| (a) |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer during the Agreement Term (as defined below).
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| (b) |
During the Agreement Term, the Executive shall devote full time (paid time off and other authorized leave excepted) and best efforts, energies and talents to serving the Company as an employee.
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| (c) |
The Executive agrees to perform his duties faithfully, efficiently and with integrity subject to the direction of the Company. The Executive will have such authority, power, responsibilities and
duties as are inherent in such position and necessary to carry out such responsibilities and the duties required hereunder, as well as any additional duties and authority granted to him by the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”).
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| (d) |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Agreement Term, the Executive may devote reasonable time to activities other than those required under this Agreement, including activities involving
professional, charitable, educational, religious and similar types of organizations, speaking engagements, membership on the boards of directors of other profit or not-for-profit organizations, and similar activities, to the extent that such
other activities do not, in the judgment of the Company, inhibit or prohibit the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement or conflict in any material way with the Company’s business.
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| (e) |
The Executive shall not be required to perform services under this Agreement during any period in which Executive is determined to be Disabled (as defined below).
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| (f) |
The “Agreement Term” shall be the period beginning on November 2, 2026, for a one-year period, and thereafter automatically renewing for consecutive one-year periods unless terminated in accordance
with the provisions hereof.
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| (a) |
Base Salary. The Executive shall receive an annual base salary of Four
Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars ($440,000), effective as of the commencement of employment (the “Salary”), plus any salary increases authorized during the Agreement Term, if any, payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll cycle.
The Executive and the Company acknowledge and agree that the salaries of executive officers, including this salary, are subject to review and approval by the Management Development & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
(“Compensation Committee”).
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| (b) |
Annual Bonus. The Executive shall have the opportunity to participate in
the Company’s annual incentive (or bonus) plan or plans, under the terms and conditions as defined by the Company and in those plans as they may exist from time to time. Any bonus for the Executive shall be subject to the then-existing
requirements of the Company governing internal recommendation and approval of such a bonus. Any such annual bonus shall be paid to the Executive as soon as practicable following achievement of the requirements for the bonus, in accordance
with the terms of the annual incentive plan or plans. The Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to pay any earned bonus in cash, equity or a combination of both.
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| (c) |
Equity Awards. The Executive shall be eligible to receive equity awards
under the Company’s long-term equity incentive plans under the terms and conditions as defined by the Company and in those plans as they may exist from time to time, and in an amount determined by the Compensation Committee, subject to any
approval required by the Board of Directors.
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| (d) |
Expense Reimbursement. While the Agreement is in effect, the Company will
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties for the Company. Such reimbursement is subject to the submission to the Company by the Executive
of appropriate documentation and/or vouchers, and will be made in accordance with the customary procedures of the Company for expense reimbursement, as may from time to time be established.
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| (e) |
Other Benefits. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any and
all plans maintained by the Company to provide benefits for its salaried senior executives, and, including, without limitation, any vacation plan, pension, profit sharing or other retirement plan, any life, accident, disability, medical,
hospital or similar group insurance program and any other benefit plan, subject to the normal terms and conditions of such plans.
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| (f) |
Clawback. All payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement
are subject to clawback by the Company to the extent required by applicable law or the policies of the Company as in effect from time to time.
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| (b) |
Disability. If the Executive becomes Disabled, the Company may terminate
Executive’s employment. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to be “Disabled” if (i) eligible for disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or (ii) has a physical or mental disability which
renders Executive incapable, after reasonable accommodation, of performing substantially all of Executive’s duties hereunder for a period of 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12-month period. In the event of a dispute as to
whether the Executive is Disabled, the Company may, at its expense, refer Executive to a licensed practicing physician of the Company’s choice and the Executive agrees to submit to such tests and examination as such physician shall deem
customary and appropriate.
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| (c) |
Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder
immediately and at any time for Cause by written notice to the Executive detailing the basis for the Cause Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means (i) gross negligence or willful and continued failure by the Executive to
substantially perform his duties as an employee of the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (ii) Executive’s dishonesty, fraudulent misrepresentation, willful misconduct,
malfeasance, or violation of fiduciary duty relating to the business of the Company; or (iii) conviction of a felony.
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| (d) |
Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment
hereunder immediately and at any time without Cause (referred to hereafter as “Without Cause”) by written notice to the Executive.
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| (e) |
Termination by Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment
hereunder at any time for any reason by giving the Company prior written notice not less than thirty (30) days prior to such Termination.
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| (f) |
Mutual Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual
written agreement of the parties.
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| (g) |
Termination within Twelve (12) Months of Change in Control. Termination
because of a Change in Control (as defined in paragraph 4(d) below) occurs when the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company or its successor Without Cause within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control.
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| (h) |
Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means the last day that the
Executive is employed by the Company under the terms of this Agreement, provided that Executive’s employment is terminated in accordance with one of the foregoing provisions.
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| (a) |
If the Executive’s Termination occurs for Cause, if the Executive terminates the Agreement in accordance with paragraph 3(e) above, or if the Executive’s Termination occurs by mutual agreement, the
Company shall pay to the Executive:
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| (i) |
A lump-sum payment equivalent to the remaining unpaid portion of the Executive’s Salary for the period ending on the Date of Termination.
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| (ii) |
A lump-sum payment for all accrued and unused vacation days.
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| (iii) |
Any other payments or benefits to be provided to the Executive by the Company pursuant to any employee benefit plans or arrangements adopted by the Company, to the extent such payments and benefits
are earned and vested as of the Date of Termination, or are required by law to be offered for periods following the Executive’s Date of Termination. In addition, any bonus which has been earned by Executive and approved by the appropriate
corporate authorities but which remains unpaid as of the date of Executive’s Termination, shall be paid to Executive at such time and in such manner as if Executive had continued to be employed by the Company.
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| (b) |
If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment Without Cause as referenced in paragraph 3(d) above, or Termination occurs due to Disability in accordance with paragraph 3(b) above, the Company
shall pay or provide to the Executive the following: The amounts payable under paragraph 4(a), and in addition, the Executive shall be entitled to monthly payments over a 24-month period of an amount equal to the monthly salary which the
Executive was being paid as of the Date of Termination. Such payments will commence as of the month following the date that the Executive incurs a separation from service, as such term is defined in the context of Section 409A of the Code
(as defined below). Such payments will continue over the 24-month period in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll cycle. In the event that the Executive dies prior to the completion of the 24-month payment cycle, any amounts
remaining unpaid as of the date of Executive’s death will be paid to Executive’s estate in lump sum.
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| (c) |
If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to Death in accordance with paragraph 3(a), the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to the amounts payable under paragraph 4(a), and in addition, the
Executive’s estate shall be entitled to a lump-sum payment of an amount equal to the amount of monthly salary which the Executive was being paid as of the Date of Termination times 24 months.
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| (d) |
Upon Termination of the Executive’s employment within 12 months after a Change in Control in accordance with paragraph 3(g), Executive shall be entitled to the amounts payable under paragraph 4(a),
and in addition, the Executive shall be entitled to a lump-sum payment of amounts equal to the following: (i) the amount of monthly salary which the Executive was being paid as of the Date of Termination times 24 months; plus (ii) one (1)
times the Average Bonus Amount (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Average Bonus Amount” shall equal the average amount of the bonus to be earned for the then-current year (i.e., the year in which the Change in Control
occurs) and the bonuses received for the two immediately prior years. For purposes of calculating the Average Bonus Amount, the amount of the bonus for the then-current year shall equal the amount earned or scheduled to be earned by the
Executive as if the bonus targets set in the bonus plan have been met. The Average Bonus Amount, which is payable in lump sum, shall be paid contemporaneously with the Date of Termination. “Change in Control” means an occasion upon which (i)
any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)), other than a member of the Board of Directors or fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company or a corporation controlled by the Company, acquires (either directly and/or through becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act)), directly or indirectly, securities of the Company
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (or has acquired securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities during the
12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition of Company securities by such person); or (ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors is replaced by directors
whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors before the date of the appointment or election; or (iii) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)) acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) all, or substantially all, of the Company’s assets. Each Change in
Control event described in this paragraph is intended to constitute a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), and the IRS guidance issued thereunder and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly. For the sake of clarity, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this
Agreement, the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments under paragraphs 4(b) or 4(c) upon Termination if the Executive receives the payments under this paragraph 4(d) following a Change in Control.
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| (e) |
In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason discussed in paragraphs 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d), in addition to the amounts payable under paragraphs 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d) as
applicable, the Executive or the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to the following:
|
| (i) |
Executive’s equity and equity-based awards will continue to be subject to the terms of the applicable grant notice and award agreement, which may provide for immediate vesting of the unvested portion
of the award under certain circumstances. In addition, if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment due to Death as referenced in paragraph 3(a) above, Disability as referenced in paragraph 3(b) above, or Without Cause as referenced
in paragraph 3(d) above, all equity and equity-based awards, including but not limited to, Restricted Shares and/or Restricted Share Units, that have not yet vested shall vest immediately on the Date of Termination.
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| (ii) |
Cash payments equal to twenty-four (24) months of premium payments for medical and dental coverage. The amount of the monthly payments shall be equal to the amount of the “applicable premium” as
determined pursuant to the terms of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) (without regard to whether or not the Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage) based on the Executive’s choices under
the Company’s plan as of the Date of Termination and further based upon the current premiums as of the Date of Termination, less the amount that the Executive was contributing for coverage. The Company benefits package in which the Executive
participated will cease as of the Date of Termination.
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| (iii) |
Cash payments equal to twenty-four (24) months of benefit premiums based upon the premium rate at the Date of Termination under the terms of the Company’s Group Life Policy which allows the option to
convert to an individual policy for basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. However, the cash payments shall be no more than the amount of the premiums that the Company was paying as if the Executive was still
employed. This paragraph shall not apply if the Executive’s employment is terminated per paragraph 4(c).
