Document:

EXHIBIT 10.2

                                    GUARANTY
                                       BY
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

      (All  capitalized  terms  appearing  in the  Guaranty  below  that are not
otherwise  defined in such Guaranty shall have the meanings  assigned to them in
the Asset Purchase  Agreement  between Southwire Company and Essex Electric Inc.
to which this Guaranty is attached (the "Agreement")).

      For good and valuable consideration  (including the execution and delivery
by  Southwire  Company of the  Agreement  concurrently  herewith),  the receipt,
adequacy and  sufficiency of which are hereby  acknowledged by The Alpine Group,
Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("Alpine"),  Alpine  agrees with and in favor of
Buyer as follows:

            (a) Alpine  has the power and  authority  to  execute,  deliver  and
perform this  Guaranty.  The  execution,  delivery and the  performance  of this
Guaranty have been duly authorized by all requisite  corporate  action necessary
on the part of  Alpine,  and  this  Guaranty  constitutes  a valid  and  binding
obligation of Alpine,  enforceable  against Alpine in accordance with its terms.
The  performance by Alpine of its  obligations  hereunder  will not violate,  or
constitute a breach of or a default under, Alpine's Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws or any Contract to which Alpine is a party or any Law or Order binding
upon Alpine.

            (b)  Alpine  hereby  absolutely,   unconditionally  and  irrevocably
guarantees  the  full  payment  and  performance  as and  when due of all of the
Seller's  obligations  under or  pursuant  to  Section  5.11  (Other  Offers and
Exclusive  Dealing) and Section 8.8 (Post-Closing  Maintenance of Cash, Etc.) of
the  Agreement  (all  such  obligations  are  hereinafter  referred  to  as  the
"Obligations").  This Guaranty may be enforced by Buyer directly  against Alpine
without any requirement  that Buyer first bring suit against Seller or any other
Person or resort to or exhaust any other guaranty or collateral now or hereafter
pledged to Buyer. Alpine acknowledges and agrees that no change in the nature or
terms of the  Agreement  or the  Obligations,  whether  by  operation  of Law or
otherwise,  shall  operate to discharge all or any part of the  liabilities  and
obligations of Alpine  pursuant to this  Guaranty,  unless  otherwise  agreed by
Buyer. This Guaranty constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection or
performance  and no forbearance or indulgence  granted by Buyer to Seller and no
waiver of any right to proceed  promptly  against  Seller  (whether  or not such
action or failure to act varies or increases  the risk of, or affects the rights
or  remedies  of,  Alpine)  shall  operate  to  release  Alpine  from any of its
liabilities or  obligations  hereunder.  Without  limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  Alpine  agrees that no  extension of time or  indulgence  granted by
Buyer to Seller will in any manner affect, impair, limit, modify, or release any
of the liabilities or obligations of Alpine under this Guaranty.

            (c)  Alpine  expressly  waives:  (i)  notice of  acceptance  of this
Guaranty,  (ii) notice of any  modification of the Agreement or the Obligations,
and (iii) presentment,  protest, notice of dishonor,  demand for payment, notice
of  extension  of  time of  payment,  notice  of  non-payment  when  due of such
Obligations and notice of indulgences granted to Seller by Buyer.
<PAGE>

            (d)  Alpine  agrees  that  its  liability  under  this  Guaranty  is
continuing  and shall only be discharged by the full  performance  of all of the
Obligations;  provided, however, this Guaranty shall terminate concurrently with
the expiration of the requirement to perform the acts underlying the Obligations
in accordance  with their  respective  terms. At Alpine's  request,  Buyer shall
deliver to Alpine a confirmatory letter  acknowledging that any such termination
has occurred.

            (e) This Guaranty  shall be binding upon Alpine and its  successors,
and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable  by, Buyer and
its successors and assigns. This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the substantive  laws of the State of Delaware,  without regard
to such state's laws related to choice or conflicts of laws.

                                            THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

                                            By: /s/ K. Mitchell Posner
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:  K. Mitchell Posner
                                                Title: Executive Vice PresidentEXHIBIT 10.3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Company Contact:
Steven S. Elbaum
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(201) 549-4400

             - THE ALPINE GROUP, INC. AGREES TO SELL ESSEX ELECTRIC
                             BUILDING WIRE ASSETS -

      EAST  RUTHERFORD,  N.J.,  September  30, 2005,  PR Newswire/ -- The Alpine
Group, Inc.  ("Alpine") (OTC:  APNI.OB) today announced that Essex Electric Inc.
("Essex"),  its  84%  owned  subsidiary,  executed  an  agreement  to  sell  its
electrical  wire  manufacturing  business to Southwire  Company.  The  agreement
provides for the sale by Essex of all of its closing date  inventory and prepaid
assets,  its  Florence,  Alabama  manufacturing  plant  and  equipment,  and the
assumption by Southwire of certain  contracts and selected  current  liabilities
related  to the  business.  Essex  will  retain  substantially  all of its other
liabilities  including the  indebtedness  under its revolving  credit  facility.
Excluded  from the sale are cash and  equivalents  and  accounts  receivable  of
Essex,  a copper  scrap  reclamation  plant and  operation  based in  Jonesboro,
Indiana,  a plastic  resin  compounding  plant and  operation  based in  Marion,
Indiana, and three leased warehouse  distribution centers. The scrap reclamation
operation  services  both  Essex  Electric's  internal  requirements  for  scrap
processing, as well as outside customers.
<PAGE>

      The  purchase  price is the sum of (i) $27  million  plus (ii) the closing
date value of Essex Electric's  inventory and certain prepaid assets.  On August
31, 2005, the value of Essex Electric's  inventory was approximately $43 million
and outstanding accounts receivables were $64 million. At August 31, 2005, Essex
Electric  had  approximately  $27  million  in  liabilities  and $44  million of
revolving credit indebtedness.

