Document:

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

EXCLUSIVE OPTION TO IMPROVE AND SELL

 

This Exclusive Option to Improve and Sell (this “Agreement”) is dated as of January 21, 2015 (the “Effective Date”) and is by and between Wisdom Homes of America, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), American National Credit Corporation, a Texas corporation (the “Owner”). The Company and Owner may each be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company owns and operates manufactured home retail centers in Tyler, Texas, Jacksboro, Texas, and Mt. Pleasant, Texas;

 

B. Owner is the owner of twenty five (25) unimproved building lots (each a “Homesite” and collectively the “Homesites”) in Sherman, Texas, as set forth in Exhibit A.

 

C. The Company and Owner desire to enter into this Agreement to govern the terms and conditions upon which the Company will place manufactured homes on the Homesites and market the Homesites for sale.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and adequate consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Grant of Exclusive Option to Improve and Sell.

 

(a) Owner hereby grants to the Company the exclusive right during the Term of this Agreement to improve the Homesites, including but not limited to putting a manufactured home thereon, and to market the Homesites for sale through a licensed real estate broker chosen by the Company.

 

(b) This Agreement will be in effect from the Effective Date through the end of the month that is twelve (12) months following the date that Owner has completed the Site Preparation (as defined below) on at least one (1) Homesite (the “Term”); notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall automatically renew for a second twelve (12) month period if at least ten (10) Homesites are sold during the initial Term.

 

	 
	
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2. Terms of the Agreement. The Company and Owner hereby agree as follows:

 

(a) Title to the Homesites will remain with Owner until such time as a Homesite is sold to a prospective homeowner.

 

(b) Company will pay all costs associated with both the water system and sewer hook-ups on the Homesites (the “Site Preparation”). The buyer of the Homesite will be required to reimburse Company for costs of Site Preparation. All additional work necessary to improve the Homesite will be the responsibility of the buyer, but the Company may loan funds to the buyer for this purpose.

 

(c) The cost of each Homesite will be $20,000 for one-acre lots and $30,000 for two-acre lots.

 

(d) The Company will place a manufactured home on each of the Homesites following its Site Preparation. The timing of home placement, and the type of home and location of the home on the lot, shall be at the sole discretion of the Company.

 

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to Owner that:

 

(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. This Agreement constitutes the valid, legal and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditor's rights generally;

 

(b) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any breach of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party, or violate any order, applicable to the Company, of any court or federal or state regulatory body or administrative agency having jurisdiction over the Company or over any of its property; and

 

(c) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing as a Company under the laws of the State of Nevada and has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business.

 

4. Representations and Warranties of Owner. The Owner represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, and executed by Owner. This Agreement constitutes the valid, legal and binding obligation of Owner, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditor's rights generally; and

 

(b) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any breach of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which Owner is a party, or violate any order, applicable to Owner, of any court or federal or state regulatory body or administrative agency having jurisdiction over Owner or over any of its property.

 

	 
	
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5. Choice of Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or void in any jurisdiction to be unenforceable or void in any jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect under applicable law and shall be construed in order to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Agreement. Any action brought by any Party hereto shall be brought in the courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.

 

6. Attorneys Fees. Except as otherwise provided herein, if a dispute should arise between the Parties including, but not limited to arbitration, the prevailing Party shall be reimbursed by the non-prevailing Party for all reasonable expenses incurred in resolving such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

7. Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the Party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day, or (c) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent as follows:

 

	
 

	
If to the Company:

	
SearchCore, Inc.

500 North Northeast Loop 323

Tyler, TX 75708

Attn: James Pakulis, President & CEO

Facsimile (___) _________________

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
with a copy to:

	
Clyde Snow & Sessions, PC

201 South Main Street, 13th Floor

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Attn: Brian A. Lebrecht

Facsimile (801) 521-6280

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
If to Owner:

	
American National Credit Corporation

____________________________

____________________________

Facsimile (____) _______________ 

	
 

 

or at such other address as the Company or Owner may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other Party hereto.

 

	 
	
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8. No Partnership; Survival or Representations. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute an association, partnership, unincorporated business or any other entity between the Company and Owner.

 

9. Validity of Agreement. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of the remainder thereof.

 

10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. No amendment or addition to, or modification of, any provision contained in this Agreement shall be effective unless fully set forth in writing signed by all of the Parties hereto.

