Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into this date by
and between ALAMOSA PCS, LLC, a Texas Limited Liability Company, having its
principal executive office located at 4403 Brownfield Highway, Lubbock, Texas
79407 (the "Company"), and DAVID E. SHARBUTT, an individual residing at Lubbock,
Texas (the "Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the parties are entering into this Agreement to set forth and
confirm their respective rights and obligations with respect to the Employee's
employment by the Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

     1. EMPLOYMENT; TERM; DUTIES. The Company hereby employs the Employee as
Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). The term of the Employee's employment, pursuant
to this Agreement, will commence on October 1, 1999, (the "Commencement Date")
and will continue until September 30, 2002, or the termination of this Agreement
as described in Section 5 hereof, whichever shall occur first. The Employee
hereby accepts such employment, and agrees to devote his full time and effort to
the business and affairs of the Company with such duties consistent with the
Employee's position as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of
Managers of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company acknowledges
that the Employee has other business interests and ownerships as well as serving
on the Boards of Directors of other companies in which the Employee is a
stockholder or owner. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7 through 10 hereof,
the Company acknowledges and consents to the continuation of these ownerships
and relationships, provided they do not interfere with the Employee's duties
under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to impose any obligation on
the Company or any of its subsidiaries to continue to employ the Employee, or on
the Employee to remain in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

     2. COMPENSATION. In consideration of all services rendered by the Employee
as CEO during the term of his employment, pursuant to this Agreement, the
Company will provide the Employee with the following compensation:

     (a) BASE SALARY. The Company will pay the Employee a base salary at the
     annual rate of $175,000.00, payable periodically but no less often than
     semi-monthly, in substantially equal amounts, in accordance with the
     Company's payroll practices from time to time in effect. The Company will

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     review the Employee's base salary at least once each year and may, in its
     discretion, increase the Employee's base salary.

     (b) BONUS. In addition to the Employee's base salary, the Employee shall be
     eligible to receive a bonus (a "Quarterly Bonus") for each calendar quarter
     in an amount, if any, determined as follows: In each calendar quarter,
     beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 1999, Employee's Quarterly
     Bonus shall be equal to the sum of (1) plus (2) as follows:

          (1) $21,875.00 multiplied by the percentage set forth opposite each
          Expected Milestone set forth in the attached EXHIBIT "A", incorporated
          herein by reference, which is achieved for that calender quarter.

          (2) $21,875.00 multiplied by the percentage set forth opposite each
          Exceptional Milestone set forth in EXHIBIT "A" which is achieved for
          that calendar quarter.

     If any particular Expected Milestone or Exceptional Milestone is not
     achieved for any calendar quarter, that percentage share of the dollar
     amount specified in (1) or (2) above, as the case may be, shall not be
     payable as part of the Quarterly Bonus. The Expected Milestones,
     Exceptional Milestones and percentages set forth on EXHIBIT "A" may be
     changed by the Company at any time and from time to time, but any such
     change shall not apply earlier than the calendar quarter following the
     calendar quarter in which such change is made by the Company and
     communicated to the Employee.

     Any Quarterly Bonus owing to the Employee shall be paid within forty-five
     (45) days following the end of the applicable calendar quarter.

     (c) UNIT OPTIONS. If, on June 30, 2000, the Company has not become a
     wholly-owned subsidiary of Alamosa PCS Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
     corporation ("Holdings"), then on said date the Company will convert the
     membership interests in the Company to forty-eight million five hundred
     thousand (48,500,000) membership units, and shall grant to the Employee
     options to purchase membership units in the Company as follows:

          (1) First Option. An option (the "First Option") to purchase two
          hundred forty-two thousand five hundred (242,500) membership units in
          the Company at a per unit purchase price equal to One Dollar and
          Fifteen Cents ($1.15), said First Option to be fully vested and
          immediately exercisable by the Employee, and thereafter be exercisable
          at any time until January 5, 2009, in accordance with

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          the option agreement to be entered into between the Company and the
          Employee as of June 30, 2000, upon terms and conditions substantially
          similar to the terms and conditions of the Nonqualified Stock Option
          Agreement entered into by the Employee pursuant to the Alamosa PCS
          Holdings, Inc. 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

          (2) Second Option. An option (the "Second Option") to purchase one
          million four hundred fifty-five thousand (1,455,000) membership units
          in the Company at a per unit purchase price equal to Fifteen Dollars
          ($15.00), said Second Option, subject to Section 6 hereof, to vest and
          be exercisable by the Employee in three (3) equal installments of four
          hundred eighty-five thousand (485,000) membership units each on
          September 30, 2000, September 30, 2001, and September 30, 2002,
          respectively, and thereafter be exercisable at any time until January
          5, 2009, in accordance with the option agreement to be entered into
          between the Company and the Employee as of June 30, 2000, upon terms
          and conditions substantially similar to the terms and conditions of
          the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement entered into by the Employee
          pursuant to the Alamosa PCS Holdings, Inc. 1999 Long-Term Incentive
          Plan.

     (d) LIFE INSURANCE. The Company will provide at least $5,000,000.00 term
     life insurance on the life of the Employee during the term of the
     Employee's employment. The Company shall pay for all costs attributable to
     such coverage. Such life insurance shall be at least ten (10) year level
     premium term life insurance on the life of the Employee. The Employee shall
     have the right to designate the beneficiary of such policy or policies.
     Should the Employee not be insurable at the time of his employment under
     this Agreement, there will be no obligation upon the Company to provide
     such life insurance. If the Employee's employment terminates during the
     term of this Agreement or at the termination of the Employee's employment
     pursuant to this Agreement, the Employee may assume the premium obligations
     of this policy, in which event the Company shall assign all its rights in
     the policy to the Employee. In the event the Employee desires to assume the
     premium obligations under this policy and at the time of the Employee's
     termination of employment the Company has prepaid any premiums on the
     policy, the Employee shall pay to the Company the amount of any prepayment
     attributable to any period of coverage after the Employee's termination of
     employment.

The Employee will receive no additional compensation for serving the Company in
any other capacity, such as Chairman of the Board of Directors or any similar
position.

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     3. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. The Employee will be entitled to participate in all
incentive, retirement, profit-sharing, life, medical, disability and other
benefit plans and programs (collectively "Benefit Plans") as are from time to
time generally available to other executives of the Company with comparable
responsibilities, subject to the provisions of those programs. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Company will provide the Employee with
basic health and medical benefits on the terms that such benefits are provided
to other executives of the Company with comparable responsibilities. The
Employee will also be entitled to holidays, sick leave and vacation in
accordance with the Company's policies as they may change from time to time, but
in no event shall the Employee be entitled to less than four (4) weeks paid
vacation per year.

     4. EXPENSES.

     (a) Reimbursement for Expenses. The Company will promptly reimburse the
     Employee, in accordance with the Company's policies and practices in effect
     from time to time, for all expenses reasonably incurred by the Employee in
     performance of the Employee's duties under this Agreement, including
     reimbursement for miles driven by the Employee in furtherance of the
     Company's business ("Business Mileage").

          (1) Reimbursement for Business Mileage shall be at the standard
          mileage rate allowed by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for the
          taxable year and set forth in the appropriate IRS publication.

          (2) Business mileage does not include commuting from Employee's
          residence to the Company's headquarters.

          (3) Employee is responsible for proper substantiation and reporting of
          Business Mileage and/or actual expenses.

          (4) Employee acknowledges that the payment to him of a monthly vehicle
          allowance plus the standard mileage rate may result in taxable income
          if the business portion of actual automobile expenses is less than the
          total amount paid to employee under this subsection, or if employee
          does not maintain the records required by the Internal Revenue Code
          and the Regulations thereunder. Employee has been advised to consult a
          tax advisor to determine the taxability of payments under this
          subsection, and the record keeping requirements associated with the
          travel and expenses associated with such payments.

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     (b) Expense Allowance. In addition to reimbursed expenses, Employee is
     entitled to $1,250.00 per month as a vehicle allowance and club dues
     allowance.

     5. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment by the Company: (a) shall
terminate upon the Employee's death or disability (as defined below); (b) may be
terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause or non-performance at
any time; (c) may be terminated by the Company for cause (as defined below) at
any time; (d) may be terminated by the Employee, without cause at any time upon
forty-five (45) days' prior written notice delivered by the Employee to the
Company; (e) may be terminated by the Employee for cause (as defined below) at
any time upon forty-five (45) days' prior written notice delivered by the
Employee to the Company; and (f) may be terminated by the Company for
non-performance by the Employee at any time.

     (a) The term "disability" means the determination under the Company's
     Long-Term Disability Plan that the Employee is eligible to receive a
     disability benefit.

     (b) The term "cause" in the event of termination of the Employee's
     employment by the Company means (i) any breach of Sections 7 or 9 of this
     Agreement by Employee which has a material adverse effect on the Company
     and which is not or cannot be cured within thirty (30) days after notice
     from the Board of Managers of the Company thereof; (ii) commission of any
     act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the Employee that is materially
     and demonstrably injurious to the Company; (iii) any act or omission by
     Employee which constitutes a uncured default or breach of that certain
     Sprint PCS Management Agreement dated July 17, 1998 and as it may be
     amended from time to time or any other similar Sprint Management Agreement
     to which the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries may be a
     party ("the Sprint Agreement"); or (iv) any other intentional misconduct by
     the Employee adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company in
     a material manner. The term "intentional misconduct by the Employee
     adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company" shall mean such
     misconduct that is detrimental to the business or the reputation of the
     Company as it is perceived both by the general public and the
     telecommunications industry.

