Document:

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EXHIBIT 10.3

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of January 1, 2007
(the "Effective Date"), is by and between VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD., a
Delaware corporation (together with any subsidiaries, the "Company"), and BRUCE
MACDONALD (the "Executive").

     The Company and the Executive agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT.

     1.1 General. The Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive
accepts employment, as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer of the Company, upon the terms and conditions described herein. The
Executive's employment hereunder will commence on the Effective Date and will
continue for the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2.1 hereof) unless
terminated sooner as herein provided. During the Employment Term, the Executive
shall devote all of his business time, attention and skills to the business and
affairs of the Company, and will not undertake any commitments that would
interfere with or impair his performance of his duties and responsibilities.

     1.2 Duties. The Executive shall at all times render his services at the
direction of the Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") and its Chief
Executive Officer, and his duties generally will include those required for the
day to day and long term financial reporting and management, planning,
development, operation and advancement of the business of the Company and its
affiliates. The Company may assign to the Executive such other executive and
financial administrative duties for the Company or any affiliate of the Company
as may be determined by the Board of Directors, consistent with the Executive's
status as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The
Executive agrees to diligently use his best efforts to promote and further the
reputation and good name of the Company and perform his services well and
faithfully.

2. TERM, RENEWAL AND TERMINATION.

     2.1 Term; Renewal. Subject to Section 2.2, the Executive's employment by
the Company shall be for three years from the Effective Date, ending at 11:59
p.m., East Coast time, on December 31, 2009; provided, however, that the term of
employment shall be extended automatically for periods of one year commencing on
the third anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary
thereafter, unless either party gives written notice to the other, in each case
at least 180 days prior to the end of the then current term, of such party's
election not to extend the term of this Agreement. The last day of such term, as
so extended from time to time, is herein referred to as the "Expiration Date"
and the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the Expiration Date
is herein referred to as the "Employment Term."

     2.2 Early Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Agreement, the Executive's employment may be terminated prior to the end
of the Employment Term only as set forth in this Section.

          2.2.1 Termination Upon Resignation or Death of Executive. The
Executive's employment shall terminate upon the resignation or death of the
Executive. In case of termination pursuant to this Section 2.2.1, the Company
shall pay to the Executive (or, in case of his death, to his estate or his
beneficiary designated in writing), the base salary earned by the Executive
pursuant to Section 3, prorated through the date of resignation or death.

          2.2.2 Termination Upon Disability of Executive. The Executive's
employment shall

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terminate by reason of the disability of the Executive. For this purpose,
"disability" shall mean the Executive's inability, by reason of accident,
illness or other physical or mental disability (determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors with the advice of a qualified and independent physician), to
perform satisfactorily the duties required by his employment hereunder for any
consecutive period of 120 calendar days. In case of termination pursuant to this
Section 2.2.2, the Executive shall continue to receive his base salary prorated
through the time of such termination, less any amount the Executive receives
during such period from any Company-sponsored or Company-paid source of
insurance, disability compensation or government program.

          2.2.3 Termination Upon Mutual Consent. The Executive's employment may
be terminated by the mutual consent of the Company and the Executive on such
terms as they may agree.

          2.2.4 Termination For Cause. The Executive's employment shall
terminate immediately on notice to the Executive upon a good faith finding of
the Board of Directors that the Executive has (i) willfully or repeatedly failed
in any material respect to perform his duties in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement following 30 days' prior written notice to the Executive and
failure of the Executive to cure such deficiency, (ii) committed a breach of any
provision of Section 4 hereof, (iii) misappropriated assets or perpetrated fraud
against the Company, (iv) been convicted of a crime which constitutes a felony,
or (v) been engaged in the illegal use of controlled or habit forming
substances. The preceding clauses (i)-(v) shall constitute "Cause" for
termination of the Executive hereunder. In the event of termination for Cause
pursuant to this Section 2.2.4, the Company shall pay the Executive his base
salary prorated through the date of termination.

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive
shall not be terminated for Cause unless and until the Executive has had an
opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors to hear and respond to the
allegations of Cause for his termination.

          2.2.5 Termination by Company Without Cause. The Company may terminate
the Executive's employment at any time and for any reason, without Cause, upon
written notice to the Executive. Termination of employment on the Expiration
Date by reason of non-renewal as provided in the first sentence of Section 2.1
shall not be considered a termination of employment without Cause.

          In the event of termination pursuant to this Section 2.2.5, the
Company shall, subject to Section 2.2.7, pay or provide to the Executive the
following termination benefits: (i) an amount (the "Payout Amount") equal to the
Executive's annual base salary as of the termination date, payable as follows:
50% of the Payout Amount on the six-month anniversary of the termination date,
followed by 8.3333% of the Payout Amount each month for six additional months in
equal regular monthly installments, in each case less income taxes and other
applicable withholdings, and (ii) the Executive's Fringe Benefits (as defined
below) for 12 months.

