Document:

exv10w29

 

Exhibit 10.29

Letter of Agreement Between
 Crystal Research Associates,
LLC and Planet Technologies Inc.

Date:
August 2, 2005

Crystal Research Associates, LLC (CRA), whose primary office is located at 23 Scottsdale Court,
Cranbury, New Jersey, 08512, is being contracted to write an Executive Informational OverviewTM
(EIOTM) by and for Planet Technologies Inc., 0035 Planders Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA
92121.

CRA will compile the EIOTM from previously announced, publicly disseminated information in full
compliance with Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC). The EIOTM shall be an extended report consisting of 40 to
60+ pages, without maximum,
augmented with extensive market perspective written by CRA. Upon completing the EIOTM, CRA will
submit the document to Planet Technologies Inc.’s management for approval. The content of the
EIOTM will be the responsibility of Planet Technologies Inc. and Planet Technologies Inc. shall
have the right at its sole discretion to edit such content. Additionally, CRA shall write four
(4) quarterly updates of approximately 8-12 pages each, such updates based upon Planet
Technologies Inc.’s news announcements, focus, and product
development.

The final version of the ElOTM will be delivered in Portable Document Format (via Adobe
Acrobat PDF) file to Planet Technologies Inc. Before release of a final PDF file to Planet
Technologies Inc., the Company will be required to acknowledge approval of the content of the
EIOTM by having the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer initial, sign, and return
by fax or mail to CRA a hard copy of the same.

Planet Technologies Inc. will choose the quantity of hard printed copies desired (ranging from
2,500 or more copies) and CRA will be the sole source of such reports. CRA is contracted with a
high-quality low-cost printer, which standardizes our
EIOTM’s. The standardization is critical to
ensuring consistent quality of product by our firm. CRA will submit the printing estimate to
the Company for approval prior to print. Planet Technologies Inc. will be responsible for any
charges related to printing and shipping. CRA will post the approved Planet Technologies Inc.
EIOTM on its website, www.crystalra.com and other financial news mediums at no additional cost to
Planet Technologies Inc.

The cost for the EIOTM, including the initial extended report (which is not to exceed two revisions)
and the four updatee, le Thirty Thousand U.S. Dollars (US $30,000.00) and 25,000 warrants (4 year)
priced at the current stock price, to be delivered with the signing of this contract. Planet
Technologies Inc. agrees to remit one-half or Fifteen Thousand U.S. Dollars (US $15,000.00) to CRA
upon signing this contract. The remaining balance of Fifteen Thousand
U.S. Dollars (US $15,000.00)
is to be paid to CRA within 10 days of receiving the first draft
of the EIOTM. In addition, Planet
Technologies Inc. will be responsible for two round trip airfares and related expenses to visit its
facilities and conduct due diligence, such expenses will be pre-approved by Planet Technologies Inc.
8/3/05

Please acknowledge your acceptance of these terms by signing below and returning this
document along with the initial payment to Crystal Research Associates, LLC (CRA) at 23
Scottsdale Court, Cranbury, New jersey, 08512, United-States.

	 	 	 	 	 
	PLANET TECHNOLOGIES INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Name :
	 	/s/ Scott L. Glenn	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Title:
	 	Scott L. Glenn	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Date:
	 	8/3/05	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 

23
Scottsdale Court, Cranbury, NJ 08512

P: 609-306-2274 F: 609-395-9339

www.crystalra.comexv10w3w1

 

Exhibit 10.3.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of April 1, 2006 (the “Effective Date”),
by and between Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Michael P.
Muldowney (the “Executive”). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this
Agreement, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

     1. Employment. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company agrees to employ the
Executive and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Company on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement.

     2. Capacity. During the Term (as hereinafter defined), the Executive shall serve the
Company as its Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In such capacities, the
Executive shall perform such services and duties in connection with the business, affairs and
operations of the Company consistent with such status as may be assigned or delegated to the
Executive from time to time by or under the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors or
the officers of the Company as designated by the Board of Directors.

