Document:

exv10w1

 

Exhibit 10.1

CONFIDENTIAL

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

          THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Peter G.
Michielutti, a resident of Minnesota (“Executive”), and River Hills Wilsons, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation (the “Company”).

BACKGROUND

     A. Executive was employed by the Company, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

     B. Executive’s employment relationship with the Company ended January 9, 2006 on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     C. The parties are concluding their employment relationship amicably, but mutually recognize
that such a relationship and its termination may give rise to potential claims or liabilities.

     D. The parties expressly deny that they may be liable to each other on any basis or that they
have engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward each other or treated each other unfairly.

     E. The parties desire to resolve all issues now between them and have agreed to a full
settlement of such issues.

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and provisions contained in this
Agreement and the Release referred to below, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as
follows:

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

AGREEMENTS

     1. Resignation. Executive confirms his resignation of all positions held by him as an
employee or officer of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, effective January 9, 2006 (the
“Separation Date”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate” shall mean any entity related to
the Company in the present or past, including without limitation its predecessors, parents (Wilsons
The Leather Experts Inc.), subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and any entities under common
control with the Company, and any successors of any of them.

     2. Final Pay/Benefits Continuation. Executive confirms that he has been fully paid
his base salary and any accrued and unused vacation time through the Separation Date. Executive
will have the right to continue his group health, dental and vision insurance coverage after the
Separation Date under such terms as are made available to similarly-situated former employees of
the Company, pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan documents and laws regarding continuation
coverage. Except as provided in subparagraph 5.b. of this Agreement, such continuation coverage
shall be at Executive’s own expense. To the extent that Executive is currently a participant in
any retirement, pension, or profit sharing plans of the Company, Executive will be entitled to his
rights and benefits under these plans at the times and under the terms and conditions set forth in
any such plan. Executive acknowledges that he will not be eligible for any incentive award under
the Wilsons Leather Corporate Leadership Team Incentive Plan for the Company’s fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006.

     3. Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for his regular and
necessary business expenses incurred through the Separation Date in accordance

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CONFIDENTIAL

with the Company’s regular policies and practices. Executive will submit all requests for
reimbursement to the Company no later than February 28, 2006.

     4. Release by Executive. At the same time that Executive executes this Agreement, he
shall execute a Release in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (the “Release”). This
Agreement will not be interpreted or construed to limit the Release in any manner.

     5. Severance Arrangements. The Company will make the severance payments set forth in
subparagraph 5.a. below in lieu of any further payments or compensation that Executive would
otherwise be entitled to receive under any other agreement with the Company or any Affiliate or as
an employee of the Company. The Company will make such payments only if (i) Executive has signed
this Agreement and the Release and has not rescinded this Agreement or the Release within the
rescission period set forth in paragraph 22 below (the “Rescission Period”), (ii) the Company has
received written confirmation from Executive, dated not earlier than the day after the expiration
of the Rescission Period, that Executive has not rescinded and will not rescind this Agreement or
the Release, and (iii) Executive has not breached his obligations pursuant to this Agreement or the
Release.

          a. Salary Continuation. For a period of up to fifty-two (52) weeks, the Company shall
pay Executive salary continuation at the rate of Executive’s base salary as of the Separation Date.
Payment of the salary continuation shall be made in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll
schedule, commencing on the first normal payroll date following the expiration of the Rescission
Period. In any event, all payments will be made to the Executive no later than March 15, 2007. If
during the period commencing on the

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CONFIDENTIAL

Separation Date and ending on January 9, 2007, Executive obtains other full-time employment or
self-employment, then the Company shall deduct from any salary continuation payable under this
subparagraph 5.a. all amounts earned by Executive as income as a result of such employment.

          b. Health Insurance. If Executive elects to continue his group health, dental and/or
vision insurances under the terms of paragraph 2 above and the terms of the applicable plans,
Executive shall complete all paperwork necessary to carry out such election effective February 1,
2006, as specified by the Company or its agents in accordance with the applicable plans. Upon such
election by Executive, the Company shall pay on Executive’s behalf a portion of the cost of the
premiums that he is required to pay to maintain such continuation coverage for a period of up to
twelve (12) months following the Separation Date, or, if earlier, until such continuation coverage
ceases in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and laws. The premium
portion to be paid by the Company shall be equal to the portion of the health, dental and/or vision
insurance premiums that would be paid by the Company if Executive were an employee of the Company,
at the same level of coverage that was in effect on the Separation Date. The Company shall deduct
Executive’s portion of such premiums from payments to Executive pursuant to subparagraph 5.a.,
provided, however, if payments owed to Executive pursuant to subparagraph 5.a. are not sufficient
to cover Executive’s portion of the premiums, Executive shall pay such portion to the Company in
accordance with the requirements of continuation coverage.

