Document:

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

LODGIAN, INC.

AND

JAMES A. MACLENNAN

MARCH 1, 2006

 

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) by and between Lodgian, Inc. (the “Company”), and
James A. MacLennan (“You” or “Your”)(collectively, the “Parties”), is entered into and effective as
of the 1st day of March, 2006 (the “Effective Date”).1 

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ You as Vice President of Finance, and shall
promote You to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer immediately after the Company
files its 2005 Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and You desire to accept said
employment by the Company;

     WHEREAS, Your position is a position of trust and responsibility with access to Confidential
Information, Trade Secrets, and information concerning employees and customers of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information, and the relationship between the
Company and each of its employees and customers are valuable assets of the Company and may not be
used for any purpose other than the Company’s Business;

     WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to employ You in exchange for Your compliance with the terms
of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Company and You desire to express the terms and conditions of Your employment in
this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree:

     1. Employment and Duties

          A. Position. The Company shall employ You initially as Vice President of Finance, and
shall promote You to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer immediately after the
Company files its 2005 Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          B. Duties. You agree to perform all duties that are consistent with Your position and
that may otherwise be assigned to You by the Company from time to time. The Company may increase
or decrease Your duties in its discretion.

          C. Reporting. You shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.

          D. Devotion of Time. You agree to (i) devote all necessary working time required of
Your position, (ii) devote Your best efforts, skill, and energies to promote and advance the
business and/or interests of the Company, and (iii) fully perform Your obligations under this
Agreement. During Your employment, You shall not render services to any other

 

	
	1 Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalized terms used
in this Agreement are defined in the “Definitions” section attached as Exhibit
A. Exhibit A is incorporated by reference and is included in the Definition of
“Agreement.”

 

 

entity, regardless of whether You receive compensation, if such services shall impede Your
ability to perform Your duties for the Company. You may, however, (A) engage in community,
charitable, and educational activities, (B) manage Your personal investments, and (C) with the
prior written consent of the Company, serve on corporate boards or committees, provided that such
activities do not conflict or interfere with the performance of Your obligations under this
Agreement or conflict with the interests of the Company.

          E. Company Policies. You agree to comply with the policies and procedures of the
Company as may be adopted and changed from time to time, including those described in the Company’s
employee handbook. If this Agreement conflicts with such policies or procedures, this Agreement
will control.

     2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of one (1) year, beginning
on the Effective Date and ending on February 28, 2007 (the “Employment Period”). Upon expiration
of the Employment Period, this Agreement will automatically renew for a one (1) year period (each a
“Renewal Period”), unless either Party notifies the other Party in writing at least ninety (90)
days prior to the end of the Employment Period or the Renewal Period that the Agreement will not be
renewed (the “90-Day Notice Period”). If this Agreement is renewed in accordance with this
Section, each Renewal Period shall be included in the definition of “Employment Period” for
purposes of this Agreement. If this Agreement is not renewed in accordance with this Section, then
(i) Your employment will terminate upon expiration of the Employment Period, and (ii) this
Agreement will no longer be in effect; provided, however, that the restrictive covenants and all
post-termination obligations contained in this Agreement shall survive termination of this
Agreement.

     3. Compensation.

          A. Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company will pay You an annual
minimum base salary (“Base Salary”) of $275,000.00, minus applicable withholdings, in accordance
with the Company’s normal payroll practices. Your Base Salary may be increased at the Company’s
discretion based upon Your performance and the Company’s performance. Your Base Salary will be
reviewed on an annual basis.

          B. Incentive Compensation. During the Employment Period, You will be a participant
eligible to receive additional incentive compensation if Your performance and the Company’s
performance meets certain criteria established from year to year as part of the Lodgian, Inc.
Executive Incentive Plan established by the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Incentive Plan”)
if the Incentive Plan is adopted by the Company’s shareholders, and as the Incentive Plan may be
amended from time to time. The Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference. Compensation provided
to You pursuant to the Incentive Plan will be paid pursuant to the terms of the Incentive Plan, and
will be subject to all applicable withholdings. Upon termination of Your employment, Your
entitlement to any compensation pursuant to the Incentive Plan will be governed by the terms of the
Incentive Plan.

          C. Restricted Stock Grant. On March 1, 2006, the Company will grant You 35,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock (the “Restricted Stock Grant”) pursuant to the terms and conditions
of the Restricted Stock Grant Certificate (the “Restricted Stock Grant

 

 

Certificate”) to be prepared by the Company and the Company’s 2002 Lodgian, Inc. Stock
Incentive Plan.

          D. Benefits Plans. During the Employment Period, You will be eligible to participate
in all benefit plans in effect for executives and employees of the Company, subject to the terms
and conditions of such plans.

          E. Vacation. During the Employment Period, You are entitled to four (4) weeks paid
vacation each year. In addition, You shall be entitled to personal and/or sick days in accordance
with the Company policies.

