UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On November 4, 2021, Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the hiring of Michael H. Jenkins as the Company’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Jenkins will commence his employment with the Company effective November 11, 2021.
In connection with Mr. Jenkins’ hiring, Scott A. Green, the Company’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, is being promoted to Executive Vice President of the Company and President of Orion Services Group.
Mr. Jenkins, age 52, has served as Construction and Consumer Business Director, General Manager – Americas of Bostik, Inc., a global adhesives business focused on developing “smart” adhesive solutions, since 2013. Prior to joining Bostik, Mr. Jenkins served as Vice President Sales, Americas – Diversey, and previously, as Vice President Marketing, Americas, for Sealed Air Corporation, a publicly traded integrated cleaning solutions and packaging company, from 2010 to 2012. From 2001 to 2009, Mr. Jenkins served the Kohler Co., an industrial and consumer products corporation, in various capacities including as Acting President – Canac Division, Vice-President, Sales & Installation – Canac Division and as Director, Retail Sales.
The Company entered into an executive employment and severance agreement (“Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Jenkins pursuant to which he will be provided with the following compensation arrangements: (i) an annual base salary in fiscal 2022 of $365,000; (ii) an initial grant of 50,000 shares of restricted stock vesting annually pro rata over a three-year period; (iii) a fiscal 2022 annual bonus target eligibility potential of up to 50% of his base salary actually paid to him in fiscal 2022 pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company’s fiscal 2022 executive annual incentive bonus plan; and (iv) an automobile allowance of $1,000 per month. If Mr. Jenkins’ employment is terminated without “cause” or for “good reason”, he will be entitled to a lump sum severance benefit equal the sum of his base salary plus the average of the prior three years’ bonuses (the total of which is doubled if the termination occurs after a “change of control”); a pro rata cash bonus for the year of the termination; and COBRA premiums at the active employee rate for the duration of the executive’s COBRA continuation coverage period. To receive these benefits, Mr. Jenkins must execute a general release of claims. Upon the termination of employment, Mr. Jenkins will be subject to customary non-compete and non-solicit obligations for a period of 24-months following the termination of his employment.
The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On November 4, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Jenkins’ employment. The Company is furnishing a copy of such press release as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01(d) | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
Exhibit 10.1 | Executive Employment and Severance Agreement, effective as of November 11, 2021, between Orion Energy Systems, Inc. and Michael H. Jenkins | |
Exhibit 99.1 | Press Release of Orion Energy Systems, Inc. | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
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.
ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||||||
Date: November 4, 2021 | By: | /s/ J. Per Brodin | ||||
J. Per Brodin | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
Name of Executive: | Michael H. Jenkins | |
Position: | Executive Vice President and Chief $365,000 November 11, 2021 | |
Fiscal Year 2022 Base Salary: Effective Date: | ||
Pre-Change of Control Severance Multiplier is: | 1x | |
Post-Change of Control Severance Multiplier is: | 2x |
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT
AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This Executive Employment Agreement (Agreement) is between the executive named above (Executive) and Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (Orion or the Company) effective as of the effective date set forth above (Effective Date).
WHEREAS, Orion desires to employ Executive (by itself or through one of its affiliates, and Orion shall be deemed to include any such affiliate, if applicable, when used herein), and Executive desires to be employed by Orion under the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Effective Date; Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and continue until terminated as set forth in Section 4 hereof. Termination of this Agreement will not affect the rights or obligations of the parties hereunder arising out of, or relating to circumstances occurring prior to the termination of this Agreement, which rights and obligations will survive the termination of this Agreement.
2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
(a) Accrued Benefits shall mean, as of the Termination Date, the sum of: (i) Executives Base Salary earned but not paid for the time period ending with the Termination Date; (ii) any other earned but unpaid amounts as of the Termination Date, and (iii) any other payments or benefits to be provided to Executive by Orion pursuant to any employee benefit plans or arrangements adopted by Orion, to the extent such amounts are due from Orion.
(b) Base Salary shall mean the Executives annual base salary with Orion as in effect from time to time beginning, with the initial fiscal year 2022 base salary set forth above.
(c) Board shall mean the board of directors of Orion or a committee of such Board authorized to act on its behalf in certain circumstances, including the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(d) Cause shall mean a good faith finding by Orion that Executive has (i) failed, neglected, or refused to perform his employment duties from time to time assigned to him (other than due to death or Disability); (ii) committed any willful, intentional, or grossly negligent act having the effect of injuring the interest, business, or reputation of Orion; (iii) violated or failed to comply in any material respect with Orions published rules, regulations, or policies, as in effect or amended from time to time; (iv) committed an act constituting a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, theft, or dishonesty; (v) misappropriated or embezzled any property of Orion (whether or not such act constitutes a felony or misdemeanor); or (vi) breached any material provision of this Agreement or any other applicable confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicit, general release, covenant not-to-sue, equity award agreement, or other agreement with Orion.