          c. Disclosure. Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company in writing
the source and amount of any gross income earned by Executive from any full-time employment or
self-employment at any time between the Separation Date and

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CONFIDENTIAL

January 9, 2007. The Company shall have no obligation to make any payment pursuant to
subparagraph 5.a. above unless and until Executive on or about the fifteenth day of each month
submits to the company a signed statement detailing his earnings (or lack thereof) for the prior 30
days. At the Company’s request, Executive will provide the Company with documentation of such
earnings, including without limitation form W-2s or pay stubs. Executive shall repay to the
Company any amounts that would have been deducted pursuant to subparagraph 5.a. above but for
Executive’s delay or failure to make such disclosure.

     6. Equity. 

          a. Stock Options. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the options listed in this
paragraph below are Executive’s only options to purchase shares of the common stock of the
Company’s parent, Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc., and that such options are exercisable only to
the extent reflected in the “Amount Exercisable” column below. Executive further agrees and
acknowledges that all of the options to purchase common stock of Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc.
will expire and cease to be outstanding on the dates listed in the “Expiration Date” column below,
unless previously exercised in accordance with the terms of the applicable Stock Option Agreement
and plan.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Date of	 	Exercise	 	Number of	 	Amount	 	Expiration
	 Grant	 	Price	 	Shares	 	Exercisable	 	Date
	2/23/01

	 	$	16.125	 	 	 	50,000	 	 	 	50,000	 	 	4/9/06
	1/25/02

	 	$	13.71	 	 	 	50,000	 	 	 	50,000	 	 	4/9/06
	3/19/03

	 	$	4.00	 	 	 	20,000	 	 	 	20,000	 	 	4/9/06
	3/17/04

	 	$	2.90	 	 	 	18,000	 	 	 	18,000	 	 	4/9/06
	8/20/04

	 	$	5.90	 	 	 	20,000	 	 	 	6,667	 	 	4/9/06
	6/2/05

	 	$	5.88	 	 	 	200,000	 	 	 	0	 	 	4/9/06

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CONFIDENTIAL

     b. Restricted Stock. The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that all
restricted stock awards granted to Executive during his employment with the Company are fully
vested.

     7. Confidential Information and Restrictive Covenants.

          a. Confidential Information. Except as authorized in writing by an officer of the
Company, Executive shall not at any time divulge, furnish or make accessible to anyone or use in
any way other than in the ordinary course of the business of the Company, any confidential,
proprietary or secret knowledge or information of the Company or any of its Affiliates that
Executive has acquired or will acquire about the Company or any of its Affiliates, whether
developed by himself or by others, concerning (i) any trade secrets, (ii) any confidential,
proprietary or secret designs, processes, formulae, plans, devices or material (whether or not
patented or patentable) directly or indirectly useful in any aspect of the business of the Company
or any of its Affiliates, (iii) any customer or supplier lists, (iv) any confidential, proprietary
or secret development or research work, (v) any strategic or other business, marketing or sales
plans, (vi) any financial data or plans, or (vii) any other confidential or proprietary information
or secret aspects of the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive acknowledges
that the above-described knowledge and information constitutes a unique and valuable asset of the
Company and its Affiliates and represents a substantial investment of time and expense by the
Company and its Affiliates, and that any disclosure or other use of such knowledge or information
other than for the sole benefit of the Company and its Affiliates would be wrongful and would cause
irreparable harm to the Company. Executive will refrain from any acts or omissions that would
reduce the value of such knowledge or information to the Company. The foregoing obligations of

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CONFIDENTIAL

confidentiality shall not apply to any knowledge or information that (i) is now or subsequently
becomes generally publicly known in the form in which it was obtained from the Company or any of
its Affiliates, other than as a direct or indirect result of the breach of this Agreement by
Executive, (ii) is independently made available to Executive in good faith by a third party (other
than a vendor or supplier to the Company or to any of its Affiliates) who has not violated a
confidential relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (iii) is required to be
disclosed by law or legal process. Executive understands and agrees that his obligations under
this Agreement to maintain the confidentiality of the confidential information are in addition to
any obligations of Executive under applicable statutory or common law.

          b. Agreement Not to Compete. For a period of twelve (12) consecutive months after the
Separation Date, Executive will not, without the express written authorization of an officer of the
Company, directly or indirectly, in North America, (i) provide services for or hold any interest in
(including without limitation as a proprietor, owner, principal, agent, partner, officer, director,
stockholder, employee, member, consultant or otherwise) any person or entity primarily engaged in
or planning to enter into the business of manufacturing, designing, marketing, distributing, or
selling leather outerwear, apparel, or accessories; or (ii) provide any services relating to the
manufacturing, designing, marketing, distributing, or selling of leather outerwear, apparel or
accessories for any person or entity, including but not limited to any business in which he is a
proprietor, owner, principal, partner, stockholder or member. Ownership by Executive, as a passive
investment, of less than 1.0% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any corporation listed
on a national

