Document:

Exhibit 10.9

 

TRUECAR, INC.

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of April 10, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) by and between TrueCar, Inc. (the “Company”), and Michael S. Dunn (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to retain the services of Executive and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recital and the respective undertakings of the Company and Executive set forth below, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Duties and Obligations.

 

(a)                                 Duties and Scope of Employment. As of May 1, 2013 (the “Start Date”), Executive will serve as Chief Technology Officer of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”). Executive will have the authority generally allowed to persons discharging the duties of such position. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of his or her duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to him or her by the CEO. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”

 

(b)                                 Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform his or her duties faithfully and to the best of his or her ability and will devote his or her full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the CEO or the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

 

2.                                      At-Will Employment. Subject to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause or with or without notice. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment.

 

3.                                      Compensation.

 

(a)                                 Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary of $240,000 as compensation for his or her services (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding. Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.

 

 

(b)                                 Annual Bonus. Executive will be eligible to receive a total annual performance-based bonus of up to $240,000 (the “Annual Bonus”) upon achievement of performance objectives to be determined by the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), or the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s delegate, in its sole discretion. Fifty percent of the total Annual Bonus will be considered a “base bonus” calculated based upon the Company’s achievement of base performance objectives with the remaining 50% of the total Annual Bonus considered a “stretch bonus” payable upon the Company’s achievement of certain stretch goals. The amount of Annual Bonuses to be paid to Executive, if any, will be: (i) determined in the sole discretion of the Board, the Compensation Committee or their delegate; (ii) paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding; and (iii) subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the payment date.

 

(c)                                  Equity.

 

(i)                                At the first Board meeting following the Start Date at which options are granted, the Company will recommend that Executive be granted a stock option to purchase 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price no less than 100% of the per share fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Option”). Subject to the accelerated vesting provisions set forth herein, the Option will be scheduled to vest monthly as to 1/48th of the shares subject to the Option on the same day of the month as the date of grant/employment start date (and if there is no corresponding day, the last day of the month), so that the Option will be fully vested and exercisable four (4) years from the date of grant/employment start date, subject to Executive continuing to provide services to the Company through the relevant vesting dates. The Option will be subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company’s 2005 Option Plan and a stock option agreement by and between Executive and the Company, both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference. The Option will be considered an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

(ii)                             Executive will be eligible to receive additional awards of stock options, restricted stock or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time. All of Executive’s future stock option agreements (including the stock option agreement governing the Option) will permit exercise of Executive’s stock options by means of a “net exercise”. All of Executive’s future stock options (including the Option) that are granted prior to a Change in Control or the closing of the Company’s first bona fide, firm commitment underwritten initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and sale of the Company’s common stock, shall permit early exercise of Executive’s unvested stock options. Each early exercisable option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of an early exercise stock option agreement and related attachments that shall be approved by the Board (or authorized committee or delegate of the Board).

 

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4.                                      Employee Benefits.

 

(a)                                 General. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in executive benefit plans and programs of the Company (including vacation and/or paid-time off), if any, on the same terms and conditions as other similarly-situated employees to the extent that Executive’s position, tenure, salary, age, health and other qualifications make Executive eligible to participate in such plans or programs, subject to the rules and regulations applicable thereto. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time.

 

(b)                                 Relocation Benefits.

 

(i)                                Relocation Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive’s reasonable relocation expenses (including moving expenses, house hunting trips for Executive and Executive’s family and transportation costs for Executive and Executive’s family upon the move) for Executive’s move from Stamford, Connecticut to the Santa Monica, California area, up to a maximum reimbursement of $30,000. In order to be reimbursed, relocation expenses must be incurred after the Effective Date and either prior to the Start Date (but conditioned on Executive’s actually beginning employment with the Company) or while Executive is an employee of the Company, but in all cases only relocation expenses incurred prior to December 31, 2013 will be eligible for reimbursement. In order to be reimbursed, relocation expenses must be substantiated in writing (by valid receipts or any other reasonable method of invoicing, showing proof of payment for an eligible relocation cost) within thirty (30) days any such relocation expense is incurred. Any reimbursements due to Executive under this Section 4(b)(i) will be paid to Executive via check or electronic funds transfer as soon as practicable (generally within thirty (30) days) following the date of receipt by the Company of Executive’s written substantiation, and in no event later than March 15, 2014.

 

(ii)                             Duplicate Housing Expenses. For each month Executive is employed with the Company during the period from the Start Date through the nine (9) month anniversary of the Start Date, the Company will reimburse Executive for the required monthly payments on Executive’s Existing Mortgage (as such term is defined below, and such reimbursements, the “Monthly Reimbursements”) if Executive is paying, for the applicable month, both the required Existing Mortgage payment and rent on a home in the Santa Monica area (or surrounding area). For purposes of this Agreement, “Existing Mortgage” means Executive’s (and/or Executive’s spouse’s) home mortgage that is in existence as of the Effective Date. In addition to the Monthly Reimbursements, the Company will pay to Executive each month a Monthly Reimbursement is due, a payment from the Company (each such payment, a “Reimbursement Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount, determined by the Company, necessary to pay federal, state and local income and employment taxes incurred by Executive (i) arising from the Monthly Reimbursements, and (ii) arising from the payments made to Executive pursuant to this sentence. Each Reimbursement Gross-Up Payment shall be calculated by the Company based on the withholding rates the Company has in effect for Executive at the time the applicable Monthly Reimbursement is reimbursed to Executive. In order to receive a Monthly Reimbursement and the related Reimbursement Gross-Up Payment, Executive’s payment of the applicable required monthly Existing Mortgage payment must be substantiated in writing (by valid receipts or any other reasonable method of invoicing, showing proof of payment) within thirty (30) days following the date such Existing Mortgage payment is made. Any payments due to Executive under this Section 4(b)(ii) will be paid to Executive via check or electronic funds transfer as soon as practicable (generally within thirty (30) days) following the date of receipt by the Company of Executive’s written substantiation, and in no event later than March 15, 2014.

 

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5.                                      Expenses.                                          The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

 

6.                                      Severance Benefits.

 

(a)                                 Termination without Cause, Termination due to Death or Disability or Resignation for Good Reason Prior to a Change in Control. If (x) the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause, (y) Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, or (z) Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs prior to a Change in Control, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; and (ii) the immediate vesting of each of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity Awards as to the number of shares subject to each such Equity Award that otherwise would have vested had he or she remained an employee of the Company through the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Termination Without Cause, Termination due to Death or Disability or Resignation for Good Reason During the Change in Control Period. If (x) the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause, (y) Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, or (z) Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs during the Change in Control Period, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company: (i) continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period; and (ii) the immediate vesting as to 100% of each of Executive’s then outstanding Equity Awards. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Termination Without Cause, Termination due to Death or Disability or Resignation for Good Reason After the Change in Control Period. If (x) the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company for a reason other than Cause, (y) Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, or (z) Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason, and in each case, such termination occurs after the expiration of the Change in Control Period, then subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, Executive will receive as severance from the Company continuing payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures during the Severance Period.

 

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(d)                                 Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason) or (ii) for Cause by the Company, then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then-existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other written agreements with the Company.

 

(e)                                  Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of and supersede any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company otherwise may be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract or in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses). Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon a termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.

 

7.                                      Change in Control Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control that occurs while Executive remains an employee of the Company, if Executive remains employed with the Company (or any successor of the Company or subsidiary thereof) as of immediately following the end of the Change in Control Period, then 100% of any Equity Awards held by Executive as of the Closing shall vest and become fully exercisable (to the extent applicable) at such time. With respect to Equity Awards granted on or after the Start Date, but granted prior to the Closing, the same vesting acceleration provisions provided in the prior sentence will apply to such Equity Awards except to the extent provided in the applicable equity award agreement by explicit reference to this Agreement.