     3. Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the term of employment under this
Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for twelve 12 months from the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”)
and shall automatically renew for periods of one (1) year commencing at the expiration of the
Initial Term (the “End Date”) and on each subsequent anniversary of the End Date thereafter, unless
either the Executive or the Company, acting through its Board of Directors (the “Board”), gives
written notice to the other not less than thirty (30) days prior to the End Date or anniversary
thereof, as applicable, of such party’s election not to extend the Term.

     4. Compensation and Benefits. The regular compensation and benefits payable to the
Executive under this Agreement shall be as follows:

	 	(a)	 	Salary. During the Term, for all services rendered by
the Executive under this Agreement, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid
to the Executive a base salary (the “Salary”) at an annual rate of Three
Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($) ($310,000) commencing on the Effective Date
	 
	 	(b)	 	Bonus. The Executive will be eligible for a
discretionary bonus targeted to be 50% of Salary upon achievement of goals set
by the Board of Directors.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Vacation. The Executive’s vacation entitlement shall
be in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy in existence from time to
time.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Taxation of Payments and Benefits. The Company shall
undertake to make deductions, withholdings and tax reports with respect to
payments and Benefits under this Agreement to the extent that it reasonably and
in good faith believes that it is required to make such deductions,
withholdings and tax reports. Payments under this Agreement shall be in
amounts net of any such deductions or withholdings. Nothing in this

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	 	 	 	Agreement shall be construed to require the Company to make any payments to
compensate the Executive for any adverse tax effect associated with any
payments or benefits or for any deduction or withholding from any payment or
benefit.

     (e) Exclusivity of Salary and Benefits. Except for a car allowance which Executive is
presently receiving and shall continue to receive during the term hereof, the Executive shall not
be entitled to any payments or benefits other than those provided under this Agreement (other than
customary business expense reimbursements submitted and approved in accordance with Company
policy).

     5. Extent of Service. During the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, the
Executive shall, subject to the direction and supervision of the Board, devote substantially all of
the Executive’s business time, and use the Executive’s best efforts and business judgment, skill
and knowledge to the advancement of the Company’s interests and to the discharge of the Executive’s
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. The Executive shall not engage in any other
business activity; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as preventing the
Executive from:

     (a) investing the Executive’s assets in any company or other entity in a manner not prohibited
by the Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Proprietary Information, Confidentiality and Inventions
Agreement (the “Non-Compete Agreement”) referred to in Section 7(a) and in such form or manner as
shall not require any material activities on the Executive’s part in connection with the operations
or affairs of the companies or other entities in which such investments are made; or

     (b) engaging in religious, charitable or other community or non-profit activities that do not
materially impair the Executive’s ability to fulfill the Executive’s duties and responsibilities
under this Agreement.

     6. Termination and Termination Benefits. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3,
the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate under the following circumstances
set forth in this Section 6.

     (a) Termination by the Company for Cause. The Executive’s employment under this
Agreement may be terminated for Cause without further liability on the part of the Company
effective immediately upon a vote of the Board and written notice to the Executive. Only the
following shall constitute “Cause” for such termination:

     (i) material dishonest statements or acts of the Executive with respect to the
Company or any affiliate of the Company;

     (ii) commission by the Executive of, or entry by the Executive of a guilty or
no contest plea to, (x) a felony or (y) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude,
deceit, dishonesty or fraud; or

     (iii) A willful violation by Executive of a federal or state law, rule or
regulation applicable to the business of the Company of a type and kind that is

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     materially adverse to the Company; or

     (iv) willful and material breach of this Agreement or the Non-Compete Agreement
by the Executive, consistent unsatisfactory performance, gross negligence, habitual
neglect of duties, willful misconduct or willful failure or refusal of the Executive
to comply with explicit directions of the Board, which directions are consistent
with Section 2 of this Agreement, in each instance after fifteen (15) days written
notice and an opportunity to cure.

In making any determination under this Section 6(a), the Board shall act fairly and in good faith
and shall give the Executive an opportunity to appear and be heard at a meeting of the Board or the
compensation committee of the Board, which meeting may be held telephonically at the request of
either the Company or the Executive, and present evidence on the Executive’s behalf.

