Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

This SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Enviva Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Stephen F. Reeves (“Employee”).  Enviva Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“EVA”), enters this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging and agreeing to the provisions of Section 3(b), and Enviva Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), enters this Agreement for the limited purpose of acknowledging and agreeing to the provisions of Section 7.  The Company, EVA, Holdings, and Employee are each referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

WHEREAS, Employee’s employment with the Company ended due to Employee’s resignation effective as of June 4, 2018 (the “Separation Date”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee wish to resolve any and all claims that Employee has or may have against the Company and the other Company Parties (as defined below), including any claims that Employee has or may have arising from or relating to Employee’s employment, or the end of Employee’s employment, with any Company Party.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by Employee and the Company, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Resignation from Employment.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that Employee’s employment with the Company ended due to Employee’s resignation effective as of the Separation Date and that, as of the Separation Date, Employee was no longer employed by any Company Party.  The Parties further acknowledge and agree that, as of the Separation Date, Employee resigned (a) as an officer of the Company and each of its affiliates (as applicable) and (b) from the board of managers, board of directors, or similar governing body of each of the Company’s affiliates (as applicable) and any other corporation, limited liability company, or other entity in which the Company or any of its affiliates holds an equity interest or with respect to which board or similar governing body Employee serves as the designee or other representative of the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

2.                                      Acknowledgment of Restrictive Covenants; Permitted Disclosures.

 

(a)                                 Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee has obtained Confidential Information (as defined in that certain First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered into as of May 29, 2015 by and between the Company and Employee (the “Employment Agreement”)) and that Employee has continuing obligations to the Company Parties pursuant to Sections 7, 8, 9, and 12 of the Employment Agreement (such Sections of the Employment Agreement, the “Restrictive Covenants”).  In entering into this Agreement, Employee acknowledges the validity, binding effect, and enforceability in all respects of the Restrictive Covenants, as well as Sections 10 and

 

 

11 of the Employment Agreement, and expressly reaffirms Employee’s commitment to abide by the terms of the Restrictive Covenants and all other terms of the Employment Agreement that survive the end of his employment with the Company.  Employee further agrees to refrain from making any public statements (or permitting any statements to be reported as being attributed to him) now or in the future that are defamatory about, or that injure the reputation of, the Company or any other Company Party.

 

(b)                                 Nothing in this Agreement or in the Employment Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Employee from lawfully (i) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by any governmental or regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law, (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to Employee individually from any such Governmental Authorities, (iii) testifying, participating, or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any such Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law, or (iv) making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law.  Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made to Employee’s attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against Employee for reporting a suspected violation of law, or (iii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  Nor does this Agreement require Employee to obtain prior authorization from the Company or its affiliates before engaging in any conduct described in this Section 2(b), or to notify the Company or its affiliates that Employee has engaged in any such conduct.

 

3.                                      Severance Payments.  Provided that Employee executes this Agreement on the Separation Date or within 21 days thereafter such that Employee’s executed Agreement is received by the Company, care of William H. Schmidt, Jr., 7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1000, Bethesda, MD 20814 or via email to william.schmidt@envivabiomass.com so that it is received by Mr. Schmidt no later than the close of business on June 24, 2018, does not revoke Employee’s acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(c) below, and abides by the terms hereof (including those terms set forth in Section 2 above), then Employee shall receive the consideration set forth in the following Sections 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c):

 

(a)                                 The Company shall pay to Employee an amount equal to $992,500, less applicable taxes and withholding (the “Separation Payment”), which Separation Payment shall be paid in 30 substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, beginning on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the 60th day following the Separation Date; provided, however, that the first installment payment shall include all amounts that would otherwise have been paid to Employee during the period beginning on the Separation Date and ending on the first payment date (without interest) if no delay had been imposed.

 

(b)                                 EVA will cause a number of the outstanding equity-based awards granted to Employee pursuant to the Enviva Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and held

 

2

 

by Employee on the Separation Date to vest immediately and become nonforfeitable (and be settled through the issuance of EVA common units in accordance with the terms of the LTIP and the applicable award agreements) in the following amounts: (i) 15,915 of time-based phantom units granted to Employee on February 3, 2016; (ii) 15,287 of time-based phantom units granted to Employee on February 1, 2017; (iii) 13,857 of time-based phantom units granted to Employee on January 31, 2018; (iv) 15,915 of performance-based phantom units granted to Employee on February 3, 2016 based on target performance; (v) 15,287 of performance-based phantom units granted to Employee on February 1, 2017 based on target performance; and (vi) 13,857 of performance-based phantom units granted to Employee on January 31, 2018 based on target performance.

 

(c)                                  If Employee timely and properly elects to continue coverage for Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents, if any, under the Company’s group health plans pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), similar in the amounts and types of coverage provided by the Company to Employee prior to the Separation Date, then for a period of 15 months following the Separation Date or such earlier date as provided in this Section 3(c), the Company shall promptly reimburse Employee on a monthly basis for the entire amount Employee pays to effect and continue such coverage; provided, however, that Employee’s rights to such reimbursements under this Section 3(c) shall terminate at the time Employee becomes eligible to be covered under a group health plan sponsored by another employer (and Employee shall promptly notify the Company in the event that Employee becomes so eligible).  Notwithstanding anything in the preceding provisions of this Section 3(c) to the contrary, the election of COBRA continuation coverage and the payment of any premiums due with respect to such COBRA continuation coverage will remain Employee’s sole responsibility, and the Company will assume no obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage.

 

Employee acknowledges and agrees that the consideration described in this Section 3 represents the entirety of the amounts Employee is eligible to receive as severance pay and benefits from the Company or any other Company Party.

 

4.                                      Satisfaction of Severance Obligations; Receipt of Leaves, Bonuses, and Other Compensation.  Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee would not be entitled to the consideration set forth in Section 3 (or any portion thereof) but for Employee’s entry into this Agreement.  Employee further acknowledges and agrees that, with the exception of any base salary earned by Employee in the pay period that immediately preceded the Separation Date (if such base salary has not been paid as of the time that Employee executes this Agreement), Employee has been paid in full all bonuses, been provided all benefits, and otherwise received all wages, compensation, and other sums that Employee has been owed or ever could be owed by each Company Party (with the exception of any sums to which Employee may be entitled pursuant to this Agreement).  Employee further acknowledges and agrees that Employee has received or has waived all leaves (paid and unpaid) that Employee has been entitled to receive from each Company Party.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 3 and Section 7, this Agreement extinguishes all rights, if any, that Employee may have and ever could have, contractual or otherwise, relating to or arising out of Employee’s employment or the termination of Employee’s employment.

 

3

 

5.                                      Complete Release of Claims.

 

(a)                                 For good and valuable consideration, including the consideration set forth in Section 3 (and any portion thereof), Employee hereby forever releases and discharges the Company, EVA, Holdings, each of their respective affiliates, and each of their respective past, present, and future parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, and assigns, along with each of the foregoing entities’ respective affiliates, owners, shareholders, partners, officers, directors, members, managers, employees, trustees, representatives, agents, attorneys, successors, administrators, fiduciaries, insurers, and benefit plans and the trustees and fiduciaries of such plans, in their personal and representative capacities (collectively, the “Company Parties”) from, and Employee hereby waives, any and all claims, demands, liabilities, and causes of action, whether statutory or at common law, including any claim for salary, benefits, payments, expenses, costs, damages, penalties, compensation, remuneration, contractual entitlements, and all claims or causes of action relating to any matter that actually or allegedly occurred, whether known or unknown, on or prior to the date that Employee executed this Agreement, including, (i) any alleged violation of:  (A) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); (B) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; (C) the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (D) Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; (E) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”); (F) the Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended; (G) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; (H) the National Labor Relations Act, as amended; (I) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; (J) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended; (K) any local, state, or federal anti-discrimination or anti-retaliation law; and (L) any other local, state, or federal law, regulation, or ordinance (including the Virginians with Disabilities Act, the Virginia Human Rights Act, the Virginia Equal Pay Act, the Virginia Genetic Testing Law, the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Virginia Minimum Wage Act, the Virginia Payment of Wage Law, the Virginia Right to Work Law, the Maryland Equal Pay Act, and Title 20 of the State Government Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, all as amended); (ii) any public policy, contract, tort, or common law claim; (iii) any allegation for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees, related to any Released Claim; (iv) any and all claims Employee may have arising under or as the result of any alleged breach of any contract (including the Employment Agreement, any offer letter, other employment contract, or incentive or equity-based compensation plan or agreement (including the AICP)) with any Company Party; (v) any and all claims arising from, or relating to the LTIP or Employee’s status as a holder of the phantom units described therein; (vi) any and all claims arising from, or relating to, the LP Agreement (as defined below) or Employee’s status as a holder of the Holdings Units (as defined below) or any other interests in Holdings, EVA, or any other Company Party; and (vii) any claim for compensation or benefits of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement (collectively, the “Released Claims”).  This Agreement is not intended to indicate that any such claims exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious.  Rather, Employee is simply agreeing that, in exchange for any consideration received by Employee pursuant to Section 3, any and all potential claims of this nature that Employee may have against the Company Parties, regardless of whether they actually exist, are expressly settled, compromised, and waived.  THIS RELEASE INCLUDES MATTERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SOLE OR PARTIAL NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER GROSS OR SIMPLE) OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING STRICT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE COMPANY PARTIES.

 

4

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding this release of liability, nothing in this Agreement prevents Employee from filing any non-legally waivable claim, including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or comparable state or local agency, or participating in (or cooperating with) any investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC or comparable state or local agency; however, Employee understands and agrees that Employee is waiving any and all rights to recover any monetary or personal relief or recovery as a result of such EEOC or comparable state or local agency proceeding or subsequent legal actions.  Further, in no event shall the Released Claims include (i) any claim that first arises after the date this Agreement is executed by Employee, including any claim to enforce Employee’s rights under this Agreement, or (ii) any claim to any vested benefits under ERISA, or (iii) any right to receive an award for information provided to any Governmental Authorities.

 

6.                                      Representations and Warranties Regarding Claims.  Employee hereby represents and warrants that, as of the date on which Employee signs this Agreement, Employee has not filed any claims, complaints, charges, or lawsuits against any of the Company Parties with any governmental agency or with any state or federal court or arbitrator for, or with respect to, a matter, claim, or incident that occurred or arose out of one or more occurrences that took place on or prior to the date on which Employee signs this Agreement.  Employee hereby further represents and warrants that Employee has not made any assignment, sale, delivery, transfer, or conveyance of any rights Employee has asserted or may have against any of the Company Parties with respect to any Released Claim.

 

7.                                      Equity Interests in Holdings.  Immediately prior to the Separation Date, Employee held the following equity interests in Holdings:  (a) 200,000 Series C-2 Units, (b) 225,000 Series E-1 Units and (c) 90,546 Series D Units (collectively, the “Holdings Units”), in each case, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings dated November 9, 2012 (the “LP Agreement”) and those certain Restricted Unit Agreements dated August 30, 2012 and November 9, 2012 by and between Holdings and Employee (collectively, the “Holdings Award Agreements”).  Employee acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to the Holdings Award Agreements, for a period of one year following the Separation Date (the “Repurchase Period”), Holdings shall have the right to repurchase, in accordance with the terms thereof and the LP Agreement, any or all of the Holdings Units.  In entering into this Agreement, Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that Employee has not assigned, transferred, alienated, encumbered, hypothecated, sold, delivered, mortgaged, pledged, or granted options or rights to purchase any of the Holdings Units and Employee will not do so prior to the end of the Repurchase Period.  Employee further represents that Employee is the sole owner of the Holdings Units and covenants that Employee shall be the sole owner of the Holdings Units at all times until the end of the Repurchase Period.  In accordance with Section 5.1(d) of the LP Agreement, Employee’s Remaining Commitment (as defined in the LP Agreement) terminated as of the Separation Date. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee does not hold any equity interests or other securities in any Company Party (or rights to acquire or derivative rights in respect of any such equity interests or other securities), other than the Holdings Units, Employee’s phantom units under the LTIP that will become vested in accordance with Section 3(b), and common units in EVA held by Employee, and Employee does not have any claim for profits or distributions or cash or other assets of any Company Party that does not arise out of the Holdings Units.

 

5

 

8.                                      Employee’s Acknowledgements.  Employee acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                 Employee has been advised, and hereby is advised in writing, to consult an attorney of Employee’s choosing before signing this Agreement;

 

(b)                                 No material changes have been made to this Agreement since it was first provided to Employee and Employee has been given sufficient time (and at least 21 days) to review this Agreement and consider whether to accept this Agreement before signing it;

 

(c)                                  Employee has seven days after signing this Agreement to revoke it.  This Agreement will not become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired.  Any notice of revocation of the Agreement is effective only if received by William H. Schmidt, Jr., 7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1000, Bethesda, MD 20814 or via email to william.schmidt@envivabiomass.com in writing by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on or before the seventh day after Employee signs this Agreement.  Employee understands that if Employee revokes Employee’s acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8(c), Sections 3 and 5 and all other terms of this Agreement will become null and void and the Company will not provide Employee with any of the payments described in Section 3; provided, however, that none of the provisions of Section 1, Section 4, or Employee’s continuing obligations referenced in Section 2 shall be affected by any such revocation;

 

(d)                                 Employee is receiving, pursuant to this Agreement, consideration in addition to anything of value to which Employee is already entitled;

 

(e)                                  Employee fully understands the final and binding effect of this Agreement, Employee is signing this Agreement knowingly, voluntarily, and of Employee’s own free will, and Employee understands and agrees to each of the terms of this Agreement;

 

(f)                                   The only matters relied upon by Employee and causing Employee to sign this Agreement are the provisions set forth in writing within the four corners of this Agreement; and

 

(g)                                  No Company Party has provided any tax or legal advice to Employee regarding this Agreement and Employee has had an adequate opportunity to receive sufficient tax and legal advice from advisors of Employee’s own choosing such that Employee enters into this Agreement with full understanding of the tax and legal implications thereof.

 

9.                                      No Waiver.  No failure by any Party at any time to give notice of any breach by the other Party of, or to require compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

10.                               Applicable Law.  This Agreement is entered into under, and shall be governed for all purposes by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

 

11.                               Severability.  The Parties hereby agree that any term or provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) that renders such term or provision (or portion thereof) or any other

 

6

 

term or provision (or portion thereof) of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable in any respect shall be severable and shall be modified or severed to the extent necessary to avoid rendering such term or provision invalid or unenforceable, and such modification or severance shall be accomplished in the manner that most nearly preserves the benefit of the Parties’ bargain hereunder.

 

12.                               Withholding of Taxes and Other Employee Deductions.  The Company may withhold from all payments made pursuant to this Agreement all federal, state, local, and other taxes and withholdings as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

13.                               Affiliate Definition.  As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliate,” as used with respect to a particular person or entity, shall mean any other person or entity that owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, such particular person or entity.

 

14.                               Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

15.                               Third-Party Beneficiaries.  Each Company Party that is not a signatory hereto shall be a third-party beneficiary of Employee’s covenants and release of claims set forth in this Agreement and entitled to enforce such provisions as if it was a party hereto.

 

16.                               Amendment; Entire Agreement.  This Agreement may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing agreed to and signed by the Parties.  This Agreement (and: (i) with respect to the covenants referenced in Section 2, the Employment Agreement, and (ii) with respect to Section 3(b) and Section 7, the LP Agreement, Holdings Award Agreements, that certain Series D Unit Subscription Agreement by and between Employee, Holdings and the other parties thereto, and those certain Phantom Unit Award Agreements dated February 3, 2016, February 1, 2017, and January 31, 2018 by and between Enviva Partners GP, LLC and Employee) constitute the entire agreement of the Parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Employee and any Company Party with regard to the subject matter hereof.

 

17.                               Return of Property.  Employee represents and warrants that Employee has returned to the Company all property belonging to the Company and any other Company Party, including all computer files and other electronically stored information, client materials, electronically stored information, and other materials provided to Employee by the Company or any other Company Party in the course of Employee’s employment and Employee further represents and warrants that Employee has not maintained a copy of any such materials in any form.

 

18.                               Interpretation.  Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define, or otherwise affect the provisions hereof.  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to an agreement, instrument, or other document shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, instrument, or other document as amended,

 

7

 

supplemented, modified, and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  The word “or” as used herein is not exclusive and is deemed to have the meaning “and/or.”  The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder”, and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.  The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term, or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term, or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term, or matter.  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any Party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the Parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the Parties.

 

19.                               Continued Cooperation.  Employee will provide the Company and, as applicable, the other Company Parties, with assistance, when reasonably requested by the Company, with respect to transitioning matters related to Employee’s job responsibilities and otherwise providing information relating to the duties Employee’s performed for the Company and the other Company Parties.  In requesting and scheduling Employee’s assistance pursuant to this Section 19, the Company shall take into consideration Employee’s personal and professional obligations.

 

20.                               Further Assurances.  Employee shall, and shall cause Employee’s affiliates, representatives, and agents to, from time to time at the request of the Company and without any additional consideration, furnish the Company with such further information or assurances, execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, and conveyances, and take such other actions and do such other things, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable, as determined in the sole discretion of the Company, to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

 

21.                               Section 409A.  This Agreement and the payments provided hereunder are intended be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury regulations and interpretive guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent.  Each installment payment of the Separation Payment shall be deemed and treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A and in no event shall the Company or any other Company Party be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

[The remainder of this page was left blank intentionally; the signature page follows.]

 

8

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, EVA and Holdings have each caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer thereof and Employee has executed this Agreement, in each case, as of the dates set forth beneath their signature blocks below, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

	
 
    	
STEPHEN   F. REEVES
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Stephen F. Reeves
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:   June 4, 2018
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ENVIVA   MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
/s/   William H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
William   H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive   Vice President,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Corporate   Development and General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:   June 4, 2018
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
For   the limited purpose of acknowledging and agreeing to Section 3(b):
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ENVIVA   PARTNERS, LP
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By   Enviva Partners GP, LLC,
    
	
 
    	
as   its sole general partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
William   H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
William   H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive   Vice President,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Corporate   Development and General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:   June 4, 2018
    
				

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

 

	
 
    	
For   the limited purpose of acknowledging and agreeing to Section 7:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ENVIVA   HOLDINGS, LP
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By   Enviva Holdings GP, LLC,
    
	
 
    	
as   its sole general partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   William H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
William   H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive   Vice President,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Corporate   Development and General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date:   June 4, 2018Exhibit 10.2

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of May 30, 2018 and effective as of June 4, 2018 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Enviva Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Shai Even (“Executive”).

 

1.                                      Employment. During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4 below), the Company shall employ Executive, and Executive shall serve, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Enviva Holdings GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings GP”) and the general partner of Enviva Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), and such Affiliates of the Company as may be designated by Holdings from time to time.

 

2.                                      Duties and Responsibilities of Executive.

 

(a)                                 During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote his full business time and attention to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, as applicable, and will not hold any outside employment or consulting position.  Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement will include those normally incidental to the position identified in Section 1, as well as such additional duties as may be assigned to him by Holdings from time to time.

 

(b)                                 Executive represents and covenants that he is not the subject of or a party to any employment agreement, non-competition or non-solicitation covenant, non-disclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Executive from executing this Agreement and fully performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder, or would in any manner, directly or indirectly, limit or affect the duties and responsibilities that may now or in the future be assigned to Executive hereunder.

 

(c)                                  Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes the Company and its Affiliates fiduciary duties, including duties of care, loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance, such that Executive shall act at all times in the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates and shall not appropriate any business opportunity of the Company or its Affiliates for himself.  Executive agrees that the obligations described in this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligations Executive owes the Company and its Affiliates under common law.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that Executive may provide services (including as an executive, employee, director, or otherwise) to multiple Affiliates of the Company and, in providing such services, Executive will not be violating his obligations hereunder so long as Executive abides by the terms of Sections 7, 8, and 9 below in the course of performing such services.

 

3.                                      Compensation.

 

(a)                                 Base Salary.  During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Executive an annualized base salary of $425,000 (the “Base Salary”) in consideration for Executive’s services under this Agreement, payable on a not less than monthly basis, in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for executives.

 

(b)                                 Annual Bonus.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible for discretionary bonus compensation for the 2018 calendar year and for each subsequent complete

 

 

calendar year that he is employed by the Company hereunder (each, a “Bonus Year”) pursuant to the applicable incentive or bonus compensation plan of the Company, if any, that is applicable to similarly situated executives of the Company (each, an “Annual Bonus”).  Each Annual Bonus shall have a target value that is not less than 120% of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the first day of the Bonus Year to which such Annual Bonus relates (the “Minimum Target Annual Bonus”); provided, however, that the Minimum Target Annual Bonus for the 2018 calendar year shall not be less than 120% of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date.  The performance targets that must be achieved in order to realize certain bonus levels shall be established by the Board of Directors of Holdings GP (the “Holdings Board”) or a committee thereof annually, in its sole discretion, and communicated to Executive in accordance with terms of the applicable incentive or bonus plan, if any, or if no such plan has been adopted, within the first 90 days of the applicable Bonus Year (the most recently established target value for Executive’s Annual Bonus is referred to herein as the “Target Annual Bonus”).  Each Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the Holdings Board or a committee thereof certifies whether the applicable performance targets for the applicable Bonus Year have been achieved, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of such Bonus Year.

 

(c)                                  Equity Compensation Awards.

 

(i)                                     Within 45 days following the Effective Date, Executive will receive a grant under the Enviva Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “EVA LTIP”) with a target value equal to 200% of Executive’s Base Salary, with 50% of such grant being comprised of phantom units subject to time-based vesting conditions (the “Time-Based Sign-On LTIP Award”) and 50% of such grant being comprised of phantom units subject to performance-based vesting conditions (the “Performance-Based Sign-On LTIP Award, and together with the Time-Based Sign-On LTIP Award, the “Sign-On LTIP Award”). The Time-Based Sign-On LTIP Award will include a tandem grant of distribution equivalent rights and will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date so long as Executive remains continuously employed by the Company through such third anniversary of the grant date. The Performance-Based Sign-On LTIP Award will include a tandem grant of distribution equivalent rights and will be subject to the same performance goals as the performance-based phantom units granted to executive officers of the Company in 2018 measured over a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2020.

