Document:

Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance

Exhibit 10.2

ABAXIS, INC.

EXECUTIVE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Directors of Abaxis, Inc. recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held
corporations, there exists the possibility of a Change of Control of the Company. This possibility
and the potential uncertainty it creates may result in the loss or distraction of executives of the
Company to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders.

The Board considers the avoidance of such loss and distraction to be essential to protecting
and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board also believes that
when a Change of Control is perceived as imminent, or is occurring, the Board should be free from
concern that executives might be distracted by the personal uncertainties and risks created by the
perception of an imminent or occurring Change of Control.

Further, the Board believes that it is consistent with the employment practices and policies
of the Company and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to treat its
executives whose employment terminates in connection with or following a Change of Control fairly.

Accordingly, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to assure the
Company of the continued employment and dedication to duty of its executives and to seek to ensure
the availability of their continued service, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence
of a Change of Control.

Therefore, in order to fulfill the above purposes, the following plan is hereby adopted.

ARTICLE I

ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

As of the Effective Date, the Company hereby establishes a separation compensation plan known
as the Abaxis, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan, as set forth in this document.

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used herein the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

2.1 Affiliate. Any entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
the Company.

2.2 Annual Salary. The Participant’s regular annual base salary immediately prior to his or
her termination of employment, including compensation converted to other benefits under a flexible
pay arrangement maintained by the Company or any Affiliate or deferred pursuant to a written plan
or agreement with the Company or any Affiliate, but excluding overtime pay, allowances, premium
pay, compensation paid or payable under any bonus or incentive plan of the Company or any Affiliate
or any similar payment.

2.3 Board. The Board of Directors of Abaxis, Inc.

2.4 Cause. With respect to any Participant, (i) the willful engaging in conduct which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise or (ii) the
conviction of any felony or conviction of a misdemeanor which impairs the Participant’s ability
substantially to perform the Participant’s duties with the Company. For purposes of this
subsection, no act, or failure to act, on the Participant’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless
done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief
that Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

2.5 Change of Control. The occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”)
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of
50% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
“Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding
Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from
the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the
Company or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (A), (B) and (C) of paragraph (iii) below; or

(b) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”)
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to
the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

 

2.

 

(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or an acquisition of assets of another
corporation (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination,
(A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction
owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one
or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior
to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (B) no person (excluding any corporation resulting from such
Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed
prior to the Business Combination and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent
Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or

(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of
the Company’s assets.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of
Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, any Change of Control that does constitute a change in the
ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion
of the assets of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A shall not constitute a Change of
Control.

2.6 Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and all applicable
guidance promulgated thereunder.

2.7 Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.8 Company. Abaxis, Inc. and any successor thereto.

2.9 Date of Termination. The date that is both (i) the date on which a Participant’s
employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates and (ii) a separation from service for the
Participant.

2.10 Disability. A condition such that the Employee has terminated employment with the
Company or an Affiliate with a qualifying disability and has immediately began receiving benefits
from a long-term disability plan of the Company or any participating Employer.

2.11 Effective Date. July 25, 2006.

2.12 Employee. Any full-time, regular-benefit, non-bargaining employee of an Employer.

 

3.

 

2.13 Employer. The Company or any Subsidiary which participates in the Plan pursuant to
Article VI hereof or, under the circumstances set forth in the third sentence of Section 3.1
hereof, any Subsidiary or Affiliate described in such sentence.

2.14 ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to
time.

2.15 Good Reason. With respect to any Participant, without such Participant’s written
consent, (i) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the
Participant’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties or responsibilities immediately before the Change of Control, or any other action by the
Company which results in a significant diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company or the Employer promptly after receipt of
notice thereof given by the Participant; (ii) any reduction in the Participant’s Annual Salary, or
annual target bonus opportunity, or any material reduction in other compensation or employee
benefits, as in effect during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control (or as
such amounts may be increased from time to time), other than as a result of an isolated and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; or (iii) the Company or the Employer requiring
the Participant to relocate his or her principal place of business to a location which is more than
fifty (50) miles from his or her previous principal place of business. For purposes of the Plan,
any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the Participant shall be conclusive.

2.16 Participant. An individual who is designated as such by the Board pursuant to Section
3.1.

2.17 Plan. The Abaxis, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan.

2.18 Section 409A. Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all
applicable guidance promulgated thereunder.

2.19 Separation Benefits. The benefits described in Section 5.2 that are provided to
qualifying Participants under the Plan.

