Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
May 8, 2000 by and between WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION a Delaware
corporation, whose address is Suite 2300, 410 17th Street, Denver, Colorado
80202 (the "Company"), and BARTH E. WHITHAM whose address is 16760 Wild Plum
Circle, Morrison, CO 80465 ("Officer").

         THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

         1.       Service.

                  1.1 Position. Officer agrees to be employed by and to serve
the Company as President, and the Company agrees to employ and retain Officer in
such capacity in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Officer shall have
powers as determined by the Company's Board of Directors and duties commensurate
with his position as President of the Company.

                  1.2 Duties. The Officer shall assume and discharge the
responsibilities of the President (as set forth in the Bylaws of the Company),
as well as such other responsibilities as may be assigned to him by the Board of
Directors of the Company. Officer shall perform his responsibilities to the best
of his abilities, shall comply with the general management policies of the
Company as announced by the Board of Directors from time to time and shall
devote all of his business time, skill and attention to the good faith best
efforts performance of his responsibilities and the affairs of the Company. The
Officer will engage in no other business or activity for compensation during the
term of this Agreement except with the prior written consent of the Company. The
Officer shall always be subject to the directions of the Board of Directors, to
whom Officer shall report directly, in the performance of his responsibilities,
and nothing herein shall affect the power of the Board of Directors to limit,
alter, restrict, or remove the authority of the Officer. Officer's principal
place of business with respect to his services to the Company shall be at its
offices located in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area or other location
reasonably acceptable to Officer. Officer shall be required at various times to
travel as part of his duties.

         2.       Term of Employment.

                  2.1 Basic Term. The initial term of employment of Officer by
the Company shall be from the date hereof through May 31, 2003 unless terminated
earlier pursuant to this Agreement.

         3.       Salary, Benefits and Bonus Compensation.

                  3.1 Base Salary. Commencing May 8, 2000, the Company agrees to
pay to Officer a "Base Salary" of $225,000 per annum, payable on the Company's
regularly established payroll payment dates. The Base Salary shall be subject to
modification for each calendar year or portion thereof determined in the sole
discretion of the Board of

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Directors. In the absence of and until any salary determination by the Board,
Officer's Base Salary for a particular calendar year shall be identical to
Officer's Base Salary in effect on December 31st of the immediately preceding
calendar year.

                  3.1      Benefits.

                           3.2.1 Officer Benefits. Officer shall be eligible to
participate in such of the Company's benefit and compensation plans as may be
generally available to employees of the Company, including participation in the
Company's health insurance plan, bonus plan, and its 401(k) program. All such
benefit plans may be amended or discontinued in the sole discretion of the
Company.

                           3.2.2 Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse
Officer for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out his
duties under this Agreement, including travel and entertainment expenses.
Officer shall present monthly to the Company an itemized account of such
expenses in such form as may be required by the Company.

                           3.2.3 Auto. Officer shall be provided with an
appropriate company automobile to be used for business purposes in the course of
performing his duties described in Section 1.2. The automobile may also be used
by the Officer for personal travel, and, in such event, the Officer shall
maintain records regarding automobile use as required by federal tax
regulations. The Officer's records of automobile use shall be available to the
Company upon request.

                           3.2.4 Vacation and Health Club. Officer shall be
entitled to vacation time generally available to executive employees of the
Company (but no less than four weeks per year), during which vacation time his
compensation shall be paid in full. Officer shall be eligible to use the
Company's health club membership and Petroleum Club membership.

                           3.2.5 Stock Option. Officer shall be granted a
stock option to acquire One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand (175,000) shares of
the Company's common stock, (the "Common Stock"), at a price of $16.28 per share
pursuant to the terms of the Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") effective as of
March 1, 2000. Such options shall vest ratably over a three (3) year period,
subject to adjustment as necessary for changes made to the outstanding shares of
Common Stock as set forth in the Plan, and pursuant to a stock option agreement
to be entered into by and between the Company and Officer pursuant to the Plan.

                           3.2.6 Severance. If, prior to May 31, 2003, Officer
is subject to a Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined below), the Company
shall pay Officer a sum equal to three times Officer's then applicable annual
Base Salary and three times the average of the last three years' bonuses.

                  3.3 Other Benefits. Nothing in this Article 3 shall be deemed
to limit or restrict any right or benefit of Officer under the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other documents or agreements of the
company applicable to officer.

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4.       Termination of Employment.

                  4.1 Termination for Cause. Termination for Cause (as defined
below) of Officer's employment may be effected by the Company at any time
without liability except as specifically set forth in this Section 4.1. The
termination shall be effected by written notification to Officer and shall be
effective as of the time set forth in such notice. At the effective time of a
Termination for Cause, Officer immediately shall be paid all accrued Base Salary
and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in
connection with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of termination.
In addition, Officer shall be entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of
the Company in which Officer is a participant to the full extent of Officer's
rights under such plans.

                  4.2 Termination Other Than for Cause. The Company may effect a
Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined below) of Officer's employment at
any time upon giving written notice to Officer of such termination and without
liability except as specifically set forth in this Section 4.2. The termination
shall be effective as of the time set forth in such notice. At the effective
date of any Termination Other Than for Cause, Officer shall immediately be paid
all accrued Base Salary, severance payments pursuant to Section 3.2.6 and any
reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in connection
with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of termination. In
addition, Officer shall be entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the
Company in which Officer is a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights
under such plans.

                  4.3 Disability. If, during the term of this Agreement,
Officer, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of Company, has
failed to perform his duties under this Agreement on account of illness or
physical or mental disability, which condition renders Officer incapable of
performing the duties of this office, and such condition continues for a period
of more than three (3) months, Company shall have the right to terminate
Officer's employment hereunder by written notification to Officer. In the event
of such termination, Company shall pay to Officer all accrued Base Salary and
any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in connection
with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of termination, and
severance payments pursuant to Section 3.2.5. In addition, Officer shall be
entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the Company in which Officer is
a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights under such plans.

                  4.4 Death. In the event of Officer's death during the term of
employment hereunder, Officer's employment shall be deemed to have terminated as
of the last day of the month during which his death occurs, and the Company
shall pay promptly to his estate all accrued Base Salary and any reasonable and
necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in connection with his duties
hereunder, all to the effective date of termination. Officer's estate shall also
be entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the Company in which Officer
is a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights under such plans.

