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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                  THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made as of the date set
forth at the end hereof by and between Kupper Parker Communications,
Incorporated, a New York corporation (the "Company"), and each of the Purchasers
set forth on the signature pages affixed hereto (each a "Purchaser" and
collectively the "Purchasers").

                                    RECITALS

                  A. The Company and the Purchasers are executing and delivering
this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration
afforded by the provisions of Regulation D ("Regulation D"), as promulgated by
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended; and

                  B. The Purchasers wish to purchase, and the Company wishes to
sell and issue to the Purchasers, upon the terms and conditions stated in this
Agreement, that number of shares of the common stock of the Company, $0.01 par
value per share (the "Common Stock"), and that number of warrants to purchase
Common Stock in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A (the "Warrants"), having
an aggregate purchase price set forth on the signature page attached hereto and
executed by each such Purchaser.

                  In consideration of the mutual promises made herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. Definitions. In addition to those terms defined above and elsewhere
in this Agreement, for the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings here set forth:

                  1.1 "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other
Person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such Person.

                  1.2 "Agreements" means this Agreement and any other agreements
delivered in connection with this Agreement.

                  1.3 "Closing" means the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

                  1.4 "Control" means the possession , direct or indirect, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

                  1.5 "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect
on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets, or results of
operations of the Company as a whole.

                  1.6 "Memorandum" means the Company's Confidential Private
Placement Memorandum, dated June 14, 2001, delivered to each of the Purchasers.

                  1.7 "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
trust, business trust, association, joint stock company, joint venture, pool,
syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization, governmental
authority or any other form of entity not specifically listed herein.

                  1.8 "Placement Agent" means Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
Incorporated.

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                  1.9 "Registrable Securities" means the Shares and the Warrant
Shares and any other securities issued or issuable with respect to or in
exchange for such Securities.

                  1.10 "SEC Filings" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

                  1.11 "Securities" means the Shares, the Warrants and the
Warrant Shares (defined below).

                  1.12 "Shares" means the shares of Common Stock being purchased
by the Purchasers hereunder.

                  1.13 "Warrant Shares" means the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of or otherwise pursuant to the Warrants.

                  1.14 "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  1.15 "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         2. Purchase and Sale of the Shares and Warrants; Escrow Agreement.

                  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
each of the Purchasers hereby severally, and not jointly, agrees to purchase,
and the Company hereby agrees to sell and issue to the Purchasers, the number of
Shares and Warrants to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock set forth
on each such Purchaser's signature page attached hereto and with an aggregate
purchase price as reflected on such signature page. The number of Shares to be
purchased by each Purchaser shall be determined by dividing such Purchaser's
aggregate purchase price (as such aggregate purchase price is set forth on such
Purchaser's signature page attached hereto), by a per share purchase price equal
to $1.50 (the "Purchase Price"). Each Purchaser shall receive a warrant to
purchase one share of Common Stock for each two Shares purchased hereunder. The
Warrants shall be in whole numbers, and the Company shall not issue any Warrants
to purchase fractional shares. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company
reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to accept or reject the
subscription for Securities provided in this Agreement, in whole or in part, and
that this subscription shall not be binding unless and until accepted by the
Company. The Purchaser agrees that subscriptions need not be accepted in the
order they are received.

                  (b) Pursuant to an escrow agreement (the "Escrow Agreement"),
the Purchase Price will be held in a segregated non-interest-bearing escrow
account (the "Escrow Account") maintained at Missouri State Bank and Trust
Company by the Placement Agent and the Company until such funds are released to
the Company at the Closing as provided in the Escrow Agreement.

         3. Closing. The Closing shall occur as soon as practicable following
notification by the SEC to the Company of the SEC's willingness to declare
effective the registration statement to be filed by the Company pursuant to
Section 6.1 hereof (the "Registration Statement") at a place and time (the
"Closing Date") to be agreed upon by the Company and the Placement Agent. In the
absence of any such agreement, the Closing shall be held at the offices of Bryan
Cave LLP, counsel to the Placement Agent, at One Metropolitan Square, Suite
3600, St. Louis, Missouri 63102 at 10:00 a.m., local time, on the fifth business
day after the Company delivers written notice to the Placement Agent of receipt
of such notification from the SEC. The Company will promptly notify the
Purchasers by facsimile transmission or otherwise of the date, place and time of
the Closing.

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         At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser one or more
certificates registered in the name of the Purchaser, or in such nominee name(s)
as designated by the Purchaser in writing, representing the number of Shares and
Warrants determined in accordance with Section 2 above and bearing an
appropriate legend referring to the fact that such Securities were sold in
reliance upon the exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, provided by
Section 4(2) thereof and Rule 506 thereunder. The Company will promptly
substitute one or more replacement certificates for the Shares without the
legend at such time as the Registration Statement becomes effective. The name(s)
in which the certificates are to be registered are set forth in each Purchaser's
Subscription Agreement relating to the Shares. The Company's obligation to
complete the purchase and sale of the Securities and deliver such certificate(s)
to each Purchaser at the Closing shall be subject to the following conditions,
any one or more of which may be waived by the Company in writing: (a) receipt by
the Company of same-day funds in the full amount of the purchase price for the
Securities being purchased hereunder; (b) completion of the purchases and sales
under the Agreements with all of the Purchasers in the offering for Securities
having purchase price of not less than $700,000 in the aggregate; (c) execution
and delivery to the Placement Agent of lock-up agreements from each of the
Company's directors and executive officers, in form and substance satisfactory
to counsel for the Placement Agent, providing that, for a period of 120 days
from the effective date of the Registration Statement, he or she will not,
without the Placement Agent's prior written consent, offer, pledge, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option
or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of
Common Stock; and (d) the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by
the Purchasers and the fulfilment of those undertakings of the Purchasers to be
fulfilled prior to the Closing. Each Purchaser's obligation to accept delivery
of such certificate(s) and to pay for the Securities evidenced thereby shall be
subject to the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by
the Purchaser in writing: (a) the SEC has notified the Company of the SEC's
willingness to declare the Registration Statement effective on or prior to the
60th day after the date such Registration Statement was filed by the Company;
(b) completion by the Company of the purchases and sales under the Agreements
with all of the Purchasers in the offering for Securities having purchase price
of not less than $700,000 in the aggregate; and (c) the accuracy in all material
respects of the representations and warranties made by the Company herein and
the fulfilment in all material respects of those undertakings of the Company to
be fulfilled prior to Closing.

         4. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby
represents and warrants to the Purchasers that:

                  4.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4.1 hereto, each of the Company and its subsidiaries is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate
power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and own its
properties. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property
makes such qualification or licensing necessary unless the failure to so qualify
would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company's subsidiaries are
reflected on Schedule 4.1 hereto.

                  4.2 Authorization. The Company has full power and authority
and has taken all requisite action on the part of the Company, its officers,
directors and stockholders necessary for (i) the authorization, execution and
delivery of the Agreements, (ii) authorization of the performance of all
obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, and (iii) the authorization,
issuance (or reservation for issuance) and delivery of the Securities. The
Agreements constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent

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transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability,
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally.

                  4.3 Capitalization. Set forth on Schedule 4.3 hereto is (a)
the authorized capital stock of the Company on the date hereof; (b) the number
of shares of capital stock issued and outstanding; (c) the number of shares of
capital stock issuable pursuant to the Company's stock plans; and (d) the number
of shares of capital stock issuable and reserved for issuance pursuant to
securities (other than the Shares and the Warrants) exercisable for, or
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock. All of the
issued and outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3, no Person is entitled to
preemptive or similar statutory or contractual rights with respect to any
securities of the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3, there are no
outstanding warrants, options, convertible securities or other rights,
agreements or arrangements of any character under which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is or may be obligated to issue any equity securities of any
kind and except as contemplated by this Agreement, neither the Company nor any
of its subsidiaries is currently in negotiations for the issuance of any equity
securities of any kind. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3, the Company has no
knowledge of any voting agreements, buy-sell agreements, option or right of
first purchase agreements or other agreements of any kind among any of the
securityholders of the Company relating to the securities of the Company held by
them. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3, the Company has not granted any
Person the right to require the Company to register any securities of the
Company under the 1933 Act, whether on a demand basis or in connection with the
registration of securities of the Company for its own account or for the account
of any other Person.

                  4.4 Valid Issuance. The Company has reserved a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock for the issuance of the Shares pursuant to this
Agreement and upon exercise of the Warrants. The Shares and the Warrants are
duly authorized, and such Securities, along with the Warrant Shares, when issued
in accordance herewith and with the terms of the Warrants, will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free and clear of all
encumbrances and restrictions, except for restrictions on transfer imposed by
applicable securities laws.

                  4.5 Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of the Agreements and the offer, issuance and sale of the Securities
require no consent of, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Person,
governmental body, agency, or official other than filings that have been made
pursuant to applicable state securities laws and post-sale filings pursuant to
applicable state and federal securities laws and the requirements of the NASD
OTC Bulletin Board, which the Company undertakes to file within the applicable
time periods.

                  4.6 Delivery of SEC Filings; Business. The Company has
provided the Purchasers with copies of the Company's most recent (i) Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2001, and (ii)
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the period ended January 31, 2001 and the
period ended April 30, 2001, and has provided to the Placement Agent and made
available to the Purchasers all other reports filed by the Company pursuant to
the 1934 Act since the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB and prior
to the date hereof (collectively, the "SEC Filings"), which the Company hereby
represents and warrants are all filings required of the Company pursuant to the
1934 Act for such period. The Company is engaged only in the business described
in the SEC Filings and the SEC Filings contain a complete and accurate
description of the business of the Company.

                  4.7 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the sale of the
Securities hereunder shall be used by the Company for the purposes described in
the Memorandum.

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                  4.8 No Material Adverse Change. Since the filing of the
Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB or as otherwise identified
and described in subsequent reports filed by the Company pursuant to the 1934
Act or as set forth on Schedule 4.8 hereto, there has not been:

                           (i) any change in the consolidated assets,
         liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company
         from that reflected in the financial statements included in the
         Company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, except changes
         in the ordinary course of business which have not had, in the
         aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

                           (ii) any declaration or payment of any dividend, or
         any authorization or payment of any distribution, on any of the capital
         stock of the Company, or any redemption or repurchase of any securities
         of the Company;

                           (iii) any material damage, destruction or loss,
         whether or not covered by insurance to any assets or properties of the
         Company;

                           (iv) any waiver by the Company of a valuable right or
         of a material debt owed to it not in the ordinary course of business;

                           (v) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim
         or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in
         the ordinary course of business and which is not material to the
         assets, properties, financial condition, operating results or business
         of the Company taken as a whole (as such business is presently
         conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted);

                           (vi) any material change or amendment to a material
         contract or arrangement by which the Company or any of its assets or
         properties is bound or subject;

                           (vii) any material labor difficulties or labor union
         organizing activities with respect to employees of the Company;

                           (viii) any transaction entered into by the Company
         other than in the ordinary course of business; or

                           (ix) any other event or condition of any character
         that might have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.9 SEC Filings; Material Contracts.

                           (a) The SEC Filings complied as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

                           (b) During the preceding two years, each registration
statement and any amendment thereto filed by the Company or its predecessor(s)
pursuant to the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as of the
date such statement or amendment became effective, complied as to form in all
material respects with the 1933 Act and did not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each prospectus
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act, as of its issue date and as of
the closing of any sale of securities pursuant thereto did

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not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.

                           (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 hereto, there
are no agreements or instruments currently in force and effect that constitute a
warrant, option, convertible security or other right, agreement or arrangement
of any character under which the Company is or may be obligated to issue any
material amounts of any equity security of any kind, or to transfer any material
amounts of any equity security of any kind.

                  4.10 Form S-3 Eligibility. The Company is currently eligible
to register the resale of its Common Stock on a registration statement on Form
S-3 under the 1933 Act.

                  4.11 No Conflict, Breach, Violation or Default. The execution,
delivery and performance of the Agreements by the Company and the issuance and
sale of the Securities will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation
of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under (i) the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation or the Company's Bylaws, both as in
effect on the date hereof (copies of which have been provided to the Purchasers
before the date hereof), or (ii) except where it would not have a Material
Adverse Effect, (a) any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental
agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its properties, or (b) except as set forth on Schedule 4.11,
any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the
Company is bound or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject.

                  4.12 Tax Matters. The Company has timely prepared and filed
all tax returns required to have been filed by the Company with all appropriate
governmental agencies and timely paid all taxes owed by it. The charges,
accruals and reserves on the books of the Company in respect of taxes for all
fiscal periods are adequate in all material respects, and there are no material
unpaid assessments against the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any
basis for the assessment of any additional taxes, penalties or interest for any
fiscal period or audits by any federal, state or local taxing authority except
such as which are not material. All material taxes and other assessments and
levies that the Company is required to withhold or to collect for payment have
been duly withheld and collected and paid to the proper governmental entity or
third party when due. There are no tax liens or claims pending or threatened
against the Company or any of its respective assets or property. There are no
outstanding tax sharing agreements or other such arrangements between the
Company and any other corporation or entity.

                  4.13 Title to Properties. Except as disclosed in the SEC
Filings or Schedule 4.13, the Company has good and marketable title to all real
properties and all other properties and assets owned by it, in each case free
from liens, encumbrances and defects that would materially affect the value
thereof or materially interfere with the use made or currently planned to be
made thereof by them; and except as disclosed in the SEC Filings, the Company
holds any leased real or personal property under valid and enforceable leases
with no exceptions that would materially interfere with the use made or
currently planned to be made thereof by them.

                  4.14 Certificates, Authorities and Permits. The Company
possesses adequate certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate
governmental agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated
by it and has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation
or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit that, if determined
adversely to the Company, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  4.15 No Labor Disputes. No material labor dispute with the
employees of the Company exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is
imminent.

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                  4.16 Intellectual Property. The Company has sufficient title
or adequate rights or licenses to the inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, trade names, confidential information and other intellectual
property (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights"), free and clear of any
material liens, security interests, charges, encumbrances, equities and other
adverse claims, necessary to conduct the business now operated by it, or
presently employed by it, and presently contemplated to be operated by it, and
the Company has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with
asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights. The
Company's patents and other Intellectual Property Rights and the present
activities of the Company do not infringe any patent, copyright, trademark,
trade name or other proprietary rights of any third party.

                  4.17 Environmental Matters. The Company is not in violation of
any statute, rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or
body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release
of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of
the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances
(collectively, "Environmental Laws"), does not own or operate any real property
contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, is
not liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any
Environmental Laws, and is not subject to any claim relating to any
Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company
is not aware of any pending investigation that might lead to such a claim.

                  4.18 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the SEC Filings or on
Schedule 4.18 hereto, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against
or affecting the Company, its subsidiaries or any of its or their properties
that, if determined adversely to the Company or such subsidiary, would
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect or would
materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform its
obligations under this Agreement, or which are otherwise material in the context
of the sale of the Shares; and to the Company's knowledge, no such actions,
suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated.

                  4.19 Financial Statements. The financial statements included
in each SEC Filings present fairly and accurately in all material respects the
consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates shown and its
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and
such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis ("GAAP"). The
financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Filings comply as to
form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC or other applicable rules and
regulations with respect thereto. Except as set forth in the financial
statements of the Company included in the SEC Filings filed prior to the date
hereof, the Company has no liabilities, obligations, claims or losses (whether
liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, absolute, accrued, contingent
or otherwise) that would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet of the
Company or any subsidiary including the notes thereto) in conformity with GAAP
other than those which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.20 Insurance Coverage. The Company maintains in full force
and effect insurance coverage that is customary for comparably situated
companies for the business being conducted and properties owned or leased by the
Company, and the Company reasonably believes such insurance coverage to be
adequate against all liabilities, claims and risks against which it is customary
for comparably situated companies to insure.

                  4.21 Predecessor Entities. The transactions by which the
Company and its subsidiaries were organized and succeeded to the assets,
liabilities, properties and business of its and their respective predecessors
were duly authorized and consummated in accordance with applicable law, with the
effect of making the Company and its subsidiaries the effective successors to
the assets, liabilities, properties an business of their respective
predecessors. The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement,
the Exhibits hereto, the

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SEC Filings and the Memorandum disclose all information relating to such
transactions which might have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.22 Brokers and Finders. The Purchasers shall have no
liability or responsibility for the payment of any commission or finder's fee to
any third party in connection with or resulting from this agreement or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement by reason of any agreement of or
action taken by the Company. The Purchasers acknowledge that the Company is
obligated to pay a commission to the Placement Agent equal to 5% of the gross
proceeds of sales made pursuant to the Agreements with the Purchasers.

                  4.23 No Directed Selling Efforts or General Solicitation.
Neither the Company nor any Person acting on its behalf has conducted any
general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in
Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of any of the Securities.

                  4.24 No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company nor any of
its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or
indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to
buy any security, under circumstances that would adversely affect reliance by
the Company on Section 4(2) for the exemption from registration for the
transactions contemplated hereby or would require registration of the Shares
under the 1933 Act.

                  4.25 Disclosures. Neither the Memorandum, this Agreement or
the Exhibits hereto nor any other documents, certificates or instruments
furnished to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements contained herein, in light of the circumstances under
which the statements were made, not misleading.

         5. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. Each of the
Purchasers hereby severally, and not jointly, represents and warrants to the
Company that:

                  5.1 Organization and Existence. The Purchaser is either (i) an
individual, in which case he or she has the requisite power and authority to
invest in the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) a validly existing
corporation, partnership or limited liability company, in which case Purchaser
has all requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability company power and
authority, as the case may be, to invest in the Securities pursuant to this
Agreement.

                  5.2 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by
the Purchaser of the Agreements have been duly authorized and the Agreements
will each constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser,
enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with their terms.

                  5.3 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. The Securities to be
received by the Purchaser hereunder will be acquired for the Purchaser's own
account, not as nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or
distribution of any part thereof, and the Purchaser has no present intention of
selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. The
Purchaser is not a registered broker dealer or an entity engaged in the business
of being a broker dealer.

                  5.4 Investment Experience. The Purchaser acknowledges that it
can bear the economic risk and complete loss of its investment in the Securities
and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it
is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment contemplated
hereby.

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                  5.5 Disclosure of Information. The Purchaser has received the
Memorandum and has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers
from the Company regarding the Company, its business and the terms and
conditions of the offering of the Securities. The Purchaser acknowledges receipt
of the SEC Filings and any other filings which it requested made by the Company
with the SEC. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigation
conducted by the Purchaser shall modify, amend or affect the Purchaser's right
to rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement.

                  5.6 Restricted Securities. The Purchaser understands that the
Securities are characterized as "restricted securities" under the U.S. federal
securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a
transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and
applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under
the 1933 Act only in certain limited circumstances.

                  5.7 Legends. It is understood that, until registration for
resale pursuant to the Registration Statement, certificates evidencing the
Securities may bear one or all of the following legends:

                           (a) "The securities represented by this certificate
(the "Securities") have not been registered under the United States Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or any other securities or other regulatory authority
of any state of the United States of America or foreign jurisdiction. The
Securities have been acquired for investment and may not be offered, sold or
transferred in the absence of an effective registration statement for the
Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state
securities laws, or an opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form, that
registration is not required under said Act or applicable state securities laws
or unless sold pursuant to Rule 144 under said Act."

                           (b) If required by the authorities of any state in
connection with the issuance of sale of the Securities, the legend required by
such state authority.

                  Upon registration for resale pursuant to the Registration
Statement or upon Rule 144(k) becoming available, the Company shall promptly
cause certificates evidencing the Shares previously issued hereunder to be
replaced with certificates which do not bear such restrictive legends, and all
Warrant Shares subsequently issued shall not bear such restrictive legends. When
the Company is required to cause unlegended certificates to replace previously
issued legended certificates, if unlegended certificates are not delivered to an
Purchaser within fifteen (15) business days of submission by that Purchaser of
legended stock certificate(s) to the Company's transfer agent, the Company shall
be liable to the Purchaser for a penalty equal to 2% of the aggregate Purchase
Price of the Shares evidenced by such certificate(s) for each thirty day period
(or portion thereof) beyond such fifteen days that the unlegended certificates
have not been so delivered.

                  5.8 Accredited Investor. The Purchaser is an accredited
investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, as amended, under the 1933
Act.

                  5.9 No General Solicitation. The Purchaser did not learn of
the investment in the Securities as a result of any public advertising or
general solicitation.

                  5.10 Investor Questionnaires. The Purchaser represents that
the representations and responses to the questions in the Investor Questionnaire
set forth on Schedule I-A and the Registration Statement Questionnaire set forth
on Schedule I-B, each delivered herewith by the Purchaser, are true and correct.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 6. Registration of the Registrable Securities;
Compliance with the Securities Act.

