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): September 3, 2019
 
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

					
New Jersey	 	001-33841	 	20-8579133	
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)	 	(Commission
File Number)	 	(IRS Employer
Identification No.)	
1200 Urban Center Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35242
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
(205) 298-3000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
 
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:

 	☐	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(s)	 	Name of each exchange
on which registered	
Common Stock, $1 par value	 	VMC	 	New York Stock Exchange	
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.
On September 6, 2019, Vulcan Materials Company (the “Company”) announced the retirement of Michael R. Mills as Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary of the Company, effective as of September 15, 2019. Additionally, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) appointed the Company’s current Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Suzanne H. Wood, as Secretary of the Company, effective as of September 15, 2019, for which she will not receive any additional compensation. On September 5, 2019, the Compensation Committee of the Board and the Board approved the terms of Mr. Mills’s retirement, as described below.
On September 3, 2019, Mr. Mills and the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) setting forth the terms of Mr. Mills’s retirement. The Letter Agreement provides that, subject to Mr. Mills’s executing and not revoking a general release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates and continued compliance with the restrictive covenants described below, Mr. Mills: (i) will receive his base salary for a period of 36 months after his retirement in an amount totaling $1,950,000, less applicable tax withholdings, paid on a monthly basis in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies; (ii) will receive payment in respect of his full annual bonus for 2019 based on the achievement of actual performance, less applicable tax withholdings; (iii) will continue to vest in his outstanding equity-based awards in accordance with their terms as if he had not retired and be able to exercise his stock-only stock appreciation rights for the full remaining term of the awards; and (iv) will be reimbursed for reasonable healthcare and life insurance premiums. In exchange for the payments and benefits described above, under the Letter Agreement, Mr. Mills has agreed to covenants concerning confidentiality, nondisparagement, and, for two years following his retirement, noncompetition and nonsolicitation of customers and employees of the Company.
The foregoing summary description of the Letter Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Letter Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.	Financial Statements and Exhibits	
(d) Exhibits.
					
Exhibit
No.	 	 	Description	
 	 	 	 	 	
 	10.1	 	 	Letter Agreement, dated as of September 3, 2019, by and between Michael R. Mills and Vulcan Materials Company.	
 	 	 	 	 	
 	104	 	 	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)	

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.
							
	 		 	VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Date: September 6, 2019	 		 	By:	 	/s/ Suzanne H. Wood	
	 		 	Name:	 	Suzanne H. Wood	
	 		 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	

Exhibit 10.1

P.O. BOX 385014
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35238-5014
TELEPHONE: (205) 298-3791
FAX: (205) 298-2961
September 3, 2019
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Michael R. Mills
Delivered by Hand
Dear Michael:
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Vulcan Materials Company (the “Company”) appreciates your service to the Company during the past 28 years. This letter agreement (this “Agreement”) memorializes the terms of the agreement between you and the Company regarding the terms of your retirement from the Company.
 
1.	Retirement.	
(a)    Retirement Date. You hereby acknowledge and agree that your employment with the Company and any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company (an “affiliate”) shall terminate as of the close of business on September 15, 2019 (the “Retirement Date”).
(b)    Retirement from Positions. Effective as of the end of business on the Retirement Date, you hereby retire from your position as Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary of the Company and from any other position you may hold with the Company or any of its affiliates; provided that you shall continue to serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Company through the Retirement Date, subject to Section 3(h). Prior to the Retirement Date, you shall provide only those transition and other services to the Company as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from your home, unless otherwise requested by the Company. While you agree that each such retirement is intended to be self-effectuating, you further agree to execute any documentation the Company determines necessary or appropriate to facilitate such resignation.
(c)    Compensation and Benefits Through the Retirement Date. You shall continue to participate in the compensation and benefit plans of the Company and its affiliates in which you currently participate or to which you are a party, and you shall continue to receive base salary at the rate in effect as of the date hereof, through the Retirement Date; provided that if any terms of

