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
February 22, 2013
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
001-33251 |
65-0231984 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission file number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
1110 W. Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (954) 958-1200
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨ | Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425). |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12). |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)). |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)). |
ITEM 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers |
As previously disclosed, Bradley I. Meier resigned from his positions as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Company), effective as of the close of business on February 22, 2013, to pursue opportunities outside the residential homeowners insurance industry.
As expected, the Board of Directors appointed Sean P. Downes to succeed Mr. Meier as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of the close of business on February 22, 2013. Mr. Downes will remain a director of the Company.
In addition, effective as of the close of business on February 22, 2013, Norman M. Meier resigned as Secretary and a director of the Company. There was no disagreement or dispute between Mr. Norman Meier and the Company which led to his decision to resign.
Mr. Downes, age 43, has been the Companys Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and a director since January 2005, and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, since July 2003. Mr. Downes was Chief Operating Officer of Universal Adjusting Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, from July 1999 to July 2003. During that time Mr. Downes created the Companys claims operation. Before joining the Company in July 1999, Mr. Downes was Vice President of Downes and Associates, a multi-line insurance claims adjustment corporation.
Mr. Downes and the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement, effective as of February 22, 2013 (Downes Agreement). The Downes Agreement replaces Mr. Downes prior employment agreement with the Company and provides that Mr. Downes will serve as the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer and perform all duties commensurate with such positions or as assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors.
The Downes Agreement is effective through December 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms. During the term, Mr. Downes will receive an annual base salary of $2,000,000, which will increase by 7.25% on each of January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2015 over the rate then in effect. Mr. Downes will also receive an annual performance bonus of 3% of the Companys pre-tax income up to $5,000,000 and 4% of the Companys pre-tax income over $5,000,000, subject to the Companys shareholders approving the bonus formula at the Companys 2013 annual meeting of shareholders. Should the Companys shareholders fail to approve the bonus formula, Mr. Downes will receive an annual performance bonus equal to 3% of the Companys pretax income, as provided in Mr. Downes prior employment agreement. Mr. Downes will receive a total of 1,500,000 restricted shares of Company common stock in three separate grants. The shares will vest over a period of three years, with 500,000 of the shares also subject to the achievement of performance-based vesting standards. Mr. Downes receipt of such shares is subject to his continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
Mr. Downes will also receive health and welfare benefits, an automobile allowance, annual paid vacation of up to thirty (30) days per year, and reimbursement for travel and related expenses.
In the event of a change in control of the Company during the term of the Downes Agreement, and Mr. Downes is involuntarily terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within twenty-four (24) months after such change in control, the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Downes a lump sum cash amount equal to 48 months base salary, plus two times any bonuses paid for the preceding fiscal year. Such amounts are subject to adjustment pursuant to certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Further, in the event of a change in control, all options held by Mr. Downes vest and become immediately exercisable.
The Downes Agreement includes confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that will apply for two years following termination of Mr. Downes employment and other customary provisions.
Also as expected, the Board of Directors appointed Jon W. Springer as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective as of the close of business on February 22, 2013. The Board of Directors also elected Mr. Springer a director of the Company to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Bradley Meiers resignation, effective as of the close of business on February 22, 2013. Mr. Springer, age 43, was Executive Vice President of Universal Risk Advisors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from June 2006 through March 2008, and has been the Executive Vice President of Blue Atlantic Reinsurance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, since March 2008. Before joining Universal Risk Advisors, Inc., Mr. Springer was an Executive Vice President of Willis Re, Inc. and was responsible for managing property and casualty operations in its Minneapolis office.
Mr. Springer and the Company entered into a new employment agreement, effective as of February 22, 2013 (Springer Agreement). The Springer Agreement replaces Mr. Springers prior employment agreement with Blue Atlantic Reinsurance Corporation and provides that Mr. Springer will serve as the Companys Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and perform all duties commensurate with such positions and report to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Springer Agreement is effective through December 31, 2014, unless terminated in accordance with its terms. During the term, Mr. Springer will receive an annual base salary of $1,250,000, which will be increased by 7.25% on January 1, 2014. Mr. Springer will also receive an annual performance bonus of 2.5% of the Companys pretax income, subject to the Companys shareholders approving the bonus formula at the Companys 2013 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Springer will receive a total of 500,000 restricted shares of Company common stock in two separate grants vesting over the term of the Springer Agreement. Mr. Springers receipt of such shares is subject to his continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
Mr. Springer will also receive health and welfare benefits, an automobile allowance, annual vacation of up to three (3) weeks per year, and reimbursement for travel and related expenses.
In the event that, in connection with a change in control of the Company during the term of the Springer Agreement, Mr. Springer is involuntarily terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within twenty-four (24) months after such change in control, the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Springer a lump sum cash amount equal to 48 months base salary, plus two times any bonuses paid for the preceding fiscal year. Such amounts are subject to adjustment pursuant to certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Further, in the event of a change in control, all options held by Mr. Springer vest and become immediately exercisable.
The Springer Agreement includes confidentiality, non-disparagement, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions that will apply for at least one year following termination of Mr. Springers employment and other customary provisions.
Mr. Norman Meier and the Company entered into an employment agreement, effective as of February 22, 2013 (Meier Agreement). The agreement provides that Mr. Norman Meier shall continue to serve as an employee of the Company and provide marketing and consulting services to the Company and report to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Meier Agreement is effective through December 31, 2017, and thereafter is renewable for successive one-year intervals upon the mutual agreement of Mr. Norman Meier and the Company, but in no event will the term of the Meier Agreement extend beyond December 31, 2022. The Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms. During the term, Mr. Norman Meier will receive an annual base salary of $85,000 and is eligible for an annual bonus as determined in the Companys sole discretion. Mr. Norman Meier will also receive health and welfare benefits and reimbursement for travel and related expenses.
The Meier Agreement includes confidentiality, non-disparagement, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions that will apply for at least one year following termination of Mr. Norman Meiers employment and other customary provisions.
The preceding summary of the Meier Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Meier Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 is incorporated herein by reference.
The preceding summaries of the Downes Agreement, Springer Agreement and Meier Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Downes Agreement, Springer Agreement and Meier Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, Exhibit 10.2 and Exhibit 10.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure |
The Company is disclosing under Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K information contained in the press release filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The information furnished pursuant to, and incorporated by reference in, this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
ITEM 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) | Exhibits: |
10.1 | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2013, by and between Mr. Downes and the Company |
10.2 | Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2013, by and between Mr. Springer and the Company |
10.3 | Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2013, by and between Mr. Norman Meier and the Company |
99.1 | Press Release, dated February 22, 2013 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 22, 2013 | UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. | |||||
/s/ George R. De Heer | ||||||
George R. De Heer | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of the 22nd day of February, 2013, between Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 (the Company), and Sean Downes (Executive).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the insurance and financial services industry; and
WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) has determined that Executive should become the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement, January 1, 2005, as amended (the Prior Agreement) and now desire to amend and restate the terms of the Prior Agreement to acknowledge Executives new positions and compensation with the Company and to provide for the continued employment of Executive on the terms set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement so that the rights, duties, benefits and obligations of each in respect of the employment of Executive for and by the Company will be fully set forth under the terms and conditions stated herein upon the execution hereof; and
WHEREAS, the Board has approved the employment of Executive upon the terms and conditions set forth herein by a resolution issued by it, and have authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
NOW, therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, including the continuation of Executives employment, and for other good and valuable consideration, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT
The Company hereby employs Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to perform the services and duties specified herein or as assigned to him from time to time by the Board.
2. TERM
Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the term of the employment of Executive under this Agreement (Term) is effective as of February 22, 2013 (the Effective Date) and shall terminate on December 31, 2015, unless extended in accordance with this section or by written instrument executed by the Company after review and approval of such extension by the Board (Expiration Date), so that at the Expiration Date of this Agreement there shall be no automatic extension of the Term of employment under this Agreement.
