UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
July 18, 2014
INTEGRATED DRILLING EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS
CORP.
(formerly Empeiria Acquisition Corp.)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)
Delaware |
000-54417 |
27-5079295 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification |
incorporation) |
|
No.) |
25311 I-45 |
|
Woodpark Business Center, Bldg. 6 |
|
Spring, TX |
77380 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code: (281) 465-9393
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:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
The discussion under Item 5.02 below is
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or
Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On July 21, 2014, James
Terry, age 60, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”) and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. On July 22, 2014, the Company issued a press
release announcing such appointment. Prior to his appointment, from January 23, 2006 until his anticipated resignation takes effect
on August 15, 2014, James Terry served as the CEO and President, and was a member of the board of directors of, Particle Drilling
Technologies (“PDT”). PDT is a manufacturer of innovative well drilling bits and surface equipment used in drilling
hard rock formations. This technology allows the well driller to cut through hard rock formations up to 6X faster than conventional
drill bits. Prior to PDT, Mr. Terry served as a consultant to the oil and gas drilling services industry from September 2005 to
January 2006, and was the Vice President of Drilling Services at Weatherford International from January 2003 to September 2005.
Weatherford International is one of the largest global providers of innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for
the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. At Weatherford, Mr. Terry led the effort to consolidate, develop
and improve the performance of well construction products and services by strategically aligning synergistic product lines in order
to improve both their financial and operational performance. His duties at Weatherford included responsibility for all phases of
new product and service development from inception through commercialization, which in some cases included securing project funding
from customers.
From March 1994 until
January 2003, Mr. Terry was employed by Halliburton Company, the last three of those years as Director—Advanced Well Construction
Systems where he was the lead inventor of a step change advanced well construction system. Prior to joining Halliburton in March
1994, Mr. Terry served as Regional Vice President for Smith International in Singapore. He was responsible for all of Smith’s
activities in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and East Africa regions. Mr. Terry began his career at Eastman Whipstock, which was
acquired by Baker Hughes in 1990. Following Baker Hughes’ acquisition of Eastman Whipstock in 1990, Mr. Terry joined Smith
International. Mr. Terry resides in Houston, Texas and holds a BA in Business from San Francisco State University. He is a member
of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the American Association of Drilling Engineers
and the International Association of Drilling Contractors.
Mr. Terry was appointed
a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in accordance with the requirements of the
Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated April 7, 2014, among the Company, Empeiria Investors, LLC, Stephen D. Cope, and the
other parties listed on the signature pages thereto. Given Mr. Terry’s extensive background in the drilling industry, the
Board believes Mr. Terry brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine understanding of the industry to the Board. His past experience
with both product development and aligning product offerings to improve financial performance will be useful. As a CEO of the Company
he will bring to the Board a unique understanding of the Company’s operations.
In connection with
Mr. Terry’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Terry on July
18, 2014 (to be effective July 21, 2014) (the “Employment Agreement”). The Employment Agreement provides for
an initial term of three years, with automatic one year renewals at the end of the initial three year term unless either party
has given notice of nonrenewal at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term. Pursuant to the
Employment Agreement Mr. Terry will receive an annual base salary of $360,000 which may be reviewed annually, but not decreased,
except in the event of a reduction in salaries of Company executives generally. In addition, Mr. Terry is entitled to a guaranteed
bonus for 2014 in the amount of $65,000. Beginning with the 2015 calendar year, Mr. Terry will be eligible to receive an annual
cash incentive bonus. His target annual bonus is equal to 50% of his base salary subject to the achievement of certain performance
objectives. In addition, Mr. Terry may be eligible to receive a supplemental cash bonus in an amount up to 50% of his base salary
upon the achievement of a higher set of performance objectives. Subject to the board of directors’ approval, the Employment
Agreement provides that Mr. Terry is eligible to be awarded an option to purchase 250,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock.
The Employment Agreement
provides that in the event Mr. Terry’s employment is terminated Without Cause by the Company or by Mr. Terry for Good Reason
(as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement) then in addition to his right to accrued compensation and benefits through
the date of termination, Mr. Terry will be entitled to receive in cash (i) an amount equal to his then current annual base salary,
payable within 10 days following his termination date, (ii) an amount equal to his target bonus, payable on the 60th
day following the date of his termination, and (iii) an amount equal to twelve times the Company’s portion of the monthly
cost of maintaining health benefits for Mr. Terry and his spouse and dependents. In addition to the foregoing cash payments, in
the event Mr. Terry’s employment is terminated by the Company Without Cause or by Mr. Terry for Good Reason, on the 60th
day following the date of his termination of employment all of Mr. Terry’s outstanding time-vested equity awards will fully
vets and become non-forfeitable.
The Employment Agreement
also contains customary confidentiality provisions and Mr. Terry agrees that during his employment term and for one year thereafter
he will not compete with the Company nor hire or attempt to hire any employees of the Company or solicit or attempt to induce any
suppliers or customers of the Company to terminate or modify their relationship with the Company.
The foregoing description
of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Employment Agreement
filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On July 22, 2014, the
Company issued a press release announcing that effective immediately James Terry, age 60, had been appointed Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1
to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated into this Item 7.01 by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Sub Item (d): Exhibits.
The following exhibits are provided herewith:
Exhibit Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2014, between Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp. and James Terry. |
|
|
|
99.1 |
|
Press Release of Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp. issued July 22, 2014. |
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.
Date: July 23, 2014 |
|
Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Michael Dion |
|
|
|
Name: Michael Dion |
|
|
|
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”),
dated as of July 18, 2014 (the “Execution Date”), between Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and James Terry (the “Executive”) (collectively, the “Parties”
and each, a “Party”) sets forth the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment to be effective
on July 21, 2014, or such other date as the Executive and the Company may mutually agree (the Executive’s “Start
Date”). Each capitalized term utilized herein is defined in Section 26 to the extent not otherwise defined when
such term first appears herein.
RECITALS
The Company desires to employ the Executive,
and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
(a) During the Employment Term, the Executive will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive will also
serve as an officer or employee of any other member of the Company Group, as may be requested from time to time by the Supervisor
on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and without any additional compensation.
(b) The
employment relationship between the Company and the Executive will be governed by the applicable general employment policies and
practices of the Company Group, including those relating to ethics and business conduct, confidential information, expense reimbursement
and avoidance of conflicts (together, the “Company Policies”), except that when any express term of this Agreement
is in conflict with the Company Policies, such term of this Agreement will control.