                  4.5 Voluntary Termination. In the event of a Voluntary
Termination (as defined below) by Officer, the Company shall immediately pay all
accrued Base Salary and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred
by Officer in connection with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of
termination. In addition, Officer shall be

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entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the Company in which Officer is
a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights under such plans.

                  4.6 Termination Upon a Change in Control. In the event of a
termination upon a change in control, Officer shall be paid all accrued Base
Salary and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in
connection with his duties hereunder and severance payments pursuant to section
3.2.6. "Termination Upon a Change in Control" shall mean a termination by
Officer for Good Reason (as defined below) of Officer's employment with Company
following a Change in Control (as defined below). For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall include, but not be limited to, any of the
following (without the Officer's express written consent):

                  i) the assignment to Officer by Company of duties inconsistent
with, or a substantial alternation in the nature or status of, Officer's
responsibilities immediately prior to a Change in Control.

                  ii) any reduction by Company in the officer's Base Salary in
any fiscal year after the date of a change in Control; or

                  iii) the assignment to the Officer by the Company of duties
requiring the Officer to locate outside of Denver, Colorado.

                  iv) after a Change in Control, any material breach by Company
of any provision of this Agreement, if such material breach has not been cured
within thirty (30) days following written notice by Officer to Company of such
breach setting forth with specificity the nature of the breach.

         4.7 Excise Tax Limitation

                  i) Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be determined that
any payment or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of the Officer, by
the Company, any Affiliate, any person who acquires ownership or effective
control of the Company or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's
assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations
thereunder) or any affiliate of such Person, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Officer shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Officer of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income tax,
employment tax or Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Officer
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Total Payments.

                  ii) Determination by Accountant. All mathematical
determinations, and all determinations as to whether any of the Total Payments
are "parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), that
are required to be made under this Section, including determinations as to
whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, the

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amount of such Gross-Up Payment and amounts relevant to the last sentence of
this Section 2(d)(2), shall be made at the Company's expense by an independent
accounting firm selected by the Company from among the six largest accounting
firms in the United States (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall
provide its determination (the "Determination"), together with detailed
supporting calculations and documentation to the Company and the Officer by no
later than ten (10) days following the Termination Date, if applicable, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company or the Officer (if the Officer
reasonably believes that any of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise
Tax). If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the
Officer, it shall furnish the Officer and the Company with a written statement
that such Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable
(8\including the reasons therefor) and that the Officer has substantial
authority not to report any Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return.
If a Gross-Up Payment is determined to be payable, it shall be paid to the
Officer within twenty (20) days after the Determination (and all accompanying
calculations and other material supporting the Determination) is delivered to
the Company by the Accounting Firm. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Officer, absent manifest error. As a
result of uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time
of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible
that Gross-Up Payments not made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up Payments will have been made by the Company
which should not have been made ("Overpayments"). In either such event, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment
that has occurred. In the case of an Underpayment, the amount of such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Officer. In the case of an Overpayment, the Officer shall, at the direction and
expense of the Company, take such steps as are reasonably necessary (including
the filing of returns and claims for refund), follow reasonable instructions
from, and procedures established by, the Company, and otherwise reasonably
cooperate with the Company to correct such Overpayment, provided, however, that
(i) the Officer shall not in any event be obligated to return to the Company an
amount greater than the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment that he or she
has retained or has recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing authorities
and (ii) this provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the
intent to make the Officer whole, on an after-tax basis, from the application of
the Excise Tax, it being understood that the correction of an Overpayment may
result in the Officer repaying to the Company an amount which is less than the
Overpayment.

                  iii) The Officer 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 the Gross-up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Officer is
informed in writing 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. The Officer
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which he or she 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 the Officer in writing prior to the expiration
of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Officer shall:

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

                           b)       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,

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

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

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 the Officer harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2(d), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with
such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
the Officer to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in
any permissible manner, and the Officer agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Corporation shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Officer to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Officer, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold
the Officer harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income 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;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitation relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Officer with respect to which such
contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited
solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, 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 the Officer 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.

         5.       Protection of the Company's Business.

                  5.1 No Competition. Officer shall not, for twelve (12) months
following the voluntary termination of his employment, work as an employee or
independent contractor or become an investor or owner in or lender to any
business, corporation, partnership or other entity (a "Competing Business")
where such employment with, investment in or service to the Competing Business
would aid, entail or result in such Competing Business' competition with the
Company in any project or transaction of the

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Company of which Officer was aware or should have been aware during the term of
his employment with the Company.

                  5.2 No Hire of Other Officers or Contractors. Officer agrees
that for a period of twelve (12) months from and after the date following the
termination of his employment, he shall not, directly or indirectly, as an
employee of or consultant to any Person, or for himself or on behalf of, or in
connection with, any Person, solicit or attempt to solicit, direct or take away
any Person who was an employee, agent, or contractor of the Company at any time
during the twelve-month period prior to the termination of Officer's employment
or who is an employee, agent or contractor for the Company during the
twelve-month period following the termination of Officer's employment; provided,
however, that this provision shall not apply to the solicitation or attempted
solicitation of any Person known in the industry in which the Company is engaged
to have performed services in the industry generally and not as an employee of
any single entity in the industry. The Company may waive the restriction
contained in this Section 5.2 as to any employee at any time, but any such
waiver shall not be considered a waiver of the future application of this
provision nor shall it be considered a waiver as to any employee other than the
one to whom it applies.

         6.       Confidentiality.

                  6.1 Confidential Information and Materials. All of the
Confidential Information and Materials, as defined herein, are and shall
continue to be the exclusive confidential property and trade secrets of the
Company. Such Confidential Information and Materials shall include only such
information that is proprietary to the Company and shall not include any
information that becomes part of the public domain through no fault of Officer.
Confidential Information and Materials have been or will be disclosed to Officer
solely by virtue of his employment with the Company and solely for the purpose
of assisting him in performing his duties for the Company. "Confidential
Information and Materials" refers to the terms of this Agreement, the
organization structure and ownership of the Company, its shareholders, its
advisors and advisors to its shareholders, its affiliates and the affiliates of
any of its shareholders and their advisors and all information belonging to or
used by the Company or the Company's clients or associates relating to internal
operations, procedures and policies, finances, income, profits, business
strategies, pricing, billing information, compensation and other personnel
information, client contacts, sales lists, employee lists, geotechnical
information of every sort and character, technology, land status, exploration
and acquisition plans and programs, costs, marketing plans, developmental plans,
drilling plans, inventions, computer program manuals, computer programs, and
computer system designs (to the extent such manuals, programs and designs are
created by or for the Company and are not off-the-shelf manuals, programs and
designs) and trade secrets of every kind and character, whether or not they
constitute a trade secret under applicable law and whether developed by Officer
during or after business hours.

