Document:

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                                                                Exhibit 10(ee)

                                      KV

                          K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
               EMPLOYMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AGREEMENT

         This Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on May 2,1990, between
 David Hermelin ("Employee") and K-V PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, a Delaware
 corporation ("KV").

         In consideration of Employee's employment or continued employment by
 KV and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
 acknowledged, Employee agrees as follows:

         1. Affiliates. KV has or may in the future have one or more
subsidiaries and/or affiliated companies (collectively referred to in the
remainder of this Agreement as the "Companies"). From time to time, KV and the
Companies may exchange or use facilities, technology and/or Confidential
Information (as that term is defined below) of the other. The covenants in
this Agreement are for the benefit and protection of KV and the Companies.

         2. Nature of Employment. Employee is hereby employed by KV in the
position of Manager, Business Development. Employee acknowledges and agrees
that his/her job title and/or responsibilities may change from time to time.
Employee further agrees that, at all times, (s)he shall devote his/her full
time and best efforts to performing all duties reasonably assigned by KV.

         3. Compensation. As compensation for Employee's services to KV,
Employee shall receive a base salary at the rate of Fifty-five Thousand
Dollars ($55,000) per year, payable at such intervals as KV pays its other
employees. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to participate in the
fringe benefits normally provided to other KV employees at comparable
employment levels. Employee's compensation shall be subject to KV's normal
compensation review.

         4. Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall begin on May 2,
1990 , and continue until March 31, 1991, unless terminated sooner in
accordance with paragraph 5 of this Agreement. If not terminated sooner under
paragraph 5 hereof, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive
one (1) year periods unless and until either party terminates this Agreement
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5. Termination of this Agreement by
either party, for any reason, shall in no manner affect the covenants
contained in paragraphs 6-11 of this Agreement.

         5. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement, for any
reason, by giving the other party thirty (30) calendar day's advance written
notice. KV may, at its sole discretion, elect to pay Employee in lieu of
having Employee continue to work during the notice period. If KV exercises
this right and option, it shall pay Employee, on KV's regularly scheduled
paydays and in accordance with KV's regular pay practices, either: (A)
Employee's regular wages for a period of thirty (30) calendar days or (B)
one-half (1/2) of Employee's regular wages for a period of sixty (60) calendar
days. KV reserves the right to cease the payment(s) described above if, in
KV's reasonable determination, Employee breaches this Agreement during the
period of such payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, KV may terminate this
Agreement without prior written notice to Employee or any continuing
compensation obligations if, in KV's reasonable determination, Employee has
breached this Agreement or Employee's continued employment is detrimental to
KV's best interests. By way of example, but not limitation, Employee's
continued employment will be deemed detrimental to KV's best interests if
Employee has engaged in dishonesty, disloyalty, failure to perform his/her
duties to KV or any act which may be harmful to the reputation of KV and/or
the Companies.

         6. Confidential Information. In the course of performing his/her
responsibilities as an employee of KV, Employee has or may come into
possession of technical, financial or business information pertaining to KV
and/or the Companies which is not published or readily available to the
public, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, techniques, designs,
formulae, methods, processes, devices, machinery, equipment, inventions,
research and development projects, programs, plans and data, clinical projects
and data, plans for future developments, marketing concepts and plans, pricing
information, licensing agreements, and lists of or other information
pertaining to and/or received from employees, customers and/or suppliers
("Confidential Information"). Employee acknowledges that the Confidential
Information is important to and greatly affects the success of KV and the
Companies in a competitive, worldwide marketplace. Employee further agrees
that while employed by KV and at all times thereafter, regardless of how, when
and why that employment ends, Employee shall hold in the strictest confidence,
and shall not disclose, duplicate and/or use for himself/herself or any other
person or entity any Confidential Information without: (A) the prior written
consent of an officer of KV, or (B) unless required to do so in order to
perform his/her responsibilities while employed by KV.

         7. PUBLICATION. Employee agrees not to publish or cause or permit to
be published any article, oral presentation or

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material related to KV and/or the Companies, including any information related
to any products or proposed products, without obtaining the prior written
consent of an officer of KV.

         8. NO OTHER CONTRACT. Except as listed below, Employee warrants that
(s)he is not bound by the terms of any other agreement, oral or written, which
would limit or preclude him/her from disclosing to KV and/or the Companies any
idea, invention, discovery or other information pertaining or related to
Employee's responsibilities as an employee of KV. Employee agrees to promptly
provide KV with a copy of any and all agreements listed below. Employee
further agrees not to disclose to KV or the Companies, or to seek to induce KV
or the Companies to use any confidential information, material or trade
secrets belonging to any other person or entity. _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

         9. RIGHT TO WORK PRODUCT. Any and all designs, inventions,
discoveries, improvements, specifications, technical data, reports, business
plans and other embodiments of Employee's work conceived, made, discovered
and/or produced by Employee during the period of his/her employment by KV,
either solely or jointly with others: (A) in the course of performing his/her
duties for KV, (B) which are based, in whole or part, upon Confidential
Information, the resources, supplies, facilities or business, technical or
financial information of KV and/or the Companies, or (C) which relate to the
business or the anticipated research and development of KV, the Companies or
both ("Work Product"), shall be the sole property of KV and available to KV at
all times. Employee agrees to promptly disclose and assign and hereby assigns
to KV, without royalty or other additional consideration, any and all of
Employee's proprietary rights to any and all Work Product. Employee further
agrees that during his/her employment by KV and after that employment ends,
regardless of how, when and why, (s)he shall, upon KV's request: (A) execute
any and all applications for copyright and/or patent of Work Product which may
be prepared for his/her signature, (B) assign to KV any and all such
applications, copyrights and patents relating thereto, and (C) assist KV, as
KV deems necessary, in order for KV to apply for, defend or enforce any
copyright or patent. KV shall pay all expenses of preparing, filing and
prosecuting any such application and of obtaining such copyrights and patents.
In the event Employee is not employed by KV at the time any request for
assistance is made by KV, KV shall pay Employee a reasonable payment for
Employee's time and shall schedule any needed assistance so as to not to
interfere with Employee's then current employment and obligations.

         10. RETURN OF PROPERTY. Upon the termination of Employee's employment
with KV, regardless of how, when and why that employment ends, Employee shall
immediately deliver to KV all property of KV and all property of the
Companies, including, but not limited to, all records and documents (including
all copies) containing or relating to Confidential Information.

         11. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. The parties acknowledge and agree that at
the time this Agreement was entered, the business of KV and the Companies
included, but was not limited to, the contract or private label manufacture
for other marketers or distributors of pharmaceutical preparations or
specialty chemicals, and the research, development, manufacture, sale and
distribution of drug delivery products and technology. Employee agrees that
during the thirty-six (36) consecutive months immediately following
termination of Employee's employment with KV, regardless of how, when or why
that employment ends, Employee shall not in any manner or in any capacity,
directly or indirectly, for himself/herself or any other person or entity,
actually or attempt:

         (A)  to perform any of the same or similar responsibilities as
              Employee performed for KV under this Agreement, on behalf of or
              for any business that engages in the same or similar business
              as:
                  (i)  KV anywhere KV has conducted business, or
                  (ii) the Companies anywhere the Companies have conducted
                       business during the twenty-four (24) months immediately
                       preceding termination of employment; or

         (B)  to interfere with or take away:
                  (i)  any customer of KV that has conducted business with KV,
                       or
                  (ii) any customer of the Companies that has conducted
                       business with the Companies during the twenty-four (24)
                       months immediately preceding termination of employment;
                       or

         (C)  to interfere with any of the suppliers of KV and/or the
              Companies, including, without limitation, reducing in any
              material way the willingness or capability of any supplier to
              continue supplying KV with its and/or the Companies with their
              present or contemplated requirements; or

         (D)  to solicit or interfere with the relationship between KV and any
              of its employees or agents, and/or the Companies and any of
              their employees or agents; or

         (E)  to acquire any interest in any business that engages in the same
              or similar business as:
                  (i)  KV anywhere KV has conducted business, or
                  (ii) the Companies anywhere the Companies have conducted
                       business during the twenty-four (24) months immediately
                       preceding termination of employment. Employee further
                       agrees that (s)he shall not engage in any of the
                       activities listed above while (s)he is employed by KV.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that his/her experience, knowledge and
capabilities are such that (s)he can obtain

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employment in unrelated pharmaceutical, chemical, food, industrial, household,
confectionery or other businesses, and that the enforcement of this paragraph
11 by way of injunction would not prevent Employee from earning a livelihood.
Employee further agrees that if (s)he has any question(s) regarding the scope
of activities restricted by this paragraph 11, (s)he shall, to avoid confusion
or misunderstanding, submit the question(s) in writing to an officer of KV for
a written response by KV. Employee additionally agrees to keep KV advised of
the identity of his/her employer and his/her work location during the period
covered by this paragraph 11.

