Document:

exv10w53

Exhibit 10.53

[Asyst
Technologies, Inc. letterhead]

June 1, 2004

Aaron Tachibana

763 Sunshine Dr.

Los Altos, CA 94024

Dear
Aaron,

This letter is intended to confirm the terms of your offer of employment with Asyst Technologies,
Inc. (“Asyst”).

Asyst is pleased to offer you the position of Division Controller. In this position, you would
report to Pete Mangan, Director, Finance and shall be responsible for
performing the key events/responsibilities outlined in the attached job description. In addition to these basic
duties, you would be expected to perform other job-related duties as assigned by your manager.

Your primary job location would initially be at Asyst’s offices located in Fremont, California,
and at such other places as Asyst may direct over time. Your date of actual hire and commencement
of employment with Asyst would be determined upon acceptance of this offer.

During your employment with Asyst, you would be expected to establish and maintain a professional,
cordial relationship with co-workers, management, suppliers and customers. You would be expected to
learn the requirements of the position and demonstrate the ability to meet satisfactory performance
for this position. You would also be expected to actively
participate in Asyst’s quality improvement processes. You also would be expected at all times to
abide by all Asyst policies and procedures and legal or regulatory requirements applicable to your
employment.

This is an exempt position, and your salary would be $5,576.93 per pay period (26 pay periods per
year), which calculates to $145,000.00 on an annualized basis (before
withholdings for applicable taxes, benefits and other deductions). You would also be eligible to participate in
periodic performance appraisals in accordance with current company practice.

You will be eligible for paid time off (PTO) accrual, consistent with Asyst policies, as well as
customary or Company-declared “shut-down” periods.

In addition, you would be initially eligible to participate in an annualized performance-based
bonus plan for Asyst’s Fiscal Year 2005. Your initial targeted payout amount would be 30% of your
base salary, conditioned upon 100% achievement of company, team and individual objectives. The
performance-based bonus plan will be structured in such a way that should you, your team and the
company exceed certain objectives (which may include company profitability objectives), your
actual performance-based bonus payout could be greater than the targeted payout amount noted
above.

 

 

Aaron Tachibana

June 1, 2004

Page 2 of 3

Additionally, in conjunction with your employment Asyst would offer you an option to purchase
15,000 shares of Asyst Common Stock. This option would be subject to approval by Asyst’s Board of
Directors, and subject to all terms and conditions of the specific Asyst option plan from which the
option would be issued. Once approved, the option would begin vesting on the grant date anniversary
(25%) and would continue vesting in conjunction with your continuing employment at a rate of 25% of
the option grant per year, such that at the end of your fourth year of your continuous employment
the option shall have vested in full. The exercise price of the option shares will be set as of the
closing market price for Asyst Common Stock on the last trading day of the month in which your
grant is approved by Asyst’s Board of Directors.

Asyst offers what we feel is a very competitive benefits package, which would be available to your
upon your employment. A brief summary of those benefits is attached for your review. You will need
to review carefully the specific benefit plans to determine your specific eligibility and the
specific the terms and conditions applicable to any benefits. Please note that under current
benefit plan requirements, if an Asyst employee requests medical and dental coverage, the employee
is required to pay approximately 5% of the employee premium, and if covering
dependents, the employee is required to pay approximately 15% of the dependent
premium. Also, there is a 401K Plan available to employees interested in tax-deferred income
and investment options. It is understood that all benefits and plan terms and conditions are
subject to change without notification.

You understand and agree that Asyst may revoke or change this offer of employment at any time and
for any reason, without obligation or liability to you. You also understand and agree that if you
do accept employment with Asyst, your employment will at all times be “at will”. It is not for a
specific term and can be terminated by you or by the Company at any time, for any reason, with or
without cause and with or without notice. Any contrary representations, promises or assurances
which may have been made or which may be made to you, concerning any aspect of your employment,
are superseded by this offer and of no binding effect on Asyst. Any additions or modifications of
these terms would have to be in writing and signed by yourself, your prospective manager, and the
Sr. Director of Human Resources.

