EX-10.1





 Exhibit 10.1 
  





 
 Mr. William D. Rogers 

, 2019 
 Dear Bill: 

This Separation Agreement and Release is made and entered into by and between yourself and CenterPoint Energy Service Company, LLC including
its associated companies and parent company and their partners, partnerships, officers, directors, managers, employees, shareholders, agents, attorneys, representatives, and assigns (hereafter referred to collectively as the “Company”).
Both the Company and you are entering into this Agreement as a way of amicably concluding the employment relationship following your last day of employment with the Company on March 8, 2019 (“Separation Date”) and resolving any
dispute or potential dispute or claim that you have or might have with the Company. This Agreement is not and should not be construed as an allegation or admission on the part of the Company that it has acted unlawfully or violated any state or
federal law or regulation. The Company, its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, managers, agents, attorneys, representatives and assigns specifically disclaim any liability to you or any other person for any alleged violation of rights or
for any alleged violation of any order, law, statute, duty, policy or contract. 
 1.     As consideration for your
agreeing to release the Company from all claims that are described herein, the Company will provide the following benefits to you, conditioned on the timely execution, and non-revocation, of this Agreement
pursuant to Paragraph 8 (the “Separation Benefits): 
  

	 	a.	 The Company agrees to pay you a lump-sum separation payment of
$360,000.00. You understand and acknowledge that this is a payment to which you are not otherwise entitled and that you are likewise not entitled to, and waive any, claim for any benefits under any Company incentive plan including the CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. Short Term Incentive Plan and the CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan. If you do not revoke this agreement within seven days of signing as permitted under Paragraph 8, the Company agrees to pay you this lump-sum separation payment on the 10th day after execution of this Agreement with the proviso that you understand that weekends, business holidays, and other
business circumstances may cause reasonable delay in payment. The Company will internally classify your separation as a voluntary separation. Furthermore, should any person or entity contact the Company’s HR Department for a reference
concerning you, the Company will only disclose your dates of employment and position(s) held. 



  
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	 	b.	 Your long-term disability coverage ends on your Separation Date, and your participation in other welfare
benefits generally ends on March 8, 2019 subject to the applicable plan provisions. 


  

	 	c.	 If you meet the COBRA eligibility requirements, you are eligible for continuation of medical, dental, and
vision benefits for 18 months as required by federal law, subject to the elections in place as of the Separation Date. You are solely responsible for enrolling in such coverage, the cost of that coverage, and ensuring any premium payments are timely
made. The rate for the first 12 months of the COBRA period will be at active employee rates. The rate for the remainder of the COBRA period will be at 102% of the full (employee plus employer) contribution rate. If you are interested in continued
life insurance coverage or personal accident insurance coverage, please contact the Benefits Service Center at 713-207-7373 or 1-800-932-7444 for information on any conversion or portability options. 


  

	 	d.	 Your benefits under the Savings Plan, Retirement Plan, and any other benefits plans, if any, will be governed
by the applicable provisions of each plan. 


  

	 	e.	 The Company will withhold any taxes required by federal or state law from the payments described above. The
Company will offset the lump-sum separation payment by any monies owed by you to the Company (or an affiliate), including but not limited to, any overpayments made to you by the Company (or an affiliate) and
the balance of any loan by the Company (or an affiliate) to you that is outstanding at the time that the separation payment is paid. You agree that the Separation Benefits described in Paragraph 1, herein, constitute the entire amount of
consideration provided to you under this Agreement. You further agree that you will not seek any further compensation for any other claimed damage, costs, separation payment, severance, income, or attorney’s fees. 



2.    In consideration for the payments made to you under this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that all records,
papers, reports, computer programs, strategies, documents (including, without limitation, memoranda, notes, files and correspondence), opinions, evaluations, inventions, ideas, technical data, products, services, processes, procedures, and
interpretations that are or have been produced by you or that you received in connection with your employment with the Company, whether stored physically or electronically or produced to you by any employee, officer, director, agent, contractor, or
representative of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates related to the Company, whether provided in written or printed form, or orally, or on a computer, all comprise confidential and proprietary business information. You agree that you
have returned or will return immediately, and maintain in strictest confidence and will not use in any way, any proprietary, confidential, or other nonpublic information or documents relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates. 

  
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It is understood and agreed that in the event of any breach or threatened breach of this provision by you, the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may, in their discretion, discontinue
any or all payments provided for herein and recover any and all payments already made and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates shall be entitled to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief by way of specific performance,
restraining order, injunction or otherwise as may be appropriate to ensure compliance with this provision. Should you be served with legal process seeking to compel you to disclose any such information to any
non-governmental party or any such non-governmental party’s representatives, you agree to notify the General Counsel for the Company immediately, in order that the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may seek to resist such process if they so choose. 
 In consideration for the Separation
Benefits and other consideration under this Agreement and in accordance with the following paragraph, you also agree to refrain from any criticisms or disparaging comments about the Company, its directors, officers, or employees. 