     (c) The term "cause" in the event of termination of the Employee's
     employment by the Employee means (i) the change in job responsibilities of
     the Employee resulting in the demotion of the Employee from the position of
     CEO, which demotion is caused by something other than would be cause for
     termination of the Employee's employment by the Company for cause and other
     than the non-performance of the Employee as defined later herein; or (ii)
     the removal of the Employee from the Board of

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     Managers of the Company or, if the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
     Holdings, the Board of Directors of Holdings or the failure of the Employee
     to be re-elected to said Board of Managers or said Board of Directors, as
     the case may be.

     (d) The term "non-performance by the Employee" in the event of termination
     of the Employee's employment by the Company means the determination by a
     super-majority (greater than 75%) of the members of the Board of Managers
     of the Company, in their sole and absolute discretion, that the Employee is
     not performing his duties under this Agreement after the Board of Managers
     of the Company has delivered to the Employee written notice which
     specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes he is not
     performing his duties and which is not or cannot be cured within 15 days
     after such written notice is delivered to the Employee.

     6. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.

     (a) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION ON EMPLOYEE'S DEATH OR DISABILITY. If the
     Employee's employment is terminated prior to September 30,2002, because of
     the Employee's death or disability, (i) subject to Section 6(h) hereof,
     this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or his legal
     representative or estate, as the case may be, shall be eligible to exercise
     any options granted and vested pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof at the time
     of such death or disability, plus, if such death or disability does not
     occur on September 30 of a given year, a fractional portion of those
     options which would have vested and become exercisable pursuant to Section
     2(c) hereof on the September 30 immediately following such death or
     disability based on a fraction whose numerator is the number of months
     (including the month in which the date of death or disability occurs) since
     the previous September 30 and whose denominator is twelve (12), in
     accordance with the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof and the option
     agreement referred to therein, and any other options granted to the
     Employee shall be forfeited; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, or
     his legal representative or estate, as the case may be, in full
     satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations
     under this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to
     the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to
     which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of employment,
     but had not yet been received; and (iv) the Employee's benefits and rights
     under any Benefit Plan shall be paid, retained or forfeited in accordance
     with the terms of such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no
     obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for Employee from and
     after termination.

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     (b) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN
     FOR CAUSE OR FOR NON-PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEE

          (1) If the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company prior to
          September 30, 2002, for any reason other than for cause or
          non-performance of Employee, (i) subject to Section 6(h) hereof, this
          Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or his legal
          representative or estate, as the case may be, shall be eligible to
          exercise any options granted but not exercised pursuant to Section
          2(c) hereof, which options shall be deemed vested as of the date of
          the Employee's termination of employment regardless of whether or not
          they are in fact otherwise vested pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof on
          said date, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof
          and the option agreement referred to therein; (iii) the Company will
          pay the Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation
          (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an amount
          equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee through the
          last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to which the Employee
          may have been entitled on the last day of employment, but had not yet
          been received; (iv) the Company will pay the Employee, within sixty
          (60) days of such termination, a lump sum severance payment equal to
          one (1) year's base salary as in effect at the date of employment
          termination; and (v) the Employee's benefits and rights under any
          Benefit Plan, other than any basic health and medical benefit plan,
          shall be paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of
          such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no obligation
          to make any payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after
          termination.

          (2) Any payment pursuant to clause (b)(1)(iv) above (the "Termination
          Payment"):

               a. will be subject to offset for any advances, amounts
               receivable, and loans, including accrued interest, outstanding on
               the date of the employment termination; and

               b. will not be subject to offset on account of any remuneration
               paid or payable to the Employee for any subsequent employment the
               Employee may obtain, whether during or after the period during
               which the Termination Payment is made, and the Employee shall
               have no obligation whatever to seek any subsequent employment.

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               (c) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION FOR CAUSE BY THE COMPANY. If the
               Employee's employment is terminated by the Company prior to
               September 30, 2002,for cause, (i) subject to Section 6(h) hereof,
               this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee shall not be
               eligible to exercise and shall forfeit any options granted
               (whether or not vested) pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof at the
               time of such employment termination that have not already been
               exercised by the Employee at the time of such employment
               termination; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full
               satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary and bonus)
               obligations under this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of
               any base salary due to the Employee through the last day of
               employment, plus any accrued bonus to which the Employee may have
               been entitled on the last day of employment, but had not yet been
               received; and(iv) the Employee's benefits and rights under any
               Benefit Plan shall be paid, retained or forfeited in accordance
               with the terms of such plan; provided, however, that Employer
               shall have no obligation to make any payments toward these
               benefits for Employee from and after termination.

               (d) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE FOR ANY REASON
               OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR EMPLOYEE'S DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, upon
               forty-five (45) days' prior written notice to the Company by the
               Employee, the Employee's employment is terminated by the Employee
               prior to September 30, 2002, for any reason other than for cause
               or Employee's death or disability, (i) subject to Section 6(h)
               hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or
               his legal representative or estate, as the case may be, shall be
               eligible to exercise any options granted and vested, but not
               exercised pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof at the time of such
               employment termination, in accordance with the provisions of
               Section 2(c) hereof and the option agreement referred to therein,
               and any other options granted to the Employee shall be forfeited;
               (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full satisfaction of
               all of its compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations under
               this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due
               to the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any
               accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been entitled on the
               last day of employment, but had not yet been received; and (iv)
               the Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other
               than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be retained
               or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan; provided,
               however, that Employer shall have no obligation to make any
               payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after
               termination.

               (e) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE FOR CAUSE .

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                    (1) If, upon forty-five (45) days' prior written notice to
                    the Company by the Employee, the Employee's employment is
                    terminated by the Employee prior to September 30, 2002, for
                    cause (i) subject to Section 6(h) hereof, this Agreement
                    terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or his legal
                    representative or estate, as the case may be, shall be
                    eligible to exercise any options granted and vested pursuant
                    to Section 2(c) hereof at the time of such employment
                    termination, plus, if such employment termination does not
                    occur on September 30 of a given year, those options which
                    would have vested and become exercisable pursuant to Section
                    2(c) hereof on the September 30 immediately following such
                    employment termination, in accordance with the provisions of
                    Section 2(c) hereof and the option agreement referred to
                    therein, and any other options granted to the Employee shall
                    be forfeited; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, in
                    full satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary
                    and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an amount equal
                    to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee through
                    the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to which
                    the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of
                    employment, but had not yet been received; (iv) the Company
                    will pay the Employee, within sixty (60) days of such
                    termination, a lump sum severance payment equal to one (1)
                    year's base salary as in effect at the date of employment
                    termination or the unpaid balance of the annual base salary
                    which would have been payable to Employee through September
                    30, 2002, whichever amount shall be less; and (v) the
                    Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other
                    than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be
                    paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of
                    such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no
                    obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for
                    Employee from and after termination.

                    (2) Any payment pursuant to clause (e)(1)(iv) above (the
                    "Termination Payment"):

                         a. will be subject to offset for any advances, amounts
                         receivable, and loans, including accrued interest,
                         outstanding on the date of the employment termination;
                         and

                         b. will not be subject to offset on account of any
                         remuneration paid or payable to the Employee for any
                         subsequent employment the Employee may obtain, whether
                         during or after the period during which the Termination
                         Payment is made, and the Employee shall have no
                         obligation whatever to seek any subsequent employment.

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               (f) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR
               NON-PERFORMANCE BY THE EMPLOYEE. If the Employee's employment is
               terminated by the Company prior to September 30, 2002, for
               non-performance by the Employee (i) subject to Section 6(h)
               hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or
               his legal representative or estate, as the case may be, shall be
               eligible to exercise any options granted and vested but not
               exercised pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof at the time of such
               employment termination, in accordance with the provisions of
               Section 2(c) hereof and the option agreement referred to therein,
               and any other options granted to the Employee shall be forfeited;
               (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full satisfaction of
               all of its compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations under
               this Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due
               to the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any
               accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been entitled on the
               last day of employment, but had not yet been received; and (iv)
               the Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other
               than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be paid,
               retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan;
               provided, however, that Employer shall have no obligation to make
               any payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after
               termination.

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               (g) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOLLOWING A CHANGE
               OF CONTROL.

                    (1) If the Employee's employment is terminated by the
                    Company prior to September 30, 2002, for any reason other
                    than for cause (as defined in Section 5(b) hereof) within
                    one (1) year following a Change of Control, (i) subject to
                    Section 6(h) hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately;
                    (ii) Employee or his legal representative or estate, as the
                    case may be, shall be eligible to exercise any options
                    granted but not exercised pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof
                    which options shall be deemed vested as of the date of the
                    Employee's termination of employment regardless of whether
                    or not they are in fact otherwise vested pursuant to Section
                    2(c) hereof on said date, in accordance with the provisions
                    of Section 2(c) hereof and the option agreement referred to
                    therein; (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full
                    satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary and
                    bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an amount equal to
                    the sum of any base salary due to the Employee through the
                    last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to which the
                    Employee may have been entitled on the last day of
                    employment, but had not yet been received; (iv) the Company
                    will pay the Employee, within sixty (60) days of such
                    termination, a lump sum severance payment equal to the
                    unpaid balance of the base salary which would have been
                    payable to Employee through September 30, 2002; and (v) the
                    Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other
                    than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be
                    paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of
                    such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no
                    obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for
                    Employee from and after termination.

