EX-10.17
Published on March 24, 2010
Exhibit 10.17
FORM OF EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement (this Agreement), is made as of the
22nd day of March, 2010 (the Effective Date), by and between TTM Technologies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the Company), and (the Executive).
Recitals
A. The Executive currently serves as of the Company.
B. The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) acknowledges that the potential for a
change in control of the Company, whether friendly or hostile, currently exists and from time to
time in the future will exist, which potential can give rise to uncertainty among the senior
executives of the Company. The Board considers it essential to the best interests of the Company
to reduce the risk of the Executives departure and the inevitable distraction of the Executives
attention from his or her duties to the Company, which are normally attendant to such
uncertainties.
C. The Executive confirms that the terms of this Agreement reduce the risks of his or her
departure and distraction of his or her attention from his or her duties to the Company and,
accordingly, desires to enter into this Agreement.
Agreement
In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Company and
the Executive agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings given to them
in Appendix I attached hereto, except where the context requires otherwise.
2. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and
shall continue in effect until the second anniversary of the Effective Date, provided, however,
that the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended for one additional year effective
as of each anniversary of the Effective Date beginning with the second anniversary, unless either
the Company or the Executive provides written notice to the other that the term of this Agreement
shall terminate on the upcoming anniversary of the Effective Date, provided such notice is received
by the receiving party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the intended date of termination and
provided further that the Company shall not be entitled to deliver to the Executive such notice in
the event of a Change in Control or a Pending Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the later to occur of (a) the termination of the
Executives employment other than in the event of a Change in Control or a Pending Change in
Control or (b) 12 months following a Change in Control.
3. At Will Employment; Reasons for Termination. The Executives employment shall
continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law. If the Executives employment terminates
for any reason or no reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation, benefits,
damages, awards or other payments in respect of such termination, except as provided in this
Agreement or pursuant to the terms of any Applicable Benefit Plan. The Executives employment
shall be deemed to be terminated upon the first to occur of the following: (a) the Executives
voluntary resignation; (b) termination by the Company for any reason; (c) the Executives death or
Long-Term Disability; and (d) termination by the Executive for Good Reason following a Change in
Control.
4. Severance Benefits.
(a) Compensation and Benefits Required by Law or Applicable Benefit Plan.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Executive or his or her estate shall be
entitled to any and all compensation, benefits, awards and other payments required by any
Applicable Benefit Plan, the COBRA Act or other applicable law, after taking into account the
agreements set forth herein.
(b) No Payments Without Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the Executive shall not be entitled to any of the compensation, benefits or other payments
provided herein in respect of the termination of his or her employment, unless and until he or she
has provided to the Company a full release of claims, substantially in the form of Appendix
II attached hereto, which release (i) shall be dated not earlier than the date of the
termination of his or her employment, (ii) shall not have been revoked by the Executive, and (iii)
shall release the Company of any claims that the Executive may have in respect of his or her
employment with the Company or the termination thereof.
(c) Involuntary Termination. In the event the Executives employment is
terminated under circumstances constituting an Involuntary Termination, the Executive shall
be entitled to receive:
(i) within 15 calendar days after the Date of Termination, the Executives Accrued
Compensation through the Date of Termination; and
(ii) within 15 calendar days after the period for revocation of the release referenced
in paragraph (b) above has lapsed, the amount in cash equal to two times the sum of
(A) the Executives annual Base Salary, plus (B) the Executives Target Bonus.
5. Effect on Option, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Agreements.
(a) In the event options held by the Executive are assumed by the surviving entity in
connection with a Change in Control, if an Involuntary Termination of the Executives
employment occurs, vesting of any and all assumed options held by the Executive shall be
accelerated so that all unexpired options then held by the Executive shall be fully vested
and exercisable immediately upon the Involuntary Termination.
(b) In the event Restricted Stock or RSUs held by the Executive are assumed by the
surviving entity in connection with a Change in Control, if an Involuntary Termination of
the Executives employment occurs, vesting of any and all assumed Restricted Stock and RSUs
held by the Executive shall be accelerated so that all Restricted Stock and RSUs then held
by the Executive shall be fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the Involuntary
Termination.
(c) The termination of the Executives employment by the Company without Cause during a
Pending Change in Control shall have no effect on the vesting of the options, Restricted
Stock or RSUs then held by the Executive. If the Change in Control is effected, then the
options, Restricted Stock and RSUs held by the Executive as of the Date of Termination shall
be treated as if the Executives employment had not been terminated and the Executive shall
have rights as set forth under Section 5(a) or 5(b) above. If the Change in Control is not effected
within three months following the Date of Termination, then the options and Restricted Stock
held by the Executive as of the Date of Termination shall be treated as if the Executives
employment had been terminated as of such three-month anniversary of the Date of
Termination.