this Agreement conflict with the terms of any other compensation or benefit plan, the terms of this Agreement shall exclusively govern unless prohibited by law; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall result in the payment of duplicate amounts or benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall you be entitled to any grants of additional compensatory awards denominated in shares of common stock of the Company following the date hereof.
2.    Retirement Payments and Benefits. In consideration for your service to the Company and its affiliates through the Retirement Date (subject to Section 2(g)) and your compliance with the terms of this Agreement, specifically including the timely execution and non-revocation of the Release (as defined in and consistent with Section 4) and the restrictive covenants set forth or referenced herein, you shall be entitled to the payments and benefits set forth below:
(a)    Accrued Obligations. You shall be entitled to a cash payment, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll date following the Retirement Date, equal to the sum of (i) your annual base salary earned through the Retirement Date to the extent not theretofore paid, and (ii) any accrued and unused vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid (the amounts contemplated by clauses (i) and (ii), the “Accrued Obligations”). The Accrued Obligations shall be due without regard to whether you have executed and not revoked the Release or remain an employee of the Company and its affiliates through the Retirement Date.
(b)    Cash Payment. You shall be eligible to receive your annual base salary as in effect as of the Retirement Date for thirty-six months following the Retirement Date (the “Covered Period”), to be paid in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly scheduled salary payroll dates. The actual amount of the cash payment shall be equal to $1,950,000 less applicable tax withholdings.
(c)    COBRA Coverage. Following the Retirement Date, you shall be eligible to elect, at the Company’s expense, continued health insurance coverage for you and your eligible dependents in accordance with Section 4980B(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any similar local laws (“COBRA Coverage”). You shall be eligible for COBRA Coverage without regard to whether you have executed and not revoked the Release or remain an employee of the Company and its affiliates through the Retirement Date. If you elect to receive COBRA Coverage but such COBRA Coverage cannot be provided for the full Covered Period, the Company shall pay for health insurance coverage for you and your eligible dependents with substantially the same level of coverage, upon substantially the same terms, as in effect on the date of this agreement, for the period beginning with the date such COBRA Coverage ends and ending on the last day of the Covered Period.
(d)    2019 Bonus. You shall be eligible to receive an annual short-term incentive bonus in respect of the full 2019 fiscal year as if you had continued to be employed through the end of the fiscal year, based on the achievement of actual performance, less applicable tax withholdings, pursuant to the Company’s Executive Incentive Plan (the “Bonus Plan”), notwithstanding any terms of the Bonus Plan to the contrary. Such bonus shall be paid as of no later than March 15, 2020. Your target bonus for the 2019 fiscal year is $520,000.
 
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(e)    Equity-Based Awards. Notwithstanding any provision of the applicable award agreements to the contrary, (i) any outstanding stock-only stock appreciation right (“SOSAR”) granted to you under the 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (either such plan, an “Equity Plan”) that would, by its terms, become vested following the Retirement Date subject to your continued employment, shall remain eligible to become vested and exercisable on the schedule contemplated by the applicable award agreement (notwithstanding the termination of your employment), and (ii) you shall be permitted to continue to exercise each SOSAR granted to you under the Equity Plans that is outstanding and vested as of the Retirement Date or that will become vested following the Retirement Date for the full remaining term of the applicable SOSAR (subject to earlier vesting and cashout, if applicable, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Equity Plan). In addition, you shall be eligible for continued vesting in and payment of any restricted share unit awards (the “RSU Awards”) and performance share unit awards that have been granted to you and are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement (the “PSU Awards”), in each case pursuant to the terms of the Equity Plans and such award (as if your employment with the company had continued through the relevant vesting date(s)). Each SOSAR, RSU Award and PSU Award held by you that, as of the Retirement Date, is vested or is eligible to become vested following the Retirement Date is set forth on Exhibit A (collectively, the “Equity Awards”).
(f)    Other Employee Benefits. During the Covered Period, the Company will pay the premiums to allow you to receive life insurance benefits with substantially the same level of coverage, upon substantially the same terms and otherwise to the same extent as such benefits shall have been in effect immediately prior to the Retirement Date.
(g)    Effect of Payments on Compensatory Arrangements. You acknowledge that the payments and benefits to which you are entitled pursuant to this Section 2 and otherwise solely on account of the termination of your employment shall not be considered in determining your benefits under any plan, agreement, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliates, including but not limited to the Company’s 401(k) plan and other deferred compensation arrangements. The payments and benefits provided under this Section 2 shall be in full satisfaction of the obligations of the Company and its affiliates to you under this Agreement or any other plan, agreement, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliates in connection with your termination of employment, and in no event shall you be entitled to pay or benefits beyond those specified in this Section 2.
 