                    (2) The term "Change of Control" shall have the same meaning
                    as defined in the Alamosa PCS Holdings, Inc. 1999 Long-Term
                    Incentive Plan.

                    (3) Any payment pursuant to clause (g)(1)(iv) above (the
                    "Termination Payment"):

                         a. will be subject to offset for any advances, amounts
                         receivable, and loans, including accrued interest
                         outstanding on the date of the employment termination;
                         and

                         b. will not be subject to offset on account of any
                         remuneration paid or payable to the Employee for any

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                         subsequent employment the Employee may obtain, whether
                         during or after the period during which the Termination
                         Payment is made, and the Employee shall have no
                         obligation whatever to seek any subsequent employment.

               (h) PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any
               provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of
               Sections 7 through 12 hereof shall survive the expiration or
               termination of this Agreement as necessary to give full effect to
               all of the provisions of this Agreement.

     7. NON-COMPETITION BY EMPLOYEE. During the term of this Agreement, the
Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an Employee, Employer,
Consultant, Agent, Principal, Partner, Corporate Officer, Director, Shareholder,
Member, Investor or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage
or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatever
with the business of the Company. For these purposes, the business of the
Company is establishing and providing mobile wireless communications services
(the "Business"), including all aspects of the Business, within the Service Area
as that term is defined in the Schedule of Definitions referred to in and
incorporated by reference into the Sprint Agreement. Furthermore, upon the
expiration of this Agreement or the termination of this Agreement prior to
September 30, 2002, for any reason, the Employee expressly agrees not to engage
or participate, directly or indirectly, either as an Employee, Employer,
Consultant, Agent, Principal, Partner, Stockholder, Corporate Officer, Director,
Shareholder, Member, Investor or in any other individual or representative
capacity, for a period of two (2) years in any business that is in competition
with the Business and that is located within and/or doing business within the
Service Area as defined above as in existence during the term of the Employee's
employment with the Company. The parties agree that the Company has a legitimate
interest in protecting the Business and goodwill of the Company that has
developed in the areas of the Company's Business and in the geographical areas
of this Covenant Not To Compete as a result of the operations of the Company.
The parties agree that the Company is entitled to protection of its interests in
these areas. The parties further agree that the limitations as to time,
geographical area, and scope of activity to be restrained do not impose a
greater restraint upon Employee than is necessary to protect the goodwill or
other business interest of the Company. The parties further agree that in the
event of a violation of this Covenant Not To Compete, that the Company shall be
entitled to the recovery of damages from Employee and/or an injunction against
Employee for the breach or violation or continued breach or violation of this
Covenant. The Employee agrees that if a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that the length of time or any other restriction, or portion thereof,
set forth in this Section 7 is overly restrictive and unenforceable, the court
may reduce or modify such restrictions to those which it deems reasonable and
enforceable under the circumstances, and as so reduced or modified, the parties
hereto agree that the restrictions of this Section 7 shall remain in full force

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and effect. The Employee further agrees that if a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Section 7 is invalid or
against public policy, the remaining provisions of this Section 7 and the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and shall remain in
full force and effect.

     8. EXCEPTIONS TO NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary or apparently to the contrary, the following shall not be a
violation or breach of the non-competition covenants contained in this
Agreement. Employee may invest in the securities of any enterprise (but without
otherwise participating in the activities of such enterprise) if (a) such
securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have
been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
(b) the Employee does not beneficially own (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in excess of 5% of the outstanding
capital stock of such enterprise. In addition, the employment of Employee by CHR
Solutions, Inc. ("CHR"), successor to Hicks & Ragland Engineering Co. Inc. or
any company or entity into which CHR may be merged or converted shall so long as
CHR or any such company into which CHR may be merged or converted is not in
competition with the Business also be an exception to the non-competition
covenants. Employee's investment in any company or entity in which Employer is
an owner or stockholder at the time of entering into this Agreement shall also
be an exception to the non-competition covenants. The names of these companies
or entities are shown on the attached Exhibit B, which is incorporated herein by
this reference as if copied at length. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Employee's relationship with other entities or business interests of Employee
shall in no way interfere with or detract from the duties of the Employee to the
Company as called for in this Agreement.

     9. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Employee recognizes and acknowledges that
he will have access to certain information of members of the Company Group (as
defined below) and that such information is confidential and constitutes
valuable, special and unique property of such members of the Company Group. The
parties agree that the Company has a legitimate interest in protecting the
Confidential Information, as defined below. The parties agree that the Company
is entitled to protection of its interests in the Confidential Information. The
Employee shall not at any time, either during or subsequent to the term of this
Agreement, disclose to others, use, copy or permit to be copied, except in
pursuance of his duties for an on behalf of the Company, it successors, assigns
or nominees, any Confidential Information of any member of the Company Group
(regardless of whether developed by the Employee) without the prior written
consent of the Company. Employee acknowledges that the use or disclosure of the
Confidential Information to anyone or any third party could cause monetary loss
and damages to the Company. The parties further agree that in the event of a
violation of this covenant against non-use and non-disclosure of Confidential
Information, that the Company shall be entitled to a recovery of damages from
Employee and/or an injunction against Employee for the breach or violation or
continued breach or violation of this covenant.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 13 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   14

     As used herein, "Company Group" means the Company, and any entity that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, the Company, and for purposes of this definition "control" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

     The term "Confidential Information" with respect to any person means any
secret or confidential information or know-how and shall include, but shall not
be limited to, the plans, financial and operating information, customers,
supplier arrangements, contracts, costs, prices, uses, and applications of
products and services, results of investigations, studies or experiments owned
or used by such person, and all apparatus, products, processes, compositions,
samples, formulas, computer programs, computer hardware designs, computer
firmware designs, and servicing, marketing or manufacturing methods and
techniques at any time used, developed, investigated, made or sold by such
person, before or during the term of this Agreement, that are not readily
available to the public or that are maintained as confidential by such person.
The Employee shall maintain in confidence any Confidential Information of third
parties received as a result of his employment with the Company in accordance
with the Company's obligations to such third parties and the policies
established by the Company.

     10. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS UPON TERMINATION. The Employee shall deliver to
the Company or its designee at the termination of his employment all
correspondence, memoranda, notes, records, drawings, sketches, plans, customer
lists, product compositions, and other documents and all copies thereof, made,
composed or received by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, that are in
the Employee's possession, custody, or control at termination and that are
related in any manner to the past, present, or anticipated business or any
member of the Company Group. In this regard, the Employee hereby grants and
conveys to the Company all right, title and interest in and to, including
without limitation, the right to possess, print, copy, and sell or otherwise
dispose of, any reports, records, papers, summaries, photographs, drawings or
other documents, and writings, and copies, abstracts or summaries thereof, that
may be prepared by the Employee or under his direction or that may come into his
possession in any way during the term of his employment with the Company that
relate in any manner to the past, present or anticipated business of any member
of the Company Group.

     11. DISPUTES. The Company and Employee agree to the following in regard to
any disputes between them arising under any of the provisions of this Agreement
other than the provisions of Sections 7 through 10 hereof. Nothing in this
Section 11 applies to or governs disputes arising under Sections 7 through 10 of
this Agreement.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 14 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   15

          (a) MEDIATION. The Company and Employee agree to mediate any dispute
          arising under the applicable provisions of this Agreement. In the
          event of any such dispute, the parties, within thirty (30) days of a
          written request for mediation, shall attend, in good faith, a
          mediation in order to make a good faith reasonable effort to resolve
          such dispute arising under this Agreement. The parties shall attempt,
          in good faith, to agree to a mediator. If unable to so agree, the
          parties, in that event, will move to arbitration as provided in this
          Agreement and there will be no mediation. If this good faith mediation
          effort fails to resolve any dispute arising under this Agreement, the
          Company and Employee agree to arbitrate any dispute arising under this
          Agreement. This arbitration shall occur only after the mediation
          process described herein.

          (b) ARBITRATION. The Company and Employee agree, as concluded by the
          parties to this Agreement on the advice of their counsel, and as
          evidenced by the signatures of the parties and of their respective
          attorneys, that all questions as to rights and obligations arising
          under the terms of this Agreement are subject to arbitration and such
          arbitration shall be governed by the provisions of the Texas General
          Arbitration Act (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section
          171.001 et seq as it may be amended from time to time).

          (c) DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION. If a dispute should arise under this
          Agreement, either party may within thirty (30) days make a demand for
          arbitration by filing a demand in writing with the other.

          (d) APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATORS. The parties to this Agreement may
          agree on one arbitrator, but in the event that they cannot so agree,
          there shall be three arbitrators, one named in writing by each of the
          parties within thirty (30) days after demand for arbitration is made,
          and a third to be chosen by the two so named. The arbitrators among
          themselves shall appoint a presiding arbitrator. Should either party
          fail to timely join in the appointment of the arbitrators, the
          arbitrators shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of
          Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 171.041.

