Document:

ck1723866-ex101_40.htm

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated and effective as of March 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between Select Interior Concepts, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Karl Adrian (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment; and

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept employment with the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. Employment, Duties and Agreements.

(a) The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive as its President of its Residential Design Services (RDS) division, and the Executive hereby accepts such position and agrees to serve the Company in such capacity on a full-time basis during the employment period fixed by Section 3 hereof (the “Employment Period”). The Executive shall report to the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be Atlanta, Georgia.  The Executive shall have such duties and responsibilities as are consistent with the Executive’s position and as may be reasonably assigned by the COO from time to time. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be subject to, and shall act in accordance with, all reasonable instructions and directions of the COO and all applicable policies and rules of the Company.

(b) During the Employment Period, excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive shall devote his full working time and efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder and shall endeavor to promote the business and best interests of the Company.

(c) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall not engage in any business activity other than the Company without the express prior written approval of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors (the “Board”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees consistent with the Company’s conflicts of interests policies and corporate governance guidelines in effect from time to time, (B) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements, or (C) manage his personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an executive officer of the Company.

 

2. Compensation. During the Employment Period:

(a) Base Salary. As compensation for the agreements made by the Executive herein and the performance by the Executive of his obligations hereunder, during the Employment Period, the Company shall pay the Executive, pursuant to the Company’s normal and customary payroll procedures, a base salary at the rate of $325,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”). During the Employment Period, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually for possible increase in the Company’s sole discretion. Any increase in Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. The term “Base Salary” as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Base Salary as so adjusted pursuant to this section.

(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be eligible, through participation in the Company’s annual bonus plan or other similar plan to the extent then in effect, to earn an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in each fiscal year during the Employment Period, with a target Annual Bonus of seventy-five percent (75%) of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), with an opportunity to earn up to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of Base Salary, with the actual payout based on the achievement of annual individual and Company performance objectives established the Compensation Committee of the Board. For calendar year 2021, Executive’s 

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Annual Bonus amount will be pro-rated based on the number of days between the Effective Date and December 31, 2021.  Any Annual Bonus shall be paid on or before March 15th of each calendar year immediately following the year in which compensation is earned in accordance with the applicable plan (except as otherwise provided herein).

(c) Long Term Incentive Award. As soon as administratively practicable on or after the Effective Date, the Company shall grant to Executive 150,000 restricted stock units, each representing the right to earn a share of the common stock of the Company (the “Restricted Stock Units”).  Fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to a time-based vesting schedule and fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to both a time-based vesting schedule and a performance based vesting schedule, the terms and conditions of which shall be set forth in restricted stock unit award agreements to be entered into by and between the Company and the Executive in the form adopted by the Board or the Compensation Committee, as applicable (the “Equity Agreements”).  

(d) Benefit Plans. In addition, (i) the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all other incentive plans, practices, policies and programs, and all savings and retirement plans, policies and programs, in each case that are applicable generally to senior executives of the Company; (ii) the Executive and the Executive’s eligible family members shall be eligible for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (including, if applicable, medical, dental, vision, disability, employee life, group life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) maintained by the Company for its senior executives; and (iii) the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with subsection (g) below and the policies, practices, and procedures of the Company provided to senior executives of the Company.

 (e) Personal Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to twenty-five (25) days paid personal time off (PTO) per year (prorated for partial years), and to such paid holidays as are observed by the Company from time to time, all in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices that are applicable to the Company’s senior executives. Unused PTO will be carried over from year to year as provided in the Company’s plans and polices in effect from time to time.

(f) Insurance. The Company shall maintain (i) a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, or an equivalent errors and omissions liability insurance policy and (ii) an employment practices liability insurance policy. Each such policy shall cover the Executive with scope, exclusions, amounts and deductibles no less favorable to the insured than those applicable to the Company’s senior executive officers and directors on the Effective Date, or any more favorable as may be available to any other director or senior executive officer of the Company, while the Executive is employed with the Company and thereafter until the sixth anniversary of the Executive’s Scheduled Termination Date (as defined below).

(g) Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable business expenses (including related travel expenses between Executive’s home base in Dallas, Texas and the Company’s headquarters in Atlanta, GA, or other Company locations) upon the presentation of statements of such expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures now in force or as such policies and procedures may be modified with respect to all senior executive officers of the Company.

3. Employment Period. The Employment Period shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Date, provided that on the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Date and on each anniversary thereafter, the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for additional one (1)-year periods unless either party provides the other party with notice of non-renewal at least ninety (90) days before any such anniversary (the anniversary date on which the Employment Period terminates shall be referred to herein as the “Scheduled Termination Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated during the Employment Period prior to the Scheduled Termination Date upon the earliest to occur of any one of the following events (at which time the Employment Period shall be terminated):

(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.

(b) Disability. The Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the Executive’s inability by reason of physical or mental illness to fulfill his obligations hereunder for ninety (90) consecutive days or a total of one hundred eighty 

 

 

(180) days in any twelve (12)-month period which, in the reasonable opinion of an independent physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his job, even after reasonable accommodations are made by the Company.

 

(c) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean:

(i) conviction (or a plea of nolo contendere) by the Executive of a felony or conviction of any other crime or misdemeanor involving dishonesty;

(ii) acts of fraud, dishonesty or misappropriation committed by the Executive and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment at the expense of the Company;

(iii) willful misconduct or negligence by the Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties required by this Agreement which is likely to materially damage the financial position or reputation of the Company;

(iv) failure by the Executive to dutifully, properly, or timely perform the essential functions of the job; or

(v) a breach of Section 7 of this Agreement.

The foregoing is an exclusive list of the acts or omissions that shall be considered Cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until the Board shall have provided the Executive with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 4 below) specifying in detail the basis for the termination of employment for Cause and the provision(s) under this Agreement on which such termination is based.

 (d) Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder during the Employment Period without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, a notice of non-renewal given by the Company as provided in Section 3 herein shall be treated as a termination of employment by the Company without Cause.

(e) For Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean: (i) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company (including the Company’s withholding or failure to pay compensation when due to the Executive); (ii) a material reduction in the Executive’s titles, duties, authority, or responsibilities, or the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent with the Executive’s position, authority, duties, or responsibilities without the written consent of the Executive; or (iii) a reduction in the Executive’s annual Base Salary or Annual Bonus opportunity, as currently in effect or as may be increased from time to time. With respect to the acts or omissions set forth in this subsection (e), (A) the Executive shall provide the Board with a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 4 below) specifying in detail the basis for the termination of employment for Good Reason and the provision(s) under this Agreement on which such termination is based, (B) the Company shall have thirty (30) days to cure the matters specified in the notice delivered, and (C) if uncured, the Executive must terminate his employment with the Company within ninety (90) days after the initial existence of the circumstances constituting Good Reason in order for such termination to be considered to be for Good Reason.

(f) Voluntarily. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder, without Good Reason, provided that the Executive provides the Company with notice of his intent to terminate his employment at least thirty (30) days prior to the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 4 below).

4. Termination Procedure.

(a) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment Period (other than a termination on account of the death of the Executive) shall 

 

 

be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 8(a).

(b) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 3(b), on the date the Executive receives Notice of Termination from the Company, (iii) if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment (whether or not for Good Reason), the date specified in the notice given pursuant to Section 3(e) or 3(f) herein which shall not be less than thirty (30) days after the Notice of Termination, and (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given or any later date (within thirty (30) days, or any alternative time period agreed upon by the parties, after the giving of such notice) set forth in such Notice of Termination.

5. Termination Payments.

(a) Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event the Employment Period terminates under this Agreement as a result of the Company terminating the Executive’s employment without Cause (other than pursuant to Sections 3(a) or (b)) or the Executive terminating his employment for Good Reason:

(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive, within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination (A) the Executive’s accrued but unused vacation, unreimbursed business expenses and Base Salary through the Date of Termination (to the extent not theretofore paid) (the “Accrued Benefits”), and (B) one (1) times the Executive’s Base Salary, in each case payable in a lump sum (the “Base Severance”).

