Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.10

                                    AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, made as of June 10, 2002 (the "Effective Date"), by
MAZEL STORES, INC., an Ohio corporation, with its principal place of business at
200 Helen Street, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080 (the "Company") and BRADY
J. CHURCHES, an individual residing at 1677 Taylor Corner Circle, Columbus, Ohio
43004 (the "Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:
                                   -----------

         WHEREAS, the Company and Executive were parties to an employment
agreement dated February 25, 2000, effective as of August 14, 2000 (the
"Employment Agreement");

         WHEREAS, Executive filed a lawsuit against the Company styled as BRADY
J. CHURCHES V. MAZEL STORES, INC., Case No. 02-CVH 04-4337, Franklin County,
Ohio Court of Common Pleas on April 19, 2002 alleging, among other things, the
Company constructively and effectively terminated Churches employment;

         WHEREAS, the Company alleges that Churches voluntarily terminated his
employment with the Company and commenced employment with Value City Stores,
Inc.;

         WHEREAS, it is deemed prudent and advisable to avoid the uncertainty
and burden of further litigation and to settle and forever resolve disputes and
claims that Churches claims or may claim in the future on account of or in
connection with any acts or omissions of the Company or any of its directors,
officers or employees, prior to the date of this Agreement in connection with or
arising out of Churches' employment with the Company and disputes and claims
that the Company claims or may claim in the future on account of or in
connection with any acts or omissions of Churches prior to the date of this
Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, Executive has been given twenty-one (21) days after receipt of
this Agreement within which to consider it before signing it.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The parties agree that the
                  Executive's employment with the Company and all of its
                  Affiliates (as defined in the Employment

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                  Agreement), terminated as of February 2, 2002. Executive
                  further resigns as a director and officer of the Company and
                  as an officer and director of each of its Affiliates as of the
                  Effective Date. Executive agrees to execute and deliver to the
                  Secretary of the Company a letter evidencing and affirming
                  such resignations as of the Effective Date.

         2.       SEVERANCE PAYMENT. In consideration of the terms set forth in
                  this Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Executive,
                  concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
                  Agreement, the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
                  ($500,000), subject to all applicable federal, state and local
                  withholding taxes ("Severance Pay"). Notwithstanding the
                  foregoing, due to Executive's right to revoke the release and
                  waiver of claims under the ADEA (as set forth in section 4(A)
                  herein), thereby relieving the Company of its obligation to
                  provide Executive the Separation Pay, the Company's obligation
                  to provide Executive with the Severance Pay will take effect
                  eight days after Executive has signed this Agreement (on the
                  condition that Executive fails to revoke the release of his
                  ADEA claims); provided, however, that Executive provides a
                  notice confirming that he is not revoking the release of his
                  ADEA claim.

         Therefore, upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company
shall deposit the Severance Pay with Executive's legal counsel, Gary D.
Greenwald, to be held in escrow during the ADEA Waiting Period. Upon receipt of
a written notice from Executive eight days after Executive has signed this
Agreement stating that Executive did not revoke his release and waiver of claims
under the ADEA, Gary D. Greenwald shall immediately distribute the Severance Pay
to Executive and shall have no further obligations to Company or Executive
regarding the Severance Pay. If Executive does revoke the release of his ADEA
claims (or fails to provide notice before June 30, 2002 confirming that he is
not revoking the release of his ADEA claim), Gary D. Greenwald shall immediately
return the Severance Pay to the Company.

         3.       DISMISSAL OF LAWSUIT WITH PREJUDICE. In consideration of the
                  terms set forth in this Agreement, Executive shall cause his
                  counsel to

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                  file an entry with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
                  dismissing with prejudice the Lawsuit.

         4.       RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE.

                           A.       In further consideration for the amounts to
                                    be paid by the Company to Executive
                                    hereunder, Executive does hereby release and
                                    forever discharge the Company and each
                                    Affiliate and their respective directors,
                                    officers, executives, shareholders, agents
                                    (including, but not limited to, accountants
                                    and attorneys) (such individuals, the
                                    Company and the Affiliates are hereunder
                                    collectively referred to as "Released
                                    Parties") from all claims, causes of action
                                    and liabilities of every kind and
                                    description whatsoever, known and unknown,
                                    foreseen and unforeseen, suspected and
                                    unsuspected, asserted or unasserted, which
                                    Executive has or may have against them or
                                    any of them by reason of any fact, matter or
                                    thing from the beginning of the world to the
                                    date of this Agreement, with the sole
                                    exception of: (i) claims arising out of the
                                    breach of any of Company's obligations under
                                    this Agreement; (ii) payment of medical
                                    claims in accordance with the terms of the
                                    Company's insurance policy for services
                                    rendered prior to February 2, 2002; and
                                    (iii) payments due Executive under the
                                    Company's 401(k) Plan (collectively, the
                                    "Retained Claims"). Without limiting the
                                    generality of the preceding sentence,
                                    Executive does hereby release the Released
                                    Parties from all claims, causes of action
                                    and liabilities arising from or relating to:
                                    (i) his employment or other association with
                                    the Company