2.20 Separation From Service. A “separation from service” has the meaning set forth in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

2.21 Specified Employee. This term shall have the same meaning as is ascribed to such term
under Section 409A.

2.22 Subsidiary. Any corporation in which the Company, directly or indirectly, holds a
majority of the voting power of such corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock.

2.23 Target Annual Bonus Amount. The annual bonus that the Participant would have received
for the year in which his or her Date of Termination occurs, if the target goals had been achieved
at 100%.

 

4.

 

ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY

3.1 Participation. Each of the individuals listed on Appendix A hereto shall be a Participant
in the Plan. Appendix A may be amended by a majority vote of the Board from time to time to add or
delete individuals as Participants. If a Participant’s employment is transferred from an Employer
to an Affiliate of the Company (including a Subsidiary) which is not a participating Employer under
the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will continue to apply to such Participant while employed by
such Affiliate.

3.2 Duration of Participation. A Participant shall only cease to be a Participant in the Plan
as a result of an amendment or termination of the Plan complying with Article VII of the Plan, or
when he ceases to be an Employee of any Employer, unless, at the time he ceases to be an Employee,
such Participant is entitled to payment of a Separation Benefit as provided in the Plan or there
has been an event or occurrence constituting Good Reason that would enable the Participant to
terminate his employment and receive a Separation Benefit. A Participant entitled to payment of a
Separation Benefit or any other amounts under the Plan shall remain a Participant in the Plan until
the full amount of the Separation Benefit and any other amounts payable under the Plan have been
paid to the Participant.

ARTICLE IV

CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the vesting and exercisability of one hundred
percent (100%) of any unvested options and other unvested equity-based instruments granted to the
Participant by the Company under the Abaxis, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and any other equity
programs sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate shall immediately become vested and exercisable.
The terms of this Article IV shall amend and supersede the terms of any other agreement or
instrument relating to the treatment of such outstanding options and other unvested equity-based
instruments upon or following a Change of Control.

ARTICLE V

SEPARATION BENEFITS

5.1 Terminations of Employment Which Give Rise to Separation Benefits Under This Plan. A
Participant shall be entitled to Separation Benefits as set forth in Section 5.2 below if, at any
time following a Change of Control and prior to eighteen months following the Change of Control,
the Participant’s Employment is terminated and such termination (a) constitutes a separation from
service and (b) is either (i) by the Company for any reason other than Cause, death, or Disability
or (ii) by the Participant within 90 days after the Participant has knowledge of the occurrence of
Good Reason. Payment of any benefit contained in this Article V shall not be made unless the
Participant executes a release as described in Section 5.5.

 

5.

 

5.2 Separation Benefits. If a Participant’s employment is terminated in circumstances
entitling such Participant to Separation Benefits pursuant to Section 5.1, and subject to the
effectiveness of the release described in Section 5.5, the Company shall provide to such
Participant the following Separation Benefits:

(a) On the 60th day after the Date of Termination, the Company will make a lump sum
cash payment to the Participant equal to the product of two (2) times the sum of (a) the
Participant’s Annual Salary and (b) the Participant’s Target Annual Bonus Amount. If the
termination of the Participant’s employment is for Good Reason based upon a reduction of the
Participant’s Annual Salary or Target Annual Bonus Amount, such reduction shall be ignored in
calculating these benefits.

(b) If the Participant makes a timely and accurate election for continuation coverage pursuant
to COBRA (or any state law of similar effect) under the Company’s group health, dental, or vision
plans, the Company shall pay the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for the Participant’s
covered dependents) for such continued health, dental, or vision plan coverage (as in effect
immediately prior to the Date of Termination) for up to twenty-four (24) months or such earlier
date the Participant and his dependents cease to be eligible for COBRA coverage. The Participant
must notify the Company immediately if the Participant becomes covered under a health, dental, or
vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer.