 

(ii)                                  With respect to the 2019 calendar year and each subsequent calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to receive annual awards under the EVA LTIP or such other Enviva Partners, LP equity compensation plan in effect from time to time (the EVA LTIP or such other plan, the “LTIP”) with a target value equal to 200% of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the first day of such calendar year (the “Target Annual LTIP Award”).

 

(iii)                               The Sign-On LTIP Award and all other awards granted to Executive under the LTIP, if any, shall be on such terms and conditions as the board of directors (the “Partners Board”) of Enviva Partners GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP (the “MLP”), or a committee thereof shall determine from time to time and shall be subject to and governed by the terms and

 

2

 

provisions of the LTIP as in effect from time to time and the award agreements evidencing such awards.  Nothing herein shall be construed to give Executive any rights to any amount or type of grant or award except as provided in such award to Executive provided in writing and authorized by the Partners Board (or a committee thereof).

 

4.                                      Term of Employment. The initial term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is the 36-month period that began the Effective Date and shall end on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”).  On the third anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically renew and extend for a period of 12 months (each such 12-month period being a “Renewal Term”) unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by either party to the other not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 6.  The period from the Effective Date through the expiration of this Agreement or, if sooner, the termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of the time or reason for such termination, shall be referred to herein as the “Employment Period.”

 

5.                                      Reimbursement of Business Expenses; Benefits; Relocation Allowance. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the following reimbursements and benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)                                 Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable business-related expenses incurred in the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement; provided that Executive timely submits all documentation for such reimbursement, as required by Company policy in effect from time-to-time.  Any reimbursement of expenses under this Section 5(a) or Section 12 shall be made by the Company upon or as soon as practicable following receipt of supporting documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Company (but in any event not later than the close of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense is incurred by Executive); provided, however, that, upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, in no event shall any additional reimbursement be made prior to the date that is six months after the date of such termination (or, if earlier, prior to the date of Executive’s death) to the extent such payment delay is required under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.  In no event shall any reimbursement be made to Executive for such expenses after the date that is five years after the date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.  Executive is not permitted to receive a payment in lieu of reimbursement under this Section 5(a) or Section 12.

 

(b)                                 Benefits. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the same benefit plans or fringe benefit policies in which other similarly situated Company employees are eligible to participate, subject to applicable eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of such plans and policies as in effect from time to time.  The Company shall not, by reason of this Section 5(b), be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing, any such plan or policy, so long as such changes are similarly applicable to similarly situated Company employees generally.

 

3

 

(c)                                  Relocation Allowance.

 

(i)                                     On the first regular pay date following the Effective Date, the Company will pay to Executive a lump sum cash payment equal to $100,000 (the “Relocation Allowance”).  If Executive’s employment hereunder terminates pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(e) prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, then Executive shall be required to, and expressly promises to, repay the Relocation Allowance and, if previously paid to Executive, the Relocation Gross-Up Amount (as defined below), in each case within 30 days following the date of the termination of Executive’s employment (the “Termination Date”).  In the event such a repayment is required, Executive consents to the Company deducting some or all of the repayment amount from sums otherwise owed by the Company to Executive, and in signing below, Executive hereby expressly authorizes such a deduction. The Company’s election not to make a deduction of any repayment amount shall not waive Executive’s repayment obligation described in this Section 5(c)(i).

 

(ii)                                  On the first regular pay date following the date that is seven months after the Effective Date, unless Executive’s employment hereunder terminates pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(e) prior to such pay date, the Company will provide Executive with a lump sum payment equal to the Relocation Gross-up Amount (as defined below).  As used herein, the term “Relocation Gross-up Amount” means an amount such that after payment by Executive of all federal, state, and local income taxes (in each case, based on the highest marginal income tax rate applicable to individuals in 2018) and Medicare hospital insurance taxes (based on the maximum Medicare hospital insurance tax rate applicable to individuals in 2018) imposed on the Relocation Gross-up Amount, Executive retains an amount of the Relocation Gross-up Amount equal to the federal, state, and local income taxes (in each case, based on the highest marginal income tax rate applicable to individuals in 2018) and Medicare hospital insurance taxes (based on the maximum Medicare hospital insurance tax rate applicable to individuals in 2018) imposed on the portion of the Relocation Allowance equal to the aggregate amount of Executive’s Qualifying Expenses.  As used herein, the term “Qualifying Expenses” means documented relocation expenses (including expenses related to exploratory house hunting trips, temporary living, final moving, shipping household goods, storing household goods, house hunting assistance, and commissions paid on the sale of Executive’s existing home in Dallas, Texas).

 

(iii)                               The Company shall reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable expenses associated with Executive’s travel between the Executive’s residence in Dallas, Texas and the Company’s offices in Bethesda, Maryland during the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on August 1, 2018, so long as Executive submits all documentation for such expenses within 30 days following the date on which the applicable expense is incurred by Executive, as required by the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

(d)                                 Temporary Housing.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable lodging expenses incurred while working in the Company’s offices in Bethesda, Maryland during the first six months of the Initial Term, so long as Executive submits all documentation for such expenses within 30 days following the date on which the applicable

 

4

 

expense is incurred by Executive, as required by the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time.

 

6.                                      Termination of Employment.

 

(a)                                 Company’s Right to Terminate Executive’s Employment for Cause.  The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment at any time for “Cause”.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s:

 

(i)                                     material breach of any policy established by the Company or any of its Affiliates that (x) pertains to health and safety and (y) is applicable to Executive;

 

(ii)                                  engaging in acts of disloyalty to the Company or its Affiliates, including fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony, or proven dishonesty; or

 

(iii)                               willful misconduct in the performance of, or willful failure to perform a material function of, his duties under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Company’s Right to Terminate for Convenience.  The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, at any time and for any reason or no reason at all.

 

(c)                                  Executive’s Right to Terminate for Good Reason.  Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment with the Company at any time for “Good Reason”.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, title, or responsibilities;

 

(ii)                                  a material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary, Minimum Target Annual Bonus, or Target Annual LTIP Award;

 

(iii)                               the relocation of the geographic location of Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 100 miles from the location of Executive’s principal place of employment as of the Effective Date; or

 

(iv)                              the Company’s delivery of a written notice of non-renewal of this Agreement to Executive.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c) or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any assertion by Executive of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:  (A) the condition described in Section 6(c)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) giving rise to Executive’s termination of his employment must have arisen without Executive’s written consent; (B) Executive must provide written notice to the Company of such condition within 30 days of the date on which Executive knew of the existence of the condition; (C) the condition specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for 30 days after receipt of such notice by the Company; and (D) the date of Executive’s termination of his employment must occur within 30 days after the end of such cure period.

 

5

 

(d)                                 Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Executive, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate with no further obligation under this Agreement of either party, or their successors in interest; provided that the Company shall pay to the estate of Executive (in the event of Executive’s death) any amounts due under this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, a “Disability” shall exist if Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his position, with reasonable accommodation (if applicable), due to an illness or physical or mental impairment or other incapacity that continues for a period in excess of 90 days, whether consecutive or not, in any period of 365 consecutive days.  The determination of a Disability will be made by the Company after obtaining an opinion from a doctor of the Company’s choosing.  Executive agrees to provide such information and participate in such examinations as may be reasonably required by said doctor in order to form his or her opinion.  If requested by the Company, Executive shall submit to a mental or physical examination to be performed by an independent physician selected by the Company to assist the Company in making such determination.

 

(e)                                  Executive’s Right to Terminate for Convenience.  Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment with the Company for convenience at any time upon 60 days’ advance written notice to the Company; provided that if Executive provides a notice of termination pursuant to this Section 6(e), the Company may designate an earlier termination date than that specified in Executive’s notice.  The Company’s designation of such an earlier date will not change the nature of Executive’s termination, which will still be deemed a voluntary resignation by Executive pursuant to this Section 6(e).

 

(f)                                   Effect of Termination.

 

(i)                                     If Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate (1) pursuant to Section 4 at the expiration of the then-existing Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, as a result of a non-renewal of this Agreement by Executive or (2) pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(e) or due to Executive’s death pursuant to Section 6(d), then all compensation and all benefits to Executive hereunder shall terminate contemporaneously with such termination of employment, except that Executive shall be entitled to (x) payment of all earned, unpaid Base Salary within 30 days of his last day of employment, or earlier if required by law, (y) reimbursement for all incurred but unreimbursed expenses for which Executive is entitled to reimbursement in accordance with Section 5(a) and Section 12, and (z) benefits to which Executive may be entitled pursuant to the terms of any plan or policy described in Sections 5(b), 5(c)(iii) or 5(d).

 

(ii)                                  If Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to Section 6(b) or 6(c) or due to Disability pursuant to Section 6(d), then all compensation and all benefits to Executive hereunder shall terminate contemporaneously with such termination of employment, except that (1) Executive shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits described in clauses (x) through (z) of Section 6(f)(i); and (2) if Executive executes, on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below), and does not revoke within the time provided by the Company to do so, a release of all claims in a form satisfactory to the Company (which shall be substantially similar to the form of release attached hereto as Exhibit A) (the “Release”)), then, provided that Executive abides by the terms of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12:

 

6

 

(A)                               The Company shall pay to Executive an amount (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the greater of (x) the product of (A) 1.0 (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined below), 1.5) and (B) sum of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Termination Date and Executive’s Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date or (y) the Initial Term Multiplier (as defined below), multiplied by the sum of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Termination Date and Executive’s Target Annual Bonus as of the Termination Date.  As used herein, the “Initial Term Multiplier” means the number of complete calendar months remaining in the Initial Term, if any, divided by 12.  The Severance Payment will be divided into 12 (or, if greater, a number equal to the number of complete calendar months remaining in the Initial Term) substantially equal installments; provided, however, that if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control, the Severance Payment will be divided into 18 (or, if greater, a number equal to the number of complete calendar months remaining in the Initial Term) substantially equal installments.  On the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is 60 days after the Termination Date, the Company shall pay to Executive, without interest, a number of such installments equal to the number of such installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date that is on or after the date that is 60 days after the Termination Date had the installments been paid on a monthly basis commencing on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date coincident with or next following the Termination Date, and each of the remaining installments shall be paid on a monthly basis thereafter; provided, however, that (1) to the extent, if any, that the aggregate amount of the installments of the Severance Payment and any payments under Section 6(f)(ii)(C) that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 6(f)(ii)(A) or Section 6(f)(ii)(C), as applicable, after March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (the “Applicable March 15”) exceeds the maximum exemption amount under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A), then such excess shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum on the Applicable March 15 (or the first business day preceding the Applicable March 15 if the Applicable March 15 is not a business day) and the installments of the Severance Payment payable after the Applicable March 15 shall be reduced by such excess (beginning with the installment first payable after the Applicable March 15 and continuing with the next succeeding installment until the aggregate reduction equals such excess), and (2) all remaining installments of the Severance Payment, if any, that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 6(f)(ii)(A) after December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be paid with the installment of the Severance Payment, if any, due in December of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs;

 

(B)                               All outstanding awards granted to Executive pursuant to the LTIP prior to the Termination Date that remain unvested as of the Termination Date shall immediately become fully vested as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that with respect to any such LTIP awards that were granted subject to a

 

7

 

performance requirement (other than continued service by Executive) that has not been satisfied and certified by the Partners Board (or a committee thereof) as of the Termination Date, then (1) if the Termination Date occurs within six months prior to the expiration of the performance period applicable to such LTIP award, such LTIP award shall become vested based on actual performance upon the expiration of such performance period; and (2) if the Termination Date occurs at any other time during the performance period applicable to such LTIP award, such LTIP award shall become vested as of the Termination Date based on target performance.

 

(C)                               If Executive timely and properly elects to continue coverage for Executive and Executive’s spouse and eligible dependents, if any, under the Company’s group health plans pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), similar in the amounts and types of coverage provided by the Company to Executive prior to the Termination Date, then during the COBRA Continuation Period (as defined below), the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive on a monthly basis for the entire amount Executive pays to effect and continue such coverage (“COBRA Benefit”). Each payment of the COBRA Benefit shall be paid to Executive on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date in the calendar month immediately following the calendar month in which Executive submits to the Company documentation of the applicable premium payment having been paid by Executive, which documentation shall be submitted by Executive to the Company within 30 days following the date on which the applicable premium payment is paid.  Notwithstanding anything in the preceding provisions of this Section 6(f)(ii)(C) to the contrary, (x) the election of COBRA continuation coverage and the payment of any premiums due with respect to such COBRA continuation coverage will remain Executive’s sole responsibility, and the Company will assume no obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage and (y) if the provision of the benefit described in this Section 6(f)(ii)(C) cannot be provided in the manner described above without penalty, tax, or other adverse impact on the Company, then the Company and Executive shall negotiate in good faith to determine an alternative manner in which the Company may provide a substantially equivalent benefit to Executive without such adverse impact on the Company.  As used herein, the “COBRA Continuation Period” shall mean the period beginning on the first day of the first calendar month following the Termination Date and continuing for a number of months thereafter equal to the greater of (A) 12 months (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control, 18 months) or (B) the number of months remaining in the Initial Term, up to a maximum of 18 months; provided, however, that the COBRA Continuation Period shall immediately terminate upon the earlier of (1) the time Executive becomes eligible to be covered under a group health plan sponsored by another employer (and Executive shall promptly notify the Company in the event that Executive becomes so eligible) or (2) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage.  If (i) Executive’s employment terminates prior to the date that is 18 months after the Effective Date and (ii) Executive has not become eligible to be covered under a group health plan sponsored by another employer by the earlier of end of the COBRA Continuation Period or December 1 of the calendar

 

8

 

year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (such earlier date being the “COBRA Payment Trigger Date”), then, on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date following the COBRA Payment Trigger Date (but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs), the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum cash payment equal to (a) the amount Executive paid to effect and continue coverage for himself and his spouse and eligible dependents, if any, under the Company’s group health plan for the complete calendar month next preceding the COBRA Payment Trigger Date, multiplied by (b) the number of complete calendar months remaining in the Initial Term as of the Termination Date, minus 18.

 

(iii)                               Executive acknowledges his understanding that if the Release is not executed and returned to the Company on or before the Release Expiration Date, and the required revocation period has not fully expired without revocation of the Release by Executive, then Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 6(f)(ii).  As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is 21 days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Executive (which shall occur no later than seven days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), the date that is 45 days following such delivery date.