                  6.1. Registration Procedures and Expenses. The Company shall:

                  (a)      as soon as practicable, prepare and file with the SEC
                           the Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to
                           the resale of the Registrable Securities by the
                           Purchasers from time to time through the NASD OTC
                           Bulletin Board, the automated quotation system of the
                           NASDAQ National Market or the NASDAQ SmallCap Market
                           or the facilities of any national securities exchange
                           on which the Company's Common Stock is then traded or
                           in privately-negotiated transactions, in an amount
                           equal to the number of Shares issued to Purchasers on
                           the Closing Date plus the number of Shares Common
                           Stock necessary to permit in full the exercise of the
                           Warrants, plus to the extent allowable under the 1933
                           Act, such indeterminate number of additional shares
                           of Common Stock resulting from stock splits, stock
                           dividends or similar transactions with respect to the
                           Registrable Securities;

                  (b)      use its reasonable efforts, subject to receipt of
                           necessary information from the Purchasers, to cause
                           the SEC to notify the Company of the SEC's
                           willingness to declare the Registration Statement
                           effective within 60 days after the Registration
                           Statement is filed by the Company;

                  (c)      prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
                           supplements to the Registration Statement and the
                           prospectus used in connection therewith as may be
                           necessary to keep the Registration Statement
                           effective until the earlier of (i) twenty-four months
                           after the effective date of the Registration
                           Statement or (ii) the date on which the Registrable
                           Securities may be resold by the Purchasers without
                           registration by reason of Rule 144(k) under the
                           Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect;

                  (d)      permit counsel designated by the Placement Agent to
                           review each Registration Statement and all amendments
                           and supplements thereto no fewer than five (5) days
                           prior to their filing with the SEC and not file any
                           document to which such counsel reasonably objects;

                  (e)      furnish to the Placement Agent and its legal counsel
                           promptly after the same is prepared and publicly
                           distributed, filed with the SEC, or received by the
                           Company, one copy of any Registration Statement and
                           any amendment thereto, each preliminary prospectus
                           and prospectus and each amendment or supplement
                           thereto, and each letter written by or on behalf of
                           the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC, and
                           each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff
                           of the SEC, in each case relating to such
                           Registration Statement (other than any portion of any
                           thereof which contains information for which the
                           Company has sought confidential treatment);

                  (f)      furnish to each Purchaser with respect to the
                           Registrable Securities registered under the
                           Registration Statement, to the Placement Agent, and
                           to each underwriter, if any, for the resale of such
                           Registrable Securities, such reasonable number of
                           copies of prospectuses in order to facilitate the
                           public sale or other disposition of all or any of the
                           Registrable Securities by the Purchaser; provided,
                           however, that the obligation of the Company to
                           deliver copies of prospectuses to the Purchaser shall
                           be subject to the receipt by the Company of
                           reasonable assurances from the Purchaser that the
                           Purchaser will comply with the applicable provisions
                           of the Securities Act and of such other securities or
                           blue sky laws as may be applicable in connection with
                           any use of such prospectuses;

                                       10
<PAGE>

                  (g)      file documents required of the Company for normal
                           blue sky clearance in states specified in writing by
                           the Purchaser; provided, however, that the Company
                           shall not be required to qualify to do business or
                           consent to service of process in any jurisdiction in
                           which it is not now so qualified or has not so
                           consented; and

                  (h)      bear all expenses in connection with the procedures
                           in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this Section 6.1 and
                           the registration of the Registrable Securities
                           pursuant to the Registration Statement, other than
                           fees and expenses, if any, of counsel or other
                           advisers to the Purchaser or the Other Purchasers or
                           underwriting discounts, brokerage fees and
                           commissions incurred by the Purchasers.

                  6.2. Transfer of Registrable Securities After Registration.
The Purchaser agrees that it will not effect any disposition of the Registrable
Securities or its right to purchase the Registrable Securities that would
constitute a sale within the meaning of the Securities Act, except as
contemplated in the Registration Statement referred to in Section 6.1, and that
it will promptly notify the Company of any changes in the information set forth
in the Registration Statement regarding the Purchaser or its Plan of
Distribution.

                  6.3. Indemnification. For the purpose of this Section 6.3:

                  (i)      the term "Purchaser/Affiliate" shall include the
                           Purchaser and any affiliate of the Purchaser and any
                           person who controls the Purchaser or any affiliate of
                           the Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the
                           Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act; and

                  (ii)     the term "Registration Statement" shall include any
                           final prospectus, exhibit, supplement or amendment
                           included in or relating to the Registration Statement
                           referred to in Section 6.1.

                  (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Purchaser and each Purchaser/Affiliate against any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses, joint or several, to which such Purchaser or
Purchaser/Affiliate may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act, or any other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law
or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is
effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof as
contemplated below) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, including the prospectus, financial statements and schedules, and all
other documents filed as a part thereof, as amended at the time of effectiveness
of the Registration Statement, including any information deemed to be a part
thereof as of the time of effectiveness pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A,
or pursuant to Rule 434, of the Rules and Regulations, or the prospectus, in the
form first filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Regulations, or
filed as part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness if no
Rule 424(b) filing is required (the "Prospectus"), or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state in any of them a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements in any of them, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or arise out of or are
based in whole or in part on any material inaccuracy in the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, or any failure of the
Company to perform its obligations hereunder or under law, and will reimburse
each Purchaser and each such Purchaser/Affiliate for any legal and other
expenses as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Purchaser or such
Purchaser/Affiliate in connection with investigating, defending, settling,
compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or
action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in

                                       11
<PAGE>

any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense arises out of or is based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
such Purchaser expressly for use therein, or (ii) the failure of such Purchaser
to comply with the covenants and agreements contained in Sections 5(b) or 6.2
hereof respecting sale of the Registrable Securities, or (iii) the inaccuracy of
any representations or warranties made by such Purchaser herein, or (iv) or any
failure of such Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder or under law, or
(v) any statement or omission in any Prospectus that is corrected in any
subsequent Prospectus that was delivered to such Purchaser prior to the
pertinent sale or sales by such Purchaser.

                  (b) Each Purchaser will severally indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses to which the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who signed the Registration Statement or controlling person may become
subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other federal or
state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in
settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written
consent of such Purchaser) insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arise out of
or are based upon (i) any failure to comply with the covenants and agreements
contained in Sections 5(b) or 6.2 hereof respecting the sale of the Registrable
Securities or (ii) the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by such
Purchaser herein or (iii) any failure of such Purchaser to perform its
obligations hereunder or under law or (iv) any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of such Purchaser expressly for use therein, and will
reimburse the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed
the Registration Statement or controlling person for any legal and other expense
reasonably incurred by the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers
who signed the Registration Statement or controlling person in connection with
investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim,
damage, liability, expense or action.

                  (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 6.3 of notice of the threat or commencement of any action, such
indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an
indemnifying party under this Section 6.3 promptly notify the indemnifying party
in writing thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for
contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 6.3 or to the extent it is not prejudiced as a result of such failure.
In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such
indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party,
the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent
that it may wish, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly
notified, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action
include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict
between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in
conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses
available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or
additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party
or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal
defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of
such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying
party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense of such

                                       12
<PAGE>

action and approval by the indemnified party of the indemnifying party's
counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party
under this Section 6.3 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the
indemnified party shall have employed such counsel in connection with the
assumption of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the preceding
sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be
liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel, approved by such
indemnifying party in the case of paragraph (a), representing all of the
indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnified
party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time
after notice of commencement of action, in each of which cases the reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

                  (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6.3 is
required by its terms but is for any reason held to be unavailable to or
otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under paragraphs
(a), (b) or (c) of this Section 6.3 in respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses referred to herein, then each applicable indemnifying
party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
herein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by the Company and such Purchaser from the placement of Common Stock or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but the relative fault of the
Company and such Purchaser in connection with the statements or omissions or
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties in this Agreement which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by
the Company on the one hand and such Purchaser on the other shall be deemed to
be in the same proportion as the amount paid by such Purchaser to the Company
pursuant to this Agreement for the Registrable Securities purchased by such
Purchaser that were sold pursuant to the Registration Statement bears to the
difference (the "Difference") between the amount such Purchaser paid for the
Registrable Securities that were sold pursuant to the Registration Statement and
the amount received by such Purchaser from such sale. The relative fault of the
Company on the one hand and such Purchaser on the other shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or
the inaccurate or the alleged inaccurate representation and/or warranty relates
to information supplied by the Company or by such Purchaser and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to
above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph (c) of this Section 6.3, any legal or other fees or expenses
reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending
any action or claim. The provisions set forth in paragraph (c) of this Section
6.3 with respect to the notice of the threat or commencement of any threat or
action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this
paragraph (d); provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required
with respect to any threat or action for which notice has been given under
paragraph (c) for purposes of indemnification. The Company and such Purchaser
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Section 6.3 were determined solely by pro rata allocation (even if each
Purchaser were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in this paragraph. The liability of each Purchaser hereunder shall be limited
to an amount equal to the Purchaser's purchase price for the Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.3, no Purchaser
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
Difference exceeds the amount of any damages that such Purchaser has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Purchaser's obligations to contribute pursuant to this
Section 6.3 are several and not joint.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  6.4. Termination of Conditions and Obligations. The
restrictions imposed by Section 5 or this Section 6 upon the transferability of
the Registrable Securities shall cease and terminate as to any particular number
of the Registrable Securities upon the passage of twenty-four months from the
effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Registrable
Securities or at such time as an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to the Company shall have been rendered to the effect that
such conditions are not necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act.

                  6.5. Information Available. So long as the Registration
Statement is effective covering the resale of Registrable Securities owned by
the Purchaser, the Company will furnish to the Purchaser:

                  (a)      as soon as practicable after available (but in the
                           case of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders,
                           within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of
                           the Company), one copy of (i) its Annual Report to
                           Stockholders (which Annual Report shall contain
                           financial statements audited in accordance with
                           generally accepted accounting principles by a
                           national firm of certified public accountants), (ii)
                           if not included in substance in the Annual Report to
                           Stockholders, its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, (iii)
                           if not included in substance in its Quarterly Reports
                           to Shareholders, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
                           and (iv) a full copy of the particular Registration
                           Statement covering the Registrable Securities (the
                           foregoing, in each case, excluding exhibits);

                  (b)      upon the request of the Purchaser, a reasonable
                           number of copies of the prospectuses to supply to any
                           other party requiring such prospectuses;

and the Company, upon the reasonable request of the Purchaser, will meet with
the Purchaser or a representative thereof at the Company's headquarters to
discuss information relevant for disclosure in the Registration Statement
covering the Registrable Securities and will otherwise cooperate with any
Purchaser conducting an investigation for the purpose of reducing or eliminating
such Purchaser's exposure to liability under the Securities Act, including the
reasonable production of information at the Company's headquarters, subject to
appropriate confidentiality limitations.

         7. Covenants and Agreements of the Company.

                  7.1 Limitations on Transactions.

                  (a) From the date of this Agreement until the date which is
120 days following effectiveness of the Registration Statement covering the
Registrable Securities as contemplated by Section 6.1 (the "Restricted Period"),
and subject to the exclusions contained in Section 7.1(d) below, without the
prior written consent of the Placement Agent (which consent may be withheld in
the Placement Agent's discretion), the Company shall not issue or sell or agree
to issue or sell for cash any shares of its Common Stock at a Per Share Selling
Price (as defined below) lower than the Purchase Price per share provided in
Section 2 hereof.

                  (b) For the purposes of this Section 7.1, the term "Per Share
Selling Price" as used in this Section 7.1 shall include the amount actually
paid by third parties for each share of Common Stock. In the event a fee in
excess of 5.0% is paid by the Company in connection with such transaction, any
such excess amount shall be deducted from the selling price pro rata to all
shares sold in the transaction to arrive at the Per Share Selling Price. A sale
in a capital raising transaction of shares of Common Stock shall include the
sale or issuance of rights, options, warrants or convertible securities under
which the Company is or may become obligated to issue shares of Common Stock,
and in such circumstances the Per Share Selling Price of the Common Stock
covered thereby shall also include the exercise or conversion price thereof (in
addition to the

                                       14
<PAGE>

consideration received by the Company upon such sale or issuance less the excess
fee amount as provided above). If shares are issued for a consideration other
than cash, the Per Share Selling Price shall be the fair value of such
consideration as determined in good faith by independent certified public
accountants mutually acceptable to the Company and the Purchasers.

                  (c) Capital Adjustments. In case of any stock split or reverse
stock split, stock dividend, reclassification of the common stock,
recapitalization, merger or consolidation, or like capital adjustment affecting
the Common Stock of the Company, the provisions of Section 7.1 shall be applied
in a fair, equitable and reasonable manner so as to give effect, as nearly as
may be, to the purposes hereof.

                  (d) Exclusions. Section 7.1(a) shall not apply to:

                  (i) issuances of options to acquire or shares of Common Stock
         by the Company pursuant to the provisions of any existing
         shareholder-approved option or similar employee benefit plan heretofore
         adopted by the Company; or

                  (ii) sales of shares of Common Stock by the Company upon
         conversion or exercise of any convertible securities, options or
         warrants outstanding prior to the date hereof; or

                  (iii) issuances by the Company of shares of Common Stock (A)
         as consideration for the acquisition by the Company of one or more
         privately or publicly held entities; (B) to corporate strategic
         partners of the Company in connection with the formation of joint
         ventures or marketing agreements; and (C) to consultants of the Company
         in consideration for services to be rendered to the Company.

                  7.2 Opinion of Counsel. On or prior to the Closing Date, the
Company will deliver to the Purchasers the opinion of legal counsel to the
Company, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Placement Agent and
its legal counsel.

                  7.3 Reports. For so long as the Purchasers beneficially own
any of the Securities, the Company will furnish to the Purchasers the following
reports, each of which shall be provided to the Purchasers by mail (within one
week of filing with the SEC, in the case of SEC filings):

                           (a) Quarterly Reports. The Company's quarterly report
on Form 10-QSB or, in the absence of such report, consolidated balance sheets of
the Company as at the end of such period and the related consolidated statements
of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for such period and for the
portion of the Company's fiscal year ended on the last day of such quarter, all
in reasonable detail and certified by a principal financial officer of the
Company to have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, subject to year-end and audit adjustments.

                           (b) Annual Reports. The Company's Form 10-KSB or, in
the absence of a Form 10-KSB, consolidated balance sheets of the Company as at
the end of such year and the related consolidated statements of earnings,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for such year, all in reasonable detail and
accompanied by the report on such consolidated financial statements of an
independent certified public accountant selected by the Company and reasonably
satisfactory to the Purchaser.

                           (c) Securities Filings. Copies of (i) all notices,
proxy statements, financial statements, reports and documents as the Company
shall send or make available generally to its stockholders or to financial
analysts, promptly after providing same to the stockholders and (ii) all
periodic and special reports, documents and registration statements (other than
on Form S-8) which the Company furnishes or files, or any officer or director of
the Company (in such person's capacity as such) furnishes or files with the SEC.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                           (d) Other Information. Such other information
relating to the Company as from time to time may reasonably be requested by the
Purchasers provided the Company produces such information in its ordinary course
of business, and further provided that the Company, solely in its own
discretion, determines that such information is not confidential in nature and
disclosure to the Purchaser would not be harmful to the Company.

                  7.4 No Conflicting Agreements. The Company will not take any
action, enter into any agreement or make any commitment that would conflict or
interfere in any material respect with the obligations to the Purchasers under
the Agreements.

                  7.5 Insurance. So long as the Purchasers beneficially own any
Securities, the Company shall not materially reduce the insurance coverages set
forth in Schedule 4.20.

                  7.6 Compliance with Laws. So long as the Purchasers
beneficially own any Securities, the Company will use reasonable efforts to
comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and decrees of all
governmental authorities, except to the extent non-compliance (in one instance
or in the aggregate) would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         8. Survival. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements as of the date hereof and shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement for a period of three years from the date of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the provisions contained in Section 7 hereof
shall survive in accordance therewith.

         9. Miscellaneous.

                  9.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned
by a party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto,
except that without the prior written consent of the Company, but after notice
duly given, a Purchaser may assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder
in whole or in part to an Affiliate or to a third party acquiring some portion
or all of its Securities in a private transaction. The terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective
permitted successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties
hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies,
obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement.

                  9.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  9.3 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in
this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in
construing or interpreting this Agreement.

                  9.4 Notices. Unless otherwise provided, any notice required or
permitted under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed
effectively given only upon delivery to each party to be notified by (i)
personal delivery, (ii) facsimile, upon receipt of confirmation of complete
transmittal, or (iii) an internationally recognized overnight air courier,
addressed to the party to be notified at the address as follows, or at such
other address as such party may designate by ten days' advance written notice to
the other party:

                                       16
<PAGE>

                If to the Company:

                        Kupper Parker Communications, Incorporated
                        8301 Maryland Avenue
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63105
                        Attn:    John J. Rezich
                                 Chief Financial Officer

                        with a copy to:

                        Joseph S. von Kaenel, Esq.
                        Armstrong Teasdale LLP
                        One Metropolitan Square, Suite 2600
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63102

                If to the Purchasers, to the addresses set forth on
                the signature pages hereto, with copies to:

                        Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
                        One Financial Plaza
                        501 N. Broadway
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63102
                        Attention: Michael P. Dimon
                                         Vice President/Investment Banking

                        and to:

                        James L. Nouss, Jr., Esq.
                        Bryan Cave LLP
                        One Metropolitan Square, Suite 3600
                        St. Louis, Missouri 63102

                  9.5 Expenses. The parties hereto shall pay their own costs and
expenses in connection herewith.

                  9.6 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be
amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either
generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Purchasers.
Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be
binding upon each holder of any Securities purchased under this Agreement at the
time outstanding, each future holder of all such securities, and the Company.

                  9.7 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement
are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be
excluded from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement shall be
interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in
accordance with its terms.

                  9.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Exhibits
and Schedules hereto, constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereof
with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                  9.9 Further Assurances. The parties shall execute and deliver
all such further instruments and documents and take all such other actions as
may reasonably be required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and
to evidence the fulfilment of the agreements herein contained.

                  9.10 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Missouri without regard
to principles of conflicts of laws.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                        Purchase Agreement Signature Page

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this
Agreement on the ______ day of ______________________, 2001.

A.  TOTAL INVESTMENT AMOUNT FOR UNDERSIGNED PURCHASER: = $ ____________
B.  PRICE PER SHARE OF  COMMON STOCK = $1.50
C.  NUMBER OF SHARES (A. DIVIDED BY $1.50) = ____________
D.  NUMBER OF WARRANTS (ONE PER EVERY TWO SHARES PURCHASED) = ____________
E.  EXERCISE PRICE OF WARRANTS = $2.50

(Please make all checks payable to "Missouri State Bank and Trust Company/Kupper
Parker Communications, Incorporated".

INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Signature

                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name (Typed or Printed)

                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Signature (if more than one individual
                                         subscriber)

                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name (Typed or Printed)

ENTITY INVESTORS:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Signature

                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name (Typed or Printed) and Title

                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name of Entity

Accepted by the Company:
Dated ________________, 2001

                                      KUPPER PARKER COMMUNICATIONS, INCORPORATED

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                       19
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE I-A

THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE COMPANY IN DETERMINING
WHETHER THE SUBSCRIBER IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR. INITIAL ALL APPROPRIATE SPACES
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES, INDICATING THE BASIS UPON WHICH THE SUBSCRIBER MAY
QUALIFY TO PURCHASE SHARES. FAILING TO INITIAL ALL SPACES APPLICABLE TO THE
SUBSCRIBER MAY RESULT IN THE COMPANY NOT HAVING ENOUGH INFORMATION TO DETERMINE
IF THE SUBSCRIBER IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR.

The Subscriber represents that:

FOR INDIVIDUALS (PLEASE INITIAL ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WHICH ARE APPLICABLE):

  [ ]        a.   The Subscriber has an individual net worth*, or together with
                  the Subscriber's spouse a combined net worth, in excess of
                  $1,000,000, or

  [ ]        b.   The Subscriber had an individual income** (exclusive of any
                  income attributable to the Initial Subscriber's spouse) in
                  excess of $200,000 in each of the last two calendar years and
                  it reasonably expects to have an individual income in excess
                  of $200,000 during the current calendar year, or

  [ ]        c.   The Subscriber, together with the Subscriber's spouse, had a
                  combined income in excess of $300,000 in each of the last two
                  calendar years and it reasonably expects to have a combined
                  income in excess of $300,000 during the current calendar year.

        * "Net worth" means the excess of total assets at fair market value,
        including home, home furnishings and automobiles, over total
        liabilities. For purposes of determining "net worth," the principal
        residence owned by an individual must be valued either at (A) cost,
        including the cost of improvements, net of current encumbrances upon the
        property, or (B) the appraised value of the property as determined by a
        written appraisal used by an institutional lender making a loan to the
        individual secured by the property, including the cost of subsequent
        improvements, net of current encumbrances, upon the property.

        ** For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, individual income means
        gross income, as reported for income tax purposes, less any income
        attributable to a spouse or to property owned by a spouse, increased by
        the following amounts (but not including any amounts attributable to a
        spouse or to property owned by a spouse): (1) the amount of any
        tax-exempt interest income received under Section 103 of the United
        States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), (2) the
        amount of losses claimed as a limited partner in a limited partnership
        as reported on Schedule E of Form 1040 and (3) any deduction claimed for
        depletion under Section 611 et seq. of the Code.

FOR CORPORATIONS OR PARTNERSHIPS (PLEASE INITIAL EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING, OR
BOTH, IF APPLICABLE):

 [ ]         d.   The Subscriber is a corporation, similar business trust,
                  limited liability company or partnership, not formed for the
                  specific purpose of acquiring Securities, with total assets in
                  excess of $5,000,000.

 [ ]         e.   All of the equity owners of the Subscriber have (i) an
                  individual net worth, or together with spouse a combined net
                  worth, in excess of $1,000,000; or (ii) an individual income
                  (exclusive of any income attributable to spouse) in excess of
                  $200,000 in each of the last two calendar years and a
                  reasonable expectation of having an individual income in
                  excess of $200,000 during the current calendar year; or (iii)
                  a combined income together with spouse in excess of $300,000
                  in each of the last two calendar years and a reasonable
                  expectation of having a combined income in excess of $300,000
                  during the current calendar year. Please list below the names
                  of all equity owners of the Subscriber and the manner in which
                  they qualify.

<Table>
<S>                                                        <C>                                          <C>
Names of All Equity Owners (attach
additional sheets if necessary)                             Individual Income                            Minimum Net Worth
-------------------------------                             -----------------                            -----------------
                                                           (                 )                         (                  )
-----------------------------------------                   -----------------                           ------------------
                                                           (                 )                         (                  )
-----------------------------------------                   -----------------                           ------------------
                                                           (                 )                         (                  )
-----------------------------------------                   -----------------                           ------------------
</Table>

                                       20
<PAGE>

FOR TRUSTS OTHER THAN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUSTS (PLEASE INITIAL EITHER OF THE
FOLLOWING, OR BOTH, IF APPLICABLE):

 [ ]         f.   The Subscriber has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 and
                  that the investment in the Company is being directed by a
                  sophisticated person, which, for purposes of this
                  representation, means a person who has such knowledge and
                  experience in financial and business matters that the person
                  is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the
                  prospective investment in the Company.