          The obligation of the Company to provide "Fringe Benefits" following
any termination that is or is deemed to be without Cause shall mean that the
Executive's participation (including dependent coverage) in the life and health
insurance plans of the Company in effect immediately prior to the termination
shall be continued, or substantially equivalent benefits provided, by the
Company, at a cost to the Executive no greater than his cost at the date of such
termination, for the period in which the Company shall be obligated to pay the
Payout Amount (but not more than 12 months). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the Company shall be unable to provide for the continuation of an insurance
benefit (such as life insurance) because such benefit was provided pursuant to
an insurance policy that does not provide for the extension of such insurance
benefit following termination of the employment of the Executive, then the
Executive may purchase insurance providing such insurance benefit and, whether
or not the Executive so elects to purchase insurance, the Company's only
obligation with respect to such insurance benefit shall be to reimburse the
Executive for his premium costs, up to a maximum aggregate amount for all
policies of insurance purchased by the Executive pursuant to this sentence of
$12,000 per annum, prorated for partial years. If the Company is obligated
pursuant to the so-called "COBRA" law to offer the Executive the opportunity for
a temporary extension of health coverage ("continuation coverage"), then the
Executive shall elect continuation coverage, and the premium cost of such
coverage shall be borne by the Company

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and the Executive as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph.
Continuation coverage provided pursuant to COBRA shall terminate in accordance
with COBRA. To the extent that any benefit required to be provided to the
Executive by the Company by reason of a termination for Cause shall be provided
to the Executive by any successor employer, the Company's obligation to provide
that benefit to the Executive shall be correspondingly offset or shall cease, as
the case may be. Except as expressly required by COBRA, in no event shall the
Company have any obligation to provide Fringe Benefits after the expiration of
the 12-month period provided in this Section 2.2.5. The Executive shall not be
entitled to any other expense or benefit following the termination of his
employment for any reason.

          2.2.6 Termination in Connection with Change of Control. If the
employment of the Executive terminates for any reason, including termination by
the Executive, within 30 days following the occurrence of a "Change of Control"
(as defined in this Section 2.2.6), then the Company shall, subject to Section
2.2.7, pay or provide to the Executive the following termination benefits: (i)
an amount (the "COC Payout Amount") equal to the Executive's annual base salary
as of the termination date, payable as follows: 50% of the Payout Amount on the
six-month anniversary of the termination date, followed by 8.3333% of the COC
Payout Amount each month for six additional months in equal regular monthly
installments, in each case less income taxes and other applicable withholdings,
and (ii) the Executive's Fringe Benefits (as defined below) for 12 months.

          A "Change of Control" shall mean a change in control of the Company
(and not any person or entity that hereafter becomes a successor to all or
substantially all of the business or assets of the Company by reason of a Change
of Control) and shall be deemed to have taken place if: (i) a third person,
including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, becomes the beneficial owner of shares of the capital stock of the
Company having more than 50% of the total number of votes that may be cast for
the election of directors of the Company, (ii) the sale or other disposition
(excluding mortgage or pledge) of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, or (iii) the merger or other business combination of the Company with
or into another corporation or entity pursuant to which the Company will not
survive or will survive only as a subsidiary of another corporation or entity,
in either case with the stockholders of the Company prior to the merger or other
business combination holding less than 50% of the voting shares of the merged or
combined companies or entities after such merger or other business combination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to be a Change
of Control for purposes hereof: (i) any transaction in which either (x) the
Executive, any of Henry Baker, Joan Baker, Peter Baker, John Baker, or any of
the other lineal descendants of Henry Baker and Joan Baker, or Ross Rapaport, in
each case individually or in a fiduciary capacity (each such person, other than
the Executive, referred to individually as a "Baker Stockholder" and such
persons collectively referred to as the "Baker Stockholders"), is or becomes,
either alone or as a member of a "group" as defined in this Section, or (y) the
Baker Stockholders, together with their affiliates and considered in the
aggregate as a single entity, are or become, the beneficial owner or owners of
shares of the capital stock of the Company having more than 50% of the total
number of votes that may be cast for the election of directors of the Company,
or (ii) any transaction described in SEC Rule 13e-3(a)(3)(i) in which the
Executive participates as an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of
that Rule, without regard to whether the test in Rule 13e-3(a)(3)(ii) would be
satisfied in the transaction. The rights and obligations created by this
Agreement with respect to a Change of Control shall apply only with respect to
the first Change of Control after the date of execution of this Agreement, and
not with respect to any subsequent transaction.

