Document:

ex_116016.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into, effective as of the 1st day of February, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Jeffrey Brown (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”), and US Alliance Corporation, a Kansas corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Employer”).

 

WHEREAS, the Employer is a financial services holding company with its headquarters in Topeka, Kansas;

 

WHEREAS, US Alliance Life and Security Company, a Kansas corporation and the wholly owned subsidiary of the Employer (“USALSC”) is a life insurance company engaged in providing quality products and services, with its headquarters in Topeka, Kansas;

 

WHEREAS, Dakota Capital Life Insurance Company, a North Dakota corporation and the wholly owned subsidiary of USALSC (“DCL”) is a life insurance company engaged in providing quality products and services;

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has experience as an executive of financial services holding companies and life insurance companies;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer desires to employ the Executive and to appoint the Executive to USALSC as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of USALSC on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer desires to employ the Executive and to appoint the Executive to DCL as the President and Chief Operating Officer of DCL on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept employment with the Employer as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of USALSC and as the President of DCL on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

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W I T N E S S E T H

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, in consideration of their respective promises and undertakings as herein set forth, agree as follows:

 

1.             Employment.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Employer hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts employment with the Employer to act on the Employer’s behalf, as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of USALSC and President of DCL.

 

2.             Duties.  In exchange for the compensation and benefits granted under this Agreement, Executive shall, to the best of his ability, faithfully and diligently render full-time services to Employer in the position of , respectively, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President. Executive shall perform all duties that are consistent with these positions, all duties and responsibilities specified in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Employer, USALSC and DCL, as the same may be amended from time to time, and such other duties and responsibilities as may be specified by the Boards of Directors of the Employer, USALSC and DCL and the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer.  The Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer for the performance of his duties and shall devote substantially all of his working time, attention, skill and reasonable best efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder in a manner that will faithfully and diligently further the business and interests of the Employer (and their subsidiaries and affiliates).

 

3.             Compensation for Services.  In consideration for the services rendered to the Employer, the Executive shall be compensated as follows:

 

A.            Base Salary.  The Executive shall be compensated at the rate of $150,000 per year (“Base Salary”).  The Executive’s Base Salary, subject to applicable withholding and authorized deductions, shall be paid in equal installments, in accordance with the usual and customary payroll practices of the Employer.   In the event of the resignation, dismissal, disability or death of the Employer’s current President and CEO (Jack H. Brier), the Executive’s Base Salary will increase to the prior year’s W-2 earnings of the Executive.

 

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B.            Bonus.  The Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer may, in its discretion, grant performance bonuses to the Executive, in addition to the compensation described herein, based on performance relating to events such as, but not limited to, acquisitions, establishment of subsidiaries or affiliates, expansion of the Employer, or corporate revenues or profits. A schedule of bonus opportunities shall be provided to the Executive by February 1st each calendar year.

 

C.            Benefits.  During the term of this Agreement, subject to the final paragraph of this Section 3.C, the Executive shall receive the following benefits (together, the “Other Benefits”):

 

(i)            The Executive will be entitled to participate in all incentive, retirement, profit-sharing, life, medical, disability and other benefit plans and programs as are from time to time generally available to other executives of the Company with comparable responsibilities, subject to the provisions of those programs.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will provide the Employee with basic health and medical benefits on the terms that such benefits are provided to other team members of the Employer with comparable responsibilities. 

 

(ii)          The Employer will reimburse Executive $100 per month for a cell phone and related service for business purposes and shall provide reasonable items the Executive deems necessary in the performance of his duties.

 

(iii)           The Executive shall be eligible to participate in all leave policies and “fringe” benefit programs, including, but not limited to, sick leave, personal leave, insurance programs and pension and/or profit sharing plans, as and to the extent the same are from time to time made available to employees of the Employer.

 

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(iv)      The Employer shall pay the Executive’s annual Society of Actuaries and American Academy of Actuaries dues.

 

(v)       The Employer shall pay for the Executive to attend two professional development conferences each calendar year. Employer shall pay for the cost of the conference, transportation, lodging, and meals for the Executive and Executive’s spouse.      