 

8.                                      Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate.

 

(a)                                 Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The payment of any severance set forth in Section 6(a), Section 6(b) and Section 6(c) above is contingent upon Executive signing and not revoking a release of claims agreement with the Company (which may include an agreement not to disparage the Company, non-solicit provisions and other standard terms and conditions) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Release”) upon or following Executive’s separation from service and such Release becoming effective no later than sixty (60) days following Executive’s separation from service (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective. In the event that Executive’s separation from service occurs at a time during the calendar year where it would be possible for the Release to become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive’s separation from service occurs if Executive took the full provided period to review the Release, all severance payments will be paid on the later of: (i) the Release Deadline, (ii) such time as required by the payment schedule applicable to each severance benefit, or (iii) such time as required by Section 8(b)(ii). Except as required by Section 8(b)(ii), any installment payments that would have been made to Executive prior to the Release Deadline but for the Release Deadline payment requirement of the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments will be made as provided in this Agreement. In no event will Executive have discretion to determine the taxable year of payment of any severance payments.

 

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(b)                                 Section 409A.

 

(i)                                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, that when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation (together, the “Deferred Payments”) under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

(ii)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his or her separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this Section 8(b)(ii) will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.

 

(iii)                               Any severance payment that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations shall not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein. Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes herein.

 

(iv)                              For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” means two (2) times the lesser of: (x) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year preceding Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto, or (y) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.

 

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(v)                            The payments that may become due to Executive under Section 4(b) of this Agreement are intended to be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations. However, to the extent that such payments, or any other reimbursement or in-kind benefit under this Agreement or under any other reimbursement or in-kind benefit plan or arrangement in which Executive participates during the Employment Term or thereafter, provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and does not otherwise comply with Section 409A, (i) the amount eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefit in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefit in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may, to the extent permitted by Section 409A, impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), (ii) the right to reimbursement or an in-kind benefit is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit or payment, (iii) subject to any shorter time periods provided in this Agreement or in the applicable reimbursement arrangement, any such reimbursement of an expense or in-kind benefit must be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year of Executive in which the expense was incurred, and (iv) except as specifically provided herein or in the applicable reimbursement arrangement, any such reimbursements or in-kind benefits must be for expenses incurred and benefits provided during the Employment Term.

 

(vi)                         The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.

 

(c)                                  Confidential Information Agreement/Non-Solicitation. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with: (i) the terms of the Confidential Information Agreement (as defined in Section 11); (ii) the non-solicitation provisions contained in Section 12; and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches the provisions of this Section 8(c), all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled to pursuant to Section 6 will immediately cease.

 

(d)                                 No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.

 

9.                                      Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s severance benefits under Section 6 will be either:

 

(a)                                 delivered in full, or

 

(b)                                 delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,

 

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whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, which shall occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (ii) reduction of acceleration of vesting of equity awards, which shall occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and (iii) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to the Executive, which shall occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If more than one equity award was made to the Executive on the same date of grant, all such awards shall have their acceleration of vesting reduced pro rata. In no event shall the Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

 

Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 9 will be made in writing by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 9, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 9.

 

10.                               Definitions.

 

(a)                                 Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) Executive’s failure to perform his or her assigned duties responsibilities as an employee (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s Disability) after written notice thereof from the Company describing Executive’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) Executive engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Company; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates; (iv) Executive’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement (including, but not limited to, the Confidential Information Agreement) between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime.

 

(b)                                 Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

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(i)                                     Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control; or

 

(ii)                                  Change in Effective Control of the Company. A change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board (each, a “Director”) is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this subsection (ii), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

 

(iii)                               Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (iii)(B)(3). For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

 

For purposes of this definition of Change in Control, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

 

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(c)                                  Change in Control Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control Period” means the period beginning upon the Closing and ending on the twelve (12)— month anniversary of the Closing.