(d) In the event the Executives employment is terminated by the Company under any
circumstances other than those described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section
5, the effect of such termination of employment on the options, Restricted Stock or RSUs
then held by the Executive shall be as set forth in the agreements representing such
options, Restricted Stock or RSUs.
6. Mitigation. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment
or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of
the provisions of this Agreement, and except as set forth in Section 4, such amounts shall not be
reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
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7. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive, and, without the prior written consent
of the Company, shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Executives legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and
its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company shall use reasonable efforts to require any successor (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the business or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have
no force or effect. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of
the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understanding,
agreements, or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they
relate in any away to the subject matter hereof (including but not limited to any provisions
with respect to severance payments related to any change in control that may be included
in any prior offer letter, employment agreement or earlier executive change in control
severance agreement); provided, however, this Agreement shall have no effect on any
confidentiality agreements or assignment of inventions agreements between the parties. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified other than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
if to the Executive:
if to the Company:
TTM Technologies, Inc.
2630 S. Harbor Boulevard
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
2630 S. Harbor Boulevard
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
With a copy to:
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
2375 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Attention: Bruce E. Macdonough
2375 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Attention: Bruce E. Macdonough
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
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(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
federal, state or local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executives or the Companys failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company
may have hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any
other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) All claims by the Executive for payments or benefits under this Agreement shall be
promptly forwarded to and addressed by the Compensation Committee and shall be in writing.
Any denial by the Compensation Committee of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall
be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific reasons for the
denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The Compensation
Committee shall afford the Executive a reasonable opportunity for a review of the decision
denying a claim and shall further allow the Executive make a written demand upon the Company
to submit the disputed matter to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (g) below. The Company shall pay all expenses of the Executive, including
reasonable attorneys and expert fees, in connection with any such arbitration. If for any
reason the arbitrator has not made his or her award within one hundred eighty (180) days
from the date of Executives demand for arbitration, such arbitration proceedings shall be
immediately suspended and the Company shall be deemed to have agreed to Executives
position. Thereafter, the Company shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within 10
business days after the expiration of such 180-day period, pay Executive his or her
reasonable expenses and all amounts reasonably claimed by him or her that were the subject
of such dispute and arbitration proceedings.
(g) Subject to the terms of paragraph (f) above, any dispute arising from, or
relating to, this Agreement shall be resolved at the request of either party through binding
arbitration in accordance with this paragraph (g). Within 10 business days after
demand for arbitration has been made by either party, the parties, and/or their counsel,
shall meet to discuss the issues involved, to discuss a suitable arbitrator and arbitration
procedure, and to agree on arbitration rules particularly tailored to the matter in dispute,
with a view to the disputes prompt, efficient, and just resolution. Upon the failure of
the parties to agree upon arbitration rules and procedures within a reasonable time (not
longer than 15 business days from the demand), the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association shall be applicable. Likewise, upon the failure of the
parties to agree upon an arbitrator within a reasonable time (not longer than 15 business
days from demand), there shall be a panel comprised of three arbitrators, one to be
appointed by each party and the third one to be selected by the two arbitrators jointly, or
by the American Arbitration Association, if the two arbitrators cannot decide on a third
arbitrator. At least 30 days before the arbitration hearing (which shall be set for a date
no later than 60 days from the demand), the parties shall allow each other reasonable
written discovery including the inspection and copying of documents and other tangible items
relevant to the issues that are to be presented at the arbitration hearing. The
arbitrator(s) shall be empowered to decide any disputes regarding the scope of discovery.
The award rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding upon both parties. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Orange County in the State of California. The California
District Court located in Orange County shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes
between the parties in connection with such arbitration and the enforcement thereof, and the
parties consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such court for such purpose.
(h) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without
giving effect to any choice of law provision or rule (whether of the State of California or
any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the State of California.
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9. Other Terms Relating to Section 409A
(a) Except as provided in Section 9(b), amounts payable under this Agreement
following Executives termination of employment, other than those expressly payable on a
deferred or installment basis or as reimbursement of expenses, will be paid as promptly as
practicable after such a termination of employment and, in any event, within 2 1/2 months
after the end of the year in which employment terminates and amounts payable as
reimbursements of expenses to the Executive must be made on or before the last day of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which such expense was incurred.