         12. INVESTMENT SECURITIES. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding,
nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of Employee as an investor to
hold or to acquire the stock or other investment securities of any business
entity that is registered on a national securities exchange or regularly
traded on a generally recognized over-the-counter market, so long as
Employee's interest of any such business entity does not exceed five percent
(5%) of the ownership of that business entity.

         13. Material Breach. Any breach of this Agreement shall be a material
breach of this Agreement.

         14. EMPLOYEE CONSENT. In order to preserve the rights under this
Agreement of KV and the Companies, KV and/or the Companies may advise any
third party with whom Employee may consider, establish or contract a
relationship of the existence of this Agreement and of its terms. KV and the
Companies shall have no liability for so acting.

         15. CONTROLLING Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Missouri. The parties agree that any controversy
arising with respect to this Agreement shall fall under the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of the County of St. Louis, Missouri, and
each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of that court.

         16. Remedies. Employee agrees that the promises in this Agreement are
reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of KV
and the Companies, that any violation by Employee of any of the promises in
this Agreement would result in great damage and irreparable injury to KV
and/or the Companies, and that KV and/or the Companies have the right to any
and all legal and/or equitable remedies available for breach of this
Agreement. Employee further agrees that enforcement by KV and/or the Companies
of the promises contained in this Agreement by way of injunction would not
prevent Employee from making a living.

         17. SEVERABILLTY. In the event any whole or partial provision in this
Agreement is deemed unenforceable, it shall not invalidate the remaining whole
or partial provisions of this Agreement. In addition, the parties have
attempted to limit Employee's right to compete only to the extent necessary to
protect KV from unfair competition. Consequently, the parties further agree
that if any whole or partial restrictive covenant in this Agreement is deemed
unenforceable because overly broad in geographic scope, activity or time
duration, that provision shall be automatically modified so as to be
enforceable to the maximum extent reasonable.

         18. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement is not assignable by Employee, and
shall be binding upon Employee and Employee's heirs, executors and legal
and/or personal representatives. This Agreement is assignable by KV, and shall
inure to the benefit of KV, its successors and assigns.

         19. NONWAIVER. Failure of KV and/or the Companies to exercise any of
its/their rights in the event Employee breaches any of the promises in this
Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such a breach or prevent KV
and/or the Companies from later enforcing strict compliance with the promises
in this Agreement.

         20. MODIFICATION. This Agreement contains the parries' complete
agreement, and supersedes any other agreement, oral or written, pertaining to
the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be altered, amended
or revoked at any time only by a writing signed by both parties.

         21. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Employee agrees that: (A) (s)he fully understands
his/her right to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with legal or personal
advisors of his/her choice, (B) to the extent (s)he desired, (s)he has done
so, (C) (s)he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions
of this Agreement, and (D) (s)he has voluntarily entered into this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and KV have executed this Agreement on
the day and year first written above.

EMPLOYEE                               COMPANY

/s/ David S. Hermelin                  By /s/ Gerald R. Mitchell
----------------------------------        --------------------------------
                                       Title VP, Finance
                                             -----------------------------

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                           KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into effective November 18,
1996, between David S. Hermelin ("Employee") and KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation ("KV").

                  In consideration of employee's employment or continued
employment by KV and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are acknowledged, Employee agrees as follows:

                  1. Affiliates. KV has or may in the future have one or more
subsidiaries and/or affiliated companies (collectively referred to in the
remainder of this Agreement as the "Companies"). From time to time, KV and the
Companies may exchange or use facilities, technology and/or Confidential
Information (as that term is defined below) of the other. The covenants in
this Agreement are for the benefit and protection of KV and the Companies.

                  2. Nature of Employment. Employee is hereby employed by KV
in the position of Vice President, Corporate Planning and Administration.
Employee shall be employed at KV's offices in St. Louis, Missouri or such
other location as shall be agreeable to KV and Employee. Employee acknowledges
and agrees that his job title and/or responsibilities may change from time to
time. Employee further agrees that, at all times, he shall devote his full
time and best efforts to performing all duties reasonably assigned by KV.

                  3. COMPENSATION. As compensation for Employee's services to
KV, Employee shall receive a base salary at the rate per year being paid to
Employee as of the effective date of the Agreement, payable at such intervals
as KV pays its other employees. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to
participate in the fringe benefits normally provided to the other KV employees
at comparable employment levels. Employee's compensation shall be subject to
annual review.

                  4. Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date
first set forth above and continue until March 31, 2002, unless terminated
sooner in accordance with Paragraph 5 of this Agreement. If not terminated
sooner under Paragraph 5 hereof, this Agreement shall automatically renew for
successive twelve (12) month periods unless and until either party terminates
this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 5. Termination of this
Agreement by either party, for any reason, shall in no manner affect the
covenants contained in Paragraphs 6-11 of this Agreement.

                  5. TERMINATION.

                  (A) Voluntary. Employee may terminate this Agreement, for
any reason, by giving KV ninety (90) calendar days' advance written notice to
KV's Director, Human Resources. Employee agrees to remain on the job and at
all times faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability, experience
and talents, perform all of the duties that have been required of him prior to
Employee's notice of termination, all to the reasonable satisfaction of KV.
Employee agrees that he will remain actively at work, as described above,
during the entire notice period unless he is released from all
responsibilities prior to the end of the notice period by the Board of
Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of KV. Employee agrees that if he
should fail to fully comply with the notice required by this subsection, and
if he should fail to fully comply with the requirement to remain on the job
and faithfully and to the best of his ability perform all of his duties, KV
will incur substantial damages as a direct result and that the amount of said
damages will be difficult to ascertain.

                  If Employee decides to terminate his employment with KV,
Employee shall disclose

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Employee's decision to terminate to the Director, Human
Resources, of KV and shall not disclose such information to any other party
(except for a subsequent employer of Employee which has agreed to keep such
information confidential until KV has announced Employee's termination) until
such time as the Director, Human Resources of KV determines how and when to
announce Employee's termination.

                           (B) INVOLUNTARY. KV may terminate this Agreement at
any time and for any reason.

                  In the event of either voluntary or involuntary termination,
except termination for cause, KV shall provide Employee with twelve (12)
months of severance pay equal to no less than Employee's annual base salary,
then in effect under Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, less usual withholdings
and offset by compensation Employee receives from other full-time,
non-temporary employment. This severance package shall be paid in twelve (12)
equal monthly installments, each payment to be made on the last day of each of
the twelve (12) calendar months following the last date worked. Such monthly
payments shall be reduced dollar for dollar by Employee's monthly compensation
payable from another employer for full-time, non-temporary employment. In
addition, KV shall provide Employee at KV's expense, with medical, disability
and life insurance coverage and all other insurance coverage of the same or
similar types, and in the same or similar amounts as KV is providing to
Employee immediately prior to the last date worked. This continuation of
insurance coverage shall cease the earlier of eighteen (18) months after the
last date worked or at such time as Employee obtains other full-time,
non-temporary employment. In addition, as of the last date worked, all stock
options shall become immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable
until the earlier of eighteen (18) months after the last date worked or at
such time as Employee obtains other full-time, non-temporary employment.
Further, any holding period of such options shall automatically be waived by
KV.

                  In consideration of the severance pay provided under this
paragraph, in the event of the cancellation, termination or expiration of the
Employment Agreement for any reason, Employee agrees to provide reasonable and
necessary services to assist KV in transition of responsibilities and ongoing
continuity of his job function unless both KV and Employee agree otherwise.

                  KV may terminate this Agreement for cause and in such event
Employee shall not be entitled to any severance pay. The term "for cause" as
used herein shall mean (i) commission of a dishonest or criminal act in
respect of Employee's employment or conviction of a felony, or (ii) breach of
trust or gross negligence, or (iii) willful refusal to perform duties imposed
by this Agreement which are legal and not improper, or (iv) Employee's
violation of Paragraph 7, 9, 10 or 11 of this Agreement, or (v) the continuing
neglect or failure of Employee to perform the duties reasonably assigned to
Employee by KV and after notice from KV of such neglect or failure, Employee's
failure to cure such neglect or failure. Any termination of this Agreement by
KV shall be effective only upon providing Employee with written notice and
advising Employee as to whether his termination is for cause.

                  Employee acknowledges that the duties and obligations of
Paragraphs 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 shall survive the termination of his
employment.

                  6. Off-Site EMPLOYMENT. Employee may elect to take a reduced
annual rate of pay of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) for up to a one (1)
year period to be agreed upon by KV and Employee so long as Employee provides
continuity in all areas of responsibility or in other areas requested by KV.
During this one (1) year period, KV shall keep in full force all benefits,
including, but not limited to, insurance coverage, pension plans, and stock
option plans provided to other employees. In the event of employee's
termination during this one (1) year period, employee shall continue to be

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entitled to the severance pay provided under paragraphs 5 and 14 based on
employee's unreduced annual rate of pay under paragraph 3 as of the date
employee elected to take a reduced rate of pay under this paragraph. This one
(1) year term may be extended on an annual basis with the mutual agreement of
KV and Employee.

