Document:

grts-ex101_143.htm

 

Exhibit 10.1

GRITSTONE ONCOLOGY, INC.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), entered into as of March 2, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is between Gritstone Oncology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Rahsaan Thompson (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).  

WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage Executive to perform services as an employee of the Company under the terms hereof. 

WHEREAS, Executive desires to provide services to the Company on the terms herein provided.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, including the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

	
1.
	
Employment.

(a)General.  The Company shall employ Executive upon the terms and conditions provided herein effective as of the Effective Date.  

(b)Position and Duties.  Effective on the Effective Date, Executive: (i) shall serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, with responsibilities, duties, and authority usual and customary for such position, subject to direction by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”); (ii) shall report directly to the CEO; and (iii) agrees promptly and faithfully to comply with all present and future policies, requirements, rules and regulations, and reasonable directions and requests, of the Company in connection with the Company’s business. At the Company’s request, Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in such other capacities in addition to the foregoing as the Company shall designate, provided that such additional capacities are consistent with Executive’s position as the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel.  In the event that Executive serves in any one or more of such additional capacities, Executive’s compensation shall not automatically be increased on account of such additional service.  

(c)Performance of Executive’s Duties.  During Executive’s employment with the Company, and except for periods of illness, vacation, disability, or reasonable leaves of absence or as discussed in Section 1(e), Executive shall devote Executive’s full time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company pursuant to the general direction of the CEO.  The rights of Executive under this Agreement shall not be affected by any change in the title, duties, or capacity of Executive during Executive’s employment with the Company.  

(d)Principal Office. Executive will work principally at the Company’s facility located in Emeryville, California.

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(e)Exclusivity.  Except with the prior written approval of the CEO (which the CEO may grant or withhold in his or her sole and absolute discretion), Executive shall devote substantially all of Executive’s working time, attention, and energies to the business of the Company, except during any paid vacation or other excused absence periods.  Nothing in this section prevents Executive from engaging in additional activities in connection with personal investments and community affairs. Executive may also serve as a member of the board of directors or board of advisors of another organization provided (i) such organization is not a competitor of the Company; (ii) Executive receives prior written approval from the Company’s CEO; and (iii)  such activities do not individually or in the aggregate interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement, violate the Company’s standards of conduct then in effect, or raise a conflict under the Company’s conflict of interest policies.  

2.Term.  The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated pursuant to Section 5.  The phrase “Term” as used in this Agreement shall refer to the entire period of employment of Executive by the Company.

	
 
	
3.
	
Compensation and Related Matters.

(a)Annual Base Salary.  During the Term, Executive shall receive a base salary at the rate of $375,000 per year (as may be increased from time to time, the “Annual Base Salary”), subject to withholdings and deductions, which shall be paid to Executive in accordance with the customary payroll practices and procedures of the Company.  Such Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed by the CEO, and, as applicable, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and/or the Compensation Committee of the Board, not less than annually.

(b)Annual Bonus.  Executive shall be eligible to receive a discretionary annual bonus based on Executive’s achievement of performance objectives established by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board in consultation with the CEO, such bonus to be targeted at 40% of Executive’s Annual Base Salary (the “Annual Bonus”).  Any Annual Bonus approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board shall be paid at the same time annual bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company generally, subject to Executive’s continuous employment through the date of approval.  

(c)Benefits.  Executive shall be entitled to participate in such employee and executive benefit plans and programs as the Company may from time to time offer to provide to its executives, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein is intended, or shall be construed, to require the Company to institute or continue any, or any particular, plan or benefit.

(d)Business Expenses.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket travel and other business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures as are in effect from time to time.  

(e)Vacation.  Executive will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy.

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(f)Sign-On Bonus.  On the first payroll date following the Effective Date, the Company shall pay Executive a one-time sign on bonus of $75,000, less applicable withholdings and deductions (the “Sign On Bonus”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Sign On Bonus will only be fully earned on the first anniversary of the Effective Date if Executive remains continuously employed with the Company through the first anniversary of the Effective Date.  In the event Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason other than due to a Covered Termination (as defined below) prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive hereby agrees to repay the Company the full amount of the Sign On Bonus.

	
4.
	
