EX-10.52 6 dex1052.htm EXHIBIT 10.52 EXHIBIT 10.52

Exhibit 10.52

 

GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (“GUARANTY”) is given as of January 27 2006, by W. JAMES HINDMAN (“GUARANTOR”), for the benefit of MERCANTILE-SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST COMPANY (“LENDER”), with respect to the obligations of AVATECH SOLUTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation and AVATECH SOLUTIONS SUBSIDIARY, INC., a Delaware corporation (collectively, “BORROWERS”).

 

RECITALS

 

The BORROWERS have requested that the LENDER provide to the BORROWERS, jointly and severally, a revolving loan in the stated principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) (“LOAN”).

 

The LENDER has agreed to provide the LOAN to the BORROWERS, but only if the GUARANTOR provides to the LENDER the guaranties of payment and performance set forth in this GUARANTY. The GUARANTOR is willing to provide this GUARANTY to the LENDER in order to induce the LENDER to provide the LOAN to the BORROWERS.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the GUARANTOR hereby agrees to provide to the LENDER the following guaranties and indemnifications.

 

Section 1. Guaranty. Subject to the Limitations set forth in Section 3 of this GUARANTY, the GUARANTOR guarantees: (a) the payment of any and all sums now or hereafter due and owing to the LENDER by any or all of the BORROWERS as a result of or in connection with the LOAN, including, but not limited to, all amounts of principal, interest, charges, reimbursements, advancements, escrows, and fees; (b) that all sums now or hereafter due and owing by any or all of the BORROWERS in connection with the LOAN shall be paid when and as due, whether by reason of installment, maturity, acceleration or otherwise, time being of the essence; and (c) the timely, complete, continuous, and strict performance and observance by the BORROWERS of each of the terms, covenants, agreements and conditions contained in any and all existing or future documents, instruments, agreements, and writings of every kind, nature, type, and variety which evidence, reflect, embody, give rise to or secure any and all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities, and obligations of any kind of any or all of the BORROWERS to the LENDER which arise out of or relate in any respect to the LOAN (collectively, “LOAN DOCUMENTS”). As used in this GUARANTY, the term “OBLIGATIONS” shall refer to the obligations of payment, performance, and indemnification which the GUARANTOR has undertaken and assumed pursuant to this GUARANTY, both as described in this Section and in other Sections of this GUARANTY.

 

Section 2. Nature Of Guaranty. This GUARANTY: (a) is (i) irrevocable, (ii) absolute and unconditional, (iii) direct, immediate, and primary, and (iv) one of payment and not just collection; and (b) makes the GUARANTOR a surety to the LENDER with respect to the OBLIGATIONS and the equivalent of a co-obligor with the BORROWERS. Without limiting the foregoing, it is specifically understood that any modification, limitation or discharge of any of the liabilities or obligations of any of the BORROWERS, any other guarantor or any other obligor under any of the LOAN DOCUMENTS, arising out of, or by virtue of, any bankruptcy, arrangement, reorganization or similar proceeding for relief of debtors under federal or state law initiated by or against any of the BORROWERS, any other guarantor or any obligor under any of the LOAN DOCUMENTS shall not modify, limit, lessen, reduce, impair, discharge, or otherwise affect the liability of the GUARANTOR hereunder in any manner whatsoever, and this GUARANTY shall remain and continue in full force and effect.

 

Section 3. Limitation Upon Principal Amount Guaranteed By The Guarantor. The liability of the GUARANTOR for the repayment of the principal balances of the LOAN owed by the BORROWERS to the LENDER shall be Limited to the total aggregate sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00). The GUARANTOR agrees that in calculating the liability of the GUARANTOR to the LENDER in connection with the repayment of the aggregate unpaid principal balances of the LOAN, the proceeds of the liquidation of any collateral securing the LOAN and any payments received by the LENDER from any of the BORROWERS or from any other guarantor or which are otherwise obtained from any other source shall not be considered to be a discharge of the principal balances of the LOAN guaranteed by the GUARANTOR until all unpaid principal balances of the LOAN, other than those which have been guaranteed by the GUARANTOR, have been repaid and satisfied in full. The limitations set forth in this Section shall


not include or be deemed to be a limitation upon the GUARANTOR’S guaranty to the LENDER that all interest which accrues upon the LOAN shall be paid in full, nor shall such limitations constitute any restriction upon the LENDER’S rights to recover late charges, fees, costs, expenses, or attorneys’ fees as payable to the LENDER in accordance with the terms of the LOAN DOCUMENTS or this GUARANTY.

