Exhibit 10.1
FIRST AMENDMENT TO FAGGIOLI EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This First Amendment to Employment Agreement (the Amendment)
is entered into on this 12th day of March, 2010, by and
between Natures Sunshine Products, Inc. (the Company or NSP) and Douglas
Faggioli (Executive). NSP and
Executive are collectively referred to herein as the Parties.
RECITALS
A. The
Parties entered into that Employment Agreement, dated on or about December 30,
2008 (the Employment Agreement).
Each capitalized term in this Amendment shall have the meaning ascribed
to it in the Employment Agreement, except as otherwise defined herein.
B. The
Parties now desire to amend certain provisions of the Employment Agreement.
C. The
Company and Executive have previously entered into: (1) a Stock Option
Agreement entitled Natures Sunshine Products, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive
Plan Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement, dated September 24, 2009,
granting Executive the option to purchase Nineteen Thousand (19,000) shares of
the Companys common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Companys
2009 Stock Option Plan; and, (2) a Stock Option Agreement entitled Natures
Sunshine Products, Inc. Stock Option Agreement, dated April 1, 2003,
granting Executive the option to purchase Two Thousand (2,000) shares of the
Companys common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Companys
1995 Stock Option Plan (collectively referred to as the Stock Agreements).
D. The
Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances,
charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Executive may have against
the Company, including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of
or in any way related to Executives employment with or separation from the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, NSP and Executive
hereby amend the Employment Agreement and agree as follows:
1. Resignation.
Executive agrees to resign from his regular full-time employment with
the Company and to resign his seat on the Companys Board of Directors
effective June 30, 2010 (the Resignation Date).
2. Restricted Period.
Section 6.1 of the Employment Agreement is hereby amended to extend
the Restricted Period from twelve (12) months to twenty-four (24) months from
the Resignation Date.
3. Stock Options. All
NSP stock options owned by Executive on the date of this Amendment shall vest
on July 1, 2010 and the term for his exercise of Executives stock options
will be the longer of (a) the date set forth in the Stock Option Agreement
relating to such stock options, or (b) one year following the Retirement
Date. All Stock Agreements shall be
deemed
amended to reflect the foregoing
sentence. Executive acknowledges that
upon fully accelerating all outstanding stock options, Executive will have
vested in 21,000 options under the Stock Agreements, and no more.
4. Life Insurance.
The Company will pay all premiums on Executives current life insurance
policy from Beneficial Life through the 24-month period following the
Resignation Date.
5. Release/Consulting Agreement. On his last day of
employment, Executive agrees to execute the release agreement attached as Exhibit A
to this Agreement (Release) in exchange for: (1) an agreement for the
Company to enter into a one (1) year consulting agreement with Executive
in the form attached as Exhibit 1 to the Release (the Consulting
Agreement); and, (2) reimbursement of the cost of Executives health insurance
coverage under COBRA (and for his family members if Executive provided for
their coverage during his employment) for up to 18 months from the Resignation
Date, or as long as Executive is eligible for COBRA coverage, whichever is
shorter. COBRA reimbursements shall be
made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Companys normal expense
reimbursement policy, provided that Executive submits documentation to the
Company substantiating his payments for COBRA.
6. Company Covenants.
The Company agrees as follows:
a. Payments for First Twelve Months. The Company will pay Executive $466,818.18
(his base annual salary of $421,328.18 plus $45,518.00 as a tax gross-up) on
a pro rata monthly basis for the twelve months following his Resignation Date
in accordance with the Consulting Agreement.
b. Put Right or Payment in Connection with Second Twelve Months. The Company hereby grants to Executive a
right to compel the Company to purchase, during the period of July 1, 2011
to September 1, 2011 (Put Exercise Period), up to and including 38,275
shares of Executives NSP common stock at the specified or strike price of
$11.00 per share (the Put Right).
Executive may exercise the Put Right by written notice delivered to the
Company. The Put Right shall lapse
automatically upon the expiration of the Put Exercise Period. If Executive fails to exercise the Put Right
during the Put Exercise Period and the Put Right lapses, Company shall pay
Executive upon such expiration a lump sum amount equal to Executives base
annual salary.
c. Change of Control.
