Document:

exv10w2

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, CONSENT AND

PARTIAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

          This AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, CONSENT AND PARTIAL RELEASE AGREEMENT (this
“Amendment”), dated as of June 13, 2008, is entered into by and among BELL INDUSTRIES,
INC., a California corporation (“Parent”), and each of Parent’s Subsidiaries identified on
the signature pages hereof (such Subsidiaries, together with Parent are referred to hereinafter
each individually as a “Borrower”, and individually and collectively, jointly and
severally, as the “Borrowers”), the lenders signatory hereto (such lenders, together with
their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as
a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”), and WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., a
California corporation (“WFF”), as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lenders
(in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Agent”).
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement (as defined below).

 WITNESSETH

          WHEREAS, Borrowers and the Lender Group are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as
of January 31, 2007 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time,
the “Credit Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Borrower granted
to Agent a Lien in all of its right, title and interest in and to all personal property of such
Borrower whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located, whether now owned
or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located, as more fully described in the Loan
Documents;

          WHEREAS, Borrowers have (i) advised Agent that pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase
Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2008, between Parent and Velocita Wireless LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (the “Purchaser”), as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to the
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2008 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”),
Parent desires to consummate the sale to Purchaser (the “Asset Disposition”) of
substantially all of the assets of the business related to its SkyTel division held by the Parent,
to the extent that such assets constitute “Purchased Assets” as such term is defined in the Asset
Purchase Agreement (the “Designated Assets”), and (ii) requested that Agent and Lenders
consent to the consummation of the Asset Disposition and Agent release Agent’s Liens in the
Designated Assets;

          WHEREAS, the Designated Assets comprise a portion of the Collateral;

          WHEREAS, the Borrowers have (i) advised Agent that it desires to amend and restate the
Newcastle Note as more fully set forth herein and (ii) requested that the Agent consent to the
amendment and restatement of the Newcastle Note;

 

 

          WHEREAS, Newcastle has requested that the Agent amend the Newcastle Intercreditor Agreement
(as defined below);

          WHEREAS, the Borrowers have also requested that the Agent and the Lenders make certain
amendments to the Credit Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders are willing to
accommodate the Borrowers’ and Newcastle’s requests.

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

1. Amendments to Credit Agreement.

     (a) Schedule 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by amending
and restating, or adding (as applicable) the following definitions in the appropriate alphabetical
order:

          “Maximum Revolver Amount” means $10,000,000.

          “Newcastle Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor and Subordination
Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2007, by and between Agent and Newcastle, as amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to the terms thereof.

          “Newcastle Note” means that certain subordinated second amended and restated
convertible promissory note in the original principal amount of $11,137,321 dated as of June 13,
2008, issued by Parent and Bell Minnesota in favor of Newcastle, as further amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified pursuant to the terms of the Newcastle Intercreditor Agreement
or with the written consent of Agent.

     (b) Section 6.16(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety to read as follows:

          “(b) Capital Expenditures. Make Capital Expenditures in any fiscal year in excess of the
amount set forth in the following table for the applicable period:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Fiscal Year 2007	 	Fiscal Year 2008	 	 	Fiscal Year 2009	 
	$6,490,000	 	$2,400,000	 	 	$1,500,000	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Fiscal Year 2010	 	Fiscal Year 2011	 	 	Fiscal Year 2012	 
	$1,500,000	 	 	$1,500,000	 	 	1,500,000”	 

2. Consent. The provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the
contrary notwithstanding, subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth
in Section 4 below, (i) Agent and Lenders hereby consent to the consummation of the Asset
Disposition and (ii) Agent hereby consents to the amendment and restatement of the Newcastle

 

 

Note in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Borrowers hereby agree
that, anything in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents notwithstanding, 100% of the
net cash proceeds of the Asset Disposition shall be used to prepay the outstanding principal amount
of the Advances without a commensurate permanent reduction to the Maximum Revolver Amount.

3. Release of Liens. Subject to the consummation of the Asset Disposition and the
satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 below, (a) the
Lenders hereby authorize Agent to terminate and release the Agent’s Liens in the Designated Assets,
(b) without recourse and without any representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied,
Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lender Group, hereby terminates and releases the Agent’s Liens
in the Designated Assets, (c) the Parent hereby releases the Lender Group from any duty, liability
or obligation (if any) under any Loan Document in respect of the Designated Assets and (d) Agent
agrees to execute and deliver such documents as Borrowers may reasonably request, at the Borrowers’
sole expense, in order to simultaneously release Agent’s Lien on the Designated Assets, including,
without limitation, UCC financing statement amendments, as appropriate, for filing in each office
where a UCC financing statement has been filed or other instruments required to terminate the
filings or recordings in favor of Agent with respect to the Designated Assets.

4. Conditions Precedent to Agreement. This Amendment shall become effective only upon
satisfaction in full in the reasonable judgment of the Agent of each of the following conditions:

     A. The Agent shall have received this Amendment, duly executed by the parties hereto, and the
same shall be in full force and effect.

     B. The Agent shall have received a copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement, duly executed by the
parties thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

     C. The Agent shall have received a copy of the amended and restated Newcastle Note, duly
executed by the parties thereto, and in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A.

     D. The Agent shall have received a copy of the amendment to Newcastle Intercreditor Agreement,
duly executed by the parties thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

5. Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Agent
and each Lender as follows:

     A. It has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment and to
perform its obligations hereunder and under the Loan Documents to which it is a party. The
execution, delivery, and performance by it of this Amendment and the performance by it of each Loan
Document to which it is a party (i) have been duly approved by all necessary action and no other
proceedings are necessary to consummate such transactions; and (ii) are not in contravention of (A)
any law, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment, decree, writ, injunction, or award of any
arbitrator, court or governmental authority binding on it, (B) the terms of its organizational
documents, or (C) any provision of any contract or undertaking to which it is a party or by which
any of its properties may be bound or affected.

 

 

     B. This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each Borrower. This Amendment and
each Loan Document is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Borrower, enforceable against
such Borrower in accordance with its terms, and is in full force and effect except as such validity
and enforceability is limited by the laws of insolvency and bankruptcy, laws affecting creditors’
rights and principles of equity applicable hereto.

     C. No injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of any nature prohibiting, directly
or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein has been issued and remains
in force by any Governmental Authority against any Borrower, any Guarantor, Agent or any Lender.

     D. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof or as of
the date of the effectiveness of this Amendment.

     E. The representations and warranties in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are
true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be
applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by
materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on such date (except
to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date).

6. Covenant. The Borrowers hereby covenant and agree to deliver to Agent (i) that certain
Secured Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $3,000,000, dated June 13, 2008, issued
by Velocita Wireless LLC to Parent and (ii) that certain Promissory Note in the original principal
amount of $1,500,000, dated June 13, 2008, issued by Velocita Wireless LLC to Parent, together with
such undated powers endorsed in blank, by no later than June 23, 2008. The failure to comply with
the covenant contained in this Section 6 within the specified time frame shall constitute
an immediate Event of Default.

7. Amendment Fee. On or before the date hereof, the Borrowers shall pay to Agent an
amendment fee in the amount of $25,000 (“Amendment Fee”) in immediately available funds,
which Amendment Fee shall be retained by Agent (solely for its account and for the account of its
Affiliates that are Lenders, but not for the account of any other Lender). Such Amendment Fee
shall be fully earned and non-refundable on the date hereof.

8. Payment of Costs and Expenses. Borrowers agree to pay all Lender Group Expenses
incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and the
review of all documents incidental thereto in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

9. Release.

          Each Borrower hereby waives, releases, remises and forever discharges each member of the
Lender Group, each of their respective Affiliates, and each of their respective officers,
directors, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Releasees”), from any and all claims,
demands, obligations, liabilities, causes of action, damages, losses, costs and expenses of any
kind or character, known or unknown, past or present, liquidated or unliquidated, suspected or
unsuspected, which such Borrower ever had, now has or might hereafter have against any such
Releasee which relates, directly or indirectly, to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document,
or to any acts or omissions of any such Releasee with respect to the Credit

 

 

Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to the lender-borrower relationship evidenced by the Loan
Documents. As to each and every claim released hereunder, each Borrower hereby represents that it
has received the advice of legal counsel with regard to the releases contained herein, and having
been so advised, each Borrower specifically waives the benefit of the provisions of Section 1542 of
the Civil Code of California which provides as follows:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH A CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN
HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM, MUST HAVE MATERIALLY
AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”

As to each and every claim released hereunder, each Borrower also waives the benefit of each other
similar provision of applicable federal or state law, if any, pertaining to general releases after
having been advised by its legal counsel with respect thereto.

10. CONSTRUCTION. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA.

11. Amendments. This Amendment cannot be altered, amended, changed or modified in any
respect or particular unless each such alteration, amendment, change or modification shall have
been agreed to by each of the parties and reduced to writing in its entirety and signed and
delivered by each party.

12. Counterpart Execution. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts,
all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any of the
parties hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart. Delivery of an executed
counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or electronic mail shall be equally as effective as
delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment. Any party delivering an executed
counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or electronic mail also shall deliver an original
executed counterpart of this Amendment, but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart
shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Amendment.

13. Effect on Loan Documents.

     A. The release of Liens set forth herein shall apply only to the Designated Assets and does
not impair or otherwise affect Agent’s Lien on any other Collateral. Agent’s Lien on all other
Collateral shall remain in full force and effect, and the terms and provisions of the Credit
Agreement, as amended hereby, and each of the other Loan Documents shall be and remain in full
force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and hereby are ratified and confirmed in
all respects. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment shall not operate, except
as expressly set forth herein, as a modification or waiver of any right, power, or remedy of Agent
or any Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. The amendments and consents
set forth herein are limited to the specifics hereof, shall not apply with respect to any facts or
occurrences other than those on which the same are based, and except as expressly set forth herein,
shall neither excuse any future non-compliance with the Loan Agreement, nor shall operate as a
waiver of any Default or Event of Default.