(b) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (i) on the date of
termination of Executives employment with the Company or a subsidiary, any of the Companys
stock is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise (within the
meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the Code)),
(ii) if Executive is determined to be a specified employee within the meaning of Section
409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, (iii) the payments exceed the amounts permitted to be paid
pursuant to Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and (iv) such delay is required
to avoid the imposition of the tax set forth in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, as a result
of such termination, the Executive would receive any payment that, absent the application of
this Section 9(b), would be subject to interest and additional tax imposed pursuant to
Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(2)(B)(i) of the
Code, then no such payment shall be payable prior to the date that is the earliest of (A)
six months after the Executives termination date, (B) the Executives death or (C) such
other date as will cause such payment not to be subject to such interest and additional tax
(with a catch-up payment equal to the sum of all amounts that have been delayed to be made
as of the date of the initial payment).
(c) It is the intention of the parties that payments or benefits payable under this
Agreement not be subject to the additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
To the extent such potential payments or benefits could become subject to such Section, the
parties shall cooperate to amend this Agreement with the goal of giving the Executive the
economic benefits described herein in a manner that does not result in such tax being
imposed.
(d) A termination of employment under this Agreement shall be deemed to occur only in
circumstances that would constitute a separation from service for purposes of Treasury
Regulations section 1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii).
(e) Wherever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each such
installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth in the
Preamble hereto.
TTM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
[Name of Executive] |
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APPENDIX I
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
(a) Accrued Compensation means an amount including all amounts earned or accrued through the
Date of Termination but not paid as of the Date of Termination including (i) Base Salary, (ii)
reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the
Company during the period ending on the Date of Termination, (iii) vacation and sick leave pay (to
the extent provided by Company policy or applicable law), and (iv) incentive compensation (if any)
earned in respect of any period ended prior to the Date of Termination. It is expressly
understood that incentive compensation shall have been earned as of the time that the conditions
to such incentive compensation have been met, even if not calculated or payable at such time.
(b) Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the regulations promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) Agreement means this Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement, as set forth in
the Preamble hereto.
(d) Applicable Benefit Plan means any written employee benefit plan in effect and in which
the Executive participates as of the time of the termination of his or her employment.
(e) Base Salary means the Executives annual base salary at the rate in effect during the
last regularly scheduled payroll period immediately preceding the occurrence of the Change in
Control or termination of employment and does not include, for example, bonuses, overtime
compensation, incentive pay, fringe benefits, sales commissions or expense allowances.
(f) Benefits means the benefits for the Executive and/or the Executives family that are
being provided to the Executive and/or the Executives family immediately prior to the Date of
Termination, including the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the
Company (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life,
group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) and, if applicable,
car allowance, as set forth in Section 4 hereof.
(g) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company, as set forth in the Recitals hereto.
(h) Cause means any of the following:
(i) the charging or indictment of the Executive or the Executives conviction of, or entry of
a plea of no contest with respect to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude;
(ii) the commission by the Executive of any other material act of fraud or intentional
dishonesty with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates;
(iii) a material breach by the Executive of his or her fiduciary duties to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries. including the commission by the Executive of an act of fraud or embezzlement
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates;
(iv) failure by the Executive to perform in a material manner his or her properly assigned
duties after at least one written warning specifically advising him or her of such failure and
providing him or her with l0 days to resume performance in accordance with his or her assigned
duties;
(v) any breach by the Executive of any of the material terms of (A) this Agreement, or (B) any
other agreement between the Company and the Executive;
(vi) the association, directly or indirectly, of the Executive, for his or her profit or
financial benefit, with any person, firm, partnership, association, entity or corporation that
competes, in any material way, with the Company;
(vii) the disclosing or using of any material Company Information at any time by the
Executive; or
(viii) any material breach of a Company policy.
(i) Change in Control shall be deemed to occur upon the consummation of any of the following
transactions:
(i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a
transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state of the Companys incorporation or
a transaction in which 50% or more of the surviving entitys outstanding voting stock following the
transaction is held by holders who held 50% or more of the Companys outstanding voting stock prior
to such transaction; or
(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company; or
(iii) any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, but in which 50% or
more of the Companys outstanding voting stock is transferred to holders different from those who
held the stock immediately prior to such merger; or
(iv) the acquisition by any person (or entity), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the
combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
(j) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k) Common Stock means common stock, par value $0.001, of the Company.
(l) Company means TTM Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as set forth in the
Preamble hereto.
