exv10w1






Exhibit 10.1




LODGENET INTERACTIVE CORPORATION

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




     AGREEMENT, dated as of February 25, 2010 by and between LodgeNet Interactive Corporation, a
Delaware corporation located at 3900 West Innovation Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57107
(“Corporation”), and Frank Elsenbast (“Executive”).



     WHEREAS, the Executive is being offered employment by the Corporation in the capacity and with
the title set forth on Appendix A hereto:



     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (“Board”) has determined that it would be in the best interest
of the Corporation and its shareholders to provide for the employment of Executive on the terms set
forth herein; and



     WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to serve the Corporation in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement.



     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants and
obligations hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:



     1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in
Appendix B, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.



     2. Term of Employment. The employment of Executive by the Corporation pursuant to
this Agreement shall be for a period (the “Term”) beginning on the date hereof and continuing,
unless sooner terminated as provided in Section 7 herein, through December 31, 2010; provided,
however, that on each December 31, commencing with 2010, such period of employment shall
automatically be extended for an additional year, (in which case the Term shall be deemed to have
been extended through December 31 of the next succeeding year), unless sixty (60) days prior to the
expiration of the then-current Term either party hereto has given written notice to the other that
such party does not wish to extend the period of employment.



     3. Duties. During the Term, Executive shall serve as in the capacities and with the
title(s) set forth in Appendix A, or in such other office or offices to which he shall be elected
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (“Board”) with Executive’s approval, performing the
duties of such office or offices as are assigned to Executive by the Board or committees of the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. During the Term, Executive shall devote
his full time and attention to the business of the Corporation and the discharge of the
aforementioned duties, except for permitted vacations, absences due to illness, and reasonable time
for attention to personal affairs.



     4. Work Location. During the Term, Executive shall have an office at the facility
specified on Appendix A.



 









 





     5. Compensation. As compensation for the services performed hereunder, the
Corporation shall pay or provide to Executive the following:




	 	(a)	 	The Corporation shall pay Executive a salary (the “Base Salary”), calculated
at the rate per annum set forth on Appendix A (which Base Salary may be increased by
the Corporation at any time and from time to time in its discretion). The Base Salary
shall be payable monthly, semi-monthly or weekly according to the Corporation’s
general practice for its executives, for the Term of this Agreement.
	 
	 	(b)	 	During the Term, Executive shall be allowed to participate in such bonus and
other incentive compensation programs in accordance with their terms as the
Corporation may have in effect from time to time for its executive personnel, and all
compensation and other entitlements earned pursuant to such programs shall be in
addition to, and shall not in any way reduce, the amount payable as Base Salary. A
minimum bonus for calendar year 2010 shall be payable as set forth on Appendix A
hereto.
	 
	 	(c)	 	During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to:






	 	(i)	 	participate in such retirement, investment, health (medical, hospital
and/or dental) insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and accident
insurance plans and programs as are maintained in effect from time to time by
the Corporation for its executive employees;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	participate in other non-duplicative benefit programs which the
Corporation may from time to time offer generally to executive personnel of
the Corporation; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	accrue vacation time, sick leave, or other forms of paid time off
in accordance with the Corporation’s policy for executive personnel, subject
to any minimum accrual amounts specified in Appendix A hereto.






	 	(d)	 	During the Term, the Board from time to time in its discretion may grant to
Executive stock options, restricted stock and other rights related to shares of the
Corporation’s common stock, and may designate the terms on which such rights vest.





     6. Effect of Disability and Certain Hazards. Executive shall not be obligated to
perform the services set forth in this Agreement during any period of Disability, and relief from
such obligation shall not in any way affect his rights hereunder except to the extent that such
Disability may result in termination of his employment by the Corporation pursuant to Section 7
herein.



 









 





     7. Termination of Employment. The employment of Executive by the Corporation
pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated on or prior to the expiration of the then current Term
as follows:




	 	(a)	 	Termination in the Event of Death. In the event of Executive’s death
prior to the expiration of the Term, such employment shall automatically terminate on
the date of Executive’s death.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Termination in the Event of Disability. The Corporation may
terminate this Agreement due to Executive’s Disability prior to the expiration of the
Term on not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice, unless prior to the
expiration of said 30 day period, Executive shall have returned to the effective
performance of Executive’s duties on a full-time basis. Any dispute as to the
existence of a Disability shall be settled by the opinion of an impartial physician
selected by the parties or their representatives or, in the event of failure to make a
joint selection after request therefore by either party to the other, a physician
selected by the Corporation, with the fees and expenses of any such physician to be
borne by the Corporation.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Termination for Cause. The Corporation, by giving written notice of
termination to Executive, may terminate Executive’s employment at any time prior to
the expiration of the Term for Cause, with Cause to be determined by the Board after
reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for Executive to be heard at a
meeting of the Board and with reasonable opportunity (of not less than 30 days) in the
case of willful neglect of material duties to cease such neglect. For purposes of
this Section 7(c), no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be
considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by Executive not in good faith
and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of
the Corporation.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Termination Without Cause. The Corporation may terminate such
employment at any time prior to the expiration of the Term without Cause (which shall
be for any reason not covered by preceding subsections (a) through (c)) upon 60 days
prior written notice to Executive.
	 
