Document:

a50917218ex10_4.htm

Exhibit 10.4

 

AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION, INC.

AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), entered into as of this 1st day of August 2014 amends and restates that certain Executive Employment Agreement dated August 24, 2009, by and among American Public University System, Inc., a West Virginia corporation (the “Company”), American Public Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”) and Sharon van Wyk (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the Executive’s employment, and the Executive desires to continue being employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.   Employment. On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Parent agrees to cause the Company to, and the Company agrees to, employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to continue to be employed by the Company, for the term set forth in Section 2 hereof and in the position and with the duties set forth in Section 3 hereof.

 

2.   Term. The employment of the Executive by the Company as provided in Section 1 hereof commenced on August 3, 2009.  Unless sooner terminated as hereinafter set forth, the term of this Agreement shall end on March 31, 2017; provided, however, that this Agreement will automatically renew for additional one (1)-year periods (each a “Renewal Term”) on each anniversary thereafter unless the Company and Parent deliver to the Executive written notice of intent not to renew at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the term or any Renewal Term. If this Agreement is renewed for one (1) or more Renewal Terms, such Renewal Term shall be on the basis stated herein.  For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Executive’s employment will not automatically terminate or end solely as a result of the expiration of the Agreement at the end of the term or any Renewal Term.

 

3.   Position and Duties. The Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the Company, or in another position of equal or greater title, authority and responsibility, as assigned by the board of directors of the Parent (the “Board”), with duties and responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may from time to time determine and assign to the Executive. The Executive shall devote the Executive’s best efforts and full business time to the performance of the Executive’s duties and the advancement of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

  

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4.   Place of Performance. In connection with the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive shall be based at the principal executive offices of the Company, which the Company retains the right to change in its discretion, or such other place as the Company and the Executive mutually agree.

 

5.   Compensation.

 

	
a.               

	
Base Salary. The Company shall pay to the Executive an annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the rate of $332,000 per year. The Base Salary shall be reviewed no less frequently than annually and may be increased at the discretion of the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board. If the Executive’s Base Salary is increased, the increased amount shall be the Base Salary for the remainder of the employment term hereunder, except that the Company may reduce the Executive’s Base Salary at any time as part of a general salary reduction applied to all employees of the Company with annual salaries in excess of $150,000 (the “Senior Executive Group”) in which case the Executive’s reduced Base Salary shall be the Base Salary for the remainder of the employment term hereunder. Any such reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary shall be no more than the lesser of the median of the percentage salary reductions applied to the Senior Executive Group or twenty percent (20%). The Base Salary shall be payable biweekly or in such other installments as shall be consistent with the Company’s payroll procedures.

 

	
b.              

	
Annual Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible to receive a bonus of up to fifty percent (50%) of the Executive’s Base Salary for each year as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion (the “Annual Bonus”), based upon the achievement of certain performance goals established by the Compensation Committee for each year. The Executive will also be eligible to receive an additional percentage of up to thirty percent (30%) of the Executive’s Base Salary for each year as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, based upon the achievement of certain “stretch” performance goals established by the Compensation Committee for each year. Any such bonus shall be paid by March 15 of the year following the year of performance.

	
c.               

	
Other Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to receive such other benefits approved by the Compensation Committee and made available to senior executives of the Company. The Executive also shall be entitled to participate in such plans and to receive such bonuses, incentive compensation and fringe benefits as may be granted or established by the Company from time to time. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from changing carriers or from effecting modifications in insurance coverage for the Executive.

  

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d.               

	
Vacation; Holidays. The Executive shall be entitled to all public holidays observed by the Company and vacation days in accordance with the applicable vacation policies for senior executives of the Company, which shall be taken at a reasonable time or times.

	
e.               

	
Withholding Taxes and Other Deductions. To the extent required by law, the Company shall withhold from any payments due Executive under this Agreement any applicable federal, state or local taxes and such other deductions as are prescribed by law or Company policy.

 

6.   Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive (in accordance with the policies and procedures in effect for senior executives of the Company) in connection with the Executive’s services under this Agreement. The Executive shall account to the Company for expenses in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Company.

 

7.   Relocation Expenses. The Company will pay or reimburse the Executive for the customary and reasonable moving expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with any subsequent relocation of Executive’s place of performance pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement.

 

8.   Confidential Information.

 

	
a.               

	
Obligation of Confidentiality. The Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not ever, without the prior written consent of the Board or a person authorized by the Board or except as may be ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, publish or disclose to any unaffiliated third party (other than in the Executive’s good faith conduct of her position and duties with the Company and/or Parent and on behalf of the Company, Parent or their affiliates) or use for the Executive’s personal benefit or advantage any confidential information with respect to the Company’s or Parent’s past, present, or planned business, including but not limited to all information and materials related to any Company, Parent or their affiliates’ business, business plan, product, service, procedure, method, technique, technology, research, strategy, plan, customer or supplier information, customer or supplier list, financial data, technical data, computer files, and computer software, including any of the foregoing that is in any stage of research, development, or planning, and any other information which the Executive obtained while employed by, or otherwise serving or acting on behalf of, the Company, Parent or their affiliates or which the Executive may possess or have under her control, that is not generally known (except for unauthorized disclosures) to the public or within the industries in which the Company, Parent or their affiliates, respectively, do business.

  

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b.               

	
Reasonable Restrictions. The Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Section 8(a) hereof are reasonable and necessary, in view of the nature of the Company’s or Parent business, in order to protect the legitimate interests of the Company or Parent, and that any violation thereof would result in irreparable injury to the Company or Parent. Therefore, the Executive agrees that in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of the provisions of Section 8(a) hereof, the Company or Parent shall be entitled to obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction, preliminary or permanent injunctive relief restraining the Executive from disclosing or using any confidential information. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company or Parent from pursuing any other remedies available to it for breach or threatened breach, including, without limitation, recovery of damages from the Executive.

	
c.               

	
Return of Materials. The Executive shall deliver promptly to the Company or Parent on termination of employment, or at any other time the Company or Parent may so request, all confidential materials, memoranda, notes, records, reports and other documents and materials (and all copies thereof), in whatever form or medium, that contain any of the foregoing, including but not limited to computer data, files, software, and hardware, relating to the Company’s, Parent’s or their respective affiliates’ respective businesses that the Executive obtained while employed by, or otherwise serving or acting on behalf of, the Company, Parent or their affiliates or which the Executive may then possess or have under her control.

 

9.   Non-Competition.

 

	
a.               

