Document:

exv10w2

 

EXHIBIT 10.2
 

[TJX Letterhead]

Mr. Arnold Barron

The TJX Companies, Inc.

770 Cochituate Road

Framingham, MA 01701

     Re: Modification of Employment Agreement

Dear Mr. Barron:

     Reference is made to the Employment Agreement dated as of April 5, 2005 (as subsequently
amended and in effect on the date hereof, the “Agreement”) between you and The TJX Companies, Inc.
(the “Company”). The Company proposes to amend the Agreement, as so modified, as follows:

     (i) amending the second sentence of Section 1 thereof to read as follows: “Executive’s
employment shall continue on the terms provided herein until January 31, 2009 (the “End Date”),
subject to earlier termination as provided herein (such period of employment hereinafter called the
“Employment Period”), it being understood that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
entitling Executive to continuation of his employment beyond the End Date and that any such
continuation shall be subject to the agreement of the parties .”; and

     (ii) adding a new Section 3(h) thereof to read in its entirety: “(h) Certain Awards.
For the avoidance of doubt, and not in limitation of the Company’s general discretion with respect
to awards, nothing in this Section 3 or otherwise in this Agreement shall be construed as entitling
Executive to participate in any LRPIP or other cash-based or equity-based performance award for
which the applicable performance period would extend beyond the End Date (any such award, a
“long-term performance award”) or as entitling Executive to any other award or payment in
substitution for any long-term performance award. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “long-term
performance award” as used in the immediately preceding sentence shall not be construed to include
any stock option award which may be granted to Executive at levels commensurate with his position
and responsibilities as to which vesting and exercisability are determined without regard to
performance other than mere service or the passage of time.”; and

     (iii) amending Section 5(b) thereof to read in its entirety: “(b) Terminations on or
after the End Date. Unless earlier terminated or except as otherwise mutually agreed by
Executive and the Company, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate on the End Date
and Executive shall be treated for all purposes of this

 

Agreement as having terminated his employment voluntarily on the End Date and he shall be entitled
only to those benefits to which he would be entitled under Section 6(a) (“Voluntary termination of
employment”).”

     If you agree with the foregoing proposed amendments to the Agreement, please so indicate by
signing the enclosed copy of this letter agreement and returning it to Mr. Greg Flores, whereupon
the Agreement, as previously modified, will be deemed amended, effective immediately, to
incorporate the changes set forth above and, except as so amended or as previously modified, the
Agreement will continue in effect in accordance with its terms. This letter agreement shall
constitute an agreement under seal.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	The TJX Companies, Inc.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Carol Meyrowitz
 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	Date:      April 3, 2008 
	 

I agree to the amendments described above

to the Employment Agreement dated as of

April 5, 2005 between me and The TJX

Companies, Inc., as previously modified,

effective as of the date set forth below:

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	     /s/ Arnold Barron
 	 	 
	Arnold Barron 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:  April 1, 2008 	 
	 

-2-exv10w1

 

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION COPY

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is dated and
entered into this April 1, 2008, between Belden Inc. (formerly Belden CDT Inc.) a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and John Stroup (“Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company and Executive entered into an employment agreement dated September 26,
2005 (“Prior Agreement”);

     WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend and fully restate the Prior Agreement, and
to continue Executive’s employment with the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer,
in accordance with the terms hereof; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend the Prior Agreement so as to conform the
existing terms of Executive’s employment with Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) and the final Treasury Regulations related thereto, among other
amendments herein.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein and
of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     1. POSITION/DUTIES.

          (a) Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. As
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Executive shall have active and general
supervision and management over the business and affairs of the Company and shall have full power
and authority to act for all purposes for and in the name of the Company in all matters except
where action of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) is required by law, the by-laws
of the Company, or resolutions of the Board, and shall have such other duties and responsibilities
as the Board shall designate that are consistent with Executive’s position. Executive shall report
exclusively to the Board.

          (b) Executive shall use Executive’s best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently the
duties and responsibilities assigned to Executive hereunder and devote substantially all of
Executive’s business time to the performance of Executive’s duties with the Company; provided, the
foregoing shall not prevent Executive from (i) participating in charitable, civic, educational,
professional, community or industry affairs or, with prior approval of the Board, serving on the
board of directors or advisory boards of other companies and (ii) managing Executive’s and
Executive’s family’s personal investments, in all events so long as such activities do not
materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder or create a potential
business conflict or the appearance thereof. If at any time service on any board of directors or
advisory board would, in the good faith judgment of the Board, conflict with Executive’s fiduciary
duty to the Company or create any appearance thereof, Executive shall, as soon as reasonably
practicable considering any fiduciary duty to the other such

 

 

company, resign from such other board of directors or advisory board after written notice of
the conflict is received from the Board.

          (c) The Board shall take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect Executive as a
member of the Board as soon as there is a legal vacancy on the Board, but not to be effective prior
to the Effective Date (defined below). Thereafter, during the Term, the Board shall nominate
Executive for re-election as a member of the Board at the expiration of Executive’s then-current
term.

          (d) Executive further agrees to serve without additional compensation as an officer and
director of any of the Company’s subsidiaries and agrees that any amounts received from any such
corporation may be offset against the amounts due hereunder.

     2. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The Agreement was effective September 26, 2005 and the initial term of
Executive’s employment with the Company commenced on October 31, 2005 (the “Effective Date”) and,
pursuant to the Prior Agreement, ends on the third anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, the
initial term is hereby extended until October 31, 2011 (“Initial Term”). The term of this
Agreement shall be automatically extended thereafter for successive one (1) year periods unless, at
least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or the then current succeeding one
(1)-year extended term of this Agreement, the Company or Executive has notified the other that the
term hereunder shall terminate upon its expiration date. The Initial Term, as it may be extended
from year to year thereafter, is herein referred to as the “Term.” The foregoing to the contrary
notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (defined below), the Term shall be for
a period ending on the later of the last day of the Initial Term and the second anniversary of the
date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and shall be subject to expiration upon notice by
Executive or the Company to the other party or to automatic successive additional one-year periods
thereafter, as the case may be, in the manner provided above. If Executive remains employed by the
Company beyond the expiration of the Term, he shall be an employee at-will; except that any
provisions identified as surviving shall continue. In all events hereunder, Executive’s employment
is subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7 hereof, and upon such earlier termination
the Term shall be deemed to have ended.

