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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
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): May 11, 2000 (April 26, 2000)
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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<S> <C> <C>
Delaware 0-30522 13-3773537
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
incorporation)
1000 Abernathy Road, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
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(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (770) 668-0900
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Not Applicable
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report
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Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On April 26, 2000, Cereus Technology Partners, Inc. (the "Company")
consummated the sale of its mineral operations pursuant to the terms of that
certain Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Arena
Acquisition Corp. ("AAC") dated as of March 31, 2000, as amended by the First
Amendment thereto dated as of April 26, 2000 (as so amended, the "Stock Purchase
Agreement"). AAC is a recently formed Delaware corporation owned by Paul A.
Arena, who served as the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer from March 1997 until January 2000.
In connection with the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement, Mr.
Arena resigned from the Company's Board of Directors effective as of March 31,
2000, and the Company and Mr. Arena agreed to indemnify each other for certain
matters.
Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company sold to AAC all
of the stock of the subsidiaries comprising the Company's mineral operations for
approximately $1.0 million payable by means of a 180 day promissory note (the
"Note"). The Note is secured by shares of the subsidiaries sold to AAC pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Agreement and 84,762 shares of the Company's common stock
held by Mr. Arena. At the closing of the transaction, the Company and Mr. Arena
also entered into a Consulting Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Arena has agreed
to provide certain consulting services to the Company and the Company granted to
Mr. Arena a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
having an exercise price of $12.50 per share and becoming exercisable at the
rate of 25% upon each three month anniversary of the closing.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(a)-(b). Financial Statements and Pro Forma Financial Information. None
(c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith by direct
transmission via "edgar."
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Cereus
Technology Partners, Inc. and Arena Acquisition Corp
dated as of March 31, 2000, as amended by the First
Amendment thereto, together with the exhibits
thereto.
10.1 Indemnification Agreement between Cereus Technology
Partners, Inc. and Paul R. Arena.
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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 thereunto duly authorized.
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: May 11, 2000 /s/ Steven A. Odom
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Steven A. Odom
Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT 2.1
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is entered into as of
March 31, 2000, by and between CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("SELLER"), and ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation
("BUYER"). The Buyer and the Seller are referred to collectively herein as the
"PARTIES."
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Seller owns all of the outstanding capital stock of
United Minerals Corporation, an Arizona corporation ("UM-AZ"), United Minerals
Corporation - Arkansas, an Arkansas corporation ("UM-AR"), HeatShield
Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation ("HTI"), and HST Capital Corp., a
Florida corporation ("HST") (each of UM-AZ, UM-AR, HTI and HST is sometimes
referred to herein as a "TARGET" and collectively as the "TARGETS"); and
WHEREAS, this Agreement contemplates a transaction in which the Buyer
will purchase from the Seller, and the Seller will sell to the Buyer, all of
the outstanding capital stock of each Target in return for the consideration
described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties,
and covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows.
1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the meanings
given to them below when used herein.
"ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES" means all actions, suits, proceedings,
hearings, investigations, charges, complaints, claims, demands, injunctions,
judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, damages, dues, penalties, fines, costs,
reasonable amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, obligations, taxes, liens,
losses, expenses, and fees, including court costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses.
"AFFILIATE" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the regulations
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"BUYER" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"CLOSING" has the meaning set forth in ss.2(d) below.
"CLOSING DATE" has the meaning set forth in ss.2(d) below.
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"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE" has the meaning set forth in ss.4 below.
"FINANCIAL STATEMENT" has the meaning set forth in ss.4(g) below.
"GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect from time to time.
"HST" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"HTI" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"INCOME TAX" means any federal, state, local, or foreign income tax,
including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY" has the meaning set forth in ss.7(d) below.
"INDEMNIFYING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in ss.7(d) below.
"LIABILITY" means any liability (whether known or unknown, whether
asserted or unasserted, whether absolute or contingent, whether accrued or
unaccrued, whether liquidated or unliquidated, and whether due or to become
due), including any liability for Taxes.
"ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS" means the ordinary course of business
consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to quantity
and frequency).
"PARTIES" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"PERSON" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an
association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization, or a governmental entity (or any department, agency, or political
subdivision thereof).
"PROMISSORY NOTE" has the meaning set forth in ss.2(b) below.
"PURCHASE PRICE" has the meaning set forth in ss.2(b) below.
"SECTION 338(H)(10) ELECTION" has the meaning set forth in ss.5(e)
below.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"SECURITY INTEREST" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance,
charge, or other security interest, other than (a) mechanic's, materialmen's,
and similar liens, (b) liens for
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taxes not yet due and payable or for taxes that the taxpayer is contesting in
good faith through appropriate proceedings, (c) purchase money liens and liens
securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements, and (d) other liens
arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not incurred in connection with
the borrowing of money.
"SELLER" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"TARGET" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"TARGET SHARES" means all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Targets.
"TAX" and "TAXES" means any federal, state, local or foreign income,
gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental (including taxes under
Code ss.59A), customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding,
social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal
property, sales, use transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on
minimum, estimated or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest,
penalty or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.
"TAX RETURN" means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund,
or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or
attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
"THIRD PARTY CLAIM" has the meaning set forth in ss.7(d) below.
"UM-AR" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
"UM-AZ" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.
2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF TARGET SHARES.
(a) BASIC TRANSACTION. On and subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Buyer agrees to purchase from the Seller, and the Seller
agrees to sell to the Buyer, all of the Target Shares for the consideration
specified below in this ss.2.
(b) PURCHASE PRICE. The Buyer agrees to pay to the Seller at the
Closing $978,000.00 (the "PURCHASE PRICE") by delivery of its promissory note
(the "PROMISSORY NOTE") in the form of EXHIBIT A attached hereto in the
aggregate principal amount of the Purchase Price.
(c) ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE. The Parties agree that the
Purchase Price and the liabilities of the Target (plus other relevant items)
will be allocated to the assets of the Targets for all purposes (including Tax
and financial accounting purposes) in a manner consistent with the fair market
values set forth in the Allocation Schedule attached hereto.
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The Buyer, the Target and the Seller will file all Tax Returns (including
amended returns and claims for refund) and information reports in a manner
consistent with such values.
(d) THE CLOSING. The closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "CLOSING") shall take place at the offices of the Seller in
Atlanta, Georgia, commencing at 10:00 a.m. local time on the date immediately
following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the obligations of
the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (other than
conditions with respect to actions the respective Parties will take at the
Closing itself) or such other date as the Buyer and the Seller may mutually
determine (the "CLOSING DATE"); provided, however, that the Closing Date shall
be no later than April 30, 2000.
(e) DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING. At the Closing, (i) the Seller
will deliver to the Buyer stock certificates representing all of the Target
Shares, endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed assignment documents;
(ii) the Buyer will deliver to the Seller the Promissory Note; and (iii)
certain Parties and other Persons will deliver the instruments, agreements and
other documents referred to in ss.7 below.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION.
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER. The Seller
represents and warrants to the Buyer that the statements contained in this
ss.3(a) are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be
correct and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though
the Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout
this ss.3(a)) with respect to itself, except as set forth in Annex I attached
hereto.
(i) ORGANIZATION OF THE SELLER. The Seller is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
(ii) AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. The Seller has full
power and authority (including full corporate power and authority) to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of the Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms and
conditions. The Seller need not give any notice to, make any filing
with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or approval of any
government or governmental agency in order to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(iii) NONCONTRAVENTION. Neither the execution and the
delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will (A) violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge,
or other restriction of any government, governmental agency, or court
to which the Seller is subject or any provision of its charter or
bylaws or (B) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a
default under, result in the acceleration of,
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create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or
cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease,
license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Seller is a
party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is
subject.
(iv) BROKERS' FEES. The Seller has no liability or
obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or
agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
for which the Buyer could become liable or obligated.
(v) TARGET SHARES. The Seller holds of record and owns
beneficially all of the Target Shares, free and clear of any
restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities
Act and state securities laws), taxes, Security Interests,
commitments, claims, and demands. The Seller is not a party to any
option, warrant, purchase right, or other contract or commitment that
could require the Seller to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of
any capital stock of the Targets (other than this Agreement).
(b) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER. The Buyer
represents and warrants to the Seller that the statements contained in this
ss.3(b) are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be
correct and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though
the Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout
this ss.3(b)), except as set forth in Annex II attached hereto.
(i) ORGANIZATION OF THE BUYER. The Buyer is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
(ii) AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. The Buyer has full
power and authority (including full corporate power and authority) to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding
obligation of the Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms and
conditions. The Buyer need not give any notice to, make any filing
with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or approval of any
government or governmental agency in order to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(iii) NONCONTRAVENTION. Neither the execution and the
delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will (A) violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge,
or other restriction of any government, governmental agency, or court
to which the Buyer is subject or any provision of its charter or
bylaws or (B) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a
default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the
right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any
notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument,
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or other arrangement to which the Buyer is a party or by which it is
bound or to which any of its assets is subject.
(iv) BROKERS' FEES. The Buyer has no liability or
obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or
agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
for which the Seller could become liable or obligated.
(v) INVESTMENT. The Target Shares to be received by the
Buyer pursuant hereto will be acquired for investment for the Buyer's
own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the
direct or indirect sale or distribution of any part thereof, and the
Buyer has no present intention of selling, granting any participation
in, or otherwise distributing the Target Shares. The Buyer has no
contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to
sell, transfer, or grant participation to such person or to any third
person, with respect to any of the Target Shares.
The Buyer understands and acknowledges that the offering of
the Target Shares pursuant to this Agreement will not be registered
under the Securities Act or under any state securities acts or laws on
the grounds that the offering and sale of securities contemplated by
this Agreement are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2)
of the Securities Act and any similar provision of any applicable
state securities act or law, and that the Seller's reliance upon such
exemptions is predicated upon the Buyer's representations set forth in
this Agreement.
The Buyer has such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks
of the Buyer's prospective investment in the Target Shares. The Buyer
has received all the information requested by it from the Seller and
considered necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase
or acquire the Target Shares. The Buyer has the ability to bear the
economic risks of The Buyer's prospective investment. The Buyer is
able, without materially impairing its financial condition, to hold
the Target Shares for an indefinite period of time and to suffer
complete loss on its investment.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TARGET. The
Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer that the statements contained in
this ss.4 are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be
correct and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though
the Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout
this ss.4), except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the
Seller to the Buyer on the date hereof and initialed by the Parties (the
"DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE").
(a) ORGANIZATION, QUALIFICATION, AND CORPORATE POWER. Each Target
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each Target has full
corporate power and authority to carry
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on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties
owned and used by it.
(b) CAPITALIZATION. The entire authorized capital stock of (i)
UM-AZ consists of 10,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of
which 100 are issued and outstanding and none are held in treasury; (ii) UM-AR
consists of 10,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which
100 are issued and outstanding and none are held in treasury; (iii) HTI
consists of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, none
of which are issued and outstanding, 25,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001
par value per share, the number of which that are issued and outstanding shall
be determined prior to the Closing and shall be inserted herein as if
originally set forth herein without any further action of the Parties and none
of which are held in treasury; and (iv) HST consists of 10,000 shares of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 100 are issued and outstanding and
none are held in treasury. All of the issued and outstanding Target Shares have
been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, and
are held of record by the Seller. There are no outstanding or authorized
options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription rights, conversion rights,
exchange rights, or other contracts or commitments that could require any
Target to issue, sell, or otherwise cause to become outstanding any of its
respective capital stock. There are no outstanding or authorized stock
appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation, or similar rights with
respect to any of the Targets.
(c) BROKERS' FEES. The Targets have no liability or obligation to
pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5. COVENANTS. The Parties agree as follows:
(a) GENERAL. In case at any time after the Closing any further
action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement,
each of the Parties will take such further action (including the execution and
delivery of such further instruments and documents) as any other Party
reasonably may request, all at the sole cost and expense of the requesting
Party (unless the requesting Party is entitled to indemnification therefor
under ss.7 below).
(b) NO COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE. After the Closing, (i) the Seller
and its Affiliates shall be free to compete with any of the Targets, the Buyer
and their respective Affiliates, it being the intent of the Parties that
neither the Seller nor its Affiliates shall be subject to any restriction on
their ability to compete; and (ii) Buyer and its Affiliates shall be free to
compete with any of the Seller and its Affiliates, it being the intent of the
Parties that neither the Buyer nor its Affiliates shall be subject to any
restriction on their ability to compete.
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(c) TAX SHARING AGREEMENT. Any Tax sharing agreement between the
Seller and any of the Targets is terminated as of the Closing Date and will
have no further effect for any taxable year (whether the current year, a future
year, or a past year).
