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

Belden Inc.

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

Delaware		001-12561		36-3601505
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Check the appropriate box below if this Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

     Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

     On July 23, 2007, Belden Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (each, an “Employment Agreement”) with Cathy O. Staples, Stephen H. Johnson, D. Larrie Rose, and Kevin Bloomfield (in each instance effective as of July 16, 2007, the “Effective Date”). Ms. Staple’s Employment Agreement reflects her continuing employment as Vice President, Human Resources of the Company at an annual base salary of $245,700; Mr. Johnson’s Employment Agreement reflects his continuing employment as Treasurer of the Company at an annual base salary of $215,000; Mr. Rose’s Employment Agreement reflects his continuing employment as Vice President, Operations and President of Belden Europe at an annual base salary of $312,000; and Mr. Bloomfield’s Employment Agreement reflects his continuous employment as Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company at an annual base salary of $287,000. This is only a summary of the terms of the Employment Agreement for each executive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Employment Agreement for each executive, a copy of the form which is included in this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1. The agreement should be read in its entirety for a complete description of the employment terms.

     Each executive will be entitled to participate in the Company’s annual cash management incentive plan, as well as all other employee benefit plans of the Company available to senior executives. Each Employment Agreement’s initial term is for three years from the Effective Date, subject to earlier termination based on disability, death, termination by the Company with or without cause, and voluntary termination by the executive with or without good reason.

     Following a change in control of the Company, if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or is voluntarily terminated by the executive for good reason, in either case during the period commencing on the occurrence of the change in control and ending on the second anniversary thereof (the “Protection Period”), then the Company will pay and provide the executive with certain payments and benefits, including a lump sum severance payment equal to the sum of his highest base salary during the Protection Period and his annual target bonus, multiplied by two; a pro-rated annual cash incentive through the date of termination based on target performance; and Company medical benefits for two years.

     Outside the context of a change in control of the Company, if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, then the Company will pay and provide the executive with certain payments and benefits, including severance payments in installments that equal in the aggregate the sum of his base salary and his annual target bonus; a pro-rated annual cash incentive through the date of termination based on actual performance; and Company medical benefits for 12 months.

     All of the executive’s stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance share units and any other long-term incentive awards remain in effect in accordance with their terms and conditions (including with respect to the consequences of a termination of employment or a change in control) and are not amended or affected by his or her Employment Agreement.

     The executive also agrees to certain confidentiality, nonsolicitation and noncompetition covenants that begin on the Effective Date and extend for various periods beyond termination of the executive’s employment.

     Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (d) Exhibits.

     10.01 Executive Employment Agreement.

SIGNATURES

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