Document:

ex10-17.htm

Exhibit 10.17

 

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

March __, 2009

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned is the owner of _____________shares of common stock of Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Vertex Nevada”), and options or warrants that are exercisable for up to ____________shares of Vertex Nevada common stock (collectively, the shares of common stock and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the options or warrants, the “Vertex Nevada Common Stock”).  World Waste Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“WWT”), Vertex Energy, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“Vertex LP”), and Vertex Merger Sub, LLC., a California limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Vertex Nevada (“Merger Subsidiary”) and Benjamin P. Cowart, as agent of all of the shareholders of Vertex Nevada, are parties to an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 19, 2008 (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), effective upon the date of the merger of Merger Subsidiary with WWT in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement (the “Closing Date”).

 

In order to induce Vertex LP, WWT and Merger Subsidiary to complete the transactions that are described in the Merger Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees that, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the three-year anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any shares of Vertex Common Stock that the undersigned beneficially owns, including (i) all shares of Vertex Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement and issuable upon exercise of options and warrants assumed by Vertex Nevada pursuant to the merger, (ii) all shares of Vertex Common Stock that the undersigned may receive as a stock dividend or other distribution on shares of Vertex Common Stock, and (iii) all other securities of Vertex Nevada that the undersigned may receive in a recapitalization or similar transaction (the “Lock-up Shares”), and the undersigned agrees not to take any of the preceding actions, without Vertex Nevada’s prior written consent.  In addition, the undersigned agrees that, during the Lock-Up Period, the undersigned will not engage in (i) any short sale of the Lock-up Shares, (ii) any hedging transaction regarding the Lock-up Shares, or (ii) any grant of a put or call option regarding the Lock-up Shares.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer (i) all or any portion of the Lock-Up Shares commencing on the date that the closing Market Price of the Vertex Common Stock (as defined below) has averaged at least $15.00 per share over a period of 20 consecutive trading days and the daily trading volume over the same 20-day period has averaged at least 7,500 shares; (ii) all or any portion of the Lock-Up Shares as a bona fide gift or gifts, provided that the donee or donees thereof agree to be bound by the restrictions set forth herein, (iii) all or any portion of the Lock-up Shares to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound by the restrictions set forth herein, and provided further than any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, and (iv) in any given three-month period commencing on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date, up to that number of Lock-Up Shares equal to 5% of the total number of shares Vertex Common Stock then beneficially owned by the undersigned.  For purposes hereof, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.

 

The term “closing Market Price of the Vertex Common Stock” on any day shall be deemed to be the closing price of the Vertex Common Stock on such day as officially reported by the principal securities exchange in which the shares of Vertex Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or if the Vertex Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange, including the Nasdaq Stock Market, the last sale price, or if there is no last sale price, the closing bid price, as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (such as through the OTC Bulletin Board) or a similar organization if Nasdaq is no longer reporting such information. If the closing Market Price of the Vertex Common Stock cannot be determined pursuant to the sentence above, such price shall be determined in good faith (using customary valuation methods) by the Vertex Board of Directors based on the information best available to it.

 

  

  

  

The undersigned consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with Vertex’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of shares of Vertex Common Stock except in compliance with the preceding provisions of this letter agreement.  The undersigned also consents to the placement of the following legend on any and all stock certificates that evidence the shares of Vertex Common Stock that are the subject of this letter agreement:

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THAT CERTAIN LOCK-UP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS NAMED THEREIN, DATED AS OF MARCH __, 2009.  A COPY OF THE LOCK-UP AGREEMENT MAY BE INSPECTED  AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.”

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any other contractual lock-up agreement to which the undersigned may currently be a party.  This letter agreement is irrevocable and is binding upon the personal representative, heirs and assigns of the undersigned.  The letter agreement automatically will terminate upon abandonment of the transactions described in the Merger Agreement.