3. DISABILITY
If, during the Term, Executive shall become unable to perform his duties as provided for herein by reason of illness or injury for a consecutive period of ninety (90) days, then the Company after that ninety (90) day period may, on thirty (30) days prior written notice to Executive, suspend the officership held by Executive. In the event of such suspension, Executive shall remain an employee of the Company and receive his compensation and all of his fringe benefits as set forth below in Sections 6 and 8, respectively, for the lesser of (i) one (1) year from the date of such suspension or (ii) the remaining Term (the Suspension Period). If during the Suspension Period, Executive returns to perform his duties as provided for herein, and there is no physical or mental inability to perform such duties, then Executive shall resume the officership and the Company shall continue payment of his full compensation and all of his fringe benefits as set forth below in Sections 6 and 8, respectively. Executives employment with the Company shall terminate at the end of the Suspension Period if Executive has not returned by the end of the Suspension Period to the full-time performance of his duties hereunder.
4. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE
Executives employment under this Agreement may be immediately terminated by the Company for cause at any time, upon written notice to Executive, after which all obligations of the Company to Executive shall thereupon cease. And any accrued but not paid benefits hereunder shall then no longer be an obligation of the Company. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term cause when used with reference to the termination of this Agreement, shall mean only any or all of the following:
(a) Executives absence from his employment for any reason other than sickness or injury, at substantially all times during a period of ninety (90) consecutive days;
(b) Failure on the part of Executive to (i) follow material instructions or policy of the Board given or adopted in good faith, or (ii) carry out an agreed policy or course of action as determined by (a) the Board or (b) a committee of the Board or (c) carry out the directions of the Board, any or all of which is or may be to the detriment of the Company;
(c) Willful misconduct or gross negligence of Executive in connection with the performance of his duties; or
(d) Executive has been convicted of or has pled guilty to an indictable offense or felony in any jurisdiction in the United States, either State or Federal.
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5. DUTIES
(a) Executive shall perform the following duties in connection with his employment, all of which shall be subject to the paramount directions of the Board:
(i) To serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to perform all such duties, authority and responsibilities associated with such positions as provided in the by-laws of the Company or as assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board; and
(ii) To direct in the formulation of its business policy and strategic direction and business affairs and to lead the Companys dealings with other companies, in its regulatory affairs, and in its dealings with banks, other financial institutions and other groups and institutions; and
(iii) To undertake such specific assignments, consistent with his office and position, as may be given to him from time to time by the Board; and
(iv) Subject to the nominating and governance procedures of the Board and to election or reelection by the Company shareholders, to continue to serve as a director of the Company and also if elected, to serve, without additional consideration, as a director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.
(b) Executive shall devote his best efforts and skills to the affairs of the Company, and to the performance of the duties set forth in this Section 5 on a full-time basis. Executive shall not participate in any outside business activity that will either (i) interfere with, or (ii) be a conflict of interest with the performance of Executives duties, activities and employment pursuant to this Agreement. The foregoing notwithstanding, Executive has disclosed to the Company his other outside business interests (Outside Business Interests) which are listed on Schedule 1 hereto and the Company with this full knowledge has consented to Executives continuance thereof. Moreover, the Company agrees to permit Executive to involve himself in other similar Outside Business Interests, on condition that they similarly be disclosed and are added to Schedule 1 prior to their being commenced. The failure to disclose and list any Outside Business activity on Schedule 1 shall be prima facie a breach of this provision. Executive may also invest his assets and manage, protect and support the profitability of such assets, as well as devote such reasonable time as is required by such Outside Business Interests, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 5(b).
6. COMPENSATION
(a) Base Salary
Executive shall receive from the Company, or in the aggregate from any of its subsidiaries, for the discharge of Executives duties and activities on behalf of the Company as provided for herein, an annual salary (Base Salary) of $2,000,000, which shall be paid by the Company to Executive in equal and regular installments not less frequently than monthly, in accordance with the Companys policy for payment of employee salaries and which shall be increased by 7.25% on each of January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2015 over the rate in effect immediately prior to such dates; provided, however, that Executive has remained in the full-time employment of the Company on the date of each such increase.
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(b) | Annual Bonus |
Executive shall receive an annual bonus of 3% of the Companys pre-tax income up to $5,000,000 and 4% of the Companys pre-tax income over $5,000,000 (the Annual Bonus), which shall be computed as at December 31 of each year of the Term of this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall any Annual Bonus be paid to Executive later than March 15 of the year following the year in which it was earned; and provided, further, that the payment of any Annual Bonus pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be contingent upon the Companys shareholders approving the bonus formula described in this Section 6(b) at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2013, and should the Companys shareholders fail to approve the bonus formula described in this Section 6(b), the bonus formula in the Prior Agreement shall continue to apply in lieu of the formula set forth above.
(c) Award of Restricted Stock Units
Subject to Executives continued employment through the applicable grant date, Executive will receive a total of 1,500,000 restricted shares of common stock of the Company in three separate grants of restricted stock as provided below:
(i) A time-based grant of 500,000 restricted shares granted on a date specified by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee) in April, 2013 and vesting on April 7, 2014;
(ii) A time-based grant of 500,000 restricted shares granted on a date specified by the Compensation Committee in April, 2014 and vesting on April 7, 2015; and
(iii) A time- and performance-based grant of 500,000 restricted performance shares granted on April 1, 2015 and vesting on March 15, 2016 and upon achievement of one or more performance measures discussed with Executive prior to such grant and approved by the Compensation Committee in connection with such grant.
No grant shall occur unless Executive has remained in the continuous full-time employ of the Company through the applicable grant date or if Executives employment has ended for any reason (including death) prior to the applicable grant date, and no award, once granted, shall vest unless Executive remains in the continuous employ of the Company through the applicable vesting date or if Executives employment has ended for any reason (including death) prior to the applicable vesting date. Each grant shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable restricted stock award and shall be governed by the Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan) and other applicable award documentation.
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7. OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
From time to time, the Company may grant to Executive options or warrants to purchase the Companys common stock. The Company shall enter into an option or warrant agreement for the issuance of such options or warrants in such event.
8. FRINGE BENEFITS
In addition to the base compensation set forth in Sections 6 and 7 above, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following benefits:
(a) Any benefits under group hospitalization, health, dental care or sick leave plan, life or other insurance or death benefit plan, travel or accident insurance, or contingent compensation plan, or any other present or future plan, including any qualified retirement plan, for which any employees are or shall become eligible. If Executive is not eligible for health benefits as described above, by reason of age, location or otherwise, then Executive shall be provided equivalent benefits determined at the election of the Company. Executive shall be eligible to receive the foregoing benefits during the six (6) month period following the termination of his employment under this Agreement, except if this Agreement is terminated for cause, and after that six (6) month period, Executive shall be entitled to COBRA benefits; and
(b) An annual vacation of up to thirty (30) days, whether taken individually or consecutively (Vacation Period), at such time or times as shall be approved by the Company, and which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Full compensation shall be paid during any Vacation Period. Any portion of any Vacation Period not used within any year shall be accrued and will accumulate, and may be used by Executive at any time during his employment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8. If Executive has not used all of his accrued and accumulated vacation time at the termination of his employment, the Company shall pay any unused vacation to Executive in a lump sum within ninety (90) days following his termination of employment; and
(c) Executive may incur and shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses that are related to the Companys business, including expenses for entertainment, travel and similar items (Approved Reimbursable Expenses). All such reimbursement of Approved Reimbursable Expenses shall be made within thirty (30) days of receipt by the Company from Executive of an itemized account and if necessary proper substantiation of Approved Reimbursable Expenses. In order to facilitate the payment of the Approved Reimbursable Expenses, the Company may at its option furnish Executive with Company acquired credit cards as may be available to all other executive officers of the Company; and
(d) Executive shall be given a private office with secretarial help and any and all reasonable facilities and services so as to be suitable with his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, and so as to assist in the performance of his duties and activities; and
(e) Executive shall be given an automobile allowance or automobile lease plan to the extent of six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) per annum, paid in arrears in twelve (12) equal monthly installments, to be used to defray acquisition expense for an automobile, as well as insurance and maintenance expenses for the automobile.
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9. SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE
The provisions of this Section 9 shall apply notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement related to the timing of payments following Executives resignation.