(e) Change of Control shall mean and be limited to the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) the acquisition by any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than (A) Orion or any of its subsidiaries, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of Orion or any of its subsidiaries, or (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) directly or indirectly, of securities of Orion by reason of having acquired such securities during the twelve month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition representing 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of the common stock of Orion, or the combined voting power of Orions then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Company Voting Stock); or
(ii) the majority of members of Orions Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of Orions Board before the date of the appointment or election; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or share exchange of Orion with any other corporation or the issuance of Company Voting Stock in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or share exchange of Orion which requires approval of the shareholders of Orion, other than (A) a merger, consolidation, reorganization or share exchange which would result in the Company Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, reorganization or share exchange continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least fifty percent (50%) of the Company Voting Stock or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding
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immediately after such merger, consolidation, reorganization or share exchange, or (B) a merger, consolidation or share exchange effected to implement a recapitalization of Orion (or similar transaction) in which no person (defined above) is or becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of securities of Orion (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such person (defined above) any securities acquired directly from Orion or its affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) pursuant to the express authorization by the Board that refers to this exception) representing twenty percent (20%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of Orion or the Company Voting Stock; or
(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of Orion or a sale or disposition by Orion of all or substantially all of Orions assets (in one transaction or a series of related transactions within any period of 24 consecutive months), in each case, which requires approval of the shareholders of Orion, other than a sale or disposition by Orion of all or substantially all of Orions assets to an entity at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of which are owned by persons (defined above) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Orion immediately prior to such sale.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the common stock of Orion immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to own, directly or indirectly, in the same proportions as their ownership in Orion, an entity that owns all or substantially all of the assets or Company Voting Stock of Orion immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
(f) COBRA shall mean the provisions of Code Section 4980B.
(g) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as interpreted by rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, including any successor provisions thereto.
(h) Competing Product means any product or service which is sold or provided in competition with a product or service: (A) that Orion has sold or provided at any time during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Termination Date or (B) that was designed, developed, tested, distributed, marketed, provided or produced by Orion at any time during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Termination Date.
(i) Disability shall mean a total and permanent mental or physical disability precluding Executive from performing the material and substantial duties of his employment for 180 days during any twelve (12)-month period. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed totally and permanently disabled at the end of such 180th day and which makes Executive eligible to receive benefits under Orions long-term disability plan.
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(j) Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without the consent of Executive: (i) a material diminution in the Executives Base Salary; (ii) a material change in Orions current headquarters located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin; (iii) a material diminution in the Executives duties, authority or responsibilities; or (iv) a material breach by Orion of any provisions of this Agreement or any equity award agreement with Orion to which the Executive is a party.
(k) Key Employee means any person who at the Termination Date is employed or engaged by Orion and with whom Executive has had material contact in the course of employment during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Termination Date, and (i) is a manager, officer or director of Orion; (ii) is in possession of Confidential Information and/or Trade Secrets of Orion; and/or (iii) is directly managed by or reports to Executive as of, or at any time prior to, the Termination Date.
(l) Restricted Customer means a customer of Orion during the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.
(m) Restricted Territory means Territories (as the term Territory is defined below) in which Orion has sold or provided products or services during the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Restricted Territory is limited to Territories in which Orion has sold or provided in excess of one hundred thousand dollars (US $100,000) in the aggregate worth of products or services in the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.
(n) Separation from Service shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A and the related Treasury Regulations; provided, that for this purpose, a separation from service is deemed to occur on the date that Orion and Executive reasonably anticipate that the level of bona fide services Executive would perform after that date (whether as an employee or independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than 50% of the average level of bona fide services provided in the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) months.
(o) Services means sales, financial, supervisory, management, engineering, scientific or any other services of the type performed for Orion by Executive (or one or more Orion executives managed, supervised or directed by Executive) during the final twenty-four (24) months preceding the Termination Date, but shall not include clerical, menial or manual labor.
(p) Severance Payment shall mean the Executives Base Salary at the time of the Termination Date plus the average of the annual bonuses earned by the Executive with respect to each of the three completed fiscal years of Orion preceding the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs (or such lesser number of fiscal years for which the Executive was employed by Orion, with any partial years bonus being annualized with respect to such fiscal year) multiplied by the severance multiplier set forth above; provided that if Executives Termination Date occurs on or following a Change of Control, the multiplier described above shall be increased to the post-Change of Control severance multiplier set forth above and any reduction in Executives Base Salary since the date of the Change of Control shall be ignored.
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(q) Strategic Customer means a customer of Orion that has purchased a product or service from the Orion during the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date, but is limited to individuals or entities concerning which Executive learned, created, or reviewed Confidential Information or Trade Secrets on behalf of Orion during the twelve (12)-month period preceding the Termination Date.
