Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.35

                      DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

                          EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

         This Executive Severance Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into by and between Richard F. Daugherty (the "EXECUTIVE") and Doskocil
Manufacturing Company, Inc., a Texas corporation (the "COMPANY"), effective as
of October 2, 2000 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") and supersedes and replaces all
previous Executive Severance Agreements.

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to set
         forth certain severance benefits to which Executive will be entitled to
         receive if (i) Executive's employment with the Company is involuntarily
         terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined), or (ii)
         Executive's employment with the Company is voluntarily terminated by
         Executive for Good Reason (as defined).

         B. Certain capitalized terms used in the Agreement and the Summary of
         Terms are defined in Section 3 below.

         The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

1.       SEVERANCE BENEFITS.

         1.1.     Involuntary Termination other than For Cause or Voluntary
                  Termination for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
                  with the Company is (i) involuntarily terminated by the
                  Company other than for Cause (as defined) at any time or
                  voluntarily terminated by Executive for Good Reason (as
                  defined), then the Executive shall receive the following
                  severance benefits from the Company.

         1.2.     Severance Payment. Cash payments (the "SEVERANCE PAYMENT") in
                  an aggregate amount equal one-hundred percent (100%) of the
                  Executive's Annual Compensation (as defined); provided,
                  however, that if such aggregate payments, either alone or
                  together with other payments which Executive may have the
                  right to receive from the Company, would not be deductible (in
                  whole or in part) by the Company as a result of such payments
                  constituting a "PARACHUTE PAYMENT" (as defined in Section 280G
                  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
                  "CODE")), such payments shall be reduced to the maximum
                  deductible amount under the Code. The Severance Payment shall
                  be made in equal installment payments over the course of
                  twenty-six (26) weeks, following the termination, with no
                  interest accruing thereon; and

         1.3.     Continuation of Benefits. The continuation of the medical and
                  other insurance plans or policies that the Company may provide
                  for executive officers of the Company, as from time to time in
                  effect, until the earlier of (i) the date which is six months
                  following the date on which Executive's employment with the
                  Company is terminated, and (ii) the date on which Executive
                  commences new employment.

<PAGE>   2

         1.4.     Voluntary Resignation other than for Good Reason; Termination
                  For Cause. If the Executive's employment terminates by reason
                  of the Executive's voluntary resignation other than for Good
                  Reason, or if the Executive is terminated involuntarily by the
                  Company for Cause.

2.       NON-COMPETITION. The Executive acknowledges that the nature of the
         Executive's engagement by the Company is such that the Executive shall
         have access to information of a confidential and/or trade secret nature
         which has great value to the Company and which constitutes a
         substantial basis and foundation upon which the business of the Company
         is based. Such information includes financial, manufacturing and
         marketing data, techniques, processes, formulas, developmental or
         experimental work, work in process, methods, trade secrets (including,
         without limitation, customer lists and lists of customer sources), or
         any other secret or confidential information relating to the products,
         services, customers, sales or business affairs of the Company (the
         "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"). In order to protect the Confidential
         Information, the Executive agrees that during the term of the
         Executive's employment, and for a period of six months following the
         date that the Executive ceases to be employed by the Company while
         receiving the severance arrangement, the Executive shall not, directly
         or indirectly, whether as an owner, partner, shareholder, agent,
         employee, creditor, or otherwise, promote, participate or engage in any
         activity or other business competitive with the Company's business
         anywhere in the continental United States. A business shall be
         considered competitive with the Company's business if it manufactures,
         distributes or sells products competitive with the products
         manufactured, distributed or sold by the Company at the date hereof and
         as may be manufactured, distributed or sold by the Company at any time
         prior to the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Company.

3.       AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that the
         Executive's employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined
         under applicable law. If the Executive's employment terminates for any
         reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits,
         damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this
         Agreement, or as may otherwise be available in accordance with the
         Company's established Executive plans.

4.       DEFINITION OF TERMS. The following terms referred to in this Agreement
         shall have the following meanings:

         4.1.     Annual Compensation. "Annual Compensation" means an amount
                  equal to the Executive's annual salary, excluding bonuses, at
                  the highest rate in effect during the twelve months
                  immediately preceding the Change of Control.

