EX-10.11 24 plth_ex1011.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, DATED JUNE 1, 2018, BETWEEN LARRY SCHEFFLER AND MM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC., AS AMENDED BY AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, DATED MARCH 10, 2021 plth_ex1011
 
Exhibit 10.11
 
Employment Agreement
 
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 1, 2018, by and between Larry Scheffler (the “Executive”) and MM Development Company, Inc., a Nevada domestic corporation (the “Company”).
 
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
 
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company on such terms and conditions; and,
 
WHEREAS, MM Development Company, Inc. anticipates being the subsidiary of Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., and Company and Executive anticipate that Executives position shall be ratified by Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., and that Executive shall be providing services for both MM Development Company, Inc. and Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., and for other subsidiaries of Planet 13 Holdings, Inc.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises, and obligations set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
 
1. Term. The Executive’s Employment hereunder shall be effective as of May 15, 2018, (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue until the fifth anniversary thereof, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement; provided that, on such fifth anniversary of the Effective Date and each annual anniversary thereafter (such date and each annual anniversary thereof, a “Renewal Date”), the Agreement shall be deemed to be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions, for successive periods of one year, unless either party provides written notice of its intention not to extend the term of the Agreement at least 90 days’ prior to the applicable Renewal Date. The period during which the Executive is employed by the Company hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the “Employment Term.”
 
2. Position and Duties.
 
a. Position. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as the co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, reporting to the Board. In such position, the Executive shall have such duties, authority, and responsibility consistent with the Executive’s position. The Executive shall, if requested, also serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) or as an officer or director of any affiliate of the Company for no additional compensation.
 
b. Duties. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall perform such duties as are ordinary and reasonable for the position listed in Item 2(a) and shall provide reasonable time and attention to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder.
 
3. Place of Performance. The principal place of Executive’s employment shall be the Company’s executive office currently located in Las Vegas, Nevada; provided that, the Executive may be required to travel on Company business during the Employment Term.
 
4. Compensation.
 
a. Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive an annual rate of base salary of USD $240,000, in periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices and applicable wage payment laws, but no less frequently than bi-weekly. The Executive’s base salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”). However, the Executive’s base salary may not be decreased during the Employment Term. The Executive’s annual base salary, as in effect from time to time, is hereinafter referred to as “Base Salary”.
 
b. Annual Bonus.
 
i. For each calendar year of the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”). However, the decision to provide any Annual Bonus and the amount and terms of any Annual Bonus shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee.
 
ii. The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within two and a half (2 1/2) months after the end of the applicable calendar year.
 
iii. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5, the Annual Bonus will be subject to the terms of the Company annual bonus plan under which it is granted.
 
 
 
 
c. Performance Bonus.
 
i. Executive shall be eligible to receive a performance bonus in accordance with the performance bonus as established by the Compensation Committee.
 
d. Equity Awards.
 
i. In consideration of the Executive entering into this Agreement and as an inducement to join the Company, on or within thirty days of the Effective Date, the Company will grant the following equity awards to the Executive pursuant to the Company’s Restricted Stock Unit Plan: 1,000,000 restricted stock units, which shall vest in accordance with the terms of the Restricted Stock Unit Plan. All other terms and conditions of such awards shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Unit Plan and the applicable award agreements; and
 
ii. With respect to each calendar year of the Company ending during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive annual equity awards under the Stock Option Plan and the Restricted Stock Unit Plan or other equity plans of the Company.
 
e. Fringe Benefits and Perquisites. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and perquisites consistent with the practices of the Company, and to the extent the Company provides similar benefits or perquisites (or both) to similarly situated executives of the Company, including without limitation, reimbursement of executives cellular phone expenses, a monthly vehicle allowance, reimbursement of professional licensing and agent cards, and reimbursement of reasonable professional education expenses.
 
f. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices, and programs maintained by the Company, as in effect from time to time (collectively, “Employee Benefit Plans”), on a basis which is no less favorable than is provided to other similarly situated executives of the Company, to the extent consistent with applicable law and the terms of the applicable Employee Benefit Plans. The Company reserves the right to amend or cancel any Employee Benefit Plans at any time in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of such Employee Benefit Plan and applicable law. Vacation; Paid Time-Off. The Executive shall receive other paid time-off in accordance with the Company’s policies for executive officers as such policies may exist from time to time.
 
