Document:

d1222463_ex4-41.htm

Exhibit 4.41

 

Execution Version

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is entered into as of August 24, 2011, by and between Sovereign Holdings Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the "Investor"), and Top Ships Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the "Company" and together with the Investor, the "Parties" and each a "Party").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company and the Investor have entered into that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the "Share Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which the Investor is acquiring certain Common Shares (as defined below) of the Company, and the Company agreed to provide certain registration rights to the Investor;

WHEREAS, the Company's Common Shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth the Investor's rights and the Company's obligation to cause the registration of the Registrable Securities (as defined below) pursuant to the Securities Act (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.01. Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).

"Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

"Authorized Officer" means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an office), chief executive officer, president or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), and such Person's chief financial officer or treasurer.

"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

"Business Day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or Greece are authorized by law or executive order to close.

"Common Shares" means (i) any common shares, par value of US$0.01 per share, of the Company held by the Investor (or any transferee) and purchased pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, (ii) any securities of the Company which the Investor (or any transferee) shall be entitled to receive, or shall have received, in connection with any stock splits, stock dividends or similar events with respect to the Common Shares, and (iii) any other securities into which or for which any of the Common Shares described in clause (i) or (ii) may be converted or exchanged pursuant to a plan of recapitalization, reorganization, merger, sale of assets or otherwise.

"Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

"Company Indemnified Persons" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b)(i).

  

  

  

"Demanding Holders" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

"Demand Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

"Demand Notice Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

"Demand Registration" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

"Designated Offshore Securities Market" means a Designated Offshore Securities Market as defined in Section 230.902(b) of Regulation S of the Securities Act.

"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

"F-3 or S-3 Holders" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

"F-3 or S-3 Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

"F-3 or S-3 Notice Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

"Governmental Body" means any agency, bureau, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal or other instrumentality of any administrative, judicial, legislative, executive, regulatory, police or taxing authority of any government, whether supranational, national, federal, state, regional, provincial, local, domestic or foreign.

"Holder Indemnified Persons" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a)(i).

"Indemnitee" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(c).

"Indemnitor" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(c).

"Investor" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

"Losses" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a)(i).

"Parties" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

"Person" means individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including any Governmental Body.

"Potential Material Event" means either (i) the possession by the Company of material information not ripe for disclosure in a registration statement, or (ii) any material engagement or activity by the Company that would be adversely affected by disclosure in a registration statement at such time, in each case, which shall be evidenced by a written good faith determination by the Board that both (a) disclosure of such information, engagement or activity in a registration statement would be detrimental to the business and affairs of the Company, and (b) a registration statement would be materially misleading absent the inclusion of such information, engagement or activity.

"Register," "registered" and "registration" means a registration effected through the preparation and filing of a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the Securities Act and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement or document.

  

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"Registrable Securities" means any Common Shares held by the Investor (or any transferee) at any time; provided, however, that Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the consummation of any sale of such securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or Rule 144.

"Registrable Securities Holder" means any Person (including the Investor) who holds Registrable Securities or the rights to hold Registrable Securities, or any Person to whom any Registrable Securities Holder shall Transfer its Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.07 of this Agreement.

"Registration Expenses" means all expenses incurred by the Company in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including all registration, qualification and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, transfer agent fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration and the reasonable fees and disbursements of special legal counsel to represent the Registrable Securities Holders, as the case may be.  Registration Expenses do not include compensation of regular employees of the Company which shall be paid in any event by the Company, underwriting discounts and commissions and stock transfer taxes.

"Registration Statement" means a registration statement on Form F-1 or S-1, Form F-3 or S-3 (or such similar or successor forms as may be appropriate) prepared and filed with the SEC by the Company pursuant to Article II of this Agreement.

"Regulation" means each applicable law, rule, regulation, order, guidance or recommendation (or any change in its interpretation or administration) by any Governmental Body, central bank or comparable agency and any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any of those Persons and each judgment, injunction, order, writ, decree or award of any Governmental Body, arbitrator or other Person.

"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such rule shall be in effect from time to time, or any successor rule.

"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and includes any Governmental Body succeeding to the functions thereof.

"Securities" means any stock, shares, limited liability company membership interests, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as "securities" or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

"Selling Expenses" means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the Registrable Securities registered by the Registrable Securities Holders, as the case may be.

"Share Purchase Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

"Transfer" means any sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, pledge, grant of security interest in, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition or conveyance of any interest in.

"US$" means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

  

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"Violation" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a)(i).

Section 1.02.  Interpretation.

(a) Headings.  The headings to the Articles, Sections and Subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(b) Usage.  In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise: (i) the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa; (ii) reference to any gender includes each other gender and the neuter; (iii) the terms "hereunder," "hereof," "hereto" and words of similar import shall be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or other provision hereof; (iv) the words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation"; and (v) a reference to any Article, Section or Subsection shall be deemed to refer to the corresponding Article, Section, or Subsection of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 2.01.  Demand Registration.

(a) Request for Registration.  If Registrable Securities Holders holding outstanding Registrable Securities that represent two percent (2%) or more of the aggregate outstanding shares of the Company's common shares, par value of US$0.01 per share (or any other securities into which or for which any of such common shares may be converted or exchanged pursuant to a plan of recapitalization, reorganization, merger, sale of assets or otherwise), at any time shall provide the Company with a written request (a "Demand Notice") requesting that the Company pursuant to this Section 2.01 file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act registering for resale Registrable Securities (the date on which the Company receives the Demand Notice being the "Demand Notice Date" and the registration requested in such Demand Notice being a "Demand Registration"), the Company shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) calendar days) after the Demand Notice Date, forward a copy of the Demand Notice to all of the Registrable Securities Holders.  Each of the Registrable Securities Holders shall have a period of twenty (20) calendar days after receiving the Demand Notice from the Company in which to elect to include some or all of such Registrable Securities Holder's Registrable Securities in such Demand Registration.  The Registrable Securities Holders shall exercise their right to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement by delivering a written notice to the Company within such twenty (20) calendar day period specifying the number of Registrable Securities such Registrable Securities Holder wishes to include in such Registration (such electing Registrable Securities Holders, together with the Registrable Securities Holders delivering the Demand Notice to the Company being the "Demanding Holders").  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to make more than one Demand Registration in respect of Registrable Securities.

