Employment Agreement - Markland Technology Inc. and Robert Tarini
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") dated as of May 12, 2004, and
with an effective date of January 1, 2004 ("EFFECTIVE DATE") between Markland
Technology, Inc. (including, as the context may require, its subsidiaries, the
"COMPANY"), a Florida corporation, and Robert Tarini, (the "EMPLOYEE"), located
in Richmond, Rhode Island, 02892.
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee had previously entered into an
employment agreement dated January 1, 2003 (the "PRIOR AGREEMENT"); and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the EMPLOYEE to render services
for the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the
Employee wishes to be retained and employed by the Company on such terms and
conditions; and
WHEREAS, to accomplish the foregoing, the Company and Employee wish to
supplant the prior Agreement with this Agreement retroactive from the Effective
Date.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements
set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENT; CURRENT ENGAGEMENT -The Prior Agreement
is hereby deemed performed through the Effective Date and is hereby
terminated as of the Effective Date. The Company hereby employs the
Employee, and the Employee accepts such engagement and agrees to
perform services for the Company, for the period and upon the other
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. TERM - Unless terminated at an earlier date in accordance with Section
8 of this Agreement or otherwise extended by agreement of the parties,
the term of the Employee's engagement hereunder shall be for a period
of five years, commencing on January 2, 2004. The period of engagement
may be extended by written agreement or e-mail between the parties,
provided that certain provisions relating to compensation may change
upon commencement of any extension hereto.
3. POSITION AND DUTIES
(a) SERVICE WITH COMPANY - During the term of the Employee's
engagement, the Employee agrees to perform such reasonable services as
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "BOARD") shall assign to
Employee from time to time. The Employee shall commence as a Director
and an officer of the Company with the title of Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer.
(b) PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES - The Employee agrees to serve the
Company faithfully and to the best of Employee's ability and to devote
a reasonable amount of time, attention and efforts to the business and
affairs of the Company during Employee's engagement by the Company. The
Employee hereby confirms that Employee is under no contractual
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commitments inconsistent with Employee's obligations set forth in this
Agreement and that during the term of this Agreement, Employee will not
render or perform services for any other corporation, firm, entity or
person, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.
While Employee remains employed by the Company, the Employee may
participate in reasonable professional, charitable, and/or personal
investment activities so long as such activities do not interfere with
the performance of Employee's obligations under this Agreement.
4. COMPENSATION
(a) BASE CONSIDERATION - As compensation for services to be
rendered by the Employee under this Agreement, the Company shall pay to
the Employee during the term of the contract a base payment of
$25,000.00 gross per month (total of $300,000 per year, the "ANNUAL
SALARY"), which payment shall be paid in arrears in accordance with the
Company's normal procedures and policies.
(b) INCENTIVE COMPENSATION - In addition to the base payment,
the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any bonus or incentive
compensation plans that may be established by the Board from time to
time applicable to the Employee's services.
(c) EXPENSES- The Company will pay or reimburse the Employee
for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
Employee in the performance of Employee's duties under this Agreement,
subject to the Company's normal policies for expense verification. In
addition, Company agrees to provide Employee with up to $5,000 monthly
for auto expense, business office expense, medical and life insurance
expenses.
