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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 23, 2024

 

 

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-35331   45-2492228

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

6100 Tower Circle, Suite 1000

Franklin, Tennessee

  37067
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(615) 861-6000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value   ACHC   NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Appointment of Dr. Nasser Khan as Chief Operating Officer

On May 23, 2024, Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of Dr. Nasser Khan as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective June 30, 2024.

Dr. Khan, age 45, joined the Company as Operations Group President for the Company’s comprehensive treatment center business line in September 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Khan served as the Senior Vice President, Operations at Shields Health Solutions, a national provider of specialty pharmacy services to health systems and a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), from July 2020 to August 2022. Prior to that, Dr. Khan served as Head of Program & Chief Medical Officer at Biograph Inc., a healthcare technology company, from May 2017 to June 2020. He also held a series of progressive operational leadership roles at DaVita, Inc. as Division Vice President of Hospital Services, Regional Operations Director, and Director of Strategy & Special Projects. Early in his career, Dr. Khan spent time as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, a leading global consulting firm. Dr. Khan holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology from Brown University.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Khan and any other person pursuant to which Dr. Khan was appointed as Chief Operating Officer. There are no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers and Dr. Khan.

Employment Agreement with Dr. Khan

In connection with his appointment, the Company and Dr. Khan have entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Dr. Khan will be entitled to the following compensation: (i) an annualized base salary of $515,000 per year, subject to increase by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board (“Base Salary”); (ii) eligibility to earn a target annual cash bonus of 85% of Base Salary in accordance with the Company’s annual bonus plan applicable to senior executives if and only if the performance criteria specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee for such year have been achieved, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion; (iii) annual grants of long-term incentive awards in amounts as determined by the Compensation Committee and on terms and conditions comparable to the Company’s other executive officers; and (iv) eligibility for severance benefits upon the termination of Dr. Khan’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or due to his resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement) (each, a “Qualifying Termination”). The annual grants of long-term incentive awards described above will be subject to the terms and conditions of award agreements that are substantially consistent with the award agreements issued to the other executive officers of the Company.


Upon a Qualifying Termination, Dr. Khan will be eligible to receive (i) his unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination (the “Termination Date”); (ii) an amount equal to the actual annual cash bonus amount to which he would be entitled with respect to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined based on achievement of the performance objectives specified in Dr. Khan’s bonus plan for such year, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, which amount shall be prorated based on the actual number of days elapsed in such year prior to the Termination Date; (iii) an amount equal to one times the target annual cash bonus amount to which Dr. Khan would be entitled with respect to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if all of the performance objectives specified in Dr. Khan’s bonus plan for such year have been achieved at the target level, whether or not such objectives actually have been achieved as of the Termination Date; (iv) an amount equal to 12 months of his Base Salary as in effect on the Termination Date (such 12-month period, the “Severance Period”); (v) payment of the annual cash bonus for the prior year, to the extent not previously paid; (vi) payment in respect of any unused paid time off and sick pay of Dr. Khan, in such amounts as have accrued as of the Termination Date, and reimbursement of any business expenses incurred by Dr. Khan but not reimbursed prior to the Termination Date; and (vii) reimbursement for the cost of any COBRA (as defined in the Employment Agreement) premiums incurred by him during the Severance Period. Upon a Qualifying Termination, all equity and equity-based awards granted to Dr. Khan prior to the Termination Date (the “Equity Awards”) shall be treated as set forth below: (A) the Equity Awards subject to time-based vesting requirements will be deemed fully vested on the Termination Date; and (B) the Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting requirements will remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual achievement of the applicable performance conditions, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement and/or governing documentation.

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

John Hollinsworth Retirement

On March 23, 2024, the Company announced that John S. Hollinsworth will retire from his position as the Company’s Executive Vice President of Operations effective June 30, 2024. In connection with his retirement from the Company, the Company entered into a separation and consulting agreement (the “Hollinsworth Separation and Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Hollinsworth. Pursuant to the Hollinsworth Separation and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Hollinsworth will make himself available to provide transition advisory services during the period immediately following Mr. Hollinsworth’s resignation and ending on December 31, 2024 in exchange for a monthly payment of $10,000. In addition, Mr. Hollinsworth will remain eligible to earn an annual cash bonus for the 2024 performance year, determined based on actual performance achievement, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, which amount shall be prorated based on the actual number of days elapsed during the 2024 calendar year prior to Mr. Hollinsworth’s resignation.

The foregoing description of the Hollinsworth Separation and Consulting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Hollinsworth Separation and Consulting Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated by reference herein.


Item 5.03

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

As further discussed in Item 5.07 below, on May 23, 2024, at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Annual Meeting”), the stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) to declassify the Board, as more fully described in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 9, 2024. The amendment became effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 23, 2024.

The foregoing description of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Certificate of Amendment, a copy of which is included in the complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.07

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Company held its annual meeting of stockholders on May 23, 2024. The proposals considered at the Annual Meeting were voted on as follows:

1. The individuals listed below were elected to serve as Class I directors until the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders in 2027 or until their successors have been elected and take office. The voting results were as follows:

 

     For      Against      Abstain     

Broker Non-Votes

E. Perot Bissell

     70,770,458        15,566,099        28,042     

2,344,663

Vicky B. Gregg

     83,679,485        2,659,998        25,116      2,344,663

Christopher H. Hunter

     85,081,817        1,258,404        24,378      2,344,663

2. The Company’s stockholders approved the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board, by the following vote::

 

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

  

Broker Non-Votes

86,345,351    9,432    9,816    2,344,663

3.  The Company’s stockholders approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (as defined in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 9, 2024), by the following vote:

 

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

  

Broker Non-Votes

84,812,413    1,519,977    32,209    2,344,663

4. The Company’s stockholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, by the following vote:

 

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

88,107,702    576,276    25,284


Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

 3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
10.1    Employment Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2024, by and between Acadia Management Company, Inc. and Dr. Nasser Khan
10.2    Separation and Consulting Agreement, dated May 23, 2024, between Acadia Management Company, LLC and John S. Hollinsworth
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 24, 2024     ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Brian P. Farley

      Brian P. Farley
      Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

SECOND: The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 28, 2011.

THIRD: Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation were filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 3, 2016 and May 25, 2017.

FOURTH: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions to amend Section 3 of ARTICLE SIX of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, so that, as amended, it shall be and read in its entirety as follows:

“Section 3. Classes of Directors. From November 1, 2011 (the “Effective Time”), and continuing until such time as directors are elected for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, the directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided into three classes, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III.”

FIFTH: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions to amend Section 4 of ARTICLE SIX of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, so that, as amended, it shall be restated in its entirety as follows:

“Section 4. Majority Voting; Term of Office. A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if a majority of the votes cast are in favor of such nominee’s election; provided, however, that, if the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of stockholders held to elect directors and entitled to vote on such election of directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors will be elected to replace all of those whose terms expire at such annual meeting. At the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2025 and 2026, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected at such meeting to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. At the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2027, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected at such meeting to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the second year following the year of their election. At the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2028, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected at such meeting to hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders. Beginning with the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders, each director shall be elected for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. Each newly elected director shall remain in office until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Nothing in this Certificate of Incorporation shall preclude a director from serving consecutive terms. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.”

SIXTH: The above amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, was duly adopted and approved at an annual meeting of the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused certificate to be signed on this 23rd day of May, 2024.

 

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Brian P. Farley

  Brian P. Farley
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

SECOND: The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 28, 2011.

THIRD: An Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 3, 2016.

FOURTH: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions to amend Section 4 of ARTICLE SIX of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, so that, as amended, it shall be and read in its entirety as follows:

“Section 4. Majority Voting; Term of Office. A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if a majority of the votes cast are in favor of such nominee’s election; provided; however, that, if the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of stockholders held to elect directors and entitled to vote on such election of directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to replace those of a Class whose terms expire at such annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election and shall remain in office until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. Each director shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders for the year in which such director’s term expires and a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Nothing in this Certificate of Incorporation shall preclude a director from serving consecutive terms. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.”

FIFTH: The above amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, was duly adopted and approved at an annual meeting of the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused certificate to be signed on this 25th day of May , 2017.

 

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Christopher L. Howard

Name:   Christopher L. Howard
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

SECOND: The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 28, 2011.

THIRD: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions to amend Part A of ARTICLE FOUR of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation so that, as amended, it shall be and read in its entirety as follows:

“PART A. AUTHORIZED SHARES

The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 190,000,000 shares, consisting of:

1. 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and

2. 180,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall have the rights, preferences and limitations set forth below.”

FOURTH: The above amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted and approved at a special meeting of the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused certificate to be signed on this 3rd day of March, 2016.

 

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Christopher L. Howard

Name:   Christopher L. Howard
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.

* * * * *

Adopted in accordance with the provisions

of §§242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

* * * * *

The undersigned, being the duly elected Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

That the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed on May 13, 2011. That the Certificate of Incorporation be, and hereby is, amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows as set forth in the attached Exhibit A.

That the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation by unanimous written consent pursuant to the provisions of Section 141(f) and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and directed that such amendment be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon for their consideration, approval and adoption thereof.

That the stockholders entitled to vote thereon approved the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation by written consent in accordance with Section 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned does hereby certify under penalties of perjury that this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is the act and deed of the undersigned and the facts stated herein are true and accordingly has hereunto set his hand this 28th day of October, 2011.

 

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.

