Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.35

                     LEASE AGREEMENT FOR A GAMMA KNIFE UNIT

       THIS AGREEMENT FOR A GAMMA KNIFE UNIT on this 18th day of February, 2000,
(hereinafter, referred to as the "Agreement") is entered into between GK
Financing, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company, (hereinafter referred to
as "GKF"), and OSF HealthCare System, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation,
owner and operator of Saint Francis Medical Center (hereinafter referred to as
"Medical Center").

                                 R E C I T A L S

       WHEREAS, Medical Center wants to lease a used Model C Leksell
Stereotactic Gamma Unit Manufactured by Elekta Instruments, Inc., (hereinafter
referred to as the "Equipment"); and

       WHEREAS, GKF is willing to lease the Equipment which GKF has previously
acquired from Elekta Instruments, Inc., a Georgia corporation (hereinafter
referred to as "Elekta"), to Medical Center, pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

       NOW, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the
promises contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

       1. Execution of LGK Agreement by and between Medical Center and Elekta.
Medical Center agrees that simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement
it shall execute that certain LGK Agreement with Elekta, (hereinafter referred
to as the "LGK Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated herein by this reference. Medical Center agrees to fulfill all of
its obligations under the LGK Agreement and acknowledges that GKF is a third
party beneficiary of the LGK Agreement. Medical Center shall fully indemnify and
hold harmless GKF in the event that GKF suffers any loss, damage, claim or
expense (including attorneys' fees) solely as a result of Medical Center's
breach or alleged breach of the LGK Agreement.

       2. Conditions Precedent.

              (a) This Agreement is contingent on approval by OSF's Board of
Directors.

              (b) If Medical Center requires a CON to install and operate the
Equipment, Medical Center will work diligently toward receipt of a CON for the
Equipment and the provision of services related thereto. In addition, GKF will
provide assistance and support to Medical Center in obtaining a CON. This
granting of a CON by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board is a
condition precedent of this Agreement. None of the terms and conditions set
forth herein shall become effective until such CON is granted and pursuant to
Section 4 herein.

       3. Delivery of the Equipment and Site preparation. GKF shall arrange to
have the Equipment delivered to Medical Center , at 530 N.E. Glen Oak Ave.,
Peoria, Illinois (the "Site") in coordination with Elekta. GKF shall exert its
best faith efforts to expedite the delivery of the

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Equipment. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, it is understood and agreed
that GKF has made no representations and warranties to Medical Center concerning
actual delivery dates or schedules for the Equipment at the Site.

       Medical Center shall provide a safe, convenient and properly prepared
Site, at its own expense, in accordance with all of the Equipment manufacturer's
(Elekta's) guidelines, specifications, technical instruments and Site Planning
Criteria (which Site Planning Criteria are attached to the LGK Agreement as
Exhibit B and incorporated therein), which criteria shall include Elekta's
estimated delivery schedule when and as received by GKF, on Medical Center
controlled property (The "Site") for the proper performance of Gamma Knife
procedures. Site location shall be acceptable to GKF. Medical Center shall
prepare at its sole cost and expense the requisite site plans and specifications
and shall submit them to Elekta and GKF for approval. Medical Center shall
obtain, in a timely manner, a User License from the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission and/or appropriate state agency authorizing it to take possession of
the Cobalt Supply and shall obtain such other licenses, permits, approvals,
consents and authorizations, which may be required by local governmental or
other regulatory agencies for the Site, its preparation, the charging of the
Equipment with its Cobalt Supply, the conduct of Acceptance tests, and the use
of the Equipment all as more fully set forth in Article 2.1 of the LGK
Agreement.

       4. Commencement of Term. The Term (hereinafter defined) of this Agreement
shall commence upon the performance of the first clinical Gamma Knife procedure
at the Site (the "Commencement Date"). Medical Center shall become liable to GKF
for the payments referred to in Paragraph 7 hereinbelow upon the Commencement
Date.

       5. Costs of Site Preparation; Costs of Installation. Medical Center's
obligations shall include preparation of plans and specifications for the
construction and preparation of the Site in such form as will result in the
Site, when constructed in accordance with such plans and specifications, being
in full compliance with Elekta's Site Planning Criteria. Medical Center shall at
its own expense and risk, prepare, construct and make ready the Site as
necessary, for the installation of the Equipment, including, but not limited to,
providing any temporary and/or permanent shielding for the charging of the
equipment and its use, selecting and preparing a proper foundation for the
Equipment and for such shielding and walls, as well as proper alignment of the
Site and wiring. Medical Center shall be financially responsible for the
positioning of the Equipment on its foundation at the Site.

       Medical Center shall also at its own expense select, purchase and install
all radiation monitoring equipment and devices, safety circuits and radiation
warning signs needed for the Equipment at the Site, according to all applicable
federal, state and local laws, regulations, recommendations or custom.

       Upon completion of the Site, Medical Center shall warrant that the Site
will be safe and suitable for its use of the Equipment. Medical Center shall
fully indemnify and hold harmless GKF from any and all loss, liability, damage,
expense or claim (including attorneys' fees) which GKF may suffer and incur and
which relate to the Site, excluding GKF or Elekta's negligence.

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       Medical Center shall be liable to GKF for any damage to the Equipment
caused by (a) defects in construction of the Site or defects in the positioning
of the Equipment at the Site; (b) defects arising out of materials or parts
provided, modified or designed by Medical Center with respect to the Site; or
(c) negligent or intentional acts of omission or commission by Medical Center or
any of its officers, agents, physicians, and employees in connection with the
Site preparation or operation of the Equipment at the Site.

       Medical Center warrants that it shall utilize its best efforts to fulfill
on an expeditious basis its obligations under this Paragraph 5. Medical Center
further warrants that it shall on a regular basis keep GKF informed of Medical
Center's progress in fulfilling its obligations pursuant to this Paragraph 5.
Should Medical Center not have all site preparations completed by the delivery
date specified by a separate agreement plus a sixty (60) day grace period such
that the site is acceptable for positioning and installation of the equipment,
Medical Center shall reimburse GKF at an interest rate of Bank of America's
prime rate plus 2% on GKF's equipment cost until the site is prepared to allow
positioning and installation of the equipment.

       6. Term of the Equipment. GKF agrees to provide to Medical Center the
Equipment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, for a term of ten (10) years
from the Commencement Date as described in Paragraph 4 hereinabove ( the
"Term"), unless terminated earlier as provided herein.

       7. Per Procedure Payments. Medical Center shall schedule use of the
Equipment at its sole discretion and shall be obligated to no minimum number of
procedures. Medical Center shall pay to GKF a per procedure payment of * for
procedures * performed in each year of the Agreement for the use of the
Equipment and * per procedure for procedures * and above during each year of the
Agreement for the use of the Equipment. For purposes of per procedure
calculation, procedure counts are not cumulative and the procedure count reverts
to zero on the "Reset Date" which is one (1) year after the Commencement Date
and each anniversary date thereafter. (A procedure shall be defined as a single
patient treatment session that may include one or more isocenters during that
session. Medical Center shall be billed on the fifteenth (15th) and the last day
of each month for the actual number of procedures performed during the first and
second half of the month, respectively. Medical Center shall pay the procedures
invoiced within thirty (30) days after being invoiced. Interest shall begin to
accrue at the rate of 1-1/2% per month on all invoices remaining unpaid after 45
days.

              (a) If the "Reimbursement Rate" in effect on any "Reset Date" is *
greater or less than the "Base Rate," Medical Center shall inform GKF in writing
within sixty (60) days of such increase or decrease and shall provide GKF with
the information used in calculating such Reimbursement Rate. Within thirty (30)
days after GKF's receipt of such notice, the parties shall meet to renegotiate
in good faith the per procedure payments payable by Medical Center for patients
treated under this Agreement with Medicare as their primary insurer.

              (b) In determining the renegotiated per procedure payment any
reduction or increase, only for those patients treated who have Medicare as
their primary insurer, thereto may or may not be in proportion to the reduction
or increase to the Reimbursement Rate. Furthermore, any reduction to the per
procedure payment will be calculated to provide Medical Center with Operating

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Income estimated at a break even level as a result in negative Operating Income
to GKF in accordance with subsection (c) below. Medical Center shall permit GKF
to inspect Medical Center's books and records pertaining to the Equipment in
order to verify such Operating Income.

              (c) If the per procedure payment for patients treated who have
Medicare as their primary insurer proposed by Medical Center would result in
negative "Operating Income" (as defined below) to GKF, then, GKF shall have no
recourse to arbitration as provided in this Section 7. In such event, this
Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. GKF shall permit
Medical Center to inspect GKF's books and records pertaining to the Equipment in
order to verify such Operating Income.

              (d) If the per procedure payment proposed by Medical Center would
not result in GKF incurring negative Operating Income, but the parties are
unable to agree in good faith on a renegotiated per procedure payment, then, GKF
and Medical Center shall jointly appoint an arbitrator who shall have not less
than (10) years experience in medical equipment financing, in good standing with
the American Arbitration Association or other comparable organization, and who
shall have no prior relationship, attorney/client or otherwise, with any of the
parties. Such arbitrator shall review the information presented by both parties
and shall render a decision within thirty (30) days of his of her appointment.
In rendering a decision, the arbitrator shall be bound by the guidelines set
forth in this Section, including, without limitation, the parameters for
renegotiated per procedure payments as set forth in subsection (a), (b), (c),
above and this subsection (d). The arbitrator's decision shall be shared equally
between the parties. The foregoing arbitration procedure shall apply only to
disagreements arising from this subsection (d) and not to any other disputes or
disagreements arising from this Agreement.

              (e) If the parties mutually agree on a renegotiated per procedure
payment or if a renegotiated per procedure payment is determined by the
arbitrator as set forth above, then such renegotiated per procedure payment
shall become one (1) month after such payment rate is reached, and Section 7
hereto shall be deemed automatically amended as of such date.

              (f) Definition of terms: As used herein, (i) the "Reimbursement
Rate" shall mean the average technical component reimbursement received by
Medical Center for the Equipment from all patients treated who have Medicare as
their primary insurer in effect as of any Reset Date; (ii) the "Base Rate" shall
mean the average technical component reimbursement received by Medical Center
for the Equipment from all patients treated who have Medicare as their primary
insurer in effect on the date which is one year after the Commencement Date;
(iii) the "Reset Date" shall mean the date which is two (2) years after the date
of the first procedure and each anniversary date thereafter; and (iv) "Operating
Income" with respect to either party shall mean all technical component revenues
generated by such party from the Equipment less such party's corresponding
direct operating expenses related to the Equipment, including, without
limitation, applicable interest and depreciation expenses on the Equipment and
Site improvements, but excluding physician professional fees and direct or
indirect administrative overhead expenses.

       8. Use of the Equipment. The Equipment may be used by Medical Center only
at the location stated above and shall not be removed therefrom. Medical Center
shall not assign or

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sublease the Equipment or its rights hereunder without the prior written consent
of GKF. No permitted assignment or sublease shall relieve Medical Center of any
of its obligations hereunder. Medical Center shall not use nor permit the
Equipment to be used in any manner nor for any purpose for which, in the opinion
of Elekta or GKF, the Equipment is not designed or reasonably suitable. Medical
Center shall not permit any liens, whether voluntary or involuntary, to attach
to the Equipment, without the prior written consent of GKF. Medical Center shall
have no interest in the Equipment other than the rights acquired as a lessee
hereunder and the Equipment shall remain the property of GKF regardless of the
manner in which it may be installed or attached at the Site. Medical Center
shall, at GKF's request, affix to the Equipment tags, decals, or plates
furnished by GKF, indicating GKF's ownership of the Equipment.

       9. Additional Covenants of Medical Center. In addition to the other
covenants made by Medical Center, Medical Center shall at its own cost and
expense:

       (a) Provide properly trained professional, technical and support
personnel and supplies required for the proper performance of medical procedures
utilizing the Equipment.

       (b) Assume all medical and financial responsibility for the overseers'
monitoring of all patients' medical condition and treatment.

       (c) Fully comply with all of its obligations under the LGK Agreement.

       (d) Indemnify GKF as herein provided: (i) Medical Center hereby agrees to
fully indemnify and/or reimburse (including attorneys' fees) GKF on a prompt
basis for any and all damage to the Equipment (including any violations by
Medical Center, its agents, officers, physicians, employees, successors and
assigns of the Service Agreement described in Paragraph 16 hereof) to the extent
such damages are caused by the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of
Medical Center, its agents, officers, physicians and employees. In the event the
Equipment is destroyed or rendered unusable, this indemnification shall extend
up to (but not exceed) the market value of the Equipment at the time of its
destruction less salvage, if any. For the purposes of this Agreement "market
value" shall be the value a willing lessee is willing to pay to a willing lessor
for comparable Equipment; however, such value shall be no less than the higher
of GKF's net book value of the Equipment or its principal balance on any loan
for the Equipment. (ii) Medical Center hereby further agrees to indemnify and
hold GKF, its agents, officers, employees, successors and assigns, harmless from
and against any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
injuries, penalties, actions, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) for
all events and/or occurrences described in Article 7.3 of the LGK Agreement to
the same extent that Medical Center agrees to indemnify Elekta thereunder.
Medical Center further agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless GKF for any
loss, damage, claim, or expense (including attorneys' fees) GKF may suffer or
incur as a result of Medical Center's breach of the LGK Agreement.

       (e) Provide reasonable and customary marketing materials developed by
Medical Center (i.e. brochures, announcements, etc.) and reasonable marketing
support from an administrative and physician (i.e. seminars by neurosurgeons and
radiation oncologists to referring physicians, etc.) commitment standpoint for
this clinical service.

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       10. Additional Covenants, Representations and Warranties of GKF. In
addition to the other covenants, representations and warranties, made by GKF in
this Agreement:

       (a) GKF represents and warrants that GKF has full power and authority to
enter into this Agreement, and that this Agreement does not and will not violate
any agreement, contract or instrument binding upon GKF.

       (b) GKF represents and warrants to Medical Center that, upon delivery of
the Equipment to Medical Center, GKF shall use its best faith efforts to require
that Elekta meets its contractual obligations to GKF and in putting the
Equipment, as soon as possible, into good, safe and serviceable condition and
fit for its intended use in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications,
guidelines and field modification instructions.

       (c) GKF represents and warrants that throughout the term of this
Agreement, Medical Center shall enjoy the use of the Equipment, free of the
rights of any other persons except for those rights reserved by GKF or granted
to Elekta under the LGK Agreement or under Elekta's Purchase Agreement with GKF.

       (d) During the entire term of this agreement and subsequent extension
thereof, GKF shall maintain in full force and effect: (i) the Service Agreement
referenced in Paragraph 16 hereof; and (ii) any other service or other
agreements required to fulfill GKF's obligations to Medical Center pursuant to
this Paragraph 10(d). GKF represents and warrants that during the entire term of
this agreement and any subsequent extensions thereof, that it will fully pursue
any and all remedies it may have against Elekta under the Service Agreement to
insure that the Equipment will be in conformity with Elekta's warranties so that
it is free from defects in design, materials, and workmanship which result in
noncompliance with the specifications and/or Elekta's warranties to GKF. In no
event, however, shall the warranty obligations of GKF to Medical Center with
respect to the Equipment be greater or more extensive than Elekta's warranty
obligations to GKF with respect to the Equipment.

       (e) GKF represents and warrants that it shall pay the tuition costs of
training four (4) of Medical Center's initial core group personnel on the
Equipment. Travel and entertainment costs for such personnel are borne by
Medical Center.

       11. Ownership/Title. It is expressly understood that Medical Center shall
acquire no right, title or interest in or to the Equipment, other than the right
to the possession and use of the same in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

       GKF may at its sole discretion finance the Equipment. Financing may be in
the form of an installment loan or a capitalized lease or other commercially
available debt instrument. Should GKF finance the Equipment through an
installment loan, GKF shall be required to provide the Equipment as collateral
against the loan. Should GKF finance the Equipment through a capitalized lease
title shall vest with the lessor until GKF exercises its buy-out option. In
addition, should GKF finance the Equipment, said Agreement may be used as
collateral against the loan.

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       12. Cost of Use of the Equipment. Except as is otherwise provided herein,
Medical Center shall bear the entire cost of using the Equipment during the Term
of this Agreement. This shall include, but not be limited to, providing trained
professionals, technical and support personnel and supplies to properly operate
the Equipment. Medical Center shall be fully responsible and liable for all acts
and/or omissions of such professional, technical and support personnel.

       13. Taxes. GKF shall pay any personal property taxes levied against the
Equipment and any other taxes or governmental fees or assessments, however
denoted, whether of the federal government, any state government or any local
government, levied or based on this Agreement or the use of the Equipment except
for those taxes, if any, pertaining to the gross income or gross receipts of
Medical Center.

       14. Maintenance and Inspections. GKF agrees to exercise due and proper
care in the maintenance of the Equipment and to keep the Equipment in a good
state of repair, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Medical Center shall be
liable to GKF for all damage to the Equipment caused by the misuse, negligence,
improper use or other intentional or negligent acts or omissions of Medical
Center's employees, officers, agents, and physicians.

       GKF (and Elekta) shall have the right of access to the Equipment for the
purpose of inspecting same at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice
and with a minimum of interference to Medical Center's operations. In the event
the Equipment is improperly used by Medical Center or its employees, agents,
officers, and physicians, GKF may service or repair the same as needed and such
expense shall be paid by Medical Center, unless the repair is covered by the
Service Agreement described in Paragraph 15 hereof.

       Any work so performed by or in the service or maintenance of the
Equipment as a result of Medical Center's failure or neglect to do so shall not
deprive GKF of any of its rights, remedies or actions against Medical Center for
damages caused by such failure or neglect.

       15. Equipment Modifications/Additions/Upgrades. The parties agree that
the necessity and financial responsibility for modifications/additions/upgrades
to the Equipment, including the reloading of the Cobalt-60 source, shall be the
responsibility of GKF, at its expense, as long as the transaction contemplated
herein is economically feasible to GKF.

       16. Service Agreement. GKF warrants that it shall simultaneously with the
execution of this Agreement enter into a Service Agreement with Elekta.

       17. Termination If, after the initial twenty-four (24) month period of
service, and subsequent 12 month periods of service, Medical Center does not
provide GKF with a reasonable economic justification to continue providing Gamma
Knife services hereunder, then and in that event, GKF shall have the option of
terminating this Agreement upon the giving of written notice to Medical Center
of said termination not less than ninety (90) days prior to GKF's designated
termination date.

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       18. Options to Extend Agreement.

       (a) Medical Center shall have the option at the end of the ten (10) year
initial Term to:

              (i) Renegotiate this Agreement for a five (5) year renewal term.

              (ii) Terminate this Agreement. If Medical Center terminates this
Agreement at the end of the initial term, GKF shall remove the Gamma Knife
within an agreed upon period of time after the expiration of the ten (10) year
initial Term.

              Medical Center shall exercise one (1) of the two (2) options
referred to above, by mailing an irrevocable written notice thereof to GKF at
Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3620, San Francisco, California, 94111, by
registered mail, postmarked on or before the end of the ninth (9th) year of the
ten (10) year initial Term of this Agreement. Any such notice shall be
sufficient if it states in substance that Medical Center elects to exercise its
option and states which of the two (2) options referred to above Medical Center
is exercising.

       19. No Warranties by GKF. Medical Center warrants that as of the
Commencement Date, it shall have (a) thoroughly inspected the Equipment; (b)
determined for itself that all items of the Equipment are of a size, design,
capacity and manufacture selected by it; and (c) satisfied itself that to the
best of its knowledge the Equipment is suitable for Medical Center's stated
purposes. GKF SUPPLIES THE EQUIPMENT "AS IS" AND NOT BEING THE MANUFACTURER OF
THE EQUIPMENT OR THE MANUFACTURER'S AGENT, MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION,
EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE EQUIPMENT'S MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, DESIGN, CONDITION, DURABILITY, CAPACITY, MATERIAL OR
WORKMANSHIP OR AS TO PATENT INFRINGEMENT OR THE LIKE, it being agreed that all
such risks as between GKF and Medical Center, shall be borne by Medical Center.
Medical Center agrees to look solely to the manufacturer (Elekta) or to
suppliers of the Equipment (and its software) for any and all warranty claims.
Any and all warranties made by Elekta will be in its good faith best efforts
enforced by GKF on behalf of Medical Center during the ten (10) year initial
Term hereof. Medical Center agrees that GKF shall not be responsible for the
delivery, installation, or operation of the Equipment or for any delay or
inadequacy of any or all of the foregoing. GKF shall not be responsible for any
direct or indirect consequential loss or damage resulting from the installation,
operation or use of the Equipment or otherwise. Medical Center expressly waives
any right to hold GKF liable hereunder for any claims, demands and liabilities
arising out of or in connection with the design, manufacture, possession or
operation of the Equipment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
above, GKF warrants that the Equipment meets the specifications set forth in the
LGK Agreement.

