Document:

Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on May 6, 2016, and effective as of July 1, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Jodi Taylor (the “Executive”) and The Container Store Group, Inc. (formerly known as TCS Holdings, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and any of its subsidiaries and affiliates as may employ the Executive from time to time (collectively, and together with any successor thereto, the “Company”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Executive serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to modify Executive’s title to be Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure itself of the continued services of the Executive by engaging the Executive to perform services on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to provide services to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
 DEFINED TERMS

 

1.1                                 Previously Defined Terms.  As used herein, each term defined in the first paragraph and recitals of this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth above.

 

1.2                                 Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person. As used in the preceding sentence, “control” has the meaning given such term under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(b)                                 “Annual Base Salary” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

(c)                                  “Annual Bonus” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

 

(d)                                 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Parent.

 

 

(e)                                  The Company shall have “Cause” to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:  (i) a material breach by the Executive of any material provision of this Agreement which is not corrected by the Executive within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach, to the extent such breach is capable of cure; (ii) the Executive’s conviction of, or entry by the Executive of a guilty or nolo contendere plea to, the commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, other than vicarious liability or traffic violations; (iii) the Executive’s intentional breach of Company policies constituting theft or embezzlement from the Company or any of its customers or suppliers; or (iv) the Executive’s gross neglect or intentional misconduct in connection with the performance of any material portion of the Executive’s duties (which, in the case of the Executive’s gross neglect, is not corrected by the Executive within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such neglect, to the extent that such neglect is capable of cure).

 

(f)                                   “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events, provided that such event also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5):  (i) a change in ownership or control of Parent effected through a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of equity securities of Parent or any of its subsidiaries to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (other than Parent, any of its subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan maintained by Parent or any of its subsidiaries, any Principal Stockholder or any “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, Parent or a Principal Stockholder) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of securities of Parent possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of Parent’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; (ii) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election by Parent’s stockholders, or nomination for election by the Board, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or (iii) the consummation by Parent (whether directly involving Parent or indirectly involving Parent through one or more intermediaries) of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of Parent’s assets, other than a transaction which results in Parent’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of Parent or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, Parent or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of Parent’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of Parent (Parent or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction.

 

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(g)                                  “Change in Control Period” means the period beginning on the date of a Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary of such Change in Control.

 

(h)                                 “Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

(i)                                     “Competitive Business” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

(j)                                    “Continuation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.

 

(k)                                 “Date of Termination” means: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by her death, the date of her death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Sections 4.1(b)—(f), either the date indicated in the Notice of Termination or the date specified by the Company pursuant to Section 4.2, whichever is earlier; or (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to the expiration of the Term under Section 2.2, the date of expiration of the then-current Term.

 

(l)                                     “Disability” means the Executive’s incapacity to perform the essential duties of her position for any six (6) months (whether or not consecutive) during any twelve (12) month period due to the Executive’s physical or mental illness, as determined by a physician mutually acceptable to, and agreed to in good faith by, a majority of the Board and the Executive.

 

(m)                             “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company, as in effect from time to time.

 

(n)                                 The Executive shall have “Good Reason” to resign from her employment hereunder upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events without her prior written consent:  (i) an adverse change in the Executive’s title or reporting line or the Executive’s material duties, authorities or responsibilities; (ii) the assignment to the Executive of duties materially inconsistent with her position; (iii) a material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement; (iv) a reduction of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary or benefits hereunder (other than any such reduction by no more than 10% of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary which is part of, and generally consistent with, a general reduction affecting other similarly situated executives of the Company) or Annual Bonus opportunity (it being understood that the Performance Targets shall be determined annually by the Board); (v) failure of the Company to pay any portion of the Annual Base Salary or Annual Bonus otherwise payable to the Executive or to provide the benefits set forth in Section 3.4 (other than as provided in clause (iv) above); or (vi) the Company’s requiring the Executive to be headquartered at any office or location more than fifty (50) miles from Coppell, Texas, except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s present business travel obligations; provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the foregoing the Executive may not resign from her employment for Good Reason unless: (A) the Executive provides the Company with at least sixty (60) days prior written Notice of Termination of her intent to resign for Good Reason and (B) the Company has not corrected the circumstances constituting Good Reason prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination; provided that

 

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such Notice of Termination may not be given later than ninety (90) days after the initial occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason.

 

(o)                                 “Health Gross-Up Payment” means an additional amount equal to the federal, state and local income and payroll taxes that the Executive incurs on each monthly Health Payment.

 

(p)                                 “Health Payment” means the monthly premium amount paid by the Executive pursuant to Section 5.2.

 

(q)                                 “Incumbent Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(f).

 

(r)                                    “Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

(s)                                   “Notice of Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

(t)                                    “Performance Target” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

 

(u)                                 “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

 

(v)                                 “Proprietary Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

(w)                               “Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

 

(x)                                 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued with respect thereto.

 

(y)                                 “Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

ARTICLE II.
 EMPLOYMENT

 

2.1                                 Employment of Executive.  The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to enter into the employ of the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided.

 

2.2                                 Term.  The term of employment under this Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary thereof, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 4.1. On the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date, the employment term hereunder shall automatically be extended for successive one (1)-year periods (such periods, together with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless either the Executive or the Company elects not to so extend the Term by notifying the other party in writing of such election no later than ninety (90) days prior to the last day of the then-current Term.

 

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2.3                                 Position and Duties.  During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary with such customary responsibilities, duties and authority as may from time to time be assigned to the Executive by the Board.  Such duties, responsibilities and authority may include services for one or more subsidiaries or Affiliates of the Company.  The Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer.  The Executive shall devote substantially all her working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.  The Executive agrees to observe and comply with the Company’s rules and policies, as the same may be adopted and amended from time to time.

 

ARTICLE III.
 COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS

 

3.1                                 Annual Base Salary.  During the Term, the Executive shall receive a base salary at an initial rate of $525,000 per annum, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company, subject to review annually for possible increase, but not decrease (other than any decrease that would not constitute Good Reason), in the Board’s discretion (the “Annual Base Salary”).