                  7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. In the course of performing
responsibilities as an employee of KV, Employee has or may come into
possession of technical, financial or business information pertaining to KV
and/or the Companies which is not published or readily available to the
public, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, techniques, designs,
formulae, methods, processes, devices, machinery, equipment, inventions,
research and development projects, programs, plans and data, clinical projects
and data, plans for future developments, marketing concepts and plans, pricing
information, licensing agreements and lists or other information pertaining to
and/or received from employees, customers and/or suppliers ("Confidential
Information"). Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information is
important to and greatly affects the success of KV and the Companies in a
competitive, worldwide marketplace. Employee further agrees that while
employed by KV and at all times thereafter, regardless of how, when and why
that employment ends, Employee shall hold in the strictest confidence, and
shall not disclose, duplicate and/or use for himself or any other person or
entity any Confidential Information without: (A) the prior written consent of
an officer of KV, or (B) unless required to do so in order to perform his
responsibilities while employed by KV.

                  8. Publication. Employee agrees not to publish or cause or
permit to be published any article, oral presentation or material related to
KV and/or the Companies, including any information related to any products or
proposed products, without obtaining the prior written consent of an officer
of KV.

                  9. No Other Contract. Except as listed below, Employee
warrants that he is not bound by the terms of any other agreement, oral or
written, which would limit or preclude his from disclosing to KV and/or the
Companies any idea, invention, discovery or other information pertaining or
related to Employee's responsibilities as an employee of KV. Employee agrees
to promptly provide KV with a copy of any and all agreements listed below.
Employee further agrees not to disclose to KV or the Companies, or to seek to
induce KV or the Companies to use any confidential information, material or
trade secrets belonging to any other person or entity.

                  10. Right to Work Product. Any and all designs, inventions,
discoveries, improvements, specifications, technical data, reports, business
plans and other embodiments of Employee's work conceived, made, discovered
and/or produced by Employee during the period of his employment by KV, either
solely or jointly with others: (A) in the course of performing his duties for
KV, (B) which are based, in whole or part, upon Confidential Information, the
resources, supplies, facilities or business, technical or financial
information of KV and/or the Companies, or (C) which relate to the business or
the anticipated research and development of KV, the Companies or both ("Work
Product"), shall be the sole property of KV and available to KV at all times.
Employee agrees to promptly disclose and assign and hereby assigns to KV,
without royalty or other additional consideration, any and all of Employee's
proprietary rights to any and all Work Product. Employee further agrees that
during his employment by KV and after that employment ends, regardless of how,
when and why, he shall, upon KV's request: (A) execute any and all
applications for copyright and/or patent of Work Product which may be prepared
for his signature, (B) assign to KV any and all such applications, copyrights
and patents relating thereto, and (C) assist KV, as KV deems necessary, in
order for KV to apply for, defend or enforce any copyright or patent. KV shall
pay all expenses of preparing, filing and prosecuting any such application and
of obtaining such copyrights and patents. In the event Employee is

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not employed by KV at the time any request for assistance is made by KV, KV
shall pay Employee a reasonable payment for Employee's time and shall schedule
any needed assistance so as to not interfere with Employee's then current
employment and obligations.

                  11. RETURN OF PROPERTY. Upon the termination of Employee's
employment with KV, regardless of how, when and why that employment ends,
Employee shall immediately deliver to KV all property of KV and all property
of the Companies, including, but not limited to, all records and documents
(including all copies) containing or relating to Confidential Information.

                  12. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. The parties acknowledge and agree
that at the time this Agreement was entered, the business of KV and the
Companies included, but was not limited to, the contract or private label
manufacture for other marketers or distributors of pharmaceutical preparations
or specialty chemicals, and the research, development, manufacture, sale and
distribution of drug delivery products and technology. Employee agrees that
during the thirty-six {36) consecutive months immediately following
termination of Employee's employment with KV, regardless of how, when or why
that employment ends, Employee shall not, without prior authorization of KV,
in any manner or in any capacity, directly or indirectly, for himself or any
other person or entity, actually or attempt:

                  (A) to perform any of the same or similar responsibilities
as Employee performed for KV under this Agreement, on behalf of or for any
business that engages in the same business as KV:

                           (i) anywhere KV has conducted business; or

                           (ii) anywhere the Companies have conducted business
         during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding termination
         of employment; or

                  (B) to interfere with or take away:

                           (i) any customer of KV that has conducted business
         with KV;

                           (ii) any customer of the Companies that has
         conducted business with the Companies during the twenty-four (24)
         months immediately preceding termination of employment; or

                  (C) to interfere with any of the suppliers of KV and/or the
Companies, including, without limitation, reducing in any material way the
willingness or capability of any supplier to continue supplying KV with its
and/or the Companies with their present or contemplated requirements; or

                  (D) to solicit or interfere with the relationship between KV
and any of its employees or agents, and/or the Companies and any of their
employees or agents; or

                  (E) to acquire business that engages in the same business as
KV:

                           (i) anywhere KV has conducted business; or

                           (ii) anywhere the Companies have conducted business
         during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding termination
         of employment.

                  Employee further agrees that he shall not engage in any of
the activities listed above while he is employed by KV.

                  This non-compete is not intended to prevent Employee from
using his general skills, knowledge and experience in strategic planning, the
administration, management and control of a company or in leveraging or
building a company through acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, etc.

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unless such conduct has an actual, demonstrable and substantial detrimental
effect on KV or the Companies. Employee acknowledges and agrees that his
experience, knowledge and capabilities are such that he can obtain employment
in unrelated pharmaceutical, chemical, food, industrial, household,
confectionery or other businesses, and that the enforcement of this Paragraph
12 by way of injunction would not prevent Employee from earning a livelihood.
Employee further agrees that if he has any questions regarding the scope of
activities restricted by this Paragraph 12, he shall, to avoid confusion or
misunderstanding, submit the question(s) in writing to an officer of KV for a
written response by KV. Employee additionally agrees to keep KV advised of the
identity of his employer and his work location during the period covered by
this paragraph.

                  13. INVESTMENT SECURITIES. Anything to the contrary
notwithstanding, nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of Employee
as an investor to hold or to acquire the stock or other investment securities
of any business entity that is registered on a national securities exchange or
regularly traded on a generally recognized over-the-counter market, so long as
Employee's interest of any such business entity does not exceed five percent
(5%) of the ownership of that business entity, unless KV has given prior
consent.

                  14. CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                  (A) DEFINITION. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" of KV shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

                           (i) any "person," as such term is used in Sections
         3(a)(9) and 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, becomes a
         "beneficial owner," as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
         under that Act, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting stock
         of KV;

                           (ii) the majority of the Board consists of
         individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the
         members of the Board on the date of this Agreement; provided that any
         person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or
         nomination for election was supported by two-thirds (2/3) of the
         directors who then comprised the Incumbent Directors shall be
         considered to be an Incumbent Director;

                           (iii) KV adopts any plan of liquidation providing
         for the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets;

                           (iv) all or substantially all of the assets or
         business of KV is disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or
         other transaction (unless the shareholders of KV immediately prior to
         such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own,
         directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they
         owned the voting stock of the company, all of the voting stock or
         other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that
         succeed to the business of KV); or

                           (v) KV combines with another company and is the
         surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the
         shareholders of KV, immediately prior to the combination hold, direct
         or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or less of the voting stock of the
         combined company (there being excluded from the number of shares held
         by such shareholders, but not from the voting stock of the combined
         company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in
         exchange for stock of such other company).

                  (B) TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL. IN the event of a
Change of Control of KV, if (i) immediately preceding such Change of Control,
Employee was providing services under

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

Paragraph 2, 5 or 6, and (ii) Employee's employment in such capacity
terminates within three (3) years after such Change of Control
("Termination"), voluntarily or involuntarily, with or without cause, for any
reason whatsoever, except for the death or disability of Employee, Employee
shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Paragraph 14(C). For purposes of
this Paragraph 14, "Date of Termination" shall mean the date on which a Notice
of Termination is given, unless the parties agree to another date, and "Notice
of Termination" shall mean a written notice communicated by either party to
the other party which indicates that Employee's employment with KV is being
terminated.

                  (C) PAYMENTS ON TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL.

                           (i) Employee's annual base salary through the Date
         of Termination at the rate in effect on the date Notice of
         Termination is given, including expenses, vacation pay, allowances
         and other compensation and benefits, and (ii) the amount, if any, of
         any bonus for a past fiscal year (and pro rata for any portion of the
         then current fiscal year through the Date-of Termination) which has
         not been awarded or paid under any bonus plans in which Employee is
         entitled to participate at the time of the Change of Control or under
         other bonus plans at least as beneficial to Employee. In addition, KV
         shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of Employee
         through the Date of Termination all stock ownership, purchase or
         option plans, employee benefit or compensation plans, and insurance
         or disability plans in effect immediately preceding the Change of
         Control or plans substantially similar thereto.