(a) If, at the time of Executives resignation of employment with the Company, Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined below), then any outstanding awards payable under the Plan and any other amounts payable under this Agreement that the Company determines constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and which are subject to the six-month delay required by Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(c)(3)(v), shall be delayed and not paid to Executive until the first business day following the six-month anniversary of Executives date of resignation (the Short-Term Deferral Date), at which time such delayed amounts will be paid to Executive in a cash lump sum (the Catch-Up Amount). If payment of an amount is delayed as a result of this Section 9(a), such amount shall be increased with interest from the date on which such amount would otherwise have been paid to Executive but for this Section 9(a) to the day prior to the date the Catch-Up Amount is paid. The rate of interest shall be the applicable short-term federal rate applicable under Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code for the month in which the date of Executives resignation occurs. Such interest shall be paid at the same time that the Catch-Up Amount is paid. If Executive dies on or after the date of Executives resignation and prior to the Short-Term Deferral Date, any amount delayed pursuant to this Section 9(d) shall be paid to Executives estate or beneficiary, as applicable, together with interest, within 30 days following the date of Executives death.
(b) Specified Employee has the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. The determination of whether Executive constitutes a Specified Employee on the date of his resignation shall be made in accordance with the Companys established methodology for determining Specified Employees.
(c) Separation from Service means a separation from service from the Company within the meaning of the default rules under the final regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms terminate, terminated, termination and resignation mean a termination of Executives employment that constitutes a Separation from Service.
(d) For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to this Agreement, each separately identifiable amount to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefit payments under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, such reimbursements and in-kind benefit payments shall be made in accordance with Section 409A, and payments of such reimbursements or in-kind benefits shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the relevant expense is incurred.
10. CHANGE IN CONTROL
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the following provisions will govern in the event a Change in Control (as defined herein) occurs during the Term:
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(a) For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) there shall be consummated (A) any consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Companys common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a consolidation or a merger having the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the consolidation or merger or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions other than in the ordinary course of business of the Company) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company to any corporation, person or other entity which is not a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) any person, group, corporation or other entity (collectively, Persons) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and rules and regulations promulgated hereunder) of 50% or more of the Companys outstanding common stock; provided, however, that in all cases, any such event described in this Section 10(a) will not be determined to constitute a Change in Control unless the event constitutes either a change in ownership, change in effective control or change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as such terms are described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
(b) If a Change in Control occurs during the Term as defined in Section 10(a) above and Executives employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than for cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined in Section 10(e) below) upon or within twenty-four (24) months following such Change in Control (notwithstanding the expiration of the Term), then, in lieu of any severance or other amounts payable by the Company under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with the termination of employment, the Company shall pay to Executive no later than the sixtieth day following such termination of employment a cash lump sum amount equal to (i) forty-eight (48) months base salary and (ii) two times any bonuses paid in respect of the preceding fiscal year.
(c) If a Change in Control occurs as defined in Section 10(a) above, then all options or warrants granted to Executive shall immediately vest and become exercisable. Such acceleration of the vesting of options or warrants shall be in addition to, and shall have no effect on, any payments accrued pursuant to Section 10(b).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that it is determined by an independent accounting firm chosen by mutual agreement of the parties that any economic benefit, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid, payable, distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a Payment), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) (such excise tax referred to in this Agreement as the Excise Tax), then the value of any such Payments payable under this Agreement which constitute parachute payments under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the independent accounting firm, will be reduced so that the present value of all Payments (calculated in accordance with Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder), in the aggregate, is equal to 2.99 times Executives base amount, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.
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(e) For purposes of this Section 10, Good Reason shall mean (i) any material diminution in Executives title, duties or reporting responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction in Executives compensation or the failure to pay Executive any material amount of compensation when due or (iii) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company.
11. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION AND NON-COMPETITION
(a) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that during the course of his employment he will have access to certain confidential information of the Company and that such information constitutes valuable, special and unique property of the Company. During the Term of this Agreement and following termination of his employment hereunder and for a term of two years, Executive will not disclose information, including any trade secrets or confidential information of the Company obtained during the course of his employment with the Company, except such information as may have become part of the public domain through no fault of Executive, which public domain determination shall only be made by the Company in a written acknowledgment made at the request of Executive, before Executive may be free to disclose any such claimed public domain information.
(b) During the Term and for two years thereafter, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business enterprise or activity competitive with the business of the Company either as an employee, consultant, partner, shareholder, or in any other capacity. Further, Executive agrees that he will not either during or within two years subsequent to the termination of his employment, disturb, entice, hire or in any other manner attempt to persuade any employee, dealer, supplier or customer of the Company to discontinue its business relationship with the Company.
(c) Executive and the Company acknowledge that it would be very difficult or impossible to measure the damages resulting from a breach of this Section 11, and that any such breach would cause immediate and irreparable harm. Therefore, in consequence of the foregoing, Executive hereby agrees that any breach or threatened breach by him of any provision of this Section 11 shall entitle the Company, in addition to any other legal remedies available to it, to obtain from any Court of competent jurisdiction a temporary and permanent injunction in order to enjoin such breach or threatened breach, without the necessity on the part of the Company, in any application for such injunctive relief (a) to show immediate and irreparable harm, (B) likelihood of success on the merits, and (c) to post any bond or undertaking, all of which would be a requirement of such an application absent this covenant waiving those requirements. Executive also covenants that the service of any papers to commence any legal proceedings, including proceedings to obtain injunctive relief, may be done by utilizing Federal Express in lieu of any other form of personal delivery of the process or orders of the Court and upon doing so the service and notice provisions for the commencement of legal proceedings shall be satisfied.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control as defined in Section 10(a) above, this Section 11 will not apply.
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12. DEATH DURING EMPLOYMENT
Except as provided above, if Executive dies during the Term, then the Company shall pay to his beneficiaries or, if no beneficiaries are have been named, to his estate, compensation which would otherwise be payable to Executive for the shorter of (i) one (1) year from the date of his death, or (ii) the period ending on the Expiration Date of this Agreement.
13. PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
During the Term, all work product emanating directly and/or indirectly from Executives duties and activities effected on behalf of the Company (Work Product) shall be exclusively owned by the Company. If any such Work Product is the subject of an application for patent, copyright, trade mark or similar proprietary protection (Application), then regardless of the name of the person or entity submitting the Application, Executive hereby acknowledges the Companys exclusive rights in and to the Application for proprietary protection. If the Application results in the issuance of the requested proprietary protection, e.g., a patent or copyright, then Executive hereby acknowledges the Companys exclusive ownership therein, and Executive will execute any documents necessary to give effect and implement this ownership, including but not limited to an assignment of the Application and/or the issued proprietary protection.
14. NOTICE
Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and actually delivered, or if sent either by Federal Express, hand-delivery, e-mail, or postage prepaid, by certified mail, return receipt requested, with a copy by ordinary mail, to the addresses below:
As to Company |
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. 1110 West Commercial Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Attn: Chairman, Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors | |
As to Executive: |
To Executives most recent address on file with the Company |
or to such other address as either party shall designate by written notice to the other.
15. ASSIGNMENT
The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company. Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by him are unique and personal, and accordingly, he may not assign any of his rights, duties, obligations or benefits under this Agreement.
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16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall incorporate, merge and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the Company and Executive, either oral or written, if any. This Agreement supersedes and replaces the Prior Agreement and all amendments to the Prior Agreement. No modification, change or amendment to this Agreement, shall be binding upon the Company or Executive unless the same is in writing, and signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification, change or amendment is sought to be enforced.
17. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) This Agreement and the implementation of it shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Florida applicable to contracts fully executed and performed in such State, and any legal proceedings relating to (i) the interpretation or enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or (ii) any dispute relating to the employment relationship created by the Agreement, shall only be brought in the Circuit Court of the State of Florida, in and for the County of Palm Beach.
(b) The Section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or the interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) The failure of any provision of this Agreement shall in no manner affect the right to enforce the remainder of this Agreement, and the waiver by either the Company or Executive of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver by the Company or Executive of any succeeding breach of such provision or a waiver by such party of any breach of any other provision of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Executive: |
/s/ Sean Downes |
Sean Downes
|
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. |
/s/ Bradley I. Meier |
Bradley I. Meier President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This employment agreement (Agreement), dated as of February 22, 2013 is between Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the Company), and Jon Springer (Executive).
WHEREAS, the parties wish to establish the terms of Executives employment with the Company;
WHEREAS, Executive is currently a party to an Employment Agreement with Blue Atlantic Reinsurance Company (Blue Atlantic), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, dated June 15, 2006 (the Prior Agreement); and
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company now desire to cause the Prior Agreement to be terminated and Executive and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to supersede and replace the Prior Agreement.
Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment and Acceptance. The Company will employ Executive, and Executive will accept employment, subject to the terms of this Agreement, as of February 22, 2013 (Effective Date).
2. Term. Subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 5, this Agreement and the employment relationship hereunder will continue from the Effective Date until December 31, 2014. As used in this Agreement, the Term means the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the date Executives employment terminates in accordance with this Section 2 or Section 5. In the event that Executives employment terminates, the Companys obligation to continue to pay all Base Salary and other benefits then accrued will terminate except as may be provided for in Section 5. The parties acknowledge that the Companys offices and headquarters are currently located in Miami, Florida; however, the situs of Executives employment shall be Eagan, Minnesota.
3. Duties and Title.
3.1 Title. The Company will employ Executive to render full-time services to the Company, its parent, its subsidiaries and its affiliates (singularly, Related Company or collectively, Related Companies). The Company will employ Executive as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
3.2 Duties. Executive will have such authority and responsibilities and will perform such duties assigned to him from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commensurate with his position. Executive will devote all Executives full working-time and attention to the performance of such duties and to the promotion of the Companys or a Related Companys business and interests.
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3.3 Other Business Activities. Executive may not engage in any activity that conflicts with the Companys or a Related Companys interests or would materially interfere with the performance of Executives duties to the Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Executive may not hold, directly or indirectly, an ownership interest of more than 2% in any entity which competes with the Company or a Related Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.
4. Compensation and Benefits by the Company. As compensation for all services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will provide Executive the following during the Term:
4.1 Base Salary. The Company will pay Executive an annual base salary of $1,250,000, payable in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices, which shall be increased by 7.25% on January 1, 2014 over the rate in effect on the Effective Date (Base Salary).
4.2 Annual Bonus. Executive shall receive an annual bonus of 2.5% of the Companys pre-tax income, which shall be computed as at December 31 of each year of the Term of this Agreement (with such bonus for calendar year 2013 based on January 1, 2013 and not the Effective Date) (the Annual Bonus); provided, however, that in no event shall any bonus due and owing under this Section 4.2 be paid to Executive later than March 15 of the year following the year in which it was earned; and provided, further, that the payment of any bonus pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be contingent upon the Companys shareholders approving the bonus formula described in this Section 4.2 at the Companys annual meeting of shareholders in 2013, and should the Companys shareholders fail to approve the bonus formula described in this Section 4.2, Executive shall have no right or entitlement under this Section 4.2. For the avoidance of doubt, if Executive has earned a bonus under this Section 4.2, he need not be employed on the bonus payment date to receive such bonus, provided, except as otherwise provided below, that he is employed through December 31 of the year to which the bonus relates.
4.3 Participation in Executive Benefit Plans. Executive is entitled, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in the Companys benefit plans generally available to Company employees in similar positions. In addition to, and not in limitation of, the foregoing, during the Term, Executive shall (1) have the right to participate in a 401(k) plan available to employees of the Company, (2) receive life insurance with a coverage limit equal to $1 million, (3) receive medical, dental and disability insurance with a coverage limit equal to $500,000, and (4) receive a monthly car allowance of $600. Executive is eligible to participate in the Companys equity incentive plans, including the Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan), as it may be amended from time to time, at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board).
4.4 Restricted Stock Grants. Subject to his continued employment through the applicable grant dates and vesting dates (except as otherwise provided herein), Executive is entitled to receive (1) a time-based award of 250,000 restricted shares granted on a date specified by the Compensation Committee in April, 2013 and vesting in April, 2014, and (2)
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a time-based award of 250,000 restricted shares granted on a date specified by the Committee in April, 2014 and vesting on December 31, 2014. No grant shall occur unless Executive has remained in the continuous full-time employ of the Company through the applicable grant date or if Executives employment has ended for any reason (including death) prior to the applicable grant date, and, except as provided in Section 5, no award, once granted, shall vest unless Executive remains in the continuous employ of the Company through the applicable vesting date or if Executives employment has ended for any reason (including death) prior to the applicable vesting date. Each grant shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable restricted stock award and shall be governed by the Plan and other applicable award documentation.
4.5 Vacation. Executive will receive four (4) weeks of paid vacation per fiscal year (prorated for any partial year), subject to the Companys standard vacation policies. Any unused vacation shall be paid to Executive upon the Companys termination of Executives employment without Cause or Executives termination of his employment from the Company for Good Reason (each as defined below).
4.6 Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for all appropriate business expenses Executive incurs in connection with Executives duties under this Agreement in accordance with the Companys policies as in effect from time to time.
5. Termination of Employment.
5.1 Payment Upon Termination. If Executives employment terminates for any reason, Executive will receive, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to (1) accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, (2) any employee benefits Executive may be entitled to pursuant to the Companys employee benefit plans through the date of termination and (3) expenses reimbursable under Section 4.6 incurred but not yet reimbursed to Executive through the date of termination (collectively, the Accrued Obligations)
5.2 Termination With Cause. The Company has the right, at any time during the Term, to terminate Executives employment with the Company for Cause (as defined below) by giving written notice to Executive as described in this Section 5.2 below. Prior to the effectiveness of termination for Cause under subclause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) below, Executive shall be given thirty (30) calendar days prior written notice from the Company, specifically identifying the reasons which are alleged to constitute Cause for any termination pursuant to the aforementioned subclauses, and an opportunity to be heard by the Company in the event Executive disputes such allegations; provided, however, that the Company shall have no obligation to continue to employ Executive following such thirty (30) calendar day notice period. Prior to the effectiveness of termination for Cause under subclause (iv) below, Executive shall be given thirty (30) calendar days prior written notice from the Company, specifically identifying the reasons which are alleged to constitute Cause for any termination under such subclause, and, in the event Executive disputes such allegations, an opportunity to be heard by the Company and to cure the actions, events or circumstances giving rise to such allegations; provided, however, that the Company shall have no obligation to continue to employ Executive
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following such thirty (30) calendar day notice period unless such allegations are cured to the Companys reasonable satisfaction. The Companys termination of Executives employment for Cause under subclause (vi) below shall be effective immediately upon the Companys written notice to Executive. If the Company terminates Executives employment for Cause, the Companys obligation to Executive shall be limited solely to the Accrued Obligations. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause means, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer (or his designee), any of the following: (i) Executives abuse of alcohol or any controlled substance; (ii) a willful act of fraud, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty on the part of Executive with respect to the business or affairs of the Company; (iii) knowing and material failure by Executive to comply with material applicable laws and regulations or professional standards relating to the business of the Company; (iv) Executives documented and continuing unsatisfactory performance of his duties hereunder (as documented in at least one performance improvement plan to Executive) or a material breach by Executive of this Agreement except, in each case, where such failure or breach is caused by the illness or other similar incapacity or disability of Executive; (v) Executive being subject to an inquiry or investigation by a governmental authority or self-regulatory organization such that the existence of such inquiry or investigation may result in damage to the Companys business interests, licenses, reputation or prospects; or (vi) Executive has been convicted of or has pled guilty to any felony.
5.3 Payment Upon Termination Without Cause. If during the Term the Company terminates Executives employment without Cause (which may be done at any time without prior notice), the Company will pay Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of such termination of employment, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, (1) a lump-sum cash payment equal to Executives then-current Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months, (2) payment for the prorated share of Executives Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 for the year in which termination without Cause occurs, and (3) a lump-sum cash payment equal to the cost of COBRA coverage for Executive and his dependents for twelve (12) months, provided that Executive executes and delivers to the Company a valid and irrevocable release agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company by no later than forty-five (45) days following the date of such termination of employment without Cause. Additionally, any restricted stock award granted in accordance with Section 4.4 prior to the date of Executives termination without Cause shall fully vest immediately prior to such termination without Cause; for the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall not be entitled to any award under Section 4.4 which has not been granted prior to such termination without Cause. The Company will have no obligation to provide the benefits set forth in this Section 5.3 in the event that Executive breaches the provisions of Section 7.
