WORLDWIDE WEB NETWORX CORP
8-K, EX-99.5, 2000-08-31
BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC
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                                                                    Exhibit 99.5

                        SEPARATI0N AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

         Gerard T. Drumm ("DRUMM") and WorldWide Web NetworX Corporation, 521
Fellowship Road, Suite 130, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054, and its successors
and assigns (together "WWWX"), hereby knowingly and voluntarily agree to enter
into this Separation and Release Agreement ("AGREEMENT"), this 24th day of
August, 2000 (the "Effective Date") in order to resolve all outstanding issues
and set forth all the obligations between the parties. Drumm and WWWX
acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, and the Agreements specifically
referenced in this document, constitute the sole obligation of each to the other
and that no other promises, commitments, or representations have been made with
or by each of the parties to the other.

         WHEREAS, Drumm and WWWX have entered into (a) an Incentive Stock Option
Grant Agreement (the "ISO Agreement"), and (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option
Grant Agreement (the "NQSO Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, Drumm and WWWX have entered into an Employment Agreement,
dated February 9, 2000 (the "Employment Agreement").

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, agree as follows:

         1. As of the Effective Date, Drumm resigns as an officer, director,
employee, agent or representative of WWWX and any of its subsidiaries and
affiliates, including but not limited to ATM Service, Ltd. And The Intrac Group,
Ltd., in which Drumm holds office, is a director, or for whom Drumm currently
acts as an agent or representative. As of the Effective Date, Drumm also resigns
as a fiduciary and member of any and all committees established with respect to
any employee benefit plan maintained by WWWX or any of its subsidiaries and
affiliates. The resignations described in the two preceding sentences shall
occur automatically and without any further required action by Drumm, WWWX or
any other person.

         2. Within ten (10) days following the Effective Date, WWWX will (i) pay
Drumm any portion of Drumm's Base Salary (as defined in the Employment
Agreement) for the period up to the date of termination that has been earned but
remains unpaid; (ii) pay Drumm any benefits that have accrued to Drumm under the
terms of any benefit plans of WWWX in which he is a participant, which benefits
shall be paid in accordance with the terms of those plans, including without
limitation, accrued but unpaid vacation time; (iii) cause any options to
purchase securities of WWWX held by Drumm that were not previously vested to
vest pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement; and (iv) pay Drumm the sum of
$168,750.00.00, representing a severance payment equal to nine (9) months Base
Salary.


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 1 OF 7
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         3. Drumm and WWWX hereby terminate the ISO Agreement and amend the NQSO
Agreement, effective after expiration of the 7-day revocation period in Section
19, as follows:

                  a.       Paragraph 1(a) is hereby replaced in its entirety
                           with the following: "GRANT OF OPTION. Subject to the
                           terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and
                           in the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee
                           an option (the "Option") to purchase 200,000 shares
                           of common stock of the Company ("Shares") at an
                           exercise price of $.75 per Share. The Option shall
                           become exercisable according to Paragraph 2 below."

                  b.       Paragraph 2 is hereby replaced in its entirety with
                           the following:

                           "EXERCISABILITY OF OPTION. The Option is now
                           exercisable by Grantee in full. Notwithstanding
                           Section 5 of the Plan, the Option is exercisable
                           until the end of the term specified in Section 3,
                           without regard to any other termination or separation
                           from the Company.

                  c.       Paragraph 3(b) is hereby deleted in its entirety.

                  d.       A new paragraph 4(c) is inserted as follows:

                           "At any time during which the Option may be
                           exercised, Grantee may, at his option, choose to
                           exercise the Option on a cashless basis by giving
                           written notice at the principal office of the Company
                           of his intent to effect a cashless exercise ("NOTICE
                           OF CASHLESS EXERCISE"). For any cashless exercise,
                           the Company will issue to Grantee the number of
                           shares of its common stock equal to (i) the number of
                           Shares specified by Grantee in his Notice of Cashless
                           Exercise (the "TOTAL NUMBER") less (ii) the number of
                           shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A)
                           the product of the Total Number and the Exercise
                           Price by (B) the current market value of a share of
                           the Company's common stock. Otherwise, on the date
                           the Company delivers the Shares to Grantee, he shall
                           pay the exercise price for each Share in cash to the
                           Company. For purposes of the foregoing, the current
                           market value of a share of the Company's common stock
                           is the price paid for one share in the last
                           open-market trade of the day either on a national
                           securities exchange or as listed on the OTC Bulletin
                           Board on the last trading day before the day the
                           Option is exercised."