Equity Awards.  In connection with entering into this Agreement, following the Effective Date, the Company will recommend to the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board that it grant Executive an option to purchase 85,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Stock Option”) at a per-share exercise price equal to the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant, or if the date of grant is not a trading day, on the most recent trading day before the date of grant, provided that Executive is employed by the Company on the date of grant. Subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date, 25% of the shares underlying the Stock Option will vest on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and 1/48th of the total number of shares initially underlying the Stock Option will vest on each monthly anniversary thereafter. The Stock Option will otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2018 Incentive Award Plan and a stock option agreement to be entered into between Executive and the Company.

	
5.
	
Termination.        

(a)At-Will Employment.  The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment will be at-will, as defined under applicable law.  This means that it is not for any specified period of time and can be terminated by Executive or by the Company at any time, with or without advance notice, and for any or no particular reason or cause.  It also means that Executive’s job duties, title, and responsibility and reporting level, work schedule, compensation, and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may be changed with prospective effect, with or without notice, at any time in the sole discretion of the Company (subject to any ramification such changes may have under Section 6 of this Agreement).  This “at-will” nature of Executive’s employment shall remain unchanged during Executive’s tenure as an employee and may not be changed, except in an express writing signed by Executive and a duly-authorized officer of the Company.  If Executive’s employment terminates for any lawful reason, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, award, or compensation other than as provided in this Agreement.  

(b)Notice of Termination.  During the Term, any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive (other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written notice (a “Notice of Termination”) from one Party hereto to the other Party hereto (i) indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if any, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) specifying the Date of Termination (as defined below).  The failure by the Company to set forth in the Notice of 

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Termination all of the facts and circumstances which contribute to a showing of Cause (as defined below) shall not waive any right of the Company hereunder or preclude the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing their rights hereunder.

(c)Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” shall mean the date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company specified in a Notice of Termination.

(d)Deemed Resignation.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and board memberships, if any, then held with the Company or any of its affiliates, and, at the Company’s request, Executive shall execute such documents as are necessary or desirable to effectuate such resignations.

	
6.
	
Consequences of Termination.

(a)Payments of Accrued Obligations upon all Terminations of Employment.  Upon a termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive (or Executive’s estate or legal representative, as applicable) shall be entitled to receive, within 30 days after Executive’s Date of Termination (or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law): (i) any portion of Executive’s Annual Base Salary earned through Executive’s Date of Termination not theretofore paid, (ii) any expenses owed to Executive under Section 3, (iii) any accrued but unused paid time-off owed to Executive, (iv) any Annual Bonus approved by the Board, Compensation Committee of the Board and/or the CEO on or prior to the Date of Termination but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, and (v) any amount arising from Executive’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs, or arrangements under Section 3, which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs, or arrangements.  Except as otherwise set forth in Sections 6(b) and (c), the payments and benefits described in this Section 6(a) shall be the only payments and benefits payable in the event of Executive’s termination of employment for any reason.  

(b)Severance Payments upon Covered Termination Outside a Change in Control Period.  If, during the Term, Executive experiences a Covered Termination outside a Change in Control Period (as defined below), then in addition to the payments and benefits described in Section 6(a), the Company shall, subject to Executive’s delivery to the Company of a waiver and release of claims agreement in a form approved by the Company (a “Release”) that becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with Section 11(d), provide Executive with the following:

(i)The Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the sum of (i) Executive’s Annual Base Salary multiplied by 0.75 and (ii) Executive’s target Annual Bonus.  Such amount will be subject to applicable withholdings and payable in a single lump sum cash payment on the first regular payroll date following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with Section 11(d). 

(ii)During the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the nine-month anniversary thereof or, if earlier, the date on which Executive 

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becomes eligible for comparable replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s group health plan (in any case, the “Non-CIC COBRA Period”), subject to Executive’s valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the regulations thereunder, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, either (A) continue to provide to Executive and Executive’s dependents, at the Company’s sole expense, or (B) reimburse Executive and Executive’s dependents for coverage under its group health plan (if any) at the same levels in effect on the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if (1) any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the continuation coverage period to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A‐1(a)(5), (2) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive or Executive’s dependents under its group health plans, or (3) the Company cannot provide the benefit without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in any such case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments over the Non-CIC COBRA Period (or remaining portion thereof).