/s/ Christopher L. Howard

By:   Christopher L. Howard
Its:   EVP, General Counsel and Secretary


EXHIBIT A

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the Corporation is Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. Subject to the applicable filing requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the registered office and/or registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”).

ARTICLE THREE

The nature of the business of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the DGCL.

ARTICLE FOUR

PART A. AUTHORIZED SHARES

The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 100,000,000 shares, consisting of:

1. 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and

2. 90,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall have the rights, preferences and limitations set forth below.

 

1


PART B. PREFERRED STOCK

The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide by resolution or resolutions for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the DGCL, to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting powers (if any), designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each such series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. Within the limitations or restrictions stated in any series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors may increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series of Preferred Stock then outstanding) by resolution the number of shares of any such series of Preferred Stock. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without the separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock as a class irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock designation.

PART C. COMMON STOCK

Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate of Incorporation”) and subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, all of the voting power of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be vested in the holders of the Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each share held by such holder on all matters voted upon by the stockholders of the Corporation; providedhowever, that, except as otherwise required by the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

ARTICLE FIVE

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE SIX

Section 1. Board of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.

 

2


Section 2. Number of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.

Section 3. Classes of Directors. Beginning immediately following the effective time of the merger of PHC, Inc. with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (the “Effective Time”), the directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided into three classes, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III (each a “Class”).

Section 4. Term of Office. Subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors; provided that, whenever the holders of one or more classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation are entitled to elect, separated as a class, one or more directors pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, but not limited to, any duly authorized certificate of designation), such directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of such classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of such directors. The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall expire at the first succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after the Effective Time, the term of office of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after the Effective Time and the term of office of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders after the Effective Time. For the purposes hereof, the Board of Directors may assign directors already in office to the initial Class I, Class II and Class III at the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of stockholders after the Effective Time, directors elected to replace those of a Class whose terms expire at such annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting after their election and shall remain in office until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. After the Effective Time, each director shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders for the year in which such director’s term expires and a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Nothing in this Certificate of Incorporation shall preclude a director from serving consecutive terms. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

Section 5. Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or any other cause may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum or by the sole remaining director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, until such date as Waud Capital Partners, L.L.C. and its affiliates (collectively, the “WCP Investors”) ceases to hold at least 17.5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation (such date, the “Trigger Date”), upon any vacancy in the Board of Directors for any reason of a director designated by a person or persons in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders Agreement to be entered into by and between the Corporation and the Stockholders

 

3


party thereto on or about the Effective Time (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Stockholders Agreement”), the resulting vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be filled by a representative designated by the person(s) entitled to designate such director pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement. Prior to the Effective Time, a director chosen to fill a vacancy or a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. After the Effective Time, a director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. After the Effective Time, a director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 6. Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) until the Trigger Date, (a) a director designated by person(s) entitled to designate such director in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement may be removed at any time, either for or without cause, only upon either (x) the affirmative vote of the holders of eighty percent (80%) of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote thereon or (y) if such director is being removed at the request of the person(s) entitled to designate such director in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon and (b) a director not designated by person(s) entitled to designate such director in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote thereon; and (ii) from and after the Trigger Date, a director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.

Section 7. Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Corporation’s Bylaws. In addition to any other vote required by law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Corporation’s Bylaws. The Corporation’s Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provisions of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

Section 8. Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader rights than permitted prior thereto), no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages arising from a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any act, omission or other matter occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE EIGHT

Prior to the Effective Time, the stockholders of the Corporation may take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. On and after the Effective Time and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, (i) (A) until such time as WCP Investors no longer beneficially own at least a majority of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, the stockholders of the Corporation may take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and (B) after such time, the stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, and must take any actions at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and the power of stockholders to consent in writing without a meeting is specifically denied; and (ii) special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, by at least the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office.

ARTICLE NINE

Section 1. Certain Acknowledgments. In recognition of the fact that the Corporation, on the one hand, and the WCP Group (as defined below), on the other hand, may currently engage in, and may in the future engage in, the same or similar activities or lines of business and have an interest in the same areas and types of corporate opportunities, and in recognition of the benefits

 

5


to be derived by the Corporation, through its continued corporate and business relations with the WCP Group (including possible service of directors, officers and employees of the WCP Group as directors, officers and employees of the Corporation), the provisions of this ARTICLE NINE are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation and its Affiliated Companies, as they may involve the WCP Group, the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its Affiliated Companies as well as the respective directors, officers, employees and stockholders thereof, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers, employees and stockholders in connection therewith.

Section 2. Renouncement of Certain Corporate Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by law: (i) the Corporation and its Affiliated Companies shall have no interest or expectancy in any corporate opportunity and no expectation that such corporate opportunity be offered to the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, if such opportunity is one that any member of the WCP Group has acquired knowledge of or is otherwise pursuing, and any such interest or expectancy in any such corporate opportunity is hereby renounced, so that as a result of such renunciation, the corporate opportunity shall belong to the WCP Group; (ii) each member of the WCP Group shall have the right to, and shall have no duty (contractual or otherwise) not to, directly or indirectly: (A) engage in the same, similar or competing business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, (B) do business with any client or customer of the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, or (C) make investments in competing businesses of the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, and such acts shall not be deemed wrongful or improper; (iii) no member of the WCP Group shall be liable to the Corporation, its stockholders or its Affiliated Companies for breach of any duty (contractual or otherwise), including without limitation fiduciary duties, by reason of any such activities or of such Person’s participation therein; and (iv) in the event that any member of the WCP Group acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, on the one hand, and any member of the WCP Group, on the other hand, or any other Person, no member of the WCP Group shall have any duty (contractual or otherwise), including without limitation fiduciary duties, to communicate, present or offer such corporate opportunity to the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies and shall not be liable to the Corporation, its stockholders or its Affiliated Companies for breach of any duty (contractual or otherwise), including without limitation fiduciary duties, by reason of the fact that any member of the WCP Group directly or indirectly pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs, sells, assigns or transfers such opportunity to another Person, or does not present or communicate such opportunity to the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, even though such corporate opportunity may be of a character that, if presented to the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies, could be taken by the Corporation or its Affiliated Companies. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in the ARTICLE NINE shall prohibit the Corporation and its Affiliated Companies from pursuing and/or executing any corporate opportunity.

Section 3. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this ARTICLE NINE, (i) “WCP Group” means Waud Capital Partners, L.L.C., its affiliates and any of their respective managed investment funds and portfolio companies (other than the Corporation and its Affiliated Companies) and their respective partners, members, directors, employees, stockholders, agents, any successor by operation of law (including by merger) of any such person, and any entity that

 

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acquires all or substantially all of the assets of any such person in a single transaction or series of related transactions, in each case, whether or not any of the foregoing are serving as directors or officers of the Corporation or any Affiliated Company; (ii) “Affiliated Company” means any company or entity controlled by the Corporation.

Section 4. Amendment of this Article. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere contained in this Certificate of Incorporation: (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the voting power of all shares of Common Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this ARTICLE NINE; (ii) neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this ARTICLE NINE nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this ARTICLE NINE shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this ARTICLE NINE in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this ARTICLE NINE, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption.

Section 5. Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, the provisions of this ARTICLE NINE.

Section 6. Exception. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE NINE, the preceding provisions of this ARTICLE NINE shall not apply to any corporate opportunity which is expressly offered to a member of the WCP Group who is then a director or officer of the Corporation if such corporate opportunity is offered to such person in writing solely in his or her capacity as an officer or director of the Corporation, and the Corporation does not renounce any interest or expectancy in such opportunity.

ARTICLE TEN

Section 1. Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

Section 2. Interested Stockholder Transactions. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the Corporation shall not, after the Effective Time, engage in any Business Combination (as defined hereinafter) with any Interested Stockholder (as defined hereinafter) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, unless:

 

  (a)

prior to such time the Board of Directors approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in such stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder;

 

  (b)

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in such stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder, such stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the Voting Stock (as defined hereinafter) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced,

 

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  excluding for purposes of determining the Voting Stock outstanding (but not the outstanding Voting Stock owned by such stockholder) those shares owned (i) by Persons (as defined hereinafter) who are directors and also officers of the Corporation and (ii) employee stock plans of the Corporation in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

  (c)

at or subsequent to such time the Business Combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding Voting Stock which is not owned by such stockholder.

Section 3. Exceptions to Prohibition on Interested Stockholder Transactions. The restrictions contained in this ARTICLE TEN shall not apply if:

 

  (a)

a stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an Interested Stockholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a Business Combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an Interested Stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or

 

  (b)

the Business Combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the second sentence of this Section 3(b) of this ARTICLE TEN; (ii) is with or by a Person who either was not an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years or who became an Interested Stockholder with the approval of the Board of Directors; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any Person becoming an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to § 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of the Corporation is required); (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the Corporation) having an aggregate market value equal to fifty percent (50%) or more of either that aggregate market value of all of the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate

 

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  market value of all the outstanding Stock (as defined hereinafter) of the Corporation; or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days’ notice to all Interested Stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) of the second sentence of this Section 3(b) of this ARTICLE TEN.