          (e) HEARING. All arbitration hearings conducted under the terms of
          this Agreement, and all judicial proceedings to enforce any of the
          provisions of this Agreement, shall take place in Lubbock County,
          Texas. The hearing before the arbitrators of the matter to be
          arbitrated shall be at the time and place within that County selected
          by the arbitrators or if deemed by the arbitrators to be more
          convenient for the parties or more economically feasible, may be
          conducted in any city within the Service Area as referred to in
          Section 7 hereof or within the State of Texas.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 15 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   16

          (f) ARBITRATION AWARD. If there is only one arbitrator, his or her
          decision shall be binding and conclusive. The submission of a dispute
          to the arbitrators and the rendering of their decision shall be a
          condition precedent to any right of legal action on the dispute. A
          judgment confirming the award of the arbitrators may be rendered by
          any court having jurisdiction; or the court may vacate, modify, or
          correct the award in accordance with the provisions of the Texas
          General Arbitration Act (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code ss.
          171.087 et seq as it may be amended from time to time).

          (g) COSTS OF ARBITRATION. The costs and expenses of arbitration,
          including the fees of the arbitrators but excluding any attorneys'
          fees, shall be advanced by the Company, but will ultimately be borne
          by the losing party or in such proportions as the arbitrators shall
          determine.

          (h) CONDUCT OF ARBITRATION. Any arbitration brought under the terms of
          this Agreement shall be conducted in the following manner:

               (1) Time Limitations. The parties agree that the following time
               limitations shall govern the arbitration proceedings conducted
               under the terms of this Agreement:

                    (a) Any demand for arbitration must be filed within thirty
                    (30) days of the date the mediation is deemed unsuccessful,
                    or thirty (30) days after the date of the written request
                    for mediation, whichever is later.

                    (b) Each party must select an arbitrator within thirty (30)
                    days of receipt of notice that an arbitration proceeding has
                    commenced. In the event that no such selection is made, the
                    arbitrator selected by the other party may conduct the
                    arbitration proceeding without selecting any other
                    arbitrator.

                    (c) The hearing must be held within sixty (60) days of the
                    date on which the third arbitrator is selected.

                    (d) Hearing briefs must be submitted no later than ten (10)
                    days after the hearing.

                    (e) The arbitration award must be made within thirty (30)
                    days of the receipt of hearing briefs.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 16 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   17

               (2) Discovery in Arbitration Proceedings. The parties agree that
               discovery may be conducted in the course of the arbitration
               proceeding in accordance with the following provisions:

                    (a) Each party may notice no more than three (3) depositions
                    in total, including both witnesses adherent to the adverse
                    party and third-party witnesses.

                    (b) Each party may serve no more than twenty-five (25)
                    requests for admission on the other party. No requests may
                    be served within ten (10) days of the date of hearing,
                    unless the parties otherwise stipulate. All requests for
                    admission shall be responded to within ten (10) days of
                    service of the requests, unless the parties otherwise
                    stipulate.

                    (c) Each party may serve no more than fifty (50)
                    interrogatories on the other party. No interrogatory shall
                    contain subparts, or concern more than one topic or subject
                    of inquiry. Interrogatories may not be phrased so as to
                    circumvent the effect of this clause. No interrogatories may
                    be served within ten (10) days of the date of hearing,
                    unless the parties otherwise stipulate. All interrogatories
                    shall be responded to within ten (10) days of service of the
                    interrogatories, unless the parties otherwise stipulate.

                    (d) Each party may serve no more than ten (10) requests for
                    production of documents on the other party. No request for
                    production of documents shall contain subparts, or seek more
                    than one type of document. Requests for production of
                    documents may not be phrased so as to circumvent the effect
                    of this clause. Unless the parties otherwise stipulate,
                    requests for production of documents may not be served
                    within ten (10) day of the date of hearing, and all requests
                    for production of documents shall be responded to within ten
                    (10) days of service of the requests.

                    (e) If any party contends that the other party has served
                    discovery requests in a manner not permitted by this
                    Section, or that the other party's response to a discovery
                    request is unsatisfactory, the party may request the
                    presiding arbitrator to resolve such discovery disputes. The
                    presiding arbitrator shall prescribe the procedure by which
                    such disputes are resolved. Any discovery dispute may be
                    handled by telephone conference among the parties and the
                    presiding arbitrator.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 17 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   18

     12. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT. The Company shall require
any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company
to expressly assume and agree in writing 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, provided that the Employee must be given
the position as the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with the same authority,
powers and responsibilities set forth in Section 1 hereof with respect to the
subsidiary or subdivision which operates the business of the Company as it
exists on the date of such business combination. Failure of the Company to
obtain such express assumption and agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of
any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the
Employee to compensation and benefits from the Company in the same amount and on
the same terms to which the Employee would be entitled hereunder if the Company
terminated the Employee's employment without Cause, except that all options will
be immediately vested. For purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on
which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the date of
termination. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid
which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or
otherwise. The Company may not assign this Agreement, (i) except in connection
with, and to the acquiror of, all or substantially all of the business or assets
of the Company, provided such acquiror expressly assumes and agrees in writing
to perform this Agreement as provided in this Section, and (ii) except in
connection with the Company becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, in
which event the Company may assign this Agreement and all of the Company's
rights and obligations hereunder to Holdings. The Employee may not assign his
rights or delegate his duties or obligations under this Agreement.

     13. NOTICE. Any notices or other communications required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly made
or given when hand delivered, one (1) business day after being transmitted by
telecopier (confirmed by mail) or sent by overnight courier against receipt, or
five (5) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, to the party to whom such communication is
given at the address set forth below, which address may be changed by notice
given in accordance with this Section:

     If to the Company:                   Alamosa PCS LLC
                                          4403 Brownfield Highway
                                          Lubbock, Texas  79407
                                          Attn:  David E. Sharbutt, Chairman

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 18 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   19

     With Copy to:                        Jack McCutchin, Jr.
                                          Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, L.L.P.
                                          P. O. Box 1499
                                          Lubbock, Texas 79408-1499

     If to the Employee:                  David E. Sharbutt
                                          4606 91st Street
                                          Lubbock, Texas  79424

     With Copy to:                        Bill Harriger
                                          Murchison Hund & Harriger, L.L.P.
                                          Post Office Box 54390
                                          Lubbock, Texas 79453-4390

     14. MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared
          to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity
          or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof
          which shall remain in full force and effect.

          (b) NO ORAL MODIFICATION, WAIVER OR DISCHARGE. No provisions of this
          Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged orally, but only by a
          waiver, modification or discharge in writing signed by the Employee
          and such officer as may be designated by the Board of Managers of the
          Company to execute such a waiver, modification or discharge. No waiver
          by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party
          hereto of, or failure to be in compliance with, any condition or
          provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall
          be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions
          at the time or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or
          representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect
          to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are
          not expressly set forth in this Agreement or in the documents attached
          as Exhibits to this Agreement.

          (c) INVALID PROVISIONS. Should any portion of this Agreement be
          adjudged or held to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such holding
          shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of
          this Agreement and the parties hereby agree that the portion so held
          invalid, unenforceable or void shall, if possible, be deemed amended
          or reduced in scope, or otherwise be stricken from this Agreement to
          the extent required for the purposes of validity and enforcement
          thereof.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 19 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   20

          (d) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto
          represent the entire agreement of the parties and shall supersede any
          and all previous contracts, arrangements or understandings, express or
          implied, between the Employee and the Company with respect to the
          subject matter hereof.

          (e) SECTION HEADINGS FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY. The section headings herein
          are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to define
          or limit the contents of any section.

          (f) EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign this Agreement in
          counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
          instrument.

          (g) GOVERNING LAW AND PERFORMANCE. This Agreement shall be governed by
          the laws of the State of Texas and shall be deemed to be executed in
          and performance called for in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas, or at
          the Company's sole option, by the laws of the state or states where
          this Agreement may be at issue in any litigation involving the
          Company.

     DATED this 18th day of January, 2000, to be effective October 1, 1999.

                              COMPANY

                              ALAMOSA PCS LLC

                              By:    /s/ SCOTTY HART
                                     -------------------------------------
                              Name:      Scotty Hart
                                     -------------------------------------
                              Title:     Director, by authority of the
                                         Board of Directors
                                     -------------------------------------

                              EMPLOYEE

                              /s/ DAVID E. SHARBUTT
                              ---------------------------------------
                              DAVID E. SHARBUTT

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 20 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt

<PAGE>   21

Approved as to the mediation and arbitration provisions in Paragraph 12 above.

                              CRENSHAW, DUPREE & MILAM, L.L.P.

