Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

BIG LOTS, INC.,

BIG LOTS STORES, INC.

AND

CHARLES W. HAUBIEL II

This employment agreement (“Agreement”) by and among Big Lots, Inc. (“BLI”), Big Lots Stores, Inc.
(“Big Lots”) and their affiliates, predecessor, successor, subsidiaries and other related companies
(collectively the “Company”) and Charles W. Haubiel II (“Executive”), collectively, the “Parties,”
is effective as of June 6, 2005 (“Effective Date”) and supersedes and replaces [1] any other oral
or written agreement or understanding concerning the terms of the Executive’s employment with the
Company but does not supersede or replace either [2] the Executive’s retention package dated
January 6, 2005 or [3] any agreement or arrangement between the Executive or any Group Member (as
defined in Section 4.02[1]) relating to the payment of compensation or benefits earned (or deemed
earned) on account of services performed for a Group Member before the Effective Date.

1.00 Duration

This Agreement will remain in effect from the Effective Date until it terminates as provided in
Section 5.00 (“Term”). Any notice of termination required to be given under this Agreement must be
given as provided in Section 6.00 and will be effective on the date prescribed in Section 5.00.

2.00 Executive’s Employment Function

2.01 Position. The Executive agrees to serve as the Company’s Senior Vice President and General
Counsel (or other equivalent title conferred by the Company in its sole discretion) with the
authority and duties customarily associated with this position. The Executive agrees at all times
to observe and to be bound by all Company rules, policies, practices, procedures and resolutions
which apply to Company employees with a similar title and position and which do not conflict with
the specific terms of this Agreement.

2.02 Place of Performance. Unless the Company requires the Executive to perform duties at another
location, the Executive’s duties will be performed principally in Columbus, Ohio, except for travel
on the business of any Group Member.

3.00 Compensation

The Company will pay the Executive the amounts described in Sections 3.00 and 5.00 as compensation
for the services described in this Agreement and in exchange for the duties and responsibilities
described in Section 4.00.

3.01 Base Salary. The Company will pay to the Executive an annualized base salary of $250,000,
which, at the discretion of the Company, may be adjusted from time to time in a manner that is
consistent with the Company’s compensation policies in effect
for Company employees with a similar title and position (“Base Amount”) but may not be adjusted to any

 

 

amount lower than $250,000 without the Executive’s consent. The Executive’s Base Salary will be paid in
installments that correspond with the Company’s normal payroll practices.

3.02 Bonus. The Executive will be eligible to receive bonus compensation (“Bonus”) under and
subject to the terms of the Company’s 1998 Big Lots, Inc. Key Associate Annual Compensation Plan,
as amended (or any such successor plan, hereinafter, “Bonus Program”) for the fiscal year beginning
January 30, 2005 and for each subsequent fiscal year during the Term of this Agreement. The
Executive’s Bonus will be an amount equal to the Base Salary at the end of each fiscal year
multiplied by the Bonus Payout percentage as determined under the Bonus Program. The Bonus Program
is based upon the achievement of the Company’s annual financial plan. The Executive’s Bonus Payout
percentage will consist of a Target Bonus of 50 percent of Base Salary and a Stretch Bonus of 100
percent of Base Salary. Both “Target Bonus” and a “Stretch Bonus” are defined in the Bonus Program
and are subject to adjustment as provided in the Bonus Program; provided, however, the Executive’s
Target Bonus will never be set at less than 50 percent of Base Salary and the Executive’s Stretch
Bonus will never be set at less than 100 percent of Base Salary.

[1] Payment. The Payment of any earned Bonuses is subject to the terms of the Bonus Program
and any agreements issued thereunder.

[2] Fiscal Year. The term “fiscal year” means the period beginning on the first Sunday
after the Saturday closest to January 31st of each calendar year and ending on
the Saturday closest to January 31st of the following calendar year.

3.03 Benefit and Other Compensatory Plans. Subject to their terms (which the Company may amend at
any time), the Executive may participate in any Company-sponsored employee pension or welfare
benefit plan at a level commensurate with the Executive’s title and position. The Executive also
may participate in any other deferred incentive or similar compensation program maintained by the
Company and generally made available to Company employees with a similar title and position.

3.04 Vacation and Sick Leave. The Executive will be entitled to the same periods of vacation and
sick leave each year that the Company provides under its vacation and sick leave policy to other
Company employees with a similar title and position.

3.05 Expenses. Consistent with the terms of its business expense reimbursement policies and
procedures, the Company will reimburse Executive for all normal and reasonable expenses incurred
while performing services under this Agreement, including reasonable travel expenses.
Reimbursement for these expenses will be made as soon as administratively feasible after the date
the Executive submits appropriate evidence of the expenditure and otherwise complies with the
Company’s business expense reimbursement policies and procedures.

3.06 Automobile Allowance. The Company will provide the Executive with an automobile or a
monthly automobile allowance in accordance with applicable Company policies for employees with a
similar title and position; provided, however, that the automobile allowance may not be adjusted to
a value lower than the value the Executive is entitled to receive as of the Effective Date.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	2
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

3.07 Termination Benefits. The Company will provide the Executive with only those termination
benefits described in Section 5.00.

4.00 Executive’s Obligations

The amounts described in Sections 3.00 and 5.00 of this Agreement are provided by the Company in
exchange for (and have a value to the Company equivalent to) the Executive’s performance of the
obligations described in this Agreement, including performance of the duties and the covenants made
and entered into by and between the Executive and the Company in this Agreement.

4.01 Scope of Duties. The Executive will:

[1] Devote all available business time, best efforts and undivided attention to the
Company’s business and affairs; and

[2] Not engage in any other business activity, whether for gain, profit or other pecuniary
benefit except for services benefiting the Group or any Group Member.

However, the restrictions described in Sections 4.01[1] and [2] will not preclude the Executive
from:

[3] Making or holding passive investments; or

[4] Serving on corporate, civic, religious, educational and/or charitable boards or
committees but only if this activity [a] does not interfere with the Executive’s performance
of the duties assumed under this Agreement and [b] is approved in writing by the Company.

4.02 Confidential Information.

[1] Obligation to Protect Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the
Company, its parent, affiliates, predecessor, successor, subsidiaries and other related
companies, including entities that become related entities after the Effective Date
(collectively, “Group” and separately, “Group Member”) have a legitimate and continuing
proprietary interest in the protection of Confidential Information (as defined in Section
4.02[2]) and Intellectual Property (as defined in Section 4.02[3]) and have invested, and
will continue to invest, substantial sums of money to develop, maintain and protect
Confidential Information and Intellectual Property. The Executive agrees [a] during and
after employment with the Company and as to all Group Members [i] that any Confidential
Information and Intellectual Property will be held in confidence and treated as proprietary
to the Group, [ii] not to use or disclose any Confidential Information or Intellectual
Property except to promote and advance the Group’s business interests and [b] immediately
upon termination for any reason from employment with the Company, to return to the Company
any Confidential Information and Intellectual Property.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	3
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[2] Definition of Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential
Information includes any confidential data, figures, projections, estimates, pricing data,
customer lists, buying manuals or procedures, distribution manuals or procedures, other
policy and procedure manuals or handbooks, supplier information, tax records, personnel
histories and records, information regarding sales, information regarding properties and any
other information of a similar confidential nature regarding the business, operations,
properties or personnel of the Group, the Company or any other Group Member which are
disclosed to or learned by the Executive while employed by a Group Member, but will not
include [a] the Executive’s own personal personnel records or [b] any information that [i]
the Executive possessed before the date of initial employment (including periods before the
Effective Date) with the Group that was a matter of public knowledge, [ii] became or becomes
a matter of public knowledge through authorized sources independent of the Executive, [iii]
has been or is disclosed by any Group Member without restriction on its use, [iv] has been
or is required to be disclosed by law or governmental order or regulation or [v] is germane
(but only to the extent that it is germane) to enforcement of the Executive’s rights under
this Agreement and only if its disclosure is a necessary part of any proceedings described
in Section 9.00. The Executive also agrees that, if there is any reasonable doubt whether
an item is public knowledge, to not regard the item as public knowledge until and unless the
Company’s General Counsel or Chief Executive Officer confirms to the Executive that the
information is public knowledge or an adjudicator finally decides that the information is
public knowledge.

[3] Intellectual Property. The Executive expressly acknowledges that all right, title and
interest to all inventions, designs, discoveries, works of authorship, and ideas conceived,
produced, created, discovered, authored or reduced to practice during the Executive’s
performance of services under this Agreement, whether individually or jointly with any Group
Member and whether or not it is deemed to be “work made for hire” (the “Intellectual
Property”) will be owned solely by the Group, and will be subject to the restrictions set
forth in Section 4.02[1]. All Intellectual Property that constitutes copyrightable subject
matter under the copyright laws of the United States will, from its conception, be deemed to
be a “work made for hire” under the United States copyright laws and all right, title and
interest in and to such copyrightable works will vest in the Company or the Group. All
right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property developed or produced under
this Agreement by the Executive, whether constituting patentable subject matter or
copyrightable subject matter (to the extent deemed not to be a “work made for hire”) or
otherwise, will be assigned and is hereby irrevocably assigned to the Company or the Group
by the Executive. Without any additional consideration, the Executive will execute all
documents and take all other actions the Company reasonably believes are needed to convey
the Executive’s complete ownership interest in any Intellectual Property to the Company or
the Group so that the Company or the Group will own and may protect the Intellectual
Property and obtain patent, copyright and trademark registrations for it. The Executive
agrees that any Group Member may alter or modify the Intellectual Property at the Group
Member’s sole discretion, and the Executive waives all right to claim or disclaim ownership.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	4
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

4.03 Solicitation of Employees. The Executive agrees that during employment, and for two years
after terminating employment with all Group Members [1] not, directly or indirectly, to solicit (or
facilitate the solicitation of) any employee of any Group Member to leave employment with the Group
or any Group Member, [2] not, directly or indirectly, to employ, seek to employ or facilitate the
employment of any employee of any Group Member by an entity that is not a Group Member and [3] not
to cause or induce any entity described in Section 4.05[1] to solicit or employ (or to facilitate
the solicitation or employment of ) any employee of any Group Member.

