-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, EBa3735tuuzDueyPhh1JWwAI3urNBAA9bK4bkHuB4klHegMP75p/RHNo6FXyALL2 5RmxQJUB4dPeZ5j2vEVtgw== 0001104659-10-032962.txt : 20100608 0001104659-10-032962.hdr.sgml : 20100608 20100608165324 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-10-032962 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100602 ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20100608 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100608 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AAR CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000001750 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AIRCRAFT & PARTS [3720] IRS NUMBER: 362334820 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0531 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-06263 FILM NUMBER: 10884980 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1100 N WOOD DALE RD CITY: WOOD DALE STATE: IL ZIP: 60191 BUSINESS PHONE: 6302272000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1100 N WOOD DALE RD CITY: WOOD DALE STATE: IL ZIP: 60191 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ALLEN AIRCRAFT RADIO INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19700204 8-K 1 a10-11714_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

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): June 2, 2010

 

AAR CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-6263

 

36-2334820

(State of Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

One AAR Place

 

 

1100 N. Wood Dale Road

 

 

Wood Dale, Illinois 60191

 

(630) 227-2000

(Address and Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Telephone Number)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (217) 235-3311

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or 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:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            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.

 

The Company has entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, David P. Storch, for a term beginning on May 31, 2010 and ending on May 31, 2014 unless the parties mutually agree to an extension.  The agreement (which was executed on June 2, 2010) replaces the prior agreement between the parties, which expired on May 31, 2010, and retains many of the principal terms and conditions of that agreement.

 

The agreement provides Mr. Storch with the following benefits during employment:

 

(i)                                     a base salary of not less than $850,000 per year or such increased amount as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may determine;

 

(ii)                                  an annual cash incentive opportunity of up to 165% of base salary for performance against financial goals established by the Compensation Committee;

 

(iii)                               a long-term equity incentive compensation opportunity under the Company’s Stock Benefit Plan or other programs as determined by the Compensation Committee; and

 

(iv)                              specified fringe benefits, including personal use for Mr. Storch and his accompanying spouse and dependent family members of Company aircraft (subject to the Company’s aircraft use policy, which requires payment by Mr. Storch for each accompanying passenger), annual automobile allowance, payment of country club dues, fees and certain charges, reimbursement of dues, fees, charges and expenses relating to membership in professional clubs/organizations and not-for-profit educational organizations, financial planning and tax preparation services, executive physical, and payment of reasonable legal fees incurred to negotiate the agreement.

 

The agreement provides for the following severance benefits:

 

If prior to a Change in Control, either the Company terminates Mr. Storch’s employment without Cause or Mr. Storch terminates his employment for Good Reason, Mr. Storch is entitled to (i) continued payment of his base salary for 36 months, and (ii) a lump sum payment equal to three times the average of the cash incentive bonus paid to him for the preceding three fiscal years of the Company. Payments cease upon any material breach of the confidentiality and non-compete provisions set forth in the agreement (the non-compete provisions remain in effect for the two-year period following any such termination of employment). Mr. Storch is also entitled to these benefits if he terminates his employment for Good Reason after the 30th day following the 24th month after a Change in Control, but the non-compete provisions do not apply.

 

If Mr. Storch’s employment is terminated within 24 months following a Change in Control, either by the Company other than for Cause or Disability or by Mr. Storch for Good Reason, or if Mr. Storch terminates employment for any reason other than Disability or death during the 30-day period following the 24th month after a Change in Control, he is entitled to:

 

(i)                                     an immediate lump sum payment equal to the sum of (A) a pro rata portion of the bonus that would have been paid to him had he remained employed until the end of the fiscal year and all performance targets were met, and (B) (1) if termination is within the 24-month period for other than Cause, Disability or Good Reason, three times his base salary and cash bonus for either the most recently completed fiscal year prior to the termination or the preceding fiscal year, whichever produces the higher amount or (2) if termination is by Mr. Storch during the 30-day period following the 24-month period, an amount equal to $4,747,770;

 

2



 

(ii)                                  continued coverage for Mr. Storch and his spouse under the Company’s welfare and fringe benefit plans for three years following termination of employment (he and his spouse can elect continued medical and dental coverage pursuant to COBRA at the end of such three-year period);

 

(iii)                               a lump sum payment of an amount equal to the lesser of (A) three times the amount of Company contributions made under the Retirement Savings Plan and the defined contribution portion of the SKERP for the calendar year preceding the year in which the termination occurs or (B) $1,575,876, plus a gross-up payment to cover any related income tax liability;

 

(iv)                              Company-paid outplacement services for 18 months or, if earlier, the attainment of new employment (up to a maximum Company expense of 3.5% of the amount paid to Mr. Storch pursuant to (i)(B) above);

 

(v)                                 reasonable legal fees incurred by the executive in enforcing the agreement; and

 

(vi)                              a gross-up payment to cover any excise and related tax liability arising under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code as a result of any payment or benefit arising under the agreement.