	
Non-Competition. The Executive covenants and agrees that, during the Executive’s employment hereunder and for a period of one (1) year thereafter (to the extent permitted by law), the Executive will not at any time, in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which the Company. the Parent or their respective corporate controlled affiliates is engaged or has reasonably firm plans to engage in business, whether as a principal, investor, employee, consultant, independent contractor, officer, director, board member, manager, partner, agent, or otherwise, alone or in association with any other person, firm, corporation, or business organization, work for, become employed by, engage in, carry on, provide services to, or assist in any manner (whether or not for compensation or gain) a person or entity that engages in any business in which the Company, the Parent, or any of their corporate controlled affiliates is engaged (a “Competing Business”), where Executive’s position or service for such Competing Business relates to Executive’s positions with or the types of services performed by the Executive for the Company, the Parent, or any of their corporate controlled affiliates, or is otherwise competitive with the Company’s, the Parent’s, or any of their corporate controlled affiliates’ products or services; provided, however, that the foregoing will not prohibit the Executive from (i) serving on a board of directors (or comparative bodies) of other entities where the Parent has given prior permission, (ii) after the occurrence of both a Change of Control (as defined in Section 11) and the termination of the Executive’s employment, being employed by (A) a campus-based institution of higher education that derives no more than twenty percent (20%) of its revenues from online education, provided, that the Executive is not predominantly engaged in supporting the online education, or (B) an online learning company that does not provide higher education, or (iii) serving as a faculty member, “scholar in residence” or similar academic position, provide, that the Executive does not engage in administrative matters, other than to a de minimis extent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ownership by the Executive of less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of any corporation listed on a national securities exchange shall not be deemed a violation of this Section 9(a).

  

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b.               

	
Injunctive Relief. In the event the restrictions against engaging in a competitive activity contained in Section 9(a) hereof shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of their extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographical area or by reason of their being too extensive in any other respect, Section 9(a) hereof shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable and over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable and to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by the court in the action.

	
c.               

	
Non-Solicitation. The Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive will not, during the Executive’s employment and for a period of one (1) year thereafter solicit, induce, entice, or encourage or attempt to solicit, induce, entice, or encourage any employee of the Company or Parent or any of the Company, the Parent, or any of their corporate controlled affiliates to render services for any other person, firm, entity, or corporation or to terminate her employment with the Company, the Parent, or any of their corporate controlled affiliates.

 

10.         Termination of Employment.

	
a.               

	
Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon the Executive’s death.

	
b.              

	
By the Company. The Company or Parent may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder under the following circumstances:

  

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i.              

	
The Company or Parent may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for “Disability.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Executive shall have been unable to perform all of the Executive’s duties hereunder by reason of illness, physical or mental disability or other similar incapacity, which inability shall continue for more than three (3) consecutive months.

	
ii.             

	
The Company or Parent may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for “Cause.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (A) refusal by the Executive to follow a lawful written order of the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board or the Board, (B) the Executive’s engagement in conduct materially injurious to the Company or Parent or their respective reputations, (C) dishonesty of a material nature that relates to the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement, (D) the Executive’s conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony, or (E) the Executive’s continued failure to perform her duties under this Agreement (except due to the Executive’s incapacity as a result of physical or mental illness) to the satisfaction of the Board for a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive days after written notice is delivered to the Executive specifically identifying the manner in which the Executive has failed to perform her duties. 

	
iii.            

	
The Parent, in the sole discretion of the Board, may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time other than for Disability or Cause, for any reason or for no reason at all.

	
c.               

	
By the Executive. The Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for “Good Reason.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

	
i.              

	
the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Executive’s position as contemplated by Section 3 of this Agreement, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

	
ii.             

	
any material failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure which is remedied by the Company or Parent promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive, provided, that in no event will a failure to pay the Annual Bonus by March 15 of the year following the performance year be considered a material failure by the Company or Parent to comply with this Agreement;

  

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iii.            

	
after a Change of Control (as defined in Section 12), the Executive does not continue as the Chief Operations Officer, or any other office she holds at the time of the Change of Control, of the most senior resulting entity succeeding to the business of the Company; or

	
iv.            

	
any material failure by the Company or Parent to comply with and satisfy Section 16(c) of this Agreement.

 

In order to constitute Good Reason, Executive must provide notice to the Company and Parent of the existence of the condition within ninety (90) days of the initial existence. None of the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason if the Executive consents in writing to such event. The Executive further understands and agrees that none of the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason unless the Company or Parent fails to cure such asserted grounds for Good Reason within thirty (30) days of its receipt of notice from the Executive. In order to terminate her employment, if at all, for Good Reason, Executive must terminate employment within thirty (30) days of the end of the cure period if the breach has not been cured.

 

	
d.               

	
Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Parent or the Executive (other than pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof) shall be communicated by written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 13 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if any, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.

	
e.               

	
Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 10(b)(i) hereof, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination, provided, that the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of the Executive’s duties on a full-time basis during this thirty (30)-day period; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 10(b)(ii) or 10(b)(iii) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination; (iv) if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, provided, however, that such date must occur after the cure period provided in Section 10(c); and (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will be deemed to have a Date of Termination for purposes of determining the timing of any payments or benefits hereunder that are classified as deferred compensation only upon a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (the “Code”).

 

  

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11.         Compensation Upon Termination.

 

	
a.               

	
If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay to the Executive’s estate, or as may be directed by the legal representatives of the estate, (i) the Executive’s full Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case, to the extent not theretofore paid, and (iii) all other unpaid amounts, if any, to which the Executive is entitled as of the Date of Termination in connection with any fringe benefits or under any incentive compensation plan or program of the Company pursuant to Section 5(b) “Annual Bonus” and Section 5(c) “Other Benefits” hereof (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Base Amounts”), at the time these payments are due and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.

	
b.               

	
If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Disability as provided in Section 10(b)(i) hereof, the Company shall pay the Executive the following amounts and shall have no further obligations to the Executive, provided, that in the case of payments to be made pursuant to section (ii) below, on or before the sixtieth day following the Date of Termination, the Executive executes a release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A and all revocation periods applicable to such release have expired without the release being revoked:

	
i.              

	
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (B) the product of (x) the Annual Bonus (to the extent Company and Executive performance were satisfying the performance targets, adjusted for the short period through the Date of Termination, for an Annual Bonus) and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and (C) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case, to the extent not theretofore paid, (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (A), (B), and (C) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”) in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination; and

  

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ii.             

	
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary and (B) the Annual Bonus (to the extent Company and Executive performance were satisfying the performance targets, adjusted for the short period, after the Date of Termination to the end of the calendar year for an Annual Bonus and as to the remainder of the twelve (12)-month period following the Date of Termination, only if net income has increased from the same period in the prior year and the performance targets established for the successor chief operations officer were being satisfied for that period), in substantially equal proportionate installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices for a period of twelve (12) months, commencing within sixty (60) days following Executive’s Date of Termination, provided, that if Executive’s Date of Termination occurs within sixty (60) days prior to the end of a calendar year, payments will commence in the year after the Date of Termination, and in all cases, the first payment shall include all payments Executive would have received if payments had been continuous after the Date of Termination; provided, that payments made to the Executive under this section shall be reduced by the sum of the amounts, if any, payable to the Executive at or prior to the time of any payment under disability benefit plans of the Company and which amounts were not previously applied to reduce any payment, provided, further, that any such reduction shall be done in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.

	
c.               

