Exhibit 10.1
SEAHAWK DRILLING,
INC.
EMPLOYMENT/NON-COMPETITION/
CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENT
WILLIAM C. HOFFMAN
EMPLOYMENT/NON-COMPETITION/CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENT
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DATE:
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The date of
execution set forth below.
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COMPANY/EMPLOYER:
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Seahawk
Drilling, Inc.,
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a Delaware
corporation
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5847 San
Felipe, Floor 16
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Houston, Texas
77057
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EMPLOYEE:
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William C.
Hoffman
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2003 Parco
Verde Circle
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Katy, Texas
77450
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This
Employment/Non-Competition/Confidentiality Agreement by and between
Seahawk Drilling, Inc. (the “Company”) and William C.
Hoffman (“Employee”) (together the
“Parties”), effective as of August 31, 2009 (the
“Agreement”), is made on the terms as herein
provided.
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to
secure the services of Employee subject to the contractual terms
and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Employee is willing to
enter into the Agreement upon the terms and conditions and for the
consideration set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in
consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and obligations
contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
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I.
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PRIOR
AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS
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Employee represents and warrants to
the Company that (i) he has no continuing non-competition,
non-solicitation or other similar agreements with any prior
employers that have not been disclosed in writing to the Company
and (ii) neither the execution of the Agreement by Employee
nor the performance by Employee of his obligations under the
Agreement will result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a
default under the provisions of any contract, agreement or other
instrument to which Employee is or was a party.
Words used in the Agreement in the
singular shall include the plural and in the plural the singular,
and the gender of words used shall be construed to include
whichever may be appropriate under any particular circumstances of
the masculine, feminine or neuter genders.
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2.01
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BOARD. The term
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the
Company.
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2.02
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CAUSE. The term
“Cause” means: (i) the willful and continued
failure of Employee substantially to perform his duties with the
Company (other than any failure due to physical or mental
incapacity) after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to him by the Board which specifically identifies the
manner in which the Board believes he has not substantially
performed his duties, (ii) willful misconduct materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company, (iii) intentional
action, materially and demonstrably injurious to Company, which
Employee knows would not comply with the laws of the United States
or any other jurisdiction applicable to Employee’s actions on
behalf of the Company, and/or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates, including specifically, without limitation, the United
States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, generally codified in 15 USC
78 (the “FCPA”), as the FCPA may hereafter be amended,
and/or its successor statutes, or (iv) material violation of
one or more of the covenants in Article V (except violation of
the covenant not to compete after termination of employment after
Change in Control as discussed herein). No act or failure to act by
Employee shall be considered “willful” unless done or
omitted to be done by him not in good faith and without reasonable
belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the
Company. The unwillingness of Employee to accept any or all of a
change in the nature or scope of his position, authorities or
duties, a reduction in his total compensation or benefits, or other
action by or at request of the Company in respect of his position,
authority, or responsibility that is contrary to this Agreement,
may not be considered by the Board to be a failure to perform or
misconduct by Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee
shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause for purposes
of the Agreement unless and until there shall have been delivered
to him a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by a vote of
three-fourths of the entire Board at a meeting of the Board called
and held (after a notice to Employee identifying in reasonable
detail the manner in which Company believes Cause exists and an
opportunity for Employee and his counsel to prepare for and to be
heard before the Board) for the purpose of considering whether
Employee has been guilty of such a willful failure to perform or
such willful misconduct as justifies termination for Cause
hereunder, finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board,
Employee has been guilty thereof, and specifying the particulars
thereof.
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2.03
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CHANGE IN
CONTROL. The term “Change in Control” of the Company
shall mean, and shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of the
first to occur of any of the following:
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a.
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any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is or becomes
a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total
voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
securities;
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b.
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during any
period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who, as of the date
hereof, constitute the members of the Board (the “Incumbent
Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death or
disability to constitute at least a majority of the members of the
Board, provided that any director who was nominated for election or
was elected with the approval of at least a majority of the members
of the Board who are at the time Incumbent Directors shall be
considered an Incumbent Director unless such individual’s
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal
of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the
Board;
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c.
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the
consummation of any transaction (including any merger,
amalgamation, consolidation or scheme of arrangement), the result
of which is that less than fifty percent (50%) of the total
voting power of the surviving corporation is represented by shares
held by former shareholders of the Company prior to such
transaction; or
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d.
