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                                                                   Exhibit 10.74
                                                                   -------------

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), dated as of October 16, 2002,

between and among THE MIIX GROUP, INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation ("MIIX

Group"), NEW JERSEY STATE MEDICAL UNDERWRITERS, INC., a New Jersey corporation

("Underwriter") (together, the "Company"), and ALLEN G. SUGERMAN (the

"Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, MIIX Group is the parent company of Underwriter owning all of the

issued and outstanding common stock of Underwriter; and

     WHEREAS, the Company deems it to be in its best interest to secure and

retain for the Company the services of the Employee and the Employee desires to

work for the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings

contained herein and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto

agree, as follows:

     1.   POSITION AND DUTIES. The Employee is engaged hereunder as Interim

Chief Financial Officer of MIIX Group and agrees to perform the duties and

services incident to that position, or such other or further duties and services

of a similar nature as may be required of him by the Chief Executive Officer of

MIIX Group. The Employee agrees that, if requested, he shall serve as an officer

of the Company and/or of any affiliate or another company for which Underwriter

is performing management services (including, without limitation, MIIX Advantage

Insurance Company of New Jersey ("MIIX Advantage")), without additional

compensation. The Employee shall have the power and authority as shall

reasonably be required to enable him to perform his duties under this Agreement

in an efficient manner. The Employee agrees to

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perform the duties and responsibilities called for hereunder to the best of his

ability and to devote his full time, energies and skills to such duties and to

the promotion of the business and interests of the Company and any affiliate or

another company for which Underwriter is performing management services. The

Employee may participate in charitable and similar activities, may be a director

of a company that does not compete with the Company or any affiliate and may

have business interests in passive investments which, from time to time, may

require portions of his time, but such activities shall be performed in a manner

consistent with his obligations hereunder.

     2.   TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. The Company shall employ the Employee as Interim

Chief Financial Officer for a period of one year commencing July 17, 2002 and

ending July 17, 2003. Employee acknowledges that his position is temporary and

not permanent and that he has no right to remain and the Company has no

obligation to retain Employee in the employment of the Company after July 17,

2003.

     3.   COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS.

          3.1. BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay to the Employee for the

performance of his duties hereunder, a base salary of $350,000 per annum (the

"Base Salary"), payable in accordance with the Company's normal payroll

practices, of which $48,000 shall be payable directly to the Employee and

$302,000 shall be payable to Altila Corporation.

          3.2. CASH INCENTIVE BONUS. The Employee shall be eligible to receive

an annual cash bonus of up to $225,000 pursuant to MIIX Group's Cash Incentive

Plan, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of MIIX Group, based on the

Company's and the Employee's achievement of the following goals and objectives

established by the Board:

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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Cash Incentive Targets by Company
                                         ---------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------

                        MIIX Group                                              MIIX Advantage
----------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                         <C>
Reference Plan:  Financial projections, dated 9/3/02, and   Reference Plan:  Financial projections, dated 8/21/02,
submitted to the NYSE                                       and submitted to the NJ Department of banking and
                                                            Insurance
-------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------

1.   Group achieves or exceeds the            $50,000       1.  Advantage achieves or exceeds the     $75,000
     financial plan (profits) for the                           financial plan (profits) for the
     periods ending 12/31/02, and the 6                         period ending 6/30/03.
     months ending 6/30/03.
-------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------

2.   Group has underwriting expenses equal    $50,000       2.  Returns on the investment             $50,000
     or less than the target for the                            portfolio meet or exceed the plan
     periods ending 12/31/02, and for the                       for the period ending 6/30/03.
     6 months ending 6/30/03.
-------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------

      Total                                   $100,000                                                $125,000
-------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------
</TABLE>

     The Board shall use its reasonable judgment in determining whether such

goals and objectives have been met and the amount, if any, of the bonus to be

paid to the Employee. It is anticipated that any bonus will be paid on or before

August 31, 2003.

          3.3. TRANSACTION BONUS. The Employee shall also be entitled to receive

a transaction bonus upon the consummation of a transaction involving either a

major capital infusion into MIIX Group in excess of $30 million or a sale or

merger of MIIX Group in exchange for consideration in excess of the surplus of

MIIX Insurance Company as stated at September 30, 2002, provided that either

such transaction is initiated during the term of the Employee's employment under

this Agreement and closed no later than six months thereafter. The transaction

bonus the Employee will be entitled to receive upon the consummation of such a

transaction shall be: (a) in the case of a capital infusion into MIIX Group,

$17,500 for each $1 million in capital raised above $30 million, up to a maximum

of $350,000; and (b) in the case of a sale or merger of MIIX Group, $350,000 in

the event of a sale or merger for consideration of

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<PAGE>

the amount above $88.9 million, the MIIX Group's net book value at September 30,

2002. In the event of the consummation of a transaction or transactions

involving both a capital infusion into and the sale or merger of MIIX Group the

Employee shall receive only one transaction bonus which shall be the greater of

the two applicable bonuses.