      Mr. Steven  Elbaum,  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company
stated that "the value of this transaction to Alpine and Essex Electric reflects
the  success of the  restructuring  plan  implemented  by Alpine  following  its
acquisition of Essex Electric Inc. in December 2002.  This plan was  effectively
and solidly  executed by Harold Karp, the President of Essex  Electric,  and the
rest  of  the  management  team  amid  very  volatile   market   conditions  and
unprecedented  fluctuations in the price of copper,  our principal raw material.
The  restructuring   repositioned   Essex  Electric  as  a  substantially   more
competitive  producer  and  supplier of  electrical  wire with widely  respected
brands in both the retail and distributor markets."

      "The purchase price recognizes the value of Essex Electric's  business and
will result in substantial value and liquidity. "

      The closing is anticipated to occur in the coming months and is subject to
approval  by Alpine  shareholders  at a special  meeting  to be called  for that
purpose.  Preliminary  proxy  materials  will be filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission and a special meeting of Alpine  shareholders  will be held
following  clearance by the SEC. All waiting periods  applicable to the proposed
transaction pursuant to the Hart-Scott Rodino Act have expired.
<PAGE>

      The Alpine Group, Inc., headquartered in New Jersey, is a holding company,
which currently owns approximately 84% of Essex Electric Inc., a manufacturer of
copper  electrical  wire  products  for  use  in  residential,   commercial  and
industrial buildings.

      Except for the historical  information  herein,  the matters  discussed in
this news release include  forward-looking  statements that may involve a number
of risks and  uncertainties.  Actual results may vary  significantly  based on a
number  of  factors,  including,  but not  limited  to,  risks  in  product  and
technology development, market acceptance of new products and continuing product
demand,  prediction  and timing of customer  orders,  the impact of  competitive
products  and  pricing,  changing  economic  conditions,  including  changes  in
short-term  interest  rates and foreign  currency  fluctuations,  and other risk
factors  detailed in Alpine's  most recent  annual report and other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.Exhibit 10.1

                         TOUCHSTONE RESOURCES USA, INC.
                            2005 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

      1. Purpose.

      The purpose of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") of Touchstone
Resources USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to promote and
closely align the interests of employees of the Company and its shareholders by
providing employees with stock-based compensation and other performance-based
compensation. The Plan is intended to strengthen the Company's ability to reward
employee performance that enhances long-term shareholder value, increase
employee stock ownership through performance-based compensation plans, and
strengthen the Company's ability to attract and retain outstanding employees.

      Except where the context otherwise requires or as specifically provided
herein, the term "Company" shall include any of the Company's present or future
parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Section 424 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder
(the "Code"), and any other business venture or affiliate in which the Company
has a controlling interest.

      2. Administration.

      (a) Administration by Board. The Plan will be administered by the board of
directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Board will have full and final
authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan on behalf of the Company.
To the extent required for transactions under the Plan to qualify for the
exemptions available under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), all actions relating to
Awards (as defined in Section 4) to persons subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act may be taken by the Board or a Committee composed of two or more
members, each of whom is a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent required for compensation realized
from Awards under the Plan to be deductible by the Company pursuant to Section
162(m) of the Code ("Section 162(m)"), such Awards may be granted by the Board
or a Committee composed of two or more members, each of whom is an "outside
director" within the meaning of Section 162(m).

      (b) Authority of Board. Except as provided in the Plan, the Board shall be
authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary or desirable, in its sole
discretion, in connection with the administration of the Plan, including,
without limitation, the following:

(1) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan
and any Awards and to define terms not otherwise defined herein;

(2) to determine which persons are Participants, to which of such Participants,
if any, Awards shall be granted hereunder, and the timing of any such Awards;
<PAGE>

(3) to grant Awards to Participants and determine the terms and conditions
thereof, including the number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards and
the circumstances under which Awards become exercisable or vested or are
forfeited or expire;

(4) to establish, verify the extent of satisfaction of, adjust, reduce or waive
any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance,
exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award;

(5) to prescribe and amend the terms and conditions of the agreements or other
documents evidencing Awards made under this Plan, which terms and conditions may
differ among individual Awards and participants;

(6) to interpret and construe this Plan, any rules and regulations under this
Plan, and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, and to make
exceptions to any such provisions in good faith and for the benefit of the
Company; and

(7) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan.

      All decisions and interpretations by the Board shall be made in the
Board's sole discretion and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all
persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. No member
or former member of the Board acting pursuant to the authority delegated by the
Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with
respect to the Plan.

      (c) Appointment of Committees. To the extent permitted by applicable law,
the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more
committees or subcommittees of the Board (a "Committee"). Action of a Committee
may be taken by the vote of a majority of its members or by the written consent
of a majority of its members. All decisions by a Committee shall be made in the
Committee's sole discretion and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all
persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. A Committee
may allocate among its members and delegate to any director of the Company who
is not a member of the Committee any of its administrative responsibilities. All
references in the Plan to the "Board" shall mean the Board or one or more
Committees to the extent the Board has delegated any of its powers or authority
under the Plan to such Committee.

      3. Individuals Eligible for Awards.

      Awards under the Plan may be made to the following individuals: (i)
employees, officers or directors of the Company, (ii) consultants or advisors to
the Company, and (iii) individuals who have entered into an agreement with the
Company under which they will be employed by the Company in the future. Each
individual who is eligible to participate in the Plan or has been granted an
Award under the Plan shall be deemed a "Participant."

      4. Awards Available Under the Plan.

      Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of: (i) options, (ii) stock
appreciation rights, (iii) restricted stock, (iv) restricted stock units, (v)
unrestricted stock, and (vi) other equity-based or equity-related awards that
the Board determines to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan and the
interests of the Company (each award together with the written agreement
containing the terms and conditions of the award, an "Award").

