Document:

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

AGREEMENT and GENERAL RELEASE

This AGREEMENT and GENERAL RELEASE (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between

BELDEN & BLAKE CORPORATION (“Belden”)

And

Richard R. Hoffman (“Employee”)

WHEREAS, Employee’s employment with Belden will be or has been terminated; and

WHEREAS, Belden has offered certain benefits to Employee in return for Employee’s executing
this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Employee and Belden wish to resolve all issues arising from Employee’s employment and
termination of employment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and intending to be
legally bound thereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Employee acknowledges that Employee’s employment with Belden terminated effective February
11, 2005 (the “Termination Date”) and Employee resigned as an officer of Belden effective January
26, 2005.

2. Employee acknowledges that Employee will receive the benefits specified in Exhibit A in
return for his execution (an non revocation) of this Agreement.

3. Employee acknowledges that by signing this Agreement and accepting the benefits of it, that
Employee is giving up forever the right to seek any relief from Belden or the Belden & Blake
Corporation 1999 Change in Control Protection Plan for Key Employees (the “Plan”) or any person
associated with Belden or the Plan for any event occurring prior to the execution of this Agreement
by all parties, including Employee’s decision to accept the benefits specified in Exhibit A and
consequences of that decision. Pursuant to that understanding and as consideration for the
payments under this Agreement, which Employee hereby acknowledges that Employee would not otherwise
be entitled to receive, Employee irrevocably and unconditionally releases Belden, its present and
former officers, directors, agents, employees, contractors, successors and assigns and the Plan and
all fiduciaries of the Plan, and all other employee benefit or compensation plans or programs of
Belden, except Employee’s vested benefits under Belden’s 401(k) Plan, (separately and collectively
“Releasees”), jointly and individually, from any and all claims, known or unknown, which Employee,
Employee’s heirs, successors, or assigns have or may have against Releasees, and any and all
liability which the Releasees may have to Employee. This Release relates to claims arising prior
to and during Employee’s employment by Belden, whether those claims are past or present, whether
they arise from common law, contract or statute, whether they arise from labor laws, discrimination
laws, or any other law, rule or regulation. Employee specifically acknowledges that this Release
is applicable to any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the American’s With Disabilities
Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and any similar state law. Employee acknowledges
that Employee is releasing all claims Employee may have under the Plan. This Release is for any
type of claim Employee may have, including but not limited to reinstatement, wages, back pay, front
pay, severance pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, damages for pain and suffering, or
attorneys’ fees. Employee agrees that Employee will not hereafter be entitled to any benefit from
any claim or proceeding filed by Employee or on Employee’s behalf with any agency or court.
Employee further agrees that Employee will not seek employment with Belden after termination, and
if Employee does seek employment, Belden may deny such employment and Employee will have no claim
whatsoever because of said denial. The aforementioned restriction on future employment shall not
apply in the event that Employee secures employment with a company, which is later acquired by
Belden.

4. Employee acknowledges and agrees that in the performance of Employee’s duties as an
employee of Belden, Employee was brought into frequent contact with, had access to, and became
informed of confidential and proprietary information of Belden and/or information which is a trade
secret of Belden (collectively, “Confidential Information”), as more fully described in the
following paragraphs. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information of Belden
gained by Employee during Employee’s association with Belden was developed by and/or for Belden
through substantial expenditure of time, effort and money and constitutes valuable and unique
property of Belden.

Employee will keep in strict confidence, and will not, directly or indirectly, at any time,
disclose, furnish, disseminate, make available, use or suffer to be used in any manner any
Confidential Information of Belden without limitation as to when or how Employee may have acquired
such Confidential Information. Employee specifically acknowledges that Confidential Information
includes any and all information, whether reduced to writing (or in a form from which information
can be obtained, translated, or derived into reasonably useable form), or maintained in the mind or
memory of the Employee and whether compiled or created by Belden, which derives independent
economic value from not being readily known to or ascertainable by proper means by others who can
obtain economic value from the disclosure or use of such information, that reasonable efforts have
been put forth by Belden to maintain the secrecy of Confidential Information, that such
Confidential Information is and will remain the sole property of Belden, and that any retention or
use by Employee of Confidential Information after the termination of Employee’s employment with and
services for Belden shall constitute a misappropriation of Belden’s Confidential Information. Any
violation of the foregoing obligations will constitute a breach of Employee’s obligations that will
permit Belden to terminate any further commitments under this Agreement as liquidated damages, but
all of Employee’s obligations and releases shall remain in effect. Belden’s termination of further
payments shall not preclude Belden from seeking additional damages from Employee as a result of
Employee’s violation. Belden agrees that before it terminates any of its commitments under this
Agreement pursuant to the foregoing provision, or otherwise institutes any legal action against
Employee with respect to an alleged breach by Employee of his obligations under this Agreement,
Belden will first provide Employee with thirty (30) days advance notice of such alleged breach,
providing all details relating thereto, and will give Employee an opportunity to cure and/or
respond to such alleged breach.

