Employment Agreement - International Coal Group Inc. and Roger L. Nicholson
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into this 25th day of
April, 2005 (the "Effective Date"), by and between Roger L. Nicholson
("Executive") and International Coal Group, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation.
R E C I T A L S:
A. ICG desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed
by ICG, under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
B. The Board of Directors has also determined that it is in the best
interests of the stockholders and ICG to promote stability among key officers.
IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING, the mutual covenants contained herein,
and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
1.1 "ACCOUNTANTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.7(B)(i).
1.2 "ANNUAL BONUS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
1.3 "APPLICANT VIOLATOR SYSTEM" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.4.
1.4 "BASE SALARY" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
1.5 "BOARD" or "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the board of directors of the
Company.
1.6 "CAUSE" means (A) the commission by Executive of (i) a felony or (ii)
any serious crime involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust; (B) gross
negligence or intentional misconduct by Executive with respect to ICG or in the
performance of his duties to ICG; (C) failure to follow a reasonable, lawful and
specific direction of the Board of Directors; (D) failure by Executive to
cooperate in any corporate investigation; or (E) breach by Executive of any
material provision of this Agreement, which breach is not corrected by Executive
within ten (10) calendar days after receipt by Executive of written notice from
ICG of such breach. For purposes of this definition, no act or failure to act by
the Executive shall be considered "intentional" unless done or omitted to be
done by the Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of ICG.
1.7 "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means that (A) WL Ross & Co. LLC's percentage of
Company Stock held (9.2% on the Effective Date) is reduced by 50% or more solely
as a result of a sale by WL Ross & Co. LLC of Company Stock, or (B) a person or
entity acquires 40% or more of Company Stock after which the individuals who
constitute the Board immediately prior to such acquisition cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority thereof.
1.8 "CODE" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(B).
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1.9 "COMPANY STOCK" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(A)(i).
1.10 "COVERED PAYMENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.7(A).
1.11 "DISABILITY" or "DISABLED" means the absence of Executive from
Executive's duties with the Company on a full time basis for 180 consecutive
business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness that
is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company
or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive's legal
representative.
1.12 "EBITDA" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
1.13 "EXCISE TAX" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.7(A).
1.14 "EXCISE TAX REIMBURSEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section
10.7(A).
1.15 "GOOD REASON" means the termination of Executive's employment by
Executive pursuant to Section 9.2, such written notice being given within thirty
(30) days of the occurrence of any of the following events:
(A) involuntary reduction in Executive's Base Salary unless with
Executive's consent such reduction occurs simultaneously with a reduction
in officers' salaries generally applicable on a company-wide basis;
(B) involuntary discontinuance or reduction in Executive's Annual
Bonus award opportunities unless with Executive's consent such
discontinuance or reduction occurs simultaneously with a generally
applicable company-wide reduction or elimination of all officers' bonus
awards occurs simultaneously with such discontinuance or reduction;
(C) involuntary discontinuance of Executive's participation in any
employee benefit plan or plans maintained by ICG unless such plan(s) are
discontinued by reason of law or loss of tax deductibility to ICG with
respect to contributions to such plan(s), or with Executive's consent such
discontinuance occurs as a matter of ICG policy applied equally to all
participants in such plan(s) that are in the same classification of
employees as Executive;
(D) failure to obtain an assumption of ICG's obligations under this
Agreement by any successor to ICG, regardless of whether such entity
becomes a successor to ICG as a result of a merger, consolidation, sale of
assets of ICG, or other form of reorganization, except when the rights and
obligations of ICG under this Agreement are vested in the successor to ICG
by operation of law;
(E) failure of there to be an Initial Public Offering within
twenty-four (24) months of the Effective Date;
(F) a Change in Control;
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(G) involuntary relocation of Executive's primary office to a
location more than fifty (50) miles from the location determined by the
Company as set forth in Section 8.6 of this Agreement; and
(H) material reduction of Executive's duties and authority as set
forth in Section 3 of this Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date.
1.16 "GUIDANCE" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.3.
1.17 "ICG" or "COMPANY" means International Coal Group, Inc. and each of
the affiliates of International Coal Group, Inc. (meaning any entity that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, International Coal Group, Inc.),
along with all successors and assigns of each of such entities.