(ii) The Company shall pay to the Executive, in lieu of any Annual Bonus under Section 2(b) for the fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates, a lump sum amount equal to the Annual Bonus that would have become payable in cash to Executive for that fiscal year if his employment had not terminated, based on performance actually achieved in that year (determined by the Board following completion of the performance year and paid at the time specified in the applicable plan), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was employed in the fiscal year of termination and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the fiscal year of termination (“Prorated Annual Bonus”).

(iii) All outstanding Restricted Stock Units and other previously granted equity awards shall be treated in accordance with and shall be governed by the terms of the Equity Agreements and other applicable award agreements.

(iv) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any vested benefits and other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive as of the Date of Termination under any plan, program, policy, practice, contract, or agreement of the Company and its affiliates (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).

(v) If the Date of Termination under this Section 5(a) occurs within the eighteen (18)-month period following a Change in Control, in addition to the other payments provided for in this Section 5(a), the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to one (1) times the Executive’s Base Salary plus Target Bonus for the current fiscal year, in a lump sum cash payment, within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall have the meaning specified on Exhibit A attached hereto.

(vi) For the avoidance of doubt, upon termination of the Employment Period without Cause or as a result of Good Reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits not expressly provided for in this Section 5(a), regardless of the time that would otherwise remain in the Employment Period had the Employment Period not been terminated without Cause or for Good Reason, except any benefits or compensation provided under the Equity Agreements which shall be paid in accordance with such agreements. Except as provided in this Section 5(a), any vested benefits under any tax qualified pension plans of the Company, and continuation of health insurance benefits on the terms and to the extent required by Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and Section 601 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (which provisions are commonly known as “COBRA”) or such other analogous legislation as may be applicable to the Executive, the Company shall have no additional obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

(vii) The payments and benefits provided under this Section 5(a) are subject to and conditioned upon (A) the Executive executing a timely and valid release of claims (“Release”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, waiving all claims the Executive may have against the Company, its successors, assigns, affiliates, executives, officers and directors, (B) the Executive delivering the executed Release to the Company within twenty-one (21) days following the Date of Termination, (C) such Release and the waiver contained therein becoming effective and not revoked. In the event that payments are made hereunder prior to the execution of the Release and the Executive does not execute the Release in the time and manner set forth herein, the Executive shall promptly pay to the Company such amounts or the value of such benefits so received.

(b) Cause or Voluntarily Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated during the Employment Period by the Company for Cause or voluntarily by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive upon the Date of Termination the Accrued Benefits and the Other Benefits and any benefits or compensation provided under the Equity Agreements which shall be paid in accordance with such agreements. Except as provided in this Section 5(b) or with respect to any vested benefits under any tax qualified pension plans of the Company and the continuation of health insurance benefits on the terms and to the extent required by COBRA or any other analogous legislation as may be applicable to the Executive, the Company shall have no additional obligations under this Agreement.

(c) Disability or Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated during the Employment Period as a result of the Executive’s death or Disability, the Company shall pay the Executive or the Executive’s estate, as the case may be, within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, the Accrued Benefits and Other Benefits and any benefits or compensation to be paid under the Equity Agreements. Except as provided in this Section 5(c), or pursuant to the terms of the Equity Agreements, and except for any vested benefits under any tax qualified pension plans of the Company, and continuation of health insurance benefits on the terms and to the extent required by COBRA or any other analogous legislation as may be applicable to the Executive, the Company shall have no additional obligations under this Agreement.

6. Compliance with Section 409(A). This Agreement is intended to either comply with, or fall within an exemption to, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and shall be interpreted and construed consistently with such intent. To the maximum extent possible, the payments to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement are also intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code under either the separation pay exemption pursuant to Treasury regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) or as short-term deferrals pursuant to Treasury regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(4). In the event the terms of this Agreement would subject the Executive to taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code (“409A Penalties”), the Company and Executive shall cooperate diligently to amend the terms of this Agreement to avoid such 409A Penalties, to the extent possible; provided that such amendment shall not increase or reduce (in the aggregate) the amounts payable to the Executive hereunder. Any taxable reimbursement payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to the Executive no later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive incurred the reimbursable expense. Any amount of expenses eligible for taxable reimbursement, or such in-kind benefit provided, during a calendar year shall not affect the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or such in-kind benefit to be provided, during any other calendar year. The right to such reimbursement or such in-kind benefits pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. If, as of the Date of Termination, the Executive is a “specified employee”, then no payment or benefit that is payable on account of the Executive’s “separation from service”, as that term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, shall be made before the date that is six (6) months after the Executive’s “separation from service” (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death) if and to the extent that such payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation (or may be nonqualified deferred compensation) under Section 409A of the Code and such deferral is required to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Any payment or benefit delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be paid out or provided in a single lump sum at the end of such required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule. For purposes of this provision, the Executive shall be considered to be a “specified employee” if, at the time of his “separation from service”, the Executive is a “key employee”, within the meaning of Section 416(i) of the Code, of the Company (or any person or entity with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or Section 414(c) of the Code) any stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise.

 

 

7. Protective Covenants.

(a)General.  Executive and the Company understand and agree that the purpose of the provisions of this Section 7 is to protect legitimate business interests of the Company, as more fully described below, and is not intended to impair or infringe upon Executive’s right to work, earn a living, or acquire and possess property from the fruits of his labor.  Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive has received good and valuable consideration for the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 7 in the form of the compensation and benefits provided for herein.  Executive hereby further acknowledges that the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 7 are reasonable and that they do not, and will not, unduly impair his ability to earn a living after the termination of this Agreement.  

In addition, the parties acknowledge: (A) that Executive’s services under this Agreement require unique expertise and talent in the provision of Competitive Services and that Executive will have substantial contacts with customers, suppliers, advertisers and vendors of the Company; (B) that pursuant to this Agreement, Executive will be placed in a position of trust and responsibility and he will have access to a substantial amount of Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and that the Company is placing him in such position and giving him access to such information in reliance upon his agreement to abide by the covenants set forth in this Section 7; (C) that due to Executive’s unique experience and talent, the loss of Executive’s services to the Company under this Agreement cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated solely by damages in an action at law; (D) that Executive is capable of competing with the Company; and (E) that Executive is capable of obtaining gainful, and desirable employment that does not violate the restrictions contained in this Agreement.  

Therefore, Executive shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.

(b)Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which definitions shall apply to both the singular and the plural forms of such terms:

(i)“Competitive Services” means any business that sells or provides products and services that are the same as or substantially similar to or are otherwise competitive with the products or services sold or provided by the Company (including the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates).  Competitive Services shall also include any products or services that the Executive has actual or constructive knowledge are planned to sold or provided by the Company (and the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates) at any time while the Executive is employed by the Company.  

(ii)“Confidential Information” means any and all data and information relating to the Company, its activities, business, or customers that (A) was disclosed to Executive or of which Executive became aware as a consequence of his employment with the Company; (B) has value to the Company; and (C) is not generally known outside of the Company.  “Confidential Information” shall include, but is not limited to the following types of information regarding, related to, or concerning the Company: trade secrets (as defined by applicable law); financial plans and data; management planning information; business plans; operational methods; market studies; marketing plans or strategies; pricing information; product development techniques or plans; customer lists; customer files, data and financial information; details of customer contracts; current and anticipated customer requirements; identifying and other information pertaining to business referral sources; past, current and planned research and development; computer aided systems, software, strategies and programs; information technology (“IT”) systems, IT system maps, server data, IT system security protocols, or IT user information; business acquisition plans; management organization and related information (including, without limitation, data and other information concerning the compensation and benefits paid to officers, directors, employees and management); personnel and compensation policies; new personnel acquisition plans; and other similar information.  “Confidential Information” also includes combinations of information or materials which individually may be generally known outside of the Company, but for which the nature, method, or procedure for combining such information or materials is not generally known outside of the Company.  In addition to data and information relating to the Company, “Confidential Information” also includes any and all data and information relating to or concerning a third party that otherwise meets the definition set forth above, that was provided or made available to the Company by such third party, and that the Company has a duty or obligation to keep confidential.  This definition shall not limit any definition of “confidential information” or any equivalent term under state or federal law.  “Confidential Information” shall not include information that has become generally available to the public by 

 

 

the act of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating any right or privilege of the Company.

 (iv)“Person” means any individual or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity or enterprise.

(v)“Principal or Representative” means a principal, owner, partner, shareholder, joint venturer, investor, member, trustee, director, officer, manager, employee, agent, representative or consultant.

(vi)“Protected Customer” means any Person to whom the Company has sold its products or services or actively solicited to sell its products or services, and with whom Executive has had contact on behalf of the Company during his employment with the Company or Executive learned of during Executive’s employment with Company.

(vii)“Protective Covenants” means the restrictive covenants contained in Sections 7(c) through (g) hereof.

(viii)“Restricted Period” means any time during Executive’s employment with the Company, as well as two (2) years from Executive’s Date of Termination.

(ix)“Restricted Territory” means (A) the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming; and (B) any other territory where Employee is working on behalf of the Company during the one (1) year preceding the conduct in question (if the conduct occurs while Employee is still employed by the Company) or the Termination Date (if the conduct occurs after Employee’s Termination), as applicable.

(x)“Termination” means the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, for any reason, whether with or without cause, upon the initiative of either party.

(c)Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information.  Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use any Confidential Information on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person other than Company, or reveal, divulge, or disclose any Confidential Information to any Person not expressly authorized by the Company to receive such Confidential Information.  Executive understands and agrees that this restriction shall continue to apply after the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and shall remain in effect for as long as the information or materials in question retain their status as Confidential Information.  Executive further agrees that he shall fully cooperate with the Company in maintaining the Confidential Information to the extent permitted by law. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either the Company’s rights or Executive’s obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from: (i) disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other valid and appropriate legal process; provided, however, that in the event such disclosure is required by law, Executive shall provide the Company with prompt notice of such requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required disclosure by Executive; (ii) reporting possible violations of federal, state, or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state, or local law or regulation, and Executive shall not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and shall not be required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.  In addition, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive is hereby given notice that Executive shall not be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for: (iii) disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, in either event solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (iv) disclosing a trade 

 

 

secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

(d)Non-Competition.  Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, he will not, without prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly (i) carry on or engage in Competitive Services within the Restricted Territory on his own or on behalf of any Person or any Principal or Representative of any Person, or (ii) own, manage, operate, join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control, of any business, whether in corporate, proprietorship or partnership form or otherwise where such business is engaged in the provision of Competitive Services within the Restricted Territory.

(e)Non-Solicitation of Protected Customers.  Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, he shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person, solicit, divert, take away, or attempt to solicit, divert, or take away a Protected Customer for the purpose of engaging in, providing, or selling Competitive Services.

(f)Non-Recruitment of Employees and Independent Contractors.  Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period, he shall not, directly or indirectly, whether on his own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person, hire, recruit, solicit, or induce or attempt to hire, recruit, solicit or induce any individual who is an employee (temporary or full-time or part-time) independent contractor, or consultant for the Company – or who was an employee, independent contractor, or consultant for the Company during the prior six (6) months – to leave his or his employment or engagement to provide Competitive Services.   

(g)Return of Materials.  Executive agrees that on or prior to the Date of Termination, he returned any and all property of the Company that was in his possession or subject to his control by virtue of his position as an executive of the Company, including, but not limited to, customer files and information, papers, drawings, notes, manuals, specifications, designs, devices, code, email, documents, diskettes, CDs, tapes, keys, access cards, credit cards, identification cards, equipment, computers, mobile devices, other electronic media, all other files and documents relating to the Company and its business (regardless of form, but specifically including all electronic files and data of the Company), together with all Confidential Information belonging to the Company or that Executive received from or through his employment with the Company.  Executive will not make, distribute, or retain copies of any such information or property.  To the extent that Executive has electronic files or information in his possession or control that belong to the Company or contain Confidential Information (specifically including but not limited to electronic files or information stored on personal computers, mobile devices, electronic media, or in cloud storage), on or prior to the Date of Termination, or at any other time the Company requests, Executive shall (i) provide the Company with an electronic copy of all of such files or information (in an electronic format that readily accessible by the Company); (ii) after doing so, delete all such files and information, including all copies and derivatives thereof, from all non-Company-owned computers, mobile devices, electronic media, cloud storage, and other media, devices, and equipment, such that such files and information are permanently deleted and irretrievable; and (iii) provide a written certification to the Company that the required deletions have been completed and specifying the files and information deleted and the media source from which they were deleted.

(h)Enforcement of Protective Covenants.

(i)Rights and Remedies Upon Breach.  The parties specifically acknowledge and agree that the remedy at law for any breach of the Protective Covenants will be inadequate, and that in the event Executive breaches, or threatens to breach, any of the Protective Covenants, the Company shall have the right and remedy, without the necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond, to enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, Executive from violating or threatening to violate the Protective Covenants and to have the Protective Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Protective Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company.  Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity.  The parties understand and agree that if the parties become involved in legal action regarding the enforcement of the Protective Covenants, the prevailing party in such legal action shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy, to recover from the other party its reasonable attorney fees and cost incurred in connection with such litigation.  The Company’s ability to enforce its rights under the Protective Covenants or applicable law against Executive shall not 

 

 

be impaired in any way by the existence of a claim or cause of action on the part of Executive based on, or arising out of, this Agreement or any other event or transaction.

 

(ii)Severability and Modification of Covenants.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that, given the nature of the business of the Company and Executive’s role and responsibilities, each of the Protective Covenants is reasonable and valid in time and scope and in all other respects, because of the scope of the Company’s operations and Executive’s activities on its behalf.  Executive further acknowledges that the Protective Covenants are narrowly tailored as to time, geography, and scope of activity to be restrained, and operate to avoid unfair competition and irreparable harm to the Company.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Protective Covenants set forth herein do not constitute a general restraint that prevent Executive from engaging in a lawful profession, nor do they operate as a general covenant against competition.  The parties agree that it is their intention that the Protective Covenants be enforced in accordance with their terms to the maximum extent permitted by law.  Each of the Protective Covenants shall be considered and construed as a separate and independent covenant.  Should any part or provision of any of the Protective Covenants be held invalid, void, or unenforceable, such invalidity, voidness, or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void, or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement or such Protective Covenant.  If any of the provisions of the Protective Covenants should ever be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the scope permitted by the applicable law, such provision or provisions shall be automatically modified to such lesser scope as such court may deem just and proper for the reasonable protection of the Company’s legitimate business interests and may be enforced by the Company to that extent in the manner described above and all other provisions of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable.

 

(iii)Extension of Restrictions.  If Executive is found to have violated any of the provisions of Section 7, Executive agrees that the Restricted Period set forth therein shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation by Executive.  It is the intent of this paragraph that the running of the applicable Restricted Period shall be tolled during any period of violation of Section 7 so that the Company may obtain the full and reasonable protection for which it contracted and so that Executive may not profit by any breach of such provisions. 

 

8. Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and shall be deemed to be given when delivered personally or four (4) days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or one (1) day after it is sent by a reputable overnight courier service and, in each case, addressed as follows (or if it is sent through any other method agreed upon by the parties):

 

If to the Company:Select Interior Concepts, Inc.

400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1760

Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Attention: General Counsel

 

If to the Executive:Karl Adrian

6425 Dolan Falls Drive

Northlake, TX 76226

or to such other address as any party hereto may designate by notice to the others.