 [ ]         g.   The Subscriber is (a) a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of
                  the Securities Act, (b) acting in its fiduciary capacity as
                  trustee and (c) subscribing for the purpose of the securities
                  being offered on behalf of a trust.

 [ ]         h.   The Subscriber is a revocable trust that may be amended or
                  revoked at any time by its grantors and that all of its
                  grantors meet the standard set out in Statements a, b or c
                  above. Please list below the names of all grantors and the
                  manner in which they qualify.

<Table>
<S>                                                        <C>                                          <C>
Names of All Equity Owners (attach
additional sheets if necessary)                             Individual Income                            Minimum Net Worth
-------------------------------                             -----------------                            -----------------
                                                           (                 )                         (                  )
-----------------------------------------                   -----------------                           ------------------
                                                           (                 )                         (                  )
-----------------------------------------                   -----------------                           ------------------
                                                           (                 )                         (                  )
-----------------------------------------                   -----------------                           ------------------
</Table>

<Table>
<S>                                                             <C>                       <C>
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Exact Name in which Securities are to be registered:
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

     Address of registered owner:
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

     Relationship of registered owner to Purchase, if different:
                                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------

     Social Security Number or Taxpayer ID
     Number for each Registered Holder:
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Telephone number: (   )                       Fax number: (   )                       Email address:
                        --- --------------------                --- -------------------                  ----------------------

     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>

                                       21
<PAGE>

                                                                    Schedule I-B

                   KUPPER PARKER COMMUNICATIONS, INCORPORATED
                      REGISTRATION STATEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

                  1. Pursuant to the "Selling Shareholder" section of the
Registration Statement, please state your or you organization's name exactly as
it should appear in the Registration Statement:

                 -----------------------------------------------

                  2. Please provide the number of shares that you or your
organization will own immediately after Closing, including those Securities
purchased by you or your organization pursuant to this Purchase Agreement and
those Securities purchased by you or your organization through other
transactions:

                 -----------------------------------------------

                  3. Have you or your organization had any position, or other
material relationship within the past three years with the Company or its
affiliates?

                     ______  Yes             ______ No

       If yes, please indicate the nature of any such relationships below:

                 -----------------------------------------------

                 -----------------------------------------------

                 -----------------------------------------------<PAGE>

                     CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of July, 2001, by Belden Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and C. Baker Cunningham ("Executive").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         The Executive is an officer of the Company and is employed by Belden
Technologies, Inc. ("Belden Technologies"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, in a key executive capacity. The Executive's services are valuable to
the Company. The Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and
affairs of the Company and has acquired certain confidential information with
respect to the Company.

         The Company desires to insure that it will continue to have the benefit
of the Executive's services and to protect its confidential information and
goodwill. The Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change
in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, causing
uncertainty about the Executive's future employment with the Company without
regard to the Executive's competence or past contributions. Such uncertainty may
result in the loss of valuable services of the Executive to the detriment of the
Company and its stockholders.

         The Company and the Executive desire that any proposal for a change in
control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive
objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Executive will be in a better position to consider the
Company's best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable security, as
provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could
result from any such change in control or acquisition.

         NOW, the Company and the Executive (collectively the "Parties" or
individually a "Party"), agree as follows:

         1.    CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

               1.1 ACT. The term "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

               1.2 AFFILIATE AND ASSOCIATE. The terms "Affiliate" and
"Associate" shall have the meanings given them in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

               1.3 BENEFICIAL OWNER. A Person shall be deemed to be the
"Beneficial Owner" of any securities:

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

                    (i) that such Person or any other Person's Affiliates or
Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights,
exchange rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however,
that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially
own,

                         (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase, or

                         (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights issued
pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement between the Company and First
Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement"), dated at July 6,
1995, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights Agreement),
at any time before the issuance of such securities;

                    (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or has
"beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Act),
including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided,
however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to
beneficially own, any security under this subparagraph (ii) as a result of an
agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security if the agreement,
arrangement or understanding:

                         (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent
given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made
pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under
the Act and

                         (B) is not also then reportable on a Schedule 13D under
the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                    (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as described in
Subsection 1.3 (ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of the Company;
provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (iii) shall cause a Person
engaged in the business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed the
"Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired through
such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting
until the expiration of forty days (40) after the date of such acquisition.

               1.4 CAUSE. "Cause" for termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment with the Company, Belden Technologies or any of their
Affiliates after a Change of Control of the Company shall, for purposes of this
Agreement, be limited to:

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

                    (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional conduct
taken in bad faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial injury to
the Company, as evidenced by a determination in a binding and final judgment,
order or decree of a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction,
in effect after exhaustion or lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative;

                    (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by a binding and
final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, in effect
after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which substantially impairs the
Executive's ability to perform his duties or responsibilities; and

                    (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by the
Executive to perform the Executive's duties or responsibilities (unless
significantly changed without the Executive's consent).

               1.5 CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. A "Change in Control of the
Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                    (i) any Person (other than any employee benefit plan of the
Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding securities of the
Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee,
administrator or fiduciary of such a plan) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of
securities of the Company representing at least 30% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities (other than acquisitions directly
from the Company);

                    (ii) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall have occurred under the
Rights Agreement (or a similar event shall have occurred under any successor to
such Rights Agreement) at any time any Rights are issued and outstanding
thereunder;

                    (iii) one-third or more of the members of the Board are not
Continuing Directors; or

                    (iv) there shall be consummated any merger of the Company in
which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to
which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into cash,
securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which the
holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the
same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger.

               1.6 CODE. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

               1.7 CONTINUING DIRECTOR. The term "Continuing Director" means (i)
any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who was a
member of such Board

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

on August 15, 1996, (ii) any successor of a Continuing Director who is
recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing
Directors then on the Board, and (iii) any appointee who is recommended by a
majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board.

               1.8 COVERED TERMINATION. The term "Covered Termination" means any
termination of the Executive's employment where the Termination Date is any date
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

               1.9 EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The term "Employment Period" means a
period beginning on the date of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined
in Section 1.5 above), and ending at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis Time on the earlier of
the third anniversary of such date or the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

               1.10 GOOD REASON. The Executive shall have a "Good Reason" for
termination of employment after a Change in Control of the Company in the event
of:

                    (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company, including
specifically any breach by the Company of its agreements contained in Sections 4
(Duties), 5 (Compensation) or 6 (Annual Compensation Adjustments) hereof;

                    (ii) the removal of the Executive from, or any failure to
reelect or reappoint the Executive to, any of the positions held with the
Company, Belden Technologies or any of their affiliates on the date of the
Change in Control of the Company or any other positions with the Company, Belden
Technologies or any of their affiliates, to which the Executive shall thereafter
be elected, appointed or assigned, except when such removal or failure to
reelect or reappoint relates to the termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment for Cause or by reason of disability pursuant to Section
12;

                    (iii) a good faith determination by the Executive that there
has been a significant adverse change, without the Executive's written consent,
in the Executive's working conditions or status with the Company, Belden
Technologies or any of their affiliates from such working conditions or status
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, including
but not limited to;

                         (A) a significant change in the nature or scope of the
Executive's authority, powers, functions, duties or responsibilities, or

                         (B) a significant reduction in the level of support
services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space and
accoutrements; or

                    (iv) failure by the Company to obtain the Agreement referred
to in Section 17.1 (Successors) below; or

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                    (v) any voluntary termination of employment by the Executive
where the Notice of Termination is delivered within 30 days of the first
anniversary of the Effective Date.

               1.11 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE. The term "Normal Retirement Date"
means the date Executive attains the age of 70.

               1.12 PERSON. The term "Person" shall mean any individual, firm,
partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by merger or
otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting in concert.

               1.13 TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this Agreement, except as
otherwise provided in Section 10.2 (Death) and Section 17.1 (Successors), the
term "Termination Date" means:

                    (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Executive's death, the date of death;

                    (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Company and the
Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such written
agreement;

                    (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
purposes of this Agreement by reason of disability pursuant to Section 12, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period;

                    (iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of
Termination is given; and

                    (v) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company (whether or not for Cause), or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing;

                         (A) If termination is for Cause pursuant to Section
1.4(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct
constituting such Cause as described by the Company in its Notice of Termination
within such thirty day or shorter period, then the Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall continue as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                         (B) If the Company shall give a Notice of Termination
for Cause or by reason of disability and the Executive in good faith notifies
the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the
applicable period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to
continue his employment (or, if the Executive ceased performing his duties under
this Agreement at the request of the Company at the time of delivery of Notice
of Termination,

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

resume and continue employment) during such dispute and the Termination Date
shall be determined under this paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is
thereafter determined that Cause or disability (as the case may be ) did exist,
the Termination Date shall be the earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute
is finally determined, either (x) by mutual written agreement of the parties or
(y) in accordance with Section 22 (Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2)
the date of the Executive's death, or (3) one day prior to the end of the
Employment Period. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently determined
that Cause or disability (as the case may be ) did not exist, then the
employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such
determination as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of Termination and
there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such Notice. In either case,
this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if any, as if the Company
had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that, if it is finally
determined that the Company properly terminated the Executive for the reason
asserted in the Notice of Termination, the Executive shall in no case be
entitled to a Termination Payment (as defined below) arising out of events
occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of Termination.

                         (C) If the Executive shall in good faith give a Notice
of Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the Executive that a
dispute exists concerning the termination within the applicable period following
receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to continue his employment
during such dispute and the Termination Date shall be determined under this
paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently determined that
Good Reason did exist, the Termination Date shall be the earliest of (1) the
date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x) by mutual written
agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22 (Governing Law;
Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death or (3) one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so elects and it is
subsequently determined that Good Reason did not exist, then the employment of
the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such determination as if
the Executive had not delivered the Notice of Termination asserting Good Reason
and there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such Notice. In either
case, this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if any, as if the
Company had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that, if it is
finally determined that Good Reason did exist, the Executive shall in no case be
denied the benefits described in Sections 8 and 9 (including a Termination
Payment) based on events occurring after the Executive delivered his Notice of
Termination.

                         (D) If an opinion is required to be delivered pursuant
to Section 9.3 hereof and such opinion shall not have been delivered, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date on which such opinion is
delivered or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                         (E) Except as provided in Paragraphs (B) and (C) above,
if the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other Party that a
dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate period
following receipt of notice and it is finally determined that the reason
asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (1) if such Notice
was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily
terminated his

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date thirty days
after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to the end of the
Employment Period and (2) if delivered by the Company, the Company will be
deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of death,
disability or Cause.

          2. TERMINATION PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Company and the
Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the
Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. If the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the
Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and all rights and obligations of
the parties under it shall cease.

          3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs
when the Executive is employed by Belden Technologies, Belden Technologies will
continue subsequently to employ the Executive during the Employment Period, and
the Executive will remain in the employ of Belden Technologies, in accordance
with and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

          4. DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of the Change in
Control of the Company or in such other capacities and positions as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's
best efforts and all of the Executive's business time, attention and skill to
the business and affairs of the Company, as such business and affairs now exist
and as they may subsequently be conducted. The services that are to be performed
by the Executive under this Agreement are to be rendered in the same
metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the time of such Change
in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company from time to time. Without the
Executive's consent, the Executive shall not be required to be absent from such
metropolitan area more than 45 days in any fiscal year of the Company.

          5. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:

               5.1 The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but not
less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as may be
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an annual
base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive's annual base
salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company
(which base salary shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Executive,
include the current receipt by the Executive of any amounts that, prior to the
Change in Control of the Company, the Executive had elected to defer, whether
such compensation is deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or otherwise),
subject to adjustment as provided below.

               5.2 The Executive shall receive fringe benefits at least equal in
value to those provided for the Executive immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company, and shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company, for any monies advanced in connection

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred
by the Executive on behalf of the Company, Belden Technologies or their
affiliates, including travel expenses.

               5.3 The Executive shall be included, to the extent eligible
thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive's salary
grade or on any other requirement that excludes persons of comparable status to
the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent
plan immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any plan
providing benefits for the Company's salaried employees in general of the
Company, Belden Technologies or their Affiliates, including but not limited to
the Management Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, group life
insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, savings, profit sharing and stock
bonus plans. However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under
such plans in which the Executive is included be less than the aggregate level
of benefits under plans of the Company, Belden Technologies or their Affiliates
of the type referred to in this Section 5.3 in which the Executive was
participating immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company.

               5.4 The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than the
amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays to which
the Executive was entitled annually immediately prior to the Change in Control
of the Company or such greater amount of paid vacation and number of paid
holidays as may be made available annually to other executives of the Company,
Belden Technologies or their Affiliates of comparable status and position to the
Executive.

               5.5 The Executive shall be included in all plans providing
additional benefits to executives of the Company, Belden Technologies or their
Affiliates of comparable status and position to the Executive, including
deferred compensation, split-dollar life insurance, supplemental retirement,
stock option, stock appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans be
less than the aggregate level of benefits under plans of the Company, Belden
Technologies or their Affiliates of the type referred to in this Section 5.5 in
which the Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in Control
of the Company. Moreover, the obligation of the Company, Belden Technologies or
their Affiliates to include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation
plans shall be determined by Section 5.6.

               5.6 To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to earn
incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the Executive
shall be included in a bonus plan of the Company, Belden Technologies or their
Affiliates that shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the
"Bonus Plan"). Bonuses under the Bonus Plan shall be payable with respect to
achieving such financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of
the Company as the Company shall establish (the "Goals"), all of which Goals
shall be attainable, prior to the end of the Employment Period, with
approximately the same degree of probability as the goals under the bonus plan
of the Company, Belden Technologies or their Affiliates as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company (the "Company Bonus Plan") and in
view of the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Company's existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable
at the time. The amount of the bonus (the "Bonus Amount") that the Executive
will be eligible to earn under the Bonus Plan shall be no less than the amount
of the Executive's maximum award provided in such Company Bonus Plan (such bonus
amount is referred to as the "Targeted Bonus"). If the Goals are not achieved
such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide
for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus
reasonably related to that portion of the Goals that were achieved. Payment of
the Bonus Amount shall not be affected by any circumstance occurring subsequent
to the end of the Employment Period, including termination of the Executive's
employment.

          6. ANNUAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Company (or an appropriate committee or officer
thereof) will consider and review, at least annually, the contributions of the
Executive to the Company, Belden Technologies or their Affiliates and in
accordance with the practice of the Company, Belden Technologies or their
Affiliates prior to the Change in Control of the Company, due consideration
shall be given to the upward adjustment of the Executive's base compensation
rate, at least annually, (i) commensurate with increases generally given to
other executives of the Company, Belden Technologies or their Affiliates of
comparable status and position to the Executive, and (ii) as the scope of the
operations of the Company, Belden Technologies or their Affiliates or the
Executive's duties expand.

          7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If there is a Covered
Termination for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the
procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Section 9.1.

          8. TERMINATION GIVING RISE TO A TERMINATION PAYMENT.

               8.1 If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for Good
Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii) disability
pursuant to Section 12, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be subject to
the procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits pursuant to
Section 9.1 and, in lieu of further base salary for periods following the
Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance pay the
Termination Payment pursuant to Section 9.2.

               8.2 If there is Covered Termination and the Executive is entitled
to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Executive shall be
entitled to the following additional benefits:

                    (i) The Executive shall receive, at the expense of the
Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of service
commensurate with the Executive's status with the Company, Belden Technologies
or their Affiliates immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company
(or, if higher, immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's
employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm
selected

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

by the Company.

                    (ii) For two years after the date of Termination, the
Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the
same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage
as was required under this Agreement with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given.

          9. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION.

               9.1 ACCRUED BENEFITS. The Executive's "Accrued Benefits" shall
include the following amounts, payable as described in this Agreement:

                    (i) all base salary for the time period ending with the
Termination Date;

                    (ii) reimbursement for any monies advanced in connection
with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred
by the Executive on behalf of the Company, Belden Technologies or their
Affiliates for the time period ending with the Termination Date;

                    (iii) any other cash earned through the Termination Date and
deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred
compensation plan then in effect;

                    (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive
compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in
which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plans in
which the Executive is a participant; and

                    (v) all other payments and benefits to which the Executive
(or in the event of the Executive's death, the Executive's surviving spouse or
other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or under the
terms of any benefit plan of the Company, Belden Technologies or their
Affiliates, and severance payments under the Company's severance policies and
practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company. Payment of Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with
the Company's prevailing practice with respect to Subsections (i) and (ii) or,
with respect to Subsections (iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the
benefit plan or practice establishing such benefits.

               9.2 TERMINATION PAYMENT. The Termination Payment shall be an
amount equal to (A) the Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, as adjusted upward, from time to
time, pursuant to Section 6, plus (B) the amount of the highest annual bonus
award (determined on an annualized basis for any bonus award paid for a period
of less than one year) paid to the Executive with respect to the two complete
fiscal years preceding the Termination Date (the aggregate amount set forth in
(A) and (B) hereof shall be referred to as "Annual Cash Compensation"), times
(C) a factor of 2.9. The Termination Payment shall be paid in cash and shall not
be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination
Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination
Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for
any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in addition to any other
severance payments to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
severance policies and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company.

               9.3 TAXES.

                    (i) Gross-Up. Whether or not the Executive becomes entitled
to the Termination Payment, if any payment or benefit received or to be received
by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of
the Executive's employment, including those provided under Section 9.1, (whether
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or
agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a Change in
Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all such
payments and benefits, including the Termination Payment, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. (Excise Tax shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of the Code.) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9.3),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.

                    (ii) Tax Counsel. For purposes of determining whether any of
the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such
Excise Tax, (a) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (b) all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (c)
the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. Prior to the payment date set forth in Section
9.3(iii) below, the Company shall provide the Executive with its

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

calculation of the amounts referred to in this Section 9.2(ii) and such
supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the Executive to evaluate
the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the Company's calculations
(in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to the
matter in dispute shall prevail.

                    (iii) Repayment. In the event that (a) amounts are paid to
the Executive pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 9.2, and (b) the Excise
Tax is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into account
hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay to the
Company, within five (5) business days following the time that the amount of
such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the Gross-Up
Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the Gross-Up
Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local income and
employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the Executive),
to the extent that such repayment results in (i) no portion of the Total
Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and (b) a dollar-for-dollar reduction
in the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal, state and
local income and employment taxes plus interest on the amount of such repayment
at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B)of the Code. In the event that the
Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at
the time of the termination of the Executive's employment (including by reason
of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time
of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an additional Gross-Up Payment
in respect of such excess and in respect of any portion of the Excise Tax with
respect to which the Company had not previously made a Gross-Up Payment (plus
any interest, penalties or additions payable by the Executive with respect to
such excess and such portion) within five (5) business days following the time
that the amount of such excess is finally determined.

               9.4 DATE OF PAYMENTS. The payments provided in Sections 9.2 and
9.3 shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments, and the
limitations on such payments set forth in Sections 9.2 or 9.3 above, cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive
on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive or, in the
case of payments under Section 9.3, in accordance with Section 9.3 above, of the
minimum amount of such payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and
shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest on the unpaid
remainder [or on all such payments to the extent the Company fails to make such
payments when due] at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount
of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the
time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

writing shall be attached to the statement).

          10. DEATH.

               10.1 Except as provided in Section 10.2, in the event of a
Covered Termination due to the Executive's death, the Executive's estate, heirs
and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the
Termination Date.

               10.2 In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of
Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the
benefits described in Section 10.1 hereof and, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled
to had the Executive lived. For purposes of this Subsection 10.2, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the
Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to Section 1.14, or one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

          11. RETIREMENT. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and
the Company shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the
Executive from the Company, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he
is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Company, the Executive shall
receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. However, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive
also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement,
the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment.

          12. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, as a
result of the Executive's disability due to physical or mental illness or injury
(regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive
shall have been absent from the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days
after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate
the Executive's employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of
Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis,
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment for purposes of this
Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section
13. If the Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's
disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof and shall remain eligible for all
benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company, Belden
Technologies or its Affiliates in effect at the time of such termination.

          13. TERMINATION NOTICE AND PROCEDURE. Any Covered Termination by the
Company or the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if
such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following
procedures and those set forth in Section 23:

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

               13.1 If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good Reason,
the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.

               13.2 Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall have been
approved, prior to the giving thereof to the Executive, by a resolution duly
adopted by a majority of the directors of the Company (or any successor
corporation) then in office.

               13.3 If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason, the
Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement on or after the
date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in any
event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by the
Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement
on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the Executive's
rights under this Agreement.

               13.4 The Executive shall have thirty days, or such longer period
as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or act, if
curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive's
employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 1.4(iii).

               13.5 The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall personally
deliver or mail in accordance with Section 23 written notice of any dispute
relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice within
fifteen days after receipt thereof. However, if the Executive's conduct or act
alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is curable,
then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such period, the
contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not subject to
dispute.

          14. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees that,
in the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to and
receives Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not,
for a period of one year after the Termination Date, without the prior written
approval of the Company's Board of Directors, participate in the management of,
be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United
States that engages in substantial competition with the Company or its
subsidiaries, where such enterprise's revenues from any competitive activities
amount to 40% or more of such enterprise's net revenues and sales for its most
recently completed fiscal year. However, nothing in this Section 14 shall
prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor
amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such
competitor. The Executive also shall perform his obligations under the "Secrecy
Agreement" and the "Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" entered
into by the Company and the Executive.