1.18 "INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING" or "IPO" means an initial offering of
common stock of ICG that is completed by the sale of such shares pursuant to
ICG's first effective registration statement for the sale of shares filed under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1.19 "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.
1.20 "PLAN" means the International Coal Group, Inc. 2005 Management
Equity Incentive Compensation Plan or if such plan has not been adopted as of
the Effective Date, such plan as subsequently adopted which shall contemplate
the equity grants set forth in Section 5.3.
1.21 "PROTECTED EMPLOYEE" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
1.22 "TARGETED ANNUAL BONUS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
1.23 "TERM" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.
1.24 "TERMINATION DATE" means the date on which the termination of
Executive's employment with ICG becomes effective.
2. EMPLOYMENT.
ICG hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment,
according to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and for the
period specified in Section 4 of this Agreement.
3. DUTIES.
(A) During the Term, Executive shall serve as Senior Vice President
and General Counsel of the Company, and agrees to serve as an officer,
director and/or employee of such affiliates of ICG in accordance with
reasonable and lawful directions from ICG's Board of Directors and
President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and in accordance with ICG's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as both may be amended from time to
time. Executive will report directly to the CEO.
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(B) While Executive is employed by ICG as a full-time employee,
Executive shall serve ICG, faithfully, diligently, competently and to the
best of his ability, and will exclusively devote his full time, energy and
attention to the business of ICG and to the promotion of its interests.
Executive shall not, without the written consent of the Board of Directors
either render services to or for any person, firm, corporation or other
entity or organization in exchange for compensation, regardless of the
form in which such compensation is paid and whether or not it is paid
directly or indirectly to Executive, or serve as a board member, director
or trustee of any corporation or organization regardless of whether
Executive is paid for such services. Nothing in this Section 3 shall
preclude Executive from managing his personal investments and affairs,
provided that such activities in no way interfere with the proper
performance of his duties and responsibilities as Senior Vice President
and General Counsel.
(C) Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and CEO,
Executive shall have powers as are typically granted to a general counsel
of a corporation engaged in a similar business to Company.
4. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
Subject to Article 9, the term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall
commence on April 25, 2005, and shall end on April 24, 2008.
5. COMPENSATION.
5.1 BASE SALARY. While employed under this Agreement, Executive will
receive as his compensation for the performance of his duties and obligations to
ICG under this Agreement a Base Salary of Two Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars
($260,000) per year, which will be payable in such installments established by
ICG for all salaried employees, and which will be subject to annual review for
purposes of salary increases by the Board of Directors or any committee
designated by the Board of Directors (the base salary, as it may be increased
from time to time, is referred to herein as the "Base Salary").
5.2 BONUS. In addition to his Base Salary, Executive will be entitled to a
performance-based annual cash bonus (the "Annual Bonus"), which will be paid as
soon as practicable following the determination by the Board of Directors of the
amount of such Annual Bonus following preparation of ICG's financial results for
the year in question. Executive will be eligible for the "Targeted Annual
Bonus," if ICG's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA") is within a reasonable range, as determined by the Board, of ICG's
forecasted EBITDA; provided, however, that the Annual Bonus awarded will be
subject to increase or decrease at the Board's discretion in the event of a
significant variance from such forecasted EBITDA. The Targeted Annual Bonus for
each year of the Term will be 100% of Base Salary. The Annual Bonus payable for
2005 will not be less than forty percent (40%) of Executive's Base Salary.
5.3 EQUITY COMPENSATION.
(A) Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and award agreements
thereunder, within seven days of the Effective Date, ICG will grant
Executive the following equity awards:
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(i) Options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock of the
Company ("Company Stock"). The exercise price for each option shall
be the fair market value of the Company Stock on the date of grant,
which the parties agree shall be the IPO price of the Company Stock.
All such options will vest 25% on the issuance date and 25% annually
on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the
Effective Date.
(ii) A grant of 37,500 restricted shares of Company Stock. The
restrictions on such shares of Company Stock will lapse one-third
(1/3) annually on each of the first, second and third anniversaries
of the Effective Date.
(iii) A grant of 12,500 unrestricted shares of Company Stock.