                           (ii) In lieu of any further payments or benefits to
         be paid or otherwise provided under Paragraph 5 (excluding any stock
         option or restricted stock grants, and any deferred compensation
         benefits for any period subsequent to the Date of Termination), KV
         shall pay as severance pay ("Severance Pay") to Employee a lump sum
         payment equal to the sum of: (a) two (2) times the greater of: (x)
         Employee's base salary immediately prior to the Date of Termination,
         or (y) Employee's base salary in effect immediately prior to the date
         on which the Change of Control occurred, and (b) Employee's bonus,
         which would be payable in respect of the twenty-four (24) month
         period beginning on the Date of Termination as if Employee had
         continued his position assuming an annual bonus equal to the average
         of the three (3) complete bonus years immediately preceding the Date
         of Termination. Such bonus shall be calculated to be not less than
         the average of the prior three (3) years' bonuses paid to Employee.
         Such Severance Pay shall be subject to all applicable federal and
         state income taxes. The portion of the Severance Pay based upon
         Employee's base salary shall be paid on or before the fifth (5th) day
         following the Date of Termination, and the portion of the Severance
         Pay based upon any bonus plan shall be paid to Employee as and when
         payable under the terms of the applicable plan had Employee's
         employment continued. Employee, by written notice to KV at any time
         prior to a Change of Control of KV or the Date of Termination, may
         elect, in his sole discretion, to receive said Severance Pay
         interest-free at a future time, but in no event any later than
         twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination.

                           (iii) To the extent not otherwise provided for
         under the terms of any of KV's stock option agreements, all stock
         options granted by KV or any predecessor of KV to Employee shall vest
         and be exercisable or transferable as of the Date of Termination and,
         except for "incentive stock options" within the meaning of 26 U.S.C.
         Section 422, all options shall remain fully exercisable for six (6)
         months following the Date of Termination. In addition, any holding
         period for the underlying shares specified under any of KV's stock
         option agreements or restricted stock agreements with Employee shall
         automatically be amended and deemed to be the earlier of: (a) two (2)
         years from the date of exercise of the stock option, or (b) the Date
         of Termination.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                           (iv) KV shall maintain in full force and effect,
         for the continued benefit of Employee and members of Employee's
         family, for a period of twenty-four (24) months after the Date of
         Termination, all employee benefit plans and programs, including, but
         not limited to, plans and programs.

                  (D) APPLICATION OF SECTION 280G.

                  If it shall be determined that any payment or distribution
by KV to or for the benefit of Employee (whether paid or payable or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph 14), would be subject to
the payment by Employee of the excise tax imposed by Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1987, as amended, or any interest or penalties is
alleged to be due from Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise
tax, together with any interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Employee's Severance Pay shall be
limited so as to avoid any Excise Tax.

                  (E) APPLICATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

                  In the event of Employee's Termination after Change in
Control as defined in Paragraph 14(B), Employee shall be released from his
obligations under Paragraphs 12(A) and (E) of this Agreement; however,
Employee shall not be released from his obligations under Paragraphs 12(B),
(C) and (D).

                  15. Material Breach. Any breach of this Agreement shall be a
material breach of this Agreement.

                  16. Employee Consent. In order to preserve the rights under
this Agreement of KV and the Companies, KV and/or the Companies may advise any
third party with whom Employee may consider, establish or contract a
relationship of the existence of this Agreement and of its terms. KV and the
Companies shall have no liability for so acting.

                  17. Controlling Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri. The parties agree that any
controversy arising with respect to this Agreement shall fall under the
exclusive jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of the County of St. Louis,
Missouri, and each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of that court.

                  18. Remedies. Employee agrees that the promises in this
Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business
interests of KV and the Companies, that any violation by Employee of any of
the promises in this Agreement would result in great damage and irreparable
injury to KV and/or the Companies, and that KV and/or the Companies have the
right to any and all legal and/or equitable remedies available for breach of
this Agreement. Employee further agrees that enforcement by KV and/or the
Companies of the promises contained in this Agreement by way of injunction
would not prevent Employee from making a living.

                  19. Severability. In the event any whole or partial
provision in this Agreement is deemed unenforceable, it shall not invalidate
the remaining whole or partial provisions of this Agreement. In addition, the
parties have attempted to limit Employee's right to compete only to the extent
necessary to protect KV from unfair competition. Consequently, the parties
further agree that if any whole or partial restrictive covenant in this
Agreement is deemed unenforceable because overly broad, it shall not
invalidate the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

                  20. Assignment. This Agreement is not assignable by
Employee, and shall be binding upon Employee and Employee's heirs, executors
and legal and/or personal representative. This Agreement is assignable by KV,
and shall inure to the benefit of KV, its successors and assigns.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  21. Nonwaiver. Failure of KV, and/or the Companies to
exercise any of its/their rights in the event Employee breaches any of the
promises in this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such a breach
or prevent KV and/or the Companies from later enforcing strict compliance with
the promises in this Agreement.

                  22. MODIFICATION. This Agreement contains the parties'
complete agreement, and supersedes any other agreement, oral or written,
pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be
altered, amended or revoked at any time only by a writing signed by both
parties.

                  23. Notice. Any notice given by either party hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be personally delivered or shall be mailed, Express,
certified or registered mail, or sent by a generally recognized next business
day courier, postage or other charges prepaid, as follows:

                  To KV:

                           KV Pharmaceutical Company
                           2503 South Hanley Road St.
                           Louis, Missouri 63144

                           Attention: Director, Human Resources

                  To Employee:

                           At his address as set forth on the payroll
                           records of KV,

or to such other address as may have been furnished to the other party by
written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date personally delivered,
or if sent by Express Mail or next business day courier on the business day
following the date sent, or if otherwise mailed, two (2) calendar days after
the date postmarked.

                  24. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Employee agrees that: (A) he fully
understandings his right to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with legal
or personal advisors of his choice, (B) 2to the extent he desired, he has done
so, (C) he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provision of
this Agreement, and (D) he has voluntarily entered into this Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and KV have executed this
Agreement on the day and year first written above.

                                  "EMPLOYEE"

                                  /S/ DAVID S. HERMELIN
                                  -----------------------------------
                                  DAVID S. HERMELIN

                                  "KV"

                                  KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

                                  By /S/ Gerald R. Mitchell
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     GERALD R. MITCHELL VICE PRESIDENT,
                                     FINANCE

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

                                                      [KV logo]

April 8, 1998

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
-------------------------

Mr. David S. Hermelin
c/o 2503 South Hanley
St. Louis, MO 63144

Re:      Agreement between KV Pharmaceutical Company and
         David S. Hermelin, dated November 18, 1996

Dear David:

By way of this letter, we are amending paragraph 6 of your Employment
Agreement with KV so as to read "a reduced annual rate of pay of Fifty-Five
Thousand Dollars ($55,000)..." so as to take into account your annual salary
review which occurred on April 1 of 1998.

Except as specifically modified by this letter, it is agreed that the
Agreement will remain in full force and effect as originally written.

Sincerely,

KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
/s/ Gerald R. Mitchell

Gerald R. Mitchell Vice
President, Finance

            2503 SOUTH HANLEY ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63144-2555
                        (314) 645-6600 TELEX: 62893445

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                           KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
                       AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  THIS AMENDMENT ("Amendment") is entered into effective
August 16, 2004 between DAVID S. HERMELIN ("Employee") and KV PHARMACEUTICAL
COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("KV").

                  WHEREAS KV and Employee have in the past entered into
certain KV Pharmaceutical Company Employment and Confidential Information
Agreement, including but not LINT-lied to those dated May 2, 1990, November
18, 1996 (the "1996 Employment Agreement"), and to an Amendment dated April 8,
1998;

                  WHEREAS KV and Employee desire to make certain changes and
additions to 1996 Employment Agreement which superceded the 1990 Agreement,
and to modify and supercede the 1998 Amendment, all as provided herein;

                  NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of Employee's employment or
continued employment by KV and other valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, KV and Employee agrees as follows:

                  1. Paragraph 2 of the 1996 Employment Agreement regarding
"Nature of Employment" is hereby amended to specify the position of Vice
President, Corporate Strategy and Operations Analysis.

                  2. Paragraph 3 of the 1996 Employment Agreement regarding
"Compensation" is hereby amended to specify a base salary of Two Hundred
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000) effective August 16, 2004. In
addition, as relates to the fringe benefits normally provided to the other KV
employees at comparable employment levels, Employee shall be eligible to
receive an annual bonus that relates to performance and achievement of
objectives. Employee may, at his option, elect to have the value of this
annual bonus provided to him in the form of Incentive Stock Options granted
under Employer's existing Option Plan or a similar plan applying the
Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to determine the number of options
equivalent in value to the bonus to be paid by the delivery of Incentive Stock
Options.

