Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of this 12th day of December, 2003, between Giant Industries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Morgan Gust (the "Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         A.       The Company desires to retain the services of the Executive as
its President, and the Executive desires and is willing to continue employment
with the Company in that capacity.

         B.       The Company and the Executive desire to embody the terms and
conditions of the Executive's employment in a written agreement, which will
supersede all prior agreements of employment, whether written or oral, including
without limitation the Employment Agreement, dated the 11th day of December,
1997, between the Company and the Executive, pursuant to the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                 DUTIES AND TERM

         1.1      Employment. The Executive is employed as the President of the
Company. In this capacity, the Executive shall have such duties and
responsibilities as shall be assigned to the Executive from time to time by the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), in each case not inconsistent
with the Executive's position with the Company, including the performance of
duties with respect to subsidiaries of the Company.

         1.2      Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date
first written above and shall continue, unless sooner terminated pursuant to
Article III, for three years (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, the term of this
Agreement shall automatically be extended for successive one year periods
("Renewal Terms") unless either the Board or the Executive gives written notice
to the other at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term, as the case may be, of its or the Executive's intention not to
renew the term of this Agreement or unless this Agreement is sooner terminated
pursuant to Article III. The Initial Term and any Renewal Terms of this
Agreement shall be collectively referred to as the "Term."

         1.3      Location. During the Term of this Agreement, the Executive
shall be based in the principal offices of the Company in Maricopa County,
Arizona, and shall not be required to be based anywhere other than Maricopa
County, Arizona except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the
Executive's duties hereunder and except as may be otherwise agreed to by the
Executive.

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                                   ARTICLE II
                                  COMPENSATION

         2.1      Base Salary. Subject to the further provisions of this
Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive during the Term of this Agreement
an annual base salary of not less than $325,000 (the "Base Salary"). The Base
Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board and the Board may, in
its discretion, increase the Base Salary. The Base Salary of the Executive shall
not be decreased at any time during the Term of this Agreement from the amount
of Base Salary then in effect, except in connection with across-the-board salary
reductions similarly affecting all senior executives of the Company.
Participation in deferred compensation, discretionary bonus, retirement, stock
option and other employee benefit plans and in fringe benefits shall not reduce
the Base Salary payable to the Executive under this Section 2.1. The Base Salary
under this Section 2.1 shall be payable by the Company to the Executive not less
frequently than semi-monthly.

         2.2      Discretionary Bonuses. Subject to the further provisions of
this Agreement, during the Term of this Agreement the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in an equitable manner with all other senior executives
of the Company in such discretionary bonuses including, but not limited to,
bonuses provided pursuant to any management bonus plan that the Company may
adopt, as may be authorized and declared by the Board (including any duly
authorized committee of the Board) to the Company's senior executives. Nothing
in this Section shall be deemed to limit the ability of the Executive to be paid
and receive discretionary bonuses from the Company, based solely on the
Executive's performance, without regard to the payment of discretionary bonuses
to any other senior executives of the Company.

         2.3      Participation in Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans; Fringe
Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all plans of the
Company relating to stock options, stock purchases, pension, thrift, profit
sharing, life insurance, hospitalization and medical coverage, disability,
travel or accident insurance, education or other retirement or employee benefits
that the Company has adopted or may adopt for the benefit of its senior
executives, subject to the provisions of those plans. In addition, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in any other fringe benefits, such as
automobile allowances, club dues and fees of professional organizations and
associations, which are now or may become applicable to the Company's senior
executives, and any other benefits which are commensurate with the duties and
responsibilities to be performed by the Executive under this Agreement. The
Executive shall, during the Term of the Executive's employment hereunder,
continue to be provided with benefits at a level which shall in no event be less
in any material respect than the benefits available to the Executive as of the
date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may change,
terminate or reduce benefits under any benefit plans and programs to the extent
such changes, terminations or reductions apply uniformly to all senior
executives entitled to participate therein, and the Executive's benefits shall
be changed, terminated or reduced or terminated accordingly.

         2.4      Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to an annual paid
vacation of four weeks per year or such longer period as the Board may approve;
provided, however, that the Executive may not carry over more than one week of
vacation time to any subsequent year without the prior approval of the Board.
The timing of paid vacations shall be scheduled in a manner reasonably
acceptable to the Company.

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                                   ARTICLE III
                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         3.1      Death or Retirement of Executive. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate upon the death or Retirement (as defined in Section 3.4)
of the Executive.

         3.2      By the Executive. The Executive shall be entitled to terminate
this Agreement by giving written notice to the Company:

                  (a)      at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial
Term or any Renewal Term of this Agreement;

                  (b)      at any time for Good Reason (as defined in Section
3.4); and

                  (c)      at any time without Good Reason upon 30 days advance
notice to the Company.

         3.3      By the Company. The Company shall be entitled to terminate
this Agreement by giving written notice to the Executive:

                  (a)      at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial
Term or any Renewal Term of this Agreement;

                  (b)      in the event of the Executive's Disability (as
defined in Section 3.4);

                  (c)      for cause; and

                  (d)      at any time without cause upon such advance notice to
the Executive, if any, as determined by the Board.

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

                  (a)      "Change of Control" shall mean a change in ownership
or control of the Company effected through any of the following transactions:

                           (i)      the direct or indirect acquisition by any
person or related group of persons (other than a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a
corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company)
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of securities possessing more than 50% of the
total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities pursuant to
a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company's stockholders or other
transaction; or

                           (ii)     a change in the composition of the Board
over a period of 36 consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board
members (rounded up to the next

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whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board
membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been Board
members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected
or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a
majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who were still in office
at the time such election or nomination was approved by the Board; or

                           (iii)    a merger or consolidation approved by the
stockholders of the Company, other than a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the
total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

                           (iv)     the sale, transfer or other disposition (in
one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company approved by the stockholders or the complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Company approved by the stockholders.

                  (b)      "Disability" shall mean the Executive's inability,
with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform one or more of the
essential functions of the Executive's position hereunder on a full-time basis
for a period exceeding 180 consecutive days or for periods aggregating more than
180 days during any 12 month period as a result of incapacity due to physical or
mental impairment not due to drug or alcohol abuse. If there is a dispute as to
whether the Executive is or was physically or mentally unable to perform the
essential functions of the Executive's position under this Agreement, such
dispute shall be submitted for resolution to a licensed physician agreed upon by
the Board and the Executive, or if an agreement cannot be promptly reached, the
Board and the Executive will each select a physician, and if these physicians
cannot agree, they will pick a third physician whose decision shall be binding
on all parties. If such a dispute arises, the Executive shall submit to such
examinations and shall provide such information as such physician(s) may
request, and the determination of the physician(s) may be released to the
Company and, as to the Executive's physical or mental condition, shall be
binding and conclusive.

                  (c)      "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following if the
same shall occur without the Executive's express prior written consent:

                           (i)      a material change by the Company in the
Executive's function, duties or responsibilities (including reporting
responsibilities) which would cause the Executive's position with the Company to
become of less dignity, responsibility and importance than those associated with
the Executive's functions, duties or responsibilities as of the date of this
Agreement, as of the first day of any Renewal Term, or during the 90 day period
immediately preceding the date a Change of Control occurs, as the case may be;

                           (ii)     the Executive's Base Salary is reduced by
the Company, unless such reduction is pursuant to a salary reduction program as
described in Section 2.1 hereof, or there is a material reduction in the
benefits that are in effect for the Executive, unless such reduction is pursuant
to a uniform reduction in benefits for all senior executives as described in
Section 2.3 hereof;

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                           (iii)    relocation of the Executive's principal
place of employment to a place located outside of Maricopa County, Arizona;

                           (iv)     the failure by the Company to obtain the
assumption by operation of law or otherwise of this Agreement by any entity
which is the surviving entity in any merger or other form of corporate
reorganization involving the Company or by any entity which acquires all or
substantially all of the Company's assets in a Change of Control transaction; or

                           (v)      other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company, which breach shall not be cured within 15 days after written notice
thereof to the Company.

                  (d)      "Retirement" shall mean normal retirement at age 65
or in accordance with retirement rules generally applicable to the Company's
senior executives.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                   COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         4.1      Termination Prior to a Change of Control; Termination More
than Three Years Following a Change of Control; Termination for Death or
Disability; Termination by Executive without Good Reason. If, at any time during
this Agreement, the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death or Disability, or by the Executive without Good Reason, or if
prior to a Change of Control, or more than three years following a Change of
Control, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company with cause, the
Company shall:

                  (a)      pay the Executive (or the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries) any Base Salary which has accrued but not been paid as of the
termination date;

                  (b)      reimburse the Executive (or the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries) for expenses incurred by him prior to the date of termination
which are subject to reimbursement pursuant to applicable Company policies then
in effect;

                  (c)      provide to the Executive (or the Executive's estate
or beneficiaries) any accrued and vested benefits required to be provided by the
terms of any Company-sponsored benefit plans or programs, together with any
benefits required to be paid or provided in the event of the Executive's death
or Disability under applicable law;

                  (d)      pay the Executive (or the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries) any discretionary bonus with respect to a prior fiscal year which
has accrued and been earned but has not been paid; and

                  (e)      in addition, the Executive (or the Executive's estate
or beneficiaries) shall have the right to exercise all vested, unexercised stock
options outstanding at the termination date in accordance with terms of the
plans and agreements pursuant to which such options were issued; provided,
however, that unless expressly prohibited under the terms of such plans and
applicable laws, the Executive shall have a period of up to one year from the
termination date to exercise such stock options.

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         4.2      Termination Within Three Years Following a Change of Control.

                  If, at any time within a three year period following a Change
of Control, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company with or
without cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, or upon expiration of the
Term of this Agreement within a three year period following a Change of Control,
the Company shall:

                  (a)      make the payments and provide to the Executive the
benefits under Section 4.1, other than under Section 4.1(e);

                  (b)      pay to the Executive an amount equal to three times
the sum of: (i) the Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the
time such termination occurs; and (y) the average of the annual bonuses paid to
the Executive for the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year
in which the termination occurs, provided that in determining such average, for
any fiscal year for which the Executive's annual bonus was less than 25% of the
Executive's then Base Salary, such bonus shall be deemed to be equal to 25% of
the Executive's then Base Salary. Such amount shall be paid, at the Executive's
option, in a lump sum on or prior to the 30th day following the termination
date, or in 12 equal monthly installments beginning on the first day of the
month following the termination date and continuing on the first day of each
month thereafter; and

                  (c)      in addition, unless expressly prohibited under the
terms of such plans and applicable laws, all unvested stock options or other
stock awards owned by the Executive that would otherwise have vested after the
termination date shall become fully vested and exercisable at the termination
date, and the Executive (or the Executive's estate or beneficiaries) shall have
the right to exercise all vested, unexercised stock options or awards
outstanding at the termination date (including the accelerated options and
awards) in accordance with the terms (except the vesting terms with respect to
the accelerated options and awards) of the plans and agreements pursuant to
which such options and other awards were issued; provided, however, that unless
expressly prohibited under the terms of such plans and applicable laws, the
Executive shall have a period of up to one year from the termination date to
exercise such stock options.