(c)Severance Payments upon Covered Termination During a Change in  Control Period.  If, during the Term, Executive experiences a Covered Termination during a Change in Control Period, then, in addition to the payments and benefits described in Section 6(a), the Company shall, subject to Executive’s delivery to the Company of a Release that becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with Section 11(d), provide Executive with the following:

(i)The Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the sum of (i) Executive’s Annual Base Salary and (ii) Executive’s target Annual Bonus.  Such amount will be subject to applicable withholdings and payable in a single lump sum cash payment on the first regular payroll date following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with Section 11(d). 

(ii)During the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the 12-month anniversary thereof or, if earlier, the date on which Executive becomes eligible for comparable replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s group health plan (in any case, the “CIC COBRA Period”), subject to Executive’s valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code and the regulations thereunder, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, either (A) continue to provide to Executive and Executive’s dependents, at the Company’s sole expense, or (B) reimburse Executive and Executive’s dependents for coverage under its group health plan (if any) at the same levels in effect on the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if (1) any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the continuation coverage period to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), (2) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive or Executive’s dependents under its group health plans, or (3) the Company cannot provide the benefit without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in any such case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be 

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paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments over the CIC COBRA Period (or remaining portion thereof).

(iii)Cause any unvested equity awards, including any stock options, restricted stock awards and any such awards subject to performance-based vesting, held by Executive as of the Date of Termination, to become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable, and cause all restrictions and rights of repurchase on such awards to lapse with respect to all of the shares of the Company’s common stock subject thereto. 

(d)No Other Severance.  The provisions of this Section 6 shall supersede in their entirety any severance payment provisions in any severance plan, policy, program, or other arrangement maintained by the Company except as otherwise approved by the Board.

(e)No Requirement to Mitigate; Survival.  Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or in any other manner. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment shall not impair the rights or obligations of any Party. 

(f)Definition of Cause.  For purposes hereof, “Cause” shall mean any one of the following: (i) Executive’s material violation of any applicable material law or regulation respecting the business of the Company; (ii) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; (iii) any act of dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation in relation to Executive’s duties to the Company which act is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful and repeated failure to perform in any material respect Executive’s duties hereunder after 15 days’ notice and an opportunity to cure such failure and a reasonable opportunity to present to the Board Executive’s position regarding any dispute relating to the existence of such failure (other than on account of disability); (v) Executive’s failure to attempt in good faith to implement a clear and reasonable directive from the CEO or to comply with any of the Company’s policies and procedures which failure is either material or occurs after written notice from the CEO; (vi) any act of gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; or (vii) Executive’s breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Company.

(g)Definition of Change in Control.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean (i) the acquisition by any person or group of affiliated or associated persons of more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or voting securities representing more than 50% of the total voting power of outstanding securities of the Company; (ii) the consummation of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a third party; (iii) the consummation of any merger involving the Company in which, immediately after giving effect to such merger, less than a majority of the total voting power of outstanding stock of the surviving or resulting entity is then “beneficially owned” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company, as applicable, immediately prior to such merger.  For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall a transaction constitute a “Change in Control” if: (w) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation; (x) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such 

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transaction; (y) it is effected primarily for the purpose of financing the Company with cash (as determined by the Board without regard to whether such transaction is effectuated by a merger, equity financing, or otherwise); or (z) it constitutes, or includes sales of shares in connection with, the initial public offering of the Company’s capital stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5).

(h)Definition of Change in Control Period. For purposes hereof, “Change in  Control Period” shall mean the period of time commencing three months prior to a Change in Control and ending 12 months after such Change in Control.

(i)Definition of Covered Termination. For purposes hereof, “Covered Termination” shall mean the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, and shall not include a termination due to Executive’s death or disability.

(j)Definition of Good Reason.  For purposes hereof, “Good Reason” shall mean any one of the following: (i) the material reduction of Executive’s base salary or target annual performance bonus, (ii) the assignment to Executive of any duties materially and negatively inconsistent in any respect of Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities, or any other action by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities (including without limitation a requirement to report to any person or entity other than the CEO); or (iii) the Company’s material breach of this Agreement, provided, that, in each case, Executive will not be deemed to have Good Reason unless (1) Executive first provides the Company with written notice of the condition giving rise to Good Reason within 30 days of its initial occurrence, (2) the Company or the successor company fails to cure such condition within 30 days after receiving such written notice (the “Cure Period”), and (3) Executive’s resignation based on such Good Reason is effective within 30 days after the expiration of the Cure Period. 

	
7.
	