2. Term.
Subject to Section 8, the Executive’s employment will be for an initial term of three years commencing upon the Start
Date (the “Initial Employment Term”). On the last day of the Initial Employment Term and annually thereafter,,
the Employment Term will be automatically extended by one additional year (each, a “Renewal Term”), unless,
not less than 30 days prior to the end of the Initial Employment Term or any Renewal Term, either the Executive or the Company
has given the other written notice of nonrenewal. Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Executive will,
if applicable, provide the Company with written notice of the Executive’s intent to terminate employment with
the Company at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such termination.
3. Position
and Duties of the Executive. (a) The Executive will report to the Supervisor, and have duties, responsibilities and authorities
commensurate with the Executive’s title and position, and such duties, responsibilities and authority as may be assigned
to the Executive from time to time by the Supervisor.
(b) During
the Employment Term, the Executive will devote the Executive’s reasonable best efforts, attention and energies during normal
working time to the business(es) of the Company Group and the performance of any of the Executive’s duties as set forth herein.
(c) So
long as such activities do not involve a breach of this Agreement and do not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s
duties hereunder, the Executive may participate in any governmental, educational, charitable or other community affairs during
the Employment Term and, subject to the prior approval of the Supervisor in the Supervisor’s discretion which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, serve as a member of the governing board of any such organization. The Executive
may retain all fees and other compensation from any such service, and the Company will not reduce the Executive’s compensation
by the amount of such fees. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Executive may not accept any position during the
Employment Term with a for-profit enterprise without the prior written approval of the Supervisor in the Supervisor’s discretion
which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay to the Executive a base salary per annum equal to $360,000,
which will be reviewed annually, but may not be decreased, except in the event of a reduction in salaries of Company executives
generally (as in effect from time to time, the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be payable at the times
and in the manner consistent with the Company’s policies regarding compensation of the Company’s executives generally,
but in no event less frequently than monthly.
(b) Annual
Bonus. For the 2014 calendar year, the Executive will be entitled to a guaranteed bonus of $65,000, provided Executive remains
employed by the Company through the applicable bonus payment date, such date to be not later than March 15, 2015. Beginning with
the 2015 calendar year, the Executive will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive bonus in accordance with, and subject
to, the terms and conditions of the Company’s applicable annual cash incentive bonus program (the “Annual Bonus”).
The Executive’s target Annual Bonus will be equal to 50% of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”),
subject to the achievement of applicable performance objectives to be mutually agreed upon by the Supervisor and the Executive
within the first ninety days of the applicable calendar year, and provided the Executive remains employed by the Company through
the applicable bonus payment date. In addition, subject to the achievement of a higher set of applicable performance objectives
(the “Stretch Targets to be mutually agreed upon by the Supervisor and the Executive within the first ninety days
of the applicable calendar year, the Executive will be eligible to receive a supplemental cash bonus in an amount up to 50% of
the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Supplemental Bonus”), provided the Executive remains employed by the
Company through the applicable bonus payment date. In no event will any Target Bonus or Supplemental Bonus be paid later than March
15 of the calendar year following the calendar year upon which the achievement of the performance objectives is based.
(c) Equity.
Subject to the discretion of the Supervisor and/or the Compensation Committee, as applicable, the Executive will be eligible to
be awarded an option to purchase 250,000 shares of Company’s common stock, with an exercise price per share equal to the
fair market value per share of Company’s common stock on the date of grant, as determined pursuant to the terms of the applicable
equity incentive plan (the “Option”). The Option will be subject to such terms and conditions set forth in the
applicable equity incentive plan and as determined by the Supervisor and/or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion,
including, but not limited to, the applicable performance and/or service vesting criteria. Such terms and conditions shall be set
forth in the applicable equity incentive plan and the agreement governing the grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Option will vest and become exercisable in full upon a Change in Control.
5. Benefits.
(a) Employee Plans. During the Employment Term, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans, the Executive
will be eligible to participate in the Company-sponsored group health, major medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and
other employee welfare benefit plans (the “Employee Plans”). The Executive acknowledges that the Company reserves
the right to amend or terminate any Employee Plan(s) at any time in its discretion, subject to the terms of such Employee Plan(s)
and applicable law.
(b) Vacation.
During the Employment Term, the Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s vacation, holiday and sick, personal
and other leave policies as are provided under the Company’s policies applicable to executives generally. The Executive will
be eligible for four weeks of paid vacation during each full year during the Employment Term, and the Executive will be eligible
for a pro-rata number of weeks of paid vacation for the period commencing on the Start Date and ending on December 31, 2014.
6. Expenses.
From and after the Closing, the Company will pay or reimburse the Executive for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred
by the Executive during the Employment Term in connection with the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company Group in accordance
with the Company’s travel and expense policy, as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor policy applicable
to executives of the Company, following submission by the Executive of reimbursement expense forms in a form consistent with such
expense policies. Payments will be made within thirty (30) days following submission of the forms described in the preceding sentence.
7. Termination.
(a) Termination by the Company for Cause or Resignation by the Executive Without Good Reason. If, during the Employment
Term, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or the Executive resigns without Good Reason, the
Executive will not be eligible to receive Base Salary, to receive an Annual Bonus or to participate in any Employee Plans with
respect to future periods after the date of such termination or resignation, except for the right to receive (i) accrued but unpaid
Base Salary through the date of termination of employment, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practice;
(ii) any accrued unused vacation time, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practice; (iii) any unreimbursed
business expenses incurred by the Executive prior to the date of termination, to be paid in accordance with the provisions of Section
6; and (iv) all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive under the terms of the Employee Plans in which the Executive
participated prior to the date of termination of employment, in accordance with the terms of such Employee Plans (together, the
“Accrued Compensation and Benefits”).
(b) Termination
by the Company Without Cause or Resignation by the Executive for Good Reason. If, during the Employment Term, the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or the Executive terminates employment for Good Reason (in each case other
than due to the Executive’s death or Disability), the Executive will be entitled to receive from the Company, in full satisfaction
of the Executive’s rights and any benefits the Executive is entitled to under this Agreement, any other employment arrangement
with the Company Group or otherwise, the following, subject to Section 8(e):
(i) The
Accrued Compensation and Benefits;
(ii) A
lump sum cash payment equal to one times the Executive’s annual rate of Base Salary, payable within ten days following the
Executive’s termination date;
(iii) A
lump sum cash payment equal to one times the executive’s Target Bonus, payable on the 60th day following the Executive’s
termination date;
(iv) A
lump sum cash payment, payable within ten days following the Executive’s termination date , in an amount equal to the product
of (A) 12, multiplied by (B) the employer portion of the monthly cost of maintaining health benefits for the Executive (and the
Executive’s spouse and eligible dependents) as of the date of termination of employment under a group health plan of the
Company for purposes of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), excluding
any short-term or long-term disability insurance benefits;
(v) Notwithstanding
the terms of any equity agreement, on the 60th day following the date of termination of employment, all of the Executive’s
outstanding time-vested equity awards will fully vest and become non-forfeitable, with (A) any such outstanding time-vested stock
options and stock appreciation rights becoming fully exercisable, subject to any applicable performance conditions (and with all
such stock options and stock appreciation rights remaining exercisable until the date of expiration of the original term of such
award); and (B) the time-based restriction period on any such restricted stock and any such restricted stock units held by the
Executive lapsing and any other time-vesting requirements or conditions with respect to the foregoing or other such time-vested
equity-based awards held by the Executive lapsing and being disregarded, subject to any applicable performance conditions, and
all equity awards accelerated pursuant to this paragraph will be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable equity
incentive plan and/or the applicable award agreement (all acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, together, the “Equity
Acceleration”).