	
If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause as provided in Section 10(b)(ii) hereof or if the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive the Base Amounts, and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.

	
d.               

	
Except where payments are required to be made under Section 11(e), if the Company or Parent terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the Company shall pay the Executive the following amounts and shall have no further obligations to the Executive, provided, that, in the case of (ii) through (iv), on or before the sixtieth day following the Date of Termination, the Executive executes a release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A and all revocation periods applicable to such release have expired without the release being revoked:

  

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i.              

	
the Accrued Obligations in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination;

	
ii.             

	
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary and (B) the Annual Bonus (to the extent Company and Executive performance were satisfying the performance targets, adjusted for the short period, after the Date of Termination to the end of the calendar year for an Annual Bonus and as to the remainder of the twelve (12)-month period following the Date of Termination, only if net income has increased from the same period in the prior year and the performance targets established for the successor chief operations officer were being satisfied for that period), in substantially equal proportionate installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices for a period of twelve (12) months, commencing within sixty (60) days following Executive’s Date of Termination, provided, that if Executive’s Date of Termination occurs within sixty (60) days prior to the end of a calendar year, payments will commence in the year after the Date of Termination, and in all cases, the first payment shall include all payments Executive would have received if payments had been continuous after the Date of Termination;

	
iii.            

	
for twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination, or any longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies   including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer employees of the Company and its affiliated companies, as if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that the Company may elect, with respect to some or all of such benefits, that in lieu of the continuation of such benefits, the Company may pay to the Executive a lump sum payment, less applicable withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes, equal to twelve (12) months’ premiums (at the rate and level of coverage applicable at the time of the Executive’s termination) under the Company’s welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (at the rate and level of coverage applicable at the time of the Executive’s termination) for the benefits for which this election is made; provided, further, that if such a lump sum payment is not permissible without incurring taxes under Section 409A of the Code, the Company may elect to make twelve (12) monthly payments to the Executive to aggregate to the amounts that would otherwise have been paid a lump sum; and provided, further, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under the other plan during the applicable period of eligibility; and

  

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iv.            

	
to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, for twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (these other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).

	
e.               

	
If within one hundred and eighty (180) days after a Change of Control (as defined in Section 12), the Company or Parent terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the Company shall pay the Executive the following amounts and shall have no further obligations to the Executive, provided, that, in the case of (ii) through (iv), on or before the sixtieth day following the Date of Termination, the Executive executes a release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A and all revocation periods applicable to such release have expired without the release being revoked:

	
i.              

	
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (B) the product of (x) the Annual Bonus (to the extent Company and Executive performance were satisfying the performance targets, adjusted for the short period through the Date of Termination, for an Annual Bonus) and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the effective date of termination of the Executive’s employment (the “Change of Control Date of Termination”), and the denominator of which is 365, and (C) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case, to the extent not theretofore paid, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Change of Control Date of Termination;

  

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ii.              

	
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary and (B) the Annual Bonus (to the extent the Company and Executive performance were satisfying the performance targets, adjusted for the short period), in a lump sum in cash within sixty (60) days of the Change of Control Date of Termination, provided, that if Executive’s Change of Control Date of Termination occurs within sixty (60) days prior to the end of a calendar year, payments will be paid on the first payroll date in the year after the Change of Control Date of Termination;

	
iii.             

	
for twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination, or any longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies   including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer employees of the Company and its affiliated companies, as if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that the Company may elect, with respect to some or all of such benefits, that in lieu of the continuation of such benefits, the Company may pay to the Executive a lump sum payment, less applicable withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes, equal to twelve (12) months’ premiums (at the rate and level of coverage applicable at the time of the Executive’s termination) under the Company’s welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (at the rate and level of coverage applicable at the time of the Executive’s termination) for the benefits for which this election is made; provided, further, that if such a lump sum payment is not permissible without incurring taxes under Section 409A of the Code, the Company may elect to make twelve (12) monthly payments to the Executive to aggregate to the amounts that would otherwise have been paid a lump sum; and provided, further, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under the other plan during the applicable period of eligibility; and

  

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iv.             

	
to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, for twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive Other Benefits.

	
v.              

	
in the event that it is determined that any payment, benefit, or distribution described in this Section 11(e) or in Section 12 made by the Company, by any of its affiliates, by any person who acquires ownership or effective control or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) or by any affiliate of such person, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Section 11(e), Section 12 or otherwise (the “Total Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest or penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the payments due under this Agreement shall be reduced so that the Total Payments will not result in the imposition of such Excise Tax. The payment reduction contemplated by the preceding sentence shall be implemented by determining the “Parachute Payment Ratio” (as defined below) for each “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and then reducing the “parachute payments” in order beginning with the “parachute payment” with the highest Parachute Payment Ratio. For “parachute payments” with the same Parachute Payment Ratio, such “parachute payments” shall be reduced based on the time of payment of such “parachute payments” with amounts having later payment dates being reduced first. For “parachute payments” with the same Parachute Payment Ratio and the same time of payment, such “parachute payments” shall be reduced on a pro rata basis (but not below zero) prior to reducing “parachute payments” with a lower Parachute Payment Ratio. For purposes hereof, the term “Parachute Payment Ratio” shall mean a fraction the numerator of which is the value of the applicable “parachute payment” for purposes of Section 280G of the Code and the denominator of which is the intrinsic value of such “parachute payment.” For purposes of determining whether any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (A) the entire amount of the Total Payments shall be treated as “parachute payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) and as subject to the Excise Tax, unless and to the extent, in the written opinion of the Company’s independent accountants and reasonably acceptable to Executive, such payments (in whole or in part) are not subject to the Excise Tax; and (B) the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit (constituting a part of the Total Payments) shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Code Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (Y) the Total Payments exceed three (3) times the Executive’s “base amount” as defined within Section 280G and (Z) the Executive would receive at least $50,000 more on a net after-tax basis if the Total Payments were not reduced pursuant to this section (after payment of the Excise Tax), then the Company will not reduce the Total Payments and Executive shall be responsible for the Excise Tax related thereto. For purposes of determining the net after-tax benefit, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of the federal income taxation applicable to individuals (without taking into account surtaxes or loss or reduction of deductions) for the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence on the Date of Termination.

 

  

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f.               

	
No Duty to Mitigate. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate amounts payable pursuant to Section 11 hereof by seeking other employment.

	
g.               

	
No Additional Payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event of the termination of her employment, even if in breach of this Agreement, she will be entitled only to those payments specified herein for the circumstances of her termination, and not to any other payments by way of damages or claims of any nature, whether under this Agreement or under any other agreements between the Executive and the Company.

