KB Home Contracts
Sample Business Contracts
Change In Control Severance Plan - KB Home
KB HOME
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN
KB HOME, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has adopted this Change
in Control Severance Plan (the "Plan"), effective as of October 4, 2001, for the
benefit of certain key employees of the Company.
The purposes of the Plan are as follows:
(1) To reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of
members of the Company's management to their assigned duties without the
distraction arising from the possibility of a change in control of the Company;
(2) To enable and encourage the Company's management to focus their
attention on obtaining the best possible deal for the Company's shareholders and
to make an independent evaluation of all possible transactions, without being
diverted by their personal concerns regarding the possible impact of various
transactions on the security of their jobs and benefits; and
(3) To provide severance benefits to any Participant (as defined below)
who incurs a termination of employment under the circumstances described herein
within a certain period following a Change in Control (as defined below).
1. DEFINED TERMS. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated below:
(A) "Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.
(B) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
promulgated under Section 12 of the Act.
(C) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(D) "Cause" shall mean (i) acts of fraud or misappropriation committed
by the Participant and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment at
the expense of the Company or (ii) repeated violations by the Participant of the
Participant's obligations to the Company which are demonstrably willful and
deliberate and which result in material injury to the Company; provided that, in
each case, the Participant has received written notice of the described
activity, has been afforded a period of 20 days to cure or correct the activity
described in the notice, and has failed to cure, correct or cease the activity,
as appropriate.
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(E) A "Change in Control" shall mean any change in control of the
Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item
1(a) of the Current Report on Form 10-K, as in effect on the Effective Date,
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act; provided that, without limitation,
such a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) a third person, including a "group" as such term is
used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Act, becomes the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of
the Company's outstanding voting securities ordinarily having the right
to vote for the election of directors of the Company, unless such
acquisition of beneficial ownership is approved by a majority of the
Incumbent Board (as such term is defined in clause (ii) below); or
(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute
the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at
least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board
(other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial
assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the
Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Act) shall be, for purposes of this provision,
considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board.
(F) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.
(G) "Committee" shall mean the committee responsible for administering
the Plan, as described in Section 3 hereof.
(H) "Company" shall mean KB HOME, a Delaware corporation, and, except in
determining under Section 1(E) hereof whether or not any Change in Control of
the Company has occurred, shall include any successor to its business and/or
assets.
(I) "Disability" shall mean the Participant's incapacity due to physical
or mental illness to perform his or her full-time duties with the Company for a
continuous period of three months or an aggregate of six months in any
eighteen-month period.
(J) "Good Reason" shall mean, without the consent of the Participant,
(i) any changes in the duties and responsibilities of the Participant which are
materially inconsistent with the duties and responsibilities of the Participant
within the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control, (ii) any
reduction of the Participant's salary, aggregate incentive compensation
opportunities (excluding any reduction in incentive compensation awards due to
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the economic performance of the Company) or aggregate benefits, (iii) any
required relocation of the Participant's office beyond a 50 mile radius from the
location of the Participant's office immediately prior to the Change in Control,
(iv) any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption of the Plan by a
successor of the Company, or (v) the Company's requiring the Participant to
travel materially in excess of the Participant's business travel obligations
prior to the Change in Control.
(K) "Participants" shall mean those persons who are expressly designated
in writing by the Committee from time to time and identified as "Group A
Participants" or "Group B Participants," as the case may be.
(L) "Protected Period" shall mean the period beginning on the date of a
Change in Control and ending on the date which is eighteen months after the date
of such Change in Control.
2. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The effective date of the Plan shall be
October 4, 2001 (the "Effective Date"). The Plan shall remain in effect until
the earlier of (i) such time as the Company has discharged all of its
obligations hereunder, or (ii) the date of the termination of the Plan pursuant
to Section 10.3 hereof.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(A) Prior to the date of a Change in Control, the Plan shall be
interpreted, administered and operated by the Personnel, Compensation and Stock
Plan Committee of the Board; on and after the date of a Change in Control, the
Plan shall be interpreted, administered and operated by a committee appointed by
a committee of individuals appointed by the Personnel, Compensation and Stock
Plan Committee of the Board as such Committee is constituted immediately prior
to the Change in Control. In each case, subject to the terms of the Plan, the
Committee shall have complete authority, in its sole discretion subject to the
express provisions of the Plan, to determine who shall be a Participant, to
interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to it, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for
the administration of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may
delegate any of its duties hereunder to such person or persons from time to time
as it may designate.
