CoJax Oil & Gas Corp 8-K, filed Mar 6, 2023
CoJax Oil & Gas Corp (CJAX)
About this 8-K
CoJax Oil & Gas Corp filed this 8-K on March 6, 2023, reporting on events of January 25, 2023.
Items reported
- Item 1.01: Entered into a material agreement
- Item 3.02: Unregistered sale of equity
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 25, 2023
COJAX OIL AND GAS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia |
| 333-257331 |
| 46-1892622 |
3033 Wilson Boulevard, Suite E-605 Arlington, Virginia |
| 22201 |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 216-8606
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
None | N/A | N/A |
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).
Emerging growth company X
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 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 below, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities. |
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 below, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
The shares of Preferred Stock (as defined below) issued to Jeffrey J. Guzy and Wm. Barrett Wellman are exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On January 25, 2023, CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), entered into a Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with Jeffrey J. Guzy, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and Director ("Guzy Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company granted to Mr. Guzy 25,000 restricted shares of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Preferred Stock") in lieu of past-due cash compensation for services rendered by Mr. Guzy as Chief Executive Officer in 2022. On January 25, 2023, the Company also entered into a Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with Wm. Barrett Wellman, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (the “Wellman Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company granted and issued to Mr. Wellman 25,000 restricted shares of Preferred Stock in lieu of past-due cash compensation for services rendered by Mr. Wellman as Chief Financial Officer in 2022.
The terms of the Guzy Agreement and Wellman Agreement provide for:
(1) piggyback registration rights for any shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock”), to be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, if any, which registration rights will expire on January 25, 2024, and
(2) a one-year restriction on the sale, transfer, pledge, or encumbrance of the Preferred Stock, which one-year period expires on the first annual anniversary of the Preferred Stock's grant date. The restriction does not apply to shares of Preferred Stock if such shares are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or for shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock.
On February 14, 2023, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Guzy (the “Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Guzy will continue serving the Company as Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Company. The Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement has a 3-year term through February 14, 2026, unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement, Mr. Guzy will be paid a base salary of $120,000 per annum, which salary will accrue and can either be paid in total when the Company is adequately funded or, alternatively, the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at the lower conversion price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at the time of conversion by Mr. Guzy. Pursuant to the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement, Mr. Guzy may participate in any incentive compensation and other benefit plans may be granted bonus performance bonus payments to be paid in cash, stock, or both. In addition, the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement includes provisions for paid vacation time and expense reimbursement.
The Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement may be terminated (i) immediately upon Mr. Guzy’s death or Disability; (ii) by the Company for Cause; (iii) by Mr. Guzy for Good Reason (as these terms are defined
in the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement or (iv) other than for Cause or Good Reason, by Mr. Guzy or the Company upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice of termination. If Mr. Guzy terminates the employment for a Good Reason, then he would be entitled to: a cash payment, payable in equal installments over a six (6) month period after Mr. Guzy terminates employment, equal to the sum of the following: (a) subject to the payment of the following sums not causing the insolvency of the Company, the equivalent of the greater of (i) twenty-four (24) months of Mr. Guzy’s then-current base salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of the Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement; plus (b) any previously earned but unpaid salary through Mr. Guzy’s final date of employment, being Mr. Guzy’s termination of employment.
The foregoing summaries of the above-referenced Guzy Agreement, Wellman Agreement, and Guzy 2023 Employment Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to those agreements, copies of which are attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3, respectively to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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.
|
|
|
|
Date: March 3, 2023 | COJAX OIL AND GAS CORPORATION |
| |
|
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ Jeffrey J. Guzy |
|
| Name: | Jeffrey J. Guzy |
|
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
|
RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT AGREEMENT
THIS RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT AGREEMENT, made as of January 25, 2023 (the "Grant Date"), between CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and Jeffrey J. Guzy, a natural person and Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, (the "Grantee"). Grantee and Company may also be referred to individually as a "party" and collectively as the 'parties."
BACKGROUND:
A.Company has limited cash resources and no revenue-generating operations but an ongoing need to retain its two senior executive officers, including Grantee.
B.Grantee rendered significant services to the Company in 2022 with limited compensation.
C.Company is making this grant of securities in lieu of cash compensation.
For good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Grant of Restricted Stock. The Company hereby grants ("Grant") to the Grantee an award of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND (25,000) shares of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Shares"). The Shares granted shall be issued in certificate form in the name of the Grantee as soon as reasonably practicable after the Date of Grant and shall be subject to the execution and return of this Agreement by the Grantee to the Company as provided in Section 9 hereof.
2. Restrictions on Transfer. The Shares may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of and may not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated for one (1) year from the Grant Date, except through an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to Section 3 below. This Section 2 does not apply to any "Conversion Shares" (as defined in Section 3 below).
3. Piggyback Registration Rights. (a) If the Company approves filing a Form S-1 or Form S-3 registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor form, but excluding any Form S-8 or Form S-4 registration statement ("Registration Statement") for a primary offering of Company Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, ("Common Stock") from January 25, 2023, through January 25, 2024 ("Rights Period"), then the Company will notify the Grantee of its intent to file the Registration Statement ("Filing Notice") at least twenty (20) days prior to the filing of the Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Grantee shall have piggyback registration rights for all of the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Shares ("Conversion Shares"), if any, in respect of and for any Registration Statement filed during the Rights Period with the SEC, but the piggyback registration rights are only exercisable if the Grantee notifies the Company in writing of his election to exercise his piggyback registration rights within ten (10) days after receipt of the Filing Notice ("Election Notice"). If there is a timely received Election Notice for any Registration Statement filed during the Rights Period, then the Registration Statement will register all of the Shares for possible resell by the Grantee. (b) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Section 3 by the Company shall be borne by the Company, whether or not any Conversion Shares are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all federal and state registration and filing fees; (ii) legal and accounting fees and costs; (iii) cost of any filings required to be made with any national securities market or national quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for public trading (iv) fees and costs of compliance with any applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws; (v) Registration Statement printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for registered securities); (vi) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (vii) cost of any Securities Act of 1933 liability insurance, if the Company so desires that insurance, and (viii) fees and expenses of all other persons or entities retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Section 3.
4. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate the Grantee's employment, nor confer upon the Grantee any right to continuance of employment by the Company or continuance of service as a Company Board of Directors member.
5.Representations of Grantee. Grantee represents to Company as follows: (a) The Shares are being acquired for Grantee's own account, for investment purposes only and with no intent to distribute the Shares. (b) The Grantee is an "accredited investor" under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is sophisticated about the risks of an investment in the Shares and in the Company and oil and gas industry. (c) Grantee is the founder and senior operations executive of the Company. (d) Grantee is a U.S. Citizen and resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. (e) Grantee has invested in securities prior to the Grant and understands the risks of equity investments, whether publicly traded or not. (f) Grantee has had full access to Company business and financial records and has received answers to any questions about the Company and its business and financial affairs from Company Chief Financial Officer and accountants. (g) The Grantee will cooperate in good faith and in a diligent manner with the Company in compliance with federal and state securities laws and regulations in respect to issuance of the Shares under this Agreement.
6. Restricted Securities. The Shares are "restricted securities" under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and cannot be transferred, sold, assigned, otherwise disposed, pledged, or encumbered without registration under that act and applicable state securities act or an exemption from registration under those laws.
7. Withholding of Taxes. Prior to the delivery to the Grantee (or the Grantee's estate, if applicable) of a stock certificate evidencing the Shares, the Grantee (or the Grantee's estate) shall pay to the Company the federal, state, and local income taxes and other amounts as may be required by law to be withheld by the Company as a result of the grant of the Shares (the "Withholding Tax")
8. Modification of Agreement. This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended, or terminated, and any terms or conditions may be waived, but only by a written instrument executed by the parties.
9. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and shall continue in full force in accordance with their terms.
10. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.
11. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Grantee's legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee's heirs, executors, administrators, and successors.
12. Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement, or claim which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way relate to, the interpretation, construction, or application of this Agreement shall be determined by a mandatory arbitration conducted in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of JAMS (www.jamsadr.com). JAMS arbitration will be conducted before one (1) arbitrator, and any hearing will be in Northern Virginia. Any arbitration award shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Grantee, the Grantee's heirs, executors, administrators and successors, and the Company and its subsidiaries for all purposes and may be enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Grantee and the Company and supersedes all other agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the Grant.
14. Headings. This Agreement's headings are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
16. Notices. Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in writing and sent by reliable overnight delivery service (with proof of service), hand delivery, or by facsimile addressed as follows:
COMPANY:
CoJax Oil and Gas Corp.
3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite E605
Arlington, Virginia 22201
ATTN: Wm. Barrett Wellman
Telephone: 703-408-1268
Email: barrett.wellman@cojaxoilandgas.com
GRANTEE:
Jeffrey J. Guzy
3133 19th Street N
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Telephone: 703-216-8606
Email: jeffrey.guzy@cojaxoilandgas.com
17. Expenses. Except for Section 3 expenses, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants, and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.
18. Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Grantee and shall not be construed against any person as the drafter hereof. This Agreement's headings are for the convenience of reference only and shall not form part of or affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY PARTIES ON THE GRANT DATE
CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation
By: /s/Wm. Barrett Wellman
__________________________________
Wm. Barrett Wellman, Chief Financial Officer
By: /s/JEFFREY J. GUZY
__________________________________
Jeffrey J. Guzy
RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT AGREEMENT
THIS RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT AGREEMENT, made as of January 25, 2023 (the "Grant Date"), between CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and Wm. Barrett Wellman, a natural person and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the "Grantee"). Grantee and Company may also be referred to individually as a "party" and collectively as the 'parties."
BACKGROUND:
A.Company has limited cash resources and no revenue-generating operations but an ongoing need to retain its two senior executive officers, including Grantee.
B.Grantee rendered significant services to the Company in 2022 with limited compensation.
C.Company is making this grant of securities in lieu of cash compensation.
For good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Grant of Restricted Stock. The Company hereby grants ("Grant") to the Grantee an award of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND (25,000) shares of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Shares"). The Shares granted shall be issued in certificate form in the name of the Grantee as soon as reasonably practicable after the Date of Grant and shall be subject to the execution and return of this Agreement by the Grantee to the Company as provided in Section 9 hereof.
2. Restrictions on Transfer. The Shares may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of and may not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated for one (1) year from the Grant Date, except through an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to Section 3 below. This Section 2 does not apply to any "Conversion Shares" (as defined in Section 3 below).
3. Piggyback Registration Rights. (a) If the Company approves filing a Form S-1 or Form S-3 registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor form, but excluding any Form S-8 or Form S-4 registration statement ("Registration Statement") for a primary offering of Company Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, ("Common Stock") from January 25, 2023, through January 25, 2024 ("Rights Period"), then the Company will notify the Grantee of its intent to file the Registration Statement ("Filing Notice") at least twenty (20) days prior to the filing of the Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Grantee shall have piggyback registration rights for all of the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Shares ("Conversion Shares"), if any, in respect of and for any Registration Statement filed during the Rights Period with the SEC, but the piggyback registration rights are only exercisable if the Grantee notifies the Company in writing of his election to exercise his piggyback registration rights within ten (10) days after receipt of the Filing Notice ("Election Notice"). If there is a timely received Election Notice for any Registration Statement filed during the Rights Period, then the Registration Statement will register all of the Shares for possible resell by the Grantee. (b) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Section 3 by the Company shall be borne by the Company, whether or not any Conversion Shares are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all federal and state registration and filing fees; (ii) legal and accounting fees and costs; (iii) cost of any filings required to be made with any national securities market or national quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for public trading (iv) fees and costs of compliance with any applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws; (v) Registration Statement printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for registered securities); (vi) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (vii) cost of any Securities Act of 1933 liability insurance, if the Company so desires that insurance, and (viii) fees and expenses of all other persons or entities retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Section 3.
4. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate the Grantee's employment, nor confer upon the Grantee any right to continuance of employment by the Company or continuance of service as a Company Board of Directors member.
5.Representations of Grantee. Grantee represents to Company as follows: (a) The Shares are being acquired for Grantee's own account, for investment purposes only and with no intent to distribute the Shares. (b) The Grantee is an "accredited investor" under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is sophisticated about the risks of an investment in the Shares and in the Company and oil and gas industry. (c) Grantee is the founder and senior operations executive of the Company. (d) Grantee is a U.S. Citizen and resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. (e) Grantee has invested in securities prior to the Grant and understands the risks of equity investments, whether publicly traded or not. (f) Grantee has had full access to Company business and financial records and has received answers to any questions about the Company and its business and financial affairs from Company Chief Financial Officer and accountants. (g) The Grantee will cooperate in good faith and in a diligent manner with the Company in compliance with federal and state securities laws and regulations in respect to the issuance of the Shares under this Agreement.
6. Restricted Securities. The Shares are "restricted securities" under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and cannot be transferred, sold, assigned, otherwise disposed, pledged, or encumbered without registration under that act and applicable state securities act or an exemption from registration under those laws.
7. Withholding of Taxes. Prior to the delivery to the Grantee (or the Grantee's estate, if applicable) of a stock certificate evidencing the Shares, the Grantee (or the Grantee's estate) shall pay to the Company the federal, state, and local income taxes and other amounts as may be required by law to be withheld by the Company as a result of the grant of the Shares (the "Withholding Tax")
8. Modification of Agreement. This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended, or terminated, and any terms or conditions may be waived, but only by a written instrument executed by the parties.
9. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and shall continue in full force in accordance with their terms.
10. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.
11. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Grantee's legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee's heirs, executors, administrators, and successors.
12. Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement, or claim which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way relate to, the interpretation, construction, or application of this Agreement shall be determined by a mandatory arbitration conducted in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of JAMS (www.jamsadr.com). JAMS arbitration will be conducted before one (1) arbitrator, and any hearing will be in Northern Virginia. Any arbitration award shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Grantee, the Grantee's heirs, executors, administrators, and successors, and the Company and its subsidiaries for all purposes and may be enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Grantee and the Company and supersedes all other agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the Grant.
14. Headings. This Agreement's headings are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
16. Notices. Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in writing and sent by reliable overnight delivery service (with proof of service), hand delivery, or by facsimile addressed as follows:
COMPANY:
CoJax Oil and Gas Corp.
3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite E605
Arlington, Virginia 22201
ATTN: Jeffrey Guzy
Telephone: 703 216 8606
Email: jeffrey.guzy@cojaxoilandgas.com
GRANTEE:
Wm. Barrett Wellman
3133 19th Street N
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Telephone: 703-408-1268
Email: barrett.wellman@cojaxoilandgas.com
17. Expenses. Except for Section 3 expenses, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants, and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement.
18. Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Grantee and shall not be construed against any person as the drafter hereof. This Agreement's headings are for the convenience of reference only and shall not form part of or affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY PARTIES ON THE GRANT DATE
CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation
By: /s/Jeffrey J. Guzy
__________________________________
Jeffrey J. Guzy, Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/Wm. Barrett Wellman
_________________________________
Wm. Barrett Wellman
Page I
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Executive Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of the 14th day of February 2023 by and between CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and Jeffrey J. Guzy, a natural person, residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia ("Executive"). Executive and Company may also be referred to individually as a “party” and collectively as the “parties.”