          2.2.7 No Other Termination Benefits; Release. The Executive
understands and agrees that the termination payments and benefits described in
Section 2.2 constitute all of the payments and benefits to which he (or his
estate or beneficiary) will be or become entitled to receive in case of
termination of his employment, and that such payments and benefits are in lieu
of any and all other payments and benefits of every kind or description to which
he may be entitled, including, without limitation, the right to receive a bonus
payment or any portion thereof. Any accrued but unpaid vacation compensation
shall be payable upon termination of employment. In addition, the Executive
understands and agrees that the Company's obligation to pay or provide the
termination payments and benefits described herein is conditioned upon and
subject to the execution and non-revocation by the Executive of a form of
release of claims against the Company, the principal terms and conditions of
which shall be as set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement.

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          2.2.8 No Duty to Mitigate; Termination of Benefits. The Executive
shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any compensation payable to him
pursuant to Section 2 hereof, whether by seeking other employment or otherwise,
nor shall any compensation earned by the Executive during the period of
continuance of any payments under Section 2 hereof reduce the amount of
compensation payable under Section 2.

3. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay, in full
payment for all of the Executive's services rendered hereunder, the following
compensation:

     3.1 Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive an annual base salary,
less income taxes and other applicable withholdings, of $195,000 in accordance
with the Company's standard payroll installments. The Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors will review the annual base salary amount as soon as
practicable after the end of each fiscal year of Company to consider whether or
not it should be increased. Such determination shall be in the sole discretion
of the Committee using such criteria as the members of the Committee deem
relevant, including, but not limited to, the performance of the Company and the
Executive.

     3.2 Bonuses. In its sole discretion, the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors may (but is not required to) determine that the Company shall
pay a bonus to the Executive after the end of each fiscal year of the Company.
Such determination shall take place as soon as practicable after the end of the
fiscal year, using such criteria as the members of the Committee shall deem
relevant, including, but not limited to, the performance of the Company and the
Executive. Any bonus that is to be paid to the Executive under this Section 3.2
shall be paid within 75 days after the end of the fiscal year of the Company to
which it relates.

     3.3 Stock Options and Restricted Stock. The Executive shall be eligible to
receive stock options and awards of restricted stock from time to time, as
determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of the Directors of the
Company.

     3.4 Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of vacation
in each 12-month period during the Employment Term, without carryover of unused
vacation time. No more than two (2) weeks may be taken consecutively.

     3.5 Executive Benefit Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to participate
in all plans or programs sponsored by the Company for employees in general,
including without limitation, participation in any group health, medical
reimbursement, or life insurance plans.

     3.6 Expense Allowance. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all
reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by him from time to time in the
performance of his duties hereunder, against receipts therefor in accordance
with the then effective policies and requirements of the Company.

     3.7 Disability and Other Insurance; Automobile Allowance. The Company shall
have no obligation to provide disability insurance to the Executive. The Company
agrees to provide an allowance of up to $15,000 per year, in the aggregate, to
reimburse the Executive for (i) the actual cost of premiums incurred by the
Executive for disability insurance obtained by the Executive; (ii) the actual
cost of premiums incurred by the Executive for any other insurance which would
not be available to the Executive under the Company's customary benefit plans;
and (iii) the actual cost of leasing and operating an automobile for use by the
Executive during the Executive's employment with the Company. The Executive may
determine in his reasonable judgment how to allocate the allowance between
disability insurance premiums, other insurance premiums and automobile leasing
expense.

4. PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; NON-COMPETE.

     4.1 Acknowledgements. The Executive acknowledges that:

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     (a) The Executive has obtained and, during his employment by the Company,
will obtain secret and confidential information concerning the business of the
Company and its affiliates, including, without limitation, customer lists and
sources of supply, their needs and requirements, the nature and extent of
contracts with them, and related cost, price and sales information.

     (b) The Company and its affiliates will suffer substantial and irreparable
damage which will be difficult to compute if, during the period of his
employment with the Company or thereafter, the Executive should enter a
competitive business or should divulge secret and confidential information
relating to the business of the Company and its affiliates heretofore or
hereafter acquired by him in the course of his employment with the Company.

     (c) The provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the
protection of the business of the Company and its affiliates.

     4.2 Confidentiality. The Executive agrees that he will not at any time,
either during the Employment Term or thereafter, divulge to any person, firm or
corporation any information obtained or learned by him during the course of his
employment with the Company, with regard to the operational, financial, business
or other affairs of the Company and its affiliates, and their respective
officers and directors, including, without limitation, trade secrets, customer
lists, sources of supply, pricing policies, operational methods or technical
processes, except (i) in the course of performing his authorized duties
hereunder, (ii) with the Company's express written consent; (iii) to the extent
that any such information is lawfully in the public domain other than as a
result of the Executive's breach of any of his obligations hereunder; or (iv)
where required to be disclosed by court order, subpoena or other government
process. In the event that the Executive shall be required to make any
disclosure pursuant to the provisions of clause (iv) of the preceding sentence,
the Executive promptly, but in no event more than 48 hours after learning of
such subpoena, court order, or other government process, shall notify the
Company, by personal delivery or by fax, confirmed by mail, to the Company and,
if the Company so elects and at the Company's expense, the Executive shall: (a)
take all reasonably necessary steps requested by the Company to defend against
the enforcement of such subpoena, court order or other government process, and
(b) permit the Company to intervene and participate with counsel of its choice
in any proceeding relating to the enforcement thereof.

