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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 29, 2008
ICF International, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-33045 | 22-3661438 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia | 22031 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (703) 934-3000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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:
¨ | Written communications 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(e) | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers |
On December 29, 2008, ICF International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) and Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, restated the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Kesavan, which was previously entered into on September 27, 2006 (the Employment Agreement). The parties restated the Employment Agreement for the purpose of bringing it into compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (Section 409A). Section 409A was added to the Internal Revenue Code in 2004 by the American Jobs Protection Act of 2004 and governs nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. It imposes an additional tax and penalties on service providers (including employees and directors) if a covered arrangement does not comply with Section 409A. The primary terms and compensation payments contemplated by the Employment Agreement remain unchanged.
On December 29, 2008, the Company and Mr. Kesavan entered into a restated severance protection agreement originally entered into with the Company on September 27, 2006 (the Severance Protection Agreement), also for the purpose of bringing such Severance Protection Agreement into compliance with Section 409A. The primary terms and compensation payments contemplated by the Severance Protection Agreement remain unchanged.
The preceding descriptions of the Employment Agreement and Severance Protection Agreement (collectively, the Agreements) are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the Agreements, copies of which are filed hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference. Although both Agreements are intended to comply with Section 409A, the Company will not be liable for any taxes or interest that may become payable by the employee who is party to the particular Agreement due to the deferral of any payments under the Agreement or as a result of the administration of any amounts under the Agreement.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit 10.1 | Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Sudhakar Kesavan | |
Exhibit 10.2 | Restated Severance Protection Agreement by and between the Company and Sudhakar Kesavan |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ICF International, Inc. | ||||
Date: December 29, 2008 | By: | /s/ Judith B. Kassel | ||
Judith B. Kassel | ||||
General Counsel and Secretary |
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. |
Document | |
Exhibit 10.1 | Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Sudhakar Kesavan | |
Exhibit 10.2 | Restated Severance Protection Agreement by and between the Company and Sudhakar Kesavan |
Exhibit 10.1
RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated December 29, 2008, is by and between ICF International, Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered at 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia (the Company), and Sudhakar Kesavan (the Executive).
WHEREAS, the Executive has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and its predecessor, ICF Incorporated, since 1999 under the terms of an Employment Agreement dated as of June 25, 1999 (the Original Agreement) and an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated September 27, 2006 (the Amended Employment Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Company became a publicly traded company on September 28, 2006, through an initial public offering; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to restate the Amended Employment Agreement to comply fully with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder (collectively, Section 409A);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. | Term of Employment. |
The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts continued employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Section 5, this Agreement may be terminated by either party upon forty-five (45) days prior written notice.
2. | Title; Duties. |
(a) | President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Executive shall be employed as President and Chief Executive Officer and shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Executive shall perform such services consistent with his position as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company and are consistent with the applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, including, but not limited to, managing the business and affairs of the Company. |
(b) | Committees. At all times during the Executives employment, the Executive shall be a member of the Companys Executive Committee if there shall be such a Committee and may serve, at the discretion of the Board, as a member of such other committees as may be established by the Board. |
(c) | Employment of Company Officers. No offers of employment by the Company to senior executive officers shall be made without the prior approval of the Executive. |
3. | Extent of Services. |
(a) | General. The Executive agrees not to engage in any business activities during the Executives employment except those which are for the sole benefit of the Company, and to devote his entire business time, attention, skill and effort to the performance of his duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may (i) engage in personal investments; provided that the Executive shall not acquire more than 5% of the equity of another business without the prior approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, (ii) engage in charitable, professional and civic activities (including serving on the board of directors of non-profit, charitable and civic organizations) which do not impair the performance of his duties to the Company, and (iii) with the prior approval of the Compensation Committee, serve on the boards of directors or trustees of for-profit corporations other than the Company. The Executive shall, to the best of his ability, execute the strategic plan of the Company as approved by the Board, perform his duties, adhere to the Companys published policies and procedures, promote the Companys interests, reputation, business and welfare, and work actively with the Board of Directors and other senior managers to help augment the existing business base, increase the corporate contract backlog and identify and develop new business opportunities. |
(b) | Corporate Opportunities. The Executive agrees that, unless approved by the Board of Directors, he will not take personal advantage of any business opportunities which arise during his employment with the Company and which may be of benefit to the Company. All material facts regarding such opportunities must be promptly reported to the Board of Directors for consideration by the Company. |
4. | Compensation and Benefits. |
(a) | Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive a gross base annual salary (Base Salary) of not less than $375,000. Effective January 1, 2007, the annual rate of Base Salary was increased by no less than $25,000 over the annual rate of Base Salary in effect for the preceding year. Effective January 1, 2008, and on each subsequent January 1 during the Executives employment, the annual rate of Base Salary shall be increased by no less than the increase in the CPI National Index for the year over the annual rate of Base Salary in effect for the preceding year. In addition to the aforementioned increases in Base Salary, the Compensation Committee may, from time to time, increase the Executives Base Salary based on the performance of the Company and other factors deemed relevant by the Compensation Committee. Effective as of the date of any such increase, the Base Salary as so increased shall be considered the new Base Salary for all purposes of this Agreement and thereafter may not be reduced. The salary |
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shall be payable in arrears in approximately equal bi-weekly installments on the Companys regularly scheduled payroll dates, minus such deductions as may be required by law or reasonably requested by the Executive. |
(b) | Incentive Compensation. In the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive shall be eligible for annual incentive compensation (IC) awards for the immediately preceding fiscal year in an amount up to 100% of the Executives Base Salary for the prior fiscal year. |
(c) | Equity Awards. In the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive shall be eligible to receive stock options, restricted shares and other equity awards on such terms as may be determined by the Compensation Committee. |
(d) | Deductions from Compensation. The Company shall withhold from the Executives compensation any and all applicable local, state, federal, or foreign taxes, including, but not limited to, income tax, withholding tax, and social security tax as well as any elective deferrals under tax-qualified pension plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans maintained by the Company. |
(e) | Employee Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any and all employee benefit programs for which the Executive may be eligible, as may exist at any particular time and from time to time during the Executives employment. |
(f) | Executive Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to all executive benefits that the Company makes available to other executives, as may exist at any particular time and from time to time during the Executives employment. In addition, the Company shall assist the Executive with his purchase of a term life insurance policy on the Executive in an amount of at least $1,000,000; provided that the Executive is eligible for such a life insurance policy at reasonable rates. The Company also shall pay expenses up to $3,000 per year relating to the Executives tax and estate planning. Further, the Executive may attend, at the Companys expense, subject to prior approval of expenses by the Compensation Committee, two weeks of management education during each year of the Executives employment. To the extent that any such benefits are subject to the provisions of Section 409A, in compliance with Section 409A: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement and/or the provision of in-kind benefits during any calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of in-kind benefits in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (iii) the right to reimbursement or the right to in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. |
(g) | Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable business travel, business entertainment and other business expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with, or related |
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to, the performance of his duties, responsibilities or services under this Agreement, upon presentation by the Executive of documentation, expense statements, vouchers, and/or such other supporting information as the Company may reasonably request. To the extent that any such reimbursements are subject to the provisions of Section 409A, in compliance with Section 409A: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during any calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (iii) the right to reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. |
5. | Termination. |
Termination of employment for all purposes under this Agreement shall mean a separation from service as defined under Section 409A.
(a) | Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executives employment at any time for Cause upon written notice by the Company to the Executive. Cause for termination shall mean any of the following: (i) any act that would constitute a material violation of the Companys material written policies; (ii) willfully engaging in conduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; provided, however, that no act or failure to act, on the Executives part, shall be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company; (iii) being indicted for, or if charged with but not indicted for, being tried for (a) a crime of embezzlement or a crime involving moral turpitude or (b) a crime with respect to the Company involving a breach of trust or dishonesty or (c) in either case, a plea of guilty or no contest to such a crime; or (iv) abuse of alcohol in the workplace, use of any illegal drug in the workplace or a presence under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the workplace. |
(b) | Termination by the Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment upon forty-five (45) days prior written notice to the Company. As provided in the Original Agreement, because the Executive has served continuously since 1999, the Executive may, in his discretion, declare that such termination is for Good Reason and be entitled to the benefits of Section 6(c) hereof. |
(c) | Involuntary Termination by the Company Without Cause. Termination of the Executives employment without Cause shall mean involuntary termination by the Company (i) for any reason other than for Cause, (ii) upon the death of the Executive, or (iii) in the Companys sole discretion, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice in the event the Executive becomes Disabled, as defined in any group long-term disability insurance contract maintained by the Company under which the Executive is covered, or, if the Company shall not maintain such |
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insurance, Disabled shall mean that the Executive is incapacitated by reason of a physical or mental illness which is long-term in nature and which prevents the Executive from performing the substantial and material duties of his employment with the Company; provided that such incapacity can reasonably be expected to prevent the Executive from working at least six consecutive months in any twelve month period. The Company may require the Executive to have an examination at any time for the purpose of determining whether the Executive has a long-term disability described in the preceding sentence, and the Executive agrees to submit to such examination upon request of the Board of Directors; provided that the Company shall pay all costs and expenses associated with such examination. |
6. | Effect of Termination. |
(a) | General. Regardless of the reason for termination of the Executives employment, the Executive shall be entitled to the following (provided that the Severance Protection Agreement originally dated September 27, 2006 and restated to be effective as of December 31, 2008, shall govern, in accordance with its terms, the benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled following any termination of the Executives employment following a Change in Control as defined in such Severance Protection Agreement): |
(i) | payment of any unpaid portion of his Base Salary through the effective date of termination (the Termination Date); |
(ii) | reimbursement for any outstanding reasonable business expense he has incurred in performing his duties hereunder prior to the Termination Date; |
(iii) | continued insurance benefits to the extent required by law; |
(iv) | payment of any accrued but unpaid amount as required independently of this Agreement by the terms of any bonus or other incentive pay, or any other employee benefit plan or program of the Company, including but not limited to the Companys incentive compensation arrangements, that is not subject to any deferral election shall be prorated through the Termination Date, subject to satisfaction of any established performance goals, and will be paid at the normal time of payment pursuant to the incentive compensation plan (or other plan) under which such amount is payable; and |
(v) | any unvested equity awards that are not subject to Section 409A (such as stock options and restricted stock) and that were issued to the Executive prior to the Termination Date will become vested but will remain exercisable for the balance of their terms; and any unvested equity awards that are subject to Section 409A (such as restricted units) and that were issued to the Executive prior to Termination Date will become vested but not payable until their original vesting dates. |
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(b) | Termination by the Company for Cause or by the Executive Without Good Reason. If the Company terminates the Executives employment for Cause pursuant to Section 5(a) or the Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason (less than 45 days notice), the Executive shall have no rights or claims against the Company except to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 6(a). |
(c) | Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason. If the Company terminates the Executives employment without Cause pursuant to Section 5(c), or the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b), the Executive shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the items referenced in Section 6(a) the amounts set forth below. |
(i) | Basic Severance Pay and Additional Severance Pay as defined below and payable in the manner hereinafter set forth. The amount of Basic Severance Pay will be paid in approximately equal installments by the Company to the Executive over the 24-month period following his Termination Date on the Companys regularly scheduled payroll dates, subject to all legally required payroll deductions and withholdings. The amount of Additional Severance Pay will be paid in a single lump sum cash payment by the Company to the Executive (or his designated beneficiary) on the earliest of (i) the first business day after six months following his Termination Date, (ii) the Executives death, or (iii) such other date that will cause such payment not to be subject to any additional tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 409A. Each payment of such severance benefits shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of applying Section 409A, and in no event shall the payment of Basic Severance Pay be made later than the last day of the second taxable year following the taxable year in which his Termination Date occurs. |
For purposes of this paragraph 6(c)(i):
(A) | Basic Severance Pay means an amount equal to the Executives Base Salary multiplied by two; provided, however, in no event shall such amount exceed the amount permitted to be paid pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A). |
(B) | Additional Severance Pay means an amount equal to the product of Executives Base Amount in effect on his Termination Date multiplied by two minus the amount permitted to be paid pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A). |
(ii) | Any unvested equity awards that are not subject to Section 409A (such as stock options and restricted stock) and that were issued to the Executive prior to his Termination Date will become vested but will remain exercisable for the balance of their terms; and any unvested equity awards that are subject to Section 409A (such as restricted units) and that were issued to the Executive prior to his Termination Date will become vested but not payable until their original vesting dates. |
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(iii) | A pro-rata share of any IC that is not subject to any deferral election to which the Executive otherwise would have actually been entitled for the fiscal year in which his employment terminates; subject to satisfaction of any established performance goals, with such IC (pro-rated on a daily basis) to be paid to the Executive at the normal time of payment pursuant to the incentive compensation plan under which such amount is payable. |
(iv) | At the expense of the Company, and subject to contractual eligibility requirements, continuation of the Executives family health and dental insurance policy in effect as of the date of termination for twenty-four (24) months following his Termination Date, or, in the event the Company cannot continue coverage of such policy, the Company shall pay for equivalent coverage for twenty-four (24) months following his Termination Date. To the extent that any such medical benefits are subject to the provisions of Section 409A, in compliance with Section 409A and not withstanding any other provision of the Companys plans in effect from time to time: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement and the provision of in-kind benefits during any calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of in-kind benefits in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (iii) the right to reimbursement or the right to in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent such benefits constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and the Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, the Executive shall pay the Company and employee, if any, costs for the first six months following his Termination Date, and the Company shall reimburse the Executive for such costs in the first payroll thereafter. |
(d) | Except as permitted under Section 409A, no acceleration of the time or form of payment of deferred compensation under this Agreement shall be permitted. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or any agreement to the contrary, if and to the extent that Section 409A is deemed to apply to the Agreement, it is the intention of the parties that the Agreement shall comply with Section 409A, and the Agreement, to the extent practicable, shall be construed in accordance therewith. Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, in the event that the provisions of Section 409A require any special terms, provisions or conditions be included in the Agreement, then such terms, provisions, and conditions, to the extent practicable, shall be deemed to be made a part of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the Company, any Affiliate, the Board of Directors of the Company or their designees or agents shall not be liable for any taxes, penalties, interest or other monetary amount that may be owed by you as a result of any deferral or payments under the Agreement or as a result of the administration of amounts subject to the Agreement. |
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7. | Confidentiality and Inventions. |
The Executive acknowledges that he shall continue to be bound by the ICF Incorporated Employee Agreement on Ideas, Inventions, and Confidential Information executed by the Executive on September 16, 1987, and the ICF Incorporated Employee Confidentiality Agreement executed by the Executive on July 31, 1986.