3.	Restrictive Covenants; Effect of Certain Retirements.	
 
 	(a)	Nondisclosure of Confidential Information.	
(i)    You acknowledge that, during the course of your employment with the Company and its affiliates, you have had and will continue to have access to, and have gained and will continue to gain knowledge with respect to, “Confidential Information” (as defined below). You agree that you shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, during the period of your employment with the Company and its affiliates and thereafter for so long as it remains Confidential Information, use or disclose, or knowingly permit any unauthorized person to use, disclose or gain access to, any Confidential Information; provided, however, that you may disclose Confidential Information (x) as required by law or (y) as ordered by a court; provided that, in each case, (A) you shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and consult with and assist the Company in seeking a protective order or request for another appropriate remedy; (B) if such protective order or remedy is not obtained, or if the Company waives compliance
 
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with the terms of the preceding clause (A), you shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, in the opinion of your legal counsel, is legally required to be disclosed and shall exercise reasonable best efforts to assure that confidential treatment shall be accorded to such Confidential Information by the receiving person; and (C) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall be given an opportunity to review the Confidential Information prior to disclosure thereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of this Agreement are not intended to, and shall be interpreted in a manner that does not, limit or restrict you from exercising your legally protected whistleblower rights (including pursuant to Rule 21F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(ii)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information, observations and data concerning the business and affairs of the Company or any of its affiliates, including all business information (whether or not in written form) that relates to the Company or any of its affiliates, or their directors, officers, employees, customers, suppliers or contractors or any other third parties with respect to which the Company or any of its affiliates has a business relationship or owes a duty of confidentiality, or their respective businesses or products, and that is not known to the public generally other than as a result of your breach of this Agreement, including any such: technical information or reports; trade secrets; unwritten knowledge and “know-how”; operating instructions; training manuals; customer lists; customer buying records and habits; product sales records and documents, and product development, marketing, operating and sales strategies; market surveys; marketing plans; profitability analyses; product cost; long-range plans; information relating to pricing, competitive strategies and new technology implementation and product development; information relating to any forms of compensation or other personnel-related information; contracts; and supplier lists. Confidential Information shall not include such information known to you prior to your involvement with the Company or any of its affiliates or information rightfully obtained from a third party (other than pursuant to your breach of this Agreement or any other duty of confidentiality).
 
 	(b)	Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation.	
(i)    Noncompetition. You agree that, during your employment with the Company and its affiliates and during the two-year period following the Retirement Date (or if any Equity Awards would vest on a date that is later than the end of such two-year period, then such two-year period shall be extended through such final vesting date) (the “Restricted Period”), you will not engage in Competition (as defined below). You shall be deemed to be engaging in “Competition” if you, directly or indirectly, anywhere in the Restricted Area: (a) own, manage, operate, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, have any financial interest in, or are connected as an officer, director or partner of any business (whether through a corporation or other entity) engaged in the production of aggregates, sand and gravel, ready-mix concrete, asphalt, or other construction-material-related items manufactured by the Company (such business, a “Competitive Business”); or (b) serve as an employee, consultant or otherwise for an entity with a Competitive Business in any capacity, except to the extent that your duties are solely related to a unit, division, subsidiary or affiliate of such entity that is not engaged in a Competitive Business. Ownership for personal investment purposes only of less than 2% of the voting stock of any publicly held corporation shall not constitute a violation of
 