 

Section 4. Representations Of Guarantor. To induce the LENDER to accept this GUARANTY for the purposes for which it is given, the GUARANTOR represents and warrants to the LENDER as follows: (a) all representations and warranties made by the BORROWERS or by the GUARANTOR to the LENDER were true, accurate and correct in all material respects when made; (b) any financial statements submitted by the GUARANTOR to the LENDER, including any schedules and notes pertaining thereto, fully and fairly present the financial condition of the GUARANTOR at the date thereof, and there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition of the GUARANTOR from the date thereof to the date hereof, other than as disclosed to the LENDER; (c) the GUARANTOR is not in default with respect to any of its existing indebtedness, and the making and performance of this GUARANTY will not (immediately, with the passage of time, the giving of notices, or both), result in a default under any contract, agreement, or instrument to which the GUARANTOR is a party or by which the GUARANTOR or its property is bound; (d) this GUARANTY when delivered will be, valid, binding, and enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (e) the incurring or satisfaction of the OBLIGATIONS has not left and will not leave the GUARANTOR insolvent, with an unreasonably small capital, or unable to pay existing or future debts as they mature.

 

Section 5. Lender Need Not Pursue Other Rights. The LENDER shall be under no obligation to pursue any of the LENDER’S rights and remedies against any of the BORROWERS or any of the collateral of any of the BORROWERS securing the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER or against any other guarantor or any collateral of any other guarantor before pursuing the LENDER’S rights and remedies against the GUARANTOR.

 

Section 6. Certain Rights Of Lender. The GUARANTOR hereby assents to any and all terms and agreements between the LENDER and any of the BORROWERS or between the LENDER and any other guarantor, and all amendments and modifications thereof, whether presently existing or hereafter made and whether oral or in writing. The LENDER may, without compromising, impairing, diminishing, or in any way releasing the GUARANTOR from the OBLIGATIONS and without notifying or obtaining the prior approval of the GUARANTOR, at any time or from time to time: (a) waive or excuse a default by any of the BORROWERS or any other guarantor, or delay in the exercise by the LENDER of any or all of the LENDER’S rights or remedies with respect to such default or defaults; (b) grant extensions of time for payment or performance by any of the BORROWERS or by any other guarantor; (c) release, substitute, exchange, surrender, or add collateral of any of the BORROWERS or of any other guarantor, or waive, release, or subordinate, in whole or in part, any lien or security interest held by the LENDER on any real or personal property securing payment or performance, in whole or in part, of the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER or of any other guarantor; (d) release any or all of the BORROWERS or any other guarantor; (e) apply payments made by any of the BORROWERS or by any other guarantor to any sums owed by the BORROWERS to the LENDER, in any order or manner, or to any specific account or accounts, as the LENDER may elect; and (f) modify, change, renew, extend, or amend in any respect the LENDER’S agreement with any of the BORROWERS or any other guarantor, or any document, instrument, or writing embodying or reflecting the same, including without limitation modifications which increase the amount of the OBLIGATIONS or extend the maturity of the OBLIGATIONS.

 

Section 7. Waivers By Guarantor. The GUARANTOR waives: (a) any and all notices whatsoever with respect to this GUARANTY or with respect to any of the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER, including, but not Limited to, notice of (i) the LENDER’S acceptance hereof or the LENDER’S intention to act, or the LENDER’S action, in reliance hereon, (ii) the present existence or future incurring of any of the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER or any terms or amounts thereof or any change therein, (iii) any default by any of the BORROWERS or any surety, pledgor, grantor of security, guarantor or any person who has guarantied or secured in whole or in part the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER, and (iv) the obtaining or release of any guaranty or surety agreement, pledge, assignment, or other security for any of the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER; (b) presentment and demand for payment of any sum due from any of the BORROWERS or any other guarantor and protest of nonpayment; (c) demand for performance by any of the BORROWERS or any other guarantor; and (d) any and all defenses based on suretyship or impairment of collateral.

