Document:

EX-10.8

 Exhibit 10.8 
  

 
 Execution Copy 

CUSTODY AGREEMENT 
 (U.S.
Dollar Only) 
 AGREEMENT, dated as of January 5, 2017, by and between World Currency Gold Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware
statutory trust organized in series, having its principal office and place of business at 685 Third Avenue, 27th Floor, New York 10017, on behalf of each of its series (each, a “Fund”
and collectively, the “Funds”) as listed on Schedule II hereto (as such Schedule may be amended from time to time) and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal office and
place of business at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (“Custodian”). 
 WITNESSETH: 

WHEREAS, Custodian and WGC USA Asset Management, LLC, the Sponsor of the Trust, are negotiating a blocked account agreement, a security
interest agreement and a vendor side letter (collectively the “Payment Procedure Related Documents”) in connection with the payment of the Custodian’s fees under this Agreement. 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the Trust and Custodian agree as follows: 

ARTICLE I 
 DEFINITIONS

 Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below: 

1. “Authorized Person” shall mean each person, whether or not an officer or an employee of the Trust, duly authorized to
execute this Agreement and to give Instructions on behalf of the Trust as set forth in Schedule I hereto and each Authorized Person’s scope of authority may be limited by setting forth such limitation in a written document signed by both
parties hereto. From time to time the Trust may deliver a new Schedule I to add or delete any person and Custodian shall be entitled to rely on the last Schedule I hereto actually received by Custodian. 

2. “Business Day” shall mean any day on which Custodian is open for business. 

3. “Cash” shall mean U.S. dollars. 

4. “Certificate” shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement
to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Trust by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person. 

 5. “Custodian Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank
of New York Mellon Corporation. 
 6. “Instructions” shall mean communications actually received by Custodian by
S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian as available for use in connection with the services hereunder, from an Authorized Person. 

7. “Oral Instructions” shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person
reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person. 
 8. “Sponsor” shall mean the designated sponsor of the
Trust, currently WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC. 
 9. “Transfer Agent” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon or an
affiliate, subject to a separate Transfer Agency and Service Agreement entered into between the parties, or any successor transfer agent identified to Custodian in a Certificate. 

ARTICLE II 
 APPOINTMENT
OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS; 
 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS 

1. (a) The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all cash at any time delivered to Custodian during
the term of this Agreement. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more cash accounts for each Fund (each such account being separate and distinct with respect to each Fund). Custodian shall maintain
books and records segregating the assets of each Fund from the assets of any other Fund. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of the applicable Fund. 

(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Trust and Custodian may
agree upon (each a “Special Account”), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Trust may specify in a Certificate or Instructions. 

(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Trust and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such accounts such Cash as the Trust may specify in a
Certificate or Instructions. 
 2. The Trust, on its own behalf and on behalf of each Fund, hereby represents and warrants, which
representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Trust, that: 

  
 - 2 - 

 (a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization,
with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder; 
 (b)
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment
binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; 

(c) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has
obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; 
 (d) It will not use the
services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Trust; 

(e) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and
delivering Certificates to Custodian, shall, and shall cause each Authorized Person, to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, understands that there may be more secure methods
of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by it, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection therewith provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and
circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian, may be presumed in good faith by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given; 

(f) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each
disbursement is for a proper purpose; and 
 (g) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security
entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article IV hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or
other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority. 

3. Custodian hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing, that: 

(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now
conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder; 

  
 - 3 - 

 (b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Custodian, constitutes a
valid and legally binding obligation of Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture,
credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; 

(c) It has, and will maintain, such backup, contingency and disaster recovery procedures as are required by its regulators; and 

(d) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has
obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted. 
 ARTICLE III 

CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES 

1. Subject to the terms hereof, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any cash received by it from time to
time for the applicable Fund’s account. 
 2. Custodian shall furnish the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, with an advice of daily
transactions as promptly as practicable in its ordinary course processing, after the close of Business on each Business Day and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts as promptly as practicable in its ordinary course processing,
following such month end. Custodian shall furnish such reports for such other time periods as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request. 

3. With respect to all Cash held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary: 

(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Trust as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid; and 

(b) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments. 

4. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or
local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing. 
 5. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, shall be
liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto (“Taxes”), with respect to any cash held on behalf of a Fund or any transaction related thereto. The Trust, on
behalf of each Fund, as applicable, shall indemnify Custodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian or any withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income
earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Trust (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold, except to the extent that any such failure to withhold any payment of

  
 - 4 - 

 
Tax is the result of a failure of the Custodian to discharge its duties in accordance with its standard of care as set forth in Article VII below). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the
applicable withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution. In the event that Custodian is required under applicable law to
pay any Tax on behalf of a Fund, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account for that particular Fund only in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate withholding
agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Trust, on behalf of such Fund, of the
additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Trust, on behalf of such Fund, shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as
specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a Fund is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be
withheld or paid on behalf of the Trust under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as
appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law
or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for refund, Custodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any forms
or documentation provided by the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, to Custodian hereunder. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or
underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the applicable Fund, its successors and assigns notwithstanding
the termination of this Agreement. 
 6. (a) For the purpose of settling foreign exchange transactions, the Trust, on behalf of each
Fund, shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, “sufficient immediately available funds” shall mean either
(i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, with
immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may
specify to Custodian. 
 (b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with
Custodian or a Custodian Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian
may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to a Fund. Each Fund shall bear all risks of holding cash denominated in a foreign currency. 

  
 - 5 - 

 (c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services in
connection with this Agreement, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. The Trust understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial
instruments (e.g., derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not
be material. Where vendors do not provide information for certain property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such property as determined by
it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder. 

ARTICLE IV 
 OVERDRAFTS
OR INDEBTEDNESS 
 1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any Fund which results in an overdraft
(including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the Cash held by Custodian in an Account for such Fund shall be insufficient because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Trust is for any
other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a Fund, such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Trust for such Fund payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum
ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Trust hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security
interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset, of such Fund at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of such Fund or in which such Fund may have an
interest which is then in Custodian’s possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting in Custodian’s behalf. The Trust authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft
or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Funds’ credit on Custodian’s books. 

2. If the Trust borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for
temporary or emergency purposes using Cash held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Trust shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to which such borrowing
relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, (f) the Cash to
be delivered as collateral for such loan, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the Trust’s prospectus. Custodian shall
deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the
Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be 

  
 - 6 - 

 
subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Cash as additional collateral as may be specified in a
Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Trust shall cause all Cash released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of
collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Trust fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, or the principal amount of any Cash to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to
deliver Cash. For the avoidance of doubt, Custodian may not sell, transfer, lend or otherwise dispose of any assets of a Fund in which Custodian has a lien or security interest, except as permitted hereunder. 

ARTICLE V 
 SALE AND
REDEMPTION OF SHARES 
 1. Whenever the Trust shall sell any shares issued by the Trust (“Shares”) it shall deliver to
Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trust’s Transfer Agent to provide instructions, specifying the amount of Cash, if any, to be received by Custodian in connection with the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to an
Account for such Fund. Upon receipt of such Cash, if any, Custodian shall credit the same to an Account in the name of the Fund for which such Cash, if any, is received. 

2. Whenever the Trust desires Custodian to make a payment, if any, out of Cash held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of
any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or cause the Trust’s Transfer Agent to provide instructions specifying the total amount of Cash, if any, to be paid, for the redemption of such Shares. Custodian shall
make any such payment and such delivery of Shares, as directed by a Certificate or Instructions or instructions of the Trust’s transfer agent, out of the Cash held in an Account of the appropriate Fund. 

ARTICLE VI 
 PAYMENT OF
DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS 
 1. Whenever the Trust shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to
Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Fund specified therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date. 

2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the Cash held for the account of such Fund
the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Trust specified therein. 
 ARTICLE VII 

CONCERNING CUSTODIAN 
 1.
(a) Custodian shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages,
liabilities or claims, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees (collectively, “Losses”), incurred by or asserted against the 

  
 - 7 - 

 
Trust, except those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, or breach of any representation or
warranty of Custodian contained in this Agreement. In no event shall the Custodian be liable to the Trust or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this
Agreement. The Custodian shall not be liable: (i) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person;
(ii) for acting in accordance with such Instructions without reviewing the same; (iii) for presuming that all disbursements of cash directed by the Trust, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are
in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement; or (iv) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions;
regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or affect the value of property;
(v) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions,
loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services. 
 (b) Custodian may enter into
subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any Custodian Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall
discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder, and Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any such Custodian Affiliate to the same extent as it is liable for such acts or omissions under this Agreement. 

(c) Subject to the limitations set forth in Article VIII below, the Trust, on its own behalf and on behalf of each Fund, as applicable, agrees
to indemnify Custodian, its officers, directors and employees, or persons performing similar functions on behalf of the Custodian, and their respective successor and permitted assigns, and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses
sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian’s performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a
successful defense of claims by a Fund; provided however, that the Trust, on its own behalf and on behalf of each Fund, as applicable, shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence, bad faith, willful
misfeasance, reckless disregard for its duties hereunder, or breach of any representation or warranty of Custodian contained in this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding
the termination of this Agreement. In no event shall the Trust be liable to the Custodian or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement. All
obligations of the Trust under this Agreement shall apply only on a Fund by Fund basis, and the assets of one Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of another Fund. 

(d) Custodian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each Fund, its officers, directors and employees, or persons performing
similar functions on behalf of the Trust 

  
 - 8 - 

 
or the Fund, and their respective successor and permitted assigns, from and against any and all Losses caused by Custodian’s negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard
for its duties hereunder, or breach of any representation or warranty of Custodian contained in this Agreement; provided, that the Trust and each Fund shall not be entitled to indemnification hereunder for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or
claims arising out of its negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, or breach of any representation or warranty of the Trust contained in this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation
of Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. 
 (e) A party seeking indemnification
hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”) shall (i) provide prompt notice to the other party of any claim (“Claim”) for which it intends to seek indemnification, (ii) grant control of the defense and for settlement of the
Claim to the other party, and (iii) cooperate with the other party in the defense thereof. The Indemnified Party shall have the right at its own expense to participate in the defense of any Claim, but shall not have the right to control the
defense, consent to judgment or agree to the settlement of any Claim without the written consent of the other party. The party providing the indemnification shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter any settlement which (i) does
not include, as an unconditional term, the release by the claimant of all liabilities for Claims against the Indemnified Party or (ii) which otherwise adversely affects the rights of the Indemnified Party. 

