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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.24

                             OAKHURST COMPANY, INC.

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into this 18th day of July, 2001, by and between OAKHURST COMPANY, INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Patrick T. Manning, an individual
residing in The Woodlands, Montgomery County, Texas (hereinafter referred to as
"Employee").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, each of Employee and Sterling Construction Company, a Michigan
corporation doing business as Texas-Sterling Construction, Inc., and a
subsidiary of the Company ("Sterling"), have entered into that certain Amended
and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the
"Manning/Sterling Employment Agreement"), which provides that Employee shall
serve as Sterling's Chief Executive Officer; and

         WHEREAS, each of the Company and Employee desires that Employee also
serve as the Company's Chief Executive Officer;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, the following
covenants and conditions and for other good and valuable consideration, the
Company and Employee agree as follows:

         1. SUPERSEDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement supersedes any and all other
employment agreements, written or oral, between the Company and Employee.

         2. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby
accepts employment for the term on the conditions specified in this Agreement.

         3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

         A. Employee agrees to perform, to the best of his ability, the duties
of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with responsibility for the duties
generally associated with the office of chief executive officer and for the
supervision of the Company and its officers as well as such other duties as the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") may assign from time to time.

         B. As a full-time employee, Employee agrees (i) to devote such portion
of his productive time, ability and attention to the diligent prosecution of the
business and affairs of the Company as necessary for the discharge of his duties
hereunder and (ii) to conform to and/or comply with all lawful rules,
regulations, instructions, personnel practices and policies of the Company which
are not inconsistent with this Agreement, whether now in force or hereafter
adopted.

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         C. The foregoing provisions shall not prevent or restrict Employee from
passive investment activities.

         4. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM AND PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.

         A. This agreement shall be effective as of the date first set forth
above (the "Effective Date").

         B. The "Original Term" of this Agreement shall be thirty-six (36)
months. Subject to renewal as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall expire
on the third anniversary of the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated in
accordance with the terms and provisions hereinafter set forth. This Agreement
shall be renewed and extended for a period of twelve (12) months on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date and on each successive annual anniversary
thereafter unless only if, not less than ninety days prior to the third
anniversary (or, if previously renewed and extended, any succeeding annual
anniversary) of the Effective Date (the "Renewal Notice Date"), (i) the Company,
pursuant to a resolution of the Board shall have given Employee written notice
that the Company has determined to renew this Agreement and (ii) Employee shall
not have given the Company at least 180 days' prior written notice that Employee
has determined not to renew this Agreement. Employee shall, unless requested
otherwise by the Board, remain in the employ of the Company during the entirety
of such one hundred eighty (180) day period; however, the Company may deem such
notice as notice of resignation by Employee of all offices and directorships
then held by him in the Company and any corporation or other entity controlling,
controlled by or under common control with the Company (an "Affiliate"), such
resignation to be effective upon termination of Employee's employment with the
Company.

         C. In the event of Employee's death during the Original Term of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall be terminated automatically as of the date of
Employee's death, and the Company shall have no further or continuing obligation
to Employee or his estate under the provisions of Paragraph 5 below, other than
to pay any benefits accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of
Employee's death.

         D. In the event Employee is or becomes permanently disabled, as such
term is defined below, during the Original Term or any renewal term(s) of this
Agreement, this Agreement may, at the option of the Company, be terminated at
any time after the occurrence of such disability. The aforesaid prerogative of
the Company to terminate this Agreement shall be exercised by written notice
given by the Company to Employee or his personal representative. For the
purposes hereof, Employee shall be deemed to have become permanently disabled
if, during any consecutive twelve (12) month period, because of ill health,
physical or mental disability, or for other causes beyond his control he shall
have been continuously unable or unwilling or shall have failed to have
performed his duties under this Agreement, in whole or in substantial part, for
180 consecutive days (the phrase "substantial part" meaning the inability of
Employee to perform and devote at least eight (8) hours per work day to his
duties and responsibilities.)

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         E. Employee shall be based at the principal executive or operational
offices of Sterling in Houston, Harris County, Texas except for required travel
on the Company's business.

         5. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEE.

         A. Base Salary; Incentive and other Compensation; Vacation. The parties
hereby acknowledge that under the terms of the Manning/Sterling Employment
Agreement, Employee is entitled to be paid a base salary and additional
incentive compensation by Sterling, and is entitled to additional benefits and
other compensation thereunder. Employee is also entitled to paid vacation in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Manning/Sterling Employment
Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
parties do not contemplate any payment of salary by the Company hereunder.

         B. Business Expenses. Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed, or
to the use of a Company credit card, for reasonable and necessary business
expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties and responsibilities
hereunder, including, without limitation, travel from his office and/or
residence to the Company's facilities, all in accordance with applicable Company
policies, as such may exist from time to time. Employee's Company credit card
charges and expense reports will be subject to review and approval by the Board,
in its sole discretion.