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this Section 3(b). The “Restricted Area” means (w) the Bahamas; (x) the continental United States; (y) Mexico; or (z) any other location in which the Company or its affiliates is engaged in business or, to your knowledge, has taken substantial steps toward the development of business at the time of your termination of services. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3(b)(i), and subject to prior written consent of the Company, during the Restricted Period you may accept requests from a current or former customer, vendor or other provider to the Company to provide consulting services on matters related to the business of such third party, so long as such services would not otherwise result in your engaging in Competition.
(ii)    Nonsolicitation of Customers. You acknowledge that, during the course of your employment with the Company and its affiliates, you have and will continue to occupy a position of trust and confidence and will acquire Confidential Information about the Company and its affiliates, and their clients and customers that is not disclosed by the Company or any of its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, including trade secrets, data, formulae, information concerning customers and other information that is of value to the Company and its affiliates because it is not generally known. Accordingly, you agree that, during the Restricted Period, you will not, either individually or as an officer, director, stockholder, member, partner, agent, consultant or principal of another business firm, directly or indirectly, on behalf of any Competitive Business, solicit any customer of the Company or of its affiliates.
(iii)    Nonsolicitation of Employees. You acknowledge that, during the course of your employment with the Company and its affiliates, you have and will continue to possess Confidential Information about other employees of the Company and its affiliates relating to their education, experience, skills, abilities, compensation and benefits, and interpersonal relationships with suppliers to and customers of the Company and its affiliates. You acknowledge that this information is not generally known, is of substantial value to the Company and its affiliates in developing their respective businesses and in securing and retaining customers, and has been and will be acquired by you because of your business position with the Company. Accordingly, you agree that, during the Restricted Period, you will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or recruit any person who is at such time, or who at any time during the three-month period prior to such solicitation or recruiting had been, an employee of the Company or its affiliates for the purpose of being employed by or providing services to you or by or to any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity on whose behalf you are acting as an agent, representative or employee, and that you will not convey any such Confidential Information or trade secrets about other employees of the Company or any of its affiliates to any other person except within the scope of your duties as an employee of the Company or its affiliates.
(iv)    Tolling. The Restricted Period shall be tolled during (and shall be deemed automatically extended by) any period during which you are in violation of the provisions of this Section 3(b).
(v)    Blue Pencil. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Section 3(b) is invalid or more restrictive than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then, only as to enforcement of this Section 3(b) within the jurisdiction of such court, such provision shall be interpreted and enforced as if it provided for the maximum restriction permitted under such governing law.
 
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(c)    Nondisparagement. From and following the date hereof, you shall not make, either directly or by or through another person, and you shall cause your agents, representatives and immediate family members not to make, any oral or written defamatory statements or representations of or concerning the Company or its affiliates, any of their clients or businesses or any of their current or former officers, directors or employees (collectively, the “Company Persons”) or any statements or representations that place a Company person in a false light; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit you from disclosing truthful information if legally required (whether by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process).
(d)    Return of Property. You acknowledge that all documents, records, files, lists, equipment, computer, software or other property (including intellectual property) relating to the businesses of the Company or any of its affiliates, in whatever form (including electronic), and all copies thereof, that have been or are received or created by you while an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates (including Confidential Information) are and shall remain the property of the Company and its affiliates, and you shall immediately return such property to the Company upon the termination of your employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request; provided, however, you shall be permitted to retain your Company-issued cell phone and iPad, subject to the Company’s removal of all Company data stored on such devices. You further agree that any property situated on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or any of its affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.
(e)    Trade Secrets; Whistleblower Rights. The Company hereby informs you that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, an individual may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and 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. Further, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the employer’s trade secrets to the attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. In addition, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall impair your rights under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable federal law or regulation or, for the avoidance of doubt, limit your right to receive an award for information provided to any government authority under such law or regulation.
(f)    Remedies and Injunctive Relief. You acknowledge that your violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its affiliates in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, you agree that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in addition to any other damages it is able to show, in the event of your violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement, the Company and its affiliates shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to (i) cease payment or provision of all or any portion of the compensation and benefits (including vesting opportunities) contemplated by
 
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Section 2 to the extent not previously paid or provided and immediate forfeiture of any outstanding SOSARs, in addition to any other remedies set forth in any Equity Award in accordance with the terms thereof, (ii) your prompt return of all or any portion of such compensation and the value of such benefits previously paid or provided and (iii) injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions), without posting a bond, in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in this Agreement in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company and its affiliates may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all such rights shall be unrestricted.
 