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive as its Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and the Executive wishes to accept such employment; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive wish to set forth the terms of Executive's employment and certain additional agreements between Executive and the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the representations, covenants and terms contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1.Employment Period
The Company will employ Executive, and Executive will serve the Company, as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and do so in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and reasonable directives of the Board for the period commencing on January 24, 2020, (the "Commencement Date") and ending at 7:00 p.m., EST, on January 24, 2023. “Employment Period” means the aforementioned three year term of this Agreement or, if this Agreement is terminated sooner in accordance with its terms and conditions, then Employment Period means the shorter period for which this Agreement is in full force and effect. Except as expressly stated otherwise below, each party’s obligation under this Agreement end upon the expiration or termination of the Employment Period.
2.Duties and Status
The Company hereby engages Executive as its Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Executive agrees to devote the Executive's main business time, attention and energies to the business and interests of the Company during the Employment Period. During the Employment Period, Executive shall report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and shall exercise such authority, perform such executive functions and discharge such responsibilities as are reasonably associated with or required Executive's positions, commensurate with the authority vested in Executive pursuant to this Agreement and consistent with the governing documents of the Company. The Company understands that Executive is engaged in other Advisory and Board Duties of other private companies and Executive will minimize their impact on Executive's Company duties and avoid all conflicts of interest arising from those other advisory and board duties.
Executive’s duties include:
1.Strategic planning for Company in business development, marketing and sales, and strategic planning;
-1-
2.Liaison for Company to shareholder groups, securities firms, investment bankers, lenders, outside legal counsel and public auditors of Company, regulatory agencies, media and business partners of Company;
3.Executive oversight of other senior officers of Company;
4.Chair Board and shareholder meetings;
5.Negotiate significant business, financial and other corporate transactions for Company;
6.Appoint senior officers of Company with Board’s review and consent;
7.Report to the Board on matters under Executive’s control and do so on a quarterly basis;
8.Handle business development and merger-and-acquisition efforts of Company;
9.Handle media and public/investor relations for Company; and
10.Perform administrative and related duties necessary to above duties.
3.Compensation and Benefits
(a)Salary, The Company shall pay to Executive, as full and fair compensation for the performance of his duties and obligations under this Agreement and required for his position as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, a base annual salary of $120,000 per annum, payable semi-monthly in equal installments and in accordance with Company’s payroll cycle and practices. The Executive will be eligible for annual compensation increases, determined by the Board. Until the Company is adequately funded (as determined by the Board) and can pay Executive base annual salary without impairing Company’s ability to pay Company’s current operational debts and obligations this salary, the Executive’s salary will be accrued. The Executive’s accrued base salary can either be paid in total when Company is adequately funded or, alternatively, the accrued unpaid base salary can be converted into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at the lower conversion price of the initial public offering price of $2.00 or current market price at time of conversion by the Executive. Any conversion of unpaid base annual salary must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including insider trading laws and Section 16 and Rule 144 of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other pertinent underlying rules.
(b)Mr. Guzy may participate in any incentive compensation and other benefit plans to the extent that he is eligible to do so.
(c)During the Employment Period, Executive may be granted ad hoc, performance bonus payments to be paid in cash, stock or both and on terms that are declared by the Board. Granting of any bonus will be at sole discretion of the Board.
(d)Incentive Stock Options. The Executive shall have the right to participate in the Company’s Stock Option Plan (“Plan”), subject to eligibility under Plan terms and as determined in accordance with the Plan.
(e)Other Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company in effect during the Employment Period and that are generally available to senior executives of the Company, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans, programs and arrangements. In addition, and subject to eligibility, during the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and perquisites comparable to those of other senior executives of the Company, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) paid holidays observed by Company; (2) twenty (20) days of paid vacation; and (iii) five (5) days of paid sick/personal leave. All vacation leave must be approved in advance by the Board, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, and which vacation leave may be taken during any audit or review of Company financial statements. All leave is subject to Company’s published policies.
-2-
(f)Business Expenses. The Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for all appropriately documented, reasonable business expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in the performance of and necessary to the performance of his duties under this Agreement, including business telecommunications expenses and travel expenses. All expenses are reimbursed for cost without markup.
4.Termination of Employment
(a)Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Cause (defined below). For purposes of this Agreement and subject to Executive's opportunity to cure as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the Company shall have Cause to terminate Executive's employment hereunder if such termination shall be the result of:
(i)a material breach of fiduciary duty or material breach of the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive and the Company (including without limitation any agreements regarding confidentiality, inventions assignment and non-competition);
(ii)the commission by Executive of any act of embezzlement, fraud, larceny or theft on or from the Company;
(iii)substantial and continuing neglect or inattention by Executive of the duties of his employment or the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Executive in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, including insubordination, which willful misconduct or gross negligence or insubordination remains uncured for a period of fifteen (15) days following the receipt date of written notice from the Board specifying the nature of the alleged breach;
(iv)the commission by and indictment of Executive of any crime involving moral turpitude or a felony; and
(v)Executive's performance or omission of any act which, in the judgment of the Board, if known to the customers, clients, stockholders or any regulators of the Company, would have a material and adverse impact on the business or public reputation of the Company.
(b)Termination for Good Reason. Executive shall have the right at any time to terminate his employment and this Agreement with the Company upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of termination for Good Reason (defined below). For purposes of this Agreement and subject to the Company' s opportunity to cure as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, Executive shall have Good Reason to terminate his employment hereunder if such termination shall be the result of:
-3-
(i)the Company' s material breach of this Agreement; or
(ii)A requirement by the Company that Executive perform any act or refrain from performing any act that would be in violation of any applicable law.
(c)Notice and Opportunity to Cure. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4, it shall be a condition precedent to the Company's right to terminate Executive' s employment for Cause and Executive's right to terminate for Good Reason that (i) the party seeking termination shall first have given the other party written notice stating with specificity the reason for the termination ("breach") and (ii) if such breach is susceptible of cure or remedy, a period of fifteen (15) days from and after the date of the giving of such notice shall have elapsed without the breaching party having effectively cured or remedied such breach during such 15-day period, unless such breach cannot be cured or remedied within fifteen (15) days, in which case the period for remedy or cure shall be extended for a reasonable time (not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days) provided the breaching party has made and continues to make a diligent and good faith effort to effect such remedy or cure.
(d)Voluntary Termination. Executive, at his election, may terminate his employment and this Agreement upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice of termination other than for Good Reason and without cause.
(e)Termination Upon Death or Permanent and Total Disability. The Employment Period shall be terminated by and as of the death of Executive. The Employment Period may be terminated by the Board if Executive shall be rendered incapable of performing his executive duties to the Company by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment that can be reasonably expected to result in death or that can be reasonably be expected to last for a period of either (i) six (6) or more consecutive months from the first date of Executive's absence due to the disability or (ii) nine (9) months during any twelve-month period (a "Permanent and Total Disability"). If the Employment Period is terminated by reason of a Permanent and Total Disability of Executive, the Company shall give thirty (30) days' advance written notice to that effect to Executive.
(f)Termination at the Election of the Company. At the election of the Company, otherwise than for Cause as set forth in Section 4(a) above, upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice of termination.
(g)Termination for Business Failure. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Company's business is discontinued by Board resolution and because continuation is rendered impracticable by substantial financial losses, lack of funding, legal decisions , administrative rulings, declaration of war, dissolution, national or local economic depression or crisis or any reasons beyond the control of the Company, then this Agreement shall terminate as of the day the Company determines to cease operation by Board resolution with the same force and effect as if such day of the month were originally set as the termination date hereof. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 4(g), the Executive will not be entitled to severance pay.
5.Consequences of Termination
(a)By Executive for Good Reason or the Company Without Cause. In the event of a termination of Executive' s employment during the Employment Period by Executive for
-4-
Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(b) or the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 4(f) the Company shall pay Executive (or his estate) and provide him with the following, provided that Executive enter into a release of claims agreement agreeable to the Company and Executive:
(i)Cash Payment. A cash payment, payable in equal installments over a six (6) month period after Executive's termination of employment, equal to the sum of the following:
(A)Base Annual Salary. Subject to the payment of the following sums in this subsection(i)(A) not causing the insolvency of the Company, the equivalent of the greater of (i) twenty-four (24) months of Executive' s then-current base salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of this Agreement (the "Severance Period"); plus
(B)Earned but Unpaid Amounts. Any previously earned but unpaid salary through Executive's final date of employment with the Company, and any previously earned but unpaid bonus amounts prior to the date of Executive's termination of employment.
(C)Equity. All Options vested at time of termination shall be retained by Executive and all Options that are not vested shall be accelerated and be deemed vested for purposes of this Section 5, unless vesting is prohibited by the Plan or applicable laws or regulations.
(ii)Other Benefits. The Company shall provide continued coverage for the Severance Period under all health, life, disability and similar employee benefit plans and programs of the Company on the same basis as Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to such termination, provided that Executive' s continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs. In the event that Executive's participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide Executive with benefits substantially similar (including all tax effects) to those which Executive would otherwise have been entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which his continued participation is barred. In the event that Executive is covered under substitute benefit plans of another employer prior to the expiration of the Severance Period, the Company will no longer be obligated to continue the coverages provided for in this Section 5(a)(ii).
(b)Other Termination of Employment. In the event that Executive's employment with the Company is terminated during the Employment Period by the Company for Cause (as provided for in Section 4(a) hereof) or by Executive other than for Good Reason (as provided for in Section 4(b) hereof), the Company shall pay or grant Executive any earned but unpaid salary, bonus, and Options through Executive's final date of employment with the Company, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive.
(c)Withholding of Taxes. All payments required to be made by the Company to Executive under this Agreement shall be subject only to the required withholdings of such amounts, if any, relating to tax, excise tax and other payroll deduction s as may be required by law or regulation.
-5-
(d)No Other Obligations. The benefits payable to Executive under this Agreement are not in lieu of any benefits payable under any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement of the Company, except as specifically provided herein, and Executive will receive such benefits or payments, if any, as he may be entitled to receive pursuant to the terms of such plans, programs and arrangements. Except for the obligations of the Company provided by the foregoing and this Section 5, the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive upon his termination of employment.
(e)Mitigation or Offset. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the damages provided by this Section 5 by seeking substitute employment or otherwise and there shall not be an offset of the payments or benefits set forth in this Section 5, unless permitted by court order or applicable laws and regulations.
6.Governing Law
This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws.
7.Indemnity and Insurance
The Company shall indemnify and save harmless Executive for any liability incurred by reason of any act or omission performed by Executive while acting in good faith on behalf of the Company and within the scope of the authority of Executive pursuant to this Agreement and to the fullest extent provided under the Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation and the Stock Corporation Act of Virginia, except that Executive must have in good faith believed that such action was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful. No indemnification barred by regulations or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or in clear violation of public policy will be permitted under this Section 7 or otherwise.
If the Executive is eligible under the insurance policy’s terms and conditions, then the Company shall provide that Executive is covered by Directors and Officers insurance, if any, that the Company provides to other senior executives and/or Board members.
8.Cooperation with the Company After Termination of Employment
Following termination of Executive' s employment for any reason, Executive shall fully cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to the winding up of Executive' s pending work on behalf of the Company including, but not limited to, any litigation in which the Company is involved, and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to other employees of the Company as may be designated by the Company. Following any notice of termination of employment by either the Company or Executive, the Company shall be entitled to such full time or part time services of Executive as the Company may reasonably require during all or any part of the sixty (60)-day period following any notice of termination, provided that Executive shall be compensated for such services at the same rate as in effect immediately before the notice of termination .
