Document:

Exhibit 10.1

  

   

  

  
    EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     

    This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 4, 2021 by and between Michael White (“Executive”)

      and Piedmont Lithium Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) (the “Effective Date”).

     

    WHEREAS, Executive is party to that certain Employment Agreement with Piedmont Lithium Carolinas, Inc. (“Piedmont Carolinas”)

      and Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont Australia”) dated April 22, 2021 (the “Prior Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which Executive serves as Executive Vice President
      and Chief Financial Officer of Piedmont Carolinas;

     

    WHEREAS, Piedmont Australia has completed a transaction pursuant to which the business of Piedmont Australia was redomiciled in the United States and is now
      operated by the Company;

     

    WHEREAS, the Company wishes to supersede the Prior Employment Agreement and employ Executive, and Executive wishes to accept employment with the Company, as
      the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

     

    ARTICLE I

    DEFINITIONS

     

    For purposes of the Agreement, the following terms are defined as follows:

     

    1.1.         “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     

    1.2.       “Cause” means any of the following: (A) the willful or negligent failure by Executive to perform Executive’s duties under this
      Agreement; (B) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal benefit; (C) willful breach by Executive of any of the restrictive covenants set forth in Articles V, VI or VII of this Agreement; (D) indictment, arraignment, or the filing of a criminal
      complaint against Executive for any misdemeanor involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or any felony; (E) any other willful conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, its business, or its reputation; or (F)
      disqualification from holding office as a member of the Board. For purposes of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive not in good faith and
      without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Except in the case of grounds described in clause (D) above, the Executive shall not be considered to have been terminated for Cause unless the
      Board has first provided him with (1) written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the alleged conduct constituting grounds for Cause, (2) a reasonable opportunity to meet with the Board and to contest such grounds with counsel of Executive’s
      choosing, and (3) if such grounds are susceptible to cure, a period of at least 30 days within which to effect such cure.

     

    
      
        

    

    
    1.3.        “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Piedmont Lithium Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) or any successor equity compensation plan of the Company.

     

    1.4.         “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

     

    1.5.         “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     

    1.6.       “Covered Termination” means (i) an Involuntary Termination Without Cause or (ii) a voluntary termination for Good Reason. For
      the avoidance of doubt, neither (x) the termination of Executive’s employment as a result of Executive’s death or Disability nor (y) the expiration of this Agreement due to non-renewal pursuant to the terms of Section 2.2 of this Agreement will be
      deemed to be a Covered Termination.

     

    1.7.      “Disability” means Executive’s inability (as determined by an independent physician appointed by the Company and reasonably
      acceptable to Executive or Executive’s representatives) due to accident or physical or mental illness, to adequately and fully perform the duties that Executive was performing for the Company when the disability began, with the reasonable
      expectation, based on the advice of such independent physician, that such inability will continue for at least 90 consecutive days, or for at least 180 non-consecutive days during any 12-month period. Any determination made by such independent
      physician will be final, conclusive, and binding upon the Company, Executive, and their successors in interest.

     

    1.8.       “Good Reason” means any of the following taken without Executive’s written consent:  (i) failure or refusal by the Company to
      comply in any material respect with the material terms of this Agreement, (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s duties, title, authority or responsibilities, (iii) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary (unless the annual base salary of
      all other executive officers is similarly reduced), or (iv) the Company requiring Executive to relocate his personal residence from Houston, Texas, provided that any request or directive from the Company pursuant to any stay-at-home or work from home
      or similar law, order, directive, request or recommendation from a governmental entity shall not give rise to Good Reason under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s resignation shall not constitute a resignation for “Good
      Reason” as a result of any event described in the preceding sentence unless (x) Executive provides written notice thereof to the Company within thirty (30) days after the first occurrence of such event, (y) to the extent correctable, the Company
      fails to remedy such circumstance or event within thirty (30) days following the Company’s receipt of such written notice and (z) the effective date of Executive’s resignation for “Good Reason” is not later than ninety (90) days after the initial
      existence of the circumstances constituting Good Reason.

     

    1.9.         “Involuntary Termination Without Cause” means Executive’s dismissal or discharge by the Company other than for Cause or by
      reason of Executive’s death or Disability.

     

    1.10.      “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued
      thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date.

     

    1.11.     “Separation from Service” means Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning
      of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

     

    
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    ARTICLE II

    EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY

     

    2.1.       Position and Duties. Subject to terms set forth herein, Executive shall serve in an executive capacity and shall perform such
      duties as are customarily associated with the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and such other duties as are assigned to Executive by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Board. During the term of Executive’s
      employment with the Company, Executive will devote Executive’s best efforts and substantially all of Executive’s business time and attention (except for vacation periods and absences due to reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities
      permitted by the Company’s general employment policies or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement) to the business of the Company.

     

    2.2.       Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate upon the termination of Executive’s
      employment under this Agreement (the “Term”).

     

    2.3.       Employment at Will. The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment with the Company at any time, with
      or without cause, and, in the case of a termination by the Company, with or without prior notice. In addition to Executive’s right to resign for Good Reason, Executive shall have the right to resign at any time and for any reason or no reason at all,
      upon sixty (60) days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided, however, that if Executive has provided a resignation notice to the Company, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, that such termination shall be effective on any
      date prior to the effective date of termination provided in such notice (and, if such earlier date is so required, then it shall not change the basis for Executive’s termination of employment nor be construed or interpreted as a termination of
      Executive’s employment by the Company) and any requirement to continue salary or benefits shall cease as of such earlier date. Upon certain terminations of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive may become eligible to receive the
      severance benefits provided in Article IV of this Agreement.

     

    2.4.        Deemed Resignations. Except as otherwise determined by the Board or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Executive and the
      Company or any of its affiliates prior to the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, any termination of Executive’s employment shall constitute, as applicable, an automatic resignation of Executive: (a) as an
      officer of the Company and each of its affiliates; (b) from the Board; and (c) from the board of directors or board of managers (or similar governing body) of any affiliate of the Company and from the board of directors or board of managers (or
      similar governing body) of any corporation, limited liability entity, unlimited liability entity or other entity in which the Company or any of its affiliates holds an equity interest and with respect to which board of directors or board of managers
      (or similar governing body) Executive serves as such designee or other representative of the Company or any of its affiliates. Executive agrees to take any further actions that the Company or any of its affiliates reasonably requests to effectuate or
      document the foregoing.

     

    2.5.        Employment Policies. The employment relationship between the parties shall also be governed by the general employment
      policies and practices of the Company, including those relating to protection of confidential information and assignment of inventions, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment
      policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

     

    
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    ARTICLE III

    COMPENSATION

     

    3.1.        Base Salary. As of the Effective Date, Executive shall receive for services to be
      rendered hereunder an annualized base salary of $350,000 (“Base Salary”), payable on the regular payroll dates of the Company (but no less often than monthly), subject to increase in the sole discretion of the
      Board or a committee of the Board.

     

    3.2.        Annual Bonus. For each calendar year ending during the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance
      bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) (i) targeted at fifty percent (50%) of Base Salary (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will not be calculated on a pro-rated basis for 2021) or such other amount as determined in the
      sole discretion of the Board or a committee of the Board (the “Target Bonus”), (ii) with a maximum Annual Bonus opportunity equal to 200% of the Target Bonus, and (iii) on such terms and conditions determined
      by the Board or a committee of the Board. The actual amount of any Annual Bonus (if any) will be determined in the discretion of the Board or a committee of the Board and will be (i) subject to achievement of any applicable bonus objectives and/or
      conditions determined by the Board or a committee of the Board and (ii) subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the date the Annual Bonus is paid (except as otherwise provided in Section 4.1). The Annual Bonus for any
      calendar year will be paid at the same time as bonuses for other Company executives are paid related annual bonuses generally, but no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year to which the bonus relates.

     

    3.3.       Standard Company Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to all rights and benefits for which Executive is
      eligible under the terms and conditions of the standard Company benefits and compensation practices that may be in effect from time to time and are provided by the Company to its executive employees generally, as well as any additional benefits
      provided to Executive consistent with past practice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.3 shall not create or be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt or maintain any benefits or compensation practices at any
      time.

     

    3.4.       Paid Time Off. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to such periods of paid time off (“PTO”) each year as provided from time to time under the Company’s PTO policies and as otherwise provided for executive officers, as it may be amended from time to time, but in no event shall Executive be entitled to less than 20 days
      of PTO per year.

     

    3.5.       Equity Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive equity incentive grants as determined by the Board or a committee of the
      Board in its sole discretion. It is currently contemplated that Executive will receive an annual equity award under the Plan having a grant date fair value equal to approximately seventy-five percent (75%) of Executive’s Base Salary. All equity
      awards granted to Executive will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable award agreement approved by the Board or a committee thereof (the “Award Agreements”), which Award
      Agreements will provide for full vesting acceleration immediately upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (with performance-based awards vesting based upon the greater of the target or actual level of performance).  The initial equity awards of
      the Executive are set forth in Schedule 3.5, and are separate from and shall not be included in any other equity awards approved by the Board from time to time.

     

    
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    ARTICLE IV

    SEVERANCE AND CHANGE IN CONTROL BENEFITS

     

    4.1.        Severance Benefits. Upon Executive’s termination of employment, Executive shall receive any accrued but unpaid Base Salary
      and other accrued and unpaid compensation, including any accrued but unpaid vacation. If the termination is due to a Covered Termination, provided that Executive (A) delivers an effective general release of all claims against the Company and its
      affiliates in a form provided by the Company (a “Release of Claims”) that becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the Covered Termination and (B) continues to comply with Articles V
      through VII of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to receive the severance benefits described in Section 4.1(a) or (b), as applicable.

     

    (a)         Covered Termination Not Related to a Change in Control. If Executive’s employment terminates due to a
      Covered Termination which occurs at any time other than during the period beginning three (3) months prior to a Change in Control and ending twelve (12) months after a Change in Control (the “CIC Protection Period”),

      Executive shall receive the following:

     

    (i)          An amount equal to twelve (12) months of  Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect (or required to be in effect before any diminution that is
      the basis of Executive’s termination for Good Reason) at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, payable in a lump sum payment, less applicable withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable following the date on which the Release
      of Claims becomes effective and, in any event, no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Covered Termination; provided, however, if such sixty (60) day period falls in two different calendar years, payment will be
      made in the later calendar year.

     

    (ii)          Notwithstanding anything set forth in an award agreement or incentive plan to the contrary, (A) a pro-rata portion of Executive’s Annual Bonus
      for the fiscal year in which Executive’s termination occurs based on actual achievement of the applicable bonus objectives and/or conditions determined by the Board or a committee of the Board for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of
      the Annual Bonus that would be payable for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be equal to the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that Executive is employed by, and performing services for, the Company
      and the denominator of which is 365 days) and (B) the amount of any Annual Bonus earned, but not yet paid, for the fiscal year prior to Executive’s termination, in each case, payable, less applicable withholdings, at the same time bonuses for such
      year are paid to other senior executives of the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year of Executive’s termination of employment.

     

    (iii)        Subject to Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for the
      premium for Executive and Executive’s covered dependents to maintain continued health coverage pursuant to the provisions of COBRA through the earlier of (A) the twelve-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and (B)
      the date Executive and Executive’s covered dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive under its group
      health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in
      substantially equal monthly installments.

     

    
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    (iv)        Equity Award Treatment.  Notwithstanding anything set forth in an Award Agreement or the Plan to the
      contrary, all equity awards granted to Executive that are outstanding and unvested as of immediately prior to Executive’s termination of employment shall become immediately and fully vested as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment
      (with performance-based awards vesting based upon the target level of performance).

     

    (b)         Covered Termination Related to a Change in Control. If Executive’s employment terminates due to a Covered
      Termination that occurs during the CIC Protection Period, Executive shall receive the following:

     

    (i)           An amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (i) Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect (or required to be in effect before any diminution
      that is the basis of Executive’s termination for Good Reason) at the time of Executive’s termination of employment and (ii) Executive’s Target Bonus in effect for the year in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs, payable in a lump sum
      payment, less applicable withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable following the date on which the Release of Claims becomes effective and, in any event, no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Covered
      Termination; provided, however, if such sixty (60) day period falls in two different calendar years, payment will be made in the later calendar year.

     

    (ii)         Notwithstanding anything set forth in an award agreement or incentive plan to the contrary, (A) a pro-rata portion of Executive’s Target Bonus for
      the fiscal year in which Executive’s termination occurs (determined by multiplying the Target Bonus that would be payable for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be equal to the number of days during the fiscal year of
      termination that Executive is employed by, and performing services for, the Company and the denominator of which is 365 days) and (B) the amount of any Annual Bonus earned, but not yet paid, for the fiscal year prior to Executive’s termination, in
      each case, payable in a lump sum payment, less applicable withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable following the date on which the Release of Claims becomes effective and, in any event, no later than the sixtieth (60th) day
      following the date of the Covered Termination; provided, however, if such sixty (60) day period falls in two different calendar years, payment will be made in the later calendar year.

     

    (iii)        Subject to Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for the
      premium for Executive and Executive’s covered dependents to maintain continued health coverage pursuant to the provisions of COBRA through the earlier of (A) the twelve-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and (B)
      the date Executive and Executive’s covered dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive under its group
      health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in
      substantially equal monthly installments.

     

    
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    (iv)         The application of Section 4.1(b) following a Covered Termination for Involuntary Termination Without Cause is subject to compliance with the ASX
      Listing Rules (if applicable).

     

    4.2.         280G Provisions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or distribution Executive would
      receive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (“Payment”) would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax
      imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall either be (i) delivered in full, or (ii) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such Payment being
      subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the largest payment,
      notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control, or such
      other accounting  firm with similar expertise as designated by the Company before the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform the foregoing calculations. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such
      accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The accounting firm shall provide its calculations to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that
      time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. Any reduction in
      payments and/or benefits pursuant to this Section 4.2 will occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of
      stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits payable to Executive. Nothing in this Section 4.2 shall require the
        Company or any of its affiliates to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Executive’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

     

    4.3.         Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement:

     

    (a)         All provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative
      guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) or an exemption therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be
      excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no
      representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties,
      interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

     

    
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    (b)         If Executive is deemed at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of
      the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code which would subject
      Executive to a tax obligation under Section 409A, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six- month period measured from the date of Executive’s Separation from
      Service or (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due
      under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

     

    (c)         Any reimbursements payable to Executive pursuant to the Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than 30 days after Executive provides the
      Company with a written request for reimbursement, and to the extent that any such reimbursements are deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (i) such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to
      Executive promptly, but in no event later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense is incurred, (ii) the amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are
      eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and (iii) Executive’s right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit; provided, that

      the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period in which the arrangement is in effect.

     

    (d)          For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right
      to receive installment payments under the Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

     

    4.4.         Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided under this Agreement
      by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by another employer or by any retirement benefits received by
      Executive after the date of the Covered Termination, or otherwise.

     

    4.5.       Equity Coordination. For the avoidance of doubt, all equity awards, including stock options, restricted stock units and other
      equity-based compensation granted by the Company to Executive under the Company’s equity-based compensation plans shall be subject to the terms of such plans and Executive’s equity award agreements with respect thereto.

     

    
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    ARTICLE V

    PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS

     

    5.1.         Proprietary Information. All Company Innovations shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company without further
      compensation and are “works made for hire” as that term is defined under the United States copyright laws. Executive shall promptly notify the Company of any Company Innovations that Executive solely or jointly Creates. “Company Innovations” means all Innovations, and any associated intellectual property rights, which Executive may solely or jointly Create, during Executive’s employment with the Company, which (i) relate, at the time Created, to the
      Company’s business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (ii) were developed on any amount of the Company’s time or with the use of any of the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information, or (iii)
      resulted from any work Executive performed for the Company. “Create” means to create, conceive, reduce to practice, derive, develop or make. “Innovations” means
      processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, improvements, inventions (whether or not protectable under patent laws), works of authorship, information fixed in any tangible medium of expression (whether or not protectable under
      copyright laws), mask works, trademarks, trade names, trade dress, trade secrets, know-how, ideas (whether or not protectable under trade secret laws), and other subject matter protectable under patent, copyright, moral rights, mask work, trademark,
      trade secret or other laws regarding proprietary rights, including new or useful art, combinations, discoveries, formulae, manufacturing techniques, technical developments, discoveries, artwork, software and designs. Executive hereby assigns (and
      will assign) to the Company all Company Innovations. Executive shall perform (at the Company’s expense), during and after Executive’s employment, all acts reasonably deemed necessary or desirable by the Company to assist the Company in obtaining and
      enforcing the full benefits, enjoyment, rights and title throughout the world in the Company Innovations. Such acts may include execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of
      assignment of patent, copyright, mask work or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable Proprietary Rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company’s Innovations. “Proprietary
        Rights” means patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. No provision in this Agreement is intended to require Executive to assign or offer to assign any of Executive’s rights in any invention
      for which Executive can establish that no trade secret information of the Company was used, and which was developed on Executive’s own time, unless the invention relates to the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or
      the invention results from any work performed by Executive for the Company.

     

    5.2.        Confidentiality. In the course of Executive’s employment with the Company and the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf
      of the Company and its affiliates hereunder, Executive will be provided with, and will have access to, Confidential Information (as defined below). In consideration of Executive’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information, and as a
      condition of Executive’s employment, Executive shall comply with this Section 5.2

     

    (a)         Both during the Term and thereafter, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, Executive shall not disclose any Confidential Information to
      any person or entity and shall not use any Confidential Information except for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates.  Executive shall follow all Company policies and protocols regarding the security of all documents and other materials
      containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which Confidential Information is stored). Except to the extent required for the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates, Executive shall not
      remove from facilities of the Company or any of its affiliates any information, property, equipment, drawings, notes, reports, manuals, invention records, computer software, customer information, or other data or materials that relate in any way to
      the Confidential Information, whether paper or electronic and whether produced by Executive or obtained by the Company or any of its affiliates.  The covenants of this Section 5.2(a) shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or
      later to become known to Executive during the period that Executive is employed by or affiliated with the Company or any of its affiliates.

     

    
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    (b)          Notwithstanding any provision of Section 5.2(a) to the contrary, Executive may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential
      Information:

     

    (i)          disclosures to other employees, officers or directors of the Company or any of its affiliates who have a need to know the
      information in connection with the businesses of the Company or any of its affiliates;

     

    (ii)         disclosures to customers and suppliers when, in the reasonable and good faith belief of Executive, such disclosure is in
      connection with Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties;

     

    (iii)        disclosures and uses that are approved in writing by the Board; or

     

    (iv)       disclosures to a person or entity that has (x) been retained by the Company or any of its affiliates to provide services to the
      Company and/or its affiliates and (y) agreed in writing to abide by the terms of a confidentiality agreement.

     

    (c)          Upon the expiration of the Term, and at any other time upon request of the Company, Executive shall promptly and permanently surrender and deliver
      to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and all copies thereof and all other materials of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information and any other Company property (including any
      Company-issued computer, mobile device or other equipment) in Executive’s possession, custody or control and Executive shall not retain any such documents or other materials or property of the Company or any of its affiliates.  Within ten (10) days
      of any such request, Executive shall certify to the Company in writing that all such documents, materials and property have been returned to the Company or otherwise destroyed.

     

    
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    (d)        “Confidential Information” means all confidential, competitively valuable, non-public or proprietary
      information that is conceived, made, developed or acquired by or disclosed to Executive (whether conveyed orally or in writing), individually or in conjunction with others, during the period that Executive is employed or engaged by the Company or any
      of its affiliates (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company’s premises or otherwise) including:  (i) technical information of the Company, its affiliates, its investors, customers, vendors, suppliers or other third
      parties, including computer programs, software, databases, data, ideas, know-how, formulae, compositions, processes, discoveries, machines, inventions (whether patentable or not), designs, developmental or experimental work, techniques, improvements,
      work in process, research or test results, original works of authorship, training programs and procedures, diagrams, charts, business and product development plans, and similar items; (ii) information relating to the Company or any of its affiliates’
      businesses or properties, products or services (including all such information relating to corporate opportunities, operations, future plans, methods of doing business, business plans, strategies for developing business and market share, research,
      financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or acquisition targets or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within customers’ organizations or within the
      organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names and marks) or pursuant to which the Company or any of its affiliates owes a confidentiality obligation; and (iii) other valuable, confidential
      information and trade secrets of the Company, its affiliates, its customers or other third parties.  Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models,
      specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voice mail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts,
      improvements, discoveries, inventions and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company or its other applicable affiliates and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all
      Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include any information that (A) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or
      wrongful act of Executive or any of Executive’s agents; (B) was available to Executive on a non-confidential basis before its disclosure by the Company or any of its affiliates; (C) becomes available to Executive on a non-confidential basis from a
      source other than the Company or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other obligation with respect to confidentiality to, the Company or any of its affiliates; or (D) is
      required to be disclosed by applicable law.

     

    (e)        Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Executive from lawfully: (i) initiating communications directly
      with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by, any governmental authority regarding a possible violation of any law; (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal
      process directed to Executive from any such governmental authority; (iii) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in any action or proceeding by any such governmental authority relating to a possible violation of law; or (iv) making any
      other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law.  Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or
      state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (A) is made (1) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (2) solely for the purpose of reporting or
      investigating a suspected violation of law; (B) is made to the individual’s attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against the individual for reporting a suspected violation of law; or (C) is made in a complaint or other document filed in
      a lawsuit or proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  Nothing in this Agreement requires Executive to obtain prior authorization before engaging in any conduct described in this paragraph, or to notify the Company that Executive has engaged in
      any such conduct.

     

    
      -11-

      
        

    

    5.3.       Nondisparagement. Subject to Section 5.2(e) above, Executive agrees that from and after the Effective Date, Executive will
      not, directly or indirectly, make, publish, or communicate any disparaging or defamatory comments regarding the Company, or any of its respective current or former directors, officers, members, managers, partners, or executives. The Company agrees
      that it will counsel its senior officers and directors to not make, publish, or communicate any disparaging or defamatory comments regarding Executive. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required
      governmental testimony or filings or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings), and the foregoing limitation on the Company’s senior executives and directors shall not be
      violated by statements that they in good faith believe are necessary or appropriate to make in connection with performing their duties and obligations to the Company or any of its affiliates.

     

    5.4.       Remedies. Executive’s and the Company’s duties under this Article V shall survive termination of Executive’s employment with
      the Company and the termination of this Agreement. Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company and its affiliates as a result of a breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth in this Article V, Section 6.2 and
      Article VII, and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that would be caused to the Company and its affiliates for which they would have no other adequate remedy, Executive acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or threatened
      breach by Executive of Article V, as well as Executive’s obligations pursuant to Section 6.2 and Article VII below, would be inadequate, and Executive therefore agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in case of any such
      breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The
      aforementioned equitable relief shall not be the Company’s or any of its affiliates’ exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and each of its affiliates at law and
      equity.

     

    5.5.        Modification. The covenants in this Article V, Section 6.2 and Article VII, and each provision and portion hereof, are
      severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or portion thereof). If it is determined by an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction in
      any state that any restriction in this Article V, Section 6.2 and Article VII is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified
      or amended by the arbitrator or the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

     

    ARTICLE VI

    OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

     

    6.1.         Other Activities.

     

    (a)         Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1(b), Executive shall not, during the term of this Agreement undertake or engage in any other employment,
      occupation or business enterprise, other than ones in which Executive is a passive investor, unless Executive obtains the prior written consent of the Board; provided, however, that Executive shall be permitted to manage personal investments to the
      extent such investments do not otherwise breach the Company’s policies or the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive and the Company.

     

    
      -12-

      
        

    

    (b)          Executive may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of
      Executive’s duties hereunder.

     

    6.2.        Competition/Investments. During the term of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive shall not (except on behalf of
      the Company) directly or indirectly, whether as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, proprietor, associate, representative, consultant, or in any capacity whatsoever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by or have any
      business connection with any other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever which are known by Executive to compete directly with the Company or any of its affiliates, throughout the world, in any line of business engaged in
      (or planned to be engaged in) by the Company; provided, however, that anything above to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive may own, as a passive investor, securities of any competitor corporation, so long as Executive’s direct holdings in any
      one such corporation do not, in the aggregate, constitute more than 1% of the voting stock of such corporation.

     

    6.3.       Defense of Claims; Cooperation.  During the Term and thereafter, upon reasonable request from the Company, Executive shall use
      commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company and its affiliates in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against the Company or any of its affiliates that relate to Executive’s actual or prior areas of
      responsibility or knowledge. Executive shall further use commercially reasonable efforts to provide reasonable and timely cooperation in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, inquiry, review, investigation, process, or other matter
      (whether conducted by or before any court, arbitrator, regulatory, or governmental entity, or by or on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates), that relates to Executive’s actual or prior areas of responsibility or knowledge.

     

    ARTICLE VII

    NONINTERFERENCE

     

    Executive shall not, during the term of Executive’s employment by the Company and, solely with respect to clause (ii) below, for twelve (12) months thereafter, either on Executive’s own account or
      jointly with or as a manager, agent, officer, employee, consultant, partner, joint venturer, owner or stockholder or otherwise on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly solicit, induce attempt to solicit any of (i)
      its customers or clients to terminate their relationship with the Company or to cease purchasing services or products from the Company or (ii) its officers or employees or offer employment to any person who is an officer or employee of the Company; provided, however, that a general advertisement to which an employee of the Company responds shall in no event be deemed to result in a breach of this Article VII. If it is determined by a court of competent
      jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Article VII is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended
      by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

     

    ARTICLE VIII

    GENERAL PROVISIONS

     

    8.1.        Notices. Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal
      delivery (including personal delivery by facsimile or electronic mail) or the third day after mailing by first class mail, to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at Executive’s address as listed on the Company’s books and
      records.

     

    
      -13-

      
        

    

    8.2.       Tax Withholding. Executive acknowledges that all amounts and benefits payable under this Agreement are subject to deduction
      and withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

     

    8.3.        Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
      valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
      any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.

     

    8.4.        Clawback. Amounts paid or payable under this Agreement shall be
        subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the Company or any of its affiliates applicable to Executive, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture and/or recoupment of amounts paid
        or payable under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company and each of its affiliates reserves the right, without the consent of Executive, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures,
        including such policies and procedures applicable to this Agreement with retroactive effect.

     

    8.5.        Waiver. Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver. If either party should waive
      any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, they shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or
      any subsequent time.  The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time.

     

    8.6.       Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company and is the complete,
      final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter, and will supersede all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to
      the subject matter hereof, including, but not limited to, the Prior Employment Agreement, which shall be terminated and of no further force or effect following the Effective Date. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or
      representation other than those expressly contained herein or therein, and cannot be modified or amended except in a writing signed by a duly-authorized officer of the Company and Executive.

     

    8.7.        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more
      than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

     

    8.8.         Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a
      part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.

     

    8.9.        Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and
      the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign Executive’s rights or delegate Executive’s duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the
      Company.

     

    
      -14-

      
        

    

    8.10.     Effect of Termination.  The provisions of Section 2.4 and Articles IV, V, VII and VIII and those provisions necessary to
      interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of the employment relationship between Executive and the Company.

     

    8.11.      Third-Party Beneficiaries.  Each affiliate of the Company that is not a signatory to this Agreement shall be a third-party
      beneficiary of Executive’s obligations under Sections 2.4 and 8.14 and Articles V, VI and VII and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.

     

    8.12.      Executive Acknowledgement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that (a) Executive was represented by counsel in connection with
      the negotiation of this Agreement, and (b) that Executive has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on Executive’s own judgment.

     

    8.13.      Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by
      the law of the State of North Carolina without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the arbitration provisions of Section
      8.14 and recognize and agree that should any resort to a court be necessary and permitted under this Agreement, then they consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in North
      Carolina.

     

    8.14.     Jurisdiction. The parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter
      arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, must be brought in the United States District Court for the District of North Carolina or in the courts of the State
      of North Carolina located in Raleigh, North Carolina, so long as one of such courts has subject matter jurisdiction over such suit, action or proceeding. Any cause of action arising out of this Agreement is deemed to have arisen from a transaction of
      business in the State of North Carolina. Each of the parties irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the
      fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding which is brought in any such court has
      been brought in an inconvenient form. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.

     

    [Signature page follows]

     

    
      -15-

      
        

    

    In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

    

    

    	 	
            PIEDMONT LITHIUM INC.

          
	 	 	 
	 	By:	
            /s/ Keith Phillips

          
	 	 	
            Keith Phillips

          
	 	 	 
	 	
            Title:  Chief Executive Officer

          

    

    

    	
            Accepted and Agreed:

          	 
	 	 
	
            /s/ Michael White

          	 
	
            Michael White

          	 

     

    
      [Signature page to Executive Employment Agreement for Michael White]

    

     

    

    
      
        

    

    SCHEDULE 3.5

    

    

    Initial Equity Awards

    

    

    Subject to obtaining the necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, the Company will grant Executive an initial stock grant of shares in the Company, vesting on the following schedule:

    

    

    	

          	1.	
            3,334 shares which vest upon 12 months continuous service;

          

    	

          	2.	
            3,333 shares which vest upon 24 months continuous service; and

          

    	

          	3.	
            3,333 shares which vest upon 36 months continuous service.

          

    

    

    

    

    -2-box-ex105_277.htm

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

	

	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
	
 

 

 

April 7, 2021

 

Box, Inc.

900 Jefferson Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94063

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Re:Limited Consent.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 27, 2017 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 12, 2019, that certain letter agreement dated as of September 27, 2019, that certain letter agreement dated as of April 17, 2020, that certain letter agreement dated as of February 2, 2021 and as otherwise amended, restated or otherwise modified and in effect immediately prior to the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”), by and between BOX, INC. (“Borrower”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Lender”). Capitalized terms not defined in this letter agreement (this “Agreement”) are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Borrower has requested that the Lender consent to (a) the issuance of up to $500,000,000 of convertible preferred stock of the Borrower (the “Preferred Stock”) on substantially the terms set forth in the proposal attached hereto as Exhibit A, (b) the repurchase of common Equity Interests of the Borrower with the proceeds of the issuance of the Preferred Stock, (c) the accrual of dividends with respect to the Preferred Stock and (d) conversion of the Preferred Stock into common stock of the Borrower and the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection therewith (collectively, the “Specified Transactions”).

 

Upon effectiveness of this Agreement, the Lender hereby consents to the Specified Transactions (the “Limited Consent”). For the avoidance of doubt, the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection with any conversion of the Preferred Stock to common stock shall not cause the Preferred Stock to constitute Disqualified Equity Interests. The Limited Consent shall apply only to the matters set forth in this paragraph. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Limited Consent shall not apply to any future circumstances whether or not similar to the foregoing. Notwithstanding the Limited Consent, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any payment in cash by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of the Preferred Stock (including any cash redemptions of the Preferred Stock) shall in each case constitute an 

 

 

unpermitted Restricted Payment under Section 6.02(c) of the Credit Agreement and result in an immediate Event of Default, except in each case to the extent such cash payment is permitted by the terms of Section 6.02(c) of the Credit Agreement.

 

The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective upon the Lender’s receipt of counterparts of this Agreement executed by the Lender and the Borrower. Upon satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the Lender shall promptly confirm the same in an e-mail to the Borrower Upon such effectiveness, all references to the Credit Agreement in the Loan Documents shall refer to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Agreement.

 

In consideration for the Limited Consent, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Lender a consent fee in the amount of $10,000, which consent fee shall be fully earned on the date hereof and due and payable in full in cash on the date 5 Business Days after the date hereof.

 

The Borrower hereby confirms that (i) the representations and warranties contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete in all material respects (or, in the case of any such representation or warranty already qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true, correct and complete in all material respects (or, in the case of any such representation or warranty already qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of such earlier date and (ii) no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Except as specifically modified herein, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed by the Borrower in all respects. This Agreement may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, any set of which signed by all the parties hereto shall be deemed to constitute a complete, executed original for all purposes. Transmission by facsimile, “pdf” or similar electronic copy of an executed counterpart of this letter agreement shall be deemed to constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, or any other state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and the parties to this Agreement consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California without giving effect to its choice of law principles which would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction.

 

[This Space Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

2

 

This letter agreement is a Loan Document as defined in the Credit Agreement, and the expense reimbursement, indemnification, waiver of jury trial, consent to jurisdiction and other provisions of the Credit Agreement generally applicable to Loan Documents are applicable hereto and incorporated herein by this reference and this letter agreement shall be interpreted, construed and enforced as if all such provisions were set forth in full in this letter agreement. 

 

	
Sincerely,

	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

	
ASSOCIATION, as Lender

	
By:
	
 
	
/s/ Travis Padgett

	
Name:
	
 
	
Travis Padgett

	
Title:
	
 
	
Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Limited Consent – Box (Preferred Stock)]

 

 

	
Accepted and agreed to:

	
BOX, INC.,

	
a Delaware corporation

	
By:
	
 
	
/s/ Jeff Mannie

	
Name:
	
 
	
Jeff Mannie

	
Title:
	
 
	
VP Controller, CAO

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Limited Consent – Box (Preferred Stock)]

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Term Sheet
(see attached)

 

 

 

Revised KKR Proposal

 

The terms set forth below are for the purpose of soliciting the principal terms on which KKR along with a group of financial institutions (each, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”) would be willing to make an investment in Box, Inc. (“Box” or the “Company”). This Term Sheet is intended solely as a basis for further discussion and is not intended to be and does not constitute a legally binding obligation. No other legally binding obligations will be created, implied or inferred until definitive agreements, if any, are executed and delivered by all parties.

 

	
 
	
Size
	
$500 million (the “Face Amount”)

 

	
 
	
Security
	
Convertible preferred stock

 

	
 
	
Use of Proceeds
	
Share buyback and general corporate purposes

 

	
 
	
Yield
	
3.0% per annum compounding quarterly, paid-in-kind (“PIK”), or paid in cash, at the Company’s election. Participates ratably with the holders of the Company’s common stock, in all dividends paid on the common stock when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors.
	
 

 

	
 
	
Conversion Price
	
30% premium to the 10 trading day volume weighted average stock price after announcement of the transaction, up to a maximum conversion price of $27.00 and a minimum of $24.00 (subject to customary structural anti-dilution protection).
	
 

 

	
 
	
Conversion
	
Convertible at anytime after issuance by holder.

 

Following the 3rd anniversary of the closing, the Company can force conversion if stock VWAP exceeds 200% of Conversion Price for 20 out of 30 consecutive days prior to the conversion notice (including the last trading day in such 30-day period). Customary conversion cap to comply with NYSE 20% rule.

 

	
 
	
Liquidation Preference 
	
Greater of (i) the Face Amount, plus accrued and unpaid dividends and

(ii) as-converted value.

 

	
 
	
Maturity
	
No maturity.

 

	
 
	
Governance
	
KKR shall have the right to elect at least one board seat (the “Investor Representative”), so long as KKR continues to hold at least 50% of initial preferred or common stock underlying initial preferred purchased by it on the issue date (to the extent permissible pursuant to applicable stock exchange rules). [John Park] shall be the initial Investor Representative and shall serve as a Class II director. The Investor Representative will not be entitled to any compensation from the Company for his service.
	
 

pg. 1

 

 

 

The Investor Representative shall be elected to the audit committee and the compensation committee of the Board for so long as Investor has board designation rights (or a non-voting observer to the extent stock exchange rules do not permit a director seat on such committee).

 

The Investor Representative’s participation or attendance in meetings of the Board or any committee thereof shall be subject to customary exceptions for conflicts of interest.

 

	
 
	
Investor Redemption
	
Upon the seventh anniversary of the Closing Date, each holder may require the Company to redeem all or a portion of the Preferred Stock at the Liquidation Preference
	
 

 

	
 
	
Change of Control
	
Upon a change of control with prior written notice, unless earlier converted, the Preferred Stock will be automatically redeemed at a Repurchase Price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the Face Amount of the Preferred Stock subject to repurchase, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, plus an undiscounted make-whole premium consisting of dividends through the fifth anniversary of the closing and (b) the as- converted value
	
 

 

	
 
	
Company Redemption
	
The Company may redeem the Preferred Stock in whole or in part, ratably, beginning five years after the Closing Date at 105% of the purchase price, after six years at 102% of the purchase price and after seven years at 100%, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid dividends, payable in cash
	
 

 

Each Holder of Preferred Stock to have right to convert prior to such redemption

 

	
 
	
Restrictions
	
Convertible Preferred (and underlying common stock) not transferable for 1 year, except to affiliates and other customary exceptions to be mutually agreed; no Investor can enter into or engage in any hedge, swap, short sale, derivative transaction or other agreement or arrangement that transfers to any third party, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Convertible Preferred (or underlying common stock) during the period commencing on the date of signing of the definitive agreement and ending on the 1 year anniversary of the Closing Date (with customary CUSIP registration after 1 year anniversary of the Closing Date); never transferable to any person that, together with its affiliates, would hold greater than 5% of outstanding shares (on an as converted basis) or to any “activist”1 investor or any competitor of the Company.
	
 

 

 

1Note to draft: Defined term to be agreed in definitive documents; propose the following definition for discussion: “Activist” means, as of any date of determination, a Person (other than the Investors or their Affiliates) that has, directly or indirectly through its Affiliates, whether individually or as a member of a “group” (as defined in Section

 

pg. 2

 

 

 

Governance rights not transferable (other than registration rights)

 

Each Investor to agree to customary standstill for 1 year, prohibiting, among other things, purchases of debt or equity securities of the Company above thresholds to be agreed. With respect to KKR only, the standstill shall apply until the date that is 6 months after the later of

(i) the date that KKR no longer has a right to designate its board seat and (ii) the date that KKR, together with their affiliates, in the aggregate, no longer owns at least 25% of initial preferred or common stock underlying initial preferred purchased by it on the issue date.

 

	
 
	
Registration Rights
	
Customary demand and piggyback registration rights

 

	
 
	
Voting
	
Vote on as-converted basis with common stock; each Investor (including any transferee) to agree to vote Preferred Stock (and underlying common stock) in accordance with the recommendation of the Board, excluding actions which would disproportionally affect the Preferred Stock, until September 30, 2024; provided, that in no event shall a transaction constituting a change of control of the Company be deemed to disproportionally affect the Preferred Stock. Voting rights to comply with NYSE 20% rule.
	
 

 

 

	
 
	
Minority Protections2
	
During the period in which the Preferred Stock remains outstanding, consent of holders of a majority of the Preferred Stock required to:
	
 

(i) alter the rights or preferences of the Preferred Stock or amend the Company’s charter documents in a manner that adversely affects the Preferred Stock; (ii) increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock; or (iii) create (by reclassification or otherwise) any new class or series of shares having rights, preferences or privileges senior to or on parity with the Preferred Stock or issue additional shares of Preferred Stock; or (iv) special dividends above a to be agreed upon amount.

 

 

 

13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), within the three-year period immediately preceding such date of determination (i) called or publicly sought to call a meeting of the stockholders or other equityholders of any Person not publicly approved (at the time of the first such action) by the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person, (ii) publicly initiated any proposal for action by stockholders or other equityholders of any Person initially publicly opposed by the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person, (iii) publicly sought election to, or to place a director or representative on, the board of directors or similar governing body of a Person, or publicly sought the removal of a director or other representative from such board of directors or similar governing body, in each case which election or removal was not recommended or approved publicly (at the time such election or removal is first sought) by the board of directors or governing body of such Person or (iv) publicly disclosed any intention, plan or arrangement to do any of the foregoing.

2 As discussed with MS, will include limited and customary minority sacred rights with respect to issues solely amongst Investors.

pg. 3

 

 

 

Other than above, no operating or financial covenants or consent or veto rights.

 

	
 
	
Preemptive Rights
	
Customary preemptive rights to participate in future equity issuances, in each case, subject to customary exceptions
	
 

 

	
 
	
Expenses
	
Company to reimburse Investor’s out-of-pocket expenses in

connection with the investment, subject to an aggregate cap for all Investors of $750,000.

 

	
 
	
Exclusivity
	
Company shall exclusively negotiate with KKR and cease discussions with other potential investors through the Closing Date. There shall be no other issues of competing equity or debt securities being offered, placed or arranged.
	
 

 

	
 
	
Closing Conditions
	
HSR and any other required regulatory clearance; and other customary closing conditions. Completion of confirmatory business, financial, legal, accounting and tax due diligence prior to signing.
	
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pg. 4

 

 

 

 

 

	
Sincerely,

	
KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO. L.P.

	
By: KKR & Co., LLC, its general partner

	
 

	
 

	
By:
	
 
	
/s/ John Park

	
Name:
	
 
	
John Park

	
Title:
	
 
	
Member

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