Document:

exv10w4

 

Exhibit 10.4

DOBSON COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

(Effective as of March 1, 2007)

Purpose

     The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors of Dobson Communications
Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating
to compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and the Company’s other
corporate officers annually appointed by the Board (collectively, and the “Officers”). The
Committee has overall responsibility for approving and evaluating all compensation plans, policies
and programs of the Company as they affect the Officers.

     The Compensation Committee is also responsible for producing an annual report on executive
compensation for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement.

Committee Membership

     The Compensation Committee shall consist of no fewer than three members. Each of the members
of the Compensation Committee shall meet the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Marketplace
Rules.

     A majority of the members of the Compensation Committee shall also qualify as ‘‘outside’’
directors within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code §162 (m) and as ‘‘non-employee’’ directors
within the meaning of Rule 16h-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

     The members of the Compensation Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board.

Meetings

     The Compensation Committee shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
The Chairman shall preside at each meeting. In the event the Chairman is not present at a meeting.
The Compensation Committee members present at that meeting shall designate one of its members as
the acting chair of such meeting.

Committee Responsibilities and Authority

	1.	 	The Compensation Committee shall, at least annually, review and approve the annual
base salaries, bonus payments and other annual incentive opportunities of the Officers.
	 
	2.	 	The Compensation Committee shall, periodically and as and when appropriate, review and
approve the following as they affect the Officers: (a) all stock option grants and other
incentive awards and opportunities. including both cash-based and equity-based awards and
opportunities; (b) any employment agreements and severance arrangements; (c) any
change-in-control agreements and change-in-control provisions affecting any elements of
compensation and benefits; and (d) any special or supplemental compensation and benefits for
the Officers and persons who formerly served as Officers, including supplemental retirement
benefits and the perquisites provided to them during and after employment.
	 
	3.	 	The Compensation Committee shall have authority to allocate and award grants of stock
options and/or restrictive stock grants in the aggregate amounts of stock as designated from
time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

 

	4.	 	The Compensation Committee shall produce the annual report of the Compensation
Committee on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement in
compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
	 
	5.	 	The Compensation Committee shall monitor the Company’s compliance with the
requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relating to 401(k) plans and loans to
directors and officers and with all other applicable laws affecting employee compensation and
benefits.
	 
	6.	 	The Committee shall oversee the Company’s compliance with the requirement under the
NASDAQ Marketplace Rules that, with limited exceptions, shareholders approve equity
compensation plans.
	 
	7.	 	The Compensation Committee shall receive periodic reports on the Company’s
compensation programs as they affect all employees.
	 
	8.	 	The Compensation Committee shall make regular reports to the Board.
	 
	9.	 	The Compensation Committee shall have the sole authority to retain and terminate any
compensation consultant to be used by the committee to assist it in the evaluation of the
compensation programs of the Company and shall have sole authority to approve the consultant’s
fees and the other terms and conditions of the consultant’s retention.
	 
	10.	 	The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees as it
deems appropriate.
	 
	11.	 	This Charter may be amended, revised or revoked by a majority vote of the Company’s
Directors.exv10wxay

 

EXHIBIT 10(a)

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into to be effective as of October 10,
2006 (the “Effective Date”), between PEERLESS MFG. CO. (“Employer”), and DAVID TAYLOR (“Employee”).

Section 1. Employment.

     1.1 Employment and Term. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Employer agrees to employ Employee pursuant to this Agreement for a term beginning on the Effective
Date and ending on the third anniversary date of the Effective Date, unless Employee’s employment
is terminated earlier as provided in Section 4 below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no
event will the term of Employee’s employment hereunder be less than 90 days from the Effective
Date. Sections 2, 3, and 5 of this Agreement shall survive any termination
of Employee’s employment with Employer.

     1.2 Duties. At all times during the course of Employee’s employment with Employer,
Employee agrees to perform the duties associated with his position diligently and to devote all of
his business time, attention and efforts to the business of Employer. Employee agrees to comply
with the policies, procedures and guidelines established by Employer from time to time. Employee
agrees to perform his duties faithfully and loyally and to the best of his abilities, and shall use
his best efforts to promote the business of Employer. Employee understands and agrees that both
the business and personal standards and ethics of Employer’s employees must at all times be above
reproach. Employee agrees to act at all times so as to reflect this high standard. Employee
further agrees to abide by all rules, policies, or procedures established by Employer from time to
time.