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                                    or with any Affiliate; (ii) any right which
                                    Executive has, had or may have had to
                                    receive any sum of money of the Company or
                                    of any Affiliate; (iii) any rights or claims
                                    which Executive may have against the Company
                                    or any Affiliate for any cause whatsoever;
                                    (iv) any claims for salary, bonuses,
                                    vacation pay, fringe benefits, director's
                                    fees, business expenses and allowances or
                                    severance pay; (v) claims based on oral or
                                    written contracts; (vi) claims arising under
                                    any federal or state statutes, including but
                                    not limited to, claims asserting
                                    discrimination on account of age, race,
                                    color, sex, religion, national origin or
                                    veteran or handicap status and claims under
                                    the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
                                    1967 ("ADEA"), as amended, ERISA, Title VII
                                    of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Older
                                    Worker Benefit Protection Act; (vii) claims
                                    for damages for breach of contract or
                                    implied contract; (viii) claims based on
                                    personal injury, including without
                                    limitation, infliction of emotional
                                    distress; (ix) wrongful termination or
                                    breach of covenant of good faith and fair
                                    dealing; (x) claims asserting defamation,
                                    interference with contract or business
                                    relationships or promissory estoppel; and
                                    (xi) claims relating to Executive's
                                    ownership, acquisition and/or sale of
                                    Company stock.

                  Executive covenants and agrees that he will never assert a
claim or institute any cause of action or file a charge based on claims, causes
of action and liabilities of every kind and description whatsoever, known and
unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, suspected and unsuspected, asserted or
unasserted, which Executive

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has or may have against the Company, any Affiliate, or any other Released Party
by reason of any fact, matter or thing from the beginning of the world to the
date of this Agreement (except for Retained Claims) with any court of law or
administrative tribunal, and further agrees that should he violate the foregoing
covenant not to sue by asserting a claim, instituting an action or filling a
charge against the Company, any Affiliates, or any other Released Party which is
prohibited under this Agreement, Executive will pay all of Company's costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees) of defending against
the suit incurred by the Company or any other Released party. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the monetary benefits provided in this Agreement
constitute sufficient consideration for the Release and Covenant Not to Sue
contained herein, that there are substantial benefits to Executive, and
Executive further acknowledges that he has voluntarily and knowingly entered
into this Agreement with an understanding of its terms and meanings.

                  Executive acknowledges that the Company has notified him that,
under federal law: (i) Executive has twenty-one (21) days from the date of
receipt by Executive of this Agreement to consider and release and covenant not
to sue solely with respect to claims arising under the ADEA; and (ii) the
release of claims and covenant not to sue under the ADEA are not enforceable for
a period of seven (7) days following the execution by Executive of this
Agreement ("ADEA Waiting Period") and may be revoked by Executive during such
time. Revocation of the release of claims under ADEA may be effected by
Executive solely by notifying the Company in writing of his revoke and
delivering such notice to the Company within the aforesaid ADEA Waiting Period.
Such revocation shall not affect any of the other terms and provisions of this
Agreement.

                           B.       In consideration for Executive's agreements,
                                    obligations and covenants contained in this
                                    Agreement, the Company does hereby release
                                    and forever discharge Executive and his
                                    heirs, executors administrators, personal
                                    representatives, successors and permitted
                                    assigns, from all claims, causes of action
                                    and liabilities of every kind and
                                    description whatsoever, known and unknown,
                                    foreseen and unforeseen, suspected or
                                    unsuspected, asserted or unasserted, which
                                    the Company has

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                                    or may have against Executive by reason of
                                    any fact, matter or thing from the beginning
                                    of the world to the date of this Agreement,
                                    except for claims arising out of the breach
                                    by Executive of any of his obligations,
                                    representations, warranties and covenants
                                    under this Agreement. Without limiting the
                                    generality of the preceding sentence, the
                                    Company does hereby release Executive from
                                    all claims, causes of action and liabilities
                                    arising from or relating to Executive's
                                    previous employment (including his services
                                    as a director) with the Company and/or the
                                    circumstances giving rise to the execution
                                    and delivery of this Agreement. The Company
                                    covenants and agrees that it will never
                                    assert or institute any cause of action or
                                    file a charge arising from or relating to
                                    Executive's previous employment with the
                                    Company and/or the circumstances giving rise
                                    to the execution and delivery of this
                                    Agreement, and further agrees that should
                                    the Company violate the foregoing covenant
                                    not to sue by instituting an action or
                                    filing a charge against Executive which is
                                    prohibited under this Agreement, Company
                                    will pay all costs and expenses (including,
                                    without limitation, attorneys' fees) of
                                    defending against the suit incurred by
                                    Executive.

         5.       INDEMNIFICATION. The Company agrees to indemnify the Executive
                  from and against any loss, expense, damage or injury suffered
                  or sustained by Executive by reason of any acts, omissions
                  arising out of his activities on behalf of the Company or in
                  furtherance of the interests of the Company, including, but
                  not limited to, any judgment, award,

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                  settlement, reasonable attorney's fees and other costs or
                  expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual
                  or threatened action, proceeding or claim; providing that the
                  acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions, upon which such
                  actual or threatened action, proceeding or claims is based
                  were not performed or omitted fraudulently or in bad faith or
                  as a result of willful misconduct by Executive or as a result
                  of a breach of fiduciary duty; and provided that Executive
                  reasonably believed that the acts, omissions or alleged acts
                  or omissions were in the best interests of the Company and/or
                  its Affiliates.

         6.       NON-COMPETITION; TERMINATION OF EXISTING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.
                  By this Agreement, the parties agree that the termination of
                  the Employment Agreement occurred on February 2, 2002.
                  Notwithstanding the terms of the Employment Agreement, the
                  non-competition provision of Section 6.1 thereof shall
                  terminate as of the Effective Date.

         7.       STOCK OPTIONS. The parties confirm that as of the Effective
                  Date, all of Executive's unexercised, non-vested or vested
                  stock options for Common Stock of the Company have expired.

         8.       CONFIDENTIALITY. Executive agrees to keep the substance of the
                  negotiations and the terms and conditions of this Agreement
                  strictly confidential. Executive further agrees not to
                  disclose the substance of the negotiations or the terms and
                  conditions of this Agreement, except to his tax, financial
                  and/or legal advisors or members of his immediate family, each
                  of whom will also have an obligation of confidentiality.

         9.       NON-DISPARAGEMENT. The Company agrees not to disparage
                  executive's professional or personal reputation. Executive
                  agrees not to disparage the Company or the professional or
                  personal reputation of any Company officer, director or
                  employee.

         10.      MISCELLANEOUS.

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                  A. NOTICES. All notices, request, demands or other
communications hereunder must be in writing executed by an authorized
representative of the party responsible therefor, and must be given either by
hand delivery or telecopy or other telecommunications device capable of creating
a written record (confirmed by registered or certified mail or by overnight
courier):

                  If to Company:   Mazel Stores, Inc.
                                   200 Helen Street
                                   South Plainfield, NJ 07080
                                   ATTN:  Peter J. Hayes
                                   Telecopier Number:  (908) 222-9741

                  With a copy to:  Kahn, Kleinman, Yanowitz & Arnson Co., L.P.A.
                                   2600 Tower at Erieview
                                   1301 East Ninth Street
                                   Cleveland, Ohio  44114-1824
                                   Attention:  Michael A. Ellis, Esq.
                                   Telecopier Number:  (216) 623-4912

                  If to Executive: Brady Churches
                                   1677 Taylor Corner Circle
                                   Columbus, Ohio  43004
                                   Telecopier Number:  (614) 239-2331

                  With a copy to:  Shayne & Greenwald Co., L.P.A.
                                   221 S. High Street
                                   Columbus, Ohio  43215
                                   Attention:  Gary D. Greenwald, Esq.
                                   Telecopier Number:  (614) 221-4070

                  B. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously
                     in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
                     an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
                     and the same instrument.'

                  C. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire
                     agreement and understanding between the parties with
                     respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
                     cancels any and all prior discussions, correspondence,
                     agreements or understandings (whether oral or written)
                     between the parties hereto with respect to such matters,
                     including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement
                     (which shall be null and

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                     void and of no further force and effect).

                  D. BINDING EFFECT/NON-ASSIGNABILITY. This Agreement shall
                     inure to the benefit of and shall bind the Company and its
                     successors and assigns (whether by way of sale of assets,
                     merger, consolidation, combination, reorganization,
                     bankruptcy or other proceedings), and Executive, his heirs,
                     representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
                     Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary,
                     this Agreement and the rights and obligations of Executive
                     hereunder are personal to Executive and may not be assigned
                     or delegated to any Third Party.