                  3. Paragraph 4 of the Employment Agreement regarding "Term"
is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                          4. TERM. This Agreement shall be effective as of the
        date first set forth above and continue until August 15, 2009, unless
        terminated sooner in accordance with Paragraph 5 of this Agreement. If
        not terminated sooner under Paragraph 5 hereof, this Agreement shall
        automatically renew for successive twelve (12) month periods unless
        and until either party terminates this Agreement pursuant to the
        provisions of Paragraph 5. Termination of this Agreement by either
        party, for any reason, shall in no matter affect the covenants
        contained in Paragraphs 7-11 of this Agreement.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  4. Paragraph 5 of the Employment Agreement regarding
"Termination" is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                  5. TERMINATION.

                 (A) VOLUNTARY. Employee may terminate this Agreement at the
        end of each one year anniversary date prior to and including the end
        of the initial term for any reason, by notifying KV in writing three
        (3) calendar months prior to the end of each such period. After
        completion of the initial term, Employee may terminate this Agreement
        by providing 120 calendar days notice to KV at any time. Either such
        events written notice shall be directed to KV's Vice President,
        Staffing. In the event of such voluntary termination at the end of any
        such one-year anniversary date prior to and including the end of the
        initial term, Employee agrees to remain on the job for the balance of
        the 90-day notice period and for three (3) additional months after the
        end of any such period and at all times faithfully, industriously, and
        to the best of his ability, experience and talents, perform all of the
        duties that have been required of him prior to Employee's notice of
        termination, all to the reasonable satisfaction of KV. Employee agrees
        that he will remain actively at work, as described above and will
        continue to be compensated at his normal rate, during the entire six
        (6) month notice, unless he is released from all responsibilities
        prior to the end of the notice, by the Board of Directors or the Chief
        Executive Officer of KV, in which case, his compensation shall be
        discontinued. Because of the nature of the position and the business,
        Employee agrees that if he should fail to fully comply with the notice
        required by this subsection, and if he should fail to fully comply
        with the requirement to remain on the job and faithfully and to the
        best of his ability perform all of his duties, KV will incur damages
        as a direct result and that the amount of said damages will be
        difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, specific performance will be
        required unless KV releases Employee from these obligations. In the
        event Employee terminates this Agreement upon 120 days calendar notice
        after completion of the initial term, KV, in its sole discretion,
        shall determine whether Employee shall continue to be employed during
        the notice period.

                 If Employee decided to terminate his employment with KV,
        Employee shall disclose Employee's decision to terminate to the Vice
        President, Staffing of KV and shall not disclose such information to
        any other party (except for a subsequent employer of Employee which
        has agreed to keep such information confidential until KV has
        announced Employee's termination) until such time as the Vice
        President, Staffing of KV determines how and when to announce
        Employee's termination.

                 (B) INVOLUNTARY. In the event of involuntary termination by
        KV, except termination for cause, KV shall provide Employee with
        severance pay of no less than one times the Employee's annual base
        salary, then in effect under Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, plus an
        amount equal to the average of the two most recent fiscal year's
        bonuses, less usual withholdings. This severance package shall be paid
        in twelve (12) equal monthly installments, each payment to be made on
        the last day of each of the twelve (12) calendar months following the
        last day worked. In addition, KV shall provide Employee, at KV's
        expense, with medical, disability and life insurance coverage and all
        other insurance coverage of the same or similar types, and in the same
        or similar

Page 2 of 7

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         amounts as KV is providing to Employee immediately prior to the last
         day worked. This continuation of insurance coverage shall cease the
         earlier of twelve (12) months after the last date worked or at such
         time as Employee obtains other full-time, non-temporary employment
         which provides comparable coverage. In addition, as of the last date
         worked unless Employee is involuntarily terminated for cause, those
         stock options which are vested and exercisable by Employee shall
         remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the last date
         worked.

                 In consideration of the severance pay provided under this
         paragraph, in the event of the cancellation, termination or
         expiration of the Employment Agreement for any reason, Employee
         Agrees to provide reasonable and necessary services to assist KV in
         transition of responsibilities and ongoing continuity of his job
         function unless KV does not request such services.

                 KV may terminate this Agreement for cause and in such event
         Employee shall not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits set
         forth in Paragraph 5(B). The term "for cause" as used herein shall
         mean (i) commission of a dishonest or criminal act in respect of
         Employee's employment or conviction of a felony, or (ii) breach of
         trust or gross negligence, or (iii) willful refusal to perform duties
         imposed by this Agreement which are legal and not improper, or (iv)
         Employee's violation of Paragraph 7, 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, or
         (v) the continuing neglect or failure of Employee to perform the
         duties reasonably assigned to Employee by KV and after notice from KV
         of such neglect or failure, Employee's failure to cure such neglect
         or failure. Any termination of this agreement by. KV shall be
         effective only upon providing Employee with written notice and
         advising Employee as to whether his termination is for cause.

                 Employee acknowledges that the duties and obligations of
         Paragraphs 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 shall survive the termination of his
         employment.

                 In the event Employee is involuntarily terminated by KV for
         reasons other than for cause, employee will receive the severance pay
         and benefits set forth in Paragraph 5(B).

                  6. Paragraph 6 of the 1996 Employment Agreement is hereby
deleted in its entirety.

                  7. Paragraph 12 of the Employment Agreement regarding
"Restrictive Covenants" is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         12. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. The parties acknowledge and agree that at
the time this Agreement was entered, the business of KV and the Companies was
the sale and distribution of drug delivery products for generic sale and the
sale of specified branded women's health care products. Employee agrees that
during the thirty-six (36) consecutive months immediately following
termination of Employee's employment with KV, regardless of how, when or why
that employment ends, Employee shall not, without prior authorization of KV,
in any manner or in any capacity, directly or indirectly, for himself or any
other person or entity, actually or attempt:

Page 3 of 7

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                          (A) to engage in the same business as KV anywhere KV
is actively conducting business.

                          (B) to interfere with or take away:

                                   (1) 1 any customer that is conducting
business with KV and/or the Companies;

                                   (ii) any customer that has conducted
business with KV and/or the Companies during the twenty-four (24) months
immediately preceding termination of employment; or

                          (C) to interfere with any of the suppliers of KV
and/or the Companies, including, without limitation, reducing in any material
way the willingness or capability of any supplier to continue supplying KV
with its and/or the Companies with their present or contemplated requirements;
or

                          (D) to solicit or interfere with the relationship
between KV and any of its employees or agents, and/or the Companies and any of
their employees or agents; or

                          Employee further agrees that he shall not engage in
any of the activities listed above
while he is employed by KV.

         This non-compete is not intended to prevent Employee from using his
general skills, knowledge and experience in strategic planning, the
administration, management and control of a company or in leveraging or
building a company through acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, etc. unless
such conduct has an actual, demonstrable and substantial detrimental effect on
KV or the Companies. Employee acknowledges and agrees that his experience,
knowledge and capabilities are such that he can obtain employment in the
pharmaceutical, chemical, food, industrial, household, confectionery or other
businesses, and that the enforcement of this Paragraph 12 by way of injunction
would not prevent Employee from earning a livelihood. Employee further agrees
that if he has any questions regarding the scope of activities restricted by
this Paragraph 12, he shall, to avoid confusion or misunderstanding, submit
the question(s) in writing to the Vice President, Staffing for a written
response by KV. Employee additionally agrees to keep KV advised of the
identity of his employer and his work location during the period covered by
this paragraph.

         8. Paragraph 14 of the Employment Agreement regarding "Change of
Control" is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                          14.       CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                          (A) DEFINITION. For purposes of this Agreement, a
        "Change of Control" of KV shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
        following events:

                                   (i) any "person," as such term is used in
Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, becomes a "beneficial
owner," as such term is used in

Page 4 of 7

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

Rule 13d-3 promulgated under that Act, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the
voting stock of KV;

                                   (ii) the majority of the Board consists of
individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the members of
the Board on the date of this Agreement; provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was
supported by two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who then comprised the
Incumbent Directors shall be considered to be an Incumbent Director;

                                   (iii) KV adopts any plan of liquidation
providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets;

                                   (iv) all or substantially all of the assets
or business of KV is disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other
transaction (unless the shareholders of KV immediately prior to such merger,
consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
in substantially the same proportion as they owned the voting stock of the
company, all of the voting stock or other ownership interests of the entity or
entities, if any, that succeed to the business of KV); or

                                   (v) KV combines with another company and is
the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the
shareholders of KV, immediately prior to the combination hold, direct or
indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or less of the voting stock of the combined
company (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such
shareholders, but not from the voting stock of the combined company, any
shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for stock of
such other company).