 

	  	
Very truly yours,

 

 

 

	  	
 

Name of Shareholder

 

 

	  	
 

Authorized Signature

 

 

	  	
 

Title (if the shareholder is not an individual)

	
 

ACCEPTED:

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

 

 

By:  __________________________________

       Name: ____________________________

       Title:  ____________________________ex10-18.htm

Exhibit 10.18

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made this 29th day of March, 2011, to be effective as of April 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), between Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Chris Carlson (“Executive”) (each of Company and Executive is referred to herein as a “Party,” and collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive previously entered into an Executive Employment Agreement on or around February, 2009 (the “Prior Agreement”), which Prior Agreement is amended, restated and superseded in its entirety by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to obtain the services of Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as of the Effective Date as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

 

EMPLOYMENT; TERM; DUTIES

 

1.1. Employment. Pursuant to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company for a period of five (5) years ending on April, 2015.

 

1.2. Duties and Responsibilities.  Executive, as CFO, shall perform such administrative, managerial and executive duties for the Company (i) as are prescribed by applicable job specifications for the Chief Financial Officer of a public company the size and nature of the Company, (ii) as may be prescribed by the Bylaws of the Company, (iii) as are customarily vested in and incidental to such position, and (iv) as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

 

1.3. Non-Competition.  Executive agrees to devote substantially all of Executive’s business time, energy and efforts to the business of the Company (except as specifically provided for in Section 1.4 below), and will use Executive’s best efforts and abilities faithfully and diligently to promote the business interests of the Company.  For so long as Executive is employed hereunder, and for a period of six months thereafter (the “Non-Compete Period”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an employee, employer, consultant, agent, investor, principal, partner, stockholder (except as the holder of less than 1% of the issued and outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation), corporate officer or director, or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the business of the Company, as such business of the Company is now or hereafter conducted.

 

1.4. Other Activities.  Subject to the foregoing prohibition and provided such services or investments do not violate any applicable law, regulation or order, or interfere in any way with the faithful and diligent performance by Executive of the services to the Company otherwise required or contemplated by this Agreement, the Company expressly acknowledges that Executive may:

 

  

  

  

1.4.1 make and manage personal business investments of Executive’s choice without consulting the Board;

 

1.4.2 serve in any capacity with any non-profit civic, educational or charitable organization; and

 

1.4.3 spend up to a total of twenty (20) hours per month in fulfilling his duties as employee, consultant to, officer, director and/or manager of any of the private companies with whom Executive is currently affiliated, namely Vertex Energy, LP, VTX, Inc., Cross Road Carriers, Vertex Recovery, H&H Oil, Arrow, Cedar Marine Terminal, Vertex Residual Management, B&S Cowart, FLP, Vertex Green, LP and Vertex Processing, pursuant to Exhibit A.

 

1.5. Covenants of Executive.

 

1.5.1 Best Efforts.  Executive shall devote his best efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.  Executive shall perform his duties, responsibilities and functions to the Company hereunder to the best of his abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, professional and efficient manner and shall comply, in all material respects, with all rules and regulations of the Company (and special instructions of the Board, if any) and all other rules, regulations, guides, handbooks, procedures and policies applicable to the Company and its business in connection with his duties hereunder, including all United States federal and state securities laws applicable to the Company.

 

1.5.2 Records.  Executive shall use his best efforts and skills to truthfully, accurately, and promptly prepare, maintain, and preserve all records and reports that the Company may, from time to time, request or require, fully account for all money, records, equipment, materials, or other property belonging to the Company of which he may have custody, and promptly pay and deliver the same whenever he may be directed to do so by the Board.

 

1.5.3 Compliance.  Executive shall use his best efforts to comply, and cause the Company to comply, with the then-current good corporate governance standards and practices as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, any exchange on which the Company’s capital stock or other securities may be traded and any other applicable governmental entity, agency or organization.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

 

2.1. Base Salary.  So long as this Agreement remains in effect, for all services rendered by Executive hereunder and all covenants and conditions undertaken by the Parties pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall pay, and Executive shall accept, as compensation, an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) of (a) $110,000 prior to the Effective Date; (b) $150,000 subsequent to the Effective Date and prior to January 1, 2011; and (c) $175,000 subsequent to January 1, 2011.  The Base Salary shall be payable in regular installments in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company, in effect from time to time, but in any event no less frequently than on a monthly basis, and shall be adjusted pro rata for any term of employment or payment period as described above or otherwise if less than a full fiscal year. For so long as Executive is employed hereunder, the Base Salary may be increased as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

  

  

  

2.2. Bonus Compensation.  For each year this Agreement is in effect, Executive will be eligible to earn a bonus in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee.

