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
Date of Report (Date of
earliest event reported) October 5, 2021 (
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
(Address, including Zip Code, and
telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and
former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) |
Name
of Each Exchange on which Registered | ||||
| Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. | * | |||||
| The Hertz Corporation | None | None | None |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
* Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.’s common stock trades on the over-the-counter market under the symbol HTZZ.
ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.
Appointment of New Interim Chief Executive Officer
On October 4, 2021, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Mark Fields as the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer (“Interim CEO”) effective as of October 5, 2021 while the Company conducts a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer, and in that capacity he will serve as the Company’s principal executive officer. Mr. Fields is a current member of the Board and will remain as a director following his appointment as Interim CEO, but as of October 5, 2021 he will no longer serve on the audit committee of the Board.
Mr. Fields will serve on an “at-will” basis until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is chosen. Following the date that a new permanent Chief Executive Officer begins employment with the Company, Mr. Fields will remain employed by the Company to provide transition services for a period of up to two (2) weeks. His last day of employment following this transition period is referred to below as the “Employment End Date”.
Mr. Fields will receive a base salary of $62,500 per week. Additionally, Mr. Fields will be entitled to receive an RSU grant covering 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Interim CEO Award”). The shares covered by the Interim CEO Award will vest as follows: (A) if the Employment End Date occurs within 90 days of Mr. Fields’s start date as Interim Chief Executive Officer, 50% of the shares under the Interim CEO Award will vest on the Employment End Date and the remainder will be forfeited, and (B) if the Employment End Date occurs after the 90th day following his employment start date, 100% of the shares under the Interim CEO Award will vest on the earlier of (x) the six-month anniversary of his start date and (y) the Employment End Date. The terms of the Interim CEO Award will be subject to the provisions of the Company’s new omnibus equity incentive plan once adopted by the Board and the form of award agreement.
On October 4, 2021, Mr. Fields and the Company entered into an offer letter containing the terms described above. The foregoing summary of the offer letter is qualified in its entirety by the full text of such document, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Appointment of Chief Operating Officer
On October 4, 2021, Paul E. Stone resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and also resigned from the Board, in each case effective October 5, 2021.
The Board separately appointed Mr. Stone as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer effective October 5, 2021, and he will also continue in his role as President of the Company.
Mr. Stone will serve on an “at-will” basis, and either the Company or Mr. Stone may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without reason.
Mr. Stone will continue to receive a base salary of $1,000,000 per year and his target annual bonus for calendar year 2021 will remain 140% of his base salary. Further, provided that Mr. Stone is employed with the Company as of March 1, 2022, he will be entitled to a lump-sum payment of (x) $2,000,000, plus (y) an amount that represents the employer-paid portion of his monthly group health insurance premiums, multiplied by twenty-four (24) (the “Transition Bonus”), subject to execution of a release of claims. If Mr. Stone is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason prior to March 1, 2022, he will be entitled to receive the Transition Bonus as severance, subject to execution of a release of claims, and he will also remain eligible to receive an annual bonus for calendar year 2021 based on the Company’s actual performance. In addition, the Company has waived its right to claw back any portion of his retention bonus previously paid in August 2021 if he resigns for good reason prior to December 31, 2021.
On October 4, 2021, Mr. Stone and the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Offer Letter, Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, which provides for Mr. Stone’s change in position and resignation from the Board. The foregoing summary of such agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of such document, which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 9.01. EXHIBITS.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number |
Title | |
| 10.1 | Offer Letter between Mark Fields and Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. dated October 4, 2021 |
| 10.2 | Second Amended and Restated Offer Letter, Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement between Paul Stone and Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. effective as of October 5, 2021 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| HERTZ GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. | |
| THE HERTZ CORPORATION | |
| (each, a Registrant) |
| By: | /s/ M. David Galainena | |
| Name: | M. David Galainena | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |
| Date: October 5, 2021 |
Exhibit 10.1
October 4, 2021
Mr. Mark Fields
Dear Mark:
On behalf of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer you the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“Interim CEO”) during the Company’s search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. This letter agreement (the “Agreement”) sets forth the terms of your employment as Interim CEO and is effective as of October 5, 2021 (the “Start Date”).
