EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EXECUTIVE  EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") is made as of
March 22, 2000 by and between Thomas J. Reiman ("Executive") and ANICOM, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                              PRELIMINARY RECITALS

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  is  engaged  in the  business  of  selling  and
distributing  communication  related  wire,  cable,  fiber  optics and  computer
network and connectivity products (the "Business").

         WHEREAS,  Executive has extensive knowledge and a unique  understanding
of the operation of the Business.

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, all under the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  mutual  covenants  in this
Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.  Employment  of  Executive.  The  Company  hereby  employs  Executive  as the
Company's  Chairman  of the  Board  of  Directors  and as  the  Chairman  of the
Company's Executive Management  Committee  (collectively,  the "Chairman"),  and
Executive  hereby accepts such employment and agrees to act as Chairman,  all in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

2.  Term of  Employment.  Subject  to the  termination  provisions  set forth in
Section 7 below,  Executive's  employment under this Agreement shall commence on
the  Commencement   Date  and  shall  continue  until  December  31,  2002  (the
"Employment Period"), subject to the termination provisions set forth in Section
7. This Agreement may be extended at any time by mutual written agreement of the
parties.

3.  Offices and  Duties.  Subject to Section 7,  during the  Employment  Period,
Executive  will  perform  such duties as the Board of  Directors  of the Company
("Board") may prescribe from time to time,  consistent with  Executive's  title.
Executive agrees that during the Employment  Period, he will devote a reasonable
amount of his business  time and attention as is necessary to fulfill his duties
under this Agreement. During the Employment Term Executive may engage in outside
business activities,  to the extent that the activities do not conflict with the
Company's  interests or interfere with the  performance  of  Executive's  duties
hereunder.

4.       Compensation.
         ------------

                  4.1 Base Salary.  During the  Employment  Period,  the Company
         will pay  Executive a base  salary (i) at a rate of $175,000  per annum
         during the calendar year ending December 31, 2000, pro-rated to reflect
         the  actual  time  Executive  serves  as  Chairman,  (ii)  at a rate of
         $200,000 per annum during the calendar  year ending  December 31, 2001,
         and (iii) at a rate of  $250,000  per annum  during the  calendar  year
         ending  December 31, 2002 (the "Base  Salary"),  payable in  accordance
         with the Company's normal payroll practices for executive officers.

                  4.2 Bonus Payments.  Executive shall be eligible to receive an
         annual  bonus  ("Bonus  Payments"),  based  upon  Executive's  and  the
         Company's performance and the achievement of targeted net income set by
         management and approved by the Board  ("Targeted  Net Income"),  in the
         following amounts:

                  (a)      If less than 75% of Targeted  Net Income is achieved,
                           Executive will not receive a Bonus Payment.

                  (b)      If 75% to 125% of  Targeted  Net Income is  achieved,
                           Executive will receive a Bonus Payment of $100,000.

                  (c)      If 125% to 150% of Targeted  Net Income is  achieved,
                           Executive will receive a Bonus Payment of $150,000.

                  (d)      If over 150% of  Targeted  Net  Income  is  achieved,
                           Executive will receive a Bonus Payment of $200,000.

         The Targeted Net Income for the calendar year ending  December 31, 2000
         will be  $9,180,000.  The Bonus  Payment for the  calendar  year ending
         December  31,  2000  will be  calculated  for the full  year,  and then
         adjusted  pro-rata  to  reflect  the  portion  of the  year  for  which
         Executive  served as Chairman.  The  Targeted Net Income in  subsequent
         years will be set by  management  and  approved  by the Board  prior to
         March 1 of each year.

                  4.3 Stock  Options.  As of the  Commencement  Date,  Executive
         shall be  granted  options  to  purchase  up to  50,000  shares  of the
         Company's  common stock  ("Options").  Beginning with the calendar year
         ending  December 31, 2001,  Executive  shall receive an annual grant of
         Options to purchase up to 50,000 shares of the Company's  common stock,
         if 100% of  Targeted  Net  Income  for  such  calendar  year  has  been
         achieved. If over 100% of Targeted Net Income is achieved, the award of
         the  50,000  Options  may  be  adjusted  upward  by  the   Compensation
         Committee, in its sole discretion.  The Options granted hereunder shall
         be granted by the Compensation  Committee as soon as practicable  after
         the Company's year-end earnings release,  but in no event shall Options
         be granted  later than 60 days after the last day of the fiscal year in
         which the annual Option grant is earned.  The  agreement  granting such
         Options  shall  be  similar  in form to  Option  agreements  for  other
         executives of the Company,  except that Options granted hereunder shall
         vest  immediately and the term of the Option agreement shall be for ten
         years  notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  contained  in  this
         Agreement or the plan pursuant to which Options are granted.