                  6.2 Non-disclosure and Non-use. Officer may use Confidential
Information and Material while an employee of the Company and in the course of
that employment to the extent deemed necessary by the Board of Directors for the
performance of Officer's responsibilities or as otherwise required by law. Such
permission expires upon termination of his employment with the Company or on
notice from the Company. Officer shall not,

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either during or after his employment with the Company, disclose any
Confidential Information or Materials to any person, firm, corporation,
association or other entity for any reason or purpose unless expressly permitted
by the Company in writing or unless required by law to be disclosed. Officer
shall not use, in any manner other than to further the Company's business, any
Confidential Information or Materials. Upon termination of his employment,
Officer shall immediately return all Confidential Information or Materials or
other property of the Company, its associates or its potential associates in his
possession or control.

         7.       Definitions.

                  7.1  Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

                           7.1.1 "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be
deemed to control another Person for purposes of this definition if such Person
possesses, directly or indirectly, the power (i) to vote the securities or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
Board of Directors of a corporation or other Persons performing similar
functions for any other type of Person, or (ii) to direct or cause the direction
of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by contract, as general partner, as trustee or otherwise.

                           7.1.2 "Change in Control" shall be defined to have
occurred if (a) any "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or the current
beneficial owners or their Affiliates (as defined herein) are or become the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or
indirectly, of more than one-half of the then outstanding voting stock of the
Company; or (b) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger of
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least a majority of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such merger of consolidation, or the stockholders approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

                           7.1.3 "Person" shall mean any individual,
partnership, joint venture, firm, company, corporation, association, trust or
other enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agent,
department or instrumentality thereof.

                           7.1.4 "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination
by the Company of Officer's employment by the Company by reason of Officer's (1)
willful dishonesty towards, fraud upon or deliberate injury or attempted
deliberate injury to the Company; (2) misrepresentation or concealment of a
material fact or circumstance for the purpose of or otherwise in connection with
securing employment with the Company; (3)

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breach by Officer of any of the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement; (4)
the refusal or willful failure to follow the lawful directions of the Board of
Directors; (5) conviction for a felony; or (6) any material breach of this
Agreement.

                           7.1.5 "Termination Other Than for Cause" shall mean
termination by the Company of Officer's employment by the Company other than a
Termination for Cause or for any or no reason. In no event shall the expiration
of this Agreement as set forth in Section 2.1 constitute a "Termination Other
Than for Cause".

                           7.1.6 "Voluntary Termination" shall mean termination
by Officer of Officer's employment with the Company, but shall not include
constructive termination by the Company by reason of material breach of this
Agreement by the Company. Voluntary Termination shall include a termination of
Officer by the Company after its receipt of a notice of an otherwise Voluntary
Termination from Officer.

         8.       Remedies.

                  8.1 Equitable Remedies. The service rendered by Officer to the
Company and the information disclosed to Officer during his employment are of a
unique and special character, and any breach of Sections 5 or 6 hereof will
cause the Company irreparable injury and damage which will be extremely
difficult to quantify. The parties agree that because of unquantified risks and
intangibles which are impossible to measure, the Company will be entitled to, in
addition to all other remedies available to it, injunctive relief to prevent a
breach and to secure the enforcement of all provisions of Sections 5 and 6.
Injunctive relief may be granted immediately upon the commencement of any such
action without notice to Officer, which notice Officer hereby specifically
waives.

                  8.2 Arbitration. In the event any controversy arises with
respect to this Agreement, it shall be arbitrated in accordance with the rules
and procedures of the American Arbitration Association with the following
limitations:

                           8.2.1 The laws of the State of Colorado shall be
applied to the interpretation and resolution of the controversy. The situs of
the arbitration shall be in the Denver Metropolitan Area of Colorado.

                           8.2.2 The parties shall be entitled to conduct
expedited discovery proceedings in accordance with the Colorado Rules of Civil
Procedure and such rights of discovery may be enforced by the appropriate court
by filing a petition for compliance, in regard to which the parties hereto agree
to abide timely and fully. The discovery period shall in no event exceed a
period of sixty (60) days from the date the arbitration response is filed by the
responding party.

                           8.2.3 Arbitration procedures shall be conducted
substantially in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure in the State of
Colorado and the Rules of Evidence of said State.

                           8.2.4 The award of  arbitration  may be reduced to
judgment in accordance with the rules of Civil Procedure of the State of
Colorado and/or the rules or laws of any other jurisdiction and the Colorado
Uniform Arbitration Act.

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                           8.2.5 In the event one party willfully, after ten
(10) days notice of his failure or refusal, fails or refuses to comply timely
with the arbitration procedure, that party shall be deemed to have conclusively
waived its right to participate in the arbitration and the nondefaulting party
may either proceed to arbitration, the decision of which shall be binding upon
the defaulting party, or may proceed in an action in court.

                           8.2.6 The prevailing party in any arbitration may be
entitled to an award of attorneys' fees and all costs to be paid by the losing
party in the arbitration as determined by the arbitrators.

                           8.2.7 In the event a court of competent jurisdiction
or panel of arbitrators finds any of the provisions of this section 8.2 to be so
overbroad as to be unenforceable, it is the parties' intent that with respect to
such jurisdiction such provision be reduced in scope by the Court, but only to
the extent deemed necessary by the Court or arbitrators to render the provision
reasonable and enforceable, keeping in mind that it is the parties' intent to
give the Company the broadest possible legal protection.

                           8.2.8 In no event shall any monetary dispute between
the parties be arbitrated or litigated until there is an aggregated dollar
amount of not less than $10,000.00 in dispute.

                  8.3 Costs. Each party shall bear its own costs, including
attorneys fees, in enforcing or interpreting any provision of this Agreement.