8. | Non-Solicitation. |
(a) | Non-Solicitation of Clients. The Executive agrees that, for a period of (i) twenty-four (24) months from the date of termination of the Executives employment for Cause pursuant to Section 5(a) or by the Executive without Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b), or (ii) twelve (12) months from the date of termination of the Executives employment without Cause pursuant to Section 5(c), by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b) or pursuant to the Severance Protection Agreement (the Client Non-Solicitation Term), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit any Client of the Company (as defined below) for the purpose of providing services which are competitive with the Companys major practice areas, as described in the final prospectus relating to the Offering. The Executive further agrees that, during the Client Non-Solicitation Term, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, agent, partner, member, consultant or in any other capacity, participate, assist or be involved, in any respect, in any proposal or project which the Company is or was involved in during the one (1) year period prior to the date of termination of the Executives employment with the Company. |
(b) | Client of the Company shall mean any person or entity which is or was a client of the Company at any time during the one (1) year period prior to the termination of the Executives employment with the Company or any person or entity which the Company is or was soliciting during the one (1) year period prior to the termination of the Executives employment with the Company. If any such person or entity described above is an agency or department of any federal, state or local government, the Client of the Company shall be deemed to be only the specific agency or department with which the Company had or has a client relationship or to which the Company has made a solicitation and not any other agency or department of such federal, state or local government. |
(c) | Non-Solicitation of Employees. The Executive agrees that, for a period of (i) twenty-four (24) months from the date of termination of the Executives employment for Cause pursuant to Section 5(a) or by the Executive without Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b), or (ii) eighteen (18) months from the date of termination of the Executives employment without Cause pursuant to Section 5(c) or by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b), the Executive |
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shall not hire, solicit or encourage, or cause others to hire, solicit or encourage, any employee of the Company to terminate their employment with the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, this Section shall not prohibit the Executive from hiring or attempting to hire, directly or indirectly, any former employee of the Company whose employment with the Company shall have terminated at least six (6) months prior to such efforts by the Executive. |
(d) | Acknowledgement. The Executive acknowledges that he will acquire much confidential information concerning the past, present and future business of the Company as the result of his employment, as well as access to the relationships between the Company and its clients and employees. The Executive further acknowledges that the business of the Company is very competitive and that competition by him in that business during his employment, or after his employment terminates, would severely injure the Company. The Executive understands and agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section 8 are reasonable and are required for the Companys legitimate protection, and do not unduly limit his ability to earn a livelihood. |
9. | Employee Representations and Warranties. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company as follows: |
(a) | The Executive is not now under any obligation of a contractual or other nature to any person, business or other entity which is inconsistent or in conflict with this Agreement or which would prevent him from performing his obligations under this Agreement. |
(b) | The Executive has never been affiliated with, in any capacity, a government contractor that has been suspended or debarred from its contract with the government during the Executives affiliation with such contractor. |
(c) | There are no pending or threatened claims against the Executive in any court or agency of any jurisdiction. |
10. | Arbitration. |
(a) | Any disputes between the Company and the Executive in any way concerning the Executives employment, the termination of his employment, this Agreement or its enforcement shall be submitted at the initiative of either party to mandatory arbitration in Fairfax County, Virginia before a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, or its successor, then in effect. The decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered in writing, shall be final, and may be entered as a judgment in any court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The parties irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the Commonwealth of Virginia for this purpose. Each party shall be responsible for its or his own costs incurred in such arbitration and in enforcing any arbitration award, including attorneys fees. |
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(b) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, in its sole discretion, may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction located in the Commonwealth of Virginia to seek injunctive relief and such other relief as the Company shall elect to enforce the Executives covenants in Section 8 of this Agreement. |
11. | Miscellaneous. |
(a) | Notices. Any notices, requests, demands, waivers, comments, or other communications contemplated hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows: |
If to the Company:
ICF International, Inc.
9300 Lee Highway
Fairfax, Virginia 22301
Attention: Chairman
If to the Executive:
ICF International, Inc.
9300 Lee Highway
Fairfax, Virginia 22301
Attention: Sudhakar Kesavan
or
to such other address specified by the Executive
and shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of a nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date when sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received, and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following posting.
(b) | Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa. |
(c) | Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Severance Protection Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between any terms of this Agreement and any terms of the Severance Protection Agreement or any of the other agreements mentioned herein, the terms of this Agreement shall govern, |
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provided that the Severance Protection Agreement shall govern, in accordance with its terms, the benefits, if any, to which the Executive is entitled following any termination of the Executives employment following a Change in Control as defined in the Severance Protection Agreement. |
(d) | Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive. |
(e) | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. |
(f) | Assignment. This Agreement is a personal contract and, except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and interests of the Executive herein may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated. |
(g) | Waiver. No delays or omission by the Company or the Executive in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by the Company or the Executive on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar or waiver of any right on any other occasion. |
(h) | Captions. The captions appearing in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any Section of this Agreement. |
(i) | Time. All references in this Agreement to periods of days are to calendar days, unless expressly provided otherwise. Where the time period specified in this Agreement would end on a weekend or holiday, the time period shall be deemed to end on the next business day. |
(j) | Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be held by a court or arbitrator with jurisdiction over the parties to this Agreement to be invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, such provision shall be restated to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original intentions of the parties in accordance with applicable law, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected or impaired thereby. |
(k) | Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective executors, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, assigns and successors in interest. |
(l) | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. |
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(m) | Survival of the Executives Rights. All of the Executives rights hereunder, including his rights to compensation and benefits pursuant to Section 4, rights upon termination pursuant to Section 6, and his obligations pursuant Section 8, shall survive the termination of the Executives employment and/or the termination of this Agreement. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
ICF INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||||||
/s/ Sudhakar Kesavan |
By: | /s/ Judith B. Kassel | ||||
Sudhakar Kesavan | Judith B. Kassel | |||||
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary |
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Exhibit 10.2
RESTATED SEVERANCE PROTECTION AGREEMENT
THIS RESTATED SEVERANCE PROTECTION AGREEMENT dated December 29, 2008 (the Agreement), by and between ICF International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and Sudhakar Kesavan (the Executive).