                              By: /s/ JACK McCUTCHIN, JR.
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 JACK McCUTCHIN, JR.
                                 Attorneys for Alamosa PCS LLC

                                  /s/ BILL HARRIGER
                                 ---------------------------------------
                                 BILL HARRIGER
                                 Attorney for Employee

Attachment:    Exhibit "A" - The Minimum, Expected and Exceptional Milestones
               for the Third Quarter and Fourth Quarter of 1999 as adopted by
               the Board of Managers of the Company

               Exhibit "B" - List of Companies or Entities Excepted from
               Covenants

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT       PAGE 21 OF 22
ALAMOSA PCS LLC and David E. Sharbutt<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into this date
by and between ALAMOSA PCS, LLC, a Texas Limited Liability Company, having its
principal executive office located at 4403 Brownfield Highway, Lubbock, Texas
79407 (the "Company"), and KENDALL COWAN, an individual residing at 8402
Vicksburg, Lubbock, Texas (the "Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the parties are entering into this Agreement to set forth and
confirm their respective rights and obligations with respect to the Employee's
employment by the Company.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT; TERM; DUTIES. The Company hereby employs the Employee as
Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). The term of the Employee's employment, pursuant
to this Agreement, will commence on December 1, 1999, (the "Commencement Date")
and will continue until November 30, 2004, or the termination of this Agreement
as described in Section 6 hereof, whichever shall occur first. The Employee
hereby accepts such employment, and agrees to devote his full time and effort to
the business and affairs of the Company with such duties consistent with the
Employee's position as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of
Managers of the Company and/or the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the
Company. The CFO shall report to the CEO of the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company acknowledges that the Employee has other business
interests and ownerships as well as serving on the Boards of Directors of other
companies in which the Employee is a stockholder or owner. Subject to the
provisions of Sections 8 through 11 hereof, the Company acknowledges and
consents to the continuation of these ownerships and relationships, provided
they do not interfere with the Employee's duties under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to impose any obligation on the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to continue to employ the Employee, or on the Employee to remain in
the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

         2. COMPENSATION. In consideration of all services rendered by the
Employee as CFO during the term of his employment, pursuant to this Agreement,
the Company will provide the Employee with the following compensation:

                  (a) BASE SALARY. The Company will pay the Employee a base
                  salary at the annual rate of $150,000.00, payable periodically
                  but no less often than semi-monthly, in substantially equal
                  amounts, in accordance with the

Employment Agreement       PAGE 1 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   2

                  Company's payroll practices from time to time in effect. The
                  Company will review the Employee's base salary at least once
                  each year and may, in its discretion, increase the Employee's
                  base salary.

                  (b) BONUS. In addition to the Employee's base salary, the
                  Employee shall be eligible to receive a bonus (a "Quarterly
                  Bonus") for each calendar quarter in an amount, if any,
                  determined as follows: In each calendar quarter, beginning
                  with the quarter ending December 31, 1999, Employee's
                  Quarterly Bonus shall be equal to the sum of (1) plus (2) as
                  follows:

                                            (1) $18,750.00 multiplied by the
                           percentage set forth opposite each Expected Milestone
                           set forth in the attached EXHIBIT "A", incorporated
                           herein by reference, which is achieved for that
                           calender quarter.

                           (2) $18,750.00 multiplied by the percentage set forth
                           opposite each Exceptional Milestone set forth in
                           EXHIBIT "A" which is achieved for that calendar
                           quarter.

                  If any particular Expected Milestone or Exceptional Milestone
                  is not achieved for any calendar quarter, that percentage
                  share of the dollar amount specified in (1) or (2) above, as
                  the case may be, shall not be payable as part of the Quarterly
                  Bonus. The Expected Milestones, Exceptional Milestones and
                  percentages set forth on EXHIBIT "A" may be changed by the
                  Company at any time and from time to time, but any such change
                  shall not apply earlier than the calendar quarter following
                  the calendar quarter in which such change is made by the
                  Company and communicated to the Employee.

                  Any Quarterly Bonus owing to the Employee shall be paid within
                  forty-five (45) days following the end of the applicable
                  calendar quarter.

                  (c) UNIT OPTIONS. If, on June 30, 2000, the Company has not
                  become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alamosa PCS Holdings,
                  Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), then on said date
                  the Company will convert the membership interests in the
                  Company to forty-eight million five hundred thousand
                  (48,500,000) membership units, and shall grant to the Employee
                  options to purchase membership units in the Company as
                  follows:

                           (1) Option. An option (the "Option") to purchase one
                           million four hundred fifty-five thousand (1,455,000)
                           membership units in the Company at a per unit
                           purchase price equal to Fifteen Dollars ($15.00),
                           said Option, subject to Section 7 hereof, to vest and
                           be

Employment Agreement       PAGE 2 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   3

                           exercisable by the Employee in five (5) equal
                           installments of two hundred ninety-one thousand
                           (291,000) membership units each on November 30, 2000,
                           November 30, 2001, November 30, 2002, November 30,
                           2003, and November 30, 2004, respectively, and
                           thereafter be exercisable at any time until January
                           5, 2009, in accordance with the option agreement to
                           be entered into between the Company and the Employee
                           as of July 31, 2000, upon terms and conditions
                           substantially similar to the terms and conditions of
                           the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement entered into
                           by the Employee pursuant to the Alamosa PCS Holdings,
                           Inc. 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The Employee will receive no additional compensation for serving the Company in
any other capacity.

         3. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. The Employee will be entitled to participate in
all incentive, retirement, profit-sharing, life, medical, disability and other
benefit plans and programs (collectively "Benefit Plans") as are from time to
time generally available to other executives of the Company with comparable
responsibilities, subject to the provisions of those programs. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Company will provide the Employee with
basic health and medical benefits on the terms that such benefits are provided
to other executives of the Company with comparable responsibilities. The
Employee will also be entitled to holidays, sick leave and vacation in
accordance with the Company's policies as they may change from time to time, but
in no event shall the Employee be entitled to less than four (4) weeks paid
vacation per year.

         4. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEE. The Employee is a licensed
Certified Public Accountant. The Company acknowledges that it would be in the
best interest of the Company for the Employee to maintain such license. As
additional benefits to the Employee under this Agreement related to such
license, the Company agrees to either pay directly or reimburse the Employee
during the term of this Agreement for each of the following:

                  (a) Continuing Professional Education (CPE). The Employee is
                  required to maintain CPE classes. The Company will pay or
                  reimburse the costs of such classes sufficient for Employee to
                  maintain his license, but such payment shall be limited to the
                  cost of such classes (i.e. tuition and books) and the direct
                  costs associated with such classes, such as travel to and from
                  and housing, including hotel and meals for the Employee only.

Employment Agreement       PAGE 3 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   4

                  (b) Dues and Licenses. The Company will pay or reimburse the
                  Employee for all professional dues and licenses attributable
                  to the Employee's license, including but not limited to the
                  following:

                           (1)  Texas Society of CPAs;

                           (2)  American Institute of CPAs; and

                           (3)  Annual License Fees, Texas State Board of
                                Accountancy.

         5. EXPENSES.

                  (a) Reimbursement for Expenses. The Company will promptly
                  reimburse the Employee, in accordance with the Company's
                  policies and practices in effect from time to time, for all
                  expenses reasonably incurred by the Employee in performance of
                  the Employee's duties under this Agreement, including
                  reimbursement for miles driven by the Employee in furtherance
                  of the Company's business ("Business Mileage").

                           (1) Reimbursement for Business Mileage shall be at
                           the standard mileage rate allowed by the Internal
                           Revenue Service ("IRS") for the taxable year and set
                           forth in the appropriate IRS publication.

                           (2) Business mileage does not include commuting from
                           Employee's residence to the Company's headquarters.

                           (3) Employee is responsible for proper substantiation
                           and reporting of Business Mileage and/or actual
                           expenses.

                           (4) Employee acknowledges that the payment to him of
                           a monthly vehicle allowance plus the standard mileage
                           rate may result in taxable income if the business
                           portion of actual automobile expenses is less than
                           the total amount paid to employee under this
                           subsection, or if employee does not maintain the
                           records required by the Internal Revenue Code and the
                           Regulations thereunder. Employee has been advised to
                           consult a tax advisor to determine the taxability of
                           payments under this subsection, and the record
                           keeping requirements associated with the travel and
                           expenses associated with such payments.

                  (b) Expense Allowance. In addition to reimbursed expenses,
                  Employee is entitled to $600.00 per month as a vehicle
                  allowance.

         6. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment by the Company: (a) shall
terminate upon the Employee's death or disability (as defined below); (b) may be
terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause or nonperformance at
any

Employment Agreement       PAGE 4 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   5

time; (c) may be terminated by the Company for cause (as defined below) at any
time; (d) may be terminated by the Employee, without cause at any time upon
forty-five (45) days' prior written notice delivered by the Employee to the
Company; (e) may be terminated by the Employee for cause (as defined below) at
any time upon forty-five (45) days' prior written notice delivered by the
Employee to the Company; and (f) may be terminated by the Company for
non-performance by the Employee at any time.

                  (a) The term "disability" means the determination under the
                  Company's Long-Term Disability Plan that the Employee is
                  eligible to receive a disability benefit.

                  (b) The term "cause" in the event of termination of the
                  Employee's employment by the Company means (i) any breach of
                  Sections 8 or 10 of this Agreement by Employee which has a
                  materially adverse effect on the Company and which is not or
                  cannot be cured within thirty (30) days after notice from the
                  CEO or the Board of Managers of the Company thereof; (ii)
                  commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by
                  the Employee that is materially and demonstrably injurious to
                  the Company; (iii) any act or omission by Employee which
                  constitutes a uncured default or breach of that certain Sprint
                  PCS Management Agreement dated July 17, 1998 and as it may be
                  amended from time to time or any other similar Sprint
                  Management Agreement to which the Company or any of its
                  affiliates or subsidiaries may be a party ("the Sprint
                  Agreement"); or (iv) any other intentional misconduct by the
                  Employee adversely affecting the business or affairs of the
                  Company in a material manner. The term "intentional misconduct
                  by the Employee adversely affecting the business or affairs of
                  the Company" shall mean such misconduct that is detrimental to
                  the business or the reputation of the Company as it is
                  perceived both by the general public and the
                  telecommunications industry.

                  (c) The term "cause" in the event of termination of the
                  Employee's employment by the Employee means (i) a dispute
                  between the Company and the Employee over accounting issues
                  provided, however, any such dispute shall not constitute
                  "cause" if the Company, at its own expense, elects to have a
                  nationally recognized public accounting firm resolve the
                  accounting issue dispute and such accounting firm agrees with
                  the Company's position regarding such accounting issue; (ii)
                  termination of employment by the Employee at any time more
                  than six (6) months after the date of termination by the
                  Company for any reason of the employment of David Sharbutt as
                  Chief Executive Officer of the Company ("Sharbutt's
                  Termination"), provided the Employee, within sixty (60) days
                  of the date of Sharbutt's Termination, notifies the Company in
                  writing of his intention to terminate employment under this
                  provision and specifies in such notice his date of employment
                  termination; (iii) the requirement by the Company of

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<PAGE>   6

                  the relocation of the Employee from Lubbock, Texas; (iv) the
                  change in job responsibilities of the Employee resulting in
                  the demotion of the Employee from the position of CFO, which
                  demotion is caused by something other than would be cause for
                  termination of the Employee's employment by the Company for
                  cause and other than the non-performance of the Employee as
                  defined later herein; or (v) the failure of the Company to
                  complete its initial public offering (IPO) on or before
                  December 31, 2000.

                  (d) The term "non-performance by the Employee" in the event of
                  termination of the Employee's employment by the Company means
                  the determination by a super-majority (greater than 75%) of
                  the members of the Board of Managers of the Company, in their
                  sole and absolute discretion, that the Employee is not
                  performing his duties under this Agreement after the CEO or
                  the Board of Managers of the Company has delivered to the
                  Employee written notice which specifically identifies the
                  manner in which the CEO or the Board believes he is not
                  performing his duties and which is not or cannot be cured
                  within 15 days after such written notice is delivered to the
                  Employee.

         7. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.

                  (a) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION ON EMPLOYEE'S DEATH OR
                  DISABILITY. If the Employee's employment is terminated prior
                  to November 30,2004, because of the Employee's death or
                  disability, (i) subject to Section 7(g) hereof, this Agreement
                  terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or his legal
                  representative or estate, as the case may be, shall be
                  eligible to exercise any options granted and vested pursuant
                  to Section 2(c) hereof at the time of such death or
                  disability, plus, if such death or disability does not occur
                  on November 30 of a given year, a fractional portion of those
                  options which would have vested and become exercisable
                  pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof on the November 30 immediately
                  following such death or disability based on a fraction whose
                  numerator is the number of months (including the month in
                  which the date of death or disability occurs) since the
                  previous November 30 and whose denominator is twelve (12), in
                  accordance with the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof and the
                  option agreement referred to therein, and any other options
                  granted to the Employee shall be forfeited; (iii) the Company
                  will pay the Employee, or his legal representative or estate,
                  as the case may be, in full satisfaction of all of its
                  compensation (base salary and bonus) obligations under this
                  Agreement, an amount equal to the sum of any base salary due
                  to the Employee through the last day of employment, plus any
                  accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been entitled on
                  the last day of employment, but had not yet been received; and
                  (iv) the Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan
                  shall be paid, retained or

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<PAGE>   7

                  forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan; provided,
                  however, that Employer shall have no obligation to make any
                  payments toward these benefits for Employee from and after
                  termination.

                  (b) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR ANY REASON
                  OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR FOR NON-PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEE.

                           (1) If the Employee's employment is terminated by the
                           Company prior to November 30, 2004, for any reason
                           other than for cause or non-performance of Employee,
                           (i) subject to Section 7(g) hereof, this Agreement
                           terminates immediately; (ii) Employee or his legal
                           representative or estate, as the case may be, shall
                           be eligible to exercise any options granted but not
                           exercised pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof, which
                           options shall be deemed vested as of the date of the
                           Employee's termination of employment regardless of
                           whether or not they are in fact otherwise vested
                           pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof on said date, in
                           accordance with the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof
                           and the option agreement referred to therein; (iii)
                           the Company will pay the Employee, in full
                           satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary
                           and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an
                           amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the
                           Employee through the last day of employment, plus any
                           accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been
                           entitled on the last day of employment, but had not
                           yet been received; (iv) the Company will pay the
                           Employee, within sixty (60) days of such termination,
                           a lump sum severance payment equal to one (1) year's
                           base salary as in effect at the date of employment
                           termination; and (v) the Employee's benefits and
                           rights under any Benefit Plan, other than any basic
                           health and medical benefit plan, shall be paid,
                           retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of
                           such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall
                           have no obligation to make any payments toward these
                           benefits for Employee from and after termination.

                           (2) Any payment pursuant to clause (b)(1)(iv) above
                           (the "Termination Payment"):

                                    a. will be subject to offset for any
                                    advances, amounts receivable, and loans,
                                    including accrued interest, outstanding on
                                    the date of the employment termination; and

                                    b. will not be subject to offset on account
                                    of any remuneration paid or payable to the
                                    Employee for any subsequent employment the
                                    Employee may obtain, whether

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<PAGE>   8
                                    during or after the period during which the
                                    Termination Payment is made, and the
                                    Employee shall have no obligation whatever
                                    to seek any subsequent employment.

                  (c) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION FOR CAUSE BY THE COMPANY. If
                  the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company prior
                  to November 30, 2004, for cause, (i) subject to Section 7(g)
                  hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee
                  shall not be eligible to exercise and shall forfeit any
                  options granted (whether or not vested) pursuant to Section
                  2(c) hereof at the time of such employment termination that
                  have not already been exercised by the Employee at the time of
                  such employment termination; (iii) the Company will pay the
                  Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation
                  (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an
                  amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee
                  through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to
                  which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of
                  employment, but had not yet been received; and(iv) the
                  Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan shall be
                  paid, retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of
                  such plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no
                  obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for
                  Employee from and after termination.

                  (d) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE FOR ANY REASON
                  OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR EMPLOYEE'S DEATH OR DISABILITY. If,
                  upon forty-five (45) days' prior written notice to the Company
                  by the Employee, the Employee's employment is terminated by
                  the Employee prior to November 30, 2004, for any reason other
                  than for cause or Employee's death or disability, (i) subject
                  to Section 7(g) hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately;
                  (ii) Employee or his legal representative or estate, as the
                  case may be, shall be eligible to exercise any options granted
                  and vested, but not exercised pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof
                  at the time of such employment termination, in accordance with
                  the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof and the option agreement
                  referred to therein, and any other options granted to the
                  Employee shall be forfeited; (iii) the Company will pay the
                  Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation
                  (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an
                  amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee
                  through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to
                  which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of
                  employment, but had not yet been received; and (iv) the
                  Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other
                  than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be
                  retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such
                  plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no

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<PAGE>   9

                  obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for
                  Employee from and after termination.

                  (e) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE EMPLOYEE FOR CAUSE.

                           (1) If, upon forty-five (45) days' prior written
                           notice to the Company by the Employee, the Employee's
                           employment is terminated by the Employee prior to
                           November 30, 2004, for cause (i) subject to Section
                           7(g) hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately;
                           (ii) Employee or his legal representative or estate,
                           as the case may be, shall be eligible to exercise any
                           options granted and vested pursuant to Section 2(c)
                           hereof at the time of such employment termination,
                           plus, if such employment termination does not occur
                           on November 30 of a given year, those options which
                           would have vested and become exercisable pursuant to
                           Section 2(c) hereof on the November 30 immediately
                           following such employment termination, in accordance
                           with the provisions of Section 2(c) hereof and the
                           option agreement referred to therein, and any other
                           options granted to the Employee shall be forfeited;
                           (iii) the Company will pay the Employee, in full
                           satisfaction of all of its compensation (base salary
                           and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an
                           amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the
                           Employee through the last day of employment, plus any
                           accrued bonus to which the Employee may have been
                           entitled on the last day of employment, but had not
                           yet been received; (iv) the Company will pay the
                           Employee, within sixty (60) days of such termination,
                           a lump sum severance payment equal to one (1) year's
                           base salary as in effect at the date of employment
                           termination or the unpaid balance of the annual base
                           salary which would have been payable to Employee
                           through November 30, 2004, whichever amount shall be
                           less; and (v) the Employee's benefits and rights
                           under any Benefit Plan, other than any basic health
                           and medical benefit plan, shall be paid, retained or
                           forfeited in accordance with the terms of such plan;
                           provided, however, that Employer shall have no
                           obligation to make any payments toward these benefits
                           for Employee from and after termination.

                           (2) Any payment pursuant to clause (e)(1)(iv) above
                           (the "Termination Payment"):

                                    a. will be subject to offset for any
                                    advances, amounts receivable, and loans,
                                    including accrued interest, outstanding on
                                    the date of the employment termination; and

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<PAGE>   10

                                    b. will not be subject to offset on account
                                    of any remuneration paid or payable to the
                                    Employee for any subsequent employment the
                                    Employee may obtain, whether during or after
                                    the period during which the Termination
                                    Payment is made, and the Employee shall have
                                    no obligation whatever to seek any
                                    subsequent employment.