 

Section 8. Unenforceability Of Obligations Of Borrowers. This GUARANTY shall be valid, binding, and enforceable even if the obligations of the BORROWERS to the LENDER which are guarantied hereby are now or hereafter become invalid or unenforceable for any reason.

 

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Section 9. No Conditions Precedent. This GUARANTY shall be effective and enforceable immediately upon its execution. The GUARANTOR acknowledges that no unsatisfied conditions precedent to the effectiveness and enforceability of this GUARANTY exist as of the date of its execution and that the effectiveness and enforceability of this GUARANTY are not in any way conditioned or contingent upon any event, occurrence, or happening, or upon any condition existing or coming into existence either before or after the execution of this GUARANTY.

 

Section 10. No Duty To Disclose. The LENDER shall have no present or future duty or obligation to discover or to disclose to the GUARANTOR any information, financial or otherwise, concerning the BORROWERS, any other guarantor, or any collateral securing either the obligations of the BORROWERS to the LENDER or of any other person who may have guarantied in whole or in part the obligations of the BORROWERS to the LENDER. The GUARANTOR waives any right to claim or assert any such duty or obligation on the part of the LENDER. The GUARANTOR agrees to obtain all information which the GUARANTOR considers either appropriate or relevant to this GUARANTY from sources other than, the LENDER and to become and remain at all times current and continuously apprised of all information concerning the BORROWERS, other guarantors, and any collateral which the GUARANTOR deems to be material or relevant to the obligations of the GUARANTOR under this GUARANTY.

 

Section 11. Existing Or Future Guaranties. The execution of this GUARANTY shall not discharge, terminate or in any way impair or adversely affect the validity or enforceability of any other guaranty given by the GUARANTOR to the LENDER. The execution and delivery by the GUARANTOR of any future guaranty for the benefit of the LENDER shall not discharge, terminate, or in any way impair or adversely affect the validity or enforceability of this GUARANTY. All guaranties provided by the GUARANTOR to the LENDER are intended to be cumulative and shall remain in full force and effect unless and until discharged and terminated in accordance with any expressly stated termination provisions set forth therein.

 

Section 12. Cumulative Liability. The liability of the GUARANTOR under this GUARANTY shall be cumulative to, and not in lieu of, the GUARANTOR’S liability under any other LOAN DOCUMENT or in any capacity other than as GUARANTOR hereunder.

 

Section 13. Obligations Are Unconditional. The payment and performance of the OBLIGATIONS shall be the absolute and unconditional duty and obligation of the GUARANTOR, and shall be independent of any defense or any rights of setoff, recoupment or counterclaim which the GUARANTOR might otherwise have against the LENDER, and the GUARANTOR shall pay and perform these OBLIGATIONS, free of any deductions and without abatement, diminution or setoff. Until such time as the OBLIGATIONS have been fully paid and performed, the GUARANTOR: (a) shall not suspend or discontinue any payments provided for herein; (b) shall perform and observe all of the covenants and agreements contained in this GUARANTY; and (c) shall not terminate or attempt to terminate this GUARANTY for any reason. No delay by the LENDER in making demand on the GUARANTOR for satisfaction of the OBLIGATIONS shall prejudice or in any way impair the LENDER’S ability to enforce this GUARANTY.

 

Section 14. Defenses Against Borrowers. The GUARANTOR waives any right to assert against the LENDER any defense (whether legal or equitable), claim, counterclaim, or right of setoff or recoupment which the GUARANTOR may now or hereafter have against any of the BORROWERS or against any other guarantor.