     4.3 Return of Property. Upon termination of his employment with the
Company, or at any time the Company may so request, the Executive will promptly
deliver to the Company all Company property, including without limitation all
memoranda, notes, records, reports, manuals, drawings, blueprints, computer and
peripheral software and hardware, files, databases, documentation, procedures,
financial statements, employee manuals, customer and vendor lists and contracts,
and product material or information, and all copies thereof, relating to the
business of the Company and its affiliates, and all other property associated
therewith, which he may then possess or have under this control.

     4.4 Non-Competition. During the Employment Term and for a period equal to
the time during which Executive receives severance payments for benefits
pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement or for a period of 12 months in the
event the Executive is terminated without entitlement to severance benefits
herein, the Executive shall not, without the prior written permission of the
Company, in the United States, its territories and possessions, directly or
indirectly, (i) enter into the employ of or render any services to any person,
firm or corporation engaged in any Competitive Business (as defined below); (ii)
engage in any Competitive Business for his own account; (iii) become associated
with or interested in any Competitive Business as an individual, partner,
shareholder, creditor, director, officer, principal, agent, employee, trustee,
consultant, advisor or in any other relationship or capacity; (iv) employ or
retain, or have or cause any other person or entity to employ or retain, any
person who was employed or retained by the Company or its affiliates while the
Executive was employed by the Company; or (v) solicit, interfere with, or
endeavor to entice away from the Company or its affiliates any of their
customers or sources of supply. However, nothing in this Agreement shall
preclude the Executive from investing his personal assets in the securities of
any Competitive Business if such securities are traded on a national stock
exchange or in the over-the-counter market and if such investment does not
result in his beneficially owning, at any time, more than 4.9% of the
publicly-traded equity securities of such competitor. "Competitive Business"
shall mean any business or enterprise which (a) designs, sells, manufactures,
markets and/or distributes still or

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sparkling spring or purified bottled water products or beverages, or office
refreshment products, including coffee, in the home and office market, or (b)
engages in any other business in which Company or its affiliates is involved at
any time during the 12-month period immediately prior to the termination of the
Executive's employment.

     4.5 Enforcement. If the Executive commits a breach, or threatens to commit
a breach, of any of the provisions of Section 4, the Company shall have the
right and remedy to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced
by any court having jurisdiction over the matter, it being acknowledged and
agreed by the Executive that the services being rendered hereunder to the
Company are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that any such
breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and
that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company. Such
right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights
and remedies available to the Company under law or equity.

     4.6 Blue Penciling. If any provision of Section 4 is held to be
unenforceable because of the scope, duration or area of its applicability, the
tribunal making such determination shall have the power to modify such scope,
duration or area, or all of them, and such provision or provisions shall then be
applicable in such modified form.

5. REPRESENTATIONS OF EXECUTIVE. The Executive represents and warrants to the
Company that he has had an opportunity to consult his personal counsel and other
advisors in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this
Agreement, and that he understands that Company counsel represented the Company
and not the Executive in this matter. The Executive is not a party to or bound
by any agreement, understanding or restriction that would or may be breached by
the Executive's execution and full performance of this Agreement. The Executive
expressly undertakes and agrees that none of his acts or duties hereunder that
will violate any obligations he may have to any other employer (or will impose
on the Company any liability to any other employer) and that he has complied
with all requirements of notice applicable to the termination of any prior
employment before he commenced his employment with the Company. The Executive
further represents and warrants that he has delivered to the Company complete
copies of all employment agreements, understanding and restrictions to which he
has been subject at any time during the last five years.

6. CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

     6.1 Choice of Law. This Agreement is to be construed pursuant to the laws
of the State of Delaware, without regard to the laws affecting choice of law.

     6.2 Invalid Agreement Provisions. Should any provision of this Agreement
become legally unenforceable, no other provision of this Agreement shall be
affected, and this Agreement shall continue as if the Agreement had been
executed absent the unenforceable provision.

     6.3 No Other Agreements. This Agreement represents the full agreement
between the Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof
and the Company and the Executive have made no agreements, representations or
warranties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement that are not set
forth herein. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, oral or
written, that may define the employment relationship between the Executive and
the Company or any affiliate of the Company, and all of such other agreements
are hereby terminated, without liability to any party thereto. Nothing in this
Agreement confers any rights or remedies on any person or entity or than the
parties hereto.