(d) INITIAL GRANT OF STOCK - The company agrees to
CONDITIONALLY grant to Employee shares of common stock in the Company
(the "COMMON STOCK") at seven different periods: (i) the first ("GRANT
ONE") being upon the conclusion of a 90 day period following the
Effective Date, (ii) the second ("GRANT TWO") being upon the conclusion
of a 180 day period following the Effective Date, (iii) the third
("GRANT THREE") being upon the conclusion of a 210 day period following
the Effective Date, (iv) the fourth ("GRANT FOUR") being upon
conclusion of a 1 year period following the Effective Date , the fifth
("GRANT FIVE") being upon conclusion of a 2 year period following the
Effective Date, the sixth ("GRANT SIX") being upon conclusion of a 3
year period following the Effective Date and the seventh the ("GRANT
SEVEN") being upon conclusion of a 4 year period following the
Effective Date (Grant One, Grant Two, Grant Three, Grant Four, Grant
Five, Grant Six and Grant Seven may be referred to as "GRANT" or
"GRANTS"). Each Grant shall be equivalent to a "STOCK PERCENTAGE" of
the Common Stock Equity of the Company (defined below) calculated as of
the "FINAL DATE" associated with that Grant, as follows:
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GRANT STOCK PERCENTAGE FINAL DATE
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Grant One 2.5 April 1, 2004
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Grant Two 1.00% July 1, 2004
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Grant Three .1.00% Oct 1, 2004
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Grant Four 1.0% January 2, 2005
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Grant Five 1% January 2, 2006
Grant Six .5% Janaury 2, 2007
Grant Seven .5% Janaury 2, 2008
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The Grant will be earned based upon PERFORMANCE CRITERIA achieved by
the Company as defined below. AT ANY TIME AFTER THE COMPANY HAS
IMPLEMENTED AN EFFECTIVE ESOP PROGRAM THE EMPLOYEE MAY OPT TO ACCEPT
OPTION GRANTS IN LIEU OF RESTRICTED COMMON STOCK GRANTS ON A ONE FOR
ONE BASIS. THE EMPLOYEE MAY DO SO AT EACH INDIVIDUAL GRANT DATE.
The number of shares of Common Stock reflected by the Stock Percentage
("Employee's Shares") shall be calculated against all issued and
outstanding capital stock or other equity or conversion right in the
Company inclusive of warrants (in aggregate the "Company Equity"). With
respect to any convertible stock of the Company, including without
limitation preferred stock classes C and D, and any other conversion
right, the calculation determining the number of Employee's Shares
shall be made as if each such conversion had taken place in accordance
with the conversion rights associated with such security, (without
regard to limitations on the number of shares that may be converted in
a single instance or in a defined period), on the Final Date ("Imputed
Conversion"). The price of the Common Stock to be used for calculating
the Imputed Conversion shall be the average price of the Common Stock
for the 10 business days prior to the Final Date reflected on the
NASD/OTCBB Market or if the Common Stock is no longer listed on that
market, the principal securities exchange or trading market on which
the Common Stock is listed or traded, including the pink sheets. With
respect to each Grant the final calculation of the total number of
Employee's Shares shall be made within fifteen days of the Final Date,
in accordance with the following formula ("Formula"):
Total # Employee's Shares = applicable Stock Percentage x the Equity
The Equity = Company Equity outstanding as of the Final Date
+ number of Common Shares resulting from Imputed Conversion
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Each Grant is CONDITIONED upon the Company achieving its year-end
performance objectives for revenue and profitability, based on a plan
to be ratified by the Board of the Company during regularly scheduled
meetings for each of the applicable years. For example, whether Grant
One occurs will be measured against the plan set forth by the Board in
the first quarter of year 2004 for year 2004.
The subject shares issued via each share grant are non transferable and
subject to forfeiture.
(e) Registration - All Employee's Shares and Accrued Shares
(collectively hereafter referred to as "Employee's Shares") may be
unregistered, unless registered prior to issuance.
Such unregistered shares shall bear the following legend.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES
COMMISSION OF ANY STATE, IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT
SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
Employee's Shares shall not contain the legend set forth above or any
other restrictive legend if all of the following conditions are
satisfied: (i) there is an effective Registration Statement under the
Securities Act at such time, (ii) the Employee has delivered a
certificate to the Company to the effect that the Employee will comply
with all applicable prospectus delivery requirements under the
Securities Act in any sale or transfer of the Employee's Shares by the
Employee, and (iii) the Employee has delivered to the Company an
opinion of counsel (acceptable to the Company) that such legend is not
required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including
judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the
Commission). The Company agrees that it will provide the Employee, upon
request, with a certificate or certificates representing Employee's
Shares, free from such legend at such time as such legend is no longer
required hereunder. The Company may not make any notation on its
records or give instructions to any transfer agent of the Company which
enlarge the restrictions of transfer set forth in this Section.
The Company covenants that it will take such further action as any
holder of Employee Shares may reasonably request, all to the extent
required from time to time to enable such holder to sell the Shares
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of
the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities
Act, including the legal opinion of counsel to the Company pursuant in
a written letter to such effect, addressed and acceptable to the
Company's transfer agent for the benefit of and enforceable by the
Employee or successor in interest thereto. Upon the request of any such
holder, the Company shall deliver to such holder a written
certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has
complied with such requirements.
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(f) REGISTRATION RIGHTS - In the event of a registration of
Company common stock following the Final Date, Employee shall have the
right to participate in such registration at Company's expense.
Additionally, for a period of five years from the date of this
Agreement, Employee shall have preemptive rights in the event of any
potentially dilutive event (excluding exercise of any conversion rights
accounted for in the Imputed Conversion in Paragraph 4 (d) above), such
that Employee may, within a reasonable time, elect to participate in
such dilutive event under the terms thereof to maintain Employee's then
current percentage interest in the Company.
(g) BONUS: Employee shall be eligible to receive a bonus as
may be payable pursuant to the performance criteria as described below
in Section (h). The Bonus shall be based on 300% of the Employee's
annual salary.
(h) PERFORMANCE CRITERIA: For any quarter of the company's
operation the employee may be eligible for a portion of his bonus if
the company achieves revenue or revenue and profit milestones set forth
by the Board in its periodic meetings. For the first year of this
Agreement, the milestone shall be $ 1.0 million in each quarter and $6
million for the calendar year 2004.
(i) CHANGE OF CONTROL - In the event of a change of control of
the Company during the period covered by this Agreement, all stock
grants listed above shall be granted immediately and all cash and
expense compensation due for the earlier of 1) three years from the
date of change of control, or 2) until the end of the Term of this
Agreement, shall be placed in escrow in an account established by the
company with the designated escrow agent. The designated escrow agent
shall be Mr. David Broadwin Esq. of Foley & Hoag of Boston, MA. A
change of control will be defined as a change in the majority ownership
of the Equity of the Company, or the resignation or termination of the
majority of the directors on the Board within a 2 month period or the
replacement of either the CEO or President of the Company.
5. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION - Except as permitted or directed by the
Company's Board of Directors, during the term of Employee's engagement
or at any time thereafter, the Employee shall not divulge, furnish or
make accessible to anyone or use in any way (other than in the ordinary
course of the business of the Company) any confidential or secret
knowledge or information of the Company that the Employee has acquired
or become acquainted with or will acquire or become acquainted with
prior to the termination of the period of Employee's engagement by the
Company (including engagement by the Company or any affiliated
companies prior to the date of this Agreement) whether developed by
Employee self/herself or by others, concerning any trade secrets,
confidential or secret designs, processes, formulae, plans, devices or
material (whether or not patented or patentable) directly or indirectly
useful in any aspect of the business of the Company, any customer or
supplier lists of the Company, any confidential or secret development
or research work of the Company, or any other confidential information
or secret aspects of the business of the Company. The Employee
acknowledges that the above-described knowledge or information
constitutes a unique and valuable asset of the Company and represents a
substantial investment of time and expense by the Company, and that any
disclosure or other use of such knowledge or information other than for
the sole benefit of the Company would be wrongful and would cause
irreparable harm to the Company. Both during and after the term of
Employee's engagement, the Employee will refrain from any acts or
omissions that would reduce the value of such knowledge or information
to the Company. The foregoing obligations of confidentiality shall not
apply to any knowledge or information that is now published and
publicly available or which subsequently becomes generally publicly
known in the form in which it was obtained from the Company, other than
as a direct or indirect result of the breach of this Agreement by the
Employee.