         4.2.     Cause. "Cause" shall mean a material act of dishonesty, or
                  after receipt of 15 days written notice refusal or failure to
                  perform any reasonable lawful duty, responsibility or
                  direction of the Company's Chief Executive Officer or its
                  Board of Directors.

         4.3.     Good Reason. "Good Reason" shall mean (i) a reduction, other
                  than a general salary and/or benefits reduction affecting
                  substantially all members of management, in the Executive's
                  annual base pay and benefits, or (ii) a requirement that
                  Executive be based anywhere other than within 50 miles of
                  Executive's present office location, except for required
                  travel.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

5.       SUCCESSORS.

         5.1.     Company's Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether
                  direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger,
                  consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or
                  substantially all of the Company's business and/or assets
                  shall assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree
                  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. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term
                  "Company" shall include any successor to the Company's
                  business and/or assets or successor, which becomes bound by
                  the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

6.       MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

         6.1.     Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified,
                  waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or
                  discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive
                  and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the
                  Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of
                  compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement
                  by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other
                  condition or provision or of the same condition or provision
                  at another time.

         6.2.     Whole Agreement. No agreements, representations or
                  understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or
                  implied) which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement
                  and Attachment A hereto, have been made or entered into by
                  either party with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
                  Agreement represents the entire understanding of the parties
                  hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
                  supersedes all prior arrangements and understandings regarding
                  the same.

         6.3.     Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
                  performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
                  the State of Texas.

         6.4.     Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising out of,
                  relating to or in connection with this Agreement shall be
                  settled exclusively by binding arbitration in Tarrant County,
                  Texas in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution
                  of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association
                  then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's
                  award in any court having jurisdiction. Company and the
                  Executive shall each pay one-half of the costs and expenses of
                  such arbitration, and each shall separately pay its counsel
                  fees and expenses. Punitive damages shall not be awarded.

         6.5.     Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
                  provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the
                  validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof,
                  which shall remain in full force and effect. The parties
                  intend with respect to the provisions contained herein that if
                  in any proceeding an arbitrator shall refuse to enforce all of
                  the covenants included herein because they cover too extensive
                  a geographic area or because they cover too long a period of
                  time or because they cover too broad a range of activities,
                  then any such covenants shall be reduced in scope to the
                  extent required by law.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

         6.6.     Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will
                  be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment
                  taxes to the extent required by law.

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case
of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year set forth
below.

Dated: October 2, 2000

Company                              Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.

                                           /s/ LARRY E. REMBOLD
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                               Larry E. Rembold
                                                President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE:                       By: /s/ RICHARD F. DAUGHERTY
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                              Richard F. Daugherty

                                      -4-<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.24

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                          CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

         THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this
"AMENDMENT"), dated as of August 30, 2001, is made by and among PENTASTAR
COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. I, a
Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. II, a Delaware corporation,
PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. III, a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION
CORP. IV, a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VI, a Delaware
corporation, PENTASTAR INTERNET, INC., a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR HOLDING
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR TELEMARKETING, INC., a Delaware
corporation, and PENTASTAR CORPORATION, a Colorado corporation (each of the
foregoing an "ORIGINAL BORROWER" and collectively the "ORIGINAL BORROWERS"), and
PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. V, a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION
CORP. VII, a Delaware corporation, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VIII, a Delaware
corporation and PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. IX, a Delaware corporation (each of
the foregoing a "NEW BORROWER" and collectively the "NEW BORROWERS", and
together with the Original Borrowers, the "BORROWERS"), and WELLS FARGO BANK,
N.A., a national banking association (as successor by assignment to Wells Fargo
Bank West, N.A., the "LENDER"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement, as defined
below.

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Original Borrowers and the Lender are parties to that certain
Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2000 (the "AGREEMENT").

         B. The Borrowers are currently (i) in violation of the covenant
described in Section 6.12 of the Agreement ("Total Leverage Ratio") for the
period ending June 30, 2001, (ii) out of compliance with the Borrowing Base
requirements of the Agreement, in that the Advances under the Credit Facility
exceed the Borrowing Base, and (iii) not in compliance with Section 6.13 of the
Agreement because of the existence of the financing statement referred to in
Section 4(d) hereof (collectively, the "CURRENT DEFAULTS").

