Document:

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement

 Exhibit 10.24 
 PerkinElmer, Inc. 
 Restricted Stock Agreement under 2005 Incentive Plan 
 This AGREEMENT made as of the __ day of (month), 200X, between PerkinElmer, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the “Company”),
and ____________ (the “Participant”). 
 For valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows: 
 1. Grant of Shares. 
 (a) Grant. The Company shall issue to the Participant, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), __________ shares (the “Shares”)
of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”). The Company shall issue to the Participant one or more certificates in the name of the Participant for that number of Shares issued to the Participant. The
Participant agrees that the Shares shall be subject to vesting as set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement and the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement. 
 (b) Forfeiture. If the Participant ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, before the Shares
vest, the Shares shall be immediately forfeited to the Company in exchange for $.001 per Share. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Shares do not vest on or before the occurrence of one or more of the events set forth in
Section 2, the Shares shall automatically be forfeited to the Company in exchange for $.001 per Share. 
 (c) Deferral. The
Participant may within 30 days of the date hereof make an irrevocable election to exchange any Shares for an account balance under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan, denominated in units equal in value to the value of the Shares and
distributable only in shares of Common Stock at the time designated by the Participant at the time of such election; provided, however, that such units shall be subject to the vesting provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement. Such account
balance shall be reduced to $.001 per share with respect to any unvested share units if the Participant ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, before such share units vest pursuant to Section 2
of this Agreement. 
 2. Vesting. Provided that the Participant remains employed by the Company on the occurrence of the following
events or date(s), the Shares will become exercisable (“Vest”) as to: 
 (a) 33% of the original number of Shares upon achievement
of earnings per share (EPS) of the Company equal to or greater than $____ on or before the last day of the Company’s 200X fiscal year; 
 (b) as to an additional 33% of the original number of Shares upon achievement of earnings per share (EPS) of the Company equal to or greater than $___ on or before the last day of the Company’s 200X fiscal year; 
 (c) as to the remaining 34% of the original number of Shares upon achievement of earnings per share (EPS) of the Company equal to or greater than $___ on
or before the last day of the Company’s 200X fiscal year; 
 (d) EPS is defined in Exhibit A. Notwithstanding the above, the
Compensation and Benefits Committee, may, at its sole discretion determine that the vesting criteria have been met; 
 (e) 100% of any
remaining unvested Shares upon the death or permanent disability of the Participant on or before the last day of the Company’s 200X fiscal year. The Participant shall be deemed to be permanently disabled if he has been unable to perform his
duties for the Company for a six consecutive month period and if he is entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long term disability plan, as determined by the long term disability carrier; or 
 (f) 100% of any remaining unvested Shares upon the occurrence of a Change in Control on or before the last day of the Company’s 200X fiscal year.
For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means an event or occurrence set forth in one or more of paragraphs (i) to (iv) below (including an event or occurrence that constitutes a Change in Control under one of such
subsections but that is specifically exempted under another such subsection): 
  

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 (i) The acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended [the “Exchange Act”]), (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) 20% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), none of the following
acquisitions of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities shall constitute a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition pursuant to the exercise, conversion, or
exchange of any security exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or voting securities of the Company, unless the Person exercising, converting or exchanging such security acquired such security directly from the Company or
an underwriter or agent of the Company), (II) any acquisition by the Company, (III) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (IV) any
acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A) and (B) of paragraph (ii) of this Section 2(f); 
 (ii) Such time as the Continuing Directors (as defined below) do not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term
“Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (A) who is a member of the Board on the date of the execution of this Agreement, or (B) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of
the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election, or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination
or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (B) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; 
 (iii) The
consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless,
immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is satisfied: (A) all or substantially all of the individuals or entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the surviving, resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or indirectly through one or more other entities) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”)
in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively; and (B) no Person beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination); or 
 (iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 
 For purposes of this Agreement, employment with the Company shall include employment with a parent or subsidiary of the Company. Absent a determination otherwise by the
Committee, the Participant must be employed through the vesting date to be entitled to the Shares. 
 3. Restrictions on Transfer.