(c) If the Participant elects to convert his or her disability and/or life insurance benefits
under the Company’s plans into individual policies following termination of employment, the Company
will (i) reimburse the Participant on a monthly basis for up to the first twenty-four (24) months
following the Date of Termination for the premiums for such continued coverage, less an amount each
month equal to the monthly co-pay that the Participant was paying immediately prior to the
termination of employment (such Company contribution, the “Insurance Reimbursement”), and (ii) pay
an additional amount each month equal to the ordinary income and employment taxes owed by the
Participant on such monthly Insurance Reimbursement, so that the full amount of the monthly
Insurance Reimbursement, net of all ordinary income and employment taxes, is paid to the
Participant. This aggregate monthly amount will be paid to the Participant on the 30th
day of each month with respect to the premiums paid by the Participant in respect of such month;
provided, however, that no such amounts will be paid prior to the 60th day following the
Date of Termination, and on such 60th day, the Company will pay in a lump sum the
aggregate monthly amounts that would have been paid on or before such date had the payments not
been delayed until such 60th day, with the balance paid thereafter in accordance with
the original schedule.

5.3 Other Benefits Payable. To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide (or cause to be paid or provided) to a Participant entitled to the Separation
Benefits, any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided to the Participant or which
the Participant is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its Affiliates, such as accrued but as yet unpaid base salary or
vacation, but excluding any severance pay or pay in lieu of notice required to be paid to such
Participant under applicable law or any other severance pay plan or policy of the Company or any
Employer.

 

6.

 

5.4 Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

(a) If any payment or benefit that a Participant would be entitled to receive pursuant to this
Plan or otherwise in connection with a change of control from the Company or otherwise
(collectively, the “Acquisition Payments”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be paid to
the Participant payment in full of the entire amount of the Acquisition Payments (a “Full
Payment”), plus an additional payment from the Company (such additional amount, a “Gross-Up
Payment”) in an amount equal to (A) the Excise Tax on the Acquisition Payments, (B) any interest or
penalties imposed on the Participant with respect to the Excise Tax on the Acquisition Payments,
(C) an additional amount sufficient to pay the Excise Tax and the federal and state income and
employment taxes arising from the payments made by the Company to the Participant pursuant to (A)
and (B), and (D) an additional amount sufficient to pay the Excise Tax and the federal and state
income and employment taxes arising from the payment under (C) (i.e., this is not an unlimited
gross-up, but rather a gross-up of the initial Excise Tax and related penalties, and then a
gross-up of that gross-up), in all events capped at $1,000,000 per Participant.

(b) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Participant shall be
deemed to have: (A) paid federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income and
employment taxation for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, and (B) paid
applicable state and local income taxes at the highest rate of taxation for the calendar year in
which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes
which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

(c) The independent professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax audit purposes as
of the day prior to the effective date of the Change of Control shall make all determinations
required to be made under this Section 5.4. If the independent professional firm so engaged by the
Company is serving as an advisor, accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
affecting the Change of Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized professional
firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with
respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made hereunder.

(d) The firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations,
together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and the Participant not later than
thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which the Participant’s right to the Acquisition
Payments is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or the Participant) or such other
time as reasonably requested by the Company or the Participant. Any good faith determinations of
the firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and the
Participant.

 

7.

 

(e) If the firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to the Acquisition
Payments, it shall furnish the Company and the Participant with a copy of its
calculations to the Participant showing that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to the
Acquisition Payments.

(f) If the firm determines that an Excise Tax is payable with respect to the Acquisition
Payments and that a Gross-Up Payment is due to the Participant, the Company shall pay the Gross-Up
Payment not later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the Participant remits the Excise
Tax to the appropriate taxing authorities.

5.5 Release. The Participant, to be eligible to receive any benefit under Article V, must
execute and allow to become effective within 60 days after the Date of Termination a complete and
general release of any and all of his potential claims against the Company, any of its affiliated
companies, and their respective successors and any officers, employees, agents, directors,
attorneys, insurers, underwriters, and assigns of the Company, its affiliates and/or successors.
The Participant shall be required to execute a Waiver and Release Agreement which documents the
release required under this Section 5.5, the form of which shall be provided to the Participant by
the Company.

5.6 Timing of Payments. Notwithstanding the payment schedules set forth above, if the Company
(or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the Severance Benefits and/or any
other termination payments and benefits provided under this Agreement or otherwise on a separation
from service (the “Payments”) constitute “deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A (together,
with any state law of similar effect, “Section 409A”) and the Participant is a “specified employee”
(as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)) of the Company or any successor entity
thereto upon his separation from service, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the
incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A as a result of the payment
of compensation upon his separation from service, the timing of the Payments shall be delayed as
follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the date of
the separation from service or (ii) the date of the Participant’s death (such earlier date, the
“Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable) shall
(A) pay to the Participant a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Payments that the Participant
would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the
payment of the Payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 5.6 and (B) commence paying
the balance of the Payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth above.
It is intended that each installment of the severance payments and benefits provided under this
Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i) of the Treasury
Regulations. In addition, to the extent that any reimbursements payable pursuant to this Agreement
are subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursements payable pursuant
to this Agreement shall be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which
the expense was incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount
eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and the right to reimbursement under this
Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

8.

