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                                                                   Exhibit 10.58


MARKETING SPECIALISTS
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   PARTNERING FOR MARKET LEADERSHIP

                                January 8, 2001


Mr. Gerald R. Leonard
President & CEO
Marketing Specialists Corporation
17855 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas  75287

Dear Jerry:

     We have gone over the Company from top to bottom in attempt to "right the
ship." The captain of the ship must do whatever he thinks is necessary to save
the ship and its crew. With this in mind, I propose to alter my relationship
with the Company by modifying my Employment Agreement (as defined below) as
follows:

     1. Section 3 of the Employment Agreement between Marketing Specialists
Sales Company, a Texas Corporation, ("Company") and Ronald D. Pedersen
("Executive") dated April 2, 1996 ("Employment Agreement") is amended as
follows:

     "3. Positions and Duties. Executive shall be employed as chairman, and
stationed in Dallas, Texas. Executive shall report and be responsible to the
Board. Executive shall, from time to time, as requested by Company provide
services and advice relating to Company matters including without limitation
developing and maintaining principal, customer and employee relationships;
reviewing and commenting on marketing and sales strategies and proposals; and
enhancing the overall reputation and goodwill of Company. Executives obligation
to provided services and advice shall be limited to such times and dates as
maybe mutually agreed upon by Company and Executive."

     2. Section 4 of the Employment Agreement shall be amended as follows:

     "4. Compensation and Related Matters.

          (i) Salary, During the term of this Agreement, Company shall pay to
     Executive an annual base salary of $18,000.

          (ii) Bonus. At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, Executive
     shall be considered for a discretionary bonus based on Company's overall
     performance as well as Executive's individual contributions, and such bonus
     amount, if any, shall be paid at the same time Company pays its annual
     bonus to its senior executives.


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          (iv) Company will convert Bent Tree Country Club corporate membership
     used by Executive to a personal membership for Executive's exclusive use at
     its sole expense and Executive shall be responsible for the dues and other
     charges other than those related to Company business.

          (v) If Company and Executive mutually agree to have Executive
     establish a home office, Company will transfer and convey to Executive a
     computer (including a CPU, monitor, keyboard and printer) comparable to the
     computer currently used by Executive, his executive desk chair, grandfather
     clock in Executive's office, and the ball and claw dining room table
     currently used as Company's 2nd floor conference room table (when it is
     economically feasible for Company to do so)."

     My Employment Agreement, except to the extent modified herein shall remain
in effect.

     In addition, Company will amend that certain Deferred Compensation Plan
adopted January 1, 1991 by Adams, Beckman, Pedersen, Inc. d/b/a ABP/Watt, Inc.,
as amended, ("Deferred Compensation Agreement"), substantially in the form as
the attached Exhibit "A", and will initiate payments thereunder commencing
January 1, 2001. Such payments shall be subject to all withholding requirements
imposed by applicable federal, state, and local law, but no contributions to any
profit sharing, 401(k) plan, or other benefit or deferred compensation plan or
arrangement will be made from in respect of this amount.

     If this is agreeable, please take whatever corporate action is necessary to
effectuate these changes to my Employment Agreement and Deferred Compensation
Agreement and sign and date below.

                                            Sincerely,


                                            Ronald D. Pedersen


     Agreed and approved this ____ day of January, 2001.

                                              MARKETING SPECIALIST SALES COMPANY

                                              By:
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                                                  Gerald R. Leonard, President