(b) Filing and Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC, no later than ninety (90) calendar days after the Demand Notice Date, a Registration Statement registering for resale by the Demanding Holders a sufficient number of Common Shares for such Demanding Holders to sell the Registrable Securities requested to be registered.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective no later than the earlier of (i) five (5) calendar days after the date on which the Company receives notice from the SEC that such Registration Statement may be declared effective and (ii) the date which is one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the Demand Notice Date.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01 to remain effective until the earlier of (A) the date on which all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such Registration Statement shall have been sold to the public and (B) the date which is one year after the date on which such Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that such date shall be increased by the number of days that the Demanding Holders may not sell Securities pursuant to Section 2.04(h).

 

  

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(c) Underwritten Offering.

(i) If the Demanding Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their Demand Notice by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their Demand Notice.  In connection with such underwritten offering, the Demanding Holders shall have the right to select the managing underwriter or underwriters, subject to the reasonable approval of the Company.  In connection with such underwritten offering, the Demanding Holders shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters, subject to the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters, shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Demanding Holders.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.01, if the underwriter advises the Company that in the opinion of such underwriter, the distribution of all of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered would materially and adversely affect the distribution of all of the securities to be underwritten, then (A) the Company shall deliver to such Demanding Holders a copy of such underwriter's opinion, which opinion shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for such opinion and (B) the number of equity Securities (including the Registrable Securities) that may be included in such registration shall be allocated in the order listed below:

(x) first, to the Demanding Holders; and

(y) second, to the other Persons proposing to register securities in such registration.

Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from the registration.

(d) Limitations on Registration.  The Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section 2.01:

(i) if the Company shall furnish to the Demanding Holders a certificate signed by the Company's Authorized Officer stating that a Potential Material Event exists, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) calendar days after the Demand Notice Date, provided that such right to delay a request may not be exercised by the Company more than twice in any twelve (12)-month period with at least a sixty (60) calendar day interval between such "black-out" periods;

(ii) if the Demanding Holders, together with the holders of any other Securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration statement, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other Securities (if any) whereby the aggregate proceeds of which (after deduction for underwriter's discounts and expenses related to the issuance) are less than US$1,000,000;

(iii) if all of the Registrable Securities identified in the Demand Notice may be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of without any manner or volume limitations under the Securities Act in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144;

(iv) if the Company has already registered Common Shares pursuant to a Demand Notice; or

(v) after the tenth anniversary of this Agreement.

  

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Section 2.02. F-3 or S-3 Registration.

(a) F-3 or S-3 Registration.  If, at any time after the first date on which the Company is eligible to file a registration statement under the Securities Act on Form F-3 or S-3 (or such similar or successor form as may be appropriate), the Company shall receive from Registrable Securities Holders holding at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities a written request (an "F-3 or S-3 Notice") that the Company effect a short-form registration on Form F-3 or S-3 (or such similar or successor form as may be appropriate), including for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act, and any related qualification or compliance with respect to the Registrable Securities (the date on which the Company receives the F-3 or S-3 Notice being the "F-3 or S-3 Notice Date"), the Company shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) calendar days) after the F-3 or S-3 Notice Date, forward a copy of the F-3 or S-3 Notice to all of the Registrable Securities Holders.  Each of the Registrable Securities Holders shall have a period of twenty (20) calendar days after receiving the F-3 or S-3 Notice from the Company in which to elect to include some or all of such Registrable Securities Holder's Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement.  The Registrable Securities Holders shall exercise their right to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement by delivering a written notice to the Company within such twenty (20) calendar day period specifying the number of Registrable Securities such Registrable Securities Holder wishes to include in such Registration Statement (such electing Registrable Securities Holders, together with the Registrable Securities Holders delivering the F-3 or S-3 Notice to the Company being the "F-3 or S-3 Holders").

(b) Filing and Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC, no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the F-3 or S-3 Notice Date, a Registration Statement on Form F-3 or S-3 (or such similar or successor form as may be appropriate), covering, and shall obtain all such qualifications and compliances as may be required and as would permit the sale and distribution of, all Registrable Securities.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective no later than the earlier of (i) five (5) calendar days after the date on which the Company receives notice from the SEC that such Registration Statement may be declared effective and (ii) sixty (60) calendar days after the F-3 or S-3 Notice Date.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.02 to remain effective until the earlier of (A) the date on which all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such Registration Statement shall have been sold to the public and (B) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the F-3 or S-3 Holders can be freely sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 without any manner or volume limitations.

(c) Limitations on Registration.  The Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section 2.02:

(i) if at the time of the request, Form F-3 or S-3 (or such similar or successor form as may be applicable) is not available to the Company for such offering;

(ii) if the Company shall furnish to the F-3 or S-3 Holders requesting a registration pursuant to this Section 2.02 a certificate signed by the Company's Authorized Officer stating that a Potential Material Event exists, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) calendar days after the F-3 or S-3 Notice Date, provided that such right to delay a request may not be exercised by the Company more than twice in any twelve (12)-month period with at least a sixty (60) calendar day interval between such "black-out" periods; or

(iii) if the Registrable Securities Holders propose to sell Registrable Securities and other such Securities (if any) whereby the aggregate proceeds of which (after deduction for underwriter's discounts and expenses related to the issuance) are less than US$500,000.

 

  

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Section 2.03. Expenses of Registration.  All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing, qualification or compliance pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 shall be borne by the Company.  Unless otherwise stated, all Selling Expenses relating to any Registrable Securities registered on behalf of the Registrable Securities Holders shall be borne by such Registrable Securities Holders either wholly or, if such Registrable Securities Holder is participating in a registration as one of the Registrable Securities Holders, on a pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered.