                  (f) CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR
                  NON-PERFORMANCE BY THE EMPLOYEE. If the Employee's employment
                  is terminated by the Company prior to November 30, 2004, for
                  non-performance by the Employee (i) subject to Section 7(g)
                  hereof, this Agreement terminates immediately; (ii) Employee
                  or his legal representative or estate, as the case may be,
                  shall be eligible to exercise any options granted and vested
                  but not exercised pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof at the time
                  of such employment termination, in accordance with the
                  provisions of Section 2(c) hereof and the option agreement
                  referred to therein, and any other options granted to the
                  Employee shall be forfeited; (iii) the Company will pay the
                  Employee, in full satisfaction of all of its compensation
                  (base salary and bonus) obligations under this Agreement, an
                  amount equal to the sum of any base salary due to the Employee
                  through the last day of employment, plus any accrued bonus to
                  which the Employee may have been entitled on the last day of
                  employment, but had not yet been received; and (iv) the
                  Employee's benefits and rights under any Benefit Plan, other
                  than any basic health and medical benefit plan, shall be paid,
                  retained or forfeited in accordance with the terms of such
                  plan; provided, however, that Employer shall have no
                  obligation to make any payments toward these benefits for
                  Employee from and after termination.

                  (g) PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any
                  provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions
                  of Sections 8 through 13 hereof shall survive the expiration
                  or termination of this Agreement as necessary to give full
                  effect to all of the provisions of this Agreement.

         8. NON-COMPETITION BY EMPLOYEE. During the term of this Agreement, the
Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an Employee, Employer,
Consultant, Agent, Principal, Partner, Corporate Officer, Director, Shareholder,
Member, Investor or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage
or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatever
with the business of the Company. For these purposes, the business of the
Company is establishing and providing mobile wireless communications services
(the "Business"), including all aspects of the Business within the Service Area
as that term is defined in the Schedule of Definitions referred to in and
incorporated by reference into the Sprint Agreement. Furthermore,

Employment Agreement       PAGE 10 OF 21
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<PAGE>   11

upon the expiration of this Agreement or the termination of this Agreement prior
to November 30, 2004, for any reason, the Employee expressly agrees not to
engage or participate, directly or indirectly, either as an Employee, Employer,
Consultant, Agent, Principal, Partner, Stockholder, Corporate Officer, Director,
Shareholder, Member, Investor or in any other individual or representative
capacity, for a period of two (2) years in any business that is in competition
with the Business and that is located within and/or doing business within the
Service Area as defined above as in existence during the term of the Employee's
employment with the Company. The parties agree that the Company has a legitimate
interest in protecting the Business and goodwill of the Company that has
developed in the areas of the Company's Business and in the geographical areas
of this Covenant Not To Compete as a result of the operations of the Company.
The parties agree that the Company is entitled to protection of its interests in
these areas. The parties further agree that the limitations as to time,
geographical area, and scope of activity to be restrained do not impose a
greater restraint upon Employee than is necessary to protect the goodwill or
other business interest of the Company. The parties further agree that in the
event of a violation of this Covenant Not To Compete, that the Company shall be
entitled to the recovery of damages from Employee and/or an injunction against
Employee for the breach or violation or continued breach or violation of this
Covenant. The Employee agrees that if a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that the length of time or any other restriction, or portion thereof,
set forth in this Section 8 is overly restrictive and unenforceable, the court
may reduce or modify such restrictions to those which it deems reasonable and
enforceable under the circumstances, and as so reduced or modified, the parties
hereto agree that the restrictions of this Section 8 shall remain in full force
and effect. The Employee further agrees that if a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Section 8 is invalid or
against public policy, the remaining provisions of this Section 8 and the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and shall remain in
full force and effect.

         9. EXCEPTIONS TO NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary or apparently to the contrary, the following shall not be
a violation or breach of the non-competition covenants contained in this
Agreement. Employee may invest in the securities of any enterprise (but without
otherwise participating in the activities of such enterprise) if (a) such
securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have
been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
(b) the Employee does not beneficially own (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in excess of 5% of the outstanding
capital stock of such enterprise. Employee's investment in any company or entity
in which Employer is an owner or stockholder at the time of entering into this
Agreement shall also be an exception to the non-competition covenants. The names
of these companies or entities are shown on the attached Exhibit B, which is
incorporated herein by this reference as if copied at length. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Employee's relationship with other entities or business
interests of

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<PAGE>   12

Employee shall in no way interfere with or detract from the duties of the
Employee to the Company as called for in this Agreement.

         10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Employee recognizes and acknowledges
that he will have access to certain information of members of the Company Group
(as defined below) and that such information is confidential and constitutes
valuable, special and unique property of such members of the Company Group. The
parties agree that the Company has a legitimate interest in protecting the
Confidential Information, as defined below. The parties agree that the Company
is entitled to protection of its interests in the Confidential Information. The
Employee shall not at any time, either during or subsequent to the term of this
Agreement, disclose to others, use, copy or permit to be copied, except in
pursuance of his duties on behalf of the Company, it successors, assigns or
nominees, any Confidential Information of any member of the Company Group
(regardless of whether developed by the Employee) without the prior written
consent of the Company. Employee acknowledges that the use or disclosure of the
Confidential Information to anyone or any third party could cause monetary loss
and damages to the Company. The parties further agree that in the event of a
violation of this covenant against non-use and non-disclosure of Confidential
Information, that the Company shall be entitled to a recovery of damages from
Employee and/or an injunction against Employee for the breach or violation or
continued breach or violation of this covenant.

         As used herein, "Company Group" means the Company, and any entity that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, the Company, and for purposes of this definition "control" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

         The term "Confidential Information" with respect to any person means
any secret or confidential information or know-how and shall include, but shall
not be limited to, the plans, financial and operating information, customers,
supplier arrangements, contracts, costs, prices, uses, and applications of
products and services, results of investigations, studies or experiments owned
or used by such person, and all apparatus, products, processes, compositions,
samples, formulas, computer programs, computer hardware designs, computer
firmware designs, and servicing, marketing or manufacturing methods and
techniques at any time used, developed, investigated, made or sold by such
person, before or during the term of this Agreement, that are not readily
available to the public or that are maintained as confidential by such person.
The Employee shall maintain in confidence any Confidential Information of third
parties received as a result of his employment with the Company in accordance
with the Company's obligations to such third parties and the policies
established by the Company.

Employment Agreement       PAGE 12 OF 21
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<PAGE>   13

         11. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS UPON TERMINATION. The Employee shall deliver
to the Company or its designee at the termination of his employment all
correspondence, memoranda, notes, records, drawings, sketches, plans, customer
lists, product compositions, and other documents and all copies thereof, made,
composed or received by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, that are in
the Employee's possession, custody, or control at termination and that are
related in any manner to the past, present, or anticipated business or any
member of the Company Group. In this regard, the Employee hereby grants and
conveys to the Company all right, title and interest in and to, including
without limitation, the right to possess, print, copy, and sell or otherwise
dispose of, any reports, records, papers, summaries, photographs, drawings or
other documents, and writings, and copies, abstracts or summaries thereof, that
may be prepared by the Employee or under his direction or that may come into his
possession in any way during the term of his employment with the Company that
relate in any manner to the past, present or anticipated business of any member
of the Company Group.

         12. DISPUTES. The Company and Employee agree to the following in regard
to any disputes between them arising under any of the provisions of this
Agreement other than the provisions of Sections 8 through 11 hereof. Nothing in
this Section 12 applies to or governs disputes arising under Sections 8 through
11 of this Agreement.

                  (a) MEDIATION. The Company and Employee agree to mediate any
                  dispute arising under the applicable provisions of this
                  Agreement. In the event of any such dispute, the parties,
                  within thirty (30) days of a written request for mediation,
                  shall attend, in good faith, a mediation in order to make a
                  good faith reasonable effort to resolve such dispute arising
                  under this Agreement. The parties shall attempt, in good
                  faith, to agree to a mediator. If unable to so agree, the
                  parties, in that event, will move to arbitration as provided
                  in this Agreement and there will be no mediation. If this good
                  faith mediation effort fails to resolve any dispute arising
                  under this Agreement, the Company and Employee agree to
                  arbitrate any dispute arising under this Agreement. This
                  arbitration shall occur only after the mediation process
                  described herein.

                  (b) ARBITRATION. The Company and Employee agree, as concluded
                  by the parties to this Agreement on the advice of their
                  counsel, and as evidenced by the signatures of the parties and
                  of their respective attorneys, that all questions as to rights
                  and obligations arising under the terms of this Agreement are
                  subject to arbitration and such arbitration shall be governed
                  by the provisions of the Texas General Arbitration Act (Texas
                  Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 171.001 et seq as it
                  may be amended from time to time).

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<PAGE>   14

                  (c) DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION. If a dispute should arise under
                  this Agreement, either party may within thirty (30) days make
                  a demand for arbitration by filing a demand in writing with
                  the other.

                  (d) APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATORS. The parties to this Agreement
                  may agree on one arbitrator, but in the event that they cannot
                  so agree, there shall be three arbitrators, one named in
                  writing by each of the parties within thirty (30) days after
                  demand for arbitration is made, and a third to be chosen by
                  the two so named. The arbitrators among themselves shall
                  appoint a presiding arbitrator. Should either party fail to
                  timely join in the appointment of the arbitrators, the
                  arbitrators shall be appointed in accordance with the
                  provisions of Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section
                  171.041.

                  (e) HEARING. All arbitration hearings conducted under the
                  terms of this Agreement, and all judicial proceedings to
                  enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall take
                  place in Lubbock County, Texas. The hearing before the
                  arbitrators of the matter to be arbitrated shall be at the
                  time and place within that County selected by the arbitrators
                  or if deemed by the arbitrators to be more convenient for the
                  parties or more economically feasible, may be conducted in any
                  city within the Service Area as referred to in Section 7
                  hereof or within the State of Texas.

