Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                    EMPLOYMENT AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

         This Employment and Confidentiality Agreement (the "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of October 29, 1998 (the "Effective Date") by and between
Reed Durant ("Employee") and Tejas Securities Group, Inc. (the "Company").

         WHEREAS the Company and Employee have decided to reflect the terms of
Employee's employment with the Company in a written document and which shall
govern the material terms of Employee's employment by the Company. In addition
to the terms of this Agreement, Employee shall be subject to certain policies
and procedures published by the Company, or made known to Employee from time to
time. Such policies and procedures are incorporated within this Agreement as if
fully set forth herein.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
hereafter set forth, and upon the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement, Employee and the Company hereby agree as follows:

1. Conditions of Employment.

     1.1. Compliance with Company Policies.

               Employee shall be subject to the policies and procedures enacted
          by the Company from time to time and made known to Employee either
          through publication or by direct discussion with Employee.

     1.2. Compliance with Applicable Rules and Regulations.

               Employee shall be subject to all of the Rules and Regulations
          of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National
          Association of Securities

                                                                          Page 1
<PAGE>   2

          Dealers and the Company reserves the right to terminate Employee
          should he/she not remain compliant with these Rules and Regulations.

     1.3. Other Business Interests.

                Employee shall not be employed by or receive any other
          employment compensation from any other person or entity except as may
          be agreed to by the Company in writing. All revenues generated from
          Employee's efforts shall at all times belong to the Company unless
          otherwise agreed to pursuant to written agreement between Company and
          Employee.

     1.4. Term.

                The term of this Employment Agreement will be for a period of
          two years. Employee's employment with the Company shall be "at will"
          and may be terminated by either Employee or Company at any time and
          for any or no particular reason or cause with or without advance
          notice to the other.

2. Duties, Compensation and Benefits.

     2.1. Title.

                Vice President.

     2.2. Capacity.

                Employee shall serve as an employee of the Company and shall
          perform such customary, appropriate and reasonable duties as are
          performed by an employee as may be delegated to Employee by the Board
          of Directors of the Company (the "Board").

                Schedule.

                                                                          Page 2
<PAGE>   3

                Employee shall be employed on a full time basis and shall
          devote all of his/her working time, intentions and energies to the
          Company. Employee shall at all times perform his/her duties and
          obligations faithfully, diligently and to the best of their abilities.
          Employee will be allowed to work two Fridays per month in the Dallas
          office of the Company for a period of up to six months.

     2.3. Salary.

                During employment with the Company, Employee shall be paid
          $6,250 per month for each month of employment in accordance with the
          Company's standard payroll practice. Salary shall be subject to annual
          review and adjustment at the discretion of the Board or any committee
          or individual appointed by the Board to perform such function.

     2.4. Bonus.

                Employee shall receive an annual bonus of approximately 10-30%
          of Employees compensation for the year depending on the performance of
          the Employee and the Company. If Employee is terminated or terminates
          his/her employment during any twelve month consecutive review period,
          he/she shall not be entitled to any bonus.

                                                                          Page 3
<PAGE>   4

     2.5. Business Expenses.

               The Company shall reimburse Employee for reasonable business
          expenses necessarily and appropriately incurred by Employee in
          performing his/her duties hereunder in accordance with such policies
          and procedures regarding employee expenses as the Company may from
          time to time put in effect.

     2.6. Benefits.

               In addition to salary, commissions, overrides, stock options
          and the right to receive warrant distributions, Employee shall be
          entitled to participate in any Employee benefit program established
          from time to time for employees of the Company as determined by
          eligibility requirements established by the Company or such employee
          benefit programs.

     2.7. Holiday and Vacation.

               Employee shall be entitled to all holidays provided under the
          Company's regular holiday schedule published from time to time by
          Company. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to vacation time in
          accordance with the policies established by the Company from time to
          time.

     2.8. Moving Expenses.

               Employee will receive a lump sum payment of $10,000 to cover
          all moving expenses upon relocation.