Section 2.04. Further Obligations of the Company.  Whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Article II, the Company shall:

(a) Filing and Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  With respect to a Registration Statement required by Section 2.01 or 2.02, (i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement, (ii) cause such Registration Statement to become effective, and (iii) maintain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, in each case, as of the dates and for the periods required by Section 2.01 or 2.02, as the case may be, which Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

(b) Filing of Amendments and Supplements.  Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities and other securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statement at all times during the period for which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(c) Copies of Documents.  Furnish to each Registrable Securities Holder selling such Registrable Securities by means of such Registration Statement, without charge, such number of conformed copies of such Registration Statement and of each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), such number of copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, such documents incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement or prospectus and such other documents as such Registrable Securities Holders may reasonably request.

(d) Opinion and Comfort Letter.  Furnish to such Registrable Securities Holders (i) an opinion of the counsel representing the Company for purposes of such registration, dated the effective date of such Registration Statement (or, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement with respect to both the effective date of the Registration Statement and the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), in form and substance as is customarily given by counsel for the issuer to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to such Registrable Securities Holders, and (ii) a "cold comfort" letter, dated the effective date of such Registration Statement (and, if such Registration Statement includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement) signed by the independent certified public accountants who have certified the Company's financial statements included in such Registration Statement, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to such Registrable Securities Holders.

(e) "Blue Sky" Qualification.  Register or qualify all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the applicable Registrable Securities Holders (or in an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter) shall reasonably request, and do any and all other acts and things which may be necessary or advisable to enable such Registrable Securities Holders to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of its Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so qualified, or to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

  

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(f) Notification of Certain Events.  As promptly as practicable after becoming aware thereof, notify such Registrable Securities Holders of the happening of any event of which the Company has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or other appropriate filing with the SEC to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver a number of copies of such supplement or amendment to such Registrable Securities Holders as such Registrable Securities Holders may reasonably request.

(g) SEC Stop Orders.  As promptly as practicable after becoming aware thereof, notify such Registrable Securities Holders (and, in the event of an underwritten offering, the managing underwriters) of the issuance by the SEC of any notice of effectiveness or any stop order or other suspension of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement at the earliest possible time.

(h) Potential Material Event.  As promptly as practicable after becoming aware thereof, notify such Registrable Securities Holders (and, in the event of an underwritten offering, the managing underwriters) of the existence of a Potential Material Event, in which case, such Registrable Securities Holders shall not offer or sell any Registrable Securities, or engage in any other transaction involving or relating to the Registrable Securities, from the time of the giving of notice with respect to a Potential Material Event until such Registrable Securities Holders receives written notice from the Company that such Potential Material Event either has been disclosed to the public or no longer constitutes a Potential Material Event; provided, however, that such Registrable Securities Holders may only be required to cease offering and selling Registrable Securities pursuant to this clause (h) for a period of not more than ninety (90) calendar days after receiving notice from the Company that a Potential Material Event exists; provided, further, however, that the Company may only exercise its rights under this clause (h) twice in any twelve (12)-month period with at least a sixty (60) calendar day interval between such "black-out" periods.

(i) Listing Requirements.  Use its best efforts to maintain the trading of such Registrable Securities on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

(j) Certificate Preparation.  Cooperate with such Registrable Securities Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates for the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement and enable such certificates for the Registrable Securities to be in such denominations or amounts as the case may be, as such Registrable Securities Holders may reasonably request, and, within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which includes Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, or shall cause legal counsel selected by the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for the Registrable Securities (with copies to such Registrable Securities Holders) an appropriate instruction and opinion of such counsel.

(k) Underwriting Agreement.  In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form and complying with the provisions of Section 2.06, with the managing underwriter of such offering.

(l) Section 11 Information.  Make available to such Registrable Securities Holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the first month of the first fiscal quarter after the effective date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, including Rule 158 promulgated thereunder.

 

  

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(m) Other Actions.  Take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by such Registrable Securities Holders of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

Section 2.05.  Preparation; Reasonable Investigation; Review by Counsel.  In connection with the preparation and filing of each Registration Statement registering Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, such Registrable Securities Holders, its underwriters, if any, and counsel for such Registrable Securities Holders shall:

(a) be permitted to review such Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC, and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto a reasonable period of time (but not less than three (3) Business Days) prior to their filing with the SEC; and

(b) be given reasonable access to the Company's books and records and such opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers, counsels and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the opinion of such Registrable Securities Holders, such underwriters, if any, or their respective counsel, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act.

Section 2.06. Indemnification.  In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Article II, the following indemnification provisions shall apply.

(a) Indemnification by the Company.

(i) Indemnification.  To the extent permitted by law, and in addition to (and in no way, limiting) the indemnification obligations set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Registrable Securities Holders, each of the employees, officers, directors, partners, members, managers, legal counsel and agents of such Registrable Securities Holders, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Registrable Securities Holders and each Person, if any, who controls such Registrable Securities Holders or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act (collectively, the "Holder Indemnified Persons") against and hold each Holder Indemnified Person harmless from any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, lawsuits, investigations, arbitrations, actions, judgments, costs, expenses or claims, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in investigation or defending any of the foregoing (collectively, "Losses"), that the Holder Indemnified Persons may suffer or sustain arising out of or due to any of the following (any of the following being a "Violation"):

(A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto;

(B) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or

(C) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any applicable securities laws or Regulations of a jurisdiction outside the United States.

(ii) Limitations on Indemnification.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be liable for:

(A) any amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); or

 

  

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(B) any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise out of or are based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished by such Registrable Securities Holders expressly for use in connection with such registration.

(b) Indemnification by the Registrable Securities Holders.