 

3.2                                 Annual Bonus.  With respect to each Fiscal Year that ends during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) based upon Company annual EBITDA and/or other financial and non-financial performance targets (the “Performance Targets”), established by the Board; provided that if any such Performance Target is based on Company annual EBITDA, EBITDA shall be determined in the same manner, and with the same adjustments, as Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement, entered into as of April 6, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) party thereto, the Lenders (as defined therein), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and the other parties thereto, as amended from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”)), is determined for purposes of the Credit Agreement.  With respect to Fiscal Year 2016, the Performance Targets for the Annual Bonus shall be total consolidated annual sales (25%), Company consolidated adjusted annual EBITDA (50%) and adjusted annual EBITDA determined on a store-by-store basis for stores that have been open for at least 12 months as of April 1, 2016 (25%), subject to the scale previously agreed between the parties hereto.  The target Annual Bonus shall be 50% of the Annual Base Salary and the maximum Annual Bonus shall be 100% of the Annual Base Salary.  The amount of the Annual Bonus shall be based upon the Company’s attainment of the Performance Targets, as determined by the Board (or any authorized committee of the Board).  If the percentile level of achievement of a Performance Target is between two levels, the amount earned shall be determined on the basis of a straight-line interpolation between such levels.  Each such Annual Bonus shall be payable within thirty (30) days following the completion of the audited financials for the Fiscal Year to which such Annual Bonus relates, but in any event within the period required by Section 409A such that it qualifies as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Department of Treasury Regulations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as set forth in Article V, no bonus shall be payable with respect to any Fiscal Year unless the Executive remains continuously employed with the Company during the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the last day of such Fiscal Year.  To the extent that the Company becomes subject to Section 162(m) of the Code (and all applicable post-initial public offering transition periods have expired with respect to applicable Company plans), the Annual Bonus for any applicable Fiscal Year will be payable pursuant to a “qualified

 

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performance-based compensation” bonus plan that has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the provisions for such approval under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and on the basis of the Executive’s or the Company’s attainment of objective financial or other operating criteria established by the Compensation Committee in its sole good faith discretion and in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

3.3                                 Annual Equity-based Compensation.  On the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted time-based restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (the “2016 Time-vesting Restricted Shares”) with a value (based on the closing price per share of Company common stock on the grant date) equal to 11.9% of the Annual Base Salary, which will vest in three equal annual installments on April 1, 2017, April 1, 2018 and April 1, 2019, subject only to the Executive’s continued employment through each vesting date.  In addition, on the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted performance-based restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (the “2016 Performance-vesting Restricted Shares”) with a target value (based on the closing price per share of Company common stock on the grant date) equal to 35.7% of the Annual Base Salary.  Of the 2016 Performance-vesting Restricted Shares, 25% shall performance-vest based on the achievement by the Company of specified annual sales targets in Fiscal Year 2016 and 75% shall performance-vest based on the achievement by the Company of specified Company consolidated adjusted annual EBITDA targets in Fiscal Year 2016 as previously agreed between the parties hereto.  The number of 2016 Performance-vesting Restricted Shares that performance-vest shall be between 0% and 130% of the target number granted.  The 2016 Performance-vesting Restricted Shares that performance-vest shall also be subject to time-based vesting in three equal annual installments on April 1, 2018, April 1, 2019 and April 1, 2020, subject to the Executive’s continued employment through each such date except as set forth in Article V (the “2016 Performance-vesting Restricted Shares”).  The 2016 Time-vesting Restricted Shares and the 2016 Performance-vesting Restricted Shares shall be subject to the terms of the Company’s 2013 Incentive Award Plan and an award agreement thereunder.  With respect to Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018, the amount and form of Executive’s annual equity awards and the applicable performance targets thereunder shall be determined in or prior to the applicable years.  If the percentile level of achievement of a performance target is between two levels, the amount earned shall be determined on the basis of a straight-line interpolation between such levels.

 

3.4                                 Benefits.  During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits: (a) participation in the Company’s employee health and welfare benefit plans and programs and arrangements which are applicable to the Company’s senior executives as may be adopted by the Company from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable employee benefit plan, program or arrangement, and (b) indemnification and/or directors and officers liability insurance coverage insuring the Executive against insurable events which occur while the Executive is a director or executive officer of the Company, on terms and conditions that are comparable to those then provided to other current or former directors or executive officers of the Company.

 

3.5                                 Vacation and Holidays.  During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation and holidays in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to senior executives of the Company, provided that the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation of no

 

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less than four (4) weeks for each full Fiscal Year during the Term.  Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the Company and the Executive.

 

3.6                                 Expenses.  During the Term, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by her in the performance of her duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy.

 

ARTICLE IV.
 TERMINATION

 

4.1                                 Circumstances.  During the Term, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company or the Executive, as applicable, without any breach of this Agreement only under the following circumstances:

 

(a)                                 Death.  The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon her death.

 

(b)                                 Disability.  If the Executive has incurred a Disability, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment due thereto.

 

(c)                                  Termination for Cause.  The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause.

 

(d)                                 Termination without Cause.  The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment without Cause.

 

(e)                                  Resignation for Good Reason.  The Executive may resign from her employment for Good Reason.

 

(f)                                   Resignation without Good Reason.  The Executive may resign from her employment without Good Reason.

 

4.2                                 Notice of Termination.  Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or by the Executive pursuant to Section 4.1 (other than termination due to death pursuant to Section 4.1(a)) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other party hereto.  Such written notice (a “Notice of Termination”) shall: (a) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon; and (b) specify a Date of Termination which, (i) if submitted by the Executive, shall be at least sixty (60) days, but no more than six (6) months, following the date of such notice and (ii) if submitted by the Company in connection with a termination of employment by the Company without Cause, shall be at least thirty (30) days following the date of such notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in its sole discretion, change the Executive’s proposed Date of Termination to any date following the Company’s receipt of the Executive’s Notice of Termination and prior to the date specified in such Notice of Termination.  A Notice of Termination submitted by the Company in connection with a termination of employment by the Company for Cause may provide for a Date of Termination on the date the Executive receives the Notice of Termination, or any date thereafter chosen by the Company in its sole discretion; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Notice of Termination submitted by the Company in connection with a termination of the

 

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Executive’s employment for Cause within the meaning of Section 1.2(e)(i) (due to the Executive’s material breach of any material provision of this Agreement) or Section 1.2(e)(iv) (due to the Executive’s gross neglect in connection with the performance of any material portion of the Executive’s duties) shall indicate a Date of Termination that is at least thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, provided that such breach is capable of cure.  The failure by the Company or the Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause, Good Reason or Disability shall not waive any right of the Company or the Executive hereunder or preclude the Company or the Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Company’s or the Executive’s rights hereunder; provided that a Notice of Termination submitted by the Executive of her intent to resign for Good Reason may not be given later than 90 days after the initial occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason.

 

4.3                                 Company Obligations upon Termination.  Upon termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive (or, in the event of Executive’s death, such person as the Executive shall designate prior to the Executive’s death in a written notice to the Company or, if no such person is designated, the Executive’s estate) shall be entitled to receive: (a) any amount of the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination not theretofore paid; (b) any reimbursement of expenses incurred through the Date of Termination owing to the Executive under Section 3.6; (c) any accrued but unused vacation pay owed to the Executive pursuant to Section 3.5; and (d) any amount arising from the Executive’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements under Section 3.4, which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (including, if applicable, any death benefits).   Any equity-based awards the Executive holds on the Date of Termination shall be paid at the times provided in the applicable plan or award agreement.  Except as otherwise set forth in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 below, the payments and benefits described in this Section 4.3 shall be the only payments and benefits payable in the event of the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any payments or benefits to which the Executive is entitled by virtue of her being a stockholder of the Company).  The amounts in subsections (a)-(c) above shall be paid within sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination or, if earlier, on or before the time required by law, but in any event within the period required by Section 409A such that it qualifies as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Department of Treasury Regulations.