(d) RETURNS FOR PERIODS THROUGH THE CLOSING DATE. The Seller will
include the income of each Target (including any deferred income triggered into
income by Reg. ss.1.1502-13 and Reg. ss.1.1502-14 and any excess loss accounts
taken into income under Reg. ss.1.1502-19) on the Seller's consolidated federal
income Tax Returns for all periods through the Closing Date and pay any federal
income Taxes attributable to such income. Each Target will furnish Tax
information to the Seller for inclusion in the Seller's federal consolidated
income Tax Return for the period which includes the Closing Date in accordance
with such Target's past custom and practice. The income of each Target will be
apportioned to the period up to and including the Closing Date and the period
after the Closing Date by closing the books of the applicable Target as of the
end of the Closing Date.
(e) SECTION 338(h)(10) ELECTION. The Buyer hereby agrees to join
with the Seller in timely making an election under Section 338(h)(10) of the
Code (and any corresponding elections under state, local, or foreign tax law)
(collectively a "SECTION 338(h)(10) ELECTION") with respect to the purchase and
sale of the Targets Shares hereunder.
(f) ASSET ASSIGNMENT. At the Closing, the Seller shall assign all
of its right, title and interest in and to the corporate name "AIM Group" and
the associated registered trademarks, Federal Registration Numbers 74-519767
and 74-519768, to the Buyer pursuant to a Trademark Assignment in the form
attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, and the Seller hereby agrees that from time to
time, at the request of the Buyer and without further consideration, it will,
at the Seller's expense, execute and deliver such further instruments of
conveyance, transfer and assignment and will take any such other action as the
Buyer may reasonably request in order to more effectively convey and transfer
to the Buyer such corporate name and associated registered trademarks.
(g) SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES. On or prior to the
Closing, the Seller shall pay the amounts owing by the Targets to Aluiselonza
and Reservoir Capital in an aggregate amount not to exceed $338,201.44, with
the amounts paid to each of Aluiselonza and Reservoir Capital being set forth
on EXHIBIT C to be completed promptly following the payments of such amounts.
(i) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. From the date hereof to the Closing
Date, the Seller will, except as required in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby or as otherwise consented to by the Buyer, (A) use its best
efforts to carry on the business of the Targets in the Ordinary Course of
Business and (B) not cause or permit the Targets to incur any Liability, other
than in the Ordinary Course of Business, in excess of $2,500.00 per incurrence.
(j) DISCHARGE OF INTERCOMPANY DEBT. At the Closing, the Seller
shall, without any further action, release all intercompany debt owing to the
Seller or any of its Affiliates
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from any of the Targets and their Affiliates, and each of the Targets shall,
without any further action, release all intercompany debt owing to such Target
or any of its Affiliates from the Seller or any of its Affiliates.
6. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.
(a) CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE BUYER. The obligation of the
Buyer to consummate the transactions to be performed by it in connection with
the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:
(i) the representations and warranties set forth in
ss.3(a) and ss.4 above shall be true and correct in all material
respects at and as of the Closing Date;
(ii) the Seller shall have performed and complied with
all of its covenants hereunder in all material respects through the
Closing;
(iii) there shall not be any injunction, judgment, order,
decree, ruling or charge in effect preventing consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(iv) the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a
certificate to the effect that each of the conditions specified above
in ss.6(a)(i)-(iii) is satisfied in all respects.
The Buyer may waive any condition specified in ss.6(a) if it executes
a writing so stating at or prior to the Closing.
(b) CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE SELLER. The obligation of the
Seller to consummate the transactions to be performed by it in connection with
the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:
(i) the representations and warranties set forth in
ss.3(b) above shall be true and correct in all material respects at
and as of the Closing Date;
(ii) the Buyer shall have performed and complied with all
of its covenants hereunder in all material respects through the
Closing;
(iii) there shall not be any injunction, judgment, order,
decree, ruling or charge in effect preventing consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(iv) the Buyer shall have delivered to the Seller a
certificate to the effect that each of the conditions specified above
in ss.6(b)(i)-(iii) is satisfied in all respects;
(v) the Seller shall have received from Comstock
Advisors, Inc. (or such other financial advisor as the Seller may
select) an opinion in form and substance
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reasonably acceptable to the Seller to the effect that the
consideration to be received by the Seller for the sale of the Target
Shares pursuant hereto is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Seller;
(vi) Paul R. Arena shall have executed and delivered to
the Seller the Pledge Agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT
D and the Consulting Agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT
E;
(vii) The Seller shall have secured releases of its
guaranties made in favor of (a) Mercantile Bank dated as of October
21, 1998; and (b) City of Malvern Revolving Loan Fund dated as of July
30, 1997, which releases shall be in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to the Seller; and
(viii) The Buyer shall have executed and delivered to the
Seller the Pledge Agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT F.
The Seller may waive any condition specified in this ss.6(b) if it
executes a writing so stating at or prior to the Closing.
7. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS;
INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. None
of the representations and warranties of the Seller contained in ss.4 above
shall survive the Closing hereunder. All of the representations and warranties
of the Parties contained in ss.3 above shall survive the Closing (unless the
damaged Party knew or had reason to know of any misrepresentation or breach of
warranty at the time of Closing) and continue in full force and effect
thereafter (subject to any applicable statutes of limitations), and all of the
covenants contained herein of the Parties shall survive the Closing and
continue in full force and effect thereafter.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR BENEFIT OF THE BUYER
(i) In the event the Seller breaches any of its
representations, warranties and covenants contained in ss. 4 above,
and, if (but only if) there is an applicable survival period pursuant
to ss.8(a) above, provided that the Buyer makes a written claim for
indemnification against the Seller pursuant to ss.9(g) below within
such survival period, then the Seller agrees to indemnify the Buyer
from and against any Adverse Consequences the Buyer shall suffer
through and after the date of the claim for indemnification (but
excluding any Adverse Consequences the Buyer shall suffer after the
end of any applicable survival period) caused by the breach; provided,
however, that the Seller shall not have any obligation to indemnify
the Buyer from and against any Adverse Consequences caused by the
breach of any representation or warranty of the Seller contained in
ss.4 above: (A) until the Buyer has suffered Adverse Consequences by
reason of all such breaches in excess of a $25,000.00 aggregate
deductible (after which point the Seller will be obligated only to
indemnify
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the Buyer from and against further such Adverse Consequences) or
thereafter (B) to the extent the Adverse Consequences the Buyer has
suffered by reason of all such breaches does not exceed a $250,000.00
aggregate ceiling (after which point the Seller will have no
obligation to indemnify the Buyer from and against further such
Adverse Consequences).
(ii) In the event the Seller breaches any of its
covenants, representations and warranties contained herein, other than
in ss.4 above, and, if (but only if) there is an applicable survival
period pursuant to ss.7(a) above, provided that the Buyer makes a
written claim for indemnification against the Seller pursuant to
ss.9(g) below within such survival period, then the Seller agrees to
indemnify the Buyer from and against the entirety of any Adverse
Consequences the Buyer shall suffer through and after the date of the
claim for indemnification (but excluding any Adverse Consequences the
Buyer shall suffer after the end of any applicable survival period)
caused by the breach.
(c) INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR BENEFIT OF THE SELLER. In the
event the Buyer breaches any of its representations, warranties and covenants
contained herein, and, if there is an applicable survival period pursuant to
ss.7(a) above, provided that the Seller makes a written claim for
indemnification against the Buyer pursuant to ss.9(g) below within such
survival period, then the Buyer agrees to indemnify the Seller from and against
the entirety of any Adverse Consequences the Seller shall suffer through and
after the date of the claim for indemnification (but excluding any Adverse
Consequences the Seller shall suffer after the end of any applicable survival
period) caused by the breach.
(d) MATTERS INVOLVING THIRD PARTIES.
(i) If any third party shall notify any party (the
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY") with respect to any matter (a "THIRD PARTY
CLAIM") which may give rise to a claim for indemnification against any
other Party (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") under this ss.7, then the
Indemnified Party shall promptly (and in any event within five (5)
business days after receiving notice of the Third party Claim) notify
each Indemnifying Party thereof in writing.
(ii) Any Indemnifying Party will have the right to assume
and thereafter conduct the defense of the Third Party Claim with
counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party will not consent
to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect
to the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party (not to be withheld or delayed unreasonably) unless
the judgment or proposed settlement involves only the payment of money
damages and does not impose an injunction or other equitable relief
upon the Indemnified Party.
(iii) Unless and until an Indemnifying Party assumes the
defense of the Third Party Claim as provided in ss.7(d)(ii) above,
however, the Indemnified Party
11
<PAGE> 12
may defend against the Third Party Claim in any manner it reasonably
may deem appropriate.
(iv) In no event will the Indemnified party consent to
the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to
the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of each of the
Indemnifying Parties (not to be withheld or delayed unreasonably).
(e) DETERMINATION OF ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES. The Parties shall make
appropriate adjustments for tax benefits and insurance coverage in determining
Adverse Consequences for purposes of this ss.7. All indemnification payments
under this ss.7 shall be deemed adjustments to the Purchase Price.
(f) OTHER INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS. The indemnification
provisions in this ss.7 are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any
statutory, equitable, or common law remedy any Party may have for breach of
representation, warranty, or covenant; provided, however, that the Buyer
acknowledges and agrees that it shall not have any remedy after the Closing for
any breach of the representations and warranties in ss.4 above.
8. TERMINATION.
(a) TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. Certain of the Parties may
terminate this Agreement as provided below:
(i) the Buyer and the Seller may terminate this
Agreement by mutual written consent at any time prior to the Closing;
(ii) the Buyer may terminate this Agreement by giving
written notice to the Seller at any time prior to the Closing (A) in
the event the Seller has breached any material representation,
warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement (other than the
representations and warranties in ss.4 above) in any material respect,
the Buyer has notified the Seller of the breach, and the breach has
continued without cure for a period of 30 days after the notice of
breach or (B) if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before
April 30, 2000, by reason of the failure of any condition precedent
under ss.6(a) hereof (unless the failure results primarily from the
Buyer itself breaching any representation, warranty or covenant
contained in this Agreement); and
(iii) the Seller may terminate this Agreement by giving
written notice to the Buyer at any time prior to the Closing (A) in
the event the Buyer has breached any material representation, warranty
or covenant contained in this Agreement in any material respect, the
Seller has notified the Buyer of the breach, and the breach has
continued without cure for a period of 30 days after the notice of
breach or (B) if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before
April 30, 2000, by reason of the failure of any condition precedent
under ss.6(b) hereof (unless the failure results primarily from the
Seller breaching any representation, warranty, or covenant contained
in this Agreement).
12
<PAGE> 13
(b) EFFECT OF TERMINATION. If any Party terminates this Agreement
pursuant to ss.8(a) above, all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder
shall terminate without any liability of any Party to any other Party (except
for any liability of any Party then in breach).
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) PRESS RELEASES AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Buyer shall not
issue any press release or make any public announcement relating to the subject
matter of this Agreement without the prior written approval of the Seller;
provided, however, that the Buyer may make any public disclosure it, in good
faith after receipt of an opinion of its counsel, believes is required by
applicable law (in which case the Buyer will use its reasonable best efforts to
advise the Seller prior to making the disclosure). The Seller may issue any
press release or make any public disclosure relating to the subject matter of
this Agreement without restriction; provided, however, the Seller will use its
reasonable best efforts to advise the Buyer prior to making the disclosure.
(b) NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement shall not confer
any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
(c) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the documents
referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and
supersedes any prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among
the Parties, written or oral, to the extent they have related in any way to the
subject matter hereof.
(d) SUCCESSION AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or
any of his or its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior
written approval of the Buyer and the Seller; provided, however, that the
Seller may (i) assign any or all of its rights and interests hereunder to one
or more of its Affiliates and (ii) designate one or more of its Affiliates to
perform its obligations hereunder (in any or all of which cases the Buyer
nonetheless shall remain responsible for the performance of all of its
obligations hereunder).
(e) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(f) HEADINGS. The section headings contained in this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement.
(g) NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other
communications hereunder will be in writing. Any notice, request, demand,
claim, or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given if (and then
two business days after) it is sent by
13
<PAGE> 14
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and
addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below:
If to the Seller:
Cereus Technology Partners, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road
400 Northpark, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Attention: Mr. Steven A. Odom
Fax: (770) 668-9095
Copy to:
Rogers & Hardin LLP
2700 International Tower, Peachtree Center
229 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Attention: Robert C. Hussle, Esq.
Fax: (404) 525-2224
If to the Buyer:
Arena Acquisition Corp.
7510 Colony Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
Attention: Mr. Paul R. Arena
Fax: (770) 844-9427
Copy to:
Freedman, Levy, Kroll & Simonds
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 825
Washington, D.C. 20036
Attention: Jay W. Freedman, Esq.