         C. The Borrowers have requested that the Lender waive the Current
Defaults, and the Lender has agreed to waive such Current Defaults as more
particularly described below.

         D. The parties wish to amend the Agreement as more particularly
described below.

<PAGE>   2

                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrowers and the Lender
hereby agree as follows:

         1. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Amendment, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

                  (a) The definition of "Maturity Date" is deleted in its
         entirety and substituted therefor is the following:

                           "Maturity Date" means September 30, 2001.

                  (b) The definition of "Maximum Line" is deleted in its
         entirety and substituted therefor is the following:

                           "Maximum Line " means $7,465,000.00, unless said
                  amount is reduced pursuant to Section 2.6, in which event it
                  means the amount to which said amount is reduced.

                  (c) The definition of "Note" is amended by deleting the word
         "revolving" from the first line thereof.

                  (d) Section 2.1 is amended by deleting the fourth sentence
         thereof in its entirety.

                  (e) Section 6.1(d) is deleted in its entirety and substituted
         therefor is the following:

                           (d) within two Business Days after the end of each
                  week or more frequently if the Lender so requires, agings of
                  the Parent's consolidated Receivables (broken down by
                  Borrower) and a calculation of each Borrower's Accounts, Net
                  Accounts and Eligible Accounts as at the end of such week or
                  shorter time period, based upon all information available to
                  any Borrower as of such date;

                  (f) Section 6.1(o) is deleted in its entirety and substituted
         therefor is the following:

                           (o) a weekly updated Borrowing Base reconciliation
                  report, based upon all information available to any Borrower
                  as of such date.

                  (g) Each New Borrower (i) agrees that it is a "Borrower" as
         defined under the Agreement, is a party to the Agreement and the Loan
         Documents in such capacity and is entitled to all rights, and liable
         for all obligations, of a Borrower thereunder and (ii) hereby pledges,
         assigns and grants to the Lender a security interest in the Collateral,
         as security for the payment and performance of the Obligations.

<PAGE>   3

                  (h) From the date hereof until the Maturity Date, the
         principal of the Advances outstanding from time to time shall bear
         interest at the Default Rate.

                  (i) Section 6.15 of the Agreement is amended by deleting the
         word "Upon" from the first line thereof and substituting therefor the
         following:

                           "After the occurrence and during the continuance of a
                           Default (other than any Current Default during the
                           period beginning on June 30, 2001 and ending on
                           September 30, 2001) and upon".

         2. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Amendment, the Lender hereby waives the Current Defaults with respect to all
Loan Documents for the period beginning on June 30, 2001 and ending on September
30, 2001. Such waiver is intended to be effective for such specified period
notwithstanding any changes in the Borrowing Base during such period. This
waiver shall be effective only in this specific instance and for the specific
purpose, and during the specific time period, for which it is given, and this
waiver shall not entitle the Borrowers to any other or further waiver in any
similar or other circumstances.

         3. The amendments set forth in Section 1 and the waivers set forth in
Section 2 shall be effective on the date (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") when the Lender
shall have received an executed original hereof from all Borrowers.

         4. In consideration of the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Borrowers hereby agree to and shall provide to Lender each of the following,
each in form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion:

                  (a) Borrowers shall increase their efforts to collect all
         accounts receivable, especially past due accounts.

                  (b) The Borrowers shall pay the Lender as of the date hereof a
         fully earned, non-refundable fee in the amount of $20,000 in
         consideration of the Lender's execution of this Amendment. $10,000 of
         such fee shall be payable upon execution of this Amendment, and the
         other $10,000 shall be payable on the Maturity Date.

                  (c) Other than as relates to the Current Defaults, (i) all
         representations and warranties made in the Loan Documents shall be
         true, complete and correct in all respects as of the date hereof as if
         made on the date hereof, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall
         have occurred and be continuing under any of the Loan Documents or will
         occur as a result of this Amendment.

                  (d) Excluding filings evidencing the Merrill Lynch Lien,
         Borrowers shall use their best efforts to cause the release and
         termination of all liens and security interests with respect to any
         Borrower or any of any Borrower's assets or properties with respect to
         which Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services is listed as the
         secured party, including specifically a partial release of filing
         number 003933147 with the Secretary of State of Illinois, filed on
         October 29, 1998, which lists Telecomm Industries Corp. as the

<PAGE>   4

         debtor. Such best efforts shall include but shall not be limited to
         providing a written demand to Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services
         to terminate such financing statements, or to file a partial release,
         together with a statement that failure to comply with such demand may
         be a breach of Section 9-625(e) of the Uniform Commercial Code.

         5. Other than as relates to the Current Defaults, the Borrowers hereby
certify to the Lender that as of the date of this Amendment (i) all of the
Borrowers' representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are
true, complete and correct in all respects as if made on the date hereof, and
(ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under any
Loan Document or will occur as a result of this Amendment.

         6. Except as expressly set forth herein, the Agreement and the Loan
Documents shall remain as originally stated and in full force and effect. The
Borrowers and the Lender hereby confirm and ratify each of the provisions of the
Agreement and the Loan Documents as amended hereby. The promissory note dated as
of July 10, 2000, executed by the Borrowers and payable to the order of the
Lender which evidences the Advances, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the "NOTE"), shall be deemed modified as of the Effective Date to
reflect (i) the new Maturity Date, (ii) the new Maximum Line, (iii) the
non-revolving nature of the Credit Facility, (iv) the New Borrowers obligations
thereon, (v) the new interest rate for Advances and (vi) the waivers provided in
Section 2 of this Amendment, all as specifically set forth above. All other
terms and conditions of the Note remain in full force and effect, without waiver
or modification.

         7. Each Borrower hereby absolutely and unconditionally releases and
forever discharges the Lender, and any and all participants, parent
corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated corporations, insurers,
indemnitors, successors and assigns thereof, together with all of the present
and former directors, officers, agents and employees of any of the foregoing,
from any and all claims, demands or causes of action of any kind, nature or
description, whether arising in law or equity or upon contract or tort or under
any state or federal law or otherwise, which any Borrower has had, now has or
has made claim to have against any such person for or by reason of any act,
omission, matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising from the beginning of time
to and including the date of this Amendment, whether such claims, demands and
causes of action are matured or unmatured or known or unknown.

         8. This Amendment and the amendments and waivers set forth herein do
not constitute (i) a waiver by Lender of the Current Defaults for any time
period, or under any circumstances, except as specifically stated above, (ii) a
waiver by Lender of Borrowers' compliance with any other covenants, or a waiver
of any other Defaults or Events of Default, under the Agreement or any Loan
Document, or (iii) a waiver of any future violations of any covenants, Defaults,
Events of Default or any other provision of the Agreement or any Loan Document.
Without limiting the foregoing, except as specifically set forth herein, Lender
continues to reserve all rights and remedies available to Lender under the
Agreement and the Loan Documents, under law (including without limitation
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) and at equity. Borrowers acknowledge
that Lender has not committed to make any

<PAGE>   5

renewal or further extension of the Maturity Date, and that any such renewal or
further extension remains in the sole discretion of Lender.

         9. Each Borrower hereby reaffirms its agreement under the Credit
Agreement to pay or reimburse the Lender on demand for all costs and expenses
incurred by the Lender in connection with the Loan Documents, including without
limitation all reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower specifically agrees to
pay all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Lender for the services
performed by such counsel in connection with the preparation and negotiation of
this Amendment and the transactions, documents and instruments incidental
hereto. The Borrower hereby agrees that the Lender may, at any time or from time
to time in its sole discretion and without further authorization by the
Borrower, make a loan to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, or apply the
proceeds of any loan, for the purpose of paying any such fees, disbursements,
costs and expenses and the fee required under paragraph 3 hereof.

         10. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the substantive laws (other than conflict laws) of the State of Colorado.

         11. This Amendment shall inure to, benefit and bind the successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.

         12. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument. This Amendment shall be a "Loan Document" as
defined in the Agreement.

