EX-10.5 8 ex105.htm ALLIANCE BANCSHARES, INC. Employment Agreement (00063879.DOC;1)

EXHIBIT 10.5

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of July 1, 2002, between ALLIANCE NATIONAL BANK (the "Bank"), a national bank headquartered in Whitfield County, and JONATHAN DAVID GREGG,(the "Executive") an individual resident of Whitfield County, Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto, intending legally to be bound hereby, agree as

follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT. The Bank shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve the Bank, as Executive Vice-President and Chief Loan Officer on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Executive shall have such authority and responsibilities consistent with his position as are set forth in the Bank's bylaws or assigned by the Bank's President or Board of Directors (the "Board") from time to time. The Executive shall devote his full business time, attention, skill and efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder, except during periods of illness or periods of vacation and leaves of absence consistent with Bank policy. The Executive may devote reasonable periods of service as a director or advisor to other organizations, to charitable and community activities, provided that such activities do not interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder and are not in conflict or competitive with, or adverse to, the interest of the Bank.

        2. TERM. The Executive's employment under this
Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall
continue until June 30, 2004 (the initial term) and from
year to year thereafter, subject to termination on any
anniversary date following the initial term, by either party
giving written notice to the other party not less than ninety
days prior to said anniversary date.

        3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

          (a) The Bank shall pay the Executive a salary at a
rate of not less than Seventy Seven Thousand One Hundred
Seventy-five Dollars ($77,175.00) per annum in accordance
with the salary payment practices of the Bank. The Board
shall review the Executive's salary at least annually and may
increase the Executive's base salary if it determines in its
sole discretion that an increase is appropriate.

(b) The Executive shall participate in any retirement,
welfare, deferred compensation, life and health insurance and
other benefit plans or programs of the Bank now or hereafter

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applicable to the Executive or applicable generally to employees of the Bank and as established by by-laws or Board action.

(c) The Executive shall participate in the Bank's long-term equity incentive program and be eligible for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, and other awards thereunder or under any similar plan adopted by the Bank. The Bank has heretofore granted to the Executive an option (the "Performance Option") to purchase Twenty Thousand (20,000) shares of Common Stock. The award agreement for the Performance Option provides that one-fifth of the shares subject to the Performance Option will vest on the last day of each of the first five fiscal years of the Bank after the Opening Date of the Bank, but only if the Executive remains employed by the Bank on such date and the Bank has met the performance goals set forth hereof for such year.

For each fiscal year after the Opening Date, and as a condition to the vesting of the shares subject to the Performance Option in such year, the Bank must meet or exceed the following performance criteria:

(i) the Bank shall meet or exceed 90% of the budgeted net income after tax and the budgeted deposit growth for each of the initial five (5) fiscal years of the Bank based on the annual budgets approved by the Board of the Bank for each such fiscal year;

(ii) the Bank shall maintain a regulatory examination rating of Camel 1 or 2;

provided, however, that if the Bank does not meet the performance criteria for any year, the shares subject to the Performance Option for such year may vest on the following fiscal year end, in the sole discretion of the Board, if the Bank exceeds the performance criteria for the following year. The Board shall notify the Executive of any shares subject to the Performance Option vested hereunder within a reasonable period of time after the fiscal year end to which such options pertain. The good faith determination of the Board regarding whether the Bank met its yearly performance levels shall be conclusive.

In addition, the award agreement for the Performance Option will provide that (i) the Executive's option shall be qualified as an incentive stock option under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); (ii) all options shall be exercisable to the extent vested at any time during the ten years following the date of grant at a price per share equal to the public offering price in the offering (subject to standard antidilution adjustments in the event of

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stock splits, dividends or combinations), which the parties agree is the fair market value of the Common Stock as of the date of grant; and (iii) all options shall be nontransferable and nonassignable by the Executive or by any other person entitled hereunder to exercise any such rights; provided, however, that upon the death of the Executive any rights granted hereunder shall be transferable by the Executive's will or by applicable laws of descent and distribution.