     3. BASE SALARY. Commencing effective February 21, 2008, the Company shall pay Executive a
base salary (the “Base Salary”) at an annual rate of $700,000, payable in accordance with the
regular payroll practices of the Company. Executive’s Base Salary shall be subject to annual
review by the Board (or a committee thereof) and may be increased from time to time by the Board.
The base salary as determined herein from time to time shall constitute “Base Salary” for purposes
of this Agreement.

     4. ANNUAL BONUS. Commencing on the Effective Date, Executive shall be eligible to participate
in the Company’s Management Incentive Plan and any successor annual bonus plans. Commencing with
the 2008 fiscal year, Executive shall have the opportunity to earn an annual target bonus, measured
against performance criteria to be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), of at least
130% of Base Salary (for the 2008 fiscal year, such Base Salary amount shall be $700,000).

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     5. EQUITY AWARDS.

          (a) BUY-OUT OPTION GRANT. The Board or the committee of the Board (the “Committee”) appointed
to administer the Company’s 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan as may be amended or replaced
from time to time (“Plan”), shall award Executive as of the Effective Date, two options
(collectively and singularly, the “Buy-Out Option”) to purchase an aggregate number of shares of
the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as equals the product of (i) the quotient of (A)
$3,000,000 divided by (B) the Fair Market Value (as defined under the Plan) of Common Stock on the
Effective Date, multiplied by (ii) three (3).

          (b) BUY-OUT RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS. The Board or the Committee shall award Executive as of
the Effective Date such number of restricted stock units (the “Buy-Out RSUs”) as equals the
quotient of (i) $3,000,000 divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the Effective
Date.

          (c) ANNUAL LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS.

          (i) Commencing with annual awards granted to senior executives in 2006, Executive shall
be eligible for annual long-term incentive awards throughout the Term under such long-term
incentive plans and programs as may be in effect from time to time in accordance with the
Company’s compensation practices and the terms and provisions of any such plans or programs;
provided, that Executive’s participation in such plans and programs shall be at a level and
on terms and conditions consistent with participation by other senior executives of the
Company, as the Board or the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, with due
consideration of Executive’s position and awards granted to other senior executives of the
Company. Notwithstanding, Executive shall be granted an annual long-term incentive equity
award during each of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 fiscal years having a value on the grant date
of not less than $2,500,000 (the “Initial Term Annual Awards”). The Initial Term Annual
Awards shall be granted in the form of stock options or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or a
combination thereof, unless Executive and the Committee otherwise agree. The portion of
such dollar value of each Initial Term Annual Award granted as stock options and the portion
granted as RSUs shall be determined in the discretion of the Board or Committee, provided
that not less than one-half of such annual value shall be granted as RSUs.

          (ii) For Initial Term Annual Awards of RSUs, the number of RSUs granted shall be equal
to the quotient of (A) the dollar value to be awarded divided by (B) the Fair Market Value
of a share of Common Stock on the grant date. For Initial Term Annual Awards of stock
options, the number of options granted shall be equal to the quotient of (C) the dollar
value to be awarded divided by (D) the Black-Scholes value (or other option valuation
method) of one (1) share of Common Stock on the grant date as determined by the Committee or
the Board for the valuation of stock option grants to other senior executives during such
fiscal year.

          (iii) Except as provided below, for Initial Term Annual Awards granted as stock
options, each such option share shall have an exercise price equal to the Fair

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Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock and shall vest and become exercisable in
three (3) equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date,
provided that Executive has been continuously employed by the Company through each such
vesting date for such installment to so vest. Initial Term Annual Awards granted as RSUs
shall fully vest (A) on the third anniversary of the grant date or (B) if Executive shall
have attained stated performance objectives over a three-year period, or (C) a combination
of (A) and (B), and in no part prior to such vesting date, provided that Executive shall
have been continuously employed by the Company through such vesting date, all as shall be
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee or the Board.

          (iv) All Initial Term Annual Awards shall be granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan
as then in effect. In the event that, pursuant to Plan limits, during any fiscal year the
Board and Committee are not authorized to grant a number of Initial Term Annual Award stock
options or RSUs (or both) payable in shares of stock, having an aggregate value of
$2,500,000, then such amount as is not so granted shall be awarded on substantially the same
terms as stock options and RSUs, but such awards shall be payable to Executive in cash
(e.g., as cash-based phantom stock and stock appreciation rights), subject to applicable tax
and other law.

          (v) Initial Term Annual Awards and all other long-term incentive awards shall be
granted pursuant to and, to the extent not contrary to the terms of this Agreement, shall be
subject to all of the terms and conditions imposed upon such awards granted under the Plan.

          (vi) The provisions of subparagraphs (i) through (v), above, to the contrary
notwithstanding:

          (1) Executive shall have the opportunity to be granted long-term incentive
equity awards during the 2009 and 2010 fiscal years, in the sole discretion of the
Committee, having a targeted value on the grant date of not less than $2,500,000,
having the terms and conditions of Initial Term Annual Awards, above, except as set
forth in this subparagraph (vi), and otherwise shall be considered herein as Initial
Term Annual Awards;

          (2) Executive’s Initial Term Annual Awards granted as stock options or stock
appreciation rights during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 fiscal years shall vest on the
third anniversary of the date of award thereof or if subject to performance
objectives shall vest only after completion of a three-year performance period; and

          (3) Executive’s Initial Term Annual Awards that may be granted during the 2009
and 2010 fiscal years shall be in such ratio of stock options or stock appreciation
rights to RSUs as the Committee or the Board shall determine in its sole discretion.

          (d) RETENTION AWARD. On the date hereof, Executive shall be awarded an option (the “Retention
Award”) to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock as

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have an aggregate value on the date of grant of $3,000,000, as determined in accordance with
FAS 123R applying assumptions as are generally applied by the Company for awards of stock options
to senior executives on or about the time of the Retention Award, having an exercise price per
option equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the date of grant, a ten
(10) year option term, and vesting and first becoming
exercisable on February 21, 2013 provided that
Executive has been continuously employed by the Company through such vesting date for the Retention
Award to so vest and become exercisable, except as otherwise provided herein. The Retention Award
shall otherwise be in the form of award generally applicable to awards of stock options to other
senior executives of the Company.

