Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.28

                    [THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]

                    SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

         This Separation Agreement and General Release (hereinafter the
"Separation Agreement") is entered into by and between John R. Mayo (hereinafter
"John" or "You" and Thomas & Betts, Corporation (hereinafter "T&B"):

         1. John has resigned from his position as President and Chief Operating
            Officer with Thomas & Betts effective October 24, 2000. John
            understands that

                  a.  John's Employment Agreement dated July 1, 2000 will become
                      invalid as of the date of his termination.

                  b.  We will recommend to the Human Resources Committee that
                      the restricted stock awards granted during John's service
                      with T&B be released to him as of the time the
                      restrictions lapse.

                  c.  John will receive a lump sum payment in the amount of
                      $70,000 representing his guaranteed bonus payment for
                      fiscal year 2000.

                  d.  Upon John's termination and retirement, all stock options
                      that were granted to John by the Corporation prior to his
                      termination will be treated as a `retirement' in
                      accordance with the Grant Agreement. Specifically, options
                      may be exercised in full at any time within six (6) years
                      of the date of termination, provided, however, that if
                      such exercise occurs more than three (3) months after the
                      date of such termination, the Option shall be treated as a
                      nonqualified stock option. Options cannot extend beyond
                      their expiration date.

                  e.  As approved by the HR Committee of the Board of Directors
                      on July 1, 2000, you have been granted additional service
                      so that you will receive a lump sum benefit payment from
                      the Executive Retirement Plan based on a total of 5 years
                      of credited service with Thomas & Betts. A preliminary
                      calculation is attached.

                  f.  The Company  will  provide the  following  assistance  in
                      the sale of your home in Cordova as follows:

                      -    Marketing assistance in the sale of the Cordova
                           residence

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                      -    Payment of all traditional closing costs

                      -    Reimbursement of the cost to move your household
                           goods and possessions to Milan, Tennessee.

                      -    Tax gross ups, as applicable, on any of the above
                           items to keep you whole on both federal and state tax
                           returns.

         2. John has agreed with the obligations set forth in the Employment
Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement, (a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A for your review), including, but not limited to, the
post-employment covenant against disclosure contained in paragraph 3 thereof,
all of which hereby are incorporated by reference into this Separation
Agreement.

         3. John acknowledges and agrees that, in the absence of this Separation
Agreement, he would have no entitlement to the benefits provided in this
Separation Agreement.

         4. John hereby waives, releases, and discharges T&B, its past and
present parents, subsidiaries, divisions, and affiliated companies, their
predecessors, successors and assigns, and their past and present stockholders,
directors, officers, employees and agents (hereinafter collectively the
"Company") from any and all claims, demands, damages, and causes of action of
every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, or suspected or unsuspected,
which John has or may have against the Company, arising out of any matter
whatsoever. This General Release specifically includes, but is not limited to,
any and all claims, demands, damages, and causes of action:

                  a. Arising out of or in any way related to John's employment
                  or the termination of his employment with the Company; or

                  b. Arising under or based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
                  of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
                  1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair
                  Labor Standards Act of 1938, the Employee Retirement Income
                  Security Act of 1974, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or any
                  other federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance,
                  decision, order, policy or regulation prohibiting employment
                  discrimination or otherwise creating rights or claims for
                  employees, including, but not limited to, any and all claims
                  alleging breach of public policy, the implied obligation of
                  good faith and fair dealing, or any oral or written contract,
                  handbook, manual, policy statement or employment practice, or
                  alleging misrepresentation, defamation, interference with
                  contractual relations, intentional or negligent infliction of
                  emotional distress, invasion of privacy, negligence or
                  wrongful discharge.

         5. As part of the foregoing General Release, John is waiving all claims
which he may have against the Company for legal, equitable or injunctive relief,
including, but not

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limited to, compensatory damages, punitive damages, backpay, front pay,
attorneys' fees, and reinstatement to employment, for age discrimination or any
other matter whatsoever.

         6. This Separation Agreement includes a General Release, as well as a
specific release of all claims, demands, damages and causes of action referred
to above. No reference herein to any specific claim is intended to limit the
scope of this release and, notwithstanding any such reference, this Separation
Agreement shall be effective, without limitation, as a full and final bar to all
claims, demands, damages, and causes of action of every kind and nature
whatsoever which John has or may have against the Company.

         7. John understands and agrees that if he, or anyone on his behalf,
initiates or prosecutes any administrative, judicial or other action arising out
of or in any way related to any of the claims, demands, damages or causes of
action hereinabove released, then John shall be liable for payment of all costs
and attorneys' fees incurred in connection with any such action by the Company.

         8. Nothing in this Separation Agreement constitutes or shall be
construed as an admission of liability on the part of the Company. The Company
expressly denies any liability of any kind to John, and particularly any
liability arising out of or in any way related to his employment or the
termination of his employment with the Company.

