Document:

matr-ex1021_992.htm

 

Exhibit 10.21

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Mattersight Corporation (the “Company”), and Jason Wesbecher, an individual (“Employee”), enter into this Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) as of January 8, 2015 (the “Effective Date”).

Whereas, the Company desires to employ Employee to provide personal services to the Company and to provide Employee with certain compensation and benefits in return for his services; and

Whereas, Employee wishes to be employed by the Company and to provide personal services to the Company in return for certain compensation and benefits.

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

1.Duties. The Company shall employ Employee as its Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, reporting directly to the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Employee accepts such employment upon the terms and conditions herein. Employee shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority in all material respects as are assigned to Employee as of the date hereof and such other responsibilities, duties, and authority as the President and Chief Executive Officer may reasonably designate and are customarily associated with this position. 

(a)Outside Activities. During the term of employment, Employee shall perform faithfully the duties assigned to him to the best of his ability, and Employee shall devote his full and undivided business time and attention to the transaction of the Company’s business. Except in conformity with the requirements of the Company’s then-effective Code of Ethical Business Conduct, Employee will not during the term of this Agreement undertake or engage (other than as a passive investor) in any other employment, occupation, or business enterprise, whether as an agent, partner, proprietor, officer, director, employee, consultant, contractor, or otherwise, whether during or outside the business hours of the Company. Employee may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.

(b)No Adverse Interests. Except as permitted by Section 9(c), during the term of employment, Employee agrees not to acquire, assume, or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment, or interest that is known or should be known by him to be adverse or antagonistic to the Company, its business, or prospects, financial or otherwise.

 

 

2.Term of Employment; Termination.

(a)At-Will Relationship. Employee’s employment relationship is at-will. Either Employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without Cause or advance notice.

(b)Termination by the Company without Cause; Termination by Employee with Good Reason.

(i)Cause Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean any of the following:  (i) conviction, including a plea of guilty or no contest, of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; (ii) fraud upon the Company (or an affiliate), embezzlement or misappropriation of corporate funds; (iii) willful acts of dishonesty materially harmful to the Company; (iv) activities materially harmful to the Company’s reputation; (v) Employee’s willful misconduct, willful refusal to perform his duties, or substantial willful disregard of his duties, provided that the Company first provides Employee with written notice of such conduct and thirty (30) days to cure such conduct, if such conduct is reasonably susceptible to cure; or (vi) material breach of this Agreement, any other agreement with the Company, any policy of the Company, or any statutory duty or common law duty of loyalty owed to the Company that causes material harm to the Company; provided, no act or omission on Employee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless it is done by Employee without reasonable belief that the Employee’s action was in the best interests of the Company.

(ii)Good Reason Definition. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean: (A) a reduction of Employee’s base salary below the amount set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, or a reduction in the “Target Bonus” defined in Section 4 of this Agreement, if any, unless such reduction is shared proportionally by the three most highly-salaried officers of the Company in addition to Employee; (B) an involuntary relocation of Employee’s place of work to any location outside of the metropolitan area in which his primary office is located immediately prior to the relocation, excluding temporary periods of thirty (30) days or less and ordinary course business travel; (C) a significant diminution by the Company in Employee’s position (including offices, titles, and reporting relationships), authority, duties, or responsibilities (excluding diminutions resulting in the ordinary course from the Company becoming, pursuant to a Change of Control, (x) part of a larger organization in which Employee directly reports to the Chief Executive Officer of such organization; or (y) a subsidiary or equivalent separate functional business unit of a larger organization); (D) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement; or (E) failure by the Company to assign this Agreement to a successor upon a Change of Control. No Good Reason shall exist where: (1) Employee consents to the event that forms the basis for the Good Reason resignation; (2) Employee does not provide the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer with written notice describing in detail the Good Reason within thirty (30) days after its occurrence; or (3) the Company cures the Good Reason within thirty (30) days after its receipt of such notice, if such conduct is reasonably susceptible to cure. 

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(iii)Severance Benefits. In the event that Employee’s employment is terminated without Cause by the Company or is terminated by Employee with Good Reason, Employee shall receive the following as his sole and exclusive severance benefits (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):  

(1)Severance Pay. Employee will receive a lump sum payment, within seven (7) days following the effective date of termination, equal to six (6) months of his then‐current base salary, less standard payroll deductions and withholdings.

(2)Severance Bonus. Employee will be paid a bonus, within seven (7) days following the effective date of termination, equal to 50% of the average of (A) the annual bonus he was paid for the year immediately preceding the termination and (B) his Target Bonus under the Company’s then-current bonus plan, if any, less standard payroll deductions and withholdings. 

(3)Severance Health Premium Reimbursements. If Employee timely elects to continue his Company-provided group health insurance coverage pursuant to the federal COBRA law, the Company will reimburse Employee for the cost of such COBRA premiums to continue health insurance coverage at the same level of coverage for Employee and his dependents (if applicable) in effect as of the termination date, through the end of six (6) months or until such time as Employee qualifies for health insurance benefits through a new employer, whichever occurs first. Employee shall notify the Company in writing of such new employment not later than five (5) business days after securing it. 