                  4.4 Transaction Bonus. If a Change in Control occurs after the
         date of this  Agreement but before the  Commencement  Date, the Company
         (or its  successor  or assigns)  shall pay to  Executive a  transaction
         bonus of $100,000,  payable in cash within  fifteen (15)  business days
         following the effective  date of the Change in Control.  If a Change in
         Control occurs after the Commencement  Date but during the term of this
         Agreement  (the  "Scheduled  Term"),  the Company (or its  successor or
         assigns)  shall  pay to  Executive  a  transaction  bonus of  $500,000,
         payable  in cash  within  fifteen  (15)  business  days  following  the
         effective  date  of  the  Change  in  Control,  regardless  of  whether
         Executive  remains employed by the Company as of such effective date or
         any time prior thereto. This provision shall survive any termination of
         this Agreement.

                  4.5 Benefits.  Executive  will be entitled to  participate  in
         group life and  medical  insurance  plans,  profit-sharing  and similar
         plans,  and  other  "fringe   benefits"   (collectively,   "Benefits"),
         comparable  to those made  available by the Company to its other senior
         executive  employees,  in accordance with the terms of such plans. Upon
         mutual  agreement of Executive  and Company,  Executive  may receive an
         annual  lump  sum  payment  equal  to  the  value  of the  Benefits  in
         consideration  for  Executive's  agreement not to  participate  in such
         plans.

                  4.6  Vacation.  Executive  shall  be  entitled  to  take  such
         vacation  as is  reasonable,  provided  that  such  vacation  does  not
         conflict with the Company's interests or interfere with the performance
         of Executive's duties hereunder, with pay.

                  4.7 Withholding.  All compensation  payable to Executive under
         this  Agreement  is stated in gross  amount  and will be subject to all
         applicable withholding taxes, other normal payroll deductions,  and any
         other amounts required by law to be withheld.

                  4.8 Expenses. The Company, in accordance with its policies and
         past  practices,  will  pay or  reimburse  Executive  for all  expenses
         (including travel and entertainment  expenses)  reasonably  incurred by
         Executive   during  the  Employment   Period  in  connection  with  the
         performance of Executive's  duties under this Agreement,  provided that
         Executive,  if so requested  by the Board,  must provide to the Company
         documentation  or  evidence  of  expenses  for  which  Executive  seeks
         reimbursement.

                  4.9  Miscellaneous.  The Company will provide  Executive  with
         appropriate office space, administrative support and parking.

5.       Covenant Not to Compete.

                  5.1   Executive's   Acknowledgment.   Executive   agrees   and
         acknowledges  that in order to assure the  Company  that it will retain
         its value and that of the Business as a going concern,  it is necessary
         that  Executive  undertake not to utilize his special  knowledge of the
         Business and his relationships  with customers and suppliers to compete
         with the Company. Executive further acknowledges that:

                  (a)      the Company is currently engaged in the Business;

                  (b)      Executive  has  occupied  a  position  of  trust  and
                           confidence with the Company prior to the date of this
                           Agreement  and will  continue  to acquire an intimate
                           knowledge  of  all   proprietary   and   confidential
                           information concerning the Business;

                  (c)      the  agreements  and  covenants   contained  in  this
                           Section 5 are  essential  to protect  the Company and
                           the goodwill of the Business;

                  (d)      the Company would be irreparably damaged if Executive
                           were to provide  services  to any person or entity in
                           violation of the provisions of this Agreement;

                  (e)      the scope and duration of the  Restrictive  Covenants
                           are  reasonably  designed  to  protect a  protectible
                           interest  of the  Company  and are not  excessive  in
                           light of the circumstances; and

                  (f)      Executive  has a means  to  support  himself  and his
                           dependents other than by engaging in the Business, or
                           a  business   similar  to  the   Business,   and  the
                           provisions  of this  Section 5 will not  impair  such
                           ability.