     4. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by any of the following events:

          A. The Company’s non-renewal of the Employment Period;

          B. Your death;

          C. Your disability which renders You unable to perform the essential functions of Your job
even with reasonable accommodation, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion;

          D. Mutual written agreement between You and the Company;

          E. For Cause. For Cause shall mean a termination by the Company because of any one of
the following events:

	 	1.	 	Your willful refusal to follow the lawful
direction of the CEO and/or the person to whom You report or Your
material failure to perform Your duties (other than by reason of
disability, as defined in Section 4C above), in either case, only after
You have been given written notice by the CEO and/or the person to whom
You report detailing the directives You have refused to follow or the
duties You have failed to perform and at least 30 days to cure;
	 
	 	2.	 	Your material and willful failure to comply
with Company policies as applied to Company employees, only after You
have been given written notice by the CEO and/or the person to whom You
report detailing the policies with which You have failed to comply and
at least 30 days to cure;
	 
	 	3.	 	Your engaging in any of the following conduct:

	 	(i)	 	an act of fraud or dishonesty
that materially harms the Company or its affiliates,
	 
	 	(ii)	 	a felony or any violation of any
federal or state securities law or Your being enjoined from
violating any federal or

 

 

	 	 	 	state securities law or being determined to have violated any
such law;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	willful or reckless misconduct
or gross negligence in connection with any property or activity
of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and
successors;
	 
	 	(iv)	 	repeated and intemperate use of
alcohol or illegal drugs after written notice from the CEO
and/or the person to whom You report;
	 
	 	(v)	 	material breach of any of Your
obligations under this Agreement (other than by reason of
physical or mental illness, injury, or condition), but only
after You have been given written notice of the breach by the
CEO and/or the person to whom You report and at least thirty
(30) days to cure;
	 
	 	(vi)	 	becoming barred or prohibited by
the SEC from holding Your position with the Company;

	 	4.	 	Your resignation for other than Good Reason; or
	 
	 	5.	 	Your non-renewal of the Employment Period.

          F. Your resignation for Good Reason; or

          G. Without Cause. Without Cause shall mean any termination of Your employment by the
Company which is not defined in sub-sections A-F above.

     5. Company’s Post-Termination Obligations

          A. If this Agreement terminates for the reason set forth in Section 4A above and
Section 6 below does not apply, then, upon expiration of the Employment Period or Renewal Period,
as applicable, the Company shall (i) pay You a lump sum payment equal to seventy-five percent (75%)
of Your then current Base Salary; (ii) reimburse COBRA premiums for You under the Company’s major
medical group health plan on a monthly basis continuing for twelve (12) months, (iii) pay You a
Bonus, if any, to which You may be entitled under the Incentive Plan, and (iv) accelerate the
vesting of any stock-based compensation granted to You by the Company (the “Stock”) so that You are
immediately fully vested in the Stock (sub-clauses (i) through (iv) collectively referred to as the
“Non-Renewal Separation Benefits”). The Company shall have no other obligations to You, including
under this Agreement, any Company policy, or otherwise. The Non-Renewal Separation Benefits shall
constitute full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. The Company’s
obligation to provide any separation benefits under this Agreement shall be conditioned upon Your
satisfaction of the following conditions (collectively, sub-clauses (i) through (iii) below
referred to as the “Separation Benefits Conditions”):

 

 

	 	(i)	 	Execution and non-revocation of a Separation &
Release Agreement in a form prepared by the Company which includes, but
is not limited to, Your releasing the Company from any and all
liability and claims of any kind;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Compliance with the restrictive covenants
(Section 7D) and all post-termination obligations, including, but not
limited, the obligations contained in this Agreement; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	If You do not execute an effective Separation
& Release Agreement as set forth above, the Company will not provide
any separation benefits to You under this Agreement. The Company’s
obligation to provide any separation benefits set forth in this
Agreement shall terminate immediately upon any breach by You of any
post-termination obligations to which You are subject.

          B. If this Agreement terminates for the reason set forth in Section 4B above, then the Company
will: (i) pay Your estate (a) any unpaid Base Salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred, and
unused vacation days accrued prior to the date of termination, to be paid within thirty (30) days
after the date of termination, and (b) other unpaid vested amounts or benefits under Company
compensation, incentive, and benefit plans, in accordance with the terms and provisions of such
compensation, incentive, and benefit plans, (ii) pay Your estate a Bonus, if any, to which You may
be entitled under the Incentive Plan, (iii) accelerate the vesting of any Stock so that You are
immediately fully vested in the Stock, and (iv) grant Your estate shares of the Company’s common
stock, if any, to which You may have been entitled under the Incentive Plan (sub-clauses (i)
through (iv) collectively referred to as the “Death Separation Benefits”). The Death Separation
Benefits shall constitute full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.
Your right to receive the Death Separation Benefits under this Section 5B shall be subject to the
Separation Benefits Conditions set forth in Section 5A above. The Separation Benefits to be
provided under this Section 5B shall constitute full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations
under this Agreement, any Company policy, or otherwise.