2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for: 

(a) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor; 

(b) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Trust; 

(c) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust; 

(d) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of Cash held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Trust; whether any
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Trust of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Trust may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing
member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Trust is entitled to receive, or to notify the Trust of Custodian’s receipt or non-receipt of any
such payment; or 
 (e) Whether any transactions by the Trust, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be
engaged in by the Trust. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Trust inquires into matters described in Section VII.2(a) or
(b) above, Custodian shall provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in such inquiries at the Trust’s expense. 

  
 - 9 - 

 3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the
advice of the Trust’s counsel and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it provided that Custodian acts in good faith without negligence or willful misfeasance in carrying out such advice, and provided further
that, any such action or omission by Custodian is consistent with Custodian’s rights and responsibilities under this Agreement. 
 4.
Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account. 

5. Custodian is entitled to receive from the Sponsor fees for its ordinary services under this Agreement and reimbursement for its customary
and ordinary out-of-pocket expenses incurred under this Agreement in accordance with a separate written agreement between the Sponsor and Custodian. Each Fund agrees to pay Custodian any compensation due it for extraordinary services as is mutually
agreed to in writing by each Fund and Custodian from time to time. 
 6. The Trust agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or
Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a
contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Trust elects to transmit
Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Trust’s use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives Instructions which appear on their face to
have been transmitted by an Authorized Person via (i) computer facsimile, email, the Internet or other insecure electronic method, or (ii) secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or
authentication keys, the Trust understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized
Person, and the Trust shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian. If the Trust elects (with Custodian’s prior consent) to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications
service owned or operated by a third party, the Trust agrees that Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the reliability or availability of any such service. 

7. The books and records pertaining to the Trust which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Trust. Such books and
records shall be prepared and maintained as described in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder, as if the Trust was subject to such rules. The Trust, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and
records during Custodian’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Trust or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the
Trust, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained. 

  
 - 10 - 

 8. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts
which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Trust with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time. 

9. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement, except as set forth in this Agreement. 

ARTICLE VIII 
 LIMITATION
OF LIABILITY 
 Custodian agrees that, pursuant to Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the liabilities of each Fund shall be
limited such that (a) the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing and relating to this Agreement with respect to a particular Fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that particular
Fund only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally or the assets of any other Fund and (b) none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing and relating to this Agreement with
respect to the Trust generally and any other Fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that particular Fund. 
 ARTICLE IX 

TERMINATION 
 1. The term
of this Agreement shall be one year commencing upon the date hereof and shall automatically renew for additional one-year terms unless either party provides written notice of termination at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of any one
year term or, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 3 of this Article IX. In the event such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Sponsor or certificate of the Trust, designating
a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before
the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution or certificate of the Trust, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, Custodian may designate a successor custodian which
shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance
by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Cash then owned by the Trust and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall
then be entitled. 
 2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the
Trust shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Cash then owned by the Trust be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and
responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement. 

  
 - 11 - 

 3. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1 of this Article IX, Custodian may terminate this Agreement
immediately by sending notice thereof to the Trust if Custodian and the Sponsor have not entered into all of the Payment Procedure Related Documents prior to the effectiveness of the Form S-1 Registration Statement for the first Fund registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Trust. 
 (b) Notwithstanding Section 1 of this Article IX, either party hereto may
terminate this Agreement immediately by sending notice thereof to the other party upon the happening of any of the following: (i) a party breaches any material provision of this Agreement, provided that the non-breaching party gives written
notice of such breach to the breaching party and the breaching party does not cure such violation within 90 days of receipt of such notice; (ii) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law,
or there is commenced against such party any such case or proceeding; (iii) a party commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any
substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the party any such case or proceeding; (iv) a party makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) a party states in any medium, written, electronic or
otherwise, any public communication or in any other public manner its inability to pay debts as they come due. Either party hereto may exercise its termination right under this Section 3 of this Article IX at any time after the occurrence of
any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right. In addition, the Trust
may terminate this Agreement at any time upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice in the event that the Sponsor determines to liquidate the Trust and terminate its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

ARTICLE X 
 MISCELLANEOUS

 1. The Trust agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present
Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons. 

2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given
if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing. 

3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to the Trust and received by it at its offices at 685 Third Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10017, United States of America, or at such other place as the Trust may from time to
time designate in writing. 

  
 - 12 - 

 4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered
hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver
thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. 

5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment
to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Trust and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other. 
 6. This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Trust and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in
New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Trust hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such
proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Trust and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. 
 7. The Trust hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws,
including the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Trust.
Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Trust to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Trust’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help
Custodian to identify and verify the Trust’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Trust agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account
hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Trust’s identity in accordance with its CIP. 
 8. The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporation is a global financial organization that provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the “BNY Mellon Group”). The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit,
accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the “Centralized Functions”) in one or more
affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers. Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions, (i) the Trust consents to the disclosure of and authorizes Custodian to disclose information regarding the Trust
(“Customer-Related Data”) 

  
 - 13 - 

 
to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers who are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information and (ii) Custodian may store the names and
business contact information of the Trust’s employees and representatives on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its service providers. The BNY Mellon Group may aggregate Customer-Related Data with other data collected
and/or calculated by the BNY Mellon Group, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary the BNY Mellon Group will own all such aggregated data, provided that the BNY Mellon Group shall not distribute the aggregated data in a format
that identifies Customer-Related Data with a particular customer. The Trust confirms that it is authorized to consent to the foregoing. 

9. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall,
together, constitute only one instrument. 

  
 - 14 - 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by
their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the latest date set forth below. 
 WORLD CURRENCY GOLD
TRUST, 
 On behalf of each Fund listed on Schedule II 

By: /s/ Gregory S.
Collett                             

Name: Gregory S. Collett 

Title: Principle Executive Officer* 

Date: 1/3/17 

* Authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust 

   in this capacity since an officer of the 

   Trust’s sponsor 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON 

By: /s/ Stephen
Cook                                     

Name: Stephen Cook 

Title: Managing Director 

Date: 1/5/17 

  
 - 15 - 

 SCHEDULE I 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS 

(The Trust—Oral and Written Instructions) 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting
                    of World Currency Gold Trust (the “Trust”), and further certifies that the following officers or employees of the Trust
have been duly authorized in conformity with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust to deliver Certificates and Oral Instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon (“Custodian”) pursuant to the Custody Agreement between the Trust
and Custodian dated                     , 2016 and that the signatures appearing opposite their names are true and correct: 

 

													
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature
					
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature
					
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature
					
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature
					
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature
					
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature
					
	      
	  				 	      
	  				 	      

	 Name
	  				 	Title	  				 	Signature

 This certificate supersedes any certificate of Authorized Persons you may currently have on file. 

 

											
					
	[seal]	  				 	By: 	 	
                     
                        
	  	
		  				 		 	Title:	  	
	Date:	  				 		 		  	

 SCHEDULE II 

Funds 
 SPDR® Long Dollar Gold Trust 
 SPDR® Euro Gold
Trust 
 SPDR® Pound Gold Trust 

SPDR® Yen Gold Trust 

 APPENDIX I 

ELECTRONIC SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

These Electronic Access Terms and Conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”) set forth the terms and conditions under which The Bank of
New York Mellon Corporation and/or its subsidiaries or joint ventures (collectively, “BNY Mellon”) will provide the entities and its (their) affiliates listed on Schedule A (“You” and “Your”)
with access to and use of BNY Mellon’s electronic information delivery site known as “BNY Mellon Connect” and/or other BNY Mellon-designated access portals (“Electronic Access”). Access to and use of Electronic
Access by You is contingent upon and is in consideration for Your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth below. Electronic Access includes access to BNY Mellon web sites accessible via BNY Mellon Connect and/or other BNY
Mellon-designated access portals (“Sites”), pursuant to which You are able to access products and services provided by BNY Mellon as well as data regarding Your accounts. You may amend Schedule A by delivering a revised
version to BNY Mellon. 
 Any particular product or service accessed by You through Electronic Access may be subject to a separate written agreement between
You and BNY Mellon with respect to such products and services (each a “Services Agreement”). In addition, terms and conditions and restrictions with respect to any particular product or service accessed through Electronic
Access (such as privacy and internet security matters), together with any disclaimers related to the specific products or services, may be set forth on the Sites (hereinafter referred to as “Terms of Use”) and are applicable to such
products and services. You agree to the Terms and Conditions. By any of Your Users accessing the Sites, and the products and services available through Electronic Access, You agree to any Terms of Use and acknowledge and accept any disclaimers and
disclosures included on the Sites and the restrictions concerning the use of proprietary data provided by Information Providers (as defined below) that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site (as defined below). For the avoidance of doubt, the
execution of these Terms and Conditions will not alter or amend or otherwise affect any Services Agreement whether such Services Agreement is executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions. 

 

	1.	Access Administration: 

  

	 	a.	To facilitate access to Electronic Access, You will furnish BNY Mellon with a written list of the names, and the extent of authority or level of access, of persons You are authorizing to access the Sites, products and
services and to use the Electronic Access (“Authorized Users”) on a read-only basis. In addition, You may also designate Authorized Users who will have authority to enter transactions and provide instructions to BNY Mellon
that cause a change in or have an impact on assets held by BNY Mellon for Your accounts (“Authorized Transactional Users”). Where appropriate, Authorized Users and Authorized Transactional Users are collectively referred to
herein as “Users.” If You wish to allow any third party (such as an investment manager, consultant or third party service provider) or any employee of a third party to have access to Your account information through
Electronic Access and be included as a “User” under these Terms and Conditions, You may designate a third party or employee of a third party as an Authorized User or Authorized Transactional User under these Terms and Conditions and any
such third party or employee of a third party so designated by You (and, if a third party is so designated, any employee of such third party designated by such third party) will be included within the definition of Authorized User, Authorized
Transactional User, and User as appropriate. 