(B) All expenses and liabilities which members of the Committee incur in
connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.
The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers,
brokers, or other persons, and the Committee, the Company and the Company's
officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or
valuations of any such persons. No member of the Committee or the Board shall be
personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good
faith with respect
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to the Plan, and all members of the Committee shall be fully protected by the
Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.
4. BENEFITS PROVIDED.
4.1 Termination After Change in Control. Subject to Section 4.2 hereof,
if a Participant's employment with the Company is terminated during the
Protected Period (a) by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, or (b)
by the Participant for Good Reason, the Company shall, in lieu of any other
severance payments or benefits payable by the Company to the Participant (except
as otherwise expressly provided in a written agreement between the Company and
the Participant that such severance payments or benefits are to be paid in
addition to any payment or benefit described herein), pay to each Participant
within ten (10) business days after the Participant's Date of Termination a
severance payment (the "Severance Payment") in an amount determined as follows:
(i) in the case of each Group A Participant, a lump sum payment in an amount
equal to two (2) times the sum of the Participant's average annual base salary
and the Participant's average actual annual cash bonus under the Company's
incentive compensation plan, in each case, for the three fiscal years prior to
the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs and (ii) in the case of
each Group B Participant, a lump sum payment in an amount equal to one (1) times
the sum of the Participant's average annual base salary and the Participant's
average actual annual cash bonus under the Company's Incentive Compensation
Plan, in each case, for the three fiscal years prior to the fiscal year in which
the Change in Control occurs. In addition, notwithstanding any provisions of the
Company's stock option plans, incentive plans, or other similar plans, all
outstanding options, if any, granted to a Participant under any of the Company's
stock option plans, incentive plans, or other similar plans (or options
substituted therefor covering the stock of a successor corporation) shall become
fully vested and exercisable upon a "Change in Control" or "Change of
Ownership," as such terms are defined in the applicable plan or agreement
thereunder, as to all shares of stock covered thereby, and the restricted period
with respect to any restricted stock or any other equity award granted to a
Participant thereunder shall lapse immediately upon such "Change in Control" or
Change of Ownership." In addition, notwithstanding any provisions of the
Company's Death Benefit Only Life Insurance Plan, each Participant's interest in
such plan shall become fully vested upon a Change in Control. The Severance
Payment and other benefits described herein shall be conditioned upon the
execution by the Participant of the Company's standard form general release.
4.2 Section 280G. (A) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the
contrary, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment or benefit
to a Group A Participant, whether pursuant to the terms of this Plan or
otherwise (a "Payment"), would constitute an "excess parachute payment" within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the Group A Participant shall be paid
an additional amount (a "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by
the Group A Participant after deduction of any excise tax imposed under Section
4999 of the Code, and any federal, state and local income and employment taxes
and excise tax, including
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any interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment shall be equal to the Payment. For purposes of determining the amount of
the Gross-Up Payment, the Group A Participant shall be deemed to pay federal
income tax and employment taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income
and employment taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to
be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in the state and locality of the Group A Participant's residence on the
date the Payment is made, net of the reduction in federal income taxes that the
Group A Participant may obtain from the deduction of such state and local income
taxes. Group B Participants shall not be eligible to receive a Gross-Up Payment
under this Plan.
(B) All determinations to be made under this Section 4.2 shall be made
by the Company's independent public accountant immediately prior to the date the
Payment is made (the "Accounting Firm"), which firm shall provide its
determinations and any supporting calculations and workpapers both to the
Company and the Group A Participant within ten (10) days of such date. Any such
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Group A Participant. Within five days after receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination, the Company shall pay to the Group A Participant the Gross-Up
Payment determined by the Accounting Firm.
(C) In the event that upon any audit by the Internal Revenue Service, or
by a state or local taxing authority, of a Payment or Gross-Up Payment, a change
is finally determined to be required in the amount of taxes paid by the Group A
Participant, appropriate adjustments shall be made under this Section 4.2 such
that the net amount which is payable to the Group A Participant after taking
into account the provisions of Section 4999 of the Code and any interest and
penalties shall reflect the intent of the parties as expressed in paragraph (A)
of this Section 4.2, in the manner determined by the Accounting Firm. The Group
A Participant shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal
Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of
a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but
no later than ten (10) business days after the Group A Participant is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Group A
Participant shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such
shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such
claim is due). If the Company notifies the Group A Participant in writing prior
to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the
Group A Participant shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim; (ii) take such action in
connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in
writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal
representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by
the Company; (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively
to contest such claim; and (iv) permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall
bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and
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penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold
the Group A Participant harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any excise tax or
income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a
result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without
limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.2, the Company shall
control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings,
hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and
may contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Group A Participant
agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative
tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate
courts, as the Company shall determine. The Company's control of the contest
shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be
payable hereunder and the Group A Participant shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.