Assignment and Successors.  The Company shall assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business or the assets of the Company (by merger or otherwise).  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, Executive, and their respective successors, assigns, personnel, and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable.  None of Executive’s rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred by Executive, other than Executive’s rights to payments hereunder, which may be transferred only by will, operation of law, or as otherwise provided herein.

	
8.
	
Miscellaneous Provisions.  

(a)Confidentiality Agreement.  As a condition of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive  must sign and comply with the Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Confidentiality Agreement”).  The Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment with the Company for the applicable period(s) set forth therein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any conflict between the terms of the 

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Confidentiality Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

(b)Non-Solicitation of Employees.  For a period of one year following Executive’s Date of Termination, Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly (i) solicit for employment by any individual, corporation, firm, or other business, any employees, consultants, independent contractors, or other service providers of the Company or any of its affiliates, or (ii) solicit any employee or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave the employment or consulting of or cease providing services to the Company or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply to a general advertisement or solicitation (or any hiring pursuant to such advertisement or solicitation) that is not specifically targeted to such employees or consultants.

(c)Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law, whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States, that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

(d)Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.  

(e)Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.  Signatures delivered by facsimile shall be deemed effective for all purposes.

(f)Entire Agreement.  The terms of this Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, are intended by the Parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, regarding Executive’s service to the Company.    The Parties further intend that this Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of their terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.    

(g)Amendments; Waivers.  This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Company.  By an instrument in writing similarly executed, Executive or a duly authorized officer of the Company, as applicable, may waive compliance by the other Party with any specifically identified provision of this Agreement that such other Party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure.  No failure to exercise and no delay in 

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exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.  

(h)Dispute Resolution.  To ensure the timely and economical resolution of disputes that arise in connection with this Agreement, Executive and the Company agree that any and all controversies, claims and disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including without limitation any alleged violation of its terms, shall be resolved be resolved solely and exclusively by final and binding arbitration held in Alameda County, California through JAMS in conformity with California law and the then-existing JAMS employment arbitration rules, which can be found at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/. The arbitrator shall: (a) provide adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The arbitrator shall award the prevailing Party attorneys’ fees and expert fees, if any. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is acknowledged that it will be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the Parties fail to comply with any of the obligations imposed on them under Section 8(a), and that in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved person will be irreparably damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at law.  Any such person shall, therefore, be entitled to injunctive relief, including specific performance, to enforce such obligations, and if any action shall be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of Section 8(a), none of the Parties shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.  Executive and the Company understand that by agreement to arbitrate any claim pursuant to this Section 8(h), they will not have the right to have any claim decided by a jury or a court, but shall instead have any claim decided through arbitration. Executive and the Company waive any constitutional or other right to bring claims covered by this Agreement other than in their individual capacities. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, the foregoing waiver includes the ability to assert claims as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding. 

(i)Enforcement.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.  Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

(j)Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local, or foreign withholding or other taxes or charges which the Company is required to withhold.  The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

(k)Whistleblower Protections and Trade Secrets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any United States governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other 

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whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation (including the right to receive an award for information provided to any such government agencies). Furthermore, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1833, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) Executive shall not be in breach of this Agreement, and shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law (x) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (y) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; and (ii) if Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney, and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

	
9.
	
Prior Employment.  Executive represents and warrants that Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company has not breached, and the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder will not breach, any duty owed by Executive to any prior employer or other person.  Executive further represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the performance of Executive’s obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between Executive and any other person, firm, organization, or other entity; (b) Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by Executive entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement will not require Executive to, and Executive shall not, rely on in the performance of Executive’s duties or disclose to the Company or any other person or entity or induce the Company in any way to use or rely on any trade secret or other confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer of Executive.

	
10.
	
Golden Parachute Excise Tax. 