          C. If this Agreement terminates for the reason set forth in Section 4C above, then the Company
will: (i) pay You (a) any unpaid Base Salary, reimbursement of expenses incurred, and unused
vacation days accrued prior to the date of termination, to be paid within thirty (30) days after
the date of termination, and (b) other unpaid vested amounts or benefits under Company
compensation, incentive, and benefit plans, in accordance with the terms and provisions of such
compensation, incentive, and benefit plans, (ii) reimburse COBRA premiums for You under the
Company’s major medical group health plan on a monthly basis continuing until the end of the
Employment Period, (iii) pay You a Bonus, if any, to which You may be entitled under the Incentive
Plan, (iv) accelerate the vesting of any Stock so that You are immediately fully vested in the
Stock, (v) grant You shares of the Company’s common stock, if any, to which You may have been
entitled under the Incentive Plan, and (vi) pay You within thirty (30) days after the termination
date a lump sum amount equal to the difference, if any, between Your Base Salary and the
compensation You receive from the Company-provided short term disability benefits (to the extent
You elect to participate in such short-term disability benefit plan and are eligible to receive
such benefits) or, if applicable, Workers’ Compensation wage

 

 

replacement benefits for up to six (6) months, or the date that Your Company-provided
long-term disability benefits commence (to the extent You elect to participate in such long-term
disability benefit plan and are eligible to receive such benefits), whichever is shorter
(sub-clauses (i) through (vi) collectively referred to as the “Disability Separation Benefits”);
provided, however, that Your right to receive the Disability Separation Benefits under this Section
5C shall be subject to the Separation Benefits Conditions set forth in Section 5A above. The
Disability Separation Benefits to be provided under this Section 5C shall constitute full
satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, any Company policy, or otherwise.

          D. If this Agreement terminates for any of the reasons set forth in Sections 4D or E above,
then the Company will pay You all accrued but unpaid wages, based on Your then current Base Salary,
through the termination date. The Company shall have no other obligations to You, including under
this Agreement, any Company policy, or otherwise; however, You shall continue to be bound by
Sections 7D and all other post-termination obligations to which You are subject, including, but not
limited to, the obligations contained in this Agreement. You shall also not be entitled to any
accelerated vesting of any Stock, or any payment pursuant to the Incentive Plan or any other
similar plans.

          E. If this Agreement terminates for any reason set forth in Sections 4F or G above, then the
Company shall (i) pay You a lump sum payment upon your separation from service (as defined in Code
§409A) with the Company equal to Your then current Base Salary; (ii) reimburse Your COBRA premiums
under the Company’s major medical group health plan on a monthly basis for a period of twelve (12)
months, (iii) pay You a Bonus, if any, to which You may be entitled under the Incentive Plan, and
(iv) accelerate the vesting of any Stock so that You are immediately fully vested in the Stock
(collectively, the payments and benefits set forth in the preceding sub-clauses (i) — (iv) to be
referred to as the “ Good Reason Separation Benefits”). The Good Reason Separation Benefits shall
constitute full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. Your right to
receive the Good Reason Separation Benefits under this Section 5E shall be subject to the
Separation Benefits Conditions set forth in Section 5A above. The Good Reason Separation Benefits
to be provided under this Section 5E shall constitute full satisfaction of the Company’s
obligations under this Agreement, any Company policy, or otherwise.

     6. Change of Control. If, within one hundred eighty (180) days after a Change of
Control, the Company or the successor entity to the Company notifies You pursuant to Section 2 of
this Agreement that the Agreement will not be renewed, then, at the expiration of the Employment
Period or Renewal Period, as applicable, You shall receive the Good Reason Separation Benefits set
forth in Section 5E above; provided, however, that Your right to receive the Good Reason Separation
Benefits shall be subject to the Separation Benefits Conditions set forth in Section 5A above. The
Good Reason Separation Benefits to be provided under this Section 6 shall constitute full
satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, any Company policy, or otherwise.

     7. Your Post-Termination Obligations.

          A. Return of Materials. Upon the termination of Your employment for any reason or
upon the Company’s request at any time, You will return to the Company all of the

 

 

Company’s property, including, but not limited to, computers, computer equipment, office
equipment, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), keys, passcards, calling cards,
credit cards, confidential or proprietary lists (including, but not limited to, customer, supplier,
licensor, and client lists), rolodexes, tapes, software, computer files, marketing and sales
materials, and any other property, record, document or piece of equipment belonging to the Company.
You will not (i) retain any copies of the Company’s property, including any copies existing in
electronic form, which are in Your possession, custody, or control, or (ii) destroy, delete, or
alter any Company property, including, but not limited to, any files stored electronically without
the Company’s prior written consent. The obligations contained in this Section also apply to any
property which belongs to a third party, including, but not limited to, (i) any entity which is
affiliated or related to the Company, or (ii) the Company’s customers, licensors, or suppliers.

          B. Set-Off. If You have any outstanding obligations to the Company upon the
termination of Your employment for any reason, You hereby authorize the Company to deduct any
amounts owed to the Company from Your final paycheck and/or any amounts that would otherwise be due
to You, including, but not limited to, under Sections 5 or 6 above.

          C. Non-Disparagement. During Your employment and upon the termination of Your
employment with the Company for any reason, You will not make any disparaging or defamatory
statements, whether written or oral, regarding the Company.

          D. Restrictive Covenants. You acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this
Section 7D are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the
Company, and will not impair or infringe upon Your right to work or earn a living after Your
employment with the Company ends.