 

11. Further Assurances. Each of the Parties hereto agrees on behalf of such Party, his, her or its successors and assigns, that such Party will, without further consideration, execute, acknowledge and deliver such other documents and take such other action as may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

 

12. Assignment. This Agreement and the rights and obligations created hereunder may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated in any manner by either of the Parties hereto, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, without the prior written consent of the other party. Any attempt assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation, or other disposition of this Agreement in a manner contrary hereto shall be null and void and without force or effect.

 

13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

 

	 
	
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

	
“Company”

	
 

	
“Owner”

	
 

		 			 	
	
SearchCore, Inc.,

	
 

	
American National Credit Corporation,

	
 

	
a Nevada corporation

	
 

	
a Texas corporation

	
 

		 			 	
	
 

	
/s/ James Pakulis

	
 

	
 

	
/s/ Ron Crabtree

	
 

	
By:

	
James Pakulis

	
 

	
By:

	
Ron Crabtree

	
 

	
Its:

	
President and CEO

	
 

	
Its:

	
President

	
 

  

	 
	
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Exhibit A

 

Plot Map of Homesites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6form8k_exh101-020215.htm

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT

 

This Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between Sunshine Bank, located in Plant City, Florida (the “Employer”), and Andrew S. Samuel (the “Executive”), effective as of the 28 day of January, 2015, formalizes the agreements and understanding between the Employer and the Executive.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Employer recognizes the valuable services the Executive has performed for the Employer and wishes to encourage the Executive’s continued employment and to provide the Executive with additional incentive to achieve corporate objectives;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer wishes to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Employer shall pay additional retirement benefits to the Executive;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer and the Executive intend this Agreement shall at all times be administered and interpreted in compliance with Code Section 409A; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employer intends this Agreement shall at all times be administered and interpreted in such a manner as to constitute an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement, maintained primarily to provide supplemental retirement benefits for the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Employer;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises herein contained, the Employer and the Executive agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

 

For the purpose of this Agreement, the following phrases or terms shall have the indicated meanings:

 

1.1 “Accrued Benefit” means the dollar value of the liability that should be accrued by the Employer, under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, for the Employer’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, calculated by applying Accounting Standards Codification 710-10 and the Discount Rate.

 

1.2 “Administrator” means the Board or its designee.

 

1.3 “Affiliate” means any business entity with whom the Employer would be considered a single employer under Code Section 414(b) and 414(c).  Such term shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the definition of “service recipient” contained in Code Section 409A.

 

  

  

  

 

 

1.4 “Base Salary” means the cash compensation relating to services performed during any calendar year, excluding bonuses, commissions, distributions from nonqualified deferred compensation plans, fringe benefits, incentive payments, non-monetary awards, overtime, relocation expenses, stock options and other fees, and automobile and other allowances, paid to the Executive for services rendered (whether or not such allowances are included in the Executive’s gross income).  Base Salary shall be calculated before reduction for amounts voluntarily deferred or contributed by the Executive pursuant to qualified or non-qualified plans and shall be calculated to include amounts not otherwise included in the Executive’s gross income under Code Sections 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h), or 403(b) pursuant to plans established by the Employer; provided, however, that all such amounts will be included in compensation only to the extent that had there been no such plan, the amount would have been payable in cash to the Executive.

 

1.5 “Beneficiary” means the person or persons designated in writing by the Executive to receive benefits hereunder in the event of the Executive’s death.

 

1.6 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Employer.

 

1.7 “Bonus” means the cash bonus, if any, awarded to the Executive for services performed.

 

1.8 “Cause” shall have the same meaning under this Agreement as is provided in Section 3(b) of the Employment Agreement.

 

1.9 “Change in Control” means a change in the ownership or effective control of the Corporation or the Employer, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation or the Employer, as such change is defined in Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.

 

1.10 “Claimant” means a person who believes that he or she is being denied a benefit to which he or she is entitled hereunder.

 

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

 

1.12 “Core Earnings” means the Employer’s net income excluding all securities gains and losses and merger related expenses, all as determined by the Employer’s Compensation Committee.

 

1.13 “Corporation” means Sunshine Bancorp, Inc., the parent corporation of the Employer.