                  (d)      The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), imposes significant tax burdens on the Executive and the Company if the
total amounts received by the Executive due to a Change of Control exceed
prescribed limits. These tax burdens include a requirement that the Executive
pay a 20% excise tax on certain amounts received in excess of the prescribed
limits and a loss of deduction for the Company. If, as a result of these Code
provisions, the Executive is required to pay such excise tax, then upon written
notice from the Executive to the Company, the Company shall pay the Executive an
amount equal to the total excise tax imposed on the Executive (including the
excise taxes on any excise tax reimbursements due pursuant to this sentence and
the excise taxes on any income tax reimbursements due pursuant to the next
sentence). If the Company is obligated to pay the Executive pursuant to the
preceding sentence, the Company also shall pay the Executive an amount equal to
the "total presumed federal and state taxes" that could be imposed on the
Executive with respect to the excise tax reimbursements due to the Executive
pursuant to the preceding sentence and the income tax reimbursements due to the
Executive pursuant to this sentence. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the
"total presumed federal and state taxes" that could be imposed on the Executive
shall be conclusively calculated

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using a combined tax rate equal to the sum of the then prevailing maximum
marginal federal and state income tax rates and the hospital insurance portion
of FICA. No adjustments will be made in this combined rate for the deduction of
state taxes on the federal return, the loss of itemized deductions or
exemptions, or for any other purpose. The Executive shall be responsible for
paying the actual taxes. The amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this
or any other agreement or arrangement with Company shall not be limited in any
way by the amount that may be paid pursuant to the Code without the imposition
of an excise tax or the loss of Company deductions. Either the Executive or the
Company may elect to challenge any excise taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue
Service, and the Company and the Executive agree to cooperate with each other in
prosecuting such challenges. If the Executive elects to litigate or otherwise
challenge the imposition of such excise tax, however, the Company will join the
Executive in such litigation or challenge only if the Board determines in good
faith that the Executive's position has substantial merit and that the issues
should be litigated from the standpoint of the Company's best interest.

         4.3      Termination by Executive for Good Reason or by Company Without
Cause Prior to a Change of Control or More than Three Years Following a Change
of Control. If, prior to a Change of Control, or more than three years following
a Change of Control, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive
for Good Reason, by the Company without cause or the Company or the Board gives
written notice to the Executive of its intention to not renew this Agreement at
the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Company shall:

                  (a)      make the payments and provide to the Executive the
benefits under Section 4.1; and

                  (b)      pay to the Executive a lump sum payment on or prior
to the 30th day following the termination date in an amount equal to the
Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the time such termination
occurs. This lump sum payment shall not be considered due and owing until the
30th day following the termination date.

         4.4      Releases and Resignations. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, it shall be a condition to the Company's obligations
to pay any amount to the Executive in excess of any amounts required by law that
the Executive provide to the Company and its subsidiaries, officers, directors,
employees and agents a complete general release of all claims, known or unknown,
that the Executive may have against any of them. Such release shall be in
customary form, and shall specifically include employment-related claims. In
addition, upon termination of employment, the Executive shall, upon demand,
resign as an officer and director of the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company, as applicable.

                                    ARTICLE V
                              RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

         5.1      Confidentiality.

                  (a)      The Executive agrees to keep all trade secrets and/or
proprietary information (collectively, "Confidential Information") of the
Company in strict confidence and agrees not to disclose any Confidential
Information to any other person, firm, association, partnership, corporation or
other entity for any reason except as such disclosure may be required in
connection

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with the Executive's employment hereunder. The Executive further agrees not to
use any Confidential Information for any purpose except on behalf of the
Company.

                  (b)      For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential
Information" shall mean any information, process or idea that is not generally
known in the industry, that the Company considers confidential, and/or that
gives the Company a competitive advantage, including, without limitation,
suppliers, production costs or production information; marketing plans; business
forecasts; and sales records. The Executive understands that the above list is
intended to be illustrative and that other Confidential Information may
currently exist or arise in the future. If the Executive is unsure whether
certain information or material is Confidential Information, the Executive shall
treat that information or material as confidential unless the Executive is
informed by the Company, in writing, to the contrary. "Confidential Information"
shall not include any information which: (i) is or becomes publicly available
through no act or failure of the Executive; (ii) was or is rightfully learned by
the Executive from a source other than the Company before being received from
the Company; or (iii) becomes independently available to the Executive as matter
of right from a third party. If only a portion of the Confidential Information
is or becomes publicly available, then only that portion shall not be
Confidential Information hereunder.

                  (c)      The Executive further agrees that upon termination of
the Executive's employment with the Company, for whatever reason, the Executive
will surrender to the Company all of the property, notes, manuals, reports,
documents and other things in the Executive's possession, including copies or
computerized records thereof, which relate directly or indirectly to
Confidential Information.

         5.2      Competition.

                  (a)      The Executive agrees that during the Term of the
Executive's employment with the Company hereunder, and for a period of one year
following the termination of the Executive's employment, unless such termination
was by the Company and without cause, the Executive shall not:

                           (i)      except as a passive investor in
publicly-held companies, and except for investments held as of the date hereof,
directly or indirectly own, operate, manage, consult with, control, participate
in the management or control of, be employed by, maintain or continue any
interest whatsoever in any refining company or any company that markets
petroleum products, in each case that directly competes with the Company; or

                           (ii)     directly or indirectly influence customers
or suppliers of the Company to divert their business to any competitor of the
Company; or

                           (iii)    employ, or directly or indirectly solicit,
or cause the solicitation of, any employees of the Company who are in the employ
of the Company on the termination date of the Executive's employment hereunder
for employment by others in competition with the Company.

                  (b)      The Executive expressly agrees and acknowledges that:

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                           (i)      the covenants in Section 5.2(a) are
reasonably necessary for the protection of the interests of the Company and are
reasonable in scope and do not place any unreasonable burden upon him;

                           (ii)     the general public will not be harmed as a
result of enforcement of the covenants in Section 5.2(a);

                           (iii)    the Executive's personal legal counsel has
reviewed the covenants in Section 5.2(a); and

                           (iv)     he understands and hereby agrees to each and
every term and condition of the covenants in Section 5.2(a).

         5.3      Remedies. The Executive expressly agrees and acknowledges that
the covenants set forth in Section 5.2 are necessary for the Company's and its
affiliates' protection because of the nature and scope of their business and the
Executive's position with the Company. Further, the Executive acknowledges that,
in the event of the Executive's breach of the Executive's covenants, money
damages will not sufficiently compensate the Company for its injury caused
thereby, and he accordingly agrees that in addition to such money damages he may
be restrained and enjoined from any continuing or future breach of the covenants
without any bond or other security being required. The Executive acknowledges
that any breach of the covenants would result in irreparable damage to the
Company. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that if the Executive
fails to comply with this Article V, the Company has no obligation to provide
any compensation or other benefits described in Article IV hereof. The Executive
acknowledges that the remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 will be inadequate and, accordingly, that the Company
shall, in addition to all other available remedies (including without
limitation, seeking such damages as it can show it has sustained by reason of
such breach), be entitled to injunctive relief or specific performance.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         6.1      No Assignments. This Agreement is personal to each of the
parties hereto. No party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations
hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto,
except that this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
successor corporation to the Company.

                  (a)      The Company shall use reasonable efforts to require
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
Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it
if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company"
shall mean the Company as defined herein and any successor to its business
and/or assets which assumes this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

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

         6.2      Notices. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all
other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, or to such other
addresses as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notice of a change of address shall be
effective only upon actual receipt:

                  To the Company:   Giant Industries, Inc.
                                    23733 North Scottsdale Road
                                    Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
                                    Attention: General Counsel

                  To the Executive: Morgan Gust
                                    23733 North Scottsdale Road
                                    Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Notices pursuant to Article III of this Agreement shall specify the specific
termination provision relied upon by the party giving notice and shall state the
effective date of the termination.

         6.3      Amendments or Additions. No amendments or additions to this
Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by each of the parties
hereto.

         6.4      Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Agreement
are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in
connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

         6.5      Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If, in any
judicial proceedings, a court shall refuse to enforce one or more of the
covenants or agreements contained herein because the duration thereof is too
long, or the scope thereof is too broad, it is expressly agreed between the
parties hereto that such scope or duration shall be deemed reduced to the extent
necessary to permit the enforcement of such covenants or agreements.

         6.6      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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         6.7      Arbitration.

                  (a)      Except as necessary to obtain injunctive relief to
enforce the provisions of Article V of this Agreement, any dispute or
controversy arising, directly or indirectly, under or in connection with this
Agreement, the Executive's employment with the Company pursuant to this
Agreement, the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company or any
other matter reasonably related thereto, asserted by the Company against the
Executive or by the Executive against the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys or representatives, shall be
settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three
arbitrators in Maricopa County, Arizona in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. The decision of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding on the parties, and judgment may be entered on the
arbitrators' award in any court having jurisdiction. The costs and expenses of
such arbitration shall be borne in accordance with the determination of the
arbitrators.

                  (b)      Without limiting the generality of Section 6.7(a),
this Section 6.7 is intended to cover all disputes between and among the
Executive, on the one hand, and the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys or representatives, on the
other hand, including contract claims, statutory claims and tort claims
(including without limitation violations of the Arizona Civil Rights Act, the
Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1871, 1964 and 1991, the Arizona Employment
Protection Act, Arizona's wage payment statute, unemployment compensation laws,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or the Americans with Disabilities
Act, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, including the public
policy of whistleblowing, breach of an express and/or implied employment
contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, tortious
interference with contract, tortious interference with prospective business
advantage, libel, slander, defamation, false light, invasion of privacy, and
intentional and/or negligent infliction of emotional distress).

                  (c)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, if any termination of this Agreement becomes subject to arbitration,
the Company shall not be required to pay any amounts to the Executive (except
those amounts required by law) until the completion of the arbitration and the
rendering of the arbitrators' decision. If the Company voluntarily makes any
payments to the Executive during the pendency of the arbitration, such payments
shall be credited to the amounts, if any, determined by the arbitrators to be
owed by the Company to the Executive. The amounts, if any, determined by the
arbitrators to be owed by the Company to the Executive shall be paid within five
days after the decision by the arbitrators is rendered.

                  (d)      The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree
that the Company's subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees,
agents, attorneys and representatives are intended third-party beneficiaries of
this Section 6.7.

         6.8      Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may
be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer of the
Company as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either
party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or

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compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

         6.9      Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Arizona without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

         6.10     Taxes. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net
of any applicable employment taxes or other withholdings required under federal,
state or local law.

         6.11     Survival. The obligations of the Company under Article IV
hereof, the obligations of the Executive under Article V hereof, and the
provisions of Section 6.7 shall survive the expiration of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this
Agreement as of the date first indicated above.

                                    THE COMPANY:

                                    GIANT INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By: /s/ Larry L. DeRoin
                                       ----------------------------
                                          Larry L. DeRoin
                                    Its: Chairman, Compensation Committee

                                    THE EXECUTIVE:

                                       /s/ Morgan Gust
                                    -----------------------------
                                         Morgan Gust

                                       12<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.30

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of this 12th day of December, 2003, between Giant Industries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Mark B. Cox (the "Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         A.       The Company desires to retain the services of the Executive as
its Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
and the Executive desires and is willing to continue employment with the Company
in that capacity.

         B.       The Company and the Executive desire to embody the terms and
conditions of the Executive's employment in a written agreement, which will
supersede all prior agreements of employment, whether written or oral, pursuant
to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                 DUTIES AND TERM

         1.1.     Employment. The Executive is employed as the Vice President,
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary of the Company. In
this capacity, the Executive shall have such duties and responsibilities as
shall be assigned to the Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors
of the Company (the "Board") or as otherwise provided in the Company's bylaws,
in each case not inconsistent with the Executive's position with the Company,
including the performance of duties with respect to subsidiaries of the Company.

         1.2      Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date
first written above and shall continue, unless sooner terminated pursuant to
Article III, for two years (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, the term of this
Agreement shall automatically be extended for successive one year periods
("Renewal Terms") unless either the Board or the Executive gives written notice
to the other at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term, as the case may be, of its or the Executive's intention not to
renew the term of this Agreement or unless this Agreement is sooner terminated
pursuant to Article III. The Initial Term and any Renewal Terms of this
Agreement shall be collectively referred to as the "Term."

         1.3      Location. During the Term of this Agreement, the Executive
shall be based in the principal offices of the Company in Maricopa County,
Arizona, and shall not be required to be based anywhere other than Maricopa
County, Arizona except for travel reasonably required in the performance of his
duties hereunder and except as may be otherwise agreed to by the Executive.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II
                                  COMPENSATION

         2.1      Base Salary. Subject to the further provisions of this
Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive during the Term of this Agreement
an annual base salary of not less than $180,000 (the "Base Salary"). The Base
Salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Company's Chief Executive
Officer ("CEO") and the CEO may, subject to approval by the Company's
Compensation Committee, increase the Base Salary. The Base Salary of the
Executive shall not be decreased at any time during the Term of this Agreement
from the amount of Base Salary then in effect, except in connection with
across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all senior executives of
the Company. Participation in deferred compensation, discretionary bonus,
retirement, stock option and other employee benefit plans and in fringe benefits
shall not reduce the Base Salary payable to the Executive under this Section
2.1. The Base Salary under this Section 2.1 shall be payable by the Company to
the Executive not less frequently than semi-monthly.

         2.2      Discretionary Bonuses. Subject to the further provisions of
this Agreement, during the Term of this Agreement the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in an equitable manner with all other senior executives
of the Company in such discretionary bonuses including, but not limited to,
bonuses provided pursuant to any management bonus plan that the Company may
adopt, as may be authorized and declared by the Board (including any duly
authorized committee of the Board) to the Company's senior executives. Nothing
in this Section shall be deemed to limit the ability of the Executive to be paid
and receive discretionary bonuses from the Company, based solely on the
Executive's performance, without regard to the payment of discretionary bonuses
to any other senior executives of the Company.

         2.3      Participation in Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans; Fringe
Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all plans of the
Company relating to stock options, stock purchases, pension, thrift, profit
sharing, life insurance, hospitalization and medical coverage, disability,
travel or accident insurance, education or other retirement or employee benefits
that the Company has adopted or may adopt for the benefit of its senior
executives, subject to the provisions of those plans. In addition, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in any other fringe benefits, such as
automobile allowances, club dues and fees of professional organizations and
associations, which are now or may become applicable to the Company's senior
executives, and any other benefits which are commensurate with the duties and
responsibilities to be performed by the Executive under this Agreement. The
Executive shall, during the Term of the Executive's employment hereunder,
continue to be provided with benefits at a level which shall in no event be less
in any material respect than the benefits available to the Executive as of the
date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may change,
terminate or reduce benefits under any benefit plans and programs to the extent
such changes, terminations or reductions apply uniformly to all senior
executives entitled to participate therein, and the Executive's benefits shall
be changed, terminated or reduced accordingly.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         2.4      Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to an annual paid
vacation of four weeks per year or such longer period as the Board or the CEO
may approve; provided, however, that the Executive may not carry over more than
one week of vacation time to any subsequent year without the prior approval of
the CEO. The timing of paid vacations shall be scheduled in a manner reasonably
acceptable to the Company.

                                   ARTICLE III
                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         3.1      Death or Retirement of Executive. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate upon the death or Retirement (as defined in Section 3.4)
of the Executive.

         3.2      By the Executive. The Executive shall be entitled to terminate
this Agreement by giving written notice to the Company:

                  (a)      at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial
Term or any Renewal Term of this Agreement;

                  (b)      at any time for Good Reason (as defined in Section
3.4); and

                  (c)      at any time without Good Reason upon 30 days advance
notice to the Company.

         3.3.     By the Company. The Company shall be entitled to terminate
this Agreement by giving written notice to the Executive:

                  (a)      at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial
Term or any Renewal Term of this Agreement;

                  (b)      in the event of the Executive's Disability (as
defined in Section 3.4);

                  (c)      for cause ; and

                  (d)      at any time without cause upon such advance notice to
the Executive, if any, as determined by the Board.

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

                  (a)      "Change of Control" shall mean a change in ownership
or control of the Company effected through any of the following transactions:

                           (i)      the direct or indirect acquisition by any
person or related group of persons (other than a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a
corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in

                                       3
<PAGE>

substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company)
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of securities possessing more than 50% of the
total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities pursuant to
a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company's stockholders or other
transaction; or

                           (ii)     a change in the composition of the Board
over a period of 36 consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board
members (rounded up to the next whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more
contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who
either (A) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such
period or (B) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members
during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in
clause (A) who were still in office at the time such election or nomination was
approved by the Board; or

                           (iii)    a merger or consolidation approved by the
stockholders of the Company, other than a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the
total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

                           (iv)     the sale, transfer or other disposition (in
one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company approved by the stockholders or the complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Company approved by the stockholders.