 	(g)	Acknowledgments.	
(i)    You acknowledge that the Company and its affiliates have expended and will continue to expend substantial amounts of time, money and effort to develop business strategies, employee, customer and other relationships and goodwill to build an effective organization. You further acknowledge that the Company and its affiliates have a legitimate business interest in and right to protect its Confidential Information, goodwill and employee, customer and other relationships, and that the Company and its affiliates would be seriously damaged by the disclosure of Confidential Information and the loss or deterioration of its employee, customer and other relationships. You further acknowledge that the Company and its affiliates are entitled to protect and preserve the going concern value of the Company and its affiliates to the extent permitted by law.
(ii)    In light of the foregoing acknowledgments, you agree that the covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the businesses and goodwill of the Company and its affiliates. You further acknowledge that, although your compliance with the covenants contained in this Agreement may prevent you from earning a livelihood in a business similar to the business of the Company and its affiliates, your experience and capabilities are such that you have other opportunities to earn a livelihood and adequate means of support for your dependents.
(iii)    Prior to execution of this Agreement, you were advised by the Company of your right to seek independent advice from an attorney of your own selection regarding this Agreement. You acknowledge that you have entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. You further represent that, in entering into this Agreement, you are not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company and its affiliates that are not expressly set forth herein, and that you are relying only upon your own judgment and any advice provided by your attorney.
(iv)    In light of the acknowledgments contained in this Section 3(g), you agree not to challenge or contest the reasonableness, validity or enforceability of any limitations on, and obligations of, you contained in this Agreement.
 
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(h)    At-Will Employment. For the avoidance of doubt, your employment shall continue to be “at will” until the Retirement Date. This Agreement shall remain in effect following any termination of employment under circumstances described in this Section 3(h).
4.    General Release. You acknowledge that, as of immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement, you were not legally entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement. In consideration of such payments and benefits, on or following the Retirement Date, but not later than 21 days following the Retirement Date, you shall execute and deliver to the Company a Retirement and Release Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B (the “Release”). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in any other plan, policy, agreement or arrangement of the Company and its affiliates to the contrary, whether or not you are a party thereto, if you (a) fail to execute and deliver the Release to the Company within such 21-day period, or (b) revoke the Release in accordance with the terms thereof, the Company and its affiliates, in addition to any other remedies they may have, shall be entitled to (i) cease payment of the compensation and benefits (including any Equity Award vesting opportunities) contemplated by Section 2 to the extent not previously paid or provided and the term of exercise of the SOSARs will revert back to the period of exercise set forth in Section 4(d) of the SOSAR Equity Award grant agreement, and (ii) your prompt return of any portion of such compensation and the value of such benefits previously paid or provided, in each case to the extent to which you would not have been legally entitled had you been terminated by the Company and its affiliates on the Retirement Date, without waiving the Company’s and its affiliates’ applicable entitlements under the Release.
 
5.	Miscellaneous.	
(a)    Governing Law; Dispute Resolution. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without respect to its principles of conflicts of laws, except to the extent governed by federal laws, and shall be construed according to its fair meaning and not for or against any party. You and the Company irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in or for Birmingham, Alabama, with respect to any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Release, and each party hereto irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute or proceeding. Each party hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation as between the parties directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the Release or the transactions contemplated hereby or disputes relating hereto. Each of the parties hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of the other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications contained in this Section 5(a).
 