PURPOSE
The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) recognizes that the possibility of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) of the Company exists and that the threat or occurrence of a Change in Control may result in the distraction of its key management personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such a situation.
The Board has determined that it is essential and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to retain the services of the Executive in the event of the threat or occurrence of a Change in Control and to ensure the Executives continued dedication and efforts in such event without undue concern for the Executives personal financial and employment security.
In order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the Company, particularly in the event of the threat or occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company entered into a Severance Protection Agreement dated September 27, 2006 (the 2006 Agreement) to provide the Executive with certain benefits if the Executives employment is terminated as a result of, or in connection with, a Change in Control. Subsequent to the execution of such agreement the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations and guidance under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with which the Company and the Executive desire to have said agreement comply through a Restated Severance Protection Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of the parties contained herein, it is agreed that 2006 Agreement is hereby restated as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Accrued Compensation means an amount which includes all amounts earned or accrued by the Executive through and including the Termination Date, but not paid to the Executive on or prior to such date, including (a) his Base Salary, (b) reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company during the period ending on the Termination Date, (c) all unused and unpaid vacation pay, and (d) his Bonus Amount.
Additional Severance Pay means an amount equal to the product of Executives Base Amount multiplied by three minus the amount permitted to be paid pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A).
Base Amount means the Executives average annual taxable W-2 compensation during the three years (or such lesser period as the Executive has been employed by the Company) prior to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and includes all amounts of the Executives Base Salary and incentive compensation that are deferred under any qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plan of the Company or any other agreement or arrangement.
Base Salary means the Executives base salary rate in effect on the Executives Termination Date.
Basic Severance Pay means an amount equal to the Executives Base Amount multiplied by three; provided, however, in no event shall such amount exceed the amount permitted to be paid pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A).
Beneficial Owner has the meaning as used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act. The terms Beneficially Owned and Beneficial Ownership each have a correlative meaning.
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Bonus Amount means the annual bonus, if any, paid or payable to the Executive pursuant to any annual bonus or incentive plan maintained by the Company in respect of the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs. Bonus Amount includes the short-term cash incentive portion of the annual bonus that is subject to any deferral election but does not include restricted stock awards, options or other long-term equity incentive compensation awarded to Executive.
Cause for the termination of the Executives employment with the Company shall mean any of the following: (a) any act that would constitute a material violation of the Companys material written policies; (b) willfully engaging in conduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, provided, however, that no act or failure to act, on the Executives part, shall be considered willful unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company; (c) being indicted for, or if charged with but not indicted for, being tried for (i) a crime of embezzlement or a crime involving moral turpitude or (ii) a crime with respect to the Company involving a breach of trust or dishonesty or (iii) in either case, a plea of guilty or no contest to such a crime; or (d) abuse of alcohol in the workplace, use of any illegal drug in the workplace or a presence under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the workplace.
Change of Control of the Company means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon, any of the following events:
(a) The acquisition by any person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a group as defined in Section 13(d) thereof) (other than persons acting in concert as of August 31, 2006 who, as of such date, beneficially owned more than twenty percent (20%) or more of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company), of
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beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) of securities representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company, provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this subparagraph (a): (i) any acquisition directly from the Company; (ii) any acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (c) below; or
(b) Individuals who, as of August 31, 2006, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual who becomes a director of the Company subsequent to August 31, 2006 and whose election, or whose nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, to the Board was either (i) approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board or (ii) recommended by a nominating committee comprised entirely of directors who are then Incumbent Board members shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act), other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents or an actual or threatened tender offer; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a Business Combination), in each case unless following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the persons who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the outstanding shares and outstanding securities entitled to voted generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from the Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity which, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (i) any shares of common stock or such voting securities of such resulting entity received by such Beneficial Owners in such Business Combination other than as the result of such Beneficial Owners ownership of outstanding shares or such outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such Business Combination shall not be considered to be owned by such Beneficial Owners for the purposes of calculating their percentage of ownership of the outstanding common stock and voting power of the resulting entity); (ii) no person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit
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plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from the Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such entity resulting from the Business Combination unless such person owned thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the outstanding shares or outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the Companys stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
For purposes of clause (c), any person who acquires outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity resulting from the Business Combination by virtue of ownership, prior to such Business Combination, of such voting securities of both the Company and the entity or entities with which the Company is combined shall be treated as two persons after the Business Combination, who shall be treated as owning such outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from the Business Combination by virtue of ownership, prior to such Business Combination of, respectively, such outstanding voting securities of the Company, and of the entity or entities with which the Company is combined.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company means ICF International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and includes its Successors.
Continuation Period has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(iii).
Disability as used herein shall take its meaning from the definition set forth in any group long-term disability insurance contract maintained by the Company under which the Executive is covered, or, if the Company shall not maintain such insurance, Disability shall mean that the Executive is incapacitated by reason of a physical or mental illness which is long-term in nature and which prevents the Executive from performing the substantial and material duties of his employment with the Company; provided that such incapacity can reasonably be expected to prevent the Executive from working at least six consecutive months in any twelve month period. The Company may require the Executive to have an examination at any time for the purpose of determining whether the Executive has a long-term disability as described in the preceding sentence, and the Executive agrees to submit to such examination upon request of the Board of Directors; provided that the Company shall pay all costs and expenses associated with such examination.
Full Release means a written release, which is executed and received by the Company within 60 days of the Termination Date, which is fully effective, not subject to revocation, and which is in a form satisfactory to the Company (and substantially similar to the Release set forth
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in Exhibit A attached to this Agreement), pursuant to which the Executive fully and completely releases the Company from all claims that the Executive may have against the Company (other than any claims that may arise or have arisen under this Agreement).