          15. EXPENSES AND INTEREST. If, after a Change in Control of the
Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

or arbitration proceeding shall be brought to enforce or interpret any provision
contained in this Agreement or to recover damages for breach, in either case so
long as the Executive is not acting in bad faith, the Executive shall recover
from the Company any reasonable attorneys' fees and necessary costs and
disbursements incurred as a result of such dispute, legal or arbitration
proceeding ("Expenses"), and prejudgment interest on any money judgment or
arbitration award obtained by the Executive calculated at the rate of interest
announced by Bank of America, St. Louis, Missouri from time to time as its prime
or base lending rate from the date that payments to him should have been made
under this Agreement. Within ten days after the Executive's written request, the
Company shall pay to the Executive, or such other person or entity as the
Executive may designate in writing to the Company, the Executive's reasonable
Expenses in advance of the final disposition or conclusion of any such dispute,
legal or arbitration proceeding.

          16. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the
benefit and other arrangements provided in this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Section
15 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid
without notice or demand. Each payment made under this Agreement by the Company
shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover any part of such
payment from the Executive, or from whoever may be entitled to such payment, for
any reason.

          17. SUCCESSORS.

               17.1 If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or
substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company
merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not
survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a "Sale of
Business"), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest
in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company
shall cause such Person, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and
after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions
imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the Company to obtain
such agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a
breach of this Agreement constituting "Good Reason" for termination hereunder,
except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such
Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case
of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such
Person, as used in this Agreement, "Company" shall subsequently mean such Person
which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 17 or
that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his discretion, be entitled
to proceed against any of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a
successor to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to
enforce any rights of the Executive under this Agreement. Except as provided in
this Subsection, this Agreement shall not be assignable

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

by the Company. This Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or
involuntary dissolution of the Company.

               17.2 This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts
payable to the Executive under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 if the
Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive's death, to the
Executive's estate, heirs and representatives. However, the foregoing shall not
be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Company, as such
terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that
expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive's death.

          18. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded
as divisible, and if any provision or any part is declared invalid or
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and
enforceability of the remainder of such provisions or parts and the
applicability thereof shall not be so affected.

          19. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any
time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive.

          20. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from
amounts to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any federal, state or
local withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time
required to withhold. However, the amount so withheld shall not exceed the
minimum amount required to be withheld by law. The Company shall be entitled to
rely on an opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to
the amount or requirement of any such withholding shall arise.

          21. CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. No Party shall be considered as
being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying
any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of
this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any
provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be
deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an
authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes the Change
of Control Employment Agreement previously entered into by the Parties.

          22. GOVERNING LAW; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement shall, at the Executive's election, be determined by arbitration under
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (in which case
both parties shall be bound by the arbitration award) or by litigation. Whether
the dispute is to be settled by arbitration or litigation, the venue for the
arbitration or litigation shall be St. Louis, Missouri or, at the Executive's
election, if the Executive is no longer residing or working in the St. Louis,
Missouri metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the city in
which the Executive resides. However, if the Executive is not then residing in
the United States, the election

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

of the Executive with respect to such venue shall be either St. Louis, Missouri
or in the judicial district encompassing that city of the United States among
the thirty cities having the largest population (as determined by the most
recent United States Census data available at the Termination Date) that is
closest to the Executive's residence. The Parties consent to personal
jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected venue having subject matter
jurisdiction regardless of their residence or situs, and each party irrevocably
consents to service of process in the manner provided in Section 23.

          23. NOTICE. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.4, shall be deemed given
when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company's
Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed,
such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to
Belden Inc., Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the
Secretary), 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, or if to
the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive's signature to this
Agreement, or to such other address as the Party to be notified shall have given
to the other Party in writing.

          24. NO WAIVER. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by
the other Party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

          25. HEADINGS. The headings are for reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                                   End of Page

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.

                                     BELDEN INC.

                                     By:
                                        -------------------------------------

                                     Attest:
                                            ---------------------------------

                                    EXECUTIVE

                                    /s/ C.  Baker Cunningham
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    C. Baker Cunningham
                                    6424 Cecil Avenue
                                    St. Louis, Missouri 63105

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                     CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of July, 2001, by Belden Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Richard K. Reece ("Executive").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         The Executive is an officer of the Company and is employed by Belden
Wire & Cable Company ("BWC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a key
executive capacity. The Executive's services are valuable to the Company. The
Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company and has acquired certain confidential information with respect to the
Company.

         The Company desires to insure that it will continue to have the benefit
of the Executive's services and to protect its confidential information and
goodwill. The Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change
in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, causing
uncertainty about the Executive's future employment with the Company without
regard to the Executive's competence or past contributions. Such uncertainty may
result in the loss of valuable services of the Executive to the detriment of the
Company and its stockholders.

         The Company and the Executive desire that any proposal for a change in
control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive
objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Executive will be in a better position to consider the
Company's best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable security, as
provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could
result from any such change in control or acquisition.

         NOW, the Company and the Executive (collectively the "Parties" or
individually a "Party"), agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

                  1.1 ACT. The term "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  1.2 AFFILIATE AND ASSOCIATE. The terms "Affiliate" and
"Associate" shall have the meanings given them in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

                  1.3 BENEFICIAL OWNER. A Person shall be deemed to be the
"Beneficial Owner" of any securities:

                           (i) that such Person or any other Person's Affiliates
or Associates has the

<PAGE>

right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,

                                    (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase, or

                                    (B) securities issuable upon exercise of
Rights issued pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement between the Company
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement"), dated at
July 6, 1995, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights
Agreement), at any time before the issuance of such securities;

                           (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or
dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 of the Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under this
subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding:

                                    (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations under the Act and

                                    (B) is not also then reportable on a
Schedule 13D under the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                           (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as
described in Subsection 1.3 (ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of
the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (iii) shall cause
a Person engaged in the business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired
through such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days (40) after the date of such
acquisition.

                  1.4 CAUSE. "Cause" for termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment with the Company, BWC or any of their Affiliates after a
Change of Control of the Company shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be
limited to:

                           (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional
conduct taken in bad faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial
injury to the Company, as evidenced by

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

a determination in a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or
lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by a
binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which
substantially impairs the Executive's ability to perform his duties or
responsibilities; and

                           (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by
the Executive to perform the Executive's duties or responsibilities (unless
significantly changed without the Executive's consent).

                  1.5 CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. A "Change in Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                           (i) any Person (other than any employee benefit plan
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding securities
of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee,
administrator or fiduciary of such a plan) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of
securities of the Company representing at least 30% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities (other than acquisitions directly
from the Company);

                           (ii) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall have occurred
under the Rights Agreement (or a similar event shall have occurred under any
successor to such Rights Agreement) at any time any Rights are issued and
outstanding thereunder;

                           (iii) one-third or more of the members of the Board
are not Continuing Directors; or

                           (iv) there shall be consummated any merger of the
Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or
pursuant to which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into
cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which
the holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger.

                  1.6 CODE. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  1.7 CONTINUING DIRECTOR. The term "Continuing Director" means
(i) any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who was a
member of such Board on August 15, 1996, (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
the Continuing Directors then on the Board, and (iii) any

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

appointee who is recommended by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on
the Board.

                  1.8 COVERED TERMINATION. The term "Covered Termination" means
any termination of the Executive's employment where the Termination Date is any
date prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                  1.9 EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The term "Employment Period" means a
period beginning on the date of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined
in Section 1.5 above), and ending at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis Time on the earlier of
the third anniversary of such date or the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

                  1.10 GOOD REASON. The Executive shall have a "Good Reason" for
termination of employment after a Change in Control of the Company in the event
of:

                           (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company,
including specifically any breach by the Company of its agreements contained in
Sections 4 (Duties), 5 (Compensation) or 6 (Annual Compensation Adjustments)
hereof;

                           (ii) the removal of the Executive from, or any
failure to reelect or reappoint the Executive to, any of the positions held with
the Company, BWC or any of their affiliates on the date of the Change in Control
of the Company or any other positions with the Company, BWC or any of their
affiliates, to which the Executive shall thereafter be elected, appointed or
assigned, except when such removal or failure to reelect or reappoint relates to
the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment for Cause or by
reason of disability pursuant to Section 12;

                           (iii) a good faith determination by the Executive
that there has been a significant adverse change, without the Executive's
written consent, in the Executive's working conditions or status with the
Company, BWC or any of their affiliates from such working conditions or status
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, including
but not limited to;

                                    (A) a significant change in the nature or
scope of the Executive's authority, powers, functions, duties or
responsibilities, or

                                    (B) a significant reduction in the level of
support services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space and
accoutrements; or

                           (iv) failure by the Company to obtain the Agreement
referred to in Section 17.1 (Successors) below; or

                           (v) any voluntary termination of employment by the
Executive where the Notice of Termination is delivered within 30 days of the
first anniversary of the Effective Date.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  1.11 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE. The term "Normal Retirement Date"
means the date Executive attains the age of 70.

                  1.12 PERSON. The term "Person" shall mean any individual,
firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by
merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting
in concert.

                  1.13 TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this Agreement, except
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 (Death) and Section 17.1 (Successors), the
term "Termination Date" means:

                           (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive's death, the date of death;

                           (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Company and
the Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such
written agreement;

                           (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
purposes of this Agreement by reason of disability pursuant to Section 12, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period;

                           (iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of
Termination is given; and

                           (v) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company (whether or not for Cause), or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing;

                                    (A) If termination is for Cause pursuant to
Section 1.4(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct
constituting such Cause as described by the Company in its Notice of Termination
within such thirty day or shorter period, then the Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall continue as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (B) If the Company shall give a Notice of
Termination for Cause or by reason of disability and the Executive in good faith
notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the
applicable period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to
continue his employment (or, if the Executive ceased performing his duties under
this Agreement at the request of the Company at the time of delivery of Notice
of Termination, resume and continue employment) during such dispute and the
Termination Date shall be determined under this paragraph. If the Executive so
elects and it is thereafter determined that Cause or

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

disability (as the case may be ) did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death,
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Cause or disability (as the case
may be ) did not exist, then the employment of the Executive under this
Agreement shall continue after such determination as if the Company had not
delivered its Notice of Termination and there shall be no Termination Date
arising out of such Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the
Termination Date, if any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of
Termination except that, if it is finally determined that the Company properly
terminated the Executive for the reason asserted in the Notice of Termination,
the Executive shall in no case be entitled to a Termination Payment (as defined
below) arising out of events occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (C) If the Executive shall in good faith
give a Notice of Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the
Executive that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the applicable
period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to continue his
employment during such dispute and the Termination Date shall be determined
under this paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently
determined that Good Reason did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Good Reason did not exist, then
the employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such
determination as if the Executive had not delivered the Notice of Termination
asserting Good Reason and there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such
Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if
any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that,
if it is finally determined that Good Reason did exist, the Executive shall in
no case be denied the benefits described in Sections 8 and 9 (including a
Termination Payment) based on events occurring after the Executive delivered his
Notice of Termination.

                                    (D) If an opinion is required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof and such opinion shall not have been
delivered, the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date on which such
opinion is delivered or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                                    (E) Except as provided in Paragraphs (B) and
(C) above, if the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other
Party that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate
period following receipt of notice and it is finally determined that the reason
asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (1) if such Notice
was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily
terminated his employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the
date thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to
the end of the Employment Period and (2) if delivered by the Company, the
Company will be deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of
death, disability or Cause.

         2. TERMINATION PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Company and the
Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the
Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. If the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the
Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and all rights and obligations of
the parties under it shall cease.

         3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs when
the Executive is employed by BWC, BWC will continue subsequently to employ the
Executive during the Employment Period, and the Executive will remain in the
employ of BWC, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement.

         4. DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of the Change in
Control of the Company or in such other capacities and positions as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's
best efforts and all of the Executive's business time, attention and skill to
the business and affairs of the Company, as such business and affairs now exist
and as they may subsequently be conducted. The services that are to be performed
by the Executive under this Agreement are to be rendered in the same
metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the time of such Change
in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company from time to time. Without the
Executive's consent, the Executive shall not be required to be absent from such
metropolitan area more than 45 days in any fiscal year of the Company.

         5. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:

                  5.1 The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but
not less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as
may be in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an
annual base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company (which base salary shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
Executive, include the current receipt by the Executive of any amounts that,
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, the Executive had elected to
defer, whether such compensation is deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or
otherwise), subject to adjustment as provided below.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

                  5.2 The Executive shall receive fringe benefits at least equal
in value to those provided for the Executive immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company, and shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company, for any monies advanced in connection with
the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their affiliates, including travel
expenses.

                  5.3 The Executive shall be included, to the extent eligible
thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive's salary
grade or on any other requirement that excludes persons of comparable status to
the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent
plan immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any plan
providing benefits for the Company's salaried employees in general of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates, including but not limited to the Management
Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, group life insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, savings, profit sharing and stock bonus plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans in
which the Executive is included be less than the aggregate level of benefits
under plans of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of the type referred to in
this Section 5.3 in which the Executive was participating immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company.

                  5.4 The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than
the amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays to
which the Executive was entitled annually immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company or such greater amount of paid vacation and number of
paid holidays as may be made available annually to other executives of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates of comparable status and position to the
Executive.

                  5.5 The Executive shall be included in all plans providing
additional benefits to executives of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of
comparable status and position to the Executive, including deferred
compensation, split-dollar life insurance, supplemental retirement, stock
option, stock appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans be
less than the aggregate level of benefits under plans of the Company, BWC or
their Affiliates of the type referred to in this Section 5.5 in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company. Moreover, the obligation of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates to
include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation plans shall be
determined by Section 5.6.

                  5.6 To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to
earn incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the
Executive shall be included in a bonus plan of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates that shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the
"Bonus Plan"). Bonuses under the Bonus Plan shall be payable with respect to
achieving such financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of
the Company as the Company shall establish (the "Goals"), all of which Goals
shall be attainable, prior to the end of the Employment Period, with
approximately the same degree of probability as the goals under the bonus plan
of the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Company, BWC or their Affiliates as in effect immediately prior to the
Change in Control of the Company (the "Company Bonus Plan") and in view of the
Company's existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable
at the time. The amount of the bonus (the "Bonus Amount") that the Executive
will be eligible to earn under the Bonus Plan shall be no less than the amount
of the Executive's maximum award provided in such Company Bonus Plan (such bonus
amount is referred to as the "Targeted Bonus"). If the Goals are not achieved
such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide
for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus
reasonably related to that portion of the Goals that were achieved. Payment of
the Bonus Amount shall not be affected by any circumstance occurring subsequent
to the end of the Employment Period, including termination of the Executive's
employment.

         6. ANNUAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Company (or an appropriate committee or officer
thereof) will consider and review, at least annually, the contributions of the
Executive to the Company, BWC or their Affiliates and in accordance with the
practice of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates prior to the Change in Control
of the Company, due consideration shall be given to the upward adjustment of the
Executive's base compensation rate, at least annually, (i) commensurate with
increases generally given to other executives of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates of comparable status and position to the Executive, and (ii) as the
scope of the operations of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates or the
Executive's duties expand.

         7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If there is a Covered
Termination for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the
procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Section 9.1.

         8. TERMINATION GIVING RISE TO A TERMINATION PAYMENT.

                  8.1 If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii)
disability pursuant to Section 12, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be
subject to the procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits
pursuant to Section 9.1 and, in lieu of further base salary for periods
following the Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance
pay the Termination Payment pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  8.2 If there is Covered Termination and the Executive is
entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Executive
shall be entitled to the following additional benefits:

                           (i) The Executive shall receive, at the expense of
the Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of
service commensurate with the Executive's status with the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company (or, if
higher, immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm
selected by the Company.

                           (ii) For two years after the date of Termination, the
Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the
same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage
as was required under this Agreement with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given.

         9. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION.

                  9.1 ACCRUED BENEFITS. The Executive's "Accrued Benefits" shall
include the following amounts, payable as described in this Agreement:

                           (i) all base salary for the time period ending with
the Termination Date;

                           (ii) reimbursement for any monies advanced in
connection with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates for
the time period ending with the Termination Date;

                           (iii) any other cash earned through the Termination
Date and deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred
compensation plan then in effect;

                           (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive
compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in
which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plans in
which the Executive is a participant; and

                           (v) all other payments and benefits to which the
Executive (or in the event of the Executive's death, the Executive's surviving
spouse or other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or
under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates, and
severance payments under the Company's severance policies and practices as in
effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company. Payment of
Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company's
prevailing practice with respect to Subsections (i) and (ii) or, with respect to
Subsections (iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or
practice establishing such benefits.

                  9.2 TERMINATION PAYMENT. The Termination Payment shall be an
amount equal to (A) the Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, as adjusted upward, from time to
time, pursuant to Section 6, plus (B) the amount of the highest annual bonus
award (determined on an annualized basis for any bonus award paid for a period
of less than one year) paid to the Executive with respect to the two complete
fiscal years preceding the Termination Date (the aggregate amount set forth in
(A) and (B) hereof shall be referred to as "Annual Cash Compensation"), times
(C) a factor of 2. The Termination Payment shall be paid in cash and shall not
be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination
Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination
Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for
any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in addition to any other
severance payments to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
severance policies and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company.

                  9.3 TAXES.

                           (i) Gross-Up. Whether or not the Executive becomes
entitled to the Termination Payment, if any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the
termination of the Executive's employment, including those provided under
Section 9.1, (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits, including the Termination Payment, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. (Excise Tax shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of the Code.) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9.3),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.

                           (ii) Tax Counsel. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
such Excise Tax, (a) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (b) all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (c)
the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. Prior to the payment date set forth in Section
9.3(iii) below, the Company shall provide the Executive with its

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

calculation of the amounts referred to in this Section 9.2(ii) and such
supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the Executive to evaluate
the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the Company's calculations
(in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to the
matter in dispute shall prevail.

                           (iii) Repayment. In the event that (a) amounts are
paid to the Executive pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 9.2, and (b)
the Excise Tax is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay
to the Company, within five (5) business days following the time that the amount
of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local
income and employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the
Executive), to the extent that such repayment results in (i) no portion of the
Total Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and (b) a dollar-for-dollar
reduction in the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal,
state and local income and employment taxes plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B)of the Code. In the event
that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment
(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess and in respect of any
portion of the Excise Tax with respect to which the Company had not previously
made a Gross-Up Payment (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by
the Executive with respect to such excess and such portion) within five (5)
business days following the time that the amount of such excess is finally
determined.

                  9.4 DATE OF PAYMENTS. The payments provided in Sections 9.2
and 9.3 shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments, and the
limitations on such payments set forth in Sections 9.2 or 9.3 above, cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive
on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive or, in the
case of payments under Section 9.3, in accordance with Section 9.3 above, of the
minimum amount of such payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and
shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest on the unpaid
remainder [or on all such payments to the extent the Company fails to make such
payments when due] at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount
of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the
time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

writing shall be attached to the statement).

         10. DEATH.

                  10.1 Except as provided in Section 10.2, in the event of a
Covered Termination due to the Executive's death, the Executive's estate, heirs
and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the
Termination Date.

                  10.2 In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of
Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the
benefits described in Section 10.1 hereof and, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled
to had the Executive lived. For purposes of this Subsection 10.2, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the
Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to Section 1.14, or one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

         11. RETIREMENT. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Company shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the
Executive from the Company, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he
is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Company, the Executive shall
receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. However, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive
also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement,
the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment.

         12. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, as a
result of the Executive's disability due to physical or mental illness or injury
(regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive
shall have been absent from the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days
after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate
the Executive's employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of
Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis,
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment for purposes of this
Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section
13. If the Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's
disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof and shall remain eligible for all
benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company, BWC or
its Affiliates in effect at the time of such termination.

         13. TERMINATION NOTICE AND PROCEDURE. Any Covered Termination by the
Company or the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if
such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following
procedures and those set forth in Section 23:

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                  13.1 If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good
Reason, the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.

                  13.2 Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall have been
approved, prior to the giving thereof to the Executive, by a resolution duly
adopted by a majority of the directors of the Company (or any successor
corporation) then in office.

                  13.3 If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason,
the Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement on or after
the date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in
any event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by
the Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties under this
Agreement on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the
Executive's rights under this Agreement.

                  13.4 The Executive shall have thirty days, or such longer
period as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or
act, if curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive's
employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 1.4(iii).

                  13.5 The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall
personally deliver or mail in accordance with Section 23 written notice of any
dispute relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice
within fifteen days after receipt thereof. However, if the Executive's conduct
or act alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is
curable, then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such
period, the contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not
subject to dispute.

         14. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees that, in
the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to and
receives Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not,
for a period of one year after the Termination Date, without the prior written
approval of the Company's Board of Directors, participate in the management of,
be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United
States that engages in substantial competition with the Company or its
subsidiaries, where such enterprise's revenues from any competitive activities
amount to 40% or more of such enterprise's net revenues and sales for its most
recently completed fiscal year. However, nothing in this Section 14 shall
prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor
amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such
competitor. The Executive also shall perform his obligations under the "Secrecy
Agreement" and the "Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" entered
into by the Company and the Executive.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         15. EXPENSES AND INTEREST. If, after a Change in Control of the
Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal or arbitration proceeding shall be
brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained in this Agreement or to
recover damages for breach, in either case so long as the Executive is not
acting in bad faith, the Executive shall recover from the Company any reasonable
attorneys' fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of
such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding ("Expenses"), and prejudgment
interest on any money judgment or arbitration award obtained by the Executive
calculated at the rate of interest announced by Bank of America, St. Louis,
Missouri from time to time as its prime or base lending rate from the date that
payments to him should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days
after the Executive's written request, the Company shall pay to the Executive,
or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the
Company, the Executive's reasonable Expenses in advance of the final disposition
or conclusion of any such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding.

         16. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the
benefit and other arrangements provided in this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Section
15 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid
without notice or demand. Each payment made under this Agreement by the Company
shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover any part of such
payment from the Executive, or from whoever may be entitled to such payment, for
any reason.