 

 

     B. Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement
to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the
Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”,
“thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall
mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.

     C. To the extent that any terms and conditions in any of the Loan Documents shall contradict
or be in conflict with any terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this
Amendment, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified accordingly to reflect the terms
and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.

     D. This Amendment is a Loan Document.

     E. Unless the context of this Amendment clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural
include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and
“including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the
inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”.

14. Entire Agreement. This Amendment embodies the entire understanding and agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all
prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof,
whether express or implied, oral or written.

15. Integration. This Amendment, together with the other Loan Documents, incorporates all
negotiations of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and is the final
expression and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

16. Ratification. Each Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term
and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents effective as of the date
hereof and as amended hereby.

17. Severability. In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder of this Amendment and the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired thereby.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of
the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.,	 	 
	 	 	a California corporation, as Borrower	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	/s/ Kevin Thimjon 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Kevin Thimjon 

	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	President
and Chief Executive Officer 

	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BELL INDUSTRIES, INC.,	 	 
	 	 	a Minnesota corporation, as Borrower	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	/s/ Kevin Thimjon 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Kevin Thimjon 

	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	President
and Chief Executive Officer 

	 	 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, CONSENT AND

PARTIAL RELEASE AGREEMENT]

 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC.,	 	 
	 	 	a California corporation, as Agent and as a Lender	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	/s/ Daniel Whitwer	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Daniel Whitwer 

	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Vice President 

	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

	 	 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, CONSENT AND

PARTIAL RELEASE AGREEMENT]

 

 

Exhibit A

     ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, THE REPAYMENT OF THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED BY
THIS NOTE, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS SECURING THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE, THE
EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY WITH RESPECT THERETO, AND CERTAIN OF THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDER
HEREOF ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AND SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
MARCH 12, 2007 (AS AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED, OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE
“INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT”), BY AND BETWEEN WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., AS SENIOR AGENT, AND
NEWCASTLE PARTNERS, L.P., AS SUBORDINATED CREDITOR. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS
OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND THIS NOTE, THE TERMS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN
AND CONTROL. THIS NOTE AND THE SECURITIES UNDERLYING THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR QUALIFIED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION
AND QUALIFICATION WITHOUT, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE AGREED BY MAKER, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO MAKER THAT SUCH REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION ARE NOT REQUIRED.

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

			
	 	 	 
	$11,137,321
	 	June 13, 2008

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of the undersigned, BELL INDUSTRIES, INC., a California corporation
(the “Maker” or the “Company”) and BELL INDUSTRIES, INC., a Minnesota corporation (together with
Maker, referred to herein collectively as the “Obligors”), hereby jointly and severally promise to
pay to the order of Newcastle Partners, L.P. a Texas limited partnership, or its assigns (the
“Payee”), at such place as the Payee may designate in writing, the principal sum of $11,137,321
(Eleven Million One Hundred Thirty Seven Thousand Three Hundred Twenty One Dollars), or such other
amount as shall equal the outstanding principal amount hereof, under the terms set forth herein.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such
terms in the Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2007 (the “Purchase Agreement”), between
the Maker and the Payee, unless the provisions of this Note indicate otherwise. This Second
Amended and Restated Convertible Promissory Note is referred to herein as the “Note”.

     1. Interest. Except as otherwise provided herein, the unpaid principal balance hereof
from time to time outstanding shall bear interest from the date hereof at the rate of four percent
(4%) per annum unless otherwise provided in this Note. Interest shall accrue on the outstanding
unpaid principal amount (as increased pursuant to Section 2(a) below) until such principal amount
is paid (or converted as provided herein) from the date hereof. Interest on this Note shall be
computed on the basis of a 365-day year.

 

 

     2. Payment of Interest and Principal. Except as otherwise provided herein (including,
without limitation, Section 5 hereof), and subject to any default hereunder, the principal and
interest hereof is payable as follows:

     (a) Interest shall be paid in kind and shall accrete as additional principal on this Note on
the applicable interest payment date; provided that, following January 31, 2009, if the Current
Market Price at the date of election (which shall be on or following January 31, 2009) is at least
200% of the Conversion Price (as defined in Section 3(b)), interest on the then outstanding
principal balance of this Note may be paid in cash at the election of Maker; provided further that,
if such election to pay cash interest is made, the interest rate set forth in Section 1 hereof
shall be increased to the lesser of (a) eight percent (8%) or (b) the highest lawful interest rate
permitted by applicable law; and provided further that any accrued interest as of the date of such
election shall accrete as additional principal on this Note as of such election date. Interest
shall be payable in arrears on December 31, March 31, June 30 and September 30 of each year. All
references herein to the “principal” of this Note shall include all interest accreted thereon as
additional principal pursuant to the foregoing sentence.

     (b) The entire outstanding principal amount of the Note together with all accrued but unpaid
interest shall be due in cash on January 31, 2017 (the “Maturity Date”) from the Obligors.

     (c) On and following January 31, 2010, so long as the Current Market Price (determined on the
date of prepayment) is greater than 200% of the Conversion Price, the Maker will have right of
early prepayment of this Note at an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate outstanding principal on
this Note. For the purposes of this Note, the “Current Market Price” on any date means the average
of the daily Closing Prices per share of Common Stock for all Trading Days included in 90
consecutive calendar days preceding the date in question. For purposes of the foregoing, (i) the
“Closing Price” shall be the last reported sales price or, if no such reported sale takes place on
any particular date, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices on the principal
exchange on which the Common Stock is listed (or if the Common Stock is not so listed, the average
of the closing bid and asked prices furnished by any two members of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as selected by Payee for such purpose) on the date in question and
(ii) “Trading Days” shall mean any day on which the market on which the Common Stock is then traded
is open for trading. Any such prepayment under this Section 2(c) shall be on 30 days advance
notice to Payee.

     3. Conversion at the Option of Payee.

     (a) At any time while any portion of the principal or interest of this Note is outstanding,
the Payee may give the Maker written notice of its intention to convert all or any portion of the
outstanding principal and/or accrued but unpaid interest on this Note into such number of shares of
the Maker’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), equal to the amount to be converted divided by the
Conversion Price in effect at such time. Upon receipt of the Payee’s written notice, the Maker
shall cause certificates representing those shares to be delivered to Payee within three business
days of Maker’s receipt of such notice. The person or persons entitled to receive the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of this Note shall be

2

 

treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the
date the applicable conversion notice is given.

     (b) The “Conversion Price” shall be $0.20 per share of Common Stock, subject to any
adjustment. The Conversion Price shall be adjusted proportionally for any subsequent stock
dividend or split, stock combination or other similar recapitalization, reclassification or
reorganization of or affecting Maker’s Common Stock. In addition, the Conversion Price shall also
be appropriately adjusted in the event that Maker issues shares of Common Stock (or issues
securities, including warrants or similar rights, entitling holders to exercise, convert or
exchange into, or otherwise subscribe for, shares of Common Stock) at a price per share less than
the Current Market Price as of the date of such issuance, as follows: the new Conversion Price
shall be reduced to equal (x) the prevailing Conversion Price (i.e., prior to any adjustment
hereunder) multiplied by (y) the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Market Value Share Number by
(b) the total number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding after giving effect to the
exercise, conversion or exchange of any rights or other derivative Company securities outstanding
(determined pro forma for the applicable issuance giving rise to the adjustment in the Conversion
Price hereunder). For purposes of the foregoing, the “Market Value Share Number” shall equal the
sum of (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding after giving effect
to the exercise, conversion or exchange of any rights or other derivative Company securities
outstanding (determined prior to the applicable issuance giving rise to the adjustment in the
Conversion Price) plus (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate consideration
received by the Company in the applicable issuance (or, in the case of the issuance of any rights
or other derivative Company securities giving rise to the adjustment in the Conversion Price
hereunder, such aggregate consideration to be received upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
any such rights or derivative Company securities) by (B) the Current Market Price. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, there shall be no adjustment in the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 3(b)
in connection with shares of Common Stock (or issues of securities, including warrants or similar
rights, entitling holders to exercise, convert or exchange into, or otherwise subscribe for, shares
of Common Stock: (i) issuable or issued to employees, consultants or directors of the Maker (or any
subsidiary thereof) in an aggregate amount representing not more than 40% of the shares of Common
Stock outstanding on the date hereof and pursuant to a stock option plan or other equity incentive
plan approved by the Board of Directors of Maker or (ii) issuable or issued in connection with bona
fide acquisitions, mergers, strategic transactions, joint ventures or similar transactions, the
terms of which are approved by the Board of Directors of Maker.

     (c) In case of a Change of Control, instead of receiving shares of Maker’s Common Stock upon
conversion of this Note, Payee shall have the right thereafter to receive the kind and amount of
shares of stock and other securities, cash and property which the Payee would have owned or have
been entitled to receive immediately after such Change of Control had the same portion of this Note
been converted immediately prior to the effective date of such Change of Control and, in any such
case, if necessary, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions set
forth in this Section with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the Payee, to the end
that the provisions set forth in this Section shall thereafter correspondingly be made applicable,
as nearly as may reasonably be, in relation to any shares of

3

 

stock and other securities, cash and property thereafter deliverable in connection with this
Note. The provisions of this subsection shall similarly apply to successive Changes of Control.

     (d) “Change of Control” means that the Maker shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more
related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Maker is the
surviving corporation) another person, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of
all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Maker to another person, (iii) allow
another person to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held
by the person or persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the persons making or
party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (iv) consummate a stock purchase agreement
or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization or
spin-off) with another person whereby such other person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other person or other
persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons making or party to,
such stock purchase agreement or other business combination); provided, however, that a transaction
in which Newcastle Partners, L.P. or any of its affiliates is the acquiring party shall not be
deemed to constitute a Change of Control.

