Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of March , 2017, between Ameri Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and [NAME] (the “Purchaser”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS,
the Company and the Purchaser have entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement of even date herewith (the “Purchase Agreement”)
pursuant to which, among other things, the Company has on or about the date hereof issued an 8% Convertible Unsecured Promissory
Note due March , 2020 (the “Note”), which is convertible into shares (the “Conversion Shares”)
of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), subject to the terms and conditions
set forth therein;

NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the mutual promises, representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement
and this Agreement, the Company and the Purchaser agree as follows:

1.           Certain
Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Purchase
Agreement or the Note. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

“Closing”
and “Closing Date” shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

“Commission”
or “SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering
the Securities Act.

“Holder”
and “Holders” shall include the Purchaser and any permitted transferee or transferees of Registrable Securities
(as defined below) and/or the Note which have not been sold to the public to whom the registration rights conferred by this Agreement
have been transferred in compliance with this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement; provided that neither such person nor any affiliate
of such person is registered as a broker or dealer under Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or a
member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The terms “register,”
“registered” and “registration” shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing
a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and the declaration
or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement.

“Registrable
Securities” shall mean: (i) the Conversion Shares or other securities issued or issuable to each Holder or its permitted
transferee or designee (a) upon the conversion of the Note, or (b) upon any distribution with respect to, any exchange for or any
replacement of such Note, or (c) upon any conversion, exercise or exchange of any securities issued in connection with any such
distribution, exchange or replacement; (ii) securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization
or similar event with respect to the foregoing; and (iii) any other security issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect
to, in exchange, for or in replacement of the securities referred to in the preceding clauses; provided that all such shares shall
cease to be Registrable Securities at such time as they have been sold under a Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act or otherwise or at such time as they are eligible to be sold without the need for current public information
or other restriction by the Purchaser pursuant to Rule 144.

    	 	 	 

     

    

“Registration
Expenses” shall mean all expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection with each Holder’s registration rights
under this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such
registration (but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any event by the Company).

“Registration
Statement” shall mean the Piggyback Registration Statement described in Section 2(a) herein.

“Regulation
D” shall mean Regulation D as promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, and as subsequently amended.

“Securities
Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Selling
Expenses” shall mean all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities
and all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Holder not included within “Registration Expenses”.

2.           Piggyback
Registration Requirements. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the piggyback registration of
the Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate
qualification under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued
under the Securities Act) as would permit or facilitate the sale or distribution of all the Registrable Securities in the manner
(including manner of sale) and in all states reasonably requested by the Holder in accordance with the following:

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(a)     If
at any time after the Closing Date the Company proposes to register the offer and sale of any shares of its Common Stock under
the Securities Act (other than a registration (A) in connection with an uplisting of the Company’s Common Stock to a national
stock exchange, (B) pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 (or other registration solely relating to an offering or
sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit arrangement), (C)
pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the
Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), or (D) in connection with any dividend or distribution reinvestment or similar
plan), whether for its own account or for the account of one or more stockholders of the Company and the form of Registration
Statement (a “Piggyback Registration Statement”) to be used may be used for any registration of securities
of the Company, the Company shall give prompt written notice (in any event no later than 15 days prior to the filing of such registration
statement) to the holder of the Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and, shall include in such
Registration Statement all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion
from the holders of Registrable Securities within 10 days after the Company’s notice has been given to each such holder.
The Company may postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a Piggyback Registration Statement at any time in its
sole discretion. Each holder of Registrable Securities shall furnish to the Company or the underwriter(s) (if any) in respect
of the offering pursuant to the subject Registration Statement, as applicable, such information regarding the Holder and the distribution
proposed by it as the Company may reasonably request in connection with any registration or offering referred to in this Section.
Each holder of Registrable Securities shall cooperate as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation
of the Registration Statement with respect to such registration, and for so long as the Company is obligated to file and keep
effective such Registration Statement, shall provide to the Company, in writing, for use in the Registration Statement, all such
information regarding the holder of Registrable Securities of and its plan of distribution of shares of Common Stock included
in such Registration Statement as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Company to prepare such Registration Statement, to
maintain the currency and effectiveness thereof and otherwise to comply with all applicable requirements of law in connection
therewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, if a piggyback registration is initiated as a primary underwritten
offering on behalf of the Company and the managing underwriter advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities (if
any holders of Registrable Securities have elected to include Registrable Securities in such piggyback registration) in writing
that in its reasonable and good faith opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration
or takedown, including all Registrable Securities and all other shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such underwritten
offering, exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering and/or that the number of shares of
Common Stock proposed to be included in any such registration would adversely affect the price per share of the Common Stock to
be sold in such offering, the Company shall include in such registration or takedown (i) first, the shares of Common Stock that
the Company proposes to sell; (ii) second, the shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by holders of Registrable
Securities, allocated pro rata among all such holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such
holder or in such manner as they may otherwise agree; and (iii) third, the shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein
by holders of Common Stock other than holders of Registrable Securities, allocated among such holders in such manner as they may
agree.

(b)     The
Company’s commercially reasonable efforts to effect the piggyback registration of the Registrable Securities shall include,
without limitation, the following:

          (i)       Cause
such Registration Statement and other filings to be declared effective as soon as commercially reasonably possible.

          (ii)       Prepare
and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with
such Registration Statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement and notify the Holders of the filing and effectiveness of such Registration Statement
and any amendments or supplements.

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          (iii)       Furnish
to each Holder that has Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement such numbers of copies of a current prospectus
conforming with the requirements of the Act, copies of the Registration Statement, any amendment or supplement thereto and any
documents incorporated by reference therein and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably require in order to facilitate
the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by such Holder.

          (iv)       Register
and qualify the securities covered by such Registration Statement under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of all domestic
jurisdictions; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to
do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.

          (v)       Notify
promptly each Holder that has Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement of the happening of any event (but
not the substance or details of any such event) of which the Company has knowledge as a result of which the prospectus (including
any supplements thereto or thereof) included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
in light of the circumstances then existing (each an “Event”), and use its best efforts to promptly update and/or
correct such prospectus. Each Holder will hold in confidence and will not make any disclosure of any such Event and any related
information disclosed by the Company.

          (vi)       Notify
each Holder of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities commission or agency of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement or the threat or initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. The Company shall use its best efforts
to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
time.

          (vii)       List
the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement with all securities exchange(s) and/or markets on which the Common
Stock is then listed and prepare and file any required filings with the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other exchange or market where
the shares of Common Stock are traded.

          (viii)      Take
all steps reasonably necessary to enable Holders to avail themselves of the prospectus delivery mechanism set forth in Rule 153
(or successor thereto) under the Act.

(c)     Notwithstanding
the obligations under Section 2(b)(v) or any provision of this Agreement, if (i) in the good faith judgment of the Company, following
consultation with legal counsel, it would be detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for resales of Registrable Securities
to be made pursuant to the Registration Statement due to the existence of a material development or potential material development
involving the Company that the Company would be obligated to disclose in the Registration Statement, which disclosure would be
premature or otherwise inadvisable at such time or would have a material adverse effect upon the Company and its stockholders,
or (ii) in the good faith judgment of the Company, it would adversely affect or require premature disclosure of the filing of a
Company-initiated registration of any class of its equity securities, then the Company will have the right to suspend the use of
the Registration Statement for a period of not more than 90 consecutive calendar days, but only if the Company reasonably concludes,
after consultation with outside legal counsel, that the failure to suspend the use of the Registration Statement as such would
create a risk of a material liability or violation under applicable securities laws or regulations.

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(d)     During
the registration period, the Company will make available, upon reasonable advance notice during normal business hours, for inspection
by any Holder whose Registrable Securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, all pertinent financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”) as reasonably
necessary to enable each such Holder to exercise its due diligence responsibility in connection with or related to the contemplated
offering. The Company will cause its officers, directors and employees to supply all information that any Holder may reasonably
request for purposes of performing such due diligence.