 

The agreement also provides that upon any Change in Control, all outstanding stock-based awards vest immediately, and all performance-based restricted stock shares will be awarded based on the higher of the target or actual Company performance through the date of the Change in Control.

 

Regardless of whether a Change in Control is involved:

 

(i)                                     If Mr. Storch’s termination is due to Retirement, he and his spouse are entitled to continued coverage under the Company’s medical, dental, welfare and executive health programs for his (and his spouse’s) lifetime (or until he obtains health coverage from a new employer).

 

(ii)                                  If Mr. Storch’s employment terminates due to Disability, he will receive payment pursuant to the Company’s disability plans then in effect (at a level no less favorable than that in effect on May 31, 2010), and he will continue to receive coverage under the Company’s medical, dental and life insurance plans for three years following such termination.

 

(iii)                               If Mr. Storch’s employment is terminated following the expiration of this agreement, he will be entitled to receive the same benefits as if he were terminated without Cause by the Company prior to a Change in Control.

 

In any event, payment under the agreement in connection with Mr. Storch’s termination of employment that would be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code will be delayed six months following such termination to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A.

 

The terms Change in Control, Cause, Good Reason, Retirement and Disability are defined in the agreement.

 

The foregoing description of the agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Current Report as Exhibit 10 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

3



 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)   Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between AAR CORP. and David P. Storch.

 

4



 

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: June 8, 2010

 

 

AAR CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Regan

 

 

Name: Robert J. Regan

 

 

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

5



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between AAR CORP. and David P. Storch.

 

6


 

EX-10 2 a10-11714_1ex10.htm EX-10

EXHIBIT 10

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) made and entered into as of the 31st day of May, 2010, by and between AAR CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and David P. Storch (“Employee”).

 

WHEREAS, Employee is currently an elected director of the Company and holds the position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company currently employs Employee pursuant to a certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 31, 2006, as amended by a First Amendment dated December 18, 2008 (“Prior Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to further amend the Prior Agreement as herein set forth to reflect certain mutually agreed changes to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, for their mutual convenience, the Company and Employee desire to restate the Prior Agreement, as so amended, in its entirety.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             Employment.  The Company hereby continues to employ Employee and Employee hereby accepts continued employment by the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

2.             Term.  The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the date hereof and, unless earlier terminated as hereinafter provided, shall end on May 31, 2014.

 

The Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company will schedule a meeting with Employee at a mutually convenient time prior to June 15, 2013 to discuss extension of the term of this Agreement.  If the Company and Employee mutually desire to extend the term of the Agreement, the parties will promptly thereafter commence negotiations with the goal of reaching agreement not later than 180 days prior to the expiration date of the Agreement.

 

If the Company does not offer to extend the term of this Agreement for any reason, other than circumstances that would constitute Cause under Section 7(a), the Company and Employee may mutually agree, within 30 days after the end of the term, to continue Employee’s employment as an at-will employee.  If Employee continues as an at-will employee, he shall have the right upon his subsequent termination of employment to a severance benefit equal to the benefit provided under Section 7(c).  If, within such 30-day period, the Company and Employee do not mutually agree to continue Employee’s employment as an at-will employee, Employee shall receive a severance benefit equal to the benefit provided under Section 7(c) at the end of such 30-day period, or such longer period as required by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 



 

3.             Duties.

 

(a)           Employee shall have the title, duties and responsibilities of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and such other titles, duties and responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors that are consistent with such duties and responsibilities.

 

(b)           Employee agrees to do and perform all such acts and duties faithfully and diligently and to furnish such services as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct, and do and perform all acts in the ordinary course of business of the Company (within such limits as the Company may prescribe) necessary and conducive to the best interest of the Company.

 

(c)           Employee agrees to devote his full time, energy and skill to the business of the Company and to the promotion of the best interests of the Company and the performance of his duties as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and in such other capacities as he may be elected; provided that Employee shall not (to the extent not inconsistent with Sections 3(d), 8(a) and 8(b) below) be prevented from (i) serving as a director of any corporation consented to in advance by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, (ii) engaging in charitable, religious, civic or other non-profit community activities, or (iii) investing his personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any substantial services on his part in the operation or affairs of the business in which such investments are made which would detract from or interfere or cause a conflict of interest with performance of his duties hereunder.

 

(d)           Employee agrees to observe policies and procedures of the Company in effect from time to time applicable to employees of the Company including, without limitation, policies with respect to employee loyalty and prohibited conflicts of interest.

 

4.             Compensation.  The Company shall pay to Employee, for all services to be performed by Employee an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) at the rate of $850,000 per fiscal year, or such greater amount as may be authorized by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, upon annual review during the term of employment, payable in periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice in effect from time to time and prorated for any portion of a fiscal year (Company’s fiscal year currently being the period from June 1 of each year through May 31 of the following year).