        9.  Except as otherwise provided herein, John shall keep the terms of
this Separation Agreement confidential and agrees that neither he, nor his
attorneys, nor any of his agents, shall make any statements, oral or written,
regarding the terms of this Agreement unless written consent is given by the
President of T&B or unless required by a court or other tribunal in connection
with litigation being conducted before it.

        10. John understands and agrees that this Separation Agreement is
binding on him and his spouse, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.

        11. John  understands  that he has a period of  twenty-one  (21) days
within which to consider the Agreement.

        12. John understands that he has the right to revoke this Separation
Agreement at anytime within seven (7) days after its execution and that the
Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until this revocation period
has expired, provided, however, that any such revocation shall not affect John's
independent obligations under the above-referenced Agreement For Assignment Of
Inventions And Covenant Against Disclosure, which shall survive and be
enforceable notwithstanding the revocation of this Separation Agreement.

        13. John acknowledges that he has carefully read and fully understands
all of the provisions of this Separation Agreement and that he has entered into
the Agreement knowingly and voluntarily, after having been given sufficient time
to study the Agreement and to consult with an attorney, if desired.

        14. The provisions of this Separation Agreement are fully severable and
are intended to be interpreted in a manner which makes then valid and
enforceable. In the event any provision of this Separation Agreement is found by
any court or tribunal to be partially or wholly invalid or unenforceable, the
remainder of the Agreement nevertheless shall be

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enforceable and binding on the parties, and the invalid or unenforceable
provisions shall be modified or restricted to the extent and in the manner
necessary to render the same valid and enforceable, or, if such provision cannot
under any circumstances be so modified or restricted, it shall be excised from
the Agreement without affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the
remaining provisions. The parties agree that any such modification, restriction
or excision may be accomplished by their mutual written agreement or,
alternatively, by disposition of a court or other tribunal.

        15. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Separation Agreement
constitutes the sole and entire agreement between John and T&B with respect to
the subjects addressed in it, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous
agreements, understandings, and representations, oral and written, with respect
to those subjects.

        16. This Separation Agreement and any amendments hereto shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee.

        17. No waiver, modification or amendment of any of the provisions of
this Separation Agreement shall be valid and enforceable unless in writing and
executed by John and the Chairman and CEO of T&B.

 November 2, 2000                      /s/ JOHN R. MAYO
--------------------                   ------------------------------------
         Date                          John R. Mayo

 November 7, 2000                      /s/ CONNIE C. MUSCARELLA
--------------------                   ------------------------------------
         Date                          Connie C. Muscarella
                                       Vice President-Human Resources<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.29

                    [THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]

December 1, 2000

Mr. Gregory M. Langston
9528 Ednam Cove
Germantown, TN  38139

                                   RE:      EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND CONDITIONS OF
                                            TERMINATION FROM THOMAS & BETTS
Dear Greg:

         To clarify our prior discussion, I have outlined below the terms and
conditions of your continued employment status as well as your termination from
Thomas & Betts Corporation:

1.   Until January 1, 2001, you will continue to be employed by Thomas & Betts.
     During this time, you will be available by telephone or upon request in
     person to assist in our efforts to transition the international business to
     the new structure as well as on other matters within your competence,
     knowledge and experience. Following the completion of your employment
     period, you will be terminated.

2.   Your Employment Agreement dated November 3, 1997 is considered to be null
     and void as of January 1, 2001.

3.   You will receive a one-time, lump sum severance payment in the amount of
     $450,000 gross in the pay period immediately following your termination. In
     addition, you will receive payment for any earned and unused and/or accrued
     vacation benefits.

4.   At the time of the above payment a deduction will be made representing full
     repayment of the outstanding loan in the amount of $3,348 as documented in
     the attached Promissory Note. In addition, the $50,000 loan payment made to
     you in May of 1998 is forgiven.

5.   Upon your termination, which is with the consent of the Company for all
     purposes, all Stock Options which will at the time have been granted to you
     by the Corporation prior to your termination on January 1, 2001 will be
     treated as a `retirement' in accordance with the Grant Agreement.
     Specifically, Options may be exercised in full at any time within six (6)
     years of the date of termination, provided, however, that if such exercise
     occurs more than three (3) months after the date of such retirement, the
     Option shall be treated as a nonqualified stock option. Options cannot
     extend beyond their expiration date.

6.   Regarding your Restricted Stock Awards, I will recommend to the Human
     Resource Committee of the Corporation's Board of Directors that the awards
     granted to you by the Corporation prior to your termination on January 1,
     2001 be released to you as of the time the restrictions lapse. It is
     intended that, in accordance with past practices, the awards will

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     be released as per the original schedules if you have not violated Sections
     10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 below.

