Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

Company Contact:
Dennis E. Valentine
Chief Financial Officer
(760) 602-3292
www.jmar.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

          JMAR TECHNOLOGIES NAMES RONALD A. WALROD PRESIDENT, CEO, AND
                   DIRECTOR; VERNON BLACKMAN, PH.D., CHAIRMAN

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (OCTOBER 15, 2002) -- JMAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (NASDAQ NM:
JMAR), a leading developer and supplier of precision systems for the
semiconductor and nanotechnology industries, today announced that Ronald A.
Walrod, an executive with more than 30 years of experience developing and
commercializing advanced technologies, has been named the Company's new
President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Walrod was also elected as a director
to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Walrod replaces interim Chief Executive
Officer Joseph G. Martinez, who assumed that position following the retirement
of JMAR co-founder John S. Martinez, Ph.D., in August. Mr. Joseph Martinez will
resume his previous duties as Corporate Senior Vice President and the Company's
General Counsel. As previously announced, Dr. Martinez will remain with the
Company as a member of its Board of Directors.

JMAR also reported that Vernon H. Blackman, Ph.D., who has served on the
Company's Board of Directors since 1991, has been elected Chairman of the Board.

An achievement-driven leader with a history of developing and bringing to market
a range of advanced technologies, Mr. Walrod previously served as President and
CEO of Kinetic Probe, a privately-held company engaged in the development of
semiconductor probe cards. While there, he established a new business model for
the start-up operation and secured funding from a range of sources to develop
and commercialize its product. Prior to that, Mr. Walrod served as President and
CEO of Nautronix, a leading supplier of dynamic positioning, autopilot and
automation systems for marine applications. While under his direction, that
company, a U.S. subsidiary of an Australian company, effectively capitalized on
emerging opportunities in the offshore oil and gas industry and tripled its
revenues in less than two years. Prior to leading Nautronix, Mr. Walrod served
as President and CEO of Applied Remote Technology, Inc. (ART), a company he
founded to develop autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) systems, advanced undersea
sensors, and acoustic communications links, all of which have both commercial
and military applications. Under his leadership, ART formed a series of teaming
agreements, strategic alliances, and technology transfer agreements that enabled
it to gain rapid access to its targeted markets. The effectiveness of ART's AUV
and sensor systems earned the Company recognition as a leading innovator in the
field and led directly to ART's acquisition by General Dynamics.

                                     (MORE)

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JMAR TECHNOLOGIES NAMES RONALD A. WALROD PRESIDENT, CEO, AND DIRECTOR; VERNON
BLACKMAN, PH.D., CHAIRMAN/2

Mr. Walrod graduated with Honors from the United States Coast Guard Academy and
earned both Masters of Science and Professional Engineer Degrees from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970, and received a Masters of
Business Administration degree from the University of San Diego in 1983. He was
awarded a fellowship for graduate studies in Ocean Engineering from the National
Science Foundation and has twice received the Industrial Research and
Development IR 100 Award for Remotely Operated Vehicles developed under his
direction. Mr. Walrod holds a United States Patent for "Comminution by Cryogenic
Electrohydraulics" that was issued in 1998.

Commenting on Mr. Walrod's appointment, JMAR Chairman Dr. Blackman said, "We are
extremely pleased to have an executive of Ron's caliber to lead the JMAR team.
His extensive background as both a developer of innovative technology and the
driving force behind the commercial success of the resulting products, makes him
exceptionally well qualified to lead JMAR as we position our new Collimated
Plasma Lithography (CPL) technology for introduction to the semiconductor
equipment marketplace. Ron will also be instrumental in realizing the potential
of JMAR's other businesses, including our precision systems business at JPSI."