The Performance Option shall become immediately exercisable and shall become One Hundred Per cent (100%) vested upon a Change of Control.

(d) The Executive may be eligible to receive a cash bonus in an amount determined by the Board. The Executive and other key personnel, as agreed by the Board, will receive a bonus as set by the Board. The aforementioned bonuses will be based upon certain performance levels or criteria as set by the Board from time to time.

(e) The Bank shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable travel and other expenses related to the Executive's duties which are incurred and accounted for in accordance with the normal practices of the Bank.

4. TERMINATION.

(a) The Executive's employment under this Agreement may be terminated prior to the end of the Term only as follows:

(i) upon the death of the Executive;

    (ii) upon the disability of the Executive for a period of 90 days in any consecutive 120 day period which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, renders him unable to perform the essential functions of his job and for which reasonable accommodation is unavailable. For purposes of this Agreement a "disability" is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and a "reasonable accommodation" is one that does not impose an undue hardship on the Bank.

  1. by the Bank for Cause upon delivery of a Notice of Termination to the Executive;

(iv) by the Executive effective upon the 30th day after delivery of a Notice of Termination. If this occurs, all bonuses not paid shall be cancelled. The Board shall have the authority to dismiss him immediately upon receipt of the Executive's resignation and pay will cease immediately.

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      (b) If the Executive's employment is terminated because
of the Executive's death, the Executive's estate shall
receive any sums due him as base salary and/or reimbursement
of expenses through the end of the month during which death
occurred, plus any bonus earned under the Bonus Plan through
the date of death.

      (c) If the Executive's employment is terminated for
Cause as provided above, or if the Executive resigns, the
Executive shall receive any sums due him as base salary
and/or reimbursement of expenses through the date of such
termination. In such an event, all vested stock options must
be exercised within 90 days of termination or be forfeited.

       (d) With the exceptions of the provisions of this
Section 4, and the express terms of any benefit plan under
which the Executive is a participant, it is agreed that upon
termination of the Executive's employment hereto, the Bank
shall have no obligation to the Executive for, and the
Executive waives and relinquishes any further compensation or
benefits (exclusive of COBRA benefits).

      (e)   The parties intend that the severance payments and
other compensation provided herein are reasonable
compensation for the Executive's services to the Bank and
shall not constitute "excess parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
and any regulations thereunder.

5. OWNERSHIP OF WORK. The Bank shall own all Work Product arising during the course of the Executive's employment (prior, present or future). For purposes hereof "Work Product" shall mean all intellectual property rights, including all Trade Secrets, U.S. and international copyrights, patentable inventions, and other intellectual property rights in any programming, documentation, technology or other work product that relates to the Bank its business or its customers and that any employee conceives, develops, or delivers to the Bank at any time during his employment, during or outside normal working hours, in or away from the facilities of the Bank and whether or not requested by the Bank. If the Work Product contains any materials, programming or intellectual property rights that the Executive conceived or developed prior to, and independent of, the Executive's work for the Bank the Executive agrees to point out the preexisting items to the Bank and the Executive grants the Bank a worldwide, unrestricted, royalty-free right including the right to sublicense such items. The Executive agrees to take

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such actions and execute such further acknowledgments and assignments as the Bank may reasonably request to give effect to this provision.

      6. PROTECTION OF TRADE SECRETS. The Executive agrees
to maintain in strict confidence and, except as necessary to
perform his duties for the Bank the Executive agrees not to
disclose any Trade Secrets of the Bank during his employment
or following termination of his employment so long as he is
receiving compensation from the Bank or for a period of
twelve (12) months following termination of the Executive's
employment pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4(a). As
provided by Georgia statutes, "Trade Secret" means
information, including a formula, pattern, compilation,
program, device, method, technique, process, drawing, cost
data or customer list, that: (i) derives economic value,
actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and
not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other
persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or
use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable
under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

