EX-10.23 34 dex1023.htm EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF DECEMBER 17, 2001 Executive Agreement dated as of December 17, 2001

Exhibit 10.23

 

EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 17th day of December, 2001

 

BETWEEN:

 

EXI WIRELESS INC., a corporation governed by the laws of Canada, having its registered office at 1500 – 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 4N7

 

(the “Corporation”)

 

OF THE FIRST PART

 

AND:

 

NUREZ KHIMJI, of #302 – 4567 Hazel Street, Burnaby, BC V5H 4V4

 

(“Khimji”)

 

OF THE SECOND PART

 

WHEREAS:

 

(A) The Corporation and Khimji have agreed that Khimji will be employed as Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development;

 

(B) The Corporation and Khimji have agreed to enter into this Agreement to set out the terms and conditions relating to Khimji’s employment by the Corporation;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants set out in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions

 

In this Agreement, unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, the following words and phrases will have the respective meanings set forth in this section:

 

(a) “affiliates” means affiliated bodies corporate within the meaning of the Canada Business Corporations Act, as amended or re-enacted from time to time;

 

(b) “Agreement” means this Agreement as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time by an instrument or instruments in writing executed by the parties hereto;

 

(c) “Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation;


(d) “Business” means the research, development, manufacture, distribution and marketing of wireless technologies, including radio tagging which uses radio frequency identification technology;

 

(e) “hereof”, “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and similar expressions mean and refer to this Agreement and not to any particular portion hereof; and

 

(f) “$” means lawful money of Canada.

 

2. Duties and Commencement of Employment

 

(a) The Corporation hereby confirms Khimji’s appointment as its Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development. Khimji will perform the duties described in Schedule A hereto and will undertake such additional responsibilities as are determined by the CEO from time to time and as are appropriate for such position or consistent with the types of duties described in the said Schedule.

 

(b) Khimji will devote such of his time, attention, energy and best efforts to his employment by the Corporation as may be necessary to fulfil his obligations, and will not, without the written consent of the Corporation, after the commencement of employment and during the term of his employment, engage in the rendering of such services or in any other business activity (whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage) that could interfere with the satisfactory performance of his duties and responsibilities described in Schedule A. Provided that Khimji complies with his obligations pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this §2(b), the Corporation acknowledges that such provisions will not prevent him from expending a reasonable amount of his time on the activities of community and similar non-profit organizations.

 

3. Khimji’s Compensation

 

Khimji will receive a base salary of $90,000 per year (the “Salary”) less such deductions as are required to be made by law. The Salary will be reviewed annually during the term of his employment and, following such review, may be decreased, maintained at the amount in effect at the time of such review or increased. In each year of the term of Khimji’s employment, the Salary will be paid in twenty-four approximately equal instalments on the 15th and last days of each month. The salary will be paid to Khimji as if his employment commenced January 2, 2002.

 

4. Bonus

 

Khimji will be entitled to a bonus, payable in cash or shares of the Corporation, which shall be payable to him on or before May 31st of each year commencing 2003. The amount and form of the bonus shall be determined by the Board in its total discretion taking into account the financial performance of the Corporation and such other factors as the Board considers relevant.

 

-2-


5. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation

 

If Khimji ceases to be employed by the Corporation for any reason, Khimji will not, for a period of two years, in any manner whatsoever

 

(a) enter into, carry on, or be engaged in, connected with or interested in any aspect of the Business in North America,

 

(b) solicit or contact, for the purpose of solicitation, any person that is a customer or active prospect of the Corporation or its subsidiaries at the date you cease to be an employee for the purpose of selling or supplying, whether directly or indirectly, any product or service that competes with or is similar to the Business,

 

(c) solicit or contact, for the purpose of solicitation, any employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries for employment or any other engagement.

 

6. Confidentiality

 

6.1 In this §6, “Corporation” means the Corporation and/or its affiliates and “Confidential Information” means any information (including, without limitation, any formula, pattern, device, plan, process, or compilation of information) which

 

(a) is, or is designated to be, used in the business of the Corporation, or results from its research or development activities and which information was developed by the Corporation or by Khimji in connection with research and development activities of the Corporation which Khimji worked on or is working on with or for the Corporation, and

 

(b) either

 

(i) is private or confidential in that either it is not generally known or available to the public or is identified by the Corporation by notation thereon or other sufficient means to be Confidential Information, or

 

(ii) relates to an Invention (as defined in §6.1(c)).