 (a) The Participant shall not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, by operation of law or otherwise
(collectively “transfer”) any Shares, or any interest therein, that are unvested, except that the Participant may transfer such Shares (i) to or for the benefit of any spouse, children, parents, uncles, aunts, siblings, grandchildren
and any other relatives approved by the Board of Directors (collectively, “Approved Relatives”) or to a trust established solely for the benefit of the Participant and/or Approved Relatives, provided that such Shares shall remain
subject to this Agreement (including without limitation the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 3) and such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument confirming that
such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (ii) as part of the sale of all or substantially all of the shares of capital stock of the Company (including pursuant to a merger or consolidation), or
(iii) to the Company in exchange 
  

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 for an account balance under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan subject to the terms set forth in
Section 1 of this Agreement. 
 (b) The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any of the Shares which have
been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such Shares have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions of
this Agreement. 
 4. Restrictive Legends. 
 All certificates representing Shares shall have affixed thereto legends in substantially the following form, in addition to any other legends that may be required under federal or state securities laws: 
 “The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on transfer set forth in a certain Restricted Stock Agreement
between the corporation and the registered owner of these shares (or his predecessor in interest), and such Agreement is available for inspection without charge at the Office of the Clerk of the corporation.” 
 5. Provisions of the Plan. This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is furnished to the Participant with this
Agreement. 
 6. Adjustments for Stock Splits, Stock Dividends, Etc. 
 (a) If from time to time during the term of this Agreement, there is any stock split-up, reverse stock split, stock dividend, stock distribution,
recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization event or other reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company, or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other than a
normal cash dividend, then any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which the Participant is entitled by reason of his ownership of the Shares shall be immediately considered unvested to the extent that the Shares in respect of which
such new, substituted or additional securities are received were unvested at the time of receipt of such new, substituted or additional securities, and shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer and other provisions of this Agreement to the
same extent as such unvested Shares. 
 (b) If the Shares are converted into or exchanged for, or stockholders of the Company receive by
reason of any distribution in total or partial liquidation, securities of another corporation, or other property (including cash), pursuant to any merger of the Company or acquisition of its assets, other than one that constitutes a Change in
Control for the purposes of Section 2 of this Agreement, then the rights of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and this Agreement shall apply to the securities or other property received
upon such conversion, exchange or distribution in the same manner and to the same extent as to the Shares. 
 7. Withholding Taxes;
Section 83(b) Election. 
 (a) The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the right to deduct from payments of any
kind otherwise due to the Participant any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the vesting of the Shares. 
 (b) The Participant acknowledges and agrees that he may not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the Shares. The Participant has reviewed with the Participant’s
own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the
Company or any of its agents. The Participant understands that the Participant (and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Participant’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. 
 8. Miscellaneous. 
 (a) No Rights to Employment. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the vesting of the Shares pursuant to Section 2 hereof is earned only by continuing service as an employee at the will of the
Company (not through the act of being hired or purchasing shares hereunder) and satisfying the other terms and conditions set forth in Section 2. The Participant further acknowledges and agrees that the transactions contemplated hereunder and
the vesting schedule set forth 
  

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 herein do not constitute an express or implied promise of continued engagement as an employee or consultant for the
vesting period, for any period, or at all. 
 (b) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law. 
 (c) Waiver. Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived, either generally or in any particular
instance, by the Board of Directors of the Company. 
 (d) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and the Participant and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement. 
 (e) Notice. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or five days after
deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party hereto at the address shown beneath his or its respective signature to this Agreement, or at such other address or addresses as
either party shall designate to the other in accordance with this Section 8(e). 
 (f) Pronouns. Whenever the context may
require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa. 
 (g) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. 
 (h) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by
a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Participant. 
 (i) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to any applicable conflicts of laws. 
 (j) Participant’s Acknowledgments. The Participant acknowledges that he or she: (i) has read and understands this Agreement; (ii) has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and
execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of the Participant’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; (iii) understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement; (iv) is fully aware of the legal and
binding effect of this Agreement; and (v) understands that the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, is acting as counsel to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, and is not acting as
counsel for the Participant. 
 (k) Delivery of Certificates. The Participant authorizes the Company, on his behalf, to hold the
Shares on book entry until the date on which the Shares vest. 
  

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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written. 
  

			
	PERKINELMER, INC.
		
	By:	 	  
	 Name:
 Title:
 Address:
	 	

  

			
	PARTICIPANT
		
		 	  
		 	

  

 5Employment Agreement between NovaStar Financial, Inc. and Jeffrey D. Ayers

 Exhibit 10.28 
  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
  

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 18th day of December, 2006 (the “Effective Date”),
by and between NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC. (“EMPLOYER”) and Jeffrey D. Ayers (“EMPLOYEE”). EMPLOYER hereby agrees to employ EMPLOYEE and EMPLOYEE hereby accepts employment upon the terms and conditions set forth below. 