 

(d)                                 Closing. For purposes of this Agreement, “Closing” means the closing of the first transaction constituting a Change in Control that occurs on or following the Start Date.

 

(e)                                  Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Company employees.

 

(f)                                   Equity Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, “Equity Awards” means any stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (including unvested shares Executive has purchased through an early exercise of a stock option grant).

 

(g)                                  Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, excluding the substitution of substantially equivalent compensation and benefits, that is applicable to all Company senior management; (ii) a material reduction of Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, unless Executive is provided with a comparable position; provided, however, that a reduction in authority, duties, or responsibilities solely by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity whether as a subsidiary, business unit or otherwise (as, for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition where the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the acquirer, but is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute “Good Reason”; or (iii) a material change in the geographic location of Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided, that a relocation of fifty (50) miles or less from Executive’s then present location or to Executive’s home as his or her primary work location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, and such grounds must not have been cured during such time.

 

(h)                                 Severance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Severance Period” means the period of time commencing immediately after Executive’s separation of service from the Company through the date that is six (6) months following such separation date, plus an additional two (2) months for every fully completed Year of Service; provided, however, that in all cases the Severance Period will end no later than on the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment.

 

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(i)                                     Year of Service. For purposes of this Agreement, “Year of Service” means the twelve (12)-month period measured from Executive’s original start date with the Company (or any predecessor to the Company).

 

11.                               Confidential Information. Executive agrees to enter into the Company’s standard At Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) upon or prior to commencing employment hereunder.

 

12.                               Non-Solicitation. Until the date one (1) year after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive agrees not, either directly or indirectly, to solicit, induce, attempt to solicit, recruit, or encourage any employee of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary of the Company) to leave his or her employment either for Executive or for any other entity or person. Executive represents that he or she (i) is familiar with the foregoing covenant not to solicit, and (ii) is fully aware of his or her obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonableness of the length of time, scope and geographic coverage of these covenants.

 

13.                               Successors.

 

(a)                                 The Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 13(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

 

(b)                                 Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

 

14.                            Notices.

 

(a)                                 General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid or when delivered by a private courier service such as UPS, DHL or Federal Express that has tracking capability. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

(b)                                 Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or as a result of a voluntary resignation will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 14(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for

 

11

 

termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason will not waive any right of Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder.

 

15.                               Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

 

16.                               Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the Parties by a written instrument executed by the Parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement.

 

17.                               Waiver of Breach. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

 

18.                               Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

 

19.                               Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

 

20.                               Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).

 

21.                               Arbitration. .

 

(a)                                 The Company and Executive each agree that any and all disputes arising out of the terms of this Agreement, Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive’s service as an officer or director of the Company, or Executive’s compensation and benefits, their interpretation and any of the matters herein released, will be subject to binding arbitration under the arbitration rules set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1280 through 1294.2, including Section 1281.8 (the “Act”), and pursuant to California law. Disputes that the Company and Executive agree to arbitrate, and thereby agree to waive any right to a trial by jury, include any statutory claims under local, state, or federal law, including, but not limited to, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California Labor Code, claims of harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination, and any statutory or common law claims. The Company and Executive further understand that this agreement to arbitrate also applies to any disputes that the Company may have with Executive.

 

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However, claims for workers’ compensation benefits and unemployment insurance (or any other claims where mandatory arbitration is prohibited by law) are not covered by this arbitration agreement, and such claims may be presented by the Executive to the appropriate court or government agency.