          (e) STOCK OWNERSHIP. Executive shall be subject to, and shall comply with, the stock
ownership guidelines of the Company as may be in effect from time to time; provided, Executive’s
vested and unvested Buy-Out RSUs and restricted stock units granted as Initial Term Annual Awards
shall be credited towards his stock ownership obligation.

     6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Commencing on the Effective Date:

          (a) BENEFIT PLANS. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans
of the Company including, but not limited to, equity, pension, thrift, profit sharing, medical
coverage, education, or other retirement or welfare benefits that the Company has adopted or may
adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its senior executives in accordance with the
terms of such plans and programs.

          (b) VACATION. Executive shall be entitled to annual paid vacation in accordance with the
Company’s policy applicable to senior executives, but in no event less than four (4) weeks per year
(as prorated for partial years of employment).

          (c) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation,
Executive shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy for all
reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of
Executive’s duties hereunder. The Company shall reimburse Executive for his reasonable
professional fees incurred to negotiate and prepare this Agreement, not in excess of $7,500.

          (d) RELOCATION. [Intentionally Omitted]

          (e) CERTAIN AMENDMENTS. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Company from
amending, altering, terminating or reducing any plans, benefits or programs so long as Executive
continues to receive compensation and benefits consistent with Sections 4, 5 and 6(b).

     7. TERMINATION. Executive’s employment and the Term shall terminate on the first of the
following to occur:

          (a) DISABILITY. Upon written notice by the Company to Executive of termination due to
Disability, while Executive remains Disabled. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall
have the meaning defined under the Company’s then-current long-term disability insurance plan in
which Executive participates.

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          (b) DEATH. Automatically on the date of death of Executive.

          (c) CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to Executive of a termination of
Executive’s employment for Cause. “Cause” shall mean:

          (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform substantially his duties owed
to the Company or its affiliates after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to him specifically identifying the nature of such unacceptable performance and is
not cured by Executive within a reasonable period, not to exceed thirty (30) days;

          (ii) Executive is convicted of (or pleads guilty or no contest to) a felony or any
crime involving moral turpitude;

          (iii) Executive has engaged in conduct that constitutes gross misconduct in the
performance of his employment duties; or

          (iv) Executive breaches any representation, warranty or covenant under Section 22.

An act or omission by Executive shall not be “willful” if conducted in good faith and with
Executive’s reasonable belief that such conduct is in the best interests of the Company.

          (d) WITHOUT CAUSE. Upon written notice by the Company to Executive of an involuntary
termination of Executive’s employment other than for Cause (and other than due to his Disability).

          (e) GOOD REASON. Upon written notice by Executive to the Company of a voluntary termination
of Executive’s employment, at any time during a Protection Period (defined below), for Good Reason.
“Good Reason” shall mean, without the express written consent of Executive, the occurrence of any
of the following events:

          (i) Executive’s Base Salary or annual target bonus opportunity is reduced;

          (ii) Executive’s duties or responsibilities are negatively and materially changed in a
manner inconsistent with Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles, and
reporting responsibilities) or authority;

          (iii) The Company requires Executive’s principal office to be relocated more than 50
miles from its location as of the date immediately preceding the Change in Control; or

          (iv) Failure by the Company to elect or reelect Executive as a member of the Board of
Directors.

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          Prior to any termination by Executive for “Good Reason” he shall provide the Board not less
than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days’ notice, with specificity, of the grounds
constituting Good Reason and an opportunity within such notice period for the Company to cure such
grounds. Such notice shall be given within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of
such grounds constituting Good Reason for such notice and subsequent termination, if not so cured
above, to be effective.

          (f) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION FOR ANY REASON (WITHOUT GOOD REASON DURING A PROTECTION PERIOD).
Upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by Executive to the Company of Executive’s
voluntary termination of employment (i) for any reason prior to or after a Protection Period or
(ii) without Good Reason during a Protection Period, in either case which the Company may, in its
sole discretion, make effective earlier than any termination date set forth in such notice.

     8. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION. Any termination payments made and benefits provided under
this Agreement to Executive shall be in lieu of any termination or severance payments or benefits
for which Executive may be eligible under any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company or
its affiliates. Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement, all benefits,
including, without limitation, stock option grants, restricted stock units grants and other awards
under the Company’s long-term incentive programs, shall be subject to the terms and conditions of
the plan or arrangement under which such benefits accrue, are granted or are awarded. Upon
termination of Executive’s employment, the following amounts and benefits shall be due to
Executive:

          (a) DEATH; DISABILITY. If Executive’s employment terminates due to Executive’s death or
Disability, then the Company shall pay or provide Executive (or the legal representative of his
estate in the case of his death) with:

          (i) (A) any accrued and unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination and any
accrued and unused vacation in accordance with Company policy; and (B) reimbursement for any
unreimbursed expenses, incurred and documented in accordance with applicable Company policy,
through the date of termination (collectively, “Accrued Obligations”). Accrued Obligations
payable under clause (A) shall be payable within fifteen (15) days following the date of
termination, and under clause (B) shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after Executive
shall have provided the Company all required documentation therefor;

          (ii) Any unpaid bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year ending on or preceding the
date of termination, payable when bonuses are paid generally to senior executives for such
year;

          (iii) A pro-rated annual bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs,
the amount of which shall be based on actual performance under the applicable bonus plan
(for this purpose determined at fiscal year end, by treating Company financial performance
goals for such fiscal year as the only performance goals applicable to Executive and without
any exercise of negative discretion by the Committee) and the fraction the numerator of
which is the number of days elapsed during

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the performance year through the date of termination and the denominator of which
is 365, which pro-rated bonus shall be paid when bonuses are paid generally to senior
executives for such year (“Pro-Rated Bonus”);

          (iv) Any disability insurance benefits, or life insurance proceeds, as the case may be,
as may be provided under the Company plans in which Executive participates immediately prior
to such termination;

          (v) Executive’s Buy-Out Option and Buy-Out RSUs shall become immediately fully vested,
and Executive’s Buy-Out Option shall be exercisable for the lesser of one (1) year following
the date of termination or the unexpired stated term of the grant;

          (vi) A pro-rated portion of Executive’s Retention Award, if not then vested and
exercisable, shall become vested and exercisable on the date of termination in such number
of options as equals the fraction the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was
continuously employed from and after February 21, 2008 through the date of termination and
the denominator of which is 1,826, and the remaining portion of the Retention Award shall be
immediately forfeited. The Retention Award, to the extent vested and exercisable prior to
or upon such termination shall remain exercisable for the lesser of one (1) year following
the date of termination and the expiration of the ten (10) year option term. The provisions
of this subparagraph (vi) shall survive any expiration of the Term in which Executive’s
employment continues thereafter; and

          (vii) All of Executive’s other unvested long-term incentive awards (including unvested
Initial Term Annual Awards), granted to Executive through the date of termination, other
than as set forth in subparagraphs (v) and (vi), above, shall vest or be forfeited, and any
such vested awards granted as stock options shall be exercisable, in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth in such awards.