Employee further agrees that Employee shall return, within ten (10) days of the Termination
Date, in good condition, all property of Belden then in Employee’s possession or control,
including, without limitation, (i) property, documents and/or all other materials (including
copies, reproductions, summaries and/or analyses) which constitute, refer or relate to Confidential
Information of Belden, (ii) keys to Belden property, (iii) files and (iv) blueprints or other
drawings.

Employee further acknowledges and agrees that Employee’s obligation of confidentiality shall
survive until and unless such Confidential Information of Belden shall have become, through no
fault of Employee, generally known to the public or Employee is required by law (after providing
Belden with notice and opportunity to contest such requirement) to make disclosure. Employee’s
obligations under this paragraph are in addition to, and not in limitation or preemption of, all
other obligations of confidentiality which Employee may have to Belden under general legal or
equitable principles or statutes.

5. Employee agrees that Employee will not for a period of twelve (12) months following the
Termination Date on Employee’s behalf or on behalf of any person or entity, attempt in any fashion
to hire or otherwise obtain the services of any current employee of Belden. The aforementioned
restriction on hiring shall not apply to any current employees of Belden whose employment with
Belden terminates without any solicitation by Employee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, Employee may, at Employee’s discretion, disclose the requirements of
this paragraph 5 to prospective employers.

6. The parties mutually agree that neither shall disparage, malign or otherwise say or do
anything which could adversely affect the reputation or standing of the other party.

7. Belden acknowledges that this Agreement does not waive any claim which Employee may have to
any vested benefits under Belden’s 401(k) Plan.

8. The parties agree that the execution of this Agreement is in compromise and final
settlement between the parties of all disputed matters, whether asserted or not, constitutes full
satisfaction of all claims made or which could be made, and does not in any way admit liability or
wrongdoing by any entity or individual.

9. The parties intend this Agreement to be legally binding upon and inure to the benefit of
each of them and their respective successors and assigns.

10. This Agreement is the complete agreement between the parties, and there are no written or
oral understandings, promises or agreements directly or indirectly related to this Agreement that
are not incorporated herein in full.

11. Employee states that Employee has carefully read this Agreement, that Employee has been
advised prior to execution of this Agreement to seek the advice of an attorney and that this
Agreement also advises Employee to seek the advice of an attorney, that Employee knows and
understands the contents of this Agreement, that Employee has been given adequate time to consider
whether to execute the Agreement, that Employee executes this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily
as Employee’s own free act and deed, and that this Agreement was freely entered into without fraud,
duress or coercion.

12. In compliance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Employee further acknowledges
that Employee was given at least twenty-one (21) days in which to consider whether to execute this
Agreement before being required to make a decision. Employee further acknowledges that Employee
may revoke the Agreement for a period of seven (7) days from the date that Employee executes this
Agreement, such revocation to be delivered in writing to Belden, and that this Agreement shall be
effective only upon expiration of this revocation period, provided Employee does not revoke his
acceptance hereof prior to the end of such period.

13. This Agreement shall be and remain in effect despite any alleged breach of this Agreement
or the discovery or existence of any new or additional fact, or any fact different from that which
Belden or Employee now know or believe to be true. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed as or constitute a release of any party’s rights to enforce the terms
of this Agreement.

14. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Ohio,
and the parties to this Agreement agree that jurisdiction for any action filed to enforce this
Agreement or any provision hereof, or any action which involves interpretation of this Agreement or
any provision hereof, shall be proper only in state court located in Stark County, Ohio, or in
federal court located in Franklin County, Ohio.

15. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions
of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall
any failure at any one time or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment at any other time or
times of any right under the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof.

16. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted so as to be enforceable to the fullest
extent permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be unlawful,
improper, or unenforceable for any reason in any jurisdiction, such unenforceability shall not
affect its validity or enforceability in any other jurisdiction, nor shall it effect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision hereof.

