UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Employment Agreement with Thomas P. Meissner, Jr.
On May 1, 2024, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of Unitil Corporation (the “Company”), the Company’s Board of Directors approved an Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) between the Company and Thomas P. Meissner, Jr., retroactively effective as of April 25, 2024. The Employment Agreement is substantially similar to Mr. Meissner’s employment arrangement under his previous employment agreement with the Company. The Employment Agreement generally provides that: (i) Mr. Meissner will serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (ii) his employment will continue through to April 24, 2027; (iii) the Company will pay him an initial base salary of $712,025 per year, which is subject to annual review by the Board of Directors for discretionary periodic adjustments; (iv) he will participate in the Company’s Management Incentive Plan at the initial target rate of 65% of his base salary, which is subject to annual review by the Company’s Compensation Committee for discretionary periodic adjustments; (v) he will participate in the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Program and other employee benefit plans available to the Company’s executives; (vi) he will participate in the Company’s stock and similar plans; (vii) he will be entitled to a monthly automobile allowance of $1,000; and (viii) he will be reimbursed for a membership in a local health club.
The Employment Agreement also generally provides that the Company may terminate Mr. Meissner’s employment for any reason. If Mr. Meissner’s employment is terminated for any reason other than for cause, death, or disability, or if he terminates his employment for good reason, then the Company generally will pay him, in lump sum cash payments, (i) all accrued and unpaid salary, bonus and expense reimbursements, (ii) the present value of 24 monthly base salary payments, (iii) the present value of two annual bonus payments, and (iv) the present value of the cost that the Company would have incurred to provide group medical, dental and life insurance coverage to him and his eligible dependents for two years. If Mr. Meissner’s employment is terminated for cause, death, or disability, or if he terminates his employment other than for good reason, then the Company will have no further obligation to him under the Employment Agreement (except for accrued and unpaid salary, bonus and expense reimbursement). The Employment Agreement generally protects the Company’s interests during and for 12 months following Mr. Meissner’s termination by prohibiting him from competing with the Company, from recruiting or soliciting the Company’s officers or employees, and from diverting the Company’s customers to the Company’s competitors. It also prohibits Mr. Meissner from disclosing the Company’s confidential information following his termination, subject to certain exceptions.
The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to summarize all of the provisions of the Employment Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Third Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Plan
On May 1, 2024, the shareholders of the Company voted to amend the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Plan (the “Second Amended Stock Plan”) by approving the Company’s Third Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Plan (the “Third Amended Stock Plan”).
The Third Amended Stock Plan provides for, among other things, an increase in the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards to participants under the plan by 350,000 shares, from 677,500 shares to 1,027,500 shares in the aggregate. The shares issuable pursuant to the Third Amended Stock Plan include restricted stock, restricted stock units and common stock. The following is a summary of additional material features of the Third Amended Stock Plan.
• | Administration. The Third Amended Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company, or such other committee appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors to administer the Third Amended Stock Plan. |
• | Awards. Under the Third Amended Stock Plan, the Company may grant stock awards or restricted stock units. A restricted stock unit is a notional unit of measurement denominated in shares of the Company’s common stock, and one restricted stock unit is equivalent in value to one share of the Company’s common stock. Each restricted stock units represents an unfunded, unsecured right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock or a cash amount equal to the fair market value of shares of the Company’s common stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the Third Amended Stock Plan and in an award agreement issued under the Third Amended Stock Plan. |
• | Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in the Third Amended Stock Plan include all employees, directors and consultants of the Company, its subsidiaries and its affiliates. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 531 full and part-time employees, nine independent non-employee Directors, and several consultants. The basis for participation in the plan is discretionary on the part of the Compensation Committee, which may select from all eligible employees, directors and consultants. |
• | Maximum Grants. The maximum aggregate number of shares or restricted stock units that may be granted in any one calendar year to any one participant is 20,000, subject to the Third Amended Stock Plan’s adjustment provisions. |
• | Performance Goals. If the Compensation Committee determines that an award under the Third Amended Stock Plan should be designed with performance measures, then the performance measure(s), the attainment of which determine the degree of vesting, to be used for purposes of the awards will be chosen from among earnings per share, economic value added, market share (actual or targeted growth), net income (before or after taxes), operating income, return on assets (actual or targeted growth), return on capital (actual or targeted growth), return on equity (actual or targeted growth), return on investment (actual or targeted growth), revenue (actual or targeted growth), share price, stock price growth, total shareholder return, or any other performance measures as are duly approved by the Compensation Committee and the Company’s shareholders. |