(e)     Each
Holder will hold in confidence, use only in connection with the contemplated offering and not make any disclosure of all Records
and other information that the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Holders are
so notified, unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court or government body of
competent jurisdiction, (iii) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure
in violation of this or any other agreement (to the knowledge of the relevant Holder), (iv) the Records or other information was
developed independently by the Holder without breach of this Agreement, (v) the information was known to the Holder before receipt
of such information from the Company, or (vi) the information was disclosed to the Holder by a third party not under an obligation
of confidentiality. However, a Holder may make disclosure of such Records and other information to any attorney, adviser, or other
third party retained by it that needs to know the information as determined in good faith by the Holder (the “Holder Representative”),
if the Holder advises the Holder Representative of the confidentiality provisions of this Section 2(e), but the Holder will be
liable for any act or omission of any of its Holder Representatives relative to such information as if the act or omission was
that of the Holder. The Company is not required to disclose any confidential information in the Records to any Holder unless and
until such Holder has entered into a confidentiality agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) with the Company
with respect thereto, substantially to the effect of this Section 2(e). Unless legally prohibited from so doing, each Holder will,
upon learning that disclosure of Records containing confidential information is sought in or by a court or governmental body of
competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the Company’s
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential.
Nothing herein will be deemed to limit the Holder’s ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner that is otherwise
consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

(f)     The
Company shall file a Registration Statement with respect to any newly authorized and/or reserved Registrable Securities consisting
of Conversion Shares described in clause (i) of the definition of Registrable Securities within ten (10) business days of any stockholders’
meeting authorizing same and shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective within ninety
(90) days of such stockholders’ meeting. If the Holders become entitled, pursuant to an event described in clause (ii) and
(iii) of the definition of Registrable Securities, to receive any securities in respect of Registrable Securities that were already
included in a Registration Statement, subsequent to the date such Registration Statement is declared effective, and the Company
is unable under the securities laws to add such securities to the then effective Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly
file, in accordance with the procedures set forth herein, an additional Registration Statement with respect to such newly Registrable
Securities. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) cause any such additional Registration Statement, when filed, to become
effective within 30 days of that date that the need to file the Registration Statement arose. All of the registration rights and
remedies under this Agreement shall apply to the registration of such newly reserved shares and such new Registrable Securities.

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3.           Expenses
of Registration. All Registration Expenses in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance with registration
pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne by the Company, and all Selling Expenses of a Holder shall be borne by such Holder.

4.           Registration
on Form S-3. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to meet the “registrant eligibility” requirements
for a secondary offering set forth in the general instructions to Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms, or in
the event that the Company is ineligible to use such form, such form as the Company is eligible to use under the Securities Act,
provided that if such other form is used, the Company shall convert such other form to a Form S-3 as soon as the Company becomes
so eligible.

5.           Registration
Period. In the case of the registration effected by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall keep such registration
effective until the later of (a) the date on which all the Holders have completed the sales or distribution described in the Registration
Statement relating thereto or, if earlier until such Registrable Securities may be sold by the Holders under Rule 144 (provided
that the Company’s transfer agent has accepted an instruction from the Company to such effect) or (b) the third (3rd) anniversary
of the Closing Date.

6.           Indemnification.

(a)       Company
Indemnity. The Company will indemnify each Holder, each of its officers, directors, agents and partners, and each person controlling
each of the foregoing, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect
to which registration, qualification or compliance has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, and each underwriter, if any,
and each person who controls, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder,
any underwriter, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on
any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any final prospectus (as amended or supplemented
if the Company files any amendment or supplement thereto with the SEC), Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement
or any post-effective amendment thereof or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any state securities law or in either case, any rule or regulation
thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration,
qualification or compliance, and will reimburse each Holder, each of its officers, directors, agents and partners, and each person
controlling each of the foregoing, for any reasonable legal fees of a single counsel and any other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with investigating and defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, provided that the Company will
not be liable in any such case to a Holder to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage, liability or expense arises out of
or is based on (i) any untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by such Holder or underwriter
(if any) therefor and stated to be specifically for use therein, (ii) any failure by any Holder to comply with prospectus delivery
requirements or the Securities Act or Exchange Act or any other law or legal requirement applicable to them or any covenant or
agreement contained in the Purchase Agreement or this Agreement or (iii) an offer of sale of Conversion Shares occurring during
a period in which sales under the Registration Statement are suspended as permitted by this Agreement. The indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 6(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld).

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(b)       Holder
Indemnity. Each Holder will, severally but not jointly, if Registrable Securities held by it are included in the securities
as to which such registration, qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify the Company, each of its directors, officers,
agents and partners, and any other stockholder selling securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and any of its directors,
officers, agents, partners, and any person who controls such stockholder within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act
and each underwriter, if any, of the Company’s securities covered by such a Registration Statement, each person who controls
the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder,
each other Holder (if any), and each of their officers, directors and partners, and each person controlling such other Holder(s)
against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on (i) any untrue statement
(or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any such final prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company
files any amendment or supplement thereto with the SEC), Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement or any post- effective
amendment thereof or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made or (ii) failure
by any Holder to comply with prospectus delivery requirements or the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any other law or legal requirement
applicable to them or any covenant or agreement contained in the Purchase Agreement or this Agreement, and will reimburse the Company
and such other Holder(s) and their directors, officers and partners, underwriters or control persons for any reasonable legal fees
or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability
or action, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission
(or alleged omission) is made in such final prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company files any amendment or supplement
thereto with the SEC), Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement or any post-effective amendment thereof in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use therein,
and provided that the maximum amount for which such Holder shall be liable under this indemnity shall not exceed the net proceeds
received by the Holders from the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement in question. The indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claims, losses, damages or liabilities
if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

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(c)       Procedure.
Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section 6 (the “Indemnified Party”) shall give notice to the
party required to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly after such Indemnified Party has
actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense
of any such claim in any litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the
defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such defense at its own expense, and provided further that
the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations
under this Section 6 except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely affected by such failure to provide
notice. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified
Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the
giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such non-privileged information regarding itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying
Party may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with the defense of such claim and litigation
resulting therefrom.

7.           Contribution.
If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 herein is unavailable to the Indemnified Parties in respect of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to herein (other than by reason of the exceptions provided therein), then each such Indemnifying
Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as between the Company on the one hand and any Holder(s) on the other,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and of such Holder(s) in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of any Holder(s) on the other shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by such Holder(s).

In no event shall
the obligation of any Indemnifying Party to contribute under this Section 7 exceed the amount that such Indemnifying Party would
have been obligated to pay by way of indemnification if the indemnification provided for under Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof had
been available under the circumstances.

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The Company and
the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraphs. The amount paid or payable by
an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraphs
shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section, no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount equal to the net proceeds received by such
Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement in question. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

8.           Survival.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in Sections 6 and 7 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless
of (i) any termination of this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, and (ii) the consummation of the sale or successive resales
of the Registrable Securities.

9.           Information
by Holders. As a condition to the obligations of the Company to complete any registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect
to the Registrable Securities of each Holder, such Holder will furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended methods of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as is reasonably required
by the Company to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities. At least ten business days prior to the first anticipated
filing date of a Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company will notify each Holder of the information
the Company requires from that Holder whether or not such Holder has elected to have any of its Registrable Securities included
in the Registration Statement. If the Company has not received the requested information from a Holder by the business day prior
to the anticipated filing date, then the Company may file the Registration Statement without including Registrable Securities of
that Holder.

10.           Further
Assurances. Each Holder will cooperate with the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company, in connection with the preparation
and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Holder has notified the Company in writing of such Holder’s
irrevocable election to exclude all of such Holder’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

11.           Suspension
of Sales. Upon receipt of any notice from the Company under Section 2(b)(v) or 2(c), each Holder will immediately discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until (i) it
receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Sections 2(b)(v) or (ii) the Company advises the Holder
that a suspension of sales under Section 2(c) has terminated. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company
(at the expense of the Company) or destroy all copies in the Holder’s possession (other than a limited number of file copies)
of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice.

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12.           Replacement
Certificates. The certificate(s) representing the Registrable Securities held by the Purchaser (or then Holder) may be exchanged
by the Purchaser (or such Holder) at any time and from time to time for certificates with different denominations representing
an equal aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, as reasonably requested by such Purchaser (or such Holder) upon surrendering
the same. No service charge will be made for such registration or transfer or exchange. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the Note or certificates for the underlying shares
of Common Stock of any of the foregoing, and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to
it, or upon surrender and cancellation of such certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Note or certificate
of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation at no charge to the holder.