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CONFIDENTIAL

securities exchange or publicly traded on NASDAQ will not itself constitute a breach of this
paragraph 7.a.

          c. Agreement Not to Hire. For a period of 12 consecutive months after the Separation
Date, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, hire, engage, or solicit any person who is an
employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or who was an employee of the Company or any of
its Affiliates at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the Separation Date, in
any manner or capacity, including without limitation as a proprietor, principal, agent, partner,
officer, director, stockholder, employee, member of any association, consultant, or otherwise.

          d. Agreement Not to Interfere. For a period of 12 consecutive months after the
Separation Date, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, induce or attempt to induce any
vendor, supplier, independent contractor, or customer of the Company or of any of its Affiliates to
cease doing business with or terminate or alter its relationship with the Company or any of its
Affiliates.

          e. Acknowledgment. Executive agrees that the restrictions and agreements contained in
this paragraph 7 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company
and that any violation of this paragraph 7 will cause substantial and irreparable harm to the
Company that would not be quantifiable and for which no adequate remedy would exist at law.
Executive acknowledges that it would be difficult to fully compensate the Company for damages
resulting from any breach by him of the provisions of paragraph 7 of this Agreement. Accordingly,
in the event of any actual or threatened breach of such provisions, the Company will (in addition
to any other remedies it may have) be entitled to temporary and/or permanent injunctive and other
equitable relief to

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CONFIDENTIAL

enforce such provisions, and such relief may be granted without the necessity of proving
actual damages.

          f. Blue Pencil Doctrine. If the duration or geographical extent of, or business
activities covered by, this paragraph 7 are in excess of what is valid and enforceable under
applicable law, such provision will be construed to cover only that duration, geographical extent,
or activities that are valid and enforceable. Executive acknowledges the uncertainty of the law in
this respect and expressly stipulates that this paragraph 7 be given the construction which renders
its provisions valid and enforceable to the maximum extent (not exceeding its express terms)
possible under applicable laws.

     8. Cooperation. At any time upon reasonable request and notice from the Company,
Executive will, without further consideration but at no expense to Executive, (a) timely execute
and deliver such acknowledgements, instruments, certificates, and other ministerial documents
(including without limitation, certification as to specific actions performed by Executive in his
capacity for the Company or any of its Affiliates) as may be necessary or appropriate to formalize
and complete the Company’s or any Affiliate’s corporate records; provided, however, that nothing in
this paragraph 8 will require Executive to take any action that he reasonably believes to be
unlawful or unethical or to make any inaccurate statement of actual facts, and (b) provide complete
and truthful information to, and otherwise cooperate fully with, the Company, any of its
Affiliates, and any of its or their legal counsel, agents, insurers, and representatives in
connection with any matters relating to the Company or any of its Affiliates in which the Company
determines that Executive may have relevant information.

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CONFIDENTIAL

     9. Claims Involving the Company. Executive will not recommend or suggest to any
potential claimants or plaintiffs or their attorneys or agents that they initiate claims or
lawsuits against the Company, any of its Affiliates, or any of its or their directors, officers,
employees, or agents, nor will Executive voluntarily aid, assist, or cooperate with any claimants
or plaintiffs or their attorneys or agents in any claims or lawsuits now pending or commenced in
the future against the Company, any of its Affiliates, or any of its or their directors, officers,
employees, or agents; provided, however, that this paragraph 9 will not be interpreted or construed
to prevent Executive from giving testimony in response to questions asked pursuant to a legally
enforceable subpoena, deposition notice, or other legal process, during any legal proceedings or
arbitrations involving the Company, any of its Affiliates, or any of its or their directors,
officers, employees, or agents.

     10. Records, Documents, and Property. On or before the Separation Date, Executive
will deliver to the Company any and all Company or Affiliate records and any and all Company or
Affiliate property in his possession or under his control, including without limitation, manuals,
books, blank forms, documents, letters, memoranda, notes, notebooks, reports, printouts, computer
disks, computer tapes, data, tables, or calculations and all copies thereof, documents that in
whole or in part contain any trade secrets or confidential, proprietary, or other secret
information of the Company or of any of its Affiliates, and all copies thereof, and keys, access
cards, access codes, source codes, passwords, credit cards, personal computers, telephones, and
other electronic equipment belonging to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

     11. Non-Disparagement. Executive will not at any time disparage, defame, or besmirch
the reputation, character, image, products, or services of the Company, any of its

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CONFIDENTIAL

Affiliates, or the reputation or character of any of their directors, officers, employees, or
agents.