(i) Indemnification.  To the extent permitted by law, and in addition to (and in no way, limiting) the indemnification obligations set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement, each Registrable Securities Holder participating in any registration pursuant to this Agreement shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the Company's employees, officers, directors, legal counsel and other agents, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for the Company and each Person, if any, who controls the Company or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act (collectively, the "Company Indemnified Persons"), against and hold each Company Indemnified Person harmless from any and all Losses that the Company Indemnified Persons may suffer or sustain arising out of or due to any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished by such Registrable Securities Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration.

(ii) Limitations on Indemnification.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Registrable Securities Holder shall not be liable for:

(A) indemnification pursuant to this Agreement in excess of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by such Registrable Securities Holder from the offering of Registrable Securities in such registration;

(B) any amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Registrable Securities Holder; or

(C) any Losses to the extent that such Losses do not arise out of or are not based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished by such Registrable Securities Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration.

(c) Indemnification Mechanics.  If there occurs an event which a Company Indemnified Person or a Holder Indemnified Person (any such Person being the "Indemnitee") hereto asserts is an indemnifiable event pursuant to this Section, the Indemnitee shall promptly notify the party obligated to provide indemnification hereunder (the "Indemnitor") in writing of such event.  Delay or failure to so notify the Indemnitor shall only relieve the Indemnitor of its obligations to the extent, if at all, that it is actually prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure.  The Indemnitor shall have a period of twenty (20) calendar days in which to respond thereto.  If the Indemnitor accepts responsibility within such twenty (20) calendar day period, then the Indemnitor shall be obligated to compromise or defend, at its own expense, such matter, and the Indemnitor shall provide the Indemnitee with such assurances as may be reasonably required by the Indemnitee to assure that the Indemnitor shall assume and be responsible for the Losses at issue (subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement).  If the Indemnitor fails to assume the defense of such matter within such twenty (20) calendar day period or does not respond within such twenty (20) calendar day period, the Indemnitee against which such matter has been asserted shall (upon delivering notice to such effect to the Indemnitor) have the right to undertake, at the Indemnitor's cost and expense, the defense, compromise or settlement of such matter on behalf of the Indemnitee.  In any event, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate at its own expense in the defense of such asserted liability; provided, however, that the Indemnitor shall pay the expenses of such defense if the Indemnitee is advised by counsel in writing that there are one or more legal defenses available to the Indemnitee that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnitor (in which case, if the Indemnitee notifies the Indemnitor in writing, the Indemnitor shall not have the right to assume the defense of such asserted liability on behalf of the Indemnitee).

 

  

10

  

(d) Contribution.  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.06 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnitee with respect to any Losses, then the Indemnitor, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnitee hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnitor on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other in connection with the Violation that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that in no event shall any contribution under this Section 2.06(d) from such Registrable Securities Holders, together with the amount of any indemnification payments made by such Holder pursuant to Section 2.06(b) above, exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Registrable Securities Holders.  The relative fault of the Indemnitor and of the Indemnitee shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the Violation relates to information supplied by the Indemnitor or the Indemnitee and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such Violation.

(e) No Inconsistent Underwriting Agreements.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Registrable Securities Holders shall not be required to enter into an underwriting agreement that contains indemnification and contribution provisions which, in the sole discretion of such Registrable Securities Holders, materially differ from those contained in this Section 2.06.

Section 2.07.  Transfer of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Article II may be assigned by the Investor (or any assignee permitted hereunder) to a transferee or assignee of any of the Registrable Securities held by the Investor (or such assignee), provided that (i) the Company is furnished a written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 2.08.  Subsequent Registration Rights.  From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any Securities of the Company which provides such holder or prospective holder of Securities of the Company the right to include such Securities in any registration filed under Section 2.01 or 2.02 hereof, unless under the terms of such agreement, such holder or prospective holder may include such Securities in any such registration only to the extent that the inclusion of such securities shall not reduce the amount of the Registrable Securities that are included.

Section 2.09.  Registration in Non-U.S. Jurisdictions.  In the event that the Common Shares cease to be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and are not listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange in the United States, but the Company has listed its Common Shares on any Designated Offshore Securities Market or other internationally recognized securities exchange, then the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to provide the Registrable Securities Holders with substantially the same rights and benefits in such jurisdiction as are provided for in this Agreement, and to take such steps, if any, consistent with customary market practice at the time so that the Registrable Securities are freely transferable in such listed market without transfer restrictions imposed by the securities or similar laws of such jurisdiction.

 

  

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ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.01.  Notices.  All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be (i) personally served, (ii) deposited in the mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or (iv) transmitted by hand delivery, telegram or facsimile, addressed as set forth below or to such other address as such Party shall have specified most recently by written notice given in accordance herewith, in each case with a copy to an e-mail address separately provided to each other Party.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed effective (a) upon hand delivery or delivery by facsimile, with accurate confirmation generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a Business Day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first Business Day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a Business Day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second Business Day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur.  The addresses for such communications shall be:

If to the Company:

Top Ships Inc.

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

1, Vassilissis Sofias Str.  & Meg.

Alexandrou Str.

151 24, Maroussi

Greece

Facsimile: +30 210 614 1273

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Seward & Kissel LLP

Attention: Gary J.  Wolfe, Esq. and Robert Lustrin, Esq.

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

Facsimile: +1-212-480-8421

If to the Investor:

Sovereign Holdings Inc.

Attention: Evangelos J. Pistiolis

1, Vassilissis Sofias Str.  & Meg.

Alexandrou Str.

151 24, Maroussi

Greece

Facsimile: +30 210 802 0364

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Watson, Farley & Williams (New York) LLP

Attention: Antonios C.  Backos, Esq.

1133 Avenue of the Americas, 11th floor

New York, NY 10036

Facsimile: +1-212-922-1512

Either Party may from time to time change its address for notices under this Section 3.01 by giving at least ten (10) days' prior written notice of such changed address to the other Party.