                           (B) TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the
event of a Change of Control of KV, if (i) immediately preceding such Change
of Control, Employee was providing services under Paragraph 2, and (ii)
Employee's employment in such capacity terminates within a two-year period
following such Change of Control ("Termination"), voluntarily or
involuntarily, with or without cause, for any reason whatsoever, except for
the death or disability of Employee, Employee shall be entitled to the
compensation and benefits provided in Paragraph 14(C). An involuntary
termination shall include, but not be limited to, those circumstances in which
Employee's employment is affirmatively or constructively terminated. For
purposes of this Paragraph 14, "Date of Termination" shall mean the date on
which a Notice of Termination is given, unless the parties agree to another
date, and "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice communicated by
either party to the other party which indicates that Employee's employment
with KV is being terminated.; "constructive termination" shall mean a
substantial change in Employee's duties, work location, or compensation within
two years following a Change of Control.

Page 5 of 7

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                           (C) PAYMENTS ON TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL.

                                   (i) Employee's annual base salary through
the Date of Termination at the rate in effect on the date Notice of
Termination is given, including vacation pay, allowances and other
compensation and benefits, and (ii) the amount, if any, of any bonus for the
past fiscal year (and pro rata for any portion of the then current fiscal year
through the Date of Termination) which has not been awarded or paid under any
bonus plans in which Employee is entitled to participate at the time of the
Change of Control or under other bonus plans at least as beneficial to
Employee. In addition, KV shall continue in full force and effect for the
benefit of Employee through the Date of Termination all stock ownership,
purchase or option plans, employee benefit or compensation plans, and
insurance or disability plans in effect immediately preceding the Change of
Control or plans substantially similar thereto; and

                                   (ii) In lieu of any further payments or
benefits to be paid or otherwise provided under Paragraph 5 (excluding any
stock option or restricted stock grants, any deferred compensation benefits
for any period subsequent to the Date of Termination, or as further provided
under subparagraphs (iii) and (iv), below), KV shall pay as severance pay
("Severance Pay") to Employee a lump sum payment equal to two (2) times
Employee's base salary in effect immediately prior to the date on which the
Change of Control occurred, and Employee's bonus, which would be payable in
respect of the twenty-four (24) month period beginning on the Date of
Termination as if Employee had continued his position assuming an annual bonus
equal to the average of the two -(2) complete bonus years immediately
preceding the Date of Termination. Such bonus shall be calculated to be not
less than the average of the prior two (2) years' bonuses paid to Employee.
Such Severance Pay shall be subject to all applicable federal and state income
taxes. The portion of the Severance based upon Employee's base salary shall be
paid on or before the fifth (5th) day following the Date of Termination, and
the portion of the Severance Pay based upon any bonus plan shall be paid to
Employee as and when payable under the terms of the applicable plan had
Employee's employment continued. Employee,, by written notice to KV at any
time prior to a Change of Control of KV or the Date of Termination, may elect,
in his sole discretion, to receive said Severance Pay interest-free at a
future time, but in no event any later than twelve (12) months after the Date
of Termination.

                                   (iii) To the extent not otherwise provided
for under the terms of any of KV's stock option agreements, all stock options
granted by KV or any predecessor of KV to Employee shall fully vest and be
exercisable or transferable as of the Date of Termination and shall remain
fully exercisable following the Date of Termination.

                                   (iv) With respect to welfare benefits
(health, life, dental, AD&D), KV shall maintain in full force and effect, for
the continued benefit of Employee and members of Employee's family, for a
period of twenty four (24) months after the Date of Termination; all employee
benefit plans and programs, which KV otherwise provides for its employees.

Page 6 of 7

<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                           (D) APPLICATION OF SECTION 280G AND SECTION 4999.
         If it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by KV to
         or for the benefit of Employee (whether paid or payable or
         distributable pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph 22, would be
         considered to be a parachute payment as defined in Section 280G of
         the Internal Revenue Code such that it would be subject to the
         payment by Employee of the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
         Internal Revenue Code of 1987, as amended, or any interest or
         penalties is alleged to be due from Employee with respect to such
         excise tax (such excise tax, together with any interest and
         penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred` to as the "Excise
         Tax"), then Employee's Severance Pay shall be limited, as determined
         by Employer in its discretion, so as to avoid any Excise Tax.

                 9. Continuation of Other Provisions of 1996 Employment
         Agreement. The paragraphs of the 1996 Employment Agreement which have
         not been amended by this Amendment shall remain in full force and
         effect. Other than the surviving provisions of the 1996 Employment
         Agreement, this Amendment otherwise is an integrated document and
         sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to
         the subject matter hereof and fully supersedes any and all prior
         understandings, arrangements, industry usage, course of dealing
         and/or agreements between the parties hereto concerning such subject
         matter, whether reduced to writing or not.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and KV have executed this
Amendment on the day and year first written above.

                                  "EMPLOYEE"

Dated: 8/16/04                    /s/ David S. Hermelin
       ---------                  ---------------------------
                                  David S. Hermelin

                                  "KV"

                                  KV PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

Dated: 8/16/04                    /s/ Gerald R. Mitchell
       ---------                  ---------------------------
                                  Gerald R. Mitchell

Page 7 of 7_

EXHIBIT 10.1 

to Current Report on Form 8-K

dated March 26, 2008

for Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), is entered into and made effective as of this 26th day of March 2008 by and among O. Jean Strickland ("Executive") and Seacoast National Bank (the "Bank”) and the Bank's parent corporation Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (the "Company").

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as Senior Executive Vice President, and the Bank desires to employ Executive as President and Chief Operating Officer, and Executive desires to serve in such positions; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to enter into or continue her employment with the Bank and the Company, the Bank and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms of her employment, and to provide for certain payments contingent upon a Change in Control (as defined in Section 4(d)); and

WHEREAS, Executive desires to enter into the Agreement and to devote her full time business efforts to the Bank and the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.  EMPLOYMENT.

(a)  Bank. 

The Bank shall employ Executive as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank with the duties, responsibilities and powers of such office as provided in the Bank’s By-Laws, as assigned to her as of the date set forth above and as customarily associated with such office and/or assigned to her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, and Executive shall serve the Bank in such capacities during the term of this Agreement.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that such duties, responsibilities and powers may be increased from time to time by the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, that the position held by Executive may be changed or Executive’s employment may terminated pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof by action of the Board of Directors of the Bank prior to a Change in Control and that such a change in position, duties, responsibilities, powers or a termination of employment pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof, whether prior to or following a Change in Control, shall not entitle Executive to the benefits provided for in Section 5(c), unless `such change or termination is not made in good faith.

(b)  Company.

The Company shall employ Executive as Senior Executive Vice President of the Company with duties, responsibilities and powers of such office as assigned to her as of the date set forth above and as customarily associated with such office and/or as assigned to her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Executive shall serve the Company in such capacities during the term of this Agreement.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that such duties, responsibilities and powers may be increased from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, that the position held by the Executive may be changed or that Executive’s employment may be terminated pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof by action of the Board of Directors of the Company prior to a Change in Control and that such a change in position, duties, responsibilities, powers or a termination of employment pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof whether prior to or following a Change in Control shall not entitle Executive to the benefits provided for in Section 5(c), unless such change or termination is not made in good faith.

(c)  

Executive represents, warrants and covenants to the Bank and the Company that she is available immediately to commence her duties hereunder and that this Agreement and her performance of services hereunder does not breach or conflict with any other agreements or instruments to which Executive is a party or may be bound, and that she shall faithfully and diligently discharge her duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and shall use her best efforts to implement the policies established by the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of each of the Bank and the Company.

(d)  

During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall devote her full and exclusive business time, attention, energy and skill to the business of the Bank and the Company, to the promotion of the interests of the Bank and the Company and to the fulfillment of Executive's obligations hereunder.

2.  TERM.

The initial term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year from the date hereof, unless further extended by mutual consent of the Bank, the Company and Executive or sooner terminated as herein provided.  Unless written notice of non-renewal is given by any party hereto no less than 90 days prior to the end of the initial term hereof or any subsequent renewal term hereof, this Agreement shall automatically be extended on each anniversary date for an additional one (1) year term, unless sooner terminated by either party.

3.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

The Bank shall pay or provide to Executive the following items as compensation for her service hereunder:

(i)

A base salary of $429,500 per year, payable in monthly installments, which base salary may be increased from time to time by the Bank’s Board of Directors or the Salary and Benefits Committee, as applicable, in accordance with normal business practices of the Bank (the “Base Salary”); and

(ii)

Hospitalization insurance (including major medical), long-term disability insurance, and life insurance in accordance with the Bank's insurance plans for its executive officers (“Senior Management”) as such plans may be modified from time to time;

(iii)

Reasonable country club and social dues that provide potential business development opportunities, in accordance with the Bank’s policies, subject to the prior approval of the Bank’s Board of Directors and/or the Salary and Benefits Committee, as applicable; and

(iv)

The use of a company-owned automobile or comparable car allowance, together with reimbursement of reasonable operating expenses consistent with the Bank’s policies.