 
 1. EMPLOYMENT BY COMPANY. 
  
 (a) EMPLOYEE shall be employed by EMPLOYER in the position of Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, hereinafter referred to as “General Counsel”. EMPLOYEE shall be responsible to direct and control all legal activity with final authority on legal policies and procedures as well as other duties,
which shall be assigned at the sole discretion of EMPLOYER. EMPLOYEE shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of EMPLOYER. 
  
 (b) EMPLOYEE warrants and agrees that he has the skill, aptitude, and ability to perform the services for which he is being employed, and that he will
adhere to the standards of performance for the fulfillment of those duties, which EMPLOYER shall in its discretion from time to time prescribe. EMPLOYEE represents that he has not entered into any agreements which are effective at the time of the
execution of this Agreement which would prevent him from performing his duties as General Counsel, including but not limited to, any non-competition or non-disclosure agreement with former employers. 
  
 (c) EMPLOYEE hereby agrees that he will devote all of his working time and
attention and give his diligent effort and skill exclusively to the business and interests of EMPLOYER, and that he will perform such services, as may from time to time be assigned to him, and shall do his utmost to further enhance and develop the
best interests and welfare of EMPLOYER in all respects. EMPLOYEE agrees that he will give full attention and fully comply with the rules and procedures as may from time to time be promulgated by EMPLOYER in its sole discretion. 
  
 (d) EMPLOYEE shall not, without prior written consent of EMPLOYER, at any
time during the term of this Agreement: (a) accept employment with, or render services of a business, professional or commercial nature to any person other than EMPLOYER; (b) engage in, own or provide legal or other assistance to any
person, venture or activity which EMPLOYER may in good faith consider to be competitive with or adverse to EMPLOYER, whether directly or indirectly, alone or with any other person as a principle, agent, shareholder, participant, partner, promoter,
director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, sales representative or otherwise; or (c) engage in any venture or activity which the Chief Executive Officer of EMPLOYER may in good faith consider to interfere with EMPLOYEE’S performance
of his duties. 
  
 2. COMPENSATION. 
  
 (a) Base Salary. EMPLOYER agrees to pay EMPLOYEE an annual base
salary of $275,000 (“Base Salary”). Base salary is payable in equal bi-weekly installments or at such other time or times as EMPLOYER’S policies and practices provide. EMPLOYEE will be eligible to receive annual salary increases
during the term of this Agreement at the sole discretion of EMPLOYER. Any such increases shall automatically become part of this Agreement and shall not alter any other terms of this Agreement. 

 (b) Performance Bonus. EMPLOYEE shall be eligible to receive a performance bonus, hereinafter
referred to as “Bonus,” with a target of up to 100%, but not to exceed 200%, of base salary (pro-rata over the portion of year employed) based upon predetermined goals approved by EMPLOYER’S Compensation Committee. 
  
 (c) Benefits. EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to participate in any benefit
programs adopted from time to time by EMPLOYER for the benefit of its employees at an appropriate level for the duties of EMPLOYEE, and EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to receive such other fringe benefits as may be granted from time to time by
EMPLOYER’S Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee for the benefit of its employees and/or employees at an appropriate level of duties of EMPLOYEE. EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to participate in any benefits plans available to other
executive officers of EMPLOYER at an appropriate level for the duties of the office, subject to any restrictions (including waiting periods) specified in such plans. Separate written descriptions of available benefits will be provided from time to
time, and EMPLOYER reserves, in its sole and absolute discretion, the right to modify these benefits in whole or in part at any time. 
  
 (d) Vacation. EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation on an annual basis, with such vacation to be accrued and taken in
accordance with EMPLOYER’S standard vacation policies. 
  
 (e) Business Expenses. EMPLOYER shall reimburse EMPLOYEE for any and all necessary, customary and usual expenses, properly receipted in accordance with EMPLOYER’S policies and procedures, incurred by EMPLOYEE on behalf of
EMPLOYER. 
  
 (f) Stock Options and Restricted Stock.
EMPLOYEE shall be eligible to receive EMPLOYER stock options and/or restricted stock, hereinafter referred to as “Incentives,” that may from time to time be granted to executive officers of EMPLOYER. Such Incentives shall be governed by
separate agreements and/or plans and the decision to grant Incentives is at the sole discretion of EMPLOYER. 
  