3. Confidential Information.

                Employee understands and agrees that in connection with the
          performance of their obligations and duties, Employee has and will
          receive certain proprietary, confidential or other information
          concerning the Company that the Company

                                                                          Page 4
<PAGE>   5

          regards as highly confidential. In addition, Employee acknowledges
          and agrees that he/she will receive special and important training
          in regard to the performance of the business activities. The
          information provided to Employee may include, without limitation or
          designation as such, business strategies, terms of contracts and
          business relationships, pricing information and other information that
          is not generally known to the public. Employee acknowledges and agrees
          that all such information, including information obtained through
          special training by the Company, is and will at all times remain the
          sole and exclusive property of the Company. Employee acknowledges and
          agrees that they will, during the term of their employment with the
          Company and at all times thereafter hold such information in
          confidence and not disclose any such information to any third party
          except as authorized in advance in writing by the Company or directly
          in connection with the performance of the employees obligations
          hereunder. In the event of the termination of Employee's employment
          with the Company, Employee shall promptly return all confidential and
          propriety information in Employee's possession to the Company.
          Employee agrees that notwithstanding the termination of the employee's
          employment relationship with the Company that his/her agreement to
          keep the Company's confidential and proprietary business information
          confidential will survive the termination of such employment
          relationship.

               In addition, Employee agrees and understands that the damages
          which will be incurred by the Company as a result of the breach of
          this confidentiality

                                                                          Page 5
<PAGE>   6

          provision are incalculable. Employee agrees that in addition to any
          remedy available to the Company provided by law, that Company will be
          entitled to injunctive relief, including but not limited to obtaining
          such temporary orders of the Court as may be necessary and appropriate
          in order to enforce this provision.

4. Miscellaneous.

     4.1. Successors and Assigns.

               This Agreement shall be bind on and enure to the benefit of the
          parties hereto and their heirs, executors, legal representatives and
          successors. This Agreement may not be assigned, in whole or in part,
          without the prior written agreement of both parties hereto, except
          with respect to the confidentiality provisions contained in paragraph
          3 hereof. Any attempt to assign the provisions of this Agreement
          (except for paragraph 3) shall be null and void.

     4.2. Withholding.

               Employee hereby agrees to make appropriate arrangements with
          the Company for the satisfaction of all federal, state or local
          income tax withholding requirements and other federal, social
          security, employee tax requirements applicable to this Agreement.

     4.3. Governing Law.

               This Agreement is made and entered into and is to be governed by
          and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas
          applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such
          state, without regard

                                                                          Page 6
<PAGE>   7

          of the conflict of law principals for any such state. Employee agrees
          that there are sufficient contacts within the State of Texas to
          enforce this provision.

     4.4. Waiver.

               The failure of either party at any time to require a performance
          by the other party of any provision hereof shall not effect in any way
          the full right to require such performance at any time thereafter nor
          shall a waiver by either party of a breach of any provision hereof be
          taken or held to be a continuing waiver of such provision or a waiver
          of any other breach under any other provision of this Agreement.

     4.5. Caption.

               The captions of the sections which are referenced above are
          inserted as a matter of convenience only and are in no way to define,
          limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or provisions hereof.

     4.6. Entire Agreement/Interpretation.

               This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding
          between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
          and supercedes all prior contracts, agreements, arrangements,
          communications, discussions, representations and warranties, whether
          oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject
          matter. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument
          signed by both parties hereto making specific reference to this
          Agreement and express a plan or intention to modify it. The parties

                                                                          Page 7
<PAGE>   8

          acknowledge that this Agreement has been drafted through mutual
          efforts of the parties and that it shall not be construed more
          harshly against any party hereto.

     4.7. Counterpart.

               This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
          each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
          together shall constitute on and the same agreement.

          In witness whereof the parties hereto have executed this Employment
Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                       TEJAS SECURITIES GROUP, INC.

                                       By:        /s/ Jay W. Van Ert
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Jay W. Van Ert, President

                                       EMPLOYEE

                                           /s/ Reed Durant
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Reed Durant

                                                                          Page 8<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                    EMPLOYMENT AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

         This Employment and Confidentiality Agreement (the "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of January 10, 2000 (the "Effective Date") by and between
Kurt Rechner ("Employee") and Tejas Securities Group, Inc. (the "Company").

         WHEREAS the Company and Employee have decided to reflect the terms of
Employee's employment with the Company in a written document and which shall
govern the material terms of Employee's employment by the Company. In addition
to the terms of this Agreement, Employee shall be subject to certain policies
and procedures published by the Company, or made known to Employee from time to
time. Such policies and procedures are incorporated within this Agreement as if
fully set forth herein.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
hereafter set forth, and upon the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement, Employee and the Company hereby agree as follows:

 1.   Conditions of Employment.

      1.1.    Compliance with Company Policies.

                  Employee shall be subject to the policies and procedures
              enacted by the Company from time to time and made known to
              Employee either through publication or by direct discussion with
              Employee.

      1.2.    Compliance with Applicable Rules and Regulations.

                  Employee shall be subject to all of the Rules and Regulations
              of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National
              Association of Securities

                                                                          Page 1
<PAGE>   2
              Dealers and the Company reserves the right to terminate Employee
              should he/she not remain compliant with these Rules and
              Regulations.

     1.3.     Other Business Interests.

                  Employee shall not be employed by or receive any other
              employment compensation from any other person or entity except as
              may be agreed to by the Company in writing. All revenues generated
              from Employee's efforts shall at all times belong to the Company
              unless otherwise agreed to pursuant to written agreement between
              Company and Employee.

     1.4.     Term and Termination.

                  Employee's employment with the Company shall be "at will" and
              may be terminated by either Employee or Company at any time and
              for any or no particular reason or cause with or without advance
              notice to the other.

2.   Duties, Compensation and Benefits.

     2.1.     Title.

              Chief Financial Officer

     2.2.     Capacity.

                  Employee shall serve as an employee of the Company and shall
              perform such customary, appropriate and reasonable duties as are
              performed by an employee as may be delegated to Employee by the
              Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board").

                                                                          Page 2
<PAGE>   3

     2.3.     Schedule.

                  Employee shall be employed on a full time basis and shall
              devote all of his/her working time, intentions and energies to the
              Company. Employee shall at all times perform his/her duties and
              obligations faithfully, diligently and to the best of their
              abilities.

     2.4.     Salary.

                  During employment with the Company, Employee shall be paid
              $12,500 per month for each month of employment in accordance with
              the Company's standard payroll practice. Salary shall be subject
              to annual review and adjustment at the discretion of the Board or
              any committee or individual appointed by the Board to perform such
              function.

    2.5.      Bonus.

                  Employee shall receive a minimum annual bonus of $50,000 in
              the year 2000. Employee shall also receive a signing advance of
              $30,000 due and payable on January 3, 2000. Such advance is
              forgiven at the commencement of employment.

     2.6.     Stock Options.

                  Employee shall have the right to purchase 50,000 shares of the
             Westech's common stock for $2.00 per share. This option is vested
             in accordance with Westech's option plan. In the event of the
             termination of the employee without cause prior to January 10,
             2001, employee would vest in one third of the 50,000 options
             (16,666.67) upon termination.

                                                                          Page 3
<PAGE>   4

     2.7.     Business Expenses.

                  The Company shall reimburse Employee for reasonable business
              expenses necessarily and appropriately incurred by Employee in
              performing his/her duties hereunder in accordance with such
              policies and procedures regarding employee expenses as the Company
              may from time to time put in effect.

     2.8.     Benefits.

                  In addition to salary and stock options, Employee shall be
              entitled to participate in any Employee benefit program
              established from time to time for employees of the Company as
              determined by eligibility requirements established by the Company
              or such employee benefit programs.

     2.9.     Holiday and Vacation.

                  Employee shall be entitled to all holidays provided under the
              Company's regular holiday schedule published from time to time by
              Company. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to vacation time
              in accordance with the policies established by the Company from
              time to time.

