UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Emerging Growth Company
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| Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Promotion of Wilbur Paes to Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
On February 4, 2021, Paramount Group, Inc. (the “Company”) promoted Wilbur Paes, age 43, to serve as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Paes had previously served as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
In connection with Mr. Paes’s promotion, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Paes Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Paes on February 4, 2021, which supersedes and replaces his previous employment agreement. The initial term of the Paes Employment Agreement ends on March 31, 2024 unless earlier terminated and will automatically extend for an additional one-year term at the expiration of the initial term unless either party provides written notice of a non-renewal no later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial term.
Under the terms of the Paes Employment Agreement, Mr. Paes will receive an annual base salary of $650,000, subject to potential merit increases (but not decreases) each year. The Paes Employment Agreement also provides for a target annual bonus in the amount of at least 150% of base salary. The amount of the actual bonuses will be made by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors, in its sole discretion, based on such factors relating to the performance of Mr. Paes or the Company as it deems relevant and may be more or less than the target amount.
Additionally, pursuant to the Paes Employment Agreement, the Company made a special promotion equity award grant to Mr. Paes consisting of LTIP units in the Company’s operating partnership with a value of $1,500,000, all of which LTIP units will be subject to cliff vesting based on continued employment through the fifth anniversary following the date of grant.
Termination without cause or for good reason
The Paes Employment Agreement provides that upon the termination of Mr. Paes’s employment by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Paes Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Paes for “good reason” (as defined in the Paes Employment Agreement), subject to Mr. Paes signing a separation agreement and mutual release, Mr. Paes will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits:
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to (x) Mr. Paes’s then-current annual base salary, plus (y) the average of the annual cash incentive bonuses earned by Mr. Paes with respect to the three most recent fiscal years ending on or before the date of termination, but in no event less than $975,000; or, in the event such termination occurs in connection with or within two years after a change in control (as defined in the Paes Employment Agreement), a lump sum cash payment equal to two times such amount; |
| • | a prorated portion of the annual bonus for the year of termination, calculated based on Mr. Paes’s target bonus for such year; |
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to 1.5 times the annual premium payable by us for Mr. Paes’s health and dental insurance; or, in the event such termination occurs in connection with or within two years after a change in control, a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.0 times such annual premium; and |
| • | accelerated vesting of all equity grants subject to only time-based vesting based on continued employment, with the vesting of equity grants with performance vesting only accelerated to the extent provided by the applicable award agreement. |
The Paes Employment Agreement does not provide for any tax gross ups and, in the event Mr. Paes becomes subject to the Section 280G golden parachute excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the amounts payable as described above would be reduced to the level so that the excise tax will not apply, but only if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax amount to Mr. Paes. The Paes Employment Agreement provides that, upon a change in control, we will set aside funds in a rabbi trust in an amount sufficient to pay the severance payments due in the event of the termination of Mr. Paes in connection with or within two years after a change in control of the Company either by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Paes for “good reason,” provided that Mr. Paes will only be entitled to these funds in the event Mr. Paes’s employment is actually terminated in connection with or within two years after a change in control of the Company either by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Paes for “good reason.”
Termination in the event of death or disability
The Paes Employment Agreement provides that in the event Mr. Paes’s employment is terminated on account of his death or disability, Mr. Paes or his beneficiary in the case of death will receive the following payments:
| • | a prorated portion of the annual bonus payable for the year of such termination, calculated based on actual achievement of applicable performance metrics for the applicable year; and |
| • | accelerated vesting of all equity grants subject to only time-based vesting based on continued employment, with the vesting of equity grants with performance vesting only accelerated to the extent provided by the applicable award agreement. |
The Paes Employment Agreement provides that in the event that the term expires upon the completion of either the initial term or the extended term, Mr. Paes will be covered under the Company’s severance plan, if any, then in effect and generally applicable to senior executive officers who do not have a written employment agreement with the Company.
Under the Paes Employment Agreement, Mr. Paes is subject to certain restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment with the Company and for 12 months after termination of employment.
The summary of the Paes Employment Agreement set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Promotion of Peter Brindley to Executive Vice President, Head of Real Estate
On February 4, 2021, the Company promoted Peter Brindley, age 44, to serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Head of Real Estate. Mr. Brindley had previously served as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Leasing.
In connection with Mr. Brindley’s promotion, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Brindley Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Brindley. The initial term of the Brindley Employment Agreement ends on March 31, 2024 unless earlier terminated and will automatically extend for an additional one-year term at the expiration of the initial term unless either party provides written notice of a non-renewal no later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial term.
Under the terms of the Brindley Employment Agreement, Mr. Brindley will receive an annual base salary of $560,000, subject to potential merit increases (but not decreases) each year. The Brindley Employment Agreement also provides for a target annual bonus in the amount of at least 150% of base salary. The amount of the actual bonuses will be made by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors, in its sole discretion, based on such factors relating to the performance of Mr. Brindley or the Company as it deems relevant and may be more or less than the target amount.
Additionally, pursuant to the Brindley Employment Agreement, the Company made a special promotion equity award grant to Mr. Brindley consisting of LTIP units in the Company’s operating partnership with a value of $1,500,000, all of which LTIP units will be subject to cliff vesting based on continued employment through the fifth anniversary following the date of grant.
Termination without cause or for good reason
The Brindley Employment Agreement provides that upon the termination of Mr. Brindley’s employment by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Brindley Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Brindley for “good reason” (as defined in the Brindley Employment Agreement), subject to Mr. Brindley signing a separation agreement and mutual release, Mr. Brindley will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits:
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to (x) Mr. Brindley’s then-current annual base salary, plus (y) the average of the annual cash incentive bonuses earned by Mr. Brindley with respect to the three most recent fiscal years ending on or before the date of termination, but in no event less than $840,000; or, in the event such termination occurs in connection with or within two years after a change in control (as defined in the Brindley Employment Agreement), a lump sum cash payment equal to two times such amount; |
| • | a prorated portion of the annual bonus for the year of termination, calculated based on Mr. Brindley’s target bonus for such year; |
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to 1.5 times the annual premium payable by us for Mr. Brindley’s health and dental insurance; or, in the event such termination occurs in connection with or within two years after a change in control, a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.0 times such annual premium; and |
| • | accelerated vesting of all equity grants subject to only time-based vesting based on continued employment, with the vesting of equity grants with performance vesting only accelerated to the extent provided by the applicable award agreement. |
The Brindley Employment Agreement does not provide for any tax gross ups and, in the event Mr. Brindley becomes subject to the Section 280G golden parachute excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the amounts payable as described above would be reduced to the level so that the excise tax will not apply, but only if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax amount to Mr. Brindley. The Brindley Employment Agreement provides that, upon a change in control, we will set aside funds in a rabbi trust in an amount sufficient to pay the severance payments due in the event of the termination of Mr. Brindley in connection with or within two years
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after a change in control of the Company either by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Brindley for “good reason,” provided that Mr. Brindley will only be entitled to these funds in the event Mr. Brindley’s employment is actually terminated in connection with or within two years after a change in control of the Company either by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Brindley for “good reason.”
Termination in the event of death or disability
The Brindley Employment Agreement provides that in the event Mr. Brindley’s employment is terminated on account of his death or disability, Mr. Brindley or his beneficiary in the case of death will receive the following payments:
| • | a prorated portion of the annual bonus payable for the year of such termination, calculated based on actual achievement of applicable performance metrics for the applicable year; and |
| • | accelerated vesting of all equity grants subject to only time-based vesting based on continued employment, with the vesting of equity grants with performance vesting only accelerated to the extent provided by the applicable award agreement. |
The Brindley Employment Agreement provides that in the event that the term expires upon the completion of either the initial term or the extended term, Mr. Brindley will be covered under the Company’s severance plan, if any, then in effect and generally applicable to senior executive officers who do not have a written employment agreement with the Company.
Under the Brindley Employment Agreement, Mr. Brindley is subject to certain restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during his employment with the Company and for 12 months after termination of employment.