                  5.2 Non-Compete.  The "Restricted Period" for purposes of this
         Agreement  shall commence on the  Commencement  Date and shall continue
         until December 31, 2002; provided that, if Executive's  employment with
         the  Company  is  terminated  by  Executive  for Good  Reason or by the
         Company  without  Cause,  or by  Executive  without  Good Reason  after
         January 1, 2002 or upon a Change in Control, then the payments to which
         Executive  is  entitled  under  Section 8.1 or 8.2, as the case may be,
         shall be paid to  Executive  in  consideration  for the survival of the
         Restricted  Period  beyond the  Effective  Date.  Following a Change in
         Control, at the end of the Restricted Period the Company may extend the
         Restricted  Period for up to 24 additional  months by continuing to pay
         Executive  one-half of his most recent Base  Salary.  Executive  hereby
         agrees that at all times during the Restricted Period,  Executive shall
         not,  directly  or  indirectly,   as  executive,   agent,   consultant,
         stockholder,  director,  co-partner  or  in  any  other  individual  or
         representative  capacity,  own, operate,  manage,  control,  engage in,
         invest in or  participate  in any  manner in,  act as a  consultant  or
         advisor  to,  render  services  for (alone or in  association  with any
         person, firm, corporation or entity), or otherwise assist any person or
         entity  that  engages  in or owns,  invests  in,  operates,  manages or
         controls any venture or enterprise that directly or indirectly  engages
         or proposes to engage in the Business anywhere within the United States
         and Canada (the "Territory"); provided, however, that nothing contained
         herein shall be construed to prevent  Executive  from  investing in the
         stock of any  competing  corporation  listed on a  national  securities
         exchange  or  traded  in  the  over-the-counter  market,  but  only  if
         Executive is not involved in the  business of said  corporation  and if
         Executive  and his  associates  (as such term is defined in  Regulation
         14(A)  promulgated  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as in
         effect  on the date  hereof),  collectively,  do not own  more  than an
         aggregate of two percent (2%) of the stock of such corporation.

                  5.3  Non-Solicitation.  Without limiting the generality of the
         provisions of Section 5.2 above,  Executive hereby agrees that,  during
         the  Restricted  Period,  Executive  will not,  directly or indirectly,
         solicit, or participate as executive,  agent, consultant,  stockholder,
         director, partner or in any other individual or representative capacity
         in any business  which  solicits,  business from any Person which is or
         was a customer or vendor of the Business during the Restricted  Period,
         or from any successor in interest to any such Person for the purpose of
         marketing,  selling  or  providing  any such  Person  any  services  or
         products  offered by or available from the Company,  or encouraging any
         such  Person  to  terminate   or  otherwise   alter  his,  her  or  its
         relationship with the Company.

                  5.4  Interference  with  Employee  Relationships.  During  the
         Restricted  Period,  Executive  shall not,  directly or indirectly,  as
         executive, agent, consultant,  stockholder,  director, co-partner or in
         any other  individual  or  representative  capacity,  without the prior
         written  consent of the Company,  employ or engage,  recruit or solicit
         for employment or engagement, any individual who is employed or engaged
         by the  Company at that time,  or has been  employed  or engaged by the
         Company during the six (6) months prior  thereto,  or otherwise seek to
         influence or alter any such individual's relationship with the Company.

                  5.5 Blue-Pencil.  If any court of competent jurisdiction shall
         at any  time  deem  the  term  of  this  Agreement  or  any  particular
         Restrictive  Covenant too lengthy or the Territory too  extensive,  the
         other  provisions of this Section 5 shall  nevertheless  stand, and the
         Restricted Period shall be deemed to be the longest period  permissible
         by law under the  circumstances  and the  Territory  shall be deemed to
         comprise   the  largest   territory   permissible   by  law  under  the
         circumstances.  The  court in each case  shall  reduce  the  Restricted
         Period and/or the Territory to permissible duration or size.

6. Confidential  Information.  During the term of this Agreement and thereafter,
Executive shall keep secret and retain in strictest  confidence,  and shall not,
without the prior written  consent of the Company,  furnish,  make  available or
disclose  to any Person or use for the  benefit of  himself or any  Person,  any
Confidential Information, except to the extent reasonably necessary to carry out
Executive's duties and  responsibilities to the Company. As used in this Section
7,  "Confidential  Information"  shall  mean  any  information  relating  to the
Business or affairs of the  Company,  including  but not limited to  information
relating to financial statements,  business plans, forecasts,  purchasing plans,
customer  identities,  potential  customers,  employees,  suppliers,  equipment,
programs,  strategies  and  information,   analyses,  profit  margins  or  other
proprietary  information  used by the Company in connection with the Business of
the Company; provided,  however, that Confidential Information shall not include
any  information  which is in the public domain or becomes known in the industry
through no wrongful act on the part of Executive.  Executive  acknowledges  that
the Confidential  Information is vital, sensitive,  confidential and proprietary
to the Company.