17. No modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same be in a
writing duly executed by all the parties hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound, each of the parties hereto has caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the dates indicated.

	 	 	 
	Date: February 18, 2005

	 	BELDEN & BLAKE CORPORATION
	 

	 	

	 
	 	 
	
 
	 	By: /s/ Patricia A. Harcourt
	
 
	 	 
	
 
	 	Vice President, Administration
	 
	 	 
	Date: February 18, 2005

	 	/s/ Richard R. Hoffman
	 

	 	 
	
 
	 	Richard R. Hoffman
	 
	 	 

1

Exhibit A

Richard R. Hoffman

I. Consideration

1. Fifteen (15) months of severance pay in the total amount of $266,884.48, less required tax
withholdings, to be paid within five (5) calendar days following the expiration of the revocation
period set forth in Paragraph 12 of the Agreement. As additional consideration, Belden hereby
relinquishes any claim that Employee was terminated for cause pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Plan.

2. Employee shall receive in addition to the payments specified in Paragraph 1, payment for
any accrued and unused vacation days. Employee shall receive this lump sum payment on the next
regular pay day after the Termination Date, without regard to whether Employee executes this
Agreement.

3. Belden will pay Employee’s COBRA premiums under Belden’s group health plan if Employee
timely elects COBRA continuation coverage thereunder for the entire period of time Employee is
eligible for COBRA continuation coverage.

2EX-10.1

EMPLOYEE NONCOMPETITION,

NONDISCLOSURE AND DEVELOPMENTS AGREEMENT

In consideration and as a condition of my employment by AMERIGROUP Corporation and/or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates (each, an “AMERIGROUP Company” and collectively, the “AMERIGROUP
Companies”) and the issuance of certain options to purchase shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value
per share, of AMERIGROUP Corporation, I hereby agree as follows:

1. Throughout the period of my employment with any of the AMERIGROUP Companies, I will act in
the best interests of the AMERIGROUP Companies and devote my full time and best efforts to their
business.

2. (a) At all times while employed by any AMERIGROUP Company and at all times during the
Covered Post-Employment Period (defined below), I will not (i) compete with any AMERIGROUP Company
by serving a Competitor (defined below) in any managerial capacity, or in any capacity that
influences business strategy, with respect to a Covered Product or Service (defined below) that the
Competitor is offering in a Covered Area (defined below) or developing to offer in a Covered Area
or (ii) solicit for employment, interfere with the employment relationship of or endeavor to entice
away any employee of any AMERIGROUP Company.

(b) As used herein,

(i) My “Covered Post-Employment Period” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on the
first day on which I am no longer employed by any AMERIGROUP Company and ending on the first
anniversary of such date.

(ii) “Competitor” means any entity or person that provides or is planning to provide a Covered
Product or Service in competition with a Covered Product or Service that an AMERIGROUP Company is
actively developing, marketing, providing or selling.

(iii) “Confidential Information” means an AMERIGROUP Company’s material non-public information
concerning its business and affairs, including, without limitation, trade secrets, strategies,
business plans, marketing and advertising plans, member and provider information, employee and
personnel information, contracts, training manuals, financial projections, budgets and non-public
financial data (including, without limitation, statements with premium revenue and/or provider
compensation terms, reports of actuaries, medical loss reports, balance sheets and income
statements).

(iv) A “Covered Product or Service” shall mean a managed health care product or service
offered or provided to any beneficiary of and/or participant in any Medicaid, Medicaid-related, or
SSI program, any government-funded children’s health insurance program or any federal and/or state
sponsored health care program that is substantially similar to any of such programs.

(v) The “Covered Area” shall consist of each city, county and other similar governmental
territory in which an AMERIGROUP Company provides or has made material efforts to develop and
provide a Covered Product or Service to its members, if in the course of my employment with an
AMERIGROUP Company I (A) have provided services to an AMERIGROUP Company with respect to the
Covered Products or Services in such city, county or governmental territory, or (B) reviewed or
discussed Confidential Information of an AMERIGROUP Company with respect to the Covered Product or
Service in such city, county or governmental territory.

3. I will not at any time, whether during or after the termination of my employment, reveal to
any person or entity any of the trade secrets or confidential information concerning the
organization, business or finances of any AMERIGROUP Company or of any third party which any
AMERIGROUP Company is under an obligation to keep confidential (including but not limited to trade
secrets or confidential information respecting inventions, products, designs, methods, techniques,
systems, processes, software programs, works of authorship, customer lists, projects, plans and
proposals), except as may be required in the ordinary course of performing my duties as an employee
of an AMERIGROUP Company, and I shall keep secret all matters entrusted to me and shall not use or
attempt to use any such information in any manner which may injure or cause loss or may be
calculated to injure or cause loss whether directly or indirectly to any AMERIGROUP Company.

Further, I agree that during my employment I shall not make, use or permit to be used any
notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings, sketches, specifications, software programs,
data, documentation or other materials of any nature relating to any matter within the scope of the
business of any AMERIGROUP Company or concerning any of its dealings or affairs otherwise than for
the benefit of the AMERIGROUP Companies. I further agree that I shall not, after the termination
of my employment, use or permit to be used any such notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records,
drawings, sketches, specifications, software programs, data, documentation or other materials, it
being agreed that all of the foregoing shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of each
applicable AMERIGROUP Company and that immediately upon the termination of my employment I shall
deliver all of the foregoing, and all copies thereof, to the AMERIGROUP Company by which I was last
employed, at its main office.

4. If at any time or times during my employment, I shall (either alone or with others) make,
conceive, create, discover, invent or reduce to practice any invention, modification, discovery,
design, development, improvement, process, software program, work of authorship, documentation,
formula, data, technique, know-how, trade secret or intellectual property right whatsoever or any
interest therein (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright, trademark or similar
statues (including but not limited to the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act) or subject to
analogous protection) (herein called “Developments”) that (a) relates to the business of any
AMERIGROUP Company or any customer of or supplier to any AMERIGROUP Company or any of the products
or services being developed, manufactured or sold by any AMERIGROUP Company or which may be used in
relation therewith, (b) results from tasks assigned me by any AMERIGROUP Company or (c) results
from the use of premises or personal property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased or
contracted for by any AMERIGROUP Company, such Developments and the benefits thereof are and shall
immediately become the sole and absolute property of each applicable AMERIGROUP Company and its
assigns, as works made for hire or otherwise, and I shall promptly disclose to each such AMERIGROUP
Company (or any persons designated by it) each such Development and, as may be necessary to ensure
the AMERIGROUP Company’s ownership of such Developments, I hereby assign any rights (including, but
not limited to, any copyrights and trademarks) I may have or acquire in the Developments and
benefits and/or rights resulting therefrom to each applicable AMERIGROUP Company and its assigns
without further compensation and shall communicate, without cost or delay, and without disclosing
to others the same, all available information relating thereto (with all necessary plans and
models) to such AMERIGROUP Company.

I will, during my employment and at any time thereafter, at the request and cost of an
AMERIGROUP Company, promptly sign, execute, make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things
as such AMERIGROUP Company and its duly authorized agents may reasonably require:

(a) to apply for, obtain, register and vest in the name of such AMERIGROUP Company alone
(unless such AMERIGROUP Company otherwise directs) letters patent, copyrights, trademarks or other
analogous protection in any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested to renew
and restore the same; and

(b) to defend any judicial, opposition or other proceeding in respect of such applications and
any judicial, opposition or other proceedings or petitions or applications for revocation of such
letters patent, copyright, trademark or other analogous protection.

In the event such AMERIGROUP Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure my
signature on any application for letters patent, copyright or trademark registration or other
documents regarding any legal protection relating to a Development, whether because of my physical
or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint
each AMERIGROUP Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and
attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead to execute and file any such application or
applications or other documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the
prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright or trademark registrations or any other legal
protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me.

5. I agree that any breach of this Agreement by me may cause irreparable damage to one or more
of the AMERIGROUP Companies and that in the event of such breach each AMERIGROUP Company shall
have, in addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an injunction, specific performance
or other equitable relief to prevent the violation of my obligations hereunder. I agree that any
such AMERIGROUP Company may seek and obtain injunctive relief without posting an injunction bond.
I hereby acknowledge and agree that I will have access to confidential and proprietary information
and trade secrets concerning the AMERIGROUP Companies during my employment and that the
restrictions contained in Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement are reasonable in scope and necessary
to protect the legitimate business interests of the AMERIGROUP Companies. I hereby further
expressly acknowledge that each AMERIGROUP Company is an express third party beneficiary of the
terms of this Agreement. (For the avoidance of doubt, I acknowledge and agree that the experience
and/or knowledge that I acquire in the course of my employment with an AMERIGROUP Company may
relate not only to the Covered Products and Services of the AMERIGROUP Company with which I am
employed, but also those of other AMERIGROUP Companies.)

6. I understand that this Agreement does not create an obligation on any AMERIGROUP Company or
any other person or entity to continue my employment.

7. I represent that the Developments identified in the pages, if any, attached hereto comprise
all the unpatented and unregistered copyrightable Developments which I have made, conceived or
created prior to my employment by any AMERIGROUP Company, which Developments are excluded from this
Agreement. I understand that it is only necessary to list the title and purpose of such
Developments but not details thereof.

8. I hereby represent that, except as I have disclosed in writing to the AMERIGROUP Companies,
I am not a party to, or bound by the terms of, any agreement with any previous employer or other
party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or proprietary
information in the course of my employment with any AMERIGROUP Company or to refrain from
competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other party.
I further represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of
any AMERIGROUP Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary
information, knowledge or data acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment with
any AMERIGROUP Company, and I will not disclose to any AMERIGROUP Company or induce any AMERIGROUP
Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous
employer or others. I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any agreement
either written or oral in conflict herewith.

9. Any waiver by any AMERIGROUP Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall
not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of such provision or any other
provision hereof.

10. I hereby agree that each provision herein shall be treated as a separate and independent
clause, and the unenforceability of any one clause shall in no way impair the enforceability of any
of the other clauses herein. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or
otherwise so as to be unenforceable, in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision or
provisions, such provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by
limiting or reducing it or them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with the
applicable law as it shall then appear, and such determination by such judicial body shall not
affect the enforceability of such provisions or provisions in any other jurisdiction.

11. My obligations under this Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment
regardless of the manner of such termination and shall be binding upon my heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
above, in the event that an AMERIGROUP Company terminates my employment without cause, the
restriction in Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement shall not apply to any period after the
termination of my employment. For purposes hereof “cause” shall mean conduct involving one or more
of the following:

(a) the substantial and continuing gross and willful failure to render services to the
AMERIGROUP Company by which I have been employed in accordance with my obligations and position
with such AMERIGROUP Company, which failure materially and adversely affects or could materially
and adversely affect the business, prospects, financial condition, operations, property or affairs
of any of the AMERIGROUP Companies, after 30 days notice from the President of AMERIGROUP
Corporation or the AMERIGROUP Company by which I have been employed, such notice setting forth in
reasonable detail the nature of such failure, and in the event that I fail to cure such breach or
failure within 30 days of the date of notice, if such breach or failure is capable of cure;

(b) dishonesty, gross negligence, breach of fiduciary duty;

(c) the commission of an act of fraud or embezzlement, as found by a court of competent
jurisdiction, which results in material loss, damage or injury to any AMERIGROUP Company, whether
directly or indirectly, or the commission of any other action with the intent to injure materially
an AMERIGROUP Company which could, in the reasonable opinion of the President of the AMERIGROUP
Corporation or the AMERIGROUP Company by which I have been employed, result in material harm to an
AMERIGROUP Company;

(d) conviction of a felony, either in connection with the performance of my obligations
hereunder or which shall materially adversely affect my ability to perform my obligations
hereunder; or

(e) material breach of the terms of my employment or this Employee Noncompetition,
Nondisclosure and Development Agreement, provided that the Company provides me with adequate notice
of such breach and I fail to cure such breach, if the breach is reasonably curable, within thirty
(30) days after receipt of such notice.

12. I agree that throughout the Covered Post-Employment Period I will notify any prospective
employers that I am bound by the restrictions contained in Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement and I
will provide a copy of this Agreement to any employer prior to commencing employment during the
Covered Post-Employment Period.

13. I agree and understand that each AMERIGROUP Company by which I am employed may assign this
Agreement. I hereby expressly consent to each such assignment, acknowledge that all covenants and
agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by such successors and
assigns, and, without limiting the foregoing, further acknowledge that should an AMERIGROUP Company
by which I am employed be acquired by, merge with or otherwise combine with another corporation or
business entity, the surviving entity will have all rights to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

14. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to its principles of conflict of laws.

1

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement as a sealed instrument as of
the day of , 2005.

[EMPLOYEE NAME]

Signature

Address:

AMERIGROUP Corporation

Stanley F. Baldwin

Signature

Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel

and Secretary

2

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