	 	(e)	 	Date of Termination. Unless otherwise agreed by the Executive and
Corporation or otherwise provided in this Agreement, the effective date of termination
shall be determined as follows:






	 	(i)	 	if this Agreement is terminated by death, the effective date
of shall be the date of Executive’s death,
	 
	 	(ii)	 	if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to a
Disability, the effective date of termination shall be thirty (30) days after
the Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have




 









 






	 	 	 	returned to the effective performance of his duties on a full-time basis
during such period),
	 
	 	(iii)	 	if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the
effective date of termination shall be the date specified in the Notice of
Termination, and
	 
	 	(iv)	 	if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other
reason, the effective date of termination shall be sixty (60) days after the
Notice of Termination.






	 	8.	 	Payments Upon Termination.
	 
	 	(a)	 	Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) or (c) of this Section 8,
upon termination of Executive’s employment by the Corporation, all compensation due
Executive under this Agreement and under each plan or program of the Corporation in
which Executive may be participating at the time shall cease to accrue as of the date
of such termination (except, in the case of any such plan or program, if and to the
extent otherwise provided in the terms of such plan or program), and all such
compensation accrued as of the date of such termination but not previously paid shall
be paid to Executive at the time such payment otherwise would be due, and in any event
no later than the Last Payment Date. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms
of the bonus plan or program of the Corporation in which the Executive is a
participant at the time of his termination, if the termination of Executive’s
employment is for any reason other than a termination for Cause in accordance with
Section 7(c) above, then a pro rata portion of the “target” full year’s bonus shall be
deemed to have accrued for the Executive under such bonus plan or program for the
portion of the year ended on the date of the termination, which shall be paid to the
Executive within 10 days of the date of termination and no later than the Last Payment
Date.
	 
	 	(b)	 	If Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement is terminated by the
Corporation without Cause pursuant to Section 7(d) above, or if the Corporation elects
at any time not to renew or extend this Agreement at the expiration of the then
current Term, and provided that subsection (c) below does not apply, then Executive
shall receive, subject to the mitigation provisions of subsection (d) below, in a
single sum payable at the time of termination, and no later than the Last Payment
Date, a cash severance payment (the “Severance Payment”) from the Corporation. The
amount of the Severance Payment shall be equal to the Executive’s then monthly Base
Salary increased by a factor of twenty percent (20%) to account for the Executive’s
loss of benefits, multiplied by the number of months in the Severance Period as set
forth in Appendix A hereof. Executive shall have the right to purchase health and
dental coverage under the Company’s group policies then in effect for the Severance
Period. The Severance Payment is




 









 






	 	 	 	subject to required withholding. The Executive shall not be entitled to Severance
Payments in any event if he is terminated for Cause as permitted by Section 7(c).
	 
	 	(c)	 	Termination Following Change in Control.






	 	(i)	 	If a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs during the Term
of this Agreement, or if Executive’s employment with the Corporation is
terminated by the Corporation without Cause prior to but in connection with a
Change in Control (meaning that at the time of such termination the Company had
entered into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in a Change in
Control, or any person had publicly announced its intent to take or consider
actions that would constitute a Change in Control, or the Board adopts a
resolution to the effect that a potential Change in Control for purposes of this
Agreement has occurred), then the Executive shall be entitled to the
compensation provided in Section 8(c)(ii) below upon the termination of the
Executive’s employment by the Corporation or by the Executive, unless
the Corporation elects to terminate this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of
Section 7 (a), (b) or (c) above or because the Executive terminates this
Agreement other than for Good Reason.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	If the Executive shall be terminated from employment with the
Corporation following the occurrence of a Change of Control such that Executive
is entitled to the compensation set forth in this Section 8(c)(ii), then the
Executive shall be entitled to receive the following severance benefits in lieu
of any other benefits the Executive would otherwise be entitled to pursuant to
this Agreement:






	 	(a)	 	Severance Payment. The Corporation
shall pay as severance pay to the Executive an amount equal to the
Base Salary that Executive would have received for an eighteen (18)
month period (the “Payment Period”) at an annualized rate equal to
the higher of the rate in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control or the rate in effect on the date of the Notice of
Termination. Such cash payment shall be payable in a single sum,
within 10 days following the Executive’s Date of Termination and no
later than the Last Payment Date.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Incentive Awards. The Executive
shall receive a cash payment in a single sum, within 10 days
following the Executive’s Date of Termination, and no later than the
Last Payment Date, in the amount equal a pro rata portion of the
“target” full year’s bonus for the Executive under such bonus plan or
program for the portion of the year ending on the date of the
termination, with a partial month counted as a completed month.