Mr. Brindley will cease to be covered by the Company’s Executive Severance Plan during the term of the Brindley Employment Agreement.
The summary of the Brindley Employment Agreement set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.2, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Appointment of Ermelinda Berberi as Principal Accounting Officer
On February 4, 2021, the Company appointed Ermelinda Berberi, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, to serve as the principal accounting officer of the Company. Wilbur Paes, the Company’s current principal accounting officer, ceased to serve in such capacity upon his promotion to Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Ermelinda Berberi, age 40, has been the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer since April 2017. Before being appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Ms. Berberi was Senior Vice President, Finance since April 2016. Prior to joining the Company in 2016, Ms. Berberi spent over 12 years at Deloitte & Touche LLP in various positions, most recently as an audit Senior Manager in the northeast real estate audit practice, where she served some of the firm’s largest publicly traded REITs. Ms. Berberi graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and received her Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University. She is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of New Jersey, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.
There are no family relationships between Ms. Berberi and any director or executive officer of the Company, and no transactions involving Ms. Berberi that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The Company and Ms. Berberi entered into an indemnification agreement in substantially the same form as the Company has entered into with each of its existing executive officers. The indemnification agreement requires, among other matters, that the Company indemnify and advance expenses to Ms. Berberi to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law for all expenses and liabilities arising out of any proceeding involving Mr. Berberi by reason of her service as an officer of the Company.
Executive Severance Plan
On February 4, 2021, the Company amended its existing Executive Severance Plan to provide that Gage Johnson, the Company’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and Ms. Berberi are covered by the plan. Under the plan, in the event a participating officer is terminated by the Company without cause, subject to the officer signing a separation agreement and release with restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for six months after termination of employment, the plan will provide severance benefits in the amount of the sum of the officer’s base salary, most recent cash bonus and an amount equal to the annual premium payable by us for the officer’s health and dental insurance. The summary of the Executive Severance Plan set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.3, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (d) | Exhibits: |
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 10.1 | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement among Paramount Group, Inc., Paramount Group Operating Partnership LP and Wilbur Paes. | |
| 10.2 | Employment Agreement among Paramount Group, Inc., Paramount Group Operating Partnership LP and Peter Brindley. | |
| 10.3 | Paramount Group, Inc. Executive Severance Plan | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PARAMOUNT GROUP, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Wilbur Paes | |
| Name: | Wilbur Paes | |
| Title: | Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
Date: February 5, 2021
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Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 4th day of February, 2021, (the “Effective Date”) among Paramount Group Operating Partnership L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Employer”), Paramount Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and Wilbur Paes (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Employer and the Executive previously entered into that certain Employment Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), dated as of May 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Employer desires to continue to employ the Executive and the Executive desires to continue to be employed by the Employer on the terms contained in this Agreement, which supersedes and replaces in its entirety the Original Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
(a) Term. The Company and the Employer hereby employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, for an initial term commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing until March 31, 2024 (the “Initial Term”), unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3; with such employment to automatically continue following the Initial Term for one additional one-year period (the “Extended Term”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (subject to termination as aforesaid) upon the end of the Initial Term unless either party notifies the other party in writing of its intention not to renew this Agreement at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term (the Initial Term, together with the Extended Term, shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Term”).
(b) Position and Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company and the Employer and shall have such powers and duties as may from time to time reasonably be prescribed by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), provided that such duties are consistent with the Executive’s position or other positions that he may hold from time to time. The Executive shall report to the Company’s Chairman and CEO. The Executive shall devote his full working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company and the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may serve on other boards of directors, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), or engage in religious, charitable or other community activities as long as such services and activities are disclosed to the Board and do not materially interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company and the Employer as provided in this Agreement.
2. Compensation and Related Matters.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive’s initial annual base salary shall be $650,000. The Executive’s base salary shall be redetermined annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) and may be increased in its discretion but, once increased, may not be decreased. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to herein as “Base Salary.” The Base Salary shall be payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.
(b) Incentive Compensation. During the Term, the Executive’s target annual incentive compensation shall be 150 percent of his Base Salary or such higher amount or percentage determined by the Compensation Committee. Subject to the provisions of the first sentence in this Section 2 (b), the actual amount of the incentive compensation shall be determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, based on such factors relating to the performance of the Company and the Executive and will be paid within 75 days following the end of the fiscal year. Except as otherwise provided herein, to earn incentive compensation, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the day such incentive compensation is paid.
(c) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him during the Term in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company or the Employer (as applicable) for its senior executive officers.
(d) Vacations. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to accrue up to five weeks of vacation each calendar year, which shall accrue proportionally over the course of each calendar year consistent with the Company’s vacation policy. Accrued and unused vacation may be carried over to the next year to the extent provided in the Company’s vacation policy. The Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company and the Employer to its executives.
(e) Equity Awards. On or about the Effective Date, the Executive shall receive a Promotion Award (the “Promotion Award”) in the amount of $1.5 million. The Promotion Award will be granted in the form of LTIP units that will cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary following the date of grant. In addition, the Executive shall be eligible to receive equity awards from the Employer and/or the Company to the extent the Employer and/or the Company maintains an equity award plan or similar program in which senior officers may participate; provided that the actual amount and terms of any such equity awards shall be determined by Compensation Committee, based on Company and individual performance and competitive peer group information.
(f) Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and the Employer will indemnify the Executive against any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising by reason of the Executive’s status as a current or former director, officer, employee and/or agent of the Company and/or the Employer, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company and/or the Employer or any other entity to which the Company and/or the Employer appoints the Executive to serve as a director or officer, except for actions outside the scope of his employment. The Company and the Employer agree to use reasonable best efforts to secure and maintain director and officer liability insurance
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that shall include coverage of the Executive. The Executive shall be entitled to benefit from any officer indemnification arrangements adopted by the Company and/or the Employer, if any, to the same extent as other directors or senior executive officers of the Company and/or the Employer (including the right to such coverage or benefit following the Executive’s employment to the extent liability continues to exist). However, the Executive agrees to repay any expenses paid or reimbursed by the Company and/or the Employer (as applicable) for the Executive’s indemnification expenses if it is ultimately determined by a final non-appealable court decision that the Executive is not legally entitled to be indemnified by the Company and/or the Employer (as applicable).
(g) Other Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in or receive benefits under the Company’s and the Employer’s employee benefit plans in effect from time to time, subject to the terms of such plans. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to free parking at the Company’s office and an annual automobile allowance of $15,000.
3. Termination. During the Term, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:
(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.
(b) Disability. The Company and the Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment if he is disabled and unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for 90 consecutive days or a period of 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12-month period. If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company and the Employer shall, submit to the Company and the Employer a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Company and the Employer to whom the Executive has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Company’s and the Employer’s determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in this Section 3(b) shall be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
(c) Termination by Company for Cause. The Company and the Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) an act of gross misconduct by Executive in connection with the performance of his duties, which results in, or is reasonably likely to result in, material injury or reputational harm to the Company or the Employer: (ii) misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or the Employer or any of its or their subsidiaries or affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company or Employer property for personal purposes; (iii) the commission by the Executive of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral
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turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; or (iv) a material breach of the Executive’s obligations under a written agreement with the Company and the Employer, including without limitation, such a breach of this Agreement including without limitation, a material breach of Section 7 of this Agreement; provided that in the cases covered by clauses (i) and (iv), the Executive first shall have received written notice of the misconduct or breach alleged to constitute Cause and shall have failed to cure such misconduct or breach within 30 days following receipt of such notice from the Company. If the Executive cures the Cause condition within said 30-day period, Cause shall be deemed not to have occurred.
(d) Termination Without Cause. The Company and the Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause. Any termination by the Company and the Employer of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement which does not constitute a termination for Cause under Section 3(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Section 3(a) or (b) shall be deemed a termination without Cause. For purposes of clarity, a non-renewal of this Agreement by the Company (in accordance with Section 1(a) above) shall not constitute a termination of employment by the Company and the Employer without Cause.