(B) Provided that Executive shall make timely elections under
Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), the Company will pay Executive an income tax "gross-up" payment
such that Executive will be made whole for the federal and state income
and employment tax impact of the equity compensation vesting of the grants
provided for in Sections 5.3(A)(ii) and (iii) and the gross-up payment
contemplated herein.
(C) Any unvested grants pursuant to Sections 5.3(A)(i) and (ii) will
accelerate and vest if: (i) there occurs a Change in Control; or (ii)
Executive's employment is terminated other than for Cause or terminates
with Good Reason.
5.4 SIGN ON BONUS PAYMENT. As soon as reasonably practicable, but not
later than thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, ICG will pay to Executive
Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to compensate Executive for certain unvested
benefits lost by virtue of his resignation of employment from his prior
employer.
5.5 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]
6. WITHHOLDING.
All compensation payable to Executive shall be paid net of amounts
withheld for federal, state, municipal or local income taxes, Executive's share,
if any, of any payroll taxes and such other federal, state, municipal or local
taxes as may be applicable to amounts paid by an employer to its employee or to
the employer/employee relationship.
7. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]
8. OTHER BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT.
8.1 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Executive will be entitled to participate in such
hospitalization, life insurance, long and short term disability, 401(k) and
other employee benefit plans and programs, if any, as may be adopted by ICG from
time to time, in accordance with the provisions of such plans and programs and
on the same basis as other full-time salaried employees of ICG who participate
in such employee benefit plans (except to the extent that the
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benefits provided under any of such plans or programs are expressly offset by
any of the benefits provided under or pursuant to this Agreement).
8.2 EXECUTIVE BENEFITS. Executive shall be entitled to participate in any
employee benefit adopted by ICG for executive level employees. At a minimum for
Executive, such benefits shall include a company automobile consistent with
ICG's then policy on company automobiles; participation in such deferred
compensation arrangements as may be approved by the Board; reasonable financial
planning and tax preparation services; and the use of private aircraft for
business purposes as appropriate. ICG shall pay to Executive an income tax
"gross-up" payment such that Executive will be made whole for the federal and
state income tax impact of any taxable executive benefits provided hereunder and
the gross-up payment contemplated herein; provided, however, that ICG shall not
be responsible for any tax impact to Executive as a result of Section 409A of
the Code.
8.3 STOCK BASED AWARDS. Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of
stock options, performance units, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock,
deferred shares, and other stock-based awards in accordance with the provisions
of the Plan or other stock-based award or long-term incentive plan that ICG may
adopt or amend or supersede from time to time. The terms of such grants shall be
determined by the Board of Directors (or its designee as provided in the Plan or
as appointed by the Board of Directors) in accordance with the Plan; provided,
however, that notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the
event of (i) any termination of Executive's employment for any reason other than
for Cause pursuant to Section 9.1, or (ii) termination of employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 9.2, any stock-based award granted to Executive prior
to such Termination Date shall immediately vest and be exercisable by or issued
to the Executive under the Plan.
8.4 TAXES AND WITHHOLDING. Executive shall be responsible for paying all
federal, state, municipal or local taxes payable by him with respect to any
benefits provided under this Section 8, and ICG will, when required by law or
when otherwise appropriate or customary, withhold from the benefits or other
compensation amounts sufficient to satisfy such taxes, unless taxes are to be
paid by ICG as set forth in the provisions of this Agreement.
8.5 REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.
Following submission of appropriate documentation in accordance with its
policies in effect from time to time, ICG will pay or reimburse Executive for
all business expenses which Executive incurs in performing his duties under this
Agreement, including, but not limited to, travel, entertainment, professional
dues and subscriptions, and all dues, fees, and expenses associated with
membership in various professional, business, and civic associations and
societies in which Executive participates in accordance with ICG's policies in
effect from time to time.
