Attached files
Exhibit 10.40
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of March 1, 2011, is
entered into between BKF Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with
offices located at 225 N.E. Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 ("BKF
Capital" or the "Company") and Maria Fregosi, an individual, who resides at 541
N.E. Spanish Trial, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 ("Executive"). BKF Capital and
Executive are each referred to herein as a "Party" and collectively, the
"Parties").
W I T N E S S E T H :
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WHEREAS, BKF Capital desires to employ Executive, and Executive is willing
to accept such employment on the terms and conditions set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth in this Agreement, BKF Capital and Executive agree as follows:
1. Employment. BKF Capital hereby employs Executive as its Chief Financial
Officer and Senior Vice President, reporting to Company's Chief Executive
Officer, Steven N. Bronson (the "CEO") and the Board of Directors (the "Board"),
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. Duties. The Executive shall perform all reasonable duties incident to
the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President as well as
any other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the CEO and/or the
Board, and agrees to abide by all policies, practices, procedures or rules of
the Company, provided same are consistent with the scope and dignity of
Executive's position. The Executive agrees to devote her best efforts, energies
and skill to the discharge of the duties and responsibilities attributable to
her position, and to this end, she will devote a majority of her time and
attention to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and its
affiliates. The Executive also agrees that she shall not take personal advantage
of any business opportunities which arise during her employment and which may
benefit the Company or its affiliates. All material facts regarding such
opportunities must be promptly reported to the CEO and the Board for
consideration by the Company or its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Executive may donate her time and efforts to charitable causes, educational
and other similar activities, so long as such endeavors do not affect her
ability to perform her duties under this Agreement. If requested by the Company,
and provided Executive deems she has reasonable availability, the Executive
shall serve on the board of directors of any affiliate of the Company or any
committee thereof without additional compensation. Company shall have the right,
but not the obligation, to use Executive's name, photograph, likeness and
approved biographical data for the purpose of advertising, marketing, promoting,
publicizing and exploiting any matter related to the duties performed hereunder.
3. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on March 1, 2011, and
shall continue until terminated by either Party (the "Term") (the "Term").
Executive understands and agrees that her employment with the Company is at
will, which means that either the Executive or the Company may terminate this
Agreement at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice.
Any modification of the "at will" nature of the employment must be in writing
and executed by the Executive and by the Company, after approval by the Board.
4. Compensation and Benefits.
4.1 Warrants. In exchange for the services to be rendered by Executive
herein, BKF Capital shall issue Executive warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase
200,000 shares of BKF Capital's common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common
Stock"). Specifically, BKF Capital shall issue Executive warrants to purchase
100,000 shares of Common Stock at a strike price at $1.55 per share (the "$1.55
Warrants"), and warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at a strike
price at $2.00 per share (the "$2.00 Warrants").
a. Vesting of Warrants. The Warrants shall vest as follows:
(i) 50,000 $1.55 Warrants shall vest upon the occurrence of BKF
Capital raising $5,000,000 through the sale of equity and
completion of twelve months of employment;
(ii) 50,000 $1.55 Warrants shall vest upon the occurrence of BKF
Capital raising an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 from the
execution of this Agreement;
(iii) 50,000 $2.00 Warrants shall vest upon the occurrence of BKF
Capital raising an aggregate amount of $15,000,000 from the
execution of this Agreement; and
(iv) 50,000 $2.00 Warrants shall vest upon the occurrence of BKF
Capital raising an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 from the
execution of this Agreement.
b. Terms of Warrants. The Warrants are exercisable for a period of 5
years, but they shall expire and terminate ninety (90) days after
Executive's separation from BKF Capital for any reason. The Warrants are
subject to dilution based on future issuances of securities of BKF Capital,
but it is the goal of BKF Capital to only raise capital at a level that
would be accretive to BKF's current net asset value.
4.2 Bonus Compensation. The Executive shall also be entitled to participate
in the bonus pool (the "Bonus Pool") to be established by BKF Capital. It is
anticipated that participants in the Bonus Pool will share in a bonus of
approximately 1% to 2% of the annual realized gains and operating profit of BKF
Capital.
4.3 Temporary Wages/Draw. Until the Bonus Pool, described in Section 4.2,
above, is established, BKF Capital will pay to Executive temporary wages in the
amount of $5,000 per month (the "Temporary Wages"), payable on the 15th day of
the following month. Once the Executive receives a distribution from the Bonus
Pool, the Temporary Wages shall automatically cease and terminate, and
thereafter the Executive shall receive a monthly draw in the amount of $5,000,
which shall be deducted from any future distributions earned by Executive under
the Bonus Pool.
4.4 Vacation and Sick Leave. During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to an aggregate of four (4) weeks of paid vacation, and five (5) days
of paid sick leave, prorated for any portion of a year to the date of
termination. The timing and duration of any vacation shall be subject to the
prior written approval of the Company, in its discretion.
4.5 Executive Benefit Plans. At all times during the term of this Agreement
the Executive shall be provided the opportunity to participate in all health,
pension and welfare plans, life insurance, programs and benefits (the "Plans")
as approved by the Company's Compensation Committee/Board of Directors.