Mr. Walrod added, "As someone who has dedicated his career to transforming new
technology into viable products, the opportunity to work with JMAR at this
watershed in its corporate history is exciting. JMAR's 1-nanometer wavelength
lithography source is the culmination of a decade of research. The Company is
ready to integrate a CPL source with a lithography stepper to carry out beta
testing and demonstrations on Gallium Arsenide wafers. Once the advantages of
the CPL approach are contrasted with the alternatives for next generation
lithography, I believe the industry will see CPL as a strong contender with an
important role to play in the future of chip production. I am committed to
working with the JMAR team to commercialize this breakthrough technology as
quickly as possible by forming alliances with key industry players. I also look
forward to working with our senior managers to successfully pursue the available
opportunities in JMAR's precision metrology and stage business."

JMAR Technologies, Inc., is the world's leading developer and manufacturer of
collimated laser plasma lithography sources and systems and X-ray lithography
stepper systems for the semiconductor industry. It also develops proprietary
advanced laser, one nanometer and EUV light sources for other high-value
microelectronics applications. In addition, JMAR provides semiconductor process
technologies and services and manufactures precision measurement, positioning
and light-based manufacturing systems for inspection, repair, and fabrication of
semiconductors, data storage devices, biomedical and optical communications
products.

          Public Relations Contact:        Investor Relations Contact:
          Adam Mazur                       Tim Clemensen
          Rubenstein Public Relations      Rubenstein Investor Relations
          (212) 843-8073                   (212) 843-9337
          amazur@rubensteinpr.com          tclemensen@rubensteinir.com

                                       ###<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (herein "Agreement") is entered into
        as of October 14, 2002, by and between JMAR Technologies, Inc. ("JMAR")
        and Ronald A. Walrod ("Executive").

                                    Recitals

        WHEREAS, JMAR is a leading developer and producer of microtechnology
        equipment, with strong emphasis on advanced X-ray source and system
        technology;

        WHEREAS, JMAR desires to retain the services of Executive; and

        WHEREAS, Executive desires to be employed by JMAR.

        NOW, THEREFORE, JMAR and Executive agree as follows:

1.      Employment/Title/Responsibilities. The Company hereby employs Executive,
        and Executive hereby accepts such employment as President and Chief
        Executive Officer of the Company. Executive shall do and perform such
        other services, acts or things as shall be required of him from time to
        time by the Company, and shall comply with the directives, policies,
        procedures and requirements issued or established from time to time by
        the Company. Executive shall at all times during his employment by the
        Company (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company) devote his
        entire productive time, energies, ability and attention to the business
        of the Company and perform faithfully and diligently such duties and
        responsibilities to the best of his abilities; provided, however, that
        Executive shall be entitled to vacation time and time off for sickness
        and disability in accordance with the policies of the Company in effect
        from time to time. Executive shall initially accrue vacation at the rate
        of four weeks per annum. After reaching five years of service, Executive
        shall accrue one additional day of vacation for each additional year of
        service up to a maximum of five weeks per year.

2.      Compensation/Benefits.

        2.1 As compensation for the services provided by Executive under this
        Agreement, JMAR will pay him an annual salary of $250,000 (base pay),
        payable in accordance with JMAR's usual payroll procedures. Executive's
        base pay shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board, and in the
        Board's sole discretion, may be increased at any time.

        2.2 Executive shall have the right to participate in such pension,
        profit sharing, bonus, group insurance or similar employee benefit plans
        established by the

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        Company for the benefit of senior management of the Company, for so long
        as any such plan is maintained in effect for the benefit of such class,
        with Executive's participation or share therein being determined by the
        provisions and requirements of the respective plan. A summary of the
        Company's benefits plans has been provided to Executive.

        2.3 All payments from the Company to Executive pursuant to this
        Agreement, including salary or other amounts paid pursuant to Sections
        2.1 above or otherwise, shall be subject to such payroll tax,
        withholding, social security and other deductions as may be required by
        any Federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, which the Company
        may reasonably deem to be applicable thereto.

        2.4 The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable
        expenses incurred by Executive on the business of the Company and for
        the promotion of its business, provided such expenses are pre-approved
        in writing by the Company or are consistent with the written policies
        and guidelines approved by the Company and in effect from time to time.