In the event of any change of control of NSP at any time during the
24-month period following Executives resignation, the (i) Company shall
immediately notify Executive of the change of control (the Change of Control
Notice), and in no event later than thirty (30) days prior to the change of
control taking effect, (ii) the Consulting Agreement shall terminate upon
Companys approval of a change of control, and which termination shall be
deemed without cause, notwithstanding anything in the Consulting Agreement to
the contrary, (iii) the Company will pay Executive the remaining balance
for the first 12-month period following his Resignation Date and, (iv) at
Executives sole election, Executive may (x) exercise his Put Right within
30 days of Executives receipt of the Change of Control Notice, or (y), if he
fails to exercise the Put Right within such 30-day period, pay
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Executive a lump sum amount of
$421,328.18. A change in control shall
be deemed to have occurred:
i. At such time as a third person, including a group as
defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, becomes the beneficial owner of shares of the Company having 50% or
more of the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of
Directors of the Company;
ii. On the effective date of and immediately prior to: (i) the closing of any agreement for a
merger or consolidation of the Company with another entity, provided that there
shall be no change of control if the persons and entities who were the
stockholders of the Company immediately before such merger or consolidation
continue to own, directly or indirectly, shares of the corporation resulting
from such merger or consolidation (Newco) having more than 70% of the total
number of votes that may be cast for the election of directors of Newco, in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the voting securities
of the Company outstanding immediately before such merger or consolidation; or (ii) the
closing of any sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the Companys assets; or (iii) a dissolution or liquidation of the
Companys assets; or
iii. On the effective date of any sale, exchange or other
disposition of 50% or more in fair market value of the Companys assets, other
than in the ordinary course of business, whether in a single transaction or a
series of related transactions.
iv. In determining whether clause (i) of the
preceding provision has been satisfied, the third person owning shares must be
someone other than a person or an affiliate of a person that, as of the
effective date, was the beneficial owner of shares of the Company having 20% or
more of the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of
Directors of the Company.
d. Executive Attorney Fees.
The Company shall pay Executives attorneys fees, up to $10,000, for
all legal expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, drafting,
review and analysis of this Amendment and related documentation.
e. State Board of Accountancy. For twenty four (24) months from the
Resignation Date, the Company shall pay all fees and costs required to keep
Executives Certified Public Accountant license current and effective,
including all fees and costs for CPE courses and any associated attorneys
fees, which fees shall not exceed $7,500.
f. Health Club Membership.
For twenty four (24) months from the Resignation Date, the Company shall
pay all fees and costs related to Executives health club membership at Golds
Gym.
g. NSP Product Credit.
For twenty four (24) months from the Resignation Date, Executive shall
receive a Company product credit equal to the credit received by Executive
prior to the Resignation Date.
7. Successor and Assign.
In the event of the death or incapacity of Executive, this Amendment
shall inure to the benefit of his estate, spouse, heirs, successor or assigns.
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8. Interpretation.
The Employment Agreement shall be construed, to the extent possible, so
as to be consistent with this Amendment.
In any conflict between the Employment Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement, or any other agreements between the Company and Executive and this
Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall prevail. In particular, the parties agree that Section 5.4
of the Employment Agreement, Resignation by Executive is void by virtue of
this Amendment and superseded by the terms herein; and that the provisions of Section 6
of the Employment Agreement will remain in effect except for the extension of
the Restricted Period to 24 months as referenced in Section 1, above.
9. Legal Counsel and Code Section 409A. Executive acknowledges that he has consulted
with an attorney regarding the terms of this Amendment, the Release and the
Consulting Agreement, and any ancillary issues related to these agreements,
including, but not limited, issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue
Code Section 409A (Code Section 409A). The parties intend
that this Amendment comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
To the extent there is any ambiguity as to whether any provision of the
Amendment would otherwise contravene one or more requirements or limitations of
Code Section 409A, such provision shall be interpreted and applied in a
manner that does not result in a violation of the applicable requirements or
limitations of Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder. For purposes of Section 409A, the right to receive one
or more payments or benefits under this Amendment shall be treated as a right
to a series of separate payments.