(e) Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder at any time for any reason, including but not limited to Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean that the Executive has complied with the “Good Reason Process” (hereinafter defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including title) or duties contemplated by Section 1(b) hereof, or any other action by the Company or the Employer which results in a material diminution in the Executive’s responsibilities, authority or duties, including a material change in duties, responsibilities or status that does not represent a promotion from or maintaining of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or status as a Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded company; (ii) a diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or a diminution in the Executive’s target annual incentive compensation below 150 percent of his Base Salary; (iii) following a Change in Control (as defined below), a diminution in any of the Executive’s (x) Base Salary or (y) annual incentive compensation, whether payable in cash or equity, below the sum of the Executive’s Average Incentive Compensation (as defined below) and the average grant date fair value of equity awards received by the Executive for the three immediately preceding fiscal years (or if the Executive has been employed by the Company and the Employer for a shorter period, such shorter period); (iv) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive provides services to the Company and the Employer; or (v) the Company’s and the Employer’s failure to cure a material breach of their obligations under this Agreement after written notice is delivered to the Company and the Employer by the Executive which specifically identifies the manner in which the Executive believes the Company and the Employer have breached their obligations under the Agreement. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition has occurred; (ii) the Executive notifies the Board in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 60 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) the Executive cooperates in good faith with the Company’s and/or the Employer’s efforts, for a period not less than 30 days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) the Executive terminates his employment within 60 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company and the Employer cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred.
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(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 3(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company and the Employer or any such termination by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.
(g) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 3(b) or by the Company and the Employer for Cause under Section 3(c), the date on which Notice of Termination is given; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company and the Employer under Section 3(d), the date on which a Notice of Termination is given; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) without Good Reason, 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given, and (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) with Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given after the end of the Cure Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company and the Employer, the Company and the Employer may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a termination by the Company and the Employer for purposes of this Agreement, provided that the Executive is paid all compensation and benefits during the notice period.
4. Compensation Upon Termination.
(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer is terminated for any reason, the Company and the Employer (as applicable) shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to his authorized representative or estate) (i) any Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination, unpaid expense reimbursements (subject to, and in accordance with, Section 2(c) of this Agreement) and unused vacation that accrued through the Date of Termination on or before the time required by law but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination; and (ii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company and/or the Employer through the Date of Termination, which vested benefits shall be paid and/or provided in accordance with the terms of such employee benefit plans (collectively, the “Accrued Benefit”).
(b) Termination by the Company and the Employer Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason. During the Term, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company and the Employer without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall pay the Executive his Accrued Benefit. In addition, subject to the Executive signing a separation agreement containing, among other provisions, a mutual release of claims and non-disparagement, confidentiality and return of property, in a form and manner satisfactory to the Company (the “Separation Agreement and Release”) and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable, all within 30 days after the Date of Termination:
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(i) the Executive shall receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary plus (B) the Executive’s Average Incentive Compensation. For purposes of this Agreement, “Average Incentive Compensation” shall mean the average of the annual incentive compensation under Section 2(b) received by the Executive for the three immediately preceding fiscal years (or, if the Executive has been employed for a shorter period, such shorter period) but in no event less than $975,000;
(ii) the Executive shall receive (x) a pro-rated portion of the annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b), based upon the number of days in the year of termination through the Date of Termination relative to 365 and the target annual incentive compensation in the year the Date of Termination occurs and (y) to the extent that any annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b) with respect to any completed fiscal year has not been paid as of the Date of Termination, the actual incentive compensation payable with respect to such year; and
(iii) full vesting of all Company, Employer or any of its or their affiliates’ equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting, effective as of the date that is 30 days following Date of Termination. Accelerated vesting of any such equity awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan governing particular equity awards, as in effect at the time such equity awards were granted, or an award agreement governing a particular equity award. Any termination or forfeiture of unvested equity awards eligible for acceleration of vesting pursuant to this section that otherwise would have occurred on or within 30 days after the Date of Termination will be delayed until the 30th day after the Date of Termination (but, in the case of any stock option, not later than the expiration date of such stock option specified in the applicable option agreement) and will occur only to the extent such equity awards do not vest pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the vesting schedule with respect to any such equity awards, no additional vesting shall occur during this 30-day period following the Date of Termination; and
(iv) if the Executive was participating in the Company’s group health and dental plans immediately prior to the Date of Termination, then the Executive shall receive a lump-sum cash payment in an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Company would have made to provide health and dental insurance to the Executive if the Executive had remained employed by the Company for 18 months; and
(v) the amounts payable under Sections 4(b)(i), (ii) and (iv) shall be paid out in a lump-sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 30-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such amounts shall be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 30-day period.
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(c) Termination on Account of Death or Disability. During the Term, if the Executive’s employment terminates due to the Executive’s death, or is terminated by the Company and the Employer due to the Executive’s Disability as provided in Section 3(b), then the Company shall pay the Executive (or his beneficiary or representative) (i) his Accrued Benefit, (ii) to the extent that any annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b) with respect to any completed fiscal year has not been paid as of the Date of Termination, the actual incentive compensation payable with respect to such year, payable on the date such amounts would otherwise be paid, (iii) a portion of the annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b), based upon the number of days in the year of termination through the Date of Termination relative to 365, that the Executive would have received based on actual achievement of applicable performance metrics for the applicable performance period, with such amount payable on the date such bonus would otherwise have been paid, and (iv) full vesting of all Company, Employer or any of its or their affiliates’ equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting, effective as of the Date of Termination. Accelerated vesting of any such equity awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan governing particular equity awards, as in effect at the time such equity awards were granted, or an award agreement governing a particular equity award.
(d) Expiration of the Term. In the event that the Term expires upon the completion of either (i) the Initial Term or (ii) Extended Term (either (i) or (ii), a “Qualifying Expiration”), the Executive shall be deemed to become an at-will employee of the Company and the Employer as of such Qualifying Expiration. The terms of Section 1(b) (“Position and Duties”) shall apply to the Executive in his employment as an at-will employee; provided that from and after a Qualifying Expiration, the reference to the “Term” in Section 1(b) shall mean the period of the Executive’s at-will employment. In addition, Sections 7 to 21 of this Agreement shall continue to apply during and after such period of at-will employment in accordance with their terms. Any party may terminate such at-will employment by written notice with or without Cause and with or without advance notice. Effective immediately upon any Qualifying Expiration, the Executive shall participate in and be eligible to benefit from the severance plan, if any, that is then in effect and is generally applicable to senior executive officers of the Company and/or the Employer who do not have a written employment agreement with the Company and/or the Employer (an “Applicable Severance Plan”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive shall participate in and be eligible to benefit from any Applicable Severance Plan if a Qualifying Expiration occurs, regardless of whether any period of the Executive’s performance of services as an at-will employment follows such Qualifying Expiration, subject to the terms of such Applicable Severance Plan. Also for the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise provided in an Applicable Severance Plan, a modification of the Executive’s compensation terms upon or after a Qualifying Expiration shall not be considered to constitute a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or the Employer unless such modification constitutes a constructive discharge.
5. Change in Control Payment. The provisions of this Section 5 set forth certain terms of an agreement reached between the Executive, the Company and the Employer regarding the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued
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attention and dedication to his assigned duties and his objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any such event. These provisions shall apply in lieu of, and expressly supersede, the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding severance pay and benefits upon a termination of employment, if such termination of employment occurs within 24 months after the occurrence of a Change in Control. These provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect beginning 24 months after the occurrence of a Change in Control.