 

ARTICLE VI

PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS

Any Subsidiary of the Company may become a participating Employer in the Plan following
approval by the Company. The provisions of the Plan shall be fully applicable to the Employees of
any such Subsidiary who are Participants pursuant to Section 3.1.

ARTICLE VII

SUCCESSOR TO COMPANY

This Plan shall bind any successor of the Company, its assets or its businesses (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be obligated under this Plan if no succession had taken place.
In the case of any transaction in which a successor would not by the foregoing provision or by
operation of law be bound by this Plan, the Company shall require such successor expressly and
unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Plan, in the
same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such
succession had taken place. The term “Company,” as used in this Plan, shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor or assignee to the business or assets which by reason hereof
becomes bound by this Plan.

ARTICLE VIII

DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

8.1 Duration. This Plan shall continue in full force and effect until the earlier of
termination by the Board pursuant to Section 8.2, below or the time at which all Participants who
become entitled to any payments hereunder shall have received such payments in full.

8.2 Amendment or Termination. The Board may amend or terminate this Plan at any time in any
manner that it deems appropriate. Any amendment or termination of this Plan by the Board shall be
made by action of the Board in accordance with the Company’s charter and by-laws and applicable
law.

8.3 Section 409A Compliance. The Company intends for this Plan either to satisfy the
requirements of Section 409A or to be exempt from the application of Section 409A, and this Plan
shall be construed and interpreted accordingly. Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the
contrary, if this Plan either fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or is not exempt
from the application of Section 409A, then the Board shall, in its sole discretion and without the
consent of any Participant, either amend or clarify this Plan in any manner as the Board deems
necessary or appropriate so that this Plan either satisfies the requirements of Section 409A or is
exempt from the application of Section 409A.

 

9.

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Full Settlement. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for under this
Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have
against a Participant or others. In no event shall a Participant be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Participant
under any of the provisions of this Plan and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the
Participant obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which a Participant may reasonably incur as a result
of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Participant or others of the
validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Plan or any guarantee of
performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Participant about the amount of
any payment pursuant to this Plan), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

9.2 Employment Status. This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on
the Participant or the Participant’s Employer any obligation for the Participant to remain an
Employee or change the status of the Participant’s employment or the policies of the Company and
its affiliates regarding termination of employment.

9.3 Confidential Information. Each Participant shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the
benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Participant during the Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the
Participant or representatives of the Participant in violation of this Plan). After termination of
a Participant’s employment with the Company, the Participant shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 9.3
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable under this Plan.

9.4 Unfunded Plan Status. This Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily
for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly
compensated employees, within the meaning of Section 401 of ERISA. All payments pursuant to the
Plan shall be made from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be
established or other segregation of assets made to assure payment. No Participant or other person
shall have under any circumstances any interest in any particular property or assets of the Company
as a result of participating in the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may (but
shall not be obligated to) create one or more grantor trusts, the assets of which are subject to
the claims of the Company’s creditors, to assist it in accumulating funds to pay its obligations
under the Plan.

 

10.

 

9.5 Validity and Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the
Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan, which
shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction
shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

9.6 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan
shall in all respects be governed by the laws of California, without reference to principles of
conflict of law, except to the extent pre-empted by Federal law.

9.7 Notices. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by
U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of a
Participant, mailed notices shall be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she
most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices
shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the
attention of its Secretary.

9.8 Taxes. The Company shall make provision for the reporting and withholding of any federal,
state and local taxes that may be required to be reported and withheld with respect to the payment
of benefits pursuant to the terms of this agreement and shall pay amounts withheld to the
appropriate taxing authorities or determine that such amounts have been reported, withheld and paid
by the Company.

9.9 Participant’s Successors. Without the written consent of the Company, Participant shall
not assign or transfer any right or obligation under this Agreement to any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Plan and all rights of Participant hereunder shall
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Participant’s personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

9.10 Arbitration.

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Plan,
or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination thereof, shall
be settled by binding arbitration to be held in Alameda County, California, in accordance with the
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration
Association (the “Rules”). The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or
controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties
to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court having
jurisdiction.