You also must be able to provide appropriate identification establishing your identity and legal
right to work within the United States, and complete and return a
form I-9 within the first three
(3) days of your employment. This offer is also contingent upon satisfactory background and
reference checks. In this regard, you will be asked to consent to Asyst obtaining such background
information and references as it deems reasonably necessary, including confirmation of your past
employment history, Social Security verification and Criminal background.

 

 

Aaron Tachibana

June 1, 2004

Page 3 of 3

As a further condition of our offer and your initial and continuing employment with Asyst, you
will be expected to sign and comply with certain agreements and all Asyst policies and procedures,
concerning benefits, confidential information, assignment of inventions, arbitration of disputes,
business conduct, among others. In this regard, you will be asked to sign and return in
conjunction with your acceptance of this offer the enclosed Proprietary Information Agreement,
Agreement to Arbitrate Disputes and Claim, and Code of Business Conduct. These agreements, and the
additional policies and procedures applicable to you at all times during employment with Asyst,
contain important conditions effecting your employment and your legal
rights in general. Please
read and review them carefully and feel free to consult with your attorney or other advisor
concerning their terms, significance and effect on you.

We hope you will give our offer positive consideration, and we look forward to having you as part
of our team. If this offer is acceptable, please sign, date and return this letter, along with the
enclosed additional documents to Human Resources.

If there
are any questions or concerns, please contact myself or Dorothy Jones, Sr. Director of
Human Resources.

Sincerely,

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Pete Mangan
 

Pete Mangan

Director, Finance

	 	 	 	/s/ David White
 

David White

Sr. V.P/CFO
	 	 

Agreed
and Accepted:

I understand and agree to the terms and conditions of this offer of employment with Asyst
Technologies, Inc. I also specifically understand that Asyst may revoke this offer at any time,
and for any reason, prior to my actual commencement of employment and without obligation or
liability to me, and that my continuing employment thereafter with shall be “at will”, subject to
my compliance with all policies or procedures in effect, and terminable by me or by Asyst at any
time, for any reason, with or without cause and with or without notice.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Aaron Tachibana
 

Aaron Tachibana

	 	 
	 	     6-2-04
 

Date
	 	 
	 
	     6-7-04
 
[intended start date]

	
 

	 	 
	 	 	 

			
	Attachments:	 	Proprietary Information Agreement

Agreement to Arbitrate Disputes and Claims

Code of Business Conductexv10w54

Exhibit 10.54

[Asyst
Technologies, Inc. letterhead]

October 4, 2002

Paula Lu Priore

57804 Owen

Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Dear Paula,

Asyst is pleased to extend a formal offer to you to join our company as Vice President/
General Manager, Connectivity Solutions, reporting to Stephen Schwartz, President & Chief
Executive Officer.

As Vice President/General Manager, Connectivity Solutions you would be responsible for performing
the key events/responsibilities outlined in the attached job description. In addition, you would be
required to perform other job-related duties as assigned by your manager.

During your employment with Asyst, you would be expected to establish and maintain a professional,
cordial relationship with co-workers, management, suppliers and customers. You would be expected to
learn the requirements of the position and demonstrate the ability to meet satisfactory performance
for this position. You would also be expected to actively participate in Asyst’s quality
improvement processes.

This is an exempt position, and your salary would be $7,692.31 per pay period (26 pay periods per
year), which calculates to $200,000.00 on an annualized basis, with a performance appraisal April
1, 2003. Based on the 7% salary redaction in effect for all Vice Presidents of the company, your
reduced salary will be $7,153.86 per pay period (26 pay periods per year), which calculates to
$186,000.00 on an annualized basis. Your date of hire would be determined upon acceptance of this
offer.

Upon approval of the plan, you will be eligible to participate in an annualized performance-based
bonus program for Fiscal Year 2003, which will have a targeted payout of 50% of your base salary at
100% achievement of company and individual objectives. The bonus plan will be structured in such a
way that should you exceed plan, your bonus payout will be greater than the targeted bonus noted
above. For the first three (3) years of employment, you will receive a guaranteed bonus of no less
than $70,000.00 each year.