(a) Change in Control. During the Term, if within 24 months after a Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d) or the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then, subject to the signing of the Separation Agreement and Release by the Executive and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable, all within 30 days after the Date of Termination,
(i) the Executive shall receive a lump-sum amount equal to two times the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary plus (B) the Executive’s Average Incentive Compensation (as defined in Section 4(b)(i));
(ii) the Executive shall receive (x) a pro-rated portion of the annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b), based upon the number of days in the year of termination through the Date of Termination relative to 365 and the target annual incentive compensation in the year the Date of Termination occurs and (y) to the extent that any annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b) with respect to any completed fiscal year has not been paid as of the Date of Termination, the actual incentive compensation payable with respect to such year; and
(iii) full vesting of all Company, Employer or any of its or their affiliates’ equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting, effective as of the date that is 30 days following Date of Termination. Accelerated vesting of any such equity awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan governing particular equity awards, as in effect at the time such equity awards were granted, or an award agreement governing a particular equity award. Any termination or forfeiture of unvested equity awards eligible for acceleration of vesting pursuant to this section that otherwise would have occurred on or within 30 days after the Date of Termination will be delayed until the 30th day after the Date of Termination (but, in the case of any stock option, not later than the expiration date of such stock option specified in the applicable option agreement) and will occur only to the extent such equity awards do not vest pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the vesting schedule with respect to any such equity awards, no additional vesting shall occur during this 30-day period following the Date of Termination; and
(iv) if the Executive was participating in the Company’s group health and dental plans immediately prior to the Date of Termination, then
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the Executive shall receive a lump-sum cash payment in an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Company would have made to provide health and dental insurance to the Executive if the Executive had remained employed by the Company for 24 months; and
(v) the amounts payable under Sections 5(a)(i), (ii) and (iv) shall be paid out in a lump-sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 30-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such amounts shall be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 30-day period.
(b) Additional Limitation.
(i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the amount of any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company and/or the Employer to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the applicable regulations thereunder (the “Aggregate Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Aggregate Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) so that the sum of all of the Aggregate Payments shall be $1.00 less than the amount at which the Executive becomes subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided that such reduction shall only occur if it would result in the Executive receiving a higher After Tax Amount (as defined below) than the Executive would receive if the Aggregate Payments were not subject to such reduction. In such event, the Aggregate Payments shall be reduced in the following order, in each case, in reverse chronological order beginning with the Aggregate Payments that are to be paid the furthest in time from consummation of the transaction that is subject to Section 280G of the Code: (1) cash payments not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity-based payments and acceleration; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits; provided that in the case of all the foregoing Aggregate Payments all amounts or payments that are not subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c) shall be reduced before any amounts that are subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c).
(ii) For purposes of this Section 5, the “After Tax Amount” means the amount of the Aggregate Payments less all federal, state, and local income, excise and employment taxes imposed on the Executive as a result of the Executive’s receipt of the Aggregate Payments. For purposes of determining the After Tax Amount, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which
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the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in each applicable state and locality, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.
(iii) The determination as to whether a reduction in the Aggregate Payments shall be made pursuant to Section 5(b) shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
(c) Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following:
(i) any “person,” including a “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), but excluding the Company, any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any such entity, and the Executive and any “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of which the Executive is a member), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35 percent or more of either (A) the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or (B) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (in either such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or
(ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company resulting in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the consolidation or merger representing (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) less than 65 percent of the combined voting power of the securities of the surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such consolidation or merger; or
(iii) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided that any director whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved or ratified by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or
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(iv) there shall occur (A) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50 percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by “persons” (as defined above) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) the approval by shareholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(d) Funding of Severance Payment Upon a Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, the Company and the Employer shall contribute an amount to a grantor trust maintained by an independent trustee in an amount equal to the amount payable to the Executive under Section 5(a) hereof should the Executive’s employment be terminated in connection with the Change in Control; provided, however, that no such funding shall be made in violation of Section 409(A)(b) of the Code.
6. Section 409A.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of the Executive’s separation from service would be considered deferred compensation otherwise subject to the 20 percent additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six months and one day after the Executive’s separation from service, or (B) the Executive’s death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule. Any such delayed cash payment shall earn interest at an annual rate equal to the applicable federal short-term rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which the date of separation from service occurs, from such date of separation from service until the payment.
(b) All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall be provided by the Company and/or the Employer or incurred by the Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses). Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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(c) To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be payable only upon the Executive’s “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
(d) The parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). The parties agree that this Agreement may be amended, as reasonably requested by either party, and as may be necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either party.
(e) The Company and the Employer make no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section.
7. Confidential Information, Noncompetition and Cooperation.
(a) Confidential Information. As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Company and/or the Employer which is of value to the Company and/or the Employer in the course of conducting its or their business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to the Company and/or the Employer. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been discussed or considered by the management of the Company and/or the Employer. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment by the Company and the Employer, as well as other information to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive’s employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Company and/or the Employer have a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information in the public domain, unless due to breach of the Executive’s duties under Section 7(b). The Company and the Employer acknowledge that the Executive has extensive knowledge and expertise in the real estate industry and his general skills and knowledge do not constitute Confidential Information.
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(b) Confidentiality. The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust between the Executive and the Company with respect to all Confidential Information. At all times, both during the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer and after its termination, the Executive will keep in confidence and trust all such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such Confidential Information without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Executive’s duties to the Company and/or the Employer, or as required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted or applied to prohibit Executive from disclosing matters that are protected under any applicable whistleblower laws, including reporting possible violations of laws or regulations, or responding to inquiries from, or testifying before, any governmental agency or self-regulating authority, all without notice to or consent from the Company or the Employer. Additionally, Executive is hereby notified that the immunity provisions in Section 1833 of title 18 of the United States Code provide that an individual cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made (1) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of the law, (2) under seal in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, or (3) to Executive’s attorney in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law (and the trade secret may be used in the court proceedings for such lawsuit) as long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and the trade secret is not disclosed except pursuant to court order.
(c) Documents, Records, etc. All documents, records, data, apparatus, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to the Executive by the Company and/or the Employer or are produced by the Executive in connection with the Executive’s employment will be and remain the sole property of the Company and the Employer. The Executive will return to the Company and/or the Employer (as applicable) all such materials and property as and when requested by the Company or the Employer. In any event, the Executive will return all such materials and property immediately upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason. The Executive will not retain with the Executive any such material or property or any copies thereof after such termination.
(d) Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. Because the Executive’s services to the Company and the Employer are special and because the Executive has access to the Company’s and the Employer’s confidential information, the Executive covenants and agrees that during Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer and until the end of a 12-month period following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer for any reason, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (which shall be authorized by approval of the Board, including the approval of a majority of the independent Directors of the Company), directly or indirectly:
(i) engage, participate or assist in, either individually or as an owner, partner, employee, consultant, director, officer, trustee, or agent of any business that engages or attempts to engage in, directly or indirectly, the acquisition, development, construction, operation, management, or leasing of any commercial real estate property in any of the Company’s Markets (as hereinafter defined) at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment;
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(ii) intentionally interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company, the Employer or their affiliates and any tenant, supplier, contractor, lender, employee, or governmental agency or authority; or
(iii) call upon, compete for, solicit, divert, or take away, or attempt to divert or take away any of the tenants or employees of the Company, the Employer or their affiliates, either for himself or for any other business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity.
“Market” as used herein means an area covering a 25 mile radius around (x) any property or land owned by the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates, under development by the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates or with respect to which the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates has an agreement or option to acquire a property, development or land or (y) any property or development for which the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates provides third party development or management services; provided that for any such property, development or land located in New York City, no such radial area shall extend beyond New York City.
This Section 7(d) shall not be interpreted to prevent the Executive from owning up to two percent of the outstanding stock of a public company engaged in business described in Section 7(d)(i) above or engaging in Minority Interest Passive Investments which shall mean acquiring, holding, and exercising the voting rights associated with an investment made through (i) the purchase of securities (including partnership interests) that represent a non-controlling, minority interest in an entity or (ii) the lending of money, in either case with the purpose or intent of obtaining a return on such investment but without management by the Executive of the property or business to which such investment directly or indirectly relates and without any business or strategic consultation by the Executive with such entity.