      7. PROTECTION OF OTHER CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. In

addition, the Executive agrees to maintain in strict confidence and, except as necessary to perform his duties for the Bank not to use or disclose any Confidential Business information of the Bank during his employment and following termination of the Executive's employment so long as he is receiving compensation from the Bank or if greater, for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4 (a). "Confidential Business Information" shall mean any internal, non-public information (other than Trade Secrets already addressed above) concerning the Bank's financial position and results of operations (including revenues, assets, net income, etc.); annual and long-range business plans; product or service plans; marketing plans and methods; training, educational and administrative manuals; customer and supplier information and purchase histories; and employee lists. The provisions of Sections 6 and 7 above shall also apply to protect Trade Secrets and Confidential Business Information of third parties provided to the Bank under an obligation of secrecy.

8. RETURN OF MATERIALS. The Executive shall surrender
to the Bank promptly upon its request and in any event upon
termination of the Executive's employment, all media,
documents, notebooks, computer program, handbooks, data
files, models, samples, price lists, drawings, customer
lists, prospect data, or other material of any nature
whatsoever (in tangible or electronic form) in the
Executive's possession or control, including all copies
thereof, relating to the Bank, its business, or its

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customers. Upon request of the Bank, Executive shall certify in writing compliance with, the foregoing requirement.

9. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

(a) NO SOLICITATION OF CUSTOMERS. During the
Executive's employment with the Bank and after termination
of the Executive's employment so long as he is receiving
compensation from the Bank, or, if greater, for a period of
twelve (12) months following termination of the Executive's
employment pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4(a), the
Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with the prior
written consent of the Bank) either directly or indirectly,
on the Executive's own behalf or in the service or on behalf
of others, (A) solicit, divert, or appropriate to or for a
Competing Business or (B) attempt to solicit, divert, or
appropriate to or for a Competing Business, any person or
entity that was a customer of the Bank on the date of
termination and is located in the Territory and with whom the
Executive has had material contact.

(b) NO RECRUITMENT OF PERSONNEL. During the Executive's
employment with the Bank and after termination of the
Executive's employment so long as he is receiving
compensation from the Bank or, if greater, for a period of
twelve (12) months following termination of the Executive's
employment pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4(a), the
Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly, on the
Executive's own behalf or in the service or on behalf of
others, (A) solicit, divert, or hire away, or (B) attempt to
solicit, divert or hire away, to any Competing Business
located in the Territory, any employee of or consultant to
the Bank engaged or experienced in the Business, regardless
of whether the employee or consultant is full-time or
temporary, the employment or engagement is pursuant to
written agreement or the employment is for a determined
period or is at will.

(c) NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT. During the Executive's
employment with the Bank and after termination of the
Executive's employment so long as he is receiving
compensation from the Bank or, if greater, for a period of
twelve (12) months following termination of the Executive's
employment pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4(a), the
Executive shall not (without the prior written consent of the
Bank) compete with the Bank by, directly or indirectly,
forming, serving as an organizer, director or officer of, or
consultant to a depository financial institution or holding
company therefor if such depository institution or holding
company has one or more offices or branches located in the
Territory.

10. INDEPENDENT PROVISIONS. The provisions in each of

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the above Sections 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c) are independent, and the unenforceability of any one provision shall not affect the enforceability of any other provision.

      11. SUCCESSOR; BINDING AGREEMENT. The rights and
obligations of this Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of the surviving corporation in any merger or
consolidation in which the Bank is a party, or any assignee
of all or substantially all of the Bank's business and
properties. The Executive's rights and obligations under
this Agreement may not be assigned by him, except that his
right to receive accrued but unpaid compensation,
unreimbursed expenses and other rights, if any, provided
under this Agreement which survive termination of this
Agreement shall pass after death to the personal
representatives of his estate.

12.   NOTICE. For the purposes of this Agreement notices
and all other communications provided for in the Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when personally delivered or sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses last given by each party to the other,
provided however, that all notices to the Bank, shall be
directed to the attention of the Bank with a copy to the
Corporate Secretary of the Bank. All notices and
communications shall be deemed to have been received on the
date of delivery thereof.