(c) Termination
by Death. If the Executive dies during the Employment Term, the Executive’s employment will terminate and the Executive’s
beneficiary or, if none, the Executive’s estate, will be entitled to receive from the Company the Accrued Compensation and
Benefits.
(d) Termination
by Disability. If the Executive becomes Disabled during the Employment Term, the Executive’s employment will terminate
and the Executive will be entitled to receive from the Company the Accrued Compensation and Benefits.
(e) Release
Requirement. Any obligation of the Company to make any payment pursuant to Section 8(b) (other than (i) the payment
of Accrued Compensation and Benefits, (ii) any payment determined by reference to Base Salary (the payments in Sections 8(b)(ii)),
and (iii) any payment determined by reference to COBRA (the payments in Sections 8(b)(iv)) is conditioned upon the Executive
first executing and delivering to the Company an effective and enforceable release, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A, within 59 days after the date of termination of employment, with all periods for revocation therein having expired.
(f) Forfeiture.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any right of the Executive to receive termination payments and benefits
hereunder will be forfeited if the Executive breaches Section 8, 9 or 11; provided that, before invoking this paragraph,
the Company will provide the Executive 30 days to respond to such assertion and, to the extent curable, a right to cure such breach
within such time.
8. Duty
of Loyalty. During the course, and as a result, of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will have
access to Confidential Information; the opportunity to gain close knowledge of, and possible influence over, customers, suppliers,
independent contractors and employees of the Company Group; possess in some measure the goodwill of the Company Group; and come
to possess an intimate knowledge of the business of the Company Group, including all of its policies, methods, personnel and operations.
(a) Confidentiality.
(i) The Executive acknowledges that, in the course of the Executive’s employment, the Executive will become familiar with
the trade secrets, confidential information and other proprietary information concerning the Company Group, including projects,
promotions, marketing plans and strategies, business plans or practices, business operations, employees, employment pay information
and data, research and development, intellectual property, trademarks, customer lists, pricing information, production and cost
data, compensation and fee information, accounting and financing data, and methods of design, distribution, marketing, service
or procurement, regardless of whether such information has been reduced to documentary form, which the Company and/or an Affiliate
treats as confidential or proprietary (collectively, the “Confidential Information”).
(ii) The
Executive acknowledges and agrees that any and all Confidential Information will be received and held by the Executive in a confidential
capacity. The Executive will not, during the Employment Term and/or at any time thereafter, in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, knowingly use for the Executive’s own benefit or the benefit of any other Person, or disclose, divulge, render
or offer, any Confidential Information, except on behalf of the Company in the course of the proper performance of the Executive’s
duties hereunder or unless compelled by applicable law or court order.
(b) Non-Competition.
(i) The Executive acknowledges that (A) the Executive’s services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company
Group and (B) the Company Group’s ability to accomplish its purposes and to successfully compete in the marketplace depends
substantially on the skills and expertise of the Executive. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group would
be irreparably damaged if the Executive were to not devote the Executive’s reasonable best efforts, attention and energies
during normal working time to the business(es) of the Company Group during the Employment Term, or were to provide services to
any business (whether a corporation or a division of a corporation or similar business unit) which competes with any member of
the Company Group.
(ii) The
Executive agrees that, during the Employment Term, and for a period of 12 months after the date of termination of employment (together,
the “Restricted Period”), the Executive will not conduct, engage or participate, in any country or territory
in which the Company Group conducts business, in (A) the sale, distribution, repair, refurbishment, manufacture, assembly, production
or design of Rig Parts or (B) any other business conducted or carried on by Company Group during the twelve 12 month period prior
to the date of termination of employment (the activities in (A) and (B), together, the “Company Business”).
For purposes of this Agreement, “Rig Parts” shall mean oil and gas rig parts, components or systems including,
without limitation, (x) complete drilling rig packages and (y) any other component part designed, engineered, manufactured, produced
or fabricated by Company Group prior to the date of termination of employment.
(c) Non-Solicitation.
The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive will not:
(i) hire,
solicit, encourage or otherwise induce any employee, consultant or independent contractor of any member of the Company Group, who
provided services to any member of the Company Group within the preceding six months, to terminate his or her employment or other
contractual relationship with any member of the Company Group; or
(ii) induce
or attempt to induce any Person which is a supplier, distributor, customer or otherwise a contracting party of any member of the
Company Group at any time during the applicable Restricted Period, to terminate or modify any written or oral agreement or understanding
with any member of the Company Group.
(d) Company
Property. All notes, lists, records, files, documents and other papers and other like items (and all copies, extracts and summaries
thereof), advertising, sales, manufacturers’ and other materials or articles or information, including data processing reports,
computer programs, software, customer information and records, business records, price lists or information, samples, or any other
materials or data of any kind furnished to the Executive by the Company Group or developed, made or compiled by the Executive on
behalf of the Company Group or at the Company Group’s direction or for the Company Group’s use or otherwise in connection
with the Executive’s employment hereunder, are and will remain the sole property of the Company Group, including in each
case all copies thereof in any medium, including computer tapes and other forms of information storage, but excluding materials
relating directly to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment and the Executive’s performance as an employee
of the Company Group (the “Company Property”). If any member of the Company Group requests the return of any
Company Property at any time during or at or after the date of termination of employment, the Executive will deliver all such Company
Property, including all copies of the same, to the Company as soon as practicable. The provisions of this paragraph apply during
and after the period when the Executive is an employee of the Company Group and will be in addition to (and not a limitation of)
any legally applicable protections of the Company Group’s interest in Confidential Information, trade secrets and the like.
(e) Non-Disparagement.