(a)Best Pay.  Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any payment or benefit Executive would receive from the Company pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount (as defined below).  The “Reduced Amount” will be either (A) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax or (B) the entire Payment, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state, and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in Executive’ s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax.  If a reduction in a Payment is required pursuant to the preceding sentence and the Reduced Amount is determined pursuant to clause (A) of the preceding sentence, the reduction shall occur in the manner (the “Reduction Method”) that results in the greatest economic benefit for Executive.  If more than one method of reduction will result in the same 

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economic benefit, the items so reduced will be reduced pro rata (the “Pro Rata Reduction Method”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Reduction Method or the Pro Rata Reduction Method would result in any portion of the Payment being subject to taxes pursuant to Section 409A  that would not otherwise be subject to taxes pursuant to Section 409A, then the Reduction Method and/or the Pro Rata Reduction Method, as the case may be, shall be modified so as to avoid the imposition of taxes pursuant to Section 409A as follows:  (1) as a first priority, the modification shall preserve to the greatest extent possible, the greatest economic benefit for Executive as determined on an after-tax basis; (2) as a second priority, Payments that are contingent on future events (e.g., being terminated without cause), shall be reduced (or eliminated) before Payments that are not contingent on future events; and (3) as a third priority, Payments that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be reduced (or eliminated) before Payments that are not deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A. 

(b)Accounting Firm.  The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the Change in Control will perform the calculations set forth in Section 10(a).  If the firm so engaged by the Company is serving as the accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder.  The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made hereunder.  The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company within 30 days before the consummation of a Change in Control (if requested at that time by the Company) or such other time as requested by the Company.  If the accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it will furnish the Company with documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment.  Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.

	
11.
	
Section 409A.

(a)General.  The intent of the Parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from 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, (“Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith.  If Executive notifies the Company that Executive has received advice of tax counsel of a national reputation with expertise in Section 409A that any provision of this Agreement would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A (with specificity as to the reason therefor) or the Company independently makes such determination, the Company and Executive shall take commercially reasonable efforts to reform such provision to try to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company.  To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

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(b)Separation from Service.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement:  (i) no amount that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A shall be payable pursuant to Section 6 unless the termination of Executive’s employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations (“Separation from Service”); (ii) for purposes of Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive installment payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; and (iii) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred.  The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year.  The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year.

(c)Specified Employee.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, 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, 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 with the Company or (ii) the date of Executive’s death.  Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Executive under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.  

(d)Release.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Executive’s termination of employment are subject to Executive’s execution and delivery of a Release, (i) the Company shall deliver the Release to Executive within ten business days following Executive’s Date of Termination, and the Company’s failure to deliver a Release prior to the expiration of such ten business day period shall constitute a waiver of any requirement to execute a Release, (ii) if Executive fails to execute the Release on or prior to the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) or timely revokes Executive’s acceptance of the Release thereafter, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits otherwise conditioned on the Release, and (iii) in any case where Executive’s Date of Termination and the last day the Release may be considered or revoked fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Executive that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year.  For purposes of this Section 11(d), “Release Expiration Date” shall mean the date that is 21 days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Executive, or, in the event that Executive’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is 45 days following such delivery date.  To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Executive’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 11(d), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll date following the date that Executive executes and does not revoke the Release (and the applicable revocation period has expired) or, in the case of 

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any payments subject to Section 11(d)(iii), on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year, if later.

	
12.
	
Employee Acknowledgement.  Executive acknowledges that Executive has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Executive’s own judgment.  

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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The Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

GRITSTONE ONCOLOGY, INC.

By: /s/ Andrew Allen

Name: Andrew Allen

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE

By: /s/ Rahsaan Thompson         

Name: Rahsaan Thompson

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement

Omitted pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(a)(5)thrm-ex101_29.htm

Exhibit 10.1

GENTHERM INCORPORATED

2013 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Restricted Stock UNIT Award Agreement 

PERFORMANCE-BASED GRANT

Gentherm Incorporated, a Michigan corporation (the “Corporation”), as permitted by the Gentherm Incorporated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (the “Participant”), a restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award as described herein, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (“Agreement”).

Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, the terms used in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Plan.

1.Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award.  

			
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Participant:
	
 
	
[  ]

	
Grant Date:
	
 
	
[  ] 

	
Number of Target RSUs in Award:
	
 
	
[  ]

2.Grant of RSU Award. The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant, as of the Grant Date, the number of target RSUs set forth in the table above.  

3.Determination Date; Vesting.  

(a)Determination Date.  Whether and the extent to which RSUs are earned shall be determined by the Committee within 45 days following the calculation of the performance measures as finalized as appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer (or person having similar duties) using, as applicable, the financial results audited by the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “Determination Date”); provided, however, in no event shall the Determination Date be earlier than the third anniversary of the Grant Date.  