10. Delayed Commencement Date. Notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary in the Employment Agreement, this Amendment, the
Release, or the Consultant Agreement (together, the Agreements), no payments
or benefits to which Executive becomes entitled in accordance with the
Agreements shall be made or paid to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the
first day of the seventh (7th) month following the date of his separation from
service or (ii) the date of his death, if Executive is deemed, pursuant to
the procedures established by the Companys Compensation Committee in
accordance with the applicable standards of Code Section 409A and the
Treasury Regulations thereunder and applied on a consistent basis for all
non-qualified deferred compensation plans of the Employer Group subject to Code
Section 409A, to be a specified employee within the meaning of
Code Section 409A at the time of such separation from service and such
delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a prohibited
distribution under Code Section 409A(a)(2). Upon the expiration of the
applicable deferral period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 10
shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments due under
the Agreements shall be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates
specified in the Agreements.
11. Authorization. Each
person executing this Agreement represents and warrants that they have been
duly authorized and directed to execute, deliver, and perform the terms of this
Amendment, and that they have the authority to bind the entity on whose behalf
the Agreement is executed.
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Natures
Sunshine Products, Inc.
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/s/ Stephen M. Bunker
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By:
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Stephen M. Bunker
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Its:
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Chief
Financial Officer
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Executive
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/s/ Douglas Faggioli
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Douglas
Faggioli
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EXHIBIT 1
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This
Consulting Agreement (Consulting Agreement) is made and entered into as of July 1,
2010 (Effective Date), by and between Natures Sunshine Products, Inc. (Company),
and Douglas Faggioli (Consultant) (together, the Parties). Company desires to retain Consultant as an
independent contractor to perform consulting services for Company and
Consultant is willing to perform such services, on terms set forth more fully
below. In consideration of the mutual
promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. SERVICES AND COMPENSATION
Services. Consultant shall perform for the Company the
services mutually agreed to between the Parties as and when reasonably
requested by the Companys new CEO (Services).
Fees. The Company shall pay Consultant at the rate
of $466,818.18 per year on a pro rata monthly basis. Company will further pay for Consultants
reasonable travel and other travel-related expenses incurred in connection with
Consultants performance of the Services.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
Definition. Confidential Information means any Company
proprietary information, technical data, trade secrets or know-how, including,
but not limited to, research, product plans, products, services, customers,
customer lists, markets, software, developments, inventions, processes,
formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration
information, marketing, finances or other business information disclosed by Company
either directly or indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or inspection
of parts or equipment.
Non-Use and Non-Disclosure. Consultant shall not, during or subsequent to
the term of this Consulting Agreement, use Companys Confidential Information
for any purpose whatsoever other than the performance of the Services on behalf
of Company or disclose Companys Confidential Information to any third
party. It is understood that said
Confidential Information will remain the sole property of Company. Consultant further shall take all reasonable
precautions to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of such Confidential
Information.
Third Party Confidential Information. Consultant recognizes that Company has
received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential
or proprietary information subject to a duty on Companys part to maintain the
confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited
purposes. Consultant agrees that
Consultant owes Company and such third parties, during the term of this
Consulting Agreement and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or
proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to
any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as necessary in carrying
out the Services for Company consistent with Companys agreement with such
third party.
Return of Materials. Upon the termination of this Consulting
Agreement, or upon Companys earlier request, Consultant shall deliver to
Company all of Companys property or Confidential Information that Consultant
may have in Consultants possession or control.
3. OWNERSHIP
Assignment. Consultant agrees that all copyrightable
material, notes, records, drawings, designs, inventions, improvements, developments,
discoveries and trade secrets conceived, made or discovered by Consultant,
solely or in collaboration with others, during the term of this Consulting
Agreement which relate in any manner to the business of Company that Consultant
may be directed to undertake, investigate or experiment with, or which
Consultant may become associated with in work, investigation or experimentation
in the line of business of Company in performing the Services hereunder
(collectively, Work Product), are the sole property of Company. Consultant further shall assign (or cause to
be assigned) and does hereby assign fully to Company all Work Product and any
copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating
thereto.
Further Assurances. Consultant shall assist Company, or its
designee, at Companys expense, in every proper way to secure Companys rights
in the Work Product and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other
intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and all countries,
including the disclosure to Company of all pertinent information and data with
respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths,
assignments and all other instruments that Company deems necessary in order to
apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to Company,
its successors, assigns and nominees the sole and exclusive right, title and
interest in and to such Work Product, and any copyrights, patents, mask work
rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto. Consultant further agrees that Consultants
obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in Consultants power
to do so, any such instrument or papers will continue after the termination of
this Consulting Agreement.