 

12.         Acceleration of Equity Awards. All equity awards granted to the Executive under any equity incentive plan maintained for Company or Parent employees that are outstanding immediately prior to the following events shall be vested and fully exercisable as follows: (a) upon termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive’s death as provided in Section 10(a) hereof, (b) upon termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or Parent for Disability as provided in Section 10(b)(i) hereof, or (c upon termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company as provided in Section 10(b)(iii) in the twelve (12)-month period following a Change of Control or by the Executive for Good Reason as provided in Section 10(c) in the twelve (12)-month period following a Change of Control; provided, that for purposes of clauses (a) and (b) any equity awards that are subject to performance conditions for a performance period not yet completed will be deemed to be vested and exercisable in a pro-rated amount equivalent to the portion of the performance period that has passed and assuming achievement of the performance conditions for that period at the “target” level, and for purposes of clause (c) any equity awards that are subject to performance conditions for a performance period not yet completed will be deemed to be vested and exercisable in full at the “target” level. This Agreement is intended to amend all equity awards previously awarded to the Executive to modify vesting as described above to the extent vesting would not otherwise accelerate under the terms of such equity award grants. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” means (i) the dissolution or liquidation of the Parent or a merger, consolidation, or reorganization of the Parent with one (1) or more other entities in which the Parent is not the surviving entity, (ii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Parent to another person or entity, or (iii) any transaction (including without limitation a merger or reorganization in which the Parent is the surviving entity) which results in any person or entity owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Parent, provided, that if an event is a “Change of Control” as defined in this Agreement but is not a “change in control event” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, any payments which are the same as the payments the Executive would have received under Section 11(d) if there had not been a “Change of Control” will be paid at the time and in the manner specified in Section 11(d).

  

14

  

 

13.         Notices. All notices, demands, requests or other communications required or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

	
a.               

	
If to the Company:

American Public University System, Inc.

111 West Congress Street

Charles Town, WV 25414

Telecopy: (304) 724-3801

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

	
b.               

	
If to the Parent:

American Public Education, Inc.

111 West Congress Street

Charles Town, WV 25414

Telecopy: (304) 724-3801

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

	
c.               

	
If to the Executive, to the Executive’s address set forth on the signature page to this Agreement, or to the home address of the executive in the official records of the Company; or, in the case of the Company or Parent, to such other address as the Company or Parent may designate in a notice to the other. Each notice, demand, request or other communication that shall be given or made in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given or made for all purposes three (3) days after it is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, or at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the answer back or the affidavit of messenger being deemed conclusive evidence of delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

 

  

15

  

 

14.         Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one (1) or more provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

15.         Survival. It is the express intention and agreement of the parties hereto that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof shall survive the termination of employment of the Executive and the expiration of this Agreement.  It is the express intention and agreement of the parties hereto that the provisions of Section 11(d) shall survive the expiration of this Agreement for a period of twelve (12) months.  In addition, all obligations of the Company to make payments hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

16.         Successors and Assigns.

 

	
a.               

	
This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company and the Parent shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives.

	
b.               

	
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Parent and their successors and assigns.

	
c.               

	
The Company and the Parent will require any successor or any party that acquires control of the Company and the Parent (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) or all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or the Parent to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company and the Parent would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” and “Parent” shall mean the Company or Parent, respectively, as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

 

17.         Binding Effect. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment, this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

18.         Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement shall not be amended, altered or modified except by an instrument in writing duly executed by the parties hereto. Neither the waiver by either of the parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure of either of the parties, on one (1) or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.

 

  

16

  

 

19.         Headings. Section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement for any purpose, and shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.

 

20.         Governing Law. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of West Virginia (but not including the choice of law rules thereof).

 

21.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and it supersedes all prior oral or written agreements, commitments or understandings with respect to the matters provided for herein.

 

22.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

23.         Limitations Under Code Section 409A. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) on the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or a subsidiary, any of the Company’s stock is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, (b) if Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, (c) the payments exceed the amounts permitted to be paid pursuant to Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and (d) such delay is required to avoid the imposition of the tax set forth in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code as a result of such termination, the Executive would receive any payment that, absent the application of this Section 23, would be subject to interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be payable prior to the date that is the earliest of (x) six (6) months after the Executive’s termination date, (y) the Executive’s death or (z) such other date as will cause such payment not to be subject to such interest and additional tax (with a catch-up payment equal to the sum of all amounts that have been delayed to be made as of the date of the initial payment).

 

It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. To the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to such Section, the parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving the Executive the economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being imposed.

 

For purposes of Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive installment payments pursuant to this Agreement including, without limitation, each severance payment and COBRA continuation reimbursement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

 

  

17

  

 

Any amount that the Executive is entitled to be reimbursed under this Agreement will be reimbursed to the Executive as promptly as practical and in any event not later than the last day of the calendar year after the calendar year in which the expenses are incurred. Any right to reimbursement or in kind benefits will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. The amount of the expenses eligible for reimbursement during any taxable year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.

 

Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.  

 

 

 

  

18

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement, or have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf, as of the day and year first hereinabove written.

 

	  	
AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM,  INC.

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
By:  

	
/s/ Dr. Wallace E. Boston

	  
	  	  	
Name:  

	
Dr. Wallace E. Boston

	  
	  	  	
Title:  

	
President and Chief Executive Officer

	  
	  	  	  
	  	
AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION, INC.

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
By:  

	
/s/ Dr. Wallace E. Boston

	  
	  	  	
Name:  

	
Dr. Wallace E. Boston

	  
	  	  	
Title:  

	
President and Chief Executive Officer

	  
	  	  	  
	  	
THE EXECUTIVE:

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
/s/ Sharon van Wyk

	  
	  	

Sharon van Wyk

	  

 

  

19

  

 

APPENDIX A

FORM OF RELEASE

 

THIS RELEASE (“Release”) is entered into this [_____] day of [_____], 20[__], by and among American Public University System, Inc., a West Virginia corporation (the “Company”), American Public Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”) and Sharon van Wyk (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company, the Parent and the Executive are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of [________], 2014 (the “Employment Agreement”), which provides that certain severance payments and other benefits be made and provided by the Company to the Executive following termination of the Executive’s employment under certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, as a condition of receiving such severance payments and in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Executive has agreed to enter into this Release;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.          Separation and Payment. The Executive performed her duties in accordance with the Employment Agreement through [_______].  The Executive’s Date of Termination (as such term is defined in Section 10(e) of the Employment Agreement) is [_______].  The Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits set forth in Section 11 of the Employment Agreement, subject to compliance with the terms of the Employment Agreement and this Release.  Other than the payments referred to in Section 11 of the Employment Agreement, the Executive has been paid all compensation due and owing to her under this Release and under any employment or other contract the Executive has or may have had with the Company (including but not limited to the Employment Agreement) or from any other source of entitlement, including all wages, salary, bonuses, incentive payments, profit-sharing payments, leave, severance pay or other benefits.