                  (b)      "Disability" shall mean the Executive's inability,
with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform one or more of the
essential functions of the Executive's position hereunder on a full-time basis
for a period exceeding 180 consecutive days or for periods aggregating more than
180 days during any 12 month period as a result of incapacity due to physical or
mental impairment not due to drug abuse. If there is a dispute as to whether the
Executive is or was physically or mentally unable to perform the essential
functions of the Executive's position under this Agreement, such dispute shall
be submitted for resolution to a licensed physician agreed upon by the Board and
the Executive, or if an agreement cannot be promptly reached, the Board and the
Executive will each select a physician, and if these physicians cannot agree,
they will pick a third physician whose decision shall be binding on all parties.
If such a dispute arises, the Executive shall submit to such examinations and
shall provide such information as such physician(s) may request, and the
determination of the physician(s) may be released to the Company and, as to the
Executive's physical or mental condition, shall be binding and conclusive.

                  (c)      "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following if the
same shall occur without the Executive's express prior written consent:

                                       4
<PAGE>

                           (i)      a material change by the Company in the
Executive's function, duties or responsibilities (including reporting
responsibilities) which would cause the Executive's position with the Company to
become of less dignity, responsibility and importance than those associated with
the Executive's functions, duties or responsibilities as of the date of this
Agreement, as of the first day of any Renewal Term, or during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the date a Change of Control occurs, as the case may be;

                           (ii)     the Executive's Base Salary is reduced by
the Company, unless such reduction is pursuant to a salary reduction program as
described in Section 2.1 hereof, or there is a material reduction in the
benefits that are in effect for the Executive, unless such reduction is pursuant
to a uniform reduction in benefits for all senior executives as described in
Section 2.3 hereof;

                           (iii)    relocation of the Executive's principal
place of employment to a place located outside of Maricopa County, Arizona;

                           (iv)     the failure by the Company to obtain the
assumption by operation of law or otherwise of this Agreement by any entity
which is the surviving entity in any merger or other form of corporate
reorganization involving the Company or by any entity which acquires all or
substantially all of the Company's assets in a Change of Control transaction; or

                           (v)      other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company, which breach shall not be cured within 15 days after written notice
thereof to the Company.

                  (d)      "Retirement" shall mean normal retirement at age 65
or in accordance with retirement rules generally applicable to the Company's
senior executives.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                   COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         4.1      Termination Prior to a Change of Control; Termination More
than Two Years Following a Change of Control; Termination for Death or
Disability; Termination by Executive without Good Reason. If, at any time during
this Agreement, the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death or Disability, or by the Executive without Good Reason, or if,
prior to a Change of Control, or more than two years following a Change of
Control, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company with cause, the
Company shall:

                  (a)      pay the Executive (or the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries) any Base Salary which has accrued but not been paid as of the
termination date;

                  (b)      reimburse the Executive (or the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries) for expenses incurred by him prior to the date of termination
which are subject to reimbursement pursuant to applicable Company policies then
in effect;

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  (c)      provide to the Executive (or the Executive's estate
or beneficiaries) any accrued and vested benefits required to be provided by the
terms of any Company-sponsored benefit plans or programs, together with any
benefits required to be paid or provided in the event of the Executive's death
or Disability under applicable law;

                  (d)      pay the Executive (or the Executive's estate or
beneficiaries) any discretionary bonus with respect to a prior fiscal year which
has accrued and been earned but has not been paid; and

                  (e)      in addition, the Executive (or the Executive's estate
or beneficiaries) shall have the right to exercise all vested, unexercised stock
options outstanding at the termination date in accordance with terms of the
plans and agreements pursuant to which such options were issued; provided,
however, that unless expressly prohibited under the terms of such plans and
applicable laws, the Executive shall have a period of up to one year from the
termination date to exercise such stock options.

         4.2      Termination Within Two Years Following a Change of Control.

                  If, at any time within a two year period following a Change of
Control, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company with or without
cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, or upon expiration of the Term of
this Agreement within a two year period following a Change of Control, the
Company shall:

                  (a)      make the payments and provide to the Executive the
benefits under Section 4.1, other than under Section 4.1(e);

                  (b)      pay to the Executive an aggregate amount equal to two
times the sum of: (i) the Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately prior to
the time such termination occurs; and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses
paid to the Executive for the two fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal
year in which the termination occurs, provided that in determining such average,
for any fiscal year for which the Executive's annual bonus was less than 25% of
the Executive's then Base Salary, such bonus shall be deemed to be equal to 25%
of the Executive's then Base Salary. Such amount shall be paid, at the
Executive's option, in a lump sum on or prior to the 30th day following the
termination date, or in 12 equal monthly installments beginning on the first day
of the month following the termination date and continuing on the first day of
each month thereafter; and

                  (c)      in addition, unless expressly prohibited under the
terms of such plans and applicable laws, all unvested stock options or other
stock awards owned by the Executive that would otherwise have vested after the
termination date shall become fully vested and exercisable at the termination
date, and the Executive (or the Executive's estate or beneficiaries) shall have
the right to exercise all vested, unexercised stock options or awards
outstanding at the termination date (including the accelerated options and
awards) in accordance with the terms (except the vesting terms with respect to
the accelerated options and awards) of the plans and agreements pursuant to
which such options and other awards were issued; provided, however, that unless
expressly

                                       6
<PAGE>

prohibited under the terms of such plans and applicable laws, the Executive
shall have a period of up to one year from the termination date to exercise such
stock options.

