kop-ex101_18.htm

This Agreement made this 1^st day of March, 2021 by and between [ ] (“Executive”) and Koppers Holdings Inc. (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interests of its stockholders to foster the continuous employment of certain key management personnel of the Company and its affiliates; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes that the possibility of a change in control of the Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders; and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of certain members of the management of the Company and its affiliates to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a change in control of the Company.

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

Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence as of March 1, 2021 and shall continue in effect until March 1, 2023; provided, however, that as of March 1, 2023 and each March 1 thereafter, the Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year unless, at least ninety (90) days prior to such renewal date either the Company or Executive shall have given notice to the other that such party does not wish to extend the Term; and provided further, however, that if a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred during the original or any extended Term, the Term shall continue for a period of not less than twenty-four (24) months following the month in which such Change in Control occurred.

Executive terminates Executive’s employment upon 30 days’ written notice after being required to relocate Executive’s primary office to a location greater than 50 miles from the then current location of Executive’s office or Executive terminates Executive’s employment upon 30 days’ written notice after a material reduction in Executive’s duties, responsibilities or compensation (unless the Company either revokes such relocation requirement or revokes such material

Provided, however, that such termination, whether pursuant to Section 2(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii) above, shall have occurred (x) during the two-year period following such Change in Control; or (y) prior to the date on which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, if it can be reasonably demonstrated by Executive that such termination of employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control.

ii.

In lieu of any further salary payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the date of termination, the Company shall pay as severance pay to Executive, at the time specified in subsection (d) below, a lump sum severance payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to two times Executive’s annual Base Salary as in effect as of the date of termination or immediately prior to the Change in Control, whichever is greater;

iii.

In lieu of any payments under the executive incentive plan or other bonus plan in effect for the year in which Executive’s date of termination occurs, the Company shall pay Executive, at the time specified in subsection (d) below, a pro rata portion of all contingent awards granted under such plans for all uncompleted periods, assuming for this purpose that the amount of each award that would have been paid upon completion of such period would equal the average of the payments from the executive incentive plan for the previous two (2) years, and basing such pro rata portion upon the portion of the award period that has elapsed as of the date of termination;

life, disability, accident and group health insurance benefits substantially similar to those which Executive was receiving immediately prior to the notice of termination (or, in the Company’s discretion, the monetary equivalent of such benefits, payable on a monthly basis). Benefits otherwise receivable by Executive pursuant to this paragraph (iv) shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by Executive during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination, and any such benefits actually received by Executive shall be reported to the Company; and

The Company’s obligations to indemnify and defend Executive with respect to matters arising out of Executive’s performance during the Term shall continue after Executive’s termination to the same extent that they existed prior to such termination. The Company will, at all times, maintain in force and effect Directors and Officers Liability Insurance.

Except as provided in subsection (f) hereof, the payments provided for in subsections (c) (ii) and (iii), above, shall be made no later than the fifth day following the date of termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments cannot be finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to Executive on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Company, of the minimum amount of such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code as amended (the “Code”)) as soon as the amount thereof can be determined, but in no event later than the thirtieth day after the date of termination. In the event that the amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to Executive, payable on the fifth day after demand by the Company (together with interest at the rate provided in section 1274 (b)(2)(B) of the Code).

Except as provided in subsection (c)(v) hereof, Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Section by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Section 2 be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by Executive to the Company, or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2, in no event shall the aggregate present value of “parachute payments” as defined in Section 280G of the Code, exceed three times Executive’s “base amount”, as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code. If the preceding limitation is exceeded, then Executive’s payments and benefits in this Section 2 shall be reduced to the extent necessary to cause the total payments and “parachute payments” to comply with the limitation.

Executive’s entitlement to the benefits set forth in Sections 2(c)(ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) shall be conditioned upon Executive executing and delivering a release satisfactory to the Company releasing the Company and its affiliates and persons employed by such entities from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions and/or causes of action whatsoever, which Executive may have had on account of the termination of Executive’s employment, including, but not limited to claims of discrimination, including on the basis of sex, race, age, national origin, religion, or handicapped status (with all applicable periods during which Executive may revoke the release or any provision thereof having expired), and any and all claims, demands and causes of action under any retirement or welfare benefit plan of the Company (as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended), other than under the Company’s 401(k) plan and the Qualified Plan, severance or other termination pay. Such release shall not, however, apply to the ongoing obligations of the Company arising under this Agreement, or any rights of indemnification Executive may have under the Company’s policies or by contract or by statute.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including in subsection (d), in the case of payments or benefits under this Agreement that are or may be deferred compensation subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and are subject to an effective release as set forth above, where the period for execution and non-revocation of the release spans more than one calendar year, no such payment or benefit shall be made or provided any earlier than the beginning of the second calendar year. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment.