Good Reason means the occurrence after a Change in Control of any of the events or conditions described in clauses (a) through (f) hereof, without the Executives prior written consent:
(a) any (i) material adverse change in the Executives status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) from the Executives status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within 180 days preceding the date of the Change in Control or at any time thereafter, (ii) assignment to the Executive of duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with the Executives status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within 180 days preceding the date of the Change in Control or at any time thereafter, or (iii) in the case of an Executive who is an executive officer of the Company a significant portion of whose responsibilities relate to the Companys status as a public company, the failure of such Executive to continue to serve as an executive officer of a public company, in each case except in connection with the termination of the Executives employment due to Disability, Cause, as a result of the Executives death or by the Executive other than for Good Reason;
(b) a reduction in Executives base salary or any failure to pay the Executive any cash compensation to which the Executive is entitled within fifteen (15) days after the date when due;
(c) the imposition of a requirement that the Executive be based (i) at any place outside a 50-mile radius from the Executives principal place of employment immediately prior to the Change in Control or (ii) at any location other than the Companys corporate headquarters or, if applicable, the headquarters of the business unit by which he was employed immediately prior to the Change in Control, except, in each case, for reasonably required travel on Company business which is not materially greater in frequency or duration than prior to the Change in Control;
(d) the insolvency or the filing (by any party, including the Company) of a petition for bankruptcy with respect to the Company, which petition is not dismissed within 60 days;
(e) any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; or
(f) the failure of the Company to obtain, as contemplated in Section 7, an agreement, reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, from any Successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no termination will be deemed to be for Good Reason hereunder if it results from an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken by the Company in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive.
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Notice of Termination means a written notice from the Company or the Executive of the termination of the Executives employment which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and which sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated; provided, however, that any such termination of employment constitutes a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A.
Person has the meaning as used in Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, and will include any group as such term is used in such sections.
Pro Rata Bonus means an amount equal to any incentive compensation that is not subject to any deferral election; that is multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the then fiscal year through and including the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365 that is subject to the satisfaction of any established performance goals; and that is payable at the normal time of payment pursuant to the incentive compensation plan under which such amount is payable; provided that the provisions of this Agreement providing for the payment of a Pro Rata Bonus amount shall not be interpreted to call for the payment of amounts duplicative of amounts paid as part of the Base Amount.
Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code as well as the regulations and guidance issued thereunder.
Securities Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Subsidiary means any corporation or entity with respect to which another specified corporation or entity has the power under ordinary circumstances to vote or direct the voting of sufficient securities to elect a majority of the directors or other managers.
Successor means a corporation or other entity acquiring all or substantially all the assets and business of the Company, whether by operation of law, by assignment or otherwise.
Termination Date means (a) in the case of the Executives death, the Executives date of death, (b) in the case of the termination of the Executives employment with the Company by the Executive for Good Reason, five days after the date the Notice of Termination is received by the Company, and (c) in all other cases, the date specified in the Notice of Termination; provided that if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or due to Disability, the date specified in the Notice of Termination will be at least 30 days after the date the Notice of Termination is given to the Executive; and provided further that any such termination of employment constitutes a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A.
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SECTION 2. Term of Agreement.
The term of this Agreement (the Term) will commence on December 31, 2008, and will continue in effect until December 31, 2011; provided that on December 31, 2011 and each anniversary of such date thereafter, the Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year unless, not later than October 1 of such year, the Company or the Executive shall have given notice not to extend the Term; and further provided that, in the event a Change in Control occurs during the Term, the Term will be extended to the date 24 months after the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control.
SECTION 3. Termination of Employment.
3.1 If, during the Term, the Executives employment with the Company is terminated within 24 months following a Change in Control, the Executive will be entitled to the following compensation and benefits:
(a) If the Executives employment with the Company is terminated (i) by the Company for Cause or due to Disability, (ii) by reason of the Executives death or (iii) by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company will pay to the Executive or his designated beneficiary, as the case may be, his Accrued Compensation and, if such termination is other than by the Company for Cause, a Pro Rata Bonus.
(b) If the Executives employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated by the Company for any reason other than as specified in Section 3.1(a), the Executive will be entitled to receive the following amounts and benefits:
(i) The Company will pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation and any Pro Rata Bonus.
(ii) Subject to the Executive providing the Company with a Full Release, in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to the Termination Date, the Company will pay the Executive Basic Severance Pay and Additional Severance Pay.
(iii) Subject to the Executive providing the Company with a Full Release and complying with his obligations under Section 7, the Company will, for a period of 36 months following the Termination Date (the Continuation Period), at its expense provide to the Executive, the Executives dependents (as defined in the Companys insurance contracts then in effect under which similarly situated executives are covered) and beneficiaries the same or equivalent life insurance, medical, dental, hospitalization, financial counseling and tax consulting benefits (the Continuation Period Benefits) provided to other similarly situated executives who continue in the employ of the Company during the Continuation Period and their dependents and beneficiaries. To the extent that any such Continuation Period Benefits are subject to the provisions of Section 409A, in compliance with Section 409A and notwithstanding any other provision of the Companys plans, contracts, or other arrangements in effect from time to time: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement and the
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provision of in-kind benefits during any calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of in-kind benefits in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; (iii) the right to reimbursement or the right to in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (iv) to the extent that such Continuation Period Benefits constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and the Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, the Executive shall pay the Company and employee, if any, costs for the first six months following the Termination Date, and the Company shall reimburse the Executive for such costs in the first payroll period thereafter.
The obligations of the Company to provide the Executive and the Executives dependents and beneficiaries with the Continuation Period Benefits shall not restrict or limit the Companys right to terminate, amend or modify the benefits made available by the Company to its similarly situated executives or other employees, and following any such termination, amendment or modification, the Continuation Period Benefits that the Executive (and the Executives dependents and beneficiaries) shall be entitled to receive shall be so terminated, amended or modified. The Companys obligations hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits will be limited to the extent that the Executive obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employers benefit plans, in which case the Company may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the Executive hereunder as long as the coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans are no less favorable to the Executive than the coverages and benefits required to be provided hereunder. This Section 3.1(b)(iii) will not be interpreted so as to negate any benefits to which the Executive or the Executives dependents or beneficiaries may be entitled under any of the Companys employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the Executives termination of employment.
(iv) The Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement services suitable to the Executives position for a period of 12 months or, if earlier, until the first acceptance by the Executive of an offer of employment.
(v) Any unvested equity interests that are not subject to Section 409A (such as stock options and restricted stock) and that were issued to the Executive prior to the Termination Date will become vested but will remain exercisable for the balance of their terms; and any unvested equity interests that are subject to Section 409A (such as restricted units) and that were issued to the Executive prior to the Termination Date will become vested but not payable until their original vesting dates.
(c) If the Executives employment with the Company is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive will be entitled to receive the following amounts and benefits:
(i) The Company will pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation and any Pro Rata Bonus.
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(ii) Subject to the Executive providing the Company with a Full Release, in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to the Termination Date, the Company will pay the Executive an amount equal to three times the Base Amount.