       20. Events of Default and Remedies. The occurrence of any one of the
following shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:

              (a) Medical Center fails to pay any installment of semi-monthly
procedure payments when due when such default continues for a period of thirty
(30) days after notice thereof

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from GKF or its assignee is given to Medical Center, unless Medical Center
disputes the installment payment, such as, without limitation, an incomplete
procedure due to faulty Equipment.

              (b) Medical Center attempts to remove, sell, transfer, encumber,
sublet or part with possession of the Equipment or any items thereof, except as
expressly permitted herein;

              (c) Either party shall fail to observe or perform any of the other
obligations required to be observed or performed by such party hereunder and
such failure shall continue uncured for twenty (20) days after written notice
thereof to the defaulting party by the other party;

              (d) Either party ceases doing business as a going concern, makes
an assignment for the benefit of creditors, admits in writing its inability to
pay its debts as they become due, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, is
adjudicated a bankrupt or an insolvent, files a petition seeking for itself any
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution
or similar arrangement under any present or future statute, law or regulation or
files an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against
it in any such proceeding, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a
trustee, receiver, or liquidator of it or of all or any substantial part of its
assets or properties, or it or its shareholders shall take any action looking to
its dissolution or liquidation.

              (e) Within sixty (60) days after the commencement of any
proceedings against either party seeking reorganization, arrangement,
readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any present or
future statute, law or regulation, such proceedings shall not have been
dismissed, or if within thirty (30) days after the appointment without such
party's consent or acquiescence of any trustee, receiver or liquidator of it or
of all or any substantial part of its assets and properties, such appointment
shall not be vacated.

              (f) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default by Medical Center,
GKF may at its option do any or all of the following: (i) by notice to Medical
Center, terminate this Agreement as to the Equipment in default, wherever
situated, and for such purposes, enter upon the Site without liability for so
doing or GKF may cause Medical Center and Medical Center hereby agrees to return
the Equipment to GKF at Medical Center's sole cost and expense; (ii) recover
from, as liquidated damages for the loss of the bargain and not as a penalty, an
amount equal to the present value of the unpaid estimated future lease payments
by Medical Center to GKF through the end of the Agreement term discounted at the
rate of nine percent (9%), which payment shall become immediately due and
payable. Unpaid estimated future lease payments shall be based on the prior 12
months lease payments with an annual five (5%) percent increase; (iii) sell,
dispose of, hold, use or lease the Equipment in default, as GKF in its sole
discretion may determine (and GKF shall not be obligated to give preference to
the sale, lease or other disposition of the Equipment over the sale, lease or
other disposition of similar Equipment owned or leased by GKF). In any event,
Medical Center shall, without further demand, pay to GKF an amount equal to all
sums due and payable for all periods up to and including the date on which GKF
had declared this Agreement to be in default.

              (g) In the event, that Medical Center shall have paid to GKF the
liquidated damages referred to in (iii) above, GKF hereby agrees to pay to
Medical Center promptly after

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receipt thereof, all rentals or proceeds received from the reletting or sale of
the Equipment during the balance of the ten (10) year initial Term (after
deduction of all expenses incurred by GKF; said amount never to exceed the
amount of the liquidated damages paid by Medical Center). Medical Center agrees
that GKF shall have no obligation to sell the Equipment. Medical Center shall in
any event remain fully liable for reasonable damages as provided by law for all
costs and expenses incurred by GKF on account of such default, including but not
limited to, all court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Medical Center
hereby agrees that, in any event, it shall be liable for any deficiency after
any sale, lease or other disposition of the Equipment by GKF. The rights
afforded GKF hereunder shall not be deemed to be exclusive, but shall be in
addition to any other rights or remedies provided by law.

              (h) Upon occurrence of an Event of Default by GKF, the Medical
Center shall be entitled to liquidated damages for losses of the bargain and not
as a penalty in an amount equal to the cost of the leasehold provided by the
Medical Center. GKF shall remain fully liable for reasonable damages as provided
by law for all costs and expenses incurred by the Medical Center on account of
such default, including but not limited, to all court costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees. The rights afforded the Medical Center hereunder shall not be
deemed to be exclusive, but shall be in addition to any other rights or remedies
provided by law.

       21. Insurance.

              (a) Medical Center shall, at its own cost and expense, require
that its Equipment moving, installation and similar contractor(s) (such as
rigger, general contractor, etc.) and any sub-contractors thereof (together
"contractor(s)"), have in effect , at all times while the Equipment is in such
contractors' care, custody and control and throughout the course of
construction, all risk and hazard insurance coverage. Such insurance coverage
shall name GKF and such additional parties as GKF shall designate as Additional
Named Insureds. Such insurance coverage shall be for an amount not less than the
replacement cost of the Equipment. Medical Center shall further require that
such contractor(s) provide a Certificate of Insurance for the coverage required
herein to GKF and its designees, if any, prior to the date any such contractor
commences activity subject to the requirements of this Section 21(a). Such
Certificate(s) of Insurance shall include a provision for thirty (30) days
advance notice prior to cancellation or termination of the coverage evidenced
thereby.

              (b) During the ten (10) year initial Term of this Agreement (and
any successive terms) GKF shall, at its own cost and expense, keep in effect an
all risk and hazard insurance policy covering the Equipment. The all risk and
hazard insurance policy shall be for an amount not less than the replacement
cost of the Equipment. During the ten (10) year initial Term of this Agreement,
Medical Center shall, at its own cost and expense keep in effect public
liability and professional liability insurance policies concerning the operation
of the Equipment by Medical Center. Said policies shall be in the amounts of not
less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in aggregate per year.
Evidence of such insurance coverages shall be furnished by both parties to the
other party upon written request, by no later than the Commencement Date.

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              (b) If the Equipment is rendered unusable as a result of any
physical damage to, or destruction of, the Equipment, Medical Center shall give
to GKF immediate notice. GKF shall determine, within thirty (30) days after the
date of occurrence of such damage or destruction, whether the Equipment can be
repaired. In the event GKF determines that the Equipment cannot be repaired, GKF
at its sole cost and expense shall promptly replace the Equipment. This
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as though such damage or
destruction had not occurred. In the event GKF determines that the Equipment can
be repaired, GKF shall cause the Equipment to be promptly repaired.

       22. Notices. Any notices required under this Agreement shall be sent in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or
mailed by certified or registered mail to the following addresses:

               To GKF:              Chief Executive Officer
                                    Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3620
                                    San Francisco, CA 94111

               To Medical Center:   Keith Steffen
                                    Administrator
                                    Saint Francis Medical Center
                                    530 N.E. Glen Oak Avenue
                                    Peoria, IL 61637

Or to such other addresses as either party may specify for the reception of
notice from time to time in writing to the other party. Any such notice shall be
effective only when actually received by the party to whom addressed.

       23. Integration. This Agreement contains the full and entire Agreement
between the parties hereto, and no oral or written understanding is of any force
or effect whatsoever unless expressly contained in a writing executed subsequent
to the date of this Agreement.

       24. Waivers. To the extent that one party fails or chooses not to pursue
any of its remedies under this Agreement or pursuant to applicable law, such
shall not prejudice such party's rights to pursue any of those remedies at any
future time and shall not constitute a waiver of such party's rights.

       25. Assignments. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the permitted successors or assigns of the respective parties hereto,
except that neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the express written consent of the other (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld).

       26. Amendments. This Agreement shall not be amended or altered in any
manner unless such amendment or alteration is in a writing signed by both
parties.

<PAGE>   12

       27. Record-Keeping Requirements. To the extent required by the
regulations promulgated by the Health Care Financing Administration pursuant to
Section 952 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980, GKF shall:

              (a) Until the expiration of four (4) years following the
furnishing of services pursuant to this Agreement, GKF agrees to make available
upon written request of the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the U.S.
Comptroller General or any of their duly authorized representatives, this
Agreement, any books, documents and records necessary to verify the nature and
extent of costs incurred by Medical Center by reason of the activities of GKF
under this Agreement; and

              (b) If GKF elects to delegate any of its duties under this
Agreement (which have a cost or value of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or
more over a twelve (12) month period) to a related organization, GKF may do so
only through a subcontractor which is consented to by Medical Center, it being
understood that, inasmuch as Medical Center is entering into this Agreement in
reliance on GKF's reputation and expertise, that Medical Center shall be the
sole judge of the reputation and expertise of the proposed delegee, and only
through a subcontractor which provides that, until the expiration of four (4)
years following the furnishing of services under such subcontract, the related
organization shall make available, on request of the Secretary of Health and
Human Services or the U.S. Comptroller General or any of their authorized
representatives, the subcontract, and books, documents and records of the nature
and extent of costs incurred by Medical Center by reason of activities of such
related organization under such subcontract. No delegation by GKF of its duties
hereunder shall relieve GKF from liability hereunder.

       28. Miscellaneous Provisions.

              (a) The invalidity or unenforceability of any portion or provision
of this Agreement shall not effect the validity or enforceability of any other
portion, nor shall either party's implied or express consent to the breach or
waiver of any provision of this Agreement constitute a waiver of such provision
as to any subsequent breach.

              (b) In the event of any claim or controversy arising hereunder,
the prevailing party in such claim or controversy shall be entitled to a
reasonable attorneys' fee in addition to whatever other relief said party would
be otherwise entitled.