The Executive understands that the restrictions set forth in this Section 7(d) are intended to protect the Company’s and the Employer’s interest in their Confidential Information and established employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose. This Section 7(d) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Third-Party Agreements and Rights. The Executive hereby confirms that the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party which restricts in any way the Executive’s use or disclosure of information or the Executive’s engagement in any business. The Executive represents to the Company and the Employer that the Executive’s execution of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer and the performance of the Executive’s proposed duties for the Company and the Employer will not violate any obligations the Executive may have to any such previous employer or other party. In the Executive’s work for the Company and the Employer, the Executive will not
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disclose or make use of any information in violation of any agreements with or rights of any such previous employer or other party, and the Executive will not bring to the premises of the Company and/or the Employer any copies or other tangible embodiments of non-public information belonging to or obtained from any such previous employment or other party.
(f) Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company and/or the Employer in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company and/or the Employer which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company and the Employer. The Executive’s cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company and/or the Employer at mutually convenient times. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company and/or the Employer in connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company and the Employer. The Company shall also provide Executive with compensation on an hourly basis calculated at his final Base Salary rate for requested litigation and regulatory cooperation that occurs after his termination of employment, and reimburse Executive for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with his performance under this Section 7(f), including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
(g) Injunction. The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to the Company and the Employer which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in this Section 7, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, the Company and the Employer shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company and/or the Employer.
8. Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in New York, NY in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Company and/or the Employer may be a party with regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable and shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section.
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9. Consent to Jurisdiction. To the extent that any court action is permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.
10. Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter.
11. Withholding. All amounts stated in this Agreement are gross amounts. All payments made by the Company and/or the Employer to the Executive under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.
12. Successor to the Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after his termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company and/or the Employer shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation).
13. Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
14. Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms contained herein.
15. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.
16. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention of the Board.
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17. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company and the Employer.
18. Governing Law. This is a New York contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of the State of New York. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document.
20. Successor to Company. The Company shall 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 and the Employer expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company and the Employer would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement.
21. Gender Neutral. Wherever used herein, a pronoun in the masculine gender shall be considered as including the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
22. Fees. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for the legal fees incurred by him in the review and negotiation of this Agreement up to a maximum payment of $5,000.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective on the date and year first above written.
| PARAMOUNT GROUP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L.P. | ||
| By: | PARAMOUNT GROUP, INC., | |
| its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Albert P. Behler | |
| Albert P. Behler | ||
| Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| PARAMOUNT GROUP, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Albert P. Behler | |
| Albert P. Behler | ||
| Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| EXECUTIVE | ||
| /s/ Wilbur Paes | ||
| Wilbur Paes | ||
Exhibit 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 4th day of February, 2021, (the “Effective Date”) among Paramount Group Operating Partnership L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Employer”), Paramount Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and Peter Brindley (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Employer desires to employ the Executive and the Executive desires to be employed by the Employer on the terms contained herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
(a) Term. The Company and the Employer hereby employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, for an initial term commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing until March 31, 2024 (the “Initial Term”), unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3; with such employment to automatically continue following the Initial Term for one additional one-year period (the “Extended Term”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (subject to termination as aforesaid) upon the end of the Initial Term unless either party notifies the other party in writing of its intention not to renew this Agreement at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term (the Initial Term, together with the Extended Term, shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Term”).
(b) Position and Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice President, Head of Real Estate of the Company and the Employer and shall have such powers and duties as may from time to time reasonably be prescribed by the more senior officers of the Company, provided that such duties are consistent with the Executive’s position or other positions that he may hold from time to time. The Executive shall devote his full working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company and the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may serve on other boards of directors, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), or engage in religious, charitable or other community activities as long as such services and activities are disclosed to the Board and do not materially interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties to the Company and the Employer as provided in this Agreement.
2. Compensation and Related Matters.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive’s initial annual base salary shall be $560,000. The Executive’s base salary shall be redetermined annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) and may be increased in its discretion but, once increased, may not be decreased. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to herein as “Base Salary.” The Base Salary shall be payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.
(b) Incentive Compensation. During the Term, the Executive’s target annual incentive compensation shall be 150 percent of his Base Salary or such higher amount or percentage determined by the Compensation Committee. Subject to the provisions of the first sentence in this Section 2(b), the actual amount of the incentive compensation shall be determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, based on such factors relating to the performance of the Company and the Executive and will be paid within 75 days following the end of the fiscal year. Except as otherwise provided herein, to earn incentive compensation, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the day such incentive compensation is paid.
(c) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him during the Term in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company or the Employer (as applicable) for its senior executive officers.
(d) Vacations. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to accrue up to five weeks of vacation each calendar year, which shall accrue proportionally over the course of each calendar year consistent with the Company’s vacation policy. Accrued and unused vacation may be carried over to the next year to the extent provided in the Company’s vacation policy. The Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company and the Employer to its executives.
(e) Equity Awards. On or about the Effective Date, the Executive shall receive a Promotion Award (the “Promotion Award”) in the amount of $1,500,000. The Promotion Award will be granted in the form of LTIP units that will cliff vest on the fifth anniversary following the date of grant. In addition, the Executive shall be eligible to receive equity awards from the Employer and/or the Company to the extent the Employer and/or the Company maintains an equity award plan or similar program in which senior officers may participate; provided that the actual amount and terms of any such equity awards shall be determined by Compensation Committee, based on Company and individual performance and competitive peer group information.
(f) Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and the Employer will indemnify the Executive against any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising by reason of the Executive’s status as a current or former director, officer, employee and/or agent of the Company and/or the Employer, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company and/or the Employer or any other entity to which the Company and/or the Employer appoints the Executive to serve as a director or officer, except for actions outside the scope of his employment. The Company and the Employer agree to use reasonable best efforts to secure and maintain director and officer liability insurance that shall include coverage of the Executive. The Executive shall be entitled to benefit from any officer indemnification arrangements adopted by the Company and/or the Employer, if any, to the same extent as other directors or senior executive officers of the Company and/or the Employer (including the right to such coverage or benefit following the Executive’s employment to the extent liability continues to exist). However, the Executive agrees to repay any expenses paid or reimbursed by the Company and/or the Employer (as applicable) for the Executive’s indemnification expenses if it is ultimately determined by a final non-appealable court decision that the Executive is not legally entitled to be indemnified by the Company and/or the Employer (as applicable).
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(g) Other Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in or receive benefits under the Company’s and the Employer’s employee benefit plans in effect from time to time, subject to the terms of such plans. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to free parking at the Company’s office and an annual automobile allowance of $15,000.
3. Termination. During the Term, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:
(a) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.
(b) Disability. The Company and the Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment if he is disabled and unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for 90 consecutive days or a period of 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12-month period. If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company and the Employer shall, submit to the Company and the Employer a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Company and the Employer to whom the Executive has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Company’s and the Employer’s determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in this Section 3(b) shall be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
(c) Termination by Company for Cause. The Company and the Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) an act of gross misconduct by Executive in connection with the performance of his duties, which results in, or is reasonably likely to result in, material injury or reputational harm to the Company or the Employer: (ii) misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or the Employer or any of its or their subsidiaries or affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company or Employer property for personal purposes; (iii) the commission by the Executive of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; or (iv) a material breach of the Executive’s obligations under a written agreement with the Company and the Employer, including without limitation, such a breach of this Agreement including without limitation, a material breach of Section 7 of this Agreement; provided that in the cases covered by clauses (i) and (iv), the Executive first shall have received written notice of the misconduct or breach alleged to constitute Cause and shall have failed to cure such misconduct or breach within 30 days following receipt of such notice from the Company. If the Executive cures the Cause condition within said 30-day period, Cause shall be deemed not to have occurred.
