UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 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): January 15, 2007 TENNECO INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 1-12387 76-0515284 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation or organization) File Number) Incorporation Identification No.) 500 NORTH FIELD DRIVE, LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS 60045 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 482-5000 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)) ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT On January 15, 2007, in connection with Gregg Sherrill's appointment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tenneco Inc., Mr. Sherrill entered into a non-compete and confidentiality agreement with the company. The agreement prohibits Mr. Sherrill under circumstances described in the agreement from engaging in, being employed by or otherwise advising or acting for any business which is a competitor of the company for a period of one year after the termination of Mr. Sherrill's employment by the company. A copy of the agreement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description ----------- ----------- 99.1 Letter Agreement between Tenneco Inc. and Gregg Sherrill. 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. TENNECO INC. Date: January 16, 2007 By: /s/ Timothy R. Donovan ---------------------------- Timothy R. Donovan Executive Vice President and General Counsel