RETIREMENT AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
This RETIREMENT AND RELEASE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of February 26, 2023, is by and between EPR Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”) and Craig L. Evans (“Evans”).
WHEREAS, Evans is employed by the Company in the position of Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary;
WHEREAS, Evans has announced his retirement from the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Evans desire to compromise and settle any and all claims which might arise out of or in any manner be related to Evans’ employment with the Company up to and including the date of this Agreement, in consideration for certain benefits to which Evans would not otherwise be entitled.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
Consideration
1.The Company will provide the following consideration.
a.The Company and Evans agree that Evans’ employment will terminate at the close of business on March 1, 2024 (the “Retirement Date”). The Company will compensate Evans for his services through the Retirement Date, at the same level of wages and benefits he earned as of the date hereof.
b.Subject to Evans executing (and not revoking) this Agreement, the Company will pay to Evans, or on his behalf:
i.Payment for one unused PTO day in the amount of $1,701.73; and
ii.The gross amount of $59,154.96, which is equivalent to the pro-rated annual incentive bonus that Evans would have received under the Company’s annual incentive program for 2024 with the achievement of “at target” performance level, less deductions required by law.
iii.The gross amount of $49,246.50, which is equivalent to the pro-rated Time-Based Restricted Shares portion of the Company’s long term incentive plan that Evans would have received under such plan for 2024 with the achievement of “at target” performance level, less deductions required by law.
iv.2,589 performance share units under a 2024 Performance Share Award Agreement which is equivalent to the performance share portion of the pro-rated long term incentive bonus that Evans would have received under
the Company’s long term incentive program for 2024, less deductions required by law.
c. The amounts set forth in this Section will be less applicable payroll withholdings. The performance share units in Section 1.b.iv will be issued pursuant to a 2024 Award Agreement at the time performance share units are issued to other Company executives (in the ordinary course) pursuant to the Company’s long term incentive plan. The amounts set forth in Sections 1.b.i, 1.b.ii and 1.b.iii will be paid in a lump sum promptly after the later of (1) the expiration of the seven-day waiting period described in Section 11 of this Agreement, or (2) the Retirement Date.
d. All unvested restricted common shares of the Company held by Evans will become vested upon the close of business on the later of (1) the expiration of the seven-day waiting period described in Section 11 of this Agreement, or (2) the Retirement Date. Further, any Performance Share Award Agreements entered into by and between Company and Evans will remain in place and continue in full force and effect.
All Compensation Received
2. Evans acknowledges and agrees that upon receipt of the consideration set forth in Section 1.b of this Agreement he will have received any and all wages or other compensation to which he is entitled because of his work performed for the Company or otherwise due from the Company.
3. Evans understands and acknowledges that all employee benefits paid to him or on his behalf shall cease effective the Retirement Date, or on such later date as specified in the applicable plan, and the parties specifically understand and agree that this Agreement does not affect and shall not diminish Evans’ rights to: (a) elect continued coverage for medical, dental and/or vision insurance pursuant to COBRA, (b) vested 401(k) benefits, (c) vested restricted common shares, and (d) any shares of EPR stock that Evans owns. All vested 401(k) benefits and vested restricted common shares will continue to be governed by their respective applicable plans and agreements.
Release of All Claims
4. Evans releases the Company and all of its parents, subsidiaries, joint venturers, affiliates, assigns and successors, and all of its past, present and future owners/shareholders, officers, directors, agents, employees, trustees, representatives, insurers and attorneys (referred to in this document as the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, damages, lawsuits, injuries, liabilities and causes of action that he may have, whether known to him or not. Notwithstanding this Section 4, nothing in this Agreement is intended to release any claims that cannot be released as a matter of law.
Release of All Employment Law Claims
5. Evans understands and agrees that he is releasing the Released Parties from any and all claims, damages, lawsuits, injuries, liabilities and causes of action that he may have under any express or implied contract, or any city ordinance or state, federal or common law meant to protect workers in their employment relationships including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Missouri Human Rights Act, the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983 and 1985, 18 U.S.C. § 1514A, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Missouri Service Letter statute, the Labor Management Relations Act, and under which he may have rights and claims, whether known to him or not, arising, directly or indirectly out of Evans’ employment by the Company and/or the separation of his employment with the Company. Notwithstanding this Section 5, nothing in this Agreement is intended to release any claims that cannot be released as a matter of law.
Release of Any Age Discrimination Claims
6. Evans understands and agrees that he is releasing the Released Parties from any and all claims, damages, lawsuits, injuries, liabilities and causes of action that he may have, under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Missouri Human Rights Act, the Kansas Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and any other federal, state or local laws prohibiting age discrimination in employment, whether known to him or not, past or present, suspected or unsuspected, arising, directly or indirectly out of Evans’ employment by the Company or the separation of his employment with the Company or any statements or actions of the Released Parties. Notwithstanding this Section 6, nothing in this Agreement is intended to release any claims that cannot be released as a matter of law.
Will Not File Claims
7. Evans understands and represents that he intends this Agreement to be complete and not subject to any claim of mistake, and that the release herein expresses a full and complete release of all claims known and unknown, suspected or unsuspected, and that he intends the release set forth herein to be final and complete. Evans further agrees that he will not prosecute or allow to be prosecuted on his behalf, in any administrative agency or court, whether state or federal, or in any arbitration proceeding, any claim or demand of any type related to the matters released above, it being Evans’ intention that, with the execution of this Agreement, Released Parties will be absolutely, unconditionally and forever discharged of and from all obligations to him that exist as of the date of this Agreement. Evans understands that nothing in this Agreement shall preclude him from filing a charge of discrimination, or participating in an investigation, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or comparable agency. However, Evans further agrees that he cannot and will not seek or accept any personal benefit from the Company, whether in monetary or other form, as part of or related to any proceeding initiated by any other person, agency or other governmental body of the United States or any other jurisdiction. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Evans from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of law. Notwithstanding
any of the provisions of this Agreement, Evans is not releasing any rights that he may have that cannot be released pursuant to applicable law.