                  (d)      The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), imposes significant tax burdens on the Executive and the Company if the
total amounts received by the Executive due to a Change of Control exceed
prescribed limits. These tax burdens include a requirement that the Executive
pay a 20% excise tax on certain amounts received in excess of the prescribed
limits and a loss of deduction for the Company. If, as a result of these Code
provisions, the Executive is required to pay such excise tax, then upon written
notice from the Executive to the Company, the Company shall pay the Executive an
amount equal to the total excise tax imposed on the Executive (including the
excise taxes on any excise tax reimbursements due pursuant to this sentence and
the excise taxes on any income tax reimbursements due pursuant to the next
sentence). If the Company is obligated to pay the Executive pursuant to the
preceding sentence, the Company also shall pay the Executive an amount equal to
the "total presumed federal and state taxes" that could be imposed on the
Executive with respect to the excise tax reimbursements due to the Executive
pursuant to the preceding sentence and the income tax reimbursements due to the
Executive pursuant to this sentence. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the
"total presumed federal and state taxes" that could be imposed on the Executive
shall be conclusively calculated using a combined tax rate equal to the sum of
the then prevailing maximum marginal federal and state income tax rates and the
hospital insurance portion of FICA. No adjustments will be made in this combined
rate for the deduction of state taxes on the federal return, the loss of
itemized deductions or exemptions, or for any other purpose. The Executive shall
be responsible for paying the actual taxes. The amounts payable to the Executive
pursuant to this or any other agreement or arrangement with Company shall not be
limited in any way by the amount that may be paid pursuant to the Code without
the imposition of an excise tax or the loss of Company deductions. Either the
Executive or the Company may elect to challenge any excise taxes imposed by the
Internal Revenue Service, and the Company and the Executive agree to cooperate
with each other in prosecuting such challenges. If the Executive elects to
litigate or otherwise challenge the imposition of such excise tax, however, the
Company will join the Executive in such litigation or challenge only if the
Board determines in good faith that the Executive's position has substantial
merit and that the issues should be litigated from the standpoint of the
Company's best interest.

         4.3      Termination by Executive for Good Reason or by Company Without
Cause Prior to a Change of Control or More than Two Years Following a Change of
Control. If, prior to a Change of Control, or more than two years following a
Change of Control, the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason, by the Company without cause or the Company or the Board gives
written notice to the Executive of its intention to not renew this Agreement at
the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Company shall:

                  (a)      make the payments and provide to the Executive the
benefits under Section 4.1; and

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  (b)      pay to the Executive a lump sum payment on or prior
to the 30th day following the termination date in an amount equal to the
Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the time such termination
occurs. This lump sum payment shall not be considered due and owing until the
30th day following the termination date.

         4.4      Releases and Resignations. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, it shall be a condition to the Company's obligations
to pay any amount to the Executive in excess of any amounts required by law that
the Executive provide to the Company and its subsidiaries, officers, directors,
employees and agents a complete general release of all claims, known or unknown,
that the Executive may have against any of them. Such release shall be in
customary form, and shall specifically include employment-related claims. In
addition, upon termination of employment, the Executive shall, upon demand,
resign as an officer and director of the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company, as applicable.

                                    ARTICLE V
                             RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

         5.1      Confidentiality.

                  (a)      The Executive agrees to keep all trade secrets and/or
proprietary information (collectively, "Confidential Information") of the
Company in strict confidence and agrees not to disclose any Confidential
Information to any other person, firm, association, partnership, corporation or
other entity for any reason except as such disclosure may be required in
connection with the Executive's employment hereunder. The Executive further
agrees not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose except on behalf
of the Company.

                  (b)      For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential
Information" shall mean any information, process or idea that is not generally
known in the industry, that the Company considers confidential, and/or that
gives the Company a competitive advantage, including, without limitation,
suppliers, production costs or production information; marketing plans; business
forecasts; and sales records. The Executive understands that the above list is
intended to be illustrative and that other Confidential Information may
currently exist or arise in the future. If the Executive is unsure whether
certain information or material is Confidential Information, the Executive shall
treat that information or material as confidential unless the Executive is
informed by the Company, in writing, to the contrary. "Confidential Information"
shall not include any information which: (i) is or becomes publicly available
through no act or failure of the Executive; (ii) was or is rightfully learned by
the Executive from a source other than the Company before being received from
the Company; or (iii) becomes independently available to the Executive as matter
of right from a third party. If only a portion of the Confidential Information
is or becomes publicly available, then only that portion shall not be
Confidential Information hereunder.

                  (c)      The Executive further agrees that upon termination of
the Executive's employment with the Company, for whatever reason, the Executive
will surrender to the Company all of the property, notes, manuals, reports,
documents and other things in the Executive's

                                       8
<PAGE>

possession, including copies or computerized records thereof, which relate
directly or indirectly to Confidential Information.

         5.2      Competition.

                  (a)      The Executive agrees that during the Term of the
Executive's employment with the Company hereunder, and for a period of one year
following the termination of the Executive's employment, unless such termination
was by the Company and without cause, the Executive shall not:

                           (i)      except as a passive investor in
publicly-held companies, and except for investments held as of the date hereof,
directly or indirectly own, operate, manage, consult with, control, participate
in the management or control of, be employed by, maintain or continue any
interest whatsoever in any refining company or any company that markets
petroleum products, in each case that directly competes with the Company; or

                           (ii)     directly or indirectly influence customers
or suppliers of the Company to divert their business to any competitor of the
Company; or

                           (iii)    employ, or directly or indirectly solicit,
or cause the solicitation of, any employees of the Company who are in the employ
of the Company on the termination date of the Executive's employment hereunder
for employment by others in competition with the Company.

