COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES INC
10-K, 2000-03-24
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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Exhibit 10.15.7


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Employment Agreement" or "Agreement") made as of the 1st day of March, 2000 between COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC. ("Company") and DONALD R. MENGEDOTH ("Executive").

Preliminary Statement

    WHEREAS, the Executive currently is employed as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and has served in those capacities since the founding of the Company in 1987; and

    WHEREAS, the parties have agreed that, effective March 1, 2000, the Executive will cease to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, become Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors and will serve in that capacity pursuant to the terms of this Employment Agreement; and

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

    1.  Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue in effect for a term ending on January 1, 2003, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties prior to such date ("Term").

    2.  Position and Duties.  Except as may otherwise be agreed upon between the Company and the Executive, the Company agrees to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to serve the Company, as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and in that capacity shall serve as an executive officer and an employee of the Company. The Executive shall render such services to the Company as are customary for such position and in addition shall advise the Board of Directors and/or the Chief Executive Officer on strategic matters; represent the Company at civic and industry affairs; continue to serve as an officer of the American Bankers Association; participate in business development activities; and provide such other services as may reasonably be requested by the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

    3.  Place of Performance.  In connection with his employment by the Company, the Executive shall, except as the Executive may otherwise agree, perform his principal activities at the offices of the Company located in Fargo, North Dakota or, if the Executive determines to relocate as provided in Section 4.7, at offices located in Colorado, subject in either case to travel reasonably required for the Company's business. During the Term, the Company shall provide the Executive with an appropriately furnished office at one location and secretarial support by one secretary (which may, at the election of the Executive, be provided from Fargo) as the Company and the Executive shall reasonably agree.

    4.  Compensation and Related Matters.


    5.  Termination.  The Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated under the following circumstances (without impairing the Executive's rights under benefit plans and arrangements and the Company's policies and procedures):

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    6.  Insurance and Indemnification.  The Company shall use its best efforts, without being required to pay additional premiums, to maintain in effect during the Term and for a period of not less than five years thereafter directors' and officers' liability coverage that provides the Executive with the same coverage afforded then current Company directors. The Company shall afford the Executive indemnification, contribution and advancement of expenses in connection with claims that may be the subject of indemnification under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to the fullest extent permitted for any director or officer of the Company under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and applicable provisions of Delaware law.

    7.  Stock.  In the event that the Company adopts a common stock repurchase program, the Company agrees, subject to compliance with applicable federal securities law requirements, to repurchase up to 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock owned by the Executive at any time or from time to time at the Executive's election during the pendency of such program at a price equal to the fair market value of such stock at the purchase date based on the average of the high and low sale prices of such stock on such date.

    8.  Public Statements.  Neither party shall, without the prior consent of the other, issue any press release or make any written or oral statement for general circulation relating to the Executive's employment with the Company or its subsidiaries or to this Employment Agreement, except any such release or statement as may be required by law upon the advice of his or its counsel (as to which the disclosing party or parties shall use best efforts to give the nondisclosing party or parties prior notice and an opportunity to comment) and except any press release or statement substantially similar in content and effect to any press release or statement to which consent has previously been granted. Each party agrees not to disparage the other in public or private statements, and in general each shall conduct himself or itself in a manner consistent with the other's interest in maintaining its business, employee and employment relationships and prospects. The Company shall instruct its directors, officers, agents, attorneys and employees to comply with the provisions of this Section 8 as though they were parties hereto.

    9.  Payments to the Executive.  The Company shall pay the attorneys' fees up to $15,000 and disbursements incurred by the Executive in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement. If litigation shall be instituted to enforce or interpret any provision hereof and the Executive shall prevail, the Company will reimburse the Executive for his reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements incurred in such proceeding and will pay prejudgment interest at the legal rate then in effect on any money judgment or award obtained by the Executive in such proceeding.

    10.  Notice.  Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main office, attention of the Board of Directors.

    11.  Miscellaneous.  No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and the Company acting on authority of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly or referred to in this Agreement, and this Agreement shall supercede any current or prior employment terms, written or otherwise (other than the Change in Control Severance Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement referred to below). The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware relating to contracts to be performed entirely therein. Nothing contained in this Employment Agreement shall affect the validity of the Change in Control Severance Agreement between

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the Executive and the Company (the "CIC Agreement") and the Indemnification Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms throughout the Term to the extent that similar agreements remain in effect with any other executive officer of the Company. Anything in this Employment Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding (including without limitation Section 14 hereof), this Employment Agreement shall terminate and Executive shall not be entitled to the benefits under Section 5.3(a), (b) and (c) or the second sentence of Section 9 in the event Executive receives the benefits specified in Section 7(c)(i) of the CIC Agreement.

    12.  Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

    13.  Headings.  The headings of the paragraphs herein are for convenience only and shall have no significance in the interpretation of this Agreement.

    14.  Bind and Inure.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, personal representatives and successors, including any successor of the Company by reason of any dissolution, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization of the Company.

    15.  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.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed and its seal to be affixed hereunto by its officer thereunto duly authorized, and Executive has signed this Agreement, as of the day and year first above written.

    COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ 
MARK A. ANDERSON   
Mark A. Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ 
DONALD R. MENGEDOTH   
Donald R. Mengedoth
Executive

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EXHIBIT A
STOCK OPTIONS

Grant Date

  Exercise Price
  Number of Shares
  Term
02/06/96   $ 10.6250   5,992   5 years
02/04/97     14.2500   16,000   5 years
02/03/98     24.8750   30,000   5 years
02/02/99     19.5625   60,000   10 years
02/08/00     14.0000   90,000   10 years

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EXHIBIT B
[COMMUNITY FIRST LETTERHEAD]

Date:   July 15, 1999
 
To:
 
 
 
CFB Bank Presidents
Senior Management
 
Re:
 
 
 
Relocation Expense Reimbursement Process

    Attached is a current version of our Relocation Expense Report form. This form is to be completed by the employee and sent directly to Accounting and Reporting. The reimbursement will be added to the employee's pay, rather than being paid by a separate check. This will allow us to compute and pay the taxes on the non-deductible expenses in a timely manner.

    It is important that you and your new employee agree as to what expenses and how much will be reimbursed as part of the relocation package. You should review and approve the expenses being submitted for reimbursement. Your signature is to verify that the employee is eligible to be reimbursed for the expenses being reported.

    The following are the suggested guidelines for reimbursement:

Salary Grades 9 to 13 (Exempt)   Actual expenses up to a maximum of 4% of base salary
 
Salary Grades 14 to 16
 
 
 
Actual expenses up to a maximum of 15% of base salary
 
Salary Grades 17 and up
 
 
 
See Relocation Guidelines Worksheet

    We have also signed corporate contracts with three moving companies which provide us with some significant discounts on moving, insurance, and storage costs. Please encourage the employee to contact one or more of these companies to obtain an estimate of moving costs. The customer representatives for the companies are:

Allied   Atlas   North American
Karen Schoepke
Union Storage & Transfer
4275 Main Avenue
Fargo, ND 58108
1-800-437-8027
  Lynn Roth
Ace Worldwide
2929 Long Lake Road
Roseville, MN 55113
1-800-333-6669
  Jennifer Emerson
Fettes Moving & Storage
3939 7th Ave. NW
Fargo, ND 58102
1-800-325-3696

    Please call Harriette McCaul, Corporate Human Resources, if you have any questions (701-298-5706).



Relocation Guideline Worksheet

    This worksheet provides general guidelines on relocation reimbursements. It is intended to help achieve some level of consistency in the treatment of transferees and yet allow sufficient flexibility to consider individual needs and related factors in the employment offer. Deviations from the guidelines need approval from the appropriate supervisor. These guidelines apply to the majority of exempt positions only.

    If reimbursement is optional, you may choose to provide no coverage, partial coverage, or coverage up to the maximums stated in the item description. Relocation items in these guidelines should be discussed with the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, at (701) 298-5706 prior to making commitments to reimburse. Expenses are charged to the CFB affiliate the employee transfers to.

1.
Completing an Employee Relocation Expense Report correctly will be critical in assuring that timely and accurate taxes are paid and reported for your personal income tax records. You must use an Employee Relocation Expense Report, not an Employee Expense Report to report relocation.

2.
Community First will "gross up" (28% Federal, FICA, and the applicable state rate) and pay the taxes on your behalf for non-deductible expenses with the exception of any commission paid to the employee for direct sale of his/her home. Please refer to IRS publication 521, Moving Expenses, for details of deductible and non-deductible moving expenses.

3.
Supervisor's signature is required for reimbursement of all expenses.

 
   
   
   
  Generally Available Coverage
Item

  Item Description
  Existing
  New Hires
 
Employee Expenses
 
Housing Search
 
 
 
Expenses for two trips for an employee and spouse to locate housing at the new location will be reimbursed and includes transportation, lodging, meals and child care expenses for a maximum of five days.
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
Shipment of Household Goods
 
 
 
Community First will provide full-value transit insurance and full coverage of expenses incurred in packing, transporting, and unpacking normal household goods and personal effects.
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
Storage of Household Goods
 
 
 
Maximum of thirty (30) days
 
 
 
Optional
 
 
 
Optional
 
Travel to New Location
 
 
 
Expenses will be reimbursed for transportation, meals and lodging for up to three days of travel for the employee and family when moving to a new location. Transport of a second car will be reimbursed at the current IRS maximum mileage rate, or when necessary, shipment of the car will be paid.
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
Temporary Housing
 
 
 
Temporary living expenses (including lodging and meals) for an employee and the employee's family at the new location will be reimbursed for a maximum of thirty (30) days.
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
Commuting
 
 
 
Limited to every other week-end for two months
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Optional
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Property Disposal
 
Sale of Primary Residence
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Sale Option
 
 
 
 
 
 
appraisal—limit of one
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
broker's commission—maximum 7%
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
property inspection—only when required
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mortgage prepayment penalties
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Optional
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
title search—full amount
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recording fees—full amount
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
advertising—$200 maximum
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Optional
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
New Home Purchase
 
Purpose of New Property*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appraisal/Credit Report/Survey
 
 
 
if requested
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
Placement/Origination Fee
 
 
 
maximum of one percent
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
Recorded Fees
 
 
 
full amount
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
 
Title Insurance/Option
 
 
 
full amount
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Optional
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
Additional Services
 
Lease Settlement
 
 
 
Maximum of three months (renters only)
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
Optional
 
Relocation Allowance
 
 
 
Five percent of salary
 
 
 
Yes
 
 
 
No
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

*
Regulation O may supersede these benefits



QuickLinks

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A STOCK OPTIONS
EXHIBIT B [COMMUNITY FIRST LETTERHEAD]
Relocation Guideline Worksheet


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