1. Position.
(a) In your position as Interim CEO, you will report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Beginning the week of October 18, 2021, you agree to work out of the Company’s headquarters office in Estero, Florida at least two (2) days per week, and otherwise you may work remotely. You will also continue to serve on the Board while you are acting as Interim CEO.
(b) The Interim CEO position is a full-time position. While you render services to the Company as Interim CEO, you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company; provided, however, that you may continue to serve on any boards of directors or committees thereof on which you served as of the Start Date. By signing this Agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company.
2. Term. The parties anticipate that the term of your appointment as Interim CEO will not exceed six (6) months unless extended by mutual written agreement (such actual employment period, the “Employment Term”). You will be deemed to resign as Interim CEO automatically upon the date that a permanent Chief Executive Officer is hired and commences employment with the Company (the “Permanent CEO Start Date”), and you agree to continue as an employee (subject to the same base salary) to provide transition services for up to two (2) weeks following the Permanent CEO Start Date, unless otherwise agreed to by you and the Company (such date, the “Employment End Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, your employment is “at will,” and may be terminated by you or the Company at any time with or without cause or with or without advance notice. Effective as of the day immediately following your Employment End Date, the Company expects that you will remain on the Board as a non-employee director following the end of the Employment Term.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) Salary. You will be paid a salary of $62,500 per week (approx. $250,000 on a monthly basis), less required deductions and tax withholdings and prorated for partial weeks. Your salary will be payable bi-weekly pursuant to the Company’s regular payroll policy. You will not participate in the Company’s annual incentive plan.
(b) Equity. Following the Start Date and the adoption by the Board of the Company’s 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), you will be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Interim CEO Award”). The Interim CEO Award will vest as follows, subject to your continued employment on such date: (i) if the Employment End Date occurs within 90 days following your Start Date, 50% of the shares under the Interim CEO Award will vest as of your Employment End Date, and the remainder will be forfeited; and (ii) if the Employment End Date occurs after the 90th day following your Start Date, 100% of the shares under the Interim CEO Award will vest as of the earlier of (x) the 6-month anniversary of your Start Date and (y) your Employment End Date. The Interim CEO Award will be subject to the terms of the Plan and the award agreement evidencing the Interim CEO Award.
(c) Benefits. While you are an employee, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s standard suite of health and welfare benefits made available to its senior executive officers.
(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation. While you are an employee, you will not earn any non-employee director cash retainers, equity grants or other compensation under the Company’s Directors Compensation Policy for your services as director; however, you will remain eligible to receive the equity incentive portion of your annual retainer (disregarding any election to receive equity in lieu of cash) due to you under the Directors Compensation Policy for your Board service through the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, which shall be granted to you upon the adoption of the Plan.
4. Expenses. The Company will reimburse you for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by you in connection with your performance of services as Interim CEO on behalf of the Company, and will provide you with temporary furnished housing in Estero, Florida and a company provided vehicle for use during your time working out of the Estero, Florida headquarters during the Employment Term, in accordance with applicable Company policies and guidelines.
5. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify you with respect to activities in connection with your employment hereunder to the fullest extent provided by applicable law, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of any indemnification agreement previously entered into between you and the Company prior to the Start Date. You will also continue to be named as an insured in your capacities as Interim CEO and as director of the Company on the director and officer liability insurance policy currently maintained or as may be maintained by the Company from time to time. The cost of such coverage will be borne by the Company.
6. Required Employment Forms. You will be required, as a condition of your employment with the Company, to sign all of the Company’s standard forms applicable to new employees (including, but not limited to, the Company’s Employee Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement).
7. Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Florida without regard to its conflict of laws provision. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or related to your employment by the Company, or termination of employment, including but not limited to claims arising under or related to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement, and any alleged violation of federal, state, or local statute, regulation, common law, or public policy, shall be submitted to and decided by binding arbitration. Arbitration shall be administered exclusively by the American Arbitration Association and shall be conducted in Lee County, Florida, before a single arbitrator, consistent with the AAA rules for employment disputes in effect at the time the arbitration is commenced (the “AAA Rules”). You and the Company waive all rights to have your disputes heard or decided by a jury or in a court trial and the right to pursue any class or collective action or representative claims against each other in court, arbitration, or any other proceeding. Any arbitral award determination shall be final and binding upon you and the Company. The Company shall be responsible for the arbitrator’s fees and arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration hearing, except that you will be responsible for paying the initial filing fees as provided by the AAA Rules. You and the Company shall each be responsible for your own deposition, witness, expert, and attorneys’ fees and other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being heard in court.
