Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10 Z

                          EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
                          -----------------------------

     AGREEMENT by and between Mercantile Bankshares Corporation ("Mercshares"),
Mercantile-Safe Deposit & Trust Company ("Merc-Safe") (collectively the
"Company"), and John L. Unger (the "Executive"), effective on the 19th day of
March, 2002.

     WHEREAS: The Executive has agreed to serve as General Counsel of Mercshares
and Merc-Safe; and

     WHEREAS: The Board of Directors of Mercshares (the "Board"), acting upon
the recommendation of its Compensation Committee, has determined that it is in
the best interests of Mercshares and its shareholders to assure that the Company
will have the continued dedication of the Executive as a key executive of
Merc-Safe, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined below) of Mercshares. The Board believes it is necessary to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control, to
encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently
and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control (including
determinations as to the best interests of Mercshares and its shareholders
should the possibility of a Change of Control of Mercshares arise), and to
provide the Executive with compensation arrangements upon a Change of Control
which provide the Executive with individual financial security and which are
competitive with those of other corporations and, in order to accomplish these
objectives, the Board has caused Mercshares to enter into this Agreement. The
Board of Directors of Merc-Safe has made similar determinations and has caused
Merc-Safe to enter into this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

     1. Certain Definitions.
        -------------------

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          (a) "Cause" shall mean (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty taken
               -----
by the Executive and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of
the Executive at the expense of the Company, (ii) repeated material violations
by the Executive of his duties to the Company (as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Date) which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the
Executive's part and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time after
receipt of written notice from the Company, or (iii) the conviction of the
Executive of a felony.

         (b)  "Change of Control" shall mean:
               -----------------

              (i)  The acquisition (other than from Mercshares) by any person,
entity or "group", within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date hereof (the "Exchange
Act"), (excluding, for this purpose, Mercshares or its subsidiaries, and
excluding any acquisition of securities by any employee benefit plan of
Mercshares or its subsidiaries which shall have occurred prior to any other
event constituting a Change of Control hereunder) of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in
effect on the date hereof) of 20% or more of either the then outstanding shares
of common stock of Mercshares or the combined voting power of Mercshares' then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (such common stock or then outstanding voting securities being
referred to herein as "Voting Securities"), calculated on the date of the
transaction causing the foregoing 20% test to be met, without regard to any
limitation upon the voting rights of any acquiring person under Maryland
statutes and without regard to the potential exercisability of rights, not
exercised on such date, pursuant to any Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement
of Mercshares then in effect; or

              (ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(as of the date hereof the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute
at least 75% of the members of the Board, provided that any person becoming a
director

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subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the
shareholders of Mercshares, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (other than an election or
nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection
with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the
Directors of Mercshares or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by
or on behalf of persons other than the Board) shall be, for purposes of this
Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent
Board; or

                (iii) Approval by the stockholders of Mercshares of (A) a
reorganization, merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange, in each case,
with respect to which persons who are the holders of the outstanding Voting
Securities of Mercshares immediately prior to such reorganization, merger,
consolidation or statutory share exchange do not, immediately thereafter, own
more than 75% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors of the entity resulting from such reorganization, merger,
consolidation or statutory share exchange, or (B) a liquidation or dissolution
of Mercshares or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
Mercshares.

           (c)  "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on
                 ------------------------
the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided,
                                                                  --------
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each
-------
annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof
hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the Change of Control Period
shall be extended automatically so as to terminate on the third anniversary of
such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company
shall give notice that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended,
but no such notice shall be given by the Company which would cause the Change of
Control Period to expire during the term of any employment agreement between the
Company and the Executive.

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           (d)  "Date of Termination" shall mean for purposes of this Agreement
                 -------------------
the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified
therein, as the case may be; provided, however, that if the Executive's
                             --------  -------
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination.

           (e)  "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the "Change of
                 --------------
Control Period" on which a Change of Control occurs provided that the Executive
is employed by the Company on such date. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, if the Executive's employment with the Company has
terminated for any reason prior to the first date on which a Change of Control
occurs, this Agreement shall be null and void as of the date of such termination
of employment; provided, however, that if it is reasonably demonstrated that
               --------  -------
such termination (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control, or (ii) otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of
this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the
date of such termination.