(4)Severance Vesting. The vesting of the Equity Award (as defined in Section 6) and of all restricted stock or stock option or other equity grants that Employee may in the future receive from the Company, shall be accelerated so that, as of the date of the termination, such restricted stock and stock option grants shall vest as to the number of shares that would have vested had Employee provided an additional six (6) months of continuous service to the Company; provided, however, that if Employee is terminated without Cause within six (6) months following a Change in Control (as defined in Section 6.8(b) of the Company’s 1999 Stock Incentive Plan), Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason within six (6) months following a Change in Control, or Employee terminates his employment for the Good Reason described in clause (E) of Section 2(b)(ii), then such restricted stock and stock option grants shall vest as to the number of shares that would have vested had Employee provided an additional twelve (12) months of continuous service to the Company.

(iv)Severance Conditions. As a condition of and prior to the receipt of all or any of the Severance Benefits, Employee must execute and allow to become effective a general release of claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A within sixty (60) days after the effective date of termination and must comply with the terms of this Agreement. Upon any termination of Employee’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Employee for Good Reason, the Company and its affiliates (by and through their respective directors and senior executive officers) and Executive agree not to disparage the other party.

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(c)Termination for Cause; Voluntary or Mutual Termination.

(i)No Severance. In the event Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company at any time for Cause, or Employee terminates his employment without Good Reason, or the parties mutually terminate their employment relationship, Employee will not be entitled to any Severance Benefits, pay in lieu of notice, or any other severance, compensation, benefits, equity, acceleration, or any other amounts, with the exception of any benefit to which Employee has a vested right under a written benefit plan.

(ii)Resignation. Employee may voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company at any time, without liability therefor. Employee agrees to use good faith to give the Company reasonable notice of any such voluntary termination. Upon receipt of any termination notice from Employee, the Company, at its election, may require Employee to resign his employment prior to the occurrence of any requested termination date.

(d)Termination for Death or Disability.

(i)Termination. Employee’s employment will terminate upon his death or Disability.

(ii)Disability Definition. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s then-current long-term disability benefit program or, if no such program is then in effect, shall mean a permanent disability rendering Employee unable to perform his duties for the Company for ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days in any twelve (12) month period, which determination shall be made after the period of disability, unless an earlier determination can be made, by an independent physician appointed by the Board. 

(iii)Death or Disability Benefit. Following the death or Disability of Employee while employed by the Company, the Company will provide Employee (or, in the case of death, Employee’s estate) a lump sum amount payable within thirty (30) days thereafter, equal to:  (A) Employee’s salary for twelve (12) months; (B) an amount equal to 100% of the average of (x) the annual bonus he was paid for the year immediately preceding the termination and (y) his Target Bonus under the Company’s then-current bonus plan, if any, less standard payroll deductions and withholdings; plus (C) the cost of such COBRA premiums to continue health insurance coverage at the same level of coverage for Employee and his dependents (if applicable) in effect as of the termination date, through the end of twelve (12) months. All restricted stock and stock option grants that Employee has then received from the Company or may in the future receive from the Company shall be vested as to half of the unvested shares (or such greater amount, if any, as is provided for in the agreement for the applicable grant), and all such stock options shall, notwithstanding any lesser period, if any, provided for in the agreement for the applicable grant, be exercisable for one (1) year following such termination (but not exceeding the term of such option).

(iv)Severance Conditions. As a condition of and prior to the receipt of all or any of the Severance Benefits provided for upon death or Disability, Employee (or, in the case of death, Employee’s estate) must execute and allow to become effective a general release of claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A within sixty (60) days of termination and must comply with the terms of this Agreement. Upon any termination of Employee’s employment for death or Disability, the Company and its affiliates (by and through their respective directors and senior executive officers) and Executive (or, in the case of death, Employee’s estate) agree not to disparage the other party.

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(e)No Mitigation. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the Severance Benefits payable to Employee, and such amounts (other than as provided at Section 2(b)(iii)(2)) shall not be reduced whether or not the Employee obtains other employment.

 

(f)Accrued Obligations. Not later than ten (10) days after termination of Employee’s employment, the Company shall pay Employee:  (i) his accrued and unpaid base salary at the rate in effect at the time of notice of termination; (ii) any previous year’s earned but unpaid bonus and other earned and unpaid incentive cash compensation; and (iii) accrued and unused vacation time, unpaid expense reimbursements, and other unpaid cash entitlements earned by Employee as of the date of termination pursuant to the terms of the applicable Company plan or program.

 

3.Salary. For services rendered hereunder, the Company shall pay Employee a base salary at the per annum rate of $275,000, less standard payroll deductions and withholdings, and payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule. Employee’s base salary (as well as his eligibility for incentive equity grants) shall be subject to annual review and his base salary may, at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, be increased from time to time.