                                       2
<PAGE>

      5. Stock Available for Awards.

      (a) Number of Shares. Awards may be made under the Plan for up to
10,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company
(the "Common Stock"). If: (i) any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered or
canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part
(including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being
repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a
contractual repurchase right), (ii) any Award results in any Common Stock not
being issued (including, without limitation, when an Award is settled for cash),
(iii) shares of Common Stock are surrendered or withheld from any Award to
satisfy a Participant's income tax or other withholding obligation, or (iv)
shares of Common Stock owned by a Participant are tendered to pay the exercise
price of any Award granted under the Plan, then in each such case the shares of
Common Stock covered by such forfeited, terminated or canceled Award or that are
equal to the number of shares surrendered, withheld or tendered shall again
become available for transfer pursuant to Awards granted or to be granted under
the Plan, subject, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options (as
hereinafter defined), to any limitations under the Code. Shares issued under the
Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or
treasury shares.

      (b) Limitations on Awards. Except as provided under the Plan and under the
terms of any Award: (i) there shall be no limit on the number or the value of
shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Awards to any individual under the
Plan; and (ii) there shall be no limit on the amount of cash, securities (other
than shares of Common Stock as provided herein) or other property that my be
delivered pursuant to any Award. The limitations on Awards described in this
Section 4(b) shall be construed and applied consistently with Section 162(m) of
the Code ("Section 162(m)") to the extent any Awards are intended to qualify as
"performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m).

      (c) Substitute Awards. The Board may grant Awards in tandem with or in
substitution for any other Award granted under this Plan or any award granted
under any other plan of the Company. The Board may grant Awards under the Plan
in substitution for stock and stock-based awards held by employees of another
corporation who concurrently become employees of the Company as the result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or the
acquisition by the Company of property or stock of the employing corporation.
The Board may direct that the substitute Awards be granted on such terms and
conditions as the Board considers appropriate in the circumstances.

      6. Stock Options.

      (a) General. The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each,
an "Option") and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by
each Option, the exercise price of each Option, and the conditions and
limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions
relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers
necessary or advisable. An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock
Option (as defined below) or that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option
but fails to so qualify, whether at the time of grant or thereafter, shall be
designated a "Nonstatutory Stock Option".

                                       3
<PAGE>

      (b) Incentive Stock Options. An Option that the Board intends to be an
"incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an "Incentive
Stock Option") shall only be granted to employees of the Company, any of the
Company's present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in
Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code and any other entities the employees of which
are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be
subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section
422 of the Code. To the extent required for "incentive stock option" treatment
under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate fair market value as determined by,
or in a manner approved by, the Board in good faith ("Fair Market Value"),
determined as of the time of grant, of the shares of Common Stock with respect
to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and any other plan of
the Company become exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any
calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. The Company shall have no liability to
a Participant, or any other party, if an Option, or any part thereof, that is
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option.

      (c) Exercise Price. The Board shall establish the exercise price of an
Option at the time each Option is granted and specify it in the applicable
Award; provided, however, that the exercise price shall be not less than 85% of
the fair market value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Board, at the
time the Option is granted; and provided further, that if the Option granted is
an Incentive Stock Option, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the
fair market value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Board, at the time
the Incentive Stock Option is granted. If an employee owns or is deemed to own,
by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code,
more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the Company and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the
exercise price shall be not less than 110% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock, as determined by the Board, at the time the Option is granted.

      (d) Duration. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject
to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable Award;
provided, however, that no Option will be granted for a term in excess of 10
years. If an employee owns or is deemed to own, by reason of the attribution
rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code, more than ten percent (10%)
of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company and an
Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the term of such option
shall be no more than five (5) years from the date of grant.

      (e) Exercisability; Rights of Stockholder. Options shall become vested and
exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be
determined by the Board. In the alternative, the Board may specify that an
Option shall become vested and exercisable upon the achievement of such
performance goals, objectives and other conditions as it may establish at the
time of grant. A Participant shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to
shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Option and not as to
shares of Common Stock underlying unexercised Options.

                                       4
<PAGE>

      (f) Restrictions. The Board shall determine, with respect to each Option
to be granted, the nature and extent of the restrictions, if any, to be imposed
on the shares of Common Stock that may be purchased thereunder. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Board may impose conditions restricting
absolutely or conditionally the transferability of shares of Common Stock
acquired through the exercise of Options for such periods, and subject to such
conditions, including continued employment of the Participant by the Company, as
the Board may determine.

      (g) Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised in whole or in part by
delivering written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of
shares to be purchased and signed by the proper person, or by any other form of
notice, including electronic notice, approved by the Board, together with
payment in full of the aggregate exercise price for the number of shares for
which the Option is exercised.

      (h) Methods of Payment. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an
Option granted under the Plan may be paid for as follows:

(1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;

(2) if the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option are registered under the
Securities Act, except as the Board may, in its sole discretion, otherwise
provide in an Award, by: (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional
undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company
sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding, or
(ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and
unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the
Company the exercise price and any required tax withholding;

(3) by delivery of such shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued
at their Fair Market Value, provided (i) such method of payment is then
permitted under applicable law, (ii) such shares of Common Stock were owned by
the Participant at least six months prior to such delivery, and (iii) such
shares of Common Stock are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture,
unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements or restrictions (any such
shares satisfying all of the requirements set forth in subsections (i), (ii) and
(iii), "Mature Shares");

(4) by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable under
the Option to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option by a number of
shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such aggregated
exercise price; provided, however, that such method of payment is then permitted
under applicable law;

(5) to the extent permitted by applicable law and by the Board, in its sole
discretion, by: (i) delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the
Company on terms determined by the Board, or (ii) payment of such other lawful
consideration as the Board may determine; or

(6) by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

      The delivery of certificates representing the shares of Common Stock to be
purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be contingent upon receipt
from the Participant (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the
provisions of the Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for the
shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option or
imposed by applicable law.

                                       5
<PAGE>

      7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

      (a) General. The Board may grant Awards entitling the holder on exercise
thereof to acquire: (i) a number of shares of Common Stock, (ii) an equivalent
amount of cash, or (iii) a combination of Common Stock and cash, as determined
by the Board in its sole discretion, determined in whole or in part by reference
to the appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the Fair Market Value
of a share of Common Stock (each, a "SAR"), with such rights and subject to such
restrictions and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant.

      (b) Exercise Price. The Board shall establish the exercise price at the
time each SAR is granted and specify it in the applicable Award; provided,
however, that the exercise price shall be not less than 85% of the fair market
value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Board, at the time the SAR is
granted.

      (c) Calculation of Appreciation. Upon exercise, the Participant shall
receive a number of shares of Common Stock, an amount of cash, or a combination
of Common Stock and cash, having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the
product of: (i) the sum of: (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
on the date of the Participant's request, less (y) the exercise price per share
of Common Stock specified in such SAR, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares
of Common Stock for which such SAR shall be exercised.

      (d) Exercisability; Rights of Stockholder. SARs shall become vested and
exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be
determined by the Board. In the alternative, the Board may specify that a SAR
shall become vested and exercisable upon the achievement of such performance
goals, objectives and other conditions as it may establish at the time of grant.
A Participant shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares of Common
Stock acquired upon the exercise of a SAR and not as to shares of Common Stock
underlying unexercised SARs.

      (e) Restrictions. The Board shall determine, with respect to each SAR to
be granted, the nature and extent of the restrictions, if any, to be imposed on
any shares of Common Stock that may be purchased thereunder. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Board may impose conditions restricting
absolutely or conditionally the transferability of shares of Common Stock
acquired through the exercise of SARs for such periods, and subject to such
conditions, including continued employment of the Participant by the Company, as
the Board may determine.

      (f) Method of Exercise. SARs may be exercised in whole or in part by
delivering written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of
shares to be purchased and signed by the proper person, or by any other form of
notice, including electronic notice, approved by the Board.

                                       6
<PAGE>

      8. Restricted Stock.

      (a) General. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire,
for such purchase price, if any, as may be determined by the Board, shares of
Common Stock ("Restricted Stock") with such rights and subject to such
restrictions and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant.

      (b) Acceptance of Award. A Participant who is granted Restricted Stock
shall have no rights with respect to such Award unless the Participant shall
have accepted the Award within 60 days (or such shorter date as the Board may
specify) following the date of the Award by making payment to the Company of the
specified purchase price, if any, of the shares covered by the Award and by
executing and delivering to the Company a written instrument that sets forth the
terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock in such form as the
Board shall determine.

      (c) Vesting of Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock shall become
vested and exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as
shall be determined by the Board. In the alternative, the Board may specify that
the shares of Restricted Stock shall become vested and exercisable upon the
achievement of such performance goals, objectives and other conditions as it may
establish at the time of grant. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the
attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other
conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be
Restricted Stock and shall be deemed "vested."

      (d) Rights as a Stockholder. Upon complying with the provisions of this
Section 8, a Participant shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect
to the Restricted Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to
non-transferability restrictions and Company repurchase or forfeiture rights
described in the Plan and subject to such other conditions contained in the
Award. Unless the Board shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing
shares of Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until
such shares are vested as provided in Section 8(c) below.

      (e) Restrictions. In the event of termination of employment by the Company
for any reason, including death, Disability, Retirement and for Cause, the
Company shall have the right, at the discretion of the Board, to repurchase
shares of Restricted Stock that have not then vested at their purchase price, or
to require forfeiture of such shares to the Company if acquired at no cost, from
the Participant or the Participant's legal representative or legatee. Unless
otherwise specified in the Award, the company must exercise such right of
repurchase or forfeiture within 90 days following such termination of
employment.

      (f) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends. The written instrument
evidencing the Award may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver,
deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted Stock.

      9. Restricted Units.

      (a) General. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire in
the future: (i) shares of Common Stock, (ii) an equivalent amount of cash, or
(iii) a combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, as determined by the
Board in its sole discretion, with such rights and subject to such restrictions
and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant, (each, a
"Restricted Unit"; together with Restricted Stock, a "Restricted Award").

                                       7
<PAGE>

      (b) Vesting of Restricted Units. Restricted Units shall become vested and
exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be
determined by the Board. In the alternative, the Board may specify that a
Restricted Unit shall become vested and exercisable upon the achievement of such
performance goals, objectives and other conditions as it may establish at the
time of grant.

      (c) No Rights as Stockholder. A Participant holding Restricted Units shall
not have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock,
if any, issuable under such Restricted Units, unless and until such shares are
issued to the Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Restricted Units and
this Plan.

      10. Unrestricted Stock.

      The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire, for such
purchase price, if any, as may be determined by the Board, shares of Common
Stock free of any vesting restrictions or conditions under the Plan
("Unrestricted Stock") at a purchase price determined by the Board if such
shares of Common Stock are registered under the Securities Act. Shares of
Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold in respect of past services or other
valid consideration.

      11. Other Stock-Based Awards.

      The Board may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards
in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may
determine. Such Awards may entail the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock
to Participants or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of
shares of Common Stock, and may include, without limitation, Awards designed to
comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions
other than the United States.

      12. Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events.

      (a) Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares,
reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization
or event, or any distribution to holders of shares of Common Stock other than an
ordinary cash dividend: (i) the number and class of securities available under
this Plan, (ii) the limitations on Awards set forth in Section 5(b), (iii) the
number and class of securities and exercise price per share subject to each
Option then outstanding, (iv) the repurchase price per share of Common Stock
subject to each Restricted Award then outstanding, and (v) the terms of each
other stock-based Award then outstanding, shall be adjusted appropriately by the
Company, or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable, to the extent the
Board shall determine, in good faith, that such an adjustment or substitution is
necessary or appropriate. Any adjustment under this Section 12(a) shall become
effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination
becomes effective, or as of the record date of such dividend, or in the event
that no record date is fixed, upon the making of such dividend. If this Section
12(a) applies and Section 12(c) also applies to any event, Section 12(c) shall
be applicable to such event, and this Section 12(a) shall not be applicable.

                                       8
<PAGE>

      (b) Liquidation or Dissolution. In the event the shareholders of the
Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially
all of the Company's assets, the Board shall provide that: (i) except to the
extent specifically provided to the contrary in any Award, all then unexercised
Options and SARs outstanding will: (A) become exercisable in full as of a
specified time at least 10 business days prior to the effective date of such
liquidation, dissolution, sale or disposition, and (B) terminate effective upon
such liquidation, dissolution, sale or disposition, except to the extent
exercised before such effective date, and (ii) except to the extent specifically
provided to any Restricted Award, all restrictions and conditions on all
Restricted Awards then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or
satisfied.

      (c) Reorganization and Change in Control Events.

(1)   Definitions.

(a)   A "Reorganization Event" shall mean:

                        (i) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or
      into another entity as a result of which all of the outstanding shares of
      Common Stock are converted into or exchanged for the right to receive
      cash, securities or other property; or

                        (ii) any exchange of all of the outstanding shares of
      Common Stock for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share
      exchange transaction.

(b)   A "Change in Control Event" shall mean:

                        (i) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group
      within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act
      (each, a "Person") of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the
      Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within
      the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) 30% or more
      of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
      (the "Outstanding Common Stock") or (y) the combined voting power of the
      then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
      the election of directors (the "Outstanding Voting Securities"); provided,
      however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following
      acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control Event: (A) any
      acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition pursuant
      to the exercise, conversion or exchange of any security exercisable for,
      convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or voting securities of
      the Company, unless the Person exercising, converting or exchanging such
      security acquired such security directly from the Company or an
      underwriter or agent of the Company), (B) any acquisition by any employee
      benefit plan or related trust sponsored or maintained by the Company or
      any corporation controlled by the Company, or (C) any acquisition by any
      corporation pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined in Section
      12(c)(1)(b)(iii) below) that complies with clauses (x) and (y) of
      subsection (iii) of this definition;

                                       9
<PAGE>

                        (ii) an event that results in the Continuing Directors
      (as defined below) not constituting a majority of the Board (or, if
      applicable, the board of directors of a successor corporation to the
      Company). "Continuing Director" means, at any date, a member of the Board:
      (x) who was a member of the Board on the date of the initial adoption of
      this Plan by the Board, or (y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to
      such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing
      Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to
      the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the
      directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or
      election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause
      (y) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result
      of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
      or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of
      proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

                        (iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation,
      reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company
      or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
      of the Company (a "Business Combination"), unless, immediately following
      such Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is
      satisfied: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
      who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Common Stock and
      Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
      Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
      then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of
      the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election
      of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in
      such Business Combination, which shall include, without limitation, a
      corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all
      or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through
      one or more subsidiaries (such resulting or acquiring corporation is
      referred to herein as the "Acquiring Corporation") in substantially the
      same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Common Stock and
      Outstanding Voting Securities, respectively, immediately prior to such
      Business Combination, and (y) no Person (excluding the Acquiring
      Corporation or any employee benefit plan or related trust maintained or
      sponsored by the Company or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially
      owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of the then-outstanding shares
      of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the combined voting
      power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to
      vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that
      such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination).

(2)   Effect on Options and SARs.

(a) Reorganization Event. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event
(regardless of whether such event also constitutes a Change in Control Event),
or the execution by the Company of any agreement with respect to a
Reorganization Event (regardless of whether such event will result in a Change
in Control Event), the Board shall provide that all outstanding Options and SARs
shall be assumed, or equivalent options shall be substituted, by the acquiring
or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof); provided, however, that if
such Reorganization Event also constitutes a Change in Control Event, except to
the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing
any Option or SAR or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company,
such assumed or substituted options shall be immediately exercisable in full
upon the occurrence of such Reorganization Event. For purposes hereof, an Option
or SAR shall be considered to be assumed if, following consummation of the
Reorganization Event, the Option or SAR confers the right to purchase, for each
share of Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR immediately prior to the
consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash,
securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event
by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior
to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a
choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if
the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely
common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate
thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding
corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of Options and SARs to consist solely of common stock
of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) equivalent
in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of
outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.

                                       10
<PAGE>

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the acquiring or succeeding corporation
(or an affiliate thereof) does not agree to assume, or substitute for, such
Options and SARs, then the Board shall, upon written notice to the Participants,
provide that all then unexercised Options and SARs will become exercisable in
full as of a specified time prior to the Reorganization Event and will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event, except to
the extent exercised by the Participants before the consummation of such
Reorganization Event; provided, however, that in the event of a Reorganization
Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon
consummation thereof a cash payment for each share of Common Stock surrendered
pursuant to such Reorganization Event (the "Acquisition Price"), then the Board
may instead provide that all outstanding Options and SARs shall terminate upon
consummation of such Reorganization Event and that each Participant shall
receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by
which: (A) the Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to such outstanding Options and SARs (whether or not then
exercisable), exceeds (B) the aggregate exercise price of such Options. To the
extent all or any portion of an Option or SAR becomes exercisable solely as a
result of the first sentence of this paragraph, upon exercise of such Option or
SAR the Participant shall receive shares subject to a right of repurchase by the
Company or its successor at the exercise price of the Option or SAR. Such
repurchase right: (X) shall lapse at the same rate as the Option or SAR would
have become exercisable under its terms, and (Y) shall not apply to any shares
subject to the Option or SAR that was exercisable under its terms without regard
to the first sentence of this paragraph.

(b) Change in Control Event that is not a Reorganization Event. Upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control Event that does not also constitute a
Reorganization Event, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary
in any Option or SAR Award, all Options and SARs then outstanding shall
automatically become immediately exercisable in full.

                                       11
<PAGE>

(3) Effect on Restricted Awards and Awards of Unrestricted Stock.

(a) Reorganization Event that is not a Change in Control Event. Upon the
occurrence of a Reorganization Event that is not a Change in Control Event, the
repurchase and other rights of the Company under each outstanding Restricted
Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company's successor and shall apply to
the cash, securities or other property that the Common Stock was converted into
or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to
the same extent as they applied to the Common Stock subject to such Restricted
Award.

(b) Change in Control Event. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event
(regardless of whether such event also constitutes a Reorganization Event),
except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the Restricted
Award, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Awards then outstanding
shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.

      (d) Notice of Adjustment. When any adjustment is required to be made in
under this Section 12, the Company shall promptly notify the Participant of such
event and of the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or
property thereafter owned or that may be acquired under an Award.

      (e) No Impairment. The Company and the Participant will not, by any
voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of
the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company or the
Participant, respectively, but will at all times in good faith assist in the
carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 12 and in the taking of all
such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights or
the Company and the Participant against impairment

      13. Termination of Awards.

      (a) Termination by Death. If any Participant's employment by, or other
relationship with, the Company terminates by reason of death: (i) any Options or
SARs then owned by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent
exercisable at the date of death by the legal representative or legatee of the
Participant, until the earlier of the date that is one year (or such longer
period as the Board shall specify at any time) after the date of death or until
the date of expiration of the stated term of the Options or SARs, if earlier,
and (ii) any restrictions and conditions on any Restricted Awards then owned by
the Participant shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied on the
date of death, and the legal representative or legatee of the Participant shall
have the right to acquire any shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted
Awards until the earlier of the date that is one year (or such longer period as
the Board shall specify at any time) after the date of death or until the
expiration of the stated term of the Restricted Award.

      (b) Termination by Reason of Disability or Retirement.

(1) If a Participant's employment by, or other relationship with, the Company
terminates by reason of disability as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code
("Disability"): (i) any Options or SARs then owned by such Participant may
thereafter be exercised, to the extent they were exercisable at the time of such
termination of employment, until the earlier of the date that is one year (or
such longer period as the Board shall specify at any time) after the date of
such termination of employment or the date of expiration of the stated term of
the Options or SARs, and (ii) any restrictions and conditions on any Restricted
Awards then owned by the Participant shall automatically be deemed terminated or
satisfied on the date of such termination of employment, and the legal
representative or guardian of the Participant shall have the right to acquire
any shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Awards until the earlier of
the date that is one year (or such longer period as the Board shall specify at
any time) after the date of such termination of employment or the date of
expiration of the stated term of the Restricted Award.

                                       12
<PAGE>

(2) If a Participant retires in good standing from active employment or service
with the Company in accordance with the retirement policies of the Company then
in effect ("Retirement"), (i) any Options and SARs then held by the Participant
may thereafter be exercised, to the extent they were exercisable at the time of
such termination, until the earlier of the date that is three months (or such
longer period as the Board shall specify at any time) after the date of such
Retirement or until the date of expiration of the stated term of the Options or
SARs, and (ii) any restrictions and conditions on any Restricted Awards then
owned by the Participant shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied
on the date of such Retirement and the Participant shall have the right to
acquire any shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Awards until the
earlier of the date that is three months (or such longer period as the Board
shall specify at any time) after the date of such Retirement or the date of
expiration of the stated term of the Restricted Award.

(3) The Board shall have sole authority and discretion to determine whether a
Participant's employment or services has been terminated by reason of Disability
or Retirement.

      (c) Termination for Cause. If a Participant's employment by, or other
relationship with, the Company terminates for "Cause," any Options, SARs and
Restricted Awards held by such Participant shall immediately terminate and be of
no further force and effect; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole
discretion, provide that any such Options and SARs may be exercised until the
earlier of the date that is three months after the date of such termination of
employment or the date of expiration of the stated term of the Options or SARs.

      "Cause" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any employment,
consulting, advisory or other agreement between the applicable Participant and
the Company; provided, however, that if no such agreement exists or, if such
agreement exists but no such term is provided or defined therein, "Cause" shall
mean a determination by the Company (including the Board) that the Participant's
employment or other relationship with the Company should be terminated as a
result of: (i) a material breach by the Participant of any agreement to which
the Participant and the Company are parties, (ii) any act, other than
Retirement, or omission to act by the Participant that may have a material and
adverse effect on the business of the Company or on the Participant's ability to
perform services for the Company, including, without limitation, the proven or
admitted commission of any crime (other than an ordinary traffic violation), or
(iii) any material misconduct or material neglect of duties by the Participant
in connection with the business or affairs of the Company.

                                       13
<PAGE>

      (d) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, if a
Participant's employment by, or other relationship with, the Company terminates
for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement or for Cause: (i) any
Options and SARs held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the
extent they are exercisable on the date of termination of employment, until the
earlier of the date that is 90 days (or such longer period as the Board shall
specify at any time) after the date of such termination of employment or the
date of expiration of the stated term of the Options and SARs, and (ii) any
restrictions and conditions on any Restricted Awards then owned by the
Participant shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied on the date of
such Retirement and the Participant shall have the right to acquire any shares
of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Awards until the earlier of the date
that is 90 days (or such longer period as the Board shall specify at any time)
after the date of such termination of employment or the date of expiration of
the stated term of the Restricted Award.