                  (b)      The Executive expressly agrees and acknowledges that:

                           (i)      the covenants in Section 5.2(a) are
reasonably necessary for the protection of the interests of the Company and are
reasonable in scope and do not place any unreasonable burden upon him;

                           (ii)     the general public will not be harmed as a
result of enforcement of the covenants in Section 5.2(a);

                           (iii)    the Executive's personal legal counsel has
reviewed the covenants in Section 5.2(a); and

                           (iv)     he understands and hereby agrees to each and
every term and condition of the covenants in Section 5.2(a).

         5.3      Remedies. The Executive expressly agrees and acknowledges that
the covenants in Section 5.2 are necessary for the Company's and its affiliates'
protection because of the nature and scope of their business and the Executive's
position with the Company. Further, the Executive acknowledges that, in the
event of the Executive's breach of the Executive's covenants, money damages will
not sufficiently compensate the Company for its injury caused thereby, and he
accordingly agrees that in addition to such money damages he may be restrained
and enjoined from

                                       9
<PAGE>

any continuing or future breach of the covenants without any bond or other
security being required. The Executive acknowledges that any breach of the
covenants would result in irreparable damage to the Company. The Executive
further acknowledges and agrees that if the Executive fails to comply with this
Article V, the Company has no obligation to provide any compensation or other
benefits described in Article IV hereof. The Executive acknowledges that the
remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of Sections 5.1 and 5.2 will
be inadequate and, accordingly, that the Company shall, in addition to all other
available remedies (including without limitation, seeking such damages as it can
show it has sustained by reason of such breach), be entitled to injunctive
relief or specific performance.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         6.1      No Assignments. This Agreement is personal to each of the
parties hereto. No party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations
hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto,
except that this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
successor corporation to the Company.

                  (a)      The Company shall use reasonable efforts to require
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
Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it
if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company"
shall mean the Company as defined herein and any successor to its business
and/or assets which assumes this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

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

         6.2      Notices. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all
other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United
States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, or to such other
addresses as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notice of a change of address shall be
effective only upon actual receipt:

                  To the Company:   Giant Industries, Inc.
                                    23733 North Scottsdale Road
                                    Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
                                    Attention: General Counsel

                                       10
<PAGE>

                  To the Executive: Mark B. Cox
                                    23733 North Scottsdale Road
                                    Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Notices pursuant to Article III of this Agreement shall specify the specific
termination provision relied upon by the party giving notice and shall state the
effective date of the termination.

         6.3      Amendments or Additions. No amendments or additions to this
Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by each of the parties
hereto.

         6.4      Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Agreement
are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in
connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

         6.5      Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If, in any
judicial proceedings, a court shall refuse to enforce one or more of the
covenants or agreements contained herein because the duration thereof is too
long, or the scope thereof is too broad, it is expressly agreed between the
parties hereto that such scope or duration shall be deemed reduced to the extent
necessary to permit the enforcement of such covenants or agreements.

         6.6      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         6.7      Arbitration.

                  (a)      Except as necessary to obtain injunctive relief to
enforce the provisions of Article V of this Agreement, any dispute or
controversy arising, directly or indirectly, under or in connection with this
Agreement, the Executive's employment with the Company pursuant to this
Agreement, the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company or any
other matter reasonably related thereto, asserted by the Company against the
Executive or by the Executive against the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys or representatives, shall be
settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three
arbitrators in Maricopa County, Arizona in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. The decision of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding on the parties, and judgment may be entered on the
arbitrators' award in any court having jurisdiction. The costs and expenses of
such arbitration shall be borne in accordance with the determination of the
arbitrators.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  (b)      Without limiting the generality of Section 6.7(a),
this Section 6.7 is intended to cover all disputes between and among the
Executive, on the one hand, and the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys or representatives, on the
other hand, including contract claims, statutory claims and tort claims
(including without limitation violations of the Arizona Civil Rights Act, the
Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1871, 1964 and 1991, the Arizona Employment
Protection Act, Arizona's wage payment statute, unemployment compensation laws,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or the Americans with Disabilities
Act, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, including the public
policy of whistleblowing, breach of an express and/or implied employment
contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, tortious
interference with contract, tortious interference with prospective business
advantage, libel, slander, defamation, false light, invasion of privacy, and
intentional and/or negligent infliction of emotional distress).

                  (c)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, if any termination of this Agreement becomes subject to arbitration,
the Company shall not be required to pay any amounts to the Executive (except
those amounts required by law) until the completion of the arbitration and the
rendering of the arbitrators' decision. If the Company voluntarily makes any
payments to the Executive during the pendency of the arbitration, such payments
shall be credited to the amounts, if any, determined by the arbitrators to be
owed by the Company to the Executive. The amounts, if any, determined by the
arbitrators to be owed by the Company to the Executive shall be paid within five
days after the decision by the arbitrators is rendered.

                  (d)      The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree
that the Company's subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees,
agents, attorneys and representatives are intended third-party beneficiaries of
this Section 6.7.

         6.8      Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may
be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer of the
Company as may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either
party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

         6.9      Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Arizona without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

         6.10     Taxes. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net
of any applicable employment taxes or other withholdings required under federal,
state or local law.

                                       12
<PAGE>

         6.2      Survival. The obligations of the Company under Article IV
hereof, the obligations of the Executive under Article V hereof and the
provisions of Section 6.7 shall survive the expiration of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this
Agreement as of the date first indicated above.

                                    THE COMPANY:

                                    GIANT INDUSTRIES, INC.,
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By:  /s/ Larry L. DeRoin
                                        -----------------------------
                                             Larry L. DeRoin
                                    Its: Chairman, Compensation Committee

                                    THE EXECUTIVE:

                                         /s/ Mark B. Cox
                                    ---------------------------------
                                             Mark B. Cox

                                       13

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