              (c) Force Majeure. Failure to perform by either party will be
excused in the event of any delay or inability to perform its duties under this
Agreement directly or indirectly caused by conditions beyond its reasonable
control including without limitation, fires, floods, earthquakes, snow, ice,
disasters, Acts of God, accidents, riots, wars, operation of law, strikes,
governmental action or regulations, shortages of labor, fuel, power, materials,
manufacturer delays or transportation problems.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement on the day and
year first above written.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

MEDICAL CENTER:                           GKF:

OSF HEALTHCARE SYSTEM,                    GK FINANCING, LLC
an Illinois not-for-profit corporation,   a California limited liability company
owner and operator of Saint Francis
Medical Center

By:    /s/ James M. Moore                 By:    /s/ Craig K. Tagawa
       ------------------                        -------------------
       James M. Moore, CEO                       Craig K. Tagawa
                                                 Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  February 4, 2000                  Dated: February 18, 2000

                                      -13-<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.36

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") entered into as of June 4,
2001, by and between Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (the "Company") and
Michael C. Keller ("Executive").

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Offer Letter dated April 18, 2001, between the
Company and Executive (the "Offer Letter"), Executive has agreed to become the
Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of the Company. The Offer
Letter is attached as Exhibit A.

         WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into an agreement to reflect
Executive's executive capacities in the Company's business and to provide for
Executive's employment by the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein.

         WHEREAS, Executive has agreed to certain confidentiality,
non-competition and non-solicitation covenants contained hereunder, in
consideration of the additional benefits provided to Executive under this
Agreement.

         WHEREAS, certain capitalized terms shall have the meanings given those
terms in Section 4 of this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to perform Executive's
duties and responsibilities, in accordance with the terms, conditions and
provisions hereinafter set forth. Executive shall commence employment on a June
4, 2001. The parties agree that the terms of this Agreement shall supercede and
replace the Offer Letter, except as specifically provided otherwise in this
Agreement.

         1.1. REPRESENTATIONS. Executive hereby represents to the Company that
Executive is under no contractual obligation to refrain from working for a
competitor of any prior employer. Executive also hereby represents to the
Company that he knows of no circumstances that would adversely affect his
ability to function effectively in the functions essential to the position of
Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer as described in this
Agreement.

         1.2. EMPLOYMENT TERM. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date
set forth above, and shall continue until June 4, 2003, unless the Agreement is
terminated sooner in accordance with Section 2 or 3 below. In addition, the term
of the Agreement shall automatically renew for periods of one year unless either
party gives written notice to the other party, at least 60 days prior to the end
of the initial term or at least 60 days prior to the end of any one-year renewal
period, that the Agreement shall not be further extended. The period

<PAGE>   2

commencing on the effective date and ending on the date on which the term of
Executive's employment under the Agreement shall terminate is hereinafter
referred to as the "Employment Term." If a Change of Control (as defined in
Section 4) occurs, the Employment Term shall be automatically extended to the
later of (i) the end of the then existing initial or renewal period or (ii) the
date that is two years after the Change of Control, unless the Employment Term
is sooner terminated according to Section 2 or 3 below. The failure of the
Company to renew this Agreement shall not be considered a termination of
Executive's employment under this Agreement and shall not give Executive grounds
to terminate employment for Good Reason (as defined in Section 4) under this
Agreement.

         1.3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. During the Employment Term, Executive
shall serve as the Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of the
Company, or in such other executive positions as the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") determines. Executive shall perform all duties and accept
all responsibilities incident to such position or as may be reasonably assigned
to him by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Board.

         1.4. EXTENT OF SERVICE. During the Employment Term, Executive agrees to
use Executive's full and best efforts to carry out Executive's duties and
responsibilities under Section 1.3 hereof with the highest degree of loyalty and
the highest standards of care and, consistent with the other provisions of this
Agreement, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of Executive's business
time, attention and energy thereto. The foregoing shall not be construed as
preventing Executive from making investments in other businesses or enterprises,
provided that Executive agrees not to become engaged in any other business
activity which, in the reasonable judgment of the Board, is likely to interfere
with Executive's ability to discharge Executive's duties and responsibilities to
the Company. The Executive will not serve on the board of directors of an entity
unrelated to the Company (other than a non-profit charitable organization)
without the consent of the Board.

         1.5. BASE SALARY. During the Employment Term, for all the services
rendered by Executive hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary
("Base Salary"), at the annual rate of $375,000 per year, payable in
installments at such times as the Company customarily pays its other employees.
Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed periodically for appropriate increases
by the Board (or a committee of the Board) pursuant to the Board's normal
performance review policies for senior level executives.

         1.6. RETIREMENT, WELFARE AND OTHER BENEFIT PLANS AND PROGRAMS. During
the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee
retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs made available to the
Company's senior level executives as a group, as such retirement and welfare
plans may be in effect from time to time and subject to the eligibility
requirements of such plans. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be
provided with a Company automobile and other executive fringe benefits and
perquisites under the same terms as those made available to the Company's senior
level executives as a group, as such programs may be in effect from time to
time. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to vacation and
sick leave in accordance with the Company's vacation, holiday and other pay for
time not worked policies. The Company's current executive policies and

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

programs are described in EXHIBIT A. Nothing in this Agreement or otherwise
shall prevent the Company from amending or terminating any retirement, welfare
or other employee benefit plans, programs, policies or perquisites from time to
time as the Company deems appropriate.

         1.7. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. During the Employment Term, Executive
shall be provided with reimbursement of reasonable expenses related to
Executive's employment by the Company on a basis no less favorable than that
which may be authorized from time to time for senior level executives as a
group.

         1.8. INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. During the Employment Term, Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all short-term and long-term incentive
programs established by the Company for its senior level executives generally,
at levels commensurate with the benefits provided to other senior executives and
Executive's position with the Company. Executive's incentive compensation shall
be subject to the terms of the applicable plans and shall be determined based on
Executive's individual performance and Company performance as determined by the
Board (or a committee of the Board). The initial incentive compensation grants
to be made to Executive are described in the attached EXHIBIT A.

         2. TERMINATION. Executive's employment shall terminate upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:

         2.1. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.The Company (by action of the Board) may
remove Executive at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 4) from the
position in which Executive is employed hereunder (in which case the Employment
Term shall be deemed to have ended) upon not less than 60 days' prior written
notice pursuant to Section 15 to Executive; provided, however, that, in the
event that such notice is given, Executive shall be under no obligation to
render any additional services to the Company and shall be allowed to seek other
employment.

         2.2. RESIGNATION FOR GOOD REASON AFTER A SUBSTANTIAL REORGANIZATION. If
the Board determines for purposes of this Agreement that a substantial
reorganization of the Company has occurred, the Board may establish a period of
time during which Executive may elect to resign if an event constituting Good
Reason (as defined in Section 4) occurs. In that event, Executive may initiate
termination of employment by resigning under this Section 2.2 for Good Reason
during the period specified by the Board. Executive shall give the Company not
less than 60 days prior written notice pursuant to Section 15 of such
resignation.

         2.3. BENEFITS PAYABLE UPON TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR RESIGNATION FOR
GOOD REASON AFTER A SUBSTANTIAL REORGANIZATION.

                  (a) Upon any removal or resignation described in Section 2.1
or 2.2 above, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the amount due to
Executive under the Company's then current severance pay plan for employees, if
any. No other payments or benefits shall be due under this Agreement to
Executive, but Executive shall be entitled to any benefits accrued or

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

earned in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs
of the Company.

                  (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.3(a), in the
event of a removal or resignation described in Section 2.1 or 2.2 during the
Employment Term, if Executive executes and does not revoke a written release
upon such removal or resignation, substantially in the form attached hereto as
EXHIBIT B (the "Release"), of any and all claims against the Company and all
related parties with respect to all matters arising out of Executive's
employment by the Company, or the termination thereof (other than claims based
upon any severance entitlements under the terms of this Agreement or
entitlements under any plans or programs of the Company under which Executive
has accrued a benefit), Executive shall be entitled to receive the severance
benefits described below, in lieu of the payment described in Section 2.3(a).
Payment of the lump sum benefits described below (other than as described in
subsections (ii) and (iv) below) shall be made within 30 days after Executive's
Termination Date (as defined in Section 4) or the end of the revocation period
for the Release, if later.

                           (i)      Executive shall receive a lump sum cash
payment equal to two times Executive's annual Base Salary in effect immediately
before the Termination Date (including salary reduction amounts of Base Salary
under the Company's benefit plans and programs).

                           (ii)     Executive shall receive Executive's annual
short-term incentive bonus (PIP) for the year in which Executive's Termination
Date occurs, at the time that annual bonuses for the year are paid to other
executives, based on the Company's actual performance for the year, but in an
amount not less than Executive's target annual bonus in effect for the year.

                           (iii)    The Company shall pay Executive an amount
equal to the after-tax cost to the Executive of continuing the medical and
dental coverage under COBRA or the Company's retiree medical plan, if
applicable, for Executive, and, where applicable, his or her spouse and
dependents, for the greater of (x) the 18-month period following the Termination
Date or (y) the Severance Period (as defined in Section 4). The COBRA health
care continuation coverage period under Section 4980B of the Code (as defined in
Section 4) shall run concurrently with the period described in the preceding
sentence.

                           (iv)     Executive shall receive the following lump
sum payments with respect to the long-term incentive awards (LTPP) in effect for
Executive at his or her Termination Date:

         (x) Executive shall receive a pro rated portion of each outstanding
         long-term incentive award for which Executive's Termination Date does
         not occur in the final year of the award period (for example, if the
         award period is three years, the awards for which the Termination Date
         occurs in year one or two). The pro rated payment for each such
         long-term incentive award shall be computed as the target incentive
         award in effect for Executive multiplied by a fraction, the numerator
         of which is the number of years that the incentive award has been
         outstanding (including the year in which the Termination Date

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

         occurs as a whole year) and the denominator of which is the number of
         years in the incentive award period.

         (y) Executive shall receive each long-term incentive award for which
         Executive's Termination Date occurs in the final year of the award
         period, at the time that such long-term incentive awards are paid to
         other executives, based on the Company's actual performance for the
         award period, but in an amount not less than Executive's target
         long-term incentive award in effect for such period.

The foregoing payments shall be made under the Company's long-term incentive
plan, to the extent consistent with the terms of such plan. If the payments
calculated above exceed the payments actually made to Executive under the
Company's long-term incentive plan with respect to the foregoing awards, any
such excess amount shall be paid to Executive under this Agreement.