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| (iv) |
Cash payments equal to the employer matching contribution, as if the Executive was still a plan participant that would otherwise have been contributed on Executive's behalf to the Code Section 401(k)
program maintained by the Company with respect to the 24-month period commencing on the Date of Termination under the following assumptions:
|
| (a) |
Executive would have made a voluntary salary reduction contribution to the Code Section 401(k) program with respect to the 24-month period based upon the salary reduction election in effect on behalf
of the Executive as of the Date of Termination.
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| (b) |
No additional "constructive matching" payments will be made under this provision with respect to a calendar year once the combination of the actual matching contributions made on behalf of Executive
to the Code Section 401(k) program for such calendar year plus the "constructive matching" payments made to Executive pursuant to this provision for such calendar equal the maximum amount of matching contributions that could have been
allocated to Executive's account under the terms of the Code Section 401(k) program with respect to such calendar year.
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| (c) |
Except as otherwise contemplated by paragraph 4(e)(vi) below, the "constructive matching" payments will be made at such times as the Company remits the actual matching contributions to the Code
Section 401(k) program.
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| (v) |
If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause in accordance with paragraph 3(d) above, all payments under this paragraph 4(e) shall be made on a periodic basis on the same
schedule as such benefits otherwise would have been payable as if the Executive was still employed at the Company. If the Executive’s employment is terminated per paragraph 3(a) or paragraph 3(g) above, all payments under this paragraph 4(e)
shall be paid in a lump-sum payment at the same time the lump sum payment is paid in accordance with paragraph 4(c) or paragraph 4(d) above.
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| (vi) |
If the Executive was receiving other benefits as of the Date of Termination that are not listed above, and to the extent such payments or benefits are earned and vested or are required by law to be
offered to the Executive for the 24-month period following the Date of Termination, then the cash equivalent or arrangements for continuing coverage will be determined at that time. However, the cash payments shall be no more than the amount
that the Company was paying as if the Executive was still employed.
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| (vii) |
If any of the benefits listed above are no longer available to the Executive as of the Date of Termination, then there will be no such payments made to continue the benefits after the Date of
Termination or its cash equivalent. The undertakings of the Company in connection with paragraphs 4(b), 4(d), 4(e)(ii) and 4(e)(iii), above, are contingent upon Executive’s compliance with the non-compete, confidentiality, and
non-solicitation provisions of paragraphs 5, 6 and 7. Should the Company determine that the Executive has committed an infraction of any component of paragraph 5, paragraph 6 or paragraph 7, the Company shall notify the Executive of its
determination and provide the Executive with 10 business days to cure the infraction or present convincing evidence that no infraction has occurred. Should the infraction not be subject to cure, or should Executive otherwise fail to cure
such infraction within 5 business days of such notice, then the Company may discontinue the payments referenced in paragraphs 4(b) and 4(e)(ii) and the continuation of benefits referenced in paragraph 4(e)(iii) and any otherwise unexercised
stock option will be forfeited.
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| (f) |
To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, if the Executive separates from service with the Company for any reason other than death and the Executive constitutes a “specified employee” as
defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code at the time of separation from service, then payment to the Executive of any amounts pursuant to paragraph 4(b) and payment of any cash amounts pursuant to paragraph 4(e) shall not commence
until a date that is six months following the date of the Executive’s separation from service with the Company. Upon the date which is six months following the date of Executive’s separation from service, all previously accrued monthly
amounts shall be payable in a lump sum and future amounts will continue to be paid pursuant to the remaining term of the 24-month payment cycle. The above-referenced six month delay in payment shall only apply to the extent required by
Section 409A of the Code, such that such delay shall not apply to payments made in connection with an involuntary termination of employment provided such payments fall within the dollar threshold described in Treas. Reg. §
1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).
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| (g) |
If the Executive becomes entitled to any amount in the nature of compensation payable by the Company (including benefits under this Agreement) that is contingent on a change in ownership, effective
control, or substantial ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and that is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Company shall reduce the
compensation payable to the minimum amount necessary to avoid the excise tax, except as follows. No reduction applies if after accounting for the excise tax and all other income and employment taxes due on the compensation payable by the
Company, the net amount that the Executive would retain would be greater than the amount the Executive would receive after reduction under this paragraph 4(g). Any reduction applies in the following order: first, cash payments; second, equity
awards; and third, noncash benefits, in each case, in reverse chronological order. The extent to which any reduction is necessary is determined by the Company’s independent accountants.
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|
EXECUTIVE
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TELOS CORPORATION,
a Maryland corporation
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/s/ Mark D. Griffin
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By:
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/s/ E. Hutchinson Robbins, Jr.
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|
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Mark D. Griffin
President & Chief Executive Officer
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E. Hutchinson Robbins, Jr.
Executive Vice President &
General Counsel
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