(b)Vesting.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if the Participant remains continuously employed on a full-time basis with the Corporation or its Subsidiaries from the Grant Date until the end of the applicable Determination Date (the “Normal Vesting Date”), the earned RSUs shall become vested on the Normal Vesting Date.  

4.Qualifying Termination Prior to Normal Vesting Date.   Notwithstanding Section 3 of this Agreement but subject to the notice and release requirements set forth below in this Section 4, if at any time prior to the Normal Vesting Date, there is a “termination of employment” (as defined in the Plan) of the Participant, other than due to the Participant’s death or “Disability” (as defined in Section 6 hereof), or in connection with a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 6 hereof), any unvested RSUs shall be forfeited.  If there is a termination of employment due to the Participant’s death or Disability prior to the Normal Vesting Date, the target RSUs shall become vested as of the date of the Participant’s termination of employment.  The vesting of unvested RSUs under this Section 4 is conditioned upon the Participant (or, in the case of the Participant’s death, an executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate)  signing and delivering to the Corporation, and there becoming irrevocable, within 30 days after the date of such employment termination, a general release of claims (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to 

 

 

the Corporation) by which the Participant releases the Corporation and its affiliated entities and individuals from any claim arising from the Participant’s employment by, and termination of employment with, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, in consideration for the receipt and vesting of the target RSUs. Any RSUs that would have otherwise vested under this Section 4 shall be forfeited if the general release does not become effective and irrevocable on or before the 30th day following the Participant’s termination of employment. 

5.Change in Control.  Notwithstanding Section 3 of this Agreement, if there is a Change in Control of the Corporation prior to the Normal Vesting Date, the number of RSUs that shall vest will be calculated based on actual performance through the Change in Control for RSUs subject to a stock price or total shareholder return performance measure, and shall be the target RSUs for RSUs subject to any other performance measure, including the financial performance of the Corporation (the “CIC-Earned Performance RSUs”).  The CIC-Earned Performance RSUs shall become vested on the earlier of (a) third anniversary of the Grant Date and (b) if the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Corporation or a Subsidiary (or a successor thereof) without “Cause” (as defined in Section 6 hereof) or by the Participant for “Good Reason” (as defined in Section 6 hereof), the date of termination of employment; provided, however, that the Committee or Board, in its Discretion, may vest such RSUs as of an earlier date.  

6.Definitions.  The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Agreement:

(a)Cause.  “Cause” means the Participant’s: (i) engaging in any act that constitutes serious misconduct, theft, fraud, material misrepresentation, serious dereliction of fiduciary obligations or duty of loyalty to the Corporation or a Subsidiary; (ii) conviction of a felony, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony charge or any criminal act involving moral turpitude or which in the reasonable opinion of the Board brings you, the Board, the Corporation or any affiliate into disrepute; (iii) neglect of or negligent performance of your employment duties; (iv) willful, unauthorized disclosure of material confidential information belonging to the Corporation or a Subsidiary, or entrusted to the Corporation or a Subsidiary by a client, customer, or other third party; (v) repeatedly being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (other than prescription medicine or other medically related drugs to the extent that they are taken in accordance with their directions) during the performance of the Participant’s employment duties or, while under the influence of such drugs or alcohol, engaging in grossly inappropriate conduct during the performance of the Participant’s employment duties; (vi) repeated failure to comply with the lawful directions of the Participant’s superior that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Participant’s employment; (vii) any material failure to comply with the Corporation's or a Subsidiary’s written policies or rules; or (viii) actual engagement in conduct that violates applicable state or federal laws governing the workplace that could reasonably be expected to bring the Corporation or any affiliate into disrepute. In order for the Corporation or a Subsidiary to terminate the Participant’s employment for Cause under any of clauses (iii), (v), (vi) or (vii) in the preceding sentence, the Corporation or a Subsidiary must provide the Participant with written notice of its intention to terminate employment for Cause and describing the acts or omissions upon which such termination for Cause is based, and the Participant will be provided a 30-day period from the date of such notice within which to cure or correct such acts or omissions if they are reasonably susceptible of cure or correction.

