Document:

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                                 EXHIBIT 10.17

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of May 3, 2000, by and between DuPont Photomasks, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Peter Kirlin, an individual ("Executive").

                                   RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company desires to hire Executive and Executive desires to become
employed by the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have determined that it is in their
respective best interest to enter into this Agreement on the terms and
conditions as set forth herein.

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

                                   AGREEMENT

1.        EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND DUTIES

1.1       EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby
accepts employment by the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement.

1.2       DUTIES. Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Company and shall report solely to the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors"). Executive shall have the
authority, and perform the duties customarily associated with, his titles and
offices together with such additional duties of a senior executive nature and
commensurate with his titles as may from time to time be assigned by the Board
of Directors. The Company shall recommend Executive for election to the Board of
Directors immediately after the Hire Date (defined below). During the Employment
Term (as defined herein), Executive shall devote his full working time and
efforts to the performance of his duties and the furtherance of the legitimate
business interests of the Company and shall not be otherwise employed.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Executive may serve
as a director for ATMI, Inc. ("ATMI") if requested to do so, provided that (i)
Executive must inform the Board of Directors if a conflict of interest arises as
a result of his service on the ATMI Board of Directors and (ii) Executive will
resign from the ATMI Board of Directors if requested by the Board of Directors
due to conflict of interest. Executive may also serve as a director or trustee
of other organizations, or engage in charitable, civic and/or governmental
activities provided that such service and activities do not prevent Executive
from performing the duties required of Executive under this Agreement and
further provided that Executive obtains written consent for all such activities
from the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Executive may
engage in personal activities, including, without limitation, personal
investments, provided that such activities do not interfere with Executive's
performance of his duties hereunder and/or the provisions of Executive's written
agreements with the Company.

1.3       TERM. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 below, the term of
employment of Executive under this Agreement shall commence on May 3, 2000, (the
"Hire Date") and shall continue for a period of three (3) years (the "Initial
Term"). This Agreement, and Executive's employment hereunder, may be terminated
if the Board of Directors provides Executive, or Executive provides the Board of
Directors, with written notice of termination at least three (3) months prior to
the end of the Initial Term. If neither party elects to terminate prior to
completion of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew (the
"Renewal Term" and together with the Initial Term, the "Employment Term") and
may only be terminated under Section 1.6.

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1.4       COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

1.4.1     BASE SALARY. In consideration of the services rendered to the Company
hereunder by Executive and Executive's covenants hereunder and in the Company's
Confidentiality, Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (the
"Confidentiality Agreement", attached hereto as Annex A), the Company shall,
during the Employment Term, pay Executive a salary at the annual rate of Three
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) (the "Base Salary"), less statutory
deductions and withholdings, payable in equal installments in accordance with
the Company's regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly.
The Company will review the Base Salary, for increase, not decrease, as part of
the next annual performance review in August 2001. The Company agrees to pay the
Base Salary retroactive to May 1, 2000.

1.4.2     THE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. Pursuant to the Company's standard bonus
plan, Executive will be entitled to an annual target bonus opportunity of up to
seventy-five percent (75%) of Base Salary ("the Incentive Compensation"), with
the actual Incentive Compensation payable to be based upon Executive's
performance and the size of the bonus pool as determined by the Board of
Directors. The Incentive Compensation will be paid each year after the close of
the fiscal year, per the normal Company schedule. No Incentive Compensation will
be payable for fiscal year 2000, which ends on June 30, 2000. The Incentive
Compensation available to Executive under this section can range between zero
percent (0%) and one hundred fifty percent (150%) of Base Salary.

1.4.3     BENEFITS PACKAGE. In addition to the Base Salary, during the
Employment Term, Executive shall receive such employee benefits and holidays as
may be in effect from time to time as are afforded to other senior executives of
the Company. Such current benefits are described briefly on Annex B, attached
hereto.

1.4.4     VACATION. Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks' paid vacation
each year of the Employment Term.

1.4.5     EXPENSES. The Company shall, upon receipt from Executive of supporting
receipts to the extent required by applicable income tax regulations and the
Company's reimbursement policies, reimburse Executive for all out-of-pocket
business expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with his
employment hereunder, as approved by the Company's Chief Financial Officer or
other officer designated by the Board of Directors.