4.Target Bonus. Employee will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Company’s then-current bonus plan. Subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan and this Section, upon achievement of all bonus-related goals and objectives set by the Board of Directors and/or the Chief Executive Officer for the Company and for Employee (the “Bonus Objectives”), Employee shall receive a cash bonus equal to or greater than $275,000 (“Target Bonus”), less standard payroll deductions and withholding as are applicable to similarly situated employees. The Company agrees that, in respect of the bonus payable in 2016 with respect to 2015 performance, Employee shall be paid $100,000 (the “Bonus Advance”) as soon as administratively practicable after the Effective Date, less standard payroll deductions and withholding as are applicable to similarly situated employees.  The Bonus Advance shall be applied to reduce the total bonus amount payable in 2016 with respect to 2015 performance.  The Company shall have the sole discretion to (i) change or eliminate bonus plans or programs at any time (provided, however, that after the bonus plan and Target Bonus objectives have been established by the Board and/or the Chief Executive Officer for a given year, neither the Board nor the Chief Executive Officer shall later materially change the bonus plan or Bonus Objectives for such year to Employee’s detriment without Employee’s consent), (ii) determine whether the Bonus Objectives for a given year have been achieved, and (iii) determine (in accordance with this Section and such Bonus Objectives and bonus plan) the amount of bonus earned by Employee, if any. Bonuses are intended to retain valuable Company employees, and if Employee is not employed for any reason on the last day of the bonus year, he will not have earned the bonus and, except as expressly provided herein with respect to the Severance Bonus, no partial or pro-rata bonus will be paid. Any bonus paid pursuant to this Section 4 shall be paid net of standard payroll deductions and withholdings. The target payment date for any bonus measured on the basis of a calendar year shall be between January 1 and April 15 of the calendar year following the end of the performance period; provided, however, that such bonus shall be paid no later than April 15 of such calendar year following the end of the performance period.

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5.Recovery of Bonus Advance.  In the event of a termination of Employee’s employment within twelve (12) months after the Effective Date (the “Bonus Period”) either (i) by the Company for Cause or (ii) by Employee for any reason other than Good Reason or his death or Disability, Employee shall reimburse the Company a pro rata portion of the Bonus Advance equal to the full amount of the Bonus Advance multiplied by a fraction (not to exceed one (1)), the numerator of which shall be the number of full months remaining between the date of termination and the last day of the Bonus Period, and the denominator of which shall be twelve (12) (i.e., the number of months in the Bonus Period).

6.Employee Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in such employee benefit plans, including the Company’s 401(k) plan, life insurance, and medical benefits plans, and shall receive all other fringe benefits, as the Company may make available generally to its senior executive employees generally, for which Employee is eligible under the terms and conditions of such plans, in each case subject to the requirements, rules and regulations from time to time applicable thereto. Details about these benefits are set forth in summary plan descriptions and other materials. 

7.Equity Awards. Subject to the formal approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company shall grant to Employee an award of 80,000 shares of restricted Company common stock and options to purchase 80,000 shares of Company common stock (the “Equity Award”). The Equity Award will vest over 16 equal quarterly increments of 6.25% per quarter, commencing February 28, 2015. Regular vesting dates are the last business day of February, May, August, and November of each year. In addition, Employee may be eligible for other future awards under any Company equity incentive plan as may be approved by the Board of Directors and in effect from time to time. The specific terms and conditions of any grant made pursuant to this Section 6 shall be governed by any applicable plan document and any such grant agreement as Employee may be required to sign as a condition of grant.

8.Parachute Tax. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, if any of the payments to Employee (prior to any reduction below) provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments which Employee has the right to receive from the Company or any corporation which is a member of an “affiliated group” as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), without regard to Section 1504(b) of the Code, of which the Company is a member (the “Payments”) would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), and if the Safe Harbor Amount is greater than the Taxed Amount, then the total amount of such Payments shall be reduced to the Safe Harbor Amount. The “Safe Harbor Amount” is the largest portion of the Payments that would result in no portion of the Payments being subject to the excise tax set forth at Section 4999 of the Code (“Excise Tax”). The “Taxed Amount” is the total amount of the Payments (prior to any reduction, above) notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax. Solely for the purpose of comparing which of the Safe Harbor Amount and the Taxed Amount is greater, the determination of each such amount shall be made on an after-tax basis, taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all of which shall be computed at the highest applicable marginal rate). If a reduction of the Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount is necessary, then the reduction shall occur in the following order:  reduction of cash payments; cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock awards; reduction of employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of stock award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of the Employee’s participant’s stock awards. 

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9.Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Employee in performing Employee’s duties that are submitted in compliance with the Company’s then-current policy on such business expense reimbursement. Employee shall provide the Company with supporting documentation sufficient to satisfy reporting requirements of such policy and the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s determinations as to reasonableness and necessity shall be final.