13.           Transfer
or Assignment. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
and their successors and permitted assigns. The rights granted to the Purchaser by the Company under this Agreement to cause the
Company to register Registrable Securities may be transferred or assigned (in whole or in part) to a transferee or assignee of
the Note or Registrable Securities, and all other rights granted to the Purchaser by the Company hereunder may be transferred or
assigned to any transferee or assignee of the Note or Registrable Securities; provided in each case that (i) the Company is given
written notice by the Purchaser at the time of or within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, stating the name
and address of said transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
transferred or assigned; and provided further that the transferee or assignee of such rights agrees in writing to be bound by the
registration provisions of this Agreement, (ii) such transfer or assignment is not made under the Registration Statement or Rule
144, (iii) such transfer is made according to the applicable requirements of the Purchase Agreement, and (iv) the transferee has
provided to the Company an investor questionnaire (or equivalent document) evidencing that the transferee is a “qualified
institutional buyer” or an “accredited investor” defined in Rule 501(a)(1),(2),(3), or (7) of Regulation D.

14.           Miscellaneous.

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

(b)     Jurisdiction.
Each of the Company and the Purchaser (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District
Court, the New York state courts and other courts of the United States sitting in New York, New York for the purposes of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and (ii) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such
suit action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action
or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. The Company
and the Purchaser consent to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party
at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient
service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law.

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(c)     Notices.
Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing by personal delivery, nationally
recognized overnight carrier or email, and shall be effective upon receipt of such notice. The addresses for such communications
shall be:

to the Company:

Ameri Holdings, Inc.

100 Canal Pointe Blvd., Suite 108

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Telephone: (732) 243-9250

Fax: (732) 243-9254

Attention: Mr. Giri Devanur, President and Chief Executive Officer

If to the Purchaser:

[NAME]

[ADDRESS]

Telephone:

Email:

Any party hereto may from time to time
change its address for notices by giving at least five days’ written notice of such changed address to the other parties
hereto.

(d)     Waivers.
No waiver by any party of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed
to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay
or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right accruing to it thereafter.
The representations and warranties and the agreements and covenants of the Company and each Purchaser contained herein shall survive
the Closing.

(e)     Execution
in Counterpart. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

(f)     Signatures.
Facsimile signatures shall be valid and binding on each party submitting the same.

    	 	11	 

     

    

(g)     Entire
Agreement: Amendment. This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement, the Note, and the agreements and documents contemplated
hereby and thereby, contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties, and may not be amended, modified or terminated
except by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Holder of the Registrable Securities seeking registration of such securities.

(h)     Governing
Law. This Agreement and the validity and performance of the terms hereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be performed entirely within such state, except to the
extent that the law of the State of Delaware regulates the Company’s issuance of securities.

(i)     Jury
Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.

(j)     Force
Majeure. The Company shall not be deemed in breach of its commitments under this Agreement and no payments by the Company as
set forth in Section 2 shall be required if the Company is unable to fulfill its obligations hereunder in a timely fashion if the
SEC or the Nasdaq Stock Market are closed or operating on a limited basis as a result of the occurrence of a Force Majeure. As
used herein, “Force Majeure” means war or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity, or
one or more acts of terrorism, which are having a material adverse effect on the financial markets in the United States. Furthermore,
any payments owed as a result of Section 2 shall not accrue during any period during which the Company’s performance hereunder
has been delayed or the Company’s ability to fulfill its obligations hereunder has been impaired by a Force Majeure.

(k)     Titles.
The titles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this
Agreement.

(l)     No
Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express
their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.

[Signature Page Follows]

    	 	12	 

     

    

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

	 	COMPANY:
	 	 
	 	AMERI HOLDINGS, INC.

	 	 
	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	
        Name: Giri Devanur

        Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

	 	 
	 	 
	 	PURCHASER:
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	[NAME]
	 	 

 

    	 	13Exhibit

Exhibit 10.32

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of this 3rd day of March, 2017, by and between Dynex Capital, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), and Stephen J. Benedetti (“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ and secure the exclusive services of Executive on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; 
WHEREAS, Executive desires to accept such employment on such terms and conditions; 
WHEREAS, Executive has the trust and confidence of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”); 
WHEREAS, the Board values Executive’s leadership and appreciates his continuing contribution to the success of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive previously entered into a Severance Agreement on June 11, 2004 and an amendment to the Severance Agreement on December 31, 2008, which are hereby superseded in their entirety by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1.    Agreement to Employ.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment with the Company.
2.    Term; Position and Responsibilities; Location.
(a)    Term.  This Agreement is effective March 1, 2017 and, unless terminated earlier as set forth herein, expires on March 1, 2019; provided that on March 1, 2019 (the “Renewal Date”), this Agreement shall be automatically extended for one additional year so as to expire on March 1, 2020.  This Agreement shall not, however, be so extended if either party gives written notice (“Nonrenewal Notice”) of such non-renewal to the other party at least ninety (90) days before the Renewal Date (the initial and any extended term of this Agreement through the earlier of (i) the date this Agreement expires or is terminated or (ii) the date of termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive for any reason is referred to as the “Employment Period”).  If the Company provides a Nonrenewal Notice in accordance with the requirements described in the preceding sentence and Executive’s employment is 

terminated on the Renewal Date for any reason other than Cause, or if the Agreement is renewed on the Renewal Date but the Company does not offer Executive a comparable employment agreement to be effective March 1, 2020 and Executive’s employment is terminated on March 1, 2020 for any reason other than Cause, Executive shall have a right to receive the payments and benefits set forth in Section 7(d)(i) of this Agreement if such termination occurs before or more than two (2) years following a Change in Control or in Section 7(d)(ii) of this Agreement if such termination occurs on or within two (2) years following a Change in Control, subject to the requirements therein, including but not limited to the Release requirement under Section 7(d)(i)(F) or Section 7(d)(ii)(F) of this Agreement, as applicable.
(b)    Position and Responsibilities.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (“CFO and COO”) and shall be responsible for performing all duties and responsibilities as are customarily assigned to individuals serving in such position.  The Company and Executive agree that during the Employment Period, Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and shall devote as much of his skill, knowledge, commercial efforts and business time as the Board or Chief Executive Officer shall reasonably require for the conscientious and good faith performance of his duties and responsibilities for the Company to the best of his ability.
(c)    Location.  During the Employment Period, Executive’s services shall be performed primarily in the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area. 
3.    Base Salary.  During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary at an annualized rate of no less than $435,000, payable in installments on the Company’s regular payroll dates but not less frequently than monthly.  The Board or a committee thereof shall review Executive’s base salary annually during the Employment Period for adjustment up or down (but not below $435,000 without Executive’s consent), based on its periodic review of Executive’s performance in accordance with the Company’s regular policies and procedures; provided, however, that following a Change in Control (as defined below) Executive’s base salary shall not be decreased.  The base salary amount payable to Executive for a full year under this Section 3 shall be referred to herein as the “Base Salary”.  
4.    Incentive Compensation. 
(a)    General.  Executive shall be eligible to participate in and receive cash or stock compensation awards pursuant to the terms of the Dynex Capital, Inc. 2009 Stock and Incentive Plan or any successor plan (the “Dynex Stock Incentive Plan”) and the Dynex Capital, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan or any successor plan or program (the “Dynex Incentive Plan”).  Executive’s stock compensation awards must be paid under the Dynex Stock Incentive Plan and shall be determined by the Board or a committee thereof pursuant to the terms of that plan.  Each year, the minimum target incentive opportunity established by the Company in the calendar year shall not be less than (but can be more than) 150% of Executive’s Base Salary.  The incentive opportunity 