         17. SUCCESSORS.

                  17.1 If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or
substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company
merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not
survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a "Sale of
Business"), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest
in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company
shall cause such Person, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and
after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions
imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the Company to obtain
such agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a
breach of this Agreement constituting "Good Reason" for termination hereunder,
except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such
Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case
of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such
Person, as used in this Agreement, "Company" shall subsequently mean such Person
which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 17 or
that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his discretion, be entitled
to proceed against any of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a
successor

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to enforce any
rights of the Executive under this Agreement. Except as provided in this
Subsection, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This
Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of
the Company.

                  17.2 This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts
payable to the Executive under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 if the
Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive's death, to the
Executive's estate, heirs and representatives. However, the foregoing shall not
be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Company, as such
terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that
expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive's death.

         18. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any provision or any part is declared invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the
remainder of such provisions or parts and the applicability thereof shall not be
so affected.

         19. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any
time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive.

         20. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts
to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any federal, state or local
withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to
withhold. However, the amount so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount
required to be withheld by law. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an
opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to the amount or
requirement of any such withholding shall arise.

         21. CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. No Party shall be considered as
being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying
any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of
this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any
provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be
deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an
authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes the Change
of Control Employment Agreement previously entered into by the Parties.

         22. GOVERNING LAW; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement shall, at the Executive's election, be determined by arbitration under
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (in which case
both parties shall be bound by the arbitration award) or by litigation. Whether
the dispute is to be settled by arbitration or litigation, the venue for the
arbitration or litigation shall be St. Louis, Missouri or, at the Executive's
election, if the Executive is no longer residing or working in the St.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the
city in which the Executive resides. However, if the Executive is not then
residing in the United States, the election of the Executive with respect to
such venue shall be either St. Louis, Missouri or in the judicial district
encompassing that city of the United States among the thirty cities having the
largest population (as determined by the most recent United States Census data
available at the Termination Date) that is closest to the Executive's residence.
The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected
venue having subject matter jurisdiction regardless of their residence or situs,
and each party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided
in Section 23.

         23. NOTICE. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.4, shall be deemed given
when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company's
Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed,
such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to
Belden Inc., Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the
Secretary), 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, or if to
the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive's signature to this
Agreement, or to such other address as the Party to be notified shall have given
to the other Party in writing.

         24. NO WAIVER. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by
the other Party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

         25. HEADINGS. The headings are for reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                                 End of Page 17

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.

                                              BELDEN INC.

                                              By:
                                                  ------------------------------

                                              Attest:
                                                     ---------------------------

                                              EXECUTIVE

                                              /s/ Richard K. Reece
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              Richard K. Reece
                                              7160 East Bar-Z Lane
                                              Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                     CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of July, 2001, by Belden Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Peter J. Wickman ("Executive").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         The Executive is an officer of the Company and is employed by Belden
Wire & Cable Company ("BWC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a key
executive capacity. The Executive's services are valuable to the Company. The
Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company and has acquired certain confidential information with respect to the
Company.

         The Company desires to insure that it will continue to have the benefit
of the Executive's services and to protect its confidential information and
goodwill. The Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change
in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, causing
uncertainty about the Executive's future employment with the Company without
regard to the Executive's competence or past contributions. Such uncertainty may
result in the loss of valuable services of the Executive to the detriment of the
Company and its stockholders.

         The Company and the Executive desire that any proposal for a change in
control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive
objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Executive will be in a better position to consider the
Company's best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable security, as
provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could
result from any such change in control or acquisition.

         NOW, the Company and the Executive (collectively the "Parties" or
individually a "Party"), agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

                  1.1 ACT. The term "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  1.2 AFFILIATE AND ASSOCIATE. The terms "Affiliate" and
"Associate" shall have the meanings given them in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

                  1.3 BENEFICIAL OWNER. A Person shall be deemed to be the
"Beneficial Owner" of any securities:

                           (i) that such Person or any other Person's Affiliates
or Associates has the

<PAGE>

right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,

                                    (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase, or

                                    (B) securities issuable upon exercise of
Rights issued pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement between the Company
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement"), dated at
July 6, 1995, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights
Agreement), at any time before the issuance of such securities;

                           (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or
dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 of the Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under this
subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding:

                                    (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations under the Act and

                                    (B) is not also then reportable on a
Schedule 13D under the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                           (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as
described in Subsection 1.3 (ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of
the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (iii) shall cause
a Person engaged in the business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired
through such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days (40) after the date of such
acquisition.

                  1.4 CAUSE. "Cause" for termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment with the Company, BWC or any of their Affiliates after a
Change of Control of the Company shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be
limited to:

                           (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional
conduct taken in bad faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial
injury to the Company, as evidenced by

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

a determination in a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or
lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by a
binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which
substantially impairs the Executive's ability to perform his duties or
responsibilities; and

                           (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by
the Executive to perform the Executive's duties or responsibilities (unless
significantly changed without the Executive's consent).

                  1.5 CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. A "Change in Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                           (i) any Person (other than any employee benefit plan
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding securities
of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee,
administrator or fiduciary of such a plan) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of
securities of the Company representing at least 30% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities (other than acquisitions directly
from the Company);

                           (ii) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall have occurred
under the Rights Agreement (or a similar event shall have occurred under any
successor to such Rights Agreement) at any time any Rights are issued and
outstanding thereunder;

                           (iii) one-third or more of the members of the Board
are not Continuing Directors; or

                           (iv) there shall be consummated any merger of the
Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or
pursuant to which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into
cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which
the holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger.

                  1.6 CODE. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  1.7 CONTINUING DIRECTOR. The term "Continuing Director" means
(i) any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who was a
member of such Board on August 15, 1996, (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
the Continuing Directors then on the Board, and (iii) any

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

appointee who is recommended by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on
the Board.

                  1.8 COVERED TERMINATION. The term "Covered Termination" means
any termination of the Executive's employment where the Termination Date is any
date prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                  1.9 EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The term "Employment Period" means a
period beginning on the date of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined
in Section 1.5 above), and ending at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis Time on the earlier of
the third anniversary of such date or the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

                  1.10 GOOD REASON. The Executive shall have a "Good Reason" for
termination of employment after a Change in Control of the Company in the event
of:

                           (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company,
including specifically any breach by the Company of its agreements contained in
Sections 4 (Duties), 5 (Compensation) or 6 (Annual Compensation Adjustments)
hereof;

                           (ii) the removal of the Executive from, or any
failure to reelect or reappoint the Executive to, any of the positions held with
the Company, BWC or any of their affiliates on the date of the Change in Control
of the Company or any other positions with the Company, BWC or any of their
affiliates, to which the Executive shall thereafter be elected, appointed or
assigned, except when such removal or failure to reelect or reappoint relates to
the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment for Cause or by
reason of disability pursuant to Section 12;

                           (iii) a good faith determination by the Executive
that there has been a significant adverse change, without the Executive's
written consent, in the Executive's working conditions or status with the
Company, BWC or any of their affiliates from such working conditions or status
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, including
but not limited to;

                                    (A) a significant change in the nature or
scope of the Executive's authority, powers, functions, duties or
responsibilities, or

                                    (B) a significant reduction in the level of
support services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space and
accoutrements; or

                           (iv) failure by the Company to obtain the Agreement
referred to in Section 17.1 (Successors) below; or

                           (v) any voluntary termination of employment by the
Executive where the Notice of Termination is delivered within 30 days of the
first anniversary of the Effective Date.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  1.11 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE. The term "Normal Retirement Date"
means the date Executive attains the age of 70.

                  1.12 PERSON. The term "Person" shall mean any individual,
firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by
merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting
in concert.

                  1.13 TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this Agreement, except
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 (Death) and Section 17.1 (Successors), the
term "Termination Date" means:

                           (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive's death, the date of death;

                           (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Company and
the Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such
written agreement;

                           (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
purposes of this Agreement by reason of disability pursuant to Section 12, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period;

                           (iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of
Termination is given; and

                           (v) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company (whether or not for Cause), or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing;

                                    (A) If termination is for Cause pursuant to
Section 1.4(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct
constituting such Cause as described by the Company in its Notice of Termination
within such thirty day or shorter period, then the Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall continue as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (B) If the Company shall give a Notice of
Termination for Cause or by reason of disability and the Executive in good faith
notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the
applicable period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to
continue his employment (or, if the Executive ceased performing his duties under
this Agreement at the request of the Company at the time of delivery of Notice
of Termination, resume and continue employment) during such dispute and the
Termination Date shall be determined under this paragraph. If the Executive so
elects and it is thereafter determined that Cause or

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

disability (as the case may be ) did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death,
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Cause or disability (as the case
may be ) did not exist, then the employment of the Executive under this
Agreement shall continue after such determination as if the Company had not
delivered its Notice of Termination and there shall be no Termination Date
arising out of such Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the
Termination Date, if any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of
Termination except that, if it is finally determined that the Company properly
terminated the Executive for the reason asserted in the Notice of Termination,
the Executive shall in no case be entitled to a Termination Payment (as defined
below) arising out of events occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (C) If the Executive shall in good faith
give a Notice of Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the
Executive that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the applicable
period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to continue his
employment during such dispute and the Termination Date shall be determined
under this paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently
determined that Good Reason did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Good Reason did not exist, then
the employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such
determination as if the Executive had not delivered the Notice of Termination
asserting Good Reason and there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such
Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if
any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that,
if it is finally determined that Good Reason did exist, the Executive shall in
no case be denied the benefits described in Sections 8 and 9 (including a
Termination Payment) based on events occurring after the Executive delivered his
Notice of Termination.

                                    (D) If an opinion is required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof and such opinion shall not have been
delivered, the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date on which such
opinion is delivered or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                                    (E) Except as provided in Paragraphs (B) and
(C) above, if the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other
Party that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate
period following receipt of notice and it is finally determined that the reason
asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (1) if such Notice
was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily
terminated his employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the
date thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to
the end of the Employment Period and (2) if delivered by the Company, the
Company will be deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of
death, disability or Cause.

         2. TERMINATION PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Company and the
Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the
Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. If the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the
Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and all rights and obligations of
the parties under it shall cease.

         3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs when
the Executive is employed by BWC, BWC will continue subsequently to employ the
Executive during the Employment Period, and the Executive will remain in the
employ of BWC, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement.

         4. DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of the Change in
Control of the Company or in such other capacities and positions as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's
best efforts and all of the Executive's business time, attention and skill to
the business and affairs of the Company, as such business and affairs now exist
and as they may subsequently be conducted. The services that are to be performed
by the Executive under this Agreement are to be rendered in the same
metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the time of such Change
in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company from time to time. Without the
Executive's consent, the Executive shall not be required to be absent from such
metropolitan area more than 45 days in any fiscal year of the Company.

         5. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:

                  5.1 The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but
not less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as
may be in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an
annual base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company (which base salary shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
Executive, include the current receipt by the Executive of any amounts that,
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, the Executive had elected to
defer, whether such compensation is deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or
otherwise), subject to adjustment as provided below.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

                  5.2 The Executive shall receive fringe benefits at least equal
in value to those provided for the Executive immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company, and shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company, for any monies advanced in connection with
the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their affiliates, including travel
expenses.

                  5.3 The Executive shall be included, to the extent eligible
thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive's salary
grade or on any other requirement that excludes persons of comparable status to
the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent
plan immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any plan
providing benefits for the Company's salaried employees in general of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates, including but not limited to the Management
Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, group life insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, savings, profit sharing and stock bonus plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans in
which the Executive is included be less than the aggregate level of benefits
under plans of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of the type referred to in
this Section 5.3 in which the Executive was participating immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company.

                  5.4 The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than
the amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays to
which the Executive was entitled annually immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company or such greater amount of paid vacation and number of
paid holidays as may be made available annually to other executives of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates of comparable status and position to the
Executive.

                  5.5 The Executive shall be included in all plans providing
additional benefits to executives of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of
comparable status and position to the Executive, including deferred
compensation, split-dollar life insurance, supplemental retirement, stock
option, stock appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans be
less than the aggregate level of benefits under plans of the Company, BWC or
their Affiliates of the type referred to in this Section 5.5 in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company. Moreover, the obligation of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates to
include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation plans shall be
determined by Section 5.6.

                  5.6 To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to
earn incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the
Executive shall be included in a bonus plan of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates that shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the
"Bonus Plan"). Bonuses under the Bonus Plan shall be payable with respect to
achieving such financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of
the Company as the Company shall establish (the "Goals"), all of which Goals
shall be attainable, prior to the end of the Employment Period, with
approximately the same degree of probability as the goals under the bonus plan
of the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Company, BWC or their Affiliates as in effect immediately prior to the
Change in Control of the Company (the "Company Bonus Plan") and in view of the
Company's existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable
at the time. The amount of the bonus (the "Bonus Amount") that the Executive
will be eligible to earn under the Bonus Plan shall be no less than the amount
of the Executive's maximum award provided in such Company Bonus Plan (such bonus
amount is referred to as the "Targeted Bonus"). If the Goals are not achieved
such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide
for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus
reasonably related to that portion of the Goals that were achieved. Payment of
the Bonus Amount shall not be affected by any circumstance occurring subsequent
to the end of the Employment Period, including termination of the Executive's
employment.

         6. ANNUAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Company (or an appropriate committee or officer
thereof) will consider and review, at least annually, the contributions of the
Executive to the Company, BWC or their Affiliates and in accordance with the
practice of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates prior to the Change in Control
of the Company, due consideration shall be given to the upward adjustment of the
Executive's base compensation rate, at least annually, (i) commensurate with
increases generally given to other executives of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates of comparable status and position to the Executive, and (ii) as the
scope of the operations of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates or the
Executive's duties expand.

         7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If there is a Covered
Termination for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the
procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Section 9.1.

         8. TERMINATION GIVING RISE TO A TERMINATION PAYMENT.

                  8.1 If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii)
disability pursuant to Section 12, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be
subject to the procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits
pursuant to Section 9.1 and, in lieu of further base salary for periods
following the Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance
pay the Termination Payment pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  8.2 If there is Covered Termination and the Executive is
entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Executive
shall be entitled to the following additional benefits:

                           (i) The Executive shall receive, at the expense of
the Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of
service commensurate with the Executive's status with the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company (or, if
higher, immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm
selected by the Company.

                           (ii) For two years after the date of Termination, the
Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the
same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage
as was required under this Agreement with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given.

         9. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION.

                  9.1 ACCRUED BENEFITS. The Executive's "Accrued Benefits" shall
include the following amounts, payable as described in this Agreement:

                           (i) all base salary for the time period ending with
the Termination Date;

                           (ii) reimbursement for any monies advanced in
connection with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates for
the time period ending with the Termination Date;

                           (iii) any other cash earned through the Termination
Date and deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred
compensation plan then in effect;

                           (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive
compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in
which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plans in
which the Executive is a participant; and

                           (v) all other payments and benefits to which the
Executive (or in the event of the Executive's death, the Executive's surviving
spouse or other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or
under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates, and
severance payments under the Company's severance policies and practices as in
effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company. Payment of
Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company's
prevailing practice with respect to Subsections (i) and (ii) or, with respect to
Subsections (iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or
practice establishing such benefits.

                  9.2 TERMINATION PAYMENT. The Termination Payment shall be an
amount equal to (A) the Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, as adjusted upward, from time to
time, pursuant to Section 6, plus (B) the amount of the highest annual bonus
award (determined on an annualized basis for any bonus award paid for a period
of less than one year) paid to the Executive with respect to the two complete
fiscal years preceding the Termination Date (the aggregate amount set forth in
(A) and (B) hereof shall be referred to as "Annual Cash Compensation"), times
(C) a factor of 2. The Termination Payment shall be paid in cash and shall not
be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination
Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination
Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for
any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in addition to any other
severance payments to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
severance policies and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company.

                  9.3 TAXES.

                           (i) Gross-Up. Whether or not the Executive becomes
entitled to the Termination Payment, if any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the
termination of the Executive's employment, including those provided under
Section 9.1, (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits, including the Termination Payment, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. (Excise Tax shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of the Code.) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9.3),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.

                           (ii) Tax Counsel. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
such Excise Tax, (a) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (b) all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (c)
the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. Prior to the payment date set forth in Section
9.3(iii) below, the Company shall provide the Executive with its

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

calculation of the amounts referred to in this Section 9.2(ii) and such
supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the Executive to evaluate
the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the Company's calculations
(in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to the
matter in dispute shall prevail.

                           (iii) Repayment. In the event that (a) amounts are
paid to the Executive pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 9.2, and (b)
the Excise Tax is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay
to the Company, within five (5) business days following the time that the amount
of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local
income and employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the
Executive), to the extent that such repayment results in (i) no portion of the
Total Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and (b) a dollar-for-dollar
reduction in the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal,
state and local income and employment taxes plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B)of the Code. In the event
that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment
(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess and in respect of any
portion of the Excise Tax with respect to which the Company had not previously
made a Gross-Up Payment (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by
the Executive with respect to such excess and such portion) within five (5)
business days following the time that the amount of such excess is finally
determined.

                  9.4 DATE OF PAYMENTS. The payments provided in Sections 9.2
and 9.3 shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments, and the
limitations on such payments set forth in Sections 9.2 or 9.3 above, cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive
on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive or, in the
case of payments under Section 9.3, in accordance with Section 9.3 above, of the
minimum amount of such payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and
shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest on the unpaid
remainder [or on all such payments to the extent the Company fails to make such
payments when due] at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount
of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the
time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

writing shall be attached to the statement).

         10. DEATH.

                  10.1 Except as provided in Section 10.2, in the event of a
Covered Termination due to the Executive's death, the Executive's estate, heirs
and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the
Termination Date.

                  10.2 In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of
Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the
benefits described in Section 10.1 hereof and, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled
to had the Executive lived. For purposes of this Subsection 10.2, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the
Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to Section 1.14, or one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

         11. RETIREMENT. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Company shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the
Executive from the Company, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he
is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Company, the Executive shall
receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. However, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive
also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement,
the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment.

         12. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, as a
result of the Executive's disability due to physical or mental illness or injury
(regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive
shall have been absent from the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days
after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate
the Executive's employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of
Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis,
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment for purposes of this
Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section
13. If the Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's
disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof and shall remain eligible for all
benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company, BWC or
its Affiliates in effect at the time of such termination.

         13. TERMINATION NOTICE AND PROCEDURE. Any Covered Termination by the
Company or the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if
such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following
procedures and those set forth in Section 23:

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                  13.1 If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good
Reason, the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.

                  13.2 Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall have been
approved, prior to the giving thereof to the Executive, by a resolution duly
adopted by a majority of the directors of the Company (or any successor
corporation) then in office.

                  13.3 If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason,
the Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement on or after
the date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in
any event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by
the Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties under this
Agreement on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the
Executive's rights under this Agreement.

                  13.4 The Executive shall have thirty days, or such longer
period as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or
act, if curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive's
employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 1.4(iii).

                  13.5 The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall
personally deliver or mail in accordance with Section 23 written notice of any
dispute relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice
within fifteen days after receipt thereof. However, if the Executive's conduct
or act alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is
curable, then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such
period, the contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not
subject to dispute.

         14. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees that, in
the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to and
receives Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not,
for a period of one year after the Termination Date, without the prior written
approval of the Company's Board of Directors, participate in the management of,
be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United
States that engages in substantial competition with the Company or its
subsidiaries, where such enterprise's revenues from any competitive activities
amount to 40% or more of such enterprise's net revenues and sales for its most
recently completed fiscal year. However, nothing in this Section 14 shall
prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor
amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such
competitor. The Executive also shall perform his obligations under the "Secrecy
Agreement" and the "Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" entered
into by the Company and the Executive.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         15. EXPENSES AND INTEREST. If, after a Change in Control of the
Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal or arbitration proceeding shall be
brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained in this Agreement or to
recover damages for breach, in either case so long as the Executive is not
acting in bad faith, the Executive shall recover from the Company any reasonable
attorneys' fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of
such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding ("Expenses"), and prejudgment
interest on any money judgment or arbitration award obtained by the Executive
calculated at the rate of interest announced by Bank of America, St. Louis,
Missouri from time to time as its prime or base lending rate from the date that
payments to him should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days
after the Executive's written request, the Company shall pay to the Executive,
or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the
Company, the Executive's reasonable Expenses in advance of the final disposition
or conclusion of any such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding.

         16. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the
benefit and other arrangements provided in this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Section
15 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid
without notice or demand. Each payment made under this Agreement by the Company
shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover any part of such
payment from the Executive, or from whoever may be entitled to such payment, for
any reason.

         17. SUCCESSORS.

                  17.1 If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or
substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company
merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not
survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a "Sale of
Business"), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest
in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company
shall cause such Person, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and
after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions
imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the Company to obtain
such agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a
breach of this Agreement constituting "Good Reason" for termination hereunder,
except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such
Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case
of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such
Person, as used in this Agreement, "Company" shall subsequently mean such Person
which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 17 or
that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his discretion, be entitled
to proceed against any of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a
successor

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to enforce any
rights of the Executive under this Agreement. Except as provided in this
Subsection, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This
Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of
the Company.

                  17.2 This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts
payable to the Executive under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 if the
Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive's death, to the
Executive's estate, heirs and representatives. However, the foregoing shall not
be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Company, as such
terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that
expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive's death.

         18. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any provision or any part is declared invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the
remainder of such provisions or parts and the applicability thereof shall not be
so affected.

         19. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any
time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive.

         20. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts
to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any federal, state or local
withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to
withhold. However, the amount so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount
required to be withheld by law. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an
opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to the amount or
requirement of any such withholding shall arise.

         21. CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. No Party shall be considered as
being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying
any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of
this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any
provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be
deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an
authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes the Change
of Control Employment Agreement previously entered into by the Parties.

         22. GOVERNING LAW; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement shall, at the Executive's election, be determined by arbitration under
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (in which case
both parties shall be bound by the arbitration award) or by litigation. Whether
the dispute is to be settled by arbitration or litigation, the venue for the
arbitration or litigation shall be St. Louis, Missouri or, at the Executive's
election, if the Executive is no longer residing or working in the St.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the
city in which the Executive resides. However, if the Executive is not then
residing in the United States, the election of the Executive with respect to
such venue shall be either St. Louis, Missouri or in the judicial district
encompassing that city of the United States among the thirty cities having the
largest population (as determined by the most recent United States Census data
available at the Termination Date) that is closest to the Executive's residence.
The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected
venue having subject matter jurisdiction regardless of their residence or situs,
and each party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided
in Section 23.

         23. NOTICE. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.4, shall be deemed given
when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company's
Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed,
such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to
Belden Inc., Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the
Secretary), 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, or if to
the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive's signature to this
Agreement, or to such other address as the Party to be notified shall have given
to the other Party in writing.

         24. NO WAIVER. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by
the other Party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

         25. HEADINGS. The headings are for reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                                 End of Page 17

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.

                                              BELDEN INC.

                                              By:
                                                  ------------------------------

                                              Attest:
                                                     ---------------------------

                                              EXECUTIVE

                                              /s/ Peter J. Wickman
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              Peter J. Wickman
                                              3401 Deer Park Ct.
                                              Richmond, IN 47374

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                     CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of July, 2001, by Belden Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Paul Schlessman ("Executive").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         The Executive is an officer of the Company and is employed by Belden
Wire & Cable Company ("BWC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a key
executive capacity. The Executive's services are valuable to the Company. The
Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company and has acquired certain confidential information with respect to the
Company.

         The Company desires to insure that it will continue to have the benefit
of the Executive's services and to protect its confidential information and
goodwill. The Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change
in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, causing
uncertainty about the Executive's future employment with the Company without
regard to the Executive's competence or past contributions. Such uncertainty may
result in the loss of valuable services of the Executive to the detriment of the
Company and its stockholders.

         The Company and the Executive desire that any proposal for a change in
control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive
objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Executive will be in a better position to consider the
Company's best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable security, as
provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could
result from any such change in control or acquisition.

         NOW, the Company and the Executive (collectively the "Parties" or
individually a "Party"), agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

                  1.1 ACT. The term "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  1.2 AFFILIATE AND ASSOCIATE. The terms "Affiliate" and
"Associate" shall have the meanings given them in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

                  1.3 BENEFICIAL OWNER. A Person shall be deemed to be the
"Beneficial Owner" of any securities:

                           (i) that such Person or any other Person's Affiliates
or Associates has the

<PAGE>

right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,

                                    (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase, or

                                    (B) securities issuable upon exercise of
Rights issued pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement between the Company
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement"), dated at
July 6, 1995, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights
Agreement), at any time before the issuance of such securities;

                           (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or
dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 of the Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under this
subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding:

                                    (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations under the Act and

                                    (B) is not also then reportable on a
Schedule 13D under the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                           (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as
described in Subsection 1.3 (ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of
the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (iii) shall cause
a Person engaged in the business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired
through such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days (40) after the date of such
acquisition.

                  1.4 CAUSE. "Cause" for termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment with the Company, BWC or any of their Affiliates after a
Change of Control of the Company shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be
limited to:

                           (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional
conduct taken in bad faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial
injury to the Company, as evidenced by

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

a determination in a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or
lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by a
binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which
substantially impairs the Executive's ability to perform his duties or
responsibilities; and

                           (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by
the Executive to perform the Executive's duties or responsibilities (unless
significantly changed without the Executive's consent).

                  1.5 CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. A "Change in Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                           (i) any Person (other than any employee benefit plan
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding securities
of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee,
administrator or fiduciary of such a plan) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of
securities of the Company representing at least 30% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities (other than acquisitions directly
from the Company);

                           (ii) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall have occurred
under the Rights Agreement (or a similar event shall have occurred under any
successor to such Rights Agreement) at any time any Rights are issued and
outstanding thereunder;

                           (iii) one-third or more of the members of the Board
are not Continuing Directors; or

                           (iv) there shall be consummated any merger of the
Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or
pursuant to which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into
cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which
the holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger.

                  1.6 CODE. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  1.7 CONTINUING DIRECTOR. The term "Continuing Director" means
(i) any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who was a
member of such Board on August 15, 1996, (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
the Continuing Directors then on the Board, and (iii) any

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

appointee who is recommended by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on
the Board.

                  1.8 COVERED TERMINATION. The term "Covered Termination" means
any termination of the Executive's employment where the Termination Date is any
date prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                  1.9 EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The term "Employment Period" means a
period beginning on the date of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined
in Section 1.5 above), and ending at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis Time on the earlier of
the third anniversary of such date or the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

                  1.10 GOOD REASON. The Executive shall have a "Good Reason" for
termination of employment after a Change in Control of the Company in the event
of:

                           (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company,
including specifically any breach by the Company of its agreements contained in
Sections 4 (Duties), 5 (Compensation) or 6 (Annual Compensation Adjustments)
hereof;

                           (ii) the removal of the Executive from, or any
failure to reelect or reappoint the Executive to, any of the positions held with
the Company, BWC or any of their affiliates on the date of the Change in Control
of the Company or any other positions with the Company, BWC or any of their
affiliates, to which the Executive shall thereafter be elected, appointed or
assigned, except when such removal or failure to reelect or reappoint relates to
the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment for Cause or by
reason of disability pursuant to Section 12;

                           (iii) a good faith determination by the Executive
that there has been a significant adverse change, without the Executive's
written consent, in the Executive's working conditions or status with the
Company, BWC or any of their affiliates from such working conditions or status
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, including
but not limited to;

                                    (A) a significant change in the nature or
scope of the Executive's authority, powers, functions, duties or
responsibilities, or

                                    (B) a significant reduction in the level of
support services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space and
accoutrements; or

                           (iv) failure by the Company to obtain the Agreement
referred to in Section 17.1 (Successors) below; or

                           (v) any voluntary termination of employment by the
Executive where the Notice of Termination is delivered within 30 days of the
first anniversary of the Effective Date.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  1.11 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE. The term "Normal Retirement Date"
means the date Executive attains the age of 70.

                  1.12 PERSON. The term "Person" shall mean any individual,
firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by
merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting
in concert.

                  1.13 TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this Agreement, except
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 (Death) and Section 17.1 (Successors), the
term "Termination Date" means:

                           (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive's death, the date of death;

                           (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Company and
the Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such
written agreement;

                           (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
purposes of this Agreement by reason of disability pursuant to Section 12, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period;

                           (iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of
Termination is given; and

                           (v) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company (whether or not for Cause), or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing;

                                    (A) If termination is for Cause pursuant to
Section 1.4(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct
constituting such Cause as described by the Company in its Notice of Termination
within such thirty day or shorter period, then the Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall continue as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (B) If the Company shall give a Notice of
Termination for Cause or by reason of disability and the Executive in good faith
notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the
applicable period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to
continue his employment (or, if the Executive ceased performing his duties under
this Agreement at the request of the Company at the time of delivery of Notice
of Termination, resume and continue employment) during such dispute and the
Termination Date shall be determined under this paragraph. If the Executive so
elects and it is thereafter determined that Cause or

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

disability (as the case may be ) did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death,
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Cause or disability (as the case
may be ) did not exist, then the employment of the Executive under this
Agreement shall continue after such determination as if the Company had not
delivered its Notice of Termination and there shall be no Termination Date
arising out of such Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the
Termination Date, if any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of
Termination except that, if it is finally determined that the Company properly
terminated the Executive for the reason asserted in the Notice of Termination,
the Executive shall in no case be entitled to a Termination Payment (as defined
below) arising out of events occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (C) If the Executive shall in good faith
give a Notice of Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the
Executive that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the applicable
period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to continue his
employment during such dispute and the Termination Date shall be determined
under this paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently
determined that Good Reason did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Good Reason did not exist, then
the employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such
determination as if the Executive had not delivered the Notice of Termination
asserting Good Reason and there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such
Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if
any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that,
if it is finally determined that Good Reason did exist, the Executive shall in
no case be denied the benefits described in Sections 8 and 9 (including a
Termination Payment) based on events occurring after the Executive delivered his
Notice of Termination.

                                    (D) If an opinion is required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof and such opinion shall not have been
delivered, the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date on which such
opinion is delivered or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                                    (E) Except as provided in Paragraphs (B) and
(C) above, if the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other
Party that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate
period following receipt of notice and it is finally determined that the reason
asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (1) if such Notice
was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily
terminated his employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the
date thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to
the end of the Employment Period and (2) if delivered by the Company, the
Company will be deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of
death, disability or Cause.

         2. TERMINATION PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Company and the
Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the
Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. If the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the
Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and all rights and obligations of
the parties under it shall cease.

         3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs when
the Executive is employed by BWC, BWC will continue subsequently to employ the
Executive during the Employment Period, and the Executive will remain in the
employ of BWC, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement.

         4. DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of the Change in
Control of the Company or in such other capacities and positions as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's
best efforts and all of the Executive's business time, attention and skill to
the business and affairs of the Company, as such business and affairs now exist
and as they may subsequently be conducted. The services that are to be performed
by the Executive under this Agreement are to be rendered in the same
metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the time of such Change
in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company from time to time. Without the
Executive's consent, the Executive shall not be required to be absent from such
metropolitan area more than 45 days in any fiscal year of the Company.

         5. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:

                  5.1 The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but
not less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as
may be in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an
annual base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company (which base salary shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
Executive, include the current receipt by the Executive of any amounts that,
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, the Executive had elected to
defer, whether such compensation is deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or
otherwise), subject to adjustment as provided below.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

                  5.2 The Executive shall receive fringe benefits at least equal
in value to those provided for the Executive immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company, and shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company, for any monies advanced in connection with
the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their affiliates, including travel
expenses.

                  5.3 The Executive shall be included, to the extent eligible
thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive's salary
grade or on any other requirement that excludes persons of comparable status to
the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent
plan immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any plan
providing benefits for the Company's salaried employees in general of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates, including but not limited to the Management
Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, group life insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, savings, profit sharing and stock bonus plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans in
which the Executive is included be less than the aggregate level of benefits
under plans of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of the type referred to in
this Section 5.3 in which the Executive was participating immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company.

                  5.4 The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than
the amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays to
which the Executive was entitled annually immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company or such greater amount of paid vacation and number of
paid holidays as may be made available annually to other executives of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates of comparable status and position to the
Executive.

                  5.5 The Executive shall be included in all plans providing
additional benefits to executives of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of
comparable status and position to the Executive, including deferred
compensation, split-dollar life insurance, supplemental retirement, stock
option, stock appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans be
less than the aggregate level of benefits under plans of the Company, BWC or
their Affiliates of the type referred to in this Section 5.5 in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company. Moreover, the obligation of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates to
include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation plans shall be
determined by Section 5.6.

                  5.6 To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to
earn incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the
Executive shall be included in a bonus plan of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates that shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the
"Bonus Plan"). Bonuses under the Bonus Plan shall be payable with respect to
achieving such financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of
the Company as the Company shall establish (the "Goals"), all of which Goals
shall be attainable, prior to the end of the Employment Period, with
approximately the same degree of probability as the goals under the bonus plan
of the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Company, BWC or their Affiliates as in effect immediately prior to the
Change in Control of the Company (the "Company Bonus Plan") and in view of the
Company's existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable
at the time. The amount of the bonus (the "Bonus Amount") that the Executive
will be eligible to earn under the Bonus Plan shall be no less than the amount
of the Executive's maximum award provided in such Company Bonus Plan (such bonus
amount is referred to as the "Targeted Bonus"). If the Goals are not achieved
such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide
for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus
reasonably related to that portion of the Goals that were achieved. Payment of
the Bonus Amount shall not be affected by any circumstance occurring subsequent
to the end of the Employment Period, including termination of the Executive's
employment.

         6. ANNUAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Company (or an appropriate committee or officer
thereof) will consider and review, at least annually, the contributions of the
Executive to the Company, BWC or their Affiliates and in accordance with the
practice of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates prior to the Change in Control
of the Company, due consideration shall be given to the upward adjustment of the
Executive's base compensation rate, at least annually, (i) commensurate with
increases generally given to other executives of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates of comparable status and position to the Executive, and (ii) as the
scope of the operations of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates or the
Executive's duties expand.

         7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If there is a Covered
Termination for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the
procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Section 9.1.

         8. TERMINATION GIVING RISE TO A TERMINATION PAYMENT.

                  8.1 If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii)
disability pursuant to Section 12, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be
subject to the procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits
pursuant to Section 9.1 and, in lieu of further base salary for periods
following the Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance
pay the Termination Payment pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  8.2 If there is Covered Termination and the Executive is
entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Executive
shall be entitled to the following additional benefits:

                           (i) The Executive shall receive, at the expense of
the Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of
service commensurate with the Executive's status with the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company (or, if
higher, immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm
selected by the Company.

                           (ii) For two years after the date of Termination, the
Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the
same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage
as was required under this Agreement with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given.

         9. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION.

                  9.1 ACCRUED BENEFITS. The Executive's "Accrued Benefits" shall
include the following amounts, payable as described in this Agreement:

                           (i) all base salary for the time period ending with
the Termination Date;

                           (ii) reimbursement for any monies advanced in
connection with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates for
the time period ending with the Termination Date;

                           (iii) any other cash earned through the Termination
Date and deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred
compensation plan then in effect;

                           (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive
compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in
which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plans in
which the Executive is a participant; and

                           (v) all other payments and benefits to which the
Executive (or in the event of the Executive's death, the Executive's surviving
spouse or other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or
under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates, and
severance payments under the Company's severance policies and practices as in
effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company. Payment of
Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company's
prevailing practice with respect to Subsections (i) and (ii) or, with respect to
Subsections (iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or
practice establishing such benefits.

                  9.2 TERMINATION PAYMENT. The Termination Payment shall be an
amount equal to (A) the Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, as adjusted upward, from time to
time, pursuant to Section 6, plus (B) the amount of the highest annual bonus
award (determined on an annualized basis for any bonus award paid for a period
of less than one year) paid to the Executive with respect to the two complete
fiscal years preceding the Termination Date (the aggregate amount set forth in
(A) and (B) hereof shall be referred to as "Annual Cash Compensation"), times
(C) a factor of 2. The Termination Payment shall be paid in cash and shall not
be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination
Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination
Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for
any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in addition to any other
severance payments to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
severance policies and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company.

                  9.3 TAXES.

                           (i) Gross-Up. Whether or not the Executive becomes
entitled to the Termination Payment, if any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the
termination of the Executive's employment, including those provided under
Section 9.1, (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits, including the Termination Payment, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. (Excise Tax shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of the Code.) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9.3),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.

                           (ii) Tax Counsel. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
such Excise Tax, (a) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (b) all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (c)
the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. Prior to the payment date set forth in Section
9.3(iii) below, the Company shall provide the Executive with its

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

calculation of the amounts referred to in this Section 9.2(ii) and such
supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the Executive to evaluate
the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the Company's calculations
(in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to the
matter in dispute shall prevail.

                           (iii) Repayment. In the event that (a) amounts are
paid to the Executive pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 9.2, and (b)
the Excise Tax is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay
to the Company, within five (5) business days following the time that the amount
of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local
income and employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the
Executive), to the extent that such repayment results in (i) no portion of the
Total Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and (b) a dollar-for-dollar
reduction in the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal,
state and local income and employment taxes plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B)of the Code. In the event
that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment
(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess and in respect of any
portion of the Excise Tax with respect to which the Company had not previously
made a Gross-Up Payment (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by
the Executive with respect to such excess and such portion) within five (5)
business days following the time that the amount of such excess is finally
determined.

                  9.4 DATE OF PAYMENTS. The payments provided in Sections 9.2
and 9.3 shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments, and the
limitations on such payments set forth in Sections 9.2 or 9.3 above, cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive
on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive or, in the
case of payments under Section 9.3, in accordance with Section 9.3 above, of the
minimum amount of such payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and
shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest on the unpaid
remainder [or on all such payments to the extent the Company fails to make such
payments when due] at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount
of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the
time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

writing shall be attached to the statement).

         10. DEATH.

                  10.1 Except as provided in Section 10.2, in the event of a
Covered Termination due to the Executive's death, the Executive's estate, heirs
and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the
Termination Date.

                  10.2 In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of
Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the
benefits described in Section 10.1 hereof and, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled
to had the Executive lived. For purposes of this Subsection 10.2, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the
Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to Section 1.14, or one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

         11. RETIREMENT. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Company shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the
Executive from the Company, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he
is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Company, the Executive shall
receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. However, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive
also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement,
the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment.

         12. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, as a
result of the Executive's disability due to physical or mental illness or injury
(regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive
shall have been absent from the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days
after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate
the Executive's employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of
Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis,
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment for purposes of this
Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section
13. If the Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's
disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof and shall remain eligible for all
benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company, BWC or
its Affiliates in effect at the time of such termination.

         13. TERMINATION NOTICE AND PROCEDURE. Any Covered Termination by the
Company or the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if
such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following
procedures and those set forth in Section 23:

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                  13.1 If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good
Reason, the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.

                  13.2 Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall have been
approved, prior to the giving thereof to the Executive, by a resolution duly
adopted by a majority of the directors of the Company (or any successor
corporation) then in office.

                  13.3 If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason,
the Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement on or after
the date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in
any event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by
the Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties under this
Agreement on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the
Executive's rights under this Agreement.

                  13.4 The Executive shall have thirty days, or such longer
period as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or
act, if curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive's
employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 1.4(iii).

                  13.5 The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall
personally deliver or mail in accordance with Section 23 written notice of any
dispute relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice
within fifteen days after receipt thereof. However, if the Executive's conduct
or act alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is
curable, then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such
period, the contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not
subject to dispute.

         14. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees that, in
the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to and
receives Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not,
for a period of one year after the Termination Date, without the prior written
approval of the Company's Board of Directors, participate in the management of,
be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United
States that engages in substantial competition with the Company or its
subsidiaries, where such enterprise's revenues from any competitive activities
amount to 40% or more of such enterprise's net revenues and sales for its most
recently completed fiscal year. However, nothing in this Section 14 shall
prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor
amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such
competitor. The Executive also shall perform his obligations under the "Secrecy
Agreement" and the "Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" entered
into by the Company and the Executive.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         15. EXPENSES AND INTEREST. If, after a Change in Control of the
Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal or arbitration proceeding shall be
brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained in this Agreement or to
recover damages for breach, in either case so long as the Executive is not
acting in bad faith, the Executive shall recover from the Company any reasonable
attorneys' fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of
such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding ("Expenses"), and prejudgment
interest on any money judgment or arbitration award obtained by the Executive
calculated at the rate of interest announced by Bank of America, St. Louis,
Missouri from time to time as its prime or base lending rate from the date that
payments to him should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days
after the Executive's written request, the Company shall pay to the Executive,
or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the
Company, the Executive's reasonable Expenses in advance of the final disposition
or conclusion of any such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding.

         16. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the
benefit and other arrangements provided in this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Section
15 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid
without notice or demand. Each payment made under this Agreement by the Company
shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover any part of such
payment from the Executive, or from whoever may be entitled to such payment, for
any reason.

         17. SUCCESSORS.

                  17.1 If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or
substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company
merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not
survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a "Sale of
Business"), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest
in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company
shall cause such Person, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and
after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions
imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the Company to obtain
such agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a
breach of this Agreement constituting "Good Reason" for termination hereunder,
except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such
Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case
of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such
Person, as used in this Agreement, "Company" shall subsequently mean such Person
which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 17 or
that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his discretion, be entitled
to proceed against any of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a
successor

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to enforce any
rights of the Executive under this Agreement. Except as provided in this
Subsection, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This
Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of
the Company.

                  17.2 This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts
payable to the Executive under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 if the
Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive's death, to the
Executive's estate, heirs and representatives. However, the foregoing shall not
be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Company, as such
terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that
expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive's death.

         18. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any provision or any part is declared invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the
remainder of such provisions or parts and the applicability thereof shall not be
so affected.

         19. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any
time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive.

         20. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts
to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any federal, state or local
withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to
withhold. However, the amount so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount
required to be withheld by law. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an
opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to the amount or
requirement of any such withholding shall arise.

         21. CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. No Party shall be considered as
being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying
any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of
this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any
provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be
deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an
authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes the Change
of Control Employment Agreement previously entered into by the Parties.

         22. GOVERNING LAW; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement shall, at the Executive's election, be determined by arbitration under
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (in which case
both parties shall be bound by the arbitration award) or by litigation. Whether
the dispute is to be settled by arbitration or litigation, the venue for the
arbitration or litigation shall be St. Louis, Missouri or, at the Executive's
election, if the Executive is no longer residing or working in the St.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the
city in which the Executive resides. However, if the Executive is not then
residing in the United States, the election of the Executive with respect to
such venue shall be either St. Louis, Missouri or in the judicial district
encompassing that city of the United States among the thirty cities having the
largest population (as determined by the most recent United States Census data
available at the Termination Date) that is closest to the Executive's residence.
The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected
venue having subject matter jurisdiction regardless of their residence or situs,
and each party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided
in Section 23.

         23. NOTICE. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.4, shall be deemed given
when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company's
Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed,
such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to
Belden Inc., Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the
Secretary), 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, or if to
the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive's signature to this
Agreement, or to such other address as the Party to be notified shall have given
to the other Party in writing.

         24. NO WAIVER. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by
the other Party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

         25. HEADINGS. The headings are for reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                                 End of Page 17

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.

                                              BELDEN INC.

                                              By:
                                                  ------------------------------

                                              Attest:
                                                     ---------------------------

                                              EXECUTIVE

                                              /s/ Paul Schlessman
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              Paul Schlessman
                                              511 South Meramec Avenue
                                              St. Louis, Missouri 63105

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                     CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of July, 2001, by Belden Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Cathy O. Staples ("Executive").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         The Executive is an officer of the Company and is employed by Belden
Wire & Cable Company ("BWC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a key
executive capacity. The Executive's services are valuable to the Company. The
Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company and has acquired certain confidential information with respect to the
Company.

