Sample Business Contracts

Employment Agreement - VA Research Inc. and Daniel R. Shore

Employment Forms

Employment Contract. Employers can customize an employment agreement that states the salary, benefits, working hours and other important provisions for their new or existing employee.
Consulting Agreement. Answer simple questions to build a contract with a consultant. Specify the services rendered, when payment is due, as well as IP rights.
Commission Agreement. Employers who compensate their sales employees based on commissions can prepare an agreement to reduce misunderstandings by specifying the base salary and how commissions are calculated.
Executive Employment Agreement. Companies may offer their business executives a contract that is different from the one provided to their regular employees. Executive employment agreements may be more complex because the compensation structure may include a combination of salary and commissions, provide for bonuses based on sales, stock or other financial targets, and include non-compete, confidentiality and severance provisions.
Sales Representative Contract. Independent sales representatives offer companies the potential to increase the sale of products or services without the burden of increasing headcount. Both parties should understand how commissions are calculated, when commissions will be paid, as well as how the representative will treat confidential information from the company and whether the representative may also sell a competing line of products or services.
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                         [VA RESEARCH INC. LETTERHEAD]

October 21, 1998

Daniel R. Shore
305 Wilona Lane
Knoxville, TN 37922

Dear Daniel:

At VA Research, we depend on the commitment, enthusiasm and skills of our team
members to lead the company's growth. Each person has both the luxury and the
duty to contribute to the future success of the company in the most meaningful
way he or she can.

With this in mind, we are pleased to offer you a permanent position as Vice
President of Operations, effective immediately.

We view your appointment as the beginning of a new stage in the VA Research
business plan. We're looking to you to fulfill the company's goal to become a
recognized leader in Linux, with a sincere understanding of the Open Source
culture and an ability to deliver quality products in a timely manner.

As Vice President of Operations, you will play a senior management role in
directing the company. Your areas of responsibility will include:

     Responsibility for the complete order fulfillment process, from receipt of
     order to shipment to customer.

     Representing the company on a variety of issues to customers, the Linux
     community, suppliers, investors, media representatives and the general
     community.

     Modifying your responsibilities as the company's needs warrant.

Your compensation will consist of:

     A monthly salary of $10,416.66.

     Participation in the company's stock option plan with 164,285 shares (1.5%
     equity stake on a post venture financing basis) at the standard option
     price granted on your starting date (currently $0.13 per share) and
     vesting according to the plan schedule (currently 25% vested after 1 year
     and 1/48 per month thereafter).

     Health insurance through Lifeguard and dental insurance through the
     Guardian. Life insurance coverage of 2 times annual salary.
     3 weeks paid vacation each year.

     A signing bonus of $20,000 paid on your first day of employment. An
     additional $10,000 bonus to be paid if the first day of employment is
     November 9, 1998 or earlier. All travel and relocation expenses are
     intended to be covered by the signing bonus.
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                         [VA RESEARCH INC. LETTERHEAD]

     In the event of involuntary termination for any reason, a severance package
     equal to the higher of either 1 month salary for every year of service or 3
     month's salary will be paid on a salary continuation basis with medical
     benefits coverage during the severance period.

As with all VA Research staff, your employment is "at will," meaning either you
or the company may terminate your employment with two weeks written notice. If
you ever feel it necessary to discuss issues of your employment, please feel
free to raise them frankly with us.

Welcome to our team.

Sincerely,


/s/ LARRY M. AUGUSTIN

Larry M. Augustin, PhD                  John T. Hall
President                               Vice President

Accepted by:


/s/ DANIEL R. SHORE                     10-28-98
------------------------                --------------
Daniel R. Shore                         Date

I will begin my employment with VA Research on Monday November 9, 1998.