 

  

  

  

 

2.          Release. On behalf of himself and her agents, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, the Executive hereby releases and forever discharges the Company, and any and all of the affiliates (excluding members), officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel, and successors and assigns of the Company, from any and all complaints, claims, demands, damages, lawsuits, actions, and causes of action, whether known, unknown or unforeseen, arising out of or in connection with any event, transaction or matter occurring or existing prior to or at the time of her execution of this Release, which she has or may have against any of them for any reason whatsoever in law or in equity, under federal, state, local, or other law, whether the same be upon statutory claim, contract, tort or other basis, including without limitation any and all claims arising from or relating to her employment or the termination of her employment and any and all claims relating to any employment contract (including but not limited to her Employment Agreement), any employment statute or regulation, or any employment discrimination law, including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, all as amended, all state and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in employment, and other laws and regulations relating to employment, including but not limited to the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, all as amended. The Executive agrees, without limiting the generality of the above release, not to file any claim or lawsuit seeking damages or other relief and asserting any claims that are lawfully released in this paragraph. The Executive further hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any and all rights to recover any relief and damages concerning the claims that are lawfully released in this paragraph. The Executive represents and warrants that she has not previously filed or joined in any such claims against the Company or any of its affiliates, and that she has not given or sold any portion of any claims released herein to anyone else, and that she will indemnify and hold harmless the persons and entities released herein from all liabilities, claims, demands, costs, expenses and/or attorneys’ fees incurred as a result of any such assignment or transfer. THE EXECUTIVE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS RELEASE IS A GENERAL RELEASE (EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN) AND THAT BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE, THE EXECUTIVE IS SIGNING AND AGREEING TO THIS RELEASE. Notwithstanding any term or provision of this Release or the Employment Agreement to the contrary, and specifically notwithstanding the foregoing releases, this Release does not relate to, and the Executive does not release, any rights the Executive may have with respect to any of the following: (a) any claim of the Executive for the payments and benefits due to her under the Employment Agreement and this Release; (b) any contribution, indemnity, or other claim the Executive may have under the Charter or Bylaws of the Company (or any successor or similar provision), under any applicable policy of insurance, or under applicable law as a result of any action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a director, officer, executive or agent of the Company or serves or served any other enterprise at the request of the Company; (b) any claim relating solely to the validity of this Release under the ADEA, as amended; (d) any non-waivable right to file a change with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; or (e) any rights that may not be waived as a matter of law.

  

3.          No Admission. The Parties agree that nothing contained in this Release shall constitute or be treated as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by either of them.

4.          No Obligation to Hire. The Executive agrees that neither the Company nor the Parent nor any of their subsidiaries or affiliates have any obligation to hire, reemploy or reinstate the Executive in the future.  The Executive agrees that she will not apply for employment with the Company, the Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates.

5.          Cooperation and Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company and the Parent to the extent reasonably requested by the Company or the Parent for the purpose of transitioning her duties and responsibilities.  Such cooperation shall include, but is not limited to, at the Company’s or the Parent’s request during the six (6) months following her Date of Termination, the Executive making himself available by telephone to answer questions regarding any matter or project in which she was involved while employed by the Company or the Parent.  The Executive further agrees that, other than as may be required by law or as part of a governmental investigation or proceeding, she shall make no statements disparaging the Company, the Parent or any of their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, or any of their business practices.

 

  

2

  

 

6.          Modification; Severability. The Parties agree that if a court of competent jurisdiction finds that any term of this Release is for any reason excessively broad in scope, duration, or otherwise, such term shall be construed or modified in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the maximum extent possible. Further, the covenants in this Release shall be deemed to be a series of separate covenants and agreements. If, in any judicial proceeding, a court of competent jurisdiction shall refuse to enforce any of the separate covenants deemed included herein, then at the option of the Company, wholly unenforceable covenants shall be deemed eliminated from this Release for the purpose of such proceeding to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate covenants to be enforced in such proceeding.

 

7.          Certain Representations. The Parties represent and acknowledge that in executing this Release such Party does not rely and has not relied upon any representation or statement made by the other Party or the other Party’s agents, representatives or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Release or otherwise.

 

8.          Entire Agreement. This Release, together with the Employment Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Release, and may not be altered or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by both Parties hereto.

 

9.          Assignment. This Release and the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder may not be assigned by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

10.          Binding Agreement. This Release shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

 

11.          Waiver. Neither the waiver by either Party of a breach of or default under any of the provisions of this Release, nor the failure of such Party, on one (1) or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Release or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.

 

12.         Further Assurances. The Parties agree to take or cause to be taken such further actions as may be necessary or as may be reasonably requested in order to fully effectuate the purposes, terms, and conditions of this Release.

 

13.         Governing Law. This Release, for all purposes, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of West Virginia without regard to conflicts of law principles. Subject to paragraph 14 below, any action or proceeding by either of the Parties to enforce this Release shall be brought only in a state or federal court located in the State of West Virginia, and the Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.

 

  

3

  

 

14.         Arbitration.  Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release, including the obligations to make payments pursuant to the Employment Agreement, any modification or extension hereof, or any breach hereof (including the question whether any particular matter is arbitrable hereunder) shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, in the District of Columbia in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force (the “Rules”).  Such arbitration shall be effected by arbitrator(s) appointed by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the Rules.  The Parties hereto agree to abide by all awards and decisions rendered in an arbitration proceeding in accordance with the foregoing, and all such awards and decisions may be filed by the prevailing Party with any court having jurisdiction over the person or property of the other Party as a basis for judgment and the issuance of execution thereon.  The fees of the arbitrator(s) and related expenses of arbitration shall be apportioned among the Parties as determined by the arbitrator(s).  Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties to the arbitration, all hearings shall be held, and all submissions shall be made by the Parties, within thirty (30) days of the date of the selection of the last arbitrator, and the decisions of the arbitrator(s) shall be made within thirty (30) days of the later of the date of the closing of the hearings or the date of the final submissions by the Parties.  The Parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the District of Columbia and of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, for all purposes in connection with the arbitration.  The Parties consent that any process or notice of motion or other application to either of said courts, and any paper in connection with arbitration, may be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service, or in such other manner as may be permissible under the rules of the applicable court or arbitration tribunal, provided that a reasonable time for appearance is allowed.

 

15.         Acknowledgment. With respect to the Release in paragraph 2 above, Executive agrees and understands that she is specifically releasing all claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 U.S.C. § 621 etseq.), as amended. The Executive acknowledges that she has read and understands this Release and executes it voluntarily and without coercion. The Executive further acknowledges that she has had full opportunity to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release, and that she has been advised in writing herein to do so. In addition, the Executive has been given twenty-one (21) days, to consider, execute, and deliver this Release to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Parent at the Parent’s principal business address, unless the Executive voluntarily chooses to execute this Release before the end of the twenty-one (21)-day period. The Executive understands that she has seven (7) days following her execution of this Release to revoke it in writing, and that this Release is not effective or enforceable until after this seven (7)-day period. For such revocation to be effective, notice must be delivered to the Parent at the Parent’s principal business address, addressed to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, no later than the end of the seventh calendar day after the date by which the Executive signed this Release. The Executive expressly agrees that, in the event she revokes this Release, this Release shall be null and void and have no legal or binding effect whatsoever, and she shall not be entitled to the payments described in paragraph 1 above, other than the Base Amounts, including pursuant to the Employment Agreement. The Parties recognize that she may elect to sign this Release prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21)-day consideration period specified herein, and the Executive agrees that if she elects to do so such election is knowing and voluntary and comes after full opportunity to consult with an attorney.

