Document:

EXHIBIT 10.10

                             STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT

            STOCK   ESCROW   AGREEMENT,   dated   as   of   ____________,   2005
("Agreement"),   by  and  among  ARDENT  ACQUISITION  CORPORATION,   a  Delaware
corporation  ("Company"),  BARRY J. GORDON, HARVEY GRANAT, MARC H. KLEE, ALAN J.
LOEWENSTEIN,  ROBERT SROKA,  ROBERT BRILL, ARTHUR H. GOLDBERG and PHILIP GOODMAN
(collectively  "Initial  Stockholders")  and CONTINENTAL  STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST
COMPANY, a New York corporation ("Escrow Agent").

            WHEREAS,  the Company has entered  into an  Underwriting  Agreement,
dated ____, 2005 ("Underwriting Agreement"), with EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. ("EBC")
acting  as  representative  of  the  several  underwriters  (collectively,   the
"Underwriters"),  pursuant to which, among other matters,  the Underwriters have
agreed to purchase 5,000,000 units ("Units") of the Company.  Each Unit consists
of one share of the Company's  Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share, and two
Warrants,  each Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, all as more fully
described in the Company's final Prospectus, dated ________, 2005 ("Prospectus")
comprising  part of the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-121028)  under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended  ("Registration
Statement"), declared effective on __________, 2005 ("Effective Date").

            WHEREAS,  the Initial Stockholders have agreed as a condition of the
sale of the Units to deposit their shares of Common Stock of the Company, as set
forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively
"Escrow Shares"), in escrow as hereinafter provided.

            WHEREAS,  the Company and the Initial  Stockholders  desire that the
Escrow Agent accept the Escrow  Shares,  in escrow,  to be held and disbursed as
hereinafter provided.

            IT IS AGREED:

      1. APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Company and the Initial  Stockholders
hereby  appoint the Escrow  Agent to act in  accordance  with and subject to the
terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.

      2. DEPOSIT OF ESCROW SHARES.  On or before the Effective Date, each of the
Initial Stockholders shall deliver to the Escrow Agent certificates representing
his respective  Escrow Shares, to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.  Each Initial  Stockholder  acknowledges  that the
certificate representing his Escrow Shares is legended to reflect the deposit of
such Escrow Shares under this Agreement.

      3.  DISBURSEMENT  OF THE ESCROW  SHARES.  The Escrow  Agent shall hold the
Escrow  Shares  until the  third  anniversary  of the  Effective  Date  ("Escrow
Period"),  on which date it shall,  upon written  instructions from each Initial
Stockholder,  disburse each of the Initial  Stockholder's  Escrow Shares to such
Initial Stockholder;  provided, however, that if the Escrow Agent is notified by
the Company  pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof that the Company is being liquidated
at any time  during the Escrow  Period,  then the Escrow  Agent  shall  promptly
destroy the  certificates  representing  the Escrow  Shares;  provided  further,
however,  that if, after the Company consummates a Business Combination (as such
term is defined in the  Registration  Statement),  it (or the surviving  entity)
subsequently consummates a liquidation,  merger, stock exchange or other similar
transaction  which results in all of the  stockholders of such entity having the
right to exchange  their  shares of Common Stock for cash,  securities  or other
property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt of a certificate, executed by
the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial  Officer of the Company,  in form
reasonably  acceptable to the Escrow Agent,  that such transaction is then being
consummated,  and release the Escrow  Shares to the  Initial  Stockholders  upon
consummation  of the  transaction  so that they can similarly  participate.  The
Escrow Agent shall have no further duties  hereunder  after the  disbursement or
destruction of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section 3.

<PAGE>

      4. RIGHTS OF INITIAL STOCKHOLDERS IN ESCROW SHARES.

            4.1  VOTING  RIGHTS AS A  STOCKHOLDER.  Subject  to the terms of the
Insider  Letter  described in Section 4.4 hereof and except as herein  provided,
the Initial Stockholders shall retain all of their rights as stockholders of the
Company during the Escrow Period,  including,  without limitation,  the right to
vote such shares.

            4.2  DIVIDENDS  AND OTHER  DISTRIBUTIONS  IN  RESPECT  OF THE ESCROW
SHARES.  During the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to
the Escrow Shares shall be paid to the Initial  Stockholders,  but all dividends
payable in stock or other  non-cash  property  ("Non-Cash  Dividends")  shall be
delivered to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance  with the terms  hereof.  As
used herein,  the term "Escrow  Shares"  shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash
Dividends distributed thereon, if any.

            4.3  RESTRICTIONS  ON TRANSFER.  During the Escrow Period,  no sale,
transfer  or other  disposition  may be made of any or all of the Escrow  Shares
except (i) by gift to a member of Initial Stockholder's immediate family or to a
trust,  the  beneficiary  of which is an Initial  Stockholder  or a member of an
Initial  Stockholder's  immediate family,  (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent
and distribution upon death of any Initial  Stockholder,  or (iii) pursuant to a
qualified  domestic  relations order;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that such permissive
transfers  may be  implemented  only upon the  respective  transferee's  written
agreement to be bound by the terms and  conditions of this  Agreement and of the
Insider Letter signed by the Initial Stockholder transferring the Escrow Shares.
During the Escrow Period,  the Initial  Stockholders shall not pledge or grant a
security  interest  in the Escrow  Shares or grant a security  interest in their
rights under this Agreement.

            4.4 INSIDER LETTERS. Each of the Initial Stockholders has executed a
letter  agreement  with EBC and the  Company,  dated as  indicated  on Exhibit A
hereto, and which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement ("Insider
Letter"),  respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial  Stockholder in
certain events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the Company.

      5. CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT.

            5.1 GOOD FAITH  RELIANCE.  The Escrow  Agent shall not be liable for
any action  taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the  exercise of its own
best judgment,  and may rely  conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon
any order, notice, demand, certificate,  opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel  chosen by the Escrow  Agent),  statement,  instrument,  report or other
paper  or  document  (not  only as to its due  execution  and the  validity  and
effectiveness of its provisions,  but also as to the truth and  acceptability of
any information  therein  contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be
genuine  and to be signed or  presented  by the proper  person or  persons.  The
Escrow  Agent  shall  not be bound  by any  notice  or  demand,  or any  waiver,
modification,  termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a
writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and,
if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are  affected,  unless it shall have
given its prior written consent thereto.

            5.2 INDEMNIFICATION.  The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Company from and against any  expenses,  including  counsel fees
and  disbursements,  or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any
action, suit or other proceeding  involving any claim which in any way, directly
or indirectly,  arises out of or relates to this Agreement,  the services of the
Escrow Agent  hereunder,  or the Escrow Shares held by it hereunder,  other than
expenses or losses  arising from the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of
the Escrow  Agent.  Promptly  after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of
any demand or claim or the commencement of any action,  suit or proceeding,  the
Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties  hereto in writing.  In the event of
the  receipt of such  notice,  the Escrow  Agent,  in its sole  discretion,  may
commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to

                                       2
<PAGE>

determine  ownership or  disposition  of the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the
Escrow  Shares  with the clerk of any  appropriate  court or it may  retain  the
Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having
jurisdiction  over all of the parties  hereto  directing  to whom and under what
circumstances  the  Escrow  Shares  are  to  be  disbursed  and  delivered.  The
provisions  of this  Section  5.2 shall  survive in the event the  Escrow  Agent
resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.

            5.3  COMPENSATION.  The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable
compensation  from the Company for all services  rendered by it  hereunder.  The
Escrow  Agent shall also be entitled to  reimbursement  from the Company for all
expenses paid or incurred by it in the  administration  of its duties  hereunder
including,  but not  limited to, all  counsel,  advisors'  and agents'  fees and
disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.

            5.4  FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  From  time to time on and  after the date
hereof,  the Company and the Initial  Stockholders  shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Escrow Agent such further  documents and  instruments and shall
do or cause to be done such further  acts as the Escrow  Agent shall  reasonably
request  to carry out more  effectively  the  provisions  and  purposes  of this
Agreement,  to  evidence  compliance  herewith  or to assure  itself  that it is
protected in acting hereunder.

            5.5  RESIGNATION.  The  Escrow  Agent may  resign at any time and be
discharged  from its duties as escrow  agent  hereunder  by its giving the other
parties  hereto written notice and such  resignation  shall become  effective as
hereinafter provided.  Such resignation shall become effective at such time that
the Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor  escrow  agent  appointed by the
Company,  the  Escrow  Shares  held  hereunder.  If no new  escrow  agent  is so
appointed  within  the 60 day  period  following  the  giving of such  notice of
resignation,  the Escrow  Agent may deposit the Escrow  Shares with any court it
reasonably deems appropriate.

            5.6 DISCHARGE OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Escrow Agent shall resign and be
discharged  from its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing
at any time by the other parties hereto, jointly,  provided,  however, that such
resignation  shall become  effective  only upon  acceptance of  appointment by a
successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.

            5.7 LIABILITY.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Escrow Agent shall not be relieved  from  liability  hereunder for its own gross
negligence or its own willful misconduct.

      6. MISCELLANEOUS.

            6.1 GOVERNING LAW. This  Agreement  shall for all purposes be deemed
to be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New York.

            6.2 THIRD  PARTY  BENEFICIARIES.  Each of the  Initial  Stockholders
hereby  acknowledges that the Underwriters are third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and this  Agreement  may not be modified or changed  without the prior
written consent of EBC.

            6.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement  contains the entire agreement
of the parties hereto with respect to the subject  matter hereof and,  except as
expressly  provided  herein,  may  not  be  changed  or  modified  except  by an
instrument in writing signed by the party to the charged.

            6.4  HEADINGS.  The  headings  contained in this  Agreement  are for
reference  purposes  only  and  shall  not  affect  in any  way the  meaning  or
interpretation thereof.

            6.5 BINDING  EFFECT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives,
successors and assigns.

                                       3
<PAGE>

            6.6 NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or which may
be given hereunder shall be in writing and either be delivered  personally or be
mailed,  certified or registered  mail, or by private  national courier service,
return receipt  requested,  postage  prepaid,  and shall be deemed given when so
delivered  personally  or, if  mailed,  two days after the date of  mailing,  as
follows:

            If to the Company, to:

                  Ardent Acquisition Corporation
                  1415 Kellum Place, Suite 205
                  Garden City, New York 11530
                  Attn: Chairman

            If to a Stockholder, to his address set forth in Exhibit A.

            and if to the Escrow Agent, to:

                  Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
                  17 Battery Place
                  New York, New York 10004
                  Attn: Chairman

            A copy of any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to:

                  Bingham McCutchen LLP
                  399 Park Avenue
                  New York, New York 10022
                  Attn: Floyd I. Wittlin, Esq.

            and:

                  EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
                  600 Third Avenue
                  33rd Floor
                  New York, New York 10016
                  Attn: David M. Nussbaum, Chairman

            and:

                  Graubard Miller
                  600 Third Avenue
                  32nd Floor
                  New York, New York 10016
                  Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

            The  parties  may  change the  persons  and  addresses  to which the
notices or other  communications  are to be sent by giving written notice to any
such change in the manner provided herein for giving notice.

            6.7  LIQUIDATION  OF THE COMPANY.  The Company shall give the Escrow
Agent written  notification of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company in
the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the
time period(s) specified in the Prospectus.

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<PAGE>

            WITNESS the  execution of this  Agreement as of the date first above
written.

                                        ARDENT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Barry J. Gordon, Chief Executive
                                            Officer

                                        INITIAL STOCKHOLDERS:

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Barry J. Gordon

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Harvey Granat

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Marc H. Klee

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Alan J. Loewenstein

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Robert Sroka

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Robert Brill

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Arthur H. Goldberg

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Philip Goodman

                                        CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER
                                        & TRUST COMPANY

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

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address of                       Number            Stock                    Date of
Initial Stockholder                     of Shares     Certificate Number          Insider Letter
-------------------                     ---------     ------------------          --------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                <C>
Barry J. Gordon
Ardent Acquisition Corporation
1415 Kellum Place
Suite 205
Garden City, New York 11530               468,283             1,9                November 11, 2004

Marc H. Klee
Ardent Acquisition Corporation
1415 Kellum Place
Suite 205
Garden City, New York 11530               364,217             3,11               November 11, 2004

Harvey Granat
Corporate Solutions Group
175 Great Neck Road, Suite 408
Great Neck, NY 11021                       61,250             2,10               November 11, 2004

Arthur H. Goldberg
Corporate Solutions Group
175 Great Neck Road, Suite 408
Great Neck, NY 11021                      156,250             7,15               November 11, 2004

Robert Sroka
Corporate Solutions Group
175 Great Neck Road, Suite 408
Great Neck, NY 11021                       50,000             5,13               November 11, 2004

Philip Goodman
Ardent Acquisition Corporation
1415 Kellum Place
Suite 205
Garden City, New York 11530                50,000             8,16               November 11, 2004

Robert Brill
Newlight Associates
500 North Broadway, Suite 144
Jericho, New York 11753                    50,000             6,14               November 11, 2004

Alan J. Loewenstein
Ardent Acquisition Corporation
1415 Kellum Place
Suite 205
Garden City, New York 11530                50,000             4,12               November 11, 2004
</TABLE><PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.30

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is entered into and effective as of April 8,
2002, by and between VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC (the "Company"), a Delaware
limited liability company, and JOHN J. MUELLER (the "Employee").

AGREEMENT:

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises hereof and the
mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree
as follows:

      Whereas the Company desires to induce the Employee to enter into
employment with the Company for the period provided in this Agreement, and the
Employee is willing to accept such employment with the Company on a full-time
basis, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below;

      1. EMPLOYMENT.

            1.1 EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY. The Company hereby agrees to employ
the Employee, and the Employee hereby agrees to accept such employment with the
Company, commencing on April 8, 2002 (the "Commencement Date") and continuing
for the period set forth in Section 2 hereof, all upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth.

            1.2 RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYEE. Except as previously disclosed to the
Company in writing by the Employee, the Employee affirms and represents that as
of the commencement of his employment by the Company on the Commencement Date,
he will be under no obligation to any former employer or other party which is in
any way inconsistent with, or which imposes any restriction upon, the Employee's
acceptance of employment hereunder with the Company, the employment of the
Employee by the Company or the Employee's undertakings under this Agreement.

      2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

            2.1 INITIAL TERM. Unless earlier terminated as provided in this
Agreement, the term of the Employee's employment under this Agreement shall be
for a period beginning on the Commencement Date and ending on April 7, 2007 (the
"Initial Term").

            2.2 RENEWAL TERM. The term of the Employee's employment under this
Agreement shall be automatically renewed for additional one-year terms (each a
"Renewal Term") upon the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term
unless the Company or the Employee delivers to the other, at least ninety (90)
days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Renewal
Term, as the case may be, a written notice specifying that the term of the
Employee's employment will not be renewed at the end of the Initial Term or such
Renewal Term, as the case may be. The period from the Commencement Date until
April 7, 2007 or, in the event that the Employee's employment hereunder is
earlier terminated as provided herein or renewed as provided in this Section
2.2, such shorter or longer period, as the case may be, is hereinafter called
the "Employment Term".

<PAGE>

      3. DUTIES.

            3.1 INITIAL POSITION. The Employee shall be employed initially as
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, shall
faithfully perform and discharge such duties as inhere in the position of
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and as may
be specified in the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company with
respect to such position, and shall also perform and discharge such other duties
and responsibilities consistent with such position as the President and Chief
Executive Officer shall from time to time determine. The Employee shall report
to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

            3.2 ANTICIPATED POSITION. The Company acknowledges that one of its
objectives in employing the Employee is to promote the Employee to the position
of President and Chief Operating Officer on or before December 31, 2002. The
Board of Directors shall make the determination to change the Employee's title
and increase his responsibilities based on the Board of Director's evaluation of
the Employee's performance during 2002. If the Board of Directors so promotes
the Employee, the Employee will report to the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

            3.3 LOCATION. The Employee shall perform his duties principally at
offices of the Company in Dallas, Texas, with such travel to such other
locations from time to time as the President and Chief Executive Officer may
reasonably prescribe.

            3.4 FULL EFFORTS. Except as may otherwise be approved in advance by
the Chief Executive Officer and except during vacation periods and reasonable
periods of absence due to sickness, personal injury or other disability and
reasonable devotion of time to the Employee's personal financial affairs, the
Employee shall devote his full business time throughout the Employment Term to
the services required of him hereunder. The Employee shall render his business
services exclusively to the Company and its subsidiaries during the Employment
Term and shall use his best efforts, judgment and energy to improve and advance
the business and interests of the Company and its subsidiaries in a manner
consistent with the duties of his position. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Employee shall be entitled to participate as a director or advisor to one or
more associations, businesses or community or charitable organizations in the
Dallas/Ft. Worth area, so long as such activity does not (i) involve a
substantial amount of the Employee's time. (ii) impair in any material respect
the Employee's ability to perform his duties under this Agreement or (iii)
violate the provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement; and shall be entitled to
serve as an outside director of one of the public companies affiliated with
Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe so long as serving in that position is
consistent with the Employee's duties to the Company.

      4. SALARY, BONUS AND SIGNING BONUS.

            4.1 SALARY. As compensation for the performance by the Employee of
the services to be performed by the Employee hereunder during the Employment
Term, the Company shall pay the Employee a base salary at the annual rate of
Three Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($325,000) (said amount, together
with any increases thereto as may be determined from time to time no less
frequently than annually by the Chief Executive Officer in

                                       2
<PAGE>

its sole discretion, being hereinafter referred to as "Salary"). Any Salary
payable hereunder shall be paid in regular intervals in accordance with the
Company's payroll practices from time to time in effect.

            4.2 BONUS. The Employee shall be eligible to receive bonus
compensation from the Company in respect of each fiscal year (or portion
thereof) occurring during the Employment Term in an amount targeted at 100% of
his Salary in accordance with the Company's management bonus plan as in effect
from time to time (pro rated for any portion of a fiscal year occurring during
the Employment Term, excluding the first year of the term), in each case as may
be determined by the Chief Executive Officer in his sole discretion on the basis
of performance-based criteria consistent with the Company's business plan to be
established by the Chief Executive Officer in its sole discretion and disclosed
to the Employee prior to the commencement of each fiscal year of the Company.
With respect to the period from April 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, the
Employee shall receive a minimum bonus of $227,500 (70% of target) whether or
not the Company achieves the performance criteria of the management bonus plan.

            4.3 SIGNING BONUS. In connection with the execution and delivery by
the Employee of this Agreement and in consideration of certain compensation that
the Employee will not receive from his prior employer as a result of the
commencement of the Employee's employment by the Company hereunder, the Company
shall pay the Employee a one-time bonus in an amount equal to $100,000 no more
than forty-five days after the Commencement Date. If the Employee terminates his
employment hereunder for any reason whatsoever (whether by reason of retirement,
resignation, notice of non-renewal or otherwise), other than for "Good Reason"
he shall reimburse the Company $50,000 if such termination occurs on or before
December 31. 2002.

      5. OTHER BENEFITS; EQUITY INTERESTS.

            5.1 GENERAL. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall:

                  (a) be eligible to participate at a level commensurate with
his position in any employee equity purchase plans or programs that may be
adopted for the benefit of the Company's officers or employees generally and in
any employee fringe or other employee benefits and pension and/or profit sharing
plans that may be provided by the Company for its senior executive employees in
accordance with the provisions of any such plans, as the same may be in effect
from time to time;

                  (b) be eligible to participate in any medical and health plans
and other employee welfare benefit plans that may be provided by the Company for
its senior executive employees in accordance with the provisions of any such
plans, as the same may be in effect from lime to time;

                  (c) be entitled to the number of paid vacation days in each
calendar year determined by the Company from time to time for its senior
executive officers, provided that such number of paid vacation days in each
calendar year shall not be less than

                                       3
<PAGE>

twenty work days (four calendar weeks); the Employee shall also be entitled to
all paid holidays and personal days given by the Company to its senior executive
officers;

                  (d) be entitled to sick leave, sick pay and disability
benefits in accordance with any Company policy that may be applicable to senior
executive employees from time to time; and

                  (e) be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and
necessary out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by the Employee in the
performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the Company's normal
policies from time to time in effect.

The Company will obtain for the benefit of the Employee (i) term life insurance
coverage providing death benefits to beneficiaries designated by the Employee
equal to four times Salary, but not less than $1,300,000. and (ii) long-term
disability insurance coverage providing the Employee with long-term disability
benefits equal to 60% of his Salary payable on and after the 181st day of the
Employee's qualifying disability, provided, however, that (x) annual premiums
for the insurance coverage described in (i) and (ii) above cannot exceed $25.000
and (y) the foregoing assumes the insurability of the Employee. The Company and
the Employee agree that the Employee's existing life and disability insurance
policies may, if permitted to be carried over to the Company, wholly or
partially satisfy the Company's obligations under this paragraph (subject
nevertheless to clause (x) above). In the event that the annual premiums for the
insurance coverage described in (i) and (ii) above would exceed $25,000, then,
at the Employee's option, either (A) the coverage will be reduced to the extent
necessary to keep the annual premiums under $25,000 or (B) the Employee shall
pay the amount of such excess.

            5.2 SOUTHWEST OPTIONS. In connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Employee, the Company is causing Valor
Telecommunications Southwest, LLC. ("Southwest") to grant to the Employee
options to purchase 800,000 Class B Common Interests of Southwest at an exercise
price of $1 (one dollar) per Interest, which Class B Common Interests shall vest
20% of the Class B Common Interests on each of the first, second, third, fourth
and fifth anniversaries of the Commencement Date on which the Employee continues
to be employed on a full time basis by the Company. The option agreement setting
forth the terms of the options shall provide for accelerated vesting under the
following conditions:

                  (a) in the event that an Acceleration Event (as hereinafter
defined) occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, then an
additional 30% of the options shall vest (for a total of 50% vested options);
and

                  (b) in the event that an Acceleration Event (as hereinafter
defined) occurs on or after the first anniversary of the Commencement Date (as
defined in the 2000 Equity Incentive Non-Qualified Option Agreement), then 100%
of the options shall vest.

For purposes of this Agreement and the Valor Management Holding Company, LLC
Executive Subscription Agreement, "Acceleration Event" means (1) termination of
the Employee's employment by the Company pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1
below or within one year following Change in Control as defined in the Valor
Telecommunications Southwest, LLC 2000

                                       4
<PAGE>

Equity Incentive Non-Qualified Option Agreement, (2) by the Company if the
Employee was terminated other than "for cause" or (3) by the Employee pursuant
to clause (e) of said Section 7.1.

Except for "Acceleration Event", "Good Reason" and "For Cause", as defined
below, the terms and conditions of the Valor Telecommunications Southwest, LLC
2000 Equity Incentive Non-Qualified Option Agreement shall govern the grant of
options.

            5.3 RELOCATION EXPENSES. The Company shall pay for the reasonable
and necessary expenses incurred by the Employee in relocating his principal
residence to the vicinity of the Company's executive offices in Dallas, Texas,
and reasonable living expenses incurred by the Employee during the six-month
period beginning on the Commencement Date, to include apartment rental, cleaning
and laundry expenses, provided that the total of all such payments made under
this Section 5.4 shall not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate and if such payments
are less than $100,000 in the aggregate, the Company shall pay the Employee the
difference between $100,000 and such payments as additional compensation.

      6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Employee hereby covenants, agrees and
acknowledges as follows:

            6.1 ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Employee has and will
have access to and will participate in the development of or be acquainted with
confidential or proprietary information and trade secrets related to the
business of the Company and any present or future subsidiaries or affiliates of
the Company (collectively with the Company, the "Companies"), including but not
limited to (i) customer lists; related records and compilations of information;
the identity. lists or descriptions of any new customers. Referral sources or
organizations; financial statements; cost reports or other financial
information; contract proposals or bidding information; business plans; training
and operations methods and manuals; personnel records; software programs;
reports and correspondence; and management systems, policies or procedures,
including related forms and manuals; (ii) information pertaining to future
developments such as future marketing or acquisition plans or ideas, and
potential new business locations and (iii) all other tangible and intangible
property, which are used in the business and operations of the Companies but not
made public. The information and trade secrets relating to the business of the
Companies described hereinabove in this paragraph (a) are hereinafter referred
to collectively as the "Confidential Information", provided that the term
Confidential Information shall not include any information (x) that is or
becomes generally publicly available (other than as a result of violation of
this Agreement by the Employee), (y) that the Employee receives on a
nonconfidential basis from a source (other than the Companies or their
representatives) that is not known by him to be bound by an obligation of
secrecy or confidentiality to any of the Companies or (z) that was in the
possession of the Employee prior to disclosure by the Companies.

            6.2 NON-DISCLOSURE AND NON-USE. The Employee shall not disclose, use
or make known for his or another's benefit other than for the benefit of the
Company and its affiliates any Confidential Information or use such Confidential
Information in any way. The Employee may disclose Confidential Information when
required by a third party and applicable law or judicial process, but only after
providing immediate notice to the Company of any third

                                       5
<PAGE>

party's request for such information, which notice shall include the Employee's
intent to disclose any Confidential Information with respect to such request.

            6.3 NO REMEDY AT LAW. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that a
remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this
Section 6 would be inadequate and, therefore, agrees that the Companies shall be
entitled to seek injunctive relief in addition to any other available rights and
remedies in case of any such breach or threatened breach by the Employee;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed as
prohibiting the Companies from pursuing any other rights and remedies available
for any such breach or threatened breach.

            6.4 RETURN OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Employee agrees that
upon termination of his employment with the Company for any reason, the Employee
shall forthwith return to the Company all Confidential Information in whatever
form maintained (including, without limitation, computer discs and other
electronic media).

            6.5 SURVIVAL. The obligations of the Employee under this Section 6
shall, except as otherwise provided herein, survive the termination of the
Employment Term and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

            6.6 BINDING EFFECT. Without limiting the generality of Section 10
hereof, the Employee hereby expressly agrees that the foregoing provisions of
this Section 6 shall be binding upon the Employee's heirs, successors and legal
representatives.

      7. TERMINATION.

            7.1 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The Employee's employment hereunder
shall be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following:

                  (a) death of the Employee;

                  (b) if Employee becomes physically or mentally incapacitated
or disabled so that he is unable to perform for the Company substantially the
same services as he performed prior to incurring such incapacity or disability
(the Company, at its option and expense, is entitled to retain a physician
reasonably acceptable to the Employee to confirm the existence of such
incapacity or disability, and the determination of such physician shall be
binding upon the Company and the Employee, and such incapacity or disability
exists for a period of one hundred eighty (180) or more days, whether or not
consecutive, within any period of twelve (12) consecutive months;

                  (c) the Company giving written notice, at any time. to the
Employee that the Employee's employment is being terminated "for cause" (as
defined below);

                  (d) the Company giving written notice, at any time (including,
without limitation, following a change of control of the Company or a sale of
substantially all of the assets of the Company), to the Employee that the
Employee's employment is being terminated or is not being renewed, other than
pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) above;

                                       6
<PAGE>

                  (e) the Employee terminates his employment hereunder for "Good
Reason" (as defined below); or

                  (f) the Employee terminates his employment hereunder for any
reason whatsoever (whether by reason of retirement, resignation. or otherwise),
other than for "Good Reason".

      The following actions, failures and events by or affecting the Employee
shall constitute "cause" for termination within the meaning of clause (c) above:
(A) has been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or (B)
has used alcohol or drugs on an ongoing basis to an extent that materially
interferes with the performance by the Employee of his duties under this
Agreement, or (C) has embezzled or misappropriated Company funds or property, or
(D) has willfully and knowingly violated Section 6 hereof, or (E) has willfully
and continually failed to substantially. perform his duties hereunder (other
than any such failure resulting from mental or physical illness) after written
demand for substantial performance is delivered by the Board of Directors which
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board of Directors believes the
Employee has not substantially performed his duties and the Employee fails to
cure his nonperformance within fifteen (15) business days of receiving such
notice. Notwithstanding the occurrence of any event listed in clauses (A)
through (E) above, the Employee shall not be deemed to have been terminated for
cause without (1) reasonable notice to the Employee setting forth the reasons
for the Company's intention to terminate for Cause. (2) an opportunity for the
Employee. together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board of Directors.
and (3) delivery to the Employee of a notice of termination from the Board of
Directors finding that in the good faith opinion of a majority of the Board of
Directors was guilty of the conduct referred to in such notice.

      For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means (1) any material
breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, (2) any
substantial diminution of the Employee's responsibilities as an officer of the
Company. as set forth in this Agreement and the Company's Limited Liability
Company Agreement, and in each such case, such breach or diminution shall
continue unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after written notice
thereof to the Company, (3) any change in the officer of the Company to whom the
Employee reports from Ken Cole, (4) any change in the Company's Chief Executive
Officer, or (5) any requirement by the Company that the Employee relocate to a
geographic area to which he objects.

            7.2 SEVERANCE COMPENSATION. In the event that the Employee's
employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1
above or by the Employee pursuant to clause (e) of said Section 7.1, whether
during the Initial Term or during any Renewal Term pursuant to Section 2.2
above, then (i) the Company shall pay to the Employee, as severance pay or
liquidated damages or both, monthly payments at the rate per annum of his Salary
at the time of such termination for a period of twelve (12) months after such
termination plus 100% of the Employee's target bonus provided for in Section 4.2
with respect to the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (such bonus to
be payable within thirty days after the close of such fiscal year and (ii) the
Company shall continue to provide the Employee with life insurance and medical
and health insurance coverage at levels comparable to those in effect prior to
such termination for a period from the date of such termination to the earlier
to occur of (x)

                                       7
<PAGE>

the date which is twelve (12) months after such termination and (y) the date
upon which the Employee becomes eligible to be covered for such benefits through
his employment with another employer at no greater cost to the Employee.

            7.3 NO OTHER COMPENSATION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
expressed or implied herein, except as required by applicable law and except as
set forth or described in Section 7.2 above, the Company (and its affiliates)
shall not be obligated to make any payments to the Employee or on his behalf of
whatever kind or nature by reason of the Employee's cessation of employment
(including, without limitation, by reason of termination of the Employee's
employment by the Company for "cause"), other than (i) such amounts, if any, of
his Salary as shall have accrued and remained unpaid as of the date of said
cessation and (ii) such other amounts, if any, which may be then otherwise
payable to the Employee pursuant to the terms of the Company's benefits plans or
pursuant to clause (e) of Section 5.1 above.

            7.4 NO INTEREST PAYABLE. No interest shall accrue on or be paid with
respect to any portion of any payments hereunder.

      8. NON-ASSIGNABILITY.

            8.1 GENERAL PROHIBITION. Neither this Agreement nor any right or
interest hereunder shall be assignable by the Employee or his beneficiaries or
legal representatives without the Company's prior written consent; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 8.1 shall preclude the Employee from
designating a beneficiary to receive any benefit payable hereunder upon his
death or incapacity. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company except
with the Employee's prior written consent, provided, however, that the Company
may assign this Agreement to an affiliate of the Company with the financial
resources to fulfill the Company's obligations hereunder. and provided further
that any such assignment will not relieve the Company of its obligations
hereunder.

            8.2 NO ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT TO PAYMENTS. Except as required by law,
no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to
anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge.
pledge, or hypothecation or to exclusion, attachment, levy or similar process or
to assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to
effect any such action shall be null, void and of no effect.

      9. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

            9.1 COMPETITION. During the Employment Term and in the event the
Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company pursuant to clause (c) of
Section 7.1 above or (y) by the Employee as provided in clause (f) of said
Section 7.1. during the twelve (12) month period following such termination, the
Employee will not directly or indirectly (as a director, officer, executive
employee, manager, consultant, independent contractor, advisor or other-wise)
engage in competition with, or own any interest in, perform any services for,
participate in or be connected with any business or organization which engages
in competition with any of the Companies within the meaning of Section 9.4,
provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 9 shall not be deemed to
prohibit (A) the Employee's ownership of not more than two percent (2%) of the
total shares of all classes of stock outstanding of any publicly

                                       8
<PAGE>

held company, or ownership, whether through direct or indirect stock holdings or
(B) any of the current activities permitted by the last sentence of Section 3.

            9.2 NON-SOLICITATION. During the Employment Term and in the event
the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company pursuant to clause
(c) of Section 7.1 above or (y) by the Employee as provided in clause (f) of
said Section 7.1, during the twelve (12) month period following such
termination, the Employee will not directly or indirectly induce or attempt to
induce any employee of any of the Companies to leave the employ of the Company
or such subsidiary or affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between any of the Companies and any employee thereof.

            9.3 NON-INTERFERENCE. During the Employment Term and, in the event
the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company pursuant to clause
(c) or (d) of Section 7.1 above or (y) by the Employee as provided in clause (f)
of said Section 7.1, during the twelve (12) month period following such
termination, the Employee will not directly or indirectly hire, engage, send any
work to, place orders with, or in any manner be associated with any supplier,
contractor, subcontractor or other business relation of any of the Companies if
such action by him would have an adverse effect on the business, assets or
financial condition of any of the Companies, or materially interfere with the
relationship between any such person or entity and any of the Companies.

            9.4 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Section 9, a person or
entity (including, without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be a
competitor of one or more of the Companies, or a person or entity (including,
without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be engaging in competition
with one or more of the Companies, if such person or entity conducts, or, to the
knowledge of the Employee, plans to conduct, the Specified Business (as
hereinafter defined) as a significant portion of its business in any of the
local telephone exchange markets served by the Companies. For purposes of this
Agreement. "Specified Business" means (A) providing local telephone service or
engaging in a business conducted by the Company at the time of termination of
the Employee's employment with the Company or (D) conducting, operating,
carrying out or engaging in the business of managing any entity described in
clause (A).

            9.5 CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS OF THE EMPLOYEE. In connection with the
foregoing provisions of this Section 9, the Employee represents that his
experience, capabilities and circumstances are such that such provisions will
not prevent him from earning a livelihood. The Employee further agrees. that the
limitations set forth in this Section 9 (including, without limitation, time and
territorial limitations) are reasonable and properly required for the adequate
protection of the current and future businesses of the Companies. It is
understood and agreed that the covenants made by the Employee in this Section 9
(and in Section 6 hereof) shall survive the expiration or termination of this
Agreement.

            9.6 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that a
remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Section 9
hereof would be inadequate and, therefore. agrees that the Company and any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in
addition to any other available rights and remedies in cases of any such breach
or threatened breach; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall

                                       9
<PAGE>

be construed as prohibiting the Company or any of its affiliates from pursuing
any other rights and remedies available for any such breach or threatened
breach.

      10. BINDING EFFECT. Without limiting or diminishing the effect of Section
8 hereof, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and
assigns.

      11. NOTICES. All notices which are required or may be given pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient in all
respects if given in writing and (i) delivered personally, (ii) mailed by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid,
(iii) sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier or (iv) sent via
facsimile confirmed in writing to the recipient, if to the Company at the
Company's principal place of business, and if to the Employee, at his home
address most recently filed with the Company, or to such other address or
addresses as either party shall have designated in writing to the other party
hereto, provided, however, that any notice sent by certified or registered mail
shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery as evidenced by the return
receipt.

      12. LAW GOVERNING. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

      13. SEVERABILITY. The Employee agrees that in the event that any court of
competent jurisdiction shall finally hold that any provision of Section 6 or 9
hereof is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against the Employee,
the provisions of such Section 6 or 9 shall not be rendered void but shall apply
with respect to such extent as such court may judicially determine constitutes a
reasonable restriction under the circumstances. If any part of this Agreement
other than Section 6 or 9 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, illegible or incapable of being enforced in whole or in part by reason
of any rule of law or public policy, such part shall be deemed to be severed
from the remainder of this Agreement for the purpose only of the particular
legal proceedings in question and all other covenants and provisions of this
Agreement shall in every other respect continue in full force and effect and no
covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other covenant or
provision.

      14. WAIVER. 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 any right or
power hereunder at anyone or more times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of
such right or power at any other time or times.

      15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATIONS. Unless otherwise specified, this
Agreement constitutes the entire and final expression of the agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, oral and written, between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by an
instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.

      16. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed 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.

                                       10
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF. the parties have entered into this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
                                     /s/ John J. Mueller
                                    ----------------------------
                                    JOHN J. MUELLER
                                       ("Employee")

                                    VALOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS,
                                    LLC

                                    By:/s/ Kenneth R. Cole
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           ("the Company")

                                       11

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