UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
Amendment No. 1
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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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. ☐
Explanatory Note
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Separation Agreement and Enhanced Transition Assistance Agreement with Joseph H. Reniers
As previously disclosed, Joseph H. Reniers resigned from his position as President – Kirby Distribution & Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, effective May 20, 2022. In connection with his departure, on June 5, 2022, the Company and Mr. Reniers entered into a Letter Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Reniers will be entitled to receive: (i) a payment of $145,891 (which represents five months of Mr. Reniers’ 2022 target bonus) and (ii) a payment of $157,906 (representing the prorated equivalent of Mr. Reniers’ long-term cash performance award for the 2020-2022 performance period under the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program). The Separation Agreement also confirms the Company’s pre-existing obligations to pay Mr. Reniers’ accrued but unused vacation through his termination date and to pay the balance credited to his account under the Company’s deferred compensation “top hat plan” as of November 15, 2022. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, the Separation Agreement includes a mutual general release of claims by Mr. Reniers and the Company in favor of the other party and certain related persons and parties, and customary confidentiality, assignment of invention and cooperation provisions.
On June 5, 2022, the Company and Mr. Reniers also entered into an Enhanced Transition Assistance Agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) whereby, subject to the terms of the Transition Agreement, Mr. Reniers is eligible to receive: (i) monthly payments of $40,833.33 from June 2022 until May 2023, (ii) a one-time payment of $500,000 in June 2023, and (iii) monthly payments in the amount equal to his monthly COBRA premium from June 2022 through November 2023 (provided Mr. Reniers timely exercises his COBRA continuation rights and so long as he is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage). All payments to Mr. Reniers under the Transition Agreement are subject to and conditioned on Mr. Reniers’ compliance with the non-solicit, non-compete, non-disclosure and continued cooperation provisions set forth in the Transition Agreement, his execution and non-revocation of the release contained in the Separation Agreement, and his compliance with these continuing obligations under the Separation Agreement.
The foregoing descriptions of the Separation Agreement and the Transition Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entireties by reference to the Separation Agreement and the Transition Agreement filed as exhibits to this Report and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
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Description of Exhibit |
10.1* |
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Letter Agreement dated June 5, 2022 between the Company and Joseph H. Reniers |
10.2* |
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104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
* Certain portions of these exhibits have been redacted in compliance with Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission unredacted copies of the exhibits upon its request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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KIRBY CORPORATION |
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Date: |
June 9, 2022 |
By: |
/s/ Raj Kumar |
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Raj Kumar |
Exhibit 10.1
[Certain identified information has been excluded from this Exhibit 10.1 because it is both not material and is the type of information that the Company treats as private or confidential.]
May 20, 2022
Via Hand Delivery
Personal and Confidential
[Redacted]
Mr. Joseph H. Reniers
[Redacted]
Re: Transition Assistance; Potential for Enhanced Transition Assistance
Dear Joe:
This Letter Agreement (“Agreement”) memorializes our conversations in which I advised of the decision to chart new directions for the KDS businesses that you have been leading. As a consequence of this decision, your employment and leadership/officer/committee roles with the Company will end May 20, 2022.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Company” means Kirby Corporation and its subsidiaries, affiliates, and partnerships.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
AND LEADERSHIP/OFFICER/COMMITTEE ROLES
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MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
By signing this Agreement, it is your intent to waive and release all claims and potential claims that may be legally released against the Released Parties. In the unlikely event that a claim or potential claim has been omitted from this Release provision, you assign said claims and potential claims to Company in exchange for its obligations in this Agreement.
By signing this Agreement, you are not waiving any right to file a charge/claim with, or participate in an investigation by, any local, state or federal agency; provided, however, that you are waiving your right to recover any monetary relief as a result of such charge or investigation other than a bounty award. You are also not waiving any (a) claims that may arise after the date that you execute this Agreement, or (b) your vested benefits.
The earliest date you may execute this Agreement is close of business on your Termination Date.
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CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION;
ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Confidential Information also means any information disclosed by Company to you, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally or by inspection of tangible objects, including without limitation, information and technical data contained in Company’s manuals, booklets, publications, training modules, and equipment of every kind and character, as well as documents, prototypes, samples, prospects, inventions, trade secrets, product ideas, technical know-how, processes, plans (including without limitation, marketing plans and strategies), specifications, designs, methods of operation, techniques, technology, formulas, software, improvements, financial and marketing information, forecasts, research, targeted industries and market segments for future growth, and the identity of any and all customers, prospective customers, consultants, vendors and suppliers. Confidential Information shall also include information disclosed to Company by one or more customers to which Company is under a confidentiality obligation.