                  8.4 Severability. It is the express intent of the parties
hereto that the obligations of, and restrictions on, the parties provided for in
this agreement shall be enforced and given effect to the fullest extent legally
permissible. If, in any judicial proceeding, a court shall refuse to enforce one
or more of the covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement because the
duration thereof is too long, the scope thereof is too broad or some other
reason, for the purpose of such proceeding, the court may reduce such duration
or scope to the extent necessary to permit the enforcement of such obligations
and restrictions.

         9.       Miscellaneous.

                  9.1 Payment Obligations. The Company's obligation to pay
Officer the compensation provided herein is subject to the condition precedent
that Officer perform his obligations.

                  9.2 Withholdings. All compensation and benefits to Officer
hereunder shall be reduced by all federal, state, local and other withholdings
and similar taxes and payments required by applicable law. The Company may
withhold amounts due it from Officer from amounts due under this Agreement to
Officer.

                  9.3 Waiver. The waiver of the breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach
of the same or other provision hereof.

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                  9.4 Entire Agreement: Modifications. This Agreement represents
the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any and all prior understandings,
agreements, plans and negotiations, whether written or oral, with respect to the
subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, any understandings,
agreements or obligations respecting any past or future compensation, stock
options or issuances, bonuses, reimbursements or other payments to Officer from
the Company. All modifications to this Agreement must be in writing and signed
by the party against whom enforcement of such modification is sought.

                  9.5 Notices. All notices and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery, or
first-class mail, certified or registered with return receipt requested, or by
commercial overnight courier or by facsimile and shall be deemed to have been
duly given upon hand delivery, three (3) days after mailing, the first business
day following delivery to a commercial overnight courier or upon receipt of a
facsimile, addressed as follows:

                  If to the Company:

                           Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc.
                           410 Seventeenth Street, #2300
                           Denver, Colorado  80202
                           Facsimile:  (303) 573-5609

                  with a copy to:

                           Dr. Richard J. Has Partners
                           Attention:  Mr. Michael Russell
                           Dukes Court
                           32 Duke Street St. James
                           London UK  SW1Y 6DF
                           Facsimile:  011-44-207-321-5242

                           Equitable Resources Energy Co.
                           One Oxford Centre, Suite 3300
                           Pittsburgh, PA  15219
                           Attention:  Mr. Murry Gerber
                           Facsimile:  (412) 553-5731

                  If to Officer:

                           Barth E. Whitham
                           16760 Wild Plum Circle
                           Morrison, CO  80465

Any party may change such party's address for notices by notice given pursuant
to this Section 9.5.

                  9.6 Headings. The Section headings herein are intended for
reference and shall not by themselves determine the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>   12

                  9.7 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Colorado without application of its conflict of law rules. Officer hereby
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the District Court of the
State of Colorado for the City and County of Denver or the United States
district Court for the district of Colorado for purposes of any legal action.
Officer agrees that service upon Officer in any such action may be made by
first-class mail, certified or registered, in the manner provided for delivery
of notices in Section 9.5

                  9.8 Severability. Should a court or other body of competent
jurisdiction determine that any provision of this agreement is excessive in
scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted
rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent
possible, and all other provisions of the Agreement shall be deemed valid and
enforceable to the extent possible.

                  9.9 Survival of the Company's Obligation. The Company's
obligations hereunder shall not be terminated by reason of any liquidation,
dissolution, bankruptcy, cessation of business or similar event relating to the
Company. This Agreement shall not be terminated by any merger or consolidation
or other reorganization of the Company. In the event any such merger,
consolidation or reorganization shall be accomplished by transfer of stock or by
transfer of assets or otherwise, the provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and insure to the benefit of the surviving or resulting corporation
or person. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the parties;
provided, however, that except as provided in this Section, this Agreement shall
not be assignable either by the Company or by Officer.

                  9.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
agreement as of the date first above written.

OFFICER                             WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION
                                    a Delaware Corporation

--------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Barth E. Whitham                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                                                              12<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                       Confidential Separation Agreement

     This Confidential Separation Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into
between James M. Diasio, an individual residing at 2144 Buckingham Drive,
Jamison, Pennsylvania 18929 ("Employee"), and Exide Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, with its principal executive offices at 645 Penn Street, Reading,
PA  19601 (hereinafter referred to as "Exide").

                                  WITNESSETH:
                                  ----------

     WHEREAS, Employee worked for Exide as Vice President, Corporate Controller
from April, 1994 until September, 1997, as of which time he resigned his
position with Exide; and

     WHEREAS, Employee was invited by Exide's Board of Directors to rejoin Exide
in October, 1998, as its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Employment Agreement executed in September 1998
(the "Employment Agreement"), Employee currently is employed by Exide as a
salaried executive holding the title of Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer; and

     WHEREAS, Exide and Employee now mutually agree that Employee will resign
from his employment with Exide; and

     WHEREAS, Exide and Employee now mutually agree that the Employment
Agreement shall be revoked, including its termination provisions; and

     WHEREAS, Exide and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement to ensure
that there are no disputes between the parties and that their future cooperation
on certain matters is ensured.

     NOW THEREFORE, Employee and Exide, each intending to be legally bound
hereby, agree as follows:

     1.  Separation Date. On the Separation Date, as defined herein, Employee
         ---------------
will resign from his employment with Exide.  Employee acknowledges and agrees
that, after the Separation Date, he shall have no further rights to employment
or re-employment with Exide; he hereby releases and waives any and all rights or
claims he may have to continued employment or re-employment with Exide
subsequent to such date.  The "Separation Date" shall be the earlier to occur of
(a) a date determined by Employee and stated in written notification provided to
Exide or (b) a date determined by Exide and stated in written notification
provided to Employee; provided, however, that in no event shall the Separation
Date occur before June 1, 2000.
<PAGE>

     2.   Transition Benefits.  Exide will provide Employee with the following
          -------------------
benefits for the time periods described below (the "Transition Benefits"):

          a.   Separation Payments.  Exide will continue to pay to Employee his
               -------------------
base salary in effect on the Separation Date, $300,000 annually (the "Separation
Payments"), for a period of two (2) years from the Separation Date (the
"Separation Payment Period"). The Separation Payments shall be paid to Employee
monthly on Exide's regular payroll dates. In the event that Employee accepts
other employment during the Separation Payment Period, the full amount of the
Separation Payments shall continue to be made to Employee.  Further, in the
event of Employee's death or incapacitating mental disability during the
Separation Payment Period, the Separation Payments will continue and be paid to
Employee's beneficiary, in accordance with Employee's Designation of
Beneficiary, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

          b.   Income Protection Payments.  At the conclusion of the Separation
               --------------------------
Payment Period, Exide will continue to pay to Employee his base salary in effect
on the Separation Date, $300,000 annually (the "Income Protection Payments"),
for a period of up to fifty-two (52) weeks, in accordance with Section VI.D of
the Exide Income Protection Policy for Salaried Employees (the "Policy"), a copy
of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Income Protection Payment
Period").