 









 






	 	(c)	 	Acceleration of Equity Grants. Any
non-vested stock options, restricted stock or other equity award
granted to the Executive by the Corporation shall become 100% vested
and all restrictions or conditions to the receipt of such securities,
included but not limited to any applicable performance criteria,
shall be waived, up to 100% of the “target” shares that were to have
been delivered to the executive under any performance-based plan, or
100% of the total shares under a time-based vesting plan. In
addition, (i) any stock options shall be exercisable until the first
to occur of (y) the expiration date of the applicable option or (z)
one (1) year following the date of termination and (ii) shares of
restricted stock or other equity awards shall be delivered free of
all restrictions within 30 days of the date of termination. If any
plan pursuant to which stock options, restricted stock or other
equity awards have been issued is not assumed by the successor
entity, all such rights will immediately accelerate and be
exercisable on the date of the Change of Control.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Insurance and Welfare Benefits.
During the shorter of (i) the Payment Period or (ii) 18 months
following the date of termination (the “Coverage Period”) the
Executive shall be entitled to the continuation of the same or
equivalent life, health, hospitalization, dental and disability
insurance coverage and other employee insurance or welfare benefits
that he had received (including equivalent coverage for his spouse
and dependent children) immediately prior to the Change in Control.
In the event that Executive is ineligible under the terms of such
insurance to continue to be so covered, the Corporation shall provide
the Executive with substantially equivalent coverage through other
sources. If the Executive prior to a Change in Control was receiving
any cash-in-lieu payments designed to enable the Executive to obtain
insurance coverage of his choosing, the Corporation shall, in
addition to any other benefits to be provided under this Section
8(c)(ii)(d), provide Executive with a lump-sum payment equal to the
amount of such in-lieu payments that the Executive would have been
entitled to receive over the Coverage Period, no later than the Last
Payment Date. The benefits to be provided under this Section
8(c)(ii)(d) shall be reduced to the extent of the receipt of
substantially equivalent coverage by the Executive from any successor
employer.
	 
	 	(e)	 	Tax Gross-Up. If any payments
received by Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to
the excise tax (the




 









 






	 	 	 	“Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any successor or similar provision
of the Code, the Corporation shall pay to the Executive additional
compensation such that the net amount received by the Executive after
deduction of any Excise Tax (and taking into account any federal,
state and local income taxes payable by the Executive as a result of
the receipt of such gross-up compensation), shall be equal to the
total payments he would have received had no such Excise Tax (or any
interest or penalties thereon) been paid or incurred. The Corporation
shall pay such additional compensation no later than the Last Payment
Date. The calculation of the tax gross-up payment shall be approved
by the Corporation’s independent certified public accounting firm and
the Executive’s designated financial adviser.






	 	(iii)	 	Notice of Good Reason. If Executive believes that
Executive is entitled to terminate employment with the Corporation for Good
Reason, the Executive may apply in writing to the Corporation for confirmation
of such entitlement prior to the Executive’s actual separation from
employment, by following the claims procedure set forth in Section 14 hereof.
The submission of such a request by Executive shall not constitute Cause for
the Corporation to terminate an Executive, and Executive shall continue to
receive all compensation and benefits otherwise payable pursuant to this
Agreement at the time of such submission throughout the resolution of the
matter pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 14 hereof. If the
Executive’s request for a termination of employment for Good Reason is denied
under both the request and appeal procedures set forth in Section 14(b) and
(c) hereof, then the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve the claim
within ninety (90) days after the claim is submitted to binding arbitration
pursuant to Section 14(d).
	 
	 	(iv)	 	All rights of the Executive pursuant to this Section 8(c)
shall terminate on the second anniversary following the occurrence of a Change
in Control.






	 	(d)	 	No Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payments provided for by this Agreement by seeking employment or
otherwise, nor shall the amount of any cash payments or benefit provided under this
Agreement be reduced by any compensation or benefit earned by the Executive after his
Date of Termination (except as provided in Section 8(c)(ii)(d) above).




 









 






	 	(e)	 	Additional Requirement for Severance Compensation. The amounts
payable pursuant to this Section 8 shall be paid only upon an Executive’s execution
and delivery to the Corporation of an agreement and general release in such form as is
acceptable to the Corporation, in its sole discretion, under which, among other
things, the Executive shall release and discharge the Corporation and related persons
from all claims and liabilities relating to the Executive’s employment with the
Corporation and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment, including without
limitation, claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act, where applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, payment of the amounts payable pursuant to this Section 8
will be paid only after the Release Effective Date and expiration of all periods of
permitted rescission under federal or state law for such releases.





     9. Confidential Information. Executive shall not at any time during the period of
employment and thereafter disclose to others or use any trade secrets or any other confidential
information belonging to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, including,
without limitation, drawings, plans, programs, specifications, code, algorithms, methods,
techniques, systems, processes, designs and diagrams and non-public information relating to (i)
customers of the Corporation or its subsidiaries or Affiliates, (ii) the business plans and
budgets of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or Affiliates, and (iii) the financial information,
including projections, plans and budgets of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or Affiliates, except
as may be required to perform his duties hereunder. The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive
the termination of Executive’s employment with the Corporation, provided that after the termination
of Executive’s employment with the Corporation, the restrictions contained in this Section 9 shall
not apply to any such trade secret or confidential information which becomes generally known in the
trade from a source other than Executive.



     10. Patents, Etc. The Corporation shall be entitled to any and all ideas, know-how
and inventions, whether patentable or not, which Executive shall conceive, make or develop during
the Executive’s period of employment with the Corporation, which relates to the business of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates. Executive shall, from time to time, at the
request of the Corporation, execute and deliver such instruments or documents, and shall perform or
do such acts or things, as reasonably may be requested in order that the Corporation may have the
benefit of such ideas, know-how and inventions and, in particular, so that patent applications may
be prepared and filed in the United States Patent Office, or in appropriate places in foreign
countries, covering any of the patentable ideas or inventions covered by this Agreement as
aforesaid, including appropriate assignments vesting in the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries
or Affiliates (or any successor to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates) full
title to any and all such ideas, inventions and applications. Further, Executive will cooperate
and assist the Corporation in the prosecution of any such applications in order that patents may
issue thereon.



     11. Non-Competition.



 









 






	 	(a)	 	If Executive receives severance compensation pursuant to Section 8 above,
or if Executive is terminated for Cause, Executive agrees that Executive will not,
without the prior written consent of the Corporation, directly or indirectly, during
the eighteen (18) month period following the Date of Termination, engage in any
business or employment or provide any consulting service to any person or
organization, or to a division or operating unit of any organization which is involved
principally in the provision of video or broadband services to lodging or healthcare
facilities in the United States (a “Competing Business”); provided, however, that the
parties acknowledge and agree an entity involved in the cable, satellite or other pay
television business generally shall not be deemed to be a Competing Business if (i)
the provision of video or broadband services to lodging or healthcare facilities
comprises less than twenty (20%) percent of the revenues of such business and (ii)
Executive’s principal duties do not involve operation or oversight of that portion of
the enterprise involved in the provision of video or broadband services to lodging or
healthcare facilities). In the event that Executive violates the provisions of this
subparagraph (a), the Corporation shall have the right, in addition to such other
remedies as the Corporation may have available to it, to recover that portion of the
amounts payable to Executive pursuant to the provisions of Sections 8(b) or 8(c)(ii)
of this Agreement which relate to the period of time Executive is found to have been
in violation of the terms of this subparagraph.
	 
	 	(b)	 	During the Term, Executive shall not enter into endeavors that are
competitive with the business or operations of the Corporation, and shall not own an
interest in, manage, operate, join, control, lend money or render financial or other
assistance to or participate in or be connected with, as an officer, employee,
director, partner, stockholder, member, venturer, advisor, consultant or otherwise
(except for passive investments of not more than a one percent interest in the
securities of a publicly held corporation regularly traded on a national securities
exchange or in an over-the-counter securities market) any Competing Business.





     12. Successors.




	 	(a)	 	The Corporation shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Corporation, by agreement in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform the
obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Corporation would be required to perform this Agreement if no such
succession had taken place. Failure of the Corporation to obtain such agreement prior
to the effective date of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and
shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Corporation in the same amount
and on the same




 









 






	 	 	 	terms as he would be entitled to receive hereunder if he terminated his employment for
Good Reason, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which
any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used
in this Agreement, “Corporation” shall mean the Corporation as hereinbefore defined and
any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid, which successor executes and
delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 12(a) or which otherwise becomes
bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
	 
	 	(b)	 	This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If
the Executive should die after his termination while any amounts would still be
payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all such amounts, unless
otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement to the Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no
such designee, to the Executive’s estate.





     13. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in
writing, sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by recognized courier
service (regularly providing proof of delivery), addressed to the Corporation at the Corporation’s
then principal office, or to the Executive at the address set forth under the Executive’s signature
below, as the case may be, or to such other address or addresses as any party hereto may from time
to time specify in writing for the purpose in a notice given to the other parties in compliance
with this Section 13. Notices shall be deemed given when received.



     14. Administrator and Claims Procedure.




	 	(a)	 	In the event the Executive believes he or she has been wrongfully denied the
payment of benefits, the Executive shall follow the procedures set forth in this
Section 14. If the Executive is claiming benefits as a result of a termination of
employment pursuant to Section 7(c), the Executive shall disregard subsections (b) and
(c) hereof and shall proceed directly to arbitration pursuant to subsection (d)
hereof. The Administrator for purposes of this Agreement shall be the Corporation.
The Corporation shall have the right to designate one or more Corporation employees as
the Administrator at any time. The Corporation shall give the Executive written
notice of any change in the Administrator, or in the address or telephone number of
the same.
	 
	 	(b)	 	The Executive, or other person claiming through the Executive, must file a
written claim for benefits with the Administrator as a prerequisite to the payment of
benefits under this Agreement. The Administrator shall make all determinations as to
the right of any person to receive benefits under subsections (b) and (c) of this
Section 14. Any denial by the Administrator of




 









 






	 	 	 	a claim for benefits by the Executive, his heirs or personal representative (“the
claimant”) shall be stated in writing by the Administrator and delivered or mailed to
the claimant within 30 days after receipt of the claim, unless special circumstances
require an extension of time for processing the claim. If such an extension is
required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to
the termination of the initial 30-day period. In no event shall such extension exceed
a period of 30 days from the end of the initial period. Any notice of denial shall set
forth the specific reasons for the denial, specific reference to pertinent provisions
of this Agreement upon which the denial is based, a description of any additional
material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect his claim, with an
explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and any explanation of
claim review procedures, written to the best of the Administrator’s ability in a manner
that may be understood without legal or actuarial counsel.
	 
	 	(c)	 	A claimant whose claim for benefits has been wholly or partially denied by
the Administrator may request, within 30 days following the date of such denial, in a
writing addressed to the Administrator, a review of such denial. The claimant shall
be entitled to submit such issues or comments in writing or otherwise as he shall
consider relevant to a determination of his claim, and he may include a request for a
hearing in person before the Administrator. Prior to submitting his request, the
claimant shall be entitled to review such documents as the Administrator shall agree
are pertinent to his claim. The claimant may, at all stages of review, be represented
by counsel, legal or otherwise, of his choice, provided that the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be borne by the claimant, unless the claimant is successful, in
which case, such costs shall be borne by the Corporation. All requests for review
shall be promptly resolved. The Administrator’s decision with respect to any such
review shall be set forth in writing and shall be mailed to the claimant not later
than 30 days following receipt by the Administrator of the claimant’s request unless
special circumstances, such as the need to hold a hearing, require an extension of
time for processing, in which case the Administrator’s decision shall be so mailed not
later than 60 days after receipt of such request.
	 
	 	(d)	 	A claimant who has followed the procedure in subsections (b) and (c) of this
section, or has been terminated pursuant to Section 7(c) after having been given the
opportunity to be heard by the Board, and who has not obtained full relief on his
claim for benefits, may, within 60 days following his receipt of the Administrator’s
written decision on review, or the Board’s decision, as the case may be, apply in
writing to the Administrator for expedited and binding arbitration of his claim before
an arbitrator in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in accordance with the commercial
arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association, as then in effect, or
pursuant to such other form of alternative dispute resolution as the parties may agree
(collectively, the “arbitration”). The Corporation shall advance filing fees and
other costs required to initiate the arbitration, as well as up to $2,500 for
Executive’s initial attorney fees




 









 






	 	 	 	(which fees and costs shall not be recoverable by the Corporation). The arbitrator’s
sole authority shall be to interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement; he
shall not change, add to, or subtract from, any of its provisions. The arbitrator
shall have the authority to award compensatory damages, but shall not have the
authority to award punitive, consequential or exemplary damages. The arbitrator shall
have the power to compel attendance of witnesses at the hearing. Any court having
jurisdiction may enter a judgment based upon such arbitration. The arbitrator shall be
appointed by mutual agreement of the Corporation and the claimant pursuant to the
applicable commercial arbitration rules. The arbitrator shall be a professional person
with a reputation in the community for expertise in employee benefit matters and who is
unrelated to the claimant and any employees of the Corporation. All decisions of the
arbitrator shall be final and binding on the claimant and the Corporation.





     15. Legal Fees and Expense. The Corporation shall pay Executive’s out-of-pocket
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, but not to exceed a total of $10,000 for any proceeding or
group of related proceedings to enforce, construe or determine the validity of the provisions for
termination benefits in accordance with this Agreement, provided, however, that if any arbitration
or litigation results in a finding in favor of Executive contrary to the position of the
Corporation, then Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable legal and related costs
regardless of the limitation set forth above; and further provided that in no event will Executive
be held liable for the legal and related costs of the Corporation in an event of a finding in favor
of the Corporation. Amounts, if any, paid to the Executive pursuant to this Section 15 shall be in
addition to all other amounts due to executive pursuant to this Agreement.



     16. Non-Alienation of Benefits. Except in so far as this provision may be contrary
to applicable law, no sale, transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge, collateralization or
attachment of any benefits under this Agreement shall be valid or recognized by the Corporation.



     17. Miscellaneous.




	 	(a)	 	This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements or
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. No modification or amendment of
this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the
parties hereto. A waiver of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement
shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any
other term or condition. This Agreement is intended to be performed in accordance
with, and only to the extent permitted by, all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and
regulations. If any provisions of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance, shall, for any reason and to any extent, be held invalid or
unenforceable, such invalidity and unenforceability shall not affect the




 









 






	 	 	 	remaining provisions hereof and the application of such provisions to other persons or
circumstances, all of which shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8(c)(ii)(e), the compensation provided to the
Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any withholdings and
deductions required by any applicable tax laws. Any amounts payable to the Executive
hereunder after the death of the Executive shall be paid to the Executive’s estate or
legal representative. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of any
provision hereof. For purposes hereof, the masculine gender shall be deemed to include
the feminine gender, as appropriate. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts and each counterpart shall be deemed an original but all counterparts
together shall constitute one instrument.
	 
	 	(b)	 	This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the Corporation, including any party with which the
Corporation may merge or consolidate or to which it may transfer substantially all of
its assets.
	 
	 	(c)	 	The rights and obligations of Executive under this Agreement are expressly
declared and agreed to be personal, nonassignable and nontransferable during his life,
but upon his death this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, legatees
and legal representatives of his estate, but only to the extent of any remaining
financial obligations of the Corporation.
	 
	 	(d)	 	The waiver by either party hereto of its rights with respect to a breach of
any provision of this Agreement by the other shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any rights with respect to any subsequent breach.
	 
	 	(e)	 	No modification, amendment, addition, alteration or waiver of any of the
terms, covenants or conditions hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and
duly executed by the Corporation and Executive.
	 
	 	(f)	 	This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute but one and the
same agreement.
	 
	 	(g)	 	If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or
unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, it is to that extent to be
deemed omitted and it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision.
	 
	 	(h)	 	Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing, and shall be deemed given when sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:










 









 











	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	If to Executive:
	 	to the address set forth on
Appendix B hereto
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	If to the Corporation:
	 	LodgeNet Interactive Corporation.

3900 West Innovation Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57107

Attn: General Counsel







	 		 	or mailed to such other person and/or address as the party to be notified may hereafter
have designated by notice given to the other party in a similar manner.





     18. Prior
Agreements Superseded.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements, if
any, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. In addition, the
definitions of “Cause,” “Good Reason” and “Change in Control” contained herein supersede and
replace any conflicting provisions in any option grant agreement or any restricted stock agreement
between the Corporation and the Executive (in any such case, an “Equity Agreement”) and the
Executive, by executing this Agreement, hereby agrees that all his or her existing Equity
Agreements, and all Equity Agreements to which he or she may become subject or party to during the
Term, are and shall be hereby amended to supersede and replace such provisions.



     19. Survival of Certain Provisions. The provisions of sections 9, 10 and 11(a) of
this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement, provided that any claims pursuant
to such sections must be brought within one year of the date of the termination of this agreement.



     20. Compliance with Section 409A of Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A). The
provisions of this Agreement regarding amounts that are determined to be subject to Section 409A
shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with Section 409A and the regulations and
guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no payment
of an amount subject to Section 409A on account of the Executive’s “separation from service” (as
defined in Section 409A and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder) shall be made to the
Executive if the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section
409A at the time of the Executive’s separation from service. Any such amounts to which the
Executive would otherwise be entitled under this Agreement during the first six months following a
separation from service shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month
following the Executive’s separation from service.



     21. 
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of South Dakota. The parties agree that any suit or proceeding
arising out of this Agreement shall be brought and maintained exclusively in the federal or state
courts located in such state, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction and venue of such courts.



 









 





     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	EXECUTIVE:	 	 	 	LODGENET INTERACTIVE	 	 
	 	 	 	 	CORPORATION:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Frank Elsenbast

	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Scott Petersen	 	 
	 


	 	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 







			
	Address:	 	4740 Emerson Avenue

South Minneapolis, MN 55419






 












 





Appendix A



Employee Name: Frank Elsenbast





			
	Employee Address:	 	4740 Emerson Avenue

South Minneapolis, MN 55419




Position/Title:
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer



Work Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.