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(b)    Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person or deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Party to whom such notice is being given as follows:

	 	As to you:	 	The address currently on file at the Company for Michael R. Mills	
			
	 	As to the Company:	 	Vulcan Materials Company	
	 		 	P.O. Box 385014	
	 		 	Birmingham, Alabama 35238-5014	
	 		 	Attention: Chief Executive Officer	
Any party may change his or its address or the name of the person to whose attention the notice or other communication shall be directed from time to time by serving notice thereof upon the other party as provided herein.
(c)    Cooperation. You agree that upon the reasonable request of the Company or its affiliates following the Retirement Date, you shall use reasonable efforts to assist and cooperate with the Company or its affiliates in connection with the defense or prosecution of any claim that may be made against or by the Company or its affiliates, or in connection with any ongoing or future investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving the Company or its affiliates, including any proceedings before any arbitral, administrative, regulatory, judicial, legislative or other body or agency. You will be entitled only to reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including travel expenses) incurred in connection with providing such assistance. In the event your assistance exceeds ten hours on a single matter following the date that payments under Section 2(b) of this Agreement have ceased, the Company agrees to pay you a reasonable hourly fee to be agreed by you and the Company.
(d)    No Mitigation; No Offset. In no event shall you be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to you under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not you obtain other employment.
(e)    Taxes. The Company and its affiliates shall be entitled to withhold from the benefits and payments described herein all income and employment taxes required to be withheld by applicable law.
(f)     Section 409A.
(i)    General. It is intended that payments and benefits made or provided under this Agreement shall not result in penalty taxes or accelerated taxation pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”). Any payments that qualify for the “short-term deferral” exception, the separation pay exception or another exception under Section 409A shall be paid under the applicable exception. For purposes of the limitations on nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A, each payment or installment in a series of payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of compensation. All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may be made
 
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only upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of penalty taxes on you pursuant to Section 409A. In no event may you, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement, and to the extent required by Section 409A, any payment that may be paid in more than one taxable year (depending on the time that you execute the Release) shall be paid in the later taxable year.
(ii)    Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that are subject to Section 409A shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (A) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during your lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (C) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made no later than the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (D) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(iii)    Delay of Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if you are considered a “specified employee” for purposes of    Section 409A (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company and its affiliates as in effect on the Retirement Date), any payment that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A that is otherwise due to you under this Agreement during the six-month period immediately following your separation from service (as determined in accordance with Section 409A) on account of your separation from service shall be accumulated and paid to you on the first business day of the seventh month following your separation from service (the “Delayed Payment Date”), to the extent necessary to prevent the imposition of tax penalties on you under Section 409A. If you die during the postponement period, the amounts and entitlements delayed on account of Section 409A shall be paid to the personal representative of your estate on the first to occur of the Delayed Payment Date or 30 calendar days after the date of your death.
(g)    Severability. If any provision hereof is unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such unenforceable provision had never constituted a part hereof, the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect, and the court construing the Agreement shall add as a part hereof a provision as similar in terms and effect to such unenforceable provision as may be enforceable, in lieu of the unenforceable provision.
(h)    Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be enforceable by, and be binding upon your legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be enforceable by, and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
 
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(i)    No Assignment. Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement shall not be subject to anticipation, alienation, pledge, sale, transfer, assignment, garnishment, attachment, execution, encumbrance, levy, lien or change, and any attempt to cause such compensation and benefits to be so subjected shall not be recognized, except to the extent required by law.
(j)    Headings and Captions. The headings and captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.
(k)    Interpretation. As used in this Agreement, the term “including” does not limit the preceding words or terms.
(l)    Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the Parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(m)    Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Release attached hereto as Exhibit B, together with the 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan and any applicable Equity Award grant agreements (subject as applicable to the terms and conditions of the vesting opportunities following the Retirement Date that are provided for under this Agreement) and any indemnification or other similar rights under the bylaws of the Company and its affiliates, other governance documents, or any other rights under directors’ and officers’ insurance policies constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company and its affiliates, including your payment and benefit entitlements, and, as of the date hereof, supersedes and cancels in their entirety all prior understandings, agreements and commitments, whether written or oral, relating to the terms and conditions of employment between you, on the one hand, and the Company or its affiliates, on the other hand.
[Signature page follows]
 
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If you agree that this Agreement accurately represents our understanding, please sign and return this Agreement, which will become a binding agreement on our receipt.

Very truly yours,	
	
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY	

By:	 	/s/ J. Thomas Hill	
NAME:	 	J. Thomas Hill	
TITLE:	 	Chief Executive Officer	

Accepted and agreed this 3rd day of September, 2019.