  

	 	b.	 Upon BNY Mellon’s approval of Users (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld), BNY Mellon will send
You a user-id, temporary password and, where applicable, a security identification device for each User. You will be responsible for providing to Users the user-ids, temporary passwords and, where applicable, secure identification devices. You will
ensure that any User receiving a secure identification device returns such device immediately following the termination of the User’s authorization to access the products and services for which the secure identification device was provided to
such User. You are solely responsible for Users’ access to Electronic Access, and You and Users are solely responsible for the confidentiality of the user-ids and passwords and secure identification devices that are provided to them and will
remain responsible for each secure identification device until it is returned to BNY Mellon. You, on behalf of You and Your affiliates, acknowledge and agree that, BNY Mellon will have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm the actual identity
of the person who accessed Electronic Access using a validly issued user-id and password (and, where applicable, security identification device) or that the 

	 	
person who accessed Electronic Access using such validly issued user-id and password (and, where applicable, security identification device) is, in fact, a User (whether an Authorized User or an
Authorized Transactional User). 

  

	 	c.	You shall not, and shall not permit any User or third party to, breach or attempt to breach any security measures used in connection with Electronic Access or Proprietary Software. Any attempt to circumvent or penetrate
any application, network or other security measures used by BNY Mellon or its suppliers in connection with Electronic Access is strictly prohibited. 

  

	 	d.	You are also solely responsible for ensuring that all Users comply with these Terms and Conditions and any Terms of Use included on the Sites, the Service Agreement for each product or services accessed through the
Sites and their associated services and all applicable terms and conditions, restrictions on the use of such products and services and data obtained through the use of Electronic Access. BNY Mellon reserves the right to prohibit access or revoke the
access of any User to Electronic Access whom BNY Mellon determines has violated or breached these terms and conditions or any Terms of Use on a Site accessed by the User, including the Data Terms Web Site (as defined below), or whose conduct BNY
Mellon reasonably determines may constitute a criminal offense, violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or constitute a security risk for BNY Mellon, a BNY Mellon’s third party supplier (“BNY Mellon’s
Supplier”), BNY Mellon’s clients or any Users of Electronic Access. BNY Mellon may also terminate access to all Users following termination of all Services Agreements between You and BNY Mellon. 

 

	2.	Proprietary Software: Depending upon the products and services You elect to access through Electronic Access, You may be provided software owned by BNY Mellon or licensed to BNY Mellon by a BNY Mellon
Supplier (“Proprietary Software”). You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to install the Proprietary Software on Your authorized computer system (including mobile devices registered with BNY Mellon) and
to use the Proprietary Software solely for Your own internal purposes in connection with Electronic Access and solely for the purposes for which it is provided to You. You and Your Users may make copies of the Proprietary Software for backup
purposes only, provided all copyright and other proprietary information included in the original copy of the Proprietary Software are reproduced in or on such backup copies. You shall not reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile or attempt to
determine the source code for, any Proprietary Software. Any attempt to circumvent or penetrate security of Electronic Access is strictly prohibited. 

  

	3.	Use of Data:  

  

	 	a.	Electronic Access may include information and data that is proprietary to the providers of such information or data (“Information Providers”) or may be used to access Sites that include such
information or data from Information Providers. This information and data may be subject to restrictions and requirements which are imposed on BNY Mellon by the Information Providers and which are posted on
http://www.bnymellon.com/products/assetservicing/vendoragreement.pdf or any successor web site of which You are provided notice from time to time (the “Data Terms Web Site”). You will be solely responsible for ensuring that
Users comply with the restrictions and requirements concerning the use of proprietary data that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site. 

  

	 	b.	You consent to BNY Mellon, its affiliates and BNY Mellon’s Suppliers disclosing to each other and using data received from You and Users and, where applicable, Your third parties in connection with these Terms and
Conditions (including, without limitation, client data and personal data of Users) (1) to the extent necessary for the provision of Electronic Access; (2) in order for BNY Mellon and its affiliates to meet any of their obligations under
these Terms and Conditions to provide Electronic Access; or (3) to the extent necessary for Users to access Electronic Access. 

  

	 	c.	In addition, You permit BNY Mellon to aggregate data concerning Your accounts with other data collected and/or calculated by BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon will own such aggregated data, but will not distribute the aggregated
data in a format that identifies You or Your data. 

  

	4.	Ownership and Rights: 

  

	 	a.	Electronic Access, including any database, any software (including for the avoidance of doubt, Proprietary Software) and any proprietary data, processes, scripts, information, training materials, manuals or
documentation made available as part of the Electronic Access (collectively, the “Information”), are the exclusive and confidential property of BNY Mellon and/or BNY Mellon’s suppliers. You may not use or disclose the
Information except as expressly authorized by these Terms and Conditions. You will, and will cause Users and Your third parties and their users, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and discretion that You use with respect to
Your own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care. 

	 	b.	The provisions of this paragraph will not affect the copyright status of any of the Information which may be copyrighted and will apply to all Information whether or not copyrighted. 

 

	 	c.	Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will be construed as giving You or Users any license or right to use the trade marks, logos and/or service marks of BNY Mellon, its affiliates, its Information Providers or BNY
Mellon’s Suppliers. 

  

	 	d.	Any Intellectual Property Rights and any other rights or title not expressly granted to You or Users under these Terms and Conditions are reserved to BNY Mellon, its Information Providers and BNY Mellon’s
Suppliers. “Intellectual Property Rights” includes all copyright, patents, trademarks and service marks, rights in designs, moral rights, rights in computer software, rights in databases and other protectable lists of information, rights
in confidential information, trade secrets, inventions and know-how, trade and business names, domain names (including all extensions, revivals and renewals, where relevant) in each case whether registered or unregistered and applications for any of
them and the goodwill attaching to any of them and any rights or forms of protection of a similar nature and having equivalent or similar effect to any of them which may subsist anywhere in the world. 

 

	5.	Reliance:  

  

	 	a.	BNY Mellon will be entitled to rely on, and will be fully protected in acting upon, any actions or instructions associated with a user-id or a secure identification device issued to a User until such time BNY Mellon
receives actual notice in writing from You of the change in status of the User and receipt of the secure identification device issued to such User. You acknowledge that all commands, directions and instructions, including commands, directions and
instructions for transactions issued by a User are issued at Your sole risk. You agree to accept full and sole responsibility for all such commands, directions and instructions and that BNY Mellon, will have no liability for, and you hereby release
BNY Mellon from, any losses, liabilities, damages, costs, expenses, claims, causes of action or judgments (including attorneys fees and expenses) (collectively “Losses”) incurred or sustained by you or any other party in
connection with or as a result of BNY Mellon’s reliance upon or compliance with such commands, directions and instructions. 

  

	 	b.	All commands, directions and instructions involving a transaction entered by Authorized Transactional User will be treated as an authorized instruction under the applicable Services Agreement(s) between You and BNY
Mellon covering accounts, products and services and products provided by BNY Mellon with respect to which Electronic Access is being used whether such Services Agreement is executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions.

  

	6.	Disclaimers: 

  

	 	a.	Although BNY Mellon uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information through Electronic Access, BNY Mellon, its Content Providers and Information Providers make no warranties or representations
under these Terms and Conditions as to accuracy, reliability or comprehensiveness of the content, information or data accessed through Electronic Access. Without limiting the foregoing, some of the content on Electronic Access may be provided by
sources unaffiliated with BNY Mellon (“Content Providers”) and by Information Providers. For that content BNY Mellon is a distributor and not a publisher of such content and has no control over it. Information provided by
Information Providers has not been independently verified by BNY Mellon and BNY Mellon makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the content or information provided. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or
other information given or provided by Content Providers and Information Providers (including merchants and licensors) are those of the respective authors of such content and not that of BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon will not be liable to You or Users
for such content or information in any way nor for any action taken in reliance on such information nor for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of such information. For purposes of these Terms and Conditions, all information and data,
including all proprietary information and materials and all client data, provided to You through Electronic Access are provided on an “AS-IS”, “AS AVAILABLE” basis. 

 

	 	b.	BNY Mellon makes no guarantee and does not warrant that Electronic Access or the information and data provided through the Electronic Access are or will be virus-free or will be free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses or
other code with contaminating or destructive properties. BNY Mellon will employ commercially reasonable anti-virus software to its systems to protect its systems against viruses. 

	 	c.	Some Sites accessed through the use of Electronic Access may include links to websites provided by parties that are not affiliated with BNY Mellon (“Third Party Websites”). BNY Mellon will not be
liable to any person for the content found on such Third Party Websites. BNY Mellon will not be responsible for Third Party Websites that collect information from parties who visit their web sites through links on the Sites. BNY Mellon will not be
liable or responsible for any loss suffered by any person as a result of their use of any Third Party Websites that are linked to the BNY Mellon Sites. 

  

	 	d.	BNY Mellon retains complete discretion and authority to add, delete or revise in whole or in part Electronic Access, including its Sites, and to modify from time to time any Proprietary Software provided in conjunction
with the use of Electronic Access and/or any of the Sites. To the extent reasonably possible, BNY Mellon will provide notice of such modifications. BNY Mellon may terminate, immediately and without advance notice, and without right of cure, any
portion or component of Electronic Access or the Sites. 

  

	 	e.	TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY OF QUALITY AND NO WARRANTY OF TITLE OR NONINFRINGEMENT. THERE IS NO OTHER
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING ELECTRONIC ACCESS, THE SITES, ANY PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE, INFORMATION, MATERIALS OR CLIENT DATA. 

  

	 	f.	Notwithstanding the prior paragraph, The Bank of New York Mellon or an Affiliate designated by it will defend You and pay any amounts agreed to by BNY Mellon in a settlement and damages finally awarded by a court of
competent jurisdiction, in an action or proceeding commenced against You based on a claim that Electronic Access or the Proprietary Software infringe plaintiff(s)’s patent, copyright, or trade secret, provided that You (i) notify BNY
Mellon promptly of any such action or claim (except that the failure to so notify BNY Mellon will not limit BNY Mellon’s obligations hereunder except to the extent that such failure prejudices BNY Mellon); (ii) grant BNY Mellon or its
designated Affiliate full and exclusive authority to defend, compromise or settle such claim or action; and (iii) provide BNY Mellon or its designated Affiliate all assistance reasonably necessary to so defend, compromise or settle. The
foregoing obligations will not apply, however, to any claim or action arising from (i) use of the Proprietary Software Information or Electronic Access in a manner not authorized under these Terms and Conditions, the Terms of Use, or the Data
Terms Web Site; or (ii) use of the Proprietary Software or Electronic Access in combination with other software or services not supplied by BNY Mellon. 