 

(b)                                 Procedure. The Company and Executive agree that any arbitration will be administered by Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”), pursuant to its Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures (the “JAMS Rules”). The Arbitrator will have the power to decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment and/or adjudication, motions to dismiss and demurrers, and motions for class certification, prior to any arbitration hearing. The Arbitrator will have the power to award any remedies available under applicable law, and the Arbitrator will award attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party, except as prohibited by law. The Company will pay for any administrative or hearing fees charged by the Arbitrator or JAMS except that Executive will pay any filing fees associated with any arbitration that Executive initiates, but only so much of the filing fees as Executive would have instead paid had he or she filed a complaint in a court of law. The Arbitrator will administer and conduct any arbitration in accordance with California law, including the California Code of Civil Procedure, and the Arbitrator will apply substantive and procedural California law to any dispute or claim, without reference to rules of conflict of law. To the extent that the JAMS Rules conflict with California law, California law will take precedence. The decision of the Arbitrator will be in writing. Any arbitration under this Agreement will be conducted in Los Angeles County, California.

 

(c)                                  Remedy. Except as provided by the Act and this Agreement, arbitration will be the sole, exclusive, and final remedy for any dispute between Executive and the Company. Accordingly, except as provided for by the Act and this Agreement, neither Executive nor the Company will be permitted to pursue court action regarding claims that are subject to arbitration.

 

(d)                                 Administrative Relief. Executive understands that this Agreement does not prohibit him or her from pursuing any administrative claim with a local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment, including, but not limited to, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, or the Workers’ Compensation Board. This Agreement does, however, preclude Executive from pursuing court action regarding any such claim, except as permitted by law.

 

(e)                                  Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he or she has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his or her private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, including that Executive is waiving his or her right to a jury trial, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

 

22.                               Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
COMPANY:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
TRUECAR, INC.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   Marla Hunter
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Vice   President, People
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXECUTIVE:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Michael S. Dunn
    	
 
    
	
Michael S. Dunn
    	
 
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO MICHAEL S. DUNN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]

 

14Exhibit 10.10

 

ZAG.COM INC.

 

STEWART EASTERBY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Stewart Easterby Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of September 15, 2008 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Zag.com Inc. (the “Company”) and Stewart Easterby (“Executive”).

 

1.              Duties and Scope of Employment.

 

(a)              Positions and Duties. As of the Effective Date, Executive will continue to serve as Vice President, Sales of the Company reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and/or the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of his duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as shall reasonably be assigned to him by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”

 

(b)              Severance. Executive shall receive six (6) months of continued salary payments as severance upon a termination without Cause or twelve {12) months of continued salary payments as severance if the Company Constructively Terminates Executive within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control (such six (6) or twelve (12) month period, as applicable, the “Severance Period”). The continued payment of salary shall be based on Executive’s Base Salary (as defined below) and, subject to Section 1(c), shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and contingent upon Executive signing and not revoking the Company’s standard release upon termination and provided that such release becomes effective no later than sixty (60) days following the termination date or such earlier date required by the release agreement (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”).

 

(c)               Timing of Payments/Section 409A.

 

(i)                                     If the release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance or benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the release actually becomes effective. In the event the termination occurs at a time during the calendar year where the release could become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s termination occurs, then any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement that would be considered Payments (as defined in Section 1(c)(ii)) will be paid on the first payroll date to occur during the calendar year following the calendar year in which such termination occurs, or, if later, (i) the Release Deadline, (ii) such time as required by the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit as set forth in Section 1(b), or (iii) such time as required by this Section 1(e).

 

(ii)                                  If Executive is a “specified employee” of the Company (or any successor entity thereto) within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) on the date of Executive’s termination (other than a termination due to death), then the severance

 

 

payable to Executive, if any, under this Agreement, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together the “Payments”) that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s termination of employment, shall be delayed until the earlier of: (i) the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day after the date of the termination, or (ii) the date of Executive’s death (such date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), and the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable) shall (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Payments that Executive would otherwise have received on or before the Delayed Initial Payment Date, without any adjustment on account of such delay, if the Payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 1(c), and (B) pay the balance of the Payments in accordance with any applicable payment schedules set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following his termination but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of his termination, then any Payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.

 

(iii)                                    Any amounts paid under this Agreement that satisfy the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Payments for purposes of clause (ii) above.