 

1.14 “Disability” means a condition of the Executive whereby the Executive either: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.  The Administrator will determine whether the Executive has incurred a Disability based on its own good faith determination and may require the Executive to submit to reasonable physical and mental examinations for this purpose.  The Executive will also be deemed to have incurred a Disability if determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or in accordance with a disability insurance program, provided that the definition of disability applied under such disability insurance program complies with the initial sentence of this Section.

 

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1.15 “Discount Rate” means the rate used by the Administrator for determining the Accrued Benefit.  The initial Discount Rate is five per cent (5%).   The Administrator may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

1.16 “Early Involuntary Termination” means Separation from Service before Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than death, Disability, Cause or following a Change in Control, when such Separation from Service is either (i) due to the independent exercise of the unilateral authority of the Employer to terminate the Executive’s services, other than due to the Executive’s implicit or explicit request, where the Executive was willing and able to continue performing services or (ii) initiated by the Executive for Good Reason.

 

1.17  “Early Voluntary Termination” means Separation from Service before Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than death, Disability, or following a Change in Control, but it shall not include any Early Involuntary Termination.

 

1.18 “Effective Date” means January 1, 2015.

 

1.19 “Employment Agreement” means the Employment Agreement between the Corporation, the Employer and the Executive, dated October 14, 2014, as amended.

 

1.20 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

1.21 “Final Pay” means the Executive's highest compensation (equal to the sum of annualized Base Salary plus Bonus) from the three (3) years prior to Separation from Service, Change in Control or the Executive’s death, including the year such Separation from Service, Change in Control or the Executive’s death occurs.

 

1.22 “Good Reason” shall have the same meaning under this Agreement as is provided in Section 3(c) of the Employment Agreement.

 

1.23 “Normal Retirement Age” means the date the Executive attains age sixty-three (63).

 

1.24 “Projected Final Pay” means Final Pay increased by four percent (4%) annually from the date of Change in Control until Normal Retirement Age.

 

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1.25 “Separation from Service” means a termination of the Executive’s employment with the Employer and its Affiliates for reasons other than death or Disability.  A Separation from Service may occur as of a specified date for purposes of the Agreement even if the Executive continues to provide some services for the Employer or its Affiliates after that date, provided that the facts and circumstances indicate that the Employer and the Executive reasonably anticipated at that date that either no further services would be performed after that date, or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period during which the Executive performed services for the Employer, if that is less than thirty-six (36) months).  A Separation from Service will not be deemed to have occurred while the Executive is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months or, if longer, the period for which a statute or contract provides the Executive with the right to reemployment with the Employer.  If the Executive’s leave exceeds six (6) months but the Executive is not entitled to reemployment under a statute or contract, the Executive incurs a Separation of Service on the next day following the expiration of such six (6) month period.  In determining whether a Separation of Service occurs the Administrator shall take into account, among other things, the definition of “service recipient” and “employer” set forth in Treasury regulation §1.409A-1(h)(3).  The Administrator shall have full and final authority, to determine conclusively whether a Separation from Service occurs, and the date of such Separation from Service.

 

1.26 “Specified Employee” means an individual that satisfies the definition of a “key employee” of the Employer as such term is defined in Code §416(i) (without regard to Code §416(i)(5)), provided that the stock of the Employer is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, as defined in Code §1.897-1(m).  If the Executive is a key employee at any time during the twelve (12) months ending on December 31, the Executive is a Specified Employee for the twelve (12) month period commencing on the first day of the following April.

 

ARTICLE 2

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

 

2.1           Normal Retirement Benefit.  Upon Separation from Service after Normal Retirement Age, the Employer shall pay the Executive an annual benefit in the amount of forty percent (40%) of Final Pay in lieu of any other benefit hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the benefit under this Section 2.1 shall be increased to fifty percent (50%) of Final Pay once the Employer has achieved for any calendar year before Separation from Service Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) of Core Earnings and further increased to sixty percent (60%) of Final Pay once the Employer has achieved for any calendar year before Separation from Service Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) of Core Earnings.  The annual benefit will be paid in equal monthly installments commencing the month following Separation from Service and continuing for fifteen (15) years, subject to the conditions and limitations hereinafter set forth.

 

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2.2           No Benefit at Early Voluntary Termination.  If Early Voluntary Termination occurs, the Executive shall forfeit any benefit accrued hereunder and the Employer shall have no obligation to make any benefit payments to the Executive or Beneficiary hereunder.