Section 4. Definitions. As used in this ARTICLE TEN only, and unless otherwise provided by the express terms of this ARTICLE TEN, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as set forth in this Section 4 of this ARTICLE TEN:

 

  (a)

Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person;

 

  (b)

Associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of Voting Stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a twenty percent (20%) beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such Person;

 

  (c)

Business Combination” means:

 

  (i)

any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation with (A) the Interested Stockholder, or (B) with any Person if the merger or consolidation is caused by the Interested Stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 2 of this ARTICLE TEN is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

  (ii)

any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the Interested Stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to ten percent (10%) or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding Stock of the Corporation; or

 

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  (iii)

any transaction or series of transactions which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of ten percent (10%) or more of any class or series of Stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the Interested Stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under § 251(g) or § 253 of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of Stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the Interested Stockholder became such; or (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase Stock made on the same terms to all holders of such Stock;

 

  (d)

Control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of stock or other equity interests, by contract or otherwise. A Person who is the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary; notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such Person holds Voting Stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this ARTICLE TEN, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity;

 

  (e)

Interested Stockholder” means any Person (other than the Corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an Affiliate or Associate of the Corporation and was the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such Person is an Interested Stockholder, and the Affiliates and Associates of such Person. Notwithstanding anything in this ARTICLE TEN to the contrary, the term “Interested Stockholder” shall not include: (x) Waud Capital Partners, L.L.C. or any investment fund managed by Waud Capital Partners, L.L.C. or any of their respective Affiliates or Associates from time to time and any other person or entity with whom any of the foregoing are acting as a group or in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of shares of stock of the Corporation; (y) any Person who would otherwise be an Interested

 

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  Stockholder because of a transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation (in one transaction or a series of transactions) by any party specified in the immediately preceding clause (x) to such Person; providedhowever, that such Person was not an Interested Stockholder prior to such transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition; or (z) any Person whose ownership of shares in excess of the fifteen percent (15%) limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the Corporation, provided that, for purposes of this clause (z), such Person shall be an Interested Stockholder if thereafter such Person acquires additional shares of Voting Stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further action by the Corporation not caused, directly or indirectly, by such Person; provided further that, for purposes of clause (x), if (i) Waud Capital Partners, L.L.C., any investment fund managed by Waud Capital Partners, L.L.C. and any of their respective Affiliates or Associates are in the aggregate the owners of less than fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation and (ii) thereafter any such Person becomes the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation, such Person shall then be an Interested Stockholder; provided further that, for purposes of clause (y) if (i) after any such Person becomes the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation as provided in clause (y), and (ii) such Person becomes the owner of less than fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation, then such Person thereafter becomes the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation, such Person shall then be an Interested Stockholder;

 

  (f)

Owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any Stock, means a Person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns such Stock, directly or indirectly; or has (A) the right to acquire such Stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; providedhowever, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of Stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered Stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such Stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; providedhowever, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of any Stock because of such Person’s right to vote such Stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such Stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten (10) or more Persons; or has any agreement,

 

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  arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in (B) of this Section 4(f) of ARTICLE TEN), or disposing of such Stock with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such Stock; provided, that, for the purpose of determining whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder, the Voting Stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include Stock deemed to be owned by the Person through application of this definition of “owned” but shall not include any other unissued Stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise;

 

  (g)

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity;

 

  (h)

Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest; and

 

  (i)

Voting Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, Stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of Voting Stock shall refer to such percentage of the votes of such Voting Stock.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

On or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date, neither the Corporation nor any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries shall adopt or otherwise implement any “poison pill” stockholder rights plan, or issue, sell or otherwise distribute any rights or securities to any person pursuant to such a plan, without first obtaining the approval of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation then outstanding. Any action taken in contravention of the preceding sentence shall be null and void.

ARTICLE TWELVE

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein and by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be specified by law or otherwise, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock required by

 

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law or otherwise, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, other than shares owned by any Interested Stockholder, shall, voting together as a single class, be required to adopt any provision inconsistent with, to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision of ARTICLE SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, TEN, ELEVEN, TWELVE, THIRTEEN or FOURTEEN of this Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE THIRTEEN.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

To the extent that any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, and following any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation is invalid or unenforceable, this Certificate of Incorporation shall contain only such provisions (i) as were in effect immediately prior to such determination and (ii) were not so determined to be invalid or unenforceable.

* * * * *

 

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Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 23, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Acadia Management Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Nasser Khan (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ Executive, and Executive desires to continue to be employed by and render services to the Company and its respective affiliates, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Employment; Employment Period. The Company shall continue to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts continued employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on June 30, 2024 (the “Start Date”) and ending on the date on which Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4 hereof (the “Employment Period”). It is anticipated that Executive will work remotely from the Portland, Oregon area during the Employment Period; provided, that Executive will be required to travel from time to time on Company business during the Employment Period.

2. Position and Duties.

(a) Position; Responsibilities. During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Acadia”) and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities, functions and authority of chief operating officer, subject to the power and authority of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Acadia, to expand or limit such duties, responsibilities, functions and authority within the scope of duties, responsibilities, functions and authority associated with the position of Chief Operating Officer and to overrule actions of officers of the Company.

(b) Reporting; Performance of Duties. Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of Acadia and devote Executive’s full business time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of Acadia and the Subsidiaries. So long as Executive is employed by the Company, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent or approval of the Board, perform other services for compensation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) serving, with the prior written consent of the Board (not to be unreasonably withheld), as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of for-profit companies or businesses which are not directly competitive with the Company or any Subsidiary (provided that the prior written consent of the Board shall not be required for Executive to serve as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents) of the companies listed on Exhibit A) or (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs (including serving as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of not-for-profit, charitable or community organizations which are not directly competitive with the Company or any Subsidiary);


provided, however, the activities set out in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall be limited by Executive so as not to materially interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, so long as Executive is employed by the Company, Executive shall not provide any services to any company or business that is directly competitive with Acadia or the Subsidiaries (whether for-profit or not-for-profit) without the prior written consent of the Board.

3. Compensation and Benefits.

(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive’s base salary shall be $515,000 per annum, subject to increase by the Board or Acadia’s Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) in its sole discretion on an annual basis (as adjusted from time to time, the “Base Salary”), which salary shall be payable by the Company in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices (as in effect from time to time). The Base Salary for any partial year during the Employment Period will be based upon the actual number of days elapsed in such year.

(b) Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, during each calendar year of the Employment Period beginning with the year ending December 31, 2024, Executive will be eligible to earn a target annual cash bonus of 85% of the Base Salary and up to a maximum cash bonus equal to two (2) times the target annual cash bonus for such year, if and only if Executive, Acadia and the Subsidiaries achieve the performance criteria specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee for such year, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s Annual Bonus for the 2024 calendar year will be equitably blended based on Executive’s target bonus in effect immediately before the Start Date and that in effect for the balance of the performance year. Unless otherwise agreed to by Executive, any such bonus amount for any year shall be earned (if awarded) on the last day of such year and paid by the Company in the calendar year following the calendar year to which such bonus has been earned and no later than the earlier of (x) the date that is ten (10) business days after the Company’s receipt of its audited financial statements for the calendar year with respect to which such bonus has been earned and (y) December 31 of the calendar year following such year with respect to which such bonus has been earned.

(c) Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Executive shall be eligible to receive annual grants of long-term incentive awards in amounts and on terms and conditions comparable to Acadia’s other senior executives as determined by the Compensation Committee.

(d) Business Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive bi-weekly in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by Executive in the course of performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement that are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, lodging, meals, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

(e) Benefits. In addition to (but without duplication of) the Base Salary and any bonuses payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 3, Executive shall be entitled to participate at Executive’s sole discretion in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company are generally eligible.

 

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4. Termination.

(a) Termination. The Employment Period shall terminate automatically and immediately upon Executive’s resignation for any reason (whether with Good Reason or without Good Reason), Executive’s death or becoming Disabled, or upon the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company (through action by the Board) for any reason (whether for Cause or without Cause). The date on which Executive ceases to be employed by the Company is referred to herein as the “Termination Date.”

(b) Termination without Cause or with Good Reason. If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive with Good Reason, then Executive shall be entitled to receive:

(i) Executive’s unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date (payable in accordance with Section 3(a), or such earlier date required by law);

(ii) an amount equal to the actual annual cash bonus amount to which Executive would be entitled under Section 3(b) with respect to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined based on achievement of the performance objectives specified in Executive’s bonus plan for such year, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, which amount shall be prorated based on the actual number of days elapsed in such year prior to the Termination Date (payable at the same time it would have been paid pursuant to Section 3(b));

(iii) an amount equal to one (1) times the target annual cash bonus amount to which Executive would be entitled under Section 3(b) with respect to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined as if Executive, Acadia and the Subsidiaries have achieved all of the performance objectives specified in Executive’s bonus plan for such year at the target level, whether or not such objectives actually have been achieved as of the Termination Date (payable in a lump sum within ten (10) business days after the Termination Date);

(iv) an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Termination Date (such 12-month period, the “Severance Period”), (payable in a lump sum within ten (10) business days after the Termination Date);

(v) payment of the Annual Bonus for the prior year, to the extent not previously paid;

(vi) payment in respect of any unused paid time off and sick pay of Executive in such amounts as have accrued as of the Termination Date in accordance with the Company’s policies with respect thereto as in effect during the Employment Period, and reimbursement of any business expenses incurred by Executive but not reimbursed prior to the Termination Date in accordance with and reimbursable under the terms of the Company’s policies with respect thereto as in effect on the Termination Date (in each case, payable in a lump sum within ten (10) business days after the Termination Date);

 

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(vii) an amount equal to the cost of the premiums for continued health and dental insurance for Executive and/or Executive’s dependents in accordance with the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) for the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date on which the Severance Period expires (payable in monthly installments during and concurrently with Executive’s COBRA period); provided that if Executive’s COBRA period is terminated or expires prior to expiration of the Severance Period, then Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive an amount equal to the cost of the premiums for continued health and dental insurance for Executive and/or Executive’s dependents in accordance with COBRA (assuming such continued insurance coverage remained available at the same monthly cost) for the period commencing on the date of such termination or expiration and ending on the date on which the Severance Period expires; and

(viii) all equity and equity-based awards granted to Executive during the Employment Period (the “Equity Awards”) shall be treated as set forth below: (A) the Equity Awards subject to time-based vesting requirements will fully vest on the Termination Date; and (B) the Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting requirements will remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual achievement of the applicable performance conditions, subject to the terms and conditions (other than any term or condition requiring continued employment) set forth in the applicable award agreement and/or governing documentation.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be entitled to receive the benefits provided for in Sections 4(b)(ii) – 4(b)(viii) above unless and until Executive signs and delivers and does not revoke the General Release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B; and provided further that Executive has not breached any of the provisions of Sections 5, 6 and 7 hereof.