 

Section 15. Events Authorizing Acceleration Of The Obligations. The occurrence of any of the following (each an “EVENT OF DEFAULT”) shall entitle the LENDER, without notice or demand, to accelerate and call due the OBLIGATIONS, even if the LENDER has not accelerated and called due the sums owed to the LENDER by the BORROWERS: (a) the commencement by any of the BORROWERS or the GUARANTOR of a voluntary case or proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law; (b) the commencement of an involuntary case or proceeding against any of the BORROWERS or the GUARANTOR under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law, and either (i) such case or proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) calendar days after commencement, or (ii) an order for relief is entered in such case; (c) the appointment of a receiver, assignee, custodian, trustee or similar official under any federal or state insolvency or creditors’ rights law for any property of any of the BORROWERS or the GUARANTOR; (d) the entry of a judgment against the GUARANTOR or any of the BORROWERS and the failure to satisfy such judgment within thirty (30) days either by payment or by the filing of a supersedeas bond; (e) a default by any of the BORROWERS under any of the LOAN DOCUMENTS or under any other agreement between any of the BORROWERS and the LENDER, and such default is not cured within any applicable cure period; (f) a failure of the GUARANTOR to perform any covenant or agreement contained in this GUARANTY or in

 

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any other agreement between the GUARANTOR and the LENDER; (g) any representation or warranty made in this GUARANTY or in any report or financial statement furnished in connection with this GUARANTY, shall prove to have been false or misleading when made; (h) the LENDER in its sole discretion determines in good faith that a material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of the GUARANTOR; (i) the liquidation or dissolution of any of the BORROWERS or the death of the GUARANTOR; or (j) a failure of the GUARANTOR to satisfy any of the obligations of the GUARANTOR to the LENDER with respect to any loan or extension of credit by the LENDER to the GUARANTOR or under any other guaranty given by the GUARANTOR to the LENDER.

 

Section 16. Expenses Of Collection And Attorneys’ Fees. Should this GUARANTY be referred to an attorney for collection, the GUARANTOR shall pay all of the holder’s reasonable costs, fees and expenses resulting from such referral, including reasonable attorney’s fees, which the holder may incur, even though judgment has not been confessed or suit has not been filed.

 

Section 17. Confession Of Judgment. Upon the occurrence of an EVENT OF DEFAULT, the GUARANTOR authorizes any attorney admitted to practice before any court of record in the United States, or the clerk of such court, to appear on behalf of the GUARANTOR and to confess judgment in any such court against the GUARANTOR in the full amount due on this GUARANTY at such time plus an attorney’s fee equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the amount due. The GUARANTOR waives any right to notice or a hearing prior to the entry of judgment and to the benefit of any and every statute, ordinance, or rule of court which may be lawfully waived conferring upon the GUARANTOR any right or privilege of exemption, appeal, stay of execution, or supplementary proceedings, or other relief from the enforcement or immediate enforcement of a judgment or related proceedings on a judgment. The authority and power which the GUARANTOR has given for any attorney admitted to practice before any court of record in the United States, or the clerk of such court, to appear for and confess judgment against the GUARANTOR shall be a continuous authority which shall not be exhausted or extinguished by any one or more exercises or imperfect exercises thereof or by any one or more judgments entered pursuant thereto and may be exercised on one or more occasions and at such times and from time to time after default and in the same or different courts or jurisdictions as the LENDER may consider necessary or advisable. In the event that the LENDER receives, as a result of execution on a judgment confessed hereunder, attorneys’ fees which exceed the actual legal fees incurred by the LENDER in connection with the enforcement of this GUARANTY, then upon full and final payment of all other sums due and owing to the LENDER in accordance with this GUARANTY and the payment to the LENDER of the actual attorneys’ fees incurred by the LENDER, the LENDER shall remit such excess amount of attorneys’ fees to the GUARANTOR.