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, however, the Executive’s eligibility, participation and benefit entitlement for each of the foregoing policies, plans, programs or benefits shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of each such policy, plan or program and any third party contracts, agreements or policies of insurance which may be applicable thereto; and the Employer expressly reserves the right, either with or without notice, to terminate, curtail or otherwise modify, change, amend or modify any such policy, plan or program in whole or in part on a prospective basis at any time.

 

D.            Continuation of Salary During Illness.  If the Executive shall become ill or temporarily disabled and shall be absent from work by reason thereof, the Employer shall continue the Executive’s salary during said period of illness or disability as may be necessary to permit the Executive to qualify for any disability income insurance maintained by the Executive.

 

E.             Annual Physical.  On or prior to August 1 of each year, at the Employer’s expense, the Executive shall obtain a physical examination. The scope of such physical examination shall be of a type and nature similar to medical examinations required of key executives in similar businesses from time to time, and shall be determined in the reasonable discretion of the Employer.

 

4.             Expense Reimbursement.  The Employer agrees to reimburse the Executive, in accordance with the Employer’s usual and customary practices, for all ordinary and necessary business expenses which are reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Executive in the course of performing his duties on the Employer’s behalf under this Agreement.

 

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5.             Term.  Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 5, the term of this Agreement shall be a period of three (3) years, commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until January 31, 2021 (the “Termination Date”).  Prior to each anniversary of the Effective Date, or within 30 days thereafter, the Employer’s Board of Directors shall consider and vote upon a proposal to renew and extend the term of this Agreement.  Such consideration and vote shall occur at a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present.  If a majority of the members of the Board of Directors present at such meeting votes in favor of renewal, and if the Executive does not object to such renewal, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for a period of one (1) year and the Termination Date likewise shall be deferred by one (1) year.  Thus, by way of example:

 

(i)            If the Board of Directors approves a renewal pursuant to this Section 5 prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date or within 30 days thereafter, and if the Executive does not object, the term of this Agreement shall run through January 31, 2022, and January 31, 2022 shall become the Termination Date.

 

(ii)           If the Board of Directors does not approve a renewal pursuant to this Section 5 prior to the Effective Date or within 30 days thereafter, or if the Executive objects to the renewal, the term of this Agreement shall continue to run through January 31, 2021, and January 31, 2021 shall remain the Termination Date.

 

(iii)          If, after approving the first renewal as provided in subsection (i) above, the Board of Directors approves a second renewal pursuant to this Section 5 prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date or within 30 days thereafter, and if the Executive does not object, the term of this Agreement shall run through January 31, 2023, and January 31, 2023 shall become the Termination Date.

 

(iv)          If, after approving the first renewal as provided in subsection (i) above, the Board of Directors does not approve a second renewal pursuant to this Section 5 prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date or within 30 days thereafter, or the Executive objects to the second renewal, the term of this Agreement shall continue run through January 31, 2022, and January 31, 2022 shall remain the Termination Date.

 

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Additional renewals of this Agreement shall continue to be considered and voted upon by the Employer’s Board of Directors in a like manner and with a like effect in subsequent years on an annual basis in accordance with this Section 5.  The period between the Effective Date and the Termination Date, as determined and extended pursuant to this Section 5, is hereinafter referred to as the “Term” of this Agreement.

 

6.             Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated as follows:

 

A.            Expiration of the Term.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon expiration of the Term of this Agreement or may be extended pursuant to Section 5.

 

B.            Death.  This Agreement shall immediately terminate upon the event of the Executive’s death.

 

C.            Disability.  Subject to Section 3.D, this Agreement shall immediately terminate in the event the Executive is Permanently Disabled, has exhausted all available leave, and is unable to return to work and perform the essential functions of his employment. “Permanently Disabled” shall mean a physical or mental impairment rendering the Executive substantially unable to carry out his then currently assigned day-to-day functions as an employee of the Employer for any period of six (6) consecutive months.  Any dispute as to whether the Executive is Permanently Disabled, and the date on which such incapacity commenced shall be resolved by the Board of Directors with the assistance of a physician selected by the Employer.  The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final and binding upon the Executive and the Employer.  If the Executive does not cooperate in providing the Board of Directors access to needed information upon which a determination can be made, then the Board of Directors shall have no continued obligation to consult with a physician and will have authority to determine incapacity on its own.