         The Company desires to insure that it will continue to have the benefit
of the Executive's services and to protect its confidential information and
goodwill. The Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change
in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, causing
uncertainty about the Executive's future employment with the Company without
regard to the Executive's competence or past contributions. Such uncertainty may
result in the loss of valuable services of the Executive to the detriment of the
Company and its stockholders.

         The Company and the Executive desire that any proposal for a change in
control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive
objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Executive will be in a better position to consider the
Company's best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable security, as
provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could
result from any such change in control or acquisition.

         NOW, the Company and the Executive (collectively the "Parties" or
individually a "Party"), agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

                  1.1 ACT. The term "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  1.2 AFFILIATE AND ASSOCIATE. The terms "Affiliate" and
"Associate" shall have the meanings given them in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

                  1.3 BENEFICIAL OWNER. A Person shall be deemed to be the
"Beneficial Owner" of any securities:

                           (i) that such Person or any other Person's Affiliates
or Associates has the

<PAGE>

right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,

                                    (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase, or

                                    (B) securities issuable upon exercise of
Rights issued pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement between the Company
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement"), dated at
July 6, 1995, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights
Agreement), at any time before the issuance of such securities;

                           (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or
dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 of the Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under this
subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding:

                                    (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations under the Act and

                                    (B) is not also then reportable on a
Schedule 13D under the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                           (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as
described in Subsection 1.3 (ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of
the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (iii) shall cause
a Person engaged in the business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired
through such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days (40) after the date of such
acquisition.

                  1.4 CAUSE. "Cause" for termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment with the Company, BWC or any of their Affiliates after a
Change of Control of the Company shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be
limited to:

                           (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional
conduct taken in bad faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial
injury to the Company, as evidenced by

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

a determination in a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or
lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by a
binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which
substantially impairs the Executive's ability to perform his duties or
responsibilities; and

                           (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by
the Executive to perform the Executive's duties or responsibilities (unless
significantly changed without the Executive's consent).

                  1.5 CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. A "Change in Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                           (i) any Person (other than any employee benefit plan
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding securities
of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee,
administrator or fiduciary of such a plan) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of
securities of the Company representing at least 30% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities (other than acquisitions directly
from the Company);

                           (ii) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall have occurred
under the Rights Agreement (or a similar event shall have occurred under any
successor to such Rights Agreement) at any time any Rights are issued and
outstanding thereunder;

                           (iii) one-third or more of the members of the Board
are not Continuing Directors; or

                           (iv) there shall be consummated any merger of the
Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or
pursuant to which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into
cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which
the holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger.

                  1.6 CODE. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  1.7 CONTINUING DIRECTOR. The term "Continuing Director" means
(i) any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who was a
member of such Board on August 15, 1996, (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
the Continuing Directors then on the Board, and (iii) any

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

appointee who is recommended by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on
the Board.

                  1.8 COVERED TERMINATION. The term "Covered Termination" means
any termination of the Executive's employment where the Termination Date is any
date prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                  1.9 EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The term "Employment Period" means a
period beginning on the date of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined
in Section 1.5 above), and ending at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis Time on the earlier of
the third anniversary of such date or the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

                  1.10 GOOD REASON. The Executive shall have a "Good Reason" for
termination of employment after a Change in Control of the Company in the event
of:

                           (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company,
including specifically any breach by the Company of its agreements contained in
Sections 4 (Duties), 5 (Compensation) or 6 (Annual Compensation Adjustments)
hereof;

                           (ii) the removal of the Executive from, or any
failure to reelect or reappoint the Executive to, any of the positions held with
the Company, BWC or any of their affiliates on the date of the Change in Control
of the Company or any other positions with the Company, BWC or any of their
affiliates, to which the Executive shall thereafter be elected, appointed or
assigned, except when such removal or failure to reelect or reappoint relates to
the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment for Cause or by
reason of disability pursuant to Section 12;

                           (iii) a good faith determination by the Executive
that there has been a significant adverse change, without the Executive's
written consent, in the Executive's working conditions or status with the
Company, BWC or any of their affiliates from such working conditions or status
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, including
but not limited to;

                                    (A) a significant change in the nature or
scope of the Executive's authority, powers, functions, duties or
responsibilities, or

                                    (B) a significant reduction in the level of
support services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space and
accoutrements; or

                           (iv) failure by the Company to obtain the Agreement
referred to in Section 17.1 (Successors) below; or

                           (v) any voluntary termination of employment by the
Executive where the Notice of Termination is delivered within 30 days of the
first anniversary of the Effective Date.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  1.11 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE. The term "Normal Retirement Date"
means the date Executive attains the age of 70.

                  1.12 PERSON. The term "Person" shall mean any individual,
firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by
merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting
in concert.

                  1.13 TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this Agreement, except
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 (Death) and Section 17.1 (Successors), the
term "Termination Date" means:

                           (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive's death, the date of death;

                           (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Company and
the Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such
written agreement;

                           (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
purposes of this Agreement by reason of disability pursuant to Section 12, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period;

                           (iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of
Termination is given; and

                           (v) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company (whether or not for Cause), or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing;

                                    (A) If termination is for Cause pursuant to
Section 1.4(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct
constituting such Cause as described by the Company in its Notice of Termination
within such thirty day or shorter period, then the Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall continue as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (B) If the Company shall give a Notice of
Termination for Cause or by reason of disability and the Executive in good faith
notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the
applicable period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to
continue his employment (or, if the Executive ceased performing his duties under
this Agreement at the request of the Company at the time of delivery of Notice
of Termination, resume and continue employment) during such dispute and the
Termination Date shall be determined under this paragraph. If the Executive so
elects and it is thereafter determined that Cause or

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

disability (as the case may be ) did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death,
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Cause or disability (as the case
may be ) did not exist, then the employment of the Executive under this
Agreement shall continue after such determination as if the Company had not
delivered its Notice of Termination and there shall be no Termination Date
arising out of such Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the
Termination Date, if any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of
Termination except that, if it is finally determined that the Company properly
terminated the Executive for the reason asserted in the Notice of Termination,
the Executive shall in no case be entitled to a Termination Payment (as defined
below) arising out of events occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (C) If the Executive shall in good faith
give a Notice of Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the
Executive that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the applicable
period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to continue his
employment during such dispute and the Termination Date shall be determined
under this paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently
determined that Good Reason did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Good Reason did not exist, then
the employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such
determination as if the Executive had not delivered the Notice of Termination
asserting Good Reason and there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such
Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if
any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that,
if it is finally determined that Good Reason did exist, the Executive shall in
no case be denied the benefits described in Sections 8 and 9 (including a
Termination Payment) based on events occurring after the Executive delivered his
Notice of Termination.

                                    (D) If an opinion is required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof and such opinion shall not have been
delivered, the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date on which such
opinion is delivered or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                                    (E) Except as provided in Paragraphs (B) and
(C) above, if the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other
Party that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate
period following receipt of notice and it is finally determined that the reason
asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (1) if such Notice
was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily
terminated his employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the
date thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to
the end of the Employment Period and (2) if delivered by the Company, the
Company will be deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of
death, disability or Cause.

         2. TERMINATION PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Company and the
Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the
Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. If the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the
Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and all rights and obligations of
the parties under it shall cease.

         3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs when
the Executive is employed by BWC, BWC will continue subsequently to employ the
Executive during the Employment Period, and the Executive will remain in the
employ of BWC, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement.

         4. DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of the Change in
Control of the Company or in such other capacities and positions as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's
best efforts and all of the Executive's business time, attention and skill to
the business and affairs of the Company, as such business and affairs now exist
and as they may subsequently be conducted. The services that are to be performed
by the Executive under this Agreement are to be rendered in the same
metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the time of such Change
in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company from time to time. Without the
Executive's consent, the Executive shall not be required to be absent from such
metropolitan area more than 45 days in any fiscal year of the Company.

         5. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:

                  5.1 The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but
not less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as
may be in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an
annual base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company (which base salary shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
Executive, include the current receipt by the Executive of any amounts that,
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, the Executive had elected to
defer, whether such compensation is deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or
otherwise), subject to adjustment as provided below.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

                  5.2 The Executive shall receive fringe benefits at least equal
in value to those provided for the Executive immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company, and shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company, for any monies advanced in connection with
the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their affiliates, including travel
expenses.

                  5.3 The Executive shall be included, to the extent eligible
thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive's salary
grade or on any other requirement that excludes persons of comparable status to
the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent
plan immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any plan
providing benefits for the Company's salaried employees in general of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates, including but not limited to the Management
Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, group life insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, savings, profit sharing and stock bonus plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans in
which the Executive is included be less than the aggregate level of benefits
under plans of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of the type referred to in
this Section 5.3 in which the Executive was participating immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company.

                  5.4 The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than
the amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays to
which the Executive was entitled annually immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company or such greater amount of paid vacation and number of
paid holidays as may be made available annually to other executives of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates of comparable status and position to the
Executive.

                  5.5 The Executive shall be included in all plans providing
additional benefits to executives of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of
comparable status and position to the Executive, including deferred
compensation, split-dollar life insurance, supplemental retirement, stock
option, stock appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans be
less than the aggregate level of benefits under plans of the Company, BWC or
their Affiliates of the type referred to in this Section 5.5 in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company. Moreover, the obligation of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates to
include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation plans shall be
determined by Section 5.6.

                  5.6 To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to
earn incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the
Executive shall be included in a bonus plan of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates that shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the
"Bonus Plan"). Bonuses under the Bonus Plan shall be payable with respect to
achieving such financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of
the Company as the Company shall establish (the "Goals"), all of which Goals
shall be attainable, prior to the end of the Employment Period, with
approximately the same degree of probability as the goals under the bonus plan
of the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Company, BWC or their Affiliates as in effect immediately prior to the
Change in Control of the Company (the "Company Bonus Plan") and in view of the
Company's existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable
at the time. The amount of the bonus (the "Bonus Amount") that the Executive
will be eligible to earn under the Bonus Plan shall be no less than the amount
of the Executive's maximum award provided in such Company Bonus Plan (such bonus
amount is referred to as the "Targeted Bonus"). If the Goals are not achieved
such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide
for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus
reasonably related to that portion of the Goals that were achieved. Payment of
the Bonus Amount shall not be affected by any circumstance occurring subsequent
to the end of the Employment Period, including termination of the Executive's
employment.

         6. ANNUAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Company (or an appropriate committee or officer
thereof) will consider and review, at least annually, the contributions of the
Executive to the Company, BWC or their Affiliates and in accordance with the
practice of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates prior to the Change in Control
of the Company, due consideration shall be given to the upward adjustment of the
Executive's base compensation rate, at least annually, (i) commensurate with
increases generally given to other executives of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates of comparable status and position to the Executive, and (ii) as the
scope of the operations of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates or the
Executive's duties expand.

         7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If there is a Covered
Termination for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the
procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Section 9.1.

         8. TERMINATION GIVING RISE TO A TERMINATION PAYMENT.

                  8.1 If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii)
disability pursuant to Section 12, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be
subject to the procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits
pursuant to Section 9.1 and, in lieu of further base salary for periods
following the Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance
pay the Termination Payment pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  8.2 If there is Covered Termination and the Executive is
entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Executive
shall be entitled to the following additional benefits:

                           (i) The Executive shall receive, at the expense of
the Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of
service commensurate with the Executive's status with the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company (or, if
higher, immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm
selected by the Company.

                           (ii) For two years after the date of Termination, the
Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the
same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage
as was required under this Agreement with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given.

         9. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION.

                  9.1 ACCRUED BENEFITS. The Executive's "Accrued Benefits" shall
include the following amounts, payable as described in this Agreement:

                           (i) all base salary for the time period ending with
the Termination Date;

                           (ii) reimbursement for any monies advanced in
connection with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates for
the time period ending with the Termination Date;

                           (iii) any other cash earned through the Termination
Date and deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred
compensation plan then in effect;

                           (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive
compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in
which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plans in
which the Executive is a participant; and

                           (v) all other payments and benefits to which the
Executive (or in the event of the Executive's death, the Executive's surviving
spouse or other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or
under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates, and
severance payments under the Company's severance policies and practices as in
effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company. Payment of
Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company's
prevailing practice with respect to Subsections (i) and (ii) or, with respect to
Subsections (iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or
practice establishing such benefits.

                  9.2 TERMINATION PAYMENT. The Termination Payment shall be an
amount equal to (A) the Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, as adjusted upward, from time to
time, pursuant to Section 6, plus (B) the amount of the highest annual bonus
award (determined on an annualized basis for any bonus award paid for a period
of less than one year) paid to the Executive with respect to the two complete
fiscal years preceding the Termination Date (the aggregate amount set forth in
(A) and (B) hereof shall be referred to as "Annual Cash Compensation"), times
(C) a factor of 2. The Termination Payment shall be paid in cash and shall not
be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination
Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination
Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for
any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in addition to any other
severance payments to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
severance policies and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company.

                  9.3 TAXES.

                           (i) Gross-Up. Whether or not the Executive becomes
entitled to the Termination Payment, if any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the
termination of the Executive's employment, including those provided under
Section 9.1, (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits, including the Termination Payment, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. (Excise Tax shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of the Code.) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9.3),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.

                           (ii) Tax Counsel. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
such Excise Tax, (a) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (b) all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (c)
the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. Prior to the payment date set forth in Section
9.3(iii) below, the Company shall provide the Executive with its

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

calculation of the amounts referred to in this Section 9.2(ii) and such
supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the Executive to evaluate
the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the Company's calculations
(in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to the
matter in dispute shall prevail.

                           (iii) Repayment. In the event that (a) amounts are
paid to the Executive pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 9.2, and (b)
the Excise Tax is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay
to the Company, within five (5) business days following the time that the amount
of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local
income and employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the
Executive), to the extent that such repayment results in (i) no portion of the
Total Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and (b) a dollar-for-dollar
reduction in the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal,
state and local income and employment taxes plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B)of the Code. In the event
that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment
(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess and in respect of any
portion of the Excise Tax with respect to which the Company had not previously
made a Gross-Up Payment (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by
the Executive with respect to such excess and such portion) within five (5)
business days following the time that the amount of such excess is finally
determined.

                  9.4 DATE OF PAYMENTS. The payments provided in Sections 9.2
and 9.3 shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments, and the
limitations on such payments set forth in Sections 9.2 or 9.3 above, cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive
on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive or, in the
case of payments under Section 9.3, in accordance with Section 9.3 above, of the
minimum amount of such payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and
shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest on the unpaid
remainder [or on all such payments to the extent the Company fails to make such
payments when due] at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount
of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the
time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

writing shall be attached to the statement).

         10. DEATH.

                  10.1 Except as provided in Section 10.2, in the event of a
Covered Termination due to the Executive's death, the Executive's estate, heirs
and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the
Termination Date.

                  10.2 In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of
Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the
benefits described in Section 10.1 hereof and, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled
to had the Executive lived. For purposes of this Subsection 10.2, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the
Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to Section 1.14, or one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

         11. RETIREMENT. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Company shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the
Executive from the Company, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he
is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Company, the Executive shall
receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. However, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive
also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement,
the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment.

         12. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, as a
result of the Executive's disability due to physical or mental illness or injury
(regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive
shall have been absent from the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days
after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate
the Executive's employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of
Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis,
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment for purposes of this
Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section
13. If the Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's
disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof and shall remain eligible for all
benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company, BWC or
its Affiliates in effect at the time of such termination.

         13. TERMINATION NOTICE AND PROCEDURE. Any Covered Termination by the
Company or the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if
such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following
procedures and those set forth in Section 23:

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                  13.1 If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good
Reason, the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.

                  13.2 Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall have been
approved, prior to the giving thereof to the Executive, by a resolution duly
adopted by a majority of the directors of the Company (or any successor
corporation) then in office.

                  13.3 If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason,
the Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement on or after
the date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in
any event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by
the Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties under this
Agreement on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the
Executive's rights under this Agreement.

                  13.4 The Executive shall have thirty days, or such longer
period as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or
act, if curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive's
employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 1.4(iii).

                  13.5 The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall
personally deliver or mail in accordance with Section 23 written notice of any
dispute relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice
within fifteen days after receipt thereof. However, if the Executive's conduct
or act alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is
curable, then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such
period, the contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not
subject to dispute.

         14. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees that, in
the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to and
receives Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not,
for a period of one year after the Termination Date, without the prior written
approval of the Company's Board of Directors, participate in the management of,
be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United
States that engages in substantial competition with the Company or its
subsidiaries, where such enterprise's revenues from any competitive activities
amount to 40% or more of such enterprise's net revenues and sales for its most
recently completed fiscal year. However, nothing in this Section 14 shall
prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor
amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such
competitor. The Executive also shall perform his obligations under the "Secrecy
Agreement" and the "Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" entered
into by the Company and the Executive.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         15. EXPENSES AND INTEREST. If, after a Change in Control of the
Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal or arbitration proceeding shall be
brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained in this Agreement or to
recover damages for breach, in either case so long as the Executive is not
acting in bad faith, the Executive shall recover from the Company any reasonable
attorneys' fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of
such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding ("Expenses"), and prejudgment
interest on any money judgment or arbitration award obtained by the Executive
calculated at the rate of interest announced by Bank of America, St. Louis,
Missouri from time to time as its prime or base lending rate from the date that
payments to him should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days
after the Executive's written request, the Company shall pay to the Executive,
or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the
Company, the Executive's reasonable Expenses in advance of the final disposition
or conclusion of any such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding.

         16. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the
benefit and other arrangements provided in this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Section
15 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid
without notice or demand. Each payment made under this Agreement by the Company
shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover any part of such
payment from the Executive, or from whoever may be entitled to such payment, for
any reason.

         17. SUCCESSORS.

                  17.1 If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or
substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company
merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not
survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a "Sale of
Business"), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest
in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company
shall cause such Person, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and
after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions
imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the Company to obtain
such agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a
breach of this Agreement constituting "Good Reason" for termination hereunder,
except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such
Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case
of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such
Person, as used in this Agreement, "Company" shall subsequently mean such Person
which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 17 or
that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his discretion, be entitled
to proceed against any of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a
successor

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to enforce any
rights of the Executive under this Agreement. Except as provided in this
Subsection, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This
Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of
the Company.

                  17.2 This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts
payable to the Executive under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 if the
Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive's death, to the
Executive's estate, heirs and representatives. However, the foregoing shall not
be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Company, as such
terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that
expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive's death.

         18. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any provision or any part is declared invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the
remainder of such provisions or parts and the applicability thereof shall not be
so affected.

         19. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any
time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive.

         20. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts
to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any federal, state or local
withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to
withhold. However, the amount so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount
required to be withheld by law. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an
opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to the amount or
requirement of any such withholding shall arise.

         21. CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. No Party shall be considered as
being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying
any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of
this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any
provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be
deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an
authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes the Change
of Control Employment Agreement previously entered into by the Parties.

         22. GOVERNING LAW; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement shall, at the Executive's election, be determined by arbitration under
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (in which case
both parties shall be bound by the arbitration award) or by litigation. Whether
the dispute is to be settled by arbitration or litigation, the venue for the
arbitration or litigation shall be St. Louis, Missouri or, at the Executive's
election, if the Executive is no longer residing or working in the St.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the
city in which the Executive resides. However, if the Executive is not then
residing in the United States, the election of the Executive with respect to
such venue shall be either St. Louis, Missouri or in the judicial district
encompassing that city of the United States among the thirty cities having the
largest population (as determined by the most recent United States Census data
available at the Termination Date) that is closest to the Executive's residence.
The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected
venue having subject matter jurisdiction regardless of their residence or situs,
and each party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided
in Section 23.

         23. NOTICE. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.4, shall be deemed given
when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company's
Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed,
such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to
Belden Inc., Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the
Secretary), 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, or if to
the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive's signature to this
Agreement, or to such other address as the Party to be notified shall have given
to the other Party in writing.

         24. NO WAIVER. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by
the other Party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

         25. HEADINGS. The headings are for reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                                 End of Page 17

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.

                                              BELDEN INC.

                                              By:
                                                  ------------------------------

                                              Attest:
                                                     ---------------------------

                                              EXECUTIVE

                                              /s/ Cathy O. Staples
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              Cathy O. Staples
                                              456 Oakley Drive
                                              St. Louis, Missouri 63105

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                     CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 31st day of July, 2001, by Belden Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Kevin L. Bloomfield ("Executive").

                                 R E C I T A L S

         The Executive is an officer of the Company and is employed by Belden
Wire & Cable Company ("BWC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a key
executive capacity. The Executive's services are valuable to the Company. The
Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the
Company and has acquired certain confidential information with respect to the
Company.

         The Company desires to insure that it will continue to have the benefit
of the Executive's services and to protect its confidential information and
goodwill. The Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change
in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, causing
uncertainty about the Executive's future employment with the Company without
regard to the Executive's competence or past contributions. Such uncertainty may
result in the loss of valuable services of the Executive to the detriment of the
Company and its stockholders.

         The Company and the Executive desire that any proposal for a change in
control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive
objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Executive will be in a better position to consider the
Company's best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable security, as
provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could
result from any such change in control or acquisition.

         NOW, the Company and the Executive (collectively the "Parties" or
individually a "Party"), agree as follows:

         1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

                  1.1 ACT. The term "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  1.2 AFFILIATE AND ASSOCIATE. The terms "Affiliate" and
"Associate" shall have the meanings given them in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

                  1.3 BENEFICIAL OWNER. A Person shall be deemed to be the
"Beneficial Owner" of any securities:

                           (i) that such Person or any other Person's Affiliates
or Associates has the

<PAGE>

right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,

                                    (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase, or

                                    (B) securities issuable upon exercise of
Rights issued pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement between the Company
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agreement"), dated at
July 6, 1995, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights
Agreement), at any time before the issuance of such securities;

                           (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or
dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 of the Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under this
subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding:

                                    (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations under the Act and

                                    (B) is not also then reportable on a
Schedule 13D under the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                           (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as
described in Subsection 1.3 (ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of
the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (iii) shall cause
a Person engaged in the business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired
through such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days (40) after the date of such
acquisition.