(b) Arbitration. To the fullest extent allowed by law, any controversy, claim or dispute between the Executive and the Company (and/or any of its owners, directors, officers, employees, affiliates, or agents) relating to or arising out of the Executive’s employment or the cessation of that employment will be submitted to final and binding arbitration in Cobb County, Georgia in accordance with the American Arbitration Association’s (“AAA”) National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes (which may be found at https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/Employment%20Rules.pdf), as the exclusive remedy for such controversy, claim or dispute. In any such arbitration, the parties may conduct discovery in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, except that the arbitrator shall have the authority to order and permit discovery as the arbitrator may deem necessary and appropriate in accordance with applicable state or federal discovery statutes. The arbitrator shall 

 

 

issue a reasoned, written decision, and shall have full authority to award all remedies which would be available in court. The arbitrators’ fees and expenses and all administrative fees and expenses associated with the filing of the arbitration shall be borne by Company; provided however, that at Executive’s option, Executive may voluntarily pay up to one-half the costs and fees. Any judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Possible disputes covered by the above include (but are not limited to) unpaid wages, breach of contract, torts, violation of public policy, discrimination, harassment, or any other employment-related claims under laws including but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and any other statutes or laws relating to an employee’s relationship with his/her employer, regardless of whether such dispute is initiated by the employee or the Company. Thus, this bilateral arbitration provision applies to any and all claims that the Company may have against the Executive, including, but not limited to, claims for misappropriation of Company property, disclosure of proprietary information or trade secrets, interference with contract, trade libel, gross negligence, or any other claim for alleged wrongful conduct or breach of the duty of loyalty by the Executive. However, nothing herein shall prevent Executive from filing and pursuing proceedings before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (although if Executive chooses to pursue a claim following the exhaustion of such administrative remedies, that claim would be subject to the provisions of this Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company and the Executive shall have their respective rights to seek and obtain temporary or preliminary injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to any controversy, claim or dispute to the extent permitted by applicable law. BY AGREEING TO THIS BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION, BOTH EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY GIVE UP ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY. This arbitration provision is to be construed as broadly as is permissible under applicable law. Executive and Company acknowledge and agree that their obligations to arbitrate under this Agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and continue after the termination of the employment relationship between Executive and Company.

(c) Intellectual Property.  Executive agrees to fully and promptly disclose to the Company, without additional compensation, all ideas, inventions, discoveries, improvements, designs, processes, production methods and technological innovations, whether or not patentable, which, while employed by the Company, are made, conceived or reduced to practice by Executive, alone or with others, during or after usual working hours either on or off Executive’s job, and which are related to the business of or which result from tasks assigned to Executive by the Company (“Intellectual Property”).  Executive acknowledges that the Company owns all such Intellectual Property rights as works made for hire to the fullest extent permitted by law and, for the avoidance of doubt, assigns to the Company all such rights in any and all Intellectual Property now known or hereafter developed.  Executive agrees, at any time during or after employment, to sign all papers and do such other acts and things, at the Company’s expense, as the Company deems necessary or desirable and may reasonably require of Executive to protect the Company’s rights to such Intellectual Property, including applying for, obtaining and enforcing patents on such Intellectual Property in any and all countries.

(d) Non-Disparagement.  To the extent permitted by law, during the period of Executive’s employment with the Company and after cessation thereof for any reason, Executive agrees not to engage in any form of conduct or make any statements or representations that disparage, portray in a negative light, or otherwise impair the reputation, goodwill or commercial interests of the Company, or its officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to interfere with Executive’s rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

(e) Entire Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement constitutes the final, complete and exclusive agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof (it being understood that any outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be governed by the relevant Equity Agreements). Such agreements replace and supersede any and all other agreements, offers or promises, whether oral or written, if any, made to the Executive by the Company.

(f) Amendments; No Waiver. This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto, and any provision hereof may be waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought. The failure of any party hereto at any time to require the performance by any other party hereto of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the full right to require such performance at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any 

 

 

provision hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of such provision or a waiver of the provision itself or a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement.

(g) Choice of Law; Forum Selection. This Agreement and the legal relations thus created between the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.  Executive agrees that the exclusive forum for any action seeking temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in accordance with Section 8(b) above shall be the Superior Court of Cobb County, Georgia, or the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.  With respect to any such court action, Executive hereby (i) irrevocably submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (ii) consents to service of process; (iii) consents to venue; and (iv) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction, service of process, or venue.  Executive further agrees that such courts are convenient forums for any dispute that may arise herefrom and that he shall raise as a defense that such courts are not convenient forums.

(h) Agreement Negotiated. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each party has reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this Agreement and has had the opportunity to contribute to its revision. Accordingly, the rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Rather, the terms of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to both parties hereto and not in favor or against either party.

 

(i) Representations. The parties hereto hereby represent that they each have the authority to enter into this Agreement, and the Executive hereby represents to the Company that the execution of, and performance of duties under, this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of or otherwise violate any other agreement to which the Executive is a party. The Executive hereby further represents to the Company that he will not utilize or disclose any confidential information obtained by the Executive in connection with any former employment with respect to his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

(j) Consultation with Counsel. The Executive acknowledges that he has had a full and complete opportunity to consult with counsel and other advisors of his own choosing concerning the terms, enforceability and implications of this Agreement, and that the Company has not made any representations or warranties to the Executive concerning the terms, enforceability or implications of this Agreement other than as reflected in this Agreement. The Company shall pay directly or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Executive in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement.

(k) Binding Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement is binding on and is for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives. Neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation hereunder may be assigned by the Executive.

(l) Successors and Assigns. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, the “Company” shall mean both the Company as defined above and any such successor that assumes this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

(m) Severability. Any provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) which is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction and subject to this Section 8(k), be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering any other provisions of this Agreement invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.

(n) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable to the Executive hereunder all federal, state, city or other taxes that the Company may reasonably determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation (it being understood that the Executive shall be responsible for payment of all taxes in respect of the payments and benefits provided herein).

 

 

(o) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. A facsimile or PDF of a signature shall be deemed to be and have the effect of an original signature.

 

(p) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of any provision hereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

/s/ Karl Adrian

Karl Adrian

 

COMPANY:

 

SELECT INTERIOR CONCEPTS, INC.

 

By: /s/ L.W. Varner, Jr.

Name: L.W. Varner, Jr.

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act.

(b)“Change in Control” means and includes the occurrence of any of one of the following events:

(i)during any consecutive 12-month period, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such Board, provided that any person becoming a director after the beginning of such 12-month period and whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors (“Election Contest”) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other than the Board (“Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest, shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; or

(ii)any Person becomes a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of either (A) 50% or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) or (B) securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of directors (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (ii), the following acquisitions of Company Common Stock or Company Voting Securities shall not constitute a Change in Control: (w) an acquisition directly from the Company, (x) an acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary, (y) an acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (z) an acquisition pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in subsection (iii) below); or

(iii)the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or a Subsidiary (a “Reorganization”), or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (a “Sale”) or the acquisition of assets or stock of another corporation or other entity (an “Acquisition”), unless immediately following such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition: (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the outstanding Company Common Stock and outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock either directly or through one or more subsidiaries, the “Surviving Entity”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition, of the outstanding Company Common Stock and the outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (B) no Person (other than (x) the Company or any Subsidiary, (y) the Surviving Entity or its ultimate parent entity, or (z) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by any of the foregoing is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total common stock or 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Entity, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Entity were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization, Sale or 

 

 

Acquisition (any Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above shall be deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction”); or

(iv)approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(c)“Person” means any individual, entity or group, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act and as used in Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act.

(d)“Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

(e)“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

RELEASE AGREEMENT

This RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and between Select Interior Concepts, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Karl Adrian (“you” or “Executive”). You and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of March 1, 2021 (the “Employment Agreement”). You and the Company hereby agree as follows:

1) A blank copy of this Agreement was attached to the Employment Agreement as Exhibit B thereto.

2) Termination Payments. If your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or if you resign for Good Reason (each, as defined in the Employment Agreement), then, in consideration for your execution, delivery and non-revocation of this Agreement, following the Release Date (as defined in Section 3 below), the Company will provide the termination payments and benefits (the “Termination Payments”) to you as provided in Section 5 of the Employment Agreement.