          (b) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION (INCLUDING VOLUNTARY TERMINATION WITHOUT GOOD REASON DURING A
PROTECTION PERIOD); INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE AT OR AFTER AGE 65; INVOLUNTARY
TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

          (i) If Executive’s employment should be terminated (i) by Executive for any reason at
any time other than during a Protection Period, or (ii) by Executive without Good Reason
during a Protection Period, then: (A) the Company shall pay to Executive any Accrued
Obligations in accordance with Section 8(a)(i); (B) all unvested stock options, restricted
stock units and other unvested long-term incentive grants (including the unvested portion of
the Buy-Out Option, unvested Buy-Out RSUs, unvested Retention Award and any unvested Initial
Term Annual Awards) shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled; and (C) all vested stock
options (including the vested portion of the Buy-Out Option and the Retention Award and any
vested Initial Term Annual Awards granted as stock options) shall be exercisable for ninety
(90) days following such termination.

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          (ii) If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause and
other than for Disability at or after Executives’ attainment of age 65, (x) the Company
shall pay to Executive any Accrued Obligations and (y) Executive’s long-term incentive
grants shall vest or be forfeited, and any stock options shall be exercisable, as set forth
in the applicable grant agreement, but not less than ninety (90) days.

          (iii) If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the Company
shall pay to Executive any Accrued Obligations, and all vested and unvested stock options,
restricted stock units and other vested and unvested long-term incentive grants (including
the vested and unvested portion of the Buy-Out Option and the Retention Award, vested and
unvested Buy-Out RSUs and any vested and unvested Initial Term Annual Awards) shall be
immediately forfeited and cancelled.

          (c) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. If at any time (A) prior to Executive’s attainment of age 65
and (B) other than during a Protection Period, Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated
by the Company other than for Cause (and other than a termination for Disability), then the Company
shall pay or provide Executive with:

          (i) Executive’s Accrued Obligations, payable in accordance with Section 8(a)(i);

          (ii) Any unpaid bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year ending on or preceding the
date of termination, payable when bonuses are paid generally to senior executives for such
year;

          (iii) A Pro-Rated Bonus;

          (iv) Severance payments in the aggregate amount equal to the product of (A) the sum of
(1) Executive’s then Base Salary plus (2) his annual target bonus multiplied by (B) one and
one-half (1.5), which amount shall be payable to Executive in equal payroll installments
over a period of eighteen (18) months;

          For purposed of this subparagraph (iv) each installment severance payment to Executive
under this subparagraph (iv) shall be treated as a separate payment (within the meaning of
Section 409A).

          Provided, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if on the date of
termination Executive is a “specified employee” of the Company (as defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)), to the extent that such severance payments (and any other
payments and benefits provided in Section 8) constitute a “deferral of compensation” under a
“nonqualified deferred compensation plan” under Section 409A and Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1, the following provisions shall apply (“Safe Harbor and Postponement”):

          (1) If such payments and benefits are payable on account of Executive’s
“involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(n)), Executive shall receive such amount of his

9

 

severance payments during the six (6)-month period immediately following the
date of termination as equals the lesser of: (x) such severance payment amount due
Executive under Section 8 during such six (6)-month period or (y) two (2) multiplied
by the compensation limit in effect under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code, for the
calendar year in which the date of termination occurs and as otherwise provided
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and shall be entitled to such
of his benefits as satisfy the exception under Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) (“Limitation Amount”).

          (2) To the extent that, upon such “involuntary separation from service,” the
amount of payments and benefits that would have been payable to Executive under
Section 8 during the six (6)-month period following the last day of his employment
exceeds the Limitation Amount, such excess shall be paid on the first regular
payroll date following the expiration of such six (6)-month period.

          (3) If the Company reasonably determines that such employment termination is
not such an “involuntary separation from service,” all such payments and benefits
that would have been payable to the Executive under Section 8 during the six
(6)-month period immediately following the date of termination, but for such
determination, shall be paid on the first regular payroll date immediately following
the expiration of such six (6)-month period following the date of termination.

          (4) Any payments under this Section 8(c) that are postponed pursuant to the
Safe Harbor and Postponement shall accrue interest at an annual rate (compounded
monthly) equal to the short-term applicable federal rate (as in effect under Section
1274(d) of the Code on the last day of the Executive’s employment) plus 100 basis
points, which interest shall be paid on the first regular payroll date immediately
following the expiration of the six (6)-month period following the date of
termination.

          (v) Subject to Executive’s continued co-payment of premiums, continued participation
for eighteen (18) months in the Company’s medical benefits plan which covers Executive (and
his eligible dependents) upon the same terms and conditions (except for the requirement of
Executive’s continued employment) in effect for active employees of the Company. In the
event Executive obtains other employment that offers substantially similar or more favorable
medical benefits, such continuation of coverage by the Company under this subsection shall
immediately cease. The continuation of health benefits under this subsection shall reduce
the period of coverage and count against Executive’s right to healthcare continuation
benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
(“COBRA”); and

          (vi) Executive’s Buy-Out Option and Buy-Out RSUs shall become immediately fully vested,
and Executive’s Buy-Out Option shall be exercisable for the lesser of one (1) year following
the date of termination or the unexpired stated term of the grant. All of Executive’s other
unvested long-term incentive awards (including unvested

10

 

Initial Term Annual Awards) granted to Executive through the date of termination shall
vest or be forfeited, and any such vested awards granted as stock options shall be
exercisable, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in such awards.