(iii) Subject to the Executive providing the Company with a Full Release and complying with his obligations under Section 6, the Company will, for a period of 36 months following the Termination Date (the Continuation Period), at its expense provide to the Executive, the Executives dependents (as defined in the Companys insurance contracts then in effect under which similarly situated executives are covered) and beneficiaries the same or equivalent life insurance, medical, dental, hospitalization, financial counseling and tax consulting benefits (the Continuation Period Benefits) provided to other similarly situated executives who continue in the employ of the Company during the Continuation Period and their dependents and beneficiaries. To the extent that any such Continuation Period Benefits are subject to the provisions of Section 409A, in compliance with Section 409A and notwithstanding any other provision of the Companys plans, contracts, or other arrangements in effect from time to time: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement and the provision of in-kind benefits during any calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or the provision of in-kind benefits in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; (iii) the right to reimbursement or the right to in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (iv) to the extent that such Continuation Period Benefits constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A an the Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, the Executive shall pay the Company and employee, if any, costs for the first six months following the Termination Date, and the Company shall reimburse the Executive for such costs in the first payroll period thereafter.
The obligations of the Company to provide the Executive and the Executives dependents and beneficiaries with the Continuation Period Benefits shall not restrict or limit the Companys right to terminate, amend or modify the benefits made available by the Company to its similarly situated executives or other employees, and following any such termination, amendment or modification, the Continuation Period Benefits that the Executive (and the Executives dependents and beneficiaries) shall be entitled to receive shall be so terminated, amended or modified. The Companys obligations hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits will be limited to the extent that the Executive obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employers benefit plans, in which case the Company may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the Executive hereunder as long as the coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans are no less favorable to the Executive than the coverages and benefits required to be provided hereunder. This Section 3.1(c)(iii) will not be interpreted so as to negate any benefits to which the Executive or the Executives dependents or beneficiaries may be entitled under any of the Companys employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the Executives termination of employment.
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(iv) The Company shall provide the Executive with outplacement services suitable to the Executives position for a period of 12 months or, if earlier, until the first acceptance by the Executive of an offer of employment.
(v) Any unvested equity interests that are not subject to Section 409A (such as stock options and restricted stock) and that were issued to the Executive prior to the Termination Date will become vested but will remain exercisable for the balance of their terms; and any unvested equity interests that are subject to Section 409A (such as restricted units) and that were issued to the Executive prior to the Termination Date will become vested but not payable until their original vesting dates.
(d) The amounts provided for in Section 3.1(a) will be paid in a single lump sum cash payment by the Company to the Executive within five business days after the Termination Date; provided, however, that payment of any Pro Rata Bonus that constitutes performance-based compensation shall only be paid at the normal time of payment pursuant to the incentive compensation plan under which it is payable. The amount of Basic Severance Pay provided for in Section 3.1(b)(ii) will be paid in a single lump sum cash payment by the Company to the Executive within five business days after the Termination Date. The amount of Additional Severance Pay provided for in Section 3.1(b)(ii) will be paid in a single lump sum cash payment by the Company to the Executive (or his designated beneficiary) on the earliest of (i) the first business day after six months following the Termination Date, (ii) the Executives death, or (iii) such other date that will cause such payment not to be subject to any additional tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 409A. Each payment of severance benefits under Section 3.1(b) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of applying Section 409A and in no event shall the payment of Basic Severance Pay be made later than the last day of the second taxable year following the taxable year in which the Termination Date occurs. The amount provided for in Section 3.1(c) will be paid in a single lump sum cash payment by the Company to the Executive (or his designated beneficiary) on the earliest of (i) the first business day after six months following the Termination Date, (ii) the Executives death, or (iii) such other date that will cause such payment not to be subject to any additional tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 409A; provided, however, that payment of any bonus amount that constitutes performance-based compensation shall only be paid at the later of (A) the foregoing date, or (B) the normal time of payment pursuant to the incentive compensation plan under which it is payable.
(e) The Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and no such payment will be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the Executive in any subsequent employment, except as specifically provided in Sections 3.1(b)(iii), 3.1(b)(iv), 3.1(c)(iii) and 3.1(c)(iv).
3.2 Except as otherwise provided herein, the compensation and benefits to be paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be in lieu of any similar severance or termination compensation (i.e., compensation based directly on the Executives annual salary or annual salary and bonus and medical and other welfare benefits) to which the Executive may be entitled under any other Company severance or termination agreement, plan, program, policy, practice or
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arrangement. The Executives entitlement to any compensation or benefits of a type not provided in this Agreement will be determined in accordance with the Companys employee benefit plans and other applicable programs, policies and practices as in effect from time to time.
SECTION 4. Notice of Termination.
Following a Change in Control, any purported termination of the Executives employment by the Company will be communicated by a Notice of Termination to the Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination will be effective without such Notice of Termination.
SECTION 5. Excise Tax Adjustments.
5.1 In the event Executive becomes entitled to severance benefits under Section 3(b) or 3(c) herein, and the Company determines that the benefits provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c) (with the severance benefits, the Total Payments) will be subject to the tax (the Excise Tax) imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed, the Company shall compute the Net After-Tax Amount, and the Reduced Amount, and shall adjust the Total Payments as described below. The Net After-Tax Amount shall mean the present value of all amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, net of all federal income, excise and employment taxes imposed on the Executive by reason of such payments. The Reduced Amount shall mean the largest aggregate amount of the Total Payments that, if paid to the Executive, would result in the Executive receiving a Net After-Tax Amount that is equal to or greater than the Net After-Tax Amount that the Executive would have received if the Total Payments had been made. If the Company determines that there is a Reduced Amount, the Total Payments will be reduced to the Reduced Amount. Such reduction shall be made by the Company with respect to benefits in the order and in the amounts suggested by the Tax Counsel (as defined below) taking into account the costs or administrative burdens of the Company. As a rule, reduction shall occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock awards; and (iii) reduction of employee benefits. If acceleration of vesting of stock award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of the Executives stock awards.
5.2 For purposes of determining whether the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of such Excise Tax and for purposes of determining the Reduced Amount and the Net After-Tax Amount:
(a) Any other payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the Company or the Executives termination of employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company, or with any Persons whose actions result in a Change in Control of the Company or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Persons) shall be treated as parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, in the opinion of a tax advisor selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (Tax Counsel), such other payments or benefits (in
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whole or in part) should be treated by the courts as representing reasonable compensation for services actually rendered (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code), or otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax.
(b) The amount of the Total Payments that shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the total amount of the Total Payments or (ii) the amount of excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code (after applying Section 5.2(a) above).
(c) In the event that the Executive disputes any calculation or determination made by the Company, the matter shall be determined by Tax Counsel. All fees and expenses of Tax Counsel shall be borne solely by the Company; provided that, as required by Section 409A, the Company shall bear such costs, to the extent necessary, during a period of time no longer than ten years following a Change in Control; the right to such benefit in kind is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; payment shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred; and the amount of such benefit in one year shall not affect any other benefits to be provided in any other year.
(d) The Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Total Payments or Reduced Amount is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executives residence on the effective date of employment, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes, taking into account the reduction in itemized deduction under Section 68 of the Code.
SECTION 6. Compliance with Section 409A.