                  E. SEVERABILITY. All provisions of this Agreement are intended
                     to be severable. In the event any provision or restriction
                     contained herein is held to be invalid or unenforceable in
                     any respect, in whole or in part, such finding shall in no
                     way affect the Agreement. The parties hereto further agree
                     that any such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be
                     deemed modified so that it shall be enforced to the
                     greatest extent permissible under law, and to the extent
                     that any court of competent jurisdiction determines any
                     restriction herein to be overly broad or unenforceable,
                     such court is hereby empowered and authorized to limit such
                     restriction so that it is enforceable for the longest
                     duration of time and greatest scope possible.

                  F. GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION AND VENUE. This Agreement shall
                     be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
                     the State of Ohio. Any claim or action arising hereunder
                     shall be settled before a single arbitrator in Columbus,
                     Ohio under the commercial rules of the American Arbitration
                     Association then in effect, and judgment upon such award
                     rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of
                     competent jurisdiction. The arbitrators' fee shall be split
                     equally among the parties.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands as of the
date written above.

                                             MAZEL STORES, INC.

                                             By:
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Peter J. Hayes,
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

                                             ----------------------------------
                                             BRADY J. CHURCHES

                                                                              24<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), effective as of the ____ day
of __________, 2002 is entered into by and between Michael Hough (the
"Executive") and Forsyth Capital Mortgage Corp., a Maryland corporation (the
"Company").

         The Company desires to establish its right to the continued services of
the Executive, in the capacity described below, on the terms and conditions and
subject to the rights of termination hereinafter set forth, and the Executive is
willing to accept such employment on such terms and conditions. The Company is
currently offering for sale shares of Common Stock as set forth in a prospectus,
dated ____________, 2002 (the "Offering").

         In consideration of the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the
Executive and the Company have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
THE COMPANY. The Company does hereby employ, engage and hire the Executive as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the
Executive does hereby accept and agree to such hiring, engagement, and
employment. The Executive's duties as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer shall be such executive and managerial duties as the Board of Directors
of the Company shall from time to time prescribe and as provided in the Bylaws
of the Company. The Executive shall devote such time, energy and skill to the
performance of his duties for the Company and for the benefit of the Company as
may be necessary or required for the effective conduct and operation of the
Company's business. Furthermore, the Executive shall exercise due diligence and
care in the performance of his duties to the Company under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding Section 23 hereof, the Executive shall devote substantially all
of his business time working on behalf of the Company.

         2. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term ("Term") of this Agreement shall
commence as of the date of the closing under the Offering (the "Effective Date")
and shall continue through December 31, 2004. From and after December 31, 2004,
and each anniversary thereafter, the Term of the Agreement shall automatically
be extended for additional successive one-year periods unless, not later than
three months prior to December 31, 2004 or any such anniversary, as applicable,
either party shall have given written notice to the other that it does not wish
to extend the Term of the Agreement.

         3. COMPENSATION.

                  (a) BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay the Executive, and the
Executive agrees to accept from the Company, in payment for his services to the
Company a base salary at the rate determined below ("Base Salary"), payable in
equal biweekly installments or at such other time or times as the Executive and
Company shall agree. Base Salary shall (i) equal a per annum amount of $300,000
and (ii) be reviewed periodically (not less frequently than annual) and upon the
raising of additional equity through the placement of securities. The Base
Salary can be raised at any time by the Board of Directors of the Company in its
sole discretion.

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                  (b) PERFORMANCE BONUS - BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCRETION. The
Executive shall be eligible to receive a discretionary, incentive performance
bonus, pursuant to any bonus incentive compensation plan established by the
Board, for the benefit of the Executive and the other executives of the Company,
eligible to participate in such plan. Except as provided in Section 7, any such
bonus awarded to the Executive shall be payable in the amount, in the manner,
and at the time determined by the Company's Board of Directors in its sole and
absolute discretion. In the sole discretion of the Board, such incentive bonus
plan may be designed and operated in a manner intended to comply with Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

                  (c) ANNUAL REVIEW. The Board of Directors of the Company
shall, at least annually, review the Executive's entire compensation package to
determine whether it continues to meet the Company's compensation objectives.
Such annual review will include a determination of whether to increase the Base
Salary in accordance with Section 3(a).

         4. FRINGE BENEFITS. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in
any benefit programs adopted from time to time by the Company for the benefit of
its executive employees, and the Executive shall be entitled to receive such
other fringe benefits as may be granted to him from time to time by the
Company's Board of Directors.

                  (a) BENEFIT PLANS. The Executive shall be eligible to
participant in and receive equity-based incentive awards under the Company's
2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in any other benefit plans relating to stock options, stock
purchases, awards, pension, thrift, profit sharing, life insurance, medical
coverage, education, or other retirement or employee benefits available to other
executive employees of the Company, subject to any restrictions (including
waiting periods) specified in such plans. The Company shall make commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain medical and disability insurance, and such other
forms of insurance as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine,
for its employees.

                  (b) VACATION. The Executive shall be entitled to (i) four (4)
weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for the first two years of service to
the Company, and (ii) five (5) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for the
next two years of service to the Company, with such vacation to be scheduled and
taken in accordance with the Company's standard vacation policies. After four
years of service to the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to such number
of weeks of paid vacation per calendar year as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company after review of industry standards, but shall in no
event be entitled to fewer than five weeks of paid vacation per calendar year.

         5. BUSINESS EXPENSES.  The Company shall reimburse the Executive for
any and all necessary, customary and usual expenses, properly receipted in
accordance with Company policies, incurred by Executive on behalf of the
Company.

                                       -2-

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         6. TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) DEATH. If the Executive dies while employed by the
Company, his employment shall immediately terminate. The Company's obligation to
pay the Executive's Base Salary shall cease as of the date of Executive's death.
Thereafter, Executive's beneficiaries or his estate shall receive benefits in
accordance with the Company's retirement, insurance and other applicable
programs and plans then in effect.

                  (b) DISABILITY. (i) If, as a result of the Executive's
incapacity due to physical or mental illness ("Disability"), Executive shall
have been absent from the full-time performance of his duties with the Company
for six (6) consecutive months, and, within thirty (30) days after written
notice is provided to him by the Company, he shall not have returned to the
full-time performance of his duties, the Executive's employment under this
Agreement may be terminated by the Company for Disability. During any period
prior to such termination during which the Executive is absent from the
full-time performance of his duties with the Company due to Disability, the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive his Base Salary at the rate in
effect at the commencement of such period of Disability. Subsequent to such
termination, the Executive's benefits shall be determined under the Company's
retirement, insurance and other compensation programs then in effect in
accordance with the terms of such programs.

                  (ii) If, however, as a result of the Executive's partial
incapacity due to physical or mental illness in which Executive shall not have
been absent from his duties for six consecutive months and shall have returned
to work on a full-time basis but is not able to perform at the same level as
when hired and/or is not able to perform the same functions originally hired for
("Partial Disability"), the Company shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate
the Executive's Partial Disability by modifying his job description
appropriately, together with a commensurate adjustment in compensation;
provided, however, the Company shall be required to so continue the employment
of the Executive in the event of a Partial Disability of the Executive only if
the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it can create a position
for which the Executive would be suited and that would be economically
advantageous to the Company.

                  (c) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE. The Company may
terminate the Executive's employment under this Agreement for "Cause," at any
time prior to expiration of the Term of the Agreement, only in the event of (i)
the Executive's material breach of this Agreement, including without limitation
the failure to substantially perform the reasonable and lawful duties of his
position for the Company, (ii) acts or omissions constituting recklessness or
wilful misconduct on the part of the Executive in respect of his fiduciary
obligations or otherwise relating to the business of the Company, or (iii) the
Executive's conviction for fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or any other
felony. The Executive's employment under this Agreement may be terminated
immediately without any advance written notice, and the Company's obligation to
pay the Executive's Base Salary, any bonus and benefits shall cease as of the
termination date.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

                  (d) TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. The
Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence, without the
Executive's express written consent, of any one or more of the following events:

                  (i) A reduction in title and/or compensation of the Executive
by the Board of Directors or the assignment of duties to the Executive not
consistent with those of a senior executive of the Company, except in connection
with the Company's termination of the Executive's employment for Cause pursuant
to Section 6(c) or as otherwise expressly contemplated herein;

                  (ii) The Company's material breach of any of the provisions of
this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a reduction by the Company in the
Executive's Base Salary in effect as of the Effective Date, or as the same may
be increased as provided herein; or a material change in the conditions of the
Executive's employment (e.g., including, without limitation, a failure by the
Company to provide the Executive with incentive compensation and benefits plans
that provide benefits and the opportunity to obtain incentive compensation, in
each case comparable to those available under benefits programs in effect as of
the Effective Date, etc.); or

                  (iii) The relocation of the Company's principal executive
offices to a location more than 50 miles from its location as of Effective Date
or the Company's requiring the Executive to be based anywhere other than the
Company's principal executive offices, except for required travel on the
Company's business to the extent necessary to meet the standard set forth in the
last two sentences of Section 1.