• | Change in Control. Upon a change in control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges, any restrictions and transfer limitations imposed on shares of restricted stock will immediately lapse and any unvested restricted stock units will immediately become vested. Under the Third Amended Stock Plan, a change in control means the satisfaction of any one or more of the following conditions: (a) the Company receives a report on Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 13(d) of the Exchange Act, disclosing that any person, group, corporation or other entity is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock; (b) any person, group, corporation or other entity other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, purchases the Company’s shares pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer to acquire any of the Company’s shares (or securities convertible into the Company’s shares) for cash, securities or any other consideration, provided that after consummation of the offer, the person, group, corporation or other entity in question is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares; (c) consummation of a transaction which involves (1) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation, or pursuant to which shares of the Company would be converted into cash, securities or other property (except where the Company’s shareholders before the transaction will be the owners of more than 75% of all classes of voting securities of the surviving entity), or (2) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or (d) there shall have been a change in a majority of the members of the Board of Directors within a 25-month period, unless the election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders of each new director was approved by the vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 25-month period. |
• | Adjustments. In the event of an equity restructuring affecting the Company’s common stock, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin off, rights offering, or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Compensation Committee will authorize and make an equitable adjustment to the number and kind of shares of common stock that may be delivered under the Third Amended Stock Plan and, in addition, may authorize and make an equitable adjustment to the Third Amended Stock Plan’s annual individual award limit. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization or partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, authorize and make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Compensation Committee shall deem appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights, including, without limitation, an adjustment in the maximum number and kind of shares of the Company’s common stock or restricted stock units that may be delivered under the Third Amended Stock Plan, and in the Third Amended Stock Plan’s annual individual award limit. |
• | Amendment. The Third Amended Stock Plan may be amended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that no amendment that requires shareholder approval in order for the Third Amended Stock Plan to continue to comply with any applicable tax or securities laws or regulations, or the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities of the Company are listed, shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of shareholders of the Company. In addition, no such amendment or termination shall adversely affect any existing award, grant or benefit hereunder without the consent of the participant in the Third Amended Stock Plan. |
The foregoing description of the Third Amended Stock Plan does not purport to summarize all of the provisions of the Third Amended Stock Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Third Amended Stock Plan, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
On May 1, 2024, the Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders at its offices in Hampton, NH, as well as online via live webcast. As of the record date for the meeting, the Company had 16,164,023 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. Of these shares, 14,280,567.29, or 88.35%, were present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, which constituted a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. At the meeting, the Company’s shareholders voted:
1. | To elect three directors of the Company in Class III, nominated by the Company’s Board of Directors, each to serve a three-year term. The final vote was as follows: |
No. of Shares | ||||||||||||||||
For | Withheld | Broker Non Vote | Uncast | |||||||||||||
Suzanne Foster |
11,868,997.29 | 694,786.10 | 1,716,783 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Thomas P. Meissner, Jr. |
12,027,352.06 | 536,432.22 | 1,716,783 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Justine Vogel |
12,302,033.96 | 261,750.32 | 1,716,783 | 0 |
All of the directors listed above were elected as directors at the meeting.
2. To approve the Company’s Third Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Plan. The final vote was as follows:
No. of Shares | ||||||||
For |
Against |
Abstain |
Broker Non Vote |
Uncast | ||||
11,881,358.28 | 607,880.81 | 74,545.20 | 1,716,783 | 0 |
3. To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2024.The final vote was as follows:
No. of Shares | ||||||||
For |
Against |
Abstain |
Broker Non Vote |
Uncast | ||||
14,029,903.10 | 176,965.00 | 73,699.19 | 0 | 0 |
4. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The final vote was as follows:
No. of Shares | ||||||||
For |
Against |
Abstain |
Broker Non Vote |
Uncast | ||||
12,118,280.09 | 348,040.59 | 97,463.61 | 1,716,783 | 0 |
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Number |
Exhibit |
Reference (1) | ||||
10.1* | Employment Agreement between Unitil Corporation and Thomas P. Meissner, Jr. | Filed herewith | ||||
10.2* | Third Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Plan | Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for March 31, 2024 (SEC File No. 1-8858) | ||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | Filed herewith |
* | These exhibits represent a management contract or compensatory plan. |
(1) | The exhibits referred to in this column by specific designations and dates have heretofore been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission under such designations and are hereby incorporated by reference. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
UNITIL CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Daniel J. Hurstak | |
Daniel J. Hurstak | ||
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Date: May 7, 2024
Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (the Agreement), effective as of April 25, 2024 (the Commencement Date), by and between UNITIL CORPORATION, a New Hampshire corporation (the Company), and THOMAS P. MEISSNER, JR. (the Executive).
The Company desires to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive is willing to continue to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the respective covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to continue to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. Term. The employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall commence on the Commencement Date and shall end at the close of business on April 24, 2027 (the Term).
3. Title, Duties and Authority. The Executive shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors (the Board) and as a member of the Board (in each case to the extent (i) the Executive is elected to the Board by the Companys shareholders, (ii) the Executive has not resigned from the Board and (iii) the Executive holding that position is consistent with the Companys bylaws then in effect), and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall have such responsibilities and duties for the Company and its subsidiaries consistent with the Executives positions as Chairman and Board member (in each case if the Executive holds those positions) and Chief Executive Officer. The Executive shall have all of the powers and duties usually incident to the offices of Chairman (if the Executive holds that position) and Chief Executive Officer. The Executive shall devote substantially all of his working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.
4. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (Base Salary), payable in accordance with the Companys normal practice for paying base salaries to its executive employees. The Base Salary shall be payable at the initial rate of $712,025 per annum, and shall be subject to annual review by the Board for discretionary periodic adjustments in accordance with the Companys compensation policies. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Board means the Board of Directors of the Company and/or one or more committees of the Board of Directors of the Company created by the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) Incentive Compensation. The Executive shall participate in the Companys Management Incentive Plan at the initial target rate of 65%, which shall be subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Board, or the Board, for discretionary adjustments in accordance with the Companys compensation policies.
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(c) Employee Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Companys Supplemental Executive Retirement Program (the SERP), and all other employee benefit plans made available by the Company (or any affiliate thereof) to all of its executives during the Term as may be in effect from time to time.
(d) Stock Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any stock option, restricted stock, phantom stock or similar plan of the Company or any subsidiary as and to the extent provided by the Board from time to time.
(e) Expenses. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement upon submission of expense claims to the Company for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by the Executive in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Companys expense reimbursement policy. The Executive shall be entitled to a monthly allowance of $1,000 for the leasing or financing of a vehicle in accordance with the Companys automobile policies. The Executive shall be reimbursed for annual membership in a local health club.
(f) Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Companys vacation policy, subject to a minimum of five (5) weeks of paid vacation per year. The Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays and sick days given by the Company to its executives.
(g) Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local and/or other taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(h) Board Fees. The Executive shall promptly remit to the Company any compensation received by the Executive (including, without limitation, any fees, equity securities or retirement benefits) for service on the board of directors or similar governing body of any entity in which the Company owns at least five percent of the voting equity securities, unless the Board authorizes the Executive to retain some or all of any such compensation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled to retain any reimbursements paid to him by any such entity of the actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Executive in attending any meeting of any such board or other governing body. Nothing in this Section 4(h) shall be deemed to authorize the Executive to serve on the board of directors or similar governing body of any other entity if doing so would cause the Executive to be in breach of his obligations under any other provision of this Agreement.
(i) Change in Control. The Company and the Executive have entered into a Severance Agreement (Severance Agreement) providing for certain compensation and benefits during and after employment (including severance benefits) if a change in control of the Company occurs. This Agreement shall not affect the Executives rights or obligation under the Severance Agreement and, as long as the Severance Agreement is not in effect, the Severance Agreement shall not affect this Agreement or the Executives rights or obligations under this Agreement. As provided in the Severance Agreement, if the Severance Agreement becomes effective due to a change in control, the Severance Agreement shall supersede this Agreement.
5. Termination. The Company, by action of the Board, may terminate the Executives employment hereunder for any reason.
(a) If the Executives employment is terminated by the Company during the Term for any reason other than for Cause (as defined below), death, or Disability (as defined below), or if the Executive terminates his employment hereunder for Good Reason (as defined below), except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, and provided the Executive executes a severance agreement and release in a form acceptable to the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive, as soon as practicable (but in no event prior to the effective date of the severance agreement and release, as defined therein, which shall not exceed fifteen (15) days after execution of the severance agreement and release without revocation on the part of the Executive (but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the Executives termination)):
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(i) all accrued and unpaid salary, bonus and expense reimbursements;
(ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the present value of twenty-four (24) monthly salary payments, assuming for this purpose that (A) each monthly salary payment would have been equal to 1/12th of the Executives Base Salary in effect at the time of his employment termination (disregarding any reductions in Base Salary that were not approved by the Executive) and (B) such monthly salary payments would have been made on each of the 24 monthly anniversaries of the date the Executives employment terminated;
(iii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the present value of two (2) annual bonus payments, assuming for this purpose that (A) each such annual bonus payment would have been equal to the average of the annual bonus amounts received by the Executive in the two calendar years preceding the year in which the employment termination occurs and (B) the first annual bonus would have been paid on the last business day of the first February following the date of employment termination and the second annual bonus would have been paid on the last business day of the second February following the date of employment termination; and
(iv) a lump sum cash amount equal to the present value of the monthly cost that would have been incurred by the Company (exclusive of the Executives portion thereof and determined in good faith by the Company) if it provided group medical, dental and life insurance coverage to the Executive and the Executives eligible dependents (at the same level and Executive cost as in effect at the time of employment termination) for a period of two (2) consecutive years following employment termination, determined based on the cost of such coverage at the time of employment termination and assuming such cost remained constant through the coverage period. Following employment termination, the Executive and the Executives eligible dependents shall have the option to continue his medical and dental insurance coverage at his own expense pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (COBRA) through the insurance plan(s) then offered by the Company, which plan(s) and premium rate(s) may be modified from time to time. The Company will continue to provide basic life insurance for up to twelve months, after which time, the Executive will have the option to convert his basic life insurance with the Carrier to an individual policy without evidence of insurability.
For purposes of calculating the lump sum cash payments provided by this Section 5, present value shall be determined by using a discount factor equal to one percentage point below the Prime Rate, compounded annually. The Prime Rate shall be the base rate on corporate loans at large U.S. money center commercial banks as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or, if such rate is no longer published, such other base rate on corporate loans by large money center commercial banks in the United States to their most creditworthy customers as published by any newspaper or periodical of general circulation) as of the date on which termination shall have occurred.
(b) If the Executive terminates his employment hereunder for any reason other than for Good Reason, if the Executives employment hereunder is terminated due to the Executives death, or if the Company terminates the Executives employment as a result of Disability or Cause, the Company shall have no further obligation hereunder and no further payments (except for accrued and unpaid salary, bonus and expense reimbursement) shall be made to the Executive.
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(c) Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall mean the Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness which, if he were to apply, would in the sole determination of the Board entitle him to the receipt of benefits under the Companys long-term disability plan and if the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties hereunder on a full-time basis within thirty (30) days after a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(a)) is given to the Executive by the Company.
(d) Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean:
(i) the failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executives duties hereunder (other than any such failure resulting from the Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness which shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5(c));
(ii) the willful violation by the Executive of any of the Executives material obligations hereunder;
(iii) the willful engaging by the Executive in misconduct which is materially injurious to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; or
(iv) the Executives conviction of a felony.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be terminated for Cause without:
(A) reasonable notice to the Executive setting forth the reasons for the Companys intention to terminate the Executives employment hereunder for Cause;
(B) the failure of the Executive to cure the nonperformance, violation or misconduct described in the notice referred to in clause (A) of this paragraph, if the cure thereof is possible, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board, within fifteen (15) days of such notice;
(C) an opportunity for the Executive, together with the Executives counsel, to be heard before the Board; and
(D) delivery to the Executive of a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(a)) from the Company notifying him that in the good faith opinion of a majority of the Board the Company is entitled to terminate the Executive for Cause as set forth above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(e) Good Reason. For the purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions unless the Executive specifically agrees in writing that such event or condition shall not constitute Good Reason:
(i) a material diminution in the Executives authority, duties or responsibilities or the Company requiring the Executive to report to a corporate officer or employee rather than reporting directly to the Board;
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(ii) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services, which includes a change in the Executives principal place of employment by the Company from the location of the Companys principal place of business on the date of this Agreement to a location more than fifty (50) miles from such principal place of business;
(iii) a material diminution in the Executives base compensation; or
(iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement.
6. Termination Procedure.
(a) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executives employment by the Company or by the Executive shall be communicated by a written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 8. For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and the Date of Termination, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment hereunder pursuant to the provision so indicated.