7.       Termination.
         -----------

                  7.1  Without  Cause.  The Company  may  terminate  Executive's
         employment  hereunder at any time, without Cause (as defined in Section
         9),  upon not less than  ninety  (90) days  notice to  Executive.  Upon
         notice  of such  termination  from the  Company,  the  Company  may (i)
         require  Executive  to continue to perform his duties  hereunder on the
         company's  behalf  during  such  notice  period,  (ii)  limit or impose
         reasonable  restrictions on Executive's  activities  during such notice
         period as it deems  necessary,  or (iii)  choose  any date  within  the
         notice  period  as the  Effective  Date  (as  hereinafter  defined)  of
         Executive's  termination,  provided,  however,  that the  Company  will
         continue to pay Executive's Base Salary during such notice period.

                  7.2  For  Cause.   The  Company  may   terminate   Executive's
         employment  hereunder  at any time for Cause by  providing to Executive
         written notice of termination  stating the grounds for  termination for
         Cause and such termination shall take effect immediately upon notice of
         termination.  The  decision to  terminate  Executive's  employment  for
         Cause,  to take other  action or to take no action in  response to such
         occurrence shall be in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board.

                  7.3 By  Executive.  Executive  may  terminate  his  employment
         hereunder  at any time,  with or without  Good  Reason  (as  defined in
         Section 9), upon not less than  ninety  (90) days notice  (thirty  (30)
         days notice if Executive  terminates  following a Change in Control) to
         the  Company.  Upon  notice of such  termination  from  Executive,  the
         Company  may (i)  require  Executive  to continue to perform his duties
         hereunder on the Company's behalf during such notice period, (ii) limit
         or impose reasonable restrictions on Executive's activities during such
         notice period as it deems necessary, or (iii) accept Executive's notice
         of termination as Executive's resignation from the Company (including a
         resignation  from any  position as director of the Company) at any time
         during such notice period. If the Company at any time during the notice
         period  chooses  to  accept   Executive's   notice  of  termination  as
         Executive's  resignation  from the Company,  then the effective date of
         such  termination  shall be the date as of which  such  resignation  is
         accepted.

                  7.4 Death or Disability.  The Employment Period will terminate
         immediately upon the death or Disability of Executive.

                  7.5 Salary and Benefit Accruals.  Following the effective date
         of termination  by Executive  without Good Reason or by the Company for
         Cause,   Executive   will  not  be  entitled  to  receive  any  further
         compensation  (whether in the form of Base Salary,  Bonus Payments,  or
         Benefits or otherwise)  other than those  payments set forth in Section
         8.2 below and  accrued but unpaid  Base  Salary  through the  Effective
         Date.  Upon  termination by the Company  without Cause,  termination by
         Executive  for Good  Reason,  death or  Disability,  Executive  (or his
         estate)  will be  entitled  to receive  (i) all accrued but unpaid Base
         Salary through the Effective  Date,  (ii) Bonus Payment for the year in
         which such  termination  occurs,  determined by  multiplying  the prior
         year's Bonus Payment by a fraction  equal to the number of days elapsed
         in the current  year through the  effective  date of  termination  (the
         "Effective  Date")  divided  by 365,  and  (iii)  any  amounts  payable
         pursuant to Section 8.1 below, but all other obligations of the Company
         to pay Executive any further compensation,  whether in the form of Base
         Salary,  Bonus  Payments,  or Benefits (other than death and Disability
         benefits, if any) or otherwise, will terminate.

8.       Additional Obligations Upon Termination.
         ---------------------------------------

                  8.1 Termination Without Cause. If Executive's  employment with
         the Company is terminated at any time during the Employment  Period (i)
         by the Company without Cause, or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason,  or
         (iii) due to the death or Disability of Executive,  then in addition to
         the  amounts  payable in  accordance  with  Section  7.5 above,  and in
         consideration for the Restrictive Covenants,  the Company shall pay and
         provide to Executive the following:

                  (a)      Within thirty (30) days after the Effective  Date the
                           Company shall pay to Executive or his estate,  a lump
                           sum  cash   payment,   in  an  amount  equal  to  the
                           Termination Payment;

                  (b)      for the  remainder of the Scheduled  Term,  Executive
                           and his  dependents  shall  continue to be covered by
                           all survivor  rights,  insurance and benefit programs
                           in type  and  amount  at  least  equivalent  to those
                           provided  to him and his  dependents  by the  Company
                           immediately prior to the Effective Date;

                  (c)      any  stock  options  then  held by  Executive  or his
                           permitted  assignees shall immediately vest as of the
                           Effective Date; and

                  (d)      the  Company,  at its  sole  expense,  shall  provide
                           Executive with outplacement  services consistent with
                           those services customarily provided by the Company to
                           its senior executive employees.