The above-stated terms of compensation shall not be deemed exclusive or prevent Executive from receiving any other compensation, including, without limitation, bonuses and equity incentives, provided by the Bank and/or the Company.  Executive shall be entitled to participate in all current and future employee benefit plans and arrangements in which the executive officers of the Company or the Bank are permitted to participate.  Executive acknowledges that the Company does not separately compensate its officers who are also officers of the Bank and that no additional compensation or other benefits will be payable by the Company hereunder.

4.  TERMINATION.

Executives' employment under this Agreement shall terminate, and the effective date of termination shall be referred to as the "Termination Date":

(a) Death.  

Upon Executive's death; or

(b) Disability.

Upon written notice from the Bank or the Company to Executive, or from Executive to the Bank, in the event Executive becomes "permanently disabled".  For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed "permanently disabled" if she has been disabled by bodily or mental illness, disease, or injury, to the extent that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, she is materially prevented from performing the duties of her employment hereunder, and provided further that such disability has continued substantially for six (6) months.  If requested by the Bank, Executive shall submit to an examination by a physician selected by the Bank for the purpose of determining or confirming the existence or extent of any disability; or

(c) Cause.

Upon written notice from the Bank or the Company to Executive for “cause.”  For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall be (i) a willful and continued failure by Executive to perform her duties as provided in Section 1 above (other than due to disability); or (ii) a breach by Executive of her duties of loyalty, care or good faith to the Bank or the Company; or (iii) a willful violation by Executive of any provision of this Agreement; or (iv) a conviction or the entering of a plea of nolo contendere or similar plea by Executive for any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or a breach of trust; or (v) a breach of the Bank's Code of Ethics, or (vi) commission by Executive of a willful or negligent act which causes material harm to the Bank or the Company; or (vii) habitual absenteeism, alcoholism or other form of drug or other addiction; or (viii) any violation of laws or regulations such that Executive ceases to be eligible to serve as an executive officer of a depository institution or a depository institution holding company; or (ix) Executive becomes ineligible to be bonded at costs consistent with the Bank’s and/or the Company's other executive officers.  In addition, if Executive shall terminate her employment asserting a breach of this Agreement by the Bank and/or the Company in accordance with Section 4(e), and it is ultimately determined that no reasonable basis existed for Executive's termination on account of the alleged default of the Bank and/or the Company, such event shall be deemed to be for “cause” pursuant hereto.

Any notice of termination of Executive's employment with the Bank for cause shall set forth, in reasonable detail, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for termination of her employment under the provisions contained herein; or

(d)  Change 

       in Control.

Upon written notice by Executive to the Company following a "Change in Control" (as defined in this Section 4(d)), provided Executive terminates her employment within one (1) year following the effective date of such Change in Control.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the immediately following paragraph, for purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(i)

individuals who, at the Effective Date, constitute the Company’s board of directors (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s board of directors, provided that any person becoming a director after the Effective Date and whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Company’s board of directors (either by a specific vote or by a proxy solicited by a statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (“Election Contest”) (as described in Rule 14a-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act and as used in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act) other than the Board (“Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest, shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(ii)

any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used and defined in the 1934 Act, Sections 13(d) and 14(d)) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the event described in this Section 4(d)(ii) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control of the Company by virtue of any of the following acquisitions: (A) any acquisition by a person who is, on the Effective Date, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding Company Voting Securities, (B) an acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding and thereby results in any person or group acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the outstanding Company Voting Securities; provided, that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall then occur, (C) an acquisition of Company Voting Securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, (D) an acquisition of Voting Securities by an underwriter temporarily holding such Voting Securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (E) an acquisition or other transaction described in Section 4(d)(iii), other than a Non-Qualifying Transaction, or (F) a transaction (other than the one described in Section 4(d)(iii) below) in which Company Voting Securities are acquired from the Company, if a majority of the Incumbent Directors approve a resolution providing expressly that an acquisition pursuant to this clause (F) does not constitute a Change in Control of the Company under this Section 4(d)(ii);

(iii)

the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of transaction involving the Company that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a “Reorganization”), or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity that is not an affiliate of the Company (a “Sale”), unless immediately following such Reorganization or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of (x) the corporation or other entity resulting from such Reorganization or the corporation or other entity which has acquired all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (in either case, the “Surviving Corporation”), or (y) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation or entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Corporation (the “Parent Corporation”), is represented by the Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Reorganization or Sale, and (B) no person (other than (x) the Company, (y) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent Corporation, or (z) a person who immediately prior to the Reorganization or Sale was the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the outstanding Company Voting Securities) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation), and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) following the consummation of the Reorganization or Sale were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization or Sale.  Any Reorganization or Sale which satisfies all of the criteria specified in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of the immediately preceding sentence above shall deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction”; or

(iv)

approval by the Company’s shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or the sale of the Bank or all or substantially all of the Company’s or the Bank’s assets other than in a Non-Qualifying Transaction.

(e) Breach.  

Upon written notice from Executive to the Bank and the Company of the Bank's and/or the Company's failure to comply with any material provision of this Agreement, provided that the Bank or the Company, as the case may be, shall have thirty (30) days from the receipt of such notice to cure any such failure under this Agreement.  If such failure shall be cured, Executive shall have no right to terminate her employment under the provisions of this Section 4(e).

Any notice of termination of Executive's employment with the Bank or the Company for breach under this Section 4(e) shall set forth, in reasonable detail, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for termination of her employment under the provisions contained herein; or

(f)  Change in 

Position or Duties.

Upon written notice from Executive to the Bank, in the event that Executive is not elected President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank, or upon written notice from Executive to the Company, in the event that Executive is not elected Senior Executive Vice President of the Company, with the duties and powers which are customarily associated with such offices, or in the event the duties and powers assigned to Executive by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer are materially reduced below the duties and powers which are customarily associated with such offices.  The Bank or the Company shall have thirty (30) days from the receipt of such notice to cure any such failure under this Agreement.  If such failure shall be cured, Executive shall have no right to terminate her employment under this Section 4(f).

Any notice of termination of Executive's employment with the Bank or the Company for a change as set forth under this Section 4(f) shall set forth, in reasonable detail, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for termination of her employment under the provisions contained herein.

(g) 

Upon the expiration of the initial or any subsequent term of this Agreement following Bank’s notice of non-renewal as set forth in Section 2.

(h)                       

Upon the expiration of the initial or any subsequent term of this Agreement following the Executive’s notice of non-renewal as set forth in Section 2.

5.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PAYABLE UPON TERMINATION

(a)  Death.

Upon Executive's death, the Bank shall pay Executive's Base Salary through the date of Executive’s death as well as any other compensation to which Executive has earned and is then entitled to as provided herein.  In addition, the Bank shall continue to pay for and provide to Executive's spouse and eligible dependents hospitalization insurance premiums (including major medical), long term disability premiums and life insurance premiums for a period of two (2) years or until their earlier death(s).

(b)  Permanent

      Disability.

In the event Executive becomes permanently disabled and is terminated pursuant to Section 4(b) above, the Bank shall pay to Executive the Base Salary through the Termination Date, provided that such payments shall be reduced by any amounts received by Executive under the Bank's long term disability plan or from any other collateral source payable due to disability including, without limitation, social security benefits.  

(c) Termination. 

      (i)

If Executive's employment shall be terminated (other than pursuant to Section 4(a) for death or Section 4(b) for disability):

(x)

by Executive pursuant to Section 4(e) for breach by the Company and/or the Bank or Section 4(f) for change in position or duties, or by the Bank or the Company for any reason other than pursuant to Section 4(c) for cause or Section 4(d) a Change in Control, the Bank shall continue to pay to Executive or her estate or beneficiaries, her Base Salary, together with any Cash Bonuses (as defined below), in equal monthly installments, for a period of two (2) years following the Termination Date.  The Bank shall continue to pay Executive or her spouse and eligible beneficiaries, hospitalization insurance premiums (including major medical), long term disability premiums and life insurance premiums for a period of two (2) years or until her earlier death.

(y)

by Executive pursuant to Section 4(d) following a Change in Control, the Bank (or its successor) shall pay Executive a total of her Base Salary plus Cash Bonus, in equal monthly installments, for a period of three (3) years following such termination occurring after a Change in Control.  The Bank shall continue to pay Executive or her spouse and eligible beneficiaries, hospitalization insurance premiums (including major medical), long term disability premiums and life insurance premiums for a period of three (3) years or until her earlier death.  In addition, all unvested options to acquire Company capital stock and all awards of restricted stock of the Company held by the Executive as of the date a notice of termination is given shall be immediately vested, and, in the case of stock options, all stock options shall be immediately exercisable.

(z)

by Executive pursuant to Section 4(g), then, at Bank’s sole and absolute discretion, Bank may either (A) waive its rights with respect to Section 6 of this Agreement, in which case Executive shall not be entitled to any post-termination compensation or benefits, or (B) pay Executive the compensation and benefits stated in and in accordance with Paragraph 5(c)(i)(x), in which case Executive shall continue to be bound by her obligations under Section 6 for the duration set forth in Section 6.