(D) All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing
the determinations referred to in paragraphs (B) and (C) of this Section 4.2
shall be borne solely by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Accounting Firm from any and all claims, damages and expenses
resulting from or relating to its determinations pursuant to paragraphs (B) and
(C) of this Section 4.2, except for claims, damages or expenses resulting from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Accounting Firm.
5. TERMINATION PROCEDURES.
5.1 Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of a Participant's
employment following a Change in Control (other than by reason of death) shall
be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party to the other
party in accordance with Section 8 hereof. For purposes of this Plan, a "Notice
of Termination" shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Plan relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
the Participant's employment under the provision so indicated. Further, no
termination for Cause shall be effective without (i) reasonable notice to the
Participant setting forth the reasons for the Company's intention to terminate,
and (ii) an opportunity for the Participant to cure or correct any such breach
within twenty (20) days after receipt of such notice. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein, no termination for Good Reason shall be effective unless (i)
the Participant has delivered to the Company a Notice of Termination in
accordance with this Section 5.1 within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of
the event or circumstance which constitutes Good Reason under Section 1(J)
hereof, and (ii) the Company has been afforded an opportunity to cure or correct
such event or circumstance within twenty (20) days after receipt of such notice.
5.2 Date of Termination. "Date of Termination," with respect to any
purported termination of a Participant's employment (other than by reason of the
Participant's death or
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Disability), shall mean the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which
shall be within thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is
given).
5.3 Covenants. The Participant agrees that, in order for the Participant
to be eligible to receive the Severance Payment and other benefits described
herein, the Participant must comply with the covenants set forth in paragraphs
(A) and (B) of this Section 5.3. In the event that a Participant breaches or
violates any provision of paragraphs (A) and (B) of this Section 5.3, the
Participant shall forfeit any right and interest of the Participant to receive
any Severance Payment or other benefit described herein and the Participant
shall promptly refund to the Company all payments received under Section 4.1.
(A) The Participant hereby agrees that, upon termination of the
Participant's employment with the Company, the Participant shall not
discuss or use any confidential and/or secret information of a
proprietary nature which is not otherwise publicly available.
(B) The Participant hereby agrees that, for a period commencing
on the Date of Termination and terminating on the first anniversary
thereof, the Participant shall not, either on the Participant's own
account or jointly with or as a manager, agent, officer, employee,
consultant, partner, joint venturer, owner or shareholder or otherwise
on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation, directly or
indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit away from the Company any of
its officers or employees; provided, however, that a general
advertisement to which an employee of the Company responds shall in no
event be deemed to result in a breach of this Section 5.3(B).
6. NO MITIGATION. The Company agrees that, in order for a Participant to
be eligible to receive the Severance Payment and other benefits described
herein, the Participant is not required to seek other employment or to attempt
in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Participant by the Company
pursuant to Section 4 hereof. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit
provided for in this Plan hereof shall not be reduced by any compensation or
income earned by the Participant as the result of employment by another employer
or self-employment, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed
to be owed by the Participant to the Company, or otherwise.
7. SUCCESSORS.
7.1 (A) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly
assume this Plan and all obligations of the Company hereunder in the same manner
and to the same extent that the Company would be so obligated if no such
succession had taken place.
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(B) This Plan shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding
upon the Company, its successors and assigns, but without the prior written
consent of the Participants this Plan may not be assigned other than in
connection with the merger or sale of substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company or similar transaction in which the successor or assignee
assumes (whether by operation of law or express assumption) all obligations of
the Company hereunder.
7.2 This Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Participant's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees or other beneficiaries. If a
Participant shall die while any amount would still be payable to such
Participant hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon
the death of the Participant) if such Participant had continued to live, all
such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the terms of this Plan to the executors, personal representatives or
administrators of such Participant's estate.
