Employment Agreement - Onvia.com Inc. and Glenn S. Ballman
[ONVIA LOGO]
1260 Mercer
Seattle, WA 98109
April 5, 2001
Glenn S. Ballman
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Re: Terms of Separation
Dear Glenn:
This letter agreement is intended to evidence the understandings which we
have reached regarding your separation of employment from Onvia.com, Inc. (the
"Company"), and our mutual intent to negotiate in good faith to enter into a
definitive agreement in accordance with the terms contained herein. The Company
is willing to end our relationship with you on the terms and conditions listed
below:
1. Severance Payment. The Company will pay you a lump sum payment of
$337,500 US, minus all applicable withholdings and taxes (the "Severance
Payment"). The Company will pay you the Severance Payment within seven (7) days
of the date of this letter agreement.
2. Repurchase of Shares. The Company will repurchase up to $55,000 of
Common Stock of Onvia owned by you, at a price per share equal to the price per
share of the last recorded trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of
repurchase, which will be no later than July 31, 2001. You agree to use 100% of
the proceeds after taxes of such sale to pay the entire outstanding balance and
all accrued but unpaid interest for personal charges made on Company credit
cards.
3. Payment of Imperial Loan and Company Loan. You agree to pay the
outstanding balance and all accrued but unpaid interest due under that certain
loan from Imperial Bank to you (the "Imperial Loan") and under that certain
promissory note payable by you to the Company (the "Company Loan") in five (5)
equal installments on July 31, 2001, October 31, 2001, January 31, 2002, March
31, 2002, and June 30, 2002. During the quarters immediately preceding July 31,
2001 and October 31, 2001 (the first and second scheduled installment payments),
you have the right to put to the Company only that number of shares of Common
Stock of Onvia owned by you sufficient to have 100% of the net proceeds after
taxes of such sale constitute a scheduled installment payment at a price per
share equal to the last recorded trade on
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the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date the Company receives written notice of the
put or $1.10 per share, whichever is lower.
4. Right of First Refusal. Until all amounts due under the Imperial Loan
and the Company Loan are paid, you agree not to sell or otherwise transfer
Common Stock of Onvia without giving the Company a right of first refusal. The
Company must exercise such right of first refusal within three (3) trading days
of the Company's receipt of written notice of your intent to sell Common Stock
of Onvia. Eighty percent (80%) of the net proceeds after taxes of all sale(s)
under this Section 4 shall be paid to the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, you may make gifts of Common Stock of Onvia without application of
this right of first refusal provided that (i) after making such gift you will
still retain ownership of at least 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock of Onvia
(including stock subject to the pledge referenced in Section 6 below), and (ii)
any gifted shares will remain subject to the Company's right of first refusal as
set forth above in this Section 4.
5. Extension of Imperial Loan. The Company will use best efforts to
negotiate with Imperial Bank to extend the term of the Imperial Loan and the
Company's guarantee thereof to June 30, 2002. If the Company is unable to extend
the term of the Imperial Loan and the Company's guarantee thereof, you agree to
remain primarily and personally responsible for the outstanding balance and all
accrued but unpaid interest under the Imperial Loan.
6. Pledge of Shares. You agree to pledge 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock
of Onvia owned by you as security for your obligations under the Imperial Loan
and the Company Loan (the "Pledged Shares"). On a quarterly basis, the Company
will retain the number of Pledged Shares (by releasing or acquiring additional
shares subject to this pledge) that have a value equal to 135% of the
outstanding balance and all accrued but unpaid interest under the Imperial Loan
and the Company Loan (based on the fair market value of the Common Stock of
Onvia over immediately preceding thirty (30) days). In no event will the number
of Pledged Shares exceed 6,000,000.
7. Cooperation. You agree to cooperate with the Company's counsel on all
litigation matters, including without limitation, the Meier litigation. The
Company will continue to be responsible for the payment of all of your expenses
and legal fees associated with the Meier litigation matter.
8. Signatures. You will sign any auditor's representation letter, Form
10-K, proxy materials and any other documents relating to the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an officer of the Company for the
period up to and including March 28, 2001.
9. Default. In the event of a default by you under the Imperial Loan and
the Company Loan, the Company may seek all remedies under law and equity,
including without limitation, foreclosure of the Pledged Shares.
10. Mutual Release. The Company and you will agree to a mutual release
and a confidentiality/nondisparagement provision. In addition, the Company will
hold you harmless and indemnify you from any lawsuit or claims, including suits
of shareholders, relating to your
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resignation and the terms of this settlement agreement, provided however, the
Company will not indemnify you for intentional misconduct, knowing violation of
law, dishonest or fraudulent acts, acts of personal profit, and collusive acts.
This shall constitute the entire agreement of the parties as it relates to
their relationship with one another, and shall supercede any other prior
agreement, representation, or understanding of the parties. No supplement,
modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in
writing by all of the parties.
Please acknowledge your acceptance of these terms below.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Michael D. Pickett
Michael D. Pickett, President
Onvia.com, Inc.
Glenn S. Ballman, individually
/s/ Glenn S. Ballman
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