Document:

Exhibit 10.2.1

 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (this “Second Amendment”) is made as of the 18th day of January, 2011 by and among Coldwater Creek U.S. Inc., a Delaware corporation, for itself and as Lead Borrower (in such capacity, the “Lead Borrower”) for the Borrowers party hereto (individually, a “Borrower” and, collectively, the “Borrowers”), (ii) the Borrowers party hereto, (iii) the Guarantors party hereto, (iv) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties, and (v) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and benefits to be derived herefrom.  All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Lead Borrower, the Borrowers, the Guarantors, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 2009, as amended by a First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2009 (as amended, modified, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the terms and conditions of the Credit Amendment as set forth herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

 

1.                                       Definitions. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

 

2.                                       Amendment to Article I.  The definition of “Maturity Date” set forth in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

“Maturity Date” means February 13, 2013.

 

3.                                       Amendment to Article V.  Section 5.18 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting “, as of the Closing Date” in the third sentence thereof following “Schedule 5.18”.

 

4.                                       Amendment to Article VI.  Section 6.01(e)(A) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the following text:

 

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(A) as soon as available, but in any event at least 30 days before the end of each Fiscal Year of the Parent, a forecast (including projected new Store openings) prepared by management of the Lead Borrower, for the immediately following Fiscal Year

 

And replacing it with the following:

 

(A) as soon as available, but in any event no later January 31 of each year, commencing January 31, 2011, a forecast (including projected new Store openings) prepared by management of the Lead Borrower, for the then current Fiscal Year

 

5.                                       Amendment to Article VII.  Section 7.18 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by the addition of the following text immediately prior to the text “provided, however,”:

 

	
January 31,   2013
    	
 
    	
An   amount which is equal to 120% of the projected Capital Expenditures for the   Fiscal Year ending January 31, 2013, as set forth in the forecast   delivered in accordance with Section 6.01(e), and as such projected   Capital Expenditures are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
    

 

6.                                       Amendment Fee.  To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Second Amendment, the Borrowers hereby agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a fee (the “Amendment Fee”) in an amount equal to $70,000.  The Amendment Fee shall be fully earned as of the date of this Second Amendment and paid in full by the Borrowers on the later of (i) the date of this Second Amendment, or (ii) January 31, 2011. The Amendment Fee shall not be subject to refund or rebate under any circumstances.

 

7.                                       Conditions to Effectiveness. This Second Amendment shall not be effective until each of the following conditions precedent have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)           This Second Amendment shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed copy hereof and of each other document required hereunder.

 

(b)           No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, both before and immediately after giving effect to the execution of this Second Amendment.

 

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8.                                       Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents remain in full force and effect.  The Loan Parties hereby ratify, confirm, and reaffirm (i) that all of the representations and warranties contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on the date hereof (except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), and (ii) all covenants therein contained.

 

(b)           This Second Amendment may be executed in several counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which when so executed and delivered, shall be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

(c)           This Second Amendment expresses the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersedes all prior discussions or negotiations hereon.

 

(d)           By executing this Second Amendment, the undersigned Guarantors hereby consent to the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and acknowledge that their Facility Guaranty remains in full force and effect.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Amendment to be executed and their seals to be hereto affixed as the date first above written.

 

	
 
    	
Borrowers:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
COLDWATER   CREEK U.S. INC.
    
	
 
    	
as Lead Borrower and a Borrower
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
President &   Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
COLDWATER   CREEK THE SPA INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President & Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
COLDWATER   CREEK MERCHANDISING & LOGISTICS INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
President
    

 

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement

 

 

	
 
    	
Guarantors:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
COLDWATER   CREEK INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Financial Officer & Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
C   SQUARED LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Manager
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ASPENWOOD   ADVERTISING, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
CWC   WORLDWIDE SERVICES INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
COLDWATER   CREEK SOURCING INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   James A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
James   A. Bell
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
CWC   SOURCING LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Mark Haley
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Mark   Haley
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Manager
    

 

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit Agreement

 

 

	
 
    	
Agents:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WELLS   FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
as   Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Michele L. Ayou
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Michele L. Ayou
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Authorized   Signatory
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Lenders:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WELLS   FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
as   Lender and Swing Line Lender
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Michele L. Ayou
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Michele L. Ayou
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Authorized   Signatory
    

 

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Credit AgreementExhibit 10.14

 

COLDWATER CREEK INC.

 

SEVERANCE AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

 

This Severance and Change of Control Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into by and between Jill Brown Dean (the “Executive”) and COLDWATER CREEK Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).    Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1 below.

 

RECITALS

 

1.                                       It is possible that the Company could terminate Executive’s employment with the Company.  The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes that such consideration can be a distraction to Executive and can cause Executive to consider alternative employment opportunities.  The Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication and objectivity of Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of such a termination.