 

“Confidential Information” includes, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

 

(c) all proprietary information licensed to or acquired, used or developed by the Corporation or by Khimji in connection with the research and development activities of the Corporation on which Khimji worked or is working with or for the Corporation, including but not restricted to information in respect of laboratory procedures and techniques, chemical compositions and processes and other scientific strategies and concepts, designs, know-how, formulas, processes, research data and proprietary rights in the nature of trade secrets, copyrights, patents, trademarks and industrial designs (collectively, the “Inventions”), and

 

-3-


(d) all information relating to the Corporation’s business, and to all other aspects of the Corporation’s structure, personnel, and operations, including financial information, marketing, advertising and commercial strategies, customer and supplier lists, agreements and contractual records, correspondence, and any other information, records, files, drawings, tapes, documents, tools and data that may not be generally known.

 

6.2 Khimji will not, without the prior written consent of the Corporation:

 

(a) use any Confidential Information, or disclose any Confidential Information or remove or aid in the removal of Confidential Information or any communications, property or material which relates to Confidential Information from the premises of the Corporation other than as is necessary to perform Khimji’s employment duties to the Corporation;

 

(b) permit, and will take all reasonable precautions necessary or prudent to prevent, communications, property or material containing or referring to Confidential Information from being disclosed to or discovered, used or copied by any third party, other than as is necessary to perform Khimji’s employment duties to the Corporation;

 

whether such communication, property, or material containing, referring to, or relating to Confidential Information was received by Khimji after or before the date of this Agreement.

 

6.3 Khimji will promptly disclose to the Corporation any and all Inventions, whether patentable or not, relating to or arising from the Corporation’s research and development activities on which Khimji worked or is working with or for the Corporation.

 

6.4 All right, title and interest in and to Confidential Information is and will remain the property of the Corporation. Khimji hereby transfers, assigns and quit-claims Khimji’s entire right to and interest in all Inventions to and in favour of the Corporation.

 

6.5 Khimji and Khimji’s personal representatives will at any and all times after the date of this Agreement, whenever requested to do so by the Corporation and at the expense of the Corporation, and whether or not then in the employ of the Corporation, do all such acts and things, execute and deliver all such applications, papers, assignments and other writings and participate in all such proceedings, whether litigious or otherwise, as are properly and reasonably required to vest fully in the Corporation or its nominees title to all Inventions and to enable the Corporation or its nominees to apply for, obtain, maintain and enforce, in Canada and in all or any other countries, patents relating to Inventions or any portion thereof.

 

6.6 The Corporation is not by this Agreement obligated to file any patent application nor to continue the prosecution of any patent application filed nor to maintain or enforce any patent.

 

6.7 At any time when so requested, Khimji will deliver to the Corporation all records, files, drawings, tapes, equipment, materials and other documents of whatever kind and any copies thereof (including personal notes or memoranda) which contain or in any way relate to any Confidential Information and which are in Khimji’s possession or control.

 

-4-


7. Injunctive Relief

 

Khimji acknowledges and agrees that, without prejudice to any and all other rights of the Corporation, in the event of Khimji’s violation or attempted violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement, an injunction or any other like remedy will be the only effective remedy to protect the Corporation’s rights and property as set out herein and that an interim injunction may be granted immediately on the commencement of any suit and this sentence shall not be construed so as to be in derogation of any other remedy which the Corporation may have in the event of such violation or attempted violation. In order to obtain such relief, it shall not be necessary for the Corporation to establish irreparable harm which cannot be satisfied by an award of damages.

 

8. Vacation and Statutory Holidays

 

Khimji will be entitled to 4 weeks’ vacation with pay per year to be scheduled by mutual agreement between Khimji and the Corporation. Khimji will also be entitled to paid statutory holidays in accordance with the Corporation’s policies from time to time.

 

9. Benefits

 

Khimji will receive those benefits that are generally provided to the employees of the Corporation in accordance with its policies relating thereto from time to time.

 

10. Reimbursement for Expenses

 

Khimji will be reimbursed by the Corporation for all expenses actually and properly incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement consistent with the Corporation’s policies relating thereto from time to time. Khimji will furnish to the Corporation statements and vouchers for all such expenses as and when required by and to the satisfaction of the Corporation.