(r) Termination Date shall mean the effective date of the termination of Executives Employment, as further described in Section 4.
(s) Territory means a state within the United States, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, and/or a foreign nation.
(t) Third Party Confidential Information means information received by Orion from others that Orion has an obligation to treat as confidential.
(u) Trade Secret means a Trade Secret as that term is defined under Wis. Stat. § 134.90, or its successor provision.
3. Employment of Executive.
(a) Position.
(i) Commencing immediately on and after the Effective Date, Executive shall serve in a full-time capacity in the positions set forth above and/or in any other position and/or with such other duties as determined from time to time or at any time by Orion.
(ii) Executive will devote Executives full business time and best efforts to the performance of Executives duties hereunder and will not engage in any other business, profession or occupation for compensation or otherwise which would conflict or interfere with the rendition of such services either directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Orion; provided that nothing herein shall preclude Executive, subject to the prior approval of Orion, from accepting appointment to or continuing to serve on any board of directors or trustees of any non-profit organization or any charitable organization or no more than one (1) for-profit entity; further provided in each case, and in the aggregate, that such activities do not materially conflict or interfere with the performance of Executives duties hereunder or conflict with Section 7.
(b) Base Salary. Orion shall pay Executive a Base Salary at the initial annual rate set forth above, payable in regular installments in accordance with Orions usual payroll practices. Executive shall be entitled to such increases in Executives Base Salary, if any, as may be determined from time to time by Orion.
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(c) Cash Bonus Incentives. Executive shall be entitled to participate in such annual and/or long-term cash incentive compensation plans and programs of Orion as are generally provided to the senior executives of Orion, as determined by the Board in its discretion. Any cash bonuses payable to Executive will be paid at the time Orion normally pays such bonuses to its senior executives and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable cash incentive compensation plans and programs, as determined by the Board in its discretion.
(d) Equity Compensation. Executive shall be eligible to receive equity compensation awards (which may consist of restricted stock or other types of equity awards), as determined by the Board in its discretion pursuant to Orions equity compensation plans and programs in effect from time to time. These awards shall be granted in the discretion of the Board, and shall include such terms and conditions, including performance objectives, as the Board deems appropriate.
(e) Employee Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate in Orions other employee benefit plans as in effect from time to time on the same basis as those benefits are generally made available to other senior executives of Orion.
(f) Business Expenses. Executive shall have a right to be reimbursed for Executives reasonable and appropriate business expenses which Executive actually incurs in connection with the performance of Executives duties and responsibilities under this Agreement in accordance with Orions expense reimbursement policies and procedures for its senior executives, subject to Orions reasonable requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses
(g) Other Perquisites. Executive shall be entitled to receive the other benefits and perquisites set forth in Exhibit A.
All payments and benefits under this Section 3 shall be subject to payroll tax and other withholdings in accordance with Orions standard payroll practices and applicable law.
4. Termination of Employment. A Termination Date shall occur as follows:
(a) Executives employment will terminate upon Executives death.
(b) If Executive suffers a Disability, and if within thirty (30) days after Orion notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate Executives employment because of such Disability, then Executive shall not have returned to the performance of Executives duties hereunder on a full-time basis, then Orion may terminate Executives employment, effective immediately following the end of such thirty (30)-day period.
(c) Orion may terminate Executives employment with or without Cause (other than as a result of Disability by providing written notice to Executive of such termination, provided however, if Orion terminates Executives employment for Cause, then such written notice shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination for Cause. If the termination is without Cause, Executives employment will terminate on the date specified in the written notice
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of termination. If the termination is for Cause, the Executive shall have thirty (30) days from the date the written notice is provided, or such longer period as Orion may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or act, if curable (as determined by Orion), alleged to provide grounds for termination of Executives employment for Cause. If the alleged conduct or act constituting Cause is not curable (as determined by Orion), Executives employment will terminate on the date specified in the written notice of termination. If the alleged conduct or act constituting Cause is curable (as determined by Orion), but Executive does not cure such conduct or act within the specified time period, Executives employment will terminate on the date immediately following the end of the cure period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a determination of Cause shall only be made in good faith by Orion, and after a Change of Control, Orions successor, which may terminate Executive for Cause only after providing Executive (i) written notice as set forth above, (ii) the opportunity to appear before the Board and provide rebuttal to such proposed termination, and (iii) written notice following such appearance confirming such termination. Unless otherwise directed by Orion, from and after the date of the written notice of proposed termination, Executive shall be relieved of his duties and responsibilities and shall be considered to be on a paid leave of absence pending any final action by Orion or the successor confirming such proposed termination.