         13. Each Borrower shall provide Lender with the following information
(the "Required Information") no later than 12:00 noon MDT on Monday, September
24, 2001, together with a written representation stating whether or not all such
Required Information has in fact been provided. The Borrowers' failure or
inability to provide all such Required Information, or Borrowers' failure to
make the above written representation, by such time and date shall constitute an
Event of Default under the Agreement two days after Lender notifies Borrowers to
such effect. All such Required Information will be provided on a spreadsheet, in
electronic format (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) and a paper format. The Required
Information will be provided on a "Line Item" basis.(1) For each Line Item, in a
spreadsheet format, each Borrower will provide the following information to the
extent it exists:

1) Name of Provider (Verizon, Qwest, etc.).

2) The name of the person at the Provider with whom such Borrower transacts
business with regard to THIS Line Item ("Contact").

3) The address and phone number of the Contact.

----------

(1) A LINE ITEM IS DEFINED VIA EXAMPLE: AN EMPLOYEE OF A BORROWER CONVINCES THE
DOE COMPANY TO INSTALL TELEPHONE SERVICES, TO BE PROVIDED BY VERIZON. WHEN
INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE, VERIZON BECOMES LIABLE TO SUCH BORROWER FOR A
COMMISSION OF $8,000 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF DOE COMPANY'S SERVICES AND
EQUIPMENT. THE $8,000, OWED BY VERIZON TO SUCH BORROWER, AS A RESULT OF THE DOE
COMPANY'S PURCHASE, IS A LINE ITEM.

<PAGE>   6

4) Contact's supervisor and that person's phone number.

5) Provider's account number, purchase order no. etc. (whatever the Provider
uses to identify the Line Item).

6) A list of the equipment and services installed.

7) Date Installation was completed.

8) The name of the End User (e.g. Doe Company in the example).

9) The name of the person at the End User with whom such Borrower transacts
business with regard to THIS Line Item ("End User Contact").

10) Address and phone number for the End User Contact.

11) The name of the specific Borrower that is owed the money.

12) The amount owed to such Borrower by the Provider.

13) The date of such Borrower's invoice to the Provider.

14) Whether Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services, Inc. has an interest in
any payments owing by a Provider related to the End User associated with this
Line Item.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>   7

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

                              WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
                              a national banking association

                              By:      /s/ Eric Rumple
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Eric Rumple
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. I, a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. II, a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. III, a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

<PAGE>   8

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. IV, a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VI, a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR INTERNET, INC, a Delaware corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR TELEMARKETING, INC., a Delaware
                              corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

<PAGE>   9

                              PENTASTAR CORPORATION, a Colorado corporation

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. V

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VII

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VIII

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

                              PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. IX

                              By:      /s/ Robert S. Lazzeri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert S. Lazzeri
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                              ----------------------------------

<PAGE>   10
                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$10,000,000.00                                         July 10, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED EACH OF PENTASTAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC., PENTASTAR
ACQUISITION CORP. I, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. II, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP.
III, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. IV, PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VI, PENTASTAR
INTERNET, INC., PENTASTAR HOLDING CORPORATION, PENTASTAR TELEMARKETING, INC.
(each a Delaware corporation) and PENTASTAR CORPORATION, (a Colorado
corporation) (collectively, the "Maker"), promises to pay to the order of WELLS
FARGO BANK WEST, N. A. (the "Bank"), or its order, on or before July 31, 2001,
the principal sum of TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) or so much as may be
advanced and outstanding from time to time (the "Principal Amount") pursuant to
the Credit and Security Agreement of even date herewith between Bank and Maker
(as it may be amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the "Loan
Agreement") together with interest on the Principal Amount at a rate equal to
the Interest Rate (as defined below).

         This Note is issued to evidence a revolving line of credit from Bank to
Maker made pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement, together with all other
amounts due pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents. This Note is
issued pursuant, and is subject, to the Credit Agreement, which provides, among
other things, for acceleration hereof. This Note is the Note referred to in the
Credit Agreement. Bank is entitled to the benefits of certain Security Documents
executed in connection with the Loan Agreement. All capitalized terms used
herein and not defined shall have the meaning given to them in the Loan
Agreement.