Section 3.02.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which may be executed by less than all of the Parties and shall be deemed to be an original instrument, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  All such counterparts may be delivered between the Parties by facsimile or other electronic transmission, which shall not affect the validity thereof.

 

  

12

  

Section 3.03.  Modification or Amendment of Agreement; Waiver.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by all Parties.  The failure of either Party to insist on strict compliance with this Agreement, or to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement, shall not constitute a waiver of any rights provided under this Agreement, nor estop the Parties from thereafter demanding full and complete compliance nor prevent the Parties from exercising such a right or remedy in the future.

Section 3.04.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns and permitted transferees.

Section 3.05.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 3.06.  Specific Enforcement; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) The Parties acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed that either Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other Party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which either Party may be entitled by law or equity.

(b) Each Party (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court and other courts of the United States sitting in the State of New York for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and (ii) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper.  Each Party consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such Party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof.  Nothing in this Section 3.06 shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.  The Parties hereby irrevocably waive trial by jury in any action, proceeding or claim brought by any Party or beneficiary thereof on any matter whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement.

Section 3.08.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Share Purchase Agreement set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the Parties, both oral and written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

Section 3.09.  Severability.  Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable and, if for any reason any provision or provisions hereof are determined to be invalid or contrary to applicable law, such invalidity or illegality shall not impair the operation of or affect the remaining portions of this Agreement.  Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid or illegal, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

Section 3.10.  Jointly Drafted.  This Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted by all Parties and, in the event of a dispute, no Party shall be entitled to claim that any provision hereof should be construed against any other Party by reason of the fact that it was drafted by one particular Party.

 

  

13

  

Section 3.11.  Further Assurances.  From and after the date of this Agreement, upon the request of the a Party, each other Party shall execute and deliver such instruments, documents and other writings as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

  

14

  

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

	
 

	
SOVEREIGN HOLDINGS INC.

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
By:

	
/s/ Stylianos Giamanis

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Name: Stylianos Giamanis

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Title: Attorney-in-fact

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
TOP SHIPS INC.

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
By:

	
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Name: Alexandros Tsirikos

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Title: CFO

	
 

 

 

 

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights AgreementExhibit 10.1

 

	
David W. Norgard

Vice President, Human Resources

3 Giralda Farms

Madison, New Jersey 07940

Phone: 973-520-2926  Cell: 201-240-4354

	

 

April 3, 2012

 

Stephen H. Rusckowski

 

	
  

	
Re:

	
Employment Terms

 

Dear Stephen:

 

On behalf of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer you employment with the Company on the terms of this letter agreement set forth below (“Agreement”).  This offer is irrevocable and will remain open for your acceptance, by your signature on the last page hereof and delivery to me, until April 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). This Agreement will become effective upon your execution and receipt by the Company.

 

1.           Commencement Date; Term of Employment.  The term of this Agreement and your employment with the Company under this Agreement will commence on July 2, 2012 or such earlier date as the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and you may agree (“Commencement Date”) and, subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 11 hereof, the term of this Agreement will end on December 31, 2015; provided, however, that, the term will be automatically extended (subject to Section 11) for successive additional one (1)-year periods unless, at least six (6) months prior to the end of such initial term or any applicable one (1)-year extended term, the Company or you have notified the other in writing that the term of this Agreement will expire on the last day thereof.  For all purposes hereunder, the initial term, as may be so extended, is the “Term”.  Any employment after the date of expiration of the Term will be at-will.

 

2.           Position; Principal Place Of Employment. You will be employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting to the Board.  Your principal place of employment will be at the Company’s headquarters in Madison, New Jersey.

 

3.           Board Membership.  The Board will take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect you as a member of the Board effective on your Commencement Date.  Thereafter, during the Term, the Board will nominate you for re-election as a member of the Board as and when your term as a director otherwise would expire.  You agree to serve without additional compensation as an officer and director of any of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

4.           Base Salary.  You will be paid a base salary at an annual rate of $1,050,000, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company.  Your base salary will be reviewed annually by the Board (or a committee thereof) for increase in the sole discretion of the Board (or committee), and once increased will not be decreased except for any proportionate reduction applicable to all senior executives of the Company.  For all purposes under this Agreement, your “Base Salary” is the amount then applicable under this Section 4.

 

5.           Annual Incentive.  For each fiscal year during your employment with the Company hereunder, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Senior Management Incentive Plan (the “SMIP”) and all other annual cash and equity incentive compensation plans and programs generally applicable to the Company’s senior executives.

      

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 2

 

 

You will have the opportunity to earn a target SMIP incentive, measured against criteria to be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), of 130% of your Base Salary (the “Target SMIP Incentive”); provided, your FY 2012 annual incentive will be no less than your Target SMIP Incentive (based on a full year of Base Salary).

 

6.             Long-Term Incentive Compensation.

 

(a)           You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and any other long-term incentive plans and programs for the Company’s senior executives at a level commensurate with your position.  You will be entitled to annual long-term incentive awards at the time granted to senior executives during FY 2013 and thereafter.  All such awards will be determined and granted in the sole discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof).

 

(b)           On the Commencement Date, you will be granted a long-term incentive award under the LTIP having a grant value of $6,700,000, allocated $2,680,000 (40%) to stock options, $1,340,000 (20%) to time-vested restricted stock units and $2,680,000 (40%) to performance shares.  The award will be subject to the same terms and conditions (including performance goals under the performance shares) and will be set forth in an equity award agreement that is substantially similar to annual long-term incentive awards granted under the LTIP in 2012 to other senior executives.

 

(c)           On the Commencement Date, you will be granted an award of performance shares under the LTIP having a target grant value equal to the product of (i) $2,680,000 multiplied by (ii) the fraction the numerator of which is the number of whole or partial months from the Commencement Date to December 31, 2012 and the denominator of which is thirty-six (36), which award will be subject to the same terms and conditions (including performance goals) and will be set forth in an equity award agreement that is substantially similar to the annual award of performance shares granted under the LTIP in 2010 to other senior executives.

 

(d)           On the Commencement Date, you will be granted an award of performance shares under the LTIP having a target grant value equal to the product of (i) $2,680,000 multiplied by (ii) the fraction the numerator of which is the number of whole or partial months from the Commencement Date to December 31, 2013 and the denominator of which is thirty-six (36), which award will be subject to the same terms and conditions (including performance goals) and will be set forth in an equity award agreement that is substantially similar to the annual award of performance shares granted under the LTIP in 2011 to other senior executives.

 

7.           Buy-Out Awards.  To compensate you for certain forfeitures incurred in connection with the termination of your employment with your immediately preceding employer and as a sign-on inducement:

   

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 3

 

 

(a)           On the Commencement Date, you will be granted an award of 20,000 restricted stock units in the form of award attached hereto as Exhibit A; and

 

(b)           Not later than 30 days following the Commencement Date, the Company will pay you a cash lump sum in the amount of $500,000 (less applicable withholding taxes); provided, in the event that you voluntarily terminate your employment without Good Reason or the Company terminates your employment for Cause (each such term as defined below) at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, you shall refund the full pre-tax amount of that payment to the Company within 30 days after such termination.

 

8.           Employee Benefits; Vacation; Policies. You will be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans and perquisites that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its senior executives at a level commensurate with your position. You will be entitled to annual paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s time off policy applicable to senior executives (which provides 20 days paid time off in your first year of employment).  To ensure your accessibility, safety and productivity during the Term, the Company will reimburse you for the costs of an executive driver for business purposes (including transportation between your residence and the Company’s offices).  Not later than the last day of the initial term set forth in Section 1, you will be required to attain the guideline shareholding (currently 100,000 shares) under the Company policies  in effect from time to time regarding the acquisition and retention of shares of Company stock.  You shall at all times during your employment be subject to the Company policies in effect from time to time regarding engaging in transactions in Company stock.

 

9.           Relocation.  You will relocate to the vicinity of the Company’s headquarters within a time frame mutually agreed upon between you and the Board.  You will be entitled to relocation benefits in accordance with the Company’s Tier IV relocation policy, with such changes and adjustments appropriate for a Chief Executive Officer as determined by the Board in its discretion; provided, that temporary housing under the Tier IV relocation policy will be extended to up to 180 days.

 

10.           Restrictive Covenant Agreement; Non-Disparagement.

 

(a)           On your Commencement Date, you and the Company will enter into a standard form of Company Restrictive Covenant Agreement (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”) which includes provisions relating to confidentiality, two (2)-year post-employment non-competition, customer non-solicitation and employee non-solicitation restrictions, and ownership of inventions.

 

(b)           We agree neither the Company nor you will in any manner disparage the other party, or make or solicit any comments, statements or the like to the media or to others that are derogatory or detrimental to their good name or business reputation‬.  For such purposes, however, the obligations of the Company shall apply only respecting such conduct by its officers and directors or any authorized public statement made in the name of the Company.  The covenants under this Section 10(b) shall not prohibit any party from giving truthful testimony under oath in any legal or administrative proceeding or arbitration.

 

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 4

 

 

11.           Termination.

 

(a)           Your employment may be terminated by either party at any time, and will terminate on the first of the following to occur of your death, Disability, involuntary termination by the Company for Cause, involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, voluntary termination by you for Good Reason or voluntary termination by you without Good Reason.  You shall not voluntarily terminate your employment without giving the Company at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice, and during such thirty (30)-day period shall assist the Company, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the Company, to effect an orderly transition of your duties and responsibilities to the Company.

 

(b)           During the Term, you will participate in the Company’s Executive Officer Severance Plan as such plan may be in effect from time to time (“EOSP”), and for purposes of Section 4 and Section 5 (other than Section 5(d)) of which you will be regarded as a participant designated on Schedule A; provided, however, that, during the Term: (i) any amendment of the EOSP adverse to you (other than any amendment applicable to all participants of the form and timing of any severance payments that may become due thereunder), and without your prior written consent, will be disregarded; (ii)  in the event of your Qualifying Termination, you also will be entitled to a pro rata annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs in an amount (if any), based upon actual performance under the SMIP had your employment continued through the last day of the fiscal year, multiplied by the fraction the numerator of which is the number of days employed during the fiscal year through the date of termination and the denominator of which is 365; (iii) a “Qualifying Termination” as provided in the EOSP will also mean a termination of your employment by you, occurring prior to a Change of Control, for Good Reason; (iv) for any such Qualifying Termination that does not occur during the Termination Period, the term “Good Reason” will have the meaning defined on the Attachment attached hereto and not as defined under the EOSP.   The definitions of the following terms will have the meaning as defined in the EOSP: “Cause”, “Disability”, “Change of Control”, “Qualifying Termination” (except as modified above), “Termination Period”, and “Good Reason” as the definition of Good Reason applies to a Qualifying Termination occurring during the Termination Period.  In accordance with the EOSP, your entitlement to severance benefits thereunder (and as provided in this Agreement) will be subject to your providing a release of claims as provided therein.  Your entitlement (and continuing entitlement) to severance benefits thereunder will also be subject to (x) your delivery to the Company of a resignation from all offices, directorships and fiduciary positions with the Company, its affiliates and employee benefit plans in which you are then serving and (y) your compliance with all post-termination obligations under the Restrictive Covenant Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any termination payments made and benefits provided under this Agreement to you, including pursuant to this Section 11(b) and the EOSP thereunder, shall be in lieu of any other termination or severance payments or benefits for which you may be eligible under any of the plans, practices, policies or programs of the Company or its affiliates.  All benefits, including, 

  

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 5

 

 

without limitation, stock options, restricted stock units, performance shares and other awards under the Company’s long-term incentive programs will be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, arrangement or agreement under which such benefits accrue, are granted or are awarded.