     6.4 Notices. All notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to be given when delivered personally to the party to
receive the same, when transmitted by electronic means or when mailed first
class, postage prepaid by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to
the party to receive the same at the applicable addresses set forth below or
such other address as the party to receive the same shall have specified by
written notice give in the manner provided for in this Section. All notices
shall be deemed to have been given as of the date of personal delivery,
transmittal or mailing thereof, except that notices to the Company by facsimile
or electronic transmittal that are

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received after 5:00 p.m., East Coast time, shall be deemed to have been received
at 9:00 a.m. on the next succeeding business day.

          If to the Executive: Mr. Bruce S. MacDonald, 1709 Roxbury Mountain
Road, Warren, Vermont, with a copy to: Michael Marks, Esq., Tarrant Marks &
Gillies, P.O. Box 1440, 44 East State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05601-1440.

          If to the Company: Vermont Pure Holdings, Ltd., 1050 Buckingham
Street, Watertown, Connecticut 06795, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, with a
copy to: Dean F. Hanley, Esq., Foley Hoag LLP, 155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston,
Massachusetts 02210.

     6.5 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company's successors and assigns.

     6.6 Disputes and Controversies. The parties hereto agree that in case of
any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
other than pursuant to Sections 4 and 6 hereof, the dispute, controversy or
claim shall be determined by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The place of the
arbitration shall be Hartford, Connecticut. Any arbitration award shall be based
upon and accompanied by a written opinion containing findings of fact and
conclusions of law. The determination of the arbitrator(s) shall be conclusive
and binding on the parties hereto, and any judgment upon the award rendered by
the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

     6.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be an original,
but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. In
pleading or proving this Agreement, it will not be necessary to produce or
account for more than one such counterpart.

     6.8 Waivers; Amendments. No waiver of any breach or default hereunder will
be valid unless in a writing signed by the waiving party. No failure or other
delay by any party exercising any right, power, or privilege hereunder will be
or operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power, or privilege. No amendment or modification of this Agreement will
be valid or binding unless in a writing signed by both the Executive and the
Company.

     6.9 Relationship to Prior Agreement. This Agreement replaces and supersedes
in its entirety the Employment Agreement between the Company and the Executive
dated as of March 24, 2005 (the "Prior Agreement"). For avoidance of doubt, the
Executive shall be entitled to (i) the appropriate EBITDA bonus that he has
earned with respect to the Company's fiscal year ended October 31, 2006 (as
described in Section 3.2.2(i) of the Prior Agreement) and (ii) the appropriate
business goals bonus that he has earned for the fiscal quarter ended January 31,
2007 (as described in Section 3.2.2(ii) of the Prior Agreement).

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement under seal on
May 2, 2007, but as of the date first written above.

                             COMPANY:   VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD.

                                        By: /s/ Peter K. Baker
                                            ------------------------------------
                                        Name: Peter K. Baker
                                        Title: Chief Executive Officer

                             EXECUTIVE: /s/ Bruce S. MacDonald
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        BRUCE MACDONALD

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                                Terms of Release

     As a condition to the Company's obligation to pay or provide termination
payments or benefits, the Executive irrevocably and unconditionally releases,
acquits and forever discharges the Company, its affiliated and related
corporations and entities, and each of their predecessors and successors, and
each of their agents, directors, officers, trustees, attorneys, present and
former employees, representatives, and related entities (collectively referred
to as the "Released Entities") from any and all charges, complaints, claims,
liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, actions,
causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, damages and expenses
(including attorneys' fees and costs actually incurred) arising out of or in
connection with his employment with or termination from the Company, which the
Executive now has, owns or holds, or claims to have, own or hold, or which at
any time heretofore, had owned or held, or claimed to have owned or held, or
which the Executive at any time hereafter may have, own or hold, or claim to
have owned or held against the Released Entities, based upon, arising out of or
in connection with his employment with or termination from the Company up to the
date of this Release, including but not limited to, claims or rights under any
federal, state, or local statutory and/or common law in any way regulating or
affecting the employment relationship, including but not limited to Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act and any other federal, state, local statutory
and/or common law regulating or affecting the employment relationship. The
Executive acknowledges and understands that the termination payment or benefits
to be provided to the Executive constitute a full, fair and complete payment for
the release and waiver of all of the Executive's possible claims arising out of
or in connection with his employment with or termination from the Company.

     The Executive acknowledges that he has been provided at least twenty-one
(21) days to consider whether to sign this Release, that he has been advised to
consult with an attorney of his choosing concerning this Release, and that he
has executed and delivered this Release and waived any claims knowingly and
willingly. The Executive may revoke this Release within seven (7) days after it
is signed, and it shall not become effective or enforceable until such seven (7)
day revocation period has expired.<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

                               NETEZZA CORPORATION

                            2007 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.   Purpose

     The purpose of this 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") of Netezza
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to advance the interests
of the Company's stockholders by enhancing the Company's ability to attract,
retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to
the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities
and performance-based incentives that are intended to better align the interests
of such persons with those of the Company's stockholders. Except where the
context otherwise requires, the term "Company" shall include any of the
Company's present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in
Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Code") and any other business venture
(including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in
which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board").

