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): December 11, 2014
Blue Ridge Real Estate Company
(Exact Name of Registrant Specified in Charter)
Pennsylvania | 0-28-44 (Blue Ridge) | 24-0854342 (Blue Ridge) |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
P. O. Box 707, Blakeslee, Pennsylvania 18610-0707
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(570) 443-8433
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name and former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Section 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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(e)
On December 10, 2013, Blue Ridge Real Estate Company (the Company) entered into an employment agreement (the Agreement) with Mr. Bruce Beaty, effective January 1, 2014 (the Effective Date), pursuant to which Mr. Beaty serves as President of the Company. The Agreement expires December 31, 2015 (the Initial Term), unless the Agreement is terminated earlier pursuant to termination provisions of the Agreement (as defined below). Thereafter, the Agreement continues on an at will basis after the expiration of the Initial Term, on the same economic terms as provided during the Initial Term unless the Company and Executive agree otherwise. The Initial Term of the Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the Employment Period. Until the Effective Date, Mr. Beaty will continue to be employed by the Company as President pursuant to the employment agreement, effective as of January 1, 2013, a copy of which was filed with the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 28, 2012.
In accordance with the Agreement, Mr. Beaty will receive a $175,000 base annual salary as compensation for his services and an annual bonus paid at the discretion of the Companys Compensation Committee. During the Employment Period, Mr. Beaty is also eligible to participate in the Companys 401(k) plan as provided by the Company to its employees on the same terms and conditions as offered to other employees. The Company has agreed to reimburse Mr. Beaty for health care costs incurred under his existing personal health insurance policy (family coverage), or any replacement policy providing comparable coverage, with such reimbursement to be made on an after-tax basis during the Employment Period.
During the Employment Period, Mr. Beaty will perform such duties and fulfill such assignments as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or its designee and devote a majority of his time, energy, attention and skill to the performance of his duties and to the promotion and advancement of the Companys business and interests. The Agreement provides that Mr. Beaty may perform substantially all of his duties from his residential office in Greenwich, Connecticut, except, where required, to attend meetings elsewhere or as otherwise directed.
Mr. Beatys employment with the Company may be terminated: (i) by either party at the expiration of the Employment Period unless extended by agreement of the parties upon notice; (ii) by the Company for Cause; (iii) upon Mr. Beatys death; or (iv) for any other reason provided that three (3) months notice is given prior to the date of termination of employment. If Mr. Beatys employment with the Company is not extended beyond the Employment Period, such termination shall not constitute a termination for any other reason as set forth in the Agreement.
In the Agreement, Cause is defined as: (i) a willful and material breach of any provision of the Agreement and/or the continued failure to perform substantially his employment duties (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness and excluding failure after reasonable efforts to meet performance expectations) after the Company provides written notice of such failure constituting cause and such failure continues uncorrected for at least 30 days following the notice; (ii) acts involving material dishonesty, material disloyalty, fraud or material misrepresentation adversely affecting the Company or its affiliates; (iii) gross negligence in performance of duties; (iv) conviction of a crime involving the commission of a felony or criminal act involving moral turpitude; (v) engaging in actions involving willful misconduct that adversely affect the Company or any of its affiliates; and (vi) failure to follow the lawful instructions of the Board or its designees after written notice thereof.
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Mr. Beaty may terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason. In the Agreement, Good Reason is defined as the occurrence of any of the following events, if not cured by the Company within 30 days from receipt of written notice from Mr. Beaty: (i) a diminution or reduction of Mr. Beatys position or authority; (ii) a reduction in Mr. Beatys base salary in effect at that time; or (iii) a requirement to render substantially all of his services other than from his residence location.
The foregoing is only a summary of the Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Agreement. You are urged to read the Agreement in its entirety for a more complete description of the terms and conditions of the Agreement. A copy of the Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit No. | Description |
Employment Agreement effective January 1, 2014 between Blue Ridge Real Estate Company and Bruce Beaty. |
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.
| BLUE RIDGE REAL ESTATE COMPANY |
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Date: December 11, 2013 | By: /s/ Cynthia A. Van Horn |
| Name: Cynthia A. Van Horn Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. | Description |
Employment Agreement effective January 1, 2014 between Blue Ridge Real Estate Company and Bruce Beaty. |
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Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 1, 2014 (the Effective Date), between Bruce Beaty (Executive), an individual residing at 40 Patterson Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 and Blue Ridge Real Estate Company of P. O. Box 707, Blakeslee, Pennsylvania 18610 (the Company).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive and Executive wishes to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the provisions contained herein, Executive and the Company hereby agree as follows:
1.
Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Employment Agreement, Executive will be employed by the Company in the position of President for a two-year period commencing as of the Effective Date and extending until December 31, 2015 (the Initial Term), unless Executives employment is terminated earlier pursuant to Section 4 of this Employment Agreement. Thereafter, the Executive's employment shall continue on an "at will" basis after the expiration of the Initial Term on the same economic terms as provided during the Initial Term unless the Company and Executive agree otherwise in writing. The Initial Term of this Employment Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the Employment Period.
2.
Duties.
a.
During the Employment Period, Executive will perform such lawful duties and fulfil such lawful assignments as may be assigned to Executive by the Board of Directors (Board) or its designee. Executive will perform his duties faithfully, diligently and competently to the best of his ability. Executive will perform substantially all of his duties from his residential office in Greenwich, CT, except, where required, that he occasionally attends meetings in person at the Companys headquarters, New York City or as otherwise directed.
b.
During the Employment Period, Executive will devote a majority of the Executives business time, energy, attention and skill to the performance of Executives duties and to the promotion and advancement of the Companys business and interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may invest in any business, provided that (a) the investment is passive, (i.e., Executive is not required to, and in fact does not, provide any services on behalf of such business) and (b) the business invested in is not competitive with any aspect of the Company or any of its Affiliates (as defined in Section 2(b)(ii) below) as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, except that the limitation imposed by this clause (b) shall not apply to passive investment in the securities of a publicly traded company as long as Executive does not own at any time three percent (3%) or more of any class of the securities of such company.
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c. For purposes of this Employment Agreement Affiliate shall be defined as any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, limited liability company, trust, business trust, governmental authority or other entity (Person) that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.
3.
Compensation.
a.
Salary. The Company will pay a salary to Executive at the rate of $14,583.33 per month ($175,000 per annum), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices for salaried employees of the Company.
b.
Bonus. Executive will be paid an annual bonus at the discretion of the Companys Compensation Committee.
c.
Benefit Plans. Executive will be eligible for participation in the Companys 401(k) plan, if any, provided by the Company to its employees on the same terms and conditions as offered to other employees.
d.
Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in performance of Executives duties under this Employment Agreement in accordance with the Companys policies with respect to reimbursement of such expenses and the documentation required therefore including but not limited to travel expenses from his home, meals away from his home and overnight lodging. Such expenses shall be reimbursed as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which expenses were incurred. Travel by automobile will be reimbursed at the rate in effect from time to time during the Employment Period as published by the Internal Revenue Service.
e.
Healthcare Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for the health care costs incurred under his existing personal health insurance policy (family coverage), or any replacement policy providing comparable coverage, such reimbursement to be made on an after-tax basis during the Employment Period. Executive has provided the Company with information pertaining to his current health insurance policy (including the applicable premium charges) and will promptly notify the Company of any change (if any) to such coverage or premium charges that which may occur during the Employment Period.
4.
Termination of Employment Period. Executives employment with the Company may be terminated in the manner, for the reasons and with the consequences provided for in this Section 4:
a.
Expiration of the Employment Period. Executives employment with the Company shall terminate upon the expiration of the Employment Period unless extended by agreement of the parties hereto. If Executive's employment with the Company is not extended beyond the Employment Period, such termination
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shall not constitute a termination "for any other reason" as described in Section 4.e. hereof.
b.
Termination for Cause. The Company may at any time terminate Executives employment for Cause. For purposes of this Employment Agreement, Cause means the occurrence of any of the following:
i.
A wilful and material breach of any provision of this Agreement and/or the continued failure of Executive to perform substantially Executive's duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness, and specifically excluding any failure by Executive, after reasonable efforts, to meet performance expectations); provided, however, that the Company must first deliver to the Executive a written demand for substantial performance which specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that the Executive has not substantially performed Executive's duties and allow the Executive a period of no less than thirty (30) days thereafter within which to correct any such failure to substantially perform Executives duties;
ii.
Executive engages in any act involving material dishonesty, material disloyalty, fraud or material misrepresentation adversely affecting the Company or any of its Affiliates;
iii.
Executive is convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
iv.
Executive performs Executives duties under this Employment Agreement with gross negligence;
v.
Executive engages in any action involving wilful misconduct adversely affecting the Company or any of its Affiliates; or
vi.
Executive fails to follow the lawful instructions of the Board or its designees after written notice thereof.
c.
Termination Upon Death. Executives employment with the Company shall automatically terminate upon Executives death.
d.