     The Income Protection Payments will be made on a monthly basis on Exide's
regular payroll dates pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Policy;
provided, also, that Exide hereby agrees that Employee meets the Policy's
eligibility requirements notwithstanding the provisions of Section II of the
Policy.

     If, during the Income Protection Payment Period, Employee receives
remuneration from any source, including without limitation wages from other
employment or consulting fees for contracted services, but excluding bonus
payments, commission payments and stock options, which in the aggregate is less
than the Income Protection Payment amount due, Exide will continue to pay to
Employee the Income Protection Payment with an offset for such remuneration.  If
the level of such remuneration exceeds the level of the Income Protection
Payment amount, then no Income Protection Payment shall be made.  Adjustments in
the Income Protection Payment amount will be made on a calendar month basis.
Employee understands and agrees that each Income Protection Payment will be
accompanied by a statement requesting verification of any amount of such
remuneration received by Employee, which shall be signed by Employee and
returned to Exide before the next Income Protection Payment will be issued.
Nothing in this provision, however, shall obligate Employee to seek or continue
other employment during the Income Protection Payment Period.

     No amendment of the Policy by Exide shall reduce the amount of Income
Protection Payments to be paid to Employee under this Agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>

          c.   Health Care and Dental Coverage.  Exide will continue Employee's
               -------------------------------
and his dependents' participation in the Exide family health care and dental
coverage plans in which he/they participated on the Separation Date on the same
terms and conditions as though Employee were an active employee of Exide.  Exide
will continue Employee's participation in each plan until the earlier to occur
of:  (a) Employee accepts employment from an employer providing a health care or
dental plan, or (b) the conclusion of the Separation Payment Period.  If
Employee accepts employment from an employer that offers one, but not both, of
the foregoing benefits, coverage under Exide's plan shall cease for the
benefit(s) offered, and coverage for the other(s) shall continue.

     Employee recognizes that Exide has retained the right to amend, modify or
terminate such benefit plans and understands and agrees that he, like active
Exide employees, will be subject to all terms and conditions of such plans in
effect until Employee's participation is terminated under the terms of this
Agreement.  Upon termination of Employee's participation, Employee will be
eligible to extend the health care and dental coverage in effect at the time in
accordance with the provisions of COBRA, 29 U.S.C. (S)(S) 1161 et seq.

          d.   Corporate Vehicle.  Until the termination of the Separation
               -----------------
Payments, Employee will be permitted to retain the use of the corporate vehicle
that he is using as of the Separation Date under the same terms and conditions
that existed on the Separation Date, including, without limitation, all
deductions and withholdings required by law and Exide policies.  Upon
termination of the Separation Payments, Employee shall have the option of
retaining the corporate vehicle by assuming the obligation to make the then
remaining lease payments thereon, if any, or to purchase the vehicle at Exide's
un-amortized value in accordance with Exide's lease terms for the vehicle.

          e.   Outplacement.  During the Separation Payment Period and the
               ------------
Income Protection Payment Period, Exide will provide an allowance of up to
$85,000 in total for outplacement services for Employee, payable directly to any
firm or firms engaged by Employee to facilitate Employee's transition to a new
employer.

          f.   Medical Reimbursement Account.  Employee may continue to submit
               -----------------------------
reimbursement claims for medical expenses incurred through December 31, 2000 to
First Rehabilitation Life Insurance Company.  Reimbursable expenses under such
medical reimbursement account may not exceed $2,500 during the one-year period
from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000.

          3.   Accrued and Unused Vacation.  On the first regular payroll date
               ---------------------------
following the Separation Date, Exide will pay to Employee all accrued and unused
vacation time for calendar year 2000.

          4.   Annual Incentive Plan.  Exide acknowledges and agrees that
               ---------------------
Employee has been designated as an Eligible Participant under the terms of the
Exide Corporation Annual

                                       3
<PAGE>

Incentive Plan, effective April 1, 1999 (the "Incentive Plan"), as that term is
defined in the Incentive Plan. As such, Employee will be eligible to receive an
award for the Incentive Year ending on March 31, 2000, in accordance with the
terms of the Incentive Plan. Employee acknowledges and agrees, however, that
because his employment with Exide will terminate before he completes the
Incentive Year ending on March 31, 2001, he will not be eligible for an award,
in whole or in part, for that Incentive Year.

          5.   Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.  Exide acknowledges
               ----------------------------------------
that Employee has deferred a portion of his compensation under the Exide
Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan.  Employee's interest under such plan
shall be distributed to Employee as permitted by the terms of the plan.

          6.   Employee's Continued Cooperation.  During the Separation Payment
               --------------------------------
Period and during the Income Protection Payment Period, Employee agrees that he
will cooperate with Exide in: (a) any legal or similar matter, including matters
such as any investigations of Exide by governmental entities, any internal
investigations by Exide and any litigation involving Exide or its past, present
and future employees, directors or other personnel; (b) consulting with Exide
regarding the work performed by Employee and transition of such work to others
at Exide for the departments which reported to Employee (Internal Audit,
Finance, Treasury, Tax and Information Technology), including reasonable
telephone inquiries and on-site assistance, not to exceed five (5) hours per
month; and (c) if he is the subject of any subpoena or mandate of law to provide
testimony or information about Exide, he shall notify Exide by providing a copy
of the subpoena or other mandate so that it is received by Exide's General
Counsel within three (3) calendar days of the date on which Employee receives
it.  Employee's duty to cooperate under this Section will continue regardless of
the level of Income Protection Payments being made to Employee.

          Exide will use its best efforts at all times to schedule times for
meetings and other forms of cooperation so that they will not unduly interfere
with other activities of Employee, such as any future employment he may accept.
In connection with such cooperation, Employee shall be reimbursed for all of his
reasonable costs and expenses if pre-approved by Exide, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs and transportation costs.   Employee will not be
compensated, however, for the actual time spent by him in providing such
cooperation.

          Exide acknowledges that it has authorized Employee, and Employee has
agreed, to cooperate  with Exide in its voluntary responses to the Security and
Exchange Commission's follow-up inquiries regarding certain issues raised by the
Florida Attorney-General investigation ("SEC Investigation"), and that Employee
has engaged the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP as his counsel in
connection with the SEC Investigation.  Exide agrees that it will reimburse
Employee for the reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred by Employee in
providing such cooperation and that Employee will be permitted to forward the
invoices of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP to Exide's General Counsel for direct
payment by Exide, it being understood that information on the invoices
reflecting attorney client communications may be deleted therefrom.

                                       4
<PAGE>

Exide further agrees that it will reimburse Employee for other reasonable
professional fees and related costs in connection with his cooperation in the
SEC Investigation only if the activities associated with such fees and costs
have been pre-approved, in writing, by Exide's General Counsel.

          Nothing in this Agreement requires Employee to waive any attorney
client or work product privilege between Employee and any attorney representing
Employee.

          7.   Indemnification.  Exide acknowledges and agrees that Employee is
               ---------------
entitled to indemnification in accordance with the Restated By-Laws of Exide
Corporation, Article V, adopted January 29, 1999.  These indemnification rights
do not extend to activities in which Employee may engage pursuant to Section 6
of this Agreement after the Separation Date; accordingly, Exide agrees that
Employee shall not be obligated to perform any such activity if it will expose
him to civil or criminal liability for which he will not be indemnified.

          8.   Stock Options.  Upon entering into this Agreement, Employee
               -------------
renounces any and all claims to any stock options granted to him during his
employment, including all non vested options and all vested and unexercised
options; provided, however, that Employee will be entitled to retain the options
described below:

               a.   1993 Options.  Employee will retain the options covering
                    ------------
20,000 shares of Exide common stock granted September 18, 1998 pursuant to the
Exide 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, at an exercise price of $10.81
per share (the "1993 Options"). The 1993 Options will vest and become
immediately exercisable on the Separation Date and will remain exercisable until
September 18, 2008; provided, however, that in the event Exide terminates this
Agreement for Good Cause (as defined in Section 10 hereof), all outstanding
unexercised 1993 Options shall be forfeited immediately.

               b.   1999 Options.  Employee will retain the options covering
                    ------------
60,000 shares of Exide common stock granted August 11, 1999 pursuant to the
Exide 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, at an exercise price of $11.375 per
share (the "1999 Options"). The 1999 Options will vest and become immediately
exercisable on the Separation Date and will remain exercisable until August 11,
2009; provided, however, that in the event Exide terminates this Agreement for
Good Cause (as defined in Section 10 hereof), all outstanding unexercised 1999
Options shall be forfeited immediately.

          Except as provided in this Agreement, all other provisions of the
Exide 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, and the Exide 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended, shall govern the 1993 and 1999 Options,
respectively.  In the event Employee requests approval to transfer the 1993
and/or 1999 Options to a trust for the benefit of his children, Exide shall
cooperate in forwarding such request for approval to Exide's Board of Directors,
or the appropriate Committee of the Board, as required by the terms of the
aforementioned plans.

                                       5
<PAGE>

          9.   All Other Benefits.  Except as provided in this Agreement,
               ------------------
Employee's and his dependents' participation, coverage and eligibility for all
other fringe and employee benefits programs of Exide, including any qualified
retirement plan, long-term disability plan, and accidental death and disability
insurance, shall cease on the Separation Date; provided, however, that Employee
shall continue to be entitled to the benefits which were vested and accrued on
the Separation Date under the Exide Corporation Salaried Retirement and 401(k)
Plan in accordance with the terms of that plan.

          10.  Termination of Agreement.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that,
               ------------------------
should Exide have Good Cause, as defined herein, Exide shall be entitled  to
terminate this Agreement at any time during the Separation Payment Period or
during the Income Protection Payment Period.  "Good Cause" shall mean any act,
conduct or omission on Employee's part, whether occurring  prior to, on or after
the date of this Agreement, that gives rise to or constitutes:  (a) the
conviction of Employee of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere
by Employee to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony; (b) breach by
Employee of any fiduciary duty owed to Exide or to any affiliated company or
subsidiary, provided however that Employee's reasonable exercise of business
judgment as it relates to financial accounting for Employer shall not constitute
a breach of fiduciary duty; or (c) a violation of any provision of Sections 11-
14 and/or 16 of this Agreement, provided, however, that before Exide shall
exercise its right to terminate this Agreement for a breach of Sections 13, 14
or 16, Exide shall provide Employee with a detailed written notification of the
alleged violation of such Section(s), a statement of action necessary to cure
such alleged violation, and a period of thirty (30) calendar days within which
to cure it.  If Employee cures the alleged violation under Subsection (c) of
this Section, as specified in Exide's notice, then no termination shall occur.
Exide acknowledges that, as of the date it executed this Agreement, it was not
aware of a breach of fiduciary duty owed by Employee to Exide or to any
affiliated company or subsidiary.

               In the event Exide terminates this Agreement for Good Cause, it
shall have no further obligation to Employee under this Agreement beyond the
date that notice of termination is given, including without limitation any
obligation to pay to Employee the Transition Benefits hereunder.

          11.  Confidentiality of Agreement.  Employee and Exide agree that as a
               ----------------------------
material condition of this Agreement, neither shall disclose the terms or
conditions of this Agreement to any third party or entity.  However, this
Section will not prohibit either party from disclosing the terms or conditions
of this Agreement to their respective attorneys, tax advisors or accountants, or
to members of Employee's immediate family, or as may be lawfully required or
ordered by any state or federal administrative agency, tribunal or court of law;
provided, however, that before either party discloses any provision of this
Agreement to any person in accordance with this Section, he/it first shall
notify such person of the existence of this confidentiality requirement and
obtain the agreement of the person to abide by it.  Nothing in this Section
shall preclude either

                                       6
<PAGE>

Exide or Employee from disclosing the terms of this Agreement as may be
necessary in prosecution or defense of any action brought by one party against
the other with respect to any matter addressed by this Agreement.