Except as permitted under Section 409A, no acceleration of the time or form of payment of deferred compensation under this Agreement shall be permitted. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or any agreement to the contrary, if and to the extent that Section 409A is deemed to apply to the Agreement, it is the intention of the parties that the Agreement shall comply with Section 409A, and the Agreement, to the extent practicable, shall be construed in accordance therewith. Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, in the event that the provisions of Section 409A require any special terms, provisions or conditions be included in the Agreement, then such terms, provisions, and conditions, to the extent practicable, shall be deemed to be made a part of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the Company, any Affiliate, the Board of Directors of the Company or their designees or agents shall not be liable for any taxes, penalties, interest or other monetary amount that may be owed by you as a result of any deferral or payments under the Agreement or as a result of the administration of amounts subject to the Agreement.
SECTION 7. Covenants of the Executive.
During the Continuation Period following any Change in Control pursuant to which the Executive receives the severance benefits pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or 3.1(c), the Executive covenants and agrees as follows:
(a) The Executive agrees to comply with his obligations under the previously signed Invention and Confidentiality Agreement, Code of Ethics and Nonsolicitation Agreements that he entered into with the Company.
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(b) The Executive acknowledges that the Executive has knowledge of confidential and proprietary information concerning the current salary, benefits, skills, and capabilities of Company employees and that it would be improper for the Executive to use such Company proprietary information in any manner adverse to the Companys interests. The Executive agrees that he will not recruit or solicit for employment, directly or indirectly, any employee of the Company during the Continuation Period.
SECTION 8. Successors; Binding Agreement.
This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Company and its Successors, and the Company will require any Successors to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place. Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder will be assignable or transferable by the Executive or by the Executives beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives legal representatives.
SECTION 9. Fees and Expenses.
The Company will pay as they become due all legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts) incurred by the Executive, in good faith, in (a) contesting or disputing, any termination of employment and (b) seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the Company under which the Executive is or may be entitled to receive benefits; provided that, as required by Section 409A, the Company shall bear such costs, to the extent necessary, during a period of time no longer than ten years following the Termination Date; the right to such benefit in kind is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; payment shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred; and the amount of such benefit in one year shall not affect any other benefits to be provided in any other year. If the dispute is resolved by a final decision of an arbitrator pursuant to Section 16 in the favor of the Company, the Executive shall reimburse the Company for all such legal fees and related expenses (including costs of experts) paid by the Company on behalf of the Executive.
SECTION 10. Notice.
For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement (including the Notice of Termination) will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses last given by each party to the other, provided that all notices to the Company will be directed to the attention of the Board with
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a copy to the Secretary of the Company. All notices and communications will be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the third business day after the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of address will be effective only upon receipt.
SECTION 11. Dispute Concerning Termination.
If prior to the Termination Date (as determined without regard to this Section 11) the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Termination Date shall be extended until the earlier of (a) the date on which the Term ends or (b) the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided, however, that the Termination Date shall be extended by a notice of dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
SECTION 12. Compensation During Dispute.
If a purported termination occurs following a Change in Control and during the Term and the Termination Date is extended in accordance with Section 11, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited to, salary) and continue the Executive as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which the Executive was participating when the Notice of Termination was given, until the Termination Date, as determined in accordance with Section 11. Amounts paid under this Section 12 are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement or otherwise.
SECTION 13. Nonexclusivity of Rights.
Nothing in this Agreement will prevent or limit the Executives continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company for which the Executive may qualify, nor will anything herein limit or reduce such rights as the Executive may have under any other agreements with the Company (except for any severance or termination agreement). Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the Company will be payable in accordance with such plan or program, except as specifically modified by this Agreement.
SECTION 14. No Set-Off.
The Companys obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder will not be affected by any circumstances, including any right of set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Executive or others.
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SECTION 15. Miscellaneous.
No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party will be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representation, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof has been made by either party which is not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 16. Governing Law and Binding Arbitration.
This Agreement will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Any controversy, claim or other dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration rules. To the maximum extent possible all aspects of the arbitration shall be confidential, except the judgment, if and when it is filed with a court. The place of arbitration shall be Fairfax County, Virginia, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. If there is any arbitration or litigation between the parties arising out of or related to this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to recover, in addition to the relief awarded, all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys, accountants and other professionals fees and expenses) whether, in arbitration, at trial, on appeal or in bankruptcy. In determining the costs and expenses to be awarded the prevailing party, the arbitrator or the court is not bound by the Virginia rules and case law regarding reimbursable costs, but should instead venture to make the prevailing party whole by awarding all reasonable costs incurred in connection with the litigation.
SECTION 17. Severability.
The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
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SECTION 18. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, if any, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to severance protection following a Change in Control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
ICF INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Judith B. Kassel | |
Judith B. Kassel | ||
Executive Vice President & General Counsel | ||
/s/ Sudhakar Kesavan | ||
Sudhakar Kesavan |
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Exhibit A
to
Severance Protection Agreement
RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND POTENTIAL CLAIMS
1. This Release of All Claims and Potential Claims (Release) is entered into by and between (Executive) and ICF International, Inc. (hereinafter ICF). Executive and ICF have previously entered into a Severance Protection Agreement dated (Severance Agreement). In consideration of the promises made herein and the consideration due Executive under the Severance Agreement, this Release is entered into between the parties.
2. The purposes of this Release are to settle completely and release ICF, its individual and/or collective officers, directors, stockholders, agents, parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, assigns, employees (including all former employees, officers, directors, stockholders and/or agents), attorneys, representatives and employee benefit programs (including the trustees, administrators, fiduciaries and insurers of such programs) (referred to collectively as Releasees) in a final and binding manner from every claim and potential claim for relief, cause of action and liability of any and every kind, nature and character whatsoever, known or unknown, that Executive has or may have against Releasees arising out of, relating to or resulting from any events occurring prior to the execution of this Release, including but not limited to any claims and potential claims for relief, causes of action and liabilities arising out of, relating to or resulting from the employment relationship between Executive and ICF and/or the termination of that relationship including any and all claims and rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and any personal gain with respect to any claim arising under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3730, but excluding any rights or benefits to which Executive is entitled under the Severance Agreement.
3. This Release is:
(a) A compromise settlement of all such claims and potential claims, known or unknown, and therefore this Release does not constitute either an admission of liability on the part of Executive and ICF or an admission, directly or by implication, that Executive and/or ICF have violated any law, rule, regulation, contractual right or any other duty or obligation. The parties hereto specifically deny that they have violated any law, rule, regulation, contractual right or any other duty or obligation.
(b) Entered into freely and voluntarily by Executive and ICF solely to avoid further costs, risks and hazards of litigation and to settle all claims and potential claims and disputes, known or unknown, in a final and binding manner.