          (vii) A pro-rated portion of Executive’s Retention Award, if not then vested and
exercisable, shall become vested and exercisable on the date of termination in such number
of options as equals the fraction the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was
continuously employed from and after February 21, 2008 through the date of termination and
the denominator of which is 1,826, and the remaining portion of the Retention Award shall be
immediately forfeited. The Retention Award, to the extent vested and exercisable prior to
or upon such termination shall remain exercisable for the lesser of one (1) year following
the date of termination and the expiration of the ten (10) year option term. The provisions
of this subparagraph (vii) shall survive any expiration of the Term in which Executive’s
employment continues thereafter.

          (d) COMPANY NON-RENEWAL OF TERM. In the event that the Term expires at any time prior to the
fifth anniversary of the Effective Date (without regard for a termination of Executive’s employment
upon such expiration or a continuation of Executive’s employment at-will following such
expiration), as a result of a Company notice to Executive that the Term shall not be extended
beyond such expiration date, the Buy-Out RSUs shall become immediately fully vested upon such
expiration date. In the event that the Term expires at any time prior to February 21, 2013, for
purposes of vesting and exercise of the Retention Award, the provisions of Section 8(a)(vi) (and
Section 8(c)(vii) incorporating such provision by reference therein) shall survive such expiration.

     9. CONDITIONS. Any payments or benefits made or provided to Executive pursuant to any
subsection of Section 8 (provided, in the case of Section 8(d), only if Executive’s employment then
terminates), or Section 10(c) and Section 10(d), other than Accrued Obligations, are subject to
Executive’s:

          (a) compliance with the provisions of Section 11 hereof;

          (b) delivery to the Company of an executed Agreement and General Release (the “General
Release”), which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A within
twenty-one (21) days after presentation thereof by the Company to Executive; and

          (c) delivery to the Company of a resignation from all offices, directorships and fiduciary
positions with the Company, its affiliates and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the due date of any post-employment payments, any amounts due following a
termination under this Agreement (other than Accrued Obligations) shall not be payable until after
the expiration of any statutory revocation period applicable to the General Release without
Executive having revoked such General Release, and, subject to the provisions of Section 20 hereof,
any such amounts shall be paid to Executive within thirty (30) days thereafter. Notwithstanding,
Executive shall be entitled to any Accrued Obligations, payable without regard for the conditions
of this Section 9.

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     10. CHANGE IN CONTROL; EXCISE TAX.

          (a) CHANGE IN CONTROL. A “Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred
if any of the events set forth in any one of the following subparagraphs shall occur:

          (i) 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 more than 50% of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) 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 (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Change of Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the
Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (4) any
acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (1) and
(2) of subsection (c) of this definition; or

          (ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, 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 date hereof 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

          (iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business
Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (1) 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, and (2) at least a majority

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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

          (iv) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.

          (b) BUY-OUT RSU AND BUY-OUT OPTION GRANTS; RETENTION AWARD. Upon the occurrence of a Change
in Control of the Company, the Buy-Out RSUs to the extent not vested, and the Buy-Out Option and
the Retention Award to the extent not vested and exercised by Executive, shall immediately vest in
full, the Buy-Out RSUs shall be immediately payable to Executive (unless payment shall be deferred
in accordance with the terms thereof), and the Buy-Out Option and Retention Award shall be
exercisable; provided, the Buy-Out RSU shall not be then payable as provided above unless the
Change in Control also constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or
a sale of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, in accordance with the requirements
of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (or any successor
provision) thereunder (a “409A Change in Control”) and, in the absence of a 409A Change in Control,
the Buy-Out RSU shall be payable thereafter upon the earliest to occur of a 409A Change in Control,
Executive’s separation from service (subject to any applicable postponement pursuant to Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i)) or the scheduled date for payment thereof in accordance with the terms of the
Buy-Out RSU award agreement. The provisions of this Section 10(b) shall survive any expiration of
the Term in which Executive’s employment continues thereafter.

          (c) QUALIFYING TERMINATION. If, prior to Executive’s attainment of age 65, Executive’s
employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company without Cause (and other than due to his
Disability) or is voluntarily terminated by Executive for Good Reason, in either case only during
the period commencing on the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company and ending on the
second anniversary of date of the Change in Control (“Protection Period”), then the Company shall
pay or provide Executive with:

          (i) Executive’s Accrued Obligations, payable in accordance with Section 8(a)(i);

          (ii) Any unpaid bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year ending on or preceding the
date of termination, payable when bonuses are paid generally to senior executives for such
year;

          (iii) A Pro-Rated Bonus;

          (iv) A lump sum severance payment in the aggregate amount equal to the product of (A)
the sum of (1) Executive’s then Base Salary plus (2) his annual target bonus multiplied by
(B) two (2); provided, unless the Change of Control occurring on or preceding such
termination also constitutes a 409A Change in Control, the amount payable to Executive under
this subparagraph (iv) shall be paid to Executive in equal

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payroll installments over a period of twenty-four (24) months, not in a lump sum, to
the extent necessary to avoid the application of Section 409A(a)(1)(A) and (B);

          (v) Subject to Executive’s continued co-payment of premiums, continued participation
for two (2) years in the Company’s medical benefits plan which covers Executive (and his
eligible dependents) upon the same terms and conditions (except for the requirements of
Executive’s continued employment) in effect for active employees of the Company. In the
event Executive obtains other employment that offers substantially similar or more favorable
medical benefits, such continuation of coverage by the Company under this subsection shall
immediately cease. The continuation of health benefits under this subsection shall reduce
the period of coverage and count against Executive’s right to healthcare continuation
benefits under COBRA; and

          (vi) All of Executive’s unvested stock option, restricted stock unit and other
long-term incentive equity awards (including any Initial Term Annual Awards) shall become
immediately fully vested, and such stock option awards shall be exercisable for the lesser
of one (1) year following the date of termination or the unexpired stated term of the grant.

          Provided, to the extent applicable under Section 409A as a “deferral of compensation,”
and not as a “short-term deferral” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the
payments and benefits payable to Executive under this Section 10(c) shall be subject to the
Safe Harbor and Postponement provided at Section 8(c)(iv).

          (d) EXCISE TAX.