Notwithstanding Evans’ releases under Sections 4, 5 and 6 above, and his obligations under this Section 7, Evans retains all rights to be indemnified, defended and held harmless, with advancement of expenses, that, before entering into this Agreement, he enjoys under applicable state laws, indemnification agreements or the organic documents of the Company. Evans’ obligations under Sections 4 through 7 shall be subject to the Company’s full and timely performance of its payment obligations under this Agreement.
Future Consulting
8. To the extent requested and upon a rate to be mutually agreed, Evans agrees to provide future consulting services to the Company. Any such future services rendered by Evans shall be not be legal in nature and in all circumstances shall not constitute legal advice.
Non-Disparagement
9. From and after the date of this Agreement, Evans warrants and agrees that he will not make any disparaging comment in any format, whether written, electronic (including but limited to social media), or oral, to any customer, vendor, prospective employer, Company employee, the media, or any other individual or entity regarding the Company and/or the Released Parties which relates to the Company's business or related activities, or the relationship between the Company, Released Parties and Evans.
Consequences of Breach of Non-Disparagement Obligations
10. Evans understands and agrees that his obligations set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement is a material inducement to the Company in making this Agreement. Accordingly, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive or specific relief from a court of competent jurisdiction against any breach or threatened breach by Evans, his agents or any persons acting with him, of the covenants in Section 9 of this Agreement without the necessity of posting bond or proving lack of an adequate remedy at law, and without limitation of other remedies that may be available to the Company at law or in equity.
Time to Consider this Separation Agreement and Release and 7-Day Revocation Period
11. Evans acknowledges that he has been given the option to consider this Agreement for up to twenty-one (21) days before signing it. Evans further acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement. Evans understands that after signing this Agreement, he has seven (7) days in which to consider it and, if desired, to revoke it by giving written notice of such revocation to the Company in care of Liz Grace, Sr. Vice President – Human Resources and Administration, 909 Walnut, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64106, lizg@eprkc.com, prior to the expiration of the 7-day revocation period, but that upon such revocation, Evans shall forfeit any and all rights to all consideration otherwise to be provided to him under the terms of this Agreement. Evans also understands that this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the expiration of the 7-day revocation period.
Return of All Company Property
12. Evans agrees that he will return any and all property (including, but not limited to, his Company-provided computer, personal computing devices, keys, security and parking cards or fobs, tools, credit cards and Company files and documents and all copies thereof, whether in hard copy or stored electronically) of the Company, its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates in his possession.
Non‑Admission of Liability
13. Evans understands and agrees that the Released Parties deny that he has any legally cognizable claims against them but that the Released Parties desire to amicably settle any and all disputes they now may have with him, Evans further understands and agrees that neither this Agreement nor any action taken hereunder is to be construed as an admission by the Released Parties of violation of any local, state, federal, or common law - in fact, Evans understands that the Released Parties expressly deny any such violation.
Section 409A Savings Clause
14. This Agreement is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 of the United States Code (the “Code”), including the exceptions for short-term deferrals, separation pay arrangements, reimbursements and in-kind distributions, and must be administered and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any term or provision that is determined to have an ambiguous definition shall be interpreted, to the extent reasonable, to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each installment payment under this Agreement is treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code must be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Resignation
15. On and as of the Retirement Date, Evans will deliver to the Company a letter of resignation in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Taxation
16. Evans understands and agrees that none of the Released Parties, including their attorneys, have made any express or implied representations to him with respect to the tax implications of any payment made herein.
Missouri Law Applies
17. Evans and the Company understand and agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
Use of Headings
18. Evans and the Company understand and agree that the headings in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and do not in any way restrict or modify any of its terms or provisions.
Agreement May Not Be Modified
19. Evans and the Company understand and agree that no provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, altered or amended except upon the express written consent of the Company and Evans.
Full Agreement
20. Evans and the Company understand this Agreement sets forth the entire terms of the agreement between the Company and Evans.
Invalidity of Any Provision Affects Only that Provision
21. Evans and the Company understand and agree that if, for any reason, any term or provision of this Agreement is construed to be unenforceable or void, the balance of it will yet be effective and enforceable.
Have Read, Understand and Have Voluntarily Signed Agreement
22. Evans and the Company have each read this Agreement, and each understands its contents. Evans and the Company have each signed this Agreement voluntarily and knowingly.
IN WITNESS WHERE OF, the parties have executed this Release Agreement.
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| | | /s/ Craig L. Evans |
| | | CRAIG L. EVANS |
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| | | EPR PROPERTIES |
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| | By: | /s/ Greg Silvers |
| | Name: | Greg Silvers |
| | Its: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT A
Letter of Resignation
Craig L. Evans
30 High Street
Camden, Maine 04843
March 1, 2024
EPR Properties
909 Walnut Street, Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Attn: Secretary
Dear Secretary:
I hereby resign my offices of Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of EPR Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), and any and all other positions as an officer, director, trustee or employee of any direct or indirect subsidiary or benefit plan or trust of the Company, effective as of the close of business on the date hereof.
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| | | /s/ Craig L. Evans |
| | | Craig L. Evans |