Section 2. Non-Competition.

     2.1 Non Competition.

     (a) Employee agrees that during the term of his employment and for a period of one (1)
year following termination of his employment (regardless of whether Employee is terminated
without Cause (as defined in Section 4.1(c) below), for Cause, voluntarily resigns
or otherwise), neither Employee nor any person or entity directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by or under common control with Employee, shall directly or indirectly, on his
own behalf or as an employee or other agent of or an investor in another person:

     (i) engage in any business conducted by Employer during Employee’s term of
employment with Employer (collectively, the “Business”);

     (ii) influence or attempt to influence any customer or supplier of Employer or
any affiliate of Employer to purchase goods or services related to the Business from
any person other than Employer or such affiliate; or

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     (iii) employ or attempt to employ any individuals who are then or have been
employees of Employer or any affiliate of Employer during the preceding 12 months,
or influence or seek to influence any such employees to leave Employer’s or such
affiliate’s employment.

     (b) Employee specifically acknowledges that Employer’s products are sold in a
world market and that Employee has been engaged with regard to Employer’s products and
Employer’s customers throughout the world without geographic limitation, and accordingly
that the restrictive covenant regarding competition contained in this Section 2.1
shall apply without geographic limitation.

     (c) Employee acknowledges that his obligations under this Section 2.1 are a
material inducement and condition to Employer’s entering into this Agreement and a material
inducement and condition to Employee receiving or having access to Confidential Information
(as defined in Section 3.1). Employee acknowledges and agrees that the terms and
provisions of this Agreement (including the severance provisions of Section 4.1) and
Employee’s receipt and access to Confidential Information are sufficient consideration for
the restrictions set forth in this Section 2.1. Employee acknowledges and agrees
further that such restrictions are reasonable as to time, geographic area and scope of
activity and do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill and
other business interests of Employer, and Employee agrees that Employer is justified in
believing the foregoing.

     (d) If any provision of this Section 2.1 should be found by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its being too broad as to the period
of time, territory, and/or scope, then, and in that event, such provision shall nevertheless
remain valid and fully effective, but shall be considered to be amended so that the period
of time, territory, and/or scope set forth shall be changed to be the maximum period of
time, the largest territory, and/or the broadest scope, as the case may be, which would be
found enforceable by such court.

     (e) Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation or attempted violation of this
Section 2.1 will cause irreparable damage to Employer or its affiliates, and
Employee therefore agrees that Employer shall be entitled as a matter of right to an
injunction, out of any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further
violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on his behalf. Employer’s right
to injunctive relief will be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by
law or equity.

Section 3. Confidentiality; Nondisparagement; Conflict of Interest.

     3.1 Confidentiality.

     (a) In the course of his employment with Employer, Employee will receive and have
access to commercially valuable, confidential or proprietary information (“Confidential
Information”). Confidential Information means all information, whether oral or written,
previously or hereafter developed, acquired or used by Employer and relating to the business
of Employer that is not generally known to

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others in Employer’s area of business, including without limitation (i) any trade
secrets, work product, processes, analyses or know-how of Employer; (ii) Employer’s
advertising, product development, strategic and business plans and information, including
customer and prospect lists; (iii) the prices at which Employer has sold or offered to sell
its products or services; and (iv) Employer’s financial statements and other financial
information.

     (b) Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is and shall be
the sole and exclusive property of Employer. Employee shall not use any Confidential
Information for his own benefit or disclose any Confidential Information to any third party
(except in the course of performing his authorized duties for Employer under this
Agreement), either during or subsequent to his employment with Employer.

     (c) Specifically, Employee agrees that, except as expressly authorized in writing by
Employer, or as may be required by law or court order, Employee shall (i) not disclose
Confidential Information to any third party, (ii) not copy Confidential Information for any
reason, and (iii) not remove Confidential Information from Employer’s premises. Upon
termination of his employment with Employer, Employee shall promptly deliver to the Employer
all Confidential Information, including documents, computer disks and other computer storage
devices and other papers and materials (including all copies thereof in whatever form)
containing or incorporating any Confidential Information or otherwise relating in any way to
the Employer’s business that are in his possession or under his control.

     (d) Employee acknowledges that Employee’s violation or attempted violation of this
Section 3.1 will cause irreparable damage to Employer or its affiliates, and
Employee therefore agrees that Employer shall be entitled as a matter of right to an
injunction, out of any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further
violation of such agreements by Employee or others acting on his behalf. Employer’s right
to injunctive relief will be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by
law or equity.

     3.2. Covenant of Nondisparagement. In consideration of this Agreement, Employee
agrees and promises that, during the term of and at all times after the termination of this
Agreement (regardless of whether Employee is terminated without Cause, for Cause, voluntarily
resigns or otherwise), not to make any libelous, disparaging or otherwise injurious statements
about or concerning Employer or any of its affiliates, their officers, employees or
representatives. Such prohibited statements include any statement that is injurious to the
business or business reputation of any of Employer, its affiliates or their employees or
representatives, but does not include reasonable statements of disagreement that Employee makes for
the purpose of protecting or enforcing any of his rights or interests hereunder or defending
against any claim or claims of Employer, so long as such statements are not slanderous or libelous
and are delivered in terms as would ordinarily be considered customary and appropriate.

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     3.3. Conflict of Interest. Employee agrees that during the term of this Agreement
without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of Employer, Employee shall not engage, either
directly or indirectly, in any activity which may involve a conflict of interest with Employer or
its affiliates (a “Conflict of Interest”), including ownership in any supplier, contractor,
subcontractor, customer or other entity with which Employer does business (other than as a
shareholder of less than one percent of a publicly traded class of securities) or accept any
material payment, service, loan, gift, trip, entertainment or other favor from a supplier,
contractor, subcontractor, customer or other entity with which Employer does business and that
Employee shall promptly inform the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of Employer as
to each offer received by Employee to engage in any such activity. Employee further agrees to
disclose to Employer any other facts of which Employee becomes aware which might involve or give
rise to a Conflict of Interest or potential Conflict of Interest.

Section 4. Termination.

     4.1 Termination by Employer.

     (a) Employer may terminate Employee’s employment without Cause upon no less than 30
days prior notice of termination to Employee. In the event of any such termination without
Cause, on the effective date of such termination Employer shall pay Employee as severance
compensation, a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the difference of (i) 75% of
Employee’s then current base salary annualized less (ii) the amount of base salary paid to
Employee from the date of Employer’s notice of termination to the effective date of such
termination. In the event of any such termination without Cause, except as aforesaid,
Employer shall have no other obligations to pay any base salary, incentive compensation or
bonus or provide for any benefits to Employee after the effective date of such termination.
As used herein, “base salary” excludes any bonus or incentive compensation.

     (b) Employer may discharge Employee for Cause at any time without prior notice. In the
event of any such termination for Cause, Employer’s obligations to pay any base salary,
incentive compensation or bonus or provide for any benefits to Employee shall terminate
immediately upon the effective date of such termination.

     (c) As used herein, “Cause” shall mean any of the following:

     (i) the conviction of Employee by a court of competent jurisdiction of any
felony or crime involving moral turpitude;

     (ii) commission by Employee of an act of fraud or other act reflecting
unfavorably upon the public image of Employer as reasonably determined by Employer’s
Board of Directors;

     (iii) the continued failure by Employee to substantially perform his duties
hereunder, or the intentional wrongdoing by Employee resulting in material injury to
Employer, in each case as reasonably determined by Employer’s Board of Directors;

     (iv) the failure by Employee to follow a reasonable directive of the Board of
Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of Employer; or

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     (v) violation of any policies or procedures of Employer, including without
limitation, any human relations policy resulting in material injury to Employer, in
each case as reasonably determined by Employer’s Board of Directors.

