Document:

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EXHIBIT 10.1

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, entered into and effective January 01, 2008, by and
between DRI CORPORATION, a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”) and DAVID L. TURNEY (the
“Executive”).

     WHEREAS, the Company employed the Executive on a full-time basis as the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer effective January 1, 1998;

     WHEREAS, the Company because of exemplary service desires to renew and offer an Employment
Agreement as set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, Executive desires to continue to be employed by the Company, from and after the date
of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, this Executive Employment Agreement continues the nondisclosure, noncompetition and
other significant secrecy agreements; and

     WHEREAS, Executive agrees that the new three (3) year term of employment and increased
compensation and other modifications given herein are significant considerations for the provisions
of this Employment Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree
as follows:

ARTICLE I

EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND BENEFITS

     Section 1.1 Employment. The Company hereby continues to employ the Executive
in the position described on Schedule 1 hereto as an executive officer of the Company. The
Executive accepts such continued employment and agrees to perform the duties and responsibilities
assigned to him pursuant to this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

     Section 1.2 Duties and Responsibilities. The Executive shall hold the
position with the Company which is specified on Schedule 1, which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference. The Executive is employed pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement and agrees to devote full-time to the business of the Company. The Executive shall
perform the duties set forth on Schedule 1, and such further duties consistent with

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Executive’s position as defined herein as may be determined and assigned to him from time-to-time
by the Board of Directors of the Company. Further, Executive shall be nominated during the term
hereunder for a seat on the Board of Directors and his annual re-election shall be recommended to
the shareholders for their approval so long as this Agreement is in effect.

     Section 1.3 Working Facilities. The Executive shall be furnished with
facilities in Dallas, Texas and collateral services suitable to the position and adequate for the
performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement.

     Section 1.4 Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled each year to
reasonable paid time off (“PTO”) of not less than twenty-five (25) days in accordance with the
established practices of the Company now or hereafter in effect for executive personnel, during
which time the Executive’s compensation shall be paid in full. Executive shall be permitted to
carryover up to twelve (12) weeks of accrued but unused PTO.

     Section 1.5 Term. The term of this Extended Employment Agreement is for a
period of three (3) years commencing on the effective date specified above, unless otherwise
terminated as provided in this Agreement.

     Section 1.6 Expenses. The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable
expenses for promoting the domestic and international business of the Company in all respects,
including expenses for entertainment, travel and similar items. The Company will pay, within the
policies and guidelines established by the Board of Directors, all reasonable expenses incurred by
Executive in the conduct of Company business and discharge of duties hereunder, including but not
limited to, dues and fees of business, civic, social, and professional societies and organizations,
the expense of attending business and professional meetings, conventions, and institutions, and the
cost of all business and professional books and periodicals. The Company will reimburse the
Executive for all such expenses upon the presentation by the Executive, from time-to-time, of an
itemized account of such expenditures.

     Section 1.7 Automobile. The Company will purchase or lease in its own name
every three (3) years, or more frequently at Employer’s option, a new “full size” premium
automobile of Executive’s choice for both business and personal use. The income tax liability
related to personal use will be paid by Executive.

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     Section 1.8 Executive’s Other Business. Executive shall be allowed to
participate in outside business activities provided (i) such activities do not interfere with
Executive’s performance of his duties as a full-time employee of the Company; and (ii) the outside
business is not a “Business Opportunity” of the Company, as defined herein. A Business Opportunity
of the Company shall be a product, service, investment, venture or other opportunity which is
either:

     (a) Directly related to or within the scope of the existing business of the Company; or

     (b) Within the logical scope of the business of the Company, as such scope may be expanded or
altered from time-to-time by the Board of Directors or be present in the most recent Strategic
Business Plan of the Company.

     Executive shall fully disclose in writing any potential outside business commitment to the
chairperson of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee for approval of said Committee and
Executive agrees to be bound by the written resolution of the chairperson of such Committee made
after consultation with the Committee.

ARTICLE II

COMPENSATION

     Section 2.1 Base Salary. The Company shall pay to the Executive a base salary
of not less than the amount specified on Schedule 1, such salary to be paid in accordance with
Company’s payroll policy then in effect. This amount will be reviewed annually for consideration
of increase in the discretion of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee for approval by the
Board of Directors on the basis of the value of such Executive’s services to the Company and market
competitive considerations.

     Section 2.2 Executive Incentive Compensation (“EIC”). In addition to the
basic compensation described in Section 2.1 above, the Company may pay to the Executive an
additional sum during each year of employment as EIC as proposed in the discretion of the Human
Resources and Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors and may discretionarily
grant additional stock options. Moreover, Company agrees to work in good faith and make best
efforts to determine if a reasonable possibility exists to amend or extend Executive’s current
options which are set to expire at various dates in 2008 and if such is not reasonably possible,
then to replace same in a form

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and fashion, if possible, deemed reasonably likely to embody similar value to the Executive.