           (f)  "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following actions which is
                 -----------
effected by the Company without the consent of the Executive:

                (i)  The assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent
in any respect with the Executive's position immediately prior to the Effective
Date (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements, authority,
duties or responsibilities) or any other action by the Company that results in a
diminution in such position or in the nature and quality of Executive's office
facilities, secretarial and support assistance, excluding for this purpose an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith
and that is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof
given by the Executive;

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               (ii)  Any reduction in Executive's compensation or benefits from
the levels of compensation and benefits in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Date (whether or not such reduction would be permitted under any
employment agreement), including but not limited to salary, bonuses (under an
annual incentive compensation plan or otherwise), expense allowance, vacation
time or other vacation benefits, excusal from performance of duties under
Company policies or agreements (by reason of illness, disability or other
factors), continuance of all Executive benefits and benefit plans and
preservation of Executive's levels of participation and benefits thereunder
(including any agreement between the Company and Executive, incentive
compensation plan, deferred compensation arrangement, pension or other
retirement or profit-sharing plan, thrift and medical reimbursement plan, health
insurance or other health or disability plan, life insurance plan, omnibus stock
plan, stock option plan, stock purchase plan, stock appreciation right plan, or
any other Executive benefit plan or provision for fringe benefits in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Date), other than an isolated, insubstantial
or inadvertent failure to provide compensation or benefits that is remedied by
the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

               (iii) The Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than the Company's principal offices within the City of
Baltimore, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities;

               (iv)  Any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly contemplated hereunder in the case of
Cause, or death pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement, or Disability
pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement; or

               (v)   Any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 6(c) of this Agreement.

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               For purposes of this Agreement, any good faith determination
of "Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.

                        (g) "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice
                             ---------------------
(from the Executive to the Company, or from the Company to the Executive, as the
case may be) that (i) indicates the specific basis for termination of
employment, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide the basis for termination of the Executive's employment, and
(iii) if the Date of Termination is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 15
days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive to set forth
in a Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a
showing of Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Executive hereunder or
preclude the Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his
rights hereunder.

                  2.    Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
                        -------------------------------------------

                        (a) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated
                            -----
by reason of the Executive's death prior to the delivery (i) by the Executive to
the Company of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason or (ii) by the Company to
the Executive of any notification of termination of the Executive's employment
other than for Cause or Disability, then this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement.

                        (b) Disability. If the Executive's employment is
                            ----------
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean termination of the
Executive's employment on account of disability as determined under any
governing agreement between the Executive and the Company or, if there is no
such agreement or such agreement does not provide a

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definition of "disability," then "Disability" shall mean disability as defined
under the Company's long-term disability insurance plan.

                     (c)   Cause; Other Than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
                           ---------------------------------
employment shall be properly terminated for Cause or if the Executive terminates
employment other than for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.

                     (d)   Good Reason; Other Than for Cause or Disability. If,
                           -----------------------------------------------
at any time during the period beginning with the Effective Date and ending on
the third anniversary of such date, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause, Disability or death, or if the Executive shall
terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason, the Company shall pay
to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
Termination a severance payment, the value of which is three times the
Executive's base amount of compensation (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code")) including, but not limited to, such
items as salary, bonus, fringe benefits, and deferred compensation, less one
dollar ($1.00), subject, however, to Section 3(b) of this agreement.

                   3.   Non-Exclusivity of Rights.
                        -------------------------

                       (a) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the
Executive's continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive
or other plans, programs, policies or practices, including those of the types
identified in Section 1(f)(ii) hereof, provided by the Company or any
subsidiaries of Mercshares and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any employment agreement, stock option or other agreements with the
Company or any subsidiaries of Mercshares. Amounts which are vested benefits or
which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of the Company or any subsidiary of Mercshares at or

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subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such
plan, policy, practice or program.

                     (b)   If any benefit in the form of continued or additional
salary or bonus, or both, following termination of employment, is provided for
the Executive under any employment agreement with the Company ("Alternate Base
Benefit"), the aggregate amount thereof shall be computed upon the Date of
Termination, and the cash payment to the Executive under Section 2(d) of this
Agreement shall be the greater of the Alternate Base Benefit or the amount set
forth in said Section 2(d), and such payment shall satisfy the Company's
obligation with respect to the Alternate Base Benefit.

                  4.       Full Settlement.
                           ---------------

                          (a) The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company
agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses
that the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless
of the outcome thereof) by the Company or others of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this
Agreement), plus in each case, interest at the applicable Federal rate provided
for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.

