During the Employment Period, the Executive will receive an annual base salary (the “Annual Base Salary”) at least equal to the highest base annualized salary paid or payable to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the Change of Control Date. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually and will be increased at any time and from time to time as will be substantially consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but may not be decreased. Any increase in the Annual Base Salary will not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. The Annual Base Salary will not be reduced after any such increase, and the term Annual Base Salary as used in this Agreement will refer to the Annual Base Salary as so increased. The term “affiliated companies” includes any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Change of Control Period.