 

2.                                       The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to provide Executive with an incentive to continue his or her employment and to motivate Executive to maximize the value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders.

 

3.                                       The Board believes that it is imperative to provide Executive with certain severance benefits upon certain terminations of Executive’s employment with the Company.  These benefits will provide Executive with enhanced financial security and incentive and encouragement to remain with the Company.

 

4.                                       Certain capitalized terms used in the Agreement are defined in Section 5 below.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and the continued employment of Executive by the Company, the parties agree as follows:

 

5.                                       Definition of Terms.  The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)                                  Cause.  “Cause” shall mean (i) a failure by Executive to substantially perform Executive’s duties as an employee, other than a failure resulting from Executive’s complete or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness or impairment; (ii) a felony conviction or a plea of “no contest,” and which has a material adverse effect on the business or affairs of the Company or its affiliates or stockholders; (iii) intentional or willful misconduct or refusal to follow the lawful instructions of the Board; (iv) material fraud or dishonesty against the Company or having a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or reputation; (v)

 

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material violation of Company policy or agreement, including without limitation the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and the Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Agreement and Agreement for Non-Solicitation or Recruitment; or (vi) failure to cooperate with the Company in any investigation or formal proceeding.  For these purposes, no act or failure to act shall be considered “intentional or willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, in bad faith without a reasonable belief that the action or omission is in the best interests of the Company.

 

(b)                                 Change of Control.  “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i)                                     the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the closing of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition to a subsidiary of the Company or to an entity, the voting securities of which are owned by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company’s voting securities immediately prior to such sale or disposition;

 

(ii)                                  a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent directly or indirectly (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

 

(iii)                               any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or

 

(iv)                              a contest for the election or removal of members of the Board that results in the replacement during any 12-month period of at least 50% of the Incumbent Directors of the Board, whose appointment is not endorsed by the majority of the Incumbent Directors of the Board prior to such contest.  “Incumbent Directors” is defined as:  (x) Directors as of the date of this Agreement; and (y) Directors elected other than in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest;

 

provided, however, that such transaction also satisfies the requirements for a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, under Section 409A of the Code, as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5),  or other applicable guidance issued under Section 409A.

 

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(c)                                  Involuntary Termination.  “Involuntary Termination” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     on or following a Change of Control, and without Executive’s express written consent, a material reduction in Executive’s authority, title, duties or responsibilities relative to Executive’s authority, title, duties or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;

 

(ii)                                  without Executive’s express written consent, a material reduction by the Company of Executive’s base salary, except in connection with a reduction in compensation generally applicable to senior management employees of the Company;

 

(iii)                               without Executive’s express written consent, the relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment to a facility or a location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s then current location;

 

(iv)                              any termination of Executive by the Company which is not effected for Cause; or

 

(v)                                 the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successors contemplated in Section 11(a) below.

 

A termination shall not be considered an “Involuntary Termination” unless Executive provides notice to the Company of the existence of the condition described in subsections (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) above within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of such condition, the Company fails to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days following the receipt of such notice, and Executive terminates employment within one-hundred twenty (120) days following the initial existence of such condition.  A termination due to death or disability shall not be considered an Involuntary Termination.

 

(d)                                 Termination Date.  “Termination Date” shall mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

6.                                       Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the date that all obligations of the parties hereto under this Agreement have been satisfied.

 

7.                                       At-Will Employment.  The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law.

 

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8.                                       Severance Benefits.

 

(a)                                  Involuntary Termination.  If Executive’s employment with the Company (and any parent or subsidiary of the Company employing Executive) terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination at any time (other than on or within twelve months (12) months after a Change of Control, as described in Section 8(b) below), and Executive signs and does not revoke a standard release of claims with the Company in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company which becomes effective within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date, then Executive shall be entitled to the following severance benefits:

 

(i)                                     150% of Executive’s annual base salary as in effect as of the Termination Date, payable in equal installments over a period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies, less applicable withholding, commencing on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date (with an initial catch-up payment for any installments that would have otherwise been payable in the first sixty (60) days following the Termination Date);

 

(ii)                                  a portion of the bonus otherwise earned based on performance for the annual bonus period during which the Termination Date occurs, which portion is equal to the amount of the earned bonus multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days from the commencement of the applicable bonus period through the Termination Date, and the denominator of which equals 365, payable at such time as annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company;

 

(iii)                               any earned but unpaid annual bonus for any annual bonus period which had ended prior to the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid at such time as annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company; and

 

(iv)                              reimbursement by the Company of the group health continuation coverage premiums for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) as in effect through the lesser of (x) twelve (12) months from the date of such termination, (y) the date upon which the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents become covered under similar plans or (z) the date the Executive no longer constitutes a “Qualified Beneficiary” (as such term is defined in Section 4980B(g) of the Code); provided, however, that the Executive will be solely responsible for electing such coverage within the required time period.