 

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D.            Involuntary Termination for Good Cause.  The Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time during the Term of this Agreement for Good Cause.  “Good Cause” shall be deemed to exist if, and only if:

 

(i)            Executive willfully engages in an act or omission constituting dishonesty, breach of fiduciary duty or intentional wrongdoing or malfeasance, including without limitation knowing falsification of the financial books or records of the Employer (or its subsidiaries or affiliates), embezzlement of funds from the Employer (or its subsidiaries or affiliates) or other similar fraud; provided, however, that a breach of fiduciary duty shall not be deemed to occur or exist as a result of any business decision made by Executive that is protected by the “business judgment rule” as adopted by courts applying the General Corporation Law of the State of Kansas;

 

(ii)           Executive is indicted for, is charged by information for, is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or harassment;

 

(iii)          Executive is indicted for, is charged by information for, is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or other crime which has or may have a material adverse effect on Executive’s ability to carry out his duties under this Agreement or reflect adversely on the reputation, interests, or activities of the Employer (or its subsidiaries or affiliates) or its policyholders;

 

(iv)          Executive habitually abuses alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances or non-prescribed prescription medicine;

 

(v)           Executive materially breaches the terms of any agreement between Executive and the Employer (or its subsidiaries or affiliates) relating to Executive’s employment, or materially fails to satisfy the conditions and requirements of Executive’s employment with the Employer (or its subsidiaries or affiliates), and such breach or failure remains uncured for more than 60 days following receipt by Executive of written notice from the Employer specifying the nature of the breach or failure and demanding cure thereof; or

 

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(vi)          Executive engages in acts or omissions constituting gross negligence by Executive in the performance (or non-performance) of his duties hereunder.

 

7.             Effect of Termination.  In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 6.A, 6.B, 6.C or 6.D above, the Executive shall only be entitled to receive that portion of his Base Salary which has been earned up to the date of such termination, in addition to Other Benefits through the date of such termination and the reimbursement of any expenses as provided in Section 4.  In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated by the employer for a reason other than those provided in Section 6.A, 6.B., 6.C. or 6.D, the Executive shall be entitled to the amounts set forth in Section 9 below.

 

8.             Resignation or Retirement; Effect.  If the Executive resigns without Good Reason (as defined below) or retires during the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall only receive his Base Salary and Other Benefits through the effective date of his resignation or retirement. If the Executive resigns with Good Reason, he shall be entitled to the amounts set forth in Section 9 below.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

(i)            the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement, or any other action by the Employer, USALSC or DCL which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, including a change in the reporting relationship of Executive to the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer which has that effect, but excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Employer, USALSC or DCL promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

 

(ii)           any failure by the Employer to comply with any of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

 

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(iii)          the Employer requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other than Topeka, Kansas without the Executive’s consent;

 

(iv)          any purported termination by the Employer of the Executive’s employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement;

 

(v)           any failure by the Employer’s Board of Directors to consider and vote upon a proposal to renew and extend the Term of this Agreement on an annual basis in accordance with Section 5; provided, however, that the failure of the Board of Directors to vote in favor of renewal and extension shall not constitute Good Reason as long as the renewal and extension were considered, and a vote taken;

 

(vi)          resignation by the Executive for any reason within three (3) months after a Change in Control.  As used herein, “Change in Control” means:

 

(a)           the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)), other than an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any of its affiliates, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the then outstanding voting securities of the Employer or USALSC entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or of equity securities having a value equal to more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total value of all shares of stock of the Employer or USALSC;

 

(b)           individuals who as of the effective date of this Agreement constitute the Board of Directors and subsequently elected members of the Board of Directors of the Employer whose election is approved or recommended by at least a majority of such current members or their successors whose election was so approved or recommended, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Employer; or

 

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(c)            approval by the shareholders of the Employer of (1) a merger, reorganization or consolidation with respect to which the individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the voting securities of the Employer immediately before such merger, reorganization or consolidation do not, after such merger, reorganization or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of respectively, the then outstanding common shares or other voting securities and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors of the corporation or limited liability company resulting from such merger, reorganization or consolidation, (2) a liquidation or dissolution of the Employer or (3) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of USALSC by the Employer.