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the Company
shall have sold, transferred or exchanged all, or substantially
all, of its assets to another corporation or other entity or
person.
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2.04
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CODE. The term
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
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2.05
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COMPANY. The
term “Company” means Seahawk Drilling, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, as the same presently exists, or any and all
successors, regardless of the nature of the entity or the state or
nation of organization, whether by assignment, reorganization,
merger, consolidation, absorption or dissolution. For the purpose
of Article V the term “Company” includes all
subsidiaries of the Company to the extent such subsidiary is
carrying on any portion of the business of the Company or a
business similar to that being conducted by the Company. With
regard to the determination of the amount or level of the
Employee’s compensation and benefits payable hereunder,
including annual bonuses and equity incentives, the term
“Company” means the Board and/or the Compensation
Committee of the Board.
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2.06
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CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION. The term “Constructive Termination” means
a Termination by reason of Employee’s resignation for any one
or more of the following events:
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a.
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Employee’s resignation or retirement is
requested by the Company other than for Cause;
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b.
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any material
reduction in Employee’s Annual Base Salary, Target Bonus or
benefits other than equity or long-term incentive awards or actual
bonus award payouts, in all cases as then in effect immediately
prior to such reduction;
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c.
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any
circumstance by which the actions of the Company either reduce or
change Employee’s title, position, duties, responsibilities
or authority to such an extent or in such a manner as to relegate
Employee to a position not substantially similar to that which he
held prior to such reduction or change and which would degrade,
embarrass or otherwise make it unreasonable for Employee to remain
in the employment of the Company;
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d.
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any requirement
of the Company that Employee relocate more than 50 miles from
downtown Houston, Texas, unless Employee recommended the
relocation; or
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e.
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the material
breach by the Company of any provision of the Agreement.
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Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary, in order for Employee’s resignation to be deemed a
Constructive Termination, (A) Employee must provide, within
60 days following the occurrence of the event that Employee
claims constitutes a Constructive Termination, a written notice to
the Company that Employee intends to terminate his
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employment with the Company;
(B) the written notice must describe the event constituting
the Constructive Termination in reasonable detail; and
(C) within 30 days after receiving such notice from
Employee, the Company must fail to reinstate Employee to the
position he was in, or otherwise cure the circumstances giving rise
to the Constructive Termination.
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2.07
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COVERED
TERMINATION. The term “Covered Termination” shall mean
the Employee’s Termination for any reason other than
(i) Cause, (ii) Voluntary Resignation or
(iii) death. Accordingly, a Covered Termination includes the
Employee’s Termination by reason of Constructive Termination
or Disability or Termination at the end of any “Employment
Period” due to non-renewal or failure to extend this
Agreement for any reason. Notwithstanding any provision hereof to
the contrary, the Company shall have the right to terminate
Employee’s employment at any time during the Employment
Period, as defined below (including any extended term), and the
Company has no obligation to deliver advance notice of
termination.
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2.08
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CUSTOMER. The
term “Customer” includes all persons, firms or entities
that are purchasers or end-users of services or products offered,
provided, developed, designed, sold or leased by the Company during
the relevant time periods, and all persons, firms or entities which
control, or which are controlled by, the same person, firm or
entity which controls such purchase.
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2.09
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DISABILITY. The
term “Disability” means physical or mental incapacity
qualifying Employee for a long-term disability under the
Company’s long-term disability plan. If no such plan exists
on the date on which a relevant determination is being made, the
term “Disability” means physical or mental incapacity
as determined by a doctor jointly selected by Employee and the
Board qualifying Employee for long-term disability under reasonable
employment standards.
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2.10
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EFFECTIVE DATE.
The term “Effective Date” means the date that the
Agreement becomes effective and binding.
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2.11
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MAXIMUM BONUS.
The term “Maximum Bonus” shall mean
(i) Employee’s maximum bonus under the Company’s
annual bonus incentive plan for the fiscal year in which a Covered
Termination occurs as determined in accordance with
Section 3.04b or (ii) if the Company has not specified a
maximum bonus for such year, Employee’s maximum bonus under
the Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the last year
in which the Company had specified such a maximum bonus, or
(iii) if the Company has not specified a maximum bonus in the
year of the Covered Termination or in a previous year, the maximum
bonus identified in Section 3.04b.
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2.12
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SECTION 409A. The term
“Section 409A” refers to Section 409A of the
Code and applicable Treasury authorities promulgated
thereunder.
