Document:

exv10ww

 

EXHIBIT 10.w

IBM Credit LLC     
North
Castle Dr      
Armark, NY 10504

May 11, 2004

Mr. Mitchell Rosen

Bell Industries, Inc.

1960 East Grand Avenue, Suite 560

El Segundo, CA 90245

Dear Mr. Rosen

IBM Credit LLC, formerly IBM Credit Corporation (“IBM Credit”) and Bell Industries, Inc.
(“Bell Industries”) are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Agreement for Wholesale
Financing (Security Agreement), dated July 18, 2002 (as amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time, the “Agreement”).

Capitalized terms used in this letter that are not otherwise defined shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

IBM Credit has completed a financial review of Bell Industries. As we previously discussed and
after careful consideration, effective May 20, 2004, IBM Credit has decided to reduce Bell
Industries’ credit line, as set forth in the Agreement, from Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00)
to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). In addition, effective June 1, 2004, IBM Credit has also
decided to modify the scheduled payment plan from 1 pay 30 to 1 pay 15. Depending upon the date of
each invoice, payments are due on the 5th, 15th, or 25th day of the month following your purchase.
There are no financing charges associated with this plan provided that payments are received by
IBM Credit during the 15 day payment period as scheduled.

Please sign below as your acknowledgment and agreement to the terms of this letter and mail the
original to the attention of Ms. Lisa Fitzpatrick at the above address on or prior to May 19, 2004.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Richard Blatchford at (630)
568-1262.

Sincerely,

Thomas Harahan

Manager of Credit

Acknowledged and Agreed to:

Mitchell
Rosen                            
5/12/04

(ADDRESSEE’S
NAME)              Date

VIP-Corporate Controller

(TITLE)exv10w9

 

Exhibit 10.9

RELEASE, CONSULTATIVE AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 9th day of February, 2005, by and
among SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter
called the “Company”), SCI Executive Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called
“Executive Services”), Huntco International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called
“Consultant”), and B. D. Hunter (hereinafter called “Terminating Employee” or “Hunter”).

     WHEREAS, Terminating Employee is employed by Executive Services pursuant to that certain
Employment and Noncompetition Agreement dated January 1, 2004;

     WHEREAS, Terminating Employee and Executive Services are mutually desirous of terminating
employment of Terminating Employee and such Employment and Noncompetition Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, Company is desirous of engaging Consultant through a consulting agreement, as well as
obtaining the personal services of Hunter;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the performance and discharge of the respective agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     Section 1. Termination of Employment. Effective February 9, 2005,
Terminating Employee resigns as an officer, director, committee member and employee of Service
Corporation International (“SCI”), the Company, Executive Services, and all of their subsidiaries
and affiliated companies and enterprises (collectively, the “SCI Group”). Executive Services and
Terminating Employee hereby terminate and cancel the Employment and Noncompetition Agreement dated
January 1, 2004 between Terminating Employee and Executive Services in its entirety, including
without limitation all salary, incentive compensation and other benefits provided for therein,
except as set forth below in this Section 1.

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	 	•  	All SCI stock options and restricted stock held by Terminating Employee, as set forth on
Exhibit A, will be governed by the terms thereof based upon termination of employment
without cause.
	 
	 	•  	The Terminating Employee shall participate fully in the SCI cash bonus incentive plan
for 2004.
	 
	 	•  	The Terminating Employee shall be entitled to start receiving his benefits under the
Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
	 
	 	•  	Pursuant to plan terms regarding termination without cause, Terminating Employee will be
given credit for having participated in the SCI 2003 Performance Unit Plan for 24 months
and the 2004 Performance Unit Plan for 12 months. Under those Performance Unit Plans, the
determination of whether an award is due is made using specified measurement criteria as of
December 31, 2005 for the 2003 Performance Unit Plan and December 31, 2006 for the 2004
Performance Unit Plan. If an award is determined to be due under the terms of the 2003
Performance Unit Plan, Terminating Employee will receive payment of 24/36 of the amount to
which he would have been entitled if he remained employed by Company through December 31,
2005. If an award is determined to be due under the terms of the 2004 Performance Unit
Plan, Terminating Employee will receive payment of 12/36 of the amount to which he would
have been entitled if he had remained employed by the Company through December 31, 2006.
Such prorated awards shall be payable at the time payments are made to other participants
in those Performance Unit Plans, and shall be reduced by all customary withholding and
payroll deductions.
	 