     4.2 Termination by Employee.

     (a) Employee may resign from Employee’s employment hereunder (whether for voluntary retirement
or otherwise) upon no less than 30 days prior notice of resignation to Employer, unless such prior
notice is otherwise waived by Employer in its absolute and sole discretion. The effective date of
Employee’s resignation shall be as stated in Employee’s notice of resignation or at the sole option
of Employer, such earlier date as determined by Employer in its sole discretion. If Employee
voluntarily resigns from his employment with Employer during the term hereof (whether for voluntary
retirement or otherwise), except as expressly set forth in Section 4.2(b) below, Employer’s
obligations to pay any base salary, incentive compensation or bonus or provide for any benefits
shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of such resignation. Upon retirement, Employee
shall be entitled to all benefits (if any) provided by Employer in the ordinary course to other
Employee officers of Employer at comparable retirement age.

     (b) If Employee resigns from Employee’s employment hereunder in accordance with Section 4.2(a)
above and at the time of such resignation at least one of the following events has continued for at
least 30 consecutive days after Employee has notified Employer in writing of the occurrence of such
event, Employer shall pay Employee an amount equal to a lump sum payment in the amount of 25% of
Employee’s then current base salary annualized, less the amount of base salary paid to Employee
from the date of notice of resignation to the effective date of such resignation. Such payment to
be made on the effective date of resignation. In addition, the Employer will pay the pro rata
portion of the annual bonus Employee would have earned pursuant to Employer’s written bonus
incentive plan (if any) if Employee had remained employed by Employer for the remainder of the
applicable calendar year, with such pro rata amount being determined in equal amounts over the
course of the calendar year (for example, 1/12 of the bonus for each month Employee was employed
during the applicable bonus year) and such amount being paid in the ordinary course consistent with
Employer’s practice. Such events include:

(i) a material adverse change in the nature or scope of the authorities,
functions or duties that Employee had as of the Effective Date;

(ii) a material adverse change in the calculation (but not the amount) of any
annual bonus or a significant reduction in scope or value in the aggregate of other monetary
or nonmonetary benefits to which Employee was entitled as of the Effective Date;

(iii) a determination by Employee made in good faith that as a result of a
change in circumstances significantly affecting his position, changes in the
composition or policies of Employer’s Board of Directors, or of other events of material
effect, he has been rendered substantially unable to carry out, or has been substantially
hindered in the performance of, the authorities, functions or duties attached to his
position asa of the Effective Date, or

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(iv) the requirements by Employer that Employee have as his principal
location of work any location not within the greater Dallas — Fort Worth, Texas
metropolitan area.

     4.3 Termination on Death of Employee. This Agreement shall terminate automatically
upon the death of Employee and all rights of Employee, his heirs, executors and administrators to
base salary shall terminate immediately; provided, however, Employer shall pay to Employee’s duly
authorized representative all incentive compensation, bonus and benefits earned or accrued but
unpaid as of the date of death, with payment of Employee’s benefits to be made as provided in
Employer’s benefit plan(s) in effect on the date of death.

     4.4 Termination by Disability. Employer may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder
upon Employee becoming Disabled (as defined below). Upon such termination, Employer shall pay
Employee an amount equal to his then current monthly base salary for a period of six months, which
payment amounts will be reduced by any disability payments Employee receives during such period
from the disability insurance provided through Employer, if any. Employee shall be entitled to all
other disability benefits then in effect (if any) provided by Employer to all other executive
officers of Employer. In the event of termination due to Employee being Disabled, except as
aforesaid, Employer shall have no other obligation to pay any base salary, incentive compensation
or bonus or provide for any benefits to Employee after the effective date of termination. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Disabled” means any mental or physical impairment lasting (or that
will last) more than 180 consecutive or non-consecutive calendar days that prevents Employee from
performing the essential functions of his position with or without reasonable accommodation as
determined by a competent physician chosen by Employer and consented to by Employee or his legal
representatives, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Employee agrees to
submit to appropriate medical examinations and authorize his physicians to release medical
information necessary to determine whether Employee is Disabled for purposes of this Agreement.

Section 5. Miscellaneous.