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2.13
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TARGET BONUS.
The term “Target Bonus” shall mean
(i) Employee’s target bonus under the Company’s
annual bonus incentive plan for the fiscal year in which a Covered
Termination occurs as determined in accordance with
Section 3.04b or (ii) if the Company has not specified a
target bonus for such year, Employee’s target bonus under the
Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the last year in
which the Company had specified such a target bonus, or
(iii) if the Company has not specified a target bonus in the
year of the Covered Termination or in a previous year, the minimum
target bonus identified in Section 3.04b.
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2.14
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TERMINATION.
The term “Termination” means Employee’s
“separation from service” with the Company and all of
its affiliates as that phrase is defined for purposes of
Section 409A.
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2.15
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VOLUNTARY
RESIGNATION. The term “Voluntary Resignation” means any
Termination by Employee for any reason other than a Constructive
Termination.
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3.01
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EMPLOYMENT.
Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, the Company hereby
agrees to continue to employ Employee, and Employee hereby agrees
to remain in the employ of the Company, for the Employment Period.
During the Employment Period, Employee shall exercise such position
and authority and perform such responsibilities as are commensurate
with the position to which he is assigned and as directed by his
supervisor. The office, position and title for which Employee is
initially employed is that of Senior Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer. Employee and the Company agree that the Company
may re-assign Employee to another office, position and/or title,
subject to Employee’s rights under
Section 2.06.
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3.02
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BEST EFFORTS
AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYEE; BUSINESS EXPENSES;
AND OFFICE AND OTHER SERVICES.
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a.
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During the
Employment Period, Employee agrees that he will at all times
faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability,
experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may be
required of and from him pursuant to the express and implicit terms
hereof.
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b.
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During the
Employment Period, Employee shall devote his normal and regular
business time, attention and skill to the business and interests of
the Company, and the Company shall be entitled to all of the
benefits, profits or other issue arising from or incident to all
work, services and advice of Employee performed for the Company.
Such employment shall be considered “full time”
employment. Employee shall also have the right to devote such
incidental and immaterial amounts of his time which are not
required for the full and faithful performance of his duties
hereunder to any outside activities and businesses which are not
being engaged in by the Company and which shall not otherwise
interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of the
Agreement for Employee to (i) serve on corporate, civic or
charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures,
fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions
and (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such
activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of
Employee’s responsibilities hereunder. Employee shall have
the right to make investments in any business provided such
investment does not result in a violation of Article V of the
Agreement or other applicable Company policies.
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c.
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Employee
acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with his employment
relationship with the Company, Employee owes a fiduciary duty to
the Company. In keeping with these duties, Employee shall make full
disclosure to the Company of all business opportunities pertaining
to the Company’s business and shall not appropriate for
Employee’s own benefit business opportunities concerning the
subject matter of the fiduciary relationship.
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d.
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Employee shall
not intentionally take any action which he knows would not comply
with the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction
applicable to Employee’s actions on behalf of the Company,
and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including
specifically, without limitation, the FCPA, as the FCPA may
hereafter be amended, and/or its successor statutes.
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e.
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During and
after the Employment Period, Employee agrees to refrain from any
disparaging comments about the Company, any affiliates, or any
current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or
any affiliate, and Employee agrees not to take any action, or
assist any person in taking any other action, in each case, that is
materially adverse to the interests of the Company or any affiliate
or inconsistent with fostering the goodwill of the Company and its
affiliates; provided, however , that nothing in the
Agreement shall apply to or restrict in any way the communication
of information by Employee to any state or federal law enforcement
agency or require notice to the Company thereof, and Employee will
not be in breach of the covenant contained above solely by reason
of his testimony which is compelled by process of law. During and
after the Employment Period, the Company and its affiliates,
officers, directors, and authorized representatives and agents
agree to refrain from any disparaging comments about Employee;
provided, however , that nothing in the Agreement shall
apply to or restrict in any way the communication of information by
the Company and its affiliates, officers, directors, and authorized
representatives and agents to any state or federal law enforcement
agency or require notice to Employee thereof, and the Company and
its affiliates, officers, directors, and authorized representatives
and agents will not be in breach of the covenant contained above
solely by reason of testimony which is compelled by process of
law.
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f.
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During the
Employment Period, Employee shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company as in effect from time to time. Such
reimbursement shall be made subject to the terms and conditions of
the Company’s policy on the earlier of (i)&
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