                           (v)      Executive's outstanding stock options and
restricted stock with respect to stock of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. or
any Affiliate of the Company shall become vested and exercisable on the
Termination Date to the extent that such options and restricted stock would have
become vested and exercisable on the next vesting date had Executive remained an
employee of the Company. All other unvested stock options and restricted stock
shall be forfeited, except to the extent that the applicable grant agreement
requires otherwise. No additional grants shall be made to Executive after
Executive's termination of employment.

                           (vi)     Executive shall receive supplemental
benefits under this Agreement equal to:

         (A) the benefits that Executive would have received under the
         Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan,
         Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan, Nationwide Savings Plan, Nationwide
         Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan and Nationwide Individual
         Deferred Compensation Plan, as in effect at Executive's Termination
         Date, had Executive's benefits under those Plans been fully vested as
         of Executive's Termination Date, reduced by

         (B) the benefits that Executive actually receives under the Nationwide
         Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan, Nationwide
         Excess Benefit Plan, Nationwide Savings Plan, Nationwide Supplemental
         Defined Contribution Plan and Nationwide Individual Deferred
         Compensation Plan.

The benefits under this subsection (vi) shall be paid in the same forms and at
the same times as Executive's benefits under the applicable Plans described
above are paid (or would have been paid had Executive's interests in the
applicable Plans been fully vested); provided that payments with respect to
benefits under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental
Retirement Plan and Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan shall not begin until after
the end of the

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

Severance Period. The benefits payable under this subsection (vi) and subsection
(vii) below shall not result in any duplication of benefits.

                           (vii)    If Executive's Termination Date occurs
within three years of the date on which Executive would have been first eligible
to retire under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Executive shall receive a
supplemental benefit under this Agreement equal to:

         (A) the benefits that Executive would have received under the
         Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan and
         Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan as in effect at Executive's Termination
         Date, had Executive earned service and age credit for the period ending
         on the first to occur of (i) three years after the Termination Date or
         (ii) the earliest date on which Executive would have been eligible to
         retire under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, and had Executive been
         fully vested in Executive's benefit under such Plans, reduced by

         (B) the benefits that Executive actually receives under the Nationwide
         Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan and Nationwide
         Excess Benefit Plan, and the benefits payable under subsection (vi)
         above with respect to the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide
         Supplemental Retirement Plan and Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan.

The benefits under this subsection (vii) shall be paid after the end of the
Severance Period in the same forms and at the same times as Executive's benefits
under the applicable Nationwide Plans are paid (or would have been paid had
Executive's interests in the applicable Plans been fully vested).

                           (viii)   The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum
cash payment equal to the matching contributions that the Company would have
made for Executive under the Nationwide Savings Plan and the Nationwide
Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan, as in effect at Executive's Termination
Date, had Executive continued in employment for the Severance Period, receiving
compensation at a rate equal to Executive's covered compensation amount for the
calendar year prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs and making
the same level of contributions to the applicable plans as in effect for
Executive immediately before Executive's Termination Date.

                           (ix)     The Company shall cause Executive to
receive service and age credit for purposes of eligibility under the Company's
retiree medical plan, and service credit for purposes of cost-sharing, until the
end of the Severance Period, as if Executive had continued in employment during
the Severance Period.

                           (x)      During the Severance Period, the Company
shall pay or reimburse Executive for the cost of outplacement assistance
services (not to exceed a total of $11,000) provided by any outplacement agency
selected by Executive.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                           (xi)     During the Severance Period, the Company
shall pay or reimburse Executive for financial counseling services from the
Company's financial counseling vendor in an annual amount equal to the value of
the financial counseling services provided by the Company annually to Executive
immediately before Executive's Termination Date.

                           (xii)    Executive shall have the right to purchase
from the Company the Company-provided automobile used by Executive at
Executive's Termination Date, at a price equal to the then fair market value of
the automobile.

                           (xiii)   Executive shall have the right to retain the
computer, printer, fax machine and office furniture that was provided by the
Company for use by Executive at Executive's residence at the Termination Date.

                           (xiv)    Executive can elect to have the Company
transfer to Executive the country club membership that Executive received in
connection with his or her employment with the Company, or Executive can elect
to have the Company provide a loss of membership payment to Executive under the
terms of the Company's country club membership program in effect for senior
level executives at Executive's Termination Date.

                           (xv)     Executive shall receive any other amounts
earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above and any other
benefits in accordance with the terms of any applicable plans and programs of
the Company.

         2.4. RETIREMENT OR OTHER VOLUNTARY TERMINATION. Executive may
voluntarily terminate employment for any reason, including voluntary retirement,
upon 60 days' prior written notice pursuant to Section 15. In such event, after
the effective date of such termination, except as provided in Section 2.2 or 3.3
(with respect to a resignation for Good Reason), no further payments shall be
due under this Agreement. However, Executive shall be entitled to any benefits
due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of
the Company.

         2.5. DISABILITY. The Company (by action of the Board) may terminate
Executive's employment if Executive has been unable to perform the essential
functions of his or her position with the Company, with or without reasonable
accommodation, by reason of physical or mental incapacity for a period of six
consecutive months ("Disability"); provided, however, that the Company shall
continue to pay Executive's Base Salary until the Company acts to terminate
Executive's employment. Executive agrees, in the event of a dispute under this
Section 2.5 relating to Executive's Disability, to submit to a physical
examination by a licensed physician selected by the Board. Executive
acknowledges that the provisions of this Section 2.5 supersede the employment
termination provisions otherwise applied to disabled employees. If Executive's
employment terminates on account of Disability, no further payments shall be due
under this Agreement. However, Executive shall be entitled to (i) any benefits
due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of
the Company and (ii) a pro rated bonus for the year in which Executive's
Disability occurs, which bonus shall be calculated according to Section
2.3(b)(ii) above.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

         2.6. DEATH. If Executive dies while employed by the Company, the
Company shall pay to Executive's executor, legal representative, administrator
or designated beneficiary, as applicable, (i) any amounts earned, accrued or
owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above and any benefits accrued or earned
under the Company's benefit plans and programs according to the terms of such
plans and (ii) a pro rated bonus for the year in which Executive's death occurs,
which bonus shall be calculated according to Section 2.3(b)(ii) above.
Otherwise, the Company shall have no further liability or obligation under this
Agreement to Executive's executors, legal representatives, administrators, heirs
or assigns.

         2.7. CAUSE. The Company (by action of the Board) may terminate
Executive's employment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Executive,
in which event all payments under this Agreement shall cease, except for Base
Salary to the extent already accrued. Executive shall be entitled to any
benefits accrued or earned before his or her termination in accordance with the
terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company; provided that
Executive shall not be entitled to receive any unpaid short-term or long-term
cash incentive payments or unvested options.

         3.   CHANGE OF CONTROL.

         3.1. EFFECT OF CHANGE OF CONTROL. If a Change of Control occurs and
Executive's employment terminates under the circumstances described below, the
provisions of this Section 3 shall apply, instead of the provisions of Section
2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.

         3.2. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE UPON OR AFTER A CHANGE OF CONTROL. Upon
or after a Change of Control, the Company (by action of the Board) may remove
Executive at any time without Cause from the position in which Executive is
employed hereunder (in which case the Employment Term shall be deemed to have
ended) upon not less than 60 days' prior written notice pursuant to Section 15
to Executive; provided, however, that, in the event that such notice is given,
Executive shall be under no obligation to render any additional services to the
Company and shall be allowed to seek other employment.

         3.3. RESIGNATION FOR GOOD REASON UPON OR AFTER A CHANGE OF CONTROL.
Upon or after a Change of Control, Executive may initiate termination of
employment by resigning under this Section 3 for Good Reason (as defined in
Section 4). Executive shall give the Company not less than 60 days' prior
written notice pursuant to Section 15 of such resignation.

         3.4. BENEFITS PAYABLE UPON TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR RESIGNATION FOR
GOOD REASON UPON OR AFTER A CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                  (a) Upon any removal or resignation described in Section 3.2
or 3.3 above, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the amount due to
Executive under the Company's then current severance pay plan for employees, if
any. No other payments or benefits shall be due under this Agreement to
Executive, but Executive shall be entitled to any benefits accrued or

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

earned in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs
of the Company.

                  (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.4(a), in the
event of a removal or resignation described in Section 3.2 or 3.3 that occurs
upon or after a Change of Control and during the Employment Term, if Executive
executes and does not revoke a written Release upon such removal or resignation,
Executive shall be entitled to receive the severance benefits described below,
in lieu of the payment described in Section 3.4(a). Payment of the lump sum
benefits described below (other than as described in subsection (ii) below)
shall be made within 30 days after Executive's Termination Date or the end of
the revocation period for the Release, if later.

                           (i)      Executive shall receive a lump sum cash
payment equal to three times Executive's Compensation (as defined in Section 4).

                           (ii)     Executive shall receive Executive's annual
short-term incentive bonus (PIP) for the year in which Executive's Termination
Date occurs, at the time that annual bonuses for the year are paid to other
executives, based on the Company's performance for the year but in an amount not
less than Executive's target annual bonus in effect for the year in which the
Termination Date occurs.

                           (iii)    During the Severance Period, the Company
shall cause Executive, and, where applicable, his or her spouse and dependents,
to continue to be eligible for the medical, dental and life insurance coverage
in effect immediately before the Change of Control (or generally comparable
coverage) as if Executive had continued in employment during the Severance
Period, and the Company shall pay the cost of such coverage; or, as an
alternative, at the Company's election, the Company may pay Executive cash in
lieu of such coverage in an amount equal to Executive's after-tax cost of
continuing such coverage. The COBRA health care continuation coverage period
under Section 4980B of the Code shall run concurrently with the Severance
Period. If Executive qualifies for retiree medical coverage from the Company
during any portion of the Severance Period, the Company may provide such retiree
medical coverage during such portion of the Severance Period in lieu of the
foregoing coverage.

                           (iv)     Executive shall receive a lump sum payment
equal to the long-term incentive awards (LTPP) in effect for Executive on the
Termination Date, based on the Company's actual performance through the
Termination Date, but in an amount not less than the total target long-term
incentive awards in effect for Executive on the Termination Date. The foregoing
payment shall be made under the Company's long-term incentive plan, to the
extent consistent with the terms of such plan. If the payment calculated above
exceeds the payment actually made to Executive under the Company's long-term
incentive plan with respect to the foregoing awards, any such excess benefit
shall be paid to Executive under this Agreement.

