Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

                              1999 PROMISSORY NOTE

Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
December 31, 1999

         For value received, the corporation known as Unitrend, Inc., herein
referred to as Borrower, promises to pay to the order of Conrad A.H. Jelinger,
his successors and assigns (any of which are herein referred to as Holder), One
Million Five Hundred Eighteen Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars and
Four Cents ($1,518,833.04) plus interest as set out below. A delinquency charge
of five hundred and 00/100 dollars ($500.00) or five per cent (5%) of the
outstanding balance, which ever is higher, per month may be imposed once this
loan becomes in default for thirty (30) days. Interest will continue until the
loan is paid in full.

         1. TERMS.

                  A. INTEREST. Interest shall be variable, calculated per annum
                  on the first business day of the year as the prime rate
                  published in the Wall Street Journal that day. Interest shall
                  run from the date of note, December 31, 1999, and continue
                  until the note is paid-in-full. Interest shall accrue on each
                  individual loan made during the year from the actual date such
                  money was exchanged.

                  B. INSTALLMENTS. Payments are due and owing in Ten (10) equal
                  annual installments, including interest, over a Ten (10) year
                  period, beginning one year after the DOP.

         2. DATE OF PROFITABILITY (DOP). The Date of Profitability, or "DOP,"
shall be the date upon which the Borrower's gross revenues exceed its total
expenses for a complete year, based upon standard accounting procedures.

         3. SUBORDINATION. This Note, and underlying debt, shall be subordinated
to the rights of the shareholder and other creditors, of Unitrend, Inc. and its
successors and assigns

         4. ACCELERATION OF MATURITY IN EVENT OF DEFAULT. In the event of
default in the payment of any of the installments or interest when due as
provided in this note, time being of the essence, the holder of this note may
without notice or demand declare the entire principal sum then unpaid
immediately due and payable.

         5. MODIFICATION OF NOTE. The holder of this note may, with or without
notice to the Borrower cause additional parties to be added to this note, or
release any party, or revise, extend, or renew the note, or extend the time for
making any installment provided for in this note, or accept any installment in
advance, all without affecting the liability of the undersigned.

         6. ATTORNEY'S FEE. If suit is commenced on this note, the Borrower
agrees to pay to the holder of this note a reasonable attorney's fee.

         7. COLLECTION COSTS. The Borrower agrees to pay a reasonable collection
charge should collection be referred to a collection agency or to the holder's
collection facilities.

         8. WAIVER OF RIGHTS. The Borrower hereby waives:

                  (a)      presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor
                           and/or protest and notice of nonpayment;
<PAGE>   2
                  (b)      the right, if any, to the benefit of, or to direct
                           the application of, any security hypothecated to the
                           holder until all indebtedness of Borrower to the
                           holder, howsoever arising, shall have been paid; and
                  (c)      the right to require the holder to proceed against
                           the Borrower, or to pursue any other remedy in the
                           holder's power; and agrees that the holder may
                           proceed against the Borrower directly and
                           independently of the Borrower, and that the cessation
                           of the liability of the Borrower for any reason other
                           than full payment, or any revision, renewal,
                           extension, forbearance, change of rate of interest,
                           or acceptance, release, or substitution of security,
                           or any impairment or suspension of the holder's
                           remedies or rights against the Borrower, shall not in
                           any way affect the liability of any of the Borrower.

         9. CONDITIONS AFFECTING BORROWER'S FINANCIAL ABILITY TO REPAY;
ACCELERATION OF MATURITY. It is agreed that if the Borrower, at any time fails
in business or becomes insolvent, or commit an act of bankruptcy, or if any
deposit account or other property of the Borrower be attempted to be obtained or
held by writ of execution, garnishment, attachment, or other legal process, or
if any assessment for taxes against the undersigned, or any of them, other than
taxes on real property, is made by the federal or state government, or any
department or agency of the federal or state government, or if any one of the
undersigned fails to notify the holder of any material change in his financial
condition, then and in such case all of the obligations of the undersigned
shall, at the option of the holder, become due and payable immediately without
demand or notice.

Borrower:     Unitrend, Inc.