                 8.2      Termination by Executive.
                          (a)  If,  in  the  absence  of a  Change  in  Control,
                 Executive terminates without Good Reason after January 1, 2002,
                 then,  in  consideration  for the  survival  of the  Restricted
                 Period  beyond the  Effective  Date, in addition to the amounts
                 payable in accordance with Section 7.5 above, the Company shall
                 pay and provide to  Executive:  (i) an annual amount during the
                 balance of the Scheduled  Term equal to one-half of Executive's
                 highest total compensation (consisting of Base Salary and Bonus
                 Payment,  where the Bonus Payment is equal to the Bonus Payment
                 for the  calendar  year in which  the  Effective  Date  occurs,
                 calculated   assuming   the  higher  of  (i)  100%  net  income
                 achievement for the full year or (ii)  year-to-date  net income
                 attainment,  extended on a pro-forma  basis  through the end of
                 the  calendar  year);  and (ii) all  Benefits  specified  under
                 Section  8.1(b)  above.  For  purposes of  providing  Executive
                 Benefits under Section 8.1(b),  Benefits shall be equivalent to
                 those  provided to  Executive  and his  dependents  immediately
                 prior to the Effective Date; provided that, if participation in
                 any one or more of such  arrangements is not possible under the
                 terms thereof, the Company will provide substantially identical
                 Benefits  outside  of the  programs  and cost of this  coverage
                 shall be paid by the Company.

                           (b) If, after the twelve (12) month period  following
                  a Change in Control,  Executive terminates his employment with
                  the  Company  without  Good  Reason,  then in  addition to the
                  amounts payable in accordance  with Section 7.5 above,  within
                  five (5) business days after the Effective  Date,  the Company
                  shall  pay and  provide  to  Executive:  (i) a lump  sum  cash
                  payment,  in an amount  equal to (x)  one-half of  Executive's
                  total  compensation  (consisting  of  Base  Salary  and  Bonus
                  Payment, where the Bonus Payment is equal to the Bonus Payment
                  for the  calendar  year in which the  Effective  Date  occurs,
                  calculated   assuming  the  higher  of  (i)  100%  net  income
                  achievement for the full year or (ii)  year-to-date net income
                  attainment,  extended on a pro-forma  basis through the end of
                  the  calendar  year),  multiplied  by (y) the  number of years
                  remaining  in  the  Scheduled  Term;  and  (ii)  all  Benefits
                  specified under Sections 8.1(b),  8.1(c) and 8.1(d) above. For
                  purposes of providing Executive Benefits under Section 8.1(b),
                  Benefits  shall be equivalent  to those  provided to Executive
                  and his dependents immediately prior to the Change in Control;
                  provided  that,  if  participation  in any one or more of such
                  arrangements  is not  possible  under the terms  thereof,  the
                  Company will provide substantially  identical Benefits outside
                  of the programs and cost of this coverage shall be paid by the
                  Company.

                  8.3 No Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate
         damages or the amount of any  payment  provided  for or  referred to in
         this Section 8 by seeking other employment or otherwise,  nor shall the
         amount of any payment  provided for or referred to in this Section 8 be
         reduced by any  compensation  earned by the  Executive as the result of
         employment by another employer after the termination of the Executive's
         employment, or otherwise.

                  8.4 Release.  As a condition to  Executive's  right to receive
         any severance  payments and Benefits made hereto in this Section 8, the
         Company  shall  require that (i)  Executive  execute and deliver to the
         Company a general release, whereby Executive shall release the Company,
         it successor,  assigns, officers, directors and agents from any and all
         claims,  liabilities and obligations relating to or arising out of this
         Agreement, and (ii) Executive shall not be in breach of any Restrictive
         Covenant.

                  8.5 Termination in Anticipation of a Change in Control. If the
         Company  terminates  Executive's  employment  without  Cause during the
         period  commencing  six (6) months  prior to the  earlier of (i) public
         announcement  by the  Company  of a  Change  in  Control,  or (ii)  the
         execution  by the Company of a  definitive  agreement  with regard to a
         Change in Control, and ending on (and including) the date of the Change
         in Control,  such termination  shall be regarded as a termination after
         such  Change in  Control  for  purposes  of this  Agreement,  including
         without limitation, for purposes of Sections 5.5 and 9.