     (b) Termination by the Executive. The Executive’s employment under this Agreement may
be terminated by the Executive by written notice to the Company at least sixty (60) days prior to
such termination.

     (c) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason.
Subject to the payment of Termination Benefits pursuant to Section 6(d), the Executive’s employment
under this Agreement may be terminated by the Company without Cause upon written notice to the
Executive by a vote of the Board or by the Executive with Good Reason upon written notice to the
Board. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean, without the Executive’s written
consent, the occurrence of any of the following circumstances:

     (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties substantially inconsistent
with and inferior to the position of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company or a significant adverse alteration in the nature or status
of the Executive’s responsibilities or the conditions of the Executive’s employment
hereunder;

     (ii) the Company’s reduction of the Executive’s Salary as in effect on the
Effective Date or as the same may be increased from time to time except for
across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all management personnel of
the Company;

     (iii) except with respect to an across-the-board benefit plan reduction or
elimination similarly affecting all management personnel of the Company, the
Company’s failure to continue in effect any material compensation or benefit plan in
which the Executive participates, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an
ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan, or
the Company’s failure to continue the Executive’s participation therein (or in such
substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in
terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Executive’s
participation relative to other participants; or

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     (iv) the Company-required relocation of the Executive’s residence; provided;
however, Executive acknowledges that he may be required to spend a substantial
amount of time traveling on Company business. The Company shall pay for all of
Executive’s reasonable travel and living expenses associated with such travel from
the Boston metropolitan area;

     (v) the Company’s failure to pay to the Executive any portion of the
Executive’s current compensation or to pay to the Executive any portion of an
installment or deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the
Company within seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;

     (vi) except with respect to an across-the-board benefit plan reduction or
elimination similarly affecting all management personnel of the Company, the
Company’s failure to continue to provide the Executive with benefits substantially
similar to those currently enjoyed by the Executive under any of the Company’s life
insurance, medical, health and accident, or disability plans in which the Executive
participates, the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or
indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits, or the failure by the Company to
provide the Executive with the number of paid vacation days to which the Executive
is entitled on the basis of years of service with the Company in accordance with the
Company’s normal vacation policy; or

     (vii) in the event the Company engages in a merger or other business
combination or a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, the failure of any
successor to the Company to expressly assume the obligations of the Company under
this Agreement.

     (d) Certain Termination Benefits. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement or otherwise required by law, all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive
under this Agreement shall terminate on the date of termination of the Executive’s employment under
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Company pursuant to Section 6(c) or the Company’s failure to renew this
Agreement as contemplated by Section 6(g), subject to the Executive’s continuing compliance with
his obligations under the Non-Compete Agreement (other than those under the Section entitled
“Non-Compete/Exclusivity”), the Company shall provide to the Executive the following termination
benefits (“Termination Benefits”):

     (i) continuation of the Executive’s Salary at the rate then in effect pursuant
to Section 4(a);

     (ii) a bonus for the year in which the termination
occurs pro rata for the period of service in such year, based upon
fifty percent (50%) of the bonus amount, if any, paid to the Executive
pursuant to Section 4(b) for the year preceding the year in which the
termination of employment occurs;

     (iii) continuation of all Benefits to the extent
authorized by and consistent with 29 U.S.C. §1161 et seq. (commonly
known as

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“COBRA”), with the cost of the regular premium for such Benefits
shared in the same relative proportion by the Company and the
Executive as in effect on the date of termination;

     (iv) the Termination Benefits set forth in (i),
(ii), and (iii) above shall continue effective until the later of (x)
the expiration of the Initial Term or (y) six (6) months from the date
of the termination of the Executive’s employment, and will include such
payments for accrued vacation pay and any similar items required by
law. In the event Executive agrees to make himself available to
consult with the Company during said six month period, Executive shall
not be deemed to be terminated until the end of said six month period,
whether or not the Company actually consults with Executive during said
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6(d)
shall be construed to affect the Executive’s right to receive COBRA
continuation entirely at the Executive’s own cost to the extent that
the Executive may continue to be entitled to COBRA continuation after
the Executive’s right to cost sharing under Section 6(d)(iii) ceases;