(d) Executive may terminate his employment with or without Good Reason by providing written notice of termination to Orion that indicates in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination. If Executive is alleging a termination for Good Reason, Executive must provide written notice to Orion of the existence of the condition constituting Good Reason within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of such condition, and Orion must have a period of at least thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice to cure such condition. If such condition is not cured by Orion within such thirty (30)-day period, Executives termination of employment from Orion shall be effective on the date immediately following the end of such cure period.
5. Payments upon Termination.
(a) Entitlement to Severance. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Benefits, and to the Severance Payment described in subsection (c), in either of the following circumstances while this Agreement is in effect:
(i) Executives employment is terminated by Orion without Cause, except in the case of death or Disability; or
(ii) Executive terminates his employment with Orion for Good Reason.
If Executive dies after receiving a notice by Orion that Executive is being terminated without Cause, or after providing notice of termination for Good Reason, the Executives estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the Accrued Benefits and the Severance Payment described in subsection (c) at the same time such amounts would have been paid or benefits provided to Executive had he lived.
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(b) General Release Requirement. Executive will not be eligible to receive any payments or benefits under Section 5(c) until (i) Executive executes a general release of all claims arising out of his employment with, and termination of employment from, Orion in the form proscribed by and acceptable to Orion (General Release); and (ii) the revocation period specified in such General Release expires without such Executive exercising his right of revocation as set forth in the General Release.
(c) Severance Payment; Timing and Form of Severance Payment. Subject to Section 5(b) and the limitations imposed by Section 6, in lieu of any severance pay or benefits under any Orion severance pay plans, programs or policies, if Executive is entitled to severance benefits, then:
(i) Orion shall pay Executive the Severance Payment (plus an amount equal to the Executives annual target cash bonus opportunity as established by the Board for the fiscal year in which Separation from Service occurs, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed in the fiscal year to the date of Separation from Service and the denominator is 365) on a ratable basis each month over the eighteen (18)-month period following the Termination Date, or if later, the date on which the General Release is no longer revocable, or if later, the date on which the amount payable under Section 6 is determined;
(ii) Executive shall be entitled to receive premiums from Orion for COBRA continuation coverage for the length of such coverage at the same rate as is being charged to active employees for similar coverage; and
(iii) The vesting of Executives then unvested equity awards from the Company at the date of the Executives Separation from Service shall be automatically accelerated and such unvested equity awards shall be deemed to be fully vested as of the date of Executives Separation from Service, but only to the extent such equity awards would have otherwise vested within the twenty-four (24)-month period from the date of Executives Separation of Service if the Executive had continued in the employment of the Company through said vesting date(s).
All Severance Payments and other payments and benefits under this Section 5 shall be subject to payroll taxes and other withholdings in accordance with Orions standard payroll practices and applicable law.
(d) Other Termination of Employment. If Executives employment terminates for any reason other than those described in subsection (a), Executive (or Executives estate in the event of his death), shall be entitled to receive only the Accrued Benefits. Executive must be terminated for Cause pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4(c) of this Agreement in order for the consequences of such a Cause termination to apply to Executive under any equity award agreement with Orion to which Executive is then a party. Orions obligations under this Section 5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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6. Limitations on Severance Payments and Benefits. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any portion of the Severance Payment or any other payment under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with or plan of Orion (in the aggregate Total Payments), would constitute an excess parachute payment, then the Total Payments to be made to Executive shall be reduced such that the value of the aggregate Total Payments that Executive is entitled to receive shall be One Dollar ($1) less than the maximum amount which Executive may receive without becoming subject to the tax imposed by Code Section 4999 or which Orion may pay without loss of deduction under Code Section 280G(a); provided that the foregoing reduction in the amount of Total Payments shall not apply if the After-Tax Value to Executive of the Total Payments prior to reduction in accordance herewith is greater than the After-Tax Value to Executive of the Total Payments are reduced in accordance herewith. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms excess parachute payment and parachute payments shall have the meanings assigned to them in Code Section 280G, and such parachute payments shall be valued as provided therein.