         C. D&O Insurance. The Company shall obtain and maintain, at its sole
expense, a policy or contract of insurance to insure its directors and officers
and the officers and directors of its subsidiaries against personal liability
for acts or omissions in connection with service as a director or officer of the
Company or any subsidiary thereof or service in other capacities at the request
of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The coverage provided to Employee, in
his capacity as a director or officer of the Company, shall be at the same
limits and of the same scope and on the same terms and conditions as the
coverage provided to the other directors and officers of the Company. The scope,
terms and conditions of such coverage shall be reasonably comparable to the D&O
coverage provided by comparable size companies that are public companies.

         D. Indemnification. The Company shall defend and indemnify Employee
against, and hold Employee harmless from, any and all costs, liabilities,
losses, claims and exposures for Employee's services as an employee, officer or
director of the Company (or any successor thereto) to the maximum extent
permitted under applicable laws or under the Company's bylaws.

         6. TERMINATION.

         A. Employee's Right to Terminate for Good Reason. Employee may
terminate this Agreement and his employment with the Company for "Good Reason."
In the event of Employee's termination of this Agreement and his employment with
the Company for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to Employee a cash amount
equal to Employee's annual base salary under the terms of the Manning/Sterling
Employment Agreement, initially Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).

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         For purposes of this Paragraph 6.A, "Good Reason" shall be deemed to
exist if the Manning/Sterling Employment Agreement and Employee's employment
thereunder is terminated for "Good Reason" (as such term is defined in the
Manning/Sterling Employment Agreement) or without "good cause" (as such term is
defined in the Manning/Sterling Employment Agreement).

         B. Employee's Right to Terminate Without Good Reason. At any time,
Employee may terminate this Employment Agreement and his employment with the
Company for any reason not described in Paragraph 6.A above, but only after at
least one hundred eighty (180) days' advance written notice is given to the
Board by Employee pursuant to the notice provisions hereof; provided, however,
Employee shall terminate his employment on any earlier date after giving such
notice if so required by the Board. If Employee terminates his employment in
accordance with the preceding sentences, the Company shall not be obligated to
make any further payments to Employee hereunder, other than to pay any benefits
accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of such termination. The
Company may deem such notice as notice of resignation by Employee of all offices
and directorships then held by him in the Company or in any Affiliate, such
resignation to be effective upon Employee's termination of employment with the
Company.

         C. The Company's Right to Terminate for Good Cause. The Company may
terminate this Agreement and Employee's employment, for "good cause," at any
time effective immediately upon giving written notice of termination to
Employee. For the purposes of this Paragraph 6.C., "good cause" for termination
by the Company shall mean any of the following:

         (i)      Employee's gross neglect of his duties, gross negligence in
                  the performance of his duties, refusal to perform his duties,
                  or willful disobedience of a lawful order or directive given
                  to Employee by the Board and within the scope of Employee's
                  duties;

         (ii)     Employee's unsatisfactory performance of his duties that is
                  not cured within twenty (20) working days after written notice
                  is given to Employee pursuant to a duly adopted resolution of
                  the Board specifically identifying the reason(s) why the
                  Board, in its judgment, believes that Employee's performance
                  is unsatisfactory and what Employee can do to cure such
                  unsatisfactory performance to the full satisfaction of the
                  Board;

         (iii)    any act of theft or other dishonesty on the part of Employee,
                  including, but not limited to, any intentional misapplication
                  of the Company's funds or other property, which the Board has
                  found pursuant to a duly adopted resolution, with Employee not
                  participating in such action, that Employee has committed such
                  act;

         (iv)     Employee's conviction of any criminal activity not described
                  in clause (iii) or participation in an activity involving
                  moral turpitude that the Board has found pursuant to a duly
                  adopted resolution, with Employee not participating in such
                  action, is, or could reasonably be expected to be, injurious
                  to the business or reputation of the Company; and

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         (v)      Employee's immoderate use of alcohol and/or the use of
                  non-prescribed narcotics which the Board has found pursuant to
                  a duly adopted resolution, with Employee not participating in
                  such action, adversely affects the performance of his duties.

If the Company terminates this Agreement for good cause, the Company shall not
be obligated to make any further payments to Employee hereunder, other than to
pay any benefits accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of such
termination.

         D. The Company's Right to Terminate Without Good Cause: The Board may
cause the Company to terminate this Agreement, at any time, for any reason not
described in Paragraph 6.C above, but only after at least one hundred eighty
(180) days' advance written notice is given to Employee by the Board pursuant to
the notice provisions hereof. If the Company terminates Employee's employment in
accordance with the preceding sentence, the Company shall pay to Employee a cash
amount equal to Employee's annual base salary under the terms of the
Manning/Sterling Employment Agreement, initially Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($200,000).

         E. Effect of Termination on Employee's Covenants. Employee's
termination, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether for or without good
cause or Good Reason, shall not relieve Employee of his obligations set forth in
Paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof.