Pre-Existing Materials. Consultant agrees that if in the course of
performing the Services, Consultant incorporates into any Invention developed
hereunder any invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or other
proprietary information owned by Consultant or in which Consultant has an
interest, (1) Consultant shall inform Company, in writing before
incorporating such invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or
other proprietary information into any Invention; and (2) Company is
hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual,
irrevocable, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use and sell such
item as part of or in connection with such Invention. Consultant shall not incorporate any
invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or other proprietary
information owned by any third party into any Invention without Companys prior
written permission.
Attorney in Fact. Where Company is unable because of Consultants
unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other
reason, to secure Consultants signature to apply for or to pursue any
application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright
registrations covering the Work Product assigned to Company above, then
Consultant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Company and its duly
authorized officers and agents as Consultants agent and attorney in fact, to
act for and in Consultants behalf and stead to execute and file any such
applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to
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further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright and mask
work registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed
by Consultant.
4. CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS
Conflicting Obligations/Restrictive Covenants. Consultant certifies that Consultant has no
outstanding agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the
provisions of this Consulting Agreement, or that would preclude Consultant from
complying with the provisions hereof, and further certifies that Consultant
will not enter into any such conflicting agreement during the term of this
Consulting Agreement. Consultant explicitly
agrees that during the Term of this Consulting Agreement (as defined under Section 5,
below), Consultant shall not, other than on behalf of the Company or with the
prior written consent of the Company, (i) serve as a partner, employee,
independent contractor, consultant, advisor, officer, director, proprietor,
manager, agent, associate, or (ii) directly or indirectly, own (except for
passive ownership of one percent (2%) or less of any entity whose securities
have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934), purchase, invest in, organize or take
preparatory steps for the organization of, or (iii) directly or
indirectly, build, design, finance, acquire, lease, control, operate, manage,
invest in, work or consult for, or otherwise affiliate himself with, any firm,
partnership, corporation, entity or business that is a Competing Business. For purposes of this Consulting Agreement, a Competing
Business is any business enterprise that distributes through a multilevel
marketing program or that engages in any activity that competes anywhere in the
world with any activity in which the Company is then engaged, including sales
or distribution of herbs, vitamins or nutritional supplements or any product,
which the Company sells or distributes at the time of Executives
termination. Moreover, Consultant agrees
not to influence or attempt to influence any employee, sales leader, manager,
coordinator, consultant, supplier, licensor, licensee, contractor, agent,
strategic partner, distributor, customer or other person to terminate his or
her employment with the Company or modify any written or oral agreement,
relationship, arrangement or course of dealing the Company; nor will consultant
solicit for employment or employ or retain (or arrange to have any other person
or entity employ or retain) any person who has been employed or retained by any
member of the Company within the preceding twelve (12) months.
5. TERM AND TERMINATION
Term. This Consulting Agreement will commence on
the Effective Date and will continue until the earlier of (1) the one year
anniversary of the Effective Date or (2) termination as provided below.
Termination. Consultant may terminate this Consulting
Agreement without cause upon giving one (1) months prior written notice
thereof to the Company in accordance with Section 6 of this Consulting
Agreement. If Consultant terminates this
Consulting Agreement under the prior sentence, Company shall pay to Consultant
the fees for any Services performed before the effective date of termination
and the rights of Executive under Section 6 of the Amendment to Consultants
Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Either party may terminate this Consulting
Agreement prior to the expiration of its term in the event of a material breach
of the terms or conditions of this Consulting Agreement by the other party,
which breach is not cured within 30 days of written notice from the party not
in breach. In addition to these
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rights of termination, each party will have the right, in the event of
an uncured breach by the other party, to avail itself of all remedies or causes
of action, in law or equity, for damages as a result of such breach. A material
provision of this Consulting Agreement shall include but is not limited to Section 2.2
(Non-Use and Non-Disclosure), Section 4.1 of this Consulting Agreement
(Conflicting Obligations), and Section 6.9 (Confidentiality of Consulting
Agreement). Company may terminate this
Consulting Agreement without cause at any time, provided that upon such
termination all payments owing to Consultant for the remainder of the Term
shall be paid monthly to Consultant through the end of the term (12 months).