               1. Trade Secrets and Confidential Information. You represent and warrant that: (i)
You are not subject to any legal or contractual duty or agreement that would prevent or prohibit
You from performing the duties contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise complying with this
Agreement, and (ii) You are not in breach of any legal or contractual duty or agreement, including
any agreement concerning trade secrets or confidential information owned by any other party.

               You agree that You will not: (i) use, disclose, or reverse engineer the Trade Secrets or the
Confidential Information for any purpose other than the Company’s Business, except as authorized in
writing by the Company; (ii) during Your employment with the Company, use, disclose, or reverse
engineer (a) any confidential information or trade secrets of any former employer or third party,
or (b) any works of authorship developed in whole or in part by You during any former employment or
for any other party, unless authorized in writing by the former employer or third party; or (iii)
upon Your resignation or termination (a) retain Trade Secrets or Confidential Information,
including any copies existing in any form (including electronic form), which are in Your possession
or control, or (b) destroy, delete, or alter the Trade Secrets or Confidential Information without
the Company’s written consent.

               The obligations under this Section 7D(1) shall: (i) with regard to the Trade Secrets, remain
in effect as long as the information constitutes a trade secret under applicable

 

 

law, and (ii) with regard to the Confidential Information, remain in effect during the
Restricted Period. The confidentiality, property, and proprietary rights protections available in
this Agreement are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any and all other rights to which the
Company is entitled under federal and state law, including, but not limited to, rights provided
under copyright laws, trade secret and confidential information laws, and laws concerning fiduciary
duties.

               2. Non-Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period, You will not,
directly or indirectly, solicit any Customer of the Company for the purpose of selling or providing
any products or services competitive with the Business. The restrictions set forth in this Section
7.D.2 apply only to Customers with whom You had Contact. Nothing in this Section 7.D.2 shall be
construed to prohibit You from soliciting any Customer of the Company for the purpose of selling or
providing any products or services competitive with the Business: (i) which You never sold or
provided while employed by the Company; (ii) to a Customer that explicitly severed its business
relationship with the Company unless You, directly or indirectly, caused or encouraged the Customer
to sever the relationship; or (iii) which product line or service line the Company no longer
offers.

               3. Non-Recruit of Employees. During the Restricted Period, You will not, directly or
indirectly, solicit, recruit, or induce any Employee to (i) terminate his or her employment
relationship with the Company, or (ii) work for any other person or entity engaged in the Business.
The restrictions set forth in this Section 7.D.3 shall apply only to Employees (a) with whom You
had Material Interaction, or (b) You, directly or indirectly, supervised.

               4. Non-Competition. During the Non-Competition Restricted Period, You will not, on
Your own behalf or on behalf of any person or entity engaged in the Business, engage in or perform
within the Territory any of the activities which You performed, or which are substantially similar
to those which You performed for the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to
prohibit You from performing activities which You did not perform for the Company. The Parties
acknowledge and agree that the covenant set forth in this Section 7.D.4. shall not apply if Your
employment terminates for the reason set forth in Section 4.A. above.

               5. Non-Disclosure of Customer Information. During the Restricted Period, You will
not, except as authorized by the Company, divulge or make accessible to any person or entity (i)
the names of Customers, or (ii) any information contained in a Customer’s accounts.

          E. Post-Employment Disclosure. During the Restricted Period, You shall provide a copy
of this Agreement to persons and/or entities for whom You work or consult as an owner, partner,
joint venturer, employee or independent contractor.

     8. Injunctive Relief. You agree that if You breach Section 7 of this Agreement: (i)
the Company would suffer irreparable harm; (ii) it would be difficult to determine damages, and
money damages alone would be an inadequate remedy for the injuries suffered by the Company, and
(iii) if the Company seeks injunctive relief to enforce this Agreement, You will waive and will not
(a) assert any defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law with respect to

 

 

the breach, (b) require that the Company submit proof of the economic value of any Trade
Secret or Confidential Information, or (c) require the Company to post a bond or any other
security. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit the Company’s right to any other
remedies at law or in equity.

     9. Independent Enforcement. The covenants set forth in Section 7.D. of this Agreement
shall be construed as agreements independent of (i) any other agreements, or (ii) any other
provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by You against the
Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, regardless of who was at fault and
regardless of any claims that either You or the Company may have against the other, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants set forth in Section 7.D.
of this Agreement. The Company shall not be barred from enforcing the restrictive covenants set
forth in Section 7.D. of this Agreement by reason of any breach of (i) any other part of this
Agreement, or (ii) any other agreement with You.

     10. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision is
determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions
and any partially enforceable provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

     11. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of litigation relating to this Agreement, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation in addition
to all other remedies available at law or in equity.

     12. Waiver. The Company’s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall
not act as a waiver of that or any other provision. The Company’s waiver of any breach of this
Agreement shall not act as a waiver of any other breach.

     13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including Exhibit A and the Incentive Plan
which are incorporated by reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties
concerning the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior
communications, agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between the Parties relating
to the subject matter of this Agreement. Other than terms of this Agreement, no other
representation, promise or agreement has been made with You to cause You to sign this Agreement.