	 	•  	The Terminating Employee shall be entitled to his benefits under the SCI Cash Balance
Plan according to plan terms.

All other compensation and benefits of Terminating Employee under such Employment and
Noncompetition Agreement are cancelled and terminated, including without limitation the following:

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	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to make any further contributions to the SCI
401(k) Plan.
	 
	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to any benefit or allowance for financial or
tax planning.
	 
	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to any life insurance benefits.
	 
	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to any health or health insurance benefits.
	 
	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to executive medical reimbursement.
	 
	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to disability or disability insurance
benefits.
	 
	 	•  	Terminating Employee shall not be entitled to business travel insurance.

     Section 2. Release.

          A. In consideration of the payments to Terminating Employee referred to in Section 5 below,
the sufficiency of which Terminating Employee hereby acknowledges, Terminating Employee discharges
and releases SCI, Executive Services, all other members of SCI Group, their successors, assigns,
divisions, representatives, agents, officers, directors, stockholders, and employees, from any
claims, demands, and/or causes of action whatsoever, presently known or unknown, that are based
upon facts occurring on or prior to the date of execution of this Agreement, including but not
limited to, the following: (a) any statutory claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the
Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Chapter 451 of
the Texas Labor Code and/or the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, any other federal or state
discrimination, employment, or human rights laws, (b) any tort or contract claims, including claims
arising under or relating to
the Employment and Noncompetition Agreement, (c) any claims for unpaid wages, bonuses, salary,
or any other employment-related compensation or expenses, as well as any claims of

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wrongful
discharge, breach of contract, retaliation, defamation and claims for emotional distress, including
any mental pain and suffering, and/or (d) any other claims, matters or actions related to
Terminating Employee’s employment and/or affiliation with, or separation from the SCI Group, but
expressly excluding all claims or causes of action relating to rights, benefits and compensation
set forth in Section 1 in this Agreement.

          Terminating Employee acknowledges that: (i) he has been advised to consult with an attorney to
discuss the contents of this Agreement and its meaning prior to executing this Agreement; (ii) he
has been given a period of at least 21 days within which to consider the release herein of his
rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.;
(iii) he has knowingly and voluntarily executed this Agreement prior to the expiration of said 21
day period in accordance with his free will and without any requirement by any member of the SCI
Group; (iv) he understands the terms and conditions of this Agreement and agrees to abide by all
such terms and conditions, and (v) he has executed this Agreement without hidden reservations.
Terminating Employee’s release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act may be
revoked by Terminating Employee within 7 days after the execution of this Agreement, and the
release of any claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act shall not become effective
until such revocation period has expired. In the event of such revocation, Executive Services and
Company shall have the option to terminate this Agreement, in which event all obligations of
Executive Services and Company hereunder shall be revoked and cancelled, and Terminating Employee
and Consultant shall return to Executive Services and Company any compensation received under the
terms of this Agreement.

          B. SCI and Executive Services discharge and release Terminating Employee and his heirs,
executors and administrators from any claims, demands, and/or causes of action whatsoever,
presently known or unknown, that are based upon facts occurring on or prior to the date of
execution of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any claim, matter or action related to
Terminating Employee’s employment and/or affiliation with, or separation from SCI Group, or related
to violations of noncompetition covenants or confidentiality obligations.

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     Section 3. Consulting Term of Agreement. Subject to the provisions for
termination and extension hereinafter set forth and subject to all of the provisions of this
Agreement, the initial term of consulting under this Agreement (“Term”) shall be for a period
commencing on February 9, 2005 and terminating February 9, 2010.