                           (v)      All stock options and restricted stock with
respect to stock of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. or any Affiliate of the
Company that are held by Executive

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the Termination Date (if not
already vested and exercisable pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan).

                           (vi)     Executive shall receive a supplemental
benefit under this Agreement equal to:

         (A) the benefits that Executive would have received under the
         Nationwide Savings Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution
         Plan and Nationwide Individual Deferred Compensation Plan, as in effect
         immediately before the Change of Control had Executive's benefits under
         those Plans been fully vested as of Executive's Termination Date,
         reduced by

         (B) the benefits that Executive actually receives under the Nationwide
         Savings Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan and
         Nationwide Individual Deferred Compensation Plan.

The benefits under this subsection (vi) shall be paid in the same forms and at
the same times as the benefits under the applicable Plans described above are
paid (or would have been paid had Executive's interests in the applicable Plans
been fully vested), as in effect immediately before the Change of Control. The
benefits under this subsection (vi) and subsection (vii) below shall not result
in any duplication of benefits.

                           (vii) Executive shall receive a supplemental benefit
under this Agreement equal to:

         (A) the benefits that Executive would have received under the
         Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan and
         Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan had Executive received credit for
         eligibility, age, compensation and benefit accrual purposes during the
         Severance Period under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide
         Supplemental Retirement Plan and Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan, each
         as in effect immediately before the Change of Control, calculated as if
         Executive had continued in employment during the Severance Period,
         receiving compensation at the same times as compensation is normally
         paid and in amounts equal to the Compensation, and as if Executive had
         been fully vested in Executive's benefits under such Plans, reduced by

         (B) the benefits that Executive actually receives under the Nationwide
         Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan and Nationwide
         Excess Benefit Plan.

The benefits under this subsection (vii) shall be paid after the end of the
Severance Period in the same forms and at the same times as benefits under the
applicable Plans described above are paid (or would have been paid had
Executive's interests in the applicable Plans been fully vested), as in effect
immediately before the Change of Control.

                           (viii)   The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum
cash payment equal to the matching contributions that the Company would have
made for Executive under

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

the Nationwide Savings Plan and the Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution
Plan, as in effect immediately before the Change of Control, had Executive
continued in employment for the Severance Period receiving Executive's
Compensation and making the same level of contributions to the applicable plans
as in effect immediately before Executive's Termination Date.

                           (ix)     The Company shall cause Executive to receive
service and age credit for purposes of eligibility, and service credit for
purposes of cost-sharing, under the Company's retiree medical plan until the end
of the Severance Period, as if Executive had continued in employment during that
period.

                           (x)      During the Severance Period, the Company
shall pay or reimburse Executive for the cost of outplacement assistance
services (not to exceed a total of $11,000) provided by any outplacement agency
selected by Executive.

                           (xi)     During the Severance Period, the Company
shall pay or reimburse Executive for financial counseling services from the
Company's financial counseling vendor in an annual amount equal to the value of
the financial counseling services provided by the Company annually to Executive
immediately before the Change of Control.

                           (xii)    Executive may continue to use the Company-
provided automobile used by Executive at Executive's Termination Date during the
Severance Period. At the end of the Severance Period, Executive shall have the
right to purchase the automobile from the Company, at a price equal to the then
fair market value of the automobile.

                           (xiii)   Executive shall have the right to retain
the computer, printer, fax machine and office furniture that was provided by the
Company for use by Executive at Executive's residence at the Termination Date.

                           (xiv)    During the Severance Period, the Company
shall continue to pay the dues on the country club membership that Executive
received in connection with his or her employment with the Company. At the end
of the Severance Period, Executive can elect to have the Company transfer the
country club membership to Executive, or Executive can elect to have the Company
provide a loss of membership payment to Executive under the terms of the
Company's country club membership program in effect for senior level executives
at Executive's Termination Date.

                           (xv)     Executive shall receive any other amounts
earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above and any other
benefits in accordance with the terms of any applicable plans and programs of
the Company.

         3.5.     INCREASE IN PAYMENTS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                  (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by the Company to or for the benefit

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment"), would constitute an
"excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the
Company shall pay Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such
that the net amount retained by Executive after deduction of any excise tax
imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, and any federal, state and local income
tax, employment tax and excise tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be
equal to the Payment. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up
Payment, unless Executive specifies that other rates apply, Executive shall be
deemed to pay federal income tax and employment taxes at the highest marginal
rate of federal income and employment taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of Executive's residence on
Executive's Termination Date, net of the maximum reduction in federal income
taxes that may be obtained from the deduction of such state and local taxes.

                  (b) All determinations to be made under this Section 3.5 shall
be made by the Company's independent public accountant immediately prior to the
Change of Control (the "Accounting Firm"), which firm shall provide its
determinations and any supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive
within 20 days after Executive's Termination Date. Any such determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. Within ten days
after the Accounting Firm's determination, the Company shall pay the Gross-Up
Payment to Executive.

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

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

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

                           (iii)    cooperate with the Company in good faith
in order to contest such claim effectively, and

                           (iv)     permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim;

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any excise tax, income tax or employment tax, including
interest and penalties, with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Section 3.5, the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearing and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund
or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to
prosecute such contest to a termination before any administrative tribunal, in a
court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine. If the Company directs Executive to pay such claim and
sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to
Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any excise tax, income tax or employment
tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect
to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
advance. Any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
taxes for the taxable year of Executive with respect to which such contested
amount is claimed to be due shall be limited solely to such contested amount.
The Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to
which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and Executive shall be
entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

                  (d) If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced
by the Company pursuant to this Section, Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of subsection (b)) promptly pay to the Company
the amount of such refund, together with any interest paid or credited thereon
after taxes applicable thereto. If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section, a determination is made that
Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the
Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such
denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination,
then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and
the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of
Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

                  (e) All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in
performing the determinations referred to in subsections (b), (c) and (d) above
shall be borne solely by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Accounting Firm from any and all claims, damages and expenses
resulting from or relating to its determinations pursuant to subsections (b),
(c) and (d) above, except for claims, damages or expenses resulting from the
gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Accounting Firm.

         4. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings specified in this Section 4:

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

                  (a) "AFFILIATE" shall mean any subsidiary of the Company and
any other entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, as
determined by the Board.

                  (b) "CAUSE" shall mean any of the following grounds for
termination of Executive's employment:

         (i)      Executive shall have been convicted of a felony;

         (ii) Executive neglects, refuses or fails to perform his or her
         material duties to the Company (other than a failure resulting from
         Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which
         failure has continued for a period of at least 30 days after a written
         notice of demand for substantial performance, signed by a duly
         authorized officer of the Company, has been delivered to Executive
         specifying the manner in which Executive has failed substantially to
         perform;

         (iii) Executive engages in misconduct in the performance of his or her
         duties;

         (iv) Executive engages in public conduct that is harmful to the
         reputation of the Company;

         (v) Executive breaches any written non-competition, non-disclosure or
         non-solicitation agreement in effect with the Company, including
         without limitation the provisions of Section 6 or 7 of this Agreement;
         or

         (vi) Executive breaches the Company's written code of business conduct
         and ethics.

                  (c) "CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall mean the happening of any of the
following events with respect to the Company, as described in subsections (i)
and (ii) below:

                 (i) The following events shall constitute a Change of Control:

         (A)      A sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
          assets of the Company;

         (B)      A liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

         (C) A change in the composition of 50% or more of the members of the
         Board as a result of a merger, financial arrangement (such as the sale
         of surplus notes of the Company) or other corporate transaction, such
         that the directors who were members of the Board immediately before the
         transaction cease, within two years after the transaction, to
         constitute 50% or more of the board of directors of the Company or the
         successor corporation;

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

         (D) Entry into an affiliation agreement giving any individual, entity
         or group, other than policyholders, the power to direct or cause the
         direction of the management and policies of the Company;

         (E) Entry into an agreement reinsuring all or substantially all the
         business of the Company (other than through an Affiliate of the
         Company); or

         (F) Consummation of a sale or other disposition of a controlling
         interest in the Company, other than to a direct or indirect wholly
         owned subsidiary of the Company.

                           (ii)     In addition to the foregoing, the Board may
determine, in its sole discretion, that any of the events described below shall
constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement. None of the
events described in this Section 4(c)(ii) shall be considered a Change of
Control for purposes of this Agreement unless the Board determines, in a written
resolution, that the event shall be considered a Change of Control for purposes
of this Agreement, and nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Board to
make any such determination. The following events may constitute a Change of
Control if so designated by the Board:

         (A) A demutualization of the Company;

         (B) Establishment of a mutual holding company structure for the
         Company; or

         (C) Any reorganization or other event that the Board considers
         appropriate to characterize as a Change of Control for purposes of this
         Agreement.

                  (d) "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

                  (e) "COMPENSATION" shall mean (i) Executive's annualized Base
Salary in effect at Executive's Termination Date (or immediately before a Change
of Control, if greater), plus (ii) the target annual bonus in effect for
Executive for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or the year in
which a Change of Control occurs, if greater), together with (iii) all salary
reduction authorized amounts of such compensation under any of the Company's
benefit plans or programs for such calendar year. "Compensation" shall not
include the value of any long-term incentive compensation, restricted stock or
stock options or any exercise thereunder.

                  (f) "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  (g) "GOOD REASON" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following events, except in connection with the termination of Executive's
employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of death or by Executive other
than for Good Reason and except as provided in the last sentence of this
subsection (g):

                                     -15-
<PAGE>   16

         (i) A change in Executive's position and responsibilities (including
         reporting responsibilities) that represents a substantial diminution,
         as reasonably determined by the Board, of Executive's position and
         responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto;

         (ii) The relocation of the offices of the Company at which Executive is
         principally employed to a location more than 50 miles from the location
         of such offices immediately prior to the relocation, or the Company's
         requiring Executive to be based anywhere other than such offices,
         except for required travel on the Company's business to an extent
         substantially consistent with the Executive's business travel
         obligations at the date of this Agreement;

         (iii) The failure of the Company to provide Executive with aggregate
         compensation (Base Salary and target long-term and short-term incentive
         compensation) or aggregate benefits that are at least equal (in terms
         of benefit levels and reward opportunities) to those provided by the
         Company to Executive immediately before the change; provided, however,
         that a change in compensation or benefits for all executives of the
         Company, in which Executive is treated similarly as all other
         executives of a comparable responsibility level, shall not constitute
         Good Reason under this Agreement; or

         (iv) The failure of the Company to obtain from its successors the
         express assumption and agreement required under Section 16 hereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not have Good Reason for
termination if, within 60 days after the date on which Executive gives notice of
his or her termination, as provided in Section 5, the Company corrects the
action or failure to act that constitutes the grounds for termination for Good
Reason as set forth in Executive's notice of termination.