Should you be served with legal process seeking to compel you to disclose any such information to any
non-governmental party or any such non-governmental party’s representatives, you agree to notify the General Counsel for the Company immediately, in order that the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may seek to resist such process if they so choose. The Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates agree that if you are called upon by or on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to
serve as a witness or consultant in or with respect to any potential litigation, or regulatory proceeding, any such call shall be with reasonable notice, shall not unnecessarily interfere with your later employment, and shall provide for payment for
your reasonable time and costs expended in such matters. You agree that you shall be available to and shall assist the Company and/or its affiliates in transitioning your job duties, as reasonably requested by the Company. Additionally, you
agree to be reasonably available to the Company or its representatives (including its attorneys) to provide information and assistance as requested by the Company. This includes but is not limited to testifying (and preparing to testify) as a
witness in any proceeding or otherwise providing information or reasonable assistance to the Company in connection with any investigation, claim or suit, and cooperating with the Company regarding any litigation, government investigations,
regulatory matters, claims or other disputed items involving the Company that relate to matters within the knowledge or responsibility of you during your employment. Specifically, you agree (i) to meet with the Company’s
representatives, its counsel or other designees at reasonable times and places with respect to any items within the scope of this provision; (ii) to provide truthful testimony regarding same to any court, agency or other adjudicatory body;
(iii) to provide the Company with immediate notice of contact or subpoena by any non-governmental adverse party (known to you to be adverse to the Company or its interests), and (iv) to not
voluntarily assist any such non-governmental adverse party or such non-governmental adverse party’s representatives.

3.    You acknowledge and agree that: 
  

	 	a.	 You have read this Release, and you understand its legal and binding effect. You are acting voluntarily,
deliberately, and of your own free will in executing this Release, and have been provided with all information needed to make an informed decision to sign this Release and given an opportunity to ask questions that you might have about this Release.




  
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	 	b.	 The consideration for this Release is in addition to anything of value to which you already are entitled, and
is not wages, a wage increase, a bonus, or any other form of compensation for services performed. Standard deductions will be made to the consideration for this Release. 



 

	 	c.	 You have had the opportunity to seek, and the Company advised you in writing to seek, legal counsel prior to
signing this Release. 


  

	 	d.	 You have been given at least 21 days from the date you received this Release and any attached information to
consider the terms of this Release before signing it (Consideration Period). In the event you choose to sign this Release prior to the Expiration of the Consideration Period, you represent that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving the remainder
of the Consideration Period. You understand that having waived some portion of the Consideration Period, the Company may expedite the processing of benefits provided to me in exchange for signing this Release. 



 

	 	e.	 You agree with the Company that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day consideration period. 


  

	 	f.	 You have (i) received all compensation due as a result of services performed for the Company with the
receipt of your final paycheck; (ii) reported to the Company any and all work-related injuries or occupational disease incurred by during your employment by the Company; (iii) been properly provided any leave requested under the FMLA or
similar state local laws and have not been subjected to any improper treatment, conduct or actions due to a request for or taking such leave; (iv) had the opportunity to provide the Company with written notice of any and all concerns regarding
suspected ethical and compliance issues or violations on the part of the Company or any other released person or entity; (v) reported any pending judicial and administrative complaints, claims, or actions you filed against the Company or any
other released person or entity; and (vi) not raised a claim of sexual harassment or abuse with the Company 



4.    In return for the Company’s agreement to provide the payments and other items described in this Separation
Agreement, you agree not to sue and to release and forever discharge the Company and its parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates, specifically including but not limited to CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Service Company, LLC, CenterPoint
Energy International, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company, LLC, CenterPoint Energy-Mississippi River Transmission, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Pipeline Services,
Inc., CenterPoint Energy Field Services, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., Enable Midstream Partners, LP, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas, CenterPoint


  
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Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Arkansas Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Louisiana Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint
Energy Mississippi Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Oklahoma Gas, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Texas Gas Operations, Vectren Corporation, and their respective officers, directors,
agents, servants, employees, successors, assigns, insurers, employee benefit plans and fiduciaries and agents of any of the foregoing, and any and all other persons, firms, organizations, and corporations (collectively referred to as the
“Corporate Group”) from any and all damages, losses, causes of action, expenses, demands, liabilities, and claims on behalf of yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns with respect to all matters relating to or arising
out of your employment with the Company, including any existing claims or rights you may have under any federal, state or local law dealing with discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, or
veteran status, and you hereby accept the Separation Benefits and other consideration described herein in full and final settlement of all damages, losses, causes of action, expenses, demands, liabilities, and claims. 