 

5.             Incentive Bonus Payments.  In addition to the Base Salary described above, Employee will continue to participate in and receive payments under such incentive bonus programs as the Company, in its sole discretion, may authorize from time to time for Employee and other executive officers of the Company; provided, however, Employee will be entitled to the following during the term of this Agreement:

 

(a)           Annual Discretionary Incentive Bonus Opportunity.  Employee will have a graduated annual, cash incentive bonus opportunity of up to 110% of Base Salary for performance at or below target and up to 165% of Base Salary for performance in excess of target. Performance will be measured against annual financial targets approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company which, in the Committee’s discretion, may be intended to qualify the cash incentive bonus as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m).  Actual bonus amounts paid will be determined as follows:

 

(i)            For performance below 80% of target, no bonus will be payable.

 

(ii)           For performance from 80% to 100% of target, a bonus equal to 77% to 110% of Base Salary will be payable, pro rata based on performance level achieved from 80% to 100% of target.

 



 

(iii)          For performance from 100% to 120% of target, a bonus equal to 110% to 165% of Base Salary will be payable, pro rata based on performance level achieved from 100% to 120% of target.  No additional bonus amount will be payable for performance above 120% of target.

 

The incentive bonus payable under this Section 5(a) will be paid in cash within 2 and 1/2 months of the end of each fiscal year.

 

(b)           Long-Term Incentive Bonus Awards.  Employee will receive awards under the Company’s long-term cash based and/or equity-based programs, which may include stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance and non-performance restricted stock or restricted stock units, and/or cash, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

6.             Vacation and Fringe Benefits; Executive Perquisites.

 

(a)           Employee will accrue vacation in accordance with the Company’s policy in effect from time to time for other executive officers; provided that no decrease in vacation benefits from those available on the date hereof shall be applicable to Employee during the term hereof.  Employee shall be entitled to participate, according to eligibility provisions of each, in such medical, life and disability insurance programs, profit sharing plans, retirement plans, executive financial planning programs, and other fringe benefit plans as may be in effect from time to time during the term hereof and available to other executive officers of the Company.

 

(b)           In addition, during the term of this Agreement and any extension thereof, Employee shall be entitled to the following additional perquisites:

 

(i)            personal use (including transportation of accompanying spouse and dependent family members) of any corporate business aircraft owned or chartered by the Company for Company business purposes from time to time, subject to compliance with the Company’s aircraft use policy in effect from time to time;

 

(ii)           automobile allowance of $12,300 per calendar year;

 

(iii)          reimbursement of membership dues, fees and charges for club services or use of facilities (including personal charges not exceeding $10,000 annually, but excluding charges for private parties and individual personal expense items exceeding $300) in the Lake Shore Country Club, Medinah Country Club, and the Standard Club;

 

(iv)          reimbursement of membership dues, fees, charges, and travel and related expenses incurred in connection with meeting attendance and organization activities of  such professional clubs/organizations of which he is a member that are appropriate and conducive to the performance of his duties (including but not limited to Executive Club of Chicago, Economics Club of Chicago, the Wings Club, the Young President’s Organization (“YPO”)/World Presidents Organization (“WPO”));

 

(v)           reimbursement of travel and related expenses in connection with services to and participation in meetings of not-for-profit educational organization Boards of which he is a member (including but not limited to the Board of Trustees of Ithaca College);

 

(vi)          professional financial planning and income tax preparation assistance expenses actually incurred in an amount not to exceed $15,000 per calendar year;

 

(vii)         participation in the Company’s executive annual physical and preventative health program in effect from time to time; and

 



 

(viii)        payment of reasonable legal fees related to the review and negotiation of this Agreement.

 

7.             Termination.

 

(a)              The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time for Cause.  Any such termination will be by majority action of all of the independent directors of the Board of Directors taken at a regular or specially called meeting of the Board, upon a minimum of 10 days written notice thereof to Employee, with termination of this Agreement listed as an agenda item.  Employee will be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard at such meeting with his attorney present if Employee desires.

 

The term “Cause” means:

 

(i)            Employee engages, during the performance of his duties hereunder, in material acts or omissions constituting dishonesty, intentional breach of fiduciary obligation or intentional wrongdoing or malfeasance; or

 

(ii)           Employee intentionally disobeys or disregards a material, lawful and proper direction of the Board; or

 

(iii)          Employee materially breaches the Agreement and such breach by its nature, is incapable of being cured, or such breach remains uncured for more than 30 days following receipt by Employee of written notice from the Company specifying the nature of the breach and demanding the cure thereof.  For purposes of this clause (iii), a material breach of the Agreement that involves inattention by Employee to his duties under the Agreement shall be deemed a breach capable of cure.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following shall not constitute Cause for the termination of this Agreement:

 

(i)            any personal or policy disagreement between Employee and the Company or any member of the Board, or

 

(ii)           any action taken by Employee in connection with his duties hereunder, or any failure to act, if Employee acted or failed to act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in and not opposed to the best interest of the Company and he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; or

 

(iii)          termination of employment of Employee for unsatisfactory performance (including failure to meet financial goals).

 

A finding of termination for Cause shall be made by resolution adopted by the independent directors of the Board of Directors, setting forth the particulars thereof.

 

Upon termination of this Agreement by the Company for Cause, Employee will be eligible to receive (A) his Base Salary for the period ending on his termination date, (B) payment for unused vacation days, as determined in accordance with the Company’s policy as in effect at that time, and (C) such other payments, rights and benefits for which Employee may be eligible pursuant to any Company employee benefit plan or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement between Employee and the Company.

 

(b)           The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company, as defined in Section 10(d), without Cause, upon a minimum of 30 days written notice thereof to Employee.  Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7(b), the Company will pay to Employee, (i) monthly for 36 months, an amount equal to Employee’s regular monthly Base Salary at the time of termination plus (ii) a lump sum equal to three times Employee’s average annual cash bonus under Section 5(a) for the preceding three fiscal years of the Company; provided, however, all such payment obligations shall terminate immediately upon any material breach by

 



 

Employee of Section 8(a) of this Agreement or any breach by Employee of Section 8(b) of this Agreement.  Upon termination of this Agreement by the Company without Cause, no further compensation or benefits shall accrue or be payable to Employee under this Agreement except for (i) the payments provided for above, (ii) any Base Salary, bonus or other benefits which have accrued to Employee prior to the date of any such termination, and (iii) such other payments, rights and benefits for which Employee may be eligible pursuant to any Company employee benefit plan or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement between Employee and the Company.

 

(c)           Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time for Good Reason, upon a minimum of 30 days written notice thereof to the Company.  The term “Good Reason” means:

 

(i)            a material reduction in the nature or scope of Employee’s duties, responsibilities, authority, power or functions, or a material reduction in Employee’s compensation (including benefits) from then-current levels; or

 

(ii)           a material breach of this Agreement by the Company and such breach by its nature, is incapable of being cured, or such breach remains uncured for more than 30 days following receipt by the Company of written notice from Employee specifying the nature of the breach and demanding the cure thereof; or

 

(iii)          a relocation of the primary place of employment of at least 50 miles.

 

Upon termination of this Agreement by Employee for Good Reason, the Company will pay to Employee, (i) monthly for 36 months, an amount equal to Employee’s regular monthly Base Salary at the time of termination plus (ii) a lump sum equal to three times Employee’s average annual cash bonus under Section 5(a) for the preceding three fiscal years of the Company; provided all such payment obligations shall terminate immediately upon any breach by Employee of Section 8 of this Agreement.  Upon termination of this Agreement by Employee pursuant to this Section 7(c), no further compensation or benefits shall accrue or be payable to Employee under this Agreement except for (i) the payments provided for above, (ii) any compensation, bonus or other benefits which have accrued to Employee prior to the date of any such termination, and (iii) such other payments, rights and benefits for which Employee may be eligible pursuant to any Company employee benefit plan or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement between Employee and the Company.

 

(d)           This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the death of Employee during the term.  Upon termination of this Agreement due to death, Employee’s beneficiary, designated by written instrument delivered to the Company (or, if no beneficiary is designated or survives Employee, to the duly appointed representative of his estate) will be eligible to receive (A) his Base Salary for the period ending on his termination date, (B) payment for unused vacation days, as determined in accordance with the Company’s policy as in effect at that time, and (C) such other payments, rights and benefits for which Employee may be eligible pursuant to any Company employee benefit plan or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement between Employee and the Company.  Death benefits payable under any of the Company’s benefit plans in which Employee was a participant at the time of his death shall be payable in accordance with the terms of such plans.

 

(e)           The Company or Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time because of the Disability of Employee.  “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental condition which has prevented Employee from substantially performing his duties under this Agreement for a period of 180 days and which is expected to continue to render Employee unable to substantially perform his duties for the remaining term of this Agreement on a full-time basis.  The Company will make reasonable accommodation for any handicap of Employee as may be required by applicable law.

 

In the event of termination by the Company for Disability, a finding shall be made by resolution adopted by the independent directors of the Board of Directors of the Company, setting forth the particulars of the Disability.  The Company may require the submission of such medical evidence as to the condition of Employee as it may deem necessary in order to arrive at its determination of its

 



 

position as to the occurrence of a Disability.  Employee will be provided with reasonable opportunity to present additional medical evidence as to the medical condition of Employee for consideration prior to the independent directors of the Board of Directors making their determination of their position as to the occurrence of a Disability.  In the event of a Disability, Employee shall be eligible for disability benefits at a level no less favorable than the disability benefits under the Company’s disability plan as in effect on May 31, 2010.