g. Relocation Expenses. Although Executive and Company do not anticipate the need to relocate the Executive, the Company shall pay, or reimburse the Executive for, all reasonable relocation expenses incurred by the Executive relating to his relocation that is requested by the Company, should such be required at a future date.
 
h. Business Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business, entertainment, and travel expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies and procedures.
 
i. Indemnification.
 
i. In the event that the Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”), other than any Proceeding initiated by the Executive or the Company related to any contest or dispute between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the Executive’s employment hereunder, by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a director or officer of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee, or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). Costs and expenses incurred by the Executive in defense of such Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount, and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of the Executive to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement.
 
ii. During the Employment Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company or any successor to the Company shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to the Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated executives of the Company.
 
j. Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
 
 
 
 
5. Termination of Employment. The Employment Term and the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by either the Company or the Executive at any time and for any reason; provided that, unless otherwise provided herein, either party shall be required to give the other party at least 30 days advance written notice of any termination of the Executive’s employment. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits described in this Section 5 and shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates.
 
a. For Cause or Without Good Reason.
 
i. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated, by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive:
 
1. any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation which shall be paid [on the Termination Date (as defined below)/within one (1) week following the Termination Date (as defined below)/on the pay date immediately following the Termination Date (as defined below) in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll procedures;
 
2. any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus with respect to any completed calendar year immediately preceding the Termination Date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date except to the extent payment is otherwise deferred pursuant to any applicable deferred compensation arrangement; provided that, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, then any such accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus shall be forfeited;
 
3. reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy; and
 
4. such employee benefits (including equity compensation), if any, to which the Executive may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans as of the Termination Date; provided that, in no event shall the Executive be entitled to any payments in the nature of severance or termination payments except as specifically provided herein.
 
Items 5(a)(i)(1) through 5(a)(i)(4) are referred to herein collectively as the “Accrued Amounts”.
 
ii. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
 
1. the Executive’s willful failure to perform his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness);
 
2. the Executive’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime (other than related to cannabis) that constitutes a felony (or state law equivalent) or a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, if such felony or other crime is work-related, materially impairs the Executive’s ability to perform services for the Company or results in material harm to the Company or its affiliates;
 
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive with malicious intent against the furtherance of Company business or operations. Any act, or failure to act, based upon 1) authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board, 2) duties generally considered part of the Executives position of a similarly situated public company, or 3) upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
 
Termination of the Executive’s employment shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until the Company delivers to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Board (after reasonable written notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that the Executive has engaged in the conduct described in 5(a)(ii) above. Except for a failure, breach, or refusal which, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, the Executive shall have ten (10) business days from the delivery of written notice by the Company within which to cure any acts constituting Cause; provided however, that, if the Company reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of ten (10) business days, the Company may give the Executive notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances, which may include the termination of the Executive’s employment without notice and with immediate effect. The Company may place the Executive on paid leave for up to 60 days while it is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. Any such action by the Company will not constitute Good Reason.
 
 
 
 
iii. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Employment Term without the Executive’s written consent:
 
1. a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary;
 
2. a relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment by more than 50 miles;
 
3. any material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement or any material provision of any other agreement between the Executive and the Company;
 
4. the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law;
 
5. a material, adverse change in the Executive’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) considering the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the date of this Agreement; or
 
6. a material adverse change in the reporting structure applicable to the Executive.
 
The Executive cannot terminate his employment for Good Reason unless he has provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the circumstances providing grounds for termination for Good Reason within 14 days of the initial existence of such grounds and the Company has had at least 14 days from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances. If the Executive does not terminate his employment for Good Reason within 14 days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds, then the Executive will be deemed to have waived his right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.
 