This release includes, but is not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §621, the Older
Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1991, 42 U.S.C. §2000(e) et seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §5851, the Workers’ Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, the Texas Labor Code, the
Arkansas Civil Rights Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12101, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, any claims for breach of oral or written contract, wrongful discharge, retaliation for
filing a workers’ compensation claim, tort or personal injury of any sort, and any claim under any other state or federal statute, regulation, or common law that may be legally waived. You further understand and agree that this release does not
apply to any claims or rights which, by law, cannot be waived, including but not limited to unemployment benefits, the right to file an administrative charge, or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding, however, if you or
someone acting on your behalf files, or causes to be filed, any such claim, charge, complaint, or action against the Company, you expressly waive any right to recover any damages or other relief, whatsoever, from the Company including costs and
attorneys’ fees. You affirm and agree that your employment relationship will end on the Separation Date and you will withdraw unequivocally, completely and finally from your employment and waive all rights in connection with such relationship
except to vested benefits and the payments and benefits described herein. You acknowledge that you have been paid all compensation owed to you as of the date of this Agreement, with the exception of the Separation Benefits due and payable pursuant
to this Agreement. You acknowledge that neither the Company nor any other member of the Corporate Group has promised you continued employment or represented to you that you will be rehired in the future. You acknowledge that this Separation
Agreement does not create any right on your part to be rehired by the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group and you hereby waive any right to future employment by the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group. You agree that
this Separation Agreement and the waiver contained herein are valid and that they are fair, adequate and reasonable. You agree that your consent to this Separation Agreement and waiver was with your full knowledge and was not procured through fraud,
duress or mistake. 

  
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 5.    You agree that for a period of one year following your
termination of employment with the Company that you will not: a) solicit, encourage or take any other action that is intended, directly or indirectly, to induce any other employee of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates to terminate
employment with the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates; b) interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship between the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and any other employee of the Company, its subsidiaries and
affiliates; or c) use any confidential information to directly, or indirectly, solicit any customer of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. 

6.    This Agreement will be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the state of
Texas without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Should any of the clauses in this Agreement be declared invalid, null, void or unenforceable, the rest of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. If the Company elects to waive or
release any obligation of yours under this Agreement, the remainder of the Agreement shall be enforced. This Agreement may not be modified, altered or amended except in a written agreement executed by you and the Company’s General Counsel. 

7.    You agree that any disputes arising under this Agreement shall first be submitted to mediation with a mediator
mutually agreed upon by the Company and you, and failing resolution by mediation, to a tribunal in accordance with the applicable law. You also agree that the fees associated with the mediation shall be shared equally between the Company and you,
with each party bearing their own attorney’s fees associated with the mediation. 
 8.    The Company hereby
advises you in writing to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement. You acknowledge that you have been given an opportunity and encouraged in writing by the Company to have an attorney review this agreement, that you have read and
understand this Agreement, and that you have signed this agreement knowingly, freely and voluntarily. You have twenty-one (21) days to decide whether to sign this Agreement and be bound by its terms. You
understand, acknowledge, and agree that any changes made to this Agreement after presentation to you have not and will not re-start the running of the twenty-one
(21) day period. You may revoke this Agreement at any time within seven (7) days following your written acceptance of it below by delivery of a written notification to the undersigned. This Agreement will not be effective or enforceable
until this seven-day revocation period has expired. In the event that this Agreement is canceled or revoked, the Company shall have no obligation to make the payment or provide the benefits described herein.

 9.     You understand this Agreement does not apply to (a) any claims or rights that may arise after the date
that you signed this Agreement, (b) the Company’s expense reimbursement policies, (c) any vested rights under the Company’s ERISA-covered employee benefit plans as applicable on the date you sign this Agreement, and (d) any
claims that the controlling law clearly states may not be released by private agreement. Moreover, nothing in this Agreement (including but not limited to the acknowledgements, release of claims, the promise not to sue, and the return of
property provision) (x) limits or affects your right to 

  
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challenge the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA or the OWBPA, (y) prevents you from communicating with, filing a charge or complaint with, or from participating in an investigation
or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any laws, including providing documents or any other
information, or (z) precludes you from exercising your rights under Section 7 of the NLRA to engage in protected, concerted activity with other employees, although by signing this Agreement you are waiving your right to recover any
individual relief (including any backpay, frontpay, reinstatement or other legal or equitable relief) in any charge, complaint, or lawsuit or other proceeding brought by you or on your behalf by any third party, except for any right you may have to
receive a payment or award from a government agency (and not the Company) for information provided to the government agency. Notwithstanding my confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations in this
Agreement and otherwise, you understand that as provided by the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, you will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret made: (1) in
confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (2) in a complaint or other document filed
in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. 
 The purpose of the arrangements described in this letter is to
arrive at a mutually agreeable and amicable basis with respect to your separation from the Company. If you agree with the foregoing, please indicate so by signing in the space designated below and returning an executed copy of this Agreement to the
Company (Attn: Pooja Amin, Senior Litigation Counsel, CenterPoint Energy, 1111 Louisiana Street, 46th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002). 

 

	
	Sincerely,
	
	  

	Scott M. Prochazka
	Chief Executive Officer


  

	
	Agreed to and Accepted this
	
	         day of                     , 2019.
	
	  

	William D. Rogers


  
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