10.Proprietary Information and Inventions; Restrictive Covenants. Employee acknowledges that the successful development, marketing, sale, and performance of the Company’s products and services require substantial time and expense. Such efforts generate for the Company valuable private, confidential, and proprietary information of the Company and its clients (whether current, former, or prospective), business partners, vendors, suppliers, and licensors (“Confidential Information”), including without limitation any and all (a) trade secrets, (b) financial information and pricing, (c) business strategies, plans, and proposals, (d) information relating to clients, including the terms of the Company’s agreements with clients, the discussions, negotiations, and proposals related to any such agreement, and the names of clients or prospective clients, (e) human resources information, including employee lists and personal employee information, and (f) technical information, including research and development, methodologies, training materials, software, documents, models, source code, designs, flowcharts and listings and any and all notes, analyses, compilations, studies, in each case in whatever form, whether oral, written, graphic, recorded, photographic, machine readable or otherwise, and whether or not marked or otherwise labeled “confidential” or specifically indicated as being confidential and/or proprietary in nature. The term “Confidential Information” also includes all notes, analyses, compilations, studies, interpretations or other materials to the extent such materials contain or are based on other Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that, during his employment, he will obtain knowledge of such Confidential Information. Employee agrees to undertake the following obligations, which he acknowledges to be reasonably designed to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests (including its Confidential Information and its relationships with customers and other third parties) without unnecessarily or unreasonably restricting Employee’s post-employment opportunities:

(a)Confidentiality. During the term of employment and at all times thereafter, Employee (i) shall treat all Confidential Information as highly confidential, (ii) shall not access or attempt to access any Confidential Information or use any Confidential Information except as is necessary to carry out Employee’s duties as an employee of the Company, (iii) shall not make copies of documents containing Confidential Information except as is necessary to carry out Employee’s duties as an employee of the Company, (iv) shall not reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile, translate, or attempt to discover any software, algorithms, or underlying ideas which embody Confidential Information, (v) shall not disclose, and will take all reasonable and necessary steps to prevent the disclosure of, any Confidential Information to any third party, or any other employee, agent, or representative of the Company, as applicable, except as is necessary to carry out Employee’s duties as an employee of the Company, and (vi) shall not use any Confidential Information in any manner that may cause injury or loss, or may be calculated to cause injury or loss, whether directly or indirectly, to the Company or its clients, business partners, vendors, suppliers, and licensors.

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(b)Proprietary Information. During the term of employment, Employee shall disclose immediately to the Company all ideas, inventions, and business plans that Employee makes, conceives, discovers, develops, or reduces to practice at any time during the course of Employee’s employment with the Company, either alone or jointly with others, including but not limited to any including, but not limited to, any inventions, ideas, improvements, discoveries, methods, developments, designs, software, processes, products, and procedures (whether or not protectable upon application by patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other proprietary rights) (collectively, “Work Product”), that (i) relate directly or indirectly to the Company’s business or the business of any client or supplier of the Company or any of the products or services being developed, manufactured, sold, or otherwise provided by the Company or that may be used in relation therewith, or (ii) result from any tasks assigned to Employee by the Company, or (iii) result from the use of the premises or personal property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased, licensed, or otherwise contracted for by the Company. Employee agrees that any Work Product shall be the exclusive property of the Company and, if subject to copyright, shall be “work made for hire” under the meaning of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended (the “Act”). If and to the extent the Work Product is found as a matter of law not to be “work made for hire” within the meaning of the Act, Employee hereby expressly assigns to the Company or its subsidiaries, as appropriate, its successors, assign, or nominees, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to any Work Product, and all copies thereof and all intellectual property rights therein without further consideration, free from any claim, lien for balance due, or rights of retention thereto on the part of Employee. Employee shall communicate promptly and disclose to the Company, in such form as the Company requests, all information, details, and data pertaining to the Work Product. Whether during the term of this Agreement or after, Employee will, at the Company’s request and expense (including reimbursement of Employee’s expenses and, if Employee is no longer in the employ of the Company, reasonable per diem compensation to Employee), fully cooperate with the Company and its authorized agents in securing, enforcing, and otherwise protecting throughout the world the Company’s interests in such Work Product, including, without limitation, by (A) executing such documents evidencing the Company’s ownership and Employee’s assignment of the foregoing rights, as may be deemed necessary by the Company to grant or evidence such ownership and rights and (B) assisting in defending any opposition proceedings, petitions for revocation, or applications for similar revocation in respect of any such rights. 

(c)Non-Competition

(i)With Competitors. While employed by the Company and during the one (1) year period immediately following termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, whether as a stockholder, agent, partner, proprietor, officer, director, employee, consultant, contractor, or in any capacity whatsoever, engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, or have any business connection with any other person, corporation, firm, partnership, or other entity whatsoever known by him to compete directly with the Company, anywhere throughout the world, in any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the term of his employment, Employee may own, as a passive investor, public securities of any competitor corporation, so long as his direct holdings in any one such corporation shall not in the aggregate constitute more than one percent (1%) of the voting stock of such corporation. This provision shall not be interpreted to limit Employee’s stock ownership in any way after the termination of his employment.

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(ii)With Prohibited Clients. Without the prior written consent of the President and Chief Executive Officer or the authorized designee thereof, Employee shall not in any capacity, whether for himself or as an officer, director, partner, employee, agent of independent contractor of any person, firm, corporation or other entity, for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of his employment with the Company and all affiliates for any reason, perform services of the type performed by Employee during the term of employment, or any services substantially similar thereto, for any Prohibited Client (as defined below) in any country in which the Company has performed services (whether or not such services were performed in such country for the Prohibited Client) or sold products during the preceding three (3) years. The term “Prohibited Client” shall mean any client or prospective client of the Company to or for whom Employee directly or indirectly performed services, or prospect to whom Employee submitted, or assisted or participated in any way in the submission, of a proposal, during the two (2) year period preceding termination of Employee’s employment with the Company. 