 

2.3           Early Involuntary Termination Benefit.  If Early Involuntary Termination occurs, the Employer shall pay the Executive the Accrued Benefit in lieu of any other benefit hereunder.  The benefit will be paid in a lump sum the month following Separation from Service.

 

2.4           Disability Benefit.  In the event the Executive suffers a Disability prior to Normal Retirement Age and prior to Separation from Service the Employer shall pay the Executive the Accrued Benefit in lieu of any other benefit hereunder.  The Employer shall pay the benefit in one hundred eighty (180) equal monthly installments commencing the month following Disability. Interest shall be credited on the Accrued Benefit from the Disability until the final payment is made, at a rate equal to the Discount Rate in effect at the time of Disability.

 

        2.5           Change in Control Benefit.  If a Change in Control occurs prior to Separation from Service the Employer shall pay the Executive the present value of (i) if the Change in Control occurs prior to Normal Retirement Age, an annual benefit equal to seventy per cent (70%) of Projected Final Pay payable for fifteen (15) years, discounted from Normal Retirement Age to the date of the Change in Control; or (ii) if the Change in Control occurs after Normal Retirement Age, an annual benefit equal to seventy per cent (70%) of Final Pay payable for fifteen (15) years, in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. The present value shall be calculated as of the date of Change of Control using a discount rate equal to the 20 year Moody’s Aa corporate bond rate (not to be higher than 4%) as of the Change in Control.  The benefit will be paid in a lump sum within ninety (90) days following Change in Control.

 

2.6           Death Prior to Separation from Service, Disability and Change in Control.  In the event the Executive dies prior to Separation from Service, Disability and Change in Control, the Employer shall pay the Beneficiary a benefit equal to the greater of (i) the Accrued Benefit or (ii) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in lieu of any other benefit hereunder.  The benefit will be paid in a lump sum within ninety (90) days following the Executive’s death.

 

2.7           Death Subsequent to Commencement of Benefit Payments.  In the event the Executive dies while receiving payments, but prior to receiving all payments due and owing hereunder, the Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the same amounts at the same times as the Employer would have paid the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

2.8           Termination for Cause.  If the Employer terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, then the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits under the terms of this Agreement.

 

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2.9           Restriction on Commencement of Distributions.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee at the time of Separation from Service, the provisions of this Section shall govern all distributions hereunder.  Distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to Separation from Service shall not be made during the first six (6) months following Separation from Service.  Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following Separation from Service, or if earlier, upon the Executive’s death.  All subsequent distributions shall be paid as they would have had this Section not applied.

 

2.10           Acceleration of Payments.  Except as specifically permitted herein, no acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment may be made hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments may be accelerated, in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(j)(4) in the following circumstances: (i) as a result of certain domestic relations orders; (ii) in compliance with ethics agreements with the federal government; (iii) in compliance with the ethics laws or conflicts of interest laws; (iv) in limited cashouts (but not in excess of the limit under Code §402(g)(1)(B)); (v) to pay employment-related taxes; or (vi) to pay any taxes that may become due at any time that the Agreement fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

2.11           Delays in Payment by Employer.  A payment may be delayed to a date after the designated payment date under any of the circumstances described below, and such payment will not fail to meet the requirements of establishing a permissible payment event.  The delay in the payment will not constitute a subsequent deferral election, so long as the Employer treats all payments to similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

 

(a)           Payments subject to Code Section 162(m).  If the Employer reasonably anticipates that the Employer’s deduction with respect to any distribution under this Agreement would be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m), then to the extent deemed necessary by the Employer to ensure that the entire amount of any distribution from this Agreement is deductible, the Employer may delay payment of any amount that would otherwise be distributed under this Agreement.  The delayed amounts shall be distributed to the Executive (or the Beneficiary in the event of the Executive’s death) at the earliest date the Employer reasonably anticipates that the deduction of the payment of the amount will not be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m).

 

(b)           Payments that would violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law.  A payment may be delayed where the Employer reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law provided that the payment is made at the earliest date at which the Employer reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will not cause such violation.  The making of a payment that would cause inclusion in gross income or the application of any penalty provision of the Internal Revenue Code is not treated as a violation of law.

 

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(c)           Solvency.  Notwithstanding the above, a payment may be delayed where the payment would jeopardize the ability of the Employer to continue as a going concern.