b. Without Cause or for Good Reason. The Employment Term and the Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause. In the event of such termination, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and subject to the Executive’s compliance with Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, and Section 9 of this Agreement and his execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”) and such Release becoming effective within 30 days following the Termination Date (such 30-day period, the “Release Execution Period”)], the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:
 
i. continued Base Salary and health care benefits at a substantially similar level to the benefits provided while Executive was employed by the Company for a duration of the remaining Term of the Executive’s employment as if there had been no Termination, from the Termination Date payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, which shall commence within 14 days following the Termination Date;
 
ii. subject to proration, any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus with respect to any calendar year immediately preceding the Termination Date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date except to the extent payment is otherwise deferred pursuant to any applicable deferred compensation arrangement;
 
iii. Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable administrative assistant expenses incurred by Executive for a period of six months following the Termination Date.
 
iv. The treatment of any outstanding equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Restricted Stock Unit plan and stock option plan and the applicable award agreements.
 
v. Notwithstanding the terms of the Restricted Stock Unit plan and stock option plan or any applicable award agreements:
 
1. all outstanding unvested stock options/stock appreciation rights/restricted stock units granted to the Executive during the Employment Term shall become fully vested and exercisable for the remainder of their full term;
 
 
 
 
2. all outstanding equity-based compensation awards other than stock options/stock appreciation rights that are not intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shall become fully vested and the restrictions thereon shall lapse; provided that, any delays in the settlement or payment of such awards that are set forth in the applicable award agreement and that are required under Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) shall remain in effect; and
 
3. all outstanding equity-based compensation awards other than stock options/stock appreciation rights that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall remain outstanding and shall vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreements, if the applicable performance goals are satisfied.
 
c. Death or Disability.
 
i. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Term, and the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment on account of the Executive’s Disability.
 
ii. If the Executive’s employment is terminated during the Employment Term on account of the Executive’s death or Disability, the Executive (or the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following:
 
1. the Accrued Amounts;
 
2. a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of the Executive’s current Base Salary, as shown at Item 4(a) or as later increased by the Compensation Committee; and,
 
3. a lump sum payment equal to the Annual Bonus, if any, that the Executive would have earned for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs based on the achievement of applicable performance goals for such year, which shall be payable on the date that annual bonuses are paid to the Company’s similarly situated executives, but in no event later than two-and-a-half (2 1/2) months following the end of the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.
 
iii. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to perform the essential functions of his job, with or without reasonable accommodation, for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days. Any question as to the existence of the Executive’s Disability as to which the Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined in writing by a qualified independent physician mutually acceptable to the Executive and the Company. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree as to a qualified independent physician, each shall appoint such a physician and those two physicians shall select a third who shall make such determination in writing. The determination of Disability made in writing to the Company and the Executive shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
 
d. Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment Term (other than termination pursuant to Section 5.3(a) on account of the Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“Notice of Termination”) to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 27. The Notice of Termination shall specify:
 
i. The termination provision of this Agreement relied upon;
 
ii. To the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated; and
 
iii. The applicable Termination Date.
 
e. Termination Date. The Executive’s “Termination Date” shall be:
 
i. If the Executive’s employment hereunder terminates on account of the Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s death;
 
ii. If the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated on account of the Executive’s Disability, the date that it is determined that the Executive has a Disability;
 
iii. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, the date the Notice of Termination is delivered to the Executive;
 
 
 
 
iv. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than 30 days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered; provided that, the Company shall have the option to provide the Executive with a lump sum payment equal to 30 days’ Base Salary in lieu of such notice, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the Executive’s Termination Date and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s Termination Date shall be the date on which such Notice of Termination is delivered;
 
v. If the Executive terminates his employment hereunder with or without Good Reason, the date specified in the Executive’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than 14 days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered; provided that, the Company may waive all or any part of the 14 day notice period for no consideration by giving written notice to the Executive and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s Termination Date shall be the date determined by the Company; and
 
vi. If the Executive’s employment hereunder terminates because either party provides notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1, the Renewal Date immediately following the date on which the applicable party delivers notice of non-renewal.
 
Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the Termination Date shall not occur until the date on which the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.
 
f. Mitigation. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and except as provided in Section 5.2(c), any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5 shall not be reduced by compensation the Executive earns on account of employment with another employer.
 
g. Resignation of All Other Positions. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions that the Executive holds as an officer or member of the Board (or a committee thereof) of the Company or any of its affiliates.
 
h. Section 280G.
 
i. If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive (including, without limitation, any payment or benefits received in connection with a Change in Control or the Executive’s termination of employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement, or otherwise) (all such payments collectively referred to herein as the “280G Payments”) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 5.9, be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then prior to making the 280G Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (i) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to the Executive of the 280G Payments after payment of the Excise Tax to (ii) the Net Benefit to the Executive if the 280G Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Only if the amount calculated under (i) above is less than the amount under (ii) above will the 280G Payments be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the 280G Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. “Net Benefit” shall mean the present value of the 280G Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment, and excise taxes. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 5.9 shall be made in a manner determined by the Company that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.
 
ii. All calculations and determinations under this Section 5.9 shall be made by an independent accounting firm or independent tax counsel appointed by the Company (the “Tax Counsel”) whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and the Executive for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 5.9, the Tax Counsel may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive shall furnish the Tax Counsel with such information and documents as the Tax Counsel may reasonably request in order to make its determinations under this Section 5.9. The Company shall bear all costs the Tax Counsel may reasonably incur in connection with its services.
 
6. Cooperation. The parties agree that certain matters in which the Executive will be involved during the Employment Term may necessitate the Executive’s cooperation in the future. Accordingly, following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, to the extent reasonably requested by the Board, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in connection with matters arising out of the Executive’s service to the Company; provided that, the Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption of the Executive’s other activities. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation and, to the extent that the Executive is required to spend substantial time on such matters, the Company shall compensate the Executive at an hourly rate based on the Executive’s Base Salary on the Termination Date.
 
7. Confidential Information. The Executive understands and acknowledges that during the Employment Term, he will have access to and learn about Confidential Information, as defined below.
 
a. Confidential Information Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes, but is not limited to, all information not generally known to the public, in spoken, printed, electronic or any other form or medium, relating directly or indirectly to: business processes, practices, terms of agreements, transactions, potential transactions, know-how, trade secrets,[ financial information, and customer lists of the Company or its businesses, or of any other person or entity that has entrusted information to the Company in confidence.
 
 
 
 
The Executive understands that the above list is not exhaustive, and that Confidential Information also includes other information that is marked or otherwise identified as confidential or proprietary, or that would otherwise appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary in the context and circumstances in which the information is known or used.
 
The Executive understands and agrees that Confidential Information includes information developed by him in the course of his employment by the Company as if the Company furnished the same Confidential Information to the Executive in the first instance. Confidential Information shall not include information that is generally available to and known by the public at the time of disclosure to the Executive; provided that, such disclosure is through no direct or indirect fault of the Executive or person(s) acting on the Executive’s behalf.
 
b. Company Creation and Use of Confidential Information. The Executive understands and acknowledges that the Company has invested, and continues to invest, substantial time, money, and specialized knowledge into developing its resources, creating a customer base, generating customer and potential customer lists, training its employees, and improving its offerings in the field of state-legal wholesale and retail cannabis. The Executive understands and acknowledges that as a result of these efforts, the Company has created, and continues to use and create Confidential Information. This Confidential Information provides the Company with a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace.
 
c. Disclosure and Use Restrictions. The Executive agrees and covenants: (i) to treat all Confidential Information as strictly confidential; (ii) not to directly or indirectly disclose, publish, communicate, or make available Confidential Information, or allow it to be disclosed, published, communicated, or made available, in whole or part, to any entity or person whatsoever (including other employees of the Company) not having a need to know and authority to know and use the Confidential Information in connection with the business of the Company and, in any event, not to anyone outside of the direct employ of the Company except as required in the performance of the Executive’s authorized employment duties to the Company; and (iii) not to access or use any Confidential Information, and not to copy any documents, records, files, media, or other resources containing any Confidential Information, or remove any such documents, records, files, media, or other resources from the premises or control of the Company , except as required in the performance of the Executive’s authorized employment duties to the Company. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent disclosure of Confidential Information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to the valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that the disclosure does not exceed the extent of disclosure required by such law, regulation, or order.
 
d. Notice of Immunity Under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, as amended by the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
 
i. The Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that:
 
1. is made (1) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (2) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or
 
2. is made in a complaint or other document filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.
 
ii. If the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the Company’s trade secrets to the Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the Executive:
 
1. files any document containing trade secrets under seal; and
 
2. does not disclose trade secrets, except pursuant to court order.
 