         7. PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF COMPANY.

         A. Nondisclosure Covenant. During the term of his employment hereunder,
Employee shall have access to confidential and/or proprietary information of the
Company, including, but not limited to, books and records, financial
information, personnel information, lists of existing or prospective clients and
customers (and their special needs and requirements), market research, fee and
pricing structures, intellectual property such as the "Covered Items" referred
to in the Property Assignment Agreement of even date to which Employee, certain
other parties and Sterling are parties (the "Property Assignment Agreement"),
and other information (hereafter collectively called "Confidential
Information"). Employee recognizes and acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is a valuable, special and unique asset of the Company and that the
Company's business is dependent on the same. To insure the continued secrecy of
this Confidential Information, and in consideration of his employment or
continued employment by the Company, Employee agrees and covenants, subject to
the next succeeding sentence, that during the Original Term and any renewal
term(s) of this Agreement and at all times following the termination of this
Agreement and/or his employment (whether such termination occurs as a result of
the expiration of the Original Term or any renewal term of this Agreement or by
the election of either party) Employee will not, except as is reasonably
believed by him to be in the best interest of or necessary to the conduct of the
business of the Company:

         (i)      disclose or divulge to any person, firm, corporation,
                  partnership, joint venture or other business entity, or to any
                  local, state or federal governmental agency (collectively
                  referred to as an "Entity") any Confidential Information or
                  any other proprietary information which is used by or becomes
                  known to Employee;

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         (ii)     use Confidential Information for any purpose other than the
                  performance by Employee of his obligations under this
                  Agreement and/or the performance of his duties as an employee
                  of the Company; or

         (iii)    disclose to any Entity any information which is not otherwise
                  known to the public concerning the business, customers,
                  clients or affairs of the Company which Employee may acquire
                  in the course of or as an incident to employment and service
                  on behalf of the Company.

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence to the contrary, Employee
shall not be considered to have violated the requirements of such sentence if
Employee makes a disclosure of Confidential Information in response to a
subpoena or is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction to do so.
Confidential Information shall not include information which (i) becomes known
to the public through no fault of Employee, (ii) is disclosed by the Company to
a third party under no obligation of confidentiality, or (iii) becomes available
to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a third party under no obligation
of confidentiality to the Company.

         B. Work Product. Upon the termination of his employment, Employee shall
not take from the premises of the Company or otherwise retain any records, files
or other documents, or copies thereof, relating to the business or affairs of
the Company or any Confidential Information. As further consideration for his
employment, Employee hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company, its
successors and assigns, all rights to documents, manuals, notes, computer
programs, data bases, research material, prospective customer lists, etc., which
Employee may have made, conceived, or received during the term of his employment
with the Company. Employee will promptly disclose to the Company information
relating to said documents, manuals, notes, computer programs, data bases,
research materials, prospective customer lists, etc., and will execute,
acknowledge, and deliver all papers and perform such other acts as may be
necessary in the opinion of the Company to vest title to such material in the
Company, its successors and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Employee covenants and agrees to assign to the Company, it successors
and assigns, at any time and from time to time as may be requested by the
Company, its successors and assigns, at any time or times, any and all works,
whether constituting derivative works or improvements that he develops, invents
or creates from and after the Effective Date and during the term of his
employment, and agrees that the same are and will be works for hire and owned by
the Company, its successors and assigns.

         C. Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee
of the provisions of this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to seek an
injunction restraining Employee from disclosing, in whole or in part, any of the
Company's Confidential Information or mandating the assignment by Employee of
any and all works to the Company. Nothing herein shall be construed as
prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the
Company for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages
from Employee.

         8. COVENANT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE. Employee hereby agrees,
covenants and warrants, subject to the next succeeding sentences of this
paragraph, that during

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the Original Term and any renewal term(s) of this Agreement and (x) for the
two-year period following the end of such Original Term or renewal term in the
event of the expiration of such Original Term or renewal term or Employee's
termination of employment under Paragraph 6.B or 6.C or (y) for the one-year
period following the termination of Employee's employment in the event of
termination of employment under Paragraph 6.A or 6.D, Employee will not, within
the State of Texas, directly or indirectly:

         (i)      compete with the Company in any business in which the Company
                  is actively engaged at the termination of Employee's
                  employment;

         (ii)     solicit, contract, contact or consult with any of the
                  Company's then existing or actively prospective customers or
                  clients for the purpose of providing, either directly or
                  indirectly, goods or services in competition with the Company;

         (iii)    take any action which would tend to divert from the Company
                  any Entity which was a client or customer of the Company at
                  the time of Employee's termination or any Entity with respect
                  to which the Company was actively seeking to establish a
                  client relationship at the time of Employee's termination; or

         (iv)     solicit for employment or employ as an employee, independent
                  contractor or consultant any person who is a party to an
                  employment, independent contractor or consulting agreement
                  with the Company or was an employee, independent contractor or
                  consultant of the Company on the date of Employee's
                  termination to perform or provide (or aid in the providing or
                  performing) on behalf of any Entity any service which is the
                  same as or similar to any service performed or provided by
                  such person in the scope of such person's employment,
                  independent contractor or consulting arrangements with the
                  Company.