(d)Non-Solicitation. While employed by the Company and during the one (1) year period immediately following termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee shall not induce or assist in the inducement of any employee away from the Company’s employ or from the faithful discharge of such employee’s contractual and fiduciary obligations to serve the Company’s interests with undivided loyalty. Furthermore, while employed by the Company and during the one (1) year period immediately following termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of Employee or any other person or entity, solicit any Client to become a client and/or customer of Employee or of any person or entity other than the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Client” is a person, firm, company, corporation, or other entity to whom Employee was first introduced by the Company and is, becomes, or is known to be, an actual or potential client or customer of the Company.

(e)Return of Materials. Upon termination of the term of employment for any reason or upon the Company’s earlier request, Employee shall deliver to the Company all Confidential Information and other materials in his possession or delivered to him by the Company, including but not limited to computer programs, files, notes, records, memoranda, reports, lists, drawings, sketches, specifications, data, charts, and other documents, materials and things (“Materials”), whether or not containing Confidential Information, it being agreed that all Materials shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company. After return, Employee shall keep no copies, in any form of media, of any Materials or Confidential Information. 

(f)Reasonable Alteration. In the event that a court or other adjudicative body should decline to enforce the provisions of any part of this Section 9, whether because of scope, duration or otherwise, Employee and the Company agree that the provisions shall be modified to restrict Employee’s competition with the Company to the maximum extent enforceable under applicable law.

11.Remedies. Employee recognizes and agrees that a breach of any or all of the provisions of Section 10 will cause immediate and irreparable harm to the Company’s business advantage, including but not limited to the Company’s valuable business relations, for which damages cannot be readily calculated and for which damages are an inadequate remedy. Accordingly, Employee acknowledges that the Company shall therefore be entitled to an order enjoining any further breaches by the Employee, without the necessity of posting a bond. 

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12.Assistance in Litigation. Employee shall upon reasonable notice and without compulsion of law (e.g., subpoena), furnish accurate and complete information and other assistance to the Company as the Company may reasonably require in connection with any litigation, proceeding, or dispute to which the Company is, or may become, a party, or in which it may otherwise become involved, either during or after Employee’s employment; provided, if such assistance shall occur after termination of Employee’s employment, the Company shall reimburse Employee for his reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such assistance, including, without limitation, as relevant transportation, meals and lodging, and shall also pay Employee a consulting fee of $200 per hour, as compensation for his inconvenience and the disruption of his other endeavors. 

13.Indemnification. Employee’s rights to indemnification will be as provided in the Indemnification Agreement between Employee and the Company, effective as of the date of this Agreement.

14.Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Employee and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators. Employee acknowledges that the services to be rendered pursuant to this Agreement are unique and personal. Accordingly, Employee may not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement. The Company may assign its rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement to a subsidiary or affiliated company of the Company or purchaser or transferee of a majority of the Company’s outstanding capital stock or a purchaser of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company; provided, however, that such assignee shall be adequately capitalized and able to fulfill its financial obligations hereunder.

15.Notices. All notices required by this Agreement shall be in writing. Notices intended for the Company shall be sent by certified mail or nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to it at 200 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 820, Chicago, Illinois  60606, Attention:  General Counsel, or its then-current principal office, and notices intended for Employee shall be either delivered personally to Employee or sent by certified mail or nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to Employee at his address as listed on the Company’s payroll. Notices sent by certified mail in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given three (3) business days following delivery to the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid, and notices sent by overnight courier service in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given one (1) business day following delivery to such courier, delivery fees for overnight delivery prepaid.

16.Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between Employee and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings whether written or oral. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in a written instrument signed by Employee and a duly authorized officer or director of the Company.

17.Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, he or it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.

18.Applicable Law. This Agreement, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, and interpretation hereof, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without reference to its conflicts of law principles, to the extent such principles would result in the application of another state’s laws. 

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19.Mediation of Disputes. Neither party shall initiate arbitration or other legal proceedings (except for any claim under Section 9 of this Agreement), against the other party, or, in the case of Company, any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or representatives, relating in any way to this Agreement, to Employee’s employment with Company, the termination of Employee’s employment or any or all other claims that one party might have against the other party until 30 days after the party against whom the claim is made (“Respondent”) receives written notice from the claiming party of the specific nature of any purported claim and the amount of any purported damages. Employee and Company further agree that if Respondent submits the claiming party’s claim to JAMS/Endispute, for nonbinding mediation, in Chicago, Illinois, prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, the claiming party may not institute arbitration or other legal proceedings against Respondent until the earlier of (i) the completion of nonbinding mediation efforts, or (ii) 90 days after the date on which Respondent received written notice of the claimant’s claim.

20.Binding Arbitration. Subject to Section 18, Employee and Company agree that all claims or disputes relating to Employee’s employment with Company or the termination of such employment, and any and all other claims that Employee might have against Company, any Company director, officer, employee, agent, or representative, and any and all claims or disputes that Company might have against Employee (except for any claims under Section 9 of this Agreement) shall be resolved under the Expedited Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association in Illinois. If either party pursues a claim and such claim results in an arbitrator’s decision, both parties agree to accept such decision as final and binding. Company and Employee agree that any litigation under Section 9 of this Agreement shall be brought in the Circuit Court for Cook County, Illinois.