4. For and in consideration of the promises and covenants made by Executive to ICF and ICF to Executive contained herein, Executive and ICF have agreed and do agree as follows:
(a) Executive waives, releases and forever discharges Releasees from any claims and potential claims for relief, causes of action and liabilities, known or unknown, that [he/she] has or may have against Releasees arising out of, relating to or resulting from any events occurring prior to the execution of this Release, including but not limited to any claims and potential claims for relief, causes of action and liabilities of any and every kind, nature and character whatsoever, known or unknown, arising out of, relating to or resulting from the employment relationship between Executive and ICF and the termination of that relationship, including any and all claims and rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and any personal gain with respect to any claim arising under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3730, but excluding any rights or benefits to which Executive is entitled under the Severance Agreement.
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(b) Executive agrees that he will not directly or indirectly institute any legal proceedings against Releasees before any court, administrative agency, arbitrator or any other tribunal or forum whatsoever by reason of any claims and potential claims for relief, causes of action and liabilities of any and every kind, nature and character whatsoever, known or unknown, arising out of, relating to or resulting from any events occurring prior to the execution of this Release, including but not limited to any claims and potential claims for relief, causes of action and liabilities arising out of, relating to or resulting from the employment relationship between Executive and ICF and/or the termination of that relationship including any and all claims and rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
(c) Executive is presently unaware of any injuries that he may have suffered as a result of working at ICF and has no present intention of filing a workers compensation claim. Should any such claim arise in the future, Executive waives and releases any right to proceed against ICF for such a claim. Executive also waives any right to bring any disability claim against ICF or its carrier.
5. As a material part of the consideration for this Release, Executive and his agents and attorneys agree to keep completely confidential and not disclose to any person or entity, except immediate family, attorney, accountant, or tax preparers, or in response to a court order or subpoena, the terms and/or conditions of this Release and/or any understandings, agreements, provisions and/or information contained herein or with regard to the employment relationship between Executive and ICF. Executive understands and agrees that ICF may be required by law to report all or a portion of the amounts paid to Executive and/or his attorney in connection with this Release to the taxing authorities.
6. Any dispute, claim or controversy of any kind or nature, including but not limited to the issue of arbitrability, arising out of or relating to this Release, or the breach thereof, or any disputes which may arise in the future, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration rules. To the maximum extent possible all aspects of the arbitration shall be confidential, except the judgment if and when it is filed with a court. The place of arbitration shall be Fairfax County, Virginia, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. If there is any arbitration or litigation between the parties arising out of or related to this Release, the prevailing party will be entitled to recover, in addition to the
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relief awarded, all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys, accountants and other professionals fees and expenses) whether in arbitration, at trial, on appeal or in bankruptcy. In determining the costs and expenses to be awarded the prevailing party, the arbitrator or the court is not bound by the Virginia rules and case law regarding reimbursable costs, but should instead venture to make the prevailing party whole by awarding all reasonable costs incurred in connection with the litigation
7. It is further understood and agreed that Executive has not relied upon any advice whatsoever from ICF and/or its attorneys individually and/or collectively as to the taxability, whether pursuant to Federal, State or local income tax statutes or regulations, or otherwise, of the consideration transferred hereunder and that he will be solely liable for all of his tax obligations including those that might arise under Section 409A. Executive understands and agrees that ICF may be required by law to report all or a portion of the amounts paid to him and/or his attorney in connection with this Release to federal and state taxing authorities. Executive waives, releases, forever discharges and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold ICF harmless with respect to any actual or potential tax obligations imposed by law.
8. It is further understood and agreed that Releasees and/or their attorneys shall not be further liable either jointly and/or severally to Executive and/or his attorneys individually or collectively for costs and/or attorneys fees, including any provided for by statute, nor shall Executive and/or his attorneys be liable either jointly and/or severally to ICF and/or its attorneys individually and/or collectively for costs and/or attorneys fees, including any provided for by statute.
9. Executive understands and agrees that if the facts with respect to which this Release are based are found hereafter to be other than or different from the facts now believed by him to be true, he expressly accepts and assumes the risk of such possible difference in facts and agrees that this Release shall be and remain effective notwithstanding such difference in facts.
10. Executive understands and agrees that there is a risk that the damage and/or injury suffered by Executive may become more serious than he now expects or anticipates. Executive expressly accepts and assumes this risk, and agrees that this Release shall be and remains effective notwithstanding any such misunderstanding as to the seriousness of said injuries or damage.
11. Notwithstanding paragraph 6 of this Release, Executive understands and agrees that if he hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon or relating to any of the claims and potential claims for relief, causes of action and liability of any and every kind, nature and character whatsoever, known or unknown, he has released herein, Executive agrees to pay Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit.
12. It is further understood and agreed that this Release shall be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of Executives spouse, heirs, successors, assigns, agents, employees, representatives, executors and administrators and shall be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the individual and/or collective successors and assigns of Releasees and their successors, assigns, agents and/or representatives.
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13. This Release shall be construed in accordance with and governed for all purposes by the laws of the State of Delaware.
14. Executive agrees that he will not seek future employment with, nor need to be considered for any future openings with ICF, any division thereof, or any subsidiary or related corporation or entity.
15. If any part of this Release is found to be either invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions of this Release will still be valid.
16. This Release is intended to release and discharge any claims of Executive under the Age Discrimination and Employment Act. To satisfy the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 626(f), the parties agree as follows:
A. Executive acknowledges that he has read and understands the terms of this Release.
B. Executive acknowledges that he has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney, if desired, concerning this Release and has received all advice he deems necessary concerning this Release.
C. Executive acknowledges that he has been given twenty-one (21) days to consider whether or not to enter into this Release, has taken as much of this time as necessary to consider whether to enter into this Release, and has chosen to enter into this Release freely, knowingly and voluntarily.
D. For a seven day period following the execution of this Release, Executive may revoke this Release by delivering a written revocation to the President and Secretary of ICF. This Release shall not become effective and enforceable until the revocation period has expired (the Effective Date).
17. Executive does not hereby waive rights to indemnification for actions occurring through his affiliation with ICF, whether those rights arise from statute, corporate charter documents or any other source.
18. Executive acknowledges that he has been encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney of his choice with regard to this Release. Having read the foregoing, having understood and agreed to the terms of this Release, and having had the opportunity to and having been advised by independent legal counsel, the parties hereby voluntarily affix their signatures.
19. This Release is to be interpreted without regard to the draftsperson. The terms and intent of the Release shall be interpreted and construed on the express assumption that all parties participated equally in its drafting.
20. This Release constitutes a single integrated contract expressing the entire agreement of the parties hereto. Except for the Severance Agreement, which defines certain obligations on the part of both parties, and this Release, there are no agreements, written or oral, express or implied, between the parties hereto, concerning the subject matter herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
ICF INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||||||
|
By: |
| ||||
Sudhakar Kesavan |
Judith B. Kassel | |||||
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary |
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