8.6 RELOCATION. ICG's executive offices are planned to be relocated to a
site near the Charleston, West Virginia metropolitan area. If such offices are
not located in the Charleston, West Virginia, metropolitan area, or are
subsequently relocated to a location more than thirty (30) miles from
Charleston, West Virginia, and Executive elects to relocate his residence to
such relocated offices, Executive will be entitled to relocation benefits
pursuant to ICG's relocation
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assistance program, which shall include the reasonable and customary costs both
in the sale and purchase of Executive's primary residence, the purchase of
Executive's primary residence by ICG or its assignee for 95% of the primary
residence's appraised value if it is not sold within ninety (90) days of its
initial listing, as well as the reasonable costs associated with the relocation
of Executive's household belongings, and to the extent not deductible by
Executive, in each case, the Company shall pay to Executive an income tax
"gross-up" payment such that Executive will be made whole for the federal and
state income tax impact of any taxable benefit provided pursuant to this Section
8.6 and the gross-up payment contemplated herein. It is expressly understood
that Executive shall be under no obligation to relocate his residence to within
thirty (30) miles of ICG's executive offices.
8.7 VACATION. Notwithstanding any policy of the company for salaried
employees, Executive will be entitled to three (3) weeks paid vacation and ICG
recognized holidays. If Executive remains employed by ICG, irrespective of the
expiration of this Agreement, then beginning on Executive's fifth anniversary of
employment, Executive shall thereafter be eligible for four (4) weeks paid
vacation and ICG recognized holidays.
9. TERMINATION.
9.1 TERMINATION BY ICG.
(A) This Agreement shall automatically terminate effective upon (i)
the date of Executive's death; (ii) the date that Executive is determined
to be permanently Disabled or (iii) the date of Executive's retirement.
(B) ICG may terminate this Agreement, and Executive's employment
with ICG, without Cause upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice to
Executive.
(C) ICG may terminate this Agreement, and Executive's employment
with ICG, with Cause; provided, that, Executive shall not be deemed to
have been terminated for Cause hereunder unless and until there shall have
been delivered to the Executive written notice of termination by ICG along
with a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not
less than a majority of the Board of Directors then in office (excluding
Executive if Executive is then a member of the Board) at a meeting of the
Board of Directors called and held for such purpose, after reasonable
notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with
Executive's counsel (if Executive chooses to have counsel present at such
meeting), to be heard before the Board, finding that, in the good faith
opinion of the Board, Executive had committed an act constituting Cause as
herein defined and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
9.2 TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE. Executive may terminate this Agreement, and
his employment with ICG, with or without Good Reason, upon sixty (60) days'
prior written notice to ICG.
9.3 NOTICE. Any purported termination of this Agreement by ICG or
Executive shall be communicated by written notice of termination to the other
party, pursuant to Section 14.6. Such notice shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
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termination of Executive's employment under the provisions so indicated, and
shall specify the Termination Date (which shall not be earlier than the date of
the notice).
10. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
10.1 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT UPON DEATH. If Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death, his estate shall be entitled to receive only the
Base Salary to which Executive was entitled through the date of death, any
accrued unpaid bonus compensation due to Executive with respect to the calendar
year prior to his death, bonus compensation for the calendar year in which
Executive's death occurs (calculated on a pro rata basis), and such other
benefits as may be available to Executive or his estate through ICG's benefit
plans and policies. The payment of said bonus compensation shall be made in a
lump sum within sixty (60) days from the Termination Date and the current year's
bonus amount by March 15 of such subsequent year.
10.2 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT UPON DISABILITY. If Executive's employment
is terminated due to his Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive only
the Base Salary to which he was entitled through the Termination Date due to
Disability, any unpaid bonus compensation due to Executive with respect to the
calendar year prior to termination for Disability, bonus compensation for the
calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (calculated on a pro rata
basis), and such other benefits as may be available to Executive through ICG's
benefit plans and policies. The payment of said bonus or incentive compensation
shall be made in a lump sum within sixty (60) days from the Termination Date and
the current year's bonus amount by March 15 of such subsequent year.
10.3 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY ICG FOR CAUSE. If Executive's employment
is terminated for Cause as provided in Section 9.1(C), Executive shall be
entitled to receive the Base Salary to which he was entitled through the
Termination Date, any unpaid bonus due to Executive with respect to a prior
year, and such other benefits as may be available to him through ICG's benefit
plans and policies in effect on the Termination Date, other than any unpaid
bonus compensation for the calendar year of termination, which shall be
forfeited.