21.Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, and such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction so as to render it valid, legal, and enforceable consistent with the general intent of the parties insofar as possible.

22.Right to Work. As required by law, this Agreement is subject to satisfactory proof of Employee’s right to work in the United States.

23.Section 409A. The provisions of this Agreement are intended either (i) to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exception, the separation pay exception, or such other exceptions that may be available under Section 409A of the Code and applicable authority or guidance promulgated thereunder or (ii) to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and shall be administered in a manner consistent with such intent. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, to the extent Employee is considered a specified employee under Section 409A of the Code and would be entitled during the six (6) month period beginning on his date of termination to a payment that is not otherwise excluded under Section 409A of the Code, such payment will not be made to Employee until the earlier of the six (6) month anniversary of his date of termination or his death. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement (including, but not limited to, those in Section 2(b)) shall be considered a separate payment.

11

 

24.Attorneys’ Fees. If the Company refuses to provide the Severance Benefits after a written demand by Employee and Employee substantially prevails in any dispute involving such Severance Benefits, then the Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in such dispute.

Employee acknowledges that he has read, understood, and accepts the provisions of this agreement. 

 

	
Mattersight Corporation (“Company”)
	
 
	
Jason Wesbecher (“Employee”)

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
By:
	
 
	
/s/ CHRISTINE R. CARSEN
	
 
	
/s/ JASON WESBECHER

	
                Christine R. Carsen
	
 
	
      Jason Wesbecher

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Title:
	
 
	
VP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 

 

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Exhibit A

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

1.General Release. Pursuant to this General Release of Claims (this “Agreement”), Employee, for himself, his heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns (each a “Releasor”) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits and forever discharges Mattersight Corporation (“Company”) and its direct or indirect subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related companies or entities, regardless of its or their form of business organization (the “Company Entities”), any predecessors, successors, joint ventures, and parents of any Company Entity, and any and all of their respective past or present shareholders, partners, directors, officers, employees, consultants, independent contractors, trustees, administrators, insurers, agents, attorneys, representatives and fiduciaries, including without limitation all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of them (all, collectively, the “Release Parties”) from any and all manner of actions, causes of actions, demands, claims, agreements, promises, debts, lawsuits, liabilities, rights, dues, controversies, charges, complaints, obligations, remedies, suits, losses, costs, expenses and fees whatever (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs), arising out of or relating to his employment relationship with the Company, its predecessors, successors or affiliates and the termination thereof, of any nature whatsoever, whether arising in contract, tort, or any other theory of action, whether arising in law or equity, whether known or unknown, choate or inchoate, mature or unmatured, contingent or fixed, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, asserted or unasserted, whether arising under federal, state or local law and in particular including any claim for discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, sex, age (including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), national origin, religion, disability, or any other unlawful criterion or circumstance, which Employee and any Releasor had, now have, or may have in the future against each or any of the Released Parties from the beginning of time until the date of this Agreement (individually, “Claim,” and collectively, “Claims”); provided, that this Agreement shall not apply to, nor release the Company from, any obligation of the Company contained in Employee’s Executive Employment Agreement dated as of [insert date] (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Employment Agreement”) that arises due to Employee’s termination of employment with the Company. The consideration offered in the Employment Agreement is accepted by Employee as being in full accord, satisfaction, compromise and settlement of any and all claims or potential claims, and Employee expressly agrees that he is not entitled to, and shall not receive, any further recovery of any kind from the Company or any of the other Release Parties, and that in the event of any further proceedings whatsoever based upon any matter released herein, neither the Company nor any of the other Release Parties shall have any further monetary or other obligation of any kind to Employee, including any obligation for any costs, expenses or attorneys’ fees incurred by or on behalf of Employee. Employee agrees that he has no present or future right to employment with the Company or any of the other Release Parties and that he will not apply for or otherwise seek employment with any of them.

 

2.Release of Known and Unknown Claims. Employee acknowledges that the release of Claims under this Agreement covers any and all rights and benefits Employee has or may have in the future, whether known or unknown, and Employee waives any and all rights under the laws of any state. Employee may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from those which Employee now knows or believes to be true with respect to the subject matter of the Claims, but Employee, upon execution and non-revocation of this Agreement (pursuant to Section 4 hereof), shall be deemed to have fully, finally, and forever settled and released any and all Claims, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, contingent or noncontingent, whether or not concealed or hidden, which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or equity now existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not limited to, conduct which is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence of such different or additional facts.

 

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3.Release of Discrimination Claims. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement constitutes a full release and disclaimer of any and all Claims arising out of or relating in any way to Employee’s employment, continued employment, retirement, resignation, or termination of employment with the Company Entities whether arising under or out of a statute including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, any county, municipal, and any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance or regulation, all as may be amended from time to time, or common law claims or causes of action relating to alleged discrimination, breach of contract or public policy, wrongful or retaliatory discharge, and, to the extent arising out of or relating to Employee’s employment relationship with the Company, its predecessors, successors or affiliates and the termination thereof, tortious action, inaction, or interference of any sort, defamation, libel, slander, personal or business injury, including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs. Employee has specifically waived his right to recover in his own lawsuit as well as the right to recover in a suit brought by any other person or entity on Employee’s behalf or on behalf of a class of persons in which Employee is or could be considered a member.