       13. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of Georgia without giving effect to the conflict of
laws principles thereof. Any action brought by any party to
this Agreement shall be brought and maintained in a court of
competent jurisdiction in the State of Georgia.

       14. NON-WAIVER. Failure of the Bank to enforce any of
the provisions of this Agreement or any rights with respect
thereto shall in rib way be considered to be a waiver of such
provisions or rights, or in any way affect the validity of

this Agreement.

 

       15. ENFORCEMENT. The Executive, agrees that in the
event of any breach of any covenant contained in Section

9(a), 9(b) or 9(c), the Bank shall be entitled to obtain from a court of competent jurisdiction an injunction to restrain the breach or anticipated breach of any such covenant, and to obtain any other available legal, equitable, statutory, or contractual relief, including but not limited to monetary damages.

16. SAVING CLAUSE. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or

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unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision or clause of this Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be held by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, the remainder of such provision shall not be thereby affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portion. It is the intention of the parties that, if any court construes any provision or clause of this Agreement or any portion thereof, to be illegal, void or unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or the area or matter covered thereby, such court shall reduce the duration, area, or matter of such provision, and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.

17. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

      (a) "Business" shall mean the operation of a depository
financial institution, including, without limitation, the
solicitation and acceptance of deposits of money and
commercial, paper, the solicitation and funding of loans and
the provision of other banking services, and any other
related business engaged in by the Bank as of the date of
termination or any other conduct or action by a lending
institution as permitted by Federal or State law now or in
the future.

       (b) "Cause" shall consist of any of (A) the commission
by the Executive of a willful act (including, without
limitation, a dishonest or fraudulent act) or a grossly
negligent act, or the willful or grossly negligent omission
to act by the Executive, which is intended to save, cause or
is reasonably likely to cause material harm to the Bank
(including harm to its business reputation), (B) the
indictment of the Executive for the commission or
perpetration by the Executive of any felony or any crime
involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or fraud, (C) the
material breach by the Executive of this Agreement that, if
susceptible of cure, remains uncured ten days following
written notice to the Executive of such breach, (D) the
receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any
regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank, intends
to institute any form of formal or informal (e.g., a
memorandum of understanding which relates to the Executive's
performance) regulatory action against the Executive or the
Bank that the Board of Directors determines in good

faith, with the Executive abstaining from participating in the consideration of and vote on the matter, that the subject matter of such action involves acts or omissions by or under the supervision of the Executive or that termination of the Executive would materially advance the Bank's compliance with the purpose of the action or would materially assist the Bank

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in avoiding or reducing the restrictions or adverse effects to the Bank related to the regulatory action); (E) the exhibition by the Executive of a standard of behavior within the scope of his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Bank's business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual misconduct) to a level which, in the Board of Directors' good faith and reasonable judgment, with the Executive abstaining from participating in the consideration of and vote on the matter, is materially detrimental to the Bank's best interest, that, if susceptible of cure remains uncured ten days following written notice to the Executive of such specific inappropriate behavior; (F) the Executive is adjudicated bankrupt or the Executive files for voluntary bankruptcy; or (G) the failure of the Executive to devote his full business time and attention to his employment as provided under this Agreement.

      (c) "Competing Business" shall mean any business that,
in whole or in part, is the same or substantially the same as
the Business.

       (d) "Territory" shall mean a radius of ten (10) miles
from the main office or any branch office of the Bank.

       (e) "Change of Control" means the definition as set
forth in the Bank's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and such
definition is incorporated herein and made a part hereof by
reference.

18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, if any, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Bank has caused this Agreement to be executed and its seal to be affixed hereunto and the Executive has signed and sealed this Agreement, effective as of the date first above written.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of:

s/                         Witness

BANK: ALLIANCE NATIONAL BANK

s/J. P. Turner      (SEAL)

s/Charles Y. Allgood(SEAL)

 

 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of:

s/                        Witness

EXECUTIVE:

s/                 (SEAL)

Jonathon David Gregg

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