 

(vii)      resignation by the Executive after three (3) months, but before six (6) months, after a Change in Leadership if the reason for the resignation is that irreconcilable differences exist between the Executive and the new leadership.  As used herein, “Change in Leadership” means that a person other the Executive is appointed to replace Jack H. Brier as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Employer to whom the Executive reports after the Change in Leadership.

 

(viii)         the Employer, USALSC or DCL materially breaches the terms of any agreement between the Executive and the Employer, USALSC or DCL relating to the Executive’s employment, or materially fails to satisfy the conditions and requirements of this Agreement, and such breach or failure by its nature is incapable of being cured, or such breach or failure remains uncured for more than 30 days following receipt by the Employer of written notice from  the Executive specifying the nature of the breach or failure and demanding the cure thereof.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event the Executive shall resign and terminate his employment for Good Reason hereunder, the Executive shall give written notice to the Employer specifying in detail the reason or reasons for the Executive’s termination.

 

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9.             Severance; Liquidated Damages.  If the Employer terminates the Executive’s employment under this Agreement during the Term for a reason other than those provided in Sections 6.A, 6.B, 6.C and 6.D, or if the Executive resigns and terminates this Agreement for Good Reason as provided in Section 8, the Employer shall pay to the Executive that portion of his Base Salary which has been earned up to the date of such termination, in addition to Other Benefits through the date of such termination and the reimbursement of any expenses as provided in Section 4.  In addition, in any such event, the Employer shall (i) pay to the Executive within 30 days following the date of such termination an amount equal to the Executive’s highest full year W-2 earnings from the previous three years (the “Liquidated Damages Amount”) and (ii) continue to provide the Executive with the Other Benefits for a period of twelve (12) months. The Employer and the Executive agree that the Executive shall have no duty to mitigate his losses or obtain other employment.  If the Executive obtains other employment, it shall not affect his right to payment under this Section. The parties have bargained for and agreed to the foregoing severance and liquidated damages provision, given consideration to the fact that the Executive will lose certain benefits related to his position, which are extremely difficult to determine with certainty.  The parties agree that payment of the severance liquidated damages provided in this Section to the Executive shall constitute adequate and reasonable compensation to the Executive for the damages and injury suffered by him because of such termination of this Agreement by the Employer for a reason other than those provided in Sections 6.A, 6.B, 6.C and 6.D or by the Executive with Good Reason.

  

10.     Arbitration (a) Any disputes arising under or in connection with this agreement shall be resolved by arbitration, to be held in Topeka, Kansas in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association and the State of Kansas. (b) All costs, fees and expenses, including attorney’s fees of both Employee and Employer, of any arbitration in connection with this agreement which results in any decision or settlement requiring Employer to make a payment to Executive, shall be borne by, and be the obligation of, Employer. In no event shall Executive be required to reimburse Employer for any of the costs and expenses incurred by Employer relating to such arbitration. The obligation of Employer under this section shall survive the termination of this agreement (whether such termination is by Employer, by Executive, upon the expiration of this agreement or otherwise). (c) Pending the outcome or resolution of any arbitration, Employer shall continue payment of all amounts owing to Executive without regard to any dispute.