 

2.12           Treatment of Payment as Made on Designated Payment Date.  Any payment under this Agreement made after the required payment date shall be deemed made on the required payment date provided that such payment is made by the latest of: (i) the end of the calendar year in which the payment is due; (ii) the 15th day of the third calendar month following the payment due date; (iii) if Employer cannot calculate the payment amount on account of administrative impracticality which is beyond the Executive’s control, the end of the first calendar year which payment calculation is practicable; and (iv) if Employer does not have sufficient funds to make the payment without jeopardizing the Employer’s solvency, in the first calendar year in which the Employer’s funds are sufficient to make the payment.

 

2.13           Facility of Payment.  If a distribution is to be made to a minor, or to a person who is otherwise incompetent, then the Administrator may make such distribution: (i) to the legal guardian, or if none, to a parent of a minor payee with whom the payee maintains his or her residence; or (ii) to the conservator or administrator or, if none, to the person having custody of an incompetent payee.  Any such distribution shall fully discharge the Employer and the Administrator from further liability on account thereof.

 

2.14           Changes in Form or Timing of Benefit Payments.  The Employer and the Executive may, subject to the terms hereof, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of payments.  Any such amendment:

 

(a)           must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made;

 

(b)           must, for benefits distributable due solely to the arrival of a specified date, or on account of Separation from Service or Change in Control, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made;

 

(c)           must, for benefits distributable due solely to the arrival of a specified date, be made not less than twelve (12) months before distribution is scheduled to begin; and

 

(d)           may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution.

 

ARTICLE 3

BENEFICIARIES

 

3.1           Designation of Beneficiaries.  The Executive may designate any person to receive any benefits payable under the Agreement upon the Executive’s death, and the designation may be changed from time to time by the Executive by filing a new designation.  Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the Executive, shall be in the form prescribed by the Administrator, and shall be effective only when filed in writing with the Administrator during the Executive’s lifetime.  If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Administrator.  The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved.

 

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3.2           Absence of Beneficiary Designation.  In the absence of a valid Beneficiary designation, or if, at the time any benefit payment is due to a Beneficiary, there is no living Beneficiary validly named by the Executive, the Employer shall pay the benefit payment to the Executive’s spouse.  If the spouse is not living then the Employer shall pay the benefit payment to the Executive’s living descendants per stirpes, and if there are no living descendants, to the Executive’s estate.  In determining the existence or identity of anyone entitled to a benefit payment, the Employer may rely conclusively upon information supplied by the Executive’s personal representative, executor, or administrator.

 

	
  

	
ARTICLE 4

	
  

	
ADMINISTRATION

 

4.1           Administrator Duties.  The Administrator shall be responsible for the management, operation, and administration of the Agreement.  When making a determination or calculation, the Administrator shall be entitled to rely on information furnished by the Employer, Executive or Beneficiary.  No provision of this Agreement shall be construed as imposing on the Administrator any fiduciary duty under ERISA or other law, or any duty similar to any fiduciary duty under ERISA or other law.

 

4.2           Administrator Authority.  The Administrator shall enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general administration of this Agreement, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish its purposes.

 

4.3           Binding Effect of Decision.  The decision or action of the Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

4.4           Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity.  The Administrator shall serve without compensation for services rendered hereunder.  The Administrator is authorized at the expense of the Employer to employ such legal counsel and/or recordkeeper as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder.  Expense and fees in connection with the administration of this Agreement shall be paid by the Employer.

 

4.5           Employer Information.  The Employer shall supply full and timely information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Executive’s compensation, death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other information as the Administrator reasonably requires.

 

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4.6           Termination of Benefit Accruals.  If the Administrator determines in good faith that the Executive no longer qualifies as a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees, as determined in accordance with ERISA, the Administrator shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to cease further benefit accruals hereunder.

 

4.7           Compliance with Code Section 409A.  The Employer and the Executive intend that the Agreement comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A to prevent the inclusion in gross income of any amounts deferred hereunder in a taxable year prior to the year in which amounts are actually paid to the Executive or Beneficiary.  This Agreement shall be construed, administered and governed in a manner that affects such intent, and the Administrator shall not take any action that would be inconsistent therewith.

 

ARTICLE 5

CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

 

5.1           Claims Procedure.  A Claimant who has not received benefits under this Agreement that he or she believes should be distributed shall make a claim for such benefits as follows.

 

(a)           Initiation – Written Claim.  The Claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Administrator a written claim for the benefits.  If such a claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim must be made within sixty (60) days after such notice was received by the Claimant.  All other claims must be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred.  The claim must state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant.