As sole consideration for Employee's agreement not to compete for the period
specified above following the termination of his employment, the Company shall
pay, and hereby agrees to pay, Employee $1,000 per month in advance for each
month in such period. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, Employee may
elect by written notice to the Company after termination of this Agreement by
the Company other than for good cause and prior to any breach of Paragraph 7,
Paragraph 8 or any other provisions hereof by Employee, to cease to be subject
to this Paragraph 8. Upon the giving of such notice, Employee shall cease to be
subject to the provisions of this Paragraph 8 (but shall continue to be subject
to the provisions of Paragraph 7) and the Company shall cease to have any
further obligations to make any further payments to Employee, other than to pay
any benefits accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of Employee's
death.

         Employee agrees that the provisions contained in this Paragraph 8 are
of vital importance to the Company, and that if any question shall ever arise as
to whether any act of Employee is prohibited by this Paragraph 8, then, in all
instances in which it is reasonable to interpret any provision of this Paragraph
8 to prohibit such act, such interpretation shall be controlling,
notwithstanding that it may also be reasonable to interpret such provision not
to prohibit such act.

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         Employee further agrees that such limitations as to the period of time,
geographic area and types and scopes of restriction on his activities specified
herein are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the goodwill and other
business interests of the Company. However, should either the time period or the
geographic area provided herein be deemed invalid or unenforceable in any
respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, then Employee recognizes and
agrees that, upon request of the Company, a modification shall be made to such
time period or geographic area to protect the Company with respect to the
purpose of this covenant not to compete.

         Employee recognizes and agrees that any violation of any of the
provisions contained in this Paragraph 8 will cause such damage or injury to the
Company as would be irreparable and continuing and that the exact amount of such
damage might be difficult or impossible to ascertain and that, for such reason,
among others, the Company shall be entitled to seek an injunction from any court
of competent jurisdiction restraining any further violation of this covenant not
to compete in addition to recovering such damages as the Company may have any
sustained as a result thereof. Such right to damages or an injunction shall be
in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights and remedies the
Company may have under Section 15.50 et seq. of the Texas Business and Commerce
Code for breach of this covenant or other provisions of this Agreement.

         The existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee against the
Company, whether predicted on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute
a defense to the enforcement by the Company of this covenant.

         9. ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT. The Company may not assign this Agreement
without the prior written consent of Employee. In the event of assignment, the
rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company.
Any assignment by the Company of its rights hereunder shall not relieve the
Company of its financial obligation to Employee. The rights and obligations of
Employee under this Agreement are personal to him, and no such rights, benefits
or obligations shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation,
assignment or transfer by him.

         10. NOTICE. Any notice given under this Agreement to either party shall
be given in writing. Any such notice shall be given by personal delivery or by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid,
addressed to such party at the respective address set out below, or at such
other addresses as either party may hereafter designate (by written notice
provided in accordance with this paragraph) as its address for purposes of
notice hereunder:

         Employee:                             The Company:

         Patrick T. Manning.                   Oakhurst Company, Inc.
         4 Muskmallow Court                    2751 Centerville Road, Suite 3131
         The Woodlands, Texas 77380            Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Notice given in accordance herewith shall be effective five days after the date
of the postmark if mailed via registered or certified mail and the return
receipt is received by the sender, or upon

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actual receipt by the party receiving the Notice in the event that (i) such
return receipt is not received by the sender or (ii) notice was given by
personal delivery.

         11. WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision(s) of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision(s) of this Agreement.

         12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that,
not withstanding the foregoing, the parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledge
that Employee is a party to the Manning/Sterling Employment Agreement, the terms
and conditions of which are hereby incorporated by reference. No affirmation,
representation, covenant or agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof
not expressed herein shall be binding on either party.

         13. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be changed, modified or amended at
any time and in any respect by the agreement of the parties hereto without the
consent of any other person; provided, however, that no change, modification or
amendment shall be binding unless same shall have been reduced to a writing and
signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, modification or
amendment is sought.

         14. APPLICABLE LAW; VENUE. THE PARTIES INTEND AND AGREE THAT THE TERMS
AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, EXCLUDING ITS CONFLICTS OF
LAWS PROVISIONS, AND ALL DISPUTES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE
JURISDICTION OF COURTS, STATE OR FEDERAL, SITTING IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

         15. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any portion(s) of this Agreement is
declared to be invalid or illegal by final judgment of any court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect notwithstanding the invalidity or illegality of the other portion(s).

         16. HEADINGS. Headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the
convenience of the parties and have no bearing upon the interpretation and/or
enforcement of this Agreement.

         17. NUMBER AND GENDER OF WORDS. Whenever herein the singular number is
used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any
gender shall include each other gender where appropriate.

         18. MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which may be considered an original, but all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

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         EXECUTED effective as of the Effective Date set forth herein.

OAKHURST COMPANY, INC.                         EMPLOYEE
a Delaware Corporation

By:        /s/ Robert M. Davies                      /s/ Patrick T. Manning
   -------------------------------------       ---------------------------------
Title:     CEO                                         Patrick T. Manning
      ----------------------------------

                                       10<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.25

                             OAKHURST COMPANY, INC.