(m) Date of Termination means (i) if the Executives employment is terminated for Cause, the
date of receipt by the Executive of written notice from the Board or the Chief Executive Officer
that the Executive has been terminated, or any later date specified therein, as the case may be,
(ii) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, death or
Long-Term Disability, the date specified in the Companys written notice to the Executive of such
termination, (iii) if the Executives employment is terminated by reason of the Executives death
or Long-Term Disability, the date of such death or the effective date of such Long-Term Disability,
(iv) if the Executives employment is terminated by Executives resignation that constitutes
Involuntary Termination under this Agreement, the date of the Companys receipt of the Executives
notice of termination or any later date specified therein.
(n) Effective Date means the date set forth in the Preamble hereto.
(o) Executive means the individual identified in the Preamble hereto.
(p) Good Reason means any of the following:
Appendix I-ii
(i) a material reduction in the Executives duties, level of responsibility or authority,
other than (A) reductions solely attributable to the Company ceasing to be a publicly held company
or becoming a subsidiary or division of another company, or (B) isolated incidents that are
promptly remedied by the Company; or
(ii) a reduction in the Executives Base Salary (other than in connection with a salary
reduction plan that applies proportionately to all officers of the Company, including the Chief
Executive Officer), without (A) the Executives express written consent or (B) an increase in the
Executives benefits, perquisites and/or guaranteed bonus, which increase(s) have a value
reasonably equivalent to the reduction in Base Salary; or
(iii) a reduction in the Executives Target Bonus, without (A) the Executives express written
consent or (B) an corresponding increase in the Executives Base Salary; or
(iv) a material reduction in the Benefits, taken as a whole, without the Executives express
written consent, that does not apply proportionately to all officers of the Company, including the
Chief Executive Officer; or
(v) the relocation of the Executives principal place of business to a location more than
thirty-five (35) miles from the Executives principal place of business immediately prior to the
Change in Control, without the Executives express written consent; or
(vi) the Companys (or its successors) material breach of this Agreement.
(q) Involuntary Termination means the termination of Executives employment with the
Company:
(i) by the Company without Cause during a Pending Change in Control or within 12 months
following a Change in Control, or
(ii) by the Executive for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control.
(r) Long-Term Disability is defined according to the Companys insurance policy regarding
long-term disability for its employees.
(s) Pending Change in Control means that one or more of the following events has occurred
and a Change in Control pursuant thereto is reasonably expected to be effected within 90 days of
the date as of the determination as to whether there is a Pending Change in Control: (i) the
Company executes a letter of intent, term sheet or similar instrument with respect to a transaction
or series of transactions, the consummation of which transaction(s) would result in a Change in
Control; (ii) the Board approves a transaction or series of transactions, the consummation of which
transaction(s) would result in a Change in Control; or (iii) a person makes a public announcement
of tender offer for the Common Stock, the completion of which would result in a Change in Control.
A Pending Change in Control shall cease to exist upon a Change in Control.
(t) Restricted Stock means Common Stock issued by the Company with vesting restrictions and
subject to an award agreement pursuant to a stock plan of the Company.
(u) RSUs mean restricted stock units granted by the Company pursuant to which the Company
has agreed to issue Common Stock upon the satisfaction of vesting and/or other conditions, which
RSUs are subject to an award agreement pursuant to a stock plan of the Company.
(v) Subsidiary when used with respect to any Person means any other Person, whether
incorporated or unincorporated, of which (i) more than 50% of the securities or other ownership
interests or (ii) securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to
elect
Appendix I-iii
more than 50% of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to
such corporation or other organization, is directly owned or controlled by such Person or by any
one or more of its Subsidiaries.
(w) Target Bonus means an amount equal to the annual bonus that the Executive would have
been eligible to receive for the Companys fiscal year in which the Executives employment
terminates, assuming the achievement of 100% of the performance target level(s) associated with
such bonus.
Appendix I-iv
APPENDIX II
FORM OF RELEASE
[DATE]
[INSERT NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
[INSERT NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
Dear ______:
Reference is made to the Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement between the Company
and you dated _________ ___, 2010. This letter serves to document our mutual understanding
regarding the terms of your severance payment, and a full release of any and all actual or
potential claims relating to periods prior to the date that this letter becomes effective.
Provided that you execute this letter (including attachments A&B) prior to the expiration of
twenty-two (22) days after the date hereof and you do not subsequently revoke this letter in
accordance with the provisions on revocation set forth on Attachment B hereto, we shall, as
severance pay, pay you a lump sum amount of $___, subject to applicable withholdings, with no
further benefit accrual.