     14. Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in writing
signed by both Parties.

     15. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be assignable to, and shall inure to
the benefit of, the Company’s successors and assigns, including, without limitation, successors
through merger, name change, consolidation, or sale of a majority of the Company’s stock or assets,
and shall be binding upon You. You shall not have the right to assign Your rights or obligations
under this Agreement. The covenants contained in Section 7D of this Agreement shall survive
cessation of Your employment with the Company, regardless of who causes the cessation or the reason
for cessation.

 

 

     16. Governing Law. Except as set forth in Section 20 below, the laws of the State of
Georgia shall govern this Agreement. If Georgia’s conflict of law rules would apply another
state’s laws, the Parties agree that Georgia law shall still govern.

     17. No Strict Construction. If there is a dispute about the language of this
Agreement, the fact that one Party drafted the Agreement shall not be used in its interpretation.

     18. Notice. Whenever any notice is required, it shall be given in writing addressed
as follows:

	 	 	 
	To Company:

	 	Lodgian, Inc.
	 

	 	3445 Peachtree Rd., Suite 700
	 

	 	Atlanta, Georgia 30326
	 

	 	Attention: Senior Vice President and General Counsel
	 
	 	 
	To Executive:

	 	James A. MacLennan
	 

	 	325 9th Street, NE
	 

	 	Atlanta, Georgia 30309

     Notice shall be deemed given and effective three (3) days after the deposit in the U.S. mail
of a writing addressed as above and sent first class mail, certified, return receipt requested, or
when actually received. Either Party may change the address to which notices shall be delivered or
mailed by notifying the other party of such change in accordance with this Section.

     19. Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. Except as set forth in Section 20 below, You
agree that any claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be (i) brought in the
Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, or (ii) brought in or removed to the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. You consent to the personal
jurisdiction of the courts identified above. You waive (i) any objection to jurisdiction or venue,
or (ii) any defense claiming lack of jurisdiction or improper venue, in any action brought in such
courts.

     20. Arbitration. Except as provided below in this Section 20, all disputes arising
out of Your employment or the cessation of Your employment, including, but not limited to, claims
arising under or relating to this Agreement, claims for breach of contract, tort, employment
discrimination, retaliation, or harassment, as well as any other statutory or common law claims, at
law or in equity, recognized under any federal, state, or local law shall be exclusively resolved
by final and binding arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1. Such claims
shall be settled by final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration
Association in accordance with its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes, and
judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. The Company will pay all filing fees and arbitrator costs associated with such
arbitration.

          This arbitration provision shall not apply to any disputes or claims relating to or arising
out of unemployment, workers compensation, and/or the restrictive covenants set forth in

 

 

Section 7D of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any claims for equitable relief
relating to such restrictive covenants. Any claims relating to or arising out of Section 7D of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia and shall be brought in a
state or federal court of competent jurisdiction in Georgia. You consent to the personal
jurisdiction of the state and/or federal courts located in Georgia. You waive (i) any objection to
jurisdiction or venue, or (ii) any defense claiming lack of jurisdiction or improper venue, in any
action brought in such courts.

     21. AFFIRMATION. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, YOU
KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND YOU HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE COMPANY
ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE HAD PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year
first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Lodgian, Inc.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	s/ Edward J. Rohling
 

	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Edward J. Rohling	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	President and Chief Executive Officer	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Date:
	 	March 1, 2006	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	James A. MacLennan	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	s/ James A. MacLennan	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Date:
	 	March 1, 2006	 	 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

DEFINITIONS

	A.	 	“Business” shall mean the business of owning and operating hotels including, but not
limited to, full-service hotels which have food and beverage operations and meeting spaces.

	B.	 	“Change of Control” means (i) the sale, transfer, or other disposition of eighty percent
(80%) or more of the Company’s assets, or (ii) a sale of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
then outstanding voting stock of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions.

	C.	 	“Confidential Information” means (a) information of the Company, to the extent not considered
a Trade Secret under applicable law, that (i) relates to the business of the Company, (ii)
possesses an element of value to the Company, (iii) is not generally known to the Company’s
competitors, and (iv) would damage the Company if disclosed, and (b) information of any third
party provided to the Company which the Company is obligated to treat as confidential,
including, but not limited to, information provided to the Company by its licensors,
suppliers, or customers. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, (i) future
business plans, (ii) the composition, description, schematic or design of products, future
products or equipment of the Company or any third party, (iii) communication systems, audio
systems, system designs and related documentation, (iv) advertising or marketing plans, (v)
information regarding independent contractors, employees, clients, licensors, suppliers,
customers, or any third party, including, but not limited to, customer lists compiled by the
Company, and customer information compiled by the Company, and (vi) information concerning the
Company’s or a third party’s financial structure and methods and procedures of operation.
Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of an unauthorized disclosure, (ii) has been
independently developed and disclosed by others without violating this Agreement or the legal
rights of any party, or (iii) otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means.

	D.	 	“Contact” means any interaction between You and a Customer which (i) takes place in an effort
to establish, maintain, and/or further a business relationship on behalf of the Company and
(ii) occurs during the last year of Your employment with the Company (or during Your
employment if employed less than a year).