 3. AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. EMPLOYEE and EMPLOYER acknowledge that there is no agreement, express or implied, between them for any specified term
or period of employment, nor for continuing or long-term employment. The employment relationship between EMPLOYEE and EMPLOYER is completely and, in all respects, at-will. Either EMPLOYEE or EMPLOYER has the absolute right to terminate the
employment relationship, at any time, with or without cause, for any reason or no reason and no reason need be given. The fact that other sections of this Agreement provide differential post-termination benefits to EMPLOYEE on the basis of whether
or not EMPLOYEE is terminated for Cause, as defined below, does not affect the at-will nature of the employment relationship. 
  
 4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EMPLOYER. 
  
 (a) Termination For Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, termination for “Cause” means (i) any act or omission constituting gross
negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of EMPLOYEE in respect of his fiduciary obligations or otherwise relating to the business of EMPLOYER, (ii) EMPLOYEE’s material breach of this Agreement, or
(iii) EMPLOYEE’s conviction or entry of a plea of nolo contendre for fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement. 
  
 (b) Termination For Death of Disability. EMPLOYEE’S employment shall be terminated upon EMPLOYEE’S death or may be terminated by EMPLOYER
upon EMPLOYEE’S disability, consistent with any rights or obligations of the EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other applicable constitutional provision or statute. 
  

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 (c) Termination Without Cause. EMPLOYEE’S employment may be terminated by EMPLOYER without
Cause at any time and at its sole discretion. 
  
 5.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EMPLOYEE FOR GOOD REASON. 
  
 (a) EMPLOYEE shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence, without EMPLOYEE’S written consent, of any one or more of the following
events: 
  
 (i) A reduction in title and/or
compensation of EMPLOYEE or the assignment of duties to EMPLOYEE not consistent with those of an executive officer of EMPLOYER, except in connection with EMPLOYER’S termination of EMPLOYEE’S employment for Cause pursuant to
Section 4(a) or as otherwise expressly contemplated herein; 
  
 (ii) EMPLOYER’S material breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a reduction by EMPLOYER in the EMPLOYEE’S Base Salary in effect as of the Effective Date; or a
material change in the terms and conditions of EMPLOYEE’S employment; or 
  
 (iii) The relocation of EMPLOYER’S principal executive offices to a location more than fifty (50) miles from its location as of the Effective Date or EMPLOYER requiring EMPLOYEE to be based anywhere other
than EMPLOYER’S principal executive offices, except for requiring travel on EMPLOYER business to an extent substantially consistent with EMPLOYEE’S duties hereunder. 
  
 (b) EMPLOYEE agrees to provide EMPLOYER with thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of any termination for Good
Reason. 
  
 6. TREATMENT OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS UPON
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EMPLOYER FOR CAUSE OR BY EMPLOYEE WITHOUT GOOD REASON. 
  
 (a) Salary Continuation. EMPLOYEE is not entitled to any continuation of salary or other base pay if EMPLOYEE is either terminated by EMPLOYER for Cause or if EMPLOYEE resigns his employment without Good
Reason. 
  
 (b) Bonus. EMPLOYEE is not entitled to a Bonus
if EMPLOYEE is either terminated by EMPLOYER for Cause or if EMPLOYEE resigns his employment without Good Reason. 
  
 (c) Health Benefits. EMPLOYEE is entitled to continue health benefits coverage pursuant to the terms of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) if EMPLOYEE is either terminated by EMPLOYER for Cause or if EMPLOYEE resigns his employment without Good Reason. 
  

(d) Stock Options and Restricted Stock. The vesting period ceases immediately upon EMPLOYEE’S termination by EMPLOYER for Cause or if
EMPLOYEE resigns his employment without Good Reason. The provisions of the agreements and/or plans governing Incentives will otherwise be controlling. 
  

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 7. TREATMENT OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EMPLOYER AFTER CHANGE
IN CONTROL OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, OR BY EMPLOYEE FOR GOOD REASON. If EMPLOYEE’S employment shall be terminated after a Change in Control, as defined in Section 10, (a) by EMPLOYER other than for Cause, or
(b) by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason, EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to the following benefits: 
  
 (a) Severance Payment. EMPLOYEE shall be paid an amount (the “Severance Amount”) equal to two times the EMPLOYEE’S combined current year Base Salary and actual Bonus for the preceding fiscal
year; provided, however, the Severance Amount shall not be less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) nor more (once the minimum is reached) than one percent (1.0%) of the book value of EMPLOYER (i.e., the amount reported on
EMPLOYER’S balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as stockholder’s equity). The Severance Amount shall be paid in a single lump sum (i) as soon as possible in event EMPLOYEE’S
employment shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER other than for Cause or (ii) six months following EMPLOYEE’S termination of employment due to Good Reason. 
  