     Section 4. Consultant Services. By the use of Consultant’s and Hunter’s
knowledge, skills, expertise and goodwill, and acting at all times as an independent contractor,
independent of any supervision, reporting of hours, or control in the performance of consulting
duties by the Company, Consultant agrees to provide consultative services of Hunter for the Company
upon the request of the Office of the Chairman of SCI and to perform such consultative services as
follows:

	 	A.  	During the Term hereof, Consultant shall cause Hunter to personally furnish to
the Company his best advice, information, judgment, and knowledge with respect to the
marketing programs, merchandising, branding and Affiliate network of SCI Group and such
other matters as may be designated by the Office of the Chairman of SCI, and generally
seek to preserve and increase the business and goodwill of the Company and its
affiliates. It is understood and agreed that the consulting services to be furnished
hereunder will involve Hunter spending significant time at the Company’s field
operations, vendors’ locations and other places away from the Company’s headquarters in
Houston, Texas.
	 
	 	B.  	During the first three years of this Agreement, Consultant shall cause Hunter to
devote substantially his full time, attention and energy to the business of the Company
and its affiliates in the performance of the consultative services described herein.
During the first three years of this Agreement, in no event shall Hunter be required to
spend more than forty (40) hours per week performing consulting services hereunder.
During the fourth and fifth year of this Agreement, and during any extension period, as
described in Section 24 below, Consultant shall cause Hunter to devote substantial time,
attention and energy to the business of the Company and its affiliates in the
performance of the consultative services described herein. During the fourth and fifth
year of this Agreement and during any extension

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	 	   	period, in no event shall Hunter be required to devote more than twenty (20) hours per
week performing consulting services hereunder.
	 
	 	C.  	During the time consultative services are to be provided hereunder, same shall be
discharged and performed by Hunter personally under the direction and subject to the
control of the Office of the Chairman of SCI.
	 
	 	D.  	With respect to consulting services to be performed by Consultant or Hunter,
Consultant or Hunter shall have the right to decline to perform such services to the
extent and for such time period as Consultant or Hunter is reasonably unable to do so
because of: (i) personal illness of Hunter, (ii) illness of a member of Hunter’s
immediate family for a period not to exceed 30 days for the duration of this Agreement,
or (iii) such services would involve travel to a foreign country which is hazardous.
	 
	 	E.  	It is understood that the provisions of paragraphs A, B and C of this Section 4
shall permit Hunter to have reasonable periods for personal time off and vacation.

   Section 5. Consideration. As compensation for the consultative services to
be performed and rendered by Consultant hereunder, Company agrees to pay Consultant for the term of
this Agreement, so long as this Agreement shall be in full force and effect, at the rate of $91,667
per month during the first thirty-six months of the Term and $50,000 per month during the remaining
twenty-four months of the Term. Such payment shall not be subject to withholding for income taxes
or FICA; provided, however, that such monthly consultative payments shall terminate on the death of
Hunter or in the event this Agreement should be terminated as otherwise provided herein. In the
event of the death of Hunter or in the event this Agreement should be terminated as provided
herein, the Company shall have no further obligation to Consultant or Hunter under this Agreement
(i) except to pay all compensation earned prior to such date of death or termination, and (ii)
except that the continuing benefits of Terminating Employee as set forth in Section 1 shall
continue in accordance with their respective terms. The first installment will be due and payable
on or before February 10, 2005 and subsequent payments shall be made on the same day of each
succeeding month during the Term hereof.

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     In addition, Consultant shall be entitled to the services or benefits listed below during the
Term. Consultant shall not be entitled to any other services or benefits.

	 	§	Office facilities, furniture and secretarial support.

     Section 6. Reimbursement for Expenses. Consultant is authorized to incur
reasonable business expenses in connection with the performance of consultative duties hereunder.
Consultant will submit monthly an itemized account of such expenditures and such receipts or other
documents as may be required by the Company. Upon approval of the expenses by the Office of the
Chairman of SCI, Consultant will be reimbursed by the Company for all such reasonable business
expenses.

     Section 7. Miscellaneous Covenants. Consultant and Hunter agree that at all
times during the Term of this Agreement:

	 	A.  	Consultant and Hunter will not knowingly or intentionally do or say any
act or thing which will or may impair, damage, or destroy the goodwill and esteem
for the Company or its affiliates with suppliers, employees, patrons, customers,
and others who may at any time have or have had business relations with the Company
or its affiliates;
	 
	 	B.  	Consultant and Hunter will not reveal to any third person any
differences of opinion, if there be such at any time, between each of them and the
management of the Company or its affiliates as to their personnel, policies or
practices; and,
	 
	 	C.  	Consultant and Hunter will not knowingly or intentionally do any act or
thing detrimental to the Company or its affiliates or their business.