 

(b)           Timing of Administrator Response.  The Administrator shall respond to such Claimant within ninety (90) days after receiving the claim.  If the Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Administrator can extend the response period by an additional ninety (90) days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial ninety (90) day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Administrator expects to render its decision.

(c)           Notice of Decision.  If the Administrator denies part or all of the claim, the Administrator shall notify the Claimant in writing of such denial.  The Administrator shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant.  The notification shall set forth:  (i) the specific reasons for the denial; (ii) a reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based; (iii) a description of any additional information or material necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why it is needed; (iv) an explanation of this Agreement’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures; and (v) a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

 

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5.2           Review Procedure.  If the Administrator denies part or all of the claim, the Claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Administrator of the denial as follows.

 

(a)           Initiation – Written Request.  To initiate the review, the Claimant, within sixty (60) days after receiving the Administrator’s notice of denial, must file with the Administrator a written request for review.

(b)           Additional Submissions – Information Access.  The Claimant shall then have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim.  The Administrator shall also provide the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.

(c)           Considerations on Review.  In considering the review, the Administrator shall take into account all materials and information the Claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

(d)           Timing of Administrator Response.  The Administrator shall respond in writing to such Claimant within sixty (60) days after receiving the request for review.  If the Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Administrator can extend the response period by an additional sixty (60) days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial sixty (60) day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Administrator expects to render its decision.

 

(e)           Notice of Decision.  The Administrator shall notify the Claimant in writing of its decision on review.  The Administrator shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant.  The notification shall set forth:  (a) the specific reasons for the denial; (b) a reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based; (c) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; and (d) a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).

 

ARTICLE 6

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

6.1           Agreement Amendment Generally.  Except as provided in Section 6.2, this Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by both the Employer and the Executive.

 

6.2           Amendment to Insure Proper Characterization of Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Agreement may be amended by the Employer at any time, if found necessary in the opinion of the Employer, i) to ensure that the Agreement is characterized as plan of deferred compensation maintained for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as described under ERISA, ii) to conform the Agreement to the requirements of any applicable law or iii) to comply with the written instructions of the Employer’s auditors or banking regulators.

 

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6.3           Agreement Termination Generally.  Except as provided in Section 6.4, this Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Employer and the Executive.  Such termination shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement.  Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2.

 

6.4           Effect of Complete Termination.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 6.3, and subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulations §1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix), at certain times the Employer may completely terminate and liquidate the Agreement.  In the event of a complete termination under subsections (a) or (c) below, the Employer shall pay the Accrued Benefit to the Executive.  In the event of a complete termination under subsection (b) below, the Employer shall pay an amount equal to the lump sum benefit that would have otherwise been paid pursuant to Section 2.5 to the Executive.  Such complete termination of the Agreement shall occur only under the following circumstances and conditions.

 

(a)           Corporate Dissolution or Bankruptcy.  The Employer may terminate and liquidate this Agreement within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that all benefits paid under the Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of: (i) the calendar year which the termination occurs; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the payment is administratively practicable.

 

(b)           Change in Control.  The Employer may terminate and liquidate this Agreement by taking irrevocable action to terminate and liquidate within the thirty (30) days preceding or the twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.  This Agreement will then be treated as terminated only if all substantially similar arrangements sponsored by the Employer and Affiliates which are treated as deferred under a single plan under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated and liquidated with respect to each participant who experienced the Change in Control so that the Executive and any participants in any such similar arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Employer takes the irrevocable action to terminate the arrangements.

(c)           Discretionary Termination.  The Employer may terminate and liquidate this Agreement provided that: (i) the termination does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health   of the Employer; (ii) all arrangements sponsored by the Employer and Affiliates that would be aggregated with any terminated arrangements under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(c) are terminated; (iii) no payments, other than payments that would be payable under the terms of this Agreement if the termination had not occurred, are made within twelve (12) months of the date the Employer takes the irrevocable action to terminate this Agreement; (iv) all payments are made within twenty-four (24) months following the date the Employer takes the irrevocable action to terminate and liquidate this Agreement; and (v) neither the Employer nor any of its Affiliates adopt a new arrangement that would be aggregated with any terminated arrangement under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in both arrangements, at any time within three (3) years following the date the Employer takes the irrevocable action to terminate this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1           No Effect on Employment Rights.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Employer and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof.  No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.  Nothing contained herein will confer upon the Executive the right to be retained in the service of the Employer nor limit the right of the Employer to discharge or otherwise deal with the Executive without regard to the existence hereof.