      (e) Transfer and Leave of Absence. For purposes of this Plan, the
following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment: (i) a transfer
of employment between any of the Company, a parent, a subsidiary or any other
affiliate of the Company, and (ii) an approved leave of absence for military
service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Board, if the
employee's right to re-employment is guaranteed by a statute, by contract or
under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted, or if the
Board otherwise so provides in writing.

      14. Withholding.

      (a) Payment by Participant. Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or
make arrangements satisfactory to the Board regarding payment of, any federal,
state, local and/or payroll taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld
with respect to such income. The Company may, to the extent permitted by law,
deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a
Participant whether or not pursuant to the Plan.

      (b) Payment in Shares. A Participant may elect, with the consent of the
Board, to have such tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part,
by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Common Stock to be
issued pursuant to an Award a number of shares of Common Stock having an
aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount
due with respect to such Award, or (ii) delivering to the Company a number of
Mature Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the minimum
withholding amount due. The Company may require that any fractional share amount
be settled in cash. For the purposes of this Section 14(b), Fair Market Value
shall be determined as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is
determined.

      (c) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If any Participant shall make any
disposition of shares of Common Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of an
Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of
the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Participant
shall notify the Company of such disposition within 10 days thereof.

      15. Status of Participant. With respect to the portion of any Award that
has not been exercised and any payments in cash, shares of Common Stock or other
consideration not received by a Participant, a Participant shall have no rights
greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company unless the
Board shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with an Award. The Board
may, in its sole discretion, authorize the creation of trusts or other
arrangements to meet the Company's obligations to deliver shares of Common Stock
or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence
of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the provision of the
preceding sentence.

                                       14
<PAGE>

      16. General Provisions Applicable to Awards.

      (a) Transferability of Awards. Except as the Board may otherwise determine
or provide in an Award or as otherwise provided in the Plan, no Award or any
right or obligation thereunder may be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, by the person to whom they are granted, except by
will or the laws of descent and distribution. Awards shall be exercisable only
during the life of the Participant to whom an Award was granted and only by the
Participant or the Participant's legal representative. References to a
Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to
authorized transferees. Notwithstanding the immediately proceeding three (3)
sentences, the Board may permit a Participant to transfer any Award to any
person or entity that the Board so determines under such terms and conditions
that it deems appropriate in its sole discretion. Any assignment in violation of
the provisions of this Section 16(a) shall be void. All of the terms and
conditions of this Plan and any Awards shall be binding upon any such permitted
successors and assigns of the Participant.

      (b) Agreements Evidencing Awards. Each Award granted under the Plan shall
be evidenced by a written document that shall contain such provisions and
conditions as the Board deems appropriate. By accepting an Award pursuant to the
Plan, a Participant thereby agrees that the Award shall be subject to all of the
terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award.

      (c) Non-Uniform Determinations. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan,
each Award may be made alone or in addition to or in relation to any other
Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not
treat Participants uniformly, regardless of whether such persons are similarly
situated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board shall be
entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations
when issuing Awards, and to grant non-uniform and selective Awards as to: (i)
the persons to receive Awards, (ii) the terms and provisions of Awards, and
(iii) whether a Participant's employment has been terminated for purposes of the
Plan.

      (d) Acceleration. The Board may at any time provide that any Award shall
become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all
restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the
case may be.

      (e) Delivery of Shares. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any
shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from
shares previously delivered under the Plan until: (i) all conditions of the
Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the
opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the
issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any
applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market
rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to
the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider
appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or
regulations. The Board may, at any time, provide that, at the time any shares of
Common Stock would otherwise be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Participant
shall instead receive an instrument evidencing the right to future delivery of
shares of Common Stock at such time or times, and on such conditions, as the
Board shall specify. The Board may at any time accelerate the time at which
delivery of all or any part of the shares of Common Stock shall take place.

                                       15
<PAGE>

      (f) Stock Certificates. Any stock certificates issued in respect of a
Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of the Participant and,
unless otherwise determined by the Board, deposited by the Participant, together
with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company or the Company's
designee. At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company
or such designee shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such
restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to the
Participant's legal representative or legatee. Delivery of stock certificates to
Participants under this Plan shall be deemed effected for all purposes when the
Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have delivered such
certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the Participant, at the
Participant's last known address on file with the Company.

      17. Miscellaneous

      (a) No Right To Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim
or right to be granted an Award. The adoption of the Plan and grant of an Award
shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment
or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the
right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a
Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan or any Award.

      (b) Nature of Payments. Any and all grants of Awards and deliveries of
shares of Common Stock, cash, securities or other property under the Plan shall
be in consideration of services performed or to be performed for the Company by
the Participant. Awards under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Board, be
made in substitution in whole or in part for cash or other compensation
otherwise payable to a Participant. All such grants and deliveries shall
constitute a special discretionary incentive payment to the Participant and
shall not be required to be taken into account in computing the amount of salary
or compensation of the Participant for the purpose of determining any
contributions to or any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-sharing,
bonus, life insurance, severance or other benefit plan of the Company or under
any agreement with the Participant, unless the Company specifically provides
otherwise.

      (c) No Rights As Stockholder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable
Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with
respect to an Award until delivery of the shares to the Participant or the
Participant's legal representative or legatee. In the event the Company effects
a split of the shares of Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the
exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an Option are adjusted as
of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record
date for such dividend), a Participant who exercises an Option between the
record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled
to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the
shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the
fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the
record date for such stock dividend.