Survival. Upon such termination all rights and duties
of the parties toward each other will cease except:
a. Company shall
pay amounts it is otherwise obligated to pay, including payments for the
remainder of the term as specified above; and
b. Sections 2
(Confidentiality), 3 (Ownership), 4 (Conflicting Obligations), and 6
(Miscellaneous) will survive termination of this Consulting Agreement.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
Services and Information Prior to Effective Date. All Services performed by Consultant and all
information and other materials disclosed between the parties prior to the
Effective Date shall be governed by the terms of this Consulting Agreement,
except where those Services are covered by a separate agreement between
Consultant and Company.
Nonassignment/Binding Consulting Agreement. The parties acknowledge that the unique
nature of Consultants services is substantial consideration for the parties
entering into this Consulting Agreement.
Neither this Consulting Agreement nor any rights under this Consulting
Agreement may be assigned or otherwise transferred by Consultant, in whole or
in part, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, without the prior written
consent of Company. Subject to the
foregoing, this Consulting Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the
benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Any assignment in violation of the foregoing
will be null and void.
Non-Solicitation. Consultant agrees, during the term of this
Consulting Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months immediately
following the termination of this Consulting Agreement, not to directly or
indirectly solicit any of the Companys employees to leave their employment at
the Company.
Indemnity. Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and its directors, officers and employees from and against
all taxes, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including
attorneys fees and other legal expenses, arising directly or indirectly from
or in connection with (i) any grossly negligent, reckless or intentionally
wrongful act of Consultant or Consultants assistants, employees or agents, (ii) any
material breach by the Consultant or Consultants assistants, employees or
agents of any of the covenants contained in this Consulting Agreement, (iv) any
material failure of Consultant to perform the Services in accordance with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations, or (v) any material violation
or
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claimed violation of a third partys rights resulting in whole or in
part from the Companys use of the work product of Consultant under this
Consulting Agreement.
Notices. Any notice required or permitted under the
terms of this Consulting Agreement or required by law must be in writing and
must be (a) delivered in person, (b) sent by first class registered
mail, or air mail, as appropriate, or (c) sent by overnight air courier,
in each case properly posted and fully prepaid to the appropriate address as
follows:
For
the Company:
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Natures
Sunshine Products, Inc.
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Attn:
General Counsel
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P.O. Box
19005
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75
East 1700 South
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Provo,
UT 84605-9005
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For
Executive:
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Douglas
Faggioli
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1314
East 660 North
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Orem,
UT 84097
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Either party may change its address for
notices by notice to the other party given in accordance with this
Section. Notices will be deemed given at
the time of actual delivery in person, three (3) business days after
deposit in the mail as set forth above, or one (1) day after delivery to
an overnight air courier service.
Waiver. Any waiver of the provisions of this
Consulting Agreement or of a partys rights or remedies under this Consulting
Agreement must be in writing to be effective.
Failure, neglect, or delay by a party to enforce the provisions of this
Consulting Agreement or its rights or remedies at any time, will not be
construed as a waiver of such partys rights under this Consulting Agreement
and will not in any way affect the validity of the whole or any part of this
Consulting Agreement or prejudice such partys right to take subsequent
action. No exercise or enforcement by
either party of any right or remedy under this Consulting Agreement will
preclude the enforcement by such party of any other right or remedy under this
Consulting Agreement or that such party is entitled by law to enforce.
Severability. If any term, condition, or provision in this
Consulting Agreement is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable to any
extent, the parties shall endeavor in good faith to agree to such amendments that
will preserve, as far as possible, the intentions expressed in this Consulting
Agreement. If the parties fail to agree
on such an amendment, such invalid term, condition or provision will be severed
from the remaining terms, conditions and provisions, which will continue to be
valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Integration. This Consulting Agreement, contain the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Consulting
Agreement and supersedes all previous communications, representations,
understandings and agreements, either oral or written, between the parties with
respect to said subject matter. This
Consulting Agreement may not be amended, except by a writing signed by both
parties.
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Counterparts. This Consulting Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which so executed will be deemed to be an original and
such counterparts together will constitute one and the same agreement.
Governing Law. This Consulting Agreement will be interpreted
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah and the United
States of America, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Independent Contractor. It is the express intention of the parties
that Consultant is an independent contractor.