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into this 18th day of July, 2001, by and between OAKHURST COMPANY, INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Joseph P. Harper, Sr., an individual
residing in The Woodlands, Montgomery County, Texas (hereinafter referred to as
"Employee").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, each of Employee and Sterling Construction Company, a Michigan
corporation doing business as Texas-Sterling Construction, Inc., and a
subsidiary of the Company ("Sterling"), have entered into that certain Amended
and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the
"Harper/Sterling Employment Agreement"), which provides that Employee shall
serve as Sterling's Chief Financial Officer; and

         WHEREAS, each of the Company and Employee desires that Employee also
serve as the Company's President;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, the following
covenants and conditions and for other good and valuable consideration, the
Company and Employee agree as follows:

         1. SUPERSEDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement supersedes any and all other
employment agreements, written or oral, between the Company and Employee.

         2. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby
accepts employment for the term on the conditions specified in this Agreement.

         3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

         A. Employee agrees to perform, to the best of his ability, the duties
of President of the Company, with responsibility for the duties generally
associated with the office of president as well as such other duties as the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") or the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company may assign from time to time.

         B. As a full-time employee, Employee agrees (i) to devote such portion
of his productive time, ability and attention to the diligent prosecution of the
business and affairs of the Company as necessary for the discharge of his duties
hereunder and (ii) to conform to and/or comply with all lawful rules,
regulations, instructions, personnel practices and policies of the Company which
are not inconsistent with this Agreement, whether now in force or hereafter
adopted.

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         C. The foregoing provisions shall not prevent or restrict Employee from
passive investment activities.

         4. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM AND PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.

         A. This agreement shall be effective as of the date first set forth
above (the "Effective Date").

         B. The "Original Term" of this Agreement shall be thirty-six (36)
months. Subject to renewal as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall expire
on the third anniversary of the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated in
accordance with the terms and provisions hereinafter set forth. This Agreement
shall be renewed and extended for a period of twelve (12) months on the third
anniversary of the Effective Date and on each successive annual anniversary
thereafter unless only if, not less than ninety days prior to the third
anniversary (or, if previously renewed and extended, any succeeding annual
anniversary) of the Effective Date (the "Renewal Notice Date"), (i) the Company,
pursuant to a resolution of the Board shall have given Employee written notice
that the Company has determined to renew this Agreement and (ii) Employee shall
not have given the Company at least 180 days' prior written notice that Employee
has determined not to renew this Agreement. Employee shall, unless requested
otherwise by the Board, remain in the employ of the Company during the entirety
of such one hundred eighty (180) day period; however, the Company may deem such
notice as notice of resignation by Employee of all offices and directorships
then held by him in the Company and any corporation or other entity controlling,
controlled by or under common control with the Company (an "Affiliate"), such
resignation to be effective upon termination of Employee's employment with the
Company.

         C. In the event of Employee's death during the Original Term of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall be terminated automatically as of the date of
Employee's death, and the Company shall have no further or continuing obligation
to Employee or his estate under the provisions of Paragraph 5 below, other than
to pay any benefits accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of
Employee's death.

         D. In the event Employee is or becomes permanently disabled, as such
term is defined below, during the Original Term or any renewal term(s) of this
Agreement, this Agreement may, at the option of the Company, be terminated at
any time after the occurrence of such disability. The aforesaid prerogative of
the Company to terminate this Agreement shall be exercised by written notice
given by the Company to Employee or his personal representative. For the
purposes hereof, Employee shall be deemed to have become permanently disabled
if, during any consecutive twelve (12) month period, because of ill health,
physical or mental disability, or for other causes beyond his control he shall
have been continuously unable or unwilling or shall have failed to have
performed his duties under this Agreement, in whole or in substantial part, for
180 consecutive days (the phrase "substantial part" meaning the inability of
Employee to perform and devote at least eight (8) hours per work day to his
duties and responsibilities.)

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         E. Employee shall be based at the principal executive or operational
offices of Sterling in Houston, Harris County, Texas except for required travel
on the Company's business.

         5. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEE.

         A. Base Salary; Incentive and other Compensation; Vacation. The parties
hereby acknowledge that under the terms of the Harper/Sterling Employment
Agreement, Employee is entitled to be paid a base salary and additional
incentive compensation by Sterling, and is entitled to additional benefits and
other compensation thereunder. Employee is also entitled to paid vacation in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Harper/Sterling Employment
Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
parties do not contemplate any payment of salary by the Company hereunder.

         B. Business Expenses. Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed, or
to the use of a Company credit card, for reasonable and necessary business
expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties and responsibilities
hereunder, including, without limitation, travel from his office and/or
residence to the Company's facilities, all in accordance with applicable Company
policies, as such may exist from time to time. Employee's Company credit card
charges and expense reports will be subject to review and approval by the Board,
in its sole discretion.