We look forward to working with you on a smooth transition of your responsibilities to others.
We all appreciate your past efforts on behalf of the Company and will be happy to help you
implement your future plans.
Please understand that execution of the letter and its attachments and compliance with the
letter and its attachments shall not be considered as an admission by you or the Company of any
liability whatsoever; or as an admission by the Company of any violation of your rights or of any
other person or of any order, law, statute, or duty; or as an admission by you of any violation of
rights of the Company or of any other person or of any order, law, statute or duty.
As a condition precedent to the receipt of consideration under the letter and its attachments,
you are required to return all items of Company property that you have in my possession or over
which you have control, including, but not limited to, any equipment belonging to the Company, all
code and computer programs, and information of whatever nature, as well as any other materials,
keys, pass codes, access cards, credit cards, computers, cellular telephones, facsimile machines,
copiers, phones, documents or information, including, but not limited to, trade secrets or
confidential information of the Company in your possession or control. Further, you shall not
retain copies thereof, including electronic copies and represent that you have not destroyed
information or documents belonging to the Company, except for documents routinely deleted, copies
of which have already been provided to the Company.
You are to maintain the terms of the letter and its attachments as confidential and neither
you, nor any person or entity acting on your behalf, shall disclose any such terms of the letter
and its attachments to any third party, without the written consent of the Company, unless and only
to the extent that (a) such disclosure is required by law, or (b) such terms become generally
available to the public without any breach of the letter and its attachments by you: provided,
however, that you may disclose the terms of the letter and its attachments to your legal, business
and financial advisors, but not only to the extent such disclosure is necessary for such persons to
render professional services in connection therewith, and provided that prior to disclosure to any
such persons, such persons shall be furnished a copy of this Section of this Attachment A and shall
agree to be bound hereby for the benefit of the Company.
Very Truly Yours,
Agreed and accepted:
[INSERT NAME] | TTM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
|||
Date: _______________________________ | By: | |||
Title: | ||||
Date: |
Appendix II-ii
ATTACHMENT A TO APPENDIX II:
RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE
RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE
1. Release. I, [INSERT NAME], do hereby release and discharge TTM Technologies, Inc., its
affiliates and subsidiaries, and each of their stockholders, officers, directors, members,
managers, partners, employees, representatives, agents and affiliates (collectively, the Employer
Affiliates, and each an Employer Affiliate) from any and all claims, demands or liabilities
whatsoever, whether known or unknown or suspected to exist by me, which I ever had or may now have
against any Employer Affiliate, from the beginning of time to the Effective Date of the letter
(including its attachments), including, without limitation, any claims, demands or liabilities in
connection with my employment, including wrongful termination, constructive discharge, breach of
express or implied contract, unpaid wages, benefits, attorneys fees or pursuant to any federal,
state, or local employment laws, regulations, or executive orders prohibiting inter alia, age,
race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap, veteran status, and disability
discrimination, including, without limitation, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act
of 1866, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the California Fair Employment and
Housing Act, the Prudence Kay Poppink Act, the California Family Rights Act, the Fair Labor
Standards Act, any state statute relating to employee benefits or pensions, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. This Release does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the
Effective Date. I fully understand that if any fact with respect to which this Release is executed
is found hereafter to be other than or different from the facts in that connection believed by me
to be true, I expressly accept and assume the risk of such possible difference in fact and agree
that the release set forth herein shall be and remain effective notwithstanding such difference in
fact. I acknowledge and agree that no consideration other than as provided for by the letter to
which this release is an attachment has been or will be paid or furnished by any Employer
Affiliate.
2. Covenant Not to Sue. I covenant and agree never, individually or with any person or in
any way, to commence, aid in any way, prosecute or cause or permit to be commenced or prosecuted
against any Employer Affiliate any action or other proceeding, including, without limitation, an
arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution procedure, based upon any claim, demand, cause
of action, obligation, damage, or liability that is the subject of this letter (including its
attachments). I represent and agree that I have not and will not make or file or cause to be made
or filed any claim, charge, allegation, or complaint, whether formal, informal, or anonymous, with
any governmental agency, department or division, whether federal, state or local, relating to any
Employer Affiliate in any manner, including without limitation, any Employer Affiliates business
or employment practices. I waive any right to monetary recovery should any administrative or
governmental agency or entity pursue any claim on my behalf.
3. Waiver. I acknowledge that California Civil Code § 1542 states:
A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does
not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of
executing the release, which if known by him or her must have
materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.