5. Reimbursement of Business Expenses. During the term of this Agreement,
upon submission of proper invoices, receipts or other supporting documentation
satisfactory to BKF Capital and in specific accordance with such guidelines as
may be established from time to time, Executive shall be reimbursed by BKF
Capital for all reasonable business expenses actually and necessarily incurred
by Executive on behalf of BKF Capital in connection with Executive's performance
of services under this Agreement.
6. Representations as to Employability.
6.1 Absence of prior restrictions. Executive represents and warrants that
Executive is not party to, or bound by, any agreement or commitment, or subject
to any restriction, including, but not limited to agreements related to previous
employment containing confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-poaching or
non-compete covenants, which would adversely affect the business of BKF Capital
or Executive's performance of duties under this Agreement.
6.2 Absence of third party proprietary information. Executive represents
and warrants that Executive is not in possession of and will not bring onto the
Company's premises or access or utilize any proprietary information of any prior
employer or other third-party that Executive is not permitted to have. Executive
represents, further, that Executive will be able to fulfill Executive's duties
hereunder without such proprietary information by utilizing only information
that is generally available in the public domain or the rightful property of
Executive or the Company.
7. Confidentiality and Proprietary Information.
7.1 Non-Disclosure. During the course of Executive's employment with BKF
Capital, Executive will learn of Confidential Information (as defined below) and
Executive may develop Confidential Information on behalf of BKF Capital.
Executive agrees that Executive will not use or disclose to any Person (except
as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of Executive's
duties and responsibilities for BKF Capital) any Confidential Information
obtained or created by Executive incident to Executive's employment or any other
association with BKF Capital. Executive understand that this restriction shall
continue to apply after Executive's employment terminates, regardless of the
reason for such termination.
7.2 Protection of Information. All information, data, documents, records
and files, in any kind of media, relating to the business (whether past, present
or future) of BKF Capital ("Confidential Information"), whether or not prepared
by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of BKF Capital. Executive
agree to safeguard all Confidential Information and to surrender to BKF Capital,
at the time Executive's employment terminates or at such earlier time as
requested, all tangible forms of Confidential Information of BKF Capital then in
Executive's possession or control, and to destroy or retrieve any copies, such
that no Confidential Information which was at any time in Executive's possession
or control will exist in tangible form other than what Executive have turned
over to BKF Capital or destroyed.
7.3 Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. The Executive
represents and acknowledges that she has executed the Company's Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement which provides for, among other things,
non-disclosure of confidential and proprietary information. A copy of the
Company's form Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement is attached
hereto as Appendix A, and is expressly made a part of this Agreement. The
Executive, further, represents and acknowledges that she is bound by the terms
of the Executive Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement and that any
breach of the Executive Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement shall
constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
8. Non-competition and Non-solicitation. The Executive represents and
acknowledges that she has executed the Company's Covenant Not to Compete and
Non-Solicitation Agreement which provides for, among other things,
non-competition and non-solicitation of customers and employees of the Company.
A copy of the Company's form Covenant Not to Compete and Non-Solicitation
Agreement is attached hereto as Appendix B, and is expressly made a part of this
Agreement. The Executive, further, represents and acknowledges that she is bound
by the terms of the Company's Covenant Not to Compete and Non-Solicitation
Agreement and that any breach of the Company's Covenant Not to Compete and
Non-Solicitation Agreement shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration of
the Term set forth in Section 3 upon the occurrence of any of the events set
forth in, and subject to the terms of, this Section 9.
9.1 Voluntarily. The Company and/or the Executive may terminate this
Agreement at any time by written notice to the other Party. Either Party may
waive such notice from the other Party.
9.2 Death. This Agreement will terminate immediately and automatically upon
Executive's death.
9.3 Disability. This Agreement may be terminated at BKF Capital's option,
immediately upon notice to the Executive, if Executive shall suffer a permanent
disability. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "permanent disability"
shall mean Executive's inability to perform Executive's duties under this
Agreement for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days due to illness, accident
or any other physical or mental incapacity, as determined by the Board. In the
event that a dispute arises with respect to Executive's disability, the parties
shall each select a duly licensed medical doctor to make such a determination.
If the two doctors so selected cannot agree on a determination, they will
mutually select a third duly licensed medical doctor and the decision of the
majority of the three doctors will be binding.
9.4 Termination by BKF Capital for Cause. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, Company may terminate the employment of the
Executive and all of the Company's obligations under this Agreement at any time
for Cause (as hereinafter defined) by giving the Executive written notice of
such termination, with reasonable specificity of the details thereof. "Cause"
shall include, without limitation, the following: (i) conviction (including
conviction on a NOLO CONTENDERE plea) of a felony, or a misdemeanor where
imprisonment is imposed and served,; (ii) commission of any act of theft, fraud,
dishonesty, unethical business conduct, or intentional falsification of any
employment or Company's records; (iii) improper disclosure of the Company's
confidential or proprietary information; (iv) any action by the Executive which
has a detrimental effect on the Company's reputation or business; (v) failure or
neglect or inability by the Executive to devote her full time and best efforts
to the Company's business and affairs; (vi) failure or neglect by the Executive
to perform the duties of the Executive's position which failure or neglect has
an adverse effect of the Company or its prospects, other than for reasons of
Disability; (vii) failure of the Executive to obey reasonable orders given by
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, provided such orders are
consistent with the scope of Executive's position; (viii) any material breach of
this Agreement or Company rules, of which Executive has or should have prior
notice; (ix) chronic and unexcused absenteeism; (x) misconduct by the Executive
in connection with the performance of any of her material duties, including,
without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company,
securing or attempting to secure personally any profit in connection with any
transaction entered into on behalf of the Company, misrepresentation to the
Company, or any violation of law or regulations on Company premises or to which
the Company is subject; (xi) disloyalty by the Executive; (xii) failure to fully
cooperate in any investigation by the Company; (xiii) a course of conduct
amounting to gross incompetence; (xiv) any other act of misconduct by the
Executive; (xv) the Executive's abuse of alcohol or other drugs or controlled
substances which abuse interferes with the Executive's performance of her duties
or obligations to the Company; or (xvi) the Executive's resignation hereunder.
A termination pursuant to this Section 9.4 shall take effect ten (10) days
after the giving of written notice to the Executive, specifying the nature of
such breach, unless the Executive shall, during such ten (10) day period, remedy
to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board the misconduct, disregard, failure,
abuse or breach specified in such notice; provided, however, that such
termination shall take effect immediately upon the giving of such notice if the
Board shall, in its reasonable discretion, have determined that such misconduct,
disregard, failure, abuse or breach is not remediable (which determination shall
be stated in such notice).
9.5 Compensation in Event of Termination.
a. Voluntary Termination. Upon Executive's voluntary termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, Executive shall be entitled to
receive the compensation, as set forth in paragraph 4 above, up to the
date of termination, and after such date shall not be entitled to any
Compensation under this Agreement, and Executive will no longer
continue any vesting but will retain any equity that has vested as of
the date of termination.
b. Termination for Death or Disability. If Executive's employment is
terminated due to the Executive's Death or Disability pursuant to
Sections 9.2 or 9.3, then Executive or her beneficiaries will be
entitled to receive: (i) Executive's Compensation, as set forth in
Section 4, above, to the end of the monthly pay period immediately
following Executive's date of termination, (ii) accrued Bonus Payments
payable to the Executive under the Management Bonus Plan and (iii) all
equity and/or options issued to Executive by BKF Capital but not yet
vested shall immediately fully vest.
c. Termination for Cause. Upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 9.4, the Executive shall receive no severance package and
shall not be entitled to any Compensation, benefits or other rights
granted herein to the Executive.
d. Termination by Executive by BKF Capital Without Cause. If Executive's
employment is terminated by BKF Capital without cause, then Executive
shall be entitled to receive the compensation, as set forth in
paragraph 4 above, up to the date of termination, and after such date
shall not be entitled to any Compensation under this Agreement, and
Executive will no longer continue any vesting but will retain any
equity that has vested as of the date of termination.
9.6 Release. In no event shall the Executive be entitled to receive any
payments, amounts, rights, or benefits under this Section 9 unless Executive
executes a release concerning any claims Executive may have against BKF Capital
in a form reasonably acceptable to BKF Capital.
10. Miscellaneous.
10.1 Survival. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
10.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding
of the Parties relating to the Executive's employment with BKF Capital and
merges and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous agreements between the
Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.
10.3 Modification. This Agreement may not be modified unless in writing and
signed by the Party against whom the same is sought to be enforced.
10.4 Waiver. Failure of a Party to enforce one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement or to require at any time performance of any of the obligations
hereof shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions by such Party
nor to in any way affect the validity of this Agreement or such Party's right
thereafter to enforce any provision of this Agreement, nor to preclude such
Party from taking any other action at any time which it would legally be
entitled to take.
10.5 Assignment. This Agreement and all any rights or obligations hereunder
are not assignable by Executive, but may be assigned by BKF Capital upon the
sale of substantially all of its assets.
10.6 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under
this Agreement shall be in writing and transmitted via email, and shall be
deemed to have been given at the time of transmittal, as follows:
To BKF Capital: BKF Capital, Inc.
225 N.E. Mizner Boulevard, Suite 400
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Attn.: Steven N. Bronson, Chairman & CEO
Email: sbronson@catalystfinancial.com
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To Executive: Maria Fregosi
541 N.E. Spanish Trail
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Email: mfregosi@bkfcapital.com
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10.7 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid
or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement, and the provision held to be invalid or
unenforceable shall be modified so as to be enforced as nearly as possible
according to its original terms and intent but only to the extent necessary to
eliminate such invalidity or unenforceability.
10.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.
10.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, including facsimile and email pdf signatures which shall be deemed
as original signatures. All executed counterparts shall constitute one
agreement, notwithstanding that all signatories are not signatories to the
original or the same counterpart.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party hereto has duly executed this Agreement as
of the date set forth above.
BKF Capital Group, Inc. Maria Fregosi
/s/ /s/
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Signature Signature
Steven N. Bronson, CEO