                  1.4 CAUSE. "Cause" for termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment with the Company, BWC or any of their Affiliates after a
Change of Control of the Company shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be
limited to:

                           (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional
conduct taken in bad faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial
injury to the Company, as evidenced by

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

a determination in a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or
lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by a
binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which
substantially impairs the Executive's ability to perform his duties or
responsibilities; and

                           (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by
the Executive to perform the Executive's duties or responsibilities (unless
significantly changed without the Executive's consent).

                  1.5 CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. A "Change in Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                           (i) any Person (other than any employee benefit plan
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any entity holding securities
of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any trustee,
administrator or fiduciary of such a plan) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of
securities of the Company representing at least 30% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities (other than acquisitions directly
from the Company);

                           (ii) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall have occurred
under the Rights Agreement (or a similar event shall have occurred under any
successor to such Rights Agreement) at any time any Rights are issued and
outstanding thereunder;

                           (iii) one-third or more of the members of the Board
are not Continuing Directors; or

                           (iv) there shall be consummated any merger of the
Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or
pursuant to which shares of the Company's Common Stock would be converted into
cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which
the holders of the Company's Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation
immediately after the merger.

                  1.6 CODE. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  1.7 CONTINUING DIRECTOR. The term "Continuing Director" means
(i) any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who was a
member of such Board on August 15, 1996, (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
the Continuing Directors then on the Board, and (iii) any

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

appointee who is recommended by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on
the Board.

                  1.8 COVERED TERMINATION. The term "Covered Termination" means
any termination of the Executive's employment where the Termination Date is any
date prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                  1.9 EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The term "Employment Period" means a
period beginning on the date of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined
in Section 1.5 above), and ending at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis Time on the earlier of
the third anniversary of such date or the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

                  1.10 GOOD REASON. The Executive shall have a "Good Reason" for
termination of employment after a Change in Control of the Company in the event
of:

                           (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company,
including specifically any breach by the Company of its agreements contained in
Sections 4 (Duties), 5 (Compensation) or 6 (Annual Compensation Adjustments)
hereof;

                           (ii) the removal of the Executive from, or any
failure to reelect or reappoint the Executive to, any of the positions held with
the Company, BWC or any of their affiliates on the date of the Change in Control
of the Company or any other positions with the Company, BWC or any of their
affiliates, to which the Executive shall thereafter be elected, appointed or
assigned, except when such removal or failure to reelect or reappoint relates to
the termination by the Company of the Executive's employment for Cause or by
reason of disability pursuant to Section 12;

                           (iii) a good faith determination by the Executive
that there has been a significant adverse change, without the Executive's
written consent, in the Executive's working conditions or status with the
Company, BWC or any of their affiliates from such working conditions or status
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, including
but not limited to;

                                    (A) a significant change in the nature or
scope of the Executive's authority, powers, functions, duties or
responsibilities, or

                                    (B) a significant reduction in the level of
support services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space and
accoutrements; or

                           (iv) failure by the Company to obtain the Agreement
referred to in Section 17.1 (Successors) below; or

                           (v) any voluntary termination of employment by the
Executive where the Notice of Termination is delivered within 30 days of the
first anniversary of the Effective Date.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  1.11 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE. The term "Normal Retirement Date"
means the date Executive attains the age of 70.

                  1.12 PERSON. The term "Person" shall mean any individual,
firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by
merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting
in concert.

                  1.13 TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this Agreement, except
as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 (Death) and Section 17.1 (Successors), the
term "Termination Date" means:

                           (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive's death, the date of death;

                           (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Company and
the Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such
written agreement;

                           (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
purposes of this Agreement by reason of disability pursuant to Section 12, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period;

                           (iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of
Termination is given; and

                           (v) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company (whether or not for Cause), or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior
to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing;

                                    (A) If termination is for Cause pursuant to
Section 1.4(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct
constituting such Cause as described by the Company in its Notice of Termination
within such thirty day or shorter period, then the Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall continue as if the Company had not delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (B) If the Company shall give a Notice of
Termination for Cause or by reason of disability and the Executive in good faith
notifies the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the
applicable period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to
continue his employment (or, if the Executive ceased performing his duties under
this Agreement at the request of the Company at the time of delivery of Notice
of Termination, resume and continue employment) during such dispute and the
Termination Date shall be determined under this paragraph. If the Executive so
elects and it is thereafter determined that Cause or

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

disability (as the case may be ) did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death,
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Cause or disability (as the case
may be ) did not exist, then the employment of the Executive under this
Agreement shall continue after such determination as if the Company had not
delivered its Notice of Termination and there shall be no Termination Date
arising out of such Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the
Termination Date, if any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of
Termination except that, if it is finally determined that the Company properly
terminated the Executive for the reason asserted in the Notice of Termination,
the Executive shall in no case be entitled to a Termination Payment (as defined
below) arising out of events occurring after the Company delivered its Notice of
Termination.

                                    (C) If the Executive shall in good faith
give a Notice of Termination for Good Reason and the Company notifies the
Executive that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the applicable
period following receipt of notice, then the Executive may elect to continue his
employment during such dispute and the Termination Date shall be determined
under this paragraph. If the Executive so elects and it is subsequently
determined that Good Reason did exist, the Termination Date shall be the
earliest of (1) the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either (x)
by mutual written agreement of the parties or (y) in accordance with Section 22
(Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes), (2) the date of the Executive's death
or (3) one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. If the Executive so
elects and it is subsequently determined that Good Reason did not exist, then
the employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall continue after such
determination as if the Executive had not delivered the Notice of Termination
asserting Good Reason and there shall be no Termination Date arising out of such
Notice. In either case, this Agreement continues, until the Termination Date, if
any, as if the Company had not delivered the Notice of Termination except that,
if it is finally determined that Good Reason did exist, the Executive shall in
no case be denied the benefits described in Sections 8 and 9 (including a
Termination Payment) based on events occurring after the Executive delivered his
Notice of Termination.

                                    (D) If an opinion is required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof and such opinion shall not have been
delivered, the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date on which such
opinion is delivered or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                                    (E) Except as provided in Paragraphs (B) and
(C) above, if the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other
Party that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate
period following receipt of notice and it is finally determined that the reason
asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (1) if such Notice
was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily
terminated his employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the
date thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to
the end of the Employment Period and (2) if delivered by the Company, the
Company will be deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of
death, disability or Cause.

         2. TERMINATION PRIOR TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Company and the
Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the
Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. If the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the
Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and all rights and obligations of
the parties under it shall cease.

         3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs when
the Executive is employed by BWC, BWC will continue subsequently to employ the
Executive during the Employment Period, and the Executive will remain in the
employ of BWC, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement.

         4. DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall, in the
same capacities and positions held by the Executive at the time of the Change in
Control of the Company or in such other capacities and positions as may be
agreed to by the Company and the Executive in writing, devote the Executive's
best efforts and all of the Executive's business time, attention and skill to
the business and affairs of the Company, as such business and affairs now exist
and as they may subsequently be conducted. The services that are to be performed
by the Executive under this Agreement are to be rendered in the same
metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the time of such Change
in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be agreed
upon in writing by the Executive and the Company from time to time. Without the
Executive's consent, the Executive shall not be required to be absent from such
metropolitan area more than 45 days in any fiscal year of the Company.

         5. COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
compensated as follows:

                  5.1 The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but
not less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as
may be in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an
annual base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company (which base salary shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the
Executive, include the current receipt by the Executive of any amounts that,
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, the Executive had elected to
defer, whether such compensation is deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or
otherwise), subject to adjustment as provided below.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

                  5.2 The Executive shall receive fringe benefits at least equal
in value to those provided for the Executive immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company, and shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in
accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company, for any monies advanced in connection with
the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the
Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their affiliates, including travel
expenses.

                  5.3 The Executive shall be included, to the extent eligible
thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive's salary
grade or on any other requirement that excludes persons of comparable status to
the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent
plan immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any plan
providing benefits for the Company's salaried employees in general of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates, including but not limited to the Management
Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, group life insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, savings, profit sharing and stock bonus plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans in
which the Executive is included be less than the aggregate level of benefits
under plans of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of the type referred to in
this Section 5.3 in which the Executive was participating immediately prior to
the Change in Control of the Company.

                  5.4 The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than
the amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the number of paid holidays to
which the Executive was entitled annually immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company or such greater amount of paid vacation and number of
paid holidays as may be made available annually to other executives of the
Company, BWC or their Affiliates of comparable status and position to the
Executive.

                  5.5 The Executive shall be included in all plans providing
additional benefits to executives of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates of
comparable status and position to the Executive, including deferred
compensation, split-dollar life insurance, supplemental retirement, stock
option, stock appreciation, stock bonus and similar or comparable plans.
However, in no event shall the aggregate level of benefits under such plans be
less than the aggregate level of benefits under plans of the Company, BWC or
their Affiliates of the type referred to in this Section 5.5 in which the
Executive was participating immediately prior to the Change in Control of the
Company. Moreover, the obligation of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates to
include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation plans shall be
determined by Section 5.6.

                  5.6 To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to
earn incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the
Executive shall be included in a bonus plan of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates that shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the
"Bonus Plan"). Bonuses under the Bonus Plan shall be payable with respect to
achieving such financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of
the Company as the Company shall establish (the "Goals"), all of which Goals
shall be attainable, prior to the end of the Employment Period, with
approximately the same degree of probability as the goals under the bonus plan
of the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Company, BWC or their Affiliates as in effect immediately prior to the
Change in Control of the Company (the "Company Bonus Plan") and in view of the
Company's existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable
at the time. The amount of the bonus (the "Bonus Amount") that the Executive
will be eligible to earn under the Bonus Plan shall be no less than the amount
of the Executive's maximum award provided in such Company Bonus Plan (such bonus
amount is referred to as the "Targeted Bonus"). If the Goals are not achieved
such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide
for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus
reasonably related to that portion of the Goals that were achieved. Payment of
the Bonus Amount shall not be affected by any circumstance occurring subsequent
to the end of the Employment Period, including termination of the Executive's
employment.

         6. ANNUAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS. During the Employment Period, the
Board of Directors of the Company (or an appropriate committee or officer
thereof) will consider and review, at least annually, the contributions of the
Executive to the Company, BWC or their Affiliates and in accordance with the
practice of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates prior to the Change in Control
of the Company, due consideration shall be given to the upward adjustment of the
Executive's base compensation rate, at least annually, (i) commensurate with
increases generally given to other executives of the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates of comparable status and position to the Executive, and (ii) as the
scope of the operations of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates or the
Executive's duties expand.

         7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If there is a Covered
Termination for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the
procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Section 9.1.

         8. TERMINATION GIVING RISE TO A TERMINATION PAYMENT.

                  8.1 If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii)
disability pursuant to Section 12, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be
subject to the procedures set forth in Section 13), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits
pursuant to Section 9.1 and, in lieu of further base salary for periods
following the Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance
pay the Termination Payment pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  8.2 If there is Covered Termination and the Executive is
entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Executive
shall be entitled to the following additional benefits:

                           (i) The Executive shall receive, at the expense of
the Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of
service commensurate with the Executive's status with the Company, BWC or their
Affiliates immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company (or, if
higher, immediately prior to the termination of the Executive's

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm
selected by the Company.

                           (ii) For two years after the date of Termination, the
Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the
same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage
as was required under this Agreement with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given.

         9. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION.

                  9.1 ACCRUED BENEFITS. The Executive's "Accrued Benefits" shall
include the following amounts, payable as described in this Agreement:

                           (i) all base salary for the time period ending with
the Termination Date;

                           (ii) reimbursement for any monies advanced in
connection with the Executive's employment for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates for
the time period ending with the Termination Date;

                           (iii) any other cash earned through the Termination
Date and deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred
compensation plan then in effect;

                           (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive
compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in
which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plans in
which the Executive is a participant; and

                           (v) all other payments and benefits to which the
Executive (or in the event of the Executive's death, the Executive's surviving
spouse or other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or
under the terms of any benefit plan of the Company, BWC or their Affiliates, and
severance payments under the Company's severance policies and practices as in
effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company. Payment of
Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company's
prevailing practice with respect to Subsections (i) and (ii) or, with respect to
Subsections (iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or
practice establishing such benefits.

                  9.2 TERMINATION PAYMENT. The Termination Payment shall be an
amount equal to (A) the Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control of the Company, as adjusted upward, from time to
time, pursuant to Section 6, plus (B) the amount of the highest annual bonus
award (determined on an annualized basis for any bonus award paid for a period
of less than one year) paid to the Executive with respect to the two complete
fiscal years preceding the Termination Date (the aggregate amount set forth in
(A) and (B) hereof shall be referred to as "Annual Cash Compensation"), times
(C) a factor of 2. The Termination Payment shall be paid in cash and shall not
be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination
Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination
Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive's securing other employment or for
any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in addition to any other
severance payments to which the Executive is entitled under the Company's
severance policies and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control of the Company.

                  9.3 TAXES.

                           (i) Gross-Up. Whether or not the Executive becomes
entitled to the Termination Payment, if any payment or benefit received or to be
received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the
termination of the Executive's employment, including those provided under
Section 9.1, (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits, including the Termination Payment, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. (Excise Tax shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section 4999
of the Code.) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 9.3),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.

                           (ii) Tax Counsel. For purposes of determining whether
any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
such Excise Tax, (a) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the
opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Executive
and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change
in Control, the Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such other
payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (b) all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of section
280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such
reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (c)
the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be
determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of sections
280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. Prior to the payment date set forth in Section
9.3(iii) below, the Company shall provide the Executive with its

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

calculation of the amounts referred to in this Section 9.2(ii) and such
supporting materials as are reasonably necessary for the Executive to evaluate
the Company's calculations. If the Executive disputes the Company's calculations
(in whole or in part), the reasonable opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to the
matter in dispute shall prevail.

                           (iii) Repayment. In the event that (a) amounts are
paid to the Executive pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 9.2, and (b)
the Excise Tax is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay
to the Company, within five (5) business days following the time that the amount
of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the
Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local
income and employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the
Executive), to the extent that such repayment results in (i) no portion of the
Total Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and (b) a dollar-for-dollar
reduction in the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal,
state and local income and employment taxes plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B)of the Code. In the event
that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time of the termination of the Executive's employment
(including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be
determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess and in respect of any
portion of the Excise Tax with respect to which the Company had not previously
made a Gross-Up Payment (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by
the Executive with respect to such excess and such portion) within five (5)
business days following the time that the amount of such excess is finally
determined.

                  9.4 DATE OF PAYMENTS. The payments provided in Sections 9.2
and 9.3 shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments, and the
limitations on such payments set forth in Sections 9.2 or 9.3 above, cannot be
finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive
on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Executive or, in the
case of payments under Section 9.3, in accordance with Section 9.3 above, of the
minimum amount of such payments to which the Executive is clearly entitled and
shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest on the unpaid
remainder [or on all such payments to the extent the Company fails to make such
payments when due] at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the
thirtieth (30th) day after the Date of Termination. In the event that the amount
of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth (5th) business day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). At the
time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such
payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without
limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or
advice which are in

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

writing shall be attached to the statement).

         10. DEATH.

                  10.1 Except as provided in Section 10.2, in the event of a
Covered Termination due to the Executive's death, the Executive's estate, heirs
and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive's Accrued Benefits through the
Termination Date.

                  10.2 In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of
Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Executive's estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the
benefits described in Section 10.1 hereof and, subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled
to had the Executive lived. For purposes of this Subsection 10.2, the
Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the
Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to Section 1.14, or one day
prior to the end of the Employment Period.

         11. RETIREMENT. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the
Company shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the
Executive from the Company, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he
is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Company, the Executive shall
receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date. However, if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the
Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive
also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement,
the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment.

         12. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, as a
result of the Executive's disability due to physical or mental illness or injury
(regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive
shall have been absent from the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a
full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days
after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate
the Executive's employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of
Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the
performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis,
the Company may terminate the Executive's employment for purposes of this
Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section
13. If the Executive's employment is terminated on account of the Executive's
disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued
Benefits in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof and shall remain eligible for all
benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company, BWC or
its Affiliates in effect at the time of such termination.

         13. TERMINATION NOTICE AND PROCEDURE. Any Covered Termination by the
Company or the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if
such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following
procedures and those set forth in Section 23:

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                  13.1 If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good
Reason, the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.

                  13.2 Any Notice of Termination by the Company shall have been
approved, prior to the giving thereof to the Executive, by a resolution duly
adopted by a majority of the directors of the Company (or any successor
corporation) then in office.

                  13.3 If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason,
the Executive may cease performing his duties under this Agreement on or after
the date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in
any event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by
the Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties under this
Agreement on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the
Executive's rights under this Agreement.

                  13.4 The Executive shall have thirty days, or such longer
period as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or
act, if curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive's
employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 1.4(iii).

                  13.5 The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall
personally deliver or mail in accordance with Section 23 written notice of any
dispute relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice
within fifteen days after receipt thereof. However, if the Executive's conduct
or act alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is
curable, then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such
period, the contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not
subject to dispute.

         14. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive agrees that, in
the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to and
receives Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not,
for a period of one year after the Termination Date, without the prior written
approval of the Company's Board of Directors, participate in the management of,
be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United
States that engages in substantial competition with the Company or its
subsidiaries, where such enterprise's revenues from any competitive activities
amount to 40% or more of such enterprise's net revenues and sales for its most
recently completed fiscal year. However, nothing in this Section 14 shall
prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor
amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such
competitor. The Executive also shall perform his obligations under the "Secrecy
Agreement" and the "Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement" entered
into by the Company and the Executive.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         15. EXPENSES AND INTEREST. If, after a Change in Control of the
Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal or arbitration proceeding shall be
brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained in this Agreement or to
recover damages for breach, in either case so long as the Executive is not
acting in bad faith, the Executive shall recover from the Company any reasonable
attorneys' fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of
such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding ("Expenses"), and prejudgment
interest on any money judgment or arbitration award obtained by the Executive
calculated at the rate of interest announced by Bank of America, St. Louis,
Missouri from time to time as its prime or base lending rate from the date that
payments to him should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days
after the Executive's written request, the Company shall pay to the Executive,
or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the
Company, the Executive's reasonable Expenses in advance of the final disposition
or conclusion of any such dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding.

         16. PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Company's obligation during and
after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the
benefit and other arrangements provided in this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Section
15 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid
without notice or demand. Each payment made under this Agreement by the Company
shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover any part of such
payment from the Executive, or from whoever may be entitled to such payment, for
any reason.

         17. SUCCESSORS.

                  17.1 If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or
substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company
merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not
survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a "Sale of
Business"), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest
in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company
shall cause such Person, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, to expressly assume and agree to perform from and
after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions
imposed by this Agreement upon the Company. Failure of the Company to obtain
such agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a
breach of this Agreement constituting "Good Reason" for termination hereunder,
except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such
Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case
of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such
Person, as used in this Agreement, "Company" shall subsequently mean such Person
which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 17 or
that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement
by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his discretion, be entitled
to proceed against any of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a
successor

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to enforce any
rights of the Executive under this Agreement. Except as provided in this
Subsection, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This
Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of
the Company.

                  17.2 This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts
payable to the Executive under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 if the
Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive's death, to the
Executive's estate, heirs and representatives. However, the foregoing shall not
be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Company, as such
terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that
expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive's death.

         18. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as
divisible, and if any provision or any part is declared invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the
remainder of such provisions or parts and the applicability thereof shall not be
so affected.

         19. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any
time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive.

         20. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts
to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement any federal, state or local
withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to
withhold. However, the amount so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount
required to be withheld by law. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an
opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to the amount or
requirement of any such withholding shall arise.

         21. CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. No Party shall be considered as
being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying
any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of
this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any
provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be
deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an
authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes the Change
of Control Employment Agreement previously entered into by the Parties.

         22. GOVERNING LAW; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement shall, at the Executive's election, be determined by arbitration under
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (in which case
both parties shall be bound by the arbitration award) or by litigation. Whether
the dispute is to be settled by arbitration or litigation, the venue for the
arbitration or litigation shall be St. Louis, Missouri or, at the Executive's
election, if the Executive is no longer residing or working in the St.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the
city in which the Executive resides. However, if the Executive is not then
residing in the United States, the election of the Executive with respect to
such venue shall be either St. Louis, Missouri or in the judicial district
encompassing that city of the United States among the thirty cities having the
largest population (as determined by the most recent United States Census data
available at the Termination Date) that is closest to the Executive's residence.
The Parties consent to personal jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected
venue having subject matter jurisdiction regardless of their residence or situs,
and each party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided
in Section 23.

         23. NOTICE. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.4, shall be deemed given
when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company's
Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed,
such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to
Belden Inc., Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the
Secretary), 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 800, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, or if to
the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive's signature to this
Agreement, or to such other address as the Party to be notified shall have given
to the other Party in writing.

         24. NO WAIVER. No waiver by either Party at any time of any breach by
the other Party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by the other Party shall be deemed a waiver of similar
or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

         25. HEADINGS. The headings are for reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                                 End of Page 17

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.

                                              BELDEN INC.

                                              By:
                                                  ------------------------------

                                              Attest:
                                                     ---------------------------

                                              EXECUTIVE

                                              /s/ Kevin L. Bloomfield
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              Kevin L. Bloomfield
                                              7 Thorndell
                                              St. Louis, Missouri 63117

                                      -18-

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