     (v) (A) Any options exercisable for Class A Common Stock granted to the
Executive prior to the Effective date which are not vested at the time of said
termination shall be deemed to have vested to the full extent of such remaining
unvested options; and (B) any options exercisable for Class A Common Stock granted
to the Executive on or after the Effective Date which are not vested at the time of
said termination shall be deemed to have vested to the full extent of such remaining
unvested portion; provided, that in the event said termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Company is pursuant to Section 6(c)(iv) as a result of Executive
electing not to move to California, after being requested to do so by the Company,
none of said options that are not then vested shall vest other than as provided in
the applicable Option Agreement.

     (vi) Executive will be released from the restrictions and covenants contained
within the section entitled “Non-Compete/Exclusivity” under the Non-Compete
Agreement executed by Executive, and upon termination of the payment of the
Termination Benefits set forth in (i), (ii), and (iii) above, Executive will be
released from the restrictions and covenants contained within the section entitled
“Non-Solicitation” under the Non-Compete Agreement executed by Executive; provided,
however, that at Executive’s option upon prior written notice to the Company,
Executive shall be released from the restrictions and covenants contained within the
section entitled “Non-Solicitation” under the Non-Compete Agreement executed by
Executive, and the Company shall have no further liability or obligation for the
payment of any remaining Termination Benefits under Sections 6(d)(i), 6(d)(ii) and
6(d)(iii) from and after the date of such notice, which Termination Benefits
shall be forfeited by Executive; and

     (vii) In addition to the foregoing, in the event of the termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall be

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entitled to payment of any accrued and unpaid Benefits for which the Executive
may otherwise be vested or entitled in accordance with the terms of the applicable
plans governing such Benefits and to payment for reimbursable expenses under
applicable Company policy within thirty (30) days of termination.

     (e) Disability. At the election of the Company, this Agreement shall terminate on
such date as may be selected by the Company after the Executive shall have failed to render and
perform the services required of him under this Agreement during any period of 90 days within any
120 day period during the Term because of physical or mental disability. In the event of such
termination, the Company shall have no further obligation for the payment of compensation or
benefits hereunder, except (i) for compensation accrued and unpaid through the termination date and
(ii) the payment of any disability insurance to which the Executive may be entitled. If there
should be any dispute between the parties as to the Executive’s physical or mental incapacity or
disability pursuant to this Section 6(e), such question shall be settled by the opinion of an
approved medical doctor. For this purpose an approved medical doctor shall mean a medical doctor
selected by the Company and the Executive. If the parties cannot agree on a medical doctor, each
party shall select a medical doctor and the two doctors shall select a third who shall be the
approved medical doctor for this purpose. The opinion of such medical doctor as to the matter in
dispute shall be final and binding on the parties.

     (f) Death. In the event of termination as a result of the Executive’s death, the
Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive’s representatives and heirs hereunder.

     (g) Failure to Renew Agreement. In the event the Company elects not to extend the
term of this Agreement as permitted by Section 3 and the Executive’s employment is terminated, the
Executive shall be entitled to the Termination Benefits described in Section 6(d). In the
event that the Executive elects not to extend the Term of this Agreement as provided in Section 3
and the Executive’s employment is terminated, the Executive shall be entitled to the termination
benefits described in Section 6(d)(vii).

     7. Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Proprietary Information, Confidentiality and Inventions
Agreements.

     (a) The Executive agrees to sign the Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Proprietary Information,
Confidentiality and Inventions Agreement, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and,
except as set forth in Section 6(d)(vi), to comply with such Agreement during the Term.

     (b) Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation. During the Executive’s employment, the
Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in the defense or prosecution of any claims or
actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company
which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the
Company; provided, however, that the Executive shall be permitted to give testimony and appear as a
witness in any proceeding in which such testimony or appearance is required by law. The
Executive’s full cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be
limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a
witness on behalf of the Company at mutually convenient times. During the Executive’s employment,
the Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company in

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connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory
authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired
while the Executive was employed by the Company. The Executive also agrees to provide reasonable
cooperation to the Company on matters of the type described in this Section 7(b) after termination
of the Executive’s employment. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Executive’s performance of obligations
pursuant to this Section 7(b).