 

4.Employee’s Right to Revoke. The parties acknowledge that Employee shall have the right to revoke and cancel this Agreement if Employee, at any time within the seven-day period following its execution, revokes it. If Employee desires to revoke and cancel this Agreement, he must do so in writing and he shall return this document to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and all terms of the Agreement shall be void and of no effect. 

 

5.Employee’s Right to Consult Attorney/21 Days to Consider. Employee is advised and encouraged by Company to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. Employee affirms that he has carefully read and fully understands this Agreement, has had sufficient time to consider it, has had an opportunity to ask questions and have it explained, and is entering into this Agreement freely and voluntarily, with an understanding that the general release will have the effect of waiving any action or recovery he might pursue for any claims arising on or prior to the date of the execution of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that he received valuable consideration to which he was not otherwise entitled in exchange for entering this Agreement. This Agreement was given to Employee on [Insert Date]. Employee had until [Insert Date], a period in excess of twenty-one (21) days to consider it.

 

6.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been executed and delivered within the State of Illinois and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to any state’s rules regarding conflict of laws.

 

 

EMPLOYEE

/s/ JASON WESBECHER

 

Jason Wesbecher

 

14matr-ex1022_993.htm

Exhibit 10.22

January 18, 2017

Jason Wesbecher Mattersight Corporation

200 W. Madison, Suite 3100

Chicago, IL 60606 

Dear Jason:

Per  our  discussion,  this  letter  sets  forth  the  substance  of  the  separation  agreement  (the “Agreement”) that Mattersight Corporation (the “Company”) is offering to you in connection with your resignation.

1.Separation. Your last day of work with the Company and your employment termination date will be February 1, 2017 (the “Separation Date”). Up to and including the Separation Date, you are expected to provide transitional assistance as reasonably requested by the Company.

2.Accrued Salary, Expenses, and Bonuses. On the Separation Date, the Company will pay you all accrued salary, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. Additionally, as your 2015 bonus, you were granted 32,659 shares of restricted Company stock, which are scheduled to vest on February 28, 2017; in accordance with the terms of the applicable restricted stock award agreement, however, these shares shall be fully vested on the Separation Date.  Finally, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors will approve a 2016 bonus for you in the amount of $165,000, or 44,000 shares of Company common stock (based on the closing stock price of $3.75 on January 18, 2017) (the “2016 Bonus Shares”). The 2016 Bonus Shares, less the number shares necessary to be withheld by the Company for payment of applicable taxes (“tax shares”), shall be deposited into your E*TRADE account not later than the Separation Date. In the event that the closing stock price of the Company common stock on February 10, 2017 (i.e., the grant date for the 2016 bonus grants for the other members of executive management) is not $3.75, then the number of shares to which you are entitled as your 2016 Bonus Shares shall be recalculated based on the actual closing price on February 10th and, (i) if the number of shares based on such recalculation is greater than 44,000, then the difference between the recalculated amount and 44,000, less applicable tax shares, shall be deposited into your E*TRADE account as soon as administratively practical thereafter or (ii) if the number of shares based on such recalculation is less than 44,000, then you shall remit to the Company, as soon as administratively practical thereafter, a number of shares equal to the difference between 44,000 and the recalculated amount, adjusted as appropriate to reflect the number of tax shares withheld from the original deposit of shares.

 

3.Severance Payment. Although the Company has no obligation to do so, if you sign this Agreement, allow it to become effective, and comply with your obligations under this Agreement, then the Company will pay you, as severance, the equivalent of one (1) month of your base salary in effect as of the Separation Date ($22,916.67), subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. This amount will be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) days after the Effective Date (as defined in Section 12(c)).

 

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4.Health Insurance. The Company will continue your group health insurance benefits at the same level of coverage for you and your dependents (if applicable) in effect as of the Separation Date through February 14, 2017. The Company will notify you of the applicable insurance premiums for such period and shall deduct such premiums in accordance with its normal payroll procedures from either your final paycheck or the lump sum payable to you under Section 3 hereof.

 

5.Stock and Stock Options. Under the terms of your restricted stock and stock option award agreements and the applicable plan documents, vesting of your restricted stock awards and stock options will cease as of the Separation Date. However, as an additional benefit under this Agreement, if you sign this Agreement, allow it to become effective, and comply with your obligations under this Agreement, then the Company will accelerate the vesting of your restricted stock and stock option grants such that you will be deemed vested in those shares and options that would otherwise have vested had you remained employed through February 28, 2017 (which consists of 5,000 shares related to your 2015 LTIP grant, and 20,000 stock options) and such shares, less the applicable tax shares, and stock options shall be deposited into your E*TRADE account not later than the Separation Date. All rights and obligations with respect to your restricted stock grants will be as set forth in the governing agreements and plan documents.