By: /s/Robert F. Blausey
   ---------------------------------------------------
              Interim Assistant Secretary

4665 W. Bancroft
Toledo, Ohio 43615

Lender:  Conrad A.H. Jelinger

By: /s/Conrad A.H. Jelinger
   ---------------------------------------------------

[address]<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

                           JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT FOR
                          OSBORNE MANUFACTURING, INC.,
                              AN OHIO JOINT VENTURE

THIS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT (herein after referred to as the "Agreement" ) is
entered into this 6th day of July, 1999, by and among Unitrend, Inc., a Nevada
corporation, and Jon R. Osborne, an individual residing in the State of Ohio,
(herein after collectively referred to as the "Joint Venturers" or "Venturers")
for the purpose of: producing assemblies on an Original Equipment Manufacturer
("OEM") and tier one contractual basis for outside customers.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the parties are desirous of forming a joint venture (the "Venture"),
under the laws of the State of Ohio by execution of this Agreement for the
purposes set forth herein and are desirous of fixing and defining between
themselves their respective responsibilities, interests, and liabilities in
connection with the performance of the before mentioned project; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein
contained, the Parties herein agree to constitute themselves as joint venturers
for the purposes before mentioned, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto, after first being duly sworn, do covenant, agree and certify as
follows:

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

1.1.   "Affiliate" shall refer to (i) any person directly or indirectly
       controlling, controlled by or under common control with another person,
       (ii) any person owning or controlling 10% or more of the outstanding
       voting securities of such other person, (iii) any officer, director or
       other partner of such person and (iv) if such other person is an officer,
       director, joint venturer or partner, any business or entity for which
       such person acts in any such capacity.

1.2.   "Venturers" shall refer to Unitrend, Inc., and Jon R. Osborne, and any
       successor(s) as may be designated and admitted to the Venture.

1.3.   "Internal Revenue Code", "Code" or "I.R.C." shall refer to the current
       and applicable Internal Revenue Code.

1.4.   "Net Profits and Net Losses" means the taxable income and loss of the
       Venture, determined by the Venture's fiscal year.

1.5.   The "book" value of an asset shall be substituted for its adjusted tax
       basis if the two differ, but otherwise Net Profits and Net Losses shall
       be determined in accordance with federal income tax principles.
<PAGE>   2
1.6.   "Project" shall refer to those certain manufacturing and light assembly
       operations wherein the Venture produces assemblies on an Original
       Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and tier one contractual basis for outside
       customers.

1.7.   "Treasury Regulations" shall refer to those regulations promulgated by
       the Department of the Treasury with respect to certain provision of the
       Internal Revenue Code.

1.8.   "Percentage of Participation" shall refer to that figure set forth in
       Article V at Section 5.1.

1.9.   "Date of Production" shall refer to the date that the Venture enters into
       the regular manufacture/assembly of finished product for Unitrend, Inc.,
       as to be determined by the Venture's Board.

ARTICLE II. FORMATION, NAME, AND PRINCIPLE PLACE OF BUSINESS

2.1.   FORMATION

        (a)  The Venturers do hereby form a joint venture pursuant to the laws
             of the State of Ohio in order for the Venture to carry on the
             purposes for which provision is made herein.

        (b)  The Venturers shall execute such certificates as may be required by
             the laws of the State of Ohio or of any other state in order for
             the Venture to operate its business and shall do all other acts and
             things requisite for the continuation of the Venture as a joint
             venture pursuant to applicable law.

2.2.   NAME. The Name and style under which the Venture shall be conducted is:
       "Osborne Manufacturing, Inc."

2.3.   PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS. The Venture shall maintain its principal
       place of business at: 9306 CR 14, Wauseon, Ohio 43567. The Venture may
       re-locate its office from time to time or have additional offices as the
       Venturers may determine.

ARTICLE III. PURPOSE OF THE JOINT VENTURE

The business of the Venture shall be to produce assemblies on an Original
Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") and tier one contractual basis for outside
customers, with a primary emphasis of the project to provide finished product
for Unitrend, Inc., in accordance with the contract documents for the Project
and all such other business incidental to the general purposes herein set forth.
<PAGE>   3
ARTICLE IV. TERM

4.1.   TERMINATING EVENTS. The term of the Venture shall commence as of the date
       hereof and shall be terminated and dissolved upon the earliest to occur
       of: (i) completion of the Project and receipt of all sums due the Venture
       by the entities for whom the Venture has performed services, and payment
       of all laborers and materialmen employed by the Venture in connection
       with the Project; (ii) the unanimous agreement of the Venturers; (iii)
       the order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (iv) the insolvency or
       bankruptcy of any party(ies), as specified below.