Within twenty (20) business days following delivery of the notice of termination or notice by Orion to Executive of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due Executive that will result in an excess parachute payment as defined in Code Section 280G, Executive and Orion, at Orions expense, shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of nationally recognized tax counsel selected by Orions independent auditors and acceptable to Executive in Executives sole discretion, which opinion sets forth: (A) the amount of the Executives annualized includible compensation for the base period as defined in Code Section 280G(d)(1), (B) the amount and present value of Total Payments, (C) the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments without regard to the limitations of this Section 6, (D) the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments if the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under this Section 6 did not apply, and (E) the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments taking into account the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under this Section 6. For purposes of determining the After-Tax Value of Total Payments, (I) Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes and employment taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income and employment taxation in the calendar year in which the Severance Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of taxation in the state and locality of Executives domicile for income tax purposes on the date the Severance Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that may be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes, and (II) a reasonable compensation analysis and valuation will be performed, to the extent it would increase the Executives After-Tax Value of Total Payments, of the value of the Executives restrictive covenants under Section 8 hereof (and any other restrictive covenants applicable to the Executive). Such opinion shall be dated as of the Termination Date and addressed to Orion and Executive and shall be binding upon Orion and Executive and upon which Orion and Executive may fully rely. If such opinion determines that there would be an excess parachute payment and that the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments taking into account the reduction contemplated under this Section is greater than the After-Tax Value of the Total Payments if the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under this Section did not apply, then the Severance Payment hereunder or any other payment determined by such counsel to be includible in Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated as specified by Executive in writing delivered to Orion within five (5) business days of Executives receipt of such opinion or, if Executive fails to so notify Orion, then as Orion shall reasonably determine, so that under the bases of calculations set forth in such opinion there will be no excess parachute payment. If such legal counsel so requests in connection with the opinion required by this
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Section, Executive and Orion shall obtain, at Orions expense, and the legal counsel may rely on in providing the opinion, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 6, including the calculations, notices and opinions provided for herein, shall be based upon the conclusive presumption that the following are reasonable: (1) the compensation and benefits provided for in Section 3 and (2) any other compensation, including but not limited to the Accrued Benefits earned prior to the date of Executives Separation from Service by the Executive pursuant to the Companys compensation programs if such payments would have been made in the future in any event, even though the timing of such payment is triggered by the Change of Control or the Executives Separation from Service.
7. Covenants by Executive.
(a) Nondisclosure of Third Party Confidential Information. During Executives employment with Orion and after the Termination Date, Executive shall not use or disclose Third Party Confidential Information for as long as the relevant third party has required Orion to maintain its confidentiality, or for so long as required by applicable law, whichever period is longer. This prohibition does not prohibit Executives use of general skills and know-how acquired during and prior to employment by Orion, as long as such use does not involve the use or disclosure of Third Party Confidential Information. This prohibition also does not prohibit the description by Executive of Executives employment history and duties, for work search or other purposes, as long as such use does not involve the use or disclosure of Third Party Confidential Information.
(b) Nondisclosure of Trade Secrets. During Executives employment with Orion and after the Termination Date, Executive shall not use or disclose Orions Trade Secrets so long as they remain Trade Secrets. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit either Executives statutory and other duties not to use or disclose Orions Trade Secrets, or Orions remedies in the event Executive uses or discloses Orions Trade Secrets.
(c) Obligations Not to Disclose or Use Confidential Information. Except as set forth herein or as expressly authorized in writing on behalf of Orion, Executive agrees that while Executive is employed by Orion and during the two (2)-year period commencing at the Termination Date, Executive will not use or disclose (except in discharging Executives job duties with Orion) any Confidential Information, whether such Confidential Information is in Executives memory or it is set forth electronically, in writing or other form. This prohibition does not prohibit Executives disclosure of information after it ceases to meet the definition of Confidential Information, or Executives use of general skills and know-how acquired during and prior to employment by Orion, so long as such use does not involve the use or disclosure of Confidential Information; nor does this prohibition restrict Executive from providing prospective employers with an employment history or description of Executives duties with Orion, so long as Executive does not use or disclose Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive learns information in the course of employment with Orion which is subject to a law governing confidentiality or non-disclosure, Executive shall keep such information confidential for so long as required by law, or for two (2) years after the Termination Date, whichever period is longer.
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(d) Return of Property; No Copying or Transfer of Documents. All equipment, books, records, papers, notes, catalogs, compilations of information, data bases, correspondence, recordings, stored data (including data or files that exist on any personal computer or other electronic storage device), software, and any physical items, including copies and duplicates, that Executive generates or develops or which come into Executives possession or control, which relate directly or indirectly to, or are a part of Orions (or its customers) business matters, whether of a public nature or not, shall be and remain the property of Orion, and Executive shall deliver all such materials and items, and any and all copies of them, to Orion on the Termination Date. During employment or after the Termination Date, Executive will not copy, duplicate, or otherwise reproduce, or permit copying, duplicating, or reproduction of Orion documents or writings, whether stored on paper, magnetic tape, CD, electronically, or otherwise, including but not limited to notes, notebooks, letters, blueprints, manuals, drawings, sketches, specifications, formulas, financial documents, business plans, and the like, or any other documentation owned or originated by Orion and relating to Orions business which, from time to time, may have come into Executives possession, custody, or control as a result of or in the course of Executives employment with Orion, without the express written consent of Orion, or, as a part of Executives duties performed hereunder for the benefit of Orion. Executive expressly covenants and warrants, upon the Termination Date for any reason (or no reason), that Executive shall promptly deliver to Orion any and all originals and copies in Executives possession, custody, or control of any and all said property, documents or writings, and that Executive shall not make, retain, or transfer to any third party any copies thereof. In the event any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets are stored or otherwise kept in or on a computer hard drive or other storage device owned by or otherwise in the possession or control of Executive (collectively, Executive Storage Device), upon the Termination Date, Executive will present to Orion for inspection and removal of all information regarding Orion (including but not limited to Confidential Information or Trade Secrets) stored on any Executive Storage Device.