The Executive understands and acknowledges that his obligations under this Agreement with regard to any particular Confidential Information shall commence immediately upon the Executive first having access to such Confidential Information (whether before or after he begins employment by the Company) and shall continue during and after his employment by the Company until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of the Executive’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with the Executive or on the Executive’s behalf.
 
8. Restrictive Covenants.
 
a. Non-Competition. Because of the Company’s legitimate business interest as described herein and the good and valuable consideration offered to the Executive, during the Employment Term and for the twelve months, to run consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive agrees and covenants not to engage in Prohibited Activity within a 50 mile radius of Las Vegas.
 
For purposes of this Section 8, “Prohibited Activity” is activity in which the Executive contributes his knowledge, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, as an employee, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, agent, employee, partner, director, stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern, or any other similar capacity to an entity engaged in the same or similar business as the Company , including those engaged in the business of licensed cannabis cultivation, production, or dispensary operations. Prohibited Activity also includes activity that may require or inevitably requires disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary information or Confidential Information.
 
This Section 8 does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to Company.
 
 
 
 
b. Non-Solicitation of Employees. The Executive agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, attempt to hire or recruit, or induce the termination of employment of any employee of the Company for 12 months, to run consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
 
c. Non-Solicitation of Customers and Vendors. The Executive understands and acknowledges that because of the Executive’s experience with and relationship to the Company, he will have access to and learn about much or all of the Company’s customer and vendor information (or, “Competitive Information”). Competitive includes, but is not limited to, names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, order history, order preferences, chain of command, pricing information, and other information identifying facts and circumstances specific to the vendor or the customer and relevant to sales.
 
The Executive understands and acknowledges that loss of this customer or vendor relationship and/or goodwill will cause significant and irreparable harm.
 
The Executive agrees and covenants, during 12 months, to run consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Executive’s employment with the Company, not to directly or indirectly solicit, contact (including but not limited to e-mail, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, and instant message), attempt to contact, or meet with the Company’s current, former or prospective vendors or customers for purposes of offering or accepting goods or services similar to or competitive with those offered by the Company.
 
This restriction shall only apply to:
 
i. Vendors, customers or prospective customers the Executive contacted in any way during the past 12 months;
 
ii. Vendors or customers about whom the Executive has trade secret or confidential information;
 
iii. Vendors or customers who became vendors or customers during the Executive’s employment with the Company; and
 
iv. Vendors or customers about whom the Executive has information that is not available publicly.
 
9. Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees and covenants that he will not at any time make, publish or communicate to any person or entity or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments, or statements concerning the Company or its businesses, or any of its employees, officers, and existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors and other associated third parties.
 
This Section 9 does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order.
 
The Company agrees and covenants that it shall cause its officers and directors to refrain from making any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments, or statements concerning the Executive to any third parties.
 
10. Acknowledgement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the services to be rendered by him to the Company are of a special and unique character; that the Executive will obtain knowledge and skill relevant to the Company’s industry, methods of doing business and marketing strategies by virtue of the Executive’s employment; and that the restrictive covenants and other terms and conditions of this Agreement are reasonable and reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interest of the Company.
 
The Executive further acknowledges that the amount of his compensation reflects, in part, his obligations and the Company’s rights under Section 7, Section 8, and Section 9 of this Agreement; that he has no expectation of any additional compensation, royalties or other payment of any kind not otherwise referenced herein in connection herewith; and that he will not be subject to undue hardship by reason of his full compliance with the terms and conditions of Section 7, Section 8, and Section 9 of this Agreement or the Company’s enforcement thereof.
 
11. Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of Section 7, 8, or Section 9 of this Agreement, the Executive hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages, or other available forms of relief.
 
 
 
 
12. Proprietary Rights.
 
a. Work Product. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived, or reduced to practice by the Executive individually or jointly with others during the period of his employment by the Company and relate in any way to the business or contemplated business, products, activities, research, or development of the Company or result from any work performed by the Executive for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same), all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (a) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names, and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (c) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), [mask works,] and rights in data and databases, (d) trade secrets, know-how, and other confidential information, and (e) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company.
 