 

Upon termination of this Agreement for Disability, Employee will continue to be eligible to participate in the Company’s medical, dental and life insurance programs available to executive officers in accordance with their terms applicable to employees for a period of three years from the date of such termination of this Agreement.  Further, in the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7(e), Employee will be eligible to receive (A) his Base Salary for the period ending on his termination date, (B) payment for unused vacation days, as determined in accordance with the Company’s policy as in effect at that time, and (C) such other payments, rights and benefits for which Employee may be eligible pursuant to any Company employee benefit plan or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement between Employee and the Company.

 

The provisions of this Section 7(e) shall not be changed by any amendment to, or extension of, this Agreement and shall be included in any subsequent employment agreement between the Company and Employee.

 

(f)            Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time because of Retirement.  The term “Retirement” means Employee’s voluntary termination of employment with the Company that does not otherwise result in any severance benefits paid to him pursuant to this Section 7 or Section 10.  Upon termination of this Agreement by Employee because of Retirement, Employee will be eligible to receive (A) any Base Salary, bonus or other benefits which have accrued to Employee prior to the date of such termination, (B) payment for unused vacation days, as determined in accordance with the Company’s policy as in effect at that time, and (C) such other payments, rights and benefits for which Employee may be eligible pursuant to any Company employee benefit plan or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement between Employee and the Company.  Employee (and Employee’s spouse) shall also be entitled to participate, for Employee’s (and Employee’s spouse’s) lifetime, in the Company’s medical, hospitalization and dental health and welfare benefit plans, and any executive health programs then in effect, on the same terms and in amounts and of the same type(s) generally made available to any actively employed executive officer of the Company; provided, however, that such participation shall not be available from and after the date Employee first becomes eligible for health benefit plans provided by another employer of Employee.

 

8.             Confidential Information and Restriction of Competition.

 

(a)           Employee acknowledges that his employment hereunder will place him in a position of utmost trust and confidence and that he will have access to non-public information concerning the operation of the business of the Company and any affiliated companies as to which Employee provided services or had access to confidential information (hereinafter referred to in this Section as the “Affiliated Companies”), including, but not limited to, manufacturing methods, developments, secret processes, know-how, costs, prices and pricing methods, sources of supply, customer information, financial information, and personnel information (the “Confidential Information”).  Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information is among the Company’s and the Affiliates’ most valuable assets and that the value of such information may be destroyed by unauthorized use or disclosure.  All such Confidential Information imparted to or learned by Employee in the course of his employment (whether acquired before or after the date hereof) will be deemed to be confidential and will not be used or disclosed by Employee, except to the extent necessary to perform his duties and, in no event, disclosed to anyone outside the employ of the Affiliated Companies and their authorized consultants and advisors, unless express written authorization to use or disclose such information has been given by the Company.  If Employee ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason, he shall not take with him any documents or other papers containing or reflecting Confidential Information or any

 



 

other Company property, and Employee shall return all documents and files (whether in electronic or paper form) and other Company property to the Company immediately upon cessation of his employment.

 

(b)           Employee agrees that during the term hereof and for a period of two years only after (x) voluntary termination of employment hereunder by Employee for Good Reason, or (y) termination of employment hereunder by the Company without Cause, pursuant to Section 7 above, he shall not, without the express written consent of the Company, either alone or as a consultant to, or partner, employee, officer, director, agent, or stockholder of any organization, entity or business, or otherwise, directly or indirectly (i) take or convert for Employee’s personal gain or benefit or for the benefit of any third party, any business opportunity(ies) relating to the Company’s actual or planned business, of which Employee becomes aware during or as a result of his employment, (ii) directly or indirectly, engage in any Prohibited Activities in competition with the Company or any Affiliated Company’s business, (iii) own, purchase, organize or take preparatory steps for the organization of, or build, design, finance, acquire, lease, operate, mortgage, invest in, provide services directly or indirectly related to Prohibited Activities to, or otherwise engage in, any business in competition with or otherwise similar to the Company’s or any Affiliated Company’s business, (iv) solicit in connection with any activity which is competitive with any of the businesses of the Company or any Affiliated Company, any customers or suppliers of the Company or any Affiliated Company with whom Employee had contact on behalf of the Company during his employment, or induce or attempt to induce any such customer or supplier to terminate or materially change its relationship with Employer; or (v) hire, or solicit or interview for employment, any sales, marketing or management employee of the Company or any Affiliated Company with respect to whom Employee had contact, supervisory responsibility, or access to non-public information.  Prohibited Activities are the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, aircraft components, aircraft engines and aircraft engine components; the manufacture of aircraft parts or components, aircraft engine parts or components, and military rapid deployment products of the type manufactured by the Company; the financing, buying, selling, trading, brokering and leasing of aircraft, aircraft engines and components; inventory and logistics management; and rapid deployment of military and defense-related products of the type manufactured by the Company.  Covenants (ii) and (iii) above shall be geographically limited to the following territory:  within 100 miles of any location within the United States of America, or any other country, where the Company or any Affiliated Company did business during the last six months of Employee’s employment with the Company.  The Company and Employee acknowledge the reasonableness of these covenants not to compete and non-solicitation.  Nothing herein shall prohibit Employee from being the legal or equitable holder of not more than 5% of the outstanding capital stock of any publicly held corporation which may be in direct or indirect competition with the Company or any Affiliated Company.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Section 8(b) shall not apply if the Company terminates Employee’s employment for Cause, if Employee’s employment terminates for any reason following a Change in Control of the Company, or if the Company fails to provide severance payments or benefits as required under this Agreement.

