such transactions, and that accelerating such equity awards could provide a significant tax savings for the executives. The Compensation Committee accelerated the vesting of the first third of the retention bonuses awarded to Mr. Jablonsky ($500,000 of his total retention bonus) and Mr. Nord ($66,667 of his total retention bonus). On December 28, 2022, the following equity awards were accelerated for Mr. Nord: 23,716 Performance Share Units that would have otherwise vested on December 31, 2023, 5,890 Restricted Share Units that would have otherwise vested on February 24, 2023, 5,891 Restricted Share Units that would have otherwise vested on February 24, 2024, 6,058 Restricted Share Units that would have otherwise vested on May 21, 2023, and 6,242 Restricted Share Units that would have otherwise vested on May 21, 2024.
Employment Agreements and Severance Protections
In September 2022, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Jablonsky, and with respect to the other executive officers, entered into executive change in control and severance agreements, which superseded their prior employment arrangements with us. Maxar believes that reasonable severance payments and benefits provide for stability and focus, by reinforcing and encouraging the continued attention and dedication of our key executive officers to their duties of acting in the best interests of stockholders, by removing the distractions or uncertainty in circumstances which could arise from the occurrence of a change in control.
Daniel L. Jablonsky. On September 6, 2022, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Jablonsky, which superseded his prior employment agreement with us. The agreement provides that Mr. Jablonsky’s employment with us is at-will. The agreement provides that Mr. Jablonsky will be eligible for equity awards with grant size and terms determined by our Board of Directors and/or our Compensation Committee.
Pursuant to his amended and restated employment agreement, in the event of a termination of employment by the Company without cause or termination by Mr. Jablonsky for good reason not in connection with a change in control of the Company, he will be entitled to the following: (i) 24 months of salary continuation; (ii) a prorated annual bonus for the year of termination, paid at the same time annual bonuses are paid to our other executives; (iii) continued vesting of his outstanding equity awards over the 12-month period following his termination; (iv) up to 24 months of continued coverage under our group health plan (or reimbursement for such costs); and (v) outplacement services at the Company’s cost.
Under the amended and restated employment agreement, if Mr. Jablonsky experiences a termination of employment by the Company without cause or termination by Mr. Jablonsky for good reason that occurs during the period beginning three months before and ending 12 months after a change in control of Maxar, then he will be entitled to the following: (i) a payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of his then-current base salary plus his target annual bonus for the year of termination, generally payable in a lump sum unless the covered termination occurs before the change in control; (ii) full vesting acceleration of his outstanding equity awards, with any performance conditions calculated based on the higher of actual achievement and prorated target achievement; (iii) up to 36 months of continued coverage under our group health plan (or reimbursement for such costs) and (iv) outplacement services at the Company’s cost.
Additionally, if Mr. Jablonsky’s employment with us terminates due to his death or disability, he (or his estate) will be entitled to a prorated annual bonus for the year of termination, paid at the same time annual bonuses are paid to our other executives and continued vesting of his outstanding equity awards over the 12-month period following his termination.
Mr. Jablonsky’s (or his estate’s) receipt of any severance benefits under the agreement is subject to Mr. Jablonsky (or his estate) signing a general release of claims in favor of the Company.
Other NEOs. In September 2022, we entered into executive change in control and severance agreements with each of Messrs. Porter, Scott, Frazier and Nord. These agreements supersede the rights Mr. Porter had under his employment term sheet and Mr. Scott had under a Severance Protection Agreement (SPA). Pursuant to the agreement, in the event the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause or if he resigns for good reason (each, as defined in the applicable agreement) not in connection with a change in control of the Company, he will be entitled to the following: (i) 18 months of base salary, payable in installments; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of continued COBRA premiums; and (iii) outplacement services at the Company’s cost.
In the event the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause or if he resigns for good reason during the period beginning three months before and ending 24 months following a change in control of Maxar (or, in the case of Messrs. Porter