          (i) If it is determined that any amount, right or benefit paid or payable (or otherwise
provided or to be provided) to Executive by the Company or any of its affiliates under this
Agreement or any other plan, program or arrangement under which Executive participates or is
a party, other than amounts payable under this Section 10(d), (collectively, the
“Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code, subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, as amended
from time to time (the “Excise Tax”), and the present value of such Payments (calculated in
a manner consistent with that set forth in the applicable regulations promulgated under
Section 280G of the Code) is equal to or less than 110% of the threshold at which such
amount becomes an “excess parachute payment,” then the amount of the Payments payable to
Executive under this Agreement shall be reduced (a “Reduction”) to the extent necessary so
that no portion of such Payments payable to Executive is subject to the Excise Tax.

          (ii) In the event it shall be determined that the amount of the Payments payable to
Executive is more than 110% greater than the threshold at which such amount becomes an
“excess parachute payment,” then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment from the Company (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment by
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
taxes), including, without limitation, any income and employment taxes

14

 

and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

          (iii) All determinations required to be made under this Section 10(d), including
whether and when a Gross-Up Payment or a Reduction is required, the amount of such Gross-Up
Payment or Reduction and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination,
shall be made by an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm mutually acceptable
to the Company and Executive (the “Auditor”); provided that in the event a Reduction is
determined to be required, Executive may determine which Payments shall be reduced in order
to comply with the provisions of this Section 10(d). The Auditor shall promptly provide
detailed supporting calculations to both the Company and Executive following any
determination that a Reduction or Gross-Up Payment is necessary. All fees and expenses of
the Auditor shall be paid by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to
this Section 10(d), shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five (5) days of the
receipt of the Auditor’s determination. All determinations made by the Auditor shall be
binding upon the Company and Executive; provided that if, notwithstanding the Auditor’s
initial determination, the Internal Revenue Service (or other applicable taxing authority)
determines that an additional Excise Tax is due with respect to the Payments, then the
Auditor shall recalculate the amount of the Gross-Up Payment or Reduction Amount, if
applicable, based upon the determinations made by the Internal Revenue Service (or other
applicable taxing authority) after taking into account any additional interest and penalties
(the “Recalculated Amount”) and the Company shall pay to Executive the excess of the
Recalculated Amount over the Gross-Up Payment initially paid to Executive or the amount of
the Payments after the Reduction, as applicable, within five (5) days of the receipt of the
Auditor’s recalculation the Gross-Up Payment.

          (iv) Without limiting any earlier payment provided under this Section 10(d), the
Gross-Up Payment (or Gross-Up Payments, if applicable) payable to Executive under this
Section 10(d) shall be paid to him not later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year
following the taxable year in which Executive remits the taxes owed by him that result in
the obligation of the Company to pay him such Gross-Up Payment.

     11. EXECUTIVE COVENANTS.

          (a) CONFIDENTIALITY. Executive agrees that Executive shall not, commencing on the date hereof
and at all times thereafter, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or
otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of Executive’s employment and for the
benefit of the Company, any nonpublic, proprietary or confidential information, knowledge or data
relating to the Company, any of its subsidiaries, affiliated companies or businesses, which shall
have been obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment by the Company. The foregoing shall
not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to Executive;
(ii) becomes known to the public subsequent to disclosure to Executive through no wrongful act of
Executive or any representative of Executive; or (iii) Executive is required to disclose by
applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that Executive provides the Company with
prior notice of the contemplated

15

 

disclosure and reasonably cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective
order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii)
of the preceding sentence, Executive’s obligation to maintain such disclosed information in
confidence shall not terminate where only portions of the information are in the public domain.

          (b) NONSOLICITATION. Commencing on the date hereof, and continuing during Executive’s
employment with the Company and for the eighteen (18) month period following termination of
Executive’s employment for any reason (a twenty-four (24) month post-employment period in the event
of a termination of Executive’s employment for any reason at any time during a Protection Period)
(“Restricted Period”), Executive agrees that Executive shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Company, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm,
corporation or other entity: (i) solicit, recruit or employ (whether as an employee, officer,
director, agent, consultant or independent contractor) any person who was or is at any time during
the six (6) months preceding Executive’s termination of employment an employee, representative,
officer or director of the Company; (ii) take any action to encourage or induce any employee,
representative, officer or director of the Company to cease their relationship with the Company for
any reason; or (iii) knowingly solicit, aid or induce any customer of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates from another person, firm, corporation or other entity or assist or aid
any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer.

          (c) NONCOMPETITION. Executive acknowledges that Executive performs services of a unique
nature for the Company that are irreplaceable, and that Executive’s performance of such services to
a competing business will result in irreparable harm to the Company. Accordingly, during the
Restricted Period, Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage,
operate, control, be employed by (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor or
otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) or render services to any person, firm, corporation
or other entity, in whatever form, engaged in any business of the same type as any business in
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is engaged on the date of termination or
in which they have proposed, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date at
any time during the twelve (12)-month period ending with the date of termination, in any locale of
any country in which the Company conducts business. This Section 11(c) shall not prevent Executive
from owning not more than two percent (2%) of the total shares of all classes of stock outstanding
of any publicly held entity engaged in such business.

          (d) NONDISPARAGEMENT. Each of Executive and the Company (for purposes hereof, “the Company”
shall mean only (i) the Company by press release or other formally released announcement and (ii)
the executive officers and directors thereof and not any other employees) agrees not to make any
public statements that disparage the other party, or in the case of the Company, its respective
affiliates, employees, officers, directors, products or services. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
statements made in the course of sworn testimony in administrative, judicial or arbitral
proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings) shall
not be subject to this Section 11(d). Executive’s provision shall also not cover normal
competitive statements which do not cite Executive’s employment by the Company.

16

 

          (e) RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY AND RECORDS. Executive agrees that upon termination of
Executive’s employment, for any cause whatsoever, Executive will surrender to the Company in good
condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted) all property and equipment belonging to the Company
and all records kept by Executive containing the names, addresses or any other information with
regard to customers or customer contacts of the Company, or concerning any proprietary or
confidential information of the Company or any operational, financial or other documents given to
Executive during Executive’s employment with the Company.