1.4.6     RELOCATION EXPENSES. The Company shall reimburse Executive in
accordance with the Company's Relocation Policy (the "Relocation Policy",
attached as Annex C). The Company will (a) reimburse Executive for expenses for
up to six (6) months for temporary living costs up to a maximum of Thirty Five
Thousand Dollars ($35,000) and (b) for unlimited coach round trips home for both
Executive and Executive's spouse during the first three (3) months after the
Hire Date.

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1.5       STOCK OPTIONS.

1.5.1     INITIAL STOCK OPTION. Subject to approval by the Board of Directors
(or a committee thereof authorized under the Plan), effective as of the Hire
Date, the Company shall grant to Executive, in accordance with the terms of the
Company's Amended 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "Plan"), the
following stock options (the "Initial Options"):

          (a) An option to purchase a total of one hundred thousand (100,000)
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), at an exercise price equal to the average of the high selling price and
the low selling price of the Common Stock on the Hire Date. The option shall
vest twenty percent (20%) on the first anniversary and each of the next four
anniversaries of the Hire Date.

          (b) An option to purchase a total of forty thousand shares (40,000)
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the average of the high
selling price and the low selling price of the Common Stock on the Hire Date.
The option will vest in its entirety six (6) years after the Hire Date or will
be accelerated if the price of the Common Stock trades at a price per share of
Common Stock equal to three times the exercise price for thirty (30) days
consecutively, within the first five (5) years of the date of grant or if the
Company is sold for a per-share price exceeding that amount.

          (c) An option to purchase a total of fifty thousand shares (50,000)
shares of the Common Stock at a grant price equal to the average of the high
selling price and the low selling price of the Common Stock on the Hire Date.
The option shall vest as follows eight percent (8%) on the first anniversary of
the Hire Date and an additional: (a) fourteen percent (14%) on the second
anniversary of the Hire Date; (b) thirty-one percent (31%) on the third
anniversary of the Hire Date; and (c) forty-seven percent (47%) on the fourth
anniversary of the Hire Date.

          The Initial Options will be designated incentive stock options to the
maximum extent allowed by law and will expire if not exercised within ten (10)
years of the date of grant, and shall be granted pursuant to option agreements
in the form annexed hereto as Annex D.

1.5.2     ANNUAL STOCK OPTION GRANT. Executive shall be entitled to an annual
stock option (the "Annual Stock Option") (including ISO's and NQO's). The target
grant for Executive shall be an option to purchase fifty thousand shares
(50,000) of Common Stock, granted in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the
actual number of shares in the grant to be determined by the Board of Directors.
The Annual Stock Option shall vest twenty-five percent (25%) after each year of
employment by the Company. The first Annual Stock Option shall be granted in
September 2001, or shall be granted in accordance with the normal Company
calendar for officers following the 2001 fiscal year. Options granted to
Executive pursuant to this section shall be designated incentive stock options
to the maximum extent allowed by law.

1.6       TERMINATION. Executive's employment and this Agreement (except as
otherwise provided hereunder) shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the
following at the time set forth therefor (the "Termination Date"):

1.6.1     DEATH OR DISABILITY. Immediately upon the death of Executive or the
determination by the Board of Directors that Executive shall have been unable to
substantially perform the essential functions of his duties, with or without
reasonable accommodation, for a period of 100 days out of any period of 360
consecutive days ("Disability"); provided that prior to any termination due to
Disability, the Company shall have given Executive at least 14 days' advance
written notice of its intent to terminate Executive's Employment Term due to
Disability, and Executive shall not have returned to full-time employment by the
14th day after such notice (termination pursuant to this Section 1.6.1 being
referred to herein as termination for "Death or Disability"); or

1.6.2     VOLUNTARY TERMINATION. Thirty (30) days following the receipt by the
Company of Executive's written notice to the Company of termination of
employment; provided, however, that the Company may waive all or a portion of
the thirty (30) days' notice and accelerate the effective date of such
termination (and the Termination Date) (termination pursuant to this Section
1.6.2 being referred to herein as "Voluntary Termination"); or

1.6.3     TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Immediately following notice of termination for
"Cause" (as defined below), specifying such Cause, given by the Board of
Directors (termination pursuant to this Section 1.6.3 being referred to herein
as termination for "Cause"). As used herein, "Cause" shall mean and be limited
to termination based on: (i) Executive's conviction or plea of "guilty" or "no
contest" to any crime constituting a felony in the jurisdiction in which
committed, any crime involving moral