[Signature page follows]

  

4

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Release, or have caused this Release to be duly executed on their behalf, as of the day and year first hereinabove written.

 

 

	  	
AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM,  INC.

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
By:  

	
 

	  
	  	  	
Name:  

	
 

	  
	  	  	
Title:  

	
 

	  
	  	  	  
	  	
AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION, INC.

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
By:  

	
 

	  
	  	  	
Name:  

	
 

	  
	  	  	
Title:  

	
 

	  
	  	  	  
	  	
THE EXECUTIVE:

	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
 

	  
	  	

Sharon van WykExhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTIVE
SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

THIS
EXECUTIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is deemed made, entered into and effective this 1st day of June, 2014
(the “Effective Date”)

 

Between:      Legendary
Ventures Inc., a Nevada Corporation, with its principle business address at 5615 Doctor Peddle Cres, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
L5M 0K4

(the
“Company").

 

And:             Zahoor
Ahmad, an individual, with his principal business address at 5615 Doctor Peddle Cres, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5M 0K4

 

(the
"Executive").

 

WHEREAS:

 

	A.		The
                                         Company is involved in the principal business of providing pest
                                         control services (the “Business”);
	 		 
	C.		The
                                         Executive is a professional businessman and has extensive experience in and specialized
                                         knowledge in providing pest control services and desires to provide professional consulting
                                         services to the Company and act in the capacity as its President/Chief Executive Officer,
                                         Secretary and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer;
	 		 
	D.		The
                                         Company desires to retain the Executive to continue to act in the capacity as the President/Chief
                                         Executive Officer, Secretary and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, and the Executive
                                         desires to accept such positions, in order to provide such related services to the Company
                                         (collectively, the “General Services”);
	 		 
	E.		It
                                         is the intention of the Company and the Executive (at times referred to herein as “Parties”)
                                         hereby to memoralize all such agreements and understandings between them relating to
                                         the terms and conditions of the General Services and, correspondingly, it is their further
                                         intention that the terms and conditions of this agreement (the “Agreement”)
                                         will replace, in their entirety, all such prior discussions, negotiations, understandings
                                         and agreements with respect to the General Services;
	 		 
	F.		The
                                         Parties hereto have agreed to enter into this Agreement which replaces, in its entirety,
                                         all such prior discussions, negotiations, understandings and agreements, and, furthermore,
                                         which necessarily clarifies their respective duties and obligations with respect to the
                                         General Services to be provided hereunder, all in accordance with the terms and conditions
                                         of this Agreement;
	 		 
	G.		The
                                         Parties do not wish this Agreement to be an employment agreement and intend to maintain
                                         an independent contractor relationship whereby the Executive will continue to provide
                                         the General Services hereunder. The Executive shall allocate, in his discretion, the
                                         amount of time appropriate to providing General Services to the Company and the manner
                                         of the provision of any part of the General Services. The Executive may choose the location
                                         from which the Executive’s General Services are rendered, select the times during
                                         which such General Services are rendered, and the optimal form of communication through
                                         which to deliver or provide such General Services. Provided however, all decisions of
                                         the Executive in rendering the General Services must be made in good faith, in the best
                                         mutual interests of the Executive and the Company, and carried out in a manner that is
                                         generally consistent with accepted industry standards for the provision of such General
                                         Services.

    	1

    	 

    

 

	H.		This
                                         Agreement when duly signed and accepted by the Executive; will define the duties, responsibilities
                                         and obligations of the Executive; set forth and provide the consideration, expense allowances
                                         and any other consideration offered or provided to the Executive hereunder; and as offered
                                         by the Company to other independent contractors providing professional services and consulting
                                         services to the Company.

 

NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the recited ongoing relationship of the Parties and the promises, covenants, assurances, agreements
and financial compensation provided by and between the Parties all of which is mutually acknowledged as good and sufficient consideration,
by and between the Parties hereto, and the Company and the Executive hereby promise, covenant and agree as follows:

 

		1.	Remuneration
		 	 
		1.1	The
                                         Company shall pay to the Executive a monthly fee of $2,000.00 (the “Executive Fee”)
                                         and an expense allowance in such amounts as may from time to time be agreed to by and
                                         between the Executive and the Company.
		 	 
		1.2	Notwithstanding
                                         any prior issuances of common stock of the Company, the Company shall issue to the Executive
                                         1,000,000 shares of common stock at a per share price of $0.01.
		 	 
		1.3	The
                                         terms and conditions for payment of monthly service fees, expense allowances, reimbursement
                                         for the cost of providing the General Services, and other similar matters relating to
                                         financial consideration payable to the Executive hereunder are only binding on the Parties
                                         and form part of this Agreement when reduced to writing, signed by the Parties or their
                                         respective authorized signatories, and provided in the body of this Agreement.
		 	 
		1.3	The
                                         compensation provided for herein will be inclusive of any remuneration otherwise payable
                                         to the Executive may be for serving as a director of the Company or any subsidiary of
                                         the Company at the request of the Company during the currency of this Agreement.

 

	2.	Expenses

 

		2.1	The
                                         Company shall reimburse the Executive the full amount for all expenses reasonably incurred
                                         by the Executive in the proper performance of the General Services, where such expenses
                                         are pre-approved under this Agreement, pre-approved by the Company’s Board of Directors
                                         (the “Board”) or the controller of the Company at any specified rate or amount,
                                         or upon the Executive providing such receipts or other evidence as the Company may reasonably
                                         require.

 

	3.	Term
    and Notice of Termination and Termination of the Agreement

 

	3.1		The
                                         term of this Agreement shall be three years commencing on the Effective Date above and
                                         continue on for a two-year period at which date it shall terminate (herein called
                                         the “Termination Date”). The Agreement may be renewed on an annual basis
                                         thereafter upon the mutual consent of the Parties.

 

		3.2	Any
                                         Party can terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice (herein called
                                         “Notice of Termination”) to the other Parties. If the Company terminates
                                         the Agreement prior to the Termination Date for any reason other than the Executive’s
                                         gross negligence, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to six (6) months
                                         of Executive Fees within thirty (30) days of written notice of termination.

 

    	2

    	 

    

 

		3.3	The
                                         Executive is required to provide Notice of Termination herein to the Company and his
                                         failure to do so will entitle the Company to only pay the Executive Fee on a prorated
                                         basis up to the date of the Notice of Termination by the Executive without notice.
		 	 
		3.4	All
                                         expenses and other reimbursable cost payable to the Executive hereunder are payable to
                                         the date of effective Notice of Termination as provided hereunder.