/s/ Michael R. Mills	
Michael R. Mills	

EXHIBIT A
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

	Grant Date	  	Type of
Award	  	Exercise Price ($)
(SOSARs only)	 	  	Shares Subject to the
Awards Expected to
Be Vested on
Retirement Date	 	Shares Subject to
Continued Vesting
after the
Retirement Date	  	Final PSU or RSU
Vesting/
Option Expiration Date	
2/7/2013	  	SOSAR	  	$	55.41	 	  	7,0001	 	N/A	  	2/7/2023		
2/13/2014	  	SOSAR	  	$	66.00	 	  	7,2001	 	N/A	  	2/13/2024		
2/12/2015	  	SOSAR	  	$	79.41	 	  	7,1001	 	N/A	  	2/12/2025		
2/12/2016	  	SOSAR	  	$	92.02	 	  	6,975	 	2,325	  	2/12/2026		
2/12/2016	  	PSU	  	 	—  	 	  	0	 	9,300	  	12/31/2019		
2/10/2017	  	SOSAR	  	$	122.60	 	  	4,600	 	2,300	  	2/10/2027		
2/10/2017	  	PSU	  	 	—  	 	  	0	 	6,900	  	12/31/2019		
2/23/2018	  	SOSAR	  	$	121.69	 	  	2,200	 	4,400	  	2/23/2028		
2/23/2018	  	PSU	  	 	—  	 	  	0	 	6,600	  	12/31/2020		
2/19/2019	  	SOSAR	  	$	113.16	 	  	0	 	6,300	  	2/19/2029		
2/19/2019	  	PSU	  	 	—  	 	  	0	 	6,500	  	12/31/2021		
2/19/2019	  	RSU	  	 	—  	 	  	0	 	2,200	  	2/19/2022		

1 	These SOSARs became fully vested by their terms prior to the date hereof, but shall remain exercisable for the full remaining term of such SOSARs, in accordance with the terms thereof, consistent with the terms applicable to the other SOSARs set forth on this Exhibit A.	
 
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EXHIBIT B
RELEASE
This General Release of all Claims (this “Release”) is entered into on September 3, 2019, by and between Vulcan Materials Company (the “Company”) and Michael R. Mills (the “Executive”).
In consideration of the payments and benefits set forth in the Letter Agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) between the Executive and the Company, dated September 3, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), to which the Executive first became legally entitled following the Effective Date and by virtue of the Letter Agreement, the Executive agrees as follows:
 
1.	General Release and Waiver of Claims.	
(a)    Release. In consideration of the payments and benefits provided to the Executive under the Letter Agreement to which the Executive first became legally entitled following the Effective Date and by virtue of the Letter Agreement, and after consultation with counsel, the Executive and each of the Executive’s respective heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release and forever discharge the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their respective officers, employees, directors, shareholders and agents (“Releasees”) from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, rights, judgments, obligations, damages, demands, accountings or liabilities of whatever kind or character (collectively, “Claims”), including, without limitation, any Claims under any federal, state, local or foreign law, that the Releasors may have, or in the future may possess, arising out of (i) the Executive’s employment relationship with and service as an employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and the termination of such relationship or service and (ii) any event, condition, circumstance or obligation that occurred, existed or arose on or prior to the date hereof; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, this Release shall not affect: the obligations of the Company or the Executive as set forth in the Letter Agreement or any other plan, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliates or other obligations that, in each case, by their terms, are to be performed after the date hereof by the Company or the Executive (including, without limitation, obligations to the Executive under the Letter Agreement for any payments or benefits, under any stock option, stock or equity-based award, plan or agreements, or payments or obligations under any pension plan or other benefit or deferred compensation plan, all of which shall remain in effect in accordance with their terms); any indemnification or similar rights the Executive has as a current or former officer or director of the Company and its affiliates, including, without limitation, any and all rights thereto referenced in the bylaws of the Company and its affiliates, other governance documents, or any rights with respect to directors’ and officers’ insurance policies; and the Executive’s right to reimbursement of business expenses incurred prior to the “Retirement Date” (as defined in the Letter Agreement).
(b)    Specific Release of ADEA Claims. In further consideration of the payments and benefits provided to the Executive under the Letter Agreement to which the Executive first became legally entitled following the Effective Date, the Releasors hereby unconditionally release and forever discharge the Releasees from any and all Claims that the Releasors may have
 