At no time during or after the Employment Term will the Executive utter, issue or circulate publicly any false or disparaging statements
or remarks about any member of the Company Group and/or any of their respective businesses, or any of their respective officers,
employees, directors, agents or representatives. The members of the Company’s Board of Directors and the executive officers
of the Company will not, following the end of the Employment Term, make any formal statements directed solely at the Executive
that disparage the Executive; provided, however, that the Company’s Board of Directors and the executive officers
of the Company may make such statements as are necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulatory guidance or ruling.
(f) The
Executive's obligation of confidentiality will survive, regardless of any other breach of this Agreement or any other agreement,
by any Party, until and unless such Confidential Information has become, through no fault of the Executive, generally known to
the public. For purposes of this paragraph, “generally known” means known throughout the domestic U.S. industry or
the appropriate foreign country’s or countries’ industry. In the event that the Executive is required by law, regulation,
or court order to disclose any of the Confidential Information, the Executive will promptly notify the Company prior to making
any such disclosure to facilitate the Company Group seeking a protective order or other appropriate remedy from the proper authority
at its sole cost and expense.
(g) The
Executive’s obligations under this Section 8 are in addition to, and not in limitation of, all other obligations of
confidentiality under the Company Group’s policies and applicable law and regulatory guidance.
(h) The
Executive acknowledges that a violation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 8 would cause irreparable harm to the
Company Group, and that the Company Group’s remedy at law for any such violation would be inadequate. In recognition of the
foregoing, in addition to any other relief afforded by law or this Agreement, including damages sustained by a breach of this Agreement
and any forfeitures under Section 7(f), and without the necessity or proof of actual damages or the posting of a bond, the
Company Group will have the right to enforce this Agreement by specific equitable remedies, which will include temporary and permanent
injunctions, it being the understanding of the Parties that damages, the forfeitures described above and injunctions will all be
proper modes of relief and are not to be considered as alternative remedies.
(i) If
a court at any time determines that any restriction or limitation in this Section 8 is unreasonable or unenforceable, it
will be deemed amended so as to provide the maximum protection to the Company Group and be deemed reasonable and enforceable by
the court.
9. Developments.
(a) The Executive will make full and prompt disclosure to the Company Group of all inventions, improvements, discoveries, methods,
developments, software, mask works and works of authorship, whether patentable or copyrightable or not, (i) which relate to the
business(es) of the Company Group and have heretofore been created, made, conceived or reduced to practice by the Executive or
under the Executive’s direction or jointly with others, and not assigned to prior employers, or (ii) which have utility in
or relate to the Company Group’s business(es) and are created, made, conceived or reduced to practice by the Executive or
under the Executive’s direction or jointly with others during the Executive’s employment with the Company Group, whether
or not during normal working hours or on the premises of the Company Group (all of the foregoing of which are collectively referred
to in this Agreement as “Developments”).
(b) The
Executive agrees to assign and hereby assigns to the Company Group (or any Person designated by the Company Group) all of the Executive’s
rights, title and interest worldwide in and to all Developments and all related patents, patent applications, copyrights and copyright
applications, and any other applications for registration of a proprietary right. This paragraph will not apply to Developments
that the Executive developed entirely on the Executive’s own time without using the Company Group’s equipment,
supplies, facilities or Confidential Information and that does not, at the time of conception or reduction to practice, have utility
in or relate to the Company Group’s business(es), or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development. To the extent
this Agreement is construed in accordance with the laws of any jurisdiction which precludes a requirement in an employee agreement
to assign certain classes of inventions made by an employee, this paragraph will be interpreted not to apply to any invention which
a court rules or the Company agrees falls within such classes but will be interpreted to apply thereto to the maximum extent legally
permissible.
(c) The
Executive will cooperate fully with the Company Group, both during and after the Executive’s employment with the Company
Group, with respect to the procurement, maintenance and enforcement of copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights
(both in the United States and other countries) relating to Developments. The Executive will not be required to incur or pay any
costs or expenses in connection with the rendering of such cooperation. The Executive will sign all papers, including copyright
applications, patent applications, declarations, oaths, formal assignments, assignments of priority rights, and powers of attorney,
and do all things that the Company Group may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Development.
If any member of the Company Group is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure the Executive’s signature on any such papers,
any executive officer of the Company is expressly authorized to execute any such papers as the Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact,
coupled with interest, and the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints each executive officer of the Company as the
Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact to execute any such papers on the Executive’s behalf and to take any and all
other actions as the Company Group may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Development,
under the conditions described in this sentence.
10. Remedies.
The Executive and the Company acknowledge that the covenants contained in Sections 8 and 9 are reasonable under the circumstances.
Accordingly, if, in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction, any such covenant is not reasonable in any respect, such
court will have the right, power and authority to sever or modify any provision or provisions of such covenants as to the court
will appear not reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenants as so amended. The Executive further acknowledges that
the remedy at law available to the Company Group for breach of any of the Executive’s obligations under Sections 8 and
9 would be inadequate and that damages flowing from such a breach may not readily be susceptible to being measured in monetary
terms. Accordingly, in addition to any other rights or remedies that the Company Group may have at law, in equity or under this
Agreement, upon proof of the Executive’s violation of any such provision of this Agreement, the Company Group will be entitled
to immediate injunctive relief and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened or further breach, without the necessity
of proof of actual damage or the posting of any bond.
11. Continued
Availability and Cooperation. (a) Following termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive will reasonably
cooperate with the Company Group and with the Company Group members’ counsel in connection with any present or future actual
or threatened litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation involving any member of the Company Group that relates to
events, occurrences or conduct occurring (or claimed to have occurred) during the period of the Executive’s employment by
the Company Group. Cooperation will include:
(i) Being
reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Company Group members’ counsel, as well as for depositions and
trial testimony;
(ii) If
depositions or trial testimony are to occur, being reasonably available and cooperating in the preparation therefor, as and to
the extent that the Company Group or any Company Group member’s counsel reasonably requests;
(iii) Refraining
from impeding in any way the Company Group’s prosecution or defense of such litigation or administrative proceeding; and
(iv) Reasonably
cooperating fully in the development and presentation of the Company Group’s prosecution or defense of such litigation or
administrative proceeding.
(b) The
Company will reimburse the Executive for reasonable travel, lodging, telephone and similar expenses, as well as reasonable attorneys’
fees (if independent legal counsel is authorized in advance in writing by the Company), incurred in connection with any such cooperation,
consultation and advice rendered under this Agreement after the Executive’s termination of employment. However, the Executive
will not be entitled to any separate compensation for any matter referred to in this Section 11.
12. Dispute
Resolution. (a) In the event that the Parties are unable to resolve any controversy or claim arising out of or in connection
with this Agreement or breach thereof, any Party may refer the dispute to binding arbitration, which, except as expressly provided
hereafter, will be the exclusive forum for resolving such claims. Such arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration
Association (the “AAA”) and governed by Texas law. The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator
selected by the Executive and the Company according to the rules of the AAA. In the event that the Parties fail to agree on the
selection of the arbitrator within 30 days after either the Executive’s or the Company’s request for arbitration,
the arbitrator will be chosen by the AAA. The arbitration proceeding will commence on a mutually agreeable date within 90 days
after the request for arbitration. The forum for arbitration will be agreed on by the Parties or, in the absence of any agreement,
will be in a venue located in Houston, Texas.
(b) The
Parties agree that the arbitrator will have the authority to award costs and attorneys’ fees in any arbitration hereunder.
(c) The
arbitrator will have no power or authority to make awards or orders granting relief that would not be available to a Party in a
court of law. The arbitrator’s award is limited by and must comply with this Agreement and applicable federal, state and
local laws. The decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding on the Parties.
(d) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no claim or controversy for injunctive or equitable relief contemplated by or allowed under applicable law pursuant
to Sections 8 and 9 will be subject to arbitration under this Section 12, but will instead be subject to determination
as provided in Section 17.
13. Other
Agreements, Entire Agreement, Etc. No agreements or representations or warranties, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with
respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by any Party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement
contains the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Nothing herein will be deemed to provide the Executive a right to remain
an officer or employee of any member of the Company Group.
14. Withholding
of Taxes. The Company will have the right to withhold from any amount payable hereunder any federal, state, city, local or
other taxes in order for the Company Group to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under any applicable law, regulation
or ruling.
15. Successors
and Binding Agreement. (a) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation,
reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree
to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession
had taken place. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company,
including any Person acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether
by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed “the Company”
for purposes of this Agreement), but will not otherwise be assignable or delegable by the Company, except that the Company may
assign this Agreement, or may assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder, to any Person who acquires all of the voting
stock, or all of the assets, of the Company (or to any parent entity thereof).
(b) This
Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and legatees. If the Executive dies while any amount would still be payable to
the Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive) if the Executive
had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, will be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive's estate.
(c) This
Agreement is personal in nature and neither the Company nor the Executive may, without the consent of the other, assign or delegate
this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in Sections 15(a) and 15(b). Without
limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Executive’s right to receive payments hereunder will not be assignable,
transferable or delegable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest, or otherwise, other than by a transfer by the Executive’s
will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this paragraph,
the Company will have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned, transferred or delegated.
16. Notices.
Any notice, demand, claim or other communication under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given
(a) on delivery if delivered personally; (b) on the date on which delivery thereof is guaranteed by the carrier if delivered by
a national courier guaranteeing delivery within a fixed number of days of sending; or (c) on the date of transmission (if sent
by electronic mail, fax or other electronic means) thereof if delivery is confirmed, but, in each case, only if addressed to the
Parties in the following manner at the following addresses (or at the other address as a Party may specify by notice to the other)
to the Company, to the attention of the General Counsel at its principal executive offices, and to the Executive, at the Executive’s
principal residence as set forth in the employment records of the Company.
Company:
| | Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp.
25311 I-45 North, Woodpark Business Center, Building 6
Spring, TX 77380
Fax (281) 465-9440 |
Executive:
| | James Terry
1329 Bomar Street
Houston, TX 77006 |
17. Governing
Law and Choice of Forum. (a) This Agreement will be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Texas, other
than the choice of law provisions thereof.
(b) To
the extent not otherwise provided for by Section 12, the Parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of all state and
federal courts located in Houston, Texas, as well as to the jurisdiction of all courts of which an appeal may be taken from such
courts, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement or that otherwise
arise out of the employment relationship. Each Party hereby expressly waives (i) any and all rights to bring any suit, action or
other proceeding in or before any court or tribunal other than the courts described above, and covenants that it will not seek
in any manner to resolve any dispute other than as set forth in this paragraph, and (ii) any and all objections either may have
to venue, including the inconvenience of such forum, in any of such courts. In addition, each Party consents to the service of
process by personal service or any manner in which notices may be delivered hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.
18. Validity/Severability.
The Parties agree that (a) the provisions of this Agreement will be severable in the event that for any reason whatsoever any of
the provisions hereof are invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, (b) any such invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable provisions
will be replaced by other provisions which are as similar as possible in terms to such invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable
provisions but are valid and enforceable, and (c) the remaining provisions will remain valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law.
19. Survival.
The obligations of the Company and the Executive under this Agreement which by their nature may require either partial or total
performance after the expiration or termination of the Employment Term or this Agreement (including those under Sections 8,
9, 10, and 11) will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
20. Subsequent
Employment. During the Restricted Period, if the Executive is offered employment or the opportunity to enter into a business
activity that could violate the non-compete language in this Agreement, whether as owner, investor, executive, manager, employee,
independent consultant, contractor, advisor or otherwise, the Executive will inform the offeror of the existence of Sections
8 and 9 of this Agreement and provide the offeror a copy thereof. The Executive authorizes the Company to provide a copy of
the relevant provisions of this Agreement to any of the Persons described in this paragraph and to make such Persons aware of the
Executive’s obligations under this Agreement.
21. Excise
Tax. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a change in control of the Company or the
termination of the Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, program, arrangement
or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, together, the “Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or
part), to any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto (the “Excise Tax”),
then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other
plan, program, arrangement or agreement, the Company will reduce the Total Payments to the extent necessary so that no portion
of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (but in no event to less than zero); provided, however, that the
Total Payments will only be reduced if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net
amount of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase
out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments), is greater than or equal to (ii)
the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state, municipal
and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of
such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable
to such unreduced Total Payments).
(b) In
the case of a reduction in the Total Payments, the Total Payments will be reduced in the following order: (i) payments that are
payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary,
to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at full
value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are
valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced
first, will next be reduced; (iv) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (ii)
or (iv) will be next reduced pro-rata. Any reductions made pursuant to each of clauses (i)-(v) above will be made in the following
manner: first, a pro-rata reduction of cash payment and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity not subject to Section
409A, and second, a pro-rata reduction of cash payments and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity subject to Section
409A as deferred compensation.
(c) For
purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax: (i) no portion of
the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to
constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code will be taken into account; (ii) no portion
of the Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) reasonably
acceptable to the Executive and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the change in control, the Company’s
independent auditor (the “Auditor”), does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning
of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax,
no portion of such Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes reasonable compensation
for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount”
(as set forth in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) that is allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any
non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments will be determined by the Auditor in accordance
with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
(d) At
the time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company will provide the Executive with a written statement setting forth
the manner in which such payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations, including any opinions or other advice the
Company received from Tax Counsel, the Auditor, or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or advice which are in
writing will be attached to the statement). If the Executive objects to the Company’s calculations, the Company will pay
to the Executive such portion of the Total Payments (up to 100% thereof) as the Executive determines is necessary to result in
the proper application of this Section 21. All determinations required by this Section 21 (or requested by either
the Executive or the Company in connection with this Section 21) will be at the expense of the Company. The fact that the
Executive’s right to payments or benefits may be reduced by reason of the limitations contained in this Section 21
will not of itself limit or otherwise affect any other rights of the Executive under this Agreement.
22. Compliance
with Section 409A. (a) The severance payments under this Agreement are intended, where possible, to comply with the “short
term deferral exception” and/or the “involuntary separation pay exception” to Section 409A of the Code. Accordingly,
the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied, construed and administered so that those payments qualify for one or both of
those exceptions, to the maximum extent allowable. However, to the extent any payment or benefit to which the Executive becomes
entitled under this Agreement is deemed to constitute an item of deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A
of the Code, the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied, construed and administered in order to comply with the provisions
of Section 409A of the Code, along with the rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder by the Department of the Treasury
or the Internal Revenue Service (collectively, “Section 409A”) so as not to subject the Executive to the payment
of the additional tax, interest or penalty which may be imposed under Section 409A. In furtherance thereof, to the extent that
any provision of this Agreement would result in the Executive being subject to payment of additional tax, interest or penalty under
Section 409A, the Parties agree to amend this Agreement if permitted under Section 409A in a manner which does not impose any additional
taxes, interest or penalties on Executive in order to bring this Agreement into compliance with Section 409A, without materially
changing the economic value of the arrangements under this Agreement to any Party, and thereafter the Parties will interpret its
provisions in a manner that complies with Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no particular tax result for the Executive
with respect to any income recognized by the Executive in connection with this Agreement is guaranteed.
(b) Notwithstanding
any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of
Section 409A and determined pursuant to any policies adopted by the Company consistent with Section 409A), at the time of the Executive’s
“Separation From Service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) and if any portion of the payments or benefits
to be received by the Executive upon Separation From Service would be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A and cannot
be paid or provided to the Executive without the Executive incurring taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, amounts that
would otherwise be payable pursuant to this Agreement and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to this Agreement,
in each case, during the six-month period immediately following the Executive’s Separation From Service will instead be paid
or made available on the earlier of (i) the first business day of the seventh month following the date of Executive’s Separation
From Service or (ii) the Executive’s death.
(c) With
respect to any amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefits under this Agreement, to
the extent such payment or benefit would be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A or is required to be included in
the Executive’s gross income for federal income tax purposes, such expenses (including expenses associated with in-kind benefits)
will be reimbursed by the Executive no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the Executive
incurs the related expenses. In no event will the reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided by the Company in one taxable
year affect the amount of reimbursements or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year, nor will the Executive’s
right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(d) Each
payment under this Agreement is intended to be a “separate payment” and not one of a series of payments for purposes
of Section 409A.
(e) A
termination of employment will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the
payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination
is also a Separation From Service, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such Separation
From Service takes place will be the date of termination of employment.
(f) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if any payment under this Agreement subject to execution of a release is
subject to the requirements of Section 409A, in no event will the timing of the execution of the release, directly or indirectly,
result in Executive designating the calendar year of payment, and if a payment that is subject to execution of a release could
be made in more than one taxable year, payment will be made in the later taxable year.
23. Amendment;
Waiver. (a) This Agreement may be amended and any provision of this Agreement may be waived, provided that any such amendment
or waiver will be binding upon a Party only if such amendment or waiver is set forth in a writing executed by such Party. No course
of dealing between the Parties will be deemed effective to modify, amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights
or obligations of any Party under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) No
delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder will affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor will any single
or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any
further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy.
24. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one Party),
each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement. This
Agreement, and any amendments hereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic transmission,
will be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement and will be considered to have the same binding legal effects
as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any Party, the Parties will re-execute
original forms thereof and deliver them to the requesting Party. No Party will raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic
means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature was transmitted or communicated through the use of facsimile machine
or other electronic means as a defense to the formation of a contract and each Party forever waives any such defense.
25. Headings;
Interpretation. (a) The descriptive headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to
be a substantive part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(b) Reference
to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time
to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to a “Section”
means a Section of this Agreement.
(c) In
the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by
the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of
any of the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) The
word “including” (in its various forms) means including without limitation. All references in this Agreement to “days”
refer to “calendar days” unless otherwise specified.
26. Defined
Terms. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms will have the following meanings when used herein
with initial capital letters:
(a) “Affiliate”
means, as to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. For this purpose, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by”
and “under common control with”) will mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership
interests, by contract or otherwise. Unless otherwise indicated, an Affiliate refers to an Affiliate of the Company.
(b) “Cause”
means:
(i) Any
act or omission constituting a material breach by the Executive of any provisions of this Agreement;
(ii) The
willful failure by the Executive to perform the Executive’s duties hereunder (other than any such failure resulting from
the Executive’s Disability), after demand for performance is delivered by the Company that identifies in reasonable detail
the manner in which the Company believes the Executive has not performed the Executive’s duties, if, within 30 days of such
demand, the Executive fails to cure any such failure that is capable of being cured;
(iii) Any
misconduct by the Executive that is materially injurious to any member of the Company Group, financial or otherwise, or any act
of misappropriation, fraud including with respect to any member of the Company Group’s accounting and financial statements,
embezzlement or conversion by the Executive of the property of any member of the Company Group;
(iv) The
conviction (or plea of no contest) of the Executive for any felony;
(v) The
Executive’s gross negligence, gross neglect of duties or gross insubordination;
(vi) The
Executive’s commission of any violation of any antifraud provision of federal or state securities laws;
(vii) The
Executive’s alcohol or prescription or other drug abuse substantially affecting work performance for a period of at least
thirty (30) days; or
(viii) The
Executive’s material violation of the Company Policies or this Agreement.
(c) “Change
in Control” means the occurrence of a “change in control event” (within the meaning of Section 409A) with
respect to the Company.
(d) “Change
in Control Period” means the period commencing on the date a Change in Control occurs and ending on the second anniversary
of such date.
(e) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(f) “Company
Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.
(g) “Compensation
Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Supervisor.