Fax: (202) 457-5151
Any Party may send any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication
hereunder to the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any
other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service,
telecopy, telex, ordinary mail, or electronic mail), but no such notice,
request, demand, claim, or other communication shall be deemed to have been
duly given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient.
Any Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims,
and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other
Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
14
<PAGE> 15
(h) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Georgia without
giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of
the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia.
(i) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No amendment of any provision of this
Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the
Buyer and the Seller. No waiver by any Party of any default, misrepresentation,
or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall
be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or
breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights
arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.
(j) SEVERABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or
the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other
situation or in any other jurisdiction.
(k) EXPENSES. Each of the Buyer and the Seller will bear their
own costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(l) CONSTRUCTION. The Parties have participated jointly in the
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed
as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof
shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of
any of the provisions of this Agreement.
(m) INCORPORATION OF EXHIBITS, ANNEXES, AND SCHEDULES. The
Exhibits, Annexes, and Schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated
herein by reference and made a part hereof.
* * * * *
15
<PAGE> 16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Seller and the Buyer has caused this
Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized
representatives, all as of the date first above written.
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
By: /s/
---------------------------------------------
Title: Chairman/CEO
------------------------------------------
ARENA ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Paul R. Arena
---------------------------------------------
Title: President
16
<PAGE> 17
EXHIBIT A
PROMISSORY NOTE
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE "ACT"), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW (THE "LAW"). NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE MADE EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE LAW OR UNLESS SUCH
TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE LAW.
$978,000.00 Atlanta, Georgia
Maturity Date: October 23, 2000
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation
("Maker"), hereby promises to pay to the order of CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS,
INC., a Delaware corporation ("Payee"), at 1000 Abernathy Road, 400 Northpark,
Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30328 (or to such other person and/or at such
other address as Payee may designate in writing to Maker), the principal sum of
Nine Hundred Seventy Eight Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($978,000.00) in such
coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal
tender for the payment of public and private debts.
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meaning
given such terms in that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of March 31,
2000 by and between Maker and Payee, as amended by the First Amendment thereto
dated as of April ___, 2000.
From and after the date hereof, interest shall accrue on the
outstanding principal balance hereof at a rate per annum equal to the "prime
rate" announced or quoted from time to time by First Union National Bank,
Atlanta, Georgia plus two percent (2%) (the "Interest Rate"), which interest
shall be computed on the daily outstanding principal balance hereunder on a
360-day year interest basis.
The entire principal balance hereof, together with all accrued and
unpaid interest and all other amounts outstanding hereunder (the "Outstanding
Amount"), shall be due and payable in full upon the date that is 180 days after
the date hereof (the "Maturity Date"); provided, however, if the average
closing sale price of the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Payee (the
"Common Stock") as reported by the principal market or quotation system on
which shares of Common Stock are then included or quoted for ten (10)
consecutive trading days after the later of (i) April 30, 2000 and (ii) the
date of this Note and prior to the Maturity Date equals or exceeds $20.00 per
share, then Payee may (at its option) deliver at anytime thereafter to Maker at
the address set forth below an acceleration notice (the "Acceleration Notice"),
and the Outstanding Amount shall be due and payable in full
<PAGE> 18
upon the date that is ten (10) calendar days after the date of the Maker's
receipt of the Acceleration Notice.
If any principal or interest hereunder shall not be paid when due
(whether on the Maturity Date or by acceleration or otherwise), interest shall
accrue on such overdue amounts to the extent permitted by law at the greater of
(i) the Interest Rate plus two percent (2%) per annum and (ii) twelve percent
(12%) per annum from the date due to and including the date of actual payment
(after as well as before judgment). Maker shall pay such amounts to Payee on
demand.
If any payment required under this Note becomes due and payable on a
Saturday, Sunday or public holiday under the laws of the State of Georgia, such
payment date shall be extended to the next business day.
Maker at any time or from time to time may prepay all or any portion
of the outstanding principal balance of this Note (together with accrued
interest thereon through the date of such prepayment) without penalty or
premium. All payments received hereunder shall be applied first to unpaid
interest and then to the principal balance outstanding.
This Note is secured by a pledge of (i) eighty-four thousand seven
hundred sixty-two (84,762) shares of Common Stock pursuant to the certain
Pledge Agreement by and between Payee and Paul A. Arena dated as of the date
hereof (the "Arena Pledge Agreement"), and (ii) the Target Shares pursuant to
that certain Pledge Agreement by and between Maker and Payee dated as of the
date hereof (the "Maker Pledge Agreement").
The occurrence and continuation of any one of the following events
("Event of Default") shall constitute a default hereunder: (i) Maker shall fail
to make due and punctual payment of principal of or interest on this Note, and
Maker fails to cure such violation within five (5) days after notice thereof
from Payee; (ii) Maker violates any covenant in this Note (other than payment
when due of any principal of or interest on this Note), and Maker fails to cure
such violation within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Payee; (iii)
Maker makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a petition in
bankruptcy, is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt, petitions a court for the
appointment of any receiver or trustee for it or any substantial part of its
property, commences any proceeding relating to Maker under any arrangement or
debt readjustment law or statute of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter
in effect or there is commenced against Maker any such proceeding which remains
undismissed for one hundred twenty (120), or Maker by any act indicates consent
to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or the appointment of
any receiver or trustee for it or any substantial part of its property, or
suffers any such receivership or trusteeship to continue undischarged for one
hundred twenty (120) days; or (iv) there exists an event of default under the
Arena Pledge Agreement or the Maker Pledge Agreement, and such event of default
is not cured within thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Payee.
2
<PAGE> 19
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then, at the option
of Payee, the Outstanding Amount shall, upon written notice from Payee to
Maker, become immediately due and payable. The rights, remedies, powers and
privileges provided for herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights,
remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
No waiver by Payee of any default shall be effective unless in
writing, nor shall it operate as a waiver of any other default or of the same
default on a future occasion. No delay or omission by Payee in exercising any
of its rights, remedies, powers and privileges hereunder or at law and no
course of dealing between Payee and Maker or any other person shall be deemed a
waiver by Payee of any of such rights, remedies, powers and privileges even if
such delay or omission is continuous or repeated, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or
further exercise thereof by Payee or the exercise of any other right, remedy,
power or privilege by Payee.
Maker hereby waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any
kind (including notice of presentment, demand, protest, dishonor and
nonpayment).
If this Note is placed in the hands of any attorney for collection, or
if collected by suit or through any bankruptcy or other legal proceedings,
Maker hereby agrees to pay all reasonable expenses incurred by the holder of
this Note, including reasonable attorneys' fees, all of which shall become a
part of the principal hereof.
Each provision of this Note shall be interpreted in such manner as to
be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Note
shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of
this Note.
This Note shall be binding upon Maker and its successors and assigns
and shall inure to the benefit of Payee, his legal representatives, successors
and assigns.
This Note in all respects shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving
effect to principles of conflicts of laws. This Note may not be changed orally,
but only by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE of this Note.
[SIGNATURE ON NEXT PAGE]
3
<PAGE> 20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Note as of the 26th day of April 2000.
ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., Maker
By: /s/ Paul R. Arena
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Its: President
---------------------------------------------
Address: 7510 Colony Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
Attn: Mr. Paul A. Arena
4
<PAGE> 21
EXHIBIT B
TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT
This TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT ("ASSIGNMENT") is made this 28th day of
April, 2000, by CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation
("ASSIGNOR") to ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Assignee").
WHEREAS, Assignor is the registered owner of the trademarks,
identified in Exhibit A hereto (the "TRADEMARKS"); and
WHEREAS, Assignee desires the entire right, title and interest in and
to the Trademark.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Assignor hereby assigns to
Assignee all of Assignor's right, title and interest in and to the Trademarks.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor has executed this instrument.
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
By: /s/ Juliet M. Reising
-----------------------------------------
Name: Juliet M. Reising
Title: EVP & CFO
STATE OF GEORGIA )
) SS:
COUNTY OF ___________ )
On this 26th day of April, 2000, before me personally came Juliet
Reising, known to me and to me known as the same individual whose name is
subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that he executed the
foregoing instrument as his free and voluntary act for the uses and purposes
set forth.
OFFICIAL SEAL
------------------------------------------------
Notary Public
My Commission Expires
Notary Public, Cobb County, Georgia
My Commission Expires March 22, 2004
-1-
<PAGE> 22
EXHIBIT A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ---------------------------
MARK REGISTRATION NO. FILING DATE
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
AIM Group 74-519767 [July 21, 1997]
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ---------------------------
AIM Group 74-519768 [June 6, 1996]
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ---------------------------
</TABLE>
A-1
<PAGE> 23
EXHIBIT D
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated as of April 26, 2000
between ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor"), and
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Pledgor has made and delivered to the Pledgee that certain
Promissory Note dated a date even herewith in the aggregate principal amount of
$978,000.00 (the "Note") pursuant to the terms of that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement by and between Pledgor and the Pledgor dated as of March 31, 2000, as
amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of April 26, 2000 (the "Stock
Purchase Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Pledgor has agreed to enter into this Agreement and to
pledge the shares of capital stock of UM-AZ, HTI and HST (each as defined in
the Stock Purchase Agreement) to be purchased by the Pledgor pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock") as security for the performance of the
Pledgor's obligations under the Note and the Stock Purchase Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, and to secure the payment and performance of the
Pledgor's obligations under the Note and the Stock Purchase Agreement, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. PLEDGE. As collateral security for the due and punctual
payment of the indebtedness and obligations referred to in Section 2 hereof,
the Pledgor hereby pledges, hypothecates, transfers, sets over, delivers and
assigns unto Pledgee, and hereby grants Pledgee a first security interest in
the following:
(a) the Stock and the certificates representing the Stock, and
all cash, securities and other property at any time and from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
all or any portion of the Stock; and
(b) all securities hereafter delivered to the Pledgee by the
Pledgor in substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all
certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such securities,
together with all interest, cash, securities and other property at any time and
from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of
or in exchange for or on conversion of any or all thereof (all such Stock,
indebtedness, shares, certificates, interest, cash, securities and other
property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of any or all
thereof being included within the definition of "Collateral" for purposes of
this Agreement).
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Collateral, together with all rights, titles,
interests, privileges and preferences appertaining or incidental thereto, unto
Pledgee, its successors and assigns, forever, subject, however, to the terms,
covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.
<PAGE> 24
SECTION 2. INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS SECURED. This Agreement and
the Collateral secure repayment of the indebtedness and the obligations
indicated below (collectively, the "Obligations"), equally and ratably as to
all such indebtedness and obligations and without preference or priority as to
any class of such indebtedness or obligations or any component thereof:
(a) the indebtedness evidenced by the Note (and any promissory
note of the Pledgor issued in exchange for, or replacement of, or substitution
for, the Note, which shall be included in the term "Note" as used herein), with
interest and premiums thereon as therein provided;
(b) all other amounts payable by the Pledgor under the Note and
the Stock Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, all fees, costs,
expenses and indemnities payable by the Pledgor thereunder;
(c) all indebtedness of the Pledgor arising under this Agreement
and all costs and expenses of the Pledgee in enforcing this Agreement, the Note
and the Stock Purchase Agreement; and
(d) all renewals and extensions, in whole or in part, of the Note
or of any other indebtedness or obligation described above.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Pledgor hereby
represents and warrants that as of the date hereof the Pledgor is the holder of
record of all of the Stock; the Pledgor has good, right and lawful authority to
enter into this Agreement and to pledge the Collateral in the manner hereby
done or contemplated and will defend his title thereto against the claims of
all persons whomsoever; there are no liens, claims, pledges, security
interests, encumbrances or rights of third parties whatsoever with respect to
the Collateral; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Pledgor,
enforceable in accordance with its terms; and no consent or approval of any
court, governmental body or regulatory authority (federal, state or local) is
or was necessary to the validity of the pledge granted hereby.
SECTION 4. APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS; REGISTRATION IN NOMINEE NAME. The
Pledgee shall have the right to appoint one or more agents for the purpose of
retaining physical possession of the certificates or instruments representing
or evidencing the Collateral, which certificates or instruments may be held (in
the discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of the Pledgor, endorsed or assigned
in blank or in favor of the Pledgee, or in the name of the Pledgee or any agent
appointed by the Pledgee to retain physical possession of such certificates or
instruments, or in the name of any nominee of the Pledgee or any such agent. In
addition, the Pledgee shall at all times have the right to exchange
certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Collateral for
certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations. The Pledgor
hereby agrees that any registrar or transfer agent for any securities included
in the Collateral shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of this Section
as conclusive evidence of the authority of the Pledgee to effect
re-registration of any such securities in the name of the Pledgee or that of
its agents or its or their nominees or to exchange certificates or instruments
representing or evidencing such Collateral for certificates or instruments of
smaller or larger
<PAGE> 25
denominations, notwithstanding any notice or direction to such registrar or
transfer agent from the Pledgor to the contrary.
SECTION 5. VOTING RIGHTS; DIVIDENDS, ETC.
(a) The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting
or consensual rights and powers relating or pertaining to the Collateral or any
part thereof for the term of this Agreement.
(b) The Pledgor shall not be entitled to receive and retain any
and all cash dividends and interest payable on the Collateral, and any and all
stock or liquidating dividends, distributions and property, returns of capital
or other distributions made on or in respect of the Collateral, whether
resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the
outstanding capital stock of the Pledgee or received in exchange for or on
conversion of Collateral or any part thereof or as a result of any merger,
consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which the Pledgee may
be a party or otherwise, and any and all cash and other property received in
payment of the principal or in redemption of or in exchange for or on
conversion of any Collateral (either at maturity, upon call for redemption,
upon forced conversion or otherwise), shall be and become part of the
Collateral pledged hereunder and, if received by the Pledgor, shall forthwith
be delivered to the Pledgee or its designated agent (accompanied by proper
instruments of assignment or stock or bond powers executed by such Pledgor in
accordance with the Pledgee's instructions) to be held subject to the terms of
this Agreement.
SECTION 6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence and continuation of any
of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default under this
Agreement:
(a) failure of the Pledgor to pay, when due, any amount payable
under the Note;
(b) any other breach by the Pledgor of its covenants contained in
the Stock Purchase Agreement; and
(c) any default in the due observance or performance of any term,
covenant, warranty, agreement or condition contained in this Agreement, which
default continues for five (5) business days after the Pledgee gives notice of
such failure to the Pledgor.
SECTION 7. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default hereunder, Pledgee may, without being
required to give any notice to the Pledgor other than as required in paragraph
(b) below, and in addition to the exercise by Pledgee of its rights and
remedies under any other Section of this Agreement, under the Note or the Stock
Purchase Agreement, or otherwise available to it at law or in equity:
(a) apply the cash (if any) then held by it as collateral
hereunder to the payment of any Obligations, whether or not then due and in any
order selected by the Pledgee; and
(b) if there shall be no such cash or the cash so applied shall
be insufficient to pay all such Obligations in full, exercise all the rights
and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in
the State of Georgia at that time and sell (in compliance
<PAGE> 26
with applicable securities laws) the Collateral, or any part thereof, at public
or private sale, at any broker's board, upon any securities exchange, at the
Pledgee's offices or elsewhere, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery,
as Pledgee may deem appropriate in the circumstances and commercially
reasonable, irrespective of the impact of any such sales on the market price of
the Collateral. In that connection, Pledgee shall have the right to impose such
limitations and restrictions on the sale of the Collateral as Pledgee may deem
to be necessary or appropriate to comply with any law, rule or regulation
(federal, state or local) having applicability to the sale, including, without
limitation, restrictions on the number and qualifications of the offerees and
requirements for any necessary governmental approvals, and Pledgee shall be
authorized at any such sale (if it deems it advisable to do so) to restrict the
prospective offerees or purchasers to persons who will represent and agree that
they are purchasing securities included in the Collateral for their own account
and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof in violation of
applicable securities laws. Upon consummation of any such sale, Pledgee shall
have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers
thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold
the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the
Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) all
rights of redemption, stay or appraisal that it now has or may at any time in
the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter
enacted. To the extent that notice of sale shall be required to be given by
law, Pledgee shall give the Pledgor at least 10 calendar days' prior written
notice of Pledgee's intention to make any public or private sale of such
Collateral. Such notice shall state the time and place fixed for sale, and the
Collateral, or portion thereof, to be offered for sale. Any such sale shall be
held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or
places as Pledgee may fix in the notice of such sale. At any such sale, the
Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an
entirety or in separate parcels, as Pledgee may (in its sole and absolute
discretion) determine; and Pledgee may itself bid (which bid may be in whole or
in part in the form of cancellation of Obligations) for and purchase the whole
or any part of the Collateral and shall be entitled, for purposes of bidding
and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all any portion of
the Collateral sold at such sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations owed
to the Pledgee as a credit on account of the purchase of any Collateral payable
by the Pledgee at such sale. Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any sale of
Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that
notice of sale of Collateral may have been given. Pledgee may, without notice
or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be
adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for
sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place
to which the same was so adjourned. In case sale of all or any part of the
Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may
be retained by Pledgee until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or
purchasers thereof, but Pledgee shall not incur any liability in case any such
purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so
sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon
like notice. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred
upon it, the Pledgee may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to
foreclose this Agreement and sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof,
pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts of competent
jurisdiction.
SECTION 8. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE; DEFICIENCY,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. (a) The proceeds of sale of Collateral sold pursuant to
Section 7 hereof shall be applied by Pledgee as follows:
<PAGE> 27
FIRST: to the payment of the costs and expenses of such sale,
including the out-of-pocket expenses of Pledgee and the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of counsel employed in connection therewith, and to the
payment of all loans or advances made by the Pledgee for the account of the
Pledgor and the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by Pledgee in
connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement, as well
as any indemnities payable by the Pledgor hereunder, to the extent that such
loans, advances, costs, expenses and indemnities shall not have been previously
reimbursed or paid to Pledgee;
SECOND: to the payment or prepayment in full of all other
Obligations, whether or not then due and in any order selected by the Pledgee;
and
THIRD: the balance (if any) of such proceeds shall be paid to the
Pledgor or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
(b) The Pledgor recognizes that, by reason of certain
prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and applicable state securities laws, the Pledgee may be
compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Collateral, to
limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the
Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the
distribution or resale thereof. The Pledgor acknowledges that any such private
sales may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the Pledgee than those
obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including, without
limitation, a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under
the Securities Act), and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any
such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially
reasonable manner and that the Pledgee shall have no obligation to delay the
sale of any Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer
thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under
the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such
issuer would agree to do so.
SECTION 9. PLEDGEE APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. The Pledgor hereby
appoints the Pledgee the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement
and taking any action and executing any agreement or instrument on behalf of
the Pledgor that the Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the
purposes hereof, which appointment is coupled with an interest and is
irrevocable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Pledgor
agrees and understands that the Pledgee shall have the right and power to
receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of
money made payable to the Pledgor representing any dividend, principal or
interest payment or other distribution payable or distributable in respect of
the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.
SECTION 10. RESPONSIBILITY OF PLEDGEE; CARE OF COLLATERAL. Neither
the Pledgee, nor any director, officer, employee or agent of the Pledgee, shall
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them relative to
this Agreement or any of the Collateral except for its or their gross
negligence or willful misconduct, and the Pledgee shall not be liable for any
action or omission to act on the part of any agent appointed by the Pledgee to
act hereunder or with respect to the Collateral (or any part thereof), selected
by the Pledgee with reasonable care. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
5(b) hereof, the Pledgee shall have no duty to exercise any voting or any other
consensual rights and powers becoming vested in the Pledgee with
<PAGE> 28
respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, to exercise any right to redeem,
convert or exchange any securities included in the Collateral, to enforce or
see to the payment of any dividend, principal or interest or any other
distribution payable or distributable on or with respect to the Collateral or
any part thereof or otherwise to preserve any rights in respect of the
Collateral against any third parties, and the Pledgee shall not be liable or
accountable to the Pledgor in respect of any of the foregoing. The Pledgee
shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of the Collateral if the Pledgee shall take such action for such
purpose as the Pledgor may request in writing, but the failure of the Pledgee
to take any action requested by the Pledgor shall not, in and of itself, be
deemed to constitute a failure on the part of the Pledgee to exercise
reasonable care in respect of the custody and preservation of the Collateral or
any part thereof.
SECTION 11. EXPENSES. The Pledgor agrees to pay the Pledgee, upon its
demand, all of the Pledgee's out-of-pocket expenses (including its reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the administration or enforcement
of this Agreement, the care and custody of the Collateral (or any part
thereof), the registration, re-registration or transfer of the Collateral (or
any part thereof) and the sale or collection of the Collateral (or any part
thereof). Should the Pledgor fail to do any act or thing that the Pledgor has
covenanted to do hereunder, or should any representation or warranty on the
part of the Pledgor contained herein be breached, Pledgee may (but shall not be
obligated to) do the same or cause it to be done, or remedy any such breach,
and there shall be added to the liabilities of the Pledgor hereunder, the cost
or expense to Pledgee in so doing, and any and all amounts expended by Pledgee
in taking any such action shall be repayable to it by the Pledgor upon
Pledgee's demand.
SECTION 12. NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure on the part of
Pledgee to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right, power or remedy by Pledgee preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
All remedies of Pledgee hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any
other remedies available to Pledgee at law or in equity.
SECTION 13. TERMINATION AND PARTIAL RELEASE OF COLLATERAL. This
Agreement shall terminate when all Obligations secured hereby have been fully
paid and performed, at which time Pledgee shall reassign and redeliver (or
cause to be reassigned or redelivered) to the Pledgor, or to such person or
persons as the Pledgor shall designate, against receipt, such of the Collateral
(if any) as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied by Pledgee pursuant
to the terms hereof and as shall still be held by it hereunder, together with
appropriate instruments of assignment and release.
SECTION 14. NOTICES. Any notice or communication required or permitted
hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to
be given, and on the fifth calendar day after mailing if deposited in a
regularly maintained receptacle for United States mail to the party to whom
notice is to be given, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, and
properly addressed to the address reflected in such party's books and records
or to such other address as hereafter shall be designated in writing by any
party to all other parties.
<PAGE> 29
SECTION 15. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Pledgor agrees to do such further
acts and things, and to execute and deliver such agreements and instruments,
including without limitation stock and bond powers, as Pledgee may at any time
request in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Agreement
or related to the Collateral or any part thereof or in order better to assure
and confirm unto Pledgee its rights, powers and remedies hereunder.
SECTION 16. BINDING AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement, and the
terms, covenants and conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns,
except that the Pledgor shall not be permitted to assign this Agreement or any
interest in the Collateral, or any part thereof, or otherwise pledge, encumber
or grant any option with respect to the Collateral, or any part thereof, or any
cash or property held by Pledgee as collateral under this Agreement, without
the prior written consent of Pledgee.
SECTION 17. MISCELLANEOUS. Neither this Agreement nor any provisions
hereof may be amended, modified, waived, discharged or terminated, nor may any
of the Collateral be released or the pledge or the security interest created
hereby extended, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the
party to be charged. The Section headings used herein are for convenience of
reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions of this Agreement.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original and both of which together shall constitute the Agreement.
SECTION 18. GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE. THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND SHALL
BE INTERPRETED, AND THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO
DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA (WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS). AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR
THE BENEFITS RECEIVED BY THE PLEDGOR, EACH OF PLEDGEE AND PLEDGOR HEREBY
CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE
STATE OF GEORGIA, AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS BE MADE BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL DIRECTED TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH ON
THE SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR FIVE (5) CALENDAR DAYS
AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE UNITED STATES MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID. TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH SUCH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT WAIVES ANY OBJECTION SUCH
PARTY MAY HAVE BASED ON LACK OF JURISDICTION OR IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON
CONVENIENS TO THE CONDUCT OF ANY PROCEEDING INSTITUTED HEREUNDER. NOTHING IN
THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF PLEDGEE TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY
OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AFFECT THE RIGHT OF PLEDGEE TO BRING ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST PLEDGOR OR HIS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY
OTHER JURISDICTION THAT HAS JURISDICTION OVER PLEDGOR OR HIS PROPERTY.
<PAGE> 30
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Pledge
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., Pledgor
By: /s/ Paul R. Arena
------------------------------------------
Its: President
-----------------------------------------
Address:
7510 Colony Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS INC.,
Pledgee
By: /s/ Juliet M. Reising
------------------------------------------
Its: EVP & CFO
-----------------------------------------
Address:
1000 Abernathy Road
400 Northpark, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
<PAGE> 31
EXHIBIT E
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of the 26th day of April, 2000 between PAUL A. ARENA, an individual resident
of the State of Georgia ("Consultant"), and CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a
Delaware corporation f/k/a AIM Group, Inc. (the "Company").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Consultant currently serves as an employee of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company and Consultant each desire that the Employment
Agreement dated as of July 31, 1999 between Consultant and the Company (the
"Employment Agreement") be terminated and replaced with this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Consultant each desire to enter into this
Agreement to set forth in writing the terms and conditions of Consultant's
relationship with the Company from and after the date hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the promises
and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DUTIES. Consultant hereby agrees, during the Term (as
hereinafter defined), to provide up to eight (8) hours of consulting services
per calendar month to the Company on such matters pertaining to the Company's
business as may, from time to time, be requested of Consultant by the Company.
In this regard, Consultant shall be available throughout the Term at reasonable
times, and upon reasonable notice, to meet in Atlanta, Georgia, in person or
via telephone, with the Company, for the purposes of providing such consulting
services; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to restrict
Consultant from accepting any part or full-time employment from, or providing
consulting services to, someone other than the Company.
