Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.54

WELLS FARGO BANK                                                       TERM NOTE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

$4,000,000.00                                            West Covina, California
                                                                    July 1, 1999

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Staar Surgical Company ("Borrower")
promises to pay to the order of WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank")
at its office at San Gabriel Valley RCBO, 1000 Lakes Drive, Suite 250, West
Covina, CA 91790, or at such other place as the holder hereof may designate, in
lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds,
the principal sum of $4,000,000.00, with interest thereon as set forth herein.

DEFINITIONS:

     As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth after
each, and any other term defined in this Note shall have the meaning set forth
at the place defined:

     (a)  "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or any other
day on which commercial banks in California are authorized or required by law to
close.

     (b)  "Fixed Rate Term" means a period commencing on a Business Day and
continuing for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, as designated by Borrower, during which all
or a portion of the outstanding principal balance of this Note bears interest
determined in relation to LIBOR; provided however, that no Fixed Rate Term may
be selected for a principal amount less than $500,000.00; and provided further,
that no Fixed Rate Term shall extend beyond the scheduled maturity date hereof.
If any Fixed Rate Term would end on a day which is not a Business Day, then such
Fixed Rate Term shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.

     (c)  "LIBOR" means the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest whole 1/8 of 1%) determined by dividing Base LIBOR by a percentage equal
to 1OO% less any LIBOR Reserve Percentage.

          (i)     "Base LIBOR" means the rate per annum for United States dollar
deposits quoted by Bank as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate, with the
understanding that such rate is quoted by Bank for the purpose of calculating
effective rates of interest for loans making reference thereto, on the first day
of a Fixed Rate Term for delivery of funds on said date for a period of time
approximately equal to the number of days in such Fixed Rate Term and in an
amount approximately equal to the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term
applies. Borrower understands and agrees that Bank may base its quotation of the
Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate upon such offers or other market indicators of
the Inter-Bank Market as Bank in its discretion deems appropriate including, but
not limited to, the rate offered for U.S. dollar deposits on the London Inter-
Bank Market.

          (ii)    "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means the reserve percentage
prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor) for "Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as defined in Regulation D of the
Federal Reserve Board, as amended), adjusted by Bank for expected changes in
such reserve percentage during the applicable Fixed Rate Term.

     (d)  "Prime Rate" means at any time the rate of interest most recently
announced within Bank at its principal office as its Prime Rate, with the
understanding that the Prime Rate is one of Bank's base rates and serves as the
basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans
making reference thereto, and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its
announcement in such internal publication or publications as Bank may designate.

INTEREST:

     (a)  Interest. The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall bear
          --------
interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) either
(i) at a fluctuating rate per annum .25000% below the Prime Rate in effect from
time to time, or (ii) at a fixed rate per annum determined by Bank to be
1.75000% above LIBOR in effect on the first day of the applicable Fixed Rate
Term. When interest is determined in relation to the Prime Rate, each change in
the rate of interest hereunder shall become effective on the date each Prime
Rate change is announced within Bank. With respect to each LIBOR selection
option selected hereunder, Bank is hereby authorized to note the date, principal
amount, interest rate and Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto and any payments
made thereon on Bank's books and records (either manually or by electronic
entry) and/or on any schedule attached to this Note, which notations shall be
prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information noted.

     (b)  Selection of Interest Rate Options. At any time any portion of this
          ----------------------------------
Note bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR, it may be continued by
Borrower at the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto so that all or a
portion thereof bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate or to
LIBOR for a new Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At any time any portion
of this Note bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate, Borrower
may convert all or a portion thereof so that it bears interest determined in
relation to LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At the time this
Note is disbursed or Borrower wishes to select a LIBOR option for all
or a portion of the outstanding principal balance hereof, and at the end of each
Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall give Bank notice specifying: (i) the interest
rate option selected by

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Borrower; (ii) the principal amount subject thereto; and (iii) for each LIBOR
selection, the length of the applicable Fixed Rate Term. Any such notice may be
given by telephone so long as, with respect to each LIBOR selection, (A) Bank
receives written confirmation from Borrower not later than 3 Business Days after
such telephone notice is given, and (B) such notice is given to Bank prior to
10:00 a.m., California time, on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term. For each
LIBOR option requested hereunder, Bank will quote the applicable fixed rate to
Borrower at approximately 10:00 a.m., California time, on the first day of the
Fixed Rate Term. If Borrower does not immediately accept the rate quoted by
Bank, any subsequent acceptance by Borrower shall be subject to a
redetermination by Bank of the applicable fixed rate; provided however, that if
Borrower fails to accept any such rate by 11:00 a.m., California time, on the
Business Day such quotation is given, then the quoted rate shall expire and Bank
shall have no obligation to permit a LIBOR option to be selected on such day. If
no specific designation of interest is made at the time this Note is disbursed
or at the end of any Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall be deemed to have made a
Prime Rate interest selection for this Note or the principal amount to which
such Fixed Rate Term applied.

     (c)  Additional LIBOR Provisions.
          ---------------------------

          (i)     If Bank at any time shall determine that for any reason
adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR, then Bank
shall promptly give notice thereof to Borrower. If such notice is given and
until such notice has been withdrawn by Bank, then (A) no new LIBOR option may
be selected by Borrower, and (B) any portion of the outstanding principal
balance hereof which bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR, subsequent
to the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto, shall bear interest
determined in relation to the Prime Rate.

          (ii)    If any law, treaty, rule, regulation or determination of a
court or governmental authority or any change therein or in the interpretation
or application thereof (each, a "Change in Law") shall make it unlawful for Bank
(A) to make LIBOR options available hereunder, or (B) to maintain interest rates
based on LIBOR, then in the former event, any obligation of Bank to make
available such unlawful LIBOR options shall immediately be cancelled, and in the
latter event, any such unlawful LIBOR-based interest rates then outstanding
shall be converted, at Bank's option, so that interest on the portion of the
outstanding principal balance subject thereto is determined in relation to the
Prime Rate; provided however, that if any such Change in Law shall permit any
LIBOR-based interest rates to remain in effect until the expiration of the Fixed
Rate Term applicable thereto, then such permitted LIBOR-based interest rates
shall continue in effect until the expiration of such Fixed Rate Term. Upon the
occurrence of any of the foregoing events, Borrower shall pay to Bank
immediately upon demand such amounts as may be necessary to compensate Bank for
any fines, fees, charges, penalties or other costs incurred or payable by Bank
as a result thereof and which are attributable to any LIBOR options made
available to Borrower hereunder, and any reasonable allocation made by Bank
among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.

          (iii)   If any Change in Law or compliance by Bank with any request or
directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or
other governmental authority shall:

          (A)     subject Bank to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to
                  any LIBOR options, or change the basis of taxation of payments
                  to Bank of principal, interest, fees or any other amount
                  payable hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax on
                  the overall net income of Bank); or

          (B)     impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special
                  deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
                  held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account
                  of, advances or loans by, or any other acquisition of funds by
                  any office of Bank; or

          (C)     impose on Bank any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Bank of
making, renewing or maintaining any LIBOR options hereunder and/or to reduce any
amount receivable by Bank in connection therewith, then in any such case,
Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand such amounts as may be
necessary to compensate Bank for any additional costs incurred by Bank and/or
reductions in amounts received by Bank which are attributable to such LIBOR
options. In determining which costs incurred by Bank and/or reductions in
amounts received by Bank are attributable to any LIBOR options made available to
Borrower hereunder, any reasonable allocation made by Bank among its operations
shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.

     (d)  Payment of Interest. Interest accrued on this Note shall be payable on
          -------------------
the 1st day of each month, commencing September 1, 1999.

     (e)  Default Interest. From and after the maturity date of this Note, or
          ----------------
such earlier date as all principal owing hereunder becomes due and payable by
acceleration or otherwise, the outstanding principal balance of this Note shall
bear interest until paid in full at an increased rate per annum (computed on the
basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) equal to 4% above the rate of
interest from time to time applicable to this Note.

REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT:

     (a)  Repayment. Principal shall be payable on the 1st day of each month in
          ---------
installments of $66,666.67 each, commencing September 1, 1999, and continuing up
to and including July 1, 2004, with a final installment consisting of all
remaining unpaid principal due and payable in full on August 1, 2004.

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     (b)  Application of Payments. Each payment made on this Note shall be
          -----------------------
credited first, to any interest then due and second, to the outstanding
principal balance hereof. All payments credited to principal shall be applied
first, to the outstanding principal balance of this Note which bears interest
determined in relation to the Prime Rate, if any, and second, to the outstanding
principal balance of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to
LIBOR, with such payments applied to the oldest Fixed Rate Term first.

     (c)  Prepayment.
          ----------

     Prime Rate. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which
     ----------
bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate at any time, in any
amount and without penalty.

     LIBOR. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which
     -----
bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR at any time and in the minimum
amount of $500,000.00; provided however, that if the outstanding principal
balance of such portion of this Note is less than said amount, the minimum
prepayment amount shall be the entire outstanding principal balance thereof. In
consideration of Bank providing this prepayment option to Borrower, or if any
such portion of this Note shall become due and payable at any time prior to the
last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto by acceleration or otherwise,
Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand a fee which is the sum of the
discounted monthly differences for each month from the month of prepayment
through the month in which such Fixed Rate Term matures, calculated as follows
for each such month:

          (i)     Determine the amount of interest which would have accrued each
                  ---------
month on the amount prepaid at the interest rate applicable to such amount had
it remained outstanding until the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable
thereto.

          (ii)    Subtract from the amount determined in (i) above the amount of
                  --------
interest which would have accrued for the same month on the amount prepaid for
the remaining term of such Fixed Rate Term at LIBOR in effect on the date of
prepayment for new loans made for such term and in a principal amount equal to
the amount prepaid.

          (iii)   If the result obtained in (ii) for any month is greater than
zero, discount that difference by LIBOR used in (ii) above.

Each Borrower acknowledges that prepayment of such amount may result in Bank
incurring additional costs, expenses and/or liabilities, and that it is
difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses and/or
liabilities. Each Borrower, therefore, agrees to pay the above-described
prepayment fee and agrees that said amount represents a reasonable estimate of
the prepayment costs, expenses and/or liabilities of Bank. If Borrower fails to
pay any prepayment fee when due, the amount of such prepayment fee shall
thereafter bear interest until paid at a rate per annum 2.000% above the Prime
Rate in effect from time to time (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
actual days elapsed). Each change in the rate of interest on any such past due
prepayment fee shall become effective on the date each Prime Rate change is
announced within Bank.

     All prepayments of principal shall be applied on the most remote principal
installment or installments then unpaid.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT:

     The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default" under this Note:

     (a)  The failure to pay any principal, interest, fees or other charges when
due hereunder or under any contract, instrument or document executed in
connection with this Note.

     (b)  The filing of a petition by or against any Borrower, any guarantor of
this Note or any general partner or joint venturer in any Borrower which is a
partnership or a joint venture (with each such guarantor, general partner and/or
joint venturer referred to herein as a "Third Party Obligor") under any
provisions of the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended or recodified from time to time, or under any similar or other law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other relief for debtors;
the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of or for any
part of the assets or property of any Borrower or Third Party Obligor; any
Borrower or Third Party Obligor becomes insolvent, makes a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors or is generally not paying its debts as they become
due; or any attachment or like levy on any property of any Borrower or Third
Party Obligor.

     (c)  The death or incapacity of any individual Borrower or Third Party
Obligor, or the dissolution or liquidation of any Borrower or Third Party
Obligor which is a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other type of
entity.

     (d)  Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any
defined event of default, under any provisions of any contract, instrument or
document pursuant to which any Borrower or Third Party Obligor has incurred any
obligation for borrowed money, any purchase obligation, or any other liability
of any kind to any person or entity, including the holder.

     (e)  Any financial statement provided by any Borrower or Third Party
Obligor to Bank proves to be incorrect, false or misleading in any material
respect.

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     (f)  Any sale or transfer of all or a substantial or material part of the
assets of any Borrower or Third Party Obligor other than in the ordinary course
of its business.

     (g)  Any violation or breach of any provision of, or any defined event of
default under, any addendum to this Note or any loan agreement, guaranty,
security agreement, deed of trust, mortgage or other document executed in
connection with or securing this Note.

MISCELLANEOUS:

     (a)  Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the holder of
          --------
this Note, at the holder's option, may declare all sums of principal and
interest outstanding hereunder to be immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, notice of nonperformance, notice of protest, protest or
notice of dishonor, all of which are expressly waived by each Borrower, and the
obligation, if any, of the holder to extend any further credit hereunder shall
immediately cease and terminate. Each Borrower shall pay to the holder
immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges,
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees (to include outside
counsel fees and all allocated costs of the holder's in-house counsel), expended
or incurred by the holder in connection with the enforcement of the holder's
rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to the holder under
this Note, and the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to
this Note, including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief,
whether incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding
or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any
bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any adversary proceeding,
contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to any
Borrower or any other person or entity.

     (b)  Obligations Joint and Several. Should more than one person or entity
          -----------------------------
sign this Note as a Borrower, the obligations of each such Borrower shall be
joint and several.

     (c)  Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
          -------------
accordance with the laws of the state of California.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Note as of the date
     first written above.

Staar Surgical Company

By: /s/ William C. Huddleston
   ---------------------------------------------------
        William C. Huddleston, Chief Financial Officer

                                                                          Page 4<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT  10.69

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of January 12, 1999
                                     ---------
by and between Bruce Brown ("Officer") and Vertel Corporation (the "Company").
                             -------                                -------

     1.  Term of Agreement.
         -----------------

         (a) Term.  This Agreement will commence on the date hereof and continue
             ----
until termination of the Agreement as provided for in Sections 1(b) or 5 below;
provided however that the parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual written
agreement at any time.  The first year of this Agreement shall be referred to
herein as the "Original Term."
               -------------

         (b) Change of Control.  The parties have previously entered into a
             -----------------
Retention Agreement dated October 23, 1998 (the "Retention Agreement") intended
                                                 -------------------
to provide certain benefits to Officer if his or her employment is terminated
under certain circumstances following a Change of Control (as defined in the
Retention Agreement) of the Company.  This Agreement governs any termination of
Officer's employment that occurs prior to a Change of Control and any successor
to the Company will be obligated to perform the Company's obligations hereunder
as provided in Section 11 below.  This Agreement terminates in its entirety upon
a Change of Control and the Retention Agreement governs any termination of
Officer's employment that occurs on or following a Change of Control.

     2.  Duties.
         ------

         (a) Position.  Officer will be employed as President and Chief
             --------
Executive Officer of the Company, and as such will report to the Company's Board
of Directors.

         (b) Obligations to the Company.  Officer agrees to the best of his or
             --------------------------
her ability and experience that he or she will, to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Company, at all times loyally and conscientiously perform all of the
duties and obligations required of him or her pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.  Officer will comply with and be bound by the Company's operating
policies, procedures and practices from time to time in effect during the term
of Officer's employment.

     3.  At-Will Employment.  The Company and Officer acknowledge that Officer's
         ------------------
employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law,
and that Officer's employment with the Company may be terminated by either party
at any time for any or no reason.  If Officer's employment terminates for any
reason, Officer will not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, award
or compensation other than as provided in this Agreement.  The rights and duties
created by this Section 3 may not be modified in any way except by a written
agreement executed by the Board of Directors on behalf of the Company.

     4.  Compensation and Benefits.  Officer's compensation will be as
         -------------------------
determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.  Officer will be
eligible to participate in the Company's employee benefit plans of general
application, including without limitation, those plans covering
<PAGE>

medical, disability and life insurance in accordance with the rules established
for individual participation in any such plan and under applicable law. Officer
will be eligible for vacation and sick leave in accordance with the Company's
policies in effect from time to time and will receive such other benefits as the
Company generally provides to its other employees of comparable position and
experience.

     5.  Termination of Employment and Severance Benefits.
         ------------------------------------------------

         (a) Termination of Employment.  Officer's employment and this
             -------------------------
Agreement may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

             (i)   The Company's determination in good faith that it is
terminating Officer for Cause (as defined in Section 6(a) below) ("Termination
                                                                   -----------
for Cause");
---------

             (ii)  The Company's determination that it is terminating Officer
without Cause, which determination may be made by the Company at any time at the
Company's sole discretion, for any or no reason ("Termination Without Cause");
                                                  -------------------------

             (iii) The effective date of a written notice sent to the Company
from Officer stating that Officer is electing to terminate his or her employment
with the Company ("Voluntary Termination");
                   ---------------------

             (iv)  A change in Officer's status such that a Constructive
Termination (as defined in Section 6(b) below) has occurred; or

             (v)   As a result of Officer's death or Disability (as defined in
Section 6(c) below).

         (b) Severance Benefits.  Officer will be entitled to receive severance
             ------------------
benefits upon termination of employment only as set forth in this Section 5(b):

             (i)   Voluntary Termination.  If Officer's employment terminates by
                   ---------------------
Voluntary Termination, then Officer will not be entitled to receive payment of
any severance benefits.  Officer will receive payment(s) for all salary and
unpaid vacation accrued as of the date of Officer's termination of employment
and Officer's benefits will be continued under the Company's then existing
benefit plans and policies in accordance with such plans and policies in effect
on the date of termination and in accordance with applicable law.

             (ii)  Involuntary Termination during Original Term.  Subject to
                   --------------------------------------------
Sections 7 and 8 below, if Officer's employment is terminated under Section
5(a)(ii) or 5(a)(iv) above (such termination, an "Involuntary Termination"),
                                                  -----------------------
Officer will be entitled to receive payment of severance benefits only as set
forth in this Section 5(b)(ii).

                   (A) Salary Continuance.  If Officer experiences an
                       ------------------
Involuntary Termination during the Original Term, Officer will be entitled to
receive an amount equal to his or her regular monthly salary (subject to any
applicable tax withholding) as of the time of termination for twelve (12) months
following such termination (the "Original Term Severance
                                 -----------------------

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Period"). If Officer experiences an Involuntary Termination during any period of
------
the Agreement following the Original Term, Officer will be entitled to receive
an amount equal to his or her regular monthly salary as of the time of
termination for twelve (12) months following such termination (the "Subsequent
                                                                    ----------
Term Severance Period" and together with the Original Term Severance Period, the
---------------------
"Applicable Severance Period").  Such payments will be made in one lump sum
 ---------------------------
payment within two weeks of the date of termination of Officer's employment.

               (B) Pro-Rated Quarterly Bonus.  Officer will also be entitled to
                   -------------------------
receive payment within two weeks of the date of termination of the pro-rated
portion of any target quarterly bonus accrued to Officer through such date of
termination, as determined by the Board of Directors or its Compensation
Committee based on the specific corporate or individual performance targets for
such quarter.

               (C) Other Benefits.  Health insurance benefits with the same
                   --------------
coverage provided to Officer prior to the termination (e.g. medical, dental,
optical, mental health) and in all other respects significantly comparable to
those in place immediately prior to the termination will be provided at the
Company's cost over the Applicable Severance Period.

        (iii)  Termination for Cause.  If Officer's employment is terminated
               ---------------------
for Cause, then Officer will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance
benefits.  Officer will receive payment(s) for all salary and unpaid vacation
accrued as of the date of Officer's termination of employment and Officer's
benefits will be continued under the Company's then existing benefit plans and
policies in accordance with such plans and policies in effect on the date of
termination and in accordance with applicable law.

        (iv)   Termination by Reason of Death or Disability.  In the event that
               --------------------------------------------
Officer's employment with the Company terminates as a result of Officer's death
or Disability (as defined in Section 6(c) below), Officer or Officer's estate or
representative will receive all salary and unpaid vacation accrued as of the
date of Officer's death or Disability and any other benefits payable under the
Company's then existing benefit plans and policies in accordance with such plans
and policies in effect on the date of death or Disability and in accordance with
applicable law.  In addition, Officer's estate or representative will receive
the pro-rated portion of any target quarterly bonus accrued to Officer through
such date of termination, as determined by the Board of Directors or its
compensation Committee based on the specific corporate or individual performance
targets for such quarter.

    6.  Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions
        -----------
will apply:

        (a) "Cause" for Officer's termination will exist if the Company
             -----
terminates Officer's employment for any of the following reasons: (i) Officer's
willful failure substantially to perform his or her duties hereunder (other than
any such failure due to Officer's physical or mental illness), and such willful
failure is not remedied within 10 business days after written notice from the
Board of Directors, which written notice shall state that failure to remedy such
conduct may result in Termination for Cause, (ii) Officer's engaging in willful
and serious misconduct that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in
material injury to the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) Officer's
conviction of or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contender

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

to a crime that constitutes a felony, or (iv) Officer's willful breach of any of
his or her obligations hereunder or under any other written agreement or
covenant with the Company or any of its affiliates and such willful breach is
not remedied within 10 business days after written notice from the Board of
Directors, which written notice shall state that failure to remedy such conduct
may result in Termination for Cause.

          (b) "Constructive Termination" will be deemed to occur if Officer
               ------------------------
voluntarily resigns within 30 days following (i)  a material reduction in
Officer's job responsibilities, it being understood that a mere change in title
alone shall not constitute a material reduction in job responsibilities, (ii)
without Officer's prior written approval, the Company requires Officer to
relocate to a facility or location more than 50 miles from the Company's current
location, it being understood that required travel on the Company's business to
an extent consistent with Officer's job responsibilities does not constitute
Constructive Termination, or (iii) a reduction in Officer's then-current base
salary, except that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all of
the Company's executive officers in the same percentage amount as part of a
general salary level reduction shall not constitute Constructive Termination.

          (c) "Disability" will mean that Officer has been unable to perform his
               ----------
or her duties hereunder as the result of his or her incapacity due to physical
or mental illness, and after its commencement such inability, which continues
for at least 120 consecutive calendar days or 150 calendar days during any
consecutive twelve-month period, is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company and its insurers and acceptable to Officer or
to Officer's legal representative (with such agreement on acceptability not to
be unreasonably withheld).

     7.   Confidentiality Agreement; Breach of Confidentiality Provisions.
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
Officer will sign, or has signed, a Confidential Information and Invention
Assignment Agreement (the "Confidentiality Agreement") substantially in the form
                           -------------------------
attached hereto as Exhibit A.  Officer hereby represents and warrants to the
                   ---------
Company that he or she has complied with all obligations under the
Confidentiality Agreement and agrees to continue to abide by the terms of the
Confidentiality Agreement and further agrees that the provisions of the
Confidentiality Agreement will survive any termination of this Agreement or of
Officer's employment relationship with the Company.  Officer acknowledges that
upon breach of the confidentiality provisions contained in this Section 7, the
Company would sustain irreparable harm from such breach, and, therefore, Officer
agrees that in addition to any other remedies which the Company may have under
this Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement or otherwise, the Company will be
entitled to obtain equitable relief, including specific performance and
injunctions, restraining him or her from committing or continuing any such
violation of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement.  Officer further
agrees that upon his or her material or intentional breach of any of the
provisions of this Section 7 and following written notice of such breach by the
Company to Officer and an opportunity to cure such breach within 5 business days
where such breach may be cured, in addition to any other remedies the Company
may have, the Company's obligations to provide payments and benefits to Officer
as described in Section 5(b) of this Agreement will immediately terminate and,
to the extent payments and benefits have already been paid to Officer at the
time of a breach occurring within the Applicable Severance Period in a lump sum
relating to the entire Applicable Severance Period, the Company will have

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

the right to recover from Officer the value, in cash, of such payments or
benefits that relate to the portion of the Applicable Severance Period beginning
on the date of breach and ending on the termination of the Applicable Severance
Period.

     8.  Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Covenants; Breach of Agreement.
         -----------------------------------------------------------------

         (a) Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Covenants.  In consideration for
             --------------------------------------------
the Company's entering into this Agreement and for the payment of any benefits
hereunder, Officer hereby agrees that he or she will not, during the term of his
or her employment pursuant to this Agreement and the Applicable Severance
Period, if any, do any of the following without the prior written consent of the
Board of Directors:

             (i)   Compete.  Carry on any business or activity (whether
                   -------
directly or indirectly, as a partner, stockholder, principal, agent, director,
affiliate, employee or consultant) which is competitive with the business
conducted by the Company (as conducted now or during the term of Officer's
employment), nor engage in any other activities that conflict with Officer's
obligations to the Company.

             (ii)  Solicit Business.  Solicit or influence or attempt to
                   ----------------
influence any client, customer or other person either directly or indirectly, to
direct his, her or its purchase of the Company's products and/or services to any
person, firm, corporation, institution or other entity in competition with the
business of the Company.

             (iii) Solicit Personnel.  Solicit or influence or attempt to
                   -----------------
influence any person or entity employed or engaged as a consultant by the
Company to terminate or otherwise cease his, her or its employment or consulting
relationship with the Company or become an employee or consultant of any
competitor of the Company. This Section 8(a)(iii) is to be read in conjunction
with Section [6] of the Confidential Agreement executed by Officer.

        (b)  Breach of Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Provisions.  Officer
             -------------------------------------------------------
acknowledges that the Company's entering into this Agreement and committing to
make any payments required hereunder represents consideration for Officer's
agreement to abide by the restrictions set forth in Section 8(a).  Nothing in
this Agreement shall prohibit Officer from engaging in any action or activity
prohibited under Section 8(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) above during the term of
employment or the Applicable Severance Period (a "Prohibited Activity");
                                                  -------------------
provided however that if Officer chooses to engage in a Prohibited Activity,
Officer agrees that he or she will forego any payments or benefits to which he
or she would otherwise have been entitled hereunder from and following the date
of, or the date of commencement of, the Prohibited Activity (such date, the
"Prohibited Activity Date") and, to the extent payments and benefits have
-------------------------
already been paid to Officer in a lump sum relating to the entire Applicable
Severance Period as of the Prohibited Activity Date, Officer agrees to return to
the Company the value, in cash, of any such payments or benefits that relate to
the period beginning on the Prohibited Activity Date and ending on the
termination of the Applicable Severance Period.

    9.  Conflicts.  Officer represents that his or her performance of all the
        ---------
terms of this Agreement will not breach any other agreement to which Officer is
a party.  Officer has not, and

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

will not during the term of this Agreement, enter into any oral or written
agreement in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement. Officer
further represents that he or she is entering into or has entered into an
employment relationship with the Company of his or her own free will and that he
or she has not been solicited as an employee in any way by the Company.

     10.  Release.  In consideration for the Company's entering into this
          -------
Agreement and as a condition to receipt of any benefits to which Officer may be
entitled under Section 5(b) above, Officer agrees that upon his or her
termination of employment with the Company, he or she will execute an agreement
in a form acceptable to the Company pursuant to which Officer will agree to
release the Company and its officers, agents and successors from claims related
to or arising from Officer's employment relationship with the Company that
occurred through and including the date of termination of employment.

     11.  Successors.  Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect
          ----------
and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise)
or to all or substantially all of the Company's business and/or assets will
assume the obligations under this Agreement and agrees expressly to perform the
obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as
the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a
succession.  The terms of this Agreement and all of Officer's rights hereunder
will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Officer's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees.

     12.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including any Exhibits hereto,
          ----------------
constitutes the sole agreement of the parties and supersedes all oral
negotiations and prior writings with respect to the subject matter hereof.  The
entering into by the parties of this Agreement does not supersede, replace,
invalidate the effectiveness of, amend or otherwise alter the Retention
Agreement and it is the intent of the parties that the Retention Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect following execution of this Agreement.

     13.  Miscellaneous Provisions.
          ------------------------

          (a) No Duty to Mitigate.  Officer will not be required to mitigate the
              -------------------
amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement (whether by seeking new
employment or in any other manner), nor, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, will any such payment be reduced by any earnings that Officer may
receive from any other source.

          (b) Amendments and Waivers.  Any term of this Agreement may be amended
              ----------------------
or waived only with the written consent of the parties.

          (c) Notices.  Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement will
              -------
be in writing and will be deemed sufficient upon receipt, when delivered
personally or by a nationally-recognized delivery service (such as Federal
Express or UPS), or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail as certified
or registered mail with postage prepaid, if such notice is addressed to the
party to be notified at such party's address as set forth below or as
subsequently modified by written notice.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

          (d) Choice of Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and
              -------------
performance of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
California, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws.

          (e) Severability.  If one or more provisions of this Agreement are
              ------------
held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate
such provision in good faith.  In the event that the parties cannot reach a
mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such
provision will be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the
Agreement will be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii)
the balance of the Agreement will be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

          (f) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
              ------------
each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.

          (g) Arbitration.  Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection
              -----------
with this Agreement will be finally settled by binding arbitration in Los
Angeles County, California in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association by one arbitrator appointed in accordance with said
rules.  The arbitrator will apply California law, without reference to rules of
conflicts of law or rules of statutory arbitration, to the resolution of any
dispute.  Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties
may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for preliminary or interim
equitable relief, or to compel arbitration in accordance with this paragraph,
without breach of this arbitration provision.  This Section 13(h) will not apply
to the Confidentiality Agreement.

          (h) Advice of Counsel.  EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ACKNOWLEDGES
              -----------------
THAT, IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH PARTY HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK
THE ADVICE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, AND HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE
TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE CONSTRUED
AGAINST ANY PARTY BY REASON OF THE DRAFTING OR PREPARATION HEREOF.

                            [Signature Page Follows]

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

     The parties have executed this Agreement the date first written above.

                              VERTEL corporation

                              By:_____________________________________

                              Title:  VP Finance & Administration, CFO
                                      --------------------------------

                              Address:  21300 Victory Blvd., #1200
                                        Woodland Hills, CA 91367

                              BRUCE W. BROWN

                              Signature:______________________________

                              Address:________________________________
                                      ________________________________

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                         CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND
                        INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

                                      -9-

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