         Interest, based upon a three hundred sixty (360) day year and the
actual number of days elapsed, shall accrue daily, and is payable on each
Interest Payment Date (as defined below), and all accrued and unpaid interest
plus the outstanding Principal Amount shall be due on the Termination Date.

         For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:

         Interest Payment Date. (A) with respect to amounts outstanding
hereunder that bear interest at the LIBOR Based Rate, on the last day of the
relevant Interest Rate Period for all interest accrued through and including
such last day of such Interest Rate Period, and (B) with respect to amounts
outstanding hereunder that bear interest at the Prime Rate, monthly on the last
day of each month for all interest accrued through the last day of such month.

         Interest Rate Period. With respect to amounts outstanding hereunder
that bear interest at the LIBOR Based Rate, a period of one, two or three
months, such period to be determined at the option of Makers in accordance with
the provisions of this Note. The Interest Rate Period selected by Maker must end
prior to the Maturity Date.

         LIBOR Business Day. Any Banking Day on which commercial banks are open
for international business (including dealings in U.S. Dollar deposits) in
London, England.

         LIBOR Based Rate. For any Interest Rate Period, the per annum rate of
interest equal to the sum of (a) the applicable LIBOR Rate in effect on the
first day of such Interest Rate Period, plus (b) two and one-half percent ( 2
1/2%).

         LIBOR Rate. Shall mean the rate at which U.S. Dollar deposits are
offered by the principal office of designated banks chosen by the British
Banker's Association in London, England to prime banks in the London Interbank
Market at 11:00 A.M. local London time on the first day of each Interest Rate
Period, which rate is displayed on page 3750 of the Telerate Monitor. All
computations of interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and
the actual number of days elapsed. Bank's determination of the LIBOR Rate shall
be deemed conclusive absent manifest error.

<PAGE>   11
         (i) Interest Rate. The entire outstanding Principal Amount of the Note
shall accrue interest at the rate provided in clause (A) below, except during
such time periods as the rate provided in clause (B) shall apply.

                  (A) interest shall accrue on the Principal Amount outstanding
under this note from time to time at the prime rate of Bank (which is the
interest rate publicly announced or published from time to time as the prime
rate of Bank and may not be the lowest interest rate charged by Bank) (the
"Prime Rate") in effect on any given day. The Prime Rate applicable hereunder is
adjustable on any date that the Prime Rate changes, regardless of whether Maker
has notice of such change.

                  (B) Maker may, by 11:00 am on any LIBOR Banking Day, request
that Bank convert the interest rate then accruing on any portion of the
Principal Amount to the applicable LIBOR Based Rate in effect on such day, or
that Bank make an Advance at the LIBOR Based Rate as more fully set forth below.
If Maker elects the LIBOR Based Rate as provided herein, the LIBOR Based Rate
will apply to the portion of the Principal Amount designated by Maker for the
Interest Rate Period elected by Maker. Any such election must be made by written
notice to Bank, provided that (i) such notice is irrevocable, (ii) the Interest
Rate Period selected by Maker ends prior to the Maturity Date, (iii) there
exists no Default or Event of Default under the Note or the other Loan Documents
and (iv) Bank has not given Maker any notice of demand, acceleration or other
similar notice in connection with this Note. The Principal Amount shall not be
subject to more than five (5) Interest Rate Periods.

                  On the day following the last day of each Interest Rate
Period, the LIBOR Based Interest Rate applicable to the Principal Amount shall
automatically convert to the Prime Rate unless Maker has (i) given the notice
required above prior to 11:00 a.m. of such day, and (ii) the conditions to
Maker's option to convert the interest rate to the LIBOR Based Rate as set forth
above have been met.

                  Except as specifically provided herein to the contrary, the
portion of the Principal Amount specified in the notice provided pursuant to the
provisions set forth above shall bear interest at the LIBOR Based Rate so
determined from and including the first day of such partial Interest Rate Period
to, but not including, the day immediately following the last day of such
Interest Rate Period.

         (ii) Unavailability of LIBOR Rate. If at any time Bank determines in
good faith that it is not possible to determine the LIBOR Rate, then the Prime
Rate shall be used for determining the Interest Rate.