10.4 TERMINATION BY ICG WITHOUT CAUSE OR TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD
REASON. If ICG terminates Executive's employment without Cause pursuant to
Section 9.1(B) or if Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 9.2, Executive shall receive the Base Salary to which he was
entitled through the Termination Date, any unpaid bonus due to Executive with
respect to a prior year, bonus compensation for the calendar year in which the
Termination Date occurs (calculated on a pro rata basis) and severance pay equal
to (A) three (3) times his Base Salary; (B) three (3) times the Executive's
Annual Bonus for the year preceding termination of employment; and (C) medical
and dental coverage under the plan(s) in effect under the COBRA eligibility
period for Executive and any eligible dependents for the period of time
Executive and/or his dependents(s) remain eligible for COBRA, but not to exceed
two (2) years from the Termination Date; provided, that Executive shall pay the
employee portion of all premiums, co-pays and deductibles on the same terms and
conditions as other senior executives of the Company from time to time. Such
severance and bonus compensation shall be paid quarterly on the last business
day of each of the eight (8) calendar quarters commencing immediately after the
Termination Date. Executive agrees that he shall not be
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entitled to any additional compensation or benefits other than what is set out
in Sections 5.3, 5.5 and 10.4. Executive and ICG agree that the receipt of
severance benefits as defined in this Section 10.4 are conditioned upon and
subject to Executive and ICG executing a valid release agreement releasing any
and all claims which Executive has or may have against ICG arising out of
Executive's employment (other than enforcement of this Agreement and any
benefits to which Executive is entitled to under the benefit programs of the
Company).
10.5 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY EXECUTIVE OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If
Executive terminates employment with ICG pursuant to Section 9.2 other than for
Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Base Salary to
which he was entitled through the Termination Date, any unpaid bonus
compensation due to Executive for the calendar year prior, bonus compensation
for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (calculated on a pro
rata basis), and such other benefits as may be available to him through ICG's
benefit plans and policies through the Termination Date. The payment of any
prior year's bonus shall be made in a lump sum within sixty (60) days from the
Termination Date and the current year's bonus by March 15 of the subsequent
year.
10.6 NON-PAYMENT DUE TO BREACH. In the event Executive materially breaches
the covenants set forth in Section 11 hereof, then ICG's obligation to make any
remaining payments under this Agreement that have not already been paid to
Executive shall be terminated.
10.7 CERTAIN FURTHER PAYMENTS BY ICG.
(A) In the event that any amount or benefit paid or distributed to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement, taken together with any amounts or
benefits otherwise paid or distributed to Executive by ICG or any
affiliated company (collectively, the "Covered Payments"), are or become
subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code), or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed, ICG shall pay to
Executive at the time specified in this Section 10.7 an additional amount
(the "Excise Tax Reimbursement") such that the net amount retained by
Executive with respect to such Covered Payments, after deduction of any
Excise Tax on the Covered Payments and any federal, state and local income
or employment tax and Excise Tax on the Excise Tax Reimbursement provided
for by this Section 10.7, but before deduction for any federal, state or
local income or employment tax withholding on such Covered Payments, shall
be equal to the amount of the Covered Payments.
(B) For purposes of determining whether any of the Covered Payments
will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax:
(i) such Covered Payments will be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and all
"parachute payments" in excess of the "base amount" (as defined
under Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) shall be treated as subject to
the Excise Tax, unless, and except to the extent that, in the good
faith judgment of ICG's independent certified public accountants
appointed prior to the date upon which a change in control became
effective or tax counsel selected by such accountants (the
"Accountants"), ICG has a reasonable basis to conclude that such
Covered Payments (in whole or in part) either do not
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constitute "parachute payments" or represent reasonable compensation
for personal services actually rendered (within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code) in excess of the "base amount,"
or such "parachute payments" are otherwise not subject to such
Excise Tax; and
(ii) the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred
payment or benefit shall be determined by the Accountants in
accordance with the principles of Section 280G of the Code.