For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, documents, contracts, customer lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information.
 
b. Work Made for Hire; Assignment. The Executive acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, the Executive hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, the Executive’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim, and recover for all past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company’s rights, title, or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights so as to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.
 
c. Further Assurances; Power of Attorney. During and after his employment, the Executive agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (a) apply for, obtain, perfect, and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (b) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits, waivers, assignments, and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. The Executive hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on the Executive’s behalf in his name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance, and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if the Executive does not promptly cooperate with the Company’s request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by the Executive’s subsequent incapacity.
 
d. No License. The Executive understands that this Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, grant the Executive any license or right of any nature with respect to any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights or any Confidential Information, materials, software, or other tools made available to him by the Company.
 
13. Security.
 
a. Security and Access. The Executive agrees and covenants (a) to comply with all Company security policies and procedures as in force from time to time and any and all other Company IT resources (“Facilities and Information Technology Resources”); (b) not to access or use any Facilities and Information Technology Resources except as authorized by the Company; and (iii) not to access or use any Facilities and Information Technology Resources in any manner after the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company, whether termination is voluntary or involuntary. The Executive agrees to notify the Company promptly in the event he learns of any violation of the foregoing by others, or of any other misappropriation or unauthorized access, use, reproduction, or reverse engineering of, or tampering with any Facilities and Information Technology Resources or other Company property or materials by others.
 
b. Exit Obligations. Upon (a) voluntary or involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment or (b) the Company’s request at any time during the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall (i) provide or return to the Company any and all Company property and all Company documents and materials belonging to the Company and stored in any fashion, including but not limited to those that constitute or contain any Confidential Information or Work Product, that are in the possession or control of the Executive, whether they were provided to the Executive by the Company or any of its business associates or created by the Executive in connection with his employment by the Company; and (ii) delete or destroy all copies of any such documents and materials not returned to the Company that remain in the Executive’s possession or control, including those stored on any non-Company devices, networks, storage locations, and media in the Executive’s possession or control.
 
14. Publicity. The Executive hereby irrevocably consents to any and all uses and displays, by the Company and its agents, representatives and licensees, of the Executive’s name, voice, likeness, image, appearance, and biographical information in, on or in connection with any pictures, photographs, audio and video recordings, digital images, websites, television programs and advertising, other advertising and publicity, sales and marketing brochures, books, magazines, other publications, CDs, DVDs, tapes, and all other printed and electronic forms and media throughout the world, at any time during or after the period of his employment by the Company, for all legitimate commercial and business purposes of the Company (“Permitted Uses”) without further consent from or royalty, payment, or other compensation to the Executive. The Executive hereby forever waives and releases the Company and its directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, actions, damages, losses, costs, expenses, and liability of any kind, arising under any legal or equitable theory whatsoever at any time during or after the period of his employment by the Company, arising directly or indirectly from the Company’s and its agents’, representatives’, and licensees’ exercise of their rights in connection with any Permitted Uses.
 
 
 
 
15. Governing Law: Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement, for all purposes, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Nevada without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any action or proceeding by either of the parties to enforce this Agreement shall be brought only in a state or federal court located in the state of Nevada, county of Clark. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.
 
16. Entire Agreement. Unless specifically provided herein, this Agreement contains all of the understandings and representations between the Executive and the Company pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. The parties mutually agree that the Agreement can be specifically enforced in court and can be cited as evidence in legal proceedings alleging breach of the Agreement.
 
17. Modification and Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by Board of Directors. No waiver by either of the parties of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either of the parties in exercising any right, power, or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power, or privilege.
 
18. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, or if any portion of this Agreement shall be held as unenforceable and thus stricken, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties with any such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement.
 
The parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law.
 
The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth herein.
 
19. Captions. Captions and headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the caption or heading of any section or paragraph.
 
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
21. Tolling. Should the Executive violate any of the terms of the restrictive covenant obligations articulated herein, the obligation at issue will run from the first date on which the Executive ceases to be in violation of such obligation.
 