Base Salary: $340,000 per annum.



Benefits Stipend: $1,500 per month.



Bonus Parameters: Executive will have right to participate in any bonus plan generally applicable
to Senior Vice Presidents of the Company, with 2010 bonus prorated based on nine months of
employment, subject to a minimum bonus for calendar year 2010 of $75,000.



Vacation Accrual: Four weeks per year, plus Company-recognized holidays



Severance Period: Eighteen (18) months



Time-Based Restricted Stock (separate agreement): 20,000 shares, 50% of which (10,000 shares) will
vest on the third anniversary of employment, and 50% of which (10,000 shares) will vest on the
fourth anniversary of employment



Stock Options (separate agreement): Option to purchase 30,000 shares of LodgeNet common stock at a
purchase price equal to the closing stock price on the first day of employment, which option will
vest as follows: 25% (7,500 shares) on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of
employment.







 









 








Appendix B




DEFINITIONS


For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:



“Affiliate” means any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with the Corporation.



“Cause” means one or more of the following:





(a) acts committed during the Term of this Agreement resulting in a felony
conviction under any federal or state statute;




(b) willfully engaging in dishonest or fraudulent action or omission resulting or
intended to result in any demonstrable and material financial or economic harm to
the Corporation, or which materially damages the Corporation’s reputation; or




(c) willful breach of this Agreement, willful neglect of the material duties of
the Executive under this Agreement, gross and willful misconduct, or willful and
material violation of (x) the Corporation’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or
(y) the Corporation’s Employee Handbook (as amended from time to time) which
results or is reasonably likely to result in any demonstrable and material
financial or economic harm to the Corporation, or to materially damage the
Corporation’s reputation.


“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:





	 	(a)	 	any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) in
effect on the date hereof) or group of persons acting in concert, other than
the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof or any employee benefit plan of the
Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as
such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act except that a person
shall also be deemed the beneficial owner of all securities which such person
may have a right to acquire, whether or not such right is presently
exercisable), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation
representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the
Corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote
in the election of directors (“voting stock”); or




 









 












	 	(b)	 	during any period subsequent to the date of this Agreement, a
majority of the members of the Board shall not for any reason be the
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board or those
persons who are nominated as new directors by a majority of the current
directors or their successors who have been so nominated; or
	 
	 	(c)	 	there shall be consummated any merger, consolidation (including a
series of mergers or consolidations), or any sale, lease, exchange or other
transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or
substantially all, of the assets of the Corporation (meaning assets
representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the net tangible assets of the
Corporation or generating thirty percent (30%) or more of the Corporation’s
operating cash flow), or any other similar business combination or
transaction, but excluding any business combination or transaction
which: (i) would result in the voting stock of the Corporation immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting stock of the surviving entity) more than 70% of
the combined voting power of the voting stock of the Corporation (or such
surviving entity) outstanding immediately after giving effect to such
business combination or transaction; or (ii) would be effected to implement a
recapitalization (or similar transaction) of the Corporation in which no
“person” (as defined in subsection 3(a) hereof) or group of persons acting in
concert becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in subsection 3(a) hereof)
of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting stock of the Corporation; or
	 
	 	(d)	 	the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation; or
	 
	 	(e)	 	the occurrence of any other event that would be required to be
reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A of the
Exchange Act in effect on the date hereof.




“Disability” means any physical or mental condition which prevents the effective performance on a
full time basis by Executive of the duties set forth in this Agreement or otherwise assigned to
Executive as contemplated by this Agreement for a period of more than 180 days.



“Good Reason” means any of the following which occur following a Change of Control:





	 	(a)	 	the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially
inconsistent with the Executive’s positions, duties, responsibilities and
status with the Corporation immediately prior to a Change in Control, or a




 









 






	 	 	 	significant adverse alteration in the nature of the Executive’s reporting
responsibilities, titles, or offices as in effect immediately prior to a
Change in Control, or any removal of the Executive from, or any failure to
reelect the Executive to, any such positions, except in connection with a
termination of the employment of the Executive for Cause, Permanent
Disability, or as a result of the Executive’s death or by the Executive other
than for Good Reason;
	 
	 	(b)	 	a reduction by the Corporation in the Executive’s base salary or in
the percentage of base salary used in computing Executive’s bonus in effect
immediately prior to a Change in Control;
	 
	 	(c)	 	any material breach by the Corporation of any provision of this Agreement;
	 
	 	(d)	 	following a Change in Control, the Executive is excluded (without
substitution of a substantially equivalent plan) from participation in any
benefit, incentive, stock option, health, dental, insurance or pension plan
generally made available to persons at Executive’s level of responsibility in
the Corporation;
	 
	 	(e)	 	without the Executive’s express written consent, the requirement by
the Corporation that the Executive’s principal place of employment be
relocated more than fifty (50) miles from his place of employment prior to
the Change in Control, or travel on the Corporation’s business to an extent
materially greater than the Executive’s customary business travel
obligations;
	 
	 	(f)	 	the Corporation’s failure to obtain a satisfactory agreement from
any successor to assume and agree to perform the Corporation’s obligations
under this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 7(a) hereof.
	 