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	 	D.  	The provisions of the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 shall be
interpreted reasonably after taking into consideration the circumstances prevailing
at the time in question.

     Section 8. Confidentiality. Consultant and Hunter understand that in the
course of discharging and performance of the consultative duties as herein provided, Consultant and
Hunter will receive certain trade secrets, lists of customers, and other confidential information
concerning the business of the Company and its affiliates which the Company desires to protect.
Consultant and Hunter understand that, among other things, the management methods, operating
techniques, procedures and methods, customer lists, prospective acquisitions, employee lists,
training manuals and procedures, personnel evaluation procedures, collection procedures, and
financial reports of the Company and/or its affiliates are confidential and are not at any time
during or after the Term of this Agreement to be revealed to anyone outside the Company without
specific written authorization by an officer of the Company. Consultant and Hunter further agree
that each will not divulge to anyone outside the Company any such confidential information or trade
secrets. In the event Consultant or Hunter are uncertain as to the confidential nature of certain
information or materials, then prior to disclosing such information or materials to any third
party, Consultant or Hunter will first confer with the Office of the Chairman of SCI to obtain its
determination. In the event the Office of the Chairman deems the information or material in
question to be confidential, then Consultant or Hunter shall cause the third party to execute a
confidentiality agreement in a form provided by the Company prior to disclosing such information or
material.

     Section 9. Noncompetition. Consultant and Hunter agree that during the Term
of this Agreement each will not, directly or indirectly, be employed by, engaged in, interested in
or concerned with any business which is in competition with the business of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company. In the event that Consultant and/or Hunter become engaged in a business
in which at that time the Company is not yet engaged and Company subsequently engages in such
business, this will not be deemed to be a violation of this covenant of noncompetition set forth in
the preceding sentence.

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     The noncompetition obligations of Consultant and Hunter shall terminate upon the expiration of
the Term of this Agreement; provided however, that in the event this Agreement is
terminated by Consultant because of a violation of this Agreement by the Company as described in
the second paragraph of Section 12 hereunder, the noncompetition obligations of Consultant and
Hunter shall continue until such time as the Agreement would have otherwise terminated if there had
been no such violation.

Section 10. Assumption of Agreement

     A. For purposes of this Section 10, “Triggering Event” shall mean the happening of any of the
following events set forth in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 below:

          1. The acquisition by any individual, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 20% or
more of the outstanding shares of common stock of Service Corporation International
(“Outstanding SCI Common Stock”) or 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of Service Corporation International (“Outstanding SCI Voting
Securities”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Triggering Event:

	 	a.  	Any acquisition directly from Service Corporation International
other than an acquisition resulting from an exercise of a conversion privilege,
	 
	 	b.  	Any acquisition by Service Corporation International,
	 
	 	c.  	Any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by Service Corporation International or any of its
subsidiaries,
	 
	 	d.  	Any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, the conditions described in
clauses 2.(A) and 2.(B) below are satisfied.

          2. Approval of the shareholders of Service Corporation International of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, unless following such reorganization,
merger or consolidation, (A) more than 60% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of

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such corporation is then
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals
and entities who were the beneficial owners respectively of the
Outstanding SCI Common Stock and Outstanding SCI Voting Securities immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, and (B) no person (excluding Service Corporation
International, any employee benefit plan or related trust of Service Corporation
International or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation and any person beneficially owning immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the Outstanding SCI Common
Stock or Outstanding SCI Voting Securities) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20%
or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from
such reorganization, merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors; or

          3. Approval of the shareholders of Service Corporation International of (1) a complete
liquidation of dissolution of Service Corporation International or (2) a sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Service Corporation International
other than to a corporation with respect to which following such sale or disposition, (i)
more than 60% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly
by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are beneficial owners
respectively of the Outstanding SCI Common Stock and Outstanding SCI Voting Securities
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, and (ii) no person
(excluding Service Corporation International and any employee benefit plan or related trust
of Service Corporation International or such corporation and any person beneficially owning
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition directly or indirectly 20% or more of
the Outstanding SCI Common Stock or Outstanding SCI Voting Securities) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
corporation and the combined