  

	7.	Limitation of Liability: 

  

	 	a.	IN NO EVENT WILL BNY MELLON, BNY MELLON’S SUPPLIERS OR ITS CONTENT PROVIDERS OR INFORMATION PROVIDERS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR
EXPENSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, RELIANCE DAMAGES, EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SPECIAL DAMAGES, PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INDIRECT DAMAGES OR DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOOD WILL, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, USE, DATA, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES) THAT RESULT FROM (1) THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ELECTRONIC ACCESS (2) THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY DECISION MADE
OR ACTION OR NON-ACTION TAKEN BY YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON, OR FOR ANY ERRORS BY YOU IN COMMUNICATING SUCH INFORMATION; (3) THE COST OF SUBSTITUTE ACCESS SERVICES; OR (4) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE CONTENT OR ACCESS THROUGH ELECTRONIC
ACCESS. BNY MELLON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM ANY USE OF ANY PRODUCT, INFORMATION, PROCEDURE, OR SERVICE OBTAINED THROUGH ELECTRONIC ACCESS. BNY MELLON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR
INJURY RESULTING FROM VOLUNTARY SHUTDOWN OF THE SERVER, ELECTRONIC ACCESS OR ANY OF THE SITES TO ADDRESS TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, COMPUTER VIRUSES, DENIAL-OF-SERVICE MESSAGES OR OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS. 

 

	 	b.	 BNY MELLON’S ENTIRE LIABILITY AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY DISPUTE OR
CLAIM RELATED TO THESE TERMS OF USE, ELECTRONIC ACCESS OR SITES, IS AS FOLLOWS: IF YOU REPORT A MATERIAL MALFUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC ACCESS THAT BNY MELLON IS ABLE TO REPRODUCE, 

	 	
BNY MELLON WILL USE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION. IF BNY MELLON IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION, YOU MAY CEASE ALL USE OF ELECTRONIC ACCESS AND RECEIVE A REFUND OF ANY FEES
PAID IN ADVANCE, SPECIFICALLY FOR ELECTRONIC ACCESS, APPLICABLE TO PERIODS AFTER CESSATION OF SUCH USE. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. 

  

	 	c.	The limitation of liability set forth in this Limitation of Liability section and in other provisions in these Terms and Conditions is in addition to any limitation of liability provisions contained in any Services
Agreements and will not supersede or be superseded by limitation of liability provisions contained in such Services Agreements, whether executed prior to or after the execution of these Terms and Conditions, except to the extent specifically set
forth in such other Services Agreements containing a reference to these Terms and Conditions. 

  

	8.	Indemnification: 

  

	 	a.	You agree to indemnify, protect and hold BNY Mellon, BNY Mellon’s Suppliers, Content Providers and Information Providers harmless from and against all liability, claims damages, costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, resulting from a claim that arises out of (i) any breach by You or Users of these Terms and Conditions, the Terms of Use or the Data Terms Web Site and (ii) any person obtaining access to
Electronic Access through You or Users or through use of any password, user-id or secure identification device issued to a User, whether or not You or a User authorized such access. For the avoidance of doubt, and by way of illustration and not by
way of limitation, the forgoing indemnity is applicable to disputes between the parties, including the enforcement of these Terms and Conditions. The rights and remedies conferred hereunder will be cumulative and the exercise or waiver of any such
right or remedy will not preclude or inhibit the exercise of additional rights or remedies or the subsequent exercise of such right or remedy. 

  

	 	b.	The indemnity provided in herein is in addition to any indemnity and other remedies contained in any Services Agreements and will not supersede or be superseded by such Services Agreements, whether executed prior to or
after the execution of these Terms and Conditions, except to the extent specifically set forth in such other Services Agreements and expressly stating an intent to modify this Terms and Conditions. Nothing contained herein will, or be deemed to,
alter or modify the rights and remedies of BNY Mellon as set forth in the Services Agreements. 

  

	9.	Choice of Law and Forum: Unless otherwise agreed and specified herein, these Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect
to any principles of conflicts of law; You expressly and irrevocably agree that exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any claim or dispute with BNY Mellon, its employees, contractors, officers or directors or relating in any way to Your use of
Electronic Access resides in the state or federal courts in New York City, New York; and You further irrevocably agree and expressly and irrevocably consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction in those courts over any action brought with
respect to these Terms and Conditions. BNY Mellon and You hereby waive the right of trial by jury in any action arising out of or related to the BNY Mellon or these Terms and Conditions. 

 

	10.	Term and Termination: 

  

	 	a.	Either BNY Mellon or You may terminate these Terms and Conditions and the Electronic Access upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party. 

 

	 	b.	In the event of any breach of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions or a breach by any Authorized User of the Terms of Use or the restrictions and requirements concerning the use of Information Providers’
proprietary data that are posted on the Data Terms Web Site, the non-breaching party may terminate these Terms and Conditions and the Electronic Access immediately upon written notice to the breaching party if any breach remains uncured after ten
(10) days’ written notice of the breach is sent to the breaching party. 

  

	 	c.	BNY Mellon may immediately terminate access through an Authorized User’s user-id and password and may, at its discretion, also terminate access by an Authorized User, without right of cure, in the event of an
unauthorized use of an Authorized User’s user-id or password, or where BNY Mellon believes there is a security risk created by such access. 

  

	 	d.	BNY Mellon may terminate, without advance notice, Your access or the access of Users to any portion or component of Electronic Access or the Sites in the event a BNY Mellon Supplier, Content Provider or Information
Provider prohibits BNY Mellon from permitting You or Users to have access to their information or services. 

	 	e.	Promptly upon receiving or giving notice of termination, You will notify all Users of the effective date of the termination. 

  

	 	f.	Upon termination of Your access to Electronic Access, You shall return of manuals, documentation, workflow descriptions and the like that are in Your possession or under Your control and all security identification
devices. 

  

	 	g.	The Reliance, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability Indemnification and confidentiality provisions of the Terms and Conditions (and other provision of these Terms and Conditions containing disclaimers, limitation of
liability and indemnification) shall survive the termination of these Terms and Conditions. 

 You represent and warrant to BNY Mellon that
these Terms and Conditions and the indemnity contained herein have been duly authorized and accepted, that You have full authority to enter into these Terms and Conditions, both for the entities at Schedule A and for any affiliate with Electronic
Access, and that these Terms and Conditions constitute a binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms. 

 SCHEDULE A to APPENDIX I 

Affiliates of ClientExhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective as of May 6, 2016, (the “Effective Date”) by and among Supreme Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Supreme Corporation, a Texas corporation and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) (jointly, the “Companies”) and Matthew W. Long (the “Executive”). The Companies and the Executive shall be referred to herein as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Companies currently employ the Executive as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary of the Company and the Subsidiary pursuant to an Employment Agreement (the “Original Agreement”) dated as of December 29, 2011, and subsequently amended on December 21, 2012 and November 20, 2014; and;

 

WHEREAS, the Companies and the Executive desire to set forth in writing certain changes in the terms and conditions of their agreement and understandings with respect to the employment of the Executive as their Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary; and

 

WHEREAS, the Companies hereby agree to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts continued employment with the Companies for the period and upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, the terms of which shall completely supersede the terms of the Original Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
 SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE

 

A.            Position and Responsibilities.  The Executive shall continue to serve in the position of Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary of the Company and the Subsidiary, and shall perform services for the Companies as requested or as needed to perform the Executive’s job.  The duties of the Executive shall be those duties which can reasonably be expected to be performed by a person in such position, and the Executive shall have the authority commensurate with the position of chief financial officer, treasurer, and assistant secretary of a publicly held company in the United States.  The Executive shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

B.            Performance.  During the Executive’s employment with the Companies, the Executive shall devote on a full-time basis all of the Executive’s time, energy, skill and best efforts to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder in a manner that will faithfully and diligently further the business and interests of the Companies, and shall exercise reasonable best efforts to perform the Executive’s duties in a diligent, trustworthy, good faith and business-

 

 

like manner, all for the purpose of advancing the business of the Companies.  The Executive shall at all times act in a manner consistent with the Executive’s position.

 

C.            Compliance.  The Executive agrees to act in accordance with high business and ethical standards at all times.  The Executive shall comply with the policies, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, written manuals and lawful directives of the Companies.  The Executive shall use his best judgment in complying with all applicable laws, and shall have access to Company counsel for advice and counsel accordingly.  The Companies shall not loan or advance the Executive any money.  The Executive shall keep the Board and Audit Committee, through their respective Chairman, promptly and fully informed of the Executive’s conduct in connection with the business affairs of the Companies.

 

D.            Representations.  The Executive may manage the Executive’s own passive investments, participate in civic, religious, educational or professional organizations, and may serve, with the consent of the Board, on the board of directors (and any board committees) of any for-profit company that does not compete with the Companies; provided that such activities do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the Executive’s obligations to the Companies.  The Executive represents to the Companies that Executive (i) is not violating and will not violate any contractual, legal, or fiduciary obligations or burdens to which Executive is subject by entering into this Agreement or providing services under the Agreement’s terms; (ii) is under no contractual, legal, or fiduciary obligation or burden that will interfere with Executive’s ability to perform services under the Agreement’s terms; (iii) is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Companies or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other party, that has not been disclosed in writing to the Board; and (iv) has no personal bankruptcies, convictions, disputes with regulatory agencies, or other discloseable or disqualifying events that would have any material impact on the Companies or their ability to conduct securities offerings that have not been disclosed in writing to the Board.  The Executive further represents that the Executive’s performance of all the terms of this Agreement and the Executive’s work duties for the Companies do not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by the Executive in confidence or in trust prior to the Executive’s employment with the Companies.  The Executive shall not disclose to the Companies or induce the Companies to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or others,

 

ARTICLE II.
 COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES

 

As compensation for all services the Executive will perform under this Agreement, the Companies will pay the Executive, and the Executive shall accept as full compensation, the following:

 

A.            Base Compensation.  During the Employment Term, as defined below, the Companies shall pay the Executive an aggregate base salary in the initial amount for all of 2016 of $22,916.67 per month ($275,000 annually) (the “Base Salary”), plus a $1,150 per month car

 

2

 

allowance during the Employment Term of this Agreement to cover the monthly costs associated  with the leasing or purchasing of an automobile (including, without limitation, gas, insurance, registration, repairs, mileage, and maintenance expenses) (the “Car Allowance”) (the Base Salary and the Car Allowance collectively referred to as the “Base Compensation”).  The Base Salary may be reviewed annually by the Board and may be increased from time to time, in the sole discretion of the Board.  The Base Compensation shall be payable in equal installments twice each month consistent with the Company’s current payroll process and modified to be consistent with any change in the Company’s policy.  For all purposes of this Agreement, only the Base Salary (exclusive of the Car Allowance) shall be used for calculations of the bonuses (as set forth in Article II.B. below) and severance payments (as set forth in Article III. below).  The Base Compensation, as in effect from time to time, may not be reduced without the Executive’s prior written consent.