(c) Termination by Death or Disability. If the Employment Period is terminated due to Executive’s death or becoming Disabled, then Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiary) shall be entitled to receive:

(i) Executive’s unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date (payable in accordance with Section 3(a));

(ii) an amount equal to the actual annual cash bonus amount to which Executive would be entitled under Section 3(b) with respect to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, determined based on achievement of the performance objectives specified in Executive’s bonus plan for such year, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, which amount shall be prorated based on the actual number of days elapsed in such year prior to the Termination Date (payable at the same time it would have been paid pursuant to Section 3(b));

(iii) payment in respect of any unused paid time off and sick pay of Executive in such amounts as have accrued as of the Termination Date in accordance with the Company’s policies with respect thereto as in effect during the Employment Period, and reimbursement of any business expenses incurred by Executive but not reimbursed prior to the Termination Date in accordance with and reimbursable under the terms of the Company’s policies with respect thereto as in effect on the Termination Date (in each case, payable in a lump sum within ten (10) business days after the Termination Date);

 

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(iv) an amount equal to the cost of the premiums for continued health and dental insurance for Executive and/or Executive’s dependents in accordance with COBRA for the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earliest of (A) the date on which Executive’s COBRA period terminates or expires, (B) six (6) months after the Termination Date, and (C) the date on which Executive becomes eligible for long-term disability benefits under any long-term disability program sponsored by the Company (payable in monthly installments during and concurrently with Executive’s COBRA period); provided that if Executive’s COBRA period is terminated prior to expiration of the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (I) the date on which Executive becomes eligible for long-term disability benefits under any long-term disability program sponsored by the Company, and (II) six (6) months after the Termination Date (such period, the “Disability Severance Period”), then Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive an amount equal to the cost of the premiums for continued health and dental insurance for Executive and/or Executive’s dependents in accordance with COBRA (assuming such continued insurance coverage remained available at the same monthly cost) payable in monthly installments during the period commencing on the date of such termination or expiration and ending on the date on which the Disability Severance Period expires; and

(v) payment of the Annual Bonus under Section 3(b) for the prior year, to the extent not previously paid.

In addition, if the Employment Period is terminated due to Executive’s becoming Disabled (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not due to Executive’s death), then Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiary) shall be entitled to receive, during the Disability Severance Period, continued installment payments of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on the Termination Date, which shall be payable over the Disability Severance Period in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices as in effect on the Termination Date, but in no event less frequently than monthly.

(d) Other Termination. If the Employment Period is terminated (i) by the Company for Cause, or (ii) by Executive’s resignation without Good Reason, then the Company shall pay Executive (A) Executive’s unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date (payable in accordance with Section 3(a)) and (B) payment of the Annual Bonus for the prior year to the extent not paid.

(e) Continuation of Benefits. Upon any termination of employment, whether voluntary or otherwise, Executive shall have the option to elect health insurance coverage for Executive, Executive’s spouse and Executive’s eligible dependents during the period commencing on the end of the statutory COBRA period, if any (provided that Executive validly elected COBRA continuation coverage), until the earliest of the date on which Executive (A) is eligible to participate in another health benefit plan (including, without limitation, a plan sponsored by a then current or former employer of Executive’s or Executive’s spouse, other than a plan that provides for “excepted benefits” as defined under section 733(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) or (B) becomes eligible for Medicare. Such coverage will be provided for by the Company (or any successor to the Company, whether by operation of law or otherwise) in accordance with applicable law, and Executive shall pay premiums consistent with other senior executive employees of the Company (or any successor to the Company, whether by operation of

 

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law or otherwise). Executive agrees to take all required actions and provide any requested personal medical history and information, in accordance with the applicable policy application and medical underwriting process.

(f) No Mitigation. Executive is under no obligation to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided for under this Section 4 by seeking other employment or otherwise.

(g) Right of Offset. The Company may offset any bona fide obligations that Executive owes Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries (which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any unliquidated obligations or obligations to the extent Executive disputes in good faith the nature or amount thereof) against any amounts the Company or any of the Subsidiaries owes Executive hereunder; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset, counterclaim or recoupment by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

(h) Section 409A Compliance.

(i) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

(ii) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” “termination of the Employment Period” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

(iii) All expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive (provided that if any such reimbursements constitute taxable income to Executive, such reimbursements shall be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses to be reimbursed were incurred), and no such reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.

(iv) For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

(v) Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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(vi) Notwithstanding any other payment schedule provided herein to the contrary, if Executive is deemed on the Termination Date to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then any payment that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service” shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (a) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Executive and (b) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”) to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence (whether they otherwise would have been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum, and all remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. In addition, if Executive is a “specified employee,” to the extent that welfare benefits to be provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement are not “disability pay,” “death benefit” plans or non-taxable medical benefits within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5) or other benefits not considered nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of that regulation, such provision of benefits shall be delayed until the end of the Delay Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the previous sentence applies to the provision of any ongoing health or welfare benefits that would not be required to be delayed if the premiums were paid by Executive, Executive shall pay the full cost of the premiums for such benefits during the Delay Period and the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the amount of such premiums paid by Executive during the Delay Period within ten (10) days after the end of the Delay Period.

5. Confidential Information.

(a) Protection of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the continued success of Acadia and the Subsidiaries depends upon the use and protection of a large body of confidential and proprietary information. All of such confidential and proprietary information now existing or to be developed in the future will be referred to in this Agreement as “Confidential Information.” Confidential Information will be interpreted broadly to include, without limitation, all information that is (i) related to Acadia’s or the Subsidiaries’ (including any of their predecessors’ prior to being acquired by the Company) current or potential business and (ii) is not generally or publicly known (including, without specific limitation, the information, observations and data concerning (A) acquisition opportunities in or reasonably related to Acadia’s or the Subsidiaries’ business or industry, (B) identities and requirements of, contractual arrangements with and other information regarding Acadia’s or the Subsidiaries’ employees (including personnel files and other information), suppliers, distributors, customers, independent contractors, third-party payors, providers or other business relations and their confidential information, including, without limitation, patient records, medical histories and other information concerning patients (including, without limitation, all “Protected Health Information” within the meaning of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and (C) internal business information and intellectual property of every kind and description of Acadia and the Subsidiaries). Executive agrees that during the Employment Period and at any time thereafter, Executive shall not disclose to any unauthorized person or use for Executive’s own account any of such

 

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Confidential Information, whether or not developed by Executive, without the Board’s prior written consent, unless and to the extent that any Confidential Information (1) was known to Executive prior to the negotiation of this Agreement or the Employment Period from a source (other than Acadia, the Subsidiaries or any of their respective agents) that, to the knowledge of Executive, was not prohibited from disclosing such information by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation to Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries, (2) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Executive’s acts or omissions to act or (3) is required to be disclosed pursuant to any applicable law or court order.

(b) Use of Others’ Confidential Information. During the Employment Period, Executive shall not use or disclose any confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employers or any other Person to whom Executive has an obligation of confidentiality. If at any time during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive believes Executive is being asked to engage in work that will, or will be likely to, jeopardize any confidentiality or other obligations Executive may have to former employers, then Executive shall immediately advise the Board so that Executive’s duties can be modified appropriately.

(c) Third-Party Information. Executive understands that Acadia and the Subsidiaries will receive from third parties confidential or proprietary information (“Third-Party Information”) subject to a duty on Acadia’s and the Subsidiaries’ part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. During the Employment Period and thereafter, and without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 5(a), Executive will hold Third-Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than personnel of Acadia or the Subsidiaries who need to know such information in connection with their work for Acadia or the Subsidiaries) or use, except in connection with Executive’s work for Acadia or the Subsidiaries, Third-Party Information unless expressly authorized by the Board in writing.

(d) Whistleblower Protection. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement will be interpreted so as to impede Executive (or any other individual) from (i) making any disclosure of relevant and necessary information or documents in any action, investigation, or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or as required by law or legal process, including with respect to possible violations of law, (ii) participating, cooperating, or testifying in any action, investigation, or proceeding with, or providing information to, any governmental agency, legislative body or any self-regulatory organization, including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, (iii) accepting any U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Awards, or (iv) making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. In addition, nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or Company policy prohibits or restricts Executive from initiating communications with, or responding to any inquiry from, any administrative, governmental, regulatory or supervisory authority regarding any good faith concerns about possible violations of law or regulation. Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and Executive will not be required to notify the Company that such reports or disclosures have been made.