(h) “Disability”
or “Disabled” means:
(i) The
Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness to substantially perform the Executive’s duties and the essential
functions of the Executive’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation, on a full-time basis for 6 months; and
(ii) The
Executive becomes eligible to receive benefits under the Company’s applicable long-term disability plan.
except that, if the Executive does not agree with a determination
to terminate the Executive’s employment because of Disability, the question of the Executive’s Disability
will be subject to the certification of a qualified medical doctor reasonably agreed upon by the Company and the Executive. The
costs of such qualified medical doctor will be paid by the Company.
(i) “Employment
Term” means the Initial Employment Term and any Renewal Term(s), provided that the Employment Term shall end upon the
termination of Executive’s employment for any reason prior to the scheduled expiration of the Employment Term.
(j) “Good
Reason” means, without the Executive’s consent:
(i) A
material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus, other than a general reduction in Base Salary and/or
Target Bonus that affects all similarly situated Company executives in substantially the same proportions;
(ii) A
material diminution or material adverse change in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, and/or corporate
role as set forth in this Agreement (other than temporarily while the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required
by applicable law);
(iii) A
relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment by more than 50 miles from the Executive’s principal place of
employment as of the Start Date; or
(iv) Any
material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
provided, however, that the
foregoing conditions will constitute Good Reason only if (A) the Executive provides written notice to the Company within 90 days
of the initial existence of the condition(s) constituting Good Reason and (B) the Company fails to cure such condition(s) within
30 days after receipt from the Executive of such notice; and provided further, that Good Reason will cease to exist with
respect to a condition one year following the initial existence of such condition.
(k) “Person”
means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust,
a joint venture or an unincorporated organization.
(l) “Supervisor”
means the Company’s Board of Directors or any applicable designee thereof.
27. Certain
Costs. Each Party will pay and be fully responsible for its own costs and expenses (including costs of professional advisors)
in connection with the negotiation, execution, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company will reimburse the Executive for reasonable legal fees incurred on or prior to the Execution Date in connection with
the Executive’s negotiation and execution of this Agreement, up to a maximum of $4,000.00.
28. Clawback
Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation, or any
other compensation, paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with any member of the
Company Group, 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 any member of the Company Group pursuant to any such law, government regulation or
stock exchange listing requirement).
29. Acknowledgements.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Executive has read this Agreement carefully and in its entirety, (ii) the Executive
understands the terms and conditions contained herein, (iii) the Executive has had the opportunity to review this Agreement with
legal counsel of the Executive’s own choosing and has not relied on any statements made by the Company or its legal counsel
as to the meaning of any term or condition contained herein or in deciding whether to enter into this Agreement, and (iv) the Executive
is entering into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that each member of the Company
Group is an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement and, as such, will be entitled to all of the benefits, and will
be permitted to enforce its rights, under this Agreement as if such third party were an original party hereto. As an inducement
to enter into this Agreement, the Executive represents and warrants as follows: (A) the Executive is not a party to any other agreement
or obligation for personal services; (B) there exist no impediments or restraints, contractual or otherwise on the Executive’s
power, right or ability to enter into this Agreement and to perform the Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder; and
(C) the performance of the Executive's obligations under this Agreement do not and will not violate or conflict with any agreement
relating to confidentiality, non-competition or exclusive employment to which the Executive is or was subject.
30. Resignations.
Following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, if and to the extent requested by the Supervisor,
the Executive agrees to resign from the Supervisor, all fiduciary positions (including as trustee or director of Supervisor) and
all other offices and positions the Executive holds with the Company Group; provided, however, that if the Executive
refuses to tender the Executive’s resignation after the Supervisor has made such request, then the Supervisor will be empowered
to tender the Executive’s resignation from such offices and positions.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally
Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is duly
executed as of the Execution Date.
|
Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp. |
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Michael Dion |
|
|
|
Name: N. Michael Dion |
|
Title: VP and CFO |
|
|
|
James Terry, Executive |
|
|
|
/s/ James Terry |
Exhibit
A
WAIVER
AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS Agreement
James
Terry (“Employee”) hereby acknowledges that Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp.
(“Employer”) is offering Employee certain payments in connection with Employee’s termination of employment
pursuant to the employment agreement entered into between Employer and Employee, as amended (the “Employment Agreement”),
in exchange for Employee’s promises in this Waiver and Release of Claims Agreement (this “Agreement”).
Severance Payments
1. Employee
agrees that Employee will be entitled to receive the applicable severance payments under the Employment Agreement (the “Severance
Payments”) only if Employee accepts and does not revoke this Agreement, which requires Employee to release both known
and unknown claims.
2. Employee
agrees that the Severance Payments tendered under the Employment Agreement constitute fair and adequate consideration for the execution
of this Agreement. Employee further agrees that Employee has been fully compensated for all wages and fringe benefits, including,
but not limited to, paid and unpaid leave, due and owing, and that the Severance Payments are in addition to payments and benefits
to which Employee is otherwise entitled.
Claims That Are Being Released
3. Employee
agrees that this Agreement constitutes a full and final release by Employee and Employee’s descendants, dependents, heirs,
executors, administrators, assigns, and successors, of any and all claims, charges, and complaints, whether known or unknown, that
Employee has or may have to date against Employer and any of its parents, subsidiaries, or affiliated entities and their respective
officers, directors, shareholders, partners, joint venturers, employees, consultants, insurers, agents, predecessors, successors,
and assigns, arising out of or related to Employee’s employment or the termination thereof, or otherwise based upon acts
or events that occurred on or before the date on which Employee signs this Agreement. To the fullest extent allowed by law, Employee
hereby waives and releases any and all such claims, charges, and complaints in return for the Severance Payments. This release
of claims is intended to be as broad as the law allows, and includes, but is not limited to, rights arising out of alleged violations
of any contracts, express or implied, any covenant of good faith or fair dealing, express or implied, any tort or common law claims,
any legal restrictions on Employer’s right to terminate employees, and any claims under any federal, state, municipal, local,
or other governmental statute, regulation, or ordinance, including, without limitation:
| (a) | claims of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under equal employment laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act,
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and any and all other federal, state, municipal, local, or foreign equal opportunity laws; |
| (b) | if applicable, claims of wrongful termination of employment; statutory, regulatory, and common law “whistleblower”
claims, and claims for wrongful termination in violation of public policy; |
| (c) | claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, except for any claims relating to vested benefits
under Employer’s employee benefit plans; |
| (d) | claims of violation of wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, claims for overtime pay, meal and rest period violations,
and recordkeeping violations; and |
| (e) | claims of violation of federal, state, municipal, local, or foreign laws concerning leaves of absence, such as the Family and
Medical Leave Act. [Other applicable provisions to be included based upon Employee’s place of employment.] |
4. If
Employee has worked or is working in California, Employee expressly agrees to waive the protection of Section 1542 of the California
Civil Code, which provides:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE
CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER
MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR
Claims That Are Not Being Released
5. This
release does not include any claims that may not be released as a matter of law, and this release does not waive claims or rights
that arise after Employee signs this Agreement. Further, this release will not prevent Employee from doing any of the following:
| (a) | obtaining unemployment compensation, state disability insurance, or workers’ compensation benefits from the appropriate
agency of the state in which Employee lives and works, provided Employee satisfies the legal requirements for such benefits (nothing
in this Agreement, however, guarantees or otherwise constitutes a representation of any kind that Employee is entitled to such
benefits); |
| (b) | asserting any right that is created or preserved by this Agreement, such as Employee’s right to receive the Severance
Benefits; |
| (c) | filing a charge, giving testimony or participating in any investigation conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(the “EEOC”) or any duly authorized agency of the United States or any state (however, Employee is hereby waiving
the right to any personal monetary recovery or other personal relief should the EEOC (or any similarly authorized agency) pursue
any class or individual charges in part or entirely on Employee’s behalf); or |
| (d) | challenging or seeking determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act (nor does this release impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by
federal law). |
Additional Employee Covenants
6. To
the extent applicable, Employee confirms and agrees to Employee’s continuing obligations under the Employment Agreement,
including, without limitation, following termination of Employee’s employment with Employer. This includes, without limitation,
Employee’s continuing obligations under Sections 8-11 of the Employment Agreement.