5.4 Payment Upon Termination For Good Reason. If during the Term Executive terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason by giving notice as provided in this Section 5.4, the Company will pay Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of such termination of employment, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, (1) a lump-sum cash payment equal to Executives then-current Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months, (2) payment for the prorated share of Executives Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 for the year in which termination for Good Reason occurs, and (3) a lump-sum cash payment equal to the cost of COBRA coverage for Executive and his dependents for twelve (12)
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months, provided that Executive executes and delivers to the Company within a valid and irrevocable release agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company by no later than forty-five (45) days following the date of such termination of employment for Good Reason. Additionally, any restricted stock award granted in accordance with Section 4.4 prior to the date of Executives termination for Good Reason shall fully vest immediately prior to such termination with Good Reason; for the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall not be entitled to any award under Section 4.4 which has not been granted prior to such termination for Good Reason. Prior to the effectiveness of termination for Good Reason, the Company shall be given thirty (30) calendar days prior written notice from Executive, specifically identifying the reasons which are alleged to constitute Good Reason for termination hereunder, and an opportunity to be heard by Executive in the event the Company disputes such allegations and to cure such allegations; provided, however, that Executive shall have no obligation to remain employed by the Company following such thirty (30) calendar day notice period unless such allegations are cured to Executives reasonable satisfaction. As used in this Section 5.4, Good Reason means any of the following without Executives prior written consent: (i) assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with Executives position hereunder; (ii) failure to pay Executives Base Salary in accordance with Section 4.1 hereof; (iii) failure to pay Executives Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 4.2; (iv) requiring Executive to move his situs of employment more than twenty (20) miles from his situs of employment prior to such move; or (v) the Companys material breach of this Agreement.
5.5 Voluntary Termination Without Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company without Good Reason at any time by giving written notice to the Company, which termination shall be effective thirty (30) days from the date of such written notice. If Executive voluntarily terminates his employment without Good Reason, the Companys obligation to Executive shall be limited solely to the Accrued Obligations.
5.6 Termination Because of Death. If Executives employment terminates because of Executives death, within thirty (30) days of termination, the Company will pay to Executives estate the Accrued Obligations, payment for the prorated share of Executives Annual Bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 for the year in which termination occurs and a lump-sum cash payment equal to Executives ending Base Salary for the lesser of (i) one (1) year from the date of Executives death or (ii) the remaining Term, and any employee benefits Executive may be entitled to pursuant to the Companys employee benefit plans through such period; provided, however, that benefit payments under any employee benefit plan shall be paid to Executives beneficiary or beneficiaries designated pursuant to such employee benefit plans in lieu of to his estate.
5.7 Suspension or Termination Because of Disability. If, during the Term, Executive shall become unable to perform his duties as provided for herein by reason of Disability (as defined herein), then the Company may, on thirty (30) days prior written notice to Executive, suspend the officership held by Executive. In the event of such suspension, Executive shall remain an employee of the Company and receive his compensation and benefits as set forth above in Section 4 for the lesser of (i) one (1) year from the date of such suspension or (ii) the
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remaining Term (the Suspension Period). If during the Suspension Period, Executive returns to perform his duties as provided for herein, and there is no physical or mental inability to perform such duties, then Executive shall resume the officership and the Company shall continue payment of his full compensation and benefits as set forth in Section 4. Executives employment with the Company shall terminate at the end of the Suspension Period if Executive has not returned by the end of the Suspension Period to the full-time performance of his duties hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means a determination by the Company after review of written information provided by Executives healthcare provider that, as a result of a physical or mental injury or illness, Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of Executives job with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of 90 consecutive days or 90 days in any twelve (12)-month period.
6. Change in Control.
6.1 Termination in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that, in connection with a Change in Control (as defined below) during the Term, Executives employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than for Cause or if Executive resigns for Good Reason upon or within twenty-four (24) months following such Change in Control (notwithstanding the expiration of the Term), then, in lieu of any severance or other amounts payable by the Company under Section 5 of this Agreement or otherwise in connection with Executives termination of employment, the Company or its successor shall pay Executive no later than the sixtieth day following such termination of employment in connection with a Change in Control a cash lump sum amount equal to (1) forty-eight (48) months of Executives Base Salary at the time of such Change in Control and (2) two times any bonuses paid to Executive for the preceding fiscal year. In addition, upon a Change in Control, all options held by Executive shall vest and become immediately exercisable. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) there shall be consummated (A) any consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Companys common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a consolidation or a merger having the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the consolidation or merger or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions other than in the ordinary course of business of the Company) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company to any corporation, person or other entity which is not a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) any person, group, corporation or other entity (collectively, Persons) shall acquire beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and rules and regulations promulgated hereunder) of 50% or more of the Companys outstanding common stock; provided, however, that in all cases, any such event described in this Section 6.1 will not be determined to constitute a Change in Control unless the event constitutes either a change in ownership, change in effective control or change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as such terms are described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
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6.2 Limitation on Change in Control Payments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that it is determined by an independent accounting firm chosen by mutual agreement of the parties that any economic benefit, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid, payable, distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a Payment), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) (such excise tax referred to in this Agreement as the Excise Tax), then the value of any such Payments payable under this Agreement which constitute parachute payments under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the independent accounting firm, will be reduced so that the present value of all Payments (calculated in accordance with Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder), in the aggregate, is equal to 2.99 times Executives base amount, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.
6.3 For purposes of this Section 6, in addition to the definition above, Good Reason will also include (i) any material adverse change in Executives title, duties or reporting responsibilities and (ii) with respect to Executives title, duties, reporting responsibilities, compensation levels and situs of employment in effect after the expiration of the Term, any material adverse change in such title, duties, reporting responsibilities, compensation levels and situs of employment from those in effect immediately prior to the expiration of the Term.
7. Restrictions and Obligations of Executive.
7.1 Non-Disparagement. Executive will not at any time (whether during or after the Term) publish or communicate to any person or entity any Disparaging remarks, comments or statements concerning the Company or a Related Company, and their respective present and former members, partners, directors, officers, shareholders, employees, agents, attorneys, successors, assigns, clients and agents. The Company will not at any time (whether during or after the Term) cause or assist the then-current Chief Executive Officer or any of its then-current directors to publish or communicate, to any person or entity any Disparaging remarks, comments or statements concerning Executive. Disparaging remarks, comments or statements are those that impugn the character, honesty, integrity, morality, business acumen or abilities in connection with any aspect of the operation of business of the individual or entity being disparaged.
7.2 Confidentiality. During the course of Executives employment, Executive has had and will have access to certain trade secrets and confidential information relating to the Company and the Related Companies which is not readily available from sources outside the Company. The parties agree that the business in which the Company engages is highly sales-oriented and the goodwill established between Executive and the Companys customers and potential customers is a valuable and legitimate business interest worthy of protection under this Agreement. Executive recognizes that, by virtue of Executives employment by the Company, Executive is granted otherwise prohibited access to the Companys confidential and proprietary data which is not known to its competitors and which has independent economic value to the Company and that Executive will gain an intimate
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knowledge of the Companys reinsurance business and its policies, customers, employees and trade secrets, and of other confidential, proprietary, privileged or secret information of the Company and its clients (collectively, all such nonpublic information is referred to as Confidential Information). This Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, data relating to the Companys marketing and servicing programs, procedures and techniques, business, management and personnel strategies, analytic tools and processes, the criteria and formulae used by the Company in pricing its insurance products and claims management, loss control and information management services, the Companys computer system, reinsurance marketing program and the skill of marketing and selling products, the structure and pricing of special reinsurance products or packages that the Company has negotiated with various underwriters, lists of prospects, customer lists and renewals, the identity, authority and responsibilities of key contacts at clients accounts, the composition and organization of clients business, the peculiar risks inherent in a clients operations, highly sensitive details concerning the structure, conditions and extent of a clients existing insurance and reinsurance coverages, policy expiration dates and premium amounts, commission rates, risk management service arrangements, loss histories and other data showing clients particularized insurance requirements and preferences.
Except as required by law or an order of a court or governmental agency with jurisdiction, Executive will not, during the Term or any time thereafter, disclose any Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor will Executive use it in any way. Executive will take all reasonable steps to safeguard the Confidential Information and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive understands and agrees that Executive will acquire no rights to any such Confidential Information.
At the Companys request from time to time and upon the termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all copies and embodiments, in whatever form, of all Confidential Information in Executives possession or within Executives control (including, but not limited to, memoranda, records, notes, plans, photographs, manuals, notebooks, documentation, program listings, flow charts, magnetic media, disks, diskettes, tapes and all other materials containing any Confidential Information) irrespective of the location or form of such material. If requested by the Company, Executive will provide the Company with written confirmation that all such materials have been delivered to the Company as provided herein.