(C) For purposes of determining the amount of the Excise Tax
Reimbursement, Executive shall be deemed to pay:
(i) federal income taxes at the highest applicable marginal
rate of federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the
Excise Tax Reimbursement is to be made; and
(ii) any applicable state and local income taxes at the
highest applicable marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year
in which the Excise Tax Reimbursement is to be made, net of the
maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained
from the deduction of such state or local taxes if paid in such
year.
(D) In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined by
the Accountants or pursuant to any proceeding or negotiations with the IRS
to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder in calculating the
Excise Tax Reimbursement made, Executive shall repay to ICG, at the time
that the amount of such reduction in the Excise Tax is finally determined,
the portion of such prior Excise Tax Reimbursement that would not have
been paid if such Excise Tax had been applied in initially calculating
such Excise Tax Reimbursement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
any portion of the Excise Tax Reimbursement to be refunded to ICG has been
paid to any federal, state or local tax authority, repayment thereof shall
not be required until actual refund or credit of such portion has been
made to Executive. Executive and ICG shall mutually agree upon the course
of action to be pursued (and the method of allocating the expenses
thereof) if Executive's good faith claim for refund or credit is denied.
(E) In the event that the Excise Tax is later determined by the
Accountants or pursuant to any proceeding or negotiations with the IRS to
exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the Excise Tax
Reimbursement is made (including, but not limited to, by reason of any
payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time
of the Excise Tax Reimbursement), ICG shall make an additional Excise Tax
Reimbursement in respect of such excess (plus any interest or penalty
payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such
excess is finally determined.
(F) The Excise Tax Reimbursement (or portion thereof) provided for
in Section 10.7(A) above shall be paid to Executive not later than ten
(10) business days following the payment of the Covered Payments;
provided, however, that if the amount
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of such Excise Tax Reimbursement (or portion thereof) cannot be finally
determined on or before the date on which payment is due, ICG shall pay to
Executive by such date an amount estimated in good faith by the
Accountants to be the minimum amount of such Excise Tax Reimbursement and
shall pay the remainder of such Excise Tax Reimbursement as soon as the
amount thereof can be determined, but in no event later than forty five
(45) calendar days after payment of the related Covered Payment.
11. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-SOLICITATION.
11.1 NON-DISCLOSURE. Executive, both during the term hereof and
thereafter, will not, directly or indirectly, use for himself or use for, or
disclose to, any party other than ICG, any secret or confidential information or
data regarding the business of ICG or any secret or confidential information or
data regarding the business or property of ICG or regarding any secret or
confidential apparatus, process, system or other method at any time use,
developed or investigated by or for ICG, whether or not developed, acquired,
discovered or investigated by Executive. Upon termination or expiration of this
Agreement or as soon thereafter as possible, Executive shall promptly deliver to
ICG all memoranda, notes, records, plats, sketches, plans or other documents
made by, compiled by, delivered to, or otherwise acquired by Executive
concerning the business or properties of ICG or any secret or confidential
product, apparatus or process used, developed, acquired or investigated by ICG.
11.2 NO SOLICITATION. Executive hereby agrees and covenants that during
the term of this Agreement, and for a period of two (2) years thereafter so long
as ICG is not in material breach of this Agreement, he shall not, directly or
indirectly, on his own behalf or with others (A) induce or attempt to induce any
ICG employee who is a direct report to Executive, any ICG Senior Vice President,
or CEO or who is a president, mine superintendent or maintenance superintendent
or an equivalent position of any subsidiary or operating unit of ICG ("Protected
Employee") to leave the employ of ICG, or in any way interfere with the
relationship between ICG and any Protected Employee except that it is
specifically agreed by Executive and ICG that this Section 11.2 is not violated
by any response by a Protected Employee to a publicly announced job opening with
Executive or his subsequent employer whether such announcement appears in
newspapers, trade publications, web sites or similar public media; (B) induce or
attempt to induce any referral source, customer or other business relation of
ICG not to do business with ICG, or to cease doing business with ICG; or (C)
solicit, divert or actively take away, or attempt to solicit, divert or take
away, for purposes of conducting a business substantially similar to the
business of ICG, any individual, corporation, partnership or other association
or entity who as of the Termination Date, both (i) had a business relationship
with ICG or, to Executive's knowledge, was during the ninety (90) day period
preceding the Termination Date solicited in writing by ICG for business (whether
or not he, she or it became an actual customer) and (ii) was personally
contacted by Executive during such ninety (90) day period; provided, however,
that the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.2 shall not prohibit Executive
from participating in any response to an open bidding or quote request of any
customer of ICG, or prohibit Executive from any solicitation that does not,
directly or indirectly, divert business from ICG; and, provided further, that
Executive and any subsequent employer may in the ordinary course of business
compete with ICG for customers, properties or otherwise, without violating this
Section 11.2, provided that Executive shall not attempt to induce any entity
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with which ICG has any existing business relationship to terminate that business
relationship prior to the termination of existing contracts or orders with that
entity.