     12. Actions Taken By Executive. Executive represents and warrants that, during the
entire period that he has been an employee or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates, he
acted in good faith and had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

     13. Indemnification. Notwithstanding Executive’s separation from the Company, with
respect to events that occurred during his tenure as an employee or officer of the Company,
Executive will be entitled, as a former employee or officer of the Company, to the same rights that
are afforded to other current or former employees or officers of the Company, now or in the future,
to indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided in the charter documents of the Company
and under applicable law, and to indemnification and a legal defense to the extent provided from
time to time to current officers by any applicable general liability and/or directors’ and
officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company.

     14. Confidentiality.

          a. General Standard. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement and summaries
thereof may be disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and summarized in
proxy statements disseminated to shareholders of Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc. Notwithstanding
such public filings, in order to minimize disruption and distraction from on-going business
operations, it is the intent of the parties that the terms of Executive’s separation from the
Company, including the provisions of this Agreement and the Release (collectively “Confidential
Separation Information”), will be

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forever treated as confidential. Accordingly, except as provided in subparagraph 14.b. below,
Executive will not disclose Confidential Separation Information to anyone at any time and will not
comment on Confidential Separation Information if asked about it by employees or former employees
of the Company. Confidential Separation Information does not include the fact that Executive
resigned his employment with the Company or the compensation and benefits he was receiving in
connection with his employment with the Company immediately prior to the Separation Date.

          b. Exceptions.

	 	i.	 	It will not be a violation of this Agreement
for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information in
reports to governmental agencies as required by law, including, but not
limited to, any federal or state tax authority.
	 
	 	ii.	 	It will not be a violation of this Agreement
for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information to his
wife, his parents, his attorneys, his accountants or tax advisors.
	 
	 	iii.	 	It will not be a violation of this Agreement
for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information in
connection with any litigation proceeding involving the parties’ rights
or obligations under this Agreement or the Release.
	 
	 	iv.	 	It will not be a violation of this Agreement
for Executive to disclose to employers and/or prospective employers
that he is constrained from certain activities as a result of the terms
of paragraph 7 of this Agreement.

     15. Full Compensation. Executive understands that the payments made and other
consideration provided by the Company under this Agreement will fully compensate Executive for and
extinguish any and all of the potential claims Executive is releasing in the Release, including
without limitation, his claims for attorneys’ fees and costs and any and all claims for any type of
legal or equitable relief.

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CONFIDENTIAL

     16. Withholding of Taxes. The Company shall withhold from payments and benefits
hereunder income and employment taxes and other amounts to the extent required by law. If there is
any dispute over the taxation of any such payment or benefit, the Company and Executive will cause
their respective tax advisors to cooperate in an effort to resolve such dispute.

     17. No Admission of Wrongdoing. Executive understands that this Agreement does not
constitute an admission that the Company, any of its Affiliates, or any of its or their directors,
officers, employees, or agents has violated any local ordinance, state or federal statute, or
principle of common law, or that the Company, any of its Affiliates, or any of its or their
directors, officers, employees, or agents has engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward
Executive. Executive will not characterize this Agreement or the payment of any money or other
consideration in accordance with this Agreement as an admission that the Company or any of its
Affiliates has engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward him or treated him unfairly.

     18. Authority. Executive represents and warrants that he has the authority to enter
into this Agreement and the Release, and that no causes of action, claims, or demands released
pursuant to this Agreement and the Release have been assigned to any person or entity not a party
to this Agreement and the Release.

     19. Legal Representation. Executive acknowledges that he has been advised by the
Company to consult with his own attorney before executing this Agreement and the Release, that he
has had a full opportunity to consider this Agreement and the Release, that he has had a full
opportunity to ask any questions that he may have concerning this Agreement, the Release, or the
settlement of his potential claims against the Company and

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others, and that he has not relied upon any statements or representations made by the Company, its
Affiliates or its or their attorneys, written or oral, other than the statements and
representations that are explicitly set forth in this Agreement, the Release, and any qualified
employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company in which Executive is a participant.

     20. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, by
Executive without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may, without the consent
of Executive, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

     21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Release, the Stock Option Agreements, and
any qualified employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company in which Executive is a participant
are intended to define the full extent of the legally enforceable undertakings of the parties, and
no promises or representations, written or oral, that are not set forth explicitly in this
Agreement, the Release, the Stock Option Agreements, or any qualified employee benefit plans
sponsored by the Company in which Executive is a participant are intended by either party to be
legally binding. All other agreements and understandings between Executive and the Company or any
of its Affiliates are hereby cancelled, terminated, and superseded.