 

2.3. Business Expenses.  So long as this Agreement is in effect, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable, out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in the performance of his duties hereunder consistent with the Company’s policies and procedures, in effect from time to time, with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses customarily reimbursed to senior executives of the Company in connection with the performance of their duties on behalf of the Company.

 

2.4. Vacation.  Executive will be entitled to 20 days of paid time-off (PTO) per year. PTO days shall accrue beginning on the 1st of January for each year during the term of this Agreement. Unused PTO days shall expire on December 31 of each year and shall not roll over into the next year. Other than the use of PTO days for illness or personal emergencies, PTO days must be pre-approved by the Company.

 

2.5. Other Benefits.  Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee stock option plan, life, health, accident, disability insurance plans, pension plans and retirement plans, in effect from time to time (including, without limitation, any incentive program or discretionary bonus program of the Company which may be implemented in the future by the Board), to the extent and on such terms and conditions as the Company customarily makes such plans available to its senior executives.

 

2.6. Withholding.  The Company may deduct from any compensation payable to Executive (including payments made pursuant to this Section 2 or in connection with the termination of employment pursuant to Article III of this Agreement) amounts sufficient to cover Executive’s share of applicable federal, state and/or local income tax withholding, social security payments, state disability and other insurance premiums and payments.

 

2.7. Car Allowance.  The Company shall provide the Executive an automobile allowance of $750 per month during the term of Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

2.8. Stock Options.  In further consideration of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Executive shall be granted stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, and with such other terms and conditions as are approved by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

3.1. Termination of Employment.  Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate on the earliest to occur of the following:

 

3.1.1 upon the death of Executive;

 

3.1.2 upon the delivery to Executive of written notice of termination by the Company if Executive shall suffer a physical or mental disability which renders Executive, in the reasonable judgment of the Compensation Committee, unable to perform his duties and obligations under this Agreement for either 90 consecutive days or 180 days in any 12-month period;

 

  

  

  

3.1.3 on the five-year anniversary of the date hereof;

 

3.1.4 upon delivery to the Company of written notice of termination by Executive for any reason other than for Good Reason;

 

3.1.5 upon delivery to Executive of written notice of termination by the Company for Cause;

 

3.1.6 upon delivery of written notice of termination from Executive to the Company for Good Reason, provided, however, prior to any such termination by Executive pursuant to this Section 3.1.6, Executive shall have advised the Company in writing within fifteen (15) days of the occurrence of any circumstances that would constitute Good Reason, and the Company has not cured such circumstances within 15 days following receipt of Executive’s written notice, with the exception of only five (5) days written notice in the event the Company reduces Executive’s salary without Executive’s Consent or fails to pay Executive any compensation due him; or

 

3.1.7 upon delivery to Executive of written notice of termination by the Company without Cause.

 

3.2. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

3.2.1 “Cause” shall mean, in the context of a basis for termination by the Company of Executive’s employment with the Company, that:

 

(i) Executive materially breaches any obligation, duty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement, which breach is not cured or corrected within thirty (30) days of written notice thereof from the Company (except for breaches of Article IV of this Agreement, which cannot be cured and for which the Company need not give any opportunity to cure); or

 

(ii) Executive commits any act of misappropriation of funds or embezzlement; or

 

(iii) Executive commits any act of fraud; or

 

(iv) Executive is indicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere with respect to, theft, fraud, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a felony under federal or applicable state law.

 

3.2.2  “Good Reason” shall mean, in the context of a basis for termination by Executive of his employment with the Company (a) without Executive’s consent, his position or duties are modified by the Company to such an extent that his duties are no longer consistent with the position of CFO of the Company, (b) there has been a material breach by the Company of a material term of this Agreement which continues uncured following thirty (30) days after such breach, or (c) Executive’s compensation as set forth hereunder is reduced without Executive’s consent, or the Company fails to pay to Executive any compensation due to him hereunder upon five (5) days written notice from Executive informing the Company of such failure.