4.2.   INSOLVENCY OR BANKRUPTCY OF PARTY. If, during the term of this agreement,
       a party to the Venture should become insolvent or bankrupt, the remaining
       party(ies) shall have the option to mutually agree to continue the
       Venture, excluding the insolvent or bankrupt party, on payment to that
       party or to a person or persons, as a court of competent jurisdiction
       shall direct, the then-current fair market value of the shares held by
       the insolvent or bankrupt holds in the Venture, together with the
       contribution the insolvent or bankrupt has supplied to the capital assets
       of the Venture, less accrued expenses and the further payment of any
       accrued profits attributable to that contribution (if the parties cannot
       agree upon such fair market value and/or contribution amount, either
       party may elect to have such determination made pursuant to the dispute
       resolution procedures set forth in Article X below). If the remaining
       parties do not mutually agree to continue the Venture, it shall be
       dissolved and wound up in accordance with the applicable provisions of
       Ohio law.

ARTICLE V. PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION

5.1.   Except as otherwise provided in Articles VI and IX hereof, the interest
       of the Parties in any gross profits and their respective shares in any
       losses and/or liabilities that may result from the operations of the
       Project, and their interests in all property and equipment acquired and
       all money received in connection with the performance of the Project
       shall vary according to the time periods designated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        TIME PERIOD                                  PARTY            PERCENTAGE
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>
        From formation throughout the first year     Unitrend, Inc.   60
                  from Date of Production            Jon R. Osborne   40
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
        Throughout the second year from Date of      Unitrend, Inc.   51
                  Production                         Jon R. Osborne   49
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
        Throughout the remaining years of the        Unitrend, Inc.   40
                  life of the Venture                Jon R. Osborne   60
</TABLE>

5.2.   The Parties agree that in the event any losses arises out of or result
       from the performance of the Project, each Venturer shall assume and pay
       the share of the losses that is equal to their then-effective Percentage
       of Participation.
<PAGE>   4
5.3.   If for any reason, a Venturer sustains any liabilities or is required to
       pay any losses arising out of or directly connected with the operations
       of the Project, or the execution of any surety bonds or indemnity
       agreements in connection therewith, which are in excess of its Percentage
       of Participation in the Venture, the other Venturer shall promptly
       reimburse such Venturer this excess, so that each and every member of the
       Venturer will then have paid its proportionate share of such losses to
       the full extent of its Percentage of Participation.

5.4.   The Venturers agree to indemnify each other and to hold the other
       harmless from, any and all losses of the Venture that are in excess of
       such other Venturer's Percentage of Participation. Provided that the
       provisions of this subsection shall be limited to losses that are
       directly connected with or arise out of the operations and performance of
       the Project and/or the execution of any bonds or indemnity agreements in
       connection therewith and shall not be relate to or include any
       incidental, indirect or consequential losses that may be sustained or
       suffered by a Party.

5.5.   The Parties shall from time to time execute documents that may be
       necessary in connection with the operations and performance of the
       Project. Provided however, that the liability of each of the Parties
       under any agreements to indemnify a surety company or surety companies
       shall be limited to the percentage of the total liability assumed by all
       the Parties under such indemnity agreements that is equal to the Party's
       Percentage of Participation.

5.6.   INITIAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE VENTURE.

       (a)   The Venturers shall contribute the Property to the Venture and
             their Capital Account shall each be credited with the appropriate
             value of such contribution in accordance with their Venture
             interests.

       (b)   Except as otherwise required by law or this Agreement, the
             Venturers shall not be required to make any further capital
             contributions to the Venture.

5.7.   VENTURE INTERESTS. Upon execution of this Agreement, the Venturers shall
       each own a corresponding percentage in the Venture as designated by their
       respective Percentage of Participation, described in Section 5.1, above.

5.8.   RETURN OF CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

       (a)   No Venturer shall have the right to withdraw his capital
             contributions or demand or receive the return of his capital
             contributions or any part thereof, except as otherwise provided in
             this Agreement.

       (b)   The Venturers shall not be personally liable for the return of
             capital contributions or any part thereof, except as otherwise
             provided in this Agreement.
<PAGE>   5
       (c)   The Venture shall not pay interest on capital contributions of any
             Venturer.

5.9.   ALLOCATIONS OF NET PROFITS AND LOSSES. Subject to the provisions of this
       Article, the Net Profits and losses of the Venture (including any net
       "book" gains of the Venture resulting from a Capital Event) shall be
       allocated to the Venturers in the following priority:

       (a)   NET PROFITS:

             (1)  First, to those Venturers with negative Capital Accounts,
                  between them in proportion to the ratio of their negative
                  Capital Account balances, until no Venturer has a negative
                  Capital Account.