 (b) Health Benefits. EMPLOYEE is entitled to continue health benefits coverage pursuant to the terms of COBRA

  
 (c) Stock Options and Restricted Stock. Vesting will
accelerate to the date of termination. In other words, EMPLOYEE shall immediately be vested with all stock options and restricted stock awarded by EMPLOYER which have not been exercised prior to the termination date. The provisions of the agreements
and/or plans governing the Incentives will otherwise be controlling. 
  
 (d) Section 280G Adjustments. 
  
 (i) In the event that the Severance Amount and all other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to EMPLOYEE (excluding for this purpose any payments that may be made under this subsection (d)) (the “Company
Payments”) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and will be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code
(the “Excise Tax”), then EMPLOYER shall pay to EMPLOYEE, at the time specified in subparagraph (ii) below, an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by EMPLOYEE, after deduction of any
Excise Tax on the Company Payments and any payments made pursuant to this subsection (d) and after deduction of any U.S. federal, state and local income or payroll tax on the payments made pursuant to this subsection (d), shall equal the
Company Payments. For purposes of calculating the Gross-Up Payment, EMPLOYEE shall be deemed to pay income taxes at the highest applicable effective federal, state and local income tax marginal rates for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up
Payment is to be made. 
  
 (ii) Unless EMPLOYER
and EMPLOYEE otherwise agree in writing, the determination of EMPLOYEE’s Excise Tax liability and the amount required to be paid under this subsection (d) shall be made promptly in writing by EMPLOYER’s independent public accountants
or such other tax experts as reasonably agreed to by EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE (the “Accountants”) and such amount shall be paid to EMPLOYEE promptly, but not before 10 days after such determination. In the event that the Excise Tax incurred
by EMPLOYEE is determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be greater or lesser than the amount so determined by the Accountants, EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE agree to promptly pay such differential as the Accountants reasonably determine is appropriate,
including interest and any tax penalties, to the other party. For purposes of making the calculations required by this subsection (d), the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on
interpretations of the Code for which there is “substantial authority” tax reporting position. EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE shall furnish to the Accountants such 

  

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information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this subsection (d). EMPLOYER shall bear all costs
the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this subsection (d). For purposes of the computations herein, the Accountants shall assume that EMPLOYEE’s income is subject to income taxes at the highest
applicable effective Federal, state and local income tax marginal rates for the calendar year for which a particular computation relates. 
  
 (iii) In the event of any proposed adjustment with the Internal Revenue Service (or other applicable taxing authority) with respect to the
Excise Tax which would result in an increase in the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, EMPLOYEE shall permit EMPLOYER to control the issues related to the Excise Tax (at EMPLOYER’s expense), provided that such issues do not potentially adversely
affect EMPLOYEE. In the event issues are interrelated, EMPLOYEE and EMPLOYER shall in good faith cooperate so as to not jeopardize resolution of either issue. In the event of any conference with any taxing authority as to the Excise Tax or
associated income taxes, EMPLOYEE shall permit the representative of EMPLOYER to accompany the EMPLOYEE and the EMPLOYEE and the EMPLOYEE’s representative shall cooperate with EMPLOYER and its representative. 
  
 8. TREATMENT OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION BY EMPLOYER
FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY. 
  
 (a) Salary
Continuation. EMPLOYEE is not entitled to any continuation of salary or other base pay if EMPLOYEE is terminated by EMPLOYER due to EMPLOYEE’S death or disability. 
  
 (b) Bonus. EMPLOYEE is not entitled to a Bonus if EMPLOYEE is terminated by EMPLOYER due to EMPLOYEE’S death or
disability. 
  
 (c) Health Benefits. EMPLOYEE (or
EMPLOYEE’S family) is entitled to continue health benefits coverage pursuant to the terms of COBRA if EMPLOYEE is terminated by EMPLOYER due to death or disability. 
  