 

ARTICLE V.
 SEVERANCE PAYMENTS

 

5.1                                 Termination due to Death.  If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a) due to the Executive’s death, then, notwithstanding the penultimate sentence of Section 3.2, in addition to the amounts set forth in Section 4.3, (a)  all unvested stock options held by the Executive immediately prior to the Date of Termination shall, as of the Date of Termination, become vested and exercisable, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable equity plan and equity award agreement(s) (other than those relating to vesting or forfeiture upon termination of employment), (b) all performance-based restricted share awards held by the Executive immediately prior to the Date of Termination for which the applicable performance period has ended shall, as of the Date of Termination, vest in the amount

 

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determined based on the actual level of achievement of the performance targets, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable equity plan and equity award agreement(s) (other than those relating to vesting or forfeiture upon termination of employment), and (c) the Company shall pay to the Executive (or to such person as the Executive shall designate prior to the Executive’s death in a written notice to the Company or, if no such person is designated, the Executive’s estate) a prorated amount of the Annual Bonus for the Fiscal Year in which the Date of Termination occurs that the Executive would have received to the extent she remained employed through the end of the Fiscal Year in which the Date of Termination occurred based on the Company’s actual attainment of the applicable Performance Targets (prorated based on the number days that the Executive is employed by the Company during the Fiscal Year in which the Date of Termination occurs), payable at the same time such Annual Bonus would have been paid had the Executive remained employed through the end of the Fiscal Year in which the Date of Termination occurs but in any event within the period required by Section 409A such that it qualifies as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)  of the Department of  Treasury Regulations (but in no event earlier than January 1, or later than December 31, of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs).

 

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5.2                                 Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason; Due to Disability. If (a) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 4.1(d) or due to Disability pursuant to Section 4.1(b), or (b) the Executive resigns from her employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4.1(e), then in addition to the amounts set forth in Section 4.3, (i) the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (x) the Annual Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination (but prior to any reduction that constitutes Good Reason) and (y) the greater of (I)  the Annual Bonus earned by the Executive for the Fiscal Year immediately prior to Fiscal Year in which the Date of Termination occurs, and (II) 50% of the Annual Base Salary (prorated based on the number days that the Executive is employed by the Company during the Fiscal Year in which the Date of Termination occurs), payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices (disregarding, however, any past or future changes in the Company’s payroll practices that would result in an impermissible change in the timing of payments under this provision for purposes of Section 409A), during the two (2)-year period beginning on the first payroll date that follows the thirtieth (30th) day following the Date of Termination, (ii) all unvested stock options held by the Executive immediately prior to the Date of Termination shall, as of the Date of Termination, become vested and exercisable, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable equity plan and equity award agreement(s) (other than those relating to vesting or forfeiture upon termination of employment), (iii) all performance-based restricted share awards held by the Executive immediately prior to the Date of Termination for which the applicable performance period has ended shall vest, as of the Date of Termination, in the amount determined based on the actual level of achievement of the performance targets, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable equity plan and equity award agreement(s) (other than those relating to vesting or forfeiture upon termination of employment), and (iv) during the two (2)-year period beginning on the Date of Termination (such period, the “Continuation Period”), the Executive and her eligible dependents, if applicable, shall be entitled to continued participation in the Company’s medical, health, disability and similar welfare benefit plans in which she and her eligible dependents, if applicable, were participating on the Date of Termination at the Company’s sole expense; provided  that if such continued participation is not permitted under such plans, the Company shall provide to the Executive and her eligible dependents, if applicable, substantially similar benefits during the Continuation Period; provided, further, that in order to receive such continued coverage, the Executive shall be required to pay to the Company at the same time that premium payments are due for the month an amount equal to the full monthly premium payments required for such coverage. The Company shall reimburse to the Executive monthly the Health Payment no later than the next payroll date of the Company that occurs after the date the premium for the month is paid by the Executive.  In addition, on each date on which the monthly Health Payments are made, the Company shall pay to the Executive the Health Gross-Up Payment.  The COBRA health continuation period under Section 4980B of the Code shall run concurrently with the period of continued health coverage following the termination date.  The Health Payment paid to the Executive during the period of time during which the Executive would be entitled to continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan under COBRA is intended to qualify for the exception from deferred compensation as a medical benefit provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B) of the Department of Treasury Regulations.  The Health Payment and the Health Gross-up Payment shall be reimbursed to the Executive in a manner that complies with the requirements of Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) of the Department of Treasury Regulations. If the

 

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Executive dies after the Executive becomes entitled to any payments pursuant to Section 4.3 or this Section 5.2, any remaining unpaid amounts shall be paid, at the time and in the manner such payments otherwise would have been paid to the Executive, to such person as the Executive shall designate in a written notice to the Company (or, if no such person is designated, to her estate).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, during a Change in Control Period, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 4.1(d) or due to Disability pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or (ii) the Executive resigns from her employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4.1(e), then the amount provided for in (i) above shall be paid to the Executive in one lump sum payment on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Date of Termination.

 

5.3                                 Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no cash payments or other benefits described in Section 5.2 will be paid or made available to the Executive unless the Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations, and unless, on or prior to the thirtieth (30th) day following the Date of Termination, (a) the Executive shall have executed a waiver and release of claims in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, and (b) such release shall not have been revoked by the Executive prior to such thirtieth (30th) day.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Executive is deemed at the time of her separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the termination benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such portion of the Executive’s termination benefits shall not be provided to the Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (ii) the date of the Executive’s death.  Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, all payments deferred pursuant to Section 5.2 shall be paid in a lump sum to the Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.  For the avoidance of doubt, no payments or benefits shall be payable under Section 5.2 in the event of the Executive’s termination of employment due to expiration of the Term under Section 2.2.

 

5.4                                 Survival.  The expiration or termination of the Term shall not impair the rights or obligations of any party hereto that shall have accrued prior to such expiration or termination.