4.04 Solicitation of Third Parties. The Executive agrees that during employment, and for two years
after terminating employment with all Group Members not, directly or indirectly, to recruit,
solicit or otherwise induce or influence any customer, supplier, sales representative, lender,
lessor, lessee or any other person having a business relationship with the Group, the Company or
any other Group Member to discontinue or reduce the extent of that relationship except in the
course of discharging the duties described in this Agreement and with the good faith objective of
advancing the Company’s or the Group’s (or any other Group Member’s) business interests.

4.05 Non-Competition. The Executive acknowledges the nature of the Group’s Business (as defined in
Section 4.05[3][a] and that the Group is one of the limited number of entities which has developed
this type of business; that the Group’s Business is national in scope and the Executive’s work for
the Group, the Company and other Group Members will give Executive access to the confidential
affairs of the Company and other Group Members, to Confidential Information and to Intellectual
Property as defined in Sections 4.02[2] and 4.02[3] respectively; and that the agreements and
covenants of the Executive contained in Section 4.00 are essential to preserving the Group’s
Business and good will. Accordingly, the Executive covenants and agrees that:

[1] During the Restriction Period (as defined in Section 4.05[3][c]) and within the
Restricted Area (as defined in Section 4.05[3][b]) the Executive will not [a] engage in the
Group’s Business for the Executive’s own account, [b] render any services to any person
engaged in the Group’s Business (other than to an entity that is a Group Member when those
services are rendered); or [c] become employed in any manner by, or consult with, Wal-Mart,
Sam’s Club, Kmart, Target, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Value
City/Schottenstein Stores Corporation, Fred’s, 99¢ Stores, Canned Foods, Tuesday Morning and
TJX Corporation. Further, the Executive agrees during the Restricted Period to not become
employed in any manner by or to act as consultant to any successor, parent or subsidiary of
the entities (or types of entities) listed above other than in the course of discharging the
duties described in this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing contained herein will
prevent the Executive from becoming employed by, or becoming an owner or member of an
employer that renders services to, or otherwise consults with, a person engaged in the
Group’s Business or an entity listed in 4.05[1][c] so long as the Executive has no
involvement with such employer’s account or relationship during the Restriction Period.

[2] Maximum Enforceable Restriction. If any or all of the covenants set forth in this
Section 4.05 are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by
reason of the temporal restrictions being too great, the geographic areas covered too

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	5
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

great, the range of activities too great or for any other reason, the Court is authorized
and will interpret them to extend over the maximum period of time, the maximum geographic
area and the maximum range of activities or, as to any provision, in such a manner that all
provisions may be given maximum restrictive effect in accordance with applicable law.

[3] Definition Relating to Section 4.05.

[a] Group Business. For purposes of this Agreement, “Group Business” includes the
operation of Big Lots retail outlets, the inventories of which are acquired
primarily through special purchases such as overstocks, close-outs, liquidations,
bankruptcies, wholesale distribution of overstock, distress, liquidation and other
volume inventories, the operation of Big Lots furniture stores, and related
wholesale operations and other lines of business any Group Member develops during
the Term of this Agreement.

[b] Restricted Area. For purposes of this Agreement, “Restricted Area” means the 50
mile radius surrounding any location in which the Group’s Business is conducted
during the Term of this Agreement.

[c] Restriction Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Restriction Period” means
the Term of this Agreement and one year following termination of the Executive’s
employment with all Group Members, regardless of the reason for termination;
provided, however, that in the event of a Change of Control as defined in Section
5.07[3] of this Agreement, the Restricted Period shall be for a period of six (6)
months.

4.06 Post-Termination Cooperation. The Executive agrees that during and after employment with the
Group and without additional compensation (other than reimbursement for reasonable associated
expenses), to cooperate with the Group, the Company and any other Group Member in the following
areas:

[1] Cooperation With the Group, the Company and Other Group Members. The Executive agrees
[a] to be reasonably available to answer questions for any Group Member’s officers or
directors regarding any matter, project, initiative or effort with which the Executive was
involved while employed by any Group Member and [b] to cooperate with the Group, the Company
and any other Group Member during the course of all proceedings arising out of the Group’s
Business about which the Executive has knowledge or information. For purposes of this
Agreement, [c] “proceedings” includes internal investigations, administrative investigations
or proceedings and lawsuits (including pre-trial discovery and trial testimony) and [d]
“cooperation” includes [i] the Executive’s being reasonably available for interviews,
meetings, depositions, hearings and/or trials without the need for subpoena or assurances by
the Group, the Company or any other Group Member, [ii] providing any and all documents in
the Executive’s possession that relate to the proceeding and [iii] providing assistance in
locating any and all relevant notes and/or documents relevant to any proceedings.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	6
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[2] Cooperation With Third Parties. Unless compelled to do so by lawfully-served subpoena
or court order or to the extent it is germane (but only to the extent that it is germane) to
enforcement of the Executive’s rights under this Agreement and only as a necessary part of
any proceedings under this Agreement, the Executive agrees not to communicate with, or give
statements or testimony to, any opposing attorney, opposing attorney’s representative
(including a private investigator) or current or former employee relating to any matter
(including pending or threatened lawsuits or administrative investigations) about which the
Executive has knowledge or information except in cooperation with the Group, the Company and
other Group Members. The Executive also agrees to notify the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer or General Counsel immediately after being contacted by a third party or receiving a
subpoena or court order to appear and testify with respect to any matter affected by this
section.

[3] Cooperation With Media. The Executive agrees not to communicate with, or give
statements to, any member of the media (including print, television, radio or electronic
media) relating to any matter (including pending or threatened lawsuits or administrative
investigations) about which the Executive has knowledge or information except in cooperation
with the Group, the Company or any other Group Member. The Executive also agrees to notify
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel immediately after being contacted
by any member of the media with respect to any matter affected by this section.

4.07 Non-Disparagement. The Executive and the Company agree (on its behalf and in behalf of the
Group and other Group Members) that after the Executive’s employment with the Group has ended
neither will make any disparaging remarks about the other and the Executive will not make any
disparaging remarks about the Company, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or any of
the Company’s executives or directors or any other Group Member or their executives and directors.
However, this section will not preclude [1] any remarks that may be made by the Executive [a] under
the terms of Section 4.06[2], [b] that are required to discharge the duties described in this
Agreement or [c] are germane (but only to the extent that it is germane) to enforcement of the
Executive’s rights under this Agreement and only as a necessary part of any proceedings under this
Agreement or [2] the Company or any other Group Member from making (or eliciting from any person)
disparaging remarks about the Executive [a] concerning any conduct that may have led to a
termination for Cause, as defined in Section 5.04[3] (including initiating an inquiry or
investigation that may result in a termination for Cause) or [b] that are germane (but only to the
extent that it is germane) to defending against any action begun by the Executive under this
Agreement.

4.08 Notice of Subsequent Employment. The Executive agrees to notify the Company of any subsequent
employment during the Restriction Period and any period during which any payment described in
Section 5.00 is due or is being paid.

4.09 Remedies. The Executive:

[1] Acknowledges that the obligations and restrictions described in Sections 4.02 through
4.08 are reasonable in light of the nature of the Group’s Business and the nature of the
Executive’s relationship with the Group and the Company; that the Group, the

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	7
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

Company and all other Group Members have legitimate business reasons for requiring the
Executive’s agreement to all provisions of Section 4.00; and that the Executive understands
these restrictions, has had an opportunity to fully discuss these restrictions with the
Company and accepts the restrictions.

[2] Agrees that if any of the obligations to the Company under Sections 4.02 through 4.08
are breached, the periods during which the obligations described in Sections 4.02 through
4.08 apply will be extended for the length of time that the Executive failed to fulfill the
obligations under Sections 4.02 through 4.08.

[3] Agrees that [a] any breach of any of the terms of this Section 4.00 would result in
irreparable injury and damage to the Group, the Company and all other Group Members for
which none would have an adequate remedy at law, [b] in the event of a breach or any threat
of breach by the Executive, the Group, the Company and any Group Member will be entitled to
an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent that breach and/or threatened
breach and/or continued breach by the Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities
acting for, with and/or through the Executive, without having to prove damages [c] no bond
will be required of the Group, the Company or any other Group Member in connection with an
action described in Section 4.09[3][a] and [d] not to defend any action seeking injunctive
or other equitable relief on the basis that the Group, the Company or any other Group Member
has an adequate remedy at law in money damages or otherwise. The terms of this Section 4.09
will not prevent the Company from pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or
threatened breach by the Executive of Section 4.00, including, but not limited to, the
recovery of monetary damages from the Executive or specific performance. In addition to any
other available remedies, the Group, the Company or any Group Member may require the
Executive to account for and pay over to the Company all compensation, profits, accruals,
increments or other benefits derived or received by the Executive as a result of any
transaction constituting a breach of any portion of Section 4.00. The Company may set off
any amounts finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be due under this
section against any amount that may be owed to the Executive under this Agreement or under
any other compensatory arrangement (other than a tax-qualified retirement plan) between the
Executive and the Group, the Company or any other Group Member. The Parties agree that any
action for breach of any of the provisions of Section 4.00 and/or injunctive relief will be
venued in the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio.