9.       Definitions.  As used in this Agreement:
         -----------

         "Affiliate"   means   any   individual,    corporation,    partnership,
association,  joint-stock company,  trust,  unincorporated  association or other
entity (other than the Company) that directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Company  including,  without  limitation,  any member of an affiliated  group of
which the Company is a common parent  corporation as provided in Section 1504 of
the Code.

         "Anixter  Family" means Alan B. Anixter,  William R. Anixter,  Scott C.
Anixter,  their  spouses,  heirs and any group  (within  the  meaning of Section
13(d)(3) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Exchange
Act"),  of which  any of the  foregoing  persons  is a member  for  purposes  of
acquiring,  holding  or  disposing  of  securities  of the  Company,  any  trust
established  by or for the benefit of any of the  foregoing and any other entity
controlled by or for the benefit of any of the foregoing.

         "Commencement  Date" means the date of the next  annual  meeting of the
Company following the date of execution of this Agreement,  currently  scheduled
for May 17, 2000, when Executive will assume the position of Chairman.

         "Cause"  means  (a) an act of fraud or  dishonesty  by  Executive  that
results in material  gain or personal  enrichment  of Executive at the Company's
expense, (b) Executive's conviction of a felony-class crime (other than relating
to the operation of a motor  vehicle),  (c) any material  breach by Executive of
any  provision  of this  Agreement  that,  if  curable,  has not  been  cured by
Executive  within thirty days of written notice of such breach from the Company,
(d) Executive willfully engaging in gross misconduct materially injurious to the
Company that, if curable,  has not been cured by Executive within thirty days of
written  notice  specifying  the alleged  willful gross  misconduct and material
injury,  or (e) any intentional act or gross negligence on the part of Executive
that has a material,  detrimental  effect on the  reputation  or Business of the
Company.  The decision to terminate  Executive's  employment for Cause,  to take
other action or to take no action in response to such occurrence shall be in the
sole and exclusive discretion of the Board.

         "Change in Control" means the happening of any of the following events:

         (a)      An acquisition by any individual,  entity or group (within the
                  meaning of Section  13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange  Act)
                  of the beneficial  ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
                  promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or
                  more of the  combined  voting  power of the  then  outstanding
                  voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
                  the election of directors  (the  "Outstanding  Company  Voting
                  Securities");  provided,  however,  that for  purposes of this
                  subsection   (a),  the   following   acquisitions   shall  not
                  constitute  a Change in Control:  (A) any  acquisition  by the
                  Company or by an  employee  benefit  plan (or  related  trust)
                  sponsored or maintained  by the Company or an  Affiliate,  (B)
                  any  acquisition by a member or members of the Anixter Family,
                  (C) any  acquisition by a lender to the Company  pursuant to a
                  debt restructuring of the Company,  (D) any acquisition by, or
                  consummation of a Corporate Transaction with an Affiliate, (E)
                  a Non-Control  Transaction,  or (F) an acquisition by a Person
                  of the  beneficial  ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more,
                  but less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power
                  of the  then  Outstanding  Company  Voting  Securities  unless
                  Executive's  employment is  terminated by the Company  without
                  Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, within twenty-four (24)
                  months following such acquisition;

         (b)      A  change  in the  composition  of the  Board  such  that  the
                  individuals  who, as of the date hereof,  constitute the Board
                  (such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Incumbent
                  Board"))  cease  for  any  reason  to  constitute  at  least a
                  majority of the Board; provided, however, for purposes of this
                  Section 9(b),  that any individual who becomes a member of the
                  Board  subsequent  to  the  date  hereof  whose  election,  or
                  nomination  for election by the  Company's  stockholders,  was
                  approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals
                  who are members of the Board and who were also  members of the
                  Incumbent  Board  (or  deemed  to be  such  pursuant  to  this
                  provision)  shall be considered as though such individual were
                  a member of the Incumbent Board; but, provided,  further, that
                  any such individual whose initial  assumption of office occurs
                  as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest
                  (as such  terms  are used in Rule  14a-11  of  Regulation  14A
                  promulgated  under  the  Exchange  Act)  or  other  actual  or
                  threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
                  of a Person other than the Board shall not be so considered as
                  a member of the Incumbent Board;

         (c)      Consummation of a  reorganization,  merger or consolidation or
                  sale or other  disposition of all or substantially  all of the
                  assets of the  Company (a  "Corporate  Transaction"),  in each
                  case,  unless  the  Corporate  Transaction  is  a  Non-Control
                  Transaction; or

         (d)      Approval  by   stockholders  of  the  Company  of  a  complete
                  liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

         "Disability"  will be deemed to have  occurred  whenever  Executive has
suffered physical or mental illness, injury, or infirmity that renders Executive
unable to perform the essential  functions of his job with or without reasonable
accommodation.

         "Good  Reason" means the  occurrence  of any of the  following  events,
unless (i) such event occurs with  Executive's  express prior  written  consent,
(ii) the event is an isolated, insubstantial or inadvertent action or failure to
act which was not in bad faith and which is  remedied  by the  Company  promptly
after receipt of notice thereof given by Executive, or (iii) the event occurs in
connection with termination of Executive's  employment for Cause,  Disability or
death:

         (b)      the assignment to Executive by the Company of any duties which
                  are, in any material respect,  inconsistent with, a diminution
                  of or an adverse change in Executive's position,  duty, title,
                  office,  responsibility or status with the Company,  including
                  without  limitation,  any material  diminution of  Executive's
                  position  or  responsibility  in the  decision  or  management
                  processes  of  the  Company,   reporting  relationships,   job
                  description,  duties,  responsibilities,  or  any  removal  of
                  Executive  from, or any failure to reelect  Executive to, such
                  position;

         (c)      a reduction by the Company in Executive's  rate of Base Salary
                  during the Employment Period;

         (d)      any failure to either continue in effect any material Benefits
                  or to substitute and continue other plans, policies,  programs
                  or arrangements providing Executive with substantially similar
                  Benefits,   or  the   taking  of  any   action   which   would
                  substantially and adversely affect  Executive's  participation
                  in or materially reduce Executive's Benefits or compensation;

         (e)      any  failure by any  successor  or  assignee of the Company to
                  continue this Agreement in full force and effect or any breach
                  of this Agreement by the Company (or any successor or assignee
                  of the  Company),  unless such breach is cured  within  thirty
                  (30)  days of  receiving  written  notice of the  breach  from
                  Executive; or

         (f)      following a Change in Control, the relocation of the executive
                  offices of the  Company to a location  that is more than fifty
                  (50) miles from the executive offices of the Company as of the
                  effective date of such Change in Control.

         "Non-Control  Transaction" means a Corporate Transaction as a result of
which  the  Outstanding  Company  Voting  Securities  immediately  prior to such
Corporate  Transaction  would entitle the holders thereof  immediately  prior to
such Corporate Transaction to exercise,  directly or indirectly, more than fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power of all of the shares of capital stock
entitled to vote generally in election of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Corporate  Transaction  immediately  after such Corporate  Transaction
(including,  without  limitation,  a  corporation  which  as a  result  of  such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets
either directly or through one or more subsidiaries).

         "Person"  means any  individual,  corporation,  trust,  proprietorship,
association, governmental body, agency or subdivision or other entity.

         "Termination  Payment"  means  an  amount  equal to (i)  two-thirds  of
Executive's  highest  total  compensation  (consisting  of Base Salary and Bonus
Payment)  in any of the five(5)  years prior to the year in which the  Effective
Date occurs,  multiplied by (ii) the number of years  remaining in the Scheduled
Term.

10. Remedies.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants set forth in
Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement  (collectively,  the "Restrictive Covenants")
are  reasonable  and  necessary for the  protection  of the  Company's  business
interests,  that  irreparable  injury will  result to the  Company if  Executive
breaches any of the terms of the Restrictive Covenants, and that in the event of
Executive's actual or threatened breach of any such Restrictive  Covenants,  the
Company will have no adequate remedy at law.  Executive  accordingly agrees that
in the event of any actual or threatened breach by him of any of the Restrictive
Covenants,  the Company shall be entitled to immediate temporary  injunctive and
other equitable relief, without bond and without the necessity of showing actual
monetary  damages,  subject to hearing as soon  thereafter as possible.  Nothing
contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any
other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened  breach,  including
the recovery of any damages which it is able to prove.