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voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

          4. If a Triggering Event, as defined above, occurs during the term of this Agreement
and Consultant makes a written request within 30 days of the occurrence of the Triggering
Event, the party obtaining the controlling interest in SCI shall, within 90 days of receipt
of such written request, confirm in writing to Consultant such party’s assumption of the
Company’s obligations under this Agreement. If Consultant makes such request but such
confirmation is not received by Consultant within said 90 days, Consultant shall then have
the option for a period of 90 days to either continue with the terms of this Agreement or by
giving written notice to the Company receive in a lump-sum all amounts, if any, remaining to
be paid through February 9, 2010 and any extension period as described in Section 24 below
which was in effect at the date of such notice in which event the parties shall be relieved
of any further obligations under this Agreement with the exception of the terms contained in
Section 8 and 9 herein and except the continuing benefits of Terminating Employee as set
forth in Section 1 which benefits shall continue in accordance with their respective terms.
Any confirmation of the assumption of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, as set
forth above, shall not relieve the Company of any obligations or liability under this
Agreement.

     Section 11. Enforceability. The foregoing agreements not to use trade
secrets or confidential information or to compete or to do any other acts prohibited by Sections 8
and 9 of this Agreement shall not be held invalid or unenforceable because of the scope of the
territory or actions subject thereto or restricted thereby, or the period of time within which such
agreements respectively are operative, but the maximum territory and action subject to such
agreements respectively, and the period of time in which such agreements respectively are
enforceable, are subject to determination by a final judgment of any court which has jurisdiction
over the parties and subject matter.

     Section 12. Termination. In the event that Consultant or Hunter fail to
observe and comply substantially with all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, or if
Consultant or Hunter fails to perform substantially all of their respective duties, obligations,
and agreements

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herein contained or as imposed by law, including fiduciary duties, to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Company, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving
Consultant not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such violation(s) and a period
of fifteen (15) days
to cure such violation(s) and following such period, if there is no cure, this Agreement (with the
exception of Section 8 hereof) shall thereupon terminate and be of no further force and effect, and
the Company shall have no further obligation to Consultant or Hunter under this Agreement (i)
except to pay all compensation earned prior to such termination, and (ii) except that the
continuing benefits of Terminating Employee as set forth in Section 1 shall continue in accordance
with their respective terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not terminate this
Agreement during any such period as Consultant is prevented from performing its duties hereunder by
reason of disability of Hunter.

     In the event that the Company breaches its obligations to make timely payments of the amounts
set forth in Section 5 hereof, Consultant shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by
giving the Company not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such violation(s) and a
period of fifteen (15) days to cure such violation(s) and following such period, if there is no
cure, this Agreement (with the exception of Sections 8 and 9 hereof) shall terminate and be of no
further force and effect and the Company shall have no further obligation to Consultant or Hunter
under this Agreement, (i) except that the Company shall within 30 days of the last day of the cure
period pay to Consultant in a lump sum all amounts, if any, remaining to be paid through February
9, 2010 and any extension period as described in Section 24 below which was in effect at the date
of such violation, and (ii) except that the continuing benefits of Terminating Employee as set
forth in Section 1 shall continue in accordance with their respective terms.

     Section 13. Parties In Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This
Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other
party. However, in the event the Company is merged with another corporation, such merger will not
render the terms of this Agreement any less binding or enforceable in any manner.

     Section 14. Severability. In case any term, phrase, clause, paragraph,
restriction, covenant, or agreement herein contained shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable,
same shall be

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deemed, and it is hereby agreed that same are meant to be, severable, and same shall
not defeat or impair the remaining provisions hereof.

     Section 15. Waiver. A waiver by the Company of any breach by Consultant or
Hunter of this Agreement or of any duties imposed upon Consultant or Hunter by law, or of any other
cause for discharge of Consultant or Hunter, shall not be construed as a waiver by the Company of
its right to terminate this Agreement for any subsequent or continuing breach of this Agreement by
Consultant or Hunter.