4.10 Return of Group Property. Upon termination of employment, the Executive agrees to promptly
return to the Company all property belonging to the Group or any Group Member; provided, however,
that in the event the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5.06 and the
Executive is then utilizing an automobile provided by the Company, the Executive shall retain the
automobile in accordance with the terms of Section 5.06[5].

4.11 Effect of Termination of Agreement. The provisions of Section 4.00 will survive any
termination of this Agreement and the existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive
against the Company or any Group Member, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, will
not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Group, the Company or any other Group Member of
the covenants and agreements of this Section 4.00; provided, however, that this

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	8
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

Section 4.11 will not, in and of itself, preclude the Executive from defending against the
enforceability of the covenants and agreements of Section 4.00.

5.00 Termination and Related Benefits

This Agreement will terminate upon the occurrence of any of the events described in this section,
although all of the obligations, restrictions and duties described in Sections 4.02 through 4.08
will continue after the Agreement terminates and will apply and continue to apply to the Executive
and the Executive’s estate, heirs and assigns for the period described in Sections 4.02 through
4.08.

5.01 Rules of General Application. The following rules apply generally to the implementation of
Section 5.00:

[1] Method of Payment. The Company, at its option and at any time, may elect to pay, as a
lump sum, any installment payments due under Section 5.00. If the Company decides to pay
any installment obligation due under Section 5.00 as a lump sum, the amount paid will be
reduced to reflect the value of the acceleration. This reduction will be based on the rate
paid on 90-day U.S. Treasury Bills issued on the last issue date before the lump sum payment
is made.

[2] Application of Pro Rata. Any pro rata amount to be paid under Section 5.00 [a] will be
calculated as provided in the program through which the payment is due or [b] if the payment
obligation arises solely under this Agreement, will be based on the number of days between
the first day of the fiscal year during which the Executive terminates employment and the
date that the Executive terminates employment divided by the number of days in the fiscal
year during which the Executive terminates employment.

[3] Limit on Time and Form of Payment. Subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the payments described in this section will be made at the
time and in the form described in this section. Any amount deferred by application of
Section 409A of the Code will be paid as a lump sum on the first payment date permitted
under Section 409A of the Code and will be increased by interest calculated as described in
Section 5.01[1][b] or on another basis permitted under Section 409A of the Code.

5.02 Termination Due to Executive’s Death. This Agreement will terminate automatically on the date
the Executive dies. If all requirements of this Agreement are met (including those described in
Section 7.00), as of the Executive’s date of death, and subject to Section 5.04[5], the Company
will make the following payments to the beneficiary the Executive designates on a form acceptable
to the Company. If the Executive has not made an effective beneficiary designation (or has revoked
all beneficiary designations), these payments will be made to the Executive’s surviving spouse or,
if the Executive dies without a surviving spouse, to the Executive’s estate.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	9
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[1] Base Salary. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date of termination.
This amount will be paid on the Company’s next regularly schedule payroll date for similarly
situated employees.

[2] Bonus. The Bonus (or pro rata share of any Bonus) due under the terms of the Bonus
Program and Section 3.02.

[3] Other. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any other compensatory program and
any employee benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
made available as required by the terms of the program, plan or fund or as required by law.

5.03 Termination Due to Executive’s Disability. The Company may terminate this Agreement after
ascertaining that the Executive is Disabled (as defined in Section 5.03[4]) by delivering to the
Executive a written notice of termination for Disability that includes the date termination for
Disability is to be effective. If all requirements of this Agreement are met (including those
imposed under Section 7.00) and subject to Section 5.04[5], the Company will make the following
payments to the Executive.

[1] Base Salary. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date of termination.
This amount will be paid on the Company’s next regularly schedule payroll date for similarly
situated employees.

[2] Bonus. The Bonus (or pro rata share of any Bonus) due under the terms of the Bonus
Program and Section 3.02.

[3] Other. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any other compensatory program and
employee benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or made
available as required by the terms of the program, plan or fund or as required by law.

[4] Definition of Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” (and any of its
forms) means that, for more than six consecutive months, the Executive is unable, with
reasonable accommodation, to perform the duties described in Section 4.01 on a full-time
basis due to a physical or mental disability or infirmity.

5.04 Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause (as
defined in Section 5.04[3]). A termination for Cause shall only be effective after [a] the Company
has delivered a written notice to the Executive stating that in the Company’s opinion, the
Executive may be terminated for Cause, specifying the details and [b] if the failure or action is
one that can be cured, the Executive does not cure the issue giving rise to the Cause determination
within 30 days after receiving notice. If the Executive is terminated for Cause and if all
requirements of this Agreement are met (including those imposed under Section 7.00), the Company
will make the following payments to the Executive:

[1] Base Salary. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date of termination.
This amount will be paid on the Company’s next regularly schedule payroll date for similarly
situated employees.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	10
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[2] Other. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any other compensatory program and
employee benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or made
available as required by the terms of the program, plan or fund or as required by law.

[3] Definition of Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause means the Executive’s [a]
failure to comply with Company’s policies and procedures which the Company reasonably
determines has had or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Group, the Company
or any other Group Member; [b] willful or illegal misconduct or grossly negligent conduct
that is materially injurious to the Group, the Company or any other Group Member, monetarily
or otherwise; [c] violation of laws or regulations governing the Group, the Company or any
other Group Member (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) or violation of the Company’s
code of ethics; [d] breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the Group, the Company or any other
Group Member; [e] misrepresentation or dishonesty which the Company reasonably determines
has had or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Group, the Company or any
other Group Member; [f] breach of any provision of Section 4.00 of this Agreement; [g]
involvement in any act of moral turpitude that has a materially injurious effect on the
Group, the Company or any other Group Member or their reputation; or [h] breach of the terms
of any non-solicitation or confidentiality clauses contained in an employment agreement(s)
with a former employer.

[4] Date of Termination for Cause. Subject to Section 5.04[5], termination for Cause
will be deemed to have occurred on the date the Company specifies in the notice described in
Section 5.04[a] or, if later and if applicable the end of the period described in Section
5.04[b].

[5] Subsequent Information. The terms of Section 5.04 also will apply if, within 6
consecutive calendar months beginning after the Executive terminates under any other
provision of Section 5.00, the Company learns of an event that, had it been known before the
Executive terminated employment, would have justified a termination for Cause. In this
case, the Company will be entitled to recover any amounts that the Executive or any
beneficiary received under any other provision of Section 5.00, reduced by the amount the
Executive is entitled to receive under this Section 5.04 and any other legally protected
benefits paid or made available under this Agreement that originally was applied when the
Executive terminated.

5.05 Voluntary Termination by Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate employment with
the Company at any time. In this case, and if all other requirements of this Agreement are met,
and subject to Section 5.04[5), the Company will make the following payments to the Executive:

[1] Base Salary. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date of termination.
This amount will be paid in a single lump sum on the Company’s next regularly schedule
payroll date for similarly situated employees.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	11
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[2] Other. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any other compensatory program and
employee benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or made
available as required by the terms of the program, plan or fund or as required by law.

5.06 Involuntary Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment
at any time without Cause by delivering to the Executive a written notice specifying the date
termination is to be effective. If all requirements of this Agreement are met (including those
imposed under Section 7.00) and subject to Section 5.04[5], the Company will make the following
payments to the Executive:

[1] Base Salary. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date of termination.
This amount will be paid in a single lump sum on the Company’s next regularly schedule
payroll date for similarly situated employees.

[2] Bonus. The bonus (or pro rata share of any Bonus) due under the terms of the Bonus
Program and Section 3.02.

[3] Income Continuation. The Executive will be entitled to continue to receive his Base
Salary until the last day of the twelfth complete calendar month beginning after the
termination date.

[4] Health Care. The Company will reimburse the Executive for the cost of continuing health
coverage under COBRA, less the amount the Executive is expected to pay as an employee
premium for this coverage, if any, until the earlier of [a] the last day of the twelfth
complete calendar month beginning after the termination date or [b] the date the Executive
becomes eligible for the same or similar coverage under another benefit program. The
amounts payable under this section will be increased to reimburse the Executive for federal,
state and local income, employment and wage taxes associated with that reimbursement.

[5] Transportation. The Executive will be entitled to continue to receive the automobile
benefits described in Section 3.06 until the last day of the twelfth complete calendar month
beginning after the termination date.

[6] Other. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any other compensatory program and
employee benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or made
available as required by the terms of the program, plan or fund or as required by law.

5.07 Termination in Connection With Change of Control. If the Executive is Terminated in
Connection With a Change of Control (as defined in Section 5.07[5]) at any time during the
Protection Period (as defined in Section 5.07[4]) and if all other conditions of this
Agreement have been met (including those imposed under Section 7.00) and subject to Section
5.04[5], the Change Entity (as defined in Section 5.07[2] will pay or make available the
Change Benefits (as defined in Section 5.07[1]) in lieu of any other amounts

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	12
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

of benefits that might otherwise be due under this Agreement on account of that termination.