(e) Duty of Loyalty. During Executives employment with Orion, Executive shall owe Orion an undivided duty of loyalty, and shall take no action adverse to that duty of loyalty. Executives duty of loyalty to Orion includes but is not limited to a duty to promptly disclose to Orion any information that might cause Orion to take or refrain from taking any action, or which otherwise might cause Orion to alter its behavior. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive shall promptly notify Orion at any time that Executive decides to terminate employment with Orion or enter into competition with Orion, as Orion may decide at such time to limit, suspend, or terminate Executives employment or access to Orions Confidential Information, Trade Secrets, or customer relationships.
(f) Limited Restriction on Sales to a Restricted Customer. For twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date, for whatever reason, Executive shall not sell or solicit the sale of a Competing Product to a Restricted Customer and Executive shall not perform Services as part of or in support of providing, selling or soliciting the sale of a Competing Product to a Restricted Customer.
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(g) Limited Restriction on Sales to a Strategic Customer. For twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date, for whatever reason, Executive shall not sell or solicit the sale of a Competing Product to a Strategic Customer and Executive shall not perform Services as part of or in support of providing, selling or soliciting the sale of a Competing Product to a Strategic Customer.
(h) Limited Restriction on Sales in the Restricted Territory For twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date, for whatever reason, Executive shall not perform Services as part of or in support of the business of selling, soliciting the sale of or providing Competing Products in the Restricted Territory.
(i) Limited Restriction on Design, Development, Production and Testing Activities in the Restricted Territory. For twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date, for whatever reason, Executive shall not perform Services as part of or in support of the business of designing, testing, developing or producing Competing Products for sale in the Restricted Territory.
(j) Non-solicitation of Key Employees. For twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date, for whatever reason, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of Orion, solicit a Key Employee to engage in competition with Orion, unless such Key Employee has already ceased employment with Orion. This shall not bar any Key Employee from applying for or accepting employment with any person or entity.
(k) Disclosure and Assignment to Orion of Inventions and Innovations.
(i) Executive agrees to disclose and assign to Orion as Orions exclusive property, all inventions and technical or business innovations, including but not limited to all patentable and copyrightable subject matter (collectively, the Innovations) developed, authored or conceived by Executive solely or jointly with others during the period of Executives employment, including during Executives employment prior to the date of this Agreement, (1) that are along the lines of the business, work or investigations of Orion to which Executives employment relates or as to which Executive may receive information due to Executives employment with Orion, or (2) that result from or are suggested by any work which Executive may do for Orion or (3) that are otherwise made through the use of Orion time, facilities or materials. To the extent any of the Innovations is copyrightable, each such Innovation shall be considered a work for hire.
(ii) Executive agrees to execute all necessary papers and otherwise provide proper assistance (at Orions expense), during and subsequent to Executives employment, to enable Orion to obtain for itself or its nominees, all right, title, and interest in and to patents, copyrights, trademarks or other legal protection for such Innovations in any and all countries.
(iii) Executive agrees to make and maintain for Orion adequate and current written records of all such Innovations;
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(iv) Upon the Termination Date, Executive agrees to deliver to Orion promptly all items which belong to Orion or which by their nature are for the use of Orion employees only, including, without limitation, all written and other materials which are of a secret or confidential nature relating to the business of Orion.
(v) In the event Orion is unable for any reason whatsoever to secure Executives signature to any lawful and necessary documents required, including those necessary for the assignment of, application for, or prosecution of any United States or foreign application for letters patent or copyright for any Innovation, Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Orion and its duly authorized officers and agents as Executives agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in Executives behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the assignment, prosecution, and issuance of letters patent or registration of copyright thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive. Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to Orion any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which Executive may now have or may hereafter have for infringement of any patent or copyright resulting from any such application.
(l) Remedies Not Exclusive. In the event that Executive breaches any terms of this Section 7, Executive acknowledges and agrees that said breach may result in the immediate and irreparable harm to the business and goodwill of Orion and that damages, if any, and remedies of law for such breach may be inadequate and indeterminable. Orion, upon Executives breach of this Section 7, shall therefore be entitled (in addition to and without limiting any other remedies that Orion may seek under this Agreement or otherwise at law or in equity) to (1) seek from any court of competent jurisdiction equitable relief by way of temporary or permanent injunction and without being required to post a bond, to restrain any violation of this Section 7, and for such further relief as the court may deem just or proper in law or equity, and (2) in the event that Orion shall prevail, its reasonable attorneys fees and costs and other expenses in enforcing its rights under this Section 7.