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may include both annual and long-term components and may be payable in cash or equity (“Incentive Award”). 
(b)    Clawback.  Executive agrees that any incentive compensation (including both equity and cash incentive compensation) that Executive receives from the Company is subject to repayment to (i.e., clawback by) the Company or a related entity as determined in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof in the event repayment is required by applicable federal or state law or regulation or stock exchange requirement, but in no event with a look-back period of more than three (3) years, unless in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to Executive required by applicable federal or state law or regulation or stock exchange requirement.  Except where offset of, or recoupment from, incentive compensation covered by Code Section 409A (as defined below) is prohibited by Code Section 409A, to the extent allowed by law and as determined by the Board or a committee thereof, Executive agrees that such repayment may, in the discretion of the Board or a committee thereof, be accomplished by withholding of future compensation to be paid to Executive by the Company.  Any recovery of incentive compensation covered by Code Section 409A shall be implemented in a manner which complies with Code Section 409A.  Any recovery of incentive compensation pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or Good Reason (as defined below).
5.    Employee Benefits.
(a)    General.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the employee and executive benefit plans and programs maintained by the Company from time-to-time in which executives of the Company are eligible to participate, including, to the extent maintained by the Company, life, medical, dental, accidental and disability insurance plans and retirement, deferred compensation and savings plans, in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof as in effect from time-to-time.  As of the date of this Agreement, Executive is eligible and shall remain eligible to participate in the Company’s existing 401(k) plan and the Company shall match Executive’s contributions in accordance with the terms of that plan, provided that such matching does not violate any provisions of law applicable to the 401(k) plan.
(b)    Vacation.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to a number of vacation days as determined by the Board or a committee thereof, which shall not be less than six (6) weeks per calendar year, without carry-over accumulation.  Executive shall also be entitled to Company-designated holidays.  
(c)    Cellular Phones and Personal Data Assistants.  During the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive with, or shall reimburse Executive for his purchase of, a cellular phone and a personal data assistant (e.g., iPad, tablet, etc.) for his use as agreed upon by the Company and Executive, as well as pay for business-related usage fees, pursuant to the Company’s policy for executives or, if none, as approved by the Company consistent with the Company’s practice for other executives.  Executive shall submit a detailed bill in order to obtain reimbursement.

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(d)    Concierge Medical Services.  During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the cost of an annual concierge medical services fee, including the cost of an annual physical, at the level of the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program or any successor program.
6.    Expenses.
(a)    Business Travel, Lodging.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, lodging, meal and other reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder upon submission of related receipts or other evidence of the incurrence and purpose of each such expense consistent with the terms and conditions of the Company’s travel policy in effect at any time.  
(b)    Agreement Review.  Within thirty (30) days of Executive's request (which must include documentation of such fees and expenses but not narratives of specific legal services provided), the Company shall reimburse Executive for the attorneys’ fees and expenses he incurred (if any) relating to the review and negotiation of this Agreement.  Executive must submit any request for reimbursement of such attorneys’ fees and expenses within one (1) year of when such fees and expenses are incurred.
(c)    Agreement Dispute.  Within sixty (60) days of Executive’s written request (which must include a detailed description of such fees and expenses), the Company agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses that Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof,  by the Company, Executive, or others (including as a result of any contest by Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment beyond such sixty (60) day period at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); provided that, before a Change in Control (as defined below), the Company shall pay such legal fees and expenses only if Executive prevails on at least one material point in such controversy or claim (in which case all previously incurred legal fees and expenses as described above shall be paid immediately and future such legal fees and expenses shall be paid as they are incurred) and, following a Change in Control, the Company shall pay such legal fees and expenses as they are incurred regardless of the outcome of the controversy or claim but only for as long as Executive’s claim is not determined by a court of final jurisdiction to be frivolous.  If a court of final jurisdiction determines Executive's claim to be frivolous, then Executive shall be required to repay to the Company within sixty (60) days of the Company's written request any previously paid attorneys fees and expenses under this Section 6(c).  
(d)    Reimbursement Requirements.  Any reimbursements provided in Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement shall be reimbursed, unless specifically provided otherwise herein, in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement 

4

policy in effect at any time, if any, and the requirements of Section 8(d) of this Agreement, to the extent applicable.  
7.    Termination of Employment.  The Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company to diminish the inevitable distraction of Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks in the event Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined herein) or is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined herein) and to encourage Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company, and to provide Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon such termination which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.  The Board has approved this Section 7 and authorized its inclusion in this Agreement on the Company’s behalf to Executive.  
(a)    Certain Definitions.  
(i)    “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following: 
(A)    The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”)), (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); or
(B)    The composition of the Company’s Board shall change such that the individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) no longer comprise at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(C)    Consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination; 

5

(1)    the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least eighty percent (80%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries or affiliates) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; and
(2)    at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(D)    Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clause (1) or (2) of Section 7(a)(i)(C) of this Agreement. 
(ii)    “Date of Termination” means the date of Executive's termination of employment with the Company, determined in accordance with the requirements of Section 8(c) of this Agreement, which will typically be (A) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined herein), the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (B) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason (as defined herein), the date specified pursuant to Section 7(b)(i) below, (C) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, the date on which the Company or Executive notifies the other of such termination, (D) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death of Executive, or (E) if the Company terminates Executive's employment due to Disability (as defined in Section 7(b)(v) of this Agreement), the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be. 
(b)    Termination of Employment.  

(i)    Good Reason.  Executive may terminate his employment during the Employment Period for Good Reason.  In such event, the Company shall have the termination obligations in Section 7(d)(i) or (ii) of this Agreement, whichever is applicable on the Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following: 

6

(A)    prior to a Change in Control, a material diminution in Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as CFO and COO, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial or inadvertent action not taken in bad faith;

(B)    on or following a Change in Control, the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent with Executive’s position (including status, office or title as CFO and COO, and reporting requirements), authority, duties, and responsibilities as CFO and COO, or any other action by the Company that results in a diminution in such position (including status, office or title as CFO and COO, and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities as CFO and COO, or any requirement that Executive not serve as the sole CFO and COO of the Company, in all cases excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial or inadvertent action not taken in bad faith;

(C)    whether prior to, on or following a Change in Control, a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary or a reduction of Executive’s minimum target incentive opportunity in violation of Section 3 or Section 4(a) of this Agreement; or

(D)    whether prior to, on or following a Change in Control, the Company’s requiring Executive to perform his services on a regular basis at any location that is more than fifty (50) miles from the location where Executive primarily performed services during the six (6) months immediately preceding the change in location; or

(E)    whether prior to, on or following a Change in Control, any material breach of this Agreement by the Company.    

To trigger “Good Reason,” Executive is required to provide written notice to the Board of the existence of a condition described in this Section 7(b)(i) within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of the condition, and the Company shall have thirty (30) days after notice to remedy the condition.  If the condition is remedied within thirty (30) days, then “Good Reason” does not exist.  If the condition is not remedied within thirty (30) days, then Executive must resign within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the remedy period.

Notwithstanding the above, “Good Reason” shall not include any resignation by Executive if the Company has communicated to Executive in writing that grounds for a “Cause” termination exist, or if the Company communicates to Executive in writing that grounds for a “Cause” termination exist at any time during the notice and remedy period described in the preceding paragraph, and in either case if “Cause” is determined to exist pursuant to Section 7(b)(iii) of this Agreement.  The remedy and resignation period described in the preceding paragraph shall be automatically extended so that it does not end before any notice and remedy period under Section 7(b)(iii) of this Agreement, provided that the remedy and resignation period described in the preceding paragraph shall not be extended beyond 120 days from the date of Executive’s submission of written notice pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

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(ii)    Without Good Reason.  Executive may terminate his employment during the Employment Period without Good Reason.  In such event, the Company shall have the termination obligations in Section 7(d)(iii) of this Agreement. 

(iii)    Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause.  In such event, the Company shall have the termination obligations in Section 7(d)(iii) of this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean any of the following: 

(A)    Executive’s gross or willful misconduct, fraud or embezzlement in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company; or
(B)    prior to a Change in Control, the failure of Executive to adhere to the lawful directions of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer that are reasonably consistent with Executive’s duties and position as CFO and COO; or

(C)    a material violation by Executive of any portion of Section 9 of this Agreement; or 
(D)    Executive's being convicted of, or entering a guilty plea or plea of no contest to, any felony or any crime of moral turpitude.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or a committee thereof, or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.  The cessation of employment of Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive written notice of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive of such meeting and Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive is guilty of conduct described in subparagraph (A) or (B) or (C) or (D) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.  Upon delivery of the written notice, Executive’s employment shall be immediately terminated; provided, however, with regard to conduct described in subparagraph (B) or (C) above only, if such conduct can be remedied, as determined in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive shall have thirty (30) days after his receipt of the written notice to remedy the conduct.  If the conduct is remedied within thirty (30) days, then “Cause” does not exist.  If the conduct is not remedied within thirty (30) days, then the Company shall provide Notice of Termination within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the remedy period.