     (e) No fractional shares of Maker’s Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Note.
In lieu of any fractional shares to which Payee would otherwise be entitled, the Maker shall pay
cash equal to the product of such fraction multiplied by the average of the closing prices of the
Common Stock on the principal exchange on which the Common Stock is listed (or the exchange on
which Maker’s Common Stock trades) for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the
date of the conversion.

     (f) In the event of an adjustment to the Conversion Price, the Maker shall promptly deliver to
the Payee a certificate, signed by its Chief Financial Officer, setting forth the new Conversion
Price and a calculation in reasonable detail of the adjustment to the Conversion Price.

     (g) The Maker shall pay any and all taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and
delivery of Common Stock upon conversion of this Note; provided that the Maker shall not be
required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any issuance of Common Stock to any
person other than the Payee or with respect to any income tax due by the Payee with respect to such
Common Stock.

     (h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note, in no event shall this
Note be converted by Payee into a number of shares of Common Stock which, when added together with
any other outstanding shares of Common Stock and any shares of Common Stock into which derivative
securities of Maker are then convertible or exercisable, exceed the maximum number of authorized
shares of Common Stock of Maker under its existing Certificate of Incorporation; provided that,
following Maker’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, if the convertibility of this Note would be
limited in any respect by the foregoing restriction (assuming for this purpose that Payee then
elected to convert the entire principal balance of the Note but without any obligation of Payee to
actually convert all or any portion of

4

 

the Note), the interest rate on the Excess Outstanding Principal Balance for purposes of Section 1 shall be increased
to the lesser of (i) 14% per annum or (ii) the highest lawful interest rate permitted by applicable
law. For purposes the foregoing, the “Excess Outstanding Principal Balance” shall mean the
principal balance of the Note, determined as of the first day of every calendar quarter, in excess
of the Convertible Principal Balance, and “Convertible Principal Balance” means the principal
balance of the Note, determined as of the first day of every calendar quarter, that converts into a
number of shares of Common Stock which, when added together with any other then outstanding shares
of Common Stock and any shares of Common Stock into which any then outstanding derivative
securities of Maker (including but not limited to all options, warrants, convertible securities and
other securities) are convertible or exercisable, results in the precise number of authorized
shares of Common Stock of Maker. Maker agrees to seek an amendment to its Certificate of
Incorporation at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (and any subsequent meeting if necessary)
to increase its authorized shares of Common Stock to permit the full convertibility of this Note
such that the foregoing restriction would not apply.

     4. Redemption Upon Change of Control. No sooner than 15 days nor later than 10 days
prior to the consummation of a Change of Control, the Maker shall deliver written notice of such
Change of Control to the Payee (a “Change of Control Notice”). At any time during the period
beginning after the Payee’s receipt of a Change of Control Notice and ending on the day immediately
preceding the consummation of such Change of Control, the Payee may require the Maker to redeem all
or any portion of this Note by delivering written notice thereof (a “Change of Control Redemption
Notice”) to the Maker, which Change of Control Redemption Notice shall indicate the portion of the
outstanding principal amount of this Note that the Payee is electing to redeem. The portion of this
Note subject to redemption pursuant to this Section 4 shall be redeemed by the Maker at a price
equal to 110% of the principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued but unpaid interest on such
principal amount (the “Change of Control Redemption Price”). Redemptions required by this Section
4 shall be made on the date of the consummation of the Change of Control and shall have priority to
payments to shareholders of the Maker in connection with such Change of Control. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 4, until the Change of Control Redemption Price is paid in
full, the principal amount submitted for redemption under this Section 4 (together with any accrued
but unpaid interest thereon) may be converted, in whole or in part, by the Payee into Common Stock
pursuant to Section 3. If the cash funds of Maker then legally available for payment of the Change
of Control Redemption Price are insufficient to pay in full the Change of Control Redemption Price,
those funds which are legally available will be used to redeem the maximum portion of this Note
subject to redemption, with the remaining portion of the Note remaining outstanding and entitled to
the rights and benefits provided for herein.

     5. Conversion On Maturity Date. On the Maturity Date, in lieu of receiving the
payment required by Section 2(b), the Payee may elect to have Maker issue to the Payee a
certificate representing such number of shares of Common Stock as is equal to the quotient obtained
by dividing the entire principal amount of this Note then outstanding, plus all accrued but unpaid
interest thereon, by the Conversion Price in effect at such time, in full satisfaction of this Note
(the “Maturity Date Conversion”). The applicable provisions of Section 3 shall apply with equal
force to the Maturity Date Conversion. In the event that the Shareholder Approval

5

 

has not then been obtained, Payee may elect to receive both (1) such number of shares as the Maker shall be permitted to issue under exchange rules in the absence of a shareholder vote
and (2) cash in lieu of any remaining principal balance.

     6. Representations of the Obligors. In order to induce the Payee to enter into this
Note, each Obligor makes the following representations and warranties to the Payee which shall be
true, correct, and complete, in all material respects, as of the date hereof and such
representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Note:

     (a) Each Obligor is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization and qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be
so qualified reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Each Obligor and
its subsidiaries have all requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every
jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such power,
authority, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and qualifications could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

     (b) The execution, delivery, and performance by such of this Note and the Loan Documents to
which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Obligor.

     (c) The execution, delivery, and performance by each Obligor of this Note and the other Loan
Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate any provision of federal, state,
or local law or regulation applicable to any Obligor, the bylaws or articles of incorporation of
any Obligor, or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other governmental authority binding
on any Obligor, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse
of time or both) a default under any material contract of any Obligor or any subsidiary thereof,
(iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any
properties or assets of any Obligor or any subsidiary thereof, other than Permitted Liens, or (iv)
require any approval of any Obligor’s interestholders or any approval or consent of any person
under any material contract of any Obligor or any subsidiary thereof, other than consents or
approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect, or as contemplated by
Section 3(h) of this Note.

     (d) This Note and the other Loan Documents to which each Obligor is a party, and all other
documents contemplated hereby and thereby, when executed and delivered by such Obligor will be the
legally valid and binding obligations of such Obligor, enforceable against such Obligor in
accordance with their respective terms.

     (e) No Material Adverse Change. All financial statements relating to Obligors and
their subsidiaries that have been delivered by Obligors to the Payee have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of
footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material
respects, Obligors’ and their subsidiaries’ financial condition as of the date thereof and results
of operations for the period then ended. Except for information otherwise known to Payee, there

6

 

has not been a Material Adverse Change with respect to Obligors and their subsidiaries since
March 31, 2008.

     (f) SkyTel Sale. The SkyTel Sale Agreements comply with, and the transactions
thereunder have been consummated in accordance with, all applicable laws. Except for the consent
of the Federal Communications Communication to transfer the wireless spectrum licenses that are
subject to the SkyTel Sale Agreements, the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of
the SkyTel Sale Agreements do not and will not require any material registration with, consent, or
approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by any governmental authority, other than
consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in full force and effect.

     7. Dividends. If, at any time while any portion of the principal or interest on the
Note is outstanding, Maker declares a distribution in cash, property (including securities) or a
combination thereof, whether by way of dividend or otherwise, with respect to its Common Stock, the
Payee shall participate pro rata in such distribution on an as-converted basis with holders of
Maker’s Common Stock.

     8. Security; Subordination. THE OBLIGATIONS DUE UNDER THIS NOTE ARE SECURED BY A
SECURITY AGREEMENT EXECUTED BY THE OBLIGORS IN FAVOR OF PAYEE. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF THE PAYEE ARE
SET FORTH IN THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. This Note will rank senior to all existing and future secured
or unsecured indebtedness of Maker; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the
Indebtedness evidenced by this Note is hereby expressly subordinated in the manner set forth in the
Intercreditor Agreement.

     9. Certain Defined Terms. The following terms in this Note shall have the meanings
specified below. Any terms in this Section 9 that are not specified below or otherwise defined in
this Note or in Purchase Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the California
Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time (the “Code”).

     “Adjusted EBITDA” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the Company’s and its’
subsidiaries’ consolidated net earnings (or loss), minus extraordinary gains and interest income,
plus interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and all non-cash charges for
such period, and excluding (x) any SkyTel EBITDA included in the calculation thereof and (y) any
gain or loss resulting from the consummation of the SkyTel Disposition in the calculation thereof,
in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

     “Agent” means Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., in its capacity as the arranger and
administrative agent for the Lenders, together with its successors and assigns, if any, in such
capacity.

     “Borrowers” means, individually and collectively, jointly and severally, Bell
Industries, Inc., a California corporation, and Bell Industries, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, and
any subsidiaries thereof.

7

 

     “Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any entity for any period, the aggregate
of all expenditures by such entity and its subsidiaries during such period that are capital
expenditures as determined in accordance with GAAP, whether such expenditures are paid in cash or
financed.

     “Capital Lease” means a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

     “Closing Date” The date that this Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note is
executed.

     “IBM Debt” means Indebtedness owed by Maker to International Business Machines
Corporation (“IBM”) in connection with those certain Agreements for Wholesale Financing entered
into prior to the Closing Date by and between Maker, on the one hand, and IBM, on the other hand.

     “Indebtedness” means (a) all obligations for borrowed money, (b) all obligations
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other
obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, interest rate swaps, or other
financial products, (c) all obligations as a lessee under capital leases, (d) all obligations or
liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of a Person or its subsidiaries, irrespective
of whether such obligation or liability is assumed, (e) all obligations to pay the deferred
purchase price of assets (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and
repayable in accordance with customary trade practices), (f) all obligations owing under hedge
agreements, and (g) any obligation guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or
indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse) any obligation of any
other Person that constitutes Indebtedness under any of clauses (a) through (f) above.