[1] Change Benefits. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change Benefits” means the aggregate
of the following, adjusted if appropriate under Sections 5.07[6] and [7]:

[a] Base Salary. The sum of [i] the Base Salary earned to the date of termination
plus [ii] 200 percent of the Executive’s Base Salary at the highest rate in effect
at any time during the Protection Period. This amount will be paid in a lump sum
cash payment on the Change Entity’s first regular payroll date for employees with a
similar title or position following the effective date of the Executive’s
Termination in Connection With a Change of Control.

[b] Bonus. Two hundred percent of the Executive’s Stretch Bonus in effect under the
Bonus Program for the year in which the Executive’s employment is Terminated in
Connection With a Change of Control or, if higher, the Stretch Bonus in effect under
the Bonus Program (or comparable program) at any time during the Protection Period.
This amount will be paid in a single lump sum on the Change Entity’s next regularly
scheduled payroll date for executives of similar title and position following the
date of the Executive’s Termination in Connection With a Change of Control.

[c] Health Care. The Change Entity will reimburse the Executive for the cost of
continuing health coverage under COBRA, less the amount the Executive is expected to
pay as an employee premium at the lowest rate in effect at any time during the
Protection Period for this coverage, until the earlier of [i] the last day of the
24th complete calendar month beginning after the date the Executive is Terminated in
Connection With a Change of Control or [ii] the date the Executive becomes eligible
for comparable benefits at comparable costs to the Executive under another employer
sponsored benefit program. The amounts payable under this section will be increased
to reimburse the Executive for federal, state and local income, employment and wage
taxes associated with that reimbursement.

[d] Other. Any rights (including those arising on account of the Change of Control)
accruing to the Executive under any other compensatory program and employee benefit
plan, fund or program maintained by the Change Entity will be distributed or made
available as required by the terms of the program, plan or fund or as required by
law.

[2] Change Entity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change Entity” means the Company, BLI
and any other entity that is a party to the Change of Control.

[3] Definition of Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control”
means [a] any person or group [as defined for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934] that becomes the beneficial owner of, or has the right to acquire (by
contract, option, warrant, conversion of convertible securities or otherwise), 20 percent or
more of the outstanding equity securities of BLI entitled to vote

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	13
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

for the election of directors; [b] a majority of the Board of Directors of BLI is replaced
within any 24 consecutive month period or less by directors not nominated and approved by a
majority of the directors of BLI in office at the beginning of such period (or their
successors so nominated and approved), or a majority of the Board of Directors of BLI at any
date consists of persons not so nominated and approved; [c] the stockholders of BLI approve
an agreement to reorganize, merge or consolidate with another corporation (other than Big
Lots Stores, Inc. or an affiliate); [d] the stockholders of BLI adopt a plan or approve an
agreement to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of BLI’s assets
(including without limitation, a plan of liquidation or dissolution), in a single
transaction or series of related transactions. The effective date of any such Change of
Control will be the date upon which the last event occurs or last action is taken such that
the definition of such Change of Control (as set forth above) has been met. For purposes of
this Agreement, the term “affiliate” will mean: [i] any person or entity qualified as part
of an affiliated group which includes BLI pursuant to Section 1504 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); or [ii] any person or entity qualified as part of a
parent-subsidiary group of trades and businesses under common control within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)(2)(b). Determination of affiliate will be tested as of
the date immediately prior to any event constituting a Change of Control. The other
provisions of this Section 5.07 notwithstanding, the term “Change of Control” will not mean
any transaction, merger, consolidation or reorganization in which BLI exchanges or offers to
exchange newly issued or treasury shares in an amount less than 50 percent of the
then-outstanding equity securities of BLI entitled to vote for the election of directors,
for 51 percent or more of the outstanding equity securities entitled to vote for the
election of at least the majority of the directors of a corporation other than BLI or an
affiliate thereof (the “Acquired Corporation”), or for all or substantially all of the
assets of the Acquired Corporation.

[4] Protection Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protection Period” means the period
beginning on the first day of the third full consecutive calendar month beginning before the
date of the Change of Control and ending on the last day of the twenty-fourth consecutive
full calendar month beginning after the date of the Change of Control.

[5] Termination in Connection With a Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Termination in Connection With a Change of Control” means, at any time during the
Protection Period, the Change Entity:

[a] Involuntarily terminates the Executive without Cause (as defined in Section
5.06), in which case, the termination will be deemed to have occurred on the date
the notice of termination is delivered to the executive;

[b] Breaches any term of this Agreement, in which case the termination will be
deemed to have occurred on the date of the breach, even if the breach became
apparent at a later date;

[c] Unsuccessfully attempts to terminate the Executive for Cause (as defined in
Section 5.04), in which case the termination will be deemed to have occurred

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	14
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

on the date the Change Entity gives the notice of termination for Cause described in
Section 5.04 even if the date on which it is determined that the Change Entity had
no basis for terminating the executive for Cause is beyond the Protection Period;

[d] Attempts to terminate the Executive for any reason without following the
procedures described in this Agreement (including an acceleration of the periods
described in Section 5.03[4] and 5.04[b]), in which case the termination will be
deemed to have occurred on the date the Change Entity first failed to comply with
those procedures;

[e] Revokes or attempts to revoke or accelerate the duration of any leave of absence
protected by law or authorized by the Company before the Protection Period or by the
Change Entity at any time during the Protection Period, in which case the
termination will be deemed to have occurred on the day the Company or the Change
Entity revoked or attempted to revoke or accelerate the leave of absence even if the
date on which it is determined that the Change Entity had no basis for revoking or
acceleration the leaves of absence is beyond the Protection Period;

[f] Refuses to allow the Executive to return to active employment at the end of any
leave of absence protected by law or authorized by the Company before the Protection
Period or the Change Entity at any time during the Protection Period, in which case
the termination will be deemed to have occurred on the earlier of [i] the date the
Executive attempts to return to active employment or [ii] the last day or the leave
of absence; or

[g] Causes the Executive to resign because of a material adverse change or material
diminution in the Executive’s reporting relationships, job description, duties,
responsibilities, compensation, perquisites, office or location of employment (as
reasonably determined by the Executive is his good faith discretion); provided,
however, that the Executive shall notify the Company in writing at least forty five
(45) days in advance of any election by the Executive to terminate his employment
hereunder, specifying the nature of the alleged adverse change or diminution, and
the Company shall have a period of ten (10) business days after the receipt of such
notice to cure such alleged adverse change or diminution before the Executive shall
be entitled to exercise any such rights and remedies.

[6] Treatment of Taxes. If payments under this Agreement, when combined with payments and
benefits under all other plans and programs maintained by the Company or the Change Entity,
constitute “excess” parachute payments as defined in Section 280G(b) of the Code, the Change
Entity, subject to Section 5.07[7], will either:

[a] Reimburse the Executive for the amount of any excise tax due under Code §4999,
if this procedure provides the Executive with an after-tax amount that is larger
than the after-tax amount produced under Section 5.07[6][b]; or

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	15
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[b] Reduce the Executive’s benefits under this Agreement so that the Executive’s
total “parachute payment” as defined in Code §280G(b)(2)(A) under this Agreement and
all other agreements will be $1.00 less than the amount that would generate “excess”
parachute payment penalties if this procedure provides the Executive with an
after-tax amount that is larger than the after-tax amount produced under Section
5.07[6][a].

This comparison will be made as of the date of the corporate event generating the “parachute
payments” although any reimbursement provided under Section 5.07[6][a] will be made when the
parachute payment is actually made or distributed.

Within 10 business days of the date the Change Entity determines that Section 5.07[6][b]
should be applied, the Change Entity will apprise the Executive of the amount of the
reduction (“Notice of Reduction”). Within 10 business days of receiving that information,
the Executive may specify how (and against which benefit or payment source) the reduction is
to be applied (“Notice of Allocation”). The Change Entity will be required to implement
these directions within 10 business days of receiving the Notice of Allocation. If the
Change Entity has not received a Notice of Allocation from the Executive within 10 business
days of the date of the Notice of Reduction or if the allocation provided in the Notice of
Allocation is not sufficient to fully implement Section 5.07[6][b], the Change Entity will
apply Section 5.07[6][b] proportionately based on the amounts otherwise payable under this
Agreement or, if a Notice of Allocation has been returned that does not sufficiently
implement Section 5.07[6][b], on the basis of the reductions specified in the Notice of
Allocation.

[7] Effect of Subsequent Tax Claim. The Change Entity will establish procedures that will
apply to any inquiries regarding the treatment of tax payments under this Section 5.07.
Within 30 days following the termination of the Executive’s employment under Section 5.07,
the Change Entity will provide the Executive with a copy of such procedures.

6.00 Notice

6.01 How Given. Any notice permitted or required to be given under this Agreement must be given in
writing and delivered in person or by registered, U.S. mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid; or through Federal Express, UPS, DHL or any other reputable professional delivery service
that maintains a confirmation of delivery system. Any delivery must be [1] in the case of notices
to the Company or the Change Entity, addressed to the Company’s Chief Executive Office at the
Company’s then-current corporate offices and [2] in the case of notices to the Executive, addressed
to the Executive’s last mailing address contained in the Executive’s personnel file.