 

Section 18. Interest Rate After Judgment. If judgment is entered against the GUARANTOR on this GUARANTY, the amount of the judgment entered (which, unless applicable law specifically provides to the contrary, includes all principal, prejudgment interest, late charges, prepayment charges if any are provided for, collection expenses, attorneys’ fees, and court costs) shall bear interest at the highest rate after default authorized by the LOAN DOCUMENTS as of the date of entry of the judgment to the extent permitted by applicable law. In the event any statute or rule of court specifies the rate of interest which a judgment on this GUARANTY may bear or the amount on which such interest rate may apply and such rate or amount is less than that called for in the preceding sentence absent a restriction under applicable law, the GUARANTOR: (a) agrees to pay to the order of the LENDER an amount as will equal the interest computed at the highest rate after default provided for in the LOAN DOCUMENTS which would be due on the judgment amount (which, for this purpose, shall be considered to include all principal, prejudgment interest, late charges, prepayment charges if any are provided for, collection expense fees, attorneys’ fees, and court costs) less the interest due on the amount of the judgment which bears judgment interest; and (b) authorizes the confession of judgment pursuant to the confession of judgment provision of this GUARANTY if the GUARANTOR fails to make payment thereof.

 

Section 19. Enforcement During Bankruptcy. Enforcement of this GUARANTY shall not be stayed or in any way delayed as a result of the filing of a petition under the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, by or against any of the BORROWERS. Should the LENDER be required to obtain an order of the United States Bankruptcy Court to begin enforcement of this GUARANTY after the filing of a petition under the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, by or against any of the BORROWERS, the GUARANTOR hereby consents to this relief and agrees to file or cause to be filed all appropriate pleadings to evidence and effectuate such consent and to enable the LENDER to obtain the relief requested.

 

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Section 20. Remedies Cumulative. All of the LENDER’S rights and remedies shall be cumulative and any failure of the LENDER to exercise any right hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver of the right to exercise the same or any other right at any time, and from time to time, thereafter.

 

Section 21. Continuing Guaranty. This GUARANTY is a continuing guaranty of all existing and future obligations of the BORROWERS to the LENDER arising out of or relating in any respect to the LOAN and may not be terminated by the GUARANTOR until after the termination of the LOAN DOCUMENTS, in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the payment (which payment shall not be subject to challenge or contest) and satisfaction in full of all of the OBLIGATIONS and of all of the BORROWERS’ obligations and liabilities to the LENDER under the LOAN DOCUMENTS.

 

Section 22. Reinstatement. If at any time any payment, or portion thereof, made by, or for the account of, any of the BORROWERS or the GUARANTOR on account of any of the obligations and liabilities under any of the LOAN DOCUMENTS is set aside by any court or trustee having jurisdiction as a voidable preference, or fraudulent conveyance or must otherwise be restored or returned by the LENDER to any of the BORROWERS or any other person or entity under any insolvency, bankruptcy or other federal and/or state laws or as a result of any dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of any of the BORROWERS or any other person or entity, or for any other reason, the GUARANTOR hereby agrees that this GUARANTY shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, all as though such payment(s) had not been made.

 

Section 23. Rights Of Subrogation, Etc. In the event the GUARANTOR pays any sum to or for the benefit of the LENDER pursuant to this GUARANTY, the GUARANTOR may not enforce any right of contribution, indemnification, exoneration, reimbursement, subrogation or other right or remedy against any of the BORROWERS, any other guarantor, or any collateral, whether real, personal, or mixed, securing the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER or the obligations of any other guarantor to the LENDER until such time as the LENDER has been paid in full and has no further claim against any of the BORROWERS, any other guarantor, or any collateral. The GUARANTOR waives and releases any claim which the GUARANTOR hereafter may have against the LENDER if some action of the LENDER, whether intentional or negligent, impairs, destroys, or in any way adversely affects any right of contribution, indemnification, exoneration, reimbursement, subrogation, or the like which the GUARANTOR may have upon the payment of any sum to or for the benefit of the LENDER pursuant to this GUARANTY.

 

Section 24. Subordination Of Certain Indebtedness. If the GUARANTOR advances any sums to the any of BORROWERS or the successors or assigns of any of the BORROWERS, or if any of the BORROWERS or the successors or assigns of any of the BORROWERS shall hereafter become indebted to the GUARANTOR, such sums and indebtedness shall be subordinate in all respects to the amounts then or thereafter due and owing to the LENDER by the BORROWERS.