                           (b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company
and the Executive (i) in the event of any termination of the Executive's
employment by the Company, whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in
the event of any termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason
existed, then, unless and until

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there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction
declaring that such termination was for Cause or that the determination by the
Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, the
Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits to the Executive that
the Company would be required to pay or provide pursuant to this Agreement as
though such termination were by the Company without Cause, or by the Executive
with Good Reason; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
pay any disputed amount pursuant to this paragraph except upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay all such amounts to which
the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such court not to be entitled.

          5.   Certain Tax Matters.
               -------------------

(a)  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it
shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for
the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
5) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect
to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"),
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") shall be made to the Executive in an amount such
that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.

               (b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 5 including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to

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be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, or such other firm as shall be serving as
independent public accountants for Mercshares immediately prior to the Effective
Date (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting
Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
effecting the Change of Control, the Executive may appoint another nationally
recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which
accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.
Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 5, shall be paid by
the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is
payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion
that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's applicable federal
income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not
have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 5(c) and the Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive.

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          (c)  The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

               (i)   give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,

               (ii)  take such action in connection with contesting such claim
as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by
an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

               (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and (iv) permit the Company to participate in
any proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 5(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and

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all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.

          (d)  If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 5(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 5(c)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive
of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 5(c), a determination
is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to
such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its
intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of

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30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall
not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the
extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

          6.   Successors.
               ----------

               (a)  This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.

               (b)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

               (c)  The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law
or otherwise.

          7.   Miscellaneous.
               -------------

               (a)  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

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                (b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

              If to the Executive:
              -------------------

              John L. Unger
              Mercantile Bankshares Corporation
              2 Hopkins Plaza
              Baltimore, Maryland  21201

              If to the Company:
              -----------------

              Mercantile Bankshares Corporation
              2 Hopkins Plaza
              Baltimore, Maryland  21201
              Attention:  Corporate Secretary

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

                (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

                (d) Any act, omission, right, obligation or activity of
Mercshares or Merc-Safe shall be deemed an act, omission, right, obligation or
activity of the Company hereunder, and each of Mercshares and Merc-Safe is
jointly and severally liable under this Agreement. The unenforceability or
invalidity of this Agreement with respect to either such party shall not affect
the enforceability or validity of this Agreement with respect to the other such
party.

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                (e) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                (f) The Executive's failure to insist upon strict compliance
with any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision
or any other provision thereof.

                (g) This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the
Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof, preserving,
however, the rights and obligations of any party under any employment agreement
or other agreements or benefit plans. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of
any other agreement, following any termination of Executive occurring after the
Effective Date, whether for Cause, Good Reason or any other reason, Executive
shall be free to engage in any activity competitive with any activity of the
Company or any affiliate of the Company, through employment by or ownership of
securities of any other entity or otherwise. Upon and following the Effective
Date, the definition of "Cause" in Section 1(a) of this Agreement shall
supercede and replace any definition of "cause" or "good cause" for termination
of employment in any employment agreement between the Executive and the Company.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from their respective Board of Directors, each of
Mercshares and Merc-Safe has caused these presents to be executed in its name
and on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

WITNESS:

/s/ Alan D. Yarbro                          /s/ John L. Unger
-------------------------------------       ----------------------------------
ALAN D. YARBRO                              JOHN L. UNGER

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ATTEST:                                      MERCANTILE BANKSHARES
                                             CORPORATION

/s/ Alan D. Yarbro                     By: /s/ Edward J. Kelly, III
----------------------------------     ----------------------------------------
ALAN D. YARBRO                             EDWARD J. KELLY, III
Secretary                                  President and Chief
                                           Executive Officer

ATTEST:                                MERCANTILE-SAFE DEPOSIT
                                       & TRUST COMPANY

/s/ Alan D. Yarbro                     By: /s/ Edward J. Kelly, III
----------------------------------     ----------------------------------------
ALAN D. YARBRO                             EDWARD J. KELLY, III
Secretary                                  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                                       16

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                                   Signatures
                                   ----------

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                       Mercantile Bankshares Corporation
                                                 (Registrant)

Date: April 3, 2002                    By:      /s/ Edward J. Kelly, III
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Edward J. Kelly, III
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 28th day of
January 2002, by and between Dtomi, Inc. (formerly Copper Valley Minerals Ltd).,
a Nevada, corporation (the "Corporation"), and Mr. John Thatch, an individual
residing in Clearwater, Florida (the "Executive").