6.02 Effective Date. Any notice permitted or required to be given under this Agreement will be
deemed to have been given and will be effective on the date it is delivered.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	16
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

7.00 Execution of Release

The Executive agrees that as a condition of receiving any post-termination benefit as set forth in
Section 5.00 except for earned but unpaid Base Salary to the date of termination and any legally
protected rights the Executive has under any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company, the
Executive or, in the case of any amounts due after the Executive’s death, the person to whom those
amounts are payable (collectively, the “Payee”) must execute a comprehensive release in the form
determined from time to time by the Company in its sole discretion. Generally, the release will
require the Payee and the Payee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees and assigns to release and forever discharge
the Group, the Company and all other Group Members, past, present and future, and their executives,
officers, directors, agents, attorneys, successors and assigns from any and all claims, suits
and/or causes of action that grow out of or are in any way related to the Executive’s recruitment
and employment with the Company that arose on or before the date of the release, other than any
claim that the Company has breached this Agreement. This release will include, but not be limited
to, any claim that the Company violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act; the Americans with
Disabilities Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act; any
state, federal law or local ordinance prohibiting discrimination, harassment or retaliation in
employment; any claim for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, claims of promissory
estoppel or detrimental reliance, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress; or the
public policy of any state; or any federal, state or local law (each as in effect on the Effective
Date and as subsequently amended) relating to any matter within the purview of this Agreement.
Upon the Executive’s termination of employment with all Group Members, the Payee will be presented
with a release and if the Payee fails to execute the release, the Payee agrees to forego any
payment described in the first sentence of this section. The Executive acknowledges that the
Executive is an experienced senior executive knowledgeable about the claims that might arise in the
course of employment with and termination from the Company and any other Group Member and knowingly
agrees that the payments upon termination provided for in this Agreement are satisfactory
consideration for the release of all possible claims described in the release.

8.00 Insurance

The Company will indemnify Executive (including his heirs, executors and administrators) to the
fullest extent permitted under the Company’s Regulations and Ohio law. This obligation to provide
insurance for the Executive will survive termination of this Agreement with respect to proceedings
or threatened proceedings based on acts or omissions occurring during the Executive’s employment
with or termination from the Group, the Company or with any other Group Member.

9.00 Arbitration

9.01 Acknowledgement of Arbitration. Unless stated otherwise in this Agreement or any other
compensatory or any employee benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company, the Parties
agree that arbitration is the sole and exclusive remedy for each of them to resolve (except as
specifically provided in Section 4.09) and redress any dispute, claim or controversy

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	17
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

involving the interpretation or application of this Agreement, the terms, conditions or termination
of this Agreement and the terms, conditions or termination of the Executive’s employment with the
Company, including any claims for any tort, breach of contract, violation of public policy or
discrimination, whether such claim arises under federal, state law or local law.

9.02 Scope of Arbitration. The Executive expressly understands and agrees that claims subject to
arbitration under this section include asserted violations of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Worker’s Benefit
Protection Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as
amended); the Family and Medical Leave Act; any federal, state or local law or ordinances
prohibiting discrimination, harassment or retaliation in employment; any claim for wrongful
discharge in violation of public policy, claims of promissory estoppel or detrimental reliance,
defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress; or the public policy of any state, or any
federal, state or local law (each as in effect on the Effective Date or as subsequently amended)
relating to any matter within the purview of this Agreement.

9.03 Effect of Arbitration. The Parties intend that any arbitration award relating to any matter
described in Section 9.01 will be final and binding on them and that a judgment on the award may be
entered in any court of competent jurisdiction and that enforcement may be had according to the
terms of that award. This Section 9.03 will survive the termination of this Agreement.

9.04 Location and Conduct of Arbitration. Arbitration will be held in Columbus, Ohio, and will be
conducted by a retired federal judge or other qualified arbitrator. The arbitrator will be
mutually agreed upon by the Parties and the arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association.
The Parties will have the right to conduct discovery pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure; provided, however, that the arbitrator will have the authority to establish an expedited
discovery schedule and cutoff and to resolve any discovery disputes. The arbitrator will have no
jurisdiction or authority to change any provision of this Agreement by alterations of, additions to
or subtractions from the terms of this Agreement. The arbitrator’s sole authority will be to
interpret or apply any provision(s) of this Agreement or any public law alleged to have been
violated. The arbitrator has the authority to award damages and other relief expressly provided by
law.

9.05 Time for Initiating Arbitration. Any claim or controversy relating to any matter described in
Section 9.01 not sought to be submitted to arbitration, in writing, within 60 days of the date the
Party asserting the claim knew, or through reasonable diligence should have known, of the facts
giving rise to that Party’s claim, will be deemed waived and the Party asserting the claim will
have no further right to seek arbitration or recovery with respect to that claim or controversy.
Both Parties agree to strictly comply with the time limitation specified in this section. For
purposes of this section, a claim or controversy is sought to be submitted to arbitration on the
date the complaining Party gives written notice to the other that [1] an issue has arisen or is
likely to arise that, unless resolved otherwise, may be resolved through arbitration under this
Section 9.00 and [2] unless the issue is resolved otherwise, the complaining Party intends to
submit the matter to arbitration under the terms of Section 9.00.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	18
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

9.06 Costs of Arbitration and Attorney’s Fees. The Company will bear the arbitrator’s fee and
other costs associated with any arbitration, unless the arbitrator, acting under Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 54(d)(1), elects to award these fees to the Company. Attorney’s fees [1] may be
awarded to the prevailing party if expressly authorized by statute, or otherwise each party will
bear its own attorney’s fees and costs but [2] Executive’s attorney’s fees and other associated
costs and expenses will be borne by the Change Entity with respect to any claim arising under
Section 5.07 but only if the arbitrator concludes the claim legitimately relates to matters within
the contemplation of Section 5.07 (otherwise, the rule described in Section 9.06[1] will apply).

9.07 Arbitration Exclusive Remedy. The Parties acknowledge that, because arbitration is the
exclusive remedy for resolving the issues described in Section 9.01, neither Party may resort to
any federal, state or local court or administrative agency concerning those issues and that the
decision of the arbitrator will be a complete defense to any suit, action or proceeding instituted
in any federal, state or local court before any administrative agency with respect to any
arbitrable claim or controversy.

9.08 Waiver of Jury. The Executive (personally and in behalf of all the Executive’s personal or
legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees,
legatees and assigns) and the Company (on its own behalf’s and in behalf of its successors,
including any Change Entity) each waive the right to have a claim or dispute with one another
decided in a judicial forum or by a jury, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

10.00 General Provisions

10.01 Representation of Executive. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive is an
experienced senior executive knowledgeable about the issues (and their effect) within the purview
of this Agreement and is not under any contractual or legal restraint that prevents or prohibits
the Executive from entering into this Agreement or performing the duties and obligations described
in this Agreement.

10.02 Modification or Waiver; Entire Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be modified or
waived except in a document signed by the Executive and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or
other person designated by the Company’s Board of Directors. This Agreement, and any attachments
referenced in the Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the
employment relationship described in this Agreement, and, except as otherwise specifically provided
in this Agreement, any other agreements are terminated and of no further force or legal effect.
No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, with respect to the Executive’s employment
relationship with the Company have been made or relied upon by either Party which are not set forth
expressly in this Agreement.

10.03 Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement is intended to be performed in accordance with,
and only to the extent permitted by, all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. If
any provision of this Agreement, or the application of any provision of this Agreement to any
person or circumstance, is, for any reason and to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable, such
invalidity and unenforceability will not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement of its
application to other persons or circumstances, all of which will be enforced to the greatest extent
permitted by law and the Parties agree that any invalid or enforceable

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	19
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

provision may and will be reformed and applied [1] as provided in Section 4.05, with respect to the
matters specifically contemplated in Section 4.00 and [2] with respect to other matters, [a] to the
extent needed to avoid that invalidity or unenforceability and [b] in a manner that is as similar
as possible to the Parties’ intent (as described in this Agreement). The validity, construction
and interpretation of this Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties will be governed by
the laws of the State of Ohio, without reference to the Ohio choice of law rules.

10.04 No Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.05, failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any term of this Agreement will not be considered a waiver of any such term or any
other term of this Agreement.

10.05 Withholding. All payments made to or on behalf of the Executive under this Agreement will be
reduced by any amount:

[1] That the Company is required by law to withhold in advance payment of the Executive’s
federal, state and local income, wage and employment tax liability; and

[2] To the extent allowed by law, that the Executive owes (or, after employment is deemed to
owe) to the Group, the Company or any other Group Member.

Application of Section 10.05[2] will not extinguish the Company’s right to seek additional amounts
from the Executive (or to pursue other appropriate remedies) to the extent that the amount
recovered by application of Section 10.05[2] does not fully discharge the amount the Executive owes
to the Group, the Company or other Group Member and does not preclude the Group, the Company or any
other Group Member from proceeding directly against the Executive without first exhausting its
right of recovery under Section 10.05[2].

10.06 Survival. The Parties agree that the covenants and promises set forth in this Agreement will
survive the termination of this Agreement and continue in full force and effect after this
Agreement terminates to the extent that their performance is required to occur after this Agreement
terminates.