(m) Severability of Provisions. If any restriction, limitation, or provision of this Section 7 is deemed to be unreasonable, onerous, or unduly restrictive by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not be stricken in its entirety and held totally void and unenforceable, but shall remain effective to the maximum extent possible within the bounds of the law. If any phrase, clause or provision of this Section 7 is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such phrase, clause, or provision shall be deemed severed from this Section 7, but will not affect any other provision of this Section 7, which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. The provisions of this Section 7 are each declared to be separate and distinct covenants by Executive.
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(n) Limits on Confidentiality Requirements.
(i) Nothing in this Agreement is intended to discourage or restrict the Executive from communicating with, or making a report with, any governmental authority regarding a good faith belief of any violations of law or regulations based on information that the Executive acquired through lawful means in the course of the Executives employment, including such disclosures protected or required by any whistleblower law or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Labor, or any other appropriate governmental authority.
(ii) Nothing in this Agreement is intended to discourage or restrict the Executive from reporting any theft of Trade Secrets pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (the DTSA) or other applicable state or federal law. The DTSA prohibits retaliation against an employee because of whistleblower activity in connection with the disclosure of Trade Secrets, so long as any such disclosure is made either (i) in confidence to an attorney or a federal, state, or local government official and solely to report or investigate a suspected violation of the law, or (ii) under seal in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding.
(iii) If the Executive believes that any employee or any third party has misappropriated or improperly used or disclosed Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, the Executive should report such activity through the Companys Whistle Blower Policy (as provided in the Employee Handbook and/or any other then applicable policies and procedures of the Company) or Compliance Hotline. This Agreement is in addition to and not in lieu of any obligations to protect the Companys Trade Secrets and Confidential Information pursuant to the Employee Handbook and/or any other then applicable policies and procedures of the Company and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors and Employees. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit, curtail or diminish the Companys statutory rights under the DTSA, any applicable state law regarding trade secrets or common law.
8. Notice. Any notice, request, demand or other communication required or permitted herein will be deemed to be properly given when personally served in writing or when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Executive at the address on file at the Company and to Orion with attention to the Chief Executive Officer of Orion. Either party may change its address by written notice in accordance with this paragraph.
9. Set Off; Mitigation. Orions obligation to pay Executive any amounts and to provide any of the benefits hereunder shall be subject to set-off, counterclaim or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to Orion provided, that notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to the offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A. However, Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, payments with respect to Executives employment with anyone other than Orion shall not reduce the amount of any payment to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
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10. Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Orion will 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 Orion to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Orion would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Orion shall mean Orion as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
11. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement that cannot be mutually resolved by the Executive and Orion, including any dispute as to the calculation of the Executives Accrued Benefits, Base Salary, bonus amount or any Severance Payment hereunder, shall be submitted to arbitration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in accordance with the procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The determination of the arbitrator shall be conclusive and binding on Orion and the Executive, and judgment may be entered on the arbitrators award in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both Executive and Orion may seek to obtain injunctive relief in a Wisconsin court of competent jurisdiction pending arbitration.
12. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction. This Agreement is to be governed by and construed under the laws of the United States and of the State of Wisconsin without resort to Wisconsins choice of law rules. Each party hereby agrees that the forum and venue for any legal or equitable action or proceeding arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement will lie in the appropriate federal or state courts in the State of Wisconsin and specifically waives any and all objections to such jurisdiction and venue.
13. Section 409A Compliance. This Agreement is intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code (Section 409A). Orion shall undertake to administer, interpret, and construe this Agreement in a manner that does not result in the imposition to the Executive of additional taxes or interest under Section 409A of the Code. If a payment obligation under this Agreement arises on account of the Executives Separation from Service while the Executive is a specified employee (as defined under Section 409A of the Code and determined in good faith by the Board), any payment of deferred compensation (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(1), after giving effect to the exemptions in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(b)(3) through (b)(12)) that is scheduled to be paid within six (6) months after such Separation from Service shall accrue without interest and shall be paid within fifteen (15) days after the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of such separation from service or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days after the appointment of the personal representative or executor of the Executives estate following his death.
14. Captions and Paragraph Headings. Captions and paragraph headings used herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this Agreement and will not be used in construing it.
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15. Invalid Provisions. Subject to Section 7(e), should any provision of this Agreement for any reason be declared invalid, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and binding effect of any remaining portion will not be affected, and the remaining portions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been executed with said provision eliminated.
16. No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such partys rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Executive by Orion. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this Agreement will be valid or binding.
18. Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or amended by oral agreement, but only by an agreement in writing signed by Orion and Executive.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
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WHEREAS, this Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date set forth above.