 

(c)           If at any time, any clause or portion of this Section 8 shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable by the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is to be enforced by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to duration, geographic scope, nature of activities restricted, or for any other reason, this provision shall be considered divisible as to such portions and the foregoing restrictions shall become and be immediately amended to include only such duration, scope or restriction and such event as shall be deemed reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction to enforce this Agreement; and the parties hereto agree that the restrictions, as so amended, shall be valid and binding as though the invalid or unenforceable portion had not been involved herein.

 

(d)           Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company would be irreparably harmed by violations of this Section 8 and in recognition thereof, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or other decree of specific performance with respect to any violation thereof (without any bond or other security being required) in addition to other available legal and equitable remedies.

 


 

 

 


 

(e)           This Section 8 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and any termination of Employee’s employment.  The time period associated with each covenant herein shall be tolled (shall not run) for so long as Employee is in breach of that covenant.

 

9.             Changes in Business.  The Company, acting through its Board of Directors, will at all times have complete control over the Company’s business.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company may at any time or times change or discontinue any or all of its present or future operations, may close or move any one or more of its divisions or offices, may undertake any new servicing or sales operation, may sell any one or more of its divisions or offices to any company not controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or may take any and all other steps which its Board of Directors, in its exclusive judgment, shall deem desirable, and Employee shall have no claim or recourse by reason of such action.  Provided, however, no such action shall result in the reduction of Employee’s Base Salary or other benefits provided for hereunder; provided, further that if the Company discontinues operations, a discretionary bonus may or may not be granted, however, Employee will be entitled to a pro rata share of any non-discretionary incentive bonus through the date of discontinuance.  Said pro rata bonus will be calculated by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company whose determination will be final.

 

10.           Change in Control.

 

(a)           In the event:

 

(i)            a Change in Control of the Company occurs, and

 

(ii)           at any time during the 24 month period commencing on the date of the Change in Control the Company terminates Employee’s employment for other than Cause or Disability, or Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason, in either case by 30 days written notice to the other party (including the particulars thereof), and having given the other party the opportunity to be heard with respect thereto, or Employee terminates his employment with the Company for any reason other than Disability or death during the 30-day period commencing on the expiration of the aforementioned 24 month period, then:

 

(A)          The Company shall pay to Employee a lump sum cash payment, within 30 days following such termination of employment, an amount equal to the sum of (1) all Base Salary earned through the date of termination, (2) any annual cash bonus under Section 5(a) earned by Employee for the fiscal year of the Company most recently ended prior to the date of termination to the extent unpaid on the date of termination, (3) a pro rata portion of the annual cash bonus under Section 5(a), Employee would have earned had he been employed by the Company on the last day of the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs (as if all performance targets had been met) that is applicable to the period commencing on the first day of such fiscal year and ending on the date of termination, and (4) any and all other benefits and amounts earned by Employee prior to the date of termination to the extent unpaid.

 

(B)           The Company shall pay to Employee in a lump sum cash payment, within 30 days after the date of his termination, determined as follows:

 

(1)           if the Company terminates Employee’s employment for other than Cause or Disability or Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason, an amount equal to three times Employee’s total cash compensation (Base Salary plus annual cash bonus under Section 5(a)) for either the fiscal year of the Company most recently ended prior to the date of termination, or the preceding fiscal year, whichever is the highest total compensation;

 

(2)           if Employee terminates his employment with the Company for any reason other than Disability or death during the 30-day period commencing on the expiration of the aforementioned 24-month period, an amount equal to $4,747,770.

 



 

(C)           Employee and his spouse shall continue to be covered by, and receive employee welfare and executive fringe benefits in accordance with the terms of, all of the Company’s benefit plans and executive fringe benefit programs for three years following the date of termination, and at no less than the levels he and his spouse were receiving immediately prior to the Change in Control.  Employee’s spouse shall be entitled to continued benefits coverage pursuant to the preceding sentence for the balance of such three year period in the event of Employee’s death during such period.  The period during which Employee and his spouse are entitled to continuation of group health plan coverage pursuant to Code Section 4980B, and Part 6 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, shall commence on the date next following the expiration of the aforementioned three year period.