10.07 Miscellaneous.

[1] The Executive may not assign any right or interest to, or in, any payments payable under
this Agreement; provided, however, that this prohibition does not preclude the Executive
from designating in writing one or more beneficiaries to receive any amount that may be
payable after the Executive’s death and does not preclude the legal representative of the
Executive’s estate from assigning any right under this Agreement to the person or persons
entitled to it.

[2] This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Executive, the
Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees, legatees and assigns and the Company and its successors and, to the
extent applicable, the Group and all Group Members.

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	20
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005

 

 

[3] The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will
not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of any provision of the Agreement.

10.08 Successors to Company. This Agreement may and will be assigned or transferred to, and will
be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of, any successor of the Company, including any
Change Entity, and any successor will be substituted for the Company under the terms of this
Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or
business entity which at any time, whether by merger, purchase or otherwise, acquires all or
essentially all of the assets of the business of the Company. Notwithstanding any assignment, the
Company will remain, with any successor, jointly and severally liable for all its obligations under
this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed and delivered this Agreement, which includes an
arbitration provision, and consists of 21 pages.

	 	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	BIG LOTS, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	By: /s/ Michael J. Potter
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	Signed: June 6, 2005
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	BIG LOTS STORES, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	By: /s/ Brad A. Waite
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	Signed: June 6, 2005
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	CHARLES W. HAUBIEL II
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	/s/ Charles W. Haubiel II
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	Signed: June 6, 2005

					
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	21
	 	Initials CWH Date June 6, 2005<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

      This Credit Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the 31st day
of May 2005, by and between HEALTH CARE REIT, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
("HCN"), and each of the entities listed on Schedule I attached hereto (HCN and
such other entities may hereinafter be referred to collectively as "Borrowers"),
and FIFTH THIRD BANK, an Ohio banking corporation ("Bank").

Section 1.  Definitions.

      All financial terms used in the Agreement but not defined in the Loan
Documents (as defined below) have the meanings given to them by generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). All other undefined terms have the
meanings given to them in the Ohio Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 2.  Loan(s).

      2.01  Revolving Credit Loan.

            (a)   Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Bank hereby
extends to Borrowers a line of credit facility (the "Facility" or the "Loan")
under which Bank may make loans (the "Revolving Loans") to Borrowers at
Borrowers' requests from time to time during the term of this Agreement. Bank
will have discretion at all times as to whether or not to make any Revolving
Loan if there is any Event of Default (as defined below). Borrower may borrow,
prepay, and reborrow under the Facility, provided that the principal amount of
all Revolving Loans outstanding at any one time under the Facility will not
exceed the foregoing limits or those limits specified in the Revolving Note. If
the amount of the Revolving Loans outstanding at any time under the Facility
exceeds the limits set forth above or in the Revolving Note, Borrower will
immediately pay the amount of such excess to Bank in certified funds. Bank has
agreed to make this Loan upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement and all documents executed pursuant to or in connection with this
Agreement (all such documents and this Agreement will be called "Loan
Documents").

            (b)   Borrowers may request a Revolving Loan by written or telephone
notice to Bank. Bank will make a Revolving Loan by crediting the amount thereof
to Borrowers' account at Bank. Loan proceeds will be used for working capital
and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and the
repayment/refinancing of other indebtedness.

            (c)   On the date hereof, Borrowers will duly issue and deliver to
Bank a revolving note (the "Revolving Note" or "Note") in the principal amount
of Forty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($40,000,000.00) bearing interest as
specified in Section 2.02.

            (d)   The term of the Facility will expire on May 31, 2006 and the
Revolving Note will become payable in full on that date.

      2.02  Interest on Revolving Loans. The principal amounts outstanding
hereunder shall bear interest commencing on the date of the first advance
hereunder at the rate or rates per annum set forth below which shall be
designated by Borrowers as more fully set forth herein. At any time, from time
to time, during the term of the Note, so long as no Event of Default exists and
so long as such Borrowings (as defined in the Note) are not then subject to an
Interest Rate Election (as defined below), Borrowers may notify Bank that they
wish to exercise their right to adjust the rate of interest accruing on some or
all amounts of principal outstanding under the Note (in a minimum amount of
$500,000) to one of the rates set

                                       1
<PAGE>

forth below, however, once the rate of interest accruing against any amounts
outstanding hereunder is adjusted to one of the following interest rates during
an interest period, Borrowers may not elect to adjust such interest rate to a
different interest rate until the expiration of such interest period:

            (a)   LIBOR Rate. Upon telephonic notice by a Borrower to Bank,
Borrower may elect to have all or any portion of the Borrowings in a minimum
amount of $500,000 per election bear interest at the per annum rate equal to one
hundred thirty (130) basis points in excess of the LIBOR Rate (as defined below)
(a "LIBOR Rate Election"). Such notice shall inform Bank of the amount of
Borrowings to be subject to the LIBOR Rate Election, the LIBOR Interest Period
(as defined below) and the Effective Date (as defined below) of the LIBOR
Interest Period.

                  Borrowers' right to make a LIBOR Rate Election shall be
terminated automatically if Bank, by telephonic notice, shall notify Borrowers
that LIBOR deposits with a maturity corresponding to the maturity of the LIBOR
Interest Period, in an amount equal to the Borrowings to be subject to the LIBOR
Rate Election are not readily available in the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
Market, or that, by reason of circumstances affecting such market, adequate and
reasonable methods do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to
such deposits for the proposed LIBOR Interest Period.

                  In addition, notwithstanding anything herein contained to the
contrary, if, prior to or during any period with respect to which a LIBOR Rate
is in effect, any change in any law, regulation or official directive, or in the
interpretation thereof, by any governmental body charged with the administration
thereof, shall make it unlawful for the Bank to fund or maintain its funding in
Eurodollars of any portion of the Borrowings subject to the LIBOR Rate or
otherwise to give effect to Bank's obligations as contemplated hereby, (i) Bank
may by written notice to Borrowers, declare Bank's obligations in respect of the
LIBOR Rate to be terminated forthwith, and (ii) the LIBOR Rate with respect to
Bank shall forthwith cease to be in effect, and interest shall from and after
such date be calculated at the Prime Rate, unless Borrowers shall thereafter
make one or more other Interest Rate Elections.

            (b)   Prime Rate. Upon telephonic notice by a Borrower to Bank prior
to or on the Effective Date, Borrowers may elect to have all or part of the
Borrowings (provided such Borrowings are not then subject to an Interest Rate
Election) bear interest at the per annum rate equal to the Prime Rate (as
defined below) (a "Prime Rate Election"). Such telephonic notice shall inform
Bank of the amount of the Borrowings to be subject to the Prime Rate Election,
the Prime Rate Interest Period (as defined below) and the Effective Date for the
Prime Rate Interest Period.

                  If at any time during the term hereof, (i) the outstanding
principal hereunder is less than $500,000, or (ii) Borrowers fail to designate
one of the interest rates set forth above or at any time after Borrowers have
elected to adjust the interest rate accruing on any principal outstanding
hereunder to a rate other than the fixed rate set forth above, at the expiration
of any interest period, if Borrowers have not made another Interest Rate
Election hereunder, then in either such event, such outstanding amounts of
principal will accrue interest at a rate of interest equal to the Prime Rate.

            (c)   Minimum Borrowing Amounts and Prepayment. Each Borrowing
subject to an Interest Rate Election that is advanced, continued or converted
shall be in an amount equal to $500,000 or such greater amount which is an
integral multiple of $100,000. The Borrowers may prepay without premium or
penalty and in whole or in part any Borrowing subject to a LIBOR Rate Election
at any time upon three (3) business days prior notice by the Borrowers to the
Bank or, in the case of a Borrowing subject to a Prime Rate Election, notice
delivered by the Borrowers to the Bank no later than 2:00 p.m. (Toledo time) on
the date of prepayment, such prepayment to be made by the payment of the
principal amount to be prepaid and, in the case of any Borrowing subject to a
LIBOR Rate Election, accrued

                                       2
<PAGE>

interest thereon to the date fixed for prepayment; provided, however, the
Borrowers may not partially repay a Borrowing (i) if such Borrowing is subject
to a Prime Rate Election, in a principal amount less than $500,000, (ii) if such
Borrowing is subject to a LIBOR Rate Election, in a principal amount not less
than $500,000 or any amount in excess thereof that is not an integral multiple
of $100,000, and (iii) in each case, unless it is in an amount such that the
minimum amount required for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.02 remains
outstanding. Any amount of Loans paid or prepaid before May 31, 2006 may,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be borrowed, repaid and
borrowed again.

            (d)   Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms will have
the meanings set forth below:

                  (i)   "Effective Date" means the date on which a LIBOR Rate
Election or Prime Rate Election will begin.

                  (ii)  "Interest Rate Election" means a LIBOR Rate Election, or
a Prime Rate Election, or any one or more of the foregoing.

                  (iii) "LIBOR Interest Period" means, with respect to a
Borrowing elected to accrue interest at the LIBOR Rate, a period of 30, 60 or 90
days commencing on a business day selected by the Borrowers pursuant to this
Agreement. Such LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the day in the succeeding
calendar month which corresponds numerically to the beginning day of such LIBOR
Interest Period, provided, however, that if there is no such numerically
corresponding day in such succeeding month, such LIBOR Interest Period shall end
on the last business day of such succeeding month. If a LIBOR Interest Period
would otherwise end on a day which is not a business day, such LIBOR Interest
period shall end on the next succeeding business day, provided, however, that if
said next succeeding business day falls in a new month, such LIBOR Interest
Period shall end on the immediately preceding business day.