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COMPENSATION PAID IN CONNECTION WITH TERMINATION
Irrespective of your consent to this Agreement, Company shall pay you the sums in Terms 9 and 10, in a lump sum, less appropriate state and federal deductions:
Conditioned upon your acceptance, consent and unrevoked execution of this Agreement, and as additional consideration for your obligations in this Agreement, Company shall pay you the sums in Terms 11 and 12, in a lump sum, less appropriate state and federal deductions:
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Payment of Items 11 and 12 will be made as soon as administratively practical following your execution of the Agreement and the expiration of the revocation period without action by you to revoke. In the unlikely event Company pays you for Items 11 and 12 above and you timely revoke acceptance, you covenant to repay Company the total sums advanced for 11 and 12 within 15 days of revocation.
Upon termination of employment, you have the right to maintain your balance in Company’s 401k Plan or to transfer the balance per the terms of the Plan. In either event, in light of termination of your employment, the Company shall make no future contributions on your behalf to the Company’s 401k Plan.
NO CRITICAL REMARKS
In exchange for Company’s obligations in this Agreement, you covenant to refrain from communicating (in any form: oral, written, electronic, or other) remarks criticizing, or portraying in a negative light, Company and/or its directors, officers, employees, products and/or services. This obligation does not supersede your obligation to provide truthful testimony should you be called upon to do so by lawfully issued legal process.
COOPERATION
In exchange for Company’s obligations in this Agreement, you agree to cooperate fully with Company and its counsel with respect to any matter (e.g. threatened litigation, litigation, investigations, governmental proceedings/investigations) relating to matters with which you were involved during your employment with Company. Your cooperation shall include truthful recollection of events.
GOVERNING LAW; VENUE; ARBITRATION
This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of Texas and shall be construed and enforced under the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas. The normal rule of construction that ambiguities shall be construed against the drafter shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. You and Company agree that the sole and exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement among you, Company, the Company Releasees, or any other person released hereby shall be in Harris County, Texas, subject to the arbitration obligations in this Agreement.
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Additionally, you and Company agree that any future disputes involving claims for money damages shall be exclusively resolved via arbitration in which the costs of arbitration shall be borne by Company. Costs of arbitration shall not include your costs and expenses for legal representation, if any, which shall be borne by you. Pursuant to this provision, you and Company will agree to a single Arbitrator and shall conduct any Arbitration pursuant to the employment provisions of the American Arbitration Association Rules.
Notwithstanding the agreement to arbitrate, Company shall have the right to see injunctive and/or declaratory relief in a court of competent jurisdiction in Harris County, Texas should Company believe you have violated any provision of this Agreement.
TERMINATION OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO FEBRUARY 25, 2021
INCENTIVE AND RETENTION AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the letter of February 25, 2021 (attached as Exhibit D), you acknowledge and agree that termination of employment in May 2022 terminates any right to any additional installments of Cash Retention Bonus which would have vested in December 2022 and December 2023 respectfully. Similarly, you acknowledge and agree that termination of employment in May 2022 terminates any right to vest in a Retention RSU Award of 9,850 restricted stock units in light of the January 2024 vesting date and the requirement that you be employed on the vesting date.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ENHANCED TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the cessation of your employment. You acknowledge and agree that no promises have been made to you that are not reflected in this Agreement and that you have not relied upon any representation, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the above paragraph, attached hereto as Exhibit E is a true and correct copy of an Enhanced Transition Assistance Agreement that memorializes additional compensation and benefits available to you should you voluntarily elect to accept them.
ACCEPTANCE AND REVOCATION
You have a reasonable time period up to 21 days from receipt of the Agreement to accept the terms of and sign this Agreement. You may accept and sign this Agreement before the expiration of this time period, if you choose. You have been advised to consult with an attorney of your own choosing regarding the matters set forth in this Agreement prior to signing it.
In order to accept this Agreement and receive the Severance Benefits, you must return a copy of this letter within 21 days of receiving this Agreement to Kim Clarke, Chief Human Resource Officer, Kirby Corporation, 55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77007; telephone: 713-435-****; email: Kim.Clarke@kirbycorp.com.
