Exhibit 10.16


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is effective as of March 7, 2006, by and between Inforte Corp., (Hereinafter referred to as “Employer” or “Inforte”), of 500 N. Dearborn, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60610 and Stephen Mack (“Employee”), of 656 W. Willow, Chicago, IL 60614.


RECITALS

	
  
A.
  	
  
Employer is   engaged in the business of providing strategy, process and computerized   information system services, including systems planning, design, programming   and implementation.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
B.
  	
  
Employer   desires to employ Employee and Employee is willing to be employed by   Employer, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
  
	
  
 
  
	
  
Therefore,   the parties agree as follows:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  1.
  	
  
EMPLOYMENT.   Employer shall employ Employee as President and Chief Executive Officer to   provide strategy, process and computerized information system services to   Inforte and its clients. Employee accepts and agrees to such employment,   subject to the general supervision, advice and direction of Employer and   Employer’s supervisory personnel. Employee shall also perform (i) such other   duties as are customarily performed by an Employee in a similar position and   (ii) such other and unrelated services and duties as may be assigned to   Employee from time to time by Employer.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
2.
  	
  
BEST EFFORTS   OF EMPLOYEE. Employee agrees to perform faithfully, industriously, and to the   best of Employee’s ability, experience, and talents, all of the duties that   may be required by the terms of this Agreement, to the satisfaction of   Employer. Such duties shall be provided at Chicago, IL and at such other   place(s) as the needs, business, or opportunities of Employer may require   from time to time.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
3.
  	
  
COMPENSATION   OF EMPLOYEE. As compensation for the services provided by Employee under this   Agreement, Employer will pay Employee an annual salary of $250,000, payable   in semi-monthly installments on the fifteenth day and last day of each month.   Employee will also receive a one-time bonus payment (calculated based on   Employee’s annual salary) for services provided to Inforte from January 27,   2006 through March 6, 2006. In addition, Employer will provide Employee with   a $700 per month benefit allowance, which will be paid through payroll each   month and will be taxable. Upon termination of this Agreement, payments under   this paragraph shall cease; provided, however, that Employee shall be   entitled to payments for periods or partial periods that occurred prior to   the date of termination and for which Employee has not yet been paid.
  










	
  
4.
  	
  
REIMBURSEMENT   FOR EXPENSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH EMPLOYER POLICY. Employer will reimburse   Employee for “out-of-pocket” travel expenses incurred in the ordinary course   of Employer’s business, in accordance with Employer’s policies in effect from   time to time.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
5.
  	
  
VACATION. In   accordance with the attached U.S. Executive and Sales Vacation Policy,   Employee will not accrue vacation time, but will be eligible to take as much   or as little time off as is consistent with the performance of the duties of   his/her position. It is assumed that Employee will prioritize client and   company business needs when planning vacation time. As vacation time will not   accrue, Employee will not receive a “pay-out” for estimated unused vacation   time at year-end or upon separation from the company.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
6.
  	
  
SICK LEAVE.   Employee shall be entitled to paid time due to illness in accordance with   Employer’s sick leave policies in effect from time to time.
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
7.
  	
  
HOLIDAYS.   Employee shall be entitled to the following holidays with pay during each   calendar year:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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New Year’s   Day
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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Memorial Day
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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Independence   Day
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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Labor Day
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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Thanksgiving   Day
  
	
   
  	
  
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Day after   Thanksgiving
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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Christmas   Eve
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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Christmas   Day
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
8.
  	
  
OTHER   BENEFITS. Employee shall be entitled to insurance benefits, including:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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health   insurance
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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dental   insurance
  
	
   
  	
  
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vision   insurance
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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prescription   drug insurance
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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disability   insurance
  
	
  
 
  	
  
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life   insurance
  
	
  
 
  	
   
 	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
in each case   as such benefits are provided in accordance with Employer’s policies in effect   from time to time. All coverage begins on Employee’s start date.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
For   information on Inforte’s compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and   Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA), the Inforte HIPPA Privacy Rules and   Compliance Policy and Inforte Notice of Privacy Practices may be viewed on or   after Employee’s start date on Inforte’s company intranet (ICE) at   https://ice.inforte.com/gm/folder-1.11.2878.
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
9.
  	
  
In addition,   Employee shall be eligible for the following:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
a)
  	
  
Annual   salary review, based on Employee’s contributions and Company’s performance,   as determined at Employer’s sole discretion.
  



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b)
  	
  
To participate in the Inforte Corp. 401(k) Plan. Inforte Corp. offers a 401(k)   Plan with Alerus Financial. Employee may begin participation in the plan on   the first day of the quarter immediately following his/her start date.   Employee will receive detailed
information regarding the plan offerings and enrollment materials during each company-wide open enrollment period. Terms and conditions of participation in   the plan are subject to change and will be determined by the then current   Inforte Corp. 401(k) Plan documents. Please refer to the attached “Plan   Highlights of the Inforte Corp. 401(k) Plan” for more information. On or   after Employee’s start date, the Summary Plan Description and the Summary of   Material Modifications of the Inforte Corp. 401(K) Plan may be viewed on   Inforte’s company intranet (ICE) at   https://ice.inforte.com/gm/document-1.9.89805.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
10.
  	