     Section 16. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of the Company and Consultant, their successors and assigns, and Hunter, his heirs and
personal representatives. This Agreement provides for the personal services of Hunter and any
transfer or assignment of this Agreement by Consultant, by operation of law or otherwise, is
voidable by Company in its sole discretion.

     Section 17. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and sent registered mail with return receipt requested,
or hand delivered to the respective addresses as set forth below, or to such address as may from
time to time be designated by notice in accordance herewith.

     Section 18. Governing Law. It is agreed that this Agreement will be
interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

     Section 19. Headings. The section and paragraph headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

     Section 20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

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     Section 21. Modification. This Agreement may be modified only by a written
instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.

     Section 22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous
written and verbal agreements between the parties hereto relating to such subject matter. There
are no agreements, representations or warranties not set forth herein.

     Section 23. Dispute Resolution. Except for the matters specifically excluded
below, any and all disputes between the parties to this Agreement arising out of or in connection
with the negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement
and the covenants and obligations contemplated herein, including but not limited to any claims
against the SCI, Executive Services, Company, their affiliates or their respective officers,
directors, employees or agents, shall be solely and finally settled by arbitration conducted
pursuant to the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as now in effect or hereafter
amended. Judgment on the award of the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
over the party against whom enforcement of the award is being sought, and the parties hereby
irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of any such court for the purpose of enforcing any such
award. The parties agree and acknowledge that any arbitration proceedings between them, and the
outcome of such proceedings, shall be kept strictly confidential. It is expressly agreed and
understood that this paragraph shall not govern claims for workers’ compensation or unemployment
benefits or claims for injunctive relief relating to alleged violations of Section 8 or 9 hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to proceeding with arbitration as described in this
Section 23, the parties shall first attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or
relating to this Agreement by mediation before a mediator jointly selected by Consultant and the
Company. In the event they are unable to mutually agree on a mediator Consultant and the Company
shall each select a mediator and that mediator shall in turn, select a mediator to serve as the
mediator for the parties.

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     Section 24. Extension. The Company shall have, at its sole discretion, the
option to extend this Agreement for an additional one year period by giving written notice to
Consultant during the ninety day period preceding the expiration of the fifth year of the initial
term of this Agreement. If this Agreement is extended by the Company, the Company shall have the
further option, at its sole discretion, to extend this Agreement for an additional one year period
by giving written notice to
Consultant during the ninety day period preceding the expiration of the first extension period. If
the Company has exercised its option to extend the Agreement for a second one year period, the
Company shall have the further option, at its sole discretion, to extend this Agreement for a final
one year period by giving written notice to Consultant during the ninety day period preceding the
termination of the second one year extension. The consideration to be paid to Consultant during
any extension period shall be the sum of $50,000.00 per month payable on the first day of each
month during any such extension period.

     Section 25. Ownership of Intellectual Property. All ideas, concepts,
inventions and other forms of intellectual property conceived or developed by Hunter in the course
of performance of his consulting duties hereunder are hereby assigned by Hunter to Company and
shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. This shall include, without limitation,
rights subject to patent or copyright protection.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year
first above written.

Address for Notices:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	B. D. Hunter	 	 	 	/s/ B. D. Hunter
	 	 	 	 	 
	1929 Allen Parkway	 	 	 	B. D. Hunter
	Houston, Texas 77019
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Huntco International, Inc.	 	 	 	Huntco International, Inc.
	12620 Lamplighter Square
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	St. Louis, Missouri 63128

	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ B. D. Hunter
	

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 	 	     B. D. Hunter
	

	 	 	 	 	 	     President
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	President	 	 	 	SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing
	SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing	 	 	 	Cooperative, Inc.
	Cooperative, Inc.
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	P.O. Box 130548

	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Curtis G. Briggs
	

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Houston, Texas 77219

	 	 	 	 	 	     Curtis G. Briggs
	

	 	 	 	 	 	     Vice President
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SCI Executive Services, Inc.	 	 	 	SCI Executive Services, Inc.
	P.O. Box 130548
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Houston, Texas 77219

	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Curtis G. Briggs
	

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 	 	     Curtis G. Briggs
	

	 	 	 	 	 	     Vice President

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