 

(iv)                              For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following transactions:

 

(A)                               the sale or disposal by Holdings of all or substantially all of its assets to any person other than an Affiliate of Holdings;

 

(B)                               the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into another partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a merger or consolidation in which the unitholders in Holdings immediately prior to such transaction retain a greater than 50% equity interest in the surviving entity;

 

(C)                               the failure of Riverstone Holdings LLC and its Affiliates (collectively, “Riverstone”) to possess, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of Holdings, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; or

 

(D)                               the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

(1)                                 the sale or disposal by the MLP of all or substantially all of its assets to any person other than an Affiliate of the MLP;

 

(2)                                 the merger or consolidation of the MLP with or into another partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a merger or consolidation in which the unitholders in the MLP immediately prior to such transaction retain a greater than 50% equity interest in the surviving entity; or

 

9

 

(3)                                 the failure of Riverstone to possess, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the MLP, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

 

(g)                                  Meaning of Termination of Employment.  For all purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company when Executive incurs a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code; provided, however, that whether such a separation from service has occurred shall be determined based upon a reasonably anticipated permanent reduction in the level of bona fide services to be performed to no more than 25% of the average level of bona fide services provided in the immediately preceding 36 months.

 

7.                                      Conflicts of Interest; Disclosure of Opportunities.  Executive agrees that he shall promptly disclose to the Holdings Board any conflict of interest involving Executive upon Executive becoming aware of such conflict.  Executive further agrees that, throughout the Employment Period and for one year thereafter, he shall offer to the Company and its Affiliates, as applicable, all business opportunities relating to the acquisition, development, ownership, and operation of facilities which collect, process, and transform wood-based biomass into renewable energy feedstock, including wood pellets, regardless of where such business opportunities arise.

 

8.                                      Confidentiality.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in the course of his employment with the Company, he will be provided with, and have access to, new and valuable Confidential Information (as defined below).  In consideration of Executive’s receipt and access to such Confidential Information and in exchange for other valuable consideration provided hereunder, and as a condition of Executive’s employment hereunder, Executive agrees to comply with this Section 8.

 

(a)                                 Executive covenants and agrees, both during the Employment Period and thereafter that, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or by directive of the Holdings Board, he shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any Person and shall not use any Confidential Information except for the benefit of the Company or any of its Affiliates.  Executive shall take all reasonable precautions to protect the physical security of all documents and other material containing Confidential Information (regardless of the medium on which the Confidential Information is stored).  The covenants in this Section 8(a) shall apply to all Confidential Information, whether now known or later to become known to Executive during the Employment Period.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 8(a), Executive may make the following disclosures and uses of Confidential Information:

 

(i)                                     disclosures to other executives or employees of the Company or its Affiliates who have a need to know the information in connection with the business of the Company or its Affiliates;

 

10

 

(ii)                                  disclosures and uses that are incidental to Executive’s provision of services to the Company and its Affiliates consistent with the terms of this Agreement or that are approved by the Holdings Board;

 

(iii)                               disclosures for the purpose of complying with any applicable laws or regulatory requirements; or

 

(iv)                              disclosures that Executive is legally compelled to make by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or similar process, or otherwise by law.

 

(c)                                  Upon the expiration of the Employment Period and at any other time upon request of the Company, Executive shall surrender and deliver to the Company all documents (including electronically stored information) and other material of any nature containing or pertaining to all Confidential Information in Executive’s possession and shall not retain any such document or other material.  Within 10 days of any such request, Executive shall certify to the Company in writing that all such materials have been returned to the Company.

 

(d)                                 All non-public information, designs, ideas, concepts, improvements, product developments, discoveries, and inventions, whether patentable or not, that are conceived, made, developed, or acquired by Executive, individually or in conjunction with others, during the period Executive is or has been employed or affiliated with the Company or any of its Affiliates (whether during business hours or otherwise and whether on the Company’s premises or otherwise) that relate to the Company’s or any of its Affiliates’ business or properties, products, or services (including all such information relating to corporate opportunities, business plans, trade secrets, strategies for developing business and market share, research, financial and sales data, pricing terms, evaluations, opinions, interpretations, acquisition prospects, the identity of customers or their requirements, the identity of key contacts within customers’ organizations or within the organization of acquisition prospects, or marketing and merchandising techniques, prospective names and marks) is defined as “Confidential Information.”  Moreover, all documents, videotapes, written presentations, brochures, drawings, memoranda, notes, records, files, correspondence, manuals, models, specifications, computer programs, e-mail, voicemail, electronic databases, maps, drawings, architectural renditions, models, and all other writings or materials of any type including or embodying any of such information, ideas, concepts, improvements, discoveries, inventions, and other similar forms of expression are and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company or its Affiliates and be subject to the same restrictions on disclosure applicable to all Confidential Information pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(e)                                  Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Executive from lawfully (i) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by any governmental or regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law, (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to Executive individually from any such Governmental Authorities, (iii) testifying, participating, or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any such Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law, or (iv) making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law.  Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act

 

11

 

of 2016, Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (x) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (y) is made to Executive’s attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against Executive for reporting a suspected violation of law, or (z) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  Nor does this Agreement require Executive to obtain prior authorization from the Company or its Affiliates before engaging in any conduct described in this Section 8(e), or to notify the Company or its Affiliates that Executive has engaged in any such conduct.

 

9.                                      Non-Competition.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall provide Executive access to Confidential Information for use only during the Employment Period, and Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company will be entrusting him, in his unique and special capacity, with continuing to develop the goodwill of the Company, and in consideration thereof and in consideration of the access to Confidential Information, and as a condition of Executive’s employment hereunder, Executive has voluntarily agreed to the covenants set forth in this Section 9.  Executive further agrees and acknowledges that the limitations and restrictions set forth herein, including the geographical and temporal restrictions on certain competitive activities, are reasonable in all respects and are material and substantial parts of this Agreement intended and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the preservation of its Confidential Information and goodwill.

 

(b)                                 Executive agrees that, during the period set forth in Section 9(c) below, he shall not, without the prior written approval of the Company, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person or entity of whatever nature:

 

(i)                                     engage or participate within the Market Area in competition with the Company in any business in which either the Company or its Protected Affiliates engaged in, or had plans to become engaged in of which Executive was aware during the Employment Period or the period set forth in Section 9(c) below, which business includes the acquisition, development, ownership, and operation of facilities that collect, process, and transform wood-based biomass into renewable energy feedstock, including wood pellets (the “Business”).  As used herein, the term “Protected Affiliates” means any Affiliate of the Company for which Executive provided services during the Employment Period, or about which Executive obtained Confidential Information during the Employment Period.

 

(ii)                                  appropriate any Business Opportunity of, or relating to, the Company or its Affiliates located in the Market Area, or engage in any activity that is detrimental to the Company or its Affiliates or that limits the Company’s or an Affiliate’s ability to fully exploit such Business Opportunities or prevents the benefits of such Business Opportunities from accruing to the Company or its Affiliates; or

 

12

 

(iii)                               solicit any employee of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate his or her employment therewith.

 

(c)                                  Timeframe of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement.  Executive agrees that the covenants of this Section 9 shall be enforceable during the Employment Period and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of the Employment Period, regardless of the reason for such termination.

 

(d)                                 Because of the difficulty of measuring economic losses to the Company and its Affiliates as a result of a breach of the foregoing covenants, and because of the immediate and irreparable damage that could be caused to the Company and its Affiliates for which they would have no other adequate remedy, Executive agrees that the foregoing covenant may be enforced by the Company and its Affiliates, in the event of breach by him, by injunctions and restraining orders and that such enforcement shall not be the Company’s and its Affiliates’ exclusive remedy for a breach but instead shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company and its Affiliates, both at law and in equity.