3) Release by You. In exchange for the payments and other consideration under this Agreement, to which you would not otherwise be entitled, and except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, you hereby generally and completely release, acquit and forever discharge, and covenant not to sue, the Company, and its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, predecessors, successors, and assigns, and each such entity’s current and former directors, managers, partners, members, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, stockholders, successors, and assigns (both individually and in their official capacities) (collectively, the “Releasees”), of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, both known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to and including the execution date of this Agreement, including, but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law, statute, or cause of action; tort law; or contract law. The claims and causes of action you are releasing and waiving in this Agreement include, but are not limited to, any and all claims and causes of action that any of the Releasees:

	
 
	
(a)
	
has violated its personnel policies, handbooks, contracts of employment, or covenants of good faith and fair dealing;

	
 
	
(b)
	
has discriminated against you on the basis of age, race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, entitlement to benefits, any union activities or other protected category in violation of any local, state or federal law, constitution, ordinance, or regulation;

	
 
	
(c)
	
has violated any applicable local, state or federal law, constitution, ordinance, or regulation, including, without limitation: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the National Labor Relations Act, or the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act;

	
 
	
(c)
	
has violated any statute, public policy or common law (including, but not limited to claims for retaliatory discharge; negligent hiring, retention or supervision; defamation; intentional or negligent infliction of 

 

 

	
 
		
emotional distress and/or mental anguish; intentional interference with contract; negligence; detrimental reliance; loss of consortium to you or any member of your family and/or promissory estoppel).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not releasing (s) any right of indemnification you may have for any liabilities arising from your actions within the course and scope of your employment with the Company or within the course and scope of your role as an officer and/ or director of the Company; (t) any right to receive and to enforce the Company’s obligation to pay any Termination Payments due and payable to you; (u) any vested benefits under any Company-sponsored benefit plans; (v) any rights under COBRA or similar state law; (w) any recovery to which you may be entitled pursuant to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance laws; (x) your right to challenge the validity of your release of claims under the ADEA; (y) any rights or claims under federal, state, or local law that cannot, as a matter of law, be waived by private agreement; or (z) any claims arising after the date on which Employee executes this Agreement. 

You understand that nothing contained in this Release Agreement limits your ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”).  You further understand that this Release Agreement does not limit your ability to communicate or share information with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies.  However, based on your release of claims set forth above, you understand that you are releasing all claims and causes of action that you might personally pursue or that might be pursued in your name and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, your right to recover monetary damages or obtain injunctive relief that is personal to you in connection with such claims and causes of action. 

You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA. You also acknowledge that (i) the consideration given to you in exchange for the waiver and release in this Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled, and (ii) that you have been paid for all time worked, have received all the leave, leaves of absence and leave benefits and protections for which you are eligible, and have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which you have not already filed a claim. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing that: (a) your waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the execution date of this Agreement; (b) you have been advised hereby that you have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier); (d) you have seven (7) days following your execution of this Agreement to revoke the Agreement; and (e) this Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired unexercised, which shall be the eighth (8th) day after this Agreement is executed by you provided the Company has also executed the Release on or before that date (the “Release Date”).

 

4) Return of Company Property. You represent and warrant that you have fully complied with your obligations under Section 7(g) of the Employment Agreement.  Receipt of the Termination Payments described in Section 2 of this Agreement is expressly conditioned upon your full compliance with such obligations.

5) Confidentiality. The provisions of this Agreement will be held in strictest confidence by you and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your immediate family; (b) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your attorney, accountant, auditor, tax preparer, and financial advisor; and (c) you may disclose this Agreement insofar as such disclosure may be required by law.

6) No Admission. This Agreement does not constitute an admission by the Company of any wrongful action or violation of any federal, state, or local statute, or common law rights, including those relating to the provisions of any law or statute concerning employment actions, or of any other possible or claimed violation of law or rights.

7) Breach. The Company’s obligation to provide the Termination Payments is expressly conditioned on you fully complying with your obligations under this Agreement, the Employment Agreement, and any other continuing contractual obligations you owes to the Company.  In the event that you breach any such obligations, the Company shall have the right to discontinue all further Termination Payments.

 

 

8) Non-Assignment of Claims. You represent and warrant that you have not heretofore assigned or transferred any matter released by this Agreement or any part or portion thereof. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from any claims resulting from any such assignment or transfer by you, or asserted by any assignee or transferee.

11) Miscellaneous. This Agreement constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to this subject matter, except that your obligations under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified by the court so as to be rendered enforceable. This Agreement will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia as applied to contracts made and performed entirely within Georgia.

 

		
	
SELECT INTERIOR CONCEPTS, INC.
	
EXECUTIVE

	
 
	
 

	
By:  /s/ L.W. Varner, Jr.
	
/s/ Karl Adrian

	
Name: L.W. Varner, Jr.
	
Karl Adrian

	
Title: Chief Executive Officerbldr-ex104_24.htm

Exhibit 10.4

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the Effective Date, as defined in Section 6 hereof, by and between Builders FirstSource, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and M. Chad Crow (“Executive”). Together, the Company and Executive may be referred to hereinafter as the “Parties.” 

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company are currently parties to that certain Employment Agreement dated as of December 29, 2017, as amended (the “Employment Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Parties have been engaged in negotiations regarding Executive’s separation from service with the Company, and desire to settle all matters between and among them by entering into this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the payments, covenants and releases described below, and in consideration of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.Separation from Employment.  Executive hereby resigns from any and all offices, positions, titles in and employment by the Company and its affiliates, effective as of 11:59 pm CT on April 1, 2021 (the “Termination Date”).  Until such time, the Employment Agreement will remain in effect except to the extent amended by this Agreement. To the extent not already paid to Executive, within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date, the Company shall pay to Executive (a) all accrued but unpaid base salary through the Termination Date; (b) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior to the Termination Date; and (c) cash in lieu of any accrued but unused vacation through the Termination Date in accordance with the Company’s standard policy.  Additionally, the Company shall timely pay to Executive any benefits accrued or payable to Executive under the Company’s benefit plans (in accordance with the terms of such benefit plans and subject to Section 17 hereof).  Executive will receive by separate letter information regarding Executive’s rights regarding continuation of health insurance under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code (“COBRA”), and to the extent that Executive has such rights, nothing in this Agreement will change or impair those rights.

 

2.Separation Obligations of the Company.  In consideration of Executive’s promises contained in this Agreement and the Supplemental Release (as defined below), the Company agrees as follows:

 

(a)Engagement as Consultant.  The Company agrees to engage Executive as an independent contractor during the Consulting Period as set forth in Section 3 below. 

 

- 1 -

 

 

(b)Treatment of Outstanding Stock Awards.  During the Consulting Period, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Company’s 2014 Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) and held by Executive as of the Effective Date will continue to remain outstanding and shall vest in accordance with the terms of the original award agreements based on Executive’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Incentive Plan) to the Company as a consultant during the Consulting Period.  

 

(c)The benefits set forth in Sections 2(a) and 2(b) above are referred to herein collectively as the “Consideration.”  The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Consideration exceeds any and all actions, pay, and benefits that the Company might otherwise have owed to Executive by contract or law, and that the Consideration constitutes good, valuable, and sufficient consideration for Executive’s release and agreements herein.  The Company’s obligation to provide the Consideration is expressly contingent upon Executive (i) executing and not revoking this Agreement pursuant to Section 6 below; (ii) executing and not revoking the Supplemental Release as set forth in Section 7; and (ii) complying with his obligations under the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.Consulting Engagement.

 

(a)Engagement as an Independent Contractor.  The Company hereby engages Executive as an independent contractor, and Executive hereby accepts such engagement as an independent contractor, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, for the twenty-four-month period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the two-year anniversary of the Termination Date (the “Consulting Period”).

 

(b)Consulting Services. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, Executive shall perform and provide executive-level advisory consulting services and advice (the “Consulting Services”) to the Company, consistent with Executive’s former role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Executive shall perform and provide Consulting Services as reasonably requested in writing from time to time by the Company’s CEO.  Executive shall perform the Consulting Services in a professional and competent manner. Additionally, during the Consulting Period, Executive agrees to promote the best interest of the Company and to take no actions that in any way damage the public image or reputation of the Company or its affiliates.  Executive shall not be required to provide more than ten (10) hours of Consulting Services per month (and in no event will Executive be required to provide Consulting Services at a level that exceeds more than 20% of the average level of bona fide services Executive performed as an employee of the Company prior to the Effective Date).

 

(c)Independent Contractor Relationship.  The parties acknowledge and intend that the relationship of Executive to the Company under this Agreement during the Consulting Period shall be that of an independent contractor.  In performing the Consulting Services under this Agreement, Executive shall complete the Consulting Services according to his own means and methods of work which shall be in the exclusive charge and control of Executive and which shall not be subject to the control or supervision of the Company, except as to the results of the Consulting Services.  Executive shall determine his own working hours and schedule; diligently perform the Consulting Services in a professional and ethical manner; and abide by the Company’s 

- 2 -

 

then-current policies or guidelines while at the Company’s facilities (including, without limitation, strict adherence to all Company policies or guidelines with respect to COVID-19).  Executive shall be entirely and solely responsible for his actions or inactions and the actions or inactions of his agents, employees or subcontractors, if any, while performing Consulting Services hereunder.  Executive agrees that he shall not, in any form or fashion, maintain, hold out, represent, state or imply to any other individual or entity that an employer/employee relationship exists between the Company and Executive, his agents and employees, or between the Company and any subcontractor or its agents and employees, and Executive is not granted nor shall he represent that he is granted any right or authority to make any representation or warranty or assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for, on behalf or in the name of the Company, to incur debts for the Company or to bind the Company in any manner whatsoever.

 

(d)Taxes and Company Benefits.  The parties agree that during the Consulting Period, Executive shall be serving as an independent contractor of the Company, and therefore unless required by law, the Company shall not deduct any federal, state or local taxes or other withholdings from any sums paid Executive hereunder, and Executive hereby agrees to fully and timely pay, and indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its affiliates from, any liability for any and all federal, state and local taxes or assessments of any kind arising out of any payment made by the Company to Executive hereunder.  Executive shall be responsible for all tax reporting, tax payments, withholdings, insurance and other payments, expenses and filings required to be made or paid by his agents or employees.  Further, neither Executive nor any of his agents or employees shall be entitled to any benefits provided by the Company to any of its employees, including, without limitation, any retirement plan, insurance program, disability plan, medical benefits plan or any other fringe benefit program sponsored and maintained by the Company for its employees.

 

4.General Release of Claims and Covenant Not to Sue.  

 

(a)Executive’s General Release of Claims.  In consideration of the Consideration, Executive on behalf of himself and his agents and successors in interest hereby UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES AND DISCHARGES the Company, its successors, subsidiaries, parent companies and its affiliates and each of their respective partners, equity holders, principals and employees), shareholders, assigns, joint ventures, and affiliated companies and all of their respective agents, legal representatives, shareholders, attorneys, employees, members, managers, officers, directors and affiliates (collectively, the “Releasees”) from ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEMANDS AND CAUSES OF ACTION that he may by law release, whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that he may have or claim to have against any Releasee for any reason as of the date of Executive’s execution of this Agreement.  Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing any and all rights under federal, state and local employment laws including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and any and all other local, state, and federal law claims arising 

- 3 -

 

under statute or common law. It is agreed that this is a general release and it is to be broadly construed as a release of all claims, except as set forth in Section 4(b) below.

 

(b)Exceptions to General Release.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended as, or shall be deemed or operate as, a release by Executive of (i) any rights of Executive under this Agreement; (ii) any other benefits under any agreements with the Company or Company-sponsored benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) benefits); (iii) any rights or claims of Executive for indemnification or related duties by the Company under any written indemnification agreement, the self-governance documents of the Company, or under applicable law; (iv) any rights to coverage under any director and officer liability insurance or other insurance policies or any run-off policy thereto; (v) any rights under COBRA or similar state law; (vi) any recovery to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance laws; (vii) Executive’s right to challenge the validity of his release of claims under the ADEA; (viii) any rights or claims under federal or state law that cannot, as a matter of law, be waived by private agreement; and (ix) any claims arising after the date on which Executive executes this Agreement.

 

(c)Covenant Not to Sue.  Except as expressly set forth in Section 4(f) below, Executive further hereby AGREES NOT TO FILE A LAWSUIT or other legal claim or charge against any of the Releasees concerning any claim released by this Agreement.  

 

(d)Acknowledgement Regarding Payments and Benefits.  Except as expressly provided herein, Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has been paid all wages and accrued benefits to which Executive is entitled through the date of execution of this Agreement.  Other than the payments set forth in this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Company owes no additional amounts to Executive for wages, back pay, severance pay, bonuses, damages, accrued vacation, benefits, insurance, sick leave, other leave, or any other reason.  

 

(e)Other Representations and Acknowledgements.  This Agreement is intended to and does settle and resolve all claims of any nature that Executive might have against the Company arising out of their employment relationship or the termination of employment or relating to any other matter, except as set forth in Section 4(b).  By signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that Executive is doing so knowingly and voluntarily, that Executive understands that Executive may be releasing claims Executive may not know about, and that Executive is waiving all rights Executive may have had under any law that is intended to protect Executive from waiving unknown claims.  Executive warrants that Executive has not filed any lawsuits of any kind whatsoever against the Company or any of the Releasees as of the date of execution of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or any of the Releasees of wrongdoing or liability or that Executive has any rights against the Company or any of the Releasees.  Executive represents and agrees that Executive has not transferred or assigned, to any person or entity, any claim that Executive is releasing in this Section 4.

 

(f)Protected Rights.  Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission 

- 4 -

 

(“Government Agencies”).  Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies in connection with any charge or complaint, whether filed by Executive, on Executive’s behalf, or by any other individual.  However, based on Executive’s release of claims set forth in this Agreement, Executive understands that Executive is releasing all claims that Executive may have, as well as, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Executive’s right to recover monetary damages or obtain other relief that is personal to Executive in connection with any claim Executive is releasing under this Agreement.

 

5.Acknowledgment.  The Executive acknowledges that he has had a full and complete opportunity to consult with counsel and other advisors of his own choosing concerning the terms, enforceability and implications of this agreement, and that the Company advised and encouraged Executive to do so prior to executing this Agreement.    Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that Executive has been offered at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement before signing it, that Executive has read this Agreement and Release carefully, that Executive has had sufficient time and opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of Executive’s choosing concerning the execution of this Agreement.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive fully understands that the Agreement is final and binding, that it contains a full release of all claims and potential claims, and that the only promises or representations Executive has relied upon in signing this Agreement are those specifically contained in the Agreement itself.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is signing this Agreement voluntarily, with the full intent of releasing the Company and Releasees from all claims covered by Section 4.  

 

6.Revocation and Effective Date.  The Parties agree Executive may revoke the Agreement at will within seven (7) days after Executive executes the Agreement by giving written notice of revocation to Company.  Such notice must be delivered to Timothy D. Johnson, General Counsel of the Company, and must actually be received by him at or before the above-referenced seven-day deadline.  The Agreement may not be revoked after the expiration of the seven-day deadline.  In the event that Executive revokes the Agreement within the revocation period described in this Section 6, this Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be void and of no effect.  Assuming that Executive does not revoke this Agreement within the revocation period described above, the effective date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”) shall be the eighth (8th) day after the day on which Executive executes this Agreement.

 

7.Supplemental Release.  In addition to signing this Agreement, Executive agrees that, on the Termination Date or within seven (7) days after the Termination Date, he will sign an additional Supplemental Release of Claims, attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Supplemental Release”).  The Company’s provision of the Consideration described in Section 2 above is contingent on Executive signing and not revoking both this Agreement and the attached Supplemental Release.

 

8.Status of Other Agreements.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Employment Agreement shall be terminated, without further action by the Parties, as of the 

- 5 -

 

Termination Date and that Executive is not entitled to any payments or benefits from the Company other than what is provided in this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement does not invalidate the other obligations set forth in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

 

9.[INTENTIONALLY DELETED]

 

10.Certain Agreements. 