3.   Confidential Information.

                  Employee understands and agrees that in connection with the
              performance of their obligations and duties, Employee has and will
              receive certain proprietary, confidential or other information
              concerning the Company that the Company regards as highly
              confidential. In addition, Employee acknowledges and agrees that
              he/she will receive special and important training in regard to

                                                                          Page 4
<PAGE>   5

              the performance of the business activities. The information
              provided to Employee may include, without limitation or
              designation as such, business strategies, terms of contracts and
              business relationships, pricing information and other information
              that is not generally known to the public. Employee acknowledges
              and agrees that all such information, including information
              obtained through special training by the Company, is and will at
              all times remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company.
              Employee acknowledges and agrees that they will, during the term
              of their employment with the Company and at all times thereafter
              hold such information in confidence and not disclose any such
              information to any third party except as authorized in advance in
              writing by the Company or directly in connection with the
              performance of the employees obligations hereunder. In the event
              of the termination of Employee's employment with the Company,
              Employee shall promptly return all confidential and propriety
              information in Employee's possession to the Company. Employee
              agrees that notwithstanding the termination of the employee's
              employment relationship with the Company that his/her agreement to
              keep the Company's confidential and proprietary business
              information confidential will survive the termination of such
              employment relationship.

                  In addition, Employee agrees and understands that the damages
              which will be incurred by the Company as a result of the breach of
              this confidentiality provision are incalculable. Employee agrees
              that in addition to any remedy available to the Company provided
              by law, that Company will be entitled to

                                                                          Page 5
<PAGE>   6

              injunctive relief, including but not limited to obtaining such
              temporary orders of the Court as may be necessary and appropriate
              in order to enforce this provision.

4.   Miscellaneous.

     4.1.     Successors and Assigns.

                  This Agreement shall be bind on and inure to the benefit of
              the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, legal
              representatives and successors. This Agreement may not be
              assigned, in whole or in part, without the prior written agreement
              of both parties hereto, except with respect to the confidentiality
              provisions contained in paragraph 3 hereof. Any attempt to assign
              the provisions of this Agreement (except for paragraph 3) shall be
              null and void.

     4.2.     Withholding.

                  Employee hereby agrees to make appropriate arrangements with
              the Company for the satisfaction of all federal, state or local
              income tax withholding requirements and other federal, social
              security, employee tax requirements applicable to this Agreement.

     4.3.     Governing Law.

                  This Agreement is made and entered into and is to be governed
              by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas
              applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within
              such state, without regard of the conflict of law principals for
              any such state. Employee agrees that there are sufficient contacts
              within the State of Texas to enforce this provision.

                                                                          Page 6
<PAGE>   7

     4.4.     Waiver.

                  The failure of either party at any time to require a
              performance by the other party of any provision hereof shall not
              effect in any way the full right to require such performance at
              any time thereafter nor shall a waiver by either party of a breach
              of any provision hereof be taken or held to be a continuing waiver
              of such provision or a waiver of any other breach under any other
              provision of this Agreement.

     4.5.     Caption.

                  The captions of the sections which are referenced above are
              inserted as a matter of convenience only and are in no way to
              define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or
              provisions hereof.

     4.6.     Entire Agreement/Interpretation.

                  This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and
              understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the
              subject matter hereof and supercedes all prior contracts,
              agreements, arrangements, communications, discussions,
              representations and warranties, whether oral or written, between
              the parties with respect to the subject matter. This Agreement may
              be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties
              hereto making specific reference to this Agreement and express a
              plan or intention to modify it. The parties acknowledge that this
              Agreement has been drafted through mutual efforts of the parties
              and that it shall not be construed more harshly against any party
              hereto.

     4.7.     Counterpart.

                                                                          Page 7
<PAGE>   8

                  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
              each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
              together shall constitute on and the same agreement.

          In witness whereof the parties hereto have executed this Employment
Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                       TEJAS SECURITIES GROUP, INC.

                                       By: /s/ JAY W. VAN ERT
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Printed name: Jay W. Van Ert
                                                    ----------------------------
                                       Its: President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       EMPLOYEE

                                       /s/ KURT J. RECHNER
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Printed Name: Kurt J. Rechner
                                                    ----------------------------

                                                                          Page 8

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00004-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00004-of-00352.parquet"}]]