11.3 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. Executive acknowledges that it is impossible to
measure in money the damages that will accrue to ICG by reason of Executive's
failure to observe any of the obligations imposed on him by this Section 11.
Accordingly, if ICG shall institute an action to enforce the provisions hereof,
Executive hereby waives the claim or defense that an adequate remedy at law is
available to ICG, and Executive agrees not to urge in any such action the claim
or defense that such remedy at law exists.
11.4 SEVERABILITY. If a final determination is made by a court having
competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction
contained in Sections 11.1 and 11.2 is an unenforceable restriction on
Executive's activities, the provisions of such sections shall not be rendered
void but shall be deemed amended to apply such maximum time and scope and such
other restrictions as such court may judicially determine or otherwise indicate
to be reasonable.
12. REPRESENTATIONS.
12.1 Except for confidentiality restrictions imposed upon attorneys by
ethical codes of conduct, Executive hereby represents that he is not subject to
any restriction of any nature whatsoever on his ability to enter into this
Agreement or to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder.
12.2 Except for confidentiality restrictions imposed upon attorneys by
ethical codes of conduct, Executive hereby represents that, except as he has
disclosed in writing to ICG, he is not bound by the terms of any agreement with
any previous company or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any
trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of
Executive's employment with ICG or to refrain from competing, directly or
indirectly, with the business of such previous company or any other party
12.3 Except for confidentiality restrictions imposed upon attorneys by
ethical codes of conduct, Executive hereby represents that, to the best of his
knowledge, his performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee
of ICG does not and will not breach any agreement with another party, including
without limitation any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information,
knowledge or data Executive acquired in confidence or in trust prior to his
employment with ICG, and that he will not knowingly disclose to ICG or induce
ICG to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to
any previous company or others
12.4 Executive further represents that, to his knowledge, his past actions
in the coal industry will not cause ICG to be permanently or materially permit
blocked due to Executive's employment hereunder, and Executive will promptly and
diligently cooperate to remove as soon as reasonably practicable any asserted
link under the "Applicant Violator System" as maintained by the Federal Office
of Surface Mining and any similar state program.
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13. INDEMNIFICATION.
ICG shall, to the fullest extent to which it is empowered to do so by the
General Corporation Law of Delaware, or any other applicable laws, as from time
to time in effect, and in the manner therein provided, indemnify and hold
harmless Executive, through the duration of the Term and all statutory periods
during which any such claim may be brought or asserted, from and against any
actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, to which Executive
is or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of ICG. Executive will be further covered
by the indemnification and limitations on liability of officers and directors
provided under ICG's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and any separate
agreement between ICG and Executive and/or any officers and directors
indemnification insurance policy now or hereafter paid for by ICG.
14. MISCELLANEOUS.
14.1 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto,
their respective heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators and
successors; provided, however, that Executive shall not assign this Agreement.
14.2 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed under and governed
by the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any
choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of
Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws
of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
14.3 COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. This Agreement is intended
to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted
in accordance with such intent. To the extent any benefit paid under this
Agreement shall be subject to Section 409A of the Code, such benefit shall be
paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including
proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the
Secretary of Treasury and the IRS with respect thereto (the "Guidance"). Any
provision of this Agreement that would cause the payment of any benefit to fail
to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall have no force and effect until amended
to comply with Code Section 409A (which amendment may be retroactive to the
extent permitted by the Guidance).