 (d) Stock Options and Restricted Stock. The vesting period continues without acceleration upon EMPLOYEE’S
termination by EMPLOYER due to disability. All stock options and restricted stock shall immediately and completely vest upon EMPLOYEE’S termination due to death. The provisions of the agreements and/or plans governing the Incentives will
otherwise be controlling. 
  
 9. TREATMENT OF COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION BY EMPLOYER WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY EMPLOYEE FOR GOOD REASON. 
  
 (a) Consultancy Agreement. In the event EMPLOYEE’S employment is terminated by EMPLOYER without Cause or by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason, EMPLOYEE
and EMPLOYER shall immediately enter into an independent contractor/consultant agreement pursuant to which EMPLOYEE shall receive pay in an amount equal to twelve (12) months Base Salary only (hereinafter “Consulting Pay”) in exchange
for consulting services. The term of the consultancy will be for twelve (12) months after the date of EMPLOYEE’S termination (“Consulting Period”) and the Consulting Pay shall be paid in twelve (12) equal consecutive monthly
installments beginning on the first day of the Consulting Period. EMPLOYEE agrees to make himself available to EMPLOYER for up to ten (10) hours per week, whether by telephone, e-mail, or in person, on an as-needed basis to consult with respect
to matters that were within EMPLOYEE’S job description during the course of EMPLOYEE’S employment. EMPLOYEE agrees to respond promptly, reasonably and cooperatively to EMPLOYER’S 

  

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requests for assistance. Barring special circumstances, the consulting hours shall not be cumulative; accordingly, hours not used within a given week will be
waived by EMPLOYER, but EMPLOYEE will receive his full pay under this paragraph. However, EMPLOYER reserves the right to require EMPLOYEE to provide more than ten (10) hours of service per week in the event that special circumstances arise in
which EMPLOYEE’S unique assistance is required by EMPLOYER. (Examples of special circumstances include, but are not limited to, assistance in litigation or responding to government inquiries). In order to protect EMPLOYER’S confidential
and trade secret information from use or disclosure to a party other than EMPLOYER, and to enable EMPLOYER to be able to obtain the benefits of EMPLOYEE’S consulting obligations hereunder, EMPLOYEE agrees that so long as he is accepting
Consulting Pay pursuant to this section, he (a) will not accept employment or consulting work in any capacity with any competitor of EMPLOYER; and (b) will continue to abide by the provisions of paragraphs 11 and 12 below. In the event
that EMPLOYEE accepts subsequent employment or other consulting work within the Consulting Period, EMPLOYEE will be required to spend no more than five (5) hours per week consulting with EMPLOYER. EMPLOYEE understands that this is a material
term of this Agreement. 
  
 (b) Bonus. In the event
EMPLOYEE is terminated by EMPLOYER without Cause or by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason, EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to a Bonus in an amount equal to the pro-rata portion of Bonus for the period of employment beginning January 1st of the year in which
the termination occurs and ending the date of termination. The full amount of such pro-rated Bonus will be paid to EMPLOYEE in one lump sum payment made within thirty (30) days after EMPLOYEE’S termination date. 
  
 (c) Health Benefits. EMPLOYEE is entitled to continue health benefits
coverage pursuant to the terms of COBRA if EMPLOYEE’S employment is terminated by EMPLOYER without Cause, or by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason. 
  
 (d) Stock Options and Restricted Stock. The vesting period for the year in which the termination occurs will accelerate to the date of termination.
In other words, upon termination by EMPLOYER without Cause, or by EMPLOYEE for Good Reason, EMPLOYEE shall immediately be vested with all stock options and restricted stock that would have been vested at the end of the year in which the termination
occurred. All other vesting ceases upon termination. The provisions of the agreements and/or plans governing the Incentives will otherwise be controlling. 
  
 10. CHANGE IN CONTROL. A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the conditions set forth in any one of the
following paragraphs shall have been satisfied. 
  
 (a) Any
“person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (other than EMPLOYER; any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an executive benefit plan of
EMPLOYER; or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of EMPLOYER in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of EMPLOYER), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined by Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the securities of EMPLOYER (not including any securities acquired directly from EMPLOYER or from a transferor in a transaction expressly approved or consented to by the Board of Directors)
representing more than 25% of the combined voting power of EMPLOYER’S then outstanding securities; or 
  
 (b) During any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of the Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of
such period constitute the Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with EMPLOYER to effect a transaction described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this section),

  

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 (i) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by EMPLOYER’S stockholders was approved
by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved or (ii) whose election is to
replace a person who ceases to be a director due to death, disability or age, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or 
  
 (c) The stockholders of EMPLOYER approve a merger or consolidation of EMPLOYER with another corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation
which would result in the voting securities of EMPLOYER outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the
ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an executive benefit plan of EMPLOYER, at least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of EMPLOYER or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such
merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of EMPLOYER (or similar transaction) in which no person acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of EMPLOYER’S then outstanding
securities; or 
  
 (d) The stockholders of EMPLOYER approve a plan
of complete liquidation of EMPLOYER or an agreement for the sale or disposition by EMPLOYER of all or substantially all EMPLOYER’S assets. 
  