        2.5 Beginning January 1, 2003, Executive will be eligible for an annual
        bonus based upon achievement of reasonable goals specified by the Board.

3.      Initial Stock Option Grant. Upon the commencement of Executive's
        employment, JMAR shall grant him Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSO's) to
        purchase 500,000 shares of JMAR common stock. The NQSO's will vest in
        equal amounts at the end of each of the first three years after the
        start date of Executive's employment and the exercise price of the
        NQSO's will be equal to the average closing prices of JMAR Common Stock
        for the five trading days prior to the date of the grant. The other
        terms of the options shall be contained in JMAR's standard stock option
        agreement, a copy of which has been provided to Executive.

        The Board will review Executive's performance after a six month period
        (commencing upon the date of this agreement) to consider further grant
        of options.

4.      Employment at Will; Salary Continuation Payments.

        4.1 Executive and the Company understand and agree that Executive's
        employment will be "at-will" and may be terminated at any time, for any
        reason, with or without cause, by either Executive or JMAR. Executive
        and the Company understand and agree that nothing in the Company's
        Executive handbooks or the Company's other policies is intended to be,
        and nothing in them should be construed to be, a limitation on the right
        to terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason.

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        4.2 Section 4 of this Agreement contains the entire agreement between
        the parties as to the term and duration of the employment. It supersedes
        any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing between the
        parties hereto with respect to Executive's term of employment and the
        termination thereof. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no
        representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or
        otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of
        any party, which are not embodied herein, and acknowledges that no other
        agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this Agreement shall
        be valid or binding. Section 4 of this Agreement may not be modified or
        amended by oral agreement, or course of conduct, but only by an
        agreement in writing signed by an officer of the Company and Executive.

        4.3 In the event Executive's employment terminates for any reason other
        than death, disability, a termination upon a Change of Control, a
        voluntary termination not for Good Reason, or a termination for Cause,
        Executive shall receive six (6) monthly payments each equal in amount to
        one-twelfth of the sum of the full amount of his then Base Salary, minus
        standard withholdings and deductions.

        4.4 In the event of Executive's termination upon a Change of Control,
        Executive shall, within seven (7) days of such termination, receive one
        lump sum payment equivalent to twelve (12) months of his then Base
        Salary, minus standard withholdings and deductions.

5.      Confidential Information. Concurrently herewith, Executive shall enter
        into an Employee Confidentiality and Inventions Agreement with JMAR in
        the form provided to Executive.

6.      No Violation of Other Contracts. Executive represents and warrants that
        the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive
        does not and will not result in a breach of or violation of, or
        constitute a default under, any agreement to which Executive is a party
        or by which Executive is bound.

7.      No Conflicts of Interest. Executive does not now, and during the term of
        his employment, will not have any financial interest, whether by stock
        ownership or otherwise, in any entity which is a supplier, customer or
        competitor of the Company; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
        not prohibit the ownership of securities of corporations which are
        listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the national
        over-the-counter market in an amount which shall not exceed 1% of the
        outstanding shares of any such corporation.

8.      Compliance with JMAR's Rules. Executive agrees to comply with all of the
        rules, regulations and standard practices of JMAR as in effect from time
        to time. JMAR will provide Executive with all such current rules,
        regulations and standard practices and all future updates.

9.      Definitions

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        9.1 Good Reason: For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means
        that any of the following are undertaken without Executive's express
        written consent: (a) the assignment to Executive of any duties or
        responsibilities which result in any diminution or adverse change of
        Executive's position, status or circumstances of employment; (b) a
        reduction by the Company in Executive's Base Salary; (c) the taking of
        any action by the Company which would adversely affect Executive's
        participation in, or reduce Executive's benefits under, the Company's
        benefit plans (including equity benefits) as of the time this Agreement
        is executed, except to the extent the benefits of all other executive
        officers of the Company are similarly reduced; (d) a relocation of
        Executive's principal office to a location outside of San Diego County,
        California; (e) any breach by the Company of any material provision of
        this Agreement; or (f) any failure by the Company to obtain the
        assumption of this Agreement by any successor or assign of the Company.