 

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6. Ownership of Intellectual Property, Inventions and Patents. Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, processes, programs, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work and mask work (whether or not including any confidential information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which relate to Acadia’s or the Subsidiaries’ actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed, contributed to, made or reduced to practice by Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by Acadia or the Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement, including any of the foregoing that constitutes any proprietary information or records (“Work Product”), belong to Acadia or such Subsidiary. Any copyrightable work prepared in whole or in part by Executive in the course of Executive’s work for any of the foregoing entities shall be deemed a “work made for hire” to the maximum extent permitted under copyright laws, and Acadia or such Subsidiary shall own all rights therein. To the extent any such copyrightable work is not a “work made for hire,” Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to Acadia or such Subsidiary all right, title and interest, including, without limitation, copyright, in and to such copyrightable work. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after the Employment Period) to establish and confirm such ownership by Acadia or such Subsidiary (including, without limitation, execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments).

7. Non-Compete; Non-Solicit.

(a) Non-Compete. In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive hereunder, Executive acknowledges that, during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive has and shall become familiar with Acadia’s and the Subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information concerning Acadia and the Subsidiaries and that Executive’s services have been and shall be of special, unique and extraordinary value to Acadia and the Subsidiaries, and, therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and for a period thereafter of twelve (12) months (the “Noncompete Period”), Executive shall not (i) directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in any business that derives at least 25% of its gross revenue from the business of providing behavioral healthcare and/or related services or (ii) directly or indirectly manage, control, participate in, consult with or render services specifically with respect to any unit, division, segment or subsidiary of any other business that engages in or otherwise competes with (or was organized for the purpose of engaging in or competing with) the business of providing behavioral healthcare and/or related services (provided that, this clause (ii) shall not be construed to prohibit Executive from directly or indirectly owning any interest in, managing, controlling, participating in, consulting with, rendering services for, or in any manner engaging in any business activities with or for such business generally and, for the avoidance of doubt, not specifically with respect to such unit, division, segment or subsidiary), in each case, within any geographical area in which Acadia and the Subsidiaries engage in such businesses; provided that Executive shall not be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 7(a) if the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive with Good Reason and for so long as the Company is in breach of its obligations under Section 4(b) and such breach is not the subject of a good faith dispute between the Company and Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “participate in” shall include, without limitation, having any direct or indirect interest in any Person, whether as a sole proprietor, owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer,

 

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creditor or otherwise, or rendering any direct or indirect service or assistance to any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture and other business entity (whether as a director, officer, manager, supervisor, employee, agent, consultant or otherwise). Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.

(b) Non-Solicit. During the Employment Period and for a period thereafter of twelve (12) months (the “Nonsolicit Period”), Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another Person (other than on behalf of Acadia and the Subsidiaries) (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee or independent contractor of Acadia or the Subsidiaries to leave the employ or services of Acadia or the Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between Acadia and the Subsidiaries and any employee or independent contractor thereof, (ii) hire or seek any business affiliation with any person who was an employee or independent contractor of Acadia or the Subsidiaries at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to the Termination Date or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation of Acadia or any Subsidiary to cease doing business with Acadia or such Subsidiary or interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensor or other business relation and Acadia or any Subsidiary; provided that Executive shall not be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 7(b) if the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive with Good Reason and for so long as the Company is in breach of its obligations under Section 4(b) and such breach is not the subject of a good faith dispute between the Company and Executive.

(c) Non-Disparagement. Without limiting any other obligation of Executive pursuant to this Agreement, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, except as may be required by applicable law, Executive shall not make any statement, written or verbal, in any forum or media, or take any other action in disparagement of Acadia or any of its Subsidiaries, during the Employment Period and for a period of five (5) years thereafter (the “Non-Disparagement Period”).

(d) Blue-Pencil. If, at the time of enforcement of Section 5 or 6 or this Section 7, a court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope or area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum duration, scope and area permitted by law. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that Executive has either consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement or knowingly and voluntarily waived the opportunity to do so and that Executive fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

(e) Additional Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 5 and 6 and this Section 7 are in consideration of Executive’s employment with the Company and other good and valuable consideration as set forth in this Agreement. In addition, Executive agrees and acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Sections 5 and 6 and this Section 7 do not preclude Executive from earning a livelihood, nor do they unreasonably impose

 

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limitations on Executive’s ability to earn a living. In addition, Executive acknowledges (x) that the business of Acadia and the Subsidiaries will be conducted throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, (y) notwithstanding the state of organization or principal office of Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries or facilities, or any of their respective executives or employees (including Executive), it is expected that Acadia and the Subsidiaries will have business activities and have valuable business relationships within its industry throughout the United States and its territories and beyond, and (z) as part of Executive’s responsibilities, Executive will be traveling throughout the United States and other jurisdictions where Acadia and the Subsidiaries conduct business during the Employment Period in furtherance of the Company’s business relationships. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the potential harm to Acadia and the Subsidiaries of the non-enforcement of any provision of Sections 5 and 6 and this Section 7 outweighs any potential harm to Executive of its enforcement by injunction or otherwise. Executive acknowledges that Executive has carefully read this Agreement and either consulted with legal counsel of Executive’s choosing regarding its contents or knowingly and voluntarily waived the opportunity to do so, has given careful consideration to the restraints imposed upon Executive by this Agreement and is in full accord as to their necessity for the reasonable and proper protection of confidential and proprietary information of Acadia and the Subsidiaries now existing or to be developed in the future. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that each and every restraint imposed by this Agreement is reasonable with respect to subject matter, duration and geographical area.

(f) Specific Performance. In the event of the breach or a threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions of Section 5 or 6 or this Section 7, Acadia and the Subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm and that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy and, in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, in the event of an alleged breach or violation by Executive of this Section 7, the Noncompete Period or the Nonsolicit Period, as applicable, shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been duly cured.

8. Executive’s Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound, (b) except as previously disclosed to the Company in writing (a copy of each such agreement having been provided to the Company prior to the Effective Date or being publicly available on EDGAR as of the Effective Date), Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity, (c) except as previously disclosed to the Company in writing, Executive took nothing with Executive which belonged to any former employer when Executive left Executive’s prior position and Executive has nothing that contains any information which belongs to any former employer, in either case which would reasonably be likely to result in any liability to Acadia or any Subsidiary, and (d) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that Executive has either consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement or knowingly and voluntarily waived the opportunity to do so and that Executive fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

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9. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Cause” shall mean with respect to Executive one or more of the following: (i) the conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or the conviction of any crime involving misappropriation, embezzlement or fraud with respect to Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their customers, suppliers or other business relations, (ii) conduct outside the scope of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement that causes Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries substantial public disgrace or disrepute or economic harm, (iii) repeated failure to perform duties consistent with this Agreement as reasonably directed by the Board, (iv) any act or knowing omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries to the disadvantage or detriment of Acadia and the Subsidiaries, (v) breach of fiduciary duty, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries, (vi) an administrative or other proceeding results in the suspension or debarment of Executive from participation in any contracts with, or programs of, the United States or any of the fifty states or any agency or department thereof, or (vii) any other material breach by Executive of this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive and Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries, which is not cured to the Board’s reasonable satisfaction within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to Executive.

Disabled” means any physical or mental disability or infirmity that has prevented the performance of Executive’s duties for a period of (a) one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days or (b) one hundred eighty (180) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12)-month period. Any question as to the existence, extent or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician selected by the Company and reasonably approved by Executive (or Executive’s representative).

Good Reason” shall mean if Executive resigns Executive’s employment with the Company as a result of one or more of the following actions (in each case taken without Executive’s written consent): (i) a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary; (ii) a material diminution of Executive’s job duties or responsibilities inconsistent with Executive’s position, which shall include, without limitation, Executive’s removal from the position specified in Section 2(a), or the Company’s hiring an individual at an equivalent or senior level to Executive to perform substantially the same duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 2(a), or assigning job duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with Executive’s position; (iii) any other material breach by the Company or Acadia (or their successors) of this Agreement; or (iv) a required relocation of Executive’s principle place of employment; provided that, none of the events described in clauses (i) through (iv) above shall constitute Good Reason unless Executive shall have notified the Company and/or Acadia in writing describing the event which constitutes Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such event and then only if the Company and/or Acadia and the Subsidiaries shall have failed to cure such event within thirty (30) days after the Company’s and/or Acadia’s receipt of such written notice and Executive elects to terminate Executive’s employment as a result at the end of such thirty (30) day period.

 

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Person” shall mean an individual, a partnership, a corporation (whether or not for profit), a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, or other business entity, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation or other entity of which the securities or other ownership interests having the voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body are, at the time of determination, owned by Acadia or of which Acadia serves as the managing member or in a similar capacity or of which Acadia holds a majority of the partnership or limited liability company or similar interests or is otherwise entitled to receive a majority of distributions made by it, in each case directly or through one or more Subsidiaries.

10. Survival. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(d), Sections 4 through 27 (other than Section 22) shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the expiration or termination of the Employment Period.

11. Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent by facsimile (with hard copy to follow), sent by reputable overnight courier service, or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

Notices to Executive:

Nasser Khan

At the address on the books and records of the Company at the time of such notice.