 

(b)                                 Involuntary Termination On or Following Change of Control.  If Executive’s employment with the Company (and any parent or subsidiary of the Company employing Executive) terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination on or within twelve months (12) months after a Change of Control, and Executive signs and does not revoke a standard release of claims with the Company in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company which becomes effective within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date, then in lieu of the severance benefits provided under Section 8(a) above, Executive shall be entitled to the following severance benefits:

 

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(i)                                     150% of the sum of the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect as of the Termination Date plus the target bonus for the annual bonus period during which the Termination Date occurs, less applicable withholding, payable in a lump sum on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)                                  a portion of the target bonus for the annual bonus period during which the Termination Date occurs, which portion is equal to the amount of the target bonus multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days from the commencement of the applicable bonus period through the Termination Date, and the denominator of which equals 365, payable in a lump sum on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date;

 

(iii)                               any earned but unpaid annual bonus for any annual bonus period which had ended prior to the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid at such time as annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company;

 

(iv)                              reimbursement by the Company of the group health continuation coverage premiums for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents under Title X of the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) as in effect through the lesser of (x) twelve (12) months from the date of such termination, (y) the date upon which the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents become covered under similar plans or (z) the date the Executive no longer constitutes a “Qualified Beneficiary” (as such term is defined in Section 4980B(g) of the Code); provided, however, that the Executive will be solely responsible for electing such coverage within the required time period; and

 

(v)                                 acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of all of Executive’s options and other rights to acquire common stock of the Company or its successor, or the parent of either, including restricted stock units and performance stock units, to the extent such rights are outstanding immediately prior to the Termination Date, or acceleration of vesting of any deferred compensation into which such options or other rights were converted upon the Change of Control; provided, however, that if such rights are terminated upon the Change of Control without the payment of consideration therefor, then the vesting and exercisability of such rights shall be accelerated immediately prior to the Change of Control.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the severance benefits described in this Section 8(b) are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the severance benefits described in Section 8(a), and in no event will Executive be eligible for payment under both sections.

 

(c)                                  Death or Disability.   If Executive’s employment with the Company (and any parent or subsidiary of the Company employing Executive) terminates as a result of death or Executive becomes disabled (which for purposes of this Section 8(c) means that Executive has become eligible for disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan arrangements or, if none apply, would have been so eligible under the most recent plan or arrangement, and such disability complies with the definition of “disability” under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(4), or other applicable guidance issued under Section 409A (referred to herein as “Disability”)), Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries in the case of the death of Executive) shall be entitled to a portion of the target bonus for the annual bonus 

 

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period during which the death or Disability occurs.  Such portion shall be equal to the amount of the target bonus multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days from the commencement of the applicable bonus period through the date of death or Disability, and the denominator of which equals 365, and shall be payable in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following the date of death or Disability.  In the event of Disability, in addition to the foregoing, Executive will also be entitled to monthly cash payments equal to one twelfth (1/12th) of Executive’s annual salary in effect on the date of Disability, commencing on the Disability date and continuing for a period of twelve (12) months.

 

(d)                                 Accrued Wages and Vacation; Expenses.  Without regard to the reason for, or the timing of, Executive’s termination of employment: (i) the Company shall pay Executive any unpaid wages due for periods prior to the Termination Date; (ii) the Company shall pay Executive all of Executive’s accrued and unused vacation through the Termination Date; (iii) Executive shall be entitled to receive benefits in accordance with the terms of any applicable Company benefit plans; and (iv) following submission of proper expense reports by Executive, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by Executive in connection with the business of the Company prior to the Termination Date.  These payments shall be made promptly upon termination and within the period of time mandated by law.

 

9.                                       Limitation on Payments.  In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Executive’s benefits under this Agreement shall be either:

 

(a)                                  delivered in full or

 

(b)                                 delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to the Excise Tax,

 

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 9 shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants or other nationally recognized tax advisory firm (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes.  For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.  The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 9.  The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 9.   In the event that a reduction is 

 

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required, the reduction shall be applied first to any benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code, and then shall be applied to benefits (if any) that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, with the benefits payable latest in time subject to reduction first.

 

10.                                 Section 409A; Delayed Commencement of Benefits.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no cash severance and no Company-paid health care coverage to which Executive otherwise becomes entitled under this Agreement shall be made or provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the Termination Date or (ii) the date of Executive’s death, if Executive is deemed on the Termination Date to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A and such delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Code Section 409A(a)(2).  Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2) deferral period, all payments and benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 10 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.  Executive shall be entitled to interest on the deferred benefits and payments for the period the commencement of those benefits and payments is delayed by reason of Code Section 409A(a)(2), with such interest to accrue at the prime rate in effect from time to time during that period and to be paid in a lump sum upon the expiration of the deferral period.  Each installment payment under Section 8 shall be considered a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.