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8. Miscellaneous. For purposes of federal immigration law, you will be required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between you and the Company relating to your employment and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between us. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a written agreement, signed by an officer of the Company.
We are all delighted to be able to extend you this offer. To indicate your acceptance of the Company’s offer, please sign and date this Agreement in the space provided below and return it to me.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| /s/ Tom Wagner | ||
| Tom Wagner | ||
| Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors | ||
| ACCEPTED AND AGREED: | ||
| /s/ Mark Fields | ||
| Mark Fields |
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EXHIBIT 10.2
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED OFFER LETTER,
CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
This Second Amended and Restated Offer Letter, Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement (this “Agreement”) made as of October 5, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), is between Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Paul Stone (“Executive”). For purposes of this Agreement, the “Company” shall collectively mean the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Executive has previously entered into an Amended and Restated Offer Letter, Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement with the Company dated May 16, 2020 (the “Prior Offer Letter”);
WHEREAS, Executive has also previously entered into a retention bonus letter agreement between the Company and Executive dated on or about August 16, 2021 (the “Retention Bonus Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to replace and supersede the Prior Offer Letter in its entirety by entering into this Agreement setting forth the terms of Executive’s continued employment with the Company from and after the Effective Date; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the premises and mutual covenants contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1. POSITION; AT WILL EMPLOYMENT
As of the Effective Date, Executive hereby resigns as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., and the Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive as Chief Operating Officer and President of the Company, and Executive agrees to accept such positions. Executive specifically acknowledges that his employment with the Company is and will be “at will” and that, consequently, either Executive or the Company may terminate the employer-employee relationship at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all, subject to the continuing obligations of Executive as set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement.
2. DUTIES
As of the Effective Date, Executive shall serve as Chief Operating Officer and President of the Company, and will, honestly and to the best of his ability, perform the duties of such positions. Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or the Interim Chief Executive Officer, as applicable). Executive’s duties and authority shall consist of and include all duties, responsibilities and authority customarily performed and held by individuals serving in such positions. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason (unless otherwise agreed in writing between Executive and the Company), Executive shall be deemed to have resigned, without any further action on Executive’s part, from any and all officer and director positions that Executive, immediately prior to such termination, (i) held with the Company, or (ii) held with any other entities at the direction of the Company.
3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
(a) As of the Effective Date, Executive’s annual base salary shall remain $1,000,000.00 (the “Base Salary”), paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.
(b) Executive’s target bonus under the Company’s incentive cash program for its U.S. and corporate segments for the second half of calendar year 2021 will remain at 140% of his Base Salary (the actual amount of such bonus, the “2021 Annual Bonus”).
(c) If Executive remains employed by the Company as of March 1, 2022 (the “Target Date”), he shall be entitled to a lump-sum payment from the Company (the “Transition Bonus”), payable within 30 days following the Target Date, equal in value to the total benefits to which Executive would have been entitled under the Second Modified Third Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of the Hertz Corporation and its Debtor Affiliates (the “Plan of Reorganization”), which became effective on June 30, 2021, had Executive’s employment been terminated without cause by the Company as of the Effective Date, which the parties agree shall be an amount equal to (1) two (2) times Executive’s Base Salary as of the Effective Date, plus (2) the employer-paid portion of monthly health insurance premium for Executive’s group health insurance coverage, multiplied by 24. Payment of the Transition Bonus shall be contingent upon the execution and effectiveness of a general release of claims. The Transition Bonus is in addition to any amount payable as the 2021 Annual Bonus.
(d) Executive waives all right to any severance benefits under any severance plan of the Company, including without limitation the Plan of Reorganization or the 2021 Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Severance Plan for Senior Executives (the “Severance Plan”), except as provided in Section 3(e) below. For the avoidance of doubt, by signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is not entitled to make a claim as to any severance benefits in connection with the change in his position with the Company or his resignation from the Board.