 

Section 25. Setoff. The LENDER shall have the right to setoff and apply against the OBLIGATIONS any sums which the GUARANTOR at any time has on deposit with the LENDER whether such deposits are general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, and the GUARANTOR hereby pledges and grants to the LENDER a security interest in all of such deposits.

 

Section 26. Financial Statements. The GUARANTOR shall submit to the LENDER annual personal financial statements for the GUARANTOR within ninety (90) days from the close of each calendar year and shall submit to the LENDER copies of the most recently filed state and federal income tax returns with all supporting schedules and filings within thirty (30) days of filing. As used herein, financial statements shall include a statement of assets and liabilities and any variation thereof or other specific statements requested by the LENDER in form and substance acceptable to the LENDER. The costs of supplying the financial statements shall be paid by the GUARANTOR.

 

Section 27. Renewals. Etc. This GUARANTY shall apply to all sums now or hereafter owed by the any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER and to all extensions, modifications, amendments, renewals, substitutions, and refinancings thereof.

 

Section 28. Choice Of Law. The laws of the State of Maryland (excluding, however, conflict of law principles) shall govern and be applied to determine all issues relating to this GUARANTY and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, including the validity, construction, interpretation, and enforceability of this GUARANTY and its

 

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various provisions and the consequences and legal effect of all transactions and events which resulted in the issuance of this GUARANTY or which occurred or were to occur as a direct or indirect result of this GUARANTY having been executed.

 

Section 29. Consent To Jurisdiction: Agreement As To Venue. The GUARANTOR irrevocably consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Maryland and of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, if a basis for federal jurisdiction exists. The GUARANTOR agrees that venue shall be proper in any circuit court of the State of Maryland selected by the LENDER or in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland if a basis for federal jurisdiction exists and waives any right to object to the maintenance of a suit in any of the state or federal courts of the State of Maryland on the basis of improper venue or of inconvenience of forum.

 

Section 30. Proofs Of Sums Due On Guaranty. In any action or proceeding brought by the LENDER to collect the sums owed on this GUARANTY, a certificate signed by an officer of the LENDER setting forth the unpaid balances of principal, and any accrued interest, default interest, attorneys’ fees, and late charges owed with respect hereto shall be presumed correct and shall be admissible in evidence for the purpose of establishing the truth of what it asserts. If the GUARANTOR wishes to contest the accuracy of the figure set forth in any such certificate, the GUARANTOR shall have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the certificate is inaccurate or incorrect.

 

Section 31. Actions Against Lender. Any action brought by the GUARANTOR against the LENDER which is based, directly or indirectly, on this GUARANTY or any matter in or related to this GUARANTY, including but not limited to the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER, the administration, collection, or enforcement thereof, shall be brought only in the courts of the State of Maryland. The GUARANTOR may not file a counterclaim against the LENDER in a suit brought by the LENDER against the GUARANTOR in a state other than the State of Maryland unless under the rules of procedure of the court in which the LENDER brought the action the counterclaim is mandatory, and not merely permissive, and will be considered waived unless filed as a counterclaim in the action instituted by the LENDER. The GUARANTOR agrees that any forum other than the State of Maryland is an inconvenient forum and that a suit brought by the GUARANTOR against the LENDER in a court of any state other than the State of Maryland should be forthwith dismissed or transferred to a court located in the State of Maryland by that court.

 

Section 32. Invalidity Of Any Part. If any provision or part of any provision of this GUARANTY shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions or the remaining part of any effective provisions of this GUARANTY, and this GUARANTY shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision or part thereof had never been contained herein, but only to the extent of its invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability.

 

Section 3 3. Amendment Or Waiver. This GUARANTY may be amended only by a writing duly executed by the GUARANTOR and the LENDER. No waiver by the LENDER of any of the provisions of this GUARANTY or any of the rights or remedies of the LENDER with respect hereto shall be considered effective or enforceable unless in writing.