         C. D&O Insurance. The Company shall obtain and maintain, at its sole
expense, a policy or contract of insurance to insure its directors and officers
and the officers and directors of its subsidiaries against personal liability
for acts or omissions in connection with service as a director or officer of the
Company or any subsidiary thereof or service in other capacities at the request
of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The coverage provided to Employee, in
his capacity as a director or officer of the Company, shall be at the same
limits and of the same scope and on the same terms and conditions as the
coverage provided to the other directors and officers of the Company. The scope,
terms and conditions of such coverage shall be reasonably comparable to the D&O
coverage provided by comparable size companies that are public companies.

         D. Indemnification. The Company shall defend and indemnify Employee
against, and hold Employee harmless from, any and all costs, liabilities,
losses, claims and exposures for Employee's services as an employee, officer or
director of the Company (or any successor thereto) to the maximum extent
permitted under applicable laws or under the Company's bylaws.

         6. TERMINATION.

         A. Employee's Right to Terminate for Good Reason. Employee may
terminate this Agreement and his employment with the Company for "Good Reason."
In the event of Employee's termination of this Agreement and his employment with
the Company for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to Employee a cash amount
equal to Employee's annual base salary under the terms of the Harper/Sterling
Employment Agreement, initially Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).

                                       3
<PAGE>

         For purposes of this Paragraph 6.A, "Good Reason" shall be deemed to
exist if the Harper/Sterling Employment Agreement and Employee's employment
thereunder is terminated for "Good Reason" (as such term is defined in the
Harper/Sterling Employment Agreement) or without "good cause" (as such term is
defined in the Harper/Sterling Employment Agreement).

         B. Employee's Right to Terminate Without Good Reason. At any time,
Employee may terminate this Employment Agreement and his employment with the
Company for any reason not described in Paragraph 6.A above, but only after at
least one hundred eighty (180) days' advance written notice is given to the
Board by Employee pursuant to the notice provisions hereof; provided, however,
Employee shall terminate his employment on any earlier date after giving such
notice if so required by the Board. If Employee terminates his employment in
accordance with the preceding sentences, the Company shall not be obligated to
make any further payments to Employee hereunder, other than to pay any benefits
accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of such termination. The
Company may deem such notice as notice of resignation by Employee of all offices
and directorships then held by him in the Company or in any Affiliate, such
resignation to be effective upon Employee's termination of employment with the
Company.

         C. The Company's Right to Terminate for Good Cause. The Company may
terminate this Agreement and Employee's employment, for "good cause," at any
time effective immediately upon giving written notice of termination to
Employee. For the purposes of this Paragraph 6.C., "good cause" for termination
by the Company shall mean any of the following:

         (i)      Employee's gross neglect of his duties, gross negligence in
                  the performance of his duties, refusal to perform his duties,
                  or willful disobedience of a lawful order or directive given
                  to Employee by the Board and within the scope of Employee's
                  duties;

         (ii)     Employee's unsatisfactory performance of his duties that is
                  not cured within twenty (20) working days after written notice
                  is given to Employee pursuant to a duly adopted resolution of
                  the Board specifically identifying the reason(s) why the
                  Board, in its judgment, believes that Employee's performance
                  is unsatisfactory and what Employee can do to cure such
                  unsatisfactory performance to the full satisfaction of the
                  Board;

         (iii)    any act of theft or other dishonesty on the part of Employee,
                  including, but not limited to, any intentional misapplication
                  of the Company's funds or other property, which the Board has
                  found pursuant to a duly adopted resolution, with Employee not
                  participating in such action, that Employee has committed such
                  act;

         (iv)     Employee's conviction of any criminal activity not described
                  in clause (iii) or participation in an activity involving
                  moral turpitude that the Board has found pursuant to a duly
                  adopted resolution, with Employee not participating in such
                  action, is, or could reasonably be expected to be, injurious
                  to the business or reputation of the Company; and

                                       4
<PAGE>

         (v)      Employee's immoderate use of alcohol and/or the use of
                  non-prescribed narcotics which the Board has found pursuant to
                  a duly adopted resolution, with Employee not participating in
                  such action, adversely affects the performance of his duties.

If the Company terminates this Agreement for good cause, the Company shall not
be obligated to make any further payments to Employee hereunder, other than to
pay any benefits accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of such
termination.

         D. The Company's Right to Terminate Without Good Cause: The Board may
cause the Company to terminate this Agreement, at any time, for any reason not
described in Paragraph 6.C above, but only after at least one hundred eighty
(180) days' advance written notice is given to Employee by the Board pursuant to
the notice provisions hereof. If the Company terminates Employee's employment in
accordance with the preceding sentence, the Company shall pay to Employee a cash
amount equal to Employee's annual base salary under the terms of the
Harper/Sterling Employment Agreement, initially Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($200,000).

         E. Effect of Termination on Employee's Covenants. Employee's
termination, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether for or without good
cause or Good Reason, shall not relieve Employee of his obligations set forth in
Paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof.