 

3.3. “Termination Date” shall mean the date on which Executive’s employment with the Company hereunder is terminated

 

  

  

  

3.4. Effect of Termination.  In the event that Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the following:

 

3.4.1 If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Sections 3.1.1 (death), 3.1.2 (disability), 3.1.3 (five-year anniversary), 3.1.4 (without Cause by the Executive) or 3.1.5 (by the Company for Cause), Executive shall be entitled to salary accrued through the Termination Date and no other benefits other than as required under the terms of employee benefit plans in which Executive was participating as of Termination Date.

 

3.4.2 If Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive pursuant to Section 3.1.6 (Good Reason), or pursuant to Section 3.1.7 (without Cause by the Company), Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive the salary at the rate in effect upon the Termination Date of employment for three months following the Termination Date, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and policies, as if Executive’s employment had not terminated.  Executive shall be entitled to no other post-employment benefits except for benefits payable under applicable benefit plans in which Executive is entitled to participate pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof through the Termination Date, subject to and in accordance with the terms of such plans.

 

3.4.3 As a condition to Executive’s right to receive any benefits pursuant to Section 3.4 of this Agreement, (A) Executive must execute and deliver to the Company a written release in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, of any and all claims against the Company and all directors and officers of the Company with respect to all matters arising out of Executive’s employment hereunder, or the termination thereof (other than claims for entitlements under the terms of this Agreement or plans or programs of the Company in which Executive has accrued a benefit); and (B) Executive must not breach any of his covenants and agreements under Section 1.3 and Article IV of this Agreement, which continue following the Termination Date.

 

3.4.4 In the event of termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 3.1.5 (by the Company for Cause), and subject to applicable law and regulations, the Company shall be entitled to offset against any payments due Executive the loss and damage, if any, which shall have been suffered by the Company as a result of the acts or omissions of Executive giving rise to termination.  The foregoing shall not be construed to limit any cause of action, claim or other rights, which the Company may have against Executive in connection with such acts or omissions.

 

3.4.5 Upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, or on demand by the Company during the term of this Agreement, Executive will immediately deliver to the Company, and will not keep in his possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else, any and all Company property, as well as all devices and equipment belonging to the Company (including computers, handheld electronic devices, telephone equipment, and other electronic devices), Company credit cards, records, data, notes, notebooks, reports, files, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings blueprints, sketches, materials, photographs, charts, all documents and property, and reproductions of any of the aforementioned items that were developed by Executive pursuant to his employment with the Company, obtained by Executive in connection with his employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns, including, without limitation, those records maintained pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.4.6 Executive also agrees to keep the Company advised of his home and business address for a period of three (3) years after termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, so that the Company can contact Executive regarding his continuing obligations provided by this Agreement.  In the event that Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated, Executive agrees to grant consent to notification by the Company to Executive’s new employer about his obligations under this Agreement.

 

  

  

  

3.5. Consulting.  During the period that Executive is receiving payments pursuant to subsection 3.4.2 above, Executive shall be available, subject to his other reasonable commitments or obligations made or incurred in mitigation of the termination of his employment, by telephone, email or fax, as a consultant to the Company, without further compensation, to consult with its officers and directors regarding projects and/or tasks as defined by the Board.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

INVENTIONS; CONFIDENTIAL/TRADE SECRET INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

4.1. Inventions.  All processes, technologies and inventions relating to the business of the Company (collectively, “Inventions”), including new contributions, improvements, ideas, discoveries, trademarks and trade names, conceived, developed, invented, made or found by Executive, alone or with others, during his employment by the Company, whether or not patentable and whether or not conceived, developed, invented, made or found on the Company’s time or with the use of the Company’s facilities or materials, shall be the property of the Company and shall be promptly and fully disclosed by Executive to the Company.  Executive shall perform all necessary acts (including, without limitation, executing and delivering any confirmatory assignments, documents or instruments requested by the Company) to assign or otherwise to vest title to any such Inventions in the Company and to enable the Company, at its sole expense, to secure and maintain domestic and/or foreign patents or any other rights for such Inventions.