14.4 ARBITRATION.
(A) Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, including without limitation any dispute, claim or
controversy concerning validity, enforceability, breach or termination
hereof, shall be finally settled through arbitration by a single
arbitrator selected under the rules of the American Arbitration
Association for arbitration of employment disputes conducted in the city
of Executive's domicile. Each party will be entitled to present evidence
and argument to the arbitrator. The arbitrator will have the right only to
interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement and may not change
any of its provisions, except as expressly provided in Section 14.7. The
arbitrator will permit reasonable pre-hearing discovery of facts, to the
extent necessary to establish a claim or a defense to a claim, subject to
supervision by the
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arbitrator. In addition, the Company shall propose a reasonable set of
rules to guide any proceedings under this Section 14.4(A). Such rules
shall be designed to lead to a prompt and just result without undue delay
or expense, but will not be unduly prejudicial to either party. The
determination of the arbitrator will be conclusive and binding upon the
parties and judgment upon the same may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator will give written notice to the
parties stating the arbitrator's determination, and will furnish to each
party a signed copy of such determination. The expenses of arbitration
will be borne equally by ICG and Executive or as the arbitrator equitably
determines consistent with the application of state or federal law;
provided, however, that Executive's share of such expenses will not exceed
the maximum permitted by law. Any arbitration or action pursuant to this
Section 14.4(A) will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
substantive laws of the state of Executive's domicile and, where
applicable, federal law, without giving effect to the principles of
conflict of laws of such state.
(B) Notwithstanding Section 14.4(A), ICG will not be required to
seek or participate in arbitration regarding any actual or threatened
breach of Executive's covenants in Section 11, but may pursue its
remedies, including injunctive relief, for such breach in a court of
competent jurisdiction in state of Executive's domicile, or in the sole
discretion of ICG, in a court of competent jurisdiction where Executive
has committed or is threatening to commit a breach of Executive's
covenants in Section 11, and no arbitrator may make any ruling
inconsistent with the findings or rulings of such court.
14.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement between Executive and ICG, set forth
the entire agreement of the parties concerning the employment of Executive by
ICG, and any other oral or written statements, representations, agreements, or
understandings made or entered into prior to or contemporaneously with the
execution of this Agreement, are hereby rescinded, revoked, and rendered null
and void by the parties. Both parties hereto have participated in the selection
of the words and phrases set forth in this Agreement in order to express their
joint intentions in entering into this employment relationship, and the parties
hereto agree that there shall not be strict interpretation against either party
in connection with any review of this Agreement in which interpretation thereof
is an issue.
14.6 NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been effectively made or given if in writing and personally
delivered, or mailed properly addressed in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid by
certified or registered mail, delivered by a reputable overnight delivery
service or sent by facsimile. Unless otherwise changed by notice, notice shall
be properly addressed to Executive if addressed to the address of Executive on
the books and records of ICG at the time of the delivery of such notice, and
properly addressed to ICG if addressed to:
President and Chief Executive Officer
International Coal Group Inc.
2000 Ashland Drive
Ashland, Kentucky 41101
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14.7 SEVERABILITY. Wherever there is any conflict between any provision of
this Agreement and any statute, law regulation or judicial precedent, the latter
shall prevail, but in such event the provisions of this Agreement thus affected
shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring them within
the requirements of law. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall
be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be indefinite, invalid, void or
voidable or otherwise unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect unless such construction would clearly be
contrary to the intentions of the parties or would result in an unconscionable
injustice.
14.8 SURVIVAL. Executive and ICG agree that upon termination of
Executive's employment, the obligations of each of the parties under this
Agreement shall expire as of the Termination Date, including, without
limitation, the obligations of ICG to pay any compensation to Executive, except
to the extent otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the obligations contained in Section 11 of this Agreement, the
provisions hereof relating to the obligations of ICG described in the preceding
sentence and any other provision of this Agreement that is intended to continue
in full force and effect after the termination of Executive's employment, shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement in accordance with the
terms set forth therein.
14.9 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]
14.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of Page Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed the day and year first above written.
Company:
INTERNATIONAL COAL GROUP, INC.
/s/ Bennett K. Hatfield
__________________________________
Bennett K. Hatfield
Executive
/s/ Roger L. Nicholson
__________________________________
Roger L. Nicholson
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