                                WITNESSETH THAT:

     WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to employ the Executive in the capacity
hereinafter stated, and the Executive desires to enter into the employ of the
Corporation in such capacity for the period and on the terms and conditions set
forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth below, it is hereby covenanted and agreed by the Corporation and the
Executive as follows:

     1. Employment Period. The Corporation hereby agrees to employ the Executive
as its President and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive, in such
capacities, agrees to provide services to the Corporation for the period
beginning on the date first above written (the "Commencement Date") and ending
on the third anniversary of the Commencement Date (the "Employment Period").

     2. Performance of Duties. The Executive agrees that during the Employment
Period, while he is employed by the Corporation, he shall devote his best
efforts, energies and talents to serving in the capacities of President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in the best interests of the
Corporation, and to perform the duties assigned to him by the Board of Directors
faithfully, efficiently and in a professional manner; provided that the
Executive shall not, without his consent, be assigned duties that would be
inconsistent with those of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation. It is understood and hereby acknowledged that Executive is holds
other executive positions in both public and private companies.

     3. Compensation. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be compensated by the
Corporation for his services as follows:

          (a) He shall receive, for each 12-consecutive month period beginning
on the Commencement Date and each anniversary thereof, a rate of salary that is
not less than $120,000 per year, payable in substantially equal monthly or more
frequent installments. The Corporation shall also provide an additional
$10,000.yearly for executive accountable expenses, payable at least monthly to
Executive. During the Employment Period the Executive's salary rate shall be
reviewed by the Board of Directors on or before each anniversary of the
Commencement Date to determine whether an increase in his rate of compensation
is appropriate. Executive agrees however for the first 12 months of employment
to accept the rate of salary of $75,000 which will be reviewed quarterly for an
increase by the Board of Directors.

          (b) He shall receive, as of the date hereof, the amount equal to ten
percent of all issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation during this
agreement to be in the form of

<PAGE>

exercisable options at the price of $0.01 (one cent), plus stock options which
shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The $0.01 (one cent) options
shall be effective immediately and shall have piggy back registration rights or
be registered within 90 days from the effective date of this contract.

          (c) He shall be eligible to receive incentive compensation payments,
which, in the aggregate, are not less than the highest salaried payments
provided to any other senior executives of the Corporation. The Corporation
intends to establish an incentive compensation program pursuant to which such
incentive payments shall be paid to the Executive and, at the time such program
is established, payments there under shall be made to the Executive as if such
program was in effect as of the Commencement Date based on the Executive's
performance or other relevant factors from the Commencement Date.

          (d) He shall be a participant in the following executive benefit plans
maintained by the Corporation on substantially the same terms and conditions as
other senior executives of the Corporation: group life insurance, group medical,
long-term disability, thrift, pension, vacation, sick days, educational
assistance, vehicle allowance, attendance awards and annual medical physical.

          (e) He shall be entitled to receive the following perquisites which
shall not be less favorable to the Executive than the perquisites provided by
the Corporation immediately prior to the Employment Period: reimbursement of
family medical insurance of $600.00 per month, reimbursement of vehicle
allowance of $500.00 per month and reimbursement of $100.00 a month for cellular
phone expense. Executive acknowledges that company does not have a health
benefit plan at the current time, and will only be entitled to the $600.00 per
month reimbursement if he is left without health benefits elsewhere.

          (f) He shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable business,
promotional, travel and entertainment expenses incurred or paid by him during
the employment period in the performance of his services under this Agreement
provided that the Executive furnishes to the Company appropriate documentation
in a timely fashion required by the Internal Revenue Code in connection with
such expenses and shall furnish such other documentation and accounting as the
Company may from time to time reasonably request.

          (e) It is acknowledged that the Corporation intends to utilize an
employee leasing or payroll company. This employment contract shall survive any
and all termination of any employee leasing and/or payroll company that
Corporation engages now or in the future. The Executive shall not give up any
rights or entitlements under any such employee leasing and/or payroll
agreements.

     4. Compensation Due Upon Termination. Except as otherwise provided under
the executive benefit plans maintained by the Corporation in which the Executive
participates in accordance with subparagraph 3(d), the Executive's right to
compensation for periods after the date his employment with the Corporation
terminates shall be determined in accordance with the following:

                                       2

<PAGE>

          (a) Discharge Without Cause. In the event the Corporation terminates
the Executive's employment under this Agreement without cause, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive:

               (i) all payment of his salary (as of the date of termination) in
          accordance with the provisions of subparagraph 3(a) for the remainder
          of the Employment Period; and

               (ii) payment of any incentive compensation payments that
          otherwise would have been payable to the Executive under subparagraph
          3(c) through the date his employment with the Corporation terminates.