(b)Change in Control.  “Change in Control” means any transaction or event, or series of related transactions or events, which constitutes both a “Change in Control” as defined in the Plan and a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

(c)Good Reason.  “Good Reason” means in respect of the Corporation and the Subsidiaries and without the Participant’s consent: (i) the occurrence of a material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Participant is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law); (ii) a material adverse change in the reporting structure applicable to the Participant; (iii) a relocation of the Participant's principal place of employment 

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by more than 50 miles; or (iv) a material reduction in the Participant’s aggregate base salary and target bonus (other than a general reduction that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions); provided, however, that the Participant shall be considered to have terminated employment for Good Reason only if (A) the Participant provides notice to the Corporation of the event or condition meeting the foregoing definition of Good Reason within 30 days after the initial occurrence of such event or condition, (B) the Corporation or the applicable Subsidiary fails to correct such event or condition within 30 days of receiving notice thereof from the Participant, and (C) the Participant terminates employment with the Corporation and the Subsidiaries within 30 days after the expiration of such correction period.

(d)Disability.  “Disability” means the Participant’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected either to result in death or to last for an uninterrupted period of not less than 12 months.

7.Forfeiture.   Upon the Participant’s termination of employment with the Corporation and its Subsidiaries for any reason prior to the Normal Vesting Date, any RSUs that do not become vested upon or after such employment termination in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be immediately canceled and forfeited for no consideration as of the Participant’s termination of employment. Any RSUs that are outstanding but do not become vested on the Normal Vesting Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be cancelled and forfeited for no consideration as of the Normal Vesting Date. 

8.Settlement of RSUs.  Subject to the withholding tax provisions of Section 12 hereof, within 45 days after the date upon which an RSU becomes vested in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Corporation shall issue or transfer to the vested Participant one share of common stock, no par value, of the Corporation (“Common Stock”) per each RSU; provided, however, if RSUs vest in accordance with Section 5 hereof, the Corporation (or a successor thereto) shall issue or transfer to the Participant such shares of Common Stock or common stock of the successor having approximately equivalent value (and references herein to Common Stock issued on vesting shall include such successor common stock, if applicable). 

9.Rights As Shareholder.  Until and if shares of Common Stock are issued in settlement of vested RSUs, the Participant shall not have any rights of a shareholder (including voting and dividend rights) in respect of the Common Stock underlying the RSUs.

10.Adjustments. 

(a)In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization of or by the Corporation that occurs after the Grant Date and prior to the date of settlement of the RSUs, appropriate adjustments shall be made to the RSUs so that they represent the right to receive upon settlement any and all substituted or additional securities or other property (other than cash dividends) to which the Participant would have been entitled if the Participant had owned, at the time of such stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or reorganization, the Common Stock that may be issued upon vesting of the RSUs.

(b)Notwithstanding the attainment of financial results, all RSUs are subject to reduction or elimination by the Committee prior to settlement if financial results are achieved in ways that are considered not in the best interests of the Corporation’s shareholders or not authorized by the Board or management.  

11.Non-Transferability of Award.  Neither the RSUs nor any interest in the RSUs may be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or borrowed against, except for a transfer under the laws of descent or distribution as a result of the death of the Participant. The terms of the Plan and this Agreement 

3

 

shall be binding upon the Participant’s executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns.  Any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or borrow against the RSUs in violation of this Section 11 in any manner shall be null and void and without legal force or effect.

12.Withholding Obligations.  The Participant shall be responsible for all taxes required by law to be withheld by the Corporation or a Subsidiary in respect of the grant, vesting or settlement of the RSUs, and the Corporation may make any arrangements it deems appropriate to ensure payment of any such tax by the Participant. In its Discretion and by way of example and without limitation (i) the Corporation may require the Participant to make a cash payment to the Corporation in an amount equal to any such withholding tax obligation at the time or at any time after such withholding tax obligation is due and payable, (ii) the Corporation may retain and not issue to the Participant that number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon settlement of vested RSUs which have a then value equal to the amount of any such withholding tax, or (iii) the Corporation or any Subsidiary may collect any such withholding tax by reducing any compensation or other amount otherwise then or thereafter owing by the Corporation or any Subsidiary to the Participant. 

13.The Plan; Amendment.  This Award is subject in all respects to the terms, conditions, limitations and definitions contained in the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control.  The Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or amend this Agreement from time to time in accordance with and as provided in the Plan. This Agreement may also be modified or amended by a writing signed by both the Corporation and the Participant. The Corporation shall give written notice to the Participant of any such modification or amendment of this Agreement as soon as practicable after the adoption thereof.