         (iii) LIBOR Rate Unlawful. If it shall be unlawful or impossible for
Bank to continue maintaining loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Based Rate,
then Bank shall promptly give written notice thereof to Maker (including a
description of the circumstances giving rise to such determination), whereupon
Bank's obligation to permit the Principal Amount to accrue interest at the LIBOR
Based Rate under the Note shall be suspended and interest payable hereunder
shall be payable at the Prime Rate, unless Bank may lawfully continue to
maintain the Principal Amount at the LIBOR Based Rate until the end of the then
current Interest Rate Period, at which time the interest rate shall revert to
the Prime Rate. If at any time subsequent to the giving of such notice the Bank
determines that, because of a change in circumstances, the LIBOR Based Rate is
again available to Maker hereunder, Bank will so advise Maker, and the Principal
Amount shall, if Maker so elects, again accrue interest at the LIBOR Based Rate
(if applicable pursuant to subsection (i) above) on the first day of the
applicable Interest Rate Period.

         (iv) Prepayment:

                  (A) All or any portion of the Principal Amount accruing
interest at the Prime Rate may be prepaid without penalty at any time.

                  (B) All or any portion of the Principal Balance accruing
interest at the LIBOR Based Rate may be prepaid at any time, subject to payment
of a prepayment premium if the date of prepayment is a date other than the end
of an Interest Rate Period, as described in the following paragraph.

                  Maker shall give at least ten (10) Banking Days' prior written
irrevocable notice to Bank

                                       2

<PAGE>   12

specifying the amount to be prepaid and the intended date of prepayment, which
date of prepayment must not be more than forty-five (45) days after the date of
such notice. The portion of the Principal Balance specified in any such
irrevocable notice of prepayment shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Note, be absolutely and unconditionally due and payable on the
date specified in such notice. No prepayment premium is payable if prepayment
occurs on the last day of an Interest Rate Period. If prepayment does not occur
on the last day of an Interest Rate Period, Maker shall pay to Bank,
contemporaneously with such prepayment, a prepayment premium equal to the amount
of any and all losses, costs and expenses, as well as any loss of anticipated,
expected or projected revenues and profits, incurred or suffered by the Bank as
a result of such prepayment being made prior to the end of an Interest Rate
Period. Bank shall deliver to Maker a statement setting forth the amount and
basis of determination of the prepayment premium, if any, due in connection with
a prepayment of the Principal Balance in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph. Bank shall make such calculation based upon its reasonable judgment,
which calculation shall be binding absent manifest error. No prepayment premium
payable under this paragraph shall in any event or under any circumstances be
deemed or construed to be a penalty. Any payment of the Principal Amount after
Bank has declared the Principal Amount immediately due and payable in accordance
with the terms of this Note or the Loan Documents shall be deemed to be a
voluntary prepayment for all purposes of this paragraph, and a prepayment
premium calculated pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be payable
with respect to the portion thereof bearing interest at the applicable LIBOR
Based Rate immediately prior to such declaration. Maker and Bank agree that Bank
shall not be obligated or required to have actually reinvested the prepaid
portion of the Principal Balance in any U.S. Government Treasury Obligations or
any other investment as a condition precedent to Maker being obligated to pay a
prepayment premium calculated in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph. Maker shall, upon receipt of such statement and contemporaneously
with any such prepayment of the Principal Balance, remit to Bank the prepayment
premium, if any, due in connection therewith, as calculated pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph. Bank shall not be obligated to accept any
prepayment of the Principal Balance unless it is accompanied by the prepayment
premium, if any, due in connection therewith as calculated pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph.

                  (C) All sums that become due and payable by Maker in
accordance with the above provisions shall be and shall under all circumstances
be deemed to constitute additional interest on, and shall be evidenced by, this
Note.

                  (D) All payments hereunder shall be applied in the manner set
forth in the Loan Agreement.

         At the Bank's discretion overdue principal and (to the extent permitted
under applicable law) interest not paid within ten days after notice to the
Maker that the same is due, whether caused by acceleration of maturity or
otherwise, shall bear interest until paid at a fluctuating annual rate equal to
three (3) percentage points above the Prime Rate.