The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/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. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as herein before defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to Executive hereunder had Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee or other designee or, if there is no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Board with a copy to the Secretary of the Company, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and such officer of the Company as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. The validity interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law. The obligations of the Company under Section 2 shall survive the expiration of the term of this Agreement.

Cause. Termination by the Company of Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination (a) upon the willful and continued failure by Executive to substantially perform Executive’s duties with the Company or its affiliates, as the case may be, (other than any such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties, and Executive is given a reasonable opportunity to remedy such identified failure to perform, or (b) the willful engaging by Executive in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its affiliates, as the case may be, monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of this subsection, no act, or failure to act, on Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or its affiliates, as the case may be.

Disability. If, as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of Executive’s duties with the Company for at least six (6) consecutive months out of the previous twelve (12) months, and within thirty (30) days after written notice of termination is given to Executive by the Company or its affiliates shall not have returned to the full-time performance of Executive’s duties, Executive’s employment shall be deemed terminated for “Disability.”

Negotiation. If a dispute or controversy arises under or in connection with this Agreement, the parties agree first to try in good faith to settle the dispute or controversy. Any party may initiate the negotiation process by written notice to the others, identifying the dispute or controversy and the desire for negotiation.

Arbitration. If the parties have not resolved the dispute or controversy by direct negotiations within thirty (30) days of such notice, any party may initiate arbitration as herein provided. All disputes or controversies arising under or in connection with this Agreement which are not resolved by negotiation shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association, provided, however, that any such arbitration shall be before a single arbitrator selected by agreement of the parties. Judgment upon the award or decision of the arbitrator may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. In the event that the parties cannot agree upon the selection of an arbitrator, the parties agree that the American Arbitration Association in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will select the arbitrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, a party shall not be prohibited or precluded from seeking equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction without first resorting to the dispute resolution provisions of this Section 9 in circumstances in which a party’s interests or property will otherwise be compromised. It is specifically intended by the parties that if any equitable relief is granted by an arbitrator, said relief may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The forum of such arbitration shall be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the exclusion of all other jurisdictions.

Notice of Decision. The arbitrator shall promptly notify the parties in writing of the decision, together with the amount of any dispute resolution costs arising with respect thereto (the “Notice of Decision”). The Notice of Decision need not contain an explanation of the decision or grounds thereof.

extent enforceable and all other provisions shall nevertheless continue to be valid and enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable parts had not been included in this Agreement. In the event that any provision of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, any provision related to a time period, geographical area or scope of restriction) shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum limitations or restrictions such court deems reasonable and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed modified and reformed so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent lawfully permitted.

10.

Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties; whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and canceled.

The terms of this Agreement are intended to, and shall be interpreted and applied so as to, comply in all respects with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and regulations and rulings thereunder. The terms of this Agreement may be amended or modified at any time and in any respect by the Company if and to the extent recommended by counsel in order to conform to the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and regulations and rulings thereunder.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Executive is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), no payment under this Agreement may be made, or may commence, before the date which is 6 months after the date of Executive's "separation from service" within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive's death) if and to the extent such payment is a payment of "deferred compensation" subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

Executive agrees and understands that Executive has been and will be exposed to and receive certain confidential information of the Company and its affiliates, including, but not limited to: technical information; business and marketing plans; strategies; customer information; product information; pricing information and policies; promotions; developments; financing plans; business policies and practices; processes; techniques; methodologies; formulae; processes; compilations of information; research materials; software (source and object code); algorithms; computer processing systems; drawings; proposals; job notes; reports; records; specifications; inventions; discoveries; improvements; innovations; designs; ideas; trade secrets; proprietary

information; manufacturing, packaging, advertising, distribution, and sales methods; sales and profit figures; and client and client lists and other forms of information considered by the Company or its affiliates to be confidential and in the nature of a trade secret (hereinafter all referred to as “Confidential Information”). Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information is a valuable and unique asset of the Company and hereby covenants that both during and after Executive’s employment, Executive shall keep such Confidential Information confidential and shall not disclose such information, either directly or indirectly, to any third person or entity without the prior written consent of a duly authorized representative of the Company. Further, Executive agrees that Executive will not use any Confidential Information for any purpose (including, but not limited to, use for Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of a third party) other than for purposes authorized by the Company or its affiliates and for the benefit of the Company and/or its affiliates. The parties agree that any Confidential Information that was disclosed or provided to Executive by the Company or its affiliates prior to the effective date of this Agreement was intended to be and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Executive agrees that this confidentiality covenant has no temporal or territorial restriction. The obligation of confidentiality imposed herein shall not apply: (i) to information that is now or hereafter becomes publicly known or generally known in the Company’s industry other than as a result of Executive’s breach of Executive’s obligations hereunder and (ii) to information that is required to be disclosed by applicable laws, governmental regulations or judicial or regulatory process; provided, however, in such event, that Executive may disclose such information only to the extent required and shall give at least fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Company of the requirement to disclose such information to the extent practicable under the circumstances.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.