2.   Eligibility

     All of the Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and
advisors are eligible to be granted options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards (each, an
"Award") under the Plan. Each person who receives an Award under the Plan is
deemed a "Participant".

3.   Administration and Delegation

     (a) Administration by Board of Directors. The Plan will be administered by
the Board. The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend
and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the
Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board may construe and interpret the terms
of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan. The Board may
correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the
Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to
carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such
expediency. All decisions by the Board shall be made in the Board's sole
discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any
interest in the Plan or in any Award. No director or person acting pursuant to
the authority delegated by the Board shall be liable for any action or
determination relating to or under the Plan made in good faith.

     (b) Appointment of Committees. To the extent permitted by applicable law,
the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more
committees or subcommittees of the Board (a "Committee"). All references in the
Plan to the "Board" shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board or the
officers referred to in Section 3(c) to the

<PAGE>

extent that the Board's powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated
to such Committee or officers.

     (c) Delegation to Officers. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Board may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant
Awards (subject to any limitations under the Plan) to employees or officers of
the Company or any of its present or future subsidiary corporations and to
exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Board may determine, provided
that the Board shall fix the terms of the Awards to be granted by such officers
(including the exercise price of such Awards, which may include a formula by
which the exercise price will be determined) and the maximum number of shares
subject to Awards that the officers may grant; provided further, however, that
no officer shall be authorized to grant Awards to any "executive officer" of the
Company (as defined by Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) or to any "officer" of the Company (as defined by
Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act).

4.   Stock Available for Awards

     (a) Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be
made under the Plan for up to the number of shares of common stock, $0.001 par
value per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") that is equal to the sum
of:

          (1) 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock; plus

          (2) an annual increase to be added on the first day of each of the
Company's fiscal years in the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009, January 31,
2010 and January 31, 2011 equal to the lesser of (i) 3.5 % of the outstanding
shares on such date or (ii) an amount determined by the Board.

     Notwithstanding clause (2) above, in no event shall the number of shares
available under this Plan be increased as set forth in clause (2) to the extent
such increase, in addition to any other increases proposed by the Board in the
number of shares available for issuance under all other employee or director
stock plans, would result in the total number of shares then available for
issuance under all employee and director stock plans exceeding 30% of the
outstanding shares of the Company on the first day of the applicable fiscal
year.

     If any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without
having been fully exercised, is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the
result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the
Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase
right), is settled in cash or otherwise results in any Common Stock not being
issued, the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available
for the grant of Awards under the Plan. Further, shares of Common Stock tendered
to the Company by a Participant to exercise an Award shall be added to the
number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant of Awards under the
Plan. However, in the case of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined),
the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code.
Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but
unissued shares or treasury shares.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

     (b) Per-Participant Limit. Subject to adjustment under Section 10, the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be
granted to any Participant under the Plan shall be 2,000,000 per fiscal year.
For purposes of the foregoing limit, the combination of an Option in tandem with
an SAR (as each is hereafter defined) shall be treated as a single Award. The
per-Participant limit described in this Section 4(b) shall be construed and
applied consistently with Section 162(m) of the Code or any successor provision
thereto, and the regulations thereunder ("Section 162(m)").

     (c) Substitute Awards. In connection with a merger or consolidation of an
entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock
of an entity, the Board may grant Awards in substitution for any options or
other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate
thereof. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems
appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards
contained in the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall
share limit set forth in Section 4(a), except as may be required by reason of
Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.

5.   Stock Options

     (a) General. The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an
"Option") and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by
each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and
limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions
relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers
necessary or advisable. An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock
Option (as hereinafter defined) shall be designated a "Nonstatutory Stock
Option".

     (b) Incentive Stock Options. An Option that the Board intends to be an
"incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an "Incentive
Stock Option") shall only be granted to employees of Netezza Corporation or any
of Netezza Corporation's present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as
defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the
employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the
Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to
a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or for
any action taken by the Board, including without limitation the conversion of an
Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

     (c) Exercise Price. The Board shall establish the exercise price of each
Option and specify such exercise price in the applicable option agreement. The
exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined
below) on the date the Option is granted; provided that if the Board approves
the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date
and the date of grant is deemed to be the date the Board approved the Option
(rather than such future date), the exercise price shall be not less than 100%
of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

     (d) Duration of Options. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and
subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable
option agreement.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

     (e) Exercise of Option. Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company
of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form
of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Board together with
payment in full as specified in Section 5(f) for the number of shares for which
the Option is exercised. Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option will be
delivered by the Company following exercise either as soon as practicable or,
subject to such conditions as the Board shall specify, on a deferred basis (with
the Company's obligation to be evidenced by an instrument providing for future
delivery of the deferred shares at the time or times specified by the Board).