(e) If Executive’s employment is terminated before the Target Date, either (i) by the Company without Cause (as defined in the Retention Bonus Agreement), or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, Executive’s employment will be treated as having continued through the Target Date for purposes of his entitlement to the Transition Bonus described above and for purposes of the Retention Bonus Agreement and the 2021 Annual Bonus (if any), and the Transition Bonus will be payable within 30 days following the later of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, and the execution and effectiveness of a general release of claims, including customary non-competition, non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions. The 2021 Annual Bonus, if payable, will be paid on the same schedule as bonuses paid to the Company’s other senior executives. For this purpose, “Good Reason” shall mean that any one of the following events occurs during the Executive’s employment with the Company without Executive’s consent: (i) a material diminution in Executive’s base salary; (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, provided that neither his agreement to accept the position as President and Chief Operating Officer, nor the employment by the Company of an interim Chief Executive Officer or a permanent Chief Executive Officer, will be considered such a material diminution; (iii) a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom Executive is required to report, provided that the employment by the Company of an interim Chief Executive Officer or a permanent Chief Executive Officer will not be considered such a material diminution; (iv) relocation of Executive’s principal business location to a location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s then-current business location; or (v) the Company’s material breach of this Agreement. In order for a resignation to qualify as a termination for “Good Reason,” Executive will not be deemed to have Good Reason unless (1) Executive first provides the Company with written notice of the condition giving rise to Good Reason within 30 days of its initial occurrence, (2) the Company fails to cure such condition within 30 days after receiving such written notice (the “Cure Period”), and (3) Executive’s resignation based on such Good Reason is effective within 30 days after the expiration of the Cure Period.
(f) Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive a company-provided vehicle for his personal and professional use. The Company retains the right and sole discretion to amend, modify or rescind such policy at any time and for any reason. Executive will continue to be eligible for four weeks’ vacation per the terms and conditions of The Hertz Corporation vacation policy. Executive will continue to be eligible for reimbursement up to $4,000 annually for Financial Planning Services with the provider of Executive’s choice. Executive shall, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents and all applicable laws, be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and arrangements the Company makes available from time to time to its U.S. senior executives generally, as such plans may be amended from time to time.
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(g) Except as set forth in Section 3(e), Executive shall remain subject to the terms of Retention Bonus Agreement, including the clawback provisions thereunder.
(h) Payments under this Agreement are subject to all applicable withholding taxes.
4. LOCATION
Executive’s role is based out of the Company’s Estero, Florida headquarters. As a condition to Executive’s continued employment, he represents and acknowledges that for the duration of his employment he shall maintain his principal place of residence within thirty (30) miles of the Company’s world headquarters in Estero, Florida.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY; RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
(a) Confidential Information. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the business of the Company is highly competitive and that during the course of his relationship with the Company he will have access to significant proprietary and confidential information belonging to the Company. Executive therefore covenants and agrees, for the duration of this Agreement and at all times following its termination, he will not use or disclose (other than in furtherance of Company’s business interests during the term of this Agreement and as authorized by the Company) any confidential proprietary information of the Company, including, but not limited to, customer and supplier lists, customer or prospect information, pricing information, business plans, business development plans or other strategic plans or information, sales and marketing information, patents, patent rights, inventions, trademark or trade name rights, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, techniques, know-how and trade secret information, plans or information regarding the Company’s future products and services and other business and financial information of or relating to the Company or its customers. Executive shall retain all such information in trust for the sole benefit of the Company. Executive agrees that the Company has expended considerable time, effort and expense in assembling and maintaining such information and that such information constitutes both (i) trade secret and/or confidential and proprietary information of the Company and (ii) part of the Company’s goodwill.
