referral Fee is calculated, in accordance with the Payment Schedule for Commission payments set forth in the LO/RVP’s compensation agreement or as otherwise provided in PSMI’s payroll schedule, as may be revised from time to time.  Company Referral Fees shall not be paid in connection with loans to be secured by property in New Hampshire, Nevada or Utah, or as otherwise prohibited by applicable law. 

C.           Employee Advances

From time to time in its sole discretion, PSMI may grant LO/RVP an advance on compensation for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement.  Such advance shall be secured by amounts payable to LO/RVP by PSMI hereunder and by amounts which later become payable.

PSMI, within its discretion, may provide LO/RVP with an advance in an amount determined by PSMI per loan application registered with PSMI by LO/RVP.  Such advance shall be payable at the first pay date of each month and shall be based on all applications registered with PSMI for the preceding calendar month.  This advance option is subject to change or elimination at the discretion of PSMI, from time to time and without prior notice to LO/RVP.  LO/RVP hereby authorizes PSMI to deduct from the undersigned’s compensation under the Agreement all prior advances.  In the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, the unpaid balance of the advance shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of termination of the Agreement.

 

  

A - 4

  

D.           Payment Schedule

LO/RVP shall be paid on a monthly basis, and PSMI pay dates shall fall on the 15th of each month (or, if such day falls on a weekend or holiday, on the first day immediately preceding such day that is not a weekend or holiday), or as otherwise set forth in the Company Policies or decided by PSMI, within PSMI’s sole discretion and subject to applicable laws.  At the time of this Agreement, the following pay schedule applies:

Commissions, Bonuses, and Overrides:  Payments for Closed Loans earned will be paid on the 15th of the following month.

Salary:  For the Guaranteed Minimum, including authorized overtime compensation, payment for hours worked during the pay period shall be made on the immediately following pay date after the end of each month.

E.            Changes to the Compensation Plan

From time to time, changes to the business will necessitate a review and revision of LO/RVP’s compensation plan.  LO/RVP’s compensation plan that is in effect on the date PSMI receives a loan application will be considered the plan that is in effect for that loan throughout the application and funding process of the loan.  LO/RVP’s compensation plan at application will be the basis for LO/RVP’s compensation on that loan, regardless of whether LO/RVP’s compensation plan has been revised subsequent to receipt of the application.

LO/RVP and PSMI hereby agree to LO/RVP’s compensation as set forth in this

Exhibit A, which shall be effective as of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­January 1, 2013.

 

	
LO/RVP

	
PRIMESOURCE MORTGAGE, INC.

 

	
  /s/ James D. Pulsipher                         

	
By:  /s/ Jared Peterson                              

 

	
Print Name:  James D. Pulsipher    

	
Title: BRANCH MANAGER

	
Dated:   12/21/12                                    

	
Dated:   12/21/12                                         

	 	

PRIMESOURCE MORTGAGE, INC.

	 	

By:  /s/ Jeffrey R. Smith                            

JEFFREY R. SMITH

 

	 	

Title: PRESIDENT & CEO

	 	

Dated: 12/21/12                                           

 

A - 5

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