             (2)  Thereafter, to the Venturers, pro-rata, based on their
                  respective Venture interests as set forth in Section 5.2
                  hereof.

       (b)   NET LOSSES:

             (1)  Subject to the provisions of this Article VI, Net Losses of
                  the Venture (including any net "book" loss of the Venture
                  resulting from a Capital Event) shall be allocated to the
                  Venturers, pro rata, based upon their respective Venture
                  interests as set forth herein.

             (2)  For purposes of this, Capital Accounts shall be adjusted
                  hypothetically as provided for in Sections
                  1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and 1.704- 1(b)(4)(iv)(f) of the Treasury
                  Regulations. These adjustments shall include the qualified
                  income offset as set forth in this Agreement.

       (c)   DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributable Cash of the Venture shall be
             distributed to the Venturers, pro rata, based on their respective
             Venture interests as set forth herein.

ARTICLE VI. MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

6.1.   The business of the Venture shall be conducted in accordance with the
       policies, decisions, guidelines and budgets made or approved by the
       Venture's Board of Directors ("Board"), subject to the terms of this
       agreement.
<PAGE>   6
6.2.   The Board shall be composed of five (5) Directors. Except as provided in
       Articles VI and IX, each Party shall have a voice on the Board equal to
       its Percentage of Participation. For such purpose each Party is assigned
       the following number of votes during the time periods indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        TIME PERIOD                                  PARTY                 VOTES
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>
        From formation throughout the first year     Unitrend, Inc.        3
                  from Date of Production            Jon R. Osborne        2
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
        Throughout the second year from Date of      Unitrend, Inc.        3
                  Production                         Jon R. Osborne        2
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
        Throughout the remaining years of the        Unitrend, Inc.        2
                  life of the Venture                Jon R. Osborne        3
</TABLE>

6.3.   Each Venturer shall provide a written list of representatives who shall
       be entitled to vote on behalf of the Venturer at the Board meetings of
       the Venture. Each Venturer may, at any time, remove or replace any of the
       directors designated by the Venturer by giving written notice of the
       replacement to the other Venturer. The Venturers shall each vote their
       shares or otherwise cause the removal and replacement of a director
       designated by the other Venturer as requested by the Venturer. Each
       Venturer's Director or alternative representative on the Board is hereby
       granted and shall hereafter possess authority to act for such Venturer on
       all matters of interest to it with respect to its participation in the
       Venture.

6.4.   On each matter put to a vote of the Board, each Director present in
       person or by proxy at the meeting shall be entitled to cast a vote. The
       Board shall determine the policy for the management of the Venture by
       majority vote and, as used in this Agreement, a "majority vote" is
       defined to be any figure greater than one-half of the authorized votes.
       Any matter put to a vote shall be deemed adopted by the Board upon
       receiving the affirmative vote of three (3) Directors.

6.5.   The Board shall have the following powers:

       (a)   To determine the time and place of holding its meetings and the
             procedures for conducting Board affairs.

       (b)   To determine and act upon the various matters, expressly or
             impliedly contained in other section of this Agreement, which
             require decision by the Board.

       (c)   To determine and act upon any other matters of joint interest to,
             or requiring prompt action by the Venture.

       (d)   To approve of the Venture's Annual Business Plan, Annual Budget,
             Annual Revised Budget, and to review and approve of the contracts
             the Venture has entered into or proposals to contract.
<PAGE>   7
       (e)   To determine insurance reserves and reserves for other potential
             liabilities that may result from or arise out of the projects of
             the Venture.

       (f)   To consider all claims and disputes of any kind between the Venture
             and subcontractors and/or third Parties and to authorize
             negotiation, arbitration, litigation, and/or any other process for
             their resolution and to authorize the settlement thereof.

       (g)   To consider and approve and/or remove the President and all other
             officers and key management of the Venture, provided however, that
             the removal of the President of the Venture may only proceed upon
             written documentation showing that the President's removal is
             justified for cause.

       (h)   To review and establish on a quarterly basis current and projected
             margins the Venture is receiving or expects to receive from the
             transfer of assemblies or finished products to Unitrend, Inc.
             and/or any outside customers pursuant to the activities of the
             Venture as defined by Article III.