(b) Non-Competition. During the term of this Agreement and Executive’s employment by the Company, and for a period of eighteen (18) months after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, whether said termination was voluntary or involuntary (the “Restricted Period”), Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, whether as a principal, agent, officer, director, partner, employee, consultant, independent contractor or in any other capacity whatsoever, alone or in association with any other person, carry on, or be engaged, concerned or take part in, or render services or assistance to, or own, share in the earnings of, or invest in the stocks, bonds or other securities of any business, firm, corporation, entity or institution (i) that is directly or indirectly in competition with the Company, (ii) that is, seeks to become or, during the Restricted Period becomes, a creditor, equityholder, or creditor committee member of, or lender or financial advisor to, the Company, or (iii) any other person that has, or during the Restricted Period obtains, an interest in the Company. An individual or entity will be presumed to be in competition with the Company if the individual or entity markets, sells, produces, renders or distributes the same or similar types or kinds of products and/or services as those marketed, sold, produced, rendered or distributed or which were in research and development by the Company at any point during the term of this Agreement. The foregoing restriction will not preclude Executive from owning up to 1% of the stock of a publicly traded company or from engaging in competitive business activities which do not otherwise violate the terms and conditions of subsection (a) or subsection (c) of this Agreement.
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(c) Non-Solicitation. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, as a principal, proprietor, director, officer, partner, shareholder, employee, member, manager, consultant, agent, independent contractor or otherwise, for himself or on behalf of any other person or entity other than the Company, directly or indirectly:
(i) Solicit or attempt to solicit any competitive business as described above from any customer or prospective customer of the Company whom Executive came to know, came to service, or came to learn the identity of during course of the Employee’s relationship with the Company;
(ii) Solicit or induce or attempt to solicit or induce any person who is employed by the Company to leave the Company; or
(iii) Aid, assist or counsel any other person, firm, corporation, entity or the like to take any of the actions set forth in Section 5(c)(i) or (ii).
(d) Ownership of Property. All written materials, records and documents made by Executive or coming into Executive’s possession during the term of this Agreement concerning the business or affairs of the Company, together with all intellectual and industrial property rights attached thereto, shall be the sole property of the Company; and, upon termination of Executive’s employment and/or this Agreement or at the request of the Company at any time, Executive shall promptly deliver all such materials and information in his possession or control to the Company. Upon a termination of employment for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all non-personal documents and data of any nature and in whatever medium pertaining to Executive’s employment with the Company, or any other property of the Company (including, without limitation, any electronic equipment) and he shall not take with him any such property, documents or data, in any form or media, of any description or any reproduction thereof, or any documents containing or pertaining to confidential and proprietary information.
(e) Reasonableness of Restrictive Covenants. In view of the services which Executive will perform for the Company, which services are special, unique and extraordinary in character and which will place Executive in a position of confidence and trust with customers of the Company and will provide Executive with access to confidential and proprietary financial information, trade secrets, “know-how” and other confidential and proprietary information of the Company, Executive expressly acknowledges that the restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 5 are reasonable and necessary to protect and maintain the proprietary and other legitimate business interests of the Company and that the enforcement of such restrictive covenants will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood or impose any undue burden on Executive or his family. Executive further acknowledges that the remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 5 by him, if such breach or threatened breach is held by the Court to exist, will be inadequate and, accordingly, that the Company shall, in addition to all other available remedies, be entitled to injunctive relief without being required to post bond or other security and without having to prove the inadequacy of the remedies available at law. In addition, in the event a Court determines that there has been a breach or threatened breach or repudiation of Section 5 of this Agreement by Executive, Executive agrees that, in addition to injunctive relief and monetary damages, the Company shall be entitled to recover from Executive its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in obtaining any restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or any monetary judgment against Executive.
(f) Reformation. If any portion of the provisions of this Section 5 is held to be unenforceable for any reason, including but not limited to the duration of such provision, the territory being covered thereby or the type of conduct restricted therein, the parties agree that the Court is authorized and directed to modify the duration, geographic area and/or other terms of such provisions to the maximum benefit of the Company as permitted by law, and, as so modified, said provision shall then be enforceable.
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(g) Extension Upon Breach. The period of time during which the provisions of this Section 5 shall apply shall be extended by the length of time during which Executive is deemed to be in breach of any of the terms of this Section 5.
(h) Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, other employees at the level of manager or above, or stockholders holding more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock (or affiliates or principals of such stockholders) in any manner reasonably likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 5(h) shall prohibit Executive from (i) disclosing truthful information in pursuing or responding to valid claims if legally required (whether by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) or (ii) exercising any legally protected whistleblower rights (including pursuant to Rule 21F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
Executive expressly waives a trial by jury and agrees not to plead or defend on grounds of adequate remedy at law or any element thereof in an action by the Company against Executive for injunctive relief or for specific performance of any obligation set forth in this Agreement.
7. Section 409A
(a) To the extent permitted under Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A. Any payments subject to Section 409A that are subject to execution of a waiver and release which may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the payment event (such as termination of employment) occurs shall commence payment only as soon as possible in the calendar year in which the consideration period or, if applicable, release revocation period ends, as necessary to comply with Section 409A. All payments of nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) (a “Separation from Service”).
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments under Section 3(e), shall be paid to Executive during the six-month period following Executive’s Separation from Service if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Separation from Service (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Executive’s death), the Company shall pay Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to Executive during such period.
8. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Further Agreement. In February 2022, the parties agree to discuss in good faith whether, and the terms by which, Executive will continue to be employed by the Company after March 1, 2022, including the possibility of an award of equity incentive compensation to Executive, and if mutually acceptable terms can be reached, the parties may at that time enter into a new employment agreement superseding all or part of the terms set forth herein; provided, however, that nothing herein shall create any expectation or obligation on any party to reach agreement on the terms of any such employment agreement.
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(b) Attorney Fees. Executive’s legal fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with the drafting, review and negotiation of this Agreement shall be paid by the Company, subject to Executive’s delivery to the Company of documentation evidencing such fees and expenses; provided, however, that such Company payment or reimbursement shall not exceed $15,000.
(c) Governing Law, Forum Selection and Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida without giving effect to conflict of laws principals thereof. Executive and the Company hereby agree that any action initiated by or on behalf of either party seeking to interpret or enforce the terms of this Agreement shall only be brought in either the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Lee County, Florida or the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of said Courts and waive any challenge to personal jurisdiction. The terms of this Agreement may be enforced by the Company or its successors or assigns.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. If any provision is invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as stated in this agreement, supersedes and replaces in its entirety all prior agreements and understandings oral or written between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the Prior Offer Letter. No other representations, promises, agreements or understandings regarding the subject matter hereof shall be of any force or-effect unless in writing, executed by the party to be bound, and dated subsequent to the date hereof.
(f) Amendment. This Agreement may not be cancelled, changed, modified or amended orally, and no cancellation, change, modification or amendment hereof shall be effective or binding unless in written instrument signed by the Company and Executive. A provision of this Agreement may be waived only by written instrument signed by the party against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought.
(g) Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) Notice. All notices, requests, demands or other communications to the Company and/or Executive under or relating to this Agreement shall be in writing to the address listed on the first page of this Agreement or Executive’s address of record with Company, respectively. Notice shall be duly given if in writing and delivered by hand or mailed by first class, registered mail, return-receipt requested, with postage and registry fees pre-paid.
(i) No Cause Event. Executive acknowledges that as of the Effective Date, Executive has not committed any act that would reasonably give rise to a termination of employment for Cause.
(j) Interpretation and Construction. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be construed in favor of providing all reasonable protection to the legitimate business interests of the Company. The parties further agree that, in interpreting and enforcing this Agreement, the court shall not employ any rule of contract construction that requires the court to construe narrowly against the drafter of the Agreement and shall consider the Agreement as if each party participated equally in its preparation.
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(k) Survival. Executive’s obligations as set forth in Section 5 represent independent covenants by which Executive is and shall remain bound notwithstanding any breach or claim of breach by the Company, and shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
(l) Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that he has read this Agreement, that he was given sufficient time and opportunity to review it and to consult an attorney regarding its terms and conditions, and that the Company has recommended to Executive that he consult an attorney prior to execution of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that, pursuant to Section 1, this Agreement does not alter Executive’s status as an employee-at-will or in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate the employment relationship at any time.
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IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| HERTZ GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Tom Wagner | |
| Name: Tom Wagner | ||
| Title: Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors | ||
| EXECUTIVE | ||
| /s/ Paul Stone | ||
| Paul Stone | ||
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