11.      Miscellaneous.
         -------------

(a)      Notices.  All  notices  and other  communication  between  the  parties
         pursuant to this  Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given
         when delivered in person,  one (1) business day after being  dispatched
         by  a  nationally  recognized  overnight  courier  service,  three  (3)
         business  days after being  deposited in the U.S.  Mail,  registered or
         certified  mail,  return receipt  requested,  or when sent by facsimile
         (with receipt  acknowledged  and a copy sent for next day delivery by a
         nationally recognized overnight courier service), to the Company at the
         address or  facsimile  number of its  principal  office in the Chicago,
         Illinois metropolitan area and to Executive (or his representatives) at
         his address or facsimile as shown on the Company's  records.  Executive
         (or his representatives) may change his address or facsimile number for
         notice purposes by delivering  notice to the Company in accordance with
         this  Section  11(a).  All notices  sent to the  Company  shall also be
         delivered to Katten Muchin Zavis,  525 West Monroe Street,  Suite 1600,
         Chicago,  Illinois  60661-3693,   Attention:  Jeffrey  R.  Patt,  Esq.,
         Facsimile No.: (312-902-1061).

(b)      Governing  Law. This  Agreement  will be subject to and governed by the
         laws  of the  State  of  Illinois,  without  regard  to  principles  of
         conflicts of laws.

(c)      Binding  Effect.  This  Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the
         benefit   of  the   parties   and   their   respective   heirs,   legal
         representatives,  executors,  administrators,  successors, and assigns,
         subject to the limitations on assignment in Section 11(h).

(d)      Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire  Agreement
         between  the  parties  with  respect  to the  subject  matter  of  this
         Agreement and supersedes any other agreements, whether oral or written,
         between  the  parties  with  respect  to the  subject  matter  of  this
         Agreement.

(e)      Modification. No change or modification of this Agreement will be valid
         unless it is in writing and signed by both of the parties. No waiver of
         any  provision  of this  Agreement  will be valid unless in writing and
         signed by the person or party to be charged.

(f)      Severability.  If any  provision of this  Agreement is, for any reason,
         invalid or  unenforceable,  the remaining  provisions of this Agreement
         will  nevertheless  be valid and  enforceable  and will  remain in full
         force and effect.  Any provision of this Agreement that is held invalid
         or  unenforceable by a court of competent  jurisdiction  will be deemed
         modified to the extent  necessary to make it valid and  enforceable and
         as so modified will remain in full force and effect.

(g)      Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are inserted for  convenience
         only and are not to be considered in the interpretation of construction
         of the provisions of this Agreement.

(h)      Assignability.  This  Agreement  may not be  assigned  by either  party
         without the prior written  consent of the other party,  except that the
         Company may assign its rights to, and cause its obligations  under this
         Agreement  to be  assumed  by, any person or entity to whom or to which
         the Company simultaneously  transfers by sale, merger, or otherwise all
         or substantially all of its assets.

(i)      No Strict  Construction.  The language used in this  Agreement  will be
         deemed  to be the  language  chosen by  Executive  and the  Company  to
         express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be
         applied against Executive or the Company.

(j)      Arbitration.  Except for any claim or dispute which gives rise or could
         give rise to equitable  relief under this Agreement,  at the request of
         Executive,  or the Company, any disagreement,  dispute,  controversy or
         claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach hereof
         shall  be  settled   exclusively  and  finally  by   arbitration.   The
         arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with such rules and before
         such arbitrator as the parties shall agree and if they fail to so agree
         within fifteen (15) days after demand for arbitration, such arbitration
         shall be conducted in accordance  with the Federal  Arbitration Act and
         the National  Rules for the  Resolution of  Employment  Disputes of the
         American Arbitration  Association which are then in effect (hereinafter
         referred to as "AAA  Rules").  Such  arbitration  shall be conducted in
         Chicago,  Illinois, or in such other city as the parties to the dispute
         may designate by mutual consent. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of
         three  arbitrators  (or such lesser number as may be agreed upon by the
         parties) selected according to the procedure set forth in the AAA Rules
         in effect on the date hereof and the arbitrators  shall be empowered to
         order any remedy which is  appropriate  to the  proceedings  and issues
         presented to them. Any party to a decision rendered in such arbitration
         proceedings  may seek an order  enforcing  the same by any court having
         jurisdiction.

(k)      Legal  Expenses.  The Company shall pay the legal expenses  incurred by
         Executive for review of this Agreement by his legal  counsel,  up to an
         amount  not to exceed  $10,000.  If  Executive  takes  legal  action to
         enforce the Company's  obligations  under this  Agreement and Executive
         prevails in such action, the Company shall reimburse  Executive for all
         reasonable  expenses  (including  reasonable  attorney's fees) actually
         incurred by Executive in such action.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Executive Employment
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                  ANICOM, INC.

                              By:      /s/ Carl E. Putnam
                                       -------------------------
                                       Carl E. Putnam, President

            EXECUTIVE:

                              /s/ Thomas J. Reiman
                              --------------------
                              Thomas J. Reiman