 

11. Termination

 

11.1 Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Khimji will have the right, at his sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement at any time, by giving 90 days’ written notice to such effect to the Corporation.

 

11.2 The Corporation may, at any time, without prior notice to Khimji, and without payment of any compensation in lieu of notice, forthwith terminate this Agreement and Khimji’s employment by the Corporation for cause.

 

11.3 The Corporation may, at any time and for any reason, terminate this Agreement without notice to such effect to Khimji in the first year of this agreement and by giving three months written notice to such effect to Khimji thereafter.

 

11.4 If this Agreement is terminated, Khimji will, notwithstanding such termination, forthwith upon termination and from time to time thereafter, deliver to the Corporation all records and documents including, without limitation, all operating records, books of accounts and ancillary documents maintained with respect to the business and affairs of the Corporation and/or any affiliate thereof which are then in the possession or control of Khimji.

 

-5-


12. Service as Director and Officer

 

Khimji acknowledges that, to the extent that he serves as a director of the Corporation or as a director or officer of any of its affiliates, he will do so without any additional remuneration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement but will be entitled to receive a suitable indemnity from the Corporation and any such affiliate or subsidiary. Khimji will be deemed to have resigned as an officer and, if applicable, as a director of the Corporation, and as a director and officer of any of its affiliates, contemporaneously with the termination of this Agreement and will, immediately upon request by the Corporation, sign any and all documents necessary to give effect to such resignations.

 

13. Notices

 

Any notice in writing required or permitted to be given in respect of this Agreement will be deemed to have been sufficiently given and delivered if personally delivered to the party by hand at the address specified in this §13 or at such other address as may be specified from time to time by either of the parties hereto by written notice in the manner required by this §13.

 

  (a) if to the Corporation:

 

Suite 100, 13551 Commerce Parkway

Richmond, B.C.

 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Lang Michener Lawrence & Shaw

1500 - 1055 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, B.C.

 

Attention: John Stark

 

  (b) if to Nurez Khimji:

 

#302 - 4567 Hazel Street

Burnaby, BC

V5H 4V4

 

Any such notice will be conclusively deemed to have been received on the day of actual delivery.

 

-6-


14. Severability

 

If any covenant, provision or restriction contained in this Agreement is found to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, it will not affect or impair the validity of any other covenant, provision or restriction and, without limitation, each of the covenants, provisions and restrictions contained herein are hereby declared to be separate and distinct covenants, provisions and restrictions.

 

14. Survival

 

The provisions of §5, §6 and §11.5 will survive the termination of this Agreement and Khimji’s employment for any reason whatsoever.

 

15. Governing Law and Attornment

 

This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably attorn to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of British Columbia for the purposes of any legal or equitable suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement.

 

16. Arbitration

 

16.1 Any dispute between the parties in respect of the interpretation of this Agreement or any matter to be agreed upon under this Agreement or otherwise arising under this Agreement will be submitted for determination by a single arbitrator appointed and acting pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Act of the Province of British Columbia (the “Act”).

 

16.2 Except as specifically provided in this §17, an arbitration hereunder shall be conducted in accordance with the Act. The arbitrator will fix a time and place in Vancouver, British Columbia for the purpose of hearing the evidence and representations of the parties, all of which will be in camera, and he will preside over the arbitration and determine all questions of procedure not provided for under the Act or this §17. After hearing any evidence and representations that the parties may submit, the arbitrator shall make a decision and reduce the decision to writing and deliver one copy thereof to each of the parties. The decision shall be kept confidential by the parties except as required by applicable securities laws. The decision of the arbitrator will be made within 45 days after his appointment. The expense of the arbitration shall be paid as specified in the decision. The parties agree that the award of the single arbitrator shall be final and binding upon each of them and shall not be subject to appeal.

 

17. Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the whole understanding of the parties and supersedes and replaces all oral or written representations or prior agreements and cannot be amended, modified or supplemented in any respect except by subsequent written agreement signed by both of the parties hereto.

 

-7-


Khimji acknowledges that he has

 

(a) read and understands the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(b) received, or has declined the opportunity to receive, independent legal advice prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

18. Enurement

 

This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and upon the heirs, executors, administrators and legal personal representatives of Khimji and the successors and assigns of the Corporation and Corpanada.

 

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

 

EXI WIRELESS INC.