 

(e)                                  The covenants in this Section 9 are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant (or any portion thereof) shall not affect the provisions of any other covenant (or any portion thereof).  Moreover, in the event any court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, as applicable, shall determine that the scope, time, or territorial restrictions set forth in this Section 9 are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent that the court or arbitrator deems reasonable, and this Agreement shall thereby be reformed.

 

(f)                                   For purposes of this Section 9, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                     “Business Opportunity” shall mean any commercial, investment, or other business opportunity relating to the Business.

 

(ii)                                  “Market Area” shall mean any location or geographic area within 75 miles of a location where the Company or its Affiliates conducts Business, or has plans to conduct Business of which Executive is aware, during the Employment Period.

 

(g)                                  All of the covenants in this Section 9 shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenants.

 

10.                               Ownership of Intellectual Property.  Executive agrees that the Company or its applicable Affiliate shall own, and Executive agrees to assign and does hereby assign, all right, title, and interest (including patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, mask work rights, trademark rights, and all other intellectual and industrial property rights of any sort throughout the world) relating to any and all inventions (whether or not patentable), works of authorship, mask works, designs, know-how, ideas, and information authored, created, contributed to, made, or conceived or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Executive during the period that Executive is or has been employed or affiliated with the Company or any of its Affiliates that either (a) relate,

 

13

 

at the time of conception, reduction to practice, creation, derivation, or development, to the Company’s or any of its Affiliates’ business or actual or anticipated research or development, or (b) were developed on any amount of the Company’s time or with the use of any of the Company’s or its Affiliates’ equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information (all of the foregoing collectively referred to as “Company Intellectual Property”), and Executive will promptly disclose all Company Intellectual Property to the Company.  All of Executive’s works of authorship and associated copyrights created during the Employment Period and in the scope of Executive’s employment shall be deemed to be “works made for hire” within the meaning of the Copyright Act.  Executive agrees to perform, during and after the Employment Period, all reasonable acts deemed necessary by the Company to assist the Company or its applicable Affiliate, at the Company’s or such Affiliate’s expense, in obtaining and enforcing its rights throughout the world in the Company Intellectual Property.  Such acts may include, but are not limited to, execution of documents and assistance or cooperation (i) in the filing, prosecution, registration, and memorialization of assignment of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, or other applications, (ii) in the enforcement of any applicable patents, copyrights, mask work, moral rights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights, and (iii) in other legal proceedings related to the Company Intellectual Property.

 

11.                               Arbitration.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 11(d), any dispute, controversy, or claim between Executive and the Company or any of its Affiliates arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company or services provided to any Affiliate of the Company will be finally settled by arbitration in New York, New York before, and in accordance with the rules for the resolution of employment disputes then in effect of, the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”).  The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both parties.

 

(b)                                 Any arbitration conducted under this Section 11 shall be heard by a single arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) selected in accordance with the then-applicable rules of the AAA.  The Arbitrator shall expeditiously (and, if possible, within 90 days after the selection of the Arbitrator) hear and decide all matters concerning the dispute.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator shall have the power to (i) gather such materials, information, testimony, and evidence as the Arbitrator deems relevant to the dispute before him or her (and each party will provide such materials, information, testimony, and evidence requested by the Arbitrator, except to the extent any information so requested is proprietary, subject to a third-party confidentiality restriction, or to an attorney-client or other privilege), and (ii) grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance.  The decision of the Arbitrator shall be rendered in writing, be final and binding upon the disputing parties, and the parties agree that judgment upon the award may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction; provided that the parties agree that the Arbitrator and any court enforcing the award of the Arbitrator shall not have the right or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages to any disputing party.

 

(c)                                  Each side shall share equally the cost of the arbitration and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless the Arbitrator determines that compelling reasons exist for allocating all or a portion of such costs and fees to the other side.

 

14

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding Section 11(a), an application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief by either party (including any such application to enforce the provisions of Sections 8, 9, or 10 herein) shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 11; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section.

 

(e)                                  By entering into this Agreement and entering into the arbitration provisions of this Section 11, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

(f)                                   Nothing in this Section 11 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement.

 

12.                               Defense of Claims.  Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and thereafter, upon reasonable request from the Company, Executive will cooperate with the Company or its Affiliates in the defense of any claims or actions that may be made by or against the Company or its Affiliates that relate to Executive’s actual or prior areas of responsibility, except if Executive’s reasonable interests are adverse to the Company or its Affiliate(s), as applicable, in such claim or action.  The Company agrees to pay or reimburse Executive for all of Executive’s reasonable travel and other direct expenses incurred, or to be reasonably incurred, to comply with Executive’s obligations under this Section 12, provided Executive provides reasonable documentation of same and obtains the Company’s prior approval for incurring such expenses.

 

13.                               Withholdings.  The Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local, and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) any deductions consented to in writing by Executive.

 

14.                               Title and Headings; Construction.  Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define, or otherwise affect the provisions hereof.  Any and all Exhibits or Attachments referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.  The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term, or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term, or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation,” “but not limited to,” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term, or matter.  Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to an agreement, instrument, or other document shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, instrument, or other document as amended, supplemented, modified, and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof.  All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement

 

15

 

refer to United States dollars.  Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely.

 

15.                               Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof.  With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the arbitration provisions of Section 11 above and recognize and agree that should any resort to a court be necessary and permitted under this Agreement, then they consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum, and venue of the state and federal courts located in New York, New York.

 

16.                               Entire Agreement and Amendment.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein; moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, all understandings and agreements preceding the Effective Date and relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force or effect, and this Agreement shall supersede all other agreements, written or oral, that purport to govern the terms of Executive’s employment (including Executive’s compensation) with the Company or any of its Affiliates.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

 

17.                               Waiver of Breach.  Any waiver of this Agreement must be executed by the party to be bound by such waiver.  No waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time.  The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

18.                               Assignment.  This Agreement is personal to Executive, and neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferred by Executive.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the equity, assets, or businesses of the Company, if such successor expressly agrees to assume the obligations of the Company hereunder.

 

19.                               Affiliates.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Affiliates” is defined as any person or entity Controlling, Controlled by, or Under Common Control with the Company.  The term “Control,” including the correlative terms “Controlling,” “Controlled By,” and “Under Common Control with,” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract, or otherwise) of a person or entity.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, Control shall be deemed to exist when a person or entity possesses, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries (a) in the case of a corporation, more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities thereof, (b) in the case of a limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, or joint venture, the right to more than 50% of the distributions therefrom (including liquidating distributions), or (c) in the case of any other person or entity, more than 50% of the economic or beneficial interest therein.

 

16

 

20.                               Notices.  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed, in each case, to the following address, as applicable:

 

(1)                                If to the Company, addressed to:

 

Enviva Management Company, LLC

7200 Wisconsin Ave.
 Suite 1000
 Bethesda, MD 20814
 Attention:  General Counsel

 

(2)                                 If to Executive, addressed to the most recent address the Company has in its employment records for Executive.

 

21.                               Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including by facsimile or “.pdf” or similar electronic format, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

22.                               Deemed Resignations.  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and Executive prior to the termination of Executive’s employment, any termination of Executive’s employment shall constitute (a) an automatic resignation of Executive as an officer of the Company, Holdings GP, and each other Affiliate of the Company, as applicable, (b) an automatic resignation of Executive from the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (if applicable), and (c) an automatic resignation from the board of directors or any similar governing body of any corporation, limited liability entity, or other entity in which the Company or any Affiliate holds an equity interest and with respect to which board or similar governing body Executive serves as the Company’s or such Affiliate’s designee or other representative (if applicable).

