Operating Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

OPERATING LEASES

The Company leases equipment and office space under long-term operating lease agreements. The future minimum lease payments on leases (with initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year) as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:



	Operating
	(in thousands)
Years Ending December 31,
2012	$	3,453
2013	3,033
2014	2,626
2015	2,601
2016 and after	4,724
Total minimum lease payments	$	16,437

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $4.8 million, $5.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively. Certain of our lease agreements may include items such as abated lease payments, capital improvement funding, step rent provisions and escalation clauses that affect the lease payment schedule and do not qualify as contingent rentals. These items have been included in the minimum lease payment amount on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Any lease payments that are dependent on a factor related to the future use of the property have been excluded from the minimum lease payment amount and are recognized as incurred.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for lessee entity's leasing arrangements including, but not limited to, all of the following: (a.) The basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (b.) The existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (c.) Restrictions imposed by lease agreements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing.

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