     22. Period to Consider the Release and the Agreement. Executive understands that he
has 21 days to consider whether to sign this Agreement and the Release. If Executive signs this
Agreement and the Release before the end of the 21-day period, it will be his voluntary decision to
do so because he has decided he does not need any additional time to decide whether to sign this
Agreement and the Release.

     23. Right to Rescind or Revoke. Executive understands that he has the right to
rescind or revoke this Agreement and the Release for any reason within fifteen (15) calendar

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days after he signs them. Executive understands that this Agreement will not become effective or
enforceable unless and until he has not rescinded this Agreement or the Release and the Rescission
Period has expired. Executive understands that if he wishes to rescind, the rescission must be in
writing and hand-delivered or mailed to the Company. If hand-delivered, the rescission must be (a)
addressed to Betty Goff, Vice President Human Resources, 7401 Boone Avenue North, Brooklyn Park,
Minnesota 55428, and (b) delivered to Betty Goff within the fifteen-day period. If mailed, the
rescission must be (a) postmarked within the fifteen-day period and (b) addressed to Betty Goff at
the address in the preceding sentence.

     24. Headings. The descriptive headings of the paragraphs and subparagraphs of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

     25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute
one and the same instrument.

     26. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Release will be interpreted and construed
in accordance with, and any dispute or controversy arising from any breach or asserted breach of
this Agreement or the Release will be governed by, the laws of the State of Minnesota.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date stated below.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Dated:
Jan. 12, 2006

	 	/s/ Peter G. Michielutti
	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PETER G. MICHIELUTTI	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Dated: Jan. 13, 2006	 	RIVER HILLS WILSONS, INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	BY:	 	/s/ Michael M. Searles	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Michael M.
Searles                                 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Its Chief Executive
Officer                     	 	 

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RELEASE BY PETER G. MICHIELUTTI

Definitions. I intend all words used in this Release to have their plain meanings in
ordinary English. Specific terms that I use in this Release have the following meanings:

	 	A.	 	I, me, and my include both me and anyone who has or
obtains any legal rights or claims through me.
	 
	 	B.	 	Wilsons means River Hills Wilsons, Inc., any company related to River
Hills Wilsons, Inc. in the present or past (including without limitation any of their
predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint venture partners), and any
successors of River Hills Wilsons, Inc.
	 
	 	C.	 	Company means Wilsons; the present and past officers, directors,
committees, and employees of Wilsons; any company providing insurance to Wilsons in the
present or past; the present and past fiduciaries of any employee benefit plan
sponsored or maintained by Wilsons (other than multiemployer plans); the attorneys for
Wilsons; and anyone who acted on behalf of Wilsons or on instructions from Wilsons.
	 
	 	D.	 	Agreement means the Separation Agreement between Wilsons and me that I
have executed on the same date as I am executing this Release, including all of the
documents attached to the Agreement.
	 
	 	E.	 	My Claims mean all of my rights that I now have to any relief of any
kind from the Company, whether or not I now know about those rights, including without
limitation:

	 	1.	 	all claims arising out of or relating to my employment with
Wilsons or the termination of that employment;
	 
	 	2.	 	all claims arising out of or relating to the statements,
actions, or omissions of the Company;
	 
	 	3.	 	all claims for any alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment,
retaliation or reprisal, or other alleged unlawful practices arising under the
laws of the United States or any other country or of any state, province,
municipality, or other unit of government, including without limitation, claims
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical
Leave Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the
Equal Pay Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Fair Credit Reporting
Act, and workers’ compensation non-interference or non-retaliation statutes
(such as Minn. Stat. § 176.82);

EXHIBIT A

 

 

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	 	4.	 	all claims for alleged wrongful discharge; breach of contract;
breach of implied contract; failure to keep any promise; breach of a covenant
of good faith and fair dealing; breach of fiduciary duty; estoppel; my
activities, if any, as a “whistleblower”; defamation; infliction of emotional
distress; fraud; misrepresentation; negligence; harassment; retaliation or
reprisal; constructive discharge; assault; battery; false imprisonment;
invasion of privacy; interference with contractual or business relationships;
any other wrongful employment practices; and violation of any other principle
of common law;
	 
	 	5.	 	all claims for compensation of any kind, including without
limitation, bonuses, commissions, stock-based compensation or stock options,
vacation pay, and expense reimbursements;
	 
	 	6.	 	all claims for back pay, front pay, reinstatement, other
equitable relief, compensatory damages, damages for alleged personal injury,
liquidated damages, and punitive damages; and
	 
	 	7.	 	all claims for attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.