 

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11.           Confidentiality/Nondisclosure.  The Executive agrees that all information relating to the Employer and its business, financial and/or professional affairs which is obtained by the Executive in the course of his employment has substantial value and shall at all times be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Employer.  Executive further agrees during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, to maintain and keep all Confidential Information, as hereinafter defined, strictly confidential and to not disclose the same in any form to any person, firm or entity, or use the same for any purpose whatsoever except as may be necessary and appropriate in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, or to the extent such disclosures are required by law.  For the purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall include, but not be limited to, all nonpublic information pertaining to or in any way connected with the Employer’s present or future products or services or any component parts thereof, the Employer’s designs, routines, standards, and procedures, all research, development, discoveries, improvements, applications, enhancements, and inventions, whether or not patentable or subject to copyright protection, undertaken or made in connection therewith; all information relating to the Employer’s customers, clients and accounts, and contractees, and all information related to executives, executive relations, personnel or pay practices, marketing plans, business plans, business or marketing research; and all information relating to the Employer’s financial and/or other business affairs; and all files, documents, contracts, materials, listings, computer programs, printouts, source codes, drawings, specifications, processes, applications, techniques, routines, formulas and information of every name, nature or description, whether or not the same is in machine readable form or reduced to writing, which pertains thereto.

 

All records, files, lists, including computer generated lists, drawings, documents, equipment and similar items relating to the Employer’s business which Executive shall prepare or receive from the Employer shall remain the Employer’s sole and exclusive property. Upon termination of this agreement, Executive shall promptly return to the Employer all property of the Employer in his possession. Executive shall not copy or cause to be copied, print out or cause to be printed out any software, documents or other materials originating with or belonging to the Employer. Executive additionally represents that, upon termination of his employment with Employer, he will not retain in his possession any such software, computers, passwords, documents or other materials.

 

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         Executive agrees that both during and after his employment he shall, at the request of the Employer, render all assistance and perform all lawful acts that the Employer considers necessary or advisable in connection with any litigation involving the Employer or any director, officer, employee, shareholder, agent, representative, consultant, client or vendor of the Employer.

 

12.           Noncompete Covenant.  Executive agrees that for a period of one year following the termination of this Agreement he will not (1) solicit any shareholder, policyholder, or employee of Employer, to become a shareholder or policyholder of any competitor or anticipated competitor of the Employer; or (2) solicit any employee, agent, or independent contractor of Employer to become an employee, agent or independent contractor of any competitor or anticipated competitor of the Employer.

 Executive agrees to deliver promptly to Employer on termination of the Executive's employment by the Employer or the Executive, or at any time Employer may so request, all memoranda, notes, records, reports, and other documents (and all copies thereof) relating to Employer's and its affiliates' businesses which the Executive may then possess or have under his control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may retain his contacts, calendar, personal correspondence and any compensation information or other information necessary for tax return purposes.

 

13.           Remedies in the Event of Breach; Specific Performance.  The parties acknowledge that the Employer’s remedies at law for breach of the covenants contained in Sections 11 and 12 hereof by the Executive are inadequate, that irreparable harm is likely to result in the event of a breach of such covenants and that monetary damage alone will not compensate for such damage. Therefore, the Executive waives any and all defenses that an adequate remedy at law exists in the event of any action by the Employer to enforce any one or more of the covenants set forth in Sections 11 and 12 hereof, and the Executive agrees that the Employer shall be entitled to injunctive relief, as well as such other relief as may be available at law or in equity, including, but not limited to, specific performance and/or damages to the extent the same can be quantified and proven.

 

14.           Severability.  Invalidity of any provision of this Agreement including, but not by way of limitation, any provision of Sections 8, 10, 11, or 12 hereof shall not render invalid any of the other provisions of this Agreement (including, but not by way of limitation, any of the other provisions of said sections and/or of said specifically enumerated subsections).

 

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15.           Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

A.            Successor and Assigns.  This Agreement is personal in nature and the Executive may not assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the express written consent of the Employer.  The rights, benefits, and obligations of the Employer under this Agreement and all covenants and agreements pertaining thereto hereunder shall be assignable by the Employer and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by or against its successors and assigns, provided the Employer shall remain liable to the Executive for the performance of all obligations to be performed by it hereunder.

 

B.            Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements or understandings and all negotiations, discussions, arrangements, and understandings with respect thereto.

 

C.            Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, personal representatives, administrators, trustees, successors, and permitted assigns.

 

D.            Amendment or Modification.  No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto.

 

E.             Kansas law.  Employer and Executive agree that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Kansas.