                  (e) TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE WITHOUT GOOD REASON. The
Executive may at any time during the Term of this Agreement terminate his
employment hereunder for any reason or no reason by giving the Company notice in
writing not less than three (3) months in advance of such termination. The
Executive shall have no further obligations to the Company after the effective
date of termination, as set forth in the notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event any "person" (as defined in Section 8 below) begins a tender or
exchange offer, circulates a proxy to shareholders or takes other steps to
effect a Change of Control, the Executive agrees that he will not voluntarily
leave the employ of the Company, and will render services to the Company
commensurate with his position, until such "person" has abandoned or terminated
efforts to effect a Change of Control or until a Change of Control has occurred.
In the event of a termination by the Executive under this paragraph, the Company
will pay only the portion of Base Salary or previously awarded Bonus unpaid as
of the termination date. Benefits which have accrued and/or vested on the
termination date will continue in effect according to their terms, but no
additional accrual or vesting will take place.

         7. COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE,
OR BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment shall be
terminated (i) by the Company other than for Cause, or (ii) by the Executive for
Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

                  (a) PAYMENT OF UNPAID BASE SALARY.  The Company shall
immediately pay the Executive any portion of the Executive's Base Salary or
previously awarded bonus not paid prior to the termination date.

                  (b) SEVERANCE PAYMENTS. The Company shall continue to pay the
Executive his Base Salary (as of the termination date) for the balance of the
Term. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to receive any bonus
compensation he would have been entitled to during the remaining Term had his
employment not been terminated prior to such time. Any such bonus payments shall
be made at the time they would ordinarily be payable. In the event that a
termination of employment described in this Section 7 occurs within two (2)
years following a Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled to a
severance payment (the "Change of Control Severance") equal to three times the
greater of the Executive's then current Base Salary plus actual bonus
compensation or three-year average combined actual Base Salary and Bonus
compensation. The total amount of the Change of Control Severance may not exceed
one percent (1%) of the Company's "book value", as of the termination date. The
"book value" of the Company shall be the aggregate amounts reported on the
Company's balance sheet, prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles as Stockholders' Equity, but excluding any adjustments for
valuation reserves (i.e., changes in the value of the Company's portfolio of
investments as a result of mark-to-market valuation changes). Fifty percent
(50%) of the Change of Control Severance shall be payable immediately with the
other fifty percent (50%) payable in equal monthly installments over the next
twelve months. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the minimum
value of the Change of Control Severance shall be $250,000.

                  (c) IMMEDIATE VESTING OF EQUITY-BASED AWARDS. In the event
that a termination of employment entitles the Executive to Change of Control
Severance, pursuant to Subsection 7(b), the Company shall take all appropriate
action to ensure that all incentive awards, granted to the Executive, the value
of which is based upon the Company's stock ("Equity Awards") and which have not
been exercised prior to the termination date become immediately exercisable by
the Executive or, as the case may be, free of any prior contractual
restrictions, whether or not the right to exercise any such stock options or
dispose of any other such Equity Awards would otherwise then be vested in the
Executive. The provisions of this Section 7(c) shall constitute an amendment to
any stock option or other Equity Award agreements (including award certificates)
between the Company and the Executive outstanding on the date hereof. All stock
options or other Equity Awards held by the Executive, as of a termination date,
not involving a termination following a Change of Control, shall be exercisable
in accordance with the Company's Equity Award plans and the applicable Equity
Award agreements.

                  (d) CONTINUATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS. From and after a
termination of the Executive's employment in accordance with this Section 7, the
Company shall continue to provide the Executive with all life insurance and
medical coverage Fringe Benefits set forth in Section 4 as if the Executive's
employment under the Agreement had not been terminated until the earlier to
occur of (i) such time as the Executive finds full-time employment or (ii) this
Agreement terminates. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if, as
the result of the termination of the Executive's employment, the Executive
and/or his otherwise eligible dependents or beneficiaries shall become
ineligible for benefits under any one or more of

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

the Company's benefit plans or the cost of providing such benefits exceeds 200%
of the cost of providing such benefits to other members of senior management,
the Company, at the Company's option, shall (i) continue to provide the
Executive and his eligible dependents or beneficiaries with benefits at a level
at least equivalent to the level of benefits for which the Executive and his
dependents and beneficiaries were eligible under such plans immediately prior to
the termination date or (ii) for any Fringe Benefit not so provided, the Company
shall pay the Executive 200% of the cost of providing such Fringe Benefit to
other members of senior management.

                  (e) LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS. In the event that (i) the
Executive becomes entitled to the benefit payments provided under subparagraphs
(a)-(d) of this Section 7 ("Benefit Payments"), and (ii) any of the Benefit
Payments or any other payments to the Executive under this Agreement or
otherwise will be subject to any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code ("Excise Tax"), the Company shall reduce the aggregate sum of such payments
to the largest amount payable that results in no loss of a tax deduction to the
Company, under Code Section 280G of the Code and no excise tax to the Executive
under Section 4999.