 

B.            Annual Bonus.

 

(i)            The Executive will have an annual cash bonus opportunity equal to 42% of his Base Salary for each calendar year during the Employment Term commencing with 2016 (the “Annual Bonus”).  With respect to the 2016 performance period, the Companies have provided the Executive with a copy of the 2016 Supreme Cash Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”), which sets forth the quantitative objectives for him to achieve with respect to the 2016 performance period. Actual Annual Bonus payouts with respect to the 2016 performance period will be based on the achievement of quantitative objectives for the 2016 performance period, and shall be calculated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Bonus Plan.  With respect to performance periods beginning after December 31, 2016, actual Annual Bonus payouts will be based on the achievement of performance goals determined by the Board during the first ninety (90) days of each applicable performance period, and shall be calculated in accordance with the terms and conditions of Bonus Plan (or any successor plan thereto).  Performance goals under the Bonus Plan shall be quantitative objectives, as established by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be given an opportunity prior to the establishment of the performance goals for a performance period to provide input to the Board of the Company regarding the establishment of all objectives.

 

(ii)           For any calendar year during the Employment Term that the Board of the Company approves a stretch bonus opportunity for the leadership team, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the stretch bonus opportunity to the same extent as other leadership team members, in accordance with the terms of the Bonus Plan (the “Stretch Bonus”).

 

(iii)          The 2016 Bonus, each Annual Bonus, and any Stretch Bonus will be paid in a lump sum in the calendar year immediately following the year to which the relevant bonus in accordance with the terms of the Bonus Plan pursuant to which such amounts are payable.

 

3

 

C.            Long-Term Incentives.

 

(i)            Beginning in 2016, for each calendar year during the Employment Term, the Company, subject to Board approval, shall grant the Executive an equity award with  an aggregate fair market value on the date of grant equal to 60% of the Executive’s Base Salary on the date of grant.  The award will vest in three tranches, equally on the first, second and third anniversaries following of the date of grant.  The form of award shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion at the time of grant.  This grant will be made under the Company’s 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (or a successor plan thereto) (the “LTIP”).

 

(ii)           All outstanding equity awards shall immediately become 100% vested and, with respect to options, exercisable, upon a Change in Control (as defined in the LTIP). If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Companies without Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, and a Change in Control occurs within six (6) months following such termination, all outstanding equity awards shall become vested and exercisable to the same extent as if the Executive had been employed on the date of the Change in Control.

 

D.            OTIP Participation.  The Executive has been granted awards under the Company’s Amended and Restated Ownership Transaction Incentive Plan (“OTIP”) with an aggregate Incentive Pool Percentage of 17% and a Base Price of $2.50 per share, as such terms are defined in the OTIP and subject to the terms and conditions of the OTIP, and may be eligible for additional awards in the sole discretion of the Board.

 

E.            Expenses.  The Companies agree that, during the Employment Term, they will reimburse the Executive for out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the Executive’s performance of the Executive’s services hereunder, including, without limitation, travel and entertainment expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the business of the Companies.  All such reimbursements shall be paid upon the presentation by the Executive of an itemized accounting of such expenditures, with supporting receipts, provided that the Executive submits such expenses for reimbursement within thirty (30) days of the date such expenses were incurred.  Reimbursement shall be in compliance with the Companies’ expense reimbursement policies.  Any reimbursement of expenses made under this Article II.E. shall only be made for eligible expenses incurred during the Employment Term, and no reimbursement of any expense shall be made by the Companies after December 31st of the year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.  The amount eligible for reimbursement under this Article II.E. during a taxable year may not affect expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the right to reimbursement under this Article II.E. is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

F.             Vacation.  The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation per full or partial calendar year (the “Annual Vacation”).  In addition, if the Executive does not use all of his Annual Vacation during a calendar year, he shall have the right to carry over up to one (1) week of any unused portion of such Annual Vacation to the next calendar year (the “Carryover Vacation”).  Unused Carryover Vacation may not be carried over to any subsequent calendar years, and shall lapse if not used by the Executive.  Vacation shall be taken at such times and

 

4

 

intervals as shall be determined by the Executive, subject to the reasonable business needs of the Companies.

 

G.            Indemnification Agreement.  The Companies shall continue to indemnify the Executive pursuant to the terms of the Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Companies and the Executive on December 29, 2011, which is attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated into this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.  During the Employment Term and for any period following the Employment Term during which the Companies are required to indemnify the Executive pursuant to the Indemnification Agreement, the Companies shall maintain and provide the Executive with coverage under a directors’ and officers’ liability policy at the Companies’ expense that is at least equivalent to the coverage provided by the Companies to the active directors and active senior executives of the Companies.

 

H.            Other Benefits.  During the Employment Term and subject to any contribution therefor generally required of executives of the Companies, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, including without limitation the Companies’ retirement 401(k) plan, health and dental plan, life insurance and disability plans as from time to time adopted by the Boards and in effect for executives of the Companies generally (except to the extent such plans are in a category of benefit otherwise provided to the Executive hereunder). Such participation shall be subject to (i) the terms of the applicable plan documents, and (ii) generally applicable policies of the Companies.  The Companies may alter, modify, add to or delete the employee benefit plans at any time as the Boards, in their sole judgment, determine to be appropriate, so long as the Executive is treated in the same manner as other similarly-situated executives.

 

I.             Attorney’s Fees.  The Company agrees to pay or reimburse Executive for the reasonable attorney fees incurred by Executive in connection with the review of this Agreement and any related documents, up to a maximum of $15,000.00.  Such payment will be made promptly following the date this Agreement is executed.

 

ARTICLE III.
 TERM; TERMINATION

 

A.            Term of Employment.  Subject to earlier termination as herein provided, the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue in effect until May 6, 2019 (the “Initial Term”).  The Agreement will automatically renew, subject to earlier termination as herein provided, for successive one (1) year periods (the “Additional Terms”), unless either the Executive or the Companies provide notice of non-renewal at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then Additional Term, whichever is applicable. The Initial Term and any Additional Term(s) shall be referred to collectively as the “Employment Term.”

 

B.            Termination.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Article III.A. hereof and subject to Article III.C. hereof, the Executive’s employment with the Companies shall terminate prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or then Additional Term under the circumstances set forth below.  The Executive’s termination under this Agreement for any reason shall also constitute the Executive’s resignation as an officer or director of the Companies and any affiliate or

 

5

 

subsidiary of the Companies, as applicable.  The Companies and the Executive shall take all steps necessary (including with regard to any post-termination services by the Executive) to ensure that any termination described in this Article III.B. constitutes a “separation from service” within the  meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); provided that if a termination described in this Article III.B. does not constitute a separation from service, the Executive’s right to the payments described in this Article  shall vest on the date of termination, but payment of any amounts subject to Section 409A shall be deferred until the Executive incurs a separation from service (or six months thereafter if Article III.C. applies), or the Executive’s death.  Any payment made in accordance with this Article III.B. shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A to the extent Code Section 409A applies to such payments.

 

(i)            Death or Disability.  In the event of the Executive’s Death or Disability (defined below), the Executive’s employment shall immediately terminate.  The Companies shall have no further liability or obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or in connection with the Executive’s employment hereunder, except for (i) any accrued, unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination; (ii) any accrued, unused Annual Vacation through the date of termination (excluding any Carryover Vacation); any payments or benefits provided under the terms and conditions of the employee benefit plans of the Company in which the Executive is a participant on the date of termination, including, the Bonus Plan, the LTIP (or any awards granted thereunder) or the OTIP; (iv) any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred prior to the date of termination; and (v), except in case of a termination by the Companies for Cause or resignation by the Executive without Good Reason, any Annual Bonus earned for the year prior to the year of termination but not yet paid as of the date of termination (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”).  The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in a lump sum within the time period required by applicable law, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following termination of employment. In addition, the Company will pay the Executive or his estate a prorated Annual Bonus for the year of termination payable at the same time as bonuses would otherwise be payable under the Company’s Annual Bonus Plan, subject to the achievement of applicable performance goals of the Company for the performance period.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the Executive is incapacitated due to physical or mental illness and such incapacity, with or without reasonable accommodation, prevents the Executive from satisfactorily performing the essential functions of his job for the Companies on a full-time basis for at least ninety (90) days in a calendar year, but in no event less than the period of time required for the Executive to qualify for long-term disability benefits under any long-term disability plan or policy maintained by the Companies for which the Executive is eligible.  In the event the Executive disagrees with the Companies’ decision to terminate the Executive’s employment due to his Disability, the Companies and the Executive shall select a mutually acceptable physician who shall examine the Executive to determine whether the Executive is so disabled,

 

(ii)           Termination for Cause or Voluntary Termination (without Good Reason).  In the event the Companies terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause (defined below) or the Executive voluntarily terminates the Executive’s employment Without Good Reason (defined below), the Companies shall have no further liability or

 