Notices to the Company:

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

6100 Tower Circle, Suite 1000

Franklin, TN 37067 Attention: Board of Directors

Facsimile: (615) 261-9685

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

6100 Tower Circle, Suite 1000

Franklin, TN 37067 Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (615) 261-9685

or such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered or sent by facsimile (subject to automatic proof of transmission), one day after being sent by overnight courier or three days after being mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, as applicable.

 

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12. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

13. Complete Agreement. This Agreement and those documents expressly referred to herein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to, and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to, the subject matter hereof in any way.

14. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts (including by means of facsimile or by electronic transmission in portable document format (pdf) or comparable electronic transmission), each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided that (i) this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and legatees (but otherwise will not otherwise be assignable, transferable or delegable by Executive), and (ii) this Agreement will be assignable, transferable or delegable by the Company, without the consent of Executive, to Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries or to any successor (whether direct or indirect, in whatever form of transaction) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company or Acadia or the Subsidiaries (none of which shall constitute a termination of Executive’s employment hereunder).

17. Choice of Law and Forum. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The parties agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, exclusively shall be brought in the state courts located in Williamson County, Tennessee or the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Each party hereby waives any objection to the personal or subject matter jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

18. Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company (as approved by the Board) and Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the

 

14


Company’s right to terminate the Employment Period for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

19. Insurance. The Company may, at its discretion, apply for and procure in its own name and for its own benefit life and/or disability insurance on Executive in any amount or amounts considered advisable. Executive agrees to cooperate in any medical or other examination, supply any information and execute and deliver any applications or other instruments in writing as may be reasonably necessary to obtain and constitute such insurance.

20. Indemnification and Reimbursement of Payments on Behalf of Executive. Acadia and the Subsidiaries shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing from Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries to Executive any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes, excise tax, or employment taxes (“Taxes”) imposed with respect to Executive’s compensation or other payments from Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries or Executive’s ownership interest in Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, wages, bonuses, dividends, the receipt or exercise of equity options and/or the receipt or vesting of restricted equity), as may be required to be deducted or withheld by any applicable law or regulation. In the event Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries does not make such deductions or withholdings, Executive shall indemnify Acadia and the Subsidiaries for any amounts paid with respect to any such Taxes, together (if such failure to withhold was at the written direction of Executive or if Executive was informed in writing by Acadia or such Subsidiary that such deductions or withholdings were not made) with any interest, penalties and related expenses thereto.

21. Waiver of Jury Trial. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

22. Opportunity. During the Employment Period, Executive shall submit to the Board all investment or business opportunities of which Executive becomes aware and which are within the scope and investment objectives of Acadia or any of the Subsidiaries.

23. Executive’s Cooperation. During the Employment Period Executive shall cooperate with Acadia and the Subsidiaries in any internal investigation or administrative, regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding or any dispute with any third party as reasonably requested by Acadia or the Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Executive being available to Acadia and the Subsidiaries upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations, appearing at Acadia’s or any of the Subsidiaries’ request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering Acadia and the Subsidiaries all pertinent information and turning over to Acadia and the Subsidiaries all relevant documents which are or may come into Executive’s possession, all at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent with Executive’s other permitted activities and commitments), all at Acadia’s or the Subsidiaries’ sole cost and expense.

 

15


24. Delivery by Facsimile or PDF. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission in pdf, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission in pdf to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission in pdf as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

25. Indemnification and Directors and Officers Insurance.

(a) During the Employment Period and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, indemnify and hold harmless Executive against all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and settlement amounts paid in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Date), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to any action or omission in their capacity as an officer, director, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Company (or Acadia or any Subsidiary). In the event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, (i) the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by Executive promptly after statements therefor are received, (ii) neither the Company, Acadia nor any Subsidiary shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened action to which Executive is a party (and in respect of which indemnification could be sought by Executive hereunder), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of Executive from all liability arising out of such action, or Executive otherwise consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and (iii) the Company, Acadia and the applicable Subsidiaries shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter. In the event that any claim for indemnification is asserted or made within the Employment Period or the six (6) year period thereafter, all rights of Executive to indemnification in respect of such claim shall continue until the final disposition of such claim. The rights of Executive under this Section 25(a) shall be in addition to any rights Executive may have under the organizational documents of the Company, Acadia or any Subsidiary, under any law, or under any agreement of Executive with the Company, Acadia or any Subsidiary.

(b) During the Employment Period and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company, or any successor to the Company, shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors and officers liability insurance providing coverage for Executive in the same or greater amount as for members of the Board.

26. Legal Fees and Expenses. In the event any litigation or other court action, arbitration or similar adjudicatory proceeding (a “Proceeding”) is commenced or threatened by any party hereto (the “Claiming Party”) to enforce its rights under this Agreement against any

 

16


other party hereto (the “Defending Party”), if the Defending Party is the prevailing party in such Proceeding, all fees, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and court costs, incurred by the Defending Party in such Proceeding, will be reimbursed by the Claiming Party, and, if the Claiming Party is the prevailing party in such Proceeding, all fees, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and court costs, incurred by the Claiming Party in such Proceeding, will be reimbursed by the Defending Party; provided that if the Defending Party prevails in part, and loses in part, in such Proceeding, the court, arbitrator or other adjudicator presiding over such Proceeding shall award a reimbursement of the fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Claiming Party and the Defending Party on an equitable basis. For purposes of this Section 26, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Defending Party will be deemed to have prevailed in any Proceeding if the Claiming Party commences or threatens such Proceeding and (i) the underlying claim(s) in such Proceeding are subsequently dropped or dismissed, or (ii) the Defending Party defeats any such claim(s).

27. Acadia Guarantee. Acadia unconditionally guarantees and promises to pay and perform, upon Executive’s demand following a default by the Company, any and all obligations of the Company from time to time owed to Executive under this Agreement, subject to any applicable cure period. Acadia further agrees that if the Company shall fail to fulfill any of its obligations under this Agreement, Acadia will perform the same on demand as a principal obligor, and not as a surety. This is a continuing guarantee of the obligations and may not be revoked and shall not otherwise terminate unless and until the obligations of the Company have been paid and performed in full. Acadia represents and warrants that it will receive a substantial benefit from Company’s employment of Executive, which employment gives rise to the obligations of the Company under this Agreement. Acadia acknowledges that Executive would not execute this Agreement if it did not receive this guarantee.

*   *   *    *   *

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
ACADIA MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Christopher Hunter

Name:   Christopher Hunter
Its:   President
EXECUTIVE:

/s/ Nasser Khan

Name:   Nasser Khan
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

ACADIA HEALTHCARE COMPANY, INC.,

solely with respect to Sections 7 and 27

By:  

/s/ Christopher Hunter

Name:   Christopher Hunter
Its:   Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A

Board Service

None


EXHIBIT B

GENERAL RELEASE1

I, Nasser Khan, in consideration of and subject to the performance by Acadia Management Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its affiliates, the “Company”), of the Company’s obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of June 30, 2023 (the “Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and all present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below (this “General Release”). The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

  1.

I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section 4 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive certain of the payments and benefits specified in Section 4, unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter. Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company.

 

  2.

Except as provided in paragraphs 5 and 6 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement which expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date that this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, including those that arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human

 

1 

Note to Draft: Subject to updates to the extent necessary for applicable governing law.


  rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”).

 

  3.

The released claims described in paragraph 2 hereof include all such claims, whether known or unknown by me.

 

  4.

I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

  5.

I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

  6.

I agree that I hereby waive all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever in respect of any Claim, including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and any form of injunctive relief. Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided, however, that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding, other than any such award to which I become entitled pursuant to Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or awards under other whistleblower laws that cannot be waived by law. Additionally, I am not waiving (and nothing set forth herein shall be deemed a release of) (a) any right to any earned and accrued salary, vacation, benefits, expense reimbursements, or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (b) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents, applicable law or otherwise, including, without limitation, Sections 25 and 26 of the Agreement, (c) claims for workers’ compensation benefits under any of the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance policies or funds, (d) claims related to my rights under the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended and/or (e) any obligations of the Company under this General Release, including my rights to enforce this General Release.

 

  7.

In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of


  a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

  8.

I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

  9.

I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

  10.

Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any governmental entity.

 

  11.

I hereby acknowledge that Sections 4 through 27 (other than Section 22) of the Agreement shall survive my execution of this General Release.

 

  12.

I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release. I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in paragraph 2 above and which, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it.

 

  13.

Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof.

 

  14.

Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.


BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

 

  (a)

I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

  (b)

I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED; TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963; THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

  (c)

I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

  (d)

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

  (e)

I HAVE HAD AT LEAST [21][45] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED [21][45]-DAY PERIOD;

 

  (f)

I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

  (g)

I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

  (h)

I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

SIGNED:                     DATE:                 

Exhibit 10.2

SEPARATION AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This Separation Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated May 23, 2024, is effective as of the “Effective Date” (as defined below), between Acadia Management Company, Inc. (the “Company”) and John Hollinsworth (“Employee” and with the Company, collectively, the “Parties”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Employee is employed by the Company pursuant to an Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2019, between the Company and Employee (the “Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Employee has notified the Company that Employee intends to voluntarily resign from his employment with the Company and position as Executive Vice President of Operations of the Company on June 30, 2024, after which date, Employee shall provide Consulting Advisory Service (as defined below) to the Company as provided under this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve all matters that Employee may have related to Employee’s employment and the termination of Employee’s employment and consulting services.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the releases, representations, covenants and obligations herein contained, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.Cessation of Employment Relationship; Final Pay; COBRA.