Termination of Employment by Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean, if not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days from receipt of written notice from Executive, the occurrence of any of the following events, which notice is to be given within thirty (30) days of its occurrence:
i.
a diminution or reduction in the Executives position, or authority, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial action not taken in bad faith which is remedied by the Company promptly;
ii.
a reduction by the Company in Executive's Base Salary as in effect at that time ;
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iii. the Company's requiring Executive, without his/her consent, to render substantially all of his services other than from his residence location; or
e.
Termination For Any Other Reason. If, for any reason other than as specified in Sections 4(a) through (d) above, either party wishes to terminate Executives employment, that party may do so by providing the other party with at least three (3) months notice prior to the Date of Termination of Executives employment. The Date of Termination shall be the date upon which any termination of the employment of Executive shall be effective. In lieu of all or a portion of such three-month notice period, the Company may elect to terminate Executive and pay Executive his salary for the portion of the notice period for which he is no longer employed.
f.
During any notice period provided for in this Section 4, Executive shall continue to render his normal and usual services consistent with this Employment Agreement, unless the rendition of such services during such period is reduced or excused entirely by the Company, in its sole discretion and in writing, in which case Executive will continue to receive his normal salary and benefits up to the Date of Termination.
5.
Notices. All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed as follows:
To Company:
Blue Ridge Real Estate Company
P. O. Box 707
Blakeslee, PA 18610
Facsimile: (570) 443-8412
Attention: Frederick N. Kurz, Jr.
To Executive:
Bruce Beaty
40 Patterson Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
All notices, requests, demands, approvals, consents, waivers and other communications required or permitted to be given under this Employment Agreement shall be in writing and shall be (a) delivered personally, (b) mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (c) sent by next-day or overnight mail or delivery, or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, provided that the original copy thereof also is sent by prepaid, first-class certified or registered mail. All notices shall be deemed effective and given upon confirmation of delivery or receipt or refusal of receipt. Either party may change the address provided for the party above by giving notice to the other party in the manner prescribed in this Section.
6.
Waiver, Amendments. No discharge of this Employment Agreement, and no waiver hereunder, shall be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by the party against whom enforcement of the discharge or waiver is sought. Any such waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the specific matter described in such writing and shall in no way impair the rights of the party granting such waiver in any other respect or at any other time.
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Neither the waiver by any of the parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any of the provisions of this Employment Agreement, nor the failure by any of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Employment Agreement, nor the failure by any of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Employment Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall be construed as a waiver of any other breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any of such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder. No amendment to the Employment Agreement shall be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by all the parties hereto.
7.
Parties in Interest. The rights, remedies and obligations of Company under this Employment Agreement shall be binding on the successors, assigns and transferees of Company. The obligations of Executive under this Employment Agreement shall be binding on his heirs, executors and legal representatives. Executive shall not have the right to assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of his right, title and interest in and to any part of this Employment Agreement or to assign the burdens hereof.
8.
Confidentiality. Executive agrees to be bound by and subject to the Company's general confidentiality policy as in effect from time to time and communicated to the Company's employees.
9.
Withholding of Taxes. The Company shall withhold from any compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement all applicable federal, state, local, or other taxes required to be withheld.
10.
Binding on Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, Executive and their respective successors, assigns, personnel and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable. The Company shall cause any successor to all or substantially all of its assets or business to assume this Agreement.
11.
Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
12.
Governing Law. This Employment Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the internal laws of the State of Pennsylvania without giving effect to the conflict of laws rules thereof.
13.
Headings. The headings contained in this Employment Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Employment Agreement.
14.
Severability. If any provision of this Employment Agreement, including any phrase, sentence, clause, Section or subsection is inoperative or unenforceable for any reason, such circumstances shall not have the effect of rendering the provision in question inoperative or unenforceable in any other case or
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circumstances, or of rendering any other provision or provisions herein contained invalid, inoperative or unenforceable to any extent whatsoever. If the scope of any provision contained in this Employment Agreement is too broad to permit enforcement of the provision to its full extent, then the provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and Executive agrees that such scope shall be judicially modified accordingly in any proceeding brought to enforce this Employment Agreement.
15.
Recitals. The recitals to this Employment Agreement are hereby deemed incorporated into and made part of this Employment Agreement.
16.
Counterparts. This employment Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
17.
Entire Agreement. This Employment Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement effective on the date and year first above written.
BLUE RIDGE REAL ESTATE COMPANY
By:
/s/ Frederick N. Kurz, Jr.
FREDERICK N. KURZ, JR.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
/s/ Bruce Beaty
BRUCE BEATY
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