     (c) Remedies. The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages
caused to the Company which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth
in this Section 7, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such
breach. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach,
any portion of this Section 7, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies
that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such
breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company.

     8. General.

     (a) Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the
termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment
discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be
settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such
an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Boston,
Massachusetts, the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to,
the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators, except that the arbitrator
shall apply the law as established by decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal and state
courts sitting in Massachusetts in deciding the merits of claims and defenses under federal law or
any state or federal anti-discrimination law, and any awards to the Executive for violation of any
anti-discrimination law shall not exceed the maximum award to which the Executive could be entitled
under the applicable (or most analogous) anti-discrimination or civil rights laws. In the event
that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Company may be a party with regard to any
such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to
such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator shall have the authority to grant
the prevailing party reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and the
costs of the arbitration. This Section 8(a) shall be specifically enforceable. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section 8(a) shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for
the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in
circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued
through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 8(a).

     (b) Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements
between the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to any related subject matter.

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     (c) Assignment: Successors and Assigns, etc. Neither the Company nor the Executive
may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise,
without the prior written consent of the other party; provided that the Company may assign its
rights under this Agreement without the consent of the Executive in the event that the Company
shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership,
organization or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to
any other corporation, partnership, organization or other entity; provided such successor is the
functional equivalent of the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and the Executive, their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs
and permitted assigns.

     (d) Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be
declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then that court shall have
the power to alter such provision to make it enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances
other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected
thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law.

     (e) Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in
writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of
any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this
Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a
waiver of any subsequent breach.

     (f) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by
this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally
recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the
Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention of the Chief Executive
Officer, and shall be effective on the date of delivery in person or by courier or three (3) days
after the date mailed.

     (g) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument
signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

     (h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same document.

     9. Consent to Jurisdiction.

     (a) Governing Law. This contract shall be construed under and be governed in all
respects by the laws of the State of Massachusetts without giving effect to the conflict of laws
principles of such state.

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     (b) Consent to Jurisdiction. To the extent that any court action is permitted
consistent with or to enforce Section 8(a) of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Boston, Massachusetts. Accordingly, with respect
to any such court action, each of the Executive and the Company (a) submits to the personal
jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other
requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal
jurisdiction or service of process.

     11. Termination of Prior Employment Agreements. All prior employment agreements
between the Executive and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, but not
limited to, the Employment Agreement dated April 15, 1997 by and between the Executive and Nextera
Enterprises, LLC, and all amendments and renewals thereof, are superseded by this Agreement and are
terminated and are null and void, except that the Executive shall be entitled to any accrued and
unpaid salary, bonus or benefits under his prior employment agreement through the Effective Date.

     INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND by this Agreement and IN WITNESS THEREOF, the undersigned
parties have executed this Agreement as of this 15th of May, 2006.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.

 	 
	 	By: 	RICHARD
V. SANDLER	 
	 	 	Richard V. Sandler

Chairman of the Board 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MICHAEL P. MULDOWNEY

State of Residence: Massachusetts

 	 
	 	/s/
MICHAEL P. MULDOWNEY	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 

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EXHIBIT A

NONCOMPETE, NON-SOLICITATION, PROPRIETARY INFORMATION,

CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made as of October ___, 2000, by and between Nextera Enterprises Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and the undersigned Executive. Executive and Nextera have also entered into
an Employment Agreement of even date herewith (the “Employment Agreement”). In consideration of
the employment and continued employment of Executive by Nextera Enterprises, Inc., its successors,
subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “Nextera”), the Executive agrees to certain restrictions
on activities necessary to avoid conflicts of interest, ensure the exclusivity of Executive’s
services and protect the goodwill, confidential information, and legitimate business interests of
Nextera and its clients. To further these objectives, the Executive agrees to comply with the
following provisions of this Agreement (“Agreement”) as follows:

NONCOMPETE/EXCLUSIVITY

During the period of employment by Nextera:

	 	1.	 	the Executive will devote substantially all of the Executive’s business time to
the business of Nextera in accordance with Section 6 of the Executive’s Employment
Agreement with Nextera of even date herewith;
	 
	 	2.	 	will not engage in any business activity, current or proposed, which competes
with the services or products being developed, marketed or sold by Nextera; and
	 
	 	3.	 	will not, without prior written consent of Nextera, invest in, enter into or
assist any venture, enterprise, or endeavor which competes or intends to compete with
Nextera, other than as a less than five percent (5%) stockholder of a publicly held
company or a stockholder of a publicly held company which derives none or an immaterial
portion (i.e., less than ten percent (10%)) of its revenues from services which compete
with the services of Nextera.

The Executive represents that, to the best of the Executive’s knowledge, employment by Nextera will
not conflict with any agreement to which the Executive is subject.

NON-SOLICITATION

	 	1.	 	The Executive acknowledges that the names and details of the firms with whom
the Executive’s has dealings while employed by Nextera constitute trade secrets
belonging to Nextera. In order to preserve Nextera’s trade secrets, during employment
with Nextera and for a period of two (2) years after termination of the Executive’s
employment with Nextera for any reason, which two (2) year period or restrictions shall
be reduced or eliminated as provided in the Employment Agreement in the event that
Nextera terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Employment
Agreement) or

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	 	 	 	Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment
Agreement):

	 	(a)	 	the Executive will not solicit or cause to be solicited, or aid
in the solicitation of business from firms for which the Executive did work or
from whom the Executive actively solicited business during the Executive’s
employment with Nextera or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and
	 
	 	(b)	 	the Executive will not directly or indirectly contact or
solicit any employee of Nextera with regard to present, future or contemplated
employment opportunities on behalf of himself, or any other person, firm,
corporation, governmental agency or other entity.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

	 	1.	 	Proprietary Information refers to any information, not generally known in the
relevant trade or industry, which was obtained from Nextera or any of its clients,
past, present, or prospective, other than information that is or becomes known to the
public or trade through no breach of this Agreement by the Executive.
	 
	 	2.	 	Proprietary Information includes, but is not limited to, the following items,
whether or not labeled as such: customer lists, notes, drawings and writings; computer
programs (including source and object codes), algorithms, systems, tools, spreadsheets,
related documentation such as user manuals, functional and technical specifications,
system descriptions, program documentation, output reports, terminal displays, and data
file contents; plans, process and preparations for Nextera’s current and proposed
business activities; discoveries, inventions, developments, ideas, research,
engineering, designs, and products; projects and improvements made or conceived in
connection with Nextera’s customer and prospective customer’s lists; and marketing and
financial data of Nextera and its clients.
	 
	 	3.	 	The Executive agrees not to disclose the existence of or contents of any
documents, records, discs, tapes, and other media that contain Proprietary Information,
and will not copy or remove any such material from Nextera or its client’s premises,
except as required by the Executive’s duties or as approved by an authorized officer of
Nextera.
	 
	 	4.	 	The Executive agrees to comply with all restrictions and regulations of
Nextera’s clients concerning any and all information such clients deem proprietary or
confidential.
	 
	 	5.	 	The Executive agrees that any material relating to any matter within the scope
of the business of Nextera, and any materials of clients of Nextera, is and shall
remain the property of Nextera or such clients, as the case may be, and that upon
termination of employment or at any earlier time as requested by Nextera, the

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	 	 	 	Executive will immediately deliver such material and all copies in Executive’s
possession or control to Nextera or such clients, as the case may be.
	 	6.	 	Nextera may provide the Executive with equipment (portable personal computer,
software, etc.) for Executive’s use in the course of employment by Nextera. The
Executive acknowledges that any such equipment will remain the exclusive property of
Nextera, and the Executive agrees to deliver such equipment to Nextera, as directed by
Nextera, upon termination of employment for any reason, or at any time upon request of
Nextera.

CONFIDENTIALITY

	 	1.	 	Except in connection with the Executive’s duties for Nextera, the Executive
will not use or disclose to anyone outside Nextera, and will not use any Proprietary
Information or material relating to the business of Nextera, or its clients, either
during or after employment by Nextera, except with the written permission of Nextera.
	 