     12.  Confidentiality of Business Information.  During the Separation
          ---------------------------------------
Payment Period, the Income Protection Payment Period and at all times
thereafter, Employee agrees:  (a) not to make any public statement to the press
or third parties, except as compelled by valid and binding legal process,
concerning Exide's non-public business objectives, management practices or other
non-public information, without first receiving Exide's written approval; and
(b) not to use, divulge or disclose, directly or indirectly, any proprietary or
confidential information of Exide to any third party, except his personal legal
advisor or except as compelled by valid and binding legal process, without prior
written approval of Exide.   If, in the case of legal process which compels a
disclosure under one of the exceptions in this Section, Exide in its sole
discretion determines that the legal process is not valid or binding and desires
to challenge the process, it shall be responsible for all legal fees and costs
associated with such challenge.

     13.  Agreement Not to Compete.  Employee hereby agrees that for a six (6)
          ------------------------
month period from the Separation Date, Employee will not provide services or
support to or accept employment from any competitor of Exide, as determined by
Exide, without Exide's prior written consent.  If Employee wishes to seek
Exide's consent or wishes to obtain confirmation that a prospective employer is
not a competitor, he shall direct such inquiry to Exide's General Counsel, who
will respond in writing to Employee as promptly as possible and in no event
longer than fourteen (14) calendar days.  In addition, Employee hereby agrees
that at no time during the Separation Payment Period or the Income Protection
Payment Period will Employee knowingly provide services or support to or accept
employment from any entity in which Arthur M. Hawkins or any affiliate of Arthur
M. Hawkins holds a controlling ownership interest.

     14.  Return of Corporate Property.  On or before the Separation Date,
          ----------------------------
Employee will return to Exide's Executive Vice President, Human Resources all
Exide corporate property and copies thereof in his possession or under his
custody or control, including without limitation all files, corporate credit
cards, automobiles (except the corporate vehicle as provided in Section 2(d) of
this Agreement), keys and access cards, calling cards, cellular or mobile
telephone, parking permit, laptop and other computer equipment and software and
club membership cards.  Employee' access to such property and facilities shall
cease immediately upon the Separation Date, and he shall be responsible for
reimbursing Exide for all personal expenses associated with any of the foregoing
incurred before that date.  Employee, however, shall be permitted to have access
to and maintain copies of documentary information related to Exide's business
which is directly relevant to the cooperation Employee is rendering under
Section 6 hereof, provided that he shall return all such information promptly
upon the conclusion of the activities in question.

     15.  Job Reference. Exide understands that Employee may seek employment in
          -------------
the future with another entity or may seek to work as a consultant or
independent contractor, and that there may be a need for Employee or an entity
to obtain information about Employee's

                                       7
<PAGE>

employment with Exide. Any such inquiries shall be directed to Exide's Executive
Vice President, Human Resources. In response to such inquiries, Exide shall
provide the information contained in the reference letter attached hereto as
Exhibit C.

     16.  General Release of Claims by Employee.  In consideration of the
          -------------------------------------
Transition Benefits granted to Employee under this Agreement, Employee, for
himself and his respective administrators, executors, agents, beneficiaries and
assigns, does waive, release and forever discharge Exide (as defined below for
purposes of these release provisions) of and from any and all Claims (as defined
below) relating, regarding or referring to Employee's employment with Exide, the
terms and conditions of such employment and his resignation from employment.
Employee agrees not to file a lawsuit to assert any such Claim.  This release
covers any and all Claims arising from the beginning of time up to and including
the Separation Date, but does not cover Claims relating to the enforcement of
this Agreement.

          a.   Definition of "Claims".  For purposes of these release
               ----------------------
provisions, "Claims" include without limitation all actions or demands of any
kind that Employee now has, or may have or claim to have in the future.  More
specifically, Claims include rights, causes of action, damages, penalties,
losses, attorneys' fees, costs, expenses, obligations, agreements, judgments and
other liabilities of any kind or description whatsoever, either in law or in
equity, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected.

     All of the following are among the types of Claims which will be barred by
this release and covenant not to sue: contract claims (whether express or
implied); tort claims, such as for defamation or emotional distress; claims
under federal, state and municipal laws, regulations, ordinances or court
decisions of any kind; claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation,
whether based on race, color, religion, gender, sex, age, sexual orientation,
handicap and/or disability, national origin or any other legally protected
class; claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act and
similar statutes and municipal ordinances; claims under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, state wage payment laws and
state wage and hour laws; claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act and
similar state leave laws; and claims for wrongful discharge.  This enumeration
of the Claims covered by this release is not intended to be, and shall not be
construed as, an exhaustive list.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, workers'
compensation claims under 77 P.S. (S) 71 which arose out of conditions existing
in the course of Employee's employment prior to the Separation Date shall not be
covered by this release.

          b.   Definition of "Exide".  For purposes of these release provisions,
               ---------------------
"Exide" includes without limitation Exide Corporation and its respective past,
present and future parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors,
successors, assigns, employee benefit plans and trusts.  It also includes all
past, present and future managers, directors, officers, partners, agents,

                                       8
<PAGE>

employees, attorneys, representatives, consultants, associates, fiduciaries,
plan sponsors, administrators and trustees of each of the foregoing.

          c.   Scope of Release.  Employee declares and agrees that any Claims
               ----------------
he may have incurred or sustained may not be fully known to him and may be more
numerous and more serious than he now believes or expects.  Further, in making
this Agreement, Employee relies wholly upon his own judgment of the future
development, progress and result of said Claims, both known and unknown, and
acknowledges that he has not been influenced to any extent whatsoever in the
making of this Agreement by any representations or statements regarding said
Claims made by individuals or entities who are within the definition of Exide,
as defined in these release provisions.  Employee further acknowledges that he
accepts the terms herein in full settlement and satisfaction of all such Claims
and that no such Claim is reserved.

          d.   Indemnification for Breach of Release.  Under the terms of this
               -------------------------------------
release, Employee is barred from asserting any of the Claims described above
against Exide.  If Employee does commence, join in, continue or in any other
manner attempt to assert a Claim in violation of this release and covenant not
to sue, or otherwise breaches any promise made in this Agreement, he agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless Exide, as defined in these release provisions, from
and against all losses incurred, including without limitation costs and
attorneys' and expert fees, in defending such Claim or pursuing the released
party's rights hereunder.

          e.   No Admission of Wrongdoing.  Employee understands and agrees that
               --------------------------
by entering into this Agreement, Exide, its directors, officers and/or agents do
not admit any wrongdoing, violation of law or invasion of any of his rights.

          f.   Consideration for Release.  Employee further acknowledges that
               -------------------------
the consideration recited in this Agreement is the sole and only consideration
for this Agreement; that such consideration is adequate and fair; and that no
representations, promises or inducements have been made by Exide, or any of its
directors, officers, employees, or agents other than as appear in this
Agreement.

          g.   Consideration Period.  Employee acknowledges that he has been
               --------------------
provided with a period of at least thirty (30) calendar days to consider the
terms of this offer from the date this Agreement first was presented to him on
February 8, 2000.