 

ARTICLE VI.
 NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION

 

6.1                                 Non-Competition Obligation.  The Executive shall not, at any time during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second (2nd) anniversary of the Date of Termination (the “Restricted Period”), directly or indirectly, enter the employ of, or render any services to, any Person engaged in any business in North America or anywhere in the world in which the Company conducts business as of the Date of Termination (a) which derives more than fifteen percent (15%) of its consolidated revenues from the marketing or distribution of products sold by the Company, (b) which participates in the manufacturing or design of

 

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modular or component shelving or drawer systems or other material products of Elfa Group AB and its subsidiaries, or (c) which, as of the Date of Termination, the Board (including any committee thereof) or senior management of the Company has taken active steps to engage in or acquire (any such business, a “Competitive Business”); and the Executive shall not become interested in any such Competitive Business, directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, director, officer, principal, agent, employee, trustee, consultant, or in any other relationship or capacity; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 6.1 shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from working for another retail organization, provided that the Executive is not engaged in any aspect of the business of such retail organization (including, but not limited to, starting any division or other segment of such retail organization in a Competitive Business), whether in a supervisory, consultative or other capacity, relating to a Competitive Business.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive’s position as a senior executive officer of a retail organization, of which a Competitive Business is an immaterial aspect of its general retail business, shall not be prohibited by, or constitute a violation of, the terms of this Section 6.1; provided that the Executive does not participate in any day-to-day operations or in any strategic or other decisions relating to the conduct of such retail organization as it relates to a Competitive Business and, to the extent necessary, has delegated such responsibilities to other management personnel of such retail organization.  It is expressly agreed that nothing contained in this Section 6.1 shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from acquiring, solely as an investment, up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any public corporation or working for a retail organization, provided that the Executive is not, directly or indirectly, engaged in a business relating to a Competitive Business.

 

6.2                                 Non-Solicitation Obligation.  The Executive shall not, at any time during the Restricted Period, for her benefit or for the benefit of any other Person, solicit the employment or services of, or hire (or cause any Person to so solicit or hire), any person who upon the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, or within twelve (12) months prior thereto, was (a) employed by the Company or (b) a consultant to the Company. The restrictions in this Section 6.2 shall not apply to (i) general solicitations that are not specifically directed to employees of or consultants to the Company, (ii) at the request of a former employee, serving as an employment reference for such former employee or (iii) solicitations or hirings of former employees of the Company whose employment was terminated by the Company without “Cause” or who terminated their employment for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement or, in the absence of such an agreement, as determined by a majority of the Board in its good faith discretion).

 

6.3                                 Definition.  As used in this Article VI, the term “Company” shall include the Company (as defined in the preamble hereof) and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

 

6.4                                 Amendment.  The provisions contained in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 may be altered and/or waived only with the prior written consent of a majority of the Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

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ARTICLE VII.
 NONDISCLOSURE OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

 

7.1                                 Nondisclosure.  Except as required in the faithful performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder or pursuant to Section 7.3, the Executive shall, during the Term and after the Date of Termination, maintain in confidence and shall not directly or indirectly, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for her benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company’s operations, processes, protocols, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment (“Proprietary Information”), or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such Proprietary Information.  The Executive’s obligation to maintain and not use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for her benefit or the benefit of any Person any Proprietary Information after the Date of Termination shall continue so long as such Proprietary Information is not, or has not by legitimate means become, generally known and in the public domain (other than by means of the Executive’s direct or indirect disclosure of such Proprietary Information) and continues to be maintained as Proprietary Information by the Company.  The parties hereby stipulate and agree that as between them, the Proprietary Information identified herein is important, material and affects the successful conduct of the businesses of the Company (and any successor or assignee of the Company).  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, during the Term and following the Date of Termination, each of the Executive and the Company shall retain the right to use the seven “Foundation Principles” described in the Company’s news release, dated as of January 10, 2005 (with “Communication Is Leadership” having been added in 2008), without payment of royalties or other consideration, and nothing in this Agreement shall have any effect on the ownership of such Foundation Principles as of the Effective Date.

 

7.2                                 Return of Proprietary Information.  Upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all Proprietary Information in the Executive’s possession, including without limitation all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.2 or in Section 7.1, the Executive shall be entitled to retain and disclose to the Executive’s counsel, financial or other professional advisors and to the Executive’s immediate family (provided that such advisors and family members agree to the restrictions in Section 7.1 with respect to such information): (a) information showing the Executive’s equity awards or other compensation or relating to expense reimbursements, (b) copies of employee benefit and compensation plans, programs, agreements and other arrangements of the Company in which the Executive was a participant or covered and (c) compensation information that the Executive reasonably believes the Executive requires for the Executive’s personal tax preparation.

 

7.3                               Response to Legal Process; Contents of Book.  Notwithstanding Section 7.1, (a) the Executive may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process relating to

 

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the Company or its business or operations; provided that the Executive shall: (i) give the Company the earliest possible notice thereof; (ii) as far in advance of the return date as possible, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, make available to the Company and its counsel the documents and other information sought; and (iii) at the Company’s sole cost and expense, assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process, (b) the Executive’s reporting of possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation shall not violate or constitute a breach of this Agreement, and (c) the disclosure of information, including Proprietary Information, in the Book (as defined in the Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement by and between Parent and Kip Tindell, dated as of June 13, 2012) authored by Kip Tindell shall not violate or constitute a breach of this Agreement.

 

7.4                               Non-Disparagement.

 

(a)                                 The Executive agrees not to disparage the Company, any of its products or practices, or any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives, members or Affiliates, either orally or in writing, at any time; provided that the Executive may confer in confidence with her legal representatives and make truthful statements as required by law.

 

(b)                                 The Company agrees to instruct the members of the Board and the executive officers of the Company not to disparage the Executive, either orally or in writing, at any time; provided that the Company may confer in confidence with its legal representatives and make truthful statements as required by law.

 

7.5                                 As used in this Article VII, the term “Company” shall include the Company (as defined in the preamble hereof), its parent, related entities, and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE VIII.
 REMEDIES

 

8.1                                 Acknowledgement; Blue Pencil.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the benefits and payments provided under this Agreement represent adequate consideration for the Executive’s agreement to be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth in Articles VI and VII, and that the Executive’s agreement to be bound by such restrictive covenants is a material inducement to the Company’s entering into this Agreement.  In the event, however, that any restrictive covenant set forth in Articles VI or VII shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographical area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it is the intention of the Executive and Company that it will be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable, and/or over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable and/or to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by such court in such action.

 

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8.2                                 Injunctive Relief.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that a breach of the covenants contained in Articles VI or VII will cause irreparable damage to Company and its goodwill, the exact amount of which will be difficult or impossible to ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate.  Accordingly, the Executive agrees that in the event of a breach of any of the covenants contained in Articles VI or VII, in addition to any other remedy which may be available at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled to specific performance and injunctive relief with any requirement to post a bond.  The Company acknowledges and agrees that a breach of the covenants contained in Section 7.4(b) will cause irreparable damage to the Executive, the exact amount of which will be difficult or impossible to ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate.  Accordingly, the Company agrees that in the event of a breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 7.4(b), in addition to any other remedy which may be available at law or in equity, the Executive will be entitled to specific performance and injunctive relief without any requirement to post a bond.