SECTION 2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date
hereof (the "Effective Date") and, unless otherwise earlier terminated pursuant
to Section 3 hereof, shall end on the first anniversary of the date hereof
(hereinafter referred to as the "Term").
SECTION 3. TERMINATION.
3.1 RIGHT TO TERMINATE. This Agreement may be terminated
prior to the expiration of the Term upon the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(a) the death or total disability of Consultant ("total
disability" meaning the inability of Consultant to perform his normal required
duties hereunder in substantially the same manner and to the extent required
hereunder prior to the commencement of said disability for a period of three
(3) consecutive months, by reason of illness or mental or
<PAGE> 32
physical incapacity or disability as so determined by a licensed physician
selected by the Company reasonably satisfactory to Consultant);
(b) the mutual written agreement of the parties hereto
to terminate this Agreement;
(c) the Company's termination of Consultant hereunder,
upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Consultant, for "good cause,"
which shall exist (i) if Consultant is convicted of (from which no appeal may
be taken), or pleads guilty to, any act of fraud, misappropriation or
embezzlement, or any felony, or (ii) if Consultant has engaged in conduct or
activity materially damaging to the business of the Company (it being
understood, however, that neither conduct nor activity pursuant to Consultant's
exercise of his good faith business judgment nor unintentional physical damage
to any property of the Company by Consultant shall be a ground for such a
determination by the Board of Directors of the Company); or
(d) the Consultant's termination of this Agreement upon
ten (10) days' prior written notice to the Company.
3.2 WRONGFUL TERMINATION. In the event that the Company
terminates Consultant hereunder alleging "good cause" under Section 3.1(c)
hereof and it is subsequently determined pursuant to the arbitration procedure
provided for in Section 6.9 hereof that the termination was not for "good
cause," then, in lieu of all damages and in lieu of all other amounts payable
hereunder, (i) Consultant shall be entitled to exercise all the Warrants (as
hereinafter defined) as if this Agreement had remained in full force and effect
until the first anniversary of the date hereof, and (ii) the Company shall pay
all of Consultant's reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in connection
therewith.
SECTION 4. WARRANTS AND COMPENSATION RELATED MATTERS.
4.1 WARRANTS. Upon the execution hereof, the Company shall
grant to Consultant a warrant pursuant to a warrant certificate containing
customary terms and conditions (the "Warrant") to purchase from time to time
subject to the terms of this Section 4.1 and such warrant certificate 50,000
shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), exercisable for cash at an exercise price per share equal to the
"market price" (as hereinafter defined) on the trading day immediately
preceding the date of this Agreement, with the Warrant first becoming
exercisable as to 12,500 shares of Common Stock on the three month anniversary
of the Effective Date, as to an additional 12,500 shares of Common Stock on the
six month anniversary of the Effective Date, as to an additional 12,500 shares
of Common Stock on the nine month anniversary of the Effective Date and as to
the remaining 12,500 shares of Common Stock on the twelve month anniversary of
the date hereof and expiring in full on the twenty four month anniversary of
the date hereof; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Warrant shall not be exercisable and shall expire if this Agreement is
terminated by the Company for "good cause" prior to the twelve month
anniversary of the date hereof. For purposes hereof, "market price" shall mean
the closing price of the Common Stock as of the day in question as reported
with respect to the market (or the composite of markets, if more than one) in
which shares of the Common Stock are then traded or, if no such closing prices
are reported, on the basis of the mean between the high bid and low asking
prices that day on the principal
-2-
<PAGE> 33
market or quotation system on which shares of Common Stock are then quoted, or,
if not so quoted, as furnished by a professional securities dealer making a
market in such shares selected by or under authority of the Company's Board of
Directors.
4.2 NO BENEFITS. Consultant shall not be entitled to
participate in, or receive any benefits under, any welfare benefit plan or
program (including, without limitation, medical, dental, disability, group life
and business travel insurance plans and programs), any retirement savings plan
or program (including, without limitation, 401(k) and pension plans), or any
other fringe benefit program of the Company currently in effect or as the
Company may, from time to time, hereafter adopt and implement for the benefit
of the Company's employees; provided, however, the Company shall pay on behalf
of Consultant the premium for continued health care coverage pursuant to the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"),
for so long as such continued health care coverage is available under COBRA but
not in excess of eighteen months from the Effective Date.
4.3 OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES. Consultant shall be entitled to
receive reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with
the fulfillment of Consultant's duties hereunder upon presentation of
appropriate vouchers therefor, provided that Consultant has complied with all
reasonable policies and procedures relating to the reimbursement of such
expenses as shall, from time to time, be established by the Company.
4.4 LAPTOP COMPUTER. The Company shall, and does hereby,
assign to Consultant all of the Company's right, title and interest in and to
that certain Dell laptop computer, serial number
2496E103A.
4.5 ACCRUED VACATION TIME AND EXPENSES. Upon the Effective
Date, the Company shall pay to Consultant all amounts due and owing to
Consultant for his accrued vacation time and reimbursement for business
expenses incurred by him prior to the Effective Date, all to the extent accrued
on the Company's books as of March 31, 2000 and as set forth on Schedule 1
hereto.
SECTION 5. RELEASE.
5.1 RELEASE OF CLAIMS BY CONSULTANT. Consultant, for himself
and on behalf of his agents, representatives, successors, heirs and assigns,
hereby releases, waives, acquits, withdraws, retracts, and forever discharges
any and all claims, manner of actions, causes of action, in law or in equity,
suits, judgments, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liabilities,
demands, damages, losses, costs, expenses or disputes, fixed or contingent,
which he now has or may hereafter have, directly or indirectly, personally or
in any capacity (collectively, "Claims") of which Consultant has actual
knowledge, against the Company, and all and any of its present or former
affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors and assigns, as
well as their respective present or former owners, stockholders, investors,
lenders, agents, independent contractors, directors, officers, partners,
employees, associates, representatives, consultants, attorneys and insurers
(collectively, the "Company Releasees"), whatsoever, from the beginning of time
to, and including, the date of execution of this Agreement in any way relating
to or arising out of (i) Consultant's association with the Company or any of
the Company Releasees, including, but not limited to, Consultant's status as a
director, officer or agent of the Company or any of the Company Releasees or
(ii) the Employment Agreement,
-3-
<PAGE> 34
except for those express obligations existing or arising under this Agreement;
provided, however, that nothing herein shall constitute a release of any
obligation arising under or any claim pursuant to or related to that certain
Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Arena Acquisition Corp. dated
as of March 31, 2000 (the "Purchase Agreement").
5.2 RELEASE OF CLAIMS BY THE COMPANY. The Company, for
itself and on behalf of its agents, representatives, successors, and assigns,
hereby releases, waives, acquits, withdraws, retracts, and forever discharges
any and all Claims of which the Company has actual knowledge against Consultant
and his agents, attorneys, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns (collectively, the "Consultant Releasees") from the beginning of time
to, and including, the date of execution of this Agreement in any way relating
to or arising out of (i) Consultant's association with the Company or any of
the Company Releasees, including, but not limited to, Consultant's status as a
director, officer or agent of the Company or any of the Company Releasees or
(ii) the Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, any claims for
attorneys' fees and costs; provided, however, that nothing herein shall
constitute a release of any obligation arising under or any Claim pursuant to
or related to the Purchase Agreement.
5.3 NONASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS. Consultant represents and
warrants to the Company that he has not made any assignment or other transfer
of any interest in any Claim released by him under the terms of this Agreement.
The Company represents and warrants to Consultant that it has not made any
assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim released by it under
the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 6. MISCELLANEOUS.
6.1 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and shall be binding upon Consultant, Consultant's executor,
administrator, heirs, personal representatives and assigns, and upon the
Company and its successors and assigns; provided, however, that the obligations
and duties of Consultant may not be assigned or delegated.
6.2 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made
in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to any
conflicts of laws principles.
6.3 INVALID PROVISIONS. The parties herein hereby agree that
the agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement are
severable and divisible, that none of such agreements, provisions or covenants
depends upon any other provision, agreement or covenant for its enforceability,
and that each such agreement, provision and covenant constitutes an enforceable
obligation between the Company and Consultant. Consequently, the parties hereto
agree that neither the invalidity nor the unenforceability of any agreement,
provision or covenant of this Agreement shall affect the other agreements,
provisions or covenants hereof, and this Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect and be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable
agreement, provision or covenant were omitted.
6.4 HEADINGS. The section and paragraph headings contained
in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any
way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
-4-
<PAGE> 35
6.5 NOTICES. All communications provided for hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to be given when delivered in person or
deposited in the United States mail, first class, registered mail, return
receipt requested, with proper postage prepaid, and
If to Consultant, addressed to:
Mr. Paul R. Arena
7510 Colony Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
If to the Company, addressed to:
Cereus Technology Partners, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road
400 Northpark, suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
or at such other place or places or to such other person or persons as shall be
designated in writing by the parties hereto in the manner provided above for
notices.
6.6 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 shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.7 WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by the Company of a breach
of any provision, agreement or covenant of this Agreement by Consultant shall
not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of
the same or any other provision, agreement or covenant by Consultant.
6.8 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended, modified
or supplemented except by written agreement of the parties hereto.
6.9 ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by
arbitration in Atlanta, Georgia in accordance with the commercial arbitration
rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The decision of
the arbitrators shall be final and binding as to any matter submitted to them
under this Agreement, and judgment on any award rendered by the arbitrators may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
6.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the full
and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the
subject matter hereof. It is hereby agreed that this Agreement supersedes in
its entirety the Employment Agreement, that the Employment Agreement,
including, without limitation, Section 10 thereof, shall be void and of no
further force or effect and that Consultant shall no longer have any rights
thereunder, including, without limitation, the right to any salary, bonuses or
benefits provided for therein.
-5-
<PAGE> 36
6.11 NO DEROGATION. Both parties agree that no statements
will be issued or published by them or any of their authorized representatives,
whether spoken or in writing, that would be disparaging to, or derogatory of
the other party, the Company or any of its past or present officers, directors
or employees or the relationship between the parties.
6.12 NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND TRADE
SECRETS.
(a) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; TRADE SECRETS. As used in
this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information" shall mean valuable,
non-public, competitively sensitive data and information relating to the
Company's business or the business of any entity affiliated with the Company,
other than (i) Trade Secrets (as defined below); (ii) information contained in
any publicly available press release, a regulatory filing or other public
communication which is otherwise in the public domain on the date of this
Agreement; (iii) information that hereafter enters the public domain through no
action on the part of Consultant; (iv) information that is known by Consultant
or becomes available to him from a source other than the Company or any of its
affiliates, provided that such information was not obtained as a result of a
breach of any confidentiality obligation by the source of such information; (v)
information that was already in the possession of Consultant prior to the date
hereof and which was not acquired from the Company or any of its affiliates; or
(vi) information obtained from discovery in a legal proceeding, but only to the
extent such information is used in such a proceeding. "Confidential
Information" shall include, among other things, information specifically
designated as a Trade Secret that is, notwithstanding the designation,
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be a "trade secret"
under applicable law. As used in this Agreement, the term "Trade Secrets" shall
mean information or data of or about the Company or any entity affiliated with
the Company, including, without limitation, technical or non-technical data,
formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques,
drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or lists
of actual or potential customers or suppliers, that (i) derive economic value,
actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily
ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value
from their disclosure or use; and (ii) are subject of efforts that are
reasonable under the circumstances to maintain their secrecy. To the extent
that the foregoing definition is inconsistent with a definition of "trade
secret" under applicable law, the foregoing definition shall be deemed amended
to the extent necessary to render it consistent with applicable law.
(b) NON-DISCLOSURE. Consultant will be exposed to Trade
Secrets and Confidential Information as a result of relationship with the
Company as provided in this Agreement. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that
any unauthorized disclosure or use of any of the Trade Secrets or Confidential
Information of the Company would be wrongful and would likely result in
immediate and irreparable injury to the Company. In consideration of the terms
of this Agreement, except as appropriate in connection with the performance of
his obligations under this Agreement, Consultant shall not, without the express
prior written consent of an executive officer of the Company, redistribute,
market, publish, disclose or divulge to any other person or entity, or use or
modify for use, directly or indirectly, in any way for any person or entity (i)
any Confidential Information during the Term of this Agreement and for a period
of two (2) years after the final date of the Term of this Agreement; and (ii)
any Trade Secrets at any time (during or after the Term of this Agreement)
during which such information or data shall continue to constitute a "trade
secret" under applicable law. Consultant agrees to cooperate with any
reasonable confidentiality requirements of the Company. Consultant shall
immediately
-6-
<PAGE> 37
notify the Company of any unauthorized disclosure or use of any Trade Secrets
or Confidential Information of which Consultant becomes aware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Consultant has executed and delivered this
Agreement, and the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and
delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year
first written above.
/s/ Paul R. Arena
----------------------------------------------
PAUL R. ARENA
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
By: /s/ Juliet M. Reising
-------------------------------------------
Its: EVP & CFO
---------------------------------------
-7-
<PAGE> 38
EXHIBIT F
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated as of April 26, 2000
between PAUL R. ARENA, an individual resident of the State of Georgia (the
"Pledgor"), and CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Pledgee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Pledgor owns all of the outstanding capital stock of
Arena Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("AAC");
WHEREAS, AAC has made and delivered to the Pledgee that certain
Promissory Note dated a date even herewith in the aggregate principal amount of
$978,000.00 (the "Note") pursuant to the terms of that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement by and between AAC and the Pledgor dated as of March 31, 2000, as
amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of April 26, 2000 (the "Stock
Purchase Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Pledgor has agreed to enter into this Agreement and to
pledge 84,762 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Pledgee (the
"Common Stock") registered in the name of the Pledgor (the "Stock") as security
for the performance of AAC's obligations under the Note and the Stock Purchase
Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, and to secure the payment and performance of AAC's
obligations under the Note and the Stock Purchase Agreement, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
SECTION 1. PLEDGE. As collateral security for the due and punctual
payment of the indebtedness and obligations referred to in Section 2 hereof,
the Pledgor hereby pledges, hypothecates, transfers, sets over, delivers and
assigns unto Pledgee, and hereby grants Pledgee a first security interest in
the following:
(a) the Stock and the certificates representing the Stock, and
all cash, securities and other property at any time and from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
all or any portion of the Stock; and
(b) all securities hereafter delivered to the Pledgee by the
Pledgor in substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all
certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such securities,
together with all interest, cash, securities and other property at any time and
from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of
or in exchange for or on conversion of any or all thereof (all such Stock,
indebtedness, shares, certificates, interest, cash, securities and other
property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of any or all
thereof being included within the definition of "Collateral" for purposes of
this Agreement).
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Collateral, together with all rights, titles,
interests, privileges and preferences appertaining or incidental thereto, unto
Pledgee, its successors and assigns, forever, subject, however, to the terms,
covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.
<PAGE> 39
SECTION 2. INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS SECURED. This Agreement and
the Collateral secure repayment of the indebtedness and the obligations
indicated below (collectively, the "Obligations"), equally and ratably as to
all such indebtedness and obligations and without preference or priority as to
any class of such indebtedness or obligations or any component thereof:
(a) the indebtedness evidenced by the Note (and any promissory
note of AAC issued in exchange for, or replacement of, or substitution for, the
Note, which shall be included in the term "Note" as used herein), with interest
and premiums thereon as therein provided;
(b) all other amounts payable by AAC under the Note and the Stock
Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, all fees, costs, expenses
and indemnities payable by AAC thereunder;
(c) all indebtedness of the Pledgor arising under this Agreement
and all costs and expenses of the Pledgee in enforcing this Agreement, the Note
and the Stock Purchase Agreement; and
(d) all renewals and extensions, in whole or in part, of the Note
or of any other indebtedness or obligation described above.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Pledgor hereby
represents and warrants that as of the date hereof the Pledgor is the holder of
record of all of the Stock; the Pledgor has good, right and lawful authority to
enter into this Agreement and to pledge the Collateral in the manner hereby
done or contemplated and will defend his title thereto against the claims of
all persons whomsoever; there are no liens, claims, pledges, security
interests, encumbrances or rights of third parties whatsoever with respect to
the Collateral; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Pledgor,
enforceable in accordance with its terms; and no consent or approval of any
court, governmental body or regulatory authority (federal, state or local) is
or was necessary to the validity of the pledge granted hereby.
SECTION 4. APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS; REGISTRATION IN NOMINEE NAME. The
Pledgee shall have the right to appoint one or more agents for the purpose of
retaining physical possession of the certificates or instruments representing
or evidencing the Collateral, which certificates or instruments may be held (in
the discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of the Pledgor, endorsed or assigned
in blank or in favor of the Pledgee, or in the name of the Pledgee or any agent
appointed by the Pledgee to retain physical possession of such certificates or
instruments, or in the name of any nominee of the Pledgee or any such agent. In
addition, the Pledgee shall at all times have the right to exchange
certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Collateral for
certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations. The Pledgor
hereby agrees that any registrar or transfer agent for any securities included
in the Collateral shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of this Section
as conclusive evidence of the authority of the Pledgee to effect
re-registration of any such securities in the name of the Pledgee or that of
its agents or its or their nominees or to exchange certificates or instruments
representing or evidencing such Collateral for certificates or instruments of
smaller or larger
2
<PAGE> 40
denominations, notwithstanding any notice or direction to such registrar or
transfer agent from the Pledgor to the contrary.
SECTION 5. VOTING RIGHTS; DIVIDENDS, ETC.
(a) The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting
or consensual rights and powers relating or pertaining to the Collateral or any
part thereof for the term of this Agreement.
(b) The Pledgor shall not be entitled to receive and retain any
and all cash dividends and interest payable on the Collateral, and any and all
stock or liquidating dividends, distributions and property, returns of capital
or other distributions made on or in respect of the Collateral, whether
resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the
outstanding capital stock of the Pledgee or received in exchange for or on
conversion of Collateral or any part thereof or as a result of any merger,
consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which the Pledgee may
be a party or otherwise, and any and all cash and other property received in
payment of the principal or in redemption of or in exchange for or on
conversion of any Collateral (either at maturity, upon call for redemption,
upon forced conversion or otherwise), shall be and become part of the
Collateral pledged hereunder and, if received by the Pledgor, shall forthwith
be delivered to the Pledgee or its designated agent (accompanied by proper
instruments of assignment or stock or bond powers executed by such Pledgor in
accordance with the Pledgee's instructions) to be held subject to the terms of
this Agreement.
SECTION 6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence and continuation of
any of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default under this
Agreement:
(a) failure of AAC to pay, when due, any amount payable under the
Note;
(b) any other breach by AAC of its covenants contained in the
Stock Purchase Agreement; and
(c) any default in the due observance or performance of any term,
covenant, warranty, agreement or condition contained in this Agreement, which
default continues for five (5) business days after the Pledgee gives notice of
such failure to the Pledgor.
SECTION 7. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default hereunder, Pledgee may, without being
required to give any notice to the Pledgor other than as required in paragraph
(b) below, and in addition to the exercise by Pledgee of its rights and
remedies under any other Section of this Agreement, under the Note or the Stock
Purchase Agreement, or otherwise available to it at law or in equity:
(a) apply the cash (if any) then held by it as collateral
hereunder to the payment of any Obligations, whether or not then due and in any
order selected by the Pledgee; and
(b) if there shall be no such cash or the cash so applied shall
be insufficient to pay all such Obligations in full, exercise all the rights
and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in
the State of Georgia at that time and sell (in compliance
3
<PAGE> 41
with applicable securities laws) the Collateral, or any part thereof, at public
or private sale, at any broker's board, upon any securities exchange, at the
Pledgee's offices or elsewhere, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery,
as Pledgee may deem appropriate in the circumstances and commercially
reasonable, irrespective of the impact of any such sales on the market price of
the Collateral. In that connection, Pledgee shall have the right to impose such
limitations and restrictions on the sale of the Collateral as Pledgee may deem
to be necessary or appropriate to comply with any law, rule or regulation
(federal, state or local) having applicability to the sale, including, without
limitation, restrictions on the number and qualifications of the offerees and
requirements for any necessary governmental approvals, and Pledgee shall be
authorized at any such sale (if it deems it advisable to do so) to restrict the
prospective offerees or purchasers to persons who will represent and agree that
they are purchasing securities included in the Collateral for their own account
and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof in violation of
applicable securities laws. Upon consummation of any such sale, Pledgee shall
have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers
thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold
the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the
Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) all
rights of redemption, stay or appraisal that it now has or may at any time in
the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter
enacted. To the extent that notice of sale shall be required to be given by
law, Pledgee shall give the Pledgor at least 10 calendar days' prior written
notice of Pledgee's intention to make any public or private sale of such
Collateral. Such notice shall state the time and place fixed for sale, and the
Collateral, or portion thereof, to be offered for sale. Any such sale shall be
held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or
places as Pledgee may fix in the notice of such sale. At any such sale, the
Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an
entirety or in separate parcels, as Pledgee may (in its sole and absolute
discretion) determine; and Pledgee may itself bid (which bid may be in whole or
in part in the form of cancellation of Obligations) for and purchase the whole
or any part of the Collateral and shall be entitled, for purposes of bidding
and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all any portion of
the Collateral sold at such sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations owed
to the Pledgee as a credit on account of the purchase of any Collateral payable
by the Pledgee at such sale. Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any sale of
Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that
notice of sale of Collateral may have been given. Pledgee may, without notice
or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be
adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for
sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place
to which the same was so adjourned. In case sale of all or any part of the
Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may
be retained by Pledgee until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or
purchasers thereof, but Pledgee shall not incur any liability in case any such
purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so
sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon
like notice. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred
upon it, the Pledgee may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to
foreclose this Agreement and sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof,
pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts of competent
jurisdiction.
SECTION 8. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE; DEFICIENCY,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. (a) The proceeds of sale of Collateral sold pursuant to
Section 7 hereof shall be applied by Pledgee as follows:
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<PAGE> 42
FIRST: to the payment of the costs and expenses of such sale,
including the out-of-pocket expenses of Pledgee and the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of counsel employed in connection therewith, and to the
payment of all loans or advances made by the Pledgee for the account of the
Pledgor and the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by Pledgee in
connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement, as well
as any indemnities payable by the Pledgor hereunder, to the extent that such
loans, advances, costs, expenses and indemnities shall not have been previously
reimbursed or paid to Pledgee;
SECOND: to the payment or prepayment in full of all other
Obligations, whether or not then due and in any order selected by the Pledgee;
and
THIRD: the balance (if any) of such proceeds shall be paid to the
Pledgor or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
(b) The Pledgor recognizes that, by reason of certain
prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and applicable state securities laws, the Pledgee may be
compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Collateral, to
limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the
Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the
distribution or resale thereof. The Pledgor acknowledges that any such private
sales may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the Pledgee than those
obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including, without
limitation, a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under
the Securities Act), and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any
such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially
reasonable manner and that the Pledgee shall have no obligation to delay the
sale of any Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer
thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under
the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such
issuer would agree to do so.
SECTION 9. PLEDGEE APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. The Pledgor hereby
appoints the Pledgee the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement
and taking any action and executing any agreement or instrument on behalf of
the Pledgor that the Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the
purposes hereof, which appointment is coupled with an interest and is
irrevocable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Pledgor
agrees and understands that the Pledgee shall have the right and power to
receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of
money made payable to the Pledgor representing any dividend, principal or
interest payment or other distribution payable or distributable in respect of
the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.
SECTION 10. RESPONSIBILITY OF PLEDGEE; CARE OF COLLATERAL. Neither
the Pledgee, nor any director, officer, employee or agent of the Pledgee, shall
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them relative to
this Agreement or any of the Collateral except for its or their gross
negligence or willful misconduct, and the Pledgee shall not be liable for any
action or omission to act on the part of any agent appointed by the Pledgee to
act hereunder or with respect to the Collateral (or any part thereof), selected
by the Pledgee with reasonable care. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
5(b) hereof, the Pledgee shall have no duty to exercise any voting or any other
consensual rights and powers becoming vested in the Pledgee with
5
<PAGE> 43
respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, to exercise any right to redeem,
convert or exchange any securities included in the Collateral, to enforce or
see to the payment of any dividend, principal or interest or any other
distribution payable or distributable on or with respect to the Collateral or
any part thereof or otherwise to preserve any rights in respect of the
Collateral against any third parties, and the Pledgee shall not be liable or
accountable to the Pledgor in respect of any of the foregoing. The Pledgee
shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of the Collateral if the Pledgee shall take such action for such
purpose as the Pledgor may request in writing, but the failure of the Pledgee
to take any action requested by the Pledgor shall not, in and of itself, be
deemed to constitute a failure on the part of the Pledgee to exercise
reasonable care in respect of the custody and preservation of the Collateral or
any part thereof.
SECTION 11. EXPENSES. The Pledgor agrees to pay the Pledgee, upon its
demand, all of the Pledgee's out-of-pocket expenses (including its reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the administration or enforcement
of this Agreement, the care and custody of the Collateral (or any part
thereof), the registration, re-registration or transfer of the Collateral (or
any part thereof) and the sale or collection of the Collateral (or any part
thereof). Should the Pledgor fail to do any act or thing that the Pledgor has
covenanted to do hereunder, or should any representation or warranty on the
part of the Pledgor contained herein be breached, Pledgee may (but shall not be
obligated to) do the same or cause it to be done, or remedy any such breach,
and there shall be added to the liabilities of the Pledgor hereunder, the cost
or expense to Pledgee in so doing, and any and all amounts expended by Pledgee
in taking any such action shall be repayable to it by the Pledgor upon
Pledgee's demand.
SECTION 12. NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure on the part of
Pledgee to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right, power or remedy by Pledgee preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
All remedies of Pledgee hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any
other remedies available to Pledgee at law or in equity.
SECTION 13. TERMINATION AND PARTIAL RELEASE OF COLLATERAL. This
Agreement shall terminate when all Obligations secured hereby have been fully
paid and performed, at which time Pledgee shall reassign and redeliver (or
cause to be reassigned or redelivered) to the Pledgor, or to such person or
persons as the Pledgor shall designate, against receipt, such of the Collateral
(if any) as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied by Pledgee pursuant
to the terms hereof and as shall still be held by it hereunder, together with
appropriate instruments of assignment and release.
SECTION 14. NOTICES. Any notice or communication required or permitted
hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to
be given, and on the fifth calendar day after mailing if deposited in a
regularly maintained receptacle for United States mail to the party to whom
notice is to be given, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, and
properly addressed to the address reflected in such party's books and records
or to such other address as hereafter shall be designated in writing by any
party to all other parties.
6
<PAGE> 44
SECTION 15. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Pledgor agrees to do such further
acts and things, and to execute and deliver such agreements and instruments,
including without limitation stock and bond powers, as Pledgee may at any time
request in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Agreement
or related to the Collateral or any part thereof or in order better to assure
and confirm unto Pledgee its rights, powers and remedies hereunder.
SECTION 16. BINDING AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement, and the
terms, covenants and conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns,
except that the Pledgor shall not be permitted to assign this Agreement or any
interest in the Collateral, or any part thereof, or otherwise pledge, encumber
or grant any option with respect to the Collateral, or any part thereof, or any
cash or property held by Pledgee as collateral under this Agreement, without
the prior written consent of Pledgee.
SECTION 17. MISCELLANEOUS. Neither this Agreement nor any provisions
hereof may be amended, modified, waived, discharged or terminated, nor may any
of the Collateral be released or the pledge or the security interest created
hereby extended, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the
party to be charged. The Section headings used herein are for convenience of
reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions of this Agreement.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
to be an original and both of which together shall constitute the Agreement.
SECTION 18. GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE. THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND SHALL
BE INTERPRETED, AND THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO
DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA (WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS). AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR
THE BENEFITS RECEIVED BY THE PLEDGOR, EACH OF PLEDGEE AND PLEDGOR HEREBY
CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE
STATE OF GEORGIA, AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS BE MADE BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL DIRECTED TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH ON
THE SIGNATURE PAGE TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR FIVE (5) CALENDAR DAYS
AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE UNITED STATES MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID. TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH SUCH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT WAIVES ANY OBJECTION SUCH
PARTY MAY HAVE BASED ON LACK OF JURISDICTION OR IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON
CONVENIENS TO THE CONDUCT OF ANY PROCEEDING INSTITUTED HEREUNDER. NOTHING IN
THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF PLEDGEE TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY
OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AFFECT THE RIGHT OF PLEDGEE TO BRING ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST PLEDGOR OR HIS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY
OTHER JURISDICTION THAT HAS JURISDICTION OVER PLEDGOR OR HIS PROPERTY.
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<PAGE> 45
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Pledge
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
/s/ Paul R. Arena
--------------------------------------------
PAUL R. ARENA, Pledgor
Address:
7510 Colony Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS INC.,
Pledgee
By: /s/ Juliet M. Reising
-----------------------------------------
Its: EVP & CFO
----------------------------------------
Address:
1000 Abernathy Road
400 Northpark, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
8
<PAGE> 46
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (the "AMENDMENT") to the Stock Purchase Agreement
(the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT;" capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall
have the meanings ascribed to them therein), dated as of the 31st day of March,
2000, by and between CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "SELLER"), and ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
"BUYER"), is made as of the 26th day of April, 2000 by and between the Seller
and the Buyer (collectively, the "PARTIES") and shall be effective as of March
31, 2000.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into the Purchase Agreement which
provides, upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, for the Seller to
sell to the Buyer, and Buyer to purchase from the Seller, the Target Shares;
and
WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to amend certain of the terms of the
Purchase Agreement as provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein, the Parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO PURCHASE AGREEMENT. The Purchase Agreement
is hereby amended as follows:
(a) Section 2(c) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in
its entirety and replaced with the following section:
"(c) ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE. The
Parties agree that the Purchase Price and the
liabilities of the Target (plus other relevant
items) will be allocated to the assets of the
Targets for all purposes (including Tax and
financial accounting purposes) in a manner
consistent with the fair market values set forth in
an Allocation Schedule to be prepared by the parties
within 45 days of the Closing.
(b) Section 2(e) of the Purchase Agreement is deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following section:
<PAGE> 47
"(e) DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING. At the
Closing, (i) the Seller will deliver to the Buyer
stock certificates representing all of the Target
Shares, endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly
executed assignment documents (other than the stock
certificate representing the capital stock of UM-AR
which is currently pledged to secure certain
indebtedness of UM-AR, which stock shall be assigned
subject to such pledge), (ii) the Buyer will deliver
to the Seller the Promissory Note; and (iii) certain
Parties and other Persons will deliver the
instruments, agreements and other documents referred
to in ss.7 below.
(c) Section 3(a)(iii) of the Purchase Agreement is deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following section:
"(iii) NONCONTRAVENTION. Neither the
execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, will (A) violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order,
decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any
government, governmental agent, or court to which
the Seller is subject or any provision of its
charter or bylaws or (B) conflict with, result in a
breach of, constitute a default under, result in the
acceleration of, create in any party the right to
accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require
any notice under any agreement, contract, lease,
license, instrument, or other arrangement to which
the Seller is a party or by which it is bound or to
which any of its assets is subject, except with
respect to any loan, financing, lease or similar
arrangement primarily for the benefit of any of the
Targets to which the Seller or its assets may be
subject, as to which the Seller makes no
representation or warranty.
(d) Section 3(a)(v) of the Purchase Agreement is deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following section:
"(v) TARGET SHARES. The Seller holds of
record and owns beneficially all of the Target
Shares, free and clear of any restrictions on
transfer (other than restrictions under the
Securities Act and state securities laws), taxes,
Security Interests, commitments, claims, and demands
except that the outstanding shares of capital stock
of UM-AR have been pledged to secure certain
indebtedness of UM-AR.
(e) Section 4(b) of the Purchase Agreement is deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following section:
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<PAGE> 48
"(b) CAPITALIZATION. The entire authorized
capital stock of (i) UM-AZ consists of 10,000 shares
of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which
100 are issued and outstanding and none are held in
treasury; (ii) UM-AR consists of 10,000 shares of
common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which
100 are issued and outstanding and none are held in
treasury; (iii) HTI consists of those shares of
capital stock authorized in its Articles of
Incorporation on file with the Secretary of State of
the State of Florida, a portion of which are issued
and outstanding; and (iv) HST consists of 10,000
shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share,
of which 100 are issued and outstanding and none are
held in treasury. All of the issued and outstanding
Target Shares have been duly authorized, are validly
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, and are held
of record by the Seller or a subsidiary thereof.
(f) Section 5(g) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in
its entirety and replaced with the following section:
"(g) On or prior to the Closing, the Seller
shall pay the amounts owing by the Targets to the
payees in the amounts set forth on EXHIBIT C
attached hereto, but not to exceed in the aggregate
$338,201.44."
(g) Section 6(b) the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by
adding a new subsection (ix) thereto to read in its entirety
as follows:
"(ix) The Buyer shall have executed and
delivered to the Seller the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement in the form attached hereto as
EXHIBIT G."
SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER. The Seller
hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer that: The Seller has all necessary
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment, to perform
its obligations under the Purchase Agreement, as amended. The execution and
delivery of this Amendment by the Seller and the consummation by the Seller of
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, as amended hereby,
have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This
Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the Seller and, assuming the
due authorization, execution and delivery by the Buyer, constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Seller, enforceable against the Seller in
accordance with its terms.
3
<PAGE> 49
(b) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER. The Buyer
represents and warrants to the Seller that: The Buyer has all necessary
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment, to perform
its obligations under the Purchase Agreement, as amended. The execution and
delivery of this Amendment by the Buyer and the consummation by the Buyer of
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, as amended hereby,
have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This
Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer and, assuming the
due authorization, execution and delivery by the Seller, constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in
accordance with its terms.
SECTION 3. EFFECT ON PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, the Purchase Agreement shall not be amended but
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. HEADINGS. The Section headings contained in this Amendment
are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Amendment.
SECTION 5. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
(WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES).
SECTION 6. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed
simultaneously in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but
all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 7. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Amendment (together with the
Purchase Agreement and the exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement
among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings among the parties with respect thereto.
4
<PAGE> 50
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Amendment to
be executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, all as of the day and year above written.
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
By: /s/ Steven A. Odom
---------------------------------------------
Its: Chief Executive Officer
-------------------------------------------
ARENA ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Paul R. Arena
---------------------------------------------
Its: President
-------------------------------------------
5
<PAGE> 51
EXHIBIT C
SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Reservoir Capital $ 240,792.56
Lonza 87,302.16
Others (as mutually agreed) 10,106.72
------------
$ 338,201.44
============
</TABLE>
* Payments made on behalf of the targets net of receipts collected.
<PAGE> 52
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT is made as of this 26th day of
April, 2000, by and among CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Assignor"), and ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation
("Assignee").
WHEREAS, Assignor and Assignee are parties to that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of March 31, 2000, as amended by the First Amendment thereto
dated as of April 26th, 2000 (the "Purchase Agreement");
WHEREAS, the execution of this Agreement is a condition precedent to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign and delegate to Assignee all of its
rights, duties and obligations (collectively, the "Assigned Rights") to that
certain Compensation Agreement dated April 19, 1999 between AIM Group, Inc., a
Delaware corporation now known as Cereus Technology Partners, Inc., and Rio
Services, Inc., a Florida corporation, a true and correct copy of which has been
delivered to Assignee (the "Assigned Contract"), and Assignee desires to accept
said assignment and to assume Assignor's obligations under the Assigned
Contract, including, without limitation, the Assigned Rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed:
1. ASSIGNMENT. Assignor hereby assigns to Assignee the Assigned Contract
and all of Assignor's rights thereunder, including, without limitation, the
Assigned Rights.
2. ACCEPTANCE AND ASSUMPTION. Assignee hereby accepts the foregoing
assignment and assumes all of Assignor's obligations under the Assigned
Contract, including, without limitation, the Assigned Rights, and agrees to
perform all covenants, stipulations, agreements and obligations of Assignor
under the Assigned Contract, including, without limitation, the Assigned Rights,
arising out of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (if any)
or accruing after the date hereof, or otherwise attributable to the period
commencing on such date, as if such Assignee were an original party to each
document, agreement and contract evidencing the Assigned Rights.
<PAGE> 53
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising
out of or in connection with Assignee's failure to observe, perform and
discharge each and every one of the obligations and liabilities of Assignee
under the Assigned Rights to be observed, performed or discharged by it.
4. AGREEMENT BINDING; ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. This Assignment and Assumption
Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the parties
hereto. The parties shall execute and deliver such further and additional
instruments, agreements and documents as may be necessary to evidence or carry
out the provisions of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement.
5. GOVERNING LAW. This Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of
Georgia without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or
rule (whether of the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Georgia.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of Assignor and Assignee has caused this
Assignment and Assumption Agreement to be executed and delivered on its behalf
as of the day and year first above written.
ASSIGNOR:
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY
PARTNERS, INC.
By: Juliet M. Reising
---------------------------------
Its: EVP and CFO
---------------------------
ASSIGNEE:
ARENA ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Paul R. Arena
---------------------------------
Its: President
----------------------------
<PAGE> 54
EXHIBIT G
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT is made as of this 26th day of
April, 2000, by and among CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Assignor"), and ARENA ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation
("Assignee").
WHEREAS, Assignor and Assignee are parties to that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of March 31, 2000, as amended by the First Amendment thereto
dated as of April 26th, 2000 (the "Purchase Agreement");
WHEREAS, the execution of this Agreement is a condition precedent to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign and delegate to Assignee all of its
rights, duties and obligations (collectively, the "Assigned Rights") to that
certain Compensation Agreement dated April 19, 1999 between AIM Group, Inc., a
Delaware corporation now known as Cereus Technology Partners, Inc., and Rio
Services, Inc., a Florida corporation, a true and correct copy of which has been
delivered to Assignee (the "Assigned Contract"), and Assignee desires to accept
said assignment and to assume Assignor's obligations under the Assigned
Contract, including, without limitation, the Assigned Rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed:
1. ASSIGNMENT. Assignor hereby assigns to Assignee the Assigned Contract
and all of Assignor's rights thereunder, including, without limitation, the
Assigned Rights.
2. ACCEPTANCE AND ASSUMPTION. Assignee hereby accepts the foregoing
assignment and assumes all of Assignor's obligations under the Assigned
Contract, including, without limitation, the Assigned Rights, and agrees to
perform all covenants, stipulations, agreements and obligations of Assignor
under the Assigned Contract, including, without limitation, the Assigned Rights,
arising out of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (if any)
or accruing after the date hereof, or otherwise attributable to the period
commencing on such date, as if such Assignee were an original party to each
document, agreement and contract evidencing the Assigned Rights.
<PAGE> 55
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising
out of or in connection with Assignee's failure to observe, perform and
discharge each and every one of the obligations and liabilities of Assignee
under the Assigned Rights to be observed, performed or discharged by it.
4. AGREEMENT BINDING; ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. This Assignment and Assumption
Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the parties
hereto. The parties shall execute and deliver such further and additional
instruments, agreements and documents as may be necessary to evidence or carry
out the provisions of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement.
5. GOVERNING LAW. This Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of
Georgia without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or
rule (whether of the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Georgia.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of Assignor and Assignee has caused this
Assignment and Assumption Agreement to be executed and delivered on its behalf
as of the day and year first above written.
ASSIGNOR:
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY
PARTNERS, INC.
By: Juliet M. Reising
---------------------------------
Its: EVP and CFO
---------------------------
ASSIGNEE:
ARENA ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Paul R. Arena
---------------------------------
Its: President
----------------------------
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.1
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of March
31, 2000 by and between CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and PAUL R. ARENA ("Indemnitee"), a director and/or officer of
the Company.
WHEREAS, Article Sixth of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company (the "Certificate") provides that the Company, among other things,
may indemnify and hold harmless all persons whom it shall have the power to
indemnify under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware to the fullest extent permitted thereunder; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee's desire for protection
against personal liability in connection with the transaction (the
"Transaction") contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of
March 31, 2000 by and between the Company and Arena Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware corporation wholly-owned by Indemnitee, the Company has agreed to
provide indemnification to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and
covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
SECTION 1. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect indemnify and hold
harmless the Indemnitee from and against all expenses, liabilities and losses
(including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties and amounts paid
or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by him in connection with any
Third Party Claim (as hereinafter defined) arising out of or related to the
Transaction (a "Proceeding"). Such indemnification shall be a contract right and
shall include the right to receive payment in advance of any expenses incurred
by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, consistent with the
provisions of applicable law as then in effect. For purposes hereof, "Third
Party Claim" shall mean any claim, suit or proceeding, including, without
limitation, any civil, administrative or investigative proceeding, that is
instituted or threatened against the Indemnitee by a person other than the
Company.
SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION NOT EXCLUSIVE RIGHT. The right of
indemnification provided in this Agreement shall not be exclusive of and shall
be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights to which the Indemnitee
may otherwise be entitled under applicable law, the Company's Bylaws or
otherwise. Nothing in this Agreement shall diminish or otherwise restrict the
Indemnitee's right to indemnification under applicable law, the Certificate or
otherwise. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefits of the
heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of the
Indemnitee and shall be
<PAGE> 2
applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this
Agreement, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after its
execution and delivery.
SECTION 3. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES; PROCEDURES; PRESUMPTIONS
AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS; REMEDIES. In furtherance, but not in
limitation of the foregoing provisions, the following procedures, presumptions
and remedies shall apply with respect to the advancement of expenses and the
right to indemnification under this Agreement:
3.1. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. All reasonable expenses incurred
by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in the defense of or other involvement in or
otherwise in connection with any Proceeding shall be advanced to the Indemnitee
by the Company within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Company of a
statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances
from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such
Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses
incurred by the Indemnitee and, if required by law at the time of such advance,
shall include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if it should ultimately be determined
that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expenses
pursuant to this Agreement.
3.2. PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO
INDEMNIFICATION.
3.2.1. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, the
Indemnitee shall submit to the Secretary of the Company a written request,
including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the
Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification (the "Supporting Documentation"). The
determination of the Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification shall be made
not later than sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the written
request for indemnification, together with the Supporting Documentation. The
Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for
indemnification, advise the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of
Directors") in writing that the Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
3.2.2. The Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification under
this Agreement shall be determined in one of the following ways: (A) by a
majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even
though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors; (B) by a written opinion of
Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) if (x) a Change of Control (as
hereinafter defined) shall have occurred and the Indemnitee so requests or (y)
there are no Disinterested Directors, or a majority of Disinterested Directors,
even though less than a quorum, so directs; (C) by the stockholders of the
Company (but only if a majority of the Disinterested Directors, even though less
than a quorum of the Board of Directors, presents the issue of entitlement to
indemnification to the stockholders for their determination); or (D) as provided
in Section 3.3.
2
<PAGE> 3
3.2.3. In the event the determination of entitlement to
indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 3.2.2,
a majority of the Disinterested Directors, or in the absence of any
Disinterested Directors, a majority of the Board of Directors, shall select the
Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the Indemnitee
does not reasonably object; provided, however, that if a Change of Control shall
have occurred, the Indemnitee shall select such Independent Counsel, but only an
Independent Counsel to which the Board of Directors does not reasonably object.
3.3. PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS. Except
as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall be
presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement upon submission
of a request for indemnification, together with the Supporting Documentation in
accordance with Section 3.2.1, and thereafter the Company shall have the burden
of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching a contrary determination. In
any event, if the person or persons empowered under Section 3.2 to determine
entitlement to indemnification shall not have been appointed or shall not have
made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the
request therefor together with the Supporting Documentation, the Indemnitee
shall be deemed to be entitled to indemnification and shall be entitled to such
indemnification unless (A) Indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a
material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting
Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. The termination
of any Proceeding described in Section 1, or of any claim, issue or matter
herein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, adversely affect the right
of the Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the Indemnitee
did act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any
criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that
his conduct was unlawful.
3.4. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE.
3.4.1. In the event that a determination is made pursuant to
Section 3.2 that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek an adjudication of his
entitlement to such indemnification either, at the Indemnitee's sole option, in
(x) an appropriate court of the State of Delaware or any other court of
competent jurisdiction or (y) an arbitration to be conducted by a single
arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; it
being understood that any such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be de
novo and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of such adverse shall
have the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement.
3.4.2. If a determination shall have been made or deemed to
have been made, pursuant to Sections 3.2 or 3.3, that the Indemnitee is entitled
to indemnification, the Company shall be obligated to pay the amounts
constituting such indemnification within five (5) days after such determination
has been made or deemed to have been made and shall be conclusively
3
<PAGE> 4
bound by such determination unless (A) the Indemnitee misrepresented or failed
to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the
Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. In
the event that advancement of expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section
3.1 or payment of indemnification is not made within five (5) days after a
determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made or deemed to have
been made pursuant to Section 3.2 or 3.3, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to
seek judicial enforcement of the Company's obligation to pay to the Indemnitee
such advancement of expenses or indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company may bring an action, in an appropriate court in the State of
Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction, contesting the right of
the Indemnitee to receive indemnification hereunder due to the occurrence of an
event described in subclause (A) or (B) of this subsection 3.4.2 (a
"Disqualifying Event"); provided, however, that in any such action the Company
shall have the burden of proving the occurrence of such Disqualifying Event.
3.4.3. In the event that the Indemnitee, pursuant to this
Section 3.4, seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to
enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement,
the Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be
indemnified by the Company against, any and all expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by him if the Indemnitee prevails in such judicial adjudication or
arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or
arbitration that the Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the
indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, all such expenses incurred by
the indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration
shall be paid.
3.5. DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Section 3:
3.5.1. "Change in Control" means a change in control of the
Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item
6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), whether or not the Company is then subject
to such reporting requirement; provided that, without limitation, such a change
in control shall be deemed to have occurred if (A) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) becomes after the date hereof the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty percent (20%) or
more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities
without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of
Directors in office immediately prior to such acquisition; (B) the Company is a
party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a
proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in
office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a
majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (C) during any period of two
(2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new director
whose election or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office
4
<PAGE> 5
who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.
3.5.2. "Disinterested Director" means a director of the
Company who is not or was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which
indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee.
3.5.3. "Independent Counsel" means a law firm or a member of a
law firm that neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been,
retained to represent (A) the Company or the Indemnitee in any matter material
to either such party or (B) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a
claim for indemnification under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person who, under the
applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under the law of
the State of Delaware, would have a conflict of interest in representing either
the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee's rights
under this Agreement.
SECTION 4. NOTIFICATION AND DEFENSE OF CLAIM.
4.1. Promptly after receipt of notice of the commencement of
any action, suit or proceeding, Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof
is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of
the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the Company will not
relieve the Company from any liability that the Company may have to Indemnitee
under this Agreement unless the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. With
respect to any such action, suit or proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies
the Company of the commencement thereof, (A) the Company will be entitled to
participate therein at its own expense, and (B) except as otherwise provided
below, the Company, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly
notified, will be entitled to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of the
Company's election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company will not be
liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below.
Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee's own counsel in such
action, suit or proceeding, but the fees and disbursements of such counsel
incurred after notice from the Company of the Company's assumption of the
defense thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (i) the employment
by counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between
the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action, (iii)
such action, suit or proceeding seeks penalties or other relief against
Indemnitee with respect to which the Company could not provide monetary
indemnification to Indemnitee (such as injunctive relief or incarceration), or
(iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense
of such action, in each of which cases the fees and disbursements of counsel
shall be at the expense of the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to
assume the defense of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or on behalf of
the Company, or as to which Indemnitee shall have reached the conclusion
5
<PAGE> 6
specified in (ii) above, or which involves penalties or other relief against
Indemnitee of the type referred to in (iii) above.
4.2. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee
under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim
effected without the Company's written consent. The Company shall not settle any
action or claim in any manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on
Indemnitee without Indemnitee's written consent. Neither the Company nor
Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold consent to any proposed settlement.
SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of
this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any
reason whatsoever, (A) the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all
portions of any paragraph of this Agreement containing any such provision held
to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid,
illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby,
and (B) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, all portions of any section of this Agreement
containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that
are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as
to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable.
SECTION 6. COMPANY'S RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Nothing in this
Agreement shall diminish, limit or otherwise restrict or modify in any way the
Company's right to indemnification or contribution from an Indemnitee or an
Indemnitee's obligation to indemnify or hold harmless the Company under any
agreement, instrument, commitment or understanding now or hereafter in effect.
SECTION 7. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVER. No amendment, modification
or discharge or this Agreement, and no waiver hereunder, shall be valid or
binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by both of the parties
hereto. Neither the waiver by any of the parties hereto of a breach of or a
default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure of any of
the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this
Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall thereafter be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature,
or as a waiver of any of such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder. No
delay or failure on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege under this Agreement or under any other instruments given in
connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall impair any such right, power
or privilege or be construed as a waiver of any default or any acquiescence
therein. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege
shall preclude the further exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
SECTION 8. SUBROGATION. In the event of payment under this
Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all
of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required
and shall do everything that may be
6
<PAGE> 7
necessary to secure such rights, including the execution and delivery of such
documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce
such rights.
SECTION 9. NO DUPLICATION OF PAYMENT. The Company shall not
be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim
made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received
payment (under any insurance policy, the Certificate or otherwise) of the
amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.
SECTION 10. GOVERNING LAW; HEADINGS. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Georgia applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state
without giving effect to the principles-of conflicts of laws. The section and
other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning of interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 11. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT. The Company shall
require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or
assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Indemnitee's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees. If Indemnitee should die while any amounts would still be
payable to Indemnitee hereunder if Indemnitee had continued to live, all such
amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement to Indemnitee's devisee, legatee, or other designee, or
if there be no such designee, to Indemnitee's estate.
SECTION 12. NOTICE. For the purposes of this Agreement,
notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by
United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as
follows:
If to Indemnitee:
Paul R. Arena
7510 Colony Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
Attention: Mr. Paul R. Arena
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If to the Company:
Cereus Technology Partners, Inc.
1000 Abernathy Road
400 Northpark, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.
SECTION 13. 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 shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signatures on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Indemnitee has executed and delivered this
Agreement, and the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed and
delivered, all as of the day and year first above written.
CEREUS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS, INC.
By: /s/ Steven A. Odom
-----------------------------------
Name: Steven A. Odom
---------------------------------
Title: Chief Executive Officer
--------------------------------
INDEMNITEE
/s/ PAUL R. ARENA
--------------------------------------
PAUL R. ARENA
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