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(d) Termination Without Cause. The Company and the Employer may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause. Any termination by the Company and the Employer of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement which does not constitute a termination for Cause under Section 3(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Section 3(a) or (b) shall be deemed a termination without Cause. For purposes of clarity, a non-renewal of this Agreement by the Company (in accordance with Section 1(a) above) shall not constitute a termination of employment by the Company and the Employer without Cause.
(e) Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder at any time for any reason, including but not limited to Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean that the Executive has complied with the “Good Reason Process” (hereinafter defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including title) or duties contemplated by Section 1(b) hereof, or any other action by the Company or the Employer which results in a material diminution in the Executive’s responsibilities, authority or duties, including a material change in duties, responsibilities or status that does not represent a promotion from or maintaining of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or status; (ii) a diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or a diminution in the Executive’s target annual incentive compensation below 150 percent of his Base Salary; (iii) following a Change in Control (as defined below), a diminution in any of the Executive’s (x) Base Salary or (y) annual incentive compensation, whether payable in cash or equity, below the sum of the Executive’s Average Incentive Compensation (as defined below) and the average grant date fair value of equity awards received by the Executive for the three immediately preceding fiscal years (or if the Executive has been employed by the Company and the Employer for a shorter period, such shorter period); (iv) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive provides services to the Company and the Employer; or (v) the Company’s and the Employer’s failure to cure a material breach of their obligations under this Agreement after written notice is delivered to the Company and the Employer by the Executive which specifically identifies the manner in which the Executive believes the Company and the Employer have breached their obligations under the Agreement. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition has occurred; (ii) the Executive notifies the Board in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 60 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) the Executive cooperates in good faith with the Company’s and/or the Employer’s efforts, for a period not less than 30 days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) the Executive terminates his employment within 60 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company and the Employer cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred.
(f) Notice of Termination. Except for termination as specified in Section 3(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company and the Employer or any such termination by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.
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(g) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 3(b) or by the Company and the Employer for Cause under Section 3(c), the date on which Notice of Termination is given; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company and the Employer under Section 3(d), the date on which a Notice of Termination is given; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) without Good Reason, 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given, and (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) with Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given after the end of the Cure Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company and the Employer, the Company and the Employer may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a termination by the Company and the Employer for purposes of this Agreement, provided that the Executive is paid all compensation and benefits during the notice period.
4. Compensation Upon Termination.
(a) Termination Generally. If the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer is terminated for any reason, the Company and the Employer (as applicable) shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to his authorized representative or estate) (i) any Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination, unpaid expense reimbursements (subject to, and in accordance with, Section 2(c) of this Agreement) and unused vacation that accrued through the Date of Termination on or before the time required by law but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination; and (ii) any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company and/or the Employer through the Date of Termination, which vested benefits shall be paid and/or provided in accordance with the terms of such employee benefit plans (collectively, the “Accrued Benefit”).
(b) Termination by the Company and the Employer Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason. During the Term, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company and the Employer without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall pay the Executive his Accrued Benefit. In addition, subject to the Executive signing a separation agreement containing, among other provisions, a mutual release of claims and non-disparagement, confidentiality and return of property, in a form and manner satisfactory to the Company (the “Separation Agreement and Release”) and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable, all within 30 days after the Date of Termination:
(i) the Executive shall receive a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary plus (B) the Executive’s Average Incentive Compensation. For purposes of this Agreement, “Average Incentive Compensation” shall mean the average of the annual incentive compensation under Section 2(b) received by the Executive for the three immediately preceding fiscal years (or, if the Executive has been employed for a shorter period, such shorter period) but in no event less than $840,000;
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(ii) the Executive shall receive (x) a pro-rated portion of the annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b), based upon the number of days in the year of termination through the Date of Termination relative to 365 and the target annual incentive compensation in the year the Date of Termination occurs and (y) to the extent that any annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b) with respect to any completed fiscal year has not been paid as of the Date of Termination, the actual incentive compensation payable with respect to such year; and
(iii) full vesting of all Company, Employer or any of its or their affiliates’ equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting, effective as of the date that is 30 days following Date of Termination. Accelerated vesting of any such equity awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan governing particular equity awards, as in effect at the time such equity awards were granted, or an award agreement governing a particular equity award. Any termination or forfeiture of unvested equity awards eligible for acceleration of vesting pursuant to this section that otherwise would have occurred on or within 30 days after the Date of Termination will be delayed until the 30th day after the Date of Termination (but, in the case of any stock option, not later than the expiration date of such stock option specified in the applicable option agreement) and will occur only to the extent such equity awards do not vest pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the vesting schedule with respect to any such equity awards, no additional vesting shall occur during this 30-day period following the Date of Termination; and
(iv) if the Executive was participating in the Company’s group health and dental plans immediately prior to the Date of Termination, then the Executive shall receive a lump-sum cash payment in an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Company would have made to provide health and dental insurance to the Executive if the Executive had remained employed by the Company for 18 months; and
(v) the amounts payable under Sections 4(b)(i), (ii) and (iv) shall be paid out in a lump-sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 30-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such amounts shall be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 30-day period.
(c) Termination on Account of Death or Disability. During the Term, if the Executive’s employment terminates due to the Executive’s death, or is terminated by the Company and the Employer due to the Executive’s Disability as provided in Section 3(b), then the Company shall pay the Executive (or his beneficiary or representative) (i) his Accrued Benefit, (ii) to the extent that any annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b) with respect to any completed fiscal year has not been paid as of the Date of Termination, the actual incentive
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compensation payable with respect to such year, payable on the date such amounts would otherwise be paid, (iii) a portion of the annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b), based upon the number of days in the year of termination through the Date of Termination relative to 365, that the Executive would have received based on actual achievement of applicable performance metrics for the applicable performance period, with such amount payable on the date such bonus would otherwise have been paid, and (iv) full vesting of all Company, Employer or any of its or their affiliates’ equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting, effective as of the Date of Termination. Accelerated vesting of any such equity awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan governing particular equity awards, as in effect at the time such equity awards were granted, or an award agreement governing a particular equity award.
(d) Expiration of the Term. In the event that the Term expires upon the completion of either (i) the Initial Term or (ii) Extended Term (either (i) or (ii), a “Qualifying Expiration”), the Executive shall be deemed to become an at-will employee of the Company and the Employer as of such Qualifying Expiration. The terms of Section 1(b) (“Position and Duties”) shall apply to the Executive in his employment as an at-will employee; provided that from and after a Qualifying Expiration, the reference to the “Term” in Section 1(b) shall mean the period of the Executive’s at-will employment. In addition, Sections 7 to 21 of this Agreement shall continue to apply during and after such period of at-will employment in accordance with their terms. Any party may terminate such at-will employment by written notice with or without Cause and with or without advance notice. Effective immediately upon any Qualifying Expiration, the Executive shall participate in and be eligible to benefit from the severance plan, if any, that is then in effect and is generally applicable to senior executive officers of the Company and/or the Employer who do not have a written employment agreement with the Company and/or the Employer (an “Applicable Severance Plan”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive shall participate in and be eligible to benefit from any Applicable Severance Plan if a Qualifying Expiration occurs, regardless of whether any period of the Executive’s performance of services as an at-will employment follows such Qualifying Expiration, subject to the terms of such Applicable Severance Plan. Also for the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise provided in an Applicable Severance Plan, a modification of the Executive’s compensation terms upon or after a Qualifying Expiration shall not be considered to constitute a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or the Employer unless such modification constitutes a constructive discharge.
5. Change in Control Payment. The provisions of this Section 5 set forth certain terms of an agreement reached between the Executive, the Company and the Employer regarding the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to his assigned duties and his objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any such event. These provisions shall apply in lieu of, and expressly supersede, the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding severance pay and benefits upon a termination of employment, if such termination of employment occurs within 24 months after the occurrence of a Change in Control. These provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect beginning 24 months after the occurrence of a Change in Control.