	E.	 	“Customer” means any person or entity to whom the Company has sold its products or services,
or solicited to sell its products or services.

	F.	 	“Employee” means any person who (i) is employed by the Company at the time Your employment
with the Company ends, or (ii) was employed by the Company during the last year of Your
employment with the Company (or during Your employment if employed less than a year).

	G.	 	“Good Reason” shall exist if (i) the Company, without Your written consent, (A) takes any
action which results in the material reduction of Your then current duties or

 

 

	 	 	responsibilities, (B) reduces the benefits to which You are entitled on the Effective Date,
unless a similar reduction is made for other executive employees, (C) commits a material
breach of this Agreement, or (D) requires You to relocate more than fifty (50) miles from
the location of the Company’s home office on the Effective Date; (ii) You provide written
notice to the Company of such action and provide the Company with thirty (30) days to remedy
such action (the “Cure Period”), (iii) the Company fails to remedy such action within the
Cure Period, and (iv) You resign within ten (10) days of the expiration of the Cure Period.
Good Reason shall not include any isolated, insubstantial or inadvertent action that (i) is
not taken in bad faith, and (ii) is remedied by the Company within the Cure Period.

	H.	 	“Material Interaction” means any interaction between You and an Employee which relates or
related, directly or indirectly, to the performance of Your duties for the Company.

	I.	 	“Non-Competition Restricted Period” means the time period during Your employment with the
Company, and for six (6) months after Your employment with the Company ends.

	J.	 	“Restricted Period” means the time period during Your employment with the Company, and for
two (2) years after Your employment with the Company ends.

	K.	 	“Territory” means the fifteen (15) mile radius surrounding the Company’s corporate office at
3445 Peachtree Rd., Suite 700, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.

	L.	 	“Trade Secrets” means information of the Company, and its licensors, suppliers, clients, and
customers, without regard to form, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical
data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a
drawing, a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, a list of actual
customers, clients, licensors, or suppliers, or a list of potential customers, clients,
licensors, or suppliers which is not commonly known by or available to the public and which
information (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known
to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain
economic value from its disclosure or use, and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are
reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

Lodgian, Inc.

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 1, 2006 (the “Award
Date”), by and between Lodgian, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation and James A. MacLennan
(the “Recipient”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan of
Lodgian, Inc. (the “Plan”); and

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or a committee thereof has
authorized the grant to Recipient of a restricted stock award under the Plan of the common stock of
the Company (“Common Stock”), and the Company and Recipient wish to confirm herein the terms,
conditions, and restrictions of the restricted stock award;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants contained herein, and
other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1

AWARD OF SHARES

     1.1 Award of Shares. Subject to the terms, restrictions, limitations, and conditions stated
herein, in that certain Executive Employment Agreement between the Recipient and the Company dated
March 1, 2006 (the “Employment Agreement), and in the Plan, the Company hereby awards to Recipient
35,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Award Shares”). This award represents the compensation to be
paid to Recipient pursuant to Section 3(C) of the Employment Agreement.

     1.2 Vesting of Award Shares. Recipient shall become vested in a percentage of the Award
Shares shown below based upon the Continuous Service (as defined below) of the Recipient from the
Award Date of the Award Shares (as noted hereon) and subject to the rights and limitations as
contained in the Employment Agreement.

	 	 	 
	Vesting Schedule:
	Percentage Vested:	 	Continuous Service from Award Date:
	0%

	 	Less than 1 year
	331/3
%

	 	At least 1 year, but less than 2 years
	662/3
%
	 	At least 2 years, but less than 3 years
	100%

	 	At least 3 years

If the above calculation of vested Shares would result in a fraction, any fraction will be rounded
to zero. For purposes of this Agreement, “Continuous Service” means a period of continuous

 

 

performance of services by Recipient for the Company or an affiliated company, as determined by the
Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The Award Shares which have become vested pursuant
to the Vesting Schedule or due to acceleration as provided for in the Employment Agreement are
herein referred to as the “Vested Award Shares” and all Award Shares which are not Vested Award
Shares are sometimes herein referred to as the “Unvested Award Shares.”

     1.3 The Award Recipient shall become vested in a portion of the Award Shares based upon the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and subject to the further rights and limitations as
contained in the the Employment Agreement. In the event of any ambiguity in this Restricted Stock
Award Agreement or in the terms of the Employment Agreement which relate to the Award Shares, the
good faith interpretation of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors shall
in all cases control. If the calculation of vested Shares in accordance with the Employment
Agreement would result in a fraction of a share, any such fraction will be rounded to zero.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the
vesting of the Award Shares in whole or in part.

     1.4 Additional Condition to Award Shares. In order not to forfeit the Award Shares, Recipient
must deliver to the Company, within the ten day period (the “Withholding Period”) commencing on the
date of occurrence of an event pursuant to which some or all of the Award Shares become
“substantially vested” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, either a check payable to the Company in the amount of all withholding or other tax
obligations (whether federal, state or local) imposed on the Company by reason of the vesting of
the Award Shares, or the Withholding Election described in Section 1.4. Upon receipt of payment in
full of all withholding tax obligations, the Company shall cause a certificate representing the
Award Shares which are the Vested Award Shares to be issued and delivered by the Share Custodian to
the Recipient pursuant to the instructions of Recipient. Recipient acknowledges and agrees
that he has been fully advised to consult with his own tax consultants regarding the applicability
of his making a Code §83(b) election with respect to the Award Shares.