                  (iv)  "LIBOR Rate" means the rate (adjusted for reserves if
Bank is required to maintain reserves with respect to relevant advances) being
asked on an amount of Eurodollar deposits equal to the amount of Borrowings
subject to a LIBOR Rate on the first day of a LIBOR Interest Period and which
has a maturity corresponding to the maturity of the LIBOR Interest Period, as
reported by the TELERATE rate reporting system (or any successor) as determined
by the Bank by noon on the Effective Date of the LIBOR Interest Period. Each
determination by Bank of the LIBOR Rate shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error.

                  (v)   "Prime Rate" means the rate established by Bank from
time to time as its Prime Rate based upon its considerations of various factors
and is not necessarily Bank's most favored interest rate.

                  (vi)  "Prime Rate Interest Period" means any period with
respect to which the Borrowers make a Prime Rate Election or the Borrowers have
made an Interest Rate Election which has expired and the Borrowers have failed
to make an alternate Interest Rate Election. If a Prime Rate Interest Period
would otherwise end on a day which is not a business day, such Prime Rate
Interest Period shall end on the next succeeding business day.

      2.03  Statements. After the end of each quarter, Bank will render to
Borrowers a statement on each of Borrowers' loan accounts with Bank hereunder,
which statement will be considered correct and will be conclusively binding upon
Borrowers unless Borrowers notify Bank in writing of any discrepancy within
thirty (30) days from the date of such statement.

                                       3
<PAGE>

Section 3.  Representations And Warranties.

      3.01  Incorporation by Reference. The provisions of the following sections
(including the contents of the related schedules and exhibits) of the Existing
or Replacement Agreement (as defined below) are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety as in effect on the date hereof, or as any replacement
agreement may be in effect after the date hereof, after giving effect to any
terminations, further amendments and/or waivers after the date hereof, or the
payment in full of the amounts subject thereto, with (a) the defined terms used
therein and the definitions of such terms being construed in accordance with
this Agreement, and (b) section references therein being deemed to be references
to sections of the Existing or Replacement Agreement as incorporated by
reference herein: Section 3.1 through and including Section 3.17. The Borrowers
hereby represent and warrant to the Bank the sections of the Existing or
Replacement Agreement incorporated herein by this Section 3.01 for the benefit
of the Bank as if such sections were set forth directly in this Agreement. With
regard to Section 3.12 incorporated herein, the reference to "Section 2.8
hereof" shall be deemed to be a reference to Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.

      3.02  Existing or Replacement Agreement. "Existing or Replacement
Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated Loan Agreement by and among
HCN, its subsidiaries party thereto, the banks signatory thereto, KeyBank
National Association, as Administrative Agent, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as
Syndication Agent and UBS Securities LLC, as Documentation Agent, dated August
23, 2002, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated
Loan Agreement dated May 15, 2003, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 2 to
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated August 26, 2003, as amended by that
certain Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated December
19, 2003, as supplemented by that certain Supplement to Amended and Restated
Loan Agreement dated January 30, 2004, and as such agreement, as amended, is in
effect on the date hereof or may be amended hereafter, or as any replacement
agreement may be in effect after the date hereof, after giving effect to any
terminations, further amendments and/or waivers after the date hereof or the
payment in full of the amounts subject thereto. HCN agrees to promptly provide
to Bank a copy of any and all such amendments and replacement agreements.

Section 4.  Covenants.

      4.01  Incorporation by Reference. The provisions of the following articles
and sections (including the contents of the related schedules and exhibits) of
the Existing or Replacement Agreement are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety as in effect on the date hereof, after giving effect to any
terminations, amendments, replacements or waivers thereof after the date hereof,
or the payment in full of the amounts subject thereto, with (a) the defined
terms used therein and the definitions of such terms being construed in
accordance with this Agreement, and (b) section references therein being deemed
to be references to sections of the Existing or Replacement Agreement as
incorporated by reference herein: Article 5 (including Section 5.1 through and
including Section 5.13), Article 6 (including Section 6.1 through and including
Section 6.14) and Article 7 (including Section 7.1 through and including Section
7.16). The Borrowers hereby covenant and agree to observe, perform and comply
with the articles and sections of the Existing or Replacement Agreement
incorporated herein by this Section 4.01 for the benefit of the Bank as if such
articles and sections were set forth directly in this Agreement.

Section 5.  Events of Default and Remedies.

      5.01  Events of Default. Any one or more of the events set forth in
Article 8 of the Existing or Replacement Agreement shall constitute an "Event of
Default" hereunder.

      5.02  Remedies. Except as otherwise provided in Article 8 of the Existing
or Replacement

                                       4
<PAGE>

Agreement, if any Event of Default will occur, Bank may by written notice to the
Borrowers cease advancing money hereunder, and/or declare all obligations to be
due and payable forthwith, whereupon they will forthwith become due and payable
without further presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; provided, however, that no such
written notice to the Borrowers shall be required when any Event of Default
described in Section 8.6 of the Existing or Replacement Agreement has occurred
and is continuing.

      5.03  Setoff. If any Event of Default will occur, Bank is authorized,
without advance notice but otherwise with notice to Borrowers, to offset and
apply to all or any part of the Note all moneys, credits and other property of
any nature whatsoever of Borrowers now or at any time hereafter in the
possession of, in transit to or from, under the control or custody of, or on
deposit with (whether held by the Borrowers individually or jointly with another
party), Bank, including but not limited to certificates of deposit.

      5.04  Default Rate. While any Event of Default exists, the Borrowers shall
pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent
permitted by law) on the principal amount of all Loans owing by it at a rate per
annum equal to:

            (i)   for any Borrowing subject to a Prime Rate Election, the sum of
      2.0% per annum plus the Prime Rate; and

            (ii)  for any Borrowing subject to a LIBOR Rate Election, the sum of
      4.0% per annum plus the LIBOR Rate in effect thereon at the time of such
      default until the end of the interest period applicable thereto and,
      thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of 2.0% plus the Prime
      Rate;

provided, however, that in the absence of acceleration, any adjustments pursuant
to this section shall be made at the election of the Bank, with written notice
to the Borrowers. While any Event of Default exists or after acceleration,
interest shall be paid on demand of the Bank. This provision does not constitute
a waiver of any Event of Default or an agreement by Bank to permit any late
payments whatsoever.

      5.05  No Remedy Exclusive. No remedy set forth herein is exclusive of any
other available remedy or remedies, but each is cumulative and in addition to
every other remedy available under this Agreement, the Loan Documents or as may
be now or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute.

      5.06  Effect of Termination. The termination of this Agreement will not
affect any rights of either party or any obligation of either party to the
other, arising prior to the effective date of such termination, and the
provisions hereof shall continue to be fully operative until all transactions
entered into, rights created or obligations incurred prior to such termination
have been fully disposed of, concluded or liquidated.

Section 6.  Conditions Precedent.

      6.01  Conditions to Loan. Bank will have no obligation to make or advance
any Loan until Borrowers have delivered to Bank at or before the closing date,
in form and substance satisfactory to Bank:

            (a)   An executed Revolving Note of even date herewith.

            (b)   A corporate resolution of HCN.

                                       5
<PAGE>

            (c)   An executed copy of this Agreement.

            (d)   Such additional information and materials as Bank may
reasonably request.

      6.02  Conditions to Each Loan. On the date of any Loan under the Revolving
Note, the following statements will be true:

            (a)   All of the representations and warranties contained herein and
in the Loan Documents will be correct in all material respects as though made on
such date.

            (b)   No event will have occurred and be continuing, or would result
from such Loan, which constitutes an Event of Default, or would constitute an
Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or lapse of time
or both.

            (c)   The aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Loans
after giving effect to such Revolving Loans will not violate the lending limits
set forth in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.

            The acceptance by Borrowers of the proceeds of each Loan will be
deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Borrowers that the
conditions in Section 6.02 of this Agreement, other than those that have been
waived in writing by Bank, have been satisfied.

Section 7.  Miscellaneous Provisions.

      7.01  Miscellaneous. This Agreement, the exhibits and the other Loan
Documents are the complete agreement of the parties hereto and supersede all
previous understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement
may be amended only in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of
this amendment is sought. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. If any
part of this Agreement is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby. This Agreement is and is intended to be a continuing
agreement and will remain in full force and effect until the Loans are finally
and irrevocably paid in full.

      7.02  Waiver by Borrowers. Borrowers waive notice of non-payment, demand,
presentment, protest or notice of protest, and all other notices (except those
notices specifically provided for in this Agreement or other Loan Documents);
consents to any renewals or extensions of time of payment thereof; and generally
waives any all suretyship defenses and defenses in the nature thereof.

      7.03  Binding Effect. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the respective legal representatives, successors and assigns of the
parties hereto; however, Borrowers may not assign any of its rights or delegate
any of its obligations hereunder. Bank (and any subsequent assignee) may
transfer and assign this Agreement or may assign partial interests or
participation in the Loans to other persons. Bank may disclose to all
prospective and actual assignees and participants all financial, business and
other information about Borrowers which Bank may possess at any time.

      7.04  Survival. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
made by Borrowers herein and in the Loan Documents will survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the Loan Documents and the issuance of the Note.