6

 

obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or in connection with Executive’s employment hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations.  The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in a lump sum within the time period required by applicable law, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following termination of employment.  For purposes of  this Agreement, “Cause” means termination because of: (i) an act or acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, or dishonesty; (ii) a willful or material misrepresentation by the Executive that relates to the Companies or has an impact on the Companies; (iii) any willful misconduct by the Executive with regard to the Companies; (iv) any violation by the Executive of any fiduciary duties owed by him to the Companies; (v) the Executive’s conviction of, or pleading nolo contendere or guilty to, a felony (other than a traffic infraction) or misdemeanor that may cause damage to the Companies or the Companies’ reputation; (vi) a material violation of the Companies’ written policies, standards or guidelines, which the Executive failed to cure within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice from either Board specifying the alleged violation; (vii) the Executive’s willful failure or refusal to satisfactorily perform the duties and responsibilities required to be performed by the Executive under the terms of this Agreement or necessary to carry out the Executive’s job duties, which the Executive failed to cure within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice from either Board specifying the alleged willful failure or refusal; and (viii) a material breach by the Executive of this Agreement or any other agreement to which the Executive and the Companies are Parties that is not cured by the Executive within twenty (20) days after receipt by the Executive of a written notice from the Companies of such breach specifying the details thereof.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means (i) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary (unless such material reduction is in proportion to a salary reduction applied to the entire group of senior executives of the Company); (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s title, duties, responsibility or authority; (iii) in the event of a “change of control” (as defined in the 2016 LTIP), the failure of the Companies to retain the Executive in the same capacity following the change of control (i.e., no material reduction in duties, authority, or material change in position), other than such changes as are reasonably expected in the event the Company is no longer a publicly-held corporation following the change of control; (iv) relocation of the Executive’s office, without the Executive’s consent, to an office located fifty (50) miles outside the Companies’ current headquarters; or (v) a material breach by either of the Companies of this Agreement, or any other agreement to which the Executive and the Companies are Parties.  Any event described in (i) through (v) shall not constitute Good Reason unless the Executive delivers to the Companies a written notice of termination for Good Reason specifying the alleged Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the Executive first learns of the existence of the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason, within thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice, the Company or Companies, as applicable, have failed to cure the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason, and the Executive resigns within sixty (60) days after the end of the cure period.  For purposes of this Agreement, an action (or failure to act) shall be considered “willful” only if done without a good faith belief that such action (or failure to act) was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and no action (or failure to act) done in good faith reliance upon the advice of the Company’s inside or outside legal counsel shall be considered willful.

 

7

 

(iii)          Termination without Cause or Termination by the Executive with Good Reason.  In the event either of the Companies terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment with Good Reason, the Companies shall pay the following amounts to the Executive:

 

(a)           the Accrued Obligations, payable in a lump sum within the time period required by applicable law, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following termination of employment; and

 

(b)           subject to compliance with the restrictive covenants in Article IV and the execution and timely return by the Executive of the Release (as defined in Article III.B.(v)), and subject to the provisions of Article III.C. below:

 

1.             An amount equal to twelve (12) months Base Salary, payable in equal monthly installments over a period of twelve (12) months, with the first installment commencing on the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination of the Executive’s employment.

 

2.             In addition, the Company shall pay the Executive a prorated Annual Bonus, for the year of termination payable at the same time as bonuses would otherwise be payable under the Company’s Annual Bonus plan subject to the achievement of applicable performance goals of the Company for the performance period.

 

3.             In the event that the Executive, or any of his eligible dependents, elects continuation coverage under any of the Companies’ medical or health plans pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code or any other applicable law (“COBRA”), the Company shall pay the Executive, on the last day of each month during which such coverage is in effect (but not more than twelve (12) months), an amount equal to the difference between the premium paid for such COBRA coverage and the premium that would be paid by an active employee, or his dependents, for comparable coverage. To the extent the benefits provided under this Article III.B.(iii).3. are otherwise taxable to the Executive, such benefits, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (and the regulations and other guidance issued thereunder) shall be provided as separate monthly in-kind payments of those benefits, and to the extent those benefits are subject to and not otherwise excepted from Section 409A of the Code, the provision of the in-kind benefits during one calendar year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year.

 

4.             The Executive shall be entitled to receive, at the Company’s expense, senior executive level outplacement services at a customary and reasonable cost for a period of up to twelve (12) months, using a reputable provider selected by the Executive with the Company’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

8

 

5.             The portion of any outstanding equity awards that are vested and, if applicable, exercisable on the date of termination shall be determined as if the Executive had been employed through the first anniversary of the date of termination.

 

6.             In the event the Executive fails to comply with the restrictive covenants in Article IV or does not timely execute and return (or otherwise revokes) the Release, no amount shall be payable to the Executive pursuant to this Article III.B.(iii).b.

 

(iv)          Non-Renewal.  The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate for non-renewal if at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or the then Additional Term, the Companies or the Executive has notified the other in writing that the Employment Term, and the Executive’s employment with the Companies, shall terminate at the end of the then current term. Nonrenewal of this Agreement by the Executive shall constitute a resignation without Good Reason, and the Executive shall only be entitled to the Accrued Obligations, payable in a lump within the time period required by applicable law, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following termination of employment. Non-renewal of this Agreement by the Companies shall constitute a termination by the Companies without Cause, and the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits described in Article III.B.(iii) upon his termination of employment, subject to compliance with the restrictive covenants in Article IV and the execution and timely return by the Executive of the Release (as defined in Article III.B.(v)), and subject to the provisions of Article III.C. below.

 

For avoidance of doubt, (1) if the Companies timely and good faith offer to renew this Agreement (A) on substantially the equivalent terms and conditions of the Agreement as in effect on the date of such good faith offer and (B) with competitive market-level economic provisions as at the date of such good faith offer, and (2) the Executive elects not to accept such timely good faith offer, then such circumstance shall be deemed a nonrenewal of this Agreement by the Executive and shall constitute a resignation by Executive without Good Reason as provided hereinabove.

 

(v)           Release.  For purposes of this Agreement, the “Release” shall mean a release of, and covenant not to sue with respect to, any claims that the Executive may have against either of the Companies, or their respect directors, officers, employees and affiliates, arising out of or related to the Executive’s employment by the Companies or the termination of such employment, except for the Executive’s right to payments pursuant to this Article III. and amounts payable after termination of employment under any equity grants or the OTIP, his right to indemnification and continued insurance coverage pursuant to Article II.G (and the Indemnification Agreement referenced therein), and claims that cannot by law be released.  The Release shall be in a form and substance reasonably requested by the Companies, but shall not impose any additional restrictive covenants upon Executive’s activities after termination, other than those contained in this Agreement. The Release shall also provide for all released Parties to release any claims against the Executive not involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty or illegal conduct.  The Release shall be furnished to the Executive not later than five (5)

 

9

 

days after his termination, and must be executed and returned to the Companies, and any revocation period provided in the Release must have expired, not later than sixty (60) days after the date of termination, in order for the Executive to be eligible to receive the benefits described in Article III.B.(iii).b. or Article III.B.(iv), as otherwise applicable.  No amount described in Article III.B.(iii).b. or Article III.B.(iv), as otherwise applicable shall be paid to the Executive until  the date on which the revocation period expires, and all amounts that would otherwise have been paid prior to such date shall be paid as soon as practical after such date; provided, however, that if the sixtieth day after the date of termination falls in the calendar year after the year that includes the date of termination, no amount described in Article III.B.(iii).b. or Article III.B.(iv), as otherwise applicable, that is subject to Section 409A shall be paid before the first day of such following calendar year.

 

C.            Six-Month Delay of Payments.  To the extent that (i) any payments to which the Executive becomes entitled under this Agreement, or any agreement or plan referenced herein, in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment with the Companies constitute “deferred compensation” subject to Code Section 409A and (ii) the Executive is deemed at the time of such termination of employment to be a “specified employee” under Code Section 409A, then such payment or payments shall not be made or commence until the earliest of (A) the expiration of the six (6) month period measured from the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined in the final regulations issued under Code Section 409A) with the Companies; or (B) the date of the Executive’s death following such separation from service. Upon expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period (whether in a single sum or in installments) in the absence of this Article III.C. shall be paid to the Executive (or, in the case of the Executive’s death, his estate) in one lump sum.

 

D.            Survival.  The provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation Executive’s post-termination obligations in Article IV., shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and of the Employment Term, for any reason, to the extent necessary to enable the Parties to enforce their respective rights hereunder.

 

ARTICLE IV.
 RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

A.            Confidentiality.

 

(i)            Confidential Information.  During the Executive’s employment with the Companies, the Companies shall grant the Executive otherwise prohibited access to its trade secrets and confidential information which is not known to the Companies’ competitors or within the Companies’ industry generally, which was developed by the Companies over a long period of time and/or at its substantial expense, and which is of great competitive value to the Companies, and access to the Companies’ customers and clients.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes any trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information of the Companies, including, but not limited to, the following: products, services, processes, equipment, know-how, technical

 

10

 

data, policies, strategies, designs, formulas, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, research, plans for research or future products and services, database schemas or tables, development tools or techniques, training procedures, training techniques, training manuals, business information, marketing and sales plans and strategies, business plans, budgets, financial data and information, customer and client information, prices and costs, customer and client lists and profiles, employee, customer and client nonpublic personal information, supplier lists, business records, product  construction, product specifications, audit processes, pricing strategies, business strategies, marketing and promotional practices, management methods and information, plans, reports, recommendations and conclusions, information regarding the skills and compensation of employees and contractors of the Companies, and other business information disclosed to the Executive by the Companies, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, electronically, or by drawings or observation; provided however, Confidential Information does not include information that becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Executive (unless such disclosure was made in the course of the Executive’s duties) or becomes available to the Executive on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies or any subsidiaries thereof or any of their employees.