      (ii)

[Reserved]

      (iii)

“Cash Bonus” means the annual bonus that will be paid in cash to the Executive in an amount at least equal to the Executive’s highest annual bonus for the last three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed by the Bank for the whole of such fiscal year).  The compensation and benefits payable under this Section 5(c) are hereinafter referred to as "Severance Benefits", and the respective periods over which the Base Salary plus Cash Bonuses are payable under Subsections 5(c)(i)(x) and 5(c)(i)(y) are referred to as the “Restricted Period”.

     (iv)

The payment of Severance Benefits is in recognition and consideration of the value of continued services by Executive to the Bank and the Company and is not in any way to be construed as a penalty or damages.  Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment of Severance Benefits by seeking other employment or otherwise.  The payment of Severance Benefits shall not affect any other sums or benefits otherwise payable to Executive under any other employment compensation or benefit or welfare plan of the Bank.

(d) Other

   Termination.

In the event termination is, for any reason other than as described in Section 5(a), (b), or (c) above, the Bank shall pay Executive her Base Salary through the Termination Date and no other compensation or benefits shall be paid to Executive hereunder; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to limit her vested rights under any other benefit, retirement, stock option or pension plan of the Bank or the Company, and the terms of those plans, programs or arrangements shall govern.

6.  NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE.

(a) 

To induce the Bank and the Company to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees that while employed by the Bank or the Company and during the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years after the termination of employment or service of Executive hereunder, or if applicable, during the Restricted Period, Executive will not, within Brevard, Broward, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Seminole or St. Lucie Counties, Florida, or any other county wherein the Bank, the Company and/or their affiliates conducts business at the date her employment is terminated, as principal, agent, trustee or through the agency or on behalf of any corporation, partnership, association, trust or agent or agency, (i) engage in the business of banking, fiduciary services, securities or insurance brokerage, investment management or services, lending or deposit taking (individually and collectively, the “Business”), (ii) control or beneficially own (directly or indirectly) 5% or more of the outstanding capital stock or other ownership interest (a "Principal Stockholder") of any person or entity engaged in or controlling any such Business other than the Company or Bank, or (iii) serve as an officer, director, trustee, agent or employee of any corporation, or as a member, partner, employee or agent of any limited liability company or partnership, or as an owner, trustee, employee or agent of any other business or entity, which directly or indirectly conducts such Business within Brevard, Broward, De Soto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Seminole or St. Lucie Counties, Florida, or any other county wherein the Bank, the Company and/or their affiliates conducts business at the date her employment is terminated.  For a period of one (1) year after the termination of employment or service of Executive hereunder or, if applicable during the Restricted Period, Executive agrees that following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Bank, she will not solicit any employee of the Bank, the Company, or any of their affiliates to leave their employment for any reason or otherwise interfere with any employment relationships of the Company, the Bank, or their affiliates.  In the event that the provisions of this Section 6(a) should be deemed to exceed the time or geographic limitations permitted by applicable law, then such provisions shall be reformed automatically to the maximum time or geographic limitations so permitted.

(b) 

Executive  recognizes and acknowledges that she will have access to certain confidential information of the Company, the Bank and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, customer lists, credit information, organization, pricing, mark-ups, commissions, and other information and that all such information constitutes valuable, special and unique property of the Company, the Bank and their subsidiaries and affiliates.  Such information, together with any information regarded as “trade secrets” under Florida law, is herein referred to as "Trade Secrets".  Executive will not disclose or directly or indirectly utilize, in any manner, any such Trade Secrets for her own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Company, Bank and their subsidiaries and affiliates or disclose Trade Secrets to anyone other than bank regulatory agencies or to a court upon order thereof.  In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Section 6(b), the Company, the Bank, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or the Bank shall be entitled to an injunction or temporary restraining order preventing Executive and any others from disclosing or utilizing, or attempting to disclose or utilize, in whole or in part, such Trade Secrets.  Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting or limiting the Company, the Bank, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or the Bank from also exercising any other available rights or remedies for such breach or threatened breach, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Executive or others.

(c) General.

Executive acknowledges and agrees that the payments for services hereunder, and her rights and benefits under this Agreement are contingent upon her compliance with the provisions of this Section 6.  Executive recognizes and agrees that the Company and the Bank will suffer irreparable harm in the event that Executive violates any of the provisions of this Section 6.  Executive and the Company and the Bank understand and agree that the purpose of this Section 6 is to protect the Company’s and the Bank's legitimate business interests, as more fully described below, and is not intended to impair or infringe upon Executive’s right to work, earn a living, or acquire and possess property from the fruits of her labor.  Executive and the Bank acknowledge and agree that the provisions of this Section 6 are not made in connection with any former services for the Company or the Bank provided by Executive, but rather are intended to protect the Bank’s interests.  Executive hereby acknowledges that the restrictions set forth in this Section 6 are reasonable and that they do not, and will not, unduly impair her ability to earn a living.

7.  ARBITRATION.

Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement other than as a result of the provisions of Section 6 hereof, shall be settled exclusively by arbitration.  Each party shall appoint one arbitrator and shall notify, in writing, the other party of such appointment and request the other party to appoint one arbitrator within thirty (30) days of receipt of such request.  If the party so requested fails to appoint an arbitrator, the party making the request shall be entitled to designate two arbitrators.  The two arbitrators shall select a third.  The written decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be binding upon the Bank, the Company and Executive and enforceable by law.  The arbitrators shall, by majority vote, determine the place for hearing, the rules of procedure, and allocation of the expenses of the arbitration.  Absent any written agreement to the contrary, the rules of the American Arbitration Association shall apply to any arbitration proceedings.

8.  APPLICATION OF CODE SECTION 280G.

If any payment of Severance Benefits hereunder shall be determined to be an "excess parachute payment", as defined by Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which subjects Executive to an excise tax under Section 4999(a) of the Code, the Bank shall pay a supplemental benefit equal to the excise tax and all state and federal income taxes on the supplemental benefit.  Executive agrees to fully cooperate with the Bank should the Bank determine to challenge, for whatever reason, any determination by the Internal Revenue Service that Severance Benefits paid hereunder constitute "excess parachute payments" as defined by Section 280G of the Code.

9.  SUCCESSORS: BINDING AGREEMENT.

(a)  

This Agreement shall be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Bank and/or the Company regardless of whether such occurrence constitutes a Change in Control hereunder and the Bank and the Company shall require any such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement.  As used in this Agreement, "Company" and "Bank" shall mean the Company and Bank as herein respectively defined and their successors and assigns, including any successors and assigns to their respective businesses and/or assets as aforesaid,  which is required by this Agreement to assume and perform this Agreement, whether by operation of law or otherwise. In the event any successor to the Company has total assets in excess of $8 billion and does not maintain a Florida-based holding company, then the term "successor" shall only include the bank resulting from such transaction.

(b)  

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  If Executive should die while any amount would still be payable hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and otherwise at the times and in the amounts specified herein, to Executive's devisee, legatee or other designee or, if there is no such designee, to Executive's estate.

10. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)

All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing by actual delivery or by Registered or Certified Mail (postage prepaid), at the following addresses or at such other places as shall be designated in writing:

Executive:

2374 S.W. Wild Oak Way

Palm City, FL 34990

Bank:

815 Colorado Avenue

Stuart, Florida 34994

Attn:  Mr. Dennis S. Hudson, III

(b)

If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be void by any court or arbitral authority of competent jurisdiction, then such determination shall not affect any provisions of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

(c)

The failure of the parties to complain of any act or omission on the part of either party, no matter how long the same may continue, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights hereunder.

(d)

This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.  It may be modified or terminated only by a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension, discharge or termination is sought.

(e)

The recitals contained in this Agreement are expressly made a part hereof.  Herein, references to any gender shall include all genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.  The words “include”, “including” and derivations thereof shall mean without limitation by reason of enumeration or otherwise.

(f)

This Agreement represents the entire understanding and agreement among the parties and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation that certain Change of Control Employment Agreement, dated December 24, 2003, between Executive and the Company, and that certain Executive Employment Agreement dated as of October 18, 2005 among Executive, the Bank and the Company.  It is intended and agreed that the Company, the Bank and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are express beneficiaries of this Agreement and may enforce the provisions hereof to the same extent as the Bank.

(g)

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida.

(Signatures on following page)

ATI-2266754v10 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has executed this Agreement and the Bank has caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by its undersigned officer, thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.

EXECUTIVE

/s/ O. Jean Strickland

_______________________________________

(SEAL)

O. Jean Strickland

SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK

By:  /s/ Dennis S. Hudson, III

_______________________________________

(SEAL)

Dennis S. Hudson, III

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION

OF FLORIDA

By: /s/ Dennis S. Hudson, III

_______________________________________

 (SEAL)

Dennis S. Hudson, III

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

ATI-2266754v10

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