 

(c)           In the event that you receive any benefits from the Company under the EOSP, then, during the period of 36 months following the date that the termination of your employment became effective, you , upon request by the Company:

 

(i)           Will consult with one or more of the executive officers concerning the business and affairs of the Company for not to exceed four hours in any month at times and places selected by you as being convenient to him, all without compensation other than what is provided for under the EOSP; and

 

(ii)           Will testify as a witness on behalf of the Company in any legal proceedings involving the Company which arise out of events or circumstances that occurred or existed prior to the date that the termination of your employment became effective (except for any such proceedings relating to this Agreement), without compensation other than what is provided for under the EOSP; provided, that all out-of-pocket expenses you incur in connection with serving as a witness will be paid by the Company.

 

You will not be required to perform your obligations under this Section 11(c) if and so long as the Company is in default with respect to performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

12.           Reduction of Payments in Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)           Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Company’s independent auditors or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”) determine that receipt of any payment or distribution by the Company or affiliates in the nature of compensation to or for your benefit, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”) would subject you to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Code”), the Accounting Firm will determine whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to the EOSP and under any annual or long-term incentive award (collectively and selectively, the “Agreement Payments”) to the Reduced Amount (as defined below).  The Agreement Payments will be reduced to the Reduced Amount only if the Accounting Firm determines that you would have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if your Agreement Payments were reduced to the Reduced Amount.  If the Accounting Firm determines that you would not have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt of aggregate Payments if your Agreement Payments were so reduced, you will receive all Agreement Payments to which you are entitled under this Agreement or otherwise.  For purposes of this Section 12, (i) “Reduced Amount” shall mean the greatest amount of Agreement Payments that can be paid that would not result in the 

 

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 6

 

 

imposition of the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code if the Accounting Firm determines to reduce Agreement Payments pursuant to this Section 12(a); and (ii) “Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on you with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to your taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as the Accounting Firm determined to be likely to apply to you in the relevant tax year(s).

 

(b)           If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Agreement Payments should be reduced to the Reduced Amount, the Company will promptly give you notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof.  All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 12 shall be binding upon the Company and you and will be made as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than thirty (30) days following the date of any termination of your employment.  For purposes of reducing the Agreement Payments to the Reduced Amount, the reduction will be made by reducing the payments and benefits in the following order:  (i) payments due under the EOSP, (ii) payments due in respect of restricted stock units under any affected long-term incentive award, (iii) payments due in respect of performance shares under any affected long-term incentive award, and (iv) the forfeiture of such portion of any stock options constituting an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code.  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.

 

(c)           As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of you pursuant to this Agreement which should not have been so paid or distributed (“Overpayment”) or that additional amounts which will have not been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of you pursuant to this Agreement could have been so paid or distributed (“Underpayment”), in each case, consistent with the calculation of the Reduced Amount hereunder.  In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Company or you which the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, you shall, except to the extent that it would cause a violation of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, pay any such Overpayment to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that no amount will be payable by you to the Company if and to the extent such payment would not either reduce the amount on which you is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of such taxes.  In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment will be paid promptly (and in no event later than 60 days following the date on which the Underpayment is determined) by the Company to or for the benefit of you together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.

   

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 7

 

 

13.           Arbitration.

 

(a)           Excepting any claim for benefits under the EOSP or any other employee benefit plan in which you are a participant (which claims shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such plan), to the fullest extent permitted by law, all claims that you may have against Company or which Company may have against you, in any way related to the subject matter, interpretation, application, or alleged breach of this Agreement (“Arbitrable Claims”) shall be resolved by binding arbitration in the state of New Jersey.  The arbitration will be held pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association (applicable to commercial disputes).  The decision of the arbitrator shall be in writing and shall include a statement of the essential conclusions and findings upon which the decision is based.  Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses in connection with any such arbitration.

 

(b)           Arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties and shall be the exclusive remedy for all Arbitrable Claims.  Either party may bring an action in a New Jersey court to compel arbitration under this Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award.  Otherwise, neither party shall initiate or prosecute any lawsuit or administrative action in any way related to any Arbitrable Claim.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may, in the event of an actual or threatened breach of this Agreement (including but not limited to the provisions of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement), seek a temporary restraining order or injunction in a New jersey court restraining breach pending a determination on the merits by the arbitrator.

 

(c)           THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO THE MAKING, EXISTENCE, VALIDITY, OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THE AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE.

 

14.           Indemnification; Liability Insurance.  The Company agrees to indemnify you (including advance of expenses) and hold you harmless to the fullest extent permitted by the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company against and in respect to any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), losses, and damages resulting from your performance of your duties and obligations with the Company in good faith and with a reasonable belief that such performance was in, and not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.  The Company will cover you as an insured, during your employment and service as a member of the Board and at all times thereafter during which you may be subject to any liability for which you may be indemnified above, to the extent of any contract of officers and directors liability insurance of the Company that insures members of the Board.

 

15.           Forfeiture; Recoupment of Incentive Compensation.  All annual, long-term and other incentive compensation hereunder or pursuant to any plan, program or other agreement in which you are a participant or a party shall be subject to cancellation, forfeiture and recoupment by the Company, and shall be repaid by you to the Company, to the extent required by law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, or as may be required pursuant to any Company policy adopted pursuant thereto.

   

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 8

 

 

16.           Your Representations; Pre-Employment Conditions.

 

(a)           You represent and warrant that your entering into this Agreement and your employment with the Company will not be in breach of any agreement with any current or former employer and that you are not subject to any other restrictions on solicitation of clients or customers or competing against another entity except general confidentiality requirements.  You understand that the Company has relied on this representation in entering into this Agreement.

 

(b)           The Company’s offer of employment is contingent upon your satisfactory completion of a customary background check, drug screening and legally-required verification of your authorization to work in the United States.

 

17.           Attorneys Fees.  The Company will reimburse you for the reasonable attorneys fees you incur in connection with the negotiation and documentation of this agreement in an amount not to exceed $25,000.

 

18.           Clawback.  In addition to any compensation recovery (clawback) which may be required by law and regulation, you acknowledge and agree that any performance-based or other incentive-based compensation paid or awarded to you in connection with your employment with the Company may be subject to recovery by the Company pursuant to any requirements set forth in Company corporate governance guidelines or policies and to any similar or successor provisions as may be in effect from time to time.

 

19.           Section 409A.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding:

 

(a)           It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement will either be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and all regulations, guidance and other interpretive authority issued thereunder so as not to subject you to payment of any additional tax, penalty or interest imposed under Section 409A, and this Agreement will be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent.

 

(b)           To the extent that the reimbursement of any expenses or the provision of any in-kind benefits under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A, (i) the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, during any one calendar year shall not affect the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year (provided, that, this clause (i) will not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Code Section 105(b) solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect); (ii) reimbursement of any such expense shall be made by no later than December 31 of the year following the calendar year in which such expense is incurred; and (iii) your right to receive such reimbursements or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any tax gross-up payment (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(v)) provided for in this Agreement shall be made to you no later than the end of your taxable year next following your taxable year in which you remit the related taxes.

    

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 9

 

 

(c)           If you are a “specified employee” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) as of the date of your separation from service (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)), then any payment or benefit pursuant to this Agreement on account of your separation from service, to the extent such payment constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and required to be delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (after taking into account any exclusions applicable to such payment under Section 409A), shall not be made until the first business day after (i) the expiration of six (6) months from the date of your separation from service, or (ii) if earlier, the date of your death (the “Delay Period”).  Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 18(c) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) will be paid or reimbursed to you in a lump sum and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement will be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A, references to your “termination of employment” (and corollary terms) with the Company shall be construed to refer to your “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)) with the Company.

 

(d)           Whenever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each such installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.  Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment will be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(e)           To the extent any amount payable to you is subject to your entering into a release of claims with the Company and any such amount is a deferral of compensation under Section 409A and which amount could be payable in either of two taxable years for you, and the timing of such payment is not subject to terms and conditions under another plan, program or agreement of the Company that otherwise satisfies Section 409A, such payments shall be made or commence, as applicable, on January 15 (or any later date within seven (7) days after the release becomes irrevocable) of such later taxable year and shall include all payments that otherwise would have been made before such date.

 

20.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Notices.  Any notices, consents, demands, requests, approvals and other communications to be given under this Agreement by either party to the other shall be in writing and (i) personally delivered, (ii) mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid with return receipt requested, or (iii) delivered by overnight express delivery service or same-day local courier service, to the address set forth below, or to such other address as may be designated by the parties from time to time in accordance with this Section 19(a):

 

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 10

 

 

If to the Company:

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

3 Giralda Farms

Madison, NJ 07940

Attention:  General Counsel

If to you:          At the most recent address on file at the Company

Notices delivered personally or by overnight express delivery service or by local courier service are deemed given as of actual receipt.  Mailed notices are deemed given three business days after mailing.

 

(b)           Survival.  Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement or of your employment, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.

 

(c)           Entire Agreement; Amendments; No Waiver.  This Agreement supersedes all previous employment agreements, whether written or oral between you and the Company and constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and you concerning the subject matter hereof.  If, and to the extent that, any other written or oral agreement between you and the Company is inconsistent with or contradictory to the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall apply.  No modification, amendment, termination, or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Failure of the any party to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such terms, covenants, and conditions.

 

(d)           Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of you and your heirs, executors, assigns and administrators or your estate and property and the Company and its successors and permitted assigns.  You may not assign or transfer to others the obligation to perform your duties hereunder.  The Company may not assign this Agreement other than to a successor to all or substantially all of its business and then only upon such assignee’s delivery to you of a written assumption of this Agreement.

 

(e)           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in counterparts each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which will constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement may be executed by a signature delivered by facsimile or in e-mail/PDF or other electronic format.

 

[Signatures are on the following page]

 

 

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 11

 

 

On behalf of the Company, I am excited to offer you employment with the Company and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship.

     

	 	Sincerely,	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	/s/ David Norgard	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	David Norgard
	 	Vice President, Human Resources
	 	 	 	 	 

     

	Agreed and Accepted:	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Stephen H. Rusckowski	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	Dated:  April 9, 2012	 	 	 	 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

     

Mr. Stephen H. Rusckowski

April 3, 2012

Page 12

 

 

ATTACHMENT

 

 

“Good Reason” means the occurrence of one or more of the following circumstances, without your express written consent, in which notice is given by you and which circumstance(s) are not remedied by the Company, as provided below:

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
any material change in your duties, responsibilities or status (including reporting responsibilities) that is inconsistent in any material and adverse respect with your position(s), duties, responsibilities or authority with the Company (including any material and adverse diminution of such duties or responsibilities);

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
any failure of the Board to re-nominate you as a Board director;

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
a material reduction by the Company in your aggregate rate of Base Salary (other than reductions applicable to senior officers on a proportionate basis) and annual incentive bonus opportunity under the SMIP;

 

	
  

	
(iv)

	
the Company’s requiring you to be based at any office or location more than fifty (50) miles from the office where you are located on the Commencement Date and as a result causing your commute from your residence to the new location to increase by more than fifty (50) miles; or

 

	
  

	
(v)

	
the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the Company’s obligations hereunder from any successor as contemplated in Section 11(b) of the EOSP.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action taken in good faith shall not constitute Good Reason if remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice thereof given by you to the Company describing in reasonable detail the Good Reason Event claimed. Your right to terminate employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by your incapacities due to mental or physical illness and your continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any event or condition constituting Good Reason. You may terminate your employment for a “Good Reason” event that is not reasonably remedied by the Company provided that you shall have delivered a notice of termination within ninety (90) days after your obtaining knowledge of the event giving rise to such termination.

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