 

11.                                 Successors.

 

(a)                                  Company’s Successors.  Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets shall assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession.  For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this subsection (a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

 

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(b)                                 Executive’s Successors.  Without the written consent of the Company, Executive shall not assign or transfer this Agreement or any right or obligation under this Agreement to any other person or entity.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

 

12.                                 Notices.

 

(a)                                  General.  Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid.  In the case of Executive, mailed notices shall be addressed to Executive at the home address which Executive most recently communicated to the Company in writing.  In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.

 

(b)                                 Notice of Termination.  Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive as a result of an Involuntary Termination shall be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with this Section 12.  Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the termination date.  The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Involuntary Termination shall not waive any right of Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder, subject to the requirements of Section 5(c).

 

13.                                 Noncompetition.

 

(a)                                  General.  In consideration of this Agreement, but without regard to whether any payments or benefits are ever made to Executive by the Company under the terms of this Agreement, Executive agrees that during the period of his employment and for twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive will not:

 

(i)                                     work directly or indirectly in any capacity or perform any services (including as an officer, director, employee, agent, advisor, or in any consulting capacity or as an independent contractor) for or own any equity or other ownership interest in;

 

(ii)                                  any person, partnership, division, corporation or any other entity in any business in direct competition with the principal business of the Company;

 

(iii)                               in any geographical location in which to the Company actively conducts business.

 

Executive acknowledges that it would not be reasonably possible for Executive to work for any competing entity without the inevitable use and/or disclosure of confidential and trade secret 

 

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information belonging to the Company, and that the use and/or disclosure of such information would cause competitive harm to the Company.

 

(b)                                 Exceptions.  The following activities of Executive shall not be considered a violation of the noncompetition restrictions set forth in this section: (i) passive ownership of less than 2% of any class of securities of a company whose securities are actively traded on a public securities market; and (iii) engaging or participating solely in a noncompetitive business of an entity which also separately operates a business which is in direct competition with Company.

 

(c)                                  Reasonable and Necessary Restrictions. Executive acknowledges that the restrictions, prohibitions and other provisions in this Section are reasonable, fair, equitable and necessary in duration, scope and geographic area to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, and are a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement.  Executive further acknowledges that while the noncompete obligations of this Section 13 restrict Executive in regard to direct competitors of the Company, such restrictions do not unreasonably restrict or prohibit Executive from obtaining and earning a living within the scope of Executive’s experience,

 

(d)                                 Forfeiture of Severance Payments.  In the event Executive breaches any provision of Section 13, in addition to any other remedies that the Company may have at law or in equity, all severance payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement shall immediately cease and Executive shall promptly reimburse the Company for any severance payments or benefits received from, or payable by, the Company.  In addition, the Company shall be entitled, and Executive authorizes the Company to do so by signing this Agreement, to offset within the Company’s sole discretion all or any portion of the amount of any unpaid reimbursements against any amount owed by the Company to Executive.

 

(e)                                  Extension of Noncompete Provision Due To Breach By Executive.  Executive agrees that the duration of the noncompete obligations in this section shall be extended for the length of time Executive is in breach of such obligations.   By example only and not limitation, if Executive is in breach of the noncompete obligations of this Section for a period of two (2) months, the noncompete obligation shall be extended for two (2) months so that Executive has satisfied a total of twelve (12) months of the noncompete obligation as agreed in Section 13.

 

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14.                                 Arbitration.

 

Any controversy involving the construction or application of any terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, or any claims arising out of any alleged breach of this Agreement, will be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association and submitted to and settled by final and binding arbitration in Spokane, Washington, except that any alleged breach of Executive’s obligations under Section 13(a) shall not be submitted to arbitration and instead the Company may seek all legal and equitable remedies, including without limitation, injunctive relief.

 

15.                                 Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)                                  No Duty to Mitigate.  Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.

 

(b)                                 Waiver.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive).  No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

 

(c)                                  Integration.  This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the payment of severance or other benefits if Executive’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

(d)                                 Choice of Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the conflicts of law rules, of the State of Idaho.

 

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

 

(f)                                    Employment Taxes.  All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.

 

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(g)                                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer or member of the Board of Directors, on the dates shown below.

 

	
COMPANY:
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Dennis Pence
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
CEO
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:
    	
1/19/2011
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXECUTIVE:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Signature
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Jill Brown Dean 
    
	
 
    	
Jill Brown Dean 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:
    	
1/19/2011
    

 

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