     Employee agrees that any changes to this offer, whether material or
immaterial, will not restart the running of the 30-day minimum period.  Employee
agrees to notify Exide of his acceptance of this Agreement by delivering a
signed and witnessed copy to Exide's Executive Vice President, Human Resources
no later than April 25, 2000.  Employee understands that he may take the entire
consideration period to consider this Agreement.  Employee may return this
Agreement in less than the full consideration period only if his decision to
shorten the consideration period is knowing and voluntary and was not induced in
any way by Exide.  By

                                       9
<PAGE>

signing and returning this Agreement, Employee acknowledges that the
consideration period afforded Employee a reasonable period of time to consider
fully each and every term of this Agreement, including the release and covenant
not to sue, and that Employee has given the terms full and complete
consideration.

          h.   Revocation Period.  Employee acknowledges that he shall have
               -----------------
seven (7) calendar days after signing this Agreement to revoke it if he chooses
to do so.  If Employee elects to revoke this Agreement, he shall give written
notice of such revocation to Exide's Executive Vice President, Human Resources
in such a manner that it is actually received within the seven (7) calendar day
period.

          i.   Consultation with Legal Counsel.  Employee acknowledges that he
               -------------------------------
has been advised to consult with independent legal counsel of his choosing, at
his expense, regarding the meaning and binding effect of this Agreement and each
and every term hereof prior to executing it and that he has done so.  Employee,
intending to be legally bound hereby, certifies and warrants that he has read
carefully this Agreement and has executed it voluntarily and with full knowledge
and understanding of its significance, meaning and binding effect.  Employee
further declares that he is competent to understand the content and effect of
this Agreement.

     17.  General Release of Claims by Exide.  In consideration of the promises
          ----------------------------------
made by Employee in this Agreement, Exide (having the meaning set forth in
Section 16 of this Agreement) does waive, release and forever discharge Employee
and his respective administrators, executors, agents, beneficiaries and assigns
of and from any and all Claims (as defined below) relating, regarding or
referring to Employee's employment with Exide, the terms and conditions of such
employment, Employee's performance of his duties as an Exide employee and his
resignation from such employment.  Exide agrees not to file a lawsuit to assert
any such Claims.  This release covers any and all Claims arising from the
beginning of time up to and including the Separation Date, but does not cover
Claims relating to the enforcement of this Agreement.

          a.   Definition of "Claims."   For purposes of these release
               -----------------------
provisions, "Claims" include without limitation all actions or demands of any
kind that Exide now has, or may have or may claim to have had in the future.
Claims also include rights, causes of action, damages, penalties, losses,
attorneys' fees, costs, expenses, obligations, agreements, judgments and other
liabilities of any kind or description whatsoever, either in law or in equity;
provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the definition of Claims shall be limited to Claims of which Exide had actual
knowledge on or before the Separation Date.

     All of the following are among the types of Claims which will be barred by
this release and covenant not to sue:  contract claims (whether express or
implied); breach of fiduciary duty claims, provided that Employee has reasonably
exercised business judgment as it relates to financial accounting for Employer;
tort claims, including defamation; and claims under federal, state and municipal
laws, regulations, ordinances or court decisions of any kind.  This

                                       10
<PAGE>

enumeration of Claims covered by this release is not intended to be, and shall
not be construed as, an exhaustive list.

          b.   No Admission of Wrongdoing.  Exide understands and agrees that by
               --------------------------
entering into this Agreement, Employee does not admit any wrongdoing, violation
of law or invasion of any of its rights.

          c.   Consideration for Release.  Exide further acknowledges that the
               -------------------------
consideration recited in this Agreement is the sole and only consideration for
this release; that such consideration is adequate and fair; and that no
representations, promises or inducements have been made by Employee or any of
his agents or counsel other than as appear in this Agreement.

     18.  Integration.  Except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement
          -----------
contains the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all verbal and
written agreements, including without limitation any and all Employment
Agreements between Employee and Exide, and there are no other agreements,
representations or warranties between the parties not referenced or set forth in
this Agreement.

     19.  Governing Law.  Except to the extent superseded by federal law (e.g.,
          -------------
ERISA), this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania without giving effect to the choice of law provisions of any state.

     20.  Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are included solely for ease
          --------
of reference and shall not be applied or construed to limit or expand upon the
rights created hereunder.

     21.  Corporate Authority.  Exide warrants and promises that all corporate
          -------------------
authorizations necessary for execution of this Agreement have been obtained and
that the person executing this Agreement on its behalf has full authority to do
so.

     22.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
          ------------
which will be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement.  Each party shall execute this Agreement twice and each party
shall retain an original.

     23.  Notices.  All notices and other communications required or committed
          -------
hereunder or necessary in connection herewith shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given when hand delivered, in person or by recognized
courier and delivery service, when, telefaxed to the recipient's correct telefax
number (with receipt confirmed) or when mailed by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, as follows, provided that a change of address shall be
deemed given only when received:

                                       11
<PAGE>

          If to Exide:     John R. Van Zile, Esquire
                           Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                           Exide Corporation
                           3600 Green Court, Suite 720
                           Ann Arbor, MI 48105

          With a copy to:  Jack J. Sosiak
                           Executive Vice President, Human Resources
                           Exide Corporation
                           645 Penn Street
                           Reading, PA 19601

          If to Employee:  James M. Diasio
                           2144 Buckingham Drive
                           Jamison, PA 18929

          With a copy to:  Joseph I. Goldstein, Esq.
                           Lawrence Coe Lanpher, Esq.
                           Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
                           1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
                           Washington, DC 20036-1800

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement.

Sworn to and Subscribed
Before Me this     Day
Of           , 2000.

___________________________         ______________________________________
Notary Public                       James M. Diasio

Sworn to and Subscribed             EXIDE CORPORATION
before me this ___ Day of
_________, 2000

                                    By:___________________________________
___________________________            Robert A. Lutz, Chairman and CEO
Notary Public

                                       12

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