EXECUTIVE |
/s/Michael H. Jenkins |
Name:Michael H. Jenkins |
ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Michael W. Altschaefl | |
Michael W. Altschaefl | ||
Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer |
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EXHIBIT A
Benefits and Perquisites*
* | Note: The listed benefits and perquisites are in addition to those generally made available to all other senior executives of Orion under Orions employee benefit plans (other than annual and long-term incentive plans, which are addressed in Section 3 of the Agreement) as in effect from time to time. Executive is entitled to participate in such benefit plans on the same basis as those benefits are generally made available to other senior executives of Orion. Currently, such company-wide benefits include: (i) 401(k) Plan; (ii) group short term disability insurance; and (iii) group health and prescription drug insurance. |
Benefit |
Amount | |
1. Term Life Insurance |
$1,000,000 (face value) | |
2. Health/Prescription Drug Reimbursement |
Reimbursed by Company Per Current Practice | |
3. Group Long Term Disability Insurance |
Reimbursed by Company Per Current Practice | |
4. Automobile Allowance |
$1,000 per month | |
5. Tax Preparation Fee |
Reimbursed by Company Per Current Practice | |
6. Annual Executive Physical Reimbursement |
Reimbursed by Company |
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Exhibit 99.1
Orion Energy Systems
Expands Senior Leadership Team, Appointing Michael H. Jenkins as Chief Operating Officer
Manitowoc, WI November 4, 2021 Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: OESX) (Orion Lighting), a provider of energy-efficient LED lighting, controls and IoT systems, including turnkey project implementation, program management and system maintenance, today announced the expansion of its executive management team with the appointment of Michael H. Jenkins as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to support the Companys long-term growth objectives. Mr. Jenkins, an accomplished executive and business leader with a strong track record of business and financial achievement, will assume Orions COO role from Scott Green. Mr. Green is being promoted to President of Orion Services Group, which encompasses the Companys turnkey lighting installation and maintenance services business.
Mr. Jenkins has over 25 years of operations, sales and marketing experience, including the past eight years as the Construction and Consumer Business Director & General Manager at Bostik, Inc., an industrial adhesive and sealing products provider with over $2.4B in annual sales. At Bostik, Mr. Jenkins was directly responsible for the full profit and loss statement (P&L) of a several hundred million dollar business with six manufacturing plants and over 400 associates across the United States, Mexico and Canada. During his tenure, revenue nearly tripled. At Bostik, he transformed the business into a systems provider and as such identified strategic acquisitions, performed due diligence, negotiated and closed several acquisitions, integrated the businesses without disruption and created numerous cross-selling opportunities to accelerate growth. Mr. Jenkins also instilled a performance-driven culture based on a common vision and helped build Bostik brand recognition through innovative and disruptive marketing campaigns focused on key specifiers (Architects, Engineers and Designers).
Mike Altschaefl, Orions CEO and Board Chair, commented, Given the expanding scope of our operations, our long-term growth goals and our commitment to industry-leading products, innovation, service and customer experience, Orion has focused on building out our leadership team and we are very excited with the progress we are making. Earlier this year, we named lighting industry veteran Tim Rooney to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Sales, with responsibility for all sales functions of the Company.
Now we are strengthening our operational management capabilities with the addition of Mike Jenkins, who brings the ideal skill set, track record and perspective to complement and further strengthen our leadership team. Mikes appointment should allow us to focus more deeply on key opportunities to drive growth and improve financial performance. It will also allow Scott Green to focus on Orion Services Group, our turnkey lighting installation and maintenance business which represents a core element of our competitive position and long-term growth potential, as well as his continued leadership of our new product development team.
Mr. Jenkins added, I am very pleased to join Orion and to contribute to building on the strong product and service platform and reputation for industry-leading quality and customer service. I share the companys long-term growth vision and look forward to collaborating with our customers and partners to build on the companys very sound fundamentals. I am confident that my background and experience are an ideal complement to the skills, expertise and collaborative culture of Orions leadership.
Previously, Mr. Jenkins served in various management, sales and marketing roles with Sealed Air/Diversey, Kohler Company, Fortune Brands, and Illinois Tool Works. At Kohler Company, Mr. Jenkins was also a senior leader and had P&L responsibility for a turnkey business that designed, manufactured, installed and serviced custom kitchen solutions through both independent and company-owned channels to the builder contractor markets.
About Orion Energy Systems
Orion provides innovative LED lighting systems and turnkey project implementation including installation and commissioning of fixtures, controls and IoT systems, as well as ongoing system maintenance and program management. We help our customers achieve energy savings with healthy, safe and sustainable solutions, enabling them to reduce their carbon footprint and digitize their business.
Twitter: @OrionLighting and @OrionLightingIR
StockTwits: @Orion_LED_IR
Investor Relations Contacts
Per Brodin, CFO |
William Jones; David Collins | |
Orion Energy Systems, Inc. |
Catalyst IR | |
pbrodin@oesx.com |
(212) 924-9800 or OESX@catalyst-ir.com |