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6. VENTURES - If, during the term of Employee's engagement the Employee is
engaged in or associated with the planning or implementing of any
project, program or venture involving the Company and a third party or
parties, all rights in such project, program or venture shall belong to
the Company, unless prior written consent from the Company is obtained.
Except as approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Employee
shall not be entitled to any interest in such project, program or
venture or to any commission, finder's fee or other compensation in
connection therewith other than the compensation to be paid to the
Employee as provided in this Agreement. The Employee shall not enter
into any arrangement through which Employee acquires or may acquire any
interest, direct or indirect, in any vendor or customer of the Company
other than Employee.
7. PATENT AND RELATED MATTERS; DISCLOSURE AND ASSIGNMENT - The Employee
will promptly disclose in writing to the Company complete information
concerning each and every invention, discovery, improvement, device,
design, apparatus, practice, process, method or product, whether
patentable or not, made, developed, perfected, devised, conceived or
first reduced to practice by the Employee, either solely or in
collaboration with others, during the term of this Agreement, whether
or not during regular working hours, relating either directly or
significantly and indirectly to the business, products, practices or
techniques of the Company ("Developments"). The Employee, to the extent
that Employee has the legal right to do so, hereby acknowledges that
any and all of the Developments are the property of the Company and
agrees to assign and hereby assigns to the Company any and all of the
Employee's right, title and interest in and to any and all of the
Developments ("Assignment"). During the period commencing upon the day
after the Employee's last day performing services for the Company and
ending one year after termination of the Employee's engagement with the
Company, at the reasonable request of the Company, the Employee will
confer with the Company and its representatives for the purpose of
disclosing all Developments to the Company, provided that such
conference is at the Company's expense and Employee is compensated at
no less that a rate of $250 per hour for Employee's time.
(a) LIMITATION ON SECTION 7(a) - The provisions of Section 7
shall not apply to any Development meeting the following conditions:
(i) such Development was developed entirely on the Employee's own time
without the use of any Company equipment, supplies, facility or trade
secret information; and (ii) such Development does not relate directly
or significantly to the business of the Company to the Company's actual
or demonstrably anticipated research or development; or result from any
work performed by the Employee for the Company.
(b) COPYRIGHTABLE MATERIAL - All right, title and interest in
all copyrightable material that the Employee shall conceive or
originate, either individually or jointly with others, and which arise
out of the performance of this Agreement, will be the property of the
Company and are by this Agreement assigned to the Company along with
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ownership of any and all copyrights in the copyrightable material. Upon
request and without further compensation therefor, but at no expense to
the Employee, the Employee shall execute all papers and perform all
other acts necessary to assist the Company to obtain and register
copyrights on such materials in any and all countries, except that
Employee shall be compensated at no less that a rate of $250 per hour
for Employee's time for compliance with this provision following
termination or expiration of this Agreement. Where applicable, works of
authorship created by the Employee for the Company in performing
Employee's responsibilities under this Agreement shall be considered
"WORKS MADE FOR HIRE," as defined in the U.S. Copyright Act. To the
extent not considered as work made for hire, such works will be
considered assigned to the Company under the Assignment provision of
this Section 7.
(c) KNOW-HOW AND TRADE SECRETS - All know-how and trade secret
information conceived or originated by the Employee that arises out of
the performance of Employee's obligations or responsibilities under
this Agreement or any related material or information shall be the
property of the Company, and all rights therein are by this Agreement
assigned to the Company.
8. TERMINATION OF ENGAGEMENT; (a) GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION - The Employee's
engagement shall terminate prior to the expiration of the initial term
set forth in Section 2 or any extension thereof in the event that at
any time: (i) The Employee dies, (ii) The Board elects to terminate
this Agreement for "cause" and notifies the Employee in writing of such
election, (iii) The Board elects to terminate this Agreement without
"cause" and notifies the Employee in writing of such election, (iv) The
Employee elects to terminate this Agreement and notifies the Company in
writing of such election, or (v) The Employee elects to terminate this
Agreement for "good reason" (as defined below) and notifies the Company
in writing of such election.
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (i) or (ii)
of this Section 8(a), such termination shall be effective immediately.
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (iii), (iv), or (v)
of this Section 8(a), such termination shall be effective 30 days after
delivery of the notice of termination.
(b) "CAUSE" DEFINED - "Cause" means: (i) The Employee has
breached the provisions of Section 5, 6 or 7 of this Agreement in any
material respect, (ii) The Employee has engaged in willful and material
misconduct, including willful and material failure to perform the
Employee's duties as an officer or Employee of the Company and has
failed to cure such default within 30 days after receipt of written
notice of default from the Company, (iii) The Employee has committed
fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement in connection with the
Company's business, or (iv) The Employee has been convicted or has
pleaded NOLO CONTENDERE to criminal misconduct (except for parking
violations, occasional minor traffic violations and other similar minor
violations).
(c) EFFECT OF TERMINATION - Notwithstanding any termination of
this Agreement, the Employee, in consideration of Employee's engagement
hereunder to the date of such termination, shall remain bound by the
provisions of this Agreement which specifically relate to periods,
activities or obligations upon or subsequent to the termination of the
Employee's engagement.
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(d) SURRENDER OF RECORDS AND PROPERTY- Upon termination of
Employee's engagement with the Company, the Employee shall deliver
promptly to the Company all records, manuals, books, blank forms,
documents, letters, memoranda, notes, notebooks, reports, data, tables,
calculations or copies thereof that relate in any way to the business,
products, practices or techniques of the Company, and all other
property, trade secrets and confidential information of the Company,
including, but not limited to, all documents that in whole or in part
contain any trade secrets or confidential information of the Company,
which in any of these cases are in Employee's possession or under
Employee's control.
(e) PAYMENT CONTINUATION - If the Employee's engagement by the
Company is terminated by the Company pursuant to clause (iii) of
Section 8(a) or by Employee for Good Reason pursuant to clause (v) of
Section 8(a), the Company shall continue to pay to the Employee
Employee's base payment (less any payments received by the Employee
from any disability income insurance policy provided to Employee by the
Company) and shall continue to provide health insurance benefits for
the Employee through the earlier of (a) the date that the Employee has
obtained other full-time engagement, or (b) three (3) months from the
date of termination of engagement. If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) of Section 8(a), the Employee's
right to base payment and benefits shall immediately terminate, except
as may otherwise be required by applicable law.
(f) "GOOD REASON" DEFINED - Good Reason shall mean: (i) the
assignment of the Employee to any duties inconsistent in any respect
with the Employee's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 3(a) or any other action by the Company which
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial
and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by
the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Employee; (ii)any termination or reduction of a material benefit under
any benefits plan in which the Employee participates unless (1) there
is substituted a comparable benefit that is economically substantially
equivalent to the terminated or reduced benefit prior to such
termination or reduction or (2) benefits under such plan are terminated
or reduced with respect to all Employees previously granted benefits
thereunder; (iii)without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any
material breach of this Agreement by the Company or any successor
thereto.
9. INDEMNIFICATION - In the event that Employee is made, or threatened to
be made, a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or
criminal, by reason of the fact that Employee is or was a director,
officer, or member of a committee of the Board or serves or served any
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, Employee benefit
plan or other enterprise in any capacity at the request of the Company,
or resulting from any of Employee's actions in any of the foregoing
roles Employee shall be indemnified by the Company and the Company
shall advance Employee's related expenses to the fullest extent
permitted by law (including without limitation, damages, costs and
reasonable attorney fees), as may otherwise be provided in the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By Laws as incurred and will
start prior to any judicial preceding. The Company further covenants
not to amend or repeal any provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company in any manner which would
adversely affect the indemnification or exculpatory provisions
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contained therein as they pertain to acts. The provisions of this
Section are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
by, each indemnified party and Employee's or her heirs and
representatives. If the Company or any of its successors or assigns (i)
shall consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or entity
and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of
such consolidation or merger or (ii) shall transfer all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to such Person, then and
in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of the Company shall assume all of the
obligations set forth in this section 9.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) COUNTERPARTS - This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and any party
hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.