         It is not intended hereby to charge interest at a rate in excess of the
maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged to the Maker under applicable
law, but if, notwithstanding, interest in excess of such maximum rate shall be
paid hereunder, the excess shall be retained by the holder of this Note as
additional cash collateral for the payment of the Loan, unless such retention is
not permitted by law, in which case the interest rate on this Note shall be
adjusted to the maximum permitted under applicable law during the period or
periods that the interest rate otherwise provided herein would exceed such rate.

         All payments of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America at the Bank's offices at MAC # C7301-031, 1740 Broadway,
Denver, Colorado 80274, or at such other place as the Bank may designate to the
Maker in writing.

         Time is of the essence hereof. In the event of (i) any default in the
payment of principal or interest when due and payable under the terms of this
Note, (ii) any Event of Default under the Loan Agreement, or (iii) any default
under any other Loan Document, then the whole principal sum plus accrued
interest and all other obligations of the Maker to holder, direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent, now existing or hereafter arising, shall, at the option
of the holder of this Note, become immediately due and payable without notice or
demand, and the holder of this Note shall have and may exercise any or all of
the rights and remedies provided herein and in the Loan Agreement, and the other
Loan Documents, as they may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time.

                                       3
<PAGE>   13

         If the Maker fails to pay any amount due under this Note and the Bank
has to take any action to collect the amount due or to exercise its rights under
the Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents, including without limitation,
retaining attorneys for collection of this Note, or if any suit or proceeding is
brought for the recovery of all or any part of or for protection of the
indebtedness or to foreclose the Loan Documents or to enforce the Bank's rights
under the Loan Agreement, or the Loan Documents, then the Maker agrees to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of any such action to collect, suit or proceeding,
and any appeal of any such action, suit or proceeding, incurred by the Bank,
including but not limited to the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Bank's
attorneys and their staff.

         The Maker and any endorser hereof waive presentment for payment,
protest, notice of dishonor and protest, and consent to any extension of time
with respect to any payment due under this Note, to any substitution or release
of collateral pursuant to the Loan Agreement, and to the addition or release of
any party. No waiver of any payment under this Note shall operate as a waiver of
any other payment.

         If any provision in this Note shall be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality or enforceability of
any defective provision shall not be in any way affected or impaired in any
other jurisdiction.

         No delay or failure of the holder of this Note in the exercise of any
right or remedy provided for hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such right by
the holder hereof, and no exercise of any right or remedy shall be deemed a
waiver of any other right or remedy which the holder may have.

         All notices given hereunder shall be given in accordance with the
notice provisions of the Loan Agreement.

         At the option of the holder hereof, an action may be brought to enforce
this Note in the manner set forth in the Loan Agreement.

         This Note is to be governed by and construed according to the laws of
the State of Colorado.

                                       4
<PAGE>   14

DATED as of the day and year first set forth above.

MAKER:

PENTASTAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. I

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. II

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. III

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. IV

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Name:

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

                                       5
<PAGE>   15

PENTASTAR ACQUISITION CORP. VI

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR INTERNET, INC.

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR TELEMARKETING, INC.

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

PENTASTAR CORPORATION

By /s/ David. L. Dunham
   ---------------------------------------

Name: David. L. Dunham
      ------------------------------------

Its Chief Financial Officer
    --------------------------------------

                                       6
<PAGE>   16

                                     RECEIPT

         I hereby state that on July 18, 2000, I received the original
Promissory Note, dated July 18, 2000, payable to the order of Wells Fargo Bank
West, N. A. in the principal amount of $10,000,000 from Pentastar
Communications, Inc., Pentastar Acquisition Corp. I, Pentastar Acquisition Corp.
II, Pentastar Acquisition Corp. III, Pentastar Acquisition Corp. IV, Pentastar
Acquisition Corp. VI, Pentastar Internet, Inc., Pentastar Holding Corporation,
Pentastar Telemarketing, Inc. and Pentastar Corporation.

                                             WELLS FARGO BANK WEST, N. A.

                                             By:    /s/ Lynn Hout
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Name: Lynn Hout
                                                          ----------------------
                                                    Title: Vice President
                                                           ---------------------

                                       7

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