 11. NON-COMPETITION PROVISION. 
  
 (a) During Employment. EMPLOYEE agrees that during his employment by EMPLOYER he will not engage directly or indirectly in any location within the
United States, in any business of the same or similar nature to the business of EMPLOYER, nor will EMPLOYEE participate directly or indirectly in the ownership or management of any enterprise engaged in such a business within the United States;
provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not preclude EMPLOYEE from investing in any publicly traded company or mutual fund or similar investment arrangement; and provided further that this provision shall not be binding to the extent it
conflicts with any the ethical code of any state bar association in which EMPLOYEE is licensed as an attorney at law. This provision acts in concert with Section 1, Employment by Company, which requires EMPLOYEE to devote all of EMPLOYEE’S
effort and skill exclusively to EMPLOYER. 
  
 (b) Upon
Termination of Employment. EMPLOYEE agrees that he will not seek or accept employment with any business in direct competition with EMPLOYER for a period of one year after termination of the employment relationship, anywhere in the United States.
EMPLOYEE further agrees that for a period of one year, he will neither contact nor solicit business from any employee, customer or independent contractor, past, present or future, of EMPLOYER. 
  
 12. NON-INTERFERENCE AND NON-SOLICITATION PROVISION. EMPLOYEE
agrees that during the term of his employment with EMPLOYER and for a period of one (1) year after termination of employment with EMPLOYER: (1) EMPLOYEE shall not either directly or indirectly interfere with the business of EMPLOYER or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and (2) EMPLOYEE shall not directly or indirectly solicit any of EMPLOYER’S employees to leave EMPLOYER and/or to work for another employer or business, whether or not the solicited employee would commit
any breach of his or her own employment terms by leaving the service of EMPLOYER. Thus, EMPLOYEE agrees that he will not either directly or indirectly initiate any communications or direct others to initiate any communications with EMPLOYER’S
employees regarding the possibility of employment elsewhere during the term of this non-solicitation provision. 
  

 7 

 13. CONFIDENTIALITY/TRADE SECRET PROVISION.  
  
 (a) EMPLOYER has created, developed, and adopted confidential, proprietary
and/or trade secret information. Additionally, EMPLOYER has entered into agreements with third parties whereby these third parties produce confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information for EMPLOYER. Such information has independent
actual or potential economic value from not being generally known to the public or other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and is not readily available or independently ascertainable through any source other than
EMPLOYER. Such information is subject to reasonable efforts to maintain its secrecy. 
  
 (b) The trade secrets of EMPLOYER include, but are not limited to, EMPLOYER’S lending policies and procedures, contracts and agreements with lenders, investors, and other clients (“Clients”),
information regarding the Clients (including but not limited to Client lists and potential Client lists), loan applicants, borrowers and other customers, budgets, forecasts, financial statements, broker lists, client contracts, the particular needs
of each Client and broker, the manner in which business is conducted with each Client and broker, records, sales techniques, methods of data processing, forecasts, information concerning employees and their salaries, performance and personnel file
information, and various financial information of EMPLOYER (collectively, “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall not include any information that is known by or made available to the public generally. EMPLOYEE further
understands and agrees that Confidential Information belongs to EMPLOYER and not to EMPLOYEE. 
  
 (c) In recognition that the business of EMPLOYER and the nature of EMPLOYEE’S work will require EMPLOYEE to have access to Confidential Information of EMPLOYER and/or its Clients which, if disclosed in an
unauthorized manner, could be highly prejudicial to EMPLOYER and/or its Clients: 
  
 (i) EMPLOYEE agrees not to disclose in any manner any Confidential Information, either directly or indirectly, either during employment
with EMPLOYER or following termination of employment, except as required in the course of employment with EMPLOYER. 
  