The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act gives you the right to revoke acceptance of this Agreement within 7 days after you sign and accept it. By signing and accepting this Agreement,
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you acknowledge that you have been advised in writing to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement, that you have had the opportunity to have the provisions of this Agreement explained to you by your own counsel, that you fully understand the terms and significance of this Agreement; that you voluntarily agree to all the terms and conditions contained herein; and that you are signing this Agreement of your own free will and voluntarily. You acknowledge that the settlement and release of any claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and its state law equivalent is not effective until the eighth day following your acceptance of this Agreement. Accordingly, no rights or obligations contained in this Agreement with regard to settlement and release of any claims under the ADEA will be enforceable before the end of the seven-day revocation period. If you decide to revoke this Agreement with regard to the settlement and release of any claims under the ADEA, you must deliver to the Company by delivering to Kim Clarke, Chief Human Resource Officer, Kirby Corporation, 55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77007; telephone: 713-435-****; email: Kim.Clarke@kirbycorp.com, a signed notice of revocation within 7 days after the date you signed this Agreement on the line provided below for your signature.
CONCLUSION
The benefits outlined in this Agreement and the attached Enhanced Transition Assistance Agreement reflect the Company’s thanks for your service and for your many contributions. You leave with our very best wishes for future endeavors.
Sincerely,
/s/ David W Grzebinski
David W. Grzebinski
President and Chief Executive Officer
The earliest date you may execute this Agreement is close of business on your Termination Date.
I have read and understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement and voluntarily accept and agree to them.
Signature: |
/s/ Joseph H. Reniers |
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Joseph H. Reniers |
Date of Signature: |
June 5, 2022 |
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EXHIBIT A
CURRENT LEADERSHIP AND OFFICER POSITIONS
[Redacted]
EXHIBIT B
LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
[Redacted]
EXHIBIT C
INVENTIONS RETAINED AND LICENSED
[Redacted]
EXHIBIT D
FEBRUARY 25, 2021 LETTER
[Redacted]
Exhibit 10.2
[Certain identified information has been excluded from this Exhibit 10.2 because it is both not material and is the type of information that the Company treats as private or confidential.]
EXHIBIT E
May 20, 2022
Via Hand Delivery
Personal and Confidential
[Redacted]
Mr. Joseph H. Reniers
[Redacted]
Re: Enhanced Transition Assistance
Dear Joe:
This Enhanced Transition Assistance Agreement (“Enhanced Assistance Agreement”) memorializes additional compensation and benefits available to you should you decide to accept the terms and conditions. Acceptance occurs when you return a signed copy of the Enhanced Assistance Agreement to Kim Clarke, Chief Human Resource Officer, Kirby Corporation, 55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77007; telephone: 713-435-****; email: Kim.Clarke@kirbycorp.com, concurrently with your written acceptance of the Transition Assistance Agreement also hand-delivered to you on this date.
PRE-CONDITIONS TO ACCEPTANCE
OF ENHANCED BENEFITS
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MONTHLY COMPENSATION; ONE-TIME PAYMENT; COBRA
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
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GOVERNING LAW; ARBITRATION; VENUE
This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of Texas and shall be construed and enforced under the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas. The normal rule of construction that ambiguities shall be construed against the drafter shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. You and Company agree that the sole and exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement among you, Company and/or the Company Releasees, or any other person released hereby shall be in Harris County, Texas.
Additionally, the Parties agree that any future disputes between them shall be exclusively resolved via arbitration in which the costs of arbitration shall be borne by Company. Costs of arbitration shall not include expenses and fees associated with your legal representation, if any, which shall be borne exclusively by you. Pursuant to this arbitration provision, you and Company shall agree upon a single arbitrator to decide any dispute. Procedurally, the arbitration shall be governed by the rules for employment law disputes established by the American Arbitration Association.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ENHANCED TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the Enhanced Transition Assistance and Prohibited Activities. You acknowledge and agree that no promises have been made to you that are not reflected in this Enhanced Assistance Agreement and that you have not relied upon any representation, written or oral, not set forth in this letter. Nothing in this Enhanced Transition Assistance Agreement shall operate to extinguish your obligations pursuant to the Kirby Corporation Intellectual Property Agreement and/or the Kirby Corporation Employee or Contractor Non-Disclosure Agreement, which shall remain in force.
CONCLUSION
The benefits outlined in this Agreement reflect the Company’s thanks for your service and for your many contributions. You leave with our very best wishes for future endeavors.
Sincerely,
/s/ David W. Grzebinski
David W. Grzebinski
President and Chief Executive Officer
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I have read and understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement and voluntarily accept and agree to them.
Signature: |
/s/ Joseph H. Reniers |
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Joseph H. Reniers |
Date of Signature: |
June 5, 2022 |
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EXHIBIT 1
SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES, BUSINESS SEGMENTS, AND CUSTOMERS
TO WHICH PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES PROVISIONS APPLY
[Redacted]
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