                  (h) "TERMINATION DATE" shall mean the effective date of the
termination of Executive's employment relationship with the Company pursuant to
this Agreement.

                  (i) "SEVERANCE PERIOD" shall mean (x) in the event of a
termination of employment before a Change of Control, the period beginning on
Executive's Termination Date and ending two years after the Termination Date and
(y) in the event of a termination of employment at or after a Change of Control,
the period beginning on Executive's Termination Date and ending three years
after the Termination Date.

         5. NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination of Executive's employment
shall be communicated by a written notice of termination to the other party
hereto given in accordance with Section 15. The notice of termination shall (i)
indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii)
briefly summarize the facts and circumstances deemed to provide a basis for a
termination of employment and the applicable provision hereof, and (iii) specify
the Termination Date in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.

         6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive recognizes and acknowledges
that, by reason of Executive's employment by and service to the Company during
and, if applicable, after

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17

the Employment Term, Executive will continue to have access to certain
confidential and proprietary information relating to the business of the
Company, which may include, but is not limited to, trade secrets, trade
"know-how", customer information, supplier information, cost and pricing
information, marketing and sales techniques, strategies and programs, computer
programs and software and financial information (collectively referred to as
"Confidential Information"). Executive acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is a valuable and unique asset of the Company and Executive
covenants that Executive will not, unless expressly authorized in writing by the
Board, at any time during the course of Executive's employment, use any
Confidential Information or divulge or disclose any Confidential Information to
any person, firm or corporation except in connection with the performance of
Executive's duties for the Company and in a manner consistent with the Company's
policies regarding Confidential Information. Executive also covenants that at
any time after the termination of such employment, directly or indirectly,
Executive will not use any Confidential Information or divulge or disclose any
Confidential Information to any person, firm or corporation, unless such
information is in the public domain through no fault of Executive or except when
required to do so by law or legal process, in which case Executive will inform
the Company in writing promptly of such required disclosure, but in any event at
least two business days prior to disclosure. All written Confidential
Information (including, without limitation, in any computer or other electronic
format) which comes into Executive's possession during the course of Executive's
employment shall remain the property of the Company. Except as required in the
performance of Executive's duties for the Company, or unless expressly
authorized in writing by the Board, Executive shall not remove any written
Confidential Information from the Company's premises, except in connection with
the performance of Executive's duties for the Company and in a manner consistent
with the Company's policies regarding Confidential Information. Upon termination
of Executive's employment, Executive agrees immediately to return to the Company
all written Confidential Information in Executive's possession. For the purposes
of this Section 6, the term "Company" shall be deemed to include the Company,
its Affiliates and their successors.

         7.       NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION.

                  (a) During Executive's employment by the Company and for a
period of one year after Executive's termination of employment for any reason,
Executive will not, except with the prior written consent of the Board, directly
or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, control, finance or participate in
the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, or be connected
as an officer, director, employee, partner, principal, agent, representative,
consultant or otherwise with, or use or permit Executive's name to be used in
connection with, any business or enterprise which is engaged in any financial
services, insurance or other business that is competitive with any business or
enterprise in which the Company is engaged, anywhere in the world, during
Executive's employment or (with respect to the application of this covenant
after Executive's termination of employment) during the two year period
preceding Executive's termination of employment. The parties acknowledge that
the Company engages in its business on a worldwide basis, and Executive
acknowledges that his or her responsibilities extend to the Company's worldwide
operations.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18

                  (b) The foregoing restrictions shall not be construed to
prohibit the ownership by Executive of less than five percent of any class of
securities of any corporation which is engaged in any of the foregoing
businesses having a class of securities registered pursuant to the Exchange Act,
provided that such ownership represents a passive investment and that neither
Executive nor any group of persons including Executive in any way, either
directly or indirectly, manages or exercises control of any such corporation,
guarantees any of its financial obligations, otherwise takes any part in its
business, other than exercising Executive's rights as a shareholder, or seeks to
do any of the foregoing.

                  (c) Executive further covenants and agrees that during
Executive's employment by the Company and for a period of one year thereafter,
Executive will not, except with the prior written consent of the Board, directly
or indirectly, solicit or hire, or encourage the solicitation or hiring of, any
person who was a managerial or higher level employee of the Company at any time
during the term of Executive's employment by the Company by any employer other
than the Company for any position as an employee, independent contractor,
consultant or otherwise. The foregoing covenant of Executive shall not apply to
any person after 12 months have elapsed after the date on which such person's
employment by the Company has terminated.

                  (d) The covenants described in this Section 7 shall continue
to apply during the period specified herein after Executive's termination of
employment for any reason, without regard to whether Executive executes a
Release or receives any severance benefits as a result of such termination. If
Executive breaches any of the covenants described in this Section 7, the
applicable period during which the covenant applies shall be tolled during the
period of the breach.

                  (e) For the purposes of this Section 7, the term "Company"
shall be deemed to include the Company, its Affiliates and their successors.

         8.       EQUITABLE RELIEF.

                  (a) Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions
contained in Sections 6 and 7 are reasonable and necessary to protect and
preserve the legitimate interests, properties, goodwill and business of the
Company, that the Company would not have entered into this Agreement in the
absence of such restrictions and that irreparable injury will be suffered by the
Company should Executive breach any of the provisions of those Sections.
Executive represents and acknowledges that (i) Executive has been advised by the
Company to consult Executive's own legal counsel in respect of this Agreement,
and (ii) Executive has had full opportunity, prior to execution of this
Agreement, to review thoroughly this Agreement with Executive's counsel.

                  (b) Executive further acknowledges and agrees that a breach of
any of the restrictions in Sections 6 and 7 cannot be adequately compensated by
monetary damages. Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving
actual damages, as well as an equitable accounting of all

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19

earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any violation of Sections 6 or
7 hereof, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights
or remedies to which the Company may be entitled. In the event that any of the
provisions of Sections 6 or 7 hereof should ever be adjudicated to exceed the
time, geographic, service, or other limitations permitted by applicable law in
any jurisdiction, it is the intention of the parties that the provision shall be
amended to the extent of the maximum time, geographic, service, or other
limitations permitted by applicable law, that such amendment shall apply only
within the jurisdiction of the court that made such adjudication and that the
provision otherwise be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if Executive breaches any of Executive's obligations under Sections 6
or 7 hereof, the Company shall thereafter be obligated only for the compensation
and other benefits provided in any Company benefit plans, policies or practices
then applicable to Executive in accordance with the terms thereof, and all
payments under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement shall cease.

                  (d) Executive irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees that
any suit, action or other legal proceeding arising out of Section 6 or 7 hereof,
including without limitation, any action commenced by the Company for
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and other equitable relief, may be
brought in a United States District Court for Ohio, or if such court does not
have jurisdiction or will not accept jurisdiction, in any court of general
jurisdiction in Columbus, Ohio, (ii) consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction
of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) waives any
objection which Executive may have to the laying of venue of any such suit,
action or proceeding in any such court. Executive also irrevocably and
unconditionally consents to the service of any process, pleadings, notices or
other papers in a manner permitted by the notice provisions of Section 15
hereof.

                  (e) Executive agrees that for a period of three years
following the termination of Executive's employment for any reason, Executive
will provide, and at all times after the date hereof the Company may similarly
provide, a copy of Sections 6 and 7 hereof to any business or enterprise (i)
which Executive may directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, finance, join,
control or in which Executive may participate in the ownership, management,
operation, financing, or control, or (ii) with which Executive may be connected
as an officer, director, employee, partner, principal, agent, representative,
consultant or otherwise, or in connection with which Executive may use or permit
to be used Executive's name; provided, however, that this provision shall not
apply in respect of Section 7 after expiration of the time periods set forth
therein.

                  (f) For the purposes of this Section 8, the term "Company"
shall be deemed to include the Company, its Affiliates and their successors.

         9. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify Executive with respect
to Executive's actions in the performance of Executive's duties as set forth in
Section 1.3 to the fullest extent permitted by the Company's Amended and
Restated Code of Bylaws as in effect from time to time.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20

         10. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS; RESIGNATION FROM BOARDS.

                  (a) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit
Executive's continuing or future participation in or rights under any benefit,
bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company and for which
Executive may qualify; provided, however, that if Executive becomes entitled to
and receives the payments described in Section 2.3(b) or 3.4(b) of this
Agreement, Executive hereby waives Executive's right to receive payments under
any severance plan or similar program applicable to all employees of the
Company.

                  (b) If Executive's employment with the Company terminates for
any reason, Executive shall immediately resign from all boards of directors of
the Company, any Affiliates and any other entities for which Executive serves as
a representative of the Company.

         11. SURVIVORSHIP. The respective rights and obligations of the parties
under this Agreement (including without limitation Sections 6, 7 and 8) shall
survive any termination of Executive's employment to the extent necessary to the
intended preservation of such rights and obligations.

         12. MITIGATION. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement by seeking other
employment or otherwise, and there shall be no offset against amounts due
Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to
any subsequent employment that Executive may obtain.

         13. BENEFIT PLANS; OUTSTANDING AWARDS. All references in this Agreement
to specific retirement or other benefit plans of the Company shall be deemed to
include any successor retirement or other benefit plans. The terms of
Executive's outstanding stock options, restricted stock and long-term incentive
awards are hereby amended to provide that, without adversely affecting any
rights that Executive has under such award agreements, the award agreements are
amended to provide for the accelerated vesting and payments upon termination of
employment as provided in Sections 2.3(b)(iv), 2.3(b)(v), 3.4(b)(iv) and
3.4(b)(v) of this Agreement, to the extent consistent with the applicable plans.
In all respects not amended, the provisions of such outstanding awards shall
remain in effect according to their terms.

