Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On September 9, 2021, A. Patrick Bernard, a named executive officer of Superior Energy Services, Inc. (the “Company”), and the Company mutually agreed that Mr. Bernard will retire from his position as the Company’s Executive Vice President, effective March 31, 2023. On September 9, 2021, Mr. Bernard was also assigned to serve as President of the Company’s International segment in connection with the transitioning of Mr. Bernard’s duties, in accordance with the terms of the Transition and Retirement Agreement (as defined below).
In connection with his retirement, Mr. Bernard entered into a Transition and Retirement Agreement with the Company on September 9, 2021 (the “Transition and Retirement Agreement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Transition and Retirement Agreement, Mr. Bernard will continue to serve with the Company through the first to occur of March 31, 2023 or his earlier termination of employment. Mr. Bernard’s separation from the Company will deemed to be a termination without Cause under section 5(a)(iv) of his employment agreement with the Company, effective June 15, 2013 (“Employment Agreement”), a composite form of which was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 18, 2012. Between September 9, 2021 and March 31, 2023, Mr. Bernard will be paid an amount based on his current annualized base salary of $400,000 (increased as of July 1, 2021 from his previous base of $302,400) bi-weekly, and Mr. Bernard and his family will remain eligible for continued participation in all medical and other welfare benefit plans generally available to the Company’s executive officers. Following March 31, 2023 (or earlier retirement date, if applicable), pursuant to governing law and independent of the Transition and Retirement Agreement, Mr. Bernard may elect COBRA benefit continuation coverage.
Unless earlier terminated, on March 31, 2023, Mr. Bernard will be entitled to, among other things, the severance payments set forth in section 6(c) of his Employment Agreement. Mr. Bernard’s severance payments include a payment equal to two times the sum of the applicable base salary then in effect and the applicable target bonus in the Company’s annual incentive plan for that fiscal year. Under the terms of the Transition and Retirement Agreement, Mr. Bernard has agreed to release the Company from various claims and agrees not to sue the Company for those claims, subject to certain exceptions required by applicable law.
If Mr. Bernard resigns or is terminated for Cause or breach of the Transition and Retirement Agreement, in each case prior to March 31, 2023, Mr. Bernard’s employment with the Company will terminate as of such date, and he will not be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits provided under his Employment Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Transition and Retirement Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Transition and Retirement Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference.