Document:

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                                                                 Exhibit 10.1(c)

                                SECOND AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

     SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of June 29, 2001 (this "Amendment"), to the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2000 (as so
amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among
Belden & Blake Corporation (the "Borrower"), the several financial institutions
and other entities from time to time parties thereto (the "Lenders"), Ableco
Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity,
the "Administrative Agent"), and Foothill Capital Corporation, as the funding
agent (in such capacity, the "Funding Agent").

     The Borrower and the Lenders wish to amend the Credit Agreement to (a)
extend the Final Maturity Date, (b) provide for a prepayment premium, (c)
increase the L/C Subfacility, (d) require the maintenance of certain Hedging
Agreements and (e) amend the financial covenants. Accordingly, the Borrower, the
Guarantors and the Lenders hereby agree as follows:

     1.   DEFINITIONS. All terms used herein which are defined in the Credit
Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined therein.

     2.   CHANGES TO EXISTING DEFINITION. (a) The definitions of "Consolidated
Interest Expense", "Consolidated Net Income", "EBITDA", "Final Maturity Date"
and "L/C Subfacility" contained in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement are
hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

          " 'CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE': with respect to the Borrower and
     its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the sum of (i)
     gross interest expense (including all cash and accrued interest expense) of
     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis,
     including to the extent included in interest expense in accordance with
     GAAP (x) the amortization of debt discounts and (y) the portion of any
     payments or accruals with respect to Capital Leases allocable to interest
     expense and (ii) capitalized interest of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
     on a consolidated basis, excluding, however, any interest expense related
     to any income or loss resulting from the application of FASB 133."

          " 'CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME': for any period, net income of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in
     accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, (i) any extraordinary or
     nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for
     taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss) and (ii)
     any income (but not loss) resulting from the application of FASB 133,
     together with any related provision for taxes thereon."

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          " 'EBITDA': with respect to the Borrower, for any period, Consolidated
     Net Income for that period, PLUS, each of the following determined in
     accordance with GAAP and without duplication and to the extent deducted
     from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income for that period, (a)
     the aggregate amount of Consolidated Interest Expense for that period, (b)
     the aggregate amount of letter of credit fees paid during that period, (c)
     the aggregate amount of income tax expense for that period, (d) all amounts
     attributable to depreciation, depletion and amortization for that period,
     (e) the aggregate amount of exploration expenses for that period, (f) the
     aggregate amount of any extraordinary or nonrecurring loss (but not gain),
     together with any related provision for taxes for such loss (but not gain)
     for that period, (g) any expense (but not income) resulting from the
     application of FASB 133, together with any related provision for taxes
     thereon and (h) all non-cash or extraordinary expenses during that period,
     and MINUS, each of the following determined in accordance with GAAP,
     without duplication and to the extent added to revenues in determining
     Consolidated Net Income for that period, (x) all non-cash or extraordinary
     income and (y) all income (but not expense) resulting from the application
     of FASB 133, together with any related provision for taxes thereon during
     that period."

          " 'FINAL MATURITY DATE': April 22, 2004, or such earlier date on which
     any Loan shall become due and payable, in whole or in part, in accordance
     with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents."

          " 'L/C SUBFACILITY': that portion of the Total Revolving Credit
     Commitment equal to $30,000,000."

     3.   NEW DEFINITION. The following definition of the term "FASB 133" is
hereby added to Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement:

          "FASB 133": Statement No. 133 of the Financial Accounting Standards
     Board as it applies to Hedging Agreements."

     4.   REDUCTION OF COMMITMENT; PREPAYMENT OF LOANS.

          (a) The second sentence of clause (i) of Section 2.5(a) is amended by
deleting in its entirety the phrase ", without premium or penalty,".

          (b) Clause (i) of Section 2.5(b) is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

               "(i) REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Subject to Section 2.5(f), the
          Borrower may prepay the principal of any Revolving Credit Loan, in
          whole or in part, at any time or from time to time."

          (c) Clause (ii) of Section 2.5(b) is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

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<PAGE>

               "(ii) TERM LOAN. Subject to Section 2.5(f), the Borrower may upon
          at least three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to the Funding
          Agent prepay the principal amount of the Term Loan, in whole or in
          part on any Business Day. Each prepayment made pursuant to this clause
          (b)(ii) shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued interest to the
          date of such payment on the amount prepaid."

          (d) The following new paragraph (f) is hereby added to Section 2.5 of
the Credit Agreement:

          "(f) EARLY TERMINATION BY THE BORROWER. The Borrower may, at any time
upon five (5) days prior written notice to the Agents (which notice shall be
irrevocable), terminate this Agreement by paying to the Funding Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, in cash, an amount equal to the full amount of the
Obligations (including either (x) providing cash collateral to be held by the
Funding Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in an amount equal to 110% of the
maximum amount of the Lenders' obligations under the outstanding Letters of
Credit or (y) causing the original Letters of Credit to be returned to the
Funding Agent), plus an amount equal to either (i) 0.25% of the Total Revolving
Commitment if the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 2.5(f)
occurs on or before May 31, 2002 or (ii) 0.125% of the Total Revolving
Commitment if the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 2.5(f)
occurs after May 31, 2002 and on or before May 31, 2003 (the amount determined
pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) referred to herein as the "PREPAYMENT PENALTY").
If the Borrower delivers a notice of termination pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 2.5(f), then the Total Commitment shall, if not earlier terminated
in accordance with this Agreement, terminate, and the Borrower shall be
obligated to repay the Obligations (including, without limitation, the
Prepayment Penalty), in full, on the date set forth as the date of termination
of this Agreement in such notice."

     5. HEDGING AGREEMENTS. (a) Section 7.2 is hereby amended by (i) deleting
the word "and" after the semicolon at the end of clause (g); (ii) changing the
reference from clause (h) to clause (i); and (iii) adding after clause (g) and
before the newly renumbered clause (i) the following new clause (h):

          "(h) promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days, notify
     the Agents upon becoming aware that its production of Hydrocarbons could
     reasonably be expected to be insufficient to meet its obligations under any
     Hedging Agreement; and"

     (b) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new
Section 7.19:

          "Section 7.19 HEDGING AGREEMENTS. Maintain in effect one or more
     Hedging Agreements with respect to its Hydrocarbon production (including,
     without limitation, gas sales contracts with customers of the Borrower or
     its

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     Subsidiaries) with one or more counterparties reasonably acceptable to the
     Administrative Agent. The aggregate notional volumes of Hydrocarbons
     covered by such Hedging Agreements shall constitute not less than 20% and
     not more than 80% of the Borrower's estimated Hydrocarbon production
     volumes on an mcf equivalent basis (where one barrel of oil is equal to six
     mcf of gas) for the succeeding twelve calendar months on a rolling twelve
     calendar month basis for such period from Oil and Gas Properties classified
     as Proved Developed Producing Reserves as of the date of the most recent
     Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(f) hereof plus the
     estimated production from anticipated drilling by the Borrower or its
     Subsidiaries during such succeeding twelve months. The Borrower shall use
     such Hedging Agreements solely as a part of its normal business operations
     as a risk management strategy and/or hedge against changes resulting from
     market conditions related to the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' oil and
     gas operations and not as a means to speculate for investment purposes on
     trends and shifts in financial or commodities markets."

     6.   FINANCIAL COVENANT CONDITIONS. (a) The following fiscal quarters and
ratios shall be added to the Senior Debt Interest Coverage Ratio set forth in
clause (a) of Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement:

                           September 30, 2002                 3.2:1
                           December 31 2002                   3.2:1
                           March 31, 2003                     3.2:1
                           June 30, 2003                      3.2:1
                           September 30, 2003                 3.2:1
                           December 31, 2003                  3.2:1
                           March 31, 2004                     3.2:1

     (b)   The following fiscal quarters and ratios shall be added to the Senior
Debt Leverage Ratio set forth in clause (b) of Section 8.1 of the Credit
Agreement:

                           September 30, 2002                 2.7:1
                           December 31 2002                   2.7:1
                           March 31, 2003                     2.7:1
                           June 30, 2003                      2.7:1
                           September 30, 2003                 2.7:1
                           December 31, 2003                  2.7:1
                           March 31, 2004                     2.7:1

     (c)   Clause (c) of Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended
in its entirety to read as follows:

          "(c) CURRENT RATIO. Permit, the ratio of current assets (which shall
     include an amount equal to the principal amount of Loans available under
     this Agreement but shall exclude an amount equal to any increase (but not
     decrease) resulting from the application of FASB 133) to current
     liabilities (excluding (i) all

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<PAGE>

     Indebtedness and accrued interest expense otherwise included as current
     liabilities and (ii) an amount equal to any increase (but not decrease) in
     current liabilities resulting from the application of FASB 133) to be less
     than 1.0 to 1.0 at the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower."

     7.   EVENT OF DEFAULT. (a) Clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 9(d) of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

     "(i) five (5) consecutive days in respect of subsections 7.2(h), 7.7(a) or
     7.7(e), (ii) ten (10) consecutive days in respect of the agreements
     contained in clauses (a) through (g) of subsection 7.2 or subsections 7.10,
     7.11, 7.16(ii), 7.16(iii), 7.18 or 7.19"

     (b)   Clause (iii) of Section 9(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby
amended by deleting the reference to subsection "7.2(h)" and substituting in
lieu thereof "7.2(i)".

     8.   CONDITIONS. This Amendment shall become effective only upon
satisfaction in full of the following conditions precedent (the first date upon
which all such conditions have been satisfied being herein called the "Amendment
Effective Date"):

          (a) The representations and warranties contained in this Amendment and
in Section 5 of the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document shall be
correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment Effective Date as
though made on and as of such date (except where such representations and
warranties relate to an earlier date in which case such representations and
warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date).

          (b) No Event of Default or, event which with the giving of notice or
elapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred
and be continuing on the Amendment Effective Date or result from this Amendment
becoming effective in accordance with its terms.

          (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this
Amendment which bear the signatures of the Borrower and the Guarantors.

          (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the ratable
benefit of the Lenders, a non-refundable amendment fee in an amount equal to
$175,000, which fee is earned in full by the Lenders.

          (e) All legal matters incident to this Amendment shall be satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

     9.   CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS OF CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Borrower and each
Guarantor hereby (a) acknowledges and consents to this Amendment, (b) confirms
and agrees that each Loan Document to which it is a party is, and shall continue
to be, in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all
respects except that on and after the date hereof all references in any such
Loan Document to "the Credit Agreement", "thereto", "thereof",

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<PAGE>

"thereunder" or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement shall
mean the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment, and (c) confirms and
agrees that to the extent that any such Loan Document purports to assign or
pledge to the Lenders, or to grant a security interest in or lien on, any
collateral as security for the obligations of the Borrower from time to time
existing in respect of the Credit Agreement, such pledge, assignment or grant of
the security interest or lien is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

     10.   MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and
by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same agreement.

          (b) Section and paragraph headings herein are included for convenience
of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any
other purpose.

          (c) This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York.

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<PAGE>

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective officers or agents thereunto duly authorized as of
the day and year first above written.

                                 ABLECO FINANCE LLC, as Lender

                                 By: /s/ Kevin P. Genda
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Title: SVP & Chief Credit Officer

                                 FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Lender

                                 By: /s/ Greg L. Gentry
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President

                                 FOOTHILL INCOME TRUST, L.P., as Lender,

                                 By:   FIT GP, LLC,
                                       its general partner

                                       By: /s/ John Nickoll
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Title:  Managing Member

                                 BELDEN & BLAKE CORPORATION, as Borrower

                                 By: /s/ Robert W. Peshek
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President, Finance
                                            and Chief Financial Officer

                                 THE CANTON OIL AND GAS COMPANY, as Guarantor

                                 By: /s/ Robert W. Peshek
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President, Finance
                                            and Chief Financial Officer

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                                  WARD LAKE DRILLING, INC., as Guarantor

                                  By: /s/ James L. Goist
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Title: Treasurer

                                      -8-<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.11

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is
made and entered into effective as of the 1st day of July, 2001 (the "Effective
Date") by and between Belden & Blake Corporation, an Ohio corporation
("Employer"), and John L. Schwager ("Executive").

         WHEREAS, Executive presently serves as Chief Executive Officer of
Employer pursuant to the terms of an Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1,
1999, as amended by the first and second amendment thereto (the "Prior
Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, Employer desires to continue to employ Executive as its Chief
Executive Officer as of and after the Effective Date and Executive desires to be
so employed by Employer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
herein set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Employer and Executive, intending
to be legally bound, agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT. Employer hereby employs Executive as its Chief Executive
Officer upon the terms and conditions and for the compensation herein provided.
Executive hereby agrees to be so employed and to fulfill the duties of Chief
Executive Officer. Executive shall also serve as a member of Employer's Board of
Directors. This Agreement shall, as of the Effective Date, replace the Prior
Agreement in its entirety. The term of Executive's employment under this
Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the third anniversary
of that date. The term may be extended only by the written agreement of the
parties. Upon termination of Executive's employment at or after the end of term,
as such term may be extended, Executive and his spouse shall be entitled to the
benefit described in Section 4(c)(iv) of this Agreement.

         2. DUTIES AND POWER. For so long as Executive is employed by Employer,
Executive agrees as follows: to devote his full and exclusive business time and
attention to the business of Employer and of any subsidiaries or affiliates of
Employer (excluding reasonable vacations and sick leave in accordance with
Employer's policies consistent with his position) and to perform all duties in a
professional and prudent manner. As Chief Executive Officer, Executive shall
report directly to the Board of Directors of Employer, have no other officer or
employee of Employer senior to him and have full power, authority, duties and
responsibilities customarily associated with the position as Chief Executive
Officer, including, without limitation, authority, direction and control over
day-to-day business, financial and personnel matters of Employer, subject to the
lawful and reasonable policies and guidelines as may be established by the Board
of Directors of Employer. Executive agrees to devote his full business time to
the performance of services hereunder and not to engage in any other activity or
own any interest that would conflict with the interest of Employer or would
interfere with his

<PAGE>

responsibilities to Employer and the performance of his duties hereunder;
provided, however, that: (i) passive investments of less than 5% of the
outstanding securities of any corporation shall be deemed not to violate this
provision; (ii) Executive may engage in activities involving charitable,
educational, religious, industry, trade and similar types of organizations,
speaking engagements and similar type activities to the extent that such other
activities do not detract from the performance by Executive of his duties and
obligations hereunder; and (iii) Executive may serve as an outside director of
other companies to the extent that such service does not involve a conflict of
interest and does not detract in any material respect from the performance by
Executive of his duties and obligations hereunder. Executive shall perform his
duties at Employer's office in North Canton, Ohio, except that a reasonable
amount of business-related travel may be required.

         3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS. For all services rendered by Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, Employer shall compensate Executive as follows:

         (a) BASE COMPENSATION. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, Employer (or, at Employer's option, any subsidiary or affiliate of
Employer for which Executive also provides services hereunder) shall pay to
Executive a salary of at least $325,000 per annum on and after July 1, 2001 and
$350,000 on and after January 1, 2003. Such annual compensation as it may be
increased from time to time shall be referred to herein as the "Base
Compensation". Executive's Base Compensation will be paid in accordance with
Employer's customary payroll practices (but not less frequently than monthly),
and will be prorated based upon the number of days elapsed in any partial year.
Subject to the minimum Base Compensation requirements set forth above, Base
Compensation shall be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of
Employer's Board of Directors and may be further increased at the sole
discretion of such Committee.

         (b) BONUS. Executive may be awarded an annual bonus based on the
attainment of certain goals to be agreed upon by Executive and Employer's Board
of Directors on or before March 1 of the applicable year. Such annual bonus is
targeted to be 50% of Executive's Base Compensation (the "Target Bonus"), but
may be increased (up to a maximum of 100% of Base Compensation) or decreased by
the Board of Directors in its discretion depending on the extent to which the
goals are exceeded or not met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
a Change in Control (as defined below) shall occur, Executive shall be entitled
to a minimum guaranteed bonus for each of the fiscal year of Employer in which
such Change in Control occurs (the "Current Year") and the immediately preceding
fiscal year (the "Preceding Year") of 50% of Executive's Base Compensation for
each such year (the "Minimum Bonus"). The Minimum Bonus for the Current Year and
the Preceding Year shall be paid on the closing date of the Change in Control
transaction; provided, however, that, in the case of the Minimum Bonus for the
Preceding Year, if the closing of such Change in Control transaction occurs
after the payment date of Executive's bonus for the Preceding Year, then, on the
closing date of Change in Control transaction, Employer shall pay to Executive
an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Minimum Bonus for the Preceding
Year over the amount of bonus theretofore paid to Executive with respect to

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<PAGE>

the Preceding Year; provided, however, that if such bonus paid with respect to
the Preceding Year equals or exceeds the Minimum Bonus that would otherwise be
due under this Section 3(b) with respect to such Preceding Year upon the closing
of the Change in Control transaction, then no such Minimum Bonus for the
Preceding Year shall be paid. In addition to the foregoing, Executive shall be
entitled to receive (i) an Annual Retention Bonus of $330,000 on each June 30 of
2002, 2003 and 2004 if he is still in the employ of Employer on each such date,
payment of such Annual Retention Bonuses to be accelerated and paid in full upon
the closing date of any Change in Control transaction, and (ii) a Special
Retention Bonus of $1,000,000 to be paid on the closing date of any Change in
Control transaction that occurs during, or within six (6) months after the
expiration of, the term of this Agreement, provided such Special Retention Bonus
shall not be payable if Executive is employed as the Chief Executive Officer of
the surviving company in such Change in Control transaction.

         (c) BENEFITS. Executive shall be entitled, as an employee of Employer,
to employee retirement and welfare benefits, perquisites and other executive
benefits substantially comparable to those employee benefits made available to
the senior executive management of Employer, including, but not limited to,
401(k) plan and medical benefit plan participation and no less than five (5)
weeks of vacation per year. For purposes of the vacation entitlement, Executive
shall receive credit for his prior 32 years of service in the industry.

         (d) CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENTS. Executive shall be entitled to
reimbursement by Employer for financial and tax planning advisory services at
rates customary to the local area and for uninsured expenses associated with an
annual physical examination by a physician selected by him. In addition, in each
year during the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to perform
up to three (3) weeks of his service hereunder at a health resort of Executive's
choosing. During any such stay at a health resort, Executive shall be expected
to perform services as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, but his hours
shall be at his sole discretion. Employer shall reimburse Executive for all
expenses associated with such stay, and Employer shall further pay Executive an
amount determined by its accountants to be equal to Executive's federal, state
and local taxes on the foregoing reimbursement (the "Health Resort Tax
Gross-Up") and the federal, state and local taxes on the Health Resort Tax
Gross-Up, all to the end that Executive be held harmless, on an after-tax basis,
from the tax impact thereof. Employer will also reimburse Executive for
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in connection with review of
this Agreement by Executive's attorney. In addition, Employer shall pay
Executive an amount determined by its accountants to be equal to Executive's
federal, state and local taxes on the foregoing reimbursement (the "Legal
Expense Tax Gross-up") and the federal, state and local taxes on the Legal
Expense Tax Gross-up, all to the end that Executive be held harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from the tax impact thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
total amount paid or reimbursed to Executive under this Section 3(d) shall not
exceed $35,000 in any calendar year.

         (e) EXPENSES. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement by Employer
for his ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred in the performance of
his duties

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

under this Agreement if supported by reasonable documentation as required by
Employer in accordance with its usual practices.

         (f) LIABILITY FOR TAXES. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3(d)
and Section 4(f), Employer shall have no liability for any tax liability of
Executive attributable to any payment made under this Agreement except for
customary employer liability for federal and state employee taxes (e.g., social
security, Medicare, etc.). Employer may withhold from any such payment such
amounts as may be required by applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code, other tax laws, and the rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue
Service and other tax agencies in effect at the time of any such payment.

         4.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

         (a) TERMINATION NOTICE. Notwithstanding any other provision contained
in this Agreement, either Executive or Employer may terminate Executive's
employment hereunder at any time with or without Cause (as defined below) at its
or his election upon prior written notice (a "Termination Notice") to the other.
A Termination Notice shall be effective upon delivery to the other party and the
termination shall be effective as of the date set forth in such Termination
Notice (hereinafter, the "Termination Date').

         (b) DEFINITION OF "CAUSE". For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Cause" shall mean Executive's personal dishonesty, fraud or deceit, willful
misconduct, a serious breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit,
conviction of a felony (including via a guilty or nolo contendere plea), willful
neglect of duties by Executive or material breach by Executive of the provisions
of Sections 2, 6, 7 or 8 of this Agreement; provided, however, that
unsatisfactory job performance shall not be considered Cause for termination of
the Executive's employment by the Company. Executive shall be afforded a
reasonable opportunity to cure any willful neglect of his duties and any other
alleged material breach of this Agreement according to the following terms.
Employer's Board of Directors shall give Executive written notice stating with
reasonable specificity the nature of the circumstances determined by the Board
of Directors in good faith to constitute willful neglect or other material
breach. Executive shall have thirty (30) days from his receipt of such notice to
cure such circumstances or such breach if such breach is reasonably susceptible
to cure. If, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Board of Directors,
the alleged breach is not reasonably susceptible to cure, or such circumstances
or material breach has not been satisfactorily cured within such thirty (30) day
cure period, such neglect of duties or material breach shall thereupon
constitute "Cause" hereunder.

         (c) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Employer may terminate Executive's
employment under this Agreement at any time with or without any Cause shown.
Upon any such termination without Cause, or upon a resignation by Executive with
Good Reason as described in Section 4(e), Executive shall be entitled to the
following:

                  (i)      For the period from the termination date through the
                           then-remaining term of this Agreement (the
                           "Continuation Period"), Executive shall

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                           be entitled to continuation of his base salary, at
                           the rate in effect on the termination date. This
                           salary continuation shall be payable in accordance
                           with Employer's regular payroll practices. The
                           amount, if any, of such salary continuation that
                           remains unpaid upon the occurrence of a Change in
                           Control shall be accelerated and paid in full upon
                           the closing date of such Change in Control
                           transaction.

                  (ii)     For each month commencing with the month in which the
                           date of termination occurs and ending with the last
                           month of the Continuation Period, Employer shall pay
                           to Executive a payment equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of
                           Executive's Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which
                           the date of termination occurs. The amount, if any,
                           of such monthly payments that remains unpaid upon the
                           occurrence of a Change in Control shall be
                           accelerated and paid in full upon the closing date of
                           such Change in Control transaction.

                  (iii)    Executive shall receive the Annual Retention Bonuses
                           as and when such amounts would have been payable had
                           Executive's employment continued for the balance of
                           the term of this Agreement. The amount, if any, of
                           such Annual Retention Bonuses that remains unpaid
                           upon the occurrence of a Change in Control shall be
                           accelerated and paid in full upon the closing date of
                           such Change in Control transaction.

                  (iv)     Executive and his spouse shall be entitled to
                           continued health benefits on the same basis as if
                           Executive had continued as an active employee of
                           Employer until Executive attains Medicare benefit
                           eligibility. For the longer of the duration of the
                           Continuation Period, or two years following the date
                           of termination, Employer shall bear the full cost
                           thereof, and thereafter Executive shall bear such
                           cost at Employer's COBRA rate. With the approval of
                           Executive, which approval shall not be unreasonably
                           withheld, Employer may provide the foregoing coverage
                           through the acquisition of insurance or other means
                           provided that the benefits are substantially similar
                           to the benefits provided under Employer's health
                           benefit plans as in effect from time to time.

                  (v)      If a Change in Control occurs within six (6) months
                           following the date of termination, Executive shall
                           receive the $1,000,000 Special Retention Bonus on the
                           closing Date of such Change in Control transaction.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate amount of the payments to
Executive under clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) above shall not exceed
$1,990,000. If the payments under clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) above must be
reduced in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, such reduction
shall be effected by reducing the

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

payments in the inverse of the order in which they are due to be paid and on a
pro rata basis to payments due on the same date.

         All of the above severance payments and benefits shall be subject to
normal withholding of taxes and other authorized deductions. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the provisions of this Section 4(c) state his
entire and exclusive rights, entitlements and remedies against Employer, its
successors, assigns, affiliates, employees and representatives for termination
without any Cause shown by Employer; provided, however, that the Executive also
shall be entitled to receive all salary, bonus, benefits and expense
reimbursement which have accrued as of the Termination Date. The payments
provided in this Section 4(c) are conditioned upon and subject to the Executive
complying with the restrictive covenants provided in Sections 6 and 7 hereof and
upon the Executive executing a general release and waiver (in a form
substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Exhibit A). Except as
provided in Section 4(f), if applicable, Employer shall have no additional
obligations under this Agreement.

         (d) TERMINATION FOR DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABILITY. In the event that
Executive's employment by Employer is terminated because of death or Permanent
Disability (as defined below), then, subject to all applicable laws, Executive
(or Executive's estate) shall be entitled to receive only that salary, bonus,
benefits and expense reimbursements which have accrued as of the Termination
Date, and Executive, or, in the event of Executive's death, Executive's
surviving spouse, if any, shall be entitled to the benefit described in Section
4(c)(iv). For purposes of this Agreement, "Permanent Disability" shall mean the
inability of Executive, by reason of any ailment or illness, or physical or
mental condition, to devote substantially all of his time during normal business
hours to the daily performance of Executive's duties as required under this
Agreement for a continuous period of six (6) months, as reflected in the
opinions of three qualified physicians, one of which has been selected by
Employer, one of which has been selected by Executive, and one of which has been
selected by the other two physicians, jointly.

         (e) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE. In the event
that Executive elects to terminate his employment under this Agreement (except
as otherwise provided below), or if Executive is terminated for Cause, then
Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance pay or compensation
except such base compensation, benefits, bonuses and expense reimbursement as
shall have accrued prior to the Termination Date. Notwithstanding any provision
of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event Executive elects to terminate
his employment either (i) following the occurrence of any event constituting
Good Reason (as defined below) or (ii) for any reason after the occurrence of a
Change of Control (as defined below in Section 5(g)(iii)) regardless of the
reason for such termination, such termination shall be deemed to constitute a
termination by Employer without Cause, and Executive shall be entitled to all of
the payments and benefits set forth in Section 4(c). For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason means any of the following: (i) a substantial and
adverse change in Executive's status or position as Chief Executive Officer and
a key employee of Employer, or a substantial reduction in the duties and
responsibilities previously exercised by Executive, or any failure to reappoint
or reelect Executive to, such position,

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

except in connection with the termination of Executive's employment for Cause or
Permanent Disability, or as a result of Executive's death; (ii) a reduction
(other than for Cause) by Employer in Executive's Base Compensation; (iii) a
relocation of Executive's principal place of work to any location that is more
than 25 miles from Canton, Ohio; (iv) a sale or other exchange or transfer
(whether by merger, reorganization or otherwise) of substantially all of the
shares or assets of Employer; or (v) a material breach of the provisions of the
Agreement by Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination of
employment by Executive will be deemed to be for "Good Reason" only if Executive
elects to terminate employment within ninety (90) days after he knows or should
know that an event constituting Good Reason has occurred; provided, however,
that Executive's continued employment following the occurrence of such an event
shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any
other event constituting Good Reason hereunder. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the provisions of this Section state his entire and exclusive
rights, entitlements and remedies against the Employer, its successors, assigns,
affiliates and representatives if he elects to terminate his employment and/or
is terminated with Cause. The payments provided in this Section 4(e) are
conditioned upon and subject to the Executive complying with the restrictive
covenants provided in Sections 6 and 7 hereof and upon the Executive executing a
general release and waiver (in a form substantially similar to the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A). Except as provided in Section 4(f), if applicable,
Employer shall have no additional obligations under this Agreement.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

         (f)      CERTAIN ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYER.

                  (i)      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
                           notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined
                           that any economic benefit or payment or distribution
                           by Employer to or for the benefit of the Employee,
                           whether paid or payable or distributed or
                           distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
                           or otherwise (a "Payment"), would be subject to the
                           excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
                           Revenue Code or any Applicable Interest and Penalties
                           (as defined below) with respect to such excise tax
                           (such excise tax, together with any Applicable
                           Interest and Penalties, are hereinafter collectively
                           referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Executive
                           shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
                           "Gross-Up-Payment") in an amount such that after
                           payment by Executive of all taxes (including any
                           Applicable Interest and Penalties imposed with
                           respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax
                           imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains
                           an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise
                           Tax imposed upon the Payments. For purposes of this
                           Agreement, "Applicable Interest and Penalties" means
                           all interest and penalties payable by Executive with
                           respect to excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of
                           the Internal Revenue Code other than interest or
                           penalties determined by the Accounting Firm (as
                           defined below) to be primarily attributable to
                           unreasonable delay on the part of Executive.

                  (ii)     Subject to the provisions of Section 4(f)(iii), all
                           determinations required to be made under this Section
                           4(f), including whether a Gross-Up Payment is
                           required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment,
                           shall be made by Employer's regular outside
                           independent public accounting firm (the "Accounting
                           Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
                           calculations both to Employer and Executive within 15
                           business days of the Effective Date of Termination,
                           if applicable, or such earlier time as is requested
                           by Employer. The initial Gross-Up Payment, if any, as
                           determined pursuant to this Section 4(f)(ii), shall
                           be paid to Executive within 5 days of the receipt of
                           the Accounting Firm's determination. Any
                           determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding
                           upon Employer and Executive. As a result of the
                           uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the
                           Code at the time of the initial determination by the
                           Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
                           Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by
                           Employer should have been made ("Underpayment"),
                           consistent with the calculations required to be made
                           hereunder. In the event that Employer exhausts its
                           remedies pursuant to Section 4(f)(iii) and Executive
                           thereafter is required to make a payment of any
                           Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
                           amount of the Underpayment

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                           that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be
                           promptly paid by Employer to or for the benefit of
                           Executive.

                  (iii)    Executive shall notify Employer in writing of any
                           claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if
                           successful, would require the payment by Employer of
                           the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
                           given as soon as practicable but no later than ten
                           business days after the later of either (i) the date
                           Executive has actual knowledge of such claim, or (ii)
                           ten days after the Internal Revenue Service issues to
                           Executive either a written report proposing
                           imposition of the Excise Tax or a statutory notice of
                           deficiency with respect thereto, and shall apprise
                           Employer of the nature of such claim and the date on
                           which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive
                           shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of
                           the thirty-day period following the date on which he
                           gives such notice to Employer (or such shorter period
                           ending on the date that any payment of taxes with
                           respect to such claim is due). If Employer notifies
                           Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
                           period that it desires to contest such claim,
                           Executive shall: (i) give Employer any information
                           reasonably requested by Employer relating to such
                           claim, (ii) take such action in connection with
                           contesting such claim as Employer shall reasonably
                           request in writing from time to time, including,
                           without limitation, accepting legal representation
                           with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably
                           selected by Employer, (iii) cooperate with Employer
                           in good faith in order effectively to contest such
                           claim, (iv) permit Employer to participate in any
                           proceedings relating to such claim; provided,
                           however, that Employer shall bear and pay directly
                           all costs and expenses (including additional interest
                           and penalties) incurred in connection with such
                           contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive
                           harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax
                           or income tax, including interest and penalties with
                           respect thereto, imposed as a result of such contest.
                           Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of
                           this Section 4(f)(iii), Employer shall control all
                           proceedings taken in connection with such contest
                           and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and
                           all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
                           conferences with the taxing authority in respect of
                           such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
                           Executive to request or accede to a request for an
                           extension of the statute of limitations with respect
                           only to the tax claimed, or pay the tax claimed and
                           sue for a refund or contest the claim in any
                           permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute
                           such contest to a determination before any
                           administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
                           jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as
                           Employer shall determine; provided, however, that if
                           Employer directs Executive to pay such claim and sue
                           for a refund, Employer shall advance the amount of
                           such payment to Executive, on an

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                           interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
                           Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
                           Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or
                           penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect
                           to such advance or with respect to any imputed income
                           with respect to such advance; and further provided
                           that any extension of the statute of limitations
                           requested or acceded to by Executive at Employer's
                           request and relating to payment of taxes for the
                           taxable year of Executive with respect to which such
                           contested amount is claimed to be due is limited
                           solely to such contested amount. Furthermore,
                           Employer's control of the contest shall be limited to
                           issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would
                           be payable hereunder and Executive shall be entitled
                           to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
                           issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any
                           other taxing authority.

                  (iv)     If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount
                           advanced by Employer pursuant to Section 4(f)(iii),
                           Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with
                           respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to
                           Employer's complying with the requirements of Section
                           4(f)(iii)) promptly pay to Employer the amount of
                           such refund (together with any interest paid or
                           credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If,
                           after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced
                           by Employer pursuant to Section 4(f)(iii), a
                           determination is made that Executive shall not be
                           entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and
                           Employer does not notify Executive in writing of its
                           intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the
                           expiration of thirty days after such determination,
                           then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
                           required to be repaid and the amount of such advance
                           shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of
                           Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

                  (v)      In the event that any state or municipality or
                           subdivision thereof shall subject any Payment to any
                           special tax which shall be in addition to the
                           generally applicable income tax imposed by such
                           state, municipality, or subdivision with respect to
                           receipt of such Payment, the foregoing provisions of
                           this Section 4(f) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, with
                           respect to such special tax.

                  (vi)     Employer will reimburse Executive for reasonable
                           attorneys' fees and expenses incurred following the
                           occurrence of a Change in Control in connection with
                           the enforcement of any of Executive's rights under
                           this Agreement provided that Executive substantially
                           prevails in such action. In addition, Employer shall
                           pay Executive an amount determined by its accountants
                           to be equal to Executive's federal, state and local
                           taxes on the foregoing reimbursement (the
                           "Enforcement Expense Tax Gross-up") and the federal,
                           state and

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                           local taxes on the Enforcement Expense Tax Gross-up,
                           all to the end that Executive be held harmless, on an
                           after-tax basis, from the tax impact thereof.

         5.       STOCK OPTIONS.

         (a) TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THIS OPTION. Subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, Employer granted to Executive, effective June
1, 1999, an option ("Option") to purchase 139,383 shares of common stock of
Employer. The Option granted pursuant to this first paragraph of Section 5(a) is
referred to in this Agreement as the "Initial Option."

         Effective March 22, 2000, Employer granted to Executive an additional
Option to purchase 69,692 shares of common stock of Employer (the "March 2000
Option").

         Effective as of December 31, 2001, Employer grants to Executive an
additional Option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock of Employer (the
"December 2001 Option") and the parties agree to the cancellation and
termination of the Option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock of Employer
at an exercise price of $3.59 per shares that was granted to Executive prior to
the date of this Agreement.

         References in this Agreement to the "Options" shall be deemed to refer
to the Initial Option, the March 2000 Option and the December 2001 Option.
References in this Agreement to the "Option Shares" shall be deemed to refer to
the shares of common stock of Employer issuable upon exercise of the Options.

         (b) VESTING. The Initial Option shall be vested as follows: One-fourth
(1/4) of the Option Shares (I.E., 34,845 shares) shall vest and be exercisable
on June 1, 2000 and one-twelfth (1/12) of the remaining Option Shares (I.E.,
8,711 shares) shall vest and be exercisable at the end of each three (3) month
period thereafter until all Option Shares have vested, provided, however, in
order for Option Shares eligible to vest for any period to vest, Executive must
have remained an executive or member of the Board of Directors of Employer from
the date hereof through the last day of the relevant period. The Board of
Directors of Employer, in its discretion, may from time to time accelerate the
vesting of any or all of the Option Shares.

         The March 2000 Option shall be vested as follows: One-fourth (1/4) of
the Option Shares (I.E., 17,423 shares) shall vest and be exercisable on March
22, 2001, and of the remaining Option Shares, 4,356 Option Shares shall vest and
be exercisable at the end of each of the first eleven three (3) month periods
thereafter, and 4,353 Option Shares shall vest and be exercisable at the end of
the twelfth three month period thereafter, until all such Option Shares have
vested, provided, however, in order for Option Shares eligible to vest for any
period to vest, Executive must have remained an executive or member of the Board
of Directors of Employer from the date hereof through the last day of the
relevant period. The Board of Directors of Employer, in its discretion may from
time to time accelerate the vesting of any or all of the Option Shares.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

         The December 2001 Option shall be vested as follows: One-fourth (1/4)
of the Option Shares (I.E., 25,000 shares) shall vest and be exercisable on June
30, 2003, and of the remaining Option Shares, 25,000 Option Shares shall vest
and be exercisable at the end of each of September 30, 2003, December 31, 2003
and March 31, 2004, until all such Option Shares have vested, provided, however,
in order for Option Shares eligible to vest for any period to vest, Executive
must have remained an executive or member of the Board of Directors of Employer
from the date hereof through the last day of the relevant period. The Board of
Directors of Employer, in its discretion may from time to time accelerate the
vesting of any or all of the Option Shares.

         (c)      EXERCISE PRICE AND METHOD OF PAYMENT.

                  (i)      EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price (the "Exercise
                           Price") of the Initial Option shall be $0.01 per
                           share. The Exercise Price of the March 2000 Option
                           shall be $0.21 per share and the Exercise Price of
                           the December 2001 Option shall be $2.14 per share.

                  (ii)     METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Exercise Price per
                           share, together with payment of any tax withholding
                           amounts, is due in full upon exercise of any or all
                           vested Option Shares. Executive may elect, to the
                           extent permitted by applicable statutes and
                           regulations, to make payment of the Exercise Price
                           and the tax withholding amounts under one of the
                           following alternatives:

                           (A)      Payment of the exercise price per share in
                                    cash (including check) at the time of
                                    exercise;

                           (B)      Payment by delivery of already-owned shares
                                    of common stock of Employer, owned free and
                                    clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or
                                    security interests, or by having withheld
                                    shares of common stock otherwise issuable
                                    upon exercise of the Option, which common
                                    stock shall be valued at its fair market
                                    value on the date of exercise; or

                           (C)      Payment by any combination of the methods of
                                    payment permitted by Sections 5(c)(ii)(A)
                                    and 5(c)(ii)(B).

                  (iii)    WHOLE SHARES. The Options may not be exercised for
                           any number of Option Shares which would require the
                           issuance of anything other than whole shares.

         (d)      APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS.

                  (i)      Executive acknowledges and understands that neither
                           the Options, the Option Shares nor any other of the
                           securities of Employer have been registered under the
                           Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or
                           qualified under any state securities laws or
                           regulations ("Blue Sky Laws") in reliance upon the
                           nonpublic offering

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                           exemption from the registration requirements of the
                           Act and similar exemptions under the Blue Sky Laws.
                           Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that he is
                           acquiring the Options and any Option Shares which he
                           may subsequently acquire, solely for his own account
                           and not with a view to or for sale in connection with
                           any distribution of the Options or Option Shares, and
                           that Executive either (A) has such knowledge and
                           experience in financial and business matters that he
                           is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the
                           proposed investment and therefore has the capacity to
                           protect his own interests in connection with the
                           acquisition of the Option Shares, or (B) has a
                           preexisting personal or business relationship with
                           Employer or one or more of its officers, directors or
                           controlling persons. In the event Executive exercises
                           any of the Options as provided herein, Executive
                           consents to the placement of any and all legends on
                           any certificates evidencing ownership of the Option
                           Shares and all restrictions on transfer of the Option
                           Shares which may, in the determination of Employer or
                           its counsel, be appropriate or required by law.

                  (ii)     Employer's obligations to sell and deliver Option
                           Shares are subject to, and conditional upon, such
                           compliance as Employer deems necessary or advisable
                           with federal and state laws, rules and regulations
                           applying to the authorization, issuance, listing or
                           sale of securities, and the Options may not be
                           exercised unless (A) the Option Shares have been
                           registered under a then currently effective
                           registration statement under the Act, or (B) a
                           determination is made by counsel to Employer that
                           such registration is not required under applicable
                           securities laws.

                  (iii)    Executive shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
                           Employer and its officers, directors and stockholders
                           from and against any and all claims, demands, losses,
                           costs, expenses (including without limitation
                           attorney's fees) that arise from, relate to or result
                           from any breach of, or failure of Executive to
                           perform, any of Executive's representations,
                           warranties or covenants set forth in Section 5(d)(i).

         (e)      TERM.

                  (i)      The term of the Options commences on the applicable
                           date of grant thereof, as set forth above, and shall
                           automatically expire on June 1, 2009 (the "Expiration
                           Date") unless the Options expire sooner as set forth
                           below. In no event may the options be exercised on or
                           after the Expiration Date.

                  (ii)     The Options shall terminate prior to the Expiration
                           Date as follows:

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                           (A)      If Executive ceases to be an employee or
                                    director of Employer, whichever last occurs,
                                    for any reason other than death, retirement
                                    or disability or expiration of the term of
                                    this Agreement, the Options may be exercised
                                    (to the extent that Executive was entitled
                                    to exercise the same on the date of such
                                    cessation) within a period of three (3)
                                    months following such cessation, but not
                                    later than the expiration date described in
                                    Section 5(e)(i), and upon expiration of such
                                    period, the Options shall terminate;
                                    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Options will
                                    immediately terminate if Executive's
                                    employment is terminated by Employer for
                                    Cause.

                           (B)      If Executive ceases to be an employee or
                                    director of Employer, whichever last occurs,
                                    by reason of death, retirement or permanent
                                    disability, or upon expiration of the term
                                    of this Agreement, the Options may be
                                    exercised (to the extent Executive was
                                    entitled to exercise the same on the date of
                                    such cessation of service) within a period
                                    of twelve (12) months following such
                                    cessation, but not later than the expiration
                                    date described in Section 5(e)(i), and upon
                                    expiration of such period, the Options shall
                                    terminate.

         (f)      EXERCISE.

                  (i)      This Options may be exercised by Executive from time
                           to time, to the extent Option Shares have vested, by
                           delivering a notice of exercise in the form set forth
                           in Exhibit A hereto, or such other form then
                           designated by Employer (the "Notice of Exercise")
                           together with the aggregate exercise price to the
                           corporate secretary of Employer, or to such other
                           person as Employer may designate, during regular
                           business hours, together with such additional
                           documents as Employer may then require in its
                           discretion. The date of exercise shall be the date of
                           Employer's receipt of the Notice of Exercise.

                  (ii)     By exercising the Options, Executive agrees that:

                           (A)      as a precondition to the completion of any
                                    exercise of the Options, Employer may
                                    require Executive to enter an arrangement
                                    providing for the payment by Executive to
                                    Employer of any tax withholding obligation
                                    of Employer arising by reason of: (1) the
                                    exercise of the Options; (2) the lapse of
                                    any substantial risk of forfeiture to which
                                    the shares are subject at the time of
                                    exercise; or (3) the disposition of shares
                                    acquired upon such exercise. Executive also
                                    agrees that any exercise of the Options has
                                    not been completed and that Employer is
                                    under no obligation to issue any common

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

                                    stock to Executive until such an arrangement
                                    is established or Employer's tax withholding
                                    obligations are satisfied, as reasonably
                                    determined by Employer; and

                           (B)      Employer (or a representative of the
                                    underwriters) may, in connection with the
                                    first underwritten registration of the
                                    offering of any equity securities of
                                    Employer under the Act, require that
                                    Executive not sell or otherwise transfer or
                                    dispose of any shares of common stock or
                                    other securities of Employer during such
                                    period (not to exceed one hundred eighty
                                    (180) days or, if less, the period of time
                                    any other executive officer of Employer is
                                    so restricted) following the effective date
                                    of the registration statement of Employer
                                    filed under the Act as may be requested by
                                    Employer or the representative of the
                                    underwriters. Executive further agrees that
                                    Employer may impose stop-transfer
                                    instructions with respect to securities
                                    subject to the foregoing restrictions until
                                    the end of such period.

         (g)      ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.

                  (i)      In the event of any change in the number or nature of
                           issued and outstanding shares of common stock of
                           Employer by reason of any stock dividend, stock
                           split, recapitalization, merger, rights offering,
                           share exchange or other change in the corporate or
                           capital structure of Employer, which increases,
                           decreases, or exchanges the shares of common stock of
                           Employer for a different number or kind of shares or
                           other securities, an appropriate and proportionate
                           adjustment (to the extent necessary or appropriate,
                           as determined by the Board of Directors of Employer,
                           in its discretion) shall be made in (A) the number of
                           shares or other securities subject to the Options,
                           and (B) the Exercise Price.

                  (ii)     In the event of a merger, consolidation, sale or
                           exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of
                           Employer, or other corporate reorganization of
                           Employer, other than a Change in Control (as
                           hereinafter defined), the Board of Directors of
                           Employer, in its discretion, may, but is not
                           obligated to do, either of the following: (A) pay in
                           cash the difference between the Exercise Price and
                           the consideration receivable in the transaction by a
                           holder of common stock of Employer for the number of
                           Option Shares unexercised, whether or not vested, or
                           (B) provide that Executive shall receive, upon
                           exercise of the Options, the stock or other
                           securities, cash or property to which Executive would
                           have been entitled if Executive had exercised the
                           Options and had been a holder of record of shares of
                           common stock of employer on the record date fixed for
                           determination of holders of shares of common stock of
                           Employer

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

                           entitled to receive such stock or other securities,
                           cash or property at the same aggregate price as the
                           aggregate Exercise Price of the Option Shares, with
                           adjustments as set forth in Section 5(g)(i).

                  (iii)    In the event of a Change in Control, all Option
                           Shares shall immediately become exercisable in full.
                           For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control"
                           shall mean the following and shall be deemed to occur
                           if:

                           (A)      As a result of any transaction, any of the
                                    following occur (1) the Permitted Holders no
                                    longer beneficially own (within the meaning
                                    of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                                    securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                                    amended), in the aggregate, at least 25% of
                                    the outstanding shares of common stock of
                                    Employer ("Outstanding Common Stock"), (2)
                                    the Permitted Holders no longer beneficially
                                    own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
                                    promulgated under the Securities Exchange
                                    Act of 1934, as amended), in the aggregate,
                                    at least 50% of the combined voting power of
                                    Employer's then outstanding securities
                                    entitled to vote generally in the election
                                    of directors ("Employer Voting Securities"),
                                    or (3) any Person other than the Permitted
                                    Holders becomes the beneficial owner (within
                                    the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
                                    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                                    amended) of an amount of Employer Voting
                                    Securities (as defined below) that is
                                    greater than the amount of Employer Voting
                                    Securities that are then beneficially owned
                                    (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
                                    promulgated under the Securities Exchange
                                    Act of 1934, as amended), in the aggregate,
                                    by the Permitted Holders; or

                           (B)      Prior to the occurrence of an underwritten
                                    public offering of the Company's equity
                                    securities, any of the following events
                                    occurs:

                                    (x) Any individual, entity or group (within
                                        the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or
                                        14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act
                                        of 1934, as amended) (each, a "Person"),
                                        other than a Permitted Holder, becomes
                                        the beneficial owner (within the meaning
                                        of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                                        amended) of 50% or more of the Employer
                                        Voting Securities; or

                                    (y) Consummation by Employer of the sale or
                                        other disposition by Employer of all or
                                        substantially all of Employer's assets
                                        or a merger, consolidation or other

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                                        reorganization of Employer with any
                                        other Person, other than:

                                        (1)     a merger, consolidation or other
                                                reorganization that would result
                                                in the voting securities of
                                                Employer outstanding immediately
                                                prior thereto (or, in the case
                                                of a reorganization or merger or
                                                consolidation that is preceded
                                                or accomplished by an
                                                acquisition or series of related
                                                acquisitions by any person, by
                                                tender or exchange offer or
                                                otherwise, of voting securities
                                                representing 50% or more of the
                                                combined voting power of all
                                                securities of Employer,
                                                immediately prior to such
                                                acquisition or the first
                                                acquisition in such series of
                                                acquisitions) continuing to
                                                represent, either by remaining
                                                outstanding or by being
                                                converted into voting securities
                                                of another entity, more than 50%
                                                of the combined voting power of
                                                the voting securities of
                                                Employer or such other entity
                                                outstanding immediately after
                                                such reorganization or merger or
                                                consolidation (or series of
                                                related transactions involving
                                                such a reorganization or merger
                                                or consolidation), or

                                        (2)     a merger, consolidation or other
                                                reorganization effected to
                                                implement a recapitalization or
                                                reincorporation of Employer (or
                                                similar transaction) that does
                                                not result in a material change
                                                in beneficial ownership of the
                                                voting securities of Employer or
                                                its successor; or

                           (C)      Following the occurrence of an underwritten
                                    public offering of Employer's equity
                                    securities, any of the following events
                                    occur:

                                    (w)     the acquisition in one or more
                                            transactions by any Person, other
                                            than a Permitted Holder, becomes the
                                            beneficial owner (within the meaning
                                            of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                                            Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                                            amended) of greater than thirty
                                            percent (30%) of the Employer Voting
                                            Securities; or

                                    (x)     the consummation of a merger,
                                            reorganization, consolidation, share
                                            exchange, transfer of assets or
                                            other transaction having similar
                                            effect involving Employer, unless,
                                            following such transaction, stock

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

                                            possessing at least fifty percent
                                            (50%) of the outstanding Employer
                                            Voting Securities of the corporation
                                            resulting from such transaction is
                                            beneficially owned, directly or
                                            indirectly, by Permitted Holders, or
                                            Persons who were beneficial owners
                                            of the Employer Voting Securities
                                            immediately prior to such
                                            transaction; or

                                    (y)     individuals who are members of the
                                            Board of Directors of Employer as of
                                            the Effective Date of this Agreement
                                            (the "Incumbent Directors") cease
                                            for any reason to constitute at
                                            least a majority of the members of
                                            the Board; provided, however, that
                                            any individual becoming a director
                                            subsequent to the date of this
                                            Agreement whose appointment to the
                                            Board or nomination for election by
                                            Employer was approved by a vote of
                                            at least a majority of the Incumbent
                                            Directors then in office (unless
                                            such appointment or election was at
                                            the request of an unrelated third
                                            party who has taken steps reasonably
                                            calculated to result in a Change in
                                            Control as described in paragraphs
                                            (w) or (x) above and who has
                                            indicated publicly an intent to seek
                                            control of Employer) shall be
                                            treated from the date of his or her
                                            appointment or election as an
                                            Incumbent Director; or

                                    (z)     consummation of a complete
                                            liquidation or dissolution of
                                            Employer.

         For purposes of this Agreement, "Permitted Holders" means (i) TPG
Partners II, L.P., TPG Parallel II, L.P. and TPG Investors II, L.P. (the
"Investors"), (ii) any investment partnership or fund management by the
principals of TPG II, (iii) any partners of the Investors, (iv) members of the
immediate family of the persons described in (iii) and trusts for the benefit of
members of their immediate family, (iv) the respective affiliates (within the
meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended) of Persons described in (i) through (iv), and (v) any Person acting in
the capacity of an underwriter in connection with a public or private offering
of Employer's equity securities.

         (h) DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, RIGHTS IN OPTION SHARES. Upon the due
exercise of the Options in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,
Employer shall deliver to the Executive at the main office of Employer, or such
other place as shall be mutually acceptable, a certificate or certificates
representing such shares of common stock to which the Options shall have been so
exercised. Neither Executive, his estate nor his transferees by will or the laws
of descent and distribution shall be, or have any rights or privileges of, a
stockholder of Employer with respect to any Option Shares

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

issuable upon exercise of the Options, unless and until certificates
representing such Option Shares shall have been issued and delivered.

         (i) TRANSFERABILITY. These Options are not transferable, except by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable only by
Executive during the life of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by
delivering written notice to Employer, in a form satisfactory to Employer,
Executive may designate a third party who, in the event of the death of
Executive, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Options.

         (j) NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHT. Nothing in the Options shall be deemed to
create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of Executive to continue
in the employ of Employer, or of Employer to continue employment of Executive
with Employer. In addition, nothing in the Options shall obligate Employer or
any affiliate of Employer, or their respective stockholders, board of directors,
officers, or employees to continue any relationship which Executive might have
as a director or consultant for Employer or affiliate of Employer.

         6.       NONDISCLOSURE.

         (a) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive hereby acknowledges that in
connection with his employment by Employer he will be exposed to and may obtain
certain information (including, without limitation, procedures, memoranda,
notes, records and customer and supplier lists whether such information has been
or is made, developed or compiled by Executive or otherwise has been or is made
available to him) regarding the business and operations of Employer and its
subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive further acknowledges that such information
and procedures are unique, valuable, considered trade secrets and deemed
proprietary by Employer. For purposes of this Agreement, such information and
procedures shall be referred to as "Confidential Information," except that the
following shall not be considered Confidential Information: (i) information
disclosed on a non-confidential basis to third parties by Employer (but not by
Executive in violation of this Agreement), (ii) information released from
confidential treatment by written consent of Employer, and (iii) information
lawfully available to the general public.

         (b) USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive agrees that all
Confidential Information is and will remain the property of Employer. Executive
further agrees, except as otherwise required by law and for disclosures
occurring in the good faith performance of his duties for Employer, while
employed by Employer hereunder and thereafter, to hold in the strictest
confidence all Confidential Information, and not to, directly or indirectly,
duplicate, sell, use, lease, commercialize, disclose or otherwise divulge to any
person or entity any portion of the Confidential Information or use any
Confidential Information for his own benefit or profit or allow any person,
entity or third party, other than Employer and authorized executives of the
same, to use or otherwise gain access to any Confidential Information.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

         (c) TRADE SECRET. It is the intention of the parties that to the extent
any Confidential Information may constitute a "trade secret" as defined by Ohio
law, then, in addition to the remedies set forth in this Agreement, Employer may
elect to bring an action against Executive in the case of any actual or
threatened misappropriation of any such trade secret by Executive.

         (d) NO REMEDY AT LAW. Regardless of whether any of the Confidential
Information shall constitute a trade secret as defined by Ohio law, Executive
expressly recognizes and agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section
6 represent a reasonable and necessary protection of the legitimate interests of
Employer, that his failure to observe and comply with his covenants and
agreements herein will cause irreparable harm to Employer, that it is and will
continue to be difficult to ascertain the harm and damages to Employer that such
a failure by Executive could cause, and that a remedy at law for such failure by
Executive will be inadequate.

         7.    NON-INTERFERENCE, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS.

         (a) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ACCESS. Pursuant to this Agreement, Executive has
agreed to become Chief Executive Officer of Employer and to comply with the
non-disclosure provisions contained in Section 6 hereof. Executive recognizes
and acknowledges that he will be given access to certain of Employer's
Confidential Information (as defined in Section 6(a)), and have access to and
authority to develop relationships with customers of Employer because of his
position and status as Employer's Chief Executive Officer, which he would not
otherwise attain. In consideration of the foregoing, Executive agrees to comply
with the terms of this Section 7.

         (b) RESTRICTED PERIOD. The restraints imposed by this Section 7 shall
apply during any period that Executive continues to receive payment of Base
Compensation hereunder, and for a period of one year thereafter (the "Restricted
Period"); provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, the restraints imposed by this Section 7 shall not apply following
the termination of Executive's employment with Employer by Employer without
Cause. In the event that any Court having jurisdiction should find that the
Restricted Period is so long and/or the scope (distance) (as set forth below) is
so broad as to constitute an undue hardship on Executive, then, in such event
only, the Restricted Period and area limitations shall be valid for the maximum
time and area for which they could be legally made and enforced.

         (c) COVENANT. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, as an
executive (other than as an executive of Employer or an affiliate thereof),
employee, employer, stockholder, officer, director, partner, consultant,
advisor, proprietor, lender, provider of capital or other ownership, operational
or management capacity, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or hire any employee
of Employer or otherwise interfere with or disrupt the employment relationship
between Employer and any employee, (ii) solicit or do business with (A)
Employer's customers with whom Employer did business while Executive was
employed under this Agreement, or (B) individuals or entities who Executive met
as a result of his position with Employer while Executive was employed

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

under this Agreement, that (in the case of either clause (A) or (B)) results in
competition with Employer in any county, parish or other comparable jurisdiction
within a state, province or nation located in North America in which any of such
customers have operations (other than customers whose business relationship with
Employer has terminated for at least 90 days) or in which Employer has conducted
business while Executive was employed under this Agreement (collectively, the
"Restricted Area"), or (iii) be associated with any entity engaged in the
business of oil and/or gas exploration, development, production, distribution
and/or marketing in the Restricted Area that results in competition with
Employer (but excluding association due to ownership of less than 5% of the
outstanding securities of any such entity).

         (d) REASONABLENESS. Executive expressly recognizes and agrees that the
restraints imposed by this Section 7 are (i) reasonable as to time, geographic
limitation and scope of activity to be restrained; (ii) reasonably necessary to
the enjoyment by Employer of the value of its assets and to protect its
legitimate interests; and (iii) not oppressive. Executive further expressly
recognizes and agrees that the restraints imposed by this Section 7 represent a
reasonable and necessary restriction for the protection of the legitimate
interests of Employer, that the failure by the Executive to observe and comply
with the covenants and agreements in this Section 7 will cause irreparable harm
to Employer, that it is and will continue to be difficult to ascertain the harm
and damages to Employer that such a failure by the Executive would cause, that
the consideration received by the Executive for entering into these covenants
and agreements is fair, that the covenants and agreements and their enforcement
will not deprive Executive of his ability to earn a reasonable living in the oil
and gas industry or otherwise, and that Executive has acquired knowledge and
skills in his field that will allow him to obtain employment without violating
these covenants and agreements. Executive further expressly acknowledges that he
has been encouraged to and has consulted independent counsel, and has reviewed
and considered this Agreement with that counsel before executing this Agreement.

         8. MEMORANDA, NOTES, RECORDS, ETC. All memoranda, notes, records,
software, customer lists or other documents (including, but not limited to,
those in electronic form) made or compiled by Executive or otherwise made
available to him concerning the business of Employer or its subsidiaries or
affiliates shall be Employer's property and shall be delivered to Employer upon
the expiration or termination of Executive's employment hereunder or at any
other time upon request by Employer, and Executive shall retain no copies of
those documents; provided, however, that Executive may retain copies of personal
information and information concerning his compensation and benefits
entitlements and other employee rights. Executive shall never at any time have
or claim any right, title or interest in any material or matter of any sort
prepared for or used in connection with the business or promotion of Employer.

         9. ENFORCEMENT. The parties hereto recognize that the covenants of
Executive hereunder are special, unique and of extraordinary character.
Accordingly, it is the intention of the parties that, in addition to any other
rights and remedies which Employer may have in the event of any breach of this
Agreement, Employer shall be entitled, and hereby is expressly and irrevocably
authorized by Executive, INTER ALIA, to

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

demand and obtain specific performance, including without limitation temporary
and permanent injunctive relief, and all other appropriate equitable relief
against Executive in order to enforce against Executive, or in order to prevent
any breach or any threatened breach by Executive of, the covenants and
agreements contained herein. In case of any breach of this Agreement, nothing
herein contained shall be construed to prevent Employer from seeking such other
remedy in the courts as it may elect or invoke.

         10.      MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a) NON-DELEGATION OF DUTIES. Executive may not delegate the
performance of any of his obligations or duties hereunder, or assign any rights
hereunder, without the prior written consent of Employer. Any such purported
delegation or assignment in the absence of such written consent shall be null
and void with no force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall prevent Executive from the appropriate delegation of tasks to other
executives, employees, assistants and other service providers.

         (b) BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives,
successors and permitted assigns and any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy or
representative of the creditors of each such person. Employer shall require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, reorganization,
consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, liquidation, or otherwise) to
all or a significant portion of its assets, by agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Employer would be
required to perform this Agreement if no such succession had taken place.
Regardless whether such agreement is executed, this Agreement shall be binding
upon any successor of Employer in accordance with the operation of law and such
successor shall be deemed the "Employer" for purposes of this Agreement.

         (c) SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement, in the event Executive's employment is terminated for any reason
whatsoever, the covenants and agreements of Executive contained in Sections 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and the covenants of Employer contained in Sections 4 and
5 hereof shall survive any such termination and shall not lapse except as
provided herein.

         (d) SEVERABILITY/MODIFICATION. If any term or provision of this
Agreement is held or deemed to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part,
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such term or provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement.

         (e) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement is entered into in Ohio, and the
construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Ohio without regard to the laws of conflicts of laws
thereof.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

         (f) ARBITRATION. In the event of any dispute, controversy or claim
between Employer and Executive arising out of or relating to the interpretation,
application or enforcement of any provision of this Agreement (other than with
respect to provisions under Section 4(f) of this Agreement), either Employer or
Executive may, by written notice to the other, require such dispute or
difference to be submitted to arbitration. The arbitrator shall be selected by
agreement of the parties or, if they do not agree on an arbitrator within 30
days after one party has notified the other of his or its desire to have the
question settled by arbitration, then the arbitrator shall be selected pursuant
to the procedures of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") in Canton,
Ohio. The determination reached in such arbitration shall be final and binding
on all parties. Enforcement of the determination by such arbitrator may be
sought in any court of competent jurisdiction. Unless otherwise agreed by the
parties, any such arbitration shall take place in Canton, Ohio, and shall be
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA.

         (g) EFFECTIVENESS; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement contains
the entire understanding and agreement between the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof, and it supersedes all previous and contemporaneous
negotiations, commitments, writings and understandings. Neither this Agreement
nor any provision hereof may be waived, modified, amended, changed, discharged
or terminated, except by an agreement in writing signed by the party against
whom enforcement of any waiver, modification, change, amendment, discharge or
termination is sought.

         (h) NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under the
provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given on the date of delivery if delivered personally to the party to
whom notice is to be given (or to the appropriate address below), or on the
third day after mailing if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by
courier, addressed as follows, or to such other person at such other address as
any party may request in writing to the other party to this Agreement:

         To Executive:              John L. Schwager
         ------------               c/o Belden & Blake Corporation
                                    5200 Stoneham Road
                                    North Canton, Ohio 47720

         To Employer:               Belden & Blake Corporation
                                    5200 Stoneham Road
                                    North Canton, Ohio 47720

Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving the
other parties written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

         (i) HEADINGS. The section headings herein are for convenience only and
shall not be used in interpreting or construing this Agreement.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

         (j) INDEMNIFICATION. Employer shall defend and hold Executive harmless
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with any civil
or criminal claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding arising out of or
relating to performance by Executive of services for, or action of Executive as
a director, officer or employee of Employer, or of any other person or
enterprise at the request of Employer. Expenses incurred by Executive in
defending any such claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding shall be
paid by Employer in advance of the final disposition thereof upon the receipt by
Employer of an undertaking by or on behalf of Executive to repay said amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that Executive is not entitled to be
indemnified hereunder; provided, however, that this indemnification arrangement
shall not apply to a nonderivative action commenced by Employer against
Executive. The foregoing shall be in addition to, and shall not be deemed to
limit in any respect, any indemnification rights Executive may have by law,
contract, charter, by-law or otherwise.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment
Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.

                                    EXECUTIVE:

                                    /s/ John L. Schwager
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    John L. Schwager

                                    EMPLOYER:

                                    BELDEN & BLAKE CORPORATION,
                                    an Ohio Corporation

                                    By:  /s/ William S. Price III
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         William S. Price III
                                         Chairman of the Compensation Committee
                                         of the Board of Directors

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                           GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER

                  In consideration of the payments and benefits (the
"Termination Benefits") to which the undersigned (the "Executive") is entitled
under Section 4(c) of the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated
 (the "Employment Agreement"), by and between the Executive and Belden & Blake
Corporation (the "Employer"), and for other good and valuable consideration,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive agrees as follows:

                  1. CONFIRMATION OF TERMINATION. The Executive's employment
with the Employer shall terminate as of _____________________ (the "Termination
Date").

                  2. GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER

                  (a) EXECUTIVE HEREBY RELEASES, REMISES AND ACQUITS EMPLOYER
AND ALL OF ITS AFFILIATES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES,
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO HEREIN AS THE "RELEASEES"),
JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, WHICH
EXECUTIVE OR EXECUTIVE'S HEIRS, SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS HAVE OR MAY HAVE AGAINST
ANY RELEASEE ARISING ON OR PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER
(THIS "RELEASE") AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITY WHICH ANY SUCH RELEASEE MAY HAVE TO
EXECUTIVE, WHETHER DENOMINATED CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CAUSES OF ACTION, OBLIGATIONS,
DAMAGES OR LIABILITIES ARISING FROM ANY AND ALL BASES, HOWEVER DENOMINATED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, THE
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF
1993, TITLE VII OF THE UNITED STATES CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, 42 U.S.C. sec.
1981, THE OHIO CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, secs. 124, 4111, 4112 OR 4123 OF THE OHIO
REVISED CODE ANNOTATED, OHIO COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL
LAW AND ANY WORKERS' COMPENSATION OR DISABILITY CLAIMS UNDER ANY SUCH LAWS. THIS
RELEASE IS FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLAIMS ARISING
FROM AND DURING EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH EMPLOYER AND ITS
AFFILIATES OR AS A RESULT OF THE TERMINATION OF SUCH RELATIONSHIP. EXECUTIVE
FURTHER AGREES THAT EXECUTIVE WILL NOT FILE OR PERMIT TO BE FILED ON EXECUTIVE'S
BEHALF ANY SUCH CLAIM. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PRECEDING SENTENCE OR ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, THIS RELEASE IS NOT INTENDED TO INTERFERE WITH
EXECUTIVE'S RIGHT TO FILE A CHARGE WITH THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CLAIM HE BELIEVES HE MAY HAVE AGAINST ANY OF
THE RELEASEES. HOWEVER, BY EXECUTING THIS RELEASE, EXECUTIVE HEREBY WAIVES THE
RIGHT TO RECOVER IN ANY PROCEEDING EXECUTIVE MAY BRING BEFORE THE EQUAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION OR ANY STATE HUMAN RIGHTS

                                       A-1
<PAGE>

COMMISSION OR IN ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON EXECUTIVE'S BEHALF. THIS
RELEASE IS FOR ANY RELIEF, NO MATTER HOW DENOMINATED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, WAGES, BACK PAY, FRONT PAY, COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, OR
PUNITIVE DAMAGES. THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY OBLIGATION OF EMPLOYER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(c) OR, IF APPLICABLE, 4(f) OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OR
RIGHTS OF EXECUTIVE, IF ANY, TO INDEMNIFICATION AND/OR INSURANCE WITH RESPECT TO
HIS SERVICE TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EMPLOYER AND ITS AFFILIATES AS AN
EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR IN ANY OTHER CAPACITY.

                  (b) EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TERMINATION BENEFITS HE IS
RECEIVING PURSUANT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING
RELEASE ARE IN ADDITION TO ANYTHING OF VALUE TO WHICH EXECUTIVE ALREADY IS
ENTITLED FROM EMPLOYER.

                  3.       CERTAIN FORFEITURES IN EVENT OF BREACH

                  The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, in the event the Executive materially
breaches any of his obligations under this Agreement, the Executive will forfeit
his right to receive the Termination Benefits under the Employment Agreement to
the extent not theretofore paid to him as of the date of such breach and, if
already made as of the time of breach, the Executive agrees that he will
reimburse the Employer, immediately, for the amount of such payment.

                  4.       NO ADMISSION

                  This Release does not constitute an admission of liability or
wrongdoing of any kind by the Employer or its affiliates.

                  5.       HEIRS AND ASSIGNS

                  The terms of this Release shall be binding on the Executive
and his successors and assigns.

                  6.       KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY WAIVER

                  The Executive acknowledges that, by the Executive's free and
voluntary act of signing below, the Executive agrees to all of the terms of this
Release and intends to be legally bound thereby.

                  The Executive understands and acknowledges that he may
consider whether to agree to the terms contained herein for a period of
twenty-one days after the Termination Date. However, the Termination Benefits
will be delayed until this Release is executed and delivered to the Employer;
provided that there shall be no such delay with respect to any Termination
Benefit that is due to be paid upon the closing date of a

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement). The Executive
acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to
executing this Release.

                  This Release will become effective, enforceable and
irrevocable on the eighth day after the date on which it is executed by the
Executive (the "Release Effective Date"). During the seven-day period prior to
the Effective Date, the Executive may revoke his agreement to accept the terms
hereof by serving notice in writing to the Employer of his intention to revoke.
If the Executive exercises his right to revoke hereunder, he shall forfeit his
right to receive any of the Termination Benefits provided for herein, and to the
extent such Termination Benefits have already been provided, the Executive
agrees that he will immediately reimburse the Employer for the amounts of such
payment.

                                           ------------------------------------
                                           John L. Schwager

Acknowledgment
--------------

         STATE OF _________________)
                                  ss:
         COUNTY OF_________________)

On the ____ day of __________, 20__, before me personally came John L. Schwager
who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at
_________________; and did acknowledge and represent that he has had an
opportunity to consult with attorneys and other advisers of his choosing
regarding the Release attached hereto, that he has reviewed all of the terms of
the Release and that he fully understands all of its provisions, including,
without limitation, the general release and waiver set forth therein.

------------------------------
Notary Public

Date:
     -------------

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE

Belden & Blake Corporation

---------------------------

---------------------------

                                              Date of Exercise:
                                                               -----------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This constitutes notice under my stock option that I elect to purchase
the number of shares for the price set forth below.

             Stock option dated
                                                --------------------------------
             Number of shares as to which
             option is exercised
                                                --------------------------------

             Certificates to be issued in
             name of:
                                                --------------------------------

             Total exercise price:              $
                                                --------------------------------

             Cash payment delivered herewith:   $
                                                --------------------------------

         By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as
Executive may reasonably require and (ii) to provide for the payment by me to
Executive of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of
this option.

         I hereby make the following certifications and representations with
respect to the number of shares of Common Stock of Employer listed above (the
"SHARES"), which are being acquired by me for my own account upon exercise of
the Option as set forth above:

         I acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "ACT"), and are deemed to constitute
"restricted securities" under Rule 701 and "control securities" under Rule 144
promulgated under the Act. I warrant and represent to Employer that I have no
present intention of distributing or selling said Shares, except as permitted
under the Act and any applicable state securities laws.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

         I further acknowledge that I will not be able to resell the Shares for
at least ninety (90) days after the stock of Employer becomes publicly traded
(i.e., subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under Rule 701 and that more restrictive
conditions apply to affiliates of Employer under Rule 144.

         I further acknowledge that all certificates representing any of the
Shares subject to the provisions of the Option shall have endorsed thereon
appropriate legends reflecting the foregoing limitations, as well as any legends
reflecting restrictions pursuant to Employer's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws
and/or applicable securities laws.

         I further agree that, if required by Employer (or a representative of
the underwriters) in connection with an underwritten registration of the
offering of any securities of Employer under the Act, I will not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or other securities
of Employer during such period (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or,
if less, the period of time any other executive officer of Employer is so
restricted) following the effective date of the registration statement of
Employer filed under the Act (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") as may be requested by
Employer or the representative of the underwriters. I further agree that
Employer may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities
subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.

                                                  Very truly yours,

                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  John L. Schwager

                                      B-2

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