	 	2.	 	The Executive will not disclose to Nextera, and will not induce Nextera to use
any confidential information or material belonging to others where such disclosure
would, to the Executive’s knowledge, violate any rights of, or any duty owing to, a
third party.
	 
	 	3.	 	The Executive agrees not to discuss any information or respond to any inquiries
from the press or other information agencies regarding Nextera without the express
permission of Nextera, other than responding in the ordinary course of business to
inquiries regarding the consulting industry generally or work done for clients of
Nextera.
	 
	 	4.	 	The Executive shall be permitted to give testimony and appear as a witness in
any proceeding in which such testimony or appearance is required by law, provided the
Executive reasonably furnishes notice to Nextera in order to enable Nextera to seek a
protective order, if applicable.

INVENTIONS

	 	1.	 	The Executive agrees to disclose promptly and fully to Nextera all
developments, inventions, discoveries, improvements, and proposals for new programs,
systems, services, products, tools, or business endeavors which are related to any
business activity by Nextera, current or proposed (collectively called “Developments”).
	 
	 	2.	 	The Executive hereby assigns to Nextera the Executive’s entire right, title,
and interest in each and every work product or Development related to any business
activity by Nextera, current or proposed (collectively called “Work Product”):

	 	(a)	 	made, developed or conceived solely by the Executive or jointly
with others during or in the course of the Executive’s employment by Nextera,

3

 

	 	(b)	 	made, developed or conceived wholly or partially as the result
of any task assigned to the Executive or any work performed by the Executive
for or on behalf of Nextera or its clients, and/or
	 
	 	(c)	 	made or developed with the use of Nextera facilities or
equipment.

	 	3.	 	The Executive agrees to grant to Nextera a right of first refusal to market on
a mutually agreed royalty basis, and a perpetual non-exclusive license to use, each and
every Work Product or Development made, developed or conceived by the Executive during
employment by Nextera which is not covered under the preceding paragraph.
	 
	 	4.	 	During employment with Nextera, the Executive agrees to provide Nextera with
copies of any manuscripts produced by the Executive relating to the business of Nextera
or which refers to Nextera in any manner for approval by Nextera prior to submission
for publication.
	 
	 	5.	 	The Executive does not, however, assign any Developments, if any, relating in
any way to Nextera business which were made prior to employment with Nextera, which
Developments, if any, are identified on Exhibit A, attached to this Agreement.

GENERAL

	 	1.	 	The Executive’s obligations under this Agreement shall survive the termination
of employment. The Executive understands that this Agreement does not create an
obligation of Nextera or any other party to continue employment.
	 
	 	2.	 	Nextera shall have the unrestricted right to assign this Agreement to its
parent company, its affiliates, and any and all successors in interest.
	 
	 	3.	 	It is agreed that Nextera may inform any person or entity subsequently
employing or evidencing an intention to employ, Executive of the nature of the
information Nextera asserts to be confidential, and may inform said person or entity of
the existence of this Agreement, and provide to such persons or entity a copy of this
Agreement.
	 
	 	4.	 	Any breach of this Agreement by the Executive may cause irreparable damage, and
in the event of such a breach, Nextera shall have, in addition to any remedies at law,
the right to an injunction to prevent or restrain a breach of the Executive’s
obligations hereunder.
	 
	 	5.	 	Nextera’s failure to exercise any rights under this Agreement does not
constitute a waiver of such right in the event of a subsequent violation of this
Agreement.
	 
	 	6.	 	This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Executive’s
employment.

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	 	7.	 	In the event a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any
provision in this Agreement is too restrictive in scope or duration, then that court
shall have the power to alter such provision to make it enforceable to the fullest
extent permitted by law. Such a determination shall not have the effect of rendering
any other provision herein contained invalid.

     INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND by this Agreement and IN WITNESS THEREOF, the undersigned
parties have executed this Agreement as of this ___day of October, 2000.

;

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	Its:	 	 
	 	 		 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MICHAEL P. MULDOWNEY

State of Residence: Massachusetts

 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 

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