 

6.Other Compensation or Benefits. You acknowledge that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, you have not earned and will not receive from the Company any additional compensation (including base salary, bonus, incentive compensation, or equity), severance, or benefits before or after the Separation Date, with the exception of any vested right you may have under the express terms of a written ERISA-qualified benefit plan (e.g., 401(k) account) or any vested options. You expressly acknowledge and agree that you are not entitled to any severance benefits from the Company under the terms of your Executive Employment Agreement with the Company.

 

7.Return of Company Property. By the close of business on the Separation Date, you agree to return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property which you have in your possession or control, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, plans, forecasts, reports, studies, analyses, proposals, agreements, financial information, research and development information, sales and marketing information, customer lists, prospect information, pipeline reports, sales reports, operational and personnel information, specifications, code, software, databases, computer-recorded information, tangible property and equipment (including, but not limited to, computers, facsimile machines, mobile telephones, servers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys; and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof in whole or in part). You agree that you will make a diligent search to locate any such documents, property and information by the close of business on the Separation Date.   If you have used any personally owned computer, server, or e-mail system to receive, store, review, prepare or transmit any Company confidential or proprietary data, materials or information, within fifteen (15) business days after the Separation Date, you shall provide the Company with a computer-useable copy of such information and then permanently delete and expunge such Company confidential or proprietary information from those systems. Your timely compliance with this paragraph is a condition precedent to your receipt of the severance benefits provided under this Agreement.

 

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8.Proprietary Information Obligations. You acknowledge and reaffirm your continuing obligations to the Company under Section 9 of your Executive Employment Agreement. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it shall not be deemed to be a violation of your obligations under Section 9(d) (Non-Solicitation) if any current Company employee voluntarily chooses to leave the employ of the Company in order to take an advertised or posted position with the company with which you will be employed after the Separation Date.

 

9.Nondisparagement. You agree not to disparage the Company and its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, and agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to its or their business, business reputation, or personal reputation, and the Company agrees (through its officers and directors) not to disparage you in any manner likely to be harmful to your personal or business reputations; provided that both you and the Company shall respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process. Nothing in this provision is intended to prohibit or restrain you in any manner from making disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation or under other applicable law or regulation.

 

10.No Admissions. You understand and agree that the promises and payments in consideration of this Agreement shall not be construed to be an admission of any liability or obligation by the Company to you or to any other person, and that the Company makes no such admission.

 

11.Your Release of Claims.

 

a.General Release. In exchange for the consideration under this Agreement to which you would not otherwise be entitled, you hereby generally and completely release the Company and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date you sign this Agreement. This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to your compensation or benefits from the Company, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

 

b.Exclusions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not releasing the Company hereby from any obligation to indemnify you pursuant to the Articles and Bylaws of the Company, any valid fully executed indemnification agreement with the Company, applicable law, or applicable directors and officers’ liability insurance. Also, excluded from this Agreement are any claims that cannot be waived by law.

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c.ADEA Release. You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given for the waiver and releases you have given in this Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled. You further acknowledge that you have been advised, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) your waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that arise after the date you sign this Agreement; (b) you should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement (although you may choose voluntarily not to do so); (c) you have twenty- one (21) days to consider this Agreement (although you may choose voluntarily to sign it sooner); (d) you have seven (7) days following the date you sign this Agreement to revoke this Agreement (in a written revocation sent to me); and (e) this Agreement will not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which will be the eighth day after you sign this Agreement provided that you do not revoke it (the “Effective Date”).

 

12.Protected Rights. You understand that nothing in this Agreement limits your ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”). You further understand this Agreement does not limit your ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. While this Agreement does not limit your right to receive an award for information provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission, you understand and agree that, to maximum extent permitted by law, you are otherwise waiving any and all rights you may have to individual relief based on any claims that you have released and any rights you have waived by signing this Agreement.

 

13.Company Release. The Company hereby generally and completely releases you from any and all claims, liabilities, and obligations of every kind and nature, both known or unknown, arising out of, or in any way related to, events, acts, conduct, or omissions that occurred prior to or on the date the Company signs this agreement; provided, however, that this release shall not extend to claims arising at any time from your contractual and statutory obligations to refrain from the unauthorized use or disclosure of proprietary or trade secret information belonging to the Company.

 

14.Representations. You hereby represent that you  have  been  paid  all compensation owed and for all hours worked, have received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which you are eligible pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act or otherwise, and have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which you have not already filed a workers' compensation claim.

 

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15.Miscellaneous. This Agreement constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to its subject matter. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified so as to be rendered enforceable. This Agreement will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile signatures will suffice as original signatures.

 

If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign below and return the original to me. You have twenty-one (21) calendar days to decide whether you would like to accept this Agreement, and the Company‘'s offer contained herein will automatically expire if you do not sign and return it within this timeframe.

 

We wish you the best in your future endeavors. 

Sincerely,

 

		
	
By:
	
 

	
 
	
David Mullen

CFO

 

IHAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE FULLY TO THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT:

 

			
	
Jason Wesbecher

	
 

	
 
	
01 I 22 I 2017

	
 

	
Date
	
 

 

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