14.Rights of Participant; Regulatory Requirements.  Without limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement or the Plan, Sections 21 and 22 of the Plan pertaining to the limitations on the Participant’s rights and certain regulatory requirements are hereby explicitly incorporated into this Agreement.

15.Notices.  Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Corporation at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Participant at the address on file with the Corporation or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

16.Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be legally binding and shall be executed and construed and its provisions enforced and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its choice of law or conflict of law provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Michigan.

17.Data Privacy Notice.  Participant hereby acknowledges that the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Agreement and any other RSU grant materials by the Corporation (and its Subsidiaries) is necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Participant authorizes, agrees and unambiguously consents to the transmission by the Corporation (and its Subsidiaries) of any personal data information related to this Award for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan).  This authorization and consent is freely given by the Participant.

Participant understands that the Corporation and its Subsidiaries may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, details of all RSUs or any other entitlement to shares of 

4

 

Common Stock awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor (“Data”), for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.

Participant understands that Data will be transferred to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., and its related companies (“Merrill Lynch”) or any stock plan service provider as may be selected by the Corporation in the future, which is assisting the Corporation with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. Participant understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country. Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Corporation, Merrill Lynch, any stock plan service provider selected by the Corporation and any other possible recipients which may assist the Corporation (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan may receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing his or her participation in the Plan. Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participant’s participation in the Plan plus any required period thereafter for purposes of complying with data retention policies and procedures. Participant understands that based on where s/he resides, s/he may have additional rights with respect to personal data collected, used or transferred in connection with this Agreement or any other RSU grant materials by the Corporation (and its Subsidiaries), and Participant may contact in writing his or her local human resources representative. 

18.Binding Agreement; Assignment.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Corporation and its successors and assigns.  The Participant shall not assign (except in accordance with Section 11 hereof) any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Corporation.

19.Headings.  The titles and headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

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

21.Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

22.Acquired Rights.  The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Corporation may terminate or amend the Plan at any time; (b) the award of the RSUs made under this Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made in the Discretion of the Corporation; (c) no past grants or awards (including, without limitation, the RSUs awarded hereunder) give the Participant any right to any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (d) none of the benefits granted under this Agreement are part of the Participant's ordinary salary or compensation, and shall not be considered as part of such salary or compensation in the event of or for purposes of determining the amount of or entitlement to severance, redundancy or resignation or benefits under any employee benefit plan.

23.Restrictive Covenants; Compensation Recovery.  By signing this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that this Award or any Award previously granted to Participant by the Corporation or a Subsidiary shall be subject to forfeiture as a result of the Participant's violation of any agreement with the Corporation regarding non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, inventions 

5

 

and/or other restrictive covenants (the “Restricted Covenant Agreements”).  For avoidance of doubt, compensation recovery rights to shares of Common Stock (including such shares acquired under previously granted equity awards) shall extend to the proceeds realized by the Participant due to the sale or other transfer of such shares.  The Participant’s prior execution of the Restricted Covenant Agreements was a material inducement for the Corporation's grant of this Award.

24.Code Section 409A.   It is intended that this Award be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner which effectuates such intent; provided, however, that in no event shall the Corporation or any Subsidiary be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty imposed upon or other damage suffered by the Participant on account of this Award being subject to but not in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

Signature Page Follows

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GENTHERM INCORPORATED

By:  ___________________________

Name: Matteo Anversa

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Dated: [  ]

		
	
 
	
 

	
                                                                                   
	
                           

 

 

 

PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE CORPORATION’S 2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED, WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY REFERENCE, CONFERS ON PARTICIPANT ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY PARENT OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE OF THE CORPORATION, NOR INTERFERES IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE CORPORATION’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CORPORATION OR ANY PARENT OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE OF THE CORPORATION AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

BY ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT, PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COPY OF THE PLAN AND REPRESENTS THAT THE PARTICIPANT IS FAMILIAR WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN.  PARTICIPANT ACCEPTS THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  PARTICIPANT HAS REVIEWED THE PLAN AND THIS AGREEMENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY.  PARTICIPANT AGREES TO ACCEPT AS BINDING, CONCLUSIVE AND FINAL ALL DECISIONS OR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE UPON ANY QUESTIONS ARISING UNDER THE PLAN OR THIS AGREEMENT.

 

		
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
                                                                                    By: _______________________

Name:  [  ]

Dated: ____________________

 

7

 

Exhibit A

Determination of Performance and Earned RSUs

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