-6-
9.Notice
All notices, requests and other communications pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent by overnight mail of by fax with proof of transmission to the following addresses:
If to Executive:
Jeffrey J. Guzy
3130 19th Street North
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 216-8606
Email: jeff@jeffguzy.com
If to the Company:
CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation
Attn: Jeffrey J. Guzy, Chairman
3033 Wilson Blvd, Suite E-605
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Phone: (703) 216-2606
Email: jeff@jeffguzy.com
10.Non-Disclosure of Trade Secrets, Customer Lists and Other Proprietary Information
(a)Confidentiality. For term of employment and one year thereafter, the Executive agrees not to use, disclose or communicate, in any manner, proprietary information about the Company, its operations, clientele, or any other proprietary information, that relate to the business of Company. This includes, but is not limited to, the names of Company’s customers, its marketing strategies, operations, or any other information of any kind which would be deemed confidential or proprietary information of Company. To the extent Executive feels that they need to disclose confidential information, they may do so only after being authorized to so do in writing by the Company.
(b) Non-Solicitation Covenant. Executive agrees that for a period of term of employment and one year following termination of employment, for any reason whatsoever, Executive will not solicit customers or clients of Company. By agreeing to this covenant, Executive acknowledges that their contributions to Company are unique to Company’s success and that they have significant access to Company’s trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information regarding Company’s customers or clients.
(c) Non-Recruit Covenant. Executive agrees not to recruit any of Company’s employees for the purpose of any outside business either during or for a period of one year after Executive’s tenure of employment with Company. Executive agrees that such effort at recruitment also constitutes a violation of the non-solicitation covenant set forth above.
(d) Adherence to Company’s Policies, Procedures, Rules and Regulations. Executive agrees to adhere by all of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations set forth by the Company. These policies, procedures, rules and regulations include, but are not limited to, those set forth within any
-7-
Company employee manual, any summary benefit plan descriptions, or any other personnel practices or policies or Company. To the extent that Company’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations conflict with the terms of this Agreement, the specific terms of this Agreement will control.
11.Waiver of Breach
Any waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall not be construed to be a continuing waiver or consent to any subsequent breach on the part of either Executive or of the Company.
12.Non-Assignment; Successors
Neither party may assign his/her or its rights or delegate his/hers or its duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that (i) this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company upon any sale or all or substantially all of the Company's assets, or upon any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with or into any other corporation, all as though such successors and assigns of the Company and their respective successors and assigns were the Company; and (ii) this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, assigns or designees of Executive to the extent of any payments due to them hereunder. As used in this Agreement, the term "Company'· shall be deemed to refer to any such successor or assign of the Company referred to in the preceding sentence.
13.Severability
To the extent any provision of this Agreement or portion thereof shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted there from and the remainder of such provision and of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect. The restrictive covenants and promises of the Executive contained in this Agreement will survive any termination or rescission of this Agreement, unless the Company executes a written agreement specifically releasing the Executive from those restrictive covenants or any specified restrictive covenants.
14.Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
15.Arbitration
Executive and the Company shall submit to mandatory and exclusive binding arbitration, any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement or any breach hereof where the amount in dispute is greater than or equal to $75,000 (excluding attorney’s fees and proceeding costs), provided, however, that the parties retain their right to, and shall not be prohibited , limited or in any other way restricted from, seeking or obtaining equitable relief from a court having jurisdiction over the parties. In the event the amount of any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement, or any breach hereof, is less than $75,000 (excluding attorney’s fees and proceeding costs), the parties hereby agree to submit such claim to mediation. Such arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and conducted
-8-
through the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Arlington County, Virginia before a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association in effect at that time. The parties may conduct only essential discovery prior to the hearing, as defined by the AAA arbitrator. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision which contains the essential finding s and conclusions on which the decision is based. Mediation shall be governed by, and conducted through, the AAA. Judgment upon the determination or award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
16.Entire Agreement
This Agreement and all exhibits, schedules and other attachments hereto and expressly referenced in this Agreement will constitute the entire agreement by the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as specifically provided herein, supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by Executive and the Company. Any exhibits, attachments and schedules referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference.
IN WITESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the first date above.
CoJax Oil & Gas Corporation, a Virginia corporation
By: /s/ Jeffrey J. Guzy
Name: Jeffrey J. Guzy
Title: Chief Executive Officer
-9-