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 2 OF 7
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                  e.       Paragraph 5 is hereby amended by inserting the
                           following after the first sentence:

                           "The Company will treat Grantee's outstanding Options
                           in a manner and with procedures no less favorable
                           than it treats all other Grantees."

All other terms of the NQSO Agreement remain unmodified and in force. WWWX
hereby covenants that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to file a
registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise to register the WWWX shares
underlying Drumm's Option not later than 120 days from the Effective Date of
this Agreement.

                  4. Drumm acknowledges that he is not entitled to any further
consideration or monies, including any benefits, payments or wages, except as
set forth in this Agreement. Drumm acknowledges and agrees that Sections 2 and 3
include all amounts owed to him for vacation, bonus, severance, commission or
any other entitlement. This Agreement supersedes or modifies, as applicable, any
and all previous agreements, whether written or oral, between Drumm and WWWX.

                  5. Drumm shall execute and deliver to WWWX, simultaneously
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, his letter of resignation as
an officer, director, agent or representative of WWWX and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, attached hereto as Exhibit "A."

                  6. Drumm will return all WWWX-owned or leased property,
documents, records and other information of any type whatsoever concerning or
relating to the business and affairs of WWWX and its subsidiaries and
affiliates.

                  7. Drumm agrees that acceptance of this Agreement constitutes
a full, complete, and knowing waiver of any claims asserted or non-asserted that
Drumm may have against WWWX arising out of his employment and termination of
employment including, but not limited to, any claims Drumm may have under the
laws of New York or New Jersey for wages, bonuses, torts, contracts, or
employment agreements or under any federal, state, or local statute, regulation,
rule, ordinance, or order which covers or purports to cover or relates to any
aspect of employment, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on
race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical,
medical, or mental condition, or marital status under, among other statutes,
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the
Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the New Jersey
Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and
other similar federal, state or local laws.

                  8. As a material inducement to WWWX to enter into this
Agreement, Drumm hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits, and
forever discharges WWWX, and its shareholders and each of WWWX's and such
shareholders' directors, officers, employees, representatives, attorneys, and
all persons acting by, through, under or


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 3 OF 7
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in concert with any of them (collectively "WWWX RELEASEES"), from any and all
charges, complaints, claims, controversies, damages, actions, causes of action,
suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts, and expenses (including attorneys
fees and costs actually incurred), of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown,
which Drumm now has, owns, holds, or claims to have, own, or hold, or claimed to
have, own, or hold, or which Drumm at any time hereafter may have, own, or hold,
or claim to have, own, or hold, from the beginning of time arising out of or in
any manner relating to Drumm's employment with WWWX or the separation of that
employment until the date of execution of this Agreement.

                  9. As a material inducement to Drumm to enter into this
Agreement, WWWX hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits, and
forever discharges Drumm from any and all charges, complaints, claims,
controversies, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands,
costs, losses, debts, and expenses (including attorneys fees and costs actually
incurred), of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, which WWWX now has, owns,
holds, or claims to have, own, or hold, or claimed to have, own, or hold, or
which WWWX at any time hereafter may have, own, or hold, or claim to have, own,
or hold, from the beginning of time arising out of or in any manner relating to
Drumm's employment with WWWX, or service as a director or an officer to the
extent permitted by law, or the separation of that employment and service, until
the date of execution of this Agreement.

                  10. Drumm represents that he has not filed any complaint,
charge or claim against WWWX with any other governmental agencies and, on behalf
of himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns agrees never to
directly or indirectly commence or prosecute, or assist in the commencement or
prosecution, or in any way cause, or advise to be commenced or prosecuted, any
action or proceeding against WWWX, its successors, and assigns or their past,
present or future officers, directors, agents or employees, and WWWX Releasees,
with respect to any matter, whether or not now known, based upon any act,
transaction, practice, conduct or omission that occurred prior to the date of
this Agreement, unless required by law. In the event that Drumm institutes, is a
party to, or is a voluntary member of a class that institutes any such action,
his claims shall be dismissed or class membership terminated with prejudice
immediately upon presentation of this Agreement. In addition, Drumm will pay
WWWX its costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, in obtaining dismissal of
such action.

                  11. WWWX represents that it has not filed any complaint,
charge or claim against Drumm in any forum or with any governmental agencies
and, on behalf of itself, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns or their
past, present or future officers, directors, agents or employees, and WWWX
agrees never to directly or indirectly commence or prosecute, or assist in the
commencement or prosecution, or in any way cause, or advise to be commenced or
prosecuted, any action or proceeding against Drumm, his heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, with respect to any matter, whether or not now
known, based upon any act, transaction, practice, conduct or omission that
occurred prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement. In the event that WWWX
institutes, is a party to, or is a voluntary member of a class that institutes
any such action, its claims shall be dismissed or class membership terminated
with prejudice immediately upon


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 4 OF 7
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presentation of this Agreement. In addition, WWWX will pay Drumm his costs,
including reasonable attorney's fees, in obtaining dismissal of such action.

                  12. In the course of employment with WWWX prior to the date
hereof, Drumm has had access to confidential and proprietary information and
records, data and other trade secrets of WWWX ("CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION").
Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, the following types
of information or material, both existing and contemplated, regarding WWWX, or
its subsidiary or affiliated companies: corporate information, including plans,
strategies, policies, resolutions, and any litigation or negotiations; marketing
information, including strategies, methods, customers, prospects, or market
research data; financial information, including cost and performance data, debt
arrangement, equity structure, investors, and holdings, operational and
scientific information, including trade secrets and technical information; and
personnel information, including personnel lists, resumes, personnel data,
organizational structure, compensation structure, and performance evaluations.
Drumm shall not directly or indirectly disclose Confidential Information to any
person or entity or use Confidential Information in any way, except that Drumm
may utilize Confidential Information, if and to extent that he is required to do
so in order to render consulting services to WWWX, during the Consulting Period.

                  13. Drumm acknowledges that the terms of this Agreement and
all discussions leading up to it are confidential and agrees that he will not
divulge the terms of this Agreement to any third party, except his immediate
family, financial advisor, attorney or as required by law or court order.

                  14. Drumm agrees not to directly or indirectly take, support,
encourage or participate in any action or attempted action that in any way would
damage the reputation of WWWX and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Nothing contained in this Agreement nor the fact that the parties have signed
the Agreement shall be considered an admission by either party. Drumm agrees
that he will cooperate with WWWX, at its cost, and its designated
agents/representatives as reasonably necessary consistent with his business
obligations in any legal disputes and/or proceedings and/or business matters
relating to issues and/or incidents which took place during his term of
employment.

                  15. Both Drumm and WWWX agree not to disparage each other in
any way. Drumm and WWWX agree that they will not speak about each other in
negative terms. Should Drumm discuss the terms of the Agreement with individuals
other than his immediate family, his attorney, or as required by law, Drumm
shall pay only the actual damages proximately caused by his violation, WWWX's
reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in enforcing its rights, and may
be subject to injunctive relief. Similarly, should WWWX or any of its directors,
officers, employees, agents, or other authorized representatives discuss the
terms of the Agreement with individuals other than WWWX directors, officers,
employees, agents, other authorized representatives, their attorneys, or as
required by law, WWWX shall pay only the actual damages proximately caused by
its violation, Drumm's reasonable attorneys fees and costs incurred to enforce
his rights, and may be subject to injunctive relief.


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 5 OF 7
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                  16. In the event of any default by WWWX under this Agreement,
Drumm will use reasonable efforts to mitigate his damages, but such acts will
not limit or modify any of Drumm's rights under this Agreement, and WWWX will
pay to Drumm a reasonable sum for attorney fees and other reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by Drumm in enforcing any right or privilege under this
Agreement.

                  17. Drumm agrees that this Agreement shall be construed under
New Jersey law without regard to the conflict of laws provision therein and any
actions relating thereto must be brought within the State of New Jersey.

                  18. The provisions of this Agreement are independent and
severable from each other and this Agreement and any other documents executed
pursuant to this Agreement are independent of each other whereby if any term or
provision of this Agreement or any document delivered pursuant hereto shall be
determined to be illegal or unenforceable, all of the terms and provisions of
this Agreement and any document delivered pursuant hereto shall nevertheless
remain effective and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law.

                  19. Drumm and WWWX, along with their respective attorneys,
have participated fully in the review and revision of this Agreement. Any rule
of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the
drafting party shall not apply in interpreting this Agreement.

                  20. Drumm warrants that he is fully competent to enter into
this Agreement and that, consistent with the terms of the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act of 1990, he has carefully read and fully understands the terms of
this Agreement, has had the advice of counsel with respect this Agreement and
has been given the opportunity to consider the terms of the Agreement for at
least 21 days, and has signed this Agreement freely and voluntarily. Further,
Drumm understands that he has the opportunity to revoke such Agreement within 7
days of signing it. Drumm understands that if he does revoke the Agreement, he
must notify WWWX in writing within 7 days of signing the Agreement

                  21.(a) Right To Indemnification: If Drumm is made a party or
is threatened to be made a party or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative
(hereinafter a "Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he is the legal
representative, is or was a director or officer, of WWWX or is or was serving at
the request of WWWX as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another
corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise,
whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity
as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other capacity while
serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent, Drumm shall be indemnified
and held harmless by WWWX to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in
the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits
WWWX to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted WWWX to
provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss
(including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties,
and


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 6 OF 7
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amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) incurred or suffered by the Drumm in
connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue even though Drumm
has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the
benefit of his heirs, executors, and administrators. The right to
indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall
include the right to be paid by WWWX the expenses incurred in defending any such
proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

            (b) Right Of Drumm To Bring Suit: If a claim under paragraph (a) of
this Section is not paid in full by WWWX within ten days after a written claim
has been received by WWWX, Drumm may at any time thereafter bring suit against
WWWX to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in
part, Drumm shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such
claim.

            (c) Rights Not Exclusive: Notwithstanding any limitation to the
contrary contained in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, WWWX shall, to
the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify
Drumm from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities, or other maters
referred to in or covered by said section, and the indemnification provided for
herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Drumm may be
entitled under any law, By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
Directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue even
though Drumm has ceased to be director, officer, employee, or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a
person.

            (d) Insurance: For a period of at least six (6) years, WWWX shall
maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and Drumm resulting from
his service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of WWWX or another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any
such expense, liability or loss, whether or not WWWX would have the power to
indemnify Drumm against such expense, liability, or loss under the Delaware
General Corporation Law. Such insurance shall be substantially similar in terms,
insurer ratings, and policy limits to the policies currently in effect as of the
date of this Agreement.


                  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF
ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.


                            [SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE]


SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT                                       PAGE 7 OF 7
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To signify the parties' agreement to the terms of the foregoing Agreement, the
parties have executed this Agreement on the date set forth opposite their
signatures, which appear below.


Date: 8/24/00                                 /s/ Gerard T. Drumm
     --------------                           ----------------------------------
                                              GERARD T. DRUMM


Date: 8/24/00                                 WORLDWIDE WEB NETWORX CORPORATION
     --------------

                                              /s/ Allan M. Cohen
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:  Allan M. Cohen
                                              Title: Vice President
                                                     and General Counsel
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                                    Exhibit A

                                                                August 24, 2000


The Board of Directors of
WorldWide Web NetworX Corporation
521 Fellowship Road, Suite 130
Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054

Gentlemen:

         I hereby voluntarily resign as an officer, director, employee, agent or
representative of WorldWide Web NetworX Corporation ("WWWX") and its
subsidiaries and affiliates, including but not limited to ATM Service, Ltd. and
The Intrac Group, Ltd., effective immediately.


                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     /s/ Gerard T. Drumm
                                                     Gerard T. Drumm


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