          (f) COOPERATION. Executive agrees that, following termination of Executive’s employment for
any reason, Executive shall upon reasonable advance notice, and to the extent it does not interfere
with previously scheduled travel plans and does not unreasonably interfere with other business
activities or employment obligations, assist and cooperate with the Company with regard to any
matter or project in which Executive was involved during Executive’s employment, including any
litigation. The Company shall compensate Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in connection
with such cooperation and assistance.

          (g) ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS. Executive will promptly communicate and disclose in writing to
the Company all inventions and developments including software, whether patentable or not, as well
as patents and patent applications (hereinafter collectively called “Inventions”), made, conceived,
developed, or purchased by Executive, or under which Executive acquires the right to grant licenses
or to become licensed, alone or jointly with others, which have arisen or jointly with others,
which have arisen or may arise out of Executive’s employment, or relate to any matters pertaining
to, or useful in connection therewith, the business or affairs of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. Included herein as if developed during the employment period is any specialized
equipment and software developed for use in the business of the Company. All of Executive’s right,
title and interest in, to, and under all such Inventions, licenses, and right to grant licenses
shall be the sole property of the Company. Any such Inventions disclosed to anyone by Executive
within one (1) year after the termination of employment for any cause whatsoever shall be deemed to
have been made or conceived by Executive during the Term. As to all such Inventions, Executive
will, upon request of the Company execute all documents which the Company deems necessary or proper
to enable it to establish title to such Inventions or other rights, and to enable it to file and
prosecute applications for letters patent of the United States and any foreign country; and do all
things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other proceedings) which the Company deems
necessary or proper to obtain, maintain, or assert patents for any and all such Inventions or to
assert its rights in any Inventions not patented.

          (h) EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES. The parties acknowledge and agree that the other
party’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section
11 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the parties agree that, in the event of
such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the other party, without
posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance,
temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy
which may then be available.

17

 

          (i) REFORMATION. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that
any restriction in this Section 11 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or
unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such
restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent
permitted by the law of that state.

          (j) SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. The obligations of Executive set forth in this Section 11 shall
survive the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company and the termination or expiration
of this Agreement and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

     12. NO ASSIGNMENTS.

          (a) This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in Section
12(b) below, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first
obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto.

          (b) The Company shall assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of
the business or assets of the Company provided that the Company shall require such successor to
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place and shall deliver
a copy of such assignment to Executive.

     13. NOTICE. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided
for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the
date of delivery if delivered by hand, (b) on the first business day following the date of deposit
if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following
the date delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to Executive:

At the address shown on the records of the Company

If to the Company:

Belden Inc.

7701 Forsyth Boulevard

Suite 800

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

Attn: General Counsel

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective
only upon receipt.

     14. SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY. The section headings used in this Agreement are included
solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of
this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this

18

 

Agreement and any other agreement (including but not limited to any option, long-term
incentive or other equity award agreement), plan, program, policy or practice of the Company, the
terms of this Agreement shall control.

     15. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the
invalidity of unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
the other provisions hereof.

     16. ARBITRATION. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement, other than injunctive relief under Section 11(h) hereof or damages for breach of
Section 11, shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a single arbitrator in
St. Louis, Missouri, administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance
with its Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect. The single arbitrator shall be selected by
the mutual agreement of the Company and Executive, unless the parties are unable to agree to an
arbitrator, in which case, the arbitrator will be selected under the procedures of the AAA. The
arbitrator will have the authority to permit discovery and to follow the procedures that Executive
or she determines to be appropriate. The arbitrator will have no power to award consequential
(including lost profits), punitive or exemplary damages. The decision of the arbitrator will be
final and binding upon the parties hereto. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in
any court having jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its own legal fees and costs and equally
divide the forum fees and cost of the arbitrator.

     17. INDEMNIFICATION; LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company and Executive shall enter into the
Company’s standard form of indemnification agreement governing his conduct as an officer and
director of the Company.

     18. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged
unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and
such officer or director as may be designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at
any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision
of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

     19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement together with the exhibit hereto, and
without limiting or expanding the effectiveness of Exhibits A, B and C of the Prior Agreement
except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement of the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. No agreements or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof
have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. The validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware without regard to its conflicts of law principles. The descriptive headings in
this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this
Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation and of the word “or” shall be
inclusive and not exclusive.

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     20. CODE SECTION 409A.

          (a) It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement and the Company’s and
Executive’s exercise of authority or discretion hereunder shall comply with the provisions of
Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations relating thereto so as not to subject Executive to the
payment of interest and tax penalty which may be imposed under Section 409A. In furtherance of
this interest, anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, no amounts shall be payable to
Executive before such time as such payment fully complies with the provisions of Section 409A and,
to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A after the date of
this Agreement would result in Executive being subject to payment of interest and tax penalty under
Section 409A, the parties agree to amend this Agreement in order to bring this Agreement into
compliance with Section 409A.

          (b) With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of expenses or in-kind
benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits
is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible
for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the
expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year,
other than as excepted under Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv)(B) with regard to expenses reimbursed
under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are
subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.

          (c) Without limiting the discretion of either the Company or the Executive to terminate the
Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason (or no reason), solely for purposes of compliance
with 409A a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any
provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following
a termination of employment unless such termination is also a separation from service (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (applying the 20% default post-separation limit
thereunder)) as an employee and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references
to a “termination” or “termination of employment” shall mean separation from service as an employee
and such payments shall thereupon be made at or following such separation from service as an
employee as provided hereunder.

     21. FULL SETTLEMENT. Except as set forth in this Agreement, the Company’s obligation to make
the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder
shall not be affected by any circumstances, including without limitation, set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Executive or
others, except to the extent any amounts are due the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates
pursuant to a judgment against Executive. In no event shall Executive be obliged to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under
any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced
by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by another employer, except as
set forth in this Agreement.

     22. REPRESENTATION. Executive represents to the Company that Executive has a Noncompetition
Agreement with his former employer (“Noncompetition Agreement”), a

20

 

copy of which has been provided by Executive to the Company. Executive represents and
warrants that to the best of his knowledge and belief that the Noncompetition Agreement does not
interfere with his legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations
on Executive’s part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms. Executive further
represents, warrants and covenants that he shall comply by all covenants and restrictions that
apply to Executive under the Noncompetition Agreement. Executive further represents that he is not
a party to any other agreement or understanding, written or oral, which could prevent Executive
from entering into this Agreement or performing all of Executive’s obligations hereunder.