Notwithstanding California Civil Code § 1542, I enter into this full waiver and release as set
forth above and waive all rights or defenses under § 1542 of the California Civil Code.
4. Indemnification. I agree to indemnify and hold each Employer Affiliate harmless from
and against any and all claims, including each Employer Affiliates court costs and attorneys
fees, arising from or in connection with any claim, action, or other proceeding made, brought, or
prosecuted, or caused or permitted to be commenced or prosecuted, by me, my successor(s), or
assign(s) contrary to the provisions of the letter (including its attachments). It is further
agreed that the letter (including its attachments) shall be deemed breached and a cause of action
accrued thereon immediately upon the commencement of any action contrary to the letter (including
the attachments), and in any such action the letter (including its attachments) may be pleaded by
the Employer Affiliates, or any of them, both as a defense and as a counterclaim or cross-claim in
such action.
Appendix II-iii
5. Important General Provisions. If any provisions of the letter (including its
attachments) is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the other
provisions thereof, and the provision held to be invalid or unenforceable shall be enforced as
nearly as possible according to its original terms and intent to eliminate such invalidity or
unenforceability. The provisions hereof shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California, both substantive and remedial. The
undersigned hereby waives trial by jury in any judicial proceeding involving, directly or
indirectly, any matter (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) in any way arising out of, related
to, or connected hereto or the relationship established under the letter (including its
attachments).
5. Right to Consult Attorney. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE BEEN ADVISED, IN WRITING, TO
CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTING THE LETTER (INCLUDING ITS ATTACHMENTS).
________________________________________ |
[EXECUTIVE] |
Date:
____________________________________ |
Appendix II-iv
ATTACHMENT B TO APPENDIX II:
WAIVER OF CLAIMS UNDER OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT
WAIVER OF CLAIMS UNDER OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT
PURSUANT TO THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT (OWBPA), WHICH APPLIES TO THE WAIVER OF RIGHTS
UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, THE UNDERSIGNED STATES THAT HE OR SHE HAS HAD A
PERIOD OF 21 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE DATE HE OR SHE WAS PRESENTED WITH THE LETTER (INCLUDING ITS
ATTACHMENTS) ([INSERT DATE]) WITHIN WHICH TO CONSIDER THE LETTER (INCLUDING ITS ATTACHMENTS) AND
HIS OR HER DECISION TO EXECUTE THE SAME, THAT HE OR SHE HAS CAREFULLY READ THE LETTER (INCLUDING
ITS ATTACHMENTS), THAT HE OR SHE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT REVIEWED BY AN ATTORNEY, THAT
HE OR SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS ITS FINAL AND BINDING EFFECT, THAT THE ONLY PROMISES MADE TO HIM OR HER
TO SIGN THE RELEASE SET FORTH ON ATTACHMENT A ARE THOSE STATED IN THE LETTER (INCLUDING ITS
ATTACHMENTS), AND THAT THE UNDERSIGNED IS SIGNING VOLUNTARILY WITH THE FULL INTENT OF RELEASING THE
EMPLOYER AFFILIATES OF ALL CLAIMS.
THE UNDERSIGNED SHALL HAVE A PERIOD OF SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS FOLLOWING HIS OR HER EXECUTION OF THE
LETTER (INCLUDING ITS ATTACHMENTS) TO REVOKE THE LETTER (AND ITS ATTACHMENTS). THE LETTER (AND ITS
ATTACHMENTS), INCLUDING THE OBLIGATION TO PAY SEVERANCE, SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE IF THE
UNDERSIGNED TIMELY EXERCISES THIS RIGHT OF REVOCATION. TO BE EFFECTIVE, ANY SUCH NOTICE OF
REVOCATION MUST BE IN WRITING, AND MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN SAID SEVEN-DAY PERIOD. THE LETTER (AND
ITS ATTACHMENTS) SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON EXPIRATION OF THE REVOCATION PERIOD, IF THE
UNDERSIGNED HAS NOT PRIOR THERETO EXERCISED HIS OR HER RIGHT OF REVOCATION (THE EFFECTIVE DATE).
__________________________________________ |
[EXECUTIVE] |
Date: _____________________________________ |
Appendix II-v
SCHEDULE TO
FORM OF EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
FORM OF EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
The form of Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement was entered into with the
following persons:
Name | Title | Effective Date of Agreement | ||
Steven W. Richards
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
March 19, 2010 | ||
Shane
S. Whiteside
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
March 19, 2010 | ||
Douglas L. Soder
|
Executive Vice President | March 19, 2010 |