     (f) Payment Upon Exercise. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an
Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:

          (1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;

          (2) except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable option
agreement, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a
creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay
the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the
Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional
instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or
a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;

          (3) to the extent provided for in the applicable option agreement or
approved by the Board, in its sole discretion, by delivery (either by actual
delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant
valued at their fair market value as determined by (or in a manner approved by)
the Board ("Fair Market Value"), provided (i) such method of payment is then
permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Common Stock, if acquired directly
from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time,
if any, as may be established by the Board in its discretion and (iii) such
Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting
or other similar requirements;

          (4) to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the
applicable option agreement or approved by the Board, in its sole discretion, by
(i) delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms
determined by the Board, or (ii) payment of such other lawful consideration as
the Board may determine; or

          (5) by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

6.   Stock Appreciation Rights.

     (a) General. The Board may grant Awards consisting of a stock appreciation
right ("SAR") entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount of
Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the
Board) determined in whole or in part by reference to appreciation, from and
after the date of grant, in the fair market value of a share of Common Stock.
The date as of which such appreciation or other measure is determined shall be
the exercise date.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

     (b) Grants. SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of,
Options granted under the Plan.

     (c) Grant Price. The grant price or exercise price of an SAR shall not be
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of
grant of the SAR; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an SAR with
an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be
not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

     (d) Exercise. SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written
notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form of notice
(including electronic notice) approved by the Board, together with any other
documents required by the Board.

7.   Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units

     (a) General. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire
shares of Common Stock ("Restricted Stock"), subject to the right of the Company
to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or
formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost)
from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the
applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable
restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award. Instead
of granting Awards for Restricted Stock, the Board may grant Awards entitling
the recipient to receive shares of Common Stock to be delivered at the time such
shares of Common Stock vest ("Restricted Stock Units") (Restricted Stock and
Restricted Stock Units are each referred to herein as a "Restricted Stock
Award").

     (b) Terms and Conditions. The Board shall determine the terms and
conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for vesting and
repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any.

     (c) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.

          (1) Dividends. Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock will be
entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such shares, unless
otherwise provided by the Board. If any such dividends or distributions are paid
in shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock
other than an ordinary cash dividend, the shares, cash or other property will be
subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the
shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Each dividend
payment will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the
dividends are paid to shareholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th
day of the third month following the date the dividends are paid to shareholders
of that class of stock.

          (2) Stock Certificates. The Company may require that any stock
certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock shall be deposited
in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank,
with the Company (or its designee). At the expiration of the applicable
restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the
Participant has died, to the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by
the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the
Participant in the event of the Participant's death (the "Designated
Beneficiary"). In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant,
"Designated Beneficiary" shall mean the Participant's estate.

     (d) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units.

          (1) Settlement. Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other
restrictions (i.e., settlement) with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit, the
Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one share of Common
Stock or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common
Stock, as provided in the applicable Award agreement. The Board may, in its
discretion, provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be deferred,
on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant.

          (2) Voting Rights. A Participant shall have no voting rights with
respect to any Restricted Stock Units.

          (3) Dividend Equivalents. To the extent provided by the Board, in its
sole discretion, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide Participants with
the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions
declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock
("Dividend Equivalents"). Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited
to an account for the Participants, may be settled in cash and/or shares of
Common Stock and may be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and
forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which paid, as
determined by the Board in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such
terms and conditions as the Board shall establish, in each case to be set forth
in the applicable Award agreement.

8.   Other Stock-Based Awards

     Other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in
whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common
Stock or other property, may be granted hereunder to Participants ("Other
Stock-Based Awards"), including without limitation Awards entitling recipients
to receive shares of Common Stock to be delivered in the future. Such Other
Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the
settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of
compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based
Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall
determine. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall determine the
terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase
price applicable thereto.

9.   Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events.

     (a) Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares,
reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization
or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of
securities available under this Plan, (ii) the per-Participant limit set forth
in Section 4(b), (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per
share of each outstanding Option, (iv) the share- and per-share provisions and
the exercise price of each SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the
repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award,
and (vi) the share- and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if
any, of each outstanding Other Stock-Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by
the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner
determined by the Board. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in
the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock
dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an
outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the
dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee
who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for
such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the
stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such
Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding
as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.

     (b)  Reorganization Events.

          (1) Definition. A "Reorganization Event" shall mean: (a) any merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which
all of the Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the
right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any
exchange of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other
property pursuant to a share exchange transaction or (c) any liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.