 

F.             Interpretations.  Any uncertainty or ambiguity existing herein shall not be interpreted against either party because such party prepared any portion of this Agreement, but shall be interpreted according to the application of rules of interpretation of contracts generally.  The headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and reference only and are not intended to be an integral part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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G.            Notices.  Any notice required to be given in writing by any party to this Agreement may be delivered personally or by certified mail.  Any such notice directed to the Employer shall be addressed to the Employer at PO Box 4026, Topeka, KS 66604, Attention: Chairman, Board of Directors; or to such other address as the Employer may from time to time designate in writing to the Executive.  Any notice addressed to the Executive shall be addressed to his personal residence at 3720 SW Cobblestone Pl, Topeka, KS 66610 or to such other address as the Executive may from time to time designate in writing to the Employer.

 

H.            Survival.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder which by their terms contemplate or require performance or obligations which extend beyond or occur after the termination of this Agreement, specifically including, but not limited to, the payments to the Executive provided for in Sections 7 and 9, the indemnification of Executive provided in Section 10, the use of Confidential Information set forth in Section 11, and the Noncompete Covenant set forth in Section 12 shall survive

termination of this Agreement and shall be and remain fully enforceable as between the parties in accordance with their terms.

 

I.              Voluntary Execution.  Each of the Executive and the Employer is signing this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily.  The Executive and the Employer have been given the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of their choice regarding their rights under this Agreement. 

 

J.             Signatures.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, both of which shall be one and the same Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer and the Executive have caused this Agreement to be signed, effective as of the date and year first above written, fully intending the same to be binding upon themselves and their respective heirs, personal representatives, trustees, successors, receivers and assigns.

 

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			US Alliance Corporation

			
	
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

			
	
			Date: June 4, 2018

				
			By:

				/s/ Jack H. Brier
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Jack H. Brier, Chairman

			
	
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			EXECUTIVE

			
	
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

			
	
			Date: June 4, 2018

				
			By:

				/s/ Jeffrey Brown
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Jeffrey Brown

			

 

 

16Exhibit

Exhibit 10.11

American Superconductor Corporation
Employee Nondisclosure and Developments Agreement

IN CONSIDERATION of my employment or the continuance of my employment by American Superconductor Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), and for other valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, I, _________________________ residing at _________________________________________________________________, agree as follows:

1.    Proprietary Information

		
	a.
	I agree that all information and know‐how, whether or not in writing, of a private, secret or confidential nature concerning the Company's business, technical and financial affairs (collectively, "Proprietary Information") is and shall be the exclusive property of the Company. By way of illustration, but not limitation, Proprietary Information may include inventions, trade secrets, products, processes, designs, know-how, systems, methods, techniques, formulas, compositions, compounds, projects, developments, proposals, plans, research data, clinical data, financial data, personnel data, computer programs, and customer and supplier lists. I will not disclose any Proprietary Information to others outside the Company or use the same for any unauthorized purposes without prior written approval by an officer of the Company, either during or after my employment, unless and until such Proprietary Information has become public knowledge without fault by me.  I will, at all times both during and after my employment with Company, take appropriate steps to protect and maintain Proprietary Information.

		
	b.
	I agree that all files, notes, letters, memoranda, lists, reports, records, data, sketches, drawings, specifications, software programs, laboratory notebooks, program listings, or other written, photographic, or other tangible material containing Proprietary Information, whether created by me or others, which shall come into my custody or possession, shall be and are the exclusive property of the Company to be used by me only in the performance of my duties for the Company. All such records or copies thereof and all tangible property of the Company in my custody or possession shall be delivered to the Company, upon the earlier of (i) a request by the Company, or (ii) termination of my employment. After such delivery, I shall not retain any such records or copies thereof or any such tangible property.

		
	c.
	I agree that my obligation not to disclose or to use information, know‐how and records of the types set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, and my obligation to return records and tangible property, set forth in paragraph (b) above, also extends to such types of information know‐how, records and tangible property of customers of the Company or suppliers to the Company or other third parties who may have disclosed or entrusted the same to the Company or to me in the course of the Company's business.