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turpitude (whether or not a felony), or any other violation of criminal law
involving dishonesty or willful misconduct that materially injures the Company
(whether or not a felony); (ii) Executive's substance abuse that in any manner
materially interferes with the performance of his duties; (iii) Executive's
failure or refusal to perform his duties or to follow the lawful and proper
directives of the Board of Directors that are within the scope of his duties;
(iv) Executive's material intentional breach of the Confidentiality Agreement;
or (v) Executive's violation of the Company's policies against insider trading
or Executive's intentional misconduct that materially injures the Company,
provided, however, that prior to any termination of Executive's employment for
Cause pursuant to Section 1.6.3 (iii), the Company shall (1) provide Executive
with not less than thirty (30) days' advance written notice, specifying in
reasonable detail the act(s) or failure(s) to act complained of and setting out
a suggested manner of cure; and (2) afford to Executive the opportunity to meet
in person with the Board of Directors to discuss the same. No act or failure to
act on the part of Executive may serve as the basis for Cause pursuant to
Section 1.6.3(iii) if done or omitted to be done by Executive with the
reasonable belief on his part that his act or omission was in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the Company.

1.6.4     TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Thirty (30) days following Executive's
receipt of written notice of termination without Cause from the Board of
Directors; provided, however, that during any such thirty (30) day notice
period, the Company may suspend, with no reduction in pay or benefits, Executive
from his duties as set forth herein (including, without limitation, Executive's
position as a representative and agent of the Company) (termination pursuant to
this Section 1.6.4 being referred to herein as termination "Without Cause").

1.6.5     CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION. Thirty (30) days following a Constructive
Termination (as defined below); provided, however, that during any such thirty
(30) day period, the Company may suspend, with no reduction in pay or benefits,
Executive from his duties as set forth herein (including, without limitation,
Executive's position as a representative and agent of the Company) (termination
pursuant to this Section 1.6.5 being referred to herein as "Constructive
Termination"). For purposes of this Section, a Constructive Termination shall
occur when:

          (a) for a period of twelve (12) months following a Change in Control
(as defined below), Executive is terminated (other than for Cause) or Executive
voluntarily resigns because his (i) duties, responsibilities or level of
management to which Executive reports are materially reduced, (ii) Executive's
Base Salary is reduced by more than 15% or (iii) place of employment is
relocated by more than fifty (50) miles, in each case without Executive's
consent .

            (i)   A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur in the event of
a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through any of the
following transactions:

                  the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or
                  related group of persons (other than the Company or a person
                  that directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or
                  is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial
                  ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities
                  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of securities possessing
                  more than sixty percent (60%) of the total combined voting
                  power of the Company's outstanding securities pursuant to a
                  tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company's
                  stockholders; or

                  the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
                  substantially all of the Company's assets; or

                  the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company
                  with or into another entity or any other corporate
                  reorganization, if more than fifty percent (50%) of the
                  combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity's
                  securities outstanding immediately after such merger,
                  consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons who
                  were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
                  merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

          A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole
purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a
holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the
persons who held the Company's securities immediately before such transaction.

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          (b) Executive provides written notice to the Company of termination
for Good Reason, which, as used herein, shall mean (A) a reduction in
Executive's titles, authority, duties or responsibilities, or the assignment of
duties inconsistent with Executive's position; (B) a change in reporting
contrary to the provisions of this Agreement; (C) a failure to grant any equity
participation as provided in this Agreement, or nonpayment of any amount owing
to Executive; or (D) relocation more than fifty (50) miles from Executive's
office or residence, in each case without Executive's consent and continuing
more than thirty (30) days following the Company's receipt of written notice
from Executive identifying the basis of the alleged termination for Good Reason.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, under no circumstances will the removal
of Executive from his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors constitute
a Constructive Termination under Sections 1.6.5(a) or 1.6.5(b).

1.6.6     Other Remedies.  Termination pursuant to this section shall be in
addition to and without prejudice to any other right or remedy to which the
Company or Executive may be entitled at law, in equity, or under this Agreement.

1.7       SEVERANCE

1.7.1     VOLUNTARY TERMINATION, Termination for Cause or Termination for Death
or Disability. In the case of termination of Executive's employment hereunder
for Death or Disability in accordance with Section 1.6.1 above, or Executive's
Voluntary termination of employment hereunder in accordance with Section 1.6.2
above, or a termination of Executive's employment hereunder for Cause in
accordance with Section 1.6.3 above, (i) Executive shall not be entitled to
receive payment of, and the Company shall have no obligation to pay, any
severance or similar compensation attributable to such termination, other than
Base Salary earned but unpaid, accrued but unused vacation to the extent allowed
by the Company's policies, vested benefits under any employee benefit plan, and
any unreimbursed expenses pursuant to Section 1.4.4 hereof incurred by Executive
as of the Termination Date; and (ii) the Company's other obligations under this
Agreement shall immediately cease.

1.7.2     TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. In the case of a termination of Executive's
employment hereunder Without Cause in accordance with Section 1.6.4, the Company
shall pay Executive, without discount, or any obligation on the part of
Executive to mitigate the amount of such payment (by seeking alternate
employment or otherwise), (hereinafter the "Severance Payment") (i) all accrued
compensation and benefits; provided that, there will be no partial payment of
the Incentive Compensation and (ii) an amount equal to twelve (12) months'
salary, in a lump-sum payment subject to the tax withholding specified in
Section 1.4.1 above. Executive shall also receive vesting, on a pro-rata basis,
of options scheduled to vest in the current year of employment pursuant to
Section 1.5.1(a) (e.g., if Executive is terminated six (6) months into the
existing year of employment, Executive would receive vesting of one-half (1/2)
of his options scheduled to vest during that year). Options granted pursuant to
Sections 1.5.1(b) and 1.5.1(c) will not be subject to acceleration pursuant to
this section. Executive shall have three (3) months from the Termination Date to
exercise his vested shares. The above amounts represent the entire compensation
Executive is entitled to receive upon termination Without Cause.

1.7.3     CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION DUE TO CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the case of the
Constructive Termination due to a Change of Control of Executive's employment in
accordance with Section 1.6.5(a), the Company shall pay Executive the Severance
Payment and Executive's outstanding Initial Stock Options (to the extent then
unexercisable) will automatically accelerate and become exercisable in full for
any or all of the option shares as fully vested shares as follows: (i) twenty-
five percent (25%) acceleration if the Constructive Termination occurs within
one (1) year from the Hire Date; (ii) fifty percent (50%) acceleration if the
Constructive Termination occurs with two (2) years from the Hire Date; (iii) one
hundred percent (100%) acceleration if the Constructive Termination occurs
within three (3) years from the Hire Date. Under these circumstances, Executive
will have until the earlier of the expiration date of the respective option or
one (1) year from the Termination Date in which to exercise an outstanding
option. Options granted to Executive in Sections 1.5.1(b) and 1.5.1(c) of this
Agreement shall not be subject to acceleration pursuant to this section. The
above amounts represent the entire compensation Executive is entitled to receive
upon a Constructive Termination.

1.7.4     CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION DUE TO GOOD REASON In the case of Executive's
Constructive Termination due to Good Reason in accordance with Section 1.6.5(b),
the Company shall pay Executive, without discount, or any obligation on the part
of Executive to mitigate the amount of such payment (by seeking alternate
employment or otherwise), (hereinafter the "Severance Payment") (i) all accrued
compensation and benefits; provided that, there will be no partial payment of
the Incentive Compensation and (ii) an amount equal to twelve (12) months'
salary, in a lump-sum payment subject to the tax

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withholding specified in Section 1.4.1 above. Executive shall also receive
vesting, on a pro-rata basis, of options scheduled to vest in the current year
of employment pursuant to Sections 1.5.1(a) and 1.5.1(c) (e.g., if Executive is
terminated six (6) months into the existing year of employment, Executive would
receive vesting of one-half (1/2) of his options scheduled to vest during that
year). Options granted pursuant to Section 1.5.1(b) will not be subject to
acceleration pursuant to this section. Executive shall have three (3) months
from the Termination Date to exercise his vested shares. The above amounts
represent the entire compensation Executive is entitled to receive upon
Constructive Termination due to Good Reason.

2.        PROTECTION OF COMPANY'S CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND
INVENTIONS.

This Agreement, and Executive's employment hereunder, is contingent upon
Executive's execution of the Confidentiality Agreement, before the Hire Date.

3.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each party hereto represents and warrants that (i) this Agreement is valid and
binding upon and enforceable against such party in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, (ii) such party is not bound by or subject to any contractual or
other obligation that would be violated by such party's execution or performance
of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any non-competition agreement
presently in effect, and (iii) such party is not subject to any pending or, to
such party's knowledge, threatened, claim, action, judgment, order, or
investigation that could adversely affect such party's ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement in a material respect.

4.        MISCELLANEOUS

4.1       INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify Executive from any
liability arising out of his performance of his duties hereunder to the full
extent permitted by law, and shall provide Executive all benefits under any
directors and officers, errors and omissions, or similar insurance policy from
time to time in effect.

4.2       NOTICES. All notices, requests, and other communications hereunder
must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered
personally against written receipt or by facsimile transmission with answer back
confirmation or mailed (postage prepaid by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested) or by overnight courier to the parties at the following
addresses or facsimile numbers:

               If to the Executive, to:
                                 Peter Kirlin
                             ____________________
                             ____________________
                             ____________________

               If to the Company, to:
                                 John M. Lynn
                            DuPont Photomasks, Inc.
                            131 Old Settlers Blvd.
                            Round Rock, Texas 78664
                                (512) 310-6527

All such notices, requests and other communications will (i) if delivered
personally to the address as provided in this Section 4.1, be deemed given upon
delivery, and (ii) if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the
address as provided in this Section 4.1. be deemed given upon receipt (in each
case regardless of whether such notice, request, or other communication is
received by any other Person to whom a copy of such notice, request or other
communication is to be delivered pursuant to this Section). Any party from time
to time may change its address or other information for the purpose of notices
to that party by giving written notice specifying such change to the other party
hereto.

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4.3       AUTHORIZATION TO BE EMPLOYED. This Agreement, and Executive's
employment hereunder, is subject to Executive providing the Company with legally
required proof of Executive's authorization to be employed in the United States
of America.

4.4       ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, which includes the Exhibits hereto,
supersedes all prior discussions and agreements, among the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and contains the sole and entire agreement between
the parties hereto with respect thereto. In the event of conflict between the
terms of the text of this Agreement (excluding for this purpose the Exhibits
hereto), on the one hand, and the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the
Plan, the Bonus Plan, the Relocation Plan, or the form of Option Agreement, on
the other hand, the terms of this Agreement (excluding for this purpose the
Exhibits hereto) shall control. Any provision of this Agreement which by its
terms obliges the Company to make payments subsequent to termination of
Executive's Employment Term shall survive any such termination.

4.5       WAIVER. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any
time by the parry that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver
shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or
on behalf of the party waiving such term or condition. No waiver by any party
hereto of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances,
shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or
condition of this Agreement on any future occasion. All remedies, either under
this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded, will be cumulative and not
alternative.

4.6       AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented, or modified
only by a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of each party hereto.

4.7       NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. The terms and provisions of this Agreement
are intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and the Company's
successors or assigns, and it is not the intention of the parties to confer
third-party beneficiary rights upon any other person.

4.8       NO ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement and the obligations
undertaken herein shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any
successors or assigns of the Company. Executive shall not be entitled to assign
his obligations under this Agreement.

4.9       HEADINGS. The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.

4.10      SEVERABILITY. The Company and Executive intend all provisions of this
Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. Accordingly, if
a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the scope and/or operation of
any provision of this Agreement is too broad to be enforced as written, the
Company and Executive intend that the court should reform such provision to such
narrower scope and/or operation as it determines to be enforceable. If, however,
any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable
under present or future law, and not subject to reformation, then (i) such
provision shall be fully severable, (ii) this Agreement shall be construed and
enforced as if such provision was never a part of this Agreement, and (iii) the
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall not be affected by illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provisions or by
their severance.

4.11      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts executed
and performed in such State without giving effect to conflicts of laws
principles.

4.12      JURISDICTION. With respect to any suit, action, or other proceeding
arising from (or relating to) this Agreement, the Company and Executive hereby
irrevocably agree to the nonexclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the
United Status District Court for the Western District of Texas (and any Texas
State Court within Travis County, Texas).

4.13      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by facsimile, each of which will be deemed an original, but all
of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

               [SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOLLOWS]

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed on the date first written above.

                              DUPONT PHOTOMASKS, INC., as the Company

                              By: /s/ Marshall C. Turner
                                  ----------------------

                              Name:  Marshall C. Turner

                              Title:  Chairman and CEO

                              Date:  May 2, 2000

                              PETER KIRLIN, as Executive

                              Signature: /s/ Peter S. Kirlin
                                         -------------------

                              Name:  Peter S. Kirlin

                              Date:  May 2, 2000

                                       8<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT 10.18

July 19, 2000

Confidential
------------

Preston M. Adcox
President & Chief Operating Officer
DuPont Photomasks, Inc.
131 Old Settler's Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664

Re: Employment Agreement
------------------------

Dear Preston:

     The purpose of this letter is to memorialize the Company's agreement with
you on your continued employment with DPI.

     In consideration of your continued employment, the Compensation Committee
has agreed to the following:

 . You are awarded a special grant of 40,000 option shares, granted as of
  April 18, 2000, at an exercise price of $48.06, vesting over three years,
  1/3 on May 1, 2001; 1/3 on May 1, 2002; and 1/3 on May 1, 2003; with the full
  ten-year life of the options to exercise.

 . Your FY 2001 option grant, normally given in September 2000, is granted as of
  April 18, 2000, for 47,500 shares at an exercise price of $48.06, with vesting
  over three years, vesting 1/3 on May 1, 2001; 1/3 on May 1, 2002; and 1/3 on
  May 1, 2003; with seven years to exercise.

 . Your salary for FY 2001 will be increased to $320,000, effective on
  September 1, 2000, the normal pay delivery date.

 . Due to your excellent FY 2000 performance, your bonus will exceed the target
  (50% of salary times the bonus pool %) amount that emerges from the bonus
  budget calculation process. It will be determined by the Compensation
  Committee.

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 . Your bonus for FY 2001 will be decided by the Compensation Committee,
  according to normal schedule, in August 2001. Your target bonus for FY 2001 is
  raised to 75% of base salary (range from zero to 125%).

 . If you are still full-time on September 1, 2001 you will be eligible for a
  normal annual grant, as determined by the Compensation Committee. If you have
  transitioned to part-time employment prior to that date, the amount otherwise
  to be given will be pro-rated, to the proportion of the year between September
  1, 2000 and September 1, 2001 that you are full-time.

 . If you are still a full-time or part-time employee on July 1, 2003, your
  unvested options that are remaining at June 1, 2003 will become fully vested
  at that time. The exercise period of all currently existing options is
  extended to three years from end of your employment with DPI. Consistent with
  the 1997 Stock Option Plan, all your stock options will fully vest upon a
  "change of control" as defined in this Plan.

 . DPI is examining its policy with regard to payment of excise taxes that may
  become payable by some DPI employees and directors in the event of a "change
  of control" in DPI that results in certain payments on acceleration of option
  vesting. Should DPI decide on a new policy for the Company and its officers
  and directors, then whatever new policy is decided upon by the Board of
  Directors shall also apply to you.

     In consideration of DPI's grant of options to you, DPI's payment to you of
base salary and bonus compensation, DPI's promise to continue to disclose to you
its confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets, and the
continued experience you will gain throughout your employment with the Company,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which you hereby acknowledged, you agree as follows:

 . You agree that during your employment with DPI and thereafter, you will hold
  in strictest confidence and will not disclose, use, lecture upon, or publish
  any of DPI's proprietary and confidential information and trade secret
  information, except as such disclosure, use, or publication may be required in
  connection with your work for DPI, or unless the Board of Directors of DPI
  expressly authorizes such in writing.

 . You agree that for a five-year period after termination of your full-time
  employment with DPI (for any reason whatsoever) to not compete, directly or
  indirectly, with DPI in the photomask-related services areas. This non-compete
  period shall include working as an employee, consultant or director of any
  competing company. In addition, consistent with this non-compete provision,
  you shall not solicit for employment in any field (even outside the photomask
  area), directly or indirectly, any employee(s) for the same five-year period
  following the termination of your full-time employment with DPI.

 . You agree to continue working for DPI as President and Chief Operating Officer
  until at least May 3, 2001. After that period, at the mutual agreement of the
  parties, you will continue in your role as President and COO of DPI. However,
  in any event, you have the option to become a part-time employee at DPI at the
  end of your full-time employment for two

                                       2
<PAGE>

  additional years. During this two year period you will work half time at a
  salary of $17,000/month. During this part-time employee period there will be
  no normal bonus or stock option grants.

     You understand and agree that non-compete provision of this agreement is to
be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. Accordingly, if a court of
competent jurisdiction determines that the scope and/or operation of the non-
compete provisions is too broad to be enforced as written, DPI and you intend
that the court should reform such provision to such narrower scope and/or
operation as it determines to be enforceable, provided, however, that such
reformation applies only with respect to the operation of such provision in the
particular jurisdiction with respect to which such determination was made.

     If you are in agreement with these provisions please sign in the space
provided below.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marshall C. Turner
----------------------
Marshall C. Turner
DPI Director

Agreed:

/s/ Preston M. Adcox
----------------------
Preston M. Adcox
President and COO

                                       3

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