 

Section 34. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by or in connection with this GUARANTY shall be in writing and shall be made by facsimile (confirmed on the date the facsimile is sent by one of the other methods of giving notice provided for in this Section) or by hand delivery, by Federal Express, or other similar overnight delivery service, or by certified mail, unrestricted delivery, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the LENDER or the GUARANTOR at the appropriate address set forth below or to such other address as may be hereafter specified by written notice by the LENDER or the GUARANTOR. Notice shall be considered given as of the date of the facsimile or the hand delivery, one (1) calendar day after delivery to Federal Express or similar overnight delivery service, or three (3) calendar days after the date of mailing, independent of the date of actual delivery or whether delivery is ever in fact made, as the case may be, provided the giver of notice can establish the fact that notice was given as provided herein. If notice is tendered pursuant to the provisions of this Section and is refused by the intended recipient thereof, the notice, nevertheless, shall be considered to have been given and shall be effective as of the date herein provided.

 

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If to the LENDER:

 

MERCANTILE-SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST COMPANY

2 Hopkins Plaza, 21st Floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

Attn.: Stephen D. Palmer, Senior Vice President

Fax No.: (410) 237-5703

 

If to the GUARANTOR:

 

W. JAMES HINDMAN

Rich Meadow Farm

2322 Nicodemus Road

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Fax No.: (410) 840-8139

 

Section 35. Binding Nature. This GUARANTY shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the LENDER and the LENDER’S successors and assigns and any other person to whom the LENDER may grant an interest in the obligations of any of the BORROWERS to the LENDER, and shall be binding upon and enforceable against the GUARANTOR and the GUARANTOR’S successors, and assigns.

 

Section 36. Joint And Several Nature. In the event there exists more than one GUARANTOR, all liabilities hereunder shall be joint and several. The liability of the GUARANTOR shall be joint and several with the liability of any other guarantor not a party to this GUARANTY.

 

Section 37. Assignability. This GUARANTY or an interest therein may be assigned by the LENDER, or by any other holder, at any time or from time to time, without prior notice to or consent from the GUARANTOR.

 

Section 38. Final Agreement. This GUARANTY contains the final and entire agreement between the LENDER and the GUARANTOR with respect to the guaranty by the GUARANTOR of the BORROWERS’ obligations to the LENDER. There are no separate oral or written understandings between the LENDER and the GUARANTOR with respect thereto.

 

Section 39. Tense, Gender, Defined Terms, Captions. As used herein, the plural includes the singular, and the singular includes the plural. The use of any gender applies to any other gender. If more than one person has executed this GUARANTY, the term “GUARANTOR” means all such persons collectively or any one or more of such persons individually or collectively, as the case may be and as the context may require. All defined terms are completely capitalized throughout this GUARANTY. All captions are for the purpose of convenience only.

 

Section 40. Seal And Effective Date. This GUARANTY is an instrument executed under seal and is to be considered effective and enforceable as of the date set forth on the first page hereof, independent of the date of actual execution.

 

Section 41. Waiver Of Trial By Jury. The GUARANTOR and the LENDER, by their execution and acceptance, respectively, of this GUARANTY, agree that any suit, action, or proceeding, whether claim or counterclaim, brought or instituted by either party hereto or any successor or assign of any party on or with respect to this GUARANTY or which in any way relates, directly or indirectly, to this GUARANTY or any event, transaction, or occurrence arising out of or in any way connected with this GUARANTY, or the dealings of the parties with respect thereto, shall be tried only by a court and not by a jury. EACH PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the GUARANTOR has executed this GUARANTY with the specific intention of creating a document under seal.

 

WITNESS:

      GUARANTOR:    

/s/ Illegible

     

/s/ W. James Hindman

 

(SEAL)

       

W. JAMES HINDMAN

   

 

STATE OF Maryland, CITY/COUNTY OF Westminster /Carroll, TO WIT:

 

I HEREBY CERTIFY that on this 12th day of January, 2006, before me, the undersigned Notary Public of the State of Maryland, personally appeared W. JAMES HINDMAN, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes therein contained.

 

IN WITNESS MY Hand and Notarial Seal.

 

/s/ Illegible

 

(SEAL)

NOTARY PUBLIC

   

 

My Commission Expires: 11/16/2008

 

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