(b) SEVERABILITY - Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law but if any provision of this Agreement is
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under any applicable law
or rule, the validity, legality and enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement will not be affected or impaired thereby.
In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, should the
duration or geographical extent of, or business activities covered by,
any provision of this Agreement be in excess of that which is valid and
enforceable under applicable law, then such provision shall be
construed to cover only that duration, extent or activities which may
validly and enforceably be covered.
(c) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS - This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, personal representatives and, to the extent permitted
by subsection (d), successors and assigns.
(d) ASSIGNABILITY - Neither this Agreement nor any right,
remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof
shall be assignable (including by operation of law) by either party
without the prior written consent of the other party to this Agreement,
except that the Company may, without the consent of the Employee,
assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any
corporation, firm or other business entity with or into which the
Company may merge or consolidate, or to which the Company may sell or
transfer all or substantially all of its assets, or of which 50% or
more of the equity investment and of the voting control is owned,
directly or indirectly, by, or is under common ownership with, the
Company. Provided such assignee explicitly assumes such
responsibilities, after any such assignment by the Company, the Company
shall be discharged from all further liability hereunder and such
assignee shall thereafter be deemed to be the Company for the purposes
of all provisions of this Agreement including this Section 10.
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(e) MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT, WAIVER OR TERMINATION - No
provision of this Agreement may be modified, amended, waived or
terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties to
this Agreement. No course of dealing between the parties will modify,
amend, waive or terminate any provision of this Agreement or any rights
or obligations of any party under or by reason of this Agreement. No
delay on the part of the Company or Employee in exercising any right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right. No waiver, express
or implied, by the Company of any right or any breach by the Employee
shall constitute a waiver of any other right or breach by the Employee.
(f) NOTICES - All notices, consents, requests, instructions,
approvals or other communications provided for herein shall be in
writing and delivered by personal delivery, overnight courier, mail,
electronic facsimile or e-mail addressed to the receiving party at the
address set forth herein. All such communications shall be effective
when received.
If to the Company:
Ken Ducey, Jr.
Facsimile: 203-431-8309
Attn: President
#207 - 54 Danbury Road
Ridgefield, CT 06877
If to the Employee:
Robert Tarini
46 Bell School House Road
Richmond, RI 02892
Any party may change the address set forth above by notice to the other
party given as provided herein.
(g) HEADINGS - The headings and any table of contents
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) GOVERNING LAW - ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE
INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
CONNECTICUT, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS
THEREOF.
(i) VENUE; FEES AND EXPENSES - Any action at law, suit in
equity or judicial proceeding arising directly, indirectly, or
otherwise in connection with, out of, related to or from this
Agreement, or any provision hereof, shall be litigated only in the
state courts located in the State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield
or the federal courts in the district which covers such county. The
Employee and the Company consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.
The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs in any such action.
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(j) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL - Each party hereto hereby
waives, except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law, the
right to trial by jury in any legal action or proceeding between the
parties hereto arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
(k) THIRD-PARTY BENEFIT - Nothing in this Agreement, express
or implied, is intended to confer upon any other person any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities of any nature whatsoever.
(l) WITHHOLDING TAXES - The Company may withhold from any
benefits payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other
taxes as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental
regulation or ruling.
THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EACH HAS READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDS IT, AND
AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS. FURTHER, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT
THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY EXHIBITS HERETO ARE THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT
OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES, WHICH SUPERSEDES ALL PROPOSALS OR ALL
PRIOR AGREEMENTS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE
PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF.
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
MARKLAND TECHNOLOGY, INC. Robert Tarini
By: Ken Ducey, Jr.
President
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Date: Date:
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