        9.2 Cause: For the purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means: (i) an
        intentional action or intentional failure to act by Executive which was
        performed in bad faith and to the material detriment of the Company;
        (ii) Executive intentionally refuses or intentionally fails to act in
        accordance with any lawful and proper direction or order of the Board;
        (iii) Executive willfully and habitually neglects the duties of
        employment; or (iv) Executive violates Sections 5, 7, 8 of this
        Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that any of the
        foregoing events under clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) above is capable
        of being cured, the Company shall provide written notice to Executive
        describing the nature of such event and Executive shall thereafter have
        ten (10) business days to cure such event.

        9.3 Change of Control: For purposes of this Agreement, a Change of
        Control means: (a) any sale, merger, consolidation, tender offer or
        similar acquisition of shares, as a result of which at least a majority
        of the voting power of the Company is not held, directly or indirectly,
        by the persons or entities who held the Company's securities with voting
        power before such transaction, or (b) a sale or other disposition of all
        or a substantial part of the Company's assets.

10.     General Provisions.

        10.1 Assignment. Neither the rights nor obligations under this Agreement
        may be assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated by any party
        hereto, except that this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
        the benefit of any successor of JMAR.

        10.2 Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
        Agreement shall be deemed to have been duly given if in writing and if
        personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, return
        receipt requested, with postage prepaid:

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                      if to JMAR:

                      JMAR Technologies, Inc.
                      5800 Armada Drive
                      Carlsbad, California 92008
                      Attn: General Counsel

                      If to the Employee:

                      Ronald A. Walrod
                      13350 Stone Canyon Road
                      Poway, California  92064

        Any party may change the address to which notices are to be sent to it
        or him by giving ten days' written notice of such change of address to
        the other party in the manner above provided for giving notice. Notices
        will be considered delivered on the date of personal delivery or on the
        date of deposit in the United States mail in the manner above provided
        for giving notice by mail.

        10.3 Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
        this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration
        in San Diego County, California, in accordance with the Commercial
        Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment
        upon the award of the arbitrator(s) shall be entered in any court with
        appropriate jurisdiction as the final binding judgment. The provisions
        of California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1283.05 (related to the
        availability of certain discovery procedures) are hereby incorporated
        into and made applicable to this Agreement. In addition to any other
        relief as may be granted, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
        reasonable attorneys' fees in such arbitration, with the amount thereof
        to be determined by the arbitrator or the court.

        10.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
        counterparts, and all counterparts so executed shall constitute one
        agreement binding on all of the parties hereto notwithstanding that all
        parties are not signatory to the original or same counterpart.

        10.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
        and understanding between Executive and JMAR with respect to the
        employment of Executive, and supersedes all other agreements, written or
        oral, regarding such employment. This Agreement may be altered or
        amended only by a written instrument executed by each of the parties
        hereto.

        10.6 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application
        thereof to any person or circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable
        to any extent, the

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        remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provisions to
        other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall
        be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

        10.7 Interpretation of Agreement. In the event of any arbitration or
        other dispute, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof shall be
        interpreted for or against any party on the basis said party or its
        attorney drafted the Agreement or provision in question.

        10.8 Waiver. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any of the
        provisions of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be
        construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach hereof by such party.

        10.9 California Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and considered
        in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

        10.10 Headings. The subject headings of the Sections of this Agreement
        are included for the purposes of convenience only and shall not affect
        the construction or interpretation of any term or provision hereof.

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:

Employer:                                    Employee:

JMAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By: /s/ JOSEPH G. MARTINEZ                   /s/ RONALD A. WALROD
    -------------------------------          -----------------------------------
    Joseph G. Martinez, Senior Vice          Ronald A. Walrod
     President and General Counsel

APPROVED:

By: /s/ VERNON H. BLACKMAN
    -------------------------------
    Vernon H. Blackman, Chairman of
     the Board

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