 

a.Confidentiality.  Executive acknowledges that the Company owns and shall own and has developed and shall develop proprietary information concerning its business and the business of its subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their employees, customers and clients (“Proprietary Information”). Such Proprietary Information includes, among other things, trade secrets, financial information, product plans, customer lists, marketing plans, systems, manuals, training materials, forecasts, inventions, improvements, know-how and other intellectual property, in each case, relating to the Company’s business. Executive shall, at all times, both during his service as a consultant for the Company and thereafter, keep all Proprietary Information in confidence and trust and shall not use or disclose any Proprietary Information without the written consent of the Company, except as necessary in the ordinary course of Executive’s duties. The parties acknowledge that pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (the “DTSA”), an individual may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a Federal, state or local governmental authority, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of applicable law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement Executive has with the Company or any of its affiliates is intended to conflict with the DTSA or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section. Under the DTSA, any employee, contractor, or consultant who is found to have wrongfully misappropriated trade secrets (as the terms “misappropriate” and “trade secret” are defined in the DTSA) may be liable for, among other things, exemplary damages and attorneys’ fees. Further, nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement Executive has with the Company or any of its affiliates will prohibit or restrict Executive from making any voluntary disclosure of information or documents related to any violation of law to any governmental agency or legislative body, or any self-regulatory organization, in each case, without advance notice to the Company.

 

b.Company Property.  Executive recognizes that all Proprietary Information, however stored or memorialized, and all identification cards, keys, flash drives, computers, mobile phones, Personal Data Assistants, telephone numbers, access codes, marketing materials, documents, records and other equipment or property which the Company provides are the sole property of the Company. Upon termination of this consulting agreement, Executive shall (1) refrain from taking any such property from the Company’s premises, and (2) return any such property in Executive’s possession within ten (10) business days.

 

c.Assignment of Inventions to the Company.  Executive shall promptly disclose to the Company all improvements, inventions, formulas, processes, computer programs, 

- 6 -

 

know-how and trade secrets developed, whether or not patentable, made or conceived or reduced to practice or developed by Executive, either alone or jointly with others, during and related to Executive’s service as a consultant or employee and the Company’s business or while using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information (collectively, “Inventions”). All Inventions and other intellectual property rights shall be the sole property of the Company and shall be “works made for hire.” Executive hereby assigns to the Company any rights Executive may have or acquire in all Inventions and agrees to perform, during and after serving as an employee of or consultant for the Company, at the Company’s expense including reasonable compensation to Executive, all acts reasonably necessary by the Company in obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights with respect to such Inventions. Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company and its officers and agents as Executive’s attorney-in-fact to act for and in Executive’s name and stead with respect to such Inventions.

 

11.Covenant Not to Engage in Certain Acts.

 

a.General.  Executive understands and agrees that Executive shall hold a position of significant trust and, in such position of significant trust, shall provide services and have responsibility with respect to the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”), including, without limitation, contributing to the acquisition and retention of customers and the generation of goodwill. Executive further understands and agrees that Executive will develop, access and use Proprietary Information for the benefit of the Company Group. The parties understand and agree that the purpose of the restrictions contained in Section 10 and this Section 11 is to protect the goodwill and other legitimate business interests of the Company (including its Proprietary Information), and that the Company would not have entered into this Agreement in the absence of such restrictions. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions are reasonable and do not, and will not, unduly impair his ability to make a living after the termination of his employment or service as a consultant with the Company. The provisions of Section 10 and Section 11 shall survive the expiration or sooner termination of this Agreement.

 

b.Non-Compete; Non-Interference; Non-Solicit. During the Consulting Period and for a period of twelve (12) months after the end of the Consulting Period Executive shall not, whether for Executive’s own account or for any other Person, directly or indirectly, with or without compensation:

 

(i)own, manage, operate, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be employed or engaged in a senior management role by, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, proprietorship or other business entity or organization that engages in or plans to engage in the business of (i) supplying, distributing, manufacturing, designing, constructing and/or installing structural and related building products, including, without limitation, prefabricated components, roof and floor trusses, wall panels, stairs, windows, doors, millwork, lumber products, roofing, insulation, hardware and other building products and/or (ii) providing services to customers in connection with any of the foregoing or otherwise related to residential homebuilding, in each case, (i) and (ii) anywhere in the United States (a “Competing Business”);

 

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(ii)solicit, or call upon or otherwise attempt to solicit, on behalf of any Competing Business, any of the customers, prospective customers, vendors or suppliers of Company Group;

 

(iii)divert or take away, or attempt to divert or take away, any existing business of the Company Group;

 

(iv)induce or entice, or seek to induce or entice, or otherwise interfere with, the Company Group’s business relationship with, any customer of the Company Group;

 

(v)advance credit or lend money to any third party for the purpose of establishing or operating any Competing Business; or

 

(vi)with respect to any substantially full time independent contractor of the Company Group, employee of the Company Group or individual who was, at any time during the three months prior to the Termination Date, an employee of the Company Group: (A) hire or retain, or attempt to hire or retain, such individual to provide services for any third party; or (B) entice away or in any manner persuade or attempt to persuade, such individual to (1) terminate and/or leave his or her employment or engagement, (2) accept employment with any person or entity other than a member of the Company Group, or (3) terminate his relationship with the Company Group or devote less of his business time to the Company Group.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 11(b) will prohibit Executive from acquiring or holding not more than two percent (2%) of any class of publicly traded securities.

 

c.Survival; Injunctive Relief. Executive agrees that the provisions of Section 10 and Section 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the termination of Executive’s employment. Executive acknowledges that a breach by him of the covenants contained in Section 10 or Section 11 cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law and that such breach will cause the Company immeasurable and irreparable injury and damage. Executive further acknowledges that he possesses unique skills, knowledge and ability and that competition in violation of Section 10 or Section 11 would be extremely detrimental to the Company. By reason thereof, each of the Company and Executive agrees that the other shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies it may have under this Agreement, at law or in equity, or otherwise, to temporary, preliminary and/or permanent injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or curtail any actual or threatened violation of Section 10 or Section 11, without proof of actual damages that have been or may be caused to the Company by such breach or threatened breach, and waives to the fullest extent permitted by law the posting or securing of any bond by the other party in connection with such remedies.

 

12.Final Agreement.  This Agreement and the Supplemental Release contain the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior agreements between the Parties, except as set forth in Section 8 above. The Parties agree that this Agreement may not be modified except by a written document signed by both Parties.  The Parties agree that this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, 

- 8 -

 

each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

 

13.Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. Executive agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of the State of Texas, agrees that any dispute concerning this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction in Texas, and agrees that other than disputes involving Section 10 or Section 11, all disputes shall be settled through arbitration pursuant to Section 19. Executive waives any and all objections to jurisdiction or venue.

 

14.Severability.  The parties agree that it is not their intention to violate any public policy or statutory or common law. In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law. Without limiting the foregoing, if any portion of Section 11 is held to be unenforceable, the maximum enforceable restriction of time, scope of activities and geographic area will be substituted for any such restrictions held unenforceable.

 

15.Amendment; Waiver.  This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto, and any provision hereof may be waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought. The failure of any party hereto at any time to require the performance by any other party hereto of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the full right to require such performance at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of such provision or a waiver of the provision itself or a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

16.Voluntary Agreement. Executive has read this Agreement carefully, has had the opportunity to seek advice of counsel and understands and accepts the obligations that it imposes upon Executive without reservation. No other promises or representations have been made to Executive to induce Executive to sign this Agreement. Executive is signing this Agreement voluntarily and finely.

 

17.Code Section 409A.  This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder.  The tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed to Executive, who is responsible for all taxes assessed on any payments made pursuant to this Agreement, whether under Section 409A of the Code or otherwise.  Neither the Company nor its directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.  Executive’s right to receive any installment payments shall be treated as a right to receive separate and distinct payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

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18.Notices.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and shall be deemed to be given when delivered personally or four (4) days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested or one (1) day after it is sent by a reputable overnight courier service and, in each case, addressed as follows (or if it is sent through any other method agreed upon by the parties):

 

	
If to the Company:
	
 
	
Builders FirstSource

	
 
	
 
	
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 1600

	
 
	
 
	
Dallas, Texas 75201

	
 
	
 
	
ATTN: General Counsel

 

	
If to the Executive:
	
 
	
M. Chad Crow

	
 
	
 
	
[ADDRESS REDACTED]

	
 
	
 
	
 

 

or to such other address as any party hereto may designate by notice to the others.

 

19.Arbitration. Except with respect to the Company’s enforcement of the covenants in Section 10 and Section 11, in the event that either Executive or the Company (or their successor and assigns, or any other person claiming benefits on behalf of or through them) has a dispute, claim, question, or disagreement arising from or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof, the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to settle the dispute, claim, question, or disagreement. To this effect, they shall consult and negotiate with each other in good faith and, recognizing their mutual interests, attempt to reach a just and equitable solution satisfactory to both parties. If the parties do not reach such solution within a period of 60 days, then, upon written notice by either party to the other, all such disputes, claims, questions, or differences shall be finally settled by confidential binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the provisions of its Employment Arbitration Rules, unless such claim is precluded by law from being settled through arbitration. Such arbitration shall take place in Dallas, Texas. Any arbitrator selected by the parties to arbitrate any such dispute shall have practiced predominately in the field of employment law for no less than ten years. The arbitrator will have the power to interpret this Agreement. Any determination or decision by the arbitrator shall be binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any court of law. The parties agree that this arbitration provision does not apply to the right of Executive to file a charge, testify, assist or participate in any manner in an investigation, hearing or proceeding before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other agency pertaining to any matters covered by this Agreement and within the jurisdiction of the agency. Both parties agree that this arbitration clause has been bargained for by the parties upon advice of their respective counsel.

 

20.Agreement Negotiated. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each party has reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this Agreement and has had the opportunity to contribute to its revision. Accordingly, the rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Rather, the terms of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to both parties hereto and not in favor or against either party.

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21.Counterparts; Headings. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. A facsimile or .pdf file of a signature shall be deemed to be and have the effect of an original signature.  The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of any provision hereof.

 

(Signatures on next page)

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The Parties hereby signify their agreement to these terms by their signatures below.

 

	
EXECUTIVE

	
 

	
/s/ M. Chad Crow

	
M. Chad Crow

	
 
	
 

	
Date:
	
March 5, 2021

	
 
	
 

	
BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE, INC.

	
 
	
 

	
By:
	
/s/ Timothy D. Johnson

	
Name:
	
Timothy D. Johnson

	
Title:
	
Executive Vice President and General Counsel

	
Date:
	
March 5, 2021

 

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Exhibit A

 

SUPPLEMENTAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

1.General Release of Claims.  This Supplemental Release of Claims (the “Supplemental Release”) releases all claims against Builders FirstSource, Inc. (the “Company”) that may have arisen between the date Executive signed the Consulting Agreement on ____________, 2021 (the “Agreement”), and the Termination Date (as defined in the Agreement).  By signing this Supplemental Release, and in return for the Consideration set forth in Section 2 of the Agreement, Executive on behalf of himself and his agents and successors in interest, hereby UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES AND DISCHARGES the Company, its successors, subsidiaries, parent companies and its affiliates and each of their respective partners, equity holders, principals and employees), shareholders, assigns, joint ventures, and affiliated companies and all of their respective agents, legal representatives, shareholders, attorneys, employees, members, managers, officers, directors and affiliates (collectively, the “Releasees”) from ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEMANDS AND CAUSES OF ACTION that he may by law release, whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that he may have or claim to have against any Releasee for any reason as of the date of Executive’s execution of this Supplemental Release.  Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing any and all rights under federal, state and local employment laws including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and any and all other local, state, and federal law claims arising under statute or common law. It is agreed that this is a general release and it is to be broadly construed as a release of all claims, except as set forth in Section 2 below.

 

2.Exceptions to General Release.  Nothing in this Supplemental Release is intended as, or shall be deemed or operate as, a release by Executive of (i) any rights of Executive under the Agreement; (ii) any other benefits under any agreements with the Company or Company-sponsored benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) benefits); (iii) any rights or claims of Executive for indemnification or related duties by the Company under any written indemnification agreement, the self-governance documents of the Company, or under applicable law; (iv) any rights to coverage under any director and officer liability insurance or other insurance policies or any run-off policy thereto; (v) any rights under COBRA or similar state law; (vi) any recovery to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance laws; (vii) Executive’s right to challenge the validity of his release of claims under the ADEA; (viii) any rights or claims under federal or state law that cannot, as a matter of law, be waived by private agreement; and (ix) any claims arising after the date on which Executive executes this Supplemental Release.

 

3.Covenant Not to Sue.  Except as expressly set forth in Section 6 below, Executive further hereby AGREES NOT TO FILE A LAWSUIT or other legal claim or charge against any of the Releasees concerning any claim released by this Supplemental Release.

 

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4.Acknowledgement Regarding Payments and Benefits.  Except as expressly provided herein, Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has been paid all wages and accrued benefits to which Executive is entitled through the date of execution of this Supplemental Release.  Other than the payments set forth in the Agreement, the Parties agree that the Company owes no additional amounts to Executive for wages, back pay, severance pay, bonuses, damages, accrued vacation, benefits, insurance, sick leave, other leave, or any other reason.  

 

5.Other Representations and Acknowledgements.  The Agreement and this Supplemental Release are intended to and do settle and resolve all claims of any nature that Executive might have against the Company arising out of their employment relationship or the termination of employment or relating to any other matter, except as set forth in Section 2 above.  By signing this Supplemental Release, Executive acknowledges that Executive is doing so knowingly and voluntarily, that Executive understands that Executive may be releasing claims Executive may not know about, and that Executive is waiving all rights Executive may have had under any law that is intended to protect Executive from waiving unknown claims.  Executive warrants that Executive has not filed any lawsuits of any kind whatsoever against the Company or any of the Releasees as of the date of execution of this Supplemental Release.  This Supplemental Release shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or any of the Releasees of wrongdoing or liability or that Executive has any rights against the Company or any of the Releasees.  Executive represents and agrees that Executive has not transferred or assigned, to any person or entity, any claim that Executive is releasing in this Supplemental Release.

 

6.Protected Rights.  Executive understands that nothing contained in this Supplemental Release limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”).  Executive further understands that this Supplemental Release does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies in connection with any charge or complaint, whether filed by Executive, on Executive’s behalf, or by any other individual.  However, based on Executive’s release of claims set forth in this Supplemental Release, Executive understands that Executive is releasing all claims that Executive may have, as well as, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Executive’s right to recover monetary damages or obtain other relief that is personal to Executive in connection with any claim Executive is releasing under this Supplemental Release.

 

7.Acknowledgment.  The Executive acknowledges that he has had a full and complete opportunity to consult with counsel and other advisors of his own choosing concerning the terms, enforceability and implications of this Supplemental Release, and that the Company advised and encouraged Executive to do so prior to executing this Supplemental Release.  Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that Executive has been offered at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this Supplemental Release before signing it, that Executive has read the Agreement and this Supplemental Release carefully, that Executive has had sufficient time and opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of Executive’s choosing concerning the execution of this Supplemental Release.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive fully understands that this Supplemental 

- 14 -

 

Release is final and binding, that it contains a full release of all claims and potential claims, and that the only promises or representations Executive has relied upon in signing this Supplemental Release are those specifically contained in the Agreement and this Supplemental Release.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is signing this Supplemental Release voluntarily, with the full intent of releasing the Company and the Releasees from all claims covered by this Supplemental Release.  

 

8.Revocation and Effective Date.  The Parties agree Executive may revoke this Supplemental Release at will within seven (7) days after Executive executes the Supplemental Release by giving written notice of revocation to Company.  Such notice must be delivered to Timothy D. Johnson, General Counsel of the Company, and must actually be received by him at or before the above-referenced seven-day deadline.  The Supplemental Release may not be revoked after the expiration of the seven-day deadline.  In the event that Executive revokes the Supplemental Release within the revocation period described in this Section 8, this Supplemental Release shall not be effective or enforceable, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be void and of no effect.  Assuming that Executive does not revoke this Supplemental Release within the revocation period described above, the effective date of this Supplemental Release shall be the eighth (8th) day after the day on which Executive executes this Supplemental Release.

 

	
Accepted and agreed to:

	
 
	
 

	
Print Name:
	
 

	
Signature:
	
 

	
Dated:
	
 

 

- 15 -

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