(b) Date of Termination. Date of Termination shall mean:
(i) if the Executives employment is terminated on account of the Executives Disability, thirty (30) days after a Notice of Termination has been provided pursuant thereto (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of the Executives duties on a full-time basis during such thirty (30) day period);
(ii) if the Executives employment is terminated for Cause, the date specified in the Notice of Termination provided pursuant thereto; and
(iii) if the Executives employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is provided or any later date (within thirty (30) days) set forth in such Notice of Termination.
(c) Termination for Good Reason. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no event or condition described in Section 5(e) shall constitute Good Reason unless (i) the Executive gives the Company notice of the termination for Good Reason within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the event or condition constituting Good Reason and (ii) the Executive gives the Company thirty (30) days prior written notice of such termination due to Good Reason and the Company fails to cure such event or condition within the thirty (30) day period.
7. Restrictions.
(a) Reasonable Covenants. It is expressly understood by and between the Company and the Executive that the covenants contained in this Section 7 are an essential element of this Agreement and that but for the agreement by the Executive to comply with these covenants and thereby not to diminish the value of the organization and goodwill of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, if any, including, without limitation relations with their employees, suppliers, customers and accounts, the Company would not enter into this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that he has been given the opportunity to independently consult with his legal counsel and agrees that such covenants are reasonable and proper.
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(b) Noncompetition; No Diversion of Customers, Etc. During the Term and for twelve (12) months after the later of (i) the Executives Date of Termination, or (ii) the last day a payment is made to the Executive pursuant to Section 5, the Executive shall not:
(i) engage directly, alone or in association with or as a shareholder, principal, agent, partner, officer, director, employee or consultant of any other organization or entity, in competition with the Company and/or any of its affiliates;
(ii) divert or attempt to divert (by solicitation, diversion or otherwise) to any competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates, any customer of the Company or any of its affiliates; or
(iii) solicit or encourage, or attempt to solicit or encourage, any officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or any of its affiliates for employment by or with any competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates;
provided, however, that the Executive may invest in stocks, bonds or other securities of any competitor of the Company or any of its affiliates if:
(A) such stocks, bonds or other securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 11(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(B) the Executives investment does not exceed, in the case of any class of the capital stock of any one issuer, one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding shares, or, in the case of other securities, one percent (1%) of the aggregate principal amount thereof issued and outstanding; and
(C) such investment would not prevent, directly or indirectly, the transaction of business by the Company and/or any of its affiliates with any state, district, territory or possession of the United States or any governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof by virtue of any statute, law, regulation or administrative practice.
If, at any time, the provision of this Section 7(b) shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to the area, duration or scope of activity, this Section 7(b) shall be considered severable and shall become and shall be immediately amended solely with respect to such area, duration and scope of activity as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction over the matter and the Executive agrees that this Section 7(b) as so amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein. Except as provided in this Section 7 and in Section 3, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or restrict the Executive from engaging in any business or industry in any capacity.
(c) Public Support and Assistance. The Executive agrees that following any termination of his employment hereunder by the Company, the Executive shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any negative, adverse or derogatory comments or information of a substantial nature about the Company or its management, or about any product or service provided by the Company, or about the Companys prospects for the future (including any such comments or information with respect to affiliates of the Company). The Company and/or any of its affiliates may seek the assistance, cooperation or testimony of the Executive following any such termination in connection with any investigation, litigation or proceeding arising out of matters within the knowledge of the Executive and related to the Executives
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position as an officer or employee of the Company, and in any such instance, the Executive shall provide such assistance, cooperation or testimony and the Company shall pay the Executives reasonable costs and expenses in connection therewith; in addition, if such assistance, cooperation or testimony requires more than a nominal commitment of the Executives time, the Company shall compensate the Executive for such time at a per diem rate derived from the Executives Base Salary at the time of the Executives Date of Termination.
(d) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. During the Term, the Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company and its affiliates all Confidential Information (as defined below). After termination of the Executives employment with the Company, the Executive shall keep secret and confidential all Confidential Information and shall not use or disclose to any third party in any fashion or for any purpose whatsoever, any Confidential Information. As used herein, Confidential Information shall mean any information regarding this Agreement, or any other information regarding the Company or its affiliates which is not available to the general public, and/or not generally known outside the Company or any such affiliate, to which the Executive has or shall have had access at any time during the course of the Executives employment with the Company, including, without limitation, any information relating to the Companys (and its affiliates):
(i) business, operations, plans, strategies, prospects or objectives;
(ii) products, technologies, processes, specifications, research and development operations or plans;
(iii) customers and customer lists;
(iv) sales, service, support and marketing practices and operations;
(v) financial condition and results of operations;
(vi) operational strengths and weaknesses; and
(vii) personnel and compensation policies and procedures.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, the Executive may discuss this Agreement with the members of the Executives immediate family and with the Executives personal legal advisors.
