exhibit 10. 48 involuntary termination agreement this involuntary termination agreement ( this “ agreement ” ) is entered into effective as of january 13, 2020 ( the “ effective date ” ), by and between rti surgical holdings, inc., a delaware corporation ( the “ company ” ), and john varela ( the “ executive ” ). 1. definitions. as used in this agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below : ( a ) “ accrued obligations ” means the sum of the following payments accrued by the executive as of the termination date, to the extent not yet paid : ( i ) base salary, to the extent earned ; ( ii ) any bonus, annual incentive compensation, deferred compensation, and other cash compensation, to the extent earned ; and ( iii ) any vacation pay, expense reimbursements, and other cash entitlements. ( b ) “ affiliate ” means any corporation or other entity ( i ) in which the company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50 % or more of the total combined voting power of the then - outstanding securities of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or ( ii ) that has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50 % or more of the total combined voting power of the then - outstanding securities of the company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. ( c ) “ board ” means the board of directors of the company. ( d ) “ cause ” means the occurrence of any of the following events, unless, to the extent remedy is reasonably feasible, such event is fully remedied by the executive in all material respects within 15 days after the company provides written notification of the occurrence of such event to the executive : ( i ) the executive ’ s willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of the executive ’ s material duties to the company ; ( ii ) the executive ’ s failure to perform the executive ’ s material duties to the company or to follow the lawful directives of the board or the officer to whom the executive reports ( other than as a result of death or disability ) ; ( iii ) indictment or conviction of the executive, or pleading by the executive of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude ; ( iv ) the executive ’ s violation of any laws, rules or regulations of any governmental or regulatory body, which violation is or is reasonably likely to be materially in