7.   I have recommended and the Human Resource Committee has approved an
     additional grant of benefits under the Thomas & Betts Executive Retirement
     Plan ("Retirement Plan"), as follows: Your benefits under the Retirement
     Plan shall be calculated under Section 2.05(b) of the Plan with the
     addition of five (5) years of credited service such that you shall be
     credited with a total of eleven (11) years, and such additional months as
     appropriate, of service.

8.   With the successful completion of the employment terms set forth above, and
     upon the conclusion of the period of inactive employment, your benefits
     shall be as follows:

         a. Executive Retirement Plan benefits as outlined in paragraph 7
         above. A preliminary calculation is provided (Attachment A).

         b. Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, for you and your current
         covered dependents, for a period of five years commencing on the day
         following your termination date subject to the provisions of section
         11. The plan benefits and their costs will be based upon then-current
         plan offerings made available to active employees of Thomas & Betts. As
         you know, such plans may be changed from time to time and such changes
         in plan design, and/or participant contribution levels, will be applied
         to you in the same manner they are applied to our active employee
         participants.

         Following this five-year period of coverage, you will have the option
         to continue medical and dental benefits as available through the
         Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

9.   The Company shall provide indemnification as currently in effect, and shall
     maintain Directors' and Officers' Liability coverage under terms and
     conditions at least as favorable to you, and in amounts at least as much,
     as those currently in effect; however, such coverage shall in any event be
     maintained for a minimum period of five (5) years following your
     termination.

10.  You will notify Thomas & Betts if you are employed by, engaging in or
     rendering service of any nature to any business competitive with the
     business of the corporation or any affiliate or subsidiary for a period of
     two years from the date of your termination. You have agreed with the
     obligations set forth in the Employment Proprietary Information and
     Invention Agreement (a copy of which is attached as Attachment B). The
     Company hereby waives any and all restrictions of non-compete as set forth
     in paragraph 8 of the Agreement, however, you understand and agree that the
     waiver of this paragraph in no way affects any obligation you have under
     any other provisions of the Employment Proprietary Information Agreement.
     You acknowledge that during your employment you developed, acquired and had
     access to substantial highly confidential operations, legal, technical and
     financial information. You agree that you shall retain all such
     confidential information in trust in a fiduciary capacity for the sole
     benefit of the Company and will not by any means divulge, use, or permit
     any third party to use any such confidential information except with the
     written approval of the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

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11.  You will notify us upon acceptance of any offer of employment obtained.
     In such event, the following will apply:

         a. Comprehensive coverage for medical and dental benefits will cease
         upon your participation in such plans by your new employer if
         available. In the event the coverage provided by your new employer
         includes any limitation on coverage of a pre-existing condition, then
         your coverage for that condition under the Thomas & Betts plan will
         continue uninterrupted, but will be secondary to the coverage provided
         under the plans of your new employer.

         b. You will secure from your new employer an agreement to make you
         available at reasonable times in order to fulfill your obligations
         under section 12 of this agreement.

12.  You agree to cooperate fully in any investigation or other legal proceeding
     requested by the corporation with respect to any matter that arose during
     your employment with the corporation or which may involve matters within
     your knowledge. If any claims are asserted by or against the corporation
     (including its subsidiaries and affiliated entities), with respect to any
     matter that arose during your employment or about which you have any
     knowledge or information, you will cooperate fully in the corporation's
     prosecution or defense of such claims.

13.  You specifically agree that you will not make any disparaging remarks,
     verbally or in writing, about the corporation, its officers, directors,
     shareholders, its policies, practices and customs, its products,
     strategies, or otherwise. It is expressly understood that your violation of
     this undertaking may adversely affect the future vesting of shares and
     options and the receipt of funds due to be paid upon the completion of your
     employment which the Board's Human Resources Committee would otherwise
     approve.

14.  You understand and agree that you will refrain from recruiting and/or
     hiring any employee of Thomas & Betts and its affiliates for a period of
     three years following the completion of your active employment status.

15.  This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
     successor or assignee of the Corporation.

15.  This agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the
     laws of the State of Tennessee.

16.  Nothing contained in this agreement shall supersede or eliminate any other
     retirement or other benefit to which you are entitled; the benefits
     provided herein are in addition to any other benefits to which you would
     otherwise be entitled. To the extent any benefit conferred here may be
     inconsistent with any practice or policy maintained by the Company, the
     provisions of this letter shall be controlling.

Sincerely,

/s/ T. KEVIN DUNNIGAN
------------------------
T. Kevin Dunnigan
Chairman and C.E.O.

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                                  Agreed:      /s/ GREGORY M. LANGSTON
                                               --------------------------
                                               Gregory M. Langston

                                  Date:        January 9, 2001
                                               --------------------------

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