(a) Change in Control. During the Term, if within 24 months after a Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided
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in Section 3(d) or the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then, subject to the signing of the Separation Agreement and Release by the Executive and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable, all within 30 days after the Date of Termination,
(i) the Executive shall receive a lump-sum amount equal to two times the sum of (A) the Executive’s Base Salary plus (B) the Executive’s Average Incentive Compensation (as defined in Section 4(b)(i));
(ii) the Executive shall receive (x) a pro-rated portion of the annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b), based upon the number of days in the year of termination through the Date of Termination relative to 365 and the target annual incentive compensation in the year the Date of Termination occurs and (y) to the extent that any annual incentive compensation payable under Section 2(b) with respect to any completed fiscal year has not been paid as of the Date of Termination, the actual incentive compensation payable with respect to such year; and
(iii) full vesting of all Company, Employer or any of its or their affiliates’ equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting, effective as of the date that is 30 days following Date of Termination. Accelerated vesting of any such equity awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan governing particular equity awards, as in effect at the time such equity awards were granted, or an award agreement governing a particular equity award. Any termination or forfeiture of unvested equity awards eligible for acceleration of vesting pursuant to this section that otherwise would have occurred on or within 30 days after the Date of Termination will be delayed until the 30th day after the Date of Termination (but, in the case of any stock option, not later than the expiration date of such stock option specified in the applicable option agreement) and will occur only to the extent such equity awards do not vest pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the vesting schedule with respect to any such equity awards, no additional vesting shall occur during this 30-day period following the Date of Termination; and
(iv) if the Executive was participating in the Company’s group health and dental plans immediately prior to the Date of Termination, then the Executive shall receive a lump-sum cash payment in an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Company would have made to provide health and dental insurance to the Executive if the Executive had remained employed by the Company for 24 months; and
(v) the amounts payable under Sections 5(a)(i), (ii) and (iv) shall be paid out in a lump-sum within 30 days after the Date of
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Termination; provided, however, that if the 30-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such amounts shall be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 30-day period.
(b) Additional Limitation.
(i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the amount of any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company and/or the Employer to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the applicable regulations thereunder (the “Aggregate Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Aggregate Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) so that the sum of all of the Aggregate Payments shall be $1.00 less than the amount at which the Executive becomes subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided that such reduction shall only occur if it would result in the Executive receiving a higher After Tax Amount (as defined below) than the Executive would receive if the Aggregate Payments were not subject to such reduction. In such event, the Aggregate Payments shall be reduced in the following order, in each case, in reverse chronological order beginning with the Aggregate Payments that are to be paid the furthest in time from consummation of the transaction that is subject to Section 280G of the Code: (1) cash payments not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity-based payments and acceleration; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits; provided that in the case of all the foregoing Aggregate Payments all amounts or payments that are not subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c) shall be reduced before any amounts that are subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c).
(ii) For purposes of this Section 5, the “After Tax Amount” means the amount of the Aggregate Payments less all federal, state, and local income, excise and employment taxes imposed on the Executive as a result of the Executive’s receipt of the Aggregate Payments. For purposes of determining the After Tax Amount, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in each applicable state and locality, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.
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(iii) The determination as to whether a reduction in the Aggregate Payments shall be made pursuant to Section 5(b) shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
(c) Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following:
(i) any “person,” including a “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), but excluding the Company, any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any such entity, and the Executive and any “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of which the Executive is a member), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35 percent or more of either (A) the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or (B) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (in either such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or
(ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company resulting in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the consolidation or merger representing (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) less than 65 percent of the combined voting power of the securities of the surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such consolidation or merger; or
(iii) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided that any director whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved or ratified by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or
(iv) there shall occur (A) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or
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arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50 percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by “persons” (as defined above) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) the approval by shareholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(d) Funding of Severance Payment Upon a Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, the Company and the Employer shall contribute an amount to a grantor trust maintained by an independent trustee in an amount equal to the amount payable to the Executive under Section 5(a) hereof should the Executive’s employment be terminated in connection with the Change in Control; provided, however, that no such funding shall be made in violation of Section 409(A)(b) of the Code.
6. Section 409A.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of the Executive’s separation from service would be considered deferred compensation otherwise subject to the 20 percent additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six months and one day after the Executive’s separation from service, or (B) the Executive’s death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule. Any such delayed cash payment shall earn interest at an annual rate equal to the applicable federal short-term rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which the date of separation from service occurs, from such date of separation from service until the payment.
(b) All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall be provided by the Company and/or the Employer or incurred by the Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses). Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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(c) To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be payable only upon the Executive’s “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
(d) The parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). The parties agree that this Agreement may be amended, as reasonably requested by either party, and as may be necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either party.
(e) The Company and the Employer make no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section.
7. Confidential Information, Noncompetition and Cooperation.
(a) Confidential Information. As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Company and/or the Employer which is of value to the Company and/or the Employer in the course of conducting its or their business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to the Company and/or the Employer. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been discussed or considered by the management of the Company and/or the Employer. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment by the Company and the Employer, as well as other information to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive’s employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Company and/or the Employer have a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information in the public domain, unless due to breach of the Executive’s duties under Section 7(b). The Company and the Employer acknowledge that the Executive has extensive knowledge and expertise in the real estate industry and his general skills and knowledge do not constitute Confidential Information.
(b) Confidentiality. The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust between the Executive and the Company with respect to all Confidential Information. At all times, both during the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer and after its termination, the Executive will keep in
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confidence and trust all such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such Confidential Information without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Executive’s duties to the Company and/or the Employer, or as required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted or applied to prohibit Executive from disclosing matters that are protected under any applicable whistleblower laws, including reporting possible violations of laws or regulations, or responding to inquiries from, or testifying before, any governmental agency or self-regulating authority, all without notice to or consent from the Company or the Employer. Additionally, Executive is hereby notified that the immunity provisions in Section 1833 of title 18 of the United States Code provide that an individual cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made (1) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of the law, (2) under seal in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, or (3) to Executive’s attorney in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law (and the trade secret may be used in the court proceedings for such lawsuit) as long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and the trade secret is not disclosed except pursuant to court order.
(c) Documents, Records, etc. All documents, records, data, apparatus, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to the Executive by the Company and/or the Employer or are produced by the Executive in connection with the Executive’s employment will be and remain the sole property of the Company and the Employer. The Executive will return to the Company and/or the Employer (as applicable) all such materials and property as and when requested by the Company or the Employer. In any event, the Executive will return all such materials and property immediately upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason. The Executive will not retain with the Executive any such material or property or any copies thereof after such termination.
(d) Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. Because the Executive’s services to the Company and the Employer are special and because the Executive has access to the Company’s and the Employer’s confidential information, the Executive covenants and agrees that during Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer and until the end of a 12-month period following the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer for any reason, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (which shall be authorized by approval of the Board, including the approval of a majority of the independent Directors of the Company), directly or indirectly:
(i) engage, participate or assist in, either individually or as an owner, partner, employee, consultant, director, officer, trustee, or agent of any business that engages or attempts to engage in, directly or indirectly, the acquisition, development, construction, operation, management, or leasing of any commercial real estate property in any of the Company’s Markets (as hereinafter defined) at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment;
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(ii) intentionally interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company, the Employer or their affiliates and any tenant, supplier, contractor, lender, employee, or governmental agency or authority; or
(iii) call upon, compete for, solicit, divert, or take away, or attempt to divert or take away any of the tenants or employees of the Company, the Employer or their affiliates, either for himself or for any other business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity.
“Market” as used herein means an area covering a 25 mile radius around (x) any property or land owned by the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates, under development by the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates or with respect to which the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates has an agreement or option to acquire a property, development or land or (y) any property or development for which the Company, the Employer or any of their affiliates provides third party development or management services; provided that for any such property, development or land located in New York City, no such radial area shall extend beyond New York City.