     1.5 Optional Withholding Election. In lieu of paying the withholding tax obligation in cash,
as described in Section 1.3, Recipient may elect to have the actual number of Vested Award Shares
reduced by the smallest number of whole shares of Common Stock which, when multiplied by the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the Vesting Date as determined by the Board of Directors, is
sufficient to satisfy the amount of the withholding tax obligations imposed on the Company by
reason of the vesting of the Award Shares (the “Withholding Election”). Recipient may make a
Withholding Election only if all of the following conditions are met:

     (a) the Withholding Election must be made on or prior to the end of the Withholding
Period by executing and delivering to the Company a properly completed Notice of Withholding
Election, in substantially the form of Exhibit A attached hereto;

     (b) any Withholding Election made will be irrevocable; and

-2-

 

     (c) If Recipient is an Insider (an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer,
director or ten percent (10%) beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s equity
securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all as defined
under Section 16 of the Exchange Act), then a Withholding Election may only be made to the
extent that such withholding of Shares (1) has met the requirements of an exemption under
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or (2) is a subsequent transaction the terms
of which were provided for in a transaction initially meeting the requirements of an
exemption under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

     1.6 Investment Representations. Recipient hereby represents, warrants, covenants, and agrees
with the Company as follows:

     (a) The Award Shares being acquired by Recipient will be acquired for Recipient’s own
account without the participation of any other person, with the intent of holding the Award
Shares for investment and without the intent of participating, directly or indirectly, in a
distribution of the Award Shares and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with,
any distribution of the Award Shares, nor is Recipient aware of the existence of any
distribution of the Award Shares;

     (b) Recipient is not acquiring the Award Shares based upon any representation, oral or
written, by any person with respect to the future value of, or income from, the Award Shares
but rather upon an independent examination and judgment as to the prospects of the Company;

     (c) The Award Shares were not offered to Recipient by means of publicly disseminated
advertisements or sales literature, nor is the Recipient aware of any offers made to other
persons by such means;

     (d) Recipient is able to bear the economic risks of the investment in the Award Shares,
including the risk of a complete loss of Recipient’s investment therein;

     (e) The Award Shares cannot be offered for sale, sold or transferred by Recipient other
than (A) in a transaction in compliance with the 1933 Act; and (B) upon presentation of
evidence satisfactory to the Company of compliance with the applicable securities laws of
other jurisdictions. The Company shall be entitled to rely upon an opinion of counsel
satisfactory to it with respect to compliance with the above laws;

     (f) The Company will be under no obligation to register the Award Shares for resale or
to comply with any exemption available for sale of the Award Shares without registration or
filing, and the information or conditions necessary to permit routine sales of securities of
the Company under Rule 144 of the 1933 Act are not now available and no assurance has been
given that it or they will become available. The Company is under no obligation to act in
any manner so as to make Rule 144 available with respect to the Award Shares; and

-3-

 

     (g) The agreements, representations, warranties, and covenants made by Recipient herein
extend to and apply to all of the Award Shares of the Company issued to Recipient pursuant
to this restricted stock award. Acceptance by Recipient of the certificate representing
such Award Shares shall constitute a confirmation by Recipient that all such agreements,
representations, warranties, and covenants made herein shall be true and correct at that
time.

SECTION 2

FORFEITURE OF AWARD SHARES

     Any Unvested Award Shares that are held for the benefit of the Recipient, at and after the
termination of employment of the Recipient by the Company, shall, unless the Employment Agreement
otherwise expressly provides, be forfeited by the Recipient at such time and returned, marked
“cancelled,” to the Company. Until an Award Share has been released to the Recipient, or cancelled
and returned to the Company as provided herein or in the Employment Agreement, it shall be held by
the General Counsel of the Company, acting as share custodian (the “Share Custodian”), for the
benefit of the Recipient, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
Employment Agreement.

SECTION 3

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     3.1 Change in Capitalization. If the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock shall
be increased or decreased by a change in par value, split-up, stock split, reverse stock split,
reclassification, distribution of common stock dividend, or other similar capital adjustment, an
appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Board of Directors in the number and kind of Award
Shares, such that Recipient’s proportionate interest shall be maintained as before the occurrence
of the event. No fractional shares shall be issued in making such adjustment. All adjustments
made by the Board of Directors under this Section shall be final, binding, and conclusive.

     3.2 Legends. Each certificate representing the Award Shares shall be endorsed with the
following legend and Recipient shall not make any transfer of the Award Shares without first
complying with the restrictions on transfer described in such legend:

transfer is restricted

the securities evidenced by this certificate are subject to restrictions on transfer set
forth in a restricted stock award agreement dated March 1, 2006, a copy of which is
available from the company.