(a) Employee’s employment with the Company shall cease effective as of June 30, 2024, or such earlier date as determined by the Company in its sole discretion (the “Employment Separation Date”), though until then Employee agrees the Company may reduce or eliminate some or all of Employee’s duties, authorities and responsibilities in such manner and at such time or times as it determines to be appropriate in its sole discretion without constituting a constructive termination or breach of any agreement with Employee. Employee and the Company agree that upon the Employment Separation Date, Employee shall promptly resign, and shall be deemed to have resigned from all other officer, director and employment positions that Employee held at or through the Company, and any of its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, and Employee agrees to promptly execute such additional documentation as requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing. The Employment Separation Date will be the termination date of Employee’s employment for purposes of Employee’s active participation in and coverage under all benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through the Company or its affiliates, except as otherwise required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that Section 4(f) of the Employment Agreement regarding Employee’s continuation of benefits following any termination of employment shall survive the execution of this Agreement and continue in full force and effect.


(b) Regardless of whether Employee executes this Agreement, the Company shall timely pay to Employee, minus applicable withholdings and authorized or required deductions: (i) all earned, but unpaid, wages and accrued, but unused, vacation time earned in accordance with applicable law and Company policy through the Employment Separation Date; (ii) any unpaid expenses or other reimbursements, due to Employee under the Company’s policies, provided that Employee must submit for reimbursement any outstanding business-related expenses within ten (10) days following the Employment Separation Date; and (iii) any amounts payable under the Company’s applicable employee benefits plans and programs in accordance with their terms, including, without limitation, under the Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.

(c) Employee will receive under separate cover information regarding Employee’s rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and, if applicable, any state continuation coverage laws (collectively, “COBRA”). Employee acknowledges that Employee should review the COBRA notice and election forms carefully to understand Employee’s rights and obligations to make timely elections, provide timely notification and make timely premium payments. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that Section 4(f) of the Employment Agreement regarding Employee’s continuation of benefits following any termination of employment shall survive the execution of this Agreement and continue in full force and effect.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, all outstanding equity awards held by Employee shall be treated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., Incentive Compensation Plan and the applicable award agreement. Employee’s separation from employment on the Employment Separation Date shall constitute a “retirement” for purposes of all outstanding performance-vesting restricted stock unit equity awards held by Employee pursuant the terms of the applicable award agreements.

2. Consulting Advisory Services. During the period following the Employment Separation Date and ending on December 31, 2024 or such prior date as determined by the Company in its sole discretion upon notice to Employee (the “Consulting Advisory Period”), Employee shall make himself available to provide transition advisory services as reasonably requested by the any of the Company’s executive officers, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (the “Consulting Advisory Services”). Employee will provide the Consulting Advisory Services for no more than 30 hours per month. During the Consulting Advisory Period, in consideration of Employee’s Consulting Advisory Services, continued compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 5), the discharge of Employee’s duties as Executive Vice President of Operations, and the timely execution of the ADEA Release in accordance with this Agreement, Employee shall be paid $10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars) per month, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. With respect to services rendered during the Consulting Advisory Period, Employee’s relationship to the Company will only be that of any independent contractor and, as an independent contractor, Employee agrees to pay in a timely manner all social security and other payroll taxes relating to such compensation. The sole compensation Employee will receive for services during the Consulting Advisory Period is set forth in this Section 2 and Section 3 below.

 

2


3. Separation Payment. Provided that Employee complies with this Agreement and the “ADEA Release” (as defined below) becomes effective pursuant to its terms, Employee shall remain eligible to earn a prorated portion of Employee’s annual bonus for the 2024 calendar year based on the number of calendar days between January 1, 2024 and the Employment Separation Date, such amount, if any, to be determined and paid in accordance with Section 3(c) of the Employment Agreement at the same time such annual bonuses are paid to other employees of the Company, less all applicable withholdings and authorized or required deductions. The payments under this Section 3 are not earnings or wages under any Company 401(k) plan.

4. Confidentiality. Subject to Section 12 below, Employee agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement; the circumstances of Employee’s separation from the Company; all nonpublic, confidential, proprietary and trade secret information that Employee obtained or developed as result of Employee’s employment with the Company; and any events relating to the Company and/or the Company’s employees that occurred during Employee’s employment with the Company are strictly confidential, except that Employee may disclose the terms and conditions to Employee’s attorneys, accountants, tax consultants, state and federal tax authorities or as may otherwise be required by law (provided such parties are instructed to comply with this section).

5. Continuing Obligations. Employee hereby reaffirms Employee’s obligations under the Employment Agreement and agrees to comply at all times with Employee’s post-employment obligations.

6. Release.

(a) In exchange for the consideration provided in this Agreement, Employee agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Employee, on behalf of Employee, and Employee’s heirs, beneficiaries, administrators, executors, trustees and assigns, shall, and hereby does, forever and irrevocably release and discharge the Company and each of its past, present and future parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, portfolio companies and funds, and each of their past, present and future owners, officers, directors, employees, independent contractors, agents, affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, insurers, attorneys, predecessors, employee benefit plans, purchasers, assigns, representatives, successors and successors in interest (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present and whether known or unknown, suspected, unsuspected or claimed (collectively, “Claims”) against the Released Parties which Employee or any of Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have (i) from the beginning of time through the date upon which Employee executes or re-executes (as applicable) this Agreement; (ii) arising out of, or relating to, Employee’s employment with or services rendered to any Released Parties; (iii) arising out of, or relating to, any agreement and/or any awards, policies, plans, programs or practices of the Released Parties that may apply to Employee or in which Employee may participate, including, but not limited to, any rights under bonus plans or programs of Released Parties and/or any other short-term or long-term equity-based or cash-based incentive plans or programs of the Released Parties; (iv) arising out of, or relating to, Employee’s termination of employment or services from any of the Released Parties; and/or (v) arising out of, or relating to, Employee’s status as an employee, member, officer, director or consultant of any of the Released Parties, including, but not limited to, any allegation, Claim or violation, arising under any federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any Claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any Claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Employee’s release of Claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (the “ADEA Release”) shall only become effective (i) with respect to Employee’s release of Claims under the ADEA as of the Effective Date upon: (x) Employee’s initial separate signature set forth on the signature page of this Agreement reflecting Employee’s assent to Employee’s release of Claims under the ADEA as of the Effective Date and (y) Employee not revoking such execution by the seventh (7th) calendar day following such execution; and (ii) with respect to Employee’s release of Claims under the ADEA as of the date that Employee re-executes this Agreement upon: (x) Employee’s second separate signature set forth on the signature page of this Agreement reflecting Employee’s assent to Employee’s release of Claims under the ADEA as of the date of such re-execution and (y) the occurrence of the ADEA Release Effective Date (as defined below).

(c) Employee represents and agrees that Employee has not, by himself/herself or on Employee’s behalf, instituted, prosecuted, filed, or processed any litigation, Claims or proceedings against the Company or any Released Parties, nor has Employee encouraged or assisted anyone to institute, prosecute, file, or process any litigation, Claims or proceedings against the Company or any Released Parties. Nothing in this Section 6 shall release or impair (i) any Claim or right that may arise after the date that Employee executes or re-executes (as applicable) this Agreement; (ii) any right to any earned and accrued base salary, vacation or benefits or incurred but unreimbursed business expense reimbursements or any severance or other benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 1 of this Agreement, which it is acknowledged Employee is entitled to receive as provided herein), (iii) any rights to vested ERISA benefits, as well as Employee’s rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its affiliates; (iv) any Claim or right Employee may have pursuant to indemnification, advancement, defense, or reimbursement pursuant to any applicable D&O policies, any similar insurance policies, applicable law or otherwise; and (v) any Claim which by Federal, state or local law cannot be waived. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit or restrict Employee’s right to file a charge with or participate in a charge by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local, state, or federal administrative body or government agency; provided that Employee hereby waives the right to recover any monetary damages or other relief against any Released Parties; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Employee from receiving any monetary award to which Employee becomes entitled pursuant to Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or awards under other whistleblower laws that cannot be waived by law.

(d) Employee understands that Employee may later discover Claims or facts that may be different than, or in addition to, those which Employee now knows or believes to exist with regards to the subject matter of this Agreement, and which, if known at the time of executing or re-executing (as applicable) this Agreement, may have materially affected this Agreement or Employee’s decision to enter into it. Employee hereby waives any right or Claim that might arise as a result of such different or additional Claims or facts.

 

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(e) Employee represents that Employee has made no assignment or transfer of any right or Claim covered by this Section 6 and that Employee further agrees that Employee is not aware of any such right or Claim covered by this Section 6.

(f) Employee understands, acknowledges, and agrees that any amounts paid to him in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement exceed what Employee is otherwise entitled to receive upon separation from employment due to Employee’s voluntary resignation, and that these benefits are being given as consideration in exchange for executing this Agreement, including the ADEA Release contained in it. Employee understands that he will not receive any payments specified in Section 3 unless Employee executes this Agreement including the ADEA Release contained in it, re-executes this Agreement for purposes of the ADEA Release (including upon expiration of the Consulting Advisory Period), and does not revoke the execution and re-execution of the ADEA Release within the time period permitted hereafter and thereafter. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly set forth under this Agreement, Employee is not entitled to receive any additional compensation, bonus, equity compensation, payment in lieu of any paid time off, equity awards, severance payments or other payments or benefits of any kind from the Company or its parents, subsidiaries or its affiliates or with respect to Employee’s employment with the Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, any payments of any kind under the Employment Agreement.