22. Section 409A.
 
a. General Compliance. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A, and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by the Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
 
b. Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any payment or benefit provided to the Executive in connection with his termination of employment is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i), then such payment or benefit shall not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the Termination Date or, if earlier, on the Executive’s death (the “Specified Employee Payment Date”). The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment Date [and interest on such amounts calculated based on the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which the Executive’s separation from service occurs] shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date and thereafter, any remaining payments shall be paid without delay in accordance with their original schedule.
 
 
 
 
c. Reimbursements. To the extent required by Section 409A, each reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided under this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the following:
 
i. the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during each calendar year cannot affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year;
 
ii. any reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be paid to the Executive on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and
 
iii. any right to reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
 
d. Tax Gross-ups. Any tax gross-up payments provided under this Agreement shall be paid to the Executive on or before December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Executive remits the related taxes.
 
23. Notification to Subsequent Employer. When the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, the Executive agrees to notify any subsequent employer of the restrictive covenants sections contained in this Agreement. The Executive will also deliver a copy of such notice to the Company before the Executive commences employment with any subsequent employer. In addition, the Executive authorizes the Company to provide a copy of the restrictive covenants sections of this Agreement to third parties, including but not limited to, the Executive’s subsequent, anticipated, or possible future employer.
 
24. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and shall not be assigned by the Executive. Any purported assignment by the Executive shall be null and void from the initial date of the purported assignment. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and permitted successors and assigns.
 
25. Notice. Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight carrier to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or such other addresses as specified by the parties by like notice):
 
If to the Company:
Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., or MM Development Company, Inc., currently registered corporate office or registered agent.
 
If to the Executive:
Address written below.
 
26. Representations of the Executive. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:
 
The Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement, or understanding to which he is a party or is otherwise bound.
 
The Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not violate any non-solicitation, non-competition, or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer.
 
27. Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any amount payable hereunder any Federal, state, and local taxes in order for the Company to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under any applicable law or regulation.
 
28. Survival. Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive such expiration or other termination to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.
 
29. Gender and Number. Wherever appropriate herein, the masculine may mean the feminine and the singular may mean the plural or vice versa.
 
30. Acknowledgement of Full Understanding. THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT HE HAS FULLY READ, UNDERSTANDS AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT. THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT HE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF his CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.
 

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
 
Employee:
/s/ Larry Scheffler
Name: Larry Scheffler
 
Address:
[REDACTED]
MM Development Company
By: /s/ Robert Groesbeck
Robert Groesbeck, Director
 
By: /s/ Larry Scheffler
Name: Larry Scheffler, Director
 

 
 
Amendment to Employment Agreement
 
This First Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 10, 2021, by and between Larry Scheffler (the “Executive”) and MM Development Company, Inc., a Nevada domestic corporation (the “Company”).
 
WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., the parent company of MM Development Company, Inc. met on February 25, 2021, and authorized an extension of the Term under the Agreement; and
 
WHEREAS, MM Development Company, Inc. is the US subsidiary of Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., and Executive’s position is effective for Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., and that Executive continues to provide services for both MM Development Company, Inc. and Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., and for other subsidiaries of Planet 13 Holdings, Inc.
 
WHEREAS, Planet 13 Holdings, Inc. Executives and officers of MM Development Company, Inc. are paid through BLC Management Company, LLC, a Nevada LLC as the US management branch of Planet 13 Holdings, Inc.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises, and obligations set forth herein, the parties agree to amend the June 1, 2018 Employment Agreement between Executive and MM Development Company, Inc. as follows:
 
The Term, as such word is defined at Section 1 of the Agreement, is extended to December 31, 2025 from the originally defined date of May 15, 2023. This Term extension shall also extend the calculation of benefits due to the Executive under Section 5 (Termination of Employment), Subsection b. (Without Cause or for Good Reason), Part i. for the continuation of Base Salary and health care benefits, as well as all other sections impacted by an extension of the Term.
 
So agreed this March 10, 2021 as to Executive, Company, and confirmed by Planet 13 Holdings, Inc.
 
MM Development Company, Inc.
 
/s/ Robert Groesbeck
Authorized Officer
 
Executive
 
/s/ Larry Scheffler
Larry Scheffler
 
Confirmation of Amendment, Pre-Approved by Compensation Committee
Planet 13 Holdings, Inc.
 
/s/ Leighton Koehler
Authorized Officer