 

(iv)                                   Payments pursuant to this Section 1(c) are intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).

 

(v)                                      The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A.

 

2.              Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform his duties faithfully and to the best of his ability and will devote his business efforts and time to the Company except for ongoing service on boards of directors and advisory boards of which Executive is or becomes a member. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other competitive employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the Board.

 

3.              At-Will Employment. The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither his job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of his employment with the Company.

 

4.              Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive as compensation for his services a base salary at the annualized rate of $240,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid twice monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholding.

 

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5.              Bonus. Executive shall be eligible for an annual performance based bonus as determined by the Board’s Compensation Committee in its sole discretion (the “Bonus”). The Bonus opportunity is targeted to be forty percent (40%) of Executive’s Base Salary in accordance with the offer letter entered into between Executive and the Company and dated August 18, 2008 (the “Offer Letter”). The Bonus will be paid by the Company, less applicable withholdings, no later than February 28th for the prior year.

 

6.              Effect of Termination upon Stock Options. It will be recommended at the first meeting of the Board following the Effective Date that if, within twelve (12) months following a Change of Control, Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or Constructively Terminates, then effective immediately prior to Executive’s termination of employment, the vesting and exercisability of fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s unvested stock options shall fully accelerate. Additionally, upon termination of Executive for any reason other than for Cause or voluntary resignation not resulting from Company’s Constructive Termination of Executive, Executive shall, subject to the terms of the relevant stock plan, have until the earlier of (a) the original expiration date of the option, (b) ten (10) years from the original grant date of the option, or (c) eighteen (18) months from the date of such termination to exercise any of his outstanding options. However, if the Board in good faith contemplates a pending Change of Control or public offering and provides Executive with notice thereof, then Executive shall, subject to the terms of the relevant stock plan, have ninety (90) days from the date of such notice to exercise any of his outstanding options (but in no event may any option be exercised beyond the original expiration date of the option).

 

7.              Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other employees of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company’s group medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and flexible-spending account plans. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time. Additionally, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the payments Executive makes for COBRA coverage during the Severance Period (less any amount Executive would have contributed had he remained employed), or until Executive has secured other employment, whichever occurs first, provided Executive timely elects and pays for COBRA coverage. COBRA reimbursements shall be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy, provided that Executive submits documentation to the Company substantiating his payments for COBRA coverage.

 

8.              Vacation. Executive will be entitled to paid vacation of four (4) weeks per year in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and reasonably agreed to by the parties hereto.

 

9.              Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

 

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10.       Definitions.

 

(a)              “Cause” shall mean: (i) Executive’s failure to perform his assigned duties or responsibilities as an employee (other than a failure resulting from the Executive’s disability) after written notice thereof from the Company describing Executive’s failure to perform such duties or responsibilities; (ii) Executive engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with respect to the Company; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates; (iv) Executive’s breach of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime.

 

(b)              “Change of Control” shall mean either: the acquisition of the Company by another entity by means of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any reorganization, merger or consolidation or stock transfer, but excluding any such transaction effected primarily for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company), unless the Company’s stockholders of record immediately prior to such transaction or series of related transactions hold, immediately after such transaction or series of related transactions, at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity (provided that the sale by the Company of its securities for the purposes of raising additional funds shall not constitute a Change of Control hereunder); or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

(c)               “Constructively Terminates” shall mean Executive’s termination of employment with the Company as a result of the occurrence, without Executive’s consent, of any of the following: (i) a significant reduction in the Executive’s salary, excluding the substitution of substantially equivalent compensation and benefits, that is applicable to all Company senior management; or (ii) Executive’s removal from his position as outlined in Section 1(a); or (iii) Executive’s relocation to a location more than fifty {50) miles from the Company’s Los Angeles, California office location; provided, however, that in the event Executive believes that grounds exist for Executive to Constructively Terminate, then Executive agrees to provide the Board with written notice specifying the purported grounds for such belief and the Company shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of such written notice to cure such purported grounds (unless such purported grounds by their nature cannot be cured, in which case notice and an opportunity to cure shall not be required).