         14. ARBITRATION; EXPENSES. In the event of any dispute under the
provisions of this Agreement, other than a dispute in which the primary relief
sought is an equitable remedy such as an injunction, the parties shall be
required to have the dispute, controversy or claim settled by arbitration in
Columbus, Ohio in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association,
before a panel of three arbitrators, two of whom shall be selected by the
Company and Executive, respectively, and the third of whom shall be selected by
the other two arbitrators. Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final,
binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in
accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction. This
arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrators shall
have no authority to modify any provision of this Agreement or to award a remedy
for a dispute involving this

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21

Agreement other than a benefit specifically provided under or by virtue of the
Agreement. In the event of a dispute, each party shall be responsible for its
own expenses (including attorneys' fees) relating to the conduct of the
arbitration, and the parties shall share equally the fees of the American
Arbitration Association. Each party shall give the other party written notice as
described in Section 15 of its intent to submit a claim under this Agreement to
arbitration and a description of the basis of such claim, within six months
after the event giving rise to the claim occurs.

         15. NOTICES. All notices and other communications required or permitted
under this Agreement or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when hand delivered or mailed
by registered or certified mail, as follows (provided that notice of change of
address shall be deemed given only when received):

         If to the Company, to:

              Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza, 1-35-03
              Columbus, OH  43215
              Attention:  Senior Vice President - Chief Human Resources Officer
                          Senior Vice President - General Counsel

         With a required copy to:

              Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
              1701 Market Street
              Philadelphia, PA  19103-2921
              Attention:  Francis M. Milone

         If to Executive, to:

              Michael C. Keller
              10542 Mackenzie Way
              Dublin, OH  43017

or to such other names or addresses as the Company or Executive, as the case may
be, shall designate by notice to each other person entitled to receive notices
in the manner specified in this Section.

         16. CONTENTS OF AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT AND ASSIGNMENT.

                  (a) This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and cannot be
changed, modified, extended or terminated except upon written amendment approved
by the Board and executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer of the
Company and by Executive.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22

                  (b) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns
of the parties hereto, except that the duties and responsibilities of Executive
under this Agreement are of a personal nature and shall not be assignable or
delegatable in whole or in part by Executive. The Company shall require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation,
reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or
assets of the Company, within 15 days of such succession, expressly to assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as
the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

         17. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement or application
thereof to anyone or under any circumstances is adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provision or application of this Agreement which can be given
effect without the invalid or unenforceable provision or application and shall
not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision or application in any
other jurisdiction. If any provision is held void, invalid or unenforceable with
respect to particular circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain in full force
and effect in all other circumstances.

         18. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; NO WAIVER. No remedy conferred upon a party by
this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and
every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other
remedy given under this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in
equity. No delay or omission by a party in exercising any right, remedy or power
under this Agreement or existing at law or in equity shall be construed as a
waiver thereof, and any such right, remedy or power may be exercised by such
party from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient or necessary by
such party in its sole discretion.

         19. BENEFICIARIES/REFERENCES. Executive shall be entitled, to the
extent permitted under any applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or
beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable under this
Agreement following Executive's death by giving the Company written notice
thereof. In the event of Executive's death or a judicial determination of
Executive's incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be
deemed, where appropriate, to refer to Executive's beneficiary, estate or other
legal representative.

         20. MISCELLANEOUS. All section headings used in this Agreement are for
convenience only. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
is an original. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or
any counterpart hereof to produce or account for any of the other counterparts.

         21. WITHHOLDING; TAXES. All payments under this Agreement shall be made
subject to applicable tax withholding, and the Company shall withhold from any
payments under this Agreement all federal, state and local taxes as the Company
is required to withhold pursuant to any law or governmental rule or regulation.
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   23

Agreement, Executive shall be responsible for all taxes applicable to amounts
payable under this Agreement and payments under this Agreement shall not be
grossed up for taxes.

         22. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted
under the laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any conflict of
laws provisions.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound,
have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                            NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

                                            By:
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Michael C. Keller

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   24

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  OFFER LETTER

                                      A-1

<PAGE>   25

                                    EXHIBIT B

             SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

                                       B-1
<PAGE>   26
                                    EXHIBIT B

             SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

                  WHEREAS Michael C. Keller ("Executive") has been employed by
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (the "Company"), and because the Executive's
employment with the Company will terminate effective ________________, Executive
and the Company agree as follows:

1. In consideration of the promises of the Company set forth in paragraph 3
below, Executive, and his or her heirs, executors and administrators, intending
to be legally bound, hereby permanently and irrevocably agrees to the
termination of Executive's employment with the Company effective on
________________ (or such earlier date as may be communicated in writing by
___________) (the "Termination Date") and hereby REMISE, RELEASE and FOREVER
DISCHARGE the Company and any individual or organization related to the Company
and against whom or which Executive could assert a claim, including
_____________________ (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Releasees"), of
and from any and all causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands
whatsoever, which he had, has, or may have against Releasees up until the date
of his execution of this Agreement and General Release, other than the Release
Exclusions (as defined below). Particularly, but without limitation, Executive
so releases all claims relating in any way to his employment or the termination
of his employment relationship with the Company, including without limitation
claims under the Ohio Fair Employment Practice Law, Ohio Rev. Code Ann. ss.
4112.01 ET SEQ. ("Ohio Fair Employment Practice Law"), Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, AS AMENDED, ss. 42 U.S.C. 2000e ET SEQ. ("Title VII"), the
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 12101 ET SEQ. (the "ADA"), the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act 29 U.S.C. ss. 1001 ET SEQ. ("ERISA"),
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, AS AMENDED 29 U.S.C. ss. 621 ET SEQ.
(the "ADEA"), any common law claims and all claims for counsel fees and costs.
Executive agrees and covenants that should any person, organization, or other
entity file, charge, claim, sue, or cause or permit to be filed any civil
action, suit or legal proceeding involving any matter occurring at any time in
the past, up to and including the date of this release, Executive will not seek
or accept any personal relief in such civil action, suit or legal proceeding.
This release also does not give up Executive's rights, if any, to the following
claims that Executive has or may have (the "Release Exclusions"): (i) to seek
indemnification pursuant to applicable state law and the Company's By-Laws and
(ii) to seek coverage under directors' and officers' liability insurance
policies maintained or required to be maintained by the Company.

2. Executive shall promptly take all steps necessary to dismiss with prejudice
any and all pending complaints, charges and grievances against the Company or
Releasees,

<PAGE>   27

regardless of whether they are or have been filed internally or externally.
Executive also agrees that the payment in Paragraph 3 is in full satisfaction of
any liability or obligation to Executive under the Employment Agreement dated as
of ____________, 2001, between the Company and Executive.

3.                In full consideration of Executive's execution of this
Separation of Employment Agreement and General Release, and his or her agreement
to be legally bound by its terms, the Company will provide Executive with the
following consideration, to which Executive acknowledges he or she would not
otherwise be entitled:

                  (a)-(b) [Refer to applicable sections of Employment Agreement]

                  Executive understands and expressly agrees that each benefit
enhancement and payment under paragraphs (a) and (b) above is expressly
contingent on Executive's continued employment through _______________, or such
earlier date as may be communicated in writing by the Company.

                  Except as set forth in this Agreement, it is expressly agreed
and understood that Releasees do not have, and will not have, any obligation to
provide Executive at any time in the future with any payments, benefits or
considerations other than those recited in this paragraph, or those required by
law, other than under the terms of any benefit plans which provide benefits or
payments to former employees according to their terms and other than the Release
Exclusions.

4.                 The parties acknowledge that the performance of the promises
of each are expressly contingent upon the fulfillment and satisfaction of the
obligations of the other party as set forth in this Agreement and General
Release.

5.                  Executive hereby agrees and recognizes that, as of his
Termination Date, Executive's employment relationship with the Company or
Releasees will be permanently and irrevocably severed and that Executive will
not apply for a position with the Company or its affiliates and Executive waives
his right to be hired or rehired in the future by the Company and any of its
affiliates. It is further agreed and understood that Executive will continue to
be available and cooperate in a reasonable manner in providing assistance to the
Company in concluding any matters which are reasonably related to the duties and
responsibilities which Executive had while employed by the Company, provided
that such cooperation and assistance does not interfere with any subsequent
employment obtained by Executive.

6.                  Executive agrees and acknowledges that this Agreement is
not and shall not be construed to be an admission of any violation of any
federal, state or local statute or regulation, or of any duty owed by Releasees.

7.                  Executive agrees, covenants and promises that Executive
will not communicate or disclose the terms of this Agreement and General Release
to any persons with the exception of members of Executive's immediate family and
Executive's attorney and

<PAGE>   28

financial advisor. Executive further agrees to refrain from using or disclosing
for the benefit of any person, business or entity other than the Company, any
confidential information relating to the Company's business, which includes but
is not limited to information relating to the Company's employees, processors,
suppliers, customers, services, plans, marketing studies or analyses, and
financial or business affairs. Executive represents that any and all documents
containing such confidential information will be returned to the Company upon
termination of employment.

8.                    This Agreement and General Release, and the provisions of
the Employment Agreement that survive Executive's termination of employment,
constitute the complete and entire understanding between the parties, and
supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings between the parties to
the extent they are inconsistent with this Agreement.

9.                      Executive hereby certifies that Executive has read the
terms of this Agreement and General Release, that Executive has been advised by
the Company to consult with an attorney of his or her own choice prior to
executing this Agreement, that Executive has had an opportunity to do so, and
that Executive understands this Agreement's terms and effects. Executive further
certifies that neither Releasees nor any representative of Releasees has made
any representations to Executive concerning this Agreement and General Release
other than those contained herein.

10.                      Executive acknowledges that Executive has been informed
that this Agreement and General Release includes a waiver of claims under the
ADEA, and that Executive has the right to consider this Agreement and General
Release for a period of 21 days. Executive also understands that he has the
right to revoke this Agreement and General Release for a period of seven days
following his execution of this Agreement and General Release by giving written
notice to the Company in care of ___________________, One Nationwide Plaza,
Columbus, OH 43215.

11.                        If any provision of this Agreement and General
Release is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby,
the parties have executed the foregoing Agreement and General Release on the
dates indicated below.

<PAGE>   29

WITNESS:
        ---------------------      -----------------------------------------
                                    Michael C. Keller

                                    DATE:

                                   -----------------------------------------

WITNESS:                           BY:
        ---------------------         --------------------------------------

                                   TITLE:
                                        ------------------------------------

                                    DATE:

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