 

4.2. Confidential/Trade Secret Information/Non-Disclosure.

 

4.2.1 Confidential/Trade Secret Information Defined.  During the course of Executive’s employment, Executive will have access to various Confidential/Trade Secret Information of the Company and information developed for the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential/Trade Secret Information” is information that is not generally known to the public and, as a result, is of economic benefit to the Company in the conduct of its business, and the business of the Company’s subsidiaries.  Executive and the Company agree that the term “Confidential/Trade Secret Information” includes but is not limited to all information developed or obtained by the Company, including its affiliates, and predecessors, and comprising the following items, whether or not such items have been reduced to tangible form (e.g., physical writing, computer hard drive, disk, tape, etc.):  all methods, techniques, processes, ideas, research and development, product designs, engineering designs, plans, models, production plans, business plans, add-on features, trade names, service marks, slogans, forms, pricing structures, menus, business forms, marketing programs and plans, layouts and designs, financial structures, operational methods and tactics, cost information, the identity of and/or contractual arrangements with suppliers and/or vendors, accounting procedures, and any document, record or other information of the Company relating to the above.  Confidential/Trade Secret Information includes not only information directly belonging to the Company which existed before the date of this Agreement, but also information developed by Executive for the Company, including its subsidiaries, affiliates and predecessors, during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company.  Confidential/Trade Secret Information does not include any information which (a) was in the lawful and unrestricted possession of Executive prior to its disclosure to Executive by the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates or predecessors, (b) is or becomes generally available to the public by lawful acts other than those of Executive after receiving it, or (c) has been received lawfully and in good faith by Executive from a third party who is not and has never been an executive of the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates or predecessors, and who did not derive it from the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates or predecessors.

 

4.2.2 Restriction on Use of Confidential/Trade Secret Information.  Executive agrees that his/her use of Confidential/Trade Secret Information is subject to the following restrictions for an indefinite period of time so long as the Confidential/Trade Secret Information has not become generally known to the public:

 

  

  

  

(i) Non-Disclosure.  Executive agrees that he will not publish or disclose, or allow to be published or disclosed, Confidential/Trade Secret Information to any person without the prior written authorization of the Company unless pursuant to or in connection with Executive’s job duties to the Company under this Agreement; and

 

(ii) Non-Removal/Surrender.  Executive agrees that he will not remove any Confidential/Trade Secret Information from the offices of the Company or the premises of any facility in which the Company is performing services, except pursuant to his duties under this Agreement.  Executive further agrees that he shall surrender to the Company all documents and materials in his possession or control which contain Confidential/Trade Secret Information and which are the property of the Company upon the termination of his employment with the Company, and that he shall not thereafter retain any copies of any such materials.

 

4.2.3 Prohibition Against Unfair Competition/ Non-Solicitation of Customers.  Executive agrees that at no time after his employment with the Company will he engage in competition with the Company while making any use of the Confidential/Trade Secret Information, or otherwise exploit or make use of the Confidential/Trade Secret Information. Executive agrees that during the six-month period following the Termination Date, he will not directly or indirectly accept or solicit, in any capacity, the business of any customer of the Company with whom Executive worked or otherwise had access to the Confidential/Trade Secret Information pertaining to the Company’s business with such customer during the last year of Executive’s employment with the Company, or solicit, directly or indirectly, or encourage any of the Company’s customers or suppliers to terminate their business relationship with the Company, or otherwise interfere with such business relationships.

 

4.3. Non-Solicitation of Employees.  Employee agrees that during the six-month period following the Termination Date, he shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or otherwise encourage any employees of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or solicit, directly or indirectly, any of the Company’s employees for employment.

 

4.4. Non-Solicitation During Employment.  During his employment with the Company, Executive shall not: (a) interfere with the Company’s business relationship with its customers or suppliers, (b) solicit, directly or indirectly, or otherwise encourage any of the Company’s customers or suppliers to terminate their business relationship with the Company, or (c) solicit, directly or indirectly, or otherwise encourage any employees of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or solicit any of the Company’s employees for employment.