 

	4.	General
    Services

		4.1	During
                                         the continuance of this Agreement the Company hereby agrees to appoint and to retain
                                         the Executive as the President/Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, Treasurer/Chief Financial
                                         Officer of the Company, respectively. The Executive hereby agrees to be subject to the
                                         direction and supervision of, and to have such authority as is delegated to the Executive
                                         by, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), consistent with
                                         such positions. The Executive also agrees to provide such related services, associated
                                         with the positions of President/Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, Treasurer/Chief Financial
                                         Officer, as the Board may, from time to time, reasonably assign to the Executive and
                                         as may be necessary for the ongoing maintenance and development of the Company’s
                                         various Business interests during the continuance of this Agreement (herein collectively
                                         described as the “General Services”).
		 	 
		4.2	It
                                         being expressly acknowledged and agreed by the Parties that the Executive will commit
                                         to and provide to the Company the General Services on the basis set forth herein. In
                                         this regard it is hereby acknowledged and agreed that the Executive, as President/Chief
                                         Executive Officer, Secretary, Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, shall be entitled to
                                         communicate with and shall rely upon the immediate advice, direction and instructions
                                         of the Board of Directors as a whole.
		 	 
		4.3	Without
                                         in any manner limiting the generality of the General Services to be provided as set forth
                                         in Section 5.1 and 5.2 herein and subject to the provisions of letter “G”
                                         of the Recitals hereof, it is hereby also acknowledged and agreed that Executive will,
                                         during the continuance of this Agreement, devote a substantial amount of professional
                                         and business effort, energy and enterprise, both as to the time and commitment, to the
                                         General Services.
		 	 
		4.4	The
                                         Executive will perform the said General Services faithfully, diligently, to the best
                                         of the Executive’s capabilities with the resources at its disposal and in the best
                                         interests of the Company.
		 	 
		4.5	Included
                                         in the general definition and meaning of General Services, hereunder, are those duties,
                                         responsibilities and obligations that the Executive has agreed to be bound by as a Director.
		 	 
		4.6	In
                                         any event the Executive will not engage in any activity which is in a conflict of interests
                                         with its engagement under this Agreement or contrary to the best interests of the Company.
                                         In that regard, the Executive and the Company shall regularly consult and make necessary
                                         and appropriate records available to one another to assure them, and each of them, that
                                         no potential or actual conflict of interest arises in the performance of the responsibilities
                                         hereunder by the Executive.

 

	5.	Confidentiality,
    Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Circumvention

 

		5.1	Subject
                                         to the provisions of Section 5.6 hereof to prevent conflicts of interest, the Executive
                                         hereby covenants, promises and agrees that he will be provided with confidential, proprietary
                                         and valuable information by the Company about its clients, properties, prospects and
                                         financial circumstances from time to time during the currency of this Agreement, in order
                                         to permit the Executive to properly, effectively and efficiently carry out its tasks,
                                         duties and activities hereunder. However, by providing such disclosure of Confidential
                                         Information to the Executive, the Company relies on the Executive to hold such information
                                         as confidential and only disclose the same to those parties, whether directors, officers,
                                         employees, agents, representatives or clients and contacts of the Executive “who
                                         need to know”, in order that the Executive can carry out the objects of this Agreement
                                         as provided for herein and as communicated as between the Company and the Executive during
                                         the currency of this Agreement. Due to the nature of the relationship of the Executive
                                         to the Company no more precise limitations can be placed on the Executive’s use
                                         and disclosure of Confidential Information received from the Company pursuant hereto
                                         than as described herein.

 

    	3

    	 

    

 

		5.2	The
                                         general nature of the Agreement between the Parties is that the Executive (also called
                                         the “Independent Contractor”) acting as an independent contractor and consultant
                                         to the Company, whereby the Independent Contractor will act on the Company’s behalf
                                         in the promotion of the Company’s interests and by way of introductions, consulting
                                         to and advising of the Company on matters related to the Business. With the broad mandate
                                         and scope of this relationship the Company must rely on the fiduciary duty of good faith
                                         that the Executive owes the Company as provided under this Agreement and as an Officer
                                         of the Company, when the Company is making disclosure to the Independent Contractor of
                                         Confidential Information about Business opportunities and competitive advantages which
                                         the Company has cultivated and developed. All Confidential Information disclosed to the
                                         Executive is disclosed on the strict condition that the Independent Contractor, will
                                         not now or at any future time, use such Confidential Information received from the Company
                                         hereunder in any manner inconsistent with the best interests of the Company, except with
                                         the express written permission of the Company. The result of these terms and conditions
                                         of disclosure of Confidential Information to the Independent Contractor by the Company
                                         is that the Independent Contractor will:

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                (a)       Only
                                         disclose such Confidential Information on a “need to know” basis, but it
                                         will be up to the Independent Contractor’s reasonable discretion in acting on behalf
                                         of and in the best interests of the Company to determine what group or groups “need
                                         to know” about such information pursuant to the nature and scope of this Agreement;

                                                                                 

                                                                                (b)       The
                                         disclosure of Confidential Information from the Company to the Independent Contractor
                                         further to the intents and purposes of this Agreement will prohibit the Independent Contractor
                                         from directly or indirectly using the Confidential Information in a manner that is in
                                         conflict with or contrary to the best interests of the Company, except with the Company’s
                                         written consent;

                                                                                 

                                                                                (c)       The
                                         Independent Contractor will not use Confidential Information in a manner that in the
                                         view of the Company would constitute a direct or indirect use for a purpose which is
                                         in competition with the best interests of the Company or would be a circumvention of
                                         the Company’s right or interest in a particular Business opportunity.

                                                                                 

                                                                                (d)       The
                                         meaning of Confidential Information (herein called “Confidential Information”)
                                         will include any information disclosed by the Company that is declared by the Company
                                         either verbally or in writing, depending on the means of communication of such Confidential
                                         Information by the Company to the Independent Contractor.

                                                                                 

                                                                                (e)       The
restrictions on disclosure of Confidential Material do not apply to any of the following circumstances: 

 

	 	(i)	Information
                                         forming part of the public domain, which became such through no disclosure or breach
                                         of this Agreement on the Independent Contractor’s behalf;
	 	 	 
	 	(ii)	Information
                                         which the Independent Contractor can independently prove was received from a Third Party,
                                         which was legally entitled to disclose such information;
	 	 	 
	 	(iii)	Information
                                         which the Independent Contractor is legally obligated to disclose in compliance with
                                         any applicable law, statute, regulation, order, ruling or directive of an official, tribunal
                                         or agency which is binding on the Executive, provided that the Independent Contractor
                                         must also provide the Company with notice of such disclosure at or before releasing or
                                         disclosing the Confidential Information to such official, tribunal or agency so that
                                         the Company is afforded an opportunity to file a written objection to such disclosure
                                         with such official, tribunal or agency.