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as of the date the Executive signs this Release arising under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (“ADEA”). By signing this Release, the Executive hereby acknowledges and confirms the following: (i) the Executive was advised by the Company in connection with his termination to consult with an attorney of his choice prior to signing this Release and to have such attorney explain to the Executive the terms of this Release, including, without limitation, the terms relating to the Executive’s release of claims arising under ADEA, and the Executive has in fact consulted with an attorney; (ii) the Executive was given a period of not fewer than twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider the terms of this Release and to consult with an attorney of his choosing with respect thereto; and (iii) the Executive knowingly and voluntarily accepts the terms of this Release. The Executive also understands that he has seven (7) calendar days following the date on which he signs this Release within which to revoke the release contained in this paragraph, by providing the Company a written notice of his revocation of the release and waiver contained in this paragraph; provided that any such revocation shall not affect any other provision of this Release.
(c)    No Assignment. The Executive represents and warrants that he has not assigned any of the Claims being released under this Release.
2.    Proceedings. The Executive has not filed, and agrees not to initiate or cause to be initiated on his behalf, any complaint, charge, claim or proceeding against the Releasees before any local, state or federal agency, court or other body, other than with respect to the obligations of the Company and its affiliates to the Executive under the Letter Agreement or in respect of any other matter described in the proviso to Section 1(a) (each, individually, a “Proceeding”), and agrees not to participate voluntarily in any Proceeding; provided, however, and subject to the immediately following sentence, nothing set forth herein is intended to or shall interfere with the Executive’s right to participate in a Proceeding with any appropriate federal, state or local government agency enforcing discrimination laws, nor shall this Agreement prohibit the Executive from cooperating with any such agency in its investigation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Executive waives any right he may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any legally protected whistleblower rights (including under Rule 21F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
3.    Remedies. Notwithstanding anything in this Release, the Letter Agreement or in any other plan, policy, agreement or arrangement of the Company or its affiliates to the contrary, whether or not the Executive is a party thereto, if the Executive initiates or voluntarily participates in any Proceeding following his receipt of written notice from the Company and a failure to cease such participation within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of such notice, or if he revokes the ADEA release contained in Paragraph 1(b) of this Release within the seven (7)-calendar-day period provided under Paragraph 1(b), the Company and its affiliates, in addition to any other remedies they may have, shall be entitled to (a) cease payment of the compensation and benefits contemplated by Section 2 of the Letter Agreement to the extent not previously paid or provided, and (b) the prompt return by the Executive of any portion of such compensation and the value of such benefits previously paid or provided, in each case to the extent to which the Executive would not have been legally entitled had he been terminated by the Company and its affiliates on the Effective Date, without waiving the release otherwise granted
 
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herein. The Executive understands that by entering into this Release he will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that he may have against the Company and its affiliates and limiting also his ability to pursue certain claims against the Company and its affiliates.
4.    Severability Clause. If any provision or part of this Release is found to be invalid or unenforceable, only that particular provision or part so found, and not the entire Agreement, will be inoperative.
5.    Nonadmission. Nothing contained in this Release will be deemed or construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Executive, Company or its affiliates.
6.    Governing Law; Dispute Resolution, etc. This Release shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5(a) of the Letter Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference.
7.    Notices. All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed as provided in Section 5(b) of the Letter Agreement.
THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS READ THIS RELEASE AND THAT HE FULLY KNOWS, UNDERSTANDS AND APPRECIATES ITS CONTENTS, AND THAT HE HEREBY EXECUTES THE SAME AND MAKES THE AGREEMENTS PROVIDED FOR HEREIN VOLUNTARILY AND OF HIS OWN FREE WILL.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has executed this Release on the date set forth below.

/s/ Michael R. Mills	
NAME: Michael R. Mills	
	
Date of Execution: 9/3/19	
 
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