 

4.5. Conflict of Interest.  During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive must not engage in any work, paid or unpaid, that creates an actual conflict of interest with the Company.

 

4.6. Breach of Provisions.  If Executive materially breaches any of the provisions of this Article IV, or in the event that any such breach is threatened by Executive, in addition to and without limiting or waiving any other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief in any court, domestic or foreign, having the capacity to grant such relief, to restrain any such breach or threatened breach and to enforce the provisions of this Article IV.

 

  

  

  

4.7. Reasonable Restrictions.  The Parties acknowledge that the foregoing restrictions, as well as the duration and the territorial scope thereof as set forth in this Article IV, are under all of the circumstances reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its business.

 

4.8. Specific Performance.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Sections 1.3, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

 

ARTICLE V.

 

ARBITRATION

 

5.1. Scope.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, Executive and the Company agree to the binding arbitration of any and all controversies, claims or disputes between them arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement, the employment relationship between the Company and Executive and any disputes upon termination of employment, including but not limited to breach of contract, tort, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, demotion, discipline, failure to accommodate, family and medical leave, compensation or benefits claims, constitutional claims; and any claims for violation of any local, state or federal law, statute, regulation or ordinance or common law.  For the purpose of this agreement to arbitrate, references to “Company” include all subsidiaries or related entities and their respective executives, supervisors, officers, directors, agents, pension or benefit plans, pension or benefit plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators, affiliates and all successors and assigns of any of them, and this agreement to arbitrate shall apply to them to the extent Executive’s claims arise out of or relate to their actions on behalf of the Company.

 

5.2. Arbitration Procedure.  To commence any such arbitration proceeding, the party commencing the arbitration must provide the other party with written notice of any and all claims forming the basis of such right in sufficient detail to inform the other party of the substance of such claims.  In no event shall this notice for arbitration be made after the date when institution of legal or equitable proceedings based on such claims would be barred by the applicable statute of limitations.  The arbitration will be conducted in Houston, Texas, by a single neutral arbitrator and in accordance with the then-current rules for resolution of employment disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”).  The Arbitrator is to be selected by the mutual agreement of the Parties.  If the Parties cannot agree, the Superior Court will select the arbitrator.  The parties are entitled to representation by an attorney or other representative of their choosing.  The arbitrator shall have the power to enter any award that could be entered by a judge of the trial court of the State of Texas, and only such power, and shall follow the law.  The award shall be binding and the Parties agree to abide by and perform any award rendered by the arbitrator.  The arbitrator shall issue the award in writing and therein state the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based.  Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  The losing Party in the arbitration hearing shall bear the costs of the arbitration filing and hearing fees and the cost of the arbitrator.

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1. Binding Effect; Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns.  Executive may not assign any of his rights or obligations under this Agreement.  The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any successor entity.

 

  

  

  

6.2. Notices.  Any notice provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made (a) when personally delivered or (b) when sent by telecopier and confirmed within 48 hours by letter mailed or delivered to the party to be notified at its or his address set forth herein; or three (3) days after being sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (or by equivalent currier with delivery documentation such as FEDEX or UPS) to the address of the other party set forth or to such other address as may be specified by notice given in accordance with this section 6.2:

 

 

	
If to the Company:

	
Vertex Energy, Inc.

1331 Gemini , Suite 250

Houston, Texas 77058

Telephone:  ___________

Facsimile: ___________

Attention: _____________

 

	
If to the Executive:

	
Chris Carlson

________________________

________________________

 

Telephone:  ___________

Facsimile:___________

Attention:  _____________

 

6.3. Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision or portion thereof, and shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement or portion thereof, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof were not contained herein.  In addition, any such invalid or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be deemed, without further action on the part of the parties hereto, modified, amended or limited to the extent necessary to render the same valid and enforceable.

 

6.4. Waiver.  No waiver by a Party of a breach or default hereunder by the other party shall be considered valid, unless expressed in a writing signed by such first party, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of the same or any other nature.

 

6.5. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements between the Company and Executive, whether written or oral, relating to any or all matters covered by and contained or otherwise dealt with in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement.  This Agreement does not constitute a commitment of the Company with regard to Executive’s employment, express or implied, other than to the extent expressly provided for herein.