 

ARTICLE IX.
 MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1                                 Assignment.  The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise.  The Executive may not assign her rights or obligations under this Agreement to any individual or entity.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Executive and their respective successors, assigns, personnel and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable.

 

9.2                                 Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of New York or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States.

 

9.3                                 Notices.  Any notice, request, claim, demand, document and other communication hereunder to any party shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt) and shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by telex, telecopy, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, as follows:

 

(a)                                 If to the Company:

 

The Container Store Group, Inc.

500 Freeport Parkway

Coppell, TX 75019

ATTN:  General Counsel

 

with a copy to:

 

Latham & Watkins LLP

885 Third Avenue

Suite 1000

New York, NY 10022

ATTN:  Howard Sobel; Bradd Williamson

 

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(b)                                 If to the Executive, to the address set forth in the Company’s records

 

or at any other address as any party shall have specified by notice in writing to the other party.

 

9.4                                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

9.5                                 Entire Agreement.  As of the Effective Date, the terms of this Agreement and the other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby or referred to herein are intended by the parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the employment of the Executive by the Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of (and supersede) any prior or contemporaneous agreement (including without limitation any term sheet or similar agreement entered into between the Company and the Executive).  The parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of their terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement.

 

9.6                                 Amendments; Waivers.  This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of Company and approved by a majority of the Board, which expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement.  By an instrument in writing similarly executed and approved by a majority of the Board, the Executive or a duly authorized officer of the Company may waive compliance by the other party or parties with any provision of this Agreement that such other party was or is obligated to comply with or perform, provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure to comply or conform.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.

 

9.7                                 No Inconsistent Action.  The parties hereto shall not voluntarily undertake or fail to undertake any action or course of action inconsistent with the provisions or essential intent of this Agreement.  Furthermore, it is the intent of the parties hereto to act in a fair and reasonable manner with respect to the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.8                                 Construction.  This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both the parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning.  Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any party shall not apply.  The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation.  Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections or subsections are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.  Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary: (a) the plural includes the

 

16

 

singular and the singular includes the plural; (b) “and” and “or” are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (c) “any,” “all,” “each,” or “every” means “any and all,” and “each and every”; (d) “includes” and “including” are each “without limitation”; (e)  “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other similar compounds of the word “here” refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (f) all pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities or persons referred to may require.

 

9.9                                 Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before an arbitrator in New York, New York in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitration award in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the Company shall be entitled to seek a restraining order or injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any continuation of any violation of the provisions of Articles VI or VII of this Agreement and the Executive hereby consents that such restraining order or injunction may be granted without requiring the Company to post a bond, and (b) the Executive shall be entitled to seek a restraining order or injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any continuation of any violation of the provisions of Section 7.4(b) of this Agreement and the Company hereby consents that such restraining order or injunction may be granted without requiring the Executive to post a bond.  Only individuals who are: (i) lawyers engaged full-time in the practice of law and (ii) on the AAA register of arbitrators shall be selected as an arbitrator.  Within twenty (20) days of the conclusion of the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator shall prepare written findings of fact and conclusions of law.  It is mutually agreed that the written decision of the arbitrator shall be valid, binding, final and non-appealable, provided, however, that the parties hereto agree that the arbitrator shall not be empowered to award punitive damages against any party to such arbitration.  The arbitrator shall require the non-prevailing party to pay the arbitrator’s full fees and expenses or, if in the arbitrator’s opinion there is no prevailing party, the arbitrator’s fees and expenses shall be borne equally by the parties thereto.  In the event action is brought to enforce the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.9, the non-prevailing parties shall be required to pay the reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses of the prevailing parties, except that if in the opinion of the court or arbitrator deciding such action there is no prevailing party, each party shall pay its own attorney’s fees and expenses.

 

9.10                          Enforcement.  In the event any provision of this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect: (a) such provision shall be fully severable; (b) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in substance to such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid, legal and enforceable.

 

9.11                          Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign withholding or other taxes or

 

17

 

charges which the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

 

9.12                          Employee Acknowledgment.  The Executive acknowledges that she has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on her own judgment.

 

9.13                          Section 409A.

 

(a)                                 To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a majority of the Board determines that any amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to: (i) exempt such payments from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to such payments or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes under Section 409A; provided that no such amendments, policies, procedures or actions shall reduce the economic value to the Executive of this Agreement from the value of this Agreement (without taking into account the effect of Section 409A) prior to the adoption or taking of such amendments, policies, procedures or actions.  No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A from the Executive or any other individual to the Company or any of its Affiliates, employees or agents.

 

(b)                                 To the extent that any installment payments under this Agreement are deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, for purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) of the Department of Treasury Regulations), each such payment that the Executive may be eligible to receive under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment.

 

(c)                                  To the extent that any reimbursements or corresponding in-kind benefits provided to the Executive under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Health Payment and the Health Gross-Up Payment) are deemed to constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A to the Executive, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, and in any event in accordance with Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) of the Department of Treasury Regulations.  The amount of any such payments or expense reimbursements in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses or in-kind benefits eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other calendar year, other than an arrangement providing for the reimbursement of medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and the Executive’s right to such payments or reimbursement of any such expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

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9.14                          Cooperation.  During the Term hereof and thereafter, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in any disputes with third parties, internal investigations or administrative, regulatory or judicial proceedings as reasonably requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense (including, without limitation, the Executive being available to the Company upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations, at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent with the Executive’s other permitted activities and commitments).

 

9.15                          Indemnification.  To the maximum extent allowed under applicable law and the Company’s By-Laws and other corporate organizational documents, in the event that the Executive is a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than any action, suit or proceeding arising under or related to this Agreement or any other compensation agreement), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, the Company shall indemnify the Executive and hold her harmless against all expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Executive), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (subject to the Company’s consent, with such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by her, as and when incurred, in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; provided that the Executive acted in good faith and in a manner she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe her conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Executive did not act in good faith and in a manner which she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the Executive had reasonable cause to believe that her conduct was unlawful.  The provisions of this Section 9.15 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which the Executive may be entitled or which may be granted to her, and it shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification to which she may be entitled under any policy of insurance.  These provisions shall continue in effect after Executive has ceased to be an officer or director of the Company.