(b) The arbitrator(s) shall apply California law to the merits of any dispute or claim,
without reference to conflicts of law rules. The arbitration proceedings shall be governed by
federal arbitration law and by the Rules, without reference to state arbitration law. Participant
hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in California
for any action or proceeding arising from or relating to this Agreement or relating to any
arbitration in which the parties are participants.

 

11.

 

(c) The Company and Participant shall each pay one-half of the costs and expenses of such
arbitration, and each shall separately pay its counsel fees and expenses.

(d) Participant understands that nothing in this Section modifies Participant’s at-will
employment status. Either Participant or the Company can terminate the employment relationship at
any time, with or without cause.

(e) PARTICIPANT HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS SECTION, WHICH DISCUSSES ARBITRATION.
PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT SUBMITTING ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, BREACH OR
TERMINATION THEREOF TO BINDING ARBITRATION, CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT TO A JURY
TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE
EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS:

(i) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF EMPLOYMENT; BREACH OF CONTRACT, BOTH EXPRESS
AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED;
NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL
MISREPRESENTATION; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC
ADVANTAGE; AND DEFAMATION.

(ii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL STATE OR MUNICIPAL STATUTE, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991, THE
AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAIR
LABOR STANDARDS ACT, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING ACT, AND LABOR CODE SECTION 201, et
seq;

(iii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT
OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.

 

12.

 

APPENDIX A

ABAXIS, INC

EXECUTIVE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

Participants

(As of December 23, 2008)

	 	 	 
	PARTICIPANT NAME	 	TITLE
	 	 	 

	Clinton H. Severson
	 	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

	 	 	 

	Alberto R. Santa Ines
	 	Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of
Finance

	 	 	 

	Donald P. Wood
	 	Vice President of Operations

	 	 	 

	Vladimir E. Ostoich, Ph. D.
	 	Vice President of Government Affairs and Vice
President of Marketing for the Pacific Rim

	 	 	 

	Kenneth P. Aron, Ph. D.
	 	Chief Technology Officer

	 	 	 

	Christopher Bernard
	 	Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the
Domestic Medical Market

	 	 	 

	Martin Mulroy
	 	Vice President of Veterinary Sales and
Marketing for North AmericaFiled by Bowne Pure Compliance

Exhibit 10.1

MARK J. PLUSH

AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Keithley Instruments, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”) and Mark J. Plush
(“Plush”) are party to that certain Employment Agreement dated April 7, 1994 (the “Original
Employment Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Company, with the consent of Plush, desires to amend the Original Employment
Agreement to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code’), and the regulations thereunder applicable to the creation and payment of
deferred compensation; and

WHEREAS, Section XII of the Original Employment Agreement permits the Company to change or
modify the Agreement by resolution of its Board of Directors, so long as such change or
modification is made in writing and signed by both the Company and Plush; and

WHEREAS, Plush consents to such modifications, which conform his rights under the Original
Employment Agreement to the requirements now being imposed by Code Section 409A and related
regulations upon certain payments and payment rights.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Original Employment Agreement is hereby amended as set forth below,
effective January 1, 2009:

1. Section VII, Compensation Upon Involuntary Termination Other Than For Cause, is hereby
amended by designating the existing text subsection A and adding thereto the heading, “Certain
Payments To Be Made; Certain Rights to Continue,” and adding the following (new) subsection B
to the end thereto, as follows:

“B. Certain Payment Restrictions, To Comply With Section 409A.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A hereof, the following restrictions shall
be imposed upon certain of the payment and reimbursement rights creating or arising
thereunder to conform such payment and reimbursement rights to the requirements imposed by
Code Section 409A and related rulings and regulations:

	 	•	 	A termination of employment by the Company shall entitle the Employee to receive
the payment(s) and rights identified in subsection A hereof (as modified by the
provisions of this subsection B) only if and when such termination of employment
also constitutes a “Separation from Service” (as defined under Code Section 409A
and related regulations) from the Company and all those corporations which are part
of the controlled group of corporations of which the Company is a member (within
the meaning of Code Section 414(b) and related regulations), and all those
non-corporate entities which are under common control with the Company (within the
meaning of Code Section 414(c) and related regulations) (collectively, the “Related
Companies”).