         7. PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF COMPANY.

         A. Nondisclosure Covenant. During the term of his employment hereunder,
Employee shall have access to confidential and/or proprietary information of the
Company, including, but not limited to, books and records, financial
information, personnel information, lists of existing or prospective clients and
customers (and their special needs and requirements), market research, fee and
pricing structures, intellectual property such as the "Covered Items" referred
to in the Property Assignment Agreement of even date to which Employee, certain
other parties and Sterling are parties (the "Property Assignment Agreement"),
and other information (hereafter collectively called "Confidential
Information"). Employee recognizes and acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is a valuable, special and unique asset of the Company and that the
Company's business is dependent on the same. To insure the continued secrecy of
this Confidential Information, and in consideration of his employment or
continued employment by the Company, Employee agrees and covenants, subject to
the next succeeding sentence, that during the Original Term and any renewal
term(s) of this Agreement and at all times following the termination of this
Agreement and/or his employment (whether such termination occurs as a result of
the expiration of the Original Term or any renewal term of this Agreement or by
the election of either party) Employee will not, except as is reasonably
believed by him to be in the best interest of or necessary to the conduct of the
business of the Company:

         (i)      disclose or divulge to any person, firm, corporation,
                  partnership, joint venture or other business entity, or to any
                  local, state or federal governmental agency (collectively
                  referred to as an "Entity") any Confidential Information or
                  any other proprietary information which is used by or becomes
                  known to Employee;

                                       5
<PAGE>

         (ii)     use Confidential Information for any purpose other than the
                  performance by Employee of his obligations under this
                  Agreement and/or the performance of his duties as an employee
                  of the Company; or

         (iii)    disclose to any Entity any information which is not otherwise
                  known to the public concerning the business, customers,
                  clients or affairs of the Company which Employee may acquire
                  in the course of or as an incident to employment and service
                  on behalf of the Company.

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence to the contrary, Employee
shall not be considered to have violated the requirements of such sentence if
Employee makes a disclosure of Confidential Information in response to a
subpoena or is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction to do so.
Confidential Information shall not include information which (i) becomes known
to the public through no fault of Employee, (ii) is disclosed by the Company to
a third party under no obligation of confidentiality, or (iii) becomes available
to Employee on a non-confidential basis from a third party under no obligation
of confidentiality to the Company.

         B. Work Product. Upon the termination of his employment, Employee shall
not take from the premises of the Company or otherwise retain any records, files
or other documents, or copies thereof, relating to the business or affairs of
the Company or any Confidential Information. As further consideration for his
employment, Employee hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company, its
successors and assigns, all rights to documents, manuals, notes, computer
programs, data bases, research material, prospective customer lists, etc., which
Employee may have made, conceived, or received during the term of his employment
with the Company. Employee will promptly disclose to the Company information
relating to said documents, manuals, notes, computer programs, data bases,
research materials, prospective customer lists, etc., and will execute,
acknowledge, and deliver all papers and perform such other acts as may be
necessary in the opinion of the Company to vest title to such material in the
Company, its successors and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Employee covenants and agrees to assign to the Company, it successors
and assigns, at any time and from time to time as may be requested by the
Company, its successors and assigns, at any time or times, any and all works,
whether constituting derivative works or improvements that he develops, invents
or creates from and after the Effective Date and during the term of his
employment, and agrees that the same are and will be works for hire and owned by
the Company, its successors and assigns.

         C. Remedies. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee
of the provisions of this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to seek an
injunction restraining Employee from disclosing, in whole or in part, any of the
Company's Confidential Information or mandating the assignment by Employee of
any and all works to the Company. Nothing herein shall be construed as
prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the
Company for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages
from Employee.

         8. COVENANT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE. Employee hereby agrees,
covenants and warrants, subject to the next succeeding sentences of this
paragraph, that during

                                       6
<PAGE>

the Original Term and any renewal term(s) of this Agreement and (x) for the
two-year period following the end of such Original Term or renewal term in the
event of the expiration of such Original Term or renewal term or Employee's
termination of employment under Paragraph 6.B or 6.C or (y) for the one-year
period following the termination of Employee's employment in the event of
termination of employment under Paragraph 6.A or 6.D, Employee will not, within
the State of Texas, directly or indirectly:

         (i)      compete with the Company in any business in which the Company
                  is actively engaged at the termination of Employee's
                  employment;

         (ii)     solicit, contract, contact or consult with any of the
                  Company's then existing or actively prospective customers or
                  clients for the purpose of providing, either directly or
                  indirectly, goods or services in competition with the Company;

         (iii)    take any action which would tend to divert from the Company
                  any Entity which was a client or customer of the Company at
                  the time of Employee's termination or any Entity with respect
                  to which the Company was actively seeking to establish a
                  client relationship at the time of Employee's termination; or

         (iv)     solicit for employment or employ as an employee, independent
                  contractor or consultant any person who is a party to an
                  employment, independent contractor or consulting agreement
                  with the Company or was an employee, independent contractor or
                  consultant of the Company on the date of Employee's
                  termination to perform or provide (or aid in the providing or
                  performing) on behalf of any Entity any service which is the
                  same as or similar to any service performed or provided by
                  such person in the scope of such person's employment,
                  independent contractor or consulting arrangements with the
                  Company.

As sole consideration for Employee's agreement not to compete for the period
specified above following the termination of his employment, the Company shall
pay, and hereby agrees to pay, Employee $1,000 per month in advance for each
month in such period. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, Employee may
elect by written notice to the Company after termination of this Agreement by
the Company other than for good cause and prior to any breach of Paragraph 7,
Paragraph 8 or any other provisions hereof by Employee, to cease to be subject
to this Paragraph 8. Upon the giving of such notice, Employee shall cease to be
subject to the provisions of this Paragraph 8 (but shall continue to be subject
to the provisions of Paragraph 7) and the Company shall cease to have any
further obligations to make any further payments to Employee, other than to pay
any benefits accrued but not paid for periods ending on the date of Employee's
death.

         Employee agrees that the provisions contained in this Paragraph 8 are
of vital importance to the Company, and that if any question shall ever arise as
to whether any act of Employee is prohibited by this Paragraph 8, then, in all
instances in which it is reasonable to interpret any provision of this Paragraph
8 to prohibit such act, such interpretation shall be controlling,
notwithstanding that it may also be reasonable to interpret such provision not
to prohibit such act.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         Employee further agrees that such limitations as to the period of time,
geographic area and types and scopes of restriction on his activities specified
herein are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the goodwill and other
business interests of the Company. However, should either the time period or the
geographic area provided herein be deemed invalid or unenforceable in any
respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, then Employee recognizes and
agrees that, upon request of the Company, a modification shall be made to such
time period or geographic area to protect the Company with respect to the
purpose of this covenant not to compete.

         Employee recognizes and agrees that any violation of any of the
provisions contained in this Paragraph 8 will cause such damage or injury to the
Company as would be irreparable and continuing and that the exact amount of such
damage might be difficult or impossible to ascertain and that, for such reason,
among others, the Company shall be entitled to seek an injunction from any court
of competent jurisdiction restraining any further violation of this covenant not
to compete in addition to recovering such damages as the Company may have any
sustained as a result thereof. Such right to damages or an injunction shall be
in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights and remedies the
Company may have under Section 15.50 et seq. of the Texas Business and Commerce
Code for breach of this covenant or other provisions of this Agreement.

         The existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee against the
Company, whether predicted on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute
a defense to the enforcement by the Company of this covenant.

         9. ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT. The Company may not assign this Agreement
without the prior written consent of Employee. In the event of assignment, the
rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company.
Any assignment by the Company of its rights hereunder shall not relieve the
Company of its financial obligation to Employee. The rights and obligations of
Employee under this Agreement are personal to him, and no such rights, benefits
or obligations shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation,
assignment or transfer by him.

         10. NOTICE. Any notice given under this Agreement to either party shall
be given in writing. Any such notice shall be given by personal delivery or by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid,
addressed to such party at the respective address set out below, or at such
other addresses as either party may hereafter designate (by written notice
provided in accordance with this paragraph) as its address for purposes of
notice hereunder:

         Employee:                             The Company:

         Joseph P. Harper, Sr.                 Oakhurst Company, Inc.
         2715 Timberjack Place                 2751 Centerville Road, Suite 3131
         The Woodlands, Texas 77380            Wilmington, Delaware 19803

Notice given in accordance herewith shall be effective five days after the date
of the postmark if mailed via registered or certified mail and the return
receipt is received by the sender, or upon

                                       8
<PAGE>

actual receipt by the party receiving the Notice in the event that (i) such
return receipt is not received by the sender or (ii) notice was given by
personal delivery.

         11. WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision(s) of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision(s) of this Agreement.

         12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that,
not withstanding the foregoing, the parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledge
that Employee is a party to the Harper/Sterling Employment Agreement, the terms
and conditions of which are hereby incorporated by reference. No affirmation,
representation, covenant or agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof
not expressed herein shall be binding on either party.

         13. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be changed, modified or amended at
any time and in any respect by the agreement of the parties hereto without the
consent of any other person; provided, however, that no change, modification or
amendment shall be binding unless same shall have been reduced to a writing and
signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, modification or
amendment is sought.

         14. APPLICABLE LAW; VENUE. THE PARTIES INTEND AND AGREE THAT THE TERMS
AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, EXCLUDING ITS CONFLICTS OF
LAWS PROVISIONS, AND ALL DISPUTES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE
JURISDICTION OF COURTS, STATE OR FEDERAL, SITTING IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

         15. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any portion(s) of this Agreement is
declared to be invalid or illegal by final judgment of any court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect notwithstanding the invalidity or illegality of the other portion(s).

         16. HEADINGS. Headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the
convenience of the parties and have no bearing upon the interpretation and/or
enforcement of this Agreement.

         17. NUMBER AND GENDER OF WORDS. Whenever herein the singular number is
used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any
gender shall include each other gender where appropriate.

         18. MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which may be considered an original, but all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                       9
<PAGE>

         EXECUTED effective as of the Effective Date set forth herein.

OAKHURST COMPANY, INC.                                 EMPLOYEE
a Delaware Corporation

By:          /s/ Robert M. Davies                          /s/ Joseph Harper
   ------------------------------------------          ------------------------
Title:       CEO                                         Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
      ---------------------------------------

                                       10

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