 

9.16                          No Mitigation.  The Executive shall have no obligation to mitigate any payments due hereunder.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

	
 
    	
THE CONTAINER STORE   GROUP, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Melissa Reiff
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: 
    	
Melissa Reiff
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: 
    	
President and Chief   Operating Officer
    

 

[TCS Employment Agreement with Jodi Taylor]

 

 

	
 
    	
EXECUTIVE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Jodi Taylor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Jodi Taylor
    

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Release Agreement

 

Jodi Taylor (the “Executive”) agrees for the Executive, the Executive’s spouse and child or children (if any), the Executive’s heirs, beneficiaries, devisees, executors, administrators, attorneys, personal representatives, successors and assigns, hereby forever to release, discharge, and covenant not to sue The Container Store Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company’s past, present, or future parent, affiliated, related, and/or subsidiary entities, and all of their past and present directors, shareholders, officers, general or limited partners, employees, agents, and attorneys, and agents and representatives of such entities, and employee benefit plans in which the Executive is or has been a participant by virtue of her employment with the Company, from any and all claims, debts, demands, accounts, judgments, rights, causes of action, equitable relief, damages, costs, charges, complaints, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, suits, expenses, compensation, responsibility and liability of every kind and character whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees and costs), whether in law or equity, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, suspected or unsuspected, which the Executive has or may have had against such entities based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date this release (the “Release”) is executed), arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever, (a) Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination thereof or (b) Executive’s status as a holder of any securities of the Company based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date this Release is executed, and any and all claims based on, relating to, or arising under federal, state, or local laws, including without limitation claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, liability in tort, or for violation of public policy, claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, the Texas Anti-Retaliation Act, the Texas Labor Code, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and similar state or local statutes, ordinances, and regulations; provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, that this general release shall not extend to (i) benefit claims under employee pension benefit plans in which the Executive is a participant by virtue of her employment with the Company or to benefit claims under employee welfare benefit plans (e.g., claims for medical care, death, or onset of disability), (ii) accrued and vested benefits under applicable employee benefit plans, or the Executive’s right to continue or convert coverage under certain employee benefit plans, in accordance with the terms of those plans and applicable law; and (iii) any obligation under this Release, or under that certain Employment Agreement entered into on May 6, 2016 by and between the Company and the Executive, assumed by any party thereto.

 

The Executive understands that this Release includes a release of claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).  The Executive understands and warrants that she has been given a period of twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this Release and such period shall not be affected or extended by any changes, whether material or

 

 

immaterial, that might be made to this Release.  The Executive is hereby advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing the Release.  By her signature below, the Executive warrants that she has had the opportunity to do so and to be fully and fairly advised by that legal counsel as to the terms of this Release.  The Executive further warrants that she understands that she may use as much or all of her twenty-one (21)-day period as she wishes before signing, and warrants that she has done so.

 

The Executive further warrants that she understands that she has seven (7) days after signing this Release to revoke the Release by notice in writing to                                                                                                                                    .  This Release shall be binding, effective, and enforceable upon both parties upon the expiration of this seven (7)-day revocation period without               having received such revocation, but not before such time.

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

The Executive acknowledges and agrees that this Release is a legally binding document and the Executive’s signature will commit the Executive to its terms.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Release and that voluntarily enters into this Release by signing below.  Upon execution, the Executive agrees to deliver a signed copy of this Release to                            .

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Jodi Taylor
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:Exhibit 10.3

 

Amendment #1 to the Employment Agreement 
 Between Eric Hirshberg and Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 

This Amendment #1 to the Employment Agreement (“Amendment #1”), by and between Eric Hirshberg (“Employee”) and Activision Blizzard, Inc. (“Employer” or “Activision Blizzard” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Activision Blizzard Group”), is entered into and is effective as of the date signed by the Employer.  All capitalized terms shall have the same meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement (as defined below).

 

RECITALS:

Employee and Activision Publishing, Inc. (a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard) entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of July 6, 2010, which was assigned to Activision Blizzard effective January 1, 2012 (collectively, the “Employment Agreement”).

 

Employee and Employer desire to amend the Employment Agreement in certain respects as set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT:

 

The parties hereby agree to amend the terms of the Employment Agreement.  Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment #1, the Employment Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect.  If any term or provision of the Employment Agreement is contradictory to, or inconsistent with, any term or provision of this Amendment #1, then the terms of this Amendment #1 shall in all events control.  The amended terms are as follows:

 

1.                                           Term of Employment: Paragraph 1(a) is replaced and shall now read as follows:  “The term of your employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on or before September 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) and shall end on March 31, 2018 (the “Expiration Date”) (or such earlier date on which your employment is terminated under Section 9).  The Employer shall have the option to extend the Term by up to one year by notifying you in writing of its intent to do so at least six (6) months prior to the original Expiration Date.  The final date of any such extended Term shall thereafter be referred to as the “Expiration Date” for purposes of this Agreement and the Term shall end on such date (or such earlier date on which your employment is terminated).  Except as set forth in Section 11(s), upon the Expiration Date (or such earlier date on which your employment is terminated) all obligations and rights under this Agreement shall immediately lapse.”

 

2.                                           Compensation:  Paragraph 2(b) is replaced and shall now read as follows: “Effective as of September 4, 2015, you shall receive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) of $1,000,000 (less applicable taxes and withholdings), which shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s payroll policies.  Beginning in 2017, your Base Salary shall be reviewed periodically and may be increased at any time by an amount determined by the Employer, in its sole and absolute discretion, provided, however that it shall be reviewed each March during the Term, beginning in 2017, and shall be increased not less than 5% per annum (i.e. the salary increase in March 2017 will be not less than $50,000).  The Employer’s regular periodic review of the executive base salaries usually occurs in the first quarter of each calendar year.”

 

Page 1

 

3.                                           Compensation.  Paragraph 2(g) is added and shall read as follows:  “Subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee, Activision Blizzard will grant to you equity awards with a total target grant value of $10,200,000 (and a total grant value of $11,730,000 if the 2015 Maximum PSU Grant Value (as defined below) were achieved) as follows:

 

(i)                                  Activision Blizzard shall grant to you non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of Activision Blizzard’s common stock with a total grant value of approximately $4,080,000 (the “2015 Options”).  The actual number of stock options awarded to you on the grant date shall be determined based on the official closing price of Activision Blizzard’s common stock on the effective date of the grant, as reported by NASDAQ (the “Grant Date Price”), and an applicable binomial factor selected by Activision Blizzard.  The number of stock options awarded shall be rounded to the nearest whole number, and Activision Blizzard retains the discretion to modify the methodology for such calculations as needed.  The 2015 Options shall be awarded with an exercise price that is equal to the Grant Date Price.  Finally, two-thirds of the 2015 Options shall vest on March 30, 2018, and one-third of the 2015 Options shall vest on March 30, 2019, in each case, subject to your remaining employed by the Activision Blizzard Group through the applicable vesting date.