6.6.   Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary herein, insurance
       coverages and limits and warranty coverages, expenses and limits shall be
       subject to approval of the Board. Unless specified otherwise by the Board
       in writing, the Venture shall, at a minimum, insure against the loss or
       damage of any inventory stored on the premises of the Venture. Losses,
       damages and/or liabilities arising from assemblies or finished products
       that have left the custody of the Venture shall be borne by that entity
       which has requested the Venture to manufacture or produce such assemblies
       or finished products.

6.7.   The Board shall generally perform its duties at meetings held at least on
       a quarterly basis, at which all designated representatives of the
       Venturers are present, but where circumstances warrant, telephone
       communication between all party representatives or their alternatives is
       authorized; participation by such means shall constitute presence at such
       meeting. Any Director may call a meeting of the Board by giving all other
       Directors notice thereof at least ten (10) business days in advance of
       the meeting or such shorter notice as agreed upon in writing by all
       Directors. There shall be a quorum if at least one (1) director
       designated by each Venturer is in attendance. Minutes shall be kept of
       each Board meeting and provided to all Directors.

6.8.   Except as otherwise provided in the Additional Provisions herein, the
       salaries and expenses of each of the representatives on the Board shall
       be borne by the Party whom the representative has been designated to
       represent and shall not be an expense to the Venture.

6.9.   Each Director shall hold office for a term expiring on his or her death,
       resignation or removal from office or upon the expiration of such shorter
       term as may be required under applicable laws.
<PAGE>   8
ARTICLE VII. ASSIGNMENT

Neither Venturer shall assign its interests or rights under this Agreement, by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
Venturer; provided, however, without relinquishment of its liability under this
Agreement, either Venturer may assign this Agreement to an affiliate who agrees
in writing to assume all of that Party's rights and obligations under this
Agreement. Subject to the foregoing restriction on assignment, this Agreement
shall be fully binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each
Party and its permitted successors and assigns.

ARTICLE VIII. JOINT VENTURE BANK ACCOUNTS

8.1.   All Working Capital or other funds received by the Venture in connection
       with the performance of the project shall be deposited in a Checking
       Account, set up especially for the Venture. Said accounts shall be kept
       separate and apart from any other accounts of the Venturers.

8.2.   Withdrawal of funds from the Venture's Joint Checking Account may be made
       in such amount and by such persons as authorized by the Board.

ARTICLE IX. ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING

9.1.   Separate books of accounts shall be kept by the Administrative Managing
       Partner of the transactions of the Venture. Any Venturer may inspect such
       books upon reasonable notice and at any reasonable time.

9.2.   Periodic audits may be made upon said books at such time as authorized by
       the Board by persons designated by the same and copies of said audit
       shall be furnished to all Venturers.

9.3.   Upon completion of the Project, a final audit shall be made and copies of
       such audit shall be furnished to each of the parties.

9.4.   It is understood and agreed that the method of accounting used by the
       Administrative Managing Partner and for state and federal income tax
       purposes shall be the cash based method and that the accounting year
       shall be the calendar year.

9.5.   Services rendered on behalf of the Venture which are supplied by the
       Venturers or their agents shall be back-charged to the Venture at cost.
<PAGE>   9
ARTICLE X. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

All disputes arising out of, or which are not specifically controlled by, the
terms of this Agreement, and which are not resolved by the good faith
negotiations between the Venturers, shall be settled by arbitration under the
rules of the American Arbitration Association. In so agreeing the parties
expressly waive their right, if any, to a trial by jury of these claims and
further agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon
them as though rendered by a court of law and enforceable in any court having
jurisdiction over the same.

ARTICLE XI. OTHER PROVISIONS

11.1.  This agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and may
       not be altered, unless the same is agreed upon in writing signed and
       acknowledged by the parties.

11.2.  This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Ohio.

11.3.  Neither Venturer will represent or hold itself out as an employee, agent,
       or franchisee of the other Venturer. Neither Venturer will be entitled to
       and will not attempt to create or assume any obligation, express or
       implied, on behalf of the other Venturer. This Agreement will not be
       interpreted or construed as creating or evidencing any association or
       partnership among the Venturers or as imposing any partnership or
       franchiser obligation or liability on either Venturer.

So agreed and executed this 6th day of July, 1999.

UNITREND, INC., Joint Venturer

By:  /s/ Conrad A.H. Jelinger                   /s/ Jon R. Osborne
   -------------------------------              --------------------------------
Title: President                                JON R. OSBORNE, Joint Venturer

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