 

 

Paula Lu Priore

September 30, 2002

Page 2 of 3

Additionally, Asyst offers you an option to purchase 50,000 shares of Company stock. This
option will begin vesting six (6) months after your date of hire , and will continue vesting at
a rate of 1/42 per month of employment with the Company, for forty-two (42) months, such
that at the end of forty-eight (48) months of continuous employment, the option shall
become fully exercisable. However, the option, the vesting schedule and the price per
share of this option are subject to final approval by the Board of Directors. As part of the
Annual Stock Option Incentive Program (typically in May/June), you will be granted
40,000 options for Fiscal Year 2004.

In addition, you would be offered permanent relocation assistance according to the policy detailed
below. Asyst will also pay for any other relocation costs not listed below, as agreed upon between
yourself and Stephen Schwartz.

	•	 	Relocation: If you accept this assignment, it is understood that you would relocate, and
Asyst would pay one-way airline tickets for you, your spouse and children (if appropriate).
Asyst would also pay for one additional round trip. For actual moving expenses, Asyst would
pay for relocation of your household goods and 60 days of storage if required. These expenses
will be included as non-taxable earnings on your W-2. Moving expenses are limited to moving
household goods and personal items. Our relocation policy is attached.
	 
	 	 	If, for any reason, your employment voluntarily terminates within the first year after the
relocation, you would be required to reimburse Asyst 50% of all relocation expenses.
	 
	•	 	Temporary Living: If you accept permanent relocation, Asyst would pay all expenses
for living accommodations and meals as outlined in Travel Policy #519, for up to twelve (12)
months or until you establish residence (whichever occurs first). During this time, the
company will generally pay for storage & insurance of household goods. It is understood that
living accommodations would include your spouse and children, but all other living expenses
during this period of time would apply only to the employee. Asyst will “gross up” any
temporary living expenses associated with your relocation to cover any federal and state taxes
related to the temporary living expenses in the employees W-2.
	 
	•	 	Closing Costs: Asyst will reimburse you for the closing costs on the sale of your home in
North Carolina, as well as the closing costs for the purchase of a home in the Bay Area.
Documentation of these fees will be required for reimbursement and will be considered as
taxable income. Should you voluntarily terminate your employment within the first two years,
you will be responsible for repaying 100% of this amount to the Company.

 

 

Paula Lu Priore

September 30, 2002

Page 3 of 3

Asyst offers a very competitive benefits package, which would be effective as of your date of hire.
A brief summary of those benefits is attached for your review. Please note that if an employee
requests medical and dental coverage, the employee is required to pay approximately 5% of the
employee premium, and if covering dependents, the employee is required to pay
approximately 15% of the dependent premium. Also, there is a 401K Plan available to employees
interested in tax-deferred income and investment options. The next sign-up period for the 401K Plan
is in the month of March, 2003. It is understood that all benefits are subject to change without
notification.

In order to protect our mutual employment rights, employment with Asyst is “at will”. It is not for
a specific term and can be terminated by yourself or by the Company at any time for any reason,
with or without cause. Any contrary representations which may have been made or which may be made
to you are superseded by this offer.

This offer is conditioned upon execution by you of the enclosed Proprietary Information Agreement.
You also must be able to provide appropriate identification establishing your right to work within
the United States. This offer is contingent upon satisfactory background and reference checks. If
you accept this offer, the terms described in this letter shall be the terms of your employment.
Any additions or modifications of these terms would have to be in writing and signed by yourself,
your immediate manager, and the Vice President of Human Resources.

Paula, we hope you will give our offer positive consideration, and we look forward to having
you as part of our team. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact myself or
Dorothy Jones, Sr. Director of Human Resources.

Sincerely,

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Stephen S. Schwartz
 

Stephen S. Schwartz

	 	 
	 	/s/ Dorothy Jones
 

Dorothy Jones
	 	 
	President and CEO

	 	 	 	Sr. Director, Human Resources	 	 

Agreed and Accepted:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Paula Lu Priore
 

Paula Lu Priore

	 	 
	 	     10/7/02
 

Today’s Date
	 	 
	 
	     10/28/02
 
Date of Hire

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