     “Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under
any provision of title 11 of the United States Code (as in effect from time to time) or under any
other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors,
formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings
seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

     “Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such Person in any
other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances, or capital
contributions (excluding (a) commission, travel, and similar advances to officers and employees of
such Person made in the ordinary course of business, and (b) bona fide Accounts arising in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), purchases or other acquisitions of
Indebtedness, capital stock, or all or substantially all of the assets of such other Person (or of
any division or business line of such other Person), and any other items that are or would be
classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     “GE Debt” means the Indebtedness owed by Maker to GE Commercial Distribution Finance
Corporation or Deutsche Financial Services Corporation in connection with those certain Agreements
for Wholesale Financing entered into prior to the Closing Date by and

8

 

between Parent, on the one hand, and GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation or Deutsch
Financial Services Corporation, on the other hand.

     “Lenders” means, individually and collectively, the lenders from time to time party to
the Senior Credit Agreement.

     “Lien” means any interest in an asset securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by,
any Person other than the owner of the asset, irrespective of whether (a) such interest is based on
the common law, statute, or contract, (b) such interest is recorded or perfected, and (c) such
interest is contingent upon the occurrence of some future event or events or the existence of some
future circumstance or circumstances. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term
“Lien” includes the Lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance,
notice of Lien, levy or assessment, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt, or from a lease, consignment, or bailment
for security purposes and also includes reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements,
rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases, and other title exceptions and
encumbrances affecting real property.

     “Loan Documents” means this Note, the Waiver and Amendment Agreement, and any other
agreement previously or in the future entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and
the Payee in connection with this Note or in connection with the amended and restated convertible
promissory note dated March 12, 2007 in the original principal amount of $10,000,000.

     “Material Adverse Change” means (a) a material adverse change in the business,
operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the Company and its
subsidiaries ability to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are
parties or of the Payee’s ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral, or (c)
a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of the Payee’s Liens with respect to the
Collateral as a result of an action or failure to act on the part of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.

     “Net Debt” means, as of the date of determination, the total Indebtedness of the
Borrowers minus the total cash and cash equivalents of the Borrowers, each determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

     “Obligations” means (a) all loans, debts, principal, interest (including any interest
that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or
allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding) owing by Borrowers to
the Payee pursuant to the Loan Documents, and (b) all liabilities, guaranties, covenants, and
duties of any kind and description owing by Borrowers to the Payee pursuant to the Loan Documents.

     “Paid in Full” means the payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt and the
termination of all commitments of the holders of the Senior Debt to extend further credit to
Borrowers, or, in the case of Senior Debt consisting of contingent obligations in respect of
letters of credit,

9

 

hedging obligations, bank product obligations, or other reimbursement obligations, the setting
apart of cash sufficient to discharge such portion of the Senior Debt in an account for the
exclusive benefit of the holders thereof, in which account such holders shall be granted a first
priority perfected security interest in a manner reasonably acceptable to such holders.

     “Permitted Dispositions” means (a) sales or other dispositions of equipment that is
substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete in the ordinary course of business, (b) sales of inventory
to buyers in the ordinary course of business, (c) the use or transfer of money or cash equivalents
in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of this Note or the other Loan Documents, (d) the
licensing, on a non-exclusive basis, of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual
property rights in the ordinary course of business, and (e) transfers or dispositions not in excess
of $500,000 for fair value and other than to any affiliate of the Company.

     “Permitted Investments” means (a) Investments in cash and cash equivalents, (b)
Investments in negotiable instruments for collection, (c) advances made in connection with
purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, (d) Investments received in
settlement of amounts due to a Borrower effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to a
Borrower as a result of insolvency proceedings involving an account debtor or upon the foreclosure
or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Borrower, and (e) loans or advances or the repayment of
loans or advances from one Borrower to another Borrower.

     “Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens held by Payee, (b) Liens for unpaid taxes,
assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that either (i) are not yet delinquent, or
(ii) do not have priority over the Payees’s Liens and the underlying taxes, assessments, or charges
or levies are the subject of Permitted Protests, (c) judgment Liens that do not otherwise
constitute an Event of Default under this Note, (d) the interests of lessors under operating
leases, (e) purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent
that such Liens or interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness, so long as (i) such Lien
attaches only to the asset purchased or acquired and the proceeds thereof, and (ii) such Lien only
secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire the asset purchased or acquired or any
Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (f) Liens arising by operation of law in favor of
warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, incurred in the
ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens
either (i) are for sums not yet delinquent, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests, (g)
Liens on amounts deposited in connection with obtaining worker’s compensation or other unemployment
insurance, (h) Liens on amounts deposited in connection with the making or entering into of bids,
tenders, or leases in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of
money, (i) Liens on amounts deposited as security for surety or appeal bonds in connection with
obtaining such bonds in the ordinary course of business, (j) with respect to any Real Property,
easements, rights of way, and zoning restrictions that do not materially interfere with or impair
the use or operation thereof; (k) Liens held by the holders of the Senior Debt; and (l) Liens in
respect of GE Debt and the IBM Debt.

     “Permitted Protest” means the right of a Borrower to protest any Lien (other than any
Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject
of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect
to such

10

 

obligation is established on the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ books and records in such
amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted
diligently by a Borrower, as applicable, in good faith, and (c) Payee is satisfied that, while any
such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority
of any of the Payee’s Liens.

     “Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the
Obligations, but including obligations under Capital Leases), incurred at the time of, or within 20
days after, the acquisition of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
acquisition cost thereof in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess
of $5,000,000.

     “Person” means natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited
partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land
trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities,
and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

     “Refinancing Indebtedness” means refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness
so long as: (a) the terms and conditions of such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not, in
Payee’s reasonable judgment, materially impair the prospects of repayment of the Obligations by
Borrowers or materially impair Borrowers’ creditworthiness, (b) such refinancings, renewals, or
extensions do not result in a material increase in the principal amount of the Indebtedness so
refinanced, renewed, or extended, (c) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a
material increase in the interest rate with respect to the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or
extended, (d) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a material shortening of
the average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, nor are they
on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are materially more burdensome or restrictive to
Borrowers, (e) if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was subordinated in
right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, renewal, or
extension must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the
Payee and the Lenders as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or extended
Indebtedness, and (f) the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended is not recourse to
any Person that is liable on account of the Obligations other than those Persons which were
obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, renewed, or extended.

     “Security Agreement” means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2007
and certain related agreements made by the Borrowers to grant Payee a security interest in the
assets of Borrowers.

     “Senior Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of January 31,
2007, by and among Borrowers, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Agent, as amended,
restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

     “Senior Debt” means all obligations (whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred,
contingent or non-contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, or primary or secondary) of Borrowers in
respect of (a) principal under the Senior Credit Agreement or any other Senior Loan Document (or
any refinancing agreement entered into with respect thereto), (b) all interest and

11

 

premium, if any, in respect of the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) above, (c) all fees
(including attorneys fees) and expenses payable pursuant to any Senior Loan Document (or a
refinancing agreement entered into with respect thereto), (d) all other Obligations (as defined in
the Senior Credit Agreement) or other payment obligations (including costs, expenses, letter of
credit reimbursement obligations, hedging obligations, bank product obligations, or otherwise) of
Borrowers to Agent or Lenders under or arising pursuant to any Senior Loan Document (or to third
persons under provisions of a refinancing agreement entered into with respect thereto), including
contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to outstanding letters of credit, all costs and
expenses incurred by Agent or any Lender in connection with its or their enforcement of any rights
or remedies under the Senior Loan Documents, including, by way of example, attorneys fees, court
costs, appraisal and consulting fees, auctioneer fees, rent, storage, insurance premiums, and like
items, and irrespective of whether allowable as a claim against Borrowers in any Insolvency
Proceeding, (e) post-petition interest on the Indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (d)
above, at the rate provided for in the instrument or agreements evidencing such Indebtedness,
accruing subsequent to the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding (whether or not such interest
is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency Proceeding), and (f) any refinancings, renewals, or
extensions of the Indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above.

     “Senior Loan Documents” means the Senior Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents
(as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement), each as amended, restated supplemented, or otherwise
modified from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, consolidating, or
otherwise restructuring (including adding subsidiaries of Borrowers thereunder) all or any portion
of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by
the same or any other agent, lender, or group and whether or not increasing the amount of
Indebtedness that may be incurred thereunder.

     “SkyTel Disposition” means the sale transaction contemplated by the Skytel Sale
Agreements.

     “SkyTel EBITDA” means, with respect to any fiscal period, Company’s consolidated net
earnings (or loss), minus extraordinary gains and interest income, plus interest expense, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization, and all non-cash charges for such period, in each case, to
the extent attributable to the results of operations of the SkyTel business which is being sold
pursuant to the Skytel Sale Agreements and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP.

     “SkyTel Sale Agreements” means the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30,
2008 and as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of June 11, 2008,
by and between Maker and Velocita Wireless LLC, and any and all other documents entered into to
give effect thereto.

     “Waiver and Amendment Agreement” means that certain Waiver and Amendment Agreement
entered into as of June 11, 2008 by and between the Obligors and Newcastle Partners, L.P.

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     10. Affirmative Covenants. Each Obligor covenants and agrees that, until termination
of all of the Obligations, the Obligors will and will cause their respective subsidiaries to:

     (a) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Comply in all respects with the requirements of
all applicable statutes, laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority, except
where contested in good faith and by proper proceedings, other than statutes, laws, rules,
regulations and orders the noncompliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (b) Licenses. Obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, franchises or other
governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its
business, except where the failure to maintain such license, permits, franchises or other
governmental authorizations, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Change.

     (c) Financial Reporting. Deliver to Payee each of the financial statements, reports,
or other items set forth on Schedule 10(c) hereto at the times specified therein. In addition, the
Company agrees that no subsidiary of the Company will have a fiscal year different from that of the
Company.

     (d) Inspection. Permit Payee and its duly authorized representatives or agents to
visit any of its properties and inspect any of its assets or books and records, to examine and make
copies of its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances, and accounts with, and to be
advised as to the same by, its officers and employees at such reasonable times and intervals as
Payee or any such Lender may designate and, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, with
reasonable prior notice to such Obligor.

     (e) Taxes. Cause all assessments and taxes, whether real, personal, or otherwise, due
or payable by, or imposed, levied, or assessed against Borrowers, their subsidiaries, or any of
their respective assets to be paid in full, before delinquency or before the expiration of any
extension period, except to the extent that the validity of such assessment or tax shall be the
subject of a Permitted Protest. Borrowers will and will cause their subsidiaries to make timely
payment or deposit of all tax payments and withholding taxes required of them by applicable laws,
including those laws concerning F.I.C.A., F.U.T.A., state disability, and local, state, and federal
income taxes, and will, upon request, furnish Payee with proof satisfactory to Payee indicating
that the applicable Borrower or subsidiary of a Borrower has made such payments or deposits.

     (f) Insurance.

          (i) At Borrowers’ expense, maintain insurance respecting their and their subsidiaries’ assets
wherever located, covering loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, and all other hazards and
risks as ordinarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses.
Borrowers also shall maintain business interruption, public liability, and product liability
insurance, as well as insurance against larceny, embezzlement, and criminal misappropriation. All
such policies of insurance shall be in such amounts and with such insurance companies as are
reasonably satisfactory to Payee. Borrowers shall deliver copies of

13

 

all such policies to Payee with an endorsement naming Payee as the sole loss payee (under a
satisfactory lender’s loss payable endorsement) or additional insured, as appropriate. Each policy
of insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause requiring the insurer to give not less than 30
days prior written notice to Payee in the event of cancellation of the policy for any reason
whatsoever.

          (ii) The Company shall give Payee prompt notice of any loss exceeding $250,000 covered by such
insurance. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers shall have the
exclusive right to adjust any losses payable under any such insurance policies which are less than
$250,000. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Payee shall
have the exclusive right to adjust any losses payable under any such insurance policies, without
any liability to Borrowers whatsoever in respect of such adjustments. In the case of any losses
payable under such insurance exceeding $250,000, Payee shall have the exclusive right to adjust any
losses payable under any such insurance policies after consulting with the Company regarding such
adjustment, without any liability to a Borrower whatsoever in respect of such adjustments;
provided, however, that the failure of Payee to so consult with the Company shall not result in a
breach by Payee of this Note

          (iii) For so long as the Obligations (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) remain
outstanding, the Obligors shall not be required to take any action under this Section 10(f) which
conflicts with the Senior Credit Agreement.

     (g) Accounting System. Maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrowers to
produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP and maintain records pertaining to the
Collateral that contain information as from time to time reasonably may be requested by Payee.
Borrowers also shall keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and
allowances with respect to their and their subsidiaries’ sales.

     (h) Maintenance of Existence. Do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect its existence as a corporation in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and in
each jurisdiction in which the nature of their respective activities and of their respective
properties (both owned and lease) makes such qualification necessary, except for those
jurisdictions in which failure to be qualified and in good standing would not have a Material
Adverse Change.

     (i) Environmental.

          (i) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep any property either owned or operated by
any Borrower or any subsidiary of a Borrower free of any liens in favor of a governmental authority
for environmental liabilities or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the
obligations or liability evidenced by such environmental liens, and

          (ii) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply, in all material respects, with
environmental laws and provide to Payee documentation of such compliance which Payee reasonably
requests.

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     (j) Formation of Subsidiaries. At the time that any Borrower forms any direct or
indirect subsidiary or acquires any direct or indirect subsidiary after the Closing Date, such
Borrower shall (a) cause such new subsidiary to provide to Payee a guaranty in a form reasonably
satisfactory to Payee (or, if such guaranty has already been provided, then provide to Payee a
joinder to the guaranty) and a joinder to the Loan Documents, together with such other security
documents (including mortgages with respect to any real property of such new subsidiary), as well
as appropriate financing statements (and with respect to all property subject to a mortgage,
fixture filings), all in form and substance satisfactory to Payee (including being sufficient to
grant Payee a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in and to the assets of such newly
formed or acquired subsidiary), provided that for so long as Senior Debt remains outstanding, upon
the granting of any guaranty pursuant to the terms hereof, Obligors shall also cause a guaranty to
be provided in favor of the Agent with respect of the holders of the Senior Debt, (b) provide to
Payee a pledge agreement and appropriate certificates and powers or financing statements,
hypothecating all of the direct or beneficial ownership interest in such new subsidiary, in form
and substance satisfactory to Payee, and (c) provide to Payee all other documentation, including
one or more opinions of counsel satisfactory to Payee, which in its opinion is appropriate with
respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above (including
policies of title insurance or other documentation with respect to all property subject to a
mortgage). Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this paragraph
shall be a Loan Document.

     (k) Further Assurances. Except to the extent prohibited by the Senior Loan Documents,
Borrowers shall execute or deliver to Payee, and shall cause their subsidiaries to execute or
deliver to Payee, any and all financing statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges,
assignments, endorsements of certificates of title, mortgages, deeds of trust, opinions of counsel,
and all other documents (collectively, the “Additional Documents”) that Payee may request in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Payee, to create, perfect, and continue perfected or to
better perfect the Payee’s Liens in all of the properties and assets of Borrowers and their
subsidiaries (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired, tangible or intangible, real or
personal), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Payee in any real property acquired by Borrowers
or their subsidiaries after the Closing Date, and in order to fully consummate all of the
transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan Documents. To the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, Borrowers authorize Payee to execute any such Additional Documents in
Borrowers’ or their subsidiaries’ names, as applicable, and authorizes Payee to file such executed
Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office.

     (l) Copyrights. Maintain the registration of each of its copyrights with the United
States Copyright Office.

     (m) In the case of the Maker, solicit the requisite approval of its shareholders at the 2008
Annual Meeting of Shareholders (and any subsequent meeting if necessary) to the amendment to the
Maker’s Articles of Incorporation in order to effect the increase to its authorized shares of
Common Stock to permit the full convertibility of this Note.

     11. Negative Covenants. Each Obligor covenants and agrees that, until termination of
all of the Obligations, the Obligors will not and will not permit any of their respective
subsidiaries to do any of the following:

15

 

     (a) Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, guarantee, or otherwise
become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness except the
following:

          (i) Senior Debt under Senior Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$10.5 million;

          (ii) Indebtedness for borrowed money that is not secured by a Lien on any assets, property or
capital stock owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$500,000;

          (iii) Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of
such Indebtedness;

          (iv) endorsement of instruments or other payment items for deposit;

          (v) Indebtedness composing Permitted Investments;

          (vi) Indebtedness that is subject to a subordination agreement that has been approved in
writing by Payee or otherwise subordinate to the Obligations as a matter of law;

          (vii) Accounts payable and related accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice; and

          (viii) GE Debt and IBM Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time.

     (b) Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to
any of its assets or property of any character, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any
income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.

     (c) Material Asset Sales. Sell, lease, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any
of its assets or property including securities (collectively, a “Transfer”), whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except Permitted Dispositions.

     (d) Mergers, Etc. (i) enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or
recapitalization, other than any transaction constituting a Change of Control; provided that the
foregoing carveout shall not apply if Payee elects to require a redemption of the Note under
Section 4 but the cash funds then legally available to Maker are insufficient to pay in full the
Change of Control Redemption Price, (ii) reclassify its capital stock, (iii) liquidate, wind up, or
dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), (iv) suspend or go out of a substantial
portion of its or their business, or (v) change any Borrower’s name, organizational identification
number, state of organization or organizational identity; provided, however, that a Borrower may
change its name upon at least 15 days prior written notice to Payee of such change and so long as
such Borrower provides any financing statements necessary to perfect and continue perfected the
Payee’s Liens.

16

 

     (e) Prepayments and Amendments. Except in connection with Refinancing Indebtedness
permitted by this Note or as otherwise set forth in the Waiver and Amendment Agreement, make any
payment on account of Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment if
such payment is not permitted at such time under the subordination terms and conditions.

     (f) Distributions. Make any distribution or declare or pay any dividends (in cash or
other property, other than common stock) on, or purchase, acquire, redeem, or retire any of any
Borrower’s stock, of any class, whether now or hereafter outstanding.

     (g) Investments. Except for Permitted Investments, directly or indirectly, make or
acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in
connection with any Investment; provided, however, that a Borrower shall not have Permitted
Investments in deposit accounts or securities accounts in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000
at any one time unless such Borrower and the applicable securities intermediary or bank have
entered into a control agreement with Payee governing such Permitted Investments in order to
perfect (and further establish) the Payee’s Liens in such Permitted Investments.

     (h) Inactive Subsidiaries. Permit any of the inactive subsidiaries to own any assets,
incur any liabilities, or engage in any business activity.

     12. Financial Covenants. Bell California, on a consolidated basis, covenants and
agrees that, until termination of all of the Obligations, the Obligors will not and will not permit
any of their respective subsidiaries to do any of the following:

     (a) Minimum Adjusted EBITDA. As of any date of determination from and after April 1,
2008, if Borrowers do not have Net Debt in an amount less than $4,000,000 at all times during the
most recently completed fiscal quarter, then Borrowers shall not fail to achieve Adjusted EBITDA,
measured on a quarter-end basis, of at least the required amount set forth in the following table
for the applicable period set forth opposite thereto (and the failure to do so shall be deemed an
Event of Default):

	 	 	 
	Applicable Amount	 	Applicable Period
	$(1,234,000)

	 	For the 3 month period ending

March 31, 2008
	$(1,246,000)

	 	For the 6 month period ending

June 30, 2008
	$(200,000)

	 	For the 9 month period ending

September 30, 2008
	$(839,000)

	 	For the 12 month period ending

December 31, 2008
	$(750,000)

	 	For the 12 month period ending

March 31, 2009

17

 

	 	 	 
	Applicable Amount	 	Applicable Period
	$(500,000)

	 	For the 12 month period ending

June 30, 2009
	$(150,000)

	 	For the 12 month period ending

September 30, 2009
	$150,000

	 	For the 12 month period ending

December 31, 2009
	$350,000

	 	For the 12 month period ending

March 31, 2010
	$550,000

	 	For the 12 month period ending

June 30, 2010
	$750,000

	 	For the 12 month period ending

September 30, 2010
	$950,000

	 	For the 12 month period ending

December 31, 2010 and

for each 12 month period

ending as of the last day of

each fiscal quarter thereafter

     (b) Capital Expenditures. Make Capital Expenditures in any fiscal year in excess of
the amount set forth in the following table for the applicable period without the prior written
consent of Payee:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	Fiscal Year 2010 and
	Fiscal Year 2008	 	Fiscal Year 2009	 	thereafter
	$2,400,000
	 	$	1,500,000	 	 	$	1,500,000	 

     13. Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall
constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”), upon which Payee may declare the
entire principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued but unpaid interest, to be
immediately due and payable in cash:

     (a) The Obligors shall fail to make any payment of principal (including, but not limited to,
upon any conversion pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the maturity of the Note) and/or accrued but
unpaid interest (at the applicable rate) on the Note when due and payable, and such failure, in the
case of any interest payment, shall continue for a period of at least five business days.

18

 

     (b) The Obligors shall fail to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in
any of Sections 11 and 12 of this Note or Section 6 of the Security Agreement;

     (c) The Obligors shall be in material default of any term or provision of this Note (other
than any such term that is the subject of another provision of this Section 13, in which event such
other provision of this Section 13 shall govern), the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement (as that term is defined in the Purchase Agreement), the Security Agreement, the Senior
Loan Agreement and the Waiver and Amendment Agreement, and such failure shall continue through 15
days after Payee gives written notice of such material default to Maker.

     (d) Any representation or warranty of the Maker contained in this Note shall have been false
in any material respect on the Closing Date.

     (e) Maker or any of its subsidiaries shall (i)(A) fail to make any payment when due under the
terms of any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness, including the Senior Debt, to
be paid by such Person (excluding this Note but including any other evidence of indebtedness of
Maker or any of its subsidiaries to the Payee) and such failure shall continue beyond any period of
grace provided with respect thereto, or (B) default in the observance or performance of any other
agreement, term or condition contained in any such bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
indebtedness, and (ii) in each case, the effect of such failure or default is to cause, or permit
the holder or holders thereof to cause, indebtedness in an aggregate amount of one million dollars
($1,000,000) or more to become due prior to its stated date of maturity, unless such acceleration
shall have been rescinded and such failure to pay cured within thirty (30) days from the date of
such acceleration.

     (f) A final judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of one million dollars
($1,000,000) (exclusive of amounts covered by insurance issued by an insurer not an affiliate of
Maker) shall be rendered against the Maker or any of its subsidiaries and the same shall remain
undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days during which execution shall not be effectively
stayed, or any judgment, writ, assessment, warrant of attachment, or execution or similar process
shall be issued or levied against a substantial part of the property of the Maker or any of its
subsidiaries and such judgment, writ, or similar process shall not be released, stayed, vacated or
otherwise dismissed within thirty (30) days after issue or levy.

     (g) If any Obligor or any subsidiary of an Obligor is enjoined, restrained, or in any way
prevented by court order from continuing to conduct all or any material part of its business
affairs.

     (h) If a binding arbitration or final judgment or order renders that (i) any Obligor is in
default of the SkyTel Sale Agreements that causes an order for the payment of greater than five
hundred thousand ($500,000), or (ii) any Obligor must pay an indemnity claim of greater than five
hundred thousand ($500,000) under the SkyTel Sale Agreements, and such claim shall remain
undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days.

19

 

     (i) Any Liens of Payee in any of the assets of Maker or its subsidiaries shall cease to be or
shall not be valid and perfected Liens or the Maker or any subsidiary shall assert that such Liens
are not valid and perfected Liens.

     (j) The Maker or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to or within the meaning of Title 11, U.S.
Code, or any similar federal, foreign or state law for the relief of debtors (collectively,
“Bankruptcy Law”), (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for
relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
assignee, liquidator or similar official (a “Custodian”), (iv) makes a general assignment for the
benefit of its creditors or (v) admits in writing that it is generally unable to pay its debts as
they become due.

     (k) A court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that
(i) is for relief against the Maker or any of its subsidiaries in an involuntary case, (ii)
appoints a Custodian of the Maker or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) orders the liquidation of the
Maker or any of its subsidiaries.

     Without limiting the above, the Maker acknowledges that payments (including but not limited to
upon conversion of this Note) on the various scheduled due dates are of essence and that any
failure to timely make any applicable payment of the principal or interest (within any permitted
grace period) permits Payee to declare this Note immediately due in cash in its entirety without
any prior notice of any kind to Maker, except for the specific notices provided above. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the interest rate under this Note
shall be increased to the lesser of (a) sixteen percent (16%) or (b) the highest lawful interest
rate permitted by applicable law. In the event that such event of default is subsequently cured,
the adjustment referred to in the preceding sentence shall cease to be effective as of the date of
such cure; provided that the interest as calculated and unpaid at such increased rate during the
continuance of such event of default shall continue to apply to the extent relating to the days
after the occurrence of such event of default through and including the date of cure of such event
of default.

     14. Applicable Law; Forum. THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS NOTE
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF
LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. EACH OF PAYEE AND MAKER CONSENTS TO SUBMIT TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE, AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY
BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND AGREES NOT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE IN ANY OTHER COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT AGREES
NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF RELATING TO THIS NOTE THAT THE VENUE IS
IMPROPER, AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT AND WAIVES ANY BOND, SURETY OR OTHER SECURITY THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF ANY
OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT THERETO.

20

 

     15. Waivers. The Maker hereby waives presentment for payment, notice of dishonor,
protest and notice of payment and all other demands and notices of any kind in connection with the
enforcement of this Note. Any provision of this Note may be amended, waived or modified upon the written consent of Maker and Payee. No failure or delay on the part of the Payee in
the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or
further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.

     16. Effect of Shareholder Vote. No term of this Note shall be modified or voided as a
result of any vote of the Company’s shareholders (or failure to obtain any such vote) unless the
approval of the Company’s shareholders is required by state law to make such term of this Note
effective.

     17. No Setoffs. The Maker shall pay (and, if applicable, this Note shall
automatically accrete in respect of) principal and interest under the Note without any deduction
for any setoff or counterclaim.

     18. Costs of Collection. If this Note is not paid when due, the Maker shall pay
Payee’s reasonable costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

     19. Notices. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, such notice
shall be given in accordance with Section 7.7 of the Purchase Agreement.

     20. Transferability. This Note shall be transferable by Payee. Neither this Note,
nor any obligations hereunder, shall be assignable by Maker without Payee’s express written
consent.

     21. Inspection Rights. The Holder and its representatives shall have the right, at
any time during normal business hours, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect the
properties of Maker and its corporate, financial and operating records, and make abstracts
therefrom.

     22. Severability. The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of one or more of
the provisions of this Note in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or
enforceability of the remainder of this Note in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or
enforceability of this Note, including any such provision, in any other jurisdiction, it being
intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law. Payee does not agree or intend to contract for, charge, collect,
take, reserve or receive any amount in the nature of interest or otherwise which would in any way
or event (including demand, prepayment or acceleration) cause Payee to collect more on its loan
that the maximum amount Payee would be permitted to charge or collect by federal law or the law of
the State of Texas (as applicable). Any such excess interest shall instead of anything to the
contrary, be applied first to reduce the outstanding principal balance of this Note, and when the
principal balance has been paid in full, be refunded to Maker.

     23. This Note is a replacement, consolidation, amendment and restatement of the amended and
restated convertible promissory note by Maker to Payee dated March 12, 2007 in

21

 

the original
principal amount of $10,000,000 (the “Prior Note”) and IS NOT A NOVATION. Maker shall also pay,
and this Note shall also evidence, any and all unpaid interests on all outstanding principal
pursuant to the Prior Note, and at the interest rate specified therein, for which this Note has been issued as replacement therefor. Payee confirms that the
representations and warranties made in Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement are true and correct as
of the date hereof with respect to this Note and the securities underlying this Note.

(SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS)

22

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Obligors have hereunto affixed their signatures.

	 	 	 	 	 
	BELL INDUSTRIES, INC., a California corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	By

	 	/s/ Kevin Thimjon	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	Its

	 	President and Chief Executive Office	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	BELL INDUSTRIES, INC., a Minnesota corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	By

	 	/s/ Kevin Thimjon	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	Its

	 	President and Chief Executive Office	 	 

23exv10w3

Exhibit 10.3

WAIVER AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS WAIVER AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 13th day of
June, 2008, by and between Bell Industries, Inc., a California corporation (“Bell California”), and
Bell Industries, Inc., a Minnesota Corporation (“Bell Minnesota, and together with Bell California,
the “Company”), on the one hand, and Newcastle Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (the
“Noteholder”), on the other hand.

     WHEREAS, the Company issued to Noteholder a $10,000,000 convertible promissory note on January
31, 2007, which note was amended and restated on March 12, 2007 (the convertible promissory note,
as amended, the “Note”);

     WHEREAS, the Company and Noteholder entered into a Security Agreement dated March 12, 2007
(the “Security Agreement”) and certain related agreements granting Noteholder a security interest
in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) to secure the Company’s obligations under
the Note;

     WHEREAS, the Company has previously entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Velocita
Wireless LLC, which agreement is set forth hereto as Exhibit A (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) to
sell certain material assets of the Company, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby by the Company would constitute a breach of, inter alia, Sections 10(c) and 11 of the Note
and a breach of the Security Agreement, respectively (collectively, the “Defaults”) but for the
execution of this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Company is also considering future transactions;

     WHEREAS, the Company seeks a forbearance and waiver from Noteholder under the Note and the
Security Agreement with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement
and for certain of such future transactions;

     WHEREAS, the Company also seeks an additional waiver under the Note that would permit the
Company, for a period of ninety (90) days following the date hereof, to prepay all outstanding
amounts owing under the Note without penalty or premium;

     WHEREAS, in consideration of the granting of the foregoing waiver, forbearance and limited
prepayment right, and for the other benefits the Company is receiving under this Agreement, the
Company proposes to enter into, upon the consummation of the transactions set forth in the Asset
Purchase Agreement a certain Amended Note (as hereinafter defined, the form of which is set forth
hereto as Exhibit B); and

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has formed a special committee consisting of
directors unaffiliated with Noteholder for the purpose of reviewing, negotiating and approving the
terms of this Agreement and the Amended Note on behalf of the Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises hereinafter
set forth, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

 

SECTION 1. WAIVER AND FORBEARANCE

     1.1 Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.1, Noteholder hereby grants the Company
a waiver of the Defaults for the limited purpose of permitting the Company to consummate all of the
transactions under and contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Transaction Waiver”).
The Transaction Waiver shall not be effective until each of the conditions in Section 2.1 hereof
have been fulfilled.

     1.2 The Company represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that the Transaction Waiver
shall be required in order for the Company to consummate the transactions set forth in the Asset
Purchase Agreement.

     1.3 The Transaction Waiver is not a continuing waiver of Sections 10(c) and 11 of the Note
(or the Amended Note) or any other provisions of the Note (or the Amended Note), or any provisions
of the Security Agreement, and shall apply solely in respect of the transactions expressly set
forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Transaction Waiver shall
not apply to any amendment, modification or waiver of the Asset Purchase Agreement or in respect of
any transactions contemplated by any Asset Purchase Agreement as amended, modified or waived.

     1.4 The Transaction Waiver shall be revoked in the event the Company breaches (or determines
to breach at or prior to the closing under the Asset Purchase Agreement) any of its other
obligations under this Agreement.

SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF FOOTHILL FACILITY AND AMENDMENT OF NOTE

     2.1 The effectiveness of the Transaction Waiver described in Section 1 shall be subject to
the following conditions set forth in Sections 2.1(a), (b) and (c) below:

	 	(a)	 	The Company shall have received consent from Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc.
(including any successor or assignee, “Foothill”) under the Company’s financing
agreements with Foothill for the actions contemplated in this Agreement, to the extent
such consent is required thereunder.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Noteholder shall have entered into an amendment of the Intercreditor and
Subordination Agreement dated as of January 31, 2007 with Foothill, as amended,
restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time (the “Intercreditor
Agreement”), which amendment shall provide Noteholder with the right to purchase
Foothill’s entire interest in the Company’s financing agreements with Foothill
substantially upon the terms set forth in the amendment to the Intercreditor Agreement
attached hereto.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 2.2 below.

     2.2 Concurrently with the consummation of the transactions under the Asset Purchase Agreement
and upon execution of this Agreement, the Company shall issue to Noteholder an amended Note on
substantially the terms set forth on Exhibit B hereto (the “Amended Note”),

2

 

which Amended Note, when executed, shall amend and supersede the existing Note. Upon issuance
of the Amended Note, the existing Note shall be returned to the Company and shall be cancelled.
The Amended Note, upon issuance, shall be subject to the terms of Section 3 hereto. For the
avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto agree that in the event that the transactions contemplated
by the Asset Purchase Agreement are not consummated, then the Company shall have no obligation to
issue the Amended Note.

     2.3 Upon issuance of the Amended Note hereunder, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i)
all references to the “Note” under the prior transaction and security agreements (including the
Security Agreement) (collectively, the “Security Agreements”) executed by the Company and
Noteholder shall be deemed to refer to the Amended Note and (ii) all references to “Registrable
Shares” under the Registration Rights Agreement dated January 31, 2007 entered into by the Company
and Noteholder (and any other agreement or instrument executed in connection therewith where such
term applies) shall be deemed to include all shares issuable under the Amended Note. The foregoing
supersedes any contrary or inconsistent provision in documents executed by the parties.

SECTION 3. LIMITED PREPAYMENT RIGHT

     3.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in the Amended Note, the
Noteholder hereby agrees that, for a period of ninety (90) days following the date hereof (the
“Prepayment Period”) (i) the Company shall have the right to prepay all amounts outstanding under
the Amended Note at 105% (the “Applicable Prepayment Premium Rate”) of the aggregate outstanding
principal under the Amended Note, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon and (ii) the Noteholder
shall not have the right to convert the Amended Note into the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to
the provisions therein. The foregoing shall operate as a limited waiver of any contrary provisions
set forth in the Amended Note. Upon expiration of the Prepayment Period, the Company’s prepayment
right as set forth herein and this limited waiver of the prepayment restriction shall terminate,
and the Company’s rights with respect to prepayment shall be solely as set forth in the Amended
Note .

     3.2 Noteholder agrees that, during the Prepayment Period, Noteholder shall (i) if proceeds
from the issuance of securities are used to prepay Noteholder in full, waive any pre-emptive right
it has to acquire any of the Company’s securities triggered by such issuance and (ii) cooperate
with the Company in the Company’s efforts to obtain permanent debt financing in replacement of the
financing under the Amended Note (the “Replacement Financing”). Noteholder and its representatives
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the closing of any such Replacement
Financing during the Prepayment Period, including execution of customary payoff letters and lien
releases.

SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL WAIVER.

Subject to the conditions set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement, Noteholder hereby grants the
Company a waiver of breaches under Sections 11(c) and 13 of the Amended Note and breaches under the
Security Agreement (the “Additional Transaction Defaults”) for the limited purpose of permitting
the Company to consummate a potential sale of the assets set forth Schedule A (the “Additional
Transaction Waiver”). The Additional Transaction Waiver shall

3

 

not be effective unless and until each of the conditions on Schedule A have been fulfilled. The
Additional Transaction Waiver is not a continuing waiver of Sections 11(c) and 13 of the Amended
Note or any other provisions of the Amended Note, or any provisions of the Security Agreement, and
shall apply solely in respect of a sale of the assets set forth on Schedule A which is undertaken
in manner consistent with the conditions set forth on Schedule A. The Company represents,
warrants, acknowledges and agrees that the Additional Transaction Waiver shall be required in order
for the Company to consummate the disposal of the assets set forth on Schedule A.

SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

The Company makes the following representations and warranties to the Noteholder, each of which
Noteholder has relied upon in entering into this Agreement:

     5.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Bell California and Bell Minnesota are
corporations duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California and the State of Minnesota, respectively. The Company has all requisite corporate power
and authority to own and operate its respective properties and assets and to carry on its
respective business as presently conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. The Company
has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other
agreements or instruments delivered or deliverable in connection herewith (collectively, the “2008
Transaction Documents”) including but not limited to the Amended Note when executed and to carry
out the provisions of the 2008 Transaction Documents. Each of the Company and their respective
subsidiaries are duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its respective activities and of its respective properties
(both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which
failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business,
taken as a whole.

     5.2 Capitalization. Bell California is authorized to issue 35,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, of which 8,650,224 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock, of which no shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.
Bell Minnesota is authorized to issue 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,500 shares of
Class B Common Stock, $100.00 par value per share, of which 3,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
and 2,047 shares of Class B Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of which are owned by Bell
California. Except as set forth in Bell California’s current, quarterly, annual and other periodic
filings, including the exhibits thereto (the “SEC Reports”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”), there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
acquire any of the Company’s capital stock, or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable
for the Company’s capital stock or for securities themselves convertible, exercisable or
exchangeable for the Company’s capital stock (together, “Convertible Securities”). Except as set
forth in the SEC Reports, the Company has no agreement or commitment to sell or issue any shares of
capital stock or Convertible Securities. All issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s
capital stock (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued, (ii) are fully paid and
nonassessable, (iii) subject to the rights of Noteholder, are free from any preemptive and
cumulative voting rights and (iv) were issued pursuant to an effective registration statement filed
with the Commission and applicable state securities

4

 

authorities or pursuant to valid exemptions under federal and state securities laws. Except
as set forth in the SEC Reports, there are no outstanding rights of first refusal or proxy or
shareholder agreements of any kind relating to any of the Company’s securities to which the Company
or any of its executive officers and directors is a party or as to which the Company otherwise has
knowledge. When issued in compliance with the provisions of the Amended Note, and subject to any
required amendment to Bell California’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares
thereto in order to satisfy the conversion provisions of the Amended Note (the “Articles
Amendment”), as the case may be, the shares issuable thereunder will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable, and will be free of any liens or encumbrances; provided, however, that such
shares may be subject to restrictions on transfer under state and/or federal securities laws as set
forth herein or as otherwise required by such laws at the time a transfer is proposed.