 

  

  

  

6.6. Amendment.  No modification, change or amendment of this Agreement or any of its provisions shall be valid, unless in a writing signed by the Parties and approved by the Compensation Committee.

 

6.7. Authority.  The Parties each represent and warrant that it/he has the power, authority and right to enter into this Agreement and to carry out and perform the terms, covenants and conditions hereof.

 

6.8. Attorneys’ Fees.  If either party hereto commences an arbitration or other action against the other party to enforce any of the terms hereof or because of the breach by such other party of any of the terms hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled, in addition to any other relief granted, to all actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such prevailing party in connection with such action, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees, and a right to such costs and expenses shall be deemed to have accrued upon the commencement of such action and shall be enforceable whether or not such action is prosecuted to judgment.

 

6.9. Captions.  The captions, headings and titles of the sections of this Agreement are inserted merely for convenience and ease of reference and shall not affect or modify the meaning of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement.

 

6.10. Governing Law.  This Agreement, and all of the rights and obligations of the Parties in connection with the employment relationship established hereby, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas without giving effect to principles relating to conflicts of law.

 

6.11. Survival.  The termination of Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall not affect Executive’s obligations to the Company hereunder which by the nature thereof are intended to survive any such termination, including, without limitation, Executive’s obligations under Article IV of this Agreement.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

 

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

	
“COMPANY”

	
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.,

a Nevada corporation

 

 

By: /s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                                                         

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart

Title:   CEO

 

 

	
“EXECUTIVE”

	
/s/ Chris Carlson

Chris Carlson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT A

It is acknowledged and agreed that the following actions, business transactions, agreements and undertakings may be undertaken by Executive:

	
·  

	
Executive can serve as an employee, consultant to, officer, director or manager of any of the private companies with whom he is currently affiliated, including Vertex Holdings, L.P., formerly Vertex Energy, L.P., VTX, Inc., Cross Road Carriers, Vertex Recovery, H&H Oil, Arrow, Cedar Marine Terminal, Vertex Residual Management, B&S Cowart, FLP, Vertex Green, LP or Vertex Processing (collectively, the “Affiliated Companies”);

	
·  

	
Executive may own an interest in or shares or membership units in any of the Affiliated Companies.  Executive may earn a fee for providing services to the Affiliated Companies;

	
·  

	
The Affiliated Companies can operate in the collection generator business; buy, collect and transport and process used oil, crude oil, refined products, chemicals and oily water; and collect, recycle and process petroleum waste materials, such as, but not limited to, oily water, sludges, tank bottoms, and mixed hydrocarbon materials;

	
·  

	
Vertex Recovery or its subsidiaries may sell feedstock to the Company on a fair market basis and receive a commission or fee based on such sales, as determined by a yet to be drafted agreement between Vertex Recovery and the Company;

	
·  

	
The Affiliated Companies may market and source feedstock to the best markets;

	
·  

	
Cedar Marine Terminal may license (pursuant to a royalty free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license) the rights to Demetalization Technology on terms agreeable to the Company and Cedar Marine Terminal.  Cedar Marine Terminal may also charge the Company for terminalling and storage costs for the Company’s products.  Finally, Cedar Marine Terminal will enter into an agreement with the Company whereby the Company leases the land which its operations take place on, on terms to be mutually agreed to between the parties;

	
·  

	
Cross Road Carriers may transport the Company’s products from time to time, on substantially similar terms as Cross Road Carriers charges its other clients;

	
·  

	
Any Affiliated Party may sell products, equipment or materials to the Company on terms mutually agreeable between the Company and such Affiliated Party;

	
·  

	
Vertex Residual Management may contract with the Company or with Vertex LP on behalf of the Company to provide the Company environmental compliance, regulation and oversight services on terms mutually agreeable between the parties;

	
·  

	
Vertex Green may focus on the development of renewable energy such as Biodiesel, which entity shall be outside of the Company; and

	
·  

	
Any other actions, business transactions, agreements and undertakings which the Executive has received approval of a majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors to enter into and/or undertake.

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