 

7.2           State Law.  To the extent not governed by ERISA, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the internal law of the State of Florida without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

7.3           Validity.  In case any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted herein.

 

7.4           Nonassignability.  Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

7.5           Unsecured General Creditor Status.  Payment to the Executive or any Beneficiary hereunder shall be made from assets which shall continue, for all purposes, to be part of the general, unrestricted assets of the Employer and no person shall have any interest in any such asset by virtue of any provision of this Agreement.  The Employer’s obligation hereunder shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.  In the event that the Employer purchases an insurance policy insuring the life of the Executive to recover the cost of providing benefits hereunder, neither the Executive nor the Beneficiary shall have any rights whatsoever in said policy or the proceeds therefrom.

 

7.6           Life Insurance.  If the Employer chooses to obtain insurance on the life of the Executive in connection with its obligations under this Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees to take such physical examinations and to truthfully and completely supply such information as may be required by the Employer or the insurance company designated by the Employer.

 

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7.7           Unclaimed Benefits.  The Executive shall keep the Employer informed of the Executive’s current address and the current address of the Beneficiary.  If the location of the Executive is not made known to the Employer within three years after the date upon which any payment of any benefits may first be made, the Employer shall delay payment of the Executive’s benefit payment(s) until the location of the Executive is made known to the Employer; however, the Employer shall only be obligated to hold such benefit payment(s) for the Executive until the expiration of three (3) years.  Upon expiration of the three (3) year period, the Employer may discharge its obligation by payment to the Beneficiary.  If the location of the Beneficiary is not made known to the Employer by the end of an additional two (2) month period following expiration of the three (3) year period, the Employer may discharge its obligation by payment to the Executive’s estate.  If there is no estate in existence at such time or if such fact cannot be determined by the Employer, the Executive and Beneficiary shall thereupon forfeit all rights to any benefits provided under this Agreement.

 

7.8           Suicide or Misstatement.  No benefit shall be distributed hereunder if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Employer denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

7.9           Removal. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Employer shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.  Furthermore, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall, if required, comply with 12 U.S.C. 1828, FDIC Regulation 12 CFR Part 359 and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

7.10           Notice.  Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given to the Employer or Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the Employer’s principal business office.  Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive or Beneficiary under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive or Beneficiary, as appropriate.  Any notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark or on the receipt for registration or certification.

 

7.11           Headings and Interpretation.  Headings and sub-headings in this Agreement are inserted for reference and convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement.  Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

7.12           Alternative Action.  In the event it becomes impossible for the Employer or the Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Employer or Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Employer, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

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7.13           Coordination with Other Benefits.  The benefits provided for the Executive or the Beneficiary under this Agreement are in addition to any other benefits available to the Executive under any other plan or program for employees of the Employer.  This Agreement shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify, or amend any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein.

 

7.14           Inurement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Employer, its successor and assigns, and the Executive, the Executive’s successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and the Beneficiary.

 

7.15           Tax Withholding.  The Employer may make such provisions and take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes which the Employer is required by any law or regulation to withhold in connection with any benefits under the Agreement.  The Executive shall be responsible for the payment of all individual tax liabilities relating to any benefits paid hereunder.

 

7.16           Aggregation of Agreement.  If the Employer offers other non-qualified deferred compensation plans, this Agreement and those plans shall be treated as a single plan to the extent required under Code Section 409A.

 

7.17 Forfeiture Provision. The Executive shall forfeit any non-distributed benefits under this Agreement if the Executive violates any provision of Section 8 of the Employment Agreement.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a representative of the Employer have executed this Agreement document as indicated below:

 

 

	 Executive:     	 	 Employer:	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 /s/ Vickie Houllis	 
	 /s/Andrew S. Samuel_____________________________	 	
 By: Vickie Houllis______________________ 
 Its: Chief Financial Officer________________

	 

 

 

	
 Acknowledged and Agreed to:

 Corporation:     

	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 /s/ Vickie Houllis	 	 	 
	
 By: Vickie Houllis______________________

 Its: Chief Financial Officer________________

	 	
 

	 

 

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