Voluntary Agreement And Effective Date
7. Employee
understands and acknowledges that, by signing this Agreement, Employee is agreeing to all of the provisions stated in this Agreement,
and has read and understood each provision.
8. The
parties understand and agree that:
| (a) | Employee will have a period of 21 calendar days in which to decide whether or not to sign this Agreement, and an additional
period of seven calendar days after signing in which to revoke this Agreement. If Employee signs this Agreement before the end
of such 21-day period, Employee certifies and agrees that the decision is knowing and voluntary and is not induced by Employer
through (i) fraud, misrepresentation, or a threat to withdraw or alter the offer before the end of such 21-day period or (ii) an
offer to provide different terms in exchange for signing this Agreement before the end of such 21-day period. |
| (b) | In order to exercise this revocation right, Employee must deliver written notice of revocation to [INSERT COMPANY CONTACT
on or before the seventh calendar day after Employee executes this Agreement. Employee understands that, upon delivery of such
notice, this Agreement will terminate and become null and void. |
| (c) | The terms of this Agreement will not take effect or become binding, and Employee will not become entitled to receive the Severance
Payments, until that seven-day period has lapsed without revocation by Employee. If Employee elects not to sign this Agreement
or revokes it within seven calendar days of signing, Employee will not receive the Severance Payments. |
| (d) | All amounts payable hereunder will be paid in accordance with the applicable terms of the Employment Agreement. |
Governing Law
9. This
Agreement will be governed by the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflicts of law, and by federal law
where applicable.
10. If
any part of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not be affected
in any way.
Consultation With Attorney
11. Employee
is hereby encouraged and advised to confer with an attorney regarding this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges
that Employee has consulted, or had an opportunity to consult with, an attorney or a representative of Employee’s choosing,
if any, and that Employee is not relying on any advice from Employer or its agents or attorneys in executing this Agreement.
12. This
Agreement was provided to Employee for consideration on [INSERT DATE THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDED TO EMPLOYEE].
13.
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY;
IT CONTAINS A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
Employee certifies that Employee has read
this Agreement and fully and completely understands and comprehends its meaning, purpose, and effect. Employee further states and
confirms that Employee has signed this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and of Employee’s own free will, and not as a
result of any threat, intimidation or coercion on the part of Employer or its representatives or agents.
Integrated Drilling Equipment
announces appointment of Jim Terry as Chief Executive Officer
Spring, TX – July 22,
2014 – Integrated Drilling Equipment Holdings Corp. (“IDE”) (OTC: IRIG) announced today the appointment of
Jim Terry, 60, as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Mr. Terry replaces the former CEO, Stephen Cope, who resigned
in April of this year. Effective with his CEO appointment, Mr. Terry will also become a member of IDE’s Board of Directors.
Prior to his appointment, Jim Terry
was the CEO and President of Particle Drilling Technologies (“PDT”). PDT is a manufacturer of innovative well drilling
bits and surface equipment used in drilling hard rock formations. This technology allowed the well driller to cut through hard
rock formations up to 6X faster than conventional drill bits. Prior to PDT, Mr. Terry was the Vice President of Drilling Services
at Weatherford International from 2002 to 2006. From 1993 to 2002, Mr. Terry was at Halliburton Company in increasingly responsible
roles. Prior to Halliburton, Mr. Terry was an executive with Smith International and Baker Hughes. Jim Terry resides in Houston,
Texas and holds a BA in Business from San Francisco State University.
Jim Terry said, “I am extremely
excited about my new role as CEO of IDE. The Company’s founder, Steve Cope, has established IDE as a premier manufacturer
of drilling rigs combined with automated controls and electronic variable frequency drive systems that are proving to be ideally
suited for today’s demanding horizontal drilling operations, as well as providing industry recognized fabrication and rig
up services to a growing base of customers. I believe my experience and industry knowledge makes me well suited to continue to
expand the company’s offerings and improve upon the strong foundation established by Mr. Cope.”
James N. Mills, chairman, said,
“After an extensive search, the board joins me in welcoming Jim Terry on his appointment as chief executive officer of IDE.
In Mr. Terry, we have a strong, accomplished executive in the oil and gas industry who will provide the necessary leadership to
drive the company’s next phase of growth, building a diversified oilfield services and manufacturing company with global
reach.”
About IDE
IDE and its predecessor companies
have been active in providing services and products to the drilling industry since 1981. IDE’s principal service and product
offerings consist of the design, engineering and construction of new land and offshore rigs based on IDE designs or modified to
customers’ specifications; providing extensive reconfiguration and refurbishment services for rigs to repair and/or extend
their life or to adapt them for different drilling environments; providing rig upgrade packages, refurbishment services, and related
components for land and offshore new build rigs; supplying integrated electrical and hydraulic control systems for a wide range
of land and offshore drilling rigs; and providing engineered hydraulic rig solutions. For more information on IDE, please visit:
http://www.ide-rig.com
Company Contact
Mike Dion
281-465-9393
mdion@ide-rig.com
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