          (2) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than
Restricted Stock Awards. In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board
may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any
portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock Awards on such terms
as the Board determines: (i) provide that Awards shall be assumed, or
substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or
succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to a
Participant, provide that the Participant's unexercised Options or other
unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such
Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant within a specified
period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding Awards
shall become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable
to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such
Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the
terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a
cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the
"Acquisition Price"), make or provide for a cash payment to a Participant equal
to the excess, if any, of (A) the Acquisition Price times the number of shares
of Common Stock subject to the Participant's Options or other Awards (to the
extent the exercise price does not exceed the Acquisition Price) over (B) the
aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options or other Awards and any
applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Options or
other Awards, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive
liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise price thereof and any
applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing. In
taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 9(b), the Board shall not
be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, or Awards of the same type,
identically.

          For purposes of clause (i) above, an Option shall be considered
assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, the Option
confers the right to purchase, for each share of Common Stock subject to the
Option immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the
consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result
of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common
Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event
(and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of
consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result
of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or
succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the
consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the
consideration to be received upon the exercise of Options to consist solely of
common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate
thereof) equivalent in value (as determined by the Board) to the per share
consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a
result of the Reorganization Event.

          (3) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Restricted Stock Awards.
Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company under
each outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall inure to the benefit of the
Company's successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to
the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into
or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to
the same extent as they applied to the Common Stock subject to such Restricted
Stock Award. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically
provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock Award
or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions
and conditions on all Restricted Stock Awards then outstanding shall
automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.

10.  General Provisions Applicable to Awards

     (a) Transferability of Awards. Except as the Board may otherwise determine
or provide in an Award, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged
or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either
voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant
to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the
Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

                                       -8-

<PAGE>

     (b) Documentation. Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written,
electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine. Each Award may contain
terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

     (c) Board Discretion. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award
may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of
each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants
uniformly.

     (d) Termination of Status. The Board shall determine the effect on an Award
of the disability, death, termination of employment, authorized leave of absence
or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the
extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the
Participant's legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated
Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award.

     (e) Withholding. The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal,
state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations
before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize
ownership of Common Stock under an Award. The Company may decide to satisfy the
withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages. If
the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the
Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for
withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding
obligations. Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will
issue any shares on exercise or release from forfeiture of an Award or, if the
Company so requires, at the same time as is payment of the exercise price unless
the Company determines otherwise. If provided for in an Award or approved by the
Board in its sole discretion, a Participant may satisfy such tax obligations in
whole or in part by delivery of shares of Common Stock, including shares
retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market
Value; provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Board, that the
total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations
cannot exceed the Company's minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on
minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes,
including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable
income). Shares surrendered to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be
subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar
requirements.

     (f) Amendment of Award. The Board may amend, modify or terminate any
outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another
Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or
realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, provided that the Participant's consent to such action shall be required
unless (A) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related
action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant's rights under
the Plan or (B) the change is permitted under Section 9 hereof.

     (g) Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to
deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove
restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all
conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the
Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all

                                       -9-

<PAGE>

other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares
have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable
stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant
has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as
the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any
applicable laws, rules or regulations.

     (h) Acceleration. The Board may at any time provide that any Award shall
become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all
restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the
case may be.

11.  Miscellaneous

     (a) No Right To Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim
or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be
construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other
relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any
time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free
from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the
applicable Award.

     (b) No Rights As Stockholder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable
Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with
respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.

     (c) Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the
date on which it is adopted by the Board. No Awards shall be granted under the
Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the earlier of (i) the date on which
the Plan was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the Plan was approved by the
Company's stockholders, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that
date.

     (d) Amendment of Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan
or any portion thereof at any time provided that (i) to the extent required by
Section 162(m), no Award granted to a Participant that is intended to comply
with Section 162(m) after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable,
realizable or vested, as applicable to such Award, unless and until such
amendment shall have been approved by the Company's stockholders if required by
Section 162(m) (including the vote required under Section 162(m)); and (ii) no
amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of the New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") may be made effective unless and until such
amendment shall have been approved by the Company's stockholders. In addition,
if at any time the approval of the Company's stockholders is required as to any
other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor
provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such
modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in
the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section
11(d) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding
under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board
determines that such amendment does

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

not materially and adversely affect the Participant's rights under the Plan. No
Award shall be made that is conditioned upon stockholder approval of any
amendment to the Plan.

     (e) Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Board may modify Awards or
Options granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside
the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to
recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign
jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or
other matters.

     (f) Compliance with Code Section 409A. No Award shall provide for deferral
of compensation that does not comply with Section 409A of the Code, unless the
Board, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is not
intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall have no
liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to
be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A is not so exempt or compliant or
for any action taken by the Board.

     (g) Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder
shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would
require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.

                                      -11-

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