          3.4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. During the term of this Agreement, the

Employee shall be entitled to participate in all of the benefit programs

provided to similar employees of the Company, including, without limitation, all

medical, disability, dental and life insurance benefits, retirement programs,

automobile expense reimbursement programs and other employee benefit programs

now in existence or hereafter adopted by the Company, as such plans, programs,

practices or policies may be in effect from time to time.

          3.5. VACATION. In addition to such holidays, sick leave and other paid

time off as established by the Company, the Employee shall be entitled to 25

days vacation time in accordance with the Company's Paid Time Off policy

applicable to executives, as in effect from time to time, during which his

compensation shall be paid, provided, however, that the Employee may not take

more than two consecutive weeks of vacation without the prior approval of the

Chief Executive Officer of MIIX Group. Unused vacation time remaining at the end

of the term of this Agreement will be paid to the Employee and shall be prorated

according to Base Salary.

          3.6. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company shall reimburse the

Employee for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with

his employment hereunder, provided, however, that such expenses were incurred in

conformance with the policies of the Company, as established from time to time,

and the Employee submits detailed vouchers and other records reasonably required

by the Company in support of the amount and nature of such expenses.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee will be

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entitled to reimbursement for local lodging expenses at the location and at the

preferred rate agreed to by the Company and for coach airfare expenses for

weekend travel between the Company's offices and the Employee's permanent

residence.

          3.7. TAXES AND WITHHOLDING. All compensation payable and other

benefits provided under this Agreement shall be subject to customary withholding

for income, F.I.C.A. and other employment taxes.

     4.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

          4.1. DEATH OF THE EMPLOYEE. The Employee's employment under this

Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the Employee's death and the

Employee's estate (or his beneficiary as may be appropriate) shall be entitled

to receive:

               (a)  the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base Salary through

     the date of his death,

               (b)  unreimbursed authorized expenses incurred as of the date of

     his death,

               (c)  unused accrued vacation time through the date of his death,

     and

               (d)  any other benefits earned by the Employee and vested (if

     applicable) as of the date of his death under any employee benefit plan of

     MIIX Group or its affiliates in which the Employee participates.

          4.2. DISABILITY OF EMPLOYEE. If the Employee, in the reasonable

opinion of the Company, is unable to perform his duties under this Agreement by

reason of incapacity, either physical or mental, as determined in accordance

with the MIIX Group of Companies Long Term Disability Group Benefit Plan (the

"LTD Plan"), or similar plan which may be in effect from time to time, the

Company shall have the right to terminate the Employee's employment upon

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<PAGE>

written notice to the Employee, whereupon such termination shall be effective as

of the date specified in such notice (the "Termination Date") and the Company

shall have no further obligations under this Agreement, except that the Employee

shall be entitled to receive:

               (a)  the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base Salary through

     the Termination Date,

               (b)  unreimbursed authorized expenses incurred as of the

     Termination Date,

               (c)  unused, accrued vacation time through the Termination Date,

     and

               (d)  any other benefits earned by the Employee and vested (if

     applicable) as of the Termination Date under any employee benefit plan of

     the Company or its affiliates in which the Employee participates.

          4.3. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

     1.   For purposes of this Agreement, "for cause" shall mean the termination

of the Employee's employment with the Company as a result of any of the

following:

               (a)  the willful engaging by the Employee in conduct which is

     materially injurious to or contrary to the bests interests of the Company,

     monetarily or otherwise;

               (b)  the willful failure by the Employee to perform such duties

     as may be delegated or assigned to the Employee by the Chief Executive

     Officer of MIIX Group;

               (c)  the willful failure by the Employee to follow the directives

     or instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of MIIX Group;

                                       6
<PAGE>

               (d)  the repeated and consistent failure of the Employee to be

     present at work and devote his full time best efforts to the performance of

     his duties under this Agreement, except as set forth above in connection

     with the Employee's disability;

               (e)  gross negligence in the performance of his duties on behalf

     of the Company;

               (f)  the Employee's conviction of, or plea of no contest to, a

     felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

               (g)  the commission by the Employee of an act, or the omission of

     an act, that would constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

     2.   The Employee's employment under this Agreement shall terminate

immediately upon written notice from the Company that the Company is terminating

the Employee for cause. Upon the Company's termination of the Employee's

employment for cause, the Employee shall be entitled to receive:

               (a)  the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base Salary through

     the Termination Date,

               (b)  unreimbursed authorized expenses incurred as of the

     Terminate Date,

               (c)  unused, accrued vacation time through the Termination Date,

     and

               (d)  any other benefits earned by the Employee and vested (if

     applicable) as of the Termination Date under any employee benefit plan of

     the Company or any affiliate in which the Employee participates.

          4.4. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. In the event that the Company

terminates the Employee's employment without cause prior to the end of the term

of this Agreement upon

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<PAGE>

written notice to the Employee specifying the date of termination, the Employee

shall be entitled to receive:

               (a)  the balance of his accrued and unpaid Base Salary through

     the Termination Date,

               (b)  unreimbursed authorized expenses incurred as of the

     Termination Date,

               (c)  unused, accrued vacation time through the Termination Date,

               (d)  any other benefits earned by the Employee and vested (if

     applicable) as of the Termination Date under any employee benefit plan of

     the Company or any affiliate in which the Employee participates,

               (e)  coverage for the Employee and his dependents (if applicable)

     under the standard health benefit plan of the Company in which the Employee

     participates through the end of the term of this Agreement,

               (f)  the prorated portion of any cash bonus earned in accordance

     with Section 3.2 through the Termination Date, and

               (g)  Base Salary, paid in accordance with the Company's normal

     payroll practices, through the end of the term of this Agreement, less any

     compensation or fees earned by the Employee (either directly or for

     services performed through his company) during that period of time.

          4.5. RESIGNATIONS FROM POSITIONS. The Employee specifically agrees

that upon his termination of employment with the Company, whether voluntary or

involuntary, his position as an officer or as a member of the Board of Directors

of the Company, any affiliate or

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<PAGE>

another company for which Underwriter is performing management services shall

cease and this Agreement shall constitute notice of the Employee's resignation

in such regard.

     5.   SOLICITATION OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES. For the period of one year after

the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company or any affiliate

or another company for which Underwriter is performing management services,

whether voluntary or involuntary, the Employee shall not, directly or

indirectly, hire, retain or engage as a director, officer, employee, agent,

consultant, advisor or in any other capacity any person or persons who are

employed by the Company or any affiliate or another company for which

Underwriter is performing management services or who were at any time within a

period of six months immediately prior to the Termination Date employed by the

Company or any affiliate or another company for which Underwriter is performing

management services or otherwise interfere with the relationship between such

persons and the Company or its affiliates or another company for which

Underwriter is performing management services, without the express written

consent of the Company.

     6.   CONFIDENTIALITY.

          6.1. DEFINITION OF "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION". For the purposes of

this Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall mean all information about the

Company or any affiliate or another company for which Underwriter is performing

management services relating to any of their products or services or any phase

of their operations, including, without limitation, business plans and

strategies, trade secrets, marketing and distribution information, business

results, underwriting information and methods, identities of insureds and claims

defense and recovery methods and procedures not generally known through

legitimate means to any of its competitors, with which the Employee becomes

acquainted during the term of his employment.

                                       9

<PAGE>

          6.2. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. During the time of employment, or at any

time thereafter, the Employee shall not disclose or make available to any person

or entity any Confidential Information without the express prior written

authorization of the Company. All records, files, materials and Confidential

Information obtained by the Employee in the course of his employment with the

Company are confidential and proprietary and shall remain the exclusive property

of the Company or its affiliates, as the case may be. Upon the termination of

the Employee's employment with the Company or any affiliate, or at any time upon

the request of the Company, the Employee (or his heirs or personal

representatives, as applicable) shall deliver to the Company all documents and

materials containing Confidential Information relating to the business or

affairs of the Company or its affiliates or another company for which

Underwriter is performing management services, or their customers or clients,

and all other documents, materials and other property belonging to the Company

or its affiliates or another company for which Underwriter is performing

management services, or their customers or clients that are in the possession or

under the control of the Employee.

     7.   REMEDIES. The parties acknowledge and agree that any breach by the

Employee of Sections 5 or 6 of this Agreement cannot be reasonably or adequately

compensated for by damages, and that the Company shall be entitled to equitable

relief by way of injunction or otherwise. In the event that the Employee

breaches any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Company also shall be

entitled to cease all payments and benefits under the terms of this Agreement

and shall be entitled to pursue all remedies which the Company might have

including, but not limited to, those contained in this Agreement.


                                       10

<PAGE>

     8.   SEVERABILITY. The terms of this Agreement and each Paragraph and

Section hereof shall be considered severable and the invalidity or

unenforceability of any part thereof shall not affect the validity or

enforceability of the remaining portions or provisions hereof.

     9.   NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this

Agreement shall be sufficient, if in writing and delivered by mail or overnight

delivery service, to his mailing address, in the case of the Employee or to its

principal office in the case of the Company.

     10.  ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company under this

Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon its successors and

assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or interests herein or created

hereby may be assigned or otherwise transferred voluntarily or involuntarily by

the Employee.

     11.  WAIVER. The waiver by the Company or the Employee of a breach of any

provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed

as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

     12.  APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed

under the laws of the State of New Jersey without reference to principles of

conflicts of laws.

     13.  JURISDICTION. Employee and the Company agree to submit to the

jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in New Jersey for purposes of the

enforcement of or any dispute concerning this Agreement and that any proceeding

to enforce or involving any dispute concerning this Agreement shall be brought

exclusively in the federal or state courts in New Jersey.

     14.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the

parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or

contemporaneous agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This

Agreement may not be changed, altered or

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<PAGE>

amended except by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom

enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is

sought.

     15.  COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of

which shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall

constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as

of the day and year first above written.

                                           THE MIIX GROUP, INCORPORATED


                                           By:__________________________________


                                           NEW JERSEY STATE MEDICAL
                                           UNDERWRITERS, INC.


                                           By:__________________________________



                                           _____________________________________
                                                    ALLEN G. SUGERMAN






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