Notice Concerning Immunity from Liability for Confidential Disclosure of a Trade Secret to the Government or in a Court Filing. The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 provides that:
(1) An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret under the Act that: (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
(2) An individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual: (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
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(e) Specific Performance. Without intending to limit the remedies available to the Company, the Executive agrees that damages at law would be an insufficient remedy to the Company in the event that the Executive violates any of the provisions of this Section 7. Executive further agrees that, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11 regarding arbitration, the Company may apply for and, upon the requisite showing, have injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to restrain the breach or threatened breach of or otherwise to specifically enforce any of the covenants contained in this Section 7 without the necessity of a bond or other security.
(f) Reporting Possible Violations of Federal Law or Regulation; Disclosures Protected Under Whistleblower Provisions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, (ii) the Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and (iii) the Executive is not required to notify the Company that the Executive has made any such reports or disclosures.
(g) Survival of Provisions. This Section 7 shall survive after the termination of this Agreement.
8. Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or (unless otherwise specified) mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Thomas P. Meissner, Jr.
77 State Street, Unit 201
Portsmouth, NH 03801
If to the Company:
Unitil Corporation
Attn: Corporate Secretary
6 Liberty Lane West
Hampton, NH 03842
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
9. Successors. Without the prior written consent of the Executive, this Agreement cannot be assigned by the Company except that it shall be binding automatically on any successors and assigns of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise). In addition, without the prior written consent of the Company, this Agreement cannot be assigned by the Executive, except that the right to receive payments or benefits hereunder may be transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives personal or legal representatives.
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10. Code Section 409A. The provisions of this Agreement and all payments made pursuant to this Agreement are intended to comply with, and should be interpreted so that they are consistent with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and any related regulations or other applicable guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, Section 409A). It is the intent of the parties hereto that all severance payments and benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement qualify as short-term deferrals, as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(4), separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), and/or limited payments, as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(D)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) it is determined that any payments or benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement upon a separation from service (as that term is used in Section 409A) constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A (after taking into account the exception for short-term deferrals set forth in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(4), the exception for separation pay due to an involuntary separation set forth in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), the exception for limited payments as set forth in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(D) and/or any other applicable exception from Section 409A) and (ii) the Executive is a specified employee, as determined under the Companys policy for determining specified employees, on the date on which the termination of employment occurs, no such payments or benefits shall be provided prior to the first business day after the date that is six months following the Executives termination of employment or, if the Executive dies during such six month period, on the first business day after the date of the Executives death. The first payment that can be made shall include the cumulative amount of any amounts that could not be paid during such six-month period. In addition, interest will accrue at the Federal short-term rate determined under Section 1274(d) of the Code (as in effect on the date of the separation from service or, if such date is not a business day, the first business day prior to such date) on all payments not paid to the Executive prior to the first business day after the sixth month anniversary of termination of employment that otherwise would have been paid during such six-month period had this delay provision not applied to the Executive and shall be paid with the first payment after such six-month period. For all purposes under this Agreement, references to termination of employment, employment termination or words of similar import shall be interpreted to mean separation from service, as that term is used in Section 409A, and the Executives employment shall in no event be deemed to have terminated unless and until a separation from service shall have occurred for purposes of Section 409A.
11. Arbitration. Except as provided in Section 7(e), all controversies, claims or disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration to be conducted in Hampton, New Hampshire under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, as the sole and exclusive remedy of either party, and judgment upon any such award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The costs of arbitration shall be borne by the unsuccessful party or otherwise as determined by the arbitrators in their discretion.
12. Governing Law: The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire without regard to conflicts of law principles.
13. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer of the Company as may be specifically designated for such purpose by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
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14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
15. Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(i) hereof, this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, while this Agreement is in effect, the Executive shall not be eligible to receive severance payments under the Unitil Corporation Severance Pay Plan, as may be amended from time to time, or any successor or similar plan maintained by the Company or an affiliate.
16. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.
UNITIL CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/Winfield S. Brown | |
Name: Winfield S. Brown | ||
Title: Chair, Compensation Committee | ||
of the Board of Directors | ||
THOMAS P. MEISSNER, JR. | ||
/s/ Thomas P. Meissner, Jr. |
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