Document:

Exhibit 10.1

EARTHLINK, INC. STOCK OPTION PLAN

FOR INDUCEMENT AWARDS RELATING TO

THE ACQUISITION OF NEW EDGE HOLDING COMPANY

(Effective April 13, 2006)

 

	Establishment, Purpose and Term of Plan.

	Establishment.  Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 12, 2005 among EarthLink, Inc. ("EarthLink"), New Edge Merger Corporation and New Edge Holding Company (the "Company"), the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of EarthLink (the "Merger Transaction").  This EarthLink Stock Option Plan for Inducement Awards Relating to the Acquisition of New Edge Holding Company (the "Plan") is being established to permit inducement awards of Options to new employees in connection with the acquisition of the Company by EarthLink pursuant to the Merger Transaction.  The Plan is intended to comply with NASD Rule 4350 which provides an exception to the shareholder approval requirement for the issuance of securities with regard to inducement grants to new employees in connection with a merger or other acquisition.

	Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of EarthLink and the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing an incentive to attract and retain persons to work for the Company and its Subsidiaries and thus motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries.  The Plan is intended to permit the grant of Options.  The proceeds received by EarthLink from the sale of shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan may be used for general corporate purposes.  

	Term of Plan.  The Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of (a) its termination by the Board or (b) the date on which all of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan have been issued.  However, all Options shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the date the Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of EarthLink.

	Definitions and Construction.

	Definitions.  Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

	"Board" means the Board of Directors of EarthLink.  If one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, "Board" also means such Committee(s).

	"Cause" has the same definition as under any employment agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary and the Optionee or, if no such employment agreement exists or if such employment agreement does not contain any such definition, Cause means (i) the Optionee's willful and repeated failure to comply with the lawful directives of the Board of Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary or any supervisory personnel of the Optionee; (ii) any criminal act or act of dishonesty or willful misconduct by the Optionee that has a material adverse effect on the property, operations, business or reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary; (iii) the material breach by the Optionee of the terms of any confidentiality, noncompetition, non-solicitation or other agreement that the Optionee has with the Company or any Subsidiary or (iv) acts by the Optionee of willful malfeasance or gross negligence in a matter of material importance to the Company or any Subsidiary.  For purposes of the Plan, other than where the definition of Cause is determined under any employment agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary and the Optionee, in which case such employment agreement shall control, in no event shall any termination of employment be deemed for Cause unless the Committee concludes that the situation warrants a determination that the Optionee's employment terminated for Cause.

	"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

	"Committee" means the Compensation Committee duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers as shall be specified by the Board.  Such Compensation Committee shall consist of two or more directors, all of whom are "non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and "independent" within the meaning of NASD Rule 4200(a)(15).  Unless the powers of the Committee have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.

	"Company" means New Edge Holding Company, a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation thereto.

	"Disability" means the Optionee (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iii) has been determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration.  The determination of whether an Optionee has incurred a Disability shall be made by the Committee and, if the Committee deems necessary, after consultation with a physician selected by the Committee.  The Optionee shall submit to such examination and tests as such physician may deem appropriate.

	"EarthLink" means EarthLink, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.

	"EarthLink Subsidiary" means any present or future "subsidiary corporation," as defined in Code Section 424(f), of EarthLink.

	"Employee" means any person treated as an employee in the records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee shall constitute employment for purposes of the Plan.  

	"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

	"Fair Market Value" means, on any given date, the fair market value of a share of Stock as the Committee in its discretion shall determine; provided, however, that the Committee shall determine Fair Market Value without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse and, if the shares of Stock are traded on any national stock exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock as reported on such stock exchange or quotation system on such date, or if the shares of Stock are not traded on such stock exchange or quotation system on such date, then on the next preceding day that the shares of Stock were traded on such stock exchange or quotation system, all as reported by such source as the Committee shall select.  The Fair Market Value that the Committee determines shall be final, binding and conclusive on all parties for purposes of this Plan.

	"Insider" means an officer or a director of EarthLink or any EarthLink Subsidiary, including the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

	"Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422(b).

	"Option" means a right to purchase Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.  All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonstatutory Stock Options.

	"Option Agreement" means a written agreement between EarthLink and an Optionee setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Option granted to the Optionee and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof.  An Option Agreement may consist of a form of "Notice of Grant of Stock Option" and a form of "Stock Option Agreement" incorporated therein by reference, or such other form or forms as the Board may approve from time to time.

	"Optionee" means a person who has been granted one or more Options.

	"Rule l6b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

	"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

	"Service" means an Optionee's employment with EarthLink or any EarthLink Subsidiaries in the capacity of an Employee.  An Optionee's "Service" shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the applicable company for which the Optionee renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Optionee's employment.  Furthermore, an Optionee's Service with EarthLink or any EarthLink Subsidiary shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Optionee takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the company which employs the Optionee; provided, however, that if any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave, the Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless the Optionee's right to return to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Committee or required by law, a leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Optionee's Option Agreement.  The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Optionee performs Service ceasing to be EarthLink or an EarthLink Subsidiary.  Subject to the foregoing, the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine when the Optionee's Service has begun and whether the Optionee's Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.  Such determination shall be final, binding and conclusive for purposes of this Plan, notwithstanding that any court of law, governmental agency or other person, agency or entity makes a contrary determination.  

	"Stock" means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of EarthLink, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.4.

	"Subsidiary" means any present or future "subsidiary corporation," as defined in Code Section 424(f), of the Company.

	Construction.  Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan.  Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.  Use of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.  The reference to any statute, regulation or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

	Administration.

	Administration by the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Option shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Option.

	Powers of the Committee.  In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:

	to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Options shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject to each Option;
	to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock;
	to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Option (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price of the Option, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with the Option or such shares, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability of the Option or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, (v) the time of the expiration of the Option, (vi) the effect of the Optionee's termination of Service with the Company or any Subsidiary on any of the foregoing, and (vii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Option or such shares not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
	to approve one or more forms of Option Agreements;
	to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Option or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Option or any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, except that the Committee may not reprice or decrease the exercise price of any outstanding Options;
	to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any Option or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, including with respect to the period following an Optionee's termination of Service with the Company and its Subsidiaries;
	to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or, subject to Section 9, to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy or custom of foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted Options; and
	to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Option Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Option as the Committee may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law.

	Administration with Respect to Insiders.  With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.

	Indemnification.  In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or employees of EarthLink or EarthLink Subsidiaries, members of the Committee and any officers or employees of EarthLink or EarthLink Subsidiaries to whom authority to act for the Committee is delegated shall be indemnified by EarthLink against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by EarthLink) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to EarthLink, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, EarthLink shall not indemnify and hold harmless any such person if (i) applicable law or EarthLink's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws prohibits such indemnification or (ii) such person did not act in good faith and in a manner that such person believed to be consistent with the Plan or (iii) such person's conduct constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person may be entitled under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law or otherwise, or under any other power that EarthLink may have to indemnify such person or hold him or her harmless.  The provisions of the foregoing indemnity shall survive indefinitely the term of this Plan.  

	Shares Subject to Plan.

	Maximum Aggregate Number of Shares Issuable.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the maximum number of shares of Stock that are available for issuance under the Plan are 657,000 shares.  Such shares may be issued only from EarthLink's authorized but unissued Stock.  

	Reissue of Options and Shares.  To the extent that any shares of Stock are issued pursuant to an Option, the number of shares of Stock that shall be counted against the applicable Stock limit under Section 4.1 above shall be the number of underlying shares of Stock with respect to which the exercised Option related.  Shares of Stock that are subject to Options that expire, or for any reason are cancelled, terminated or forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not delivered under the Plan, shall not again be available for issuance pursuant to subsequent Options under the Plan.  Such shares of Stock, with respect to the portion of that Option that is cancelled, terminated, forfeited, fails to vest or is otherwise not delivered, will be treated for purposes of Section 4.1 above as if they had been issued.  Shares of Stock that are otherwise reacquired from the Optionee or the Optionee's transferee to pay the exercise price of an Option or to satisfy the minimum applicable tax withholding obligation with respect to such Option shall not be treated, for purposes of Section 4.1 above, as shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan and shall not be so available.

	Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure.  In the event (i) of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of EarthLink, (ii) EarthLink engages in a transaction Code Section 424 describes or (iii) there occurs any other transaction or event which, in the judgment of the Committee necessitates such adjustment, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Options and in the exercise price per share of any outstanding Options.  In addition, the Committee may make such other adjustments to the terms of any Options to the extent equitable and necessary to prevent an enlargement or dilution of the Optionee's rights thereunder as a result of any such event or similar transaction.  If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Options are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to a Change in Control) shares of another corporation (the "New Shares"), the Committee may unilaterally amend the outstanding Options to provide that such Options are exercisable for New Shares.  In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise price per share of, the outstanding Options shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the exercise price of any Option be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the Stock subject to the Option.  The adjustments determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be final, binding and conclusive on all parties.  The issuance by EarthLink of stock of any class, or securities convertible into stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of stock or obligations of EarthLink convertible into such stock or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Options or the terms of outstanding Options.

	Eligibility.

Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event may Options be granted to any such Employees who were previously employed by, or who previously provided services to, EarthLink or any of EarthLink's Subsidiaries (as determined immediately prior to the closing date of the Merger Transaction).  Eligible persons may be granted more than one Option.  However, eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any person to be granted an Option, or, having been granted an Option, to be granted an additional Option.

	Terms and Conditions of Options.

Options shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time establish.  No Option or purported Option shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Option Agreement.  Option Agreements incorporate all of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

	Exercise Price.  The exercise price for each Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares of Stock on the date of grant of the Option.  

	Exercisability and Term of Options.  Options shall be exercisable with respect to 25 percent of the shares of Stock subject to Option on the first annual anniversary of the date of grant of the Option and then with respect to another 6.25 percent of the shares of Stock subject to the Option on each quarterly (three-month) anniversary thereafter until the Option has become exercisable with respect to all the shares of Stock, provided the Optionee continues to render Services from the date of grant through each such time.  Once the Option has become exercisable in accordance with the preceding sentence, it shall continue to be exercisable until the earlier of the termination of the Optionee's rights under the Option or until the expiration of the Option.  A partial exercise of the Option shall not affect the Optionee's right to exercise the Option with respect to the remaining shares, subject to the terms of the Plan and the Option Agreement.  No Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the date of grant of such Option, and no Option granted to a prospective Employee may be effective or become exercisable prior to the date on which such person commences Service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Any Option granted hereunder shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

	Payment of Exercise Price.

	Forms of Consideration Generally Authorized.  Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee, (ii) by tender to EarthLink, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value not less than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to EarthLink of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a "Cashless Exercise"), (iv) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (v) by any combination thereof.  The Committee may at any time or from time to time, set forth in the applicable Option Agreement that the Options do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or may otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

	Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

	Tender of Stock.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender to EarthLink, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of EarthLink's stock.  

	Cashless Exercise.  EarthLink reserves, at any and all times, the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise notwithstanding any provisions in the Option Agreement to the contrary.

	Fractional Shares.  Fractional shares shall not be issued under any Option, and when any provision hereof may entitle the Optionee to a fractional share, such fractional share shall be disregarded.

	Tax Withholding.  EarthLink shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of an Option, or to accept from the Optionee the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Committee, equal to all or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld with respect to such Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof.  Alternatively or in addition, in its discretion, EarthLink shall have the right to require the Optionee, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including by means of a Cashless Exercise, to make adequate provision for any such tax withholding obligations of EarthLink arising in connection with the Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof.  The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates.  Shares of Stock that the Company reacquires in connection with any tax withholding will still be deemed issued and will not be available for issuance pursuant to future Options under the Plan.  EarthLink shall have no obligation to issue shares of Stock until EarthLink's tax withholding obligations with respect to the Option have been satisfied by the Optionee.  EarthLink shall comply with all such reporting and other requirements relating to the administration of this Plan and the grant or exercise of any Option hereunder as applicable law requires.