 

23.                               Effect of Termination.  The provisions of Sections 6(f), 7-12, 22, and 24 and those provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, shall survive any termination of the employment relationship between Executive and the Company.

 

24.                               Third-Party Beneficiaries.  Each Affiliate of the Company shall be a third-party beneficiary of Executive’s obligations under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 22 and shall be entitled to enforce such obligations as if a party hereto.

 

25.                               Severability.  Subject to Section 9(e), if an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or part thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or part thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision (or part thereof) of this Agreement, and all other provisions (or part thereof) shall remain in full force and effect.

 

17

 

26.                               Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) or an exemption therefrom and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent.  Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible.  For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Executive’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Executive’s death or (ii) the date that is six months after the Termination Date (such date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A and in no event shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

[The remainder of this page was left blank intentionally; the signature page follows.]

 

18

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company each have caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

	
 
    	
EXECUTIVE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Shai   Even
    
	
 
    	
Shai Even
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ENVIVA MANAGEMENT   COMPANY, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   William H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
William   H. Schmidt, Jr.
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Corporate   Development and
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
General   Counsel
    

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

(SHAI EVEN)

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

This Release Agreement (this “Agreement”) constitutes the release referred to in that certain Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) dated as of                      , by and between Shai Even (“Executive”) and Enviva Management Company, LLC (the “Company”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Employment Agreement.

 

(a)                                 For good and valuable consideration, including the Company’s provision of certain severance payments (or a portion thereof) to Executive in accordance with Section 6(f)(ii) of the Employment Agreement, Executive hereby releases, discharges, and forever acquits (A) the Company, its Affiliates and subsidiaries, (B)                  ,                  ,                 , and their respective Affiliates and subsidiaries and (C) the past, present, and future stockholders, officers, members, partners, directors, managers, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, representatives, successors, and assigns of the entities specified in clauses (A) and (B) above, in their personal and representative capacities (collectively, the “Company Parties”), from liability for, and hereby waives, any and all claims, damages, or causes of action of any kind related to Executive’s employment with any Company Party, the termination of such employment, and any other acts or omissions related to any matter on or prior to the date of the execution of this Agreement including, without limitation, (1) any alleged violation through the date of this Agreement of: (i) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); (ii) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; (iii) the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (iv) Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; (v) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; (vi) the Immigration Reform Control Act, as amended; (vii) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; (viii) the National Labor Relations Act, as amended; (ix) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; (x) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (xi) any federal, state, or local anti-discrimination law; (xii) any federal, state, or local wage and hour law; (xiii) any other local, state, or federal law, regulation, or ordinance; and (xiv) any public policy, contract, tort, or common law claim; (2) any allegation for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in or with respect to a Released Claim; (3) any and all rights, benefits, or claims Executive may have under any employment contract, incentive compensation plan, or equity incentive plan with any Company Party or to any ownership interest in any Company Party except as expressly provided: (I) in Section 6(f)(ii) of the Employment Agreement; and (II) pursuant to the terms of any equity compensation agreement between Executive and a Company Party (including any Award Agreement (as defined in the LTIP) relating to an award granted to Executive pursuant to the LTIP), and (4) any claim for compensation or benefits of any kind not expressly set forth in the Employment Agreement or any equity compensation agreement (collectively, the “Released Claims”).  In no event shall the Released Claims include (a) any claim that arises after the date of this Agreement, (b) any claim to vested benefits under an employee benefit plan or equity compensation plan, or (c) any claims for contractual payments under Section 5(a) or Section 6(f)(ii) of the Employment Agreement.  This Agreement is not intended to indicate that any such claims exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious.  Rather, Executive is simply agreeing that, in exchange for the consideration recited in the first sentence of this paragraph, any and all potential claims of this nature that Executive may have against the Company Parties, regardless of

 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

whether they actually exist, are expressly settled, compromised, and waived.  By signing this Agreement, Executive is bound by it.  Anyone who succeeds to Executive’s rights and responsibilities, such as heirs or the executor of Executive’s estate, is also bound by this Agreement.  This release also applies to any claims brought by any person or agency or class action under which Executive may have a right or benefit.  Notwithstanding the release of liability contained herein, nothing in this Agreement prevents Executive from filing any non-legally waivable claim (including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency, authority, or commission (each, a “Governmental Agency”) or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by any Governmental Agency.  Executive understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with any Governmental Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Governmental Agency (including by providing documents or other information to a Governmental Agency) without notice to the Company or any other Company Party.  This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award from a Governmental Agency for information provided to a Governmental Agency.  THIS RELEASE INCLUDES MATTERS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SOLE OR PARTIAL NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER GROSS OR SIMPLE) OR OTHER FAULT, INCLUDING STRICT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE COMPANY PARTIES.

 

(b)                                 Executive agrees not to bring or join any lawsuit or arbitration proceeding against any of the Company Parties in any court relating to any of the Released Claims.  Executive represents that Executive has not brought or joined any lawsuit or filed any charge or claim against any of the Company Parties in any court or before any government agency and has made no assignment of any rights Executive has asserted or may have against any of the Company Parties to any person or entity, in each case, with respect to any Released Claims.

 

(c)                                  By executing and delivering this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that:

 

(i)                                     He has carefully read this Agreement;

 

(ii)                                  He has had at least [twenty-one (21)] [forty-five (45)] days to consider this Agreement before the execution and delivery hereof to the Company [Add if 45 days applies: , and he acknowledges that attached to this Agreement are (1) a list of the positions and ages of those employees selected for termination (or participation in the exit incentive or other employment termination program); (2) a list of the ages of those employees not selected for termination (or participation in such program); and (3) information about the unit affected by the employment termination program of which his termination was a part, including any eligibility factors for such program and any time limits applicable to such program];

 

(iii)                               He has been and hereby is advised in writing that he may, at his option, discuss this Agreement with an attorney of his choice and that he has had adequate opportunity to do so;

 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

(iv)                              He fully understands the final and binding effect of this Agreement; the only promises made to him to sign this Agreement are those stated in the Employment Agreement and herein; and he is signing this Agreement knowingly, voluntarily, and of his own free will, and that he understands and agrees to each of the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(v)                                 With the exception of any sums that he may be owed pursuant to Section 6(f)(ii) of the Employment Agreement, he has been paid all wages and other compensation to which he is entitled under the Agreement and received all leaves (paid and unpaid) to which he was entitled during the Employment Period.

 

Notwithstanding the initial effectiveness of this Agreement, Executive may revoke the delivery (and therefore the effectiveness) of this Agreement within the seven-day period beginning on the date Executive delivers this Agreement to the Company (such seven-day period being referred to herein as the “Release Revocation Period”).  To be effective, such revocation must be in writing signed by Executive and must be delivered to the General Counsel of the Company before 11:59 p.m., New York, New York time, on the last day of the Release Revocation Period.  If an effective revocation is delivered in the foregoing manner and timeframe, this Agreement shall be of no force or effect and shall be null and void ab initio.  No consideration shall be paid if this Agreement is revoked by Executive in the foregoing manner.

 

Executed on this            day of                  ,        .

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Shai Even
    

 

EXHIBIT A-3

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00284-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00284-of-00352.parquet"}]]