 

Per:  

/s/ Malik Talib


    Authorized Signatory

 

Signed, Sealed and Delivered by    )    
NUREZ KHIMI in the presence of:   

)

   
    

)

   

 


  

)

 

/s/ Nurez Khimji


Witness (Signature)   

)

 

NUREZ KHIMJI

    

)

   
    

)

   

 


  

)

   
Name (please print)   

)

   
    

)

   
    

)

   

 


  

)

   
Address   

)

   
    

)

   
    

)

   

 


  

)

   
City, Province   

)

   

 

-8-


SCHEDULE A

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

Name:   Nurez Khimji
Title:   Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development
Reports To:   Chief Executive Officer

 

Responsibilities:

 

  1. all financial areas of the corporation including accounting, due diligence, processing and reporting

 

  2. business planning and budgeting

 

  3. shareholder relations

 

  4. corporate finance and treasury functions to advise senior management regarding financing alternatives to ensure senior management and the Board is prepared to raise funding when necessary.

 

  5. banking relationships

 

  6. loan administration

 

  7. income tax compliance and planning

 

  8. information systems

 

  9. corporate and business development activities


VeriChip Corporation

 

2005 Compensation Plan

 

Name: Nurez Khimji             Title: Chief Financial Officer             Effective Date: April 1, 2005

 

Location: Richmond, BC Canada

 

Reports to: Kevin McLaughlin             Title: CEO - VeriChip Corporation

 

Salary:    Quarterly Bonus: - Section 1.    Yearly Bonus: - Section 2.
150,000 Canadian    Special Quarterly bonuses may be initiated from time to time    Up to 50% of base salary

 

General Description of Duties:

 

    Supervision of all financial aspects of the combined company

 

    Continued personal involvement in Strategic Relationships

 

    Assist in Strategic acquisitions for the Company

 

    Develop significant Partnerships and Alliances in Gov’t and Commercial accounts

 

    Capital market activity for the new VeriChip Corporation

 

    Other assigned tasks as necessary

 

      

 

SECTION 1. Quarterly Bonus

 

      

 

SECTION 2 Yearly Bonus Criteria (up to 50% of base salary)

 

    30% Financial - EBITDA

 

    15% Strategic / Revenue producing acquisitions

 

    15% Capital market activity

 

    10% Strategic Partnership - Major Distribution Agreement

 

    30% Integration Goals

 

    Financial (10%)

 

    Personnel (10%)

 

    Company (10%)

 

SECTION 3. Other Financial Consideration

 

    Initial VeriChip Option Grant of 50,000 @ .65 us

 

           
Nurez Khimji       Date:
           
Kevin McLaughlin       Date: March 25, 2005


Executive Agreement Addendum

 

Name: Nurez Khimji             Title: Chief Financial Officer of VeriChip Corporation             Effective Date: April 1, 2005

 

Location: Richmond, BC Canada

 

Reports to: Kevin McLaughlin             Title: CEO – VeriChip Corporation

 

Salary:    Quarterly Bonus: - Section 1.    Yearly Bonus: - Section 2.
$150,000 Canadian    Special Quarterly bonuses may be initiated from time to time    Up to 50% of base salary

 

Except as modified hereby, the terms and provisions of that certain Executive Agreement by and between VeriChip Inc. (f/k/a EXI Technologies Inc.) and Mr. Khimji shall remain in full force and effect.

 

General Description of Duties:

 

    Supervision of all financial aspects of the combined company

 

    Continued personal involvement in Strategic Relationships

 

    Assist in Strategic acquisitions for the Company

 

    Develop significant Partnerships and Alliances in Gov’t and Commercial Accounts

 

    Capital market activity for the new VeriChip Corporation

 

    Other assigned tasks as necessary

 

SECTION 1. Quarterly Bonus

 

        

 

SECTION 2. Yearly Bonus Criteria (up to 50% of base salary)

 

    30% Financial – EBITDA

 

    15% Strategic / Revenue producing acquisitions

 

    15% Capital market activity

 

    10% Strategic Partnership – Major Distribution Agreement

 

    30% Integration Goals

 

    Financial (10%)

 

    Personnel (10%)

 

    Company (10%)

 

SECTION 3. Other Financial Consideration

 

    Initial VeriChip Option Grant of 57,788 @ U.S. $1.54

 

    Subsequent VeriChip Option Grant of 2,878 @ U.S. $1.54 on or prior to January 15, 2006

 

           
Nurez Khimji       Date:
           
Kevin McLaughlin       Date: