Document:

Exhibit 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into effective as of the 9th day of August,
2010, by and among Streamline Health Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Streamline
Health, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Company”) and Donald E. Vick, Jr. (“Employee”).

RECITALS:

A. Parent and the Company currently employ Employee as Interim Chief Financial Officer,
Controller, Secretary and Treasurer for Parent and the Company; and

B. Employee possesses certain skills and expertise and desires to provide services to Parent
and the Company as Interim Chief Financial Officer.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements contained herein, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which the parties hereby
acknowledge, the parties agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT

Parent and the Company hereby agree to employ Employee, and Employee, in consideration of such
employment and other consideration set forth herein, hereby accepts employment, upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein.

2. POSITION AND DUTIES

While employed hereunder, Employee shall do all things necessary, legal and incident to the
position(s) in which he is employed (currently, Interim Chief Financial Officer, Controller,
Secretary and Treasurer), and otherwise shall perform such functions as the CEO and President of
Parent or the Company may establish from time to time. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee
shall be the Interim Chief Financial Officer of each of Parent and the Company and will be
responsible for, perform and direct all duties consistent therewith until such time as Parent and
the Company notify Employee that he no longer serves as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Employee
shall report to the Company’s CEO and President and/or such other officers as designated by Parent
in its discretion.

3. COMPENSATION

Subject to such modifications as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors
or officers of Parent, the Employee shall receive the compensation and benefits listed on the
attached Exhibit A. Such compensation shall be paid by Parent or the Company, at the discretion of
Parent.

 

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4. EXPENSES

Parent or the Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all travel and out-of-pocket
expenses reasonably incurred or paid by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee’s
duties as an employee of Parent or the Company, respectively, upon compliance with the Company’s
procedures for expense reimbursement including the presentation of expense statements or receipts
or such other supporting documentation as the Company may reasonably require. Expense reimbursement shall
include, if applicable, expenses incurred under the company’s dental plan. You will receive at the
Company’s option either, (1) reimbursement of your dental bills according to our existing dental
insurance plan, or (2) receive dental insurance for your region equivalent to the existing Company
plan at no expense to you.

5. PRIOR EMPLOYMENT

The Employee warrants and represents to Parent and the Company (i) that the Employee will take
no action in violation of any employment agreement or arrangement with any prior employer, (ii)
that the Employee has disclosed to Parent and the Company all such prior written agreements, (iii)
that any employment agreement or arrangement with any prior employer is null and void and of no
effect, and (iv) that the Employee has the full right and authority to enter into this Agreement
and to perform all of the Employee’s obligations hereunder. The Employee agrees to indemnify and
hold Parent and the Company harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities or expenses
incurred by Parent and/or the Company as a result of any claim made by any prior employer arising
out of this Agreement or the employment of the Employee by Parent and the Company.

6. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT

Employee shall devote Employee’s full time and attention to the performance of the duties
incident to Employee’s position with Parent and the Company, and shall not have any other
employment with any other enterprise or substantial responsibility for any enterprise which would
be inconsistent with Employee’s duty to devote Employee’s full time and attention to Parent and
Company matters, provided that, the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from participating in
any charitable or civic organization that does not interfere with Employee’s performance of the
duties and responsibilities to be performed by Employee under this Agreement.

7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Employee shall not, during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, disclose, or
cause to be disclosed, in any way Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any person,
firm, corporation, association, or any other operation or entity, or use the Confidential
Information on Employee’s own behalf, for any reason or purpose. Employee further agrees that,
during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, Employee will not distribute, or cause
to be distributed, Confidential Information to any third person or permit the reproduction of the
Confidential Information, except on behalf of Parent or the Company in Employee’s capacity as an
employee of Parent and the Company. Employee shall take all reasonable care to avoid unauthorized
disclosure or use of the Confidential Information. Employee hereby assumes responsibility for and
shall indemnify and hold Parent and/or the Company harmless from and against any disclosure or use
of the Confidential Information in violation of this Agreement.

 

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For the purpose of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any written or
unwritten information which specifically relates to and or is used in Parent’s or the Company’s
business (including without limitation, Parent’s or the Company’s services, processes, patents,
systems, equipment, creations, designs, formats, programming, discoveries, inventions,
improvements, computer programs, data kept on computer, engineering, research, development,
applications, financial information, information regarding services and products in development,
market information including test marketing or localized marketing, other information regarding
processes or plans in development, trade secrets, training manuals, know-how of the Company, and
the customers, clients, suppliers and others with whom Parent and/or the Company does or has in the
past done, business, regardless of when and by whom such information was developed or acquired)
which Parent or the Company deems confidential and proprietary
which is generally not known to others outside Parent or the Company and which gives or tends to
give Parent or the Company a competitive advantage over persons who do not possess such information
or the secrecy of which is otherwise of value to Parent and/or the Company in the conduct of its
business — regardless of when and by whom such information was developed or acquired, and
regardless of whether any of these are described in writing, reduced to practice, copyrightable or
considered copyrightable, patentable or considered patentable. Provided, however, that
“Confidential Information” shall not include general industry information or information which is
publicly available or is otherwise in the public domain without breach of this Agreement,
information which Employee has lawfully acquired from a source other than Parent or the Company, or
information which is required to be disclosed pursuant to any law, regulation, or rule of any
governmental body or authority or court order. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential
Information is novel, proprietary to and of considerable value to Parent and the Company.