	 	 	 	However, My Claims do not include any claims that the law does not allow to
be waived, any claims that may arise after the date on which I sign this Release, or
any claims for breach of the Agreement.

Agreement to Release My Claims. I will receive consideration from Wilsons as set forth in
the Agreement if I sign and do not rescind this Release as provided below. I understand and
acknowledge that the consideration is in addition to anything of value that I would be entitled to
receive from Wilsons if I did not sign this Release or if I rescinded this Release. In exchange
for that consideration I give up and release all of My Claims. I will not make any demands or
claims against the Company for compensation or damages relating to My Claims. The consideration
that I am receiving is a fair compromise for the release of My Claims.

Additional Agreements and Understandings. Even though Wilsons will provide consideration
for me to settle and release My Claims, the Company does not admit that it is responsible or
legally obligated to me. In fact, the Company denies that it is responsible or legally obligated
to me for My Claims, denies that it engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward me, and
denies that it treated me unfairly.

Confidentiality. I understand that the terms of this Release are confidential and that I
may not disclose those terms to any person except under the circumstances described in the
Agreement.

Advice to Consult with an Attorney. I understand and acknowledge that I am hereby being
advised by the Company to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release and I have done
so. My decision whether to sign this Release is my own voluntary decision made with full knowledge
that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney.

Period to Consider the Release. I understand that I have 21 days from the day that I
receive this Release, not counting the day upon which I receive it, to consider whether I wish to
sign this Release. If I sign this Release before the end of the 21-day period, it will be my
voluntary

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decision to do so because I have decided that I do not need any additional time to decide whether
to sign this Release. I also agree that any changes made to this Release or the Agreement before I
sign it, whether material or immaterial, will not restart the 21-day period.

My Right to Rescind this Release. I understand that I may rescind this Release at any time
within 15 days after I sign it, not counting the day upon which I sign it. This Release will not
become effective or enforceable unless and until the 15-day rescission period has expired without
my rescinding it.

Procedure for Accepting or Rescinding the Release. To accept the terms of this Release, I
must deliver the Release, after I have signed and dated it, to Wilsons by hand or by mail within
the 21-day period that I have to consider this Release. To rescind my acceptance, I must deliver a
written, signed statement that I rescind my acceptance to Wilsons by hand or by mail within the
15-day rescission period. All deliveries must be made to Wilsons at the following address:

	 	 	 
	 

	 	Betty Goff
	 

	 	Vice President, Human Resources
	 

	 	Wilsons Leather
	 

	 	7401 Boone Avenue North
	 

	 	Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428

If I choose to deliver my acceptance or the rescission of my acceptance by mail, it must be
postmarked within the period stated above and properly addressed to Wilsons at the address stated
above.

Interpretation of the Release. This Release should be interpreted as broadly as possible
to achieve my intention to resolve all of My Claims against the Company. If this Release is held
by a court to be inadequate to release a particular claim encompassed within My Claims, this
Release will remain in full force and effect with respect to all the rest of My Claims.

My Representations. I am legally able and entitled to receive the consideration being
provided to me in settlement of My Claims. I have not been involved in any personal bankruptcy or
other insolvency proceedings at any time since I began my employment with Wilsons. No child
support orders, garnishment orders, or other orders requiring that money owed to me by Wilsons be
paid to any other person are now in effect.

I have read this Release carefully. I understand all of its terms. In signing this Release, I
have not relied on any statements or explanations made by the Company except as specifically set
forth in the Agreement and the Release signed by Wilsons. I am voluntarily releasing My Claims
against the Company. I intend this Release and the Agreement to be legally binding.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Dated:

	 	Jan. 12, 2006	 	 	 	/s/ Peter G. Michielutti	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Peter G. Michielutti	 	 

A-3exv4w4

 

Exhibit 4.4

AMENDMENT AND WAIVER NO. 4 TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of December 20, 2005

          AMENDMENT AND WAIVER NO. 4 TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) among ENCORE MEDICAL
IHC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), ENCORE MEDICAL CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (“Holdings”), the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders parties
to the Credit Agreement referred to below (collectively, the “Lenders”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

          (1) WHEREAS, the Borrower, Holdings, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered
into a Credit Agreement dated as of October 4, 2004, as amended by Letter Amendment and Waiver No.
1, dated as of February 14, 2005, Amendment and Waiver No. 2, dated as of May 5, 2005 and Letter
Amendment No. 3, dated as of July 21, 2005 (such Credit Agreement, as so amended, the “Credit
Agreement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment have the same meanings as
specified in the Credit Agreement;

          (2) WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend and waive certain provisions to
the Credit Agreement as described below and including, without limitation, an increase of the
Revolving Credit Commitments; and

          (3) WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth, to amend and waive certain provisions to the Credit Agreement as set forth below.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable
consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:

          SECTION 1. Amendments to the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is, effective as
of the date hereof and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section
3 hereof, hereby amended as follows:

          (a) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

     (i) By deleting, in clause (iv) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” the amounts
“$10,000,000” and “$5,000,000” and by replacing such amounts with, respectively, the amounts
“$20,000,000” and “$15,000,000”.

 

2

     (ii) By deleting in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” clause (vi) thereof and by
inserting the following clause (vi) in its place:

“(vi) restructuring and integration costs incurred (A) in connection with the
Transaction through December 31, 2005; provided that the maximum amount of
costs incurred under this subclause (A) shall not exceed $5,000,000, and (B) in
connection with the Compex Acquisition through the date that is twelve months after
the Fourth Amendment Effective Date; provided that the maximum amount of
costs incurred under this subclause (B) shall not exceed $7,500,000,”

     (iii) By deleting in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” clause (viii) thereof and
by inserting the following clause (viii) in its place:

“(viii) transaction fees and expenses related to (A) attempted or completed
acquisitions (other than the Transaction) up to a maximum aggregate amount of
$2,500,000 during any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters, and (B) the Compex
Acquisition up to a maximum aggregate amount of $4,500,000,”

     (iv) By inserting at the end of the definition of “Revolving Credit Commitment” the
following phrase: “; provided, however, that upon the Compex Acquisition Closing Date the
Revolving Credit Commitments shall be increased by the commitments set forth on Schedule
2.01(a) hereto.”

(v) By inserting the following new definitions therein in the appropriate alphabetical
order:

“Compex Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Borrower of all of the Equity
Interests in Compex Technologies, Inc. a Minnesota corporation pursuant to that
certain stock purchase agreement dated as of November 11, 2005 and entered into by
and among Holdings, Encore-Snow Acquisition Corp. and Compex Technologies, Inc.;
provided that, after giving effect to such acquisition, Compex Technologies, Inc.
shall be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Compex Acquisition Closing Date” means the date Compex Technologies, Inc. merges
with and into Encore-Snow Acquisition Corp. as part of the Compex Acquisition, it
being understood that the Compex Acquisition Closing Date shall occur on or before
June 30, 2006.

“Fourth Amendment” means the Amendment No. 4, dated as of December 20, 2005, to this
Agreement among the Borrower, Holdings, the Lenders party thereto and the
Administrative Agent.

“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2 of the
Fourth Amendment.

     (b) Section 7.03(i)(D) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting therein
the amounts “$7,500,000” and “$15,000,000” and by replacing such amounts with, respectively,
the amounts “$15,000,000” and “$30,000,000”.

 

3

          Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting therein the schedule of
Capital Expenditures and by replacing such schedule with the following schedule:

	 	 	 	 	 
	“Fiscal Year	 	Amount
	 
	2004
	 	$	11,100,000	 
	2005
	 	$	13,800,000	 
	2006
	 	$	13,000,000	 
	2007
	 	$	14,200,000	 
	2008
	 	$	15,700,000	 
	2009
	 	$	17,300,000	 
	2010
	 	$	19,000,000	” 

     (c) A new Schedule 2.01(a) is added to the Credit Agreement in the form of
Schedule I to this Amendment.

          SECTION 2. Waiver. Compliance by Holdings and its Subsidiaries with the limitations
set forth in Section 7.03(i)(D) of the Credit Agreement, with respect to the limits on total cash
consideration that may be paid by or on behalf of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for any purchase or
acquisition of the type described in Section 7.03(i) of the Credit Agreement of no more than
$15,000,000 after giving effect to the amendment set forth in Section 1(b) above for any single
transaction, is on and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date hereby waived by the Lenders,
solely to the extent and for the purpose of permitting the Compex Acquisition and the repayment of
debt of Compex Technologies, Inc., associated therewith. Notwithstanding such waiver, after
consummation of the Compex Acquisition (i) Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be required to
comply with the limitations set forth in Section 7.03(i)(D) of the Credit Agreement, as amended
hereby and (ii) without any further action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, all of the
terms and provisions set forth in the Loan Documents shall have the same force and effect as if
this waiver had not been entered into by the parties hereto, and the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall have all of the rights and remedies afforded to them under the Loan Documents as
though no waiver had been granted by them hereunder.

          SECTION 3. Conditions of Effectiveness. Sections 1 and 2 of this Amendment shall
become effective as of the date first written above (the “Fourth Amendment Effective Date”) when
(i) the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of (A) this Amendment executed by the
Borrower, the Required Lenders, and solely in respect of Section 1 of this Amendment the Revolving
Credit Lenders that shall have increased their Revolving Credit Commitments or, as to any of such
Lenders, advice satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such Lender has executed this
Amendment, (B) the Consent and Confirmation attached hereto executed by each of the Loan Parties
(other than the Borrower), (C) an opinion of Jackson Walker, L.L.P., counsel to the Borrower, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, (D) such certificates
of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible
Officers of the Borrower and of each other Loan Party, as the Administrative Agent may require
evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to
act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Amendment, and (E) such documents and
certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that the Borrower and
each other Loan

 

4

Party is duly organized or formed and is validly existing in its jurisdiction of organization,
(ii) the Borrower shall have paid all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) incurred in
connection with the Loan Documents (including this Amendment), (iii) no Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, or would occur as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Amendment,
and (iv) the Borrower shall have paid, on or before December 29, 2005, for the benefit of each
Lender executing this Amendment on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on December 20, 2005, a fee
equal to 0.05% of the Commitments of each such Lender.

          SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. Each of Holdings and the
Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

     (a) The execution, delivery and performance by each of Holdings and the Borrower of
this Amendment and by each other Loan Party of the Consent and Confirmation and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, are within its corporate
powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not contravene
(i) its charter or by-laws or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or
affecting it, the continuation of which would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     (b) After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties contained
in each of the Loan Documents are correct in all material respects on and as of the date
hereof as though made on and as of such date (other than any such representations or
warranties that, by their terms, refer to a specific date other than the date hereof, in
which case as of such specific date).

     (c) After giving effect to this Amendment, no event shall have occurred and be
continuing that constitutes a Default.

          SECTION 5. Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement, the Notes and the Loan
Documents. On and after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Credit
Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the
Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”,
“thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and
be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment. The Credit Agreement, as
specifically amended by this Amendment, is and shall continue to be in full force and effect and is
hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Collateral Documents and all of the Collateral described therein do and shall continue to
secure the payment of all Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, in each case as
amended by this Amendment. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not,
except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any
Lender Party or the Administrative Agent or under the Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of
any provision of the Credit Agreement.

 

5

          SECTION 6. Execution in Counterparts.

     (a) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by any combination
of the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Amendment.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telecopier
shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

     (b) If you agree to the terms and provisions hereof, please evidence such agreement by
executing and returning two original counterparts of this Amendment to Shearman & Sterling
LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Sunita Daswani, facsimile
no. (646) 848-4582.

     (c) This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of New York.

 

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	BORROWER:

ENCORE MEDICAL IHC, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/  Harry L. Zimmerman
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Harry L. Zimmerman 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President-General Counsel 	 
	 
	 	HOLDINGS:

ENCORE MEDICAL CORPORATION,

a Delaware corporation

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/  Harry L. Zimmerman
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Harry L. Zimmerman 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President-General Counsel 	 
	 

Agreed as of the date first above written:

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Paul Folino
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Paul Folino 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Assistant Vice President 	 
	 

 

 

CONSENT AND CONFIRMATION

Dated as of December 20, 2005

          Each of the undersigned hereby consents to the foregoing Amendment and hereby (a) confirms and
agrees that notwithstanding the effectiveness of such Amendment, each Loan Document to which it is
a party is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed
in all respects, except that, on and after the effectiveness of such Amendment, each reference in
the Loan Documents to the “Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall
mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended by such Amendment, (b) confirms and
agrees that the pledge and security interest in the Collateral granted by it pursuant to the
Collateral Documents to which it is a party shall continue in full force and effect, and (c)
acknowledges and agrees that such pledge and security interest in the Collateral granted by it
pursuant to such Collateral Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations purported to be
secured thereby, as amended or otherwise affected hereby.

          This Consent and Confirmation shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of New York. Each of the undersigned hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, New York county and the courts of the United
States of America located in the Southern District of New York and hereby agrees that any legal
action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the foregoing Amendment and this Consent
and Confirmation may be brought against them in any such courts. This Consent and Confirmation may
be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a
signature page to this Consent and Confirmation by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of a
manually executed counterpart of this Consent and Confirmation.

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	ENCORE MEDICAL IHC, INC.

ENCORE MEDICAL CORPORATION

ENCORE MEDICAL, L.P.

ENCORE MEDICAL GP, INC.

ENCORE MEDICAL PARTNERS, INC.

ENCORE MEDICAL ASSET CORPORATION

ENCORE — OTI ACQUISITION LLC

EMPI, INC.

EMPI CORP.

EMPI SALES CORP.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Harry L. Zimmerman
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Harry L. Zimmerman 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President — General Counsel

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