                  (f) NO MITIGATION REQUIRED; NO OTHER ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS
UNDER AGREEMENT. The Executive shall not be required in any way to mitigate the
amount of any payment provided for in this Section 7, including, but not limited
to, by seeking other employment, nor shall the amount of any payment provided
for in this Section 7 be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as
the result of employment with another employer after the termination date of
employment, or otherwise, except as provided in Section 7(d)(i). Except as set
forth in this Section 7, following a termination governed by this Section 7, the
Executive shall not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits set forth
in this Agreement, except as may be separately negotiated by the parties and
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in writing in conjunction with
the termination of Executive's employment under this Section 7.

         8. CHANGE IN CONTROL.  A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if the conditions set forth in any one of the following paragraphs
shall have been satisfied:

                  (a) Any "Person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (other than
the Company any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Executive
benefit plan of the Company; or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by
the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of the stock of the Company) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by
such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or from a
transferor in a transaction expressly approved or consented to by the Board of
Directors) representing more than 30% of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities; or

                  (b) During any period of two consecutive years (not including
any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors and any new director
(other than a director designated by a

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a
transaction described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this section), (i) whose
election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the
period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved
or (ii) whose election is to replace a person who ceases to be a director due to
death, disability or age, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;
or

                  (c) The shareholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger
or consolidation which would result in the holders of voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, at
least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company
or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person
acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities; or

                  (d) The shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

         9. DISPUTE RELATING TO EXECUTIVE'S TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR GOOD
REASON. If the Executive resigns his employment with the Company alleging in
good faith as the basis for such resignation any of the "Good Reasons" specified
in Section 6(d), and if the Company then disputes the Executive's right to the
payment of benefits under Section 7, the Company shall continue to pay the
Executive the full compensation (including, but not limited to, his Base Salary)
in effect at the date the Executive provided notice of such resignation, and the
Company shall continue the Executive as a participant in all compensation,
benefit and insurance plans in which the Executive was then a participant, until
the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Term of the Agreement or (ii) the date
the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the
parties or by arbitration in accordance with Section 22. For the purposes of
this Section, the Company shall bear the burden of proving that the grounds for
the Executive's resignation do not fall within the scope of Section 6(d), and
there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the Executive alleged such grounds
in good faith.

         10.      NONCOMPETITION PROVISIONS.

                  (a) NONCOMPETITION. The Executive agrees that during the Term
of this Agreement prior to any termination of his employment hereunder and for a
period of one year following the occurrence of any event entitling the Executive
to Severance Payments pursuant to Section 7, provided the Company makes all such
payments when due according to the provisions of Section 7, he will not,
directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company,
manage, operate, join, control, participate in, or be connected as a stockholder
(other than as a

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

holder of shares publicly traded on a stock exchange or the NASDAQ National
Market System), partner, or other equity holder with, or as an officer, director
or employee of, any real estate investment trust whose business strategy is
competitive with that of the Company, as determined by a majority of the
Company's independent directors ("Competing REIT"). It is further expressly
agreed that the Company will or would suffer irreparable injury of the Company
in violation of the preceding sentence of this Agreement and that the Company
would by reason of such competition be entitled to injunctive relief in a court
of appropriate jurisdiction, and the Executive further consents and stipulates
to the entry of such injunctive relief in such a court prohibiting the Executive
from competing with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company,
in the areas of business set forth above, in violation of this Agreement. It is
further expressly agreed that the Executive's interest in, employment by, or
management of Atlantic Capital Management, Inc. (either directly or through
another entity that is responsible for the management of Atlantic Capital
Management, Inc.) shall not be deemed to violate any provisions of this Section,
regardless of the scope of the Executive's activities with such firm, or other
entity.

                  (b) RIGHT TO COMPANY MATERIALS. The Executive agrees that all
styles, designs, lists, materials, books, files, reports, correspondence,
records, and other documents ("Company Materials") used, prepared, or made
available to the Executive in connection with his employment by the Company
shall be and shall remain the property of the Company. Upon the termination of
employment or the expiration of this Agreement, all Company Materials shall be
returned immediately to the Company, and the Executive shall not make or retain
any copies thereof.

                  (c) SOLICITING EXECUTIVES. The Executive promises and agrees
that he will not directly or indirectly solicit any of the Company Executives to
work for any Competing REIT.

                  (d) MARYLAND LAW. The Executive agrees, in accordance with
Maryland law, to first offer to the Company corporate opportunities learned of
solely as a result of his service as an officer and director of the Company.

         11. NOTICES. All notices and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be given by fax or first class mail, certified or
registered with return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been duly
given three (3) days after mailing or twenty-four (24) hours after transmission
of a fax to the respective persons named below:

                  If to the Company:        Forsyth Capital Mortgage Corp.
                                            3288 Robinhood Road
                                            Suite 105
                                            Winston-Salem, NC 27106
                                            Phone: (336) 760-9331
                                            Fax:  (336) 760-9391

                                       -8-

<PAGE>

                  If to the Executive:      Michael Hough
                                            Chief Executive Officer
                                            3288 Robinhood Road
                                            Suite 105
                                            Winston-Salem, NC 27106
                                            Phone: (336) 760-9331
                                            Fax:  (336) 760-9391

         A copy of any notice pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to Alston
& Bird LLP, 3201 Beechleaf Court, Suite 600, Raleigh, NC 27604, Attn: Brad S.
Markoff. Either party may change such party's address for notices by notice duly
given pursuant hereto.

         12. ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event judicial determination is necessary
of any dispute arising as to the parties' rights and obligations hereunder, each
party shall have the right, in addition to any other relief granted by the
court, to attorneys' fees based on a determination by the court of the extent to
which each party has prevailed as to the material issues raised in determination
of the dispute.

         13. TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement terminates and
supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings between the parties
with respect to employment or with respect to the compensation of the Executive
by the Company.

         14. ASSIGNMENT; SUCCESSORS. This Agreement is personal in its nature
and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other,
assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder;
provided that, in the event of the merger, consolidation, transfer, or sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company with or to any other
individual or entity, this Agreement shall, subject to the provisions hereof, be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successor and such successor shall
discharge and perform all the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of
the Company hereunder.

         15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the legal relations thus created
between the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed under and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

         16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; HEADINGS. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement of the parties respecting the matters within its scope and may be
modified only in writing. Section headings in this Agreement are included herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose.

         17. WAIVER; MODIFICATION. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with
any of the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver
of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of,
or failure to insist upon strict compliance with, any right or power hereunder
at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or
power at any other time or times. This Agreement shall not be modified in any
respect except by a writing executed by each party hereto.

         18. SEVERABILITY. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction
determines

                                       -9-

<PAGE>

that any portion of this Agreement is in violation of any statute or public
policy, only the portions of this Agreement that violate such statute or public
policy shall be stricken. All portions of this Agreement that do not violate any
statute or public policy shall continue in full force and effect. Further, any
court order striking any portion of this Agreement shall modify the stricken
terms as narrowly as possible to give as much effect as possible to the
intentions of the parties under this Agreement.

         19. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify and hold Executive
harmless to the maximum extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the Maryland
General Corporations Law or its successor statute.

         20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

         21. SUCCESSOR SECTIONS. References herein to sections or rules of the
Code or Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any successor sections or rules.

         22. ARBITRATION. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or in
relation to this Agreement, which the Executive and the Company are unable to
resolve shall be determined by the decision of a board of arbitration consisting
of three (3) members (the "Board of Arbitration") selected by the American
Arbitration Association upon application made to it for such purpose by either
the Company or the Executive. The arbitration proceedings shall take place in
New York, New York or such other place as shall be agreed to by the parties. The
Board of Arbitration shall reach and render a decision in writing. In connection
with rendering its decision, the Board of Arbitration shall adopt and follow
such rules and procedures as a majority of the members of the Board of
Arbitration deems necessary or appropriate. Any award shall be rendered on the
basis of the substantive law governing this Agreement and shall be concurred in
by a majority of the arbitrators. To the extent practical, decisions of the
arbitrators shall be rendered no more than thirty (30) calendar days following
commencement of the arbitration proceedings with respect thereto. Any decision
made by the Board of Arbitration (either prior to or after the expiration of
such thirty (30) calendar day period) shall be final, binding and conclusive on
the Executive and the Company and entitled to be enforced to the fullest extent
permitted by law and entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party
to the arbitration shall bear its own expense in relation thereto, including but
not limited to such party's attorneys' fees, if any, and the expenses and fees
of the member of the Board of Arbitration appointed by such party; provided,
however, that the expenses and fees of the third member of the Board of
Arbitration and any other expenses of the Board of Arbitration not capable of
being attributed to any one member shall be borne in equal parts by Executive
and the Company.

         23. OTHER ACTIVITIES. Subject to compliance with the provisions set
forth in Section 1 hereof, the Executive shall be permitted to continue to
manage the operations of Atlantic Capital Management, Inc. (either directly as
an employee and/or director of Atlantic Capital Management, Inc. or through
another entity that is responsible for the management of Atlantic Capital
Management, Inc.), engage in charitable work, and manage his own personal
investments.

                                       -10-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Executive has hereunto signed
this Agreement, as of the date first above written.

                                         FORSYTH MORTGAGE CORP.

                                         By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                            ------------------------------------
                                              Michael Hough

                                       -11-

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