The securities evidenced by this certificate may not be sold, transferred, assigned, or
hypothecated unless (1) the transfer is made in compliance with rule 

-4-

 

 144 promulgated under the securities act of 1933, or (2) the issuer receives
an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the company, stating that such sale,
transfer, assignment or hypothecation is exempt from the registration requirements of such
act.

Recipient agrees that the Company may also endorse any other legends required by applicable federal
or state securities laws. The Company need not register a transfer of the Award Shares, and may
also instruct its transfer agent, if any, not to register the transfer of the Award Shares unless
the conditions specified in the foregoing legends are satisfied.

     3.3 Removal of Legend and Transfer Restrictions. The restrictions described in the second
sentence of the legend set forth in Section 3.2 may be removed at such time as permitted by Rule
144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

     3.4 Governing Laws. This Agreement shall be construed, administered and enforced according to
the laws of the State of Delaware.

     3.5 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs,
legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns of the parties.

     3.6 Notice. Except as otherwise specified herein, all notices and other communications under
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if personally delivered
or if sent by registered or certified United States mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed to the proposed recipient at the last known address of the recipient. Any party
may designate any other address to which notices shall be sent by giving notice of the address to
the other parties in the same manner as provided herein.

     3.7 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions or portion thereof
contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable
in any respect, the same shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any other provisions of this
Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision or portion thereof had never been contained herein.

     3.8 Entire Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Employment
Agreement, this Agreement expresses the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     3.9 Violation. Any transfer, pledge, sale, assignment, or hypothecation of Unvested Award
Shares or any portion thereof shall be a violation of the terms of this Agreement and shall be
null, void and without effect ab initio.

-5-

 

     3.10 Headings. Paragraph headings used herein are for convenience of reference only and shall
not be considered in construing this Agreement.

     3.11 Specific Performance. In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of,
any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the party or parties who are thereby
aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunction in addition to any and all
other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be
cumulative.

     3.12 No Employment Rights Created. Neither the establishment of the Plan nor the award of
Award Shares hereunder shall be construed as giving Recipient the right to continued employment
with the Company.

     3.13 Capitalized Terms. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings
given to them herein or in the Plan.

     3.14 No Disclosure Duty. The Recipient and the Company acknowledge and agree that neither the
Company nor its directors, officers or employees have any duty or obligation to disclose to the
Recipient any material information regarding the business of the Company or affecting the value of
the Award Shares, other than as required under the law with respect to the Company’s duty to its
other shareholders.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first set
forth above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Company:	 	Recipient:	 	 
	Lodgian, Inc.:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	      /s/ James A. MacLennan
 

	 	 
	By:

	 	     /s/ Daniel E. Ellis	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Its: Senior Vice President, General
Counsel & Secretary	 	 	 	 

-6-

 

EXHIBIT A

Notice of Withholding Election

	 	 	 
	TO: Lodgian, Inc.

	 	Restricted Stock Agreement:
	 

	 	Restricted Stock Agreement between
                     and Lodgian, Inc. (the
“Company”)
	FROM:

	 	Date      of       Agreement:
	                                                            
	 	 
	 

	 	                                        
	 

	 	Total Number of Restricted Shares:
	RE: Withholding Election

	 	                    

TO:     Lodgian, Inc.

FROM:               

RE:     Withholding Election with respect to Restricted Stock Agreement Noted Above

 

This election relates to                     shares of Common Stock of the Company vesting on
                    . I hereby certify that:

     i. My correct name and social security number and my current address are set forth at the end
of this document.

     ii. I am (check one, whichever is applicable):

	 	 	 
	o

	 	the original recipient of the Restricted Stock Grant.
	o

	 	the legal representative of the estate of the original recipient of the Restricted Stock Grant.
	o

	 	a legatee of the original recipient of the Restricted Stock Grant.
	o

	 	the legal guardian of the original recipient of the Restricted Stock Grant.

     iii. In connection with any future vesting of the Restricted Stock Grant with respect to the
Restricted Shares, I hereby elect to have certain of the shares issuable pursuant to the exercise
withheld by the Company for the purpose of having the value of the shares applied to pay federal,
state, and local, if any, taxes arising from the exercise. The shares to be withheld shall have,
as of the tax date applicable to the exercise, a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory
tax-withholding requirement under federal, state, and local law in connection with the exercise.

     iv. This Withholding Election is made prior to the tax date and is otherwise timely made
pursuant to the Agreement.

     v. I understand that this Withholding Election may not be revised, amended or revoked by me
but is subject to the disapproval of the Board.

     vi. I further understand that the Company shall withhold from the Vested Restricted Shares a
number of shares of Common Stock having the value specified in Paragraph iii above.

     vii. I have read and understand the Restricted Stock Agreement and I have no reason to believe
that any of the conditions therein to the making of this Withholding Election have not been met.
Capitalized terms used in this Notice of Withholding Election without definition herein shall have
the meanings given to them in the Restricted Stock Agreement.

-7-

 

	 	 	 
	Dated this ___day of
                    , 20___.
	 	 
	 	 	 
	Address:

	 	Signature
	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 

	 	Printed Name
	 	 	 
	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	 

	 	Social Security Number

-8-

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