 

11.       Confidential Information. Executive has entered into the Company’s standard Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) upon commencing employment with the Company.

 

12.       Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

4

 

Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

 

13.       Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (c) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:

 

If to the Company:

 

Zag.com Inc.

525 Broadway Avenue

Suite 300

Santa Monica, California 90401

Attn: Corporate Secretary

 

If to Executive:

 

at the last residential address known by the Company.

 

14.       Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

 

15.       Arbitration.

 

(a)         General. In consideration of Executive’s service to the Company, its promise to arbitrate all employment related disputes and Executive’s receipt of the compensation, pay raises and other benefits paid to Executive by the Company, at present and in the future, Executive agrees that any and all controversies, claims, or disputes with anyone (including the Company and any employee, officer, director, shareholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such or otherwise) arising out of; relating to, or resulting from Executive’s service to the Company under this Agreement or otherwise or the termination of Executive’s service with the Company, including any breach of this Agreement, shall be subject to binding arbitration under the Arbitration Rules set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1280 through 1294.2, including Section 1283.05 (the “Rules”) and pursuant to California law. Disputes which Executive agrees to arbitrate, and thereby agrees to waive any right to a trial by jury, include any statutory claims under state or federal law, including, but not limited to, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Labor Code, claims of harassment, discrimination or wrongful termination and any statutory claims. Executive further understands that this Agreement to arbitrate also applies to any disputes that the Company may have with Executive.

 

5

 

(b)         Procedure. Executive agrees that any arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and that a neutral arbitrator will be selected in a manner consistent with its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. The arbitration proceedings will allow for discovery according to the rules set forth in the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes or California Code of Civil Procedure. Executive agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment and/or adjudication and motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing. Executive agrees that the arbitrator shall issue a written decision on the merits. Executive also agrees that the arbitrator shall have the power to award any remedies, including attorneys’ fees and costs, available under applicable law. Executive understands the Company will pay for any administrative or hearing fees charged by the arbitrator or AAA except that Executive shall pay the first $200.00 of any filing fees associated with any arbitration Executive initiates. Executive agrees that the arbitrator shall administer and conduct any arbitration in a manner consistent with the Rules and that to the extent that the AAA’s National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes conflict with the Rules, the Rules shall take precedence.

 

(c)          Remedy. Except as provided by the Rules, arbitration shall be the sole, exclusive and final remedy for any dispute between Executive and the Company. Accordingly, except as provided for by the Rules, neither Executive nor the Company will be permitted to pursue court action regarding claims that are subject to arbitration. Notwithstanding, the arbitrator will not have the authority to disregard or refuse to enforce any lawful Company policy, and the arbitrator shall not order or require the Company to adopt a policy not otherwise required by law which the Company has not adopted.

 

(d)         Administrative Relief. Executive understands that this Agreement does not prohibit Executive from pursuing an administrative claim with a local, state or federal administrative body such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the workers’ compensation board. This Agreement does, however, preclude Executive from pursuing court action regarding any such claim.

 

(e)          Voluntary Nature of Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by the Company or anyone else. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive has carefully read this Agreement and that Executive has asked any questions needed for Executive to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and fully understand it, including that Executive is waiving Executive’s right to a jury trial. Finally, Executive agrees that Executive has been provided an opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement.

 

16.       Integration. This Agreement, together with the Company’s 2005 Option Plan, Option Agreements with Executive entered into by the parties and the Confidential Information Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral, including, but not limited to, the Offer Letter. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto.

 

17.       Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

 

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18.       Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions.

 

19.       Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

	
COMPANY:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ZAG.COM INC.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   Scott Painter
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXECUTIVE:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Stewart Easterby
    	
 
    
	
Stewart   Easterby
    	
 
    

 

7

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