  
CONFIDENTIALITY   AND NON-COMPETITION.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
a)
  	
  
Employee   recognizes that confidential information concerning the business or affairs   of Employer (including, but not limited to, customer lists, customer   information know-how, technologies, services, marketing, plans, strategies,   costs, profits, sales and capitalization) is a valuable asset of Employer and   that unauthorized disclosure or use of any such confidential information that   Employee may obtain in the course of employment would inflict irreparable harm   to Employer. Employee, therefore, agree that, during the term of his   employment with Employer and thereafter, he will not disclose or use, or   authorize anyone else to disclose or use, any such confidential information   without the prior written consent of Employer.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
b)
  	
  
During the   term of his employment, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, engage in   or be connected with (as an officer, director, partner, owner, Employee,   creditor or otherwise) any business that competes with or is similar to   Employer.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
c)
  	
  
For a period   of one year following the termination of his employment, for whatever reason,   Employee will not: (a) directly or indirectly, solicit business from, offer   to provide services to, or do business with, any (i) customer to whom   Employer has provided services on the date of termination of his employment   or at any time during the immediately preceding twelve-month period, or (ii)   any potential customer of Inforte, defined as any company which Inforte has   delivered a proposal to in the immediately preceding twelve month period   prior to Employees’ termination of employment; or (b) attempt, either   directly or indirectly, to induce or influence any other Employee of Employer   to leave the Employer’s employ.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
d)
  	
  
If any legal   action or other proceeding is brought by Employer for enforcement of this   Section 10, Employer, if it is the prevailing party, shall be entitled to   recover from Employee its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred   in such action or proceeding, in addition to any other legal or equitable   relief to which it may be entitled. Consistent with the foregoing Employee   agrees that Employer will have the right to obtain immediate injunctive or   other equitable relief to enforce the obligations under this Section 10.
  



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e)
  	
  
If Employee   leaves Inforte, for whatever reason, Employee agrees to repay to Employer any   training and certification bonuses received in the six months prior to   departure.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
f)
  	
  
If Employee   leaves Inforte, for whatever reason, prior to completing one year of service,   Employee agrees to repay to Employer any signing bonus received in full.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
g)
  	
  
The   provisions of this Section 10 shall survive the termination of this   Agreement.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
11.
  	
  
TERM/TERMINATION.   Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be at-will and may be   terminated with or without cause by either party upon 14 days’ (two-week)   written notice. This at-will employment relationship is the full and final   agreement regarding the nature of employment with the company, it supersedes   all existing policies and practices, and it may not be amended or waived   except in a written document signed by the Vice President of Human Resources   of Inforte. No other employee, including any officer, manager or supervisor,   has authority to enter into any agreement with Employee for employment for a   specified period of time or to make any agreement for employment other than   at-will.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
If Employee   is in violation of this Agreement, Employer may terminate employment without   notice and with compensation to Employee only to the date of such   termination. Inforte and Employee further agree that in the event that   Employee breaches the two-week notice provision contained in this Agreement,   it would be impracticable or extremely difficult to fix the actual damages   resulting from said breach. Therefore, should Employee breach the notice   provision, Employee agrees to pay, as liquidated damages and not as a   penalty, the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to Inforte, which sum represents   a reasonable endeavor by Inforte and Employee to estimate fair compensation   for the foreseeable losses that might result from such breach. Inforte and   Employee further agree that in any action Inforte brings to recover such   liquidated damages, it [or the prevailing party] will be entitled to recover   its attorneys’ fees, if
any.
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
12.
  	
  
NOTICES. All   notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and   shall be deemed delivered when delivered in person or deposited in the United   States mail, postage paid, addressed as follows:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Employer:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Inforte Corp.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
500 N. Dearborn, Suite 1200
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Chicago, IL 60610
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Attention: Human Resources Coordinator
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Employee:
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Stephen Mack
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
656 W. Willow
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Chicago, IL 60614
  




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  Such   addresses may be changed from time to time by either party by providing   written notice in the manner set forth above.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
13.
  	
  
ENTIRE   AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and   there are no other promises or conditions in any other agreement whether   written or oral. This Agreement supersedes any prior written or oral   agreements between the parties.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
14.
  	
  
AMENDMENT.   This Agreement may be modified or amended only in writing signed by both   parties.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
15.
  	
  
SEVERABILITY.   If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or   unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be   valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this Agreement   is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would   become valid or enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be   written, construed and enforced as so limited.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  16.
  	
  
WAIVER OR   CONTRACTUAL RIGHT. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of   this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that   party’s right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every   provision of this Agreement.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
17.
  	
  
ASSIGNMENT.   Inforte may assign this Agreement to any of its subsidiaries, affiliates, or   successors in business which agrees to be bound by all the terms and   conditions of this Agreement.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
18.
  	
  
APPLICABLE   LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.
  




	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
EMPLOYER:
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
  
INFORTE   CORPORATION
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Ronald J. Scheuman
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  


  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Ronald J.   Scheuman
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
VP of   Operations and Human Resources
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Date:
  	
  
March, 26,   2006
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
EMPLOYEE
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Stephen Mack
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
   
  	
  


  	
   
  
	
   
  	
  Name:
  	
  Stephen Mack
  	
   
  
	
   
  	
  Date:
  	
  March, 24, 2006
  	
   
  



In witness   whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above   written.


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