Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 31, 2012, Delta Apparel, Inc. (the "Company") entered into
Employment and Non-Solicitation Agreements (the "Agreements") with each of the
following Named Executive Officers (each an "NEO"): Deborah H. Merrill, Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company; Steven E.
Cochran, President of Delta Activewear; and Martha M. Watson, Vice President and
Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company. The Agreements replace and
supersede any prior employment agreements between the Company and each NEO. The
Agreements are identical to one another except for the employees' job titles and
base salaries.
Unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, each Agreement will
continue until December 31, 2015. The Agreements provide that each NEO will
receive an annual base salary of not less than the following: Deborah H.
Merrill, $320,000; Steven E. Cochran, $335,000; and Martha M. Watson, $275,000.
The base salary will be reviewed annually and is subject to upward adjustment at
the discretion of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
subject to approval by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors.
Each Agreement provides that the NEO is entitled to participate in the Company's
Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, to receive such executive fringe
benefits as are provided to executives in comparable positions at the Company,
and to receive such other benefits as are customarily available to executives of
the Company, including, without limitation, vacations and life, medical and
disability insurance.
If the NEO dies during the term of the Agreement, the Company will continue to
pay the base salary in effect at the time of death to the NEO's estate for six
months. If the NEO becomes disabled (as defined in the Agreement) during the
term, and the Company terminates the NEO's employment, the NEO will continue to
receive base salary and benefits for a period of six months from the date of
termination of employment.
The Company may terminate the NEO's employment with or without cause upon
written notice, and the NEO may terminate employment with the Company upon 60
days' prior written notice. If the Company terminates the NEO's employment
without Cause (as defined in the Agreement) or the NEO terminates employment as
a result of an uncured material breach of the Agreement by the Company, and in
each case no Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement) has occurred, then
the NEO is entitled to receive base salary and incentive compensation ranging
from 3 months base salary and 25% of the Short-Term Incentive Compensation for
the most recent full fiscal year if the NEO was employed for less than one year,
up to 12 months base salary and 100% of the Short-Term Incentive Compensation
for the most recent full fiscal year if the NEO was employed for three or more
years. To the extent permitted under Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 409A,
the sum of applicable base salary and incentive compensation will be divided
into equal monthly payments and paid to the NEO over the applicable payout
period, depending on the NEO's years of service at the time of termination. To
the extent permitted under IRC Section 409A, the Company will also provide the
NEO with group life and disability coverage during the applicable payout period
and make the NEO's COBRA payments for medical insurance (less the amounts active
employees are required to pay for medical insurance) during the applicable
payout period. Each Agreement conditions the receipt of these amounts and
benefits upon the NEO's execution of a release meeting specified criteria.
If within one year after a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement), the
NEO terminates employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Agreement) or the
Company terminates the NEO's employment for any reason other than Cause (as
defined in the Agreement), death or disability, then the NEO is entitled to
receive a lump sum amount equal to one times the NEO's base salary as of the
date of termination and an amount equal to the Short-Term Incentive Compensation
received by the NEO for the most recent full fiscal year prior to termination.
The Company will also provide out-placement assistance and continued coverage
under the Company's various welfare and benefit plans in effect at the time of
termination for 12 months. These termination payments are subject to reduction
to avoid constituting an "excess parachute payment" under IRC Section 280G and
each Agreement conditions the receipt of these amounts and benefits upon the
NEO's execution of a release meeting specified criteria.
During the term of the Agreement and in certain circumstances, for a period of 4
months after termination of the NEO's employment, the NEO is subject to
non-competition restrictions. During the term of the Agreement and for a period
of two years after expiration of the Agreement or termination of the NEO's
employment, the NEO is subject to non-solicitation restrictions. The Agreement
restricts the NEO from disparaging the Company and from disclosing the Company's
confidential information and trade secrets.
The Employment and Non-Solicitation Agreements are attached as exhibits to this
Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
10.1 Employment and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated as of December 31,
2012, between Delta Apparel, Inc. and Deborah H. Merrill
10.2 Employment and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated as of December 31,
2012, between Delta Apparel, Inc. Steven E. Cochran
10.3 Employment and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated as of December 31,
2012, between Delta Apparel, Inc. and Martha M. Watson