Nothing in this Consulting Agreement, including the election of the Rules in
the arbitration provision, will in any way be construed to constitute
Consultant as an agent, employee or representative of Company, but Consultant
shall perform the Services hereunder as an independent contractor. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Consultant is not authorized to bind the Company to any liability or
obligation or to represent that Consultant has any such authority. Consultant shall furnish all tools and
materials necessary to accomplish this contract, and will incur all expenses
associated with performance. Consultant
acknowledges and agrees that Consultant is obligated to report as income all
compensation received by Consultant pursuant to this Consulting Agreement, and
Consultant acknowledges its obligation to pay all self-employment and other
taxes thereon.
Benefits. Consultant acknowledges that Consultant will
receive no Company-sponsored benefits from Company that are available to
employees, including without limitation paid vacation, sick leave, medical
insurance, and 401K participation. If
Consultant is reclassified by a state or federal agency or court as an
employee, Consultant will become a reclassified employee and will receive no
benefits except those mandated by state or federal law, even if by the terms of
Companys benefit plans in effect at the time of such reclassification
Consultant would otherwise be eligible for such benefits.
Attorneys Fees. In any court action at law or equity which is
brought by one of the parties to enforce or interpret the provisions of this
Consulting Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable
attorneys fees, in addition to any other relief to which that party may be
entitled.
Voluntary Nature of
Consulting Agreement. The parties
hereto acknowledge and agree that they are executing this Consulting Agreement
voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence. The parties further acknowledge and agree
that they have carefully read this Consulting Agreement and that they have
asked any questions needed to fully understand the terms, consequences and
binding effect of this Consulting Agreement.
The parties further agree that they have been provided an opportunity to
seek the advice of an attorney of their choice before signing this Consulting
Agreement.
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The parties have executed this Consulting Agreement below to indicate
their acceptance of its terms.
DOUGLAS FAGGIOLI
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NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
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Douglas Faggioli
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Address:
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1314 East 660 North
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Address:
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75 E 1700 South
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Orem, UT 84097
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Provo, Utah 84040
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EXHIBIT A
RELEASE AGREEMENT
THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT (this Release) is
made by and between Douglas Faggioli (the Executive) and
Nature Sunshine Products, Inc. (the Company).
WHEREAS, Executives employment as an executive of the Company has
terminated; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement as amended by the First
Amendment to Faggioli Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and
Executive (the Amended Agreement), the Company has agreed to pay Executive
certain amounts and to provide him with certain rights and benefits, and to
enter into a Consulting Agreement with Executive (the Consulting Agreement)
subject to the execution of this Release.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of these promises and the mutual promises
contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree
as follows:
1. Consideration. Executive acknowledges that: (i) the
payments, rights and benefits set forth in the Amended Agreement
constitute full settlement of all his/her rights under the Agreement, and (ii) except
as otherwise provided specifically in this Release, the Company does not and
will not have any other liability or obligation to Executive under the Amended
Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that, in the absence of his execution
of this Release, the benefits and payments specified in the Amended Agreement
(other than those specified) would not otherwise be due to him/her.
2. Release and Covenant Not to Sue.
2.1 Subject to the
obligations of Company in the Amended Agreement and the Consulting Agreement,
Executive and the Company each hereby fully and forever releases and discharges
the other, and all of their respective predecessors and successors, assigns,
stockholders, subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, officers, directors, trustees,
employees, agents and attorneys, past and present and in their respective
capacities as such (the Company and Executive and each such respective person
or entity is each referred to as a Released Person)
from any and all claims, demands, liens, agreements, contracts, covenants,
actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, controversies, debts, costs,
expenses, damages, judgments, orders and liabilities, of whatever kind or
nature, direct or indirect, in law, equity or otherwise, whether known or
unknown, arising through the date of this Release, including those arising out
of Executives employment by the Company or the termination thereof, including,
but not limited to, any claims for relief or causes of action under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq., or any other
federal, state or local statute, ordinance or regulation regarding
discrimination in employment and any claims, demands or actions based upon
alleged wrongful or retaliatory discharge or breach of contract under any state
or federal law.