      7.05  Delay or Omission. No delay or omission on the part of Bank in
exercising any right, remedy or power arising from any Event of Default will
impair any such right, remedy or power or be

                                       6
<PAGE>

considered a waiver of any right, remedy or power or any Event of Default; and
the action or omission to act by Bank upon the occurrence of any Event of
Default will not impair any right, remedy or power arising as a result thereof
or affect any subsequent Event of Default of the same or different nature.

      7.06  Notices. Any notices under or pursuant to this Agreement will be
deemed duly sent when delivered in hand or when mailed by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

            To Borrowers:     Health Care REIT, Inc.
                              One SeaGate, Suite 1500
                              Toledo, Ohio 43604
                              Attention: Michael A. Crabtree, Treasurer

            With a copy to:   Mary Ellen Pisanelli
                              Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP
                              1000 Jackson Street
                              Toledo, Ohio 43624

            To Bank:          Fifth Third Bank
                              606 Madison Avenue
                              Toledo, Ohio 43604
                              Attention: Dirk VanHeyst, Senior Vice President

      Either party may change such address by sending notice of the change to
the other party.

      7.07  No Partnership. Nothing contained herein or in any of the Loan
Documents is intended to create or will be construed to create any relationship
between Bank and the Borrowers other than as expressly set forth herein or
therein and will not create any joint venture, partnership or other
relationship.

      7.08  Indemnification. If after receipt of any payment of all or part of
the Note, Bank is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment to any
person or entity, because such payment is determined to be void or voidable as a
preference, impermissible setoff, or diversion of trust funds, or for any other
reason, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and Borrowers will
be liable to, and will indemnify, save and hold Bank, its officers, directors,
attorneys, and employees harmless of and from the amount of such payment
surrendered. The provisions of this section will be and remain effective
notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by Bank in
reliance on such payment, and any such contrary action so taken will be without
prejudice to Bank's rights under this Agreement and will be deemed to have been
conditioned upon such payment becoming final, indefeasible and irrevocable. In
addition, Borrowers will indemnify, defend, save and hold Bank, its officers,
directors, attorneys, and employees harmless of, from and against all claims,
demands, liabilities, judgments, losses, damages, costs and expenses, joint or
several (including all accounting fees and attorneys' fees reasonably incurred),
that Bank or any such indemnified party may incur arising out of this Agreement,
any of the Loan Documents or any act taken by Bank hereunder except for the
willful misconduct or gross negligence of such indemnified party. The provisions
of this section will survive the termination of this Agreement.

      7.09  Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement, the Note and the other
Loan Documents will be governed by the domestic laws of the State of Ohio.
Borrowers agree that the state and federal courts in Lucas County, Ohio, or any
other court in a jurisdiction in which the Borrowers do business and in which
Bank initiates proceedings have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising
out of this Agreement, and that service of process in any such proceeding will
be effective if mailed to Borrowers at its address

                                       7
<PAGE>

described in Section 7.06 of this Agreement. BANK AND BORROWERS HEREBY WAIVE THE
RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrowers and Bank have executed this Agreement by their
duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

                              HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
                              HCRI PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTIES, INC.
                              HCRI TEXAS PROPERTIES, INC.
                              HCRI TEXAS PROPERTIES, LTD.
                                 By Health Care REIT, Inc.,
                                 Its General Partner
                              HCRI NEVADA PROPERTIES, INC.
                              HCRI LOUISIANA PROPERTIES, L.P.
                                 By HCRI Southern Investments I, Inc.,
                                 Its General Partner
                              HEALTH CARE REIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                              HCN ATLANTIC GP, INC.
                              HCN ATLANTIC LP, INC.
                              HCN BCC HOLDINGS, INC.
                              HCRI INDIANA PROPERTIES, INC.
                              HCRI INDIANA PROPERTIES, LLC
                                 By Health Care REIT, Inc.,
                                 Its Member
                              HCRI LIMITED HOLDINGS, INC.
                              HCRI MASSACHUSETTS PROPERTIES, INC.
                              HCRI MASSACHUSETTS PROPERTIES TRUST
                                 By HCRI Massachusetts Properties, Inc.
                                 Its Trustee
                              HCRI HOLDINGS TRUST
                                 By HCRI Massachusetts Properties, Inc.
                                 Its Trustee
                              HCRI NORTH CAROLINA PROPERTIES, LLC
                                 By North Carolina Properties I, Inc.
                                 Its Member
                              HCRI SOUTHERN INVESTMENTS I, INC.
                              HCRI TENNESSEE PROPERTIES, INC.
                              PENNSYLVANIA BCC PROPERTIES, INC.
                              HCRI KENTUCKY PROPERTIES, LLC
                                  By Health Care REIT, Inc.
                                  Its Member
                              HCRI MASSACHUSETTS PROPERTIES TRUST II
                                  By HCRI Massachusetts Properties, Inc.
                                  Its Trustee
                              HCRI SATYR HILL, LLC
                                  By Health Care REIT, Inc., as the member of
                                  HCRI Maryland Properties, LLC
                                  Its Member

                     [BORROWERS CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                       8
<PAGE>

                        HCRI FRIENDSHIP, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc., as the member of
                            HCRI Maryland Properties, LLC
                            Its Member
                        HCRI ST. CHARLES, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc., as the member of
                            HCRI Maryland Properties, LLC
                            Its Member
                        HCRI MARYLAND PROPERTIES, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc.
                            Its Member
                        HCRI LAUREL, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc., as the member of
                            HCRI Maryland Properties, LLC
                            Its Member
                        HCRI NORTH CAROLINA PROPERTIES I, INC.
                        HCRI NORTH CAROLINA PROPERTIES III, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                            By HCRI North Carolina Properties II, Inc.
                            Its General Partner
                        HCRI NORTH CAROLINA PROPERTIES II, INC.
                        HCRI WISCONSIN PROPERTIES, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc.
                            Its Member
                        HCRI MISSISSIPPI PROPERTIES, INC.
                        HCRI ILLINOIS PROPERTIES, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc.
                            Its Member
                        HCRI MISSOURI PROPERTIES, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc.
                            Its Member
                        HCRI SURGICAL PROPERTIES, LLC
                            By Health Care REIT, Inc.
                            Its Member
                        HCRI TUCSON PROPERTIES, INC.
                        HCRI INVESTMENTS, INC.
                        HCRI CHICAGO PROPERTIES, INC.

                                   By /s/ Michael A. Crabtree
                                      -----------------------------
                                   Name: Michael A. Crabtree
                                   Title: Treasurer

      MICHAEL A. CRABTREE, as Treasurer of all of the aforementioned entities,
has executed this Agreement and intending that all entities above named are
bound and are to be bound by the one signature as if he had executed this
Agreement separately for each of the above named entities.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                 FIFTH THIRD BANK,
                                 an Ohio banking corporation

                                            By /s/ Dirk VanHeyst
                                               -------------------------------
                                            Name: Dirk VanHeyst
                                            Title: Senior Vice President

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I

                                LIST OF BORROWERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              STATE OF
NAME OF BORROWER                                            ORGANIZATION
----------------                                           --------------
<S>                                                        <C>
Health Care REIT, Inc.                                        Delaware
HCRI Pennsylvania Properties, Inc.                          Pennsylvania
HCRI Texas Properties, Inc.                                   Delaware
HCRI Texas Properties, Ltd.                                    Texas
HCRI Nevada Properties, Inc.                                   Nevada
HCRI Louisiana Properties, L.P.                               Delaware
Health Care REIT International, Inc.                          Delaware
HCN Atlantic GP, Inc.                                         Delaware
HCN Atlantic LP, Inc.                                         Delaware
HCN BCC Holdings, Inc.                                        Delaware
HCRI Indiana Properties, Inc.                                 Delaware
HCRI Indiana Properties, LLC                                  Indiana
HCRI Limited Holdings, Inc.                                   Delaware
HCRI Massachusetts Properties Trust                        Massachusetts
HCRI Massachusetts Properties, Inc.                           Delaware
HCRI Holdings Trust                                        Massachusetts
HCRI North Carolina Properties, LLC                           Delaware
HCRI Southern Investments I, Inc.                             Delaware
HCRI Tennessee Properties, Inc.                               Delaware
Pennsylvania BCC Properties, Inc.                           Pennsylvania
HCRI Kentucky Properties, LLC                                 Kentucky
HCRI Massachusetts Properties Trust II                     Massachusetts
HCRI Satyr Hill, LLC                                          Virginia
HCRI Friendship, LLC                                          Virginia
HCRI St. Charles, LLC                                         Virginia
HCRI Maryland Properties, LLC                                 Maryland
HCRI Laurel, LLC                                              Maryland
HCRI North Carolina Properties I, Inc.                     North Carolina
HCRI North Carolina Properties III, Limited Partnership    North Carolina
HCRI North Carolina Properties II, Inc.                    North Carolina
HCRI Wisconsin Properties, LLC                               Wisconsin
HCRI Mississippi Properties, Inc.                           Mississippi
HCRI Illinois Properties, LLC                                 Delaware
HCRI Missouri Properties, LLC                                 Delaware
HCRI Surgical Properties, LLC                                   Ohio
HCRI Tucson Properties, Inc.                                  Delaware
HCRI Investments, Inc.                                        Delaware
HCRI Chicago Properties, Inc.                                 Delaware
</TABLE>

                                       11

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00085-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00085-of-00352.parquet"}]]