     In the event that Executive is sued by his former employer based on a claim or claims that his
employment by the Company violates the specific restriction against performing services for a
competitor under the Noncompetition Agreement, the Company agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
harmless Executive from damages or amounts paid in settlement to his former employer and
Executive’s reasonable attorneys’ fees (such counsel to be approved by the Company in its
reasonable discretion) incurred in connection with any such action; provided (a) such
indemnification shall cease, and all amounts paid to Executive shall be immediately refunded to the
Company and Executive shall immediately forfeit all right to reimbursement of all amounts incurred
by Executive pursuant to such indemnification, in the event that Executive breaches any other
covenant under the Noncompetition Agreement (including, without limitation, covenants against
soliciting customers or employees and nondisclosure), (b) a termination of Executive’s employment
by the Company following the issuance of a permanent injunction granted to such former employer for
a breach of any provision of the Noncompetition Agreement, or an injunction which injunction
prevents Executive from performing his duties hereunder for more than 90 days, shall be deemed to
be a voluntary termination by Executive (without Good Reason, if applicable) hereunder, and (c) the
Company shall direct and control any such litigation in which the Company also is a party.

     23. WITHHOLDING. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this
Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation.

     24. AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict
construction will be applied against any party hereto. Neither Executive nor the Company shall be
entitled to any presumption in connection with any determination made hereunder in connection with
any arbitration, judicial or administrative proceeding relating to or arising under this Agreement.

     25. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instruments.

21

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date and year first
written above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BELDEN INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:

Name:
	 	/s/ Glenn Kalnasy
 

Glenn Kalnasy
	 	 
	 	 	Its: Director & Compensation Committee Chair	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	/s/ John Stroup	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	John Stroup	 	 

22

 

EXHIBIT A

GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS

     1. For and in consideration of the promises made in Executive Employment Agreement (defined
below), the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned (“Executive”), for himself,
his heirs, administrators, legal representatives, executors, successors, assigns, and all other
persons claiming through Executive, if any (collectively, “Releasers”), does hereby release, waive,
and forever discharge Belden Inc. (“Company”), the Company’s subsidiaries, parents, affiliates,
related organizations, employees, officers, directors, attorneys, successors, and assigns
(collectively, the “Releasees”) from, and does fully waive any obligations of Releasees to
Releasers for, any and all liability, actions, charges, causes of action, demands, damages, or
claims for relief, remuneration, sums of money, accounts or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and
costs) of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown or contingent or absolute, which heretofore
has been or which hereafter may be suffered or sustained, directly or indirectly, by Releasers in
consequence of, arising out of, or in any way relating to Executive’s employment with the Company
or any of its affiliates or the termination of Executive’s employment. The foregoing release and
discharge, waiver and covenant not to sue includes, but is not limited to, all claims and any
obligations or causes of action arising from such claims, under common law including wrongful or
retaliatory discharge, breach of contract (including but not limited to any claims under the
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Executive, dated ___,
2008, [as amended] (the “Employment Agreement”) and any claims under any stock option and
restricted stock units agreements between Executive and the Company) and any action arising in tort
including libel, slander, defamation or intentional infliction of emotional distress, and claims
under any federal, state or local statute including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Civil Rights Act of 1866 and 1871 (42 U.S.C. § 1981), the National Labor Relations Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Missouri Human Rights Act (R.S. MO
Section 213.010 et seq.), or the discrimination or employment laws of any state or municipality, or
any claims under any express or implied contract which Releasers may claim existed with Releasees.
This release and waiver does not apply to any claims or rights that may arise after the date
Executive signs this General Release. The foregoing release does not apply to any claims of
indemnification under the Employment Agreement or a separate indemnification agreement with the
Company or rights of coverage under directors and officers liability insurance.

     2. Excluded from this release and waiver are any claims which cannot be waived by law,
including but not limited to the right to participate in an investigation conducted by certain
government agencies. Executive does, however, waive Executive’s right to any monetary recovery
should any agency (such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) pursue any claims on
Executive’s behalf. Executive represents and warrants that Executive has not filed any complaint,
charge, or lawsuit against the Releasees with any government agency or any court.

     3. Executive agrees never to sue Releasees in any forum for any claim covered by the above
waiver and release language, except that Executive may bring a claim under the ADEA to challenge
this General Release or as otherwise provided in this General Release. If

 

 

Executive violates this General Release by suing Releasees, other than under the ADEA or as
otherwise set forth in Section 1 hereof, Executive shall be liable to the Company for its
reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs incurred in defending against such a suit.
Nothing in this General Release is intended to reflect any party’s belief that Executive’s waiver
of claims under ADEA is invalid or unenforceable, it being the interest of the parties that such
claims are waived.

     4. Executive acknowledges, agrees and affirms that he is subject to certain post-employment
covenants pursuant to Section 11 of the Employment Agreement, which covenants survive the
termination of his employment and the execution of this General Release.

     5. Executive acknowledges and recites that:

          (a) Executive has executed this General Release knowingly and voluntarily;

          (b) Executive has read and understands this General Release in its entirety;

          (c) Executive has been advised and directed orally and in writing (and this subparagraph (c)
constitutes such written direction) to seek legal counsel and any other advice he wishes with
respect to the terms of this General Release before executing it;

          (d) Executive’s execution of this General Release has not been coerced by any employee or
agent of the Company; and

          (e) Executive has been offered twenty-one (21) calendar days after receipt of this General
Release to consider its terms before executing it.

     6. This General Release shall be governed by the internal laws (and not the choice of laws) of
the State of Delaware, except for the application of pre-emptive Federal law.

     7. Executive shall have seven (7) days from the date hereof to revoke this General Release by
providing written notice of the revocation to the Company, as provided in Section 13 of the
Employment Agreement, upon which revocation this General Release shall be unenforceable and null
and void and in the absence of such revocation this General Release shall be binding and
irrevocable by Executive.

     PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. IT CONTAINS A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:                     , 20           

	 	EXECUTIVE:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

John Stroup
	 	 

A-2

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