                                       16
<PAGE>

      (d) Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the date on
which it is adopted by the Board; provided, however, that: (i) no Award granted
to a Participant shall become effective until any shareholder approval of the
Company to issue the underlying securities necessary under applicable legal,
regulatory or listing requirements shall be obtained, and (ii) no Award granted
to a Participant that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) shall become
exercisable, vested or realizable, as applicable to such Award, unless and until
the Plan has been approved by the Company's stockholders to the extent
stockholder approval is required by Section 162(m) in the manner required under
Section 162(m).

      (e) Entire Agreement. This Plan and any Award contain the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercede all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no party shall be liable or bound
to any other party in any manner by any warranties, representations, guarantees
or covenants except as specifically set forth in the Plan and any Award. Nothing
in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party
other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

      (f) Amendment of Plan or Award. The Board may at any time amend or
discontinue the Plan and amend or cancel any outstanding Award, including in any
manner that adversely affects the rights, duties or obligations of any
Participant, and including but not limited to, substituting therefor another
Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or
realization, converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, and converting an Option into a SAR, for the purpose of satisfying
changes in law or for any other lawful purpose. Unless otherwise determined by
the Board, shareholder approval of any suspension, discontinuance, revision or
amendment shall be obtained only to the extend necessary to comply with any
applicable law, rule or regulation. To the extent required by Section 162(m), no
Award granted to a Participant that is intended to comply with Section 162(m)
after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable, realizable or vested,
as applicable to such Award, unless and until such amendment shall have been
approved by the Company's stockholders if required by Section 162(m) (including
the vote required under Section 162(m)). No Award shall be made that is
conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan.

      (g) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of the Plan or any Award shall remain
in full force and effect and shall be reformed to render the Agreement valid and
enforceable while reflecting to the greatest extent permissible the intent of
the parties.

                                       17
<PAGE>

      (h) Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of the Plan and any
Award shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its
successors and assigns.

      (i) Termination of Plan. The Plan shall terminate upon the tenth
anniversary of its effective date. The Board may terminate the Plan at any time
prior to such date. No Award may be granted under the Plan after the Plan has
been terminated. No Award granted while this Plan is in effect shall be altered
or impaired by termination of the Plan, except upon the consent of the holder of
such Award. The power of the Board to construe and interpret this Plan and the
Awards granted prior to the termination of the Plan shall continue after such
termination.

      (j) Other Compensatory Arrangements. Neither the adoption of the Plan by
the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for
approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the
Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, and
such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in
specific cases.

      (k) Consents and Legal Requirements. If the Board shall at any time
determine that any Consent (as defined below) is necessary or desirable as a
condition of, or in connection with, the granting of any Award, the delivery of
shares of Common Stock, or the delivery of any cash, securities or other
property under the Plan, or the taking of any other action thereunder (each such
action being hereinafter referred to as a "Plan Action"), then such Plan Action
shall not be taken, in whole or in part, unless and until such Consent shall
have been effected or obtained to the full satisfaction of the Board. The Board
may require each person acquiring shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award to
represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring
the shares for investment purposes only and without a view to distribution
thereof. The Board may also direct that any certificate evidencing shares
delivered pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such
restrictions on transferability as the Board may determine to be necessary or
desirable, and may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against any
legended shares.

      "Consent" as use herein with respect to any Plan Action includes (i) any
and all listings, registrations or qualifications in respect thereof upon any
securities exchange or under any federal, state or local law, or law, rule or
regulation of a jurisdiction outside the United States, (ii) any and all written
agreements and representations by the Participant with respect to the
disposition of shares, or with respect to any other matter, which the Committee
may deem necessary or desirable to comply with the terms of any such listing,
registration or qualification, or to obtain an exemption from the requirement
that any such listing, registration or qualification be made, (iii) any and all
other consents, clearances and approvals in respect of a plan action by any
governmental or other regulatory body or any stock exchange or self-regulatory
agency, and (iv) any and all consents or authorizations required to comply with,
or required to be obtained under, applicable local law or otherwise required by
the Board. Nothing herein shall require the Company to list, register or qualify
the shares of Common Stock on any securities exchange.

                                       18
<PAGE>

      (l) Section 83(b) Election. No election under Section 83(b) of the Code
(relating to the inclusion of gross income in the year of transfer the amounts
specified in such Code section) or under a similar provision of the law of a
jurisdiction outside the United States may be made unless expressly permitted by
the terms of the Award or by action of the Board in writing prior to the making
of such election. If a Participant, in connection with the acquisition of shares
of Common Stock under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted under the
terms of the Award or by such Board action to make any such election and the
Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Board of such
election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal
Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing or
notification required pursuant to the regulations issued under Section 83(b) of
the Code or other applicable provision.

      (m) Absence of Third-Party Beneficiary Rights. Unless expressly provided
in the Plan or any Award, no provision of the Plan or any Award is intended, nor
will be interpreted, to provide or create any third-party beneficiary rights or
any other rights of any kind in any client, customer, affiliate, officer,
director, shareholder, employee, partner of any party hereto or any other person
or entity, and, except as so provided, all provisions hereof and thereof will be
solely between the parties to the Plan and any Award.

      (n) Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Board may modify the terms
and conditions of Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or
employed outside the United States, establish sub-plans under the Plan, or adopt
such modifications or procedures as the Board may determine to be necessary or
advisable, to recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of
such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee
benefit, accounting or other matters.

      (o) Liability of the Company. The Company and any affiliate that is in
existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant
or other persons as to: (i) the non-issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock
as to which the Company has been unable to obtain approval from any regulatory
body having jurisdiction deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the
lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, and (ii) any
tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person
due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Option, SAR or other Award
granted hereunder.

      (p) Governing Law. This Plan and any Award shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts
of laws thereof.

                                       19

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