 

 

 

	 	•	 	In the event the Employee qualifies as a “Specified Employee” (as herein
defined) on the date such Employee’s Separation from Service occurs, any payment
otherwise scheduled to be paid to the Employee under subsection A, paragraph (i)
hereof, prior to the expiration of six (6) months following the date of such
Employee’s Separation from Service from the Company and all Related Companies (as
defined in this subsection B) shall be held by the Company, and paid to the
Employee (or in the event of his intervening death, to his estate) in a single sum
on the first business day following the expiration of such six (6) month period.

For this purpose, an employee qualifies as a “Specified Employee” if, as of the date
of his Separation from Service, he is a “key employee” of the Company or any Related
Company and the Company’s stock (or the stock of any Related Company) is publicly
traded on an established securities market. An employee is a key employee if he or
she meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) (applied
in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at
any time during a given 12-month period commencing on January 1st and
ending on the ensuing December 31st. In the event the employee qualifies
as a key employee during such calendar year period, he shall qualify as a Specified
Employee throughout the 12-month period commencing on the April 1st next
following the close of such calendar year period and ending on the ensuing March
31st. For this purpose, the Employee’s compensation (used to determine
whether he is a “key employee”) shall be determined using the definition of
compensation provided under Treasury Regulation Section 1.415(c)-2(a).

	 	•	 	Any reimbursement for fringe benefits and arrangements, which needs to be made
to the Employee in accordance with subsection A paragraph (vi) hereof, shall be
made on or before the last day of the Employee’s taxable year following the taxable
year in which such expense was incurred; any cash compensation becoming due and
payable to the Employee in accordance with subsection A paragraph (vi) hereof shall
be made on or before the last day of the Employee’s taxable year in which the
Employee acquires the right to receive such cash compensation. Any such
reimbursement or compensation shall be paid to the Employee (or in the event of his
intervening death, to his estate).

 

2

 

	 	•	 	Payment to the Employee of the supplemental retirement benefit described in
subsection A paragraph (vii) hereof shall take the form of a single life annuity,
commencing on the later of (I) the first day of the first calendar month next
following such Employee’s Separation from Service from the Company and all Related
Companies, or (II) the date the Employee’s retirement benefit commences under the
Pension Plan; provided, that if the Employee is a Specified Employee on the date his
Separation from Service occurs (as herein defined), any monthly benefit payments
otherwise payable to such Employee during the 180-day period commencing on the date
such Employee’s Separates from Service shall be withheld by the Company and paid to
the Employee (or in the event of his intervening death, to his estate) on the
181st day next following the date of his Separation from Service. Any
adjustments in the timing or the form of payment, needed to conform the Employee’s
supplemental retirement benefit described in subsection A, paragraph (vii) hereof to
the preceding sentence, shall employ the actuarial factors used under the Pension
Plan to pay different types of annuities (determined as of the date the Employee’s
Pension Plan benefits commence).

	 	•	 	Any Company reimbursement of the Employee’s outplacement expenses in accordance
with subsection A paragraph (viii) hereof shall be made on or before the last day
of the Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses
were incurred.” Any such reimbursement shall be paid to the Employee (or in the
event of his intervening death, to his estate).

2. Section XIV, Code Section 409A Compliance, is hereby added to the Agreement which shall
provide as follows:

“This Agreement is intended to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and
related rulings and regulations (the “Section 409A Rules”). In the event that any
provision of this Agreement fails to satisfy the Section 409A Rules, such
provision shall be modified so as to comply with the Section 409A Rules while
preserving as closely as possible the substantive rights of the Company and the
Employee hereunder. The Company, acting in its discretion, will identify any
further Agreement provisions that need to be modified to conform this Agreement to
the requirements imposed by the Section 409A Rules and notify the Employee of such
modifications and seek his consent thereto. However, the Company is not acting
(and will not be held to have acted) as a guarantor of the federal tax
consequences of this Agreement, and
 _____ 
in the event that the Company
determines that it is not feasible to modify a provision of this Agreement to
conform such provision to the Section 409A Rules, such provision shall be apply as
theretofore written without regard to the Section 409A Rules.”

 

3

 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Company by action of its Board of Directors has caused this Amendment
to the Original Employment Agreement to be executed on this 31st day of December, 2008.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ Joseph P. Keithley
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Its: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

The undersigned hereby consents and agrees to the above modifications made to the Original
Employment Agreement.

	 	 	 
	 

	 	/s/ Mark J. Plush
	 

	 	 
	 

	 	Mark J. Plush

 

4

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