 

(ii)                              Activision Blizzard shall grant to you performance-vesting restricted share units which represent the conditional right to receive shares of Activision Blizzard’s common stock (the “2015 Performance Share Units”), with a target value at the time of grant of approximately $6,120,000 (the “2015 Target PSU Grant Value”).  The actual number of 2015 Performance Share Units awarded to you on the grant date shall be equal to the 2015 Target PSU Grant Value divided by the Grant Date Price (it being recognized that if the maximum performance objectives are met for all of the 2015 Performance Share Units, the value of the shares received upon vesting for all of the 2015 Performance Share Units would have been $7,650,000 at the time of grant of the 2015 Performance Share Units, representing 125% of the 2015 Target PSU Grant Value (the “2015 Maximum PSU Grant Value”).  The number of 2015 Performance Share Units awarded shall be rounded to the nearest whole number and shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, and Activision Blizzard retains the discretion to modify the methodology for such calculations as needed.  Subject to your remaining employed by the Activision Blizzard Group through the applicable vesting dates, the actual number of shares of Activision Blizzard’s common stock (“Shares”) that shall be received on each of the applicable vesting dates is determined as follows:

 

a.            One-third of the 2015 Performance Share Units (the “First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units”) shall vest on March 30, 2018, if, and only if, the Compensation Committee determines that

 

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non-GAAP operating income (“2016 OI”) for Activision Publishing is 85% or more of the annual operating plan operating income objective established by the Board of Directors (the “2016 AOP OI Objective”) for Activision Publishing (the “2016 Performance Objective”) for 2016.  If the 2016 OI is less than 85% of the 2016 AOP OI Objective, then the First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units will not vest and shall be forfeited.  If the 2016 OI is 85% or more of the 2016 AOP OI Objective, the number of Shares that shall be received with regard to the First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units on the applicable vesting date shall be equal to the product of:  (1) the number of First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units; and (2) the ratio of the 2016 OI to the 2016 AOP OI Objective, up to a maximum of 125%.

 

b.           One-third of the 2015 Performance Share Units (the “Second Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units”) shall vest on March 30, 2018, if, and only if, the Compensation Committee determines that non-GAAP operating income (“2017 OI”) for Activision Publishing is 85% or more of the annual operating plan operating income objective established by the Board of Directors (the “2017 AOP OI Objective”) for Activision Publishing (the “2017 Performance Objective”) for 2017.  If the 2017 OI is less than 85% of the 2017 AOP OI Objective, then the Second Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units will not vest and shall be forfeited.  If the 2017 OI is 85% or more of the 2017 AOP OI Objective, the number of Shares that shall be received with regard to the Second Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units on the applicable vesting date shall be equal to the product of:  (1) the number of Second Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units; and (2) the ratio of the 2017 OI to the 2017 AOP OI Objective, up to a maximum of 125%.

 

c.             One-third of the 2015 Performance Share Units (the “Third Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units”) shall vest on March 30, 2019, if, and only if, the Compensation Committee determines that non-GAAP operating income (“2018 OI”) for Activision Publishing is 85% or more of the annual operating plan operating income objective established by the Board of Directors (the “2018 AOP OI Objective”) for Activision Publishing (the “2018 Performance Objective”) for 2018.  If the 2018 OI is less than 85% of the 2018 AOP OI Objective, then the Third Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units will not vest and shall be forfeited.  If the 2018 OI is 85% or more of the 2018 AOP OI Objective, the number of Shares that shall be received with regard to the Third Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units on the applicable vesting date shall be equal to the product of:  (1) the number of Third

 

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Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units; and (2) the ratio of the 2018 OI to the 2018 AOP OI Objective, up to a maximum of 125%.

 

If, prior to the vesting of any portion of the 2015 Performance Share Units, as provided for in this provision, your job responsibilities are changed to include a different or additional business unit, then Activision Blizzard, in its sole discretion, acting through the Compensation Committee or Activision Blizzard’s management, as applicable, may adjust the Performance Objective for the relevant fiscal year(s) by substituting the OI and AOP OI Objective of your new or additional business unit for that of your original business unit or by prorating or otherwise combining the OI and AOP OI Objective of the applicable business units, in each case for purposes of determining whether or not the conditions of the unvested 2015 Performance Share Units have been satisfied.

 

Collectively, the 2015 Options and the 2015 Performance Share Units shall be referred to as the “2015 Equity Awards”. You acknowledge that the grant of 2015 Equity Awards pursuant to this Section 2(g) is expressly conditioned upon approval by the Compensation Committee and that the Compensation Committee has discretion to approve or disapprove the grants and/or to determine and make modifications to the terms of the grants.  The 2015 Equity Awards shall be subject to all terms of the Incentive Plan pursuant to which they are granted, the Employer’s Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines (including, but not limited to, all of the limitations on equity awards described therein) which are attached as Exhibit C, and Activision Blizzard’s standard forms of award agreement (as modified to the extent necessary to reflect the provisions of Section 10). In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the terms of the Incentive Plan or award agreements, the Incentive Plan or the award agreements, as applicable, shall govern.  These Equity Awards, if and when approved by the Compensation Committee, shall be in addition to any previous equity incentive awards made to you.”

 

4.                                           Compensation.  The following provisions are deleted: Sections 2(c)(ii) and Section 2(f).

 

5.                                           Other Benefits.  The following sentences are added to the end of Section 6(a):  “After this Amendment #1 is signed by both parties, Employer will provide to you through the Expiration Date, and at Employer’s expense, a supplemental term life insurance policy with a face amount of $5,000,000 through a carrier of Employer’s choice (the “Target Face Amount”), subject to your insurability.  You will be the owner of the policy and shall have all powers of ownership, including the power to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries.”

 

6.                                    Termination of Obligations and Severance Payments.  Section 10(d)(ii) is replaced and shall read now as follows:  “Salary Continuation.  You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive the payment of an amount equal to the Base Salary (at the rate in effect on the Termination Date) that you would have received had you remained employed through the Expiration Date, which amount shall be paid in equal installments commencing on the first payroll date following the 60th day following the Termination Date in accordance with the Employer’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, provided that the first such payment shall include any installments relating to the 60 day period following the Termination

 

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Date, provided, however, that, to the extent doing so will not result in the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, this amount shall be reduced by any payments which you have received or to which you become entitled under any Employer-sponsored long-term disability plan;”.

 

7.                                    Termination of Obligations and Severance Payments.  Section 10(f)(ii) is replaced and shall read now as follows:  “Bonus Severance.  You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive payment of the Bonus Severance in a lump sum no later than the 15th day of the third month of the year following the year to which the underlying amount relates;”.

 

8.                                    Termination of Obligations and Severance Payments.  In Sections 10(b), 10(c), 10(e), and 10(f), all references to “Equity Awards” shall change to “Equity Awards and 2015 Equity Awards”.  Similarly, all references in Section 10 to “RSUs” shall change to “RSUs and 2015 Performance Share Units”.  Wherever the sentence “The Option shall be treated as set forth in Section 2 above.” appears in Section 10, is shall be modified to read as follows:  “The Option shall be treated as set forth in Section 2 above; with respect to the 2015 Options, any vested portion of the 2015 Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) thirty (30) days after the Termination Date and (y) the original expiration date of the 2015 Options.”