                  (f) ARBITRATION AWARD. If there is only one arbitrator, his or
                  her decision shall be binding and conclusive. The submission
                  of a dispute to the arbitrators and the rendering of their
                  decision shall be a condition precedent to any right of legal
                  action on the dispute. A judgment confirming the award of the
                  arbitrators may be rendered by any court having jurisdiction;
                  or the court may vacate, modify, or correct the award in
                  accordance with the provisions of the Texas General
                  Arbitration Act (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
                  Section 171.087 et seq as it may be amended from time to
                  time).

                  (g) COSTS OF ARBITRATION. The costs and expenses of
                  arbitration, including the fees of the arbitrators but
                  excluding any attorneys' fees, shall be advanced by the
                  Company, but will ultimately be borne by the losing party or
                  in such proportions as the arbitrators shall determine.

                  (h) CONDUCT OF ARBITRATION. Any arbitration brought under the
                  terms of this Agreement shall be conducted in the following
                  manner:

                           (1) Time Limitations. The parties agree that the
                           following time limitations shall govern the
                           arbitration proceedings conducted under the terms of
                           this Agreement:

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<PAGE>   15

                                    (a) Any demand for arbitration must be filed
                                    within thirty (30) days of the date the
                                    mediation is deemed unsuccessful, or thirty
                                    (30) days after the date of the written
                                    request for mediation, whichever is later.

                                    (b) Each party must select an arbitrator
                                    within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice
                                    that an arbitration proceeding has
                                    commenced. In the event that no such
                                    selection is made, the arbitrator selected
                                    by the other party may conduct the
                                    arbitration proceeding without selecting any
                                    other arbitrator.

                                    (c) The hearing must be held within sixty
                                    (60) days of the date on which the third
                                    arbitrator is selected.

                                    (d) Hearing briefs must be submitted no
                                    later than ten (10) days after the hearing.

                                    (e) The arbitration award must be made
                                    within thirty (30) days of the receipt of
                                    hearing briefs.

                           (2) Discovery in Arbitration Proceedings. The parties
                           agree that discovery may be conducted in the course
                           of the arbitration proceeding in accordance with the
                           following provisions:

                                    (a) Each party may notice no more than three
                                    (3) depositions in total, including both
                                    witnesses adherent to the adverse party and
                                    third-party witnesses.

                                    (b) Each party may serve no more than
                                    twenty-five (25) requests for admission on
                                    the other party. No requests may be served
                                    within ten (10) days of the date of hearing,
                                    unless the parties otherwise stipulate. All
                                    requests for admission shall be responded to
                                    within ten (10) days of service of the
                                    requests, unless the parties otherwise
                                    stipulate.

                                    (c) Each party may serve no more than fifty
                                    (50) interrogatories on the other party. No
                                    interrogatory shall contain subparts, or
                                    concern more than one topic or subject of
                                    inquiry. Interrogatories may not be phrased
                                    so as to circumvent the effect of this
                                    clause. No interrogatories may be served
                                    within ten (10) days of the date of hearing,
                                    unless the parties otherwise stipulate. All
                                    interrogatories shall be

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<PAGE>   16

                                    responded to within ten (10) days of service
                                    of the interrogatories, unless the parties
                                    otherwise stipulate.

                                    (d) Each party may serve no more than ten
                                    (10) requests for production of documents on
                                    the other party. No request for production
                                    of documents shall contain subparts, or seek
                                    more than one type of document. Requests for
                                    production of documents may not be phrased
                                    so as to circumvent the effect of this
                                    clause. Unless the parties otherwise
                                    stipulate, requests for production of
                                    documents may not be served within ten (10)
                                    day of the date of hearing, and all requests
                                    for production of documents shall be
                                    responded to within ten (10) days of service
                                    of the requests.

                                    (e) If any party contends that the other
                                    party has served discovery requests in a
                                    manner not permitted by this Section, or
                                    that the other party's response to a
                                    discovery request is unsatisfactory, the
                                    party may request the presiding arbitrator
                                    to resolve such discovery disputes. The
                                    presiding arbitrator shall prescribe the
                                    procedure by which such disputes are
                                    resolved. Any discovery dispute may be
                                    handled by telephone conference among the
                                    parties and the presiding arbitrator.

         13. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT. The Company shall
require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or
assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree in writing 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, provided that the
Employee must be given the position as the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") with
the same authority, powers and responsibilities set forth in Section 1 hereof
with respect to the subsidiary or subdivision which operates the business of the
Company as it exists on the date of such business combination. Failure of the
Company to obtain such express assumption and agreement at or prior to the
effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and
shall entitle the Employee to compensation and benefits from the Company in the
same amount and on the same terms to which the Employee would be entitled
hereunder if the Company terminated the Employee's employment without Cause,
except that all options will be immediately vested. For purposes of implementing
the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be
deemed the date of termination. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business or assets
as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise. The Company may not assign this Agreement, (i) except in
connection with, and to the

Employment Agreement       PAGE 16 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   17

acquiror of, all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company,
provided such acquiror expressly assumes and agrees in writing to perform this
Agreement as provided in this Section, and (ii) except in connection with the
Company becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, in which event the
Company may assign this Agreement and all of the Company's rights and
obligations hereunder to Holdings. The Employee may not assign his rights or
delegate his duties or obligations under this Agreement.

         14. NOTICE. Any notices or other communications required or permitted
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
made or given when hand delivered, one (1) business day after being transmitted
by telecopier (confirmed by mail) or sent by overnight courier against receipt,
or five (5) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, to the party to whom such communication is
given at the address set forth below, which address may be changed by notice
given in accordance with this Section:

         If to the Company:               Alamosa PCS LLC
                                          4403 Brownfield Highway
                                          Lubbock, Texas  79407
                                          Attn:  David E. Sharbutt, Chairman

         With Copy to:                    Jack McCutchin, Jr.
                                          Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, L.L.P.
                                          P. O. Box 1499
                                          Lubbock, Texas 79408-1499

         If to the Employee:              Kendall Cowan
                                          8402 Vicksburg
                                          Lubbock, Texas  79424

         With Copy to:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          --------------------------------------

          15. MISCELLANEOUS.

              (a) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
              declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such
              invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining
              provisions hereof which shall remain in full force and effect.

              (b) NO ORAL MODIFICATION, WAIVER OR DISCHARGE. No provisions of
              this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged orally, but
              only by a waiver, modification or discharge in writing signed by
              the Employee and

Employment Agreement       PAGE 17 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   18

              such officer as may be designated by the Board of Managers of the
              Company to execute such a waiver, modification or discharge. No
              waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the
              other party hereto of, or failure to be in compliance with, any
              condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such
              other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
              provisions or conditions at the time or at any prior or subsequent
              time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express
              or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been
              made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this
              Agreement or in the documents attached as Exhibits to this
              Agreement.

              (c) INVALID PROVISIONS. Should any portion of this Agreement be
              adjudged or held to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such
              holding shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the
              remainder of this Agreement and the parties hereby agree that the
              portion so held invalid, unenforceable or void shall, if possible,
              be deemed amended or reduced in scope, or otherwise be stricken
              from this Agreement to the extent required for the purposes of
              validity and enforcement thereof.

              (d) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Exhibits attached
              hereto represent the entire agreement of the parties and shall
              supersede any and all previous contracts, arrangements or
              understandings, express or implied, between the Employee and the
              Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

              (e) SECTION HEADINGS FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY. The section headings
              herein are for the purpose of convenience only and are not
              intended to define or limit the contents of any section.

              (f) EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign this Agreement
              in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
              instrument.

              (g) GOVERNING LAW AND PERFORMANCE. This Agreement shall be
              governed by the laws of the State of Texas and shall be deemed to
              be executed in and performance called for in Lubbock, Lubbock
              County, Texas, or at the Company's sole option, by the laws of the
              state or states where this Agreement may be at issue in any
              litigation involving the Company.

Employment Agreement       PAGE 18 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   19

         DATED this 18th day of January, 2000, to be effective December 1, 1999.

                                     COMPANY

                                     ALAMOSA PCS LLC

                                     By     /s/ DAVID SHARBUTT
                                            -------------------------

                                     Name:  David Sharbutt
                                            -------------------------

                                     Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                            -------------------------

                                     EMPLOYEE

                                     /s/ KENDALL W. COWAN
                                     --------------------------------
                                     KENDALL W. COWAN

Employment Agreement       PAGE 19 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

<PAGE>   20

Approved as to the mediation and arbitration provisions in Paragraph 12 above.

                                     CRENSHAW, DUPREE & MILAM, L.L.P.

                                     By   /s/ JACK MCCUTCHIN, JR.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          JACK McCUTCHIN, JR.
                                          Attorneys for Alamosa PCS LLC

                                          [SIGNATURE TO COME]
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Attorney for Employee

Attachment:  Exhibit "A" - The Minimum, Expected and Exceptional Milestones for
             the Third Quarter and Fourth Quarter of 1999 as adopted by the
             Board of Managers of the Company

             Exhibit "B" - List of Companies or Entities Excepted from Covenants

Employment Agreement       PAGE 20 OF 21
Alamosa PCS LLC and Kendall Cowan

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