Exhibit 10.1
(LETTERHEAD) [h47249h4724900.gif]
May 24, 2007
Mr. Milton Carroll
Chairman of the Board
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
Dear Milton:
     As authorized by the Board of Directors of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the
“Company”) at its May 24, 2007 meeting, we wish to set forth what the
supplemental compensation and related perquisites will be for your service as
non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company which the Board
envisions will require a substantial amount of your time and attention.
     Effective June 1, 2007 and continuing until May 31, 2010 (which will be the
term of this letter agreement for all purposes), in addition to the normal
retainers paid to all members and Committee Chairmen of the Company’s Board
(which you shall continue to receive while a member of the Board and/or the
Chairman of a Board Committee), the Company will pay you a supplemental retainer
of $30,000 per month, payable on the last day of each month during the term
hereof, commencing on June 30, 2007; and continuing each month thereafter until
May 31, 2010. This supplemental retainer shall not be included for purposes of
calculating any benefits under the Company’s Outside Director Benefit Plan or
any similar programs.
     You will continue to be provided an office commensurate with your position
as Chairman of the Board at the Company’s Houston headquarters. In addition, the
Company will employ for you a full-time executive assistant, acceptable to you,
who will be an employee of the Company with full participation in the Company’s
employee benefit plans, programs and practices. The duties of your executive
assistant will be determined by you consistent with the overall employment
practices, guidelines and policies of the Company. You and your executive
assistant will also be provided parking spaces at the Company’s Houston
headquarters.
     You will be reimbursed by the Company, promptly upon submission of
appropriate written requests, for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred
by you in furtherance of the Company’s business.
     You will be granted additional cash awards: (i) upon your execution of this
letter agreement, (ii) on the second anniversary of the date of your execution
of this letter, and (iii) on the third anniversary of the date of your execution
of this letter. Each cash award will be in an amount equal to the product of
(i) 25,000 and (ii) the closing price per share of the Company’s

 

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Mr. Milton Carroll
May 24, 2007
Page 2
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), on the
consolidated transaction reporting system for the New York Stock Exchange on the
respective award date. At your option exercised by notice to the undersigned on
or prior to the respective award date, you may elect to accept 25,000 shares of
Common Stock in lieu of any cash award. Any shares of Common Stock received by
you in lieu of a cash award will be fully vested when issued, but will be
subject to the holding period and resale restrictions contained in Rule 144
under the Securities Act of 1933.
     You understand, of course, that your rights to the supplemental
compensation and perquisites described above are personal to you and may not be
assigned to any other person. Additionally, if for any reason you cease to be
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company during the term of this letter
agreement, you will no longer be entitled to the compensation and perquisites
provided hereunder.
     If this letter is consistent with your prior understandings, then please so
indicate by signing in the space provided below and returning a counterpart copy
to the Company’s General Counsel.

         
 
  Very truly yours,    
 
       
 
   /s/ Derrill Cody    
 
 
 
Derrill Cody    
 
       
 
   /s/ Thomas F. Madison    
 
 
 
Thomas F. Madison    

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED
AS OF MAY 31, 2007
 /s/ Milton Carroll                                                         
         
Milton Carroll