 

9.                                    Termination of Obligations and Severance Payments.  Section 10(d)(iv) is replaced by Sections 10(d)(iv)(a) and 10(d)(iv)(b), which shall read as follows:

 

10(d)(iv)(a):  “Impact on Equity Awards and 2015 Options.  All outstanding Equity Awards and 2015 Options shall cease to vest. The Option shall be treated as set forth in Section 2 above.  Any vested portion of the 2015 Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) thirty (30) days after the Termination Date and (y) the original expiration date of the 2015 Options.  Any Equity Awards and 2015 Options that are not vested as of your Termination Date will be cancelled immediately.”

 

10(d)(iv)(b):  Impact on 2015 Performance Share Units:  All vested RSUs and vested 2015 Performance Share Units shall be paid in accordance with their terms.

 

All unvested 2015 Performance Share Units will cease to vest and be cancelled immediately.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (i) your Termination Date occurs after the completion of one or more performance periods (i.e. fiscal years 2016, 2017 and/or 2018), (ii) your employment is terminated pursuant to Section 9(b) or 9(c)); and b) the Compensation Committee determines that the applicable Performance Objective(s) (i.e. 2016 Performance Objective, 2017 Performance Objective and/or 2018 Performance Objective) have been achieved for each performance period completed prior to your Termination Date, then an amount to be calculated as provided for below in Paragraph 10(d)(iv)(b)[i] shall be paid to you, (the “PSU Termination Consideration”).  This amount shall be paid no later than the later of the 60th day following the Termination Date and 30 days after the date the Compensation Committee determines that the applicable Performance Objective(s) (i.e. 2016 Performance Objective, 2017

 

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Performance Objective and/or 2018 Performance Objective) have been achieved (if any), and will be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings.

 

[i]                                  The formula for determining the PSU Termination Consideration for each applicable tranche of cancelled 2015 Performance Share Units, if any, (i.e. the First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units, the Second Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units and/or the Third Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units) is as follows: multiply the Grant Date Price by the product of the number of performance share units for the applicable tranche by the ratio, as determined by the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, of the non-GAAP operating income (the “OI”) for the applicable fiscal year to the AOP OI Objective for the applicable fiscal year (e.g. the Performance Objective for the applicable fiscal year), up to a maximum of 125%.

 

For clarity, the following examples are provided as illustration, but not by way of limitation:

 

(x) in the event that your employment terminates on January 1, 2017, pursuant to Section 9(b) or 9(c), the Compensation Committee determines that 86% of the 2016 Performance Objective is achieved, the number of performance share units granted for the First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units is 68,000, and the Grant Date Price is $30, then $1,754,400 will be paid using the following calculation: $30 x [68,000 x .86] = $1,754,400.  You will receive no payment with respect to the cancelled Second or Third Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units.

 

(y) in the event that your employment terminates on January 1, 2018, pursuant to Section 9(b) or 9(c), the Compensation Committee determines that 80% of the 2016 Performance Objective is achieved, 135% of the 2017 Performance Objective is achieved, the Grant Date Price is $30 and the number of performance share units granted for each of the First Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units and the Second Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units is 68,000, then $2,550,000 will be paid using the following calculation: $30 x [68,000 x 1.25] = $2,550,000.  You will receive no payment with respect to the cancelled Third Tranche 2015 Performance Share Units.”

 

10.                            Additional Severance. A new section 10(d)(v) is added as follows:

 

10(d)(v):  “Additional Severance.

 

(a)       You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive payment of $1,360,000, if and only if, (i) your employment is terminated pursuant to Section 9(b) or 9(c), (ii) your Termination Date is after December 31, 2016, and (iii) the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that Activision Publishing’s [i] 2016 OI is $1or greater and [ii] 2016 OI is 85% or greater than the 2016 AOP OI Objective;

 

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(b)      You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive payment of $1,360,000, if an only if, (i) your employment is terminated pursuant to Section 9(b) or 9(c) , (ii) your Termination Date is after December 31, 2017, and (iii) the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that Activision Publishing’s [i] 2017 OI is $1or greater and [ii] 2017 OI is 85% or greater than the 2017 AOP OI Objective; and

(c)       You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive payment of $1,360,000, if an only if, (i) your employment is terminated pursuant to Section 9(b) or 9(c), (ii) your Termination Date is after December 31, 2018, and (iii) the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that Activision Publishing’s [i] 2018 OI is $1or greater and [ii] 2018 OI is 85% or greater than the 2018 AOP OI Objective.

 

The amounts set forth in Sections 10(d)(v)(a) through (c) are intended to be cumulative to the extent the applicable conditions are satisfied; provided, however, no payment pursuant to Section 10(d)(v)(a) or (b) shall be due to you if your Termination Date is on or after March 30, 2018.  All amounts owed pursuant to this Section 10(d)(v) will be paid to you no later than the later of the 60th day following the Termination Date and 30 days after the date the Compensation Committee determines that the applicable OI conditions have been achieved (if any), and will be subject to applicable taxes; and”

 

11.                            Termination of Obligations and Severance Payments.  Section 10(d)(v) is re-labeled as Section 10(d)(vi) and amended so that the words “Section 10(d)(ii) and Section 10(d)(iii)” in the first sentence are replaced with “Sections 10(d)(ii)-(v)”.

 

12.                            General Provisions.  Section 11(a) is deleted and replaced with the following:  “Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Proprietary Information Agreement, the Activision Blizzard Group Dispute Resolution Agreement (the “Dispute Resolution Agreement”, as defined in Section 11(k)), and the New Employee Letter and Certification (as defined in Section 11(d)), supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements and statements, whether written or oral, concerning the terms of your employment with the Activision Blizzard Group, and no amendment or modification of these agreements shall be binding unless it is set forth in a writing signed by both the Employer and you.  To the extent that this Agreement conflicts with any of the Employer’s policies, procedures, rules or regulations, this Agreement shall supersede the other policies, procedures, rules or regulations.”

 

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13.                            General Provisions.  Section 11(k) is deleted and replaced with the following:  “Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, both parties agree that any dispute or controversy between them will be settled by final and binding arbitration pursuant to the terms of the Dispute Resolution Agreement (attached hereto as Exhibit D).

 

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

 

	
Employer
    	
 
    	
Employee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ACTIVISION   BLIZZARD, INC.
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
      /s/ Humam Sakhnini
    	
 
    	
      /s/ Eric Hirshberg
    
	
 
    	
Humam Sakhnini
    	
 
    	
Eric Hirshberg
    
	
 
    	
Chief Strategy and Talent Officer
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
  10/15/2015
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
  10/12/15
    
						

 

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