 

    	4

    	 

    

 

		5.3	The
                                         Independent Contractor understands, acknowledges and agrees that the covenants to keep
                                         the Confidential Information confidential and not disclose it to Third Parties, except
                                         in conformity with this Agreement, is necessary to protect the proprietary interests
                                         of Company in such Confidential Information and a breach of these covenants would cause
                                         significant loss to the Company in regard to its competitive advantage, market opportunities
                                         and financial investment associated with protection of its Confidential Information.

 

		5.4	The
                                         Independent Contractor further understands, acknowledges and agrees that a breach of
                                         these covenants of confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-competition and non-circumvention
                                         under this Section 6 (in combination the “Covenants of Confidentiality, Non-Circumvention
                                         and Non Disclosure”), will likely cause such irreparable harm to the Company that
                                         damages alone would be an inadequate remedy and the Independent Contractor consent and
                                         agree such equitable remedies including injunctive relief against any further breach
                                         which are reasonably justified in addition to any claim for damages based on a breach
                                         of these Covenants of Confidentiality, Non-Circumvention and Non Disclosure.

 

		5.5	The
                                         Parties mutually acknowledge, confirm and agree that the Covenants of Confidentiality,
                                         Non-Circumvention and Non-Disclosure will survive Termination of this Agreement and will
                                         continue to bind the Independent Contractor to protect the Company’s interest in
                                         such Confidential Information disclosed pursuant hereto.

 

	6.	Change
    of Control.

 

		6.1	Where
                                         a Change of Control occurs prior to the Termination of this Agreement, then the Independent
                                         Contractor will be entitled at any time within one (1) month of the occurrence of the
                                         Change of Control, to terminate this Agreement by giving the other Party thirty (30)
                                         days notice in writing of the Independent Contractor’s intention to terminate the
                                         Agreement. In the event that the Independent Contractor Terminates the Agreement, then
                                         the Company or the legal successor to the Company (where a Change of Control involves
                                         a merger, take-over, acquisition or similar arrangement accompanying the Change of Control,
                                         which actually or effectively results in the elimination of the Company as a separate
                                         or subsisting legal entity whereby it is replaced by the legal successor which will hereinafter
                                         be called the “Successor Company”), will be obligated to pay a termination
                                         bonus (the “Termination Bonus”) to the Independent Contractor equal to the
                                         greater of the remaining Executive Fees for the Term of Agreement or six (6) months of
                                         Executive Fees in addition to all unpaid amounts due and owing to the Independent Contractor
                                         by the Company at the time of such Termination.

 

		6.2	Payment
                                         of the Termination Bonus to the Executive pursuant to sub-section 7.1 will be made by
                                         the Company or the Successor Company within thirty (30) days of the date that the notice
                                         of termination was delivered by the terminating Party, and such Termination Bonus will
                                         only be payable where:

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                (a)      the
                                         Independent Contractor is not in breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement
                                         such that the Company or the Successor Company, as the case may be, is legally entitled
                                         to terminate this Agreement pursuant hereto, and

 

    	5

    	 

    

 

 

		(b)      the
    Independent Contractor delivers a duly executed copy of such signed release and waiver of claim as prepared by the Company
    or the Successor Company pursuant to the settlement that: such Termination Bonus together with all other outstanding monies
    duly owing to the Executive will, upon payment pursuant to this sub-sections 7.2 and 7.3, constitute a full and final payment
    and consideration, in settlement of any and all outstanding claims or potential claims, that the Independent Contractor has
    or may have against the Company or the Successor Company, or their respective Board of Directors, Officers, successors or
    other assigns, arising out of or in relation to the Independent Contractor relationship to the Company or the Successor Company
    under this Agreement.

 

	7.	Governing
    Law, Jurisdiction and Currency

 

		7.1	This
                                         Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State
                                         of Nevada, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

 

		7.2	Unless
                                         otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties, any action, proceeding or arbitration
                                         in regard to a dispute or direction relating to the subject matter of this Agreement
                                         will be solely within the jurisdiction of the appropriate court, tribunal or arbitrator
                                         of competent jurisdiction within the State of Nevada.

 

		7.3	Unless
                                         otherwise expressly provided for herein or agreed upon in writing by the Parties, all
                                         references to money or money consideration are deemed to be in United States Currency
                                         (“US$”)

 

	8.	Notice

 

		8.1	All
                                         notices to be given with respect to this Agreement, unless otherwise provided for, shall
                                         be given to Cleary, the Company and the Executive at the respective addresses, fax numbers
                                         and email addresses shown below or otherwise communicated by the Parties to each other
                                         for such notice and service matters during the currency of this Agreement.

 

		8.2	All
                                         notices, requests, demands or other communications made by a Party will be deemed to
                                         have been duly delivered: (i) on the date of personal delivery utilizing a process server,
                                         courier or other means of physical delivery to the intended recipient (“Personal
                                         Service”); or (ii) on the date of facsimile transmission (the “Fax”)
                                         on proof of receipt of the Fax; or (iii) on the date of electronic mail (the “email”)
                                         with verifiable proof of receipt of such email; or (iv) on the seventh (7th)
                                         day after mailing by registered mail with postage prepaid (“Registered Mail”),
                                         to the Party’s address, Fax number, email address set out in this Agreement or
                                         such other addresses Fax numbers or email address as the Parties or their Representatives
                                         may have from time to time during the currency of this Agreement or thereafter and communicated
                                         to the other Parties for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

	9.	Entire
    Agreement

 

		9.1	This
                                         Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject
                                         matter hereof and replaces, restates in full and supersedes all other prior agreements
                                         and understandings, both written and oral.

 

    	6

    	 

    

 

	10	Assignments

 

		10.1	The
                                         Parties agree that neither will assign this Agreement without prior written consent of
                                         the other Party.

 

	11.	Inurement

 

		11.1	This
                                         Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective
                                         successors and authorized assigns. Any attempt by either party to assign any rights,
                                         duties or obligations that may arise under this Agreement without the prior written consent
                                         of the other party shall be void.

 

	12.	Entire
    Agreement and Severance

 

		12.1	This
                                         document contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject
                                         matter hereof, and neither Party is relying on any agreement, representation, warranty,
                                         or other understanding not expressly stated herein. In the event that any provision of
                                         this Agreement will be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any circumstances,
                                         the remaining provisions will nevertheless remain in full force and effect and will be
                                         construed as if the unenforceable portion or portions were deleted.

 

	13.	Time
    if of the Essence

 

		13.1	Time
                                         is of the essence in this Contract. A waiver of the strict performance requirements hereunder
                                         in on instance will not constitute a waiver for any other instance where time for performance
                                         is specified herein..

 

IN WITNESS
WHEREOF this Agreement is hereby signed, sealed and duly executed by the Parties or their duly authorized signatories on the Effective
Date first above written.

 

		Legendary Ventures
    Inc.
	 	
	Date:
    July __, 2014 	By:	 

 

	Date:
    July __, 2014	 
		Zahoor Ahmad

 

 

7

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