Exhibit 10.16
RETENTION BONUS AGREEMENT FOR
W.K.L. “SCOTT” FERGUSON
This (“ Agreement ”) is
entered into by and between you, W.K.L. “Scott”
Ferguson, Jr., and Grande Communications Networks LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and successor-in-interest to Grande
Communications Networks, Inc. (the “ Company ”),
and is effective as of September 14, 2009 (the “ Effective
Date ”). In the event the Grande
Communications Transaction (as defined herein) is not consummated,
this Agreement shall be null and void.
In consideration of the mutual promises and
considerations set forth herein, the parties agree as
follows:
1.
CHANGE IN POSITION . In
connection with the Grande Communications Transaction, the Company
will change your title and position with the
Company. The Company acknowledges and agrees that such
change in title and position involves a material diminution in your
duties and responsibilities with the Company and will constitute a
“Good Reason Termination” under the Employment
Agreement entered into between you and Grande Communications
Networks, Inc., dated as of June 28, 2006, as amended as of
February 5, 2008 (the “Employment Agreement”). By
entering into this Agreement, the Company acknowledges and agrees
that you have provided the Company with written notice of the
occurrence of this condition that may constitute a Good Reason
Termination within ninety days of its initial occurrence, as
required under Section 9(b)(3) of the Employment
Agreement. The Company does not intend to cure this
condition that constitutes Good Reason Termination and hereby
waives its right to cure such condition as is otherwise provided
under Section 9(b)(3) of the Employment Agreement. In
the event that you provide sixty days notice of your intent to
terminate employment within one year of the Effective Date as
required under Section 9(b)(3) of the Employment Agreement, the
Company agrees to fulfill its obligations under the Employment
Agreement under Section 9(b)(5) for Severance Pay (as defined under
the Employment Agreement), provided all other conditions thereunder
to receipt of Severance Pay have been satisfied. You
agree that, at any time after the date hereof, the Company may
terminate your employment and, upon such termination, shall be
responsible for all obligations associated with such termination as
set forth under the Employment Agreement.
2.
RETENTION BONUS . If (i) you remain in continuous
employment with the Company through the date that is one hundred
eighty (180) days following the Effective Date (the “
Bonus Date ”) or (ii) your employment is terminated
without Cause (as defined below) by the Company after the Effective
Date but on or before the Bonus Date (each, a “ Bonus
Triggering Event ”), the Company will pay you a retention
bonus equal to $225,000 (less payroll taxes and other applicable
withholdings and deductions) (the “ Retention Bonus
”), subject to your execution of a release on a form prepared
by the Company (the “ Release ”). Upon the
occurrence of a Bonus Triggering Event, the Retention Bonus will be
paid in a single payment within ten (10) business days following
the eighth (8th) day after you sign and deliver the Release;
provided that if you revoke the Release within such eight (8) day
period or do not execute and deliver the Release to the Company
within thirty (30) business days after the Bonus Triggering Event,
you will not be entitled to any Retention Bonus under this
Agreement. You are not eligible for the Retention Bonus
if you terminate your employment with the Company prior to the
Bonus Date, including if you terminate it as described in Section 1
above.
3.
GRANDE COMMUNICATIONS TRANSACTION DEFINED . For
purposes of this Agreeme

|