 

(D)          Employee shall receive an additional retirement benefit, over and above that which Employee would normally be entitled to under the AAR CORP. Retirement Savings Plan and the defined contribution feature of the AAR CORP. Supplemental Key Employee Retirement Plan, equal to the lesser of:  (i) three times the amount of Company contributions made to each plan on Employee’s behalf for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which Employee’s termination of employment occurs, or (ii) $1,575,876.  Such amount shall be paid to Employee in a cash lump sum payment within 30 days following such termination of employment.  In such event, the Company shall concurrently pay Employee a gross-up bonus in an amount equal to any federal, state and local income taxes (including FICA or any similar taxes) payable by Employee on such lump sum payment and such gross-up bonus.

 

(E)           The Company, at its expense, shall provide Employee with outplacement services of a nationally recognized outplacement firm of Employee’s choosing until the earlier of Employee’s attainment of employment or the date eighteen months from the date of Employee’s termination of employment; provided, however, that the cost of such outplacement services shall not exceed 3.5% of the cash payment due to Employee pursuant to Section 10(a) (ii) (B) above.

 

(b)           The amounts paid to Employee under this Change in Control provision applicable to Employee shall be considered severance pay in consideration of past services Employee has rendered to the Company and in consideration of Employee’s continued service from the date hereof to entitlement to those payments.

 

(c)           In the event that a Change in Control has occurred, both for purposes of this Agreement and for purposes of the AAR CORP. Stock Benefit Plan, as amended (“Plan”), whether or not such Change in Control has the prior written approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined in the Plan), and notwithstanding any conditions or restrictions related to any Award granted to Employee under the Plan, (i) all performance opportunity restricted stock shares eligible for award hereunder shall be immediately awarded based on the higher of target or actual performance through the effective date of a Change in Control using the latest data then available to determine goals applicable for the partial performance period, and all restrictions thereon shall be immediately released, and (ii) all outstanding option grants, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units granted or awarded under the Plan which have not then become vested or exercisable or which remain restricted, shall immediately become vested or exercisable and restrictions will lapse, as the case may be, and any such options shall remain exercisable for the full remaining life of the option(s) whether or not Employee’s employment continues.

 

(d)        For purposes of this provision, Change in Control means the earliest of:

 

(i)            any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)), has acquired (other than directly from the Company) beneficial ownership (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of more than 35% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote for the election of directors; or

 

(ii)           the effective time of (A) a merger or consolidation or other business combination of the Company with one or more other corporations as a result of which the holders of the

 



 

outstanding voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such business combination hold less than 60% of the voting stock of the surviving or resulting corporation, or (B) a transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to an entity of which the Company owns at least 80% of the voting stock; or

 

(iii)          the election, over any 12-month period, to the Board of Directors of the Company without the recommendation or approval of the incumbent Board of Directors of the Company, of the directors constituting a majority of the number of directors of the Company then in office.

 

(e)           The Company shall pay Employee a gross-up bonus in an amount equal to (A) all excise taxes payable under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code on any amounts constituting “golden parachute” payments, plus (B) any federal, state, and local income taxes and excise taxes (including FICA) payable by Employee on such gross-up bonus in order to put Employee in the same position he would have been in if the excise tax provision (Section 280G) did not apply.  The gross-up bonus shall be paid within 30 days after Employee remits the related excise tax or other amounts to the appropriate taxing authority.

 

11.           Legal Fees.  The Company will pay reasonable legal/attorney’s fees (including court costs and other costs of litigation) incurred by Employee in connection with enforcement of any right or benefit under this Agreement, if Employee prevails in whole or in part, in a court of final jurisdiction or pursuant to final and binding arbitration, in an enforcement action against the Company.  In the event Employee prevails in part, the Company’s obligation hereunder shall be computed on a pro rata basis.

 

12.           Section 409A Compliance.

 

(a)           If at the time of the Employee’s termination of employment for reasons other than death he is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined and determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(i)), any amounts payable to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement that are subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code shall not be paid or commence to be paid until six months following the Employee’s termination of employment, or if earlier, the Employee’s subsequent death. Each payment made pursuant to Section 7(d)(i) or 7(c)(i) shall be considered a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.

 

(b)           Reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that are subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code are subject to the following restrictions:  (1) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursements, or in-kind benefits provided, to the Employee during a calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the in-kind benefits provided in any other calendar year, and (2) reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.