	 	“Last Payment Date” means the date that is two and one-half months after
the close of the taxable year in which the Executive incurs a separation from
service.





 









 











GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS




     This General Release of All Claims (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the
undersigned,                                         (“Employee”) LODGENET INTERACTIVE CORPORATION (the “Company”). Employee
and the Company are collectively referred to as “Parties.”



     In exchange for the payments made pursuant to the severance provisions of the Employment
Agreement between Employee and the Company, Employee hereby acknowledges full and complete
satisfaction and hereby releases and forever discharges the Company and each of its affiliates,
subsidiaries, agents, directors, officers, shareholders, employees, attorneys, successors, and
assigns, from any and all claims arising from or connected with Employee’s employment by, or
separation from the Company, including but not limited to, any actions brought in tort or for
breach of contract, or claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Older Worker Benefits Protection Act (“OWBPA”), the
Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
and any other federal or state statute, law or regulation relating to employment.



     In order to conform this release agreement with the rights provided by the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Employee is aware of the following with respect to release of any
claims under the ADEA:




	 	(1)	 	the right to consult with an attorney before
signing this Release.
	 
	 	(2)	 	Forty-five (45) days, in which to consider
this Release and any ADEA claim; and
	 
	 	(3)	 	Seven (7) days after signing this Release to
revoke this release to any ADEA claim.




This Agreement shall not be effective until the expiration of seven (7) days following its
execution by Employee. In addition, Employee acknowledges that the Company has provided Employee
with a list of all employees eligible for and offered benefits under the ETA Plan, with their ages
and job titles in compliance with the OWBPA. Employee acknowledges that the names could change as
the Plan is implemented and that a current list will be available upon request at the Human
Resource office of the Company.




     Employee agrees not to use any confidential information or trade secrets acquired during
employment with the Company for any other business or employment without the prior written consent
of the Company. Employee hereby assigns to the Company all rights to any invention(s) developed or
will develop relating at the time of conception or reduction to practice to the Company’s business,
or resulting from work performed for the Company.



 









 





     Employee further agrees that this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and
any and all actions by the Parties in accordance therewith, are strictly confidential and Employee
agrees not to disclose, discuss or reveal said information to any other persons, entities or
organizations, except that Employee may disclose this information to immediate family members,
counsel, personal tax advisor, or as may be required by applicable law. However, a violation of
this confidentiality agreement by any third party referenced-above will constitute a breach of this
Agreement.



     The Parties hereby agree to submit any and all disputes regarding any aspect of this Agreement
or any act that allegedly has or would violate any provision of this Agreement, to final and
binding and confidential arbitration by a single neutral arbitrator as the exclusive remedy for
such claim or dispute. Subject to the terms of this paragraph, the arbitration proceedings shall
be conducted and administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its National
Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect. The arbitrator shall be
experienced in labor and employment matters and shall be appointed by agreement of the Parties
hereto or, if no agreement can be reached, pursuant to the AAA Rules. In addition, should any
party to this Agreement hereafter institute any legal action or administrative proceeding against
the other with respect to any claim waived by this Agreement or pursue any arbitrable dispute by
any method other than said arbitration, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the
other party all damages, costs, expenses, and attorney’s fees incurred as a result of such action.



     This Agreement represents and contains the entire agreement between Employee and the Company
relating to the matters described herein, and supersedes all prior discussions and agreements,
whether oral or written.



     Employee affirms and represents that he is entering into this Agreement freely and
voluntarily, and that Employee is acting under no other inducement, or under any coercion, threat
or duress. Employee acknowledges that the contents of this document have been explained to Employee
and Employee understands the meaning and legal effect of this Agreement.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Dated:


	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Employee Signature	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Dated:

	 	 	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 	 	 

	 	 






 









 





Mr. Scott C. Petersen

Chief Executive Officer

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation

3900 West innovation Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57107





			
	Re:	 	Employment Agreement dated as of February 25, 2010




Dear Scott:



This will confirm our mutual understanding that, notwithstanding the Effective Date set forth in
the Employment Agreement between LodgeNet Interactive Corporation and the undersigned, our mutual
understanding is that my employment with LodgeNet will commence on April 19, 2010.




Very truly yours,




/s/ Frank Elsenbast




Frank P. Elsenbast