2.2 Executive and the
Company expressly represent that they have not filed a lawsuit or initiated any
other administrative proceeding against a Released Person and that
neither has assigned any
claim against a Released Person. Executive and the Company each further promise
not to initiate a lawsuit or to bring any other claim against the other or any
Released Person arising out of or in any way related to Executives employment
by the Company or the termination of that employment. This Release will not prevent Executive from
filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (or similar
state agency) or participating in any investigation conducted by the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (or similar state agency); provided, however, that any claims by
Executive for personal relief in connection with such a charge or investigation
(such as reinstatement or monetary damages) would be barred. This Release shall not affect Executives
rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act to have a judicial determination of the validity of this
release and waiver.
3. Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges that the restrictive covenants
contained in the Amended Agreement will survive the termination of his
employment. Executive affirms that those restrictive covenants are reasonable
and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, that he
received adequate consideration in exchange for agreeing to those restrictions
and that he will abide by those restrictions.
4. Non-Disparagement. Executive will not disparage the Company or
any of its Released Persons or otherwise take any action which could reasonably
be expected to adversely affect the personal or professional reputation of the
Company or its Released Persons. The
Companys Senior Management and Board of Directors will not disparage Executive
or otherwise take any action which could reasonably be expected to adversely
affect the personal or professional reputation of Executive.
5. Cooperation. Executive further agrees that, subject to
reimbursement of his reasonable expenses, he will cooperate fully with the
Company and its counsel with respect to any matter (including litigation,
investigations, or governmental proceedings) in which Executive was in anyway
involved during his employment with the Company. Executive shall render such
cooperation in a timely manner on reasonable notice from the Company.
6. Rescission Right.
Executive expressly acknowledges and recites that (a) he has read
and understands the terms of this Release in its entirety, (b) he has
entered into this Release knowingly and voluntarily, without any duress or
coercion; (c) he has been advised orally and is hereby advised in writing
to consult with an attorney with respect to this Release before signing it; (d) he
was provided twenty-one (21) calendar days after receipt of the Release to
consider its terms before signing it; (e) should he nevertheless elect to
execute this Agreement sooner than 21 days after he has received it, he
specifically and voluntarily waives the right to claim or allege that he has
not been allowed by the Company or by any circumstances beyond his control to
consider this Agreement for a full 21 days; and (f) he is provided seven (7) calendar
days from the date of signing to terminate and revoke this Release, in which
case this Release shall be unenforceable, null and void. Executive may revoke
this Release during those seven (7) days by providing written notice of
revocation to the Company.
7. Challenge.
If Executive violates or challenges the enforceability of any provisions
of the Restrictive Covenants or this Release, no further payments, rights or
benefits
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under the Amended Agreement
will be due to Executive (except where such provision would be prohibited by
applicable law, rule or regulation).
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 No Admission of
Liability. This Release is not to
be construed as an admission of any violation of any federal, state or local
statute, ordinance or regulation or of any duty owed by the Company to
Executive. There have been no such violations, and the Company specifically
denies any such violations.
8.2 No Reinstatement.
Executive agrees that he will not without the consent of the Company apply for
reinstatement with the Company or seek in any way to be reinstated, re-employed
or hired by the Company in the future,
8.3 Successors and
Assigns. This Release shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and Executive and their respective successors, permitted assigns,
executors, administrators and heirs. Executive shall not may make any
assignment of this Release or any interest herein, by operation of law or
otherwise. The Company may assign this Release to any successor to all or
substantially all of its assets and business by means of liquidation,
dissolution, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, or otherwise.
8.4 Severability.
Whenever possible, each provision of this Release will be interpreted in such
manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. However, if any
provision of this Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision, and this Release will be reformed, construed and enforced
as though the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been herein
contained.
8.5 Entire Agreement:
Amendments. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Release contains the
entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto relating to the
subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous
discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the
subject matter hereof. This Release may
not be changed or modified, except by an agreement in writing signed by each of
the parties hereto.
8.6 Governing Law.
This Release shall be governed by, and enforced in accordance with, the laws of
the State of Utah, without regard to the application of the principles of
conflicts of laws.
8.7 Counterparts and
Facsimiles. This Release may be executed, including execution by facsimile
signature, in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original,
and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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NATURES
SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
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By:
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Title:
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Date:
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DOUGLAS
FAGGIOLI
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Executive
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Date
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