     5.3 Authorization; Binding Obligations. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its
officers and directors (including a special committee of independent directors) necessary for the
authorization of the 2008 Transaction Documents and the performance of all obligations of the
Company hereunder and thereunder, including the authorization, sale, issuance and delivery of
shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Amended Note, as the case maybe, has been taken,
and no further corporate action is required to be taken, subject to the Articles Amendment. The
2008 Transaction Documents, when duly executed and delivered by the Company, will be legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
terms. The issuance of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Amended Note is not and will
not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal. The Amended Note upon its
execution and issuance under Section 2.2 hereof (including Bell California’s obligation to issue
shares of Common Stock upon conversion of any or all principal amounts thereunder), shall continue
to be a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their terms. The security interests granted by the Company to Noteholder pursuant to the
Security Agreements continue to be a valid and enforceable security interests in the Collateral (as
defined in the Security Agreement) in favor of Noteholder securing all obligations of the Company
under the Amended Note.

     5.4 No Violation or Conflicts. The execution and delivery of, and the performance of and
compliance with the transactions contemplated by, the 2008 Transaction Documents, and the issuance
of shares of common stock upon conversion of the Amended Note, as the case may be, will not, with
or without the passage of time or giving of notice or both, result in any material violation of law
or agreement, or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any such material term, or
result in the creation of any material mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or charge upon any of
the properties or assets of the Company or any subsidiary or the suspension, revocation,
impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable
to the Company or any subsidiary, the business or operations of the Company or any subsidiary or
any of the assets or properties of the Company or any subsidiary.

     5.5 Governmental Consents. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to
or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution,
delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement.

5

 

SECTION 6. GOVERNANCE

     6.1 Following issuance of the Amended Note, so long as either (a) at any time, Noteholder
beneficially owns greater than 50% (which shall be deemed to include, for the avoidance of doubt,
all shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Amended Note) of the shares of
Common Stock outstanding or (b) greater than 50% of the initial principal amount of the Amended
Note remains outstanding, Bell California agrees to appoint to its Board of Directors at any time
in Noteholder’s discretion, and subject to the requirements of applicable federal and California
law (including but not limited to Rule 14f-1 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended), such number of director designees of Noteholder (each, a Designee) such that
Designees constitute 50% of the then outstanding current members of Bell California’s Board of
Directors (or, if the number of members of the Board of Directors is an odd integer, such number of
Designees shall be the lowest integer that is greater than 50% of the then outstanding members),
and Noteholder shall have the right in its sole discretion to designate to Bell any replacement for
any Designee, including to designate to Bell any director to fill any vacancy created by the
removal, death, retirement or disqualification (or other cause) of any Designee. The parties
hereto agree and acknowledge that Clinton Coleman and Mark Schwarz are Designees of Noteholder.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.7(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement (as defined below), Bell
California agrees to take any and all action necessary to ensure that promptly following any change
in the size of Bell California’s Board of Directors and/or the election or appointment of any
additional members to Bell California’s Board of Directors, Bell California is in compliance with
the foregoing sentence. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of the provisions of this Section
6.1 only, during the Prepayment Period, Noteholder shall not be deemed to beneficially own Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Amended Note, as the case may be.

     6.2 The rights set forth in Section 6.1 hereof shall be in addition to the rights set forth
in Section 6.7 of that certain Purchase Agreement dated January 31, 2007 between Bell California
and Noteholder (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), all of which rights remain in full force and
effect. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto agree that in the event that the
transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement are not consummated, the rights set forth
in Section 6.1 shall terminate.

SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS

     7.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas,
without regard to conflicts of law principles. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT CONSENTS TO
SUBMIT TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN
RESPECT OF THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND AGREES NOT
TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY OTHER COURT.
EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT
OF RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT THAT THE VENUE IS IMPROPER, AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF INCONVENIENT
FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING

6

 

SO BROUGHT AND WAIVES ANY BOND, SURETY OR OTHER SECURITY THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF ANY OTHER
PARTY WITH RESPECT THERETO.

     7.2 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions
hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs,
executors and administrators of the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon, and be enforceable by each person who shall be a holder of the Note (or the Amended
Note, as applicable). The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Noteholder. The Noteholder may assign some or
all of its rights hereunder without the consent of the Company in connection with a transfer by the
Noteholder of the Note (or Amended Note, as applicable); provided that any such assignee or
transferee shall be subject to the provisions herein as a Noteholder.

     7.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto
constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the
subjects hereof and thereof and no party shall be liable or bound to the other in any manner by any
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, except as specifically set forth herein and
therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties understand and agree that, other than with
respect to the Note (which shall be superseded by the Amended Note), the agreements executed by the
parties in connection with the Note Purchase Agreement (including but not limited to the Note
Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement), and all rights thereunder, shall remain
effective.

     7.4 Severability. The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of one or more of the
provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or
enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or
enforceability of this Agreement, including any such provision, in any other jurisdiction, it being
intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law.

     7.5 Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and any provision
hereunder may be waived, only upon the written consent of the Company and the Noteholder.

     7.6 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be
made in writing and shall be deemed given (i) when made if made by hand delivery, (ii) one business
day after being deposited with an overnight courier if made by courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery, (iii) on the date indicated on the notice of receipt if made by first-class mail, return
receipt requested or (iv) on the date of confirmation of receipt of transmission by facsimile,
addressed as follows:

	 	(a)	 	if to the Company, at
	 
	 	 	 	Bell Industries, Inc.

8888 Keystone Crossing

Suite 1700

Indianapolis, Indiana 46240

7

 

	 	 	 	Facsimile: (317) 715-6816

Attention: Chief Financial Officer
	 
	 	 	 	with a copy to:
	 
	 	 	 	Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

11355 West Olympic Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90064

Facsimile: (310) 914-5712

Attention: Mark Kelson, Esq.
	 
	 	(b)	 	if to the Noteholder, in care of:
	 
	 	 	 	Newcastle Partners, L.P.

200 Crescent Court, Suite 1400

Dallas, TX 75201

Facsimile: (214) 661-7475

Attention: Evan D. Stone, Esq.
	 
	 	 	 	with a copy to:
	 
	 	 	 	Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP

Park Avenue Tower

65 East 55th Street

New York, NY 10022

Attn: Steve Wolosky, Esq.

     7.7 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold the Noteholder
harmless against any loss, liability, damage or expense (including reasonable legal fees and costs)
that the Noteholder shall suffer, sustain or become subject to as a result of or in connection with
the breach by the Company of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company
contained in any of the 2008 Transaction Documents; provided, however, that no indemnification
shall be required hereunder for the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Noteholder or
breach by the Noteholder of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6
hereof. In case any such action is brought against the Noteholder, the Company will be entitled to
participate in and assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Noteholder, and after notice from the Company to the Noteholder of its election to assume the
defense thereof, the Company shall not be responsible for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by the Noteholder in connection with the defense thereof; provided, that if the Noteholder
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses available to the
Noteholder which conflict in any material respect with those available to the Company, the Company
shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the Noteholder and the
Company shall reimburse the Noteholder for that portion of the fees and expenses of one counsel
retained by the Noteholder.

     7.8 Release. In consideration of the agreements of Noteholder contained herein and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Company, on behalf of itself and its successors, assigns, and other legal

8

 

representatives, hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably releases, remises and
forever discharges Noteholder and its successors and assigns, predecessors, subsidiaries, partners
(including limited partners), directors, officers, attorneys, employees, agents and other
representatives (all such other Persons being hereinafter referred to collectively as the
“Releasees” and individually as a “Releasee”), of and from all claims, demands, actions, causes of
action, suits, and all other claims, counterclaims, defenses, rights of set-off, demands and
liabilities whatsoever (individually, a “Claim” and collectively, “Claims”) of every name and
nature, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, both at law and in equity, which Company or any
of its successors, assigns, or other legal representatives may now or hereafter own, hold, have or
claim to have against the Releasees or any of them for, upon, or by reason of any circumstance,
action, cause or thing whatsoever which arises at any time on or prior to the day and date of this
Agreement and relating to (a) the transactions contemplated by the Note or the Amended Note or
actions taken by Releasees in connection therewith (including but not limited to the negotiation
and execution of the Note or the Amended Note) or (b) Noteholder’s capacity as a creditor or
stockholder of the Company. The foregoing release shall not apply with respect to violations or
breaches of any state or federal securities laws unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the
Note or the Amended Note (it being understood that the foregoing release shall not release
Releasees in respect of breaches of representations under the Note or the Amended Note), or fraud
or willful misconduct committed by any Releasee.

     7.9 Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed,
all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements,
certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to
carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, to enable the full conversion of
the Amended Note.

     7.10 Expenses. The Company agrees to pay or reimburse the Noteholder for its reasonable
legal fees and expenses incurred by Noteholder in connection with the negotiation and execution of
the 2008 Transaction Documents and any and all expenses that Noteholder may incur after the date
hereof in connection with the granting of any waiver with respect to, the modification of any of
the terms or provisions of, or the enforcement of any of the 2008 Transaction Documents.

     7.11 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of the Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

     7.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be delivered via facsimile or other means of
electronic communication, and may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original,
but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

[Signature Page Follows]

9

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto affixed their signatures.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Bell Industries, Inc.,	 	 	 	Newcastle Partners, L.P.
	a California corporation	 	 	 	By: Newcastle Capital
Management, L.P.

 its General
Partner
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Kevin Thimjon	 	 	 	/s/ Evan Stone
	 	 	 	 	 
	By

	 	Kevin Thimjon
	 	 	 	By
	 	Evan Stone
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Its

	 	President and Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 	Its
	 	General Counsel
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Bell Industries, Inc.,	 	 	 	 	 	 
	a Minnesota corporation	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Kevin Thimjon	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By

	 	Kevin Thimjon	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Its

	 	President and Chief Executive Officer	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

10

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