This Section 7(d) shall not be interpreted to prevent the Executive from owning up to two percent of the outstanding stock of a public company engaged in business described in Section 7(d)(i) above or engaging in Minority Interest Passive Investments which shall mean acquiring, holding, and exercising the voting rights associated with an investment made through (i) the purchase of securities (including partnership interests) that represent a non-controlling, minority interest in an entity or (ii) the lending of money, in either case with the purpose or intent of obtaining a return on such investment but without management by the Executive of the property or business to which such investment directly or indirectly relates and without any business or strategic consultation by the Executive with such entity.
The Executive understands that the restrictions set forth in this Section 7(d) are intended to protect the Company’s and the Employer’s interest in their Confidential Information and established employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose. This Section 7(d) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Third-Party Agreements and Rights. The Executive hereby confirms that the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party which restricts in any way the Executive’s use or disclosure of information or the Executive’s engagement in any business. The Executive represents to the Company and the Employer that the Executive’s execution of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company and the Employer and the performance of the Executive’s proposed duties for the Company and the Employer will not violate any obligations the Executive may have to any such previous employer or other party. In the Executive’s work for the Company and the Employer, the Executive will not disclose or make use of any information in violation of any agreements with or rights of any such previous employer or other party, and the Executive will not bring to the premises of the Company and/or the Employer any copies or other tangible embodiments of non-public information belonging to or obtained from any such previous employment or other party.
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(f) Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company and/or the Employer in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company and/or the Employer which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company and the Employer. The Executive’s cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company and/or the Employer at mutually convenient times. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company and/or the Employer in connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company and the Employer. The Company shall also provide Executive with compensation on an hourly basis calculated at his final Base Salary rate for requested litigation and regulatory cooperation that occurs after his termination of employment, and reimburse Executive for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with his performance under this Section 7(f), including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
(g) Injunction. The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to the Company and the Employer which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in this Section 7, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, the Company and the Employer shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company and/or the Employer.
8. Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in New York, NY in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Company and/or the Employer may be a party with regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable and shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section.
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9. Consent to Jurisdiction. To the extent that any court action is permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.
10. Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes the Executive’s participation in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan, and the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Company’s Executive Severance Plan in connection with a termination during the Term.
11. Withholding. All amounts stated in this Agreement are gross amounts. All payments made by the Company and/or the Employer to the Executive under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.
12. Successor to the Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after his termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company and/or the Employer shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to his death (or to his estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation).
13. Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
14. Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms contained herein.
15. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.
16. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention of the Board.
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17. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company and the Employer.
18. Governing Law. This is a New York contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of the State of New York. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document.
20. Successor to Company. The Company shall 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 and the Employer expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company and the Employer would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement.
21. Gender Neutral. Wherever used herein, a pronoun in the masculine gender shall be considered as including the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
22. Fees. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for the legal fees incurred by him in the review and negotiation of this Agreement up to a maximum payment of $5,000.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective on the date and year first above written.
| PARAMOUNT GROUP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L.P. | ||
| By: | PARAMOUNT GROUP, INC., | |
| its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Albert P. Behler | |
| Albert P. Behler | ||
| Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| PARAMOUNT GROUP, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Albert P. Behler | |
| Albert P. Behler | ||
| Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| EXECUTIVE | ||
| /s/ Peter Brindley | ||
| Peter Brindley | ||
Exhibit 10.3
PARAMOUNT GROUP, INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of this Paramount Group, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide severance protection to a Covered Executive of Paramount Group, Inc. (the “Company”) in the event the Covered Executive is terminated by the Company without Cause.
2. Definitions.
(a) “Cause” shall mean (i) the continued failure by the Covered Executive to substantially perform the Covered Executive’s duties with the Employer after written notification by the Employer of such failure, including a reasonable explanation of such failure; (ii) conduct by the Covered Executive which would reasonably be expected to result in material injury or reputation harm to the Employer; (iii) conduct by the Covered Executive constituting a material act of misconduct in the performance of his or her duties; (iv) the material violation by the Covered Executive of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as in effect from time to time; or (v) the commission by the Covered Executive of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud.
(b) “Covered Executive” shall mean an officer of the Employer who is not party to an employment agreement with the Employer and who is listed on Schedule A attached hereto.
(c) “Disability” means the Covered Executive has been determined by a physician selected by the Employer and reasonably acceptable to the Covered Executive to be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
(d) “Employer” means either the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Subsidiaries that employ the Covered Executive.
(e) “Operating Partnership” means Paramount Group Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
3. Severance Benefit. In the event a Covered Executive is terminated by the Employer for reasons other than Cause, death or Disability, then subject to the Covered Executive signing a separation agreement containing, among other provisions, a mutual release of claims and non-disparagement, noncompete and nonsolicit provisions as set forth in Section 4 herein, confidentiality and return of property, in a form and manner satisfactory to the Employer (the “Separation Agreement and Release”) and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable, all within 30 days after the Date of Termination, the Covered Executive shall receive a lump-sum severance amount equal to (a) the sum of the Covered Executive’s then current base salary plus the Covered Executive’s most recent cash bonus, and (b) an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution that the Employer would have paid to provide health and dental
insurance for the Covered Executive if the Covered Executive had remained employed by the Employer for an additional 12 months. Such severance amount shall be paid in a lump sum within 30 days of the date of termination of employment; provided, however, that if the 30-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such amount shall be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 30-day period.
4. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. In the event severance benefit is payable to a Covered Executive under this Plan, the Covered Executive shall agree in the Separation Agreement and Release that he or she shall not, without the prior written consent of the Employer, directly or indirectly:
(a) engage, participate or assist in, either individually or as an owner, partner, employee, consultant, director, officer, trustee, or agent of any business that engages or attempts to engage in, directly or indirectly, the acquisition, development, construction, operation, management, or leasing of any commercial real estate property in any of the Employer’s Markets (as hereinafter defined) at the time of the Covered Executive’s termination of employment;
(b) intentionally interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Employer and any tenant, supplier, contractor, lender, employee, or governmental agency or authority; or
(c) call upon, compete for, solicit, divert, or take away, or attempt to divert or take away any of the tenants or employees of the Employer, either for himself or herself or for any other business, operation, corporation, partnership, association, agency, or other person or entity.
“Market” as used herein means an area covering a 25 mile radius around (x) any property or land owned by the Employer, under development by the Employer or with respect to which the Employer has an agreement or option to acquire a property, development or land or (y) any property or development for which the Employer provides third party development or management services; provided that for any such property, development or land located in New York City, no such radial area shall extend beyond New York City.
This Section 4 shall not be interpreted to prevent the Covered Executive from owning up to two percent of the outstanding stock of a public company engaged in business described above or engaging in Minority Interest Passive Investments which shall mean acquiring, holding, and exercising the voting rights associated with an investment made through (i) the purchase of securities (including partnership interests) that represent a non-controlling, minority interest in an entity or (ii) the lending of money, in either case with the purpose or intent of obtaining a return on such investment but without management by the Covered Executive of the property or business to which such investment directly or indirectly relates and without any business or strategic consultation by the Covered Executive with such entity.
5. Section 409A. The severance benefits payable under this Plan are intended to be “short term deferrals” exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
6. Withholding. All payments by the Employer under this Plan shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Employer under applicable law.
7. Governing Law. This Plan shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles of the State of New York. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
8. Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Company may amend or terminate this Plan at any time; provided that such amendment or termination shall not adversely affect the rights of any Covered Executive who became entitled to severance benefits under Section 3 hereof on account of his or her involuntary termination of employment prior to the effective date of the amendment or termination.
SCHEDULE A
Ermelinda Berberi
Gage Johnson
David Zobel
Document and Entity Information |
Feb. 04, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001605607 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Feb. 04, 2021 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Paramount Group, Inc. |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | MD |
| Entity File Number | 001-36746 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 32-0439307 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1633 Broadway |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 1801 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | New York |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NY |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10019 |
| City Area Code | (212) |
| Local Phone Number | 237-3100 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Security 12b Title | Common stock of Paramount Group, Inc., $0.01 par value per share |
| Trading Symbol | PGRE |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
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