2.    Developments

		
	a.
	If, during my employment, I (either alone or with others) have made or shall make, conceive, discover or reduce to practice any invention, discovery, design, development, improvement, process, software program, or work of authorship, whether patentable or not (all of which are called "Developments"), that (a) relates to the business of the Company or any of the products or services being developed, manufactured or sold by the Company, (b) results from tasks assigned me by the Company or (c) uses or results from the use of premises, Proprietary Information or personal property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted for by the Company, such Developments and the benefits thereof shall immediately become the sole and absolute property of the Company. I agree to promptly and fully disclose to the Company each such Development. 

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	b. 
	I agree to assign and do hereby assign to the Company (or any person or entity designated by the Company) all my right, title and interest in and to all Developments and all related patents, patent applications, copyrights and copyright applications.  I understand that, to the extent this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of any state which precludes a requirement in an employment agreement to assign certain classes in inventions made by an employee, this paragraph 2(b) shall be interpreted not to apply to any invention which a court rules and/or the Company agrees falls within such classes.

		
	c.
	I agree to cooperate fully with the Company, both during and after my employment with the Company, with respect to the procurement, maintenance and enforcement of copyrights and patents (both in the United States and foreign countries) relating to Developments.  I shall take such acts and shall sign all papers, including, without limitation, copyright applications, patent applications, declarations, oaths, formal assignments, assignments of priority rights, and powers of attorney, which the Company may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Development.  I will also, at the request and cost of the Company, sign and execute such papers and documents, including powers of attorney, and take such acts as the Company and its duly authorized agents may reasonably require to defend any opposition proceedings in respect of such applications and any opposition proceedings or petitions or applications for revocation of such letters patent, copyrights or other analogous protection.

		
	d.
	I have disclosed in writing to the Company all Developments which I have made or conceived prior to my employment with the Company and I understand that these Developments are excluded from this Agreement.

3.    Other Agreements

I hereby represent that, except as I have disclosed in writing to the Company, I am not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of my employment with the Company or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other party. I further represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment with the Company, and I will not disclose to the Company or induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or others. I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in conflict with this representation.

4.    United States Government and Other Obligations

I acknowledge that the Company from time to time may have agreements with other persons or organizations, or with the United States Government, or agencies thereof, which impose obligations or restrictions on the Company regarding inventions made during the course of work under such agreements or regarding the confidential nature of such work. I agree to be bound by all such obligations and restrictions which are made known to me and to take all action necessary to discharge the obligations of the Company under such agreements.

5.    No Employment Contract

I understand that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment and does not create an obligation of the Company or any other person or entity to continue my employment for any period of time.

6.    General

		
	a.
	The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

2

		
	b.
	This Agreement supersedes all prior Agreements, written or oral, between me and the Company relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified, changed or discharged in whole or in part, except by an agreement in writing signed by me and the Company. I agree that any change or changes in my duties, salary or compensation after the signing of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.

		
	c.
	My obligations under this Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment regardless of the manner of such termination and shall be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives and will inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.

		
	d.
	The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its successors and assigns, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by said successors or assigns.

		
	e.
	No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion is effective only in that instance and will not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.

		
	f.
	I expressly consent to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement for the benefit of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof to whose employ I may be transferred without the necessity that this Agreement be re‐signed at the time of such transfer.

		
	g.
	This Agreement is governed by and will be construed as a sealed instrument under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

		
	h.
	Upon termination of my employment by Company, I will review and reexecute this Agreement (as provided below), thereby acknowledging my continued responsibilities and obligations to the Company following such termination.

I HAVE READ ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND I UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO, EACH OF SUCH PROVISIONS.

_________________________________        _______________________________________
Witness Name                    Employee Name                

_________________________________        _______________________________________
Witness Signature                Employee Signature            (Date)

MY EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY IS BEING TERMINATED.  I HAVE REVIEWED THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT ON EVEN DATE HEREWITH AND I UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO, THE CONTINUED OBLIGATIONS OF SUCH PROVISIONS.

_________________________________        _______________________________________
Witness Name                    Employee Name                

_________________________________        _______________________________________
Witness Signature                Employee Signature            (Date)

3

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