     Section 2.3 Option Grants. Company and Executive shall reaffirm the vested
Option Grants set forth on Schedule 1 and shall also be eligible for future grants as provided by
the Human Resources and Compensation Committee subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT AND TERMINATION

     Section 3.1 Term. This Agreement shall be for a term which is specified on
Schedule 1, commencing on its effective date, subject, however, to termination during such period
as provided in this Article. After the term, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically for
succeeding periods of two (2) years each on the same terms and conditions as contained in this
Agreement unless either the Company or the Executive shall, at least 180 days prior to the
expiration of the initial term or of any renewal term, give written notice of the intention not to
renew this Agreement. Such renewals shall be effective in subsequent years on the same day of the
same month as the original effective date of this Agreement.

     Section 3.2 Termination by Either Company or Executive Without Cause. Subject
to other clauses in this Section 3, the Company or Executive, without cause, may terminate this
Agreement upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the other. In either event, the Executive shall
not be required to render the services required under this Agreement during the ninety (90) day
period; however, normal salary and benefits shall continue. Compensation for PTO not taken by
Executive, and any reimbursements or payments pursuant to Section 1.6 supra, shall be paid to the
Executive at the date of termination. With regard to all options vested or unvested, under any
Stock Option Plan or agreement in effect, all outstanding options shall vest immediately if the
Company terminates Executive’s employment without cause. If Executive terminates without cause,
all unvested options shall be forfeited; but Executive shall retain any vested options. If
applicable, Executive shall resign as a director and an officer of the Company if terminated by the
Executive or the Company without cause.

     Section 3.3 Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate
the Executive for cause as expressed in the written opinion of the Board of Directors, at any time,
upon 30 days’ written notice and following opportunity and subsequent

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     failure of Executive to remedy any non-compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

     Grounds for termination “for cause” are one or more of the following:

     (a) A willful breach of a material duty by the Executive during the course of his
employment;

     (b) Habitual neglect of a material duty by the Executive;

     (c) Fraud on the Company, conviction of a felony involving or against the Company, or
conviction of a crime of moral turpitude that affects the integrity and name of the
Company.

Termination “for cause” shall result in immediate forfeiture of Executive’s right to receive future
salary, accrued EIC and other future benefits as may be granted herein. Executive shall receive
any accrued PTO, earned salary, and any reimbursements or payments pursuant to Section 1.6
supra. Executive shall only be allowed to retain any vested options; all others shall be
forfeited. Executive shall resign as a director and an officer of the Company if terminated by the
Company with cause.

     Section 3.4 Termination by the Executive with Cause. The Executive may
terminate his employment with the Company at any time, upon 90 day’s written notice and following
opportunity and subsequent failure of Company to remedy any non-compliance, by reason of (i) the
Company’s material failure to perform its duties pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) any material
change in the duties and responsibilities, working facilities, or benefits as described in Article
I of this Agreement. With regard to all options, vested or unvested, under any Stock Option Plan
or agreement in effect, all outstanding options shall vest immediately if Executive terminates his
employment with cause. If applicable, Executive shall resign as a director and an officer of the
Company if terminated by the Executive with cause.

     Section 3.5 Termination upon Death of Executive. In addition to any other
provision relating to termination, this Agreement shall terminate upon the Executive’s death. A
severance allowance equal to 180 days of salary continuation shall be paid to the Executive’s
estate pursuant to regularly scheduled salary payments, all benefits shall be continued to the
surviving spouse for the same period, and all options held

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by Executive shall vest and be exercisable pursuant to any outstanding Executive Stock Option Plan.

     Section 3.6 Severance Compensation and Continuation of Benefits. In the event
the Executive shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.4 of this Agreement, or in the
event the Company or Executive shall terminate this Agreement under Section 3.2 hereof then, in
such event, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following on the date of such
termination or, as the case may be, as specified below:

     (i) The Executive shall receive a severance allowance equal to the greater of twelve (12)
months of the base salary or the remainder of the initial term or extension thereof, payable at
regularly scheduled pay periods over the period. Said severance allowance shall be subject to
mitigation should Executive obtain other employment during the severance period regardless of when
paid or to be paid. If Executive terminates voluntarily without cause pursuant to Section 3.2,
severance compensation shall not be paid.

     (ii) For a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s termination or
resignation, the Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate, at the Company’s cost, in
all existing benefit plans provided to the Company’s executive employees at the time of the
Executive’s termination or resignation, unless specifically prohibited by said plan. Such plans
shall include, but are not limited to, then-existing medical, health, disability, life insurance
and death benefit plans.

     (iii) Within 90 days of the Executive’s termination or resignation, the Executive shall have
the right, but not the obligation, to purchase any life insurance policy now maintained by the
Company on the life of the Executive. The purchase price of such life insurance policy shall be
equivalent to 105% of the cash surrender value of such life insurance policy. The Executive, at
his option, shall have the right to pay such purchase price in the form of common shares of the
Company which shall be valued at the market close price of such common shares on the date of
purchase of such life insurance policy.

     (iv) All outstanding options under any Employee Stock Option Plan shall vest or be forfeited
pursuant to the specific provisions of Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.

     (v) Notwithstanding any language to the contrary above, the Company shall not be obligated to
pay Executive any

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compensation specified in this Section 3.6 in the event termination is a direct result of
liquidation of the Company by action of the Board of Directors or shareholders of the Company
pursuant to a bankruptcy (voluntary or involuntary), receivership or any credit-enforced action.

     (vi) In the event of the occurrence of a “Triggering Event” which shall be defined to include
a (i) change in ownership in one or a series of transactions of 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of the Company, or (ii) merger, sale, consolidation, re-organization or liquidation of the
Company pursuant to a merger, sale or consolidation, and following such Triggering Event the
Executive’s services are terminated by the Company or the Executive or the Executive’s duties,
authority or responsibilities are substantially changed, or the Executive is unable to negotiate a
satisfactory new employment agreement, the Executive shall receive lump sum compensation equal to
2.9 times his annual salary and incentive or bonus payments, if any, as shall have been paid to the
Executive during the Company’s most recent 12-month period ending within 30 days of the Triggering
Event. If the total amount of the change of control compensation were to exceed three (3) times
the Executive’s base amount (the average annual taxable compensation of the Executive for the five
(5) years preceding the year in which the change of control occurs), the Company and the Executive
may agree to reduce the lump sum compensation to be received by Executive in order to avoid the
imposition of the golden parachute tax as provided in the Tax Reform Act of 1984, as amended by the
Tax Reform Act of 1986.

     In the event the Executive is required to hire counsel to negotiate on his behalf in
connection with his termination or resignation from the Company upon the occurrence of a Triggering
Event, or in order to enforce the rights and obligations of the Company as provided in this
Paragraph, the Company shall reimburse to the Executive all reasonable attorneys’ fees which may be
expended by the Executive in seeking to enforce the terms hereof. Such reimbursement shall be paid
every 30 days after the Executive provides copies of invoices from the Executive’s counsel to the
Company. However, such invoices may be redacted to preserve the attorney-client privilege, client
confidentiality or work product.

ARTICLE IV

DISABILITY INSURANCE & DISABILITY

     Section 4.1 Disability Insurance. During the term of this Agreement, the
Company agrees that it shall provide disability

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coverage consistent with that offered to the other executive employees. In any event, if the
Executive becomes disabled from properly performing services hereunder by reason of illness or
other physical or mental incapacity, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive his then
current salary hereunder for the first six (6) months of such continuous disability commencing with
the first date of such disability.

ARTICLE V

CONFIDENTIALITY

     Section 5.1 Confidentiality. Executive acknowledges that (i) the Company is
in the business of selling and distributing highly technical and proprietary work products,
information and technology developed or acquired by the Company (hereinafter collectively referred
to as “Technology”), (ii) certain of the Technology is a trade secret, is confidential and
proprietary, and (iii) the secret, confidential and proprietary nature of the Technology is
essential to the existence of the Company. The Technology which constitutes trade secrets shall be
kept confidential by the Executive and shall not be used or disclosed by the Executive to any third
party unless written permission to disclose such information is provided by the Company to the
Executive. Executive agrees to secure and protect the Technology in a manner consistent with the
Company’s rights in the Technology. Executive shall not use the Technology to develop or to aid in
the development by any third party of competing Technology. Upon termination of Executive, the
Company shall provide Executive a detailed listing stating the scope of any Technology, which may
not include items in the public domain or known to third parties having no obligation with
confidentiality. Provided, however, this Section 5.1 shall not apply if a “triggering event”
occurs pursuant to Section 3.6(vi) supra and Executive is not paid pursuant to the terms
hereunder.

     Section 5.2 Covenant of Non-Disclosure. Executive agrees that during the term
of this Agreement or thereafter, Executive will neither disclose any confidential information as to
the Company nor at any time remove for purposes other than the conduct of Company business or
retain without the Company’s express consent any figures, calculations, letters, papers or other
confidential information of any type or description. Executive also warrants and covenants not to
disclose, to reveal, to divulge or to make known to any person, firm, corporation or entity or use
for any purpose outside Company’s business, Company’s clientele lists, contents of any process,
data, consulting information, methods, office procedures, filing

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systems, computer software systems, subsystems, routines and subroutines, proprietary rights, work
product developed for or on behalf of the Company (except information within the public domain) or
any information regarding any trade secrets or confidential information reposed in him by the
Company or any information regarding the transactions of the Company with its clients or the state
of the accounts of the individuals, firms, corporation, or others with whom the Company does
business, without the prior written permission of the Company. Anything in this Section to the
contrary notwithstanding, Executive may use or disclose those portions of the confidential
information which: (1) are or become part of the public domain (other than as a result of a breach
by Executive); (2) were known to Executive or obtained by Executive from a third party; or (3)
Executive is ordered by a court to produce; provided Executive promptly notifies the Company of
receipt of any order or motion to require the production of any portion of the confidential
information.

     Section 5.3 Shop Right. With respect to Inventions made or conceived by the
Executive, whether or not during the hours of his employment or with the use of the Company
facilities, materials, or personnel, either solely or jointly with others during his employment by
the Company or within one year after termination of such employment if based on or related to
Confidential Information, and without royalty or any other consideration, the following shall
apply:

     (i) Inventions. “Inventions” means discoveries, concepts, and ideas, whether
patentable or not, including, but not limited to, processes, methods, formulas, programs, and
techniques, as well as improvements or know-how, concerning any present or prospective activities
of the Company with which the Executive becomes acquainted as a result of his employment by the
Company.

     (ii) Reports. The Executive shall inform the Company promptly and fully of such
Inventions by a written report, setting forth in detail the procedures employed and the results
achieved. A report will be submitted by the Executive upon completion of any studies or research
projects undertaken on the Company’s behalf, whether or not in the Executive’s opinion a given
project has resulted in an Invention.

     (iii) Patents. The Executive shall apply, at the Company’s request and expense, for
United States and foreign letter patent either in the Executive’s name or otherwise as the Company
shall desire.

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     (iv) Assignment. The Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company
all of this rights to such Inventions, and to applications for United States and/or foreign letters
patent and to United States and/or foreign letters patent granted upon such Inventions.

     (v) Cooperation. The Executive shall acknowledge and deliver promptly to the
Company, without charge to the Company but at its expense, such written instruments and do such
other reasonable acts, such as giving testimony in support of the Executive’s inventorship, as may
be necessary in the opinion of the Company to obtain and maintain United States and/or foreign
letters patent and to vest the entire right and title thereto in the Company.

     (vi) Use. The Company shall also have the royalty-free right to the business, and to
make, use, and sell products, processes, and/or services derived from any inventions, discoveries,
concepts, and ideas, whether or not patentable, including, but not limited to, processes, methods,
formulas, and techniques, as well as improvements or know-how, whether or not within the scope of
inventions, but which are conceived or made by the Executive during the hours which he is employed
by the Company or with the use or assistance of the Company’s facilities, materials, or personnel,
or within the period set forth in this Section 5.3.

     Section 5.4 Enforcement by Injunctive Relief. The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that any breach of this Article V by Executive would cause immediate irreparable harm to the
Company and monetary damages would be difficult if not impossible to ascertain. Executive agrees
that should he violate any of the terms and conditions of this Article V, the Company shall be
entitled to seek and obtain immediate injunctive relief and enjoin further and future violations of
this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall affect the right of the Company to seek and obtain
monetary damages in addition to or in substitution for such equitable relief.

     Section 5.5 Scope of Covenant. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction
finds any provision of this Article V to be so overboard as to be unenforceable, then such
provision shall be reduced in scope by the court, but only to the extent deemed necessary by the
court to render the provision reasonable and enforceable, it being the Executive’s intention to
provide the Company with protection to the extent provided herein.

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     Section 5.6 Non-Compete Covenant. Because of employment by Company, Executive
shall have access to trade secrets and confidential information about Company, its business plans,
its business accounts, its business opportunities, its expansion plans and its methods of doing
business. Provided Executive is paid the entire severance package as applicable to the
circumstances, Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year of termination (or if applicable,
such other longer period of payment of severance allowance, if paid), Executive will not, directly
or indirectly, in a same or similar scope of employment (including sales) compete with Company in
its then present business or anticipated lines of business in any geographic area in which Company
competes or has planned to do business on the effective date of termination as set forth in its
most recent Strategic Business Plan. However, this provision shall not apply if a “triggering
event” occurs pursuant to Section 3.6(vi) supra and Executive is not paid pursuant to the
terms thereunder.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL MATTERS

     Section 6.1 North Carolina Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws
of the State of North Carolina and shall be construed in accordance therewith.

     Section 6.2 No Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be waived except by
an agreement in writing signed by the waiving party. A waiver of any term or provision shall not
be construed as a waiver of any other term or provision.

     Section 6.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, altered or revoked at
any time, in whole or in part, by execution of a written instrument setting forth such changes,
signed by each of the parties.

     Section 6.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties and it may not be changed orally, but only by written agreement signed by the party
against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.

     Section 6.5 Construction. Throughout this Agreement the singular shall
include the plural, and the plural shall income the singular, and the masculine and neuter shall
include the feminine, wherever the context so requires.

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     Section 6.6 Text to Control. The headings of articles and sections are
included solely for convenience of reference. If any conflict between any heading and the text of
this Agreement exists, the text shall control.

     Section 6.7 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared by
any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect
the remaining provisions. On the contrary, such remaining provisions shall be fully severable, and
this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid provisions had not been included
in the Agreement.

     Section 6.8 Authority. The officer executing this Agreement on behalf of the
Company has been empowered and directed to do so by the Board of Directors of the Company.

     Section 6.9 Insurance. The Executive agrees that the Company, in its
discretion, may apply for and procure in its own name and for its own benefit insurance of any kind
and in any amount or amounts considered advisable and that the Executive may have no right, title,
or interest therein, excepting group term life insurance.

     Section 6.10 Executory Rights. The Company agrees that with the exception of
Section 3.6(iii), nothing contained herein is intended, or will be deemed to be granted to
Executive in lieu of any rights or privileges to which the Executive may be entitled as an employee
of the Company under any retirement, pension, profit sharing, insurance, hospitalization, health,
or other plan or plans which may now be in effect or which may be adopted hereafter.

     Section 6.11 Assignment. In the event of sale, assignment, or other transfer
of the Company’s business or a substantial part of its assets or of the Company’s merger into or
consolidation with another corporation, the rights and benefits of the Company under this Agreement
may be transferred and assigned, with the written consent of the Executive which shall not
unreasonably be withheld, and all obligation and liability of the Company will thereafter continue;
provided that the transferee, in writing, assumes the full performance on the Company’s behalf of
all the terms and provisions hereof to be performed following the date of such assignment, with the
same force and effect as if such transferee originally had been a party to this Agreement.

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     Section 6.12.
Arbitration. Any controversy, dispute
or claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement and/or its interpretation, except any
controversy, dispute or interpretation arising out of  Article V, shall, unless resolved by
agreement of the parties, be settled by binding arbitration in Charlotte, North Carolina in
accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association then existing.  This Agreement
to arbitrate shall be specifically enforceable under the prevailing arbitration law of the State
of North Carolina.  The award rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall be final and judgment may be
entered upon the award in any court of the State of North Carolina having jurisdiction of the
matter.  Any controversy or dispute involving Article V of this Agreement shall be submitted to
litigation in the Superior Court of Gaston County, North Carolina, or to the Federal Court for the
Western District of North Carolina, at the discretion of the Plaintiff, and the employee and
Company agree that venue and jurisdiction shall so lie and that North Carolina law shall control
such proceeding.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	EXECUTIVE:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	/s/ David L. Turney 

DAVID L. TURNEY
	 	(SEAL) 

Reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee of DRI Corporation this 14th day of January,
2008.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Stephen P. Slay
 

Stephen P Slay

	 	 
	 	/s/ Juliann Tenney
 

Juliann Tenney; Chairperson
	 	 
	Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
DRI Corporation

	 	 	 	Human Resources and 
Compensation
Committee of the 
DRI Corporation Board of 
Directors	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 

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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Schedule 1

Duties and Compensation

	 	 	 
	Executive:

	 	David L. Turney
	 
	 	 
	Position:

	 	President and Chief Executive Officer
	 
	 	 
	Base Salary:

	 	$350,000 per year, payable pursuant to regular Company
payroll policy beginning 01 January 2008 made retroactive to
extent of incremental $30,000 on prevailing 2007
compensation.
	 
	 	 
	EIC:

	 	Discretion per Human Resources and Compensation Committee as
approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or as set forth
and agreed pursuant to written and Board-adopted Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan (“EICP”).
	 
	 	 
	Term:

	 	Three (3) years
	 
	 	 
	Duties and Responsibilities:
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	Supervision and coordination of all activities, business, and operations of
the Company; supervision of management and either directly or through others
coordination of all officers, managers and key persons within the Company.
	 
	 	 
	Special Provisions – Organization:
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	Executive and Company agree that a succession planning is important to the
best interests of the Company, its shareholders, and Executive.
Accordingly, in addition to whatever succession plan may be in effect from
time to time, Executive agrees to develop (and recruit if necessary) one
high level person to become Chief Operating Officer of Company, or
alternative actions suitable to the Company’s Board of Directors in that
regard, wherein the result is

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	 	with the objective in mind to achieve suitable succession for the CEO if and
when deemed necessary by the Company’s Board of Directors. This clause will
be activated upon approval by the Company’s Board of Directors of an
Operating Plan appropriately funding such position in the Company and shall
be accomplished within eighteen (18) months of the effective date of such
Operating Plan, or on such other schedule of greater duration as may be
agreed between the Company’s Board of Directors and Executive.

Options:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Grant	 	Expiration	 	 	 	Grant	 	Options	 	Option
	Date	 	Date	 	Plan ID	 	Type	 	Granted	 	Price
	 
	04/20/1998
	 	04/20/2008	 	1993 SOP	 	Non-Qualified	 	 	36,000	 	 	$	2.00	 
	04/20/1998
	 	04/20/2008	 	1993 SOP	 	Incentive	 	 	50,000	 	 	$	2.00	 
	06/01/1998
	 	06/01/2008	 	1993 SOP	 	Non-Qualified	 	 	14,000	 	 	$	3.00	 
	07/02/1998
	 	07/02/2008	 	1993 SOP	 	Non-Qualified	 	 	41,667	 	 	$	3.00	 
	07/02/1998
	 	07/02/2008	 	1993 SOP	 	Incentive	 	 	33,333	 	 	$	3.00	 
	07/02/1998
	 	07/02/2008	 	1993 SOP	 	Non-Qualified	 	 	75,000	 	 	$	3.00	 
	08/13/2004
	 	08/13/2014	 	2003 SOP	 	Incentive	 	 	20,000	 	 	$	2.90	 
	08/23/2005
	 	08/23/2015	 	2003 SOP	 	Incentive	 	 	9,000	 	 	$	2.80	 

Other future grants in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	APPROVED:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	DRI CORPORATION:	 	 	 	EXECUTIVE:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By	 	/s/ Stephen P. Slay	 	 	 	/s/ David L. Turney	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	DAVID L. TURNEY	 	 
	Date:

	 	January 8, 2008	 	 	 	Date:	 	January 8, 2008	 	 

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EXHIBIT 10.2

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT signed the 31st day of December, 2007 (the
“Agreement”) by and between DRI CORPORATION, a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”) with
principal offices at Durham, North Carolina and Tanya Lind Johnson (the “Executive”).

     WHEREAS, Executive and Company desire to establish an Employment Agreement in which Executive
is being hired with benefits and consideration related to terms of severance and certain other
matters and in which Company is receiving additional benefits and consideration related to
non-competition and non-disclosure.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and mutual covenants herein
contained, the granting of 250 stock options from the Company, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive agrees to
serve the Company as its Vice President, General Manager of the Company’s Digital Recorders, Inc. a
subsidiary of the Company.

     2. Position and Responsibilities. The Executive shall exert his best efforts and
devote full time and attention to the affairs of the Company. The Executive shall have the
authority and responsibility given by the general direction, approval and control of the Chief
Operating Officer — North Carolina Operations (“COO-NCO”), and subject to the restrictions,
limitations and guidelines set forth by the Company CEO and Board of Directors.

     3. Term of Employment. The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement
shall be deemed to have commenced on December 31, 2007 and shall continue until December 30, 2009
(the “Initial Term”), subject to extension as hereinafter provided or termination pursuant to the
provisions set forth hereafter. The term of Executive’s employment shall be automatically
sequentially extended for additional one-year terms upon expiration of the Initial Term, or
additional terms, unless either party hereto receives 90 days’ prior written notice from the other
electing not to extend the Executive’s employment. Compensation during the term shall be that set
forth in Section 5 hereof, unless one of the termination provisions overrides.

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EXHIBIT 10.2

     4. Duties. During the period of his employment hereunder and except for illness,
specified Paid Time Off “PTO” periods and reasonable leaves of absence, the Executive shall devote
his best efforts and full attention and skill to the business and affairs of the Company and its
affiliated companies as such business and affairs now exist and as they may be hereinafter defined.

     5. Compensation. Commencing on December 31, 2007, the Company shall pay to the
Executive as compensation for his services the sum of $160,000 per year, payable pursuant to
established Company pay policy. In addition, the Executive shall receive such additional
compensation and/or bonuses as may be voted to her in the discretion of the COO-NCO, subject to
approval of the Company CEO and further subject to policy guidelines of the Compensation Committee
of the Company Board of Directors on the basis of the value of such Executive’s services to the
Company.

     In the event of the occurrence of a “triggering event” which shall be defined to include a (i)
change in ownership in one or a series of transactions of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of
the Company, or (ii) merger, consolidation, reorganization or liquidation of the Company, and
following such triggering event either (i) the Executive elects to terminate this agreement or (ii)
the Executive’s services are terminated by the Company or the Executive or the executive’s duties,
authority or responsibilities are substantially diminished, the Executive shall receive lump sum
compensation equal to one (1) times her annual salary and incentive or bonus payments, if any, as
shall have been paid to the Executive during the Company’s most recent 12-month period within 30
days of the triggering event. If the total amount of the change of control compensation were to
exceed three (3) times the Executive’s base amount (the average annual taxable compensation of the
Executive for the five (5) years preceding the year in which the change of control occurs), the
Company and the Executive agree to reduce the lump sum compensation to be received by Executive in
order to avoid the imposition of the golden parachute tax as provided in the Tax Reform Act of
1984, as amended by the Tax Return Act of 1986.

     In the event the Executive is required to hire counsel to negotiate on his behalf in
connection with his termination or resignation from the Company upon the occurrence of a

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EXHIBIT 10.2

triggering event, or in order to enforce the rights and obligations of the Company as
provided in this paragraph, the Company shall reimburse to the Executive all reasonable attorneys’
fees which may be expended by the Executive in seeking to enforce the terms hereof. Such
reimbursement shall be paid every 30 days after the Executive provides copies of invoices from the
Executive’s counsel to the Company. However, such invoices may be redacted to preserve the
attorney-client privilege, client confidentiality or work product.

     6. Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse the Executive, at least monthly,
for all reasonable and necessary expenses, including without limitation, travel expenses, and
reasonable entertainment expenses, incurred by his in carrying out his duties under this
Agreement. The Executive shall present to the Company each month an account of such expenses in
such form as is reasonably required by the Company CFO.

     7. Medical and Dental Coverage. The Executive will be entitled to participate in the
Company’s employee group medical and other group insurance programs on the same basis as other
similarly situated executives of the Company. Any other benefits offered to personnel in the
Company similar to Executive shall also be offered to Executive upon the same terms.

     8. Medical Examination. The Executive agrees to submit herself for physical
examination on one occasion per year as and if requested by the Company; provided, however, that
the Company shall bear the entire cost of such examinations.

     9. Paid Time Off “PTO” Time. The Executive shall be entitled each year to a
reasonable Paid Time Off “PTO” in accordance with the established practices of the Company, now or
hereafter in effect for the executive personnel, during which time the Executive’s compensation
shall be paid in full.

     10. Benefits Payable on Disability. If the Executive becomes disabled from properly
performing services hereunder by reason of illness or other physical or mental incapacity, the
Company shall continue to pay the Executive his then current salary hereunder for the first six
(6) months of such continuous disability commencing with the first date of such disability.

     11. Obligations of Executive During and After Employment.

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EXHIBIT 10.2

     (a) The Executive agrees that during the terms of his employment under this Agreement,
he will engage in no other business activities directly or indirectly, which are
competitive with or which might place his in a competing position to that of the Company,
or any affiliated company.

     (b) The Executive realizes that during the course of his employment, Executive will
have produced and/or have access to confidential business plans, information, business
opportunity records, notebooks, data, formula, specifications, trade secrets, customer
lists, account lists and secret inventions and processes of the Company and its affiliated
companies (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Confidential Information”).

     Therefore, during or subsequent to his employment by the Company, or by an affiliated
company, the Executive agrees to hold in confidence and not to directly or indirectly
disclose or use or copy or make lists of any such information, except to the extent
authorized by the Company in writing. All records, files, business plans, documents,
equipment and the like, or copies thereof, relating to Company’s business, or the business
of an affiliated company, which Executive shall prepare, or use, or come into contact with,
shall remain the sole property of the Company, or of an affiliated company, and shall not
be removed from the Company’s or the affiliated company’s premises without its written
consent, and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of employment with
the Company and its affiliated companies. During Executive’s employment, Company maintains
a right at all times, which is acknowledged by Executive, to examine all of Executive’s
computer files, e-mail messages and business-related documentation on Executive’s computer
or laptop provided by the Company. The restrictions and obligations of Executive set forth
in this Section 11(b) shall not apply to (i) information that is or becomes generally
available and known to the industry (other than as a result of a disclosure directly or
indirectly by Executive); or (ii) information that was known to Executive prior to
Executive’s employment by the Company or its predecessor.

     (c) Because of employment by Company, Executive shall have access to trade secrets and
confidential information about Company, its business plans, its business accounts,

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EXHIBIT 10.2

its business opportunities, its expansion plans and its methods of doing business.
Executive agrees that for a period of six (6) months after termination or expiration of
employment, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, in a same or similar employment
compete with Company in the same or similar employment as Executive had with the Company in
its then present business or anticipated lines of business in any geographic area in which
Company competes or has planned to do business on the effective date of termination as set
forth in its most recent Strategic Business Plan. Executive further agrees that he shall
not have any direct or indirect contact with any customers of the Company for the purpose of
soliciting any competing business; and Executive shall not solicit any employees of the
Company to terminate their employment for any reason, whether competitive or not.

     (d) With respect to Inventions made or conceived by the Executive since the time he
began work with the Company, whether or not during the hours of his employment or with the
use of the Company facilities, materials, or personnel, either solely or jointly with
others during his employment by the Company or within one year after termination of such
employment if based on or related to Confidential Information, and without royalty or any
other consideration, the following shall apply:

          (i) Inventions. “Inventions” shall mean discoveries, concepts, and ideas,
whether patentable or not, including, but not limited to, processes, methods, formulas,
programs, and techniques, as well as improvements or know-how, concerning any present or
prospective activities of the Company with which the Executive becomes acquainted as a
result of his employment by the Company.

          (ii) Reports. The Executive shall inform the Company promptly and fully of
such Inventions by a written report, setting forth in detail the procedures employed and
the results achieved. A report will be submitted by the Executive upon completion of any
studies or research projects undertaken on the Company’s behalf, whether or not in the
Executive’s opinion a given project has resulted in an Invention.

          (iii) Patents. The Executive shall apply, at the Company’s request and
expense, for United States and

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EXHIBIT 10.2

foreign letter patent either in the Executive’s name or otherwise as the Company shall
desire.

          (iv) Assignment. The Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the
Company all rights to such Inventions, and to applications for United States and/or foreign
letters patent and to United States and/or foreign letters patent granted upon such
Inventions.

          (v) Cooperation. The Executive shall acknowledge and deliver promptly to the
Company, without charge to the Company but at its expense, such written instruments and do
such other acts, such as giving testimony in support of the Executive’s inventorship, as
may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to obtain and maintain United States and/or
foreign letters patent and to vest the entire right and title thereto in the Company.

          (vi) Use. The Company shall also have the royalty-free right to do business,
and to make, use, and sell products, processes, and/or services derived from any
inventions, discoveries, concepts, and ideas, whether or not patentable, including, but not
limited to, processes, methods, formulas, and techniques, as well as improvements or
know-how, whether or not within the scope of inventions, but which are conceived or made by
the Executive during the hours which he is employed by the Company or with the use or
assistance of the Company’s facilities, materials, or personnel, or within the period set
forth in this Section 11.

          (e) In the event a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Section
11 to be so overbroad as to be unenforceable, then such provision shall be reduced in scope
by the court, but only to the extent deemed necessary by the court to render the provision
reasonable and enforceable, it being the Executive’s intention to provide the Company with
the broadest protection possible against harmful competition.

     12. Nonsolicitation of Employees. Executive undertakes and agrees that during the
term of this Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months after this Agreement shall be
terminated, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, he will not, without the prior written approval
of the Company solicit any other employees with regard to working for a competitor.

Page 6  of  10

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

     In the event the Company shall establish to the satisfaction of a court of competent
jurisdiction the existence of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of Sections 11 or 12, the
Company, in addition to any other rights and remedies it may have, shall be entitled to an
injunction restraining the Executive from doing or continuing to do any such act in violation of
this section.

     13. Termination for Cause by the Company. The Company may, without liability,
terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for cause at any time upon written notice from the
COO-NCO and/or CEO specifying such cause, and thereafter the Company’s obligations hereunder shall
cease and terminate; provided, however, that such written notice shall not be delivered until
after the COO-NCO and/or CEO shall have given the Executive written notice specifying the conduct
alleged to have constituted such cause and the Executive has failed to cure such conduct, if
curable, within fifteen (15) days following receipt of such notice.

     Grounds for termination “for cause” are one or more of the following:

     (a) A willful breach of a material duty by the Executive during the course of his
employment;

     (b) Habitual neglect of a material duty by the Executive;

     (c) Fraud on the Company, conviction of a felony involving or against the Company, or
conviction of a crime of moral turpitude that affects the integrity and name of the
Company.

     If applicable, Executive shall resign as a director and an officer of the Company if
terminated for cause.

     14. Termination by the Executive or the Company Without Cause.

     (a) The Executive, without cause, may terminate this Agreement upon 90 days prior
written notice to the Company. In such event, the Executive shall be required to render the
services required under this Agreement during such 90-day period unless otherwise directed
by the COO-NCO and/or CEO. Compensation for Paid Time Off

Page 7  of  10

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

“PTO” time not taken by Executive shall be paid to the Executive at the date of
termination. Executive shall be paid for only the ninety (90) day period, if actually
required to work, pursuant to normal pay practices and then all obligations regarding pay
shall cease.

     (b) The Company, without cause, may terminate this Agreement. In such event, the
Company shall pay a severance allowance equal to six (6) months of the base salary payable
at regular scheduled pay periods over the period. Said severance shall be subject to
mitigation should Employee obtain other employment during the severance period by the
amount earned by the Employee during the severance period regardless of when paid or to be
paid.

     If applicable, Executive shall resign as a director and an officer of the Company if
terminated by the Executive or the Company without Cause.

     15. Termination upon Death of Executive. In addition to any other provision relating
to the termination, this Agreement shall terminate upon the Executive’s death. In such event, the
Company shall pay a severance allowance equal to three (3) months of the base salary without
bonuses to the Executive’s estate.

     16. Arbitration. Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, or relating to,
this Agreement and/or its interpretation, except any controversy, dispute or interpretation
arising out of  §§11 and 12, shall, unless resolved by agreement of the parties, be settled by
binding arbitration in Charlotte, North Carolina in accordance with the Rules of the American
Arbitration Association then existing.  This Agreement to arbitrate shall be specifically
enforceable under the prevailing arbitration law of the State of North Carolina.  The award
rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall be final and judgment may be entered upon the award in any
court of the State of North Carolina having jurisdiction of the matter.  Any controversy or
dispute involving §§11 and 12 of this Agreement shall be submitted to litigation in the Superior
Court of Gaston County, North Carolina, or to the Federal Court for the Western District of North
Carolina, at the discretion of the Plaintiff, and the employee and Company agree that venue and
jurisdiction shall so lie and that North Carolina law shall control such proceeding.

Page 8  of  10

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

     17. General Provisions. The Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement
shall not be transferable by assignment or otherwise, nor shall Executive’s rights be subject to
encumbrance or to the claims of the Company’s creditors. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
the consolidation of the Company with, or its merger into, any other corporation, or the sale by
the Company of all or substantially all of its property or assets or assignment via
reincorporation.

     (a) This Agreement and the rights of Executive with respect to the benefits of
employment referred to herein constitute the entire Agreement between the parties hereto in
respect of the employment of the Executive by the Company and supersede any and all other
agreements either oral or in writing between the parties hereto with respect to the
employment of the Executive.

     (b) The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as divisible, and if any of said
provisions or any part thereof are declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction or in an arbitration proceeding, the validity and enforceability of the
remainder of such provisions or parts thereof and the applicability thereof shall not be
affected thereby.

     (c) This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument
executed by Company and Executive.

     (d) This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.

     18. Construction. Throughout this Agreement the singular shall include the plural, and
the plural shall include the singular, and the masculine and neuter shall include the feminine,
wherever the context so requires.

     19. Text to Control. The headings of paragraphs and sections are included solely for
convenience of reference. If any conflict between any heading and the text of this Agreement
exists, the text shall control.

     20. Authority. The officer executing this agreement on behalf of the Company has been
empowered and directed to do so by the CEO and Board of Directors of the Company.

Page 9  of  10

 

     21. Gender. In construing this Agreement, it is the parties’ intention that
definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined,
and references to the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include each other gender.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	COMPANY:	 	DRI CORPORATION	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By
	 	/s/ Rob Taylor	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	
 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	Title
	 	VP and COO N.C. Operations	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	EXECUTIVE:	 	/s/ Tanya Lind Johnson	 	(SEAL)
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	TANYA LIND JOHNSON

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