 

(c)           The provisions of the Agreement and all other Company agreements or arrangements applicable to Employee will be interpreted and construed in favor of their meeting any applicable requirements of Code Section 409A.  The Company, in its reasonable discretion, may amend (including retroactively) this Agreement and any such other agreements or arrangements in order to conform with Code Section 409A, including amending to facilitate the ability of Employee to avoid the imposition of interest and additional tax under Code Section 409A.  If the Company takes any action, or fails to take any action, with respect to this Agreement or any Company benefit plan or arrangement, and such action or failure to act causes (to the knowledge of the Company) any compensation income to Employee to (i) be subject to Code Section 409A, or (ii) fail to comply in any respect with Code Section 409A, without the written consent of Employee, then the Company shall pay Employee a gross-up bonus in an amount equal to (A) all taxes and penalties assessed under Code Section 409A on any such compensation income imposed as a result of such action or failure to act, plus (B) any federal, state, and local income taxes and penalties (including FICA) payable by Employee on such gross-up bonus, in order to put Employee in the same position he would have been in if the tax provisions and

 



 

penalties of Code Section 409A did not apply.  The gross-up bonus shall be paid within 30 days after Employee remits the related excise tax or other amounts to the appropriate taxing authority.

 

13.           Survival.  Sections 6(a) and 11 of this Agreement shall survive and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

 

14.           Notices.  Any notice or other instrument or thing required or permitted to be given, served or delivered to any of the parties hereto shall be delivered personally or deposited in the United States mail, with proper postage prepaid, telegram, teletype, cable or facsimile transmission to the addresses listed below:

 

(a)           If to the Company, to:

 

AAR CORP.
1100 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, Illinois 60191
Attention: Compensation Committee Chairman

 

With a copy to:

 

AAR CORP.
1100 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, Illinois 60191
Attention:  General Counsel

 

(b)           If to Employee, to:

 

David P. Storch
1270 Linden Avenue
Highland Park, IL 60035

 

or to such other address as either party may from time to time designate by notice to the other.  Each notice shall be effective when such notice and any required copy are delivered to the applicable address.

 

15.           Non-Assignment.

 

(a)           The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Employee, and any attempted unpermitted assignment shall be null and void and without further effect; provided, however, that, upon the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or upon the merger by the Company into or the combination with another corporation or other business entity, or upon the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the person, firm or corporation purchasing such assets, or the corporation surviving such merger or consolidation, or the shareholder effecting such liquidation or dissolution, as the case may be.  After any such transaction, the term Company in this Agreement shall refer to the entity which conducts the business now conducted by the Company.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the estate and beneficiaries of Employee and upon and to the benefit of the permitted successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

(b)           Employee agrees on behalf of himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, and any other person or person claiming any benefit under him by virtue of this Agreement, that this Agreement and all rights, interests and benefits hereunder shall not be assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated in any way by Employee or by any beneficiary, heir, executor, administrator or other person claiming under Employee by virtue of this Agreement and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process.  Any attempted assigned, transfer, pledge or hypothecation or any other disposition of this Agreement or of such rights, interests and benefits contrary to the foregoing provisions or the levy or any execution, attachment or similar process thereon shall be null and void and without further effect.

 



 

16.           Severability.  If any term, clause or provision contained herein is declared or held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration or holding shall not affect the validity of any other term, clause or provision herein contained.

 

17.           Construction.  Careful scrutiny has been given to this Agreement by the Company, Employee, and their respective legal counsel.  Accordingly, the rule of construction that the ambiguities of the contract shall be resolved against the party which caused the contract to be drafted shall have no application in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or any clause or provision hereof.

 

18.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement as amended and restated herein and the other agreements referred to herein set forth the entire understanding of the parties and supersede all prior agreements, arrangements and communications, whether oral or written, pertaining to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except by the mutual written agreement of the Company and Employee.

 

19.           Waiver.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by Employee and an authorized officer of the Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

20.           Arbitration.  Any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, or breach hereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the laws of the State of  Illinois by three arbitrators.  Within 15 days after either party notifies the other party, in writing, of an intention to commence arbitration, the Company shall appoint one arbitrator and Employee shall appoint one arbitrator.  The third arbitrator shall be appointed by the first two arbitrators within ten days of their appointment.  If the third arbitrator cannot be agreed upon, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association.  The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except with respect to the selection of arbitrators.  The arbitrator’s determination shall be final and binding upon all parties and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

21.           Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

 

22.           Tax Withholding.  All payments hereunder shall be made net of any applicable federal, state and local tax withholding.

 

23.           Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and which shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

 



 

WITNESS the due execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

Employer:

 

 

 

AAR CORP.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James G. Brocksmith, Jr.

 

James G. Brocksmith, Jr.,

 

Chairman - Compensation Committee of

 

The Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

AAR CORP.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Timothy J. Romenesko

 

Timothy J. Romenesko

 

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Employee:

 

 

 

/s/ David P. Storch

 

David P. Storch

 

 


 

 

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