 (ii) EMPLOYEE agrees to take all precautions reasonably necessary to prevent the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of
Confidential Information either during employment with EMPLOYER or following termination of employment. 
  
 (iii) Upon termination, EMPLOYEE shall cease using, shall immediately return, and shall not misappropriate or use, any Confidential
Information. In addition, upon termination, EMPLOYEE shall leave in possession of EMPLOYER all equipment, furniture and supplies owned or leased by EMPLOYER. 
  
 (d) EMPLOYEE recognizes and acknowledges that none of the above provisions or EMPLOYER’S exercise of any rights thereunder shall limit the rights of
EMPLOYER under applicable statutes and common law rules regarding trade secrets, including, without limitation, the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. 
  
 14. ASSIGNMENT: SUCCESSORS. The rights, which accrue to EMPLOYER under this Agreement, shall pass to its successors and assigns. EMPLOYEE
may not assign any right under this Agreement with respect to the employment relationship, commencement, and termination of the employment relationship. 
  

 8 

 15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; HEADINGS. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous agreement by and between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof. This Agreement can be modified only by a written instrument executed by EMPLOYEE and EMPLOYER. Section headings in this
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose. 
  
 16. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision contained herein is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder
of the contract will continue in full force and effect. 
  
 17.
GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the legal relations thus created between the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri without regard to its conflicts of law
provisions. 
  
 18. ARBITRATION PROVISION.

  
 (a) Any controversy, dispute or claim whatsoever between
EMPLOYEE on the one hand, and EMPLOYER, or any of its employees, officers, and agents (collectively “EMPLOYER PARTIES”) on the other hand, including but not limited to any dispute about the validity, interpretation, effect or alleged
violation of this Agreement (“Claim”), must be settled by binding arbitration, at the request of either party, in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Procedures of the American Arbitration Association or other similar
organization in the County and State in which EMPLOYEE is employed. The Claims covered by this agreement include, but are not limited to, claims for wages and other compensation, claims for breach of contract (express or implied), tort claims,
claims for discrimination (including, but not limited to, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, and disability), and claims for violation of any federal, state, or other governmental law,
statute, regulations, or ordinance, except for claims for worker’s compensation or unemployment insurance benefits. 
  
 (b) The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law and Evidence Code of Missouri to the proceeding. The arbitration shall take place in the County and
State in which EMPLOYEE is or was employed by EMPLOYER. The parties shall be entitled to conduct discovery. The arbitrator shall prepare in writing and provide to the parties a decision and award, which includes factual findings and the reasons upon
which the decision is based. The decision of the arbitrator shall be binding and conclusive on the parties and unreviewable for error of law or legal reasoning of any kind, except as otherwise required by law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in any court having proper jurisdiction. The fees for the arbitrator shall be paid by EMPLOYER. Each party shall bear its or his own fees and costs incurred in connection with the arbitration, except for any attorneys’
fees or costs, which are awarded to a party by the arbitrator pursuant to statute or contract which provides for recovery of such fees and/or costs from the other party. 
  
 (c) Both EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE understand and agree that by using arbitration to resolve any Claims between them or any or
all of EMPLOYER PARTIES they are giving up any right that they may have to a judge or jury trial with regard to those Claims. Both EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE understand and agree that each is entering into this Agreement voluntarily. 
  
 19. ATTORNEY’S FEES. The prevailing party in any action or
dispute between EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing party may be entitled. 
  

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 20. WAIVER; MODIFICATION. Failure to insist upon compliance with any of the terms,
covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of, or failure to insist upon strict compliance with, any right or power hereunder at any one or more times be
deemed a waiver of or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times. 
  
 21. NEGOTIATION. The parties warrant and agree that the terms of this Agreement were the subject of negotiations between them. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he has read this Agreement and has had full
opportunity to seek independent legal advice before signing it. 
  
 22. CODE SECTION 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued
thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement to the contrary, the EMPLOYER may adopt such amendments to the Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures, or take any other actions, that the EMPLOYER determines is necessary or
appropriate to exempt any benefits under the Agreement from Section 409A of the Code and/or to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided hereunder, and/or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and related U.S.
Treasury guidance 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have
executed this Agreement as of the date first above written. 
  

	
	EMPLOYEE
	
	 /s/ Jeffrey D. Ayers

	Jeffrey D. Ayers

  

			
	EMPLOYER
	
	NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
		
	By	 	 /s/ Scott F. Hartman

	 	 	Scott F. Hartman
	 	 	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  

 10

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