(g) In signing or re-signing (as applicable) the ADEA Release, Employee acknowledges and intends that it will be effective as a bar to each and every one of the released Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. Employee expressly consents that the ADEA Release will be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected released Claims (not withstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other released Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. Employee acknowledges and agrees that this waiver is an essential and material term of the ADEA Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of this Agreement. Employee further agrees that in the event Employee should seek to recover against the Company in any released Claim brought by a governmental agency on Employee’s behalf, the ADEA Release will serve as a complete defense to such released Claim to the maximum extent permitted by law. Employee further agrees that he is not aware of any pending claim of the type described in Section 6(a) above as of the execution and re-execution (as applicable) of the ADEA Release.

7. No Cooperation with Non-Governmental Third Parties. Employee agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Employee will not encourage or voluntarily assist or aid in any way any non-governmental attorneys or their clients or individuals acting on their own behalf in making or filing any lawsuits, complaints, or other proceedings against the Company or any other Released Parties, and represents that Employee has not previously engaged in any such conduct.

 

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8. Company Property. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, other than as expressly approved by the Company and necessary for the provision of the Consulting Advisory Services, Employee has returned, or will return within two (2) days after the Employment Separation Date, all Company property and non-public, confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information in Employee’s custody, possession or control, in any form whatsoever, including without limitation, equipment, telephones, smart phones, work-related passwords; PDAs, laptops, credit cards, keys, access cards, identification cards, security devices, network access devices, pagers, confidential or proprietary information, documents, manuals, reports, books, compilations, work product, e-mail messages, recordings, tapes, removable storage devices, hard drives, computers and computer discs, files and data (collectively, “Company Property”), which Employee prepared or obtained during the course of Employee’s employment with the Company. If Employee discovers any property of the Company or non-public, confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information in Employee’s possession after the Effective Date, Employee shall promptly return such property to the Company or, at the instruction of the Company, destroy such property or information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that Employee will return within two (2) days after the expiration of the Consulting Advisory Period any Company Property obtained during the Consulting Advisory Period or retained for use during the Consulting Advisory Period with express approval by the Company.

9. No Admission of Liability; No Prevailing Party. The Parties agree that this Agreement is not to be construed as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Parties under any statute or otherwise, but that on the contrary, any such wrongdoing or liability is expressly denied by the Parties. The Parties agree that neither this Agreement nor the negotiations in pursuance thereof shall be construed or interpreted to render the Parties a prevailing party for any reason, including but not limited to an award of attorney’s fees, expenses or costs under any statute or otherwise.

10. Voluntary Execution. Employee acknowledges, certifies and agrees that: (a) Employee has carefully read this Agreement and fully understands all of its terms; (b) Employee had a reasonable amount of time to consider Employee’s decision to execute or re-execute (as applicable) this Agreement; (c) in executing or re-executing (as applicable) this Agreement Employee does not rely and has not relied upon any representation or statement made by any of the Company’s agents, representatives, or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of the Agreement; and (d) that Employee enters into this Agreement voluntarily, of Employee’s own free will, without any duress and with knowledge of its meaning and effect in exchange for good and valuable consideration to which Employee would not be entitled in the absence of executing or re-executing (as applicable) this Agreement and not revoking the ADEA Release. Employee acknowledges that the Company has advised Employee to consult with an attorney prior to executing or re-executing (as applicable) this Agreement and that Employee has had an opportunity to consult with Employee’s counsel.

11. Review Period. Employee has been given twenty-one (21) days from the date of Employee’s receipt of this Agreement to consider the terms of this Agreement, although Employee may sign it at any time sooner; provided, that Employee may not re-execute the ADEA Release until the expiration of the Consulting Advisory Period. The Parties agree that any revisions or modifications to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, will not and did not restart this time period. The first date upon which Employee and the Company have signed this Agreement and the Company has received Employee’s signature, shall be the “Effective Date”. Employee has seven (7) calendar days after the date on which Employee initially executes this Agreement for purposes of the ADEA Release to revoke Employee’s consent to the ADEA Release. If

 

6


Employee does not sign this Agreement for purposes of the ADEA Release or if Employee revokes Employee’s first execution of this Agreement for purposes of the ADEA Release, the ADEA Release shall be null and void and the “ADEA Release Effective Date” (as defined below) shall not occur. Provided that Employee does not revoke Employee’s first execution of this Agreement for purposes of the ADEA Release within such seven (7) day revocation period, this ADEA Release will become effective on the eighth (8th) calendar day after the date on which Employee signs this Agreement for purposes of the ADEA Release. Employee’s re-execution of the ADEA Release advances the ADEA Release to the date of such re-execution. After such re-execution, Employee has seven (7) calendar days to revoke Employee’s consent to the advancement of the ADEA Release to the date of such re-execution. Provided that Employee does not revoke Employee’s re-execution of the ADEA Release within such seven (7) day revocation period, the ADEA Release will advance to the date of such re-execution effective on the eighth (8th) calendar day after the date on which Employee re-executes the ADEA Release (the “ADEA Release Effective Date”). Employee must also re-execute the ADEA release on, or within 21 days after, the expiration of the Consulting Advisory Period to remain eligible to receive the benefits hereunder and must not revoke Employee’s re-execution of such ADEA Release within 7 days thereafter. If Employee does not re-execute the ADEA Release or if Employee revokes Employee’s re-execution of the ADEA Release, the Company’s obligations under Section 3 of this Agreement shall be null and void; however, the ADEA Release will remain in full force and effect through the Effective Date. For purposes of the foregoing, any revocation must be in writing and must be emailed to Chris Hunter at Chris.Hunter@acadiahealthcare.com, and notice of such revocation must be received within the applicable seven (7) calendar days referenced above.

12. Permitted Disclosures. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties or any other policies of the Company or its affiliates shall prohibit or restrict Employee or Employee’s attorneys from: (a) making any disclosure of relevant and necessary information or documents in any action, investigation, or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or as required by law or legal process, including with respect to possible violations of law; (b) participating, cooperating, or testifying in any action, investigation, or proceeding with, or providing information to, any governmental agency or legislative body, any self-regulatory organization, and/or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; or (c) accepting any U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission awards or awards under other whistleblower laws that cannot be waived by law. In addition, nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties or any other policies of the Company or its affiliates prohibits or restricts Employee from initiating communications with, or responding to any inquiry from, any regulatory or supervisory authority regarding any good faith concerns about possible violations of law or regulation. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Employee will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company or its affiliates that (i) is made (x) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Employee’s attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. If Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties or any other policies of the Company or its affiliates is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.

 

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13. Successors and Assigns; Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties agree that this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the personal representatives, heirs, executors, and administrators of Employee. This Agreement may not be assigned by Employee. The Company may freely assign all rights and obligations of this Agreement to any affiliate or successor (including to a purchaser of assets). The Released Parties are expressly intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and it may be enforced by each of them.

14. No Oral Modifications. This Agreement shall not be modified except in writing signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

15. Severability. If any terms of the above provisions of this Agreement are found null, void or inoperative, for any reason, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The language of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against either of the Parties.

16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. An originally executed version of this Agreement that is scanned as an image file (e.g., Adobe PDF, TIF, etc.) and then delivered by one Party to the other Party via electronic mail as evidence of signature, shall, for all purposes hereof, be deemed an original signature.

17. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties agree that this Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware regardless of any principles of conflicts of laws or choice of laws of any jurisdiction. The Parties agree that any action between Employee and the Company shall be resolved exclusively in a federal or state court in Tennessee, and the Company and Employee hereby consent to such jurisdiction and waive any objection to the jurisdiction of any such court. As a specifically bargained for inducement for each of the Parties to enter into this Agreement, Employee and the Company (after having the opportunity to consult with counsel) hereby waive trial by jury as to any and all litigation arising out of and/or relating to this Agreement.

18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Employment Agreement constitute the complete and entire agreement and understanding of the Parties, and supersede in their entirety any and all prior understandings, negotiations, commitments, obligations and/or agreements, whether written or oral, between the Parties. The Parties represent that, in executing or re-executing (as applicable) this Agreement, each Party has not relied upon any representation or statement made by the other Party, other than those set forth in this Agreement, with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed or re-executed, as applicable, this Agreement as of the below-indicated date(s).

 

EMPLOYEE  

/s/ John Hollinsworth

 

May 23, 2024

John Hollinsworth   Date

 

ACADIA MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC  

/s/ Christopher Hunter

 

May 23, 2024

(Signature)   Date
Name: Christopher Hunter  
Title: President  

AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED

WITH RESPECT TO FIRST EXECUTION OF ADEA RELEASE

 

EMPLOYEE  

/s/John Hollinsworth

 

May 23, 2024

John Hollinsworth   Date

*NOT TO BE SIGNED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE CONSULTING ADVISORY PERIOD*

AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED

WITH RESPECT TO RE-EXECUTION OF ADEA RELEASE

 

EMPLOYEE  

 

 

 

John Hollinsworth   Date
v3.24.1.1.u2
Document and Entity Information
May 23, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001520697
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date May 23, 2024
Entity Registrant Name Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-35331
Entity Tax Identification Number 45-2492228
Entity Address, Address Line One 6100 Tower Circle
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 1000
Entity Address, City or Town Franklin
Entity Address, State or Province TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 37067
City Area Code (615)
Local Phone Number 861-6000
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol ACHC
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

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