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(iv)    Without Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive's employment without Cause during the Employment Period. In such event, the Company shall have the termination obligations in Section 7(d)(i) or 7(d)(ii) of this Agreement, whichever is applicable on the Date of Termination.

(v)    Death or Disability.  Executive’s employment during the Employment Period shall automatically terminate on Executive’s death and may be terminated by the Company due to his Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental disability that prevents Executive from performing his essential job functions as CFO and COO for a period of at least six (6) months within any 12-month period.  In such event, the Company shall have the termination obligations in Section 7(d)(iv) or (v), as applicable, of this Agreement.

(c)    Notice of Termination.  Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for or without Cause or due to Disability, or by Executive for or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination to the other party.  For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice, which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) the Date of Termination.  The failure by the Company or Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

(d)    Company’s Termination Obligations. 

(i)    Good Reason or Without Cause Prior to a Change in Control or More Than Two Years Following a Change in Control.  If Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, or by the Company without Cause, provided each occurs prior to a Change in Control or more than two (2) years following a Change in Control, then, subject to the Release requirement set forth in Section 7(d)(i)(F) below, the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum payment in cash equal to the aggregate of the following amounts under Section 7(d)(i)(A), (B) and (C) below on the thirtieth (30th) day following  the Date of Termination and provide the other benefits provided below: 

(A)    Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination, to the extent not previously paid; any incentive compensation for a completed prior performance period that has been earned but has not yet been paid; reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by Executive prior to the Date of Termination that are subject to reimbursement under Section 6 of this 

9

Agreement; and payment of accrued, but unused vacation time as of the Date of Termination (“Accrued Obligations”). 

(B)    An amount equal to the product of 1.5 times the sum of: (1) Executive’s Base Salary on the day prior to the Date of Termination (or, if Executive's termination for Good Reason is based upon a reduction in Base Salary, then Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction) and (2) the sum of  Executive’s Annual Incentive Award (as defined in Section 7(d)(i)(G) below) paid for each of the three (3) calendar years preceding the calendar year that includes the Date of Termination, divided by 3.  

(C)    An amount (the “Pro Rata Incentive Award”) equal to the Pro Rata Portion (as defined in (3) below) of the sum of (1) and (2) below, with respect to any Incentive Award with an incomplete performance period as of the Date of Termination:

(1)    With respect to any performance goals relating to Company financial performance or stock price, the greater of the amount that would have been payable at target performance or the amount calculated based on actual performance through the calendar quarter ending on or immediately prior to the Date of Termination.

(2)    With respect to any performance goals relating to Company non-financial corporate goals or individual goals, the amount that would have been payable at maximum performance.  

(3)    The Pro Rata Portion is defined as the amount determined by multiplying the relevant amount in (1) or (2) above by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of days in the applicable performance period that precede the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in the performance period.

(D)    To the extent any previously awarded stock awards, such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, or any other form of stock compensation granted to Executive shall have not vested, such awards shall immediately become fully (100%) vested and exercisable and shall otherwise be paid in accordance with their terms.

(E)    The Company shall provide continued monthly coverage at the Company’s expense under the Company’s medical, dental, life insurance and disability policies or arrangements in which Executive and any of his dependents were covered on the day prior to the Date of Termination (the “Welfare Plans”) for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Date of Termination (“Welfare Continuance Benefit”), provided that Executive’s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Welfare Plans.  The following rules (“Welfare Continuance Rules”) shall also apply:

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(1)    If the Company cannot maintain such coverage for Executive or Executive’s spouse or dependents under the terms and provisions of the Welfare Plans (or where such continuation would adversely affect the tax status of the Welfare Plans pursuant to which the coverage is provided), the Company shall provide the Welfare Continuance Benefit by, at the Company's option, either providing substantially identical benefits directly or through an insurance arrangement or by paying Executive the estimated cost of the coverage for a similarly situated employee (both the Company and employee portions of any cost determination) for eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination with such payments to be made in accordance with the established payroll practices of the Company (but not less frequently than monthly) for employees generally for the period during which such cash payments are to be provided.
(2)    If Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive comparable welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the portion of the Welfare Continuance Benefit for which Executive is eligible for comparable coverage shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility, provided that the costs of obtaining such other welfare benefits is less than the cost of such benefits to Executive immediately prior to the Date of Termination. 
(3)    To the extent allowed by applicable law, the 18-month Welfare Continuance Benefit period shall run concurrently with the period for which Executive and/or his spouse and any of his dependents would be eligible for continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 or any similar state law (the “COBRA Period”), although the 18-month Welfare Continuance Benefit period may continue to run after the COBRA Period has ended.
(F)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no amounts or benefits, other than the Accrued Obligations, shall be payable to Executive, and Executive shall forfeit all rights, under Section 7(d)(i) of this Agreement unless the Release attached as Exhibit A (the “Release”) is signed and becomes irrevocable within the time period specified by the Release for review and revocation.  To the extent any amounts or benefits under Section 7(d)(i), other than the Accrued Obligations, have been paid and the Release requirement of this Section 7(d)(i)(F) is not met, then any such amounts or benefits previously paid shall be forfeited and Executive shall repay such forfeited amounts or benefits to the Company within thirty (30) days of demand by the Company. 

(G)    The term “Annual Incentive Award” means an Incentive Award (as defined in Section 4(a) of this Agreement) that is based on performance over a period of one year and may be payable in cash or stock.  For 2016 and subsequent years, an Incentive Award may consist of an annual and a long-term component, in which case the Annual Incentive Award shall mean the annual component only.  For 2015 and prior years, an Incentive Award consisted only of an annual 

11

component.  Therefore, for 2015 and prior years, Annual Incentive Award shall mean the full Incentive Award.  

(ii)    Good Reason or Without Cause On or Within Two Years Following a Change in Control.  If Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, or by the Company without Cause, provided each occurs on or within two (2) years following a Change in Control, then, subject to the Release requirement set forth in Section 7(d)(ii)(F) below, the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum payment in cash equal to the aggregate of the following amounts under Section 7(d)(ii) (A),  (B) and (C) below on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Date of Termination and provide the other benefits provided below: 

(A)    The Accrued Obligations.

(B)    An amount equal to the product of 2.24 times the sum of: (1) Executive’s Base Salary on the day prior to the Date of Termination (or, if Executive's termination for Good Reason is based upon a reduction in Base Salary, then Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction) and (2) the sum of Executive’s Annual Incentive Award (as defined in Section 7(d)(i)(G) above) paid for each of the three (3) calendar years preceding the calendar year that includes the Change in Control, divided by 3.

(C)    The Pro Rata Incentive Award.

(D)    To the extent any previously awarded stock awards, such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, or any other form of stock compensation granted to Executive shall have not vested, such awards shall immediately become fully (100%) vested and exercisable and shall otherwise be paid in accordance with their terms.

(E)    The Company shall provide the Welfare Continuance Benefit but for a period of twenty-seven (27) months following the Date of Termination rather than eighteen (18) months, provided that Executive’s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of the Welfare Plans.  The Welfare Continuance Rules (as applied to a twenty-seven (27) month period) shall also apply.
(F)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no amounts or benefits, other than the Accrued Obligations, shall be payable to Executive, and Executive shall forfeit all rights, under Section 7(d)(ii) of this Agreement unless the Release is signed and becomes irrevocable within the time period specified by the Release for review and revocation.  To the extent any amounts or benefits under Section 7(d)(ii), other than the Accrued Obligations, have been paid and the Release requirement of this Section 7(d)(ii)(F) is not met, then any such amounts or benefits previously paid shall be forfeited and Executive shall repay such forfeited amounts or benefits to the Company within thirty (30) days of demand by the Company.

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(iii)    Without Good Reason or For Cause Before, On, or After a Change in Control.  If the Company should terminate Executive’s employment for Cause or if he should terminate his employment without Good Reason at any time during the Employment Period, then the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination.    

(iv)    Termination Due to Disability Before, On, or After a Change in Control.  If the Company should terminate Executive’s employment due to his Disability at any time during the Employment Period, then the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations in a lump sum on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Date of Termination.  In addition, subject to the Release requirement set forth in Section 7(d)(iv)(C) below, to the extent any previously awarded stock awards, such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, or any other form of stock compensation granted to Executive shall have not vested, such awards shall immediately become fully (100%) vested and exercisable and shall otherwise be paid in accordance with their terms.  In addition, subject to the Release requirement set forth in Section 7(d)(iv)(C) below, the Company shall pay to Executive within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination an amount equal to the sum of the amounts calculated under Section 7(d)(iv)(A) and (B) below with respect to any Incentive Award with an incomplete performance period as of the Date of Termination:

(A)    With respect to any performance goals relating to Company financial performance or stock price, the greater of the amount that would have been payable at target performance or the amount calculated based on actual performance through the calendar quarter ending on or immediately prior to the Date of Termination.
(B)    With respect to any performance goals relating to Company non-financial corporate goals or individual goals, the amount that would have been payable at maximum performance.

(C)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no amounts or benefits, other than the Accrued Obligations, shall be payable to Executive, and Executive shall forfeit all rights, under Section 7(d)(iv) of this Agreement unless the Release is signed and becomes irrevocable within the time period specified by the Release for review and revocation.  To the extent any amounts or benefits under Section 7(d)(iv), other than the Accrued Obligations, have been paid and the Release requirement of this Section 7(d)(iv)(C) is not met, then any such amounts or benefits previously paid shall be forfeited and Executive shall repay such forfeited amounts or benefits to the Company within thirty (30) days of demand by the Company.  

(v)    Termination Due to Death Before, On, or After a Change in Control.  If Executive’s employment should terminate due to his death at any time during the Employment Period, then the Company shall pay to Executive’s estate the Accrued Obligations in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, subject to production to the Company of such evidence or information in 

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respect of Executive’s estate as the Company may require.  In addition, to the extent any previously awarded stock awards, such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, or any other form of stock compensation granted to Executive shall have not vested, such awards shall immediately become fully (100%) vested and exercisable and shall otherwise be paid in accordance with their terms.  In addition, the Company shall pay to Executive’s estate within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination:

(A)     An amount equal to the sum of: (1) Executive’s Base Salary on the day prior to the Date of Termination and (2) the sum of Executive’s Annual Incentive Award (as defined in Section 7(d)(i)(G) above) paid for each of the three (3) calendar years preceding the calendar year that includes the Date of Termination, divided by 3.

(B)    The Pro Rata Incentive Award.

(e)    Non-exclusivity of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which Executive may qualify, nor, shall anything herein limit or otherwise negatively affect such rights as Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company.  Amounts which are vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

(f)    Full Settlement.  The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Executive or others, except for any recoupment required pursuant to Section 4(b) of this Agreement and any withholding of taxes pursuant to Section 18(c) of this Agreement.  In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment.  

(g)    Section 280G Limitations.  

(i)    Payment Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement (or in any other agreement between Executive and the Company (which for this Section 7(g)(i) includes any successor)) to the contrary, to the extent that any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement or payments or benefits provided to, or for the benefit of, Executive under any other plan or agreement of (such payments or benefits are collectively referred to as the “Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), the 

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Payments shall be reduced if and to the extent that a reduction in the Payments would result in Executive retaining a larger amount, on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax), than Executive would have retained had Executive been entitled to receive all of the Payments (such reduced amount is hereinafter referred to as the “Limited Payment Amount”).  The Company shall reduce the Payments by first reducing or eliminating payments or benefits which are not payable in cash and then by reducing or eliminating cash payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid the furthest in time from the date the Determination (as defined herein) is delivered to the Company and Executive.  If no reduction applies under this Section 7(g)(i), then Executive shall be solely responsible for the payment of any excise taxes imposed upon Executive under Section 280G of the Code.

(ii)    Determination and Dispute.  The determination as to whether the Payments shall be reduced to the Limited Payment Amount and the amount of such Limited Payment Amount (the “Determination”) shall be made at the Company’s expense by an accounting firm selected by the Company and acceptable to Executive (the “Accounting Firm”).  The Accounting Firm shall provide the Determination in writing, together with detailed supporting calculations and documentations, to the Company and Executive on or prior to the Date of Termination of Executive’s employment if applicable, or at such other time as requested by the Company or by Executive.  If there is no Dispute (as defined below), the Determination of the Accounting Firm shall be binding, final and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.  Within ten (10) days of the delivery of the Determination to Executive, Executive shall have the right to dispute the Determination (the “Dispute”) in writing setting forth the precise basis of the Dispute.  Within five (5) days of the submission of a Dispute, the Company and Executive shall agree on the appointment of an independent accounting firm to review the Determination made by the Accounting Firm.  If the Company and Executive cannot agree on an independent accounting firm within such time frame, then the Company and Executive agree to use an independent accounting firm selected by the Accounting Firm to perform the review.  The selected accounting firm (the “Second Accounting Firm”) will review at the Company's expense the Determination and make a decision on how to resolve the Dispute (the “Second Determination”).  Such Second Determination shall be obtained as soon as possible following the Dispute but in all events within forty-five (45) days following submission of the Dispute.  The Second Determination of the Second Accounting Firm shall be binding, final and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.  

(h)    Successors.  

(i)    Section 7 of this Agreement is personal to Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Section 7 of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.

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(ii)    Section 7 of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

(iii)    The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  

8.    Code Section 409A Compliance.
(a)    The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (“Code Section 409A”) or comply with an exemption from the application of Code Section 409A and, accordingly, all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Code Section 409A. 
(b)    Neither Executive nor the Company shall take any action to accelerate or delay the payment of any monies and/or provision of any benefits in any matter which would not be in compliance with Code Section 409A.
(c)    A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the form or timing of payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement under which (and to the extent) deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A is paid, references to a “Date of Termination” or “termination of employment” or resignation or like references shall mean separation from service.  A separation from service shall not occur under Code Section 409A unless Executive has completely severed his employment or contractor relationship with the Company or Executive has permanently decreased his services (via his employment relationship or his consulting relationship) to twenty percent (20%) or less of the average level of bona fide services over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36)-month period (or the full period if the Employee has been providing services for less than thirty-six (36) months).  A leave of absence shall only trigger a termination of employment that constitutes a separation from service at the time required under Code Section 409A (which is typically after six (6) months although the specific rules and exceptions in Code Section 409A shall apply).  If Executive is deemed on the date of separation from service with the Company to be a “specified employee”, within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B) and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time-to-time, or if none, the default methodology, then with regard to any payment or benefit that is required to be delayed in compliance with Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six 

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(6)- month period measured from the date of Executive’s separation from service or (ii) the date of Executive’s death.  In the case of benefits required to be delayed under Code Section 409A, however, Executive may pay the cost of benefit coverage, and thereby obtain benefits, during such six (6) month delay period and then be reimbursed by the Company thereafter when delayed payments are made pursuant to the next sentence.  On the first day of the seventh month following the date of Executive’s separation from service or, if earlier, on the date of Executive’s death, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 8(c) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.  If any cash payment is delayed under this Section 8(c) of this Agreement, then interest shall be paid on the amount delayed calculated at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code from the date of Executive’s termination to the date of payment.
(d)    With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits subject to Code Section 409A, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, provided that the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Code Section 105(b) solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.  All reimbursements shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policies but in no event later than the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expense is incurred.
(e)    Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.
(f)    When, if ever, a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within ten (10) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.
(g)    The Company and Executive agree to cooperate in good faith to ensure compliance in form and operation with Code Section 409A to the extent Code Section 409A is applicable under this Agreement.  
9.    Restrictive Covenants.  The Company and Executive agree that Executive has had and will have a prominent role in the management of the business, and the development of the goodwill of the Company, and has had and will have access to and become familiar with or exposed to Confidential Information (as such term is defined below), in particular, trade secrets, proprietary information, and other valuable business 

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information of the Company pertaining to the Company’s business.  Executive agrees that Executive could cause harm to the Company if he solicited the Company’s employees, lenders, or business counterparties upon the cessation of Executive’s employment away from the Company, or misappropriated or divulged the Company’s Confidential Information; and that as such, the Company has legitimate business interests in protecting its goodwill and Confidential Information; and, as such, these legitimate business interests justify the following restrictive covenants:
(a)    Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Covenant.
(i)    Executive agrees that during the Employment Period and for a period of five (5) years following the cessation of his employment for any reason (or longer, consistent with Virginia law, if the Confidential Information qualifies as a trade secret under Virginia law), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (A) disclose any Confidential Information (as defined herein) to any Person (other than, only with respect to the period that Executive is employed by the Company, to an employee or outside advisor of the Company who requires such information to perform his or her duties for the Company or to a lender or business counterparty that requires such information to engage in a transaction with the Company), or (B) use any Confidential Information for Executive’s own benefit or the benefit of any third party. “Confidential Information” is the Company’s business information that is not known to the general public or to the investment industry, such as marketing plans, trade secrets, financial information and records, customized software, data repositories, operation methods, personnel information, drawings, designs, information regarding product development, and customer lists.  The foregoing obligation shall not apply to any Confidential Information that has been previously disclosed to the public by the Company or with its permission, is in the public domain (other than by reason of a breach of Executive’s obligations to hold such Confidential Information confidential), or is otherwise legitimately known by Executive prior to his employment with the Company.  In particular, and without limitation, Confidential Information shall not include any knowledge of Executive with respect to the general business of the Company including its investment in and management of fixed income and similar securities on a leveraged basis, and its organization as a real estate investment trust.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Executive from retaining papers and other materials of a personal nature, such as personal diaries, calendars and Rolodexes, information relating to his compensation or relating to reimbursement of expenses, and copies of plans, programs and agreements relating to his employment or benefits. If Executive is required or requested by a court or governmental agency to disclose Confidential Information, Executive must notify the Chief Operating Officer of the Company (or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, if Executive is the Chief Operating Officer of the Company) of such disclosure obligation or request no later than three (3) business days after Executive learns of such obligation or request, and permit the Company to take all lawful steps it deems appropriate to prevent or limit the required disclosure.
(ii)    Nothing in this Agreement restricts or prohibits 

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Executive or Executive’s counsel from initiating communications directly with, responding to any inquiry from, volunteering information to, or providing testimony before a self-regulatory authority or a governmental, law enforcement or other regulatory authority, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Congress, and any Office of Inspector General (collectively, the “Regulators”), from participating in any reporting of, investigation into, or proceeding regarding suspected violations of law, or from making other disclosures that are protected under or from receiving an award for information provided under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation.  Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to engage in such communications with the Regulators, respond to such inquiries from the Regulators, provide Confidential Information or documents containing Confidential Information to the Regulators, or make any such reports or disclosures to the Regulators.  Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has engaged in such communications with the Regulators.  Executive recognizes and agrees that, in connection with any such activity outlined above, Executive must inform the Regulators that the information Executive is providing is confidential.  
(iii)    Federal law provides certain protections to individuals who disclose a trade secret to their attorney, a court, or a government official in certain, confidential circumstances.  Specifically, federal law provides that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret under either of the following conditions:
		
	·
	Where the disclosure is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or

		
	·
	Where the disclosure is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  

Federal law also provides that an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.  
(b)    Non-Competition Covenant.  Executive agrees that during the Employment Period, Executive shall devote on a full-time business basis his skill, knowledge, commercial efforts and business time as the Board shall reasonably require to the conscientious and good faith performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company to the best of his ability.  Accordingly, during the Employment Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, be employed by, render services for, engage in business with or serve as an agent or consultant to any Person other than the Company.  However, Executive may serve on the board of directors of one or more non-profit or for-

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profit organizations, subject to the consent of the Board.  Attached as Exhibit B is a list of the boards of directors on which Executive currently serves, which have been approved by the Board.  Executive further agrees that during the Employment Period and for a period of ninety (90) days (subject to extension as provided below) following any cessation of his employment for any reason, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, render services within the "Restricted Territory" as an employee, owner, consultant or in any capacity that are the same as or substantially similar to the services provided by Executive for the Company during the twelve (12) months preceding the cessation of Executive’s employment, on behalf of any person or entity that engages in a business that is the same as or substantially similar to, and competitive with, the business of the Company at the time Executive’s employment ceases.  In the event Executive is paid severance benefits under Section 7(d) of this Agreement, the period of non-competition, as described in the preceding sentence, shall be extended so that the period applies for six (6) months following Executive’s cessation of employment.  Executive shall be permitted to hold a ten percent (10%) or less interest in the equity or debt securities of any publicly traded company.  The “Restricted Territory” shall mean the continental United States of America.  
(c)    Non-Solicitation of Employees.  During the Employment Period and for the twelve (12)-month period following the cessation of his employment for any reason, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, by himself or through any third party, whether on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other Person or entity, (i) solicit or induce or endeavor to solicit or induce, divert, employ or retain, (ii) interfere with the relationship of the Company with, or (iii) attempt to establish a business relationship of a nature that is competitive with the business of the Company with, any person that is or was (during the last thirty (30) days of Executive’s employment with the Company) an employee or independent contractor of the Company.
10.    Work Product.  Executive agrees that all of Executive’s work product (created solely or jointly with others, and including any intellectual property or moral rights in such work product), given, disclosed, created, developed or prepared in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company (“Work Product”) shall exclusively vest in and be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and shall constitute “work made for hire” (as that term is defined under Section 101 of the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101) with the Company being the person for whom the work was prepared.  In the event that any such Work Product is deemed not to be a “work made for hire” or does not vest by operation of law in the Company, Executive hereby irrevocably assigns, transfers and conveys to the Company, exclusively and perpetually, all right, title and interest which Executive may have or acquire in and to such Work Product throughout the world, including without limitation any copyrights and patents, and the right to secure registrations, renewals, reissues, and extensions thereof.  The Company or its designees shall have the exclusive right to make full and complete use of, and make changes to all Work Product without restrictions or liabilities of any kind, and Executive shall not have the right to use any such materials, other than within the legitimate scope and purpose of Executive’s employment with the Company.  Executive 

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shall promptly disclose to the Company the creation or existence of any Work Product and shall take whatever additional lawful action may be necessary, and sign whatever documents the Company may require, in order to secure and vest in the Company or its designee all right, title and interest in and to all Work Product and any intellectual property rights therein (including full cooperation in support of any Company applications for patents and copyright or trademark registrations). 
11.    Return of Company Property.  In the event of termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall return to the Company all of the property of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including without limitation all Company materials or documents containing Confidential Information, and including without limitation, all computers (including laptops), cell phones, keys, PDAs,  tablets, credit cards, facsimile machines, televisions, card access to any Company building, customer lists, computer disks, reports, files, e-mails, work papers, Work Product, documents, memoranda, records and software, computer access codes, passwords, or disks and instructional manuals, internal policies, and other similar materials or documents which Executive used, received or prepared, helped prepare or supervised the preparation of in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive agrees not to retain any copies, duplicates, reproductions or excerpts of such material or documents, other than the materials of a “personal nature” referenced in Section 9(a) of this Agreement.
12.    Compliance With Company Policies.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be governed by and be subject to, and Executive hereby agrees to comply with, all Company policies, procedures, codes, rules and regulations applicable to all employees and to executive officers of the Company, as they may be amended from time-to-time in the Company’s sole discretion (collectively, the “Policies”). 
13.    Injunctive Relief with Respect to Covenants: Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in the event of any material breach by Executive of any section of this Agreement, remedies at law may be inadequate to protect the Company, and, without prejudice to any other legal or equitable rights and remedies otherwise available to the Company, Executive agrees to the granting of injunctive relief in the Company’s favor in connection with any such breach or violation without proof of irreparable harm.   
14.    Assumption of Agreement.  The Company shall require any successor thereto, by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement and shall entitle Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason and receive payment as provided under Section 7(d)(i) or (ii) of this Agreement, whichever is applicable on the Date of Termination.  

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15.    Indemnification and Insurance.  The Company agrees both during and after the Employment Period to indemnify Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the law and its Articles of Incorporation (including payment of expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding) against actions or inactions of Executive during the Employment Period as an officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or as a fiduciary of any benefit plan of any of the foregoing. The Company also agrees to provide Executive with Directors and Officers insurance coverage both during and, with regard to matters occurring during the Employment Period, after the Employment Period.  Such coverage after the Employment Period shall be at a level at least equal to the level being maintained at such time for the then current officers and directors or, if then being maintained at a higher level with regard to any prior period activities for officers or directors during such prior period, such higher amount with regard to Executive’s activities during such prior period.
16.    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.  All prior correspondence and proposals (including but not limited to summaries of proposed terms) and all prior promises, representations, understandings, arrangements and agreements relating to such subject matter (including but not limited to those made to or with Executive by any other person and those contained in any prior employment, consulting, severance, or similar agreement entered into by Executive and the Company or any predecessor thereto or subsidiary or affiliate thereof) are merged herein and superseded hereby.
17.    Termination of this Agreement and Survival of Certain Provisions.  Subject to earlier termination by written agreement of the parties hereto or expiration pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate effective upon termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive for any reason; provided, however, that Sections 4(b), 6(c), 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18, as applicable, of this Agreement shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company and any expiration or termination of this Agreement.  
18.    Miscellaneous.
(a)    Binding Effect: Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.  This Agreement shall also be binding on and inure to the benefit of Executive and his heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.  This Agreement shall be assignable by the Company to a successor by merger or otherwise, but not by Executive. 
(b)    Choice of Law and Forum.  This Agreement shall be interpreted, enforced, construed, and governed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard for any conflict of law principles.  The Company and Executive hereby consent irrevocably to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in connection with any claim or controversy arising out of this Agreement or Executive’s employment, in the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia located in Henrico County, Virginia, and in the 

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federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, to be chosen at the option of the Company, and Executive waives any objections thereto.
(c)    Taxes.  The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law.
(d)    Amendments.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is approved in writing by the Board or a person authorized thereby and is agreed to in writing by Executive.  No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be implied from any course of dealing between or among the parties hereto or from any failure by any party hereto to assert its rights hereunder on any occasion or series of occasions.
(e)    Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.  In the event that one or more terms or provisions of this Agreement are deemed invalid or unenforceable by the laws of Virginia or any other state or jurisdiction in which it is to be enforced, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to duration or geographic scope of activities restricted, or for any other reason, the provision in question shall be immediately amended or reformed to the extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable by the court of such jurisdiction charged with interpreting and/or enforcing such provision.  Executive agrees and acknowledges that the provision in question, as so amended or reformed, shall be valid and enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable portion had never been included herein.
(f)    Notices.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be delivered under this Agreement shall be (i) in writing, (ii) delivered personally, by courier service, by certified or registered mail, first-class postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by electronic mail with receipt verification, (iii) deemed to have been received on the date of delivery or, if mailed, on the third business day after the mailing thereof, and (iv) addressed as follows (or to such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in accordance with the terms hereof):  
(A)    If to the Company, to it at:
Chief Executive Officer
Dynex Capital, Inc.
4991 Lake Brook Drive, Suite 100
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
byron.boston@dynexcapital.com 

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(B)    If to Executive, to his residential address as currently on file with the Company or the Company's email address for Executive unless Executive has provided an alternative email address for notification purposes.
(g)    Voluntary Agreement: No Conflicts.  Executive represents that he is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that Executive’s employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not conflict with or result in the breach by Executive of any agreement to which he is a party or by which he or his properties or assets may be bound.
(h)    No Construction Against Any Party. This Agreement is the product of informed negotiations between Executive and the Company.  If any part of this Agreement is deemed to be unclear or ambiguous, it shall be construed as if it were drafted jointly by all parties.  Executive and the Company agree that neither party was in a superior bargaining position regarding the substantive terms of this Agreement.
(i)    Counterparts/Facsimile.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(j)    Headings.  The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties only and are not intended to be a part hereof or to affect the meaning or interpretation hereof.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

24

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed this Agreement by its authorized representative, and Executive has hereunto set his hand, in each case effective as of the date first above written.
DYNEX CAPITAL, INC.

By: /s/ Robert A. Salcetti

Its: Compensation Committee     Chairperson     

STEPHEN J. BENEDETTI:

/s/ Stephen J. Benedetti
                        
SIGNATURE

25

Exhibit A

RELEASE
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Stephen J. Benedetti (“Executive”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits, and forever discharges Dynex Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “Dynex”) and each of their agents, directors, members, affiliated entities, officers, employees, former employees, attorneys, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of them (collectively “Releasees”), from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, grievances, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, policies, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, including, but not limited to, any rights arising out of alleged violations or breaches of any contracts, express or implied, or any tort, or any legal restrictions on Dynex’s right to terminate employees, or any federal, state or other governmental statute, regulation, law or ordinance, including without limitation (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (2) the Americans with Disabilities Act; (3) 42 U.S.C. § 1981; (4) the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age discrimination); (5) the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; (6) the Equal Pay Act; (7) the Family and Medical Leave Act; and (8) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) (“Claim” or “Claims”), which Executive now has, owns or holds, or claims to have, own or hold, or which Executive at any time heretofore had owned or held, or claimed to have owned or held, against each or any of the Releasees at any time up to and including the date of the execution of this Release; provided, however, that this Release does not release the Releasees from any obligation to pay “Accrued Obligations” (as defined in Section 7(d)(i)(A) of the employment agreement entered into as of March 3, 2017 by and between the Company and Executive (the “Employment Agreement”), any Termination Obligations under Section 7(d) of the Employment Agreement that the Company has acknowledged in a separate writing shall be paid in exchange for this Release, any accrued, vested benefits under the Company’s benefit plans that Executive has earned prior to the date hereof, the provisions under Sections 6(c) and 15 of the Employment Agreement, or any rights to indemnification or defense under the Company’s charter, bylaws or directors and officers insurance.
Nothing in this Release shall restrict or prohibit Executive or Executive’s counsel from filing a charge or complaint with, initiating communications directly with, responding to any inquiry from, volunteering information to, or providing testimony before a self-regulatory authority or a governmental, law enforcement or other regulatory authority, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Congress, and any Office of Inspector General (collectively, the “Regulators”), from 

participating in any reporting of, investigation into, or proceeding regarding suspected violations of law, or from making other disclosures that are protected under or from receiving an award for information provided under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation.  Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to engage in such communications with the Regulators, respond to such inquiries from the Regulators, provide Confidential Information (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or documents containing Confidential Information to the Regulators, or make any such reports or disclosures to the Regulators.  Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has engaged in such communications with the Regulators.  Executive recognizes and agrees that, in connection with any such activity outlined above, Executive must inform the Regulators that the information Executive is providing is confidential.  To the extent, that any such charge or complaint is made against the Releasees, Executive expressly waives any claim or right to any form of monetary relief or other damages, or any form of individual recovery or relief in connection with any such charge or complaint, except that Executive does not waive his right with respect to an award for information provided under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation.  
Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the execution of this Release and the cessation of Executive’s employment and all actions taken in connection therewith are in compliance with the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act and that the releases set forth above shall be applicable, without limitation, to any claims brought under these Acts.  Executive further acknowledges and agrees that:  
a.    The Release given by Executive is given solely in exchange for the severance payments set forth in the Employment Agreement between Dynex and Executive to which this Release was initially attached and such consideration is in addition to anything of value which Executive was entitled to receive prior to entering into this Release;  
b.    By entering into this Release, Executive does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this Release is executed; 
c.    Executive has been advised to consult an attorney prior to entering into this Release, and this provision of the Release satisfies the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act that Executive be so advised in writing;
d.    Executive has been offered twenty-one (21) days [or forty-five (45) days in the event of a group termination] from receipt of this Release within which to consider whether to sign this Release; and
e.    For a period of seven (7) days following Executive’s execution of this Release, Executive may revoke this Release by delivering the revocation to an authorized officer of Dynex, and it shall not become effective or enforceable until such seven (7) day period has expired.  

This release shall be binding upon the heirs and personal representatives of Executive and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of Dynex.  

                                                                                                
Date:                                  STEPHEN J. BENEDETTI 

Exhibit B

Current Boards of Directors

Bon Secours Richmond

Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Little Sisters of the Poor

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