          (b) Voluntary Resignation. The Corporation shall have no obligation to
make payments to the Executive in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3
for periods after the date on which the Executive's employment with the
Corporation terminates due to the Executive's voluntary resignation.

          (c) Discharge for Cause. The Corporation shall have no obligation to
make payments to the Executive in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3
for periods after the Executive's employment with the Corporation is terminated
on account of the Executive's discharge for cause. For purposes of this Section
4, the Executive shall be considered discharged for "cause" if he is discharged
by the Corporation on account of the occurrence of one or more of the following
events:

               .    the Executive becomes habitually addicted to drugs or
                    alcohol;

               .    the Executive discloses confidential information in
                    violation of paragraph 5;

               .    the Corporation is directed by regulatory or governmental
                    authorities to terminate the employment of the Executive.

               .    the Executive flagrantly disregards his duties under this
                    Agreement after (A) notice has been given to the Executive
                    by the Board of Directors of the Corporation that it views
                    the Executive to be flagrantly disregarding his duties under
                    this Agreement and (B) the Executive has been given a period
                    of 10 days after such notice to cure such misconduct
                    (provided that no such notice or cure period shall be
                    required if Executive's disregard of his duties has
                    materially and adversely affected the Corporation);

               .    the Executive commits an act of fraud against the
                    Corporation or violates a duty of loyalty to the Corporation
                    or violates paragraph 2.

                                       3

<PAGE>

          (d) Disability. The Corporation shall have no obligation to make
payments to the Executive in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 for
periods after the date the Executive's employment with the Corporation
terminates on account of disability. For purposes of this subparagraph 4(d),
determination of whether the Executive is disabled shall be determined in
accordance with the Corporation's long term disability plan and applicable law,
except payments due and owing as of such date.

     5. Confidential Information. Except as may be required by the lawful order
of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction, the Executive agrees to keep
secret and confidential indefinitely all non-public information concerning the
Corporation and its affiliates that was acquired by or disclosed to the
Executive during the course of his employment by the Corporation or any of its
affiliates, including information relating to customers (including, without
limitation, credit history, repayment history, financial information and
financial statements), costs, and operations, financial data and plans, whether
past, current or planned and not to disclose the same, either directly or
indirectly, to any other person, firm or business entity, or to use it in any
way; provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph 5 shall not apply
to information that is in the public domain or that was disclosed to the
Executive by independent third parties who were not bound by an obligation of
confidentiality. The Executive further agrees that he shall not make any
statement or disclosure that (a) would be prohibited by applicable Federal or
state laws or (b) is intended or reasonably likely to be detrimental to the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

     6. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on, and inure to the benefit
of, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and any person acquiring,
whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or
substantially all of the Corporation's assets and business.

     7. Nonalienation. The interests of the Executive under this Agreement are
not subject to the claims of his creditors, other than the Corporation, and may
not otherwise be voluntarily or involuntarily assigned, alienated or encumbered
except to the Executive's estate upon his death.

     8. Remedies. The Executive acknowledges that the Corporation would be
irreparably injured by a violation of paragraphs 5, and agrees that the
Corporation shall be entitled to an injunction restraining the Executive from
any actual or threatened breach of paragraph 5, or to any other appropriate
equitable remedy without bond or other security being required.

     9. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either the Corporation or the Executive
of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be deemed
a waiver of any subsequent breach by either the Corporation or the Executive.

     10. Notice. Any notice to be given hereunder by a party hereto shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when received or, when deposited
in the U.S. mail, certified or registered mail, postage prepaid:

                                       4

<PAGE>

          (e) to the Executive addressed as follows:

              Mr. John Thatch
              P.O. Box 8337
              Clearwater, Florida 33758

          (f) to the Corporation addressed as follows:

              Dtomi, Inc.
              200 9th Avenue North
              Safety Harbor, Florida 34695

     11. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or cancelled by mutual
agreement of the parties in writing without the consent of any other person and
no person, other than the parties thereto (and the Executive's estate upon his
death), shall have any rights under or interest in this Agreement or the subject
matter hereof.

     12. Applicable Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Florida.

     13. Termination. All of the provisions of this Agreement shall terminate
after the expiration of the Employment Period.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Corporation have executed
this Employment Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                       /s/ John Thatch
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       John Thatch, Executive

                                       /s/ David M. Otto
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       By:  David Otto
                                       Its: Chairman
                                       Dtomi, Inc.

                                       5

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