7.3 Non-Solicitation or Hire. During the Term and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive will not directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit or induce, directly or indirectly, (1) any party who is a client, customer or policyholder of the Company or a Related Company, or who was a client, customer or policyholder of the Company or a Related Company at any time during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date of termination, for the purpose of marketing, selling or providing to any such party any services or products offered by or available from the Company or a Related Company and (2) any employee of the Company or a Related Company or any person who was an employee of the Company or a Related Company during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date Executives employment terminates
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to terminate such employees employment relationship with the Company or a Related Company, in either case, to enter into a similar relationship with Executive or any other person or any entity in competition with the Company or a Related Company. During the Term and for a period of one (1)-year following the termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive will not enter into an employment relationship, directly or indirectly, with any employee of the Company or a Related Company or any person who was an employee of the Company or a Related Company during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date Executives employment terminates.
7.4 Non-Competition. During the Term and for a period of twelve (12) months following Executives termination of employment for any reason, Executive will not, whether individually, as a director, manager, member, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, consultant or agent of any business, or in any other capacity, other than on behalf of the Company or a Related Company, organize, establish, own, operate, manage, control, engage in, participate in, invest in, permit Executives name to be used by, act as a consultant or advisor to, render services for (alone or in association with any person, firm, corporation or business organization) or otherwise assist any person or entity that engages in or owns, invests in, operates, manages or controls any venture or enterprise which engages or proposes to engage in any business conducted by the Company or a Related Company during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date Executives employment terminates.
7.5 Company Policies. During the Term and all periods thereafter, Executive will remain in strict compliance with the Companys policies and guidelines, including the Companys code of business conduct or code of ethics.
8. Representations and Warranties by Executive. Executive represents and warrants the following:
8.1 Skills and Competencies. Any resume, employment history or related information directly or indirectly provided by Executive to the Company, whether orally or in writing, is true, complete and accurate in all respects. Further, Executive is qualified by education and experience to perform the duties contemplated by this Agreement.
8.2 Absence of Restrictions. Executive is not a party to or subject to any restrictive covenants, legal restrictions or other agreements in favor of any entity or person which would in any way preclude, inhibit, impair or limit Executives ability to perform Executives obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements or confidentiality agreements.
8.3 Absence of Litigation. Within the 5-year period ending on the Effective Date, Executive has not been involved in any proceeding, claim, lawsuit or investigation alleging wrongdoing by Executive in connection with any prior employer before any court or public or private arbitration board or panel.
9. Remedies; Specific Performance. The parties acknowledge and agree that Executives breach or threatened breach of any of the restrictions set forth in Section 7 will result
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in irreparable and continuing damage to the Company and the Related Companies for which there may be no adequate remedy at law and that the Company and the Related Companies are entitled to equitable relief, including specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for any such breach or threatened or attempted breach. Executive consents to the grant of an injunction (temporary or otherwise) against Executive or the entry of any other court order against Executive prohibiting and enjoining Executive from violating, or directing Executive to comply with, any provision of Section 7. Executive also agrees that such remedies are in addition to any and all remedies, including damages, available to the Company and the Related Companies against Executive for such breaches or threatened or attempted breaches. In addition, without limiting the Companys and the Related Companies remedies for any breach of any restriction on Executive set forth in Section 7, except as required by law, Executive is not entitled to any payments set forth in Sections 5.3 or 5.4 if Executive has breached the covenants contained in Section 7. Executive will immediately return to the Company any such payments previously received under Sections 5.3 or 5.4 upon such a breach and, in the event of such breach, the Company will have no obligation to pay any of the amounts that remain payable by the Company under Sections 5.3 or 5.4.
10. Code Section 409A. The provisions of this Section 10 shall apply notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement related to the timing of payments following Executives termination or resignation.
10.1 Delay of Payments. If, at the time of Executives termination or resignation with the Company, Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined below), then the Severance Amount, outstanding awards payable under the Plan and any other amounts payable under this Agreement that the Company determines constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and which are subject to the six-month delay required by Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(c)(3)(v), shall be delayed and not paid to Executive until the first business day following the six-month anniversary of Executives date of termination or resignation (the Short-Term Deferral Date), at which time such delayed amounts will be paid to Executive in a cash lump sum (the Catch-Up Amount). If payment of an amount is delayed as a result of this Section 10.1, such amount shall be increased with interest from the date on which such amount would otherwise have been paid to Executive but for this Section 10.1 to the day prior to the date the Catch-Up Amount is paid. The rate of interest shall be the applicable short-term federal rate applicable under Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code for the month in which the date of Executives termination or resignation occurs. Such interest shall be paid at the same time that the Catch-Up Amount is paid. If Executive dies on or after the date of Executives termination or resignation and prior to the Short-Term Deferral Date, any amount delayed pursuant to this Section 10.1 shall be paid to Executives estate or beneficiary, as applicable, together with interest, within 30 days following the date of Executives death.
10.2 Specified Employee has the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. The determination of whether Executive constitutes a Specified Employee on the date of his termination or resignation shall be made in accordance with the Companys established methodology for determining Specified Employees.
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10.3 Separation from Service means a separation from service from the Company within the meaning of the default rules under the final regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms terminate, terminated, termination and resignation mean a termination of Executives employment that constitutes a Separation from Service.
10.4 Separate Payments and Reimbursements. For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to this Agreement, each separately identifiable amount to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefit payments under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, such reimbursements and in-kind benefit payments shall be made in accordance with Section 409A, and payments of such reimbursements or in-kind benefits shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the relevant expense is incurred.
11. Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, all notices and other communications will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or if sent either by Federal Express, hand-delivery, e-mail, or postage prepaid, by certified mail, return receipt requested, with a copy by ordinary mail, to the addresses below:
If to Executive: |
If to the Company: | |
Jon Springer To Executives most recent address on file with the Company |
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. 1110 West Commercial Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Attn: Janet Conde |
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Section 11, except that notices of any change of address is effective only upon actual receipt.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto, including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement; provided, however, that the certain Indemnification Agreement between the Company and Executive, dated November 15, 2012, shall continue in effect following the execution of this Agreement. No severance or other termination payments are payable to Executive under the Prior Agreement or under any other plan or arrangement of the Company in connection with the execution of this Agreement or the termination of the Prior Agreement or Executives employment with Blue Atlantic.
13. Waiver and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any
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right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.
14. Governing Law: This Agreement and the implementation of it shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Florida applicable to contracts fully executed and performed in such State, and any legal proceedings relating to (i) the interpretation or enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or (ii) any dispute relating to the employment relationship created by the Agreement, shall only be brought in the Circuit Court of the State of Florida, in and for the County of Dade.
15. Venue. The parties agree that the exclusive venue for any litigation relating to this Agreement will be the state courts located in Broward County, Florida and the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division in Broward County, Florida. The parties waive any rights to object to venue as set forth herein, including any argument of inconvenience for any reason.
16. Assignability by the Company and Executive. Executive consents to and the Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its successors or assigns. All covenants or agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by or against the Companys successors or assigns. The terms successors and assigns shall include, but not be limited to, any successor upon a Change in Control. Other than to the extent provided in Section 5.6, Executive may not assign this Agreement or the rights and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive should die while any amounts would still be payable to him hereunder had he continued to live, then all such amounts (unless otherwise provided herein) shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executives estate.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which will constitute one and the same instrument.
18. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of terms contained herein.
19. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction of any foreign, federal, state, county or local government or any other governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected or impaired or invalidated. If any court determines that any of such covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable because of the geographic or temporal scope of such provision, such court will reduce such scope to the minimum extent necessary to make such covenants valid and enforceable. Executive acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7 are a condition of this Agreement and are reasonable and valid in temporal scope and in all other respects.
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20. Tax Withholding. The Company or other payor is authorized to withhold from any benefit provided or payment due hereunder, the amount of withholding taxes due any federal, state or local authority in respect of such benefit or payment and to take such other action as may be necessary in the Companys opinion to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above mentioned.
Executive: |
/s/ Jon Springer |
Jon Springer
|
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. |
/s/ Bradley I. Meier |
Bradley I. Meier President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This employment agreement (Agreement), dated as of February 22, 2013, is between Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. a Delaware corporation (Company), and Norman Meier (Employee).
WHEREAS, the parties wish to establish the terms of Employees employment with the Company.
Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment and Acceptance. The Company will employ Employee, and Employee will accept employment, subject to the terms of this Agreement, as of February 22, 2013 (Effective Date).
2. Term. Subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 5, this Agreement and the employment relationship hereunder will continue from the Effective Date until December 31, 2017, and thereafter shall be renewable for successive one (1)-year intervals upon the mutual agreement of Employee and the Company; provided, that in no event shall the term of this Agreement extend beyond December 31, 2022. As used in this Agreement, the Term means the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the date Employees employment terminates in accordance with this Section 2 or Section 5. In the event that Employees employment terminates, the Companys obligation to continue to pay all Base Salary and other benefits then accrued will terminate except as may be provided for in Section 5.
3. Duties and Title.
3.1 Title. The Company will employ Employee to render services to the Company, its parent, its subsidiaries and its affiliates (singularly, Related Company or collectively, Related Companies). The Company will employ Employee as Marketing Advisor.
3.2 Duties. Employee will be employed on a part time basis without a specific number of committed hours and as requested by the Companys Chief Executive Officer to whom he shall report.
3.3 Other Business Activities. Employee may not engage in any activity that conflicts with the Companys or a Related Companys interests or would materially interfere with the Employees obligation of loyalty to the Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Employee may not hold, directly or indirectly, an ownership interest of more than 2% in any entity which competes with the Company or a Related Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.
4. Compensation and Benefits by the Company. As compensation for all services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will provide Employee the following during the Term:
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4.1 Base Salary. The Company will pay Employee an annual base salary of $85,000 payable in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices. The Base Salary may be subject to adjustment, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. For purposes of this Agreement, Base Salary means Employees base salary as adjusted.
4.2 Annual Bonus. For each fiscal year during the Term, Employee may be awarded an annual bonus payment as determined by the Company in its sole discretion (Annual Bonus). Employees employment with the Company must continue through the date any Annual Bonus is paid.
4.3 Participation in Employee Benefit Plans. Employee is entitled, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in the Companys benefit plans generally available to Company employees in similar positions. Employee is eligible to participate in the Companys equity incentive plans, including the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time, at the Companys sole discretion.
4.4 [Reserved].
4.5 Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Employee for all appropriate business expenses Employee incurs in connection with Employees performance if his obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the Companys policies as in effect from time to time.
5. Termination of Employment.
5.1 Payment Upon Termination. If Employees employment terminates for any reason, Employee will receive, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to (1) accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, (2) any employee benefits Employee may be entitled to pursuant to the Companys employee benefit plans through the date of termination and (3) expenses reimbursable under Section 4.5 incurred but not yet reimbursed to Employee through the date of termination.
5.2 Payment Upon Termination Without Cause. If during the Term the Company terminates Employees employment without Cause (which may be done at any time without prior notice), within 30 days of termination Employee will receive, in addition to the payment specified in Section 5.1, a lump-sum cash payment equal to Employees Base Salary for a period equal to the remaining Term of the Agreement, provided Employee executes (without revocation) a valid release agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company. The Company will have no obligation to provide the benefits set forth in this Section 5.2 in the event that Employee breaches the provisions of Section 6. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause means, as determined by Company (or its designee), (1) Employees material breach of Employees obligations or representations under this Agreement, (2) Employees arrest for, conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony, (3) Employees acts of dishonesty resulting or intending to result in personal gain or enrichment at the Companys or a Related Companys expense, (4) Employees fraudulent, unlawful or grossly negligent conduct in connection with Employees duties under this Agreement, (5) Employees engaging in personal conduct which
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seriously discredits or damages the Company or a Related Company, (6) contravention of the Companys specific lawful directions or continuing inattention to or continuing failure to adequately perform the duties described under Section 3.2, (7) Employees material breach of the Companys manuals, written policies, codes or procedures, (8) initiation of a regulatory inquiry, investigation or proceeding regarding Employees performance of duties on the Companys or a Related Companys behalf or (8) breach of Employees covenants set forth in Section 6 below before termination of employment. A termination for Cause is effective immediately or on such other date set forth by the Company.
5.3 Payment Upon Termination for Good Reason. If during the Term Employee terminates Employees employment for Good Reason, within 30 days of termination Employee will receive, in addition to the payment specified in Section 5.1, a lump-sum cash payment equal to Employees Base Salary for a period equal to the remaining Term of the Agreement, provided Employee executes (without revocation) a valid release agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company. The Company will have no obligation to provide the benefits set forth in this Section 5.3 in the event that Employee breaches the provisions of Section 6. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means, without Employees consent, the Companys material breach of the Agreement. Employee must notify the Company in writing within 30 days of the occurrence of any breach constituting Good Reason. Employee must give the Company 30 days following receipt of such written notice to cure the breach.
5.4 Termination Because of Death. If Employees employment terminates because of Employees death, within 30 days of termination Employees legal representatives will receive, in addition to the payments specified in Section 5.1, a lump-sum cash payment equal to Employees unpaid Base Salary from the date of termination through the last day of the month in which Employees death occurred and any employee benefits Employee may be entitled to pursuant to the Companys employee benefit plans through such period.
5.5 Termination Because of Disability. The Company may terminate Employees employment because of Employees Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means a determination by the Company that, as a result of a physical or mental injury or illness, Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employees job with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of 90 consecutive days or 60 days in any six (6)-month period.
6. Restrictions and Obligations of Employee.
6.1 Non-Disparagement. Employee will not at any time (whether during or after the Term) publish or communicate to any person or entity any Disparaging remarks, comments or statements concerning the Company or a Related Company, and their respective present and former members, partners, directors, officers, shareholders, employees, agents, attorneys, successors, assigns, clients and agents. Disparaging remarks, comments or statements are those that impugn the character, honesty, integrity, morality, business acumen or abilities in connection with any aspect of the operation of business of the individual or entity being disparaged.
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6.2 Confidentiality. During the course of Employees employment, Employee has had and will have access to certain trade secrets and confidential information relating to the Company and the Related Companies which is not readily available from sources outside the Company. The parties agree that the business in which the Company engages is highly sales-oriented and the goodwill established between Employee and the Companys customers and potential customers is a valuable and legitimate business interest worthy of protection under this Agreement. Employee recognizes that, by virtue of Employees employment by the Company, Employee is granted otherwise prohibited access to the Companys confidential and proprietary data which is not known to its competitors and which has independent economic value to the Company and that Employee will gain an intimate knowledge of the Companys reinsurance business and its policies, customers, employees and trade secrets, and of other confidential, proprietary, privileged or secret information of the Company and its clients (collectively, all such nonpublic information is referred to as Confidential Information). This Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, data relating to the Companys marketing and servicing programs, procedures and techniques, business, management and personnel strategies, analytic tools and processes, the criteria and formulae used by the Company in pricing its insurance products and claims management, loss control and information management services, the Companys computer system, reinsurance marketing program and the skill of marketing and selling products, the structure and pricing of special reinsurance products or packages that the Company has negotiated with various underwriters, lists of prospects, customer lists and renewals, the identity, authority and responsibilities of key contacts at clients accounts, the composition and organization of clients business, the peculiar risks inherent in a clients operations, highly sensitive details concerning the structure, conditions and extent of a clients existing insurance and reinsurance coverages, policy expiration dates and premium amounts, commission rates, risk management service arrangements, loss histories and other data showing clients particularized insurance requirements and preferences.
Except as required by law or an order of a court or governmental agency with jurisdiction, Employee will not, during the Term or any time thereafter, disclose any Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor will Employee use it in any way. Employee will take all reasonable steps to safeguard the Confidential Information and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Employee understands and agrees that Employee will acquire no rights to any such Confidential Information.
At the Companys request from time to time and upon the termination of Employees employment for any reason, Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all copies and embodiments, in whatever form, of all Confidential Information in Employees possession or within Employees control (including, but not limited to, memoranda, records, notes, plans, photographs, manuals, notebooks, documentation, program listings, flow charts, magnetic media, disks, diskettes, tapes and all other materials containing any Confidential Information) irrespective of the location or form of such material. If requested by the Company, Employee will provide the Company with written confirmation that all such materials have been delivered to the Company as provided herein.
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6.3 Non-Solicitation or Hire. During the Term and for a period of one (1)-year following the termination of Employees employment for any reason, Employee will not directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit or induce, directly or indirectly, (1) any party who is a client, customer or policyholder of the Company or a Related Company, or who was a client, customer or policyholder of the Company or a Related Company at any time during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date of termination, for the purpose of marketing, selling or providing to any such party any services or products offered by or available from the Company or a Related Company and (2) any employee of the Company or a Related Company or any person who was an employee of the Company or a Related Company during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date Employees employment terminates to terminate such employees employment relationship with the Company or a Related Company, in either case, to enter into a similar relationship with Employee or any other person or any entity in competition with the Company or a Related Company. During the Term and for a period of one (1)-year following the termination of Employees employment for any reason, Employee will not enter into an employment relationship, directly or indirectly, with any employee of the Company or a Related Company or any person who was an employee of the Company or a Related Company during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date Employees employment terminates.
6.4 Non-Competition. During the Term and for a period of one (1)-year following the Employees termination of employment for any reason, Employee will not, whether individually, as a director, manager, member, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, consultant or agent of any business, or in any other capacity, other than on behalf of the Company or a Related Company, organize, establish, own, operate, manage, control, engage in, participate in, invest in, permit Employees name to be used by, act as a consultant or advisor to, render services for (alone or in association with any person, firm, corporation or business organization) or otherwise assist any person or entity that engages in or owns, invests in, operates, manages or controls any venture or enterprise which engages or proposes to engage in any business conducted by the Company or a Related Company during the one (1)-year period immediately prior to the date Employees employment terminates.
6.5 Company Policies. During the Term and all periods thereafter, Employee will remain in strict compliance with the Companys policies and guidelines, including the Companys code of business conduct or code of ethics.
7. Representations and Warranties by Employee. Employee represents and warrants the following:
7.1 Skills and Competencies. Any resume, employment history or related information directly or indirectly provided by Employee to the Company, whether orally or in writing, is true, complete and accurate in all respects. Further, Employee is qualified by education and experience to perform the duties contemplated by this Agreement.
7.2 Absence of Restrictions. Employee is not a party to or subject to any restrictive covenants, legal restrictions or other agreements in favor of any entity or person which would in any way preclude, inhibit, impair or limit Employees ability to perform
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Employees obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements or confidentiality agreements.
7.3 Absence of Litigation. Within the 5-year period ending on the Effective Date, Employee has not been involved in any proceeding, claim, lawsuit or investigation alleging wrongdoing by Employee in connection with any prior employer before any court or public or private arbitration board or panel.
8. Remedies; Specific Performance. The parties acknowledge and agree that Employees breach or threatened breach of any of the restrictions set forth in Section 6 will result in irreparable and continuing damage to the Company and the Related Companies for which there may be no adequate remedy at law and that the Company and the Related Companies are entitled to equitable relief, including specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for any such breach or threatened or attempted breach. Employee consents to the grant of an injunction (temporary or otherwise) against Employee or the entry of any other court order against Employee prohibiting and enjoining Employee from violating, or directing Employee to comply with, any provision of Section 6. Employee also agrees that such remedies are in addition to any and all remedies, including damages, available to the Company and the Related Companies against Employee for such breaches or threatened or attempted breaches. In addition, without limiting the Companys and the Related Companies remedies for any breach of any restriction on Employee set forth in Section 6, except as required by law, Employee is not entitled to any payments set forth in Sections 5.2 or 5.3 if Employee has breached the covenants contained in Section 6. Employee will immediately return to the Company any such payments previously received under Sections 5.2 or 5.3 upon such a breach and, in the event of such breach, the Company will have no obligation to pay any of the amounts that remain payable by the Company under Sections 5.2 or 5.3.
9. Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments to be made to Employee under this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code). If the Company determines that Employee is not a specified employee as defined in Section 409A of the Code as of the date of Employees termination, no payment described in Section 5.2 will be paid earlier than the date on which Employee incurs a separation from service as that term is defined in Section 409A of the Code. If the Company determines that Employee is a specified employee as of the date of Employees termination, no payment described in Section 5.2 will be paid earlier than the date that is six (6) months after the date on which Employee incurs a separation from service, but will be paid during the calendar year following the year in which the termination occurs and within 30 calendar days of the earliest possible date permitted under Section 409A of the Code.
10. Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, all notices and other communications will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or when mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, first-class postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to Employee: |
If to the Company: | |
To Employees most recent address on file with the Company |
1110 West Commercial Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Attn: Janet Conde |
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Section 10, except that notices of any change of address is effective only upon actual receipt.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.
12. Waiver and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.
13. Governing Law: This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida applicable to agreements made and not to be performed entirely within such state, without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
14. Venue. The parties agree that the exclusive venue for any litigation relating to this Agreement will be the state courts located in Broward County, Florida and the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division in Broward County, Florida. The parties waive any rights to object to venue as set forth herein, including any argument of inconvenience for any reason.
15. Assignability by the Company and Employee. The Company may assign this Agreement, and the rights and obligations hereunder, at any time. Other than to the extent provided in Section 5.4, Employee may not assign this Agreement or the rights and obligations hereunder.
16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which will constitute one and the same instrument.
17. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of terms contained herein.
18. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction of any foreign, federal, state, county or local government or any other governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for
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any reason, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected or impaired or invalidated. If any court determines that any of such covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable because of the geographic or temporal scope of such provision, such court will reduce such scope to the minimum extent necessary to make such covenants valid and enforceable. Employee acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in Section 6 are a condition of this Agreement and are reasonable and valid in temporal scope and in all other respects.
19. Tax Withholding. The Company or other payor is authorized to withhold from any benefit provided or payment due hereunder, the amount of withholding taxes due any federal, state or local authority in respect of such benefit or payment and to take such other action as may be necessary in the Companys opinion to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes.
[signatures on following page]
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above mentioned.
EMPLOYEE | ||
/s/ Norman M. Meier | ||
Norman M. Meier |
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Sean P. Downes | |
Name: | Sean P. Downes | |
Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
Employment Agreement Signature Page
Exhibit 99.1
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
APPOINTS SEAN DOWNES AS PRESIDENT AND CEO;
JON SPRINGER AS SVP AND COO
Fort Lauderdale, Fla., February 22, 2013 Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Company) (NYSE MKT: UVE) announced today that, as expected, the Board of Directors appointed Sean P. Downes to succeed Bradley I. Meier as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of the close of business today. Mr. Downes will remain a director of the Company.
Mr. Downes, a 14-year veteran with the Company, has been the Companys Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and a director since January 2005, and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, since July 2003. Mr. Downes, age 43, was Chief Operating Officer of Universal Adjusting Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from July 1999 to July 2003. During that time Mr. Downes created the Companys claims operation. Before joining the Company in July 1999, Mr. Downes was Vice President of Downes and Associates, a multi-line insurance claims adjustment corporation.
The Company also announced today that, as expected, the Board of Directors appointed Jon W. Springer as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The Board also elected Mr. Springer a director of the Company to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Bradley Meiers resignation, with the appointment and election each effective as of the close of business today. Mr. Springer, age 43, was Executive Vice President of Universal Risk Advisors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from June 2006 through March 2008, and has been the Executive Vice President of Blue Atlantic Reinsurance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, since March 2008. Before joining Universal Risk Advisors, Inc., Mr. Springer was an Executive Vice President of Willis Re, Inc. and was responsible for managing property and casualty operations in its Minneapolis office.
The Company also announced that Norman M. Meier has resigned as Secretary and a director of the Company, effective as of the close of business today. Mr. Meier will remain employed by the Company in an advisory capacity.
It is an exciting time for the Company and I look forward to leading the Company as the next President and Chief Executive Officer. I am grateful for this opportunity and plan to grow and strengthen the Company in new and positive ways, said Mr. Downes. Jon Springer has been a valuable part of our success since 2006 and I am confident that he will be a great asset to our management team as we pursue these goals. I would also like to thank Norman Meier for his years of service as a director of the Company. We wish him the very best in the future.
About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Company), with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the three leading writers of homeowners insurance in
Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts and Maryland. American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company, also a wholly-owned subsidiary, currently writes homeowners multi-peril insurance on Florida homes valued in excess of $1 million, which are limits and coverages currently not targeted through its affiliate UPCIC. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words believe, expect, anticipate, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Companys operations and future results, refer to the Companys reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.
Investor Contact:
Philip Kranz, Dresner Corporate Services, 312-780-7240, pkranz@dresnerco.com