 

(ii)           No Unauthorized Use or Disclosure.  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information is proprietary to and a trade secret of the Companies and, as such, is a special and unique asset of the Companies, and that any disclosure or unauthorized use of any Confidential Information by the Executive may cause irreparable harm and loss to the Companies.  The Executive understands and acknowledges that each and every component of the Confidential Information (i) has been developed by the Companies at significant effort and expense and is sufficiently secret to derive economic value from not being generally known to other Parties, and (ii) constitutes a protectable business interest of the Companies.  The Executive agrees not to dispute, contest, or deny any such ownership rights either during or after the Executive’s employment with the Companies.  The Executive agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of all Confidential Information.  The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not at any time (whether during or after the Executive’s employment), directly or indirectly, disclose to any unauthorized person or use for the Executive’s own account any Confidential Information without the Companies’ consent.  Throughout the Executive’s employment and at all times thereafter: (i) the Executive shall hold all Confidential Information in the strictest confidence, take all reasonable precautions to prevent its inadvertent disclosure to any unauthorized person, and follow all policies of the Companies protecting the Confidential Information; and (ii) the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, utilize, disclose or make available to any other person or entity, any of the Confidential Information, other than in the proper performance of the Executive’s duties.  Further, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use the Companies’ Confidential Information to: (1) call upon, solicit business from, attempt to conduct business with, conduct business with, interfere with or divert business away from any customer, client, vendor or supplier of the Companies with whom or which the Companies conducted business; and/or (2) recruit, solicit, hire or attempt to recruit, solicit, or hire, directly or by assisting others, any persons employed by the Companies.  If the Executive learns that any person or entity is taking or threatening to take any actions which would compromise any

 

11

 

Confidential Information, the Executive shall promptly advise the Companies of all facts concerning such action or threatened action.  The Executive shall use all reasonable efforts to obligate all persons to whom any Confidential Information shall be disclosed by the Executive hereunder to preserve and protect the confidentiality of such Confidential Information.

 

(iii)                               No Interference.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, that Executive may disclose Confidential Information when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency having authority over Executive or the business of the Company or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with jurisdiction to order Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information.  Executive and the Company agree that nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with Executive’s right to (i) report possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity charged with the enforcement of any such laws; (ii) make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state or local law or regulation; (iii) file a claim or charge with the EEOC, any state human rights commission, or any other government agency or entity; or (iv) testify, assist, or participate in an investigation, hearing, or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, any state human rights commission, or any other government or law enforcement agency, entity or court.  In making or initiating any such reports or disclosures, Executive need not seek the Company’s prior authorization and is not required to notify the Company of any such reports or disclosures.

 

(iv)                              Defend Trade Secrets Act.  Executive is hereby notified in accordance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 that Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.  If Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation against the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the Company’s trade secrets to Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

(v)                                 Return of Property and Information.  Upon the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall immediately return and deliver to the Companies any and all Confidential Information, software, devices, cell phones, personal data assistants, credit cards, data, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, materials, equipment, computers, hard drives, papers, books, records, documents, memoranda, manuals, e-mail, electronic or magnetic recordings or data, including all copies thereof, which belong to the Companies or relate to the Companies’ business and which are in the Executive’s possession, custody or control, whether prepared by the Executive or others. If at any time after termination of the Executive’s employment the Executive determines that the Executive has any Confidential Information in the Executive’s possession or control, the Executive shall immediately

 

12

 

return to the Companies all such Confidential Information in the Executive’s possession or control, including all copies and portions thereof.

 

B.                                    Restrictive Covenants.  In consideration for (i) the Companies’ promise to provide Confidential Information to the Executive, (ii) the substantial economic investment made by the Companies in the Confidential Information and goodwill of the Companies, and/or the business opportunities disclosed or entrusted to the Executive, (iii) access to the Companies’ customers and clients, and (iv) the Companies’ employment of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement and the compensation and other benefits provided by the Companies to the Executive, to protect the Companies’ Confidential Information and business goodwill of the Companies, the Executive agrees to the following restrictive covenants.

 

(i)                                     Non-Competition.  The Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period (defined below), other than in connection with the Executive’s duties under this Agreement, the Executive shall not, and shall not use any Confidential Information to, without the prior written consent of the Companies, directly or indirectly, either individually or as a principal, partner, stockholder, manager, agent, consultant, contractor, distributor, employee, lender, investor, or as a director or officer of any corporation or association, or in any other manner or capacity whatsoever, become employed by, control, manage, carry on, join, lend money for, operate, engage in, establish, perform services for, invest in, solicit investors for, consult for, do business with or otherwise engage in any Competing Business within the Restricted Area.  Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in this Article IV.B.(i), the Executive may own an aggregate of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of any class of any corporation engaged in a Competing Business, if such stock is listed on a national securities exchange in the United States (or a comparable exchange in a foreign jurisdiction) or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market by a member of a national securities exchange in the United States, without violating the provisions of Article IV.B.(i); provided, however, that the Executive does not have the power, directly or indirectly, to control or direct the management or affairs of any such corporation and is not involved in the management of such corporation.

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 “Restricted Period” means during the Executive’s employment with the Companies and for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the date of the Executive’s termination from employment for any reason.

 

(b)                                 As Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary of the Companies, the Executive has responsibility for the Companies’ financial operations throughout the United States of America and access to the highest levels of the Companies’ Confidential Information and business goodwill.  Therefore, the “Restricted Area” includes the United States.

 

(c)                                  “Competing Business” means any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity that is competing or that is preparing

 

13

 

to compete with any aspect of the Companies’ business, which includes, but is not limited to (i) the design, engineering, manufacturing, development, production, sale and/or distribution of commercial work truck bodies, armored  vehicles, shuttle buses, and trolleys; (ii) providing design, engineering, manufacturing, development, production, field and other services to customers in the commercial work truck body, armored vehicle, shuttle bus, and trolley industries; and (iii) any other business the Companies conducted, prepared to conduct or materially contemplated conducting during the Executive’s employment with the Companies. Competing Business shall include, but not be limited to, the following entities: Morgan Corp/JB Poindexter, Utilimaster/Spartan Motors, ABC/Reading Bodies,  Knapheide, Kidron, Forest River, Thor Industries, Turtle Top, Cambli, Lenco, Streit and TAG (The Armored Group).

 

(ii)                                  Non-Solicitation.  The Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period, other than in connection with the Executive’s duties under this Agreement, the Executive shall not, and shall not use any Confidential Information to, directly or indirectly, either as a principal, manager, agent, employee, consultant, officer, director, stockholder, partner, investor or lender or in any other capacity, and whether personally or through other persons:

 

(a)                                 Solicit business from, interfere with, induce, attempt to solicit business with, interfere with, induce or do business with any actual or prospective customer, client, supplier, manufacturer, vendor or licensor of the Companies with whom the Companies did business or who the Companies solicited within the preceding two (2) years, and who or which:  (1) the Executive contacted, called on, serviced or did business with during the Executive’s employment with the Companies; (2) the Executive learned of as a result of the Executive’s employment with the Companies; or (3) about whom the Executive received Confidential Information. This restriction applies only to business which is in the scope of services or products provided by the Companies or any affiliate thereof; or

 

(b)                                 Solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce, engage or hire, on behalf of the Executive or any other person or entity, any person who is an employee or consultant of the Companies or who was employed by the Companies within the preceding eighteen (18) months, provided that the Executive shall not be considered to have breached this provision solely by reason of providing a reference for an employee or consultant of the Companies at the request of such person.

 

(iii)                               Non-Disparagement.  The Executive shall refrain, both during and after the Executive’s employment terminates, from publishing any oral or written statements about the Companies or any of the Companies’ directors, managers, officers, employees, consultants, agents or representatives that (i) are slanderous, libelous or defamatory; or (ii) place the Companies or any of its directors, managers, officers, employees, consultants, agents or representatives in a false light before the public, and the Companies shall cause the members of their respective Boards and their officers to

 

14

 

refrain, both during and after the Executive’s employment terminates, from publishing any oral or written statements about the Executive that (iii) are slanderous, libelous or defamatory; or (iv) place the Executive in a false light before the public.  A violation or threatened violation of this prohibition may be enjoined by the courts.  The rights afforded the Parties under this provision are in addition to any and all rights and remedies otherwise afforded by law.

 

C.                                    Proprietary Rights Agreement.  The Executive shall abide by the terms of the Proprietary Rights Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit C.  The Executive shall execute the Proprietary Rights Agreement contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement.

 

D.                                    Tolling.  If the Executive violates any of the restrictions contained in this Article  IV., the Restricted Period for such restriction(s) violated shall be suspended and all periods of time in which the Executive was in breach of the restrictive covenant(s) shall be added to the Restricted Period for such restrictive covenant(s).

 

E.                                     Remedies.  The Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Article  IV, of this Agreement, in view of the nature of the Companies’ business and the Executive’s position with the Companies, are reasonable and necessary to protect the Companies’ legitimate business interests and that a violation of Article IV. of this Agreement may result in irreparable injury to the Companies.  In the event of a breach by the Executive of Article IV. of this Agreement, then the Companies shall be entitled to seek a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief restraining the Executive from the commission of any breach, and the Parties agree that a bond shall not be required. If a bond is required to secure such equitable relief, the Parties agree that a bond not to exceed $1,000 shall be sufficient and adequate in all respects to protect the rights and interests of the Parties.  Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach or threatened breach of this Article IV. but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity, including the recovery of damages from the Executive, the Executive’s agents, any future employer of the Executive, and any person that conspires or aids and abets the Executive in a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

F.                                      Reasonableness.  The Executive hereby represents to the Companies that the Executive has read and understands, and agrees to be bound by, the terms of this Article IV. The Executive acknowledges that the geographic scope and duration of the covenants contained in this Article IV. are fair and reasonable in light of (i) the nature and wide geographic scope of the operations of the Companies’ business; (ii) the Executive’s level of control over and contact with the business in the Restricted Area; and (iii) the amount of compensation, trade secrets and Confidential Information that the Executive is receiving in connection with the Executive’s employment by the Companies.  It is the desire and intent of the Parties that the provisions of Article IV. be enforced to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, whether now or hereafter in effect and therefore, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Executive and the Companies hereby waive any provision of applicable law that would render any provision of Article IV. invalid or unenforceable.

 

G.                                    Reformation.  The Companies and the Executive agree that the foregoing restrictions set forth in Article IV. are reasonable under the circumstances and that a breach of the covenants contained in Article IV. may cause irreparable injury to the Companies.  The

 

15

 

Executive understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit the Executive’s ability to engage in certain businesses anywhere in or involving the Restricted Area during the Restricted Period, but acknowledges that the Executive shall receive Confidential Information and trade secrets, as well as sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits as an employee of the Companies to justify such restrictions.  If any of the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable, or overly broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions herein set forth to be modified by the court making such determination so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified, to be fully enforced.  By agreeing to this contractual modification prospectively at this time, the Companies and the Executive intend to make this provision enforceable under the law or laws of all applicable jurisdictions so that the entire agreement not to compete and this Agreement as prospectively modified shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be rendered void or illegal.

 

ARTICLE V.
 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

A.                                    Governing Law; Legal Fees.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Indiana. Venue of any litigation arising from this Agreement or any disputes relating to the Executive’s employment shall be in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division or a state district court of competent jurisdiction in Elkhart County, Indiana.  The Executive and the Companies consent to personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division, or a state district court of competent jurisdiction in Elkhart County, Indiana for any dispute relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Executive’s employment, and the Executive and the Companies agree that the Executive and the Companies shall not challenge personal or subject matter jurisdiction in such courts.

 

B.                                    Legal Fees.  The prevailing party in any action to enforce a term of this Agreement shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred to enforce such term.

 

C.                                    Clawback.  Any compensation paid to the Executive shall be subject to recovery by the Companies, and the Executive shall be required to repay such compensation, if (i) such recovery and repayment is required by applicable law or (ii) either in the year such compensation is paid, or within the three (3) year period thereafter the Companies are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance of the Companies with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws and the Executive is either (A) a named executive officer or (B) an employee who is responsible for preparation of the Companies’ financial statements. The Parties agree that the repayment obligations set forth in this Article V.C. shall only apply to the extent repayment is required by applicable law, or to the extent the Executive’s compensation is determined to be in excess of the amount that would have been deliverable to the Executive taking into account any restatement or correction of any inaccurate financial statements or materially inaccurate performance metric criteria.

 

16

 

D.                                    Code Section 280G.

 

(i)                                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution made, or benefit provided, by the Companies to or for the benefit of the Executive under Article II or Article III (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable or provided pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise) or under any other agreement, benefit, plan or policy of the Companies (including but not limited to the Bonus Plan, the LTIP and the OTIP) (this Agreement and such other agreements, benefits, plans and policies collectively referred to herein as the “Change in Control Arrangements”) would constitute a “parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code Section 280G”) (such payments, distributions or other benefits referred to herein as the “Payments”), the Companies shall provide the Executive with a computation of (i) the maximum amount of Payments that could be made, without the imposition of the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999, under the Change in Control Arrangements (said maximum amount being referred to as the “Capped Amounts”); (ii) the value of all Payments that could be made pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control Arrangements (referred to herein as the “Uncapped Payments”); (iii) the dollar amount of excise tax (if any) which the Executive would become obligated to pay pursuant to Code Section 4999 as a result of receipt of the Uncapped Payments (the “Excise Tax Amount”); and (iv) the net value of the Uncapped Payments after reduction by (A) the Excise Tax Amount, (B) the estimated income taxes payable by the Executive on the difference between the Uncapped Payments and the Capped Amount, assuming that the Executive is paying the highest marginal tax rate for state, local and federal income taxes; and (C) the estimated hospital insurance taxes payable by the Executive on the difference between the Uncapped Payments and the Capped Amount based on the hospital insurance tax rate under Code Section 3101 (the “Net Uncapped Amount”).

 

(ii)                                  If the Capped Amount is greater than the Net Uncapped Amount, the Executive shall be entitled to receive or commence to receive Payments equal to the Capped Amount; or if the Net Uncapped Amount is greater than the Capped Amount the Executive shall be entitled to receive or commence to receive Payments equal to the Uncapped Payments.

 

(iii)                               Any determination required under this Article V.D. shall be made in writing by independent public accountants mutually agreed to by the Company and the Executive (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Companies for all purposes.  For purposes of making the calculations required by this Article V.D., the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999.  The Companies and the Executive shall furnish the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make the determinations under this Article V.D.  The Companies shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Article V.D.

 

17

 

E.                                     Interpretation; Tax Consequences.  It is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance of general applicability issued thereunder so as to not subject the Executive to the payment of additional interest and taxes under Code Section 409A, and in furtherance of this intent, this Agreement shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with these intentions.  The Executive has reviewed with his own tax advisors the tax consequences of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  The Executive is relying solely on his tax advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Companies or any of their agents and understands that the Executive (and not the Companies) shall be responsible for the Executive’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement.

 

F.                                      Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND RELEASES TO THE OTHER ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY, AND AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING.

 

G.                                    Cooperation.  After the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive agrees, subject to his other professional and personal commitments to the extent practicable, to provide the Executive’s full cooperation, at the request of the Companies, in the transitioning of the Executive’s job duties and responsibilities, and any and all investigations or other legal, equitable or business matters or proceedings which involve any matters for which the Executive worked on or had responsibility during the Executive’s employment with the Companies.  The Executive also agrees, subject to his other professional and personal commitments to the extent practicable, to be reasonably available to the Companies or their representatives to provide general advice or assistance as requested by the Companies.  This includes but is not limited to testifying (and preparing to testify) as a witness in any proceeding or otherwise providing information or reasonable assistance to the Companies in connection with any investigation, claim or suit, and cooperating with the Companies regarding any investigation, litigation, claims or other disputed items involving the Companies that relate to matters within the knowledge or responsibility of the Executive.  Specifically, the Executive agrees, subject to his other professional and personal commitments to the extent practicable, (i) to meet with the Companies’ representatives, its counsel or other designees at reasonable times and places with respect to any items within the scope of this provision; (ii) to provide truthful testimony regarding same to any court, agency or other adjudicatory body; (iii) to provide the Companies with immediate notice of contact or subpoena by any non-governmental adverse party as to matters relating to the Companies, and (iv) to not voluntarily assist any such non-governmental adverse party or such non-governmental adverse party’s representatives.  The Executive acknowledges and understands that the Executive’s obligations of cooperation under this Article V.F. are not limited in time and may include, but shall not be limited to, the need for or availability for testimony; provided, however, that in no event shall the Executive be required to provide post-termination services to the Companies to the extent such post-termination services would be inconsistent with the “separation from service” requirements of Code Section 409A.  The Companies shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in providing cooperation requested by the Companies pursuant to this this Article V.F.

 

H.                                   Headings.  The paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall in no way or manner be construed as a part of this Agreement.

 

18

 

I.                                        Severability.  In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision in this Agreement to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the remaining provisions shall not be affected or invalidated and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

J.                                        Reformation.  In the event any court of competent jurisdiction holds any restriction in this Agreement to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable as written, the court may reform this Agreement to make it enforceable, and this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as reformed by the court.

 

K.                                    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (along with the exhibits attached hereto) constitute the entire agreement between the Parties, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements, understanding or representations between the Parties pertaining to or concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Executive’s employment with the Companies.  No oral statements or prior written material not specifically incorporated in this Agreement shall be of any force and effect, and no changes in or additions to this Agreement shall be recognized, unless incorporated in this Agreement by written amendment, such amendment to become effective on the date stipulated in it.  Any amendment to this Agreement must be signed by all Parties to this Agreement.  The Executive acknowledges and represents that in executing this Agreement, the Executive did not rely, and has not relied, on any communications, promises, statements, inducements, or representation(s), oral or written, by the Companies, except as expressly contained in this Agreement.  The Parties represent that they relied on their own judgment in entering into this Agreement.

 

L.                                     Waiver.  No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be construed to be a waiver as to succeeding breaches.  The failure of either the Executive or the Companies to insist in any one or more instances upon performance of any terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of future performance of any such term, covenant or condition but the obligations of either party with respect thereto shall continue in full force and effect. The breach by one party to this Agreement shall not preclude equitable relief or the obligations in Article IV.

 

M.                                 Modification.  The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of the Companies and the Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

N.                                    Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.  The Executive may not assign this Agreement to a third party.  The Companies may assign their rights, together with its obligations hereunder, to any affiliate and/or subsidiary of the Companies or any successor thereto or any purchaser of substantially all of the assets of the Companies; provided, however, that the assignee is the successor to all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Companies and such assignee expressly assumes all of the obligations, duties and liabilities of the Companies set forth in this Agreement.

 

19

 

O.                                    No Mitigation.  The Companies agree that, in the event of the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Companies pursuant to this Agreement (or any of the other agreements and documents executed, referenced or exchanged in connection with this Agreement).  Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement (or any of the other agreements and documents executed, referenced or exchanged in connection with this Agreement) shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer, by other income earned by the Executive, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Companies or otherwise.

 

P.                                      Notices.  Any notice or other communication required, permitted or desired to be given under this Agreement shall be deemed delivered when personally delivered; the next business day, if delivered by overnight courier; the same day, if transmitted by facsimile on a business day before noon, Eastern Standard Time; the next business day, if otherwise transmitted by facsimile; and the third business day after mailing, if mailed by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested, as addressed or transmitted as follows (as applicable), or to such other address as a Party may specify by notice given in the same manner:

 

If to the Executive, to the address of the Executive’s principal residence kept in the Companies’ records.

 

	
With a copy to:
    	
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    
	
 
    	
Attn: Eugene Jacobs
    
	
 
    	
131 South Dearborn Street
    
	
 
    	
Suite 2400
    
	
 
    	
Chicago, IL 60603
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (312) 460-7818
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
If to the Companies:
    	
Supreme Industries, Inc.,
    
	
 
    	
Supreme Corporation
    
	
 
    	
Attn: Vice President and General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
Attn: Chairman of the Compensation Committee
    
	
 
    	
2581 E. Kercher Road
    
	
 
    	
P.O. Box 237
    
	
 
    	
Goshen, Indiana 46527
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (574) 642-0722
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
With a copy to:
    	
Haynes and Boone, LLP
    
	
 
    	
Attn: W. Bruce Newsome
    
	
 
    	
2323 Victory Ave.
    
	
 
    	
Dallas, Texas 75219
    
	
 
    	
Fax: (214) 200-0636
    

 

Q.                                    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered a single instrument.

 

20

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.  SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS.]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Companies and the Executive have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first set forth above, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

	
THE COMPANY:
    	
SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Herbert   M. Gardner
    
	
 
    	
Printed Name: Herbert M. Gardner
    
	
 
    	
Title: Chairman of the Board
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
THE SUBSIDIARY:
    	
SUPREME CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Herbert M. Gardner
    
	
 
    	
Printed Name: Herbert M. Gardner
    
	
 
    	
Title: Chairman of the Board
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
THE EXECUTIVE
    	
/s/ Matthew   W. Long
    
	
 
    	
Matthew W. Long
    
				

 

21

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00265-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00265-of-00352.parquet"}]]