	Repurchase Rights.  EarthLink or its designee may have the right to purchase any Option or any shares of Stock issued pursuant to an Option in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement.  However, shares of Stock repurchased pursuant to an Agreement will still be deemed issued pursuant to the Plan and will not be available for issuance pursuant to future Options under the Plan.

	Effect of Termination of Service.

	Option Exercisability.  Subject to earlier termination of the Option as otherwise provided herein, an Option shall be exercisable after an Optionee's termination of Service only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section 6.6 and thereafter shall terminate:

	Disability.  If the Optionee's Service terminates because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of one hundred eighty (180) days (or such other period of time as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option's term of 10 years from the date of grant (the "Option Expiration Date").

	Death.  If the Optionee's Service terminates because of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's death at any time prior to the expiration of one hundred eighty (180) days (or such other period of time as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.  The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months (or such other period of time as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) after the Optionee's termination of Service.

	Termination of Service for Cause.  If the Optionee's Service is terminated for Cause, then all rights to any Option that the Optionee has will be immediately discontinued and forfeited, and EarthLink shall not have any further obligation hereunder to the Optionee with respect to such Option and the Option will not be exercisable (whether or not previously exercisable) on and after the time the Optionee is discharged from Service with the Company and its Subsidiaries for Cause. 

	Other Termination of Service.  If the Optionee's Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee at any time prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days (or such other period of time as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

	Extension if Exercise Prevented by Securities Law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.6(a) is prevented by applicable securities laws as described in Section 8 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date the exercise would no longer violate applicable securities laws, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

	Transferability of Options.  During the lifetime of the Optionee, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative.  No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and as set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option, an Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.  Any such transfer will be permitted only if (i) the Optionee does not receive any consideration for the transfer and (ii) the Committee expressly approves the transfer.  The holder of an Option transferred pursuant to this Section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions that governed the Option during the period that it was held by the Optionee; provided, however, that such transferee may not transfer the Option except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

	Change in Control.

	Definitions.

	"Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

	The accumulation in any number of related or unrelated transactions by any Person of beneficial ownership (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of EarthLink's voting stock; provided that for purposes of this subsection (i), a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if the accumulation of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of EarthLink's voting stock results from any acquisition of voting stock (A) directly from EarthLink that is approved by the Incumbent Board, (B) by EarthLink, (C) by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by EarthLink or any Subsidiary, or (D) by any Person pursuant to a merger, consolidation or reorganization (a "Business Combination") that would not cause a Change in Control under clauses (A) and (B) of subsection (ii) below; or
	Consummation of a Business Combination, unless, immediately following that Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners of voting stock of EarthLink immediately prior to that Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding shares of common stock and at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity resulting from that Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of that transaction owns EarthLink or all or substantially all of EarthLink's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership, immediately prior to that Business Combination, of the voting stock of EarthLink, and (B) at least sixty percent (60%) of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from that Business Combination holding at least sixty percent (60%) of the voting power of such Board of Directors were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board of Directors providing for that Business Combination and as a result of or in connection with such Business Combination, no Person has a right to dilute either of such percentages by appointing additional members to the Board of Directors or otherwise without election or other action by the stockholders; or
	A sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of EarthLink, except pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under clauses (A) and (B) of subsection (ii) above; or
	Approval by the stockholders of EarthLink of a complete liquidation or dissolution of EarthLink, except pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under clauses (A) and (B) of subsection (ii) above; or
	The acquisition by any Person, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of EarthLink (A) through the ownership of securities which provide the holder with such power, excluding voting rights attendant with such securities, or (B) by contract; provided that a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if such power was acquired (x) directly from EarthLink in a transaction approved by the Incumbent Board, (y) by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by EarthLink or any EarthLink Subsidiary or (z) by any person pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under clauses (A) and (B) of subsection (ii) above.

	"Incumbent Board" means a Board of Directors at least a majority of whom consist of individuals who either are (a) members of the Board as of the effective date of the adoption of this amended and restated Plan or (b) members who become members of the Board subsequent to the date of the adoption of this amended and restated Plan whose election, or nomination for election by EarthLink's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least sixty percent (60%) of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of EarthLink in which that person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to that nomination), but excluding, for that purpose, any individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Exchange Act) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board of Directors.
	"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of any kind.

	Effect of Change in Control on Options.  In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the "Acquiring Corporation"), may either assume EarthLink's rights and obligations under outstanding Options or substitute for outstanding Options substantially equivalent options for the Acquiring Corporation's stock.  Any Options which are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of an Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of the Option Agreement evidencing such Option except as otherwise provided in such Option Agreement.

	Compliance with Securities Law.

	Compliance.  The grant of Options and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of Options shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities.  Options may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed.  In addition, no Option may be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to EarthLink, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  The inability of EarthLink to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by EarthLink's legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve EarthLink of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.  As a condition to the exercise of any Option, EarthLink may require the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by EarthLink.  Any stock certificate evidencing shares of Stock issued pursuant to an Option may bear such legends and statements as the Committee may deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and to reflect any other restrictions applicable to such shares as the Committee otherwise deems appropriate.  

	Postponement of Exercise or Payment.  The Committee may postpone any grant or exercise of an Option for such time as the Committee in its sole discretion may deem necessary in order to permit EarthLink (a) to effect, amend or maintain any necessary registration of the Plan or the shares of Stock issuable pursuant to the Option under the securities laws; (b) to take any action in order to (i) list such shares of Stock or other shares of stock of EarthLink on a stock exchange if shares of Stock or other shares of stock of EarthLink are not then listed on such exchange or (ii) comply with restrictions or regulations incident to the maintenance of a public market for its shares of Stock or other shares of stock of EarthLink, including any rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the shares of Stock or other shares of stock of EarthLink are listed; (c) to determine that such shares of Stock in the Plan are exempt from such registration or that no action of the kind referred to in (b)(ii) above needs to be taken; (d) to comply with any other applicable law, including without limitation, securities laws; (e) to comply with any legal or contractual requirements during any such time EarthLink, the Company or any Subsidiary is prohibited from doing any of such acts under applicable law, including without limitation, during the course of an investigation of EarthLink, the Company or any Subsidiary, or under any contract, loan agreement or covenant or other agreement to which EarthLink, the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or (f) to otherwise comply with any prohibition on such acts or payments during any applicable blackout period; and EarthLink shall not be obligated by virtue of any terms and conditions of any Option Agreement or any provision of the Plan to recognize the grant or exercise of an Option or to sell or issue shares of Stock or make any payments in violation of the securities laws or the laws of any government having jurisdiction thereof or any of the provisions hereof.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.6(b), any such postponement described in this Section 8.2 shall not extend the term of the Option and neither EarthLink, the Company nor any Subsidiary nor their directors and officers nor the Board shall have any obligation or liability to any Optionee or to any other person with respect to shares of Stock as to which the Option shall lapse because of such postponement.
	Forfeiture of Payment.

An Optionee shall be required to forfeit any and all rights under Options or to reimburse EarthLink for any payment under any Options (with interest as necessary to avoid imputed interest or original issue discount under the Code or as otherwise required by applicable law) to the extent applicable law requires such forfeiture or reimbursement.  

	Termination or Amendment.

The Board may terminate or amend the Plan at any time; provided, however, the Board itself may not make any amendment that would require approval by EarthLink's shareholders under applicable law, regulation or rule or by the rules of any Stock Exchange on which EarthLink's Stock is traded.  No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Option unless expressly provided by the Board.  In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any then outstanding Option without the consent of the Optionee, unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or rule or otherwise allowed pursuant to the Plan.

The Committee may amend any outstanding Options to the extent it deems appropriate; provided, however, that no amendment to an outstanding Option may adversely impair the rights of an Optionee without the Optionee's consent.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, however, the Committee may amend any outstanding Option without Optionee consent if, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, such amendment is required to either (i) comply with Code Section 409A or (ii) prevent the Optionee from being subject to any excise tax or penalty under Code Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither EarthLink nor any EarthLink Subsidiaries, including the Company and its Subsidiaries, or the Committee shall be liable to the Optionee if an Option is subject to Code Section 409A, or the Optionee otherwise is subject to any excise tax or penalty under Code Section 409A.

	General Provisions.  

	Effect on Employment and Service.

Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof), shall confer upon any individual any right to continue in the Service of the Company or any or its Subsidiaries or in any way affect any right and power of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the Service of any individual at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor.

	Unfunded Plan.

This Plan, insofar as it provides for Options, shall be unfunded, and EarthLink shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Options under this Plan.  Any liability of EarthLink to any person with respect to any Option under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this Plan.  No such obligation of EarthLink shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of EarthLink.

	Reservation of Shares.

EarthLink, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of shares of Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.  Additionally, EarthLink, during the term of this Plan, shall use its best efforts to seek to obtain from appropriate regulatory agencies any requisite authorizations needed in order to issue and to sell such number of shares of Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.  However, the inability of EarthLink to obtain from any such regulatory agency the requisite authorizations EarthLink's counsel deems to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder, or the inability of EarthLink to confirm to its satisfaction that any issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder will meet applicable legal requirements, shall relieve EarthLink of any liability in respect to the failure to issue or to sell such shares of Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

	Governing Law.

This Plan and all Options granted hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, except to the extent federal law applies.

	Other Actions.

Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of EarthLink or any EarthLink Subsidiary to exercise it corporate rights and powers, including, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the right to grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, incentive awards or restricted stock units for proper corporate purposes otherwise than under the Plan to any employee or to any other person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, or to grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, incentive awards or restricted stock units to, or assume such awards of any person in connection with, the acquisition, purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, of all or any part of the business and assets of any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity.

	Other Conditions.

The Committee, in its discretion, may, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, require the Optionee on or before the date of grant, exercise, payment or settlement of the Option to enter into (i) a covenant not to compete (including a confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar agreement) with EarthLink, the Company or any Subsidiary, which may become effective on the date of termination of employment or service of the Optionee with the Company or any Subsidiary or any other date the Committee may specify and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall otherwise specify, (ii) an agreement to cancel any other employment agreement, service agreement, fringe benefit or compensation arrangement in effect between EarthLink, the Company or any Subsidiary and such Optionee and/or (iii) a stockholders' agreement with respect to shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to the Option.  If the Optionee shall fail to enter into any such agreement at the Committee's request, then no Option shall be granted, exercised, paid or settled and the number of shares of Stock that would have been subject to such Option, if any, shall be added to the remaining shares of Stock available under the Plan.

	Repricing of Options.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, this Plan does not permit (i) any repricing or decrease in the exercise price of any outstanding Options, (ii) the issuance of any replacement Options, which shall be deemed to occur if an Optionee agrees to forfeit an existing Option in exchange for a new Option with a lower exercise price or (iii) EarthLink to repurchase underwater or out-of-the-money Options, which shall be deemed to be those Options with exercise prices in excess of the current Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock underlying the Options.  

	Effective Date.

This Plan is effective on April 13, 2006 provided it is adopted by either (i) a majority of the "independent" directors on the Board or (ii) EarthLink's "independent" Compensation Committee, on or before that time.  The Plan does not have to be, and will not be, submitted to EarthLink's shareholders for approval.Exhibit 10.19

    
      

    

    EXHIBIT
      10.19

    

    SEPARATION
      AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

    

    THIS
      SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (“Agreement”) is made and entered into
      by and between Robert E. Lee (“Executive”) and Albany Bank & Trust, a
      national bank, and Community Capital Bancshares, Inc., a bank holding company
      (collectively “Employer”).

    

    STATEMENT
      OF FACTS

    

    Executive
      desires to accept the following agreements, including, without limitation,
      certain additional consideration from Employer in return for Executive’s general
      release and non-disclosure agreements set forth below. Executive and Employer
      desire to settle fully and finally all differences and disputes between them,
      including, but in no way limited to, any differences and disputes that might
      arise, or have arisen, out of Executive’s employment with and separation from
      Employer and Executive’s resignation as an officer and director of
      Employer.

    

    STATEMENT
      OF TERMS

    

    In
      consideration of the mutual promises herein, it is agreed as
      follows:

    

    1.  Non-Admission
      of Liability.
      Neither
      this Agreement nor Employer’s offer to enter into this Agreement shall in any
      way be construed as an admission by Employer that it has acted wrongfully with
      respect to Executive or any other person, or that Executive has any rights
      whatsoever against Employer. Employer specifically disclaims any liability
      to or
      wrongful acts against Executive or any other person, on the part of itself,
      its
      shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents or
      representatives.

    

    2.  Resignation
      of Employment.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive voluntarily
      resigned from his employment with, and as an officer and director of, Employer
      and all affiliated entities on Friday, March 17, 2006 (the “Separation Date”).
      The parties agree that except as set forth herein, this Agreement terminates
      all
      aspects of the relationship between them. Executive therefore acknowledges,
      understands and agrees that Executive does not and will not seek reinstatement,
      future employment or return to active employment status with Employer. Executive
      further acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employer is under no
      obligation to consider Executive for reinstatement, employment, re-employment,
      consulting or similar status at any time.

    

    3.  Effective
      Date.
      This
      Agreement shall become effective immediately following the seven (7) revocation
      period set forth in Section 11(e) (the “Effective Date”). As of the Effective
      Date, if neither party has revoked this Agreement pursuant to
      Section 11(e), this Agreement shall be fully effective and
      enforceable.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

    
 

    4.  Consideration.
      In full
      consideration and as material inducement for Executive’s signing of this
      Separation Agreement and General Release, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency
      of which are hereby acknowledged: 

    

    (a)  Employer
      will continue
      paying Executive his current salary for one (1) year. Such payments will begin
      on Employer’s first regularly scheduled payroll date following the Effective
      Date of this Agreement. All legal deductions and required withholdings will
      be
      taken, consistent with Employer’s payroll practices.

    

    (b)  Employer
      will continue
      Executive’s current health coverage with Employer, at the current cost to
      Executive or at the rates chargeable to Employer’s employees for benefit
      coverage, for one (1) year. Executive’s portion of the premium costs will be
      deducted from the payment set forth in Section 4(a) above. Executive will only
      be eligible for the health coverage described in this section to the extent
      Executive elects COBRA coverage.

    

    (c)  Employer
      will pay Executive $50,000 in a lump sum from which all legal deductions and
      required withholdings will be taken, no later than ten (10) days following
      the
      Effective Date of this Agreement.

    

    (d)  Employer
      will release Executive from the non-competition restriction in Alabama, by
      which
      he is bound under the employment agreement between the parties dated September
      13, 2004 (“Employment Agreement”).

     

    (e)  Employer
      will transfer to the Executive ownership of his business cell phone, but will
      not provide cellular service for such phone.

    

    5.  Cessation
      of Authority.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that following the Separation
      Date, Executive is not authorized to incur any expenses, obligations or
      liabilities, or to make any commitments on behalf of Employer. Executive agrees
      to submit to the Chief Financial Officer of Employer (“CFO”) on or before the
      Effective Date, any and all expenses that were incurred by Executive on behalf
      of Employer (which have not previously been reimbursed) and any and all
      contracts or other obligations entered into by Executive on behalf of Employer
      (which have not previously been disclosed), including but not limited to any
      loans agreed to or memoranda of understanding entered into on behalf of the
      Employer. Employer agrees to reimburse Executive for reimbursable expenses
      incurred by Executive through his Separation Date which have not yet been
      reimbursed and which are promptly submitted to Employer, pursuant to Employer’s
      standard policies and procedures relating to reimbursement of
      expenses.

    

    6.  Agreement
      Not to Disclose Trade Secrets and Confidential
      Information.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that in the course of employment
      with Employer, Executive has acquired Confidential Information and Trade
      Secrets, as those terms are defined below, concerning Employer’s operations, its
      policies and practices, its future plans and its methods of doing business,
      which information Executive understands and agrees would be extremely damaging
      to Employer if disclosed to a competitor or made available to any other person
      or entity. Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that such information
      has been divulged to Executive in confidence. Executive agrees to protect and
      hold in strict 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    confidence
      all Company Information, as that term is defined below, that Executive has
      received or created on behalf of Employer and that Executive will not, directly
      or indirectly, use, publish, disseminate or otherwise disclose any Company
      Information to any third party without Employer’s prior written consent, unless
      and until such time as the restrictions on Executive’s use or disclosure of such
      Company Information expire as set forth herein below. If a disclosure of Company
      Information is required by law, subpoena or court order, Executive agrees to
      give Employer the maximum feasible prior written notice of the legal
      justifications and requirements for any proposed disclosure of such information
      so that Employer may object to such disclosure if appropriate.

    

    Executive
      further acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has complied with
      Employer’s policies and his Employment Agreement regarding the protection of
      Company Information, that Executive has held such information in trust and
      strict confidence, and that Executive will continue to do so according to the
      terms set forth in this Agreement.

    

    The
      restrictions on Executive’s use or disclosure of all Company Information, as set
      forth above, shall survive for a period of two years; provided however, that
      the
      restrictions on the use or disclosure of Trade Secrets shall survive beyond
      such
      two year period for so long as such information qualifies as a Trade Secret
      under applicable law.

    

    In
      view
      of the nature of Executive’s employment and Company Information which Executive
      has received or created during the course of Executive’s employment, Executive
      likewise acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employer
      would be
      irreparably harmed by any material violation, or threatened material violation
      of this Agreement by Executive and that, therefore, Employer
      shall be
      entitled to an injunction prohibiting Executive from any violation or threatened
      violation of this Agreement, and shall further be entitled to recover any
      damages proximately caused by such violation(s). The undertakings set forth
      in
      this section shall survive the termination of other arrangements contained
      in
      this Agreement.

    

    “Company
      Information” means Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. However, “Company
      Information” does not include any information which: (i) at the time of
      disclosure to Executive, was in the public domain or was already lawfully in
      Executive’s possession without a breach of duty owed to Employer;
      (ii) after disclosure to Executive, is published or otherwise becomes part
      of the public domain without a breach of duty owed to Employer and through
      no
      fault of Executive; or (iii) was received after disclosure to Executive
      from a third party who had a lawful right to and, without a breach of duty
      owed
      to Employer, did disclose such information to Executive. 

    

    “Confidential
      Information” means any and all information of Employer other than Trade Secrets
      that has value and is not generally known to Employer’s competitors. This
      includes any information about Employer’s loan, accounting or financial
      practices or procedures; Employer’s operations; its future plans; actual or
      potential customers, vendors and suppliers; and its methods of doing
      business.

    

    “Trade
      Secret” means information related to the business or services of Employer which:
      (i) derives independent actual or potential commercial value from not being
      generally known or 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    readily
      ascertainable through independent development or reverse engineering by third
      parties who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
      (ii) is the subject of efforts by Employer and such third parties that are
      reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. Assuming the
      foregoing criteria in the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are
      met, Trade Secret includes business and technical information including, without
      limitation, designs, formulas, patterns, compilations, programs, devices,
      inventions, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, finances, and existing
      and
      future products and services of Employer. 

    

    7.  Return
      of Company Materials and Property.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that as a result of Executive’s
      employment with Employer, Executive has had in Executive’s custody, possession
      and control documents, data, materials, files and other items that are the
      property of Employer or its customers, including loan applications and
      portfolios and Company Information. Executive agrees that to the extent
      Executive has not already done so, Executive will turn over to Employer’s Chief
      Financial Officer on or before the Effective Date, all files (including loan
      files), memoranda, records, credit cards, manuals, computer equipment, computer
      software, pagers, cellular phones, facsimile machines, Company Information,
      and
      any other equipment or documents, and all other property of similar type that
      Executive received from Employer and/or that Executive used in the course of
      Executive’s employment with Employer and that is the property of Employer or its
      customers (including any electronic versions of such items). Executive further
      agrees that after returning any electronic or physical versions of such items,
      Executive will permanently delete and destroy any remaining electronic versions
      or physical copies in Executive’s possession, custody or control. Executive
      further acknowledges, understands and agrees that he is to return his laptop
      computer to the CFO without deleting or destroying any information thereon.
      

    

    8.  Confidentiality
      of Agreement.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has kept and
      will
      keep the terms, amount, value, and nature of consideration paid to Executive,
      and the existence of this Agreement completely confidential, and that Executive
      will not hereafter disclose any information concerning this Agreement to anyone
      other than Executive’s immediate family, accountants, attorneys and other
      professional representatives who will be informed of and bound by this
      confidentiality clause. 

    

    9.  Non-Disparagement
      and Professionalism.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive will not make
      or
      issue, or procure any person or entity to make or issue, any statement in any
      form (including but not limited to, statements to the media, on web-sites,
      via
      the internet or in web “chat rooms”) concerning: (i) Employer or any of its
      stockholders, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives;
      (ii) Executive’s employment relationship with Employer; or (iii) the
      termination of Executive’s employment relationship with Employer, to any person
      or entity if such statement is harmful to or disparaging of Employer or any
      of
      its stockholders, officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives.
      

    

    10.    
      Complete
      Release.
      As a
      material inducement to the parties to enter into this Agreement, Executive
      hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits and forever discharges
      Employer and each of Employer’s stockholders, officers, directors, employees,
      successors, assigns, agents, representatives, attorneys, and all persons acting
      by, through, under or in concert with any of them (collectively “Releasees”),
      from any and all charges, complaints, 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    claims,
      liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements (excluding this Agreement
      itself), controversies, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, rights,
      demands, costs, losses, debts, and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known
      or
      unknown, suspected or unsuspected, including, but not limited to, rights arising
      out of alleged violations or breaches of any contracts, express or implied
      (including the Employment Agreement), or any tort, or any legal restrictions
      on
      Employer’s right to terminate employees, or any federal, state or other
      governmental statute, regulation, or ordinance, including, without limitation:
      (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Civil
      Rights Act of 1991; (2) the Americans with Disabilities Act; (3) 42 U.S.C.
§ 1981; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the
      Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; (5) the Equal Pay Act; (6) the
      Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”); (7) Section 503 of the
      Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (8) the False Claims Act (including the qui tam
      provision thereof); (9) the Occupational Safety and Health Act; (10) the
      Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“COBRA”); (11)
      intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress or “outrage”;
      (12) interference with employment and/or contractual relations;
      (13) wrongful discharge; (14) invasion of privacy; (15) assault and
      battery; (16) defamation; (17) whistleblowing; and (18) violation of any
      other legal or contractual duty arising under the laws of the state of Georgia
      or the United States of America, (individually the “Claim” and collectively the
“Claims”), which Executive now has, owns or holds, or claims to have, own or
      hold, or which Executive at any time heretofore had, owned or held, or claimed
      to have, owned or held, against each or any of the Releasees at any time up
      to
      and including the date of execution of this Agreement.

    

    The
      parties specifically agree that this release does not cover, and Executive
      expressly reserves, indemnification rights existing to him as a current or
      former director and/or officer of Employer under the Articles and Bylaws of
      Community Capital Bancshares, Inc. and Albany Bank & Trust and pursuant to
      applicable Georgia law.

    

    11.   Age
      Discrimination In Employment Act.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that this Agreement and the
      termination of Executive’s employment and all actions taken in connection
      therewith are in compliance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
      (“ADEA”) and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (“OWBPA”) and that the
      releases set forth in Section 10 hereof shall be applicable, without limitation,
      to any claims brought under these Acts. Executive further acknowledges,
      understands and agrees that:

    

     (a)  the
      release given by Executive in this Agreement is given solely in exchange for
      the
      consideration set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement and such consideration
      is
      in addition to anything of value which Executive was entitled to receive prior
      to entering into this Agreement;

    

     (b)  by
      entering into this Agreement, Executive does not waive rights or claims that
      may
      arise after the date this Agreement is executed;

    

     (c)  Executive
      has been advised to consult an attorney prior to entering into this Agreement,
      and this provision of this Agreement satisfies the requirement of the OWBPA
      that
      Executive be so advised in writing;

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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     (d)  Executive
      has been offered twenty-one (21) days from his receipt of this Agreement within
      which to consider this Agreement; and

    

     (e)  for
      a
      period of seven (7) days following Executive’s execution of this Agreement,
      Executive or Employer may revoke this Agreement by delivering written notice
      of
      such revocation to the Executive or to the Employer’s CFO (as the case may be)
      and this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until such seven
      (7) day period has expired.

    

    12.   
      No
      Other Claims.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has not filed,
      nor
      assigned to others the right to file, nor are there pending, any complaints,
      charges or lawsuits by or on behalf of Executive against Employer with any
      governmental agency or any court. Executive further acknowledges, understands
      and agrees that Executive will not purchase or acquire any Claim from a third
      party or be assigned any Claim by a third party against Employer on or after
      the
      Effective Date.

    

    13.   
      Indemnification.
      As
      further material inducement to Employer to enter into this Agreement, Executive
      hereby agrees to indemnify and hold each and all of the Releasees harmless
      from
      and against any and all loss, costs, damages or expenses, including without
      limitation, attorneys’ fees incurred by Releasees or by any of the Releasees’
agents, representatives or attorneys arising out of any breach of this Agreement
      by Executive or the fact that any acknowledgement, understanding, agreement
      or
      representation made herein by Executive was false when made. 

    

    14.   
      Acknowledgments. 

    

     
      (a)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has been paid in full for
      all hours that Executive has worked for Employer and that Executive has been
      paid any and all compensation or bonuses which have been earned by Executive
      (whether under any employment agreement or otherwise) through the date of
      execution of this Agreement.

     

     (b)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive is not eligible for or
      vested in any benefits under any salary continuation plan (or SERP) with
      Employer, and that he waives and releases all claims to file suit for same.
      

     

     (c)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive does not have any
      outstanding loans from or balances due to Employer. 

    

     (d)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has been informed of
      Employer’s Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) policy and Executive’s rights
      thereunder. Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that he has not
      been
      denied any FMLA leave, that he is not currently requesting any FMLA leave,
      and
      that to the extent applicable, he has been returned to his same or a
      substantially similar job following any FMLA leave that he has
      taken.

    

     (e)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has no knowledge of any
      actions or inactions by any of the Releasees or by Executive that Executive
      

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    believes
      could possibly constitute a basis for a claimed violation of any federal, state,
      or local law, any common law or any rule promulgated by an administrative
      body.

    

     (f)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that the consideration described above
      in
      Section 4 of this Agreement is not required by Employer’s policies and
      procedures or by any contracts between Executive and Employer. Executive further
      acknowledges, understands and agrees and understands that Executive’s
      entitlement to receive the consideration set forth in Section 4 is conditioned
      upon Executive’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and compliance with
      the terms of this Agreement.

    

    (g)  Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that in executing this Agreement Executive
      does not rely, and has not relied, upon any representation or statement not
      set
      forth herein made by any of the Releasees or by any of the Releasees’ agents,
      representatives, or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect
      of this Agreement or otherwise.

    

    (h)  Employer
      advises Executive to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has had the
      opportunity to consult counsel if Executive chose to do so. Executive
      acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive is responsible for any
      costs
      and fees resulting from Executive's attorney reviewing this
      Agreement.

    

    15.  
      Non-Solicitation
      Agreement. 

    

    (a)  Agreement
      Not to Solicit Customers or Consultants.
      Executive agrees that beginning immediately and continuing for a period of
      one
      year from the Separation Date, Executive will not, either directly or
      indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of
      others, (1) solicit, divert, or appropriate or attempt to solicit, divert,
      or
      appropriate to any third party, any individual or entity which was an actual
      or
      actively sought prospective client, customer, or consultant of Employer
      (determined at the Separation Date and continuing for a period of one year
      thereafter) and with whom Executive had material contact during his term of
      employment with Employer, for purposes of providing products or services that
      are competitive with those provided by Employer; or (2) interfere in any way
      with Employer’s business relationship with any person or entity.

    

    (b)  Agreement
      Not to Solicit Employees.
      Executive agrees that beginning immediately, and continuing for a period of
      one
      year from the Separation Date, Executive will not, either directly or
      indirectly, on his own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others,
      solicit, divert or hire, or attempt to solicit, divert or hire, any person
      employed by Employer, and whom Executive supervised, either directly or
      indirectly, or hired on behalf of Employer, whether or not such employee is
      a
      full-time employee or a temporary employee of Employer and whether or not such
      employment is pursuant to written agreement and whether or not such employment
      is for a determined period or is at will.

    

    16.  
      Non-Competition
      Agreement.
      The
      parties acknowledge and agree: that Executive’s services to Employer required
      special expertise and talent in the provision of banking and financial services
      and that Executive had substantial contacts with customers and clients of

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        7

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    Employer
      during his employment; that Executive was placed in a position of trust and
      responsibility with Employer and had access to a substantial amount of Company
      Information; that Executive is the repository of a substantial portion of the
      goodwill of Employer due to his responsibilities for Employer and that he would
      have an unfair advantage in competing with Employer; that Executive is capable
      of competing with Employer; and that Executive is capable of obtaining gainful,
      lucrative and desirable employment that does not violate the restrictions
      contained in this Agreement. Accordingly, Executive agrees that for a period
      of
      twenty-four (24) months following the Separation Date, Executive will not,
      within the Area (as defined below), either directly or indirectly, on
      Executive’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others, undertake
      for any Competing Business (as defined below) duties and responsibilities
      similar to those undertaken by the Executive for the Employer. 