8. NOTICES. For the purpose of this Plan, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, if to a Participant,
to the address on file with the Company and, if to the Company, to the address
set forth below, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to
the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of
address shall be effective only upon actual receipt:
To the Company:
KB Home
10990 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90024
Attention: Senior Vice President, Human Resources
9. CLAIMS PROCEDURES; EXPENSES.
9.1 Claim for Benefits. A Participant may file with the Committee a
written claim for benefits under the Plan if the Participant believes that the
Company has not paid the Participant all amounts due under the Plan. The
Committee shall, within a reasonable time not to exceed ninety (90) days, unless
special circumstances require an extension of time of not more than an
additional ninety (90) days (in which event a Participant will be notified of
the delay during the first ninety (90) day period), provide adequate notice in
writing to any Participant whose claim for benefits shall have been denied,
setting forth the following in a manner calculated to be understood by the
Participant: (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (ii) specific
reference to the provision or provisions of the Plan on which the denial is
based; (iii) a description of any additional material or information required to
perfect the claim, and an
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explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and (iv)
information as to the steps to be taken in order that the denial of the claim
may be reviewed. If written notice of the denial of a claim has not been
furnished to a Participant, and such claim has not been granted within the time
prescribed in this Section 9.1 (including any applicable extension), the claim
for benefits shall be deemed denied.
9.2 Appeal of Denial. (A) A Participant whose claim for benefits shall
have been denied in whole or in part, may, within sixty (60) days from either
the receipt of the denial of the claim or from the time the claim is deemed
denied (unless the notice of denial grants a longer period within which to
respond), appeal such denial to Committee. In the event of a claim, the
Participant may, upon request, at this time review documents pertinent to his
claim and may submit written issues and comments.
(B) The Committee shall notify a Participant of its decision within
sixty (60) days after an appeal is received, unless special circumstances
require an extension of time of not more than an additional sixty (60) days (in
which event a Participant will be notified of the delay during the first sixty
(60) day period). Such decision shall be given in writing in a manner calculated
to be understood by the Participant and shall include the following: (i)
specific reasons for the decision; and (ii) specific reference to the provision
or provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based.
9.3 Expenses, Legal Fees. If a Participant commences a legal action to
enforce any of the obligations of the Company under this Plan and it is
ultimately determined that the Participant is entitled to any payments or
benefits under this Plan, the Company shall pay the Participant the amount
necessary to reimburse the Participant in full for all reasonable expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses) incurred by the
Participant with respect to such action.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
10.1 No Waiver. No waiver by the Company or any Participant, as the case
may be, at any time of any breach by the other party of, or of any lack of
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Plan to be performed by such
other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. All other plans,
policies and arrangements of the Company in which the Participant participates
during the term of this Plan shall be interpreted so as to avoid the duplication
of benefits paid hereunder.
10.2 No Right to Employment. Nothing contained in this Plan or any
documents relating to the Plan shall (i) confer upon any Participant any right
to continue in the employ of the Company or a subsidiary, (ii) constitute any
contract or agreement of employment, or (iii) interfere in any way with the
right of the Company to terminate the Participant's employment at any time, with
or without Cause.
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10.3 Termination and Amendment of Plan. Prior to a Change in Control,
the Board shall have the right to amend or terminate the Plan and to add or
remove Participants from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion. From
and after the date of a Change in Control, the Board shall not have the right to
terminate the Plan or amend it any manner which adversely affects the rights of
any Participant unless the Company has obtained the prior written consent of
each affected Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan shall
automatically terminate on the date following the termination of the Protected
Period, provided that all obligations accrued by Participants prior to such
termination of the Plan must be satisfied in full in accordance with the terms
hereof.
10.4 Benefits not Assignable. Except as otherwise provided herein or by
law, no right or interest of any Participant under the Plan shall be assignable
or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law or
otherwise, including without limitation by execution, levy, garnishment,
attachment, pledge or in any manner; no attempted assignment or transfer thereof
shall be effective; and no right or interest of any Participant under the Plan
shall be liable for, or subject to, any obligation or liability of such
Participant. When a payment is due under this Plan to a Participant who is
unable to care for his or her affairs, payment may be made directly to his or
her legal guardian or personal representative.
10.5 Tax Withholding. All amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to
applicable federal, state and local tax withholding.
10.6 Delaware Law. This Plan shall be construed, interpreted and the
rights of the parties determined in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware (without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof), to the
extent not preempted by federal law, which shall otherwise control.
10.7. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect. If this Plan shall
for any reason be or become unenforceable by either party, this Plan shall
thereupon terminate and become unenforceable by the other party as well.