     5.1 Notice. Except as set forth below in this Section 5.1, any notice
under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered
personally or by overnight courier service or three days after being sent by mail, postage prepaid,
at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such person may subsequently give such
notice of:

	 	 	 
	if to Employer:
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	Peerless Mfg. Co.
	 

	 	2819 Walnut Hill Lane
	 

	 	Dallas, Texas 75229
	 

	 	Attn: Chairman, Board of Directors
	 
	 	 
	if to Employee:
	 	 
	 

	 	David Taylor
	 

	 	4532 Staten Island Court
	 

	 	Plano, Texas 75024

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the party receiving notice may waive any provisions of this
Section 5.1 in its sole and absolute discretion.

     5.2 Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns.
Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto without
the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Employer shall require any successor, and any
corporation or other person which is in control of such successor, to all or substantially all of
the business and/or assets of Employer (by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), by
agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Employee, to expressly assume and agree
to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Employer would be required
to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of Employer to obtain such agreement
prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement by
Employer. As used in this Agreement, “Employer” shall mean Employer as herein before defined and
any successor to its business and/or all or part of its assets as aforesaid which executes and
delivers the assumption agreement provided for in this Section 5.2 or which otherwise
becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

     5.3 Headings. The section headings used herein are for reference and convenience only
and shall not enter into the interpretation hereof.

     5.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts for the
convenience of the parties hereto, all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

     5.5 Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived
only by written agreement of Employer and Employee, and no course of conduct, failure or delay in
enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall effect the validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement.

     5.6 Severability. Any provision or portion of a provision of this Agreement that is
held to be invalid or unenforceable will be severable, and this Agreement will be construed and
enforced as if such provision, or portion thereof, did not comprise a part hereof, and the
remaining provisions or portions of provisions will remain in full force and effect. In lieu of
each invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as part of this Agreement
a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and
be legal, valid, and enforceable.

     5.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any conflicts of law rule or
principle that might require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

     5.8 Disputes. The parties to this Agreement agree that in the event there is a
dispute or controversy between them that cannot be settled through direct discussions, it is in the
best interests of all for such dispute or controversy to be resolved in the shortest time and with
the lowest cost of resolution as practicable. Consequently, any such dispute, controversy or claim
between the parties to this Agreement will not be litigated, but instead will be

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resolved by arbitration in accordance with Title 9 of the U.S. Code (United States Arbitration
Act) and the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “Rules”),
and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. The arbitration will be before one neutral arbitrator and will proceed under
the Expedited Procedures of said Rules. The arbitration will be held in Dallas, Texas, or such
other place as may be selected by mutual agreement. The arbitrator will have the discretion to
order a prehearing exchange of information by the parties, and to set limits for both the scope and
time period of such exchange. All issues regarding exchange requests will be decided by the
arbitrator. Neither party nor the arbitrator may disclose the existence, content or results of any
arbitration hereunder, unless required to do so by court or regulatory order, without the prior
written consent of both parties. Administrative fees and expenses of the arbitration itself will
be borne by the parties equally unless otherwise required by law, a court of competent jurisdiction
or the Rules; provided, that, in no event will Employee be required to pay in excess of $1,000 of
such fees and expenses. The arbitrator will also be authorized to award to the prevailing party
all or that fraction of its reasonable costs and fees as is deemed equitable. Costs of a party’s
representation by counsel or preparation costs for hearing are not considered administrative fees
and expenses for purposes hereof. This provision will not apply to any injunctive relief sought by
the Company or any of its affiliate under Section 2 or 3 of this Agreement.

     5.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the complete agreement between Employer
and Employee regarding the subject matter hereof and the same supersede all prior agreements or
understandings, whether oral, written or otherwise, between the parties hereto that may have
related in any way to the subject matter hereof.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

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	 	EMPLOYER:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	PEERLESS MFG. CO.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	/s/ Peter J. Burlage	 	 
	 

	 	 

Peter J. Burlage
	 	 
	 

	 	President and
Chief Executive Officer	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	EMPLOYEE:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	/s/ David Taylor
 

David Taylor
	 	 

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