    

     (a)  For
      purposes of this Agreement, “Area” is defined as the Dougherty and Lee counties,
      Georgia.

    

     (b)  For
      purposes of this Agreement, “Competing Business” is defined as: any person,
      individual or entity engaged, wholly or in part, in providing banking or
      financial products or services similar in scope to those provided by Employer
      during the term of Executive’s employment with Employer or engaged in organizing
      a bank competitive to Employer.

    

    17.   
      Enforcement
      of Restrictive Covenants, Confidentiality and
      Non-Disparagement. 

    

     (a)  In
      the
      event either party breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the
      provisions of Sections 6, 8, 15 and 16 the injured party shall have the right
      and remedy to enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, the other from violating
      or
      threatening to violate these sections and to have these sections specifically
      enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any breach
      or threatened breach of these sections would cause irreparable injury to the
      injured party and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy
      to
      such party. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu
      of,
      any other rights and remedies available to the injured party at law or in
      equity.

    

     (b)  Executive
      acknowledges and agrees that the covenants contained in Sections 6, 8, 15 and
      16
      are reasonable and valid in time and scope and in all other respects. These
      covenants shall be considered and construed as separate and independent
      covenants. Should any part or provision of any covenant be held invalid, void
      or
      unenforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, voidness
      or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void or unenforceable any other
      part or provision of this Agreement. If any portion of the foregoing sections
      are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction
      because its duration, territory, definition of activities or the definition
      of
      information covered is considered to be invalid or unreasonable in scope, the
      invalid or unreasonable term shall be redefined or a new enforceable term
      provided, such that the intent of Employer and Executive in agreeing to the
      provisions of this Agreement will not be impaired and the provision in question
      shall be enforceable to the fullest extent of the applicable laws.

    

     (c)  In
      the
      event that the enforcement of any of the terms of this Agreement is sought
      in a
      court of competent jurisdiction, including any period during which a restrictive
      covenant is 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        8

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    in
      force,
      and the protective restrictive covenant or term of the Agreement is held to
      be
      enforceable, the restrictive time period specified in the Agreement shall be
      deemed tolled upon the filing of the lawsuit seeking to enforce the Agreement
      until the dispute is finally resolved and all periods of appeal have
      expired.

    

    18.   
      Severability.
      The
      provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any paragraph or part is
      found to be unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain fully
      valid and enforceable. 

     

    19.   
      Mutual
      Cooperation.
      Executive agrees to cooperate fully with Employer regarding: any banking or
      regulatory matters; with respect to clients or customers of Employer; or with
      respect to any employment or business issues, that arise after the Separation
      Date. Employer agrees to cooperate with Employee as may be reasonably requested
      of Employer with respect to matters relating to the Bank.

    

    20.   
      Sole
      and Entire Agreement.
      This
      Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and
      supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the parties
      pertaining to the subject matter hereof. 

    

    21.   
      Binding
      Effect; Assignment.
      This
      Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
      and their respective heirs, representatives, successors, transferees and
      permitted assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive but
      shall
      be freely assignable by Employer.

    

    22.   
      Governing
      Law.
      This
      Agreement shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of
      Georgia.

    

    23.    Regulatory
      Approval.
      The
      parties have entered into this Agreement in good faith, intending to be bound
      fully hereby. Nonetheless, the parties acknowledge, understand and agree that
      the Bank is a regulated entity and, to the extent any regulatory agency has
      the
      authority to disapprove or void this Agreement, the parties agree to be bound
      thereby.

    

    24.    Knowledgeable
      Decision By Executive.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive has read all
      the
      terms of this Agreement. Executive understands the terms of this Agreement
      and
      understands that this Agreement releases forever Employer from any legal action,
      arising from Executive’s relationship with Employer as an employee and board
      member and the termination of the employment relationship between Executive
      and
      Employer. Executive is signing and delivering this Agreement of Executive’s own
      free will in exchange for the consideration to be given to
      Executive.

    

    25.    Full
      and Careful Consideration.
      Executive acknowledges, understands and agrees that Executive may take the
      Agreement home and carefully consider all of its provisions before signing
      it.
      Executive may take up to twenty-one (21) days to decide whether Executive wants
      to accept and sign this Agreement. Executive acknowledges, understands and
      agrees that if Executive signs this Agreement, Executive and Employer will
      then
      have an additional seven (7) days after
      Executive signs the Agreement in which to revoke it. This Agreement will not
      be
      effective or enforceable, nor will any consideration be paid, until after the
      seven (7) day period 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        9

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    set
      forth
      in Section 11(e) has expired. Again, Executive is free, and encouraged, to
      discuss the contents and advisability of signing this Agreement with an attorney
      of Executive’s choosing.

    
 

    EXECUTIVE
      SHOULD READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF
      ALL
      KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS AND CONTAINS RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS BARRING SPECIFIC
      ACTIVITIES.

     

    
      	 	 	 
	March 30,
              2006                             	/s/
              Robert
              E.
              Lee                                                       
                 
	DATE	Robert
              E. Lee
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	March
              30,
              2006                             
              	       
              ALBANY BANK & TRUST
	DATE
	 
 	 
 
	 	By:  	/s/ Charles
              M. Jones, III
	 	Name:
              Chuck Jones
	 	Title:
              Chairman, Board of Directors

      	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	March
              30,
              2006                             
              	       
              COMMUNITY CAPITAL BANCSHARES, INC.
	DATE
	 
 	 
 
	 	By:  	/s/ Charles
              M. Jones, III
	 	Name:
              Chuck Jones
	 	Title:
              Chairman, Board of Directors

    

    
      	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	Date
              Agreement received by Employer: March 30, 2006.	       
              
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Charles
              M. Jones, III
	 	Name:
              Chuck Jones
	 	Title:
              Chairman, Board of Directors

       

    10

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