Employee agrees that all restrictions contained in this Section 7 are reasonable and valid
under the circumstances and hereby waives all defenses to the strict enforcement thereof by Parent
and/or the Company.

Employee agrees that, upon the request of Parent or the Company, Employee will immediately
deliver up to the requesting entity all Confidential Information in Employee’s possession and/or
control, and all notes, records, memoranda, correspondence, files and other papers, and all copies,
relating to or containing Confidential Information. Employee does not have, nor can Employee
acquire any property or other right in the Confidential Information.

8. PROPERTY OF PARENT AND THE COMPANY

All ideas, inventions, discoveries, proprietary information, know-how, processes and other
developments and, more specifically improvements to existing inventions, conceived by the Employee,
alone or with others, during the term of the Employee’s employment, whether or not during working
hours and whether or not while working on a specific project, that are within the scope of Parent’s
or the Company’s business operations or that relate to any work or projects of Parent or the
Company, are and shall remain the exclusive property of Parent and the Company. Inventions,
improvements and discoveries relating to the business of Parent or the Company conceived or made by
the Employee, either alone or with others, while employed with Parent and the Company are
conclusively and irrefutably presumed to have been made during the period of employment and are the
sole property of Parent and the Company. The Employee shall promptly disclose in writing any such
matters to Parent and the Company but to no other person without the consent of Parent. The
Employee hereby assigns and agrees to assign all right, title, and interest in and to such matters
to the Company. The Employee will, upon request of Parent, execute such assignments or other
instruments and assist Parent and the Company in the obtaining, at the Company’s sole expense, of
any patents, trademarks or similar protection, if available, in the name of the Company.

 

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9. NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

(A) During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year after the termination date
of this Agreement (whether such termination be with or without cause), Employee agrees that he will
not directly or indirectly, own, operate or otherwise work for or participate in any competitive
business in the United States which designs, develops, manufactures or markets any product or
service that in any way competes with Parent’s or the Company’s business, products or services as
conducted, or planned to be conducted, on the date of termination (a “Competitive Business”).

(B) During the term of this Agreement and for a period ending one year from the termination of
Employee’s employment with Parent and the Company, whether by reason of the expiration of the term
of this Agreement, resignation, discharge by Parent and the Company or otherwise, Employee hereby
agrees that Employee will not, directly or indirectly:

(i) solicit, otherwise attempt to employ or contract with any current or future employee of
Parent or the Company for employment or otherwise in any Competitive Business or otherwise offer
any inducement to any current or future employee of Parent or the Company to leave Parent’s or the
Company’s employ; or

(ii) contact or solicit any customer or client of Parent or the Company (an “Existing
Customer”), contact or solicit any individual or business entity with whom Parent or the Company
has directly communicated for the purpose of rendering services prior to the effective date of such
termination (a “Potential Customer”), or otherwise provide any other products or services for any
Existing Customer or Potential Customer of Parent or the Company, on behalf of a Competitive
Business or in a manner that is competitive to the Parent’s or the Company’s business; or

(iii) Use or divulge to anyone any information about the identity of Parent’s or the
Company’s customers or suppliers (including without limitation, mental or written customer lists
and customer prospect lists), or information about customer requirements, transactions, work
orders, pricing policies, plans, or any other Confidential Information.

(C) For the purpose of this Agreement, Competitive Business shall mean any business operation
(including a sole proprietorship) in the United States which designs, develops, manufactures or
markets any product or service that in any way competes with Parent’s or the Company’s health
information access system business, products or services as conducted, or contemplated to be
conducted, on the date of termination.

10. TERM

(A) Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 11 herein or as provided in Section 10(B),
for so long as Employee is serving as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, the term of
this Agreement shall be for the time period beginning August 9, 2010, the date hereof, and
continuing through January 31, 2011 (the “Term”), unless, during the Term of this agreement, or any
extension thereof, there is a change in control as defined in Section 12 herein, at which time the
then current Expiration Date will be extended to be one year from the date of the change in
control. On January 31, 2011, or the Expiration Date resulting from a change in control, whichever
is later, and on each annual Expiration Date thereafter, ( each such date being hereinafter
referred to as the “Renewal Date”), the term of employment hereunder shall automatically renew for
an additional one (1) year period unless the Company notifies Employee in writing at least 90 days
prior to the applicable Renewal Date that the Company does not wish to renew this Agreement beyond
the expiration of the then current term. Unless waived in writing by the Company, the requirements
of Sections 7 (Confidential Agreement), 8 (Property of Parent and the Company) and 9
(Non-Competition Agreement) shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any
reason.

 

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(B) Notwithstanding the above Section 10(A), at any time prior to the occurrence of a change
in control, Parent and the Company have the right in their sole discretion to notify Employee that
his services as Interim Chief Financial Officer are no longer needed. Immediately upon Employee’s
receipt of such notification or at such later time as may be specified in such notice, Employee
thereafter shall be an employee-at-will and may continue to serve in such position(s) as mutually
agreed by Employee, Parent and the Company. Employment in such position(s) may be terminated by
Parent, the Company or Employee for any reason or no reason on 14 days’ prior written notice and three months of
severance payments to Employee (including the Employee’s salary, incentive compensation and bonuses
at the time of termination to be paid according to the Company’s normal payroll schedule), or upon
the date of Employee’s death.

11. TERMINATION.

For as long as Employee is serving as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of Parent and the
Company, the term of this Agreement shall be as provided in Section 10(A) subject to the following
provisions of this Section 11. This Section 11 shall not apply subsequent to Parent and the
Company informing Employee pursuant to Section 10(B) that his services as Interim Chief Financial
Officer are no longer needed, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be as provided in
Section 10(B).

(A) Death. This Agreement and Employee’s employment as Interim Chief Financial
Officer and all other positions hereunder shall be terminated on the death of Employee, effective
as of the date of Employee’s death.

(B) Continued Disability. This Agreement and Employee’s employment as Interim Chief
Financial Officer and all other positions hereunder may be terminated, at the option of Parent,
upon a Continued Disability of Employee, effective as of the date of the determination of Continued
Disability as that term is hereinafter defined. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Continued
Disability” shall be defined as the inability or incapacity (either mental or physical) of Employee
to continue to perform Employee’s duties hereunder for a continuous period of one hundred twenty
(120) working days, or if, during any calendar year of the Term hereof because of disability,
Employee shall have been unable to perform Employee’s duties hereunder for a total period of one
hundred eighty (180) working days regardless of whether or not such days are consecutive. The
determination as to whether Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s job
as Interim Chief Financial Officer shall be made by Parent’s Board of Directors in its reasonable
discretion; provided, however, that if Employee is not satisfied with the decision of the Board,
Employee will submit to examination by three competent physicians who practice in the metropolitan
area in which the Employee then resides, one of whom shall be selected by Parent, another of whom
shall be selected by Employee, with the third to be selected by the physicians so selected. The
decision of a majority of the physicians so selected shall supersede the decision of the Board and
shall be final and conclusive.

(C) Termination For Good Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, Parent may at any time immediately terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment as
Interim Chief Financial Officer and all other positions hereunder for Good Cause. For this
purpose, “Good Cause” shall include the following: the current use of illegal drugs; indictment for
any crime involving moral turpitude, fraud or misrepresentation; commission of any act which would
constitute a felony and which would adversely impact the business or reputation of Parent or the
Company; fraud; misappropriation or embezzlement of Parent or Company funds or property; willful
conduct which is materially injurious to the reputation, business or business relationships of
Parent or the Company; or material violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any
alleged cause for termination shall be delivered in writing to Employee stating the full basis for
such cause along with any notice of such termination.

(D) Termination Without Good Cause. Parent or the Company may terminate Employee’s
employment as Interim Chief Financial Officer and all other positions prior to the Expiration Date
at any time, whether or not for Good Cause (as “Good Cause” is defined in Section 11(C) above). In
the event Parent or the Company terminates Employee without cause, Parent or the Company will pay
Employee a lump sum amount equal to fifty percent (50%) times the Employee’s then current annual
salary [to include only 50% of the then current base compensation (including the Minimum Annual Interim Chief
Financial Officer responsibility adjustment) and 50% of the higher of the incentive compensation
and bonuses paid to Employee during that prior fiscal year or earned in the then current fiscal
year to date] plus health and dental benefits for 1 year after the date of termination, unless
Employee is covered under another health and dental plan as a result of subsequent employment.
Such severance payment for salary and incentive compensation shall be paid within 90 days following
the date of Employee’s termination, except as otherwise provided in Section 20 hereof. Health or
dental benefits shall be paid, if applicable, as incurred.

 

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12. CHANGE IN CONTROL; ACCELERATED VESTING SCHEDULES

In the event that, within twelve months of a change in control of Parent and provided that
Employee was serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Parent and the Company at the time of
the change in control, Employee’s employment by Parent and the Company is terminated prior to the
end of the Term or Employee terminates his employment due to a material reduction in his duties or
compensation, (1) all incentive equity awards granted to Employee shall immediately vest in full,
(2) Parent or the Company will pay Employee a lump sum amount equal to fifty percent (50%) times
the Employee’s then current annual salary (including the Minimum Annual Interim Chief Financial
Officer responsibility adjustment) at the time of termination, or if applicable, prior to any
reduction in compensation causing the termination, which payment shall be made immediately upon
termination, except as otherwise provided in Section 20 hereof, and (3) Employee shall continue to
receive health and dental benefits for one year, which benefits shall be at least as favorable to
Employee as he received prior to the change in control. For purposes of this Agreement, “change in
control” means any of the following events:

(a) A change in control of the direction and administration of Parent’s business of a nature
that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), as in effect on
the date hereof and any successor provision of the regulations under the 1934 Act, whether or not
Parent is then subject to such reporting requirements; or

(b) Any “person” (as such term is used in §13(d) and §14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act but excluding
any employee benefit plan of Parent) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Parent representing more than one
half of the combined voting power of Parent’s outstanding securities then entitled to vote for the
election of directors; or

(c) Parent shall sell all or substantially all of the assets of Parent; or

(d) Parent shall participate in a merger, reorganization, consolidation or similar business
combination that constitutes a change in control as defined in the 1996 Streamline Health
Solutions, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan and/or results in the occurrence of any event described
in clause (a), (b) or (c) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 12 shall not apply subsequent to Parent and the
Company informing Employee pursuant to Section 10(B) that his services as Interim Chief Financial
Officer are no longer needed.

 

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13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Parent, the Company and Employee each hereby acknowledge and agrees as follows:

(A) The covenants, restrictions, agreements and obligations set forth herein are founded upon
valuable consideration, and, with respect to the covenants, restrictions, agreements and
obligations set forth in Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof, are reasonable in duration and geographic
scope;

(B) In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee of any of the covenants,
restrictions, agreements and obligations set forth in Section 7, 8 and/or 9, monetary damages or
the other remedies at law that may be available to Parent and/or the Company for such breach or
threatened breach will be inadequate and, without prejudice to Parent’s or the Company’s right to
pursue any other remedies at law or in equity available to it for such breach or threatened breach,
including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Employee, Parent and/or the Company
will be entitled to injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(C) The time period and geographical area set forth in Section 9 hereof are each divisible and
separable, and, in the event that the covenants not to compete contained therein are judicially
held invalid or unenforceable as to such time period and/or geographical area, they will be valid
and enforceable in such geographical area(s) and for such time period(s) which the court determines
to be reasonable and enforceable. The Employee agrees that in the event any court of competent
jurisdiction determines that the above covenants are invalid or unenforceable to join with Parent
and the Company in requesting that court to construe the applicable provision by limiting or
reducing it so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the then applicable law.
Furthermore, any period of restriction or covenant herein stated shall not include any period of
violation or period of time required for litigation to enforce such restriction or covenant.

14. NOTICES

Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and
shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally or sent by telecopier to such party addressed
as follows:

	 	(A)	 	In the case of Parent or the Company, if addressed to it as follows:

Streamline Health Solutions, Inc.

10200 Alliance Road

Suite 200

Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

Attn: J. Brian Patsy

	 	(B)	 	In the case of Employee, if addressed to Employee at:

Donald E. Vick, Jr.

3448 Woodside Drive

Fairfield, Ohio 45014

Any such notice delivered personally or by telecopier shall be deemed to have been received on
the date of such delivery. Any address for the giving of notice hereunder may be changed by notice
in writing.

 

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15. ASSIGNMENT, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective legal representatives, successors and assigns. Parent and the Company may assign or
otherwise transfer their rights under this Agreement to any successor or affiliated business or
corporation (whether by sale of stock, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise), but
this Agreement may not be assigned, nor may the duties hereunder be delegated by Employee. In the
event that Parent and the Company assign or otherwise transfer their rights under this Agreement to
any successor or affiliated business or corporation (whether by sale of stock, merger,
consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise), for all purposes of this Agreement, “Parent” and the
“Company” shall then be deemed to include the successor or affiliated business or corporation to
which Parent and the Company, respectively, assigned or otherwise transferred their rights
hereunder.

16. MODIFICATION

This Agreement may not be released, discharged, abandoned, changed, or modified in any manner,
except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

17. SEVERABILITY

The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not
affect any other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if any
such invalid provision were omitted herefrom.

18. COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be signed in counterparts and each of such counterpart shall constitute an
original document and such counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one in the same
instrument.

19. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Except as set forth in Section 13 above, any and all disputes arising out of or in connection
with the execution, interpretation, performance, or non-performance of this Agreement or any
agreement or other instrument between, involving or affecting the parties (including the validity,
scope and enforceability of this arbitration clause), shall be submitted to and resolved by
arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to the terms of the Federal Arbitration
Act and the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Either party may
notify the other party at any time of the existence of an arbitrable controversy by certified mail
and shall attempt in good faith to resolve their differences within fifteen (15) days after the
receipt of such notice. If the dispute cannot be resolved within the fifteen-day period, either
party may file a written demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. The
place of arbitration shall be Cincinnati, Ohio. The company will reimburse Employee filing costs
in excess of $1,000.

20. SECTION 409A

If Employee is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (“Code”), amounts that are deferred compensation are not payable to the Employee until
six months after his date of termination. If Section 409A applies, then notwithstanding the
preceding sentence and as an exception to the six-month delay otherwise required by Section 409A of
the Code, amounts due under Section 11(D) will be payable in regular installments in accordance
with the Company’s general payroll practices for salaried employees until the March 15th
of the year following the year of termination with the regular installment payment that immediately
precedes March 15 to include any installment amounts that would otherwise be delayed because of the
six-month delay. After the expiration of the six-month delay period following the date of
termination, any and all remaining amounts due to Employee will then be paid to Employee in a lump
sum.

 

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Employee’s termination of employment occurs on or prior to the March 15th of the
year following the year of the change in control, the lump sum due to Employee pursuant to Section
12 will be paid immediately (but not later than the applicable March 15th) following
the date of termination. But if Employee is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code
and Employee’s termination of employment occurs later than the March 15th of the year
following the year of the change in control, the lump sum will be immediately payable after the
expiration of six months after the date of such termination of employment.

If any tax is imposed on Employee under Section 409A of the Code with respect to any payment
made by the Company to Employee pursuant to Section 11(D) or Section 12, Employee will be
responsible for payment of such tax, penalty, interest and any related audit costs incurred by
Employee.

21. GOVERNING LAW

The provisions of this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the State of Ohio and the laws of the United States applicable therein. The Employee
acknowledges and agrees that Employee is subject to personal jurisdiction in state and federal
courts in Hamilton County, Ohio.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto effective as of the
date first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	STREAMLINE HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ J. Brian Patsy
 	 
	 	 	Its:  President and CEO 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	STREAMLINE HEALTH, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ J. Brian Patsy
 	 
	 	 	Its:  President and CEO 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	EMPLOYEE

 	 
	 	/s/ Donald E. Vick, Jr.
 	 
	 	Donald E. Vick, Jr. 	 
	 	 	 
	 

 

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EXHIBIT A - COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

	 	 	 
	Employee:

	 	Donald E. Vick, Jr.
	 
	 	 
	Term:

	 	8/9/2010 to 1/31/2011
	 
	 	 
	Salary:

	 	Minimum Annual Base Salary - $109,567
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	Minimum Annual Interim Chief Financial Officer responsibility adjustment - $20,500;
which adjustment shall be paid to Employee on a pro rata basis over the course of
each year during the Term of this Agreement for as long as Employee serves as the
Interim Chief Financial Officer of Parent and the Company. In the event that
Employee is notified by Parent and the Company pursuant to Section 10(B) of this
Agreement that his services as Interim Chief Financial Officer are no longer needed,
then Employee shall no longer be entitled to this adjustment.

Thereafter, the Parent’s Board of Directors, or Compensation Committee thereof, may annually adjust
Employee’s base salary upward and Employee will be eligible to participate in any bonus plan
implemented by the Parent’s Board of Directors, or Compensation Committee thereof, at such level as
the Board or Committee deems appropriate.

Equity Incentives:

Parent agrees that Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Streamline Health Solutions,
Inc. Employee Equity Incentive Compensation Plan and to receive additional grants as the Parent’s
Board of Directors may determine appropriate from time to time hereafter.

Benefits:

Employee shall be eligible to participate in all other employee fringe benefit plans of Parent or
the Company (but not both if Parent and Company have separate plans providing benefits that may be
similar in nature), to the same extent and at the same levels as other officers of Parent or the
Company are then participating.

 

10exv10w1

Exhibit 10.1

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

     This Agreement, effective as of the 1st day of January, 2011 (“Effective Date”), is
by and between                      (“Executive”) and Furniture Brands International, Inc. and any
successor to its business and/or assets (“Company”).

     WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interests of the Company that its key
employees be encouraged to remain with the Company and to devote full attention to the Company’s
business in the event that any third party expresses its intention to take action which could
result in a change in control of the Company; and

     WHEREAS, Executive serves as a key employee of the Company;

     NOW, THEREFORE, to encourage Executive’s continued, undivided attention, dedication and
services to the Company and the availability of Executive’s advice and counsel notwithstanding the
possibility, threat or occurrence of a change in control of the Company, and to induce Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

     1. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date
and shall end on December 31, 2011, and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year
thereafter unless either the Company or Executive gives written notice of intent to terminate the
Agreement at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the then-current term of this
Agreement.

     2. Definitions. As used herein, the terms identified below shall have the meanings
indicated:

          (a) “Benefits” means all Company provided benefits that are made available to all
employees of the Company for participation.

          (b) “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

          (c) “Change in Control” means

               (1) an acquisition by an individual or entity of 35% of the outstanding common stock or voting
power of the Company,

               (2) a contested change of a majority of the non-employee member of the Board of the Company,

               (3) the consummation via execution of a final written agreement for merger, sale, acquisition,
or other such transaction where the shareholders of the Company

 

 

immediately prior to such transaction do not own 60% of the outstanding common stock of the
Company immediately following such transaction, or

               (4) shareholder approval of a complete dissolution of the Company (excluding bankruptcy).

          (d) “Cause” means: (i) engaging by Executive in willful misconduct which is
materially injurious to Company; (ii) conviction of Executive by a court of competent jurisdiction
of, or entry of a plea of nolo contendere with respect to a felony; (iii) engaging by Executive in
fraud, material dishonesty or gross misconduct in connection with the business of Company; (iv)
engaging by Executive in any act of moral turpitude reasonably likely to materially and adversely
affect Company or its business; or (v) Executive’s current chronic abuse of or dependency on
alcohol or drugs (illicit or otherwise). No act or omission of Executive shall be “willful” if
conducted in good faith or with a reasonable belief that such conduct was in the best interests of
the Company. No termination shall be for “Cause” unless approved by a resolution of a majority of
the members of the Board after reasonable prior notice to Executive and an opportunity to appear
(with the assistance of counsel) before the Board.

          (e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations
and other guidance promulgated by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service
thereunder.

          (f) “Constructive Termination” shall mean Executive’s voluntary termination of
employment with the Company as a result of:

               (1) a material diminution in Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities, or a
change in Executive’s supervisory reporting relationship within the Company;

               (2) a change, caused by the Company, in geographic location greater than 50 miles of the
location at which Executive primarily performs services for the Company on the Effective Date; or

               (3) a material reduction in Executive’s base pay or incentive compensation.

No voluntary termination by Executive shall constitute a “Constructive Termination” unless
Executive shall have given (x) notice of the proposed termination due to Constructive Termination,
with particulars, to the Company not later than 90 days following the initial occurrence of the
condition above forming the basis for such termination and (y) the Company an opportunity for 30
days after such notice within which to remedy such condition, in which such condition is not
remedied.

          (g) “Gross Up Payment” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 7.

2

 

          (h) “Qualifying Termination” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 4.

          (i) “Severance Payment” shall mean any severance pay or benefits under any other
severance program or plan of the Company or any affiliate, including the Company’s Executive
Severance Plan, payable to Executive at the same time as amounts payable under this Agreement.

          (j) “Specified Employee” means any employee of the Company and its Affiliates that the
Company determines is a Specified Employee within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. The
Company shall determine whether an employee is a Specified Employee by applying reasonable,
objectively determinable identification procedures established by the Board (or a committee
thereof) from time to time in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. For this purpose, an
“Affiliate” is any person or entity with whom the Company would be considered a single employer
under Sections 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.

          (k) “Termination of Employment” and any similar term used in this Agreement means
separation from service with the Company and its affiliates (generally 50% common control with the
Company), as defined in IRS regulations under Section 409A of the Code (generally, a decrease in
the performance of services to no more than 20% of the average for the preceding 36-month period,
and disregarding leave of absences up to six (6) months where there is a reasonable expectation the
Executive will return).

          (l) “Termination Factor” means a factor equal to ___.

     3. Stock Rights. In the event of a Change in Control, Executive’s non-qualified stock
options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares,
performance units, and restricted stock units granted by the Company which are outstanding on the
date of the Change in Control, shall vest and be exercisable pursuant to the terms of the awards
and underlying plans.

     4. Qualifying Termination. The benefits only become payable under Sections 5 and 6
below if Executive experiences a “Qualifying Termination.” A “Qualifying Termination” shall
mean Executive’s Termination of Employment (i) by the Company other than for Cause; or (ii) by the
Executive for Constructive Termination; provided that Termination of Employment occurs during the
period commencing on the date of the Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary
thereof.

     5. Severance Benefits. Upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Termination, Executive
shall be entitled to receive the severance benefits described in this Section 5, subject to
applicable deductions for customary withholdings including, without limitation, federal and state
withholding taxes and social security taxes. Notwithstanding the preceding, the benefits described
in this Section 5 and in Section 6 shall be reduced by any Severance Payment.

3

 

          (a) All previously earned and accrued but unpaid base salary up to the date of Executive’s
Termination of Employment, which shall be paid within 30 days following Executive’s Termination of
Employment.

          (b) An amount equal to the Termination Factor multiplied by the sum of (i) Executive’s annual
base salary as of the date of Executive’s Termination of Employment; and (ii) Executive’s target
annual bonus amount under the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan with respect to the year in which
the Termination of Employment occurs. Subject to Section 11 concerning payments to a Specified
Employee, such amount shall be paid within 30 days following Executive’s Termination of Employment
and the Company’s receipt of an executed Release in accordance with Section 17; provided, that if
the maximum 90 day period spans two tax years, the payment will be made no earlier than the first
day of the second tax year.

          (c) A prorated annual incentive bonus with respect to the fiscal year of the Company during
which the Termination of Employment occurs, the amount of which shall be equal to the amount of the
annual bonus, if any, that would be due under the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan (or successor
plan) had Executive still been employed through the end of such fiscal year, multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year prior to the date of
Termination of Employment and the denominator of which is 365, payable at the time such annual
bonus would have been paid in accordance with the terms of the Short-Term Incentive Plan had
Executive remained employed through the date of such payment.

          (d) In the event that Executive’s Termination of Employment occurs 18 months or more after the
commencement of a three-year performance period under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan and
prior to the end of such performance period, and Executive is a participant in such plan for such
performance period, Executive shall be entitled to receive a payment equal to the pro-rata portion
(determined as of the date of Termination of Employment) of the cash payment, if any, that would
have been payable to Executive under the terms of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan had
Executive remained employed through the end of the performance period. Such payment will be made at
the same time that the payment would have been made under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan
had Executive continued employment through the end of the applicable performance period.

          (e) Any non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, performance shares, performance units and restricted stock units previously
granted to Executive by the Company which are outstanding on the date of Executive’s Termination of
Employment shall vest and be exercisable or payable pursuant to the terms of the awards and
underlying plan(s).

     6. Continuation of Benefits. Executive shall receive the following benefits upon the
occurrence of a Qualifying Termination:

          (a) For the 12 months following Executive’s Termination of Employment, Executive shall be
entitled to reimbursement for the reasonable costs of outplacement services, reasonable job hunting
expenses, travel costs, and financial counseling costs associated with employment transition not to
exceed $40,000, provided that Executive shall only be entitled to

4

 

such reimbursements over and above the amount of similar reimbursements provided to Executive
under the Company’s Executive Severance Plan;

          (b) For the period of years equal to the Termination Factor multiplied by one, Executive shall
be eligible to participate in the Company’s health, dental and vision plans under the Company’s
medical plan that the Company generally makes available to its senior executives on substantially
the same terms as an actively employed senior executive; provided that such coverage shall be
provided on an after-tax basis, meaning that the Company shall report to the appropriate tax
authorities the cost of such coverage as taxable income to Executive.

          (c) For 12 months following Executive’s Termination of Employment, Executive shall be eligible
to continue to participate in the welfare plans; other than health, dental and vision benefit
plans, that the Company generally makes available to its key employees on substantially the same
terms as an actively employed key employee, except that, (i) if Executive is a Specified Employee
on the date of Termination of Employment, for a period of six (6) months following the date of
Termination of Employment Executive shall pay to the Company the premium cost of participation in
such plans to the extent required to comply with Section 409A(2)(B)(i) of the Code and Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) thereunder, and on the first day of the seventh month
following the date of Termination of Employment the Company shall pay Executive a lump sum amount
equal to such amounts so paid by him, and (ii) Executive may not continue to participate in the
Company’s Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability Plans;

          (d) The Company shall indemnify Executive and hold Executive harmless from and against any
claim, loss or cause of action arising from or out of Executive’s performance as an officer,
director, or employee of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, or in any other capacity,
including any fiduciary capacity, in which Executive serves at the request of the Company to the
maximum extent permitted under applicable law. The Company shall cause Executive to be a covered
person, during and after termination of his employment and membership on the board, if applicable,
respecting his acts and omissions occurring during such employment and membership, under any
directors and officers liability insurance policy (or similar policy) that it may have in effect
from time to time, and shall afford Executive all of the rights and privileges available to covered
persons in accordance with the terms of any such policy.

     7. Cap on Certain Payments by the Company/Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

          (a) In the event that, during the period beginning on the effective date of this Agreement and
ending December 31, 2011 (“Initial Term”), (i) the aggregate value, as determined for
purposes of Section 280G of the Code, of any payments or benefit of any type by the Company to or
for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (“Payments”), would equal or exceed the product of
three and Executive’s “Base Amount” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), and any such Payments
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or (ii) any interest or
penalties would be incurred by Executive with respect to such excise

5

 

tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then (A) if the value of the Payments
exceeds the product of three and Executive’s Base Amount by an amount greater than 10% of such
product, then Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross Up
Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by Executive of the Excise Tax and any income
and employment taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) imposed upon the
Gross Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments, and (B) if the value of the Payments does not exceed the product of
three and Executive’s Base Amount by an amount greater than 10% of such product, then,
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Payments shall be reduced to the
“Reduced Amount” (as defined below). Any Gross Up Payment due pursuant to clause (A) of the
preceding sentence shall be paid by the Company to Executive as soon as administratively
practicable but in no event later than the end of Executive’s taxable year following the year in
which Executive remits the Excise Tax to the Internal Revenue Service.

          (b) In the event that, after the Initial Period, any Payments to or for the benefit of
Executive would equal or exceed the product of three and Executive’s Base Amount, then,
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Payments shall be reduced to the
Reduced Amount if Executive would have a greater “Net After-Tax Receipt” (as defined below) of
aggregate Payments if Executive’s Payments were reduced to the Reduced Amount. If a reduction of
the Payments to the Reduced Amount would not result in Executive having a greater Net After-Tax
Receipt than in the absence of such reduction, Executive shall receive all Payments to which
Executive is entitled under this Agreement.

All determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross Up
Payment is required, the amount of any such Gross Up Payment, any reductions to Payments, and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by such certified
public accounting firm in the business of performing such calculations as may be designated by the
Company (the “Consulting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both
to the Company and Executive. All fees and expenses of the Consulting Firm shall be borne solely
by the Company. For purposes of reducing the Payments to the Reduced Amount where required
pursuant to this Section 7, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall
be reduced. The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by
reducing the payments and benefits under the following sections in the following order: Section
5(b), Section 5(c), Section 5(d) and Section 5(e). For purposes hereof, “Reduced Amount”
shall mean the greatest amount of Payments that can be paid that would not result in the imposition
of the Excise Tax; and “Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined
in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of the Payments net of
all taxes imposed on Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1, 3101 and 4999 of the Code and
under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under
Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws that applied to Executive’s taxable income for
the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as Executive certifies, to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Company, as likely to apply to him in the relevant tax year(s).

6

 

     8. Confidential Information. Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that
during his employment with the Company, Executive will become entrusted with, have access to, and
gain possession of, confidential and proprietary information data, documents, records, materials,
and other trade secrets and/or other proprietary business information of the Company that is not
readily available to competitors, outside third parties and/or the public, including without
limitation, information about (i) current or prospective customers and/or suppliers, (ii)
employees, research, goodwill, production, and prices, (iii) business methods, processes, practices
or procedures, (iv) computer software and technology development, and (v) business strategy,
including acquisition, merger and/or divestiture strategies (collectively or with respect to any of
the foregoing, the “Confidential Information”). Executive agrees, by acceptance of the
benefits under this Agreement, to protect all Confidential Information concerning the business
activities of the Company which was acquired in connection with or as a result of the performance
of service for the Company.

     9. Competitive Activity. For a period of years equal to the Termination Factor times
one, following the date of Executive’s Termination of Employment, Executive shall not engage, or
attempt to engage, on his own behalf or on behalf of a third party, in any “Competitive Activity.”
The term “Competitive Activity” shall mean participation by Executive, without written
consent of the Board, in the management of any business operation of any enterprise if such
operation engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, or retail of residential furniture in any
geographic area where the Company or its subsidiaries conduct business.

     10. At-Will Employment. The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s
employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law. This Agreement is
not a contract of employment and does not guarantee Executive employment for any particular period
of time. If Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall not be entitled to
any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement,
or as may otherwise be available in accordance with the Company’s established employee plans and
practices or other agreements with the Company at the time of termination.

     11. General Payment and Reimbursement Procedure. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a Specified Employee on the date of Executive’s
Termination of Employment, no payment of nonqualified deferred compensation, as defined in Section
409A of the Code, that becomes payable on account of such Termination of Employment may be made
until at least six (6) months after such Termination of Employment. Any payment otherwise due in
such six (6) month period shall be suspended and become payable at the end of such six (6) month
period with reasonable interest (as determined by the Company) for the period of delay.

     Subject to the preceding paragraph, to the extent that Executive is entitled to any
reimbursements under this Agreement and the procedures for such reimbursements are not otherwise
set forth herein, such reimbursements shall be made as soon as administratively practicable but in
no event later than the end of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which
Executive incurred the expense giving rise to the reimbursement right.

7

 

     12. General Creditor. Any and all amounts payable hereunder to Executive shall be made
from assets which shall continue, for all purposes, to be part of the general, unrestricted assets
of the Company; no person shall have nor acquire any interest in any such asset by virtue of the
provisions of this Agreement. The Company’s obligation hereunder is an unfunded and unsecured
promise to pay money in the future. To the extent that Executive or any person acquires a right to
receive payments from the Company under the provisions hereof, such right shall be no greater than
the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company; no such person shall have nor acquire
any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company.

     13. Severability and Interpretation. In the event of a conflict between the terms of
this Agreement and any of the definitions or provisions in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan,
or otherwise, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement and any portion hereof shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, rules and regulations. If any covenant or other provision of this Agreement
(or portion thereof) shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, by
reason of any rule of law, rule, regulation, administrative order, judicial decision or public
policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall, nevertheless, remain in full
force and effect, and no covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other covenant or
provision (or portion) unless so expressed herein. The parties hereto desire and consent that the
court or other body making such determination shall, to the extent necessary to avoid any
unenforceability, so reform such covenant or other provision or portions of this Agreement to the
minimum extent necessary so as to render the same enforceable in accordance with the intent herein
expressed.

     14. No Assignments. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon,
the Company and any successor to the Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder
shall be assigned by Executive.

     15. Prior Agreements. Upon execution by both parties, this Agreement shall supersede
and replace all prior Change in Control Agreements and employment agreements between the Company
and Executive, and this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties, except
as expressly provided herein, concerning the effect of a Change in Control on the employment
relationship between the Company and Executive.

     16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire and integrated Change in
Control Agreement between Executive and the Company and supersedes all prior negotiations,
representations and agreements, either written or oral, with respect thereto.

     17. Waiver and Releases. In consideration of the covenants under this Agreement and as
a condition precedent to receiving any payments under this Agreement, Executive agrees to execute a
Release of all claims in such form as requested by the Company. Such release must be executed by
Executive and returned to the Company within 60 days of Executive’s Termination of Employment or
Executive shall forfeit any payments under this Agreement.

8

 

     18. Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be given by hand delivery to the other party, by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier, addressed as set forth in this Section 18 or
to such other address as may hereafter be notified by such party to the other party. Notices and
communications shall be effective at the time they are given in the foregoing manner.

	 	 	 	 	 

	     If to Executive:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	     If to the Company:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Furniture Brands International, Inc.
	 	 
	 

	 	Human Resources Committee	 	 
	 

	 	1 N. Brentwood Blvd.	 	 
	 

	 	St. Louis, MO 63105	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	     With copy to: Office of the General Counsel (at the same address)

     19. Amendments and Waivers. No modification, amendment or waiver of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing specifically referring hereto,
and signed by the parties hereto.

     20. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be interpreted in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard for any conflict
of law principles. Any action concerning this Agreement shall be brought in a court of competent
jurisdiction in Saint Louis County, Missouri and each party consents to the venue and jurisdiction
of such courts.

     21. Headings. Section headings are provided in this Agreement for convenience only and
shall not be deemed to substantively alter the content of such sections.

     22. Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended to comply with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and, with respect
to amounts that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, shall in all respects be administered in
accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a
separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. In no event may Executive, directly or
indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement. All
reimbursements and in-kind benefits, including any taxable health, dental and vision benefits
provided under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section
409A of the Code shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of
the Code, including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall reimbursements by Company under
this Agreement be made later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in
which the applicable fees and expenses were incurred, provided, that Executive shall have submitted
an invoice for such fees and expenses at

9

 

least 10 days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which
such fees and expenses were incurred; (ii) the amount of reimbursements or in-kind benefits that
Company is obligated to pay or provide in any given calendar year (other than medical
reimbursements described in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv)(B)) shall not affect the
reimbursements or in-kind benefits that Company is obligated to pay or provide in any other
calendar year; and (iii) Executive’s right to have the Company pay or provide such reimbursements
and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit. If Executive dies
following the date of Executive’s Termination of Employment and prior to the payment of any amounts
delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code, such amounts shall be paid to the personal
representative of Executive’s estate within 30 days after the date of Executive’s death.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement this ___day of
___, 2010, effective as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Name:
	 

	 	 	 	Title:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	Executive

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